Sunday Mission
- 8 March 2026
- Jane Elliot
Skipper Thelma reporting
Sunday 8 March
Just before Crew 1 set off for Sunday training, we received a message from Ops that there was a launch on the reef at Scandrett Bay that may need assistance later in the day.....so we called in on our way out to have a look and see how we could help, given the tide was dropping. Fortunately, sea conditions were very calm and remained so all day.
It was a flat piece of reef, and a good solid launch, sitting up on its very beefy keel. With the prop and rudder set inside the keel and well protected, the lack of water was really the only problem!
Unfortunately, it had gone a little too close inshore, cutting the corner between the 2 bays, so caught the edge of the reef. It had gone aground pretty close to high tide at about 3 knots, so wasn't going to come off again for about 10 hours!
After a bit of a discussion, we hatched a plan and placed their anchor out to sea, so they'd be able to winch themselves off , or at least pull the bow around if the sea conditions deteriorated as the tide came in.
Then we headed off to resume training....but got sidetracked, paying a visit to the "Hawk V", loitering near Albert Shoal, and quickly jumped at the chance to have a look on board and chat to the crew. "Hawk V" is a power cat of similar design to the Deodar, operated by NZ Customs Service and we were made very welcome on board. Let's just say that by the time we left, Andew W had engine room envy and Rob was smitten with the gas stabilised binos! KR felt decidedly small as we returned to our training plan!
Coincidentally, while going over our "Man Over Board" and "Abandon ship" drills, a "smallish" shark idled on past our bow, so in water demonstrations were curtailed!
After a rest at home and dinner, four of the team reassembled at 2200hrs to help further with re floating the launch. High tide was 2345. On departing Sandspit, our wake lit up nicely, due to bioluminescence in the estuary - very pretty! As were our night lights with the dinghy on board.
While the launch was looking on a more even keel (iterally) when we returned, it still wasn't quite ready to float free. So we waited until high tide and applied a little bit of pulling power to its stern, using our bridle onto 2 solid cleats, to slide it back off the way it had gone on.
That went as planned and we kept the line on while they retrieved the anchor and checked everything over. A very straightforward operation when the tide was right.
Thanks to the daytime crew of Bruce R, Bruce S, Rob, Marcus & Andrew W, with Andrew, Marcus & Bruce R returning later at night.
The launch owner really appreciated our help- it's so nice to get a thank you!
Photos: Marcus R
