Sunday, 7 October
I woke up at 0800, checked around the boat and listened to the weather forecast on the vhf radio which was followed by a Covid-19 message. This message caused me some alarm, as Darwin was in ‘lock-down’ and I wondered if I would be allowed in. I therefore called the Entry Operations Centre and they confirmed I should proceed to the Cullen Bay Pontoon on Monday morning for inward clearance, and for the in-water biosecurity treatment. Relieved, I prepared the fenders and mooring lines accordingly, then stowed the head sails, put the covers on the main and mizzen sails, and stowed all the gear I would not be using again.
The weather was particularly hot and humid, and the temperature inside the saloon reached 38˚C in the afternoon. I ran the engine for a while to recharge the batteries and keep the small fridge running.
Monday, 8 October
I weighed anchor at 0700 shortly before high water so that I could approach Cullen Bay pontoon when the tidal stream was slack and berth over high water.
I had been told no one would be allowed to take my lines or otherwise assist me in berthing alongside the pontoon. Mooring therefore, was going to be a challenge especially without a bow thruster and a long keeled boat which is unpredictable when going astern.
My first attempt at berthing was going well but I was just a little too far from the pontoon to be able to put the mooring lines over the bollards on my own. On the second attempt I got closer in; and I managed to put the forward and after spring lines on the same bollard, and manoeuvre the boat alongside so as to be able to put on the stern line. I had to go ashore briefly though to put on the bow line on. The pontoon was then largely deserted, and I never came into close contact with anyone in the few seconds I was on the pontoon. I did however, receive a gentle slap on the wrist for doing so.
The authorities in Darwin have been clearing boats inwards during the pandemic now for some months and impressed me with their efficiency and helpfulness. They were done with me by 1030 when Drew and his diving team then inspected the underwater hull of Shahna Bacal, and put chemicals in my sea water intakes. I was then directed to proceed to the bio-security anchorage just outside the Cullen Bay breakwater entrance, where I was to carry out the chemical treatment on the sea water system for the engine.
Letting go and getting off the pontoon was less of a problem, and I anchored shortly before noon in position 12˚26.9S; 130˚49.1E. From the chart I estimated the water depth to be about 3 metres or so, but as the height of the tide at low water was only 0.3 metres, I left the engine running to charge the batteries again and until low water had passed, in case the boat started to take the ground and I needed to move into deeper water. As it was, the boat remained well afloat and as low water passed I stopped the engine and carried out the required chemical treatment.
I confirmed with Dani at Tipperary Waters Marina that I would be berthing port side to the berth which is almost directly opposite the lock gates, and re-rigged the fenders and mooring lines accordingly.
Tuesday, 9 November
I got up during the night to be on standby again during low water, and then again at 0530 to ready the boat for moving to the Tipperary Waters Marina. My plan again, was to weigh anchor shortly before high water so as to arrive at the lock gates for the marina on high water when the tide would be slack.
I weighed anchor accordingly, at 0630 and motored slowly around to the marina, enjoying the view of the city of Darwin from close off-shore. Navigating up the creek was interesting too, with the many small boats on moorings and at anchor.
I was off the marina by 0800 as planned although I had just passed the entrance when Dani called me on the vhf to let me know. I turned around and manoeuvred into the lock without much difficulty and then onto the berth. As before, no one was allowed to help me or handle my lines, and it took me a while to get the boat properly in position and all fast alongside the berth.
I then spent the next 1.5 hours battening down the boat for my absence, until a policeman arrived at 1030 to escort me in a special Covid-19 taxi to the Howard Springs Reception Facility where I was to spend the next 14 days in quarantine.
