Team Responsibilities
Successfully paddling a kayak across Bass Strait requires strong teamwork. The physical task of paddling is only one piece in the puzzle. We’ve created a ‘cabinet’ with ministerial portfolios to manage the range of responsibilities…
Ministry of Safe Arrival (Greg)
- Navigation (destination options, departure times, track, heading, waypoints)
- Meteorology (wind, weather)
- Ocean (tides, currents, swell)
- SAR (trip notification/lodgement with appropriate authorities, rescue protocols)
Ministry of Land & Life (Robin)
- Food (nutritional requirements, meal options, sources (Island procurement), meal preparation roster)
- Water (requirements, island sources, carrying options)
- Photography & trip log
- Camping gear requirements
Ministry of Health & Wellbeing (Brendan)
- First aid
- Injury prevention and recovery
- Survivorship & mental health
- Training (fitness, technique, biomechanics)
Ministry of Finance (Troy)
- Trip budget (land travel, ferry, food & supplies, shared resources etc)
- Cash management and reconciliation
- Asset repair and maintenance
Ministry of Planning (Paul)
- Pre & post trip logistics
- Fundraising
- Communication, website
- Route planning
Expedition Dates
Our target date for departure is March 12 or 13, 2009.
Our criteria for deciding when to embark on the crossing includes:
- Warm temperatures
- Modest seas/swell
- Minimum winds (and favourable direction)
All things considered, the data suggests that early autumn (March) is the most favourable time to cross Bass Strait. In autumn 34% of forecast winds are in the 10 – 15 knots range (66% of forecast winds in autumn are 20 knots or higher). Also, in autumn there is between 92% and 94% probability that minimum seas will be 2 metres or less. Autumn has a 33% forecast rate of maximum seas being 2.5 metres or higher (N.B. the probabilities for the other seasons average about 50%). In autumn the chance of maximum swell being greater than 4 metres is just 6%, with the likelihood of slight swell (i.e. < 1.5 m) being around 28%.
The practical implications of this data…
- On 2 out of 3 days winds will be 20 knots or higher (as either headwinds or tailwinds)
- On 9 out of 10 days minimum seas will be less than 2 metres
- On 1 out of 3 days maximum seas will be 2.5 metres or higher
- On 1 out of 20 days swell will be more than 4 metres
The next consideration is tidal effects. There are several channels within Bass Strait that have notorious tidal currents. We want to minimise our exposure to these currents, and so we are planning to cross these on days when currents are likely to be weakest. This is a function of the moon. Full Moon and New Moon are associated with the strongest tides (‘spring tides’). Quarter Moons (waxing and waning) are associated with the weakest tides (‘neaps tides’). On the basis of these factors, we believe that the best theoretical departure date from Wilson’s Promontory will be about March 12 or 13, 2009. But the actual departure will be contingent on local weather conditions. If weather conditions appear to be unfavourable we may advance or delay our departure by a day or two. We hope to sit out bad weather and depart on the back of departing low pressure systems (cold fronts), assuming that we will get at least 2 – 3 days of clear weather following the low to make the first and longest channel crossings. A lot depends on the pressure systems and associated wind patterns and strength.
Route
Crossing Bass Strait is no small undertaking, but it is surprisingly achievable. We plan to camp every night on islands that span Eastern Bass Strait.
Our proposed itinerary (in the perfect world):
| Day | Location | Km |
| 1 | Port Welshpool to Little Waterloo Bay (Wilsons Promontory) | 48 |
| 2 | Little Waterloo Bay to Hogan Island | 49.5 |
| 3 | Spare day (Rest day) | – |
| 4 | Hogan Island to Erith Island | 41.4 |
| 5 | Erith Island to Flinders Island (Killcrankie) via Craggy Island | 61.4 |
| 6 | Spare day (Rest day) | – |
| 7 | Killcrankie to Emita | 28.2 |
| 8 | Emita to Whitemark | 21.4 |
| 9 | Whitemark to Trousers Bay via Big Green Island | 16.5 |
| 10 | Spare day (Rest day) | – |
| 11 | Trousers Bay to Cape Barren Island | 15.7 |
| 12 | Cape Barren Island to Preservation Island | 16.7 |
| 13 | Spare day (Rest day) | – |
| 14 | Preservation Island to Little Mussleroe Bay | 32.4 |
| TOTAL | 307.6 | |
Boats
Our boats are obviously a critical part of the strategy. The type of boats along with some important extra gear selected by each of the Paddledogs is summarised below.
Safety
Safety is paramount. As much as we’re keen for an adventure, we don’t want to cause ourselves harm, and we don’t want to recklessly rely on rescue services. First and foremost in our safety strategy is skills. We’ve been trained in a range of self-rescue techniques by Xterra Adventures including Eskimo rolling and we’re being professionally coached to improve our ocean, navigation and weather interpretation skills. Every weekend we go out for ocean paddles together to become comfortable with group decision making and to improve our fitness and ocean paddling skills. We’ve simulated actual sea rescues in harsh ocean conditions.Another key factor in ensuring a safe passage is to allow sufficient time so that, if needed, we can wait out bad or marginal weather on an island without the pressure to meet a deadline.The following is an inventory of safety equipment that we’ll have:
• GPS with marine charts
• Deck compass
• EPIRB
• Flares
• Shortwave radio – for weather forecasts
• Marine band radio (20-30km reach)
• Mobile phone
• Self rescue gear (paddle float, paddle leash)
• Towline
• Spare paddle
• Personal floatation device (PFD)
• Whistle
• Bilge pump (electric and hand)
• Dry top, Cag or Sharkskin top
• Neoprene booties and gloves
• Rescue knife
• Tether
Training
We’re planning a slow fitness build-up to the following program for Dec – Feb 09:
• x1 per week long paddle (2 – 6 hrs) for endurance + technical skills, preferably in all ocean conditions
• x1 per week tempo paddle (1 – 3 hrs) for muscular strength/endurance & technique
• x1 per week effort paddle (1 – 1.5 hrs) for speed, power, strength & technique
• x1 per week moderate resistance training (e.g. weights) to assist with injury prevention
• x2 per week stretch session & core strength/balance session
• Some cycling/running for cross-training
Packing List
Here is a ‘mind map’ of our packing list.
