Race Week fun for you

 

 

Race Week fun for you

 

Part of the fun of Abell Point Marina Airlie Beach Race Week is getting involved helping out during the event if you are not racing. Whatever your skill set you will probably get a job if you get in contact with the sailing club. You could help on the water or on land and take part in all the activities while meeting a new circle of friends or catching up with long lost mates.

You will be surprised at the people from across the country and overseas who will make the 24^th annual event a fun filled success once again. You will work alongside volunteers who have assisted in international and Olympic events during the seven-day regatta sailed from August 9 to 16.

Tim Parker is coordinator of on water activities who told the Whitsunday Coast Guardian "We always have our volunteers who return year after year, however this time around we are seeing more new faces."

For more information on Abell Point Marina Airlie Beach Race Week, please visit the official website at www.airlieraceweek.com or 49 466 138

 

Fun Fest for you too

 

Don't fancy volunteering out on the water? No probs, as the Whitsunday Reef Festival also needs a hand. Here is a note from feisty Festie Margie Murphy

"Hey Festivalians, In two weeks time we will need as many helpers as we can get to host the  biggest party Airlie has ever seen! Could you please reply as to general hours/times you may be available and of anyone else you know who may be available and Chantal will put you in the roster." Cheers Margie.

secretary@whitsundayreeffestival.com.au

 

Alice Springs lighthouse?

 

One of the 424 lighthouses taking part world wide actually is in the middle of Australia. This big brown land is a very big island nation and at its geographic centre 1,500 kilometres from the coast is Alice Springs, which hosts the famous Henley-On-Todd Boat Regatta each August - albeit on a usually dry river bed.

The Northern Territorians and many visitors take the annual iconic event very seriously with up to 3,000 witnessing the regatta, which began in 1962.

One of the driest parts of Australia deserves registration this year in the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend. With the help of the Henley-On-Todd team, a lighthouse has been built to promote the spirit of amateur radio and lighthouses.

If you want to register a lighthouse, lightship or marine beacon in this year's event on August the 17th and 18th then visit the website www.illw.net

 

Yarr! Thar be Pirates!

 

Having successfully repelled boarders in the shape of the Federal election, International Talk Like a Pirate Day in Airlie Beach is on Saturday September 14.

 

Old fish and the sea

 

A fisherman in Alaska took home a catch for the ages when he reeled in a 40-pound shortraker rockfish that experts believe is at least 200 years old.

The record-setting shortraker fish was hauled from a depth of approximately 900 feet.

"I knew it was abnormally big but I didn't know it was a record until on the way back we looked in the Alaska guide book that was on the boat," the fisher said.

Troy Tidingco, Sitka area manager for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, said the fish is still being analysed but he believes it is at least 200 years old beating the current record of 175 years. Researchers are able to determine the age of a shortraker by the number of growth rings along its ear bone.

If the fish is actually as old as believed, it would easily predate the Alaska Purchase from Russia in 1867. Scientists say they still don't fully understand animal longevity. The oldest known animal on record was a clam believed to have been 400-years-old.

 

Mariner Notice

 

Whitsundays pilotage area - north of Fitzalan Passage. Mariners are advised that the lighted special marker buoy F1 Y 2.5s in Fitzalan Passage between Whitsunday Island and Henning Island, is reported to be off station. The current reported position of the maker buoy is latitude 20° 17.21' S, longitude 148° 54.60' S to the north west of Reef Point.  Mariners are advised to take extreme caution when navigating in the area. AUS charts 367 & 822

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

World First graces Port of Airlie Marina

World First graces Port of Airlie 

 

By Cap'n Dan Van Blarcom

 

 

Super yacht colours Airlie waterfront

 

 

The new superyacht berths at Port of Airlie Marina are already attracting the high class of yacht sure to be drawn to the safe deep water port within an easy walk of Airlie Beach and fast cruising distance to the Great Barrier Reef.

 

Newly berthed is Motor Yacht MARY-ROSE a Delfino 93 launched by Benetti yachts in Viareggio, Italy in May 2011.

 

A very noticeable aspect of M/Y MARY-ROSE is the chameleon colour scheme that yacht spotters have noticed; it changes with the mood of the owner. This is possible as she sports the world's first exterior LED lighting system; a technology that illuminates the exterior areas in over 30 different colour combinations and tones, varying with the chromatic appearance. This produces optimal lighting and atmosphere at all times in any light conditions.

