Thursday, November 27, 2003

One of the world's biggest moving objects to visit

One of the world's biggest moving objects, Star Princess arrived today in Sydney Harbour on the first of four cruises between Australia and New Zealand. The 18-storey, 109,000 tonne vessel cruises with 2,700 passengers and is the largest cruise liner to visit Australia. Star Princess is berthed near the Opera House for a firework display this evening.
Star Princess is the second largest vessel of any type ever to sail into Sydney Harbour after an 118,000-ton ore carrier visited in 1994.
More than a quarter of a kilometre long, twice the weight of Sydney Harbour Bridge's steel and bigger than the world's largest aircraft carrier.
Heavier than 280 jumbo jets, the giant $1 billion megaliner will operate a sell-out three-month season of cruises between Australia and New Zealand.
Star Princess will make visit seven Australian ports including Cid Harbour, Whitsunday Island on February 17 from 6am until 6pm.
"Just as the Concorde captured Australia's imagination in 1972 when it first visited here, we believe the massive Star Princess will make big waves as she sails around Australia this summer,' said P&O Cruises Managing Director Gavin Smith.
"Australia has seen nothing like Star Princess here before - a spectacular floating city that is an incredible 43 per cent larger than the previous biggest liner to visit Australia - P&O's 76,000-ton Aurora in 2001. Star Princess has set sales records, confirming the international cruise boom has well and truly arrived in Australia."
Sporting a Star Trek-like bridge, a glass-walled nightclub suspended above the ship and a promenade deck stretching all the way to the tip of the bow. 'Titanic-style', the luxurious Star Princess will introduce to Australians the trappings of big ship cruising, including nine restaurants and cafes, 12 bars, five pools, nine Jacuzzis, a wedding chapel, two-storey theatre, mini golf course, art gallery, casino and spa complex.
Launched in 2002, Star Princess is part of the fleet of the US-based Princess Cruises, a sister line to P&O Cruises.

Host named today

Today America's Cup Management will identify the name of the Host City for the 32nd America's Cup. The announcement will take place at the Hotel President Wilson in Geneva in front of an impressive assembly of America's Cup personalities, past and future teams. The event can be followed live on the official America's Cup website.

Code cut

Australia's amateur radio operators will no longer have to be skilled in Morse code from next year.
The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) announced that it would discontinue the requirement for amateur radio operators to be proficient in Morse code from 1 January 2004.
The decision follows an extensive review of the amateur radio service, which the ACA launched in August with the release of a discussion paper A Review of Amateur Service Regulation.
ACA Acting Chairman Dr Bob Horton said the ACA had received more than 1400 written submissions commenting on the issues set out in the paper and from public meetings arranged for amateur operators throughout Australia.
"There was widespread support for the removal of the Morse code proficiency requirement at the meetings and throughout the submissions.

Collision 'report'

There is speculation about the report of a November 2001 collision in the Whitsunday Passage.
A board of inquiry report into the Sun Paradise-Pride of Airlie boat collision is said to have found a disturbing "culture of complacency" within the marine industry and a need for ongoing safety education.
Media reports say Queensland Transport Deputy director general Dan Hunt indicates the industry (and his department?) has a key role to play in creating a "safety culture" on the water.
"There has certainly been an attention call for industry in terms of how we work with government and how we all get a common interest in safety..." he is reported to have said.
If Queensland Transport was fair dinkum about wanting to do something about a "culture of complacency" they could start by developing a "culture of communication" and supply the report to interested writers on the subject.

Cloud gazers

Have you ever counted clouds? If you have you might be interested to know that there are 10 types: cirrus, cirrocumulus, cirrostratus, altocumulus, altostratus, nimbostratus, stratocumulus, stratus, cumulus, and cumulonimbus. Each of these clouds has a different shape and internal structure.

Hamilton marina light

Mariners are advised that a light Fl.G.3s has been established on the Starboard Lateral Mark No 3 beacon in approximate position latitude 20° 20.817 'S and longitude 148° 56.919' E (WGS84 datum) which is inside the entrance to the Hamilton Island Marina. Charts affected: AUS 252, 253, 254

Good advice

When Queen Elizabeth II considered having a second glass of wine with lunch shortly after her coronation, the Queen Mother admonished her, "Don't forget, my dear, you have to reign all afternoon."

