'Askari'
Askari, Swahili for ‘guard' or ‘protector', is a 108' (32.7m) trawler style motor yacht, built in 1971 and completely refitted in 2001. This luxuriously appointed vessel is based in Papeete, Tahiti, and is
available for charter in the Society Islands and Tuamotus, ideally suited for exploring remote islands.There is a professional dive instructor on board, making Askari ideal for underwater explorations in the South Pacific. The expansive lagoons of French Polynesia make Askari an excellent base for kayaking, laser sailing, sail boarding, kite surfing, water skiing, snorkelling and fishing. There are two tenders on
board for expeditions to surrounding islands and remote sandy beaches.
Askari has been based in Tahiti and the South Pacific for three years, cruising those waters extensively with a crew who are well versed in local cultures and traditions and delight in providing their guests with a unique and exciting vacation experience.
Askari and her crew have a 'can do' attitude and will make the vessel available to cruise off the beaten track to other exotic and remote Pacific destinations by arrangement. They also enjoy long term charters, having recently completed a one year charter and being about to begin a month-long charter.
View the Askari specifications and crew profile.
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Specifications
| General details | |||
| Length: | 32.89m (107' 10") | Commercial/MCA/ISM Status: | St Vincent Commercial |
| Beam: | 8.51m (27' 11") | Flag: | St. Vincent |
| Draft: | 3.12m (10' 2") | Naval Architect: | Coe M. Best |
| Year Built: | 1971 | Hull Construction: | Steel |
| Builder: | Sermons | Hull Configuration: | Displacement |
| Number of Cabins: | 5 | Air Conditioning: | Yes |
| Total Guests (Sleeping): | 10 | Deck Jacuzzi: | Yes |
| Total Guests (Cruising): | 12 | Captain's Name: | Lon Munsey |
| Cabin Configuration: | (3 double, 2 twin) | Captain's Nationality: | American |
| Total Crew: | 6 | Port of Registry: | Kingstown |
| Bed Configuration: | (1 Pullman) | Terms: | MYBA |
| Guest Accommodation | |||
| Each stateroom has an ensuite and TV/VCR-CD | |||
| Master: | KING, Jacuzzi TV/VCR/DVD-CD, Private study | Main Saloon: | Wet bar, Plasma TV/DVD/VCR-CD (surround sound), Movie, music & book libraries, Sony play station, board games |
| Queen: | Shower | Dining Saloon: | Forward, Seating for 10 |
| 2nd Queen (or convert to twin): | Shower | Aft Deck: | Dining for 10 / lounge area, Wet bar |
| Douple + Pullman: | Shower | Sundeck: | Full width Bimini, Large sun areas, Wet bar, Jacuzzi |
| Guest Accommodation | |
| Tenders: | 17ft / 5.19m Caribe Jet 175 hp, 20 ft Caribe diesel jet RIB |
| Toys: | 2 x sailing dinghies, 2 x sea kayaks, 2 x sailboards, snorkel gear, fishing gear, water skis, wake board |
| Scuba: | 2 x compressors |
Crew profile
Captain Lon Munsey
Lon Munsey was born and raised in Maine where he developed an intense love of the sea. He attended
Maine Maritime Academy where he earned a BS in Marine Engineering in 1972 and later obtained a
USCG 500 ton Master's License.
Enterprising, enthusiastic and energetic with great organizational skills, Lon owned and operated a
yacht management and delivery company in Key Largo, Florida for ten years and participated in a
number of yacht management projects in Honduras and Guatemala. His knowledge of Caribbean and
US waters, including the Great Lakes, Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, is extensive. He navigated
Askari from Trinidad to Australia during a 13-month charter visiting numerous anchorages in the South
Pacific.
Lon has been with the owners of Askari for ten years and directed/managed the two-year refit
undertaken when the yacht was purchased in 1998. A perfectionist and workaholic by anyone's
standards, he rarely takes time off - but when he does, he can be found on his own sailboat in the
Caribbean or at his cabin overlooking the Kennebec River in the woods of Maine. An adventurer and
outdoorsman, Lon enjoys all water sports, especially windsurfing and kayaking. He loves exploring
wilderness areas whether on foot or by mountain bike, increasing his already vast knowledge of flora
and fauna.
Lon is extremely affable with a wonderful sense of humour, and his highest priority is Askari's guests'
comfort, safety and enjoyment..
First Mate /Engineer Claud Akers
Claud grew up in a small fishing village in South Africa not far from Cape Town where he spent two
years in the South African navy as an engineer. He sailed with a friend from Cape Town to Brazil, a
challenging adventure that took them four weeks. Claud crewed and worked as an engineer on boats in
South America before joining the Askari refit team in 2000. He knows the complete workings of Askari
from fuel tanks to mast head. He is STCW compliant and a PADI Rescue Diver. Laser sailing is Claud's
favourite water sport, he is a patient and enthusiastic instructor, eager to assist where needed. He is a
keen fisherman, ensuring there is rarely a shortage of fresh fish aboard Askari.
Stewardess Graziella 'Grace' Tetoka-toti
Rangiroa, Tuamotu, French Polynesia
Rangiroa is Grace's home and also happens to be the location of some of the best diving in the world.
Grace has been part of the yachting service industry for over 5 years, working on several different
yachts in the islands of the Tuamotu Archipelago and elsewhere in French Polynesia. She has recently
completed her 100 ton Captain's license, STCW safety courses, PADI Open Water course and has
further plans to continue her education. Grace is fluent in several languages: Tahitian, French, English,
and a little Italian and Spanish. Grace enjoys all water activities especially her new love of scuba diving.
Grace has had the opportunity to dive with several famous divers, among them Peter Benchley, the
author of Jaws, Valerie Taylor, 'the Shark Lady' and Howard Hall from National Geographic. Grace's
experience and knowledge of the local people, customs and dive sites enhances everyone's
appreciation of French Polynesia..
Deckhand Rosie Smith
Martin's Bay, New Zealand
Rosie is a New Zealander. She moved to Vanuatu in 1978 to operate a family dive business and has
spent the 25 years since then sailing, diving, and chartering in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. She has
lived and worked in several different island groups and has a keen interest in island cultures and local
history.
Rosie is a qualified dive instructor and holds a 20 ton Captains license and all STCW international
safety training qualifications.
Her favourite activities include kayaking, diving, snorkelling, sailing, and swimming. She can help
organise tours and itineraries for land excursions on many of the islands to give visitors to the area an
insight into local customs and cultural history.