From the Captain Garry McKechnie 24/03/06

This morning our first dive is at reef 18-022 about 25 miles north west of Kelso. We have the anchor up and are underway by 0530. 18-022 is the first of our cyclone damage evaluation sites and Johnston, Guillermo and Andrew will use a manta board technique. This involves being towed behind one of the inflatables on a small flat board with a snorkel. The board is simply angled to dive or turn from side to side. The towed diver can view large areas of shallow water very quickly. It's not bad fun either.

We hurry on to our second site of the day a little further into the path of Cyclone Larry at Taylor Reef. Marina and the boys get another dive in with Guillermo. They see a manta ray and a large cod. Johnson and Andrew go with Colin to survey more cyclone damage. The strong winds make diving on the exposed side difficult. The large swells break directly on to the reef. The results of the survey are not surprising. Much of the coral in shallow water is broken or damaged. in Larry's wake (see scientists logs for details and survey techniques). The weather has not been too easy on us either. We are working and travelling in winds of between 15 and 25 knots most days. Life on board is challenging but luckily the food is good and our spirits remain high. Ewan, Pedar, Matty and Lwayne are now totally at ease on board and working the sails and the decks with ease. Cyclone Wati is behaving itself and heading south even as we head north towards Cairns. With luck she may head out to sea and trouble our coast no more.

Happy Sailing Garry McKechnie