PANCAKE CREEK TO GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND

May 26-31,2014

We have had very light winds on our trip North.  We anchored in Pancake Creek (24-00.6' S x 151-44.2' E) at 1230 hrs.  We had just enough wind at the right angle to sail into the anchorage.  It is a beautiful place and quite isolated with only a few make-shift fishermans' tents on the beach.  We were able to watch them set out nets and bring them in as has been done for thousands of years.  Just small schools of fish but they must have a market value.  I like to see traditional fishing where no big environmental impact is done.

We stayed in Pancake Creek for two days while the Trade Winds settled down and then took off on Wednesday May 28th at 1200 hrs for Great Keppel Island which is 70 nm to the Northwest.  The winds were light from the E-SE and eventually veered into the SW during the late evening.  By 1800 hrs we were becalmed just North of Gladstone's big ship anchorages so we took in the jib and lay hove-to waiting on wind.

May 29th - still waiting on wind which, finally, came along at 0300 hrs in the morning out of the SE at 5 kts; not much but enough to make way at about 2.5 kts.  The tidal currents in this area set South on the Flood and North on the Ebb at about 1.0 kt.  Winds continued light and seas at lest than 2' so sailing was pleasant.  The wind was forecast to increase later in the evening so we continued on to Great Keppel Island and made a nightfall landing at Leeke's Beach on the Northern part of the island.  The anchorage is quite rolly and not comfortable but the Trades are blowing 20-25 and sending a swell around the headland which has us bouncing around.  On Sunday, the forecast is for them to diminish and we'll sail over to Rosslyn Bay Marina and see if we can buy a few groceries.  The only thing we could use will be green vegetables and fruit.  The big problem in Australia is that the marinas have a requirement that yachts carry a 10 million dollar third party insurance policy.  If you don't have it, they may not let you stay there.  I tried to get this in Manly, AU but was told that only Australian  registered boats were accepted.  Fortunately, East Coast Marina never asked me for it.  We''' see what happens at Great Keppel Marina in Rosslyn Bay which is only about 8 nm from where we are anchored.  Our first muster point is at Abel Point Marina in Airlie Beach and they have agreed to wave the 10 mil insurance and cover it themselves.

So much for now.