Marina Notes November 2009
Marina YE is at present hosting a visit for the Spring Racing Carnival from the vessel Seven Star. Seven Star is a 30 metre, Azimut design motor yacht. On route from Perth to Brisbane, all on board Seven Star are impressed with Melbourne’s Docklands and Marina YE.
The same cannot be said for the journey from Perth across the Great Australian Bight though.
About half way across the Bight, Seven Star experienced 45 knot winds and seven metre seas.
Although Seven Star’s passage was set to cruise at 10.5 knots, the force of the following wind and sea pushed her along at 14.5 knots. At times she surfed down the waves at 21 knots in what were severe conditions.
During one of these surfing experiences the force of the seas smashed a porthole on the starboard side which resulted in water damage below deck.
Seven Star is a large vessel by any standard but the conditions were extreme and forced her to take refuge in the small fishing village of Robe in South Australia.
The entrance to the lake at Robe is not deep and Seven Star had only inches of clearance between her keel and the bottom when she finally entered, still in 35 knot winds.
After a two-day layover at Robe she continued her journey to Marina YE.
The journey took 10 days including the two-day layover.
While those on board are enjoying the races, Seven Star is having the below deck damage repaired and carpets dried before continuing on to Brisbane in what is hoped will be better conditions.
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