Super fish tank to feature in annual show
For this year's Oceanic Whitsunday Boat & Leisure Show, organisers Rotary Club of Airlie Beach have added another sure-fire crowd pulling attraction, in the form of the Super Fish Tank.
And it's not your average fish tank. This 13 metre long x three metre high Perspex fish tank holds 14000 litres of fresh water! This enables fishing experts to clearly demonstrate the art of lure casting and latest fishing techniques to the keen fishing public.
Demonstrations will be on throughout the Show over the Queens Birthday long weekend on June 11 and 12 with the Super Tank situated near the new Abel Point Marina office. For more information, see www.rotaryairliebeach.com
Seatime to Dunk
Marine students interested in gaining open sea time or people who would love the opportunity to experience an offshore race on a classic Australian boat now have a chance.
Airlie Beach charter boat operator OzSail have announced the entry of the beautiful "Enid" in the upcoming 2005 Dent to Dunk Race. The 72-foot John G Alden ketch, Enid was built in 1961 and has competed in four Sydney to Hobart races, 15 Brisbane to Gladstone and won line honours in the first Sydney to Mooloolaba race. She was restored in 2002/2003 and now conducts charters in the Whitsundays. She is a fantastic yacht with an excellent chance of winning the classic yacht division.
OzSail have 12 spots available for students and guests to sail in this unique race.
One year to go!
One year away to the Opening Ceremony at the Melbourne Cricket Ground that will kick-start the XVIII Commonwealth Games.
In London last week, the Queen's Baton began its epic journey to the Games. The Queen handed the baton to the first of many thousands of relay runners that will have the honour of carrying it to the Opening Ceremony, supermodel, mother, entrepreneur and Australian icon Elle McPherson.
Use the right bait
Anglers are being asked to be mindful of the bait they use in Queensland's inland waters because they could be putting the environment at risk and breaking the law.
The Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries is reminding all anglers of the types of bait that can be used in Queensland's inland waters.
DPI&F officer Gary Muhling said anglers can use live bait caught from the area they are fishing or other commercially produced bait such as sea-caught prawns, worms or common freshwater shrimp.
"However, anglers cannot use any other live or frozen aquaculture product for bait"," he said.
He said fishers might not be aware of the potential risk of spreading disease if live or frozen aquaculture product was used as bait.
Mr Muhling said that during inspections of fishers on the Cooper channels in western Queensland he noticed some anglers from interstate using blue claw crayfish from an interstate aquaculture facility for bait.
"For example, an angler buys bait from an aquaculture farm in New South Wales, where it's legal to use aquaculture bait in inland waterways in that state, but does not realise that it's illegal here," he said.
Mr Muhling also reminded anglers to be careful about collecting live bait from one waterway and taking it to another.
"Anglers might transport live bait and other organisms in buckets of water taken from one collection point and then use the bait in a different catchment. After they've finished fishing, they might dump the remaining contents of the bucket into the waterway.
"This means they could inadvertently spread fish eggs, fingerlings, plants or other organisms from one waterway to another, and risk contaminating the new area," Mr Muhling said.
"For the sake of our waterways, we strongly recommend that anglers use only live bait that has been collected from the waterway they are currently fishing in."
Fishers caught using aquaculture product as bait or translocating fish between catchments may be liable to a maximum fine of $150,000.
Flying fish?
The crew on board Southern Cross Yachting's Jeanneau 40 in Morton Bay landed a fish without tackle or even being on deck! The crew reported a loud thud on the deck while anchored off the beach at Horseshoe Bay, and upon investigation found a decent size mackerel on the deck. Not sure if it fell from the sky, but they certainly enjoyed the fresh fish for lunch the following day. Report: Southern Cross Yachting's newsletter.
Bass Strait in a Laser
Last week, Olympic Bronze Medallist Dr Michael Blackburn who has sailed at Airlie Beach, sailed from Stanley in Tasmania to Tidal River near Wilson's Promontory, Victoria in a 4.2m Laser. The distance of 117 nautical miles took 13 hours and one minute at an average speed of 8.6 knots and top speed of 19.7 knots.
Red claw funnel traps in freshwater
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries officers recently seized numerous illegal funnel traps from various freshwater locations.
DPI&F Officer Gary Muhling said the traps were seized because they were not marked with the owner's name and address, and they did not have a rigid ring of no more than 100mm in diameter holding the entrance of the trap open.
Mr Muhling said a funnel trap had to have a rigid ring (of no more than 100 mm in diameter) fitted to the entrance. This ring prevented the trapping of turtles, platypus, fish and birds.
"Nine of the seized traps contained a number of turtle shells," Mr Muhling said.
"This highlights how harmful these traps can be to other freshwater species when the rings are not fitted.
"Without the rigid ring holding the entrance open, air breathing animals such as turtles, platypus and birds are not given the opportunity to find their way back out of the trap," he said.
"If the trap is not fixed to something stationary above the waterline, it must have a light coloured float of at least 15cm in each of its dimensions clearly featuring the owner's first name and surname. The trap itself must also have a tag attached with the owner's name and address clearly marked on it," he said.
DPI&F regularly conducts inspections with fishers on the correct use of these devices and offenders can be fined a maximum penalty of $22,500.
The correct method of using funnel traps and other freshwater equipment is available in the booklet Guide to Recreational Boating and Fishing in Queensland or online at www.dpi.qld.gov.au\fishweb.
Cat for games
Hobie Cat Europe has announced that the F-18 Hobie Tiger has been chosen as the open multihull at the ISAF World Sailing Games that will take place in May 2006 in Austria where the top catamaran sailors of the world will race on 29 brand new Hobie Tigers.
Finn dits
Not sure if you want to know that the Finnish tongue-twister "vesihiisi sihisi hississa" ("a water devil hissed in the elevator") contains 56 dits in a row in Morse code.
Hook Pass light unlit
Mariners are advised that the lighted South Cardinal Mark Q(6) + L.Fl.15s in approximate position latitude 20° 10.826' S, longitude 148° 56.017' E off Hook Island in the Whitsunday Group has been reported unlit. Charts: AUS 252, 824, 825
Meet Thy maker
"I am prepared to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter"
Sir Winston Churchill
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Monday, March 28, 2005
Monday, March 21, 2005
Another year of fun in the sun
Only five months until the start of Hog's Breath Race Week 2005 to be sailed August 11-18 at Airlie Beach on the waters of Pioneer Bay and surrounding Islands of the Whitsunday Passage.
This will be the 16th year of Hog's Breath Race Week that has enjoyed a growth in popularity and patronage due to many factors but not the least is the casual relaxed Tropical Shirt fun atmosphere with serious racing.
