Fiji to Bundaberg September

[JPA Cate]

Mmmmm. What happens to the American crew in Fiji when his visa is up? How can he go home? If there's a problem there, then perhaps the immigration lawyer could help? If robots are running the shop, then the lawyer will know how to contact a human, I'd think. If you go that route, let us know how it works out. I'd imagine someone in Qld would see the opportunity those cruisers represent.

Ann

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Mmmmm. What happens to the American crew in Fiji when his visa is up? How can he go home? If there's a problem there, then perhaps the immigration lawyer could help? If robots are running the shop, then the lawyer will know how to contact a human, I'd think. If you go that route, let us know how it works out. I'd imagine someone in Qld would see the opportunity those cruisers represent.

Ann

Hi Ann, at this stage flying out of Fiji isnt a problem, my mate Dave and I can get out.. Air New Zealand have flights every Thursday, you transit in Auckland, you cant leave the transit terminal and must be gone within 24hrs.

I've thought about a immigration lawyer but haven't explored that path yet, still waiting on Qld health to get back to me regarding time at sea counting towards quarantine, I've asked for an exemption in this area. IF I do have crew I'm not willing to pay 6k to quarantine.

[JPA Cate]

Yes, the costs are not negligible.

There is a CF member with considerably less experience than you, Mr B, who, with little experience, singlehanded a new-to-him catamaran from Fiji to Oz. I'm sure you'll be able to do it safely alone, if you have to. It's a milk run sort of sail. The timing of things for the final day may be a little fraught, just give the tip of Fraser Is. lots of room, there is onshore set there, pretty strong at times. Stay in touch with CBP, they'll try to help, do have an understanding of what skippers' concerns are. Good luck with it all.

Ann

[Blue Reef Cafe]

Dale,


I live in Bundaberg. I was recently contemplating visiting my brother in regional NSW and after I read up on the current restrictions I gave up. Currently the ONLY way to enter Qld is to fly in and self isolate for two weeks at your expense in a government nominated isolation centre. I very much doubt this will change in the next 2-3 months.


Read up here: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condit...r-restrictions



Regards

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by Blue Reef Cafe

Dale,


I live in Bundaberg. I was recently contemplating visiting my brother in regional NSW and after I read up on the current restrictions I gave up. Currently the ONLY way to enter Qld is to fly in and self isolate for two weeks at your expense in a government nominated isolation centre. I very much doubt this will change in the next 2-3 months.


Read up here: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condit...r-restrictions



Regards

I'm assuming I can ask for permission to return to NSW as I'm a resident there? but maybe I can't......the world seems so normal here in Fiji...lol.

[philiosophy]

The Immi Lawyer thing is I think going to be expensive. A year ago I did hire a lawyer for a consult on how to make sure I did everything possible to get a one year visa. He suggested pictures of my Ute, pictures Of my Kiwi partner who is a defacto Australian Resident, plus my whole story in great detail as to why I wanted a year long visa yada yada yada.....That time I got 6 months. Did the same this time even during Covid.....3 months. Perhaps if you could get past the brick wall the Danger Card of single handing in these waters could be played. I fear it will cost thousands to get to that live person thru Immi. Another route might be to get ahold of your local council represenitive. Best of luck and please do post you results. Be safe

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by daletournier

I'm assuming I can ask for permission to return to NSW as I'm a resident there? but maybe I can't......the world seems so normal here in Fiji...lol.

To date there has been no restriction to entering NSW from Qld; next week - who knows!

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by philiosophy

The Immi Lawyer thing is I think going to be expensive. A year ago I did hire a lawyer for a consult on how to make sure I did everything possible to get a one year visa. He suggested pictures of my Ute, pictures Of my Kiwi partner who is a defacto Australian Resident, plus my whole story in great detail as to why I wanted a year long visa yada yada yada.....That time I got 6 months. Did the same this time even during Covid.....3 months. Perhaps if you could get past the brick wall the Danger Card of single handing in these waters could be played. I fear it will cost thousands to get to that live person thru Immi. Another route might be to get ahold of your local council represenitive. Best of luck and please do post you results. Be safe

I played the" colreg ...stipulates a watch must be kept at all times" thus a crew is the only way I can ensure mine and others safety , therefore I have a duty of care BUT they would need to read my application to take this into consideration.

