Great story Charriot. You must have been really excited trying to berth and photograph the dolphins at the same time.

Charriot

Fantastic up close and personal photo's, hope I get that lucky one day.

The first photo with the two Dolphins side by side is priceless! I cant beleive you thought this story was not good enough to tell Mr Charriot!

Hi fellow Sailors,

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend sailing. Lake Macquarie had very little wind over the weekend so spent most of the time motoring around with sails packed, being very social Saturday evening tied up at the LMYC marina, woke with a minor hangover, cooked breakfast cured that and was happy A. I woke up alive. B. the weather was flaming brilliant.

Spent the rest of Sunday cleaning the Beneteau, splicing rope and a little more sociailsing, life's bloody brilliant.

Just about to head to the airport to fly across to Launceston for a few days on the boat. My wife is coming along for this one. I see that the current temp in Lonnie is 5.3degC. I hope the Rosevear Pub has got an open fire because that might be a nice spot head for the evening.

Hi all Cruising Forum devotees

just giving the thread a little boost so it stays at the top.

Off for, would you believe a day sail today. Yikes.......with my brother-in-law (whose head is firmly in the clouds) and his 3 kids who I totally believe all have ADHD. Danger Will Robinson!! Lifejackets all day methinks - cockpit, cabin, wherever!!

Trace

Yeah, my sentiments too Disralei...very quiet.

Very bad form about the red!!! Good about the christening? What's she called?? Who's for sale? The wife?? Sounds like she was havin a great time LOL!! She needs more practice on the boat!!

My dreaded day sail with my nephews and niece went surprisingly very, very well. They exist normally in a very materialistic and techno world, growing up way too quickly. Their world is the antithesis of me and my girls' eclectic blend of incognito hippy and love of learning nerdiness. One of the twin nephews, I have expected some kind of 'diagnosis' every day since he was about 12 months old.

BUT, on the way home, this now 7 year old little boy snuggled tightly into me on the foredeck with our legs dangling over the front and he was a different little man. A very wise friend of mine called it, "The Big Blue Pill"!! We talked like we'd never talked before and he said how he loved every minute of this day and never wanted it to end. He said that he never wanted to have to go shopping all day every Saturday ever again.

Even if it was for just a day, I am so happy that I could show these kids a different side of life away from malls and McDonalds and materialism.

...And it flows on.
A fellow forum member took me for a sail on his lovely fast cat which has ignited walking the walk of a real lifestyle change AND, if it's at all humanly (read financially) possible, getting into a different, faster boat. And thus, I thank that forum member for the fantastic sail!!
There's a thread Erik Lerouge F40 Cat for more info about my obsession!

I really have no idea how people can exist not adopting wind and water based activities. I feel that there are millions of poor souls missing out on what we are relishing in!!
I have actually decided to move the girls and myself aboard after we return from OS end of July. I may not in the end get my little piece of French fast sass, however, my trusty old Crowther is a good-enough boat that I remain truly thankful for. I am one happy Ms BI!!

Looking forward to the next instalment of "Cruising Forum" Who's up next??
Trace

Thanks Disralei for the lovely compliment.

I get choked up by a lot of these stories as well! One of my favourite quotes AND on my FB page in the parameter, “Who inspires you?” I have written, “Six billion stories and counting” ...the SBS slogan.
Glad your daughters are getting into the boat. They're so busy and well, you know, in TeenageLand...I'm sure they'll pop out the other end LOL!! Every weekend I wish for a miracle that my 17 year old stepson George will come out because, just like your big girl, he loves it when he does. I'm still waiting for the miracle this year.

Just to keep on track of this being the “Cruising Forum” I've attached a pic of the little cay we went to off Cairns last Friday when the fellow forum member took me sailing.
Yes, the water is truly that colour. Yes, the cay is truly that precious. And, yes, sitting in the sun on that beautiful cay surrounded by that beautiful water eating delicious smoked salmon is truly exquisite.

