Marine debris criminals spoiling natural beauty of Great Barrier Reef

 Marine debris criminals spoiling natural beauty of Great Barrier Reef

 

A report prepared by local group Eco Barge says thoughtless people, criminal seafarers and stormwater are responsible for much of the rubbish, particularly plastic, that blights not just the Great Barrier Reef and islands but all oceans on the planet.

"The proliferate use of disposable plastic is the primary driver," says Founding Chair Libby Edge of the recently renamed Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc.

"But it is the poor management of its ultimate disposal that is creating the marine debris blight," Ms Edge told the Whitsunday Coast Guardian this week before the release of her report at the GBRMPA Local Marine Advisory Committee Chairs meeting to be held in Townsville on October 29-30.

Thoughtless throw-away behaviours coupled to a lack of adequate waste control measures in our urban infrastructure enables the plastic debris to enter into our local waters.

Over the last two years Eco Barge volunteers, including Tony Abbott have collected 5,890 kilograms of marine debris (excluding wreckage from the post cyclone Ului clean up). Almost five kilometres of binding, cable, fishing line & nets, rope, strapping band and tape was retrieved from the islands and a very disgusting 14,300 cigarette butts collected in Airlie Beach's main beach, marinas & the main street.

 

Marine radio update

 

The Office of Maritime Communications at the Australian Maritime College is responsible for all marine radio examinations and certification in Australia.

This includes the management of the examination network across Australia, production of the Marine Radio Operators Handbook, exams and certificates for Marine Radio Operator's Certificate of Proficiency (MROCP) VHF and Satellite Communications Certificates.

"So, how do I obtain a marine radio certificate of proficiency?" The place to start is www.amc.edu.au/omc where you will find a downloadable copy of the current marine radio handbook and advice regarding examinations and indeed, exam questions and answers. Further information on local training and exams is available from Volunteer Marine Rescue and commercial trainers.

A recent question was from a boatie who has had a licence for a long time; Q. "I want to update my knowledge, can I sit another radio operators exam if I already hold a qualification?"

A.  No, do not sit a second exam. If you fail, it will override your previous qualification. You may update your knowledge by reading the handbook and doing the revision quizzes or even attending a course but do not sit the exam.

 

Kids' jolly boats

 

Don't forgot the oars! Children just love Jolly Boats, the inflatables and dinghies that are fun to mess about in, with adult supervision, while they learn the skills. Then adventure awaits.

While the outboard engine is a huge attraction, ensure you teach safe practices; teach the children to row.

Personal flotation devices are needed and see that they can get back into the boat.

Monitor the weather and currents. Little arms rowing have a hard time getting back to safety against a strong wind or current. Set boundaries; say only between the boat and the beach, statistically the most dangerous place, so stand watch.

Little ones join in the fun and gain huge satisfaction at mastering rowing, but ensure they are well supervised and remember they can enjoy some measure of independence at the end of a rope. As with everything there are risks involved, but with sensible safety measures,

 

Message in a Bottle: Old School S.O.S.

 

The current recommended response on a merchant ship boarded by pirates is to radio a distress call, disable the ship's engines and to retreat into a "citadel," a safe locked-down space aboard the ship to await either rescue or until the pirates simply give up and go away. That is what the officers and crew of the MV Montecristo did when boarded by pirates last week.

Once they retreated however, they lacked a means to communicate with NATO rescuers. So, they used a more traditional means of communication - they stuffed a message in a bottle, stuck a flashing beacon on top and threw the bottle out a porthole. NATO forces retrieved the bottle and learning that the crew was safe, launched a raid on the ship capturing the pirates.

 

Notice to mariners

 

Eimeo Creek - Mariners are advised that the Port Lateral Mark beacon Fl.R.2.5s in Eimeo Creek is temporarily unlit. Mariners should navigate with caution in the vicinity. AUS charts 249 & 251

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

Cap'n Dan is a regular broadcaster on ABC Radio Tropical North and 4MK

 

 

Whitsunday Islands to feature on new weather map

Whitsunday Islands to feature on new weather map

 

New forecasting technology to be introduced by the Bureau of Meteorology will allow for the first time weather forecasting focused on the Whitsunday Islands enhancing the needs of our marine tourism industry with accurate forecasting and safety.

Neal Moodie, National Manager Marine weather Services and Tony Auden Meteorologist at the Brisbane Regional Forecasting Centre of the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) met with a core group of local mariners last week in Airlie Beach that provided an opportunity to discuss, face to face, weather issues that affect our area.

