Esperance

Approaching Esperance

Jeremy went to the office at the Department of Transport Bandy Creek Boat Harbour. He was given one hour to decide whether to stay or leave. There was no welcome and no “well done” on completing a crossing of the Great Australian Bight. The daily rate was 54 AUS (about £28). This was almost as expensive as Docklands in the centre of Melbourne, where the facilities were far superior. The weather forecast was for strong winds from the NE and SE making anchoring in weed over sand dangerous on a lee shore off Esperance. We decided to stay for 3 nights and Jeremy completed the required form. He was given a shower key and we were asked to move up the wharf after lunch as we were on the fuel berth.

About an hour later, John came over with concerns that our electricity and gas installations did not meet WA standards. No problem with the electricity as long as we did not plug into the mains. The gas was meant to be inspected and certified by a gas engineer. We explained that all the pipework was checked by a CORGI registered British engineer when it was installed and met UK standards. John phoned for advice and everyone seemed to accept our situation and the fact that our insurance would cover any damage that we might cause by blowing up.

We moved up the wharf and tied up. We had been given a shower key and had a look at the facilities ashore. The women’s shower was awaiting repair. There were two unisex showers which were in poor condition and gave little privacy. After six days without a shower, we weren’t going to complain.

We’d barely stepped back on SD, when Gary and John came over. Our gas installation was not acceptable. Although John tried to contact a gas engineer to come out on Friday afternoon of a holiday weekend, no-one was available. We were asked to leave immediately. I asked for the name of someone in a higher authority to contact. A man called Roy at the regional office tried to connect me to the appropriate person, but no-one picked up their phone.

Esperance Town Jetty where we spent an uncomfortable night

We slipped our lines and left Bandy Creek Boat Harbour at 1500 hrs. Jeremy phoned helpful Kevin from Esperance Bay Yacht Club to ask if there was anywhere we could safely anchor. He said we could tie up to the town jetty, next to the yacht club marina. An hour later we arrived at the town jetty and tied up in the pouring rain. Fortunately, the wind had died down when the rain started, but it was only a lull.

Safe in Tim's pen, EBYC

It had been a very long day, which was followed by a disturbed night as the wind blew hard and the waves built up under our keels. Jeremy was up for three hours in the night attaching four more lines to the five already in use. He added chain and smaller lines to stop chafing of the shorelines. Meanwhile, we bounced up and down, as if on a trampoline, trying to sleep.

Taylor Street Quarter cafe

The next morning Tim Donkin from EBYC came to our rescue. He was going sailing for two days and would we like to use his boat pen in the EBYC marina? There was no need to ask twice. We tied up in Tim’s pen as soon as he left it. From then, we met very friendly, welcoming and helpful people.

Pretty clock tower

Ashore, we completed our chores and ate lunch at Taylor Street Quarters. We showered on board and plotted our next course to Albany. Our neighbour, Jim, exchanged boat stories with us. Another member, Stuart, offered us the use of his mooring in O’Brien’s Beach. We were very grateful to everyone.

Large ship movements in strong winds

Today, Monday 2^nd March, we left EBYC Marina and motorsailed to O’Brien’s Beach, tying up to Stuart’s mooring. Tomorrow, we leave for Albany with a stop on the way at Little Boat Harbour in Dillon Bay.

O'Brien's Beach, on Stuart's mooring