segment 20: Abel Point Marina and quick trip home

SEGMENT 20; ABEL POINT MARINA AND A QUICK TRIP HOME

27TH AUGUST TO 5 SEPTEMBER 2012

After we arrived at Abel Point marina , Airlie Beach , we cleaned the boat and Capt Barry spent the next day organising a service on LAST WORD'S engines whilst we returned to Sydney for a family visit and small break.

Capt Barry organised a quote for a service through Hastings Deering , the Cat agents in Qld.

The work specifically requested  involved MORE oil samples, oil changes for both engines,  valve lash inspection and adjustment , if required, changing the crank case vent filters ( CCVFs to those like me that needed to work it out), inspecting (and more likely changing) the two raw water pump impellers and the several anodes , checking the fan belts  and a general look around and report.

After giving LAST WORD a wash so she would present well whilst we were away , Capt Barry  visited the marina office to hand over the keys and authorise the service fellow to access the keys and specifically organise to have the boat  and power checked, daily, whilst we were in Sydney. 

The rear admiral , Julie , and Capt Barry then hoped on the ferry (from the finger wharf behind where LAST WORD  was moored ) and set off for Hamilton Island for our connecting flight. 

The ferry drops airport passengers at the airport marina, which is 70m walk  from the airport checkin, and  takes about 50 mins to 75 mins to make the ferry trip, depending upon whether there is a stop over at Daydream Island on route.

Back in Sydney, Julie ( who is only a rear admiral when doing something connected with LAST WORD ) worked like a ........worker bee,  ( sorry for the stutter  there , but I had to think of some  now more socially acceptable  description ). In fact Julie went direct from the airport, on arrival in Sydney, to her place of work at BEAD THEM UP, and did not return home until about 8.00pm ( after Capt Barry and Graeme (Capt Barry's brother , who flew in from Surfers Paradise at the same time ) had cleaned the house and organised dinner.

That is right folks, after being away for 6 weeks , we organised a family night BBQ for about 8 people.....so all was back to normal.

The week at home allowed Capt Barry to procure some spare parts and hard to find bits and pieces, catch up with family and friends, go through the mail, pay some bills , top up the house account ( for Shelly to administer ), reassure the cat we were still alive ,  try out Capt Barry's 4 month old  rotator cuff/shoulder  repair with a round of golf with a dear  friend, Jim Gale,  and  WASTE TIME (EARLY)  VOTING IN TWO COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

Meanwhile Julie worked....worked.....and worked....and worked  some more , and was even  late for her own birthday and fathers day dinner at mum and dads place.  Ohhh well....you know what they say....happy wife....happy life.

We said our good byes.... again, and flew back to Hamilton Island on the 5th Sept and ferried across to Airlie Beach, and  rear admiral Julie let out a big sigh of relief when we boarded the ferry, at leaving behind 12 hour days,  and was looking forward to just 5 hour days of beading by phone and internet and cataloging product for the website.

On arrival at Airlie Beach , Capt Barry telephoned Hastings Deering (HD) and discovered that there were some issues with the service ( which had been carried out the day earlier), and organised further rectification work ( under warranty ) to be carried out the next day.

welcomed back by a sting ray in the berth next to LAST WORD 

HD said that the dip sticks were incorrectly calibrated as there was only  about 23 L of oil in each engine , including the oil filters and residue in the sump and lines, ( and there should be 31L , according to them ), the air filters needed oiling, one of the valves was open way to far (2.5mm instead of 30 thou - and they were amazed that the push rod had not fallen off)  and a water pump locating bolt was missing.

the old unoiled or insufficiently oiled air filter in the box , the new pre-oiled filter to show as a comparison. You can see where the service fellow oiled two ribs of the old air filter ie where it is pink.

According to them , LAST WORD has  just done 280 engine hours approx. 7 to 8 L short on the starboard engine oil. Luckily,I had organised three oil changes in the first 130 hours, including the first one at 20 hours, so this should help with the viscosity issue  of the oil .

The HD service fellow turned up the next day and did all the warranty work required,and removed the oil ( only changed 2 days previously ), added new oil as per their recommendation ie  31 L,  and  re-calibrated the dip sticks to 31 L  during this process.

