Thursday, August 21, 2003
Tropical shirt regatta
Everyone had a great time during the Hog's Breath Tropical shirt regatta
including the last day that featured no wind. Pioneer Bay looked like a
mirror with nary a wisp of breeze to ruffle its surface. Enough racing had
been sailed to ensure results in all classes so Principal Race Officer Tony
Denham declared the regatta over, except for the last party.
Sailors from all around the globe enjoyed the event and business around the
area seemed to enjoy a surge with many proprietors reporting good takings.
Final placing prepared by Top Yacht Software.
IRC Division. 'Joe' skippered by Steven David took first place with 'Ticket
of Leave' Kevin Wood Sandringham YC second place and 'Ichi Ban', Matt Allen
CYCA third.
PHS1: 'Intrigue Of Stornoway' Dr Ian Nicolson Royal Hong Kong YC took the
first spot with 'StarFire' Don & Helen Cameron, Sandringham YC with
'Kerinda' Len Payne RMYC Port Hacking third.
PHS2: First place 'Sundowner' skippered by Bill Webb from Gold Coast Yacht
Club, second 'Deception' Murray Sanders Whitsunday Sailing Club, third
'Wobbly Boot' Craig Piccinelli also WSC.
Cruising PHS Spinnaker: First 'Aito' Simon Vincent NQCYC Bowen, second
'STRUTH' Vincent Bezzina LMYC, third 'Koomooloo' Donald Freebairn, RQYS.
Cruising PHS: First 'Risque' Paul Johnson of WSC, second 'Effarvescent'
Terry Balson, Southport Yacht Club. Third 'Earl Grey' Norm House, WSC.
Sports boats: First 'Vivace' Pierre Gal, CHYC. Second 'Excel' Steve & Yvonne
Battl, MOFSC. Third 'Guilty Pleasures' Leon Thomas, TCYC.
Sydney 38s: First 'Another Challenge' Lou Abrahams, Sandringham YC. Second
'Asylum' Wayne Kirkpatrick, HIYC / CYCA. Third 'Livewire' Terry Hall,
Sandringham YC.
20 years at Hamilton
The 20th Hahn Premium Race Week, Hamilton Island, including the Sydney 38
National Titles is being sailed this week and enjoying bright but not windy
weather.
The Cruising Class finished its 20 mile race which started around 11am at
about 4pm. No one wanted to start any earlier. Robbo Robertson's Eureka II
finished first in the Premier Cruising Class. One crew reported seeing
turtles, whales, dolphins and sea snakes. 'While going that slowly it an
opportunity to appreciate nature,' he said.
Remember Bondy?
Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Australia II winning the America's Cup on
Friday, September 19 at the America's Cup Gala Ball in Perth. Expect to see
names like Bond, Bertrand, Conner, Hawke and other high profile members of
the community on the guest list. $250 per person. Royal Perth Yacht Club.
Full speed ahead
"Well the billfish season is full speed ahead," says Capt Ken Bryant. "After
a slow start the Marlin and Sailfish are now feeding in the grounds north of
Hayman Island and to the east of Hamilton Island. Bait schools are thick
from Net Reef to the Islands. We have just completed a charter to the shelf
and encountered Marlin to 300 lbs but were over run by Spanish mackerel"
"The Mackerel are taking almost any trolled bait or lure. Most of the fish
are only up to 12 kilo's but are thick. One recent trip to Evit shoal east
of Edward Island produced over 20 mackerel in four hours fishing. News from
Cairns is similar with large bait schools appearing and this would indicate
another big Black Marlin Season and perhaps an early bite."
Wooden Boats
The Port of Townsville Wooden Boat Festival is to be on the 13th and 14th
September at the Quarterdeck on the Marina.
Seen at Hamo
T- SHIRT from Melbourne. FRONT: Just because I slept with you last night
doesn't mean I'll sail with you today.
BACK: SUPERMODEL
Aussies love sport!
"We love sport so much our news readers can read the death toll from a
sailing race and still tell us who's winning. And we're the best in the
world at all the sports that count, like cricket, netball, rugby, AFL,
roo-shooting, two-up and horse racing" says a mate.
Sold at 75
At the ripe old age of 75, Ron of Argyll, a popular charter boat in the
Whitsundays, has reportedly been sold to a private owner in Brisbane.
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Wednesday, August 06, 2003
Proserpine River ramp risk
Users of the Proserpine River boat ramp are incensed over the risk to vehicles and people and lack of access at the facility.
"It is always covered in mud because of the location of it. When the tide comes in it can dump mud over the ramp. Obviously, this poses a risk for vehicles and individuals using the facility" several ramp users have told Waterfront.
The ramp is owned by Queensland Transport while Whitsunday Shire Council have responsibility for maintaining it, but users have said that's not going to solve the problem. The council has attended the ramp numerous times but constant maintenance when the results can be wiped out overnight seems a waste say users.
Your Waterfront writer remembers attending several meetings about boat ramps around the shire some years ago. Queensland Transport and Council were represented as well as Sunfish. Ramps across the shire were looked at but your writer is unable to find any outcomes. Can any reader help?
One suggestion has been that the long-term solution is to build a new boat ramp along the Proserpine River. Do you have an opinion about this ramp? Contact Waterfront c/ The Guardian or ahoy@whitsunday.net.au
Fishing "better than ever"
Another week of windy weather with some days over 25 knots haven't put off local fishers reports Capt Ken on Marlin Blue.
"The sailfish have begun to turn up on the bait schools north of Hayman Island and to the east of Edward Island," says Capt Ken.
"Bait Reef even produced a sailfish for us the other day along with some more yellow fin tuna and small Spanish mackerel."
"The reef is fishing better than ever with some big trout and sweetlip bitting on almost anything. Deeper water is best with some trout over 10 pounds and full lippers"
The Yachtie Bible
The Yachtie Bible: How to Get Paid While Travelling in Style by Kimberly P Davis. "This book is full of information and contacts for anyone aspiring to crew on charter or private luxury boats around the world", says Boating Oz Editor Kathy McKenzie.
"Chapters include how to get started, crew responsibilities and qualifications, job hunting, health issues, sharing small spaces and potential problems. Directories include crew training facilities, culinary schools and boat builders and yards."
First out, last in
Can you imagine, racing without a course? Or, without a start and finish line? Where would our sport of sailing be without the club stalwarts who voluntarily man committee boats and safety vessels to conduct yacht racing around Australia?
Yes, it's the Volunteers who make it possible on the first boat out and the last boat in!
There are some great events coming up locally. If you want to be on first boat out, get in touch with the Whitsunday Sailing Club or Abel Point Yacht Club and get aboard. See you on the water.
How many leagues?
Those who enjoy adventure on the high seas stories and swashbuckling bodice rippers will have puzzled when a position was given as so many leagues away. Well, there are three miles in a league.
Beacon destroyed
Mariners are advised that the lighted Isolated Danger Mark beacon Fl(2)6s in approximate position Latitude 20°21.3'S, Longitude 149°01.6'E on Surprise Rock in the Whitsunday Group has been reported to be destroyed. Mariners should use caution in the vicinity. Charts affected: AUS 252, 253, 370, 371, 824
Those stories
It seems that everyone who's spent any time on boats has at least one Funny Boat Story, which is define as a story that (1) involves a boat, (2) is funny, and most importantly, (3) was not funny at the time it happened.
When people hear one sails or goes boating a lot, they often tell you a story, often about their 'first time' (on a boat, on the water).
New acquaintance recently told me her Funny Boat Story about being stuck on a sandbar for six hours. Apparently the lighter side of her predicament came to her after the first bottle of champers.
A shop worker said, hi, how are you, and got a reply about boat trouble. She said just about everybody around here has a story like that, and paused. I asked her what hers was. She paused again, and said quietly, "Oh, ... I got lost." I nodded sympathetically and talked about something else. Obviously a touchy subject.
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Users of the Proserpine River boat ramp are incensed over the risk to vehicles and people and lack of access at the facility.
"It is always covered in mud because of the location of it. When the tide comes in it can dump mud over the ramp. Obviously, this poses a risk for vehicles and individuals using the facility" several ramp users have told Waterfront.
The ramp is owned by Queensland Transport while Whitsunday Shire Council have responsibility for maintaining it, but users have said that's not going to solve the problem. The council has attended the ramp numerous times but constant maintenance when the results can be wiped out overnight seems a waste say users.
Your Waterfront writer remembers attending several meetings about boat ramps around the shire some years ago. Queensland Transport and Council were represented as well as Sunfish. Ramps across the shire were looked at but your writer is unable to find any outcomes. Can any reader help?
One suggestion has been that the long-term solution is to build a new boat ramp along the Proserpine River. Do you have an opinion about this ramp? Contact Waterfront c/ The Guardian or ahoy@whitsunday.net.au
Fishing "better than ever"
Another week of windy weather with some days over 25 knots haven't put off local fishers reports Capt Ken on Marlin Blue.
"The sailfish have begun to turn up on the bait schools north of Hayman Island and to the east of Edward Island," says Capt Ken.
"Bait Reef even produced a sailfish for us the other day along with some more yellow fin tuna and small Spanish mackerel."
"The reef is fishing better than ever with some big trout and sweetlip bitting on almost anything. Deeper water is best with some trout over 10 pounds and full lippers"
The Yachtie Bible
The Yachtie Bible: How to Get Paid While Travelling in Style by Kimberly P Davis. "This book is full of information and contacts for anyone aspiring to crew on charter or private luxury boats around the world", says Boating Oz Editor Kathy McKenzie.
"Chapters include how to get started, crew responsibilities and qualifications, job hunting, health issues, sharing small spaces and potential problems. Directories include crew training facilities, culinary schools and boat builders and yards."
First out, last in
Can you imagine, racing without a course? Or, without a start and finish line? Where would our sport of sailing be without the club stalwarts who voluntarily man committee boats and safety vessels to conduct yacht racing around Australia?
Yes, it's the Volunteers who make it possible on the first boat out and the last boat in!
There are some great events coming up locally. If you want to be on first boat out, get in touch with the Whitsunday Sailing Club or Abel Point Yacht Club and get aboard. See you on the water.
How many leagues?
Those who enjoy adventure on the high seas stories and swashbuckling bodice rippers will have puzzled when a position was given as so many leagues away. Well, there are three miles in a league.
Beacon destroyed
Mariners are advised that the lighted Isolated Danger Mark beacon Fl(2)6s in approximate position Latitude 20°21.3'S, Longitude 149°01.6'E on Surprise Rock in the Whitsunday Group has been reported to be destroyed. Mariners should use caution in the vicinity. Charts affected: AUS 252, 253, 370, 371, 824
Those stories
It seems that everyone who's spent any time on boats has at least one Funny Boat Story, which is define as a story that (1) involves a boat, (2) is funny, and most importantly, (3) was not funny at the time it happened.
When people hear one sails or goes boating a lot, they often tell you a story, often about their 'first time' (on a boat, on the water).
New acquaintance recently told me her Funny Boat Story about being stuck on a sandbar for six hours. Apparently the lighter side of her predicament came to her after the first bottle of champers.
A shop worker said, hi, how are you, and got a reply about boat trouble. She said just about everybody around here has a story like that, and paused. I asked her what hers was. She paused again, and said quietly, "Oh, ... I got lost." I nodded sympathetically and talked about something else. Obviously a touchy subject.
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
Trade winds greet traditional sailors
Sunday saw a superb fleet of traditional boats sail a course from Airlie around Langford Reef and return. We sailed in the finest trade wind conditions the Whitsundays can provide, the sun making up for the salt spray across the decks in the boisterous seas.
The Derwent Hunter Perpetual Trophy was awarded to the newest addition to the fleet of traditional sailing ships; the beautiful 1961 built Alden ketch 'Enid' and proud owner Leo Rodriguez.
Not a race, but a regatta and let the trophy also show that in the gaffer fleet Providence V was really pushed by her captain and crew to pip Windjammer at the finish.
Derwent Hunter took advantage of the fresh trades and waterline length to stay ahead of Atlanta. Pearling lugger Ise Pearl and the Atkins design gaff cutter Pequot sailed one tack from Langford Island to the finish in Pioneer Bay averaging five and a half knots to weather. Southern Cross attended from Bowen and visitor Centurion peeled off at Stonehaven for a leisurely lunch.
Everyone agreed it was a fantastic day on the water. Over a couple of rums afterward, it was thought that this kind of traditional theme, timber, tallship and gaffer fleet should meet again, perhaps as part of the Rotary Boat Show next June. It would show visitors and sailors alike that there was life before plastic boats and that it still takes sailors of steel to sail timber ships with traditional rigs. Beware the gaffers off the wind. Aargh!
Special thanks to Peter and Jill on Pequot (pronounce pea-coy) from your Waterfront writer for the best day on the water.
'Ranges to the Reef'
Saying they want to personalise the heart of tropical Queensland, Personalised Plates Queensland (PPQ) is set to develop their newest regional plate with a visit to the region this week.
When designing a personalised plate for a regional area, PPQ say their primary focus is on capturing the essence of regional areas by giving residents a say on what theme should be chosen and how the region should be represented.
"We recognise that regional Queensland is a vital part of the Queensland community and therefore love creating personalised plates for the area. It is a great way to develop and foster a sense of identity and community for regional areas," said PPQ General Manager Ian Andrew.
PPQ have launched personalised plates in a number of regional areas and are keen to consult the locals as to how they feel the region's life style and essence can best be depicted on a plate.
ABC Radio Tropical North gave residents the opportunity to have their say about the plate slogan, called a sash, during Anne O'Keefe's breakfast program this week.
Here's some of the entries that ABC Tropical North listeners came up with in the slogan competition: Yvonne, who was busy with three slogans entered with 'Sailing through Heaven' that was 'right up there'.
Listener Olga thought 'A world of Wonder' would get people thinking, while Tex was obviously thinking about his car with 'Paradise on Wheels'.
Graham was thinking about the coastal interface with 'Blue meets green', with Mark going for 'Islands in the Sun,' which would also make a good song title.
The winner was Lorraine with 'Ranges to the Reef' who will be the proud owner of a set of Whitsunday Personalised Plates when they're released early next year, although not necessarily with her slogan.
"Lorraine is from Mt Hector Station, up on the Hinterland - the last property in the Whitsunday Shire before the border with Mackay" said ABC Tropical North breakfast presenter Anne O'keefe. "So, it's appropriate that Lorraine won with a slogan that represents the whole region,"
Pool for My Baby
The tycoon bought a luxury yacht for his only daughter upon her graduation.
Large and white, the yacht that is, it even had an onboard pool. Mr Moneybags brought the daughter aboard for a tour of the boat.
Around the pool were shirtless ship construction workers finishing up some painting.
The daughter clasped her hands and screeched, "Oh, daddy it's a wonderful pool and you've even stocked it for me!"
Fishing winter reds
"The winter reds have turned up right on time. Recent high winds have made fishing difficult but when we have been able to get to the reef it has fired. The reef fishing scene is great with both red emperor and sweetlip on the chew. The lippers are all full of eggs and their stomachs are full of anything including coral. This means they are very hungry due to their spawning and will feed on almost anything."
"The Spanish Mackerel have gone a little quiet as they do during July but will be back on the bite on the first quarter moon in August. Sailfish and Marlin should be showing their bills any day now and with the amount of baitfish north of Hayman Island, we are in for a big season."
"Speaking of the grounds north of Hayman it is one of the areas that GBRMPA want to close, so don't forget to put in a submission objection to this area and Bait reef being closed to fishermen."
