SC Queimarla SC Queimarla - The Coastal Passage Home Page

54th Edition
May - June 2012
E-TCP
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SC Queimarla
Barbara and Paul of Queimarla tell the story of
their first sail on their way around the globe.
What’s your story? It cant be about you without you!
photo supplied by Barbara Janz

CROWTHER OSPREY XS330Production GRP Catamaran Yanmar 30HP Diesel,
VHF, Sounder, GPS, 2 Double Cabins, 1 Single. Brand new Hypalon tender with 6HP
Outboard. $98,000
Manitou 32 Launched in 1985 this 32 foot fiberglass sloop has been kept in good
condition and includes a tender with a Yamaha motor, aluminium mast and boom
and stainless steel rigging. Ready to Inspect Today!!! $32,500
Roberts Sea Islander Beautifully design flybridge cruiser with a well maintained
and economical Cummins diesel motor with just under 1000 hours. This vessel
features air-conditioning, hot water system and sleeping accommodation for 7
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Mackay Marina Sales Office
Mulherin Drive, Mackay harbour
Open 7 Days 8:30am-4:30pm
www.peterhansen.com.au
Swan 44 MK II
Best of the best. The Swan name is synonymous with the
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Features include – 8 Harken winches (4 of which are electric),
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Autohelm Autopilot, Raytheon Radar, 3 x GPS, Salmar Water
Maker This vessel is perfectly set-up for the most comfortable,
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PRICE: $475,000.00
John Pugh Professionally built steel sloop, well maintained cruising yacht with 20hp
GMC diesel, sounder, Chartplotter, furling headsail, 2x 80 watt solar panels, wind
generator & wind vane. Ready to cruise! $44,900
Hydrofield Charter Huge volume interior, twin 100HP Yanmar diesels, 13 KVA Onan
genset, sleeps 10 persons in comfort, in 1F survey, GPS, autopilot, sounder, duel airconditioning,
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PH (07) 4955 6855
Custom Aluminium Cat
Fast cruising catamaran,
very well optioned for
comfortable long range
cruising. New Raymarine
CW90radar/sounder/chart
plotter. Back up sounder
and Chartplotter. 12v
desalinator, 6x 80 watt solar
panels, Honda generator,
4x deep cycle house
batteries. Full sized galley,
aluminium tender. This
vessel comes with many
spares huge inventory and
is in cruising condition.
$229,000
www.peterhansen.com.au
info@mackaymarina.com
Compass 28 New Standing & running rigging last year. New Yanmar diesel in 2009.
X2 sounders, GPS, Huge Price Reduction as owner has purchased larger vessel.
Perfect set up for coastal cruising. $15,900
This 3 cabin Jeanneau 40 is current Queensland survey 1F, 2C and 2D ready to earn
you money or cruise the coast at you leisure. Three big cabins with double beds and
two bathrooms make this a perfect family cruiser. It has very reliable Yanmar Diesel.
Also includes a hard bottom tender with outboard and nice set of covers to keep sun off
you while you’re cruising. $198,000.00
Kevin Dick Cruiser Built by the renown Kevin Dick, this beautiful cruiser has been
very well maintained by a loving owner. Economical 130hp Perkins shaft drive,
portable genset. New Garmin 4008 chartplotter / sounder with AIS, Raymarine
Autopilot, inflatable tender with outboard, solar panels with regulator. $59,000

marina@mbtbcmarina.com.au
www.mbtbc.com
office@mbtbc.com
www.mbtbc.com
www.mbtbc.com
www.mbtbc.com
marinasales@mbtbc.com
www.mbtbc.com

Now! A bottle shop at the marina!
info@mackaymarina.com www.mackaymarina.com
shipyard@mackaymarina.com

GOOD NEWS FROM TCP ADVERTISERS
NEW BRANDING FOR CLUB
The new Committee of the Whitsunday Sailing Club Manager Ange Rae says, “we are excited
Club was elected in September 2011 and they to be seeing some of the outcomes of what has
have been working hard since then to make been months of work. We are proud to have
some significant changes and improvements at used all local people to deliver these major
the Club for both members and visitors. One of changes including marketing, graphic design,
these jobs is now being realised with new IT, sign printing and installation. We have never
signage being installed last week. had a consistent marketing approach before so
The Committee decided that a new branding
we have often given mixed messages.”
campaign with a revision of the logo and the Some walls in the Clubhouse have been given
website would be the first step towards a fresh lick of paint, chairs re-upholstered and
modernising communications at the Club. The a new menu released by head chef Ben
branding has been formalised with colour Monteiro. Special events and live music are
palettes, fonts, marketing conventions and a planned for the months ahead and a new
slight revision of the original logo for both the marketing campaign for members will kick-in
Whitsunday Sailing Club and the Maritime now the wet season is over.
Training Centre.
words and photo from Corrie Gardner
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Contributors
Chris Ayres, SY Lady Lonsdale
Susan Bett, MY Scallywag
Stuart Buchanan, SY Pluto
Bill Cavanagh, SC Jungai
Suzanna Erickson, SY Fram II
Jan Forsyth, U-Beaut Crew
Barbara Jahnz, SC Queimarla
Kim Kenyon ex SY Orianne, now SY Karaka
Alan Lucas, SY Soleares
Bert and Ingi Lueken SY Boree
Linda Pasquariello, SY Yemaya
Terry Smith, SY Kurranulla
Serge Testa, SY Acrohc
Vicky J., SY Allisa B
And as always, TCP very much appreciates your letters and other
contributions that provides the rich forum of ideas, issues and
news. All contributions that purport facts in a matter of possible
contention, should be ready to provide support for their assertions
or additional information or the contribution may be refused at the
discretion of the editor. Anyone disputing a matter of fact in any
part of TCP is invited to respond as long as the discussion remains
one of fact and the responding writer must also be ready to provide
support for their assertions or additional information if requested.
It’s about a fair go for boaties. For information on feature
contribution requirements and awards, see the TCP web site:
“contributions” page.
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The Coastal Passage
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www.thecoastalpassage.com
Kay Norson: senior volunteer, sander on strike, level 2 speller & worn out postie
Bob Norson: sometime publisher, editor, journalist, advertising, photographer,
computer & marine heads technician, boat builder, match maker, etc., etc.
The Coastal Passage
P.O. Box 7326, Urangan, Qld., 4655
Ph/Fax: (07) 4129 8720 email: mail@thecoastalpassage.com
All text and drawings in this publication are copyrighted by Robert Norson, except
contributions where noted. Delivering contributions infers permission to print.
Contributions may be edited. Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily that
of The Coastal Passage, & the editor assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or
validity of information. Any party disputing facts contained within a feature are
particularly invited to respond. Be prepared to explain or reference your assertions.
Chris Ayres on;
ELECTIONS, HOLDING TANKS AND THE G.F.C
Might seem an odd title to some, but I am sure TPC readers will instantly see the
connection.
It was explained to me by a man I met at a pub a few weeks ago. He was a redundant
accountant (now isn't that an oxymoron! Like an honest banker or a truthful solicitor) now
sailing the last of his super fund he had cashed in on a yacht before his now ex-wife, her solicitor
and his ex-bank-manager had helped themselves.
Recognising me as an expert in holding tanks (now dear reader, please refer to my earlier
literary exploits from the bilge) he put his problem to me. How do you empty a holding tank
when there is nowhere to empty it? The Premier Marina where he was moored for the time
being charged $100 a litre to pump it out ONCE they had restored their pooh extractor to
working order. The next pumping station was somewhere north of the Whitsunday's, which
meant many many sad days of eblutive abstinence.
“Try the ocean?” I innocently suggested.
“How do I extract?” Came the response. Apparently the designers of his yacht; some fancy
model from the US of A hadn't worked that one out, relying on a small pump, inside the tank
which had failed of fright with the first owner. Or on a working pump-out station.
“Ah ha”, I said and got up to escape.
“Help me!” he pleaded, “I'll buy you a scotch”
“Laphroig 15 year old cask strength and bottle of it please.” No chance in the pub we were in
so I settled for a double Teachers. I used to be a teacher in a former life and liked the
connection and the price which fitted my superannuated circumstances since my escape from
the ATO. Yes, fellow travellers, the ATO. In my declining years I ended up a lawyer - a TAX
lawyer. Re-hab has worked, dear friends, and I am now fully restored in retirement. But I
digress.
My advice was simple. Slip your yacht. Disconnected the offending object, plugging all points
of access and egress to aforementioned holding tank and leave it sit in the cockpit. Buy a new
tank, and fit it above water line. He had plenty of space on a double bunk that was surplus to
requirements now - so it was an ideal place for a bitter and twisted ex-accountant cum solo
sailor. Fit exit valve below water line, and inlet directly from the macerator. Allow the largest
vent possible to allow escape of unpleasant odours and ventilation, thus preventing the
disaster that had beset a former friend of mine (I had omitted to mention the latter detail),
whose tank burst its seams once filled to beyond capacity. Next, on a dark night, remove the
old tank, exercising the greatest care and leave it outside Parliament House as a gift to the
government that had imposed the hated Law of Pooh upon all honest yachties. Are there any
other kind?
Next week, he found me gazing at an empty glass.
“Works like a treat” he said. “I owe you. What can I do to repay you?” Knowing he was broke,
but being a curious cove, I asked, “Fill this please and explain to me how come we have worked
all our lives, saved scrupulously, but find ourselves in senior years broke?”
It was his turn to “ah ha” now. “You want to know about the economy! It is best understood
by a formula, discovered by a Nobel Laureate and his colleague. The Black-Scholes formula. It
is a mathematical model of a financial market containing certain derivative investment
instruments. It predicts future market trends.”
“Ah ha” I said. “I understand. Black Holes. That's where our money goes.”
“No no” my holding tank evacuee replied. “Black-Scholes. It was used to predict the Bull
market in 1987, the Dot-Com boom of the late 90's and the Global Financial Creaming of 2008!”
“Um, weren't they all financial catastrophes?”
“Of course not silly!”, he replied. “Not for us in the financial industry! Look at the bonuses
bankers get today! Never been so good! All paid now by the tax-payer.”
“And those in the financial industry aren't they tax-payers?”
“Don't be daft man! We wrote the rules. The government has to save us and bugger the rest.”
“But what when all the tax-payers are out of work and on the dole?”
“Dole? Dole. Silly old fart, there is no dole! The government simply cuts out all social
security payments and sells all its assets to save the financial industry! Life goes on as normal.
For us”
“What happened to you?” I asked.
“Oh I was made redundant. Bank went offshore. So now I have decided to follow in - my
boat”.
As I walked back to Lady Lonsdale that night, humming the old song, “It's the Rich wot gets
the Gravy, The Poor What gets the blame” , a light-bulb moment; no, a stellar explosion
moment hit me.
Once we voted for change. We hoped for a better world. We still do. But the politicians don't
change and their policies now that there are no “Reds under the Beds” can safely reward the
captains of the financial industry.
Whatever you vote for, the result is the same! Nothing to vote for? Don't vote? GO TO
GAOL! No free lunch for you, boyo. Just stabbed by the SPER - that rather delightfully named
tool of enforcement - SPER - State Penalties Enforcement Register. This will ensure you never
have a credit card again and any pension or earnings you might grasp will be torn way from you.
Thou MUST Vote! The law says so! Enforced Democracy it is.
Remember voting to sell off Telstra? What about the referendum to privatise the
Commonwealth Bank? Or Qantas, or our electricity supplies, roads, railways etc etc. And the
ballot to bail out the banks? YOU DON'T??
So, voting is a bit like the holding tank. It is something we have to do, go when we have to.
Not so much nature calling daily as SPERED into going every few years at the whim of
government.
Remember the sinking of the USS Bogger? A Destroyer. blown to smithereens she was and
nowhere near the Gulf of Tonkin so a mystery it was. But I know the truth. It was the holding
tank that did it. Able Seaman Randy Rogers was a bit of bolshie. Disobeyed orders he thought
unfair. Smoking in the heads was forbidden. To hell with that! He had had enough of being
told what to do! He lit up his Camel (his cigarette, not the ship of the desert) and enjoyed his
fag, not caring about lung cancer since the government had privatised medicine beyond the
means of working mortals and AB's years ago. He dropped the stub down the loo. Methane
makes a hell of a bang when ignited and that was the end of Randy. And of the USS Bogger.
Now what if that holding tank outside Parliament House went off, sort of Guy
Fawkes style? Might leave a nice big BLACK HOLE we could fill with something
useful? To everyone, not just the top 1%?
Chris Ayres, SV Lady Lonsdale

TCP’s #1 LOOMINATOR WINNER!
Hi Kay & Bob.
Firstly, thanks once again for sending paper copies
of the ever-fabulous “Colossal Passage”.
Thought I'd have a go at your “Loomimator” offer,
as I'm always full of wonderful advice! It works
beautifully on my fridge lid. Actually, I have two
more splendid suggestions:
1. Would require two lamps; one fixed either side of
your helm position in the cockpit. The lamps would
be mounted at a pre-set angle, to switch on at a
“dangerous” angle of heel. In that short period of
time (while night sailing) when you need to ease
sheets quickly or pick up all those toppled bits &
pieces, you'd automatically have a light on.
2. Now a more serious suggestion. Have a patch of
“Velcro” surgically sewn on your forehead for the
Charlie, the TCP “Idea Guy”
Loominator to attach to. When you need to get out
of bed in the middle of the night to take a leak, you All the best,
automatically have the 3 or 4 minutes of light Charlie., TSV Geronimo
required to complete the mission, without having to
find the lightswitch. “But”., I hear you say. A patch TCP Note: Charlie found the Velcro glue
of “Velcro” on your forehead is gonna look pretty didn't work well on his forehead so he tried
stupid. Well, I thought of that. It would be skin- pop rivets... messy.. but effective.
coloured “Velcro” Voila! (please don't try this at home!)
WHAT IS CROSS- ANCHOR LIGHTS,
DECKING??? VHF & VMR
Attn TCP Readers:
I have noticed that MSQ,
Fisheries Patrol, Water
Police ect., are planning to
do boat inspections jointly.
In their words, “Crossdecking.”
Boating people should be
aware that this activity is
not necessary legal and
does not allow these
officers anymore rights.
They must have a legal
reason to try to board your
vessel.
This legal reason I expect
would only be suitable for
one agency, not a joint
operation. If one agency
has a right to board your
vessel, don't allow anyone
else to board your vessel.
I personally have been in
a conference with the old
CEO of MSQ and advised
him that one of his officers,
(a shipping inspector) was
doing boat inspections
with an armed Water Police
Officer. This I felt was
intimidation and he had no
legal right to do this
activity.
The CEO was unbelieving
of my story until it was
validated by another high
MSQ officer at the
meeting. He then made it
very clear that this activity
would never happen again.
Fellow yachty's, don't be
fooled by any intimidation,
They don't have the right
to do this. Refuse to allow
any boardings by any
Government officer
breaking the law.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Kerr,
LIZARD YACHTS
Notice to contributors: All contributions that purport facts in a matter of possible contention,
should be ready to provide support for their assertions or the contribution may be refused at the
discretion of the editor. Anyone disputing a matter of fact in any part of TCP is invited to respond
as long as the discussion remains one of fact and the responding writer must also provide support
for their assertions. Personal attacks will not be published and rude or offensive mail will not get a
response.
existence interrupted by those
who are still learning, especially
on a vessel with which they are
unfamiliar.
Greetings TCP,
I have only just secured a copy of the
All VHF channels are now
administered by the MSQ VHF
Jan - Feb edition of CP and read of the
frustrations set out in the above article
by Harry Smith and would comment on
some of them as succinctly as possible.
Distress Monitoring System with
the express purpose of covering
the length of the not in-
considerable Queensland coast
and as such there are bound to be
A vessel of less than 50 metres in `overlaps' between stations on
length at anchor may exhibit an all- the same wavelength, especially
round white light where it can best be in certain atmospheric
seen. This does not mean it has to be at conditions, and despite the
the top of the mast. That happens to be authority endeavouring to space
the most convenient situation for channels to mitigate the problem.
builders and yachts with a single
forestay and furled headsail. Those In the VMR Whitsunday area we
yachts with an inner forestay and no
furled stay sail have a good position for
an anchor light on a long lead as it also
for light to the foredeck - very useful if
you have to attend to the anchor cable
on a dark night. Luckiest of all are
those who have the 'old fashioned'
Riding Light using citrus oil which
keeps away sand flies etc.
Channels 81 and 82 were set up on
have the situation where during
the day, whether weekday or
weekend, Channels 16/67/81
and 82 are monitored by many
land stations including charter
company bases, VMR Mackay and
VTS Hay Point. At night VTS Hay
Point will answer vessels in
distress only (not those with a
blocked loo for instance).
repeaters by VMR Whitsunday many VMR Whitsunday mans the radio
years ago with the express purpose of base on weekends but at all other
having channels to contact the many times has an emergency
charter vessels as well as private telephone operator who attends
vessels in the area. It was Airlie to calling out the crew and rescue
Comstat who operated this vessel for any kind of
successfully for many years (now alas, emergencies including many for
gone) and enabled charter companies the Queensland Ambulance and
to operate their scheduled contact Police services. It should be born
times with their fleet as they are in mind that unfortunately
required to do by regulation and also increasing numbers of boaties
enabled those charterers with a rely on their mobile phones and
problem to contact their base to obtain
assistance. This remains the case
not VHF radios.
today bearing in mind that there are I agree with the article that VMR
somewhere at least 170 charter radio stations should identify
vessels, numerous day and overnight themselves with their name as
crewed vessels and a daily floating well as their call sign number. To
population in the high season of this end all our operators identify
something like 1500 people. our base as VMR 442 Whitsunday
Any private vessel wishing to be of
assistance to a vessel in difficulty
would be advised to be listening to Ch.
and we hope to welcome
Melaleuca in our area in the not
too distant future.
16 and avoid being pestered by `the
shambles of the kindergarten of the
air'. Heaven forbid that savvy cruising
folk should have their peaceful
Cheers,
David Morris,
Radio Officer
VMR 442 Whitsunday
The A-frame overlooking West Bay in Middle
Percy. Photo by Kim Kenyon
JOIN THE PERCY ISLAND YACHT CLUB
Dear TCP Readers,
Most wayfaring seafarers who read TCP are in tune
with Percy Islands unique history, and the special part
it plays for voyagers on our Queensland coast. Be
they seasoned old salts, or first timers, the magic is
still there. Percy remains one of the places where folk
from any walk of life can come ashore, share a bbq
with old and new friends, plus explore the island with
total freedom.
However the Leaseholders, John and Cate, quietly
shoulder a rather high burden.
Contrary to popular belief, when you look after an
isolated Island you rarely get to laze around in a
hammock waiting for coconuts to fall off. Tis the
opposite; you have to work, work hard, and
constantly. You can't just turn on a tap for water, a
switch for power, or just nip down to the local
hardware shop. John goes ashore, works long hours
at a coal mine, then comes back and works even
harder. It's no laid back easy lifestyle .. but they keep
the Island, and their hearts, open for all wayfaring
seafarers to share.
So last year a few Yachties got together, and at Rob
Gallehawks suggestion, and formed "The Percy
Island Yacht Club”.
The only proviso is there are no rules, just one very
clear and direct aim - to assist in maintaining the
unique ambiance and infrastructure of Percy,
especially in West Bay.
Rob kicked in $150 to start, and whooska, against all
odds it took off. John and Cate made up individual
“Dog Tags”, plus rather nice boat plaques, and a
lifetime membership was set at $150. In 3 weeks flat
20 boats joined in. Then several folk wanted a
burgee, so one was designed, which increased the
membership fee to $175. Of which, after all the
various costs, roughly $100 goes into PIYC funds.
These are then given directly to “The Friends of
Percy Foundation”, and even in a short time have
payed for repairs to the water tank, lines, taps etc to
the A Frame, plus made a contribution to now
mandatory personal liability insurance.
Membership is edging close to 40, and, with a full
cruising season approaching, should race past 100,
including many overseas vessels
So if you'd like to help keep the unique tradition of
Percy hospitality going, and enjoy more memorable
bbqs in the A Frame with fellow PIYC members .. or
have friends who would .. please just send the once in
a lifetime donation ($175) to:
Friends of Percy Foundation
Maleny Credit Union
BSB 704608
Acct number 200035569
Then email middlepercy@bigpond.com to say you've
done so, plus your email address, postal address, and
(if applicable), boats name. They will the then post
you, via the next stores run, a plaque for your vessel,
a set of personalised dog tags, plus a PIYC burgee ..
and you're in.
Wishing you all fair skies and favourable winds,
Steve Kenyon