I queried ,  the dip sticks  re-calibration when it was being done  ,  (and several times by telephone and email since ) ie what was the correct amount of oil , pointing out that the Cat service and maintenance book said  28 L on page 55, and describes the calibration procedure on page 80 saying 24.6 L is full (which is about what Cat in China did when they installed and commissioned the engines - which included marking the dip sticks)  , and that HD  are saying and re-calibrating to 31 L.

I still have not received any answers to my queries  from HD (in two weeks ) , but note that WesTrac ( Cat's NSW agent ) has responded in a timely fashion and said that according to CAT ( media number SEBU7599)  the correct quantity of oil is 28.4 L and includes the sump and oil filter.

If WesTrac  is correct , LAST WORD , now has its dip sticks incorrectly calibrated for approx 31L of oil and too much oil in the engine.... which is just as bad as too little....??????..... 

Well moving on , the rear admiral discovered that the power had gone off while we were away, and must have been off for several days , as the quiche , which was sitting on top of the ice cubes was now at the bottom of a solid 20mm deep block of ice.

something is not quite right with what i am looking at.....what could it be????

We bagged the off food , and called the marina office with advance warning  of the complaint and left  the bagged food  for the marina manager to see , but he was not there that afternoon - which was probably a good thing, so  went shopping that evening , and restocked. 

The next morning Capt Barry ironed and put on his cleanest board shorts and paid a visit to the marina manager. The marina manager was very professional, lunch was enjoyed, and an acceptable arrangement agreed.

That afternoon I had a visit from the Whitsunday Electronics rep. about my less than satisfactory Raymarine radar performance ( ie it does not display all targets on the screen - and we play "find the rock at night").

I was given a clean bill of health on the radar settings ( and my use of the radar) , and he said he would report to Raymarine , and come back to me re the next step.

The next morning  the Whitsunday electronics fellow paid us a flying visit before we departed for Hamilton Island and upgraded the software. Alas the software upgrade did nothing for the radar and the missing targets.

We arrived at Hamilton Island, on a slightly windy trade wind day ( 10 kt SE ) , and found our allocated berth GN09, and tucked LAST WORD  into her new home for the next several weeks. The berths are  a little  tight with no center pole between boats and only about 4 m of swing room back and front when pivoting to slip in to the stern first berth, which LAST WORD  has to do , so we can get on and off the 18m finger.

looking down on the harbour at Hamilton Island from the hill that goes to the airport. LAST WORD is the first boat you would come to if you drew a line down  from the middle of the entrance to the harbour. 

After arrival, we did  a G arm walk ( to  renew some new acquaintances)  then  settled into a glass of wine,  or two, as the sun set,  and sent massages to confirm who is coming north to join  LAST WORD,  so we could  reschedule visits and LAST WORD'S passage,  further north, to Hinchinbrook Island.

pic from the bow of LAST WORD looking towards Hamilton Island  harbour entrance with Dent Island in the background. A good spot for a glass of wine.

Trip 20 NM , 2.6 hours ( including playing with radar ) , total fuel 80 L ( av 9 kts and 30.7 L per hour total fuel burn ).

SEGMENT 19: GOLDSMITH ISLAND TO ABEL POINT MARINA , AIRLIE BEACH

SEGMENT 19:
GOLDSMITH ISLAND TO ABEL POINT MARINA , AIRLIE BEACH.
40 NM : SUNDAY 26TH AUGUST 2012

After the Rear Admiral Julie returned from her surf ski trip and walk along the beach we up anchored at 10.00am and motored along on another flat sea in absolutely beautiful weather.

leaving Goldsmith Island

 Buoyweather was predicting seas of less than 0.2m at 8 secs and ESE winds of about 2 kts.

calm seas once again

LAST WORD motored along at just under 9 kts and we did the occassional speed run at 23 kts for 5 to 10 mins ( every 90 mins or so )  just to blow the exhausts clear and heat up the engine oil properly etc.

Capt Barry is not happy with the radars performance ( ie it does not show several targets ) and took pictures of the Raymarine screen and the scene outside the window, to match for evidence for Raymarine on board warranty .

now where is that other contact?

