Those of you who know the New South Wales coast will be familiar with the "East Coast Low", a low pressure system which forms off the coast and stubbornly hangs about, whipping up substantial seas and rain. As many of you also know, we are in the middle of one of these critters right now in Coffs. Last night was a bit tense as we were up and outside quite often checking our lines and those of other boats that have nobody on board. A few boats chafed lines and one tore a cleat out of the dock.
More significantly, the waves breaking across the breakwater with great force overnight badly damaged the access gangways to two of the docks (including ours). This meant that we have only had access to the boardwalk via a ladder. In addition, a couple of the dock pens at the near end of the docks were ripped off the main dock. A small German yacht had to relocate in the gale in the wee small hours, and when we all saw the damage this morning we were all astonished. But Destiny, Sassoon and Aussie Rules are at the opposite end of the dock and we feel pretty right; conditions are forecast to ease tomorrow.
On the plus side, all the activity in the early hours has created a feeling of camaraderie and common purpose which is very nice, and also reassuring.
Check out the pics in "Photo Gallery" to the right of this page near the top below "Profile".
Just to keep ancestral readers reassured we will put up another sitrep tomorrow, although it's likely to be dry (?) reading.
Cheers.