The BBC News this morning, 10th August, reported briefly on an earthquake in Vanuatu with consequent tsunami. The quake was considerable, at magnitude 7.5, but was at a depth of 21 kilometres. I am happy to report that all Blue Water Rally yachts and crew are safe, as this email from one yacht shows (no names no pack drill!):

Hi Richard,

Just spoke to Gaultine who is still in Vila along with Briet. Gaultine broke a mooring line but otherwise OK, thinks Briet is OK too. Saw some buildings wobble in the town and heard the casino has a large crack and has been evacuated. No other news. Suspect all other rally boats on the seas en route to Mackay are unaware.

We were just East of Efate at the time and felt a throbbing through the boat. I thought some rigging had broken and the mast was pumping, it lasted less than a minute but was a bit worrying especially as we have 25-30 knots out here. Quite a relief to find out it was an earthquake !!”

Vanuatu has some restless geology at the best of times, as the ‘photos of Tanna volcano display. These were taken by Blue Magic a couple of days ago. The crews have had a great time there. It is a lovely archipelago and they were royally entertained by Elsie and Bryan, of Yachting World in Port Vila and the local people there. Now they are en route to Eastern Australia. Most are headed towards Mackay, in Queensland, from where they will head up through the Whitsunday Islands, along the Great Barrier Reef and round the very top point of Australia to Darwin; where they are expected in early October. Gaultine and Briet, along with Mercury Rising and Camomile, have now left the rally. Laroobaa joined us in Fiji and Sol Maria will do so in Mackay; we wish them a warm welcome and some fun times with us.