GOLD COAST QIN-SAN 130600ZMAR12 SKED

Posted byRichard HewsonPosted inUncategorized

LAT 37 39.6N
LONG 152 45.1E
DTR 4256

WEATHER WIND 294@30kts, Sea Rough 2m, Swell E 10m, Cloud 7/8 Cl, Baro 1009.6

The last 12 hours Gold Coast Australia has had a blitzing run in extreeme conditions,
averaging around 12 knots over ground as we surf down monstrous seas in high winds. One
wave stood up so steep that as the bow dropped into it it looked three times the size of the
yacht. It must have been at least 30m high at as Gold Coast took off down the wave everybody braced themselves as the speed increased to over 22kts.

The record run should have allowed us to make back some miles on the rest of the fleet after
we were stuck in a back eddie of current for about 12 hours and unable to make more than
8kts. Since we got out of the back eddie and the wind picked up we have been havign a brilliant run.

The wind has only just started to abate and veer around north of west allowing us to now
sail almost due east and hopefully start to make some miles to the east and even to the
south again before the wind dies out as we try to position ourselves in the best possible location for when the next low pressure builds over the next few days.

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Published by Richard Hewson

Richard Hewson is a Tasmania-based ships captain, marine surveyor, and experienced sailor with a lifelong connection to the sea. With experience in project management and vessel commissioning, he has operated and raced a wide range of vessels—from dinghies and Maxi yachts to tankers, icebreakers and research vessels. Richard has competed in major offshore events including the Sydney to Hobart, Fastnet, Middle Sea, and Transatlantic races including the Mini Transat. In 2012, he skippered the winning yacht in the Clipper Round the World Race. He has sailed to every continent and explored all corners of the world from Antarctica to south pacific atols and recently completed a three-year family voyage from the Netherlands to Tasmania. Richard holds a Master Class 1 (unrestricted), RYA Yachtmaster Ocean, Engineering (1200kw) and commercial diving certifications, and is an AMSA-accredited marine surveyor. He is also affiliated with the Australasian Institutes of Marine Surveyors and is passionate about all things that float.

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