CAPTAINS LOG PELICAN 1

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Cape York Expedition 2011
Captains Log Aug 29

We sail out of Bermagui with the sunset on our port side bound for warmth and sunshine but soon find ourselves in a world of continuous upheaval. A brisk southerly is playing havoc with a south setting current resulting in a steep short sea. Some of our companions are already questioning the wisdom of their choice to be with us. A nasty beam chop is never a favourite sea state for a vessel with two hulls. But two days later they have found their sea legs, their pallor is replaced with a healthy pink and they emerge from their cabins to resume their place in the social order. We gradually settle into a routine as Pelican eats up the miles. Narelle, Savaad and Pam have joined Karl and myself for the first leg of the voyage north.


A large male breeches...


crashing back into the water then ....

Whales are cavorting on all sides of us. At one point a large male seems particularly annoyed to be interrupted in his courting display. He charges headlong towards Pelican. I am standing on the tramp with my camera and look on in alarm as he rapidly approaches. At 40 metres out he dives and I relax thinking he is swimming under us, but 15 metres out he surfaces again still moving rapidly at Pelican?s port bow. I drop to my knees instinctively bracing for a major impact which from his bulk, speed and course seems inevitable. Miraculously he turns with the agility of a seal at the last moment giving Pelican a relatively gentle nudge sideways. He then surfaces behind the vessel and to leave us in no doubt of his displeasure emits an astonishingly loud, low growl, which seems to shake the very ocean. It leaves me with an even greater respect for these amazing gentle animals who are usually so careful to avoid any impact.


comes at Pelican.

We press on stoping only for a short time in Southport to drop Narelle and pick up Liz and Phill, who will join us for a week or so. I decide to sail outside Fraser Island as we are making such good time. I set a course offshore in the knowledge that this can be a nasty stretch of water. Wind against current is a common phenomena here which in combination with shallow water off Fraser can create extraordinarily uncomfortable seas. On this occasion I fail to give the island sufficient berth resulting in some very uncomfortable hours. I resolve next time to either go much wider again or take the sheltered route behind Fraser. Perhaps a route beyond the 600 metre line would deliver some relief.

After consultation with the crew we decide to make for Middle Percy Island where I am keen to catch up on the latest news and hopefully to meet the new lease holder. (see previous Captains Logs for Percy history). We arrive at Middle Percy 6 days after leaving Bermagui. More than 1100 nautical miles (2,100 k?s) sailed in 6 days at an average speed of just under 8 knots. Pelican is sailing comfortably with no strain or stress.


As we drop anchor at Middle Percy the sun sets behind us over Pine Island

I am happy to report that Percy Island is once again under good management. Kate and John have a shared use agreement with Qld Parks and Wildlife Service and maintain custody of the beach, the homestead, the harbour and the land that lies between them. Parks will look after the rest. Kate, who is the niece of former leaseholder Andy challenged the gifting of the island Lease to Mic Cotter and has been successful though the lease is no longer available. Suffice to say the feeling on the island is greatly improved. Kate invited us to share a bite of lunch as we discussed potential collaborations for the future.

We drop Liz and Phill at Hamilton island where we grab a few supplies before departing for Magnetic Island. In Horshoe Bay we rendezvous once again with Narelle who when she got off in Southport bumped into a guy who needed his car delivered (all expenses paid) to Port Douglas, and decided to shadow us up the coast. Her sister Margaritte lives in Horshoe Bay.

In Cairns we drop Savaad (a shipmate from Redbill and Zephyr days) and Pam (an old buddy from Alice Springs) and begin final preparations for our Cape York season. Nick, Michelle, Natalie and daughter Aurora all join in Cairns and with Karl and myself complete our expedition crew. By the morning of the 18 th we are fully provisioned and ready to go. Everyone on board an old hand (including Aurora who is 9) and Pelican 1 seems to be smiling in anticipation. The Hope Vale Pelican project (Coral?s Retreat) commences in Cooktown on the morning of September 20 and Pelican sails north from Cairns on the afternoon of the 18th.

From this point the roles of blogger and project documenteur are taken on by Natalie. My duties as skipper and expedition leader leave little time for anything else. You can follow Natalies Pelican Blog from the social media section of our web site at the bottom of the home page or click on http://pelican1.posterous.com/

You can also follow Michelle?s blog (Pelican?s cook) which has a fantastic selection of her photos, just click on http://mishosoup.wordpress.com/

I will send occasional updates to the Captains Log as time allows.

Happy Sailing
Garry Mckechnie