Thursday, October 31, 2002

Fishaparents rig up for Fishakids

The Fishabout fishing club will hold a Fishajunior day this Sunday at Cannonvale Beach to get kids into fishing.

The family day is to show kids the basics about fishing and the fun to be had wetting a line.

"Club members want to put something back for the community and get kids involved in the sport we love" says Fishabout President Geoff Weeding.

"It's a family day to benefit the kids. We will be starting at about 8 am to fish the rising tide. Bring a friend, learn the basics and a few fishing hints, and join club members and their families at a sausage sizzle afterwards.

On Cannonvale Beach from eight Sunday morning. Further Fishabout Club information on 49466365

Weather on Water

Marine Safety Queensland and the Bureau of Meteorology presented an informative session last week at VMR Whitsunday.
Entitled 'Weather on Water' the session was designed to assist boat owners with understanding weather patterns in Queensland waters, cyclones and boat handling and safety.
Senior Meteorologist of BOM in Brisbane Manfred Gracious showed how he and his colleagues arrived at weather forecasts and explained the major features of the forecasting profession.
About forty people attended and an excellent discussion followed says VMR President Steve Moss.
"It was the best weather information talk I have attended" Mr Moss said.

"The information about reading the weather charts and information about storm surges was valuable - particularly to people new to the area" Mr Moss added.

The Shire Counter Disaster Committee, Water Police, Fire and Rescue Service supported the evening.

VMR members meet

The Monthly Volunteer Marine Rescue Whitsunday meeting that should prove to be informative and entertaining with guest speaker Patrick Barry of Maritime Safety. Monday November 4th Further information please call 49480994

Satellites automate ship reports

Ships transiting the Great Barrier Reef are being urged to participate in a world-leading automated ship reporting trial starting this week.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority in conjunction with Maritime Safety Queensland is calling for ships that sail through the Reef to take part in the trial, which will use INMARSAT-C - a global satellite communications network - to provide a near-real time picture of shipping activity in the region.
There are about 6000 ship movements through the GBR each year.
The INMARSAT-C terminals on ships participating in the voluntary trial will be remotely programmed to send automated position reports every 15 minutes to REEFCENTRE - the ship reporting base at Hay Point, near Mackay. Ships will not incur any costs associated with this trial.
The system will provide REEFCENTRE with more accurate information on the presence and movement of vessels and help identify potentially dangerous areas being transited. It will also provide the first ever near-real time picture of shipping in the Reef.
Under the current reporting arrangements, ships must report their position to REEFCENTRE every 8 to 16 hours depending on the speed of the vessel.
A preliminary trial of the system involving 80 vessels from 20 shipping companies began last November and proved highly successful.
Most ships transiting the reef are required to have INMARSAT-C transceivers on board as part of their internationally mandated Global Maritime Distress and Safety System requirements.
AMSA and Maritime Safety Queensland have been contacting ships that use the Reef asking them to participate in the trial. Other ships wishing to be involved should contact Kerrie Abercrombie on 07 3253 2641 or Benny de Melo 02 9282 0712 at AMSA.
The 350,000 square kilometre Great Barrier Reef was the first region to be designated a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area by the International Maritime Organization.

Islands Race

This Sunday November 3 will see local and visiting yachts take part in the Abel Point Yacht Club's Armit/Cones Islands yacht race.

Hook Island results

The wind was blowing for the nine-boat fleet that headed to Hook Island Resort at the weekend. Hook Island host Charlie de Haan welcomed the sailing club fleet with Ray Cleary on Thrillneck taking division one from Michael Schwarzel on No Legends and Idle Time Kevin Fogarty third. Mucca Kennedy on Fallen Angels and Craig Piccinelli on Wobbly Boot scored the coveted forth and fifth spots.
Division two saw Mick Phillips on Shearwater take first from Alan Day on Harlequin in second spot from David Howells on Skytrim and Ken Pryor on Struen Marie.

