Day 6 – Twiddling thumbs

We started the day adrift some 12 north of Bounties. Misty conditions with poor visibility. Sea continues to be very sloppy with waves coming seemingly from all directions. Started engines around 7 am and arrived back at the Bounties by 8 am. Westerly wind of 10-15 knots and bumpy seas. The islands are invisible in the fog until we are right in between them. Spent the whole morning anchored between Depot and Funnel Island. The Evohe is frequently rocked by violent seas.  Steve and Simon checked out the landings with the dinghy but returned quickly – far too dangerous to land.

Toyed with the idea of flying the Funnel mission from the boat when mist lifted around lunchtime. But launching and catching the unit in these conditions very difficult and dangerous. So decided against it. Found out that DOC has not updated our entry permit so that we are not allowed to deploy a time lapse cameras on Depot – of course. Steamed to the Proclamation anchorage in the afternoon. Massive surges around the island underlined that there was no way we could have landed today. So, a second day of twiddling thumbs.