Day 7 Cairns-Singapore

 Sunday 14th Dec '25

Arafura Sea Transit – Low Activity, High Vigilance

Three days into this leg of the delivery, progress has been steady and uneventful — which, offshore, is exactly the objective.

Approximately 600 nautical miles have been covered since departing Thursday Island, placing the vessel now roughly north of Darwin. Over this period, traffic density has been effectively zero, with no commercial shipping or fishing activity encountered. This level of isolation is typical in this sector of the Arafura Sea and reinforces the need for disciplined watchkeeping despite the absence of visible hazards.

During the previous night watch, the vessel was overflown at low altitude by an Australian Border Force aircraft. This type of identification pass is standard procedure, allowing authorities to visually confirm vessel details before making radio contact. A brief exchange followed, confirming the vessel’s identity, origin, and intended destination — information already filed through clearance systems. Although the vessel was outside Australian territorial waters at the time, these checks are routine and not unexpected on this route.

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Conditions and Forecast Outlook

Weather conditions continue to be highly favourable. Temperatures remain elevated, but wind and sea state have stayed minimal, with any residual motion coming consistently from astern. For a heavy displacement motor yacht, this has resulted in a comfortable, low-stress ride with predictable performance.

Forecast models currently indicate light winds and calm seas for a further 1,000 nautical miles, equating to approximately five additional days of similar conditions. As always, forecasts in this region are treated as guidance rather than certainty, but the broader pattern remains stable.

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ETA Management and System Monitoring

The provisional ETA into Singapore remains 28 December, though this remains intentionally flexible. A developing low-pressure system near the Indonesian island chain, particularly in the vicinity of Jakarta, is being monitored closely. Depending on its evolution, arrival timing may adjust to allow for speed reduction, altered routing, or holding further south until conditions improve.

Maintaining schedule margin is a deliberate strategy on long tropical passages. It provides the freedom to respond conservatively to system development without compromising vessel safety or crew condition.

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Operational Context

This phase of the passage highlights several constants of long-range motor yacht delivery:

• Extended periods of low activity still demand full watch discipline

• Border authority interactions are routine, even offshore

• Stable weather windows allow efficient progress, but must be verified daily

• Flexible ETA planning is essential during tropical weather seasons

The passage continues as planned, with ongoing emphasis on monitoring, margin, and conservative decision-making.

Another hard day in the office