Tight Lines, Capt Ken on Marlin Blue
Green flash figured
A green flash is sometimes seen just as the sun sets or rises. This occurs because green light is bent most strongly by the atmosphere. So the green is seen before other colours at sunrise, and after the other colours have vanished at sunset.
Mackay Harbour buoy
Mariners are advised that an unlit yellow marker buoy has been established in the position of (Chart Datum WGS 84) Latitude 21°07.025'S, Longitude 149°13.8'E off the southern wall of the marina off Mackay Harbour. Charts affected: AUS 249, 250, 823
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Sunday saw a superb fleet of traditional boats sail a course from Airlie around Langford Reef and return. We sailed in the finest trade wind conditions the Whitsundays can provide, the sun making up for the salt spray across the decks in the boisterous seas.
The Derwent Hunter Perpetual Trophy was awarded to the newest addition to the fleet of traditional sailing ships; the beautiful 1961 built Alden ketch 'Enid' and proud owner Leo Rodriguez.
Not a race, but a regatta and let the trophy also show that in the gaffer fleet Providence V was really pushed by her captain and crew to pip Windjammer at the finish.
Derwent Hunter took advantage of the fresh trades and waterline length to stay ahead of Atlanta. Pearling lugger Ise Pearl and the Atkins design gaff cutter Pequot sailed one tack from Langford Island to the finish in Pioneer Bay averaging five and a half knots to weather. Southern Cross attended from Bowen and visitor Centurion peeled off at Stonehaven for a leisurely lunch.
Everyone agreed it was a fantastic day on the water. Over a couple of rums afterward, it was thought that this kind of traditional theme, timber, tallship and gaffer fleet should meet again, perhaps as part of the Rotary Boat Show next June. It would show visitors and sailors alike that there was life before plastic boats and that it still takes sailors of steel to sail timber ships with traditional rigs. Beware the gaffers off the wind. Aargh!
Special thanks to Peter and Jill on Pequot (pronounce pea-coy) from your Waterfront writer for the best day on the water.
'Ranges to the Reef'
Saying they want to personalise the heart of tropical Queensland, Personalised Plates Queensland (PPQ) is set to develop their newest regional plate with a visit to the region this week.
When designing a personalised plate for a regional area, PPQ say their primary focus is on capturing the essence of regional areas by giving residents a say on what theme should be chosen and how the region should be represented.
"We recognise that regional Queensland is a vital part of the Queensland community and therefore love creating personalised plates for the area. It is a great way to develop and foster a sense of identity and community for regional areas," said PPQ General Manager Ian Andrew.
PPQ have launched personalised plates in a number of regional areas and are keen to consult the locals as to how they feel the region's life style and essence can best be depicted on a plate.
ABC Radio Tropical North gave residents the opportunity to have their say about the plate slogan, called a sash, during Anne O'Keefe's breakfast program this week.
Here's some of the entries that ABC Tropical North listeners came up with in the slogan competition: Yvonne, who was busy with three slogans entered with 'Sailing through Heaven' that was 'right up there'.
Listener Olga thought 'A world of Wonder' would get people thinking, while Tex was obviously thinking about his car with 'Paradise on Wheels'.
Graham was thinking about the coastal interface with 'Blue meets green', with Mark going for 'Islands in the Sun,' which would also make a good song title.
The winner was Lorraine with 'Ranges to the Reef' who will be the proud owner of a set of Whitsunday Personalised Plates when they're released early next year, although not necessarily with her slogan.
"Lorraine is from Mt Hector Station, up on the Hinterland - the last property in the Whitsunday Shire before the border with Mackay" said ABC Tropical North breakfast presenter Anne O'keefe. "So, it's appropriate that Lorraine won with a slogan that represents the whole region,"
Pool for My Baby
The tycoon bought a luxury yacht for his only daughter upon her graduation.
Large and white, the yacht that is, it even had an onboard pool. Mr Moneybags brought the daughter aboard for a tour of the boat.
Around the pool were shirtless ship construction workers finishing up some painting.
The daughter clasped her hands and screeched, "Oh, daddy it's a wonderful pool and you've even stocked it for me!"
Fishing winter reds
"The winter reds have turned up right on time. Recent high winds have made fishing difficult but when we have been able to get to the reef it has fired. The reef fishing scene is great with both red emperor and sweetlip on the chew. The lippers are all full of eggs and their stomachs are full of anything including coral. This means they are very hungry due to their spawning and will feed on almost anything."
"The Spanish Mackerel have gone a little quiet as they do during July but will be back on the bite on the first quarter moon in August. Sailfish and Marlin should be showing their bills any day now and with the amount of baitfish north of Hayman Island, we are in for a big season."
"Speaking of the grounds north of Hayman it is one of the areas that GBRMPA want to close, so don't forget to put in a submission objection to this area and Bait reef being closed to fishermen."
Tight Lines, Capt Ken on Marlin Blue
Green flash figured
A green flash is sometimes seen just as the sun sets or rises. This occurs because green light is bent most strongly by the atmosphere. So the green is seen before other colours at sunrise, and after the other colours have vanished at sunset.
Mackay Harbour buoy
Mariners are advised that an unlit yellow marker buoy has been established in the position of (Chart Datum WGS 84) Latitude 21°07.025'S, Longitude 149°13.8'E off the southern wall of the marina off Mackay Harbour. Charts affected: AUS 249, 250, 823
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Wednesday, July 23, 2003
Aussies take Admiral's Cup
Australian sailors have broken a 24-year drought by taking the Admiral's Cup
in a closely sailed series. The coveted international series went to the
line with the Aussie team trailing the Spanish crews before the final race.
Two owners with no previous Admiral's Cup experience put the winning team
from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Sydney, together. Bob Oatley, the
owner of Wild Oats, is one of Australia's foremost wine industry figures,
with a long sailing history, but mostly on the domestic circuit. Businessman
Colin O'Neil chartered Aftershock, a Rodman 42, and named it after his boat
in Australia. This was his first foray into international competition.
The series of nine races was pretty much a two horse race from the start
between the Aussies and the Spanish team, which included the King of Spain.
The Spanish went into the final race with a one-point lead.
Typical Aussie humour included; 'The convicts have beaten the King!' said
Mark Richards, helmsman of Wild Oats.
Australia won the Admirals Cup in 1967 with Mercedes III, Balandra and
Caprice of Huon and again in 1979 with Police Car, Impetuous and Ragamuffin,
but that wasn't a year for celebration due to the Fastnet tragedy.
Your position?
The would-be rescue ship tuned in to a faint distress signal from a sinking
pleasure craft. "What is your position?
Repeat, what is your position?" shouted the radio operator into the
microphone.
Finally a faint reply crackled over the static, "I'm executive vice
president of First Global Bank - Please hurry!"
Multihull Rendezvous
"Don't miss this highlight of the Whitsunday sailing calendar..." say
organisers of the Multihull Rendezvous.
"Join a varied fleet of multi's from racers to cruising liveaboards for five
days of traditional Rendezvous revelry ... Sensational daily racing topped
with the usual doses of decent partying! This year sees the Whitsunday
Sailing Club and Abel Point Yacht Clubs joining forces to make 2003 the best
yet - competitive sailing in Australia's premier cruising grounds with
enjoyable celebrations daily at two of the best venues in Queensland - how
could it not be a Rendezvous to Remember? "If you're 'multihulled' in
Airlie in August - See ya there!" organisers said.
The Notice Of Race is available from WSC, Abel Point Yacht Club, and
Emultihulls. Three divisions will compete in racing, performance cruising
and cruising/liveaboard.
The briefing will be held on Friday 15th August at Abel Point Yacht Club
with the presentation on Wednesday 20th at the Whitsunday Sailing Club
More Info? Ring Lockie Wilson - 0405-612-233
The 'new' cruising cup
Join the fleet in this inaugural event for monohulls, created to complement
the traditional multihull Rendezvous - after all - why should they have all
the fun?? Enjoy a weekend of competitive sailing, along with a "play day"
on Monday 18th...including the Cock of the Bay Sabot Championship and relax
with a few beers and snags at the BBQ. The Inaugural Whitsunday Cruising Cup
is the beginning of an Airlie tradition with a perpetual Trophy featured and
a future sure to see the event carved forever into the Whitsunday Sailing
Calendar...
Name new 'brand'
The Australian Yachting Federation, now to be known as Yachting Australia,
launched a new brand that will exist to create a bond between governing
bodies and clubs and form a common visual link for all aspects of yachting.
Swashbuckler
Did you hear about the new pirate film? It's rated Aarrrgh!
Tropical shirts
"We are looking forward to having fun with the boat in one of the best
places in Australia, at one of the best regattas, where the weather is
usually sensational. Not much wrong with that picture" said Sandringham
Yacht Club Vice Commodore Coombs.
Sandringham Yacht Club from Victoria has a 12-boat contingent competing at
Hog's Breath Race Week in all divisions. Vice Commodore Phil Coombs will be
racing No Fearr at this year's regatta. Coombs also raced aboard No Fearr in
this year's Melbourne to Osaka yacht race.
This year's Hog's Breath Race Week has competitors travelling from all parts
of Australia to compete in the annual regatta on Pioneer Bay. Australian
boats and crew from every state and territory are making the trip as well as
international boats from New Zealand and Hong Kong.
Commenting on the fact that the Tropical Shirt Regatta will resemble a
Sandringham Yacht Club AGM, Coombs went on to say "Hog's Breath Race Week is
very popular with Sandringham Yacht Club people, as it gives us the chance
to race at an affordable regatta in the Whitsunday's and to enjoy the
hospitality of Airlie Beach township".
This year's Hog's Breath Race Week will be the first time that three of the
Volvo 60's now in Australia will be on Whitsunday waters together. Andrew
Short Marine's djuice sponsored by Club Marine announced that they would be
racing along side Indec and Magnavox 2UE at Hog's Breath Race Week.
" We are looking forward to the racing at Hog's Breath Race Week with the
two other Volvo 60's and seeing how we match on the Pioneer Bay and Island
courses," said Andrew Short.
The racing up north will be close with all three boats having raced around
the world in the last Volvo Ocean and Whitbread races. The Volvo 60's will
race in the Big Boat division at Hog's Breath Race Week before going across
to the Hahn Premium Hamilton Island Race Week.
The new Abel Point Marina at Airlie Beach will be accommodating the entire
fleet this year allowing the crews easy access to the extensive post-race
entertainment in Airlie Beach.
"Seeing three Volvo 60's racing on Pioneer Bay at Hog's Breath Race Week is
a wonderful boost to our event. Apart from the spectacle they will provide,
all three teams are led by great Australian sailing identities. We look
forward to hosting the growing Volvo 60 fleet at Airlie Beach," said Regatta
Director Andrew Palfrey.
Not enough
"Just living is not enough," said the Butterfly. "One must have sunshine,
freedom, and a little flower."Hans Christian Anderson
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Friday, July 18, 2003
Race Weeks looming on horizon for Whitsunday
Sailors are gearing up for a busy sailing season in the Whitsundays. The trade winds have been pumping and organisers have been working hard to make this sailing season the best yet.
The sailors and more and more their families, have been coming up the coast for the last twenty years to our sailing playground paradise.
That's right. Hamilton Island has been hosting the annual Race Week for twenty years and this year will see another fabulous fleet of racers enjoying the delights of the Whitsundays.
"If you speak to anyone who has competed at Race Week at Hamilton Island - they'll tell you of the perfect balance between sailing and socialising and the 20th anniversary of the event is ensuring that both categories are world-class," said Race Director Warwick Hoban.
"On the yachting side, we will see some of the world's best ocean racing sailors lining up for honours in the various divisions, plus the super-fast Sydney-38 class will be incorporating their Australian championships into the event.
"But the great aspect about the Hahn Premium Race Week, starting on August 16, is that it is not just about fast and furious racing - there's a fun side and the 20th anniversary celebrations will be huge.
"This year the lay-day on Monday August 18th will feature the traditional Moet and Chandon lunch at the Beach House followed that evening by a street party and concert by top Australian rockers Jimmy Barnes and Diesel. Every evening will feature an array of entertainment across the island.
"And of course there's the famous Whitehaven Beach Party on Thursday August 21st, where the crews will kick back and unwind with a game of beach cricket with some members of the Queensland and Australian cricket teams after a quick race from Hamilton Island," said Mr Hoban.
Hog's shirtsleeves event
The first event of the program this year is the Hog's Breath Race Week starting on xxxxxxxx
"This year's Hog's social programme won't be one to forget with the new marina providing a social hub for the fleet. The Wolverines will be playing each afternoon for after race drinks. There will be a daily Coconut Lotto with each competing boat in the draw as well as the traditional "Foam Parties" during the regatta" says Hog's Sam Crichton
"The Hog's Breath Race Week Daily Chronicle will provide information on what's happening around town, who is making the most of their visit to Airlie Beach and what is happening on the racing side of things."
This year's Lay Day has plenty of activities organised with a Skydiving display at the Whitsunday Sailing Club as well as live bands, Team Tug of War and the Coconut Lotto.
For more information on Hog's Breath Race Week, including Entry forms, go to: www.hogsbreathraceweek.com.au
A true fisherman won't say . . .
"Wow, I've never caught a fish that big!"
"Hey! Lets take our wives fishing!"
"Let's go shopping, fishing can wait."
"Those hip boots make your butt look big and they don't match your belt!"
"We don't need to buy those lures and beer, let's send our wives flowers instead?"
"I don't think Duct Tape will fix that."
"I feel guilty not washing the breakfast dishes before coming out fishing!"
"Hey somebody land this fish for me. I need to tidy up the camp."
"I can't go fishing, my neighbour is having a Tupperware party and I really need a mixing bowl."
"I think electronic fish finders should be banned."
"Let's throw this fish back, I don't think it will fit in the frying pan."
"We can always go to the fish shop on the way home."
Hi Gang,
"The lack of reports lately has been due to a very busy start to the season. Together with the Mackerel season, bringing the new boat up from down south in the cold country and the RAP program there has not been much sleep.
'The Gun' will back up 'Marlin Blue' while I am up north for the marlin season this year. I do still have some spots available for the heavy tackle marlin season. 'The Gun' is a 40-foot Blackwatch with all the toys. The vessel is a state of the art fishing machine.
"The RAP program is coming to a close with submissions to be into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority by the 4th of August. Please view the web site at www.gbrmpa.gov.au and have a look at the zoning plan. The green zones are what we are objecting to - most importantly the area north of Hayman Island and Bait Reef. Please fill a submission form on the net with your objection to these two important areas.
Fishing has been great with a bumper Mackerel season. Tight lines. Capt Ken Bryant on Marlin Blue.
Another 'consultation'
Maritime Safety Queensland are conducting a review of the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulation 1995, including two rounds of community and industry consultation, it is proposed to remake the regulation in 2003. Written comments must be provided no later than 25 August 2003.
A copy of the regulatory impact statement and a draft copy of the proposed new regulation are provided at www.transport.qld.gov.au/maritime
One interesting point is the proposed name change for the grandly named Recreational Ship Master Licence, formerly the Speedboat licence to a new Marine Drivers licence.
Course offered
The Queensland Marine Academy is conducting a seminar on "Collision Regulations and Bridge Resource Management"
The course is designed to provide professional development to the industry and seafarers. This brings increased awareness of safety and the role of crew onboard as managers.
The seminar will be conducted as a refresher and will benefit those people already in the industry and for those just commencing their career.
Cannonvale TAFE. Tuesday August 5 at 17:30 - 19:30. Cost $20 per person. Queensland Marine Academy. For further enquiries phone 07 49464151
The ocean is . . .
The ocean is a body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man - who has no gills.
