Voyage, Inbound from Portland Williamstown

Thursday 31 March

Up early for underway at 0710, sailed off the wharf under fore and fore staysail and cleared Portland Harbour for the passage East towards civilisation [1st Mate's words, not Ops Mgr!].

The wind did its best to thwart us and went around onto the nose, so flappy sails were doused and the iron jib was hoisted.

1400 saw a change in fortunes with favourable winds, so sails were re-set and the Enterprize stormed out to sea, heading South of East to strategically place us for a forecast wind shift.

Friday 1 April

0200. With Thylacine ‘A' gas well head abeam to port, we turned towards Navarine Reef, off Cape Wickham.

Schooner Enterprize was converted into the trawler Enterprize and fishing equipment of all types were deployed off the stern. Despite the best efforts of all on board all that was landed were a slightly startled Albatross and a rather bemused Petrel (both were safely released back into the wild)

At midday we passed the Northern tip of King Island and turned SSE towards our anchorage at Elephant Seal Bay.

The wind really kicked in and we finally anchored with it gusting at over 30kts. The fishing team were not yet finished and out came the rods and lines again, with three members of the crew (including  the master) standing in pouring rain, hopeful for at least a bite or two (the mate had more sense and watched from the confines of the Navigatorium). The fishing however was not in vain, and several fish of various kinds were caught, including a particularly monstrous Flathead, which was described as the ‘the grandfather of all flatheads' and ‘a horse!'.

Saturday 2 April

0600 found the crew on deck, ready to weigh anchor and set forth again into the wild wilderness of Bass Strait.

We duly sailed off the anchor and then progressively set all remaining sails for a rollicking ride North back to Melbourne. Again, we sailed a slight curve to strategically place ourselves for a broad reach up the coast.

Lunch (of King Island fish and chips) was prepared by the master and our voyage chef (Helen). In the end so many fish had been caught that everybody was able to have seconds and, in some cases, thirds (I will mention no names [Neither will I! BB]).

We continued closing with the coast until the 50 metre depth contour and then turned to starboard to run parallel with it to the heads.

Sunday 3 April

Daylight Savings ended at 0300. So sorry Col's watch, but such is life at sea!

After radioing Lonsdale VTS for clearance, we transited Port Philip Heads at 0830 under course, tops'l and fore staysail on slack to flood. A new navigator (midshipman Eden) was appointed and successfully conned us up the West Channel and onto Portarlington keeping Prince George beacon safely to Port.

By unanimous decision (read Captain Col asked our Supernumerary David) we are pressing on under course, top & stay for an early arrival Boyd Jetty, ETA 1730 hrs.