Splice the mainbrace

Braces, sheets, and tacks! Haul up to the sailing club this Sunday at 2pm to enjoy the members Mainbrace Party. Mark and Mully will entertain while you get to enjoy a couple of drinks and get a snag onboard with other members for an hour or so.

Fish to fill street!

Full colour fish floats with all the trimmings will fill Airlie Beach this Saturday afternoon as the Rotary Street Procession entertains locals and visitors alike.
Gigantic fish lanterns - seven metres long - each manoeuvred by eight people will be a highlight of this Fantasea Reef Festival event. Created by renowned lantern maker Neil Cameron and decorated with designs of Denise Vanderlugt the lanterns bring new skills to the community thanks to the Regional Arts Development Fund.
There is nothing fishy about the cash prizes offered by the Rotary Club for the parade to start at 5 pm on Saturday.

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

Friday, October 25, 2002


Match race series on club calendar

An invitation match racing series planned for next year will use the exciting Sydney 38 class one-design yachts say organisers.
The Abel Point Yacht Club is planning the series to coincide with the Arlie Beach Rotary Club annual boat show to be held on the Queens Birthday weekend in June says club rear commodore Ed Venness.
"The club will run the series using six identical one-design Sydney 38s and sailed on courses in Pioneer Bay".
"The Abel Point Yacht Club will invite the best sailors from Bowen, Whitsunday Sailing Club, Hamilton Island and Mackay Yacht Club and possibly Cairns and Townsville to compete in the new series," Mr Venness said.

Fleets build

Up to thirty identical Sydney 38 yachts are expected to start in the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Offshore Series later this year according to the organisers - Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club.
This will be a record for participation of one-design yachts in offshore racing and shows the quick uptake into this exciting class. Only in the Tour de Voile in France are there similar numbers of one-design where about fifty Mumm 30 yachts compete.
"The Coffs series is a fun and social option to the Hobart race and endorses what the Sydney 38 is all about. We had twenty-one boats racing in the National Titles at Airlie Beach this year. I think a fleet of thirty Sydney 38's racing to Coffs Harbour is a conservative estimate", Sydney Yachts Marketing Executive Martin Thompson said.

Call for reef protection

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has welcomed the work of eminent coral reef researchers who met in Townsville this week to discuss the future of reefs around the world.
The forum resulted in some important conclusions and insights about the future of coral reefs, based on a review of the latest studies on reefs around the world.
According to GBRMPA chair, Virginia Chadwick, the Authority was pleased to see such a forum gathered to discuss this issue.
"The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most intact coral reef systems still remaining, but it too is under significant pressure," Mrs Chadwick said.
Coral reefs around the world have already been significantly impacted by human activities with as much as 27 per cent already lost. Globally, reefs face an uncertain future, with both local and global pressures threatening the sustainability of these important ecosystems. In particular, coral bleaching and other impacts related to global warming are of concern.
The conclusions of the forum this week highlight the urgent need for all Australians to co-operate to reduce pressures on the Great Barrier Reef.

Tongans dump daylight saving

Tongans, fed up with daylight saving, have dumped it. Originally introduced in 1999 to be the 'first' nation into the new millennium, King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV has acceded to the demands of his Pacific island subjects.
Tonga put its clocks ahead in 1999 to beat the Chatham Islands in New Zealand, and Millennium Island in Kiribati to be the first country to enter the 21st century.
This made the country 14 hours ahead on UTC (GMT) although the royal government never admitted that daylight savings had a link to the first sunrise.
Many Tongans are happy the sun has set on the time change.
"While this Daylight Saving assisted some areas of the community, such as the business sector, it was very difficult for the school children, especially those in primary schools," the statement said.
"Frequent complaints regarding the inconvenience of daylight saving in terms of social and cultural practices has prompted His Majesty's Government to discontinue the practice."

