Bell Rings for new Member - Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club

1
Christmas New Year season sets great benchmark
“The Club activities are certainly up and active and I
have great pleasure in reporting a bumper trading last
quarter which we find a very gratifying and creditable
result which would be the envy
of many clubs. The result is
particularly meritorious given
we have no supporting income
from poker machines.
I must congratulate our CEO
Roy Baker and all of his staff in
the Club, office and marina as
the result is further support of
the fact that your Club is in a
very sound financial position.”
says Commodore Bruce Hansen
February 2010
As a tangible response to the warmth and friendship
extended by fellow members of their new club, Rod
Johnson and his son Richard donated a ship’s bell for
the bar. The bell from the once Japanese patrol boat
Peregrine Falcon pictured here and which will feature
in articles in coming newsletters has a bell rope made
by our Club Captain Ernie Thirkell during his time in
the Royal Australian Navy.
Our Rear Commodore reports “Rod has become a
major sponsor of the club, taking the naming
rights for our coming “Thrifty Etchell Regatta”.
Rod’s support follows traditions set from the outset for
NCYC which in early days extended from furniture to
charts and most things in between. Currently, Seeing
the need, long time member Kevin Hodges has
purchased a barometer for the club. This is mounted
on the wall near the bar for easy reference.
Most people are impressed with the value for money
and quality of the food. Michael Smyth has been busy fine
tuning a lot of these operations.”
Jim also remarked on the high
profile of our sailors over this
season: “Tim Vooles (p 13) and
Richard Howard completed the
Sydney to Hobart then after a
quick plane trip backed up for the
Coffs race together aboard
Anger Management. Richard
crewed on Tow Truck which
won IRC Div 2. Aurora and One
for the Road once again
represented NCYC in the Rolex
Sydney to Hobart.”
Lozzie Masey pictured with
Mr & Mrs Blackburn at her birthday
Lozzie celebrations Macey with Charlie in the & marquee Kath Blackburn marquee at
Vice Commodore Jim Holley her 50th birthday celebrations in our marquee
reports: “The marquee has been a
Director Phil Arnall made comment
boon in hosting private functions without interfering with that: “The club is pleased with the increased casual berthing
the general trading of the club. We have had many over the holiday period and the compliments given
laudatory comments about the restaurant.
regarding our facilities.”
Bell Rings for new Member
9/
Peregrine Falcon (insert—ship’s bell)
“NCYC Gun Boat Trophy” - following tradition,
this is now an actuality in the form of an impressive
model canon, thanks to the continued generosity of
Sponsor and member Allen Fairhall.
1

2
"I trust everyone has returned safely from a
happy Christmas and New Year break.
I had much pleasure recently in welcoming a
cruising fleet from CYCA and RPAYC who I
believe enjoyed very much the opportunity of
using our Club facilities as a base for cruising
in this general region. We see this area of
activity as having great potential in respect of
cruising craft out of Sydney and beyond using our Club. I would thank Bruce
Bragg for his efforts in this regard.
I am also happy to report that the Board has considered it prudent to make
certain reorientations of responsibilities in the administration of the Club and
we have appointed Cathy Peisley as Administration Manager. As such she
will report directly to the Board and we look forward to that ongoing
interaction with her.
I would also thank those members and staff who assisted with the organising
committee of the National Etchells Regatta which recently took place over
one week at LMYC. This not only further enhanced our close working
relationship with LMYC but also gave us valuable experience which will be
called upon when we stage our Thrifty Etchells Regatta in April. I would also
like to thank in some cases, those same members for a great job in conducting
our recent and highly successful Australia Day and Friendship Cup Regattas.
I would welcome the Rev Gary Dodd and Father Stefan Sapun as joint NCYC
Honorary Chaplains as an extension of their work at the Newcastle Seafarers
Centre and look forward to working with them into the future.
Our last quarter financial results would not have been possible without
the effort obviously being made by members to use their Club. I would urge
members to continue to do so as the NCYC is a good habit to get into.
Bruce Hansen Commodore.
In this issue
A bi-monthly publication
1. Latest news
2. At the Helm – Commodore
2. Directory
3. NCYC, Your Club
- CEO/ Secretary
- Club Manager
4. Socially Speaking
-Vice Commodore &
Social Committee
4. Getting to know you
5. Sailing
- Rear Commodore
-Sailing Office
6. Safety - Club Captain
6. Journey of Gitana -Bob Moffat
7. NSW Maritime Boating Tips
—Wayne Fitness
8. Incredible India -Ivan MacFadyen
Commodore’s
Message
9. Ningaloo Adventure
—Larry Curtis
9. On the Bridge problem
- Paul McGrath
9. Slocum Spray Society visit
10. Under The Weather
– Honorary Meteorologist
Martin Babakhan &
Meteorology Committee
11. Story of Newcastle Port
—Rev Garry Dodd
11. Staff Profile
11. Pooch Parade
11. On the Bridge Answers
12. Sponsor acknowledgement 13..
The Double (part 1)
-Tim Vooles
13 Coming Events
Editor: Gloria Thirkell Graphics: Michael Eggleston
Opinions of contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the Board or the Club.
