In this issue: Lost at Sea - The challenge of ocean racing The cruise you have when not cruising Anchoring Tips
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
LAKE MACQUARIE YACHT CLUB
CRUISING DIVISION
July 2020 No. 367
In this issue:
Lost at Sea — The challenge of ocean racing
The cruise you have when not cruising
Anchoring Tips
Silk waiting patiently to sail again
Photo by Lanyuan Wang
Cedit Sailmagazine https://www.sailmagazine.com/multihulls/best-anchoring-practices-for-your-catamaran
Page 2 LAKE MACQUARIE YACHT CLUB CRUISING DIVISION
Skippers Report 3
Covid 19 CD Update 4
Lost at Sea 5
Recent ‘Cruising’ 7
A History of LMYC CD 8
Technical Tips - Anchoring 10
Book Reviews 12
CD Calendar of Events 2020-21 13-14
Cruising Division Executive
Skipper: Committee
Tony Austin 0416266947 Trevor Smith 0413719329 Michael Norwood 0401622954
Secretary: Ken Archer 4946 7751 Maureen Seysener 4975 2561
Cath Austin 4946 9928 Rob & Karen Black 0417215300
Treasurer:
Ross Shirtley 4945 0641
Cruising Division Editor: Please address all letters for the Cruising Division to:
Any articles for the Cruiseletter can be sent to LMYC CRUISING DIVISION
Cruiseletter Editor David Baker, preferably in MS Ada Street
Word format. Belmont NSW 2280
dragonflydbl@gmail.com (0427 317109) Alternatively, letters for the Cruising Division may be left
by 25th of each month. in the ‘pigeon hole’ at the LMYC office.
LAKE MACQUARIE YACHT CLUB CRUISING DIVISION PAGE 3
by Tony Austin
Greetings fellow CD Members,
We hope that you and your families are well and have managed to get through this phase of the
COVID-19 pandemic relatively unscathed. It has been an extremely challenging (and often
stressful) time for many of our members - especially for those with families who live distant from
Lake Macquarie. The situation here in NSW is looking very promising although we are definitely
not out of the woods yet as we have seen recently in VIC.
LMYC is slowly getting back to normal and the crowds are returning. Ross Shirtley and I were at
the Club on Friday to install our new CD Storage Cabinet in the office area (think Laurel and
Hardy on a bad day!) and the place was humming. Racing starts on Wednesday 1 July so we
are now able to recommence our on water activities, provided we all observe the relevant
COVID-19 Safety Plans.
Despite the restrictions many CD members have been busy working on their boats. We have
had several replace their standing rigging, even more slip and anti-foul and a few brave souls
even re-galvanise their anchors. Some have even gone sailing!!
Last week I had the pleasure of representing the CD at an online workshop reviewing the LMCC
Coastal Management Plan (CMP). This plan was last published in 2015 and Council is keen to
get community feedback before revising the plan. It was an interesting session with about 40
participants. Needless to say the technology was the weak link and very little was actually
achieved despite the best efforts of the organisers. Hopefully our next sessions will be face to
face meetings.
Our first ‘live’ CD meeting will be the deferred CD AGM which will be held on Monday 13 July at
7pm in the Marquee. We will be working hard with the Club to ensure that this meeting complies
with the current COVID-19 distancing requirements and is conducted in safe and responsible
manner. Please come along and join us in this very important part of our activity calendar.
Very best wishes and Safe Sailing,
Tony
Tony Austin
Skipper
Dates to look forward to
1. LMYC AGM is scheduled for Tuesday 28 July. We actively encourage CD members to at-
tend to ‘wave the flag’ for the CD.
2. The CD Activity for September will be the LMYC Sail Past (Official opening of the sailing
season) on Saturday 5 September. This will be followed by a CD activity (Shared Meal -
subject to COVID-19 restrictions).
3. The CD Skills Day activity scheduled for 14 August will use the ‘Alternate Skippers Manual’
as a guide for the day’s activities.
