Author: mtashby

Current Position: 10 25.727’S 105 40.010’E; Local Timezone: UTC+7; SOG: 0 kt; COG: N/A; TWS: 19 kt; TWD: 135; Distance to Waypoint (Christmas Island): At Anchor; Total Miles Sailed: 11071 nm; Engine Hours: 242; Estimate Fuel: 60+15+50;
Comments: i learned when I met with the ABF for my clearance papers that I was the first person who the official had ever cleared in from Ashmore Reef. It must not be very common for sailors to visit there. It is 8:00 and has become pretty clear the tropical low is headed SSW, bringing rain to the Cocos this weekend. The wind will be lighter between here and there until next week. The middle of next week will bring high winds (low 20s with gusts close to 30). I’d like to arrive Monday or Tuesday, which means a departure by tomorrow morning. The ABF vessel Ocean Protector anchored in the cove about 9:30 and one of the shore-based tenders ferried crew off the boat. It looked like about 40 people were taken off in two groups. I heard there are about 50 crew members, so it must have been most of them. Busses hauled them away, presumably to the airport. I heard the aircraft come in earlier. I am guessing it has the replacement crew who will be delivered soon by the same busses. I heard the crew has two weeks on two weeks off the boat. I took a 90m nap at 11:30. When I woke up I had an email from Des with his latest analysis. He reported that by Saturday the low will be 280 nm of the Cocos with the main storm activity 280 nm SW of the Cocos. A departure tomorrow morning should put me at least 1d E of the Cocos by then. Des’s analysis is consistent with the forecast from PW. I am putting the dinghy on the deck and prepping the boat for an early morning departure. I will cook this afternoon. Sunrise will be at 5:54 tomorrow. Local forecast is for 15 reducing to 13 with 18 gusts from the SE and 7’ waves from the S with 9s periods. Sailing vessel Greij left CI at 14:00. As expected, they moved new crew on Ocean Protector and she moved back out to sea about 14:30. PW predicts an almost 5d passage with arrival early in the morning on the 16th (Tuesday). I would leave tonight, but I prefer to have a half day of daylight as a buffer for light winds. The forecast is for light winds starting out and building towards the end of the passage, giving me the option towards the end of shortening sail to arrive during daylight hours. I will move into a new timezone and gain an hour.

Current Position: 10 25.727’S 105 40.010’E; Local Timezone: UTC+7; SOG: 0 kt; COG: N/A; TWS: 19 kt; TWD: 135; Distance to Waypoint (Christmas Island): At Anchor; Total Miles Sailed: 11071 nm; Engine Hours: 242; Estimate Fuel: 60+15+50;
Comments: I received an e-mail from Des yesterday afternoon pointing out two lows that had developed W of the Cocos that could produce squalls. He recommended that I wait until at least W before departing CI. I met with the ABF at 9:00 this morning and obtained my ZARPE for the Cocos. The crew from two other boats were there and I know of at least two more that are ready to leave. There are 5-6 boats ready to leave for the Cocos and/or northern Madagascar. The weather right now is now looks like it could produce thunderstorms E of the Cocos on Thursday. The problem is early next week is shaping up to be worse. The challenge will be to slip in between storms. I did some more shopping this morning g and bought some lamb to make a curry. I figure I will need to eat some of the Chinese food I got for the passage before I leave. Since I am twiddling my thumbs, J went snorkeling for a couple of hours to is afternoon. I fixed the snorkel be simply removing the valve that is supposed to automatically prevent water from entering … so it operates like a conventional snorkel. It started to rain just as I went in the water. I saw a large sea bass beneath the boat and a school of hundreds of Sargent fish. At 13:00 I received another email from Des. He reports the forecast shows the tropical low stationary for two days then relocating to the Cocos to produce rain/squalls. The ECMWF model in PW predicts thunderstorms E of the Cocos on Thursday with CAPEs of 17K. It began to rain again about 15:30, harder than before. Everyone is keen to move on. We have all stayed longer than planned. One of the boat has been here three weeks waiting on a Navionics chip to arrive. They left this afternoon for northern Madagascar. The other four boats and myself are waiting until at least tomorrow to see how the weather plays out. I am hoping to leave tomorrow evening or Thursday morning at the latest. The ARC just left Darwin and is headed for Lombok (about 1000 nm), CI in two waves (650 nm), Cocos (550nm), Mauritius (2350 nm) and Reunion (125 nm). They are only spending a few days in each of these places. I expect them to be in CI about 9/25 and Cocos about 10/5. This means I should arrive at the Cocos about 3w before the ARC. If I can leave there within a week of arriving, I should be at least two weeks ahead of them when I get to the Mauritius. It is looking like I will not be able to get a reservation for Reunion, so I will need to leave the Mauritius for Richards Bay, probably 3w before the ARC leaves Reunion. I have been in contact with Zululand Yacht Club (ZYC) and they say they can accommodate me. I have alto tried to reach the three marinas at Cape Town. The Royal Cape Yacht Club is booked all of November-January. The Waterfront have a few slips, but they are waiting to hear back from people who have requested them. the Hout Bay Yacht Club has room available for me, but their marina is located some distance from Cape Town. I have not heard back from the False Bay Yacht Club.