Marine theft effort

The Queensland boating industry will press for the adoption of a Hull Identification Number (HIN) system by the State Government, as part of a national effort to stamp out spiralling marine theft.
The Boating Industry Association of Queensland next month will attend a three-day National Maritime Crime Forum in Sydney and plead its case for HIN in Queensland.
Marine Area Commander, Terry Dalton, expressed concern over the escalating incidence of vessel and component theft in recent times.
"NSW Marine Area Command has confirmed the need for an organised, holistic approach to curb these crimes. This Forum is the first, crucial step to resolution of what is a serious community concern," he said.
The top level conference will include law enforcement agencies and government regulatory bodies from all Australian states and territories, national government departments, insurance companies and boating industry associations.
The mission of the Forum is to initiate, implement and maintain a multi-agency approach to the reduction of serious, organised maritime crime within Australia.
BIAQ President, John Saunders, said the Forum would target marine vessel "re-birthing" through fraudulent registration.
"Two objectives of the Forum - to define a national standard of minimum identification for vessels and to determine strategies for the exchange of registration information - make it screamingly obvious that Queensland Government needs to implement a HIN system," Mr Saunders said.
"Every other state maintains HIN, but not Queensland, which remains the odd one out. It is of national importance that Queensland falls into line with the other states."
Mr Saunders said BIAQ would highlight this inadequacy at the national level and urge the Forum partners that implementation of HIN in Queensland would be essential for their successful national crackdown on marine crime.
BIAQ has recommended the HIN system to Queensland Government for the past six years, but the scheme has been constantly rejected for budgetary reasons.

For the love of cod

Overfishing is a growing global problem. About 60 per cent of the fish types tracked by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations are categorised as fully exploited, over exploited or depleted,' writes Mark Kurlansky in his book 'Cod'.

Going south?

Mariners are advised that a military exercise involving live firing will be conducted in the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area from 0001 hours on Saturday, 2 November 2002 until 2359 hours on Friday, 22 November 2002. The danger area is defined as the waters of Shoalwater Bay south of a line from Sabina Point in approximate position Latitude 22°24'S, Longitude 150°17.9'E across to Old Keiver in approximate position Latitude 22°27.4'S, Longitude 150°35'E.
Mooly Creek, Raspberry Creek, Oyster Creek, Shoalwater Creek, Georges Creek, Head (Boundary) Creek and East Creek are within the danger area.
All civil vessels are prohibited from entering the danger area during the above period. Charts affected: AUS 260, 367, 370, 822

Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan

Thursday, October 24, 2002


Match race series on club calendar

An invitation match racing series planned for next year will use the exciting Sydney 38 class one-design yachts say organisers.
The Abel Point Yacht Club is planning the series to coincide with the Arlie Beach Rotary Club annual boat show to be held on the Queens Birthday weekend in June says club rear commodore Ed Venness.
"The club will run the series using six identical one-design Sydney 38s and sailed on courses in Pioneer Bay".
"The Abel Point Yacht Club will invite the best sailors from Bowen, Whitsunday Sailing Club, Hamilton Island and Mackay Yacht Club and possibly Cairns and Townsville to compete in the new series," Mr Venness said.

Fleets build

Up to thirty identical Sydney 38 yachts are expected to start in the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Offshore Series later this year according to the organisers - Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club.
This will be a record for participation of one-design yachts in offshore racing and shows the quick uptake into this exciting class. Only in the Tour de Voile in France are there similar numbers of one-design where about fifty Mumm 30 yachts compete.
"The Coffs series is a fun and social option to the Hobart race and endorses what the Sydney 38 is all about. We had twenty-one boats racing in the National Titles at Airlie Beach this year. I think a fleet of thirty Sydney 38's racing to Coffs Harbour is a conservative estimate", Sydney Yachts Marketing Executive Martin Thompson said.

