Pirates from 19 yachts invaded the bar at the Pangaimotu Island Resort on Saturday night for the Fancy Dress prize giving of the 2007 New Zealand-Tonga Island Cruising Regatta.

This year's prize giving marked the 21st anniversary of the annual regatta. It was also the first regatta under new organisers, John and Lin Martin.

The Island Cruising Regatta was pioneered by Joan and Brian Hepburn of the Island Cruising Association in 1996, and during the past 21 years has contributed to the development of sailing tourism throughout the Tongan group of islands.

Guest of Honour, Tonga's Minister of Transport, Hon Paul Karalus, presented the prizes at the colourful occasion.

This year's prizes included certificates, and small trophies from the Tonga Visitors Bureau. There were also special prizes for the best-kept log, best story about yacht's name and, of course, the best pirate costumes for females, males and young sailors.

Joan Hepburn said that there were 19 yachts in this year's regatta, from New Zealand, Australia and the USA. The first yacht arrived in Tonga on May 12 and 17 are still in Tonga and planning, "to cruise the northern islands of Ha'apai and Vava'u before returning home."

Joan said that the aim of the Regatta, "is to bring worthwhile tourists to Tonga, wealthy people who spent a whole lot of money in the country on things like food, handicrafts, port fees and diesel." She said that the regatta attracted different kind of yachties, "they are attracted to the companionship, and it is safer to sail in a group."