My sentiments exactly Paul, the weather here is no fairer, B A sending us picks of coral keys in the mid 30's is plane cruel and damn right unnecessary. Lol

In respective order, sorry PlaneSailing; sorry Disralei; and, yes as usual, Cisco, right on the mark, Upolo it is!!

The courtesy moorings were taken so we anchored in the NW. Adrenalin skipper introduced me to sailing off anchor surrounded by bommies...now I feel alive

If it lessens the blow, it was only for a day......but one perfect day. However, as Beth Orton eloquently sings, "...if I never saw the sunshine baby, then maybe I wouldn't mind the rain...".

Flew to Cairns and now back in Bris Vegas...and it was bloody cold at night in Cairns!

Wasn't all good lads...only got a bonito on the line! Didn't mean to connect, but I had just really kissed the fish, thus the grimace

Ramona said: "The fish looks more like a Frigate Mackerel. Note the separation of the dorsal fins. On a Oriental bonito the dorsal fins are almost joined and the stripes are not broken. Ordinary bonito has stripes all over the sides. Frigates or Leadnails as they are often called are superb bait".


Wow, yes Ramona, I see the separation of those dorsals and the broken stripes!!

In the scheme of things though, doesn't make any difference. The reality is it was a baitfish.
Had it been a bonito, it would simply have been a humble feed as opposed to glorious food.

Crud weather forecast for weekend, so I'm going to pack my flute, go south and play music with one of my soul brothers.

Stay warm guys

Recipes. Great topic for the cruising forum.

Poissant Cru (Raw Fish):-

Freshly caught Dorado/Dolphin Fish, filleted and cut into strips or cubes. Mackerel works too.

In a shallow bowl alternately layer onion rings and fish four to six layers deep. If available, freshly cut garlic and or ginger may be incorporated into the mix as well as your favourite herbs or spices (mint, coriander, fenugreek leaves, caraway seeds, cloves etc). Experiment but do not overdo the herbs or spices as the fish flavour is subtle.

Add vinegar (preferably black, malt or Balsamic if you have it) to just cover the mix.

Let stand for 20-30 minutes and then try some. Even better left for a few hours. YUM!!! Lingerficking good.

The following is a true account of what I experienced at the end of August 2010, Off the central Queensland Coast. I feel it has a message for most coastal cruisers.

Channel 7, Townsville ran a piece along with some video that the rescue chopper took and I have contacted them several times to get a copy of the video with no success so far. The report named the boat as Targlen when in fact its name was PaGlenn.

VMR Burdekin took our radio calls and the rescue helicopter came from Mackay.

The day my life changed Forever...

Background:

I am on long term workers comp having sustained a back injury in July of 2002.

I sold most of what I owned to buy a small sailing catamaran to live aboard thereby saving money by eliminating the need to pay rent and make living a little easier. After several months living on my boat on the Tweed River I decided to travel north along the Queensland coast to visit family and friends.

I had been cruising up the coast for a few weeks and my 28 year old son joined me for a part of the trip.

On the 26th of August my son and I rescued 2 fishermen off Carlisle Island, whose boat had hit rocks and sunk north of Mackay in pretty rough seas.

The worst day of my life …

The 31st of August started off like any other. We were anchored in Cape Creek not far from Cape Upstart. I checked the weather forecast as I was planning to run into the Burdekin River that day. The forecast was for 20 to 25 knot winds with 2 metre seas. While this was getting to the upper end of comfort for us in my little boat, I had been out in weather worse than this in the recent past without any ill effect.

It was about 2.30pm and we were 2 nautical miles off the river mouth. The wind was increasing and the seas getting bigger. 35 to 40 knots of wind and 3 to 4 metre waves a about 4 to 5 second intervals. Short, steep waves making the situation very uncomfortable and requiring constant vigilance. I felt we would be okay and that we could make the river mouth in about 20 minutes.

Before departing Cape Creek I had checked the weather, the marine chart for the area as well as plotted my position and destination on my GPS.

