Grounded ship tried shortcut: fishers

Grounded ship tried shortcut: fishers

 

Fisherman say they have seen ships like the now grounded Shen Neng 1 take 'shortcuts' through the Great Barrier Reef.

A Maritime Safety Queensland spokesperson also revealed facts relating to the shortcut near the site of now stricken ship.

The illegal route through the GBR has enough depth to permit ships to take the shortcut on the run to China, saving time and fuel, if it works out.

Ships may also exit legally through surveyed channels such as Hydrographers Passage, known as the Coral Gateway, open for navigation in the 1980s.

The Shen Neng 1 hit Douglas Shoal at full speed when it ran aground on Saturday night.

An MSQ representative said the passage was possible, but "poorly executed" by the Shen Neng 1, which was obviously "well outside the shipping lanes."

Authorities are hoping for good weather to stop a stricken carrier spilling more oil into the Great Barrier Reef.

Chinese owners Cosco face fines of up to $1 million over the incident, while the captain could receive an individual penalty of up to $250,000.

Global tug operator and salvage company Svitzer has been contracted to supply tugs and equipment to remove the ship.

 Svitzer Salvage recently succeeded in refloating a cargo vessel that grounded in January in Algeciras Bay, Spain during a storm.  

 

Ahoy sailors!

 

The Rotary Club of Airlie Beach Young Endeavour program is looking for young sailors to take part in a sponsored program. The program application date is extended until this Friday April 9.

 

Mariner notices

 

Following cyclone Ului, there are still lights out and navigation marks destroyed so Mariners should use caution when navigating in the vicinity.

 

Mariners are advised that an 8-metre fly bridge cruiser has sunk in shallow water in the Muddy Bay small craft mooring area, a buoy mooring float (MM348) marks the position of the vessel. AUS charts 252, 253, 268, 824 & 825

 

The leading light at Unsafe Passage, between North Molle and South Molle Islands have been reported to be unlit. However, Waterfront brought a yacht through on Monday and they were lit at that time.

 

At Bait Reef, mariners are advised that the starboard lateral mark beacon in approximate position latitude 19° 48.56' S, longitude 149° 03.76' E, which marks the western side of Bait Reef, has been destroyed.

 

Seaforth Creek entrance lighted buoy lateral mark buoy Fl R 2.5s has been temporarily established in position. Mariners should use caution when transiting the entrance as remnants of the beacon remain. AUS chart 251

 

Victor Creek. The port lateral mark No.4 beacon Fl R 3s which is the second port lateral mark beacon from seaward marking the entrance into Victor Creek, has been destroyed. A port lateral mark buoy Fl R 3s has been temporarily established to mark the position of the destroyed beacon. Navigate with caution as remnants of the destroyed beacon remain. AUS chart 251

 

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

"Hush money" claim to Sydney Ferries tenderers

"Hush money" claim to Sydney Ferries tenderers

Thursday, 12 August 2010 06:52

The New South Wales state government in Australia has paid transport operators Veolia and TransdevTSL up to AU$6 million (US$5.38 million) for the money they wasted tendering against Sydney Ferries for management of the service. Sydney Harbour ferry 'Supply', in Sydney, Australia. The state opposition Treasury spokesperson Mike Baird accused the payments of being "hush money" and criticised the whole tendering process for being deeply flawed following a Maritime Union of Australia campaign, which forced NSW Premier Kristina Keneally to cancel the process. The previous premier, Nathan Rees, opened up Sydney Ferries for privatisation following a critical report from barrister Bret Walker, which recommended private sector management. The Australian has reported that the two tenderers spent between AU$2 million and AU$3 million in bid preparations, however details of the tendering process have not been disclosed. See the Work Boat World editorial from October 2009, from Editor-in-Chief Neil Baird on the perils of government-owned ferries. Source: The Australian

Fleet to be Blessed on Whitsunday May 23

Fleet to be Blessed on Whitsunday

 

BISHOP of North Queensland, Bill Ray will conduct the 2010 Blessing of the Fleet service on Whitsunday May 23 at the Whitsunday Sailing Club in Airlie Beach

 

It will be 240 years since First Lieutenant James Cook named the Whitsunday Passage in 1770.

 

This year's service also marks 21 years since Father Keith Felgate started the annual Blessing of the Fleet in Airlie Beach.

 

The Blessing of the Fleet in Airlie Beach is held each year on Whitsunday, otherwise known as Pentecost Sunday.

 

A Blessing of the Fleet is part of the calendar of many seaside and fishing communities around the world.

 

Like Easter, Whitsunday or Pentecost Sunday is on different dates each year.

 

Cook and his crew sailed through the magnificent passage he named Whitsunday on his voyage of adventure and discovery.

 

In addition, Cook named Pentecost Island for the religious occasion.

 

Father Keith Felgate was inspired to conduct an annual blessing of the fleet here at Whitsunday in 1989.

