 |
| Sens de la Vie at Lady Musgrave Island |
Shortly after setting the sails we were contacted by Coast
Guard in regard to being a part of Search Recovery and Retrieval, for vessels
travelling in this area particularly around the Cape of Capricorn where
significant debris had been sighted. We would pass this Cape on our way to Pancake
creek.
We were instructed to change to Recovery Mission Control radio
channel operating out of Gladstone for monitoring and instruction in search and
retrieval protocols for debris including human remains. I have become reasonably
confident in Radio transmissions but this was new territory for me. It is not an easy task out to sea to pick up
anything in big swells but we prepared for search with binoculars and GPS
coordinates log and retrieval drill with
boat hooks, tarp and other equipment. Listening
to the radio channel was very sombre with many local boats supporting the
families of the lost seaman by searching in particular for human remains.
Debris was found by other vessels and some debris was found
in Pancake Creek. Such a significant maritime accident with the loss of lives
and our thoughts go out to the families of these young men.
 |
| Sailing on sunset to Pancake Creek |
We reached Pancake creek in the evening as it was a
difficult day sailing, tired and exhausted from another day in big seas but
thankful for the calm anchorage.
 |
| I spy a lonely little coconut Tree |
Pancake creek is one of my favourite places and it has
coconut trees and sandy beaches.
At sunrise we departed for Lady Musgrave as we needed to be
there by 2pm to negotiate the small channel which you need sun overhead to spot
the coral bommies.
 |
| Greeting Turtle |
We anchored close to the island cay and relaxed on the
beautiful crystal clear blue waters greeted by a turtle and a sea snake .
 |
| Lady Musgrave as we approached the coral channel |
Lady Musgrave is a favorite of mine and I kept thinking
about my girls some 20 years ago when we took them to the island on another
yacht for a couple of days.
Particularly Tanya who would not eat anything out of the
sea after her visit to the island until she was 21 years old, having
experienced the wonderful coral gardens and the Turtles laying their eggs.
Jacqui my youngest has fond memories riding on the back of turtles.
On this visit I had the wonderful experience of swimming
and snorkeling with the Turtles, amazing.
 |
| My Walrus Outfit |
It was magical, in the mornings with my morning cuppa I was
greeted by turtles and a display of Mantra Rays doing flying breaches and
aerobatic displays into the air.
The bird life is abundant, fishing is fantastic and my
count now is 13 to Capt Teza 3, but who’s counting.
 |
| Terry found the plug |
 |
| A LongTom I caught and let go |
Sunny warm days, beautiful sunsets, great snorkelling and
walks on the island.
 |
| Lee Fordes homemade Jam and Freshly baked scones |
 |
| Terry checking the hull and wing keel |
I went for a deep-water dive in the coral gardens which are
large boomies in deep surrounding waters. This required me to somehow get back
on the tender without a foot hold. Terry fixed a rope foot hold but that did
not help much.
I did my “I am a walrus beaching impression” using my legs to propel me on board the tender
that seem to work although I am sure for any onlookers it would have been a
hilarious sight. I did not care I was pleased that I could handle the deep-water
currents and with my efforts of strength to haul myself into a floating tender
in 20ft of water. The black moving shapes on the bottom of the sea on the coral
drop offs still freak me out so that is always good motivation to get back
onboard.
We explored the outer coral rim and just when I was about
to dive in I spotted a shark. Not a reef
shark which I have no real concern about swimming with but a bloody big shark.
 |
| I spy a dark moving shaddow |
 |
| Bronze Whaler Shark over 3.5 mts Long |
We followed it in the tender and it was
longer than our tender so it was over 3,5 meters long. We identified it as a bronze whaler.
 |
| Turtle coming ashore to Nest |
A sunset picnic and cocktails on the island gave us
opportunity to watch the turtles come ashore to nest and lay eggs.
The 4 days at Lady Musgrave was truly magical, totally relaxing
and wonderful moments being in such a pristine
coral cay which certainly made up for being blown out of the Percy islands
early than we had planned.
Capt Teza and I are truly grateful for reasonably good
weather conditions to be out in the middle of the ocean on a coral cay. Wish we could have stayed longer but forecast
not favourable and we need to make passage home.
Loved it and will return again next year.
No comments:
Post a Comment