Spare a thought for the cleaner
Sit down....
to the other! Was it male, female, life of me know. One thing I DO
Let me tell you a tale....
animal, vegetable or mineral? I know…it wasn't the cleaner.
don't know. Who would do that? I've been in there to find scraps
Here's a catch22 for you. We are One thing I DO know . . . it wasn't of dunny paper shredded from
running out of money - such is the the cleaner! backside to breakfast - dumped all
lot of the grey cruiser, who is not
over the deck! The bucket that
quite grey ENOUGH to draw
Then there is the day that one of holds the used paper hand wipes
pension, and who is considered too our cleaners found faeces rammed will be almost empty, but the floor
rich, (and also considers it immoral), into the grate of the shower drain! around it will be littered with
to draw the dole. SO.. the logical Not to mention the times it has had sodden towelettes. Empty toilet
remedy, is to pick up some work! to be scraped off the walls around paper rolls will be discarded on the
Not so easy in a Queensland that is the head (WC)! I went into a toilet deck, rather than placed in the
severely suffering from the
in Welshpool (Vic) once and there waste bins. And what about the
downturn in the tourist trade.
was a PILE of it - dumped on top of pipe that supports the shower
the bowl at the back! Who on earth curtain, bent almost double
There is always work for them as in their right mind does things like because some boof-head swung on
wants to work, and so we were this? Do they do this sort of thing it? Or the cigarette holes burnt in
happy to grab small jobs cleaning
bathrooms and toilets for a local
business. Now here's the catch: In
order to do the jobs, we needed to
park the boat in a Marina!
The minute we did so, the need for
cash quintupled from just a few
bucks for food and a cup of coffee,
to shiploads to cover the marina
fees! Oh Maaaaan! (Whine!) So we
ask ourselves the question - "If we
weren't in the Marina, one of us
would only need to work a few days
a month to cover our food needs.
BUT - if we weren't in the marina,
how do we get WORK?" This is a
circulating conundrum, to which I
have not yet found the solution.
What I need is someone to pay me a
mootza for a couple of days, so that
I only need to come into the marina
a couple days a month. But
sensibly, nobody wants that kind of
employee. *Heigh Ho*
at home? If it was an accident - do
they leave it for mum or the wife, or
(God help us), if it was a woman, is
this how she keeps house (and yes,
you may interpolate that to include
the househusband etc. for the sake
of political correctness)? I'm blowed
if I can tell. One thing I DO know. .
. . It wasn't the cleaner!
This of course leads me to the
serious condition known to few as
"Explosive diarrhoea". This is a
crippling disease identifiable by the
performance upon the Great White
Throne. It is characterised first by a
loud vibratory rumble of expelled
methane and other calorific gases,
amplified by the acoustics of the
bowl to horrific proportions.
Children should be kept clear as
nightmares will result to those so
subjected. This is almost
immediately followed by a
gargantuan explosion, as the more
the curtains by some playful knob.
One of us found a blocked loo one
day. You know what it was?
Someone had rammed a TIN - yes,
a TIN down the head, and it had got
stuck in the bend. And then of
course someone else had done a
poo, so it too was blocking up the
loo. It all had to be fished out BY
HAND, in order to restore the head
to its normal function. And it's the
same in the ladies and the gents.
One day the floor was awash as if
the ensuite had been used as a
"survival-at-sea" training centre!
Now I know that it's no big deal, but
one thing I DO know…it wasn't the
cleaner who did all that!
The cleaner is the one who grabs
mop and pail and goes in after the
hoity-toities; the high flying, wallet
flashing, brown-nosing, so-called
"upper echelon" of society, and
"WHAT PART OF CLOSED FOR
CLEANING DON'T YOU
UNDERSTAND, EXACTLY?"
As you can gather, I am fairly
gobsmacked at the lifestyle habits of
some homo sapiens. Where has
common decency, politeness,
manners, and doing the right thing
gone? Perhaps it's not so common
any more. What motivates, or goes
through the minds of those who
trash our facilities with no thought
for anyone else, nor the
consequences of their actions?
Does anything? Somehow, I think
not. And to the others, I trust that
next time you use a public
convenience - put there for your
CONVENIENCE - before you walk
away, you will spare a thought for
the lowly cleaner, who has to come
and clean it all up. You will not find
us ungrateful.
SO . . back to the cleaning!
OH....MY!!! What an eye opener!
I had no idea what those poor
people have had to cope with. You
know, Its a tendency we have (I
use the word "we" in the universal
sense - please forgive the
generalities) to look down from our
lofty heights at those in the
"service" trades. "Oh - she's just a
CLEANER" and so forth. And now
that I find myself on that side of the
fence, I'm starting to see things
from a totally different perspective.
I have had to go in to the
bathrooms/toilets to clean of a
morning, and you would not believe
some of the things that have been
found.
Lets look at the shower cubicle:
I have found SNOT - boogies no less
- scattered all up the walls of the
cubicle! Now I wonder WHAT sort of
person stands there in the shower,
and blows a spattering of solidified
catarrh from one end of the cubicle
solid material is expelled from the
body with cyclonic force. This then
hurtles into the bowl water like a
meteorite, vaporising all over the
entire cubicle. Nothing is safe!
Unlucky observers would note the
flexing of the bowl on impact, rather
like the effect of rinsing with
Listerine! Only the perpetrator
seems to walk away unscathed,
leaving the cubicle in childlike
innocence, denying all knowledge,
and retreating to his/her place of
safety. The ensuing fallout is left
for…the cleaner! !
One morning I went into an
ensuite, and there in the small
bucket provided for the ladies
necessaries, was a putrid puddle of
urine! Now, the bucket has a LID,
so this had to be deliberately
prepared and executed. It was no
accident. I know men are notorious
for being bad shots, but like I said,
this was no poor aim, this was
deliberate. Who on Gods earth
would do a thing like that? What
were they thinking? I don't for the
cleans up their mess! We ignore the
smells, and control the gagging,
wipe up their poo, pick up their
paper and empty their bins. We
wipe down the showers and rinse
down the boogies. Mop the water
from the floor to prevent drownings,
and pull matted clumps of
coagulated hair congealing in soap
scum out of the shower grating.
Why? Because people seem to .......
I dunno. What I DO know is...it isn't
the cleaner that makes the mess.
There's another thing that just
cracks me up. When I set to, to
clean the loos, I put a large trestle
sign at the door that clearly spells
"CLOSED FOR CLEANING”. Now
the men don't seem to have a
problem with that, but the ladies! If
I had a dollar for every woman that
squeezed past the sign to come in
and ask, " Ha ha (vacant look, silly
grin, can I use the toilet/have a
shower?"), I could retire rich! God's
life, it takes all my power to smile
sweetly back and say, “No, Sorry."
when I really want to say;
Now, such an unmitigated tirade of
bilious vitriol, cannot abide alone
without saying something for the
other players in the game. There
have been times, and those not
infrequent, when some dear heart
will go out of their way to seek me
out and compliment me on the
excellent job, and cleanliness of the
facilities. Who have been unstinting
in their praise, to the point of
verbosity, God bless 'em. It's
people like them that go a long way
to restoring one's faith in humanity.
I know my own attitudes have been
turned on their ear, and I cannot
walk past a humble cleaner or
should I say, "Cleansing
Technologist", without earnestly
appreciating the work that they do.
And whenever I use a convenience,
I KNOW I will always SPARE A
THOUGHT FOR THE CLEANER!
Terry Smith,
Cleansing Technologist
2nd class
SV Kurranulla
www.saniloo.com.au
www.saniloo.com.au

TONY’S TIP ON CHAIN MARKING
Hey TCP,
Tony
Jjust finished reading the cycling article from Kris Longrass, my
double tail of just more than 100mm. 20metres- 2 links.
30metres- 3 links. After each 30 metres, change the colour of
good mate from Darwin. He was an inspiration to me while
getting Ragin Cajun ready for a bit of a run around. His version
the poly. You can resume the original colour on the third run etc.
of cruising is as you know, also minmalistic and commendable. The poly markers go through the winch and hawser pipe both
in and out flawlessly. I have used the same poly tails for over 4
We are in Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles, waiting for a new years and they were just about due for replacement. The chain
starter motor from the States. Then it's off to the Panama Canal
and the Pacific back to Oz after about 5 Years.
was also due to be end for ended, so I did that instead.
Speaking of galvanising chain, make sure the Galvaniser has a
I read with interest, Tony Little's version of anchor chain tumbler to separate the chain into links again. I spent half a day
marking in the E-TCP 52 also. I disagree with the painting in Sebana Cove in Malaysia with a ballpein hammer and an anvil
method of marking because it causes trouble if one ever wants
to re-galvanize the chain later. The normal method of cleaning
belting apart great clots of zinc frozen chain links.
metal for galvanizing is acid washing. This does not remove the Thanks again for an excellent Cruisers Rag, thanks for keeping
paint. A premium will be charged for mechanically abrading the
painted links with mixed results.
those other bastards honest, keep up the good work Captain.
Tony Beks
I have used a single strand of 3 strand polypropylene rope tied Monomaran Ragin Cajun
through the links to mark mine. 10 metres - 1 link, with a In transit, Spanish Waters,
300mm long piece of poly tied with 2 granny knots to leave a Curacao, Netherlands Antilles
Ingi & Bert are back in Australia!
One thing we re-cognized immediately in the boating
community; there was a sort of rivalry between the
"stink boaters" as we were called and the sail boaters.
But over the years, we found, it comes down to being
in the same boat (literately) when you cruise
extensively and live on your vessel.
We had no intention to sell our floating home, when
end of 2006 a guy up north in Darwin thought he
needed just this boat, right now. So a deal was done
and a new idea crept up into the captain's head (Inga
was under the impression that this idea was there for
quite some time already).
A sailboat should be the new floating home from now
on. Off we flew to the USA, where good deals were
suppose to be done at that moment.
With no sailing experience we bought SY Boree, a 46'
Hylas and took off again! Learning by doing was
always the captains way of dealing with things.
So, on our maiden voyage (190nm) leaving from
Florida, Bert went to bed at 10pm and Inga had to deal
with the sails. That has been going on now for 5
Inga & Bert years.
We did the Bahamas on our first season and then
Dear Kay, Bob and TCP readers, went back to the USA to get the boat fitted out for the
voyage back to OZ.
We areahppy to announce that we are back in Ausrtalia! We left in 2008 and took our time, saw lovely countries,
It all started 11 years ago, when two Germans came to met great people, made some friends for life and arrived
Australia to fulfill our (his) dream of life on the water. back in Australia in November of 2011.
With no boating experience to speak of, besides holding Inga had always said, if she arrives in OZ still in one
several German boating licenses, we bought one of piece, she would be done with sailing. But after it was
Australia's finest vessels Coolong, an Island Gipsy 44 decided, that we would spent one whole year just playing
made by Kong and Halvorson. This became our home for again in their old cruising grounds, Inga also liked the idea
the next 6 1/2 years. of venturing into Indonesia and Malaysia in 2013.
The East Coast Marina in Manly. Queensland was our first So, if you see Boree in one of Australia's anchorages, it is
playground. The marina staff was considerate enough to the old MY Coolong crew, still strongly believing, there is
put us into the most remote berth, wide enough for a not such a big difference between "Stink boaters and Fart
tanker, so we could practice getting in an out without doing catchers". As long as you have a love for the water it does
damage to anybody. It was over a mile on foot to the not matter which "container" you are doing it in.
amenity block!!! We would like to say hello to all of the boating people, that
After just one month, we started our adventure and still remember us and are looking forward to meet new
covered up to 10.000 km each year. people again.
We explored all of the east coast and ventured into the
Kimberly twice for an extended stay. Cheers,
Besides the great fishing and diving we could do in Bert and Ingi Lueken,
Australia, we got to know lot's of great people in this SY Boree
wonderful country.
“If you break it I can re-make it!”
Serving Sydney and surrounds
Now is the time to call Allison
to get your covers made or repaired.
phone: 0413 814 333
allisonscovers@thecoastalpassage.com
Zips
Clears
Boombags
Dodgers
Biminis
Sun and rain covers
Sail repairs
Fender covers
Marine cushions
Head and hull liners
Window covers
Rail covers
Hatch covers
Winch covers
Instrument covers
Rope Bags
Foam mattress covers
BBQ covers
Sunbeds
Seats and Helm Chairs
2012
Darwin Dili
Yacht Rally
Celebrating Timor-Leste’s
10th Anniversary of
Restoration of Independence
Inga &
“Fisch”
SY Boree
Start: Saturday 14 July 2012 at 1100 hours,
Darwin Harbour, Australia
Finish: Dili Harbour, Timor-Leste
mail@sailtimorleste.org www.sailtimorleste.org

Reflections
By Alan Lucas, SY Soleares
COOK'S
CANNONS
Towards the end of 1968 we cleared The academy did its homework by
into Thursday Island after a 23-day first establishing that Cook's
passage from Portuguese Timor, our cannons were cast iron, not bronze,
Indonesian cruise being terminated after which its scientists overflew
by my wife needing life-saving Endeavour Reef with a
surgery in Dili Hospital. The cost of magnetometer and located them
this regrettable interruption emptied almost immediately. Modern
our cruising kitty and had us technology achieved what decades
urgently returning to Australia to of diving did not. The Academy
seek employment. then chartered Vince Vlassof to
Being a bust and boom area, with
a bust in vogue at the time,
Thursday Island was the last place
I expected to find employment, yet
I fell straight into the job of night
watchman aboard the lighthouse
take them to the reef aboard his
vessel and act as dive boat for their
recovery. But, importantly, they
also needed a large service vessel
fitted with big open-topped tanks
full of seawater into which the
precious artefacts could be placed
and held during their recovery.
When as many artefacts as possible
employment period unique in my life
were found, they were then taken
to Cairns to be railed south for
treatment and preservation.
One of Captain Cook's Endeavour cannons comes aboard the
lighthouse tender Wallach anchored at Hope Island during the
1968-9 wet-season. Picture by the late Bert Woolley.
tender Wallach, which was semi- the wet-tanks. Excessive time spent to 17 fathom, and before the lead
mothballed on anchor for the wet in the air could have started
could be cast again, the ship struck,
season. This would prove to be an deterioration beyond repair
and remained immoveable, except
because it eventually terminated not
by me leaving the job but by the job
leaving me! Vince Vlassof was best known in
making this a vital part of the
operation. Needless to say it was an
exciting time for all involved, with
by the heaving of the surge that
beat against the crags of rock upon
which she lay.
Into my sixth week of employment,
Wallach was suddenly ordered to
sea under the command of my old
mate Captain Len Foxcroft with
engineer Bert Woolley and her crew
of Torres Strait islanders. She was
urgently called out to participate in
one of Australia's landmark historical
events: namely, the recovery of the
Bark Endeavour's cannons and
ballast thrown overboard to save
the ship when she struck a reef
nearly two hundred years earlier.
those days for being the first
person to operate an underwater
observatory on the Great Barrier
Reef. Working out of Cairns, he
towed his observatory to Green
Island and sunk it beside the reef
where it became a hit with tourists
and served well for many years.
Wallach was the perfect support
vessel, her officers and crew being
employed by the Lighthouse
Department whose workshops down
south would do the slow,
painstaking work of preserving the
everyone thrilled to be part of such
an historical event. This was the
ultimate link to Captain Cook; the
moment of proof that all he recorded
in his famous journal was absolutely
spot-on.
Cook's journal of that fateful night
makes good reading, the following
excerpts starting when Endeavour
approached the reef, her soundings
suddenly reducing from a comforting
21 fathoms to a worrying 8 fathoms.
In Cook's words:
On finding her taking water at a
worrying rate, lightening the ship
to get her off the reef took place in
a well co-ordinated effort about
which his journal says:
Six of our guns, being all we had
on deck, our iron and stone ballast,
casks, hoop staves, oil jars, decayed
stores and many other things that
lay in the way of heavier materials,
were thrown overboard with the
utmost expedition, every one
exerting himself with alacrity almost
Divers had been periodically
combing Endeavour Reef for
decades, one well-known
underwater explorer declaring that
Captain Cook must have got it
wrong about the reef's position
because he could find no evidence.
It was almost embarrassing,
therefore, when a scientific group
from the Academy of Natural
Sciences of Philadelphia, USA,
located the artefacts within minutes.
artefacts plus the building of new
cannon carriages. In this, they
excelled themselves, the results
being a credit to all involved.
Wallach spent the recovery period
anchored off Hope Island to where
the relics were taken from
Endeavour Reef and placed on the
lagoon floor directly below her.
From there they were hoisted
aboard and lowered straight into
I immediately ordered everyone to
their stations, and was all ready to
put about and come to an anchor, but
meeting at the next cast of the lead
with deep water again, we concluded
that we had gone over the tail of the
shoals we had seen at sunset and
that all danger had passed.
A few minutes before eleven (pm),
the water shallowed at once from 20
approaching cheerfulness, without
the least repining or discontent; yet
the men were so far imprest with a
sense of their situation, that not an
oath was heard among them, the
habit of profanities, however strong,
being instantly subdued by the
dread of incurring guilt when death
seemed to be so near.
continued next page...
www.goodoldboat.com
www.audioseastories.com
www.audioseastories.com
www.goodoldboat.com www.audioseastories.com

