On the Horizon: Oceanic Whitsunday Boat & Leisure Show
The seventh annual Boat Show is coming to Abel Point Marina on the long weekend June 7 & 8. If you are interested in owning a boat, or want to get information about the marine parks, boat insurance needs, learning how to sail, purchase some new gear for your beloved boat; you cannot miss the Oceanic Whitsunday Boat & Leisure Show.
There will be loads of things to do, entertainment for the kids, the Whitsunday Marine Art Show, safety demos, great food and a cold beer.
Almost sold out but if you are interested in exhibiting or want information, please email to boatshow@rotaryairliebeach.com
It happens
Mates Frank and Leisa are up here on their boat again. They borrowed the courtesy car at the Keppel Bay marina to go shopping. They bought a 10-kilo block of squid to use as crab bait on their leisurely trip up the coast. They said bon voyage to the marina and journeyed up the coast to a nice anchorage. When they went looking for the ten kilos of bait -- yes, it was still in the courtesy car.
Lucky For Me
Award winning author Frank Robson's new book, Lucky For Me, Is a full-blooded account of a friendship between man and dog.
Frank Robson puzzles on Lucky, a cream-coloured terrier, who trotted into his life and taught him about survival, mate-ship and the joys of an independent spirit. Expect to laugh, cry and shake your head as you read this wonderful book.
At eighteen months of age, Lucky, a cream-coloured terrier, was dropped off at a vet's clinic in Queensland, abandoned by his owners and suffering from ticks and other terrors. A week away from being put down he was rescued and adopted by Frank Robson and his partner, Leisa.
From the start, the fluffy new member of the sea-going household proved an enigma, displaying a twelve-snort vocabulary, an ability to climb trees (the better to chase parrots) and a disdain for suburbia.
In this full-blooded account of a friendship between man and dog, Robson puzzles on the sentient being who trotted into his life and taught him about survival, mateship and the joys of an independent spirit.
www.luckyforme.com.au/aboutbook.htm
Blessing thanks
Thanks goes out to all those who helped or attended the 19th Blessing of the Fleet on Whit Sunday. It was fun and serious with nice weather.
Next year the day moves later as with Easter, so Whit Sunday the Day of Pentecost and James Cook naming the Whitsunday Island, will be on May 31, 2009.
ITLaPDiAB
International Talk like a Pirate Day in Airlie Beach is Saturday September 20. 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. http://piratesofwhitsunday.blogspot.com/
Schooner Rock light
Mariners are advised that the lighted north cardinal mark beacon Q which marks Schooner Rock in approximate position latitude 20° 54' S, longitude 149° 25.9' E off the northern end of St Bees Island has been reported to be unlit.
Mariners should use caution in the vicinity. AUS charts: 251, 824
Nara Inlet entrance buoy
Mariners are advised that the lighted port lateral mark buoy Fl.R.2.5s which has been temporarily established to mark the position of the destroyed lighted port lateral mark beacon Fl.R.2.5s in the entrance to Nara Inlet, which was reported as being off station, has been replaced in position. Mariners should continue to exercise caution when transiting the entrance. (Had a look the other day - the buoy is close to the end of the reef)
Spare a thought
"Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels" Faith Whittlesey
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Blessing of the Fleet this Sunday at Airlie
This Sunday is Whit Sunday and will see the 19th annual Blessing of the Fleet at the Whitsunday Sailing Club.
A flag Parade on Airlie Foreshore from Broadwater Avenue Lagoon entrance (start 10.30 am) to the Whitsunday Sailing Club for the 19th Annual Blessing of the Fleet.
Rev. Terry Ayling will perform the Blessing at 11 am followed by lunch & Entertainment
Hamilton Island is taking a much bigger role this year with events including a Whits Sunday Sunrise gathering on Pentecost Island, named in 1770 by James Cook recognising Pentecost and Whit Sunday from the Christian calendar.
Other events include the Official Handover of Sailing Dinghies to Hamilton Island State School at Catseye Beach, and an Inter-Island Catamaran Sail Competition on Hamilton, Hayman & Daydream Islands with a beach BBQ & Pentecost Celebration at Catseye Beach Hamilton Island.
Our Blessing of the Fleet is held each year On Whitsun Day or Pentecost Sunday as our special day. A Blessing of the Fleet is part of the activities of many seaside and fishing communities around the world.
You can come and get involved in the Festival of the Wind' and the 19th annual Blessing of the Fleet, http://blessingofthefleet.blogspot.com/
Coming up in Whitsunday
Just a month to go until the Oceanic Whitsunday Boat and Leisure Show on the weekend of June 7-8.
Then look forward to the 19th Annual Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week 2008 to be sailed on 14th - 21st August organised with the Whitsunday Sailing Club.
Classes to be sailed IRC Racing Class; One Design; Premier Cruising Class, Performance Racing Class, Cruising Class Non Spinnaker Class and Sports Boat Class
Later in the year you may enjoy International Talk like a Pirate Day in Airlie Beach - Saturday September 20, this year - 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.
SEANET for safety
The South East Asia Amateur Radio Network (SEANET) was established in 1964 on 20m 14.320 MHz.
The objective of this Net is to promote international understanding and fellowship among amateur hams and to relay maritime and land based emergency, medical, urgent or priority traffic.
This on-the-air meeting which has taken place without fail daily at 1200 UTC has strengthened unity and co-operation among Hams around the world, especially those within the region.
Lights on
International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend 16-17 August 2008 is a highly popular annual amateur radio event. Last year 380 lights were on the air from 48 countries with 40 lighthouses being activated in Australia, a wonderful effort second only to the USA with 45 lighthouses.
The event really seems to have captured the imagination of amateurs in this country so keep up the good work and join in this fun event again this year.
All you need to know about the event is contained on the official web site at http://illw.net
The event is organised and managed by the Ayr Amateur Radio Group in Scotland.
We are gradually running out of available lighthouses on the East Coast of Australia so you had better grab one to be in the event.
Sailor rolled
A sailor aboard a damaged sailboat is nursing concussion after being rolled over in the turbulent South Atlantic Ocean but says he has no intention of giving up an unusual solo voyage around the world.
Glenn Wakefield reported from his 12-metre sailboat off the Falkland Islands in a ham radio transmission layered with static.
"This storm is expected to last another three days, so I'll just have to tough it out, that's all I can do here and then once it's over I'll make my way to Stanley, capital of the Falklands." He said.
Wakefield sailed away from Victoria, British Columbia in mid-September intending to become the first North American to circumnavigate west-about, or into the prevailing winds that whirl around the bottom of the planet, rather than sailing with the wind as is conventionally done.
Shute Harbour light
Mariners are advised that the lighted port lateral mark No.2 beacon Q.R in approximate position latitude 20°17.5'S, longitude 148°47.98'E off the northern end of Shute Island has been reported to be unlit. Mariners should use caution in the vicinity. AUS chart: 253.
Boat size world
"When you're in the boat, there is nothing else in your world that matters right then except for what's going on in that boat"
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
This Sunday is Whit Sunday and will see the 19th annual Blessing of the Fleet at the Whitsunday Sailing Club.
A flag Parade on Airlie Foreshore from Broadwater Avenue Lagoon entrance (start 10.30 am) to the Whitsunday Sailing Club for the 19th Annual Blessing of the Fleet.
Rev. Terry Ayling will perform the Blessing at 11 am followed by lunch & Entertainment
Hamilton Island is taking a much bigger role this year with events including a Whits Sunday Sunrise gathering on Pentecost Island, named in 1770 by James Cook recognising Pentecost and Whit Sunday from the Christian calendar.
Other events include the Official Handover of Sailing Dinghies to Hamilton Island State School at Catseye Beach, and an Inter-Island Catamaran Sail Competition on Hamilton, Hayman & Daydream Islands with a beach BBQ & Pentecost Celebration at Catseye Beach Hamilton Island.
Our Blessing of the Fleet is held each year On Whitsun Day or Pentecost Sunday as our special day. A Blessing of the Fleet is part of the activities of many seaside and fishing communities around the world.
You can come and get involved in the Festival of the Wind' and the 19th annual Blessing of the Fleet, http://blessingofthefleet.blogspot.com/
Coming up in Whitsunday
Just a month to go until the Oceanic Whitsunday Boat and Leisure Show on the weekend of June 7-8.
Then look forward to the 19th Annual Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week 2008 to be sailed on 14th - 21st August organised with the Whitsunday Sailing Club.
Classes to be sailed IRC Racing Class; One Design; Premier Cruising Class, Performance Racing Class, Cruising Class Non Spinnaker Class and Sports Boat Class
Later in the year you may enjoy International Talk like a Pirate Day in Airlie Beach - Saturday September 20, this year - 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.
SEANET for safety
The South East Asia Amateur Radio Network (SEANET) was established in 1964 on 20m 14.320 MHz.
The objective of this Net is to promote international understanding and fellowship among amateur hams and to relay maritime and land based emergency, medical, urgent or priority traffic.
This on-the-air meeting which has taken place without fail daily at 1200 UTC has strengthened unity and co-operation among Hams around the world, especially those within the region.
Lights on
International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend 16-17 August 2008 is a highly popular annual amateur radio event. Last year 380 lights were on the air from 48 countries with 40 lighthouses being activated in Australia, a wonderful effort second only to the USA with 45 lighthouses.
The event really seems to have captured the imagination of amateurs in this country so keep up the good work and join in this fun event again this year.
All you need to know about the event is contained on the official web site at http://illw.net
The event is organised and managed by the Ayr Amateur Radio Group in Scotland.
We are gradually running out of available lighthouses on the East Coast of Australia so you had better grab one to be in the event.
Sailor rolled
A sailor aboard a damaged sailboat is nursing concussion after being rolled over in the turbulent South Atlantic Ocean but says he has no intention of giving up an unusual solo voyage around the world.
Glenn Wakefield reported from his 12-metre sailboat off the Falkland Islands in a ham radio transmission layered with static.
"This storm is expected to last another three days, so I'll just have to tough it out, that's all I can do here and then once it's over I'll make my way to Stanley, capital of the Falklands." He said.
Wakefield sailed away from Victoria, British Columbia in mid-September intending to become the first North American to circumnavigate west-about, or into the prevailing winds that whirl around the bottom of the planet, rather than sailing with the wind as is conventionally done.
Shute Harbour light
Mariners are advised that the lighted port lateral mark No.2 beacon Q.R in approximate position latitude 20°17.5'S, longitude 148°47.98'E off the northern end of Shute Island has been reported to be unlit. Mariners should use caution in the vicinity. AUS chart: 253.
Boat size world
"When you're in the boat, there is nothing else in your world that matters right then except for what's going on in that boat"
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Titanic replica arrives in Mackay
The famous Titanic replica will arrive in Mackay this morning and will be open to the public.
Mackay is the first stop on an extended Australian tour for the famous ship.
The builders, ADF constructions, invite the public to enjoy morning tea onboard at the Mackay marina and to inspect the luxury ship.
Further information and to book school tours please call 49535000 -
Sent to media group on April 1 and managed a few bites. Har, Har!
The famous Titanic replica will arrive in Mackay this morning and will be open to the public.
Mackay is the first stop on an extended Australian tour for the famous ship.
The builders, ADF constructions, invite the public to enjoy morning tea onboard at the Mackay marina and to inspect the luxury ship.
Further information and to book school tours please call 49535000 -
Sent to media group on April 1 and managed a few bites. Har, Har!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Festival of the Wind signals start of Whitsunday sailing season
Plans for this year's 'Festival of the Wind' incorporating the 19th annual Blessing of the Fleet to be held on Whit Sunday May 11, are advancing with the draft program for the event circulating with events at the Whitsunday Sailing Club, Hamilton Island including a Sunday, May 11 Sunrise Gathering on Pentecost Island.
A flag Parade on Airlie Foreshore from Broadwater Avenue Lagoon entrance to the Whitsunday Sailing Club for the 19th Annual Blessing of the Fleet sail past
The Blessing to be performed by Rev. Terry Ayling followed by lunch & Entertainment
An Official Handover of Sailing Dinghies to Hamilton Island State School , Catseye Beach, Inter-Island Catamaran Sail Competition on Hamilton , Hayman & Daydream Islands with a beach BBQ & Pentecost Celebration at Catseye Beach Hamilton Island.
Our Blessing of the Fleet is held each year On Whitsun Day or Pentecost Sunday as our special day. A Blessing of the Fleet is part of the activities of many seaside and fishing communities around the world. Here in Whitsunday, we celebrate Whitsun Day and the naming of our area by James Cook in 1770.
You can come and get involved in the Festival of the Wind' and the 19th annual Blessing of the Fleet, http://blessingofthefleet.blogspot.com/
Back yard boats
A British man who spent five years building a 30-foot yacht in his backyard said he now faces a another challenge; getting it out of his garden.
John Melling, an engineer, said he always knew removing the 26-foot-wide Trimaran yacht from the back garden of his Tywardreath, Cornwall, home would be difficult, but he had initially counted on employing the Royal Air Force to airlift the vessel; a service they no longer provide.
"RAF St. Mawgan (air force base) used to airlift boats for people in similar situations as me and used it as a training opportunity," he said. "But apparently they don't do that anymore -- so I am going to have to take the fence down to get the boat out now."
"We will be taking this boat to Greece eventually, after I have retired, to spend some time in the sunshine," Melling said.
"I may even race it --- but right now the challenge is getting it out of the garden."
Shute Island light
Mariners are advised that the lighted port lateral mark No.2 beacon Q.R in approximate position latitude 20°17.5'S, longitude 148°47.98'E off the northern end of Shute Island has been reported to be unlit. Mariners should use caution in the vicinity. AUS chart: 253
Freedom may have problems
"I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it" - Thomas Jefferson
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Plans for this year's 'Festival of the Wind' incorporating the 19th annual Blessing of the Fleet to be held on Whit Sunday May 11, are advancing with the draft program for the event circulating with events at the Whitsunday Sailing Club, Hamilton Island including a Sunday, May 11 Sunrise Gathering on Pentecost Island.
A flag Parade on Airlie Foreshore from Broadwater Avenue Lagoon entrance to the Whitsunday Sailing Club for the 19th Annual Blessing of the Fleet sail past
The Blessing to be performed by Rev. Terry Ayling followed by lunch & Entertainment
An Official Handover of Sailing Dinghies to Hamilton Island State School , Catseye Beach, Inter-Island Catamaran Sail Competition on Hamilton , Hayman & Daydream Islands with a beach BBQ & Pentecost Celebration at Catseye Beach Hamilton Island.
Our Blessing of the Fleet is held each year On Whitsun Day or Pentecost Sunday as our special day. A Blessing of the Fleet is part of the activities of many seaside and fishing communities around the world. Here in Whitsunday, we celebrate Whitsun Day and the naming of our area by James Cook in 1770.
You can come and get involved in the Festival of the Wind' and the 19th annual Blessing of the Fleet, http://blessingofthefleet.blogspot.com/
Back yard boats
A British man who spent five years building a 30-foot yacht in his backyard said he now faces a another challenge; getting it out of his garden.
John Melling, an engineer, said he always knew removing the 26-foot-wide Trimaran yacht from the back garden of his Tywardreath, Cornwall, home would be difficult, but he had initially counted on employing the Royal Air Force to airlift the vessel; a service they no longer provide.
"RAF St. Mawgan (air force base) used to airlift boats for people in similar situations as me and used it as a training opportunity," he said. "But apparently they don't do that anymore -- so I am going to have to take the fence down to get the boat out now."
"We will be taking this boat to Greece eventually, after I have retired, to spend some time in the sunshine," Melling said.
"I may even race it --- but right now the challenge is getting it out of the garden."
Shute Island light
Mariners are advised that the lighted port lateral mark No.2 beacon Q.R in approximate position latitude 20°17.5'S, longitude 148°47.98'E off the northern end of Shute Island has been reported to be unlit. Mariners should use caution in the vicinity. AUS chart: 253
Freedom may have problems
"I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it" - Thomas Jefferson
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
National event for Airlie
Whitsunday Sailing Club, in conjunction with North Queensland Sabot Association will jointly host the Australian National Sabot Titles in Airlie Beach, starting December 27. The regatta will cap off Whitsunday Sailing Club's "Year of Sail", which includes learn-to-sail courses for students of Cannonvale State School and Whitsunday Christian College.
Ghost who sails
A ghost ship was discovered in Italian waters when Coastguards spotted a 22-meter two-mast sailing ship near the Porto Rotondo resort but not giving any signs of life.
The vessel had no name and no flags. It also appeared to be free of any crew members, or any living thing at all for that matter. To add to the mystery Italian media sources reported that ships of this kind are not registered anywhere in Sardinia. And besides, no one has seen anything like it in all Italy.
After searching the ship's cabins coastguards discovered French maps of North African seas, a flag of Luxemburg, Egyptian food leftovers and a wooden tablet in bad Italian that said "Bel' Amica" (with only one "l" instead of two), which translates into English as "Beautiful Friend."
The ship's appearances point to the fact that it is very old.
Giants in deep water
Australian scientists believe they have discovered several new species of marine life in the Antarctic, where they have collected giant worms and spiders the size of dinner plates.
Three ships have returned from the Antarctic, where Australian, Japanese and French scientists conducted a census of life in the icy Southern Ocean off the region's east coast.
Among their findings were several previously unknown species, which will be sent to universities and museums around the world for identification, tissue sampling and DNA bar-coding.
Collaborative East Antarctic Marine Census project leader Graham Hosie said it was expected some new species would be found among the collection.
"Not all of the creatures that we found could be identified and it is very likely that some new species will be recorded as a result of these voyages," Dr Hosie said.
Glass-like animals called tunicates, fish, starfish, sea urchins and other organisms were among the rich range of marine life found by the Australian vessel, Aurora Australis, which scoured the sea bed, led by voyage leader Martin Riddle.
"In some places every inch of the sea floor is covered in life," Dr Riddle said.
"In other places we can see deep scars and gouges where icebergs scour the sea floor as they pass by.
"Gigantism is very common in Antarctic waters - we have collected huge worms, giant crustaceans and sea spiders the size of dinner plates."
The census results will be used to help monitor the impact of environmental change in Antarctic waters.
Mullet comeback
The mullet, haircut not fish, appears to be making a comeback -- in Ireland. The hair style seems to be all the rage among 13- to 18-year-old teens.
Acme Oysters
The Acme World Oyster Eating Championship was won Saturday by a 22-year-old Chicago man. Patrick "Deep Dish" Bertoletti took the title in
New Orleans by downing 35 dozen oysters in eight minutes.