The chart didn't show the many sand bars to the south of the river mouth. These sand bars extended to approximately 1 nautical mile south and about the same distance out to sea. Had I known this I would have plotted my course a little further north and approached the river from the north east instead of the south east as I did.

We were making about 5 knots with the sea coming onto the starboard stern quarter in about 8 or 9 metres of water depth. All of a sudden the water depth reduced to about 2 metres and we were on the outside sand bar that we were unaware of at that time. The waves picked up in height and all of a sudden they were breaking over the stern quarter. The boat lost the lower part of the starboard rudder when a wave crashed into it. The next waves turned the boat so the waves were coming side on the starboard beam. I was struggling to regain control with the rudder missing and the next few waves slammed into the starboard hull with full force.

One of the waves hit with such force that it breached the starboard hull and we started taking on water. I turned the bilge pumps on but it was obvious that it was a losing battle so I did the only thing in the circumstances and that is head for the beach as quickly as possible, thinking that beaching the boat was preferable to sinking.

While crossing the sand bars on the way to the beach the boat was being damaged more and more by the pounding waves. I hoped that we would make the beach but the boat was sitting lower and lower in the water. I called VMR on the radio, putting in a mayday call and notified them of my situation, GPS position and intentions. They dispatched a rescue boat as well as a rescue helicopter.

We reached the beach, the boat was being pounded in the surf. I managed to get two anchors out to try and keep it on the beach. While I wasn't panicking I was in a highly anxious state as all I owned was this little boat and what was on board and it was breaking up before my eyes.

I called VMR again and let them know were were safe and on the beach but that the boat was a wreck. The rescue boat couldn't get anywhere near us and stood about a mile off the beach. The rescue helicopter arrived shortly afterwards. The rescue helicopter landed on the beach and took us aboard. Apparently we had beached in a remote area where access from the shore was impossible.

The rescue helicopter took us to Ayr airstrip and arranged for the local Ayr police to come out to us. I cannot praise Burdekin Rescue, the VMR rescue boat crew as well as the rescue helicopter crew highly enough as they did a fantastic job in bad weather conditions. I have lost everything I owned but am thankful to be alive and able to talk about it.

Aftermath …

After landing at Ayr we waited for the police. When they arrived they were not aware that they were supposed to assist us and thought they were only there to take a report. It seemed to me that they transported us into Ayr grudgingly. They took a basic report from me and took my son's and my details. They then did a computer check and as a result arrested my son on an old failure to appear warrant. The warrant was for begging and busking in the street during a time when my son was homeless and not in receipt of any assistance. I felt it was a bit rude to arrest him when we had just survived losing my boat, especially on that charge ... I mean sure he may have been begging and busking at one stage having been homeless but at least he wasn't committing any real crime.

From here the story gets a bit worse. After arresting my son the only assistance the police provided was to get us a MacDonald s burger. In all fairness they did try and arrange a bed for me for the night but I couldn't accept as my son was being transported to Townsville that night to face court in the morning and I felt I had to be there. I asked for a lift to Townsville with the transport van but was denied because I was not in custody. When they transported my son I was asked to leave the police station. I had the clothes I was wearing when rescued, which had previously been wet, no money and no idea of what to do or where to go.

I walked to the edge of Ayr and got a ride to Brandon. At Brandon I attempted to get a ride to Townsville. I stood on the side of the road from 11 pm till 5.30 am, cold, damp and very tired before a local tradie gave me a lift. He kindly took me to my daughters place in Townsville.

After a cup of coffee and a shower I made my way down to the court house and spoke to the prosecutor and the duty solicitor. While there a Salvation Army officer spoke to me and rendered the first real assistance since we were rescued. He took me down to the local Salvation Army place and arranged a couple of clothing vouchers for us as well as some food vouchers. He then took me back to the court house to wait for my sons court appearance.

When my son faced court he pleaded guilty and the court taking into account what we had just been through sentenced him to time served and let him go.

