Splash and Dash Searey Seaplane Delights
                           May 2 10:45
Guest User - Request Membership Layout | Log In | Help | Videos | Site | Emails 
Search:  

 Photos
View		 All Photos | Add Photos | Emoticons | Album View | Mark Unread
Search Photos:     

  
Trouble Brewing
Previous 		On final
Next
 Photo Info
Posted By: Hal Brown
Date Posted: Mar 17, 2014
Description: Even on a slow day, there are treasures to be found. None of the new guests on Clubhouse wanted to fly. The chief stewardess did. We toured the local bays. She was so excited about the trip that she called her father.

The stewardess’ father was a Spitfire pilot in World War II. After checking out the photo his daughter e-mailed, he called her. “That little flying boat looks a bit like the Vickers Supermarine Walrus,” he said. “I’ve flown one of those. I’d guess the flying is quite similar.”

Considering the ugly and ungainly Walrus, I couldn’t be sure whether that was insult. Apparently not. He quickly agreed to come for a SeaRey flight in October.
Date Taken: Mar 17, 2014
Place Taken: Whangaruru Harbour, NZ
Owner: Dan Nickens
File Name: Slow_Day.jpg   - Photo HTML
Full size     - <img src="/show.php?splash=SZDX40000h">
Medium    - <img src="/show.php?splash=SZDX40000m">
Thumbnail - <img src="/show.php?splash=SZDX40000s">
Category: 446, Yacht Tending NZ
Favorite option: If you want this item to be marked as a favorite, click on the black heart. Slow Days    Make Cover Photo     
Clear Cover Photo      

Click on photo to view the original size.
Viewers 

  

Read what others had to say:

Dan Nickens - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    In every bay some rain must fall. This day was that day for the Bay of Islands. Ah, well, the little salty SeaRey could use a good washing.      Attachments:  

Rained Out.jpg
Rained Out

    
  
Dan Nickens - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    Overnight the Clubhouse moved to a new location. She was parked under the imposing Whangarei Heads in Urqharts Bay. With wind from the south, it was a rocky approach to a splash down.      Attachments:  

Rocky Approach.jpg
Rocky Approach

    
  
Dan Nickens - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    As usual I arrived before anyone knew what was about to happen. After circling for a bit and checking out the bay, I was called over by the Clubhouse’s Captain. “Can you go get the drone?”<br /><br />Now the drone is not a small thing, but there should be room enough on the empty passenger seat. “Sure. Where is it?”<br /><br />“It was left on the Darby’s boat.”<br /><br />“Are they still in the Bay of Islands?”<br /><br />“No, they moved last night to some islands about 25 miles southeast.”<br /><br />“Southeast? That’s ocean.”<br /><br />“And islands too. I’m not sure which one.”<br /><br />“Could it be the Hens &amp; Chickens? They’re not that far.”<br /><br />“Don’t know, mate. All I know is they said they were heading southeast. Can you get the drone?”<br /><br />“Let’s see. It is open ocean out there with miles and miles of water and just a few specks of land. What land there is is nothing but volcanic outposts surrounded by monster ocean swells that will make any SeaRey splashdown a thoroughly wet affair with rocky coves that could easily hide a large boat. It’s just crazy to think I can head out there with no better directions or clues and find one boat.”<br /><br />That was what I thought. What I said was, “Sure.”<br />      Attachments:  

Awaiting Orders.jpg
Awaiting Orders

    
  
Dan Nickens - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    Without much hope, I headed out to sea.      Attachments:  

Out to Sea.jpg
Out to Sea

    
  
Dan Nickens - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    Whoever says there isn’t much to see at sea probably wasn’t paying attention. I was paying a lot of attention, straining to see a sign of solid land. The line of clouds casting shadows on the sea wasn’t making my search any easier.<br /><br />From my aerial charts I saw at least two possibilities. One area was a small collection of rocks without any protection. The other was an island stuck in the middle of a restricted area called Little Barrier Island.<br />      Attachments:  

Nothing Much to Sea .jpg
Nothing Much to Sea

    
  
Dan Nickens - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    Out on the distant horizon there was another possibility: the Great Barrier Island. It didn’t seem all that far away through a high power zoom lens.<br /><br />Now it was decision time. Three possibilities and fuel for only two. The least likely hiding place was in the Mokohinau Islands. Not only were they little specks on the map, but they weren’t strictly speaking southeast from the Clubhouse. They were much more east than southeast.<br /><br />I was hoping the Little Barrier Island wasn’t where the boat was hiding. It was covered with a red restricted area from the surface to 3500’. I could fly around the 5 mile circumference and look for boats. If found, I’d have to land outside the restricted area and taxi a long way in to check it out.<br /><br />The third option was Aiguilles Island lying at the northern end of the Great Barrier Island.<br /><br />What first? The least likely? The Mokohinau islands had several positive attributes. They were not protected by a restricted area. They were marginally closer. And, finally, I could check them out quickly because of their small size. If that was unsuccessful, I could fly to Aiguilles and possibly find fuel at Okiwi Station on the Great Barrier Island. I could do a loop around the Little Barrier Island with its restrictions on the way back to Clubhouse if nothing else worked out.<br />      Attachments:  