Call for reef protection

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has welcomed the work of eminent coral reef researchers who met in Townsville this week to discuss the future of reefs around the world.
The forum resulted in some important conclusions and insights about the future of coral reefs, based on a review of the latest studies on reefs around the world.
According to GBRMPA chair, Virginia Chadwick, the Authority was pleased to see such a forum gathered to discuss this issue.
"The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most intact coral reef systems still remaining, but it too is under significant pressure," Mrs Chadwick said.
Coral reefs around the world have already been significantly impacted by human activities with as much as 27 per cent already lost. Globally, reefs face an uncertain future, with both local and global pressures threatening the sustainability of these important ecosystems. In particular, coral bleaching and other impacts related to global warming are of concern.
The conclusions of the forum this week highlight the urgent need for all Australians to co-operate to reduce pressures on the Great Barrier Reef.

Tongans dump daylight saving

Tongans, fed up with daylight saving, have dumped it. Originally introduced in 1999 to be the 'first' nation into the new millennium, King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV has acceded to the demands of his Pacific island subjects.
Tonga put its clocks ahead in 1999 to beat the Chatham Islands in New Zealand, and Millennium Island in Kiribati to be the first country to enter the 21st century.
This made the country 14 hours ahead on UTC (GMT) although the royal government never admitted that daylight savings had a link to the first sunrise.
Many Tongans are happy the sun has set on the time change.
"While this Daylight Saving assisted some areas of the community, such as the business sector, it was very difficult for the school children, especially those in primary schools," the statement said.
"Frequent complaints regarding the inconvenience of daylight saving in terms of social and cultural practices has prompted His Majesty's Government to discontinue the practice."

Marine theft effort

The Queensland boating industry will press for the adoption of a Hull Identification Number (HIN) system by the State Government, as part of a national effort to stamp out spiralling marine theft.
The Boating Industry Association of Queensland next month will attend a three-day National Maritime Crime Forum in Sydney and plead its case for HIN in Queensland.
Marine Area Commander, Terry Dalton, expressed concern over the escalating incidence of vessel and component theft in recent times.
"NSW Marine Area Command has confirmed the need for an organised, holistic approach to curb these crimes. This Forum is the first, crucial step to resolution of what is a serious community concern," he said.
The top level conference will include law enforcement agencies and government regulatory bodies from all Australian states and territories, national government departments, insurance companies and boating industry associations.
The mission of the Forum is to initiate, implement and maintain a multi-agency approach to the reduction of serious, organised maritime crime within Australia.
BIAQ President, John Saunders, said the Forum would target marine vessel "re-birthing" through fraudulent registration.
"Two objectives of the Forum - to define a national standard of minimum identification for vessels and to determine strategies for the exchange of registration information - make it screamingly obvious that Queensland Government needs to implement a HIN system," Mr Saunders said.
"Every other state maintains HIN, but not Queensland, which remains the odd one out. It is of national importance that Queensland falls into line with the other states."
Mr Saunders said BIAQ would highlight this inadequacy at the national level and urge the Forum partners that implementation of HIN in Queensland would be essential for their successful national crackdown on marine crime.
BIAQ has recommended the HIN system to Queensland Government for the past six years, but the scheme has been constantly rejected for budgetary reasons.

For the love of cod

Overfishing is a growing global problem. About 60 per cent of the fish types tracked by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations are categorised as fully exploited, over exploited or depleted,' writes Mark Kurlansky in his book 'Cod'.

Going south?

Mariners are advised that a military exercise involving live firing will be conducted in the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area from 0001 hours on Saturday, 2 November 2002 until 2359 hours on Friday, 22 November 2002. The danger area is defined as the waters of Shoalwater Bay south of a line from Sabina Point in approximate position Latitude 22°24'S, Longitude 150°17.9'E across to Old Keiver in approximate position Latitude 22°27.4'S, Longitude 150°35'E.
Mooly Creek, Raspberry Creek, Oyster Creek, Shoalwater Creek, Georges Creek, Head (Boundary) Creek and East Creek are within the danger area.
All civil vessels are prohibited from entering the danger area during the above period. Charts affected: AUS 260, 367, 370, 822