I contacted a guy I had known a few years earlier and he generously loaned me a small van for a few days. it allowed us to go back to Ayr and attempt to get back to the boat. We tried on Friday the 3rd of September but were unsuccessful at reaching the boat. We needed some help. A local cane cutter and avid fisherman volunteered to assist us the next day so there being nothing further we could do, we went back to Townsville to my daughters place.

Saturday morning saw us back in Ayr and with the assistance of Neil, the cane cutter and his son, we managed to reach my stricken catamaran. it took almost 2 hours to reach it through very unsettled waters. I was devastated by what I saw, my pride and joy was nothing but junk and most of my possessions ruined, destroyed and beyond saving. We salvaged a few things, but nothing of note and with a heavy heart left the wreck of my boat on the beach to finish breaking up in the surf. It was one of the most disheartening experiences I have ever been through and I was sick to my stomach returning to the boat that Saturday but it was something I had to do because I had to know if I could salvage anything.

The boat was uninsured and a total loss. I don't know what I am going to do now. I made my way to a friends place in Port Douglas where I now am, almost homeless and with nothing left of my life. I know I am lucky to be alive but how do I rebuild, how do I move forward.

I couldn't get any assistance from social security as I am still on workers compensation so am precluded from their assistance... had I been unemployed they could have helped a lot. I haven't been able to gain any other assistance to date and don't really know what the future holds.

I feel there needs to be some kind of extension to VMR so that some assistance can be provided for someone suffering a total loss like I did. Sure most people who get into trouble have houses and families to support them, I don't. I had a son with me who has nothing and a daughter who is living alone and living week to week and who cant provide assistance. So, what to do.

That's life I suppose ...

Now 9 months later I am in port Douglas with a little Tophat to keep me company ... life is not too bad once again ...

An update ... I dont think I will have the Tophat for too long as its a stepping stone for me, but a very enjoyable one. I am actually looking for a larger liveaboard yacht at the moment. She sails great and is quicker than I thought, unfortunately I want something more roomy and comfortable for reasonable passage making... I am 60 years old this year after all and think my small boat adventures are almost behind me, time for a 40 footer me thinks ...

Lex A

I am truly sorry for your loss of PaGlenn, but congratulate you on finding your new little Top Hat. I hope she can repair some of the pain of what you endured and, at least fill at least a little of the void of what you lost...and hope you get into your 40 footer sooner than later.

Your humility and acceptance, in spite of the bureaucracy and suffering you and your son endured during the event, and since, is a quality that is sadly diminishing in our dysfunctional society today. No wonder we go cruising!!

The conflicts of interest between humanity/compassion and the dominant paradigm of constructs of procedures/professional protocol are appalling. I related to this aspect of your experience as I was in the position of 'walloper' many, many years ago..and it still makes my conscience flinch today.

As a 20 year-old Customs/Immigration Officer (sshh, don't tell The Coastal Passage) working a night shift at Brisbane Airport, a military helicopter landed, having rescued five people off a sinking yacht near Lord Howe Island. I don't have to describe them as you, Lex A have articulated the look and the emotional state perfectly.

Fortunately they had time to grab their passports. No luggage to conceal anything in!!

Ambulances had been admitted airside but were these used to take these people directly to hospital to address the threat of hypothermia on a cold July night?? NO!

Instead, they were marched through the Arrivals Hall like happy tourists to be cleared at the Immigration Line. Then they were taken to hospital for medical attention.

It makes my blood boil that not one person, not two, but a whole shift of two organisations – Customs and Immigration – were complicit in that act of inhumanity..and even if I was a fresh-faced new recruit, I too allowed it to happen.

Lately, I've been hooking up with other people who, for other reasons, have lost everything..I mean everything, Lex A-style.

An amazing theme that runs through your experience and these peoples' is that they have retained their strength and dignity, both qualities one cannot place a price on.

Lex A, I'm really pleased Warren suggested you share this experience. I hope sharing helps.

Fair winds my friend
Trace