Day 5 Port Douglas-Bali

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 We went through the night as planned.  Weather was so-so, we had 20kts wind, 1.5m seas, thunder/lightning and squally rain.  Apart from that it was an ok night.  We decided to do 3hrs on 3hrs off watches which I don't normally do as it is very tiring but as it was only 1 night that it worked.

As we were not going to make Thursday Island before night fall I decided to stop in a little river by Turtle Head Island only 40 ish nm from Thursday.

So we go into the river and found a good spot to anchor. 


On our way into the river by Turtle head Island 



OMG!!  After anchoring up with absolutely no one else here we and sitting around watching "Drive To Survive" on Netflix for an hour or so I heard this strange noise.  When I looked out the window and all I could see was the tail of a helicopter!!  Holly shit!  It was 10mts off the stern and about 5mts off the water and the downdraft was churning up the water something crazy!  We both went out to the cockpit to see a brand new 2026 Australian Border Force helicopter hovering VERY close.  The pilot was looking out the window giving us the thumbs up as a question mark.  I returned the thumbs up and within seconds they were off up the river.  WOW!  I have been buzzed by a few ABF planes in my time but never a helicopter.  Probably because ABF have only just taken delivery of 2 of these toys in early 2026.


Unfortunately this picture was taken after I ran into the cabin to get my phone, by the time I came out they were off and away.


I also tried my hand at flying the drone from the boat.  Really nervous!  Managed to launch it, fly it away from the boat, scan back and forth then brought it back, all in only 6kts of wind.  OMG that was
stressful but pretty cool.  Still learning and need to be more confident.  Maybe I will gain confidence before getting to Bali??  

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