position S12 27.100 E130 49.200
Ocean Rival Journey Log
Adam Power Diana Power
Fri 26 Jul 2019 13:22
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Arrived at Cullen
Bay Marina this morning after a rather stressful night. The
engine overheated and cut out at just about the narrowest part
of the strait, but there was just enough wind to keep her moving
at about 1 knot in the right direction with reefs and islands
not far away.
The fresh water
had completely disappeared from the cooling system. After
letting it cool down and re-filling the fresh water she
re-started but the same thing happened after a few more miles.
Luckily after
more cooling I did then get some wind and was able to sail
nearly all the way to the marina, just putting the engine on for
the last few hundred yards.
The Immigration
officials were waiting for me when I arrived at the pontoon only
slightly miffed that I hadn't informed them I was going to be
late. The marinas are all tucked behind lock gates due to the
big tide here but Cullen Bay has the only all tide accessible
pontoon outside the lock. Biosecurity followed on after
immigration and he took all the fresh food that was left (not
very much) and made me prommiss to eat up my left over omelette
I was saving for lunch. Having congratulated myself for arriving
on Friday and avoiding the weekend charge I was told it is a
public holiday today in Darwin that'll be $270 thank you.
Both officials
warned me about the wet season that starts in October suggesting
we really don't want to be here then. I had to wait a bit for
the divers to come and squirt biocide into the boats orrifices
in case any baby mussels were lurking in the pipes. Then I was
not allowed to use the engine or toilets for 10 hours. The
divers boss is from Fakenham and is a keen Norwich City fan.
Very pleased about the promotion and approving of the managers
plans for the new season in the premiership. Fakenham wasn't
warm enough one year so he moved to Darwin 23 years ago.
The 10 hour veto
put my engine investigations on hold so I walked ashore see if
could replace my stolen produce but Cullen Bay is just smart
apartment blocks around the marina with a few restaurants and no
useful shops. Lots of vacant commercial properties but the
Marina is fairly full. Probably there's a big shopping mall
somewhere but not within walking range.
I suspect that
the fresh water is escaping into the raw (sea) water and being
pumped out the back of the boat. That may mean a new heat
exchange & exhaust unit or possibly if I'm lucky just the
pipe stack inside.
I had a clean up
and wash down and had some supper at one of the restaurants
overlooking the marina. My internet research on the wifi gave me
some ideas on diagnosing the engine problem and also an
alternative option to leaving the boat in Tipperary Waters
marina where I have reserved a berth. None of the marinas have
haul out but there is a yard back round the point that could and
then I could leave her on the hard instead of in the water- I
have emailed but may not get a reply now till monday so might go
round to the marina anyway. It is quite a long way to Tipperary
as we all know (actually 5 miles) so hope the engine can make
it.
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