While articles and correspondence are welcomed, the Editor reserves the right to
decline to publish
CLUB DIRECTORY
Contact Phone / Email
Administration &
General Inquiries
9 am – 4.45 pm
Licensed Club
10 am – 10 pm
The Galley
Lunch
Noon – 2.30 pm
Dinner
6 pm – 8.30 pm
Dockmaster
8 am – 4 pm
7 days
02 4940 8188
inquiries@ncyc.net.au
02 4940 8188
inquiries@ncyc.net.au
02 4940 8188
inquiries@ncyc.net.au
0408 299 512
paul@ncyc.net.au
SECURITY
Contact Phone
Police 49190760
Water Police 4984 9012
Fire
Department
Power failure
on marina
Flag
Officers
000
Dockmaster
0408 299 512
Board of Directors
Commodore Bruce Hansen
Vice Commodore Jim Holley
Rear Commodore Paul Gleeson
Club Captain Ernie Thirkell
Treasurer Steven Jones
Director Phil Arnall
Director Tony Lobb
Concessions to NCYC Members
NCYC Bar —with membership card
∗ 10% for Full Members
∗ – 5% for Social and Crew members
∗ when purchasing cold beverages.
∗ Cote D Azur
∗ 10% discount to any NCYC member
staying with them,
∗ excluding any pre-advertised item.
www.cotedazurnelsonbay.com.au
∗ East Coast Marine and Sail
∗ 10% discount on selected items.
∗ 02 4961 1663.
∗ Borelli-Quirk Newcastle Real Estate 10%
on accommodation. www.bqnre.com.au
2

3
Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club
MARINA - COMMERCIAL CENTRE - LEASED BOATYARD - LICENSED PREMISES
From the Chief Executive Officer
Thank you to all members who have used and supported
your club and made the Christmas/new year period at
NCYC a happy and festive time.
Business has been brisk, to say the least, an obvious
consequence of the holiday period. Now though we are
into more relaxed mode and are grateful for your ongoing
patronage.
With new staff in the kitchen and an enlarged kitchen
layout I think we are doing a better job . . . My tastebuds
certainly think so.
On the function front, we have appointed Nina Langley to
organise and co-ordinate such goings on. She brings much
experience with her and is doing wonders for us. Feel free
to speak to Nina or Michael if you are planning a “Do” at
your club.
Once again, thanks, and see you at the Club.
Roy Baker CEO / Secretary / Licensee
Early birds get the tables
- No bookings for Easter
Entertainment nightly:
Good Friday April 2
Easter Saturday April 3
Easter Sunday April 4
6.00pm—10.00pm
NCYC Feature wine of the month
The word is out!
Members and guests
patronise your club in
ever increasing numbers
♦ Relaxed atmosphere
♦ Panoramic windows with
a great view
♦ Foxtel
♦ Great food alternatives
♦ Outstanding wine selection
EGM
Important Notice
For some time now your Board and a subcommittee has been
working on refreshing our constitution. In particular the
focus has been on incorporating regulatory and compliance
issues not previously addressed, more clearly defining
membership categories, defining director eligibility,
broadening our Club objects, and generally tidying up some
clumsy wording.
We are now in a position to put this to members for approval
at a General Meeting on 15 March 2010 at 5.30pm at the
clubhouse.
The proposed revised Constitution will be on the Club
website from 15 February 2010 and a hard copy will be
available to members who request it from the Club office. In
accordance with protocol all eligible members will be
formally advised of the EGM in due course.
Phil Arnall `Director
The 3rd Audi Sydney ,
Crowdy Head, Newcastle
race - 20th March
will be finishing from the
wee small hours through
most of the day.
Definitely worth a look
Entertainment
6.00pm—10.00pm
Valentine’s Day
February 14
Live music
6.00 pm—10.00pm
NCYC
Clubhouse
a quality location
for your function
NCYC Dress Code
makes the difference
• No singlets or tank tops
• No thongs after 6.30pm
• No hats, caps, beanies or
hoods
• Neat clean, casual attire
at all times, in all areas.
Management decision is final. .
Michael Smyth Club Manager
3

4
FROM VICE COMMODORE JIM HOLLEY and SOCIAL COMMITTEE
tSocially Speaking
Gillian and Nicole
gave Santa their Christmas wish list
Santa arrived on a motor bike!
Our Function Marquee was put to good use by revellers of all
ages for the hugely successful NCYC annual Christmas
party. The Pointscore fleet was back in time for the start of
festivities at 4pm as two portable barbecues were fired up
and the atmosphere was set by great foot tapping music.
Smaller children enjoyed the jumping castle on the
lawn under supervision of their parents. To the delight of all,
Santa arrived on a motor bike accompanied by his elves.
Jenny Keegan graced us with her presence and enjoyed
herself enormously.
We have a good quote for installation of the two monitors
with keyboard and mouse in the licensed Club area which we
are purchasing in response to a request from the weather
committee. You should soon have access in the club to the
interactive real time weather screensaver, the ECBS specially
designed for the NCYC. Our website and race tracking
programs will also be able to be accessed.
What an offer - Sundays 9.30 to 11.00 am $6
Pictured are roster barbecue volunteers offering the usual
Bacon and egg roll, hash brown and orange juice
Photo by Mike Eggleston
Jim Holley, Vice Commodore
Lozzie Macey, Rae Hassell, Mel
Ford and Steven Hassell
Getting to Know You
The Amos Brothers Wally (Warren) and Greg started sailing
together in VJs at Toronto with Wally as the fore’ard hand
and Greg as Skipper. Almost half a century later when asked
why Greg always skippers their 40 foot Grand Soleil, Wally
quips: “He can’t do anything else!”
In his early sailing years Wally built lots of boats from
dinghies to a Flying Dutchman, and even a speedboat but
began serious sailing at LMYC on “Caress” skippered by
builder of a couple of Hobart winners, Les Steel. Wally was
project manager building two 1 ton yachts for the Hankin
brothers, which subsequently won Div B of the Hobart race
in two consecutive years.
