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Click this link https://kccyc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Camden-Sound-Marine-Park-E-News-CHARTER-Issue-3.pdf for a copy of the latest update newsletter from West Australian Fisheries and Dept of Wildlife on the Camden Sound Marine Park, which had now been renamed Lalang-garram/Camden Sound Marine Park
This attached newsletter is aimed at the charter operators cruising and fishing in Kimberley waters, but the rules are the same for private cruising vessels.
I note that they have softened their rules related to whale watching and interaction. It has changed to vessels not approaching a mother and calf closer than 500 meters, and if the whales close on the vessel, the vessel must remain in neutral. Previously, the proposed rule was that vessels had to move away and maintain minimum 500 meters from the whales if the whales approached the vessel. The new rule also makes specific mention of the whales being a mother and calf. This leaves it a little unclear as to whether or not you can approach a single adult whale up to 100 meters (as the rules currently allow).
There are hundreds of Humpback Whales, including mothers and calves, scattered throughout Kimberley waters from about July through to October; they don’t just stay in the proposed new marine park. This begs the question. Do the same rules apply outside the park, or can these whales be approached up to 100 meters? Lets hope the 100 meter rule stays for whales outside the park, because from my experience, looking at a whale from half a kilometer way is a waste of time.
The photo below would have been almost impossible to shoot from over 500 meters away.
Hi Greg, Welcome aboard the KCCYC. Ros and I just got home to Perth after 3 months up north. About 4 weeks on boat maintenance, including 10 days on the hard at Pearl Marine fixing a burnt out shaft bearing. Then 8 weeks in the Kimberley on board R&R. Back in the rain and cold down here a few days ago.
We met Vic and Ellen about 3-4 years ago on Sea Change in West Bay while they were waiting for some family members to fly into Truscott. I recall the live crab tanks in the boarding platforms – great idea.
We explored some new territory this year, as well as revisiting some of our favorite Kimberly cruising spots. We spent about 3 weeks cruising in company with Garry and Kathy on “Enigma”. Garry is an ex prawny skipper and they have cruised the Kimberley several times in Enigma, so knows the coast well. We showed them places they didn’t know about and visa versa. Consequently, I have plenty to add to the Anchorages pages on the web site over the next few months, as well as some news items to add now that I am back on land with broadband.
Ross
Hi Greg, 8kva inverter will keep plenty of beer cold!! I run a 3kva inverter on R&R, which is just enough to run all the fridges, freezers, engine room blowers etc. plus boil the jug, coffee maker and other small gear, but with some careful management of what is switched on at the same time.
My problem used to be keeping the batteries charged without running the generator for excessive hours every day. Fixed that by installing a Whispergen DC Generator that automatically turns on when the house bank state of charge gets down to 70%. Now we average about 5 hours on the main genny per day when at anchor.
With such a large inverter/battery capacity, I’m guessing you don’t want to run your genny all day. Have you made provision to charge the additional amp hours you are likely to use?
Ross
Hi Greg, Mark B is spot on, but I am supposing that the term “No person shall navigate or attempt to navigate a vessel…” relates to a vessel underway, and not while at anchor, on a mooring, or in a marina berth etc. Otherwise, we could all in trouble for having a few too many when tied up safely in our marina berths.
Also, the WA Transport website states.
“The general guidelines for standard alcohol consumption are:
Men: No more than two standard drinks in the first hour and one standard drink every following hour
Women: No more than one standard drink every hour.” Best of luck sticking to that!!Ross
We have yet to set a definite date for the 2014 shindig. We try to get an idea from the Darwin Members and any boats travelling to the Kimberley from the Eastern States as to who and when they can make it over the Blownapart. But its likely to be around the second week in July.
Hi Survivalman. The Fremantle Sailing Club, Freo to Bali race fleet is arriving in Darwin over the next week or so. Some of the fleet is cruising back to Perth via the Kimberley Coast. Someone might need crew. Suggest you pin a notice on the Darwin Sailing Club and the Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Club notice boards.
Unfortunately, we didn’t make it out of Cullen Bay Marina in April, let alone get to the Kimberley for a few weeks. Despondently, finishing our new house in Perth took priority.
But, we are on a promise to take 4 friends with us to the Kimberley Coast Cruising Yacht Club Annual Beach Party at the Berkeley River on 10th July. We’ll leave Darwin on 7 July and drop them off at McGowan Island Camp on 17 July for their flight back to Perth. We’ll then cruise slowly down to the Palm Island area to meet up with Ray and Barb, on Dogoncat, before heading back to Darwin around late August/early September. If you see R&R on the water, give us a call on 16. We are always up for a sundowner or a barby on a beach somewhere.