Current Position: 10 25.727’S 105 40.010’E; Local Timezone: UTC+7; SOG: 0 kt; COG: N/A; TWS: 19 kt; TWD: 135; Distance to Waypoint (Christmas Island): At Anchor; Total Miles Sailed: 11071 nm; Engine Hours: 242; Estimate Fuel: 60+15+50;
Comments: The swell rocked the boat violently during the night as the weather front that will delay my departure continues to push through. This is the last day I will have the car, so will finish moving fuel and provisions. I am not sure yet whether I will do laundry as it has been raining almost constantly and I may not have a chance to dry the clothes before departing. I radioed the ABF and arranged to meet them at 9 tomorrow to get my outgoing documents. After one last shower, the weather started clearing up. Heard from Mike on White Malkin at 10:00. He is 620 nm from CI and on his was to the Cocos. Today was a day for multitasking. While the laundry was washing, I went to the table store, provisioned, and filled the diesel Jerry cans. After taking everything back to the boat and hanging the laundry out to dry, I went to the Chinese restraint, had lunch, ordered takeout for the passage, stopped by the Grotto for one last dip in the cool water, filled the truck with diesel and the portable gas tank for the dinghy with gasoline, took the food and fuel back to the dinghy, and dropped off the truck. It is 14:30 and I have finished my punch list for today. I still need to put stuff away, but the plan it to leave for the Cocos tomorrow about noon. I took one last dive about 16:00. Having trouble with my snorkel … the valve is sticking and it is hard to breathe. Saw a Giant Travally (GT) just below the boat. Going to get up early to ready the boat, get my last hot shower for the next six weeks, stop by the store and picup a few things, then meet the ABF at 9 tomorrow get my paperwork. Hope to be sailing by 10. Heard from Ertan at 15:00. He’s 600 nm from the Cocos. I expect Ertan will reach the Cocos Saturday, the same day I do. Mike will probably be a couple of days behind us.

Current Position: 10 25.727’S 105 40.010’E; Local Timezone: UTC+7; SOG: 0 kt; COG: N/A; TWS: 19 kt; TWD: 135; Distance to Waypoint (Christmas Island): At Anchor; Total Miles Sailed: 11071 nm; Engine Hours: 242; Estimate Fuel: 60+15+50;
Comments: it rained a bit last night. This morning is “Flying Fish Cleanup Day.” More than 30 divers are going to canvas the bay and clear trash starting at 9:00. I am going to explore the W side of the island. Two crew of the Chinook (Sam and Meg) will join me. The skipper Carl is not coming. Between now and then I am working on cleaning the cabin. I am thinking about leaving tomorrow afternoon. It rained again at 6:00. I am grateful to have some of the salt washed off the boat. At 6:30 I was enjoying my tea in the cockpit and what sounded like a gunshot exploded behind my head. It was my PFD that inflated when it got wet. The plastic shield that protects the salt doughnut the triggers the device had been punctured, allowing it dissolve. The PFD is dead. I have a backup. I spent most of the day exploring the west side of the island, including a 3h hike. I has rained all day. I tried to e-mail Port Louis (Mauritius) about a reservation at the dock at the Caudan Waterfront, but the messages were returned as undeliverable.