Distant Possibilities.jpg
Distant Possibilities

    
  
Dan Nickens - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    First sign of the Mokohinau Islands wasn’t encouraging. The bulk of the islands, the ones with a lighthouse, had no boats in sight. Maybe there could be a boat hiding on the other side. I decided to go straight for the largest one further south.      Attachments:  

Nothing But Rock.jpg
Nothing But Rock

    
  
Dan Nickens - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    All of the Mokohinau Islands could be taken in by one quick glance. Even a longer glance did not reveal any evidence of a boat. If there had been a boat, it would be on the inland side of the islands, right? No one would want to ride out on the open ocean swell.<br /><br />It was a swing and miss. Nothing out here but rocks and water. Or, wait! What’s that white speck?<br />      Attachments:  

Speck of Boat.jpg
Speck of Boat

    
  
Dan Nickens - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    Bingo! That’s the boat.      Attachments:  

Target Acquired.jpg
Target Acquired

    
  
John Robert Dunlop - Mar 19,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    Spectacular photos, Dan!     
  
Dan Nickens - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    The boat’s parking place didn’t look so hot for SeaRey beaching. The yacht’s launch running around in the swell proved it was possible to be a little boat in such a rough place. I wasn’t going to be a wimp if that little rubber thing could navigate the treacherous shoals!      Attachments:  

Uninviting.jpg
Uninviting

    
  
Dan Nickens - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    It’s one thing to find the boat. It’s another to land out in the ocean and get to it. And another entirely to figure out how to get a drone from the boat to the SeaRey. It’s not like you can just fly it over. Well, maybe you can. But then you have to get the controls. Fortunately the small inflatable easily delivered the goods.      Attachments:  

Gotcha.jpg
Gotcha

    
  
Don Maxwell - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    It doesn't look too bad in this shot ('Gotcha'), Dan. Or were there swells that don't show up here?     
  
Dan Nickens - Mar 18,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    It wasn't so bad, Don, thanks to the 'Swell Barrier'.     
  
Don Maxwell - Mar 18,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    Hah. Is PA selling that Swell Barrier as an upgrade now?     
  
Dan Nickens - Mar 18,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    Not sure what they will call it, Don, but I want to be first in line to get it!     
  
Dan Nickens - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    Quad-copter Drone (future SeaRey replacement?) stowed, all that’s left is flying away.      Attachments:  

Flyaway.jpg
Flyaway

    
  
Dan Nickens - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    Having a nice rocky barrier keeps ocean swell at bay and makes the getaway easier.      Attachments:  

Swell Barrier.jpg
Swell Barrier

    
  
Dan Nickens - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    The now familiar rugged coast of the Hen &amp; Chickens was a sure sign of a mission almost accomplished.      Attachments:  

Heading Home.jpg
Heading Home

    
  
Dan Nickens - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    The scared hillside was a stark reminder of the impermanence of life on the steep landscape.      Attachments:  

Changable Scenery.jpg
Changable Scenery

    
  
Dan Nickens - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    Basking in the warmth and resting easy on the beach after successful completion of the drone recovery mission.      Attachments:  

Missions End.jpg
Missions End

    
  
Dan Nickens - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    On the ride back to the Clubhouse bouquets floated by.<br /><br />“For me?” I asked, trying to mask my immodesty.<br /><br />“Not likely, mate. They’re throwing out the old blooms.” <br />      Attachments:  

Congratulatory Flowers.jpg
Congratulatory Flowers

    
  
Dan Nickens - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    The reward for accomplishing an improbable mission was more work. Perfect!      Attachments:  

Back to Work.jpg
Back to Work

    
  
Russ Garner - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    Beautiful but not to hospitable I think for little seaplanes your job can be. But is it really a job, looks more like adventurous fun to me that can make you keep coming back for more and more. So when do you leave to go back Dan or did you have any luck talking Paige in to putting up with the helicopter pilot.     
  
Dan Nickens - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    Paige and the helicopter pilot had irreconcilable differences, Russ. I'm on standby now for Papua New Guinea next week, waiting to see if we will get a permit for SeaRey operations.     
  
Russ Garner - Mar 17,2014   Viewers  | Reply
    Lou and I wish you could be here for the gathering but it doesn't bother me to much knowing I'd go if I had the chance. Don't work to hard.     


       - About Searey.us -
     - Contact Searey.us - 		- Privacy Statement -
- Terms of service - 		Copyright © 2024 Searey.us & Brevard Web Pro, Inc. - Copyrights may also be reserved
by posters and used by license on this site. See Terms of Service for more information.
    - Please visit our NEW Chapter Place Website at: chapterplace.com or Free Chapter Management Website at: ourchapter.org. Good for all chapters, groups or families.