Ahoy - December 2022 by Island Cruising & Down Under Rally

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"IT'S FREE TO ENJOY AHOY!"

DECEMBER 22/JANUARY 23

OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS, ALMOST 400 PEOPLE HAVE BECOME DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS. At only $125.00 for the first year and $99.00 per year to renew, Down Under Rally Membership is extremely good value for money. It is very easy for members to save much more than the membership fee thanks to the various discounts and offer our rally partners provide. MANY OF OUR MEMBERS HAVE GONE AS FAR AS TO SAY THAT DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERSHIP REPRESENTS THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY THEY HAVE EVER RECEIVED! In addition, becoming a member will give you access to our Offshore Cruising Preparation Course for as long as you are a member. The information we share in the course will help you gain the confidence to venture further afield when the time is right. As a Down Under Rally Member, you and a partner member of your choice will be able to watch the course content as often as you like for as long as your membership is current.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MEMBERSHIP HERE https://www.downunderrally.com/member-benefits

IN THIS MONTHS AHOY...

PLUS Members Prize Draw 2022 Go West Rally Wrap Up 2023 Go East Rally Update Cruising The QLD Coast Update & More... AHOY is published by: Down Under Rally Pty Ltd Contact John Hembrow - Director Website: downunderrally.com Email: admin@downunderrally.com ©Copyright 2022 Down Under Rally Pty Ltd Ahoy Newsletter is published and distributed electronically via the world wide web. Original editorial content & advertisements in this newsletter are copyrighted and the exclusive property of Down Under Rally Pty Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the Down Under Rally Pty Ltd. The comments and views in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Down Under Rally Pty Ltd.

Down Under Rally Members receive

10% OFF Annual Lift*

Conditions apply

Where you can choose to work on your own boat, engage specialist marine trades, or appoint a project manager to coordinate everything on your behalf.

The Choice is Yours (07) 55 000 000

theboatworks.com.au

admin@theboatworks.com.au

Coomera, Gold Coast

Down Under Rally Members Prize Draw CONGRATULATIONS... DARREN R - MEMBER NUMBER 206. You are this month's winner of our PredictWind Down Under Rally Members Prize Draw Each month the Down Under Rally draws the name of one of our members as the winner of the member's prize draw. The winner gets to choose any item from the woman's or men's range of PredictWind Clothing plus a PredictWind Cap. predictwind.com/clothing-shop

BECOME A MEMBER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN downunderrally.com/membership

SUMMER IN SYDNEY We had been cruising in Queensland for many years before we ventured South to spend a summer in Sydney, and what a pleasant surprise it was. We loved every minute and have since returned several times. What was most surprising to me was the water quality & clarity, which for us is really important as we love to spend time in the water as well as above it.

For those not familiar with Sydney Harbour you might be surprised to learn just how cruiser-friendly it is with free courtesy moorings & free short-term berths for disposing of waste & rubbish, topping up water, picking up passengers and dinghy docks. For more info see: transport.nsw.gov.au/mapservices/proxy/boating-destinations/map.html

In the following pages, we share information about a few of our favourite anchorages and some other information that might help you plan a Summer In Sydney.

SUMMER IN SYDNEY

http://www.visitsydneyaustralia.com.au/bantry-bay.html

SUMMER IN SYDNEY

https://outchasingstars.com/two-amazing-anchorages-sydney/

https://www.zuluwaterways.com/#/58fe9d65887b953349 5cde71/-33.87135981007896/151.18268966674805/Black %20Wattle%20Bay,%20%20International%20Anchorage

WE ALSO REALLY ENJOY THE SCENIC WALKS ON AROUND THE HARBOUR

sydney.com/things-to-do/nature-and-parks/walks

SUMMER IN SYDNEY Being on the harbour in Sydney during the summer also provides the opportunity to have a front-row seat to some iconic events, including the start of the Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race, New Year's Eve & the Australia Day celebrations.

EVENTS - SYDNEY HOBART RACE START

www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/using-waterways/boating-on-sydney-harbour/sydney-harbour-major-summer-events#

https://www.rolexsydneyhobart.com/about-the-race/course/the-start/

SUMMER IN SYDNEY EVENTS - NEW YEARS EVE www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/using-waterways/boating-on-sydney-harbour/sydney-harbour-major-summer-events# https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/using-waterways/restrictions-and-closures/marine-notices/current-notices

SUMMER IN SYDNEY EVENTS - AUSTRALIA DAY

https://www.australiaday.com.au

"The great thing about cruising is that something memorable usually happens." Sometimes it might be memorable for all the wrong reasons and other times for all the right ones, but regardless of why it is memorable, there is pretty much always an entertaining story to tell afterwards.

SHARE YOUR STORY IN AHOY!

It can be long or short, funny or scary, informative or entertaining or, as is often the case a little of everything. Write your story text in a word document or similar. How Many words? Submit as many or as few as it takes to tell the story. The pictures tell the story, so the more images that help tell the story, the better.

Email address: admin@downunderrally.com IF WE PUBLISH YOUR STORY IN 'AHOY' AS A FEATURE ARTICLE, YOU WILL RECEIVE A $200 VOUCHER TO SPEND AT ANY OF OUR RALLY PARTNER BUSINESSES. When writing your story, add a line to the text saying 'insert image description' here Make sure the image description is the same as the image file name. Send the images as separate files.

https://www.everythingmarine australia.com.au/ DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS OFFER: $50.00 OFF MAST & RIGGING SURVEY REPORTS

Happiness is a Coconut!

