Boat show plans on course
Organisers say the Airlie Beach Rotary 2003 Boat Show - to be held on the June long weekend -- will be bigger and better.
Boating enthusiasts will see a grand display of eighty-eight stands featuring engines, sails, marine electronics, boating and fishing accessories. The show will be housed undercover in two giant Hoecker buildings at Abel Point Marina, surrounded by a large outdoor display of trailer boats. Visitors will enjoy non-stop fishing, safety and cooking demonstrations, fashion parades, fine food, music and entertainment.
Local company Oceanic Insurance Brokers have become the Airlie Beach Boat Show major sponsor, ensuring the financial success and future growth of the Show. The Rotary Club of Airlie Beach recognises and applauds both Oceanic's corporate involvement and community spirit.
Sunday June 8 is Whit Sunday, the day the area was named by James Cook in 1770 and date of the annual Blessing of the Fleet. This year Padre Don Fernance Chaplain of the Mission to Seafarers will conduct the Blessing in association with the boat show and local boaters.
For the first time, the boat show will star a superb floating display from the big names in sports and luxury power cruisers - Riviera, Mariner, Mustang, Princess and Sunrunner. So far there are nineteen floating exhibits of new power cruisers, mono and multihull yachts lined up for visitors to see and inspect, with more big names to come.
With only eight out of 88 stands left to fill, the show will soon be a complete sellout. To save disappointment, interested companies are urged to book their stand or berth without delay. For more details please call Michael Merrick Tel: (07) 4946 4212
Take a look at the Boat Show website: www.rotaryairliebeach.com to see the leading marine suppliers booked into the Show and further details. Saturday June 7 & Sunday June 8 - 9.00am to 5.00pm each day
Airlie Beach - what a great place for a Boat Show!

Have a Break
"Now that the America's Cup is over it's time for a laugh!" Says regular correspondent Kathy McKenzie of BoatingOZ. How right she is!
An email was circulated by an Aussie this week with Have a Break printed in large white letters on a red background above a photo of the dismasted Team NZ. Below was a picture of a well-known chocolate bar and the words 'Made with the finest Swiss ingredients'.
A Kiwi responded with: "At least we had one to break, you couldn't get one up."
The Kiwi's have always been quick to have a go. Remember when the OneAustralia yacht sank? The Kiwis came up with "how do you watch an Aussie yacht?"
"With a glass-bottomed boat."
Then there's the story about the Swiss Rugby Team challenge for the World Cup and the latest immigrants to Switzerland.
On a more serious note, over 20 cities have shown interest in staging the next America's Cup. A decision will be made in December depending on weather conditions and the potential for development. The Alinghi Swiss Challenge are possibly looking for the best place to recoup the reported $120M they spent on the last challenge, and to cover the cost of the next one.
"Speculation will be rife until the announcement," says Kathy, "but I will take an early punt on Spain as they didn't have a challenger. Royal support is assured and it is a proven tourist destination. I really hope it's Majorca as then I will have an excuse to visit my Australian and Swiss friends there!"
The usually conservative Swiss seem happy with the win. The Alinghi team and the America's Cup flew to Switzerland on a special charter flight. Forty-thousand people gathered at La Rotonde on the north bank of Lake Geneva to cheer their victory at a special ceremony. To keep the crowd warm, hot chocolate and tea were served. The evening ended with fireworks and a light show, taking the form of a neon green outline of the America's Cup.
A new chapter opens for the America's Cup.

Crime takes to high seas
Hijackings at sea doubled last year despite a fall in the total number of pirate attacks, according to figures released by the International Chamber of Commerce. The report on piracy shows that while attacks to ships were down by 27% to 335 worldwide in, the number of cases involving the capture and taking of the whole ship doubled from eight to 16.
ICC says the increase in hijackings is due to greater involvement in piracy by organized crime networks.
Pirates killed a total of 21 crewmembers and ships' passengers last year, and 210 more were taken hostage, the new report revealed. All but one of the murders were in Asian waters.
Last year 71 sea attacks involved guns, up from 53 in the year 2000, while assaults using knives fell from 132 to 105.
Indonesian waters and the Malacca Strait remain the world's most pirate-infested seas. But the new statistics suggest that recently intensified patrols have helped reduce pirate activity in the area.

Fitzalan Passage lights
Mariners are advised that a lighted Special Mark buoy FL.Y.2.5s has been established in approximate position Latitude 20°17.9313'S, Longitude 148°55.0470'E and another in approximate position Latitude 20°18.7922'S, Longitude 148°56.0571'E in Fitzalan Passage which is off Whitsunday Passage.
The buoys are expected to be in place until about Tuesday, 18 March 2003. Charts affected: AUS 252, 253, 254, 824

"The light which experience gives is a lantern on the setrn, which shines only on the waves behind us!"
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, English poet, critic and philosopher. (1772 -1834)

Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan

BoatSafe license plans unveiled

Following a review of Queensland's recreational boat licensing arrangements, Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) is proposing to introduce a new competency-based training and assessment framework as a pre-requisite for the issue of a recreational boat licence.
"MSQ has developed the BoatSafe initiative that aims to further improve marine safety outcomes for recreational boat users in Queensland by enhancing the scope and quality of pre-licence training" says MSQ Director Captain John Watkinson.
"In formulating the BoatSafe framework, interstate and overseas recreational marine licence training and assessment models were examined to identify benchmark standards of pre-licence operator training and assessment. The scheme is modelled on nationally recognised competency-based training and assessment principles and processes." Captain Watkinson said.
There are four documents about the BoatSafe initiative for consideration and comment. A BoatSafe Policy Outline, Competency Standard for the Operation of a Powered Recreational Vessel in Queensland, Management Standards and an Audit Framework.
Written comments on the BoatSafe initiative must be received by close of business 14 April 2003 email: maritime.safety@msq.qld.gov.au



Clean up

The rain did not deter the usual suspects from our Rotary club who were on the job early Sunday morning ensuring the safe and orderly participation by volunteers in the fourteenth annual Clean Up Australia.
About forty volunteers were spread along the coastal strip braving the elements while retrieving a variety of rubbish mainly featuring plastic.
One volunteer told On the Waterfront that plastic bags were "everywhere".
"The plastic bags are just floating around the high tide line like a huge mass of jellyfish. It is easy to see why turtles die when the shoreline is also choking with these bags," she said.
One Rotary organiser Peter Jennings said there was a noticeable difference from the earlier years of the clean up.
"We have smaller rubbish to deal with these days. Things like mattresses are about the biggest we get now, where over the years we have had to pull whole car bodies and boats out of the mangroves and roadsides" Peter said.
The cleanest area around the waterfront is the lagoon due to the daily work of our council staff. If smokers would stop throwing cigarette butts around, the lagoon could win an award any day of the week.
Bouquets to our council workers, Rotary, Scouts, Zonta, Wildlife Preservation Society, Quota and the Hydeaway Bay Progress Committee for all the work done to provide a claen and safe environment.
In the Brickbats category, it is still a matter of concern that volunteers have to pick up used hypodermic syringes carelessly discarded by uncaring individuals.

That Cup again!

Certainly congratulations go to Ernesto Bertarelli and the Swiss Alinghi Team for winning the America's Cup and becoming the first Challenger to win on an initial attempt. Now the cup moves to Europe, beginning a new chapter in its 152-year history.
Alinghi eventually defeated Team New Zealand 5 - 0, after Race 4 was abandoned for many days due to too little or too much wind. When they finally raced TNZ was dismasted. Then they were defeated by 47 seconds in Race 5.
Alinghi's 41-year-old skipper, Russell Coutts, broke Dennis Conner's record of 13 America's Cup race victories. Coutts has also now equalled Charlie Barr and Harold Vanderbilt by winning three consecutive America's Cups.
While Coutts has won 14 consecutive races, some of his team-mates, also former TNZ crewmembers, have won 15 - Brad Butterworth, Murray Jones, Warwick Fleury, Simon Daubney and Dean Phipps.
The Commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron at a ceremony handed over the cup to the Swiss on Monday. Commemorative medals were awarded to both crews.
The Challenger of Record for the 32nd America's Cup will be the Golden Gate Yacht Club of San Francisco, the home of Larry Ellison's Oracle BMW challenge. The Challenger of Record negotiates the rules for the next event with the Defender, representing the interests of all eventual challengers.
TNZ and the GBR Challenge will challenge again if they can attract sufficient funding. Patrizio Bertelli has told an Italian reporter that Prada won't challenge again. The French based K-Challenge 2006, set up by Ortwin Kandler, one of the pioneers of the Airbus industry, has been training for the next Cup with Dawn Riley as team manager.

Two land reef fines

Combined fines of $40,000 were handed down to two men convicted for separate offences in Breach of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act.
The Korean trained master, Ha Tek Bok, of the Bulk Carrier Seakoh was fined $15, 000 in default of 12 months imprisonment for unpermitted ship operations.
On November 30 2001 a Marine Parks Ranger observed the, 86,210 tonne, Seakoh come past the northern end of Sykes Reef heading west. Under the Mackay Capricorn Marine Park Zoning Plan, ships with a gross tonnage in excess of 1500 tonnes are not permitted to traverse this General Use B zone.
A fisherman was fined $25 000 in default of 12 months imprisonment for fishing in a Marine Park B Zone, also known as a Green Zone, at the unnamed Reef 21-532 within the Swains Reefs. Marine Parks Rangers observed the man fishing in the Green Zone on April 20 2002.
According to GBRMPA Executive Director John Tanzer the convictions should send a clear message to offenders.
"As we have said earlier and we are now seeing. Our interagency cooperation has never been better. We are very serious about protecting the Great Barrier Reef. To those who think they can get away with damaging or putting the Reef into danger there is a good chance they will be prosecuted," Mr Tanzer said.

Weather report

With cyclone Erica spinning around out in the Coral Sea, media weather reports are saying the position of the storm is '600 kilometres east of Proserpine'.
At least tourist operators can't complain about any reference to the Whitsundays.

