As late as Wednesday last week Professional Boat Care was busy preparing customers’ boats for the Australia Day long weekend. However, two days later the forecast took a turn for the worse as ex-cyclone Oswald started to track south. Before we knew it we were frantically doubling up our customers’ mooring lines in preparation for the forecast 33 to 45 knot winds. Just 24 hours later the forecast had deteriorated further to an expected 45 – 55 knots with possible 65 knots gusts. Professional Boat Care was back at RQYS most of the weekend keeping an eye on our customers’ boats and the wind gauge readings were confirming the 45 -55 knots as predicted!
The marina handled the conditions reasonable well with only the outer few rows near the harbour entrance experiencing the most movement on the larger than usual high tides. RQYS Marina Manager David McTaggart deserves special mention for his work ensuring boats were properly secured by doubling up lines as required. David and I have both experienced 70 knot+ conditions and left nothing to chance as ex cyclone Oswald approached.
Walking around the marina over the past few days, and observing the damage, it is obvious a few owners have learnt some valuable lessons over the weekend. From the need to have heavier mooring lines, to better high wind preparation such as stowing bimini’s, sun covers and loose equipment ahead of a big blow! It amazed me that the marina was like a ghost town Saturday. Apart from David and myself I hardly saw another person making any sort of preparations. It was a different story Sunday with plenty of volunteers helping out but of course in most cases this was almost too late!
I have attached a couple of links to youtube clips for your interest. The first being some footage I shot Sunday out on X row at RQYS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CHDpaevS7I
The next is footage from Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club Marina supplied by Ian Heathwood of Sailtime Australia. They were more in the path of the easterly seas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRqOAQgAsI0
This next clip is of the situation my father Ron and I found ourselves in Tuesday morning. As we contemplated moving the boat out, one of the first logs to come into contact with South Pacific II unfortunately wedged into our propellers. With 5 knots of current holding the log in place and unable to move out of our berth, the debris quickly started gathering, threatening to crush us onto one of the pylons. It quickly became apparent we needed to get pulled free as soon as possible! The pressure of the debris had her pinned and as the river level dropped she became ‘hung up’ on the pylon which caused the gunwale to split away. Our insurance company Club Marine had a tug to us within the hour and thanks to some skillful tug driving, South Pacific II was pulled free with minimal damage. She is now safely berthed off Norman R Wright’s yard awaiting the repair work to begin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Camr4ejA9zE
This clip was sent in by Alex Crooke showing Coffs Harbour Marina bearing the force of the same weather system.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnehS3CeZ4k
