Pirate ship ahoy

With the words of the radio operator on customs vessel Cape Byron ringing in our ears to “keep a look out and let us know if you see anything unusual”, we headed for Middle Percy Island, a “must do” for any yachtie sailing the Eastern Seaboard. We had visited this beautiful and much loved island almost thirty years previously and were very much looking forward to our return visit. 

Google Middle Percy Island for some of its intriguing history.

On approaching the island, we noticed a strange black hull anchored in the bay. At first it was just a black “blob” but as we drew closer we realised it was a pirate ship! Was this, we wondered what the customs officer meant as “anything unusual”?!

The vessel turned out to be Notorious, a replica of a 15th Century Caravel built by Victorians Graeme and Felicite Whylie. Made from recycled timber, the boat weighs 55 tonnes and is just 21 metres long and six metres long. The Whylies were on their way to the Tasmanian Wooden Boat Festival.  A few days later we sailed past Notorious and took lots of photos.