All the best

"I always prefer to believe the best of everybody - it saves so much trouble."

Rudyard Kipling, author of The Jungle Books,


Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan

Wednesday, November 19, 2003

First race for new island destination

The inaugural Keswick Island Yacht Race was sailed following a cruise from Mackay to the island. Participants enjoyed a barbeque and race briefing at the Keswick Island Land Sales Site Office that ended up being a great island style party.
"The race course was 'port to' around the island, with the start and finish in line with the site office in coral passage. Race participants navigated their way around the island on the lookout for wind to power their hulls through the water. Skippers were presented with a variety of conditions, some spots with good wind and at times the doldrums," reports Bernard O'Brien of Mackay Yacht Club.
Keswick Island supplied prize money and trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place getters. Race results: 1 Sensation; 2 Smokin Joe; 3 Sidewinder; 4 Rose Andy; 5 X ta sea; 6 Tigger; 7 Foot Loose.
"It was great to see such a good turn out of boaties for the inaugural Keswick Island Yacht Race and we look forward to seeing it bigger and better next year," Mr O'Brien told Waterfront.

Got that wrong . . .

In 1908, a writer within the automobile industry proved that the wealth of the United States was insufficient to support more than 200,000 new cars every year. 'Experts' don't always get it right.

Cruise ship causalities

Thirteen people died and 31 injured on Saturday when a dockside gangway to the world's biggest and most expensive cruise ship, the Queen Mary II, collapsed at Saint-Nazaire in western France. Fire services said that several children were among the dead.
The Queen Mary II has been undergoing sea-trials and is due to be handed over to the Cunard line next month, with an official launch attended by Queen Elizabeth in Southampton in the United Kingdom on January 8.
The ship is due to operate as a trans-Atlantic cruise liner, and will carry 2,600 passengers and 1,250 crew.
The 150,000-tonne vessel measures 345 metres in length and 62 metres high from above the waterline - the equivalent of a 23-storey building. It has a 1,000-seat theatre, a planetarium, five swimming pools and a ballroom.
The cruise liner is scheduled to make its first trip from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in the United States on January 12, 2004.

Really?

A dentist, Alfred P. Southwick, who practiced in Buffalo, N.Y, invented the electric chair. Hardly a surprise, really.

Sports mad

During the 14th Raja Muda International Regatta 2003 currently being sailed in Malaysia, some of the Premier Cruising class yachts have the luxury of satellite television onboard. The boredom of sitting on the rail was replaced with the pleasure of watching the Aussie/NZ semi-final clash down in the plush interior of the owner's stateroom reports Capt Marty of Asian Yachting.
"To every bodies surprise the Aussie's did it again with Jon Wardill's Australian Maid snatching a big win over Peter Cremers Shahtoosh and demoralized the ex Kiwi rugby contingent on Ian Nicolson's well travelled Warwick 60 Intrigue of Stornoway who slowed down dramatically during the match"

New filleting and marking rules for coral reef fish

New recreational filleting and marking rules for coral reef fish will apply from December 13 this year.
The new rules from the Department of Primary Industries Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) are introduced to the Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery.
* Coral reef fish may be kept whole or gilled and gutted
* Whole fish must have a pectoral fin removed before being placed in cold storage
* Coral reef fish must not be brought live to shore
* Coral reef fish may only be filleted at sea if the fillet is 40cm or greater
* The skin or scales from a fish fillet must not be removed until is brought ashore
* Once the skin is removed from a fillet it must not be returned to the boat
* Fish must only be divided into portions in a way that allows the number of whole fish in possession to be easily counted; and
* Chinese footballer (blue-spot) trout must be retained whole.
QFS reef line manager Mark Elmer said the new filleting and marking rules for coral reef fish had a number of purposes including assisting to enforce size and take and possession limits and making fish identification easier.
"For example, a 40cm fish fillet ensures that the fish was the correct size when taken, but enables anglers to process at sea any large fish taken which would otherwise fill or overfill their icebox," Mr Elmer said.
"Retaining the skin and scales on the fillet allows inspectors to more easily identify the species and ensure that size and take and possession limits are being followed."
Mr Elmer said removing a pectoral fin from whole fish was aimed at preventing black market trading of reef fish.
"Removing a pectoral fin before bringing the fish ashore indicates that the fish has been taken recreationally and therefore shouldn't appear for sale in the marketplace," he said.
For more information about the new rules and regulations visit the Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb or phone the DPI Call Centre on 13 25 23.