 

"As we conduct the Blessing of the fleet on Whitsunday, my thoughts turn to Father Keith who in his retirement is no doubt also thinking of us," says co-founder Cap'n Dan Van Blarcom.

 

Community groups are invited to participate in the Blessing of the Fleet on the seafront lawn at the Whitsunday Sailing Club, Airlie Beach from 10am, May 23. The sail past of yachts is from 11 am from the sea wall.

 

For further information, contact the sailing club or call Cap'n Dan Van Blarcom on-4946 4131  MOB  0407 676 952.

Easter Regatta 2010 this weekend

Easter Regatta 2010 this weekend

 

It's that time of year again, Easter in Airlie Beach means some terrific small boat racing on the waters of Pioneer Bay.

"The Easter Regatta is open to all classes of off-beach boat - junior, senior, one hull and two. So, whether you sail a Corsair, Laser, 125, 49er, Sabot, Opti, Nacra, Hobie, Foiling Moth - or one of a hundred other classes of boat, we'd love to see you there!" say Whitsunday Sailing Club organisers.

"This year we're again incorporating the Queensland State Tasar Titles, so for those of you planning to head to the Nationals here in July it will be a great opportunity to get a feel for the local conditions.

Full details of the Regatta and details,  how to enter and where you can stay in Airlie Beach are available on the official Easter Regatta website. www.easterregatta.com.au

 

Two million and rising

 

The number and cost of insurance claims for boats and other watercraft damaged as a result of Cyclone Ului are rising quickly, according to Club Marine Insurance.

Greg Fisher, CEO of Club Marine, said "we have received 25 claims to a value of about $2 million dollars so far but expect this to increase over coming days."

According to Mr Fisher, "in anticipation of claims being received as a result of the cyclone, we pre-hired some cranes on Friday so that we could move quickly to remove damaged boats from the water after the storm passed.

 

Vessel-with-a-mission

 

Plastiki, a 60-foot catamaran made entirely out of recyclable and recycled materials, including 12,500 plastic bottles, has departed San Francisco heading to Australia with the first planned stop The Line Islands, southwest of Hawaii.

The dream of environmentalist and adventurer David de Rothschild, Plastiki is a unique vessel-with-a-mission inspired by Thor Heyerdahl's epic 1947 expedition, The Kon-Tiki.

It's about recognizing that waste is fundamentally a design flaw, it does not appear in nature. It's about re-thinking waste as a resource.

The six-person crew enjoyed a farewell flotilla of 'Frisco Bay boats that sent them off in style.

 

Mariner notices

 

Cyclone Ului caused a far bit of damage, so mariners need to be aware that navigation aids may not be working.

 

Schooner Rock, north of St Bees Island - the north cardinal mark beacon Q is destroyed. AUS charts 251 & 824

 

Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island - Mariners are advised that the north cardinal mark beacon Q at the southern end of Whitehaven Beach on has been destroyed. AUS charts 252 & 253

 

Nara Inlet Entrance, Hook Island, Mariners are advised that the port lateral mark beacon Fl R 2.5s which marks the entrance to Nara Inlet, has been destroyed. Remnants of the beacon remain and are exposed at low tide and covered at high tide. Mariners are advised to use extreme caution when transiting the entrance.

 

Seaforth Island - Mariners are advised that the light Fl (9) 15s on the South Western side of Seaforth Island has been reported as unlit. Mariners should use caution in this vicinity.

AUS charts 254 & 824

 

Hayman Channel, The Narrows & South Channel - The Whitsunday Group

Mariners are advised that the following aids to navigation in the Hayman Island area have been either damaged or destroyed:

• the south cardinal mark beacon Q(6)+L Fl 15s which marks Langford Reef

• the green starboard lateral mark beacon Fl G 4s which marks Hayman Reef

• the green starboard lateral mark beacon Fl G 2.5s which marks Hayman Reef

• the green starboard lateral mark buoy Fl G 6s which marks Hayman Reef

Mariners are advised to use caution when navigating in the vicinity. Remnants of the destroyed structures may remain. AUS charts 252, 254 & 825 Mariners should use caution when navigating in the vicinity.

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

Mutiny on the Bounty rerun voyage quest

 

Mutiny on the Bounty rerun voyage quest

 

One of the greatest Australian adventurers of our time, Don McIntyre, is set to embark on an incredible nautical journey to re-create one of the most extraordinary stories of survival and determination; Captain William Bligh's 4,000 mile open boat 'Mutiny on the Bounty' voyage.

The re-enactment, a voyage across the Pacific from Tonga to Timor, will launch on the same day, at the same time and in the same place 221 years after the original mutiny journey.

The seven week expedition aboard the Talisker Bounty Boat, a 25-foot, 7-foot wide open wooden vessel, will see the crew facing the same deprivations as the original crew cast adrift in mid Pacific, no navigation charts, only two weeks of water, hardly any food and, of course, no luxuries like a torch or toilet paper!

Don and the crew head off on their astonishing nautical adventure from Tonga on April 28th.