COOK'S CANNONS
continued....
Endeavour was lightened by nearly 50
tons, but on not floating off on the next
midday tide, they 'threw overboard
every thing that was possible for us to
spare'. Fortunately, the sea was calm,
the trade wind unusually quiescent for
that time of year (June 1770), and it
remained calm until the next night
when, at around 10 pm they hauled
her off the reef and began the long,
hard tow to what we now know as
Cooktown.
Considering their plight, there is no
doubt that if the southeast trade wind
had been its normal boisterous self,
Endeavour would have broken up
quickly and her officers and crew would
as Cook himself recognised perish
trying to reach the mainland. The
difference between the entire ship and
her complement disappearing off
history's map and their repairing her
and reaching England was, in the end
result, thanks to the extraordinary fact
that calm to light weather prevailed in
an area known for some of the
strongest and most persistent trade
winds in the world.
As for my part in the historic find, all I
did was hand Wallach's engineer my
camera before she left Thursday Island
to record the event before starting the
long trek south aboard our yacht.
Regrettably, I did not catch up with
Wallach before she had completed her
task, but months later I got to see one
of the cannons soon after its
restoration: It is a marvellous sight
that can be enjoyed by visiting the
Cooktown Museum.
“Must Have” CRUISING GUIDES by Alan Lucas
Sixth
Edition
$75.00
Alan
$75.00
Captain Cook and his ship Endeavour -
Notes from Alan's “companion” book, Off Watch,
Courtesy of Alan Lucas
GEOLOGICAL OCEONOGRAPHY THE RIGHT SPIRIT
Interest in land geology was centuries old before Painted on a beam above the Endeavour replica's building site
serious attention was paid to oceans. Referred to was the favourite philosophy of a young workman who
as “Geological Oceanography”, Captain James tragically died n the job. It read, “Be excellent to each other”.
Cook was the first to pursue this science when,
from 1772 to 1775, he measured the ocean depths EMBAYMENT
and made many temperature observations. In (To be trapped in a bay into which the wind is
1840, many important soundings were taken by Sir blowing and out of which the sailing vessel may
James Clark Ross to depths as great as 2,600 be incapable of beating.)
fathoms in the Antarctic.
In the days of engineless ships, whose ability to beat to
DIFFERENT LOGIC
“OFF WATCH”
(a boatie trivia book)
by Alan Lucas
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windward were severely limited by their bluff bows and
square rigs, embayment was a sailor's worst nightmare,
San Salvador Island lies over 300 miles off the especially on those voyages of discovery when little or nothing
United States' south east coast, yet it was on the was known about the land downwind. Captain Cook, during
basis of Columbus discovering this island that he his first world circumnavigation on the bark Endeavour, left us
was credited with discovering America (even an excellent example of potential embayment when, in 1770,
though he thought it was Cathay). If this same he sailed north along the Australian east coast where the
logic is applied to Australia's discovery, then it was southeast trades blow.
not the English but the Portuguese who discovered Approaching the now famous tourist area of the Whitsunday
it nearly 250 years before Captain Cook. The Islands; what was thought to be an island was sighted ahead
Portuguese settled on Timor in the early 1500's and and the ship was steered to pass it between it and the
Timor is well under 300 miles from Australia! mainland. When the island proved to be a conspicuous
headland that joined to the mainland, Endeavour urgently
CAPTAIN COOK'S ENDEAVOUR
changed course to pass eastward of the headland and thus
avoid embayment. The bay was named Repulse Bay for the
The vessel chosen for Captain Cook's first world fact that it “repulsed” progress in that direction.
circumnavigation was a Whitby collier named the
Earl of Pembroke. The Navy Board purchased her
for the Job of exploration and research under the
YESTERYEAR'S VICTUALLING
command of Captain James Cook. Bark-rigged,
she was renamed HM Endeavour and would prove
ideally suited to her task as well as being a seakindly
and safe ship at sea. Her specifications
shown below are based on those used in the
building of her replica in Fremantle, Western
The items listed here represent a cross-section of Captain
Cook's shopping list when victualling the Resolution for his
second world circumnavigation. This time in search for the
Great South Land. The list survives in one of the great man's
journals.
Australia. Biscuits 59,531 pounds
Suet 1,900 lbs
Length overall 109'3”
Beam 29'2”
Draft - 11'4”
Gross tonnage 397 tons
Great cabin headroom 6'10”
Gentleman's cabin headroom 5'7”
Marine's quarters headroom 4'7'
Lower deck headroom 7'5”
Salt beef 7,637 four-pound packs
Salt pork 14,214 two-pound packs
Olive oil 210 gallons
Condensed extract of beer- 19 barrels
Beer 19 tons
Spirits 1,397 gallons
Sauerkraut 20,000 lbs
Carrot marmalade 30 gallons
Also on board were livestock including bullock, sheep, goats,
hogs and poultry.
THE ENDEAVOUR REPLICA
IN COOK'S SHADOW
A credit to Australian workmanship is the
Endeavour replica built on the water front of
Fremantle, Western Australia, between October
1988 and December 1993 and commissioned in
April 1994. In place of traditional elm, oak and
Matthew Flinders was the first navigator to circumnavigate
Australia (1802) and do a detailed survey of much of its
coastline. He was also the first person to use the word
“Australia” in place of its previous name “New Holland”, and
spruce (used in the original vessel), old growth in correctly suspecting that iron parts in the ship were
Oregon (Douglas Fir) was used for masts, spars, causing compass deviation, he was the first to make a
topside strakes and decks. The timber most systematic investigation of this matter. This resulted in the
commonly used was local Jarrah, a superb native development of a “counter-attractor”, which became
Western Australian hardwood offering good known as the “Flinders Bar”.
longevity. Masts were laminated, iron fastening’s Matthew Flinders was born in Lincolnshire, England and lived
were galvanised and the standing rigging was for only forty years, but he became a legend to Australians
Manila made on a 140 year old rope walk to exact while remaining virtually unknown in his home country. This
specifications. Sails were cut from Duradon cloth, is often accredited to his being overshadowed by Captain
a synthetic canvas which looks and handles like James Cook, who won the admiration of an entire world as well
flax. as a special place in the hearts of Australians.
OR
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Are The Times A-Changing?
Stuart Buchanan gets nostalgic
while viewing the Brisbane Gladstone
Yacht Race 2012 on SY South Pacific II
Yachting legend Alby Jeays fires the gun for the start of the sixty-fourth Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race
Bang! At 11.00 a.m. precisely the Melbourne around Tasmania and back to
sound of a shotgun shattered the Melbourne. They had raced extensively
anxious hush, signalling the start of in New Zealand, in Cowes Week in the
the 2012 sixty-fourth Qantaslink UK, the Fastnet Race and in Honolulu.
Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race. It made my six Brisbane to
Gladstone and two Sydney to Mooloolaba
The bloke who fired the gun from the races in Ray Canniffe's 11 metre steel
foredeck of South Pacific II was the sloop Aeolus look rather tame. But my
legendary yachting identity Alby Jeays apprenticeship in Aeolus had been a
who, at ninety-two years of age, still sails great introduction in learning how to sail
single-handed around Moreton Bay in his before buying my own cruising yacht.
beautiful 13 metre ketch Wotama. As I watched the forty-seven yachts
In fact, I was surrounded by legendary cross the start line, I wondered how
yachting identities; there was Ron much has changed since my last
Jenyns the owner and skipper of South Brisbane to Gladstone twenty-five years
Pacific II, who represented Australia in ago. The yachts have certainly changed,
past Olympics sailing Finns; there was and Gladstone has certainly changed,
Herb Prendergast, Race Director of the but what about the crews?
Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race and Six or so men and women, and
past commodore of the Queensland sometimes many more, living in a
Cruising Yacht Club; and Jim Sue with confined space for a few days certainly
thirty-one Brisbane to Gladstone races brings out the best and worst in people.
under his belt. Between them, Herb and We usually had a crew of six or seven
Jim, apart from sailing in dozens of blokes in Aeolus, most of whom had
Brisbane to Gladstone races, had sailed sailed together before. But there were
in numerous Sydney to Hobart races, always one or two ring-ins sailing with us
Sydney to Brisbane, Sydney to for the first time.
Mooloolaba, Sydney to Noumea, Sydney
to Suva, the Great Circle Race from continued next page...
www.whitsundaysailingclub.com.au
www.whitsundaysailingclub.com.au
Photos by Stuart Buchanan
Ninety-two year old Alby Jeays still sails his 13 metre
ketch Wotama single-handed around Moreton Bay.

Are The Times A-Changing? Rowing Club. While sitting there, for the remainder of the trip to Gladstone. others drank Passion Pop. Red wine
continues...
Psycho suddenly appeared beside The float was eventually depleted of was drunk mainly by blokes wearing
me, holding an empty beer glass wildlife, cleaned, polished and trench coats, who lived in the park
poised ready to insert in my face, presented to Ray's yacht club for and drank out of bottles wrapped in
One year, a 25 knot south- then began to curse and shout. To display.
newspaper. At that time, the only
easterly gave us an exhilarating avoid exacerbating an already On another trip, only Ray and I requirements for a cocktail waitress
sail to Gladstone. The crew embarrassing situation inside the were on board returning to in Gladstone was that she could mix
appeared a happy bunch who got club, as well as having my face Brisbane. The weather was a rum and coke.
along well, arriving in Gladstone in rearranged, I quickly leapt to my atrocious; day after day we pounded The waitress retur ned five
record time ¯ for Aeolus that is. In feet, grabbed Psycho and bulldozed into a 25 knot south-easterly, minutes later and said:
those days there was no marina in him out the back door to a small eventually arriving at Tin Can Bay, “We've got house woyne.”
Gladstone; all the yachts rafted landing from where there was a set where Ray decided to leave the “All right,” the connoisseur
together in Auckland Creek at the of about thirty narrow steps leading yacht until the weather improved for replied, “could we have two carafes
public jetty just along from the down to the ground. Swinging and the Wide Bay Bar crossing. We of house wine, please?”
Port Curtis Yacht Club. punching, we fell, rolled and arranged to travel on the school bus “Kraffs?” the waitress mumbled
We tied up about 7 a.m. and bounced down the steps followed by into Gympie, and then catch another to herself as she left the room.
were visited by the Mayor of half the occupants of the Rowing bus to Brisbane.
However, ten minutes later the
Gladstone, Col Brown, who made it Club, who eventually tore us apart. The school bus was packed with waitress plonked two carafes of red
his business to visit each yacht Yep, I think I got away with it, a noisy rabble of secondary school on the table along with, believe it or
immediately after its arrival and without causing too much of a students. Ray and I were the only not, proper wine glasses.
welcome the crew. Shortly after disturbance inside the club. Other adults. On the way, the bus made a The connoisseur poured some
Col's departure I walked up the road than that, it was an uneventful trip. few stops at forestry stations, where wine into a glass, swirled it around,
to buy some fresh bread. On my But it wasn't all rough and parents accompanied their young sniffed it, took a sip and swallowed.
return to the jetty, I heard angry tumble. One year in the Brisbane to children to see them safely on the “Hmm, that's quite good,” he
shouting. I looked over to where Gladstone we were halfway along bus. After a while, I said to Ray: said. “Whose wine is this?”
Aeolus was moored. Two of the Fraser Island. It was a beautiful “Have you noticed that it's only The waitress's brow furrowed
crew were in the cockpit, thumping day; there wasn't much breeze and fathers who bring their children to again. She glanced at everyone
the hell out of each other. By the I think Aeolus was in second or third the bus stop. It's strange that we around the table, looked back at the
time I clambered over seven yachts last position. John was at the helm, haven't seen any mothers.”
connoisseur and said:
to Aeolus, the brawl had ended. while a couple of crew members and “Not that strange,” Ray replied. “It's for all of youse.”
One bloke was sitting in the cockpit I sat in the cockpit. Ray was down “At the next stop, have a look at the The insanity of her customers
crying his eyes out, while the other below having a sleep. girl three rows up on the left hand was confirmed as ten people
bloke was packing his bag to head “What's that in the water over side next to the window.”
simultaneously let out great bellows
off to the airport for the first there?” I said to John. At the next stop I leant over to of laughter, thumped the table and
available flight back to Brisbane. “I can't make it out,” he replied. see the girl stand up, unbutton her stamped the floor.
No-one ever found out what the I went below and got the blouse and press her ample bare Rafting the yachts together in
fight had been about. binoculars. breasts against the window, at the Auckland Creek was always
Another year, it didn't take long “It's a Japanese lightbuoy ¯ a same time as she did funny things interesting. Throughout the day
to discover that one of the ring-ins glass float in a brass frame,” I said. with her tongue.
and night, a parade of inebriated
was psycho. He certainly knew how “They're pretty rare, aren't We arrived in Gladstone one yachties would regularly splatter
to sail a yacht, but he'd shout and they?” John asked. year to find that Ray's partner Joyce, themselves on someone's deck as
swear like a madman, screaming “They certainly are. I've only who had driven up from Brisbane, they tripped over safety lines and
orders at the rest of the crew. He found one in 20 ye ars of had arranged a luncheon for the winches trying to reach their bunks.
kept on making insulting smart-arse beachcombing.” crew at the Commercial Hotel which, At night there was always some sort
remarks, but when any of the crew The lightbuoy was quite a at the time, was one of Gladstone's of party underway on one or two of
retaliated with equally smart-arse distance behind us now. best. Also invited were two couples, the yachts. One year, the crew from
remarks, he almost had to be “I wouldn't mind getting that,” I friends of Joyce's from Brisbane, a yacht had a guitar, violin, piano
restrained. added. who had no interest in sailing accordion and a delightful female
T h a t y e a r, i m m e d i a t e l y “Neither would I,” John said whatsoever. One of the men, who singer. It was the highlight of the
following the Brisbane to Gladstone before shouting, “Ready about!” spoke with a plum in his mouth, trip just sitting and listening to the
race, was the inaugural Gladstone to We did a 180 degree turn and gave the impression of being a performance. And as the yachts
Bundaberg Yacht Race. We only had headed south. The whirring of the connoisseur regarding food and gradually departed for their return
four crew ¯ Ray the skipper, Psycho, winch and the thumping of feet on wine.
to Brisbane, it was usually the yacht
Ian and me. It was a rotten race, battling deck as we went about must have The young waitress took our nearest the jetty that wanted to
into a strong south-easterly. Psycho was wakened Ray. His head appeared orders and asked:
leave first, creating an almighty
smart enough not to harass Ray, but through the companionway hatch “Do youse want anything to shemozzle of lines, yachts and
made up for it with me and the other and he looked to his left, thinking he drink?”
yachties.
bloke. I had had enough of this moron, so
was heading north and would see “What selection of red wine do
I didn't hold back in replying. By the
Fraser Island; but all he saw was you have?” the connoisseur asked.
time we finished the race and tied up
sea. He looked to his right and saw “Red woyne?” the waitress
at the Bundaberg Rowing Club,
land. Eventually the penny queried, as her eyebrows dropped Yes, yachts and places will
Psycho and I weren't on the best of
dropped.
and her forehead furrowed. “Just a constantly change, but while we
terms.
“What the f . . . ?”
minute,” she added and left the still have traditional blue water
As soon as we tied up, Psycho
Over the noise of Ray's dining room.
yachties, I'm sure their on and
disappeared. An hour later, Ray, Ian
profanities, we picked up the float and In those days, the early off board antics will continue
and I, along with about one hundred tied it to the taffrail. It was covered in eighties, blokes in Gladstone drank well into the future. I can only
other people, attended the barnacles, crabs and other marine life ¯ only beer, rum or Scotch; classy imagine what stories Alby, Jim
presentation of trophies at the and it stank, something we had to endure sheilas drank Barossa Pearl, the and Herb could tell.
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Geelong lad, Rob Ballard, on oldest ship re-construction! Lateen
board his 23ft. Norwalk Islands rigged, just 21 metres long and
Sharpie 'Route 66', won the 'Corio weighs 70 tonnes. Caravels were
Bay Cup'. 'Route 66' is a trailable used by Bartholomew Diaz around
and was designed by Bruce Kirby, the Cape of Good Hope in 1488 and
based on the traditional oystering in 1492 by Christopher Columbus in
sharpies of Long Island Sound, his 'Santa Maria'! He was
USA. Rob built Route 66 in his accompanied by two caravels, the
garage from a kit! 'Pinta' and 'Nina', both 4 metres
What's a Norwalk Islands Sharpies shorter than 'Notorious'! Ferdinand
you say? They are cat ketch rigs Magellan circum-navigated the world
with the masts supported in
tabernacles which allow for
in 1519 to 1522 in caravels!
Photos and words by
Bob Appleton, OAM
Augustine's orphanage and was built
in the early 1900s in Port Fairy.
simplicity in raising or lowering the
masts for rigging and de-rigging. The
masts and booms are carbon fibre.
The 'Notorious' is Lateen rigged, a
rig that can be seen off the coast of
India and on the Arab dhows in the
The recent display of wooden
boats at the Whyte, Just & Moore
Wooden Boat Festival held at the
Royal Geelong Yacht Club on
th th
March 10 & 11 , really displayed
the skills, care and attention
given to absolutely beautiful
classic wooden boats that
obviously, had been carefully
If anyone wanted a better picture
than that of the twenty three classic
wooden boats lining up for the '4
Winds Marine' Classic Boat Trophy
race, they'd have to search the world.
At Geelong, it was served up on a
platter!
The stately lady, 'Sayonara', said
Built in the traditional way of upside
down on a jig, using hoop pine
keelson, chines and sheers and
gaboon ply frames with topsides and
deck of 9 mm ply with 3 layers of
6mm cross planked for her bottom.
No mechanical fastenings were used
in construction. Now, isn't that a boat
and owner you can admire?!
Suez Canal today! Early history
actually unfolded before everyone's
weather beaten eyes! Built entirely
from reclaimed timber and without
felling a single tree, amateur boat-
builder, Graeme Wylie built
'Notorious' almost with his bare
hands! Notorious was open for
inspection during the festival.
restored and maintained and goodbye in Japanese to the fleet by The judges had a tough job with the The perfect viewing site at the Royal
then, obviously painstakingly leading for most of the race and 'Concours d'elegance'. Considering Geelong Yacht Club enabled every
preened, polished and popped taking out line honours. Never-the- that all the entrants had been built to display to be close to, or actually on,
into their pens by particularly less, a 'wily wolf' named 'Lupa Wylo' quite different standards and quite shore. This made everything easily
patient owners! won on handicap after stealing the different design specifications, the visible to all viewers. Children were
handicapper's heart! judges decided to judge according to not forgotten and their entertainer,
The ideal weather and the perfect 'Lupa Wylo' is a 1936 classic each ones unique qualifications. pirate Cap'n Jack Sparrow had them
setting, assisted by a cast of wooden boat, built in Adelaide of The standard was so high that it enthralled! In the theatrette, local
thousands and a small group of Jarrah & Kauri and has been was decided to award an 'honourable entertainers Colin Mockett and
dedicated volunteers certainly made magnificently restored over a two mention' to a beautifully presented, Shirley Power gave running
this year's Whyte,Just & Moore year period by owners Lilliane Caron 1971 15ft. 'Seacraft SR' motor commentaries to the ancient 'movies'
Wooden Boat Festival of Geelong a & Fabrizio Tassalini. launch, 'Conquistador'. Owned by showing yachting and seaside life in
smash hit! She, 'Lupa Wylo' (not Lilliane!) has Kerry & Noel Palmer, they have used the days of yore. AND of course,
A larger than expected fleet of
wooden boats arriving at the Royal
Geelong Yacht Club during the Labour
Day weekend giving the public a mind
boggling weekend over the two day
festival, 10th and 11th of March
which started with the arrival of
absolute classic yachts over the
finishing line in the Classic & Modern
Wooden Boat Passage Race.
With well in excess of one hundred
craft on display, it was no wonder
that the sleek greyhounds of the sea
were like magnets to the general
public!
The Topsail Cutter 'Sayonara' of
1897 with her 2079 sq. ft. of sail and
'Windward II', built in 1929 are both
classic examples of the class of
exhibits on display.
beautiful bronze winches, traditional
timber turning blocks and an Oregon
mast and boom with stainless steel
rigging.
She, 'Lupa Wylo' (not Lilliane!
AGAIN!) is easily managed by a small
crew under all conditions and she
makes a great long distance racer.
Wooden boats came in all sorts of
shapes and sizes and the two steam
boats choof-choofed around the
marina to the toot of their steam
hooters!
'Firefly 2' has a great description!
She's a Scruffie (my mum used to
call me that!) Marine 16ft day boat
and was built from a kit and modified
a tad. A couple of the frames were
added to make the interior larger
and the decks planked to give it a
little class! She's now about 7 years
old. 18ft long, 6ft wide with a draft of
her to enjoy 6,482 hours of family
skiing! Successfully too, having won
a total of 56 trophies at SSBOC
events which includes family
marathons.
The overall winner of the 'Concours
d'elegance' is unquestionably a rare
and real 'Classic'. She is the 44 ft.
absolute and complete classic,
'Windward II.'
Designed by Norm Dallimore,
'Windward II' was built by Percy
Coverdale in Hobart in 1929 using the
finest Australian timbers, King Billy
pine on Blue Gum frames. She is
roved copper fastened and has a lead
keel. With Oregon Spars, she
measures 44 ft on the deck, waterline
length of 34 ft. 2ins, overall length is
54 ft. 6 ins. Her beam is 10ft. 3 ins.
her draft, 6ft. 6ins. and she displaces
13 tons.
the topsail schooner, 'ENTERPRIZE'!
There aren't many vessels that can
be said to have been present at the
birth of a city. But it was from the
original topsail schooner Enterprize
that a handful of settlers
disembarked on the Yarra River on
August 30, 1835, to begin the
settlement which is now a capital of
around 3.5-million people. Today's
replica Enterprize was constructed in
Melbourne and launched in 1997 to
commemorate that event.
Colonisation was already under way
in Tasmania in the 1830s, and the
schooner brought settlers from
Launceston. Throughout the entire
weekend, the Enterprize was kept
very busy carrying out sea trips.
Onshore, a jazz band entertained
during the afternoons and 'Rock and
In the race,line honours went to Ian approx. 2ft 6ins. Whilst racing was progressing on Roll' with the Hoos Bros got the 'sea
McFarlane's 43 ft. Joubort Black Swan The other 'Tea Urn' (which actually the water, the 'on shore' activities legs' working at night. On top of all
'Kingurra' with the winner on
had an urn beside the boiler!) was were full of surprises. Among the that, boat building displays, featuring
handicap being Carl De Fina's 39ft the steam driven 'Osborne'. Classic highlights and willing to talk boats local boat builders demonstrated
cutter, 'Anitra' crewed by Aaron, boats, classic names! This delightful with anyone were that amazing pair chalking, laminating and steam
Marcus and Elise De Fina assisted by craft is 24ft overall with a beam of 5 of adventurers, Lin & Larry Pardey. bending. Model steam engines
Chris Hewitt. What a line up!! 'Anitra' ft. Built of Western Red Cedar, They have been round the world, east 'chuffed' away to everyone's delight
was built at Triabunna in Tasmania in
1948 with a hull and deck of celery
Queensland beech and Tasmanian
Blackwood she hits a speed of 6
and west-about, against the
prevailing wind south of the great
and extremely high quality model
boats were proudly displayed by their
top pine on spotted gum.
knots with a steam pressure of southern capes and have voyaged makers. With all this at your
100psi. Let's break out the water more than 200,000 miles together on disposal, you MUST put 'Labour day
More races on the beautifully flat skis!! A delightful craft to see and to self-built engine-free wooden boats! weekend 2014' into your diary NOW
waters of Corio Bay resulted in the ride in. In 2010 they were awarded The so you do not miss this incredibly
21ft. 'Nellie Rose' owned by Russ
Watson of Drysdale winning the
Yanmar Marine Corio Bay Couta Cup.
'Nellie' as she's affectionately known
is described as being of the 'olde' salt
Many power boats were part of the
'Navigation Rally' which was won by
'Cadora' owned by Chris Ackerman,
Rear Commodore of RVMYC in
Cruising Club of America's prestigious
Far Horizons Award. Undoubtedly,
the world's wisest wonders of wooden
boat wisdom and they were part of
the Whyte, Just & Moore Wooden
wonderful spectacle of fine
workmanship.
Now, 'Splice the main-brace'!!
variety, quote:- “'Nellie” is a unique Williamstown.
Boat Festival of Geelong. Wow!
little girl with a plumb bow and quite
a fine transom!” The sort of 'gal' I
looked for when I was in the navy!
'Nellie' has a history of once
belonging to the Geelong St.
Herons are the type of yacht that
many of us 'grew up' with and Ralph
Brown's Heron, 'Sarie' was the victor
in the Heron series taking out the
'Norglass' Trophy.
One of the greatest draw cards was
the 'Notorious'. She's an almost
brand new, full-size, copy of a 15th
century caravel and is Australia's
THE WHYTE, JUST & MOORE
WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL
OF GEELONG, 2012
an outstanding success!
TCP NOTE:
The Royal Geelong Yacht Club
stages many other events.
See the web site web site:
www.rgyc.com.au