One of the many things I looked forward to as we sailed the Pacific Islands was enjoying refreshing coconut water. When exploring ashore, we would often idle away time trying to knock them from the heights of the coconut trees by using some of the discarded ones we found, never successfully, I might add, but some memories of the laughter that took place whilst trying stay with me. Over the years, we’ve learnt to husk them, crack them open, toast them, and we even used them as bocce balls during Xmas on Isla Contadora in Panama with sailing friends. So as you explore the many islands and ports of the pacific, remember the humble coconut is more than its name; it’s a game, a challenge, a food source and a beverage with health benefits. Coconuts are low in sugar and calories, and coconut water is popular for rehydration after exercise or during mild illness. It's true that coconut water has electrolytes, such as potassium, sodium and manganese. Be careful however not to drink more than two cups a day as doing so can upset your digestion.

by Leanne Yoga, Health and Sail Wellness www.yoga4yachties.com

"A Stich In Time" The saying "A Stitch In Times Saves Nine" is very apt when it comes to preventive sail maintenance. It sums up the importance of identifying an issue before it gets severe and possibly avoiding a significant expense.

ASK ABOUT OUR SPECIAL OFFER ON SAIL INSPECTIONS FOR DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS Early identification of sail wear and damage or stitching that has suffered UV damage can mean the difference between performing affordable preventative maintenance as opposed to an expensive repair. The owners of all yachts should consider having their sails thoroughly inspected by a sailmaker, especially before heading off on a long voyage. If your vessel is located on the Gold Coast or you are planning on visiting the Gold Coast, Caedric from Evolution Sails Gold Coast will come and perform an inspection of your sails and, if need be, arrange for your sails to be removed and taken to their loft to be repaired or reconditioned. To arrange a time to have your sails inspected contact Caedric at Evolution Sails. PH: 07 5537 7433 | EMAIL: INFO@EVOLUTIONAUST.COM.AU | W:DOWNUNDERRALLY.COM/SAILS/RIGGING

https://www.dbyboatsales.com.au

https://www.royalmotor.com.au

https://rpayc.com.au

facebook.com/thecoopclubchurchp oint

www.keoride.com.au

link to mooring s map

https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/fil es/2021-07/9a-cowan-narrabeen.pdf

https://www.seabreeze.com.au/weather/yesterday/sydney http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/forecasts/sydneywaters.shtml

https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/usingwaterways/protecting-environment/pump-outfacilities#Hawkesbury/BrokenBaypumpoutfacilities

https://www.dbybo atsales.com.au

sales@dbyboatsales.com.au https://www.dbyboatsales.com.au

https://www.dbyboatsales.com.au

to d ce 0 u Red 49,00 $6

https://www.dbyboatsales.com.a u

REMEMBER GOOD OLD-FASHIONED SERVICE? That is what you will find at our chandlery, Australian Boating Supplies. Dave and Helen brought Australian Boating Supplies (ABS) about 15 years ago when it was located at the front of Gold Coast City Marina, part of the Gold Coast Marine Precinct. Since then they expanded to shed F31, and again into shed C17 which is right next to the boom gates and has substantially increased the range of boating and marine products. Having raised their family in Canberra, they moved to Queensland, purchased the chandlery and Tropical Sunset a Seawind 1160 and boating became a large part of the family's lives. For many years Dave, Helen, Danielle, Michael and Emma holidayed and sailed between the Gold Coast and far north Queensland on Tropical Sunset. During this time they tried and tested many of the products currently stocked in the shop and can provide advice and knowledge based on their own experience.

The Hutcheson family and the staff at ABS have extensive boating experience and really do enjoy helping you with your chandlery needs. We look forward to welcoming you IN-STORE Monday to Friday 8 AM – 4:30 PM Saturday 8:30 AM -12:00 PM, OR by phone or online when it suits you

PHONE: 07 5502 8484 AUSTBOATING.COM.AU

C17 Gold Coast City Marina, 76-84 Waterway Drive, Coomera Qld. 4209

DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS RECEIVE GENUINE DISCOUNTS OFF ALL ITEMS IN-STORE, EXCLUDING ITEMS ALREADY ON SALE AND AS SUCH ALREADY DISCOUNTED.

CRUISING TASMANIA "The Land Down Under The Land Down Under" "With protected anchorages, scenic uncrowded waters and soaring sea cliffs to the wild waters of the Great Southern Ocean, Tasmania, or Tassie as we Aussies like to say, is an adventure sailor’s paradise"

Wineglass Bay_Tasmania In terms of landscape and climate, Tasmania could be considered to be more akin to New Zealand, with cooler oceanic climates, snowy mountains and lakes. Visiting Tassie in Summer (December – February) is a great way for those who are looking to escape the more humid climates of Queensland & New South Wales. This is just one reason that Tassie has become a popular cruising destination with both local and visiting international yachts.

Freycinet Coast, Tasmania

CRUISING TASMANIA "The Land Down Under The Land Down Under" Despite Tassie becoming more popular each year as a summer cruising destination, you can still find a secluded anchorage to go ashore where you're the only one around.

Recherche-Bay Tasmania_Image Credit_ Tourism Australia Of course, if you are more socially inclined, there will be plenty of opportunities to meet up with both the local and the visiting cruising fraternity and enjoy some good old Aussie hospitality.

