CLIENT: General Public Voyage
VOYAGE NUMBER: 20250817
FROM: Townsville To: Mackay
POSITION: Brampton Is
DATE: 21 August 2025
REPORT: White Watch
The day started on deck for White Watch at 4am with cool breezes before sunrise and the lights of other yachts shining over the water as we polished the brass on the helm and bell. After sunrise we were amazed by the stunning view of Whitehaven beach with its pristine crystal silica sand, aqua water and hinterland hills covered in dense forest.
After a scrumptious breakfast of pancakes and bananas it was time for the rope competition. Everyone had been practicing a new knot called the “sheet bend” tied in a continuous chain joining ropes together. We were highly motivated by a rumoured promise of a prize “trip to Bali”.
By 8am it was time to go ashore with the dinghy deployed we speed to the shore to go swimming and trek to Whitehaven lookout. The track up the hill through the forest was quite easy and once we reached the top, we were stunned by the breathtaking views overlooking the other side of the Whitsundays and distant islands. A few crew were brave enough to swim from the boat to the shore and one happened to be a long distance marathon swimmer who kindly gave us some professional tips to brush up our swimming techniques.
Hoisting the sails and leaving Whitehaven by 10am we had a long voyage ahead to Brampton Island practicing our tacking with the wind filling the sails we picked up speed to over 6 knots. It was fun being on the Watch taking turns on the helm, starboard and port lookout and we were thrilled by whales cruising along and one breeching repeatedly slapping its fins on the water. Passing beautiful islands including Lindeman Island, Pentacost island, the Smith Group Islands and it was great to learn how to navigate using the compass and charts.
As the light faded and the seas rose, the ship was reaching into the wind, and we were tasked with dropping the sails in the dark. I was incredibly impressed by all the crew pitching in together to drop the head sails, foresail and mainsail under quite challenging situation. Finally reaching Brampton Island around 10pm it was a very rewarding day.