GC Report – Debbie Jonkers

We arrived at Coral Sea Marina, our berth for the next 5 months, and popped into the local Chandlery store ( always a treasure trove 🤩) bumping into fellow RBYC member and boating educator Gordon Buchan, a happy surprise!
He shared his experience about where the locals anchor around the Whitsunday islands and reefs. Being a smart yachtie, he provided guidance about local winds and anchorage selection as we are your fellow club members who sail a Powerboat.
A BBQ onboard followed with his partner Leanne from Caprice, and we were reminded of how good it is to belong in a community of like-minded folk who ‘just love boats ‘!
We have had a fabulous journey North, motor-sailing the last 10 days from Gold Coast- Sanctuary Cove Marina via Tangalooma wrecks, crossing the Wide Bay Bar, visiting Rosslyn Bay, Mackay, the Keppel’s, Lindemann island as we dodged the odd whale and dropped quite a few $$$$ on food and fuel along the way.
I write this article whilst tied to a swing mooring in Butterfly Bay at the top of Hook Island in the Whitsunday and cannot believe how lucky we are to live and sail in the coastal waters of Australia 🇦🇺.
We have access to English-speaking support when seeking information about coastal Bar conditions, and safety radio checks, AMSA provides advice and support for medical emergencies, Parks and Fishery staff assist with Buoys and Navigation Beacons, Water Police increase safety at sea, rescue aircraft, and the hundreds of volunteers along our coastline who man Coastguard Stations ready to help swimmers and mariners in a moment of need.
I hope to see you enjoying the waterways, It’s great to belong!