Wally constructed a 35’ trimaran with the intention of
touring the Pacific. “Unfortunately Lord Broughton’s
namesake brought an end to that misadventure,” “While I
was building boats and sailing, Greg was assisting his wife
Maria running various hotels.” he said. Wally’s gamefishing
era began with his charter fishing company in Fiji,
and ended with his 30’ Ovuka parked alongside the Signa.
The brothers joined forces on water again with the
purchase of Blu Notte which they immediately entered into
the NCYC Division 1 Performance Handicapping division of
any and every event going, with great success.
The 2005/2006 season was theirs. Blu Notte took out every
PHS Div 1 trophy. Remarkable considering their average age
had them the oldest crew in the club. Greg said he
appreciates that Ernie, Neil, Tim and John although they have
since gravitated to other vessels, still address him as Boss”.
2008-2009 season was almost as good, with Blue Notte
winning the Ocean Pointscore Trophy and the Summer Short
Ocean Pointscore, ultimately claiming the prestigious
Founders Bowl for the winner of those two combined
pointscores.
The All Port Regatta run by Cronulla Sailing Club with
assistance from LMYC and NCYC was a wonderful event
from both sailing and social points of view. Wally and Greg
won it in the third and final series.
Both brothers have been stalwart members of NCYC from
very early days. They can be counted on for moral support
and lending an ear, AND for the occasional grumble like
Greg’s ”Neil, stop fiddling with the fuel.” Unfortunately he
wasn’t & Blu Notte has joined our “Run out of fuel club”.
There are many other great stories, but no one is talking:
“what happens on the boat stays on the boat”.
Greg at the Helm,
Wally works the sheets
Photo by Mike Eggleston
4

5
SAILING REPORT
We are in the middle of an intense period of sailing
(details in Sailing Office Report) and the various point
scores are still very tight with only 6 SSOP races (and 3
SOP races) to go at the time of writing. In Division 1,
Komodo and Raging Bull are leading the IRC division and
“the bull” is also leading PHS. In Division 2 Warrain and
Woodstock are locked together at the top of the table.
Planning and organisation for the Butlers Business
and Law Round Lord Howe Island Yacht Race is pushing
ahead with a lot of interest from potential entrants and
sponsors. Likely entries include super maxis “Etihad
Stadium” and “Lahana”.
Thrifty Car Rental has come on board to sponsor the
Easter Etchells regatta. Many thanks to Rod Johnson and all
the crew from Thrifty for their participation in what
promises to be a great regatta. We have secured the services
of Kevin Wilson and Phil Collyer to run the event, fresh
from their recent very successful National Titles run at
LMYC. Several volunteers from NCYC (including Ernie
and Gloria Thirkell, Roy Baker and Richard Arnall) assisted
at the Nationals and came back full of praise for the event
organization.
Mary Holley (Sailing Committee) reports the
availability of a training course and re-qualification course,
details as follows:
Sea Safety and Survival course
*20 th and 21 st February * Length of course is 2 days
*contact Chris Griffiths * 0418442755.
* Venue—Lake Macquarie Yacht Club
3rd CYCA Audi Sydney -Crowdy Head- Newcastle Race
Fri 19 March. — Rumour has it that Typhoon & One for the
Road are considering representing us in this event again.
Paul Gleeson Rear Commodore
Summer Salt crew—L to R . Nigel Watts, Charles Gibson,
Paul Gleeson, Neil Brown, Frank Davitis, Tim Gleeson,
Adam Chamberlain. Not present: Cast of thousands
It was good to see
our visitors
enjoying a cruise
of Newcastle Port
aboard Taratibu.
Dual NCYC /
CYCA member
Peter Cox sent
this photo of Fred
(RPAYC) and
David (CYCA) Photo by Janna Adams Tess
From the Sailing Office
The Summer Sailing Season has moved into the
second half of the program and there is a sense of getting
down to the business of pointscores and potential series
winners. Keep an eye on the NCYC web for the latest
results.
The last week in January the Klosters BMW Race
Week, marked three special events on the Sailing Calendar.
Firstly, The Klosters BMW Australia Day Regatta held on
26 January 2010 was a spectacle for Newcastle. An offshore
course and a harbour course were held allowing the NCYC
fleet to show off its skills and grace to the Australia Day
visitors lining Newcastle Harbour and Nobbys and
Newcastle beaches. The Hunter Academy of Sport Junior
Sailors joined the NCYC Australia Day Fleet for their annual
offshore sail experience and impressed Newcastle skippers
with their sailing knowledge.
Secondly, the NCYC Junior Sailor Twilight Race, a
partnership with Port Hunter junior sailors was held on
27/1/10. The Yellow Door Pursuit race had junior and senior
sailors looking over their shoulders hoping to keep ahead of
their opponents. It was a thrilling race and finish. Skippers
and crew commented on the enthusiasm and skills of the
junior sailors that they had on board. Thank you to the
NCYC fleet who generously mentor junior sailors ensuring
the tradition of sailing as a sport continues to grow.
Port Hunter 16’ Sailing Skiff Club Flying Ants Division
See www.ncyc.net.au/social-events/ for photo & names.
Photo by Bevan Box
Thirdly, the annual Friendship Cup Race was held on
Saturday 30 January 2010. The Friendship Cup is a teams’
event race between NCYC and LMYC. Entrants sailed a
division one ocean course. The handicapper from NCYC
Mark Richards and the LMYC handicapper John Morgan
receive the entrants, calculated their combined fleet
handicaps and processed the race to announce the club
winner. Congratulations to NCYC for their win. Check the
web site for more details. The Friendship Cup was where the
water boiled as NCYC and LMYC competed for the highly
prized Friendship Cup Trophy.
