Monday, December 29, 2003

Birth Notice: Top yachts spawn little sailors

The Mackay Yacht Club is proud to announce the birth of three little Sabot sailing boats, which have been "fathered" by the top racing boats Nicorette and Ichi Ban and the cruising vessel Hi Fidelity.
The three "big boats" took out $1,000 cash prizes in the inaugural Southport to Mackay Yacht Race in August this year (2003). The money had been raised by local businesses to promote the race, but all three skippers decided to donate the money back to the Club to help develop Junior Sailing.
The three Sabots have recently emerged from their moulds in Mackay and are awaiting masts and sails. They will be 'baptised' as Little Nicorette, Little Ichi Ban and Little Hi Fidelity in the New Year.
Matt Allan, skipper of Ichi Ban chairs the Youth Yachting Committee at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. He said, "While we all appreciate the sentiments of the Mackay Yacht Club and the camaraderie and competition of ocean racing, it is also important to develop the potential of younger sailors. By encouraging junior sailors in Mackay, we are also encouraging future crew members, skippers, and who knows, maybe an Olympic champion."
Dale Robinson, Commodore of the Mackay Yacht Club says, "Planning is well underway for the 2004 Southport to Mackay Yacht Race. We will be looking forward to the skippers of Nicorette, Ichi Ban and Hi Fidelity returning to visit their 'offspring'. We also hope many more ocean racing boats will also enter the race. It can only help our local kids when top racing sailors visit Mackay."
The 530 nm Southport to Mackay Blue Water Classic is the longest northerly passage Race on the East Coast of Australia. Next race will begin on Friday August 6, 2004.

Resolute!


In relation to my previous New Years Resolutions, I tried to be good (honest!), but the dining table is near my computer and it often looks like an office. I had the table clean on at least two occasions that even Mrs Cap'n Dan would verify. I, of course, would never try to shift the blame, but other people put things on the table too.
I will eat less fat and more sugar. I will slip, slop and slap. Early to bed and . . . Well, you get the picture. I will try to clean off the dining room table for Mrs Cap'n Dan. (Weather permitting, in due course, considering schedules, with due regard to the Santa clause, if possible with regard to extent circumstances and special conditions at the time, Act of God, force majeure, et cetera . . . )

Toadfish tango

The underwater mating song of the toadfish is said to be so loud that sometimes humans on the shore can hear it.

The year that was

The year 2003 saw our visitor numbers grow from 554,000 in June 2002 to 635,000 in 2003. The majority of Tourism Whitsunday members have experienced one of the best years for some time. The region has performed strongly especially our domestic market. The latest figures show Domestic 67%, International 33%. TW Sea News.

Miracles

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
Albert Einstein

Best wishes for the New Year and
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan

Tuesday, December 23, 2003

Check weather for safe summer boating

Keeping your 'weather eye' open is a key element of good seamanship. You don't have to know everything about weather forecasting, but getting the right information is vital to safe boating.
Getting a good, reliable marine weather forecast is easy when you know the right sources. Here is a rundown for summer boating weather safety.
Newspapers, local radio and the Bureau of Meteorology website provide coverage, but your marine radio has a range of broadcasts for you.
Airlie Comstat provides a Whitsunday local service each day at 0803, 1203 and 1603 on VHF repeater channels 81, 82 and 22.
A good service for the early morning starters is the Telstra VHF Seaphone service that broadcasts weather forecasts at 0633 and 1633 each day. Whitsunday weather channels are VHF 28 and 86 from Whitsunday Island and Channel 66 Shute Harbour.
The Bureau of Meteorology broadcasts weather information for our waters from VMC Weather Australia located at Charleville in Queensland on the High Frequencies working frequencies: 2201, 4426, 6507, 8176, 12365 and 16537 KHz.
Some vessels, depending on the age of their HF transceivers, may need to install new frequencies in order to receive the Bureau of Meteorology weather information.
Get the forecast and enjoy safe boating in the Whitsundays.

