qcyc issue 13
DESCRIPTION
Cruisin News Autumn 2011TRANSCRIPT
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B2G
buildsexcitement
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is the official publication of
Queensland Cruising Yacht Club Sinbad Street, Shorncliffe QLD 4017
PO Box 399, Sandgate QLD 4017P: 07 3269 4588F: 07 3269 0818
E: [email protected] www.qcyc.com.au
COMMODORE Phillip Lazzarini
“Sassy”
VICE COMMODOREScott Murphy
“Out of Orbit”
REAR COMMODOREPeter Watkins
“Aelous”
TREASURERLawrie Bingham
COMPANY SECRETARYGlen Sommerville
DIRECTORS Gary Head “ Blue Peter”
Peter StubbingtonRussell Menere” Masta Blasta”
CONTENTS
4 Commodore’s Report
4 New Members
6 Floods Working Bee
8 Surf to City
11 63rd Brisbane to Gladstone
12 Up Coming Events
15 Brisbane to Gladstone merchandise
16 The Red Sea
18 Long Reef Part 4
19 Equinox Classic Yacht and Car Rally
20 Christmas Party Photos
21 Sail training
21 Humour Me
22 Directory
23 Brisbane Bar Tide Chart
EDITOR/ADVERTISING Mark Gordon Looking Glass Design & Publications P: 07 5576 5439 M: 0448 159 350 E: [email protected] ART/PRODUCTION Sammy Gordon Looking Glass Design & Publications P: 07 5576 5439 M: 0438 386 930 E: [email protected]
Cruisin News is published quarterly September, December, March and June. The opinions expresses by the authors and contributors of articles in Cruisin News are not necessarily those of Queensland Cruising Yacht Club Inc, nor does Queensland Cruising Yacht Club Inc guarantee the accuracy of statements made by contributors or advertisers or accept any responsibility for any product or statements made herein. Queensland Cruising Yacht Club Inc does not accept liability for advertising material published in Cruisin News which may contravene the Trade Practices Act. Other than for the purpose of review and subject to the Copyright Act, no part of this publication maybe reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of the publisher.
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Cover Picture:Courtesy of Julie Geldardwww.vidpicpro.com
FROM MY DESK
Delays, postponements, sinking’s and floods; to say the weather has been unkind to us so far this year would be an understatement! With the Brisbane to Gladstone and Vintage Regatta just around the corner, I have everything crossed for better conditions.
Whilst I am on the subject of the Brisbane to Gladstone, it is with great pleasure that I can announce our new naming rights partner, QantasLink. Our association with airlines which eventually became known as Qantaslink began way back in 1983 and the continuation of this association between Australia’s well respected Airline and Queensland’s premier offshore ocean race is something we can be very proud of.Look out for the new range of clothing from Gill arriving at the Club in the next few weeks and why not join us for the “Qantaslink Legends of Brisbane to Gladstone pre-race cocktail event” on the 16th April. This year, the event is being held with the support of the Bluewater Festival and indications are that it will be a popular event with both locals and Club members. Tickets are on sale now.
As many of you will know, plans of renovations have been in the pipeline for some years now but the cost, in the end, has always been a factor that has delayed and ultimately terminated plans. With a bit of luck, this trend is now about to turn; for the last few months I have been developing a new three year strategy of progressive improvements that has now been approved by the Executive Committee.
You’re unlikely to see much happening until after the main sailing season is out of the way but, if all goes to plan, work should commence in the later part of 2011.
On a less positive note, it is with regret I have to announce that Leanne has taken the decision to leave the Club. Leanne has been at the Club for over five years and has been a vital part of the team since I turned up on the scene; I have no doubt you will join me in wishing her well. Just as one leaves another returns; Amanda is back in the office on a part time basis so you can still avoid having to talk to me, as long as you call on the right day!
Out in the marina, we have just completed a significant maintenance project on the visitors berth. It was getting to the point that a walk along the walkway was akin to some sort of fairground ride where the floor moves about on you. Our contractors have done an excellent job of solving the issue and replacing all the fendering and cleats.
To close for this edition, an offer you will struggle to refuse! As you will find out later in the magazine, I will shortly be selling the motor from the Club’s rescue boat so if anyone is in the market for a slightly used 90hp 2-stroke Yamaha you know who to call.
Nigel Statham
4 COMMODORE’S REPORT
Notwithstanding the chaos Mother Nature has served up in the last few months, QCYC has faired very well, thanks to a great army of members who turned up after the worst of the king tides had receded. The 60 plus workers who gave of their time and equipment at the working bee to clean up the mess and make the marina a safer place are to be highly commended. Thank you.
Also, a special thanks to the members who assisted with securing items, including club sailing dinghies, in anticipation of the king tide flooding the hardstand, which I am happy to say, did not eventuate.
