Sept. - Oct. 2011 - The Coastal Passage Home Page

Sept. - Oct. 2011
E-TCP
E-TCP
Racing
on Ruby
50 Editions and still FREE!
Jon Hickling photo

Sept. - Oct. 2011
50th Special Edition!

www.fusioncats.com
jim@fusioncats.com

A Lugger at Hamilton Island Race Week?
Proudly out of place and time? The Ruby Charlotte
charges up the channel with the yacht club in foreground.
Jon Hickling photo
By Bob Norson
Liz Hickling photo
Jon, what were you thinking?
“It wasn’t my idea actually.” Jon said they were talking with friend Phil and he suggested it and offered to
provide sponsorship to help make it happen. “What would you need?” Jon thought of the light air sail
that would suit the most common conditions at Hamo among other things and the costs were assessed
and sail made. Phil and Sharon Delangen run AVPartners, an audio-visual company for concerts,
conventions and the like, operating out of Hamilton Island. The Hickling’s son Justin works for them as
well. So the delightfully improbable came about that causally.
Most TCP readers are familiar with the saga of Percy Island and the Hickling’s part in it. By the late
eighties Andy Martin, the leaseholder, was not up to the demanding job of maintaining the island and
overseeing the hospitality of the visiting yachts. The Hickling’s took on that job and the nineties are
considered by many to be the best of times for the island before the rug was pulled out from under their
feet. For that amazing story see the TCP website. During those years the Ruby Charlotte was the supply
ship for the island with a voyage to Mackay every few months to exchange island produce for needed
staples.
So the old lugger went to sea with a fleet of the shiniest plastic on the planet with a crew of mates from
the island. When the wind was up and causing havoc for the rest of the fleet, Ruby Charlotte was
romping along at 9.5 knots and loving it. When the wind was too much for the others to handle Jon
reports they put up a heady and sailed over to Cid Harbour for lunch. But there is an upwind leg to most
events and that isn’t an old luggers strong suit so the hot rods had their day but did they have as much
fun?
The Ruby Charlotte is 68ft nose to toes and 52ft on deck. Pretty standard for a lugger. Built in Balimba
and launched in February of 57 just a few months behind Ise Pearl, another famous Lugger now
chartering in the Whitsunday’s that was launched within a stones throw. The builders of Ruby Charlotte
were Watts and Wright, the Wright thought to be one of the Norman Wright clan whose members are still
building and repairing fine boats, currently in Mooloolaba. (see their ad in this edition) Jon reports the
boat was commissioned by HO& RN Hocking P/L and sold in 74 to the Nona family on Badu Island where
she was renamed the Ruby Charlotte (formally Nadine) after two daughters of the family. They used her
for pearling, beche de mer and trochus fishing. In 84 John Burnett of Cairns bought her. Jon reports that
in 87 they still had enough of the luggers around Cairns to have a regatta, the last event of it’s kind and
Ruby Charlotte won. John had some connection with the maritime museum in Cairns but couldn’t come
up with the resources necessary to restore the aging vessel and that’s where the Hickling’s came in.
“The last twenty one years we have been the custodians of her (the other woman I am allowed to have)
and she has been restored to her former glory (all work done by me).” Jon may be too humble. The old
girl may be a little better than she ever was but still authentic in the ways that count.
“My crew is already starting to talk about next year!” Jon said if that comes about he is thinking of a big
square sail to make the most of the downwind sailing. Now wouldn’t that make Hamo worth the ticket?
Can’t wait.....
See the E-TCP for more on Ruby
Charlotte conquers Hearts at Hamo
Liz Hickling photo
The photo of Ruby Charlotte above was taken by Stuart Buchanan while the boat
was working in the Torres Strait , published in his book, The Lighthouse Keepers.
Used with permission.
The Coastal Passage #50! 2011 Page 9

RACING
ON
RUBY
On one of the days after the 30ts abated
we were struggling in the lighter airs so
we put up some 'water sails' these are the
headsails stretched under the booms to
give an extra push, we also set an MPS
between the mizzen and mainmast, we
went from 5kts to 7.5's so it did help!
Cheers, Jon
By Keith Owen of Speranza
When you hear of the Hamilton Island Race Week from us, you can be
forgiven for thinking of son Matthew and his chartered Sydney 36 Local Hero.
But this year, it was us, yes, the Speranza mob, who also competed in this
prestigious event. But not on Speranza rather on the pearling lugger, Ruby
Charlotte. It was a fantastic experience.
Jon and Liz had secured some sponsorship for Race Week and kindly invited
us to crew on a couple of races. Now, in the past, our big boat racing has been
on high-tech craft with all the latest gear. On this occasion, Jon had to teach us
the intricacies of raising a gaff rig and how to sheet sails using belaying pins
(no self-tailing winches here!) Heavy work but very satisfying particularly on
windy days where we flew the big balloon jib and sheeted it home using a
“handy billy” (aka a block and tackle).
There was a terrific crew on board. The brains trust(?) disported themselves on
cushioned wicker lounges on the aft deck. The mast and foredeck crew used a
more utilitarian couch amidships when not hauling on lines and setting sails.
We even had a real live doctor (and two on the second day!) on board to
ensure our safety, both good sailors, and their doctoring skills luckily were only
needed to advise on which type of beer to consume. Just a great team of
beaut people whose company we really enjoyed.
The first race was the Lindeman Island Race. We were quite the centre of
attention at the start with the Channel 7 TV crew taking considerable footage.
After getting away well, we headed out to sea. A close-hauled yacht Ruby is
not, she tacks through about 120 plus degrees. So the afterguard decided that
to tack between Shaw and Lindeman Islands would take forever. We therefore
completed our very own Pentecost Island Race and came first! Sadly, of
course, this was not acknowledged by the Race Committee.
The next day was pretty breezy and the course took us on a broad reach/run.
Ruby just flew along under her big sails. Superb sailing. At the end it took
quite a few tacks to cross the finish line, but all in all it was a tremendous race,
a great credit to Jon and the crew.
So, many, many thanks Liz and Jon for allowing us to be part of the fun!

“How Hard Can It Be?” or..
How TCP began and how it all happens
Hard work get’s it’s just reward. If that’s true the following letters are what we call pay day. THANKING YOU! From B n K
G'day Kay and Bob, time and place. Mackay Marina. Then I bumped into you could carry happy snaps of the couple as well as pictures of
both, not knowing TCP was yours, and raved on about this some of the early TCP days - eg. The Bowen Bakery.
Congratulations on your fiftieth edition of The Coastal great newspaper I'd just seen. I just think such an article and pickies would be the
Passage. What a magnificent effort for just the two of you central and prominent feature of the 50th and be of great
to produce such an entertaining, informative and well- Regrds, interest to the thousands of TCP groupies. Just a thought.
received paper. Not only that, each edition usually Bob Fenney, SY Elcho
contains a couple of your own articles and in-depth Cheers,
answers to readers' questions in the “Letters” section. You Keith, SY Speranza
write with brutal frankness, not fearful of calling a spade a G'day Kay and Bob,
bloody shovel. You're also well into building your own Greeting to all of you!
catamaran. What the hell do you two do in your spare The 50th edition of TCP is a significant milestone and
time? should be celebrated as such. I've been wracking my wine All of you have achievements and skills that make your kind
shot brain to think of a suitable way in which to mark the words all the more humbling considering their sources but
Good on ya, occasion. we need to point out that you all have contributed to the
Stuart Buchanan, SY Pluto. It seems to me that the Norson's should be highlighted - paper's content in substantial ways.
after all there would be no TCP without them. I think there So this exemplifies what it is all about. We are proud to
should be a feature article under the heading: “IT'S ALL have created the venue but truly, “It can’t be about you
Hi Kay & Bob, THEIR FAULT!" without you,” and us too. So below is a very shorthand
I am sure that all TCP readers would be interested to read version of how this happened.
50th edition...WOW ! Fantastic...congratulations and well the background of these extraordinary people, how they
done. I for one, never had any doubt as to the success TCP started TCP and why and when. (What's a good looking Cheers to all,
would be from the first time I saw it. I can still remember the jeweller doing in a place like this? type stuff). The article Bob n Kay
“The Factory” Was once a large bakery but we got the building in
ruins. We brought it back better than ever and that was the home
of the paper at the beginning. Many a fine gathering was had
there. When someone caught a mackerel or ? sailing into Bowen
we would have fish tacos for all or BBQ ribs- yumm! The front
office was the publishing “empire” with the bulk of the building a
jewellery factory.. thus the name.
Picking up the print run in Bundaberg,
about one ton of paper
By Bob & Kay Norson (well, mostly Bob) I made the decision to start a boating paper that
would tell the real stories, and report news that
I doubt most readers don't give much thought to mattered to boaties and WE had to do it. That was
how TCP gets whacked together but when we talk 2003. Famously I told Kay, ‘how hard can it be’?
to people that have been involved in publishing they Kay's Note: The decision was made final when Bob
are usually surprised (or shocked) and curious came out of the shower, still dripping wet and said
about the details of how TCP comes together to me,"What do you think of the name, "The Coastal
because we have invented our own path and it's Passage?" That was it. The name was perfect,
not.. er.. normal. time to get started!
First a little history. To be perfectly blunt, and I'm From my background in preparing newspaper
getting to old and cranky to pussyfoot around advertising for our retail businesses in past and my
anymore, I love being on the water and I hate general understanding of "how things work", I felt it
bullshit. I've got what I consider an active and ultra was possible to have a go at a publication in
sensitive bullshit-o-meter. I got tired of being fed newsprint. I felt that many newspapers would hire
the crap and really irritated by seeing it accepted by their presses and contacted APN Mackay,
a lot of people that just didn't have enough publishers of the Mackay Mercury. Peter Molloy,
background to know how they were being played. the print manager was incredibly helpful to get us
That's not a denigration of those people novices under way, even running a mock 4 pager
necessarily; we all learn what bullshit is after the once just to let us see how it could go from our files
fact don't we? That moment when you slap your
head and go AAHHGG! They got me! Be honest.
for no charge.
How many of you bought “children overboard”? We knew this was a wild shot. Audacious is the
That one was a real triumph of media in bed with word. The expectation was of spending a bit of
government over the truth. They got away with it money that we could afford to blow, printing a few
(long enough to tweak an election) because they editions, making a few waves and validating the
had the machinery in place. feelings of like minded cruisers that may have been
under the impression they were supposed to be the
At the inception of TCP boating wasn't facing the little consumer robots the shiny boys told them to
big issues yet but the machinery was in place in be. Then pack it all up and save some copies for
boating media. Small things at the beginning the grandkids or something. That was eight years
became bigger things and when customs arbitrarily ago. We were astounded to find that in spite of the
began applying rules to yachts that were never crudeness of those early copies, or maybe in part
intended to apply to anything but ships, with no because of it, the paper developed an immediate
notice or warning, TCP was in place and a good and passionate following. Even crazier, we started
thing too because there was no support from the to sell advertising! This shattered our plans for
newstand mob with one exception. Go Boating, a retirement.
Queensland magazine got onto the Manzari case
right away and has challenged government on other
issues since.
We didn't even have a computer that worked so
went shopping. A laptop and one those printer,
scanner, copier thingos, and paper. The first
And then there is the cruising part - the real yachty
stuff. Not the brass button, double breasted blazer
variety. I didn't give a toss about the advertorial,
glowing feature of the latest un-affordable import or
winner of this months “GPS shootout” because I
knew the prize went to the one who bought the
biggest ad and I could find out what worked best by
asking around on the beach at sundowners.
edition was produced with Microsoft Publisher. Kay
made it work somehow but we got Corel 10 after
that and have been using it since. Anyone could
reproduce that gear now for under $2000 and most
people already have the capability sitting on a desk
now. Times have changed.
It wasn't until issue # 8 that I finally took over
production (now that I have become a "boat
builder", Kay has the reigns back). Kay had been
So there is the why… BUT HOW??
doing it because I couldn't send an email without an
assistant. But during the previous editions, pacing
The Printed Paper
around behind Kay making her a nervous wreck, I
started to absorb some of it. The Corel was easy, it
Let me make clear now that Kay and I have no
publishing background. We both spent many
successful years in the Jewellery business on many
levels; Jewellery design, gemology, and
manufacturing, retail and wholesale business
was the photo adjustment that is tricky with
newsprint. What you see on the screen as you
work is not what you get. You have to know the
presses that you use and be familiar with their
thumbprint to nail it.
owners.
continued next page...

TCP is printed on very modern presses. Our files are transmitted electronically to the APN plant in Yandina QLD where the digital information is processed and sent to the
printing plant. At left is the control room with the enclosed presses in background. Both rooms are huge, the photo only catches a corner of each. Everything about this
business is big scale. The action is fast! At right I took a photo with a fast lens to stop the action. What you see is the centre fold pages and front and back page of TCP # 47,
freshly printed and being folded, ready to join other parts of the edition and cut. Then it leaves the press room on the conveyor at left and the stapling and final trim is done,
bundled up, put on pallets and we pick em up and start shipping. Photos at lower right: the control room crew monitor the run and below is Grant Schrader, print manager.
When we moved south in 2007, we stuck with APN. Can’t wait to restart that!
They publish all the main newspapers on the
Queensland Coast from the Sunshine Coast to the
Whitsunday's. APN Bundaberg was our printers until
just recently. [Ironically, APN announced they were
closing several plants, including Bundy and Mackay right
after we took the photos for this piece. It is no secret that
Probably the most astounding thing about TCP is the fact
it is truly run more like a newspaper. The shiny mags you
see are usually produced two months in advance and
authors receive demands for an annual plan of submission.
We don't even like to use that word.
newspapers are contracting as the web grows. We now
use APN in Toowoomba and for this giant edition,
Warwick. It’s only after learning the business that you
begin to appreciate the quality of the people you have
been dealing with. I can’t say enough good about APN
printing. It must have been a tough call to let a quality
team like they had in Bundy go.]
When we are producing, every page gets printed A3 size
and spread out on tables or shelves and the red pens
come out to spot corrections or improvements to text. This
goes on for days and the words you are reading now? A
last minute (hopefully) improvement. But sooner or later
the time comes where you have to stop. No TCP has ever
been "done", only seized from our bleeding finger tips by
the print manager. Every once in a while one goes so well
TCP is run on presses that fill a hall. Truly magnificent
machinery and the staff have been the very best. I'm
proud to say that TCP has a consistently fine quality
result but we don't get all the credit. We have a very
good relationship with the staff and they do look after us.
it escapes even our post print criticism, I hope this is one of
those.
It is not unusual for TCP to run a feature or news item that
we have received just days, sometimes hours, from
printing. What makes this especially unusual is that we
Printing is done in four colours. Cyan (bluish), Magenta don't have a newspaper staff to accomplish this. And even
(redish), Yellow and black which is the Key colour, or
CMYK. When we send off our electronic files they are
in PDF (portable document format). APN Yandina
processes the E-files and plates for each colour get
mounted on the presses where ever the printing is being
weirder… we rarely make a serious mistake.
Misspellings? Yes, but we don't panic over the small stuff.
Touch wood but so far TCP has never had to make a
retraction. That is an outstanding record for any
publication.
done. The paper comes in a huge roll and pages get
printed on each side and the paper is folded, cut and
folded again to get our tabloid size as it goes through the
series of machines that together are the presses.
Aligning the colour plates is critical. The “register” as
this is called, is closely monitored via cameras mounted
Typically, 95% of what you read in a TCP has been
contributed or reported since the last edition. Hot off the
press mate, and with all the dedication and heart we can
muster. This paper could not be done just for money, it's
about believing in something important, you.
above the speeding paper as it goes through the press.
In a separate room the pros are monitoring the run on
screens and manually checking papers as the press
runs. It normally takes at least a thousand copies before
everything is good to go and then another 20 minutes
and presto.. .
So from a passing idea, to those tentative first issues we
have stumbled through our own way, light on the helm, let
the contributors and tide set her course and see what
happens. The print TCP equals any of the newstand mob
regardless of their claims and when you add the E-TCP we
are second to none.
The papers run out to another room via a belt and there
they get stapled, trimmed and bundled, ready for us to
pick up.
Then we drive back to the Sandfly Strait to unload and
start packaging. This is another job in itself. Every
distribution place has it's own quantities kept on record.
We check by phone mid cycle to monitor performance to
keep wastage to a minimum or top up. We have done
this since TCP#4. Before that we just drove around. Of
course the first to send is Advertisers & Subscribers
(thanks all you subscribers who are willing to pay for a
FREE! paper), then the rest. To describe the amount
that is sent each edition, I tell the curious to imagine 10-
15 shopping carts full for the first run, then another 5
carts full for the places that run out a month later. The
old one ton van has been very important to us and TCP
shipping.
The E-TCP and the website
Back in the mid nineties we were ridiculed for announcing
the future importance of the web for trade and media and
of course we were 100% correct, but this was not a
subject that existed when I went to school so how to get
there from here? Sam Chambers of SY Priority 1
contributed an early web producing program and a few
hours of hands on.
That was enough to get started and the learning process
continues. Since then I have learned to do a lot in code
that can be done on any word processing program or
notebook and we have the state of the art web production
program too but rarely use it. The web site and the E-TCP
are done in a fashion that we believe readers prefer. We
are NOT out to impress the tech-heads that judge websites
by how complex they are. TCP readers would generally
list goes on. Exhausting. We sometimes wonder why
we are putting ourselves through this gauntlet - we were
supposed to be retired! What makes the hard work
disappear is when we get a wonderful letter or call from
one of you telling us how much you enjoy the paper and
even save them!
This is also a good place to say "THANK-YOU" to all
the advertisers that have supported TCP. Thanks for
supporting the paper whilst respecting it's
independence. Thanks for sharing our respect for the
boating community.
So, HIP HIP HOORAY!
This is our 50th edition and corny as it is:
"It can't be about you without you!
In the early days a major source of distribution was the
manual delivery by dinghy at big anchorages like Nara
Inlet or where ever we were. We did it because it was
fun! And it was very effective at spreading the word.
prefer to have a paper in hand but where that isn’t possible
we provide the most similar experience possible via the
web. From our point of view, the best of all worlds and we
find a lot of people feel the same way, some 80,000 of you
every edition. Most of you are Australian but not all. So for
all you readers in France, Canada, USA,
NZ, UK, Russia, Norway, Germany,
Thailand, and more.. Cheers from
Australia!
Cheers and happy boating to all,
Kay & Bob
The Coastal Passage logo and lighthouse are trademark
www.thecoastalpassage.com
Kay Norson: senior volunteer, apprentice sander, level 1 speller & P Plate 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.
Kay's Note: The best part of telling this
story of TCP is where we get to tell all TCP
Fans that the ride we have been on for the
last 8 years with TCP has had its up and
downs. There has been some very
sleepless nights (especially AFTER the
files are sent to print) and we cannot re-do
or fix spelling/grammer anymore. Have we
been too bold in reporting the facts even
when we felt it had to be said? Did we get
the photos adjusted right for presses? Is
text in the right places? Do the ads all line
up right on the bottom of the page?...the
Kay & Bob

TCP's Classic
Passage People #28
How Fardjaget? or Reflections from Lizard Island
appreciative audience. We ooh
and ah in all the right places
without any prompting. The only
thing that's missing is the
campfire…but hey, it's pretty hot
up there anyway!
We managed to get together
a sweep for Melbourne Cup
Day…cleverly downloading the
horses from 2003 and trying to
listen in real time with a radio
with flat batteries (I guess we
used up all our organizational
reserves dealing with MSQ!)!
Not to be dissuaded by these
small details, we decided on a
“lucky dip” to decide the winners.
Needless to say, there was much
merriment throughout as we
pondered the comedy of errors!
Contributors
The list below contains all of the
contributors in this edition,
including the Classic pages.
Chris Ayres, SY Lady Lonsdale
Susan Bett, MY Scallywag
Stuart Buchanan, SY Pluto
Colleen Burns, SY La Passarola
Dianne Challis, building a Snell Easy
Jim Geddes, SC Te Awara
Natasha Harper, SY Kalida
Jon Hickling, SV Ruby Charlotte
Vicki J., SY, Shomi
Leonie Bremer-Kamp, ex SY Bifrost
Alan Lucas, SY Soleares
Being on the water brings an
Stuart Mears, SY Velella
Ines and Ari Noordhuis, SY Anaconda
Capt'n Oddworm SY, Mariposa
Suzanne Osier, SY Peregrine
Keith Owen, SY Speranza
Lynelle Parker, SY Chappie
Jodie Rossiter, SY Yun Khan
Shannon & Peter, SY Tryphena
Peter Utber, SY Leah
opportunity to meet people you
E-TCP CONTRIBUTORS:
We arrived at Lizard Island in time for
the October full moon. This naturally
would add layers of regulation,
examinations and fees to boating in
probably wouldn't get a chance
to if you stayed in the suburbs. People
Steve Kenyon, SC Felix
Robyn Dix SY Marrawudi
meant some howling on the beach with
other cruisers. As you would expect,
howling always leads somewhere… and
Queensland. Time to change into our
political lobbyist hats. Oh gawd, we all
moan to the shining moon, a little voice
with all kinds of boats, all kinds of
incomes, the full range of political views,
neighbour or overseas visitor (if they're
What’s your story?
It can't be about you without you!
this occasion was no exception…
Everything is perfect. You're on a lovely,
rather remote, tropical island, the 2m
resident croc hasn't been seen for a
saying, “Ignore it”. But you know you
can't. You know you mustn't. OK, you
sigh, changing into Action Mode.
Snorkeling, diving, swimming, picnics,
not in jail for breaking the 96 hour
Customs rule…) are the “multicultural”
fabric of the high seas. Although few
admit it, yachties tend to measure their
And as always, TCP very much appreciates your letters
and other contributions that provides the rich forum of
ideas, issues and news. For information on feature
contribution requirements and awards, see the TCP web
site: “contributions” page.
while (and you're hopeful it will stay that walking…all the things you've been worth by how far they've travelled, the
way), the breeze is gentle, the sky is
clear, the company is outstanding.
dreaming about for months as you
journeyed north to Lizard, have to wait a
few more days.
way landlubbers measure their worth
by their income and the merc in the
garage.
TCP’s thanks to Vessel Tryphena for the letter &
picture which captures the essence of “Passage
People”. And thanks to all in the photo for
You forget all those stormy days and
LIVING IT!
rolling anchorages (well, those of us in
monos forget …) and sailing seems like
the freest and liberating existence you
could hope for.
You're ready to snorkel, swim, walk and
laze the days away in the company of
friends in paradise. Oops. Reality
Glue yourself to the MSQ website (on
one of the few boats that actually had
Internet), get some details and send in
our responses before 2 Nov. Just what
you'd expect to be doing at Lizard Island.
NOT!! But that's what the cruisers did.
Finally, the reason you've come can be
Yet the common thread in every
story is always the people met, not the
places seen or the distance travelled.
The good times remembered and
cherished are when you're with good
company, wherever you are on the
coast or in the world. I guess you'd
From left to right on Melbourne Cup Day, 2007,
Fern of Kenchega, Barbara and Paul of Duality,
Jan and Eric of SeaDuction, Peter of Tryphena.
Alan of Paul Mitchell, Stuart and Nannette of
Truest Passion, Dot of Paul Mitchell, Pete of
Kenchega.
check! realized. The talk over sundowners have to say it's not about distance Biggest thanks to Shannon of Tryphena who is not
Enter an email from TCP alerting us to
the proposed MSQ regulations that
often settles on “how far did ya'get?”
People tell their stories to an
travelled (or Mercs for that matter),
it's about people. Not much else really
matters.
in the photo as she was busy taking it and who
organised getting this to us while at Lizard Island.
www.mbtbc.com
www.mbtbc.com
marina@mbtbcmarina.com.au facilities@mbtbc.com
marinasales@mbtbc.com www.mbtbc.com

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Cascais Portugal
“We had a great start but both Artemis and Team New Zealand managed to pass us and that's what these boats are all about,” Ellison (Oracle
Racing) said following the race. “It makes the sailing much more exciting; it's not a matter of ‘you win the start, you win the race’. So it's just what
we hoped for when we decided on multihulls for the next America's Cup… It's really competitive and that's what people want to see. They want to
see close races and the best sailors in the fastest boats.”
It’s a long way to the top in the new America’s Cup but the
Kiwis are off to a great start. And notice the deck gear in the
circle? That winch looks like the model and size that will be
mounted on the new TCP floating office where they will have
a less stressful home.
sales@harken.com.au
www.spinlock.co.uk
Photos Gilles Martin-Raget
The first official showing of the AC 45 catamarans lived up to their promise of action packed racing. Medical
monitoring of some crew revealed they were working so hard their heart rate exceeded what the med people
thought was the maximum.
On one of the events guests were invited on every boat and Australian legend John Bertrand, the skipper of
Australia II that took the cup in 83 had a ride and had this to say; “This was my first race on an AC45,” he said.
“The boats are extremely physical and the racing puts the crews under tremendous pressure to make the right
decision at the right time. There is no margin for error… We haven’t seen anything yet!” He would know.
China Team’s skipper shared his philosophy for recording a fast run: “There are only two speeds to these boats,”
said Mitch Booth. “Flat out, and stopped!”
The final weekend showed how fluid the positions could be. The Kiwis had been steady winners but the match
race on Saturday saw them outraced by James Spithill and his ORACLE Racing crew. But then came Sunday....
Emirates Team New Zealand made an incredible recovery during the ‘winner takes all’ fleet race on Sunday to
win the America’s Cup World Series Cascais, the first event of a new global series leading up to San Francisco in
2013.
With nine boats on the start line, the competition was close, and with a tricky, patchy race course area, there
were passing lanes throughout the day. ORACLE Racing Spithill jumped out to a convincing lead early, but
couldn’t protect it. On the second lap of the race course, Kiwi skipper Dean Barker found more wind on his side of
the race course to make the speed and pass.
“For us it was fantastic,” Barker said. “It was always going to be a very difficult race, as the breeze never really
established. There were big ‘holes’ in the race course, so it was about being at the right place at the right time.”
Artemis Racing, too, was able to work its way up to a second place finish from being back in the pack early; the
early leader, ORACLE Racing Spithill, was forced to settle for third.
continued next page...
shop@thedeckstore.com.au
www.thedeckstore.com.au

“The guys did an awesome job to battle us up into the race,” said
Artemis Racing skipper Terry Hutchinson, after a day where he
climbed back from mid-fleet to second place. “It’s probably the best
we’ve gone in the entire regatta. It's a very good finish for Artemis.”
But the feel-good story came from the Spanish Green Comm
Racing. From a position of dead last early in the race, Vasilij Zbogar
and his crew of dinghy champions began picking off the opposition
on the final leg of the race to earn a fifth place finish, an incredible
achievement for the novice crew.
“It's a fantastic day for the team, we were last to arrive, and were
very last for the first three races, then we have been improving every
day,” he said. “We were eighth, then seventh, sixth and now fifth.
Today the spirit of the team showed more than ever – we never give
up. We fight to the end. Today, we are happy with our improvement,
but still not happy with the result. We are a team of winners, so we
won’t be happy until we win.”
Next Stop for the AC circus is Plymouth England where the venue
is expected to be well attended and good watching!
After that it moves to San Diego in November, a venue we know
pretty well.
Downtown San Diego was rejuvenated long ago and the
entertainment and restaurant area called the Gas Lamp Quarter is a
walk away from Harbour Drive. Above left in the photo above is US
Navy base, North Island. Those sailors will have the best seat in the
house.
facilities@mbtbc.com
The Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race & Rally 2011
a huge sucess and growing!
Race start Darwin Harbour
Jessica Wickham photo
Below are a few words from Robyn Dix, a Darwin Ambon R&R comittee member and a rally participant
over the years on her yacht, Marrawudi. With Husband Greg and son Stuart, Robyn raced in the Darwin
to Ambon in 2008 and again in 2010. In 2008 they came 5th in Monohull Division, and last year they won
the Rally Trophy.
Robyn's son Stuart also flew over to Ambon after the race start and assisted her in the Race Office.
Robyn's husband, Greg sailed on Sue Sea and was the 5th yacht to finish the race. Jessica Wickham, a
photographer for the race is Robyn's daughter in law. A true yachting family!
Along with being a committee member, Robyn was Race Control Officer in Ambon for 2011, and the
Darwin Ambon website author and editor. In other words, Robyn is very dedicated to the Rally's success.
Its people like Robyn that make these Rally's "happen".
I believe the partnership of the Darwin and Ambon Sister City Program is the one, great thing that
makes this event fabulous. The yacht race, with all of its activities, embraces and facilitates
friendship links between the communities with the aim of increasing understanding and a sharing
of ourselves wit hour neighbours. This understanding, sharing and respect continues beyond the
race, as yachties travel and visit other communities. One skipper commented “Turning around
and finishing the race, although in the Rally Division, was the best decision of my life the fun
we've had since, with the best group of mates you could ask for, has made it all the event of a
lifetime.”
To all the skippers and crew of the 2011 event, we would love to hear your stories, publish your
blogs, photos and share your wonderful experiences with interested yachties, and those planning
to join the Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race & Rally 2012. Send us an email:
robyn@darwinambonrace.com.au
For all information, enquiries about the event or expressions of interest for 2012's fabulous
Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race & Rally visit our:
Website -www.darwinambonrace.com.au Check out 2012 Race Information
Contact - info@darwinambonrace.com.au or robyn@darwinambonrace.com.au
Join the conversations on Facebook -www.facebook.com/darwinambonrace
Check out our Partners:
DBCYA - www.dinahbeachcya.com.au
Sail Maluku Archipelago www.sailmalukuarchipelago.com
Our best guess is a cool light westerly sea breeze, 10 to 12 kts and TCP NOTE: For the whole story by Robyn of the 2011 Darwin Ambon Race &
a LOT of spectator craft. San Diego will be up for the party no doubt.
Rally 2011, see the E-TCP of this edition. www.thecoastalpassage.com
By Bob Norson with quotes from AC media team.
www.mbtbc.com
marinasales@mbtbc.com
marina@mbtbcmarina.com.au
sales@mbtbc.com www.mbtbc.com