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King of Kalimantan
Story by Kerry Mckee, SY Sahara quickly if we wanted to catch a glimpse.
As I hurried after Ty and the rangers,
Kerry & Ty have spent many months Gistok caught up with me and took me by
exploring Asia. They are always keen the hand. He had decided he wanted me
to take the paths less travelled. Here to stop by and play, and when an orang
is an “excerpt” from Kerry’s journal. decides anything, that's exactly what you
do! A bit like the old joke”: What does a
From Bali we headed north to gorilla/orang do?....Anything he wants to
Kalimantan. do!” Even at 7 years old, they are
incredibly strong, and weigh about 60
Kalimantan was the highlight of our trip kilos. We couldn't extricate his long,
through Indonesia. It was always a leathery hand from mine, so there I sat.
secret dream of mine to see the orang- I wasn't quite prepared for his next move!
utans in the jungle, and Ty was just as Suddenly, he puckered up and planted a
keen. The local people were wonderful big, wet, sloppy kiss on my lips! Being
and we soon arranged to hire a long boat kissed by an orang wasn't exactly my idea
to take us up the Sekonyer River to where of romance! The boys thought it was
the orangs were in Tan Jung Puting hilarious (bless their cotton sox).
National Park, southern Kalimantan. To make a long story longer, the crew
So off we set, sitting on two chairs on finally distracted him and I broke free. I
the back of the long boat, feeling every ran through the jungle trying to catch up
bit like Lord Jim and the Queen of Sheba! with the boys, followed closely by the
The trip was beyond our wildest amorous orang. Thank goodness they
expectations as we wound our way can't move very fast on the ground.
through the thick jungle either side of a A little further up the track, the rangers
very narrow river estuary, often having to froze in their tracks. Ty and I caught up
stop and pole our way through. There with them and we soon realised why they
was so much to see on the way, orangs, had stopped. Coming toward them down
proboscis monkeys, macaques, long tail the track was the one they nicknamed,
monkeys, deer, boar, crocodiles, snakes, “King”. His real name is “Corsiska”. 230
dragon fish, exotic birds and butterflies- kilos of sheer muscle! He was the
rave, rave, rave! It was every bit like dominant male orang in the area, and
watching a David Attenborough even the rangers gave him a wide berth.
documentary unfolding before your very By this time we had reached one of the
eyes. Nightfall brought with it fireflies ranger's huts. King was only feet away
dancing in the dark, and a myriad of from us, and even though he had rarely
monkeys settling in for the night in the shown aggression to anyone, he was still
trees above us, squabbling madly and a powerful, wild animal. My instincts
throwing the occasional twig or nut at us! said, “RUN!”, but we were all mesmerised
We were so tired by the time we reached by the sheer proximity of him. Besides,
the first ranger station about 10pm, that the ranger's house was just behind me.
we gladly curled up on our meagre Suddenly, he came toward me and I
mattresses on the deck of the longboat backed up to the door and tried to open
and fell fast asleep. About 5am I was it. My worst nightmare. It was locked,
awakened by something touching my hair. and the ranger with the key was on the
The mind boggled! I turned around to other side of “the beastie”! I suddenly
find a young orang sitting by me, realised I was praying (and it wasn't even
SMILING! I think I must have called out, Gold Lotto night)! Thank goodness a little
“holy mother of ducks!”, or something to cat distracted King, and he set off after it.
that effect, because very soon the whole He probably felt like having his evening
crew was on deck laughing. They quickly entré! All the same, he was a most
told me that it was only Gistok (“the magnificent animal. It was awesome just
cheeky one”), coming to say hello. With being in his presence.
that, Gistok grabbed my cigarettes and Only in Indonesia could you see these
was off. Ty finally coaxed him back with a animals at such close quarters. Every
mango and made a quick exchange. We other country would have them behind
had so much fun playing with Gistok. He bars. We were so privileged to see him,
was a never ending source of amusement. as he rarely comes near people. The
He had been owned by a wealthy rangers agreed that the end of the dry
Indonesian until he was about 2 (he was season had brought him to the station
now 7), and the rangers were trying to looking for food (now they tell me!), as
re-introduce him into the wild. the fruits in the jungle were becoming
Nevertheless, Gistok had never lost his scarce, especially with all the fires they
preference for chocolates, champagne, were having.
etc… He wouldn't even eat the same
bananas as the other orangs, and never It was a fascinating two day trip. I
really knew he was an orang. The could rave on for hours!
funniest sight was watching the rangers
trying to teach him to climb trees. Gistok
was highly amused!
Soon after, one of the rangers came
running down very excitedly to tell us that
“King” had ventured back to the station
after a months absence, and to come
Sail on Kerry!
Back in 1998 and ‘99 Bob & I were wharf. We stopped in to say hi (and I
fully consumed in restoring our 40ft to meet Kerry & Ty). One thing led to
steel ketch, White Bird. There were another and the four of us were
days I was not there as I was cruising to the pub for a lunch.
working. The best part of those days Ker ry, Ty and I immediately
was when Bob would come home and “c li ck ed ”. Jo ke s, an d ju st
fill me in on all the gossip I missed out humourous witty banter was the
on at the trawler wharfs on the Tweed days “special”.
River, NSW. This was the beginning of our
There were many colou rful friendships with Ty & Kerry that has
characters there; from the hard grown over the years and continues.
working prawn trawler skippers and For me, Kerry was a special
crew, to the cruisers that would show influence on me as she was a true
up from time to time. There was blue “sailor chick”. She had a grace
never a dull moment. and wit about her that was for the
After a while the trawlers accepted most part, very proper and lady like,
us. From, “those bloody yachties”, to but her days of hanging around the
becoming part of their “family”. trawler men and women (by the way
There was a respect grown from Tyrone owned & worked trawlers for
those guys as they watched that old many years before selling and
yacht turn into a boat they would be retiring as a yachtsman), gave her a
proud to sail…and Bob was getting rough, tough edge. Kerry worked
good at welding; always willing to do right alongside them sorting prawns,
a quick “job” for any in need. Bob a job I hear isn't easy. She told me
was rewarded with the best prawns, many stories of her life on boats;
bugs and snapper (good whiskey fishing, sailing and loving the sea
too). We even made a few wedding and the boatie life.
rings and other jewellery items for Kerry did not candy coat it, just told
them. All and all it became a happy me of the days she had out there. As
place to work so hard on White Bird. I was apprehensive of the boating
It could have been so much worse… journey Bob & I were heading on,
Bob came home one day to fill me in Kerry was there for me to answer all
on the latest gossip. He also told me those silly questions a new boatie
of a couple of yachties he met while would ask. Kerry would always add
he had White Bird on the slipway a bit of her wit to her answers, but
(next to the wharfs). “I met this was never a snob about it. These
couple, Tyrone and Kerry on Sahara conversations helped me feel more
today. They want to use the slip. I confident to give it a go. Kerry who
really like them; lets hope we meet was 60, passed away on March 8 this
up with them again. year after a long illness. Sail on
A few days later we were taking a Kerry, I will never forget you, bless
day off and while cruising around in your cotton sox!
our '65 Chevy Malibu we drove by our
boat and saw Sahara tied up on a Kay Norson
Kerry's story above was published
way back in TCP #6, 2004. The
photo above is Kerry, with her mate
Gistok. With Kerry’s usual deadpan
wit, she handed me this photo and
said, “Thats me on the left!”. Kerry & Ty on White Bird
Kerry on SY Sahara

BON VOYAGE TYRONE McKEE!
The Commodore of The
Maclean Cruising Yacht Club
has set sail
Ready to go: Tyrone at his “bon voyage” party and SY Sahara at Maclean
wharf before their departure
There are many people around Maclean and there for Kerry particularly at meal time when he I haven't known Ty for long and I met Kerry
Yamba who are proud to call Ty McKee a friend would be there to help, to comfort and to only once, but the photographs Ty showed to me
and I am one of them. support. and the way he spoke of her left no doubt about
th
On Sunday 15 April we wished a youthful 74 Listening to Ty you could be forgiven for how close they were, how proud he was of his
year old Ty bon voyage as he cast off from imagining he was just popping home to see his beautiful girl, and what an amazing woman she
Maclean on his round the world solo voyage on wife, and the real tragedy of Ty and Kerry was must have been.
board “Sahara” the yacht that he built himself on well disguised by Ty's gregarious demeanour. No doubt many who know Ty, and who have
the Gold Coast. Ty McKee is always cheerful, and always ready known Kerry as well will be able to correct some
The first leg of the epic voyage will take Ty and to help with encouragement and advise drawn of what I have written here. Suffice to say that
SY Sahara across the Indian Ocean to Durban in from a lifetime on the sea. a large part of my introduction to life in Maclean
South Africa via Cairns, Darwin, the Cocos It made no difference to Ty whether you were three years ago was a conversation and black
Islands and Madagascar. Francis Drake or an absolute rank amateur like coffee aboard Sahara with the most positive and
It seemed ironic that a seafarer whose parents me. one of the most remarkable people I have ever
came from Northern Ireland, should embark on The man has that knack of making everyone met.
th
the 100 anniversary of the sinking of Belfast around him feel good, even when we all knew Ty has embarked on his voyage leaving behind
shipyards most famous vessel Titanic. what he must have been going through, torn some sad memories but also many lasting
between his devotion to Kerry and his love of the friendships.
Both Ty and Sahara have become part of the sea. Stay safe old friend. May the sea treat you
scenery on the Clarence over the past 14 years Losing Kerry must have been unbelievably kindly and the winds carry you swiftly. Come
but not entirely by intention. painful, and there would have been some dark back when you can.
Ty and his late wife and soul mate Kerry started and lonely moments through her illness, but Ty
this voyage a few years ago but it was remained stoic throughout. Ian Saunders
interrupted when Kerry became ill forcing a Kerry's release was also Ty's. He has been like
return to Maclean. a caged Lion and we all hope this voyage will
Kerry was diagnosed with an aggressive form give him some peace and closure.
of Parkinson's Disease. Sadly, only a few weeks It's a measure of the depth of the relationship
ago in March, she succumbed to the illness. between Ty and Kerry that he takes Kerry's Bob’s Note: I intended to write this piece
Ty had initially cared for her at their home in ashes with him on board Sahara. myself, but felt I couldn't improve on this,
Maclean until Kerry became so incapacitated that He won't be alone and Kerry will complete the though I can vouch. Kay and I were also rank
she had to be moved to Mareeba nursing Home. voyage they had started together not so long amateurs when we met Tyrone and Kerry in the
Ty was almost a daily visitor and tried to be ago. Tweed River
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The “Yemaya and Linda” Story
TCP received an ad for a boat for sale that had I had the most beautiful experience ever, by That is the reason she is for sale, as I need to
this wonderful photo (above) to use, but only swimming with humpback whales!! Tonga is such swap her for an S&S 34 which is proven for its
space for a tiny photo. I was smitten by the a special place, with anchorages galore, lovely non stop ability's! I still plan to do a round the
photo and asked Linda Pasquariello, the owner locals and so many different people cruising from world with stops, but to start again, as the best
and lady at the helm if she had a all walks of life. Then from Tonga to Bundaberg. part of cruising is the South Pacific, so I am happy
story/poem/letter, etc. that went along the As life is short, I believe you have to take every to do it all again!
picture. This was Linda's response: opportunity you can. I also want to sail non stop There is nothing more exciting then sailing into
around the world, and my boyfriend (BJ Caldwell, a foreign countries, meeting the locals, and fellow
Hi Kay & Bob, ex youngest solo round the world- check out sailors, swimming in crystal clear water and being
There is always a story. I have a blog which you www.bjcaldwell.com ) and I have decided we want so close to nature. I live and breath for the ocean,
can check out if you like at to race each other non stop round the world on and can not wait to get back out there again, for
www.lindapasquariello.com
sister ships. So for this to be possible I have to its the only way for me to live.
I bought Yemaya in 2010 in San Francisco, with sell my beloved Yemaya who is such a fantastic
the dream to sail solo around the world with the sail boat; she tracks amazingly with exceptional A-hah! Quite a story to tell! TCP felt it was worth
stops. I refitted her and then set sail in 2011. directionally stability. sharing so there you go! Cheers Linda! You and
I sailed solo from Monterey Bay (near San Yemaya is very very easy to single hand and fast those like you are what TCP is all about! Sharing
Francisco) to Hawaii, then Hawaii to Tonga where to boot; for a 33 foot boat she sits on 7 knots. stories!
www.southernseasmarine.com
sales@sothernseasmarine.com
Photo by Adam Correa taken in Tonga

