
Our ship was too big to allow for taking passengers ashore
at Pitcairn so we anchored and let Pitcairn come to us. Once I saw the island,
I was glad. It would have been quite a climb no matter where we would have
landed. As we ate breakfast we watched a long boat full of people (nearly all
who live on the island) approach our ship. There was a lot of waving and
picture taking on both sides.

There were two talks given by residents and here is some of
what I gleaned:
The island is 2X1 miles in area.
Approximately 36 people live on the island (numbers varied a
bit). They are looking for people to boost their population. Currently there is only one child on the island but there are several who are off at school in New Zealand.
The supply ship comes every three months but they have
visits from cruise ships and sailing yachts several times a year.
Water is collected in cisterns but there is a small backup
desalination plant if necessary.
They collect honey that is sold around the world.
The average age is around 55. Three of their residents are
over 80.
There is a doctor. The doctor is hired for a year at a time. Evacuation for emergencies however depend on nearby ship traffic. The closest island with an airport is three hundred miles away.
They do have internet and phone (which was more than we had
on the ship that day).

When it was time for the Pitcairn visitors to leave,
everyone gathered in the atrium of the ship and listened to the mayor’s
farewell speech followed by three songs. When they were finished, Bob and I along
with many others went to the side of the ship and watched as they loaded their
long boat for the ride home. The ship gave them some mattresses, carpeting,
chairs, and foodstuffs as well as some alcoholic refreshment. It looked like
there would be BBQ ribs for their next community meal.
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Bounty Bay where the ship was burned by the mutineers. |
Before sailing off for Tahiti, we circumnavigated the island and caught glimpses of Adamstown and Bounty Bay where the original mutineers put in. Today it is still the only landing spot (although they are working on a second).
It was one of the best visits we’ve had to a port without
actually setting foot on land. It will be fondly remembered.
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