Hugh Robertson Sailing · video

What this video covers

A sailor arriving in Nouméa, New Caledonia, finds the city under civil unrest, with widespread fires, closed businesses, and locked government offices.0:03 After struggling to locate immigration officials, the sailor and crews from other vessels gain entry to the immigration building to process their passports.1:50 Local cruisers and liveaboards organize security, including building barricades at marina entrances and coordinating departure strategies.4:48 The sailor moves to the anchorage at Îlot Maître to wait out the instability, eventually relocating to Recif du Cruy to shelter from a forecasted westerly wind shift.11:44 After returning to Nouméa to finalize checkout procedures, the sailor departs for Tana, Vanuatu.13:02 The passage covers approximately 100 miles, involving light, shifting winds that require motor-sailing and sail adjustments, including wing-on-wing configurations to stabilize the boat in following seas.17:13 The transit concludes with a rough arrival at Lanakal, Tana, as trade winds re-establish.19:57

Boats in this video

More from Hugh Robertson Sailing

26 differences from most other cruisers, part 2 of 2Apr 202626 differences from most other cruisers, part 1of 2.Apr 202630 stories of sailors less fortunate than me during my ocean-sailing years on Sea ChangeJan 202630 mistakes I made and things that broke on my solo circumnavigation on Sea Change, Part 3 of 3Dec 2025

From Hugh Robertson Sailing — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.