Klosters BMW week was a lot of sailing, just what
the skippers and crews love.
NCYC is hosting the Etchells Regatta over Easter and
need volunteers to assist with the regatta management, on
water activities and hospitality. The Regatta organisers
require personnel and boats. Skilled or unskilled, please
consider giving some time to the race management,
hospitality or as a mark laying boat or official boat or guest
boat. Send in your interest to sailing@ncyc.net.au.
We love sailing, Cheers Dianne.
Dianne Fitzgerald — Sailing Secretary
◊
5

6
A MESSAGE FROM THE
CLUB CAPTAIN
Statutory Requirement
All persons intending to work on boats in the marina are
required to register at the main office prior to commencing. As
this is a statutory requirement it must be adhered to.
Invitation to all boating
members, Flare Day 14 th March, 0800 hours at
Horseshoe Beach. Come with your old flares. Please confirm
you are coming and how many of your crew you are bringing
Submissions closed.
along. Invitation is to ALL of our boating owners who are
required to have flares aboard.
Submissions for you to have your say on proposed changes to
lifejacket rules closed Friday January 6. The proposed changes
represent the most sweeping reforms in more than 30 years.
The Yachting NSW board has addressed these proposals and
on 25 November 2009 made submissions addressing each of
the proposed changes.
NSW Government Proposed changes:
1. Child less than 10 tears to wear lifejackets at all times in
vessels less than 4.5 meters.
2. Child less than 10 years to wear a lifejacket when under way
in an open area of a vessel less than 8 meters.
3. In vessels less than 4.8 metres in length a person to wear a
lifejacket:
* At night * Ocean waters
*Alpine lakes * Boating alone
* A tender more than 400 meters from shore.
4. Off the beach boats operating in ocean waters crew to wear
lifejackets.
5. Sailboarders to wear lifejackets when on:
◊ Sheltered water more than 100 meters from shore;
◊ Ocean waters at all times,
6. Skippers judgement at times of heightened risk, crew to
wear lifejackets.
7. Sailboards and off the beach vessel crew to wear lifejackets
type 3.
8. On Alpine lakes lifejacket type 1 to be worn.
9. Exemption from wearing lifejackets be granted if requested
in Aquatic Licences for organised races.
10.Stowage of lifejackets to be readily accessible AND visible
OR if not, location marked by signage.
YNSW Board submissions summation
Proposals 1 to 6 supported with some minor changes such as
ensuring consistency in all states, and increasing age to 12.
Proposal 7 NOT supported. Recommended type 2 lifejacket.
Proposal 8 Supported.
Proposal 9 Strenuously NOT supported for sailing races.
Proposal 10 supported.
Ernie Thirkell Club Captain
Journey of the "Gitana 3" (Part 4)
With Bob and Na Moffat
“We arrived in Port Clinton in the early afternoon anchoring
in a very protected anchorage sharing it with 3 other yachts.
Next day we headed for the Duke Islands and had a good
day’s sail anchoring in the lee of Hunter Island. The tidal
streams and whirlpools in this area are scary for the
uninitiated like myself but you become used to them and if
smart use them to your advantage.
Next day headed for Mackay arriving in the evening in fresh
SE winds, we stayed a couple of nights enjoying the nearby
Bars and food, after restocking we headed for Brampton
Island anchoring opposite the resort in the early afternoon.
We were nearly in the Whitsunday’s now and next day
headed for Cid Harbour anchoring with many other yachts
in this popular protected anchorage.
Na had developed a tooth ache and I managed to get her into
a dentist in Arlie Beach so next day we motored across to
Abel Point Marina and had the offending tooth extracted. We
stayed a couple of nights to allow for tooth to heal and then
back out to explore the Islands spending the next few days
working our way around the Islands. We were well into the
SE trade winds now and headed north to Cape Gloucester
anchoring on the lee of Gloucester Passage after coming
through the passage with the tide.
Next stop Cape Upstart anchoring in Upstart Bay a good SE
anchorage. Next day we left early to avoid having to use
Cape Bowling Green and headed for Magnetic Island or
Townsville. We ended up arriving in Townsville after a fast
passage with fresh SE winds. We managed to get a berth in
the Townsville Motor Yacht Club Marina which is right in
the middle of town. The Marina was brand new, the club
replacing the old pile berths with a modern marina complex
financed in a similar fashion to Newcastle by selling long
term leases. That weekend was V8 Supercar races so decide
to stay and watch as we had never seen or heard them
before. Good weekend of noise with rev heads from all over
northern Queensland arriving for the occasion.
After the weekend we headed to Orpheus Island and
anchored there overnight intending to head up the
Hinchinbrook Channel next day. At the anchorage we shared
a few sundowners with a local cat owner and concluded the
tides would not be right and decided to head up the outside of
Hinchinbrook Island still spectacular with the high
Mountains always enveloped in cloud. We had a pleasant day
in good SE winds anchoring at Dunk Island for the night off
the resort. Bob”
To be continued
6

7
NSW Maritime Boating Tips
NEWCASTLE HARBOUR
The Port of Newcastle is able to boast the
second highest tonnage of cargo movement of any
port in Australia. It is the largest coal port in the
world and trade throughput for the Port of
Newcastle is valued at about $7.5 billion.
Over 80 million tonnes of coal are exported
annually. More than 1.5 million tonnes of coal
will leave our port weekly in ships which may
have a displacement of 250 thousand tonnes.
