Marumaru Atua ready to return home to Raro

After months on dry dock (during cyclone season) at Arutanga harbour in Aitutaki, Vaka Marumaru Atua is back in the water preparing for her return to Rarotonga next weekend.

Master navigator and captain of Marumaru Atua, Peia Patai will fly to Aitutaki this weekend and conduct the UNESCO Teretereanga Vaka programme on the island from Monday, April 25, in preparation for her return.

Ten students have enrolled in the course and a crew of six have been confirmed to sail on the vaka to Rarotonga next weekend to experience their first overnight sail.

While on dry dock regular maintenance work on Marumaru Atua has been done, including the booms sanded and primed, the oe sanded and given its first coat of resin, work on the new manu (bow sprit), oiling of its deck, railings and exposed timber, and the installation of a Spectra Watermaker which will convert sea water into fresh drinking water.

The Marumaru Atua – Cook Islands Voyaging Society would like to acknowledge and say “meitaki atupaka” to the wonderful crew, sponsors and supporters.