This isn't the first extraordinary adventure that Don has undertaken – you may remember him as one-half of the couple who lived for a year in total isolation in a hut on the windiest point of Antarctica. Or sailing solo around the world.

Don is also friend and mentor to teen solo sailor Jessica Watson providing her with the boat in which she is currently sailing around the world.

Not content with just taking on this huge challenge, McIntyre and his crew of three are attempting to raise over $250,000 for The Sheffield Institute Foundation for Motor Neurone Disease (SIF) Parkinson's and Alzheimer's research Institute.

Alongside Don McIntyre, the international crew includes experienced English sailor David Wilkinson, US sailor Peter Stier and the youngest solo circumnavigator, 17-year-old Brit Mike Perham.

 

Lloyd's 250th anniversary

 

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the establishment of Lloyd's Register.

The Lloyd's Register Group owes its name and foundation to a 17th century London coffee house owned by Edward Lloyd, a meeting place of merchants, marine underwriters and others connected with shipping.

In 1760, customers of the coffee house formed the 'Register Society' to examine merchant ships and 'classify' them according to their condition. The first Register of Ships was printed in 1764.

The fundamental purpose of Lloyd's Register has remained unchanged over its long history but the way that this purpose is discharged has progressively changed as technology and the regulatory environment have developed.

Lloyd's Register has continually updated its Rules, both in scope and content, to reflect the changing needs of the maritime industries.

 

Historic Blessing

 

Fifty days after Easter is Pentecost Sunday, and this year marks 240 years since Whit Sunday was named by 1st lieutenant James Cook in 1770 and 21 years since Father Keith Felgate felt the call to begin the Blessing of the Fleet in Airlie Beach. This year, Sunday May 23 is Pentecost / Whit Sunday and again the Airlie foreshore at the Whitsunday Sailing Club will be the focal point.

As this year also marks the centenary of the forming of the Proserpine Citizens' Band, the band will have pride of place.

Community groups are invited to take part in this special anniversary event.

 

Parks News

 

The construction of new toilet amenities at Tongue Point will be underway for about twelve weeks. Plant and machinery will be used throughout March to prepare the site. Access to the lookouts will remain open with minor disruption during heli-lift operations.

 

Parks Q & A

 

Q. Can I walk my dog on the national park islands or beaches?

No. Domestic animals are not permitted in national parks or within the intertidal beaches of the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park adjoining the Whitsunday Islands National Park.

 

Seaforth Island

 

Mariners are advised that the light Fl (9) 15s on the South Western side of Seaforth Island has been reported as unlit. Mariners should use caution in this vicinity. AUS charts 254 & 824

 

A bit of colour

 

"Life is like a rainbow. You need both the sun and the rain to make its colours appear"

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

Adventure of a lifetime for local youth

Adventure of a lifetime for local youth

 

WANTED! Enthusiastic young people aged 16 to 23 from the Whitsunday Region to participate in the experience of a lifetime.

The Rotary Club of Airlie Beach Inc is sponsoring four berths on the Training Ship Young Endeavour for a ten-day voyage from Mackay to Shute Harbour in July.

The Young Endeavour is a 44-metre tall ship purpose-built for sail training, with modern technology and world-class safety navigation equipment operated by the Australian Navy.

Voyages on this ship are challenging and exciting, allowing participants to learn more about themselves and how to work with others as a team.

"For 11 days with 23 other young Aussies you learn how to sail and how to work together," said Merewyn Wright, the project coordinator for the Rotary Club of Airlie Beach.

"You don't need to be a sailor, most people who participate have never sailed before," she said.

Participants learn to sail the tall ship on the open sea. They are involved in all aspects of sailing a square-rigger from climbing the mast, setting the sails, navigating, keeping watch, taking the helm and helping in the galley.

In 2009, five Whitsunday regional students, Eve Fleming, James Bedford, Jayden Lorensini and Mitchel Whitton were the successful candidates chosen by the club to for this experience of a lifetime.

Applicants for the four sponsored berths must meet the Young Endeavour's usual eligibility requirements and live in the Whitsunday region.

Applications close March 31, Info Merewyn Wright 0419723986

 

Young sailor keen

 

Local sailor Klaus Lorenz recently competed at the Victorian Optimist State Championship, successfully winning the regatta.

After eight races sailed at the Sorrento Sailing & Couta Boat Club on Port Phillip Bay the victory went to Klaus ahead of Tom Lidgett (Vic) by the most slender margin of one point.

Representing the Whitsunday Sailing Club, Klaus now has his sights set the New Zealand Nationals in April and the European Championships in Poland in July.

 

FOR SALE

 

Shark Swimming Cages, as previously used in the Magnetic Island to Townsville Swim. Dimensions are approx 3m x 2m wide x 2m deep

Contact the committee if you would like to utilize them. Price very negotiable.