To our members, their families and friends who did not fair as well, my best wishes go to you.
These same weather conditions have played havoc with many of our events and functions, including one of our signature races, the Surf to City Yacht Race. The race was postponed to a later date due to the floods and the resulting floating debris in the Bay.
That later date then coincided with an offshore gale warning, which forced us, reluctantly but prudently, to cancel the offshore racing divisions. It was at about this time that Nigel, as Race Manager for this event, was heard to say more than once, “there must be an easier way to make a living”.
Congratulations Nigel, and our many club volunteers who made this event a success, even without the offshore divisions. It is always a great feeling when coming back into the marina, usually after a hard slog, to have Judy and Owen Bridgewater give you a happy greeting and grab your lines, a service they and other volunteers perform after all major races for members and guests.
Before I get too ahead of things, I should backtrack to our Christmas Party and Christmas Trophy Race held the weekend before the 25th.
If my memory serves me correctly, it was one of the best festive parties for both the adults and children I remember over past years. Once again many of our volunteers ensured all had a memorable time. The children were entertained giving their parents some time to enjoy themselves. Thanks to all who were involved in a great Club day.
Now, hopefully I am back in some form of chronological order.
Great news for our junior sailing academy, with Gary Head being successful in obtaining a State Government
Grant to purchase additional sailing dinghies and a new motor for our much used rubber ducky. As most of you know, the large rubber duck is used for all senior and junior races, as well as doing the annual trip down to Southport, usually with Peter Stubbington and Max Hill on board, to shadow the inshore fleet home to QCYC.
Nigel is currently compiling information on new 90-100 HP four stroke motors and, when the time comes, will be selling our current engine.
Many thanks to Gary Head, and our local State Member, Vicky Darling for their help in obtaining this grant.
Your Executive Committee has recently made a decision to proceed with a building and grounds improvement plan that will see progressive improvements completed over the next 3 years. This timing will allow Nigel to manage most of the work, and allow us to fund its cost from consolidated revenue, thus ensuring QCYC remains debt free.
After working for over 2 years with the Port of Brisbane Corporation (POBC), Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) and, more recently, The Department of Transport and Main Roads (Transport), I am able to finally announce that our marina master lease with Transport, and the berth holder’s leases have been approved by our new landlord. Most of the berth holder’s leases have now been registered.
Only a handful of berth holder leases remain unsigned and unregistered, and I would strongly urge these members to return their leases, sent in May last year, to our lawyer and pay the legal costs and statutory charges urgently, as we will shortly be closing off this matter.
As many of you will have noticed, Nigel has worked hard to attract new events to the Club that offer a wider audience and participant appeal. One such event, recently held over two days was the Classic Boat and Car Festival.
The weather was, in keeping with recent patterns, very unkind to us. The event, however, attracted a healthy selection of both cars and boats and a good crowd to the Club, with all enjoying the jazz, the food, and the beautiful classic cars and boats. Nigel and I had great feedback from the principal organizers and we are confident that this weekend will become a very successful regular event on our calendar.
Finally, our principal signature event, the QantasLink Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht race is, once again, being
NEW MEMBERS
We would like to extend a very special QCYC WELCOME
to our most recent new members.
Welcome Aboard, and please remember that the office and all members are always ready and willing to assist you with any request or
assistance.
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Paul NugentCordie Nugent
Willem BosschieterJames BoxPhilip CannSteve MazlinKatie Kaiser
Chris WheatleyTodd Kleinschafer
Roger AllenGeorgie Adams
Liam Chan
very professionally managed by Life Member, and past Commodore Herb Prendergast. Herb has been talking to all eligible yacht owners over the last few months, and expects around 50 starters, including some southern flyers, to line up for the 308 nautical mile run to Gladstone on Good Friday, the 22nd of April. The start time has been put back an hour to midday, due to a later than usual high tide.
Herb and I, together with Nigel, recently had the pleasure of traveling to Gladstone to meet the new Gladstone Mayor, Gail Sellers. I am very happy to confirm all arrangements at that end are well in hand. To give you an idea of the logistics involved in Gladstone, some 60 people are involved directly in the Race organisation, including The Gladstone Regional Council, Port Curtis Yacht Club, VMR, SES, The Port Authority, The Marina and The Water Police. All attended the meeting in Gladstone which was professionally managed by Port Curtis Yacht Club Commodore, Tony Craner.
Our state Governor and Patron, Ms Penelope Wensley AO has also accepted our invitation to fire the gun for this year’s race start.
Until next time, safe boating, and many thanks to all our members who contribute to QCYC’s success.