 

Built exclusively for a demanding Australia owner, MARY-ROSE is the second motor yacht of the new Delfino 93 series of 28.50m "pocket superyachts" by Benetti that debuted at the Cannes Boat Show in 2010.

 

MARY-ROSE was designed by Stefano Righini with an interior by Carlo Galeazzi. Built in composite MARY-ROSE is designed to accommodate up to ten guests in comfort and style.

 

MARY-ROSE special features include a customized audio system, allowing optimal enjoyment of music selections both inside and outside the yacht.

 

Powered by twin 747kW Caterpillars, M/Y MARY-ROSE has a range of 1,500 nautical miles at 12 knots.

 

Reef Fest Recyclable Raft Race

 

 

Reef Fest Recyclable Raft Race

 

The Whitsunday Reef Festival Schweppes Recyclable Raft Race will be sailed at 3 O'clock Sunday afternoon August 18 at the Airlie Lagoon.

 

Get your entry in now by following the simple provisional rules informed by the Pirate's Code - guidelines really- that the craft be made of clean recycled materials sailed / paddled by two or more crew and may be recycled into a JJ Richards bin following the race. Rules Note: Subject to judge's whim or payoff and of course no correspondence will be entered into; see 'fine print'.

 

Over the last few years a wonderful collection of quite creative craft has taken to the water; some have even managed to float! However under the watchful eye of our mighty Lagoon lifeguards we haven't lost anyone, although the level of seamanship has left something to be improved upon.

 

The Whitsunday Reef Festival -15-18 August- is a celebration and showcase of our vibrant and diverse community. Now in its 13th year, a rich history has developed in the community bringing different people together to celebrate what we all share, a fabulous lifestyle and beautiful place in the tropical north to call home.

 

Enter now and get an extra sponsor's prize if you can answer correctly; "what is the oldest soft drink in the world"

To enter or further details and fine print - raftrace@theelectricparrot.com

 

Sometin' Fishy

 

 Two people were caught with approximately 150 alleged reef fish including approximately 100 Red Emperor. The owner of a recreational fishing vessel was reported for the allegedly poaching from "no-take" protected zones. The suspect was intercepted by Qld Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers and charged with State-Fisheries offences.

 

Lady sails globe

 

Seventy-year-old Jeanne Socrates, believed to be the oldest female sailor to make a solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the globe is now home in British Columbia, Canada.

Socrates an amateur radio operator KC2IOV set out from Victoria's Inner Harbor in her 36 foot cruiser Nereida in October 2012

This was not Socrates first attempt having made two previous attempts. The first ended in Cape Town, South Africa in 2009 and the second journey concluded in January 2011 with damage to her boat in a storm off Cape Horn. 

Socrates, a grandmother and retired teacher is raising money for Marie Curie Cancer Care, a UK based program that provides free home nursing for terminally ill cancer patients.

 

300 lighthouses ready

 

A milestone of 325 worldwide registrations has been reached for next month's International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend August 17/18.

Over 30 countries are represented with Australia and Germany leading with 50 each. Then USA on 40, England has 30, Argentina 20 and Sweden 15.

Now in the 16th year, the annual event promotes public awareness of traditional marine navigation methods, amateur radio and to foster international goodwill. Guidelines and registration www.illw.net

 

Weather; windy

 

Be sure to check out the new and easy-to-use timeline feature for marine area wind forecasts from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology marine wind forecast maps website. Also, the maps now use forecasts from BOM's high-resolution computer model.  www.bom.gov.au/marine/wind

 

Mariner Notice

 

Dent Passage - a lighted Special Mark buoy Fl Y has been temporarily established in Dent Passage between Dent Island and Hamilton Island to mark the position of a submarine water pipeline. The buoy is expected to be in position for up to two (2) weeks. AUS charts affected: 252, 253, 254 & 824

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

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

 

Barrier Reef fishing : black market?

 

 

Barrier Reef fishing : black market?

 

Fishing dories discovered fishing in green zones continues to be a problem with seven incident reports relating to commercial line fishing in the Townsville/Whitsunday Marine Park area and 40 in the Mackay/Capricorn area from January to March 2013; more reports than any other area in the Marine Park.