A Titanic event
This week ham radio operators around the world are taking part in a special-event transmission to commemorate the 96th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic, originating from the Titanic museum in Branson.
Operators will transmit the news of the 96th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic using special event call sign W0S.
The special call sign, WØS, stands for "White Star," the name of the company that built the Titanic.
Speaking of the Titanic, why is there a little memorial far from the ocean in Broken Hill NSW, which remembers the Titanic sinking?
As a mining town, Broken Hill understands disaster and what it means to those close to such an event. The community feels the loss of life very keenly.
Well, 96 years ago, the ill-fated 'Titanic' struck an iceberg on her maiden voyage. In the early hours of the next morning as the ship was sinking, the heroic bandsmen on board continued to play. The citizens of Broken Hill, thousands of kilometres from the sea, were so moved by the bravery of the bandsmen they decided to construct a memorial in their honour.
If you visit Broken Hill visit this remarkable monument, and, if conditions are right, you may even hear those ill fated bandsmen playing "Nearer My God To Thee".
International Marconi Day 2008
The 21st International Marconi Day event takes place on April 26. Among the stations taking part will be EI0MAR, from the Vintage Radio Museum, located in the Martello tower in Howth, Ireland. An experimental Marconi wireless telegraphy station was set up at the same location in 1905. The HMS
Monarch, with wireless telegraphy equipment aboard, transmitted from various locations in the Irish Sea each time relaying its distance from the receiving station in Howth where signal strengths were logged.
The International Marconi Day event is organised by the Cornish Radio Amateur Club.
Another taking part in Marconi Day is the Maritime Radio Historical Society in the USA with transmitters at the site established in Bolinas, CA by the American Marconi Company in 1913.
Maltese Falcon adventure
"We have finished four of the most incredible days of diving ever," reports Tom Perkins of the 289-foot Dyna-Rig Maltese Falcon from Cocos Island, Costa Rica.
"The eight or so species of sharks in the Cocos were in full abundance, the water clear, and the temperature perfect; we swam with hundreds of the typical 2.5-meter hammerhead.
Cocos Island is a diver's paradise, and the island itself is beautiful. Cocos is the world's largest uninhabited island - only a handful of park rangers, camping ashore, together with a young marine biologist who joined us for some dives, are present.
"We were told that their 'patrol boat', a 12-ft outboard-powered skiff, was out of commission with motor troubles. Accordingly, fishing boats from several nations were poaching by fishing well inside the 12-mile prohibited zone. When we departed Cocos after dark, we immediately encountered seven illegal fishing boats only three miles offshore. In the darkness they interpreted our radar footprint - which must be awesome with our high carbon fibre masts and reflective carbon yards - as probably that of a warship so, upon our approach they pulled their nets and headed for legal waters.
We chased them for a couple of hours in radio silence, scanned the horizon with our powerful searchlight, and saw them over the border. They'll be back, of course, but it was fun helping enforce the law, if only for a few hours."
Marine Notices
Rattlesnake Island live firing
Mariners are advised that military units will be conducting live firing on Rattlesnake Island this week. The active area is a circle of 4.8 NM with the radius centred on approximate position latitude 19° 13.00' S, longitude 146° 55.00' E and not exceeding a height of 2000 feet above sea level.
The firing point is at approximate position latitude 19° 02.27' S, longitude 146° 36.43' E with a firing bearing of 305° (T).
Mariners are warned to keep well clear of this area throughout the above times. AUS charts: 256, 371, 827
Bailey Islet - Light altered
Australian Maritime Safety Authority has amended the range of the light to 15M 21 01.80 S 149 33.00 E
Black Island mark
Mariners are advised that the lighted special mark beacon Fl.Y.2.5s, which marks the reef off the northern end of Black Island in the Hayman Channel has been destroyed. Remnants of the beacon remain on the bottom. A lighted special mark buoy Fl.Y.2.5s has been temporarily established in the position of latitude 20° 04.5398' S, longitude 148° 53.5325' E, which is about 100 metres in a north-westerly direction from the beacon position. Mariners should use caution in the vicinity. AUS charts: 252, 254
Continue
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."- Winston Churchill
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Whitsunday Sailing Club, in conjunction with North Queensland Sabot Association will jointly host the Australian National Sabot Titles in Airlie Beach, starting December 27. The regatta will cap off Whitsunday Sailing Club's "Year of Sail", which includes learn-to-sail courses for students of Cannonvale State School and Whitsunday Christian College.
Ghost who sails
A ghost ship was discovered in Italian waters when Coastguards spotted a 22-meter two-mast sailing ship near the Porto Rotondo resort but not giving any signs of life.
The vessel had no name and no flags. It also appeared to be free of any crew members, or any living thing at all for that matter. To add to the mystery Italian media sources reported that ships of this kind are not registered anywhere in Sardinia. And besides, no one has seen anything like it in all Italy.
After searching the ship's cabins coastguards discovered French maps of North African seas, a flag of Luxemburg, Egyptian food leftovers and a wooden tablet in bad Italian that said "Bel' Amica" (with only one "l" instead of two), which translates into English as "Beautiful Friend."
The ship's appearances point to the fact that it is very old.
Giants in deep water
Australian scientists believe they have discovered several new species of marine life in the Antarctic, where they have collected giant worms and spiders the size of dinner plates.
Three ships have returned from the Antarctic, where Australian, Japanese and French scientists conducted a census of life in the icy Southern Ocean off the region's east coast.
Among their findings were several previously unknown species, which will be sent to universities and museums around the world for identification, tissue sampling and DNA bar-coding.
Collaborative East Antarctic Marine Census project leader Graham Hosie said it was expected some new species would be found among the collection.
"Not all of the creatures that we found could be identified and it is very likely that some new species will be recorded as a result of these voyages," Dr Hosie said.
Glass-like animals called tunicates, fish, starfish, sea urchins and other organisms were among the rich range of marine life found by the Australian vessel, Aurora Australis, which scoured the sea bed, led by voyage leader Martin Riddle.
"In some places every inch of the sea floor is covered in life," Dr Riddle said.
"In other places we can see deep scars and gouges where icebergs scour the sea floor as they pass by.
"Gigantism is very common in Antarctic waters - we have collected huge worms, giant crustaceans and sea spiders the size of dinner plates."
The census results will be used to help monitor the impact of environmental change in Antarctic waters.
Mullet comeback
The mullet, haircut not fish, appears to be making a comeback -- in Ireland. The hair style seems to be all the rage among 13- to 18-year-old teens.
Acme Oysters
The Acme World Oyster Eating Championship was won Saturday by a 22-year-old Chicago man. Patrick "Deep Dish" Bertoletti took the title in
New Orleans by downing 35 dozen oysters in eight minutes.
A Titanic event
This week ham radio operators around the world are taking part in a special-event transmission to commemorate the 96th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic, originating from the Titanic museum in Branson.
Operators will transmit the news of the 96th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic using special event call sign W0S.
The special call sign, WØS, stands for "White Star," the name of the company that built the Titanic.
Speaking of the Titanic, why is there a little memorial far from the ocean in Broken Hill NSW, which remembers the Titanic sinking?
As a mining town, Broken Hill understands disaster and what it means to those close to such an event. The community feels the loss of life very keenly.
Well, 96 years ago, the ill-fated 'Titanic' struck an iceberg on her maiden voyage. In the early hours of the next morning as the ship was sinking, the heroic bandsmen on board continued to play. The citizens of Broken Hill, thousands of kilometres from the sea, were so moved by the bravery of the bandsmen they decided to construct a memorial in their honour.
If you visit Broken Hill visit this remarkable monument, and, if conditions are right, you may even hear those ill fated bandsmen playing "Nearer My God To Thee".
International Marconi Day 2008
The 21st International Marconi Day event takes place on April 26. Among the stations taking part will be EI0MAR, from the Vintage Radio Museum, located in the Martello tower in Howth, Ireland. An experimental Marconi wireless telegraphy station was set up at the same location in 1905. The HMS
Monarch, with wireless telegraphy equipment aboard, transmitted from various locations in the Irish Sea each time relaying its distance from the receiving station in Howth where signal strengths were logged.
The International Marconi Day event is organised by the Cornish Radio Amateur Club.
Another taking part in Marconi Day is the Maritime Radio Historical Society in the USA with transmitters at the site established in Bolinas, CA by the American Marconi Company in 1913.
Maltese Falcon adventure
"We have finished four of the most incredible days of diving ever," reports Tom Perkins of the 289-foot Dyna-Rig Maltese Falcon from Cocos Island, Costa Rica.
"The eight or so species of sharks in the Cocos were in full abundance, the water clear, and the temperature perfect; we swam with hundreds of the typical 2.5-meter hammerhead.
Cocos Island is a diver's paradise, and the island itself is beautiful. Cocos is the world's largest uninhabited island - only a handful of park rangers, camping ashore, together with a young marine biologist who joined us for some dives, are present.
"We were told that their 'patrol boat', a 12-ft outboard-powered skiff, was out of commission with motor troubles. Accordingly, fishing boats from several nations were poaching by fishing well inside the 12-mile prohibited zone. When we departed Cocos after dark, we immediately encountered seven illegal fishing boats only three miles offshore. In the darkness they interpreted our radar footprint - which must be awesome with our high carbon fibre masts and reflective carbon yards - as probably that of a warship so, upon our approach they pulled their nets and headed for legal waters.
We chased them for a couple of hours in radio silence, scanned the horizon with our powerful searchlight, and saw them over the border. They'll be back, of course, but it was fun helping enforce the law, if only for a few hours."
Marine Notices
Rattlesnake Island live firing
Mariners are advised that military units will be conducting live firing on Rattlesnake Island this week. The active area is a circle of 4.8 NM with the radius centred on approximate position latitude 19° 13.00' S, longitude 146° 55.00' E and not exceeding a height of 2000 feet above sea level.
The firing point is at approximate position latitude 19° 02.27' S, longitude 146° 36.43' E with a firing bearing of 305° (T).
Mariners are warned to keep well clear of this area throughout the above times. AUS charts: 256, 371, 827
Bailey Islet - Light altered
Australian Maritime Safety Authority has amended the range of the light to 15M 21 01.80 S 149 33.00 E
Black Island mark
Mariners are advised that the lighted special mark beacon Fl.Y.2.5s, which marks the reef off the northern end of Black Island in the Hayman Channel has been destroyed. Remnants of the beacon remain on the bottom. A lighted special mark buoy Fl.Y.2.5s has been temporarily established in the position of latitude 20° 04.5398' S, longitude 148° 53.5325' E, which is about 100 metres in a north-westerly direction from the beacon position. Mariners should use caution in the vicinity. AUS charts: 252, 254
Continue
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."- Winston Churchill
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Queensland Recreational fishing survey
Are you a recreational fisher? If so, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) wants to hear from you.
They want to know what sort of fishing information you want, where you get it and how you think DPI&F could better communicate with recreational fishers.
Your feedback will greatly assist DPI&F to communicate more effectively with recreational fishers.
To help DPI gather this information, please complete the online survey at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/ Responses close Friday, 2 May 2008.
Pirates Seize Luxury Yacht
Pirates seized control of a French luxury yacht carrying 30 crew members Friday off the coast of Somalia. Attackers stormed the 288-foot (88 meter) French flagged sailing ship Le Ponant as it made passage without passengers between the Seychelles and the Med.
Somali officials urged tough action against pirates holding the French yacht after an elite French paramilitary unit was placed on standby to intervene if negotiations fail.
The local governor in Somalia's breakaway northern region of Puntland, Musa Ghelle Yusuf, said he would be "happy... to see the pirates killed" as a small French warship, the Commandant Bouan, maintained permanent surveillance of the vessel.
"The French and American ships must attack the pirates. They have our blessing," Ghelle said by phone, adding that the hijackers have been encouraged by ransoms paid in previous ship seizures.
"These pirates are terrorists and there is no need to negotiate with them," Ghelle said. "Attacking them will solve future piracy plans."
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) called on the international community to boost security on the northern Somali coast.
The IMB's Piracy Reporting Centre said anti-piracy activities, including patrols by coalition warships, had suppressed incidents on Somalia's east coast, but pirates had now headed north to the highly strategic Gulf of Aden.
"There are a lot of tankers carrying vulnerable cargo, and we are worried about an environmental disaster if there's any attack on chemical or crude oil tankers," he added.
Pirates seized more than two dozen ships off the Somali coast last year. The U.S. Navy has led international patrols to try to combat piracy in the region. Last year, the guided missile destroyer USS Porter opened fire to destroy pirate skiffs tied to a Japanese tanker.
Snakes at sea
While Queensland's east coast trawl fishery operators are mainly concerned about catching prawns and scallops, they also incidentally catch a range of bycatch species that can occasionally include highly venomous and hazardous sea snakes.
Sea snakes are protected species in Australian waters and in an effort to reduce the impact of trawling on sea snake populations, scientists from Queensland's Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) have been working closely with commercial trawler operators.
The research project, which was jointly funded by DPI&F and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), recorded information on trawler sea snake catch rates, sea snake species composition and mortality rates over the last three years. The study also measured the effectiveness of various bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) at excluding sea snakes from the fishing nets, with the aim of advising fishers about the best devices to use.
"Sea snakes can be traumatised and die when caught incidentally in trawl nets, and while the snakes are not usually aggressive, they are highly venomous and can be an unwelcome surprise for boat crews who have to return these protected species to the sea." says DPI&F principal fisheries biologist Dr Tony Courtney
Australia has 37 of the world's 54 sea snake species. Sea snakes are the only marine reptiles to spend their entire lives in the water and are protected throughout Australia.
Brains or beauty
Think you've got the brains? A leech has 32 brains. A slug has four noses.
What a choice.
Aluminium trivia
Almost 70% of the aluminium ever produced is still in use. That's 480 million metric tons of a total 690 million metric tons manufactured since 1886. Thanks to recycling!
Yummy slimehead for dinner
This deep-sea fish, slimehead, for some reason, proved unpopular with even the most ardent piscivore. Even the Japanese were reluctant to tuck into sashimi slimehead. But now, thousands of tonnes are sold each year. The secret? It's now orange roughy.
British company Marks & Spencer revealed that changing the name of pilchards to Cornish sardines has proved a sales winner. Too many people clearly had memories of tinned mush lurking in tomato sauce.
Plenty of other species are suddenly winning over consumers simply because they've got an attractive name. A flatfish called a witch has been renamed Torbay sole. Megrim, another flatfish, has had the marketing boys down and will henceforth be known as Cornish sole."
Years ago, you couldn't sell dogfish, because its sharky features proved a turn-off. But renamed rock salmon, it became a standard dish in chip shop. Sounds much like Australia.
What about Patagonian toothfish? Try a spot of Chilean sea bass, then.
Some restaurants sell cheap flounder, as more expensive plaice. "I don't know what you're worrying about anyway," the cook said. "They're all flatfish anyway." And she may soon be right.
"The cook was floundering, but I know my plaice," ><((((º>
Maritime notices
Shute Bay light
Mariners are advised that the lighted port lateral mark No.8 buoy Fl.R.2.5s adjacent to Shute Bay has been restored to normal. AUS Chart 253
Nara Inlet entrance light
Mariners are advised that the lighted port lateral mark buoy Fl.R.2.5s which has been temporarily established to mark the position of the destroyed lighted port lateral mark beacon Fl.R.2.5s in the entrance to Nara Inlet, which was reported as being off station, has been replaced in position. Mariners should use continue to exercise caution when transiting the entrance. AUS Chart 252
Seabed operations completed
Mariners are advised that the seabed hydrographic survey operations to be carried out in Pioneer Bay, Muddy Bay and Shute Harbour have been completed.
Cancel Notice: No.145 (T) of 2008. AUS Charts 252 253 824
History lesson
What did George Washington say to his men before they crossed the icy freezing Delaware River on a snowy, windy December 25 1776?
Probably, "Get in the boat!"
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Are you a recreational fisher? If so, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) wants to hear from you.
They want to know what sort of fishing information you want, where you get it and how you think DPI&F could better communicate with recreational fishers.
Your feedback will greatly assist DPI&F to communicate more effectively with recreational fishers.
To help DPI gather this information, please complete the online survey at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/ Responses close Friday, 2 May 2008.
Pirates Seize Luxury Yacht
Pirates seized control of a French luxury yacht carrying 30 crew members Friday off the coast of Somalia. Attackers stormed the 288-foot (88 meter) French flagged sailing ship Le Ponant as it made passage without passengers between the Seychelles and the Med.
Somali officials urged tough action against pirates holding the French yacht after an elite French paramilitary unit was placed on standby to intervene if negotiations fail.
The local governor in Somalia's breakaway northern region of Puntland, Musa Ghelle Yusuf, said he would be "happy... to see the pirates killed" as a small French warship, the Commandant Bouan, maintained permanent surveillance of the vessel.
"The French and American ships must attack the pirates. They have our blessing," Ghelle said by phone, adding that the hijackers have been encouraged by ransoms paid in previous ship seizures.
"These pirates are terrorists and there is no need to negotiate with them," Ghelle said. "Attacking them will solve future piracy plans."
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) called on the international community to boost security on the northern Somali coast.
The IMB's Piracy Reporting Centre said anti-piracy activities, including patrols by coalition warships, had suppressed incidents on Somalia's east coast, but pirates had now headed north to the highly strategic Gulf of Aden.
"There are a lot of tankers carrying vulnerable cargo, and we are worried about an environmental disaster if there's any attack on chemical or crude oil tankers," he added.
Pirates seized more than two dozen ships off the Somali coast last year. The U.S. Navy has led international patrols to try to combat piracy in the region. Last year, the guided missile destroyer USS Porter opened fire to destroy pirate skiffs tied to a Japanese tanker.
Snakes at sea
While Queensland's east coast trawl fishery operators are mainly concerned about catching prawns and scallops, they also incidentally catch a range of bycatch species that can occasionally include highly venomous and hazardous sea snakes.
Sea snakes are protected species in Australian waters and in an effort to reduce the impact of trawling on sea snake populations, scientists from Queensland's Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) have been working closely with commercial trawler operators.
The research project, which was jointly funded by DPI&F and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), recorded information on trawler sea snake catch rates, sea snake species composition and mortality rates over the last three years. The study also measured the effectiveness of various bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) at excluding sea snakes from the fishing nets, with the aim of advising fishers about the best devices to use.
"Sea snakes can be traumatised and die when caught incidentally in trawl nets, and while the snakes are not usually aggressive, they are highly venomous and can be an unwelcome surprise for boat crews who have to return these protected species to the sea." says DPI&F principal fisheries biologist Dr Tony Courtney
Australia has 37 of the world's 54 sea snake species. Sea snakes are the only marine reptiles to spend their entire lives in the water and are protected throughout Australia.