Capt Barry spent some time plotting new way points for use in the Whitsundays over the next few weeks.

We passed by many other islands on route to Airlie Beach.

Day Dream Island

West side of Dent Island (which is sometimes referred to as West Hamilton Island and now has a golf course).

As we approached Hamilton Island there were many more sail boats and motor yachts about, as it was just after Hamilton Island race week,  and boats were leaving for home or Abel Point Marina for repairs before the trip home.

As we rounded Pioneer Rocks on approach to Abel Point Marina , we came across another whale just lying on the water surface , we think giving birth , as after some time a small baby whale appeared , and the two whales slowly came to life and began going through slow movements etc.

After witnessing what we think was another whale birth (second in two days ) we proceeded to Abel Point Marina entrance leads.

 LAST WORD was sitting on about 7 kts and about 200m out from the marina entrance  leads, with the Rear Admiral Julie at the helm ( as Capt Barry had just organised ropes and buffers ) when Capt Barry noticed a larger boat ( about 100 ft or 30m ) about 7 o'clock and  20 m away. The larger boat was coming up on LAST WORD  at about 12 kts, and whilst Capt Barry did not think the skipper would be  so stupid to push past  LAST WORD so close to the entrance leads, he warned  Rear Admiral Julie of its presence and to keep a steady course and not be surprised if another boat slid past.

The Rear Admiral asked Capt Barry to take over the helm which Capt Barry did,  and as Capt Barry picked up the VHF radio to contact the approaching boat in an endeavour to  ascertain the skippers intentions, we heard the skipper of the approaching boat contact Abel Point Marina for permission to enter the marina . Permission was given and the larger boat ( which identified itself as "VANQUISH  " ) just pushed its way passed LAST WORD, as if he had not seen her,  and proceeded to enter the marina entrance. Vanquish left LAST WORD  wallowing in its 1 + m wake about 50 m out from the entrance markers , and Capt Barry switched  on the stabilizers and had to stop forward motion and eventually take another longer track at the entrance markers due to the rockin and a rollin suffered from the VANQUISH DICK HEAD SKIPPER.

VANQUISH looks impressive, but needs a better mannered / educated skipper

Capt Barry then radioed the Marina office for permission to enter the marina, AND ADDED  ( hoping the VANQUISH DICK HEAD SKIPPER  was still monitoring  the radio) that ...."LAST WORD  would enter the marina   AS SOON AS LAST WORD STOPPED WALLOWING AND WE REGAINED STEERING CONTROL....AFTER THE INCREDIBLY STUPID, DANGEROUS AND ARROGANT OVERTAKING MANOEUVRE  BY THE SKIPPER OF VANQUISH  in pushing past LAST WORD  just  off our port side so close to the marina approach markers.

Why the skipper of Vanquish did not radio LAST WORD  and advise us they were  in a hurry and wanted to pass, ( if that was the case ),  I do not know. I guess good etiquette is just lost on some people.

Eventually, Capt Barry safely entered yet another mystery marina ( as in new to us ) and managed to find LAST WORDS  allocated berth ( N5 , which is a 30 m berth , and just one of  496 berths ).

The marina is massive, and was still only partly full, despite there being many additional boats berthed there from Hamilton Island race week, as well as most of the boats that were kicked out of Hamilton Island for race week, waiting to return , which they could do over the next day or so ).

Meridian Marinas ( in receivership ) is the owner. They are developing another marina , just 100m to the east of Abel Point Marina, and have run into cash flow problems. Beats me why they are developing another maria, so close, when this one is obviously not full. I guess they have the business attitude of .....'LET'S JUST BUILD IT AND THE BOATS WILL COME..."

LAST WORD  tucked into bed for the week whilst Capt Barry and the Rear Admiral Julie fly home for a week

TRIP:  40 NM,     4.75 HRS,    187L in total,  AV SPEED 8.8 KTS , AVE FUEL 39 L/H/TOTAL.

Segment 18: Scawfell Island to Goldsmith Island

Segment 18: Scawfell Island to Goldsmith Island.  31 NM
Saturday 25 August 2012:

We lifted anchor at 10.50 am  ,  were under way by 11.00am , and waved goodbye to Scawfell Island.