The 2005 Race Week will see the same classes and divisions as past years plus the International Formula 18 Australian Championships to be staged from the Whitsunday Sailing Club precinct. The Formula 18's will sail inshore from the Race Week Regatta yachts from August 12 to 18.
Event founder and Patron Don Algie always wanted the social side to bring sailors together so the Wolverines will be entertaining and Mucka's Coconut Lotto will be drawn after racing each day featuring awards and prizes such as Mt. Gay and slabs of Tooheys.
Hog's is supported by the Queensland Government Queensland Events Regional Development Program, Lion Nathan, brewers of Tooheys New and XXXX Gold and Whitsunday Shire Council.
Seatime to Dunk
Are you a marine student interested in gaining open sea time or furthering your training in an offshore race or cruise environment? Do you know people who would love the opportunity to experience an offshore race on a classic Australian boat?
Airlie Beach charter boat operator OzSail have announced the entry of the beautiful "Enid" in the upcoming 2005 Dent to Dunk Race. A 72-foot John G Alden ketch, Enid was built in 1961 and has competed in four Sydney to Hobart races, 15 Brisbane to Gladstone and won line honours in the first Sydney to Mooloolaba race. She was restored in 2002/2003 and now conducts charters in the Whitsundays. She is a fantastic yacht with an excellent chance of winning the classic yacht division.
OzSail have 12 spots available for students and guests to sail in this unique race.
One year to go!
Exactly one year, the Opening Ceremony at the Melbourne Cricket Ground will kick-start the XVIII Commonwealth Games.
In London yesterday, the Queen's Baton began its epic journey to the Games. The Queen handed the baton to the first of many thousands of relay runners that will have the honour of carrying it to the Opening Ceremony, supermodel, mother, entrepreneur and Australian icon Elle McPherson.
Use the right bait
Anglers are being asked to be mindful of the bait they use in Queensland's inland waters because they could be putting the environment at risk and breaking the law.
The Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries is reminding all anglers of the types of bait that can be used in Queensland's inland waters.
DPI&F officer Gary Muhling said anglers can use live bait caught from the area they are fishing or other commercially produced bait such as sea-caught prawns, worms or common freshwater shrimp.
"However, anglers cannot use any other live or frozen aquaculture product for bait"," he said.
He said fishers might not be aware of the potential risk of spreading disease if live or frozen aquaculture product was used as bait.
Mr Muhling said that during inspections of fishers on the Cooper channels in western Queensland he noticed some anglers from interstate using blue claw crayfish from an interstate aquaculture facility for bait.
"For example, an angler buys bait from an aquaculture farm in New South Wales, where it's legal to use aquaculture bait in inland waterways in that state, but does not realise that it's illegal here," he said.
Mr Muhling also reminded anglers to be careful about collecting live bait from one waterway and taking it to another.
"Anglers might transport live bait and other organisms in buckets of water taken from one collection point and then use the bait in a different catchment. After they've finished fishing, they might dump the remaining contents of the bucket into the waterway.
"This means they could inadvertently spread fish eggs, fingerlings, plants or other organisms from one waterway to another, and risk contaminating the new area," Mr Muhling said.
"For the sake of our waterways, we strongly recommend that anglers use only live bait that has been collected from the waterway they are currently fishing in."
Fishers caught using aquaculture product as bait or translocating fish between catchments may be liable to a maximum fine of $150,000.
Flying fish?
The crew on board Southern Cross Yachting's Jeanneau 40 in Morton Bay last weekend landed a fish without tackle or even being on deck! The crew reported a loud thud on the deck while anchored off the beach at Horseshoe Bay, and upon investigation found a decent size mackerel on the deck. Not sure if it fell from the sky, but they certainly enjoyed the fresh fish for lunch the following day. Report: Southern Cross Yachting's newsletter.
Bass Strait in a Laser
Last week, Olympic Bronze Medallist Dr Michael Blackburn sailed from Stanley in Tasmania to Tidal River near Wilson's Promontory, Victoria in a 4.2m Laser. The distance of 117 nautical miles took 13 hours and one minute at an average speed of 8.6 knots and top speed of 19.7 knots.
Red claw funnel traps in freshwater
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries officers recently seized numerous illegal funnel traps from various freshwater locations.
DPI&F Officer Gary Muhling said the traps were seized because they were not marked with the owner's name and address, and they did not have a rigid ring of no more than 100mm in diameter holding the entrance of the trap open.
Mr Muhling said a funnel trap had to have a rigid ring (of no more than 100 mm in diameter) fitted to the entrance. This ring prevented the trapping of turtles, platypus, fish and birds.
"Nine of the seized traps contained a number of turtle shells," Mr Muhling said.
"This highlights how harmful these traps can be to other freshwater species when the rings are not fitted.
"Without the rigid ring holding the entrance open, air breathing animals such as turtles, platypus and birds are not given the opportunity to find their way back out of the trap," he said.
"If the trap is not fixed to something stationary above the waterline, it must have a light coloured float of at least 15cm in each of its dimensions clearly featuring the owner's first name and surname. The trap itself must also have a tag attached with the owner's name and address clearly marked on it," he said.
DPI&F regularly conducts inspections with fishers on the correct use of these devices and offenders can be fined a maximum penalty of $22,500.
The correct method of using funnel traps and other freshwater equipment is available in the booklet Guide to Recreational Boating and Fishing in Queensland or online at www.dpi.qld.gov.au\fishweb.
Cat for games
Hobie Cat Europe has announced that the F-18 Hobie Tiger has been chosen as the open multihull at the ISAF World Sailing Games that will take place in May 2006 in Austria where the top catamaran sailors of the world will race on 29 brand new Hobie Tigers.
Finn dits
Not sure if you want to know that the Finnish tongue-twister "vesihiisi sihisi hississa" ("a water devil hissed in the elevator") contains 56 dits in a row in Morse code.
Today: National Common Courtesy Day
Today, Wednesday March 16 is National Common Courtesy Day following Ides of March and True Confessions Day on Tuesday. Don't tell anyone but today is also Freedom of Information Day.
If you care, tomorrow is Companies That Care Day followed by Awkward Moments Day and National Quilting Day on March 19.
March 21 is National Dance Day nicely followed by As Young As You Feel Day. There is something odd about Make Up Your Own Holiday Day on the twenty-sixth before Kite Flying Day on the 27th.
Perfect for a month that started with Beer Day on March 1 and includes St Patrick's Day on the 17.
Newspaper in Education Week coincides with National Procrastination Week. Last week was Universal Women's Week and next week is Severe Weather Awareness Week followed by National Massage Safety Week.
If you are planning a vacation to the USA, remember that the final two days of National Be Nice to New Jersey Week, July 9 and 10 will coincide with the first two days of National Nude Recreation Week.