Keep going!
"If you are going through hell, keep going."

Winston Churchill

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

Monday, November 17, 2003

South Pole Christmas prize could be yours

Few people in the world have the opportunity to visit the seventh continent and experience its pristine wilderness. The Antarctic peninsular is one of the last places on earth where the teeming wildlife shows no fear to the lucky few humans who get there.
The dramatic back drops of sculptured icebergs and towering mountains where glaciers calve icebergs will be your playgrounds for over three weeks. This trip is unique in that you experience the wild and spectacular beauty of Antarctica in a small group of ten individuals for a maximum amount of Antarctic time and landings.
You may bid for this -- for the person who has everything -- at the Charity Auction for SAILABILITY-Freedom on the Water regardless of Ability.
The yacht, Spirit of Sydney is a 60ft aluminium Ben Lexcen design, launched for Ian Kiernan of 'Clean up Australia' fame to sail solo around the world in the 1986 B.O.C. race. She has been specifically refitted as an Antarctic expedition yacht and has worked in Antarctic waters for over ten years.
Many sailors dream of sailing around Cape Horn and making a southern ocean passage. The adventure departs from Ushuaia, Argentina at the head of the Beagle channel just a few hours from Cape Horn. Dependent on weather conditions we attempt to land on the island of Cape Horn and visit the memorial.
Our crossing of the Drake Passage normally takes 3 days and as we cross the Antarctic conversion zone we enter Antarctic waters and are greeted by penguins and curious seals.
We spend three weeks exploring the exciting cruising grounds of the Antarctic Peninsula, where sheltered waters teem with penguins, seals and whales, amid spectacular scenic backdrops.
This is an expedition and guests are required to take part and participate in the adventure, however sailing experience is not essential. For this reason guests must meet basic medical requirements and have a moderate level of fitness.
Due to the nature of the area we are visiting, our itinerary is weather dependent and at the discretion of the professional skipper.
Charity Auction for SAILABILITY-freedom on the Water regardless of Ability on 14th November at Sailability John Bertrand Lunch, South Port Yacht Club. Alternatively, open for tender until 21st November. Please phone Wyn Treasure 07 55920785, or email wyntreas@bigpond.net.au for details

Traditional ships invite

"Hi Dan, Did you see the bit in the Hamilton Island Race Week newsletter about having a classic division if they can get five or so boats to compete?
"Vessels coming up from down south could participate in both the Derwent Hunter Perpetual Trophy during the Oceanic Whitsunday Boat & Leisure Show conducted by The Rotary Club of Airlie Beach next June AND Hahn Premium Hamilton Island Race Week sailed 21st-28th August 2004.
"Charter vessels at Hamilton will get good exposure as all the media are there and they will love to film, photograph and write about these boats."
Cheers, Kathy McKenzie, Editor Boating Oz
Note: A new group formed to steer a course for the boat show invites trad sailors to join (Free!) Traditional Ships with information on 4948 0980 or tradships@hotmail.com

Aussie Cracks 150 MPH

Australia's biggest and fastest offshore race boat, Maritimo has charged through the course to post a two way average speed of 242.89 km/h - or in language that go-fast boaters understand 150.92 mph.
With owner/throttleman, Bill Barry-Cotter and Peter McGrath (driver) on board, the Class 1 boat posted the new Australian offshore speed record at trials staged at Paynesville. The speed trials were organised by the Australian Offshore Powerboat Club, with the event sanctioned by the Australian Power Boat Association.
Maritimo is a 14-metre catamaran powered by two V8 Detroit diesel engines that produce around 1400hp each.
The diesel powered Maritimo boat that logged a new Australian offshore speed record will go on to contest the 2004 "Club Marine" Australian Series, with the first round slated for Geelong on 22nd February 2004.