LEAVING REFUGE BAY AT SCAWFELL ISLAND

Capt Barry inspected the engine room and noticed some water around the forward bilge pump. Using the long practiced  and reliable scientific approach , Capt Barry dipped his tasting finger into the water and, after a dab on the tongue, determined all was ok as it was not sea water, but fresh water. Capt Barry immediately turned to the  nearby small 24vdc sump pump ( used for pumping out the forward master shower waste water ) and  triggered the associated float switch, but  alas, the pump did not spin. Capt Barry then removed the pump from its housing and inspected the underneath and noticed it was jammed with long red hair. The hair  was removed and the pump immediately spun,  so that was another  issue attended to in a timely manner.
However, Capt Barry did note  to acquire a spare 24vdc replacement pump, as it occurred to him that if one of the small bilge pumps failed , there was no replacement on board.

Not long after leaving Scawfell Island,  the rear admiral noticed a brown scum like smear on the water surface. Capt Barry took a long whiff and opined that it was probably coral spawn.

CORAL SPAWN ON THE SEA SURFACE BEING DISTRIBUTED BY THE SEA CURRENT AND WINDS

The seas were truly kind, as they were.... flat as..... and there was almost no wind. Capt Barry opened the fly bridge and spent some time relaxing up stairs,  and the Rear Admiral Julie took some pictures of the various islands that slipped past as LAST WORD  motored towards Goldsmith Island.

We arrived at 2.30pm and decided to anchor in Roylen Bay instead of  Alan Lucas 's preferred anchorage at  the next more southern bay to the south of  Farrier Island.

While the Rear Admiral Julie beaded on, Capt Barry attended to a few chores ie cleaning out the two air conditioner sea strainers and trying to resole (with black sika flex )  his velcro open footwear , which had suffered a blow out when  the added soles became  unglued ).

About 4.30pm we had another two motor yachts select Roylen Bay as their night anchorage.

MALUKA  , which we last saw at Marina Mirage , berthed across from LAST WORD

As the evening came to a close , we enjoyed a few drinks and decided BBQ lamb chops to be in  order for dinner, followed by the obligatory DVD movie and an early night.

The next morning the Rear Admiral Julie launched one of the surf skis and visited the beach, while Capt Barry inspected his repaired footwear, declared the fix a failure, and removed the half glued soles and decided to continue using the open footwear without the added soles.

As we were headed for Abel Point Marina at Airlie Beach today, Capt Barry completely deflated the smaller tender which was partially inflated in the lazz , and packed it away properly, as it would nor be needed for at least a week.

Whilst we had time to visit another island or two before proceeding to Abel Point Marina, Airlie Beach ( where we were going to leave LAST WORD  for a week whilst we returned to Sydney for some family commitments and personal  appointments ), we decided to save these location/visits  for when family and friends visited us, at Hamilton Island, over the month of Sept. so we could take different groups to different locations - and the Rear Admiral and Capt Barry would not get bored seeing Whitehaven Beach for the 4th or 5th time etc).

TRIP : DISTANCE 31 NM,  IN  3.65 HRS,   134 L,    AVERAGE FUEL BURN  37 L/H/TOTAL , AVERAGE SPEED 8.7 KTS.


 

SEGMENT 17: MACKAY HARBOUR MARINA TO SCAWFELL ISLAND

SEGMENT 17: MACKAY HARBOUR MARINA TO SCAWFELL ISLAND
FRIDAY 24 AUGUST 2012 : 27 NM

 Day three at Mackay Harbour Marina and Rear admiral Julie is in charge of our departure, and we agree fuel first , as it is likely to be considerably  cheaper than Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island, and we will not use much fuel getting there as the steps to get there are small,  and we intend just enjoying the slower speed and passing islands. 

We were at the fuel wharf at  8.30am  for a quick refuel ,....or so we thought. 

There is no service and one selects a bowser/pump  from the 14   available , then ties up , disembarks and presses a green button, then at amplified volume over a speaker system,  has a conversation ( that everyone in the Mackay Marina can easily hear)  about refuelling.