Ambrose Bierce
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Sailors are gearing up for a busy sailing season in the Whitsundays. The trade winds have been pumping and organisers have been working hard to make this sailing season the best yet.
The sailors and more and more their families, have been coming up the coast for the last twenty years to our sailing playground paradise.
That's right. Hamilton Island has been hosting the annual Race Week for twenty years and this year will see another fabulous fleet of racers enjoying the delights of the Whitsundays.
"If you speak to anyone who has competed at Race Week at Hamilton Island - they'll tell you of the perfect balance between sailing and socialising and the 20th anniversary of the event is ensuring that both categories are world-class," said Race Director Warwick Hoban.
"On the yachting side, we will see some of the world's best ocean racing sailors lining up for honours in the various divisions, plus the super-fast Sydney-38 class will be incorporating their Australian championships into the event.
"But the great aspect about the Hahn Premium Race Week, starting on August 16, is that it is not just about fast and furious racing - there's a fun side and the 20th anniversary celebrations will be huge.
"This year the lay-day on Monday August 18th will feature the traditional Moet and Chandon lunch at the Beach House followed that evening by a street party and concert by top Australian rockers Jimmy Barnes and Diesel. Every evening will feature an array of entertainment across the island.
"And of course there's the famous Whitehaven Beach Party on Thursday August 21st, where the crews will kick back and unwind with a game of beach cricket with some members of the Queensland and Australian cricket teams after a quick race from Hamilton Island," said Mr Hoban.
Hog's shirtsleeves event
The first event of the program this year is the Hog's Breath Race Week starting on xxxxxxxx
"This year's Hog's social programme won't be one to forget with the new marina providing a social hub for the fleet. The Wolverines will be playing each afternoon for after race drinks. There will be a daily Coconut Lotto with each competing boat in the draw as well as the traditional "Foam Parties" during the regatta" says Hog's Sam Crichton
"The Hog's Breath Race Week Daily Chronicle will provide information on what's happening around town, who is making the most of their visit to Airlie Beach and what is happening on the racing side of things."
This year's Lay Day has plenty of activities organised with a Skydiving display at the Whitsunday Sailing Club as well as live bands, Team Tug of War and the Coconut Lotto.
For more information on Hog's Breath Race Week, including Entry forms, go to: www.hogsbreathraceweek.com.au
A true fisherman won't say . . .
"Wow, I've never caught a fish that big!"
"Hey! Lets take our wives fishing!"
"Let's go shopping, fishing can wait."
"Those hip boots make your butt look big and they don't match your belt!"
"We don't need to buy those lures and beer, let's send our wives flowers instead?"
"I don't think Duct Tape will fix that."
"I feel guilty not washing the breakfast dishes before coming out fishing!"
"Hey somebody land this fish for me. I need to tidy up the camp."
"I can't go fishing, my neighbour is having a Tupperware party and I really need a mixing bowl."
"I think electronic fish finders should be banned."
"Let's throw this fish back, I don't think it will fit in the frying pan."
"We can always go to the fish shop on the way home."
Hi Gang,
"The lack of reports lately has been due to a very busy start to the season. Together with the Mackerel season, bringing the new boat up from down south in the cold country and the RAP program there has not been much sleep.
'The Gun' will back up 'Marlin Blue' while I am up north for the marlin season this year. I do still have some spots available for the heavy tackle marlin season. 'The Gun' is a 40-foot Blackwatch with all the toys. The vessel is a state of the art fishing machine.
"The RAP program is coming to a close with submissions to be into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority by the 4th of August. Please view the web site at www.gbrmpa.gov.au and have a look at the zoning plan. The green zones are what we are objecting to - most importantly the area north of Hayman Island and Bait Reef. Please fill a submission form on the net with your objection to these two important areas.
Fishing has been great with a bumper Mackerel season. Tight lines. Capt Ken Bryant on Marlin Blue.
Another 'consultation'
Maritime Safety Queensland are conducting a review of the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulation 1995, including two rounds of community and industry consultation, it is proposed to remake the regulation in 2003. Written comments must be provided no later than 25 August 2003.
A copy of the regulatory impact statement and a draft copy of the proposed new regulation are provided at www.transport.qld.gov.au/maritime
One interesting point is the proposed name change for the grandly named Recreational Ship Master Licence, formerly the Speedboat licence to a new Marine Drivers licence.
Course offered
The Queensland Marine Academy is conducting a seminar on "Collision Regulations and Bridge Resource Management"
The course is designed to provide professional development to the industry and seafarers. This brings increased awareness of safety and the role of crew onboard as managers.
The seminar will be conducted as a refresher and will benefit those people already in the industry and for those just commencing their career.
Cannonvale TAFE. Tuesday August 5 at 17:30 - 19:30. Cost $20 per person. Queensland Marine Academy. For further enquiries phone 07 49464151
The ocean is . . .
The ocean is a body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man - who has no gills.
Ambrose Bierce
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Thursday, July 10, 2003
Most marine accidents in good weather: report says
Daytime with good visibility and clear weather are major defining factors of marine incidents resulting in fatalities or serious injuries in Queensland. These factors, perhaps surprisingly, were each involved in more than sixty per cent of the 58 fatal and serious injury incidents contained in the Marine Safety Incidents Annual Report 2002.
The next largest attribute was human operational error reported as a contributing factor in 42 per cent of incidents. Another human factor, 'inattention' was also up represented in 16 fatal and serious incidents.
The report, issued each year by Maritime Safety Queensland profiles Queensland's maritime safety performance as measured by marine incidents during the year.
"The data contained in the report is foundational to understanding how and why marine incidents occur on our waterways and developing effective and innovative measures to continuously improve maritime safety in Queensland," says Captain John Watkinson, General Manager of Maritime Safety Queensland
"In the last five years, Queensland's population has risen by more than ten per cent and the number of registered vessels by a staggering 31 per cent. Despite this significantly increased exposure on our waters, serious marine incidents have been trending downwards." Captain Watkinson said.
Recreational vessels represent 96.8 per cent of Queensland's total registered fleet. Speedboats make up 84 per cent of all registered vessels. Sailing vessels make up 3.1 per cent of registrations.
Recreational personal watercraft, or jet skis as they are better known, continue to trend downwards with their involvement in fatal and serious incidents down more than 30 per cent below their previous four-year average.
Recreational jet skis make up about three per cent of the total Queensland registered recreational vessel fleet and during the reporting period their numbers grew by more than 24 per cent.
Commercial vessel registrations have steadily increased over the last five years with 2.4 per cent growth in 2002. They were involved in 66 per cent of the year's 629 reported marine incidents.
Commercial fishing vessels, while making up less that 0.001 per cent of all registered vessels, were involved with 33.3 per cent of incidents involving a fatality, 30.7 per cent where the ship was a total loss and 14.6 per cent of all reported marine incidents.
Volunteer marine rescue groups responded to 2559 callouts for assistance statewide in 2002 - 190 more than the previous year. Breakdowns accounted for 64 per cent of callouts. VMR groups provide a strong safety net for the professional and recreational maritime community in Queensland the report says.
On the Waterfront thanks Captain John Watkinson and his staff for supplying a copy of the report. It is available from Maritime Safety Queensland offices.
Boat owner fined for safety breaches
A charterboat operator has been fined $4000 for breaching marine safety regulations under the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994.
The Cairns based operator was fined and also ordered to pay $4000 costs in the Cairns Magistrates Court on 26 June 2003 for causing the vessel to be operated unsafely by allowing the vessel to carry an excess of passengers and failing to equip the vessel with sufficient life jackets and an inflatable life raft sufficient to carry each person on-board.
Department of Primary Industries Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) apprehended the man in the early hours of New Years Day 2001.
The master of the same vessel was fined and ordered to pay nearly $4000 for similar breaches of overloading passengers, deficient safety equipment and failing to complete the vessels logbook earlier this year.
Cairns QBFP District Manager Bob Koch said the court finding highlighted that breaches of the marine safety legislation are taken seriously and will not be tolerated.
"When offences are detected there have been serious consequences for both the owner of the vessel and the master," he said.
Mr Koch said the majority of the marine industry runs professional operations in accordance with the legislation and he reminded all users of the water to comply with marine safety rules.
Missing the sea?
A few more suggestions on what to do if you get lonely for the sea. You know you are missing the sea when you wake up every night at midnight and have a peanut butter sandwich on stale bread. Optional: Canned spaghetti or cold soup. This is particularly good and reeks of realism if eaten while standing under the lawn sprinkler on a cold night.
You raise the thresholds and lower the top sills on all your doors so that you either trip over the threshold or hit your head on the sill every time you pass through one of them. Best fun in the dark.
Sleep on the laundry floor with the dryer running. Make sure the dryer is full of diesel steeped clothes and old socks.
When making cakes, prop up one side of the pan while it is baking. Then spread the icing really thick on one side to level off the top. Eat it with your hands. Yum, Yum!
Edgecumbe Bay light restored
The F.G (F by day) leading light bearing 329° which marks the channel to the wharf in Edgecumbe Bay at Bowen has been restored to normal. Charts affected: AUS 268, 826
Bow, wow!
"If you're not the lead dog the view is always the same..."
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Daytime with good visibility and clear weather are major defining factors of marine incidents resulting in fatalities or serious injuries in Queensland. These factors, perhaps surprisingly, were each involved in more than sixty per cent of the 58 fatal and serious injury incidents contained in the Marine Safety Incidents Annual Report 2002.
The next largest attribute was human operational error reported as a contributing factor in 42 per cent of incidents. Another human factor, 'inattention' was also up represented in 16 fatal and serious incidents.
The report, issued each year by Maritime Safety Queensland profiles Queensland's maritime safety performance as measured by marine incidents during the year.
"The data contained in the report is foundational to understanding how and why marine incidents occur on our waterways and developing effective and innovative measures to continuously improve maritime safety in Queensland," says Captain John Watkinson, General Manager of Maritime Safety Queensland
"In the last five years, Queensland's population has risen by more than ten per cent and the number of registered vessels by a staggering 31 per cent. Despite this significantly increased exposure on our waters, serious marine incidents have been trending downwards." Captain Watkinson said.
Recreational vessels represent 96.8 per cent of Queensland's total registered fleet. Speedboats make up 84 per cent of all registered vessels. Sailing vessels make up 3.1 per cent of registrations.
Recreational personal watercraft, or jet skis as they are better known, continue to trend downwards with their involvement in fatal and serious incidents down more than 30 per cent below their previous four-year average.
Recreational jet skis make up about three per cent of the total Queensland registered recreational vessel fleet and during the reporting period their numbers grew by more than 24 per cent.
Commercial vessel registrations have steadily increased over the last five years with 2.4 per cent growth in 2002. They were involved in 66 per cent of the year's 629 reported marine incidents.
Commercial fishing vessels, while making up less that 0.001 per cent of all registered vessels, were involved with 33.3 per cent of incidents involving a fatality, 30.7 per cent where the ship was a total loss and 14.6 per cent of all reported marine incidents.
Volunteer marine rescue groups responded to 2559 callouts for assistance statewide in 2002 - 190 more than the previous year. Breakdowns accounted for 64 per cent of callouts. VMR groups provide a strong safety net for the professional and recreational maritime community in Queensland the report says.
On the Waterfront thanks Captain John Watkinson and his staff for supplying a copy of the report. It is available from Maritime Safety Queensland offices.
Boat owner fined for safety breaches
A charterboat operator has been fined $4000 for breaching marine safety regulations under the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994.
The Cairns based operator was fined and also ordered to pay $4000 costs in the Cairns Magistrates Court on 26 June 2003 for causing the vessel to be operated unsafely by allowing the vessel to carry an excess of passengers and failing to equip the vessel with sufficient life jackets and an inflatable life raft sufficient to carry each person on-board.
Department of Primary Industries Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) apprehended the man in the early hours of New Years Day 2001.
The master of the same vessel was fined and ordered to pay nearly $4000 for similar breaches of overloading passengers, deficient safety equipment and failing to complete the vessels logbook earlier this year.
Cairns QBFP District Manager Bob Koch said the court finding highlighted that breaches of the marine safety legislation are taken seriously and will not be tolerated.
"When offences are detected there have been serious consequences for both the owner of the vessel and the master," he said.
Mr Koch said the majority of the marine industry runs professional operations in accordance with the legislation and he reminded all users of the water to comply with marine safety rules.
Missing the sea?
A few more suggestions on what to do if you get lonely for the sea. You know you are missing the sea when you wake up every night at midnight and have a peanut butter sandwich on stale bread. Optional: Canned spaghetti or cold soup. This is particularly good and reeks of realism if eaten while standing under the lawn sprinkler on a cold night.
You raise the thresholds and lower the top sills on all your doors so that you either trip over the threshold or hit your head on the sill every time you pass through one of them. Best fun in the dark.
Sleep on the laundry floor with the dryer running. Make sure the dryer is full of diesel steeped clothes and old socks.
When making cakes, prop up one side of the pan while it is baking. Then spread the icing really thick on one side to level off the top. Eat it with your hands. Yum, Yum!
Edgecumbe Bay light restored
The F.G (F by day) leading light bearing 329° which marks the channel to the wharf in Edgecumbe Bay at Bowen has been restored to normal. Charts affected: AUS 268, 826
Bow, wow!
"If you're not the lead dog the view is always the same..."
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Wednesday, July 02, 2003
Sailors with disABILITIES smash record
When the sailors with disABILITIES left Sydney on May 25 to circumnavigate Australia, their one wish was to finish what they started, to sail their way around Australia, non-stop and unassisted, and to make the public aware that disabilities do not stop people from achieving their dreams. But just quietly, their dream was to also break the existing race record - and it was a dream, until Tuesday afternoon.
Tuesday 3.04.16pm AEST, their Lyons 54' yacht, KAZ and her crew crossed the finish line at Sydney Heads to write themselves into the world record books. Not only the fastest time recorded for a circumnavigation of Australia for a monohull yacht, but the first disabled crew to successfully circumnavigate and break the existing record for this journey, which prior to their finish, had been held by an able-bodied crew.
The sailors with disABILITIES story is one of true grit and determination in the face of disbelievers and knockers in the past. Today, as in past endeavours, this group of dedicated, experienced and determined sailors did what many able-bodied sailors have been unable to do - they completed a circumnavigation in record time - the previous record of 43 days 19hrs 29min,was set by Australians, Jeremy Pearce and Kanga Birtles in October 1999, on a 60' monohull yacht.
KAZ and her crew shattered that record, shaving over six and a half days off the prior record.
An emotional David Pescud, owner/skipper of KAZ said on crossing the finishing line 'I feel humbled, fantastic, unbelievable - 6500 nautical miles and we're here.'
On breaking the race record, he commented, 'it's an amazing feeling, when we crossed the line my guts went up and down a hundred times when I realised what we had done.'
Out on the Harbour to greet KAZ and her crew, John Messenger, Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA), said, "this is a fantastic effort and what a great achievement, for them, for our Club and for disabled sailors around the world. David Pescud and his crew have put Australia on the map in terms of disabled sailing, they are leading the way for others, I feel very proud of what they have done."
Following his comments, John Messenger presented each of the seven crew, David Pescud (severe Dyslexia), Phil Thompson (arm amputee), Kim Jaggar (arm amputee), Al Grundy (polio), Harald Mirlieb (deaf), Albert Lee (double leg amputee) and Brett Pearce (Spina Bifida) with individual commemorative plaques.