Give me a sign
"If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name in a Swiss bank"
Comedian Woody Allen
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Only five months until the start of Hog's Breath Race Week 2005 to be sailed August 11-18 at Airlie Beach on the waters of Pioneer Bay and surrounding Islands of the Whitsunday Passage.
This will be the 16th year of Hog's Breath Race Week that has enjoyed a growth in popularity and patronage due to many factors but not the least is the casual relaxed Tropical Shirt fun atmosphere with serious racing.
The 2005 Race Week will see the same classes and divisions as past years plus the International Formula 18 Australian Championships to be staged from the Whitsunday Sailing Club precinct. The Formula 18's will sail inshore from the Race Week Regatta yachts from August 12 to 18.
Event founder and Patron Don Algie always wanted the social side to bring sailors together so the Wolverines will be entertaining and Mucka's Coconut Lotto will be drawn after racing each day featuring awards and prizes such as Mt. Gay and slabs of Tooheys.
Hog's is supported by the Queensland Government Queensland Events Regional Development Program, Lion Nathan, brewers of Tooheys New and XXXX Gold and Whitsunday Shire Council.
Seatime to Dunk
Are you a marine student interested in gaining open sea time or furthering your training in an offshore race or cruise environment? Do you know people who would love the opportunity to experience an offshore race on a classic Australian boat?
Airlie Beach charter boat operator OzSail have announced the entry of the beautiful "Enid" in the upcoming 2005 Dent to Dunk Race. A 72-foot John G Alden ketch, Enid was built in 1961 and has competed in four Sydney to Hobart races, 15 Brisbane to Gladstone and won line honours in the first Sydney to Mooloolaba race. She was restored in 2002/2003 and now conducts charters in the Whitsundays. She is a fantastic yacht with an excellent chance of winning the classic yacht division.
OzSail have 12 spots available for students and guests to sail in this unique race.
One year to go!
Exactly one year, the Opening Ceremony at the Melbourne Cricket Ground will kick-start the XVIII Commonwealth Games.
In London yesterday, the Queen's Baton began its epic journey to the Games. The Queen handed the baton to the first of many thousands of relay runners that will have the honour of carrying it to the Opening Ceremony, supermodel, mother, entrepreneur and Australian icon Elle McPherson.
Use the right bait
Anglers are being asked to be mindful of the bait they use in Queensland's inland waters because they could be putting the environment at risk and breaking the law.
The Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries is reminding all anglers of the types of bait that can be used in Queensland's inland waters.
DPI&F officer Gary Muhling said anglers can use live bait caught from the area they are fishing or other commercially produced bait such as sea-caught prawns, worms or common freshwater shrimp.
"However, anglers cannot use any other live or frozen aquaculture product for bait"," he said.
He said fishers might not be aware of the potential risk of spreading disease if live or frozen aquaculture product was used as bait.
Mr Muhling said that during inspections of fishers on the Cooper channels in western Queensland he noticed some anglers from interstate using blue claw crayfish from an interstate aquaculture facility for bait.
"For example, an angler buys bait from an aquaculture farm in New South Wales, where it's legal to use aquaculture bait in inland waterways in that state, but does not realise that it's illegal here," he said.
Mr Muhling also reminded anglers to be careful about collecting live bait from one waterway and taking it to another.
"Anglers might transport live bait and other organisms in buckets of water taken from one collection point and then use the bait in a different catchment. After they've finished fishing, they might dump the remaining contents of the bucket into the waterway.
"This means they could inadvertently spread fish eggs, fingerlings, plants or other organisms from one waterway to another, and risk contaminating the new area," Mr Muhling said.
"For the sake of our waterways, we strongly recommend that anglers use only live bait that has been collected from the waterway they are currently fishing in."
Fishers caught using aquaculture product as bait or translocating fish between catchments may be liable to a maximum fine of $150,000.
Flying fish?
The crew on board Southern Cross Yachting's Jeanneau 40 in Morton Bay last weekend landed a fish without tackle or even being on deck! The crew reported a loud thud on the deck while anchored off the beach at Horseshoe Bay, and upon investigation found a decent size mackerel on the deck. Not sure if it fell from the sky, but they certainly enjoyed the fresh fish for lunch the following day. Report: Southern Cross Yachting's newsletter.
Bass Strait in a Laser
Last week, Olympic Bronze Medallist Dr Michael Blackburn sailed from Stanley in Tasmania to Tidal River near Wilson's Promontory, Victoria in a 4.2m Laser. The distance of 117 nautical miles took 13 hours and one minute at an average speed of 8.6 knots and top speed of 19.7 knots.
Red claw funnel traps in freshwater
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries officers recently seized numerous illegal funnel traps from various freshwater locations.
DPI&F Officer Gary Muhling said the traps were seized because they were not marked with the owner's name and address, and they did not have a rigid ring of no more than 100mm in diameter holding the entrance of the trap open.
Mr Muhling said a funnel trap had to have a rigid ring (of no more than 100 mm in diameter) fitted to the entrance. This ring prevented the trapping of turtles, platypus, fish and birds.
"Nine of the seized traps contained a number of turtle shells," Mr Muhling said.
"This highlights how harmful these traps can be to other freshwater species when the rings are not fitted.
"Without the rigid ring holding the entrance open, air breathing animals such as turtles, platypus and birds are not given the opportunity to find their way back out of the trap," he said.
"If the trap is not fixed to something stationary above the waterline, it must have a light coloured float of at least 15cm in each of its dimensions clearly featuring the owner's first name and surname. The trap itself must also have a tag attached with the owner's name and address clearly marked on it," he said.
DPI&F regularly conducts inspections with fishers on the correct use of these devices and offenders can be fined a maximum penalty of $22,500.
The correct method of using funnel traps and other freshwater equipment is available in the booklet Guide to Recreational Boating and Fishing in Queensland or online at www.dpi.qld.gov.au\fishweb.
Cat for games
Hobie Cat Europe has announced that the F-18 Hobie Tiger has been chosen as the open multihull at the ISAF World Sailing Games that will take place in May 2006 in Austria where the top catamaran sailors of the world will race on 29 brand new Hobie Tigers.
Finn dits
Not sure if you want to know that the Finnish tongue-twister "vesihiisi sihisi hississa" ("a water devil hissed in the elevator") contains 56 dits in a row in Morse code.
Today: National Common Courtesy Day
Today, Wednesday March 16 is National Common Courtesy Day following Ides of March and True Confessions Day on Tuesday. Don't tell anyone but today is also Freedom of Information Day.
If you care, tomorrow is Companies That Care Day followed by Awkward Moments Day and National Quilting Day on March 19.
