[ad_1]
Seth Hynes was destined to be in New Zealand. Instead, he and his family are stuck in the South Pacific on a yacht as cyclone season approaches.
The American family of five left New Zealand in July on their catamaran. Goalkeeper for Fiji, but with the next cyclone season starting on November 1, they hope to return.
“We left New Zealand knowing we couldn’t go back, so we would be incredibly grateful if we were allowed to do so safely, but we would understand if we were denied,” Hynes said.
READ MORE:
* Hundreds of yachts seek refuge from cyclones in New Zealand
* Coronavirus: Border closures leave Canadian and South African sailors ‘trapped in New Zealand’
* Sydney businessman with travel permit to pick up a luxury yacht
* Coronavirus: Yachts with visitor visa can apply for an extension, says immigration
Supplied
Seth Hynes, his wife Elizabeth, and their three children Hale, Rhys and Pierce have been sailing around the world for two years, originally departing from Boston.
Known as The Sailing Family, they have traveled the world for two years, originally departing from Boston.
Hynes said they were applying for a New Zealand travel waiver for “humanitarian reasons” this week.
“The form is straightforward, but we understand that our request will be denied as the cyclone shelter is not considered a ‘humanitarian need to travel.’
They were also applying to enter Australia as part of their “compelling and compassionate exemption”, but were also told that the cyclone shelter did not qualify.
Supplied
Elizabeth Hynes watches health officials aboard Archer to screen the family for Covid-19.
“To date, no exemptions have been granted to cruises for this reason. Otherwise, our only options are to navigate “home” to a US territory. “
Hynes said they were also considering getting through the cyclone season in Fiji.
“Since keeping our family safe is top priority, this would mean tying our catamaran to some mangroves and leaving it for higher ground.”
But Darryl Lapaire, who was sailing the South Pacific and is currently based in French Polynesia, said there were other options rather than trying to reach New Zealand or Australia.
“The risk of being hit by a major storm in French Polynesia is actually low. Cruise ships know that the islands have a much lower risk of cyclonic activity than other parts of the South Pacific. “
Since April, the Ocean Cruising Club (OCC) has been appealing to the New Zealand government to persuade the crews of small yachts in the country.
The club said that some 300 small yachts were stuck in “Covid limbo” in the South Pacific, most in Fiji and French Polynesia.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Health said a ship could be saved if the Director General of Health granted permission to arrive in New Zealand for compelling “humanitarian reasons”.
Stuff
The Ocean Cruising Club fears that 300 small yacht crews could be stranded on the Pacific islands during cyclone season. (File photo)
All applications were considered based on their “individual circumstances” and there were no “class exemptions” for foreign yachts.
“The bar for qualifying for a humanitarian exemption is necessarily high, to avoid creating an unwanted ‘back door’ in New Zealand.”
The ministry said that “other genuine humanitarian reasons or other compelling needs” other than the cyclone shelter “should be demonstrated” for the vessels to qualify for an exemption.
A spokesperson for Immigration New Zealand (INZ) said there were “a small number of limited exceptions” to the ban on traveling and entering New Zealand.
“The bar for an exception to border restrictions is set very high to help stop the spread of Covid-19 and protect the health of people already in New Zealand.”
