Mayhem on The Burnett River

Melbourne Cup always creates a bit of fun and madness. Upon seeing a promotion for a $35 a head Melbourne Cup Luncheon up at the Lighthouse Hotel in Burnett Heads, The Bloke set about organizing a table. 6 quickly became 9+ and the hotel shuttle bus was arranged to collect us from the Marina. Although only 2 kms away, at the last minute, we decided it was a bit too hot to walk in the semi-tropical heat.

Some other Aussie rally members had organized a sweep for The Cup and The Bloke drew a crazy horse by the name of ‘US Army Ranger’.  Having this as ‘our’ horse undoubtedly threw a hex on it. The Bloke generally has a ‘flutter’ on The (Melbourne) Cup and his record in the last few years particularly poor. Dead, still running (i.e. last) and dead, as distinct from dead last. This year? Nearly last: US Army Ranger was cantering and out of camera shot while the winners were galloping and straining at the finish line. The re-telling next year will become more elaborate.

After lunch, the first of our GoWest Rally talks was scheduled. It began with a lighthearted presentation on how to survive ‘Downunder’: Aussie vernacular, food and animals. The Vegemite sandwiches had a mixed reception! After this we had a presentation about coastal VHF radio channels and understanding East Coast Weather. Among the information bites was a warning not to go to sea if thunderstorms were forecast. In fact, they were forecast for that very afternoon and why Zofia had all the hatches closed and dogged shut before we left for the day.


The Bloke was extending his afternoon’s enjoyment while I, sensing a distinct change in the weather, caught the earliest shuttle bus back to the marina to double up our lines, take down the flags and generally secure the boat. We were about to ‘cop it’!




And ‘cop it’ we did. The Bloke had mustered the last of the group still at the pub and requested an immediate return trip to the marina and just managed to clamber aboard Zofia as the lightening and wind intensified and rain began to fall.

This impressive image entitled "The Beast", of the entire storm cell, was captured from a high point by a professional photographer and included by his kind permission.

Daniel Morada - DTM Photography.

https://www.facebook.com/dandmanphotographix/

The wind contained in the storm cell was clocked by a fellow yachtie at 68.7knots (~ 126km). We were seeing 59-60 by the time we switched on the instruments. From a few announcement gusts of 35knots the wind just gushed stronger and harder like an approaching freight train. Rain was almost horizontal. Visibility reduced to a few metres. After 30 minutes, the wind and rain relaxed almost as suddenly as it had arrived. Only the lightening and devastation remained. All thoughts of frivolous horse racing stuff blown away with the wind. A whole new drama was unfolding. A catamaran already 2/3 sunk and a rescue and salvage in full flight.

The aftermath