Fitzalan Passage lights

Mariners are advised that a lighted Special Mark buoy FL.Y.2.5s has been established in approximate position Latitude 20°17.9313'S, Longitude 148°55.0470'E and another in approximate position Latitude 20°18.7922'S, Longitude 148°56.0571'E in Fitzalan Passage which is off Whitsunday Passage.
The buoys are expected to be in place until about Tuesday, 18 March 2003. Charts affected: AUS 252, 253, 254, 824

Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan

edit your blog:
Bag yourself a better environment

A sea change has accompanied the annual Clean Up Australia over the past fourteen years. People all over our country are taking the environment seriously with the practical message that yes, you can make a difference.
Everyone who has taken part in the annual clean up will relate the huge amount of plastic that is retrieved. While we may laugh at or puzzle over why we find more left thongs on the day, it is no laughing matter when you're hauling in fishing nets, plastic bags, beer rings, packaging and hypodermic syringes.
While some originates from the sea, much is land sourced. Plastic bags and indeed many plastic items find their way into the sea, often in storm water runoff.
Plastic bags in the marine environment are dangerous to turtles and boat engines. Turtles think plastic bags are tasty jellyfish but, the bags are indigestible and the turtles die. Boat engine cooling water intakes choke with plastic, overheat and die.
Cane farmers seem to keep getting a caning from some commentators while urban areas keep dumping plastic, oil and chemical laden storm water and sewage into the sea with impunity. Governments even brag about how much taxpayer money they spend to more efficiently dump waste into the sea.
Clean Up Australia's 'Bag Yourself a Better Environment' campaign aims have been supported by the findings of the Plastic Bag Working Group, released by the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, the Hon Dr David Kemp.
The goals of refuse, reuse, reduce, recycle have been integrated into Federal Government policy. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has called on retailers to set targets for reducing and recycling plastic bags and to help change the culture of plastic bag use by participating in education campaigns such a Clean Up's Bag Yourself a Better Environment.
Clean Up Australia founder, yachtsman Ian Kiernan said, "Clean Up Australia developed the Bag Yourself a Better Environment campaign in 2001, with the aim of helping retailers and customers change their behaviour using the 4Rs - refuse, reuse, reduce, recycle. We are delighted that the government has decided to follow the precedent set by Bag Yourself a Better Environment.
Kiernan is calling on Australian retailers, councils and customers to tackle the plastic bag menace by joining the Bag Yourself a Better Environment (BYBE) campaign, which includes a month of action in March 2003.
"Retailers should be aiming for a 50% reduction in plastic bag use", Kiernan said at the campaign launch earlier this month.
"That means that every retailer and customer in Australia should be aiming to refuse plastic bags as often as possible, reuse the ones they must take, and then recycle them through facilities available at their local Coles or Woolworths. Retailers and councils who want to participate in the month of action should call Clean Up on 1800 024 890."
Further information about Clean Up Australia Day call Margaret Perkins on 4945 3199 or Cathie Plant of the Whitsunday Shire Council on 4945 0262 or www.cleanup.com.au
Events and Times: Cannonvale State School, Schools Clean Up Day 12:30 Friday - not open to the public. Proserpine area, Meet at Pioneer Park at 8.30am Sunday. Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, 8:30 Sunday Beach/Coastal. Hideaway Bay Progress Association, 09:00 Sunday Roadway clean up.

Freedom Ship plan
It's March 2012, and the Freedom Ship, a floating city nearly a mile long, is in the midst of its second two-year voyage around the world.
The ship has just begun a three-week stay in international waters off Sydney. For the 40,000 or so semi-permanent residents of the ship, it's an opportunity to visit a beautiful English-speaking city.
Paul Kidwell, an engineer who was 32 years old back in 2002 when he helped design the ship, has just turned 42. He and his wife are spending a month in a water view suite reserved for the Freedom Ship's executive team.
A fellow engineer Norm Nixon first dreamed up the Freedom Ship in 1994.
Everything about the proposed ship is staggering in its scale. Not to be outdone, the Discovery Channel in July began featuring the Freedom Ship as one of three examples of "Engineering the Impossible."
If their mission succeeds, the next stage will be an initial public stock offer for Freedom Ship International, which would be in control of the shipyard and would be piecing the ship's hull together in the waters of Belize or Honduras.
True believer Laura Goodman has made her own goals coincide with those of the Freedom Ship makers. A Florida travel agent, Goodman several years ago gave the company money in return for a promissory note and a reservation on a residential unit aboard the ship.
"I am going to open a travel agency aboard the ship," she said
Residences would range from a "motel room" to the ultimate, a 5,100-square-foot unit with 236 feet of water views for $9,137,000. The monthly maintenance fees on these -- going toward maintenance of the entire ship -- would range from $492 to $14,716.
The Freedom Ship -- and the TV shows that have glorified its mission -- has attracted retirees and idealistic youngsters. "The biggest risk is getting enough money --$800 million plus -- to finish the project."
Yeah, that's always the case.

Abel Point sea wall
Mariners are advised that construction of a sea wall has commenced at the end of the existing sea wall of the Abel Point Marina. The end of the existing sea wall will be removed and replaced with a new section that will extend about 70 metres into the marina access channel. Mariners should use caution in the vicinity. Charts affected: AUS 252, 253, 268

"A teacher affects eternity and can never tell where the influence stops."
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan

Piracy: past or present problem?

Although Piracy is often seen as a problem of the past, associating images of the skulls and crossbones flag with galleons of gold and cutthroat villains, it has rapidly become an issue of today. Since the 1970's, Piracy has steadily been on the increase around the world and has today reached a level, which cannot be ignored.
Maritime Safety Committee at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reviewed the situation concerning Piracy two decades ago. Legal problems encountered were such that attacks in a home port or within Territorial waters were not considered Acts of Piracy and were subject to treatment by local law as armed robbery. This led to the establishment of "Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships" as a work in progress amongst the concerned IMO committee's.
At a recent meeting the IMO noted with concern the latest statistics on incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea, in particular the identified 20% increase in the reported acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships. This worrying development was a cause for concern and much needed doing to reduce this menace.
The number of acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships during the first eight months of 2002, as reported to the Organization, was 228, a marginal decrease of 1% over the figure for the corresponding period of 2001. However, comparing the figures for the first ten months of 2001 (263) with the corresponding period of 2002 (315) there was an increase of approximately 20%. The total number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships, reported to have occurred from 1984, when the organization began recording reports of piracy and armed robbery incidents, to the end of October 2002, had risen to 2,880.
Between 1 January and 31 October 2002, twelve ships had been hijacked and eight ships had gone missing. From the reports received it had also emerged that the areas most affected were the Far East, in particular the South China Sea and the Malacca Strait, the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean, South America (Pacific and Atlantic) and West and East Africa. Most of the attacks worldwide were reported to have taken place in territorial waters while the ships were at anchor or berthed. In many of the reports received, the crews had been violently attacked by groups of five to ten people carrying knives or guns. During the same period, four passengers and one crew member of the ships involved had been killed and seventy-one crew members and twelve passengers of the ships had been reported missing.
It is important that attacks on Yachts are reported as well as attacks on larger commercial vessels. The International Sailing Federation will transmit to the IMO any information sent to it by yacht skippers. This should contain as a minimum the date, time and location of the attack with a brief description. All acts of piracy should be reported to create a greater awareness or areas where acts or piracy are likely to occur and the types of incidents reported.

Readers ask about . . . containers

Several readers have heard about the loss of shipping containers at sea and the subsequent danger particularly to yachts and small craft. Your Waterfront writer had to dig around for some figures, as insurance companies were not forthcoming about the numbers involved.
There have been incidents involving yachts. A friend had the keel shaved off the bottom of his yacht, which then quickly sank, leaving him and two crew standing on the submerged container.
If you were at sea and saw a flock of birds rise up from the sea in front of your ship, change course as the birds may have been standing on a semi-submerged container. Radar cannot detect the container when it is awash.
Every year over 100 million containers are transported around the world - however, not all of them reach their final destination. Approximately 10,000 containers are lost at sea every year, leaving opportunities for destruction in their wake.
A typical 40-foot x 8-foot container can carry up to 26,000 kilograms of cargo and usually floats either on or just below the surface of the water depending on its contents.
Those that float on the surface of the water may be occasionally spotted by radar and cause minimal damage to a crafts hull, but those that float just below the surface of the water cannot be spotted by radar or sometimes even the naked eye, and may cause substantial damage by tearing the guts out of any hull that has the misfortune of hitting it.
In response to the increased pressure regarding the dangers of lost containers, the International Maritime Organization started the process of implementing the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing 'the CSS Code'. This code set recommendation for methods of securing cargoes on and under deck.
As the loss of containers overboard continued unabated, the IMO took the strongest action possible and that was the requirement for cargo securing manuals to be included in the Safety of Life at Sea Conventions.

Crocs for bucks

From crocodile farms, Australia exports about 5,000 crocodile skins a year. Most go to Paris, where a crocodile purse can sell for more than $10,000.

Oldest measure

The cubit is the oldest known measurement, appearing in the Bible when God gives Noah instructions for the ark. Described as a Royal Cubit, it was measured from the elbow to the thumb knuckle. It was a means of insuring that the nobility got a larger share at the market place.

"A teacher affects eternity and can never tell where the influence stops."

Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan

Info for sailors Each year the Australian Hydrographic Office issues a publication titled 'Annual Australian Notices to Mariners'. This compact publication contains a huge amount of information of importance to those mariners who venture out to the Great Barrier Reef or want current information on many issues.
The new edition contains information about charts, depths, marine radio changes, garbage disposal, search and rescue, navigation in the Great Barrier Reef, maritime jurisdiction, protected areas, sea safety reporting for Small craft and weather broadcasts and plenty more.
Regular readers of On The Waterfront will have read the occasional Notice to Mariners often placed at the bottom of the column. These are issued regularly during the year and distributed by Maritime Safety Queensland.
The 2003 issue of the 'Annual Australian Notices to Mariners' is out now and available at chart agents. I got my free copy from Terry Kelly at Marlin Marine as I have for many years.

