1. pets
2. aquariums

MAY 2015
NAUTI
N
Reef Anchorages
Pages 2 - 6
E
Boatique Specials
Pages 7 - 9
W
S
Naut-Tips
Page 10
iiiiiiii
‘BOATIQUE’ DEBUTS AT THE GOLD COAST INTERNATIONAL MARINE EXPO!!!
We are looking forward to many of our Crew and readers visiting us at Berth W104, Gold Coast International Marine Expo,
Gold Coast Marine Precinct, 21-24 May inclusive. Floating Impressions SHOP-aboard ‘Boatique’ on SV CatNirvana will add to
Gold Coast International Marine Expo’s already-impressive growth in exhibitors and visitors.
Expo visitors stepping aboard CatNirvana will enjoy an amazing array of ‘Cruising in Comfort’ products available for purchase,
including exciting new products like the BiC Sport Borneo Kayak and inflatable paddle boards plus the incredible GoSun
solar-powered ovens.
On board displays will again feature all of our stunning and often unique products … soft furnishings, jewellery, ENJOY
Flameless Candles, apparel including Colin Heaney designer silk resort wear & cushions, practical galley/kitchen aids,
SunPower solar panels, vessel dehumidifiers and a fun selection of water sport gear including the popular BladeFish
underwater scooter and the amazing Shark Shield shark deterrent system.
See pages 7 - 9 for our ‘Winter Boatique Cruise Specials’
www.floatingimpressions.com.au
1!
MAY 2015
RE E F A N CHO R AG ES
For many cruisers (your author included) one of the most appealing images of the cruising lifestyle is sitting on anchor in some
very beautiful and secluded spot, surrounded by nothing but sea and scenery…and for those cruisers (again including your
author!) prepared to see beauty in very open water, a reef anchorage is up there with the stuff of dreams. Fortunately for cruisers in
Australian waters, reef anchorages are both readily available and among the world’s best.
Let’s step back a moment to be clear on what we mean by a ‘reef anchorage’. Any feature lying beneath the surface of the water may be
called a ‘reef’. Hence there are man-made reefs, placed to improve fishing or diving, and abiotic (formed with non-living components) reefs
such as sand bars or wave eroded rocks. For our purposes here, however, we will focus on the largest and most widely distributed type of
reefs, viz. tropical coral reefs formed by the combined efforts of coral polyps and calcareous algae. Coral reefs are then further described
depending on how the reef is situated vis-à-vis nearby land…and a fringing reef is contiguous to an island; a barrier reef creates a lagoon
between the reef and the shore; an atoll is a ring reef with no land present; and so on.
Coral reefs are one of the oldest ecosystems on Earth. Although coral reefs cover only 0.2% of the total area of the oceans, they provide
habitat for at least 25% of all marine animals. Many scientists suggest that only humans can alter the surface of our planet more than the tiny
polyps that create coral reefs…and thus we cruisers need to take great care to ensure that we do nothing to harm these magnificent creatures.
Our idyllic reef anchorage is therefore within or near a coral reef…and most of our readers are blessed with the Great Barrier Reef (‘GBR’)
nearby for seeking such anchorages. The GBR is enclosed within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (‘GBRMP’) which stretches 3000Km
roughly parallel to the north east Australian coast, 65-250Km in width. The GBR itself ranges between 15-150Km off the coast and is
considered one of the seven wonders of the natural world, the only living thing on Earth that can be seen from outer space. Some notable
features describing both the spectacular beauty and the incredible biodiversity within the GBRMP would include:
• Covering 344,400Km², it is larger than the UK+Switzerland+Holland combined;
• It is the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem;
• There are >1000 islands including ~150 inshore mangrove islands, ~600 large continental islands & ~300 coral cays;
• >1500 species of tropical fish;
• >200 types of birds;
• ~20 reptiles including sea turtles and giant clams >120yrs old; and of course
• ~3000 coral reefs!
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MAY 2015
RE EF A N CH O R AG ES
continued
With the GBR being so vast, we hasten to admit that our reef anchorage experience probably amounts to no more than
one toe on the GBRMP doorstep. With that admission out of the way though, we can say confidently that CatNirvana’s reef
anchorages were among her best ever and we are happy to share those experiences with our readers here.
CatNirvana’s log records our experiences whilst anchored within the surrounding reef off Lady Musgrave Island; on
Fitzroy Reef; and on Hardy Reef. Before we turn to each of those beautiful spots though, we should begin with a few
general observations about anchoring on a reef.
