Port Stephens NSW to Bussleton WA

Position Report and other info UTC (+8 Hrs Perth Time)

Cut and paste the GPS location below into Google earth, you can place mark This position and follow our Progress. Satellite Phone / SMS no. +61 405 592 606

Port Stephens 0 0 1   11/02/2021 Departure Date
Sydney 106 2 3 2 18/02/2021  
Wilsons Prom 440 4 1 0 24/02/2021  
Apolo Bay 138 1 2 0 27/02/2021  
KI 370 3 1 0 3/03/2021  
Port Lincoln 133 1 1 0 4/03/2021  
Albany 940 9 0 1 14/03/2021  
Busselton 255 2 2 0 17/03/2021 Arrival Date
  2382 22 11 3    
             
          36 days

Wednesday, 17 March 2021, 0230 Hrs

Port Geographie Marina, Bussleton WA

Tuesday, 16 March 2021, 1530 Hrs

33 55 S, 114 57 E, Almost there just 50 Nm to Bussleton so expecting a late night arrival. Nice hot sunny day now and the winds which have slowed our northerly progress are dropping right out. All has gone well and will update eventually after arrival.

Monday, 15 March 2021, 1200 Hrs

34 50 S, 115 26 E, Approaching Cape Leeuwin around 30 Nm to the Northwest. Timing is good for us to continue on to Hamelin Bay and be anchored before the brief Northerly winds blow through overnight then its another 70 Nm to Bussleton which should see us there on Tuesday evening.

Sunday, 14 March 2021, 0900 Hrs

Leaving Albany, We took a day off in Albany to wait for the Southerly winds to blow through and as the forecast is showing some North to NE wind on the west coast from Monday to Tuesday morning we are expecting to anchor maybe near Cape Leeuwin or even in Hamelin bay should we get that far in the next 30 hours.

Friday, 12 March 2021, 0830 Hrs

Arrived in Albany, sorry I didn’t post this on Friday as I thought I had. Anyway all is fine and our next mission is to have a hangover installed in celebration.

Thursday, 11 March 2021, 1100 Hrs

35 29 S, 119 47 E, Heading for Albany as a Short duration southerly moves in. Around 90 Nm to go so expecting to be in very early Friday morning. Should be able to be underway again within 24 hours as the next high moves on in. A good crossing all up with fuel and water holding up well. Finally now we are back into regular internet services.

Ocean Kitten Gardner

Ocean Kitten Gardner

Tuesday, 9 March 2021, 1100 Hrs

38 05 S, 152 12 E, A changeable day yesterday with the code zero out and in again several times as the rain clouds played havoc with the wind direction. Currently 15 kts blowing from the SE so again making good progress with the Zero. Around 170 Nm SE of Esperance but with the winds seemingly consistent in direction I expect we shall be able to continue straight through to Albany at least, Another 350 Nm. Getting there with around 1700 Nm behind us.

Monday, 8 March 2021, 1100 Hrs

Code Zero up!!! Speed up from 3.5 Kts to 6 Kts and on course, Yippeee

dsc_3803 dsc_3794 dsc_3797 dsc_3798

0900 Hrs

34 42 S, 127 57 E, Around 300 Nm to the other side of the Bight. Light winds today so slow progress. May have to give the Code Zero a try to relieve any crew boredom. Unfortunately despite numerous attempts since leaving SA it seems no posts have made it to the website. This message is being relayed via Dinah but due to the difficulties getting any post up this will be the last before we reach regular reception (3-5 Days)

Sunday, 7 March 2021, 1600 Hrs

Skipjack tuna, we have one happy fisherman on board, may have to measure it for legal size but we are in international waters?

dsc_3787

1000 Hrs

34 40 S, 130 19 E, Bang on 1400 Nm from Sydney which is over half way to Bussleton. Our next milestone is 90 Nm away which marks half way across the Bight. The winds are still good with a SE blowing at 15 Kts although it was more easterly yesterday making a straight line course a little harder all is going well. Cabin fever is just showing some signs of appearing but crew are slowly getting used to not starring at devices.

Friday, 5 March 2021, 1000 Hr

35 88 S, 135 00 E, We are now out of phone reception area. Updates will be every second day from now unless other messages are being sent out. We are approximately 40 Nm West of Cape Catastrophe (phew we made it) and well and truly in the Southern Ocean SMS Messages can be sent direct to the Satellite phone above but there may be a delay in responding. All well with a good forecast for at least a week so expecting to be back near reception by then

Thursday, 4 March 2021, 1900 Hrs

34 47 S, 136 02 S, Around 10 Nm SE of Port Lincoln, We topped up on fuel but I’m not sure the several hours diversion and now the slow motoring south was worth the 120 l of fuel we topped up. It will be a slow night until we get to turn West at Cape Catastrophe, Hmmm Not sure I like that name? Anyway we may get another weather update tomorrow but soon to be out of phone range so updates will be via the sat phn only and probably only every other day. A slow moving high pressure in the bight is followed by another high which hopefully will move just as slow giving us a comfortable passage once we turn the cape. Note we are now on Tokyo time which will suit for the next week for our shift times.