Royal Cruising Yacht Club Hobart Tasmania

CRUISING TASMANIA "The Land Down Under The Land Down Under" So if heading to Tassie for the 2022-23 summer sounds appealing, then be sure to check out the WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL in February while you are there. To help you plan your visit, be sure to check out the MAST CRUISING TASMANIA website pages, which are an EXCELLENT FREE RESOURCE that includes short videos of several anchorages and useful information about the anchorages themselves.

The pages within the MAST WEBSITE cover Macquarie Harbour, West Coast Tasmania, Bruny – D’Entrecasteaux Channel/Huon River, Tasman Peninsula, East Coast Tasmania, Northern Tasmania (Flinders Island and Deal Island) and North West Tasmania.

Cradle Mountain - Tasmania

https://www.downunderrall y.com/preparation-training

https://www.downunderrally.com/pre paration-training

THE 2022 GO WEST RALLY WRAPPED UP IN NOVEMBER WITH WELCOME WEEK AT BUNDABERG PORT MARINA. As they say, 'A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words' so ....

Daily VHF Sched

Yoga every 2nd Day

EVENT REGISTRATION & COLLECTION OF PARTICIPANTS T-SHIRTS & GIFT BAGS

TRADITIONAL WELCOME TO COUNTRY & SMOKING CEREMONY

WELCOME COCKTAIL PARTY

AUSSIE BBQ

CRUISERS JAM SESSION

DOWN UNDER INFO SESSIONS X 6 1.

INCLUDING COMPULSORY VEGEMITE TASTING 😂 2.

BAREFOOT BOWLS FOLLOWED BY COMPLIMENTARY BEER, BUBBLES N PRAWNS

AUSSIE CLASSIC MOVIE NIGHT

CHARITY SWAP MEET

DONE 'N' DUSTED PARTY

DURING THE 2022 GO WEST RALLY WELCOME WEEK, WE GAVE AWAY OVER $5000.00 WORTH OF PRIZES & GIFTS.

A BIG THANKS TO OUR CONTRIBUTING RALLY PARTNERS FOR THEIR GENEROSITY. Bundaberg Port Marina PredictWind The Boat Works Gold Coast Cruising the Queensland Coast Captain's Chandlery Greenskin Wine SisterShip Press Rocna Anchors Australia East Coast Marina Scarborough Marina Queensland. Multihull Solutions Hydrovane International Marine

GO WEST RALLY - THE VERDICT The Down Under Rally has received some wonderful feedback from the 2022 Go West Rally participants. Below are a few samples of that feedback.

Go West in

The Down Under Rally would like to say a huge thank you to all the 2022 Go West Rally participants, you are a great group and we hope your time in Australia is memorable for all the right reasons!

JOIN US FOR THE 2023 GO WEST RALLY. SUBMIT AN OBLIGATION-FREE EXPRESSION OF INTEREST AT:

downunderrally.com/about-go-west-rally

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND CRUISING YACHT HAVEN Located ON Brisbane's Moreton Bay, Scarborough Marina provides visiting yachts with easy access to the many anchorages and the islands of Moreton Bay, including Moreton Island and the Tangalooma Wrecks. The City of Brisbane and the Brisbane international airport are only 40mins away, with Public Transport right at our door. The suburb of Scarborough is home to families and retirees who form part of the safe & friendly community. With the convenience of waterfront Cafes, Clubs & Restaurants plus major shopping centres and medical services nearby and our popular weekend farmers & craft markets, Scarborough really is a home away from home!

Recognised by the international cruising community as the preferred destination when visiting the Brisbane Region. Safe Enclosed Harbour Protected from swell & unaffected by flooding. Clean, Modern & Well Maintained Facilities Modern Cruisers Lounge with TV and free WIFI Electronic gated Access, with 24 Hour CCTV Monitoring 24 Hour Fuel Wharf Full-Service Boatyard with 35 Tonne Travelift On-Site Chandlery

DISCOUNTS FOR DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS

Tangalooma Anchorage Moreton Island

PH: +61 7 3880 0300

SCARBMARINA.COM.AU info@scarbmarina.com.au

Videos about sailing to and cruising in Australia, Indonesia & the SW Pacific islands, including Fiji, New Caledonia & Vanuatu and more...

youtube.com/c/DownUnderRally

FREE CRUISING GUIDES

VIEW & DOWNLOAD AT: DOWNUNDERRALLY.COM/CRUISING-GUIDES-RESOURCES

MEMBERS APP PROVIDES EASY ACCESS TO COURSES & DISCOUNTS HOW TO DOWNLOAD MEMBERS APP IN UNDER 2 MINUTES

WHAT YOU CAN VIEW & DO IN THE NEW MEMBERS PORTAL View details of discounts and offers from our network of rally partners. View our Offshore Cruising Preparation Course Videos. View the Resources Library containing Technical Tips, Checklists & More View The Yoga Video Library with Classes you can practice to at any time. Buy or sell items in the member's marketplace. Add a partner membership at no extra charge

ALL FROM THE PALM OF YOUR HAND VIA OUR MOBILE APP AT ANY TIME, ANYWHERE YOU HAVE INTERNET!