There may be as many as 20 shipping movements
per day, each with up to four tugs per vessel as
well as their attending pilot cutters and transport
vessels which are constantly on the move to strict
timetables to ensure that the Port of Newcastle
runs efficiently.
Ships entering the port may be up to 300
metres in length and up to 50 metres wide. That
means that more than three football fields could be
placed onto one ship’s deck.
They are very large. Bringing a large ship into
Newcastle Harbour is a bit like threading a needle.
The ship is so large and there is very little space on
either side and even less room to ‘turn corners’.
Where do recreational boaters fit in?
Newcastle is primarily a working commercial
harbour, but it is also a waterway used by
recreational boaters for fishing and sailing. Any
recreational boater who uses Newcastle Harbour
must be constantly aware of commercial vessels
and their movements.
Check out the map
This will show you clearly where your activities
will be restricted due to commercial traffic
movements.
Wayne Fitness, NSW Maritime Boating Officer
Hunter/ Inland Region
7

8
INCREDIBLE INDIA
By Ivan Macfadyen - Funnelweb
This is how it went… Ivan, (over dinner one night) “I think I
need a holiday.” Rod, (a long time friend) “What are you
thinking?” Ivan, “Maybe a cruise ship holiday.” Rod, “It’s not you,
......... why don’t you join our group of five adventurers?”
And so began my incredible journey through incredible
India, on motor bikes with a goal to get to the top of
Khardungla, the worlds highest rideable pass deep in the
Himalayan Mountains.
Just like sailing to Japan, bite off more than you can
chew, and then just chew like hell and hope for the
best. With no experience at all with riding motor bikes off
road Rod set about loaning me his spare DR 650 (that’s code
for dirt bike for others of you that like me only know
nautical terms) and teaching me the necessary skills that I
would need to keep me alive, in extreme conditions,
including the dreaded altitude sickness, a condition caused
by oxygen deprivation. Training weekends, were rigorous
and most importantly skill building to the point where
controlling the bike was done without conscious thought in
any precarious situation.
Walking out of Delhi
airport, I passed into a different
world, a world of incredible
p o v e r t y , o f e x t r e m e
overcrowding, of touts and
carpet-baggers. A world that
totally assaulted all my senses,
but also a world of incredible
excitement and bustling activity.
To say I was worried after my
first traffic encounter was an
understatement, and this
encounter was only in a taxi to
the hotel. It left me full of fear
and doubt about my ability to
cope, but cope I did with the
help of a few simple rules I
slowly learned. Rules that I
would like to share here with
you as one day you may be
fortunate enough to need them.
RULES (as developed by me for
me)
Rule 1 – Stay Alive
I quickly learned the one simple road rule India has and that
is stay alive as best you can. There is no keep to your side
of the road rule enforced, there is just a road and anyone can
travel on it in any direction, on any side they want at any
time. There are no footpaths so people share the road with
mules, cattle, trucks, horse drawn carts, cars, bicycles and
anything with wheels that can be pushed, pulled or driven by
man or beast. It’s all there including me feeling totally
exposed and very vulnerable to a head on accident with a
truck in the blink of an eye for one moment’s lack of
concentration.
Rule 2 – Don’t Think
When riding a motorbike on a narrow ice and snow covered
rock strewn track up mountains with a fifteen hundred
metre sheer drop on your left and to your right above you an
equally high boulder strewn mountain with extreme
avalanche danger warning sign areas.
JUST DON’T THINK ABOUT IT.
You can’t carry enough underwear on the bike to afford the
luxury of a change every time you think.
Rule 3 - Don’t Look
Stopping to look at buses, trucks and cars that have gone over
the side of cliffs and are just twisted chunks of mangled metal
far below, impossible to recover even if someone wanted to is
not at all good for morale. Where it crashes is where it stays
forever, a monument to the difficulty of life in this barren, steep
boulder strewn alpine desert where not one blade of grass or
weed can survive but some how humans do.
Rule 4 - Be a Wuss
It’s ok if you are struck down by altitude sickness, diarrhea, food
poisoning, falling off the bike or de-gloving and breaking your
leg when a car hits the brakes on top of it after you have
scrapped all the way down the side of a bus meant to carry fifty
people, but with 200 in it including the ones on the roof. Don’t
feel bad as you are airlifted home, or for those of the group with
milder problems just spending the day riding in the 4x4 back-up
vehicle while the Indian paid help rides your bike. It’s OK
Ivan is third from left in photo
Rule 5 - Obey the Military
When you are travelling along the Pakistan border and a sign
says you are under enemy observation, it’s a good idea to do
what they tell you. If you are tempted to flout this rule just
listen to the shelling that is going on every day, sabre rattling is
the term used. It will soon get you back focused on what the
man in the uniform carrying the sub machine gun has instructed
you to do.
Rule 6 - Final and Most Important.
If you ever get the chance then get yourself over there for one
of the most out of this world holiday experiences you could
ever have. India delivered every day something new, something
exciting, something challenging and above all something
to let you know you were alive. Oh and don’t forget to take
heaps of toilet paper, I think there’s something in the water.
8

9
Slocum Spray Society of Australia
Representatives of the SSSA visited NCYC recently to
make a presentation and to take a specific photo. They are
Life Member and Inaugural President David Mann, his wife
Ann, Barry and Lyn Hunt, and their newsletter editor Jeff
Robertson. David presented their club burgee to NCYC
Club Captain Ernie Thirkell. The photo was of the painting
and model of Captain Joshua Sloan’s “Spray” which made
its Australian landfall in Newcastle in 1896 during the first
lone circumnavigation of the world. Our visitors were
delighted for the opportunity to photograph the artist
NCYC’s Mike Eggleston with his works.
