CLIENT: Youth Voyage
VOYAGE NUMBER: 20250706
FROM: Cairns To: Townsville
POSITION: Fitzroy Is
DATE: 6 July 2025
REPORT: White Watch
Departing Cairns under moody skies, a crew of twenty-four left the sheltered waters of the Trinity Inlet, enroute to Fitzroy Island. Safety first, and a man overboard drill. Bob became moody as he was launched from the deck of South Passage into the wet and cold ocean. Bob is a buoy, not a boy! Luckily all eyes were on Bob, and he was safety located and hauled from the gloomy seas.
With basic rope handling done, Skipper Jim headed the ship into the wind and sails were hoisted with two reefs in both mainsail and foresail. Lots of ‘2-6-heave’ and sweating of ropes and South Passage was out in Trinity Bay. Here the ocean showed its moody spirit … waves with the odd whitecap whipped up by the wind and South Passage was heeling heavily. Our spirited cook Hugh served a mouthwatering charcuterie smorgasbord. Only the most hardy of sailing souls ventured on deck due to the challenges of securing lunch on the plate.
Three hours later, and some hairy tacks to windward, South Passage arrived at Fitzroy Island. The tender was lowered and shore parties transported to the island. A hike to the lighthouse was led by Skipper Jim and described by the participants as being ‘very up’ … 25 minutes of up! Respects were paid to Rufus, the fourteen-year-old dog, laid to rest near the lighthouse. The sweaty group finally returned to South Passage!
Dinner was approaching and a knotting competition looming, then the anchor had issues and it was moody too! Time was ticking by, the cook was getting moody and the knot competition was cancelled. Dinner was a scrumptious meal of chicken and vegetables. It was Clarisse’s birthday, we sang happy birthday and ate cake!
Anchor watch was established. Bearings to three points set to fix our position.
Highlight of the day! Watching the Coral Sea dolphins surf the whitecaps whilst anchored off Fitzroy Island.