Fitzroy River Flood “Fun”
Suzanna Erickson reflects on the 2012 floods and
the comradeship with boaties in the same “boat”
Words and photos by is no slack water. Butterfly's 120 horses are put the whole scene and I know it's going to be a
Suzanna Erickson, SY Fram II to the test as she brings Fram's nose to face the great weekend. With the perfect weather and the
current. There is no pushing forward into it so the excitement of the flood and all the events yet to
th
It is Sunday 25 March 2012 and we are running ground tackle is dropped and released freely till it come with it, the mood is set to party.
from flood waters for the second time this year. digs in deep and suddenly bites. The two anchors
pull up 40 tonnes of boat (15 tonnes of Fram and Behind us our two great friends are anchored like
A month ago we relocated around the bend of 25 tonnes of Butterfly) with a snap and send them big protective brothers. Between the three of us
Devil's Elbow on the Fitzroy River to ensure we swinging like a pendulum. Satisfied that she will we create a circle of eyes on constant watch for
were safe from the flood waters making their way hold when the predicted eight meters of water debris and plenty of hands ready at a moment's
towards us from inland streams, rivers and dams. come down, Butterfly is released to make her notice to help. Whether it's throwing out an extra
In February with several days warning we were own way to anchor. anchor or cutting weed off the chain, nothing is
able to move Fram II well in advance, waiting for too much trouble. They are even more helpful at
slack water to make our way down river to an Friday night I am at the club after finishing work getting rid of a couple of bottles of home brew and
anchorage well out of the current and more late at night. My home has been relocated in my whiling away an evening. Humorous insults fly
importantly out of the way of logs and trees that absence and Alex picks me up for the ride to our back and forth; laughter comes easily and is free;
would be moving down with it. now familiar “flood home”. We weave through tales of past floods and adventures roll out and an
the abandoned moorings, just visible as African drum and blues harmonica appear to
Much to our relief, the flood waters only disturbances in the water, we zoom past the bend accompany Pink Floyd on the stereo. What better
amounted to higher than usual water levels and a were the feisty little crocodile lives and then down way to spend a flood? Good company, good beer
fast flow. Otherwise life carried on as usual but around the next bend in the dark starless night to and good surroundings. It's time for a bit of
for a longer commute to and from the Fitzroy home. A little safe haven well out of the current Fitzroy River flood fun!
Motor Boat Club. Within a couple of weeks we and all that gets sucked into it; rafts of weed,
were back up on our swing mooring. Fram II was submerged logs, cows, a fridge and so far, one
relocated early while the river was still tidal boat off on its own adventure. We get its
because she is currently without a motor and our anchor down and its solo journey out to sea is
only form of propulsion is to raft up with a tender cut short.
or another boat; not something we want to be
trying in the middle of a flood. There are more The previous week has been miserable, wet
than enough people at the Club happy and willing grey and muggy as a hot house. The constant
to help with big tinnies and plenty of horse power rain has caused cabin fever in most and made
so we have no problem manoeuvring Fram II, a getting to and from the boat a tedious task
large steel cruiser, into a safe position. along with the constant bailing and soggy feet.
But on Saturday the water level starts to rise,
Thanks to the practice run we had during the the flow increases and of course, the sun
first run of flood water, the second time round we comes out. The day dawns with skies clear
are well prepared. The inflatable is holding air, the from one horizon to another. The sea eagles
water tanks are full and cupboards stocked with circle in the clear air, a stunning contrast
food. Two anchors are rigged up in tandem, against the deep endless blue of the sky, a
joined with extra heavy gauged chain borrowed glorious sight in comparison to the dark
from the club and ready to be dropped in an muddy river that looks like a swamp with rafts
instant. On Friday I am at work so Alex manages of water hyacinth floating serenely on the
the relocation with the indispensable help of Digby surface. Herons are prowling the banks, lit up
and Butterfly. The Fitzroy River is now well and white by sunshine against the black mangroves.
truly racing, swelled with the local rains and there The moss green hills rear up looking down over
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The Louisiades Yacht Rally 2012
Come Along in 2012!
The 2011 rally was enjoyed by all, in the words of the crew from 2009
Rally yacht, Tribal: “Its been a life changing experience.” The 2012
Rally leaves Cairns (Yorkeys Knob Boating Club) in mid September.
What makes the
Louisiades and the Rally so
special are the local people.
They put on a huge
welcome for Rally yachts
and there are many
activities and opportunities
during the Rally which are truly
unique. The local folk have little and
whilst happy, live in comparative
poverty. The Rally aims to contribute
to the community by paying for events
and activities and also has a
community benefit program. To date
the Rally has provided tens of
thousands of dollars to support a
marine Ambulance, clinics at Nimowa
and Paneati, provided water tanks for
villages and taken up tons of school
The fifth Louisiades Yacht rally is being held in and medical supplies and clothes.
2012. There is ongoing interest from the local
community to host the Rally and there remains The Rally was first established in 2007 by Guy
strong support from the Provincial Government Chester of EcoSustainAbility, with the
and the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion sponsorship and support of the Papua New
Authority. Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority.
The Louisiades yacht rally has become a major All Welcome!
annual event for the community of the Louisiades
The Rally invites monos, multis, power and sail.
Islands in far eastern Milne Bay Province of Papua
No-one is “hullist” or “engineist”...well not too
New Guinea. The Rally is a cruise in company across
much! A wide range of vessels have joined the
the Coral Sea and then four weeks throughout the
rally to date. Many monohull yachts from new
spectacular Louisiades, with a mix of events and
fibreglass production boats (such as Jeanneau’s,
time for independent exploration of the islands and
Bavaria's, Beneteau's and Hunter’s) to older steel
their friendly communities.
and ferro yachts. Many sailing catamarans have
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info@sailchutes.com
www.sailchutes.com
participated with Crowther, Catanas, Perry,
Lightwave, Schionning and Leopard among the
models. Motor yachts have also participated, with
an 18 metre Riviera and 20 meter Crelock having
been on two Rallies.
The Rally provides support for those with little
offshore experience, and also has proven popular
with those with great offshore experience.
Words by Guy Chester, SC Sanctuary
Photos courtesy of Guy Chester
The Rally is sponsored by Papua New
Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority,
supported by Yorkeys Knob Boating Club
and organised by EcoSustainAbility.
For more info see website, email or phone:
www.louisiadesrally.com
louisiadesrally@ecosustainability.com
(07) 4721 1554
and DARWIN
47 Stuart Hwy, Stuart Park
(08) 8941 0311
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Sat 8.30am to 1.00pm
(Except Public Holidays)
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email: biastow@biasboating.com.au
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Paul, bow surfing
Queimarla’s first sail
Story & photos, attached us to the marina floor (O.K. levers into forward, I watched the years of cruising. We tighten up the
We are both good swimmers, and The surfers had to be satisfied with
Barbara Jahnz, SC Queimarla an exaggeration! But close). We jetty move away from the boat. My lazy jacks, unzip the bag, and
had the life ring and vests handy, so watching Queimarla sway at anchor
March 1997, Hillary's Marina,
Sorrento, Perth, Western Australia.
The easterlies had been coming in
more regularly, reminding us that it
was now or never to get our girl
sailing.
We had been working hard
organizing everything. A second
hand main sail from the Australian
Racing Catamaran, John West had
been cut down to size to fit our rig
and was lying in its bright red bag on
the deck, ready to be man handled
onto the boom and up the mast (yep,
we have the sails that John West
rejects!).
Laid out on the lawn a few days
earlier, we had decided, definitely, to
lose the colour scheme. Stripes of
dark green, duck shit green and baby
poo yellow had to go. Ready to go
were our no.1 jib, self-tacking no.3
jib and a roll of 12mm rope, now cut
down into sheet lengths. Halyards
were already strung through the
mast. Our two 9.9 Yamaha motors
(nicknamed P & S) checked and the
control shift problem sorted out.
There was a disconcerting moment
the day before when Paul pushed the
control levers forward and the boat
tugged against her mooring lines to
move in reverse!
A few hours during each of the
preceding days we had been diving
on the underwater hulls to scrub
down, disconnecting ourselves from
the forest of marine growth that had
sold the domestic bar fridge,
connected the solar panels, lost all
the lamps and extension leads to
friends, disconnected our shore
power cable and a myriad of other
paraphernalia got carted away.
We had decided we were ready, and
the next morning, early, we would
quietly sneak out of our berth,
around to the southern side of the
marina, and anchor there to put the
main sail on. Then we would go for a
sail. Our first ever on Queimarla.
We woke to a fantastic day except
we didn't really notice. Over
breakfast we talked ourselves
through our contingency plan, going
over every step we would take to get
out of our pen, so that it wouldn't
turn into an embarrassing screaming
match. O.K. Action. Everything was
made shipshape inside and on deck
for our trip outside the heads and
into open water. The motors had
been given a chance to warm up, half
of our mooring ropes had been
removed and along came the first of
our dock rat friends. So much for
sneaking out before anyone woke up;
wish they'd wipe the smirks off their
faces.
“Finally getting the big bitch movin,
are ya guys?”
“Cummon, we'll give yers a hand
and fend 'er off.”
“Thanks guys.” Groan - no turning
back now.
So, letting the mooring lines go,
and Paul gently easing the control
stomach tightened. We were actually
moving away from the jetty, and that
felt so foreign! I had to give myself
a mental shake and tell myself to get
a grip.
“All of this is not new,” I said to
myself, “we have done this dozens of
times.” On other peoples boats and
on our first catamaran, Nortrek, but
that was 10 years ago! This was our
newly built boat. Not a scratch on
her. Never sailed before. Oh boy.
Free fall.
And as her bows pointed out
towards the heads, I watched the
water play around her bows, and the
Rottnest Island Ferry steam into the
marina. But Queimarla, unlike me,
took it all in stride and rode the bow
waves and on out to meet the
elements outside the heads.
We motored around the “Boy in the
Boat” reef, waved to a couple of
powerboats whipping past, and found
a nice sandy place to drop the
anchor. Wow. It is so peaceful here!
We relished the new gentle easy
motion of a free boat at anchor,
made ourselves a congratulatory cup
of coffee and sat, watching the
bathers on the beach from a whole
new angle. We talked, business,
rehashing what to do next.
Between the two of us we managed
to man handle the 4.5-meter long
red sail bag onto the boom. The sail
is heavy, but we know also strong,
and will last us at least a couple of
unwrap our main sail. Sliding the
cars onto the mast track worked a
treat, and soon we had the out-haul
tied on, the main halyard attached,
and everything looked ready to go.
The plan was to haul up the anchor,
motor into the light offshore easterly
breeze, and pull up the main. And it
all was going to plan, we had the
main half way up, and we heard a
plaintive call
“Help, I'm caught in the current!”
What? We looked at each other in
total disbelief. Now??? Our first ever
venture out?? We weren't sure of
what we were doing ourselves, let
alone helping someone else!'
Three guys had swum out towards
our boat, all with masks, snorkels
and fins. Two were finning it, slowly
but steadily, at an angle with the
current back to the beach. But the
third was looking at us, expectantly,
a bit red in the face.
“Ahhh, um, there's not much
chance of getting you on board mate,
but you've got fins, recon you can
swim in if we shadow you? We'll toss
you a rope if you really need it.” said
Paul. He looked up at us dejectedly.
But really, Queimarla's transom is
sheer, and the ladder was packed
away. We could put it out, but it
would take time and then what do
we do with him? Head back into the
Marina? No, if possible we'd help
him get out of his own mess, the way
he got in, and be ready if it really got
serious.
we dropped the half hauled main,
got the ropes ready if he really got
into trouble, and motored towards
him. He turned and slowly started
finning towards the shore. Soon
enough, he was able to stand, he
waved, grinned, and gave us
thumbs up, and relieved, we were
able to back away and continue our
manoeuvre. We felt a bit mean, but
hey, bet he felt better getting back
on his own steam and not having to
be rescued or did he? We would
never know. We didn't really care -
we were going sailing!
So, again, up with the main, the
heavy thing costing a lot of energy
to haul up and turn away, rotate the
wing mast, let out the traveller;
broad reach, heading south. Yes!
She was moving under her own
steam! We shut down the motors,
pulled them up out of the water and
the sound changed again. A
peaceful rustle of water along the
hulls. We were “moovin”! Hank on
the no.3 self tacker (no need to
over do it here) and run the sheet
through, pull her up and Queimarla
powers forward. Now we were
really sailing! We tacked and
played, tweaked and adjusted,
grinning, till we passed Scarborough
Beach. By this time it was nearly
lunchtime, and we decided to turn
and drop anchor. Scarborough
Beach is a surfing beach, normally a
seething mass of surf rolling into
the shore, but this day the offshore
easterly levelled everything out.
in the flat sea. A bite of lunch, a
cool swim, siesta in the netting on
our very own no.3 jib, another
swim, and then head for home.
This time in a straight line, only
7nm. Too soon we were dropping
the jib and starting the motors as
we came up to the heads of Hillary's
Marina and then turning into the
wind in the duck pond just inside
the breakwater to drop the main
sail. Slowly we turned and nudged
our way into our berth, taking up
lines and tying off securely.
We were home. Our first great
adventure. One day we would sail
out of those heads and not come
back. But first, back to work to
replenish the bank account. This is
the stuff dreams are made of. And
boy, did we sleep well and dream
happy that night.
TCP NOTE: Paul and Barbara
Jahnz journeyed around the world
on Queimarla from 1998 to 2010.
Queimarla is a 42' Kurt Hughes
designed open bridgedeck
catamaran, constructed in the
'save and build' method! Built in
Mandurah, Western Australia.
Building commenced January 1989
and was completed March 1997.
Their 'cruising lifestyle'
commenced May '98. Paul and
Barbara now need to sell
Queimarla and if interested, see
this editions “Boat for Sale” page.
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Barbara and Paul -
life is good...
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OIN THE GREAT WHITSUNDAY FUN RACE 2012
Robert Fenney photo
Corrie Gardner photo
Robert Fenney photo
One of the special qualities of Airlie Beach is the overall party atmosphere
of the town and one the highlights of their event calendar is the Great
Whitsunday Fun Race.
Hosted by the Whitsunday Sailing Club, this year the race has been
moved to the 18 August, the weekend after Airlie Beach Race Week, to
continue the fun and give visiting yachties another excuse to stay on in
town and party. Not only is it a great day of racing but the after-party
has created some legendary stories of its own!
The original aim of this race was to market Airlie Beach as the “Mecca”
for visiting yachts. The first race, in 1977, attracted 69 yachts out of a
fleet of 98, including dinghies!
The Fun Race has now become a favourite on the sailing calendar and
traditions established include decorating decks and costumed crew, the
“Miss Figurehead” contest and the major trophy, an empty bottle of
Mount Gay Rum mounted on a block of Mackay Cedar.
People can join in the race in all manner of sailing vessel or just come
out on a spectator craft to enjoy the day. After the racing, join in the
fantastic party on the shores of Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Sailing
Club.
Live bands, heaps of prizes, fun competitions and a wonderful
atmosphere of mateship combine to make it a memorable day on and off
the water.
Join in the regatta atmosphere of Airlie Beach Race Week and the Great
Whitsunday Fun Race and create some ‘tall’ stories of your own for 2012!
By Corrie Gardner
Photos on this page by Corrie Gardner & Robert Fenney
The Great Whitsunday Fun Race:
Saturday 18 August 2012
For further information contact:
Whitsunday Sailing Club
(07) 4946 6138
or see web site:
Robert Fenney photo
www.whitsundaysailingclub.com.au
Corrie Gardner photo
Robert Fenney photo
Robert Fenney photo