Jack's luck runs out

For those readers who have doubts about tagging fish and the perceived high mortality rate of fish wearing the plastic jewellery then read on as Capt Ken Bryant reports Jack's luck finally runs out after five escapes.
A 33cm mangrove jack tagged at Wild Cattle Creek near Townsville on October 28 2000 was recaptured and released in the same area only 48 days after it's initial capture, and according to respected tagging co-ordinator Bill Sawynock, had grown a healthy 10mm.
The fish, still under the minimum legal size of 35cm, was duly released and was at liberty for a further 320 days before being recaptured on October 31, 2001.
Now measuring an impressive 37.5cm the fish was again released in the same area and was free for another 47 days before being hooked and landed by it's original tagging angler Adam Marquard.
Marquard was to unbelievably catch this fish a third time some 353 days later while fishing the same creek and yet again gave the fish its liberty while measuring a tempting 43cm.
The luckiest mangrove jack in the world was caught for the sixth and final time having been recaptured on five occasions when Peter Weeks caught the fish on January 19, measuring 45cm.
Tight lines. Ken Bryant

Hams lost in space
These three ham radio operators lost their lives last weekend along with the entire crew of STS-107, Shuttle Columbia, as it seemed to explode, burn and disintegrate over Texas, just some sixteen (16) minutes before touchdown after her 16 days in space.
The crew with Amateur Radio Calls were Mission Specialists: 'KC' Chawla KD5ESI; David Brown KC5ZTC and Laurel Clark KC5ZSU.
Students from Melbourne's Glen Waverley College were devastated, they were in the USA to watch Columbia carry a school project into the void of deep space, a science experiment that took 8 'Aussie' spiders into the void, to test the strength of spider webs in zero-gravity.
Through the Space Amateur Radio EXperiment (SAREX) and the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) programs, amateurs have enjoyed a special relationship with the astronaut corps.

60 years of service
The Pacific Inter Island Net conducted on 14.315mhz at 0800z has been on air for over 60 yrs. Spokesham Chris VK2UW says the net was set-up to help the islanders and mariners throughout the Pacific Ocean Area.
Mariners can use the Net to log into while sailing the Pacific as well as other Nets. A Link has been set-up for Family Members to keep in contact or pass messages on to net controllers for those travelling the Pacific Ocean.
VK2UW says they are also involved with the ARRL Emergency services including Amateur Radio Emergency services and the Red Cross along with the Boat watch Centre.
Included in the coverage of the Pacific Inter island Net is another service called the Pacific Island Disaster Net, this net has been set-up to help the Islands in the Pacific in case of a disaster like cyclones etc.

Brazilian fashion revealed in Whitsunday

I'm not generally known for being a fashionista, but occasionally something catches my eye.
While we don't want sugar from Brazil, you won't hear a complaint about the new "Brazilian" bikini as modelled by a couple of Brazilians on board the ship recently while sailing around the Whitsunday islands.
The ship's dive instructor said the fashion almost-garment was "cheeky" while the cook regarded the well-exposed rump as "tasty".
Mrs. Cap'n Dan has just enlightened me about the "Brazilian Wax", but I don't believe anyone would put themselves through such torture! Then again, we are talking fashion.

Travel destination
A Radio Canada International survey asked 'Which country would you most like to visit?'
The winner, by a landslide, was Australia. New Zealand came in a distant second and a few interesting choices came up, including Egypt, Lebanon, Greenland and Siberia!

Crocs for bucks
From crocodile farms, Australia exports about 5,000 crocodile skins a year. Most go to Paris, where a crocodile purse can sell for more than $10,000.

Oldest measure
The cubit is the oldest known measurement, appearing in the Bible when God gives Noah instructions for the ark. Described as a Royal Cubit, it was measured from the elbow to the thumb knuckle. It was a means of insuring that the nobility got a larger share at the market place.

"A teacher affects eternity and can never tell where the influence stops."
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan

Well behaved boaties enjoy holidays
Recreational anglers and boating enthusiasts across the State were generally well behaved during the Christmas and New Year period with the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) reporting a relatively law-abiding public.
QBFP regional manager Ross Lloyd said patrol officers spoke to more than 5000 people throughout Queensland resulting in 56 fisheries and 101 boating infringement notices issued or breach reports being submitted.
Mr Lloyd said 83 fishing and 89 boating cautions were delivered but patrol officers reported a generally quiet holiday break.
"The strong message which comes out of this holiday season is that most people complied with the fishing and boating regulations," he said.
"This is a great result and shows that people really do understand the sustainability issue behind fishing rules which is to protect valuable fish stocks for future generations.
"Most people also realise that boating safety is an important part of a happy and successful holiday."
Mr Lloyd said the major fishing infringements were for undersized fish and crabs, fishing in closed waters and not holding a freshwater fishing permit to fish in stocked dams.
Mr Lloyd said the boating infringements were mainly for speeding and insufficient safety equipment.
"Having up-to-date and fully functioning safety equipment is vital for any boat operator. Like car drivers, boat operators have a duty of care to all the people on board," he said.

Fishing drawcard

Recreational fishing is a major drawcard in Queensland, luring large numbers of local, interstate and international tourists to coastal and rural communities.
To find out just how valuable tourist fishers are to the State, the Department of Primary Industries Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) Recreational Fish Monitoring Program (Rfish) is undertaking a series of comprehensive angler surveys.
These surveys will help QFS better understand recreational anglers, their social and economic profiles and importantly, their spending habits.
Mr Higgs said estimates of just how important interstate and international anglers were to Queensland would soon be available as part of the National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey (NRIFS) conducted in 2001.
Mr Higgs said the national survey used the same sampling methods across all States to document the size of recreational catches and expenditure associated with fishing activities.
"Although the results are still being analysed, they are expected to show that Queensland attracts more interstate visitors than most other states," he said.
Mr Higgs said QFS had just started a survey of the State's commercial charter and tour guide operators to document the importance of tourist fishers to their operations.
"Some sections of the tour and charter boat industry have a long history of attracting international fishers such as the big game fishery where anglers' spending habits have generated significant incomes for local communities," he said.
"Changes in international tourist markets have also seen shifts in types of fishing activities visitors are involved in."
Mr Higgs said anecdotal information suggested international visitors were becoming an increasingly important market segment for many tour guide and demersal charter boat operators.
He said information collected from the surveys would be used to ensure the State's fisheries resources were sustainably managed.

Top fishing story

In June 1497, when Italian explorer John Cabot landed in North America, cod fish off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada were so plentiful that they slowed the progress of his ship and could be taken from the sea in baskets.
Due to mismanagement of the fisheries it collapsed in 1992. Ten years later the fishery has not recovered.

Fishers cop fines
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority expressed increasing concern in regard to poaching in Green Zones today after six fishers, all from the Gladstone area, were handed down separate fines for illegal activities relating to fishing in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
The fines were handed down in the Gladstone Magistrates Court last Friday and came just four days after a New South Wales man was fined $27,000 for illegal fishing at MacKay magistrates Court.
According to GBRMPA Executive Director, John Tanzer, the authorities from Commonwealth and State Governments are working well together and detections are on the increase.
"We are getting better at catching culprits out to plunder the reef and it's quite unfortunate to know that there are still people out there willing to take the risk at the expense of one of Australia's natural treasures," Mr Tanzer said.

Light out

Mariners are advised that the F.G(F by day) leading light bearing 329° in approximate position Latitude 20°01.34'S, Longitude 148°15.1'E which marks the channel to the wharf in Edgecumbe Bay at Bowen is temporarily unlit.
Mariners should use caution in the vicinity. Charts affected: AUS 268, 826

Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan

When to call for help
Boaters and anglers are being urged by safety experts to have a clear safety process developed before they leave the shore. Recent incidents have indicated that in some situations of distress, boaters have hesitated in calling for outside assistance, with loss of life being an unnecessary outcome.
Your friends and family will respect you for putting their safety first. It is the responsible thing to do and shows that you are in command of your ship. People expect you to have the correct safety gear and know how to use it if needed.
Boaters who face an engine failure, dead battery, swamping or the like, invariably need to call on outside assistance So it makes good sense to practice before leaving the dock and for everyone on board to know what safety resources are on the boat, where they are, their purpose and how and when to use them.
According to boat safety expert Garry Schipper, knowing how to react in certain situations will save lives. Garry is well known to boaters across Australia through his video safety talks and as a veteran racing offshore yachtsman who has also contested 20 Sydney to Hobart races.
"All too often, we are confronting a tragic boating fatality that could have been avoided had the boaters activated a flare or their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)."
"In one instance, a person on Port Phillip Bay, in Victoria, decided to swim 500m to shore for help, rather than set off a flare and in his mind 'trouble' the rescue authorities. Tragically, the swimmer drowned but all others on board were rescued when they set off a flare."
In the ideal world, vessels should be equipped with a marine radio, flares and an EPIRB in addition to the standard kit of safety equipment required by local state laws and regulations.
In circumstances where you are unable to reach the shore or safety on your own, you are in a position where rescue is needed. Sometimes you may need urgent assistance where a boat is sinking, other times there may be no immediate danger, however further life threatening problems could arise if affirmative action is not taken.
"The first action is to use a marine radio to call for help," Garry Schipper said. "A mobile phone is a poor substitute for a marine radio as cell phones can have flat batteries, do not like the water environment and can be outside signal coverage when at sea."
"An EPIRB should be used if genuinely in distress or if there are people on board who are injured. Once activated, the golden rule is that you do not turn the EPIRB off until told to by the search and rescue authorities. The search and rescue people rely upon the beacon to home in on the location. Also, an EPIRB that suddenly stops transmitting after a short period may be regarded by authorities as a hoax."
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) says that an EPIRB should be used when you are in grave and imminent danger. This is almost certainly the case if the only way out of the situation is a long swim to the shore.
If in the event of an EPIRB being activated, flares, like the recently released Aurora hand held distress signal pack from Pains Wessex, can be used to pinpoint your position once a rescue vessel or aircraft is within sight or hearing.
"If all a boater has on board is a pack of flares, these should be used when you think there is a chance of the signal being spotted," Garry Schipper said. "You may see a passing boat, aircraft or people on the shore and try to attract their attention with the flare."
Other means of attracting attention can include waving arms above the head, waving a shirt tied to an oar, V sheet, Seamarker dye or at night, using a torch or strobe light to flag down other boats.
"Just as we advise 4WD people never to leave their vehicle in the bush, the same principle applies to boaters," Garry Schipper said. "It is a lot easier for searchers to find a boat at sea, than the head of an individual bobbing about in the water."
"The golden rule is to never leave your boat, even if it is upturned." Garry Schipper said.

