Author Spotlight: Russ Swan

Delma had never really shown much inclination to sail in a cruising yacht outside the confinesof the harbor. She viewed sailing out there with something akin to horror. So why did she suddenly suggest sailing across the Arafura Sea to a remote group of islands in the far-eastern region of Indonesia? This is a story by the Skipper of an 8 tonne, 30-foot cruising yacht describing an open-water voyage with four crew members, two of whom had virtually no sailing experience. The Skipper's view of the incidents and events from the preparation phase until they returned back to Australia is laced with humor, and delightfully describes the places they sailed, characters they met, local cultures and a little history of the region. The experience of enduring a heavy storm at sea should not be missed. Charts allow the reader to follow the expedition closely. Cruising Notes containing navigational and useful information are included together with a selection of photographs. A comprehensive glossary gives an excellent explanation of such things as nautical distances, speed, boat lengths, depths, wind and compass directions.