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

Friday, October 18, 2002

Coaches, parents told: be there for kids

A meeting this week heard that sports coaches - and parents - need to 'be there' for kids to enjoy their sport rather than putting too much emphasis on winning.
Parents who push their kids with a 'win, win, win' philosophy often take away the fun and push their kids out of sport.
"Parents are often trying to live their own lives through their kids," said Mike Young, former Australian baseball coach and twice winner of the International Coach of the Year.
"If parents want their kids to do well in sport they should support them and like coaches, be there for them, not push them and yell at them or embarrass them," Coach Young told the well-attended meeting.
Organised by Sport and Recreation Queensland, an impressive array of sportspersons met local coaches and parents at the new PCYC at the Airlie Sportspark.
Paralympian Karni Liddell gave examples of positive parental support.
Speaking from her wheelchair, Karni told of her parents who refused to believe the medical advice offered that their child suffered from an incurable wasting disease that would lead to her dying at an early age. Karni's parents have helped her learn to walk several times.
"I never fought against the disease, I didn't know about it for many years" Like any parents they wanted their child to have a life, so they spent years supporting her to learn to walk, helping her to ride a horse, taking her to the pool.
The former world record swimmer spoke of making it against the odds. Now in training for the Athens Paralympics, Karni said, "Doing things that people say you can't do is the best thing."
Twenty-three year old Karni loves sport. She says, at age ten, she told her parents she wanted to be a sports person.
"My parents didn't tell me I couldn't do it, they just kept taking me to the pool."
Talking to many people around the country, Karni fields many questions. One of her favourites is "How do you swim in a wheelchair"?
Mackay girl Katrina Robertson started weightlifting just to get fit after an injury. She says she knew nothing about weight lifting or records until she achieved one. The difference was her coach, who just acted as if it was the regular thing to do. Katrina still works out in a shed next to a cane paddock.
"The first time I went overseas to compete, I noticed that the other competitors were very respectful. I later found out that a team mate put my occupation down as a professional crocodile wrestler, the scars on my leg providing proof to the inquiring Russians" Katrina said.
The meeting heard from Sport and Recreation's Greg Cannon who made a presentation to Bob Bogie for his many years of work leading to the wonderful facility that is the PCYC.
In accepting his award, Bob said the building was a tribute to many other people and outlined the total support and work of Whitsunday Shire Mayor Mario Demartini, youth worker Bruce Green and Peter Chengody.
The official opening of the PCYC will be on December 14.

America's Cup colour

The colourful Italians Mascalzone Latino with the motto 'sail playfully but seriously' were the toast of Auckland's Syndicate Row on Saturday night following their victory over the French Le Defi Areva. The two teams had been battling for last place.

Found: the average angler

Most of us know a mad keen angler, one of those people whose eyes light up when they think of the big barra they caught in the gulf last year or their next game fishing holiday, in fact, you might even be one.
A survey just released shows 850,000 Queenslanders have been fishing, crabbing or prawning in the last 12 months.
The Queensland Fishing Service has just released the results of the 2001 recreational fishing survey. This survey, conducted every two years has uncovered some very interesting information about Queensland's recreational anglers.
Saltwater fishing is more popular than freshwater, with over 90% of fishers having been saltwater fishing in the last twelve months. However, more than a third of anglers have been freshwater fishing or yabbying and there has been an increase in the number of people fishing in dams and impoundments.
Most people go fishing for recreation and since 1996 there has actually been a drop in the number of people who go fishing for food. The survey also found that people living on the coastal strip were more likely to go fishing than those in other areas of the state. Mackay residents are most likely to be fishers with nearly 40% of residents aged over five having been fishing in the last twelve months.
Whiting, flathead, mud crabs and tailor are all popular saltwater species targeted by recreational anglers in southern Queensland, with barramundi, coral trout and mackerel targeted in the north. Barramundi are also popular targets for freshwater anglers, as are Australian Bass and Golden Perch.
The survey results also indicate that there has been a slight drop in the proportion of the population who fish, although with increases in the Queensland population the actual number has remained the same.
So, where does that leave us with our picture of the average angler? The average angler is male aged 15 to 49 or a 5-14 year old of either sex, and primarily goes saltwater fishing for recreation. Only a third of the recreational fishers are females, and they fish less often than males.
The survey is actually part of a QFS program, known as RFISH set up to obtain information about the recreational fishery. RFISH is considered Australia's most comprehensive statewide recreational fishing monitoring program. It is based on a telephone survey and information from around 5000 volunteers who maintain a diary of their fishing activities and expenditure.
The surveys are critical for appropriate management of Queensland's fisheries resources. Later this year, figures from a national survey will compare the size of Queensland's recreational fishery with other states.