1 YEAR MEMBERSHIP JUST $125.00 BECOME A DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBER downunderrallymembers.com/membership

https://peakmarine.com.au

Down Under Rally Members Offer! Get 10% Off All Above & Beyond Boating Courses that feature on our website. VIEW COURSES HERE

THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO CHOSE TO JOIN US FOR THE 2023 GO EAST RALLY PRE-REGISTRATION WEBINAR ON THE 28TH OF NOVEMBER 2022. The webinar ran for just over two hours. The first hour was the information shared by the Down Under Rally. The second hour consists of the question & answer session that followed. The purpose of the webinar was to ensure those interested in sailing to New Caledonia from Australia are fully aware of what needs to be done before committing as rally participants. We also shared information about various aspects of the 2023 Go East Rally, including the rally route, preparations of vessels & crew members and the proposed date of departure. Full details about the registration process, the rally entry fee and what is included in the rally entry fee were also provided during the webinar. As explained during the webinar, the next step will be to send an email on the 7th of December inviting Down Under Rally members to confirm their intention to participate in the 2023 Go East Rally by formally registering as a participant and paying a deposit of $550.00 to secure their entry.

IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO JOIN US FOR THE 2023 GO EAST RALLY AND DID NOT JOIN US FOR THE LIVE WEBINAR, IT IS IN YOUR BEST INTEREST TO WATCH THE RECORDED VERSION BEFORE JOINING THE RALLY.

MORE INFORMATION

downunderrally.com/go-east-rally

BOOK YOUR COURSE NOW hearttraining.com.au/marine-first-aid

https://greatcircleliferafts.com.au

https://greatcircleliferafts.com.au DISCOUNTS FOR DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS Please quote your member number when placing an order with us.

A very complete and detailed briefing on all things cruising. Stephen W - May 2022

Online On Demand

1 YEAR FREE ACSESS FOR DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS CLICK THE LINK OR SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

downunderrally.com/offshore-cruising-prep-courses

CUSTOMS INFORMATION FOR AUSTRALIAN & VISITING INTERNATIONAL YACHTS When you arrive in Australia, there are a number of clearance options depending on when you intend to leave. If you intend to leave within twelve months, you may be granted a Control Permit, asked to provide a security for temporary importation or to formally import the craft. A Control Permit will be issued to the Master of the craft if the ABF are satisfied the craft is transiting Australia for noncommercial purposes. Control Permits may be issued for a period of 12 months or the length of the Master's visa, whichever is less. Extension of the initial control permit may be granted on application for up to two years, provided that you meet eligibility requirements and have an appropriate visa. The maximum period of time the vessel will be permitted to remain in Australia before it will be required to be imported is three years. A person eligible to apply for a Control Permit must be a tourist or a temporary resident of Australia. Australian citizens are not eligible for a Control Permit unless they have overseas residency. Satisfactory evidence of overseas residency is required. If you are an Australian citizen, permanent resident of Australia or migrating to Australia on a craft purchased outside Australia, importation of the craft is required. Customs duty and tax are payable on any craft imported into Australia upon its arrival. See the following page of the Australian Border Force Website for more information: www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/entering-and-leaving-by-sea/yachts-and-pleasure-craft

AUSTRALIAN VESSELS RETURNING TO AUSTRALIA. If your vessel has departed from Australia, it is likely that you will be required to re-import your vessel when you return to Australia despite having not exported the vessel when you departed. You can clarify this yourself with the Australian Border Force by emailing the Bundaberg Office of the ABF using the following email address. bundaberg@abf.gov.au. If the vessel was tax paid when it left Australia, you should not have to pay import duty or GST again; however, only the ABF can confirm this. If the ABF confirms this is the case, they will likely inform you that you will need to complete some paperwork on arrival to re-import the vessel and that they strongly recommend you employ a customs agent to assist with the completion and lodgement of the associated paperwork.

The Down Under Rally has a long-standing relationship with DAZMAC, who are customs brokers. The Down Under Rally recommends contacting DAZMAC to get a quote from them to act as your agent should you be required to import or re-import a vessel. You can make an obligation-free enquiry with Dazmac via the following page of the Down Under Rally website: www.downunderrally.com/agents. Discounts for Down Under Rally Members.

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C.A.R.E.

Code of Anchoring in Reef Environments.

DO YOUR PART, SAVE CORAL REEFS FROM CARELESS DESTRUCTION. Coral reefs are one of nature’s grandest examples of teamwork. Thousands of species of marine life work together to build the largest living structures in the world. Many of these beautiful communities represent millions of years of continuous growth. Around the world, coral reefs are endangered; climate change, overfishing, reef bashing, shell collecting, dynamite fishing, bleach and pesticide poisoning, siltation, agricultural chemical run-off, sewage contamination, and crown-of-thorns starfish epidemics all contribute to this unhappy state of affairs.

THE REEFS HAVE PLENTY OF TROUBLE ALREADY, SO HELP THEM OUT... ANCHOR IN THE SAND, NOT IN THE

C.A.R.E.

Code of Anchoring in Reef Environments.

If you took the family to visit a botanical garden, you would not park your car in the flower beds. Living coral gardens are as delicate as flower beds and take hundreds or even thousands of years to grow. Be sure not to park your anchor in the coral gardens.

ANCHORS AND ANCHOR CHAINS WRECK FRAGILE CORAL GARDENS.

