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On
the high seas heading north
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Capt
Clint Sears takes the helm as the Navy yacht motors around
Rushcutters Bay at the beginning of Northsail. Photo by Flt-Lt
Gavin Barnett, RAAF Base Willaimtown
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NORTHSAIL
2004, the ADF’s largest adventure training expedition, is almost
finished (last day Sunday, July 18).
The voyage, which comprises of two Navy yachts sailing from Sydney
to Townsville and back in stages of five days each, commenced on May
30.
Some 160 uniformed and civilian Defence members are participating.
Capt Clint Seares, a yacht Mate on the first leg between Sydney and
Coffs Harbour tells his story.
I was appointed “First-Mate” on the first leg. The skipper
was Cmdr Martin Linsley. The other crewmembers were a Flight Controller
from RAAF Williamtown and four sailors from HMAS Manoora.
After stowing our equipment aboard Alexander, we commenced sail training
on Sydney harbour. These lessons proved to be vital, as we had to
reef the mainsail (making it smaller) and change headsails later that
evening under difficult conditions.
Many of the crew became sea sick in the confused swells offshore from
the Sydney coast, but we arrived at Broken Bay at 1am.
At dawn, we slipped our mooring and headed north.
During the day we conducted more training on the different aspects
of sailing. With light headwinds and a strong southerly current, the
crew had to work hard as we tacked, staying close to shore.
In the afternoon we conducted man-overboard drills before breaking
into watches and preparing to sail through the night.
Wind strengths changed constantly through the night and numerous sail
changes had to be done. These clearly demonstrated the benefits of
the expedition. As the wind increased, the yacht heeled over to a
precarious angle and its bow was being continually submerged by the
oncoming swell. I gave the command to change sails.
Somewhat fearful of an unusual task in the dark, the crew scrambled
forward and changed headsails before dragging their soaking bodies
back to the relative safety of the cockpit. Despite their fear, seasickness
and lack of experience, these people were working as a team and completing
complex tasks in difficult conditions.
Near Port Stephens the yacht’s engine stopped and could not be
restarted. We decided to sail into Port Stephens to have it repaired.
The other yacht, Lady Penrhyn, towed us to the Port Stephens marina,
where the mechanic was able to rectify a fuel blockage.
After a shower and breakfast at the marina we headed back out to sea.
We motored for most of the third day and were entertained by several
sightings of humpback whales and dolphins.
We sailed overnight and arrived at Port Macquarie the following morning.
Then we sailed down the Clarence River and used the opportunity to
set the yacht’s spinnaker before returning to sea for our last
leg to Coffs Harbour. We arrived there at 9am. The crew refuelled,
resupplied and cleaned Alexander in preparation for the oncoming crew.
Everyone then piled into the Coffs Harbour marina café for
a pre-departure debrief of the exercise. We all had an opportunity
to talk about what each person gained from the trip. Cmdr Linsley
concluded the meeting by recalling moments during the voyage that
highlighted each person’s performance on the expedition. |