Transport issues

Queensland Tourism Industry Council is currently engaged in a preliminary dialogue with Queensland Transport on the issues of passenger transport from a tourism perspective.
"We are very supportive of the Department considering our industry's needs in setting the priorities for the future. Queensland Transport has extensive responsibilities in regulating transport operators, providing infrastructure, planning, providing subsidies and more," says Liz Stewart of Tourism Whitsunday.
"I am keen to hear from you about the transport issues you consider crucial for the future of tourism in Queensland."
"To prepare a brief summary of the industry's position on transport issues we have solicited the support of Mr Noel Scott from the University of Queensland.
Please forward any issues you may have to Liz Stewart membership@whitsundaytourism.com who will forward this on to QTIC.

Bait Reef final

"Hi Gang, You may have heard me refer to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and their plan to close parts of the Great Barrier Reef, well it has come down to the final round. I haven't wanted to bore you with all the details over the past year but it is now the bottom of the ninth and we are behind on points.
"They are closing many of the reefs I fish but none so important as Bait Reef. This reef is my sole destination for day trips because of its location and distance from Airlie Beach."
I have talked to GBRMPA until I was blue in the face but they won't change their small minds. GBRMPA has tunnel vision and I am out numbered.
"It is rare for me to ask for your assistance but this is serious". Thanks, Capt Ken Bryant. 4946 5044 marlin@whitsunday.net.au

New fishing rules announced

New recreational and commercial fishing rules will come into force in Queensland from December 13 for coral reef fish as well as a range of other fish species.
Major changes to recreational fishing regulations, which come into effect from December 13, include:
· Seven fish including humphead Maori wrasse, barramundi cod, potato cod, Queensland groper, red bass, Chinaman fish, and paddletail are now no take species.
· A combined total take and possession limit of 20 coral reef fish is now in place. However, within this combined limit anglers must comply with individual take and possession limits for various fish species.
· Minimum and in some cases maximum size limits have been introduced for most coral reef species.
· Updated restrictions on fishing gear and on filleting fish at sea accompany the new size limits. All recreational and commercial fishers without a reef fish catch quota must mark their fish as not for sale by removing a section of the pectoral fin.
· The take and possession limit for Spanish mackerel has dropped from 10 to three.
For more information about the new fishing regulations, contact the local Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol office or visit the DPI Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb

Yachting Queensland berths

Congratulations to Jenna Madden for winning the Yachting Queensland sponsored berth on board the Sail Training Vessel "South Passage".
Jenna is an active sailing member of Keppel Bay and will undertake a voyage from Brisbane to Sydney in January 2004 and then participate in the on water activities on Sydney Harbour for Australia Day.
Congratulations also to Jack Price of Oxley Sailing Club awarded a special Youth Encouragement Awarded sponsored by Whitsunday Marine Academy in Airlie Beach to undertake a 6-day and 6-night voyage.
Both youth sailors are active dinghy sailors and have had limited experience on board large vessels, so this is an exciting opportunity for both of them.

Hamilton Island light

Mariners are advised that a light Fl.G.3s has been established on the Starboard Lateral Mark beacon in approximate position latitude 20° 20.822 'S and longitude 148° 56.845' E (WGS84 datum) which is inside the entrance to the Hamilton Island Marina. Charts affected: AUS 252, 253

Your place in the sun

"Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight" - Benjamin Franklin

Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan

Thursday, November 13, 2003



South Pole Christmas prize could be yours

Few people in the world have the opportunity to visit the seventh continent and experience its pristine wilderness. The Antarctic peninsular is one of the last places on earth where the teeming wildlife shows no fear to the lucky few humans who get there.
The dramatic back drops of sculptured��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

Wednesday, November 12, 2003

Wednesday, November 05, 2003

French windsurfer pays tribute to Tahitian navigators

Sub title - How crazy can you get?