Port Denison Pier

Mariners are advised that a fireworks display will be carried out in approximate position latitude 20°01.3'S and longitude 148°15.1'E on Port Denison Pier, Bowen, between 2400 hours on Wednesday, 31 December, 2003 and 0015 hours on Thursday, 1 January, 2004. Charts affected: AUS 268, 825, 826

Young Einstein

One story Einstein liked to tell about his childhood was of a "wonder" he saw when he was four or five years old: a magnetic compass. The needle's invariable northward swing, guided by an invisible force, profoundly impressed the child. The compass convinced him that there had to be "something behind things, something deeply hidden."

Ad scam warning

Here's a warning to businesses to be wary of an advertising scam by unscrupulous con-merchants, claiming to represent the emergency services.
Businesses are being rung and harassed by a man who speaks with an American accent, and claims to be selling advertising space in a bogus publication called 'SES Volunteer Air and Sea Rescue Magazine'.
The ONLY official publication of the SES is a monthly newsletter for the State's volunteers, which carries no advertising whatsoever.
If your approached, immediately lodge a complaint with the Office of Fair Trading on 1300 658 030.

Christmas all year

"A good conscience is a continual Christmas."

Benjamin Franklin; Statesman, Printer, Inventor, Philosopher


Best wishes of the Season and
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan

Wednesday, December 17, 2003

Irukandji Research Foundation launched in Whitsunday

Irukandji jellyfish research took a positive turn with the launch in Airlie Beach this week of a tax-free research foundation to attract and encourage donations.
The first donations were received on Tuesday night. Proserpine Rotary President Harry Black presented $5000 to Foundation Trustee Ray Braithwaite who also accepted fifty dollars from a member of the public.
Mr Black issued a challenge to other service clubs in the region to back the research foundation.
Former Federal member Mr Braithwaite told the well attended meeting at the sailing club that Federal member De-Anne Kelly had suggested the formation of a tax deductible foundation and it had taken almost two years to set up the foundation.
"The Trustees will be applying for any available Government grants and are also seeking contributions and assistance from Mackay Whitsunday businesses, service clubs and the community to ensure that the research will continue and make the region a safer place for tourists." Mr Braithwaite said.
Organiser and Foundation trustee Wayne Bailey, a marine tourism operator, said the research was needed to ensure the safety of both tourist customers and staff.
"We need to press ahead with the research and find solutions. Tourism is adversely impacted with each Irukandji sting, so we need the entire industry and every tourist operation to get right behind the foundation" Mr Bailey said.
Leading world authority on marine stingers Dr Peter Fenner told the meeting each time an Irukandji sting occurred, the tourism industry suffered. An area such as Whitsunday could be very badly affected by adverse publicity.
"We need to ensure that research results in ways to prevent incidents. Education is an important aspect of this, but we still need to know more. It is important to realise that the jellyfish do not 'attack' people, humans are not its food source."
Dr Fenner is National Medical Officer for Surf Life Saving Club and an Associate Professor at James Cook University. He is also an advisor to the World Health Organisation and the Australian Medical Association on marine envenomation.
"It has been found in the past that most research funds available for Irukandji research from Governments were going further north, while the main effect of these marine stingers has been felt around the Whitsundays. Volunteer researcher Dr Eric Mitran in Airlie Beach was conducting the most fruitful research. That is why our research funding will target the Whitsunday area," Dr Fenner added.
Marine biologist, Dr Eric Mitran has been conducting research in the Whitsundays. He had formerly worked on the islands of Madagascar and Zanzibar on the east coast of Africa where he originally encountered Irukandji like stingers, and discovered a possible repellent.
Eric told The Guardian that his young daughter helped in the discovery.
"Papa, Why do the women put sun cream on the bottom of their feet?"
So, Eric asked them and found that the fisherwomen were putting on an essential oil as a repellent against the jellyfish.
"The reproduction of the jellyfish may be tied to climate stress triggered by conditions that cause the mass spawning leading to an outbreak or raising of the number of encounters," Dr Mitran said.
"More research is needed to find the real reasons, but with the increase in funding we can expect further results to this problem"
Medical practitioner Dr Paul Joice of Proserpine is a trustee of the foundation and Rotary member who invited Dr Fenner to Proserpine a while back to give a presentation to the club.
"Rotary takes up issues, in this case a life saving issue, as part of our service to the community," Dr Joice said.
The sensational approach by some sections of the media was noted as having almost as adverse an affect as the jellyfish themselves.
Every time a newspaper headline trumpets a jellyfish sting, the tourism industry suffers. It's like the 'shark infested waters' line that has been done to death by the media.
Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association organised the meeting at the sailing club. Any reader who wishes to make a donation may contact the Foundation C/ The Guardian.

