THE VAN DIEMEN'S LAND CIRCUMNAVIGATION CRUISE

The Van Diemen's Land Circumnavigation Cruise is a well-established, world-class event. It has been conducted every two years or so for the past 18 by the RYCT. The event is a cruise-in-company involving an 800 nautical mile circumnavigation of Australia's island state of Tasmania. As for the last two cruises, the 2009 Cruise will be conducted in conjunction with the Royal Geelong YC.

Preparatory activities are well under way and the expressions of interest are rolling in for the next cruise that will begin in Hobart on Wednesday 11th February 2009. This is 2 days after the long weekend of the Australian Wooden Boat Festival that will be held in Hobart from 7th to 9th February 2009 <www.australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au>

It will take 5 weeks to complete an anti-clockwise circumnavigation. While Hobart is the preferred start point, some boats are expected to join at alternative ports along the way, including a fleet sailing from Geelong to join the main fleet at Tasmania's north-west corner about 26th February 2009. The cruise will be back in Hobart on or about 17th March 2009. Boats that did not start in Hobart will then continue to complete their circumnavigation. The Geelong contingent should be back inside Port Phillip Heads by 6th April 2009.

The route and recommended anchorages are based on careful research, previous experience and detailed local knowledge. Participating boats are required to meet strict safety requirements and participate in a daily radio schedule with an accompanying radio relay vessel.

Entries are accepted from appropriately equipped, well-found ocean-going yachts, motor yachts, motor cruisers, charter vessels, professional fishing vessels and tall ships. Because of the limited capacity of some ports and anchorages the total fleet size is limited to 45 boats.

• • The cruise starts with a visit to the old convict settlement of Port Arthur and unforgettable views of the towering dolerite cliffs of Cape Raoul, Cape Pillar and Tasman Island;

• • Then it is north along the East coast to Maria Island and the perfection of the Schouten Passage and Wineglass Bay with bright white beaches and pink granite mountains rising steeply out of the sea;
• • Through Banks Strait on the north-east corner of Tasmania to the Tamar River  with its many vineyards and picturesque anchorages;
• • Visits to other places along the North West Coast such as the city of Devonport on the Mersey River, and the pretty fishing village of Stanley nestling under The Nut (not so curiously named once you have seen it);
• • A rendezvous with the Geelong contingent at Three Hummock Island at the north-west corner, and then south along the West Coast, through Hell's Gates into Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River with its majestic gorges and rich rainforest;
• • After a victualling stop at the pretty west coast village of Strahan, it is south once more to Port Davey, the ultima thule of Australian cruising destinations with its sparkling white  quartzite mountains and tea-coloured water;
• • Finally, around the South Coast to the sheltered havens of D'Entrecasteaux Channel and home to Hobart.

A cruise-in-company provides an opportunity for visitors from other parts of the world, as well as the local cruising community, to undertake one of the world's more adventurous and spectacular cruising experiences, supported by people with practical knowledge of the Tasmanian coast and conditions.

To assist with preparation and passage planning, cruise plans for those departing Hobart and Geelong have been prepared. Cruise plans are weather dependent and hence subject to change.

The cruise is open to well-found sea-going vessels with an LOA of more than 30 feet that meet cruise safety requirements , and a minimum crew of 2 people who meet the offshore experience requirements . Boats of less than 30 feet may be accepted at the discretion of the organising committee. Because of the size of some ports and anchorages, the cruise is limited to 45 vessels.

Skippers should ensure their vessels are equipped with appropriate charts and publications .

Before the cruise commences, participating crews will be provided with a comprehensive guide to Tasmanian anchorages, as well as a cruise manual which provides a wealth of useful information to make your cruise safer and more enjoyable. Further information about Tasmania can be found by following some useful links .

Skippers interested in joining the 2009 cruise should complete an expression of interest form and email it to info@ryct.org.au This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or mail to:

Van Diemen's Land Circumnavigation Cruise

Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania

Marieville Esplanade

Sandy Bay Tas 7005

Australia

The entry fee for the cruise is $450 for privately-owned vessels, $650 for chartered vessels. A deposit (part of this entry fee) of $75 is required for a boat to be provisionally allocated a position in the 45 boat fleet. Refunds are available in accordance with the refund policy.