Page 4 LAKE MACQUARIE YACHT CLUB CRUISING DIVISION
1. Try to avoid moving to Victoria for now;
2. Regular sailing and shore activities are now permissible in NSW but at all Cruising Division
activities we will seek to observe appropriate social distancing;
3. If you feel unwell with flu-like symptoms quarantine yourself and get a Covid Test before
engaging in any social activities (don’t go shopping on the way home from the test).
While points 1 and 3 are light-hearted, Coronavirus is no joking matter as I am sure you know.
One of the online sailing blogs that I have occasionally followed is Patrick Childress Sailing.
Patrick has written and filmed some very interesting material as he and his wife Rebecca sailed
their Valiant 40 around the globe.
Sadly, they both contracted Covid 19 in South Africa. Patrick ignored the symptoms for a while
as they were not severe. Patrick passed away after two weeks of hospitalization. Rebecca is now
trying to decide what to do as she makes life decisions and grieves her loss.
Be wise and be careful my sailing friends.
David (Editor)
Explore the North!
17-19th July
With the shortest day of the year well behind us it’s time to get
out on our boats and head north!
Depending on the weather we plan to ......
Meet up at Styles Point - Friday afternoon
Weigh anchor - Saturday morning
Sail to a safe anchorage - Green Pt / Blackjacks Pt / Marmong Pt for an
overnight stay
Enjoy morning tea ashore - Sunday morning.
In line with the demands for safe distancing please be aware that when
ashore we need to maintain 1.5m.
Hope you can join us! Keep an eye on our CD Facebook page for last minute
details and tune your radio to Ch 72 on the day.
See you there!
LAKE MACQUARIE YACHT CLUB CRUISING DIVISION PAGE 5
Ray Kiely
As we head back into sailing and perhaps consider heading out to sea for a trip up or down our
wonderful coastline, it is imperative that we become avid weather watchers. Even the experts can
get caught out with the sudden onset of the dreaded East Coast Low. Fortunately, we now have
some very reliable online weather assets that were not available decades ago.
Ray has kindly contributed a story as he remembers the tragic event that claimed the life of Wal
Russell, a LMYC member and very experienced sailor. Ray’s story is not an official thing, it is the
sum of the many discussions that followed. Ray originally wrote this story a few weeks after the
event when there was a lot of information available both at the Club and in the media. But first
some background.
The 1984 Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race started with
a fleet of 150 yachts, but 104 retired in the face of 'strong
to gale force' southerly winds that battered the fleet. Line
honours was won by the 78ft 6' Lion of New Zealand
skippered by Sir Peter Blake, but many yachts, especially
the smaller ones, suffered damage and withdrew. Inci-
dentally, Lion New Zealand returned 25 years later to sail
the 2009 Sydney to Hobart under very different weather
conditions. Now to Ray’s story...
On Friday 27th January 1984 in the early evening the
38’ (11.6m Northshore 38) yacht Yahoo 11 with an LMYC
crew was off the NSW south coast and running north under storm jib and fully reefed mainsail.
The seas were malevolent with gale force winds and, having earlier suffered hull damage, the
experienced and prudent crew had made the decision to
retire from the 1984 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
In the cockpit, the helmsman battled endlessly to keep the
yacht on her feet as the following seas built up under her
pushing her forward and down the steep face of the
waves, some of which broke aboard as the little boat
crested. Also in the cockpit was Wally Russell observing
and advising the helmsman of the situation astern. At this
point owner and skipper John Elgar emerged from the
cabin, attaching his safety harness to a strong point as he
slid along to where he could hear Wal explain the circum-
stances. Wal would tell him what the weather was doing,
The Wizard owned by Ray and Beth Daw-
the pattern of the waves, the compass course, the location kins, long time Members of the CD was a
of nearby yachts and where he might expect to see a light- sister ship to Yahoo 11
house later in the watch. All standard stuff for an experi-
enced crew and in all it took about ten to twelve minutes.
