Brisbane offshore passages

[ntonnelier]

Hi,

we are sailing north the australian east coast in a 38ft samsung. Soon we will be arriving to Brisbane and, looking at the map, it looks like we have to go around Moreton Island (60nm extra) to get into the Bay, unless we sail through South Passage and Rous Passage.
The thing is there´s not much information about this passages and we don´t even know if it´s deep enough there (we got 2,8m keel). If anyone knows something about it please share your comments with us.
Thanks

[Factor]

Originally Posted by ntonnelier

Hi,

we are sailing north the australian east coast in a 38ft samsung. Soon we will be arriving to Brisbane and, looking at the map, it looks like we have to go around Moreton Island (60nm extra) to get into the Bay, unless we sail through South Passage and Rous Passage.
The thing is there´s not much information about this passages and we don´t even know if it´s deep enough there (we got 2,8m keel). If anyone knows something about it please share your comments with us.
Thanks

Do Not - I say again - do not enter via South Passage or Rous Channel or Jumpinpin. Its either from the north of Cape Moreton or from the south via the Seaway at Southport. There is a power cable between Southport and Brisbane about 20m clearance at HATs. If that affects your decision. Also coming up from Southport you will need half a rising tide for your draught.

I draw 1 metre and I wouldn't go out/in South passage on a flat calm day.

[Jimbo485]

Enter with the ships at Caloundra if the wind has any north in it and is over 20 knots. Far more sensible, even though you are coming from the south.

Or via Southport.

[Wotname]

What Factor and Jimbo said; +1

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Factor

Do Not - I say again - do not enter via South Passage or Rous Channel or Jumpinpin. Its either from the north of Cape Moreton or from the south via the Seaway at Southport. There is a power cable between Southport and Brisbane about 20m clearance at HATs. If that affects your decision. Also coming up from Southport you will need half a rising tide for your draught.

I draw 1 metre and I wouldn't go out/in South passage on a flat calm day.

Re the passage from Southport to Moreton Bay:

With 2.8 metres draught, they will need a bloody big tide to get through the skinny bits north of Jacobs Well IME. We draw only 2.2 and need to time things for near high water. The channel is a bit shifty but well marked in most areas, and the bottom is soft, not rocky, so the penalty for error is not too bad!

If the depth issue prohibits usage of this route, the most expeditious means of entry to Moreton Bay from the sea is via the Northeast Channel. This route is viable in all but heavy conditions and saves many miles over going clear to Caloundra.

As mentioned, the passages between the islands are absolutely impassable for vessels like ours.

Cheers,

Jim