Starting to Feel a Bit Like Groundhog Day

Bay Of Islands Marina, Opua, North Island

Sunday 11 July 2021

It’s been a rainy, cold, blowy kind of day – all day, and it’s forecast for tomorrow as well.  But it’s a great day to be tied up in a marina berth with the heater on.

Tomorrow’s boating forecast from the MetService – for the Bay of Islands – reads as follows:

Gale warning: Nearby coastal warnings: Storm warning for Cape Brett

Monday: Easterly 30 knots gusting 40 knots, rising to 35 knots gusting 45 knots this morning. Rising to southeast 40 knots gusting 50 knots this afternoon, and to southerly 45 knots gusting 55 knots this evening. Sea becoming high this evening. Poor visibility in periods of rain. Easterly swell 2 metres, rising to 3 metres.

It’s what we call “Nasty” … or a tad … “Unpleasant” … to be avoided at all costs.

You’ll notice in the forecast, there are two words that stand out … “Gale” and “Storm” … (not to be confused with the types you’d meet at a nightclub) well, you might be interested to know that these derive from what’s known as the “Beaufort Scale” … devised over 200 years ago by someone called … surprise surprise … Beaufort … Capt Francis Beaufort, Royal Navy.  

It started out as a 0-12 scale that referenced the effect of various strengths of wind on the sails of a frigate; and its ability to make way.  It was only later, when steam powered vessels overtook sail, that it was altered to reflect the effect of the wind on sea state.     

Returning to Gale and Storm … a “Moderate Gale” kicks in at around 28 knots of breeze, a “Fresh Gale” starts at 34 knots and a “Severe Gale” is when the wind exceeds 41 knots.  “Storm Force” winds start at 48 knots, or a rating of 10 on the Beaufort Scale.  Above this you have “Violent Storm” in the 56-63 knot category and from here we move into “Hurricane” territory where seas can reach over 14 metres. 

And of course, “knots” refers to a nautical mile per hour, which is around 1.85km/h, so when someone suggests the wind is so strong it’s off the scale … they are probably exaggerating … but if not, then it’s the Beaufort Scale they are inadvertently referring to.  

Given the poor weather, I had no excuses for not continuing with “the paperwork” … with all the required notifications and applications at least lodged and in the system.  But just when you thought it was safe to sail into an “Orange Zone”, Victoria closes the border on NSW. 

That’s ALL of the state of NSW – not just the red bits, but all of it, including Coffs Harbour and Eden … the Ports of Entry I was considering.  This means that, as things currently stand, even if I could enter NSW from New Zealand, I wouldn’t be allowed to enter Victoria.

My immediate thought was to revise my plan and sail directly to Westernport, Victoria … then on reflection, with most of Queensland still “Green” I thought “what about Southport” … near Surfers Paradise – bit warmer up that way too!

Next step, apply for a “Queensland Travel Declaration”, from the Health Department … no problems, there’s an online form – simples!

One of the first questions … Date of arrival? (Must be within 3 days)   Of course no date beyond three days would be accepted and so the online form ended there. 

Arriving from New Zealand? … no problems. Question … Are you arriving on a quarantine free flight (green flight) from New Zealand?   Arrr???  I’m not arriving by plane … end of questionnaire …

So, my latest strategy is to make a general online inquiry … with the words “URGENT ASSISTANCE REQUIRED” at the top … and hopefully it finds its way onto the right desk in a timely manner.

In scrolling through the Health Department website, I was briefly excited when I saw … “Maritime Arrivals – Protocols” … but it only related to commercial shipping crews and their usual employment movements on and off ships.

Maybe I’ll have something more positive to report tomorrow?!  But at the moment I’m having flashbacks to April last year when I was trying against all odds to find a crew to sail home … it’s starting to feel like Groundhog Day … hopefully not.

On the crew front … my first crew member, Matt – from Melbourne – flew into Auckland this afternoon and in his own words  “missed the bus north to Opua by 1 minute!!”  Consequently, he has found himself overnight accommodation and will catch the next bus up tomorrow. 

Also on that very same bus (to Opua) will be the second crew member, Sam – flying in from Melbourne – who hopefully doesn’t miss catching the bus!  

The third crew member, Harm – also from Melbourne – is booked to fly over on Tuesday … but there remains doubt about eligibility etc, given he was in parts of Queensland in the past few weeks.  Harm is remaining as optimistic as possible, but it would be a sad irony if he suffers significant  delays – and maybe can’t join us – because he signed up for the voyage way back in April … and actually found the other two crew members, Matt and Sam for me!

Meanwhile life plods on … and at the moment, I’m sitting here all by myself, the rain pelting down on the coach house roof, the howl of the wind in the rigging – of Chimere and the other yachts in the vicinity – rising and falling in pitch.

As it turns out, Linda could see that with crew arriving over the next few days (hopefully) and so many preparation tasks needing to be done, it was better for her to be out of the way.  

Not too far out of the way … she has rented a small studio unit in nearby Paihia, which she found on AirB&B.  Would you believe, the very same property that Matt and Cathy found to spend one-night last week.  Quite a coincidence given the number of properties on offer.        

When I mentioned to my cousin from Wellington that Linda had moved ashore for three nights, he jokingly asked … “what, she’s got sick of being with you already?” … well, no, that’s not the case … Linda is just being considerate … and whilst she’s feeling much better, she just wants to be over her asthma issues when it’s time to fly home; maybe Wednesday.

It’s funny how things work out … Linda and I were anguishing earlier today over how she would get from here to Paihia and how we would make do with the remaining Kiwi bank notes left in our wallets.  (not everyone here accepts a credit card)

Having booked two nights at the apartment, Linda decided to make it three, and called the host, Corrine.  “What time were you coming?” Corrine asked … “About 3 o’clock” replied Linda … to which Corrine replied … “Well, my husband Robert will be in Opua around 3:00, he can pick you up.”  

As it turned out, I could even make payment using my brand new … New Zealand Westpac Bank Account – which I opened in Tauranga.  It was my first transaction. 

The online reviews for the accommodation seem very accurate, Corrine is a very helpful and thoughtful host … not to mention discerning and intelligent for marrying a man named Robert!  Who, incidentally has a business minding and maintaining boats for absent owners … of which there are many given the current COVID situation.   

Unfortunately, I don’t have many photos today.  It was one of those fill-in days you just gotta have every now and then  

Smooth seas, fair breeze and starting to feel a bit like Groundhog Day

Rob Latimer