Recreational fishing offences in green zones declined in Jan-March 2013 compared to Oct-Dec 2012, but it continues to be the most frequent offence in the Marine Park with 300 recreational offences recorded reef-wide so far this financial year. There were 27 line fishing incidents for Townsville/Whitsunday and 20 in Mackay/Capricorn between January and March 2013.

Large numbers of people recreationally fish in the Maine Park, with the majority of offences involving local residents who don't fish regularly and are fishing relatively close to shore, and the most common action is an advisory letter.

However, there are growing concerns that well organised and equipped fishers are targeting green zones at night and possibly selling their catch on the black market. Inshore and offshore vessel and aircraft patrols will continue to target illegal fishing, particularly in the highest risk areas.

 

Reef fine; report

 

The payment of fines incurred for reef offenders, particularly commercial reef line fishers, has improved over the past year as the regulations have now been improved and an active debt recovery program has started.

This includes enforcement actions such as suspending the driver licence of fine defaulters. This initiative has resulted in an increased number of outstanding fines being paid and an increase in offenders entering fine payment plans. Over $100,000 in fine payments have been collected by GBRMPA since July 2012.

It appeared that fines weren't acting as a deterrent and commercial fishers in particular were re-offending.

 

AWA 100

 

Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) celebrates its 100th birthday this month. AWA produced all things radio, appliance, television and more for all those years.

In association with Marconi there was a radio operator training arm especially active during WWII.

The Historical Radio Society of Australia and the AWA Veterans' Association will be holding a Centenary reunion in Sydney on July 28 and is looking for other former associates. Details: awaveterans@gmail.com

 

Yacht presumed lost

 

With the news that the search by The Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC) has formally ended the 85-year-old American schooner 'Nina' is presumed lost in the Tasman with seven aboard having perished.

Reports coming to light suggest the while 21-metre 'Nina' looked good above the waterline, she had become hogged, meaning the hull of the boat bends upward amidships due to structural weakness affecting her seaworthiness. The Tasman being a very unforgiving body of water she may have sustained a catastrophic failure turning her into a pile of planks in seconds. She had not been out of the water for three years while it was moored in Whangarei.

 

'Nina' built in 1928, left Opua NZ on May 29 with six Americans and a 35 year old leader of the British Greens, who refused, on environmental grounds, to fly across the Tasman.

 

It was last heard from on June 4 when 685km west-north-west of Cape Reinga, bound for Newcastle, Australia. The area was being hit by winds of 80kmh gusting to 110kmh, with swells up to 8-metres.

 

RCC said a customs declaration said while 'Nina' had no long-range (SSB) radio, she carried a satellite phone, a Spot satellite personal tracking device and an EPIRB.

 

O'Lucky Irish

 

Just before 3 am Saturday morning an Irish traveller ended in the drink off the main jetty in Bowen. Police called to the scene thankfully found the soggy groggy backpacker and got a lifebuoy line to him. Trying to get him back up was a problem, the jetty being quite a height from the water.

Our resourceful constabulary borrowed a boat, plucked the paddling paddy from the harbour and handed him to the Ambos to look after. Job well done!

 

Marine Notice

 

Lady Musgrave Island - the port lateral entrance beacon into Lady Musgrave Lagoon is damaged and could be leaning. This beacon is unlit.

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution in this area.

AUS charts affected: 818 & 819

  

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

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

 

Abbot Point decision delayed

 

Abbot Point decision delayed

 

The new Federal Environment Minister Mark Butler has changed the deadline to August 9 on a decision on dredging at the Abbot Point coal terminal near Bowen to allow him more time to consider the project's potential environmental impact.

Green groups including the Australian Marine Conservation Society had called on Environment Minister to delay his decision.

Bowen fisherman Greg Smith told ABC Radio that claims the dredge spoil from the proposed expansion at Abbot Point coal terminal would contain toxic waste are ludicrous.

Mr Smith says he has worked on submissions to the Federal Government since the beginning of the expansion process and says most Bowen residents support the expansion in principle.

"Ninety-nine point nine per cent of Bowen residents want to see a sensible development at Abbot Point. They want to see employment for the town of Bowen and Abbot Point is in a good spot to do the least environmental damage while still shipping coal out."

Mr Smith said the community should work with the developers to limit the potential impacts of the proposed expansion.

