Wooden Boat Shop: Cruising west
by Wooden Boat Shop 1 May 2020 23:54 UTC
Arriving at Port Lincoln we met the crew of Tacoma, our consort, with Ross Haldane as skipper and Gary Kerr, Ted Banks, Gary Stewart amongst the crew members © Wooden Boat Shop
Instead of our annual trip south to cruise Tasmania and Bass Strait in February, we chose to join Gary Kerr in going west. Gary suggested we "go west young man" for this season of cruising.
Alf, at 91 crossed the bar last year with his work boots on yarding sheep on his beloved Badger. We left Sorrento around February 20th and headed straight to Port Lincoln, three nights at sea.
Arriving at Port Lincoln we met the crew of Tacoma, our consort, with Ross Haldane as skipper and Gary Kerr, Ted Banks, Gary Stewart amongst the crew members.
Tacoma was built on the banks of the Moyne River at Port Fairy in the 1940s by the Haldane Brothers. The family later shifted their operations from Victoria to South Australia due to far-sighted state government funding. Victorias loss was South Australias gain.
Andy has spent years rebuilding his 44' yacht after having wrecked her on Thistle Island due to fouling of the propeller when in-close.
Tacoma has retired as a commercial fishing vessel and operates now as an eco-tourism boat, taking fishing parties out to enjoy such unique experiences as this. Ross Haldane has orchestrated another life for the classic tuna clipper.
After Jane Kerr and Tacoma set out from Port Lincoln we decided to head toward Coffin Bay. A big part of our cruising enjoyment is the beach walks, we are known to get peeved if we see a footprint.
We spent three nights at Flinders Island, and one night at Pearsons Island.. Our days were filled with walking and exploring the beautiful islands. This photo is taken on Flinders Island, named after Samuel Flinders, Mathew's younger brother who was in the crew of Investigator.
After leaving The Investigator Group we headed toward Streaky Bay. After a week of cruising in company with Tacoma they were headed back to Lincoln and we on Jane Kerr were headed west across the bight.
Cape Bradstock: The start of the Great Australia Bight and the Nullarbor Plain. Here the cliffs turn from granite to yellow, and a truely spectacular vision from aboard Jane Kerr.
It was a boisterous bight crossing. One night it was up to 30 knots.. we were three nights at sea. On the Jane Kerr if there's breeze we always sail as she turns into a yacht with greatly reduced rolling. The sails increase the fuel economy, we only ran the old Gardner at 1000 rpm and were never under 8 knots.. but mostly something with a 9 in-front of it!
So the reason for going west.....Previous to this trip myself and Gary had been speaking to Jim Prescott (crew on Jane Kerr) about making a documentary film based on the fishing that takes place in the MoU Box, in Australian waters off the Kimberley.
For a number of years Jim, who has a long and extensive career in fisheries management, was the MoU Box Manager based in Darwin.
Indonesian fisherman have been sailing to the MoU Box since about the 1700s, where they fish and free-dive primarily for sea cucumber. In 1974 the Australian Government agreed to continue to allow the fishing to take place in its waters provided the Indonesians do not have engines in their boats... A decision often criticised for enforcing unfair and unsafe conditions onto the fishermen.
The skill and tenaciousness of the Indonesian fishermen is profound, and so are the political circumstances that surround them.
The MoU Box is relatively unknown to most Australians, though Ashmore Reef, which sits at its northern end, is known for being one of the many places where asylum seekers attempt to enter Australia illegally... often assisted in their voyage by Indonesian fishermen.
We continued on our journey west so that Jane Kerr would soon be able to help document this remarkable feat of seamanship and piece of maritime and fishing history...
The jewel in the crown of the Archipelago of the Recherche. This group comprises over 100 islands south east of Esperence and is remote and wonderful cruising. We lay a few days here, mostly walking and exploring the islands via VSR.
Black Jack Anderson, Australia's only known pirate and a sealer made his base on Middle Island, murdered by his crew he is thought to be buried here. There are still a number of remains of the sealers camp. Anderson ruled by violence and cohabitated with two indigenous women, he was said to be charismatic...
From Middle Island we meandered through the archipelago for about a week, stopping in at some of the most pristine anchorages I've ever visited. After three wonderful weeks of boat isolation it was time to experience what was happening in the real world... ouch! We tied the boat up in Bandy Creek, near Esperence, expecting to be back the week before Easter to continue our journey to the MoU Box and assist Jim and Gary with the documentary film...stay tuned!
For more information visit www.woodenboatshop.com.au.