Norfolk Island break for R&R

Norfolk Island courtesy of Google Earth

Day 7, Wednesday 6th Feb, dawned (well almost) as we carefully approached Norfolk Island's northern shores.

In the fresh SE'ly, the best shelter was to be had in Cascade Bay, an old whaling station which also boasted a small pier where we could land to meet the Customs Officer - and yes, we were going to have to clear back into Australia again...

First, though, we had to feel our way around the west and north of the island in the dark, then into anchoring depth with only limited electronic charts on the laptop to assist. The new NZ Navionics chip in the chart-plotter was not going to play ball. No nav beacons and not a lot of moon, but the kind Customs lady said that they would leave the light on at the un-manned pier. And they did! And it helped!

Cascade Bay pier

By dawn we were anchored about 200 m off the pier in 15 m and, of course, required a couple of celebratory Bundy Cokes to calm the nerves. And as a warmer, after the obligatory refreshing dip off the transom into some rather fresh seawater!

Four hours later, Jim, John and Phil staggered ashore to meet the Customs officer at 0900. She had very kindly driven down to give us a lift into town for CIQ (arrival & departure dealt with at the same time) and collect a hire-car to help with our repairs and provisioning.

Jim took Customs, John the hire-car and Phil the steering chain fix. All was sorted in short order, leaving time for a quick explore of this pretty island, including a drive to the summit of Mount Bates for a stunning all-round view. The seas didn't seem quite so big from way up there!

By midday we were back aboard, to allow the rest of the crew away for some R&R. Despite a service and new brushes in Mooloolaba, the windlass had also packed up again, so that was to be taken ashore too, for another rebuild.

The local advice was to overnight in Anson Bay, so the shore party were due back aboard by 1700 latest, to allow us time to drop anchor round there in daylight. They weren't and we didn't. They rolled up (literally) at 1800, so we swiftly swapped Matt C for John, Tiny & Jan and started the slow process of weighing anchor (and a lot of chain) by hand.


Reaching Anson Bay in the dark, for another very careful approach towards the breakers, it was clear we were going to have to anchor well out, and the remaining shore party of Phil and the two Matts would have to deal with a night ashore. We didn't get any complaints.

Or a lot of sleep, as the enduring S'ly swell played havoc on the beam...

Diverting to Norfolk Island

A short detour...

Day 5 brought the expected trough, with some rain and wind shifting from 290/20-25 kts in the morning to 160/15 kts by the afternoon. The forecasts had been pretty accurate.

By 2100, with a strong SE'ly and seas building the decision had been made: lets head for Norfolk Island.

Yes, it was 200 nm North of the rhumb line, but only about 100 nm North of our course if we continued to beat into the existing conditions. Existing conditions, and forecast to remain so for the next 48 hrs. It was an easy decision to make.

Norfolk Island

Freeing off to a beam reach for Norfolk at about 8.5 kts, we'd be there late the next day. Maybe two nights there to get the starboard steering chain fixed (and the port one checked)? Oh, and a run ashore for the crew for some R&R. Decision made - let's do it.

Just have to ask the shore team to find out a bit more detail about possible landing sites.

I hear it can be a bit of a bitch...

Tasman Day 4

Dawn watch

 A busy night.

Winds going light & variable after midnight made for multiple tacks & gybes, with the engine on & off to suit. Then a broken main-traveller line (replaced), lost bimini bolt (replaced), and finally a broken steering chain (fixed during the morning) - what next?

All cares blown away by a glorious dawn, though, and ideal conditions developing for the assymetric spinnaker, up by midday. After brekkie of course, which can't be rushed.

Tassy sunrise

Dipping the Southern Cross

A gloriously warm & sunny summer Sunday, too, so a couple of beers were allowed with lunch to celebrate fixing the steering gear. Then time to ceremoniously drop the Aussie ensign. It seemed only right, with the VB flowing.

The wind had now backed (as expected) and picked up to 290/15 kts, which meant the autopilot went off and everyone had a chance to practise their steering technique in a following sea. Great fun, but concentration needed.

Pause for pics...

Phil steering

Tiny concentrating

Matt with head on fire...

Steering fix #1

More steering fix #1

Sunday celebratory beers

Needless to say, this bliss couldn't last. Within 10 minutes of our tame Viking taking the helm (he's a big lad, it has to be said), the starboard steering chain broke again. And at another link, so no fixing it this time.

Tasman assy'

The wind continued to back & build (now 25 kts), forcing us off track to the north, first 075 degs (at 1600) to 050 degs (2100). The seas were building too, as we approached the Wanganella Bank, just 70 nm to the East. And they were forecast to build further to 6 m as the trough eventually rattled through, leaving a strong SE'ly.

Perhaps time to review our options?

You can't just pull over into the nearest lay-by or service station when you're crossing an ocean.

Or can't you? Norfolk Island anyone...?

Tasman Day 3

Yann shooting the sun

From the log:

0800   N'ly 18-20 kts
0855   Gen on
0900   HF sched - poor but got wx update
0930   Making water, adjusting cse to 095 to clear Elizabeth Reef
          (100 nm N of LHI)
1200   Satphone sched by email with pos: S29 43.5 E158 46.3
1415   N of Lizzy Reef, back on cse 102 degs for NZ
1420   Watermaker off, 5 hrs
1500   1+1 reefs

Phil on lookout

1600   Gen off, 7 hrs but still only 330 Ah / 13 V ?!
1755   Gen on for sched & rice-cooker
1800   HF sched - poor
1900   Gen off
1930   Dinner: Sue's pre-cooked chicken & rice, brocolli, peppers
2200   Loud 'bump' from port quarter - whale?
          Shaken, not stirred...