Darwin Ambon Race & Rally 2011 - A huge success and growing every year!
Photos above: race start Darwin
Words by Robyn Dix, SY Marrawudi of the Indonesian Archipelago. The options are many community of Darwin. Participants had many
Photos by Greg & Robyn Dix (unlless noted) from volcanic islands intermingled with coral atolls, to opportunities to meet, share their stories, build
old forts and villages to explore with breathtaking friendships and begin to plan their weeks ahead sailing
The Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race & Rally has a long scenery, as well as ancient trading villages of lucrative through the Indonesian Archipelago. The race is an
history that began with a chance visit to Ambon in the spice, timber and fishing trades. There are also many important, annual event in the Darwin community
Spice Islands of Indonesia, by a Darwin radio technician World War II wrecks and coral reefs to make the area a program that extends much further than to just the
in 1976. It was the spark that attracted six yachts in its diver's paradise. The pace is slow and the travel visiting yachties.
inaugural year. partners are many.
The final, and most important celebration in the Darwin
Entries steadily increased as the event's reputation Darwin Race Week 2011 Race Week, was the spinnaker start off Stokes Hill
spread and the tradition grew for yachties to sail into Wharf on the 23 July 2011, at 1100hrs. The Official
Indonesia. By 1998, annual race entries had reached The Darwin Race Week 2011 began with a Cocktail Start Boat was the HMAS Ararat providing the starting
almost 100. Sadly, political instability in Ambon forced Party at the Darwin City Council to celebrate the long gun, flags and great vantage for the VIP sponsors to
the cancellation of the 1999 race, and it was not held for running Sister City Event with Ambon City and the send the fleet 634nm, to the Village of Amahusu in
the next 8 years. A deputation from Ambon visited cultural and sporting exchange that the race brings. Ambon Harbour, with champagne. After the start, HMAS
Darwin in April 2006 with a view to getting the event The links between Darwin and Ambon date as far back Ararat was quick to weigh anchor and follow the fleet
restarted. Later that year, four Darwin cruisers sailed to as World War II, and annual delegations travel to sailing out the Harbour. The multi-colour spread across
Ambon to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Ambon to commemorate ANZAC Day. Alderman Garry the horizon with the majority of yachts flying their
Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race and to explore the Lambert spoke, at the Cocktail Party, of the pride that spinnakers and searching for clear air and position. The
cruising opportunities of the Maluku Province. The the Darwin City has with the Sister City program being race leaders departing Darwin Harbour were Fantasia
following year on the 21st July 2007, the Dinah Beach involved in the annual Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race & and Walk on the Wildside - both yachts, eager to hold
Cruising Yacht Association Inc. (DBCYA) introduced Rally. Gary wished all the participants well for the race. first position for the race.
their inaugural DBCYA Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race.
The following evening was Race Briefing and Yachts follow the rhumb line north through the Arafura
Race entrants continue to grow, with the Darwin to barbeque at DBCYA. Max, from the Bureau of Sea to the Indonesian island of Sermata which peaks at
Ambon Yacht Race & Rally 2011 event, attracting a Meteorology, gave a forecast for the race “There will be 392 metres and lies east of Timor Leste. Next it's the
large racing fleet, including national and international Easterlies to South Easterlies of 15 to 30 knots once depths of the Banda Sea, passing close to the Island of
yachts as well as the local crowd. Some of the racing past the wind shadow of the Tiwi Islands, waves will be Damar which peaks at 868 metres, and then on to
fleet began the year racing in the Sydney to Hobart up to 2 meters consistent with an enduring wind pattern. Ambon. Ambon lies approx. 355º T from Darwin. Yachts
Yacht Race, the Australia Day Geelong Race Week, Some quick times should be made!” Mike explained the usually enjoy fresh South-Easterly Trade Winds until
and the Fremantle to Bali Race, before arriving in Yacht Tracking system that the committee has they enter Ambon Harbour. The hills around Ambon can
Darwin to compete in the Round the Islands Yacht Race implemented for the 2011 event. The trackers, not only rein the breezes to a zephyr a half a knot ebbing tide
and Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race & Rally After the allowed greater safety, but also allowed those back can then become a major obstacle to reaching the
festivities and presentation in Ambon, some of the home to follow the race progress in real time on the finishing line, as some of the yachts found this year
racing yachts will head west to the Phuket King's Cup website. taking 3 ½ hours to cover the 6nm from the harbour
completing an amazing racing circuit for 2011. entrance.
Later in the week was the NT Government Reception,
The event also encourages a rally fleet, welcoming all at Parliament House, to celebrate and to thank our The Yacht Trackers enabled those back home and
sailors, with some cruising yachts this year sailing in the major sponsors. The Northern Territory Government is across the world to be an active participant of the race.
Darwin Dili Yacht Race before arriving in Ambon for proud to have been a major sponsor of the event for Many comments were sent through to the Race Office
clearance into Indonesia and to join the celebrations. over 25 years. Other sponsors represented on the with people speculating on the conditions the fleet
After the celebrations in Ambon, yachts will spend their evening included DBCYA committee and members, our faced. One follower commented, “It looks like
time cruising the wonderful islands, some heading north Indonesian Consul partners, Darwin City Council Australian Maid is anchored at PulauDamar, Shady
to the Philippines and Borneo, or west to Bali and representatives, the Darwin Port Corporation, the Yacht Lady and Wicked have gone fishing off the NW tip of
beyond, while others will return the slow route to Darwin Shop and JR/ Duty Free. The reception was hosted by Bathurst Island, and Maralinga has been towing
via the Banda Islands and Tanimbar Islands. Dr Christopher Burns MLA in the Nitmiluk Lounge, Pandora for some time!” The Yacht Trackers proved to
Parliament House. The evening was another great be a great success even one “Anxious Father” of 86
Racing Monohull (IRC) Division, Racing Multihull opportunity for skippers and crew to size up their years was able to follow his son all the way to Ambon
Division, Racing Cruising Monohull Division or Rally competition, set wagers and quietly prepare for battle. Harbour and know he had arrived safely.
Division, all yachts enter the event as an opportunity to
process their travel documents with an Indonesian The Wonderful Maluku Evening at the Indonesian
Customs Bond Exemption Certificate, and to journey Embassy was a sharing of music, dance, food and continued next page...
onwards to explore some of the amazing 17,000 islands friendships with our Indonesian Consul partners and
Phiotos: Race Start - Leading Yachts in Darwin Harbour - Fantasia & Walk on the Wildside & Wonderful Maluku Dancers

Finish Line - Official Boarding Party
Ambon Race Week 2011 accepted by the community. listed by many participants in “the
bucket list of yacht races” promises to
Crossing the finish line, on Mon 25th, at A Gala Dinner for the participants was return and wagers were set for next
20:37.06, and receiving the prized held at the beautiful and rich residence year's race. The lure of tropical
award of Line Honours, and fabulous of the Mayor of Ambon City, and hosted conditions and “champagne” sailing
welcome, was Fantasia, Skipper by the Mayor of Ambon City, continues to invite. But, in the
Andrew Stransky. Andrew proved his BapakPapilaya. The evening was meantime, friendships will take yachties
skills in the fluky winds of Ambon sponsored by Bintang to the great to many neighbouring islands and other
Harbour, taking an excruciating 10min appreciation of the yachties. wonderful and fantastic destinations
to make the final 50m just before the BapakPapilaya opened his residence to throughout the Maluku Province and
tide turned. To meet and welcome a wonderful dinner, dance and music Indonesian Archipelago.
Andrew and his crew were the King of where the DBCYA Commodore showed
Amahusu, the Secretary to Ambon City, his style of dancing, while others joined I believe the partnership of the
the Sub- District Leader, various other the singing and enjoyed the evening. Darwin and Ambon Sister City
officials, several rally yachts and heaps Program is the one, great thing that
of locals. The local Amahusu Dance Ambon festivities included Friendship makes this event fabulous. The
Group “Boiratan” followed Fantasia Games and Cultural Activities in the yacht race, with all of its activities,
across the Finish Line in a special boat Village of Amahusu. The yachties embraces and facilitates friendship
“kole- kole” beating their drums contested the locals to tug-of-war, links between the communities with
“totobuang” to the local traditional volleyball, “crazy smoke” and much the aim of increasing understanding
welcome dance. From the beach came more, in the mud and pouring rain! and a sharing of ourselves wit hour
many cheers, horns and flares. Officials neighbours. This understanding,
then quickly processed their entry into The final celebration to the weeks of sharing and respect continues
Indonesia. Andrew and his crew came preparation, building friendships and the beyond the race, as yachties travel
ashore to receive a beautiful handmade challenge to sail 634nm from Darwin to and visit other communities. One
scarf “kaintenun”, presentedby the Ambon was the Presentation skipper commented “Turning
Secretary to Ambon City, before Ceremony. Winning Line Honours in around and finishing the race,
proceeding to TirtaKencana to relax and Ambon for 2011 is Fantasia, Skipper although in the Rally Division, was
share his stories with a cold Bintangor Andrew Srtansky. Special Line Honours the best decision of my life the fun
two. for Racing Monohull Division is Walk on we've had since, with the best group
the Wildside, Skipper Garth Curren in a of mates you could ask for, has
This year's Welcoming Ceremony new race record time of 64:05:22. made it all the event of a lifetime.”
began, with an early start for the Garth defended his title from 1997.
participants, arriving at the Race Office Gameset, Skipper John Mulkearns, To all the skippers and crew of the
for transportation by bus to Ambon City winner of the 1996 Darwin to Ambon 2011 event, we would love to hear your
under the escort of the Tourist Police. Yacht Race aboard Andromeda, stories, publish your blogs, photos and
The busses made a stop outside returned to take out 1st on Handicap share your wonderful experiences with
Harlim'sRestaurant where many of the Racing Monohull (IRC) Division Kind of interested yachties, and those planning
yachties dived into for an early start to Blue, Skippers Dick and Anita Waaij, to join the Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race
the Bintang. Awaiting the crowd was won the 1st on Handicap Racing & Rally 2012. Send us an email:
150 “Becak-Becak” and their drivers for Cruising Monohull Division and
robyn@darwinambonrace.com.au
a “BecakWisata Kota Ambon” Becak represented the international fleet from
Tour of the City of Ambon. The “becak” the Netherlands. Kind of Blue has For all information, enquiries about the
tour arrived at the Pattimura Square for crossed 2 oceans, sailing 37,000nm event or expressions of interest for
the official Welcome Ceremony by the and some regattas on the way. Walk on 2012's fabulous Darwin to Ambon Yacht
Mayor of Ambon City, BapakPapilaya. the Wildside, Skipper Garth Curren, Race & Rally visit our:
Fantasia, Walk on the Wildside and also won 1st Yacht Over the Start Line,
Freedom Express, the first three yachts just beating his nearest competitor by Website -
over the finishing line, were awarded seconds. Raucous, Skipper Bob www.darwinambonrace.com.au
exquisite plaques from the Ambon City Coleman, won the DBCYA Check out 2012 Race Information
and a beautiful scarf “kaintenun”, by Commodore's Trophy for the best Contact -
BapakPapilaya. Each of the other dressed yacht. Wicked, Skipper Dan info@darwinambonrace.com.au or
Skippers were also presented with a Foley, won the Rally Trophy for his robyn@darwinambonrace.com.au
“kainteun”. outstanding efforts to arrive in Ambon Join the conversations on Facebook -
In appreciation of the welcome and
Harbour.
www.facebook.com/darwinambonrace
friendship by the people of the Village Racing &Cruising after the Darwin Check out our Partners:
of Amahusu, the participants again to Ambon Yacht Race & Rally DBCYA - www.dinahbeachcya.com.au
donated educational books and posters Sail Maluku Archipelago
to each of the three Primary Schools. The Presentation Ceremony was the www.sailmalukuarchipelago.com
To receive these gifts, at the Welcoming final, official function for the race
Ceremony, were the Principals and participants of 2011 but, the adventures
three students from each school. This are just beginning. The Darwin to
special presentation was graciously Ambon Yacht Race & Rally is being
Welcome to Line Honours - Fantasia, Skipper Andrew Stransky,
King of Amahusu, Secretary of Ambon City & Ibu Hellen de Lima
Welcoming Ceremony - Lline Honours Winners -
Fantasia & Freedom Express
Presentation Ceremony - Kind of Blue, Skipper Dick &
Anita van der Waaij. 1st on Handicap Racing Cruising
Monohull Division
Presentation Ceremony - Fantasia, Skipper Andrew
Stransky. Line Honours & 1st on Handicap Racing
Multihull Division
Welcoming Ceremony - Becak Wisata Kota Ambon Friendship Games - Cultural Performers, Amahus Friendship Games - Crazy Smoke

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www.spinlock.co.uk

GOOD NEWS FROM TCP ADVERTISERS
What to expect on deployment of your life raft
From Paul Alexander, Great Circle Life Rafts
Inflatable life rafts are usually deployed by one of up to the wind and waves and significantly reduce
two methods: the chance of capsize. It should also tend to keep
the raft's opening to the lee of the weather.
The first and most common launching method is by
manually throwing or dropping the raft overboard. A raft is designed to inflate the right way up,
These rafts are often referred to as 'throwover type' (because of the weight of the compressed gas
even though they can also be automatically cylinder etc) but there is a small chance that it may
deployed by a hydrostatic release unit if the vessel inflate upside down. Try to right it from the boat,
in distress rapidly sinks. Water pressure activates but if that fails, it will need to be done from the
a sharp blade within the releasing device which water.
cuts the strong rope that secures the raft to its
cradle or mounting position. The raft will float free Many people find it surprisingly difficult to get over
to the surface and inflate. the high freeboard of the tubes even with the aid of
an entrance ramp or ladder and support webbing.
In the second deployment method, an inflated raft Once aboard, it will be necessary for survivors to
is lowered into the sea by means of a davit cut the lanyard and paddle clear of the boat in
launching mechanism, called the 'davit launch distress. Checking to see that the sea anchor is
type'. This type is the domain of big capacity rafts streaming correctly, tending injured victims and
and is usually a feature of large high-sided ships. closing the door of the raft once all survivors are
aboard are also priority actions.
On smaller vessels an inflatable life-raft is usually
launched by throwing the entire container or valise Maintaining the raft, familiarising everyone with the
overboard and pulling its lanyard. A surprising contents of the emergency pack, watching for
amount of line (at least 9 metres) will need to be rescuers and achieving best possible comfort
pulled out before this action activates a levels for all on board will become the ongoing
compressed gas cylinder which inflates the various routine.
air chambers that make up the raft. The raft will
inflate quickly, with excess gas gushing out of the If a life raft inflates upside-down or capsizes, the
relief valves. gas bottle on a raft's bottom can be used to right it.
Turn the raft until the bottle is downwind, then climb
The sea anchor (drogue) will stream automatically onto the inverted raft. With the wind providing
on deployment in some raft types and in others it assistance, haul on the righting strap (usually on
will need to be manually set on boarding (it lays the side opposite the gas bottle), using the gas
folded on the floor). The drogue will hold the raft bottle to provide leverage.
SAFETY and reliability were huge considerations when the
makers of the popular Channel 10 series The Biggest
Loser decided contestants would be set the challenge of
sailing from Sydney to Hobart in March this year and that's
why Great Circle Life Rafts were chosen for the task.
A super tough Great Circle Oceanmaster raft was used for
the contestants' safety training before they left aboard the
Volvo 60 'Southern Excellence' on what is often a perilous
journey. Three Oceanmaster rafts were aboard, ready to be
deployed if things went awry on the way.
1 300 306 381
Australia wide
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New Location!
R&B Marine Now In Bundaberg Port Shipyard
We provide a service for every type of vessel from Super Yachts to weekend
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R&B Marine also provide a complementary report of vessel condition from our fully qualified Shipwrights who have
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ATTENTION TCP ADVERTISERS:
The “Good News From TCP Advertisers” section is for you! If you are a regular print copy advertiser, 1/8th page or larger, TCP can provide space in
this section for your product information, technical instruction, special announcements or more. Send us your text copy and photographs and we
will do the rest. The editor has discretion of suitability and space allotment. We want it to benefit you and interest readers. And yes... it’s a free
Advertise in The Coastal Passage
ELECTRONIC EDITION - THE E-TCP!
Reach over 80,000* readers with a FULL PAGE AD for Only $200(limited time special)
*average downloads for each edition, 2011 as of August
Have YOUR FULL PAGE
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have room for your
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can click on the links
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The E-TCP is not a news
aggregate filled with
whatever can be
borrowed from other
sites and surrounded
by annoying flashing
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quality traditional type
publication filled with
unique features from
Australia’s best authors
delivered via the
convenience of the web.
For more information on all advertising choices, print and electronic, see the web site!
www.thecoastalpassage.com
or Ring 07 4129 8720
or email bob@thecoastalpassage.com
*most PDF readers

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A new era in the life of Percy Island
Steve
By Steve Kenyon, SC Felix off with a stroke of the pen. wide variety of strict conditions - their own pocket, yet still work long
Perhaps not all of this would have however it does allow for honey, fruit hours 6 days a week. Why, simply
In the rich and varied history of Middle occurred, but it was most certainly and vegetable production, some because they love the Island, and wish
Percy Island, one more chapter has perceived as a likely outcome by a wide sustainable grazing, and the collection to see it's open hearted spirit live on.
closed and a brand new page opened. variety of the Community. of fallen timber - the Authority is to
Cathryn Radclyffe, and is valid for 20 So, if you feel the same, and would like
For those not familiar with this story, a To give the powers to be their due, they years. to not only enjoy your visit, but also put
Pastoral lease was originally approved did agree to prior Public consultation.. something back in, there are several
in 1883, this passed through several and oh boy they sure got it. Politicians, It also means, that the spirit of Middle ways to do this.
hands, (most notably the White family environmental groups, the historical Percy will live on. All visitors are still
and Andy Martin), before being granted society, beekeepers, residents of local welcome to come ashore, visit the The first is to please buy some honey
to Andy's cousin Cate Radclyffe in 2008. coastal towns, seafarers from Australia homestead, and share old, and new (it's renowned for natural purity)
In 2001 it had been changed to a and Overseas, Newspapers and memories around a campfire in the A-
Residential Lease due to expire in 2008 Magazines, (with “The Coastal Frame with fellow traveller. The second is to help with some of the
but extended to 2010 in order to sort out Passage” at the forefront), they all ongoing jobs such as carpentry,
Tenure. stood up and went in to bat for Percy. In the meantime, Cate and her
husband John, ably assisted by Ernst
gardening or weed eradication.
As this date approached concern was The end result is that the Government Klose and Steve Johnson, have The third is a brand new concept - be a
felt for the Islands future, especially by a came up with what many believe is (literally) not let the grass grow under founding member of the Percy Island
great many Australian and International rather a good compromise. It did take a their feet. Several acres of Lantana have Yacht Club. How this works is that all
seafarers. These folk by now had a long great deal of thought and effort by been pulled out by handold accumulated monies received go directly into the
established affiliation with the Island, competent and committed staff in scrap taken to the mainland water 'Friends of Percy Foundation', to be
and an enduring affection for her several Govt Departments, and all these systems repaired and research on the used solely for the maintenance and
charms. It was the one remaining island folk should be thanked for their islands fauna and flora continued. restoration of facilities on the island.
on the coast where mariners from any contribution. Additionally, in two huge efforts, The fee to join, $125, provides a lifetime
walk of life could freely come ashore, (considering the logistics involved), first membership, a personalised set of dog
explore the natural beauty, or gather at In a nutshell it is this: the A-Frame roof was replaced, and tags, and a numbered plaque with space
twilight for a BBQ and sing-a-long As from July 2011, 83% of Middle Percy now, the Homestead roof itself has been to have your own name or yachts name
amongst priceless memorabilia of times Island is now a National Park. given a major overhaul. A great big inscribed. Members can get in touch
gone by. “thank you” with the Homestead roof for vvia www.percyisland.com.au
Whilst, in recognition of the Islands the invaluable assistance of Rob keeping them up to date with any new or
Their main concern, as with a wide unique historical and cultural Gallehawk “Trax” and Bill Bolton (Airlie ongoing projects, plus the local news.
cross section of the local community, significance, 17%, 320Ha has been Beach), who both sailed in especially for
was that if the Island became a National approved as a Conservation Park. This the project. Ernst and Steve J worked Rob Gallehawk “Trax” has already
Park - the A-Frame, Tree House and area, enclosing the Homestead and all tirelessly, while several seafarers such been given Number 1, so if you'd also
coconut trees may well have been land between the two tracks to and as Doug “Emily J”, Neil “Xhale” and like to snaffle an early foundation
destroyed plus all human presence on including West Bay 'provides for the Doug “Carol K” pitched in to help. number, be quick.
this remote Island banned, along with operation and maintenance of the
honey production then the living
breathing embodiment of our past, the
place where so many sagas have taken
islands historic infrastructure and
conducting a number of ecologically
sustainable use activities'.
In closing, I personally, on behalf of all
the “Friends of Percy”, would like to
thank John for his truly heroic
Email:
middlepercy@bigpond.com.au
centre stage, (some happy, some tragic,
some simply priceless), i.e. the There is a very detailed environmental
contributions. There is virtually no
income from the island, so he and Cate
Telephone
Homestead itself, could be simply wiped protection plan in action now, with a have a poured in a huge amount out of (07) 4951 0993

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TCP brings two sailors together
Hydrotherapy at final stages of build
Hydrotherapy at the
Sandgate Yacht Club, 1998
On the last page of TCP 49 online edition was the above photo taken by Malcolm
Salisbury. His trimaran in his front yard. Interesting photo in that the Kangaroos seem
to be very curious. A few weeks later TCP received this letter:
Gidday Bob,
boat for carrying an esky”. I let it for, racing. So I waved it
it ride. The race started and as good buy and bought a
You may remember me; Tony I passed him at the second Seawind 24. Now the kids are
Richardson, I used to import buoy I called to him, “Mate teenagers and the Seawind
Outboard engines a few years would you like a beer from my has become too small to go
ago and advertised with you for esky it looks like you need one away in for longer than a
a while. Great to see the paper hiking out there. Is it hard weekend. There still resides a
and website growing and going work?” longing for the trimaran but a
where others fear to tread.
Mate, I received the most
pleasant surprise after reading
through the articles and getting
to the picture on the very last
page of the latest online
edition. I nearly fell off my
chair! It was the boat I built!
caravan now sits in the shed
I think they all secretly that was proudly built to house
admired the boat but were Hydrotherapy.
happy to have a friendly dig at
it. It presented a nightmare for So here's wishing well to her
handicappers as it was shorter cu rr en t ow ne r, ma y sh e
than most cats and still made of provide many years of
wood, so it was hard for “Hydrotherapy” for you. Oh,
handicappers to justify giving it and Bob by the way if you
Yep, the 16ft Kurt Hughes
designed trimaran sitting on
the beach opposite Fraser
Island. Even better is that it still
looks to be kept in top
condition. I'd be grateful if you
could forward this email to the
person who sent the picture. I
had it pegged as lying rotting in
someone's backyard and last I
heard it had been sitting for a
while at the back of a sail
makers yard in Caloundra. I
named the boat Hydrotherapy
a high rating. On the other contact the owner and they
hand it used a shortened rig would like the moulds for the
and mainsail from a Tornado, beams I would be more than
the main being square to . happy to give them gratis.
Topping that was a roller furling Just have him Email me.
screacher that was happily set
even slightly upwind. The sail Bob, thanks again for the flood
plan was overkill in anything of memories. Good luck and
over 15kts but unbeatable in keep building your boat/dream.
anything under. The heaviest
single part of the boat was the Tony Richardson
mast and was massively
strong. The only sailing race I
TCP sends a reply
regret not doing in her is the
Bay to Bay
to Tony:
Looking at the boat sitting on
the beach reminded me of
some of the best times in my
life. Many times I sat back and
admired it sitting on a beach
just like in that picture.
I learnt a lot about apparent
wind and exactly how to sail to
suit it. Sometimes going
almost dead downwind but
having the sails sheeted on
(but not hard) to get the best
speed from the boat. In the
It also has a proud racing right point of sail and with a
history. It's done a surf to city slight wave pattern it will fly two
(then got protested out for not hulls. Sometimes for hundreds
being a yacht). Won the of meters, and came back
Wivenhoe marathon twice in a down mostly because the
row (they asked me not to rudder came out of the water
return for a third and added
they wouldn't accept my
and it couldn't be steered
nomination for next year if I My children had their first sail
tried to enter). I was protested on it when they were babies.
out of the catamaran regatta on
Lake Cootharaba for not being
a catamaran, and kicked the
ass of every A class cat (and
Nacra and Tiapan) at the time,
they hated it when I turned up
for a regatta.
We took it away for holidays
with us at Noosa, Mooloolaba
and the Gold Coast.
Beachside holidays became
sailing holidays and exploring
waterways was a highlight. It
was sad to see it leave the
garage on the day it was sold. I
A comment was called out at
one regatta, when I was
launching the boat, by an A
class cat owner; “Mate nice
felt I was losing a brother. But
with a small family it was hard
to find the time to use it often
enough and for what I had built
Very good to hear from you
Tony!
Have passed on the info. to
Malcolm. She has found quite
a home. Mal went through and
did a refit, she had been sitting
a bit, and some modification.
I'll bet he would be curious to
chat you up on past
performance. Hydrotherapy ..
good.. so pleased!
Cheers,
Bob
Malcolm replies to
Tony,
match made!
Hiya Tony,
.Good to speak with you
tonight, look foward to catching
up with you when it warms up
Regards,
Mal