"I enjoyed meeting with this broad group of mariners with obvious expertise about and passion for the Whitsundays," Mr Moodie told the Whitsunday Coast Guardian at the meeting on Thursday night.

"The Whitsunday group will be the first to try out the Bureau's new forecasting and reporting system being introduced by the BoM before it is released to the wider public, probably next year.

"I am expecting we will receive well thought out and considered feedback from this Whitsunday group," Mr Moodie added.

Other issues included the scope of forecasts, the wording and dealing with media sensationalism; called 'beat-ups' in the world of journalism where the motto is "if it bleeds, it leads" that also destroys our tourism industry.

Also discussed was a variety of weather issues including extended forecasts to assist tourists to plan their time here and marine radio broadcasts with a midday update to help planning for overnight anchorages.

Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association organised the meeting attended by local Maritime Safety Queensland Safety Officers and members of the Bareboat and commercial marine industry.

 

Message in a bottle

 

In this age of email, text SMS, instant messaging and Facebook/Twitter, it's nice to hear about something different and Olde Worlde.

Harold Hackett of Prince Edward Island in eastern Canada started throwing bottles with messages inside into the Atlantic Ocean in 1996. Since then he has cast 4,800 bottles into the sea and has received 3,100 letters back from Africa, Russia, Holland, the UK, France, Scotland, Ireland, parts of New England, Florida, Norway and the Bahamas. His response rate may be better than the average "Friend" request rate on Facebook and Mr Hackett says he does not put his telephone number or an email on the messages, as he would rather get a letter that he can treasure.

 

Troubled tourists

 

Readers say they enjoyed the real comments made by British tourists to their travel agents. Here are a few more pearlers.

"No one told us there would be fish in the sea. The children were startled."

"It took us nine hours to fly home from Jamaica to England; it only took the Americans three hours to get home."

"I compared the size of our one-bedroom apartment to our friends' three-bedroom apartment and ours was significantly smaller."

"I was bitten by a mosquito; no-one said they could bite."

"On my holiday to Goa in India, I was disgusted to find that almost every restaurant served curry. I don't like spicy food at all."

Finally, in Spain, "There are too many Spanish people. The receptionist speaks Spanish. The food is Spanish. Too many foreigners now live abroad." Moreover, "It's lazy of the local shopkeepers to close in the afternoons. I often needed to buy things during 'siesta' time - this should be banned."

 

Storytelling Challenge

 

The folks at Jack Tar Magazine are sponsoring a writing contest for young writers "The New Conrads" Storytelling Challenge, with US$1,000 prize money. Joseph Conrad sailed and wrote during the demise of "The Golden Age of Sail" and the rise of steam and diesel. 100 years later, giant diesel-powered ships are already back to using sails in order to save fuel. What will shipping look like when oil becomes too expensive to power the thousands of cargo vessels upon which the global economy depends?

Create a story, 1000 words or more, that focuses on the maritime culture and/or the shipping industry in the post-petroleum future. Deadline is midnight, October 31. Email inquiries and stories to kim@jacktarmagazine.com.

 

Port of Airlie notices

 

Speed limit declared - Mariners be advised that a six-knot speed limit be declared for the entire entrance channel into the Port of Airlie marina, Boat Haven Bay.

Exclusion zones - Mariners take note that exclusion zones be declared within the Port of Airlie marina. The exclusion zones encompass the marina pontoons and walkways construction sites.

Chartlet maps are available for both items from MSQ to update AUS charts 252 & 268

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

Marine weather watchers wanted for their ideas

Marine weather watchers wanted for their ideas

  

A meeting this week will provide an opportunity for the Bureau of Meteorology to meet with the Whitsunday Marine Community and discuss a variety of weather issues.

Rachael Bell, Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association Regional Coordinator says all mariners and users of marine weather services are invited to the meeting this Thursday October 6, 6pm at PCYC.

"This meeting may be a good opportunity to lobby to get Airlie Beach onto the local and national weather maps and forecasts; something many have wanted for a long time," Ms Bell told the Whitsunday Coast Guardian.

"There is an interesting list of items the BoM would like to discuss with Mariners however it is important to RSVP by contacting Pradeep Singh on 07 3239 8751 or P.Singh@bom.gov.au to ensure good attendance." Ms Bell added.