March 21 is National Dance Day nicely followed by As Young As You Feel Day. There is something odd about Make Up Your Own Holiday Day on the twenty-sixth before Kite Flying Day on the 27th.
Perfect for a month that started with Beer Day on March 1 and includes St Patrick's Day on the 17.
Newspaper in Education Week coincides with National Procrastination Week. Last week was Universal Women's Week and next week is Severe Weather Awareness Week followed by National Massage Safety Week.
If you are planning a vacation to the USA, remember that the final two days of National Be Nice to New Jersey Week, July 9 and 10 will coincide with the first two days of National Nude Recreation Week.
Give me a sign
"If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name in a Swiss bank"
Comedian Woody Allen
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
State fish no clown as Nemo embraced by State
The Great Barrier Reef Anemonefish official position as the State's Aquatic Emblem was fitting and something to be embraced by all Queenslanders, Premier Peter Beattie has told State Parliament.
"This is especially rewarding knowing that what Parliament approved was in response to more than 19,202 public submissions on the emblem," he said after the Emblems of Queensland Bill 2004 was passed.
The Bill modernises the Badge, Arms, Floral and Other Emblems of Queensland Act 1959.
"I am very pleased about this. For a State with such a close connection with the coastline and the water, it's only fitting that we've chosen an emblem that symbolises this connection.
The Anemonefish, also called a Clownfish now joins the koala, Cooktown orchid, brolga and sapphire as State emblems.
"The idea to identify an Aquatic Emblem originated from the Australian Underwater Federation. A panel of experts, chaired by the Queensland Museum, recommended a shortlist of aquatic species.
Bass straight on Laser
Since last week, Olympic Medallist Michael Blackburn has been on stand-by for his attempt to sail a Laser dinghy across Australia's Bass Strait. He was to depart Sunday morning but is waiting for the weather to improve.
The Laser is the world's most popular adult sailboat. However, Lasers are only 4.2m long with a single sail and no substantial cockpit, no lifelines, no engine, sailed with one crew and, of course, not designed for such a feat.
The audacity to challenge a dangerous stretch of open water, in such a tiny and seemingly insufficient vessel, must seem insane to an outsider.
It is 115 nautical miles (nm) (207km) from Stanley in Tasmania to Tidal River in Victoria. In between is a waterway with one of the fiercest reputations on the planet. A support ship will follow Michael all the way.
Renowned Australian meteorologist Roger 'Clouds' Badham has been engaged to give the green light. The plan is to wait for a SW-S front to pass through then take off once the breeze is settled.
"I need the wind to blow from the SW to SSE at 14-25 knots to make for a fast crossing. The aim is to sail downwind only. Even with the most favourable conditions, the crossing will take 14 hours. So, depending on the conditions, I expect to depart Stanley in the middle of the night," Blackburn says.
GPS data from sailing a Laser downwind in strong winds suggests that Michael will be able to maintain speeds of 8-12 knots over a long period. Therefore, the trip will take approximately 14-18 hours non-stop.
"The first few hours before dawn will be quite hazardous - cold and windy. I won't be able to see the waves and will have to sail very conservatively to keep upright and dry. I will be using a hand-held GPS and analogue compass to navigate. Other equipment I'll carry includes an inflatable PFD (life jacket), strobe light, flares, satellite phone, EPIRBs, food and drink, VHF radio and light sticks. The latter two items will help me keep in touch with the support boat."
A Night of Pearls and Plonk with Conner and Bondy
In Sydney on May 17, two of the world's great yachting rivals, Dennis Conner and Alan Bond will spearhead a $295 per plate black tie dinner to raise money to restore some of the Sydney Heritage Fleet's grand old dames of the sea.
With these two on board, no doubt the tales will be taller than the ships!
All proceeds raised are going to the Sydney Heritage Fleet's restoration projects that receive no government funding. It is the enthusiasts and business community with a passion for heritage that keeps the Sydney Heritage Fleet afloat.
Last year over 600 volunteers gave a combined total of 100,000 hours of work in crewing and maintaining the marvellous collection of significant heritage vessels that continue to grace the harbour.
The fleet includes the 1874 square-rigger James Craig, the 1902 steam tug Waratah, and the 1902 steam launch Lady Hopetoun. The 1903 gentleman's schooner Boomerang and several other significant vessels the Museum need restoration as does the 1927 steam-driven buoy tender John Oxley and the preservative slipping of the 1912 inner harbour ferry Kanangra.
As part of this special event, the beautiful and faithfully restored 1874 square-rigger, The James Craig will be in port.
Aussie found lost at sea
Eating fish and drinking sharks' blood kept an Aussie man and two mates alive adrift at sea for six weeks.
Butcher Benjamin Tooki, 22, his uncle and a friend were rescued after being spotted by a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3 Orion, while patrolling cyclone-battered Samoa, last Thursday.
The three were suffering from severe dehydration and exposure when picked up by a fishing boat.
The three men had not been seen since setting off from Maiana, a tiny member of the Kiribati island group, on January 2.
They were pushed off course during their planned 35-kilometre journey to neighbouring Tarawa by a tropical storm.
No further details are available because Channel Nine bought the rights to the story.
Dane's host Disabled
Denmark's Sønderborg Yacht-Club has the pleasure of inviting yachtsmen to the 2005 Disabled Sailing World Championship to be sailed in late August.
The Championship will be held under the protection of HRH Princess Benedikte.
The World Championship is organized under the auspices of The International Foundation for Disabled Sailing and The Danish Sailing Association.
The organizing authorities are The Committee for Disabled Sailing under the Danish Sailing Association and The Regatta Committee at Sønderborg Yacht Club.
The venue will be Sønderborg Yacht-Club. Races will take place on the magnificent Sønderborg Bay within a distance of two nautical miles from the Sønderborg Yacht-Club.
Danish pasting
Princess Mary won the Royal Match Race on Sydney Harbour defeating Prince Frederik 2-1 in a series of 20-minute races. Princess Mary sailed with Chris Meehan on his Farr 40 Belle Property and Prince Frederik skippered his Farr 40 Nanoq.
Boom! Boom!
A sailor gets drunk. He falls overboard and is washed up on shore. When he becomes conscious he finds he's on a beach. The sand is dark red. He can't believe it. The sky is dark red.
(Actually, A brownish or dull purplish red, A chestnut colour, esp. of a scarlet cast rather than approaching crimson or purple. [1913 Webster])
He walks around a bit and sees there is dark red grass, dark red birds and dark red leaves on the dark red trees.
He is shocked when he finds that his skin is taking on the purplish dark red too. "Oh no!" he says. "I think I've been marooned!"