 

OUCH Volunteers,

 

The next clean up dive is scheduled for Friday, July 12.  Check you calendars and give Secretary Tony Fontes a shout if you can join in.  Departing from Port of Airlie public boat ramp 8:00 am returning around 3:00 pm. You need to supply your own dive gear; OUCH will supply tanks, weight belts and lunch.  The volunteers picked up nearly 140 kg of rubbish last time.  Amazing! Tony Fontes 0417749143

 

Reef Walkers

 

The 'Reef Walk' group are walking from Cairns to Gladstone to raise awareness about perceived threats to the Reef. The group led by June Norman should arrive in Airlie Beach on Friday, July 12 and stay until Sunday.  On Saturday, people may support June and her Reef Walk group for a walk from the Volunteer Marine Rescue base - 8:00 am start - to the Lion's Club Airlie Beach Markets near the Whitsunday Sailing Club, about a 40 minute walk. 

 

Classic Yacht Overdue

 

Tasman Sea – classic 70-foot American staysail schooner 'Nina' with seven sailors aboard left New Zealand's Bay of Islands on May 29 bound for Newcastle, Australia. On June 3, when Nina was 360 miles northwest of Cape Reinga, the northernmost tip of New Zealand, she reported rough conditions, and asked for advice on how to get out of it.

Although nobody sounded distressed the forecast was for winds to 60 knots and 20-foot seas. These are heavy weather conditions, but certainly the schooner had ridden out as bad or worse.

New Zealand Rescue Services learned on June 14 that 'Nina' was overdue. Since then they have conducted what has been described as their most intensive search ever. But nothing has been found.

The famed schooner 'Nina' a narrow hull with long overhangs was designed by the famed Starling Burgess and built by Ruben Bigelow on Monument Beach in Cape Cod in 1928. She was built expressly to win the 3,900-mile race from New York to Santander, Spain. And she did. When she arrived, a launch pulled alongside and a gentleman waved his cap and shouted, "Well sailed, Nina, I congratulate you. I am the King of Spain."

Nina became the first American vessel to win the prestigious 600-mile Fastnet Race. She then won the London to Chesapeake Bay Race.

In 2008, the owners started a circumnavigation with the schooner, and a documentary film. 

While nobody knows what happened to Nina, several maritime rescue experts have speculated that the 84-year-old wood boat suffered a catastrophic failure, one that for some reason left the crew unable to set off the vessel's EPIRB.

Years ago it was not uncommon for several cruising boats to go missing in the South Pacific each year. Thanks to EPIRBs and vastly improved communications such unexplained disappearances have become rare and at least have an explanation.

 

Port News: cruise ship 'Dawn Princess' arrives today (Wednesday, July 10) midday and departs about 8pm. She is on a trip from Perth to Sydney with Airlie the last stop before Sydney. Saturday will see 'Pacific Dawn' in port 7am to 4pm.

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

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

 

 

 

Where were Ye in '83?

  

Where were Ye in '83?

 

 

Where were you when...? People often remember where they were when life altering memorable events or the sudden and shocking deaths of iconic individuals occurred.

 

Think; where were you when, news that the people's princess, Diana died? Outspoken Beatle, John Lennon shot. 3DB Radio morning news that The King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley died or assassination of the 35th President of the United States of America John F. Kennedy.

 

Events; Man on the moon, Berlin Wall, Asian Tsunami, War Ends, Saigon falls, Bagdad bombed, 9/11 Towers. Mandela released February 11.

 

The impact on you and across the globe. Events that changed the shape of our popular culture.

 

In Australia, a country that stops for a horse race, it could be the Whitlam Dismissal or first female PM. What about September 26, 1983?

 

Remember Bob Hawke and That Jacket? September 26, 1983, was the day that Australia II ended the longest winning streak in world sporting history, 132 years, defeating the American entry Liberty to claim the America's Cup.

 

Australians will have the chance to celebrate the 30th anniversary of one of the country's most famous sporting victories, the 1983 America's Cup, this September.

 

The victory and its lasting impact in Australia will be celebrated 30 years on Thursday, September 26, 2013, bringing together many of the major players from the famous win.

 

This will be the only gathering of the Australia II crew in Australia to mark the 30th anniversary, with skipper John Bertrand and crew to be joined by syndicate chairman Alan Bond.

 

Bertrand, as well as skipper of Australia II is chairman of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, said that there are a number of reasons why the 1983 victory remains so popular 30 years on.