French windsurfer Raphaƫla Le Gouvello ended her solo adventure from Peru to Tahiti on Sunday.
She had just spent 89 days covering 4,550 nautical miles (8,425 kilometres) unescorted aboard a specially built 7.8-meter (25-foot) long, 1.3-meter (4.3-foot) wide windsurf board.
Ms Le Gouvello received a warm welcome by an armada of small vessels as she arrived in Papeete Harbour, Tahiti on Sunday,
Having left Peru on August 5, she recalled how "I thought of you (the people of Tahiti) because my compass sometimes indicated nonsense. So I returned to the good old Polynesian methods-keep the sun behind your back in the morning, put the sun in front of your nose at night."
The 40-year-old windsurfer was obviously very moved by the welcome she received in Tahiti. She even compared her arrival with that of the first European navigators and explorers of the Pacific, whose events are contained in a book that she carried with her throughout her journey.
"The Polynesians' welcome is something dominating in those accounts," she said. "I'm in a daydream, well beyond my own expectations." And she recalled that when she was a little girl growing up in France, one of her souvenirs were the many memories of the accounts of the "Kon Tiki" balsa raft that Norwegian anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl and four crewmembers sailed from South America to French Polynesia in 1947. She said that helped inspire her to follow the same, unescorted route across the Pacific.
After Veterinary School, she studied aquaculture. First she crossed the Mediterranean alone on a sailboard between Marseille and Tunisia and then crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a sailboard - the first time by a woman alone.
The president of the French Republic, Jacques Chiral, addressed his "most cordial congratulations and most admiring" to the board sailor for her "superb exploit".

Cup sailors wanted

On the 26th September 1983, Australia made history in winning the America's Cup.
After over a century of American superiority, Australia II won the seventh race of a nerve-racking final series against "Liberty." The myth of the America's Cup was broken and after 132 years, Australia II brought the America's Cup home to Australia.
In 2003, twenty years later, the OzBoyz America's Cup Challenge has been established. This campaign is based on the talented Youth of Australia as they will be the major driving force behind the OzBoyz America's Cup Challenge. The significance of the concept and timing of the challenge launches Australian sailing into a new era.
Both male and female participants will be eligible for one of the eighty-three positions within the OzBoyz Challenge team.
The key selection criteria will be based on the foundation rule of the project, which is that 60% of the team must have been born in or after 1983.
The on-line recruitment program signalling the second phase of the OzBoyz Challenge - Australian Syndicate for the 2007 America's Cup commences Wednesday November 5 at www.ozboyzchallenge.com

Champions

'We started with a crew of champions and ended with a champion crew'.

Alan Bond

Stinger Seminar

Stinger expert Eric Mitran will be conducting marine stinger seminars every Wednesday in November at Shingley Beach Resort from 5:30-7:30pm.
You will receive a full hand book, answers to frequently asked questions, quick reference guide and a fact sheet For more information please contact Eric Mitran Phone: 07 4946 1747

Transport issues

Queensland Tourism Industry Council is currently engaged in a constructive, preliminary dialogue with Queensland Transport on the strategic issues of passenger transport from a tourism perspective.
"We are very supportive of the Department considering our industry's needs in setting the priorities for the future. Queensland Transport has extensive responsibilities in regulating transport operators, providing infrastructure, planning, providing subsidies and more" says Liz Stewart of Tourism Whitsunday.
"I am keen to hear from you about the transport issues you consider crucial for the future of tourism in Queensland."
"To prepare a brief summary of the industry's position on transport issues we have solicited the support of Mr Noel Scott from the University of Queensland.
Please forward any issues you may have to Liz Stewart membership@whitsundaytourism.com who will forward this on to QTIC.

