10:35.76S 142:14.39E

We cleared Customs and Immigration on 20 July for a departure from Horne Island on 21 July.  Unfortunately, Mike had overstayed his visa by 15 days so was asked to go back to Immigration on the morning of 21 July to clear the issue.  The original grant letter gave multiple entries with a stay of 3 months on each entry.  Having arrived on 6 April the visa expired on 6 July, thus requiring a bridging visa until the 21 July departure date for the Rally to leave.  Whereas to Mike’s simple mind 3 months was May, June, July, so she’ll be right.  Oops!  Luckily he had a printed copy of the original visa grant letter and with the help of some delightful and helpful Immigration staff was cleared to leave Australia and to re-apply for a visa in the future. 

Meryon, Tim and Pim were able to do all the last minute jobs required that morning while Mike was with Immigration, so we were still able to lifted the anchor at 1200 to catch the tide that would sweep us out of the Torres Straits.  We left in a long line of 29 Rally yachts one behind the other as we made our way down the narrow channels between the sand banks and reefs.  A fantastic sight on a clear sunny day with plenty of wind.  Each yacht in turn called the Australian Border Force control on Thursday island to report they were leaving the country for Indonesia!  Excellent!  Especially for the kids who made the call on behalf of their yachts.  Each yacht received a polite acknowledgement and wishes for a safe journey.  A very impressive and rather moving response from the Border Force operators.

So we are on our way.  660 miles to go and our first night at sea surrounded by the other Rally yachts all showing up on the AIS.