500 DAYS
AROUND THE WORLD
ON A 12 FOOT YACHT
by Serge Testa
Excerpts and photos by permission of the author
From Wikipedia: Serge Testa is an Australian
Yachtsman who holds the world record for the
circumnavigation in the smallest boat, completing the
voyage in 1987. His boat, the Acrohc Australis is 3.6m
or 11 ft 10in long (13 ft 8in overall) was designed so that
all controls could be operated from inside enabling him to
close the hatch in foul weather. The boat now resides in
the Queensland Museum at Southbank, Brisbane.
From TCP: The next 3 pages are a few excerpts of Serge
Testa’s account of his journey. Serge will take you on his
amazing adventure with his wit and honesty of the hard
times along with the good times. A special achievement
that should not be forgotten. Buy the book!
the continuous pounding and turtles, sometimes dolphins, but I and myself for the following leg of the
rolling or would I end up as never got such a fright again. I spent journey.
crazy as people thought I was? one more night aground as a result of
The best way to find out was to trying (after dark!) to find the channel DARWIN
try! into the river that leads to the small
Two days after the launching country town of Burrum Heads. While in Darwin I was adopted by a
of Acrohc I decided to set out couple, Daniel and Anne-Marie, and
quietly, just in case I couldn't FRIENDLY AIRLIE BEACH their twins. I became one of the
go through with it and so I family and spent many pleasant
wouldn't lose too much face if I Sailing on, I reached Shute Harbour evenings with them and on Christmas
failed ... although the worst but I decided not to stop there after Day they gave a memorable party.
blow if I did fail would be to my looking at the dozens of charter Daniel and Anne-Marie were willing
self-esteem. yachts that filled the harbour. Acrohc, helpers in my preparation of Acrohc.
My destination that day, my a cruising yacht, would definitely look However, they often tried to convince
LEAVING
first port of call, was
Scarborough, a small harbour several
out of place there so I pressed on to
Airlie Beach where I immediately felt
me to stay on in Darwin until the end
of the cyclone season, some four
On the 9th of June, 1984, I launched
my mini yacht on the Brisbane River,
where I was to start the long voyage.
My older brother, Henry, remembers
my excitement as I rowed the small,
inflatable dinghy over to Acrohc when
she was afloat for the first time. I
couldn't help shouting, 'I'm free, I'm
free', as the realization hit me that
my new home wasn't attached to
anything and I was free to wander.
Only close family and a few friends
were present at the launching. Only
they knew that I wanted to sail
around the world and establish a new
world record for a circumnavigation in
the smallest boat. Apart from telling
close relatives and friends, I kept
quiet about my ambition and I
especially didn't tell the media as I
thought they'd be skeptical; even my
own family wasn't convinced that I'd
go through with it.
In fact, no-one could understand
why I'd built a boat less than 12 feet
long, with a 1.5 metre draft, six
watertight compartments and as solid
as a tank, for what they thought
would be sailing around Moreton Bay.
I heard people say many times that I
must be crazy. And even at that stage
I wasn't sure if it was feasible. I knew
I had a strong and seaworthy boat
but, after all, she was only 11 feet
10inches long. How would she react
to big waves, storms or even
cyclones? Would she ever capsize?
And would I be able to put up with
kilometres north of Brisbane but still
in Moreton Bay. However, it was dark
and raining when I arrived and I had
forgotten about a line of rocks that
extended out from the shore! Luckily
only the keel hit the rocks and Acrohc
got off lightly, but even so I still
couldn't find the set of green and red
lights marking the entrance to the
small harbour. Finally I saw a red
light and, sailing towards it, ran
aground. This time we were stuck
fast. Two minutes later when the red
light passed me I realized that it was
not the harbour light at all but a
fishing boats's navigation light. It was
a good start!
THE GREAT SANDY STRAIT
I didn't feel too ashamed of running
aground so often. Very few yachts get
through the Strait without grounding;
even the local trawlers get stuck
occasionally. Once, when Acrohc was
lying peacefully aground, heeling only
slightly, I decided to make the most
of the early evening by relaxing on
the open hatch with a cup of coffee.
There wasn't a ripple on the
water and not a sound to be heard
(except for the occasional mosquito);
we were miles away from anything.
Suddenly, I heard a loud breathing
coming from behind Acrohc. It gave
me a hell of a fright. But it was no sea
monster, just a friendly turtle coming
up for air. During the trip, I often
heard odd sounds. Sometimes it was
at home. Hundreds of cruising yachts
from all over the world were anchored
there and I was reunited with many
friends. Every day another yacht
arrived. Sometimes it was an old
acquaintance and sometimes a yacht
I'd met on the way up from Brisbane.
We talked of distant ports and ocean
passages which made me all the more
eager to get on with my trip. Just the
thought of anchoring Acrohc in a
foreign port excited me more and
more. But the other reason I stayed
so long at Airlie Beach was because it
is such a pretty place. Right in the
heart of the Whitsundays, it is
surrounded by resorts that give the
entire area a holiday feeling. Apart
from visiting two of the resorts, I
sailed to the nearby Nara Inlet to
spend three days on deserted Hook
Island. Here I discovered lots of rock
oysters and beautiful bush walks. One
bush walk led me to a cave that was
home to Aborigines and their
paintings long ago. The cave
paintings and the well sheltered
natural harbour combine to make
Nara inlet a very popular yachties
attraction. In fact, Nara Inlet is a
preferred anchorage when cyclones
threaten the Whitsundays.
The beautiful, unspoiled island
covered by dense vegetation and with
interesting reefs that can be seen
through clear warm water make the
whole area a cruising paradise. I
spent a relaxing month there cruising
around the islands, preparing Acrohc
months later. But I insisted that
Acrohc was strong enough to
withstand the roughest weather; I'd
designed her that way, and, anyway,
the chances of meeting a really bad
cyclone were slim.
ONLY FIVE MORE DAYS TO A
SHOWER AND A COLD BEER!
February 12 : All is well, days going
by nicely.
I was starting to pick up clear radio
signals from the Cocos Islands and
was happy to know that I was on
course. At the rate I was going all I
had to do was sail straight ahead for
five more days-only five more days to
a shower and a cold beer! I slept well
that night.
The following morning, I discovered
that the wind's direction had changed
by a few degrees to the beam. By
now, it was coming from the north
and its considerably increased force
meant I had to close the hatch again.
That evening with the wind coming
directly from the west I watched the
waves through the porthole.
Just before dark the self steering
cables gave way and I had to replace
them while Acrohc wandered on her
own chosen course. Mission
accomplished, I fell asleep confident
that this storm would pass during the
night like all the others had. How
wrong I was.
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COCOS ISLANDS was 1:30 on a Friday morning. I was
5oo days excerpts continues...
I was greeted in the morning, after
spending a restless night, by a white
sea with spray flying from the crests
of the breaking waves. They weren't
lifting very high as the strong wind
kept flattening them but they were
moving at an incredible speed. By
looking at the sea's condition I
estimated that the wind was blowing
I argued with the wind, 'No it's not
right, you've got to blow from the
other side-it says so in the pilot
chart.' But the conditions worsened
throughout the night and the next
day. I couldn't understand why this
storm was lasting for so long. I wasn't
sure but I felt that this just had to be
a cyclone.
All things considered my morale had
been good but I was now getting
The quarantine man refused to come
aboard Acrohc. He had a strange look
on his face. He was amazed that
Acrohc had come through from
Darwin. 'How did you manage in the
cyclones?' he asked. 'Cyclones? I
thought the wind was a bit strong,' I
replied. 'Four of them. They came
right through these islands and went
in an easterly direction. Look at the
broken trees,' he said as we passed
the remains of some of the island's
tallest trees that had been caught by
the winds. Acrohc and I had survived
the worst weather I'd imagined we'd
have to encounter. The cyclones had
passed right over us.
Acrohc's design had been put to the
test and had come through with
flying colours. Nothing had broken
except the windvane cables. We
hadn't even lost the mast, the least
I'd expected would happen if we met
a cyclone. I'd cursed her deep draft
each time I'd run aground on the
Queensland coast but thanks to it we
hadn't capsized once. For a yacht only
12 feet long she couldn't have done
any better. I was proud of my little
boat ... she was a real yacht! Her
skipper might be a bit of a nut, but
we'd done alright.
not superstitious though and always
left simply when I was ready. Besides,
Madagascar, the wild island, was
waiting.
Outside the harbour a strong south
easterly wind was waiting for me and
it lasted all that night and the
following day. The third day however
found us almost becalmed with a
storm heading for us. But luckily,
although it circled us it eventually
backtracked so I was able to get a
good night's sleep.
The next day the weather and water
were still calm and as a result Acrohc
was only moving at one knot--the
perfect time to make pancakes I
thought. I mixed the dough, adding
milk and egg, and ate each one as it
came off the stove. They were really
nice.
The spirit in the stove started to
run out and I needed to refill it to
keep on cooking. I should have
turned the stove off but knowing that
the burner would then get cold and
have to be warmed up before I could
relight it, I poured the spirit into the
stove using a little spout I'd made for
precisely this purpose. I'd done it
many times before but this time a
wave hit Acrohc just as I was pouring
and I spilled a little of the alcohol. In
at over 60 knots.
The wind made a cacophony of
depressed and frustrated that I could
do nothing to improve my situation. It REUNION
a split second I saw the stove's flame
get to the spill, leap up through the
noises. Normally a strong wind
whistles through the rigging but this
one went past that point and howled
through the rigging and sails and
whooshed through the air vent as
though annoyed by finding Acrohc in
its path. The sound of the waves
crashing and hammering against the
hull added to the chaos. Altogether it
was hell.
was February 25th, 57 days since
starting out from Darwin and 12 days
since all hell had broken loose. I was
getting closer to Cocos and I was
trying to keep a look out for land.
Every time I saw a dark shape on the
horizon my hopes rose but each time
it turned out to be just another cloud
(a low lying cloud can look exactly
like an island from a distance).
The day of departure came and I
went to the police station for
clearance. They stamped my passport
and said, 'Bon voyage', the extent of
the formalities on Reunion.
It was best to leave Reunion at
around midnight at high tide when
the wind stopped rolling the waves
towards the entrance of the harbour
but by the time I actually got away it
spout and into the bottle. There was a
dull 'WHOOMP' and the full bottle
exploded in my hands throwing
flaming alcohol all over the cabin and
me.
Luckily the hatch was open, for as I
flew out of the cabin to jump into the
water, I heard rather than felt the
crackle of my beard on fire.
continued next page...
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I felt one more wave pushing Acrohc defence, when I say 'small whale' I
higher up the beach. mean 'small for a whale'; it was still
I wasn't the only one to have picked twice the length of Acrohc. It played
such nice weather for sailing. The around for five minutes or so, at
fleet of maxi yachts taking part in the times coming under the hull. It had
Whitbread Round the World Race had the curiosity of a three year old child.
also been approaching Cape Town at Finally it swam away, probably having
the time and some weren't as lucky been called by its mother.
as I had been. One arrived without a When I eventually jumped into the
mast and another had a bent mast; water what I saw horrified me. The
only a few survived intact. hull was absolutely covered with
gooseneck barnacles in clumps as big
THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS as a fist. No wonder we had been
AND OVERBOARD sailing like a log. I scraped most of
them off but couldn't finish the job
Acrohc and I had to be well prepared because of the cold and Acrohc's wild
for the next leg to Galapagos. We motion without sails to steady her so
A grounding in Cape Town. Many came to help....
had to be ready and able to fight our
way against current and winds for
I left the rest for a calmer day.
However, what I'd done improved our
850 miles. If all went well the best speed quite a bit and that day we
time in which I could hope to reach made our best run of the leg, 60
5oo days excerpts continues... of is that the girls were most Galapagos was one month; with bad miles directly towards Galapagos.
beautiful-amber skinned with Asiatic conditions, two to three months. And,
MADAGASCAR
eyes and long, wavy black hair. if everything went wrong, I would HOME AT LAST!
That's not to say that I didn't like the have to consider turning back.
I would breakfast on Acrohc, usually other girls of Madagascar, or On the 2nd of November, 1986, I On the two o'clock night check the
feasting on lobster. Every morning elsewhere! lifted anchor and Acrohc headed Cape Moreton light came into view-
the local fishermen rowed by with
southwest. the same light which saw me out
their catch. And lobsters were cheap,
CAPE TOWN The days passed with the annoying three years earlier was now leading
so why not? I became quite friendly
monotony of Acrohc hitting a small me in. Next morning I still couldn't
with the fishermen and one day they After six hours of battle, the harbour wave and losing precious speed, then see land and the wind was gradually
gave me a ride in a canoe which I was still over a mile away and I was recovering and picking up a little dying. The current, however, was
nearly capsized. I can't understand still just managing to hold my before she hit the next wave. Each getting stronger so we sailed almost
how they bring in sharks of over two position. But I certainly wasn't going time she hit a wave the water due north to compensate for the
metres on them. We couldn't talk to turn away now and end up who became white with foam which was drift. I just couldn't let it carry us
very easily but I did manage to
knew where and I wasn't going to call nice to look at but, as many of the south. I had to arrive no further
understand from them that they were for help. A call for help would mean waves actually broke over the cabin, south than Brisbane no matter what
desperate for fishing gear. All I could having to go on deck to secure a line I could open the hatch only at the to tie the belt of my
give them though was a few hooks. for a tow and I'd get soaked and risk of getting everything wet. This circumnavigation. It had to be
I'd carry a lot more nylon line if I freezing which was out of the went on for the next 15 days. Brisbane! We were still 20 miles from
Ever went back.
question! Already to keep warm in We sailed in long, boring tacks; one land when I started motoring but
Many things were in short supply in the cabin I kept the stove on with a day west, one day south. We were soon I saw the top of Moreton Island
Madagascar. Since the revolution pot upside down over the flame-it only making one to two knots, just and then behind it, the mainland;
times have been hard. Most of the acted as a heater. enough to make some headway. Brisbane, home at last!
French have gone and with them the No, I wasn't going to call for help. During that time of sailing along the
few industries that they had
I'd got myself into this situation of Colombian coast we stayed about 50
developed. Even agriculture has been my own free will. How could I involve miles out to sea, close enough to
neglected. Almost everything is now other people in my mess. The wind escape the current from the south
imported and the exchange rate is had to change sometime. I'd just but far enough to avoid falling prey
such that it makes only the few have to wait and soon it would be to the pirates who also infest this
tourists happy. But there is no doubt daylight and things would improve; coast of Colombia.
Serge Testa is now living in
that they make good beer; it has at least I'd be able to see. Three days of relatively smooth Scarborough and owns the
even won an international prize.
I tacked once more, sat back, sailing had gone by but I could tell business, “Global Marine Surveys
The country itself is very beautiful- covered myself with a blanket, rested that something was wrong. We were Pty. Ltd.” Serge also has more
poor and wild like its inhabitants. my head on a cushion and closed my losing speed each day and gradually information about his journey on
Most people still live in small villages eyes. Often telling myself, 'Hey you, the log stopped registering
Acrohc. See the web sites to
in primitive grass huts and I was you're sleeping. Who is watching for altogether. This usually meant
learn more about Serge and his
surprised to see some coming into the rocks?' And I'd reply, 'No, I'm not barnacles. I wasn't looking forward to present and past adventures.
the town carrying spears called
"Sagae". I was told they use them
too! Murder, it seemed, was not
considered to be a major crime;
being a terrorist or a South African
was much worse.
The majority of the island's 10
million inhabitants are black and
many live in the low country. In the
higher regions live a people of either
Malay or Chinese descent I'm not
sure which, but one thing I am sure
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asleep. You see ... I'm just resting getting into that cold water to clean
my eyes. I'm so tired. See? I'm the hull and there were still a few
awake ... ' waves around that would make it a
At 4 o'clock there was a loud bang. hard job but it had to be done-I had
It was the keel hitting the rocks. to at least check the hull.
Then Acrohc dragged her keel over After I furled the sails I put on my
the rocks, turning sideways and diving mask and braced myself for
through the porthole I saw the beach the plunge ... I didn't jump. There
coming towards us. With a loud crash was a small whale a couple of metres
we hit the beach. The next wave slid behind us and although they didn't
us along it and as I opened the hurt people (and this one wasn't even
hatch, which was by then beside me, a killer whale) I just wasn't prepared
to go swimming with it! Also, in my
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The Cat
A true story told to Sue Bett
By Sue Bett, MY Scallywag
The sea was hungry. Huge waves
muscled the little sailing boat as the
man struggled to keep her on course.
Lightning ripped through a sky as dark
as a plum pudding.
A marmalade cat sat in the cockpit
trying to maintain balance and
dignity. She glared at the man as if
the rolling motion was his fault. The
cat could not escape below; the hatch
was sealed against the onslaught of
salt water constantly washing over
the boat.
“I hate cats”, shouted the man above
the roaring wind. “And you most of
all!”
The cat was a constant reminder of a
broken relationship. His partner of
some four years had left him and
taken everything except the one thing
he needed least; the marmalade cat.
The little boat lurched, battered by
the big seas. The water tore at his
body. He lost balance and
desperately fought to regain his grip
As the land slips below the horizon the dream becomes a reality. The Great
Escape from traffic pollution, fast food, politics, greed, and suburbia. We seek
the freedom to roam oceans, explore anchorages and walk on deserted beaches
with free food for the hunters and gatherers among us and fresh air in
abundance.
But even in paradise, there is no escape from cooking. Once offshore, not the
least challenging is the preparation of a hearty meal. Particularly when the seas
are rough, the wind is howling, the boat is rocking and you would really rather
not go below decks.
Times like these we may be in need of a quick fix, preferably a sweet one it's
just too hard to prepare a proper meal. You've heard the weather report. If you
are one of those enviable and organised boaties you would quite possibly have
prepared a couple of these satisfying sugar hits in advance to keep you and the
crew going until everything calms down.
Sue Bett
on the tiller. His safety harness bit
and bruised his body as he looked
about to assess the damage.
The cat was gone.
For a moment he felt relief. The last
living memory of his partner swept
unceremoniously overboard.
Why then did he suddenly feel a pang
of sadness; remorse?
What the hell? He was fighting to
stay alive and here he was feeling
sorry for the cat! He had never even
stroked it.
Another huge wave exploded on the
deck. He was shoulder deep in
foaming turbulence. Struggling to
wipe the salt water from his face he
cold not believe his eyes.
The cat was back. Dumped from the
crest of the wave, almost at his feet.
The man watched, mesmerised, as
the surge swept the scrabbling,
indignant and sodden bundle back to
the edge. He snatched it from the
deck and shoved it inside his wet
weather jacket. He could feel it
shivering and mewing.
The storm abated as quickly as it had
arrived. The man took the cat below
and rubbed it vigorously with a towel.
As he heated some milk he realised he
was smiling. Exhausted, he
connected the auto pilot and fell on his
bunk. In the eerie calm that follows a
storm he could hear the cat lapping
the milk. He drifted off to sleep but
woke hours later to a sound like a well
tuned and gentle motor.
A purring, vibrating orange bundle
was contentedly curled up on his
chest.
Sue Betts sweet snacks
for stormy seas
EASY FRUIT CAKE
1 Kg Mixed Fruit
1 cup fresh Fruit Juice (orange or pineapple works well)
1 cup Brandy
2 cups SR Flour
2 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Vanilla
Soak fruit in fruit juice and brandy for about 4 hours
Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees
Add flour and mix in well.
Add cinnamon & vanilla
Place in buttered and floured baking pan or 23cm cake tin
Cover top with baking paper as the fruit tends to burn
Bake for 2 hours at 160 degrees or until a skewer comes out dry.
DECADENT PEACHES: Sprinkle brandy or rum (generously) over fresh or canned
peaches and chill for several hours. Serve with whipped cream more booze and shredded
almonds.
THERMOS STEWED PRUNES: heat a thermos flask with boiling water and save the water.
Add dried prunes, top up with the water (or tea), screw the top on and leave several hours for
a breakfast or “on watch” snack. Prunes are a terrific value offshore - they are a good
source of iron and have a long shelf life.
BANANA CREAM: Mash 2 ripe bananas. Add 1 tin evaporated milk (Sue has a great
“recipe” for making evaporated milk with powdered milk in G.G.) & 2tbsp sugar. Beat with
fork for 2 minutes then add the juice of 1 lemon until stiff. Add more lemon juice if not stiff
enough to eat with a spoon. Grate some good chocolate on top if you like...
KAYS NOTE: Sue Bett’s Great Ideas Galley Guide (see page 8 for info.) has
many more recipes for those rough days at sea (my favourite: QUICK & EASY
RUM BALLS). So what you need to do is buy the Galley Guide instead of
cutting out these recipes!
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TCP shares two
contributors “encounters”
Pirates?!
Paul and Rachel Chandler, a British
passed within a mile of us (that's
close).
couple taken in 2009 by gun toting It was a good opportunity to pass a
pirates that stormed their yacht even vote-of-thanks to the crew on the
though there was a Royal Navy ship Warship, on behalf of all yachties
close by. After 388 days of brutal who passed this way … for the
treatment and a ransom of £625,000 comfort their company in these
they were freed. waters, gave us! We parted good
friends.
It is apparent these pirates have An hour later we heard the
little fear of military might, and most unmistakable `chop-chop' of a
of us would love to see them blown helicopter … and it came from our
out of the water and wonder why this friends on Coalition Warship #56.
does not happen, by “accident” or They swooped low over us allowing
with orders from above. us to wave our greetings and then
hovered over each of the fishing
Piracy for commercial shipping is far boats around us! They were
worse than that of the cruising warning them to stay away from this
community. Hundreds of commercial sailing vessel … and they did.
ships have been attacked, some Another hour later they repeated
pirates are repelled, but many ships their visit … giving the same warning
are hijacked; the crew are either to the fishermen. We still had a
killed or forced off the ship. The solitary fishing boat come to us
pirates then sail the ship to a pirate waving a petrol can, but he never
port and change the identity. came closer than 200 metres! I
suspect one word from us on the VHF
Today in the Indian Ocean the radio and they would have been
pirates use a mother ship which shredded meat.
allows strikes as far away as India, it What a great service offered by the
has been said that in time the entire US Warship. We will never forget it!”
Indian Ocean may be infested and
dangerous.
Lloyd made the trip to the
Words and photo by
island of Mindanao has a significant
Jan Forsyth, (you beauty crew) Muslim presence, mainly due to a
separatist movement Moro Islamic
I've been trying to write about the Liberation Front, MILF which was
somewhat tragic and dramatic
formed to solve religious and poverty
subject of pirates for over a year problems. These radicals have been
now. Each time I head for the
the cause of violence and political
computer there is another tragedy at upheaval for a number of years. The
sea and I don't have the heart to southern end of that island is to be
carry on.
well avoided.
Thankfully, due to lack of personal
encounters there are no pictures of
violent pirates in my albums. I
hunted the net for royalty free
pictures of AK 47 toting men with
suitable sneers and high powered
launches, but all I found were
pictures of pirate wenches, Johnny
Depp and American base-ball teams.
The only pirates I have met during
my years on the sea have been
“Party Pirates” and to the delight of
all they have given not taken. I have
also come across local fishermen who
have frightened the hell out of all on
board when they roared up to the
boat, only to offer a portion of their
catch for sale or barter.
I realise “Pirates” is not a subject of
humour and light hearted banter as I
delved deeper into research and
found tragic stories of horror, murder
and kidnapping that plague a number
of the world's oceans.
In my cruising life we did pass by
infested areas and gave the islands a
wide berth, keeping a constant watch
until well clear. In the Philippines the
The Malaysia Anambas Islands also
have small enclaves of violent
reputation, cruisers take their lives
for granted if they drop anchor in
that area on the way to Borneo.
Thieves have boarded yachts
sometimes with tragic outcomes
when the skipper tried to defend his
home, desperate men searching for
food in many cases. The distinction
between thievery and piracy is where
the former is out for personal
survival while the latter often
involves kidnapping for financial gain.
Then there is terrorism, where an
attack on a ship or yacht results in
religious or political gain.
Every cruiser cringed when four
Americans on a world cruise had
their yacht captured by Somali
pirates. They were shot and killed
even though there was American
military presence close by.
Then there were the Johansen's, a
Danish family who were about 260
miles off shore when they were
boarded and taken hostage in the
Indian Ocean in after heading to the
Suez Canal.
My friend Lloyd Price on Deja Vu
was making the crossing from South
East Asia to the Mediterranean in
2009 in his words:
“Second day out found us another
112 nmiles towards Aden … with only
52 nmiles to go. There was evidence
of many fishing boats and we have
heard some amongst them were
more than fishermen. They weren't
pirates … just thieves! They could
board your vessel, armed I would
think, and steal anything they liked!
Whereas, a pirate's intention is to
take the crew for ransom and leave
the vessel drifting. A bit scary really!
Lloyd was contacted by the
American navy in this area:
“You're obviously travelling alone …
a very BAD idea in these waters”!
“Sorry Captain … Ignorance is
Bliss”! And the moment I said it I
was sorry … as it must have sounded
very blasé. I did apologise and we
went on with our chat!
Coalition Warship #56 came
rocketing over the horizon and
Mediterranean and is still there in
one piece, in all probability the last
the Australian yacht to make the
crossing alone.
Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia
patrol their waters on a regular basis,
however there are hundreds of small
hideaway islands set in such a large
area that there would be little chance
of capture or for that matter getting
aid to a stricken boat in time. Many
cruisers pass through the Malacca
Straits many times, myself included.
However, due to the vigilance of
these countries I haven't heard of
any attacks on yachts in that vicinity.
To combat the threat of piracy and
thievery is simple. Do not anchor in
unsafe areas, keep careful watch
when underway and at anchor, report
any incidences asap, batten and
secure the boat and maintain full
speed when passing through suspect
areas.
If you are boarded try to be calm
and don't panic, give them every-
thing they want, don't end up a dead
hero.
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Pirates!
Don't Tell Grandma!
Words by Kim Kenyon, 'ex” SY shouts and confusion, as a panga (a was one panicky eternity. Heartbeat
Orianne, now SY Karaka long fishing dinghy) with large after heartbeat in the darkness of
engines, packed full of angry men in the locker. I didn't know where the
I think my life is like a Quentin ripped and dirty shirts careened shots were coming from; I'd lost my
Tarantino movie. Or at least the away with the coast guard in hot sense of direction. Were they
boat's is. A little bit of background: pursuit. And although it was late coming from the marina? Was that a
afternoon, dear readers, my day was crew-mate screaming? I couldn't
This year my partner Tom almost just beginning. stand it. I couldn't just wait there to
died after being mauled by a die. I would get off this boat (cue
barracuda on a deserted island in Shotguns and machine guns rang movie music), and I would swim if I
Cuba. A few months and many out. My heart stopped. Frozen for had to.
operations later we sailed into, and
straight out of, an open sea drug
chase in Isla Providencia, Colombia.
Further south, we were surrounded
by four high speed boats at deep
sea, packed full of balaclavaed men
pretending to fish. Although we
thought we were done for, we
motored through with no hassles,
and cracked pirate jokes all
afternoon. Only to be attacked by
real life pirates of the Caribbean a
few hours later. They boarded with
guns and machetes, tied us up in the
light of a blood red, rising full moon,
took control of the boat and
ransacked it in the entrance to the
harbour in Cartagena, Colombia.
Oh boy, it gets better. Then we
sailed to Haiti. Two days later we
felt the tremors of the devastating
earthquake that eventually killed
200 000 Haitians. After donating all
we had, it became increasingly clear
we needed to leave. We kept double
watches and sailed without running
lights in the dead of a dark night
with all ears tuned for engines as we
made a dash for Jamaica. We later
heard reports of thousands of boats
fleeing the country and terrifying
tales of yachts encountering Haitian
pirates or running aground in front
of villages. Although we made it to
Port Antonio, Jamaica, safe and
sound, pirates and refugees were on
our minds. You know what, it had
been one hell of year.
So, a week later...
I was alone on the boat. Sitting in
late afternoon sunlight, a cake in the
oven, doing dishes on the deck and
singing to myself. Birds flew
through rainclouds that sit on top of
Port Antonio like great big gods in
the sky, and the fishing boats were
heading home.
All of a sudden a Coast Guard boat
nosed out of the harbour, throttled
up and veered to shore. There were
seconds above my dishes, I
scampered inside, mumbling
frantically to myself as I peeked out
the porthole. The chase was on. It
seemed as if two of the coast guards
had been hurt. While the fishing
boat had landed on the Errol Flynn
Island just across the way, and its'
bandido crew were making a stand
on the dock, shirtless and shooting
fast and hard. Then I heard a
grenade.
I couldn't take it. I was frightened
and furious and sick to death of
being in life threatening situations. I
shut the hatches and windows and
bunkered down inside. The shooting
got closer. A new boat had joined
and was venturing dangerously close
to our own. I crouched next to the
oven, absentmindedly checked on
my cake and wonder if this was it.
The end of the line for Kim Kenyon…
I reflected. I had no dinghy, I
couldn't get to shore. We were the
furthest boat from land. Not a soul
was home on the other yachts. It
suddenly became a remote but
frightening possibility that these gun
toting bandits might use Karaka as a
shield between them. What if they
came on board? Oh boy, the
gunshots sounded closer.
By this time I was getting frantic,
time to turn off the oven and look for
a hiding place. Under a bunk? Too
obvious. In a cupboard? They
might check. I decided on the big
locker in the v-berth. It looked like
a flush wall, but was a deep well full
of gear. I dug out some wetsuits,
clambered in, layered an old
spinnaker on top, shut the door, and,
with my ear to the hull... waited,
sweltered and prayed.
Sounds were distorted. I could
hear constant gunfire. Engines
came closer and careened away. I
thought I heard someone scream. It
I got out of the steamy locker and
peeked through the window. Masses
of people lined the shore watching
the chase. The boats were back
over near the island, though still
doing loops that took them 50 foot
from our boat as they reloaded their
guns and headed back for more. I
decided to take a risk. If I could get
out of the boat without being seen,
and swim the mile to shore, I would
be fine, right? .... right? They
weren't heading that close. Yet.
I went into panic mode. Found the
closest bathing suit I could find (it
happened to be a 1950's polka
dotted swimsuit complete with frilly
skirt) and commenced evasive
action. I stealth climbed out of that
front hatch, “commando rolled” to
the bow of the boat and monkeyed
my way clumsily down the anchor
chain, landing in a polka dotted and
entirely ungraceful splash. Once in
the water, I held my breath, dove
deep and swam like a maniac.
Half way, I surfaced, only to see
them heading straight towards me at
high speed. I ducked under and just
about killed myself making a last
dash for the safety of shore. I may
have big feet, but I sure ain't Ian
Thorpe. As I coughed up a lung, and
left it bobbing in my wake, I vowed
never to smoke Marlboro reds again.
Finally, red faced, straggle haired
and limp frilled, my bathing suit and
I made it to the dock.
Praise cheeses, I was safe. I
clambered up and staggered through
the screaming masses. My eyes were
crazed, and my chest was heaving.
It was like this; unable to talk for
the sheer act of breathing, that my
local friends found me. “What you
doin' swimmin' to shore in that crazy
swimsuit mon! Don't you know that
the Coast Guard are doing their
military training over on the island?!”
Pirate survivor, Kim Kenyon
Do you laugh or cry? I am officially
a fool. We went back to the boat,
turned the oven back on, and poured
a stiff drink as we laughed the night
away imagining the sight of a
commando rolling blond in a 50's
polka dotted bathing suit. My life
might be like a Quetin Tarantino
movie, but don't tell grandma, hey?
KIM'S COMANDO CAKE
Preheat oven to 350F or 180C.
Cream 1 stick of butter with one cup
of sugar.
Add 2 lightly beaten eggs,
2-3 mushy bananas,
2 finely grated carrots, a handful of
nuts or sunflower seeds with pinches
of vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and
cloves.
Dissolve 1 tsp baking soda in 2tbs of
milk.
Add to mix.
Sift 250g, plain flour with 2 tsp
baking powder (you can substitute ¼
of this amount with shredded
coconut, oats or rye flour).
Mix all ingredients well, until the
mixture is bubbly and drips slowly
off the mixing spoon.
Pour into a greased cake tin and
place in a moderate oven.
Then halfway through, have the
scare of your life.
Turn off the oven and run away.
Come back a while later, when all is
safe, cook cake for 40-45 minutes,
and serve with a very stiff drink of
Appleton rum. Maybe a cigar. Here's
to you and your commando cake!
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Martin Vives photo

