HORRENDOUS DAYS OFF THE COAST OF NSW

Relayed from Trial Bay (South West Rocks, New South Wales
30.53S  153.43E)
where Montane is at anchor, Saturday 24 April, 1100 hours.

The last few days at sea have been horrendous.  The waves were
towering vertical walls of water with foaming white peaks roaring
down at us. The waves rolled in from the SE and the SW and when
these met a huge tower of white water would be thrown into the
air.  When caught by these waves Montane would be sent surfing at
up to 18 knots in a matter of seconds towards a wall of water
waiting at the bottom. The nights were the worst.  During the day
we could try and steer around the waves, at night we were at
their mercy.  I have lost count of how many times we were knocked
flat by waves. You would just listen for breaking waves and try
and keep them  directly behind.  At one time a wave broke over me
as I was steering . It seemed like an enternity that thundering
water poured over me.  All I remember thinking was "What happens
now?".  I had no idea what angle to the waves we were.  Would we
roll with this one?  Finally the downpour finished and I found we
were surfing down the wave at 15 knots.  The cockpit was full to
above the seats and we were still facing downhill.  Finally the
wave passed on and the cockpit started to drain. Add to this
winds of 30 - 40 knots with gusts to 55 knots, rain squalls with
horizontal rain beating  down on the back of your head and
lightning.  One strike was so close I could feel the warmth on my
face. Ever since we got the front off Gabo Island life on board
Montane has been pretty wild. It was hard to sleep or move
around, hard to cook and very wet.  It was wearing us down. Every
morning we were thankful to have made it through the night ready
to start again. On Friday morning the low had intensified.  The
storm area we had sailed out of had moved and we were back in
it.  This was not the place for little boats.  Our goal is to
finish this race and it was time to seek shelter. We intend to
continue the race tomorrow - Sunday.

Teresa Michell