 

Jessica heads home

 

Round the world teen sailor, Jessica Watson reports from her little boat on the far western side of the Indian Ocean having passed the Cape of Good Hope – the southern tip of Africa.

"One exciting thing that happened lately (exciting in my books anyway!) is that we sailed onto the Indian Ocean chart which shows Australia on the far side. Four thousand nautical miles until Cape Leeuwin and Australia!

"The winds are light and shifty now," writes Jessica

"It probably sounds a bit strange and most people think it's the other way around, but believe it or not, light winds can often be one of the busiest times for a sailor. Because when the winds are light, it's normally very shifty, meaning that there's a lot of course changes and sail tweaking needed to try and keep the boat moving. When the weather is up, Ella's Pink Lady normally just powers along without needing much attention - and as the bouncy motion makes doing even the simplest things a million times more difficult in those conditions, I often just resort reading a book while wedged in my bunk, in between the few jobs that are necessary (like feeding myself!). When just opening a locker can mean the entire contents being emptied all over the floor, I find that it's often best just to sit tight and do as little as possible when it is like that!"

 

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

Will swim from Whitehaven Beach to Hamilton Island

 Clean up Australia marks 20 years of change

 

Clean up Australia founder Ian Kiernan is a passionate yachtsman, sailing competitively for more than 40 years, representing Australia at the Admiral's, Southern Cross, Dunhill, Clipper, Kenwood and Trans Pacific Cup competitions.

In 1986/87 Ian fulfilled a long-held dream by representing Australia in the BOC Challenge solo around-the-world yacht race. He set an Australian record for a solo circumnavigation of the world. It was during the BOC Challenge that Ian saw and was appalled by the amount of rubbish choking the world's oceans. He committed himself to do something about it on his return, starting in his own backyard - Sydney Harbour, organising a community event - Clean Up Sydney Harbour on Sunday 8 January 1989.

There was an overwhelming response from Sydney residents, with 40,000 volunteers turning out to lend a hand to clean up. The huge success of the first Clean Up sparked national interest in the simple but effective community-based idea. And so, in 1990 the first Clean Up Australia Day took place on Sunday, January 21.

Now an accepted community activity we look forward to Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday March 7. In North Queensland, communities and councils are aiming a clean ups during a cooler time of the year.

 

Oceans of junk

 

Others have found novel ways of highlighting junk in the ocean. One, the Junk Raft, was 30-feet long, built on six pontoons filled with 15,000 plastic bottles; deck is made of salvaged sailboat masts, and four sails speeding it along at roughly 2 knots, to make about 50 miles per day. It took three months to sail to Hawaii from California. Note from crew: Most dangerous moment? Driving to the Long Beach Aquarium on the day of departure.

Another awareness raising project is 'Plastiki' a distinctive, one-of-a-kind 60-foot (20m) catamaran made out of reclaimed plastic bottles and other recycled PET plastic and waste products.

Adventurer and ecologist David de Rothschild plans to sail across the Pacific Ocean starting in San Francisco, later this year ending his journey in Sydney, after a planned visit of several sites of ecological importance including the Great Barrier Reef in an attempt to draw attention to the amount of waste disposed of in our oceans.

 

Swim for the Reef

 

Two ultra marathon swimmers - Rob Hutchings and Todd Cameron plan to swim the entire length of the Great Barrier Reef, starting in August 2010. Spanning 2300km (1429 miles), it will be the longest multi-day ocean swim ever completed. -

This Saturday, the boys will be joined by local tri athlete Christie Leet. They plan to swim from Whitehaven Beach to Catseye Beach on Hamilton Island - a distance of 14.5 kms. There will be a meet and greets at the Airlie Beach Lagoon Friday at 5.30 and later at Coral Sea Resort. 

Great Barrier Reef Swim - http://www.gbrswim.org/

 

Distress hoax fine

 

A hoaxer who sparked a huge air and sea search costing £24,000 (A$42,200) after falsely claiming he and a friend were lost in a dinghy has been fined £2,500 (A$4,200).

The 21-year-old tied up RNLI lifeboats, a helicopter and police units for two-and-a-half hours after he made a hoax phone call saying he had got lost while on a fishing trip.

He said they were very cold and he was particularly worried about his friend's physical condition. Eventually, Welsh police traced the distress call, which showed the men were safely onshore.

The accused received a 12-week prison sentence suspended for a year. Magistrate Peter Loxdale said: "This was very serious and the costs were colossal. The only reason you were not jailed is because you are full of remorse."