Mariners are familiar with the products provided by BoM and we use them everyday. However this National Issues Agenda will look to provide enhanced services to the marine industry using advance technology to provide more localised forecasting and reporting.

Both recreational and commercial users know the current forecast area such as Bowen to St Laurance is a huge area that often contains a variety of weather systems. Would smaller more targeted areas be of more use? South East Queensland area is divided into four smaller areas.

This is now on the agenda and includes naming convention of new areas, how to refer to new areas in warnings, the setup of broadcast schedules to accommodate new areas, coastal services for Marine radio.

Would marine users like an extension of forecasts to four days? A culture heavily influencing marine activities is tourism and it is believed that tourists would like to plan their trips using seven-day forecasts. What are your thoughts and is it achievable?

How should wind changes be described and do we need to review the observations provided? Locally most mariners use the observations at Hamilton Island rather than Proserpine Whitsunday Coast Airport - common sense really for marine crew. Perhaps sites to record wind speed and direction, pressure and air temperature at agreed sites desired by mariners. Some of this would duplicate the standard BOM network in some locations, but sites located on water's edge would be more useful rather than inland at an airport.

How to make the forecast more relevant to the recreational boater. A problem with coastal services for Marine radio Issue is that the text is becoming too detailed and is pushing the boundaries of the broadcast schedule. Mariners are keen to avoid adverse weather conditions on their journeys. BoM is seeking advice on how to resolve this issue. 

An interesting element of the presentation will be a review of anecdotal reports from the Japan generated tsunami in March 2011. BoM wants to know what is the best way to notify mariners, what education is required?

The capabilities of HF digital radio to provide multi-streamed voice broadcasts, results in more regular updates of forecast information with a marine survey indicated a large increase in mariners using laptops on board.

It may be useful to consider a local committee to consider, advance and advocate benefits for our area and industry.

 

Port of Airlie?

 

If the Bureau of Meteorology was to consider a new naming convention policy for coastal weather zones based on major port, or geographic location, what might it be?

Airlie Beach and Whitsunday are currently not registered ports so it might be worth looking at this . . . again.

 

Acacia Island, Port Newry

 

Mariners are advised that a 4.1-metre aluminium open vessel has capsized adjacent Acacia Island in Port Newry and may be semi-submerged and drifting, is considered a potential navigation hazard. Mariners should navigate with caution in the vicinity. AUS charts 251 & 824

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

Have a safe holiday on the water

 

Water safety and school holiday fun

 

Whether it is running a multi-million-dollar ship tracking system covering the entire Great Barrier Reef, to preventing maritime accidents and safeguarding Australia's most precious marine environmental icons or helping kids with holiday activities, The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has a big job.

Not only does that job cover Australia's huge coastline but also includes the safety of boats and ships of all sizes and their safe construction and crewing in conjunction with Maritime Safety Queensland and the Water Police.

The AMSA website has plenty to help holiday kids better understand our marine environment and what can be done to protect it.

The AMSA website has been developed to encourage children to learn about the marine environment in a fun and interactive way. It will help them become more aware, respectful and passionate about our marine environment.

An oil spill cleanup experiment shows the effects of oil and explains what happens to spilled oil and experiments about oil bioremediation after the initial cleanup

Protect our seas education kits may be requested and other links explored at www.amsa.gov.au/kids

 

Family fun on the water

 

Boating is an exciting and fun, family leisure option and by educating away some of the risks, parents can relax and the whole family will gain more from the experience.

Perhaps you didn't know that a good game can be made with lifejacket practice. Here goes, the game of 25 Second Lifejackets.

Run a 25-second lifejacket drill. When the skipper yells 'Lifejackets' everyone on board should appear on deck with their lifejacket on and a designated crew member also carries the grab bag of safety gear. Practise this with the family until it is completed within 25 seconds; no longer!

Over the side kid! Your children need to experience jumping into the water with their lifejacket on. As well as being a great advance check of the suitability of the jacket, it is essential that the children have confidence in the flotation of their jacket to reduce the possibility of panic in an emergency.  Find that nice warm bay and jump off the stern fully kitted up, get them used to swimming around in the jacket so that they learn the effect of the extra buoyancy on their body.

Show your children how to hold the jacket by pulling down gently on the collar while they jump. A fun but valuable practice is to jump in fully clothed with the jacket as your children will not necessarily be in their togs in an emergency and different clothing can affect their flotation.

