500 Sails returns to Tinian with 4 canoes, 2 master navigators

Non-profit group 500 Sails sailed four canoes to Tinian from Oct. 21 to 25 25 to participate in the 2021 Gineptin Ha’anen Taga Festival. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Non-profit group 500 Sails sailed four canoes to Tinian from Oct. 21 to 25 25 to participate in the 2021 Gineptin Ha’anen Taga Festival.

With oversight from 500 Sails program coordinator April Repeki, master navigator Mario Benito, and master navigator Antonio Piailug, this sail was also made possible by 16 volunteers who donated their time and energy and/or have been allowed by their offices to take part in this community event.

The 16 volunteers who acted as crew aboard the sailing canoes include the following:

• Neni: [M. Benito, A. Repeki] Lolobeyong Benito and Dennis Jr. Ngirchongor;

• Aunty Oba: [A. Piailug] Stanley Piailug, Beouch Ngirchongor, and Marjorie Atalig Daria;

• Richard Seman: Thompson Onopey, Joshua Onopey, and Andrea Carr;

• Anaguan: Hernit Ikea, Timothy Onopey, and Mason Nukuto;

• Escort boat Weniol: Captain Larry Sharry and Jay G. Erlet alongside 500 Sails volunteers Joseph Torres, Nathy Ikea, and Rose Benito.

500 Sails thanked the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., CNMI State Medicaid Agency, Saipan Ice & Water, and Karidat – Guma Esperansa for allowing their staff to participate in this activity. “Your support allows us to keep our cultural traditions alive by providing a pool of qualified sailors who are teaching others to develop their maritime skillsets,” said the foundation in a news release.

The support from the Tinian community includes:

– Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan and staff from the Office of the Mayor of Tinian & Aguiguan for their donation of 10 cases of water bottles to the crew during their four-day camp at Tachogna Beach.

– Councilwoman Juanita Mendiola and the 18th Tinian Municipal Council for their donation of 30 food vouchers that the crew used during their time at the grounds.

– Mr. & Mrs. Juan M. Atalig and family for time spent with the crew and the thrice home-cooked meals provided to crew upon arrival on Tinian and departure from Tinian, and lunch mid-camp.

– Keith K. Nabors and family for sharing the secrets of sling with the crew in the CNMI’s first-ever sling competition.

– Ray Pangelinan from Kana’s Rental for stopping by in the middle of the night during the storm to assist the crew in securing the campsite.

– Tinian Jr. Sr. High School vice principal Nikita Mendiola and TJSHS staff and students for their assistance in the setup of 500 Sails’ school presentation, as well as “their patience as we figured out technical difficulties, their curious and inquisitive minds during our Q&A, as well as their determination to sail with us on our canoes during our stay.”

– Tinian visitors and residents who came out to the water to sail on the canoes, break bread with the master navigators and crew, and overall, share in the sacred journey.

– Thomas Manglona from KUAM News for documenting the trip to Tinian.

– Northern Marianas Humanities Council’s Andrew Roberto and photography/film crew: Tahj Salas and Ben Salas for highlighting the works of 500 Sails staff during our journey.

The crossing from the Guma Sakman on Saipan to Tachogna Beach on Tinian covered less than eight hours in clear conditions. The return sail to Saipan covered rough seas that reduced the sail time from an average of 10 hours to less than five hours.

This visit to Tinian was 500 Sails’ fourth visit to its sister island with the mission to revive its maritime culture and history. Tinian played a crucial role in our ability to build authentic Chamorro canoes because it was exactly off Tachogna Beach in 1742 that the design of the Chamorro canoe was captured by the English ship Centurion and was preserved across centuries. In fact, two of the Centurion’s anchors are still in the water off Tachogna Beach.

500 Sails is grateful to the Tinian & Saipan community, IAO, CCVI/Canoe Federation, and IT&E for their support in helping the nonprofit be where it is now.

For more information on programs, call 670-323-7245(SAIL), email info@500sails.org, follow 500 Sails at https://www.facebook.com/500SailsDolphinClubSaipan, or call 500 Sails executive director Peter Perez at 670-783-0890. (PR)