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For additional supplies
and information see:
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The Stitch-It-Awl is a hand sewing awl for safely and quickly sewing by hand
mainly medium to heavy materials such as sailcloth, canvas, leather, soft luggage,
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use of existing hand sewing devices for heavy materials, such as the needle and
leather palm used by sail makers.
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Basic Tool
Typical uses: sewing/repairing 12 oz sailcloth, clew and tack of lighter sails,
thick canvas, sail covers/ dodgers, harness webbing, shoes...
The Stitch-It-Awl Basic Tool comes with:
2 Standard (i.e. heavy duty - size 200/25) needles
1 threaded spool of 0.8mm waxed thread (about 10m of thread),
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comprehensive step by step pictorial instructions.
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The Full Kit comprises of:
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2 Standard needles (size 200/25) and 1 reel of 0.8mm waxed thread (Marlow
No 4): for sewing/repairing 12 oz sailcloth, clew and tack of lighter sails, thick
canvas, sail covers/ dodgers, harness webbing, shoes...
2 Fine needles (size 160/23) and 1 reel of 0.5mm waxed thread (Marlow #2):
for sewing/repairing 7 oz sailcloth, lighter canvas, bags, jackets, light
upholstery.
2 Ultrafine needles (size 130/21) and 1 small reel of polyester thread: for
sewing/repairing light spinnakers, small zips, thin leather, thick curtains and
even your clothes.
2 spools: 1 threaded with 0.8mm waxed thread, 1 empty (for the 0.5m
waxed thread)
1 tiny O-ring on the tension post screw to prevent slippage when using
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1 little screwdriver
1 wooden box
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email: ironworksw@aapt.net.au
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The Stitch It Awl is safer to use than the palm and
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chain.
The Stitch It Awl is easy to use and is ideal for in situ
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Living the Dream
Words by Stuart Buchhanan, SY Pluto to South Australia, where he'd do a few island at that period of my life, I wouldn't trees, which were flexible enough to bend
Photos courtesy of Leigh Von minor alterations to the interior of Mi have liked it at all. Tom Neale lived a with the violent wind.
Bertouch, SY Mi Querida Querida before setting off on a self-sufficient life on fish, coconuts, Tom Neale lived in the old coastcircumnavigation
of the world. chooks and eggs. With my knowledge of watchers' hut, which still had two
It was a typical North Queensland Well, he certainly did that. Once a self-sufficiency I would have starved to functioning rainwater tanks.
winter's afternoon, pleasantly cool and year, for the next twelve years, I received death within a month and gone insane Although there is now a $55 entrance
calm. The fronds of the coconut palms a lengthy letter from Leigh describing from the lack of company. fee to the lagoon, the ranger John waived
hung motionless over the white sandy exotic sounding places that he had visited this for Leigh because he brought in a
beach bordering Dunk Island's Brammo around the world such as Borneo, However, some years later I did discover supply of tomatoes, potatoes, taros,
Bay, as I sat in the cockpit of my ketch Yemen, Tunisia, and along the rivers and my deserted island; and it was much limes, cabbages and a stalk of bananas
Pluto enjoying a few rums in the company canals of Europe to Denmark, Sweden better than Tom Neale's atoll. You see, for the family. Yachties aren't permitted to
of Leigh Von Bertouch. Leigh owned the and Norway. Onto the Shetlands, my wife Shirley and I became lighthouse visit other islands in the lagoon without
beautiful Cherubini designed 14 metre Scotland, England, Ireland and Spain. keepers on Queensland's Barrier Reef the ranger, because only recently some
ketch Mi Querida that was anchored just Across the Atlantic to Martinique, coast; not only were we paid a salary, but yachties were discovered spearing fish in
across from me. She stood out from the Venezuela and through the Panama a stores boat delivered food to us once a large quantities; now it's prohibited to
other yachts anchored in the bay, not only Canal to the Pacific. fortnight. I suppose I could be called a dive in the lagoon away from the sight of
because of her sparkling varnish and Clayton's hermit; Shirley refers to me as the ranger.
beautiful lines, but because of the During 2008 I received a letter from an 'Enid Blyton Tragic'. It's also prohibited to take away
exaggerated rake of her masts. Leigh saying that he was in Tahiti and coconuts from the islands because of a
soon going to leave for Rarotonga, Leigh wrote to me in 2008, describing serious infestation of termites. One
I had first met Leigh for a brief time in Suwarrow, American Samo . . . Hey! his visit to Suwarrow. The atoll is now a yachtie who ignored this ruling later found
Mackay Harbour a few weeks earlier. I What was that again? Suwarrow! national park, with a ranger, his wife and termites gnawing away at his timber
discovered then that he owned a wheat SUWARROW! four boys stationed there from May to the mast.
farm in Kingston in South Australia, where Forty-five years ago I bought a copy end of October. As Tom Neale did, the A stone monument to Tom Neale
he had built Mi Querida which, translated of An Island to Oneself, an autobiography family live on the island of Anchorage, the now stands on Anchorage Island that
into English, means 'my beautiful one' or written by Tom Neale. Tom wrote how he largest island in the 9 mile diameter atoll. states:
'my mistress'. He was in Mackay, to drop spent six years living alone on Suwarrow, Anchorage Island is only about 800
off two Spanish backpackers who had
sailed with him for a few weeks. I had
met the backpackers and found they
a small uninhabited coral atoll 515 miles
from Rarotonga and 200 miles from the
nearest inhabited island. He arrived there
metres long and 300 metres wide; its
highest point is 5 metres above sea-level.
During the great hurricane of 1942,
TOM NEALE
LIVED HIS DREAM
could speak very little English. on 7 October 1952 and remained there sixteen of the twenty-two islets in the
“That would make it quite difficult for alone until 24 June 1954. A few weeks lagoon were washed away. At the time,
you, wouldn't it?” I said to Leigh “Your before that departure date he injured his Robert Dean Frisbie was living on
only crew not knowing much English.” back and was almost paralysed. Anchorage with his four children and
“Oh, no,” he replied. “Even though Miraculously, he was found a few days some coast-watchers. He saved his
Page 18 The Coastal Passage #50! 2011
SY Mi Querida
Photo by Nick, SY Creightons
they had no sailing experience, later by some visiting yachties who children's lives by tying them to tamanu
everything worked out well. But I arranged for Tom to be taken off the
suppose if a storm had developed island. And it was a miracle, because
suddenly, it could have been a bit during that initial two year stay on the
complicated explaining to them how to island only two yachts had called in to the
put a reef in the main.” atoll. He returned to Suwarrow on 23
Leigh was now sailing single-handed. April 1960 and remained there alone until
I glanced across the shimmering waters 27 December 1963.
of the bay towards Mi Querida. I think I took the wrong direction in
“That's one hell of an achievement to life when I was about six years old; by
build a yacht like that,” I said. “How long that age I had read and become addicted
did it take you?” to author Enid Blyton's 'Famous Five'
“When I started building her in 1983,” books, whose young characters were
Leigh replied, “I thought it would take me involved in an amazing series of
about two to three years and cost adventures. There was Julian, Dick,
somewhere between seventy and ninety tomboy Georgina (called George by the
thousand dollars. It ended up taking me others), Anne and Timmy the dog, whose
twelve years working seven days a week, exploits occurred on places like Kirrin
and I'm not telling anyone how much it Island.
cost.” If I had read Advanced Economics
The hull is built of five skins of instead of the 'Famous Five', I might have
western red cedar, the deck is teak and been Prime Minister of Australia by now.
almost everything, from the 5.7 tonne Well . . . I might have been. However,
lead keel to the anchor winch, was after reading Tom Neale's book in my
fabricated by Leigh. early twenties, I wanted to live on a
Leigh told me that he was sailing a deserted island too. But in retrospect, if
little further north before returning home someone had plonked me on a deserted
ON THIS ISLAND
continued next page...
Tom Neale's statue on Suwarrow

In late 2008 while I was living at Bustard “He'd go.”
Head lightstation, Leigh arrived “I think Leigh would prefer a woman,” I
unannounced. He had hardly changed one replied.
iota since the last time we met in 1996; he “That's not a problem,” she said, “he'd
looked tanned and extremely fit. dress in drag to go on a trip like that.”
Leigh was sailing single-handed. Over Leigh sailed out of Pancake Creek
the past twelve years, Leigh had kept me up single-handed.
to date with the various crew he had on Two months ago, Leigh phoned; he was
board. For some reason he didn't seem to off again, heading up the Queensland coast
keep crew for too long. I don't know why, towards Darwin and then to who knows
because he had a great personality and was where. He was sailing single-handed after
an experienced skipper. I think it would be having disembarked a female crew member
the opportunity of a lifetime to travel the in Yeppoon.
world like that. So, for a few days while So, ladies, if you have a dream of
Leigh was anchored in his ketch in Pancake cruising the Great Barrier Reef and beyond
Creek, I asked the twenty or so tourists who in a beautiful yacht, keep your eyes open for
arrived at the lighthouse on the LARC Mi Querida and your dreams could come
(amphibian vehicle) each day if there was a true.
woman who would consider accepting this
wonderful offer to crew for Leigh. Over three
days only one woman responded:
“Can he cook?” she asked.
On the fourth day, an attractive looking
TCP NOTE: Leigh sent TCP many photos of
his yacht - the interior is magnificent!
Also an extensive photo library of of his
building of "Mi Querida". If interested in
crewing, contact TCP and we willl do our
woman gestured with her thumb at the man
best to get you in touch with Leigh, though it
standing next to her, who I assumed was her may not be easy - who knows where Leigh
husband or partner, and said:
will be!
STUART BUCHANAN BEST SELLERS
The View from Pluto
$38.00
The Lighthouse
Keepers
$47.00
Buy both,
pay only $70!
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martzcruising@bigpond.com

Reflections
The enemy
By Alan Lucas, SY Soleares
within
The old saying 'cruising sailors get the from-home for weeks on end, the time
wind free and expect everything else at was further reduced to just one day with
the same price' is demeaning to our regular policing by a ranger.
great majority, but it is regrettably true
of a small minority who ruin our Reduction or total elimination of public eye their extreme behaviour is 'normal' behaviour escaped them for I
reputation with their selfish behaviour. special services is the inevitable invariably linked to boating in general spent most of my time covering their
Alan
Their attitudes seem to be all about aftermath of these people's actions rather than tourists on floating holidays. tracks. A typical evening saw me putting
personal rights and nothing about group who, in playing out their cruising I witnessed an early case of this at them ashore, clearing them with the
responsibility, a classic case of which I dreams, destroy the very things they Hayman Island in 1978 when bare resort's reception, then returning aboard
witnessed recently in a NSW port. presume to be their right to have. They boating had just started in the until called.
don't understand that successful Whitsunday Islands.
An obviously wealthy young lone- cruising depends on consideration for Towards dawn, I rowed over to find
hander sailed into port aboard his very
expensive, latest model Bendytoy and
illegally anchored mid-channel smack
bang in front of the marina. He then
dinghied over to the nearest berth and
wandered ashore where the manager
politely told him that there was no public
access through the marina. At that the
lone-hander went ballistic, loudly
declaring his right to go ashore
wherever and whenever he so pleases.
others, not personal rights that are
really not rights at all. We are all judged
by their culturally dirty wake, which
includes ever-tightening rules and regs
that impact on everyone.
Irresponsible sailors are often new to
the game, convinced that they have at
last found freedom where, in fact, they
have entered a culture that demands
more responsibility and mutual respect
Saying hello to Hayman Island's long-
serving manager, Andre, to catch up on
the latest news, I sensed he was not
his usual welcoming self. After a few
niceties, he said “Did you see what your
mob's doing? - they're taking over the
place: yachts tying up to our jetty
without permission and obstructing our
workboats. Some were abusive when
we asked them to move”.
them all wearing bathers and holding
their clothes with towels around their
shoulders. It wasn't until I poured them
aboard that I realised the bathers and
towels had been stolen from a guest's
clothesline. In fear of my reputation, I
rushed ashore, dashed from one donga
to another searching for the most likely
clothesline and re-pegged their spoils
before slinking back to my yacht hoping
the victim would not be too confused as
He was so incensed that on returning
to his vessel he fired off a vitriolic email
to the manager reasserting his rights
and adding a threat that the marina
would be hearing from his solicitor.
Regrettably - like police officers who
are never there when you need them
the local maritime officer was not
around to fine him for obstructing a
navigable channel.
In another port there was a catamaran
owner playing cat and mouse with the
local authority for nearly a year, using
a 24-hour courtesy mooring for days at
a time, then anchoring for a night or two
before returning to the same mooring
for another lengthy stay. The owner
constantly challenged the local officer
with his 'right' to act that way, not once
considering the many other boaties
wanting to use the courtesy mooring.
Then there was the free seven-day
berth provided by one of those very
rare councils that understands the
monetary value of sailors when they
enter port. Sadly, abuse of the time-limit
by a minority of visitors soon reduced
the seven days to three days then, after
a few of them made it their home-awaythan
anything they have ever
experienced ashore. But if their
behaviour can be described as
thoughtless, the behaviour of a
mercifully smaller group is even more
worrying for the way it crosses into
criminality.
Kevin Lane, in his book Cruising West
cites a disgraceful case of a cruising
yacht reaching port where her crew
proudly showed-off pearls they had
taken from a cultured pearl raft and
boasted that they had drunk two cartons
of the manager's beer in his absence.
Similarly, I know of thefts from oyster
leases and lobster pots so brazen that
I actually believe the culprits were too
stupid to realise they were stealing.
Thank goodness these incidents are
extremely rare, but they are
nevertheless a disgrace to the name of
boating.
Whilst thoughtless cruising sailors ruin
our lifestyle from within, there are
holiday sailors who wreck it from
without. I refer to those bare-boaters
whose sole aim is to have a holiday of
unbridled fun regardless of how it
impacts on others. Unfortunately, in the
While rowing ashore I had noticed the
yachts in question, but knew they
definitely did not belong to 'my mob':
they were bare-boaters with not a true-
blue cruising vessel amongst them.
When I pointed this out to the Andre I
don't think he fully understood the
difference, but we nevertheless parted
in good humour and it was not long
before the Hayman Island jetty, with its
iconic Hayman Rocket, was pulled
down in favour of a helipad and
exclusive marina.
Having worked my yacht in charter
fifteen years earlier, this was a situation
for which I felt a little sympathy for the
charter companies whose customers
don't always behave correctly. Most of
my guests were darned nice people,
but their periodic irresponsible
behaviour always caught me by
surprise. A classic example happened
at another Whitsunday island resort.
My guests were three intern doctors
out for a week's fun and a more good-
natured bunch of blokes you couldn't
hope to meet. Yet somehow the
connection between 'holiday' and
to how their clobber got wet.
Whether chartering or just lifestyle
cruising, we're often perceived as
pleasure-bent holidaymakers rather
than individuals pursuing a responsible
lifestyle. And whilst it is bad enough that
we are often seen in this light, it is far
worse that we are judged by the lowest
elements in our ranks. Not that the
lowest element is necessarily bad, often
they are decent folk who simply haven't
thought their actions through. Look at
the single most common example of
thoughtlessness: namely, the dinghydock
syndrome.
Dinghy-dock-syndrome is when people
go ashore to a dedicated landing and
tie their tenders fore and aft alongside
where it not only occupies a huge area
but it denies access for all others trying
to get ashore. The answer is simple:
leave your tender on a single, long
painter so that other dinghies can work
their way up to the dock for
embarkation.
Getting on with each other is really
that simple.
“Must Have” CRUISING GUIDES
by Alan Lucas
NEW!
Sixth
Edition
$75.00
$75.00
“OFF WATCH”
(a boatie trivia book)
by Alan Lucas
REDUCED PRICE!
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INSURANCE WOES IN THE WHITSUNDAY'S
Notice to contributors: 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.
As was reported in the last edition of TCP, “Insurer shows
heart, bends the rules and comes to the table” a foreign
LED SAFETY WARNING
Dear TCP, insurer represented by local agent, (DG Marine) may
have the clearest policies and do factor in live aboard
To TCP Readers,
We are club marine policy holders and have just renewed our insurance
policy for 2011 2012.
On receipt of the policy wording we have received the attached
endorsement (TCP Note: see below). We were not made aware of this new
ruling before they took payment. How fair is this for North Queenslanders?
Especially those who take care to ensure their boats are well moored,
anchored in the event of bad weather. Looks like once again those of us who
take full care and are responsible pay the piper.
Regards,
Carol Draper
vessels as a rate advantage. Readers that are confronting
this kind of issue may be well served to read that account
and compare requirements.
Regards,
Bob
SHEILA NET NEWS
Hello Bob and Kay,
Here is a safety warning regarding some
LED elements used in some yacht anchor,
tricolor, or other masthead lights.
Recently in The Coastal Passage some
evidence emerged of interference of LED
lights with VHF radio telephony.
I have just found that on my yacht,
equipped with LED anchor and tricolour
lights at masthead, interference with HF
SSB Radio reception, sufficient to entirely
block some weather transmissions from
CORRESPONDENCE TO CLUB MARINE:
Sheila Net is up and running again for the 2011 cruising
VMC on some frequencies and seriously
degrade others.
TO: The Underwriting Department, Club Marine
year. Sheila net is run by a group of volunteer cruisers and
can be heard on 8161 MHz HF radio at 08:00 AEST each
The S meter on my radio clearly indicated
increased signal strength when the anchor
We have just received the paper work with the receipt of payment for our
Pleasure Craft Policy Q161492. We note on the Change of Endorsement
notice placed at the back of the policy paper work, that you will not cover
boats permanently moored on Swing Moorings or own Anchor. We take it
that this is in the event of a Cyclone only. Our permanent mooring is at the
Mackay Marina however we do live aboard our boat and spend quite a bit of
time overnight in Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour area. We do not take up
moorings but anchor on our own anchor gear.
I sent an email to the manager of Club Marine, after the Cyclone that
damaged boats in Hinchinbrook this year, to clarify in the event of Cyclone
we would be covered if we choose to secure our boat in a creek (Included
with the email were photo's of our boat moored in the creek). It was
confirmed in writing to us that in the event of cyclone etc this type of care is
accepted and appreciated by Club Marine.
We feel that Marina's are not the place for safety to boats in Cyclone
Conditions. “Does this new declaration mean that we MUST be in a marina
to maintain cover in the event of a storm/cyclone?”
We would like clarification from you, that in the event we find it necessary to
anchor in Airlie Beach or Shute Harbour and have to leave the boat for a
period of time what your ruling would be. Your early response is appreciated.
morning. It is meant for cruisers travelling both off-shore
and coastal to call in and give their current position and
weather conditions. It also is an opportunity for cruisers to
find out current information about the cruising grounds
they might be visiting, for example Customs and
Quarantine clearance and prices in Louisiades.
We have decided to try something new this year; after all
the boats are recorded on 8161 the co-ordinator switches
down to 4483 in order to pick up local cruisers that are
better heard on 4 mHz. We look forward to hearing from
you cruisers out there.
Sheila net co-ordinators are always in demand, as coordinators
move onto other places. It is a great volunteer
job and gives you the chance to talk to the many great
cruisers on the water. We have an electronic copy of
procedures and guidelines to assist new co-ordinators.
Come and join us or just log in.
Cheers,
Jeanette, Always Cruising on Reeflection
Email: sheilanet@thecoastalpassage.com
light was switched on. All frequencies on
which I could hear the weather broadcasts
were either entirely inaudible (0/5) or
contai ned significant additional static
(degrading audibility from 4/5 to 2/5
roughly) with the anchor light on.
My aerial uses the backstay with isolators.
My location is Airlie Beach (on anchor, not in
marina). The tricolour light, in the same
location and sharing a common negative
power wire, and also using a similar LED,
had no noticeable effect. No other LED
lights on my yacht had any effect (almost all
my lighting is LED, including navigation
lights). My mast is about 20metres and
constructed of aluminium.
Thus it appears that some, but not all, LED
elements can leak significant RF radiation
sufficient to interfere with SSB reception.
John Skaller
Regards,
Mal & Carol Draper
Dear Carol,
WHAT IS SHEILA NET?
Here is the wording for endorsement 5.6:
5.6 Moored Boats on Swing Moorings at Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour:
The cover provided under this Policy will not apply to any claim for loss or
damage whilst your Boat is moored on a swing mooring or Your own anchor
and tackle at Airlie Beach or Shute Harbour unless we agree to extend cover
in writing.(TCP’s emphasis) Note that the Boat's permanent mooring
location must be declared and agreed to by us in writing and that the agreed
mooring location will appear on Your Policy and Renewal Schedule.
You policy states your permanent place of mooring is Mackay Marina. If in
the event that you are travelling and you drop anchor in this area for a night or
two - it is your responsibility to be up to date with weather forecasts.
If you intend to travel north and spend a longer time, we request that you
contact this office and advise time frame for your travels and it is then at the
discretion of management to accept this circumstance, this is dependant on
the time of year etc.
I hope this explains a little clearer this particular endorsement.
In the year 2002 a group of
American Cruisers who had
gone around part of the world
together arrived in Australia and
continued their scheduled net to
stay in touch. Also before
Australia they gave their net a
name appropriate for the area;
the net was mainly operated by
girls. They found the name
Sheila for girls hilarious so they
called it that. Several of the
Australian cruisers from that
year on kept the net going. In
the Louisiades it was called the
"Dim Dim Net" (dim dim = white
people). In Vanuatu it is called
Regards,
Underwriter, Club Marine
Namba Net (protective clothing
for man, to say it nicely).
We were at Lizard Island in
Further to correspondence above, an UPDATE:
2002 and met the group, a nice
bunch of people. One of the
We have changed our insurance as Club Marine as at today's date - will
NOT cover boats TEMPORALLY ANCHORED IN THE AIRLIE BEACH &
SHUTE HARBOUR REGION. All touring vessels need to be aware.
organisers was on Blue
Banana.
In the year 2003 most of the
Americans were still around, but
Regards,
Carol Draper
after that they slowly went on
and we lost touch, however the
Sheila Net stayed and has
Hi Carol,
Yes, we have been getting many these reports concerning several insurers.
Funny how they seem to develop similar policies in unison... We were
served many who travelled
further than the east coast of
Australia.
expecting some reaction to the losses at Airlie Beach over the last couple of
years but unsure of what they would be.
Yours is a clear and well documented case study and will be valuable for the
fleet's understanding.
John and Mariet Prium,
Triple Zero
Jeanette, at Zoe Bay,
Hinchinbrook Island,
August 16, 2011. We
love to publish ‘feel
good’ photos like
this. Send us yours!
www.goldcoastmarinecentre.com.au

TENDERS AND THE LAW - ONCE MORE INTO THE BREACH
TENDERS &THE LAW little credit for convincing this publication and When MSQ had a look, they threatened me 3. is operating within 2nm of the mother ship
(FROM TCP 49) REPLIES the boating public that they are seriously and our Surveyors with a Marine infringement (regardless of water type smooth or open)
concerned with safety. This issue and others is notice for not putting ring frames on all frames. then the boat is deemed a "TENDER" and a
Dear Kay and Bob, instead indicative of an organisation of blinding They then showed us the legislation. We tender is not deemed a "Registrable Boat".
incompetence or maliciousness, one or the pointed out the first line on this section; FOR As such, although highly recommended that
I refer to the letter received from Dave, MV other. If you ask for examples I can fill your MONO HULLED VESSELS. This then led us to they do, there is no legal requirement for a boat
Merdeka titled “Tenders and the law ... again” inbox. the next question, How many hulls does a deemed a Tender to carry any safety equipment
printed within your 49th edition. I am the But again, go for it and good luck. Maybe they catamaran have? I believe 2, they believe 1. other that a light for night use and signalling.
Deputy Chair of the Qld Recreational Boating will act on the complaint from a bureaucracy but I apologise for the confusion. I have to admit
Council (QRBC) which is a peak body of they have demonstrated very clearly they are So the bottom line: Don't believe what you this is not the first incident in this regard, we
boating and yacht clubs in Queensland with a not in the least interested in what the boating read in MSQ publications, not even extracts of probably need to clarify the situation with our
charter to engage with Queensland public has to say and that gets them an "F" on Legislation. Only believe what is written in the people and agency's on the water."
Government agencies with regard all things our report card regardless. TOMSA Legislation. Be wary of any exchanges
boating. with MSQ, Water Police, Fisheries, National Dave, MV Merdeka
Several months ago we raised with MSQ the Cheers, Bob Parks, etc. (I use a tape recorder if possible, or
lack of clarity with regard tenders and their write it down in your log book, this is a legal
safety equipment as advised within MSQ document). They are capable of breaking the Hi Bob & Kay,
publications. To their credit, MSQ has Dear Bob, law to get a conviction. Not just breaches of
responded quickly. Not only did they recognise their own Code of Conduct, Criminal conduct I read with interest the letter in TCP #49 and
the issue but immediately put resources to the On Reading the TCP 49, I found that I must offer pursuant to Section 92 of the Criminal Code. decided to look into the matter further. I have
problem with the aim to correct the documents my view on the Tender to recreational boats looked at firstly the Qld Transport web site at
before their next issue. As Dave correctly Issue (again). TCP note; These are serious charges and the section regarding Recreational Ship
reported, the vague term “registrable” was a The comments made by Dave are exactly what Peter claims to have strong support of them. At Registration and the sub section on tenders is
s i g n i f i c a n t I am expecting from misinformed MSQ officers another time these charges may be more quite clear see below quote from this link:
issue of concern. Not only was this being (it is their duty to be well informed - if not they specifically addressed and support offered. http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Registration/Recre
misinterpreted by the boating public, it was/is are in breach of their duty of care). TCP informed Peter of the efforts of QRBC and a t i o n a l - s h i p s . a s p x .
being incorrectly understood and enforced by Even you, Bob have been caught with the he comments further;
the state's various enforcement agencies. conflicting messages from MSQ. (GULP! I have
I can confirm that based on Dave's story, he to cop it, see lower right) I was told by a legal MSQ changing their paper work sound's
was absolutely correct in his assertion that he rep, that we must take legislation wording exactly the same as what I received from MSQ
was in compliance with the relevant boating exactly as written. Late last year. Nothing changed. I will believe
safety rules. The term “registrable” should First: it when it happens; they are enjoying harassing
actually be read as “registered” or “requiring TOMSA - Division 6 Other safety the boating public to much to change. If you are
registration”. If you re-read the guidelines with equipment for tenders (The first line say's it not happy with any Government officials trying
this change, it is clear that Dave was within the all)- to bullshit the legislation take them to task; they
law... A tender, operating within the stated 34 Application of div 6 are obliged to know the law that they are
2nm limit from the mother ship, and This division applies to a tender, if the tender is enforcing. If not they are in breach of their own
therefore exempt from registration, is not required to be registered. Code of Conduct and can be held responsible.
required to carry safety equipment except The catch line is: (if the tender is required to be Be aware that you are obliged to always say the Now knowing full well that a lot of government
an EPIRB (if operating in open waters registered.) truth when answering their questions, so they departments can and do issue statements that
beyond 2nm from land) and a light or If you and I mark our Tenders with:, TENDER are also. clearly contradict laws and acts and each other
signalling device (if operating at night). TO: (REGO#) We are not required to be After saying all this, please act safely in all your I checked the Transport Operations(Marine
(TCP emphasis) registered boating exploits and I do take along some Safety) Regulation 2004. Reprinted and as in
The MSQ website has now been amended This section does not apply at all to you. (not safety gear when I am out in my tender in out of force July 1, 2011.
and the next editions of both the boating safety even 1 line) the way places, but still inside the 2nm zone. In Part 3, Division 4, section 2 of the regulation
handbook and Beacon to Beacon publication MSQ have been taking extracts out of this regarding registration requirements it states ...
will be amended to reflect a simplified version of section and applying them where they are to Peter Kerr, “However, part 5 of division 2 of the act does not
the safety rules surrounding the use of tenders create the most confusion. This I believe to be LIZARD YACHTS apply to the following ships ..” And goes on to
within Queensland. deliberate, if not this is another indication that list the exempted ships of which in section (i) a
The Queensland Recreational Boating MSQ again can't read their own legislation. recreational ships tender is clearly mentioned
Council works on an on-going basis with MSQ The section that is applicable is: Bob, as being exempt from registration.
and several other State government agencies Division 5 Other safety equipment for
involved with providing services to the boating recreational ships. Further to my last letter and your response in
public. Our contact address is: This Division say's that Tenders are not Issue 49 I advise as follows. At the time of
QRBC, c/- Marine Queensland, required to carry safety gear if used within the writing to TCP after the incident, I also called
“Tenders Tenders to registered recreational
ships are exempt from registration provided
they are used within two nautical miles of the
primary ship. The tender must be marked on
the exterior with the word 'tender' and the
primary ship registration numbers, at least 75
mm high. If this is not possible, markings
should be on the inside of the boat in the largest
characters possible. If the tender is used for
more than one ship, it may be marked with the
owner's name.”
“(i) a tender to a registered recreational ship if
the tender is operated only within a radius of 2n
miles from the recreational ship;”
PO Box 3305,
Tingalpa DC, QLD 4173
Regards,
Ian Threlfall, Deputy Chair QRBC
Hi Ian, Bob here,
I applaud your efforts but am sorry to report you
are a year and a half behind the game on this
issue.
Peter Kerr writing in previous editions of TCP,
was promised that his discovery of incorrect
and/or misleading information in state
2NM radius of the Mother ship. There is also no
engine size requirement in the act, so motor
size is not a issue. There is a size limit of below
6m for tenders (other legislation).
There is a special section for tenders and night
lighting; yes tenders must have a lighting
devise at night.
I believe that Tenders must have a EPIRB on
board if used outside the 2nm limit and are in
open waters. This goes for all safety gear
when you are outside the 2nm.
When Dave was told to go back and get his life
jacket, they (MSQ) should have made him get
all safety gear if they believe he is in breach of
Maritime Safety Qld and insisted I needed to
talk to someone about the incident and get
clarification on the law. The lady I spoke to said
she did not know, "It (the hand book) was all too
conflicting and confusing", she would get
someone to call me back.
I was called back later that day (Friday 13
May) by Mr Philip Macdonald of Maritime
Safety Qld. We discussed the incident and the
handbook and he advised categorically:
"Although I personally believe all boats
including tenders should carry safety
equipment and would strongly recommend
they do, that is not the law. The Fisheries Patrol
Ok, so lets go back to Part 1, Division 6 (which
is the safety gear division) where it states: 34
Application of div 6 This division applies to a
tender, if the tender is required to be
Registered.
This clearly states that the safety regulations
apply only to tenders that are required to be
registered and as shown above a tender to a
recreational ship does not require registration if
used within 2n miles of the main registered
vessel irrespective of engine size.
I may have all this wrong but following the act
from one directed point to the other and in
context all this seems correct.
publications (that include what you refer to)
would be corrected but it was not.
From your letter: "To their credit, MSQ has
legislation (duty of care). This in itself tells me
that MSQ don't know what the other hand is
doing.
from Airley Beach misinterpreted the handbook
and the law.
The law is and the intent of the law is.
Kind Regards and good cruising to all.
Bruce, SV Tropical Soul
responded quickly. Not only did they recognise If a boat:
the issue but immediately put resources to the In dealing with MSQ when building boats to 1. is under 6m in length, regardless of motor
problem with the aim to correct the documents Survey requirements, we often have to tell them size
before their next issue." how to read legislation correctly. One example I 2. is appropriately marked Tender to Reg.
We've heard this before. I feel MSQ deserves had to deal with: I Just built a 13m Power cat. Number / Name of Mother ship
TCP gets the MSQ Shuffle...again
Last issue TCP offered our best attempt to unravel the clarification was stall and the flick, nothing new. of the mail. This is lending credence to claims that this
tender/safety equipment conundrum in response to a letter agency is willfully thwarting boaties attempts to understand
and considering the quantity and quality of response from To Patrick Quirk from TCP; Date: 23/08/2011 11:38 AM and comply, thus leaving the fleet vulnerable to selective
the boating public, as above, may have errored, albeit on and arbitrary enforcement. This is a very serious matter.
the side of caution, which if in any doubt is the side we Please verify or refute for publication, the following UPDATE for E-TCP.. Post print deadline, apparently
must choose. statement:
more time was found for response! TCP received mail from
"The law is and the intent of the law is.
a media advisor which as previously stated is not useful to
TCP sent an inquiry to the General Manager of MSQ, If a boat
this discussion. First the stall, then the flick.. TCP then
Patrick Quirk, to clarify. This individual was chosen for two 1.. is under 6m in length, regardless of motor size contacted Mr quirk again and there was a flurry of mails
reasons; MSQ has a history of providing assertions on a 2.. is appropriately marked Tender to Reg. Number / between TCP and Mr Quirk however no response to the
point by a "media advisor" or some other unqualified Name of Mother ship
direct inquiry was forthcoming. When pressed Mr Quirk
personnel and weaselling out of it after the fact by 3.. is operating within 2nm of the mother ship
reverted back to referring to the Boating Guide published
disclaiming the statement as "opinion" thus avoiding (regardless of water type smooth or open)
by his agency that is widely discredited, even by his own
responsibility. We felt only a statement from the officer in then the boat is deemed a "TENDER" and a tender is staff and other state government agencies as inaccurate
charge would be credible. For two, we wanted to give this not deemed a "Registrable Boat".
and/or misleading! TCP will take time to analyse and
man a chance to give evidence that the leadership style insure fairness before publishing what at first blush
had changed from the adversarial approach of his With 6 days to respond Mr. Quirk could not answer that appears very disappointing. This E-TCP may be revised at
predecessor. Sadly, it appears the name has changed but simple yes or no question that every boaty is responsible that time or we may post the lot to the web site, see the
not the game. Our response to request for simple to know from dot. He did respond to acknowledge receipt home page and look for the MSQ link top of page.

