Yeppoon to Port Clinton

Yeppoon to Port Clinton. 45nm north

Clear skies and warm weather makes longer passages very pleasant.  We hug the shore making our way to Port Clinton.  The coast line is spectacular and uninhabited as the area is a Military Training ground for the Defence forces.  Alliance forces of USA, French and Indonesia also participate in war games in this military zone but no activity at this time which means that we can make anchor in one of the secluded bays.

In certain areas you are prohibited to explore on shore past the high tide mark because of the risk of unexploded ammunition.

Rocky outcrops with soaring cliffs, long sandy beaches with a coastline is dotted with small rocky islands was a wonderful backdrop for the days sailing and navigating our passage. “do we go left or right of an island?”

Whales continue to migrate and plumes can be seen in the distance.  I am yet to get a close up encounter and hopefully get some photos of whales breaching. 

 

Light winds and gentle seas make passage very relaxing and we indulged in a bottle of wine, oysters and prawns for lunch. 

 

We arrived at Port Clinton just on sunset with dugongs popping their heads up. 

Anchoring is always a little busy and requires your full attention to on shore reefs, bommies, rocks, depth, tides, other boats and counting out the chain, hoping the winch and chain don’t get jammed.  I have reverted to taking a hammer with me to the anchor locker. A new chain is required in the next year, about a ton of it.

 No anchor wars yet, which are normally resultant from a communication problem between the Capt. and the “anchor wench”, caused by an array of hand signals of a mad woman, some interpretive dancing and mime that would confuse and amuse all. The captains hearing is not good so these moments at the end of the day are a bit tedious until the anchor is firmly set. Certainly,  it does not help when you come into anchor and the local wildlife, like a huge green turtle pops up next to you.  “of course I was pointing at the Turtle”.

As usual the Smiths providing entertainment for any other boat close by.

Peaceful night and whilst we had plan to pop around to Pearl Bay for a couple days just 12 nm from where we are anchored we have decided to do another long passage and head off to Percy islands which has long been on my wish list to visit.