Watery grave for infamous yacht

The infamous yacht Lonebird, linked to New Zealand's Marlborough Sounds murders of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope and a major drug-smuggling operation, was scuttled near Gisborne this week.
After mysteriously sinking in its Gisborne harbour mooring three years ago, the 20m yacht was sent to its final resting place at Young Nicks Head, as an artificial reef for divers.
Its history is steeped in drugs, murder and mystery. In 1997, Lonebird was rumoured to have been the ketch originally sought after the deaths of Ben Smart, 21, and Olivia Hope, 17. It matched the mystery ketch police were looking for.
In early 2000, Lonebird reportedly transferred drugs from off the coast of New Zealand to Australia.
Sir Thomas Graham Fry, who owned Lonebird then, was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in bringing 500kg of cocaine into Australia, the country's largest cocaine seizure at the time. Then in September 2000, it sank in Gisborne harbour during a storm in unknown circumstances.
Australian authorities who seized the boat have accepted ownership and will pay the $100,000 salvage bill.
Rob Campbell, of Bay Underwater Services, thinks Lonebird could be seaworthy again. He says its hull is "very sound."

Windsurfer record

Maries de la Mer, France: Big Wednesday turned out to be a record setting day as the run of 46.24 knots by Finian Maynard sets a new windsurfing speed record that comes agonizingly close to the outright world record of 46.54 knots. David Garrel of France set a new French record with a time of 45.51 knots. Martin van Meurs set a new Dutch record with a time of 40.8 knots.

New boat marking rules

Queensland's commercial fishing fleet will be more easily identified in the water with new rules for the marking commercial fishing boats to come into force this week.
The regulations are part of a range of new legislation recently introduced affecting commercial operators, recreational anglers and the charter boat industry.
Under the new law, boat markings must be larger and clearly visible both from above and the side of the vessel.
The new rules include:
* For boats under 10 metres, markings must be at least 20cm high and between 2cm and 2.5cm wide
* For boats between 10m and 25m, markings must be at least 30cm high and between 3.5cm and 4cm wide; and
* For boats greater than 25m, markings must be at least 45cm high and between 6cm and 6.5cm wide.

Under cover

"A doctor can bury his mistakes but an architect can only advise his clients to plant vines."

Architect Frank Lloyd Wright

Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan


Friday, December 12, 2003

Ex Whitsunday yacht for Mawson's Hut New Year

Solo, around-the-world sailor Tony Mowbray is embarking on a new challenge - a voyage to Antarctica with a crew consisting of a stand-up comedian, ambulance officer, cleaning contractor and electrical engineer.
"This is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things," said Mowbray, who is looking forward to joining in "the most southern New Year's Party" at Mawson's Hut.
The group will sail out of Sydney on December 7 in Solo Globe Challenger, the 43ft yacht, which Mowbray sailed single-handed around the world in 2000, and which was nearly lost in the disastrous 1998 Sydney-Hobart Race.
The yacht, a Cole 43 charter yacht sailed for years in the Whitsundays as Rangatira.
Mowbray said he was looking forward to seeing Mawson's Hut, at Commonwealth Bay, the great adventurer's home from 1911 to 1913.
"It is the last remaining symbol down there to our great Antarctic pioneers," he said.
"The thought of being in the beautiful, unspoilt Antarctic on News Years Eve is just incredible.
"In contrast, we'll spend Christmas day in the "Screaming 60s" of The Great Southern Ocean where there is no law... you are on your own.
"We have prepared well for icebergs, pack ice and the expected 200 km/h winds. We are ready for the challenge. Bring it on"

Aussie boat washed up

A catamaran that sank off the New South Wales coast in May has washed up seven months later on a New Zealand beach 3000 kilometres away, police said.
Police were trying to track down the owner after the eight metre craft, with its two huge outboard engines still attached, drifted ashore on Ninety Mile Beach, at the northern tip of New Zealand.
'It was amazing it stayed afloat with those two heavy engines on it,' Constable Chris Yarnton said. 'They weigh a quarter of a tonne each.'
The catamaran had overturned off Bermagui, 375 kilometres south of Sydney, on May 24 and its crew of four or five were rescued.
A search by water police at the time found no trace of the boat, which was presumed sunk.
New Zealand police traced the boat's motors to a marine engine dealer in Melbourne and Melbourne police filled in its history.