Hi Dave, maritime case law be subordinate to very good feature in the E-TCP #48 called “Hit and Motor
DRINKING AT ANCHOR RE-VISITED
international convention? Could it be Away”. This is good info for anyone sailing to the region.
This issue was covered very well in that MSQ has it wrong? Shocker! Say it Thanks Dave!!
Bob,
TCP # 41 by Andrew Crawford. He isn’t so!
outlines the confusion you note. We Hi Bob,
Having been breathalysed twice in the last 12 also got a letter in response to TCP will include the article by Andrew
months while at anchor in a safe bay Andrews article published in TCP # 42 Crawford in the E-TCP of this edition. Just was reading the latest TCP and found the article on the
anchorage in the Whitsunday's and firmly that made a good point. We have It’s very good. saga of Peggotty particularly interesting. About 3 years back
anchored to the sea floor, I comment as inserted the letter below. we found a nice Australian Registered, built and owned
follows:
Cheers, v e s s e l s i t t i n g f o r s a l e i n
In Qld they say: a "boat" which is a vessel for
conveying people and other items on water, is
GO GET THOSE BALLS Bob Langkawi, Malaysia. We were interested in buying her, and
made an offer which the owner was interested in. The local
in fact a "vehicle" which is an item of
equipment used for conveying people and
Hi TCP,
Hi Bob, broker was insistent that we would have no problems if we
just sailed her back to Oz and changed the Registration
other items on land. In reference to Forum in 41st edition
I was reading Coastal Passage and saw
Well it is supposed to be all about equality on March-April on Drinking Yachting and
a few comments on the garden lights.
land and water I am told. Anchoring by Andrew Crawford, the
Sailing in Malaysia and Thailand has
However. 4 people travelling in a large following is worthy of note:
its difficulties, if you are around tourist
camper van (a cruising boat on the road with When anchoring for "sundowners"
areas there is a procession of new
wheels) pull into a roadside parking bay. with the intention of staying the night,
fiberglass runabouts from post tsunami
Keys are removed from the ignition and all then the anchoring procedure of
fun din g. The y all hav e mas siv e
four move to the back, playing cards and hoisting, in line, two balls or round
outboards on the back and run flat out
getting more than a few grogs down them. shapes, should take place in
day and night carrying tourist of all
They then stay in the parking bay until well accordance with regulations, Rule 27
Nationalities around the usual Touristy
and truly sober the next day. "No Law broken". (a) (ii) signifying that the vessel is NOT
sites. They will pass under your bows
No one has to be "In Command" of the UNDER COMMAND.
with 2 metres to spare day or night while
"Vehicle". But what if the hand break cable If the vessel needs to be shifted, the
you are underway or worse still roar by
snaps? What if there is a storm or flash flood, radio can be used to request
you when you are in your little dinghy
they may have to move. Not an issue. No Law assistance from someone (not under
dodging between anchored yachts to
Broken. Conversely, 4 people travelling in a the influence) to do so. I have these
keep away from them.
privately owned recreational live aboard on board my vessel to advise the
I was shown a large catamaran which
cruising boat "a vehicle" (bare boats are authorities, however to date have not
has a patch in the inside of the one of the
exempt from these laws it seems) pull in to a had to do so.
hulls where a runabout had ploughed in
secluded well protected and sheltered bay, In short you have to have the balls to
to it at night. The catamaran had the
the skipper pulls his anchor in deep and hard, exercise and advise of your rights.
required masthead light operational but
paying out ample scope for any change in
the marine authorities commented that
details when we got back. I wasn't so sure and spent ages
phoning and writing to both Customs and ATO to try and get a
clear picture of what the true situation was. It took ages to get
a straight answer - most of the public servants that I talked to
had no idea.
Finally, (after weeks of enquiries) it became clear that, if we
were honest with Customs on return (& who isn't?), we would
have to pay GST. By this stage, the owner had lost patience
with us due to the time it had taken to get a clear answer from
ATO and Customs and he called off the sale. We were sad to
miss out on a very nice boat, but not to miss out on the
hassles it was going to involve. All's well that ends well and
we finally found our perfect cruising boat 5 minutes from
home a few months later, while the other owner found that he
did have time to sail his boat back to Darwin.
Cheers,
Peter McHugh,
SV Honey Bee
weather.
Two days later a RIB pulls up with a Primary
Industries Person and one Police Officer on
board. The PI asks, “Been here long?” “Only
a couple of days.” “Staying long?” “At least
another couple of days.” “Who is the owner of
the boat?” “I am.” “So you are "In Command”
of the boat? “No we are at safe anchor, no one
is "In Command" “Well some one has to be In
Command at all times.”
I said, “I dispute that." Having had 3 beers
while fishing I called on my wife as the person
In Command. and she blew into the test
machine.
Where is the equality? The next thing will be,
if you own a waterfront home or a home which
could be subject to flash flooding, then you
must stay under the legal alcohol limit in case
you have to evacuate.
When is this country and its legislative
bureaucrats going to ease up on the
population, or do we all have to move to
Russia or China to get a little more freedom?
So for the purpose of the law, a Vehicle is not
necessarily a Vehicle if it is not a boat and as
such does not have to have someone in
command, however a boat is a Vehicle and
being a Vehicle, has to have someone in
command at all times. Confused? I am.
Dave Williams,
MV Merdeka
Regards,
it was too high to be seen by the skipper
Ian Lechmere,
of the runabout. That is to say it's your
SY Arum "n" Ared
fault and you pay up. If you sail around
Thailand and Malaysia the runabouts
Good one Ian, now here is the quote
and a lot of fishing boats have green,
from USC ColRegs rule 27;
red, blue or white flashing light,
(a) Vessels not under command A
relatively cheap runs on 2A sized
vessel not under command shall
batteries with a light sensor on them so
exhibit: (i) two all-round red lights in a
they just have them on day and night.
vertical line where they can best be
Good idea if you don't want to navigate
seen; (ii) two balls or similar shapes in
up a channel. Oh well, the truth being
a vertical line where they can best be
there would not be any navigation lights
seen; and (iii) when making way
operating anyway except for major
through the water, in addition to the
shipping channels.
lights prescribed in this paragraph,
I was warned by the local yachties to
sidelights and a sternlight.
put some garden lights on my push pit
and pulpit but I resisted for about 3
So according to international
months until I had one boat go by me
regulations that Australia is a party to
when I was on anchor in the evening
as far as I know, not only can a ship be
with about a metre to spare. He must
“not under command” but it can be in
have been travelling about 30 knots with
that state whilst navigating ((iii)
14 people on board. After that I bought
above). And of further interest to a lot
2 garden lights for my bow and stern.
of the cruising fleet in the same rule;
Now I also hoist a flashing Blue light
(g) Vessels of less than 12 meters in
about 5 metres of the deck.
length A vessel of less than 12 meters
So the 4 garden light is for the mad
in length, except when engaged in
runabout skipper, the flashing lights
diving operations, is not required to
alerts them that a boat is close the rest is
exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed
history.
in this Rule.
That is my input to Coastal Passage,
The argument that MSQ would use to
David Montgomery
claim otherwise seems wobbly.
Wouldn’t some interpretation of local
TCP Note: David was referring in part to
a
The Fridge Police?!
TCP
Incredible statement by the minister! (below):
“Main Roads, Fisheries and Marine InfrastructureThe
Honourable Craig Wallace 18/08/2011
Hooked a good catch? Know the possession limits
Whether they're in your freezer or fresh off your hook, rules
apply to the amount of fish you can have in your possession
at any given time.
Fisheries Minister Craig Wallace and said possession and
size limits applied to all recreational fishing catches in
Queensland.
"A 'possession' or 'bag' limit refers to the total number of fish
an individual can legally take and have in their possession at
any one time - it does not apply on a per-day basis," Mr
Wallace said.
"This includes the fish you have caught previously that are in
your freezer at home, camp site or in your caravan," (TCP
emphasis) he said.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) district
officer Robert Ibell said these limits were in place in
Queensland to ensure sustainable recreational fishing for
the future.
"It's important that recreational fishers practice ethical and
responsible behaviour when using a limited natural
resource," he said.
"Possession limits aim to conserve heavily exploited species
and to conserve those that are susceptible to capture.
"They also allow catches to be shared more equitably
amongst fishers and reduce the illegal marketing of fish.”
Peter H
Hi Peter,
We did verify the press release you forwarded and agree,
incredible! “Home, Campsite or .. caravan”. Even fisheries
officers would probably not have the guts to knock on
someone's door and demand to see their freezer.
Curiously absent from the list of freezer locations was
cruising yachts which fisheries have asserted the power to
board at times in past to check for fish. According to legal
information published in TCP # 47 fisheries does not have
that power except as permitted by the commander of the
vessel.
To quote in part: You are not required to consent to them
(fisheries) coming aboard your vessel (see s475I TIA).
If you do not consent they may then obtain a warrant to enter
and exercise a number of powers including search,
inspection, taking documents etc.
So watch what you say! You may state for the record you do
not permit boarding and if possible, record it.
Cheers,
Bob

TCP’s Forum
Drinking, Yachting and Anchoring
By Andrew Crawford, SC Dilligara
Recently there has been significant
discussion in the yachting community
about the law in relation to consuming
alcohol whilst operating a vessel. The
vast majority of people understand and
readily accept that if you are under way
The key concern here is what constitutes being “in charge of a vessel that is being
used or apparently about to be used in navigation”. It is on this point that the law is
very confusing, those that administer it are confused, and we the poor public are left
scratching our head.
The yachting analogy is to consider that
you are anchored legally and safely , lights
on etc, you have a wonderfully clean record
and you are two or three drinks over the limit
but far from legless.
and you are the operator of a vessel and
over the limit then you are liable for
prosecution. No real debate there at all.
And neither should there be.
Further, I and most people I know strongly
accept that navigating under the influence is
a silly and dangerous thing to do, and
nothing in this article should be construed as
excusing dangerous or risky behaviour. To
the contrary, I and others like me are
scrupulous about ensuring we don't put
ourselves and others in danger.
It is interesting to follow the history of drink
driving legislation. Not that long ago the law
considered that vessels should be treated
differently to cars. It used to be the case that
you were in trouble with the courts if you
operated a vessel under the influence of
liquor or a drug (this was a matter of fact, but
the law also deemed that you were Under
the Influence if you had a blood alcohol
concentration of point 15 or higher).
It was only the operators vehicles on roads
that had to consider the issue of being “over
the limit” that is having a blood alcohol
concentration of over point 05.
Over the years the laws that regulate
vehicles being driven within metres of each
other at 100 kilometres per hour became
applied to vessels as well.
Interestingly as well is that the law makes
no differentiation between the 25 foot
sailboat operating at 6 knots flat out and the
50 foot motor boat moving along at 15 knots,
or the large container ship at nearly 1000
feet operating at 22 knots.
(1) Any person who whilst under the
influence of liquor or a drug(a) drives a
vessel; or (b) attempts to put in motion a
vessel; or (c) is in charge of vessel;
(2) Any person who, while the person is over
the general alcohol limit but is not over the
high alcohol limit (a) drives vessel; or (b)
attempts to put in motion a vessel; or (c) is in
charge of a vessel;
is guilty of an offence
(11) Subsections (1) to (2J) apply to and with
respect to any person
(e) who drives or is in charge of or attempts
to put in motion a vessel that is being
used, or is apparently about to be used,
in navigation.
What the guts of section 79 means is that if
you drive or attempt to put into motion, a
vessel over the limit you're in trouble, as you
should be. What it also means is that if you
are in charge of a vessel over the limit then
you are in trouble.
The key concern here is what constitutes
being “in charge of a vessel that is being
used or apparently about to be used in
navigation”. It is on this point that the law is
very confusing, those that administer it are
confused, and we the poor public are left
scratching our head.
The popular view espoused by the
authorities is that you are caught by this
section in the following circumstances (text
taken from Maritime Safety Queensland web
site):
Skippers of recreational boats should
also be aware that, when their boat is
When one reflects on the 1878 case and
the dictionary definition one is struck by the
thought that what both definitions really say
is that if you are under way then you are
navigating irrespective of whether or not you
are making way. It would appear to me that
this is a much more sensible basis upon
which we should consider the application of
the drink driving (navigating) laws.
Conversations with Police and Transport
department officers indicates that both
organisation believe that being anchored
renders you liable but interestingly, I am
advised that there is a Crown Law advice to
these organisations which indicates that
being on a mooring could also render you
liable.
So in summary: the law about being
over the limit is related to the
following concept:
IN CHARGE OF A VESSELL BEING
USED, OR APPARENTLY ABOUT TO
BE USED, IN NAVIGATION.
There is no statutory definition of what the
term used in navigation means, so we have
advice from Qld Transport, differing advice
from Crown Law, and reference to old cases.
Further, it gets very confusing when talking
to officers of both organisations, as they
quote randomly from a range of other
provisions, e.g. USL codes and the like.
The reality of criminal law is that the
prosecution must prove each and every
element of any offence beyond reasonable
doubt.
In the car, fine no dramas, in the boat,
liable for prosecution and conviction, if you
believe the MSQ web site.
Remember that your 4 knot clunker goes a
little slower than your family sedan. It is
beyond me why the government seeks to
extend the net this wide, whilst providing a
defence clause when it comes to cars.
Its also interesting to note that if you are
over point 05 but not under the influence of
liquor you can legally ride your horse down
the road, and belt along on your pushbike in
peak hour traffic. (see section 79
subsection7)
Two more things:
Firstly, the powers that police have to
enforce these laws are very wide.
Section 80 of the Transport Operations
Road Use Management Act provides that if a
police officer even suspects, on reasonable
grounds, that a person was within the last
preceding 2 hours driving or in charge of or
attempting to put in motion a vessel being
used or apparently about to be used in
navigation;
they (the police) may require a person to
supply a specimen of breath. So you are
cruising up the coast your vessel is
anchored in Airlie Beach, you are ashore at
the sailing club and you are going to stay
ashore and sleep at a friend's house, and
you are having a big night, according to the
current Qld Transport interpretation you are
still covered by the legislation.
To take this to the extreme, your vessel is
anchored in the Brisbane River, and you are
sitting on a plane 30,000 feet in the sky, best
Where however the law gets really
interesting is when we start to consider your
liability as a skipper when you may be over
the limit but safely connected to planet earth.
At this stage I should indicate that the basis
for this examination is the law as it is written
anchored, it may still be considered to be
used for navigation, and the blood
alcohol limit applies. The limit does not
change unless the boat is securely
moored in a marina, to a jetty or wharf or
on a swing mooring.
I really think the time has come to make this
law clear. What the law should say is that a
vessel underway is captured in regard these
laws. That would appear to be more
sensible than the current dog's breakfast.
not to have a drink, cause you are still in
charge according to the Transport definition,
but I am sure no court would agree with
them in these extreme circumstances. It is
the non extreme circumstances that worry
me, anchored safely and on the beach at
in Queensland. However, most traffic type
legislation has been harmonised over recent
years (fancy public service term for being
made pretty much the same across
Australia).
Also I should issue a very strong warning I
am not a solicitor or any other form of legal
So the MSQ advice (and its only their
opinion and not law) is that if you are
anchored you must stay below the limit, but if
you are in a berth, tied to a wharf or on a
swing mooring you are okay. The theory
behind that is that you may have to shift your
vessel if it is at anchor whereas the other
I mean the really scary thing is if you
accept the Transport Queensland view that
being used in navigation means being
anchored, then someone who is on shore at
a party some 20 kilometres away from their
boat may still technically be “in-charge” and
thus liable.
Horseshoe bay having a drink. The MSQ
interpretation is that you are quite clearly in
charge.
And again; please do not interpret this
discussion to mean that in any way shape or
form I condone the unsafe operation of
vessels. I don't. I spent the better part of my
practitioner. I do not hold out the content of
this article as any form of legal advice. I am
however a citizen who should be able to
have an understanding of the laws that apply
to me.
A very short review of a couple of the
provisions of the law is relevant here. The
issues connected with being under the
circumstances would not require you to be in
a position to move your vessel.
Whilst that is what the authorities say it
isn't what is written in the law. It is simply
their interpretation of the law, an
interpretation that is not binding on the
courts. In researching this article the only
case law I could find on what amounts to
being in charge of vessel being used or
The law actually recognises this as a stupid
concept. It actually recognises that if a
person has parked their car and is not in it
then they should not be held to be “in
charge”. Subsection (6) of section 79 says
that a court is not to convict the person in
charge of a motor vehicle if all of the
following issues exist concurrently:
working life in law enforcement and have
arrested more than my share of drink drivers,
I have investigated more than my share of
fatal traffic accidents and delivered more
than my share of death messages.
I simply hate badly written and interpreted
laws that cast too wide a net.
influence of liquor or a drug and or “being
over the limit” are contained in the Transport
Operations Road Use Management Act.
Section 79 of that Act is mentioned in part
below (the full extent of the act and section is
available on the internet at
www.legislation.qld.gov.au and from that
home page follow the links to the Transport
Operations (Road Use Management) Act).
In the excerpt below I have taken out the
references to trams, trains and vehicles to
make it a little easy to follow.
apparently about to be used in navigation, is
a case from 1878. Yep that's 1878.
For those who are interested the relevant
case citation is Hayn v Culliford (1878) 3
CPD 410 at 417 where the court held that a
ship need not be in a state of motion to be in
a state of navigation. It is interesting to note
that this case doesn't appear to mention
being anchored or not, what it does appear
to say, in nautical terms, is that if a vessel is
under way it need not be making way to be
navigating.
the person in charge was not in a
compartment of the vehicle containing
the driving seat, or not being in the
vehicle the person had manifested an
intention to not drive, and
was not so horribly affected by the
alcohol as to unable to understand
what he was doing, and
the vehicle was properly and safely
parked, and
the person didn't have a history of
drink driving.
I hate laws that seek to control behaviour
that is demonstrably not causing risk.
Finally, I again indicate that I am not a
lawyer; get your own advice and stay
sober on the water. But if you are one
drink over and at anchor and get done, I
strongly urge you to seek quality criminal
law advice.
So another disclaimer, if you want the exact The definition of navigation in contemporary
text of the legislation you need to go to the literature, for example the Macquarie
government web site. dictionary, is “the act or practice of passing
So taking that section, if you park your car
safely and legally and get in the back seat,
you don't have a horrible drink driving history
and whilst you are reasonably well affected,
sales@outbackmarine.com.au on water”. So the old case suggests that a
you aren't so sloshed as to be clueless, then
no offence. All terribly www.shopma.com.au
reasonable really. It
Driving etc. whilst under influence of vessel need not be moving to be navigating
liquor or drugs or with prescribed and the contemporary dictionary
concentration of alcohol in blood or interpretation is that navigation involves
breath motion.
Republished from TCP #41
encourages people to choose not to drive.

SEAGULL MANIA
photo:
Chris Ayres's
last Seagull
Gove Boat Club has a new web page:
www.goveboatclub.com
email: admin@goveboatclub.com
We are always having operators heading off
into the blue to enjoy Australia and why not,
they've earned a holiday and that's what retirement is about. But
TH
JOIN US ON SEPTEMBER 25 FOR OUR
RE-OPENING PARTY
We have a great day planned so keep that day free!!
this also means the Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club Radio Room
needs volunteer Operators to man the marine radios, logging on
and off boats heading out onto Moreton Bay and points further
afield.
Eye Splice Lazy Jacks
Hi Bob,
We only need a couple more operators to bolster our reserves
and it would just mean being available either in the morning,
afternoon or evening for a shift of about 5-6 hours at a time. Shifts
can be 2 per week, weekly or even fortnightly.
To Volunteer you need: A MROCP Radio Licence, a few
hours to offer on a weekday per week, fortnight or month (we
hand the jobs over to Coast Guard Brisbane over the weekends
and Public Holidays), and willingness to give some time back to
I'm currently making some new lazy jacks for my C42
Catalina. I'm using 6mm double braid line. At first I tried
your pro method but found it impossible to get the cover
through the core (or should that be the core through the
cover). I think it would get easier with larger diameter line.
The Norson splice on the other hand works a treat. I must
admit it took a few goes before I got it right. The wife seems
the boating community.
VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED
to think it has something to do with the fact that I rewarded
myself with a beer (OK could have been a couple) halfway
through the project rather than at the end. Anyway I only
Manly Boat Harbour Boat have a couple of lines to go and with a bit of luck should be
installing on the weekend. I'll send you a picture of the lazy
G'day Bob Number System jacks once in place. Thanks for the instructions and a great
publication.
A little birdie tells me you think anyone interested During the working week Brisbane Coast Guard take a break and
in British Seagull outboards must be off their Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club (VKQ447) handle the boating Cheers,
rocker. I couldn't agree more! traffic, logging on vessels going out on the bay. VKQ447 operate Owe Hansson
But when you consider that some people collect the same as any Limited Coast Station, logging calls and looking
fluffy toys, glass ashtrays, or teapots, collecting out for boaties of all types and sizes. Hi Bob,
something as useful as an outboard motor VKQ447 are about to introduce a Boat Numbering System,
perhaps isn't quite as loony as it sounds. And much like Mooloolaba and Scarborough have for vessels, where
perhaps your experience of the doughty Seagull you just use a 3 digit number and, from that, we can obtain all your
has not been a good one. Perhaps you were important information. Such as Registration Number, type & size
required to start and/or use one which had not of vessel, which radios you have & which frequency you usually
been looked after properly - because any British monitor and your on-board mobile number. This will allow for
Seagull properly looked after is utterly reliable and faster and easier logging on with much less chance of details
a great, classic, alternative to the ubiquitous being copied incorrectly. Now all we need from you is the number
Japanese, Chinese or American lumps. of people on board (P.O.B.), your departure point, destination
This is particularly so for those with a classic and your estimated time of return (E.T.R.). This service will be
yacht or launch, who hopefully always have a available to MBTBC Members and any Manly Boat Harbour
classic dinghy as a tender. In which case, why not vessels.
round off the whole shebang with a classic British
Seagull outboard? For more information Call the Radio Room 6:30am to 9:30pm
It may surprise you to learn that there are 3396 2778 or Communications Officer Linsay Patterson
enthusiasts of the British Seagull worldwide, with
our nearest neighbours, the Kiwis, having the
0412 250 880 Email: mbtbcradioroom@gmail.com
most extensive calendar of annual events (see Thank You,
www.seagulloutboard.com ), for which a Seagull
is required - not optional! There is also an annual
race around the island of Bermuda, for which there
are numerous videos on the internet (type 'round
the island seagull race' into YouTube), and the
Kiwis match this with an annual trek down the
mighty Waikato River. Two days, 76 nautical
miles, and the motors don't stop running sun up to
sun down. Six-eight hours at wide open throttle
without a break is not bad for a single cylinder two-
stroke, many of which are more than 50 years old!
A group of Australian enthusiasts recently
decided to organise a few 'Seagull events' here,
and an email group with (thus far) 47 members has
so far planned a National Gathering for Myall
Lakes in January 2012, with a trip down the Murray
River being planned for the following year.
That's 1100 nautical miles, and about a month on
the river. That's either an intrepid adventure, or
stark raving lunacy, depending on your point of
view. Yet those involved (and we have 12 starters
so far) are supremely confident that their ancient
old Seagull outboards will go the distance. But this
confidence is based on intimate knowledge and
proper maintenance, not on faith alone!
So if any of your readers have a half-forgotten
Seagull in a remote back corner of the shed, they
might like to dust it off, fire it up and come join the
rest of us 'loonies' in some British Seagull related
activities. The contact address is:
ozseagullgroup@gmail.com
You may also run into a few of us at other classic
boat regattas and festivals and, if you do, please
come and say hello. As long as we've been taking
our medication, you will come to no harm!
Regards,
Mark Walker, Kempsey NSW
Linsay Patterson M.B.T.B.C. Communication Officer
Old Name Returns for Yacht Club in Gove,
Northern Territory as the
GOVE BOAT CLUB
From Lynsey Brown,
Exciting times ahead as club returns to the previous name that
many may remember: Gove Boat Club!
th
The bar and kitchen are closed now, until September 25 . The
ablution block, sheds, boat park are all operating as normal and
any visiting boaties will still be able to access everything while
they are here.
Our previous agreement with the The Arnhem Club has come to
a close and when we re-open on the 25th September we will be
opening as the Gove Boat Club. We don't mind whether you
have a canoe, kayak, jet ski, tinny, ski boat, fishing boat, motor
boat or sail boat, we would welcome your patronage for all water
related activities.
The new opening hours will be
Thurs & Fri 4pm - 8pm
Sat, Sun & Public holidays 12pm - 8pm
The members and committee see this as a positive move in the
right direction and are looking forward to relaxing in a family club
atmosphere. We are planning on running several functions
throughout the year with the popular Ivan Danks Day being one of
them. Friday will be Members' badge draw with meat raffles and
burgers for sale We will be focusing on boating activities and our
aim is to return to the more community based family type
functions and we are hoping to get the community as a whole
involved in the club activities and events.
New Lazy Jacks work great (see photo above). No more
wrestling with the sail, simply drop and tidy up a bit when
anchored up. Thanks again for the instructions.
Cheers,
Owe
Hey Owe
It’s nice to get feedback like this. Some readers may not
know but the TCP website has arguably the worlds most
popular instruction page for eye splicing double braid rope
and other technical subjects. The methods are all new and
simplified, developed by TCP and other contributors.
Knowledge sharing for the community because it feels
good!
Cheers
Bob
CRUISING COMPANIONS WANTED
Hello All,
We were wondering if Coastal Passage has a section
where you can post notices or see if anyone is looking for
cruising companions for friendship and security.
We are planning to sail a 13m yacht from Florida to
Brisbane departing end 2011/early 2012 and cruising for
about 6 months on the return trip.
Thanks very much.
Kind Regards.
Mandy and Greg Willmann
amanda.willmann@bigpond.com
more letters on page 43...
www.boatcraft.com.au/shop