 

Light restored

 

Mariners are advised that the Q(6) + LFl.15s light on the south cardinal mark beacon which is about 0.5 nautical miles south-east of Bird Island has been restored to normal. AUS charts 252, 254 & 825

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

Grandest Ocean liner to visit Airlie Beach

Grandest Ocean liner to visit Airlie Beach

 

The most exciting, the grandest, most magnificent ocean liner ever built; Cunard's Queen Mary 2 is due at Airlie Beach on Sunday February 28 on a two-month around the World cruise.
The Airlie Beach visit is the first stop in Australia for the luxury liner and its 3000 passengers, so we should make sure they get a great welcome.
Of course, one of the best ways to do that is to join the Volunteer Ambassador Program has been meeting and greeting cruise ships for some years now with Judi Dunn at the helm.
"Our volunteers are a critical ingredient in the successful experience for the passengers and therefore ensuring the cruise ship companies continue using Airlie Beach as their 'port of call' in the Whitsundays," Judi said.
If you like meeting and greeting people and helping to show off our destination you may contact Judi Dunn 0408 285 915.
What about a charter boat operator taking passengers out to have a closer look? A mate suggests that people would come from around the region to go out and have a turn around the great ship.

 

33rd America's Cup

 

Starting this week, the 33rd America's Cup will be raced for by two giant multihulls. The speeds of these mammoth multihulls are much greater than have ever been seen in the history of the America's Cup before. They are predicted to change the usual boat-against-boat match racing tactics.
The multihull crews have reported speeds over 25 knots in just over ten knots of wind.
The 33rd America's Cup will be held under the strict Deed of Gift rules. It is specified that the match be sailed in yachts 90 ft by 90 ft ,and so the Golden Gate Yacht Club developed their trimaran BOR BMW Oracle Racing 90, now USA 17, whilst the Société Nautique de Genève have opted for a giant catamaran.
The Deed of Gift Match is decided over just three races across two course types. Races 1 and 3 will be contested over a simple upwind-downwind loop totalling 40 miles, whilst Race 2 will be 39 miles long and around an equilateral triangle course comprising a 13-mile beat and two 13 miles reaches.
Among the Challenger and Defender crews, there are many of the best sailors in the world, charged with competing with craft, which have effectively brought a quantum leap in speed and technologies since the 32nd America's Cup.
STOP PRESS: Race one was postponed on Monday due to a lack of wind.

 

Coincidence?

 

Sunday February 14, 2010 marks both Valentine's Day and the beginning of the Chinese Year of the Tiger. Note: Nothing about sailing or golf here.

 

Tracking ships from space

 

Two new receivers will be tested on the International Space Station to help keep track of large ships at sea.
VHF radio signals from a ship's transponder regularly transmit the vessel's identification and location, but this data can only be picked up line-of-sight by other ships or when near land.
To improve the tracking of ships, these signals will be received on the space station to see if it can provide greater real-time tabs on shipping movements.

 

Smidgen of trivia

 

Until recently, no one thought a smidgen was an actual unit of measure. However, kitchen supply stores in North America and elsewhere are now selling sets of "minispoons" in which the smallest spoon is labelled "smidgen."
It is designed to hold exactly 1/2 pinch or 1/32 of a teaspoon, which is roughly 0.005 of a fluid ounce or 0.15 of a millilitre.
Moreover, where did the word 'smidgen' come from? Well apparently, it is a diminutive of "smutch" or "smudge"; it originally meant a small spot.

 

Fitzalan Passage light

 

Mariners are advised that the lighted special mark buoy Fl Y 2.5s in Fitzalan Passage, east of Henning Island, has been reported to be unlit.
Mariners should use caution when in the vicinity. AUS charts 252, 253 & 254.

Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan

Whitsunday Swim to raise awareness of Barrier Reef

Whitsunday Swim to raise awareness of Barrier Reef

 

 Two marathon swimmers, Rob Hutchings and Todd Cameron, have set their sights on swimming the full length of the Great Barrier Reef a distance of 2300km in late 2010.

"I have always dreamed of doing an extreme expedition like climbing Everest, but I'm not a mountain climber. Swimming is my passion and the Great Barrier Reef is my Everest," Rob Hutchings said.

Swimming in tandem, the men will have a support team of kayakers, sailing and semi rigid boats supported by a mother ship. It is anticipated that the Swim will take between 3-4 months.

"Based on current training we anticipate swimming 20-30km per day," says Todd, who has recently travelled from Toronto, Canada to train with Rob in Adelaide.

Swimming off the coast of Adelaide, they have had the opportunity to test out their sponsored Shark Shields Freedom 7 units. Their other concern is marine stingers.

A promotional 14km swim from Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island to Hamilton Island, Queensland is set for the Saturday February 20 to campaign for this epic expedition later in 2010 and will be preceded by a fundraising cocktail party dinner on Friday the 19th at the Coral Sea Resort.

The GBR Swim will be a four-month feat of human persistence and commitment; not only as a physical challenge, but also in sending a message of ocean conservation. It aims to raise awareness and bring about change to the plight of our oceans due to climate change and present facts about the nature of sharks and the need for their protection.

Find Great Barrier Reef Swim on Facebook or gbrswim@yahoo.com.au

 

Off beach 2010

 

Whitsunday Sailing Club Rear Commodore Off Beach Terry Archer Reports on the 2010 racing calendar and club championships.

