Sunday, September 20th, 2009
Onboard ‘Fair Dinkum’
CURRENT POSITION
AT LAST………….DAR…WIN’D! ….‘the top END’ and onwards to BROOME, W.A.
Big apologies from the Blog Editor for the delay in catching up with ‘Fair Dinkum’ – it’s a shocking life when work rules the days! I shall endeavour to keep everyone updated each fortnight and better informed over the coming months. Internet coverage probably will not be that good, but hopefully the phone calls will keep us all up to date with Fair Dinkum’s continuing adventures.
The Skipper and crew arrived in Darwin, much to their relief and are now well on their way towards Broome W.A. with a change of crew aboard. Out new crew member is Reese Mabbett and Dallas Smith has left the trip to return to Melbourne. With 35 deg up here the boat is now much hotter. The coming weeks bring promise of magnificent country and boomer tides.
The editor caught up with Jen (the skipper’s long suffering wife) for lunch a few weeks ago. Jen is keeping the home fires burning – with assistance from her pooch ‘Archie’. I have the feeling that Archie rules the house and the skipper may have some competition when he returns!
Jen has been a fabulous supporter to Gerry in the realisation of his dream and I admire them both enourmously. Not an all weather sailor, Jen has her priorities right and is staying in Melbourne to ensure her beloved ‘SAINTS’ (St Kilda Football Club for those who don’t know what Aussie Rules Footy is) go on to glory to win the Grand Final at the MCG next week…..go Jen!
Following is a catch up on Fair Dinkums sail ‘across the top end’
The south-easterly trade winds were unrelenting for the trip across the top, exceeding 30 knots at times and blowing night and day. After rounding the most southern, eastern and northern points of mainland Australia we spent the day at Seisia on the western tip of Cape York provisioning the boat for crossing the Gulf and onto Darwin.
The Gulf crossing was 340 nautical miles. From Gove to Darwin took about 14 days.
On Sunday morning mid August we issued a Pan Pan in the early hours as the boat was taking water after hitting a submerged object (unknown). We were 100 nautical miles into the Gulf and received no immediate reply. A response was finally received from Coast Watch Adelaide. They notified Central Marine Rescue in Canberra of our circumstance, and monitored our progress. All on board packed a small bag containing personal effects in case the pumps could not manage the water and we needed to take to the life raft. The leak did not worsen and we slipped the boat in Darwin.
We continued on through he Gugari Rip, affectionately known as ‘Hole In The Wall’. The shortcut through the 'Hole' saves 35 n. miles on the trip to Darwin, but can be 'exhilarating.' It is the boating equivalent to threading the eye of a needle.
Most of the land between Gove and Darwin is Aboriginal land. We didn't have landing permits and therefore were not able to put a foot a shore. The skipper installed an extra bilge pump today also. Fair Dinkum arrived at the Hole In The Wall 10 minutes before the Young Endeavour; she made a grand sight coming through under sail.
27/8/2009 Fair Dinkum came through the night encountering the dreamtime, swirling whirlpools and a warship ghosting by. At first light we saw a distant; it was another 6 hours of frustration to get to anchor. Fair Dinkum entered Cullen Bay Marina through a lock system. This is one of the few places in Australia that has a Lockmaster! This was also the first time since we left Cooktown, over a month ago, that we could step off the boat onto 'dry land'.
Words from Gerr..ard the Gent.
“It has taken 2O YEARS to make Gerr…ard the Gent admit that he has experienced his worst ever night a sea.” 19/8/09 The skipper ranked last night as his worst night at anchor for the whole trip; the yacht pitched and rolled all night.
Quote of the Week is from Isak Dinesen–
"The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea."
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Gerry Ryan of Melbourne has always been a 'doer'. Many years ago he had a goal of building his own boat and setting off onto the high seas. Over a period of many years he built his first boat, aptly named 'Avarest'. Not having any formal training in boat building, let alone sailing didn't hold him back. Gerry applied himself to the challenge and went on to complete several impressive trips along the east coast of Australia with his family and friends. After eventually parting ways with 'Avarest', he purchased 'Fair Dinkum'.