A late start from Simpson Bay waiting for the turn of the tide. It was a bit slow to turn but we left anyway and pushed 2.5 knots for a while getting out into the open water. Across the top we went into a 15 knot breeze which wasn't too bad as we were actually in behind the Great Barrier Reef so no swell to thump us. We had a glimpse of Cape York between the two islands off the top and then it was round the corner and into Albany Passage. Here, the speed finally picked up and we were doing over 8 knots with the current flowing south. It was our first time here as when we came north in 2006 we did an overnight from Margaret Bay and went outside Albany Island and continued on to Seisia.
Despite the 15 knots and sometimes higher breeze the conditions were not too bad and we arrived off Escape River just on low tide. Across the bar we had a lowest depth of about 3.6 metres so 1.2 under the keel. Not too nerve-wracking but good to be over it. We made our way into the river keeping watch for mud banks which were exposed with the low tide. We had pearl farms on our port which we went past and then anchored in 7 metres.
It was soon brought to our notice that on the opposite bank there was a crocodile visible. Sure enough there was and he was a beauty! Looked very well-fed indeed. No walks tonight.
Plan for tomorrow is to leave early, about 0400, and get to Margaret Bay about 72 NM south of here.
Position: 10 58.350 S, 142 40.186 E
Track us at http://www.pangolin.co.nz/xtras/yotreps/tracker.php?ident=VMQ8796
Despite the 15 knots and sometimes higher breeze the conditions were not too bad and we arrived off Escape River just on low tide. Across the bar we had a lowest depth of about 3.6 metres so 1.2 under the keel. Not too nerve-wracking but good to be over it. We made our way into the river keeping watch for mud banks which were exposed with the low tide. We had pearl farms on our port which we went past and then anchored in 7 metres.
It was soon brought to our notice that on the opposite bank there was a crocodile visible. Sure enough there was and he was a beauty! Looked very well-fed indeed. No walks tonight.
Plan for tomorrow is to leave early, about 0400, and get to Margaret Bay about 72 NM south of here.
Position: 10 58.350 S, 142 40.186 E
Track us at http://www.pangolin.co.nz/xtras/yotreps/tracker.php?ident=VMQ8796
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