Ayutthaya, and the spice trade routes
amid wormholes in the water
By Vicki J., SY Alisa B good things to others and it will return to you
(an extremely simplified version for sake of
Synchronicity is a curious thing. Whether Albert brevity). Hence a pronounced reduction in crime
Einstein's 'Cosmic Religion' based on quantum in these areas than in Christian and Muslim
physics, the belief of cause and affect to the cultures. These people, who have little
Hindu, or scientists' wormholes in the universe
where light can morph to create beyond-lightcompared
to our standard, will share gladly.
speed-travel, allowing time travel, it seems The unexpected appearance of elephants
random events can lead to a feeling of beside the river thrust me without warning into
serendipity. a time when the area was thick with jungle and
elephants and tigers roamed about freely. Had I
After our sail in Denmark and Sweden on a stepped into a wormhole in the water when I
borrowed sailing boat a couple of years back, we hadn't been looking? The image came so
had decided to break our journey and travel by strongly it was as if I had suddenly materialized
train from Bangkok to Laos based on many
traveller's recommendations. We were
7 centuries earlier.
captivated by the gentle nature of the Lao As synchronicity or wormholes would have it,
people, the atmosphere beside or upon the my journey home led me to another ancient
mighty Yankzy River, the gigantic limestone seaport in Borneo, Belait Bay.
mountains, water caves, temples inside of caves From Wikipedia: “According to ancient Chinese,
and the spices and silks originating from this
region. It felt like stepping back in time. Ayutthaya,
Indian and Javanese manuscripts, western
coastal cities of Borneo had become trading
marked in
ports, part of their trade routes, since the first
We heard of the decimation caused by the
Vietnam War and saw how it had devastated
red
millennium. In Chinese manuscripts, gold,
camphor, tortoise shells, hornbill ivory,
their country financially as well as emotionally. rhinoceros horn, beeswax, lakawood (sweet
While there, we connected with a family on the scented Liana heartwood and roots), dragonsoutskirts
of the present capital Vientiane. Since blood, rattan, edible bird's nests and various
then we have visited several times to watch their spices were among the most valuable items from
lives transform with a chance of further Borneo. Archaeological findings in the delta river
education, formally out of reach financially. of Sarawak reveal that the area was once a
We've become honorary Aunty and Uncle to their thriving trading centre between India and China
2 daughters. I hope one day they see more than
photos of Australia.
map courtesy
of Wikipedia,
from the 500's until about 1300 AD.”
Nord Nord West So here I am back home with part of me lost in
Through synchronicity in 2011 we visited
Ayutthaya (pronounced U.T.R.), the old capital
one hour north of Bangkok. Between visiting our
adopted family in Laos and Stef returning to
Bangkok for more dental work we set out to
explore an inland Island. We then discovered it
was part of the ancient trade routes by ocean
going vessels.
Ayutthaya is an island at the junction of three
rivers; the Chao Phraya, Lopburi and the Pa Sak.
Founded around 1350, Ayutthaya became the
second capital of Siam after Sukhothai.
of 1 million inhabitants. Many international
merchants set sail for this destination, from
diverse regions as the Arab world, China, India,
Japan, Portugal, the Netherlands and France.
Merchants from Europe proclaimed Ayutthaya as
the finest city they had ever seen. Dutch and
French maps of the city show grandeur with
gold-laden palaces, large ceremonies and a huge
fleet of trading vessels from all over the world.
All this came to a quick end when the Burmese
invaded Ayutthaya in 1767 and almost
completely burnt the city down to the ground.”
a wormhole into another world, a time when
ancient seafarers took to the sea in a wide
variety of ships from reed boats, Viking vessels,
to junks and clippers and saw the world beyond
the village in which they had been raised. Sort
of like the marinas of modern times; exploring
the multi faceted, and unique world displayed
from the vantage point of their boat on the
ocean.
Throughout the centuries, it became the ideal
location between China, India and the Malay
Archipelago and made Ayutthaya the trading
capital of Asia and even the world.
Less impressive than in those times it is still
one of the most interesting cities, with a
booming trade via the many water-ways the
river systems provide. Ayutthaya still has
Sources say that King Uthong, the ruler at this
time was a rich merchant of Chinese origin, who
moved to seek fortune in Ayothaya city. No
doubt he sought safety from would be assassins
and food readily available to support such a port.
influences from around the world made obvious
by the church, Mosque and Hindu temple on the
opposite side of the river to the Buddhist temple.
The river of today has barges laden with cement,
rice and produce plying the waterways.
This is amply provided by the rich growing plains
of this area.
We noticed a marked similarity of attitude with
Balinese culture to this area with a belief that
From Wiki Travel: “By 1700 Ayutthaya had
become the largest city in the world with a total
what we do now will be relived if not in this life
then in the next. So the rule of thumb is do
Vicki J, with a fellow traveller
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Men, Women, Boats
& the Great
Disconnect
By Stuart Mears, SY Velella
Lily & Stuart “cleaning up”
Alternatively it may be that her priorities are simply Women want men to 'get real'; but so rarely is the
over-ridden in the transaction. The problem for the wish rewarded that a man who unexpectedly comes
I confess to being merely an observer of the human
race and no psychologist. And as my twenty seven
year old son so brutally pointed out recently: “with my
marital record… what the hell would I know about
relationships anyway?”
But here's the thing: when you've kicked around the
waterfront for a time as I have, it strikes you that
there's something about boats and relationships that
definitely doesn't add up.
The lonely male, cruising solo and chronically
unsuccessful in finding a partner, is an icon of the
cruising life. Why is it so hard? Live-aboard marinas
hyper-assertive male is that this bakes into the cake
the seeds of future conflict. Heavy shit can happen on
the water!
But this schism in male-female thinking extends way
beyond boat selection. It's something that demands
adjustment in every aspect of life together; most
particularly on the water, en passage.
In the course of our own coastal passages I have
observed how my partner embodies truly amazing
qualities of stoicism and courage in times of real crisis
and how this is overlaid by a dogged determination to
do things her own way at all other times.
across as 'real' can elicit a surprising reaction.
A little story, strange but true; not so long ago I am
driving alone on a lonely stretch of rural road in
southern Tasmania. I stop for a hitchhiker. She throws
her pack in the back and jumps in. I notice that she
has a certain healthy athleticism and an intelligent
face. She's around my daughter's age… mid thirties or
so. After responding to the obvious question: what
does she think she's doing hitchhiking on a lonely road
in Tasmania, the conversation extends to matters
slightly more personal. My passenger proves to be an
entertaining conversationalist as she relates a tale
about her life, travels and the odd disappointing
are often roiling hotbeds of relationship turmoil,
relationship.
sometimes where boats, partners and dreams of the Should I call for help on deck, a process is put in
cruising life are all swapped around. Indeed for a
couple, the acquisition of a cruising boat seems to
unlock a 'Pandora's box' of dangers to the relationship:
why you might wonder.
train relating to personal toilet and suitable dress. Lily
will eventually emerge dressed for Cape Horn and
ready to face the tropical squall, which by then will
have passed on in any event.
I listen asking the odd question here and there. “And
you?”… she asks. I tell her that I am now blessed with
a partner/wife and make mention of a few
unimpressive details pertaining to prior years of
relationship wreckage; the detritus from which
It wasn't until my short and unlamented career in To promote harmony aboard, I simply adjust to this remains bobbing away in my own wake, 'all the way to
yacht broking that pennies began dropping. reality. Nothing short of a looming container ship
the horizon' so to speak.
In the business of selling boats you quickly get it
that: 'it ain't the man who makes the buying decision'.
The glib male-centric rejoinder to this might be that
about to tee-bone the boat is going to de-rail the
process. Life as they say is too short to sweat the
small stuff.
We end up talking about depression; a topic about
which I have some personal experience. We converse
for about an hour.
we live within a matriarchal society. The woman
'wearing the pants' thing; it's supposed to be funny
but it's not that simple.
Men and women think differently. A man might well
enter into the business of purchasing a cruising boat
having his vision of the ideal boat firmly in mind. And
while his partner may accede to this vision with
varying degrees of enthusiasm, her focus is likely to
be very different.
I recently came across the work of Lisa Sasavich who
has an interesting take on the great disconnect. Lisa is
a towering figure in the personal development field in
the US, particularly in relation to the empowerment of
women. In her work Lisa identifies five areas where
men comprehensively get it wrong in their dealings
with the fair sex. Without be-laboring the obvious
these oversights extend into every aspect of life where
men and women come together for common purpose,
not the least of which is the cruising life.
In relating this story I simply observe that beyond
age forty five; as a man, it's obligatory to 'wait until
you're asked' and by the age of sixty five …it simply
doesn't happen! This truism notwithstanding, when
we reach her departure point she says: “You're a good
man; there aren't many left! I want to kiss you before
I go. I'd give you my number but I don't want to cause
any more grief in your life and you'd probably never
ring me anyway….?”
Mmmm I wonder … as she lopes off … “is that what
In the wash-up about which boat to buy, women
often possess a certain instinct for straddling the high
moral ground; likely because this is where they're
positioned in the relationship. The male party who
sees himself as perpetually struggling up the slippery
slope, is probably overlooking the real reason why.
Lisa's #1 principle….lower the bullshit facade
Women according to Lisa are equipped with a better
more effective bullshit antenna than any man on the
planet. Unfortunately around boats and women, men
are apt to act in ways that are quite unreal. The
problem according to Lisa, is that the bullshit facade
acts as an impenetrable barrier to influence.
lowering the bullshit facade means?”
continued next page...

Lisa's #2 principle: name the bleeding The point being that: had our man been a tad
wildebeest's head in the room more open about his process, he might have
rescued some shred of credibility with his client.
By which she means the topic that no-one wants
to talk about. Somehow, by 'naming the bleeding Lisa's #4 principle understand the
wildebeest's head' it galvanizes the female importance of instilling self confidence
response.
In my brokerage days I once had a steel sailing In matters boat-wise I'm no expert teacher but
vessel on the books; a well built vessel but with an there is one technique that I know works
unusual rig, definitely not everyone's cup of tea. In effectively to instill self confidence with my partner.
transporting the interested couple out to the boat
moored in an adjacent bay, I couldn't help but
Lisa calls it 'reminding her how far she's come'.
notice the man's large file of vessel information.
We are motoring the brokerage workboat slowly
through the anchorage and I take the opportunity
to try and gauge what it is that they are truly
seeking. Thinking that maybe the husband is a tad
anal… 'analysis to paralysis' and all that… I say:
“so… er …Adrian …how many boats have you seen”.
Lily, ready for anything!
Because our trips are less frequent these days, she
sometimes has to re-learn basic stuff to her
embarrassment (I do too… but I don't tell her).
She'll say: “look you've shown me umpteen times
how to tie a bowline but dammit I've forgotten…will
you show me again?”
“OK but remember how once you'd be sea sick and
hanging over the side and now you can sail the
boat in thirty knots …look how far you've come.”
His answer shocks me and I am difficult to shock.
“So….er… Adrian how well do you remember the
first boat you looked at?” His wife raises her eyes to
the heavens.
I have unwittingly named 'the bleeding wildebeest's
head in the room'. They have yet to even lay eyes
upon the vessel we're about to inspect; yet some
instinct tells me that the die has been cast. They
will buy this boat. She's had enough!
Knowing nothing about sailing and never before
having been to sea, she hires a delivery skipper and
his junior assistant on the basis that she will learn
from his experience on route. In presenting his
credentials the skipper big-notes his experience in a
manner that my friend finds vaguely discomforting.
Nevertheless in deference to his experience, she
agrees to the delivery fee and stumps up half prior
to embarkation.
Trouble begins as soon as they cross the Gold Coast
seaway. Motoring into a heavy southerly swell the
delivery skipper retires to his bunk incapacitated by
Lisa's #5 principle take the time women must
feel understood
Until I became aware of the problem there were
many occasions when in the midst of an argument
with my partner, I would realize that she and I are
on entirely different tracks like two trains passing
on adjacent rail lines and about to roar past one
another in opposite directions.
Lisa's # 3 principle overcome male reluctance
to share the process
sea-sickness. From that moment forward he doesn't
set foot on deck until the boat docks in NSW. The
good lady is left with junior; his knowledge of boat
The way around this problem I discovered is to
stop; listen to her position, as agonizing as it may
be; and then to summarize my understanding of
handling, sailing and navigation: zip, zero, nadah!
her argument back to her. What I'm hearing is that
Men are typically less 'process driven' in their
communications with women. They are less inclined
to relate how they learned a particular skill, possibly
because the admission of historic ignorance is
somehow embarrassing. Yet how a skill is learned
and acquired is information that according to Lisa,
women particularly appreciate hearing.
A lady skipper once related to me the story of how
her first cruising sail-boat was delivered from
Brisbane to Sydney.
The skipper moreover has vomited a stinking
slippery mess onto the cabin floor with the result
that the vessel's interior is virtually uninhabitable.
Alone, terrified and unable to leave the deck in
rough weather, she somehow manages to navigate
the boat to Coffs Harbor, whereupon skipper and
junior exit the boat without a backward glance.
In reality, sea sickness and competence at sea are
not mutually exclusive.
you feel dah dah dah because dah dah dah…is that
right?
It's surprising …no absolutely amazing …how often
it isn't!
TCP Note: Stuart is the author of the “online”
book (PDF) How to sell your boat, the formula.
See his website:www.conjointnetwork.com
SY Velella

The BareBones Project-The Editor Builds a Boat
To targa or not to targa...
Next day I went out and gave a leg a good slap expecting a
dull thud but got a big BBOOIINNGGGG... shimmy shimmy
shimmy... OK, braces. I tried to design a lower brace that
could work as a handhold too, but couldn’t figure one out that
wasn’t really ugly so got into the scrap pile again for a
section of pipe... again... that was left over from building the
house I think, and did it up in the upper corners. If nothing
else, we would have a clothes line mount. Next day I went in
and gave it a slap and found all I done was raise the
frequency of the wobble a little.
OK... that’s it! The next step is success or chainsaw. Hell, I
liked the looks of the boat better without it anyway. Good
thing I had all the uni. Two layers all the way over from
bottom of one leg, over the top and down the other side.
So, next day, out to the tent... gulp... gave a leg a slap
and...(drum roll here)... it was pretty good! That was
yesterday. Today was even better and with the temperatures
we’ve been having, I figure it won’t reach maximum rigidity
for another day or two. It should be solid enough.
BUT... I’ll always have the angle grinder on board, if for no
Still not 100% sold. once taped on. They were a double layer other purpose, for the day it pisses me off. I’ve conquered it
During various periods of indecision, I had of 25mm polycore with 450 gr glass in the but still not sure I like it.
made legs for a targa and then put them centre and 600 either side with a half Kays Note: Anyone out there with comment or ideas...we
away.... I had an offcut from the cabin top section of PVC pipe on the ends with three are happy to hear yours...just try to keep it clean, ok?
that was the excuse to pursue the idea.
Targa top already done and even matching
the curve of the canopy. The legs were made
of material that was otherwise excess.-polycore
panel, DB glass and a length of PVC
pipe. NAH! Had the change of heart and
tossed the offcut in the scrap pile, even
cutting it in half for another proposed idea
that didn’t eventuate.
I got some solar panels and when I
layers of 450 gr tape over that. Under the
pipe sections there was a hollow area. On
one side I was going to run wire but the
other side was free so I sanded the inside
with paper on a stick, rolled up a length of
dry uni tape and ran it into the full length
of the leg and I had some 10mm fibreglass
rod of perfect length I shoved in next to it.
Amazing what you find in the scrap pile if
you look. It was a trick job to get that
stuff in there. Then I filled the thing full of
Knowing what I know now.. I wouldn’t have bothered with
any of the other fixes. I would just have added another layer
of uni over the top (three total, maybe four) and been ahead
on weight and hassle. I am concerned with where the
weight is and the windage. I know the things are regarded
by many as fashionable but ours is there only as long as it
serves an important purpose. Mounting stuff and having a
point to fasten a shade tarp at anchor. It wasn’t designed to
use as davits, have something else for that but I might
consider it if I grow to like it... IF.
received them and actually placed them on
the cabin top... hmmmm... not as tidy a
mount as I thought. Then one morning I
went out and took another look at the legs,
clamped them in place... eyeballed the least
offensive angle and a couple hours later
they were laminated in place. This project
has been an accumulation of a lot of
spontaneous decisions, which explains some
resin.
Now back to the offcut: the span is about
three metres so some support was in
order. In keeping with the pipe theme, a
part section on the underside with the top
jigged to keep the curve, with not one or
two but five layers of 850 uni and three
layers of 450 over that to stiffen the thing
All the hard fairing bits are now done. The part of the boat
that isn’t yet faired and ready for paint is the part you see in
the photos. Next time you see her she should by shiny
white... but not too shiny. I think we may roll the paint on. I
don’t know why it is but it seems every boat I know with a
really good spray paint job gets knicked in the first month or
so. Then they are stuck with that beautiful paint job...
except for that glaring obvious repair.
of the revisions that have been made along
the way. ‘It’ll be easy and fast’, I said to
myself. I should know by now that when it
comes to boat building I’m a lying bastard...
to myself. Compound that with genuine
ignorance and projects can become more
complicated by a factor.
First problem I noticed was the legs
weren’t as rigid as I thought they would be
up. Still all excess material.
Tricky little job taping the top to the legs
with all those funny curves. The Bote-Cote
resin is indispensable. Works well and with
the tropical hardener, I had time to be
careful and to work it till it set firm. Then I
'de-cored' the outside edge and filled with
a layer of the uni. ‘That should do it’, he
lied to himself again.
Top photo: I know it is hard to imagine from that angle but
that is what we got. We won’t know what the boat really
looks like until it rolls out of the tent.
Below right: The legs in progress. The pipe sections are
glued in place and polycore joined and ready for
laminating.
Below left: I was very proud of how clever I was getting
that tape down that little hole, like pushing spaghetti,
but even after pouring all that resin in with it, very little
benefit.
www.boatcraft.com.au/shop

Bill makes “Mal’s Tramps”
By Bill Cavanagh, SC Jungai than the rope. I had various cross overs before swaging.
prices around $1. I eventually If you don't have an electric
I recently replaced my old got them for 55c each through hot knife you will spend another
sagging ripped nets. I was going Malcolm’s mate. I got 250 two days, so borrow, buy or
to buy the same cod end trawl swages ($137.50). The cost of steal one. I borrowed Mal's hot
net, until I met Malcolm each net approx $120, with 90 knife, and his home made swage
Salisbury (Coconut Airlines). He metres of rope left over. tool - a pair of vice grips with a
showed me the nets he made. I They are time consuming, but nut cut in half, welded to the
was impressed (Mal informed me worth the effort. I swaged one grips and drilled out to suit the
that he wasn't just good end to each side allowing swage.
looking!). 450mm extra for the weave and I suppose you can buy the
They are made of 8mm black raw ends. At 24c per metre, you correct tool. I round off the cut
polyethylene (good in sun). I can afford to waste it. I made end with pliers to make the
bought a 330metre roll from Net mine on the shed floor using swage slide easy. I melted the
and Tackle Sales in Sydney, for spacers to keep the shape of the cut ends after the swage to
$77. Postage to Boonooroo, QLD aluminium frame. It is probably ensure they cannot pull apart.
was extra. My nets are 2.3 x 1.3 best to do the final swaging on The second net will take a lot
each. the boat. less time then the first.
The copper swages you will Keep the cut end underneath They will hold their shape and
need for a neat job cost more and double check the weave last a long time.
www.bundabergboatrepairs.com
bundabergboatrepairs@gmail.com
www.bundabergboatrepairs.com
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These become tight when woven
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with the photos and text. We do the rest!
See the web site for more information and payment details.
www.thecoastlpassage.com/boatsforsale.html
CARISBROOKE
33' HMG Sloop
PRICE REDUCED TO $35,000
Fibreglass hull with many extras.
Recently restored engine. 6'8"
headroom. Ideal cruising yacht,
single-handed or crewed.
Moored in Coffs Harbour Marina
Call Marina Office:
(02) 6651 4222
Oba Dare
DREAM ON
A top coastal cruiser and live aboard. 34ft - 6mtr beam.
Light, Fast and strong. The design is the collaboration of
Malcolm Tennant and Schionning. Constructed from Epoxy
Foam Sandwich, balsa Core and Honeycomb with white
two- pack inside and out. She has her own mooring at
Bucasia boat harbour Mackay, with perfect cyclone shelter.
Close to car park, supermarket and caravan park. Two
power lift 9.9 high thrust yamaha outboards have very little
use. Plus near new inflatable with 3HP Yamaha. Sails,
Mast and Rigging are top notch. $170,000.00
Beach Marine PC-9
9.4m / 5.4m / 0.6m
Build date: 1989
email:
scottdevries@bigpond.com
Contact Michael. PH: 0435 458 056 or 0466 323 191
michaelverban@yahoo.com.au
For more photos and details see:
www.thecoastalpassage.com/multihulls.html
www.thecoastalpassage.com/boatsforsale.html
For more photos and details see:
www.thecoastalpassage.com/boatsforsale.html
www.thecoastalpassage.com/multihulls.html
price
reduced to
$119,000
Mast, boom, etc, for sale
Share your experience or learn from others
This site will feature building projects from as great a
variety of materials and build methods as possible.
If it's a cat or any project that relates or enlightens
we want to feature it here. How about yours??
www.buildacat.com
Boats and gear For Sale
BARGAIN BITS FOR BOATS
SAILS: 10 MAINS AND GENOA`S, SPARS, SPREADERS, LEAD
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All at rock bottom prices.
For pictures and details phone Peter: 0413 018 847
Email: pmidd46@gmail.com
Larus
$90,000
Seawind 850
With Hardtop Cabin
10hp Yanmar diesel + 6 hp Mercury.
New Barracouta main and rigging 2011
Located at Mission Beach, Qld.
Phone:- (07) 4088 6193
email: johker@skymesh.com.au
For more photos and details see:
www.thecoastalpassage.com/multihulls.html
FOR SALE
QUEIMARLA
Here's your
chance for
freedom!
Fast!
Successfuly
completed global
circumnavigation
1998 - 2010
Great day sailer
or cruiser
was 295,000
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45' (13.8m) Fast cruising Catamaran. Open bridgedeck layout that offers a deep protective cockpit and an
interior living space that is surprisingly roomy. Full standing headroom (1.9m in most areas) and generous
accommodation - sleeps 6 (or 8 if you include saloon seats). Ship and rig in top condition (new bomb proof rig
2007), but sails and motors tired. Therefore, Queimarla is offered for sale 'as is', at a heartily reduced price.
Ph: 0431798288 Email: Queimarla@hotmail.com
Yemaya
Pearson 10M
A strong, fast, blue water cruiser. Sailed solo from USA.
All new rigging, running rigging, chain plates, thru hulls,
life raft,windlass, anchor, chain, rode, solar panel, AIS
receiver and upholstery 2011. Yanmar engine 440 hours,
7 sails and Aries windvane completes this package.
She's ready to go again just needs a new skipper.
Moored in Bundaberg. $45,000.00
Ph: 0420 821 776 email: svyemaya@yahoo.com
For more photos and details see:
www.thecoastalpassage.com/monohulls.html
or: www.lindapasquariello.com
For more details see:
www.thecoastalpassage.com/multihullshulls.html
Email: wendymville@gmail.com
Mast - All Yacht Spars13.77m x 220mm x 140mm, fractional - plus hinged mast step, folding steps, (no spreaders). Seldon boom set up for 3 reefs. New
rod kicker (Forespar). stainless rigging. Genoa (new) and staysail on furlers,. Ronstan batten cars, slab reefed (3 reefs) fully battened laminated mainsail.
All in good condition. Rig presently on 13m catamaran. $18,000.00 ono
SELLING
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The Coastal Passage #51 2011 Page 3

Hoping for Change?
A Letter to the new minister for Transport on behalf of the
Queensland Boating Industry
To: Hon Scott Emerson MP
Member for Indooroopilly
Level 15, Capital Hill Building
85 George Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
GPO Box 2644, Brisbane QLD 4001
Sent via email April 26 2012
Dear Mr. Emerson,
First of all, congratulations on your government’s spectacular performance in the recent election. Not to take away
from the effort in the campaign but it is no secret much of Labor's loss was self inflicted. A lot of Queenslanders had
been personally affected by the previous government and many cautiously hopeful eyes are now turned your way.
The LNP government will either succeed or fail spectacularly. I don't believe Queenslanders will accept platitudes or
gestures. Your government must make reforms as quickly and as publicly as possible. The marine industry offers
the low fruit in this regard.
Many agencies of government will require budgets and time to make a visible turn around but not the marine
industry. Many injustices perpetrated upon land owners or other groups must be balanced against the investments
of the private sector. Difficult settlements must be negotiated and resolved, but not with the marine sector.
The Queensland marine industry, especially associated as it is with tourism, offers the opportunity to
government to visibly benefit the people of Queensland with the stroke of a pen.
It would be hard to find a sector of the state economy more adversely affected than that of recreational boating,
particularly the more lucrative cruising yacht fleet. Oppressive and redundant intrusion by a litany of overbearing
regulators have driven thousands away from the lifestyle, either abandoning it altogether or driving them to leave
the state or country. Malaysia and Thailand (for example) are very pleased to accommodate the ex-pat fleet and
the income that provides for their economies. In the name of "safety" but not remotely related to that in fact,
Queensland suffers directly in lost domestic and international trade because of our reputation as officious and overly
bureaucratic.
For years The Coastal Passage has been publishing features by respected experts in law and enforcement that have
been critical of marine enforcement agencies, particularly Marine Safety Queensland (MSQ). The recent government
was fond of providing vague legislation that left the agency with an argument even on the very fringes of
interpretation. On many reported occasions, officers of the agency have gone well beyond the law, reliant on
intimidation but in spite of that, individuals have stood up to them and persevered.
Whilst some sectors of the economy enjoy government support far beyond their value, the marine industry often
suffers harassment and attack as illustrated by a law suit we understand has recently been filed against MSQ by
Peter Kerr of Lizard Yachts that alleges interference with an important contract by MSQ personnel. If this charge is
proved true, it means a potential boat building industry in Tin Can Bay was written off as a result.
The offer is extended to supply you with copies of at least a sample of the articles mentioned, or the complete
library if you wished.
It is hard to imagine a better industry for Queensland than cruising boats. Tourists that see Queensland from the
Bruce Highway are shocked if they happen to view Queensland from coastal waters. It is hard to believe it is the
same place. The coast is a greater asset than the mines in the long run and cruising boats are high volume
consumers and environmentally very, very low impact.
So there you have it. By merely removing an antagonism immediately, and allowing an industry friendly leadership
in MSQ to reform or trash the current Tomsa (Transport operations marine safety act) altogether in favour of the act
it superceded, the government doesn't just make an important reform but is seen to act in a meaningful way by
more Queenslanders than you may imagine. And no one loses!
I would look forward to an opportunity to provide additional support for items mentioned above and to expand on
the issues.
Sincerely,
Bob Norson
Publisher
The Coastal Passage

The Coastal Passage was mystified by the
circumstances of a drug bust in Bundaberg
several months ago. Items that didn’t make
sense:
1: Whilst Customs employs the use of sniffer
dogs extensively, one cruiser TCP talked to
reported no dogs used on his boat nor others
that he knew of in the Port to Port event.
Reports to TCP say the yachts were all manually
searched and “a hundred times more thorough
than any other country we’ve entered since
leaving the US”, according to one skipper. In an informal discussion of yachties we worked
out how this could be done if yachts were
2: The Spanish smugglers were not only Not inclined to crime which is shown not to be the
furtive, but gregarious. Often seen riding about case. The consensus was: you would have to
the marina on skate
boards and joining in all
the festivities weeks
after arrival-confident.
3: The drugs were
apparently hidden in the
boat without being
sealed in by structure as
the couple were still in
News n Views
Customs CORRUPT?
AUSTRALIAN border security officials
are alleged to be helping organised
crime smuggle shipments of drugs
and guns into Australia
Background, speculation and reports:
By Bob Norson
the marina when they removed a suitcase full assume dogs would be used, therefore the drugs
and made contact with a money laundering would be dropped on the way into port and
operation that was under surveillance by the AFP retrieved later or in the case of a steel boat
and were stopped on the way out of Bundaberg (which this one was), it would be welded into a
in a car. sealed compartment below the waterline like the
keel or rudder. Any number of places could then
4: TCP did receive reports that the tip off was be used to careen or haulout to retrieve the
made from the AFP monitoring the money goods. We certainly wouldn't have invited
laundering suspects though later customs contacts to a marina crowed with liveaboard
claimed they were tracking the smugglers for yachties to pick up heavy suitcases full of drugs.
months. Cruisers in the regatta say the Spanish It was agreed that the actions of these
couple swapped boats in New Zealand but TCP smugglers were reckless beyond belief.
was not able to find this in official reports.
According to reports, the Australian forces According to a Sydney Morning Herald report of
weren’t even sure where the dope came from March 28, 2012 : ..the corruption watchdog has
but this report may provide an answer:
received more than 50 files on suspected
corruption involving Customs officials since early
From the New Zealand Herald May, 2012:
last year; Customs has suspended or sacked 15
Cruise ships are opening New Zealand's door to officers since 2010 over misconduct or
drug smugglers, with minimal Customs checks corruption allegations, including one with close
on people and luggage arriving by sea. ties to a Middle Eastern crime family in Sydney
Drug detector dogs spent just four hours
working on cruise ships in Auckland last year,
despite more than 200,000 passengers arriving
and an official caught snorting cocaine.
on 100 vessels. The sniffer dogs were used Nearly every day news reports another shooting
again when the P&O liner Aurora visited in in Sydney or the Gold Coast. Often with a Bikie
February but they failed to detect 30kg of gang connection suggested. Also suggesting
cocaine allegedly smuggled by UK citizen Ronald that the shootings are “turf wars” for drug
Fletcher. businesses. The volume and value of guns and
Last year's figures, released under the Official
Information Act, reveal there were no sniffer dog
merchandise must be staggering.
checks at Wellington and Christchurch ports. Again quoting the SMH ..the Australian
At least 80 cruise ships are expected to visit Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity....
Auckland this year. Customs Service has no power to scrutinise agencies suspected of
spokeswoman Helen Keyes said officers used "a harbouring corrupt officials. The government
standard border risk assessment process" when ha s re je ct ed a re co mm en da ti on by a
they checked the passports of cruise parliamentary committee to give the
passengers. "The Customs Service has deployed commission oversight of the quarantine
drug detector dogs when there has been inspection service.
determined a need to do so." She would not
identify which ships were checked last year, but And the government’s solution? The Home
said cruise ships were "generally rated as low Affairs Minister, Mr. Clare said he had recently
risk for drug smuggling". ordered a review of the commission's oversight
Green Party border security spokesman Steffan of Customs and had written to the heads of the
Browning said New Zealand would quickly Australian Crime Commission, the federal police
become a "soft touch" for drug smugglers. and Customs ''outlining my expectations of them
Customs has suspended or sacked 15 officers
since 2010 over misconduct or corruption
allegations, including one with close ties to a
Middle Eastern crime family in Sydney and an
official caught snorting cocaine.
in detecting, disrupting and preventing
corruption and seeking their advice about what
further action they believe is required to make
their organisations more corruption resistant''.
Well, that should about do it. Insist on the
organisation policing itself. That always
works.
Quoting from an ABC report: Opposition
Leader Tony Abbott says the Coalition
believes there should be a full independent
inquiry. "We called for a full inquiry in
Parliament the other week because we
certainly have been hearing there are
significant problems," he said. "The issue
we raised in Parliament of guns coming into the
country is one manifestation of the fact that
Customs doesn't seem to be as on the ball as it
should be."
TCP and contributors have made mention on
many occasions that Customs misdirects it’s
resources by being so hard on yachts. It turns
out that if Customs want to bust a doper,
they are better off looking at the desk next
to them.
DARWIN JUDGE THROWS OUT
CUSTOMS DEMANDS OF $4,000
FINE TO YACHTSMAN
It was reported in Northern Territory
News March, 2012 that a Judge
declined Customs demand for an
extra $4000 in costs on the skipper
Garth Curran of yacht Walk on the
Wild Side. Garth was already fined
$2-3,000 for not reporting within the
96hours.
The judge said this was a minor
infringement of the rules and was
quoted: “You are trying to crush
walnuts with a steam roller.”

The Public Anger TCP Has Been
Reporting Has Been Proved Genuine!
omments by Bob Norson
whilst other boating media has downplayed public angst, The Coastal Passage has been aware of it and given
voice to Queenslanders and all Australians, that have been affected personally.
This has been proved responsible reportage by results of the recent state and local
elections where the now virtually defunct Labor party was wiped out in historical
proportions in a 'flood' of anger. Whilst Australian media lionised the government
in the aftermath of last years floods, TCP reported how people really felt about
governments response and it wasn't pretty. The page snippets at right are
indicative. To read that whole edition, click here:
http://thecoastalpassage.com/papers/tcp47special.pdf When the government tried to convince the
public that the actions of it's ports corporation weren't the cause of the
marine life die off in Gladstone Harbour and supplied "scientific proof" to
support their claim, TCP
challenged their "proof" and
reported how the locals felt about
it. A page snippet is shown at left
and here is a link to that edition;
http://thecoastalpassage.com/papers/E-TCP51.pdf
SAME SH*T, DIFFERENT DAY? The ball is in the court of a
new government and we are watching as we know YOU
are. Here is a test.
The Gladstone Fish Research Fund
commissions true independent research
Dr. Matt Landos, an aquatic veterinarian commissioned by Gladstone Fish Research Fund, has completed his second
interim report into the marine health problems in the harbour during the past year. The Gladstone Observer
reported; "The Gladstone Fish Research Fund is a collection of people from the commercial fishing industry, and
other locals, who have sought to produce an "independent" scientific study of the harbour's recent troubles. The
group believes health problems in several species have been caused by the dredging project in the harbour."
It was reported that the new Environment Minister Andrew Powell, through a spokesman, ventured no opinion so far.
Quoted; "The Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection has yet to consider the report by Dr. Landos, and will
do so after the department has had an opportunity to analyse the report findings. The Minister also notes that this is
an interim report, and as such, may be subject to further change."
Gladstone Ports Corporation declined to comment to the paper.
A few notes from the interim report: Interim conclusions
Gladstone harbour has ongoing disease processes occurring in fish, crustacean and shellfish populations.
These data, together with data in GAWB documents, do not support the DERM/DEEDI/GPC (state agencies and state
owned corporations) hypothesis that freshwater run-off was the cause of sickness in the barramundi, or all of the
other aquatic animals in Gladstone Harbour, or on the oceanic side of Facing Island. The data also does not support
DERM's statements that there has been no change to water quality as a result of dredging activities and port
construction in the harbour.
Dermatitis is a very common lesion across all the fish examined. This epidemiological pattern is suggestive of a
common water-borne irritant across all groups. As no consistent infectious disease agents have been identified to be
associated with this lesion across all taxa examined, non-infectious causes need to be considered. One noninfectious
risk factor is consistently spatially and temporally associated is exposure to dredge spoil and their
associated toxicants. The prevalence of shell lesions in mud crabs is markedly increased above historical levels. The
prevalence of lesions increases as the distance to dredging gets closer. Previous research in Gladstone has shown
that shell lesions in mud crabs are associated with increased exposure to heavy metals.
The final project report is expected to be completed around late May, 2012
For a copy of this impresive report:
http://www.gladstonefishingresearchfund.org.au/download/i/mark_dl/u/4009759501/4567954646/QSIA%20FFVS%20Update%20002%20160412%20final.pdf

Are miss-guided Greens wreaking havoc on
innocents and pawns of industry?
Marine Reserves
The Australian Government wants to Costa Cabral and her family set out to
complete its rollout of marine reserves work the land with techniques they had
this year. The Government received over learned from their father. They planted
450,000 submissions during its 3 month fast-growing timber trees for sawmills
public consultation period with about 80 up river. For the market, they put in
per cent generated by an international fruit trees. With woven shrimp traps-
online campaign run by conservation identical to those in West Africa-they
groups including the American Pew caught shrimp that drifted in the creek.
Foundation.
Cultivated forest like the Costa Cabral's
The government proposes to make the are found throughout the Amazon
1,000,000 square mile Coral Sea, an Basin. Yet careful stewardship of the
important Australian Tuna fishery, a environment has not always worked in
marine reserve with limited fishing the Quilombolas' favour. Often
allowed but the conservationists want to environmental organisations assume
make the whole sea a no take zone. that all human actions inevitably
That means yachties, trailing a single lure degrade the forest. Two hundred
to catch a feed. Fishermen say the miles west of Mazagao Velho,
government’s proposal is already so Quilombolas on the Trombetas River
restrictive the fishery would not be viable. managed the forests so beautifully that
in 1979 Brazil established a 1,500
According to an ABC report of April 21, Dr. square mile biological reserve on the
Terry Hughes, director of “Coral Reef east side of the river. The legislation
Studies at the ARC Centre for Excellence” creating the reserve prohibited "any
in Townsville wants the government to alteration of the environment, including
make the Coral Sea Reserve a 100 per hunting and fishing in the area",
cent no-take park. "So we have a societal infuriating the people whose families
choice to make. Do we want to make had been living there for a century and
everywhere in the ocean equally degraded a half. Ten years later, a half dozen
or do we want to have a few places that Quilombolas were engulfed by a new
are very special where we afford a higher national forest of almost equal size on
level of protection?” the west side of the river. The national
forest opened itself to a gigantic
Bob Norson of the Boonooroo Centre for bauxite mine while forbidding it's long
“Common Sense and Scientific Accuracy” term inhabitants to cut down trees.
claims this is an unscientific and emotive
appeal, ("everywhere in the ocean equally And more locally, from a recent article
degraded") and others agree. in The Sydney Morning Herald:
A LARGE, wooden sign by the dirt road
The ABC report also quotes Canberra warns visitors to Leard State Forest
University's Dr. Bob Kearney. He is a critic that collecting firewood is against the
of what he claims is a "decline in scientific law.
rigour" and lack of support for claims A few hundred metres down the track,
madewhen it comes to Australia's plans to a great cavern of grey and white and
give up a third of its exclusive economic brown piles of earth stretching almost
zone to marine reserves. "It's just to the horizon opens up between the
absolute nonsense, it's scientific claptrap trees.
to claim the yellow fin tuna is under any The contradiction is not lost on Phil
threat.” Laird, whose family has been farming
Maules Creek in the state's north-west
This kind of conflict is found world for six generations. The 7000-hectare
wide and lessons are there for the forest, in which a huge open-cut
looking. coalmine sits, is named after them.
From the National Geographic, April 2012:
In an article about the troubles facing A u s t r a l i a n f i s h i n g i n d u s t r y i s
Amazon communities composed of native decentralised and often family operated.
peoples and descendants of escaped Apparently less political clout than
slaves (Quilombolas): American lobbyists.
The Diuron
Saga
From a March 27 report, ABC:
“A World Wildlife Fund report says
the herbicide Diuron has been
found at 55 times its considered
safe levels in creeks that drain into
the reef, and as much as 100
times safe levels in the reef itself.”
The report concludes the
widespread use of the chemical is
endangering the Great Barrier
Reef.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Authority lists the declining
quality of water in catchment
areas as one of the biggest threats
to the reef. Besides mining waste
and dredging, Diuron use by the
cane farming industry is an
important part of that problem.
The World Wildlife Fund says it is
being found up to 60 kilometres
from shore inside the World
Heritage area of the Great Barrier
Reef at concentrations harmful to
coral, and has been found to be
representing about 80 per cent of
all of the herbicide load in the reef.
The Australian Pesticides
and Veterinary Medicines
Authority has been
reviewing Diuron's use
for the past decade.
TCP has been covering this subject
since issue number 5, (2003).
TCP questioned a resident of a
cane centre near Mackay why
council didn’t allow cane farmers
to sell their waterfront property
for development to create a buffer
between the fields and
waterways. He responded that
sugar mills covet every acre
planted and will guard it’s supply
of raw material with considerable
political clout.

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