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Rottnest Convoy - 2007
Rottnest convoy 2007 ( or.. Didnt we have a lovely time the day we went to Rotto !)
After the weather of the previous week, which saw our forward group delayed until Friday, Saturday was brilliant. A slight chop and only a light south easterly breeze. Convoy group 1 were all off the Point Robert marker by 0715, awaiting Ruby A II, and by 0730 we were underway.
An easy 15 knots was acheived and we were soon up to 20 knots for the run to Warnbro leads. Once through the leads, "MOFSC COMET QUEEN" too the lead to Rottnest, Ruby A II returning to meet convoy group 2 some 30 minutes behind, with Warren Usher's boat "Merlot" in the lead. Both groups travelled to the west of Garden island maintaining a steady 20 knots in what could be described as light seas.
Group 1 entered Thompsons Bay at 0915 and proceeded to their moorings to be met by the Friday crew of Carl Segreto, Adrian Houldsworth, Graeme Colmer, Bevan Eathorne and others who made life easy during the tie up. Group 2 arrived shortly after and by late morning all were in Rottnest mode.
Saturday nights Hawaiian beach party was a great night apart from the fact the BBQ's had not worked for quite sometime, but we got by. Who needs entertainment when you have a Sergeant At Arms like Graeme Colmer and his crew of Alan Raynor, Carl Segreto and John Stocking. I dont think many missed out.. I copped about $10.00 worth.
Allan Raynor: - for letting Graeme Colmers tender drift away
Graeme Colmer:- Left his fresh water running down the drain whilst chatting on the phone.
:- Couldnt start his outboard ( Helps if the lanyard is plugged in )
Lee Grainger:-boat name "Leeuwin", for $2.00 became "Leeu Lose"
Beach Pen Boats:- fined $2.00 for being in the wrong pen and $5.00 for being in the right pen
A warm welcome was given to the new members and first timers, and they were all promplty fined $2.00.
Hawaiian dress was well done as can be seen from the photos. Winner of the best costume went to Linda and Jim Thomson, and a special mention to Ivor Male's grandson Tom who looked splendid.
Sunday started with a fairly strong Easterly which fell away mid-morning, allowing a number of boats to head to the fishing and diving spots, and from what I was told, it turned out to be a fairly successful trip. Doing the rounds on Sunday morning, took acceptances for 65 starters for dinner at the Tearooms. The look on the managers face when I booked was worth money, he was a bit apprehensive but the thought of dipping out on the dollars was too much for him, so we were in. A most enjoyable evening was had by all.
Monday was a similar weather pattern, North easterly and choppy. Unfortunatley for Comet Queen we were commited to tow one of our members to Woodman Point as he had suffered a major engine failure, so off we went into it managing 6 to 8 knots to gage roads. The convoy in the capable hands of Warren Usher, Geoff Bradfield, Neil Martin and Chris Mansfield held off until eleven and by then the wind and sea had dropped right off, giving a near flat run home. My timing worked out well, as I exited Cockburn Sound via the causeway, the convoy was clearing the southern end of Cockburn Sound so it was tag on the back and head for Mandurah.