Boom not bombs

Did you know that even Kabul is experiencing a property boom? Under the Taliban, real estate agents were considered satanic.

Reef Report

Fishing has been on the improve lately with some good reef fish taken. Sailfish and Marlin have been about in small numbers at the north of Hayman Island but are not as thick as previous years. A recent three day trip to the continental shelf produced Mackerel, Dogtooth Tuna, some reds and a 500 lb Blue Marlin.
Dates have been set for a trip to Marion Reef in 2004 when twelve lucky anglers, a mother ship and two game boats make the trip 200 miles into the coral sea to Marion Reef. The 'Tour of Duty' will be a case of first in best dressed. Seven days at this majestic reef will be a real fishing experience.
Not so good news on the Green Zones closures of the reef with the Plan now in Parliament and most of the reefs off the Whitsundays to be closed. More to come on this one. Tight Lines. Capt Ken Bryant

Bikini bust up

The US Coast Guard rescued a bikini-clad Connecticut woman after she spent a chilly night stranded in a dinghy.
Michelle Zaklukiewicz, 35, allegedly had an argument with her boyfriend and rowed off to sea in her 8-foot inflatable boat, Coast Guard Petty Officer Jason Boop said.
Zaklukiewicz's boyfriend, Bill Lopes, called police at 1 a.m. Wednesday and told them the wind caught her boat, he was unable to reach her, and he then lost sight of her.
The Coast Guard rescued Zaklukiewicz about 6:30 a.m. almost two miles away, Boop said.
Not surprisingly, she was treated for hypothermia.

Windsurfer record

Maries de la Mer, France: Big Wednesday turned out to be a record setting day as the run of 46.24 knots by Finian Maynard sets a new windsurfing speed record that comes agonizingly close to the outright world record of 46.54 knots. David Garrel of France set a new French record with a time of 45.51 knots. Martin van Meurs set a new Dutch record with a time of 40.8 knots.

New boat marking rules

Queensland's commercial fishing fleet will be more easily identified in the water with new rules for the marking commercial fishing boats to come into force this week.
The regulations are part of a range of new legislation recently introduced affecting commercial operators, recreational anglers and the charter boat industry.
Under the new law, boat markings must be larger and clearly visible both from above and the side of the vessel.
The new rules include:
* For boats under 10 metres, markings must be at least 20cm high and between 2cm and 2.5cm wide
* For boats between 10m and 25m, markings must be at least 30cm high and between 3.5cm and 4cm wide; and
* For boats greater than 25m, markings must be at least 45cm high and between 6cm and 6.5cm wide.

Mackay Harbour lights

Mariners are advised that due to the construction of the No 3 Berth at Mackay Harbour, the lead lights (bearing 261°40') have been repositioned as follows: -
Front Lead - fixed white light by day, fixed blue light by night Approximate position Latitude 21°06.3858'S Longitude 149°13.5491'E
Rear Lead - fixed white light by day, fixed blue light by night Approximate position Latitude 21°06.4016'S Longitude 149°13.4348'E
The leads are 200 metres apart and line up on a calculated bearing of 261°38' T
Charts Affected: AUS 249, 250

Eternity

... L'eternité. C'est la mer mêlée Au soleil.
(Eternity. It is the sea mingled with the sun.)

