It’s been a hectic few days here in Mackay Marina with our Blue Water Rally yachts arriving day and night.  The Marina has set aside a secure pontoon as a customs and quarantine berth and Tuesday 19 yachts have received their clearances there before going on to their pre-allocated berths.

Crews have been delighted to arrive - they have had some pretty mixed weather and the entry through the Barrier Reef has provided some testing conditions at times.  However, everyone has noticed the drop in temperature from Fiji and Vanuatu.  Despite clear skies temperatures have fallen considerably at night and everyone has been arriving in heavy clothing and fleeces.  Everyone has forgotten that we are still enjoying the equivalent of a warm summer's day in England!

Helpful Officials
There might have been some trepidation about the strict customs and quarantine procedures for yachts entering Australia.  However, our crews have reported only helpful professional officers from the Customs and AQIS Departments.  Both are based here at Mackay Marina and their officials have made every effort to welcome our people and make their entry into Australia as quick and easy as possible.  What a change from some of the places we have been! 

Marina Management and Engineering Support - a Can-Do Attitude
We all knew that Aussies have a can-do attitude and it’s been reflected in the welcome skippers and crews have received at the Marina Office and from the Marina staff.  However, it is probably at the Marina Shipyard here that this has been most noticeable.

For several months Todd Gavan, the Manager, and his engineering teams have been planning liftouts and work on Rally yachts.  These have ranged from relatively straightforward antifouling and paint jobs to the purchase and replacement of generators.  But all this starts with the liftout at the 65-tonne travelift.  I watched the liftout for Jenny take about 20 minutes and within the same hour the yacht was on hard-standing and propeller and shaft removed for repair.  Before I arrived 3 Rally yachts had been through the liftout and engineering process and there are others awaiting similar professional treatment.  Certainly our decision to visit Mackay because of its all-round support services appears to be vindicated.

Starting to chill out - Aussie style
Another benefit of being here is the proximity of the various bars and restaurants lined up along the side of the Marina.  Whilst it can’t quite compare with being stern-to at the Copra Shed at Fiji, it comes a very close second!  However, Mackay beats it hands down for variety.  There is a huge choice here - seafood, steak, Thai, tapas and a welcoming Yacht Club with bar and restaurant, not forgetting the 4-star restaurant at the Clarion Hotel.

We had a Friday night gathering at the Sails Sports Bar at 5.30 last evening and there was a full turnout of all our Rally crews.  Some stayed on to watch the Olympic Opening Ceremony, whilst others went on to the Yacht Club.  So, the scene is set for a great stopover and our stay in Australia.