Fraser Island Lunch
Karacool
Stephen Bassett
Wed 16 Jan 2013 06:55
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25:29.04S
152:58.5E
After a week in Bundaberg we headed off to
Mooloolaba. We left earlier than originally planned as the weather conditions
were changing, and decided to go between Fraser Island (officially the biggest
sand dune in the world) and the mainland, via the Great Sandy Straits. The plan
was to anchor overnight in the Straits and then carry on in the morning to
Mooloolaba.
Fraser Island decided that we were not
going to do this! Instead we were treated to a Fraser Island lunch – on a Sand
Bar, for 6 hours. This is known locally as having a ‘Fraser Island
lunch’!! The sand bars are known for moving and this one caught us
completely unawares and we were stuck. At one point both the keels of the cat
were completely out of the water. It is a very silly feeling being stuck on a
sand bar – especially one that shouldn’t be there, at least according to the
charts. So we had an extended stay and by the time the tide returned to
help float us off, it seemed silly to try and anchor in the dark so with the aid
of the many beacons we kept sailing (well, motoring) through the straits and out
over the bar at the bottom of Fraser Island.
Then as we were approaching our
destination, we ran out of fuel in one engine. Just as well we have two! So
first stop was the Fuel quay which was located in a rather tight spot. And with
only one engine, it was difficult to manoeuvre but our brilliant shipper,
Stephen managed it. What that man can do with engines is legendary – or so he
tells me.
It was with a huge sigh of relief that we
then made it to our safe berth in Mooloolaba Marina – Hello Australia.
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