Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Help for Boaties starts on dry land

The Boating Industry Association of Queensland wants boat owners to render assistance to each other during the Christmas/New Year season.
And, the BIAQ says, dry land would be a good place to start.
BIAQ General Manager, Barry Hibberd, said record boat ownership approaching 200,000 would result in a higher than usual number of novice boaties on the water this year.
Mr Hibberd said the large number of local boat owners and interstate visitors would put pressure on launch and retrieve facilities.
"Beginners can have difficulty getting their boats in and out the water and
I urge seasoned boaties to help out the novices," Mr Hibberd said.
"It's a marine tradition to help out someone in distress and this should extend to boat ramps and car parks."
He said a bit of help from experienced hands would get boats moving in and out the water more quickly.
Mr Hibberd also reminded boaties not to get into the Christmas spirits while on the water.
He said the .05 alcohol limit applied on the water as well as on the road.
Mr Hibberd endorsed Marine Safety Queensland's "Go easy on the Drink" safety campaign for the Christmas/New Year holiday season.

Curly Wind Season

We are now into what people in the north of this fine state sometimes call the Curly Wind Season.
Why Curly Winds? Cyclones or Tropical Revolving Storms are accompanied by wind velocities that have a tendency to curl trees, girders, vehicles, houses and antennae - thus Curly Winds.
This means of course that Radio Amateurs throughout the North should have by now ensured that the shack and portable batteries are in good condition and that at least one emergency antenna for each band of operation is kept in a safe place should the need arise to operate on behalf of the community
Everyone should check that their household cyclone kits are fresh and fully stocked and include a radio with new batteries in case of a Curly Wind episode.

The drunken sailor

A case of what do you do with a drunken sailor when police were called to investigate reports of a "body" in a dinghy in Cairns Inlet.
Concerned passers-by called the police when they saw a man lying in a dinghy tied to a wharf near the Cairns Yacht Club.
A 45-year-old man was just sleeping it off after consuming a few too many drinks in the scorching sun.
However, the man wasn't happy to be woken.
After ordering the police off his boat, he untied his dinghy, fired up the motor and sped off across Trinity Inlet.
After an hour-long chase he was intercepted by Police and when breath-tested blew 0.17 - more than three times the legal limit.
Cairns water police Sergeant Andrew Ibell said the man had given officers a mouthful before trying to escape.
"He's done a runner. He tried to get away but his boat broke down," Sgt Ibell said.
"Then he tried to row the boat - fairly unsuccessfully."
"He was in sight of police the whole time," Sgt Ibell said. "The state he was in, he shouldn't have been anywhere near a boat."
The man was charged with operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol and will face court on December 9.

Dam, fine

Anglers should be aware that fishing without a permit in certain stocked dams in Queensland could attract a $225 fine under a new Fisheries Infringement Notice (FIN) system that came into effect last month.
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) has 29 dams throughout Queensland listed as part of its Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) Scheme that requires anglers to buy a permit to fish in these waterways.
Senior fisheries management officer Anita Wohlsen said people could incur a fine of $225 for fishing without having purchased a permit and a $150 fine for not having their permit with them when fishing.
"These fines have been introduced to highlight the importance of anglers contributing to the restocking of the SIP dam that they fish in," Ms Wohlsen said.
"By buying a permit anglers benefit directly from their contribution as the money funds the continued work of their local stocking groups who buy fingerlings to stock the dams and carry out other activities to enhance their local fishery."
Permits can be purchased for a year for $35 or $31.50 for concession cardholders or for a week for $7.
"Purchasing SIPs is quick and easy and can be done online through the Queensland Government Gateway - www.qld.gov.au/fishing - before leaving home which gives anglers more time on the water," Ms Wohlsen said.
"To encourage people to buy online, the DPI&F is currently giving away 300 prize packs to anglers who purchase their permit through the website.
"The giveaways include cooler bags, tin mugs, back packs, caps, travel mugs, tote bags and water bottles. Twenty-five prizes are being given away each month until September 2006."
Terms and conditions for the competition are at www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb/17848.html. A random prize draw will be undertaken at the end of each month and the lucky winners will be notified soon after.
SIP permits can also be bought from local businesses near the dams. To locate one of these businesses or for more information on freshwater fishing contact the DPI&F Call Centre on 13 25 23.

Just deserts

First sailor: "Pass me the chocolate pudding, would you?"
Second sailor: "No way, Jose!"
First sailor: "Why not?"
Second sailor: "It's against regulations to help another sailor to dessert!"

Call for First Aid Radio Amateurs

St John Ambulance Victoria is looking for volunteer radio communications operators to boost its participation in the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.
The volunteers will be involved in staffing the new State Communications Centre at Waverley in Melbourne's east and operating radio networks for St John First Aiders.
Experience is welcome but not necessary, as training will be provided. If you're interested and would like to know more, call St John Ambulance State Communications Centre on 03 8588 8367, or send an email to Amateur Radio Victoria arv@amateurradio.com.au

Nurture the soul

"If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul."
-Rabbi Harold Kushner

Fair Winds to Ye!
Cap'n Dan