Asked about the best and worst of the trip, crew said "the hardest was the Southern Ocean, it was really cold. The best was rounding Maatsuyker Island at Tasmania; it was just awesome, wonderful, and spectacular. We were in close and saw the lighthouse, the first land we had seen since Cape Wessel. We did see an oilrig too, and Brett was convinced there was a McDonald's there and wanted us to stop. The top of Australia was awesome too, I had never been there before, so that was something special."
Gallipoli Rally 2004
His Excellency Mr Tansu Okandan, Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Turkey invites you to take part in a unique and memorable sailing event to include the Anzac Day Commemorative Service at Gallipoli
Apart from the special symbolism and emotion of being part of the 89th Anzac Day Dawn Service at Anzac Cove on the 25th April and the Commemorative Service at Lone Pine or Chunuk Bair, the special cultural and sightseeing program being offered in the program will provide all participants with an everlasting memory.
For more information and a detailed program, contact Rally Director, Teki Dalton C/ Waterfront.
Fishers to meet
A group of commercial and amateur fishers will meet on Friday evening at the Les Stagg Oval to discuss the proposed changes to reef zoning.
Organisers say there has been a good response with many keen to attend the meeting.
Those invited to the Proserpine meeting include 'anyone who likes to throw a line in the water' according to supporters. The meeting will commence at 7 pm. Further information: Ian Lade 4946 1882
Low Rock light restored
Mariners are advised that the North Cardinal Mark Q light, which marks the northern side of Low Rock, has been restored to normal. Charts affected: AUS 252, 253.
Blessings of freedom
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
Thomas Paine (1737-1809)
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
When the sailors with disABILITIES left Sydney on May 25 to circumnavigate Australia, their one wish was to finish what they started, to sail their way around Australia, non-stop and unassisted, and to make the public aware that disabilities do not stop people from achieving their dreams. But just quietly, their dream was to also break the existing race record - and it was a dream, until Tuesday afternoon.
Tuesday 3.04.16pm AEST, their Lyons 54' yacht, KAZ and her crew crossed the finish line at Sydney Heads to write themselves into the world record books. Not only the fastest time recorded for a circumnavigation of Australia for a monohull yacht, but the first disabled crew to successfully circumnavigate and break the existing record for this journey, which prior to their finish, had been held by an able-bodied crew.
The sailors with disABILITIES story is one of true grit and determination in the face of disbelievers and knockers in the past. Today, as in past endeavours, this group of dedicated, experienced and determined sailors did what many able-bodied sailors have been unable to do - they completed a circumnavigation in record time - the previous record of 43 days 19hrs 29min,was set by Australians, Jeremy Pearce and Kanga Birtles in October 1999, on a 60' monohull yacht.
KAZ and her crew shattered that record, shaving over six and a half days off the prior record.
An emotional David Pescud, owner/skipper of KAZ said on crossing the finishing line 'I feel humbled, fantastic, unbelievable - 6500 nautical miles and we're here.'
On breaking the race record, he commented, 'it's an amazing feeling, when we crossed the line my guts went up and down a hundred times when I realised what we had done.'
Out on the Harbour to greet KAZ and her crew, John Messenger, Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA), said, "this is a fantastic effort and what a great achievement, for them, for our Club and for disabled sailors around the world. David Pescud and his crew have put Australia on the map in terms of disabled sailing, they are leading the way for others, I feel very proud of what they have done."
Following his comments, John Messenger presented each of the seven crew, David Pescud (severe Dyslexia), Phil Thompson (arm amputee), Kim Jaggar (arm amputee), Al Grundy (polio), Harald Mirlieb (deaf), Albert Lee (double leg amputee) and Brett Pearce (Spina Bifida) with individual commemorative plaques.
Asked about the best and worst of the trip, crew said "the hardest was the Southern Ocean, it was really cold. The best was rounding Maatsuyker Island at Tasmania; it was just awesome, wonderful, and spectacular. We were in close and saw the lighthouse, the first land we had seen since Cape Wessel. We did see an oilrig too, and Brett was convinced there was a McDonald's there and wanted us to stop. The top of Australia was awesome too, I had never been there before, so that was something special."
Gallipoli Rally 2004
His Excellency Mr Tansu Okandan, Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Turkey invites you to take part in a unique and memorable sailing event to include the Anzac Day Commemorative Service at Gallipoli
Apart from the special symbolism and emotion of being part of the 89th Anzac Day Dawn Service at Anzac Cove on the 25th April and the Commemorative Service at Lone Pine or Chunuk Bair, the special cultural and sightseeing program being offered in the program will provide all participants with an everlasting memory.
For more information and a detailed program, contact Rally Director, Teki Dalton C/ Waterfront.
Fishers to meet
A group of commercial and amateur fishers will meet on Friday evening at the Les Stagg Oval to discuss the proposed changes to reef zoning.
Organisers say there has been a good response with many keen to attend the meeting.
Those invited to the Proserpine meeting include 'anyone who likes to throw a line in the water' according to supporters. The meeting will commence at 7 pm. Further information: Ian Lade 4946 1882
Low Rock light restored
Mariners are advised that the North Cardinal Mark Q light, which marks the northern side of Low Rock, has been restored to normal. Charts affected: AUS 252, 253.
Blessings of freedom
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
Thomas Paine (1737-1809)
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Whale watching - a special privilege
The annual whale migration to the Whitsundays has started with sightings on the increase. Whale watching is an experience not to be forgotten. To see a humpback whale lift its massive body into the air, or slap the sea surface with its long fins, is a breathtaking sight and a special privilege.
Whale watching involves many senses. As well as seeing whales, you can hear the characteristic sounds of the blow, breach, or fin slap, and feel the sea spray from this behaviour.
Remember! While the humpback whale's behaviour can sometimes seem playful, it has a purpose and isn't there for our benefit alone.
The migration of humpback whales along Queensland's coast is essential for the survival of their species, and must not be disturbed.
Whales are protected by Australian and Queensland laws, which are based on continuing research and management including regular boat patrols.
Boaties: Please follow the guidelines so the whales remain uninterrupted on their journey. A person in control of a boat must not: bring the boat any closer than 100m of a whale; bring the boat any closer than 300m of a whale if: - three or more boats are already closer than 300m to a whale; bring the boat to a position that would cause a whale to come closer than 100m to the boat if the whale continued in its direction of travel;
Move or operate the boat in a way that causes the whale to alter its direction or speed of travel or its behaviour; or bring the boat between members of a pod of whales.
A person on a jet ski must not bring it any closer than 300m to a whale. A person in water must not move any closer than 300m to a whale. A person must not enter water closer than 300m to a whale.
A person must not do any of the following to a whale in the wild. Deposit rubbish near a whale; make a noise that is likely to disturb a whale; make a noise that is likely to attract a whale; intentionally feed a whale; or touch a whale.
Commercial whale watching is operated under permit using skippers and crew with experience in Hervey Bay, Moreton Bay and the Whitsunday Islands.
These are only some of the regulations, which protect and conserve whales from disturbance and harm.
Satellite shopping
Boating is only a minor user of satellite GPS (Global Positioning System) with much bigger sales for transport vehicles, commercial applications, hikers, and now supermarket trolleys.
For those who have problems doing the shopping here is the answer; a shopping trolley that takes you to the correct shelf. All you have to do is pick the product off the shelf and place it into the trolley.
Now being tested in Britain, the shoppers merely point to the item they are looking for on a screen, which sits on the trolley's handle and off you go to the destination shelf.
And, hold the steak knives, this GPS-trolley will suggest recipes, bring bargains to shopper's notice and work out the fastest way to get what you want and get to the check out.
No ETA for installation in Australia. Not quite like a fish finder either, where you still have to bait a hook and wet a line or stop at the fish shop on the way home.
'It's freezing out here' says skipper
"It's freezing out here" Sailors with disABILITIES skipper, David Pescud reported Tuesday afternoon, "we're at 43 degrees latitude in the Southern Ocean, and it's freezing on deck, minus 20 degrees, I reckon, cold enough to freeze the bark off a humpy."
"We are in 25 knot headwinds, east-nor-east, can you believe it. We are waiting for the wind to go left, then we can reach instead of beating into it like we are now.
"We haven't seen much life out here in the Ocean, a few beautiful big birds, a couple of seals, that's about it, no ships, nothing else."
Meanwhile, on land, weatherman 'Clouds' advised, "no change this morning - see that you're working tight and making reasonable progress. Short term, models are still unfavourable."
The only worry now is the Coast of Tassie. With this in mind, the next few days will be crucial for KAZ and her around Australia record attempt.
Fisheries say
Thousands of Queenslanders have responded to the Department of Primary Industries combined Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) and Draft Public Benefit Test.
Queensland Fisheries Service general manager Jim Gillespie said it was encouraging to see how many people took the time to comment on the new management proposals.
"Queensland's fisheries resources belong to everyone not just those with fishing interests," he said. "We received responses from a broad cross section of the community which will enable us to consider community expectations when we make our decisions."
A range of recommendations were outlined in the RIS including changes to measuring blue swimmer crabs; commercial netting regulations; new regulations for commercial and recreational Spanish mackerel catches; and a number of other management initiatives in the trawl, net, spanner crab and line fisheries.
Mr Gillespie said the RIS contained proposals aimed at protecting the State's valuable fisheries resources therefore it was very important to conduct a detailed analysis of the responses to the RIS.
"Analysis of the responses has commenced and QFS is expected to provide final recommendations to the Government in early July."
"The responses were in the form of 1500 full RIS responses and over 4000 form letters relating to specific issues," he said.
Mr Gillespie said while there is no denying that these recommendations will affect the various fishing sectors.
Secrets of the sea
"My soul is full of longing for the secrets of the sea, And the heart of the great ocean sends a thrilling pulse through me."
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
The annual whale migration to the Whitsundays has started with sightings on the increase. Whale watching is an experience not to be forgotten. To see a humpback whale lift its massive body into the air, or slap the sea surface with its long fins, is a breathtaking sight and a special privilege.
Whale watching involves many senses. As well as seeing whales, you can hear the characteristic sounds of the blow, breach, or fin slap, and feel the sea spray from this behaviour.
Remember! While the humpback whale's behaviour can sometimes seem playful, it has a purpose and isn't there for our benefit alone.
The migration of humpback whales along Queensland's coast is essential for the survival of their species, and must not be disturbed.
Whales are protected by Australian and Queensland laws, which are based on continuing research and management including regular boat patrols.
Boaties: Please follow the guidelines so the whales remain uninterrupted on their journey. A person in control of a boat must not: bring the boat any closer than 100m of a whale; bring the boat any closer than 300m of a whale if: - three or more boats are already closer than 300m to a whale; bring the boat to a position that would cause a whale to come closer than 100m to the boat if the whale continued in its direction of travel;
Move or operate the boat in a way that causes the whale to alter its direction or speed of travel or its behaviour; or bring the boat between members of a pod of whales.
A person on a jet ski must not bring it any closer than 300m to a whale. A person in water must not move any closer than 300m to a whale. A person must not enter water closer than 300m to a whale.
A person must not do any of the following to a whale in the wild. Deposit rubbish near a whale; make a noise that is likely to disturb a whale; make a noise that is likely to attract a whale; intentionally feed a whale; or touch a whale.
Commercial whale watching is operated under permit using skippers and crew with experience in Hervey Bay, Moreton Bay and the Whitsunday Islands.
These are only some of the regulations, which protect and conserve whales from disturbance and harm.
Satellite shopping
Boating is only a minor user of satellite GPS (Global Positioning System) with much bigger sales for transport vehicles, commercial applications, hikers, and now supermarket trolleys.
For those who have problems doing the shopping here is the answer; a shopping trolley that takes you to the correct shelf. All you have to do is pick the product off the shelf and place it into the trolley.
Now being tested in Britain, the shoppers merely point to the item they are looking for on a screen, which sits on the trolley's handle and off you go to the destination shelf.
And, hold the steak knives, this GPS-trolley will suggest recipes, bring bargains to shopper's notice and work out the fastest way to get what you want and get to the check out.
No ETA for installation in Australia. Not quite like a fish finder either, where you still have to bait a hook and wet a line or stop at the fish shop on the way home.
'It's freezing out here' says skipper
"It's freezing out here" Sailors with disABILITIES skipper, David Pescud reported Tuesday afternoon, "we're at 43 degrees latitude in the Southern Ocean, and it's freezing on deck, minus 20 degrees, I reckon, cold enough to freeze the bark off a humpy."
"We are in 25 knot headwinds, east-nor-east, can you believe it. We are waiting for the wind to go left, then we can reach instead of beating into it like we are now.
"We haven't seen much life out here in the Ocean, a few beautiful big birds, a couple of seals, that's about it, no ships, nothing else."
Meanwhile, on land, weatherman 'Clouds' advised, "no change this morning - see that you're working tight and making reasonable progress. Short term, models are still unfavourable."
The only worry now is the Coast of Tassie. With this in mind, the next few days will be crucial for KAZ and her around Australia record attempt.
Fisheries say
Thousands of Queenslanders have responded to the Department of Primary Industries combined Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) and Draft Public Benefit Test.
Queensland Fisheries Service general manager Jim Gillespie said it was encouraging to see how many people took the time to comment on the new management proposals.
"Queensland's fisheries resources belong to everyone not just those with fishing interests," he said. "We received responses from a broad cross section of the community which will enable us to consider community expectations when we make our decisions."
A range of recommendations were outlined in the RIS including changes to measuring blue swimmer crabs; commercial netting regulations; new regulations for commercial and recreational Spanish mackerel catches; and a number of other management initiatives in the trawl, net, spanner crab and line fisheries.
Mr Gillespie said the RIS contained proposals aimed at protecting the State's valuable fisheries resources therefore it was very important to conduct a detailed analysis of the responses to the RIS.
"Analysis of the responses has commenced and QFS is expected to provide final recommendations to the Government in early July."
"The responses were in the form of 1500 full RIS responses and over 4000 form letters relating to specific issues," he said.
Mr Gillespie said while there is no denying that these recommendations will affect the various fishing sectors.
Secrets of the sea
"My soul is full of longing for the secrets of the sea, And the heart of the great ocean sends a thrilling pulse through me."
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Wednesday, June 18, 2003
Southern Ocean excites sailors with disABILITIES
The sailors with disABILITIES sloop KAZ, attempting to break the Around Australia circumnavigation non-stop sailing record have turned the corner to sail into the Southern Ocean.
David Pescud, owner skipper of 54-foot KAZ reported from the sailboat. "We are excited about entering the Southern Ocean, the outlook doesn't look too bad, I mean it's never that nice, but the predictions look fine. We are comfortable on board, everything is going really well and KAZ is prepared," the 55 year-old dyslexic grandfather said.
Still on pace to break the Jeremy Pearce/Kanga Birtles 1999 record, Pescud and his six disabled cohorts, Phil Thompson, Kim Jaggar, Harald Mirlieb, Albert Lee, Allan Grundy and Brett Pearce, have already dragged out their thermal gear including the balaclavas in preparation for the iciest part of their journey so far.
KAZ was trucking along near Cape Leeuwin, the most south-westerly tip of Australia, off Western Australia, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. She has covered 4500 nautical miles of her 6500-mile odyssey, with an ETA at the Sydney finish line late on June 28 - well ahead of record pace.
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse sits alone at its tip, a solitary sentinel. Totally manually operated until 1982 by a clockwork mechanism and kero burner, one of the last in the world, the lighthouse marks the turning point for KAZ as she sails across the Southern Ocean, the Great Australian Bight, her likely next sight of land Maatsuyker on Tasmania's southern tip.
Hog's Breath Race Week
That time of the year has come around again. Once again Hog's Race Week August 8-14 is coming together say race organisers.
