Then there was one…

30 April 2024, George Town public jetty

Trackers …  Nebo and AIS 
Videos …  Stage 1   Stage 2  Phosphorescence   Flinders Island Sailing  Sailing to Tasmania MV Wyuna adrift in the Tamar Submarine in the Tamar River

Stage 4 has officially started. The new crew, comprising Andrew, Todd, Graham, Jane and Graeme (Chooka) arrived late in the day, with everyone still on their best behaviour and in that “get-to-know-you-phase”.

The crew gather around the saloon table for a “Before” shot … Rob, Chooka, Todd, Jane, Andrew and Graham

Bunks and cabins have been assigned, with Jane in the front cabin, Andrew in the workshop cabin, Todd and Chooka in the port cabin and Graham in the honeymoon suite … as everyone settles down to their first night aboard.

My signature dish of spag bol was prepare early and progressively dished out as each person arrived – Andrew, Todd, Chooka and Graeme from Victoria and Jane from Bruny Island near Hobart.

Earlier in the day, it was sad to finally wave good-bye to long-time friends Dean and Sandy as they boarded a bus to Launceston and from there out to the airport and home to Melbourne.

Dean and Sandy wave good-bye

In February 2020 Dean and Sandy, plus their daughter Samantha, spent 10 days aboard Chimere when we were in New Zealand. Our journey at that time took us from Picton to Akaroa, with Dean even producing a short film of the adventure, which you can view HERE … so it was great to be able to once more share time together afloat.

After bidding farewell to Dean and Sandy, there was enough time for me to buy some essential groceries at the nearby Woolworths store – transporting them to the boat in two loads using our trusty (and rusty) old collapsible trolley – which has been on the boat since we bought her in 2006.

Bearing a striking resemblance to a down-and-out hobo, Rob waves good-bye to
Dean and Sandy

Last night’s sunset

We have been very fortunate to be able to tie up here at George Town public jetty

Backtracking to this morning, around sunrise … I was out for a short walk to the nearby headland and noticed a yellow-hulled ship – small by modern standards – travelling down river. I was curious to know the ship’s name, because it looked a bit like the Queen’s old ship the Britannia. After just a few minutes it became clear that the ship’s engines weren’t operating and that she was in fact drifting with the tide. Her tug escort seemed to be monitoring progress, at one point appearing to give a nudge here and there.

Anyway, I whipped out my trusty iPhone and recorded what I saw, which you can view here …

Submarine one day, drifting ship the next … wonder what tomorrow will bring

The drama played out just 100 metres off shore

All ended happily ever after, with the two tug crews from TasPorts doing a sterling job in bringing the ship, the Wyuna, under control and returning her to her anchorage up the river near Beauty Point.

It was the one-time TV journalist, Dean, who enthusiastically suggested this morning … “Rob, you’ve got a scoop … I’ll package this and send it to the news room” … and so he did … and here it is … as they say “I’ve got a great face for radio…”

While I’m on the topic of unusual sights … this is the video of the submarine from yesterday …

Just a tip for the Royal Australian Navy … it doesn’t matter how stealthy you make your subs, if we can still track them on the Marine Traffic AIS website, then you might consider some new strategies

Not just the fishermen who ae hopeful

Sunset tonight

Our journey tomorrow will take us along the coast a bit – maybe 5-6 hours – to Devonport, where I have been able to get us a place on a Visitor’s Berth at the Mersey Yacht Club. We’ll only be there overnight, and then the plan is to head on to Stanley; which will be a full day’s sail.

The wind tomorrow looks like being light and offshore – from the south – which also means it’ll be a bit on the chilly side.

Right now, it’s certainly cold, and time to snuggle up in bed.

Smooth seas, fair breeze and then there was one

Rob Latimer