For the love of cod.

Overfishing is a growing global problem. About 60 per cent of the fish types tracked by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations are categorised as fully exploited, over exploited or depleted,' writes Mark Kurlansky in his book 'Cod'.

Military live firing
Mariners heading south are advised that a military exercise involving live firing will be carried out in the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area from 0600 hours on Thursday, 17 October 2002 until 2359 hours on Friday, 1 November 2002. The danger area in Shoalwater Bay is all waters from Sabina Point to Pinetrees Point. Five Trees Cay, Holt Island, North Rock, Mumford Island, Townshend Island and Leicester Island are all within the danger area.
All civil vessels are prohibited from entering the danger area during the above period. Charts affected: AUS 260, 367, 370, 822

"A government which takes from Peter to pay Paul will always have the support of Paul."

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950), Irish satirist, dramatist and playwright.

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan


Thursday, October 10, 2002


Sports Locker Room for Active Whitsunday

Something for all sports lovers is the Locker Room Forum to be held at the Airlie Sports Park on Tuesday October 15.
An impressive line-up of sporting expertise will entertain, inform and motivate to make Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Shire a more 'active' community, says organiser Greg Cannon of Sport and Recreation Queensland.
"The Locker Room series is a Queensland government initiative to connect Queensland communities to sport and recreation opportunities."
"Junior players can learn how to make it to the top in regional Queensland sport. Parents of players will learn how to play a positive role in getting their children more active. Coaches and officials at all levels of sport will learn tips from the best."
" We have had to work very hard to get this forum to Airlie, so I am hoping the locals will support it so it can be done again" Mr Cannon added.
The venue is the new Police Citizen's Youth Club - Airlie's answer to the Sydney Opera House - and there will be a tour of the new facility conducted after the forum.
*Katrina Robertson, World Powerlifting Champion 1997, holder of seven world records and Sports Psychologist leads the impressive array of speakers.
*Brendan Burkett was a Gold medallist at the Atlanta Paralympics and is a lecturer in sports science and biomechanics at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
*Mike Young is a former Australian Baseball Coach and twice winner of the International coach of the Year. Mike will talk about the role of the coach.
*Brian Kerle is another Olympian, former Brisbane Bullets Basketball coach, two-time NBL Coach of the Year and four-time NBL Championship coach.
*Richard Champion played 183 AFL games for the Brisbane Bears/Lions, and will talk about Preparing for life after sport.
*Karni Liddell, Paralympian at Atlanta and Sydney, former swimming World Record holder and Captain of the Australian Paralympic Swim Team and currently training for Athens 2004 will talk about making it to the top against the odds.
*Dr Phil Jauncey is a Sports Psychologist who will speak about spectator and parent behaviour.
The Locker Room Forum is free, held at the new PCYC on Tuesday October 15, from 6:30-9:30pm.
Further information is available from Greg Cannon 49670907.

Louis Vuitton & America's Cup

In brief ... Team Dennis Conner's second boat USA-77 sailed for the first time on Saturday after sinking off California in July.
- Team Alinghi was fined US$10,000 as the international jury determined that the broadcasting microphones were not turned on until 7 minutes after the start of the race against Mascalzone Latino.
- King in a white plastic throne - the white plastic garden chair in the stern of Wight Lightning is reserved for the 17th man. Maybe the chair will start a support campaign - GBR fans lining the Waitemata waterfront with their white plastic seats, waving as the team heads to the racecourse.
- Doug Peterson is no longer Design Director of Prada. When asked if he was sacked or if he walked he replied that he was terminated.
- Prada's other boat, Luna Rossa ITA-80, heads to the boatyard for modification.