Brains or beauty
Think you've got the brains? A leech has 32 brains. A slug has four noses.
What a choice.
Aluminium trivia
Almost 70% of the aluminium ever produced is still in use. That's 480 million metric tons of a total 690 million metric tons manufactured since 1886. Thanks to recycling!
Yummy slimehead for dinner
This deep-sea fish, slimehead, for some reason, proved unpopular with even the most ardent piscivore. Even the Japanese were reluctant to tuck into sashimi slimehead. But now, thousands of tonnes are sold each year. The secret? It's now orange roughy.
British company Marks & Spencer revealed that changing the name of pilchards to Cornish sardines has proved a sales winner. Too many people clearly had memories of tinned mush lurking in tomato sauce.
Plenty of other species are suddenly winning over consumers simply because they've got an attractive name. A flatfish called a witch has been renamed Torbay sole. Megrim, another flatfish, has had the marketing boys down and will henceforth be known as Cornish sole."
Years ago, you couldn't sell dogfish, because its sharky features proved a turn-off. But renamed rock salmon, it became a standard dish in chip shop. Sounds much like Australia.
What about Patagonian toothfish? Try a spot of Chilean sea bass, then.
Some restaurants sell cheap flounder, as more expensive plaice. "I don't know what you're worrying about anyway," the cook said. "They're all flatfish anyway." And she may soon be right.
"The cook was floundering, but I know my plaice," ><((((º>
Maritime notices
Shute Bay light
Mariners are advised that the lighted port lateral mark No.8 buoy Fl.R.2.5s adjacent to Shute Bay has been restored to normal. AUS Chart 253
Nara Inlet entrance light
Mariners are advised that the lighted port lateral mark buoy Fl.R.2.5s which has been temporarily established to mark the position of the destroyed lighted port lateral mark beacon Fl.R.2.5s in the entrance to Nara Inlet, which was reported as being off station, has been replaced in position. Mariners should use continue to exercise caution when transiting the entrance. AUS Chart 252
Seabed operations completed
Mariners are advised that the seabed hydrographic survey operations to be carried out in Pioneer Bay, Muddy Bay and Shute Harbour have been completed.
Cancel Notice: No.145 (T) of 2008. AUS Charts 252 253 824
History lesson
What did George Washington say to his men before they crossed the icy freezing Delaware River on a snowy, windy December 25 1776?
Probably, "Get in the boat!"
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Lack of lights 'led to fatal ferry crash'
A lack of navigation lights and a failure to keep a proper lookout on board a private motor cruiser led to a collision with a Sydney Ferry which killed four people, a maritime investigation has found.
The Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI) handed down its report on the collision on March 28 last year between the cruiser Merinda and the ferry Pam Burridge under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Four people died after the Merinda, with a dozen prominent members of Australia's ice skating community on board, was cut in half by the HarbourCat ferry.
The OTSI report says the collision happened because the Merinda was not operating with navigation lights and the vessels did not see each other.
The lack of lights meant the master of the Pam Burridge did not see the Merinda until it was too late.
A failure to maintain a proper lookout on the Merinda meant those on board the motor cruiser did not detect the ferry, the report said.
Titanic replica arrives in Mackay
"The famous Titanic replica will arrive in Mackay this morning and will be open to the public" read an email on Tuesday morning this week.
"Mackay is the first stop on an extended Australian tour for the famous ship.
"The builders, ADF Constructions, invite the public to enjoy morning tea onboard at the Mackay marina and to inspect the luxury ship.
"Further information and to book school tours please call 49xxx (the number of a local radio station)
Yes, it was April 1 and April Fools jokes were rife.
Among others were 'Toad fish attacks on increase', Pods of beached dolphins / whales almost in your backyard and the 'news' that a tourism venture for Japanese visitors would harpoon whales with paint ball cannons.
Better luck next year!
Rowing Yer Boat
Two blondes were driving along a road by a wheat field when they saw a blonde in the middle of the field rowing a row boat.
The driver blonde turned to her friend and said "You know - it's blondes like that that give us a bad name!"
"I know it, and if I knew how to swim, I'd go out there and drown her."
Queensland: Premier Boating State
Queensland is now the premier recreational boating state in Australia, with more registered boats than any other state or territory in the country.
Marine Queensland's retiring general manager, Barry Hibberd, said Queensland had surpassed New South Wales as the country's most popular boating community.
Mr Hibberd said it was satisfying to know that Queensland had achieved Australia's top boating status in his retirement year.
'Over the past decade, boating popularity in Queensland has created a wide variety of supply and demand issues with which industry has had to deal,' he said.
Mr Hibberd said it was a surge in boating popularity in the last quarter of 2007 which pushed Queensland's boat registration numbers past those of New South Wales.
At the end of January, boating registrations in Queensland totalled 219,643.
'The summer boating season got off to a bumper start last year with 1,186 registrations during September - a 26 per cent increase on September 2006, and a strong upward trend continued throughout the final quarter to push Queensland to a new Australian boating record,' said Mr Hibberd.
He said the popularity of recreational boating in Queensland continued unabated, with boat registrations growing at about six per cent a year and with one in five people over 15 years of age holding some form of marine licence.
'The number of boats on local waterways is growing by around 10,000 every year and this rate has outstripped population growth by about two-to-one annually for the past five years,' Mr Hibberd said.
'As an example of growth in the big boat market, since 2002 on the Gold Coast, the number of vessels over 10 metres increased by 47 per cent and the number over 15 metres increased by 93 per cent.
'But this big boat growth has been right across the state, exacerbating the shortage of local marina berths.'
He said the shortage of marina berths also had caused a spike in value of private waterfront residential properties with boating facilities.
He said boating popularity would keep pressure on all levels of government to ensure supply of facilities such as public ramps, pontoons and jetties kept pace with public demand.
James has a new toy
Jaunting around the Whitsunday Islands with casino mogul James Packer on his new $17-million, 32-metre Italian Mangusta 107 super yacht last week were cricketer Andrew Symonds and his girlfriend Kate Johnson, who among other guests on the floating palace, buzzed about on jet skis off Whitehaven beach.
Also in the neighbourhood, soaking up the sun on Hamilton Island, was Rogue Traders babe Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Google chief executive Eric Schmidt.
While the winter trips to the Whitsundays are just beginning for this year, Sydney is currently enjoying most of the income.
While visiting celebrities make themselves comfortable aboard the biggest status symbols on the water, the economy is raking in millions each week.
NSW Maritime spokeswoman Penny Robins said more than 50 of the 24 metre-plus cruisers were expected to tie up in Sydney this summer.
"Sydney Harbour will host more super yachts this summer than during the bumper season of the 2000 Sydney Olympics," she said.
They generate about $2 million a week to local businesses, for berthing, provisioning, security, transport, maintenance, repairs and spare parts.
TV mogul Reg Grundy's $90 million blue and white floating palace Boadicea usually visits up north each year to enjoy the Whitsundays.
The five-deck Boadicea has a cinema, bars and a swimming pool. Two weeks ago it was the venue for a celebrity-studded party to launch the latest book by Grundy's wife, Joy Chambers.
Billionaire James Packer is waiting for a $50 million Mangusta 165 to be built. When it is delivered it will be the world's largest open yacht at 50 metres and is expected to be moored in the Mediterranean to be used as Mr Packer's European base.
His father's old boat, the converted icebreaker Arctic P has not been seen in Australia recently.
It was last lent to Hollywood star Tom Cruise for his honeymoon with Katie Holmes in the Maldives.
Property developer Lang Walker has his 37.5-metre cruiser Kokomo II and his Georgetown registered sailing yacht Kokomo with its 49-metre mast. Confusingly, millionaire ethanol producer Dick Honan also has a super yacht, called Kokomo III.
Last week the 50-metre Andromeda was at Campbells Cove, the 48-metre Morning Glory was at Berrys Bay, the 45-metre Texas was at Woolwich and the 42-metre Nelson was at Mosman Bay.
New Zealand billionaire businessman Graeme Hart's $90-million vessel, Ulysses, has also been seen, as has Channel Seven boss Kerry Stokes's sleek Antipodean, and then there is Seafaris, the 41-metre catamaran chartered by Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary for a cruise to Pittwater during their recent visit to Sydney.
Tiring just keeping track, time for a G&T.
No-Go Zone lifted
Mariners are advised that the vessel "Romance" has now been refloated and the 1/2 nautical mile exclusion zone surrounding the vessel has now been lifted. Cancel Notice: 144 (T) of 2008 AUS Chart: 252
> <((((º>
"Suburbia is where the developer bulldozes the trees, then names the streets after them"
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
A lack of navigation lights and a failure to keep a proper lookout on board a private motor cruiser led to a collision with a Sydney Ferry which killed four people, a maritime investigation has found.
The Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI) handed down its report on the collision on March 28 last year between the cruiser Merinda and the ferry Pam Burridge under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Four people died after the Merinda, with a dozen prominent members of Australia's ice skating community on board, was cut in half by the HarbourCat ferry.
The OTSI report says the collision happened because the Merinda was not operating with navigation lights and the vessels did not see each other.
The lack of lights meant the master of the Pam Burridge did not see the Merinda until it was too late.
A failure to maintain a proper lookout on the Merinda meant those on board the motor cruiser did not detect the ferry, the report said.
Titanic replica arrives in Mackay
"The famous Titanic replica will arrive in Mackay this morning and will be open to the public" read an email on Tuesday morning this week.
"Mackay is the first stop on an extended Australian tour for the famous ship.
"The builders, ADF Constructions, invite the public to enjoy morning tea onboard at the Mackay marina and to inspect the luxury ship.
"Further information and to book school tours please call 49xxx (the number of a local radio station)
Yes, it was April 1 and April Fools jokes were rife.
Among others were 'Toad fish attacks on increase', Pods of beached dolphins / whales almost in your backyard and the 'news' that a tourism venture for Japanese visitors would harpoon whales with paint ball cannons.
Better luck next year!
Rowing Yer Boat
Two blondes were driving along a road by a wheat field when they saw a blonde in the middle of the field rowing a row boat.
The driver blonde turned to her friend and said "You know - it's blondes like that that give us a bad name!"
"I know it, and if I knew how to swim, I'd go out there and drown her."
Queensland: Premier Boating State
Queensland is now the premier recreational boating state in Australia, with more registered boats than any other state or territory in the country.
Marine Queensland's retiring general manager, Barry Hibberd, said Queensland had surpassed New South Wales as the country's most popular boating community.
Mr Hibberd said it was satisfying to know that Queensland had achieved Australia's top boating status in his retirement year.
'Over the past decade, boating popularity in Queensland has created a wide variety of supply and demand issues with which industry has had to deal,' he said.
Mr Hibberd said it was a surge in boating popularity in the last quarter of 2007 which pushed Queensland's boat registration numbers past those of New South Wales.
At the end of January, boating registrations in Queensland totalled 219,643.
'The summer boating season got off to a bumper start last year with 1,186 registrations during September - a 26 per cent increase on September 2006, and a strong upward trend continued throughout the final quarter to push Queensland to a new Australian boating record,' said Mr Hibberd.
He said the popularity of recreational boating in Queensland continued unabated, with boat registrations growing at about six per cent a year and with one in five people over 15 years of age holding some form of marine licence.
'The number of boats on local waterways is growing by around 10,000 every year and this rate has outstripped population growth by about two-to-one annually for the past five years,' Mr Hibberd said.
'As an example of growth in the big boat market, since 2002 on the Gold Coast, the number of vessels over 10 metres increased by 47 per cent and the number over 15 metres increased by 93 per cent.
'But this big boat growth has been right across the state, exacerbating the shortage of local marina berths.'
He said the shortage of marina berths also had caused a spike in value of private waterfront residential properties with boating facilities.
He said boating popularity would keep pressure on all levels of government to ensure supply of facilities such as public ramps, pontoons and jetties kept pace with public demand.
James has a new toy
Jaunting around the Whitsunday Islands with casino mogul James Packer on his new $17-million, 32-metre Italian Mangusta 107 super yacht last week were cricketer Andrew Symonds and his girlfriend Kate Johnson, who among other guests on the floating palace, buzzed about on jet skis off Whitehaven beach.
Also in the neighbourhood, soaking up the sun on Hamilton Island, was Rogue Traders babe Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Google chief executive Eric Schmidt.
While the winter trips to the Whitsundays are just beginning for this year, Sydney is currently enjoying most of the income.
While visiting celebrities make themselves comfortable aboard the biggest status symbols on the water, the economy is raking in millions each week.
NSW Maritime spokeswoman Penny Robins said more than 50 of the 24 metre-plus cruisers were expected to tie up in Sydney this summer.
"Sydney Harbour will host more super yachts this summer than during the bumper season of the 2000 Sydney Olympics," she said.
They generate about $2 million a week to local businesses, for berthing, provisioning, security, transport, maintenance, repairs and spare parts.
TV mogul Reg Grundy's $90 million blue and white floating palace Boadicea usually visits up north each year to enjoy the Whitsundays.
The five-deck Boadicea has a cinema, bars and a swimming pool. Two weeks ago it was the venue for a celebrity-studded party to launch the latest book by Grundy's wife, Joy Chambers.
Billionaire James Packer is waiting for a $50 million Mangusta 165 to be built. When it is delivered it will be the world's largest open yacht at 50 metres and is expected to be moored in the Mediterranean to be used as Mr Packer's European base.
His father's old boat, the converted icebreaker Arctic P has not been seen in Australia recently.
It was last lent to Hollywood star Tom Cruise for his honeymoon with Katie Holmes in the Maldives.
Property developer Lang Walker has his 37.5-metre cruiser Kokomo II and his Georgetown registered sailing yacht Kokomo with its 49-metre mast. Confusingly, millionaire ethanol producer Dick Honan also has a super yacht, called Kokomo III.
Last week the 50-metre Andromeda was at Campbells Cove, the 48-metre Morning Glory was at Berrys Bay, the 45-metre Texas was at Woolwich and the 42-metre Nelson was at Mosman Bay.
New Zealand billionaire businessman Graeme Hart's $90-million vessel, Ulysses, has also been seen, as has Channel Seven boss Kerry Stokes's sleek Antipodean, and then there is Seafaris, the 41-metre catamaran chartered by Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary for a cruise to Pittwater during their recent visit to Sydney.
Tiring just keeping track, time for a G&T.
No-Go Zone lifted
Mariners are advised that the vessel "Romance" has now been refloated and the 1/2 nautical mile exclusion zone surrounding the vessel has now been lifted. Cancel Notice: 144 (T) of 2008 AUS Chart: 252
> <((((º>
"Suburbia is where the developer bulldozes the trees, then names the streets after them"
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Aye, 'twas Blowen in Bowen for Easter Regatta
Sailors enjoyed the fresh breezes of Bowen on the weekend for the Easter Regatta with both off-beach and offshore yachts competing with good fleets.
The usually stiff breeze was a bit much for the younger sailors however there was plenty to do and all were looked after by the great crew at the Port Denison Sailing Club and the North Queensland Cruising Yacht Club. The volunteers of VMR and the Whitsunday Sailing Club helped man the radios and support boats to ensure safety and camaraderie both on and off the magnificent waters of Edgecumbe Bay.
Your Waterfront writer also learned that Bowen used to be Blowen, but the wind blew the 'L' out of Bowen.
Blessing of the Fleet Airlie Beach,
Our Blessing of the Fleet in Airlie Beach is held each year On Whitsun Day or Pentecost Sunday as our special day falling this year on Sunday, May 11.
A Blessing of the Fleet is part of the activities of many seaside and fishing communities around the world. Here in Whitsunday, we celebrate the naming of our Whitsunday area by James Cook in 1770.
This year a 'Festival of the Wind' incorporating the 19th annual Blessing of the Fleet is now being planned. The community is invited to add to and join in with the draft program now at http://blessingofthefleet.blogspot.com/
Pirates sail Sydney
This Sunday March 30 is the annual Royal Australian Navy Sailing Association
(RANSA) Pirates Day Race around Sydney Harbour with all funds raised going to the Sir David Martin Foundation, who are dedicated to supporting 'Young People in Crisis'.
The day starts at 11.45am under the big flagpole with a Pirate briefing where race instructions are handed out. Importantly, this race is about rat cunning and local knowledge and you will be given a list of questions and clues to follow. The race takes about an hour and a half to complete (under motor) and you should be ready to repel boarders at all times.
Following the race it's back to home port (RANSA) where the BBQ followed by the Rescue the Wench Race, Treasure Hunt, Tug of War competition and finally the awarding of prizes for Best Pirate and Wench, Best Pirate Ship and overall winner.
This is a great day for kids, so dress up your Pirate Ship with as many Pirate flags and accessories as possible, and most importantly - that you look like Pirates and Wenches - arggghhhhhh!!!
Li-low slashed, African dies
Three Spanish policemen face murder charges after a Senegalese man drowned when they allegedly punctured the inflatable mattress he was using to try to reach Spanish territory.
Laucling Sonko, 29, and three other Africans were intercepted by a Civil Guard boat as they approached a beach in Ceuta, Spain's North African enclave, last September.
The group had left Morocco using the li-low mattress to take them into Spanish waters. They were stopped metres from their destination and a police patrol boat towed them back into Moroccan territorial waters.
The policemen allegedly slashed their mattress 100 meters from the shore, ignoring Mr Sonko's pleas that he could not swim.
Marine head elected
Barry Jenkins has been elected unopposed as president of Marine Queensland, setting a new record for the state's peak marine group.
MQ general manager, Don Jones, said no other president had served for six consecutive years in the association's 34 year history.
Mr Jones said the unprecedented election results ushered in an era of stability and continuity for the association.
"The board can press on with its strategic plan uninterrupted by the retraining and education that follows election of new directors," Mr Jones said.
MQ directors are president, Barry Jenkins; vice-president, Rob Elwell; treasurer, Chris Grice; and committee members, Chris Carrington, James Cullen, Sharon Russell, Peter Taylor and Robbie Williams.
Mr Jones said the stable line-up of directors would assist with his transition into the role of general manager, following the retirement of previous general manager, Barry Hibberd, later this week.
The annual general meeting unanimously applauded Mr Hibberd's outstanding service to the industry and association since he was elected director of the Boating Industry Association of Queensland (the forerunner to MQ) in 1996 and general manager in 2000.
Offshore Challenge 2008 announced
The Australian Offshore Challenge is heading for Queensland, and the level of interest has been phenomenal say organisers.