Branching corals get smashed by anchors and anchor chains. More massive corals get turned over, abraded or broken. Coral has a thin, delicate tissue covering the outer portion of the hard crystal skeleton, and it can be torn with the slightest touch. Even minor abrasions, like brushing against them or walking on the live corals or dropping a dinghy anchor on them, can cause an infection able to kill the entire coral colony. In popular tourism areas, even large coral heads, often hundreds of years old, have died from infections when repeatedly injured by snorkelers standing on them. Careless captains have already destroyed countless coral gardens everywhere in the tropics by dropping their anchors in the coral or allowing their chain to drag over the corals as the yacht moves back and forth with changes in the wind and tides.

C.A.R.E.

Code of Anchoring in Reef Environments.

EACH ANCHOR MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

Looking at a seascape of coral reefs, it’s hard to imagine how one anchor could do much damage. But good places to anchor are few and far between, and there are many anchors. Anchor and chain damage - month after month, year after year - destroys reefs much faster than the coral can regrow.

Soft Corals such as this beautiful Gorgonian take years to grow and just seconds to be destroyed by carelessly placed anchors & chains

Join with boaters who love the sea. Show your seamanship; anchor with C.A.R.E. In the sand, not in the coral.

C.A.R.E.

Code of Anchoring in Reef Environments.

HOW TO ANCHOR IN THE SAND.

Carry the right gear. Carry enough chain or chain and line to anchor in 30 meters (100 feet). A good windlass is essential for larger boats. A recording depth sounder will help you find sand areas to anchor in deeper water when there are no sandy areas in shallow water. Look before you drop the hook. Always arrive in an anchorage with plenty of daylight so you can locate a safe, sandy place to drop the hook. In shallow water, you can usually see the sandy areas. Dark patches can be coral or seagrass. Experienced captains plan to arrive before 15:00 (3PM) when the sun is high, and it’s easier to see the reefs. Polaroid sunglasses are a must to cut down surface reflection.

Drop the anchor when the bow is over a sandy area large enough so the chain will be in the sand even when the boat swings with the wind or tide. The chain can cause as much damage as anchors. If you can’t see the bottom, a recording depth sounder will show you where there is no coral. A sand or mud bottom shows as a flat, smooth line on the sounder. If you don't have a recording depth sounder, lower the anchor until it just touches the bottom and feels the chain or anchor line as the boat drifts back. If it “grumbles,” it’s in coral. Lift it clear of the bottom right away and let the boat drift a little, then try again. When the anchor is in mud or sand there is no vibrating grumble on the anchor chain. Ease out the anchor if it gets into coral. If the chain begins to grumble after you anchor, take the hint. Motor up over the anchor, lift it out of the coral and move. Anchoring in the coral all day or all night keeps on doing damage as the boat drags the chain back and forth through the coral.

C.A.R.E.

Code of Anchoring in Reef Environments.

DO YOUR PART, EVERYONE SHOULD C.A.R.E. SUGGESTIONS TO SPREAD THE C.A.R.E. Post comments and images on social media and mention the Code of Anchoring in Reef Environments. Add comments like, “This is a great anchorage. The coral gardens are beautiful here. We always anchor in the sand or use the available moorings; if you come here, you should too!” If you talk with your friends on the VHF and invite them to anchor near you add comments like, “The coral gardens are magnificent, be sure to anchor in the sand so you don’t damage them.” Or, “You’ll have to anchor deep because the shallow water is full of live corals.” Others will hear your comments on the radio and think about their own anchoring habits. Inform Boat Charter Agencies: If you charter a boat in a coral reef area and the company briefing does not include the Code of Anchoring in Reef Environments, tell them it’s important to add it to their briefing. It won’t help a charter business of the tourist industry to have coral gardens near the best anchorages damaged or destroyed. Help other boaters: If you see another boat looking for a spot to anchor, help out. Give suggestions like, “Hey, it’s good over there in that sandy area.” Or “That’s not a good spot to anchor; that’s a lovely coral garden.” Help the corals: If someone has already anchored in the coral garden, drop by and nicely explain coral is a living creature and very delicate. Anchors and anchor chains really do much harm. Most boaters respond well, weigh anchor and relocate.

BE SAFE, ANCHOR WITH C.A.R.E.

Modern anchors like this Rocna are designed for soft bottoms.

C.A.R.E.

Code of Anchoring in Reef Environments. ANCHORING IN CORAL IS ALSO A BAD IDEA FOR YOUR VESSEL’S SAFETY. The holding power of anchors is measured when they are set in sand or mud. Fine, delicate corals crumble and clog the anchor flukes. If the wind changes or picks up, the yacht can and probably will drag; a recipe for disaster if the wind changes to offshore. Big massive corals can trap an anchor, and chains wrap around and partly under them, making it difficult or impossible to retrieve the anchor without diving on it. That can be disastrous if the wind is up and there are waves. Many captains have had to jettison their anchor and all their chain after their anchors were trapped solidly in massive coral heads. The Rocket Cruising Guides to New Caledonia (cruising-newcaledonia.com) and Vanuatu (cruisingvanuatu.com) provide exact GPS coordinates for 390 anchorages throughout both countries and every one of them is in the sand. During our surveys, we found potential anchorages where there was no suitable sand areas and we did not include these in the guide.

RESTRICTED ANCHORAGES Some coral reef areas are restricted, and unauthorized vessels may not enter or anchor. Violations could result in hefty fines. Be sure to inquire with the proper authority before entering into a new anchorage. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage provide zoning maps and important information about boating in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs, Coringa-Herald and Lihou Reef in the Coral Sea, Ashmore and Mermaid Reefs, the Yves Merlet islands in northwest Australia are National Nature Reserves. Visitors sometimes require permits before entering these reserves. Information about visiting these locations can be found on the Australian Marine Parks Website

C.A.R.E.

