Deep Blue – Three Weeks of Highs, Lows & Hard Lessons 🌊

The last three weeks have been a complete rollercoaster.

When we bought Donna Karen – now proudly renamed Deep Blue – we had a clear plan. Lift her out of the water in Bunbury. Do the survey. Antifoul. Paint. Repair what needed repairing. Still have our house as a base in January 2026.Then set sail and begin exploring the Western Australian coastline.

Simple.

Except… it didn’t go that way.

The First Curveball – Bunbury

At the end of December, Bunbury told us they couldn’t lift her. They didn’t feel their rigging was strong enough for her size and weight.

Just like that, our well-structured plan unravelled.

We started exploring options — Busselton, Mandurah — and eventually chose Mandurah. So last Sunday, we left our mooring and set sail.

Well… “set sail” is perhaps generous.

The Mandurah Mission (Take One)

I wasn’t feeling well, so Mac organised two crew members to help with the trip. We woke early. I packed up the cat and all his belongings and drove him to our favourite little escape — Cabin in the Woods in Lake Clifton, hosted by our friends Trudy and Bruce.

Halfway between Bunbury and Mandurah. Perfect location. Safe. Calm.

Meanwhile, the crew boarded.

And then — because nothing is ever predictable at sea — Deep Blue ran aground on a sandbar leaving the marina.

They waited for the tide to rise.

Finally, they were off.

Then crew member number one became violently seasick and asked to turn back. So back they went. Then reset. Then sailed again. Strong winds. Sail issues. Long hours.

Eventually, they navigated into Mandurah Marina like pros.

Except… we were missing Tinkerbell.

Our tender had come loose heading in.

The next morning Marine Rescue and the police contacted us. She had washed up at Mushroom Cove.

The Tinkerbell Retrieval

Mac and Tim were grateful to be on land. We drove Tim home to Bunbury and returned to the B&B for much-needed rest.

The next day we went to retrieve Tinkerbell near Rockingham.

Another adventure.

Mac climbed over sand and rocks to reach her — cuts and scrapes everywhere (tough man, that one). He bailed her out, tried the engine… and unbelievably it started. I watched him power across wild wind and choppy water looking for somewhere safe to beach her.

We tried to lift her onto the ute.

Too big.

So we hired a trailer.

Loaded her.

Took her back to the B&B.

Then organised for her to be returned safely to Bunbury for storage.

Adventure within the adventure.

Mandurah Says No

We were scheduled to be lifted out in Mandurah on Thursday.

Except — they changed their mind.

Despite having our size and weight when we booked.

They didn’t want to lift her.

At this point, Fremantle became our only option.

The Fremantle Run – Just the Two of Us

We booked the best weather window for Tuesday.

4:30am wake-up.5:00am at the marina. Mac had calculated tide and wind perfectly.

Our additional crew member overslept.

We couldn’t wait.

So we made the call — just the two of us.

And that’s when I had my first proper meltdown.

I was terrified. Terrified I wasn’t capable. Terrified I wasn’t strong enough. Terrified I would let Mac down.

As always, Mac was calm. Steady. Confident.

“Let’s go.”

I wiped my tears, put my big girl pants on… and off we went.

60 % Scary. 40% Magic.

The trip was 60% fear and 40% absolute magic.

The magic? Dolphins swimming alongside us. Mac in his element, sailing like he’s done this for 100 years. Moments of pure ocean beauty.

The scary? Trying to manage sails. Navigation. Wind. Learning fast. Feeling small in big water.

And then — the biggest scare of all.

As we approached Fremantle Harbour, we lost steering.

We called Marine Rescue and Marine Police.

Mac stayed calm. Did what needed to be done. Got us safely to the jetty area. The Harbour Master came out, tied us alongside his boat, and together they navigated us safely in — missing expensive yachts, rocks, and a very large diesel tank at the end of the jetty.

When we finally tied up, I jumped off that boat and thought:

“There is no way I am getting back on.”

Breathing Again

A good night’s sleep. Mac’s calm logic. Love. Hugs.

Perspective returned.

Thursday was lift-out day.

I was genuinely afraid they would say no again.

But WOW.

The Fremantle Boatyard team were incredible. Courageous. Competent. Efficient. Experienced.

They lifted her. Smoothly. Confidently. No hesitation.

The moment Deep Blue was resting safely on the hardstand, the relief flooded through me.

And yes — I burst into tears again.

Steve, the Boatyard Service Manager, drove me up to the Sailing Club in his golf cart for a much-needed coffee and a chance to breathe.

What I’ve Learned

This isn’t just a sailing journey.

It’s a courage journey.

Plans change. People oversleep. Sandbars appear. Steering fails. Boatyards say no.

And you keep going.

Sometimes scared. Sometimes doubting. Sometimes crying.

But going anyway.

Deep Blue is now safely on the hardstand in Fremantle.

Repairs begin.

And so does the next chapter.

This is not just about sailing the WA coast.

It’s about learning who you are when things don’t go to plan.

And apparently… I’m someone who cries, panics, then shows up anyway.

And honestly?

I’m proud of that. 💙