The proposed course will run from Southport or Coomera starting on Sunday September 7th and finish at Airlie Beach one week later.
Even at this early stage, expressions of interest have been coming in from manufacturers, dealers and owners of a huge variety of power boats. We have had to expand the number and description of classes to cater for the broad mix of vessel types, sizes, power and configuration.
In addition to more "conventional" craft, the event office has received a strong level of enquiry from importers and owners of RIB's (sorry, RHIB's!). Clearly this event is an ideal testing ground for these high performance speciality craft.
You can expect some challenging navigation and a lot of spectacular scenery with each day offering a unique and different experience through one of the world's most beautiful coastal passages.
Being a navigational rally, the actual course to be followed will remain a secret until the start of each day.
The Australian Offshore Challenge offers a fantastic adventure for all power boat enthusiasts
Multihull petition
To date more than 5,700 petitioners including ISAF Sailors of the Year and Olympic medallists have signed the IOC petition asking that multihulls be included in the Sailing Regatta for the 2012 Olympics to be held in the UK.
It is probably the largest ever grass roots expression of concern at the management of our sport and concerns excluding a large part of the sport.
The multihull class was voted out at a meeting of the ISAF Council in November last year.
Before the November ISAF meeting the multihull community was unaware what was at stake or what to do to about it. Now that we know, we need to gather whatever submissions we can, however short the notice.
Ferals will be shot on sight
Mariners are advised that a feral animal control program is planned to take place on Wild Duck Island, Turn Island, South Percy Island and St Bee's Island in the Mackay\Capricorn National Parks Management Area of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
These control operations will commence at 0800 hours on Monday, March 31 and continue until 1800 hours on Friday, April 4. This program will require the use of live firing of weapons.
An exclusion zone will be placed around Wild Duck Island, Turn Island, South Percy Island and St Bee's Island. The exclusion zone will extend seaward of the High Water mark by 200 metres.
All vessels are to remain clear of exclusion zones during the above detailed times. Marine VHF security calls will be made morning, midday and afternoon on channel 16. A Marine Parks vessel will be patrolling the outer edge of the exclusion zones. AUS charts: 251, 823
True fact revealed
"The first sailboat race occurred the first time one boat came within sight of another"
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Sailors enjoyed the fresh breezes of Bowen on the weekend for the Easter Regatta with both off-beach and offshore yachts competing with good fleets.
The usually stiff breeze was a bit much for the younger sailors however there was plenty to do and all were looked after by the great crew at the Port Denison Sailing Club and the North Queensland Cruising Yacht Club. The volunteers of VMR and the Whitsunday Sailing Club helped man the radios and support boats to ensure safety and camaraderie both on and off the magnificent waters of Edgecumbe Bay.
Your Waterfront writer also learned that Bowen used to be Blowen, but the wind blew the 'L' out of Bowen.
Blessing of the Fleet Airlie Beach,
Our Blessing of the Fleet in Airlie Beach is held each year On Whitsun Day or Pentecost Sunday as our special day falling this year on Sunday, May 11.
A Blessing of the Fleet is part of the activities of many seaside and fishing communities around the world. Here in Whitsunday, we celebrate the naming of our Whitsunday area by James Cook in 1770.
This year a 'Festival of the Wind' incorporating the 19th annual Blessing of the Fleet is now being planned. The community is invited to add to and join in with the draft program now at http://blessingofthefleet.blogspot.com/
Pirates sail Sydney
This Sunday March 30 is the annual Royal Australian Navy Sailing Association
(RANSA) Pirates Day Race around Sydney Harbour with all funds raised going to the Sir David Martin Foundation, who are dedicated to supporting 'Young People in Crisis'.
The day starts at 11.45am under the big flagpole with a Pirate briefing where race instructions are handed out. Importantly, this race is about rat cunning and local knowledge and you will be given a list of questions and clues to follow. The race takes about an hour and a half to complete (under motor) and you should be ready to repel boarders at all times.
Following the race it's back to home port (RANSA) where the BBQ followed by the Rescue the Wench Race, Treasure Hunt, Tug of War competition and finally the awarding of prizes for Best Pirate and Wench, Best Pirate Ship and overall winner.
This is a great day for kids, so dress up your Pirate Ship with as many Pirate flags and accessories as possible, and most importantly - that you look like Pirates and Wenches - arggghhhhhh!!!
Li-low slashed, African dies
Three Spanish policemen face murder charges after a Senegalese man drowned when they allegedly punctured the inflatable mattress he was using to try to reach Spanish territory.
Laucling Sonko, 29, and three other Africans were intercepted by a Civil Guard boat as they approached a beach in Ceuta, Spain's North African enclave, last September.
The group had left Morocco using the li-low mattress to take them into Spanish waters. They were stopped metres from their destination and a police patrol boat towed them back into Moroccan territorial waters.
The policemen allegedly slashed their mattress 100 meters from the shore, ignoring Mr Sonko's pleas that he could not swim.
Marine head elected
Barry Jenkins has been elected unopposed as president of Marine Queensland, setting a new record for the state's peak marine group.
MQ general manager, Don Jones, said no other president had served for six consecutive years in the association's 34 year history.
Mr Jones said the unprecedented election results ushered in an era of stability and continuity for the association.
"The board can press on with its strategic plan uninterrupted by the retraining and education that follows election of new directors," Mr Jones said.
MQ directors are president, Barry Jenkins; vice-president, Rob Elwell; treasurer, Chris Grice; and committee members, Chris Carrington, James Cullen, Sharon Russell, Peter Taylor and Robbie Williams.
Mr Jones said the stable line-up of directors would assist with his transition into the role of general manager, following the retirement of previous general manager, Barry Hibberd, later this week.
The annual general meeting unanimously applauded Mr Hibberd's outstanding service to the industry and association since he was elected director of the Boating Industry Association of Queensland (the forerunner to MQ) in 1996 and general manager in 2000.
Offshore Challenge 2008 announced
The Australian Offshore Challenge is heading for Queensland, and the level of interest has been phenomenal say organisers.
The proposed course will run from Southport or Coomera starting on Sunday September 7th and finish at Airlie Beach one week later.
Even at this early stage, expressions of interest have been coming in from manufacturers, dealers and owners of a huge variety of power boats. We have had to expand the number and description of classes to cater for the broad mix of vessel types, sizes, power and configuration.
In addition to more "conventional" craft, the event office has received a strong level of enquiry from importers and owners of RIB's (sorry, RHIB's!). Clearly this event is an ideal testing ground for these high performance speciality craft.
You can expect some challenging navigation and a lot of spectacular scenery with each day offering a unique and different experience through one of the world's most beautiful coastal passages.
Being a navigational rally, the actual course to be followed will remain a secret until the start of each day.
The Australian Offshore Challenge offers a fantastic adventure for all power boat enthusiasts
Multihull petition
To date more than 5,700 petitioners including ISAF Sailors of the Year and Olympic medallists have signed the IOC petition asking that multihulls be included in the Sailing Regatta for the 2012 Olympics to be held in the UK.
It is probably the largest ever grass roots expression of concern at the management of our sport and concerns excluding a large part of the sport.
The multihull class was voted out at a meeting of the ISAF Council in November last year.
Before the November ISAF meeting the multihull community was unaware what was at stake or what to do to about it. Now that we know, we need to gather whatever submissions we can, however short the notice.
Ferals will be shot on sight
Mariners are advised that a feral animal control program is planned to take place on Wild Duck Island, Turn Island, South Percy Island and St Bee's Island in the Mackay\Capricorn National Parks Management Area of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
These control operations will commence at 0800 hours on Monday, March 31 and continue until 1800 hours on Friday, April 4. This program will require the use of live firing of weapons.
An exclusion zone will be placed around Wild Duck Island, Turn Island, South Percy Island and St Bee's Island. The exclusion zone will extend seaward of the High Water mark by 200 metres.
All vessels are to remain clear of exclusion zones during the above detailed times. Marine VHF security calls will be made morning, midday and afternoon on channel 16. A Marine Parks vessel will be patrolling the outer edge of the exclusion zones. AUS charts: 251, 823
True fact revealed
"The first sailboat race occurred the first time one boat came within sight of another"
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Pope to take a Captain Cook of Sydney
A harbour cruise is a 'must do' for any visitor to the Harbour City of Sydney.
His Holiness Benedict XVI is no exception.
Sydney World Youth Day coordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher said this week that a flotilla of boats carrying youth representatives and Catholic Church dignitaries from around the world will accompany the Captain Cook Cruises ship carrying the Pope as it arrives on July 17 for the official papal welcome.
"Hundred of thousands of young people will await him as he alights from this newly named Popeboat 'Barangaroo Wharf'," Bishop Anthony said on board the ship on Sydney Harbour.
While we all like talking and worrying about the weather, His Holiness will also take his chances with the weather, but with some help.
"I have nuns all around this country praying for good weather," Bishop Anthony Fisher says.
This week Bishop Fisher outlined the Pontiff's nautical jaunt while standing aboard the newly designated Popeboat. Pope Benedict will arrive via a 13-vessel "boat-a-cade" - a nautical adaptation of the traditional Papal motorcade.
Cap'n Bligh in Airlie
Hon Anna Bligh MP Premier of Queensland received her Ship Captain Certificate last week in Airlie Beach from Cap'n Dan representing the Polite Pirates of Whitsunday
Cap'n Anna said she had two teenaged sons, one of whom really liked talking like a pirate, so she could consider attending International Talk Like a Pirate Day in Airlie Beach on Saturday September 20.
Details at http://piratesofwhitsunday.blogspot.com/
Blowin' in Bowen
This weekend the Whitsunday Easter Regatta and North Queensland Championships are to be sailed in Bowen, Whitsunday North.
Hosted by Port Denison Sailing Club and Whitsunday Sailing Club the program starts on Saturday morning with sailing in the afternoon and a welcome BBQ at the PDS Club at sunset.
All classes are catered for and there may be vacancies on either private or official boats, especially in a working capacity, for people who may wish to get on the water. There may also be crewing positions for those sailors who don't have their own boat at the regatta. Let the registration crew know, so they can help you.
If required, there will be a special course/event set up for novice sailors, close inshore in sheltered waters, allowing them to participate without the pressure and distance of the larger courses.
Info: Jeremy 0429 315 939 Linda 0747862331
Rally for Mackay
Mackay Marina Village has been chosen as the new Australian Port of Entry for the Blue Water Rally.
The Blue Water Rally is a biannual event which enables cruising sailors to fulfil their dream of circumnavigating the world in their own yachts, accompanied by families and friends. Safe passage is made possible by a dedicated support team. This is the seventh world Rally organised by Blue Water Rallies Ltd and the fleet is made up from 30 yachts from 9 nations. Currently in the Galapagos Islands the yachts are due to arrive into Mackay in August for a 10 day stopover before continuing on to Darwin.
Rally Director, Peter Seymour who visited Mackay in January commented: "I was delighted with my visit to Mackay Marina and to the city. Australia has always been an important stopover for our crews, who particularly need good boatyard facilities for refitting their yachts halfway round the world.
Our visit to Mackay promises to be a great success and we look forward very much to arriving in August."
Ahoy! Err, Hello
Without Thomas A. Edison, we would all answer the telephone "Ahoy-ahoy!" like Mr. Burns. Yup, that's where that came from! When Bell invented the phone, he used to answer it that way, but Edison, who made great strides in furthering phone technology, politely suggested "hello" as a better option.
Sabot
The name "sabot" (pronounced sab-oo) comes from wooden shoes traditionally worn in some European countries, called clogs. The word is of French origin. The word sabotage was supposedly derived from sabot, as people would drop these wooden shoes into machinery when displeased with the conditions of their employment in order to stop production.
Nara Inlet light
Mariners are advised that the lighted port lateral mark buoy Fl.R.2.5s which has been temporarily established to mark the position of the destroyed lighted port lateral mark beacon in the entrance to Nara Inlet, has been reported to be off station. The position of the buoy is reported to be about 150 metres to the west of the charted beacon position. The buoy will be put back into its correct position on the end of the reef in the near future. Mariners should use caution when transiting the entrance. AUS chart: 252
Bright side of life?
"It is not fair for you to think negative thoughts and then to expect others to bring you happiness. It cannot be done. There is but one source of happiness and that is within you"
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
A harbour cruise is a 'must do' for any visitor to the Harbour City of Sydney.
His Holiness Benedict XVI is no exception.
Sydney World Youth Day coordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher said this week that a flotilla of boats carrying youth representatives and Catholic Church dignitaries from around the world will accompany the Captain Cook Cruises ship carrying the Pope as it arrives on July 17 for the official papal welcome.
"Hundred of thousands of young people will await him as he alights from this newly named Popeboat 'Barangaroo Wharf'," Bishop Anthony said on board the ship on Sydney Harbour.
While we all like talking and worrying about the weather, His Holiness will also take his chances with the weather, but with some help.
"I have nuns all around this country praying for good weather," Bishop Anthony Fisher says.
This week Bishop Fisher outlined the Pontiff's nautical jaunt while standing aboard the newly designated Popeboat. Pope Benedict will arrive via a 13-vessel "boat-a-cade" - a nautical adaptation of the traditional Papal motorcade.
Cap'n Bligh in Airlie
Hon Anna Bligh MP Premier of Queensland received her Ship Captain Certificate last week in Airlie Beach from Cap'n Dan representing the Polite Pirates of Whitsunday
Cap'n Anna said she had two teenaged sons, one of whom really liked talking like a pirate, so she could consider attending International Talk Like a Pirate Day in Airlie Beach on Saturday September 20.
Details at http://piratesofwhitsunday.blogspot.com/
Blowin' in Bowen
This weekend the Whitsunday Easter Regatta and North Queensland Championships are to be sailed in Bowen, Whitsunday North.
Hosted by Port Denison Sailing Club and Whitsunday Sailing Club the program starts on Saturday morning with sailing in the afternoon and a welcome BBQ at the PDS Club at sunset.
All classes are catered for and there may be vacancies on either private or official boats, especially in a working capacity, for people who may wish to get on the water. There may also be crewing positions for those sailors who don't have their own boat at the regatta. Let the registration crew know, so they can help you.
If required, there will be a special course/event set up for novice sailors, close inshore in sheltered waters, allowing them to participate without the pressure and distance of the larger courses.
Info: Jeremy 0429 315 939 Linda 0747862331
Rally for Mackay
Mackay Marina Village has been chosen as the new Australian Port of Entry for the Blue Water Rally.
The Blue Water Rally is a biannual event which enables cruising sailors to fulfil their dream of circumnavigating the world in their own yachts, accompanied by families and friends. Safe passage is made possible by a dedicated support team. This is the seventh world Rally organised by Blue Water Rallies Ltd and the fleet is made up from 30 yachts from 9 nations. Currently in the Galapagos Islands the yachts are due to arrive into Mackay in August for a 10 day stopover before continuing on to Darwin.
Rally Director, Peter Seymour who visited Mackay in January commented: "I was delighted with my visit to Mackay Marina and to the city. Australia has always been an important stopover for our crews, who particularly need good boatyard facilities for refitting their yachts halfway round the world.
Our visit to Mackay promises to be a great success and we look forward very much to arriving in August."
Ahoy! Err, Hello
Without Thomas A. Edison, we would all answer the telephone "Ahoy-ahoy!" like Mr. Burns. Yup, that's where that came from! When Bell invented the phone, he used to answer it that way, but Edison, who made great strides in furthering phone technology, politely suggested "hello" as a better option.
Sabot
The name "sabot" (pronounced sab-oo) comes from wooden shoes traditionally worn in some European countries, called clogs. The word is of French origin. The word sabotage was supposedly derived from sabot, as people would drop these wooden shoes into machinery when displeased with the conditions of their employment in order to stop production.
Nara Inlet light
Mariners are advised that the lighted port lateral mark buoy Fl.R.2.5s which has been temporarily established to mark the position of the destroyed lighted port lateral mark beacon in the entrance to Nara Inlet, has been reported to be off station. The position of the buoy is reported to be about 150 metres to the west of the charted beacon position. The buoy will be put back into its correct position on the end of the reef in the near future. Mariners should use caution when transiting the entrance. AUS chart: 252
Bright side of life?
"It is not fair for you to think negative thoughts and then to expect others to bring you happiness. It cannot be done. There is but one source of happiness and that is within you"
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Whitsunday connection in message in bottle mystery
A message in a bottle from a crewman of the schooner Patanela tossed into the sea almost twenty years ago offers no clue to the mysterious disappearance of the ship.
The note, in faded blue handwriting inside a Bacardi bottle, was found on a secluded beach near Eucla, WA, by Esperance woman Sheryl Waideman on New Year’s Eve.
It was written by John Blissett, 23, of Taree, NSW, as he and three others sailed Patanela from Fremantle across the Great Australian Bight on October 26, 1988.
Blissett had worked on the Golden Plover on charter around the Whitsunday Islands; including work on the film “Dead Calm” with Sam Neill and Nicole Kidman.
Less than a fortnight later, Patanela simply vanished as she sailed eight miles off Botany Bay in the early hours of November 8, 1988. The crew planned to enter the harbour at dawn.
The solitary trace was a barnacle-encrusted life ring found floating off Terrigal seven months later.
Whitsunday holiday offer for finder
The note in a bottle sheds no light on what happened. Rather, it offers a sailing holiday to the lucky finder.
"Hi there - out here in the lonely Southern Ocean and thought we would give away a free holiday in the Whitsunday Islands in north Queensland, Australia," John wrote.
"Our ship is travelling from Fremantle, Western Aust, to Queensland to work as a charter vessel."
Adventure delivery to Whitsunday Islands
The note invites the finder to call one of a pair of phone numbers to claim the prize.
It gives Patanela’s position as 34 degrees, 26 minutes, 20 seconds south, 129 degrees, 18 minutes, 54 seconds east in the Great Australia Bight.
That’s south of Eucla - raising the possibility that the bottle drifted ashore and has sat undiscovered since.
John’s mother Marj, of Taree, said she was stunned to receive a message from Mrs Waideman revealing the discovery.
"It was totally unexpected. It is not going to solve the mystery but it is a little piece of John we never had," she said.
"It showed what an enjoyable and interesting trip they were having. They were two young blokes having a good time and they wanted to give somebody else a good time to enjoy the experience of sailing on such a magnificent vessel."
In an email to the Blissett family, Mrs Waideman described stumbling across the bottle while wandering on a secluded section of the coastline between Mundrabilla and Eucla.
"We had a great time as it’s very isolated and we love beachcombing, fishing and collecting old bottles," she said.