Fashion notes:Brazilian fashion revealed in Whitsunday
While I'm not generally known for being a fashionista, occasionally something catches my eye.
We don't want sugar from Brazil, but you won't hear complaints about the new "Brazilian" bikini as modelled by a couple of Brazilians on board the ship this week while sailing around the Whitsunday islands.
The ship's dive instructor said the fashion almost-garment was "cheeky" while the cook regarded the well-exposed rump as "tasty".
Mrs. Capt. Dan has just told me about the "Brazilian Wax" but I don't believe anyone would put themselves through such torture! But then again, we are talking fashion.

GPS problems
It has come to the attention of authorities that certain consumer electronics-grade active VHF/UHF marine television antennas, including some that are sold in Australia, are causing operational degradation in the performance of Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. This interference may be realized as a display of inaccurate position information or a complete loss of GPS receiver acquisition and tracking ability.
The interference is not limited to the GPS equipment onboard the vessel with the installed active marine television antennae. There have been reports of interference occurring on other vessels and installations operating up to 2000 feet away from vessels using such antennas.
In one particular case, the interference caused the position of the vessel as displayed on the electronic chart to move erratically and dramatically often across large expanses of land. As can be expected, various data displays indicated erroneous information such as excessive speeds. In these instances the problem would occasionally correct itself while at other times required resetting the system. To the vessel's crew these annoyances were frustrating and caused concerns that perhaps less obvious inaccuracies were occurring. Ultimately this affected their confidence in the performance of the GPS and Electronic Chart Display and Information System.
If you are experiencing recurring outages or degradation of your GPS receiver operation you should perform an on-off test of your TV antenna. If turning off the power to the antenna results in improvement in the GPS receiver performance, the antenna may be the source of interference in the GPS band. In that case, you should contact the manufacturer of the antenna and identify the symptoms.
A list supplied by the U.S. Coast Guard and Federal Communications Commission of some devices that have caused interference is available from Waterfront at ahoy@whitsunday.net.au

This weekend: Media Challenge Yacht Race for Charity, Australia Day at Mackay Harbour - Go ABC Radio!

Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan

Media Challenge for Charity

Print, radio and television media will clash head to head in the Mackay Yacht Club's 5th Media Challenge Fun Race for Charity on Australia Day, Sunday January 26.
This will be the 5th Media Challenge conducted by the club with business houses donating $2000 prize money for first place, $1000 for second and $500 for third. There is over $5500.00 in sponsorship/ prizes up for grabs for the winning media contingents to donate to their preferred charities.
A range of activities will allow spectators to visit the recently constructed yacht club at the Mackay marina. Australia Day activities will include Seadoo road tests, sailing displays for kids and the young at heart and an exciting kite surfing display.
The Fun Race for Charity will provide an excellent opportunity for spectators to see the sailing skills of our local media personalities and to later meet them at the new yacht club.
A function will be held at the new Mackay Yacht Club this Friday January 17 for the Media organizations to draw their yachts. If previous years are anything to go by, it is probably rigged.
Your Waterfront writer will be sailing with ABC Radio again this year and reporting for the Guardian. It's a tough job that includes weekend work but someone has to do it.
For further information, contact Bernard O'Brien - 4953 3003 or 0418 982521 Mackay Yacht Club Australia Day Media Challenge - Fun Race for Charity 2003

GPS, chart plot

An incident involving a 35' vessel occurred at night in clear visibility in moderate sea and wind conditions. The vessel ran aground and sank with three people onboard who were able to successfully abandon the vessel and were rescued without injury after an hour.
During an investigation of the incident conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard it was found that the operator of the vessel was navigating with a recently installed GPS system. The operator was utilizing the GPS unit's 'course to steer' function along a set of waypoints previously entered into the GPS system.
The waypoints in use had previously been entered by the operator through a practice known as relative navigation, which involves observing a position with an electronic navigation system and entering that position as a waypoint. On future voyages the vessel is navigated to that previously observed waypoint utilizing that electronic navigation system.
At the time the waypoints were observed, the operator of the vessel had unknowingly observed and entered an erroneous position recorded at that moment by the GPS system. When attempting to return to that position, the GPS unit calculated the entered position correctly, and the "course to steer" function took the vessel across a submerged ledge.
Had the waypoints in use been plotted on a chart prior to the voyage the vessel operator would have discovered the GPS system error.
"Navigators of vessels equipped with GPS units are advised that the current system accuracies for GPS units are approximately 328 feet (100 meters) when attempting to navigate to a known geographic point (latitude and longitude calculated from a nautical chart) and approximately 463 feet (141 meters) when attempting to return to a position previously observed with a GPS unit." A Coast Guard spokesperson said.
"These distances are 95% accuracies, meaning that 95% of received position fixes will fall within 100 meters of calculated geographic points (specific navigation), and within 141 meters of observed geographic points (relative navigation). More accurate position fixes may be obtained but mariners should allow for the 95% accuracy values."
All mariners are advised that when operating in the vicinity of navigational hazards vessels must be navigated with regard for the vessels position in relation to the hazard. Any electronic navigation system including GPS may be subject to occasional errors in excess of designed system accuracies and should not be solely relied upon to determine a vessel's position.
The U.S. Coast Guard advises against the use of relative navigation practices in the vicinity of navigational hazards. The recommended methods for calculating voyage waypoints are to calculate the positions directly from a nautical chart.
An up to date chart is also part of the vessel safety equipment.


No brain, no pain

The starfish is a sea animal that has no brain.


Magnetic field could flip

Navigation and communications satellites could be destroyed and migrating animals could get lost if the prediction from the Paris Geophysical Institute that the earth's magnetic field is vanishing is true.
New research suggests that the field is dwindling near the north and south poles and this could be an early indication that the poles are about to flip. However, it is unclear how long a change in the poles would take and while this process is taking place Earth will be more exposed to intense radiation bursts from the sun.
Earth's magnetic field - the force that protects us from deadly radiation bursts from outer space - is weakening dramatically. Scientists have discovered that its strength has dropped precipitously over the past two centuries and could disappear over the next 1,000 years, says Observer science editor Robin McKie.
"The effects could be catastrophic. Powerful radiation bursts, which normally never touch the atmosphere, would heat up its upper layers, triggering climatic disruption. Navigation and communication satellites, Earth's eyes and ears, would be destroyed and migrating animals left unable to navigate."
"Earth's magnetic field has disappeared many times before - as a prelude to our magnetic poles flipping over, when north becomes south and vice versa," said Dr Alan Thomson of the British Geological Survey in Edinburgh.
"Reversals happen every 250,000 years or so, and as there has not been one for almost a million years, we are due one soon."
But now Gauthier Hulot of the Paris Geophysical Institute has discovered Earth's magnetic field seems to be disappearing most alarmingly near the poles, a clear sign that a flip may soon take place.
Using satellite measurements of field variations over the past 20 years, Hulot plotted the currents of molten iron that generate Earth's magnetism deep underground and spotted huge whorls near the poles.
Exactly what will happen when Earth's magnetic field disappears prior to its re-emergence in a reversed orientation is also difficult to assess. Compasses would point to the wrong pole - a minor inconvenience.
In addition, many species of migrating animals and birds - from swallows to wildebeests - rely on innate abilities to track Earth's magnetic field. Their fates are impossible to gauge.
As to humans, say the researchers, our greatest risk would come from intense solar radiation bursts. Normally these are contained by the planet's magnetic field in space. However, if it disappears, particle storms will start to batter the atmosphere.

Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan

What happened to the boat that sank in the sea full of piranha fish?
It came back with a skeleton crew.

Fish and fishy fishers netted

A Queensland man will face court after being found in the illegal possession of two fishing nets and two barramundi during the current barramundi closed season.
The fisheries offences came to light when a Police officer detained three men in a utility towing a boat with an unlicensed trailer on the Bruce Highway.
Department of Primary Industries Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol district officer, Mike Broadsmith, said the dual offences carried maximum fines of up to $75,000.
"It was the unlicensed trailer that attracted the attention of the police officer who located the nets and fish in the tray of the utility and contacted the Patrol," Mr Broadsmith said.
Mr Broadsmith said one of the three men had taken responsibility for the possession of the nets and the two barramundi averaging 70cm in length.
The apprehension highlighted the cooperation between Queensland Police and the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol.
Mr Broadsmith praised the activities of the region's recreational boating and fishing enthusiasts during the holiday season. To preserve the valuable fish stocks for future generations, he asked that any members of public report suspected fisheries offences on the freecall Fishwatch Complaints Hotline 1800 017 116.

New barra regs

New rules allow fishing for barramundi in the closed season in 18 stocked dams in Queensland. In these dams, a take and possession limit of only one barramundi applies during the closed season. This fish can also be greater than the previous 120cm size limit.
Outside the closed season, a take and possession limit of five barramundi will apply in these dams and one of these fish may also be greater than 120cm.
Maximum size limits are in place to protect female fish and closed seasons are introduced to protect spawning fish. However, these protections are not really necessary in stocked dams because they don't rely on breeding females to maintain the fish population.
There is no practical way to identify a stocked dam barramundi from a wild fish so the new take and possession limit is a compromise.
On the east coast the closed season for barramundi runs from 1 November to 1 February but changes annually in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
For information about the new recreational fishing rules visit the DPI Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.a/fishweb or contact the DPI Call Centre on 13 25 23.

