Wednesday, 04 March 2009

Wonderful Deal Is

Deal and Erith Islands were wonderful.

We had anchored in West Cove on Deal Island at 2300 and slept really well. In the morning, we inflated the rubber ducky. We also needed to tidy the sails. We had pulled them down in the strong winds the night before with little regard for neatness.

Upon going ashore to the beautiful sandy beach, near an old disused wharf that originally was used to supply the light house, we were met by Janet and Glenn. They are volunteer caretakers who live alone on the island and carry out numerous tasks. On this morning, they were weeding down behind the beach. Their transport is paid by Parks and Wildlife but they pay for everything else. We chatted for a couple of hours and unfortunately delayed their weeding some what.

They told us where to find the small museum that volunteer caretakers have been putting together. They also told us where to find the key for the light house. This was built in 1848 and is reputedly the second highest lighthouse in the world. It's height was a big problem as it was often above the clouds and invisible to mariners (it is at approx 300metres or 1,000ft).

It was decomissioned in 1992.

We did plenty of walking and looking at the abundant wildlife which included Cape Barron Geese and wallabies. None of the animals have known predators and allow humans to get quite close.

Around noon, the front started to come in with lowering clouds, rain and howling wind. It was time to move the yacht to the other side of Murray Pass to Erith Island. We had an interesting ride across as the current was ripping through the pass (between the two islands) at about four knots and there were whirlpools and overfalls (waves that stand still and break in situ). We were casting apprehensive glances at the rubber duck with outboard still attached but made it safely. We anchored off yet another beautiful beach.

The wind gusts were gale force at around 40-45kts and we decided to fold down the canopy and perhaps remove the outboard from the rubber ducky. Too late! The rubber ducky had flipped, submerging the outboards. Oh well, something else to keepo us occupied cleaning it out with fresh water, undoing bits and pieces and applying plenty of WD40 and lanolin sprays. We got it working again.

We were unable to avoid dragging anchor in the strong winds plus bullets (very strong, brief gusts coming off the cliffs from different directions). The whole area off the beach is covered in weed. We have a different (Admiralty) anchor for this and it is normally great. However, this anchorage has only a thin cover of sand over rock and you cannot anchor in that.

We did find a much better spot away from the beach and with thicker sand. With a constant 30kts of wind, strong bullets and full reverse from the engine, we dug the qnchor well into the sand and there it stayed put for the rest of our time in the islands.

Next day, we walked on Erith Island and inspected the wreck on the beach and a historic shack built from driftwood and now maintained by visitors such as kayakers. In it was an old note from the 50s or 60s confirming what we had found about anchorage on this island. Most people just anchor in the weed and "get away with it" but this will not work in a gale. Then, having ascertained that the outboard was okay, we set across Murray Pass for Deal Island. We chose low tide (for safety as one could easily get swept out of the 1Km wide channel) into the open sea. On the way, we passed within a few metres of aseal which gave us a "grin" and lazy wave of the flipper. Then we ascended to the lighthouse and admired the spectacular views. It was a clear day and we could actually see Flinders Island. Fantastic views. It was also rather nice being able to inspect all the history, with our own key, in our own time and no-one to drag us around.

Shortly after we had arrived, we met up with five kayakers who had got here from Flinders Island and the Furneaux Group of islands. Every year, they kayak around parts of Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands. We were impressed with their professionalism and prowess.

We were able to provide them some weather forecasting, which doid not look good. Gales were on the way and they wanted to get to the Hogan Group of islands and then to Wilsons Promontary. They were at the end of their one month trip and had job commitments. We were able to give them some extra food and books to read. When we left, it looked as if they would be stuck there a further week. They were going to paddle over to the other side and stay with the caretakers. It is likely that they will have to leave their kayaks on the island and get onto the once-per-three-month supply vessel. This was due in about a week to pick up the caretakers and bring their replacements.

We only saw one other yacht. A timber kech arrived late afternoon from mainland Tassie. It came down Murray Pass but turned too late to make the beach where Pastime was anchored and the kayakers camped. It appeared unable to make any headway against the powerful current using its engine and disappeared out the end of the Pass to anchor in another small Cove at the North end of Deal Island. On our second last day, when we were half way to the lighthouse, we heard a helicopter. Strange, as you need special permission to come and land. Turned out it was a rescue helicopter. One of the crew from the ketch was having turns and had become ill so the ketch dropped him off with the caretakers and the rescue was initiated. The ketch set off for Eden in the short weather window now available. At last report, the crew member has recovered and is okay.

We determined to leave at 1400 on Monday. This would get us into Port Dalrymple in daylight and avoid a really strong front due around midday.

We really loved our time at Deal and Erith Islands and will explore some more on our way home. It was looking as if we would have winds to 30kts in the middle of our 101NM passage to the Tamar with seas to 3 metres. That's okay.

All the best,

Dave & Penny