The four main people in the organisation are Overseer and Sponsor representative, Race founder Don Algie. Whitsunday Sailing Club Commodore George Canfield. Once again Principle Race Officer is former Olympic official Tony Denham. New on the crew is Event Co-ordinator Andrew Palfrey.
"All names you know, except for Andrew (Dog) Palfrey," says Commodore Canfield. "Andrew is a professional yachting event co-ordinator. He has a wealth of experience, knowledge of the fleets, and the competitors who usually compete in this style of event. Dog in his spare time, (ha, ha), flits around the world sailing with Ian Murray, training for the Star Class Olympics in Athens."
"As we all know, a few people cannot run an event of this magnitude," adds Commodore Canfield. "So we are calling for our much needed and appreciated volunteers. This year we are having an external bar open after racing, so we even need staff for this"
"Last year was a very successful Hog's Breath Race Week and all we can do is to try to make it a little better each year. I ask you again to help if possible. There is a spot for everybody; start boats, boat crew, shore crew, general helpers. Please contact me as soon as possible, with any question, queries, and hopefully a commitment." Contact George Canfield 0439 922487 or the club on 4946 6138.
Reef zoning
" Hi Gang, This is the most important Email I will ever send you."
"The green area's proposed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority in the Whitsunday area would wipe out all of the bill fishing grounds including the historic area north of Hayman Island and the new Blue Marlin grounds off the reef shelf.
"It is vitally important that we stop this and your assistance in submitting your views is VERY important. The G.B.R.M.P.A. wants to take the easy way out and will destroy the fishing industry in the process. Please Help. Please read the letter from Laurie Wright, president of the Cairns Professional Game Fishing Association of which I am a member. It's available from me at, marlin@whitsunday.net.au
Captain Ken Bryant, Marlin Blue
Special ship
Ham radio operator Frank VK2ZL had an interesting CW contact recently when he had words with WW2-LST (Landing ship tank) crewmember in LST 325 now resting in a museum in Mobile, Alabama.
This tank landing craft saw action during the invasion of Normandy in WW2. A crew of dedicated volunteers sailed her back to the States recently from France. The average age of the volunteer crew was 80 years. Some feat. This craft is apparently given regular shake down cruises.
Group names?
Ever wonder what a group of a certain animal is called? Here are some suggested proper terms for naming a group of: Boar: A sounder of boars. Emus: A mob of emus. Ferret: A business of ferrets. Ravens: An unkindness of ravens. Jellyfish: A smack of jellyfish. Porpoise: A pod of porpoise. Sailor: A bar of sailors.
Boats for sale
Roads leading to Airlie Beach were lined with boats for sale during recent long weekend. Taking advantage of the Rotary Boat Show?
Langford light destroyed
Mariners are advised that the lighted South Cardinal Mark beacon Q(6) + LFl.15s in approximate position Latitude 20°05.7864'S, Longitude 148°52.65'E which marks the southern end of Langford Reef has been destroyed. Mariners should use caution in the vicinity. Charts affected: AUS 254, 825
NOTE: Your Waterfront writer went around to Langford and had a look at the yellow temporary replacement buoy. It is a lot lower than the destroyed light so it is not visible from the same distance, but you can see it from a couple of miles.
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
The sailors with disABILITIES sloop KAZ, attempting to break the Around Australia circumnavigation non-stop sailing record have turned the corner to sail into the Southern Ocean.
David Pescud, owner skipper of 54-foot KAZ reported from the sailboat. "We are excited about entering the Southern Ocean, the outlook doesn't look too bad, I mean it's never that nice, but the predictions look fine. We are comfortable on board, everything is going really well and KAZ is prepared," the 55 year-old dyslexic grandfather said.
Still on pace to break the Jeremy Pearce/Kanga Birtles 1999 record, Pescud and his six disabled cohorts, Phil Thompson, Kim Jaggar, Harald Mirlieb, Albert Lee, Allan Grundy and Brett Pearce, have already dragged out their thermal gear including the balaclavas in preparation for the iciest part of their journey so far.
KAZ was trucking along near Cape Leeuwin, the most south-westerly tip of Australia, off Western Australia, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. She has covered 4500 nautical miles of her 6500-mile odyssey, with an ETA at the Sydney finish line late on June 28 - well ahead of record pace.
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse sits alone at its tip, a solitary sentinel. Totally manually operated until 1982 by a clockwork mechanism and kero burner, one of the last in the world, the lighthouse marks the turning point for KAZ as she sails across the Southern Ocean, the Great Australian Bight, her likely next sight of land Maatsuyker on Tasmania's southern tip.
Hog's Breath Race Week
That time of the year has come around again. Once again Hog's Race Week August 8-14 is coming together say race organisers.
The four main people in the organisation are Overseer and Sponsor representative, Race founder Don Algie. Whitsunday Sailing Club Commodore George Canfield. Once again Principle Race Officer is former Olympic official Tony Denham. New on the crew is Event Co-ordinator Andrew Palfrey.
"All names you know, except for Andrew (Dog) Palfrey," says Commodore Canfield. "Andrew is a professional yachting event co-ordinator. He has a wealth of experience, knowledge of the fleets, and the competitors who usually compete in this style of event. Dog in his spare time, (ha, ha), flits around the world sailing with Ian Murray, training for the Star Class Olympics in Athens."
"As we all know, a few people cannot run an event of this magnitude," adds Commodore Canfield. "So we are calling for our much needed and appreciated volunteers. This year we are having an external bar open after racing, so we even need staff for this"
"Last year was a very successful Hog's Breath Race Week and all we can do is to try to make it a little better each year. I ask you again to help if possible. There is a spot for everybody; start boats, boat crew, shore crew, general helpers. Please contact me as soon as possible, with any question, queries, and hopefully a commitment." Contact George Canfield 0439 922487 or the club on 4946 6138.
Reef zoning
" Hi Gang, This is the most important Email I will ever send you."
"The green area's proposed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority in the Whitsunday area would wipe out all of the bill fishing grounds including the historic area north of Hayman Island and the new Blue Marlin grounds off the reef shelf.
"It is vitally important that we stop this and your assistance in submitting your views is VERY important. The G.B.R.M.P.A. wants to take the easy way out and will destroy the fishing industry in the process. Please Help. Please read the letter from Laurie Wright, president of the Cairns Professional Game Fishing Association of which I am a member. It's available from me at, marlin@whitsunday.net.au
Captain Ken Bryant, Marlin Blue
Special ship
Ham radio operator Frank VK2ZL had an interesting CW contact recently when he had words with WW2-LST (Landing ship tank) crewmember in LST 325 now resting in a museum in Mobile, Alabama.
This tank landing craft saw action during the invasion of Normandy in WW2. A crew of dedicated volunteers sailed her back to the States recently from France. The average age of the volunteer crew was 80 years. Some feat. This craft is apparently given regular shake down cruises.
Group names?
Ever wonder what a group of a certain animal is called? Here are some suggested proper terms for naming a group of: Boar: A sounder of boars. Emus: A mob of emus. Ferret: A business of ferrets. Ravens: An unkindness of ravens. Jellyfish: A smack of jellyfish. Porpoise: A pod of porpoise. Sailor: A bar of sailors.
Boats for sale
Roads leading to Airlie Beach were lined with boats for sale during recent long weekend. Taking advantage of the Rotary Boat Show?
Langford light destroyed
Mariners are advised that the lighted South Cardinal Mark beacon Q(6) + LFl.15s in approximate position Latitude 20°05.7864'S, Longitude 148°52.65'E which marks the southern end of Langford Reef has been destroyed. Mariners should use caution in the vicinity. Charts affected: AUS 254, 825
NOTE: Your Waterfront writer went around to Langford and had a look at the yellow temporary replacement buoy. It is a lot lower than the destroyed light so it is not visible from the same distance, but you can see it from a couple of miles.
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Monday, June 16, 2003
Boat show success: See you next year
"A great place for a boat show" has proved to be true following the successful Whitsunday Rotary Boat Show on the weekend.
Near perfect weather and twice as much to see brought boating enthusiasts from all around the region to Airlie Beach.
The new floating pontoons at Abel Point marina were thronged with people gazing at the broad array of boats on show.
"How much is this yacht worth?" enquired an onlooker. "Four million dollars, but it's not for sale," said the proud owner.
One exhibiter with a large engineering stand said they would now class the Airlie Beach show as the second or third in the state and would be back next year.
Gleaming timber to exotic synthetics, it was all there. Can't wait to see the turnout next June.
Blessing of the Fleet
As part of the boat show the annual Blessing of the Fleet was celebrated on Sunday, Whit Sun, morning. Rev'd Fr Don Fernance of the Mission to Seafarers conducted the service in the beaming sunshine.
A Blessing of the Fleet is part of the activities of many seaside communities around the world. Here in Whitsunday, we celebrate Whit Sun Day and the naming of our area by James Cook in 1770.
"Father Keith Felgate was inspired to conduct an annual blessing of the fleet here in Whitsunday some years ago. Today as we conduct another blessing of the fleet our thoughts turn to Father Keith who, in his retirement is no doubt also thinking of us.
"Rev John Williams also contributed as an organiser and a sailor.
"Today we look out and see many boats on the water. Many activates related to this marvellous boat show. Importantly we see children who we wish to enjoy memorable and safe journeys on the water and through life."
Science 1 -V- poacher nil
Department of Primary Industries scientists have pioneered innovative molecular forensics techniques to help convict an Indonesian fisherman caught with dolphin remains in Queensland waters.
Customs officers found pieces of organs of a large animal aboard the fishing vessel and recruited the skills of the scientists to help identify the animal, according to DPI Animal and Plant Health Service executive director Dr Kevin Dunn.
"Mitochondrial DNA sequencing technology was developed in what is thought to be an Australian and potentially a world first use of this technology to convict a person charged with illegal fishing practices," he said.
Dr Jane Oakey, a DPI scientist based at the Oonoonba Veterinary Laboratory in Townsville, developed the technique in under three weeks when asked for assistance by the Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecutions.
According to Dr Oakey, the team developed the forensic method using genetic sequence data published on the Internet at the international gene database known as Genbank.
"The technique was validated with samples from other known marine species including tissue from a bottlenose dolphin, dugong, an estuarine crocodile tail and a green turtle," she said.
"When applied to the animal sample seized as evidence, the test results achieved a 99.3 percent accuracy to positively identify the samples seized as being of dolphin origin."
Faced with the forensic evidence, Ilham Sinon admitted to prior possession of the whole dolphin in Cairns Magistrates Court on May 14. Sinon was charged with an offence under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 for keeping part of a bottlenose dolphin.
Sinon was jailed for one month for this offence but will spend a total of nine months in prison for defaulting on fines totalling $13,600 imposed for illegal fishing.
Dr Dunn said this sort of DPI Smart Science is imperative to help protect Queensland's marine and wildlife resources for future generations.
"The application of this technology is enormous," he said, "It can be applied to any animal tissue dependent upon state of degradation."
Dr Dunn said that DPI Animal and Plant Health Service scientists have had a flood of enquiries from a number of law enforcement and wildlife agencies that need this technology.
Group names?
Ever wonder what a group of a certain animal is called? Here are the suggested proper terms for naming a group of: Boar: A sounder of boars. Emus: A mob of emus. Ferret: A business or fesnyng of ferrets. Ravens: An unkindness of ravens. Jellyfish: A smack of jellyfish. Porpoise: A pod of porpoises. Sailor: A bar of sailors.
Fog defined
According to international definition, fog occurs when visibility is 600 feet or less. Visibility in mist may extend up to 3,000 feet.
Scam uncovered
Many people receive unsolicited scam letters from Nigerian royalty asking your help in getting money out of that nation. You know, the letters that offer you a percentage if you are willing to help?
Well Amateur Radio NewsLine listener Bill Whitney, N7CD, passes along word of a similar hoax now running around world.
In a posting on the Internet, a reader warns to watch out for offers to buy your 'for sale' gear with a Bank / cashiers cheque from someone who claims they are owed money above and beyond the price of your sale and has a bank / cashiers cheque in that higher amount.
The person offers to send you the cheque if you will send back the difference. This, while he or she arranging for someone to pick up the equipment you want to sell.
You receive the bank / cashier's cheque. It looks real so you deposit it and send the purchaser the difference. Within days you are informed that the cheque is forged. You are not only stuck with the gear you were trying to sell but a big bill owed to a bank as well.
If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. Caveat Emptor means buyers beware.
Boats for sale
Roads leading to Airlie Beach were lined with boats for sale during the weekend. Taking advantage of the Rotary Boat Show?
Langford Reef light destroyed
Mariners are advised that the lighted South Cardinal Mark beacon Q(6) + LFl.15s in approximate position Latitude 20°05.7864'S, Longitude 148°52.65'E which marks the southern end of Langford Reef has been destroyed.
Mariners should use caution in the vicinity. Charts affected: AUS 254, 825
Enter here . . .
"Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself."
Chinese Proverb
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
"A great place for a boat show" has proved to be true following the successful Whitsunday Rotary Boat Show on the weekend.
Near perfect weather and twice as much to see brought boating enthusiasts from all around the region to Airlie Beach.
The new floating pontoons at Abel Point marina were thronged with people gazing at the broad array of boats on show.
"How much is this yacht worth?" enquired an onlooker. "Four million dollars, but it's not for sale," said the proud owner.
One exhibiter with a large engineering stand said they would now class the Airlie Beach show as the second or third in the state and would be back next year.
Gleaming timber to exotic synthetics, it was all there. Can't wait to see the turnout next June.
Blessing of the Fleet
As part of the boat show the annual Blessing of the Fleet was celebrated on Sunday, Whit Sun, morning. Rev'd Fr Don Fernance of the Mission to Seafarers conducted the service in the beaming sunshine.
A Blessing of the Fleet is part of the activities of many seaside communities around the world. Here in Whitsunday, we celebrate Whit Sun Day and the naming of our area by James Cook in 1770.
"Father Keith Felgate was inspired to conduct an annual blessing of the fleet here in Whitsunday some years ago. Today as we conduct another blessing of the fleet our thoughts turn to Father Keith who, in his retirement is no doubt also thinking of us.
"Rev John Williams also contributed as an organiser and a sailor.
"Today we look out and see many boats on the water. Many activates related to this marvellous boat show. Importantly we see children who we wish to enjoy memorable and safe journeys on the water and through life."
Science 1 -V- poacher nil
Department of Primary Industries scientists have pioneered innovative molecular forensics techniques to help convict an Indonesian fisherman caught with dolphin remains in Queensland waters.
Customs officers found pieces of organs of a large animal aboard the fishing vessel and recruited the skills of the scientists to help identify the animal, according to DPI Animal and Plant Health Service executive director Dr Kevin Dunn.
"Mitochondrial DNA sequencing technology was developed in what is thought to be an Australian and potentially a world first use of this technology to convict a person charged with illegal fishing practices," he said.
Dr Jane Oakey, a DPI scientist based at the Oonoonba Veterinary Laboratory in Townsville, developed the technique in under three weeks when asked for assistance by the Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecutions.
According to Dr Oakey, the team developed the forensic method using genetic sequence data published on the Internet at the international gene database known as Genbank.
"The technique was validated with samples from other known marine species including tissue from a bottlenose dolphin, dugong, an estuarine crocodile tail and a green turtle," she said.
"When applied to the animal sample seized as evidence, the test results achieved a 99.3 percent accuracy to positively identify the samples seized as being of dolphin origin."
Faced with the forensic evidence, Ilham Sinon admitted to prior possession of the whole dolphin in Cairns Magistrates Court on May 14. Sinon was charged with an offence under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 for keeping part of a bottlenose dolphin.
