Latest OCC News
Is aquaculture a sustainable food source?
As cruisers, we are probably more attuned to food sources than most. We fish responsibly taking only what we need for our own sustenance while at sea. But what happens when we land on shore?
by Alex Blackwell, MSc and Daria Blackwell - 27/01/2022
The OCC Announces Award Recipients for 2021
This is a list of the award recipients for 2021. Further details are available in the Press Release issued this morning.
by Daria Blackwell - 26/01/2022
Team South Pacific Recogised with the OCC Award
The 2021 OCC Award recognises Team South Pacific 2020: Juan Boschetti, Liz Back, Cynthia Rasch, John and Lyn Martin, John Hembrow, Viki Moore, and Sue Richards.
by Daria Blackwell - 24/01/2022
Tonga Tsunami Update from Sea Mercy (Fiji)
A large eruption of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha-apai underwater volcano in the evening of 15 January (at 17:26 local time) caused a tsunami and ash fall in Tonga (total pop. 105,000 people).
by Jonathan Robinson - 16/01/2022
Notes for Cruisers considering responding to a Natural Disaster
PO Jonathan Robinson and his wife Donna have been cruising full time since 2014. As Sea Mercy volunteers over the last 6 years Jonathan has coordinated that organisation’s cyclone responses.
by Jonathan Robinson, OCC Port Officer Port Denarau, Sea Mercy (Fiji) Coordinator - 16/01/2022
The world's ocean just broke another heat record
An analysis of recent Ocean Heat Content (OHC) changes through 2021 by two international groups shows the ocean was the hottest ever recorded by humans.
by Daria Blackwell - 15/01/2022
Incidence of piracy declined in 2021
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) urged caution despite the lowest reported maritime piracy and armed robbery incidents since 1994. The report covers mainly commercial shipping incidents.
by Daria Blackwell - 13/01/2022
This passage across the Atlantic has changed our lives!
On the 8th November 2021, our adventure began when we met our skipper and first mate, John and Susan Simpson.
by Laura Hampton & Noa Goovaerts - 22/12/2021
Anti-fouling – the challenges and the check lists
We all want a clean and smooth bottom on our boats and effective antifouling has been the way we try to achieve this, but the challenge is to do so without negative environmental impact.
by Phil Heaton and Kit Harling - 20/12/2021
RoRC Report from The Gambia: hot, chaotic and full of love
We arrived in the Gambian capital Banjul in mid-May. The purpose was, among other things, to deliver medicines as a charity.
by Roving Rear Commodores Susanne and Lars Hellman - 09/12/2021
RoRC Report from Great Britain and Ireland
Like for most cruisers, sailing over the last 6 months has continued to be constrained by the pandemic. That said, we managed to escape to explore a fabulous cruising area we’d never visited before.
by Roving Rear Commodores Reg & Nicky Barker - 09/12/2021
RoRC Report from Central America – reunited with Calico Skies
We set sail for Isla Mujeres, Mexico in May, nearly ten full months since we last cruised abroad.
by Roving Rear Commodores William Heaton and Grace Arison - 09/12/2021
RoRC Report: Two Drifters Report On Sociable Sailing in Fiji
The last six months have been refreshingly sociable for the crew of Two Drifters, meeting up with many OCC friends over sundowners, dinghy drifts, scuba dives, bbqs, land tours and snorkelling trips.
by Roving Rear Commodores Jenevora Swann and Fergus Dunipace - 08/12/2021
RoRC Report from Spruce in Panama, Central America
Spruce arrived in Balboa, Panama, on 28th August. Thirty days and 4,225 miles after leaving from Hiva Oa in the Marquises. Half the trip was with wind ahead of the beam, but mostly not too strong.
by Roving Rear Commodores Sue & Andy Warman - 08/12/2021
RoRC Report from Scandinavia - Swedish boats not permitted
It's been a terrible 18 months with cruising plans put on hold and one’s heart goes out to those, perhaps in mid-ocean, who were caught out by Covid restrictions in their landfall countries.
by Roving Rear Commodore Andrew Curtain - 08/12/2021
Dustin Reynolds Completes 7-Year Solo Circumnavigation
Today, OCC member Dustin Reynolds completed his 7-year solo circumnavigation, becoming the first dual amputee to circumnavigate.
by Barry Kennedy - 05/12/2021
Upcoming OCC Events
Events are again in jeopardy of cancellation due to Covid-19 increasing incidence and new variants. The webinars are continuing and are recorded and available to view on the website.
by Daria Blackwell - 01/12/2021
South Africa Rocks!
This period, from September to about February, is the most entertaining season for us here in South Africa when the circumnavigating yachts hit our shores and bring lots of excitement with them!
by Jenny Crickmore-Thompson & John Franklin - 28/11/2021
COP26 – so how was it for our world and our oceans?
The expectations were high as the scientific analysis and reports showed categorically that the world was on a trajectory towards a calamitous 2.7°C of warming...
by Phil Heaton and Steve Brown - 27/11/2021
Make a small gesture for the earth - Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Some time ago, the General Committee voted to make it possible for members to opt out of paper mailings.
by Daria Blackwell - 21/11/2021