Hamilton Island dredging
Mariners are advised that the dredging operations that were being carried out in Hamilton Island Harbour have now been completed. Charts: AUS 252, 253, 254
Credit competition
"My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was much less competition"
Indira Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
The Great Barrier Reef Anemonefish official position as the State's Aquatic Emblem was fitting and something to be embraced by all Queenslanders, Premier Peter Beattie has told State Parliament.
"This is especially rewarding knowing that what Parliament approved was in response to more than 19,202 public submissions on the emblem," he said after the Emblems of Queensland Bill 2004 was passed.
The Bill modernises the Badge, Arms, Floral and Other Emblems of Queensland Act 1959.
"I am very pleased about this. For a State with such a close connection with the coastline and the water, it's only fitting that we've chosen an emblem that symbolises this connection.
The Anemonefish, also called a Clownfish now joins the koala, Cooktown orchid, brolga and sapphire as State emblems.
"The idea to identify an Aquatic Emblem originated from the Australian Underwater Federation. A panel of experts, chaired by the Queensland Museum, recommended a shortlist of aquatic species.
Bass straight on Laser
Since last week, Olympic Medallist Michael Blackburn has been on stand-by for his attempt to sail a Laser dinghy across Australia's Bass Strait. He was to depart Sunday morning but is waiting for the weather to improve.
The Laser is the world's most popular adult sailboat. However, Lasers are only 4.2m long with a single sail and no substantial cockpit, no lifelines, no engine, sailed with one crew and, of course, not designed for such a feat.
The audacity to challenge a dangerous stretch of open water, in such a tiny and seemingly insufficient vessel, must seem insane to an outsider.
It is 115 nautical miles (nm) (207km) from Stanley in Tasmania to Tidal River in Victoria. In between is a waterway with one of the fiercest reputations on the planet. A support ship will follow Michael all the way.
Renowned Australian meteorologist Roger 'Clouds' Badham has been engaged to give the green light. The plan is to wait for a SW-S front to pass through then take off once the breeze is settled.
"I need the wind to blow from the SW to SSE at 14-25 knots to make for a fast crossing. The aim is to sail downwind only. Even with the most favourable conditions, the crossing will take 14 hours. So, depending on the conditions, I expect to depart Stanley in the middle of the night," Blackburn says.
GPS data from sailing a Laser downwind in strong winds suggests that Michael will be able to maintain speeds of 8-12 knots over a long period. Therefore, the trip will take approximately 14-18 hours non-stop.
"The first few hours before dawn will be quite hazardous - cold and windy. I won't be able to see the waves and will have to sail very conservatively to keep upright and dry. I will be using a hand-held GPS and analogue compass to navigate. Other equipment I'll carry includes an inflatable PFD (life jacket), strobe light, flares, satellite phone, EPIRBs, food and drink, VHF radio and light sticks. The latter two items will help me keep in touch with the support boat."
A Night of Pearls and Plonk with Conner and Bondy
In Sydney on May 17, two of the world's great yachting rivals, Dennis Conner and Alan Bond will spearhead a $295 per plate black tie dinner to raise money to restore some of the Sydney Heritage Fleet's grand old dames of the sea.
With these two on board, no doubt the tales will be taller than the ships!
All proceeds raised are going to the Sydney Heritage Fleet's restoration projects that receive no government funding. It is the enthusiasts and business community with a passion for heritage that keeps the Sydney Heritage Fleet afloat.
Last year over 600 volunteers gave a combined total of 100,000 hours of work in crewing and maintaining the marvellous collection of significant heritage vessels that continue to grace the harbour.
The fleet includes the 1874 square-rigger James Craig, the 1902 steam tug Waratah, and the 1902 steam launch Lady Hopetoun. The 1903 gentleman's schooner Boomerang and several other significant vessels the Museum need restoration as does the 1927 steam-driven buoy tender John Oxley and the preservative slipping of the 1912 inner harbour ferry Kanangra.
As part of this special event, the beautiful and faithfully restored 1874 square-rigger, The James Craig will be in port.
Aussie found lost at sea
Eating fish and drinking sharks' blood kept an Aussie man and two mates alive adrift at sea for six weeks.
Butcher Benjamin Tooki, 22, his uncle and a friend were rescued after being spotted by a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3 Orion, while patrolling cyclone-battered Samoa, last Thursday.
The three were suffering from severe dehydration and exposure when picked up by a fishing boat.
The three men had not been seen since setting off from Maiana, a tiny member of the Kiribati island group, on January 2.
They were pushed off course during their planned 35-kilometre journey to neighbouring Tarawa by a tropical storm.
No further details are available because Channel Nine bought the rights to the story.
Dane's host Disabled
Denmark's Sønderborg Yacht-Club has the pleasure of inviting yachtsmen to the 2005 Disabled Sailing World Championship to be sailed in late August.
The Championship will be held under the protection of HRH Princess Benedikte.
The World Championship is organized under the auspices of The International Foundation for Disabled Sailing and The Danish Sailing Association.
The organizing authorities are The Committee for Disabled Sailing under the Danish Sailing Association and The Regatta Committee at Sønderborg Yacht Club.
The venue will be Sønderborg Yacht-Club. Races will take place on the magnificent Sønderborg Bay within a distance of two nautical miles from the Sønderborg Yacht-Club.
Danish pasting
Princess Mary won the Royal Match Race on Sydney Harbour defeating Prince Frederik 2-1 in a series of 20-minute races. Princess Mary sailed with Chris Meehan on his Farr 40 Belle Property and Prince Frederik skippered his Farr 40 Nanoq.
Boom! Boom!
A sailor gets drunk. He falls overboard and is washed up on shore. When he becomes conscious he finds he's on a beach. The sand is dark red. He can't believe it. The sky is dark red.
(Actually, A brownish or dull purplish red, A chestnut colour, esp. of a scarlet cast rather than approaching crimson or purple. [1913 Webster])
He walks around a bit and sees there is dark red grass, dark red birds and dark red leaves on the dark red trees.
He is shocked when he finds that his skin is taking on the purplish dark red too. "Oh no!" he says. "I think I've been marooned!"
Hamilton Island dredging
Mariners are advised that the dredging operations that were being carried out in Hamilton Island Harbour have now been completed. Charts: AUS 252, 253, 254
Credit competition
"My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was much less competition"
Indira Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Monday, March 07, 2005
Blessing of Fleet looms on horizon
The 16th annual Blessing of the Fleet will be held on Sunday May 15, which is known as Whitsun Day, or Pentecost Sunday, and marks the day Lieutenant James Cook sailed through and named the Whitsunday Passage.
A sail past and blessing of traditional ships at the Whitsunday Sailing Club will be a high point of the day that is expected to include yachts and commercial vessels with VMR Rescue One in the leading position.