Contact SSSA : Jeff 02 4333 1420 sunlitseas@gmail.com
Mike Eggleston (NCYC), Jeff Robertson, NCYC Club Captain
Ernie Thirkell, David & Ann Mann, Lyn & Barry Hunt
ON THE BRIDGE
With Paul McGrath
Problem: South sails into 4S after a very simple and
unrevealing auction. Put yourself in the East seat and
look only at the North and East hands in the deal shown.
West leads the club king. Declarer wins the ace, crosses
to dummy’s trump king and finesses the jack. After
drawing the last trump declarer returns to dummy with
the heart ace and leads North’s singleton diamond. What
defensive tack would you employ in the hopes of
overturning this contract.
NORTH
♠K86
♥A9432
♦7
♣7432
WEST EAST
♠54 ♠Q93
♥QT87 ♥J5
♦K982 ♦A643
♣KQT ♣J865
SOUTH
♠AJT72
♥K6
♦QJT5
♣A9
Solution: p11
A A NINGALOO NINGALOO ADVENTURE
ADVENTURE
in more ways than one
by Larry Curtis
Full moon, a few weeks before Christmas and we were on a
game-fishing trip off the continental shelf 60nm out from
Cairns in about 2,000 or 3,000 m of water, way too deep to
measure with our sounder. The radar was showing birds
working, indicating the Tuna aggregation we had been looking
for.
Excitement soared and we were soon among the thousands of
tuna schooling. We barely had time to register our good fortune
at finding not only the tuna, but a number of enormous Whale
Sharks when both my sons dived overboard amongst them!
Danny and Brad chorused “Come on in old man!” as I tried not
to visualize the horrific possibilities. The sight of my sons
swimming right next to 36 foot long monsters, despite the fact
that they eat only plankton and krill, caused emotions I don’t
have the words to describe. Whale sharks are the largest fish in
the world, growing to upward of 12 metres.
I couldn’t go home without them, so taking a deep breath, I
joined the boys for the most incredible life experience.
Swimming alongside these great fish close enough to touch one
of the legendary giants of the sea and looking through the
crystal water into the abyss was breathtaking.
But it was almost heart stopping to see the massive shadow
materialized out of the blackness below, moving up toward me.
After years of game-fishing, I am aware the tuna aggregation not
only attracts the whale sharks, imagination ran riot. I was sure it
was a huge tiger and began backing off. Indescribable relief—
another whale shark—and the peace settled in my head and
seemed to flow slowly down over my body. I have become one
of the very lucky few to swim with these beautiful creatures.
I had named my boat after Ningaloo Reef in W.A, home to the
Whale Shark where currently a major stretch of the Western
Australian coastline is being put forward as the 18th national
World Heritage site. I had heard stories about Whale Sharks in
the area but never imagined finding them when we did. It would
have been impossible to have any idea of what we were to
experience.” Larry
Photo, information below and many more interesting facts
www.whale-shark.org The Whale Shark - is listed on the
World Conservation Union's Red List of Threatened Animals as
"indeterminate" status. Not enough is even known about the
Whale Shark to call it endangered!!
9

10
WEATHER
WEATHER
WISDOM
WISDOM
with
Martin Babakhan
Thermal Comfort
and Stress
Heat Index or Apparent Temperature
This is one measure of thermal comfort which is
commonly used. It is dependent on the temperature,
relative humidity and wind speed as well as the clothing
worn by a person. Thermal comfort and stress advice for
the community is to drink plenty of water when this
index exceeds 38C.
A table showing the dependence of the Heat Index on
temperature and relative humidity is shown below.
Heat Index Table (degrees C)
Relative Environmental temperature (C)
Humidity
(%)
26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44
10% 25 27 28 30 32 33 35 37 39 41
20% 25 27 28 30 32 34 37 39 42 46
30% 26 27 29 31 33 36 49 43 47 52
40% 26 28 30 32 35 39 43 48 54 60
50% 27 28 31 34 38 43 49 55 62
60% 27 29 33 37 42 48 55 62
70% 27 31 35 40 47 54 62
80% 28 32 38 44 52 61
90% 28 34 41 49 58
100% 28 36 44 56
At an apparent temperature of:
32-40 Heat cramps or heat exhaustion possible
41-54 Heat cramps or heat exhaustion likely
41-55 Heatstroke possible
54-more Heatstroke highly likely
For more information on Lightning
NCYC
www.ncyc.net.au/weather/frequently-asked-questions
Australian Bureau of Meteorology
www.bom.gov.au/info/thunder/#protection
WEATHER PHOTO GALLERY
Photo Gallery 10 – Lightning
Photographer: Peter Hampton Date: December 2009
Location: Off Newcastle
Comments by Martin Babakhan
Lightning is one of the oldest observed natural phenomena on
earth. At the same time, it also is one of the least understood.
While lightning is simply a gigantic spark of static electricity
(the same kind of electricity that sometimes shocks you when
you touch a doorknob).At any given moment, there can be as
many as 2,000 thunderstorms occurring across the globe. This
translates to more than 14.5 MILLION storms each year.
NASA satellite research indicated these storms produce lightning
flashes about 40 times a second worldwide.
In Australia, lightning accounts for 5 to 10 deaths and
well over 100 injuries annually. These figures are likely to
increase with the growing number of retired people engaged in
outdoor, recreational activities such as walking, cycling, golf,
fishing, boating etc. Of the many lightning strike injuries each
year, about 80 result from people using fixed telephones during
thunderstorms when the phone system may become highly
charged near where lightning is striking. Related injuries may
include hearing damage, burns, or even electrocution.