These practices can be a fun game for children, making them better prepared in an emergency and give parents confidence in the effectiveness of safety measures.

 

Family as Crew

 

Engage your family as much as possible in the operation of the boat. More experience and knowledge leads to less danger. Kids should be shown and encouraged to start/stop the engine, use the manual winches, switch electrical equipment on an off, operate the anchor control, VHF radio and trim the sails.

 

Marine Notices

 

St Bees Island - a feral animal control program using live firing weapons will take place on St Bees Island October 3 – 7. An exclusion zone extends 500 metres seaward of the High Water mark. Marine VHF sécurité calls will be made on channel 16 by the Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service vessel 'Tamoya'. AUS charts 251 & 823

 

Abel Point Marina Entrance - be advised that the port lateral mark No.6 beacon Fl R 3s and starboard lateral mark No. 7 beacon Fl G 3s, which mark the entrance into Abel Point Marina, is temporarily unlit.

AUS charts 253 & 268

 

Port of Airlie Marina - pile-driving operations continue in Port of Airlie Marina. A Fl Y light marks the outermost pile by night.

Mariners should use caution in the vicinity.

AUS charts 252 & 268

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

Cap'n Dan is a regular broadcaster on ABC Radio Tropical North

 

 

Whitsunday island ocean swim planned

 

Whitsunday island ocean swim planned

 

Planning is underway by local long distance swimmer Christie Leet for a swim from Roma Point on South Molle Island to Airlie Beach in late October.

International swimmer Chris Palfrey from Townsville will join Christie for this unique swim.

Earlier this year Mr Leet competed in the West Australian Rottnest Island Channel Swim and has previously swam challenges from Whitehaven Beach to Hamilton Island and Magnetic Island to Townsville.

Chris Palfrey did hardly any swimming until the age of thirty when his wife Penny introduced him to the sport. Penny is an English woman with a long history of competitive swimming. Penny and Chris were in Japan this month to swim the Tsugaru Strait, between the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido first conquered in 1991. Only three people have successfully swum this strait to the northernmost island of Japan.

Long distance swimmers say an exciting thing about open water crossings, is that even in the 21st century, you can still be a pioneer. There are still events and crossings in lakes, rivers and along coastlines in almost every continent, which hardly anyone has swum.

 

In the swim

 

The Whitehaven Beach to Hamilton Island swim is coming up on November 20, on the Sunday of Hamilton Island Triathlon week.

But wait, there's more. Adventure swimmers are now going on Swim Tours visiting out of the way places that are very special unique places offering experiences. Adding the Whitsunday Islands destination to Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, the south of France and Fiji makes good sense.

 

Thar be Pirates!

 

There were plenty of pirates and pirate activities surrounding International Talk Like a Pirate Day in Airlie Beach with lots of media attention. Everyone likes to talk like a pirate so in a town like Airlie you can dress up like a pirate and have some fun. The Pirates of the Whitsundays are the polite pirates who use their manners and say please and thank you, and ensure that visitors always come first. This Pirate had the sniffles and spent most of the weekend in bed with a hot toddy, meekly saying "Aargh."

 

Stupid testing complaints

 

Some female tourists complain that nude beaches or topless beaches are too distracting for their husbands and can ruin their (her?) holidays. "Topless sunbathing on the beach should be banned. The holiday was ruined as my husband spent all day looking at other women."

A recent survey from Thomas Cook and the Association of British Travel Agents revealed 20 of the most ridiculous complaints by holidaymakers made to their travel agent.

Here are just a few pearlers. "We booked an excursion to a water park but no-one told us we had to bring our swimming costumes and towels."

A tourist at a top African Game Lodge overlooking a water hole, who spotted a visibly aroused elephant, complained that the sight of this rampant beast ruined his honeymoon by making him feel "inadequate."

"The beach was too sandy." teams up with "We found the sand was not like the sand in the brochure. Your brochure shows the sand as yellow but it was white."

Finally, "My fiancé and I booked a twin-bedded room but we were placed in a double-bedded room. We now hold you responsible for the fact that I find myself pregnant. This would not have happened if you had put us in the room that we booked."

 

Marine Notices

 

Hayman Island Marina - Mariners be advised that the lighted starboard lateral mark beacon No. 1 Q (1) G marking the entrance to Hayman Island Marina, has been reported unlit.