"Thanks to a fantastic offer from the Mairs Family, I am excited to present to you the 2010 Sail Iceberg Series.

"The series will run from February 21, with races each fortnight, incorporating the Easter Regatta, May Day regatta at Tinaroo and the June Regatta in Townsville, with the last round on June 27, just before the Tasar Nationals.

"First Prize of $1000 has been offered by Sail Iceberg, with $500 second Prize from the Home Loan Specialists, and $250 third prize from Ullman Sails / Airlie Sail and Shade.

"The series will encompass ten rounds, with two drops allowed, and will be a yardstick handicap open to all classes from all clubs, with adjustments for longer courses for bigger boats, so everyone is in with a chance to win the prize.

We will hold a second series later in the year after Hamilton Island race week, from September to December. Details will be developed over the year.

Other big news is that we have been asked to host the Tasar State Titles again in conjunction with the Easter regatta, as well as the International 505 State Titles at the Easter Regatta.

 

Hoax mayday: jail

 

A 25-year-old former West Australian sea rescue volunteer has been ordered to repay more than $54,000 to police and serve six months in prison, after making a false distress call, which prompted a massive sea search.

In Joondalup Magistrate's Court the former sea rescue volunteer, was sentenced for creating a false belief after pleading guilty to making a hoax distress call on October 17 last year.

Using the marine radio, the man claimed that a vessel, Sea Dolphin 2, was sinking 40 nautical miles north of Rottnest and the crew were abandoning the boat.

The man then listened as 30 volunteers and seven boats conducted a two-day search.

Magistrate Martin Flynn said man needed to be made an example of and described his actions as an affront to fundamental strengths in society of helping a stranger and volunteering. He said the bogus call had put the lives of volunteers in danger.

The court was told the defendant had previously been convicted in 2004 of making hoax calls to air traffic controllers and pilots at Perth Airport.

 

Dam poll

 

A poll now being conducted on the Peter Faust Dam website asks, "Would a floating pontoon be an added value to the dam?"

The 'Yes' vote gets a resounding 91% of a Total Vote of 55 dam users.

The dam is currently at 70% capacity.

The Faust Dam Fish Stocking Association Inc. meet on the Last Wednesday of the month at the Proserpine Ex-Services Club at 7.00pm.

 

Nara light out

 

Mariners are advised that the Fl.R.2.5s light on the Port Lateral Mark beacon in approximate position, which marks the entrance into Nara Inlet at Hook Island, has been reported to be unlit. Mariners should use caution in the vicinity. Chart AUS252

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

Teen sailor passes half way mark in South Atlantic

Teen sailor passes half way mark in South Atlantic

 

Queensland teen sailor Jessica Watson has passed both the half way mark and the Falkland Islands in her around the world solo adventure.
Jessica writes "after looking over all the latest charts, I can't help being a bit surprised at how small the South Atlantic seems after the never ending Pacific!
"My quite sunny conditions ended with a bit of a bang, Ella's Pink Lady and I have been having a very interesting time out here.
"The wind was expected to rise to a near gale, but none of the computers or forecasts picked that it would reach the 65 knots that I recorded, before losing the wind instruments in a knockdown!
"So in the middle of all the drama, back at home Mum received just about the worst phone call possible from the Australian Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC), telling her that one of my EPIRBs (emergency signalling devices) had been activated.
"One of the knockdowns had caused the automatic EPIRB mounted under the dodger to turn on without me knowing. Luckily, I called in only a few minutes later before anyone could really start to panic. I was pretty annoyed at the stupid thing for going off and giving everyone such a scare!
"When the wind had finally calmed down, I was treated to a pretty incredible sunset and as I was clearing things up on deck, a couple of dolphins stopped by just as if they were checking that we were all OK."
Jessica has now been sailing for 100 days and is about 1,500 nautical miles ahead of where we thought she would be at this stage of her voyage.

 

Fish Feeding

 

By following some simple responsible park practices, you and your guests can help protect our parks.
Most food fit a human to eat, particularly bread and meat, is generally not suitable for fish and may damage their health. Be aware that feeding fish may result in undesirably aggressive behaviour in some fish and can be dangerous to people in the water.
You need a permit to feed fish as part of your tourism operation and this permit will contain some important requirements about how you go about the activity. These include keeping fish feeding away from people who are in the water, not handfeeding fish. Also, don't feed bread, cooked seafood and processed food to fish - use raw fish or prawns or approved fish pellets.

 

Olympic sailing success

 

Yachting Australia and the Queensland Academy of Sport, supported by Yachting Queensland, are developing Queensland's future Olympic sailing champions with the formation of the Queensland High Performance Sailing Program.
The new program is a major step forward for high performance sailing in Queensland as the Australian Sailing Team heads down the long road to success at the 2012 London Olympic Games and beyond.
The Australian Sailing Team had great success at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games bringing home two Gold and one Silver medals and the formation of the Queensland High Performance Sailing Program is designed to see Queensland athletes add to Australia's sailing success tally at future games.