DO YACHTIES COUNT?
APPARENTLY NOT!
The 2011 National Census is coming up in early August. “But I won't be in a marina on the night. That's why I want
As worthy citizens of Australia, we believed it was to register for the E-Census” I proffered in a very positive
important enough to be included. tone. I was asked to hold the phone while she sought
instructions from a higher being. Back on the line she read
For previous census', we had been in a marina or at out a whole lot of stuff about getting counted when leaving
Horshoe Bay where the appropriate forms were available. or departing Australia by boat. “Not us” I said, “we are
We filled out our details and posted the results off no
problem. We felt we had discharged our civic duty.
firmly in Australia.”
So back on hold for further instructions. She returned
On this occasion, we were going to be at anchor in the with the definitive answer. As we were not going to be in a
lower Whitsundays Goldsmith, Thomas, Shaw Islands or marina or designated port on the evening of the Census,
the like. How could we participate?
We looked at the ABS website and found we could send
we were regarded as “being overseas” and therefore
could not be included!
our details via E-Census. All we needed was an access How bloody ridiculous is that? If we were at Hammo we
code. To obtain the code, we had to make a 1300 call and would be in like Flynn. But being 20 miles to the south, we
the code would be sent to us via SMS. We would then did not exist. Some sort of aliens, I assume. Yet, it is clear
shoot off our details on the press of a button. How easy is that the E-Census facility was available to overcome the
all that? tyranny of distance (all 20 miles of it).
Keith & Pattie, the uncounted Aussies
Collectors going round some of the Whitsunday
anchorages delivering the appropriate forms to yachties.
Macona Inlet and Burning Point were locations
specifically mentioned. This practice was in line with our
experience in Horseshoe Bay at the last census when we
were contacted by the relevant persons.
Well, I called the 1300 number. While I waited the 15
minutes to get through, the mechanical robotic voice
thanked me for my patience and assured me that I would
eventually speak to an Agent (an Agent just like Dick
Tracey I wondered!) While waiting for Dick's equivalent,
So when the Census results are released the totals will
be wrong. The number of citizens will be short by two very
much alive and willing souls living in Australia on
Speranza who were missed out.
But on this Census night, we were tucked up in Saba Bay
on Hook Island. Being in an anchorage which is a bit
remote, we were obviously not on the Collector's delivery
run.
the robot told me of the dire consequences of failing to
participate in the Census. Along with notification of the stiff
penalties for non-compliance, I was told that, by law, the
Statistician could compel me to respond all really heavy
stuff.
Is the census real value for money? Clearly not if the data
is wrong.
Keith Owen,
SY Speranza
But at Saba Bay, we had good internet coverage and
could have easily submitted our details electronically. But
we needed the magic code to do so. I am still puzzled as
to why we were regarded as being “overseas” and denied
access to the code. Particularly as just over the hill of
The next mechanical message told me how simple it was
to utilise the E-Census facility. Well, finally a real person in
P.S. FROM KEITH - BEING COUNTED OUT:
Hook Island, the census forms were freely available and
being delivered to boats in the anchorage at Macona.
the shape of an Agent came on the line, eureka! I need to add to my earlier story about the Census and the Oh well, one of life's little mysteries!
I explained that we lived on a yacht. Our address was the
Bundy Port Marina but we were away cruising. “No
problem” she informed me. “ABS had appointed collectors
to marinas and recognised ports. They will fix you up.”
fact that we were not counted on the night.
My friends now inform me that indeed there were Census
Keith Owen
SY Speranza
MSQ? Am I mistaken?
MSQ. Maritime Safety Queensland? What is their actual inspection it had in 1 inch high letters, very faded I thought that the MSQ vessel with 4 people on board
role? I thought I knew but after a recent event I am not “CAUTION REEF”. You needed to be on top of it to read it. would sail over to them and warn them of their dangerous
sure. It was 3-4 metres from the reef. mistake. But I was wrong. They turned their backs and
I believed that their role was to enforce and improve started smoko. I then used my loud haler system to try
safety at sea, inshore and off. But what I witnessed the Anyway, we settled down on a mooring and before long and ward the yachts off from their course. The MSQ staff
other day puts me in serious doubt about the Safety part others started to arrive, most without Local knowledge looked at me and shook their heads. They could clearly
of their title. I have heard lots of stories about their vigour and the headed in towards the big caution buoy as the hear my warnings as they where directly in front of me. I
in imposing fines and creating revenue. But aren't they others were hard to see. I tried radio and stood on deck also used the radio and warned the skippers. The boats
also there to protect and assist if dangerous situations calling their attention to divert them from the reef and then retreated and came in through the right entrance.
arise? down to the entrance. Fortunately the tide was rising and MSQ ignored everything. I handed my mooring over to
they made it over without damage to themselves or the one of the new arrivals and they thanked me for the
th
August 9 2011, I finally talked my wife into visiting Bait reef. warning as they have a deep draught. We sailed past the
Reef of the Whitsunday's, approx 18nm off the coast. The
MSQ boat on the way out and they looked and turned their
weather was pristine and outlook the same for at least
th
The next morning on the 10 August at 10am a MSQ backs..
24hrs. I have been there before and knew the markers for vessel appeared and they had a new Cardinal Buoy with
the entrance. When we got out there, the marker was them. Great, I thought, but wasn't the cyclone in They saw the whole situation unfold but ignored it.
missing and 3 small buoys were floating where the marker February? As the MSQ vessel stopped to allow a couple Should they take the Safety part out of their title?
should be. They looked like crab pot floats. Anyway, of whales to pass the entrance a couple of 40-44ft yachts Registration fees should be reduced as there certainly
fortunately I had local knowledge. Further to the NE there where approaching the reef. MSQ moved over to the crab isn't any such service from MSQ. That's why rego has
was a very large mooring float/buoy. Bright orange, which pot buoys and tied up. As they watched the 2 yachts head increased - to provide better service and safety.
I wondered what it was. I thought it may be a new mooring for the caution buoy over bommies and reef (the wrong
for charter vessels as it looked very big. On closer entrance as they thought the BIG buoy was the entrance), Amazed boatie!!
www.blueseamachines.com.au
peter@blueseamachines.com.au
The Coastal Passage #50! 2011 Page 17

Andy & Jenny photo
Australia is for the birds!
From TCP # 7
Story & photo by I'm still not much of a sailor. It's not like
Suzanne Osier, SY “Peregrine” I don't do anything. I help a little. I feed
the sea gods when they need
I think I was in third grade when I appeasing, and I help to navigate by
learned how to sing “Kookaburra” and
“Waltzing Matilda”. We also learned a
telling Gene where to go.
little about Koalas, kangaroos, We had the same expectations most
platypuses, wombats and Bandicoots. tourists have when they come to Oz.
Even at that age, I was an animal and We expected to weave our way through
nature nut, so I was hooked. I wanted to Kangaroos and koalas to reach the
see all those weird creatures. I wanted shrimp covered barbie. The guys
to go to the strange island continent standing around the barbie would be
called Australia. wearing Drizabones, and hats with one
side of the brim folded up. They would
When my husband and I made landfall touch the brim of the hat with their free
at Port Bundaberg last year I could hand and say. “G'day”. The other hand
hardly believe it. A childhood dream, would be wrapped around a cold
shelved for many years, had become a Fosters. Needless to say, none of these
reality. Those early dreams never things occurred when we cleared
included a vision of sailing to Australia,
but life is full of surprises. I was twentycustoms
and stepped ashore.
eight before I ever set foot on a sailboat, Actually, we did get a shrimp off the
and the first encounter wasn't all that barbie. The Bundaberg Port Marina puts
successful. I got seasick in the dinghy on a free barbie every Friday for marina
on the way out to the mooring. Twenty- guests, and once, Donna of “Donna's
two years after my first boarding, Gene & Seafood's” donated some prawns. I
I left California on our forty-three foot think I should explain the shrimp and
IOR dinosaur, Peregrine. We were off to barbie bit. I know a lot of Aussie's are
sail the world. In truth, Gene was off to unaware of Oz's tourist campaign in the
sail the world, I was just on the boat to USA a few years back. “Crocodile
see the world. Dundee” came into our living rooms via
Classics pages
The next 10 pages are a few of our favourite's from previous TCP's. Deciding which stories to put in this edition
was an impossible task. Deciding on merit, there would have been a 100 way tie. A lot of "debating" went on at
TCP headquarters to put this section together but in the end these were virtually random choices. So enjoy!
This picture was the cover shot for TCP #1. Our previous boat SY White Bird is anchored in the far right of the pic. It was very appropriate at
the time as it is a photo of Nara Inlet, Whitsunday Island Photo: where Sue there Osier were many international and domestic cruisers at the time. Hardly a day
could go by without us meeting a foreign or interesting local crew with a story to tell and a willingness to contribute. The feature below is an
example as we met the crew of the US vessel Peregrine up by the Cave. In a way, this is where The Coastal Passage was "born".
TV and invited us to come and say, I knew they were parrots of some kind,
“G'day”. He said something like, “We'll but I didn't know they were Rainbow
throw another shrimp on the barbie.” Lorikeets until later. My eyes were
We didn't realize that the ad had been drawn to a magpie calling from a nearby
“Americanized” until we got here and tree, and little black and white birds
found out no one ever throws a shrimp landed near the Ibises. There were so
on the barbie. A prawn maybe, but many strange and wonderful birds; I
never a shrimp. No matter, Paul Hogan almost got whiplash as I looked from
was so appealing that you could almost sound to sound.
hear suitcases being packed at the end I left the park and went to a bookstore
of the commercial! where I made my first tourist purchase in
Australia, Simpson and Day's
I'm still not much of a sailor. It's not
like I don't do anything. I help a little.
I feed the sea gods when they need
appeasing, and I help to navigate by
telling Gene where to go.
“Field Guide to the Birds of
Australia”. Since then, I have
put in about a gazillion bird
watching hours, acquired
additional birding literature,
marked off 167 species in my
field guide and learned that I
I know that “The Coastal Passage” is a
am a “twitcher”. Occasionally,
I find myself being as blasé
about these little miracles as many
boating publication, but I'd like to veer off Aussies are. I've tracked sound with my
course just a bit. Sorry, but I told you I'm binoculars only to find a previously
not a sailor. I have to tell you what it is sighted species and have said, "Oh, it's
in Australia that had captivated me from only a so-and-so.” I immediately feel
day two. guilty for being so ungrateful, and remind
myself how thrilled I was when I saw my
On our second day in Oz, we took the
shuttle into town, and I found myself at
first so-and-so.
the Bundaberg Zoo. The little zoo was I know I'm not the only visitor to be
very nice, but I was saddened by the enthralled by the birds. I see people
way the birds were kept. The keepers with cameras trying to get a shot of the
there should visit the aviary at Lorikeets, or the Sulphur Crested
Townsville's Queen's Park to learn how Cockatoos, and I can't help but smile,
to keep Cockatoos. Anyway, in the park
next to the zoo, I had an hour of sensory
they are so irresistible.
overload. I was seeing and hearing all There are plenty of reasons why
kinds of strange birds. A couple of Ibises Australia draws sailors from around the
were walking around. I knew they were world. It was worth sailing about 10,000
Ibises because I had seen pictures and miles just to anchor in Pearl Bay for a
recognised what they were. They were few days. I would sail twice that
so exotic, I couldn't believe they were distance to once more have the Sulphur
just walking around free! I mean, surely Crested Cockatoos of Nara Inlet on
something like that should be in a zoo!
As I stood staring in fascination, a
Peregrine.
squadron of squawking fluorescent The islands and beaches are
emerald things flew by me. They passed stunning, but in my opinion,
on both sides at about shoulder level, Australia's Crown Jewels are her
flashing in the sunlight like living jewels. birds!

Through Kids Eyes - A day at Middle Percy Island
From TCP # 9
Story & Photo by Colleen Burns, paddling surf skis, making cubbies or sometimes
SY La Passarola toasting damper and marshmallows over an
open fire. Very natural, very normal kid
Having finally eaten their fill of coconuts, the kids had behaviour. So much for the popular
carried armloads of the fibrous husks up to the fireplace misconception that home-schooled kids “miss
behind the 'A-frame'. Determined to chase out every out on the interaction and socialisation with
flying, crawling, biting and stinging insect on Middle others their own age”! How many times have
Percy with the thick billowing smoke, they seemed cruising parents heard this well-intentioned but
equally certain of chasing the adults away! The four of
them; Jackson and Ryan aboard Keemar III, plus my
incorrect comment?
own two; Aimee and Jordan on La Passarola had been In over three years of cruising I can honestly
almost inseparable through the summer months and say our kids aren't 'missing out' on anything.
they were enjoying catching up with each other again. Their general knowledge and understanding has
developed far beyond their age level resulting in
It was only by chance we were even out at the Percy greater self-confidence and maturity. When
Islands. After leaving Island Head Creek that morning they're with adults they converse readily and
we'd made a very slow passage and an overnight
anchorage at Hexham Island seemed our only option.
Hearing Keemar III on the radio made the decision for
us and softened the blow for the kids that our long day
was to become even longer.
when they're with other kids ………. they act
like kids! This afternoon was no exception and with
the fire blazing self-sufficiently they were now swinging
precariously in the overgrown hammock. It was good
to see them slot back into the easy camaraderie they've
shared on and off over the past year. Originally meeting
and their girls aboard Captain Silver are relative
new chums, having left the Gold Coast just a few
months ago. They love everything about the cruising
lifestyle and enjoy every opportunity to talk with other
yachties and share their experiences.
The friendly lights of yachts at anchor made a welcome
sight as we finally rounded the point inside Pine Islet
and headed in. Our bright spotlight invaded Keemar's
privacy and bought them out on deck where the kids
shouted excitedly to each other. Originally planning to
leave later that night, Bruce and Robyn willingly
amended the plan as the kids voted unanimously for a
school-free day. What the heck - why not? They hadn't
seen each other since March and had lots to catch up
on. We did too, of course. It was a long way from
Southport.
while tied alongside each other in Gladstone Marina,
we've enjoyed sharing anchorages at Pancake Creek,
Mooloolaba, Bum's Bay and now at Percy.
Meanwhile, the adults were sitting around the table at
the back of the A-frame enjoying the view and taking the
opportunity to catch up on news. Another perfect day
was coming to a close and the sun was sinking slowly
over the distant horizon. The water was oily calm but
with that nasty, deceptive little roll I knew would keep me
awake half the night! A call was made for the kids to do
a dinghy-run out to the boat for supplies of home brew.
As with most cruising parents, the subject of school
features heavily. Secondary school does definitely pose
more problems, although none of them insurmountable.
Keeping up the motivation for both the students and the
parents is the biggest battle, along with lack of internet
access for their assignments, and a slow turnaround for
marked work. Generally speaking, the first mate gets to
be the Home Tutor while the Captain involves himself in
repairs, maintenance, general improvements and other
'secret men's business' which on occasions can take
him to other people's boats for several hours!
Bum's Bay on the Gold Coast had proven to be an
excellent summertime anchorage with lots
of other cruising families there. Quite multi-cultural
really with the yacht Charlotte from the USA, a Canadian
family aboard Silent Sound, two New Zealand yachts,
Manuhiri and Aria, Keemar III, Quoll II plus our own
crew. Anything up to eleven or twelve kids could be
found ashore after school most days swimming,
This chore for some reason required four kids, two
dinghies and a lot of shouting!
Shortly afterwards the two Kims arrived from a lengthy
hike to the homestead. Daughter Rachel quickly joined
the other kids in the hammock. Now we had kids in
grades six, seven, eight, nine, ten
and eleven. 'He boss Kim' and wife 'She boss Kym'
The final beer is poured out of a plastic soft drink bottle.
The kids emerge from the hammock very dirty, smelling
of smoke and asking hopefully about tea. The last
colours of the sunset fade softly from the sky as the first
few stars come out. Down on the beach three dinghies
lie patiently as the tide hisses gently around them,
waiting to take their owners home after another hectic
day on Middle Percy.
www.mbtbc.com
facilities@mbtbc.com marina@mbtbcmarina.com.au
marinasales@mbtbc.com www.mbtbc.com

Lynelle & Lloyd, onboard Chappie
share their knowledge of Phuket,
Thailand, and the breathtaking areas
surrounding this part of the world.
Hello
Phuket!
By: Lynelle Parker suitable for the prevailing seasons. In the NE
Photos by: Lynelle & Lloyd, SY Chappie monsoon you can linger along the west coast
in the beautiful bays of Patong, Karen, and
When we sailed into Ao Chalong Bay on the Kata or Nai Harn in the south, and Kamala,
southeast corner of Phuket Island on the 2nd Bang Tao, and Nai Yang Bay in the north.
Jan 2003 we dropped the anchor, walked Wall-to-wall white powdery sand, clear water
back into the cockpit, looked at each other
and said, "We're home". Leaving Darwin last
and cool breezes make it hard to leave.
year in August, we talked of having Xmas The nightlife of Patong will keep you busy
2002 in Thailand. But for one reason and into the wee hours of the morning and during
another, we arrived a week late. It didn't the day Patong is a very busy little township
matter, there would always be next year. with no end to the restaurants, shops, hotels,
Twelve months on, we are still here, still loving guesthouses, and bars, bars, bars. For a laid
it, and contemplating yet another year in back pair of Aussies like us, it's a bit of a zoo
these waters. really, but we love the atmosphere, and a
night ashore is always included when we visit
There is definitely a "line in the sand" here.
When you reach Phuket Island it’s decision
the west coast.
time. The best part is you have so many The southern end of Patong Beach is the
choices. Maybe a little sortie west to Sri most popular anchorage on the west coast,
Lanka, Maldives, Chagos, and across to the particularly around Christmas. Anchored in
east coast of Africa before returning to Patong on New Year's Eve, a spectacular
Thailand. A few months could be spent fireworks display ashore will take your breath
exploring the eastern shore of the Malay
Peninsula and further east to the Philippines.
away.
But if you have time constraints and need to The beaches on the west coast are
move on either to South Africa or up into the sometimes wall-to-wall beach umbrellas
Red Sea, there will only be sufficient time for where after a rollicking night out you can lie
a spin around Phang Nga Bay, perhaps a for hours with food, drinks, and massage beds
quick trip into northern Thailand, and a short right at your fingertips. One could spend days
sortie into Vietnam or Cambodia, then its time
to reprovision and get ship-shape for the next
ocean passage.
But we had no intention of moving on and for
us it's been a leisurely 12 months just
"pottering" around the shores of Phuket Island
and the west coast of the Thailand Peninsula.
Just 8 degrees north of the equator, Phuket
is considered by most cruisers to be an ideal
place to season over, recoup, regroup and do
some serious land travel. The island's
weather is tempered by cool northeasterly
breezes from November to March, and by
fresh on-shore winds in the summer months.
The Island has excellent anchorages
and even weeks in these little bays, we know,
we've tried it.
Life is a little more laidback on the eastern
side of Phuket Island. Ao Chalong Bay on
the southern end of the island is a protected
anchorage all year round. You can find
everything here that you will ever need, and
life can become very established (you can
stay forever, and some people have done just
that!!). Dingy access is a bit tricky when the
tide is very low (a mud flat comes to mind),
but once ashore provisioning and having
repairs carried out is no problem.
continued next page...

Yawarra ll on slips at Dunelley
West Coast Phuket Island
Many small bars and eateries are close exploring the many islands that lay just to
by, and the Suda Bar has become known the south. Phi Phi Don and its smaller
as a local meeting place and watering sister island Phi Phi Le are close by. Phi
hole for cruising yachties. They provide Phi Don is considered by many to be one
Internet access, a laundry service, food of the worlds most beautiful islands and is
and drinks. Just up the road you can rent a perfect stopping off point on your way
a motorbike or a small sedan - cheap as south to Langkawi. Emerald green water
chips, and make your way all over the and safe anchorages have lured us back
island. there time and again.
About two miles from Ao Chalong Bay is Each time we visit we take ourselves for
a small bay affectionately known as Ban the rather strenuous walk to the lookout
Nit. The anchorage is superb in NE and sit for a while to take in the stunning
winds, the water is clear, and you can landscape. Dramatic limestone cliffs soar
chill out here for as long as the provisions skyward, and are reflected in the clear
last before returning to Ao Chalong Bay turquoise waters. The islands are small
to resupply and chart your own course for and we have been tempted several times
a leisurely sail around the rocky isles of into raising the anchor and
Phang Nga Bay to the north east of circumnavigating the islands just for the
Phuket. day. Tourists abound here, it's noisy and
its busy, but the special little bay known
Phang Nga Bay's dramatic seascape as Monkey Beach, seems to keep luring
features many pristine lagoons, sea us back time after time.
caves, looming limestone karsts, and
quite secluded bays. We have spent It's impossible to name and describe all
weeks just enjoying the sheer awe of the islands in this area, but you can be
Mother Nature in its distinctly quiet confident the view from your cockpit will
environment. No bars, no billboards, no change everyday of the year, and you will
radio or TV, no piers, just the sound of the never tire of the pristine anchorages in
village long tail boats passing. We never this part of the world.
complain about their noise, and accept
their passing to and fro as just another The waters surrounding Phuket are also
part of the landscape. In any case they home to a vast array of marine life and
may just have our next seafood meal on we have discovered the beauty of the
board. The only pressing decision we Similans, lying to the northwest of
have found when cruising Phang Nga Phuket. Unfortunately neither of us
Bay is choosing our next anchorage. The scuba dive, which is a shame, but
water is relatively shallow, and the nevertheless this is an exceptional place
anchorages are well protected. Life to just lay face down on the water and
simply doesn't get more idyllic than this. drift over the incredible seascape.
Lloyd & Lynelle at Phi Phi Don Island
Phuket is also a perfect base for continued next page... Chappie Anchored at Phanak Island

Yacht Haven Anchorage Ratanachai Workshop crew & Lloyd
www.greatcircleliferafts.com.au
www.greatcircleliferafts.com.au
For anyone pining for some more complaint. It was too hot!!
organised sailing, just hang around We have no idea what made us
long enough and you can take part in decide to sail Chappie north, when our
the regatta madness that seems to original plans were to go east into the
grab Phuket from time to time during Pacific, but we enjoyed every day of
the year. The Phuket King's Cup our cruise to Darwin, into Indonesia,
Regatta, indisputably Asia's premier Singapore and Malaysia and on to
race gets underway in early Thailand. Our twelve-month stay has
December, and is followed by the been an incredible learning curve as
slightly more sociable Phang Nga Bay well as an incredibly good time.
Regatta to name just a couple.
But good news travels fast, and
The Island of Phuket has two very already we have cruising friends back
nice marinas one on the mid east home, who are asking questions about
coast of the island and the other is on how to get here and what to bring. An
the northern tip not too far from the Aussie guy we have met up here has
Sarisin Bridge which joins the island to this to say: "Be sure you are tired of
the mainland Thailand. Both marinas the Thailand before you leave, it's the
offer long-term stays, and Boat world's best kept secret, and hard to
Lagoon has a very good haul-out beat as a cruising destination". That
facility with most of the other probably explains why we've met so
conveniences yachties like to have many people who arrived here as long
nearby such as electricians, as 10 years ago, and haven't been
woodworkers, painters, mechanics, able to drag themselves away. In all
and chandleries. probability, we might still be here when
you arrive...
Yacht Haven Marina in the north is
quiet and peaceful and managed by a Our cruise so far:
young couple who have cruised
extensively themselves and Chappie departed Darwin 08 Aug
understand our cruising lifestyle. We 2002, sailing via Roti Island,Timor
often anchor just off the marina where Island, and north to Flores Island in
the anchorage is sheltered in both Indonesia. We then sailed westward
seasons and enjoy going ashore to across the northern shores of the
eat at the small restaurants that line Indonesian Archipelago to Bali before
the waters edge. We don't mind that going on to Kalimantan, and up the
it's a long way from Phuket town; a Kumai River. Leaving Kalimantan we
friendly little man delivers meat, fruit turned west and then north again for
and vegetables daily and water and Singapore, and the Malacca Straits.
fuel are available nearby. We like the In November we continued on to
simplicity of the place and this is our Langkawi in Malaysia arriving Phuket
favourite spot. Island in Thailand 02 Jan 2003.
A rather large shipyard is situated on Chappie is a 40ft Joe Adams design
the southeastern side of the island, aft cockpit built of steel, and she looks
and caters for all kinds of craft from after us just fine. She’s comfortable
huge 100 plus footers to small fishing for two people on board. OK for 3 or 4
vessels. We slipped our boat here but only in short bursts. She's our
this year, and only had one major home!
TCP NOTE:
Lynelle at work at Shipyard
This feature was in TCP #8, in 2004
Bob & I met Lynelle and Lloyd while
anchored at Haycock Island in the
Hinchinbrook Channel the winter of
2001, on White Bird. TCP did not exist
then, though meeting up with cruisers
like "The Chappies" planted the seed.
Lynelle & Lloyd spent 9 years on
Chappie with 8 years abroad. After time
in Indonesia, onward to the Indian
Ocean, Africa, the Red Sea and the
Mediterranean, then Atlantic and Pacific
and back to Australia.
Chappie has new owners now and they
too are planning on going offshore.
"The Chappies" are shore-bound for
now, but....? We look forward to
meeting up with "The Chappies" again,
maybe back in Hinchinbrook?

