Southern Cross "Timetable"

Hi all,

I would like to travel from New Caledonia to PNG via Vanuatu and the solomons with as less flying as possible. from what I found out in this forum the "Southern Cross" is sailing "every few years" from Vanuatu to solomon islands and does quite some traveling around the islands in general.

Does anybody have any idea how I can find out about the ships whereabouts? Where it is at the moment? where it will sail next?

Thx!

Do you mean the SMV "Southern Cross" 58' yacht that is currently berthed at Avatiu wharf, Rarotonga under new ownership? If so this vessel has been doing whale watch, sunset cruises and charter trips around the Cook Islands for the past 2 years. You could try contacting the ship's owner through a web search. It was advertsising berths available to Palmerston Island in the Southern Cook group early April. It may have returned from that charter voyage by now.

No, the ship referred to is the 8th (I think) vessel of the same name, belonging to the Anglican Church of Melanesia, and based in Honiara. (It was actually built in Ballina, Australia).
You would need to contact the Provincial Headquarters of the Church of Melanesia in Honiara (details here)' or visit the offices near the Hot Bread shop in Point Cruz, Honiara.
Even when a voyage is planned, all sorts of things can prevent it from happening. You would have to be extremely lucky to fluke a trip to or from Vanuatu, with room available for a stranger.

Hi Ozziegiraffe,

thx a lot for the info! That should help me. I know that it's nearly impossible to get on that boat, especially for the planned route. But I've got some time on my hand and think it's at least worth a try! Now I know where to start!

schlappeseppel

contact: John Kere, mobile: +677 - 74-21098, johnkere (at) rocketmail.com

He works for about 20 years at the Church of Melanesia Headquater Honiara in different positions. Presently he is warehouse manager and in charge of resupplying the outposts of the church. He will know about upcoming trips of Southern Cross. His office is inside the warehouse, which is in a separate building next to the main building.

I went in 1993 from Lata, Temotu to Anuta Island

Faisi, you probably travelled with friends of mine.

Greetings from HOniara. Hey guess what I just spoke to the shipping clerk for Church of Melanesia and the Souther Cross is arriving back to Honiara in the next 3 days so what a coincindence. I am trying to arrange for some friends to travel to Anuta so negotiation at the moment.

great boat and great way to travel but check out the clerk his name is Selwyn- office number +677 21892.

cheers