Maripi: Norman Point and Tin Can Bay Marina

On Monday morning the Manta Ray, Fraser Island barge passed us by at around 6:00am, but this time we saw it coming and it was not as close. On the incoming tide, we moved from Pelican Bay to Norman Point, just off the Tin Can Bay peninsula.

We put Mini Maripi in the water and came ashore near the Coast Guard. Robyn took a photo of their boat a Noosa Cat like Redcliffe Leagues II but 11 metres long instead of 12 and 2 x 260hp Volvo diesels. She met the deputy Flotilla commander in the Marina and found out that Tin Can Bay Coast Guard are also having lots of expensive problems with the Volvo stern drive legs.

Robyn called in on Coast Guard on Wednesday afternoon for a chat at the invitation of the Deputy Flotilla commander. They had a call out that afternoon to Wolf Rock near Double Island Point to tow a flybridge cruiser whose motors were not working.

Tin Can Bay Coast Guard is responsible the Wide Bay Bar area and cross it in substantially less than ideal conditions when a member of the public's boat and its crew are in danger. All crew for these jobs must have the rating of "competent crew" as a minimum. These call outs are all done by volunteers using resources that are substantially paid for by the fundraising activities of Flotilla members. This saves Emergency Services QLD a heap of money. Like Redcliffe, Coast Guard Tin Can Bay has limited resources to save money to replace their existing ageing vessels. Coast Guard Tin Can Bay has an impressive Deputy Flotilla Commander in Colleen Johnstone.

Cooloola Rescue II

Coast Guard Tin Can Bay

We had fish and chips for lunch; a real treat.

Next morning, Robyn was up early to see the sunrise over Carlo and Rainbow Beach. The weather is beautiful.

Sunrise over Carlo

The obligatory photo of breakfast.

Breakfast

At 10:00am we up anchored and motored around to Tin Can Bay Marina.

Norman Point (1) to Tin Can Bay Marina (10)

Both of us get very nervous going into Marina’s as there are lots of very solid objects, very close. Chris, however, safely got us into the allocated berth without any dramas. It is a real relief to turn off the motors when the mooring lines are attached.

Maripi in Tin Can Bay Marina

We did some washing and Robyn found the local IGA for some fresh broccoli and ice cream (no not eaten at the same time). Tin Can Bay is famous for its Rainbow Lorikeets. At dawn and dust they just fill the sky and make one hell of a racket.

Rainbow Lorikeets

We have a small exhaust leak at the heat exchanger on the port motor which needs attention. We contacted the Marina mechanic, Clive-the Bilge Rat, who had a look and removed the heat exchanger. He will fabricate some new gaskets and repair two studs that had pulled out of the heat exchanger manifold.

Port engine with heat exchanger removed

On Wednesday morning before breakfast, Chris walked to the local BP servo to fill up our diesel and unleaded jerry cans. After breakfast we had a walk towards Norman Point. Robyn enjoyed a cup of tea and a read of the paper.