07/05/2012
After a couple of days at Bundaberg we set sail for Lady
Musgrave Island as the weather predicted was
SE 15/20 knots for Saturday and thereafter no wind for four days which
makes for ideal conditions on the reefs.
Our last night was spent with host Wayne (of Yacht Domain
Brokerage), he hosted the Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club monthly get together
which is held outside his office the first Friday of every month. He had
invited everyone that was at the marina and we had a good night although we did
not stay for its duration as we planned to sail early next morning.
Saturday I was up at 0415 hours put the kettle on being the
most important task before rolling up the covers and getting all else ready
before leaving. After having a few sips of the tea we singled up the lines
disconnected the power, turned on the navigation lights and instruments started
the engines and slipped away from the dock. The time was 0500 hours and it was
still dark, we headed out the channel of the Burnett River with another yacht
ahead of us which we caught up with as it was going rather slow.
(A new day, as we sail away from Bundaberg heading north for Lady Musgrave Island)
We turned out of the channel as soon as the water was deep
enough to allow us to do so which is about two navigation markers short of the
end of the channel as soon as we were in clear water away from any shallows we
set our course for 345⁰ magnetic to bring us on the western side of Lady Musgrave
Island. About two miles out we got under
sail with the wind close behind we went under genoa alone and was getting along
at 5.5 to 6 knots a nice steady pace this should get us there at the turn of
the tide for easier access to the cay. We sailed just over half way before the
wind backed off and our speed dropped below 2 knots so it was time to hit one
of the iron sails and we motor sailed up until about 5 NMS from Lady Musgrave
where the wind disappeared and the sail just flapped so we furled it and used
the engine alone. As we neared Lady Musgrave I started the other engine to warm
it up before entering the access to the cay of Lady Musgrave.
The directions for entry is that you line the boat up in line with
the centre of the channel marked with a port and starboard marker and steer
130⁰ magnetic, having someone on the bow is advisable to give guidance once you
enter to watch out for bommies, (coral mounds). The water is plenty deep enough
we arrived just after low tide and shallowest we had was 6.4 metres and we
anchored in over 7 metres of water.
Our friend Rick and Michelle on 'Neriki' arrived just ahead of us
so we had a bit of a reunion once anchored that actually turned into staying
for sundowners followed by dinner. We had a good night catching up. Their boat
was hit by lightening some months back and it took them two months to get the
boat back to operational condition with waiting for insurance companies and
getting all the electronics replaced.
Sunday 06/05/2012
During the very early hours of the morning I woke to the boat
rocking and once alert I could hear the wind howling in the rigging. I got up
to check all is well the time was 0230 hours. I switched on the instruments and
the wind is 20 plus knots. This was not in the predictions the wind was
supposed to die for a few days. I checked the anchor and the anchor watch GPS
and all was well so I went back to bed although not having a good night's sleep
as I kept waking to check all is well.
When daylight broke the wind was still there and being out at Lady
Musgrave we cannot get internet to see what is happening so we had to wait for
VMR Bundaberg to transmit the weather which is around 0800 hours.
One fellow called out on the radio asking if anyone had a weather
update, an answer came back from another boat, "yes it's bloody
rough". No help there. When we got the weather report it was entirely
different to what I got from the Met on the internet the morning we left this
wind was to stay all day and taper off in the evening and lighter winds
thereafter for three days but still higher than first predicted.
Lady Musgrave Island is an atoll where many years ago it is
believed that someone blew a hole in the reef to allow boats to enter to
collect guano and since for boats to anchor to enjoy the lagoon some of the
naughty things we did in the earlier days where you would be hung out to dry if
you even had a thought of doing something like that today. It is one of many
reef formations in the Capricorn and Bunker Group. It is situated 56 NMS north
of Bundaberg and 35 NMS east of Pancake Creek.
We went ashore yesterday for a walk and look around it is
pleasing that they now have port and stbd floating markers to guide you into
the beach, three years ago there was nothing to guide you and it was easy to
hit some of the live coral as people did not know where to approach the island.
We went ashore at low tide as you can see from the picture. The tide was very
low due to the full moon . I believe that last night the moon was at its
closest to earth as it has been in more than 800 years, a little bit before my
time.
(Black Noddy's perched in the trees all around the island)
(Old clam shell in the shallows)
(Lady Musgrave's anchorage within the reef)
(Looking from the beach at low tide)
(Lady Musgrave Island at first light)
As we started to walk on the beach and go around the island
we were swooped on by nearby birds, Little Terns, they were nesting so we kept
our distance. They attacked similar to that what Magpies do in nesting season
making loud squawks and diving for the head. They were just on one small
section of the island. As we went further there were lots of Black Noddys in
the trees and flying around. One often see them out to see fishing. You start
to see these north of Fraser Island.
This island like many has suffered beach erosion from the
stormy seas of the last two years there was a lot more beach three years ago
when we were here last. Last time we were here there were a lot of campers but
that could have been due to it being school holidays at that time, there aren't
any campers here at the moment. It is a national park so permits are required
to camp on the island, it is also a marine park so one must check the marine
parks charts before dropping a fishing line in the water. These charts are free
from many outlets, waterside information places or chandlers there are many of
them as they cover all of the Queensland coast.
I have noticed whilst here that some people are dropping a
line in where they should not probably oblivious to the laws as they may not
have these charts. I must say that most islands and water front that have such
restrictions usually have a board near the area where people come ashore
identifying the restrictions but there is not one here.
Last night we were again invited over on 'Neriki' for drinks
and dinner along with new friends Canadians John and Cheryl on ' Sea Mist' Nancy had prepared main course which was a
Mediterranean Hot Pot that she cooked in the shuttle chef and Michelle provided
desert of apple crumble and custard and cream and everyone brought pre dinner
nibbles, Cheryl had cooked some small pies with mustard sauce which were very
nice. We had a fun night that went rather late but we all enjoyed it. Tonight
it will be drinks on 'Sea Mist', it's a rough life.