 

Brampton Island

 

Mariners are advised that the Fl 6 10m 3M light on the western side of Brampton Island has been reported to be unlit. Mariners should use caution when in the vicinity. Charts affected AUS 251 & 824

 

Enjoy the rain

 

"Rain may pour down from the heavens, but if you only hold up a thimble, a thimbleful is all you will receive" Ram Dass

 

Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan

Luxury cruise ship visits Whitsunday islands

 

Luxury cruise ship visits Whitsunday islands

 

Visiting Hamilton Island on Friday this week will be the six-star luxury ship Silver Whisper on an 18-day sailing Sydney to Singapore.

The ultra luxury all-suite ship features diversions such as historian and writer Professor Geoffrey Blainey whose lecture topics focus on Australia's geography, legends, history, heroes and current culture.

For the Art Aficionado Opera director Thomson Smillie will tell a most entertaining story of opera and through its exclusive partnership with Relais & Châteaux, ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises is introducing L'École des Chefs, a new interactive cooking school.

With almost 300 crew and 382 guests, Silver Whisper takes luxury to the next level while maintaining Silversea's trademark intimate ambience.

Passengers will visit Hamilton Island and the Great Barrier Reef during their stay.

 

Fishing event

 

This weekend the Whitsunday Game Fishing Club will hold its annual Sweeties & Squires Tournament. There will be the usual get together at the clubhouse on Friday evening to talk about the fish they will catch and a weigh-in and presentations for the ones that didn't get away on Sunday.

 

Get ready

 

With the first low of the season possibly developing off the north Queensland coast, it is a good time for boaties to get into gear and ensure they have a cyclone plan. Some good advice is available from the Meridien Abel Point Marina with their cyclone procedures available on the website.

 

Mooring checks

 

QPWS rangers will be undertaking mooring maintenance throughout the Whitsundays. The assistance of boaties in keeping mooring areas safe for scuba diving during this period is appreciated.

 

Park Guide out

 

A new edition of the parks visitor Whitsunday islands and Ngaro Sea Trail Visitor Guide with updated information on day-use, camping and walking track facilities has been produced. Copies are available from QPWS office, corner of Mandalay and Shute Harbour Roads, Jubilee Pocket.

 

Kon Tiki Knut dies

 

Knut M. Haugland the last surviving member of the crew that crossed the Pacific Ocean in 1947 on board the balsa wood raft Kon Tiki has died at age 92.

Haugland was a former Norwegian resistance fighter and explorer who was honoured with Norway's highest decoration for military gallantry, the War Cross with sword. Similar honours  were also bestowed upon him by Great Britain and France. 

He joined the Kon Tiki ocean going raft expedition of Norwegian anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl, as one of its radio operators. The Kon-Tiki eventually sailed / drifted 4,900 miles from Peru to Polynesia in 101 days to prove Heyerdahl's theory that ancient mariners may have migrated across ocean stretches.

Despite the tiny radio with an output of only six watts, they managed to contact radio operators in Norway, even sending a telegram to congratulate King Haakon VII on his 75th birthday.

 

Bird Island light

 

Mariners are advised that the south cardinal mark beacon Q(6) + L Fl 15s about 0.5 nautical miles south-east of Bird Island. Langford Reef in the Whitsunday Group has been reported to be unlit. The light beacon has been repositioned south-eastwards to 20 05.790 S - 148 52.590 E, Mariners should use caution in the vicinity. AUS charts affected: 252 & 254

 

Travel is a passion

 

"For us, travel is a passion, and every one of our journeys is a voyage of discovery. Benvenuti a Bordo." Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, Chairman, Silversea Cruises

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

Centaur discovery an emotional experience

Lest We Forget: Centaur 1943

 

The discovery and positive identification of the Australian Hospital ship 'Centaur' torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in 1943 has been an emotional experience for many and not least for Whitsunday resident Ian Hudson.

Pictures of the sunken ship, its Red Cross still visible, has stirred plenty of emotion.

The Centaur Association's Queensland president, Ian Hudson this week told The Guardian exclusivly, "An extremely emotional day yesterday – I got the first pics at 0750."

"Devastation" and a "mangled mess" were used yesterday to describe Centaur, particularly the aft section of the ship, which is split from the forward section, just behind the main superstructure, and where, on first indication yesterday, was probably where the torpedo struck, rather than further forward as first thought."

"But more pictures in the next two days will reveal much, much more.

"Getting towards the finale, apart from the on and off shore memorial services, of what was Queensland's biggest maritime disaster, and I am suitably humbled for the experience, when I read and see the expressions and heartfelt thanks from relatives and descendants for the eventual finding of Centaur."

"There was one woman who said 'Finally, I know where the gold ring I gave my husband is'. If that doesn't bring a tear to the eye, I don't know what will," Mr Hudson said.

The Centaur was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine off the Queensland coast in 1943. Just 64 of the 332 people onboard survived.