C*nsor*d mail

Former Airlie resident and now web-based Boating OZ editor Kathy McKenzie reports on the problems of new technology.
"Not only do we have viruses making life difficult, but some email servers block certain words. Last week I had at least one email undelivered to a government server because we had mentioned Melbourne's famous C*ck of the Bay Yacht Race and Scuttlebutt had lots of undelivered mail when it referred to America's Cup competitor Team Dennis Connor's new sponsor Vi*gra!"

Record confirmed

Maiden 2 now holds the record for the longest distance run in 24 hours by any yacht with any number of crew. Owned by Tracy Edwards GB, Sailed by Brian Thompson, Helena Darvelid, Adrienne Cahalan and a crew of seven, the 33.5m catamaran sailed 694.78 nautical miles in the North Atlantic on 12-13 June 2002. Maiden 2 averaged 28.95 knots.

Rock wall construction

Mariners are advised that the construction of a rock wall has commenced for the extension of the Abel Point Marina. The rock wall will extend from approximate position Latitude 20°16.043'S, Longitude 148°42.397'E in a northerly direction to approximate position Latitude 20°15.927'S, Longitude 148°42.436'E then in a north-easterly direction to approximate position Latitude 20°15.849'S, Longitude 148°42.614'E. Flashing lights will be utilised to mark the wall during construction.
Mariners should use caution in the vicinity Charts affected: AUS 252, 253, 268

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

Wednesday, October 02, 2002

Whale season going strong

Protective humpback whales with new-born calves in tow are now migrating along Queensland's coast, sparking a call for whale watchers and small craft operators to take extra care.
With the whale season entering its final stages between now and November, the vast bulk of pods comprise migrating whales with new-born calves.
Environment Minister Dean Wells said whale watchers needed to take special care not to disturb the mammals with so many pods travelling with calves at this time of year.
"Young whales are more susceptible to disturbance from humans, so now it is even more important to give the pods plenty of space.
"Adult whales are more likely to take defensive action if they feel their calves are under threat so the risk of the mammals colliding with boats is higher than usual," he said.
Mr Wells urged all members of the boating public, especially boat drivers, to read the whale-watching regulations and guidelines, and to report any illegal or inappropriate behaviour.
Whale-watching rules in brief:
• Do not bring a boat within 100m of a whale
• Do not bring a boat any closer than 300m of a whale if three or more boats are already closer than 300m to a whale
• Limit speed to four knots within 300m of a whale
• Do not bring a boat to a position that would cause a whale to come closer than 100m to the boat if the whale continued in its direction of travel
• Do not operate the boat in a way that causes the whale to alter its direction or speed of travel or its behaviour, or bring the boat between members of a pod of whales
• A person on a jet ski must not bring it any closer than 300m to a whale
• Whale watchers are also not allowed to touch a whale or make sound to attract or alarm them
The Conservation and management of whales and dolphins in Queensland 1997-2001 explains in detail the obligations of whale-watchers.