Dent Island - Mariners are advised that the starboard lateral mark beacon Fl G 2.5s marking the northern end of Dent Island, has been reported unlit. Mariners are advised to navigate with caution in the vicinity. AUS charts 254, 823 & 824 

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

Stinger week highlights deadly marine animals

 

Stinger week highlights deadly marine animals

 

Marine Stinger Awareness Week consists of various school information talks in Bowen, Proserpine and Cannonvale and a display at the Rotary Whitsunday Boat and Leisure Show.

The Whitsunday Marine Stinger Management Committee meets regularly and aims to provide a collaborative, coordinated and balanced response to the marine stinger issues for community, government and media.

Broadly, the group is concerned with three key questions: What dangerous marine stingers exist and what is their distribution? How can we better prevent stings through physical barriers and education? What should individuals and clinicians do when people are stung?

There is a need for a holistic state approach for stinger notifications and research to see whether there are particular variables that lead to an increase in stings.

The committee is supported by our Reef Guardian Whitsunday Council, Surf Life Saving Queensland, GBRMPA, marine tourism and dive operators, medical personnel, etc and meets at Tourism Whitsunday.

The Indo-Pacific or Australian box jellyfish (Chironex Fleckeri) is claimed to be the most venomous marine animal known to humanity and its sting is often fatal. However, there have only been 63 reported deaths from the box jellyfish in over 100 years.

 

Whitileaks Reef Watch

 

Leaked US embassy cables published by WikiLeaks have revealed that the federal government has "weakened" the compulsory pilotage regime for large vessels navigating through the sensitive maritime environment of Torres Strait.

On learning the Torres Strait pilotage regime was quietly amended 17 months ago, Don Henry of the Australian Conservation Foundation, said it was "absolutely essential'' that all shipping [through the strait] has pilotage.

The cables reveal the Howard government's October 2006 announcement of a compulsory pilotage regime in the Torres Strait was rejected by some governments and shipping companies.

The change involved leaving the "compulsory" framework in place while in practice reverting to a voluntary scheme for vessels by not enforcing penalties against ships that passed through the Torres Strait without a pilot and did not call at an Australian port. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority formalised the change on April 17, 2009.

 

Fishy claim

 

David Copp, a tourist visiting Ilfracombe Harbour, west of Bristol, in the UK, complained to the harbormaster that the fish being landed on the quayside had a "disgusting smell."

The 46-year-old was outraged that his children, aged seven and nine, had been forced to endure the sight.

"It's not the sort of thing you want to see on holiday, there was a real stench. My children were quite distressed by it. These people should be a bit more considerate to holidaymakers."

Mr Copp called Ilfracombe harbourmaster Rob Lawson to complain about the smell that had emanated from The Lady of Lundy trawler before calling the North Devon Journal to air his woes.

We expect any minute that local authorities will be swamped with complaints that the waves on the beach are very wet, cold and rather salty. And let's not discuss the sand – far too gritty and damp. 

 

Boat show success

 

Great weather greeted the reincarnation of the Rotary Boat and Lifestyle Show at Port of Airlie with visitors and exhibitors happy with the new site and attendance.

Carolyn Thompson was busy showing visitors both Box and Irukandji marine stingers (jellyfish) on the combined Whitsunday Marine Stinger Management Committee, Parks and Wildlife Service and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority display.

The floating exhibits were busy also with Sunsail getting more stock from their base at Hamilton Island after a busy Saturday.

Sunsail Sales Manager Sarita Wait, told the Whitsunday Coast Guardian

"Sunsail has been thrilled by the number of attendees at the Whitsunday Boat and Lifestyle Show at its new venue Port of Airlie." "After what has been challenging year for the region, Sunsail has enjoyed a successful show and looks forward to returning again next year", Ms Wait added.

 

Pirate Week

 

Wave your hooks in the air Saturday September 17, 2011 - Everyone likes to talk like a pirate so in a town like Airlie you can also dress up like a pirate and have some fun. The Pirates of the Whitsundays are the polite pirates who use their manners and say please and thank you, and ensure that visitors always come first. Meet up mid afternoon at the pirate picnic tables in mid Airlie.

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

 

Warrior cat a hot favourite with local lads

Warrior cat a hot favourite with local lads

 

Whitsunday sailors Dale Mitchell and Aaron Linton have been taking advantage of their skills and bags of breeze during the fast and furious Fantasea F18 Australian Championships, being sailed as part of Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week.

Going into the last day of the six day series, Dale and Aaron look certain to take second or third place battling closely with Townsville local sailor Mick Guinea who has years of experience in the F18 class of catamarans.