Current Position: 10 25.727’S 105 40.010’E; Local Timezone: UTC+7; SOG: 0 kt; COG: N/A; TWS: 19 kt; TWD: 135; Distance to Waypoint (Christmas Island): At Anchor; Total Miles Sailed: 11071 nm; Engine Hours: 242; Estimate Fuel: 51+11+50;
Comments: I went snorkeling at 16:00 and saw my first shark since arriving at CI. A small white tip. In the morning I submitted the paperwork for the Cocos to the ABF and DAFF. I reversed the second reefing line to move the point of chafing. I filled the main water tank and fetched water from shore. The main tank took about 17 gallons, which is about right as it has been a 3 1/2 weeks since I left Darwin. I transferred fuel to fill the day tank and filled the main tank from the Jerry cans. I took the cans to the truck and will fill them when I have a chance. I did some sight seeing today … swam in the Grotto, saw the blowhole, etc, then came back to the boat and did some snorkeling. I cleaned out the fridge. I am going to clean/organize the boat tomorrow, then explore the W side of the island. I took the crew of the S/V Paradise Falls with me and we visited the Grotto, the Blowholes, and looped around the east side of the island. Had “game night” on the S/V Paradise Falls at sundown. We were joined by the crew of Chinnok.

Current Position: 10 25.727’S 105 40.010’E; Local Timezone: UTC+7; SOG: 0 kt; COG: N/A; TWS: 19 kt; TWD: 135; Distance to Waypoint (Christmas Island): At Anchor; Total Miles Sailed: 11071 nm; Engine Hours: 242; Estimate Fuel: 51+11+50;
Comments: The mutton curry was actually pretty good. I normally do not eat read meat, but my choices are limited here, and it is likely to be 1-2 months before I have any better selection. Fresh fruits and vegetables are almost out of the question. Each piece is practically $10. However, anything is better than caned chili. I have the car until Monday. I believe I will do my major shopping that day, and leave for the Cocos in the afternoon. I am really pleased to have a car. It will be a tremendous help in moving supplies. For example, the only gas station is almost a mile away. I will endeavor to finish the mainsail tomorrow (although I may not have time to repair the reefing line and put everything together). I just checked my punch list and I should definitely have the major stuff done tomorrow or Saturday morning at the latest. If so, I’d like to spend the weekend exploring the island, shopping/fuel/water Monday morning, drop off the car, and fake off. It is a four-day passage to the Cocos. I just checked the forecast, it will start out with 22 kt winds and 32 kt gusts with 12’ seas. I will play it by ear … but it may be necessary to delay a couple of days to avoid being pummeled. By 15:00, the mainsail was repaired and it was hoisted on the mast and the sail pack reassembled. I thought I would finish without drawing blood, but towards the end of the job the needle went through the sailmaker’s palm and the back end of the needle went in tiny hands until it hit bone. It was like a 6p nail. Also, it was now stuck in the sailmaker’s palm. I used a pair of pliers to take the needle out of the sailmaker’s palm (and my hand). There was surprisingly little blood. I put some antibiotics on the wound, patched it up, and finished the job. This was the most important thing on my punch list, during the next three days I need to get fuel, water, and provisions. I plan to do the provisioning on Monday, but will try to get the fuel and water this weekend. I have half a day work to clean up the boat, need to do laundry, and I need to do some cooking for the passage to the Cocos. I believe I can take half a day tomorrow and Sunday to go out and see the island.

Current Position: 10 25.727’S 105 40.010’E; Local Timezone: UTC+7; SOG: 0 kt; COG: N/A; TWS: 19 kt; TWD: 135; Distance to Waypoint (Christmas Island): At Anchor; Total Miles Sailed: 11071 nm; Engine Hours: 242; Estimate Fuel: 51+11+50;
Comments: i went diving in the afternoon. There is plenty of live coral here and fish. I was told not to spearfish on this side of the jetty, but I am allowed to in the other side. I saw a lot of large parrot fish that would make a good meal. I had dinner at a place called Rumah Tinggi, Malay for “Tall House.” The view was fantastic. Two new sailboats arrived this morning. They were buddy boating and heading to the Cocos in 2-3 days. I pressed hard to repair the mainsail today, knowing it will take at least two days. I replaced the webbing for four of the fifteen slugs, then took a break. I took a swim for about 20m, then went to a local tavern that has a special on cheeseburgers. I got the burger (which was very tasty) and a beer for $20 AU, which is about $15 US. A real bargain when an equivalent amount of meat from the store was the same price. The owner explained that they do not have a full-time cook, rather the locals chip in each day to make something they like. It’s pizza tomorrow … may go again. I took a drive before returning to work … saw my first red crab, when to a nearby overlook … saw my first red crab crossing the road and a huge golden orb spider. I got back to the boat about 13:30, repaired three more of the regular slugs and the special one at the head of the sail, leaving only seven more regular slugs, which are at the bottom half of the sail. Some of them look in good shape (probably because I almost always have at least one reef in. However, they all looked good when I started, so I am determined to replace them all. Also, while I put an anti-chafing sheath on the first reefing line, I noticed the second reefing line is chafing. It does not get near the pressure of the first line, but it has seen a lot of use. I am concerned that I do not have enough of the right sized line to replace it. I may need to splice, which will be tricky. I had some small-diameter Kevlar tubing around. I may be able to put a piece in right where the line is chafing and extend its utility. I made a mutton curry tonight, enough for two meals. The mutton was about the only protein besides tofu (which I also bought) at the store.