Wal unclipped his safety harness and slid along to the main hatch in preparation for going below.
Without warning the yacht slewed sideways, pushed out of control by a wall of foaming water and
whilst still pinned down she was raked by another two large waves. Slowly, ever so slowly she
righted herself with water cascading from her decks and out of the cockpit and as the water
cleared, and as the helmsman struggled to gain control, he saw that Wal was no longer there,
and then he heard him shout. He had been washed from the cockpit but was close by.
In the knockdown the mainsail had ripped and was bordering on useless to maneuver with. An
attempt was made to start the motor but salt water had permeated the fuel system and it kicked
and spluttered and ran only for a few seconds. Slowly, but ever so slowly, the boat came around
and headed back, a difficult task now with almost only the storm jib. Around she came but was
now facing into the teeth of the gale and seas.PAGE 6 LAKE MACQUARIE YACHT CLUB CRUISING DIVISION Difficult though it may have been, the helmsman had to judge carefully, too close and the rising and falling bow could kill the man in the water, but how close is close in the big sea now rolling towards them. Yahoo 11 did in fact pass close enough for one of the crew to get a hand to Wally but the boat lifted away on a passing wave and he could not maintain his hold, but other crewmen deployed a life ring and Dan Buoy over the side within easy reach of Wally. The Dan buoy floated six feet above the water and had an orange flag and strobe light attached, and a crewman was detailed to keep Wally in sight. Tortuously the boat came around burying in the troughs, climbing slowly up and around as the helmsman followed the pointing arm down, and up again as the seas once more came from ahead. Wally was still there but never made it to the life ring for he was floating face down and then they lost sight of him in the failing light and big seas, although they made several more passes. He was never seen again. Wal Russell was the first person lost at sea in the then 40 year history of the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race and unfortunately he would not be the last. The press gave his age as 74. John Elgar and his crew were com- mended both for their radio work and their handling of the trage- dy. Wal was no novice sailor. He had extensive sailing experience as well as ocean racing, and knew the risks. The Yacht Club was advised of Wal’s loss late in the evening and the Sec. Manager Alan Patterson rang me and asked if I could go and tell Wally’s wife. The following morning Tom Michilis (Commodore 1979-81), Bob Pascoe and I went to see Alice and members of the family to offer our condolences. The tragedy hit the family very hard, but Wal Russell is remem- bered today in the Awabakal Nature Reserve walking trail. A sec- tion 274m long that is suitable for handicapped people to enjoy was conceived by Wal Russell in 1982. Vale Wal Russell. Editorial: What do I, as a fellow sailor take away from this? The crew appear to have done all the right things with the equipment that was available at the time, but were not able to retrieve the man overboard in those sea conditions. Really, for me, the lesson is an old one. Never unclip from one tether until I have clipped onto a new one - no matter how close the companionway is to the helm. It is often the small things that trip us up, which reminds me of a personal faux pas that could have been tragic. As a young man in the navy I agreed to take a junior sailor out onto Port Philip Bay to learn a little about sailing one of the ship’s dinghies. I had grown up on the water in a different era and life jackets were not part of my thinking as they are now, so I forgot to check that the life jackets were stowed, much less worn. Inevitably we capsized, and as I was showing him how to right a Bosun’s Dinghy the young fel- low started drifting away spluttering that he couldn’t swim very well. Fortunately the incident ended without tragedy, but the Captain’s reprimand, and the fright of nearly drowning someone, has ensured that life jackets are part of my thinking ever since.
