Oct 30th Arrival Richards Bay
Threeships
Shaun and Ainur Weaver
Thu 30 Oct 2014 18:41
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1830 GMT Oct 30th
28 47.643S 032 04.763E
By way of contrast to our previous entry the last
day into Richards Bay proved that the Indian Ocean does not give up easily. With
150nm to run we had a deadline of 2200 local time to get in before a
strong SW was due to arrive over Richards Bay - these forecasts are notoriously
accurate and since the south going Agulas current runs within 5 nm of the
harbour entrance, we did need to be in by that time. With a 15 - 25kt NE wind
forecast the task appeared to be a doddle - what we did not realise was the
strength of the ENE flowing negative current that we would have to contend
with. The result was a fast rough ride through the water with lots of solid
spray everywhere while only making 3 knots over the ground at times. It was a
tense period wondering whether we would have to bale out before reaching the
Agulas and stay hove to for 24 hrs while the SW front passed. To cut a long and
tortuous story short we sighted land at 1640 and at 1930 while still 3nm short
of the harbour entrance a black bar of cloud appeared in the SW and the wind
swung 180 degrees and in seconds was blowing 25 kts. So you were spot on Dave
and we drove through the harbour entrance at 3 minutes past 8 - shame the front
arrived 2 hours 30 minutes early. We had a great welcoming committee from boats
already arrived - which was just as well since we needed all the help we could
get squeezing into the available berth with an unanticipated awkward cross
current . But we are here, safe and sound on the Dark Continent at last, lots of
good cruising friends around us and the Indian Ocean
behind.
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