On route to Australia via Chesterfield Reef
04h30 UTC 29 October
Course: °
Distance covered last 24hrs until 01h00 GMT: 169nm
Distance to Chesterfield: 0 nm
Position 19°52' S 158°27' E Anchored
All's well on board.
Another good run and we got to the Reef at around 13h00 (02h00 UTC/GMT). We approached our waypoint for entering the reef and there was nothing to see. Shortly afterwards the depth meter registered the bottom and it zoomed from 180m to 28m all in a short distance. At least we knew we had arrived even though we saw nothing. Only after motor sailing in another 4-5 miles did we finally see any of the islands. They are very flat and only raise a few meters above sea level. We finally motored upwind to the anchorage all in deep water 30-40m and only a few bombies once we reached the shallower water where we anchored.. There is one other boat here and we anchored about 100m behind them. It is a choppy anchorage as the wind (SE) is blowing parallel to the islands and has a fairly long fetch. We pitched the pick over the side in about 9-10m with plenty of chain. The bottom is sandy as are the islands and we seem to have good holding here. We may dump the dinghy over the side later on especially if the wind dies down a little. The islands are loaded with birds and by this evening when all those who are out at sea feeding return it will be quite spectacular. Tomorrow we will definitely go and explore. Right now time to catch up on some rest. Till next time
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