From The Scientists, Mackay Port, 13-15/03/06

We took a fond farewell from Middle Percy Island and set sail for Mackay at 14:30. With the wind behind us we raised the two large headsails and pointed the bows towards the mainland. What great sailing! Pelican surfed over the swell at 7-8kts and we enjoyed the luxury of steady travel without loosing our balance (or evening meal!) to the elements. By evening the wind had freshened and we had gusts of 25-30kts. The seas steepened and we were forced to reef the sails to slow down a little. We wooshed into Mackay Marina at 23:45 ahead of squally showers and high winds. We were tired and glad to be alongside at last.

A harbour visit provides the opportunity for an expedition to renew and refresh. For Pelican this meant a good scrub down, a big laundry visit, and supplies of fresh food for the next phase of the journey north. For the science group it meant the departure of Chris (University of Queensland), and David and Magnus (CSIRO). Their work on Pelican complete, they now returned to their institutions to work on the data collected on their short trip. For the other scientists it meant liaising with the local GBRMPA office and accessing vital communications networks to send reports and receive updates on critical issues. The trainees lost Frank to family matters, and gained Lwayne, a new trainee from Ingham area. He settled in well and made a good start with the training program. Meanwhile the weather seemed to get worse and worse. Strong gusts of wind had the rigging on the marina yachts howling and wailing as dark rain clouds scudded across the sky. Our departure from Mackay was delayed until Wednesday 15th March.