We had selected a bowser/pump that had both a small and large diameter hose  ( as the larger diameter hose usually  indicates hi flow fuel). However the pump only had one speed and it was so slow that Capt Barry calculated we would be there another 90 mins refuelling, 

So we contacted the marina office via the green button , and had another world at large conversation ,and asked for a high speed pump,  restarted the engines and moved to  the high flow  pump on the second fuel  arm. 

They  have ONE pump that is high flow.... and considering we were expecting to take 2000 L  (which they were aware of),   you think they would have directed us to the hi flow pump in the first place. 

During the refuelling Capt Barry realised ( on a pump other than the one we were using )  that the fuel price had again been increased ( twice in two days ).

Whilst the rear admiral was going to pay the fuel bill , Capt Barry said , " leave it to me, I want to discuss the state of their pumps and the fuel price".

Capt Barry was told that there were no bulk discounts unless one took over 5000L, Capt Barry did not stop there, but requested to see the manager , and  pointed out that he was quoted  a price the afternoon before , and that the price per L ( and number of L taken  ) could not be read on most of the pumps , as the LCD numbers were not functioning properly.  so one could not see the fuel price, and  therefore the quoted price was fine. 

Capt Barry also suggested all large diameter hoses be labelled as slow flow. The general manager  quickly saw the logic of the discussion , awarded the discount , and directed the staff to clearly label the flow rate on the pumps and to have the pump readouts replaced . Apparently they have the new read outs and the replacement was  on the to fix list for some time.

After tidying up that small administrative matter, we departed the fuel wharf , and the harbour marina for Scawfell Island.

leaving Mackay marina behind

We were under way with Julie in charge, as usual, when The VERY COMPETENT Rear Admiral noticed that the seas in our path looked to be a different  surface texture....meaning something different was happening under the water. So being on the ball she abandoned the book she was reading and moved to the Captains chair in case a quick manoeuvre was required. 

After consulting the Nav charts, the Rear Admiral discovered we were about to pass  over a shoal. All was fine, and the Rear Admiral was pleased with herself for noticing this sea condition, where the depth of  water  was rising from 30m to 18m to a very shallow 6m and that is exactly what happened. So a big tick to the chart plotters...or whoever.

approaching Scawfell Island

Refuge Bay / Scawfell Island with low cloud

We arrived at Scawfell Island at 2.30 in the afternoon and put the anchor down in Refuge Bay,  

We were the sole visitors to the bay, until later that afternoon when two other craft arrived, but anchored a distance off.

Scawfell  is not considered  part of the Whitsundays, being too far south, but as SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED has stated,  it is the best spot we have anchored,  so far. 

We saw turtles (too many to count)  dolphins and whales. We believe we saw a whale calf being born (with mum just lying on the surface for some considerable time, and another baby  whale  having a high old time jumping continuously out of the water.

There was a small  wind, which we welcomed after sweltering at MacKay, which died completely at sunset giving us a great night sleep. No noise, no wind. ,..nothing that concerns you!!!!.

another great sunset

We awoke the next morning to a PICTURE PERFECT   still water and a sunny beach.

We decided to explore the beach, and  launched the smaller tender , intending to lift it high onto the beach , and thus we could ignore the tide and the need to anchor.

The bay has amazing coral reefs bordering left and right sides of the bay which we found as we motored in the small tender for a walk.

We could not get good pictures, but were amazed at some of the  huge coral bombies that just mushroomed from the sandy bay bottom 6 M below to just below the surface . Sorry folks pictures, maybe, next time. 

Yesterday evening , we observed local fishing boats bee lining for the shore,  and discovered why..... they visit the beach for a quick comfort stop ....yes, there is a LOO constructed just behind the first layer of vegetation.

The best way to the beach is to go to the middle of the bay, line up the shed on shore,  and follow the line of sand NOT THE CORAL REEFS. 

One can anchor larger boats quite close in , as there is a very wide track of sand almost all the way to the beach in front of the sign board.