Current Position: 10 25.727’S 105 40.010’E; Local Timezone: UTC+7; SOG: 0 kt; COG: N/A; TWS: 19 kt; TWD: 135; Distance to Waypoint (Christmas Island): At Anchor; Total Miles Sailed: 11071 nm; Engine Hours: 242; Estimate Fuel: 51+11+50;
Comments: I learned that the monthly supply ship arrived yesterday, the same day I did, so there is an unusually complete selection, particularly if fresh food. I examined the mainsail in the light of the day. It is worse than I thought. Almost all of the webbing that binds the slugs to the sail is failing. It is 1/2” tubular nylon webbing, which I do not have onboard. However, I have a lot of single-ply 1” nylon webbing, so my plan is to double it widthwise. This is going to be a big job, probably at least a day. The process involves sewing the webbing in a figure-eight stitch. I have not counted, but there must be at least 20. The main problem is that it is constantly blowing 15-25 kt. Handling the sail below deck would be a horror. It is a loose-footed sail, so my plan is to drop the sail pack on the starboard side, relax the back haul, slide the slugs out of the mast, leaving the clew attached to the boom, drag the luff into the cockpit where I can work on it, and last the rest of the sail to the starboard safety rail. This will keep the secured sail out of the way and let me work on it however long it takes. I will make a mockup for one, then mass produce the other pieces of webbing. I got the sail down, secured, and ready to work on it in the cockpit. Basically, all of the webbing was about to fail, so I will need to replace it all. I am starting tomorrow. I went to the visitors center and got information about laundry, shopping, etc. it is funny because the first thing a I was asked, for the second time today, was whether I had come in on the boat yesterday. I guess I gave that look now of having been on a boat for months rather that a plane for hours. I asked about a rental car and was told the same thing someone timed me yesterday … that they are booked months in advance. So I was surprised later in the conversation when the woman said to give her a minute and she would explore getting me a car. She came back a few minutes later and said she fad found me one and it would be here in an hour and that I could keep it until Friday. When the car was delivered, the person said there was a cancellation and I could keep the car until Monday. I’m not sure why, but I felt I was being given special consideration. I am excited about the prospect of exploring the island.

Current Position: 10 25.727’S 105 40.010’E; Local Timezone: UTC+7; SOG: 0 kt; COG: N/A; TWS: 9 kt; TWD: 120; Distance to Waypoint (Christmas Island): At Anchor; Total Miles Sailed: 11071 nm; Engine Hours: 242; Estimate Fuel: 51+11+50;
Comments: Sunset was at 17:38. Sunset will be at 17:58 in Flying Fish Cove on Tuesday. It is 21:00 and in contrast to previous nights I have not seen and fishing boats. Furthermore, there essentially no commercial traffic. I am setting an alarm for 1h and sleeping. At 22:30 I had to go on deck to reset the preventer. Still no fishing boats. Since about 1:00, I have had a 1 kt current off the starboard beam that has pushed me S. I passed a fishing boat about 4:00 off the starboard. It is 4:30 and I have 150 nm to go to CI. Without the help of a current, lesser winds, and following waves that are not had high have slowed me down overnight, averaging perhaps 5 kt. I downloaded new GRIB/AIS data. There is not much new regarding the GRIB … 15 kt winds with 22 kt gusts, loosing distance S, one jibe just before the island. The long-range AIS data show one cargo ship at CI and a second one on the way. There does not look like much commercial traffic between me at CI right now. By sunrise at 5:52, I was running against a 1 kt current. It is 7:00 and the wind has veered to 110, driving me further S. If it hits 109, I will jibe and make up some distance N. The current is running counterclockwise and right now is off my port bow. If it moved to my port