Woke up to a very different sunrise with a sea fog surrounding Gloucester Island
We had to go though the Gloucester Passage at high tide as there are low patches in the passage. The passage is quite wide but you have to carefully navigate past the beacons marking the channel. It is a short distance across from where we anchored for the previous night so we had a leisurely motor across the bay.
We were able to pick up a mooring at Cape Gloucester Resort as the forecast for the next few days was for strong south easterly winds (20-25 knots) with a 2 metre swell. Being tucked in Edgecumbe Bay the conditions were much better but still windy with gentle rocking.
We were moored next to Shag Islet which is a small rocky outcrop, but amongst the cruising fraternity it is very famous as the home of the Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club. For a one off joining fee anyone can become a lifetime Vice Commodore of the club. The club was founded
with the following objective:-
The concept is to create and maintain a Network for Cruising Yachties and individuals who enjoy boating. Each "Vice Commodore" representing an individual Nautical Location ie an Island, Islet, River, Bay, about which they have some knowledge so as to be able to provide advice or assistance to other "Vice Commodores" However, in SICYC, your social commitments could be your most demanding responsibility.
There are currently 6772 Vice Commodores including David and Sonia Williams.
The club also actively raises funds to support the Prostrate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
If you want to learn more
You can see Shag Islet in the foreground.
There is nothing on the islet except at the annual SICYC Rendezvous when hundreds of "Vice Commodores' gather on the last week end in August each year.
The Cape Gloucester Resort does not charge any mooring fees, all they ask in return is for you to avail yourselves of their restaurant and bar which we certainly did as well as enjoying the beach
