After several weeks of cruising around the NE and Northern coasts of Australia our Blue Water Rally yachts are now starting to arrive in Darwin.  There has been some very interesting cruising which we highlighted in our previous news article.  We highlighted the risks of crocodile attacks and felt it might be interesting to repeat a message sent by Hugh and Shan of Stargazer to the rest of the fleet. 'We have just seen a large crocodile sunning himself on the beach at Morris Island.  We walked across that beach yesterday and have been swimming.  He is mentioned in the Alan Lucas Cruising Guide (seen in 2001) and is obviously alive and well!  He must be about 15 feet in length, so be very wary if you visit Morris Island. '  We understand that everyone has been wary and all crews are still safe, but not believed to have been swimming off Morris Island!

Berthing in Darwin

Over the years berthing for the Rally has become more and more difficult.  Local marinas have filled up with boats belonging to marina residents and we have been having some trouble in finding a home for the Blue Water Rally fleet where everyone can be together.  We have a promise of berthing everybody in Frances Bay Mooring Basin at a facility known locally as the Duck Pond!  However, several yachts have been found berthing in Tipperary Waters Marina and our ‘old home’ at Cullen Bay Marina.

Quarantine and the Black-striped Mussel

The Australian authorities are naturally sensitive about protecting their natural environment and Rally yachts have to report on arrival to the Australia Quarantine Service (AQIS).  However, Darwin has a particular problem, which is the risk from infestation by the black-striped mussel.  This little creature (a tiny version of the ones we enjoy as moules marinières) can insert itself in the water circulation systems of boats and cause untold damage.

As Darwin is home to the Northern Territory prawn fishing fleet the risk of serious economic damage is very high. Therefore, vessels arriving at Darwin must be inspected by representatives of the Government Fisheries Organisation and their water systems flushed with a special chemical.  As in previous Rallies the procedures are being reported by early arrivals from the Blue Water Rally as being highly professional and efficient, with no problems arising.

Kakadu and social activity

As with all our stopovers Rallies will want to get out and about to see something of the surrounding region.  Some yachts have already arrived in order to spend several days visiting the Kakadu National Park.  Kakadu is a national park about the size of Belgium in scale, so 3 or 4 days is a minimum to see the fantastic scenery and something of the wildlife.  There are also opportunities to see something of aboriginal wallpaintings and culture.  Some very adventurous owners are believed to be heading for Ayers Rock (Uluru) in the Red Centre.

As always, we try to link our Rallies with local yacht clubs.  At Darwin we have always found the local Darwin Sailing Club a great home-from-home with a great bar and restaurant.  We are planning to hold a party there.

Briefings and Preparation for Indonesia

Darwin is always a busy place for the Support Team and this year will be no exception.  A great deal of paperwork has already had to be prepared to obtain Indonesian Cruising Permits.  These have been in the Indonesian bureaucratic system for some weeks and (all being well) our Support Manager, Richard Bolt, will collect them in Bali before flying on to Darwin to meet the Rally.  This time Richard and Director Tony Diment have also been wrestling with new regulations and requirements for a bond to be deposited with the Indonesian Customs.  We won’t bore you with this saga, but suffice it to say that our crews will certainly feel the benefit of having had Blue Water Rallies’ organisation behind them when they arrive in Indonesia in a couple of weeks’ time!

There is also the need for yachtsmen entering Indonesia to obtain personal visas.  Richard will also be kept busy helping to organise these at the Indonesian Consulate in Darwin.

Much to look forward to …….

Much to look forward to then - a last stopover in Australia and a new country and culture in prospect.  We shall bring you more over the coming weeks………