NCYC WEATHER BRIEFING REPORT
FOR ROLEX SYDNEY TO HOBART RACE 2009
by Mary Holley
Meteorology Committee Secretary & “Aurora” Navigator
Somehow during all the chaotic lead up to Christmas our
Honorary .Meteorologist, Martin Babakhan, managed to put
together an excellent weather briefing for our yachts which
were competing in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Martin had compiled a comprehensive analysis and
daily forecast of the sea and wind conditions we were to
expect on our 4 day trip down south. This allowed us to plan
our race well in advance. As usual his forecasts were much
more accurate than could be expected considering the
extremely fickle nature of the weather patterns around that
time.
Thanks Martin for all your effort, it was well worth
attending the briefing.
* Our thanks also to Martin and to ECBS designer Ed Rafacz
for their Christmas Day effort on our behalf. working to
correct a glitch in the program so it would be fully functional
for use by the Sydney to Hobart fleet.
10

11
Story of Newcastle Port
By Reverend Garry Dodd
Reverend Garry Dodd (5th from left) regularly enjoys sailing
with Paul and Tim Gleeson, owners of Summer Salt
Imagine an organisation with 40,000 patrons being told
that in the next decade it will treble! This is the story of the
Port of Newcastle.
The front page of The Herald stated, “Super Port: Era of
Prosperity” (25 July 2009). Already Newcastle is the world’s
biggest exporter of coal and this will increase threefold, not
to mention the ever increasing role of other commodities, the
current redevelopment of the old BHP site for container
shipments, and the new P&O cruise industry starting in 2010.
Newcastle Port is about to explode!
Why is this important? Well, who looks after these
seafarers? Who tries to reach out a hand of friendship in a
foreign port and offer a place of safety? Which organisation
has the sole charter to help all these seafarers when they
come to our beautiful city? We do.
The Anglican Church, under the
umbrella of the Mission to Seafarers
and the Catholic Church, through
Stella Maris (Star of the Sea), are
working together to create the
Newcastle Seafarers Centre. This will
be a place where all seafarers can come
and enjoy Aussie hospitality, have free
access to internet and enjoy
Father Stefan
entertainment and support. The centre
offers free transport to and from the
vessels, as well as counseling, worship
and above all, care for every seafarer who comes through its
doors.
This new service is about to start under the leadership of
Fr Stefan Sapun and Fr Garry Dodd who have joined forces
to make the centre a reality. Using the former Mission to
Seafarers Centre at 96 Hannell Street Wickham, the two
young priests are about to set the shipping industry on fire!
They have a vision of creating a second home for all
seafarers who enter our port of Newcastle and are asking for
assistance from Novocastrians.
The centre presently requires many things to make it
warm and homely, but its greatest need is volunteers. These
will be people prepared to commit time to show warmth and
understanding. They will be ambassadors for Newcastle.
Language is no barrier, all that is required are smiles and
gentle actions – these speak louder than any words!
So when you are looking out on the horizon at night and
admiring our beautiful city on the sea, please remember that
there can be up to a thousand seafarers who are looking at
our lights, desiring to be on solid ground and waiting to
contact loved ones back home.
The Newcastle Seafarers Centre will be a home for these
people, even for just a day. Will you come and make this a
reality with us? 02 4961 5007
OUR PEOPLE
Duty Manager Matt McFarlane
Matt’s career to date has been
remarkably diverse. His hospitality
industry experience began at west
Ryde before coming to Newcastle 10
years ago. He ran his own
entertainment business in Newcastle
for six years, and spent a further two
hosting burlesque shows. All of this
was facilitated by his training and
expertise as a clown, escape artist,
guitarist and dancer. “My 12 year old
son Jacob and I both enjoyed our sail
aboard “Warrain” in a recent
Wednesday twilight race, just as I am enjoying being part of the
NCYC community.” says Matt.
POOCH PARADE
Rockford (named after that
notable vineyard in the
Barossa) and Ruby, having
realised sailing is on the day’s
agenda are difficult to leave
behind. Their owners, well
known NCYC members Kym
Butler and Melinda Ford are
both committed club supporters
in different ways. Mel, involved in the social side frequently
assists with the Friday night raffles as well as being on the roster
for the Social Committee’s Sunday breakfast barbecue.
Kym, owner skipper of “One for the Road”, is a major
sponsor of NCYC with the “Butlers Business and Law round
Lord Howe Island Race” coming up in May. His business is
also a sponsor of our mark laying boat “Wombat”. The 2009
newsletter issues for June and August contained excellent
articles submitted by Kym, “Tax and Sailing” parts I and ll.
These can be accessed at any time via the NCYC website where
our newsletters are archived.
“One for the Road” has been a consistent successful
competitor within club sailing in both PHC Div1 and our IRC
Division. For the past two years Kym has competed in the
Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, with “One for the Road”
giving very creditable performances. Kym was unhappy to miss
our Australia Day Regatta as his yacht was en route from
Hobart.
MEMBERS TIPS - by Vince Neil
For the most effective de-humidification
1. add a small fan to increase air flow which will in turn increase
the amount of moisture the dehumidifier can remove
from the air
2. Set the fan up to create a vortex where possible
3. Make sure all hatches and doors are closed
ON ON THE THE BRIDGE BRIDGE
BRIDGE
With Paul McGrath
Solution to the problem posed on p9: You duck! If you
play your ace you will allow this contract an easy passage.
Your side will score just two diamond tricks and one club
trick. If you go about the diamonds in the recommended
fashion your side will cause the contract to founder – winning
THREE diamond tricks as well as a club.
