2023 Queensland - Whitsunday Islands
Denny arrived at Mackay via the big bird and we set off for points
north.
Our
first stop was at Brampton Island which we had flow into in 1972 with 8
other Armidale friends during our flying circuit of Australia. We
walked on the airstrip and visited the now closed resort. The
resort was hit by the tropical cyclone a few years ago and the sand and
water came right up into the bedrooms. The furniture has been
removed but the sand still remains. The current owners can not
get planning permission to rebuild because of all the regulations.
We
left Brampton and day sailed along the island chain towards Airlie
Beach because it was obvious that the RIB I had so carefully restored
was coming apart and filling with water. Furthermore the two outboard
engines - one two stoke the other four stoke objected at being
associated with the sinking RIB and refused to start or restart when we
were on the beach. They came very close to joining the previous
outboards in Dave Jones Locker but saved themselves for the time being.
At
Airlie Beach I purchased a new 4 stroke 8HP Yamaha outboard and had it
delivered to the wharf but I could not collect it because of the RIB
was not totally coming apart. Next was the purchase of a
RIB. Now I have to admit I made a significant mistake in my
choice of supplier. Marine.co The MD assured me it would be in
Airlie Beach within in 7 days. Three weeks later after a great
effort tracking it down It was delivered to my nominated address BUT
the sender had not put my name on the unit so I had to go to great
lengths trying to convince the owner of the yard that it was for
me. The suppler had by now taken off with my funds and washed his
hand so was not answering his phone.
OK Have outboard and
inflatable RIB so we can now visit the islands and enjoy the "Best
cruising grounds in the world" Oh no they are not. Crowded
with charter catamarans with people who think that it is a large RV and
no seamanship knowledge. The moorings are in the best places so a
normal vessel has to anchor outside in the deep water.
The wind
blew and it rained for almost 3 weeks as we tried to put on a brave
face and enjoy the sunny tropical paradise of Queensland. In the
end Denny decided rightly so she would return to the warmth of our
Canberra house and flew out on the big bird (Jetstar) after a
significant delay back to Canberra.
I the set off for Bundaberg to
haul Malua and get the 100 m of Australian chain galvinized. The
haul-out went well with a 3 coats of anti-foul and a top side polish I
was back in the water in 3 days but no chain. The local Chandler
had stuffed up the delivery of the chain and it would only be delivered
the next week so I was left in the water no marina berth and no chain
to attach my anchor to so I could anchor in the river.
I
took my 28mm nylon rode and attached it to my very best 35kg
Brunzel anchor. It lasted the first night but then at dawn on the
second the wind had come up to 20 knots the tide was running in and the
anchor alarm went off. I was drifting up river with the current
and the anchor was dragging through the mud. At some point the
anchor got round the keel and the full force of the water was side on
to Malua as the rode strained against the sharp edge of the keel.
I did not start the engine expecting the nylon rode to get round the
prop so I sat and waited for the tide to turn. I did not wait
long and bang the nylon snapped and I drifted towards the river
bank. I haul in the the short line and motor up river to
potentially the calm of the river at Bundaberg city.
I have three
other anchors on board but no chain so what was I going to do?
The Danforth was the best option for the mud but after a few minute it
too started to drag. I picked up someones mooring and set the
Danforth over the stern with some dive weights to keep the rode along
the bottom. This held while for the next few days I worked out
how to get my chain from the factory to the boat.
I selected a
wharf and asked the owner if I could come alongside at high tide to
load the chain which he kindly agreed. Now to get the chain from
the factory. As we say in Australia the chandelier came good and
delivered the chain to the wharf. I loaded the chain and attached
my big SQR and Malua was again fit for the sea.
Now the trip home is
here...
