Mackay Marina

I thought how easy it would be to get a train ticket back to Brissy this morning. After some reasonable runs south including getting to Lindemann Island, we had figured we wouldnt have anything rougher to come.
WRONG.............................
We left Plantation Bay and ran south around Shaw Island and onto Brampton, although we werent stopping there but going to Homestead Bay on St Bees Island.

The passage between Goldsmith and Farrier Islands......

Passing Brampton Island..........

Homested Bay St Bees Island..........The cat is aground as cats can do that, were in 20 metres and the light line is about 2 metres. Venturing a bit close we hastily reversed back when the depth shot up and there was no chance to anchor that close. Ending up in about 15 metres before we felt safe we had a very drifty night. The current between St Bees and Keswick Islands ran about 4 knots, we swung all over the place although we we were safe.

The ruffled water on the right is 4 plus knots of current running, were sort of on the edge with the shallower area on the left. Change of tide reverses the direction of the current.
The plan to stay there till monday was adjusted sunday morning and with 10 to 15 knots predicted we chugged away. From then on it just became worse, building to 20 plus knots we were bashing right into it....again. We had to run due south to make it bearable....just. With 4 or 5 foot choppy swell and blustery winds it was very uncomfortable. Isy tried to put some storm jib up to balance the boat but it didnt help.
Poor Roxxi was getting very anxious, and after a few big rolls and thumps that rattled me I passed the helm over to Isy and lay down with pup. Stuff was rattling around down below but we couldnt go below to tidy up, I hoped my desktop computer would be ok as since the toughbook failed I had cobbled together a nav system using the tv as a monitor in the cockpit. Vey heath robinson but it was all we could do. So after 4 very uncomfortable and nervous hours we stumbled into Mackay Marina. Crap was everywhere down below and the generator we had under the cockpit table had alternateley fallen on Isys and then my foot we were very relieved. All we had to do was find berth Z 07, which we did but thats not the end of the story.
The wind was behind us as we turned to get alongside the pontoon, with 3 or 400k worth of boat on the opposite side of that pen we had to get it right.
We didnt.................................
I jumped off and grabbed a mooring line but as Sea Eagle has a bit of windage we were pushed slowly towards the boat next door. I secured a bow line and tried to get Isy to throw me a stern line to get the rear in line but she was fending off the other boat. I then undid the bowline and tried to pull her further in but the wind was taking the bow further away. Im not sure how but I ended up in the marina, guess I held on too long but im not sure. By then someone had seen us struggling and rushed over to help me get out, then tied her off as Isy had by then gotten her ass alongside (the boats that is).
 So with me soaked and both our nerves very rattled we sat down and surveyed the mess below. Mostly just things thrown around and not damaged, but still its a bit demoralizing.
 So a train ticket or carry on?
Weve booked in for a week so we can have a good go over the boat and secure things more and tidy up. Look for a nav system and have the hydraulic steering checked as its playing up. Definiteley plan the weather more before leaving, and decide to come back if it gets worse rather than carry on. Hey were still learning.
One thing thats obvious is the boat is capable of handling far more than what we went through today, its so strong and the motor gives us the power we need to get through. We are the ones who need to get ourselves organized better.

Us safely in the marina...finally...........

Just to show it is worth it......sunset the night before at St Bees Island............