18 Februar y 2015
destination: Tasmania
The barometer was down to 989 and the
wind had begun to back from north to west.
The westerlies descended with a vengeance
along with driving rain and cold.
The blasts of wind were like bullets, clocked
at near 50kts. We let out more scope. We
checked our position constantly and near 1900,
we reckoned we were beginning to drag. With
the dim light of the remaining day, we hauled
anchor and headed around the top of Deal
Island for the shelter of Winter Cove on the
island's east side.
Our foul weather gear protected us somewhat,
but our faces burned with the pelting rain and
the sharp, cold blasts of wind.
As we turned the corner into Winter Cove,
surrounded by cliffs and hills on three sides,
the wind abated quickly to a very tolerable 16-
knots. We dropped the anchor just before dark,set it, snubbed it and headed below to warm up
and dry off.
What a difference. Here we felt we could relax
a bit during the blow and maybe even catch
some sleep. The forecast called for the winds to
continue for the next two days and it proved true.
A blustery night ensued as the wind continued
to howl, but for sure, it was much calmer here in
Winter Cove than West Cove had been. We checked
our position and the snubbed chain throughout the
night, but nothing had moved or changed.
Sadly, we heard from our Deal Island friends
that the crew of Andiamo whom we had just met
here at Deal two days ago, had gone up on the
rocks near Flinders Island during the blow.
They had been rescued by helicopter and suffered
only minor injuries, but their yacht was lost.
The Roaring Forties are not to be treated lightly.
The wind lessened throughout the next day
with an occasional gust to 25kts, but its westerly
direction still persisted. We stayed snug in
Winter Cove doing chores and maintenance.
The sides of the cove are steep and heavily treed,
accentuated by rust-red lichen-covered rocky
outcrops. That evening, despite the wind, we
spied the moon nearly full and the stars brilliantly
peeking through a cloud-mottled sky.All agreed
Much to our disappointment, the wind
continued to blow from the west throughout
the next day. Though lessened, it still did not
seem prudent to move.
A southeast swell developed and found its way
into the bay. It was tolerable, but sometimes an
irritant when the roll rocked things out of place,ABOVE: The 'whim'.
BELOW: Getting home
to deliver dinner.