Year 2 -26 June 2025 – Breakwater Marina- Townsville- Sorting Out Day

I slept well until 4.00am then tossed and turned but fell asleep again until 7.40am. I felt much better after the journey. We had fruit and yoghurt for breakfast and the sun was out. It felt good to be back in Oz with a clear blue sky and warm sun. It was a very pleasant temperature.

After breakfast I sorted out my cabin and navigation station and went through the galley and put things back in the right places where they were put away wrongly. I did some washing and inside Stormbird was clean and tidy and the guys had left it well when they left Townsville. However, the outside and cockpit was covered in dust and dirt and what appeared to be bits of ashes probably coming from the coal transportation port. Mark and I set about washing the deck and before long she looked a better boat.

The lines were not set properly on the pontoon so we set about changing them to how I like it and making sure the fenders were in the right place etc. By the time we had done this it was time for lunch and we made wraps with salad and tuna. I had put on the freezer but unfortunately it did not work and as usual I think it would be due to lack of coolant gas. This seems to happen every time I turn it off. Luckily the guy who repaired the bow thruster also does refrigeration. I contacted him and he will look at this when he comes tomorrow. The is always something.

After lunch I went through the outside of the boat with Mark and then I cleaned and polished the cockpit and woodwork inside. We went and did a shop mid-afternoon to stock up for a few days until we do some major provisioning before we leave Townsville. We had decided to try a pizza restaurant which had been recommended which was on the roof of a hotel in town called Amarti’s. We therefore showered and headed off and found the Rambutan Hotel and Amarti’s was on the roof. It was quite nice but you could hear the traffic below a bit. We had a good pizza each which were enjoyable and it felt good to have made progress today. There is plenty more to do tomorrow but at least we have made a start.

I was a little concerned to see a sign at the end of the pontoon stating that crocodiles had been seen in the area!!!. (see the picture of the day) It’s a great country but all the wildlife seems to want to kill you!.   

Queensland is home to both saltwater (estuarine) and freshwater crocodiles. Saltwater crocodiles are the larger, more dominant species, found in coastal areas and waterways from Gladstone north, including the Gulf of Carpentaria and Torres Strait. Freshwater crocodiles are typically smaller and inhabit freshwater environments, but both species can be present in the same areas. Being "Crocwise" is crucial when near any water body in Queensland, as both species can pose a threat. 

Saltwater Crocodiles:

·   Habitat:

Estuarine crocodiles are found in a wide range of coastal and inland waterways, including rivers, creeks, swamps, lagoons, and even offshore islands of the Great Barrier Reef. They are also known to inhabit beaches and oceans. 

·   Aggression:

Saltwater crocodiles are powerful predators and can be aggressive, especially towards humans, so it's crucial to be vigilant in their habitat. 

·   Size:

They are the largest of the crocodile species, with males reaching lengths of up to 7 meters. 

·   Bite Force:

They have the strongest bite force of any animal in the world. 

Freshwater Crocodiles:

·   Habitat: Freshwater crocodiles are generally found in freshwater environments like rivers, creeks, and billabongs.

·   Size: They are considerably smaller than saltwater crocodiles.

·   Temperament: While they are not considered as dangerous as saltwater crocodiles, they can still bite if provoked. 

Safety Precautions:

·   Obey Warning Signs:

Always heed crocodile warning signs and stay away from areas where they are present. 

·   Be Aware of Surroundings:

Be aware of your surroundings, especially near water, and look for signs of crocodile activity like slide marks. 

·   Don't Swim in Unsafe Areas:

Avoid swimming in areas where crocodiles may be present, even if there are no warning signs. 

·   Keep a Safe Distance:

Maintain a safe distance from the water's edge, especially when fishing or cleaning fish. 

·   Don't Feed Crocodiles:

Never feed crocodiles or leave food scraps near the water's edge, as this can attract them and make them reliant on humans for food. 

·   Report Sightings:

Report any crocodile sightings to the appropriate authorities using the QWildlife app or by calling 1300 130 372. 

·   Be Crocwise | Environment, land and water - Queensland Government

Crocodile habitat starts at Gladstone and extends north to the Torres Strait, across Cape York Peninsula and into the Gulf of Carp...

Queensland Government

Need/Opportunity Year Three

In year three I will be going from Thailand to Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and then on to Chagos, Mauritius, Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK.  I am looking for crew from Mauritius/ Reunion Island to Cape Town and from Cape Town to the UK. If of any interest do email me.

The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com