Southport to Sydney / 383 Nm / 16 – 20 Dec 2022

You can fly directly into Gold Coast or Brisbane on or before the 16th December 2022 in time to join us for a crew dinner ashore. On the morning of the 17th we will complete safety training and familiarise you with the yacht before departing around midday for Sydney. Depending on wind direction and currents it should be about 2-3 days to sail to Sydney to the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA), host of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race, where we should arrive by the 19th December. At the CYCA, the history of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race is on display including the hulls of every race winner and all of the perpetual race trophies awarded each year. You should plan to fly out of Sydney at or after 5pm on the 20th of December.

Here’s what you will experience onboard:

• Hoisting, trimming and reefing both upwind (main, genoas, and jibs) and downwind sails (poled out headsails, spinnakers, gennakers and code 0’s (subject to weather).
• Acting as watch captain (day and night), helming, navigating, checking the weather and monitoring AIS and radar and for both traffic and rain squalls.
• Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating the best route to the destination.
• Navigating, hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s.
• Routine checks of bilges, engine, electrical systems, sails and hardware for preventative maintenance.
• Watch roster planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication
• Familiarisation of all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures.
• Training in the use of PDF’s (Personal Flotation Devices), PLB’s (Personal Locator Beacons), safety tethers, dan buoy’s, storm drogue, liferaft and any other equipment required to ensure you remain safe in all conditions.
• Advice on how to take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration, sleep and nutrition to maintain your health and well being aboard.
• Planning our arrival and route to safe harbour including timing with daylight (if required), weather factors, navigational hazards, communications/customs and sail/motor arrival plan.
• Multi-day, offshore passage making 24/7 on a significant Category 1 offshore passage

Read the blog articles published by Lena Padukova after her 2019 Trans-Tasman on Ocean Gem.

Read our blog article of the Trans Tasman Crossing from Southport, Auckland to Opua & Auckland, New Zealand done on Ocean Gem in March 2019

Lord Howe Island information

Your crew package includes:

• all meals onboard
• crew meals ashore in Southport and Sydney
• accommodation onboard
• your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt
• marina fees
• the use of a PFD (personal floatation device), PLB (personal locator beacon), and a safety tether
• your bedding, a pillow and towel is also included along with suncream.

Your crew package excludes:

• accommodation ashore
• flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports and visas
• alcohol
• toiletries
• clothing and wet weather gear

You will need to complete a 2-day Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent at least 1 month prior.

Its always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility in case of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules. Accommodation options if you want to stay ashore either side of trip: AirBNB, Booking.com, Wotif & HomeAway.