 

"Looking back at 1983 Australia was coming out of a tough recession, we had been severely affected by bushfires and floods," said Bertrand. "I think the way that we were able to come back from three-one down, with our backs against the wall to break the 132 year winning streak by the Americans captured the imagination of the Australian population, and in many ways continues to today.

 

"I look back at the campaign with pride and satisfaction at what we achieved. It was the ultimate team performance; our team culture was of resilience. We came back from the dead to win and people have learnt a lot from that over the years.   I look forward to giving people a better understanding of the inside story." Bertrand said.

 

The Sydney lunch will be the only time that the crew will gather in Australia to celebrate the 30th Anniversary, coming just a month after they celebrate in San Francisco, coinciding with this year's America's Cup.

 

BVGYC

 

Of course BVGYC is Airlie's world famous Beaut Views Grotty Yachty Club where much silliness took place usually around Airlie Fun Race time. I was reminded of the BVGYC at the Pioneers of Airlie Tourism get together at the Airlie Bowls Club on Saturday. There was the night at BVGYC when John Bertrand head-butted the platypus. Ah, memories!  

 

That Cup

 

Love it our hate it, there is always much, much more to the America's Cup than just sailing. Faster, outrageous, dangerous legal minefield – and that's on land!

So bet you will be surprised that with preliminary races starting this week there is a change to the rules regarding the sail boats with two of the three competitors facing huge problems to reconfigure to meet the changes.

The AC72' is a truly awesome piece of technology; 72-feet long, nearly 50' wide they are a 'flying carpet', they fly above the water. In 20knots of breeze they reach over 40 knots (80+kms an hour)

The wing sails fixed on a 130ft mast create lift in exactly the same way as an aeroplane wing but it's most spectacular trick is to use hydrofoils to lift the hull of the boat clean out of the water.

Larry Ellison the owner of Cup defender Oracle and one of America's richest men took possession of the America's Cup in 2010 with grand plans to transform this elite, gentleman's sport into a TV spectacle for the masses: Nascar on San Francisco Bay. Ellison reinventing the cup for "the Facebook generation, not the Flintstones generation."

"A level playing field is all spectators ask. Then let the best Kiwi team win" was overheard.

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

 

Croc tung warning signs souvenired

Croctung!

 

 

The signs thoughtfully erected by Queensland Parks and Wildlife were very popular for the few days they were up before being souvenired. Warning that crocodiles had been sighted in Boat Haven (Muddy) Bay, the signs advised against swimming at the beach. Tourists lined up to take photos with the signs until the signs got knocked off. Of course it has all happened before and perhaps the Parks people should print more and sell them to visitors thereby getting the message across and making a dollar as well.

 

Airlie Reunion

 

This Saturday will see the Airlie Beach Bowls Club become a hive of historical activity with a reunion of Airlie Beach 'Pioneers of tourism' taking place.  

Some interesting photos and memories are surfacing and in should be a 'do not miss'

Memorabilia is sought for display and needs to go up earlier on Saturday with organiser Dale Hell is considering archiving some, perhaps in a book or online form. Details 0416273598

 

Dredging spoil

 

It is worrying that groups that say they are opposed to some development issues are perceived as being opposed to all development.

A case in point is a leaflet distributed relating to the Abbot Point expansion and specifically regarding dredging and where the spoil may go.

Now I must say I attended meetings of the technical committee so have a reasonable understanding of the various issues.

I noted that much thought and work was completed by a range of interested parties to ensure any dredge material did not impact the onshore Caley Valley Wetlands. An early act of the incoming Queensland Government was to reduce that part of the Abbot Point development that would have seen a huge amount of material to be moved.

It may be fashionable to present mainly uninformed opinion as fact; however it does not do their cause much good when the story is an unsubstantiated one-sided litany of disaster.

For people that at other times quote their version of "The Science" the arguments put forward on this occasion are not only unscientific or factual, but certainly biased political emotionalism.

To discuss this issue in a responsible way there must be some guidelines and total anti development 'keep coal in the ground' is not much of a basis for discussion.

Implying that the spoil is destined to be dumped on the Catalina war grave or the Barrier Reef when the clear intention is that the spoil is deposited under the shipping lane in deep water does not provide any basis for honest discussion. The sandy spoil is most like the sea bed where it is proposed to go in deep water.

And fishers may reflect that the people who want coal left in the ground may also like fish left in the sea or in green zones.