Sundowners here’s my story, mate...
July Sea
By Jodie Rossiter, SY Yun Khan was shitting myself so badly - didn't I trust the
boat? He asked. Hmmm, I think it's that I don't
Well. It didn't take long for those visions of rough sea trust the weather, and horror stories always spring
sailing to become a reality. Waking up in Nara Inlet, to mind in stressful times, increasing anxiety. It is
we heard the wind spooking outside, that spiralling, indeed true that you suffer most by fear of what
whistling sound of high speed winds whirling out you will suffer. This leads to endless suffering!
there somewhere. There was also quite a swell in But, if I have to believe in something, it better be
Nara itself. the seaworthiness of my boat. And the embracing
arms of the sea. We had almost reached Hannah
Skipper Sascha thought we should leave early (rather
than wait for it to pass!), so we motored out before we
Point when conditions started to ease.
even thought about breakfast. The dinghy did a nosedive and flipped over. Are
we idiots or what? We obviously didn't learn any
Nah, it looked rough. A strong southerly pushing waves lessons the first time (yes, this had happened
straight into us. A small jib and engine was the most we before). The engine was underwater for what
could handle. I guess other combinations would have seemed like too long for any outboard engine to
worked; we did see plenty of main sails up, but I think come up still sound. I thought the fuel tank had
considering the conditions and our experience, it was sunk. Actually a part had snapped off it, but the
comfortable enough. I love the comfort got just by looking tank itself was bobbing along. The floorboard came
at a small sail area and the hammering snore of the out. The paddle. Two life jackets. And the anchor,
diesel engine, 18HP it may be!
Sascha headed for Hannah Point with the waves
which was tied to a cable, which was tied to the
outboard.
coming side on. I huddled close with Phoebe (our three Sascha dropped the jib and we turned the boat
and a half year old daughter) and Mao (our cat) to stop us back. He managed to right the dinghy so the
sliding from one side of the cockpit to the other. We have engine finally came up for air. He then performed
a cockpit with 'living space' an impractical idea it seems a couple of stunts in an effort to get the floorboard
to us now, but it was our first rebuilding project! and the rest of the stuff. With only the floorboard,
paddle and lifejackets still at sea, he made me turn
Personally, had I been at the helm, instead of huddling again and again into these bloody waves, kid and
with the girls, I would have opted for waves from behind cat clinging to my ankles. By the third failed
for a little while, then tacking back, or even heading south attempt at reaching the scattered items, I thought it
of Hannah Point, and being pushed up a little bit later wasn't worth it for a floorboard. By now the paddle
anyway with winds from behind. and lifejackets were long gone and I just wanted to
go home (although I was home). At one point I
But - what do I know? I'm not sure if my view is clouded saw Sascha slipping down the deck with a small
by hindsight, or if it was a strategic feminine navigational claw anchor, which I thought he was going to use
plan. Whatever, I still think sailing has got to be easier to get the floorboard, but he was thinking about the
than I think now! But it was a fantastic learning long gone lifejackets. Visions of man overboard
experience to have the boat rolling about like that. Know started to bother me, I mean if we couldn't get stuff
your belly, know your boat. back on board, how could we get a man back on
board? Sod the floorboard and the $80 life
Our logical man at the helm, Sascha, couldn't believe I jackets. Let's get out of here. I need a drink.
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Past Hannah Point conditions eased considerably. We sailed
back to Airlie nice and relaxed as if we'd just been for a breezy
breakfast sail. Sascha fiddled with the outboard alongside in the
dinghy. We were lucky this time.
He dried the spark plugs and did his mechanical engineering
thing and hey presto it's running. Although twice in the short
time after, the engine has cut out on me. Luckily both times I
was still in the marina, because, try as it might, my brain does
not process engines.
The first time there was no fuel. Ha! Despite looking foolish,
someone kindly towed me to the fuel dock. The second time
was a little more dodgy. I was on my way back to our
anchorage at around 2am after dropping friends back at the
public pier. The temporary fuel line connection (the original had
snapped when the dinghy flipped) came out of the fuel tank,
cutting (der) the fuel supply to the engine. I drifted a little to one
of the marina arms, using my arms to paddle (remember it was
lost at sea a few days earlier!). Amazingly, and possibly
because of my drunken stupor, I realised the problem and was
able to fix it. I started the engine again, but wasn't confident of
getting safely back to the boat, so - sweaty palms and shaky
knees at the thought of being arrested, I nicked a paddle from a
tender to one of the tourist boats, just in case!
I returned that in the morning, Sascha incredulous at my story.
He'd passed drunkenly out the night before and had no idea
what was happening to me, or that I'd been gone for more than
an hour on a 5 minute trip!
These learning curves are steep!
POST SCRIPT:
We now take the outboard on deck when we sail. We have
also gone far beyond Nara Inlet. We've taken friends out
sailing, even my parents. Only last week we were pounding
through waves and Sascha was moaning at a small flap in the
main, to which I screamed “it doesn't matter, I'm having fun!”. A
big wave came over and we all got wet (Sascha slapped head
side on by it - hee hee!). We are still only cruising in the
Whitsunday area - it's the only chart we've got but are debating
whether to head to Townsville early December, or Mackay, for
work, or whether to stay in Airlie Beach til April. It's not easy
being free.
Jodie, Phoebe and Sascha have gone
a bit further since this was written!
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The Yellow Engine
Peter, Dianne & SY Leah somewhere....
From TCP # 30
our cruise back in friendly Carnavon.
We had had a grand time of it, but the familiar itch to
carry on and find other unexplored anchorages around
Australia was strongly upon me and I began restocking
my little ship with food. My crewmate, who had plied me
with beautiful meals and companionship during our Shark
Bay excursion wanted to come as well. I thought about it.
I knew she was a good sailor, and didn't get sick or
frightened, but she would be giving up a career job, a unit
full of her own lovely furniture, a car and all her friends.
Still, had not I done the same thing myself when the urge
By Peter Utber, SY, Leah fishermans co-op. Off I happily peddled on Rusty, my to become the master of my own destiny had given me
long suffering pushbike, my heart singing for there is the courage to throw off the shackles of conformity.
Wispy clouds hung high in an impossibly blue sky. Poetry nothing that a cruising sailor understands more than a So away we sailed to be come time millionaires, and
rested on my mind as Leah purred along singing her bargain. And it was a bargain, a great big bag of ice for easily fell into the sailors lifestyle of work, cruise, work,
engine song. Ahhh! Back in Shark Bay again, one two dollars. I heaved it over Rusty's handlebars and cruise, rich, poor, rich, poor, that the cruising yachtie
hundred miles of protected waterway on the Western wobbled down the hill towards the yacht basin. All was knows so well. I fell in love with my crew and came to
Australian coast, a waterway which offered all the delights going well until I reached the bend at the bottom of the realize that she was not my first mate, but my best mate.
that a cruising yachtie could ever hope for. Clean water, hill. A corner of the bag became entangled in the front Di and I were married on a remote beach eight years later
good anchorages, crayfish, baldchin groper, a cute little wheel, jammed in the forks and stopped it dead. I did a surrounded by our extended family of cruising sailors.
town called Denham, and the amazing dolphins of perfect keystone cops somersault, landed on the bitumen Guitars played long into the night under a starlit sky, my
Monkey Mia that rub up against you in welcome. hard, then slid along on my backside in a shower of mentor the Southern Cross danced with the Pointers, and
How happy I was to be back on board again. There is no snow. I lay there for a moment, stunned, under the close the bonfire threw long shadows at one and all .
better place in the world for the wandering sailor who only scrutiny of two little girls in school uniforms standing on So what about the yellow smoke, you may ask? Well,
knows one home. The brasswork on the wheel hub the footpath. One of them giggled. Then, to really cap back in Carnarvon as we were stocking Leah, Di
sparkled, the paintwork fresh from a slipping, and the things off, a car came whizzing around the corner and discovered that the fire extinguisher in the aft cabin under
newly installed frig. working perfectly. What did it matter nearly killed me. It was a near thing, missing me by the steps had fallen off its bracket and discharged. The
that the wind had decided to stay in bed for the day? I inches; and as I limped back to the yacht basin carrying a fumes had moved through the bilge and been sucked into
had only recently returned from a delivery job that buckled Rusty I resolved to explore the mysteries of the engine. The chemical result of combustion was a
required of me to sail a ketch from Lemon Tree Passage refrigeration before I became an alcoholic, died of food bright yellow smoke!!! Yep, that's boats!
in Port Stephens NSW, to Carnarvon Western Australia, poisoning or turned into a road statistic.
via Darwin. The south east trades had blown strongly the So all was good on the fine ship Leah; cold beer, a pretty If but that I with an artist's eye,
whole way and I was more than happy to enjoy some girl and a clean hull. The water was so clear we could see could draw a steady line,
calm waters for a change. the seagrass gently waving back and forth on the ocean I would make a sketch of a little ketch,
Whilst delivery trips are traditionally lowly paid floor, fifty feet below us. Then, unbelievably, great clouds her sails all standing fine.
occupations if one bothers to work out the hourly rate, this of bright yellow smoke gushed out of the engine exhaust
particular voyage which took around eight weeks set new outlet which is mounted amidships on the starboard side. With artistic flair I would daub with care,
standards. The rich owners paid me nothing at all, which I blinked, then dived for the throttle lever. Thick, heavy and paint the living sea,
made it easy to work out the hourly rate but left me in that and banana yellow, the smoke drifted around us as we and place upon its living back,
very common predicament in which the cruising yachtie slowly came to a halt. I shut the engine down and raised my little ketch and me.
often finds himself; flat broke. the hatch. What on earth would cause the engine to blow
The high sand dunes stood out clearly on Dirk Hartogs yellow smoke was beyond me. My crew and I looked at With my artists quill I would draw until,
island a good distance away over the starboard bow, as each other as the smoke dissipated and a total quiet my canvas told a tale,
the Cape Peron Peninsular drew closer almost dead invaded us. I raised the engine hatch with a sinking of a wind filled sky and a seabirds cry,
ahead. We were heading for Broadhurst Bight and hoped feeling in my stomach. Boats are like that, just when you and a lifetime under sail.
to snag a mackerel on the lure before dropping anchor for think everything is going alright, it goes all wrong.
the night. That would leave about twenty miles for the run Everything looked normal in the engine room, however. My canvas done would be proudly hung,
tomorrow to Monkey Mia, which is a very civilized distance The Yanmar deisel gleamed with its new coat of for all the world to see,
to undertake when one is in no particular hurry. Caterpillar yellow paint reflecting off the white bulkhead so they may know the reason why,
My crew was a lovely lady I had met at the yacht club walls. I dipped the oil, it was normal, I checked all the a sailors life for me.
during my enforced stop in Carnarvon. She was a good belts, everything was normal. Rattled, I started the motor
sailor and we had got along rather well during my stay again which fired up straight away without any sign of
there whilst I addressed the cash flow predicament. smoke, yellow or otherwise. There being no more tests I
Ready work had been easily found in this remote town. could think of doing, we resumed our trip.
I helped a member of the yacht club member modify his We had a great voyage around shark Bay over the next
Shockwave catamaran by installing a solid bridge deck two weeks, swimming with the dolphins, catching crayfish
and full saloon cabin between the hulls, then picked up and eating oysters. The engine ran faultlessly, but I
other work around the place. Carnarvon folk are very remained puzzled. I could think of no good reason why
friendly, and have a wonderful yacht club. These days on earth a thirty horsepower, three cylinder, raw water
they even have a marina that they dug themselves! One cooled diesel engine would suddenly belch out bright
of the members kindly made his yacht jinker available to yellow smoke for about thirty seconds. When we visited
me so I hauled Leah and gave her a spit and polish. I Denham I rang Sier and Johnson the Yanmar agents in
painted out the engine room and the engine and she Perth who had supplied the engine, but they had never
looked smart indeed with teak decks scrubbed and jarrah heard of this phenomenon ever happening before. I
appointments oiled. wasn't happy and wracked my brains, harking back to the
Another job that I ticked off the list was the design and modifications I had carried out in the engine room. Sure, I
fitting of a eutectic plate refrigeration system into the had installed a belt driven compressor for the refrigeration
icebox. My knowledge of refrigeration systems could system, but could not for the life of me see why this would
quite easily be written on the back of a postage stamp, so make the engine spew out yellow smoke. The one glaring
had opted for ice or nothing at all when I had first set off fact that did stand out was that I had pulled the engine out
cruising. All the books that I had devoured on the subject of the boat and did a very thorough job of painting it bright
written by mentors such as Eric Hiscock and Larry and yellow with approved Caterpillar engine enamel. The
Lyn Pardey told of the simplicity of preserving foodstuffs, colour selection was deliberate on my behalf; oil leaks are
and the substitution of room temperature table wine for easy to spot should they occur. It seemed too much of a
that great Australian icon; an icy cold beer. Thus I had coincidence that the smoke that blew out of the exhaust
blundered around the West Australian coastline for a was exactly the same colour as the new engine paint.
couple of years, half stung, vaselining my eggs, living on Perhaps some had entered the inlet manifold when it was
pumpkin and cabbage, and throwing away crayfish and sprayed, though firstly I had stuffed plenty of rag in the
other delicacies that I was too scared to eat because of manifold to prevent this, and secondly why did it wait ten
the risk of food poisoning. It all came to a head in or more hours of engine running before it happened.
Geraldton when I heard of the availability of chipped ice Weird indeed!
in large bags for a reasonable price from the Geraldton We sailed on, circumnavigating Shark Bay and ending
Peter & Di

Seasick?? Who??
Left: Anaconda made it to
Lord Howe Island... too!
Right: Who worries about
seasick? Not me?!
Story and photos by 35 knot winds. Anaconda is sailing well. The dolphins the proverbial bottom of a cocky's cage.
Ines and Ari Noordhuis, SY Anaconda are with us. I have a hot Ovaltine and some sweet The little bit of saliva I swallow makes me retch some
biscuits. With the auto pilot on I doze on and off in the more.
We DO NOT, I repeat NOT get seasick. Good sailors cockpit as the stars come out. Strangely, the Skipper
don't get seasick do they? You hear stories about some doesn't want dinner. No way I'm going below decks “Land Ahoy!” shouts the Skipper. I don't care but I turn
sailors who love the sea so much they are prepared to anyway! During the night a flying fish lands on the the computer on and sure enough we are drawing close
go through a 3 day acclimatization each time they leave deck. I'd read about that happening and was quite to Lord Howe Island. I feel that I have been waiting so
land. Most yachties though, don't leave land for more thrilled that it was happening to us. I threw the fish long for this moment that it must be a figment of the
than a couple of days at a time as they cruise the coast back into the sea and was rewarded with a smelly glove computer screen's imagination. I hate this island, I tell
or a group of islands. No, you can't be the seasick type for my trouble. the Skipper before I make radio contact. Thankfully it is
to enjoy the sailing life. The Skipper has never been calm in the Lagoon and we are soon following orders
seasick in his life. I only had one instance of it myself, DAY TWO from Clive the harbourmaster, on to our mooring. The
a day of deep sea fishing between the Heads out of Port Do you remember those old Hollywood movies of Skipper instantly cooks himself a big meal and we start
Jackson. There was a big swell and only a very few skullduggery on the high seas? As battle rages on the to recover. Later, with our radio turned on, we hear how
souls were immune. Of course, all that burley certainly decks the helmsman is saying “Aye aye Skipper, hard the last boat that came in had to have a crew member
helped to increase the day's catch. a'lee”, as Special Effects tosses another bucket of water rushed off to the hospital, with seasickness! Later in the
over him from off set. Preferring to be in the cockpit to evening we listen as a local catamaran comes in, also
So when we took off on our big adventure we carried being below it amused me to think of buckets of water from Southport. They have completely lost their tarp in
no seasick pills on board and if it was rather rough being tossed from offstage each time I got soused. It the rough weather.
during a day's sail and we didn't feel like eating all day, ceased to be amusing when they stopped using a
well, we were fine as soon as we got to land at nightfall. bucket and brought out the bloody fire hose! I am A week later I can tell you that Lord Howe is a
wedged into the cockpit with my head down on a spectacular island, well worth a visit, even if you have to
First Mate: “That wasn't so bad was it darling? Another sopping wet pillow. I have sopping wet gloves on my fly there. Now I know why yachties have pictures of
helping of bacon and baked beans?” hands. And still I sleep! Only a call of nature can get their boats in every port of call. Each photo says, “See, I
Skipper: “Mmm, thanks. Nothing more than a slight me below decks towards the end of Day 2. Once there made it here too.”
queasiness earlier and we were out in big swells of 4 -5 I strip off and get under the blankets to warm up.
metres with a strong wind warning of more than 40 Reality check... the few cherries I tried to eat came up
knots.” again. I must be feeling seasick!
Self delusional? Not at all. Not us. Time for our
biggest adventure to date. We are sailing to Lord Howe DAY THREE
Island. It's December and we're leaving from Southport. Can't believe it! I open my eyes and it is morning. I
We checked the synoptic weather chart at the Yacht don't feel too bad. Just then we seem to pick up speed.
Club ship chandlery. Nothing to deter us. The boat heels over further. I feel worse and dry retch
over my bucket. I have to find out what is going on out
DAY ONE there. The Skipper has dozed the night away in the
After collecting fuel in the morning we set off. My cockpit and wakes to find that the wind has died a bit (a
daughter rings me but I have to hang up on her to take little bit!) so he has put the full genoa out and is taking
the helm as the sails are being hoisted. I intend to ring pictures of Anaconda with its sails dipping into the water.
her back but a strange thing happens. Although it is We are tossing up a spectacular spray as we fly along.
only about 11a.m. I fall asleep for 3 hours! Not seasick, I try to chuck some more. Having got used to being
no, no, no! My system just shuts down for a while. I below I am loathe to go back up into the weather. I try
take the helm for a couple of hours when I wake up, 30- to chew a square of gum because my mouth feels like
Ari and Innes
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Sundowners
From TCP # 15
here’s my story, mate...
her engine; loath to dissolve such
serenity with the acrid stench and
clamber of her old diesel. Sometimes
you could hear a dog bark or howl
mournfully at the night. Or you could
watch the flickering headlights of a truck
as it worked its way up the slope; slowly
rounding the hair-pin switchbacks then
speeding across the little strait-a-ways.
We would fly past the
unprotected, swell prone
anchorages of “Statia” and Saba;
then cut across the channel to the
north-west, directly for St.
Thomas. There, we would seek
employment and begin to
replenish our seriously depleted
re-fit and cruising kitty.
The most difficult part
Inevitably, the time would come and I
would shatter the night and send the
magic flying like a wraith before dawn.
The oil pressure alarm would scream. I
would press the big rubber Start button.
And our old Perkins would cough and
catch, and roar to life. The spell was
broken.
Of course, after our final
summer of boat work in Trinidad
we did not make the passage
back to St. Thomas. And this was
good.
It seems that no matter how
enjoyable or exciting an
By Capt'n Oddworm SY, Mariposa
An old sailor once told me that the most
difficult part of a global
circumnavigation is getting the boat
ready.
Now, two years later and half a world
away, I would have to agree. We
endured three summers in Trinidad and
spent a veritable treasure chest of
money getting Mariposa in shape for
this trip. And she wasn't in bad
condition to begin with. I have only a
blurry recollection of those endless
months of preparation and planning,
toiling, sweating, worrying. Like leafing
through an old scrap-book, I recall a
person here, an event there, but time
has dissolved the glue which held it all
together. The simple facts of daily life,
so necessary yet so mundane, have
faded like an old shirt hung too long in
the tropical sun. Now, reflecting back I
remember only the vital essentials; the
heart and soul. Carried on the ebbing
tide of nostalgia I rediscover my
washed-out emotions; and then they
return as vivid and poignant and urgent
as they felt back then.
I was looking over an old notebook the
other day when I came across this:
th
Today is Sunday, the 15 of July, and
we are still “on the hard” in Trinidad. I
decided to take the day off from my
seemingly endless project and so have
some time to write. This is my first day
off since we hauled out four and one
half weeks ago. Since then, I have
been going at a frantic pace. The alarm
goes off at 0530 and I don't stop until
1800 or so. I labor in the tropical heat
all day - measure, plan, and list all
evening - and fall into bed only to
wonder what details I've overlooked.
I seemed to be levitating about an inch off the
ground so I grabbed hold of some scaffolding
and wondered if this is what's meant by a
“Natural High”. If so, I figured I'd better stick to
the synthetic variety. Since I generally prefer
lying down to falling down, I decided to crawl
off to bed. I hit the pillow at noon and slept
until 0800 this morning. I'm O.K. now, and I
expect I'll have everything back on track again
by tomorrow or the day after. I don't recall
what happened next because, as I said earlier,
this was only a “memory scrap”. Of course I
kept plugging away at my list of projects until
the end of Cyclone Season.
When the drier, more comfortable months of
autumn came at last, we sailed Mariposa north
along the “island chain” to shake the Money
Tree in St. Thomas. We would motor out of
the Gulf of Paria, with the sheer, black
volcanic walls of the Bocas reaching up to
squeeze the sky into a thin band; a ribbon of
soft blue crepe. The wide channel before us
appeared narrow; a tight, dark strip of boiling,
raging water, furiously pinched between the
towering megaliths. In the dusty twilight of
dawn, with mainsail luffing madly and engine
belching smoke and noise at the infant day, I
would stand on the cockpit bench, bracing
against the dodger , and evaluate our position
in the turbulent slot; my breath coming shallow
with the concentration.
Breaking free into the clear Caribbean Sea,
with the Trades blowing fresh and clean
across her starboard beam, Mariposa would
gasp, like a free diver returning to the surface
after over staying his breath. Then we would
unfurl her jib and she would come to herself.
The magic was still there. She had not
forgotten. In those months of steam and
sweat and dirt; she had not forgotten. In the
concentrated singularity of my toils,
overwhelmed by the complexity of the project;
drowned in a cesspool of self-doubt and
frustration, I had forgotten. But she had not!
Sometimes we would motor in easy to
drop our hook amongst the brightly
painted fishing pirogues, and other
times we would continue on, seeking
the night breezes coming around the
northern side of the peak. They would
first be felt coming directly at you,
lightly, over the starboard bow; but with
a bit of offing they would free and fill,
and you could run out the jib and kill the
engine, and enjoy an easy night
reaching into the Grenadines.
In this manner we would work our way
through the islands. Beating or
reaching across wild, steep seas in
powerful Trade Winds, then motoring in
close behind the dark and verdant
peaks; sometimes resting the night in a
glass smooth bay and other times
sailing through till dawn.
Rounding our course westward, with
Guadalupe fading in our wake, we
would leave the rich, wet islands behind
to pass beneath the jagged, smoldering
cone of Montserrat.
Now, running off before heavy Trades,
large, steep seas would race up from
behind to catch Mariposa and send her
surfing down their faces. She would lift
up high in the stern and be carried
forward, bow down, on the foaming
crest. Then she would break free,
leveling now, and accelerate down the
face of the swell to bite deep into the
trough. There she would hesitate, as if
to catch her breath, only to be
overtaken by the following seas and
lifted high again. Standing at the wheel
I could feel the deck roll beneath my
feet and steer a steady course; and in
this manner she would run very fast.
experience is, once I have done it
to excess, the thrill diminishes
and the activity becomes
mundane; simply routine.
Unfortunately, this had become
the case with our Eastern
Caribbean adventuring. We had
made the run, up and down the
island chain, so many times that
we had begun calling it “the I-95
shuffle” in satirical reminiscence
of our years as commuters on the
infamous highway.
When daybreak caught us
sneaking through the Bocas on
our final departure from Trinidad,
it was truly a New Day dawning
and I wondered if Mariposa felt
confused when I laid her on a
westward heading. The
seemingly endless days labouring
in the heat and humidity became
as formless as smoke and
vanished from my mind in the
cool morning breeze. We had
done it! The wide Pacific Ocean,
just beyond the great canal, had
been patient these past three
years. We would keep her
waiting no longer.
Sitting here in Australia now, with
half a globe behind me and still
another half laying ahead, I
believe that old sailor was right.
Getting the boat ready is the most
difficult part.
Day in; day out; around the clock; week
after week without pause I go.
I sucked in the sweet sea air like that nearly
lost diver. And I came to myself. I was alive
Yesterday, I ran into a snag and
again. The sun came up fast and hot, as it
couldn't come up with a solution. I does in those latitudes, and the sea shot back
found myself standing there blankly blinding, broken mirror sparks. Mariposa
staring into space. Exhaustion had won danced across the rolling swell with her bright
out at last. Strange things pop into my canvas billowing in the morning breeze;
head when I reach this condition. I reaching northward toward Grenada.
remembered the Three Stooges
Gaining more offing, the wind would free and
episode where Curly complains, “I try to I would let her fall off a bit; content to sacrifice
think, but nothing happens”.
heading for speed. Often, if she were making
a good run of it, we would carry on through the
Sure enough, that was the essence of
my problem. My brain had given up
and shut down on me. The boat yard
shimmered around me in a dazzling
glair that bleached colors like a faded
photograph. Light headed and floating,
I began to lose focus and a haunting
little panic crept up behind me. I could
feel it breathing in my ear. Where was
I? What was I doing?
night, passing close in the lee of Grenada,
where the fragrance of the jungle would reach
out to envelope us in thick perfume. The
volcanic peak of the island, black and
brooding in the night, rose up sharply from the
plane of the sea to block the stars; seemingly
more of a shadow than an actual thing of
substance. The air was warmer and thicker
here, and Mariposa would inevitably lose her
headway. But I would hesitate before starting
Dan, Sandra & SY Mariposa in Nara Inlet, Whitsunday Island, 2005