I was encouraged on the phone to apply for a exemption BUT I feel they aren't actually serious in regards to looking at these application's case by case as they say they are.

[JPA Cate]

I feel they aren't actually serious in regards to looking at these application's case by case as they say they are.

It's possible, Dale. Also possible that they are overwhelmed by folks wanting exceptions. Rumors abound.

If you want to go to NSW, Coff's Hbr. is the furthest north NSW Customs Port. Nice folks to deal with. The marina's still scary: little maintenance, as of about 18 months ago, but a program had been started to upgrade the hardstand area. Safe anchorage, SE of the jetty in firm sand and mud. You'd have to find out if you can quarantine aboard your boat.

The only other situation regarding a boat of which I am aware, the guy arrived in Newcastle, removed from vessel by Police and escorted forthwith to quarantine hotel; the boat was taken somewhere and temporarily impounded pending the owner's successful completion of quarantine. Eventually, the man was reunited with his boat. I would think that if NSW is your legal residence State, it might be easier to enter there. It is further south, of course, but your actual heading from Fiji, with your boat, you can pretty well pick your entry port, although Eden might be a stretch and too far south for your purposes.

Fair winds,

Ann

[Mr B]

Being a rank novice to sailing at the time, 6 weeks sailing experience, Total,
I had a day and a half instruction from the PO on the systems on my Catamaran, , Then he left for Hawai,

Sail during the day, Learning from the sailors in the Pub at night, what I was doing right or wrong,
Professional world wide sailors, Crash course in Sailing,

Knowing nothing about the trade winds,

I came out of Fiji at 11-00 PM in the centre of Fiji, Then went to sleep, going north,
Thats the way the wind was going,

The trade winds to the north of Fiji go to the North, North West,
Made it very hard for me to go south,
I wasnt a sailor at that time,

Being Single Handed and no one on board to give me all this Informative detailed information on what I was doing right, wrong or other wise, That you get on here, Hahahahaha
I was on my Pat Malone,

I was told to wait for a weather window going my way, Hahahahaha
It took me 21 days to get to Bundaberg,
That wind did not change direction even once,
North, North West the whole time except when it was dead calm,
Going South battered my boat chronically,
So the best I could do was North West, With out being battered,

I came thru Vanuatu above Efate, 10-00 PM
I did get a course of Instruction on how to use my GPS properly in Vanuatu from a Yachty that was parked there,
He also downloaded a Sea chart into my Laptop as well, Back up, if my GPS Failed,

I went thru the middle of New Caledonia, 3-00 AM
I ended up opposite Rockhamton in OZ and motored down to Bundaberg,
But I had been level with Cairns three times, Due to the constant northerly winds,

25 Nmiles North, Then 25 Nmiles south, back to where I started from the night before,
Sleeping at night, Going north each time, Added approx 50 Nmiles each night to my voyage,

If I had come out the bottom of Fiji,
The trade winds would have been to the South West,
Making it very easy to get to Bundaberg, With a following wind,

You live and learn,

Still a great trip, A great learning experience for me, We were all learners, Once,

Cheers, Brian,

[Mr B]

Bundaberg and Brisbane are Immigration ports,

Bundaberg Cruising sailing club are very helpfull with immigration for international sailors entering the country there,
Get in touch with them,

Bundaberg has a fenced off Immigration and customs dock that you tie up to,
Its next to the Marina as you come up the river,
You are not permitted to leave your boat,
Till you have been checked out for your papers and the boat checked for bugs,
They are very thorough checking for bugs,

Cairns should be an Immigration port, As they have international flights from there,
They will have immigration and customs people stationed there,
An email or text should clear that up for you,

I think QLD has just gone into lock down again,

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

It's possible, Dale. Also possible that they are overwhelmed by folks wanting exceptions. Rumors abound.