 

Mariner Notices

 

Shute Harbour South Channel- the No. 3 Green lateral Buoy, Fl G 2.5s has been reported missing from location. AUS charts 252, 253, 254 & 825

 

Port of Airlie - marine development - construction works for Arm E of the marina development have begun will continue until October. Yellow marker buoys to mark the boundary are being installed. Mariners keep clear. The all round white light on 'A' berth entrance to Port of Airlie has been repaired.

 

Unsafe Passage - There have been at least three notices issued about the unlit front and rear leading lights on Daydream Island, which mark Unsafe Passage, between North Molle and Mid Molle Islands. AUS charts 252 & 253

 

Controlled burning - Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service will be conducting controlled burns this week on Pentecost Island, Lindeman Island, Shaw Island, Mansell Island, Thomas Island, East Repulse Island and St Bees Island. Visibility may be poor.

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

"The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that it is very hard to verify their authenticity" – Winston Churchill

 

Reef Fest Recycled Raft Race

                                                                                                           

Reef Fest Recycled Raft Race 

 

Build your raft from recycled stuff and enter in the Reef Festival Recycled Raft Race on Sunday afternoon August 18 at the Airlie Lagoon. 

Start planning your entry now following the simple provisional rules informed by the Pirate's Code - guidelines really- that the craft be made of recycled materials, sailed / paddled by two or more crew and may be recycled into a JJ Richards bin following the race.

Rules Note: Subject to judge's whim or payoff and of course no correspondence will be entered into unless the protest is secured to a bottle of rum in adult division; see 'fine print' for the junior divisions (Hey, the kids have to learn!)

 Over the last few years a wonderful collection of craft has taken to the water; some have even managed to float! However under the watchful eye of our mighty Lagoon lifeguards we haven't lost anyone, although the level of seamanship has left something to be improved upon.

The Whitsunday Reef Festival -15-18 August- is a celebration and showcase of our vibrant and diverse community. It is our largest annual festival that engages the local community while entertaining visitors so they may experience our unique Whitsunday lifestyle.

The four day festival attracts all ages and a crowd of 10,000+ from all walks of life. Chock-a-block with fun events; fireworks, live music, a street parade, comedy gala, family fun day, Lions markets, competitions, fashion and wearable art, sand sculpting, a recyclable regatta, reef education and the iconic Great Whitsunday Fun Race sailing event.

Now in its 13th year, a rich history has developed in the community bringing different people together to celebrate what we all share, a fabulous lifestyle and beautiful place in the tropical north to call home.

To register or for further sponsorship details email to

raftrace@theelectricparrot.com

 

CIA Bowen report

 

The Port of Abbot Point is an existing operating coal port located just north of Bowen. Since obtaining a 99-year lease of the X50 Abbot Point Coal Terminal, operator Adani identified the need to increase terminal capacity.

They are proposing a 35 Mtpa expansion of the existing terminal, along with an additional two offshore berths.

The Abbot Point Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) Report has been finalised following a public comment process.

The proponents say the CIA will help ensure that the Port of Abbot Point is designed and developed in a manner consistent with environmental best practice and considerate of the Outstanding Universal Value of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. NQBP, Adani, BHP Billiton and GVK Hancock Coal came together to produce a consolidated assessment report that will provide comprehensive information to inform individual approval decisions at the port. The report will also provide useful information to help guide future assessments at the port and also the strategic assessments underway across the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

An environmental assessment which included a review of 16 environmental studies found the port expansion would not have a significant impact on the Great Barrier Reef and that Greenpeace claims regarding the expansion's impact were overstated.

 

Record set

 

Congratulations to Francis Joyon, who set a new west to east singlehanded trans Atlantic record sailing from New York's Ambrose Light to a line linking Lizard Point, Cornwall to Ushant in a remarkable 5 days 2:56 minutes and 10 seconds, beating the previous record set by Thomas Coville in 2008 by 16 hours 34 minutes and 30 seconds.

Joyon sailed a Groupe IDEC 29.7 meter trimaran covering a distance over the bottom of 3,222 miles at an average speed of 26.20 knots. Francis Joyon, 57, is a French professional racer and yachtsman who also holds the record for the fastest single-handed sailing circumnavigation.