From the flybridge

Sorry for the long delay in reports but we have been very busy fishing over the Christmas Season. I trust you all had a great time over the holidays and that Santa brought you all the right fishing gear.
On the fishing front things have been a little quiet as they often are at this time of the year. Reef fishing has been very average with sharks taking almost every fish we hooked up. The sharks are in their breeding period and very hungry at the moment. The gamefish side is little better with only a few sailfish tagged in the past weeks. Tuna are everywhere and the only fish that is bending rods at this time.
Tight lines, Ken Bryant on Marlin Blue

Earth's magnetic field could flip

Navigation and communications satellites could be destroyed and migrating animals could get lost if the prediction from the Paris Geophysical Institute that the earth's magnetic field is vanishing is true.
New research suggests that the field is dwindling near the north and south poles and this could be an early indication that the poles are about to flip. However, it is unclear how long a change in the poles would take and while this process is taking place Earth will be more exposed to intense radiation bursts from the sun.
Earth's magnetic field - the force that protects us from deadly radiation bursts from outer space - is weakening dramatically. Scientists have discovered that its strength has dropped precipitously over the past two centuries and could disappear over the next 1,000 years, says Observer science editor Robin McKie.
The effects could be catastrophic. Powerful radiation bursts, which normally never touch the atmosphere, would heat up its upper layers, triggering climatic disruption. Navigation and communication satellites, Earth's eyes and ears, would be destroyed and migrating animals left unable to navigate.
'Earth's magnetic field has disappeared many times before - as a prelude to our magnetic poles flipping over, when north becomes south and vice versa,' said Dr Alan Thomson of the British Geological Survey in Edinburgh.
'Reversals happen every 250,000 years or so, and as there has not been one for almost a million years, we are due one soon.'
But now Gauthier Hulot of the Paris Geophysical Institute has discovered Earth's magnetic field seems to be disappearing most alarmingly near the poles, a clear sign that a flip may soon take place.
Using satellite measurements of field variations over the past 20 years, Hulot plotted the currents of molten iron that generate Earth's magnetism deep underground and spotted huge whorls near the poles.
Exactly what will happen when Earth's magnetic field disappears prior to its re-emergence in a reversed orientation is also difficult to assess. Compasses would point to the wrong pole - a minor inconvenience.
In addition, many species of migrating animals and birds - from swallows to wildebeests - rely on innate abilities to track Earth's magnetic field. Their fates are impossible to gauge.
As to humans, our greatest risk would come from intense solar radiation bursts. Normally these are contained by the planet's magnetic field in space. However, if it disappears, particle storms will start to batter the atmosphere.

No brain, no pain

The starfish is a sea animal that has no brain.

Marine radio survey

A survey of recreational users of the Bureau of Meteorology marine HF radio services is being conducted.
The objective of the survey is to evaluate the usage patterns of the services, broadcast reception, impact of the change to the new services which were introduced on 1 July 2002, and the effectiveness of the public education campaign which was undertaken in association with their implementation.
The survey is conducted by phone via a professional marketing research organisation. Your details will remain confidential for the purposes of the survey and will not be given out to any other group or for any other purpose. Contact Phil Parker National Program Manager, Marine Weather and Oceanographic Services, P.Parker@bom.gov.au

"Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names."

John F. Kennedy

Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan

Marine pest pathway pursued

Yachties will be targeted in a research project aimed at limiting the spread of marine pests within Australia.
The Bureau of Rural Sciences is mapping the movements of human 'agents' that may inadvertently translocate pest species. Researchers will assess and characterise yacht movement patterns, where they go, at what time of the year as well as obtain information on their encounters with one pest species in particular - the North Pacific Seastar (NPS).
An on-line survey has been developed relating to recent boat trips and sightings of the NPS, it can be found here. Phone (02) 6272 4163 or e-mail martine.kinloch@brs.gov.au to take part in the survey.

Knot enough!

An Australian crew looking to better their world sailing speed record exceeded 47 knots ... though not for long enough. Macquarie Innovation wound up their outright speed project with skipper Simon McKeon reporting to the Australian Yachting Federation that they briefly enjoyed "almost ideal" conditions.
On one run, although the foils were not at the optimum setting, they "exceeded 47 knots", but not for 500 metres. A wind changed robbed them of the record. That, for the metric-minded, is 87kmh!

Fishing permits online

Local and interstate anglers are able to purchase and print their freshwater fishing permits online, allowing eager fishers to buy their permits anytime of the day or night, all year round.
The permits will be available from the Department of Primary Industries web site, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.
The new online permits would allow local and interstate freshwater fishing enthusiasts to buy the permits when it was convenient for them, saving time and making their fishing expedition even more enjoyable.
"Many freshwater anglers travel long distances within Queensland and interstate to fish in stocked dams but sometimes in more remote spots the facilities are not as accessible as other areas," Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) senior policy officer Michelle Hollaway said.
She said money raised through the Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) scheme provided funds to community stocking groups to purchase fish and other activities aimed at enhancing their local fisheries.
"Stocking groups have already benefited from more than $612,000 raised since the scheme was introduced in July 2000," Ms Hollaway said.
Ms Hollaway also reminded anglers to carry their permits with them when fishing.
Stocked Impoundment Permits cost $35 a year or $7 for a week. The permits can be purchased online at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/shop or at bait shops near the dams as well as selected Australia Post offices.

Marine radio survey

A survey of recreational users of the Bureau of Meteorology marine HF radio services is being conducted.
The objective of the survey is to evaluate the usage patterns of the services, broadcast reception, impact of the change to the new services which were introduced on 1 July 2002, and the effectiveness of the public education campaign which was undertaken in association with their implementation.
The survey is conducted by phone via a professional marketing research organisation. Your details will remain confidential for the purposes of the survey and will not be given out to any other group or for any other purpose. Contact Phil Parker National Program Manager, Marine Weather and Oceanographic Services, P.Parker@bom.gov.au

Lifejackets studied

The National Marine Safety Committee has launched a review of applicable standards for Personal Flotation Devices - that's lifejackets - for recreational vessels in Australia.
Chairman Colin Finch said the NMSC had released an issues paper that would be available for public comment until the end of February.
"Marine agencies around Australia require recreational vessels to carry personal flotation devices for each person on board the boat as part of their mandatory safety equipment," Mr Finch said.
"Most States specify that these PFDs must comply with the relevant Australian Standards. The issue for consideration by NMSC is that retailers wish to sell PFDs including inflatable jackets that meet international standards but have not been accredited to Australian Standards. These PFDS are generally not accepted as part of vessel safety equipment in Australia. "
The Issues Paper reports that, "on review of the internationally recognised standards for PFDs currently in worldwide use, such as EN 396 and UL 1180, there is no question that these standards have more comprehensive construction and performance requirements than the current Australian Standards" However, there are issues involved in product certification and servicing of inflatable jackets.
More at www.nmsc.gov.au (go to Have Your Say/Documents for Comment) or by contacting the NMSC on (02) 9555 2879.

Decorative lights at Mackay

Mariners are advised that a light with a flash sequence of (6 seconds on, 27 seconds off, 60 seconds on, 27 seconds off) with visibility 21 miles, will be temporarily established on the Pine Islet Lighthouse which has been relocated to Mackay Harbour in approximate position Latitude 21°06.63'S, Longitude 149°13.49'E. The light will be exhibited on Saturday, 28 December 2002 from 1800 hours to 2200 hours and on Tuesday, 31 December 2002 from 2300 hours to 0100 hours Wednesday, 01 January 2003.
Mariners should use caution not to confuse the light with Aids to Navigation. Charts affected: AUS 249, 250

'Tis another year gone
God Bless you an' yours
May 'ee grant you
FAIR WINDS
As you bend at d'oars.
Newfoundland fisherman's saying.

Best wishes of the Season and
Long may your big jib draw!
Cap'n Dan

News Year resolution

The buzzword for New Year’s is resolution. Think of something you want to do or don't want to do and ruin it by making a resolution. All the usual things are suggested.

Guess what? I haven't been all that good at keeping any of them.

"I don't think you could be any worse at keeping them, you don't even try." Says Mrs Cap'n Dan supportively. For the last couple of years she has offered some suggestions like keeping the dining table clear or losing weight.

My resolution for 2003 is to have more fun, encourage world peace……and clean off the table.

Fair Winds,

Cap’n Dan

Check weather for safe summer boating

Keeping your 'weather eye' open is a key element of good seamanship. You don't have to know everything about weather forecasting, but getting the right information is vital to safe boating.
Getting a good, reliable marine weather forecast is easy when you know the right sources. Here is a rundown for summer boating weather safety.
Newspapers, local radio and the Bureau of Meteorology website provide coverage, but your marine radio has a range of broadcasts for you.
Airlie Comstat provides a Whitsunday local service each day at 0803, 1203 and 1603 on VHF repeater channels 81, 82 and 22.
A good service for the early morning starters is the Telstra VHF Seaphone service that broadcasts weather forecasts at 0633 and 1633 each day. Whitsunday weather channels are VHF 28 and 86 from Whitsunday Island and Channel 66 Shute Harbour.
The Bureau of Meteorology broadcasts weather information for our waters from VMC Weather Australia located at Charleville in Queensland on the High Frequencies working frequencies: 2201, 4426, 6507, 8176, 12365 and 16537 KHz.
Some vessels, depending on the age of their HF transceivers, may need to install new frequencies in order to receive the Bureau of Meteorology weather information.
Get the forecast and enjoy safe boating in the Whitsundays.

