I have been reading all the reports on Noonsite for weeks now and have been appalled at the recent reports from Spain and the Maldives. Spain’s decision to throw out a sailing family is indefensible! At least the Maldives only warned the cruisers to prepare to leave. The behaviour of the cruisers (as reported) is less promising and I urge all cruisers to stick together.

My wife, Kathy, and I, Jeremy, are on our second circumnavigation. We started out in 2008 and it was such a wonderful way of life, we decided to do it again! We sail a Westerly Solway, SAL DARAGO, which has two keels and a strong heart.

Last time we sailed via Darwin and joined the Indonesian Rally and later the Malaysian Rally. This time we decided to go off piste and cross The Great Australian Bight. We completed this in March. Arriving in Albany, the Coronavirus seemed to be taking hold of the world and to a lesser extent on Perth. We decided not to travel to Freemantle.

For a while we anchored in the many spots around Albany safe from the winds and swell. Subsequently the virus started to spread and by April a stay at home edict was given along with a ban on leisure boating. As a result we asked if we could stay at the Princess Royal Sailing Club. We were allowed to use a pen and once a week we crossed Princess Royal Bay for provisions from Albany. Once a fortnight we crossed and stayed at the Albany Waterfront Marina where we could use the washing machine and dryer.

We are allowed to exercise on land and have access to a toilet and shower. It’s pretty cold here at night and exposed in north westerlies. There is a general store and garage nearby.

Recently Western Australia relaxed some of the Emergency rules and leisure boating is now allowed. In one week’s time further relaxations will be allowed and we may be permitted to travel north to Freemantle.

Our flights home to the UK were cancelled at the end of April. No refund was given. Our credit card was hacked (in Mexico) and cancelled. Our travel insurance runs out in a few days. Medication for Kathy is on its way from the UK, hopefully. Our Westerly is in good condition. We are very lucky, especially as we read the plight of other cruisers. We DO need to return to the UK. We want to cross the Indian Ocean, round The Cape of Good Hope and sail to the Caribbean, but actually, we are safe in Australia and have been shown nothing but kindness and friendship. That’s how it should be. Shame on all Governments, Countries and Officials who have not treated cruisers as the Australians have treated the crew of Sal Darago.

“You could be in a lot worse places than Albany”, we hear often. No. There are few places better. We have been most fortunate to be locked down in Albany, Australia.

We hope all goes well for our fellow cruisers who find themselves less well placed.

Jeremy and Kathy Spencer
S/V SAL DARAGO

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• Australia Biosecurity
• More COVID-19 Field Reports
• COVID-19 Coronavirus: Special Procedures Being Introduced in Ports of Entry Worldwide
• COVID-19 Resources Page

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Please share your current experience with COVID-19 restrictions and how it has affected your cruising plans. Contact Sue at editor@noonsite.com with your field report.

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Noonsite.com or World Cruising Club.