 

Marine notice

 

Port of Airlie marina, Boat Haven Bay – Work has been completed on the Superyacht berths on the northern Beacons side of the marina. The declared exclusion zone A has been revoked. Schedule B is still current; this is the area just to the north of the public boat ramp. There is a chartlet map S9-170 attached to Queensland NtM 964(T) of 2011. There is also an issue with the white light on berth 'A' being unlit. AUS charts 252 & 268

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

                                                                                                                                                         

Going nuts for Airlie!

Going nuts for Airlie!

All over the world the coconut palm is celebrated as a thing of great beauty and a provider of almost everything a human being could ever need.

Coconuts offer us sweet, drinkable juice. Their flesh provides nourishing food. Their husks make cups, toys and a dozen different kinds of implement. Their fronds provide baskets, hats, mats and roofing and their timbers, too many items to list.

"It seems that, here in the Whitsundays, we think of coconut palms as an annoyance, as a source of dangerous missiles, as simply unsightly refuse; rubbish to be disposed of."

So says local activist Rory McCourt who adds "The coconut is not a nuisance, not a scrap of litter. It's one of nature's great gifts."

"In the Whitsundays we have current plans to remove, to destroy, at least forty of our gracefully arching mature coconut palms - and who knows how many more in the future."

"It seems that the relatively modest cost of occasional de-nutting is not worth paying."

Years ago there was a small business that harvested coconuts under the banner, "All we want are your nuts!"

"So, how about, instead of perceiving the town's coconuts as a costly inconvenience, a problem to be disposed of, we try to see them as an opportunity.

"Why not consider doing something positive with them.  At the appropriate time each year, when the bulk of the area's coconuts are ripening why not persuade our tourism marketing gurus to consider a celebratory event?

"How about, 'The Airlie Beach Coconut Harvest Festival?  Mr McCourt concluded.

We would be nuts if this is not considered; in the meantime Keep the Coconuts!

 

Blooming Jellyfish burgers!

 

The rise of jellyfish populations in many of the world's oceans may be more than just an inconvenience for swimmers who want to take a dip.

According to expert Lisa-ann Gershwin, the rapid growth over the last few decades of these creatures is a sign of the planet's deteriorating marine health,

In her new book 'Stung! On Jellyfish Blooms and the Future of the Ocean', Gershwin says that these "enchanting and lovely" invertebrates are in fact harbingers of the health of the oceans.

Unfortunately, the rise in jellyfish numbers is far from benign. Gershwin said that jellyfish are able to "take this damaged ecosystem and actually drive it to a much worst state."

Although jellyfish rank low on the evolutionary tree - they don't even have brains - they have the unique trait of eating things higher up on the food chain than themselves – things that are bigger, faster and smarter than they are.

An example, she points to a species of jellyfish called Mnemiopsis leidyi that was accidentally introduced into the Black Sea in the early 1980s.

"Within just a few years, it had taken over so completely with this double whammy of predation and competition that Mnemiopsis was now 95 per cent of the biomass in the Black Sea," Gershwin said. "Ninety-five per cent of every living thing is this one species of jellyfish."

 

Gershwin said she fears that the biodiversity of the world's water will eventually resemble that of the Precambrian era, when oceans were ruled by jellyfish and mammals and reptiles did not exist.

Another source is Daniel Pauly: Jellyfish Burgers or How We Changed the Oceans and They Changed Us.

 

Mermaid Parade Saved!

 

The thirty-year-old Coney Island Mermaid Parade was nearly shut down by Superstorm damage to Coney Island New York USA earlier this year.

Through crowd funding online many small donors gave over $102,000, beating the $100,000 fundraising target.  $10,000 was raised in a benefit concert headlined by Amanda Palmer, an entertainer who champions causes other than just mermaids. 

The parade, scheduled for June 22, attracts over 750,000 spectators and is an annual kickoff to the summer season, featuring artists and performers in wild and imaginative costumes, with an aquatic theme.

 

Mariner Notices

 

Port of Airlie public boat ramp - pile driving for the construction of abutment and queuing pontoon on the public boat ramp has commenced and will continue this month. Pile driving work is being carried out by barge 'Invincible' that will display appropriate signals. Mariners should use caution and give a wide berth when approaching the area. AUS chart 268

 

Unsafe Passage - There have been at least three notices issued about the unlit front and rear leading lights on Daydream Island, which mark Unsafe Passage, between North Molle and Mid Molle Islands. AUS charts 252 & 253

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

Ten years online -- waterfront.blogspot.com.au