23.50S; 151.15E
Around the world with the Aqualunies
Jonathan & Gabrielle Lyne
Thu 24 Nov 2011 00:37
23rd November, 2011
Now in in a Marina in Gladstone Industrial Port, which is near The Narrows, a water way through dunes and swamp which is slightly too shallow for us, this place is full of ships loading with coal, minerals and aluminium mainly for export to China. Gladstone has the largest Aluminium Factory in the world.
The town itself is small with not an awful lot going on to attract the visitor, the main attraction is as a jump off point to the outlying reef islands. Our reason for being here is to restock with food and refill the gas canister as well as do a bit of Laundry and general cleaning.
We had a great sail yesterday from Great Keppel Island, an Island we last visited as tourists staying in the resort 20 years ago when the children were small. The anchorage there was very rolley as the Easterly winds had not gone quite north enough yet. They kicked in yesterday as NE winds so had a great sail with winds averaging 15 - 20 knots and the current with us at times.
To catch up with what happened after we noticed all the mess left on the beach a few days ago by some 'salvage' guys moonlighting over the weekend from their usual jobs. We informed the coast guard as there was wood with bits of metal sticking out floating in the bay as well as acid batteries left on the shore front. He in turn reported it to the Nature Reserve World Heritage caretakers who asked us for photos and a statement which we have sent. Having reported it over the VHF several other yachts called up supporting our observations and they are also going to the beach to take more photos. We have been told we will be told if any more happens.