"The bottle did not look very old but I was still very excited and we decided to open it at home. We were all extremely upset after finding out the story to know these people were missing."
Aboard Patanela, a 19-metre steel-hulled schooner was John Blissett and his friend Michael Calvin, both from Taree, plus the skipper, Perth businessman Ken Jones and his wife Noreen. None have been sighted since Patanela departed Portland, Victoria, in early November.
Inquest into lost ship's fate
An inquest which started in 1992 concluded that Patanela foundered in the early hours of November 8, 1988 some time after a final radio contact with Sydney Harbour. Nothing remained to explain the vessel’s fate.
The disappearance sparked wide speculation and a variety of conspiracy theories including claims of piracy and drug running. There is no evidence to either substantiate or disprove any such claims.
The coroner concluded the most likely explanation for such a sudden disappearance was that Patanela was run over by a large commercial vessel - although there was a complete absence of any floating wreckage such a short distance off Sydney.
Throw in the towel
An increase in naked sleepwalking among guests has the Travelodge hotel chain in Britain training staff on how to better deal with them.
Step one: cover them in a towel.
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap’n Dan
A message in a bottle from a crewman of the schooner Patanela tossed into the sea almost twenty years ago offers no clue to the mysterious disappearance of the ship.
The note, in faded blue handwriting inside a Bacardi bottle, was found on a secluded beach near Eucla, WA, by Esperance woman Sheryl Waideman on New Year’s Eve.
It was written by John Blissett, 23, of Taree, NSW, as he and three others sailed Patanela from Fremantle across the Great Australian Bight on October 26, 1988.
Blissett had worked on the Golden Plover on charter around the Whitsunday Islands; including work on the film “Dead Calm” with Sam Neill and Nicole Kidman.
Less than a fortnight later, Patanela simply vanished as she sailed eight miles off Botany Bay in the early hours of November 8, 1988. The crew planned to enter the harbour at dawn.
The solitary trace was a barnacle-encrusted life ring found floating off Terrigal seven months later.
Whitsunday holiday offer for finder
The note in a bottle sheds no light on what happened. Rather, it offers a sailing holiday to the lucky finder.
"Hi there - out here in the lonely Southern Ocean and thought we would give away a free holiday in the Whitsunday Islands in north Queensland, Australia," John wrote.
"Our ship is travelling from Fremantle, Western Aust, to Queensland to work as a charter vessel."
Adventure delivery to Whitsunday Islands
The note invites the finder to call one of a pair of phone numbers to claim the prize.
It gives Patanela’s position as 34 degrees, 26 minutes, 20 seconds south, 129 degrees, 18 minutes, 54 seconds east in the Great Australia Bight.
That’s south of Eucla - raising the possibility that the bottle drifted ashore and has sat undiscovered since.
John’s mother Marj, of Taree, said she was stunned to receive a message from Mrs Waideman revealing the discovery.
"It was totally unexpected. It is not going to solve the mystery but it is a little piece of John we never had," she said.
"It showed what an enjoyable and interesting trip they were having. They were two young blokes having a good time and they wanted to give somebody else a good time to enjoy the experience of sailing on such a magnificent vessel."
In an email to the Blissett family, Mrs Waideman described stumbling across the bottle while wandering on a secluded section of the coastline between Mundrabilla and Eucla.
"We had a great time as it’s very isolated and we love beachcombing, fishing and collecting old bottles," she said.
"The bottle did not look very old but I was still very excited and we decided to open it at home. We were all extremely upset after finding out the story to know these people were missing."
Aboard Patanela, a 19-metre steel-hulled schooner was John Blissett and his friend Michael Calvin, both from Taree, plus the skipper, Perth businessman Ken Jones and his wife Noreen. None have been sighted since Patanela departed Portland, Victoria, in early November.
Inquest into lost ship's fate
An inquest which started in 1992 concluded that Patanela foundered in the early hours of November 8, 1988 some time after a final radio contact with Sydney Harbour. Nothing remained to explain the vessel’s fate.
The disappearance sparked wide speculation and a variety of conspiracy theories including claims of piracy and drug running. There is no evidence to either substantiate or disprove any such claims.
The coroner concluded the most likely explanation for such a sudden disappearance was that Patanela was run over by a large commercial vessel - although there was a complete absence of any floating wreckage such a short distance off Sydney.
Throw in the towel
An increase in naked sleepwalking among guests has the Travelodge hotel chain in Britain training staff on how to better deal with them.
Step one: cover them in a towel.
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap’n Dan
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Broken boat? Build a new sleek craft at Rotary challenge
After a week of broken boats it’s time to look to the future and the upcoming Oceanic Whitsunday Boat and Leisure Show held on the June long weekend.
At a meeting a couple of years ago, Ian ‘Stack’ Hudson of the Rotary Club of Airlie Beach listened to Ian Roebuck and your Waterfront writer talk about a boat building competition held at a wooden boat show we had attended. The rules, from memory, were that your crew was given a sheet of plywood, some Sikaflex glue, nails, hammer and a saw to build a boat.
Oh, yeah, you also got a lifejacket as you had to float yer boat around a course in the marina, some craft sliding gracefully beneath the water before finishing the course.
Was it fun? You bet!
So here’s a sneak preview of a proposal for a boat building competition for this year.
1. The boats must be designed to row/paddle and sail. 2. Apart from one pre built component, (not a hull), the boats, spars etc. must be built from materials provided.
3. Crew/team of two must also operate (get wet) the craft for the on water racing.
4. Supply tools including battery operated portable tools. 5. Plans and cardboard templates allowed. 6. Construction time is two hours.
Awards will be given for - Best Boat - Boat quickest around the race course and Overall Winner. More info Stack Hudson of the Rotary Club of Airlie Beach on 4946 5333 and there may also be an opportunity to compete at the Sydney International Boat Show.
Romance CQ Rescue record?
Question. Last week on Feb 12 the CQ Rescue helicopter winched 37 people from the shipwrecked schooner “Romance” at Hook Island. Is this the most people rescued by helicopter from a single vessel in Australia?
Dear Cap’n Dan, "Thank you for your inquiry. Over the last three years during my time at AMSA [Australian Maritime Safety Authority], there have been a number of rescues involving multiple people taken off vessels. AMSA was involved in the rescue of 10 crew members off the Wunma, a 113 metre motor barge caught in bad weather about 80 kilometres off Karumba in the Gulf of Carpentaria on 7 February 2007. At the end of April 2006 we also coordinated the rescue of 16 fishermen off the Taiwanese registered vessel San Chi No. 12 that had grounded in the Torres Strait.
It is my recollection that 21 crew were removed from the Pasha Bulker after she grounded at Newcastle last year. The response to this incident was coordinated by local police as was the response to the Romance incident in the Whitsundays.
While I cannot give a definitive answer as to whether the Romance rescue involved the most number of people being removed from a vessel, it would certainly rate quite highly. As indicated above, however, while AMSA does many rescues, police agencies around Australia also coordinate these on occasion and you would need to check with them regarding previous incidents."
Kind regards, Tracey Jiggins, AMSA PR Manager
(Note: More on this later. Cap’n Dan)
Stand out to sea
“It is better to meet danger than to wait for it. He that is on a lee shore, and foresees a hurricane, stands out to sea and encounters a storm to avoid a shipwreck”
Charles Caleb Colton
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap’n Dan
After a week of broken boats it’s time to look to the future and the upcoming Oceanic Whitsunday Boat and Leisure Show held on the June long weekend.
At a meeting a couple of years ago, Ian ‘Stack’ Hudson of the Rotary Club of Airlie Beach listened to Ian Roebuck and your Waterfront writer talk about a boat building competition held at a wooden boat show we had attended. The rules, from memory, were that your crew was given a sheet of plywood, some Sikaflex glue, nails, hammer and a saw to build a boat.
Oh, yeah, you also got a lifejacket as you had to float yer boat around a course in the marina, some craft sliding gracefully beneath the water before finishing the course.
Was it fun? You bet!
So here’s a sneak preview of a proposal for a boat building competition for this year.
1. The boats must be designed to row/paddle and sail. 2. Apart from one pre built component, (not a hull), the boats, spars etc. must be built from materials provided.
3. Crew/team of two must also operate (get wet) the craft for the on water racing.
4. Supply tools including battery operated portable tools. 5. Plans and cardboard templates allowed. 6. Construction time is two hours.
Awards will be given for - Best Boat - Boat quickest around the race course and Overall Winner. More info Stack Hudson of the Rotary Club of Airlie Beach on 4946 5333 and there may also be an opportunity to compete at the Sydney International Boat Show.
Romance CQ Rescue record?
Question. Last week on Feb 12 the CQ Rescue helicopter winched 37 people from the shipwrecked schooner “Romance” at Hook Island. Is this the most people rescued by helicopter from a single vessel in Australia?
Dear Cap’n Dan, "Thank you for your inquiry. Over the last three years during my time at AMSA [Australian Maritime Safety Authority], there have been a number of rescues involving multiple people taken off vessels. AMSA was involved in the rescue of 10 crew members off the Wunma, a 113 metre motor barge caught in bad weather about 80 kilometres off Karumba in the Gulf of Carpentaria on 7 February 2007. At the end of April 2006 we also coordinated the rescue of 16 fishermen off the Taiwanese registered vessel San Chi No. 12 that had grounded in the Torres Strait.
It is my recollection that 21 crew were removed from the Pasha Bulker after she grounded at Newcastle last year. The response to this incident was coordinated by local police as was the response to the Romance incident in the Whitsundays.
While I cannot give a definitive answer as to whether the Romance rescue involved the most number of people being removed from a vessel, it would certainly rate quite highly. As indicated above, however, while AMSA does many rescues, police agencies around Australia also coordinate these on occasion and you would need to check with them regarding previous incidents."
Kind regards, Tracey Jiggins, AMSA PR Manager
(Note: More on this later. Cap’n Dan)
Stand out to sea
“It is better to meet danger than to wait for it. He that is on a lee shore, and foresees a hurricane, stands out to sea and encounters a storm to avoid a shipwreck”
Charles Caleb Colton
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap’n Dan
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Surfs up as wild weather buffets Whitsunday waterfront
An intense low pressure weather system swept through Whitsunday on Monday night leaving the dawn light to show the extent of the damage left in its wake.
For shear numbers of damaged yachts, the wild weather achieved a cyclonic result.
Recent talks with Whitsunday Water Police Sergeant Graeme Pettigrew about issues put mooring maintenance near the top of a list for public information. Not hindcasting, but the weather beat us to it.
Many vessels had moorings still attached and showed evidence of dragging into other yachts on the way to the beach or rocks.
While there is millions of dollar of damage, the main thing is that there were minimum injuries to the public and service personnel. How can the community ever thank enough those that spring to action to help without regard to time of day or comfort? A big sincere salute to all those who do such a wonderful job.
A bad day of yachties and the boating public, although on the bright side some of our local surfers can stop complaining that we never have any surf.
We truly try to do something for everybody.
First, the bad news
In the aftermath of Christmas 1990 Cyclone Joy your waterfront writer was single handing a client's yacht to Airlie from Hamilton Island when during a marine VHF radio contact the words "Do you want the good news or the bad news" came across.
Hey, I know this, "OK Give me the bad news, over"
"Your yacht is parked on Mandalay Road, though it seems in pretty good condition, over"
"OK what's the good news, over?"
"You didn't get a parking ticket, over" Har, Har, Har.
Sailor to anchor Hamo
Glenn Bourke, the former CEO for the Volvo Ocean Race round the world and the man credited with delivering the world's best ever Olympic sailing regatta, is to become the new Chief Executive Officer for Australia's premier tropical island destination, Hamilton Island.
Chairman of Hamilton Island Enterprises, Mr Sandy Oatley, said he was delighted that Glenn Bourke had decided to take up the position.
"Glenn will bring to Hamilton Island exceptional business acumen along with proven experience in the successful organisation and presentation of major international events," Sandy Oatley said. "The island is enjoying remarkable growth and Glenn's ability will further enhance our plans for it to become a truly world class tourist destination and residential precinct."
Glenn Bourke said that he was enthusiastic about working with the Oatley family and taking on the many ventures that will come with his appointment.
"I am very much looking forward to the opportunity and challenge that the Oatley family has afforded me at Hamilton Island," Glenn Bourke said. "I have always enjoyed the camaraderie that comes through working with large teams that hold great vision and clear ambitions, and my role at Hamilton Island promises that.
"My new position will also bring a significant change in life that I am really looking forward to. I will no longer be travelling the globe continually, as I have been for the past seven years. Instead every day will see me appreciating the sheer beauty of this tropical island and the magnificent region that surrounds it."
After coordinating all aspects of the sailing regatta at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Glenn Bourke became the CEO of Australia's leading ocean racing yacht club, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, in Sydney. His business and sailing talents then led to him being appointed CEO of Germany's Illbruck Challenge which won the Volvo Ocean Race 2001-2002, and the following year Volvo lured him into the position of CEO for the actual event. In that role he propelled the race into an exciting new era and reinforced its status as the world's most successful long distance ocean race.
As a yachtsman Glenn Bourke has won seven world sailing championships including, remarkably, three consecutive world titles in the Olympic Laser dinghy class, in 1988, 1989 and 1990. He represented Australia in the Finn dinghy class at the 1992 Olympics, has sailed in the America's Cup and Admiral's Cup, and was named Australian Yachtsman of the Year in 1989 and 1990.
Glenn will be based on the island and be responsible to the Oatley family for all island operations. He will take up his appointment in March.
Queens coming to Sydney
Cunard's 90,000-tonne Queen Victoria, is making her way to Australia on her maiden world voyage, along with her elder sister, Queen Elizabeth 2, who is sailing on her final world voyage. Their meeting on Sydney Harbour on February 24 will attract lots of interest and spectators.
Both liners left Southampton in January on their historic journeys, which saw the two ships meet again in New York with their big sister, Queen Mary 2, on January 13 and then again in Sydney Harbour on February 24.
Queen Victoria and QE2's Royal Rendezvous in Sydney will mark Queen Victoria's first visit to the harbour city and QE2's final call - thirty years to the day since her maiden visit.
The Queen Victoria will transit the Whitsunday Islands on February 28 enroute to Port Douglas.
Queen's curtain call
QE2's final Sydney visit marks her 24th call to the city since her first arrival in 1978. During her 40 years of service, the 70,327-tonne QE2 has carried more than 2.5 million passengers and sailed almost 5.5 million nautical miles - more than any ship in history.
Driftwood Bay depths
Driftwood Bay on the southern shore of Hamilton Island has been resurveyed with changes to depths and contours refer Chart AUS 252 Notice to Mariners [511/2007].
It's natural
"In physics, you don't have to go around making trouble for yourself - nature does it for you"
Frank Wilczek, Nobel prize-winning theoretical physicist, who is very interested in the quantum theory of black holes.
And we thought it was about the weather.
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
An intense low pressure weather system swept through Whitsunday on Monday night leaving the dawn light to show the extent of the damage left in its wake.
For shear numbers of damaged yachts, the wild weather achieved a cyclonic result.
Recent talks with Whitsunday Water Police Sergeant Graeme Pettigrew about issues put mooring maintenance near the top of a list for public information. Not hindcasting, but the weather beat us to it.
Many vessels had moorings still attached and showed evidence of dragging into other yachts on the way to the beach or rocks.
While there is millions of dollar of damage, the main thing is that there were minimum injuries to the public and service personnel. How can the community ever thank enough those that spring to action to help without regard to time of day or comfort? A big sincere salute to all those who do such a wonderful job.
A bad day of yachties and the boating public, although on the bright side some of our local surfers can stop complaining that we never have any surf.
We truly try to do something for everybody.
First, the bad news
In the aftermath of Christmas 1990 Cyclone Joy your waterfront writer was single handing a client's yacht to Airlie from Hamilton Island when during a marine VHF radio contact the words "Do you want the good news or the bad news" came across.
Hey, I know this, "OK Give me the bad news, over"
"Your yacht is parked on Mandalay Road, though it seems in pretty good condition, over"
"OK what's the good news, over?"
"You didn't get a parking ticket, over" Har, Har, Har.
Sailor to anchor Hamo
Glenn Bourke, the former CEO for the Volvo Ocean Race round the world and the man credited with delivering the world's best ever Olympic sailing regatta, is to become the new Chief Executive Officer for Australia's premier tropical island destination, Hamilton Island.
Chairman of Hamilton Island Enterprises, Mr Sandy Oatley, said he was delighted that Glenn Bourke had decided to take up the position.
"Glenn will bring to Hamilton Island exceptional business acumen along with proven experience in the successful organisation and presentation of major international events," Sandy Oatley said. "The island is enjoying remarkable growth and Glenn's ability will further enhance our plans for it to become a truly world class tourist destination and residential precinct."
Glenn Bourke said that he was enthusiastic about working with the Oatley family and taking on the many ventures that will come with his appointment.
"I am very much looking forward to the opportunity and challenge that the Oatley family has afforded me at Hamilton Island," Glenn Bourke said. "I have always enjoyed the camaraderie that comes through working with large teams that hold great vision and clear ambitions, and my role at Hamilton Island promises that.
"My new position will also bring a significant change in life that I am really looking forward to. I will no longer be travelling the globe continually, as I have been for the past seven years. Instead every day will see me appreciating the sheer beauty of this tropical island and the magnificent region that surrounds it."
After coordinating all aspects of the sailing regatta at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Glenn Bourke became the CEO of Australia's leading ocean racing yacht club, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, in Sydney. His business and sailing talents then led to him being appointed CEO of Germany's Illbruck Challenge which won the Volvo Ocean Race 2001-2002, and the following year Volvo lured him into the position of CEO for the actual event. In that role he propelled the race into an exciting new era and reinforced its status as the world's most successful long distance ocean race.
As a yachtsman Glenn Bourke has won seven world sailing championships including, remarkably, three consecutive world titles in the Olympic Laser dinghy class, in 1988, 1989 and 1990. He represented Australia in the Finn dinghy class at the 1992 Olympics, has sailed in the America's Cup and Admiral's Cup, and was named Australian Yachtsman of the Year in 1989 and 1990.
Glenn will be based on the island and be responsible to the Oatley family for all island operations. He will take up his appointment in March.
Queens coming to Sydney
Cunard's 90,000-tonne Queen Victoria, is making her way to Australia on her maiden world voyage, along with her elder sister, Queen Elizabeth 2, who is sailing on her final world voyage. Their meeting on Sydney Harbour on February 24 will attract lots of interest and spectators.
Both liners left Southampton in January on their historic journeys, which saw the two ships meet again in New York with their big sister, Queen Mary 2, on January 13 and then again in Sydney Harbour on February 24.
