Year 2 - 9 April 2025 – Gladstone to Facing Island – Guest Blog

David and I had been in the marina two days and Paul had joined us the night before. We had breakfast and then I went through the boat with Paul inside and outside and we discussed the emergency procedures. I finished my packing and the left Stormbird with some sadness at about 8.50am and went to get a lift from the marina. The picture of the day is my walking away down the pontoon and I will be back on 18 April 2025.  

David & Paul wrote
- Gladstone has a very modern marina with really good facilities, clean and tidy. The staff are friendly and helpful.

- It hosts the annual finish of the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht race which departs from Shorncliffe pier near Sandgate.

- Nick cooked poached eggs on toast for an early breakfast which was tasty.

- Nick gave a very informative briefing and familiarising with the intricacies of his yacht before leaving for the airport and returning to UK for 10 days. Sad to see Nick leave, the photo of the day shows Nick. 

- Some passage planning with David & Paul on where we'll go over next day's, options Lady Musgrave Is, Lady Elliott, Great Keppel Is. Hummocky Is. It all depends on the weather.

- Boat checks done and prep for leaving Marina included instruments, power unhitch, slip lines, engine room checks, stowage etc

- Left pontoon at 11am reversing into channel after now thruster brought nose in sufficiently. Then it was away, spotted dolphins at the marina entrance. 

Our plotted course took us south up the main channel, a number of bulk carriers were entering including an incoming tanker on our starboard, changed significantly to his starboard due to other traffic exiting Auckland channel on his port side. We then made a deliberate turn to his port side to remove any conflict. Radio contact was made to confirm intentions and agree to pass Port to Port (red to red) on his starboard of the channel. All went smoothly and we soon rounded the southern end of Facing Island motoring north with a following wind picking and seas up with gusts to +30.

A sheltered anchorage was found as planned inside the northern end of Facing Island, winds remained quiet strong through the evening. Forgot to get dinner out the freezer but cheese & crackers were delicious. Plan to sail in the morning to Hummocky Island about 30nm. Boat checks done anchor light set.