LAKE MACQUARIE YACHT CLUB CRUISING DIVISION PAGE 7
Spur of the Moment....! By Maureen Seysener
With State restrictions lifted on the number of people
allowed to gather outdoors and the weather promising
to be fine for the weekend of Fri 29 May (and ‘Stoked’
looking a little lonely on her mooring) we decided to test
the water and see if any friends were also planning to
enjoy the last of the benign autumn weather. A simple
post on the CD Facebook page on Friday morning to
state our planned anchorage at Styles Point plus an in-
vite to a socially distanced happy hour and we were off! Social Distancing at Styles Point
As the afternoon rolled on it was wonderful to see
boats trickle in and settle down for a lazy couple of
hours aboard before puttering ashore at 1600 for a
long anticipated catch up with good friends. Silk, Dou-
ble Fun, KRACKT, Kombali II, Reggae Beat, Chandon,
Windsong, Moondance, Saaremaa and Reverie had all
responded to our impromptu Facebook invitation plus
the crew from Migaloo and others who went the extra
“Ah the serenity” at Styles. mile and drove around to join in the fun.
Photo Maureen Seysener
As with all CD gatherings the laughter and conversa-
tion flowed freely ‘til a cooling breeze had us heading back to our boats once the sun had set .
Many chose to stay overnight and share breakfast ashore the following morning which provided
ample opportunity to spend time with those who missed the previous afternoon.
One comment oft repeated over the past few months is that people have missed not only con-
tact with their families but also the companionship with their friends. Thankyou to all who came
along – it was wonderful to see you all again!
Wangi Ramble
Ever dropped anchor in a little bay at the end of Wangi Point (locally known as ‘Stinky
Bay’ (sometimes for very good reason) and wondered what lay ashore? If you love the bush
and don’t mind a rambling, narrow walking track then this might appeal.
The Circuit Trail will take you around Stinky Bay, through lightly wooded bushland, dipping
down into a ‘rainforesty’ type gully before returning you to your original starting point near the
caravan park. Accomplished in 45-60 minutes this is a relatively easy walk despite being largely
on an unformed path flattened mainly by the thousands of feet that have trod it prior to your ar-
rival. You can even drop down onto the very end of Wangi Point and enjoy the sandy beach
and watch the passing parade!PAGE 8 LAKE MACQUARIE YACHT CLUB CRUISING DIVISION Compiled by Life Member Mike Collins. It seems that Moonlight Cruises were very popular in the 90’s as were training events. Hopefully we can explore some of these interesting activities in the post coronavirus era.
LAKE MACQUARIE YACHT CLUB CRUISING DIVISION PAGE 3
LAKE MACQUARIE YACHT CLUB CRUISING DIVISION
In the June Cruiseletter Greg discussed the importance of understanding the Critical Force that
a vessel applies to the anchor rode due to drag. We take up the discussion with a brief recap
of Critical Force and look at ways to apply this to a specific vessel.
The Physics of Anchoring: Practical Application Greg Barnicoat, Escapades
Critical Force
When anchoring we want to know how much Diagram A
chain should be let out for the expected wind
strength as the anchor provides the maximum
holding force when pulled horizontally.
So, we want to know the critical force that just
lifts all of the chain off the seabed as any in-
creased force will result in an upward force on
the anchor. See the red chain in the figure.
The length of chain, L can be calculated as:
L ≈ √(2xHxC),
Where H is the height of the bow roller above the
sea bed, and the factor C is the ratio of the wind drag to weight of the chain (in water) per
metre. C = F/m. Note that the chain length depends on the square root of the water depth
and is not a simple ratio.
Alternatively, we can calculate the maximum force Fc, and hence wind speed, for a given
chain length and water depth.
Fc =m x L2/2H
This equation can be written in a more useful form as
Fc= (L/H) x M/2 Where M is the total weight (in water) of the chain, M =m x L.
The chain length to water depth ratio acts as a multiplier for half the total weight of the chain.
Note: The critical force is also important when anchored in a tidal current, since the an-
chor many not reset when the current changes direction if the chain has an upward
force.
Practical use of the formula.
Preparation
Make a table of the wind force on your boat at 10, 20, 30 and 40kts.
Make a table of the weight of your chain in water for various lengths up to the maximum
length of the chain. Eg at 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 m etc.
Application
Determine the maximum expected wind strength, and hence the maximum drag force.
Determine the maximum water depth as this will vary with tide.
Calculate the critical force for a trial chain length.
Calculate L/H, divide by two and multiple by the weight of the chain.
This is the critical Force; it should be larger than the expected maximum wind drag.The following examples illustrate the importance of the water depth. Note H is the height of the bow roller above the seabed.. Example 1 10m mono in 15m of water and a wind of 20 kt. If the chain is 8mm and the anchor is a 10 kg Rocna. Then the maximum wind drag is 163 daN. The effective weight of the chain is 0.87 x 1.45 kg = 1.26 kg/m Then 60 m of chain (L/H=4) will weigh 76 kg in water. The Critical Force is 4 X 76/2 = 151 daN. In this case there will be some angulation of the anchor, but in mud the anchor could be ex- pected to have a holding force of more than 1000 daN. The skipper should look for shallower wa- ter if gusting is expected, which is likely if it blowing at 20kts. In 10 m of water (L/H=6), the critical force would be 228 daN and you sleep a little better. Example 2 12.8m mono in 15m of water and a wind of 20kt. The chain is 10mm and a 17kg CQR anchor- Escapades Then the maximum wind drag is 228 daN. The effective weight of the chain is 0.87 x 2.3 kg = 2.0 kg/m Then 60m of chain (L/H=4) will weigh 120 kg in water. The Critical Force is 4 X 120/2 = 240 daN. In mud, the holding force of the CQR is about 1200 daN. Gusting winds could be a problem. Example 3 11.6m mono with winds gusting to 30kt and 9mm chain, m = 2kg/m. Now the wind drag is 419 daN. 60 m of chain in water has a weight of 104 kg. The wind drag is 4 times the weight of the chain, then L/H needs to be 8 !! So the maximum water depth to anchor in is 60/8 = 7.5m. Probably OK in Lake Macquarie (mud), but not if anchored off one of the Whitsunday islands where the holding in sand is unknown. Anchor Alarms I always use an anchor drag alarm. Mine is a hand held GPS near the bunk using an anchor drag function. I don’t use the chart plotter as it uses a lot more current and is located in the cock- pit. There are many phone based Anchor Alarm Apps that use the built in GPS. It is not uncommon to get false alarms when the GPS reference satellites change resulting in short term changes in the GPS position.
LAKE MACQUARIE YACHT CLUB CRUISING DIVISION PAGE 12 One of my more recent book readings might be considered somewhat unusual for a sailing enthusiast but it was, after all, an engrossing tale of the sea. The book is Catching Thunder written by Eskil Engdal and Kjetil Sӕter and published by Scribe. The book records the challenges faced and overcome by the crew of the Sea Shepherd ships Bob Barker and Sam Simon as they engaged in what is purported to be the longest sea chase in modern history. The goal was to catch the illegal fishing vessel Thunder as it plundered the endangered Patagonian toothfish in the supposedly protected southern ocean reserves, and sold their catch at prices that rival drug trafficking and the slave trade. I found the story, though long, (the chase lasted 110 days) to be quite intriguing. I quickly overcame my suspicion of Sea Shepherd and admired the seamanship of the captains and their crews as they followed the ship to its final des- tination. In the process Sea Shepherd managed to forge a back-channel connection with Interpol as the whole saga demonstrated the inadequacy of international law to deal with crime on the high seas. Australia and New Zealand did not come out of the saga looking good, restrained as their governments were by international law and the difficulty of boarding a flagged vessel in interna- tional waters, even though it turned out that the ships belonging to the poaching fleet were not legally flagged in the first place. The story concludes with the trial of the senior officers and the final destruction of the criminal network behind the poaching. It does not, however, provide hope that international bodies will find the resolve to deal with the issue of illegal fishing and whaling in the southern ocean. I was sufficiently intrigued by the book that I followed it up by watching the well constructed doco that is available from various sources including 7 Plus at this address: https://7plus.com.au/ocean-warriors-chasing-the-thunder Muzzle Your Multi If you sail a catamaran you might like to find a copy of the June edition of Cruising Helmsman. Inside you will find an extensive article, starting on Page 40, discussing the rationale and meth- ods for developing a more effective bridle system for anchoring in a range of conditions. The article discusses the shortcomings of most snubbers on both cats and monohulls and the need for effective chain stoppers to take the load off the winch in the event of a snubber or bridle failing. There is also quite a discussion of the pros and cons of various types of chain hook, and the author, Jon Neeves, writes about the process he engaged in to develop a better method of connecting the snubber to the chain. As a mono sailor I found many interesting ideas in the article and thoroughly recommend it.
LAKE MACQUARIE YACHT CLUB CRUISING DIVISION PAGE 13
LMYC CD Calendar of Events – 2020 & 2021
NB: All Committee and General Meetings are held in the Bridgedeck Room at LMYC. Start times
are 4 pm for Committee and 7.00 pm for General meetings. On water activities will generally
start on the Friday and finish on the Sunday. Coffee mornings start at 10.15 am - shared be-
tween LMYC and western side of lake - check Facebook for details.
A date is now set for the 2021 Pittwater Cruise: 14 - 26 February at Pittwater.
Date Event Comment
2020
11 May General Meeting Guest Speaker: CAPT Malcom Goodfellow
15-17 May Lake Cruise & Soup Day. Lake Mac: Co-ordinator -
Rathmines Catalina Festival Next festival is 2021
25 May Coffee Morning Co-ordinator: Krackt. Location:
25 May Committee Meeting
TBC LMYC AGM
8 June General Meeting Guest Speakers:
12-14 June Newcastle Cruise
29 June Coffee Morning Co-ordinator: Krackt. Location:
29 June Committee Meeting
TBC Float Your Boat Dress up your boat on Lake Mac.
13 July General Meeting Guest Speaker:
17-19 July Explore the North Location: Lake Cruise, Co-ordinator:
27 July Coffee Morning Co-ordinator: Krackt. Location:
27July Committee Meeting
28 July LMYC AGM
10 August General Meeting Guest Speaker:
14 August Skills Day Lake Mac: Alternate Skippers Manual
31 August Coffee Morning Co-ordinator: Krackt. Location:
31 August Committee Meeting
5 September LMYC Sailing Season Opening All Invited to show the CD flag
14 September General Meeting Guest Speaker:
18-20 September Cruise – Shared meal at Co-ordinator:
Brown’s Bay
28 September Coffee Morning Co-ordinator: Krackt. Location:
28 September Committee Meeting
12 October General Meeting Guest Speaker
16 - 24 October Ivan Irwin Cruise Locatioon: Lake Mac; Theme
26 October Coffee Morning Co-ordinator: Krackt. Location:
26 October Committee MeetingDate Event Comment 9 November General Meeting Guest Speaker: 13-15 November Cruise to Port Stephens Location: Lake. Theme: 30 November Coffee Morning Co-ordinator: Krackt. Location: 30 November Committee Meeting 14 December Christmas Party LMYC Marquee – Starts at 1800 hrs. 31 December New Years Eve Cruise Location: TBA 2021 11 January General Meeting 25 January Coffee Morning Co-ordinator: Krackt. Location: 25 January Committee Meeting 26 January Australia Day & Family Outing Co-ordinator: TBC Location: Black Jack’s Point 8 February General Meeting Guest Speaker: 12-14 February Monthly Activity Location & Co-ordinator: Seeking a Volunteer February Coffee Morning Co-ordinator: Krackt. Location: TBC February Committee Meeting 14 - 26 February Annual Pittwater Cruise NEW DATE 27 February Sydney Harbour Mini Cruise 6 March LMYC Commodore’s Charity Ball 8 March General Meeting & AGM Guest Speaker: Nil due to AGM To be confirmed CD members are reminded that participation in CD activities is entirely volun- tary. It is the responsibility of the skipper of the vessel to ensure that the ves- sel and crew are adequately prepared for the conditions that might occur during the activity.
You can also read