Not that Dale is lacking in the experience arena having represented the Whitsunday Sailing Club at World 505 Championships in San Francisco with brother Paul in 2009.

Dale, Aaron and Paul all learned the ropes on Sabots and everything off beach from a young age at the Whitsunday club with Dale often filling the job of Off-Beach Captain on race days.

Dale and Aaron are sailing a state of the art Nacra Infusion F18 'Ullman Sails'  that features  canted hulls, semi encapsulated front beam, wing shaped mast profile, high aspect asymmetrical spinnaker and shark fin shaped high aspect rudder blades.

Wanna know what that means? It means a warrior cat on heat that goes very fast.

The design came about a few years ago, when a group a sailors who wanted more competition at a level just below the Olympics got together and came up with the Formula 18 Class an open design 'box' rule that allows boats from a variety of manufacturers to race together as long as the basic specifications are met.

 

Watch at anchor

 

A recent court decision demonstrates the tough attitude to breaches of the Collision Regulations.

A collision between two fishing vessels in the early hours of the morning. Weather was fine and clear, no moon.

Vessel One was steaming under autopilot, deckhand on watch. Vessel Two was at anchor, with the Master and his deckhand asleep below deck. One collided with Two, effectively destroying Two. Two's master was rescued, but the deckhand was never found.

The master of Two brought a successful claim for personal injury, loss of earnings and stress.

The judge was critical of the lookout kept by the deckhand on One, noting that although the anchor light of Two was not bright, it met the statutory requirement and was lit at the time of the collision and easily visible in the prevailing clear conditions. One's radar was not operating, in contravention of the Collision Regulations; other issues included deck lights and alcohol.

The judge had no difficulty in finding that One had been navigated negligently.

However, the court also found that Two had been contributorily negligent. No anchor watch was kept aboard Two in breach of the collision regulations. The court reduced the award by 40%.

This Western Australian Supreme Court case shows a hardening attitude of the courts towards mariners who flout the collision regulations.

 

Resources pooled

 

Queensland boaties and fishers will see further enforcement from a single marine services agency when Maritime Safety Queensland teams up with long-time partner, Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol this month.

Fisheries and Marine Infrastructure Minister Craig Wallace says Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol would transfer from within the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation to Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) within Transport and Main Roads.

"By bringing them within Maritime Safety Queensland's organisation they can better combine their assets in delivering services such as marine education and safety awareness programs", Mr Wallace said.

 

Mariner notices

 

North Channel, Bowen - Mariners are advised that the safe water mark Fl 2s in position latitude 20° 01.2680' S, longitude 148° 16.9719' E has been reported as unlit. Mariners are advised to navigate with caution in this area. AUS chart 268

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

Cap'n Dan is a regular broadcaster on ABC Radio Tropical North

Going to windward on the Bruce

 

Going to windward on the Bruce

 

Anyone venturing onto Highway Number 1 would be amazed at the number of yachts in amongst the gray nomad's caravans and polished professional trucker's rigs.

Yachties attending Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island Race Weeks in the past had to sail up and down the coast however; the highway named Bruce is getting some serious use.

Good thing too that yachties are racing in the dry winter and not during the wet when the Bruce Highway is as wet as the Coral Sea in places. It could then be easier to sail south except sometimes waiting for the weather can take a while as anyone who has spent days hiding behind South Percy Island can vouch.

Talking to Craig at Hawkes Boatyard he said business was brisk with boats in and out, ditto for masts and damage checks at the Abel Point Marina yard.

Craig identified two yachts through the yard that stood out, Hamilton Island Grand Prix division winner 'Hooligan' and Ian Oatley's multi-million-dollar Reichel/Pugh 42-foot yacht 'Q'.

'Hooligan' a gun metal grey-hulled TP52 featuring a radical new bulb keel and extended bowsprit scored seven first places in nine races. Indeed, this year 'Hooligan' has won every major series including Audi Victoria Week, Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta and the NSW IRC Championship at Port Stephens.

'Q' is a new yacht that says "look at me" on the topsides and with a rotating keel was a head turner when she was being dropped into the water at Hawkes Boatyard. Well, I had to go for a closer look at this superb machine. 'Q' had a problem when on an early outing on Sydney Harbour a keel malfunction caused her to trip and fall capsizing on her side in front of a fleet of 134 yachts at Watsons Bay.