Queen Victoria and QE2's Royal Rendezvous in Sydney will mark Queen Victoria's first visit to the harbour city and QE2's final call - thirty years to the day since her maiden visit.
The Queen Victoria will transit the Whitsunday Islands on February 28 enroute to Port Douglas.
Queen's curtain call
QE2's final Sydney visit marks her 24th call to the city since her first arrival in 1978. During her 40 years of service, the 70,327-tonne QE2 has carried more than 2.5 million passengers and sailed almost 5.5 million nautical miles - more than any ship in history.
Driftwood Bay depths
Driftwood Bay on the southern shore of Hamilton Island has been resurveyed with changes to depths and contours refer Chart AUS 252 Notice to Mariners [511/2007].
It's natural
"In physics, you don't have to go around making trouble for yourself - nature does it for you"
Frank Wilczek, Nobel prize-winning theoretical physicist, who is very interested in the quantum theory of black holes.
And we thought it was about the weather.
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Whitsunday Navy Cadets homeless
The Whitsunday unit of the Australian Navy Cadets (ANC) are homeless due to space restrictions at the Cannonvale SES building.
The Cadets met last Friday evening for a social parade at the Whitsunday PCYC and discussed their future with parents and community members.
Local businesses and especially building owners will be approached with a view to the short term use of premises while long term plans are made.
The Whitsunday unit, part of TS Pioneer based in Mackay, has been operating for about four years and take part in community activities such as Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and Vietnam Veterans Day.
Nationally, the ANC comprises around 30% of Australians in Naval uniform. While not part of the Australian Defence Force, as part of the Navy family Cadets have a significant role to play in linking the Australian community to the RAN. Cadets provide a positive focus on the RAN in the eyes of the public.
Cadets crew Young Endeavour
The ANC/Young Endeavour Voyage Scheme is a sailing program for Australian Navy Cadets aged 16 and over, focused on building leadership, teamwork and communication skills through sail training. This scheme is being sponsored by the RAN and will extend to 24 Australian Navy Cadets and three ANC staff members to participate in two dedicated voyages on STS Young Endeavour.
Sponsorship will cover all voyage fees, airfares and accommodation. Nominations will be sought from cadets over the age of 16 years and placement will be offered to the top 24 cadets who can demonstrate outstanding personal and leadership qualities and who have made a valuable contribution to their local community during the past 12 months.
Box Jelly danger
Luckily Whitsunday has recently been free of Box Jellyfish envenomation incidents recently, but recent rains have flushed the deadly creatures from their breeding grounds into the sea where they will develop into potential killers.
Surf Life Saving Queensland is warning swimmers that this is the time of the year when they are most likely to be stung by box jelly fish.
Dangerous Marine Creatures Program coordinator Melissa Cowlishaw says there have been 12 stings across the north since mid October.
But she says scientists are predicting a record season this year.
"It's really important that they swim within the red and yellow flags and within the stinger resistant closures, but it's important to remember that those enclosures don't stop the Irukandji jelly fish from coming through, just the larger box jelly fish," she said.
"We ask people to also wear some form of personal protective swim wear that covers 75 to 80 per cent of their body."
Pest fish
Steps to control the spread of pest fish stepped up this week with more than 6,000 Tilapia eradicated from two farm dams.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) fisheries biologist Malcolm Pearce said following the recent publicity about a tilapia infestation in the Endeavour River, a number of land owners had contacted DPI&F with concerns their dams contained the pest fish.
"From the size and location of the tilapia we found in the Endeavour River, it is more likely that the pest fish were illegally released into the area prior to Christmas from a home aquarium," Mr Pearce said.
Under strict conditions, Rotenone (poison) was used to kill the fish in the farm dams before they were cleaned up by DPI&F officers and disposed of away from the water.
"We are urging people who think they have tilapia or other pest fish in their dams or in their homes in an aquarium, to contact DPI&F for advice and possible assistance with disposal."
"It cannot be overstated how important it is for people not to move tilapia and that they need to be disposed of away from the water," Mr Pearce said.
"Female tilapia may carry eggs in their mouth, and these eggs can survive long after the adult fish is dead.
Under Section 89 of the Fisheries Act 1994 a person must not possess noxious fisheries resources or release noxious fisheries resources into Queensland waters.
Pest fish in Qld
Noxious pest fish in Queensland include Carp, Piranhas, Tilapia, Electric Eel, Largemouth Bass, Mosquitofish and Nile Perch.
Barra back on bite
The end of the closed fishing season for barramundi on both the east coast of Queensland is expected to draw keen anglers to local fishing hot spots.
The East Coast season opened at midday February 1.
The closed season is set aside each year to help protect barramundi during spawning which is a vulnerable time in their life cycle.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) senior fisheries management officer Anita Ramage said annual seasons are in place to not only protect our fish species, but to ensure that there are enough stocks to cater for Queensland's keen fishers.
"The closures allow fish to spawn and stocks to replenish to ensure there are healthy fish stores for current and future generations of Queensland anglers," Ms Ramage said.
"The closures in the Gulf vary from year to year and are always timed according to lunar and tide cycles coinciding with spawning peaks, so it is important for fishers to check when the season falls each year.
Barra Rules OK?
In the open season there is a possession limit of five barramundi per person. Minimum and maximum size limits also apply.
If fishing in one of Queensland's 18 impoundment areas that have been stocked with barramundi, one of the five barramundi you can keep can be greater than the maximum size limit of 120 cm.
A Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) is required to fish in many impoundment areas that are stocked with barramundi so anglers should ensure their permits are valid. SIP cost $35 a year or $7 per week and are available from local businesses in the vicinity of each of the dams on the scheme, online or over the phone.
It's that simply
Occam's Razor: "Pluralitas non est ponenda sine necessitate."
Translation = "Avoid complexity when other options are at hand."
William of Ockham (1285-1349)
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
060208
The Whitsunday unit of the Australian Navy Cadets (ANC) are homeless due to space restrictions at the Cannonvale SES building.
The Cadets met last Friday evening for a social parade at the Whitsunday PCYC and discussed their future with parents and community members.
Local businesses and especially building owners will be approached with a view to the short term use of premises while long term plans are made.
The Whitsunday unit, part of TS Pioneer based in Mackay, has been operating for about four years and take part in community activities such as Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and Vietnam Veterans Day.
Nationally, the ANC comprises around 30% of Australians in Naval uniform. While not part of the Australian Defence Force, as part of the Navy family Cadets have a significant role to play in linking the Australian community to the RAN. Cadets provide a positive focus on the RAN in the eyes of the public.
Cadets crew Young Endeavour
The ANC/Young Endeavour Voyage Scheme is a sailing program for Australian Navy Cadets aged 16 and over, focused on building leadership, teamwork and communication skills through sail training. This scheme is being sponsored by the RAN and will extend to 24 Australian Navy Cadets and three ANC staff members to participate in two dedicated voyages on STS Young Endeavour.
Sponsorship will cover all voyage fees, airfares and accommodation. Nominations will be sought from cadets over the age of 16 years and placement will be offered to the top 24 cadets who can demonstrate outstanding personal and leadership qualities and who have made a valuable contribution to their local community during the past 12 months.
Box Jelly danger
Luckily Whitsunday has recently been free of Box Jellyfish envenomation incidents recently, but recent rains have flushed the deadly creatures from their breeding grounds into the sea where they will develop into potential killers.
Surf Life Saving Queensland is warning swimmers that this is the time of the year when they are most likely to be stung by box jelly fish.
Dangerous Marine Creatures Program coordinator Melissa Cowlishaw says there have been 12 stings across the north since mid October.
But she says scientists are predicting a record season this year.
"It's really important that they swim within the red and yellow flags and within the stinger resistant closures, but it's important to remember that those enclosures don't stop the Irukandji jelly fish from coming through, just the larger box jelly fish," she said.
"We ask people to also wear some form of personal protective swim wear that covers 75 to 80 per cent of their body."
Pest fish
Steps to control the spread of pest fish stepped up this week with more than 6,000 Tilapia eradicated from two farm dams.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) fisheries biologist Malcolm Pearce said following the recent publicity about a tilapia infestation in the Endeavour River, a number of land owners had contacted DPI&F with concerns their dams contained the pest fish.
"From the size and location of the tilapia we found in the Endeavour River, it is more likely that the pest fish were illegally released into the area prior to Christmas from a home aquarium," Mr Pearce said.
Under strict conditions, Rotenone (poison) was used to kill the fish in the farm dams before they were cleaned up by DPI&F officers and disposed of away from the water.
"We are urging people who think they have tilapia or other pest fish in their dams or in their homes in an aquarium, to contact DPI&F for advice and possible assistance with disposal."
"It cannot be overstated how important it is for people not to move tilapia and that they need to be disposed of away from the water," Mr Pearce said.
"Female tilapia may carry eggs in their mouth, and these eggs can survive long after the adult fish is dead.
Under Section 89 of the Fisheries Act 1994 a person must not possess noxious fisheries resources or release noxious fisheries resources into Queensland waters.
Pest fish in Qld
Noxious pest fish in Queensland include Carp, Piranhas, Tilapia, Electric Eel, Largemouth Bass, Mosquitofish and Nile Perch.
Barra back on bite
The end of the closed fishing season for barramundi on both the east coast of Queensland is expected to draw keen anglers to local fishing hot spots.
The East Coast season opened at midday February 1.
The closed season is set aside each year to help protect barramundi during spawning which is a vulnerable time in their life cycle.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) senior fisheries management officer Anita Ramage said annual seasons are in place to not only protect our fish species, but to ensure that there are enough stocks to cater for Queensland's keen fishers.
"The closures allow fish to spawn and stocks to replenish to ensure there are healthy fish stores for current and future generations of Queensland anglers," Ms Ramage said.
"The closures in the Gulf vary from year to year and are always timed according to lunar and tide cycles coinciding with spawning peaks, so it is important for fishers to check when the season falls each year.
Barra Rules OK?
In the open season there is a possession limit of five barramundi per person. Minimum and maximum size limits also apply.
If fishing in one of Queensland's 18 impoundment areas that have been stocked with barramundi, one of the five barramundi you can keep can be greater than the maximum size limit of 120 cm.
A Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) is required to fish in many impoundment areas that are stocked with barramundi so anglers should ensure their permits are valid. SIP cost $35 a year or $7 per week and are available from local businesses in the vicinity of each of the dams on the scheme, online or over the phone.
It's that simply
Occam's Razor: "Pluralitas non est ponenda sine necessitate."
Translation = "Avoid complexity when other options are at hand."
William of Ockham (1285-1349)
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
060208
2008 to mark 25 years for Hamilton Island Race Week
The significance of the 25th anniversary edition of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week has already led to the Farr 40 class planning to make a welcome return to the event, which will be staged between August 23, and 30, 2008.
Regatta organisers are making a special effort to have as many yachts that have competed over the past 24 years part of the historic silver jubilee celebrations.
There will also be a special division for classic yachts.
These participants will be part of an anticipated record fleet of 250 from Australia and abroad that will be racing at what has become Australia’s most successful and highly awarded regatta for offshore keelboats.
In preparation for such a remarkable fleet, Hamilton Island management has announced plans to undertake a major expansion of the harbour marina.
“We were caught a little by surprise by the record fleet of 217,” in 2007, said the chairman of Hamilton Island Enterprises, Sandy Oatley, “so we couldn’t provide the marina facilities we would have liked for everyone. Our plan is to complete an entire new marina arm before Race Week 2008 so that the number of yachts that will have to raft up will be kept to a minimum.”
Year of the Reef
Ten years ago, 1997 was declared the International Year of the Reef (IYOR). The first IYOR campaign was initiated in response to the increasing threats and loss of coral reefs and associated ecosystems, like mangroves and sea grasses. IYOR 97 was a global effort to increase awareness and understanding of coral reefs, and support conservation, research and management efforts.
IYOR 97 proved to be very successful, with over 225 organizations in 50 countries and territories participating, over 700 articles in papers and magazines generated, hundreds of scientific surveys undertaken, and catalysed conservation and policy initiatives, as well as numerous local and global organizations dedicated to coral reef conservation.
Recognizing that ten years after IYOR 97 there continues to be an urgent need to increase awareness and understanding of coral reefs, and to further conserve and manage valuable coral reef and associated ecosystems, the International Coral Reef Initiative designated 2008 as the International Year of the Reef (IYOR 2008).
IYOR 2008 will:
* Strengthen awareness about the ecological, economic, social and cultural value of coral reefs and associated ecosystems
* Improve understanding of the critical threats to coral reefs and generate both practical and innovative solutions to reduce these threats
* Generate urgent action at all levels to develop and implement effective management strategies for conservation and sustainable use of these ecosystems.
Tip of the Day:
Be a marine debris crusader! In addition to picking up your own rubbish, carry away the anything that others have left behind. More than just an unsightly nuisance, beach litter poses a significant threat to the health and survival of marine organisms, which can swallow or get tangled in beverage containers, plastic bags, old rope and other debris.
Cliff drop for drunk
In California, witnesses say an out-of-towner had been partying with friends. After drinking a few mixed cocktails, they say he "took off running toward the ocean" -- apparently unaware of a steep drop-off. The 19-year-old male fell from a cliff onto a beach below. After his tumble, witnesses called for help to rescue the injured man.
Eco yachting
Chartering with Queensland Yacht Charters has became more eco-friendly. QYC has gained its Advanced Eco-Certification, which recognises that the company has achieved best practice in ecologically sustainable tourism.
The award recognises QYC’s primary focus on experiencing natural areas and fostering environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation. The certification also recognises their contribution to local environmental groups.
Adrian and Suzette Pelt, owners of QYC since 1988 and their crew - Kellie & Kristin in Reservations and Terry, Phil and Tanya in Operations, will personally ensure that you have a wonderful holiday.
Yacht rescues fisher
World ARC yacht Tillymint, an Oyster 82 taking part in World Cruising Club's round the world rally, has been involved in the dramatic rescue of a stranded Caribbean fisherman whilst on route to Panama.
The small open fishing vessel, the Vegas from St.Lucia, had been drifting for 20 days without a serviceable engine. In the early hours of Saturday January 26 (local time), at approximately 80 nautical miles off the island of Aruba, the on-watch crew of Tillymint heard faint cries for help from close by, though they could not see another vessel. In the time it took the crew to drop sails, turn the yacht around and get back upwind against 25 knots to the incident position, the crew of the Vegas had started a small fire to attract attention. The fishermen were in a desperate situation, since despite passing close to other vessels they had been unable to raise a distress call.
Unfortunately, their signal fire got out of control and before Tillymint reached their position, the crew had to abandon the vessel and jump into the sea to escape the fire. One crewmember was rescued and taken onboard Tillymint. However, in the darkness and weather conditions prevailing at the time, they were unable to locate the remaining three fishermen.
All World ARC yachts have now resumed their course for Panama.
Vessel lost
Mariners are advised that the 8.90m vessel "Elsie 2" has been reported missing. The vessel was last seen moored near the entrance of the Pioneer River, but may have drifted or sunk during recent inclement weather. Mariners are advised to proceed with caution when transiting this area. AUS chart: 249
Point to ponder
“On the whole human beings want to be good, but not too good, and not quite all the time”
- George Orwell
Fair Winds to Ye!
Cap’n Dan
300108
The significance of the 25th anniversary edition of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week has already led to the Farr 40 class planning to make a welcome return to the event, which will be staged between August 23, and 30, 2008.
Regatta organisers are making a special effort to have as many yachts that have competed over the past 24 years part of the historic silver jubilee celebrations.
There will also be a special division for classic yachts.
These participants will be part of an anticipated record fleet of 250 from Australia and abroad that will be racing at what has become Australia’s most successful and highly awarded regatta for offshore keelboats.
In preparation for such a remarkable fleet, Hamilton Island management has announced plans to undertake a major expansion of the harbour marina.
“We were caught a little by surprise by the record fleet of 217,” in 2007, said the chairman of Hamilton Island Enterprises, Sandy Oatley, “so we couldn’t provide the marina facilities we would have liked for everyone. Our plan is to complete an entire new marina arm before Race Week 2008 so that the number of yachts that will have to raft up will be kept to a minimum.”
Year of the Reef
Ten years ago, 1997 was declared the International Year of the Reef (IYOR). The first IYOR campaign was initiated in response to the increasing threats and loss of coral reefs and associated ecosystems, like mangroves and sea grasses. IYOR 97 was a global effort to increase awareness and understanding of coral reefs, and support conservation, research and management efforts.
IYOR 97 proved to be very successful, with over 225 organizations in 50 countries and territories participating, over 700 articles in papers and magazines generated, hundreds of scientific surveys undertaken, and catalysed conservation and policy initiatives, as well as numerous local and global organizations dedicated to coral reef conservation.
Recognizing that ten years after IYOR 97 there continues to be an urgent need to increase awareness and understanding of coral reefs, and to further conserve and manage valuable coral reef and associated ecosystems, the International Coral Reef Initiative designated 2008 as the International Year of the Reef (IYOR 2008).
IYOR 2008 will:
* Strengthen awareness about the ecological, economic, social and cultural value of coral reefs and associated ecosystems
* Improve understanding of the critical threats to coral reefs and generate both practical and innovative solutions to reduce these threats
* Generate urgent action at all levels to develop and implement effective management strategies for conservation and sustainable use of these ecosystems.
Tip of the Day:
Be a marine debris crusader! In addition to picking up your own rubbish, carry away the anything that others have left behind. More than just an unsightly nuisance, beach litter poses a significant threat to the health and survival of marine organisms, which can swallow or get tangled in beverage containers, plastic bags, old rope and other debris.
Cliff drop for drunk
In California, witnesses say an out-of-towner had been partying with friends. After drinking a few mixed cocktails, they say he "took off running toward the ocean" -- apparently unaware of a steep drop-off. The 19-year-old male fell from a cliff onto a beach below. After his tumble, witnesses called for help to rescue the injured man.
Eco yachting
Chartering with Queensland Yacht Charters has became more eco-friendly. QYC has gained its Advanced Eco-Certification, which recognises that the company has achieved best practice in ecologically sustainable tourism.
The award recognises QYC’s primary focus on experiencing natural areas and fostering environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation. The certification also recognises their contribution to local environmental groups.
Adrian and Suzette Pelt, owners of QYC since 1988 and their crew - Kellie & Kristin in Reservations and Terry, Phil and Tanya in Operations, will personally ensure that you have a wonderful holiday.