The wreckage lay undiscovered for 67 years until world-renowned shipwreck hunter David Mearns located the Centaur on December 20, 48km east of the southern tip of Moreton Island at a depth of 2,059 metres.

On Sunday, his crew aboard the 'Seahorse Spirit' sent a submarine robot down to capture footage proving beyond doubt that this is her resting place.

Artefacts identified include the Centaur's inscribed bell, a distinctive star on the bow, and a corroded identification number, the Red Cross.

After completing a third mission down to the wreck on Monday, Mr Mearns said a test had shown the memorial plaque would quickly be covered with mud if it were placed on the seabed.

He said he had written to Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett on Monday morning seeking permission to lay the plaque directly on the wreck, which is protected under the Commonwealth's Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976.

"Just shows you that Peter Garrett can make a decision – within 2  hours of our application to place the plaque ON THE SHIP, (probably on or near the bow,) we got it…………It will be placed tonight or tomorrow." Mr Hudson told The Guardian.

The memorial plaque reads: "In memory of shipmates, relatives, colleagues & friends who paid the supreme sacrifice on a mission of mercy, 14 May 1943. 2/3 AHS Centaur Association 2010, Lest We Forget."

  

Pioneer River light

 

Mariners are advised that a port lateral mark No.12 light Fl.R 2.5s has been permanently established in the position of latitude 21°08.644'S, longitude 149°09.254'E in the Pioneer River. The light marks the end of a fishing platform. AUS charts affected: Outside pilotage area

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

 

Jellyfish potential aphrodisiac?

Irukandji jellyfish love you long time

 

It's strongly recommended you don't try this at home, but a jellyfish expert says there's potential for the deadly irukandji to be an aphrodisiac.

Director of the Australian Marine Stinger Advisory service Dr Lisa Gershwin says some male victims have prolonged erections after being stung.

She says funding for research has been limited, but the side effects could justify further study.

"I strongly recommend against using an irukandji to prepare for a date," she says.

"I don't think that is appropriate please but I do think that the research should be there to isolate that particular component that's causing that particular reaction."

A great subject for funding?

 

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Soggy Santa

 

A few years ago now, Santa arrived at the Whitsunday Sailing Club for the offbeach kids break-up party and created quite a splash.
Santa made a great entrance into the boat harbour aboard the club speedboat, pulled up to the beach with his bag of goodies on his shoulder and Ho! Ho! Ho!-in for all he was worth.
Perhaps the boat nudged the beach. Perhaps the gunwale rail was slippery with spray from the hight speed manoeuvres. Perhaps he had a small libation to steady the nerves before fronting a hoard of cheeky sailor kids.
Betwixt the boat and the beach there is the sea, yes, the soggy Santa slipped into the drink much to the merriment of all.
Nobody seems to remember who that Santa was although the occasion will not leave the memory.

 

Croc in marina

 

OK, we do have salt-water crocodiles and it is only a matter of time before a photo of the croc in Abel Point Marina is taken say marina workers.

 

Shark

 

Although Australia continues to have a bad reputation concerning the threat of shark attacks to swimmers, the statistics do not support these claims. In the last 50 years, there have been 53 human fatalities (1.06 per year) in Australian waters from shark attack. Some years there are no fatalities recorded, other years there have been up to three in a year, but the average remains around one per year. Yet each year 100,000s of swimmer-days take place on our beaches, harbours and rivers and the number is increasing with both increasing population and tourism.

 

The Australian Shark Attack File is coordinated at Taronga Zoo and is associated with the International Shark Attack File managed by the American Elasmobranch Society.

 

A winner

 

From a dusty shed on a cane farm in Calen to TV studios, fame, and the glitz and glamour of Sydney, Colin Chamberlain has been on a wild ride of late.
He has invented a boat propeller that won't sever limbs or cause injury to marine life, something modern day propellers fail to achieve.
The invention not only sounds good but also after winning the best invention gong on ABC TV show - The New Inventors, the patented idea could potentially make the former Calen resident a multi-millionaire.

 

Brampton Island sold

 

A private investor has brought the Brampton Island resort for $5.9 million.
Australia's biggest property trust the GPT Group announced the sale this week, with settlement expected to be finalised in February.
GPT chief executive Michael Cameron says the sale reflects a shift from the volatile tourism sector and a refocussing on retail, office and industrial properties.
Brampton Island is an island mostly designated as National Park in the Cumberland Group, off shore from Mackay south of the Whitsunday Islands within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
The Ayers Rock Resort is now GPT's only tourism asset.

 

Marine notice

 

A chart update for AUS252 is available showing the infrastructure; pipeline routes in Dent Passage between Hamilton Island and Dent Island. Mariners need be aware of this and the restrictions on anchoring in the passage.
The Australian Hydrographic Service advises that the plan may be accessed and printed from their website http://www.hydro.gov.au/

 

"Open your presents at Christmastime but be thankful year round for the gifts you receive" 

 

Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan