Migaloo 2 nearly home, Dramas on the high Seas

Just had andn amazing 2 weeks with my kids Jasmin and Sage and 2 friends Nikki and Ant at Lady musgrove and Gurrie Frazer island and a few dramas at Noosa on the way back to Brunswick when a steering cable snapped and nearly got caught in Gale force winds and huge seas. Read on and check pictures at my Face book link album bellow.

Swimming with manta rays off Lady Musgave island

Having fun at Lady Musgrove Island from www.migaloo2.com. Hard to believe the government allows companies that are dredging Gladstone harbour for Coal and CSG expansion to dump their toxic sludge in the ocean less than 50 miles away from this paradise see pics athttp://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151377754553501.506321.590968500&type=1

Went to Moon Point on the edge of Hervey Bay. Very different without my whale friends here. I trust they will alll return safely. Thanks Sea Shepherd. Sailing through the sandy straights for Noosa and Brisbane tomorrow. RIpped the mainsail again after an epic 20 hour sail From Lady Musgrove yesterday. Stiched it back up again today/ Now less than a week away from completing this epic 6 month journey on marine conservation yacht Migaloo 2. Just posted some pictures on my FB page having fun at Lady Musgrove Island from www.migaloo2.com. Hard to believe the government allows companies that are dredging Gladstone harbour for Coal and CSG expansion to dump their toxic sludge in the ocean less than 50 miles away from this paradise. By Dean Jefferys (on board marine conservation yacht Migaloo 2 in the Great Barrier Reef)

Had a great sail along the sandy straights today. Even hit 8 kts in migaloo2. Well did have some tidal flow help and 20 kts on the side. Lost ant and Nikki so it’s just me and the kids sailing from rainbow beach to Brisbane Nice 15 kt easterly predicted for the next 3 days so should get close to home. Trusting my main sail stitching will hold for just a few more days. Just have to reenforce some more rips before I crash for the night. Up at 4 to catch the tide out the wide bay bar. Moons shining over glassy waters. Ripples tickle frazer gurrie island.

Wow yet another intense day sailing both physically and mentally Woke after a rocky night anchored off noosa to a new sound like whales singing but it was a free swinging rudder. A stearing cable had snapped in the night and there we were floating with no means off steering with a gale and huge swell less than a day away. Quick assessment. Can’t fix. Call coast guard to get towed into the river. Alas not enough water over the bar and no steering ruled out that option. Must fix it and sail to moloolabar before 7 pm. 22 miles 4 hours if I push it. Pressure is on. Noosa Coast delivered and great mechanic to migaloo 2 and under extreme conditions of rocking and torrential rain by 3 pm I was motor sailing in 20 kts rain and building sea to moloolabar to cross the bar in daylight. With the main sail held together by tape and rope I didn’t dare put that up so it was up to what was left up to Mizen and gib sail to get me there. Well putting up the gib it ripped 3 meters yet I needed it up for stability and speed so I furled most of it in pushed the peddle to the metal and made it through the bar just as the sun was setting. Behind the rain Unfortunately I just heard friend basera wasn’t so lucky and the same storm has already hit airly beach and his is one of many boats that has been claimed by the ocean. Yes the sea can be like a flower and a dragon. Bit like women. Maybe that’s why we keep sailing.

Yes need new sails, just wanna get home to Brunswick but looks like ill be stuck here in the marina till weather calms. Could be a lot worse. Many thanks to the Sea Angels that came to my and migaloo 2 s rescue. Noosa Coast Guard, Jacko and Mark at Breakaway marine noosa and my mother Nola Jefferys who drove all the way up from Brisbane to pick up the kids when things went awol and Ray Thorpe for paying half the bill (oppps, does he know that yet) Also my thoughts go to Basera Clegg who was not as lucky and is in a different reality to me at this moment.