Bait Reef row

"Hi Gang, You may have heard me refer to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and their plan to close parts of the Great Barrier Reef, well it has come down to the final round. I haven't wanted to bore you with all the details over the past year but it is now the bottom of the ninth and we are behind on points.
"They are closing many of the reefs I fish but none so important as Bait Reef. This reef is my sole destination for day trips because of its location and distance from Airlie Beach. So, what do I need from you? I need you to take 10 minutes of your time and write a letter or e/mail the Minister who has the final say on the closure of Bait Reef. I have talked to GBRMPA until I was blue in the face but they won't change their small minds. GBRMPA has tunnel vision and I am out numbered.
"It is rare for me to ask for your assistance but this is serious". Thanks Capt Ken Bryant. 4946 5044 marlin@whitsunday.net.au

Yachting Queensland berths

Congratulations to Jenna Madden of Keppel Bay Sailing Club for winning the Yachting Queensland sponsored berth on board the Sail Training Vessel "South Passage".
Jenna is an active sailing member of Keppel Bay and will undertake a voyage from Brisbane to Sydney in January 2004 and then participate in the on water activities on Sydney Harbour for Australia Day.
Congratulations also to Jack Price of Oxley Sailing Club who was awarded with a special Youth Encouragement Awarded sponsored by Whitsunday Marine Academy in Airlie Beach to undertake a 6-day and 6 night voyage.
Both youth sailors are active dinghy sailors and have had limited experience on board large vessels, so this is an exciting opportunity for both of them.

Upstart Bay buoy

Mariners are advised that a west cardinal buoy - Q(9)15s - has been established in approximate position latitude 19° 43.0712' S and longitude 147° 45.2250 E (WGS84 datum) south of Cape Upstart. The buoy marks a submerged rock. Chart affected: AUS 826

Thought for November 5 . . .

Who said "Guy Fawkes was the only man to enter parliament with honest intentions"?

Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan

Sunday, November 02, 2003

Boating billion$ brings jobs & safety

Queensland will play a major role in national marine affairs, with the appointment of boating identity, Barry Jenkins, as Vice President of the Australian Marine Industries Federation, the nation's peak marine industry body.
Mr Jenkins said the Australian marine industry made a significant contribution to the national economy, with an annual turnover of $8 billion, including $3 billion in exports.
"The Queensland boating industry plays a major role in this national effort and it's vital that we have a place at the table when national marine issues are discussed," Mr Jenkins said.
Mr Jenkins said AMIF's priorities included encouragement of consistent policy and regulations among various national and state jurisdictions; improvement of boating facilities throughout Australia; career training and development pathways within the industry; and the introduction of consistent environmental management standards and best practice methodologies.
"It is our intention to build on the sound level of success achieved over the last decade in both domestic and international trade and place a greater emphasis on boating safety and environmental management throughout the nation," Mr Jenkins said.
"As far as industry development is concerned, AMIF will work with superyacht, shipbuilding and marina bodies to pursue much closer relations with local, state and federal agencies."

Text to the rescue

Three men rescued from the hull of a capsized boat were saved after one of the sailors sent an electronic text message to his father using a pager.
Caught in what the British Coastguard described as rough seas and gusts up to 45 knots, the men used mobile phone, VHF radio and an EPIRB to call for help.
However, it wasn't until the Coastguard received a call from one man's father - calling from his home, near Southampton - that their position was confirmed.
His son had sent him a text message that he passed onto the Coastguard. A helicopter was dispatched and the men were plucked to safety.
A Coastguard officer said text messaging could often make it through when coverage is patchy. The Coastguard has been alerted to marine incidents a number of times by text messages.

Shark fears man infested waters

Someone in Hollywood is already contemplating a movie treatment 'Jaws Surrenders' about Captain Sigurdur Petursson, "known to locals as "the Iceman", he ran into the shallow water and grabbed a 660-pound shark by its tail, dragged it to dry land and killed it with his knife."
With his bare hands! For those not aware, a shark's skin has very sharp scales that can slice up a hand if slid the wrong way.
The skipper of the trawler 'Erik the Red' was on a beach in east Greenland, watching his crew processing a catch when he saw the shark swimming toward the fish blood and guts -- and his crew.
Is this Icelandic fishing captain tough enough to replace Arnold as the Terminator? Does he have a future in politics? He probably has a really cool accent too...
Meanwhile, Animal protection group Shark Friends is expected to mount a campaign against Captain Petursson for murder, deprivation of liberty, fishing with a knife, infringing Workplace Health and Safety laws.