Code of Anchoring in Reef Environments. NEW CALEDONIA HAS RESTRICTED CORAL REEF RESERVES WHERE VESSELS MAY NOT ENTER AT ANY TIME. These include Ilot Surprise and Lelizour and the atolls Astrolabe, Petrie, Pelotas, Petit Guilbert, Gros Guilbert, Seche-Croissant, Yves Merlet, and Ilot Goeland (seasonal). Anchorages in the Coral Sea Marine Park, including the Chesterfield Reefs and the Entrecasteaux Marine Reserve, require special permission before entering the area. These include Ilot Surprise and Lelizour and the atolls Astrolabe, Petrie, Pelotas, Petit Guilbert, Gros Guilbert, Seche-Croissant, Yves Merlet, and Ilot Goeland (seasonal). Anchorages in the Coral Sea Marine Park, including the Chesterfield Reefs and the Entrecasteaux Marine Reserve, require special permission before entering the area. New Caledonia also has a network of marine reserves where you can go but must observe the strict environmental protection laws. Six of the reserves have park moorings so yachts won’t anchor in the coral or seagrass beds. There are also Melanesian Custom Areas in the Isle of Pines, Lifou, Ouvea and Belep. The Rocket Cruising Guide to New Caledonia (cruising-newcaledonia.com) includes a summary of all the protected areas and complete details on park regulations as well as protected species of marine life and fishing regulations throughout the world’s largest coral reef lagoon.

VANUATU`S MARINE RESERVES are set up by local villagers, and you must talk to the chief of the village near any anchorage for details on which areas are restricted and ask permission for visiting them.

C.A.R.E.

Code of Anchoring in Reef Environments.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR RICHARD CHESHER richardchesher.com

I fell in love with the sea when I was a teenager, went to the divers training academy in Florida and became a commercial diver, a SCUBA instructor and professional underwater photographer. In 1958 I moved onto my own sailboat, a 28ft double ended ketch built in 1924, and lived aboard my own yachts ever since. My wife Frederique and I have sailed the Pacific aboard the Moira, see www.log-of-the-moira.com, a Kelly Peterson 44 cutter, since 1976. I got my PhD in marine science at the Institute of Marine Science in Florida in 1967, specialising in coral reef biology. After a year at Harvard University’s Museum of Comparative Zoology, I joined the staff of the marine laboratory at the University of Guam and organized and trained a US Department of the Interior team of 69 marine scientists from all over the world for a Pacific-wide survey of the Crown of Thorns Starfish coral predator. To learn more about the survey see: drive.google.com/file/d/1tLY0XWxg5U9drj4tGKSk7y5rt6rgHAvX/view?usp=sharing

I’ve surveyed coral reefs in the Florida Keys, Bahamas, Barbados, Virgin Islands, Gulf of Guinea, Africa, Panama, Colombia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Yap, Philippines, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Australia, New Caledonia, Fiji, Wallis, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga and sadly I’ve watched them die... When I say careless yacht captains have destroyed countless coral gardens everywhere in the tropics, I know. Over the more than 65 years of my sailing and diving on coral reefs, I’ve personally seen them do it. I’ve seen coral gardens near tropical anchorages before they were turned to rubble by yacht anchors and chains. I’ve seen many yachts anchored in the coral and seen the damage they were doing. And I’ve seen the dead, lifeless rubble a few years later. Believe me; it hurts to swim over a dead coral reef you’ve seen thriving, alive, and beautiful a few years before.

SO PLEASE, FOR EVERYONE’S SAKE,

C.A.R.E. WITH ME ANCHOR IN THE SAND. NOT IN THE CORAL.

https://www.downunderrally .com/anchors-chain-winches

Shop 7, Gold Coast City Marina 58 Waterways Drive Coomera 4209 Queensland (07) 5573 7265 info@ribforce.com ribforceinflatables.com.au

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Members Marketplace Down Under Rally Members are invited to list their *unwanted items for sale in our AHOY! To list your item or items in the members market place: Email photos/description/price & contact information to admin@downunderrally.com FREE FOR DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS *Items offered must be used equipment / personal items related to sailing & cruising - No boats for sale listings, please. (Tenders ok)

Rainman Water Maker- NEVER BEEN USED. High capacity 240 v AC unit with dual membranes. Purchased NEW in December 2021 when planning to go to Fiji, but in the end, we didn't go. As a result, we were never more than two weeks from a marina and water, so it didn't get used. The asking price is $7000 AU. ($1000 off the current New Price.) I'm currently cruising in FNQ and will be back in Airlie Beach in early December with regards to pick up or shipping. Contact Colin Budich 0425737301 budich@telstra.com NORTHERN LIGHTS GENERATOR 9kva @ 110v| 7kva @ 240v. Complete wiring loom, gauges & sound-proof box. 4500hrs recently serviced and in good working order when removed. $2000.00 ONO. Ph Glen Thomson 0406 512 916.

WALDER BOOM BRAKE. Slows and controls the boom during a gybe. This one ex a 47-foot yacht. We are building a solid dodger, and there will be no room under the boom for it. Asking $400. These are over $1200 new. Get more info about them HERE We are in Fremantle. I can post at your cost. TO ENQUIRE CONTACT MARTIN: 0400 837 157

Simrad 4G Broadband Radar We have upgraded our Radar. The Simrad unit was functional with a B&G MFD until its removal in late November 2022. Included are Broadband 4G Radar, Broadband 4G Radar mount (will require cleaning and repainting), 10m x 4G Broadband connection cable, Broadband Radar RL10 Interface Box, 6’ Ethernet cable and some paperwork. Available Brisbane northside in early-mid December $550.00 or near offer. Call James 0422 148 970.

Screecher (Code 0) 22 months old made by Evolution Sails - Gold Coast. It no longer fits our new halyard system.

D L O S Total area 75sqm. Luff cable 17700mm, Luff 17500mm, Leech 14600mm Foot 8800mm

Super lightweight, high-quality cloth with additional sun strip (our request). Is in excellent condition and always bagged and stored when not in use. Does not include any accessories, sail only. Would suit a new buyer $3500.00 firm. James 0422148970

By Chris Rose

CRUISING THE KIMBERLEY

The Osbourne Islands Part 2

Osborne Islands, The Arches, Snake Valley, Apartments, Birds & Buzzard Falls From our protected anchorage across from Cliffy Point, behind the small rocky outcrop providing an ideal anchorage with great protection, we left No Regrets anchored using this location as a base from which to explore the surrounding region in our tender. This area is subject to tides of almost 8 meters difference, and a large part is very shallow or dries at low water. As such there is limited time to get ashore and explore, and it must be arranged carefully around the tide.

By timing your visit 2 to 3 hours before high tide and making sure you get out before the tide is lower than your entry level on the ebbing tide, you will get sufficient time to explore the attractions. We also use our tender depth sounder as it assists us to determine the exact depths we travel, and allow us to stay longer if we find sufficient depth. The waters in the Kimberley are generally mirky so you cannot see the bottom, and without depth sounding the area you would not have very little idea of the depths you are travelling over. Our tender has a small lithium battery pack that lasts for many hours, often weeks between charges as you only use it in short time periods. It powers our Lowrance HDS 5 plotter chosen for this trip as it supports custom mapping. What that means is the plotter creates its own depth charts that overlay the internal C-Map chart, which in this location is just blank. Having this charting ability is hugely beneficial as a large part of the Kimberley is uncharted and therefore, there is no depth information available. As you travel around with your tender, the plotter continually records the depths and makes an accurate depth chart that can be easily followed back and provide you with accurate information to determine if there is sufficient depth to stay a little longer if required. You certainly do not want to get caught on an outgoing tide with insufficient water to float your tender, and then wait a full tide cycle into the dark, especially with all the biting insects and crocodiles becoming active at night.

By Chris Rose

Heading to shore just behind our anchorage, “the Arches” can be found. This area has some incredible stone arches that have been formed through erosion over time. There are a few caves, one resembling a circus tent with multiple entrances and a huge internal cavern.

By Chris Rose

We headed east along the coast from the arches to Snake Valley's ancient aboriginal art site. After working our way between rocks and up the very shallow muddy beach, through the overgrown scrub, we found the art site on the overhanging ledge with the huge snake artwork that is approximately 7 meters long. Laying on your back of the conveniently placed large flat rock, you look upwards at the numerous other rock art on display, including paintings of turtles, squid-like and human figures with animal heads.

By Chris Rose

Continuing east we went in search of “The Apartments”, also known as “Castle Rock”. With a GPS reference point entered into our tender plotter, we pulled into the closest point through the mud and mangroves alongside the landmark of the “sloping rock alongside a small creek”.

Pushing in through the soft mud, we got the tender close enough to step off onto the sandstone rocks. After walking through the spikey spinifex grass, we made our way up to the rock formation above.

By Chris Rose

The Apartments is a huge, eroded cave system best described by a grid array of columns making a square pattern of interwoven paths. This is an amazing place to explore, but I cannot stress enough to take a torch, as we only had the lights of our phones. The cave is quite extensive and extends to the other side of the hill. It is a lovely place to stop for lunch in the cool shade with a pleasant cool breeze blowing through the cave, overlooking the ancient sandstone rocks and mangrove creeks below

By Chris Rose

The following morning, we travelled further up this same creek to the rock bar defining the salt and freshwater boundary. We were early, and the tide was still low so we had to wait for a little more tide to be able to get the tender over the very shallow sections. Walking around the point, we found the overhanging rock with the art site known as “The Birds”. The paintings are behind a large rock outcrop off the western side of the creek about 20 meters back, where a row of artwork consists of 24 animals which could be fish or birds.

After checking out the birds, the tide had risen sufficiently to get out tender over the further obstructing rocks at the rock bar, and around into more of a dry flat rock lagoon that was filling with the incoming tide. Placing our anchor high to keep it out of the water and allow for the incoming tide would permit us to retrieve our tender without getting in the water, where a crocodile could be watching our every move. We climbed over the incredible jagged weathered rocks, making our way up the creek in search of the falls and freshwater swimming holes.

By Chris Rose

Above the saltwater area, there are a couple of beautiful large freshwater billabongs. These spectacular pools of cool fresh water are lined by majestic shady gum trees, just beckoning us to jump in, but also very likely home to a couple of large saltwater crocodiles just waiting for an easy lunch. In the searing heat, having walked several hundred meters and climbing over hot rocks, the temptation is overwhelming to jump in for a quick dip, but it is not something possible without a likely fatal outcome.

We found a shallower section where we could see the bottom, so it was time for a quick plunge to get to cool off a little before walking to the top of the billabong. At the top was a sandy island with fresh crocodile tracks, confirming why you cannot swim in this idyllic-looking pool. After walking across a shallow rocky shelf in the middle of the billabong, what appeared to be a log suddenly submerged. Luckily, it was only a small crocodile, but without a doubt, the larger crocs would have been watching us closely.

Finally, after walking even further upstream, we found a smaller lagoon where we could see the entire pond's bottom, being completely sure there were no surprises when we had a swim. Buzzard Falls and the Rock Bridge are located further up the same creek, but with minimal water flowing, it was thought that both might not be worth the hot walk if they were without flowing water, so we would leave those sights for another trip hopefully one day in the future.

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By Greg Luck

OUR 2022 CRUISE AND THE NEW 2023 EDITION OF CRUISING THE QUEENSLAND COAST I took Curlew Escape up to Hamilton Island Race Week this year after a two-year gap. Maria and I start talking about whether we will cruise in February and March. After some crappy weather on our 4month cruise in 2020, she wasn’t keen on a long cruise... The rough plan was for her to fly up with Tonto, our Chihuahua, at the end of race week, do an overnight passage to Magnetic Island, and then start cruising north at least as far as Port Douglas. For anyone who was there, you will know it was a very windy race week this year. The wind continued for about a week after it. The day before Maria flew up, BOM released their fortnightly climate update. La niña got redeclared, with it being forecast to last until January. That decided us. We changed plans and decided to do a leisurely cruise back to Brisbane. Ironically, we ended up having the best cruising weather ever. After some cruising around the Whitsundays, which was mostly hiding from the strong wind and a few days in Airlie Beach, we began. Maria suggested a goal of spending two nights in each anchorage so we could have at least a full day at each one.

Greg and Maria at Platypus Bay

We stopped at Thomas Island, Goldsmith Island, Brampton Island’s West Bay, and then to Mackay. I stressed Maria out by removing and resealing my shroud deck fittings in Mackay Marina. The nuts are 36mm. Mackay has some good stores for the large tools needed due to the local mining industry. After Mackay, we did the long day passage to Curlew Island and then over to Middle Percy Island. We explored the lagoon at high tide in the dinghy, which was a treat.

Photo G. Luck

OUR 2022 CRUISE AND THE NEW 2023 EDITION OF CRUISING THE QUEENSLAND COAST

By Greg Luck

Looking out through the lagoon entrance, Middle Percy Island

Photo G. Luck

REEF WEATHER We then worked our way down to Keppel Bay Marina, with stops at Island Head Creek, Perforation Point and Great Keppel Island. We had a nice reef weather window opening up, so we restocked and headed out to the reef. There was a light northerly the first night, so we spent some time finding an anchorage on the southwest side of Hummocky Island, which I added to the book. I added about 30 new anchorage locations from this year’s cruise in total. From there, we headed out to Heron Island, stopping at the new public moorings, first at Wistari Reef, then Heron Island. Heron Island is not welcoming to yachting visitors. It was hard to know where you could go and where you could not. The resort simply said you could not come ashore at all, which is incorrect. I ended up researching their permits and contacted multiple government departments to get to the bottom of it, which is all in the 2023 edition. You can enter the harbour as far as the wreck and the national park part of the island, except for the research centre. I added a map showing where you can go. More cruisers should visit the island. Heron Island Harbour was fascinating. We saw about eight reef sharks and different types of rays. The reef walk off Heron was nice. We saw many types of coral and colourful giant clams. I also saw and reported a Crown of Thorns starfish.

Photo: P. Grogan

OUR 2022 CRUISE AND THE NEW 2023 EDITION OF CRUISING THE QUEENSLAND COAST From Heron, it was a short hop down to Fitzroy Reef Lagoon. The entrance is only 10m wide in navigable width with a LAT depth of 1.5m due to a large brain coral most of the way in. The snorkelling was superb. QPS came in during our stay. They dove on each of the public moorings and gurnied them clean. Public moorings in Queensland are checked every three

By Greg Luck

Heron Island Island Harbour

months, with one of those checks by QPS each year. We were in there for a 20-knot blow in spring tides, and it was comfortable. The lagoon is only about 600m across, so there is much less fetch than Lady Musgrave Lagoon. The reefs were the highlight of our trip. HEADING HOME We then headed over to Bundaberg and then out across Hervey Bay, working our way along Platypus Bay from Wathumba Creek to Moon Point. Platypus Bay is superb with fine white sand beaches, lots of freshwater creeks and is well protected in trade winds. It deserves to be visited much more by cruisers but many bypass it. I have added four new anchorages along it in the 2023 edition to encourage more visitation. We tried out our new CelFi Go on this trip and got excellent results with coverage at Middle Percy and Fitzroy Reef and deep inside Island Head Creek, to name a few. These CelFi reception observations are new in the 2023 edition, along with digital TV reception for the anchorages we visited. We had a good trip through the Sandy Straits and out through the Wide Bay Bar. This was our first passage through the new, more northerly route. New this year is some AIS static markers that provide laterals in addition to the waypoints you get from Tin Can Bay Coast Guard.

Photo: G. Luck

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