Sinon was jailed for one month for this offence but will spend a total of nine months in prison for defaulting on fines totalling $13,600 imposed for illegal fishing.
Dr Dunn said this sort of DPI Smart Science is imperative to help protect Queensland's marine and wildlife resources for future generations.
"The application of this technology is enormous," he said, "It can be applied to any animal tissue dependent upon state of degradation."
Dr Dunn said that DPI Animal and Plant Health Service scientists have had a flood of enquiries from a number of law enforcement and wildlife agencies that need this technology.
Group names?
Ever wonder what a group of a certain animal is called? Here are the suggested proper terms for naming a group of: Boar: A sounder of boars. Emus: A mob of emus. Ferret: A business or fesnyng of ferrets. Ravens: An unkindness of ravens. Jellyfish: A smack of jellyfish. Porpoise: A pod of porpoises. Sailor: A bar of sailors.
Fog defined
According to international definition, fog occurs when visibility is 600 feet or less. Visibility in mist may extend up to 3,000 feet.
Scam uncovered
Many people receive unsolicited scam letters from Nigerian royalty asking your help in getting money out of that nation. You know, the letters that offer you a percentage if you are willing to help?
Well Amateur Radio NewsLine listener Bill Whitney, N7CD, passes along word of a similar hoax now running around world.
In a posting on the Internet, a reader warns to watch out for offers to buy your 'for sale' gear with a Bank / cashiers cheque from someone who claims they are owed money above and beyond the price of your sale and has a bank / cashiers cheque in that higher amount.
The person offers to send you the cheque if you will send back the difference. This, while he or she arranging for someone to pick up the equipment you want to sell.
You receive the bank / cashier's cheque. It looks real so you deposit it and send the purchaser the difference. Within days you are informed that the cheque is forged. You are not only stuck with the gear you were trying to sell but a big bill owed to a bank as well.
If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. Caveat Emptor means buyers beware.
Boats for sale
Roads leading to Airlie Beach were lined with boats for sale during the weekend. Taking advantage of the Rotary Boat Show?
Langford Reef light destroyed
Mariners are advised that the lighted South Cardinal Mark beacon Q(6) + LFl.15s in approximate position Latitude 20°05.7864'S, Longitude 148°52.65'E which marks the southern end of Langford Reef has been destroyed.
Mariners should use caution in the vicinity. Charts affected: AUS 254, 825
Enter here . . .
"Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself."
Chinese Proverb
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Wednesday, June 04, 2003
Let the sun shine for Rotary Boat Show!
Rotary Club of Airlie Beach members will be looking skywards and keeping a 'weather eye' out in the lead up to this weekend's second annual Whitsunday Boat Show.
The ambitious, and sold out, show will draw boating fanciers from the entire region to Abel Point Marina this Saturday and Sunday with gates open at 9 am.
This year's facility is twice the size of last year. It will be chockers with boat bits, interesting displays and personalities. Featured will be demonstrations on marine safety, mast rigging, engine fixing, tucker, fishing advice and tackle care. The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and Queensland Ambulance will be on site and may rescue the damsels at the Fashion Parade if it's a hot day.
About 10,000 boating, sailing and fishing enthusiasts are expected from the coastal and hinterland regions of North and Central Queensland - from Townsville to Gladstone.
Scott Hillier, well known reporter and local Townsville fisherman, will be a key presenter on the main stage. Scott will be talking on the subject of "Catching the Big Red Fish" being favourite reef fish Coral Trout and Red Emperor.
Senator Ron Boswell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services has kindly accepted Rotary's invitation to open the Boat Show. A great start to the Show and recognition of the event's growing importance in the region - in just two years the Show has become the third largest Boat Show in Queensland. Senator Boswell will open the Show on Saturday at midday.
The annual Blessing of the Fleet is held each year on Whit Sunday/ Pentecost Sunday. That special day falls this week. Rev'd Father Don Fernance of the Mission to Seafarers will conduct the Blessing of the Fleet from the Boat Show main stage at 10 am on Sunday.
For two days, boating enthusiasts will see a grand display of eighty-eight stands, featuring engines, sails, marine electronics, chandlery, boating and fishing accessories and scuba gear. All housed undercover in two giant Hoecker buildings surrounded by a large outdoor display of trailer boats and engines. Floating exhibits will grace the new marine berths.
Visitors will enjoy non-stop boating and fishing demonstrations, fashion parades, fine food, music and entertainment, all in the most laid back and appealing atmosphere of any boat show in Australia. Great door prizes and competitions will be won during the show. Information - www.rotaryairliebeach.com.
Airlie Beach -- What a great place for a Boat Show!
Repacking the Liferaft
The only time you want to see the inside of a liferaft is during the annual inspection at an authorized dealer.
When it comes to lifesaving equipment and the prospect of abandoning ship, no piece of gear has a stricken crew's immediate hopes pinned on it as much as the liferaft. Whether because of fire, collision with a floating object at sea, or being overwhelmed by the elements, the liferaft is expected to be an unfailing safety net in the event it is pressed into service.
Whether liferafts are permanently encased in a hard fibreglass case or packed in a soft fabric valise, their hidden nature renders them largely inaccessible to the probing minds of sailors. Many cruisers are capable of diagnosing electrical problems, fearless when it comes to valve adjustments or injector extraction, and gung-ho about any number of other maintenance feats that cruising requires, but when it comes to liferafts and servicing them, this is the terrain of authorized personnel only.
The liferaft is a Pandora's box of sorts, offering equal parts hope and terror. You hope it will work when you need it, but also know getting into it means confronting a worst-case scenario.
There is the tendency to consider bypassing the liferaft inspection based on budget constraints, half-founded ideas about safety margins, dealing with the host of competing chores a boat demands, and the propensity to think optimistically that you won't ever have to use it.
Think again. The life you save might be your own.
'Grab the rod!
Heaps of boats and fishing tackle were on display at the recent Sanctuary Cove Boat Show but there was only one talking fishing rod holder.
The Campocatcher basic model flashes lights and buzzes when a fish bites and the more expensive model does all this and also says 'Grab the rod, the rod, grab the rod, the rod,' and then yells 'GRAB THE ROD'.
The rod holder is made from stainless steel, it's adjustable, has an independent bait light and a multi-functional base for securing in rocks, sand or a boat's rod holder.
Designed in Queensland, it has already won an award in China for ice fishing.
Boats as business
The Boating Industry Association of Queensland reports some statistics that provide food for thought. They say there are more than 172,500 Queensland boat registrations and that Queensland's marine industry employs 6,500 people with an annual turnover of $1.2 billion.
Whales at Sydney
Sea gazers down Sydney way report the annual migration of whales has started with numerous sightings of humpbacks swimming up the NSW coast.
Old time feeling
"Nostalgia isn't what it used to be."
David Anderson, ABC Radio Capricornia
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Thursday, May 29, 2003
Disabled sailors on course for record
Skipper David Pescud and his six disabled crewmembers left Sydney on Sunday in wild, wet and woolly conditions. On Wednesday morning, their yacht KAZ was sailing off the Sunshine Coast nearing Fraser Island in 18-24 knot strengthening south south-westerly winds with a poled out headsail.
Pescud and crew returned to Sydney over a week ago to get KAZ ship-shape for their Around Australia record seeking journey that will take over one month to complete.
With their record attempt underway, the Sailors With DisAbilities crew aboard their Lyons 54' yacht KAZ, are revelling in ideal conditions in their attempt to break the current Around Australia record of just under 44 days.
The yacht officially left South Head in Sydney at 13.40.19 (1.40.19pm) Sydney time on Sunday May 25 in wet conditions.
While it is a little early to start talking records, KAZ is ahead of the 44 days 19 hours mark set in 1999 by Jeremy Pearce and Kanga Birtles, both of whom are watching KAZ's efforts with interest.
Weatherman, Roger 'Clouds' Badham's predicted strong south-easterly winds in the 25-35 knot range, which are developing along the Queensland coast for KAZ and should last for at least three days, along with plenty of rain.
Pescud, a severe dyslexic, and his disabled crew aboard KAZ know they must sail non-stop and unassisted to beat the record.
For further information on the KAZ crew, go to the SWD website at: www.sailorswithdisabilities.com and click on the '03 Project' icon.
ATO boat ruling
The ATO's final draft ruling for charter boats, announced just before the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show opened appeared to be welcomed by both boat builders and charter companies. Many agree that it is fair and they can now get on with selling and chartering boats reports BoatingOZ editor Kathy McKenzie who attended the show at the weekend.
"Boat builders had reported having orders on hold until the announcement. After the publicity surrounding the initial ATO ruling, some potential charterers were reluctant to book for fear that a company may go broke. On the first day of the boat show, one charter company reported more enquiries for buying boats than for actual charters."
"Some charter boats have left the fleets, but one company reported that in the last year they have added four boats to their fleets after owners submitted business plans to the ATO."
"Mr Dagge from Euroyachts Pty Ltd, importers of Princess motor yachts and Jeanneau Yachts, believes that the ATO ruling will translate into ten yacht sales in the near future. Euroyachts Pty Ltd was one of more than 100 marine businesses, which lobbied the ATO to change its policy on charter boat investment."
"His positive comments were echoed by Jeanneau Queensland distributor Ian Douglas of Mooloolaba Yacht Club Brokerage. "There's no doubt there has been more inquiries from people wanting to own a boat for charter," Ms McKenzie said.
'Grab the rod!
Heaps of boats and fishing tackle were on display at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show but there was only one talking fishing rod holder.
The Campocatcher basic model flashes lights and buzzes when a fish bites and the more expensive model does all this and also says 'Grab the rod, the rod, grab the rod, the rod,' and then yells 'GRAB THE ROD'.
The rod holder is made from stainless steel, it's adjustable, has an independent bait light and a multi-functional base for securing in rocks, sand or a boat's rod holder.
Designed in Queensland, it has already won an award in China for ice fishing.
Boats as business
The Boating Industry Association of Queensland reports some statistics that provide food for thought. They say there are more than 172,500 Queensland boat registrations and that Queensland's marine industry employs 6,500 people with an annual turnover of $1.2 billion.
Whales at Sydney
Sea gazers down Sydney way report the annual migration of whales has started with numerous sightings of humpbacks swimming up the NSW coast.
Old time feeling
"Nostalgia isn't what it used to be."
David Anderson, ABC Radio Capricornia
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Skipper David Pescud and his six disabled crewmembers left Sydney on Sunday in wild, wet and woolly conditions. On Wednesday morning, their yacht KAZ was sailing off the Sunshine Coast nearing Fraser Island in 18-24 knot strengthening south south-westerly winds with a poled out headsail.
Pescud and crew returned to Sydney over a week ago to get KAZ ship-shape for their Around Australia record seeking journey that will take over one month to complete.
With their record attempt underway, the Sailors With DisAbilities crew aboard their Lyons 54' yacht KAZ, are revelling in ideal conditions in their attempt to break the current Around Australia record of just under 44 days.
The yacht officially left South Head in Sydney at 13.40.19 (1.40.19pm) Sydney time on Sunday May 25 in wet conditions.
While it is a little early to start talking records, KAZ is ahead of the 44 days 19 hours mark set in 1999 by Jeremy Pearce and Kanga Birtles, both of whom are watching KAZ's efforts with interest.
Weatherman, Roger 'Clouds' Badham's predicted strong south-easterly winds in the 25-35 knot range, which are developing along the Queensland coast for KAZ and should last for at least three days, along with plenty of rain.
Pescud, a severe dyslexic, and his disabled crew aboard KAZ know they must sail non-stop and unassisted to beat the record.
For further information on the KAZ crew, go to the SWD website at: www.sailorswithdisabilities.com and click on the '03 Project' icon.
ATO boat ruling
The ATO's final draft ruling for charter boats, announced just before the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show opened appeared to be welcomed by both boat builders and charter companies. Many agree that it is fair and they can now get on with selling and chartering boats reports BoatingOZ editor Kathy McKenzie who attended the show at the weekend.
"Boat builders had reported having orders on hold until the announcement. After the publicity surrounding the initial ATO ruling, some potential charterers were reluctant to book for fear that a company may go broke. On the first day of the boat show, one charter company reported more enquiries for buying boats than for actual charters."
"Some charter boats have left the fleets, but one company reported that in the last year they have added four boats to their fleets after owners submitted business plans to the ATO."
"Mr Dagge from Euroyachts Pty Ltd, importers of Princess motor yachts and Jeanneau Yachts, believes that the ATO ruling will translate into ten yacht sales in the near future. Euroyachts Pty Ltd was one of more than 100 marine businesses, which lobbied the ATO to change its policy on charter boat investment."
"His positive comments were echoed by Jeanneau Queensland distributor Ian Douglas of Mooloolaba Yacht Club Brokerage. "There's no doubt there has been more inquiries from people wanting to own a boat for charter," Ms McKenzie said.
'Grab the rod!
Heaps of boats and fishing tackle were on display at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show but there was only one talking fishing rod holder.
The Campocatcher basic model flashes lights and buzzes when a fish bites and the more expensive model does all this and also says 'Grab the rod, the rod, grab the rod, the rod,' and then yells 'GRAB THE ROD'.
The rod holder is made from stainless steel, it's adjustable, has an independent bait light and a multi-functional base for securing in rocks, sand or a boat's rod holder.
Designed in Queensland, it has already won an award in China for ice fishing.
Boats as business
The Boating Industry Association of Queensland reports some statistics that provide food for thought. They say there are more than 172,500 Queensland boat registrations and that Queensland's marine industry employs 6,500 people with an annual turnover of $1.2 billion.
Whales at Sydney
Sea gazers down Sydney way report the annual migration of whales has started with numerous sightings of humpbacks swimming up the NSW coast.
Old time feeling
"Nostalgia isn't what it used to be."
David Anderson, ABC Radio Capricornia
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
Sailors with disABILITIES record on hold
David Pescud and his six-crew members from Sailors with disAbilities sailed back into Sydney, unnoticed in the heavy rain and mist aboard their yacht KAZ, their attempt to break the Around Australia record on hold.
Just short of two days after exiting Sydney Harbour, Pescud, the yacht's owner and skipper, decided it was prudent to return to Sydney when they encountered a rudder problem on KAZ, just north of Sugerloaf Point on the NSW coast, a repair at sea not viable.
'It wasn't dangerous, it just meant we would have had to bail the boat a bit during our trip, which just takes a bit of the fun out of it. We also had a couple of other little problems with the boat, so we decided we would come home, fix the yacht, and head out again when our meteorologist, 'Clouds' (Roger Badham) tells us when the next best weather opportunity is.'
Whilst the crew, which consists of Pescud, a severe dyslexic, and six other disabled sailors, whose disabilities range from amputees to polio, deafness and spina bifida, were obviously disappointed at having to return home after all the hype of organising the trip, then finally leaving on Monday, they realise that it will only be a matter of a week or so before they can head out again.
KAZ returned to its home base, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, all crew on board in good spirits. The yacht was taken to River Quays, where repairs were undertaken.
Pescud and crew originally set out on Monday to circumnavigate Australia non-stop and unassisted on the group's Lyons 54' yacht, KAZ. In doing so, the aim is to beat the Jeremy Pearce/Kanga Birtles time of just under 44 days, set in 1999, to create a World Record - a first for a disabled crew.
An extremely experienced crew who have done a number of ocean miles together, including completing the disastrous 1998 Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race, in which they won the PHS class, Pescud's crew comprises Phil Thompson, Kim Jaggar, Harald Mirlieb, Allan Grundy, Albert Lee and Brett Pearce.