For many years, Father Keith Felgate conducted the service with 'Minister for Tourism' Terry Ayling taking over last year.
Community organisations will get together on the beautiful front lawns of the sailing club for the service. Groups are asked to contact the Kylie at the sailing club if they would like to take part, this is your invitation. All are welcome to show off their activities and join in the spirit of the day.
Historically, Whitsun commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit in the form of flames to the disciples (Apostles), as recorded in the New Testament. It is often called Pentecost because when the disciples received the Holy Spirit and began to go out and preach about Jesus it was the Jewish festival of Pentecost.
Because it marked the first preaching about Jesus, it is called the birthday of the Christian Church and is a favourite day for baptism so has a good connection with water.
The word itself is said to come from the old English and includes the use of words such as Whitsuntide and White Sunday from the white ceremonial baptism robes worn on this day.
A great idea worth considering on Whitsun comes from the wonderfully named Carrickfergus Sailing Club, Rodger's Quay, County Antrim, Ireland where they conduct the Irish Boat Jumble, a car boot type of market for marine gear.
"If you do it in, on or under water there is bound to be something to get your oar into. The jumble casts off at 10am with a flood of new and used bargains" say organisers.
Perhaps a Whitsun Jumble with the guarantee of blessed goods could be a winner for the sailing club.
Aussie found lost at sea
Eating fish and drinking sharks' blood kept an Aussie man and two mates alive while adrift at sea for six weeks.
Butcher Benjamin Tooki, 22, his uncle and a friend were rescued after being spotted by a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3 Orion, while patrolling cyclone-battered Samoa, last Thursday.
The three were suffering from severe dehydration and exposure when picked up by a fishing boat.
The men had not been seen since setting off from Maiana, a tiny member of the Kiribati island group, on January 2.
They were pushed off course during their planned 35-kilometre journey to neighbouring Tarawa by a tropical storm.
No further details are available because Channel Nine bought the rights to the story.
Dane's host Disabled
Denmark's Sønderborg Yacht-Club has the pleasure of inviting yachtsmen to the 2005 Disabled Sailing World Championship to be sailed in late August.
The Championship will be held under the protection of HRH Princess Benedikte.
The World Championship is organized under the auspices of The International Foundation for Disabled Sailing and The Danish Sailing Association.
The organizing authorities are The Committee for Disabled Sailing under the Danish Sailing Association and The Regatta Committee at Sønderborg Yacht Club.
The venue will be Sønderborg Yacht-Club. Races will take place on the magnificent Sønderborg Bay within a distance of two nautical miles from the Sønderborg Yacht-Club.
Danish pasting
Princess Mary won the Royal Match Race on Sydney Harbour this week defeating Prince Frederik 2-1 in a series of 20-minute races. Princess Mary sailed with Chris Meehan on his Farr 40 Belle Property and Prince Frederik skippered his Farr 40 Nanoq.
Spanish mackerel catches
New regulations for recreational fishers designed to stop the illegal sale of Spanish mackerel come into effect this week.
Under the new regulation, introduced by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F), recreational fishers must now remove the pectoral fin of any Spanish mackerel in their possession.
DPI&F Fisheries Resources Manager Mark Elmer said the legislation applied to all recreational fishers including people conducting commercial fishing tours and crew members of those tours.
"Recreational fishers must not possess, on board a boat, a dead Spanish mackerel unless a pectoral fin has been removed," Mr Elmer said.
"This provision is intended to make it easier for recreational and commercial catches to be identified."
Mr Elmer said the introduction of legislation followed the new management arrangements in the Queensland East Coast Spanish Mackerel fishery during the past two years.
"In December 2003, new arrangements that were introduced included limiting the number of commercial fishing licences able to access the Spanish mackerel fishery and a reduction in the recreational possession limit for Spanish mackerel from 10 fish to three," Mr Elmer said.
"Last year, a total allowable commercial catch came into effect in the commercial fishery and individual transferable quotas were allocated to licence holders based on past history in the fishery.
"These changes raised concerns about the potential for black-market trade in recreationally caught fish which could compromise the integrity of the commercial quota.
"The new legislation was passed in August 2004 requiring recreationally caught Spanish mackerel be fin-clipped to deter black-marketing of these fish. The legislation continues to allow recreational fishers to fillet Spanish mackerel at sea."
Handy invention
"Probably the earliest fly swatters were nothing more than some sort of striking surface attached to the end of a long stick"
Says inventor Jack Handy
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
The 16th annual Blessing of the Fleet will be held on Sunday May 15, which is known as Whitsun Day, or Pentecost Sunday, and marks the day Lieutenant James Cook sailed through and named the Whitsunday Passage.
A sail past and blessing of traditional ships at the Whitsunday Sailing Club will be a high point of the day that is expected to include yachts and commercial vessels with VMR Rescue One in the leading position.
For many years, Father Keith Felgate conducted the service with 'Minister for Tourism' Terry Ayling taking over last year.
Community organisations will get together on the beautiful front lawns of the sailing club for the service. Groups are asked to contact the Kylie at the sailing club if they would like to take part, this is your invitation. All are welcome to show off their activities and join in the spirit of the day.
Historically, Whitsun commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit in the form of flames to the disciples (Apostles), as recorded in the New Testament. It is often called Pentecost because when the disciples received the Holy Spirit and began to go out and preach about Jesus it was the Jewish festival of Pentecost.
Because it marked the first preaching about Jesus, it is called the birthday of the Christian Church and is a favourite day for baptism so has a good connection with water.
The word itself is said to come from the old English and includes the use of words such as Whitsuntide and White Sunday from the white ceremonial baptism robes worn on this day.
A great idea worth considering on Whitsun comes from the wonderfully named Carrickfergus Sailing Club, Rodger's Quay, County Antrim, Ireland where they conduct the Irish Boat Jumble, a car boot type of market for marine gear.
"If you do it in, on or under water there is bound to be something to get your oar into. The jumble casts off at 10am with a flood of new and used bargains" say organisers.
Perhaps a Whitsun Jumble with the guarantee of blessed goods could be a winner for the sailing club.
Aussie found lost at sea
Eating fish and drinking sharks' blood kept an Aussie man and two mates alive while adrift at sea for six weeks.
Butcher Benjamin Tooki, 22, his uncle and a friend were rescued after being spotted by a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3 Orion, while patrolling cyclone-battered Samoa, last Thursday.
The three were suffering from severe dehydration and exposure when picked up by a fishing boat.
The men had not been seen since setting off from Maiana, a tiny member of the Kiribati island group, on January 2.
They were pushed off course during their planned 35-kilometre journey to neighbouring Tarawa by a tropical storm.
