Red watch 23/02/17
After being ferried ashore on the RIB and DOTI boats, we spent a pleasant few hours exploring the former penal colony of Port Arthur. A stark reminder – albeit in a beautiful setting – of the constant flow of convicts shipped to the other side of the world, in many cases for the slightest of misdemeanours that would barely receive a telling off these days. A quiet night at anchor in the bay opposite the gaol dawned to a lovely sunny morning. After breakfast, preparations for departure were made.
The ship weighed anchor at 0930hrs and headed out of the idyllic Port Arthur in beautiful sunshine. We headed north past Tasman Island and into the Tasman Sea accompanied by a large pod of frolicking dolphins and some albatrosses – what more could you want?! At 1400hrs we put up a jib and the Mizzen staysail – we are at least now motor sailing as we gradually sail away from the beautiful island of Tasmania.