For further information on the KAZ crew, go to the SWD website at: www.sailorswithdisabilities.com and click on the '03 Project' icon.
Speaking of weather:
Writer Mark Twain said some readers complained that there wasn't enough weather in his stories. So, he said he wrote some weather, which they could insert wherever they thought it would help.
Mark Twain was born Samuel Clemens of Hannibal, Missouri. "Clemens," as a first name, is like the name "Clementine," derived from the adjective "clement." To be clement is to be lenient and compassionate, or, in the case of weather, perfectly heavenly.
Which is just what we have been having. Enjoy.
Fish numbers plunge
A global survey spanning nearly half a century reveals a 90 percent plunge in the population of large ocean fish, from tuna to cod, since commercial fishing vessels took to the high seas, Canadian researchers report.
With fish numbers decreasing by as much as 80 percent in 15 years, the depleted communities could crash delicately balanced ecosystems, with unknown worldwide consequences, the surveyors of pelagic creatures warned.
"More than 90 percent of the fish we like to eat are gone," said Jeremy Jackson, a renowned marine ecologist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California.
The statistics -- which some industry scientists questioned -- emerged from a 10-year analysis of trawler surveys and U.S. and Japanese long-line fishing records compiled over 47 years for 62 predatory species.
"From giant blue marlin to mighty blue fin tuna and from tropical groupers to Antarctic cod, industrial fishing has scoured the global ocean," said lead study author Ransom Myers, Chair in Ocean Studies in Halifax, Nova Scotia. "There is no blue frontier left."
"Since 1950, with the onset of industrialized fisheries, we have rapidly reduced the resource base to less than 10 percent -- not just in some areas, not just for some stocks, but for entire communities of these large fish species from the tropics to the poles," said study co-author Boris Worm of Dalhousie and the University of Kiel in Germany.
"Even if the authors' numbers are off by as much as 50 percent, this is a big, big problem," said Randy Kochevar, science communications manager for the Monterey Bay Aquarium and principal investigator with the Tagging of Pacific Pelagics research project, an international collaboration to study migration patterns of large open-ocean animals in the North Pacific.
"The trends they've identified have profound consequences for the future of ocean life," he said.
"We have forgotten what we used to have," Kochevar said, "We had oceans full of heroic fish -- literally sea monsters. People used to harpoon 3-meter-long swordfish in rowboats."
The great fish are meeting the fate of other great beasts that were hunted to the brink of extinction, and beyond, researchers said.
Even the open ocean, widely viewed as an untapped reservoir of large fish, has suffered severe depletion, the researchers found.
"The long-lining data tell a story we have not heard before," said Daniel Pauly, a fisheries scientist. In this technique, particularly favoured by Japanese fleets, single-stranded fishing lines hoist endless rows of baited hooks over vast stretches of open ocean that can extend thousands of miles.
"Whereas long lines used to catch 10 fish per 100 hooks, now they are lucky to catch one," Myers said.
Conservation efforts have had mixed results, noted Rich Ruais, executive director of the East Coast Tuna Association in Salem, N.H.
"Are there still problems of illegal, unregulated, unreported fishing?" Ruais was asked in a telephone interview. "Absolutely there are, as there are still subsidies that are problematic."
However, there are also success stories such as the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, a commercial treaty involving 33 countries that is conducting ground-breaking work to blow pirate fishing out of the water.
"We think about the oceans as being a source of endless bounty, and look on the idea of hunting animals to extinction as a folly from the distant past,"
"The need for more knowledge is both urgent and critical," he concluded.
Problems we face . . .
"The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them."
Albert Einstein (1879-1955),
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Wednesday, May 14, 2003
Sailors with disABILITIES Aim for Around Australia Record
Seven Sailors with disAbilities quietly slipped out of a sparkling and sunny Sydney Harbour on Monday, heading north aboard their yacht KAZ, in their attempt to break the unofficial Around Australia record.
In an announcement at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA), skipper David Pescud said that he and his crew would circumnavigate Australia non-stop and unassisted on the group's Lyons 54' yacht, KAZ. The aim is to beat Kanga Birtles' unofficial time of just under 44 days, set in 1999 and therefore create an official World Record - a first for an able-bodied or disabled crew.
Pescud's crew comprises Phil Thompson, a cancer sufferer who had his left arm amputated, Kim Jaggar, also a left arm amputee after a skiing accident as a child, Harald Mirlieb who is deaf, Allan Grundy a polio sufferer, Albert Lee, a double leg amputee after falling from a train, and Brett Pearce who has Spina Bifida.
The official starting point is South Head, from where an official from the World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC), based in the UK, will take an official start and finish time
Roger 'Clouds' Badham, Australia's most prominent yachting meteorologist said the ideal time for the yacht to leave would have been on the weekend, but unfortunately Pescud and his crew were still completing final tasks on the yacht.
Officially, KAZ left South Head at 12.42.42pm Monday Sydney time, in a light 6-8 knot easterly breeze, to circumnavigate Australia in an anti-clockwise direction.
KAZ needs to average a 6.2 knot boat speed to crack the record, and although today's conditions were not ideal, Badham said, 'today is not too good on the Queensland coast, but it's better than waiting another few days.
The breeze will go further south on Thursday, and could be light for them off Brisbane and Fraser Island.
Pescud and crew will communicate as regularly from KAZ as the conditions will allow and is carrying a tracker allowing the public to follow their progress. The SWD website at: www.sailorswithdisabilities.com and click on the '03 Project' icon to follow their exploits.
Any guesses on their Whitsunday ETA?
Exhibit liquidised
A Danish museum director has gone on trial on charges of cruelty to animals for an exhibit in which goldfish were liquidised in a blender to test visitors' sense of right and wrong.
The exhibition caused controversy at the Trapholt Kuntmuseet with animal rights groups warning the museum it could be fined for animal cruelty after two goldfish died when visitors pressed the button.
Chilean-born Danish artist Marco Evaristti, created the exhibition made up of ten blenders on a table, each containing a fish, reports the BBC.
Each blender had a button and it was left to the visitors to decide if they wanted to turn it on. Several fish got the chop during the exhibitions short lived run.
Underwater cooking
Peanut oil is used for underwater cooking in submarines. Undersea fleets like it because it does not smoke unless heated above 450 degrees F (232 degrees C).
Travel sickness recalled
Mariners' attention is bought to the urgent medicine recall issued by the Therapeutic Goods Administration about Travacalm travel sickness tablets. Seasickness tablets are fitted to all inflatable liferafts and may also be found in the medical cabinets/stores onboard ships. As a result of a lack of uniformity in production it has been necessary for the Therapeutic Goods Administration to issue a recall on various batches of travel sickness tablets.
Considering the possible implications, Maritime Safety Queensland recommends:
Owners or crew check the ships medical cabinet and remove the recalled product as soon as possible.
Owners or crew contact their liferaft service station to determine if any of the recalled products are packed in the liferafts, and if so, arrange for its replacement. This should be done at the first opportunity and before the ship returns to sea.
Further information is available from a marine operations centre in your area. MSQ Airlie Beach 07 4946 5699. MSQ Mackay 07 4944 3700.
That's art!
"Computers are useless. They can only give you answers."
Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973), artist.
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Anniversary of the sinking of the Centaur
Hundreds of people gathered at Point Danger on the Gold Coast this week to pay their respects to those killed in the sinking of the Australian hospital ship, the Centaur, 60 years ago.
The boat was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine off Cape Moreton on May 14, 1943 and 268 people died.
One of eight remaining survivors, 87-year-old Alan Dickson, says the memories are still strong.
"It's very hard to explain," he told ABC Radio.
"It's very emotional for me, I shouldn't be, I'm old enough not to be, but I still can't help it and I think of those fellas that more or less didn't have a chance, and I think how lucky was I to more or less survive it."
Wednesday, May 07, 2003
One month before the Rotary Airlie Beach Boat Show the event is really shaping up.
The annual boat show will feature one hundred exhibits and non-stop fishing, boating safety, SCUBA diving, cooking demonstrations. All this and fashion parades, music and fitness will take place at the centre of the complex at Abel Point Marina - twice the size of last years' show.
The long weekend of June 7 & 8 will see boating enthusiasts and their families from around the region visit the show to see the latest in boats and boating and fishing equipment. The new Abel Pt Marina will host a large number of floating display boats in their new marina berths.
Channel Seven's Creek to Coast Scott Hillier is the celebrity guest who will be demonstrating fishing techniques twice each day.
There might be a space left at the show and Rotary's Michael Merrick is the person to call on 4946 4212.
Change suits
Whitsunday charter and dive boat crew have become used to their passengers wearing stinger suits to prevent Irukanji syndrome. Safe, but they still look a bit silly. Comments by passengers range from "like taking a bath with your track suit on" and "not what we were expecting to wear at the beach."
One of our ships' crew, known for 'tall tales' was telling a fair-haired northern European guest that "next month you will have to wear butterfly stinger suits as the butterfly stingers will be in full aggressive mating season".
Our story telling lad was expecting a response along the lines of "You have so many strange creatures in Australia" but instead was asked "What colours do those suits come in?"
Gremlins strike
The typo gremlins crept into the column last week with the price of the new Small Ships Manual listed as $40 while it is in fact $28.40 from newsagents and Maritime Safety Queensland.
Reality TV not new
Some viewers of Gilligan's Island apparently took the television show seriously in the 1960s. The U.S. Coast Guard received several telegrams from concerned citizens asking why they didn't rescue the Minnow's crew
Safety recall
Attention: All yacht owners, sailing masters, crew, life-raft service operators and ships' suppliers.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has listed two Travacalm seasickness items for urgent recall. The TGA is warning the public not to take some batches of the Travacalm travel-sickness tablets, as analysis has shown a higher than recommended content of an active ingredient, creating the risk of unintentional overdose.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has issued an urgent notice, requesting that ships' medical stores be checked to ensure that any batches of the tablets are removed. AMSA also urges life-raft service providers to check their records and determine if any of the recalled product have been packed in life-rafts, and if so that the owners be contacted; and that ships' suppliers check to see if the product has been supplied to a ship (possibly in a medical kit for example).
It is believed that many SOLAS and Coastal liferaft emergency packs contain seasick tablets from the batch that is listed for recall.
AMSA have issued a Marine Notice to specify the batch numbers and urgency of the recall. If the suspected tablets are found, they should be removed as soon as possible and replaced with an alternate product.
Some symptoms from consumption of the problem batches include blurred vision, agitation and loss of balance.
For further information or assistance on this recall please contact AMSA (02) 6279 5955.
WARNING :
SARS CASES IN CANADA... It has been confirmed by the South Central Health Foundation in Newfoundland that two residents have been diagnosed with SARS. One poor fella' has a sar elbow and the second a sar knee. Lordy b'y, better be careful.
Note: Mrs Cap'n Dan told me "nobody will understand the Newfie humour or the accent". Perhaps she's right.
Yacht series
The Whitsunday Offshore Yacht Racing Series (WOYRC) is with us again, this year with a totally new format that will make the event much more attractive to many of our competitors, says Whitsunday Sailing Club President David McMahon.
"In the past the race was run over three weekends, making the logistics of locating the boats and crews a real problem." Mr McMahon said.
"The format this year is; - Wednesday Night 14th - Hamilton Island, Meet and great and competitors briefing, overnight in the marina if required.
Thursday, 15th - Hamilton Island. Start in Dent Passage racing to the finish at Mackay Harbour. Race 1 Presentation Mackay Yacht Club and lay day Friday.
Saturday 17th --- Mackay. Start, Mackay Harbour racing to finish at Bowen.
Race 2 Presentations at NQCYC and lay day Sunday.
Monday 19th --- Bowen. Start, racing to finish at Airlie Beach with Presentation for race 3 and the series at Whitsunday Sailing Club."
"This year our club is defending champions having won the trophy last year. The series is one of the most testing races on our calendar and competitors can expect strong on-water challenges from other clubs only being equalled by their capacity to celebrate victory regardless of who won."
"Please join in and lets show those other clubs that we can do it again. Kevin Fogarty, Rear Commodore off shore, is the man to contact for full details on 0419 775 282, or the club on 4946 6138." Mr McMahon said
Most popular names
The ten most popular boat names for 2002, according to the Boat Owners Association of the United States were: 1. Liberty 2. Victory 3. Aquaholic 4. Bite Me 5. Endless Summer 6. Seahorse 7. Footloose 8. Silver Lining 9. Miss Behavin 10. Moondance
"To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk."
Thomas Edison, inventor of the electric light globe
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Share farming out
The Department of Primary Industries is warning people against raiding crab pots ('share farming') following a spate of incidents in the Bowen area.
Bowen-based Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) field officer Glynn Aland said anyone caught interfering with or stealing crab pots faced a heavy fine.
"There have been a series of thefts involving crab pots as well as people removing crabs from pots," Mr Aland said.
"These are all offences under the Fisheries Act 1994 and anyone found breaking the regulations will be dealt with accordingly."
Mr Aland said people needed to be aware of all the current crabbing regulations including crab pot rules as well as the size and take and possession limits.
"There is a take and possession limit of 10 male mud crabs and a minimum size limit of 15cm," he said.
"People are also only allowed to use four crab pots. They need to be clearly marked with the owner's name and address and if using a float must also have the owner's name on it."
Mr Aland said fisheries regulations were aimed at sustaining Queensland's valuable fisheries resources.
"Rules are in place to protect and conserve mud crab stocks. By following the regulations these valuable fisheries resources will be around for current and future generations of Queenslanders," he said.
For more information about fisheries rules and regulations, contact the Bowen QBFP office on (07) 4786 3444, call the DPI Call Centre of 13 25 23 or visit the DPI Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb.
The annual boat show will feature one hundred exhibits and non-stop fishing, boating safety, SCUBA diving, cooking demonstrations. All this and fashion parades, music and fitness will take place at the centre of the complex at Abel Point Marina - twice the size of last years' show.
The long weekend of June 7 & 8 will see boating enthusiasts and their families from around the region visit the show to see the latest in boats and boating and fishing equipment. The new Abel Pt Marina will host a large number of floating display boats in their new marina berths.
Channel Seven's Creek to Coast Scott Hillier is the celebrity guest who will be demonstrating fishing techniques twice each day.
There might be a space left at the show and Rotary's Michael Merrick is the person to call on 4946 4212.
Change suits
Whitsunday charter and dive boat crew have become used to their passengers wearing stinger suits to prevent Irukanji syndrome. Safe, but they still look a bit silly. Comments by passengers range from "like taking a bath with your track suit on" and "not what we were expecting to wear at the beach."
One of our ships' crew, known for 'tall tales' was telling a fair-haired northern European guest that "next month you will have to wear butterfly stinger suits as the butterfly stingers will be in full aggressive mating season".
Our story telling lad was expecting a response along the lines of "You have so many strange creatures in Australia" but instead was asked "What colours do those suits come in?"
Gremlins strike
The typo gremlins crept into the column last week with the price of the new Small Ships Manual listed as $40 while it is in fact $28.40 from newsagents and Maritime Safety Queensland.
Reality TV not new
Some viewers of Gilligan's Island apparently took the television show seriously in the 1960s. The U.S. Coast Guard received several telegrams from concerned citizens asking why they didn't rescue the Minnow's crew
Safety recall
Attention: All yacht owners, sailing masters, crew, life-raft service operators and ships' suppliers.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has listed two Travacalm seasickness items for urgent recall. The TGA is warning the public not to take some batches of the Travacalm travel-sickness tablets, as analysis has shown a higher than recommended content of an active ingredient, creating the risk of unintentional overdose.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has issued an urgent notice, requesting that ships' medical stores be checked to ensure that any batches of the tablets are removed. AMSA also urges life-raft service providers to check their records and determine if any of the recalled product have been packed in life-rafts, and if so that the owners be contacted; and that ships' suppliers check to see if the product has been supplied to a ship (possibly in a medical kit for example).