Of course, while busier the highway called Bruce is boring as it lacks the dolphins and whales seen around the Whitsunday Islands racecourse.

Haven't seen much (any?) road works happening on Highway Number One, but that might be a story for another day.

 

Stormy weather

 

North American Hurricane Irene lost enough of her steam to make her landfall in New York, New Jersey and New England less of a life-threatening event than a very wet one, but the storm surge definitely arrived as forecast. Rivers overflowed their banks, seaside communities experienced massive flooding, and marinas and clubs lost docks, while boats floated free in harbours, sometimes attached to docks that had floated off their piles. Does this sound familiar?

 

Lights on

 

In 1998, four Australian lighthouses participated in what then was a very young event. Last weekend saw 66 Australian lighthouses registered for the International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend.

In yester-year, the coastline had lighthouse protection, now much surpassed by modern satellite navigation. The radio amateurs operating from those locations, helps keep the spirit of the lighthouse alive.

Locally Cape Cleveland Light near Townsville joined Cape Capricorn ESE of Rockhampton with other Aussie lighthouses at King Island and Wilson's Promontory to name a well known few.

 

 Get ready!

 

The Rotary Meridien Whitsunday Boat and Lifestyle Show at Port of Airlie is on the weekend of September 10 -11. Fun Race Saturday September 10. Get ready!

 

Mariner Notices

 

Mariners are advised that the temporary exclusion zone in Shute Harbour declared by the Regional Harbour Master in Shute Harbour to facilitate the salvage of the vessel "Whitsunday Magic" is lifted.

 

Fitzalan Passage, the lighted Special Mark buoy Fl Y 2.5s in Fitzalan Passage between Henning Island and Whitsunday Island is re-established in position. AUS charts 252, 253 & 254

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

Cap'n Dan is a regular broadcaster on ABC Radio Tropical North

 

 

Whales, sandy beach, dugong, turtles, sundowners for you

 

Whales, sandy beach, dugong, turtles, sundowners for you

 

People living in Airlie Beach had a great show during breakfast one morning this week. Right outside their window were Humpback whales playing in the blue water of the bay.

Also, a workmate sent a note: "Just saw a whale on the way to work at Hamilton Island. Makes me feel a bit better bout getting up for work at 6am on a Sunday!"

With the whale population growing every year, they are easy to spot. Many have offspring alongside and spend their time floating up and down the passage with the tide, the pups feeding and frolicking.

Friends sailed over to Blue Pearl Bay on Saturday spotting two pods of Humpbacks that made the kids very happy so they came up with a couple of questions, as kids do.

Q. How do you weigh a whale? A. At a whaleway station

Q. What do you do with a blue whale? A. Cheer it up!

 

Thar be a sign

 

Be on the lookout for a new nautical flag that is sure to enhance some fun times on the water. Incorporating a swallowtail design, the colours are blue at the base rising up to a red sunset colour.

Adorned with 'C U @' and a setting sun, indicates that you are welcome to come aboard for a sundowner. Facebook friends Grotty Yachty are responsible for the 'See you at sunset' burgee.

 

Marine Stinger

 

Marine Stinger Awareness Week will start September 6 and continue through to September 10. The week will consist of various information talks at schools in Bowen, Proserpine and Cannonvale and will finish with a display at the Whitsunday Boat and Lifestyle Show. GBRMPA and QPWS have been kind enough to allow space for the Whitsunday Marine Stinger Management Committee at their boat show display.

 

Dugong spotting

 

The local co-ordinator of Seagrass Watch Whitsunday Jacquie Sheils is looking for adventurous people who would like to get up close to turtles and dugong in the seagrass meadows of the Whitsunday coast and islands.

Imagine yourself with your group of snorkelers observing these unique marine creatures in their habitat while you learn to record the health of the seagrass surrounds.

Jacquie says, "It is a fun activity that is quite different. Training is given and we are in need of more volunteers for the start of the grazing season, so give me a call on 0420 747959 or check out www.seagrasswatch.org/whitsunday

 

Life's a beach

 

News of the arrival of 200 tonnes of fresh clean EPA approved quality assured sand for the beach at Airlie as part of Council's maintenance program stirs a few memories.

The sand at one time was just average river sand from some unknown source and I think the old tourism association may have had it done before the council took on the task.

Years ago, there was effort put into getting rid of rocks that came to the surface; some were picked up and some pushed back down by the excavator during one tidy up.