We took a pleasant walk along the shore and saw stingrays and lats of butterflies. after a long walk we headed back to  LAST WORD   for the journey to Goldsmith  Island.

i am glad we have the 3 hp motor. That is LAST WORD  way out there;

We decided to put the 3 hp motor on its storage bracket in the laz. and to partially deflate the smaller tender and stow it in the laz. rather than completely stow it as usual. This would make it  more efficient to use next time we needed it. We stored it through the rear boarding platform door and it was easy to handle and stow, and still left room for Capt Barry  to get by to the engine room etc.

a view (threw the cockpit second access hatch )  of the small tender and 3 hp motor, stowed with the tender partially inflated 

Another day in paradise, another FAB island to visit.

TRIP; Mackay to Scawfell Island, 3.5 HRS at 9 kts , using 142 L

Downtime at Mackay

Downtime at Mackay;

Mackay Harbour Marina is enormous , protected by a very substantial sea wall that accommodates two lanes of traffic right out to the point.

pic across the marina showing one of the ramps to the arms. This is about half tide , and when the tide is a low/low the ramp is very steep, hence the extra long ramps. Notice the sea wall in the background which completely encases the marina. 

view across the marina from LAST WORDS bow. 

Mackay Harbour is a large marina with 5 m tides. LAST WORD is berthed where the number 22 appears . There is a very substantial sea wall that runs along he top of the marina , not shown on this plan.

The morning after arriving at Mackay, Rear Admiral Julie decided to stock the boat again, so off we went shopping , with nanna trolley and back packs. If i had thongs , i would have slipped right in.

Capts Ray and Barry assisting with the restocking of LAST WORD.There

We said goodbye to our travelling companions and returned to the Marina. Julie beaded and capt Barry checked the drivers and fuses for the underwater blue LEDs to see whether a quick fix was on the cards. Alas, the issue with the outside port underwater light was not that simple and it will need replacing next time LAST WORD  is lifted out of the water. I certainly am not going to risk a lift out just to change one LED.



That night a thick fog rolled into the marina , and stayed all day. We were planning to fuel up and  depart for Scawfell Island the next day, but would be stuck in the marina if it does not lift, as Capt Barry decided not to trust the Raymarine Radar.

compare this pic (taken at 3.30pm ) with the pic above , as they  are similar shots.

the fog rolled in the second night we were in the marina and stayed all day

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Hi Guys.

Admin here, just testing the new email notifications via a test blog.

Now back to what you were doing........ENGAGE!

SEGMENT 16 : ISLAND HEAD CREEK TO MACKAY

Segment 16 : Island Head Creek to Mackay;
120 NM , Tuesday 21st August 2012.

Today is a long run (120 NM ) , so we want to get under way early so we can make Mackay before dark. However, it is low tide at 5.25am, so we decide to wait at least 1 hour before lifting the anchor to get another 0.3 m or so under the props, as we know there will be some shallow spots which we monitored on the way up the creek.

We are 3 NM up stream and at idle it takes us 45 mins to make the entrance to the creek, and we see 0.3m under the props, so the extra hour sleep in was well worth the delayed start.

we passed about 15 m off this rock even though the Creek is 100m wide at this point. We follow Capt Ray's secret passage, ( and cross our fingers ) and see 0.3 m on the depth sounder ( ie under the props). Note the water breaking just behind the rock.

LAST WORD leaves Island Head Creek behind

.
Capt Ray plots a route on the electronic chart plotter, and gives the way points to Capt Barry who plots them on the paper charts to check for rocks , shoals and other possible dangers along the route. There is a short discussion about how close we are to pass off Double Island (250m ) , but we decide the route is ok and leave it as plotted.

Capt Barry plots the route to check for shoals, Islets, rocks and how much we miss the bigger Islands

We inserted Steep Island as the first way point.

Steep Island

At 10.30am , Capt Ray makes good on his promise to make scrambled eggs on route , and Capt Barry , who is not thrilled about Capt Ray wanting to use the induction cook tops while at sea (and would prefer the electric fry pan be used ) allows the chef to proceed on the agreement Capt Ray  will keep hold of and not abandon the saucepan ( for even 1sec ) until the eggs are cooked and served onto plates
Like most chefs, Capt ray says he needs what he wants, ie  the cook top and that the electric fry pan will not do the job.