No further details are available because Channel Nine bought the rights to the story.
Dane's host Disabled
Denmark's Sønderborg Yacht-Club has the pleasure of inviting yachtsmen to the 2005 Disabled Sailing World Championship to be sailed in late August.
The Championship will be held under the protection of HRH Princess Benedikte.
The World Championship is organized under the auspices of The International Foundation for Disabled Sailing and The Danish Sailing Association.
The organizing authorities are The Committee for Disabled Sailing under the Danish Sailing Association and The Regatta Committee at Sønderborg Yacht Club.
The venue will be Sønderborg Yacht-Club. Races will take place on the magnificent Sønderborg Bay within a distance of two nautical miles from the Sønderborg Yacht-Club.
Danish pasting
Princess Mary won the Royal Match Race on Sydney Harbour this week defeating Prince Frederik 2-1 in a series of 20-minute races. Princess Mary sailed with Chris Meehan on his Farr 40 Belle Property and Prince Frederik skippered his Farr 40 Nanoq.
Spanish mackerel catches
New regulations for recreational fishers designed to stop the illegal sale of Spanish mackerel come into effect this week.
Under the new regulation, introduced by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F), recreational fishers must now remove the pectoral fin of any Spanish mackerel in their possession.
DPI&F Fisheries Resources Manager Mark Elmer said the legislation applied to all recreational fishers including people conducting commercial fishing tours and crew members of those tours.
"Recreational fishers must not possess, on board a boat, a dead Spanish mackerel unless a pectoral fin has been removed," Mr Elmer said.
"This provision is intended to make it easier for recreational and commercial catches to be identified."
Mr Elmer said the introduction of legislation followed the new management arrangements in the Queensland East Coast Spanish Mackerel fishery during the past two years.
"In December 2003, new arrangements that were introduced included limiting the number of commercial fishing licences able to access the Spanish mackerel fishery and a reduction in the recreational possession limit for Spanish mackerel from 10 fish to three," Mr Elmer said.
"Last year, a total allowable commercial catch came into effect in the commercial fishery and individual transferable quotas were allocated to licence holders based on past history in the fishery.
"These changes raised concerns about the potential for black-market trade in recreationally caught fish which could compromise the integrity of the commercial quota.
"The new legislation was passed in August 2004 requiring recreationally caught Spanish mackerel be fin-clipped to deter black-marketing of these fish. The legislation continues to allow recreational fishers to fillet Spanish mackerel at sea."
Handy invention
"Probably the earliest fly swatters were nothing more than some sort of striking surface attached to the end of a long stick"
Says inventor Jack Handy
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Coastal sail for historic old pot
The discovery of a pewter pot, the 96-year-old Hayles Trophy, sparked Whitsunday sailors to resail the Dent to Dunk Cruising Race & Rally for the adventure and the old pewter pot
A growing fleet of sailing yachts and multihulls will compete in racing and cruising divisions from Dent Island in the Whitsunday Islands to Dunk Island, one of the Family Islands near Cardwell.
Motor cruisers will join in and compete in a log trial. Cruising divisions start April 30 and racing divisions start on May 1 with further info at www.apyc.yachting.org.au
Peter Beattie, Premier and Minister for Trade, announced that organiser Abel Point Yacht Club would receive a grant of $10,000 to develop, promote and run the Hayles Dent to Dunk event.
The Dent to Dunk Event Rally Yachts will stop overnight at Gloucester Passage, Cape Upstart, Horseshoe Bay, Orpheus Island and finally Dunk Island.
The Motor Boat Rally will have a log trial between Dent Island and Gloucester Passage Magnetic Island and Phantom Island and then cruise onto Dunk for the presentation night for both Rallies on Wednesday May 4.
Commodore Bob Beauchamp says the addition of the Motor Boat Rally adds a significant extra number of people who can participate in the Event.
"The fleet will enjoy the beautiful waters of the Whitsundays and north to Dunk Island. It also gives them the opportunity to see different anchorages and feel safe by sailing in company with other yachts and motorboats all with the intent of enjoying the experience" Commodore Beauchamp told Waterfront.
Some historic boats are getting ready for the sail including the one hundred year old 127-foot topsail schooner Solway Lass and local film star Providence V.
These ships will offer paid berths so landlocked adventurers can get a taste of the sea and join in the activities.
Also entered and available for charter is classic yacht Enid. She has competed in 4 Sydney to Hobart Races, 15 Brisbane to Gladstone Races and won line honours in the 1964 inaugural Sydney to Mooloolaba Race
Entries Close March 31, 2005.
Blessing of Fleet
This year the annual Blessing of the Fleet will be held on Sunday May 15, which is known as Pentecost Sunday, or Whit Sun Day, the day Lieutenant James Cook sailed through and named the Whitsunday Passage.
A sail past and blessing of traditional ships at the Whitsunday Sailing Club will be a high point of the day that will include the VMR rescue in the leading position.
Community organisations will get together on the front lawns of the sailing club for the service. Groups are asked to contact the sailing club if they would like to take part. All are welcome to show off their activities.
Aussie found lost at sea
Eating fish and drinking sharks' blood kept an Aussie man and two mates alive adrift at sea for six weeks.
Butcher Benjamin Tooki, 22, his uncle and a friend were rescued after being spotted by a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3 Orion, while patrolling cyclone-battered Samoa, last Thursday.
The three were suffering from severe dehydration and exposure when picked up by a fishing boat.
The three men had not been seen since setting off from Maiana, a tiny member of the Kiribati island group, on January 2.
They were pushed off course during their planned 35-kilometre journey to neighbouring Tarawa by a tropical storm.
No further details are available because Channel Nine had bought the rights to the story.
Meeting brings agreement to tackle tilapia in the Burdekin
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) and the Burdekin community have agreed to work together to tackle tilapia in the Burdekin River.
A Regional Consultative Committee meeting in Ayr today between DPI&F, the Burdekin Shire Council, James Cook University, stocking groups and other government agencies saw all parties agree to work together to manage the noxious fish.
DPI&F Fisheries and Aquaculture Development General Manager Ian Yarroll said the meeting helped to resolve a number of issues about the Department's noxious fish program.
Mr Yarroll said DPI&F took the threat of noxious fish very seriously and had been working closely with the Regional Consultative Committee to determine the best action to take.
"At the meeting we discussed a range of management options and are now developing an action plan to implement a management and communication strategy," he said.
"We are also working closely with James Cook University to carry out further research into pest fish to give us a better understanding of tilapia, their breeding habits and environmental impacts on waterways and other native fish."
Mr Yarroll said part of the management strategy discussed was the use of the fish poison rotenone. DPI&F has applied to use rotenone but is still waiting for approval.