If you want to go to NSW, Coff's Hbr. is the furthest north NSW Customs Port. Nice folks to deal with. The marina's still scary: little maintenance, as of about 18 months ago, but a program had been started to upgrade the hardstand area. Safe anchorage, SE of the jetty in firm sand and mud. You'd have to find out if you can quarantine aboard your boat.

The only other situation regarding a boat of which I am aware, the guy arrived in Newcastle, removed from vessel by Police and escorted forthwith to quarantine hotel; the boat was taken somewhere and temporarily impounded pending the owner's successful completion of quarantine. Eventually, the man was reunited with his boat. I would think that if NSW is your legal residence State, it might be easier to enter there. It is further south, of course, but your actual heading from Fiji, with your boat, you can pretty well pick your entry port, although Eden might be a stretch and too far south for your purposes.

Fair winds,

Ann

I just found out that being a Tweed shire resident I can cross the border. One hurdle down.

[daletournier]

Thanks Brian, yes, I know Bundaberg quite well, Ive accidentally purchased two boats there.

I'm expecting the trip to take 9-10 days. Waiting on quarantine specifics before making a final decision.

Originally Posted by Mr B

Bundaberg and Brisbane are Immigration ports,

Bundaberg Cruising sailing club are very helpfull with immigration for international sailors entering the country there,
Get in touch with them,

Bundaberg has a fenced off Immigration and customs dock that you tie up to,
Its next to the Marina as you come up the river,
You are not permitted to leave your boat,
Till you have been checked out for your papers and the boat checked for bugs,
They are very thorough checking for bugs,

Cairns should be an Immigration port, As they have international flights from there,
They will have immigration and customs people stationed there,
An email or text should clear that up for you,

I think QLD has just gone into lock down again,

[El Pinguino]

The way I read this https://www.noonsite.com/news/austra...by-case-basis/ Bundaberg is currently the only port of entry, however time at sea counts towards quarantine.

I'd be up for the trip if I could get out of Victoria........

You could just go to North Korea.... https://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/...14-p55luj.html

[kryg]

Well stated, I'm in full agreement, we ordinary Australians are over governed by intrenched none productive system of controls by giving fines for income to keep some bureaucracy as profit centres at most levels, they for the most part hidden behind no recourse to respond to unfair controls.

I suspect governance today maybe in many cases be a throwback from the colonial times.

What is interesting, because there is a clear difference between ordinary hard-working Australians, I often wonder if there is a special school that teaches stifling 101 ensnarement for profit bureaucracy institutions.

If you're going solo, keep in mind when tired, the safest solution is before leaving is by testing how your boat can be rig fore reaching by slowing it down to 1 to 2 knots. So, you can sleep. This is what I had to do, halfway from New Caledonia to Sydney the crew & I, where tired making errors judgement. Because this was a safety issue, I sent everyone to sleep we all got 8 hours of rest, the boat looked after itself still fore reaching with no issues.



Good luck with your passage home. PS email Australian customs your ETA, If you don't you will be hit with a big fine adding to more unpleasantness.

Originally Posted by daletournier

I really like my country, the potential we have is amazing BUT we suffer from "to much for to long"...bureaucracy is stifling, we need a "get the job done" mindset, we need leaders not managers. Potential means nothing.

I come from a business background, Ive witnessed first hand the power of "people that produce nothing controlling the people that produce ". I should say that generally I find the officials, particularly Border force generally pleasant enough.

Regarding jib, that's exactly what I'm going to do, hoist my 100%. With the smaller jib and a 1/3 furled main Sukha can weather alot, plus shes easy enough to get going.

The only fear I have is getting caught out with to much sail up, done it before and it certainly teaches me what power is BUT that's upto me, I'm going to make sure I'm disciplined, reef each night etc.

I've just ordered a complete new autopilot system plus I have the trusty Hydrovane, that just keeps saving my ass.

I haven't singlehanded this far before (1,450nm) ,yes it makes me a little nervous but theres also the challenge part I'm looking forward to, a fitting way to finish a circumnavigation.