Inevitably, some of the sand redistributes around the bay with a sandbar from outside the sailing club over to the creek. The late John De Vere of Golden Plover hired an excavator to dredge Airlie Creek and for many years there were two timber piles marking the entrance.

There is also the story about Hamilton Island in the Keith Williams' years sourcing nice sand from over Whitehaven way, but that might be a story for another time.

 

Mariner Notice

 

Mariners are advised the annual Multihull Solutions Whitsundays Multihull Rendezvous Race Week, a weeklong yacht race will be sailed from Sunday August 28 to Friday September 2.

Abel Point Yacht Club will conduct this Aquatic Event in the smooth and partially smooth waters of Pioneer Bay and Whitsunday Passage.

The race involves approximately 30-40 multihull sailing vessels. Mariners be advised to navigate with caution in the vicinity, especially at the party following each day of racing.

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

Cap'n Dan is a regular broadcaster on ABC Radio Tropical North

 

Smoke on the water - Race Week riff

 

Smoke on the water – Race Week riff

 

Sailing up Pioneer Bay midday Saturday I spied numerous colourful kites set across the horizon as the Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week fleet enjoyed sunshine and 15-20 knot puffs of breeze.

A bush fire in Funnel Bay was well alight and burning toward its inevitable snuffing at waters edge where it would run out of fuel.

Through the smoke on the water appeared another bright red flame-like image darting across the bay.

The big red multihull was taking advantage of the breeze, lifting her hulls like a dancer lifting her skirts in an exotic dance for the crowd.

But hark! There's no crowd about. The big red rocket sled; rooster tails splashing aft of whatever precious little was left in the azure waters of the bay; alone as she crossed the finish line.

Was it Christmas in August, Santa rushing toys to the girls and boys? No. Just a big boy's toy in the form of the record-breaking 18.48m New Zealand trimaran Team Vodafone; the quickest yacht to compete in the Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Week.

Ever.

Top speed 31 knots with an average of about sixteen knots to set the record of 1 hour 56 minutes in the 31 nautical mile Double Cone-Armit-Alden Island race.

'Smoke on the Water' by British band Deep Purple, released in early 1972 was number four on U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and also four in the BBC's 'Top 20 Greatest Guitar Riffs Ever' was played by Ritchie Blackmore on a Fender Stratocaster.

 

Don't damage dugong

 

Boaties are asked to take extra care due to an increase in dugong activity in Whitsundays waters.

Whitsunday Mayor Mike Brunker has echoed a Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service advice to be on the alert for dugong activity in waters around Airlie Beach and Bowen.

"QWPS has recorded an increase in dugong activity at Shute Harbour, Abel Point Marina area, Hill Inlet and in Edgecombe Bay, Bowen," Mr Brunker said.

"Dugong are migrating to feed on local seagrass beds but unfortunately these beds are close to shallow boating areas," he said.

"I ask all boaties to keep an eye out over the next few months, avoid shallow seagrass meadows, and when in shallow areas, reduce speed to below 10 knots, as well as observe harbour and marina speed limits."

"By applying a bit of commonsense, unfortunate situations involving accidental harming of a dugong can be greatly reduced," Mr Brunker said.

Report dugong and any marine animal strandings to the 24hr Marine Animal

Strandings Hotline 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

 

Lighthouse weekend

 

They throw a powerful beam and cut an often lonely and solemn figure above the rugged seascape while protecting the coastlines of the world.

The 14th International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend August 20-21 will light the way and celebrate their guardianship of seafarers through history.

This weekend Amateur radio operators will ensure attention is paid to these important heritage structures in recognition of the role played in the safety of seafarers and their charges over the years.

Around the Australian coast a record 59 entries adding to the over 400 participating around the globe.

 

This is a job?

 

The Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators and the Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association have successfully secured funding from the Queensland Government for a long term Crown of Thorns (COTS) Eradication Program in the Whitsunday area and Great Barrier Reef.

Twenty fully funded places available for youth between 17.5 and 24 years old to train in COTS control over six months.

A fantastic opportunity for youth in our region, those interested should apply for this award wages paid traineeship position.

Training includes courses in Open Water Scuba, Advanced Adventurer Diver, Stress & Rescue Divers, COTS Control, First Aid and Oxygen providers leading towards future employment as Dive Masters in the marine tourism industry.

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

Cap'n Dan is a regular broadcaster on ABC Radio Tropical North