I was feeling a little apprehensive toward the weather in the days leading up to this trip. A slow moving high pressure system was sitting over Victoria pumping up south easterlies up to 30knots and still hadn't budged much by Saturday our departure date. I was expecting a change of plan. Saumarez Reef was looking doubtful. Bruce, our skipper was more optimistic and as it turned out his predictions were pretty well spot on.

Another awesome trip. 16 of us departed Gladstone late Saturday afternoon in glorious conditions. Due to a forecast brief deterioration in the weather we spent Sunday at the Swains Reefs while our Captain Bruce Stobo assessed the latest weather reports. The pending change didn't look too bad so Sunday night we ventured on to Saumarez Reef.

On Monday Bruce, our skipper, announced the news we had been hoping for. Winds were easing, tonight we would sail for Saumarez Reef. The plan was to leave at midnight which would have us arrive at the western edge of Saumarez at first light.