Yacht rescues fisher
World ARC yacht Tillymint, an Oyster 82 taking part in World Cruising Club's round the world rally, has been involved in the dramatic rescue of a stranded Caribbean fisherman whilst on route to Panama.
The small open fishing vessel, the Vegas from St.Lucia, had been drifting for 20 days without a serviceable engine. In the early hours of Saturday January 26 (local time), at approximately 80 nautical miles off the island of Aruba, the on-watch crew of Tillymint heard faint cries for help from close by, though they could not see another vessel. In the time it took the crew to drop sails, turn the yacht around and get back upwind against 25 knots to the incident position, the crew of the Vegas had started a small fire to attract attention. The fishermen were in a desperate situation, since despite passing close to other vessels they had been unable to raise a distress call.
Unfortunately, their signal fire got out of control and before Tillymint reached their position, the crew had to abandon the vessel and jump into the sea to escape the fire. One crewmember was rescued and taken onboard Tillymint. However, in the darkness and weather conditions prevailing at the time, they were unable to locate the remaining three fishermen.
All World ARC yachts have now resumed their course for Panama.
Vessel lost
Mariners are advised that the 8.90m vessel "Elsie 2" has been reported missing. The vessel was last seen moored near the entrance of the Pioneer River, but may have drifted or sunk during recent inclement weather. Mariners are advised to proceed with caution when transiting this area. AUS chart: 249
Point to ponder
“On the whole human beings want to be good, but not too good, and not quite all the time”
- George Orwell
Fair Winds to Ye!
Cap’n Dan
300108
Taste of cyclonic weather rains on Whitsunday
With the huge rains this week and the hovering monsoon lows that sometimes become cyclones, it might be a good time to revisit a storm called Ada.
The deadly cyclone with an unimaginative name Ada hit the Whitsunday islands and mainland on January 18/19 1970.
"Cyclone Ada – Queensland's first for the year – was moving in from the Coral Sea last night, headed directly towards the glamour island resorts in the Whitsunday Passage," a newspaper reported in 1970.
"The islands and towns along the coast were on full alert but the weather bureau said the cyclone was not expected to cause major damage."
However, it was not the best call by the Bureau of Meteorology They got it wrong.
Twenty-four hours later: "Gigantic seas and 100-mile-an-hour winds (160km/h) smashed through Great Barrier Reef resorts leaving 75 per cent of buildings flattened on Hayman Island and 'utter destruction' at Daydream."
The following day the toll was counted; fourteen people dead, mainly fishing or boat crew; some caught in mainland floods. Damage to property, estimated at today's values, was about $500 million.
Almost totalled were Daydream, South Molle Island, Happy Bay, Palm Bay on Long Island. Lindeman Island was wrecked and all its boats sunk.
Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour and Cannonvale on the mainland, had damage to 80 per cent of the buildings.
Wreckage of the trawler Whakatane washed-up, three children and four adults were recorded as lost at sea.
Ada was a "small" cyclone when calculated by diameter size, which was about 20km at the eye.
But it carried a severe punch with winds that stripped the leaves every tree.
However, there are always stalwarts, a Hayman Island legend says the bar stayers sang along to We Shall Not Be Moved.
"It wasn't until bottles began crashing from bar shelves, the glass wall started to bend inwards and the roof lifted with every gust that people agreed to be ushered into the dining room," says a newspaper report written on the 25th anniversary of the tragedy.
"Almost on cue, the bar roof peeled off and the crowd was bustled further back into the kitchen."
Historical Fact:
Tropical Cyclone Ada hit the Queensland coast on January 17th-18th of 1970. She was listed as a category 4 cyclone and damaged the Whitsunday Islands and areas near Proserpine. Fourteen people, mainly marine crew died as a result.
Sabot Nationals
“Well, it had to come to an end! After a fantastic regatta held on Sydney Harbour, all the Sabots are on their way to their home states, including 'Madness', sailed in the regatta by Klaus and Eva Lorenz from Whitsunday Sailing Club. Klaus and Eva picked up a trophy for second place in the orientation race, held on the first day, but fared less well in the rest of the series, coming 11th overall in the end. Notwithstanding this disappointing (for them) result, they had a great deal of fun and made or renewed many friendships.
“The organisation of the regatta was faultless, the host clubs, Vaucluse Amateur -foot. Sailing Club, and Vaucluse Amateur Yacht Club doing a great job fully utilising their wonderful location in Watson’s Bay.
Whitsunday Sailing Club, in conjunction with North Queensland Sabot Association will jointly host the event next time, from 27th December 2008 to 5th January 2009.
The regatta will cap off Whitsunday Sailing Club's proposed "Year of Sail", which begins in the new school term with learn-to-sail courses for students of Cannonvale State School and Whitsunday Christian College.
Soylent Green Racer
EarthRace is set to take off on its ultimate goal: The motorboat round-the-world record.
The EarthRace boat isn't some Greenpeace sponsored, tree-hugging tug. No! It's a carbon/Kevlar-hulled, 1080-Horsepower, 78 foot speedboat with a sharp bow meant to harpoon waves.
The new twist is a somewhat disgusting one - Captain Pete and two of his volunteers underwent liposuction recently, dumping the fat that doctors removed into their fuel tank. It's certainly an interesting way to show how versatile their propulsion system is.
Demonstrating commitment to the cause, Bethune underwent liposuction and donated enough to produce 100ml of biofuel, while two other, larger volunteers also had the procedure, making ten litres of human fat.
This in turn produced seven litres of biofuel, which could help the boat travel about 15km.
EarthRace is fuelled on 100 per cent biodiesel and has a net zero carbon footprint.
Circumnavigating the globe represents the pinnacle of powerboat challenges, and more than 24,000 nautical miles is the world's longest speed challenge.
Peter Bethune is attempting his second circumnavigation of the planet in EarthRace, a boat that is powered by biodiesel fuel as an alternate to fossil fuel. In order to draw attention to the trip, he and two other crew members received liposuction and collected about 2.5 gallons of fat from their bodies. That’s enough to go nine miles. In all, the ship carries 3,000 gallons of fuel and can go up to 2,800 miles on a full tank. It can withstand heavy winds and 50 ft. waves. The trip has been estimated to take about 65 days.
Surprise Rock beacon
Surprise Rock beacon east of Hamilton Island is reported destroyed. Mariners are advised that the lighted isolated danger mark beacon Fl(2)6s in approximate position latitude 20° 21.28' E, longitude 149° 01.6' S which marks Surprise Rock east of Hamilton Island is reported as destroyed. Mariners should navigate with caution in the vicinity. AUS charts affected 252, 253, 371 and 824.
Have a go!
“When someone tells you something defies description, you can be pretty sure he's going to have a go at it anyway”
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap’n Dan
160108
With the huge rains this week and the hovering monsoon lows that sometimes become cyclones, it might be a good time to revisit a storm called Ada.
The deadly cyclone with an unimaginative name Ada hit the Whitsunday islands and mainland on January 18/19 1970.
"Cyclone Ada – Queensland's first for the year – was moving in from the Coral Sea last night, headed directly towards the glamour island resorts in the Whitsunday Passage," a newspaper reported in 1970.
"The islands and towns along the coast were on full alert but the weather bureau said the cyclone was not expected to cause major damage."
However, it was not the best call by the Bureau of Meteorology They got it wrong.
Twenty-four hours later: "Gigantic seas and 100-mile-an-hour winds (160km/h) smashed through Great Barrier Reef resorts leaving 75 per cent of buildings flattened on Hayman Island and 'utter destruction' at Daydream."
The following day the toll was counted; fourteen people dead, mainly fishing or boat crew; some caught in mainland floods. Damage to property, estimated at today's values, was about $500 million.
Almost totalled were Daydream, South Molle Island, Happy Bay, Palm Bay on Long Island. Lindeman Island was wrecked and all its boats sunk.
Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour and Cannonvale on the mainland, had damage to 80 per cent of the buildings.
Wreckage of the trawler Whakatane washed-up, three children and four adults were recorded as lost at sea.
Ada was a "small" cyclone when calculated by diameter size, which was about 20km at the eye.
But it carried a severe punch with winds that stripped the leaves every tree.
However, there are always stalwarts, a Hayman Island legend says the bar stayers sang along to We Shall Not Be Moved.
"It wasn't until bottles began crashing from bar shelves, the glass wall started to bend inwards and the roof lifted with every gust that people agreed to be ushered into the dining room," says a newspaper report written on the 25th anniversary of the tragedy.
"Almost on cue, the bar roof peeled off and the crowd was bustled further back into the kitchen."
Historical Fact:
Tropical Cyclone Ada hit the Queensland coast on January 17th-18th of 1970. She was listed as a category 4 cyclone and damaged the Whitsunday Islands and areas near Proserpine. Fourteen people, mainly marine crew died as a result.
Sabot Nationals
“Well, it had to come to an end! After a fantastic regatta held on Sydney Harbour, all the Sabots are on their way to their home states, including 'Madness', sailed in the regatta by Klaus and Eva Lorenz from Whitsunday Sailing Club. Klaus and Eva picked up a trophy for second place in the orientation race, held on the first day, but fared less well in the rest of the series, coming 11th overall in the end. Notwithstanding this disappointing (for them) result, they had a great deal of fun and made or renewed many friendships.
“The organisation of the regatta was faultless, the host clubs, Vaucluse Amateur -foot. Sailing Club, and Vaucluse Amateur Yacht Club doing a great job fully utilising their wonderful location in Watson’s Bay.
Whitsunday Sailing Club, in conjunction with North Queensland Sabot Association will jointly host the event next time, from 27th December 2008 to 5th January 2009.
The regatta will cap off Whitsunday Sailing Club's proposed "Year of Sail", which begins in the new school term with learn-to-sail courses for students of Cannonvale State School and Whitsunday Christian College.
Soylent Green Racer
EarthRace is set to take off on its ultimate goal: The motorboat round-the-world record.
The EarthRace boat isn't some Greenpeace sponsored, tree-hugging tug. No! It's a carbon/Kevlar-hulled, 1080-Horsepower, 78 foot speedboat with a sharp bow meant to harpoon waves.
The new twist is a somewhat disgusting one - Captain Pete and two of his volunteers underwent liposuction recently, dumping the fat that doctors removed into their fuel tank. It's certainly an interesting way to show how versatile their propulsion system is.
Demonstrating commitment to the cause, Bethune underwent liposuction and donated enough to produce 100ml of biofuel, while two other, larger volunteers also had the procedure, making ten litres of human fat.
This in turn produced seven litres of biofuel, which could help the boat travel about 15km.
EarthRace is fuelled on 100 per cent biodiesel and has a net zero carbon footprint.
Circumnavigating the globe represents the pinnacle of powerboat challenges, and more than 24,000 nautical miles is the world's longest speed challenge.
Peter Bethune is attempting his second circumnavigation of the planet in EarthRace, a boat that is powered by biodiesel fuel as an alternate to fossil fuel. In order to draw attention to the trip, he and two other crew members received liposuction and collected about 2.5 gallons of fat from their bodies. That’s enough to go nine miles. In all, the ship carries 3,000 gallons of fuel and can go up to 2,800 miles on a full tank. It can withstand heavy winds and 50 ft. waves. The trip has been estimated to take about 65 days.
Surprise Rock beacon
Surprise Rock beacon east of Hamilton Island is reported destroyed. Mariners are advised that the lighted isolated danger mark beacon Fl(2)6s in approximate position latitude 20° 21.28' E, longitude 149° 01.6' S which marks Surprise Rock east of Hamilton Island is reported as destroyed. Mariners should navigate with caution in the vicinity. AUS charts affected 252, 253, 371 and 824.
Have a go!
“When someone tells you something defies description, you can be pretty sure he's going to have a go at it anyway”
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap’n Dan
160108
Friday, June 01, 2007
Marine stinger funding cut leaves public at risk
Lisa Gershwin studies jellyfish. She is the world's only dedicated jellyfish taxonomist and has named over 150 jellyfish. Lisa's work concentrates on the box jellyfish and Irukandji.
Best known to the public as the Marine Stinger Coordinator for Surf Life Saving Queensland, Lisa is a bona fide member of the George and Ira Gershwin family and if you pardon the obvious, George Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ springs to mind when one learns that Lisa is out of a job this week.
Lisa has been high profile and worked locally with our Marine Stinger Committee who won an award from Surf Lifesaving this week. Additionally, she has assisted organisers of the YEA! Youth Environment Awards at the PCYC. Nationally and internationally, she has graced Robyn Williams’ ‘The Science Show’ on ABC Radio National and ‘Quirks and Quarks’ on CBC in Canada.
Talking to Lisa this week, she thanked the Whitsunday Shire Council especially Mayor Demartini and Councillor Jack Lumby for their support in regaining funding for her work; work that has seen public awareness raise while jellyfish stings have fallen.
“The work by Whitsunday Shire in support of stinger safety has been just fabulous,” Dr Lisa told Waterfront.
“They have worked tirelessly for the safety of all in North Queensland. I get a bit emotional but it isn’t about me really, it’s about whether little kids survive, its about tourists and moms and dads being safe.”
Whitsunday Shire Council has been a leader in trying to regain funding for Lisa’s work and are currently attempting to interest the State government.
The Irukandji jellyfish are named because of the condition, Irukandji syndrome, which results from their sting. Irukandji syndrome includes lower back pain, nausea and vomiting, cramps, sweating, muscular restlessness, and a feeling of doom. There's no mark left from the sting and there is nothing to test for. Death is usually the result of a stroke.
Simply wearing a protective suit could save a life.
Give thanks for Blessing
A big Thank You to Reverend Terry Ayling and his Dad Peter for their work developing the Festival of the Wind in support of our 18th Blessing of the Fleet on Sunday.
At the sailing club, the ever-helpful Jim Hayes and his sailors, young and still young, were wonderful. Those young sailors displaying boat-handling skills in their small boats are always an inspiration, even to old-err seadogs.
The Citizens band and the Proserpine High School band were excellent. The Lions marquee on the front lawn of the club was perfect for those gathering in His name to give special thanks, recognition and prayers to those who work and serve on the sea, those of the Navy, merchant service, and the Water Police and rescue services who do a dangerous job to benefit all.
Dent to Dunk
“The 2007 Dent to Dunk Race was sailed in wet and windy conditions. Six yachts faced the starter and only five finished the race,” reports John Graham from Port Hinchinbrook at Cardwell
Spud Gun, a catamaran owned by Peter Millar of Airlie Beach, took line honours in a time of 22 hours 45 minutes to average just over 10 knots over the 228 nautical mile downwind course. Mummbo, a Mumm 36 sailed by Chris Smith of Townsville, was the first monohull to finish two hours 44 minutes behind SPUD GUN.
The Dent to Dunk Rally had a fleet of 40 yachts that anchored each night on the way up.
The forecast 25 to 30 knot southeasterly soon developed with rain squalls reaching a reported 40 knots.
Film fight for Pirates
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End set a new US Memorial Day weekend box office record. Pirates brought in $142 million Friday through Monday, but fell short of breaking the best Friday-Sunday opening ever, the $151 million made by Spider-Man 3 a few weeks ago.
Master Mariners Regatta
More than 80 craft ranging in size from the 23-foot Bear Class sloops to the 122-foot topsail schooner Lynx set sail at the weekend to contribute to a spectacle on San Francisco Bay – the annual Master Mariners Regatta.
Many entries date back to the early 1900s and at least one - the veteran scow schooner Alma - to the 1800s. Back then, indeed since 1867 the Master Mariners was raced in commercial sailing ships, and the object was to raise money to care for retired sailors and the families of those lost at sea.
In those days, winners didn't get trophies. They got useful things like a cord of wood or a ton of potatoes. The potato tradition continues today in perhaps the oddest wrinkle you will ever read in any sailing instructions: If one of the big schooners can't quite make it around a mark, it will count as a rounding if they can hit the mark with a thrown potato. (Hmmm, maybe they should try that at the America's Cup.)
Old gaffers
Historic gaff cutter Jenny Wren, launched in the 1890s and probably the oldest yacht in Australia still racing (albeit occasionally), won her division of the Sydney Harbour Bridge 75th Anniversary Regatta.
The 28-foot gaff-rigged cutter that features a bowsprit almost half her overall length was one of more than 40 classic wooden yachts that added their tribute to the Bridge's birthday.
Gipsy Moth IV home
Gipsy Moth IV returned to Plymouth this week after completing her second global voyage, this time sailed by young people. She returned to the city exactly 40 years to the day since Chichester sailed into Plymouth Sound after completing his record-breaking circumnavigation in 1967.
The Gipsy Moth IV Project has provided nearly 90 deserving young people with the opportunity of a lifetime - of challenge, adventure and achievement. The famous vessel has visited 20 countries around the world and generated a following of thousands via the project’s website and educational resource packages distributed to UK schools.
Following the global voyage, Gipsy Moth IV will join UKSA’s fleet of yachts in Cowes and continue to take young people on adventurous sailing experiences.
For my roses
“Some people grumble because roses have thorns; I am thankful that the thorns have roses”
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap’n Dan
Lisa Gershwin studies jellyfish. She is the world's only dedicated jellyfish taxonomist and has named over 150 jellyfish. Lisa's work concentrates on the box jellyfish and Irukandji.
Best known to the public as the Marine Stinger Coordinator for Surf Life Saving Queensland, Lisa is a bona fide member of the George and Ira Gershwin family and if you pardon the obvious, George Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ springs to mind when one learns that Lisa is out of a job this week.
Lisa has been high profile and worked locally with our Marine Stinger Committee who won an award from Surf Lifesaving this week. Additionally, she has assisted organisers of the YEA! Youth Environment Awards at the PCYC. Nationally and internationally, she has graced Robyn Williams’ ‘The Science Show’ on ABC Radio National and ‘Quirks and Quarks’ on CBC in Canada.
Talking to Lisa this week, she thanked the Whitsunday Shire Council especially Mayor Demartini and Councillor Jack Lumby for their support in regaining funding for her work; work that has seen public awareness raise while jellyfish stings have fallen.
“The work by Whitsunday Shire in support of stinger safety has been just fabulous,” Dr Lisa told Waterfront.
“They have worked tirelessly for the safety of all in North Queensland. I get a bit emotional but it isn’t about me really, it’s about whether little kids survive, its about tourists and moms and dads being safe.”
Whitsunday Shire Council has been a leader in trying to regain funding for Lisa’s work and are currently attempting to interest the State government.
The Irukandji jellyfish are named because of the condition, Irukandji syndrome, which results from their sting. Irukandji syndrome includes lower back pain, nausea and vomiting, cramps, sweating, muscular restlessness, and a feeling of doom. There's no mark left from the sting and there is nothing to test for. Death is usually the result of a stroke.
