westerly has risen and sends a steep chop into Davis –
where a sea lion colony slumbers on the rocky point. We
power the RIB hard against the rocks while people leap
ashore and we begin throwing buckets of gear across as the
dinghy slides up and down with the swell on slimy green
tendrils of kelp.
Eventually all the gear is landed and carried 60m or
so above the high water mark to a relatively lat spot
optimistically marked ‘campsite’ on the DOC map. “You’ve
got to put all the gear in shelter,” an old DOC hand says,
“in case the wind gets up and blows it away.”
he next study site is a stretch of coastline named (by
someone with a sense of humour) east- and west-Paradise.
Young male sea lions play around us or rub against the RIB
while we shuttle the equipment ashore. Finally Paradise
is peopled and there’s a colourful pile of equipment, a
generator, fuel, personal efects and food on the rocks.
Once again it’s hugs all round and we power back to Evohe
to ready the boat for the passage back.
“We’ll walk around the head of the harbour to the hut
for Christmas – then walk out to Davis and spend the rest
of our time out there,” the team leader told me. I looked
at the terrain – it was like saying “we’ll shoot up to the
summit of Mount Everest for smoko and be back in time
for dinner.”
As we swung the ship’s head towards the harbour
entrance small patches of colourful tents had sprung up
among the scrub and the pile of gear had gone from the
beach. he scientiic team would be working hard in some
of the wildest weather you can imagine. And loving it.
At 3am a few days later Evohe was berthed in Otago
Harbour with the lights of downtown Dunedin relecting
of the water. At least we’d be home soon, thankful that
the Southern Ocean hadn’t dealt us any of the thrashings
of previous trips, instead rewarding us with wonderful
wildlife and scenery. BNZ110 Boating New Zealand
TOP This land is my land.
ABOVE A forlorn reminder of those who’ve
lived here when ships visited infrequently.Built Antwerp 1979
loa 25m
Beam 6.9m
Draught 3.0m
Bottom plating 8mm thick, topsides 7mm, superstructure 6mm
GRT 87 tonnes
Fresh Water 3000 litres + watermaker
Engines 2 x Ford 135hp diesel
Accommodation 12 passengers + crew
http://www.expedition-sailing-vessel.comSPECIFICATIONS – EVOHE