Breakfast is served and enjoyed on the run , and it is as good as promised ( even with pepper, which Capt Barry added,  to Capt Rays mild displeasure).

scrambled eggs at the breakfast bar

We sat on 1250 rpm making 10+ kts , and all ventured up to the fly bridge , as it was a spectacular day , the clouds were clearing,  and there was very little wind.

Capt Barry had a snooze on the bikini sun bed , and Capt Ray went to the forward sun bed , and tried a new technique for steering the boat.

Capt Barry deep in thought on the fly bridge bikini sun bed whilst the ladies watch the  passage ahead

this is how we turn the boat to the right 

and this is how we turn the boat to port/the left

Capt Ray practicing his steps (it looks like the Macarena to me????)

During Capt Barry's snooze , he decided ( and actioned ) one of those pivitol decisions that change the course of history, ie he gave an order ( after consulting Capt Ray ) that the route be changed to divert to Percy Island ( only an extra 3 NM and maybe an, additional 30 mins time, due to the time we would lose slowing down to look at the Island). So LAST WORD  diverted a little further north east , and squeezed between Pine Islet and Middle Percy Island so we could see what all the fuss was about ie people say that  West Bay is  a must to visit (whilst being a very average  anchorage , in any sort of weather).

through that gap Capt........Pine Islats are on the left , and Middle Percy Island is on the right.

Last Word passes a fellow traveller, with Middle Island in the background

West Bay

Pine Islets

After our detour and viewing of West Bay we decided on a speed run for about 1 and 3/4 hours ( 1850 rpm 17 kts,  162 l/h ) to ensure we arrived a Mackay Harbour before 5.00pm.

At Double Island  we backed the revs back to 1250 rpm and the ladies served quiche and a salad. Another excellent meal on the go.

all this food. Maggie and Capt Ray could not believe the shopping and provisions rear admiral Julie  brings on board

Whilst enjoying lunch,  LAST WORD  was overflown by a very low flying aircraft.
Capt Barry remarked that it had swooped on LAST WORD , and then as we watched it continue past LAST WORD   ( and gain altitude ) the plane turned abruptly to the right for a 180 degree turn, and Capt Barry wondered aloud whether we were to be contacted about some emergency at sea.
All was revealed when we were hailed by VHF by the pilot , using  part of our boat name "LAST".
We were asked to identify ourselves, ie vessel name,  and give details of the vessels home port , where  we had come from and where we were headed .Capt Ray asked who wanted to know , and they identified themselves  as Australian Customs. We gave the info, and then continued to hear the pilot radio other vessels for contact responses ( some which did not comply ).

Past Prudhoe Island we came very close to two large whales. Capt Barry remarked that he thought they may have even changed course for LAST WORD as they seemed to be on a collision course coming across our route from the port side, then were  almost parallel with us as they slipped past only 40 m of our port side ,then they crossed our wake, continuing on their original course (or so it seemed to Capt Barry).

Prudhoe Island ( I think )

Capt Barry looked up the Mackay Harbour Marina on the web ( when we eventually received a signal about 30 miles out from mainland)  and booked a berth and organised for a key to be left out .

We arrived at the Mackay outer Harbour ar 4.45pm and made our way to our designated berth (after following three sets of lead lights) and roped in by 5.10pm.

We were greeted by Peter Barbour , a professional skipper who lives on his boat at Mackay Harbour Marina. Peter skippered Capt Ray's boat (Braemar ) back to Sydney from Hamilton , and Capt Ray had telephoned him to catch up.

LAST WORD  in her berth at Mackay. I think Capt ray will be able to sleep here as there does not seem to be any  big waves to slap against the hull.

Peter stayed for a cup of tea and organised to take us to the shops the next morning to replenish supplies.

Capt Barry asked for Peters details in case we decide to get a skipper to bring LAST WORD  home , assuming he is available.

Whilst Capt Barry hosed down LAST WORD  , the ladies prepared another sumptuous meal , BBQ honey and soy chicken skewers and a salad.

Trip:  10.3 hours, 800 L, averaging 11.65 kts and 78 L/hr total.