A Boat out of Hell

Since Halloween is coming up at the end of this week, a few titbits caught me eye.
Sounds like a fair trade: blood for beer. United Blood Services of Durango, Colo., held an unusual blood drive this week.
Donors got a free pint of beer for a pint of blood. Four breweries took part in the promotion.
People from the blood bank got into the spirit of the season, by dressing in Halloween costumes including vampires
In the United States, 86 percent of Americans decorate their homes and about 8 percent of pet owners dress their pets in costumes for Halloween.
The early Celtic calendar began on November 1st each year, celebrated with the festival of Samain, when ghosts and demons roamed the earth. This was later instituted in 835 AD as All Saints' Day, or as we know it now, Halloween.
A Boat out of Hell. A scarily sexy evening of funky Frankensteins, demonic divas and terrifying tunes will happen aboard the Thames cruiser Royal Princess. While the Vancouver Aquarium Halloween Boat Cruise should warm the frozen Yanks.

EPIRB facts

The pilot of a de Havilland Beaver floatplane, registered VH-AQV, was conducting a charter positioning flight from Hamilton Island Marina to Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island. At approximately 1615 Eastern Standard Time (EST), the pilot was landing the aircraft towards the south, about 600 m off the beach, to avoid mechanical turbulence associated with terrain at the southern end of Whitehaven Beach. He reported that the approach and flare were normal, however, as the aircraft touched down on the right float, the aircraft swung sharply right and then sharply left. The left wing contacted the water, and the aircraft overturned. The pilot exited the upturned aircraft through the left rear passenger door and activated a 121.5 MHz distress beacon.
The pilot cancelled SARWATCH prior to landing, as there was no Very High Frequency (VHF) radio coverage once the aircraft was on the water. After the aircraft had overturned, the pilot had no means of communication, other than the distress beacon. The passengers waiting on the beach had no means of communication with either the pilot or the company. When the company did not receive a departure radio report from the pilot, another company aircraft diverted to the area and located the overturned aircraft. The pilot was rescued from the aircraft by a company helicopter approximately 2 hours after the accident.
At 1637 EST, Australian Search and Rescue (AusSAR) identified an extremely poor quality distress beacon signal located 94 km south of Mackay (194 km south of Whitehaven Beach). The detected signal was of poor quality, most likely because of the position of the satellite relative to the beacon. Another satellite in a better position acquired a signal at 1753 EST, which was determined to originate from a position 31 km northwest of Mackay (74 km south of Whitehaven Beach). AusSAR reported that they did not have a high level of confidence in the location identified, because contact with the beacon signal was only maintained for approximately 100 seconds. AusSAR dispatched a search helicopter from Mackay however the helicopter was not able to detect the signal. AusSAR was not able to conclusively establish that the two distress beacon signals identified in the Mackay area were associated with the activated beacon at Whitehaven Beach.
Extract from an Australian Transport Safety Board Report issued this week.

Piracy soars

Piracy against the world's shipping surged in the first half of this year, with a record 234 attacks reported and violence against seafarers escalating, International Maritime Bureau reports. Again, waters off Indonesia were the most dangerous as the number of incidents in which firearms were used rose.
The IMB Report, Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships, showed a rising toll of dead and injured seamen A total of 16 seafarers were killed in piratical attacks during the period, 20 were reported missing, and 52 were injured. Numbers taken hostage more than doubled to 193.
IMB Director Captain Pottengal Mukundan said: "Levels of violence have increased significantly." He instanced as typical incidents the fatal shooting in the head of a ship's officer on board a tanker off Santos, and the abduction of crew for ransom off Nigeria where their vessel was run aground.
Pirate fired a hail of bullets from automatic weapons at a chemical tanker off Indonesia in an attempt to force it to stop. A ship's engineer was hit and was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.
The highest number of attacks was recorded off Indonesia, which accounted for more than one quarter of the world total with 64 incidents. These included 43 ships boarded, four hijacked and attempted attacks on a further 17 ships. The IMB said there are no signs of a reduction in attacks, and no improvement could be expected until Indonesia took serious steps to tackle piracy in its waters.
Among other piracy-prone areas, attacks doubled off Bangladesh where the number of attacks doubled to 23. Nigeria and India, with 18 attacks each, occupy third place in the table.

Weather talk

"Everyone talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it."Mark Twain


Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan