Asanvari Moorings

By John Martin

One of the most delightful spots on our cruise this year (2007) was Asanvari. Located at the southern end of Maewo just north of Pentecost in Vanuatu, it's an idyllic place. Some of you may have already visited the Asanvari Yacht Club, Chief Nelson, his son Nixon, and the beautiful clubhouse overlooking the crystal clear waters of this tranquil bay.

Paradise has a problem though, the bay is divided roughly in two. Sand bottom with good holding in about 15 meters on the left at the waterfall end of the bay and coral on the right. We found some of the best diving in Vanuatu on the coral heads and here's the problem: The coral is being decimated by the yachts anchoring over the coral area.

So while we were there, ICA and Chief Nelson got together and formed a partnership between the two clubs and designated the bay as a conservation area, no fishing and definitely no anchoring on the coral. To assist, ICA has pledged to put down three moorings in the coral area during next year's (2008) rally and continue with a program to increase the number of moorings over the next few years.

This will help to protect the coral and also give the village some much needed income. At the welcome back and Christmas party we launched the appeal for funds with a raffle, the prize kindly donated by "Marine Gear". This brought in $355 and along with pledges and assistance from "Tusker Beer", the local beer brewed in Vanuatu, we now have enough for the first mooring.

Grant & Debra Blake who import the Hondex hand held depth sounders have very kindly donated one to be raffled at the February club night but we still need some sponsors so help us help Asanvari by donating to this very worthy cause. Island Cruisings' new web site will be launched on Thursday 6th of December, there's a link there to a secure site for credit card payments with one specifically for Asanvari Moorings. It's a standard pledge of $30.00 and your donation will be acknowledged on the wall at the Asanvari Yacht Club. We will let you know progress as it happens, but in the mean time, "Thanks"

Asanvari Pledge Form click HERE