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LINDEMAN ISLAND – TEMPORARILY...continued |
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Unfortunately the weather conditions deteriorated after we got ashore on Lindeman Island. We could see the spring tide current had Masala in its grip – it was holding her stern into the rising waves, and that is where we board her from the dinghy and from where the dinghy is raised onto the davits. It was going to be hairy getting back on board, so we didn’t stay long on Lindeman. |
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Above: Leanne and Masala at Boat Port, Lindeman Island. With threatening weather and a spring tide about to take Masala in it’s grip, we had to retreat back to Shaw Island. Below: the dramatic peak of Pentecost Island rears up above Boat Port, Lindeman Island. |
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We approached Masala’s stern in the dinghy and soon realized it was too dangerous to board there. So we took the dinghy around to what seemed to be the more sheltered side. Leanne clambered over the rails. Before I could follow, Masala swung partly around and now the dinghy was on the exposed side. No big steel hull to flatten the waves. Now, one minute I was below the waterline, the next I was up at deck level. It was truly a leap of faith to get back on board. |
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We were wondering how on earth we were going to get the dinghy up onto the davits, when for a minute Masala swung her stern away from the waves. We dragged the dinghy aft, I leapt in and attached the lifting ropes, leapt out again, and we hauled away madly, getting her up just as the next series of green humps rolled in. Phew! There was no option but to return to Shaw Island and try Lindeman again when the weather improved. This was to take another six days as first the rain then the strong 20-30 knot winds arrived. |
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Left: the rain and strong winds arrive at Shaw Island. |