11

12
The October 2009 issue featured an overview of NCYC Sponsorship.
In December you were introduced to the sponsors of “Wombat”.
We now present NCYC’s
EVENT NAMING RIGHT SPONSORS
REGATTA
Bluetongue Founder’s Day: Parade ; Blessing; Racing
Kloster BMW Australia Day Regatta
NCYC Thrifty Etchell Easter Regatta
RACES
Butlers Business and Law Round Lord Howe Island Race
Club Marine Newcastle to Port Stephens Race
POINTSCORE SERIES
These two series are used to determine the winner of NCYC Major
Trophies in each of our three Divisions of racing, PHS Div 1, PHS Div 2
and IRC
Hempel Yacht Paint Summer Short Ocean Pointscore
Williams River Steel Summer Ocean Pointscore
TWILIGHT SWEEPSTAKE
Travelworld Summer Twilight Sweepstakes
Yellow Door Summer Twilight Pursuit Sweepstakes
Enviropacific Winter Twilight Pursuit Race Series
Events with Naming Right Sponsors may have for each division
separate: Trophy Sponsors for first place and; Prize Sponsors for the
first 3 places. These will be introduced in the April newsletter.
12

13
COMING
EVENTS
Easter—No Bookings
Sailing— Race Weeks
Gamers Motor
Auctions
February 8—14
Club—
Entertainment nightly:
Good Friday April 2
Easter Saturday April 3
Easter Sunday April 4
Williams River Steel
February 22 –2 8
Lady Skipper Day
March 21
Advance Notice
Thrifty Etchell regatta
◊ Fri April 2 to Sunday April 4
Valentine’s Day February 14
Bookings available
Live music 6.00 pm—10.00pm
◊ Social Committee breakfast— 8.30 am to 11am
◊ Take away Bread rolls pre-ordered the day before.
Sail Port Stephens Lead in Races
April 10 2010 RPAYC,
Pittwater to Newcastle
April 11 NCYC
Club Marine Newcastle to Port Stephens
NCYC Kloster Race Week
April 12 to April 18
is also Sail Port Stephens
www.sailportstephens.com.au
Butlers Business and Law Round Lord
Howe Island Race May 9 2010
THE THE THE DOUBLE
DOUBLE
by Tim Vooles
I had hardly slept a wink in the week leading up to my first ride
in a Sydney -Hobart race. Hadn't eaten much either. The bride tells
me I was pretty lousy company all 'round. Anyhow it's lucky the
sea sickness pills I had imported are full of caffeine, as any lethargy
I was experiencing on Boxing Day 2009, quickly left me as the gear
kicked in.
Biggles' mates from the SASC couldn't think of anyone silly
enough to want to work the bow of EZ Street, a Warwick 44
cruiser/racer, so they asked me. After the absolute chaos of a kite
start in a fleet of 100 boats all gunning for the same mark, with a
spinnaker that didn't want to come down, a headsail that didn't want
to go up and 3 gallons of ocean down the back of my neck, all in
the first 20 mins of a 4 or 5 day race, I soon realised how I had so
little trouble getting this ride!
Our driver did a brilliant job avoiding other competitors, whilst
gaining ground to the turning mark, where things began to unravel
on the foredeck. I saw "One For The Road" take a decent whack on
her stern from a Lake Macq entrant but John kept us out of trouble.
Soon enough we had tidied up forward and settled down for the
long haul south.
For reasons none of us can fathom,
EZ Street tacked inshore that first
night and paid dearly as we wallowed
whilst the fleet made steady, if not
spectacular, progress wider out. The
accomplished racer, Quetzalcoatl,
joined us in the doldrums and we
were to see her time and again crossing
our path on track for Hobart. Few
other entrants were sighted until we
closed the Tassie coast 4 days hence.
Coshy managed to re-establish our
internet link that was sorely missed
during the early stages of the race,
which enabled Bruce (owner, navigator,
helmsman, trapeze artist) to find the best of the available breeze
and position EZ Street to take advantage of upcoming weather.
One reason my anxieties had given me so many sleepless nights
was the thought of entering the infamous Bass Strait. This year
'though the conditions were benign to say the least. EZ Street
stopped again and floated in circles off Gabo, with her drifter set.
To have lost sleep worrying about this was frustrating in the extreme.
Eventually with the return of the breeze we made terrific headway
against the fleet and got ourselves back into the race, briefly
leading our division. That’s a pretty good effort from a yacht that
was only ahead of the cruising division early in the race. When the
wind finally clocked NE and kicked up to 25kts EZ Street took off
downhill recording a top speed of 17.7 kts with full main, poled out
#4 headsail and following sea. The Derwent river proves to be a
race in itself as we entered just on dark to see a few stern lights
ahead of us. Looking east from Cape Raoul to Tasman Island, a full
moon spectacularly rose above the lighthouse. This last night was
spent in a fierce tacking duel with those stern lights we had seen on
entering Storm Bay. Rounding up a couple of boats in the process,
that same moon set over Hobart city as we crossed the line just before
dawn and right on the heels of Quetzalcoatl.
After 600 plus ocean miles, that sled still hadn't managed to shake
EZ Street. A sure testament to the experience of her crew of great
mates that boast around 80 Hobarts between them. Congratulations
to clubmates "Tow Truck" on winning their division.
Tim Vooles—Sydney to Hobart first timer To be Continued
Back L to R: Tim Vooles, Bruce Dover, Mick Brennan,
Charles Davis
Front L to R: Dal Wilson ,Tony Purkiss, Trevor Cosh, Peter
Robinson, John Sturrock
13