In the company of two other boats, the "Toowoon Bay" and the "Rambler", they proceeded along the coastline north to Exmouth Gulf and then east to Darwin. On this leg of the trip, a crisis occurred when, in a calm sea, their engine failed. The sails, gifted by Sydney yachtsman Englebert “Boy” Messenger, were not helpful as there was no wind. Fortunately, Reg Massey, skipper of the "Rambler" sensed something was wrong, doubled back, found the "Friendship R" and towed it into the port of Darwin.