The Plan - Popham Bay, Cape Don, Northern Territory, Australia
Harmonie
Don and Anne Myers
Thu 22 Jul 2010 23:41
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11:16.090S 131:50.359E
June 27th we sailed the 35 miles from Port
Essington to Popham Bay slowly in light wind. Once there, we were
perfectly positioned on the westernmost tip of the Cobourg Peninsula to
make the final 130 mile run to Darwin.
The Plan:
Leave Popham Bay at 3am, round Cape Don at the end
of the Cobourg Peninsula and enter the Dundas Strait in time to catch
the flood tide.
Ride the flood tide through the Dundas Strait and
into the center of Van Diemen Gulf.
The tide should turn when exiting Van Diemen Gulf
and before entering the Clarence Strait.
Ride the ebb tide through Clarence Strait and
around the Vernon Islands.
Exit the Clarence Strait, turn south and head
straight for Darwin. By this time, the tide should turn
again allowing a final ride in on the flood tide.
Anchor the boat in Fannie Bay before
sunset, and breathe.
So, why all the fuss? The tides, and the
currents they generate, are something to be reckoned with on this part of the
Australian coast. The highest tidal range Darwin experiences is over 8
meters (~ 25 feet). We arrived in the area with a full moon, so the tidal
range was close to the max at 7 meters. Higher tidal range means stronger
currents. Currents through the Dundas and Clarence Straits can reach as
high as 4-5 knots. This is not so bad if the current is with you
(although it's important to ensure the boat is pushing itself faster than the
current is pushing the boat, otherwise boat control will be lost), but not so
fun if you are battling against it. Good planning can mean
the difference between getting chewed up and spit out of a channel, or
gliding peacefully and gently through the same waters. Which way did it go
for us? Read on to find out.
Anne
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