152°9’0"E
Site Management Arrangements
Fitzroy Reef (23-007)
152°10’0"E
HP-23-5364
Fitzroy Reef
23-007
No Structures Area
No
23°38’0"S
23º37.416’S
152º08.820’E
23º37.081’S
152º09.398’E
g Area
Anchorin
23º37.475’S
152º09.017’E
23º37.409’S
152º09.490’E
No
An
cho
rin
gA
Polmaise Reef
Rock Cod Shoal
Llwellyn
Reef
Lamont Reef
Fitzroy Reef
Boult
Reef
rea
23º37.478’S
152º10.153’E
23º37.541’S
152º09.630’E
Anchoring Area
WARNING
152°9’0"E
23°37’0"S
Rare and
fragile corals
Anchoring Area
23º36.934’S
152º09.380’E
152°10’0"E
This map must not be used for marine navigation.
Comprehensive and updated navigation
information should be obtained from published
hydrographic charts.
Seventeen
Seventy
23°38’0"S
23°37’0"S
Popular
snorkelling area
23º37.161’S
152º08.799’E
Small Structures Area
23º36.862’S
152º09.281’E
23º36.855’S
152º09.079’E
0
300
600
Metres
0
Kilometres
20
900
Map projection: Unprojected Geographic
Horizontal Datum: Geocentric Datum of Australia, 1994
SDC050625(c) 19 May 2006
To ensure you enjoy your reef anchoring as much as possible, you should be very focused on the weather before you embark
toward the reef. Reef anchoring is almost by definition very exposed. While Lady Musgrave Island provides some theoretical
shelter, the island is small and there is no practical shelter…and in each of Fitzroy and Hardy Reefs, there is no land shelter at all. It
is therefore suggested that reef anchoring should be avoided in winds >20kn. It is particularly important to keep sea state in mind
and avoid any sort of sustained strong weather from one direction where the swell will be large and create uncomfortable (if not
dangerous) conditions inside the reef. It is easy to find reports of vessels dragging in reef anchorages, but happily we cannot add
to those reports. We were fortunate to experience near flat-calm (and truly spectacular!) conditions on both Lady Musgrave and
Hardy Reefs, but less so on Fitzroy where we found ourselves in clear but windy (15-25kn) conditions. There was no large swell
around Fitzroy so it was still enjoyable, but it was not good for snorkelling as the sea surface was just too choppy.
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!
MAY 2015
R EE F AN CH O R AGE S
continued
Having arrived at a reef, the uppermost You were following the general rule of entry, of course! – you
priorities should be safety of your vessel should be able to clearly see and avoid the coral ‘bommies’
and crew (of course) and protection of that common to every reef anchorage in our experience. There will
beautiful environment…
The most immediate safety concern (as well as the concern
to not damage the reef) will be the reef entrance…and in this
area Hardy Reef stands out, albeit in a negative way. Both Lady
Musgrave and Fitzroy presented well marked entrance channels
for CatNirvana…and even though we were a bit concerned
about the width of those channels vis-à-vis CatNirvana’s 7.7m
beam, in the result both entrances provided no problems. The
general rule is to enter a reef on a flood tide (ideally early to
also be specific areas either designated for anchoring or
especially marked ‘No Anchoring’; these GBRMP Rules are to
protect this very special environment.
When you locate a
suitable anchorage area, allowing for swing free of both other
vessels and bommies, you should pay out generous scope
reflecting the very exposed position. Our experience in all of
Lady Musgrave, Fitzroy and Hardy reefs was that there was good
holding sand available.
mid-tide) with the sun overhead; our experience confirms
following that general rule will markedly reduce stress on both
captain and crew.
Hardy Reef distinguishes itself by the
entrance being completed unmarked; not at all clear to the eye;
and with very little margin for errors…and it is therefore a
particularly strong case for following the general rule! For our
readers keen to test themselves and attempt entry into Hardy
Reef, a copy of Lucas’ Cruising the Coral Coast (or some similar
detailed cruising guide covering the area) should be studied for
useful notes on the approach…and we can advise that
CatNirvana’s log recorded the Hardy Reef entry at 19⁰43’.823S
149⁰11’.176E.
Once inside the reef, you will be looking for a suitable spot
to anchor…and your priority needs to be fully focused on not
damaging that beautiful environment. With the sun overhead –
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!
APRIL 2015
REEF ANCHORAGES
continued
Relaxing on anchor inside the reef, your eye will be drawn to the horizon. Fitzroy distinguishes itself as being completely out
of sight of land…and it is indeed an awesome sensation to feel your vessel swinging to an anchor with nothing but sea to the
horizon all around! At Hardy Reef you will see Hook Island low on the south western horizon, but ‘civilisation’ is much closer in the
form of Reef World, the large and semi-permanent community (platforms and numerous vessels) situated in the deep channel
between Hardy and Hook reefs, ~1nm from the Hardy Reef entrance. Anchoring at Lady Musgrave the Island is close at hand and
clearly visible. Even at Hardy and Lady Musgrave, however, the ‘hard’ objects seem small as compared to the vast open water.