Not surprisingly, it is difficult to get a commitment from Members and friends as to whether they are turning up to the KCCYC Annual Beach Party at the Berkeley River on 10 July. This has to be the most remote and difficult to get to venue for any party held in Australia. But, reading between the lines, guesswork, assumption, dead reckoning, speculation and use of highly sophisticated technical equipment, I would say there will be at least 5 boats there to celebrate the event this year – possibly a lot more, if the fleet from the FSC, Fremantle to Bali, cruising in company fleet turn up.
Hope to see you on the water.
Ross and Ros
“R&R”To date there are nearly 70 pages of detailed information in the clubs website anchorage page, including.
- Navigation – Aus Chart number, latitude longitude, tides, local knowledge/hints/advice.
- Google Maps – One or more Google maps or satellite photos with notes.
- Way points – Where navigation is tricky, a list of previously used way points is included. (EG may include routes through uncharted areas, shallow areas, over river bars and anchorages where accuracy is important.)
- Suggested anchorages at each place.
- Things to do and see such as dinghy trips, walks, fishing, art, swimming holes etc.
- Brief story on any history of the anchorage or nearby region.
- Photos if available.
- Fresh water availability.
This information is updated regularly with new information contributed by our members who regularly cruise the Kimberley coast.
New Kimberley coast cruising vessel anchorages are added regularly.
We,re in Gove with Mabuhay, and Gramac 3. They both had a great crossing, but we had a bumpy one with up to 3.5M swell and seas up to 2.5 at times. I was looking at the peaks of the waves out the wheelhouse window, 5M above water level. Gramac 3 left the day before us and Mabuhay the day after us, and they got none of that. I guess that is the “luck of the draw” when crossing the gulf.
We did well though, averaged 17.4 knots and the boat performed superbly. Cant say the same for the foredeck hand. She only set foot on the bridge once very early in the trip, and the tomato plants in the deck veggy garden are looking very salt damaged.
29th May. R&R and Gramac 3 are at Seisia waiting for the strong wind warning in the gulf to blow over. The weekend is looking good for a crossing with 10-20 knots forecast.
Mabuhay has had a few minor teething problems with her rebuilt engines, but is continuing up the coast and they hope to be in Seisia to cross the gulf this weekend as well. They were near Port Douglas this morning when I spoke to Rob.
Iron Prince is in Gove. They crossed the Gulf earlier this week and hit some atrocious weather north of Groote Island. I believe they got well and truly hammered in huge seas. Everyone on board is OK, but some gear was lost overboard. How about an update on the forum Grant?
Another vessel heading to the Kimberley, Gramac 5, is also in Gove.
Photo Below – “Gramac 3” loading fuel off Sea Swift barge “Malu Chief” at Seisia wharf.
R&R and Iron Prince are in Cooktown (18th May) A strong wind warning is forecast for the next few days, so we are looking forward to a good push up the rest of the Queensland coast with 30 knots behind us.
We met another boat also heading for the Kimberley “Dramac III”. On board are Richard and Faye from Victoria.
Check out the video taken today as we passed Iron Prince.[embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXvvl3TGyRU[/embed]
Thanks Robbie. We are on the way. Iron Prince left Airlie Beach on 10th May and we left yesterday. Mabuhay is unfortunately sitting on the hard at Able Point Marina installing rebuilt engines, but they expect to get under way in about 2 weeks. I think the new engines will be run in by the time they reach Darwin.
Photo below is Iron Prince on her way out of Able Point Marina.
Jodie from the Berkeley River Resort has invited KCCYC members to call into the resort for a drink or a meal. There is a dress standard. I’m sure your members polo shirt would be more than suitable.
This is an extract from Jodie’s email.
“We would welcome your friends travelling past calling in to enjoy a cold beverage at the new bar. They can just radio us on Channel 16 and we will make arrangements to collect them from the beach and bring them up to the resort if they don’t wish to walk. The bar will be open seven days a week (and restaurant) and our cruising yachties are very much welcome. Prior notice is requested if catering is required. We do have a dress standard of no singlets at the bar if you could pass that on also.” 😛
Hi Rob, Response from my mate in Darwin.
“Tell your friends not to worry too much about not receiving a response from the Tiwi Corporation. We have had the same thing when we sent away for our permits (and so has another friend of ours), the main thing is that they keep a copy of their receipt with them just in case they get approached.”
Looks like it would be wise to pay for the permit, even if you don’t get the actual permit before you get there.
