The Biggest Little Yacht Club in the World needs your help.
Lying on the direct route from French Polynesia to Vava’u in Tonga, Niue has been a favourite stop for westbound yachts for many years, before the COVID-19 border closure put a stop to all that. Now, after three seasons of closure, borders have re-opened as the cyclone season approaches.
Despite the safe anchorage here being an open roadstead, the local Niue Yacht Club volunteers have worked long and hard to ensure there are a number of safe moorings for visiting yachts and assistance with getting to shore.
More than 200 yachts stopped over in Niue in 2019, before the border closed, assisted by the Niue Yacht Club (NYC), the “The Biggest Little Yacht Club” in the world.
The below data gives an indication of the level of support to Niue from our cruising community over recent years. World ARC visits have been an important contributor to these numbers.
Unfortunately, now borders have re-opened and yachts can once again return to this Pacific gem, as with many other cruising destinations, Covid has proved to be one of the contributing factors to the demise of the Niue Yacht Club.
The Biggest Little Yacht Club in the World
Formed as an Incorporated Society in 1975, the driving force behind this initial development was a large group of ex-pats who were on Niue under contract for their expertise in many areas. Retiring member, Keith Vial, told Noonsite that part of the uniqueness of the NYC was that none of the managing committee had ever sailed or owned a yacht.
“To make up for this lack of seafaring knowledge, we had a vision to establish an international destination for cruisers,” Keith told Noonsite. “This involved creating a safe mooring field, deploying and regularly checking 20 moorings on the leeward coast of Niue that were needed for visiting vessels.” Due to the narrow reef shelf with fragile coral and a drop off into very deep water, anchoring is not possible in Niue.
During Cyclone Heta (January 4th 2004), Niue experienced wind speeds of up to 300 kmph and wave surges that came over the 20 metre-high cliffs. The surge displaced, buried or destroyed all the mooring blocks in Alofi Bay.
Subsequently, the mooring field was gradually replaced with the help of financial support from the NZ government through tourism aid. As a voluntary organisation, this assistance was vital in the re-establishment of the Niue Yacht Club.
Not only did the Club provide safe moorings, they also provided assistance with getting ashore – always somewhat of a challenge as all tenders have to be lifted out onto the wharf due to the surge. Keith recounts, “This was entertaining for us standing on the wharf with winch control at the ready, but not so much fun for crews who had to judge swell conditions, fend off the concrete walls and hook on for a quick lift out before the next swell came in!”
Over the years, NYC’s reputation for safety and hospitality, plus the natural beauty of this alternative tropical island, has encouraged
hundreds of yachts to stop off in Niue. Keith says, “We always look forward to the World ARC fleet coming over the horizon early in the cruising season as well as the hundreds of yachts and crew that follow them.”
However, Covid put an end to this great hospitality when the maritime borders closed with a resounding clang and the risk-averse government only just reopened the borders in time for the cyclone season.
The Demise of the NYC
Keith says that as well as the border closures, there are several other factors contributing to the demise of the Niue Yacht Club.
Lack of volunteers:
“We are down to two geriatrics to organise and maintain a safe mooring field, meet and greet visiting yachts with up to date information and provide a base for the hospitality of our cruising friends”, says Keith.
“Sadly, with a very small adult population on Niue (450 public servants and 550 in the work force or self employed), there is no interest in providing the “person power” needed to allow the NYC to continue.”
No NYC Headquarters
Keith explains, “During 2018-19 we leased a small, but convenient, space off the Alofi town square and adjacent to the wharf egress. In 2019 (BC – Before Covid) 640 crew signed in, mingled, stocked up on vital supplies, toured Niue and partied. Unfortunately, this lease was terminated by the government ‘because the yacht club wasn’t using it’.
The Solution:
Job Vacancy – Commodore at Large
There is, however, the possibility of the survival and continuation of Niue as a destination for yachts sailing westward across the Pacific, according to Keith.
“We are discussing the possibility of finding a “Commodore at Large” for the 2023 cruising season. Such a Commodore, be a ‘he’ or ‘she’, would:
- know how to sail and use our Macboat with 16hp electric start outboard;
- be a part of the worldwide fraternity of cruisers who have “been there, done that”;
- like to live in the middle of nowhere from April to October.
“In return (and we are at the very early stages in the governance issues), we may be able to provide:
- accommodation and a small retainer;
- a Commodore’s jacket with gold buttons and braid, plus an appropriate hat.
“We are still trying to source a clanking ceremonial sword as well, to be used for state occasions!”
Rising Prices for Visiting Yachts
To make matters worse, there has been an increase in departure tax that is levied on all tourist departures from Niue. The cost of approximately $NZ150, is embedded in the airline ticket cost, but not so for departing yacht crews (over 12 years of age) who will have to pay the fee outright.
The previous fee was NZ 80, and Keith fears “this is a substantial increase and is likely to be a major deterrent in a decision to include Niue as a stopover.”
The NYC contine to campaign for visiting yachts and have approached the government to see if this departure tax can be decreased for yacht crews, who don’t use the airport facilities.
Hopefully all is not lost for the Niue Yacht Club, as they chart their way through troubled waters. If you have been to Niue and enjoyed the NYCs hospitality, please e-mail them with your support and let’s try and keep this cruisers’ paradise on the Pacific crossing map.
Contacts:
Keith Vial: keithvial@gmail.com
Niue Yacht Club Website Notice
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Related News:
Niue is Open to Yachts (Ocean Cruising Club)
Niue: All Territorial Waters Designated as Maritime Conservation Area
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The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Noonsite.com or World Cruising Club.
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