Here are a few specific notes on each of CatNirvana’s reef anchorages…
Lady Musgrave Island Reef
Situated 52nm north of Bundaberg and 32nm northeast from the nearest mainland facilities at the Town of 1770, Lady Musgrave
Island is a 13ha coral cay with 2930ha surrounding reef. Heading north, the island is the second in the GBR island chain – The first
is Lady Elliot, 22nm to the southeast – and it is intensively used. Anchored inside the Reef, Lady Musgrave is a beautiful spot with
spectacular and immediate diving and l opportunities as well as the attractions of fascinating bird and turtle life on the Island, but
perhaps the biggest negative ‘feature’ would be the heavy and constant/daily tourist traffic visiting from 1770. When CatNirvana
anchored there we found one of the smaller tourist vessels – It appeared to be a glass bottom boat taking around the visitors who
came out to the island in the large power catamaran -- to be particularly and offensively loud for long periods during the middle of
the day…every day. We would urge any cruisers visiting Lady Musgrave to anchor well away from the island -- there is plenty of
room to do so – in which case Lady Musgrave will be an enjoyable reef anchorage.
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APRIL 2015
REEF ANCHORAGES
continued
Fitzroy Reef
Situated 37nm northeast from 1770, Fitzroy Reef is a spectacular 3650ha drying, closed-ring reef with a large deep (6-10m)
lagoon and a well-marked entry. Out of sight of land and with little in the way of visiting traffic other than a few cruisers, this
would be our Captain’s pick for the best get-away-from-it-all reef anchorage. The GBRMP information suggests there are “20
tourism operators…to Fitzroy Reef” but we either didn’t see them or they were of the live-aboard variety and thus appeared as just
another yacht…and there were only 2 other yachts on the Reef during our visit, albeit mere specs a long way away in the vast,
open water inside the Reef. With a windy stay during our visit preventing us from snorkelling , we were unable to explore what the
GBRMP describes as an area rich with sea life and very well suited to snorkelling. We will definitely be looking for an opportunity
to return to Fitzroy with a better weather window.
Hardy Reef
Situated 25nm northeast of Hook Island off the Whitsunday Island Group, Hardy Reef is a large black wall platform reef. Scientists
suggest Hardy Reef has reached its full height and is now expanding outward which means (and this is very clear to any visitors!)
there is a sheer wall along the Reef’s outer edge which drops virtually vertically down to the sea floor up to 60m below. Within
Hardy Reef are many of the smaller reef formations often seen in the spectacular aerial reef images, .e.g ‘Heart Reef’; many of
these formations are, however, in designated No Anchoring zones. As already noted, the entry to Hardy Reef is difficult, very likely
dangerous in poor conditions. The large tourist community nearby (Reef World) is busy, but not really close to the anchorage area
such that it is not overly troublesome. We were visited one evening by a group of pleasant young fellows working at Reef World
and enjoying a dive on their free time. Apart from Reef World, CatNirvana enjoyed Hardy Reef all to herself, a fact no doubt
reflecting the palpitations on her bridge and foredeck as we entered the Reef and the understandable reluctance of other vessels,
skippers and crews to put themselves through the same raised blood pressure!
Reef anchorages aren’t for everyone. However, for all those (like the Captain and Admiral on CatNirvana) in pursuit of
beauty and solitude, a reef anchorage on a fine calm day is hard to beat!
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6
APRIL 2015
‘Boutique' SPECIALS
FREE Neoprene carry bag with each
SharkShield purchase
VALUE $44.95
FREE ENJOY votive with selected
ENJOY Flameless Candle purchases
VALUE $9.95
30% off all Entia
30% off Colin Heaney
& Evoll Nautical Jewellery
Silk Designer Kaftans
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APRIL 2015
‘Boutique' SPECIALS
30% off
20% off
OceanPro Dry Bags & Beach Bags
152°9’0"E
HP-23-5364
152°10’0"E
Colin Heaney
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Site Cushion
Management Arrangements
Fitzroy Reef (23-007)
Fitzroy Reef
23-007
No Structures Area
23º37.416’S
152º08.820’E
No
23º37.081’S
152º09.398’E
g Area
Anchorin
$349 $289
23º37.475’S
152º09.017’E
23º37.409’S
152º09.490’E
No
An
cho
rin
gA
rea
23º37.478’S
152º10.153’E
23º37.541’S
152º09.630’E
23°38’0"S
AusClimate Dehumidifier inc. FREE
Anchoring Area
drainage
hose & climate gauge
Polmaise Reef
Rock Cod Shoal
Llwellyn
Reef
Lamont Reef
Fitzroy Reef
30% off
Seventeen
Seventy
0
Boult
Reef
Kilometres
20
Masks, Snorkels & Fins,
Stinger Suits & Rashies
WARNING
152°9’0"E
23°37’0"S
Rare and
fragile corals
Anchoring Area
23º36.934’S
152º09.380’E
152°10’0"E
This map must not be used for marine navigation.