It is believed that many SOLAS and Coastal liferaft emergency packs contain seasick tablets from the batch that is listed for recall.
AMSA have issued a Marine Notice to specify the batch numbers and urgency of the recall. If the suspected tablets are found, they should be removed as soon as possible and replaced with an alternate product.
Some symptoms from consumption of the problem batches include blurred vision, agitation and loss of balance.
For further information or assistance on this recall please contact AMSA (02) 6279 5955.
WARNING :
SARS CASES IN CANADA... It has been confirmed by the South Central Health Foundation in Newfoundland that two residents have been diagnosed with SARS. One poor fella' has a sar elbow and the second a sar knee. Lordy b'y, better be careful.
Note: Mrs Cap'n Dan told me "nobody will understand the Newfie humour or the accent". Perhaps she's right.
Yacht series
The Whitsunday Offshore Yacht Racing Series (WOYRC) is with us again, this year with a totally new format that will make the event much more attractive to many of our competitors, says Whitsunday Sailing Club President David McMahon.
"In the past the race was run over three weekends, making the logistics of locating the boats and crews a real problem." Mr McMahon said.
"The format this year is; - Wednesday Night 14th - Hamilton Island, Meet and great and competitors briefing, overnight in the marina if required.
Thursday, 15th - Hamilton Island. Start in Dent Passage racing to the finish at Mackay Harbour. Race 1 Presentation Mackay Yacht Club and lay day Friday.
Saturday 17th --- Mackay. Start, Mackay Harbour racing to finish at Bowen.
Race 2 Presentations at NQCYC and lay day Sunday.
Monday 19th --- Bowen. Start, racing to finish at Airlie Beach with Presentation for race 3 and the series at Whitsunday Sailing Club."
"This year our club is defending champions having won the trophy last year. The series is one of the most testing races on our calendar and competitors can expect strong on-water challenges from other clubs only being equalled by their capacity to celebrate victory regardless of who won."
"Please join in and lets show those other clubs that we can do it again. Kevin Fogarty, Rear Commodore off shore, is the man to contact for full details on 0419 775 282, or the club on 4946 6138." Mr McMahon said
Most popular names
The ten most popular boat names for 2002, according to the Boat Owners Association of the United States were: 1. Liberty 2. Victory 3. Aquaholic 4. Bite Me 5. Endless Summer 6. Seahorse 7. Footloose 8. Silver Lining 9. Miss Behavin 10. Moondance
"To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk."
Thomas Edison, inventor of the electric light globe
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Share farming out
The Department of Primary Industries is warning people against raiding crab pots ('share farming') following a spate of incidents in the Bowen area.
Bowen-based Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) field officer Glynn Aland said anyone caught interfering with or stealing crab pots faced a heavy fine.
"There have been a series of thefts involving crab pots as well as people removing crabs from pots," Mr Aland said.
"These are all offences under the Fisheries Act 1994 and anyone found breaking the regulations will be dealt with accordingly."
Mr Aland said people needed to be aware of all the current crabbing regulations including crab pot rules as well as the size and take and possession limits.
"There is a take and possession limit of 10 male mud crabs and a minimum size limit of 15cm," he said.
"People are also only allowed to use four crab pots. They need to be clearly marked with the owner's name and address and if using a float must also have the owner's name on it."
Mr Aland said fisheries regulations were aimed at sustaining Queensland's valuable fisheries resources.
"Rules are in place to protect and conserve mud crab stocks. By following the regulations these valuable fisheries resources will be around for current and future generations of Queenslanders," he said.
For more information about fisheries rules and regulations, contact the Bowen QBFP office on (07) 4786 3444, call the DPI Call Centre of 13 25 23 or visit the DPI Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb.
Friday, May 02, 2003
Getting it right for marine safety and training
The latest edition of the Small Ships Manual continues a tradition that began about thirty years ago. Many marine candidates have studied for their exams using the various editions of the 'Small Ships' and they will have many memories of the hours spent with this book.
The manual has been redesigned with a new clean and modern look and has been completely rewritten to reflect changes with the national training syllabus. It is both a text for people studying for their Master Class 5 and Coxswain certificates and an onboard operational manual for the professional skipper. It includes day-to-day boating information like weather, tides, radio, and navigating and collision rules as well as technical boating details like stability and engineering.
This edition of the Manual has evolved into a more training orientated publication with the participation of John Armstrong as Principal Education Advisor. John has a long history of bringing candidates up to scratch for their examinations with the Marine Board, Queensland Transport Maritime and now with Maritime Safety Queensland and the new national competency based assessment regime.
The Manual is ring bound and has colour-coded sidebars for easy use and quick reference. The paper is of excellent quality as are the many illustrations and learning aids. The Small Ships Manual is clearly designed to be kept close at hand by those new to the sea and old salts alike.
The Manual is available from better newsagents and specialty bookshops, some Queensland Transport Customer Service Centres and MSQ offices for $28.40.
Biggest wave?
The largest wave recorded in Queensland waters was 13.1 metres. The wave was recorded at the Environmental Protection Agency's Brisbane wave recording buoy moored in 80 metres of water off North Stradbroke Island on 17 March 1993, during the passage of tropical cyclone Roger. At the time the wave was recorded, TC Roger was centred 420 kilometres northeast of the wave recording buoy.
Boating survey
Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) is conducting a survey to assess boating knowledge, skill and behaviour on Queensland waterways. MSQ conducts the survey every two years and the results assist with planning in relation to safety, pollution and boating facilities. All responses are confidential and for research only.
All completed surveys will go into a monthly and a final draw for marine equipment prizes. Monthly prize draws will be valued at over $100 with the final draw on 1 August 2003.
The Recreational Boating Registration Survey 2003 is available from MSQ or can be downloaded. A version of the survey that can be completed online will be available soon at www.transport.qld.gov.au/qt/maritime.
What's a puff?
In nautical terms, what's a puff?
A) Flag on the Bow
B) Gust of Wind
C) A Magic Dragon
D) Sail on a Boat
Lighthouses
Photos are required for a new web site just for Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Ocean lighthouses. http://lighthouses.net.au
"Time is nature's way of keeping everything from happening at once."Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
(((((((( extra items)))))
History of Hog's Breath Race Week
This year marks the 14th running of the Annual Hog's Breath Race Week in Airlie Beach. It's an event that has grown each year from humble beginnings, as an idea of the founder of the Hog's Breath Cafe to help promote the opening of the first Hog's Breath Cafe in Australia.
Founder of the Cafe chain Don Algie, had arrived in the Whitsundays aboard his classic 55' sloop Storm in 1987 looking for a site to start his brainchild Hog's Breath Cafe after spending 4 years in Florida. His first taste of big boat regattas was the Hamilton Island Race Week in Easter of 1988 where Storm performed well enough in Cruising division for Don to look at staging a regatta on the mainland at Airlie Beach.
A year later, after discussions with the Whitsunday Sailing Club and the upcoming opening of the first Hog's Breath Cafe in Australia, plans were put in place to sponsor a major regatta. The regatta was to include a mixture of bay racing around the buoys and long distance races around the adjacent islands of the area over a period of a week and to tie the regatta into the famous Fun Race.
So the event did not clash with Hamilton Island Race Week and to stage the event at the peak sailing period of the year, the club and Don decided to hold the first regatta in the lead up to the famous Fun Race in September of 1990. This event was to be called the Hog's Breath Cruising Classic to cater for the influx of coastal cruising yachts which visit the Whitsundays at that time of the year.
The success and growth of the regatta in the early years saw a few changes in the sailing scene. The event moved from a Cruising Classic to a full on Race Week. Hamilton Island then moved their regatta from Easter to the same time as Hog's Breath Race Week. This necessitated a move by the Sailing Club and Hog's Breath to hold the regatta prior to the new Hamilton Island dates.
Later this was to change so the Fun Race and Hog's Breath Race Week were held in conjunction with each other. Fun Race was then moved back to coincide with school holidays and Hog's Breath Race Week became a stand-alone regatta prior to Hamilton Island.
Then out of the blue Hayman Island started a race week organised by Rob Mundle that was staged on top of Hog's Breath Race Week. Once again the Hog's Breath regatta was changed and held after Hamilton Island and now there were 3 major regattas in the Whitsundays. The timing of the Hog's regatta after the other two turned out to be a disaster for the Hog's Breath supporters.
Fortunately for them, the Hayman Big Boat Regatta folded and Hog's Breath Race Week was again held prior to the major event, Hamilton Island Race Week.
At that time Sydney Yachts had released the Sydney 38, a new one-design sailing boat that was to become an instant success. Don Algie and Miles Wood (then marketing manager for Hog's Breath Cafe), struck up a deal to promote and stage the Australian Sydney 38 championships for the next 3 years. That event introduced a lot of owners to the benefits of sailing in the protected waters of Pioneer Bay at Airlie Beach.
In the year 2000 the Hog's Breath regatta attracted over 70 entries, in 2001 and 2002 there were in excess of 100 entries. The 14th staging of the event in 2003 is expected to see over 120 entries.
One of the main reasons for the success of the Race Week at Airlie Beach is the low cost for teams to race for a week compared to the costs for owners at Hayman Island and Hamilton Island. There is also a more diverse social life attached to racing on the mainland and that pleases the crews to no end. They are the ones who pass the word around about the fun of racing in Airlie Beach.
Hog's Breath Race Week has been a part of Airlie Beach for 14 years and the best is yet to come. Plans are in place for the 2004 Race Week with new ideas for class racing and of course the ever-important aspects of keeping the owners, skippers and their crews happy and entertained.
From the founder and patron of the event, Don Algie, "have fun, good partying and oh yeah, great sailing."
Airlie Beach 8th August until 14th August 2003
((((((((99ends ))))))))))
Seasickness by Kathy McKenzie
Boating OZ Editor
Most people don't get seasick on boats on enclosed waters such as Sydney Harbour and around the Whitsunday Islands, but when they go offshore they may get a bit queasy and lethargic, especially in windy conditions with high seas. Some people never get seasick, others just need to step on a boat and they are very ill.
If you get car sick, you'll probably be seasick too. If you can read in a car without feeling queasy, chances are you won't get seasick.
Seasickness happens when the body, inner ear, and eyes all send different signals to the brain, resulting in confusion and queasiness.
Hints on how to avoid seasickness
* The evening prior to boarding avoid alcohol, fatty and spicy foods and get a good sleep.
* If possible sleep on board the night before departure.
* Read medication directions - you are advised to take most seasickness medication before boarding. Taking them the day before will also help your body to adjust and you will know if you are going to suffer any side effects.
* Never go to sea with an empty stomach.
* Find the part of the boat with the least motion - usually in the centre at the back of the boat on the lower deck.
* Stay in fresh air and take a few deep breaths.
* Watch a fixed point on the horizon - a land point if possible. Avoid focusing on moving objects. The more land you can see the less likelyhood there is of you being seasick, this is why most people don't get sick inshore.
* Keep away from engine fumes.
* Don't do any close work, look through binoculars, read a book or magazine.
* Avoid cramped spaces.
* Avoid anxiety and fatigue.
* Occupy your mind, focusing on something other than being seasick.
* When you first start feeling queasy eat a snack of dry savoury biscuits, ginger biscuits, bread or non-acidic fruit. Ginger and honey are recommended for settling the stomach. Avoid fatty or salty foods.
* Drink plenty of water or ginger ale. A small beer may help you relax but drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
* Talking about seasickness increases the risk
* If really ill, lie on your back and close your eyes. Sip water to avoid dehydration.
* If you are about to vomit do so from the leeward side of the boat if safe, not the windward side.
Seasickness may disappear without treatment when the brain learns to compensate for the swaying and pitching. Remedies including herbal, drugs, bands and patches are discussed on the following websites -
Seasickness - http://seasickness.co.uk
Worried about seasickness? Some Suggestions http://www.hmlanding.com/maldemar.htm
Gusto Charters - http://www.alaska.net/~gusto/asst.html
Travel-Ascending.com http://www.travel-ascending.com/seasick.htm
What is seasickness? http://www.jimbaughoutdoors.com/SeaSick.htm
QUOTES:
Ron Pearson, Mooloolaba:
There are those who want to die, those who believe they have and others who just keep on trying to do their best. They usually beat the seasickness quicker.
Karen Wilson, Bright Morning Star Yacht Charters - sail training and racing (including the Sydney to Hobart) on Australia's east coast. http://www.boatingoz.com.au/charter/brightmorn.htm
Stugeron is the difference between going offshore and actually having fun as opposed to feeling lousy and basically useless. On so many occasions we have had crew who, if they had swallowed a couple of Stugeron, not a packet of other pills, they would have had a great passage. The other good thing about Stugeron is there are little or no side affects.
Editor of Boating OZ:
I'm like most people, I don't get seasick inshore unless I am at anchor and cleaning the bilge and by that time it's usually time to go ashore anyway. However, I would not venture offshore without Stugeron. I usually take a couple before I step on board but I have found that if it blows up later and I start feeling queasy I can take them again and be right in about an hour. Also I have found that if you don't take them before you step on board you can take them later and be alright. Stugeron is not available in Australia but it is widely used in Europe.
Cap'n Dan: "One sure way to overcome seasickness is to sit under a palm tree."
(((ends))
Wednesday, 23 April 2003
Green Zone Recreational Fishers Face $13,400 in Fines
"A Warning to Poachers"
Thirteen recreational fishers received a total of $13,400 in fines in
Rockhampton and Cairns Courts on Monday for offences in Green Zones in
the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
The offences, committed between August 2002 and March 2003, included
both spear fishing and line fishing in Marine National Park 'B' zones.
These are commonly referred to as Green Zones and are protected areas
that help safeguard the health of the Great Barrier Reef and sustain
local fisheries. Fines ranged from $800 to $1,500 per person.
According to the Chair of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
(GBRMPA), Virginia Chadwick, the increased level of fines handed down
highlights the seriousness with which the courts now treat illegal
fishing.
"In fact after Magistrate Tom Bradshaw of Rockhampton had fined 6
individuals for illegal fishing, he stated that even the recently
increased fines were not getting through to individuals and that minimum
fines should be lifted to at least $2,000," Mrs Chadwick said.
"Only a few years ago, fines for these sorts of offences would have been
only a couple of hundred dollars, if that, and the chances of detection
were substantially lower. Now we have dramatically enhanced enforcement
programs in place which are demonstrating how serious we are about
protecting the reef," Mrs Chadwick said.
"Everyone knows the GBR is under pressure from a wide range of factors
along the coast and poaching in green zones cannot be tolerated. It is
particularly disturbing that all of these offences occurred at major
tourist areas such as Green Island and Keppel Island. Tourism in the
Marine Park is worth more than $1 billion to the region and employs many
thousands of locals. It's future is jeopardised by this sort of
activity."
"Pressure from recreational and commercial fishing is a real issue on
the reef. Hopefully these fines will serve as a warning to those who
think 'fishing the green' is an acceptable activity."
"Intentional fishing in green zones by recreational or commercial
fishers not only potentially ruins the future fishing for everyone, but
also simply makes it tougher on the majority of law-abiding fishers in
the community," Mrs Chadwick said.
"Most of our intelligence for targeting illegal fishers comes from the
law abiding members of the fishing community who are sick and tired of
seeing their future fishing resource plundered by a thoughtless few."
All thirteen were apprehended by Queensland Parks & Wildlife patrols.
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