Simply wearing a protective suit could save a life.
Give thanks for Blessing
A big Thank You to Reverend Terry Ayling and his Dad Peter for their work developing the Festival of the Wind in support of our 18th Blessing of the Fleet on Sunday.
At the sailing club, the ever-helpful Jim Hayes and his sailors, young and still young, were wonderful. Those young sailors displaying boat-handling skills in their small boats are always an inspiration, even to old-err seadogs.
The Citizens band and the Proserpine High School band were excellent. The Lions marquee on the front lawn of the club was perfect for those gathering in His name to give special thanks, recognition and prayers to those who work and serve on the sea, those of the Navy, merchant service, and the Water Police and rescue services who do a dangerous job to benefit all.
Dent to Dunk
“The 2007 Dent to Dunk Race was sailed in wet and windy conditions. Six yachts faced the starter and only five finished the race,” reports John Graham from Port Hinchinbrook at Cardwell
Spud Gun, a catamaran owned by Peter Millar of Airlie Beach, took line honours in a time of 22 hours 45 minutes to average just over 10 knots over the 228 nautical mile downwind course. Mummbo, a Mumm 36 sailed by Chris Smith of Townsville, was the first monohull to finish two hours 44 minutes behind SPUD GUN.
The Dent to Dunk Rally had a fleet of 40 yachts that anchored each night on the way up.
The forecast 25 to 30 knot southeasterly soon developed with rain squalls reaching a reported 40 knots.
Film fight for Pirates
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End set a new US Memorial Day weekend box office record. Pirates brought in $142 million Friday through Monday, but fell short of breaking the best Friday-Sunday opening ever, the $151 million made by Spider-Man 3 a few weeks ago.
Master Mariners Regatta
More than 80 craft ranging in size from the 23-foot Bear Class sloops to the 122-foot topsail schooner Lynx set sail at the weekend to contribute to a spectacle on San Francisco Bay – the annual Master Mariners Regatta.
Many entries date back to the early 1900s and at least one - the veteran scow schooner Alma - to the 1800s. Back then, indeed since 1867 the Master Mariners was raced in commercial sailing ships, and the object was to raise money to care for retired sailors and the families of those lost at sea.
In those days, winners didn't get trophies. They got useful things like a cord of wood or a ton of potatoes. The potato tradition continues today in perhaps the oddest wrinkle you will ever read in any sailing instructions: If one of the big schooners can't quite make it around a mark, it will count as a rounding if they can hit the mark with a thrown potato. (Hmmm, maybe they should try that at the America's Cup.)
Old gaffers
Historic gaff cutter Jenny Wren, launched in the 1890s and probably the oldest yacht in Australia still racing (albeit occasionally), won her division of the Sydney Harbour Bridge 75th Anniversary Regatta.
The 28-foot gaff-rigged cutter that features a bowsprit almost half her overall length was one of more than 40 classic wooden yachts that added their tribute to the Bridge's birthday.
Gipsy Moth IV home
Gipsy Moth IV returned to Plymouth this week after completing her second global voyage, this time sailed by young people. She returned to the city exactly 40 years to the day since Chichester sailed into Plymouth Sound after completing his record-breaking circumnavigation in 1967.
The Gipsy Moth IV Project has provided nearly 90 deserving young people with the opportunity of a lifetime - of challenge, adventure and achievement. The famous vessel has visited 20 countries around the world and generated a following of thousands via the project’s website and educational resource packages distributed to UK schools.
Following the global voyage, Gipsy Moth IV will join UKSA’s fleet of yachts in Cowes and continue to take young people on adventurous sailing experiences.
For my roses
“Some people grumble because roses have thorns; I am thankful that the thorns have roses”
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap’n Dan
Monday, February 12, 2007
Fishing adventures, lures and raw prawns
Your Waterfront writer joins Guardian readers in enjoying the fishing adventures of Kat and Ez in their Fishing Shennigans column each week.
Their love of bright, shiny and new things proves the viability of bait shops selling baubles. If they are on the end of a line girls, they’re called ‘lures’. This includes the shiny 4WD on your shopping list.
The girls have passed on some great information regarding crocs, bait, vehicles, fishing gear and ‘spots’. Learning by doing is the most fun as long as you survive the experience.
The girls have even been reading things like the Fishing Guide supplied by the “lovely” Fisheries officers.
However, we have to come the raw prawn on the issue of using non-Australian raw prawns.
Now to be fair, perhaps the raw prawns the girls used were Aussie prawns, in which case it’s ok. But not if they are imported.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Executive Director John Tanzer says imported green prawns could carry exotic viruses, such as the white spot syndrome virus, that were not dangerous for human consumption but had the potential to be transferred to Australian stocks of prawns and crabs.
“If you're unsure what baits to use, follow the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries guidelines, read raw seafood labels carefully, and avoid the use of imported green (uncooked) prawns as bait or berley,” he said.
Every fisher shares their excitement at getting something on the line. Hopefully Kay and Ez will keep the close encounters with crocs to a minimum so we may continue to enjoy their adventures.
Buffett Groovy launch
A favourite with sailors, singer Jimmy Buffett took delivery of a new sailboat christened ‘Groovy’ a Tofinou 9.50 in St. Barth
Designed by Michel Joubert, and said to be as fast as she is expensive. Buffett and friends, enjoyed a brief christening, and then he went out for an afternoon sail.
Singer Jimmy Buffett is a frequent visitor on the French island, and owns a house there. He also owned a hotel, the Autor de Rocher, before it burned down.
Saint-Barthélemy is a French island located in the Caribbean among the Leeward Islands about 150 miles east of Puerto Rico.
Sunny outlook?
Sunglasses date back to 15th century China, where they were worn by judges to conceal their expressions while presiding over court.
Young Endeavour
Please could you circulate this message to your community to encourage 16 - 23 year olds to apply for an 11-day voyage on the Young Endeavour tall ship. Our ballot is open until 1 April 2007.
Not for profits and Community organisations can also sponsor a young person to sail and can bypass the ballot selection process. This is an opportunity to offer training in team work, leadership and communication in a unique environment.
Amy Osborne Sponsorship Manager Young Endeavour Youth Scheme said voyages are for 11-days with a departure scheduled from Airlie Beach later this year.
Wooden boats
This weekend sees the seventh Australian Wooden Boat Festival taking place at the Hobart’s Constitution Dock. The maritime city hosts the festival with the historic waterfront precinct a scene of colour, excitement, action, music and flavours, all inspired by the sea.
Hayman lights restored
Mariners are advised that the two lighted beacons located in The Narrows at Hayman Island have now been restored to normal. AUS charts: 254, 370
“Don't knock the weather. If it didn't change once in a while, many people would have trouble starting a conversation”
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap’n Dan
Your Waterfront writer joins Guardian readers in enjoying the fishing adventures of Kat and Ez in their Fishing Shennigans column each week.
Their love of bright, shiny and new things proves the viability of bait shops selling baubles. If they are on the end of a line girls, they’re called ‘lures’. This includes the shiny 4WD on your shopping list.
The girls have passed on some great information regarding crocs, bait, vehicles, fishing gear and ‘spots’. Learning by doing is the most fun as long as you survive the experience.
The girls have even been reading things like the Fishing Guide supplied by the “lovely” Fisheries officers.
However, we have to come the raw prawn on the issue of using non-Australian raw prawns.
Now to be fair, perhaps the raw prawns the girls used were Aussie prawns, in which case it’s ok. But not if they are imported.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Executive Director John Tanzer says imported green prawns could carry exotic viruses, such as the white spot syndrome virus, that were not dangerous for human consumption but had the potential to be transferred to Australian stocks of prawns and crabs.
“If you're unsure what baits to use, follow the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries guidelines, read raw seafood labels carefully, and avoid the use of imported green (uncooked) prawns as bait or berley,” he said.
Every fisher shares their excitement at getting something on the line. Hopefully Kay and Ez will keep the close encounters with crocs to a minimum so we may continue to enjoy their adventures.
Buffett Groovy launch
A favourite with sailors, singer Jimmy Buffett took delivery of a new sailboat christened ‘Groovy’ a Tofinou 9.50 in St. Barth
Designed by Michel Joubert, and said to be as fast as she is expensive. Buffett and friends, enjoyed a brief christening, and then he went out for an afternoon sail.
Singer Jimmy Buffett is a frequent visitor on the French island, and owns a house there. He also owned a hotel, the Autor de Rocher, before it burned down.
Saint-Barthélemy is a French island located in the Caribbean among the Leeward Islands about 150 miles east of Puerto Rico.
Sunny outlook?
Sunglasses date back to 15th century China, where they were worn by judges to conceal their expressions while presiding over court.
Young Endeavour
Please could you circulate this message to your community to encourage 16 - 23 year olds to apply for an 11-day voyage on the Young Endeavour tall ship. Our ballot is open until 1 April 2007.
Not for profits and Community organisations can also sponsor a young person to sail and can bypass the ballot selection process. This is an opportunity to offer training in team work, leadership and communication in a unique environment.
Amy Osborne Sponsorship Manager Young Endeavour Youth Scheme said voyages are for 11-days with a departure scheduled from Airlie Beach later this year.
Wooden boats
This weekend sees the seventh Australian Wooden Boat Festival taking place at the Hobart’s Constitution Dock. The maritime city hosts the festival with the historic waterfront precinct a scene of colour, excitement, action, music and flavours, all inspired by the sea.
Hayman lights restored
Mariners are advised that the two lighted beacons located in The Narrows at Hayman Island have now been restored to normal. AUS charts: 254, 370
“Don't knock the weather. If it didn't change once in a while, many people would have trouble starting a conversation”
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap’n Dan
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
2005's last minute will have 61 seconds
World clocks will be set back by one whole second at midnight on Dec 31 this year.
Researchers have said that the Earth has not been able to keep up with its rotational pace. As such, December 31's last minute will have 61 seconds instead of 60.
Following advice of astronomers, who use observations of stars to monitor Earth's spin, the International Telecommunication Union has decided to adjust the world's clock.
"People who have short-wave radios and nothing better to do on New Year's Eve can actually hear this 'leap second' correction being made," said Roger Sinnott, a senior editor at Sky and Telescope magazine.
Astronomers have said that tuning into the short-wave station WWV at 5 or 10 MHz, or CHU at 3335 kHz, will allow people to count 61 official seconds before the minute before midnight at Greenwich.
If everything went right, all personal computers, GPS receivers, and radio-controlled clocks around the world will automatically adjust themselves, they said, adding that the last time a leap second was added was on Dec 31, 1998, before most of today's computers were manufactured.
Some communications engineers have however said that the insertion of a leap second is a needless annoyance. Astronomers have on the other hand said, that it would signal the end of mankind's fundamentally Sun- and star-based timekeeping system.
The International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) has announced the introduction of a "time step" at the end of December to add a "leap second" as 2006 arrives.
Leap seconds are needed to keep clocks in step with Earth's rotation, which varies by several thousandths of a second per day. Slowing down the clocks every year or two keeps them coordinated. As 2005 transitions to 2006, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) will be retarded by 1.0 second. This essentially means that the last minute in 2005 will be 61 seconds long: December 31, 2005, 23:59:59; December 31, 2005, 23:59:60; January 1, 2006, 00:00:00. This adjustment will affect UTC and all time scales based on UTC. Loran-C and GPS will not be adjusted physically, however.
For GPS, the leap second correction, contained within the UTC data of the navigation message transmitted by satellites, will change. After the leap second, GPS will be ahead of UTC by 14 seconds.
Barramundi on holidays
Barramundi remain off-limits this holiday season along Queensland's east coast.
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) senior fisheries management officer Anita Wohlsen said that the Barramundi closed season was aimed at protecting stocks of barramundi during their spawning period.
"The closed season allows fish to spawn and stocks to replenish ensuring healthy fish stocks for current and future generations," Ms Wohlsen said.
"The annual closed season for Barramundi along Queensland's east coast will be in place until midday February 1, 2006.
"The on-the-spot fine for taking a Barramundi during this period is $300.
"While barramundi will be off-limits in most areas, anglers wanting to catch the iconic fish can still throw in a line at 18 of Queensland's stocked impoundments where a fisher is permitted to have one barramundi in their possession.
Don't dump your fishy friends
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) is urging people not to dump their unwanted fishy friends when they go on holidays this Christmas.
DPI&F principal scientist Peter Jackson said most aquarium and some pond fish species are not native to Queensland and have the potential to cause serious environmental damage if released into local creeks or streams.
"Pet fish should never be released into dams and creeks or flushed down the toilet. People need to make arrangements for their pet fish to be looked after on the holidays or they need to dispose of them appropriately," Dr Jackson said.
"If people have fish which they no longer want, they should dispose of them by putting them in an ice slurry to humanely kill them. Alternatively, they may be able to give them back to the shop where they were purchased.
"Pet, ornamental and bait fish can all too easily turn into pests when released into our waterways. A few non-native fish could become thousands in the wild and may compete aggressively with native fish for food and space, degrade habitat, and introduce exotic diseases and parasites.
"Prevention is our best protection. Pest fish can upset the balance of a whole ecosystem and when they become established in a water body they can become impossible to eradicate."
International sailing summit
Connect to Sailing's overriding goal is to revitalise grass roots participation in all categories of sailing and put sailing firmly back into growth with a focus on youth.
Sailing is a lifetime's sport - and it is part of International Sailing Federation (ISAF) mandate to ensure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to participate and benefit from the sport.
As the world governing body for the sport of sailing, ISAF is in a position of influence. ISAF has a community - its members - the 114 national sailing authorities around the world.
Hook Island buoy
Mariners are advised that the unlit red marker buoy between Stanley Point and Cockatoo Point, Hook Island in approximate position latitude 20°04.3815'S, longitude 148°54.1439'E is reported to be no longer in position. Mariners are advised to navigate with caution in this area. AUS Charts Affected - 252, 254, 370, 825
Newfoundland fisherman's saying.
'Tis another year gone
God Bless you an' yours
May 'ee grant you
FAIR WINDS
As you bend at d'oars.
Best wishes of the Season and Long may your big jib draw!
Cap'n Dan
World clocks will be set back by one whole second at midnight on Dec 31 this year.
Researchers have said that the Earth has not been able to keep up with its rotational pace. As such, December 31's last minute will have 61 seconds instead of 60.
Following advice of astronomers, who use observations of stars to monitor Earth's spin, the International Telecommunication Union has decided to adjust the world's clock.
"People who have short-wave radios and nothing better to do on New Year's Eve can actually hear this 'leap second' correction being made," said Roger Sinnott, a senior editor at Sky and Telescope magazine.
Astronomers have said that tuning into the short-wave station WWV at 5 or 10 MHz, or CHU at 3335 kHz, will allow people to count 61 official seconds before the minute before midnight at Greenwich.
If everything went right, all personal computers, GPS receivers, and radio-controlled clocks around the world will automatically adjust themselves, they said, adding that the last time a leap second was added was on Dec 31, 1998, before most of today's computers were manufactured.
Some communications engineers have however said that the insertion of a leap second is a needless annoyance. Astronomers have on the other hand said, that it would signal the end of mankind's fundamentally Sun- and star-based timekeeping system.
The International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) has announced the introduction of a "time step" at the end of December to add a "leap second" as 2006 arrives.
Leap seconds are needed to keep clocks in step with Earth's rotation, which varies by several thousandths of a second per day. Slowing down the clocks every year or two keeps them coordinated. As 2005 transitions to 2006, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) will be retarded by 1.0 second. This essentially means that the last minute in 2005 will be 61 seconds long: December 31, 2005, 23:59:59; December 31, 2005, 23:59:60; January 1, 2006, 00:00:00. This adjustment will affect UTC and all time scales based on UTC. Loran-C and GPS will not be adjusted physically, however.
For GPS, the leap second correction, contained within the UTC data of the navigation message transmitted by satellites, will change. After the leap second, GPS will be ahead of UTC by 14 seconds.
Barramundi on holidays
Barramundi remain off-limits this holiday season along Queensland's east coast.
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) senior fisheries management officer Anita Wohlsen said that the Barramundi closed season was aimed at protecting stocks of barramundi during their spawning period.
"The closed season allows fish to spawn and stocks to replenish ensuring healthy fish stocks for current and future generations," Ms Wohlsen said.
"The annual closed season for Barramundi along Queensland's east coast will be in place until midday February 1, 2006.
"The on-the-spot fine for taking a Barramundi during this period is $300.
"While barramundi will be off-limits in most areas, anglers wanting to catch the iconic fish can still throw in a line at 18 of Queensland's stocked impoundments where a fisher is permitted to have one barramundi in their possession.
Don't dump your fishy friends
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) is urging people not to dump their unwanted fishy friends when they go on holidays this Christmas.
DPI&F principal scientist Peter Jackson said most aquarium and some pond fish species are not native to Queensland and have the potential to cause serious environmental damage if released into local creeks or streams.
"Pet fish should never be released into dams and creeks or flushed down the toilet. People need to make arrangements for their pet fish to be looked after on the holidays or they need to dispose of them appropriately," Dr Jackson said.
"If people have fish which they no longer want, they should dispose of them by putting them in an ice slurry to humanely kill them. Alternatively, they may be able to give them back to the shop where they were purchased.
"Pet, ornamental and bait fish can all too easily turn into pests when released into our waterways. A few non-native fish could become thousands in the wild and may compete aggressively with native fish for food and space, degrade habitat, and introduce exotic diseases and parasites.
"Prevention is our best protection. Pest fish can upset the balance of a whole ecosystem and when they become established in a water body they can become impossible to eradicate."
International sailing summit
Connect to Sailing's overriding goal is to revitalise grass roots participation in all categories of sailing and put sailing firmly back into growth with a focus on youth.
Sailing is a lifetime's sport - and it is part of International Sailing Federation (ISAF) mandate to ensure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to participate and benefit from the sport.
As the world governing body for the sport of sailing, ISAF is in a position of influence. ISAF has a community - its members - the 114 national sailing authorities around the world.
Hook Island buoy
Mariners are advised that the unlit red marker buoy between Stanley Point and Cockatoo Point, Hook Island in approximate position latitude 20°04.3815'S, longitude 148°54.1439'E is reported to be no longer in position. Mariners are advised to navigate with caution in this area. AUS Charts Affected - 252, 254, 370, 825
Newfoundland fisherman's saying.
'Tis another year gone
God Bless you an' yours
May 'ee grant you
FAIR WINDS
As you bend at d'oars.
Best wishes of the Season and Long may your big jib draw!
Cap'n Dan
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