Year 2 - 16th April 2025 -Gladstone Marina -Guest Blog

We awoke and had a cereal breakfast. The wind had calmed and I decided it would be nice to dingy out to a couple of local islands. We shot across the Auckland Channel, travelled the length and back of Compigne Island trolling a lure, only to find the lure blade our boat neighbours set up for us was wrong, so reeled in the tackle and then circled Turtle Island and then back across the channel to the marina. A lovely way to spend a couple of hours. When we got back I made scrambled egg, bacon and baked beans for lunch.

Then Paul asked about a rolling hitch knot used to hold the running backstay line coiled into its storage position. We looked at that again and practiced the knot for a bit. This led to me demonstrating how it could be used to hold a working sheet to enabling a riding turn to be safely removed. One thing led to another and we spent some time rehearsing the running backstay and preventer procedures previously practiced. And then rehearsed the launching and recovering of the anchor which on Stormbird has its own specific set of requirements.

I then unclamped and reviewed the steps I had repaired yesterday and was pleased with my efforts. I brought some screws from the Ship and sail chandlery here in the marina and added some screws to aid reinforcement to the step structure. I nervously tested the steps and was pleased they seemed to be no worse for wear. I still want to get some teak dowels to further reinforce mine and previous repairs, but so far I have been unsuccessful in finding these. Perhaps ill bring some back with me when I return to Stormbird for the Indonesian Rally.

Both Paul and I then cleaned the boat deck in anticipation of Nick’s return. As we did we noticed a large research vessel enter the marina, quite an impressive vessel. It turns out the skipper and crew were friends of Matt, our friendly boat neighbour, who knocked and invited us to a get together in the BBQ area of the marina. Both Paul and I popped along for a beer and said hello for an hour or so. They were such a friendly bunch of young people and eager to explain what they do. In essence there is a real danger to the reef from starfish that overwhelm and completely destroy it. Their job is to analyse where risk, send ten or so divers down and inject the starfish with normal vinegar. Sometimes 100s in a single dive. The vinegar causes the starfish to dissolve and reduces the negative impact to the reef. Sometimes up to 10 divers line up and proceed in a line to maximise area coverage. The whole process is overseen by the Marine Park Authority that employs the research team. Paul tells me there is a real danger if this continues the reef will lose it UNESCO and IUCN protection. 

Now chilling to a Jack Johnson CD and a bottle red wine. Tomorrow we will shop for Nick’s return for the trip to Mackay.

David & Paul