"Typically the use of rotenone as an eradication technique has only been successful in enclosed bodies of water so we have to carefully consider whether or not we would use it," he said.
"At the meeting we discussed rotenone extensively, particularly the impact it will have on the environment as it will kill all fish including native species.
"We also made it clear that even with the use of rotenone, there is a low probability that it will be fully effective in eradicating tilapia."
Mr Yarroll said a communications strategy had also been developed to better educate the community and promote greater environmental awareness.
"One point we need to emphasise is that once established it is very difficult to eradicate tilapia from waterways although we will do everything we can to contain the population and prevent the fish from spreading further," he said.
"We rely on the community to report any sightings of noxious fish to the Fishwatch Hotline on 1800 017 116. This means we can act sooner rather than later and have a better chance at controlling them."
Mackay buoy withdrawn
Mariners are advised that the lighted Special Mark Buoy Fl.Y 2s which was established at Mackay Harbour in approximate position latitude 21°06.739' S, longitude 149°14.988' E has now been permanently withdrawn.
The lighted Special Mark Buoy Fl.Y 2s which has been established at Mackay Harbour in approximate position latitude 21°07.212' S, longitude 149°15.152' E remains in position. Charts: AUS 249, 250, 823
Worth chewing over
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man."
-- Mark Twain
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
The discovery of a pewter pot, the 96-year-old Hayles Trophy, sparked Whitsunday sailors to resail the Dent to Dunk Cruising Race & Rally for the adventure and the old pewter pot
A growing fleet of sailing yachts and multihulls will compete in racing and cruising divisions from Dent Island in the Whitsunday Islands to Dunk Island, one of the Family Islands near Cardwell.
Motor cruisers will join in and compete in a log trial. Cruising divisions start April 30 and racing divisions start on May 1 with further info at www.apyc.yachting.org.au
Peter Beattie, Premier and Minister for Trade, announced that organiser Abel Point Yacht Club would receive a grant of $10,000 to develop, promote and run the Hayles Dent to Dunk event.
The Dent to Dunk Event Rally Yachts will stop overnight at Gloucester Passage, Cape Upstart, Horseshoe Bay, Orpheus Island and finally Dunk Island.
The Motor Boat Rally will have a log trial between Dent Island and Gloucester Passage Magnetic Island and Phantom Island and then cruise onto Dunk for the presentation night for both Rallies on Wednesday May 4.
Commodore Bob Beauchamp says the addition of the Motor Boat Rally adds a significant extra number of people who can participate in the Event.
"The fleet will enjoy the beautiful waters of the Whitsundays and north to Dunk Island. It also gives them the opportunity to see different anchorages and feel safe by sailing in company with other yachts and motorboats all with the intent of enjoying the experience" Commodore Beauchamp told Waterfront.
Some historic boats are getting ready for the sail including the one hundred year old 127-foot topsail schooner Solway Lass and local film star Providence V.
These ships will offer paid berths so landlocked adventurers can get a taste of the sea and join in the activities.
Also entered and available for charter is classic yacht Enid. She has competed in 4 Sydney to Hobart Races, 15 Brisbane to Gladstone Races and won line honours in the 1964 inaugural Sydney to Mooloolaba Race
Entries Close March 31, 2005.
Blessing of Fleet
This year the annual Blessing of the Fleet will be held on Sunday May 15, which is known as Pentecost Sunday, or Whit Sun Day, the day Lieutenant James Cook sailed through and named the Whitsunday Passage.
A sail past and blessing of traditional ships at the Whitsunday Sailing Club will be a high point of the day that will include the VMR rescue in the leading position.
Community organisations will get together on the front lawns of the sailing club for the service. Groups are asked to contact the sailing club if they would like to take part. All are welcome to show off their activities.
Aussie found lost at sea
Eating fish and drinking sharks' blood kept an Aussie man and two mates alive adrift at sea for six weeks.
Butcher Benjamin Tooki, 22, his uncle and a friend were rescued after being spotted by a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3 Orion, while patrolling cyclone-battered Samoa, last Thursday.
The three were suffering from severe dehydration and exposure when picked up by a fishing boat.
The three men had not been seen since setting off from Maiana, a tiny member of the Kiribati island group, on January 2.
They were pushed off course during their planned 35-kilometre journey to neighbouring Tarawa by a tropical storm.
No further details are available because Channel Nine had bought the rights to the story.
Meeting brings agreement to tackle tilapia in the Burdekin
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) and the Burdekin community have agreed to work together to tackle tilapia in the Burdekin River.
A Regional Consultative Committee meeting in Ayr today between DPI&F, the Burdekin Shire Council, James Cook University, stocking groups and other government agencies saw all parties agree to work together to manage the noxious fish.
DPI&F Fisheries and Aquaculture Development General Manager Ian Yarroll said the meeting helped to resolve a number of issues about the Department's noxious fish program.
Mr Yarroll said DPI&F took the threat of noxious fish very seriously and had been working closely with the Regional Consultative Committee to determine the best action to take.
"At the meeting we discussed a range of management options and are now developing an action plan to implement a management and communication strategy," he said.
"We are also working closely with James Cook University to carry out further research into pest fish to give us a better understanding of tilapia, their breeding habits and environmental impacts on waterways and other native fish."
Mr Yarroll said part of the management strategy discussed was the use of the fish poison rotenone. DPI&F has applied to use rotenone but is still waiting for approval.
"Typically the use of rotenone as an eradication technique has only been successful in enclosed bodies of water so we have to carefully consider whether or not we would use it," he said.
"At the meeting we discussed rotenone extensively, particularly the impact it will have on the environment as it will kill all fish including native species.
"We also made it clear that even with the use of rotenone, there is a low probability that it will be fully effective in eradicating tilapia."
Mr Yarroll said a communications strategy had also been developed to better educate the community and promote greater environmental awareness.
"One point we need to emphasise is that once established it is very difficult to eradicate tilapia from waterways although we will do everything we can to contain the population and prevent the fish from spreading further," he said.
"We rely on the community to report any sightings of noxious fish to the Fishwatch Hotline on 1800 017 116. This means we can act sooner rather than later and have a better chance at controlling them."
Mackay buoy withdrawn
Mariners are advised that the lighted Special Mark Buoy Fl.Y 2s which was established at Mackay Harbour in approximate position latitude 21°06.739' S, longitude 149°14.988' E has now been permanently withdrawn.
The lighted Special Mark Buoy Fl.Y 2s which has been established at Mackay Harbour in approximate position latitude 21°07.212' S, longitude 149°15.152' E remains in position. Charts: AUS 249, 250, 823
Worth chewing over
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man."
-- Mark Twain
Fair winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan
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