Wednesday, 3 March 2021 1100 Hrs

Leave anchorage Kangaroo Island, A nice sunny day, finally we are warming up after some freezing nights since entering Victorian waters. A good easterly air flow pushing us along at 7 kts or so should see us in Port Lincoln by daylight for hopefully a quick turnaround.

dsc_3778

Tuesday, 2 March 2021, 2200 Hrs

Anchored near American Beach Kangaroo Island, We had a pleasant afternoon shore excursion today which gave us a chance to enjoy a change in menu for dinner (Pizza) and a top up of fresh provisions from shore. This should allow a quick stop over in Port Lincoln for fuel only so we can get out and underway and take advantage of the favorable forecast for the coming week.

dsc_3772 dsc_3751 dsc_3765 dsc_3770

Monday, 1 March 2021, 1400 Hrs

37 88 S, 139 17 E, East of Robe on the SA coast. Limited reception

Sunday, 28 February 2021, 1200 Hrs

38 24 S, 141 38 E, Only 7 Nm to SA and 10 Nm south of Cape Nelson. Sorry for the lack of updates but wanted to give those unclean Melbournians a wide berth. The weather is looking great for following winds right up Backstairs Passage and on to Port Lincoln.

Thursday, 25 February 2021, 1130 Hrs

38 49 S, 144 06 E, 25 Nm from Cape Otway, the wind is now building so we will be seeking shelter for around 24 hrs whilst this weather passes through. All is well on board.

Wednesday, 24 February 2021, 1130 Hrs

39 10 S, 146 20 E, approaching Skull Rock off Wilsons promontory, another front with westerly winds is expected in 24 hours, hopefully we will be far enough across towards Cape Otway where we can again go to anchor briefly while it blows through. Regular internet will be out again for the next 24 hours but should be able to update again by thursday evening. All is well.

Skull Rock

Skull Rock

Visitors

Tuesday, 23 February 2021, 2000 Hrs

Still anchored in Sealers Cove, may go clubbing tonight. Tonight and tomorrow the winds are forecast to die right out and the seas to start settling down. Early morning we will be on our way again to make the most of the improving weather and make as much progress as possible before it changes again Friday. Hopefully will be able to update around lunchtime tomorrow before the reception drops out again for a day.

Crew Isolation

Monday, 22 February 2021, 0730 Hrs

38 48 S, 146 39 E, Passing the entrance to “Corner Inlet” around 16 Nm to refuge Cove where we will need to wait until probable Wednesday morning whilst a SW blow moves through. It has been a frustratingly slow and bumpy last 24 hours we sailed out of the Northerlies. Will update when underway as reception is expected to be fairly limited once at anchor.

Sunday, 21 February 2021, 1700 Hrs

Lat-38deg28’35” Lon+147deg16’36” Alt+002ft GPS Sats seen: 10 2021-02-21 06:59UTC 

Saturday, 20 February 2021, 0900 Hrs

37 35 S, 149 56 E, Just rounded Gabo Island, another 200 Nm to Wilsons Promontory where we look like anchoring for one or two nights whilst a SW front moves through. Internet and phone connection will be limited for the next 2-4 days but updates will happen occasionally.

Friday, 19 February 2021, 1200 Hrs

35 54 S, 151 11 E, 15 Nm east of Moruya in a light easterly slowly motor-sailing along still. All well with calm conditions expected for the next 24 plus hours.

Thursday, 18 February 2021, 1800 Hrs

34 21 S, 151 11 E, Currently 15 Nm NE of Port Kembla, although Easterlies are being forecasts its still very southerly at around 15 kts so its looking like motoring most of the way down the NSW coast.

1100 Hrs, Left the CYCA and fuel dock

Fuel Dock

Wednesday, 17 February, 1100 – 1230 Hrs

Moved Ocean Kitten from Cabaritta Marina to the CYCA Rushcuters Bay for the final Preparations before departure. Had to send one of the crew to Windsor to collect a hired liferaft but all is now good to go.

Saturday February 13, 0900 – 1200 Hrs

Moved Ocean Kitten to Cabaritta Marina as berthing was difficult on the Harbour this weekend. Thank you Dinah for your help in getting the boat down from Corlette Nelson Bay to Sydney

Friday February 12, 0400 Hrs

Anchored in Athol Bay near the Zoo, some strange sounds to wake up to from the local residents. We had a good sail down the coast with a 25 Kt North Easterlies to send us South, all is well.

View from our room

View from our room

Thursday February 11, 1045 Hrs

Left Corlette Marina Resort for Sydney

 

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