Author Arthur Rimbaud

Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan

Wednesday, December 03, 2003

Leisure extra dimension for annual boat show

The big news for next year's Oceanic Whitsunday Boat & Leisure Show is the new title and logo, plus the move into Leisure and Camping. After much discussion and research into what Exhibitors want, organisers are pleased to incorporate this extra dimension to the already successful Boat Show. Here in the Whitsundays, our outdoor lifestyle invites us to take full advantage of boating and camping activities for twelve months of the year.
Organised by the Rotary Club of Airlie Beach and sponsored by Oceanic Insurance Brokers, the 2004 Show will again be held on the popular Queen's birthday long weekend, June 12th & 13th.
Plans for 2004 are underway with the show to be 'Bigger and Better'. Two high quality temporary Hoecker buildings at Abel Point Marina will house up to 120 static displays. Close by are the on-the-water displays and activities.
Organisers are expecting over 8000 visitors. With the extensive print, radio and TV campaigns planned, complete with website and Boat Show program, attracting the many boating, sailing and fishing enthusiasts from the coastal and hinterland regions of North and Central Queensland, to this boating paradise.
Visitors can expect a wide and exciting range of sail and power craft to view and inspect. In addition, a major on-water display of mono and multihull yachts and power cruises from the many Whitsunday Bareboat Charter operators. Together with a full line-up of nautical products and services, non-stop demonstrations, parades, entertainment and fabulous door prizes. You might even have the chance to walk the deck of a tallship!
Airlie Beach - What a great place for a BOAT SHOW

Secret overheard

Heard on the loudspeaker at a local supermart.
"Customers, Snappy Tom cans are now on special. Just the thing to bait up those crab pots." The cat's out of the bag now!


Marina appointment


Steve Sammes has been appointed General Manager of Mackay Marina
Shipyard. He is 'looking forward to taking on a new challenge and establishing the shipyard as a major facility on the Eastern Seaboard'. Steve is a Director of the Marina Association of Australia.

New rig on Maxi

Maxi yacht Matador, complete with a new rig, new sails, state of the art electronics and a refurbishment of the interior, returns to chartering in the Whitsundays following a $500,000 refit. Launched in 1990 for Bill Koch USA, the 85ft maxi yacht was victorious in major regattas, including the World Maxi Champion in 1990 and 1991. Matador joined the Prosail fleet in 1997 and will resume 3-day, 2-night liveaboard charters on December 14.

Biggest mast

The world's biggest single masted yacht was launched by VT Shipbuilding,
Southampton UK on Wednesday. The 75m (247ft) Mirabella V, owned by US
businessman Joe Vittoria, is also the biggest composite ship ever built and
will be fitted with a 90m mast capable of supporting 3,000sqm of sail.
Designed by Ron Holland, she will carry up to 12 passengers with facilities
on board including a 600-bottle wine cellar and an outdoor cinema. Small
yachts, remote controlled replicas of the Mirabella V, jet skis and a 29ft
motor launch are all parked in a garage at the stern of the vessel. Mirabella V
will be used as a charter vessel in the Mediterranean and Caribbean costing
$250,000 a week.

Then there was an Advert

The first advertisement printed in English in 1477 offered a prayer book. William Caxton published the ad on his press in Westminster Abbey. No price was mentioned, only that the book was "good chepe."

Net spreads wider for marine fuel spills

A ship's chief engineer was fined in the first use of expanded State Government powers to prosecute individual crewmembers over marine oil spills.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Steve Bredhauer said the $1000 fine imposed on the chief engineer of the Cementco-owned Warden Point should be a warning to all crew members about their personal liability when an oil spill occurs from their vessel.
"The Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act has been amended so prosecution is no longer a case of charging only the owner and master of a ship," Mr Bredhauer said.
"No longer can any crew member who bears some individual responsibility for a marine oil spill incident hide behind the skipper and the owner of their ship.
"The law has been expanded to enable Maritime Safety Queensland to cast a wider net and catch individuals whose actions or inactions contribute to an incident.
"Maritime Safety Queensland will continue to prosecute offenders as part of its charter to protect the marine environment from vessel-sourced pollution," he said.
"Vessel operators have to be careful not to spill fuel or oil in Queensland waters. The laws are there to prevent marine pollution and this case shows there are hefty penalties for breaking those laws."
Under Queensland's Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act, individual offenders are liable to incur maximum fines of $75,000, and corporations more than $260,000 when prosecuted in a Magistrates Court.

The pain in Spain

Love it or hate it, the America's Cup will be sailed in Valencia Spain in 2007.
Geneva, Switzerland: America's Cup Management, along with the current Trustee of the America's Cup, the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG), has announced the Host City and the principal partner for the 32nd America's Cup.
Louis Vuitton will be the principal partner, continuing its 20-year association with sailing's biggest prize.

Miles of smiles

"Wrinkles should merely indicate where the smiles have been."

Mark Twain, author

Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan