The entrance to Port Philip Bay is know as either “The Heads” or “The Rip”.
It is a narrow waterway that connects the Bay with the Bass Strait. The large tidal flow of water, into and then out of the bay create substantial water pressure through the narrow channel, and the shallow water over the rocky seabed are is quite dangerous for maritime vessels. The area has claimed numerous ships down through the years.
EE and I had planned to visit the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse on the western side of “The Rip”, at sunset to catch the last glimpses of the sun setting over the water.
Just as we arrived, a Pilot Boat, that takes out a Pilot to guide in large ships, was returning into the bay.
To say the windy weather was blustery would be an understatement, to say the run of the waves was treacherous would be fool hardy.
As I watched the Pilot Boat rise and fall through the waves, I was rather glad that the sea-faring gene had bypassed me. There are some jobs that need to be done, and traversing that boiling water was not one that I was cut out to do.
As I watched I gained a great respect for the danger these folk put themselves through every day.
A little later as the sun had set the large vessel they were shepherding came into view.
The following day we saw a Pilot Boat going out for another run. In the calm of the harbour and the lovely afternoon light, things seemed much more sedate.
Some quotes from a poem ‘Those Who Go Down to the Sea in Ships’ by James A. Tweedie, a poetic paraphrase of Psalm 107:23-30
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER - --doesn't mean I'm LOST 
You make a great story and illustrate it with great images, whatever the subject! Brilliant, David.
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Hello Eleaor, I must admit, as soon as I saw the first crash into the waves, I had the story written. Great to have seen it in such dramatic light.
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Fabulous images of the Pilot boat, David! They do amazing work and in the case of the Port Philip heads, dangerous work! I have a cousin who grew up on the Bay, sailing and fishing, who went on to become a Ship’s Master, sailing the ‘seven seas’. He has some stories of bringing a ‘big boat’ through there!
As an aside. I had a visit from a Grey Fantail in the garden today.
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HI Dave, My Dad and his brothers lived on the eastern side of the bay. As young teens, they would take canoes across to Queenscliff and back, in some atrocious weather. The stories used to flow when they all got together, and it quite mesmerised all the young’uns listening wide-mouthed. Probably a lot of it was glossed story, but it did sound impressive.
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Yes these Pilot Boats do a great job guiding the ships in and out David. It reminds me of my time on King Island, also near the Strait, where the experienced fisherman had to bring their small fishing launches in a very tight, rough dangerous rocky opening to the only safe harbour. At times the boats would simply appear to disappear under the waves and later reappear. I agree with you, so glad I do not have sea legs.
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Hi Ashley, I once has the chance to go to King Island and work as a photographer. A dream that sadly didn’t come to fruition as I think I’d have enjoyed the place and the ruggedness of the life style.
On a sadder note, I must offer condolences for you and all Sydneysiders for the dreadful horror at Bondi, truly outrageous, but again people showing great courage and compassion rose to the occassion. Decent people doing Decent things (Arnold Dix- ABC Australian Story)
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