Port Douglas
Position: 16 29.14 S 145 27.58
E We weighed anchor at 1230, departing Double Island at dead low tide. The depth by the echo-sounder was 4.5 meters though I noted with mild alarm that about five meters away were some rocks showing just below the surface - I was glad that we had not anchored any closer to the shore. Once clear of the island we once more chose to run before the fresh SE breeze under jib alone which had us making an easy, though somewhat rolly, six knots. It was a straight forward sail to the entrance to Port Douglas where we arrived at 1610. We crossed the shallows with a couple of local boats leading the way in, the sounder showing a comfortable meter or so under the keel at the shallowest point. We were alongside Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina (a very grand sounding name for the likes of Sylph) at 1630 which gave us just enough time to sort Sylph's lines out and duck up to the marina office to obtain electronic keys to the facilities before the office closed. This morning, with another strong wind warning extant and a forecast for steady rain all day, we were not inclined to head out to sea. When we had booked our berth yesterday it was only available for one night so we were looking at going to anchor today; however, on enquiring at the office it turned out that the boat that had the berth booked for today was running late and would not be here until the 24th. Consequently we have been able to extend our time alongside by one day with the view to doing some shopping this afternoon then departing tomorrow morning to make for Cooktown. All is well. |