The Uto ni Yalo blends various Pacific traditional and modern boat designs and its journey was in part symbolic – representing the unity of the region gathering in Tonga.

It’s the three dimensions into two, conundrum…inadequately solved by projections. Crossing from Auckland to Melbourne a few years ago we calculated we would have saved 24 miles by following a great circle route rather than a fixed course. That’s four hours over an eight day journey.

Every generation produces exceptional sailors and adventurers, though with the advent of satellite communications and navigation systems, it is arguable that we will never again know people with the independence and resilience of the Smeetons.

The main and important thing behind all of this is to pass the knowledge onto them because as you know, they will be the future ... my hairs are going white and everything is going slow.

A first voyage in 1976 represented a bold attempt at what is known as “experimental archaeology,” testing aspects of material culture, in this case an arcane boat type, in order to understand their function and practicality, so writes Duncan Blair.