Two of the Oyster World Rally fleet recently berthed at Rivergate Marina & Shipyard to undertake hardstand work. Satori II and Babiana are Oyster 885 Series II yachts taking part in the epic Oyster World Rally which set sail from Antigua in the Caribbean in January on what is described as “the ultimate circumnavigation”.
30 Oyster yachts will cruise across three oceans, covering 27,000 nautical miles over 16 months, and visit some of the world’s most spectacular cruising grounds. It’s timed precisely to make the most of global weather patterns so participants can experience the best of each location, with plenty of cruising time at the end of each passage.
Currently, the bulk of the fleet is heading to Darwin after sailing from Vanuatu to Queensland, up the coast to the Whitsundays – where they celebrated the halfway mark – then Cairns and ‘over the top’ to Darwin. From there, they will head to Indonesia, the Cocos Keeling Islands and on to Mauritius, then Reunion, South Africa, Brazil and then, Grenada as the final port in their grand adventure.
Rivergate Project Manager, Marty Johnson, said the 27-metre Oysters’ visit to Rivergate required “all hands on deck” to carry out a range of upgrades plus their annual maintenance and service inspections.
“Having half circumnavigated the globe, these intrepid yachts were due for extended maintenance periods, some refit works and below waterline service – props, rudders, bow and stern thrusters and through hull fittings, antifoul, air-conditioning and refrigeration inspection and servicing, paint work, rigging and deck associated maintenance and inspections, Main engine and generator, Yachts Tender maintenance and inspections,” Marty reported.
“Both yachts received a full ceramic coat paint detail, hull and topsides, and will soon be on their way – Satori II to meet the fleet in Indonesia while Babiana will spend some time cruising the Great Barrier Reef, ahead of making its way to Indonesia.”
Captain of Satori II, Lawrie Brice, was steering the new Oyster 885 into Mooloolaba when he spoke about his experience at Rivergate.
Satori II and crew are en route to Cairns and then west to Darwin where they will meet the owners and their guests for the next leg of the Oyster World Rally – most likely Indonesia to Mauritius.
The British born skipper, who resides in southern Spain most of the year, has been aboard Satori II since this year’s rally began on 14 January in Antigua.
“The owners took delivery of Satori II in November 2023, and we sailed to Gibraltar, where they live, and then to Antigua in December for the start of the Rally,” he said.
Captain Lawrie sails with three crew members and the owners for several of the longer legs.
The Australian stopover in the Whitsundays was the ideal opportunity for the yacht to book a berth at Rivergate to attend to maintenance and for crew to take a well-earned break.
Lawrie is no stranger to Australia, having visited his son who was travelling down under and undertaking a road trip from Melbourne to Brisbane.
“Rivergate is located in a capital city, close to the international airport, which was perfect for the crew,” he explained.
“I flew back to Spain to see my wife who I hadn’t seen for nine months, one crew member flew to Bali, one hired a car and explored south-east Queensland, and the other visited family in Cairns and drove back to Brisbane.
“We knew the boat would be in good hands while we were away.
Rivergate has earned its international reputation as a world-class yard, he continued. “Marty and the team were excellent and asked all the right questions. They were super helpful and responsive. They know all the local suppliers and worked really hard to get the work done. Satori uses North Sails and there’s a loft nearby, so it couldn’t have been more convenient.”
When he returned to Rivergate, Captain Lawrie was impressed with the quality of work and attention to detail.
“We were jolly pleased. The owners really love their boat, so maintaining her in top condition is my priority.”
His impression of Brisbane and its environs was equally positive. “We enjoyed our stay in Brisbane. It’s a very social city with loads to do. I can see why crew love coming here.”