Barra rules

A range of new fishing regulations for freshwater barramundi means more practical rules for stocked dams as well as protection for wild stocks.
The new rules will allow fishing for barramundi in the closed season in 18 stocked dams in Queensland.
In these dams, a take and possession limit of only one barramundi applies during the closed season. This fish can also be greater than the previous 120cm size limit.
Outside the closed season, a take and possession limit of five barramundi will apply in these dams and one of these fish may also be greater than 120cm.
Department of Primary Industries Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) senior policy officer Michelle Hollaway said the closed season and maximum size limit exemptions made practical sense in stocked dams.
"Maximum size limits are in place to protect female fish and closed seasons are introduced to protect spawning fish," Ms Hollaway said.
"However, these protections are not really necessary in stocked dams because we don't rely on breeding females to maintain the fish population."
Ms Hollaway said the take and possession limit regulations were aimed at balancing the right of anglers to fish for barramundi in stocked dams and protection of wild barramundi stocks.
"There is no practical way to identify a stocked dam barramundi from a wild fish so the new take and possession limit is a compromise," she said.
"This way anglers can have a large barramundi as part of their total take and possession limit outside the closed season and during the closed season they can also fish for and keep one barramundi.
"Anglers are allowed to continue to fish in these 18 dams while possessing their limit of one barramundi during the closed season but are not allowed to fish anywhere else which helps to protect wild stocks."
Ms Hollaway said these arrangements would assist in ensuring that barramundi were not unlawfully taken during the closed season and minimise the potential risk to the sustainability of wild barramundi populations.
The new dam rules apply locally to Eungella, Kinchant, Peter Faust and Burdekin Falls.
On the east coast the closed season for barramundi runs from 1 November to 1 February but changes annually in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
For information about the new recreational fishing rules visit the DPI Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.a/fishweb or contact the DPI Call Centre on 13 25 23.

Turtle lookout

The washed up remains of a green sea turtle on the Strand in Townsville this week prompted the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to remind boaters to be on the look out for threatened species.
The dead adult female was discovered on the beach with large propeller gashes in her shell and according to GBRMPA Executive Director, John Tanzer, the loss was especially tragic, as she appeared to be mature enough to breed.
"These turtles don't breed until they are between 40 and 50 years old. This most probably was an accident but boaters really need to be more careful out there," Mr Tanzer said.
Less than 1 per cent of turtles reach maturity making this death very important to the loss of breeding stock.
Anyone who discovers a sick or injured marine animal should phone the Marine Animal Hotline on 1300 360 898.

Boat salvaged
Mariners are advised that the sunken vessel mentioned in notice 519T in Airlie Bay has been salvaged and the Lighted Special Mark buoy has been removed. Mariners are advised Notice No. 519T of 2002 is cancelled. Charts affected: AUS 252, 253, 370, 824

Santa full of spirits

It's the time of the year when Santas seem to arrive at events from all angles. Skydiving Santa, water skiing Santa, motorcycle Santa and boating Santa, surfing Santa, commercial Santa, and my favourite, the Fire Truck Santa.
Having worked out on the Great Barrier Reef I've seen a few SCUBA Santas over the years.
One of the best entrances was a sailing club Santa who arrived in a speedboat to the delight of the kiddies. It soon became clear that Santa had been getting into the Christmas spirits and was feeling quite jolly. The kids enjoyed Santa's visit in spite of him being fairly soggy from his fall out of the boat!

Best wishes of the Season and
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan

Holiday boating safety: Check your flares

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers will be paying particular attention to flares during safety equipment inspections. Officers will be inspecting boats both on the water and at boat ramps.
QBFP District Officer, Carl Shurey, said failure to carry current, unexpired flares will attract a $150 on-the-spot fine.
"Two red hand-held flares, two orange smoke flares and a V-sheet are part of the compulsory safety equipment for boats used in partially smooth waters and beyond. They are used to alert other boats or planes in the area if assistance is required." Mr Shurey said.
He said flares should always be stored in a waterproof container and placed where they are easily accessible and protected from the elements.
Flares have a limited lifespan and do carry expiry dates. As flares approach their expiry date, boat operators should make sure they are replaced with an in-date pack. Flares have a life of three years from the date of manufacture before they must be replaced.

Work or play?

Boating industry members now will be able to operate unregistered boats flying Restricted Use Flags, without needing a Coxswain's Ticket.
The Boating Industry Association of Queensland sought clarification of the issue from Queensland Transport after a member holding a Recreational Ship Master's licence received a Marine Infringement Notice, while flying a Restricted Use Flag on an unregistered vessel.
Captain John Watkinson, General Manager Maritime Safety Queensland, said the government recognised that there was a range of activities associated with the manufacture, sale and promotion of boats that required vessels to be operated before registration.
He said the problem was not with the RUF itself, but, with the assumption that, because promotions and sales are commercial in nature, the use of the boat also is commercial.
Maritime Safety Queensland has resolved the ambiguity by requiring boats intended for private recreational use to have recreational registration only.
A new RUF condition will state that the appropriate licence to operate the boat is a Recreational Ship's Masters licence or a licence to operate a commercial or fishing vessel.
Captain Watkinson said these measures were being implemented and that industry members should make sure the appropriate licence condition is included in the issuing of any RUF.
"That way, the boat operator will be able to demonstrate compliance with the law when checked by an enforcement officer," he said.

Island paridise?

Finland has the greatest number of islands in the world - 179,584.

Boat builder wins Award

The small Dandenong based Access Dinghy company achieved "rags to riches" dream, by winning the 2002 National Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Community and Business Partnerships in the Small Business Category.
At a special Prime Ministers lunch at Parliament House Canberra attended by over 400 people, Mr John Howard announced Access Dinghy as the winner of his award, which recognises the work a small business does with a community organisation to help make a real difference to peoples lives.
Access Dinghy's MD, Chris Mitchell was almost speechless when his win was announced, "This win will open a lot of doors for us world wide for our little sailboat. I'm so proud and very honoured to be part of a team to receive the $10,000 award from the Prime Minister to expand and grow the Sailability program."
Access Dinghy makes and exports tiny 2.3 metre unsinkable-untippable sailboats designed for people with disabilities, has been part of a team which in the last year through 40 national groups has successfully introduced over 20,000 Australians, many who have disabilities, to the joys of sailing.
The dinghy is exported to Sailability programs in the USA, NZ, Canada, Japan, UK, Ireland, France, Singapore, Finland and Portugal.

Waterfront identity

The years had taken their toll on the old sea captain. All those years of hard drinking and life at sea left the old salt with a potbelly, sagging bits and a double chin.
Concerned about retirement, which was imminent, and wanting to 'swallow the anchor' and settle down with a pretty wife on land, the sea captain decided to embark on a self-improvement program. He went on a diet, exercised and gave up drinking. He lost his gut, firmed up his body and even purchased a toupee; he looked 20 years younger.
During his final voyage, his ship came up against a storm and the captain was lost overboard. While the captain was floating in the middle of the ocean he raised his voice to heaven, "God, how could you do this to me on the eve of my retirement? "
God answered, " To tell you the truth captain, I didn't recognize you!"


Call 000

According to the Australian Communications Authority there were 2,360,351 calls made to the 000 emergency number.

Sunken vessel

Mariners are advised that a 7.5 metre vessel has sunk in approximate position Latitude 20°15.909'S, Longitude 148°43.206'E in Airlie Bay. The vessel is only visible at low water and has been marked with a Lighted Special Mark buoy Fl.Y.2.5s.
Mariners should use caution when transiting the area. Charts affected: AUS 252, 253, 370, 824

Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.
- Publilius Syrus ~100 BC

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

Marine mysteries revealed

Readers and students with an interest in marine life can now visit a virtual fish nursery with the launch of a new Queensland Government on-line educational website, Nature's Nautical Nurseries, by Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk.
Mr Palaszczuk said scientists from the DPI's Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) scientists have ventured from their traditional watery world to the virtual, designing a new module to entertain and educate upper primary school students about marine fish habitats, fish, crabs and other aquatic animal and plant life cycles.
Interesting fact sheets on the State's coastal flora and fauna support fun student activities.
Mr Palaszczuk said the website was an important educational tool, teaching students about fish habitat and its ecological value.
He said activities were designed to develop knowledge and encourage students to take a personal interest in caring for Queensland's coasts.
"There is no better time to teach people about the importance of our fish habitats than when they are young and eager to learn," Mr Palaszczuk said.
"This web site is a fun and interactive way to get students involved in marine science as well as give people a general understanding of the environmental and conservation issues that surround marine habitats."
"The site is easy to navigate and includes a glossary and teacher's resources. Teachers will find this an extremely valuable resource," he said.
For more information about Nature's Nautical Nurseries take a tour through the website at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/extra/nnn/

Long distance SOS saves crew

A British yachtsman whose 38ft vessel sank off Malaysia was rescued from a life raft after he alerted coastguards in Falmouth, Cornwall in November.
Thomas Jordan, 28, of Southampton, and David Rauch, a Frenchman, received no response to mayday calls says a report in The Telegraph, so Mr Jordan contacted the coastguard using the pre-programmed number on his satellite telephone and Malaysian authorities sent a boat to rescue them.

Fuelling around

What about the marine engine driver students who were enjoying the windward performance of their trusty Falcon on the Bruce highway? On the return trip from their studies at the Bowen TAFE workshop, they ran out of fuel.

Can You Float a Loan?

A woman was having a medical problem - her husband was snoring very loudly every night! So she called the doctor one morning, and asked him if there was anything he could do to relieve her "suffering."
"Well, there is one operation I can perform that will cure your husband" said the doctor, "but it is really rather expensive. It will cost you $10,000 down, and payments of $1000 for 36 months, plus payments for extras of course.
"My goodness!" the woman exclaimed, "that sounds like I'm buying a yacht!"
"Humm," the doctor murmured, "too obvious, huh?"

Dot you 'i's

Did you know that the dot on the top of the letter 'i' is called a 'tittle' which is Latin for "something very small."


"Basically my wife was immature. I'd be at home in the bath and she'd come in and sink my boats" - Woody Allen


Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

Tour operators told to reform safety systems

The findings of an investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission may have serious repercussions for companies marketing a wide range of tours or booking tours for other operators. It could affect any operator of 'adventure holidays' or those providing exciting or extreme sports.
Twenty-one people including 14 Australians were swept to their deaths on a whitewater rafting tour conducted by Swiss company, Adventure World.
An investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has found the Australian company that promoted the tour had not properly investigated safety of the company's activities. It should have investigated the nature of the tour and the risks should have been assessed.
ACCC chairman Allan Fels says it sends a message to all tour companies.
"Where people are going on these adventure-type tours they need to thoroughly and adequately ensure they are safe," he said.
The Australian tour company will reform its quality assurance systems in response to the 1999 Swiss canyoning disaster. However, the company has not admitted liability.

