 Bat'kivshchyna Reports from New Zealand, a Collision-More |
Last month we inadvertently reported that the Captain and the schooner Bat'kivshchyna had arrived in Australia. That report received just before the UO went to the printer was found to be erroneous a short time later. Our apologies. The schooner and Captain were and are, presently still in New Zealand, though they have now moved to Wellington. Herewith excerpts of Captain Biriukovych's most recent report via SailMail:
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Thank you so much for your letter. Now Bat'kivshchyna is in the capital of NZ. Wellington. We have arrived here yesterday [February 18] from Lyttelton (180 miles). Now we are waiting for the good weather. Wind is 60 knots. Now is terrible.
Bat'kivshchyna was met very friendly here. I send the short report about results of the work of "Discover Ukraine" expedition on the schooner Bat'kivshchyna in New Zealand.
1. The expedition has been in N.Z. almost 4 months and has visited 6 cities (Opua, Auckland, Gisborne, Lyttelton, Christcurch, Wellington).
2. The Prime Minister, Ms. Helen Clark, was informed about the arrival of the expedition and about its purpose.
3. Honorable Phil Goff Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade replayed and supported the mission of the expedition and wished "well our travels around N.Z. and further "a field."
4. Six publications were done in the local newspapers ("The Northern Age", "Tell Tales", "The Gibson Herald", " Bay Harbor News"- two times," Dominion Post and Press")
5. There was broadcasting of a meeting with the crew of Bat'kivshchyna on the Auckland radio devoted to Ukraine two times.
6. There were two meetings in Orthodox churches devoted to Bat'kivshchyna's mission.
7. Bat'kivshchyna was visited by Honorable Brian Donnelly Member of Parliament (Opua) and Bob Parker Mayor of Banks Peninsula (Lyttelton)
8. Kids of two schools visited Bat'kivshchyna (together 58 persons). Everybody received information (two pages in English) about Ukraine and special thanks letter for their visit with the name of each.
9. In Auckland a special tour was organized for 24 kids (before 16 years old) on Bat'kivshchyna during 5 days with motto "We discover independent Ukraine".
10. Special meeting was organized by local yacht club in Lyttelton devoted to the first visit of a sailing vessel from independent Ukraine.
11. Four members of the crew spent one month with the family of a N.Z. farmer, Alex Hansen. He organized many communications and meetings with New Zealanders.
12. Approximately 2000 persons visited Bat'kivshchyna. They have become acquainted with the exposition about Ukraine and have received printed information, "General Facts About Ukraine"
13. Before departure the thanks letters were sent to the port authority and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade."
And now about collision which happened at 2:45 a.m. December 31, 2003 in Auckland. Nina and I were sleeping. It was last night of last year. Kostiukov and Davidenko [crew] were ashore. Bat'kivshchyna was on the mooring around many vessels on the special mooring area in front of the downtown of Auckland. We were woken up by crash and were on the aft deck momentarily.
We then saw red and green navigation light under our deck. It was a 22-meter yacht. Her bow with anchor had entered in the port side of the aft above W.L. [water line] of Bat'kivshchyna. The skipper was looking at it and crying: unavailable!
Results were a hole 1x1, 5 m. the skipper was 47-year-old Steven Bolter. His sloop “Resolute” (Displacement 17 ton) was built in Australia in 70-th for participation in "Cap of America". Her damage was small. Only deformation was of the stay and metal on the bow.
Two days Steven looked for the way to repair by his cell phone. It was Christmas vacation. On the third day he has found one small company, which promised to fix after January 5. He led Bat'kivshchyna to a small bay where his marina was located and we were there on anchor to wait for repair. I was busy to prepare for the beginning of the work. Kostiukov and Davidenko did not touch. They slept, played cards, earned money etc. The workers have done their job (metal, welding) during four days. They were working on a small boat, which was secured to Bat'kivshchyna. Concrete work [outer hull is ferol cement] I have done myself with the help of Steven. Later he painted that spot. But the vessel was dirty and need painting. I could only do that in Lyttelton. It was very hard to do it by two hands.
I was helped a little by Orthodox priest Arcady and his son Andry.
February 12 Kostiukov and Davidenko left Bat'kivshchyna to earn money. I remained single aboard.
From Lyttelton to Wellington our crew consisted of 5 persons (priest Arcady, his son Andrey, Bronislav from Yugoslavia [and wife Nina].
Bat'kivshchyna is going to depart from Wellington with new volunteers: two "back packers", one Russian New Zealander, and one American-55 age "back packer". But none of them has experience. They have not sailed.
My next port destination is Melbourne. Nina is waiting for me there (He lives with my cousin Dina). [Nina left from Wellington].
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Remember, The Captain receives a 25% portion of commissions to subscriptions to the UO or UOO through April 30, 2004, so Subscribe, please. For other ways that the Discover Ukraine Expedition might be helped or to contribute financially to the cause, contact Glen Willard. Call +380 44 229 4551 or 8 050 311 3804; e-mail glen@twg.com.ua; or use any means indicated in this publication to contact the UO.
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More in the section:
Scott Lewis Joins UO
Opinion Leaders Select Sen. Kerry
Pret-a-Cafe': Coffee and More
Read also previous issue' articles:
Quilting the Way to Success for Mothers in Need
Big League Election Observation and Little League Baseball in Ukraine
Play ball? Where are the fields?
Announcement For Rugby Fans and Supporters The 3rd Annual John Marsh Memorial
Democratic Party Organizes in Kyiv
John Marsh Rugby Tournament
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