What’s up doc?
and lap your oar in as orderly fashion as you eventually be able to pick up the rope probably trailing
can manage. out behind you in the water or somewhere equally
If by now you are still not making headway, inaccessible.
check to see that the oars are dipping in the Once again, you may wish to practice this manoeuvre
water. on land. Stand on a swing sideways and grab for a rope
What you do next is pull with all the muscles on the ground while holding the swing frame metres
that have not seen active duty most of their away.
lives and lean backwards and forward. When all this operation is completed, remember that
This may not help the stability of the dinghy you have left your marina keys and money aboard the
but is generally seen as being beneficial to larger vessel.
moving the oars against thousands of tonnes of Repeat the procedure in reverse swearing profusely.
water moving at speed, generally in the By the time you've done it all again, you can shower,
direction you do not wish to go. shop, or drop.
Now, because the rowboat has no keel, it must
be steered with your body and the oars.
If the dinghy is not where
Practise on land can be gained by sitting on a you left it, you have:
skateboard and pushing yourself up a steep
incline backwards with a couple of sticks. 1. Forgotten to tie it to the wharf.
If the bow of your dinghy is swung by the 2. Not left it enough rope and it has hung itself,
current, do not attempt to row with one oar to so look down and it will be in midair.
From TCP # 13
correct it, as this usually puts you in an uncontrolled
spin.
3. Left it too much rope and it has done the
Maypole around the pilings.
By Vicki J., SY, Shomi
The thing that you tend to notice right off when moving
aboard a boat for the very first time is that you cannot
walk home unless you are JC himself.
You must put both oars into the water but row harder on
one side to compensate for the movement of the surface.
After you have shown off your loop do loops, dropped
an oar overboard and splashed yourself into a dripping
mess, come up alongside your chosen landing point.
4. You've had too much to drink and you're at
the wrong dock.
Neither can you pop over to a neighbour to borrow a
cup of sugar (although it was matches I was running out
for).
To go anywhere becomes a mission requiring the
strength of Popeye on spinach, the balance of a ballet
dancer, and the skills of a tactician.
First though you must learn to row.
Easy when you say it fast but when presented with a
rudderless craft without a keel, two very long handled
cricket bats on a very slippery surface with a tidal rip like
a running machine left on overdrive, the actual event
takes on new meaning.
Now what you first must do when learning to row is
never take the small craft for granted.
It does not appreciate such wanton neglect and has a
very strong mind of its own about how one should enter
its confines.
Always step in the centre of the dinghy, never to one
side because dinghies have an unnerving habit of
ejecting into the water with lightning speed backwards
any occupant not taking it seriously.
Next, put the long pole-like constructions, commonly
called oars, inside the rowlocks which are like
Watch it pass at several feet.
Take the shipped oars and do another loop de loop
and generate enough force to reach the dock where
you will most likely hit it and bounce back to where you
began.
On the third attempt don't do anything you have done
previously, just make a diving tackle and throw your
whole weight on your elusive landing point making
sure to hold your dinghy with your toes.
Your lower half may be inclined to jack knife with the
moving dinghy, but by holding on for dear life, you may
TCP NOTE: This is Vicki's first contribution to TCP.
Shomi, her yacht, is an unusual combination of an Old
English smack hull and a Chinese lug rig (junk) that
Vicki built herself.
TCP has been proud to have Vicki onboard for many
years. Thank you Vicki!
horseshoes without the luck.
If by moving the poles vigorously you cannot achieve
either speed or direction check to see if you are untied
from the larger vessel.
Vicki J. & her yacht, “Shomi”
What you must now do if still tied up is haul yourself
aboard the larger vessel and untie the painter (fancy
name for rope).
If by now you are watching your dinghy bobbing happily
down the river at three knots, you have let go the rope
too soon.
You must first get back into the smaller craft while
holding the larger object.
It's sort of like practising the twist on a surfboard. Now
as soon as you are able, sit down. It really does help if
you wish to remain in the dinghy or need to row.
Now pick up the oars without dislodging the rowlocks
and aim your bow (the pointy end if you have one) 45°
away from your planned destination, preferably upstream
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Tales of Cruising with Crew with Tails
By Chris Ayres, SY Lady Lonsdale days we searched the marina, the dockside and the
boat. No luck. One day, Rhonda was preparing a roast
Don't. Ever! Don't take your dog to sea. Not a good and opened the locker to get the baking dish. There was
idea. Let me explain… Strudel. Ready for the oven. Fine, hungry and mewing.
I suggested we roast her, and was exiled to the back
Long ago on Pittwater, a small dog clung fore-paws
around the mast, stern paws in the cockpit well. The boy
deck for insensitivity.
hung out to windward, the dog prayed. Wind gust. Our next dog Ci. Welsh for 'dog'. Dog dog was a cattle-
Disaster. Dogs don't make forward hands, or forward dog and a wonderful ci. Ci didn't do sailing. But as a
paws if you must. Over we went. Wet dog, kid and north Queensland dog, he loved fishing. Odd bits of bait
inverted V.J. My Dad rowed out to the rescue in the to eat, lines to tangle and stinky things in which to roll.
dinghy with the Seagull outboard on the stern. Like the So one day when Jeff, a neighbour invited us out in his
rest of the family, the Seagull was on holiday too. Dad half cabin, fishing in the Ross Creek, Ci joined us.
picked up Sos (short for sosban as in Sosban fach yn Absolutely Silliest Idea Ever. It rained and stormed and
berwi ar y tân - 'national' anthem of Llanelli where my winds blew storm force, but things were about to get far
Mum was born) who was dogfully swimming for shore. far worse. Jeff caught this giant mud crab on a line. It
Dad left me to sort out the V.J. escaped. In the cockpit. Jeff tried to subdue it with a
fishing knife the size of a cavalry sabre. He dropped it.
Quarter of a century later, my partner and I had
accumulated a house, a cat, Strudel and a dog Blackie. Chris's Dad with SOS
The crab now grabbed the Claymore in its right claw and
with murder in its stalky little eyes went on the rampage.
He was a kelpie cross with labrador - the latter made Dog howled, kids screamed and blokes did what blokes
him a water dog, the former a canine Houdini. We also do best. PANIC! Ci led the retreat onto cabin top,
just acquired our first 'cruising' boat, a Viking Trailer
sailer - bilge keel, 17 foot (OK, pedants, 5.6 metres), four
berths, heads and galley. No, you cant do this in 5.6
metres. Not even in 17 feet, mind. Neither can you sail
to windward with bilge keels such as Aderyn Goch (Red
bird - Welsh - red topsides, see) had. But we fitted, just;
Rhonda, Blackie and I.
of owners and their dogs if the latter were taken ashore.
Do you know just how big the Kuringai Chase National
Park is? It's bloody huge. By dusk, we had crawled,
limped and scrambled over every inch/millimetre if of its
million hectares and still no black dog. Back to boat.
Darkness loomed. We had to get home. Work next
morning. I had just slipped several vertebrae hauling the
followed by Steve, the two girls and their heroic now
fervently religious father who was desperately seeking
help from the Almighty. Boat wobbled precariously with
those in peril on the sea clinging to the roof. The cutlass
cavorting crab had control of the cockpit. Doomed we
were. But as luck would have it, in attempting to board
the cabin-top, still grasping its scimitar, it slipped and fell
anchor up when I saw a small black shape appear on the overboard. Praise the God of Small and Clumsy
So one lovely sunny Saturday, we were out with a
couple of former friends and Blackie. Silly Idea. We had
sailed all the way from Don's Boatshed at Brooklyn to
Dead Horse Bay. OK, I know a distance of less than a
mile but near five for us. I did say Aderyn Goch sailed
sideways, didn't I? I had been ashore in my new $50.00
rubber dinghy for supplies. Blackie, like many a dodgy
beach, barking. Dropped anchor, fell into dinghy (wobbly
glassfibre model, this time) paddled ashore, retrieved
offending dog, tempted to drown same, raised the
anchor, again, slipping the remaining disks and returned
home. Monday. Work. Bus left at 7.01 a.m. Made it.
Just. Oh to relax at work! Bliss.
Crustaceans! We were saved!
We now have Ben, a Cairn Terrier. And Lady Lonsdale,
our 40+ year old Moody Halberdier Ketch. Ben doesn't
do boats. Seasick both times. Now, he stays home, we
cruise.
yacht broker, saw me coming. With love in his eyes, he
leapt into my arms. Dinghy, owner and dog landed in
By now, dear reader, one would have thought I had
learnt my lesson. Dogs and boats don't mix. But no.
No more pets aboard. Rhonda says it's Ben or her.
Mind, Ben doesn't tell me what to do and is very
drink. Of course, everyone helps wet dog on board Hence my next Really Stupid Idea was to take dog and good company …
leaving poor bloody skipper drowning, thoughts of dogmurder
running through my mind. As luck would have it,
dog does what wet dogs do. Explodes in the one square
metre cockpit, shaking himself dry. So now four wet
people, one still drowning, wet dog and rubber drogue.
Dead Dog Bay?
cat on Christmas holidays with us to Botany Bay. On
iron boat. Only took 3 days. Day 1 - cat vanished. Day
2 dog sea-sick in cockpit. Day 3 arrived at our
destination. Cat turned up, attached to dinghy. This, I
discovered only after I threw dinghy and cat overboard.
Back home, vowing never ever again. By now I was
TCP NOTE: In TCP #38 we published two stories on
pets onboard - two very different views. We had many
letters on the subject after that and published some in
expecting a Summons from RSPCA, Animal Rightist's TCP #39. Lets see what happens this time!
Blackie's other vice was wanderlust. No fence could
stop him. I built a replica Berlin Wall, but still Blackie
and of course, the government.
escaped. To solve the problem, we moved - as you do -
to Scotland Island. That fixed him! He had a whole
island to himself (and a thousand other canines).
By now we had acquired two daughters, somehow. Our
next boat was Seren (Star) a wonderful mark 1 Baker
built Top Hat that really did sail! No dogs and no cats
allowed. Getting smart I was. Neighbour fed dog and
The next boat was a world cruising sloop of 36foot /11
metres - an iron boat - Fulmar - acronym for Flaming
Useless Lamentable Monstrous And Rusting. Bargain at
$7k, according to the broker (who had indeed seen me
coming). Go anywhere in it, he added. We tried, too,
cat. Dog could not escape Scotland Island. Dog had
moved out to our neighbours after our second offspring
was born, so a great arrangement. Mind, he came home
for feeds and attention. Just like the Gen. Y'ers still do.
but it had weather helm to challenge a gorilla. And slow
as a Bondi tram - ok bus!
Eventually, we left Sydney and sailed (the Iron Boat had
gone to a far far ferro place) in the boat before our
present boat. Going north. And kept going. North Star
We often attempted to sail in Pittwater, enjoying the
quaint antics of the racing fraternity. After a days hard
slog, we sometimes made it as far Cowan Creek and
then sought to relax/recover at anchor. Jerusalem Bay
was a favourite. Until, one morning, I took Blackie
ashore. Very Silly Idea. Yes there were laws even then
promising financial ruin, public castigation and flogging
(by now I discovered that the phonetic of spelling Welsh
names of boats over the radio was flattening my
batteries) was a motor sailer and our home. No dog this
time (he had made a final escape to nirvana), but cat
was later flown up to join us in Townsville. The girls were
delighted to have Strudel (the cat, not desert) on board,
but Strudel had other ideas. She vanished. For two
Ben, the seasick seadog
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Sweetlip Reef was huge; we entered it's about 8 days so we took advantage of
vast lagoon and shallower waters with a the smooth seas and scooted back to the
sigh of relief (from me anyway). mainland. We were about an hour east of
However, the windward edge of the reef the Keppels when a vigorous
looked miles away, there was nothing to southeaster was upon us. Spray jackets
get 'behind'. If the wind got stronger we passed up, wet salty face, sails reefed
could be in an exposed position with a
long fetch in front of us. Lucky the
and a very fast sail into Leekes Beach.
forecast was good; we dropped the pick Aahhhh, The Keppels. Always a good
and had a look around. Blue
everywhere, reefs starting to expose, sun
spot to call home for a while.
going down, glassy, peaceful. The Swains are a reef system in
Story & photos by
Jesse (left) , Ben and a Queenfish
way down to Hixon Cay, our intended
The next morning when the sun was
high enough we carried on to Sandshoe
Reef. It was very pretty so Greg went up
the mast to take a photo… that was the
last shot that camera took. Let's just say,
in your mouth is not a good place to hold
even a small camera, especially when
you want to talk at the same time! Even
though it looked so good we couldn't get
the anchor to hold so we moved on.
Queensland stretching almost from
Gladstone to the Whitsundays. Their
southern end is situated east of Yeppoon.
Gladstone Harbour, south of Yeppoon, is
a good place to leave from because you
get a better wind angle. It's hard to
realise just how big an area they cover,
probably because they're mostly covered
by water. Looking at the chart I see that
we didn't even scratch the surface. But,
there's always another trip in the offing...
Leonie Bremer-Kamp, ex SY Bifrost
The Swain's are huge. Like a whole other
country. They make your 'home port'
seem like a tiny speck on the map. Like
it is… they put things in perspective.
We left Gladstone with light winds from
the east and had an easy overnight sail
toward the southern end of the Swains.
By noon the next day we were pretty
close. Very calm seas due to the
massive reef system in front of us
(somewhere) blocking the ocean swell.
Being high tide there was nothing to see
except hints of things under the surface.
A view from the mast showed more
clearly what was about. From there, with
help from the C-Map we threaded our
destination.
Unfortunately it had been washed away
in some strong weather and we could
see bits of it strewn around the area.
(what's the word for something smaller
than a cay?) The water around looked
turbulent & not what I'd call home. So on
we went, further north toward Sweetlip
Reef.
By this time I was wearing down,
anxious to find a place to anchor for the
night. If it took much longer to find a
good spot the visibility would disappear
with the setting sun. I wasn't too keen to
be sorting a new reef anchorage at night.
The distances between reefs are not that
big but not all reefs have anchorages.
Horseshoe Reef is where we
chose and after this bit of exploring
found that the C-Map really is quite
accurate in this area. Showing
reefs larger than they are, shapes
and positions pretty good. Fishing
was great with Ben and Jesse
pulling in Trevally, Coral Trout, Red
Throated Sweetlip and Shark
Mackerel. After a couple of days
though, Remoras ruled.
We sat out 30kts. there in
Horseshoe Reef and it was very
comfortable, parked as we were,
close behind a big coral bombie.
After the blow it lightened off
again. We had been out there
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Winter, wimps and wood stoves
Words & pics by
swim-suited for her evening sojourns,
Stuart Mears, SY Velella
but life was never quite the same
again.
Dealing with winter; there are
anchorages on the Australian coast
that barely experience a winter at
all...and there are regions in the
south where the seasons are quite
pro-nounced, meaning that winters
can be bloody cold.
So fast forward a couple of decades
and as relative as cold may be, if
winter @ latitude 43 degrees south has
impressed anything upon my frozen
brain and chilblained fingers, it's the
need for a decent heating system on
the boat.
But then I once had an odd
experience that imparted several life
lessons in the space of a moment: one
being that everything on God's green
Earth is indeed relative…including the
It's not just the cold but the damp!
Climbing into a bunk under a doona
that feels like it's been pulled out of a
swamp isn't the nicest experience.
cold.
A marina berth is one solution, but
On account of chronic insomnia and
my then search for an antidote, I
discovered the efficacy of cold water.
This is the explanation for the
otherwise odd habit of swimming each
night summer and winter, in a pool
attached to our unit block which never
felt the suns warm rays. It was rarely
frequented; one or two of the residents
might use the facility during a half
you're going to be slugged hard for
electricity usage. Power metreing, now
common on marinas, has put paid to
that free ride, if indeed there was ever
such a thing. I recall many years ago
wintering at a Sydney marina where
the Mephistophelian owner would
prowl the finger wharves on winters
nights, listening for the signature hum
of an unauthorized fan heater.
dozen of the hottest days of summer,
but never in winter and absolutely
never, ever at night.
Beyond the range of the 240v power
plug there are a variety of solutions.
There's the cost issue to consider but
To all of life's statistical certainties
there's always the exception as I
discovered one evening. It was a night
like any other. After the usual number
of drinks too many, I hurry down to the
pool wrapped in a dressing gown,
even before money constraints kick in,
my contrarian mind wanders to the
outer boundaries of practicality, which
is how I come to be discussing wood
stoves one evening, with my artist
neighbor.
preparing my mind for the freezing
plunge. I remember once visiting a Kiwi yacht
that had a domestic cast iron wood
manufactured; a verifiable piece of
maritime archeology.
But …hang on…the lights are on!
This is very strange … the pool lights
are NEVER on! Only I have ever
turned the pool lights on at night and its
July and bloody freezing! The water I
happen to know is a head ache
stove installed. The size and weight of
this thing spoke volumes about the
seriousness of the problem in NZ
waters: namely how to keep from
freezing to death during the hard south
island winter.
“I'd like to install a unit like yours”, I
tell him, but nothing like it is produced
in Australia.
“No problem mate!” he says: “if you
want a real wood stove I'll weld one
inducing 12 degrees.
My God… there's someone in the
pool; a young blond woman doing pool
laps at a relaxed leisurely pace, her
Pondering this one evening and
noticing the white curl of wood smoke
emanating from my neighbours cabin
chimney, I enquire about its source.
up...no worries!” What my artist
neighbour can't produce from a few bits
of steel plate and scrap metal it
appears isn't worth talking about.
golden locks streaming behind almost
to her… like she's in some Gold Coast “Jump aboard mate … I'll show you”.
The next problem is: how to install the
unit without burning the boat down.
resort. And may a bolt from heaven
strike me dead if I'm a liar…she's buck
naked?! On impulse I conclude;
there's some mistake. Maybe she's
OD'd or been drinking.
“Are you OK? Aren't you cold?”
Down below in the timber lined cabin
with its golden hues emanating warmth
along with a faint smell of wood
turpentine and Hungarian goulash.
Taking in that scene, I'm instantly
hooked on the wood stove thing!
Although most of the time a wood
stove will be tamped down in slow
combustion mode, high heat is
necessary during the start phase to get
the draft happening and a coal base
established. Once this settles down,
“Cold…COLD…COLD?” she scoffed in
a heavy accent. “Siberia….there iss
cold!”
To my eternal regret the Russian
exchange student from Kamchatka
Peninsula thereafter chose to arrive
The unit central to this ambiance and
doubling as a cook stove, is of cast iron
construction fashioned in the North
Sea fisherman tradition. It was he
says, imported from Denmark many
years ago but sadly no longer
provided the wood is dry, it'll burn
correctly and produce very little smoke.
n fact with minimal attention in slow
combustion mode, it'll burn for days.
continued next page...
Page 34 The Coastal Passage #50! 2011
Pics: Stuarts stove, closeup of the
bronze marine ventilation vent and
the chimney outside
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Pics: Stuarts beautiful
SY Velella and Stuart,
very happy with his new
found warmth.
I learned how to manage the process, to rip out the old ice box, cut the hole and For once, theory translates into practice. particularly when it's cold enough outside
via the usual medium of mistakes. shorten a cupboard door, but this meant The vents work brilliantly. It's amazing to to produce ice in the bottom of the dingy
Control is maintained via the air inlet. that the unit will be enclosed on three feel the strength of the natural draft. With and snow on the surrounding hills. The
This means that the door needs to have sides. How is it possible to fire-proof no fan in place, hot air powers out of the human brain is wired to respond to heat
an effective seal and a means of three sides? vents when the stove is hot and pumping. and flame in a visceral way. Fire; even of
controlling the air intake. The hull meanwhile is completely itself induces a multitude of pleasant
Secondly, insulation has to shield the insulated as are bulkheads. associations: warmth, security, good food
For this I use a bronze marine hull. With a furnace in the middle of the and good company.
ventilation vent, riveted onto the door. boat, you don't want direct heat The second problem is the cabin roof. A
This allows fine adjustment of air intake transmission to hull planking. great deal of heat inevitably exits through On a boat in winter it's a wonderful thing
all the way from a full throttle roaring the roof and the area is apt to get quite to come from the cold into the unique
Chernobyl blaze... down to zero. If a To ensure that I neither burn the boat to hot. This problem is solved by reducing ambience of muted light and a wood
wood stove doesn't have a proper seal the water-line nor induce some other the 70mm outer flue with a 50mm internal stove. In coastal cruising mode, there's
there's no means of controlling form of collateral catastrophe, a 20mm air flue for the section of pipe that passes now an added reason to go ashore with
combustion and on a boat this is gap is created between the tiled Victor- through the cabin roof. axe and manual chain saw: fire-wood.
essential. board lining and the plywood fireplace In an hour there's enough cut drift wood
structure. The section has a double set of air in the dingy for two to three days. A few
But ...back to the matter of heat vents in addition to the small air gap barbecue heat beads in the first instance
insulation; it's an issue for two reasons. In this way I figure air will circulate up between the external flue and the work wonders to establish a coal base; a
from the cold bilge and around the tiling. wooden cabin roof. squirt of diesel and away she goes!
Firstly, the only place the wood stove The air gap will insulate the unit like
can be 'shoed in', is where the redundant double glazed windows. From ancient times men have known And as my ineffable friend says: “it don't
ice box is located. All that's necessary is that there's nothing quite like a fire, cost nuthin neither.”
www.lawriesboatservices.com.au

Easy she goes
By Dianne Challis, Boat Builder Extraordinaire
With this done we then moved to doing the supports for our
Hell, it is hard to remember where, what and when things were flooring. With this design there is not a lot of storage room
done on the boat. After all the ups and downs of a boat under the floor so the only access we will have will be over a
builders life you would think or find it easy to believe that there water tight compartment where the through hull depth
is no time for such large projects as these. But sometimes transducer will go. Once the floor is glued down the whole
Mother Nature can be kind and relinquish all her bad moods bottom section then becomes water tight. While John was
and undesirable behaviours to the universe and have pity on building the floor supports I prepared the ply that we were to
us that have had our brains removed. The darn weather and use. We had already taken about 10 sheets of 9mm ply to
family affairs had taken its toll and kept us away from our Hervey Bay where they were placed on a large routing table
precious project but not once did we give in; we always and approximately every 76mm a 4mm wide x 3mm deep
remained optimistic. groove was routed the full length of the sheet. It was a lot
April finally saw us able to get back into it and move on with
our project. A new wider and higher driveway is now in place
so if such extreme weather situations ever arise again we are
able to move in and out the block safely. With this unexpected
quicker and easier to pay someone else to do it. It would have
been a tedious job having to make some form of jig and have
a large enough table to work on and hope that one didn't stuff
it up at the same time.
work out of the way our boat was the next important thing on With the sheets laid out in our shed...only had room for 4 at a
our minds. We once again put our heads down and bums up time...I folded up sandpaper and sanded every groove along
and got stuck into moving on. With our health being a bit the edge. Unfortunately the router left splintered edges but
touchy, we take all the good days and running with this we do with sanding this was smoothed out. I then sanded the sheets
as much as humanly possible. I always say “inch by inch we with 80 grit paper, vacuumed and wiped all dust off. I gave the
move forward”; to me that is important. No matter how small a sheets one coat of polyurethane which we bought from a
job or how unimportant it may seem at the time we are moving hardware store. This paint is for Squash floors and is UV
forward. stabilized and very hard wearing and has a satin finish. When
Our first task was to paint all the deck lockers before placing
the decks on. For this we used Altex paint that is used in
tanks and lockers. It has a glossy finish, extremely hard
wearing, needs no undercoat or high build, sprays easily and
gives a solid thick finish. We also sprayed this in our bilge
area under the floors. Then we were able to get the two bow
decks glued on and glassed followed by the foredeck. We
this was dry I backfilled every groove with a Qcell resin mix. I
gave the sheets a good 24 36 hours to dry and then sanded
the sheet with 120 grit paper. Another coat of polyurethane,
allowed 24 hours to dry and yet another sand and a final coat
of paint. The end result was fantastic. Peter Snell had done
this flooring on his “Sarah” and we just loved the look of it.
Thanks Peter for a touch of class.
were happy with the results and using peel ply over the wet When I had nothing to do and in between everything else that
glass has given us a fantastic smooth surface which will need was being done (and when I could find the time) I was and still
minimal fairing. The hatches for the lockers are all cut out. am down in the hulls sanding all the ply and coving; anything
The next thing we did was to build up our internal frames
lining them with ply and then rounding all their face edges as
these are seen when the boat is completed. With these done
and at the correct height we then built the frame for the side
deck. We cut out all the windows in this before we glued the
ply to the framework. This then was doubled up in thickness
by cutting ply with the windows cut out and glued between the
and everything that has a right angle to it. Don't want any
gaps that dirt or the dreaded cockies can get into and also the
coving finishes off the exposed areas. This all needs to be
done before the painting process takes place. Of course this
will not happen until all the furniture is built and before the
decks go on. Nothing worse than painting with two pack paint
in confined spaces.
internal frames to give a thickness of 18mm. Where our chain
plates go we tripled the thickness and pre-drilled the bolt holes
oversized and backfilled with glue resin mix. These will then
be drilled out with the correct bolt hole size at a later date.
continued next page...
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The sheets were put aside while we worked on our rear smart move or not! He is a joker and quite often has made
steps. To be able to move on with the steps we needed to comment on wearing fluro clothing for work, health and
put the beginnings of our targa bar in place as this forms the safety. One morning he turned up in a fluro green mankini
side of our third step. Getting the angles and dangles was and orange vest. Not the best sight we have ever seen.
easy once you got your head around it. We have quite a few Thank God he had another change of clothes with him.
pieces of large triangular ply scraps with an array of angles
cut out on them and this is what we use to determine 10 Now back to the boat... Now it was time to start putting the
degrees here or 15 degrees there; we even have a 12 flooring down. With Cuz doing the measuring and John
degree one for our outboard motor transom. doing the cutting the floors which I had worked so hard on
were cut for the two hulls. This was no mean feat when you
As we are using a hydraulic steering system we needed to think about all the frames that the floor has to be able to fit
work out the position of the tiller arm; we were limited to the around. We wanted to get the floors in so that we could start
internal room of the step. Because we have extended our on the furniture. So that is where we are up to now. The
bridge deck past the rear bulkhead we had to have the step floor is in on the starboard side and being covered up. The
locker floor a bit lower than the bridge deck so we could put portside will be down as soon as we run some conduit
drain holes in it. This in turn caused its own little hiccup as through to take the depth sounder transducer wiring.
we had to build a plinth just the right height to place the
hydraulic ram at the correct level for the tiller arm. After a lot With Cuz's help and knowing that friends are there when
of frustration and a few choice words the plinth had found its we need them this project will get completed. We are
home and this is where it was glued and glassed into determined to have the life we chose when we first bought
position. Couldn't change it now if we wanted to. Blocks the plans no matter how long it takes. Thank you to all who
were made up as stoppers for the tiller arm so it could not go have been giving us moral support, kindness and
past its place of no return. With all this finally done the understanding; you all live within our hearts.
inside of these steps were painted once again with the locker
paint from Altex....thanks John for your help and advice.
In between all of the work we have been remodifying our
outboard pods. We have purchased two 20 h.p. extra long
leg Honda four strokes with power tilt. These are twice the
power of the 9.9 h.p. recommended and only weigh a few
kilos more. Trouble is that the motor bracket is bigger and
we have had to rip the old transom off our outboard pod and
rebuild a bigger one. This is okay but we have also had to
change our pod not structurally but superficially to follow the
designers curve to join in on the bottom of the outboard
transom. It has been hard working upside down but in the
long run as the effort will be worth it for having the extra
power.
It is worth the trouble and
time to try the motors out
before you finish the pods.
I have been extremely lucky to have had a relation move
from our home town in South Australia to sunny Queensland.
We hadn't seen each other for more than 45 years and now
we are virtually neighbours. Because he is so used to
running a farm and now is in a house on a small block he
gets bored and needs something to do. Cuz as we call him
comes here one day a week to help wherever possible. He
has claimed the starboard berth as his and is hoping he may
learn how to build a boat through us. Don't know if that is a John, Dianne & Bob
Wet Blaster on site!
Dust free and environmentally safe way to remove old
anti-foul, osmosis repair or prepare steel, alloy or
timber for painting.
The tiller arm -
a lot of busy work
MACKAY’S BOAT YARD
SEASON SPECIAL!
(long term)
$100 in - out inc. stands Call for details
For Boaties With a Project or Fast Antifoul
safe & secure storage for all boats & yachts
www.mackaysboatyard.com
Contact John Bates for details:
Ph: 4953 2283
Fax: 4953 2588 Mob: 0402 738 999
Walker’s Complex, Harbour Rd., Mackay
email: jbates@mackaysboatyard.com
The beginnings of the targa bar
Foredeck glassed, coving done and lockers cut out
up the creek and pay less!
MULTIHULL FRIENDLY!

Bob Oram Catamaran.12.5 metre Mango Design
Dual Cockpit Version
Big Price Reduction! Now $210,000 Negotiable !!!
Myself, my partner & our two young kids have owned Mango for close to 6 years, we have lived
on-board for at least 3 of that & have often cruised up & down the NSW & Qld Coasts. We have
always been impressed with her sea-kindly manner, good average speeds even in light airs,
safety at sea & many unique features.
She is a pleasure to sail, easily driven, sails close to wind speed & points well with her single centreboard. Her narrow hulls &
good bridgedeck clearance translates into a nice easy motion.
Light, Open Plan & Airy, great ventilation & visibility from Saloon, the Queen & Double Bunks.( also 2 singles in the bows.)
The Front Cockpit is a everyone's favourite, it virtually eliminates the need to go around the side decks, just straight thru the
saloon & into the front cockpit, no need to take a vertical step! Here you can haul up the main, reef or deal with the anchor. On
lovely downwind sails the kids can watch the dolphins from the safety of this enclosed area.
Her Large Rear Verandah is awesome. Swimming, a dream! Off the stern & clamber back on-board, no ladders necessary.
Boarding from the Dinghy, easy & safe even for the kids.
The ability to be able to beach her easily with her Shallow Draft & Kick-up Rudders makes maintenance a breeze ! With air jacks
& a tarp, I can lift her up to access anywhere & antifoul everywhere, making Haul Outs virtually obsolete !!
Other Features - Walk Thru Transoms, Laminate Sails, Fully Battened Main, Furling Jib and Staysail, Spinnaker in Sock,
Anderson Winches, Dyform Rigging, Rotating Mast, Water Ballast, Solar Panels, Honda 40HP Outboard, Big Colour
Chartplotter, Stable Cat Dinghy & Much More.
palu007@hotmail.com
or call Paul on 0429 407 125
For full inventory and more see also:
www.thecoastalpassage.com/multihullmango.html
Unique forward
cockpit accessible
from the main cabin
for safely working
the rig or to catch
that cool breeze at
sundown.

