Thursday, 9 September 2010

Tonight we are anchored in a little bay on the north side of Digby Island, which is part of the Beverly group.

We left Mackay this morning at 04:25, hoping to get to Percy Middle Island before dark, but the wind and the currents were against us and the way things were going we would not have been there before about 20:30 this evening. We had noticed a couple of yachts anchored where we are now as we passed the island, but we continued on past them and then said “let’s go back there, its 16:00 and we could do with a drink of wine and relax”. So we did a 180 and came into this little bay which is quite calm.

Saw several whales on the way over, most heading north. One pair we had to alter course slightly to avoid, but generally speaking, when we have our engine running, they hear us and dive until we are well past. Unlike the time I nearly collided with a pair off of Point Danger when I was under sail. Also passed about 30 coal carriers at anchor off of Mackay, waiting to go into Port Mackay to load. They stretched for about 30 miles and we passed a few of them at about 30 meters. At that distance they look huge!

We shall leave here early in the morning and try to get to Pearl Bay in one hop. If not we shall stop off at Hexham Island about half way. There might even be a Hungry Jacks there!


10th September 2010

We departed Digby at 06:05, and there was absolutely no wind, so it was motoring all the way again.

We passed a naval vessel no long after departing; it was a landing vessel, L126. We quickly put up the Australian flag when we saw him so that he didn’t think we were an Indonesian fishing boat,

We approached Hexham Island about 15:00 and decided that the area between the reefs just wasn’t long enough to accommodate us as we would have to put out a fair amount of chain and there wouldn’t be enough swing room.

A quick decision was made and we decided to go on to Pearl Bay, even though our ETA wouldn’t be until about 22:00.

Just before reaching Hexham Island our auto pilot decided to stop working, this is the first trip I have done with it. It has been marvellous up until today. Must get it fixed as soon as possible. Going on to Pearl Bay was extremely difficult with out it, especially after dark.


Just after dark we heard a vessel reporting a man over board about 2 miles north of Scawfell Island. Many vessels responded to start searching, including the naval landing craft we had passed earlier. They were still searching when we ran out of radio contact approaching Pearl Bay. We still don’t know if he was found

The sun set about 18:00 and the nearly new moon set about half an hour later, so we were completely in the dark.

It was a case of watching the compass and GPS very closely. Luckily there is a light house on Clara Island, which was situated about 2 miles beyond our first turning point. When that came into range we were able to head straight for it. After the turn it was a 6 mile run down between the mainland and a string of islands into the bay. We just had to trust in the GPS as we couldn’t see a thing. Eventually we saw some anchor lights of vessels in the bay and we were able to head for them, but anchored well clear of them as it is difficult to judge distance at night.

Dropped anchor at 22:55 after departing Digby at 06:05, Chez’s longest day yet and we were both very tired; a couple of glasses of wine and we slept like babies.

Saturday, 11 September 2010

We weren’t up until almost 09:00 and after breakfast we moved closer into the bay nearer the other anchored vessels, more sheltered here. I had a look at the auto pilot, but couldn’t fix it; have to get someone to look at it in Roslyn Bay. There is quite a strong southerly blowing today after a southerly change went through early this morning, hope it calms down by tomorrow.

We spent the day recovering from yesterday and generally relaxing
Sunday 12th September.

Today proved to be another harrowing day. We were unable to get any radio coverage in Pearl Bay, so couldn’t get an up to date weather report. Two other yachts left about 7 heading south, so we decided to chance it. Another day of 15 - 20 knot south easterly wind. Also we had about one to one and a half knot northerly current. Even with the motor going all day we had to tack and use the wind as much as possible to make any headway. Once we got around cape Clinton and turned south west we had the wind 60 degrees off our bow, so were able to make good time. The seas were up especially on our starboard tack which took us quite a way to seawards each time. What should have been a 45 mile, 9 hour trip turned out to be a 65 mile 13 hour trip and we didn’t get to Roslyn Bay until 20:00. The darkness wasn’t so bad this time as it was a straight run down to the harbour entrance and we were able to pick up the port and starboard lights from about 5 miles. It was a bit confusing going in though as there is a dog leg in the entrance, followed by a sharp right turn down to the marina. We had arranged a berth and were allocated red 35, unfortunately at night we couldn’t see the different coloured tops on the poles. I just pulled onto the first pontoon end that I saw was empty. Luckily there were 2 chaps there who were able to help us tie up as not only was there still a strong wind blowing which was trying to take us off of the pontoon, but we were also quite knackered.

A couple of glasses of wine, spaghetti and fried egg on toast for tea and we were ready for bed.

Monday 13th September

We arranged the courtesy car for 12:30 to go into Yeppoon to do our shopping. This service is fantastic and is the only marina that I know of that does it. We went over to the Coast Guard and spent an hour there. They were extremely hospitable and were very interested to learn as much as possible about how MRNSW is working in NSW. Got the weather forecast and the winds are tuning north easterly tomorrow for a few days.

Had a beer in the very small yacht club, and later went and had a meal at the restaurant attached to the marina. Very nice but quite pricy. Came home a bit tight after 2 bottles of wine.