Comprehensive and updated navigation
information should be obtained from published
hydrographic charts.
23°38’0"S
23°37’0"S
Popular
snorkelling area
23º37.161’S
152º08.799’E
Small Structures Area
23º36.862’S
152º09.281’E
23º36.855’S
152º09.079’E
0
300
600
Metres
900
Map projection: Unprojected Geographic
Horizontal Datum: Geocentric Datum of Australia, 1994
SDC050625(c) 19 May 2006
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8
APRIL 2015
‘Boutique' SPECIALS
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NAUTI Cushion Covers 45x45cm
NAUTI Cushion stripe Covers 45x45cm
152°9’0"E
Site Management Arrangements
Fitzroy Reef (23-007)
152°10’0"E
3 for $99
HP-23-5364
5 for $99
Fitzroy Reef
23-007
No Structures Area
No
23º37.416’S
152º08.820’E
23º37.081’S
152º09.398’E
g Area
Anchorin
EXCLUSIVE
23º37.475’S
152º09.017’E
23º37.409’S
152º09.490’E
No
An
cho
23°38’0"S
2 for $69
gA
Rock Cod Shoal
Llwellyn
Reef
Lamont Reef
Fitzroy Reef
23º37.478’S
152º10.153’E
Boult
Reef
Seventeen
Seventy
0
Kilometres
20
All specials only
available whilst
stock lasts!
WARNING
152°9’0"E
Polmaise Reef
rea
23º37.541’S
152º09.630’E
NAUTI Cushion Covers 60x60cm
Anchoring Area
rin
23°37’0"S
Rare and
fragile corals
Anchoring Area
23º36.934’S
152º09.380’E
152°10’0"E
This map must not be used for marine navigation.
Comprehensive and updated navigation
information should be obtained from published
hydrographic charts.
23°38’0"S
23°37’0"S
Popular
snorkelling area
23º37.161’S
152º08.799’E
Small Structures Area
23º36.862’S
152º09.281’E
23º36.855’S
152º09.079’E
0
300
600
Metres
900
Map projection: Unprojected Geographic
Horizontal Datum: Geocentric Datum of Australia, 1994
SDC050625(c) 19 May 2006
Offer expires 12 July 2015
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APRIL 2015
NAU TI T IP S
Protect your Fridge Compressors …
One of the features that we really love on CatNirvana is her refrigeration systems. With 2 x 80L refrigerators (one used for
food and the other for the bar) and a brilliant 80L freezer, our cruising days/weeks/months never really experience any
hardships in the cold storage area; all that storage leads to great menu choices…and great menus make for very comfortable
cruising!
All good, except when a refrigeration system breaks down. Toward the end of our Winter 2014 Exhibition Cruise we
noted that the food fridge wasn’t keeping things as cold as it should. Then, back in her home port and preparing for a family
day outing, it became clear that our food fridge was basically unable to chill at all…and we began what turned out to be a
long and involved trouble-shooting process. In the final result, we confirmed our food fridge had lost all its refrigerating gas,
i.e. it leaked! Even the repair turned out to be long and involved, but happily it’s now all good again. We were then keen to
use hindsight to avoid all that trouble in the future, not to mention keeping our food reliably cold! So we considered how
the problem occurred and how to prevent it all happening again…and hence our (very simple) Nauti-Tip…
Protect your fridge compressor(s). All the piping and the cooling grills around a fridge compressor are solid, but
nevertheless fairly sensitive items; those items are also often vulnerable or exposed on a vessel, typically (as on CatNirvana)
in out-of-sight areas also used for stowage. Our experience suggests that, even when you’re careful not to bump a
refrigerator compressor installation, impacts can and will occur…and impacts can lead to leaks.
So we set out to cover and protect our exposed compressor units. Starting with the measurements of the compressor
installation, we then looked around (Bunnings, K Mart, and so on) until we found an off-the-shelf basket with an inside
volume that roughly matched the compressor installation. Ventilation around the compressor and cooling grill is critical to
efficient refrigeration. So the ideal basket will be very well ventilated…and plastic is preferable both to ensure no rust as
well as for easier modifications to fit. Then it was a matter of ‘eyeing up’ a
few cuts to accommodate the piping and wiring paths away from the
compressor…and in our case the ventilation priority meant a few more cuts
were required to a solid floor on the basket to ensure warm air rising above
the unit – The floor became the top when the basket was inverted over the
compressor -- could easily escape.
Voila…instant – Well nearly -- protection against future leaks!
Please send us your Nauti-Tips!
Readers’ suggestions selected will receive one of our much
enjoyed NAUTI HATS.
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