Year 3 -7 January 2026 -AOPO Marina -Phuket -Thailand – Job & Provisioning Day

It was a grey slightly blustery day when we woke and sort of welcome as it was not so hot. I had decided the night before that we had a plan for the day. I could not be here to sort out the water maker and do the provisioning as well as meeting the rigger and meeting the lady who was returning with our passports and leaving Thailand documentation.

My plan was therefore was for Mark, Paul and I to stay behind and we had the pole to sort out as well as the genoa sheet knots. I therefore asked Keith, Rhys and Peter to go off and hire a car (which I had seen locally) and to go to the supermarket to do some provisioning. They went off on a mission. This is a very important job as keeping the crew well fed and watered makes a big difference. We had collated a list with a view to provisioning for about 2 weeks.

I went off to meet the rigger who had got the replacement rope for the pole. He had also got some sail tape we had asked for. The tape was unfortunately the wrong type but the rope was good. Whilst I was collecting the rope I also went to see the water marker people and asked whether they had spoken to the main man as I wanted the water maker issue resolved. They said they would come and meet me at the boat.

Mark and Paul replaced the pole rope and the genoa sheet knots. The water marker man arrived and I tried to explain the problem and he replaced the pressure valve first. He then asked me to start the water maker. It started well and the new pressure gauge was working. However, on the setting test there was no water coming out at the tap which is how it should work before one puts it to the tank. We turned it off and he was puzzling why this was not working. To cut a long story short the valve had been put back wrongly and once it was put in the right position all seemed to work properly which was a relief.

Mark and Paul were still working on the pole fitting and over the day it was resolved but they had to take the end roll fitting off and they found some corrosion which they resolved and they were then able to raise the pole properly.

Keith, Peter and Rhys came back from provisioning and they had two of the marina buggies deliver the large quantity to the boat. It took us a good hour to store everything away. They had done an excellent job. Keith prepared a sandwich lunch which we all enjoyed. I went through the list and noted the things they had not been able to get.

Keith, Paul and I therefore went off to a different supermarket to get some more things and to get things they had not been able to get. This took us about 2.5 hours and we returned pretty well with all we needed or as much as we could.

Whilst we were away Mark and Peter finalised the pole fittings and they finally sorted everything.  

We then all went off for a shower and to freshen ourselves up. We then had a well-earned sundowner and then Rhys cooked a great meal or salmon with soy sauce, rice and peas which was delicious. I was grateful that he had volunteered to cook our first meal on board and he certainly set a high standard for others to follow.

The agent came with the passports and documentation and so we are clear to go. I had thought of leaving tomorrow and anchoring for a night but as the wind may lessen in a few days it makes sense to use the wind and sail away and to make some miles.

We will therefore leave Phuket and Thailand tomorrow after breakfast.       

The picture of the day is Rhys, today’s chef.

Need/Opportunity Year Three

In year three I will be going from Thailand to Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and then on to Mauritius, Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK. 

I am looking for crew from Mauritius/ Reunion Island to Cape Town and from Cape Town to the UK. If of any interest do email me.

The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com