That Cup in court - again

The America's Cup season began in Auckland when racing for the Louis Vuitton Cup started this week.
There are nine challengers representing six countries vying for the Louis Vuitton Cup and the right to race the Defender, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's Team New Zealand for the America's Cup.
The America's Cup Arbitration Panel has issued decisions on questions put before it over the past several months. The most important centred on a dispute between the Prada Challenge and Oracle BMW Racing.
In June 2002, Prada filed a Notice of Proceeding and Statement of Claim in the High Court of New Zealand, naming Oracle BMW Racing as the defendant. The dispute related to a barge belonging to Oracle, which Prada claimed had been positioned on the boundary line between the two syndicates' bases, breaching Prada's privacy.
Two days after the lawsuit was filed, Oracle BMW Racing filed a stay of proceeding. Shortly thereafter, Prada filed a Notice of Discontinuance, essentially withdrawing the Court proceeding.
In its submission to the Arbitration Panel, Oracle maintained that by resorting to an outside Court of Law, Prada was in violation of Article 10.2 of the Protocol, a document governing the Louis Vuitton Cup and America's Cup.
Article 10.2 states in part: Any Challenger who resorts to any Court or tribunal, other than the Arbitration Panel...will accordingly be ineligible to make the declaration provided in Article 6 and to be the Challenger for the Match.
In its ruling, the Arbitration Panel determined that while Prada had breached the provisions of Article 10.2 of the Protocol, no such penalty was automatically provided for, and that the Panel would determine what penalty should be applied.
The Arbitration Panel ruled that by taking into consideration the "various aspects of the infraction, its seriousness, the impact the violation might have had on the outcome of the Challenge and Match, and how the incident reflects on the condition stated in the Deed of Gift..." the Panel would fine Prada US$10 000 plus costs.
Out of the courts and on the water this week.

Too good to be true?

Love those e-mails that beg the recipient to take money offered by the letter writers. Had a good one this week.
Addressed to 'Dear Friend' the writer, a Wilston Adams claims to be a 46-year-old accounts manager of 15 years employment for an unnamed bank in Woodstock, Ontario.
Adams has a big problem that apparently only your Waterfront writer can solve. That is a small matter of $25.5 million Canadian dollars that is 'lying dormant' for ten years in an account of a dead woman who, of course, left no next of kin.
Why has Adams has chosen your writer to get $25.5 million? He is very persuasive with "ALL I HAVE MAY BE OF INTEREST TO YOU, IS A BUSINESS PROPOSAL THAT WILL BENEFIT YOU." Adams writes, poorly.
"I WILL INFORM YOU MORE ON HOW TO GET THE ACCOUNT TRANSFERRED TO YOU.ON YOUR REPLY I WILL GIVE YOU ALL PERSONAL DETAILS OF ME AND THE TRANSACTION."
There is no doubt this is another fraudster and it is doubtful he is even in Canada. This conman should be in jail for fraud where he could get help from a literacy teacher and be a real menace.

Sport Industry accreditation

Sport Industry Australia (SIA) has welcomed the first report of the Review of the Law of Negligence released recently by Senator Helen Coonan. The report calls for a nationally coordinated response and for individuals to take more responsibility for their own actions. This was strongly supported by SIA.
SIA chief Sarah Lucas said that while the changes should not take away people's rights or reduce consumer protection; there was a need for people to assume the reasonable risks of their participation in activities.
"It is vital that sporting organisations also play a role in helping to manage and minimise those risks, and SIA is pleased to announce the development of an Industry Accreditation Scheme for Sport," Lucas said.
The introduction of SafeSport Accreditation will allow sporting bodies at national, state and club level to have their premiums determined on the basis of the true risk of their sport, taking into account not only their claims history but, importantly, the range and quality of the risk management practices they have in place.
SafeSport Accreditation will be formally launched in October 2002. Stay tuned.

Shoalwater Bay live firing

Mariners are advised that a military exercise involving live firing will be carried out in the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area until Tuesday, 8 October. The danger area is all waters in Shoalwater Bay south of a line from Sabina Point in approximate position Latitude 22°24'S, Longitude 150°18'E across to Old Kiever in approximate position Latitude 22°27.4'S, Longitude 150°35'E. Mooly Creek, Raspberry Creek, Oyster Creek, Shoalwater Creek, Georges Creek, Head (Boundary) Creek and East Creek are within the danger area.
All civil vessels are prohibited from entering the danger area during the above period. Charts affected: AUS 260, 367, 370, 822

Light restored

The Fl(2)5s Isolated Danger Mark light which marks Nares Rock has been restored to normal. Charts affected: AUS 371, 825, 826

A "clue" originally meant a ball of thread. This is why one is said to "unravel" the clues of a mystery.

Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan