03/08/2026
Just a bit of background on what’s been happening with SE
Our last course was the end of April, and we had a day trip in early May. After this, it was the Chief getting a new hip, so he was out of action for 6 weeks (so we thought). The second engineer had a fall and was injured, so nothing was happening, although I had some peaceful weekends on my own writing aboard.
The Chief ended up with a long-running back problem being diagnosed and ended up with Back surgery; all the time, the Second Engineer had his own medical issues, so all in all no sea time. I did put on an Open day trip in early July and had to rely on past participants to crew for me.
But the Chief is back on deck now, second is still off, expected to be back sometime soon.
With the introduction of the weekend cruise last weekend and my first time ashore (and the Swain’s), it has opened a whole new meaning to relaxation.
So, I intend to sail every 2 weeks for the weekend and catch up with friends down the channel, go ashore, sit around the fire and eat, drink and be merry.
I will run another 2 trips before we go up on the Clean Lift, 14th -16th and 28th–30th. This is to get an accurate cost to run the cruises. After the annual maintenance period, it will be shared cost, and maybe bring the makings for a meal. Keep an eye on the Crew News for details.
Now we still have fuel in our tanks, thanks to the last Grant, but with no new Grant or funding in sight, this will soon dry up. I can earn some money hanging a few nets, but once again this will dry up.
Come along and enjoy the weekend cruises, put some money in the jar, and we can continue to run them.
Please find attached the latest Crew News.
To all crew
An update on all that is happening with the SE! Come and visit us at our new berth, POW Bay Marina Y-O, down the ramp from the bottom carpark, turn RIGHT, past A and Z fingers, then the Fuel Dock to Y finger (last), turn left, and we are right on the end (see map). Or ring me on
Call 0419 304 500 for directions.
2026
• BAD NEWS ON THE GRANT! BUT WAITING ON MAYBE SOME FUNDING OUT OF THE RSL SUB BRANCHES
• Our weekend away, well what a great time, catching up with friends and for the first time ever, I went ashore!
• Because of my feet problems, (Charcot foot and perifocal Neuropathy) I have avoided anything that could worsen my problem. After 4 years of missing out on the fun ashore, I finally gave it a try and with help from my crew and friends was able to get ashore and enjoy the day. Great food on the BBQ, everyone chips in and shared, a few beers and a bonus was giving the Coxswain a trip ashore, his first time in his lifejacket.
• We did have Generator problems, overheating but eventually fixed by the Chief and the rest of us giving him support and handing the tools.
• We also got to see the China Zorilla loaded onto the heavy lift ship, Black Marlin
Friday 7th and Saturday 8th Aug 2026
• Friday Maintenance – fitting FW shut off valve to deck wash
o Investigate removal of deck wash valves
• Veterans welcome
• Join us Friday Arvo for a Brew and a chinwag
Friday 14th and Saturday 15th Aug 2026 FREE WEEKEND TRIP TO CHANNEL
• Friday Maintenance Working on RO
• Sail after lunch Friday
• One double and one single available
• Saturday Join us and our friends ashore for a meal and singsong around the fire
• Back alongside after lunch Sunday
• Veterans welcome
Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd Aug
Sunday 23rd August Free Day Trip
• Friday Maintenance prepping for the Annual maintenance
• Sunday, we sail at 0900 Veterans welcome
• Fist under the Shot Tower
• Anchor Maryanne Bay for snag sizzle
• Back alongside by 1600
Friday 28th, Saturday 29th Sunday 30th Aug 2026 FREE WEEKEND TRIP TO CHANNEL
• Friday Maintenance prepping for the Annual maintenance
• Veterans welcome
• Sail after lunch Friday
• One double and one single available
• Saturday Join us and our friends ashore for a meal and singsong around the fire
• Back alongside after lunch Sunday
• Veterans welcome
Up on the Clean-lift Monday 1st September for 7 days
• Join us next week and help with our annual maintenance!
• We need, painters, scrapers, engineers, general workers, all welcome- must be prepared to work in the rain (well it is Tasmania😊)
• Friday 4th, Saturday 5th Sunday 6th September
• Continuing with Clean Lift Maintenance
Monday 7th September
• Lifted back in, return to berth
• Volunteers needed to transport people back to the clean lift to get their vehicles
Friday 11th and Saturday 12th September 2026 FREE WEEKEND TRIP TO CHANNEL
• Friday Maintenance
• Sail after lunch Friday
• One double and one single available
• Saturday Join us and our friends ashore for a meal and singsong around the fire
• Back alongside after lunch Sunday
• Veterans welcome
Friday 18th and Saturday 19th September 2026
• Friday Maintenance
• Saturday 19th Possible Veterans thank you for your help fishing trip
• Veterans welcome
• Join us Friday Arvo for a Brew and a chinwag
Friday 25th and Saturday 26th September 2026
• Friday Maintenance
• Saturday 26th Possible Veterans thank you for your help fishing trip
• Veterans welcome
• Join us Friday Arvo for a Brew and a chinwag
Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd October 2026
• Friday Maintenance
• Veterans welcome
• Join us Friday Arvo for a Brew and a chinwag
Friday 9th and Saturday 10th October 2026
• Friday Maintenance
• Veterans welcome
• Join us Friday Arvo for a Brew and a chinwag
Friday 16th and Saturday 17th October 2026
• Friday Maintenance
• Veterans welcome
• Join us Friday Arvo for a Brew and a chinwag
Thursday 22nd (Show Day) till Sunday 25th October 2026 4-Day Navigation Planning Cruise and Pirate Cruise- 3 berths available
• Sail at 0900 Thursday for Quarantine Bay
• Friday Red Course Planning Plus joining in with the Pirate weekend
• Saturday Green Course Planning Plus joining in with the Pirate weekend
• Sunday sail back- alongside PM
• Free to Veterans, although you might have to contribute to a meal😊
Friday 30th and Saturday 31st October 2026
• Friday Maintenance
• Veterans welcome
• Join us Friday Arvo for a Brew and a chinwag
A FORWARD LOOK AT OUT ANNUAL CRUISE NEXT JANUARY 2027–
• SAIL SATURDAY 23RD JAN- PORT ARTHUR- TROLLING FOR TUNA/FREDERICK HENRY BAY- EXPLORING CAVE SYSTEM-
• THEN TO QUARANTINE TO CONDUCT THE ANNUAL NAVIGATION CRUISE ON SATURDAY 30TH
• SUNDAY 31ST – SAIL FOR THE SOUTH COAST, RECHERCHE, PEDRA BRANCA, LOUISA BAY, NEW HARBOUR, TROLLING FOR TUNA ON THE WEST COAST, FISHING FOR FLATHEAD
• RETURNING FEB 21ST SHARED COST OF $2,OOO PER PERSON- FIRST IN BEST DRESSED
CHEERS CAPTAIN
Veterans for Veterans and The Crew of MV Southern Explorer are all Volunteers. If you are lucky enough to enjoy one of our courses and would like to contribute to the upkeep of the vessel
Please donate to BSB 737 621
Account number 611054
All donations gratefully accepted
Facebook- Veterans for Veterans aboard MV Southern Explorer
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