Today we rounded Sandy Cape, at the north end of Fraser Island, and entered the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP). To be honest, around here that hasn't meant a dramatic change in scenery or wildlife, or anything much else, for that matter, except that we are once again sailing downwind in the southeast trades. On the wildlife side, I did spot the first brown booby that we have seen since leg one, and in the comments section of the logbook there is a note that three pilot whales were sighted at midday, local time.
For the next 100 nautical miles we actually remain east of the reefs, passing into the protected waters behind the outer Barrier Reef via the wide Capricorn Channel. Shipping in this area is tightly controlled to protect the environment with each ship having a local reef pilot on board who keeps in contact with the shorebased REEFVTS (Vessel Traffic Service), which is somewhat like a maritime air traffic control. Aside from using our eyes, the AIS and the radar, we can also listen in to the REEFVTS, so we have a good idea of where all the ships are and what they are doing. A few minutes ago, we passed quite close to a large cruise ship heading southwards, but other than that we have not seen much since last night.
An "in joke" for sailors amongst our supporters: with all the traffic and reefs around us, it is becoming more important to keep alert, and as we all know, caffeine is the solution to combating drowsiness. Every time the kettle is put on, a barrage of orders are put in: black coffee, peppermint tea, white tea, etc, etc. I suggested that we just put everything in one big pot and mix it up for maximum effect. The ingredients should be coffee, hot chocolate and six tea bags. The name of this new sailors drink will be iMocha Six Tea...For the non-sailors amongst our supporters - Google "IMOCA 60".
Other news gleaned from the comments section of the logbook over the last 24 hours:
"1500: Hoisted Staysail"...Up until then the wind had been so light that the staysail would have just hung limply from its stay, flog as we rolled over the swell, but by mid-afternoon we had a light, but steady, easterly breeze and were beginning to make some progress once again.
"1800: Awesome dolphin display! Trimmed, trimmed and trimmed"...In the late afternoon we were treated to some spectacular leaps and spins by a frisky pod of dolphins. TC's watch has become very much more proactive at trimming the sails, with TC and Ina baum, in particular, paying careful attention to the shape of the sails while Dave Fortune takes the helm. In an effort to improve their theoretical knowledge of sail trim, the Clipper Race Crew manual has made an appearance on deck and more technical questions are being asked. Magnus Irvin has been capturing the scene on watch with a great series of sketches.
"2000: Unfriendly encounter with a fishing boat"...Just after sunset we passed a fleet of fishing boats to starboard. As we sailed well clear of them one suddenly diverted across our bow and laid a net directly ahead of us! Almost all types of vessels are obliged to give way to fishing vessels, but this did seem a particularly unnecessary manoeuvre. Anyway, we did manage to alter course and avoid the net.
Since then not much else. Changed from Yankee and Staysail to code 1. Saw the pilot whales. Sailing along in the sunshine.
Regards
Nick