beam, that would also be a good time to jibe … I will have to eventually. At 9:39 I jibed to take advantage of the current. The TWD was still 122. I was able to make a course of 324 starting at 10 28.4’S. I sailed on the starboard tack for 90m to 10 22.2’S, then jibed again. By this time the current was flowing in the direction of the waypoint. It is noon and I have 117 nm to go to the N side of the island. From there it is perhaps an hour to motor the anchorage. The distance sailed towards Christmas Island in the last 24h was 219-103=116 nm. The total distance sailed was 10968-10847=122 nm (121/24=5.0 kt avg.). I will need to cover the 103 nm in the next 24h to have time to pick up a mooring bouy before dark tomorrow. I was awaken at 21:30 because the boat had rounded up. It had apparently been a gradual thing happening over a 30m period. Not sure what caused it, but I laid awake for a while to make sure it did not happen again, but it did indeed happen again after I had fallen asleep. I suspect wind gusts, which were supposed to be 25 tonight. I woke up at 1:00. The boat had rounded up after about 50m and had been that way for about 10m. When I went to the cockpit to correct the course, I found it full of a couple dozen flying fish. I’m now thinking rouge waves are knocking the boat off course. I have 55 nm to go. I’ve done 48 in the last 12h. It’s going to be close. It is 2:00. I have been setting alarms on 15m intervals. I woke to the third one and the boat had rounded up. The cockpit was wet. I eased the jib sheet as I am almost in a dead run. At 2:30 I downloaded long-range AIS data. One of the two cargo ships has left Flying Fish Bay and the other appears to be at the phosphate dock, not at a mooring in the bay. There are two cargo ships in the shipping lane between me and CI that I will need to watch. It is 3:15 and the first of the two cargo ships will pass close by me in about 45m. It seems the second will pass well in front of me. The MH Green passed 0.5 nm behind my stern about 4:00. I am 40 nm from the NE point of CI. It now appears I will reach that point about noon. The cargo ship IRIS ACE passed 15 nm in front of me at 5:00. About the same time the boat began rolling more. Sunrise was about 6:00 and I am 30 nm from the NE point. I exchanged e-mails with the Harbor Master. In addition to the cargo ship, there are three yachts in the seven mooring bouys, and one is expected to leave today. At 8:00, 19 nm away, I spotted CI. I hooked another seabird. I heaved to, retrieved it, and tried to recessitate it, but was unsuccessful. I was using the same lure as before. Clearly it looks like the bird’s prey, so I won’t use it anymore. Around 10:00, I had to jibe N about 3 nm to get a better angle for rounding the northern side of the island. I am glad that I did because the ship that was moored at CI was not at the dock but some distance from shore, and I had to get around it. I passed the waypoint I had been using at 12:30. I picked one of the mooring bouys and this added 3 nm to the distance. Once I had the effect of the lee shore, about 1 nm from the mooring, I dropped the sails. While doing so, I noticed almost all of the straps that fasten the slugs are worn through. I am going to have to do a major repair of the sail before I leave CI. I motored into the bay and picked up a mooring ball without any problem, except once again the prop Did not want to flip into reverse. I don’t know if it is the transmission or the prop. Once the boat was secured I radioed the Harbor Master who contacted ABF radioed me a few minutes later and asked if I could come ashore to take care of the formalities. He contacted biosecurity and we agreed to meet in 45m. They were super friendly and helpful and the whole process took 5-10m. I learned there were hot showers! There were three yacht at the mooring. One of them was Lena Rae, a guy I met at TI. I joined him for a beer before grabbing my stuff to get a shower. He is leaving for the Cocos in the morning, so I will see him there.