Bummer!

A fisherman lost part of his buttocks this week when he was hit by a boat propeller up the coast at Kelso Reef.

Satellite detects illegal fishing

The hi-tech Vessel Management System (VMS) satellite system has proved the key to the successful detection and apprehension of a prawn trawl operator illegally fishing in closed waters.
The Department of Primary Industries Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) used the system to track the trawler, which was illegally fishing within the Amity Bight closure.
The master of the "Baltic Amber" pleaded guilty and was subsequently fined $3,000 with no conviction recorded in the Cleveland Magistrates Court
QBFP field officer Graham Shield said the VMS system remained an important tool in detecting illegal fishing operations. Mr Shield said by law, all T1 license holders who were those fishing on Queensland's east coast, must be fitted with a VMS system.
"Boats equipped with the VMS technology can be tracked via satellite up and down the coast and their positions are polled by satellite on a regular basis," he said.
"When fishing vessels enter a closed zone the information is relayed to a patrol office through a computer system and informs fisheries officers of the vessel's location.
Mr Shield said fishing zones closed to prawn trawling played an important role in maintaining the sustainability of prawn stocks in Queensland waters.
"These zones act as a nursery for juvenile prawns, which if left untouched, allow prawn stocks to mature and then move into areas where they can be legally caught," he said.
Mr Shield said fishing in a closed zone was a serious fisheries offence and fines of up to $75,000 could apply. Offenders could also have their licenses suspended or cancelled if caught in a closed zone.
Any suspected illegal fishing activities can be reported to the Fishwatch hotline on 1800 117 116.

EPIRBs for hire

Offshore sailors who are deterred by the purchase price of emergency beacons now have a hiring alternative - EPIRBhire.com.au handle all types of distress beacons for vessels and personal use.
Hire rates for a 406mHz EPIRB start from $495 (inc GST) for major offshore races. A 121.5mHz Personal Locator Beacon is about $65 per race.
Locally Phil Pleydel at Whitsunday Marine Electronics is selling 121.5 MHz Mini Sats for $289 and a Pains Wessex Rescue Personal Fastfind 406 Mhz at $1595 incl GST.
Readers are still questioning why there is GST on this essential safety equipment.

Nautical time

A boat painter got the job of painting a small sail boat and when he was asked by the owner how long it would take him to finish the job, he said "Two weeks".
Three weeks went by and the owner, concerned by the delay, confronted the painter. "Hey Paul", said the owner, "You told me that it would take you two weeks to paint my boat and it's been three weeks....What's up with that?"
The painter put his paintbrush down, looked the owner square in the eye and said, "That was two NAUTICAL weeks, like a nautical mile, they're a little longer".

Bombing till Friday 13th

Mariners are advised that a military exercise involving live firing will be carried out in the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area from Monday, 2 December until 2359 hours on Friday, 13 December 2002.
The danger area is all waters in Shoalwater Bay south of a line from Sabina Point across to Old Kiever. Mooly Creek, Raspberry Creek, Oyster Creek, Shoalwater Creek, Georges Creek, Head (Boundary) Creek and East Creek are within the danger area.
All civil vessels are prohibited from entering the danger area during the above period. Charts affected: AUS 260, 367, 370, 822


"Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after."

Henry David Thoreau

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

Sailor's skill shows in short-handed series
This weekend will see the local fleet tackle the waters of the Whitsundays in a race with a difference. The big yachts will have small crews in the Magee's Two-handed series.
Whitsunday Sailing Club Commodore George Canfield told On the Waterfront sailors look forward to this test of skill.
"With only two sailors on each yacht, regardless of size, it is a real test of ability for the competitors. They can use any gear and sails they have on board, they just have less hands to do it all with." Commodore Canfield said.
"The two-handed series sponsor Magee's, many who are sailors themselves recognise the skill that is required to sail a powerful yacht around the two courses short-handed."
"The Saturday race will sail to Langford Reef, then Double Cones island and return to the finish in Pioneer Bay" says club rear-commodore offshore Kevin Fogarty
"On Sunday the fleet will start in the bay then leave Daydream Island to starboard, around White Rock, Daydream to port and then to the finish at Airlie Beach. Presentations will follow at the club," Mr Fogarty said.
The cruising fleet had a sail up to Earlando's at the weekend.
"A good time was had by sailors in the nine boat fleet," said club rear commodore Kevin Fogarty "The Earlando's staff really looked after us".
"Our thanks to Ron Earl who is getting ready to close the resort and operate it as a cattle property."
Yachts included multihulls Toyroom and Thrillneck. Monohull first place went to Margaret C, Keith Wallwork with second to Shearwater skippered by Mick Phillips and third to a new boat in the fleet with the likely name of Tequila Two helmed by Wayne Maxwell.
Also sailing were Idle Time, Skytrim and Janner II skippered by Bob Borer.
The annual Christmas cruise will be sailed on Saturday December 7 to Macona Inlet Mr Fogarty added.


Snakes alive!
Hong Kong police were pelted with crates containing live cobras as snake smugglers tried to escape during a high-speed boat chase.
Chinese restaurant clients will miss the 15 crates of snakes containing about 600 cobras found by police who apprehended the speedboat snake smugglers.


Fishers caught

Innovative methods by Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol lead to the conviction of two fishermen at Bowen.
Two fishermen were fined $10,000 and $7500 respectively, at Bowen Magistrates Court last week, for fishing in green zones at Lath Reef north east of Airlie Beach, after QBFP officers in a seaplane swooped down on them on January 17 this year.
The use of the seaplane, chartered by the QBFP was instrumental in the officer's ability to get to the location quickly and catch some of the fishers in the act.

Vale - Sailing adventurer
Sailing adventurer David Lewis has died at age 85 at Tin Can Bay in Queensland. His achievements include the first world circumnavigation by multihull, making known the traditional navigation used by Pacific Islanders in We the Navigators and leading the way for private expeditions to the Antarctic. He wrote Icebird, the story of his first solo return voyage from Sydney to the Antarctic Peninsula in 1972/3 on his 32 foot steel sloop. Shapes in the Wind, the story of his extraordinary life, will be republished in December reports Kathy McKenzie, telling how he returned to Australia after the loss of Taniwha which broke her foremast on her maiden voyage and sank.

Band proposed
International maritime distress and calling ceased at the end of 1997 on the long-time frequency 500kHz and the band has not been reassigned.
The Radio Society of Great Britain is proposing a new amateur band, 495 - 505 kHz, at the bottom end of the AM broadcast band.
The allocation of spectrum around 500kHz would enable amateurs to revisit sky wave propagation experimentation that ceased during the 1920's when that frequency was allocated to Maritime communications which used ground wave propagation.
There might be some great ex-Marconi gear lying around.

Heading South?

Mariners are advised that a military exercise involving live firing will be carried out in the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area from Thursday, 28 November until 2359 hours on Friday, 13 December 2002. The danger area extends to all waters contained within the following co-ordinates: Old Kiever to Pinetrees Point including Strong Tide Passage, Canoe Pass, Townshend Island, Triangular Island, Ripple Island and Harrison Island are within the danger area.
All civil vessels are prohibited from entering the danger area during the above period. Charts affected: AUS 260, 367, 370, 822


Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

Pirate gang blamed for ship hijack terror

A pirate gang is preying on small tankers entering the southern approaches to the Malacca Straits, seizing their cargoes of diesel oil - for which there is a ready market.
The victim of the latest attack was the 3,298-ton Malaysian tanker Nautica Kluang, boarded by a gang armed with guns and knives. The pirates locked the crew in a cabin and pumped the cargo onto a waiting pirate vessel.
The Nautica Kluang, sailing from Melaka in Malaysia to the port of Labuan in East Malaysia, was attacked in the early hours. The captain was able to raise the alarm by mobile phone the following morning after the crew of 12 - Malaysians, Indonesians and Myanmar nationals - managed to free themselves.
"There have been two previous attacks recently at exactly the same place involving small tankers loaded with diesel oil. We believe the same gang is responsible for all these attacks, " said Captain Pottengal Mukundan, Director of the International Maritime Bureau.
"We are seeing a sharp rise in hijackings. Last year, the figure worldwide doubled to 14. This year we have already had 20 hijackings."
Many of the hijackings are in Indonesian territorial waters and all transiting the area should maintain an especially vigilant watch in these waters.

High seas crime finding

Hijackings at sea doubled last year despite a fall in the total number of pirate attacks.
The increase in hijackings is due to greater involvement in piracy by organized crime networks.
"The hijacking of a whole ship and the resale of its cargo requires huge resources and detailed planning," said Captain Mukundan.
"It typically involves a mother ship from which to launch the attacks, a supply of automatic weapons, false identity papers for the crew and vessel, fake cargo documents and a broker network to sell the stolen goods illegally.
"Individual pirates don't have these resources. Hijackings are the work of organized crime rings."
Pirates killed a total of 21 crewmembers and ships' passengers last year, and 210 more were taken hostage, the new report revealed. All but one of the murders were in Asian waters.
Last year saw 71 sea attacks involved guns, up from 53 in the previous year, while assaults using knives fell from 132 to 105.
Indonesian waters and the Malacca Strait remain the world's most pirate-infested seas.
Captain Mukundan warned "Figures over a longer period show an underlying upward trend in piracy, and an increase in attacks that are well organized, well funded and violent."

Who cruises?

Cruise ships get some unusual questions from their customers. Here's an
amusing sample collected by Celebrity Cruises and published by the trade
magazine "Travel Weekly":
* Does the elevator go to the front of the ship?
* Why does the ship rock only when we are at sea?
* Does the ship generate its own electricity?
* Will I get wet if I go snorkelling?
* Does the crew sleep on board?
* Is there water all around the island?
* How do we know which photos are ours?
* What do you do with the ice carvings after they melt?