Tuesday 08/05/2012
(First light at Lady Musgrave from our anchorage)
(Sunset at Lady Musgrave taken from 'Neriki' when having sundowners)
Last night was a good night aboard 'Sea Mist' it was another
extended sundowners all the girls had made different dishes for sundowners that
there was so much it ended up being dinner. We returned to 'Alana Rose' about
2200 hours.
Our plan today is to sail from Lady Musgrave to have a look
at Fitzroy Reef and if we are not keen on staying there to go onto Wistari Reef
and anchor there for the night. Rick and Michelle on 'Neriki' are leaving with
us.
We waited for the tide to flow in a little so that it
started to come over the reef itself and not just rushing against us through
the inlet so around 0700 hours I started getting things ready I noticed 'Neriki'
was doing the same. We weighed anchor and started heading out, 'Neriki' had its
engines running so I assumed they would do the same. We followed our entry
track out but Nancy still stayed on the bow to watch for bommies.
Once out of the access passage we turned into the wind and
hoisted the mainsail then turned on course and unfurled the genoa and shut the
engines down. It is good to just sail and I hoped the wind would last all day.
(Another clear day)
As we settled I looked back and 'Neriki' had not moved, I
said to Nancy, "I was sure they were ready to leave". The next thing
Michelle called on the radio and said the clutch on the anchor winch was
slipping. I suggested the fix maybe to tighten the nut on the outside of the
gypsy, Michelle said they had done that. Next she said the problem is the
anchor has fouled in a coral bommies so they have to go for a dive. They told
us not to come back they will catch up later.
We sailed nearly all the way to Fitzroy Reef but had to
start an engine and motor sail just before we got there. Although there was
little wind the seas were messy, there was small choppy wind waves from the SE
and a swell from the east this made it difficult to see anything when we neared
Fitzroy Reef so I said to Nancy it may be better to go on to Wistari Reef.
They say Fitzroy Reef is very pretty the reef is covered
with water and there is an access to go inside the reef and anchor for a few
boats but you have to make sure that your anchor is set in good holding because
if you dragged here there is little room for error and you could end up on the
reef damaging your boat.
We motor-sailed to Wistari Reef I set the course to go between
Wistari Reef and Heron Island, this passage is quite wide and in the centre it
is 30 metres deep at low tide. After going through the passage we turned to the
noted anchorage at the NE tip of Wistari Reef. Again Nancy went to the bow to
look for any bommies and for a clear place to anchor. Visibility over the side
was not that good. We anchored in a depth of 7.5 metres and added 3 metres for
high tide then from that calculation multiplied it 5 times and put out that
much anchor chain. The anchor set well as the tide was pushing us back at a
speed of 0.8 knots and we suddenly pulled to a stop when the anchor grabbed,
once all the allocated chain was out we went back on it again to make sure the
anchor had hold. After we settled I had a look around and did the normal thing
of setting the anchor alarm I then went out on deck and had a look around
whilst it was still light. I grabbed the anchor chain and it felt solid. (You
know where I going don't you?). I had a look over the side and it appeared a
little dark at the bottom so my thoughts were it was a coral base anchorage.
After dinner I said to Nancy I am having an early night I was tired and I still
have the ruminants of the flu, I was also thinking that if we do have trouble
with the anchor it may be a long night.
(Heron Island at last light from the anchorage at Wistari Reef, Heron is a private resort and do have some anchorages that can be used by yachts but not welcome on the island)
(Wreck in Heron Island Boat Harbour)
During July 1943, Protector was requisitioned for war service by the US Army. On the way to New Guinea and off Gladstone, she was damaged in a collision with a tug and abandoned. The hull was subsequently taken to Heron Island off the Queensland coast and later sunk for use as a breakwater. Her rusting remains are still visible to this day.)
I went to bed about 2000 hours and Nancy stayed up reading
we had not said too much to each other about doubts about the anchorage but we
both had thoughts about it. I woke around 2245 hours the movement of the boat
was rocking with the change of tide, at the same time Nancy who was still up
called to tell me the anchor alarm was sounding. I got dressed and went up on
deck Nancy turned the instruments on and I checked our movement on the chart
plotter, we did appear to be dragging but no urgent concern as it was taking us
away from the reef into deeper water. This gave me time to check a few things
out before deciding what to do. I had a feel of the anchor bridle and I could
feel every time a wave rocked us there was a drag of the anchor chain.
I said to Nancy that I would not be happy to try and find a
good anchorage here in the dark when we sure did not find one in daylight. I
said that I think we will sail to Great Keppel Island now I had a couple of
hours sleep. We weighed anchor and once underway I unfurled the genoa but we
had to use one engine as the wind was not enough. Nancy made a hot cup of tea
before she went for a sleep.
It was a great night a near full moon that lit the
surroundings, it was not a cold night, well not until the first light started
to show then I had to grab a few extra clothes. Nancy woke around daybreak just
after 0500 hours and I was ready for a sleep, the last hour I was nodding off
and had to walk around the cockpit to keep awake. It was a little busy with
other ships some cargo and some fishing boats. The last one was as Nancy got up
I had to change course to avoid it, although it was supposed to give way to me
I don't like to force that issued with a container ship with many more tons
than we and you never know if they are paying any attention to what is outside.
They would not even feel the bump if they hit us.
I had about an hour sleep then woke and came up on deck,
again we had these messy seas we were only a couple of hours from Great Keppel
Island. Once we were anchored I had another rest. I think I have freshened up
the flu again.
Cheers.
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