Current Position: 10 25.727’S 105 40.010’E; Local Timezone: UTC+7; SOG: 0 kt; COG: N/A; TWS: 9 kt; TWD: 120; Distance to Waypoint (Christmas Island): At Anchor; Total Miles Sailed: 11071 nm; Engine Hours: 242; Estimate Fuel: 51+11+50;
Comments: Sunset was at 17:38. Sunset will be at 17:58 in Flying Fish Cove on Tuesday. It is 21:00 and in contrast to previous nights I have not seen and fishing boats. Furthermore, there essentially no commercial traffic. I am setting an alarm for 1h and sleeping. At 22:30 I had to go on deck to reset the preventer. Still no fishing boats. Since about 1:00, I have had a 1 kt current off the starboard beam that has pushed me S. I passed a fishing boat about 4:00 off the starboard. It is 4:30 and I have 150 nm to go to CI. Without the help of a current, lesser winds, and following waves that are not had high have slowed me down overnight, averaging perhaps 5 kt. I downloaded new GRIB/AIS data. There is not much new regarding the GRIB … 15 kt winds with 22 kt gusts, loosing distance S, one jibe just before the island. The long-range AIS data show one cargo ship at CI and a second one on the way. There does not look like much commercial traffic between me at CI right now. By sunrise at 5:52, I was running against a 1 kt current. It is 7:00 and the wind has veered to 110, driving me further S. If it hits 109, I will jibe and make up some distance N. The current is running counterclockwise and right now is off my port bow. If it moved to my port beam, that would also be a good time to jibe … I will have to eventually. At 9:39 I jibed to take advantage of the current. The TWD was still 122. I was able to make a course of 324 starting at 10 28.4’S. I sailed on the starboard tack for 90m to 10 22.2’S, then jibed again. By this time the current was flowing in the direction of the waypoint. It is noon and I have 117 nm to go to the N side of the island. From there it is perhaps an hour to motor the anchorage. The distance sailed towards Christmas Island in the last 24h was 219-103=116 nm. The total distance sailed was 10968-10847=122 nm (121/24=5.0 kt avg.). I will need to cover the 103 nm in the next 24h to have time to pick up a mooring bouy before dark tomorrow. I was awaken at 21:30 because the boat had rounded up. It had apparently been a gradual thing happening over a 30m period. Not sure what caused it, but I laid awake for a while to make sure it did not happen again, but it did indeed happen again after I had fallen asleep. I suspect wind gusts, which were supposed to be 25 tonight. I woke up at 1:00. The boat had rounded up after about 50m and had been that way for about 10m. When I went to the cockpit to correct the course, I found it full of a couple dozen flying fish. I’m now thinking rouge waves are knocking the boat off course. I have 55 nm to go. I’ve done 48 in the last 12h. It’s going to be close. It is 2:00. I have been setting alarms on 15m intervals. I woke to the third one and the boat had rounded up. The cockpit was wet. I eased the jib sheet as I am almost in a dead run. At 2:30 I downloaded long-range AIS data. One of the two cargo ships has left Flying Fish Bay and the other appears to be at the phosphate dock, not at a mooring in the bay. There are two cargo ships in the shipping lane between me and CI that I will need to watch. It is 3:15 and the first of the two cargo ships will pass close by me in about 45m. It seems the second will pass well in front of me. The MH Green passed 0.5 nm behind my stern about 4:00. I am 40 nm from the NE point of CI. It now appears I will reach that point about noon. The cargo ship IRIS ACE passed 15 nm in front of me at 5:00. About the same time the boat began rolling more. Sunrise was about 6:00 and I am 30 nm from the NE point. I exchanged e-mails with the Harbor Master. In addition to the cargo ship, there are three yachts in the seven mooring bouys, and one is expected to leave today. At 8:00, 19 nm away, I spotted CI. I hooked another seabird. I heaved to, retrieved it, and tried to recessitate it, but was unsuccessful. I was using the same lure as before. Clearly it looks like the bird’s prey, so I won’t use it anymore. Around 10:00, I had to jibe N about 3 nm to get a better angle for rounding the northern side of the island. I am glad that I did because the ship that was moored at CI was not at the dock but some distance from shore, and I had to get around it. I passed the waypoint I had been using at 12:30. I picked one of the mooring bouys and this added 3 nm to the distance. Once I had the effect of the lee shore, about 1 nm from the mooring, I dropped the sails. While doing so, I noticed almost all of the straps that fasten the slugs are worn through. I am going to have to do a major repair of the sail before I leave CI. I motored into the bay and picked up a mooring ball without any problem, except once again the prop Did not want to flip into reverse. I don’t know if it is the transmission or the prop. Once the boat was secured I radioed the Harbor Master who contacted ABF radioed me a few minutes later and asked if I could come ashore to take care of the formalities. He contacted biosecurity and we agreed to meet in 45m. They were super friendly and helpful and the whole process took 5-10m. I learned there were hot showers! There were three yacht at the mooring. One of them was Lena Rae, a guy I met at TI. I joined him for a beer before grabbing my stuff to get a shower. He is leaving for the Cocos in the morning, so I will see him there.