Call for sports

The 2003 Ausport Awards will recognise, reward and showcase good practice in the Australian sports system. Why not nominate yourself or your organisation, or encourage others to nominate?
The inaugural 2003 National Ausport Awards (formerly the Active Australia Awards) will acknowledge and reward individuals, clubs, community organisations, schools, local government authorities, national and state sporting organisations for demonstrating their commitment to good practice in sport, greater grass roots participation, innovative and inclusive programs, quality sports business management and excellence in sport performance.
The presentation for the 2003 Ausport Awards will be held at the Our Sporting Future forum. It will bring together sporting representatives from across Australia to challenge current thinking and explore growth opportunities and share good practice in sport, while the Ausport Awards seek to reward and showcase good practice in the Australian sports system.
Closing date for nomination is 16 December 2002. For more information and nomination for the Ausport Awards visit the website www.activeaustralia.org/events/awards. Or call 1300 130 121

Record sail

Its official! Germany's John Kostecki and crew are verified as taking the monohull distance record of 484 nautical miles - average speed 20.16 knots - set in the Atlantic Ocean, 29 - 30 April 2002, on VOR 60 illbruck.

Stormy weather

The drought hasn't broken yet. However, it was good to see some rain. And on the subject of rain, mate says he got a letter from Longreach the other day and the stamp was fixed with a paper clip.
That's dry!

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

Fishers, yachties fail fatigue crisis

Driver fatigue is often in the news regarding vehicle drivers. Now it is in the news for boaties.

Accident and incident reports have shown that fatigue has been a major factor in marine incidents.
A recent Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report on a collision involving a fishing vessel and a bulk carrier highlights the fact that the skipper of the fishing vessel was probably suffering from the effects of chronic fatigue.
The skipper had worked for two and a half months with four days off.
The incident occurred at 0400 in the morning with the fishing vessel skipper finding the huge ship dead ahead, its whistle blaring. He put the fishing vessel's helm over to port, but was unable to prevent a collision. Thankfully, no one, including the two deckhands who were asleep, was injured.
Sleep is a basic human need and a lack of adequate sleep may lead to fatigue.
Fatigue may be described as a reduction in physical and/or mental capability because of physical or mental exertion that has the potential to impair most abilities including strength, speed, reaction time, coordination and decision-making says the ATSB.
Individuals suffering from chronic fatigue perform below their personal best and are often unaware that their performance has been significantly degraded. Importantly, people may not even recognise that they are suffering from fatigue.
This may contribute to the high fatality rate amongst fishermen in Australia of 143 per 100,000 compared with the national average of 8.1 per 100,000 for other occupations.
International standards for seafarers do not apply to fishing vessels, or to recreational vessels for that matter.
A survey of lifeboat coxswains in the UK by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the Royal Yachting Association revealed that recreational yachties exhibit a "Lack of preparation for the voyage and overestimate themselves and their capabilities".
Often there are not enough crew onboard to conduct the ship safely. In fishing vessels, this understaffing is to maximise profits.
The danger of insufficient manning levels is that this can lead to crew fatigue and to an ineffective lookout or none at all, being maintained.
As with drivers on the road, this makes these skippers a danger to others, and themselves.

Fast schooner

The tedious business of trying to catch the waiter's eye for a refill may be over as a Japanese company has devised a high-tech glass that sends a signal to bar staff telling them instantly when you are ready for another drink.
The radio tags used to thwart shoplifters inspire iGlassware, invented by Mitsubishi.
Each glass has a microchip with its own ID. As the level of drink falls, the microchip sends a top-up signal to the waiters' station via a small radio built into the table, using a frequency similar to those used by mobile phones.
Very different from the olde pub days in the UK when ceramic beer tankards had a whistle baked into their rim. When you needed a refill, you used the whistle to get some service!
Hence the saying... "wet your whistle".

Volunteers mark service

This year marks ten years of the Whitsunday Volunteers working with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, so to celebrate this milestone, the 'Vols' are having a night out. They are also looking for any original or early Vols that may not be on the current list who might be interested in joining in on the festivities. The night is November 22 at the Reef Gateway and RSVP to the Volunteer Coordinator, Whitsunday Volunteer Association PO Box 332, Airlie Beach.

EPIRB advice

Following last week's column on safety costs, the range of prices for 406 MHz EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) starts at A$1499 including GST, registration and delivery from one supplier.
Certainly not cheap!
Perhaps one question that should be asked is 'Why does a piece of mandatory safety equipment include GST?'

Yachties move

Please note the Australian Yachting Federation office has now relocated to 18 Herbert Street, Artarmon NSW 2064. Phone: 02 9902 2155, Fax: 02 9906 2366. The AYF postal address remains at Locked Bag 806, Milsons Point NSW 2061

"A smooth sea never made a skilful mariner."
- English Proverb

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

Boaties swamped by false distress alerts

It has been revealed that most EPIRB distress alerts detected are false!

That's right, in Australia about 98 per cent of the distress alerts detected are false, says a report issued by Australian Search and Rescue (AusSAR) in Canberra.

AusSAR also detects many false distress alerts from non-beacon transmitters that interfere with the older 121.5 MHz frequency and from inadvertently activated beacons.

Satellite beacons take much of the search out of search and rescue.
"False alerts can be resolved quickly with newer 406 MHz beacons as they transmit a digital signal that identifies the owner. AusSAR keeps a register of 406 MHz beacon users and simply makes a phone call to determine if there is a genuine emergency or not" says an AusSAR spokesperson.
"The 121.5 MHz beacons are based on obsolete analogue technology that does not support an identifying message. In most cases, when these beacons begin transmitting, an expensive search has to be launched to determine if there is someone in distress."
According to AusSAR the system will change in February 2009 and the satellite system will no longer process the 121.5 MHz frequency used by most distress beacons. "The distress frequency used by the satellite network will be 406 MHz," the spokesperson said.
Boat owners will pay big dollars - up to $3,500 for compulsory digital safety beacons instead of the current common analogue units costing around $200. The current 121.5 MHz EIPRBS will be phased out in favour of digital units operating on 406 MHz
The 406'ers are smarter, faster, safer and if it has a built-in Global Positioning System, your location can be pinpointed to within 120 metres. A 121.5 MHz beacon will only narrow your position down to 20 kms.
Beacons come in many shapes and sizes. They include Emergency Locator transmitters (ELTs) found in aircraft, hand-held Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) and marine-based Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs).
The change in 2009 may seem a long way off, but you should start planning now.
If you already have a 406 MHz beacon then you need not worry as long as it is registered. If you are not sure call AusSAR on 1800 641 792 and ask a search and rescue officer to check. You should have your beacon's fifteen character hexadecimal code ready for AusSAR.
If you are relying on a 121.5 MHz beacon, you could upgrade when your beacon's battery is due to be replaced. The 406 MHz beacons are more expensive, but the price is expected to fall over time. Regardless of the price, if it saves your life, it is cheap insurance.

Killer animal

Guess what rates as the deadly killer animal responsible for the most human deaths worldwide? Not the shark, jellyfish or crocodile, but the annoying and deadly mosquito.

Automated ship reports

Ships transiting the Great Barrier Reef are being urged to participate in a world-leading automated ship reporting trial just begun.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority in conjunction with Maritime Safety Queensland is calling for ships that sail through the Reef to take part in the trial, which will use INMARSAT-C - a global satellite communications network - to provide a near-real time picture of shipping activity in the region.
There are about 6000 ship movements through the GBR each year.
The INMARSAT-C terminals on ships participating in the voluntary trial will be remotely programmed to send automated position reports every 15 minutes to REEFCENTRE - the ship reporting base at Hay Point, near Mackay. Ships will not incur any costs associated with this trial.
The system will provide REEFCENTRE with more accurate information on the presence and movement of vessels and help identify potentially dangerous areas being transited. It will also provide the first ever near-real time picture of shipping in the Reef.
Under the current reporting arrangements, ships must report their position to REEFCENTRE every 8 to 16 hours depending on the speed of the vessel.
A preliminary trial of the system involving 80 vessels from 20 shipping companies began last November and proved highly successful.
Most ships transiting the reef are required to have INMARSAT-C transceivers on board as part of their internationally mandated Global Maritime Distress and Safety System requirements.
AMSA and Maritime Safety Queensland have been contacting ships that use the Reef asking them to participate in the trial. Other ships wishing to be involved should contact Kerrie Abercrombie on 07 3253 2641 or Benny de Melo 02 9282 0712 at AMSA.
The 350,000 square kilometre Great Barrier Reef was the first region to be designated a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area by the International Maritime Organization.

Sailing records

One of the older speed/distance records on the books is that for any yacht, sailed single-handed. Held since June 1994 by Primagaz Laurent Bourgnon (FRA) France, on a 60ft 18.29m trimaran, 540.0 nautical miles, 22.50 knots in the North Atlantic,

Volunteers mark service

This year marks ten years of the Whitsunday Volunteers working with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, so to celebrate this milestone, the 'Vols' are having a night out. They are also looking for any original or early Vols that may not be on the current list who might be interested in joining in on the festivities. The night is November 22 at the Reef Gateway and RSVP to the Volunteer Coordinator, Whitsunday Volunteer Association PO Box 332, Airlie Beach.

Yachties move

Please note the Australian Yachting Federation office has now relocated to 18 Herbert Street, Artarmon NSW 2064. Phone: 02 9902 2155, Fax: 02 9906 2366. The AYF postal address remains at Locked Bag 806, Milsons Point NSW 2061

Heading south?

Mariners are advised that the military exercises referred to in the previous notice 457 (T) will include the firing of flares in the Shoalwater Bay Military exercise area.
Mariners are advised to note the additional information in that notice. Charts affected: AUS 260, 367, 370, 822

"Never mistake motion for action."

Ernest Hemmingway, Pulitzer Prize-winning author.

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan