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Getting back to cruising – 2021 Lord Howe Island BBQ

By Denis Doyle, owner of Ariki Tai

Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the Lord Howe Island BBQ was on for 2021!

There was unpredictable strong weather prevailing for planned departures and arrival in Lord Howe Island (LHI) during the week prior and nine boats made plans to catch a suitable window and departure port to make the 428nm passage.

Sweet Chariot left early in the week, planning a side trip to Elizabeth or Middleton Reef, but weather had her heading straight to LHI. Fidelis chose later in the week, with challenging weather predicted on arrival to LHI.

After cruising in Port Stephens for a few weeks, Ariki Tai delayed departure until some easing of very strong westerly winds in Port Stephens on Saturday morning and because of strong winds forecast on arrival at LHI.

We took great care to exit the marina and Port Stephens heads, then had fast reaching conditions heading north for 80nm or so in 25-28kts with a reasonable seaway. 

We were looking to sail away from increasing pressure moving in from the south and to head east later that night. The wind did shift to SW 35 kts with a period of 45kts and a very confused seaway.

All our experience onboard came to good use and we were headed east at good speed with time running out. The strong winds persisted for 8-12 hours and then settled 18-25 kts. It was fast sailing for the next 24 hours as we sped towards LHI and our mooring in North Passage, arriving 1800hrs Tuesday 16 November 2021 as the BBQ kicked off.

We enjoyed a super welcome from the yachts preceding us.

Fidelis & Heather Mist arrived three days earlier but had been directed to anchor on the east side of LHI at Middle Beach to wait for better conditions to take up their moorings on the western side in South Passage.

Sweet Chariot, having arrived earlier in the week to a mooring in South Passage and although safe, endured the rock & roll for those days.  All took up accommodation ashore.

Clive Wilson was ever present to regale all with fascinating history of the island.

Felicity Nelson and Alex Seja brought Sequel over – was this a warm up for Felicity’s 25th Sydney Hobart Yacht Race?

All departed LHI over the next few days and although there was lots of rain, it was not entirely unwelcome, as it gave the boats a good washdown of the accumulated salt from the previous weeks’ wild weather.

The return was generally fast in more favourable winds. Several boats worked HF skeds at sea and all were satellite connected via Iridium Go/Satphone for exchange of weather and general information. Comms with LHI are by VHF.  All returned to Australia successfully and planning is now underway for 2022. 

If you are considering doing this cruise, book a mooring and accommodation early and start planning and preparing your boat and crew to cruise to one of the world’s most magical destinations.

Nine boats were in attendance for the 2021 BBQ and much socialising followed for next few days: Heather Mist, Indefensible, Sequel, Double Dutch, Spindrift, Fidelis, Sweet Chariot, Ariki Tai and Drive.

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