37' Wilf O'Kell
Gaff Cutter
Reduced to
$35,000
motor dead
Located at Airlie Beach
Print and Web Special Only $90
Larger print and web Only $150
Web Only, $50
Ferro/Epoxy Yacht $35,000
Set up for long distance cruising or live aboard.
xMajor refit in 2006. New electronics and galley.
PH: 0418 758 480 email: chrisbpowell@bigpond.com
For more details see also:
PH: 0408 983 823 robert.fenney@bigpond.com
www.thecoastalpassage.com/monohulls.html
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
Go to:
we want to feature it here. How about yours??
www.buildacat.com
FREE DOWNLOAD OF COMPLETE EDITIONS ONLINE
Free downloads of the last six editions and.. it’s all free!
Boats For Sale
All you need to do is email TCP
with the photos and text.
We do the rest!
See the web site for more information and payment details.
www.thecoastlpassage.com/boatsforsale.html
TCP PICK OF BARGAIN CRUISERS
Hartley South-seas
Forgedaboudit!
Trying to sell your boat in the usual way will
only deliver frustration and disappointment.
Why? The boat market is as dead as a
mortuary corpse.
Buyers are out there… but they're few in
number, spoiled for choice & prices are
falling.
To make a sale and achieve your price
you need to adapt your sales strategy
to the psychology of the buyer.
Do this properly and you will succeed.
For just $37.95 I'll not just provide you with
the book that details what to do ….for a
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www.thecoastalpassage.com

Possible down sides? Heavy;
about 45kg more than popular
brands. Vibration? Again, only
time will tell. I talked to a Ian
Campbell about them and he
told me about a similar looking
Chinese motor he used for
pumping water on a farm. He
said the only time it stopped
running was when it went all
night without water and seized.
He said he pulled it apart,
hammered the pistons loose,
put it back together and started
it and it was running when he
By Bob, Cheaparse Norson
sold the place. He also said
it was a shaker!
First of all this is not an advertisement. We wish it
was... but TCP exists to provide service to the
Spares? The accessory items; injectors,
boating community and we think you should know
alternator, water pumps, starter etc.. all
about this.
appeared generic and common. Frankly, if parts
A neighbour here in beautiful downtown are a worry, buy a spare motor and keep it in the
Boonooroo ordered two of these motors to re-power box!
his catamaran. He paid $4500AUD delivered to
Cost compared to those popular brands? Try
Brisbane from Shanghai. I have a copy of the
about $18,000 for a pair of similar type and
receipt. It cost an additional $1000 for GST and
horsepower... plus shipping and GST.
transport from Brisbane to a local depot.
I recognise that these may not be the most
I was there the day they arrived with my camera.
elegant solution but the difference in cost may
We popped one out of the timber crate and damn if
make the difference between a lot of people
they don’t look good! The motors include;
getting out there or not. Does this horse suit
transmission with 2.74:1 ratio, oil sump pump, fresh
your course? Tune into your next TCP for the
water cooling, full set of gauges, 30 amp alternator,
exciting end to this adventure tale!
stainless exhaust, spin on oil and fuel filters and EU
certification. It is a 1350CC three cylinder four
Motors are expected to be installed by the time
stroke.
this edition goes to print and sea trials will
The motors have not been installed yet so more
commence when conditions allow.
info coming, stay tuned. If the fittings and finish are
any indicator, it is expected to be “good as gold”.
bundabergboatrepairs@gmail.com
www.bindabergboatrepairs.com
A 27 HP Marine Diesel for $5500
Too Good to be True??
OK... I’ve lied to you. This motor is not $5500.
THAT’S THE PRICE FOR TWO OF THEM!
The name you can rely on!
REPRESENTED IN:
QUEENSLAND • VICTORIA
NORTHERN TERRITORY
TASMANIA • SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Call for a quote before you order your next sail,
You’ll be amazed at what you save!
DG Marine- Australian Distributor
www.dgmarine.com.au dgmarine@bigpond.net.au
0438 563 164
LIZARD YACHTS
Peter Kerr designs
www.lizardyachts.com.au
Plans For the Amateur and Professional Builder
In ALUMINIUM to Survey standards if required
POWER AND SAIL 7m - 15m
pete@lizardyachts.com.au
0428 857 336

The BareBones Project-The Editor Builds a Boat
Hitting The Epoxy Wall
OR OR
“Warning signs are flashing ev’ry where, but we pay no heed
‘Stead of slowing down the pace we keep pickin’ up the speed
Disasters getting closer ev’ry time we meet
Goin’ ninety miles an hour down a dead end street”
We were at Gary and Fran’s boat launching
party and talking to a guy building an Easy cat. The point of all this is, I have developed the theory from my own experiences, from talking to
He had it bad and explained it was like a other builders and subsequent investigation via the web, the types of epoxy resin that use the
bucket of water. Every time you exposed yourself to epoxy heedlessly, another 4:1 or 5:1 hardener produce gasses that may be more toxic than commonly understood and
drop went in the bucket till it was full and when it was full to overflowing you toxic in ways that aren’t clearly understood. I want readers of TCP that may be considering
showed the poisoning. Given time you might heal but the bucket was full for life so building a boat with epoxy to consider the possibilities and take the best precautions right
even a minor contamination, just one drop long after and you were stuffed. from the start because once the bucket’s full.... Or readers that have built with epoxy and
A few weeks later I was going over material from the build of the new Americas
now have inexplicable health issues, to maybe consider their use of epoxy containing TETA
(triethylene tetra-amine) which is a known “Endrocrine disruptor” according to wikipedia. I
Cup AC45’s that was published in the last E-TCP. Piles of photos of the builders in
bet there are people out there suffering and don’t know it’s what they are still doing.
New Zealand, laminating the hulls, wearing the same mask I use but better quality
filters... hmmmm (“Warning signs are flashing ev’ry where..”) You know... I was sitting here typing this and realised I have a little Bote-Cote left
I was pretty proud of the fact I had conquered the contamination from contact with
epoxy. I was careful to cover my wrists, wore double layers of rubber gloves, and
downstairs. I just went down and mixed up about 200 grams in a cup and it is sitting next to
the keyboard now. With my current sensitivity, this aint a good idea but I haven’t taken the
time to test the theory. In the meantime I asked Ian Phillips of Boat Craft Pacific to comment
learned to avoid inadvertent touching of skin with gloved hands lest there be a
speck of resin on them I couldn’t feel. I figured I had a pretty good bead on things!
(’Stead of slowing down the pace we keep pickin’ up the speed)
We have bottles of vinegar at every turn to rinse off any accidental spot of resin,
always use eye protection of sorts, to protect from getting a stray drop in but... it
wasn’t any of those things that got me.
And that is that. Even a small batch of epoxy done in the tent a
week prior will send me staggering for fresh air now. I no longer have
a use for the less expensive little round 3M filters. The gas rated ones
that I previously only felt I needed when spraying epoxy paint with
their super volatile thinners are the required face wear for even going
near the job site and I’m not sure that is enough for the resin I had
used. I’ve heard of asthma and rashes but my reaction was an
attack of the nervous system... scary!
I was talking to a neighbour about my experience and he
commented on a health problem that had defied diagnoses for years
that resembled some aspects of what I was talking about. He has
built boats. Another good friend is suffering scary symptoms and
similarly, defying diagnoses. He is building an epoxy composite cat
and lives in a structure adjoining his work area...
Are all epoxies equally toxic? I don’t believe so. Bote-Cote epoxy from
Boat Craft Pacific seems to be a type of less risk. I had been using it
with good result but I had gotten lazy and ordered another brand
where I was ordering other materials.
a few days ago and this is what he had to say:
from a song by H. Blair and D. Robertson
by Bob Norson
Yes, our system has a much lower allergenic potential. Our 2: 1 system uses more modern
hardeners, whereas the older systems (which are the 5:1 and 4:1 systems) are still using the
old technology hardeners. Our chemical expert has also selected components specifically for
their lower allergenic potential (amongst other things).
In past I had accidentally exposed myself to gasses and could feel a slight “buzz”. Sadly, some individuals are just plain out of luck in the great genetic lottery. Some are
Being alert to the dangers, (he said smugly) I got very careful to always use my simply unable to tolerate any of the epoxy systems, in even the smallest amounts. There
mask with the round filters. These cut any odour of epoxy when worn and no more aren't many people in this boat. Others, who have been careless enough over a long enough
cheap thrills from fumes so I thought they were good enough. A false sense of time, (getting lots of epoxy onto their skin etc) can also find them selves in the position
security. (Disaster getting closer ev’ry time we meet)
whereby they can no longer tolerate any epoxy. Many more have become a bit sensitive, but
Until a few weeks ago. It was a particularly nasty job but I had taken what I
thought were good precautions. I was fairing with thickened resin in both hulls.
As one side already had a sealing coat ( see www.buildacat.com/bbloggas.html ) I
started early arvo and kept going till dark to maintain the critical temperature
difference required for the porous panels. I had a fan exhausting through a large
hatch in the second hull and two big fans clearing the tent in general. As I was
provided they manage it properly, (using safer epoxy systems, proper protection and
ventilation) they can continue to employ epoxy with all the benefits that it offers.
Whilst I have been editing this article the container of Bote-Cote resin has been going off
next to me and I’m OK. It is now hard and still hot. If this were the other resin I would be in
awful shape now. Nonetheless, I will not be exposing myself again even to this resin. I won’t
be taking any chances and maybe you shouldn’t either.
working on the second hull I began feeling.. wooozy but I didn’t stop, I wasn’t going
to quit in the middle of the job with a half used batch of resin and missing the
temperature window. (Goin ninety miles an hour down a dead end street) I didn’t
Whilst I am pleased to have Bote-Cote as an advertiser, I think most of you know that does
not affect editorial. And I don’t even get a bloody discount on the stuff!!
know it yet but I had hit the wall. I filled my bucket. Is this latest disruption going to halt the project? Not a chance in hell! With all the other
I felt awful when I got to the house. Disoriented, dizzy, slightly nauseous,
anxious. In the vernacular of the sixties, this was a bum trip man...
problems we have had to overcome to get this far, this little hiccup, whilst an annoying
concern, will be nothing more than (another) minor delay. Actually considerable progress has
been achieved this last cycle, but with the space available the above topic was the most
Next morning I felt better. Whew! I thought. Glad I got away with that! Better be
more careful next time. But I noticed I had a vicious rash on the
backside of both hands even though I hadn’t gotten any resin on me.
No worries, I was sure it would go away soon. I walked out to the tent
and stood behind the boat to take a minute to reconnoitre and plan
my attack for the day. It took about 3 minutes to knock me on my
proverbial... and most of the day to recover.
important
With epoxy, the paper mask at left is the rough equivalent of hiding under a blanket to avoid the monster
under the bed! GROW UP! The centre filters are very good for particulates and some gases but limited in
effectiveness on epoxy fumes. The mask at right is equipped with the good stuff. The filter element on the
right side of the mask is covered with a layer of paper towel held on with a rubber band. This preserves
the filter if used around dust. Another way to make them last longer, I’m told, is to store them in a sealed
zip-lock bag when not in use. Apparently the activated charcoal elements don’t degrade as fast when not
exposed to fresh air. A full face mask like the one Jim Geddes is wearing on the next page may be in my
future, except with an element intended for gasses but I hope the move back to Bote-Cote resin from Boat
Craft Pacific will suffice. I think it will. I’ll be watching my health like a hawk in the coming weeks and
considering that alternative.
www.saniloo.com.au
www.saniloo.com.au

EYEWEAR TIPS FOR BOATBUILDERS
AND OTHER "EYE ABUSERS", Part 1
The picture on the left is me, Kay, the for many years), or fog up. was time to get back to the paper, but I
TCP expert volunteer. I had a few FREE
(there's that word again) weeks in
between TCP duties. The weather was
perfect - no bugs and cool, dry days. I
knew Bob would be happy to have a help
with the sanding duties.
I lasted about a week, but had to stop as
my eyes were suffering. The picture
below is our collection of goggles that
all have one problem or another. They
don't fit right (I have to wear my glasses
under as I have been "sight impaired"
will try this next time I'm out there. The
Wait! Isn't Jim Geddes a professional good part of this story is I was able to
"eye guy?" So I sent him the picture of "inspire" Jim to write about boaties and
our collection and asked for his advise. eye care.
Jim replied with some ideas:
Below are tips from Jim. The photos
"Have you tried some anti-fog fluid on above is Jim modelling the ultimate eye
the inside of any of the safety gear? Or protection. Please feel free to send us
just spit on the inside as you would a your ideas, discoveries and even horror
dive mask. Getting them warm before stories (we all like to hear we are all not
use also helps."
alone in our eye abuse).
It took me two weeks for my eyes to
heal (lots of eye washes), and then it
By Jim Geddes, SC Te Awara is usually a gap between the frame and nose 3. If you wear glasses ask your which is set for reading only. A far better
To me, it is amazing how much trouble
nature goes to in order to protect our
eyes, with thick boney brow ridges and
deep eye sockets. And what do we do
in return? For most of us, nothing!
Until that is, something goes wrong, like
a foreign object lodged in our eye or so
much dust that only a quick dip over the
side with wide - open eyes has any
chance of removing it. And then there
where stuff can get in. Think about other folk that
might be working alongside you with an angle
grinder.
2. Visit your local hardware store and if you wear
glasses take them with you. Try on all the eye
protection that they have with your glasses ON.
See if they fog up after a walk around the store.
Yes, you will look like a goose but don't take any
notice of strange looks, after all you own a boat
don't you! Don't look at the price; sometimes the
Optician what type of lenses you
have. Polycarbonate is the safest
followed by CR39 acrylic. Avoid
glass even though it might be
armour plated or laminated, it's
just not as safe as polycarbonate.
Anyhow, you should have your
safety spex on, right? Well, think
about what would happen if you
were to fall off a scaffold.
alternative is just a small pair of 1/2 eyes
set to the focal length you wish to work at.
If you have bifocals or progressive lenses
everything should be in focus.
5. Always wear eye protection when using
chemicals, paints, thinners,and mixing
resins. A splash to the eye with polyester
resin catalyst (M.E.K.P.) is one of the
nastiest eye injuries I have ever seen and
lead to the loss of most of the vision in the
is ultra violet light which can be really cheapest will do the best job. 4. Speaking of scaffolds, if you eye affected. M.E.P.K. is a super peroxide
deadly. More of that in another article.
Make sure the eye protection mask has the
How do I know these faults in our nature? Australian Standards seal on it. A good pair will
Because I am guilty of all of the above, and fit close around your nose and will have off-set
being an Optician for over 40 years makes vent holes in the sides for ventilation. "Protector"
wear full size glasses for reading
they can lead to a miss-step when
climbing due to the vision being
blurred outside the focal length
which 'eats' protein .
On that cheery note I will leave you
until the next topic: " How to select the
right pair of sunglasses for boating".
me doubly guilty or just plain stupid, take brand have been around for a long time and are
your pick! Anyhow, here are a few usually well designed. And no, I don't have
guidelines for selecting the right eye shares in the company. Welding equipment
protection when boat building and
suppliers usually have a good supply of eye
maintenance.
safety products.
1. Your prescription eye glasses will NOT
double as effective eye protection. They
will give you SOME protection but not
FULL protection. Unless they wrap around
to close off the sides, dust and foreign
objects can still end up in your eyes.
Metal frames or rimless are worse as there
Also, don't use fresh water to wash out dust.
Saline from the chemist is best. You can also
make your own by boiling some fresh water and
adding plain salt after it has cooled. Clean salt
water from the ocean is OK at a pinch but don't
store it for any length of time as it will go off due to
tiny marine critters.
“If you break it I can re-make it!”
Serving Cairns Marlin Marina 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
Inflatable boat tube covers
Outboard covers
or?
www.boutiquemarine.com.au

AUCTION NOTICE
Sailing & Motor Yachts
MACKAY MARINA, OCTOBER 29, 2011
11am at the Mackay Marina sales office
www.peterhansen.com.au
For more details contact: Ben Anderson
Phone: (07) 4955 6855
AndersonB@mackaymarina.com
Cruise the Whitsundays
Charter a luxury Perry or Fusion 40 Catamaran
“Mango Tango”
“Mango Tango” &
Early Bird summer
specials for 2011
available now
“Razzle Dazzle”
“Razzle Dazzle”
www.whitsundaycharterboats.com.au
WHITSUNDAY LUXURY CATAMARANS
email: sales@luxurycats.com.au Ph: 07 4947 1653 Mob: 0408 553 005

Kalida pic
Natasha shows off the pirate cake she took 1st prize
with at the Cairns Show! (junior division) So if you
want a great cake, talk to the pro. Bring cash!
Pocket money
for sailing kids
By Natasha Harper, SY Kalida
When our cruising ends for the year and we go back to a safe haven for
cyclone season we need to look around for the odd jobs to earn some money
to fix our rusting bikes which are always falling apart by the end of the
season. Of course its time to buy Christmas presents and after 8 months of
not going to the movies its amazing what I'll do to earn money for a movie
ticket!
My brother Matthew and I have done a variety of strange and wonderful
jobs over the years. One day we went past a rather large yacht and they
called us over and asked if we would like to earn some money by sticking our
little hands down a dark hole in the floor next to the mast then into another
gap to retrieve his wife's watch. He also said if you find any money down
there you can keep it. Well, the gap was too small for my hand but Matthew
could get his in (I could have got mine in but it looked too dark and scary so I
thought I'd sacrifice Matt - that's what brothers are for), and he managed to
get the watch and about $43 in coins. He said it hadn't been cleaned in that
area for about 3 years. What a find!
We had a great little business at one stage over the wet season bailing
dinghies on the dinghy dock each day. We were paid weekly to keep them
floating but we suddenly realized it might not have been that good as we
sometimes had to empty them 3 and 4 times a day when the really heavy
rains came.
We have babysat young children and pets on people's boats some of the
pets range from puppies to cats to a cockatoo in a cage. The puppies are the
nicest.
A few other jobs we have done are washing and polishing two small
submarines, delivering The Coastal Passage to boats that don't normally get
them, delivering fliers for shops like the DeckStore, selling bread, yoghurt and
beef jerky that we make. We have even helped the odd boat with stainless
polishing (don't like that one). Matthew was doing pretty well with his knife
sharpening; he really knows how to get a very sharp edge on cooking knives.
One job that we thought was pretty good was an overseas yacht that was
travelling north had a real sweat tooth for cakes and paid us to bake all these
different types of “Australian cakes” that they wanted to have cut into slices
and frozen. We made in two days five cakes, we cut them up and put them
into cliplock bags and they froze them. I hope they liked them as I think
Matthew might have left a few things out of the one he made; perhaps they
might have thought that's how it was supposed to taste.
Well I hope I have inspired other yachtie children to do some strange jobs
so they can also save up to buy stuff they might like. Just watch out for your
parents jobs on your own boat. They some how think they don't have to pay
us. Why would they think that? They always seem to have so many jobs.
PS: We refuse to clean under our boat or anyone's boat. When you get
those creatures on you you'll understand.
TCP Ships Store
All prices include shipping & gst
(within Australia)
GREG DICKSON novels
RAISING
TRUE NORTH
$30
CARIBBEE
$30
Buy both,
pay only $50!
(inc S&H & gst)
Susan Bett's Favourite Boat Names
By Susan Bett, behind, or their favourite colour.
MV Scallywag
Fred Carpenter was no doubt a
chippie, Mary Green adored the
We refer to our boats by name colour, Rupert French was from
as if they were real people as a Paris and of course there are the
means of identification and as an Bakers and the Butchers. Some
acknowledgment of our ability to people name their boats after
come up with an innovative or their occupation such as:
amusing name. Selecting a Teacher's Pet, Sealectric,
name can be both fun and Headhunter, Dealership, Pilot's
challenging. In our search for an Boat, Legal Eagle, Tooth Ferry
original and personally or Permanent Wave.
meaningful identification, we
often name our boats to reflect f you are choosing a name for
our current circumstances or your boat, consider the image it
perhaps our own personalities. creates to others but more
A Marine Services company in
the USA has records of boat
names they have been involved
with and have identified the most
popular for the past decade.
They have been: Freedom,
Obsession, Wet Dream, Wind
importantly, remember it has to
be readily understood on the
radio. Long, complicated or hard
to pronounce names with more
than three words are often
difficult to understand or transmit
especially in foreign waters.
Song, Spirit, MisBehavin,
Connecting your mothership to
Serenit,y Great Escape,
it's tender by name is
Footloose, the signs of the guaranteed to attract attention
Zodiac, and any combined anywhere. Some good
names of Skipper and First Mate examples:
such as LynDen, MarTom or Bewitched & Bewildered
DonElla.
Magnitude & Minitude
What is the history of names
and how did they come about
in the first place? Record
keeping of family names has
Gadget & Gidget
Sea Dog & Sea Puppy
Bullship & Piece of Ship
Fat Cat & Kitten
been passed down through Many people believe that when
generations each society you buy a boat with a name you
creating their own system for simply can't live with that it is
naming their offspring.
unlucky to change it. Since the
According to our history books, beginning of time sailors have
in 1465 thousands of new sworn that there are unlucky
people were pouring into
ships and the unluckiest of all
England. King Edward, in order are those who have defied the
to provide identities for his new Gods and changed their boat's
immigrants, decided to give name. A full de-naming and re-
them some choices for names. naming ceremony can be found
They could choose their
in the booklet, Great Ideas for
occupation, the place they left Boat Names.
TCP's 50th anniversary book store special!
Buy Susan Betts Galley Guide or Greg Dicksons 2 Novels,
get Susan Betts Great Ideas Boat Names FREE! (limited supply - act fast!)
Great ideas
Galley Guide
by Susan Bett
$25
Great ideas for
Boat Names
Booklet
by Susan Bett
(inc S&H & gst) $6
From the booklet: Great Ideas for Boat Names
by Susan Bett, Author of Great Ideas Galley Guide
Susan Bett shows off her Boat Names Booklet on MV Scallywag (great boat name!)
www.thecoastalpassage.com/storebooks.html
OR
OR
A few favourites:
Abbreviations: Wind
D.I.L.L.I.G.A.F Gone with the
(Do I Look Like I Wind
Give a F…!) Windfall
A.S.D.I.P Windbag
(Another Shitty Sea Creatures
Day in Paradise) Clown Fish
A.W.O.L Blue Swimmer
(Absent without Sea Horse
Leave) Nautilus
Using Given Special Women
Names Dancing Queen
Wandering Willy Lady Helmsman
Good Time First Lady
Charlie The Other
Proud Mary Woman
Jolly Roger Gypsea Woman
Dollar Bill Nautigirl
Fun Names Fat Lady
Never Again 3 Colours
Fantastic Plastic Mellow Yellow
Mission Possible Orange Peel
The Other Bitch The Blue Note
Inya Dreams Tickled Pink
Work of Heart Red Hot Chilli
Indecent Quicksilver
Obsession Catamarans:
Bed & Breakfast Dual Force
Costalot Fat Cat
The Office Twotimer
Good Vibrations Second Fiddle
Men Behaving Double Vision
Badly Split Second
No Boundaries Supercat
Wine Down Trimarans:
Midlife Crisis Tripod
Superdong Third Degree
Prince of Tides Three Cheers
Titan Uranus Trifecta
Aquadisiac Wishbone
Playbuoy Love Triangle
Wasted Seamen Nice Tri
Breakin Wind
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Sail on Vicky
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Vicky Millar (nee Applegate). Vicky was the owner and skipper of
Rum Raider sailing catamaran taking part in nearly all the sailing regattas and rallies with her husband Scott Millar in North
Qlds over the past 20 years. Sailing was a very important part of her life and she just loved Airlie Beach. She had a big
smile, a big heart and was involved in anything to do with sailing - including working at the Whitsunday Sailing Club and
Secretary for the Abel Point Yacht Club for many years. At just 40 years of age, she lost her long battle with cancer on
23rd August 2011. She will be sadly missed by her husband Scott, all her family and the sailing community of Airlie
Beach.
Steve Halter
Vicky Millar and Airlie Beach were just meant to be. It’s hard to imagine one without the other. Vicky is gone now and the
town must go on diminished. She personified the best of the place, coming across a bit unhinged at times (an act), full of
fun and never mean.
At the 05 Rendevous TCP provided a treasure chest filled with.. well treasure.. Diamonds and other gems, silver, gold
and pearls. We had a lay day sail and all that participated entered a poker card draw. She won with the Queen of Hearts
so that’s what we called her and it fit. It was the feel good moment for everyone as word had gotten around, she had
recently been diagnosed with a tumour, the thing that eventually overcame her. Years later we met at the marina and she
was wearing the sapphire and diamond ring from the lot she won that day. She showed it off with that patented grin.
And man could she sail! Her old boat, Triple Vision went better than it should have with her at the helm, sometimes to the
brink of disaster. The last time I saw her sailing I was up north right after cyclone Ului. I was crewing on Cheetah for the
Warri Cup and the only boat that passed us was Rum Raider. There she was, pirate emblem on her hat, bikini, one hand
wrapped around a drink and the other on the tiller. She looked back, gave a little smile and was gone.
Bob Norson
of boaties as they are received here. Cheers Mate..
Bob n Kay
Is Cruising Still
Worth It?
Dear TCP,
I would hope the number of "honest, hardworking
people with these agencies" are grateful for the
coverage we give as the under-performers must make
their job all the harder in the office. Out on the water,
an agent doing their job properly and with respect for
the public is very unlikely to get anything but gratitude
from boaties.
Re: Letter by Claude Millot (TCP#49).
A cruiser who had help from MSQ during the floods at
Bundaberg December 2010
Well it is good to hear that MSQ were helpful to Claude as they,
apparently, did very little for the majority of boaties on the Burnett
We are currently in the throes of acquiring a 35 foot yacht
which we intend to use for cruising here in Australia as well
as abroad. I'll return to this in a minute. I have only just
recently come across the existence of TCP and I have to
say that it makes for both fascinating and enjoyable reading.
Due to the luxury of the internet, I have now read quite a lot
of editions! I would like to extend my appreciation to all the
people behind TCP for making the publication available.
Please keep up the good work.
However, reading the various editions has left me
somewhat bewildered and very, very concerned. As
mentioned we are in the middle of getting hold of a yacht in
And thanks for the kind words on the paper. See
pages 4&5 to become more familiar with how it all
comes together.
And Jack, now you are a part of “all the people behind
TCP” so give go find a mirror and thank yourself!
And just one more thing. The letter below was
addressing a letter very similarly concerned about the
future of cruising published in TCP # 47.
Cheers,
Bob
River that I know of. Saying that, MSQ, the police or the military
do not have any water based assets here. There is a rib with
'Patrol' on its side that is seen on rare occasions on the Burnett in
daylight on fine weather.
Claude's story was, of course, not the full story as he was not
present as the river rose. His good fortune was, in a small part,
due to the actions of other 'liveaboard' and local boaties,
including myself, that spent many days cutting away weed from
mooring lines and anchor chains on his boat and many others
around him. This may have saved his vessel from further
damage from other dragging vessels. These dragging vessels
could have added to the bank of three that he was sandwiched in
between. The drama that occurred is only known to those that
which to do some cruising, but after reading the seemingly
never ending stories of various government agencies
attitude to making themselves feel at home where and
whenever they see fit has left me wondering whether we are
buying a little piece of heaven or sailing straight into the
depths of hell!
I don't doubt that there are many honest, hard working
people within these agencies that truly are trying their best
in what I'm sure can, at times be a somewhat difficult job, but
the stories (and my concerns) persist. I love the water; I've
spent my entire life on it from one extent to another. But I am
actually beginning to wonder if it's all worth it. I just hope that
I'm wrong.
Regards,
Jack Swanston
Hi Jack.
The last 5 or ten years have been quite troublesome for the
boating community, especially in Queensland. Without a
voice standing up to those in power you might find out too
late that it may not be worth it to you. Quite a few of our old
friends that remember the best of times have quit but most
have stayed. The reasons are that they (the stayers) figure
it is a thing worth standing up for and we (TCP) have been
able to make progress.
We feel it is our responsibility to support and inform the
boating community when officialdom assumes powers it
doesn't have in law or breaks the law outright, and they do.
The balance between that and reporting on the wonderful
side of cruising is often a matter of reflecting the concerns
The answer
is...YES
Greetings Kay and Bob,
Many thanks as always for the great TCP magazine.
The short letter from Tristan (TCP47) has stuck in my
mind and begs for a thought from this little black duck.
Where bureaucracy is concerned, some annoyance is
generated for the boatie that's for sure, but not enough
to give the show away. Most rules are instigated for a
good enough reason but as we all know, poor drafting
of rules, undesired consequences and slack
administration take a toll. However we boaties have
the unique advantage of always being able to head off
to some corner of this vast and wonderful cruising
ground to find our peace. No body does it better than
us.
Our other “secret” weapon is TCP and the fearless
team of Bob and Kay. You guys keep the bastards
honest (or at least on their toes and doing their jobs
better). Thanks heaps from all of us.
Pete Giller,
She looked back, gave a little smile and was gone.
were involved from the beginning and has yet, and will probably
never be, collated and told.
The flood enquiry is yet to hear about the Burnett River floods,
and when they do get around to it, they will only hear from
selected witnesses. So the enquiry will also probably not get the
full story.
The Midtown Marina staff, I might add, were not sitting on their
hands during the disaster and the owner of the business lost
more than most boaties and other business people in
Bundaberg. As Jan said in her reply, he worked until he dropped.
What I might add is that he worked until he nearly drowned.
Geoff White,
Sailing catamaran 2Abreast
Thanks Geoff
A thought came to mind reading your letter and recalling
comments from other yachts regarding the absence of help
during the floods and the explanation that there was no boat
based in Bundaberg. I believe the RIB you describe is based in
Urangan and we assume it is kept on a trailer when not in use.
So, did MSQ have a
trailerable boat
within a 2 hour
drive? Were the
roads closed at that
time?
Cheers
Bob

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