Commodore Philip Lazzarini
6 FLOODS WORKING BEE
Marina Flood Cleanup draws many members
The recent Queensland Floods served notice to all of the potential destructive nature of our environment. The Club Marina and Grounds were not exempt from damage and debris. A few days after the floods subsided, a call was made to all Club members to help out where they could with a working bee. We had about 65 people turn up and managed to complete the job in just two hours.
Brendan McKenna and his heavy machinery was the secret plus the effort everyone put in with their own tools. A huge thank you to all the members who came down to the Club and helped. In addition to the Club members, we also had help from members of Moreton Bay Yacht Club and Moreton Bay Boat Club. Victoria Newton came down and spoke with a lot of the volunteers.
Congratulations to all involved on a job well done!
To list your boat or buy a new one,
simply give
a call on
3348 3177
EuanEuan
Or email: [email protected] email: [email protected]
australiawidemanly • newport www.australiawide.com
Now atEast Coast Marina
Euan Manly Advert. 14/9/05 9:01 PM Page 1
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Photos by Julie Geldard - Vid Pic Promotions & centre photo by Sandra Clarkin
The Officials of Queensland Cruising Yacht Club, at Shorncliffe in Brisbane, deserve the prizes for finally running a successful 2011 Surf to City Yacht Race on 5 March 2011. Fears of collision with flood driven debris (boats, restaurants, pontoons, water tanks, logs, gas cylinders…) sensibly delayed the event from late January. You would have thought Mother Nature would smile on race director Nigel Statham after all the work he had put in to making this the best ever with nearly 100 nominations. But no, a gale warning due to a compressed weather system forced the cancellation of the offshore fleet who were keen to get some crew training hours up for the upcoming series of long passage races and the Brisbane to Gladstone race.This unique event usually has an offshore and inshore fleet going north outside (and inside) South and North Stradbroke Islands, and Moreton Islands, from Southport to Sandgate. This year the big deep draft monohulls missed out altogether, although there was a suggestion that the biggest boat in the fleet, BlackJack, could have kept her keel canted throughout the race to slip over the 2 metre shallows in the race that we affectionately call the ‘drain run’. Most of the offshore multihulls did join the inshore race, adding to the spectacle when some of the 45 by 30 foot boats were trying to squeeze past the earlier starting monohulls in the confines of Jacobs Well and Stieglitz channel.
Special mention goes to Mike Hodges on Renaissance who ordered the crew into the mud to lift 8 tonnes of catamaran backwards from west of Russell Island. The breeze inshore started with 10-15 knots from the south and built during the day to many bullets of 35 with highest measured being 41 knots. The excitement built as the race progressed. There were plenty of groundings, broken rudders and keels, masts down, blown sails, capsizes, with the worst sadly resulting in Steve North’s well-campaigned RL 24 Go For It still out there after the crew abandoned their sinking boat out in the open bay.
The winners get the usual gongs, but standout performances were from:
- The Ben Leigh-Smith driven Vivace taking out the monohull course record.
- The little Blazer Still Crazy that beat Vivace on corrected time, always seemingly under spinnaker.
- Peter Kerr pushing his gorgeous 1962 Tasman Seabird Pagan all the way under kite in a display of power-sailing that would make every long-haired skiffy proud. These guys even ran a blooper early in the race, even though some of the crew were not born when these sails were last used.
- Joel Berg and the boys on AYS Raider showing how fast a cat can run, and nearly cracking the course record.
The WinnersDiv3 PHRF Jessandra, Roland DaneDiv 2 PHRF Still C razy, Peter LaheySMS Div PHRF Stage 3, Michael PittRL 24 Dipsomaniac, Rohan LittleInshore B Monohull Pagan, Peter KerrInshore Multihull OMR AYS Raider, Joel BergInshore Multihull PHRF Fritz the Cat, Martin ArrowsmithInshore B Multihull OMR Rhythmic, Phil DayInshore B Multihull PHRF Rhythmic, Phil Day
Full Results at http://www.surf2city.com.au
SURF TO CITY Article by Peter Hackett
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photos courtesy of videopro.com.au
THANKS FROM RACE DIRECTOR
I would like to devote a special mention to our important sponsors. Without their generous support we would be unable to successfully host events of this type.
Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following volunteers who consistently give of their time and considerable experience to ensure our races run safely and smoothly. Karen Somerville, Herb Prendergrast and the Finish boat crew on West Moon, Ian and Jann Gidlow on Risky Business, Brian and Cheryl Richards on Spectrum, David Hann on Flying Fish, Stubby and Max on QCYC1, the Radio Room team and in particualar Bruce Illman and Kevin O’Donnell, The Marina Marshells, Bob Chapman (VMR), Ed Hawkes (Seaway tower) and all the team at SYC. My sincere thanks go to all these dedicated people.
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Her Excellency, the Governor of Queensland Ms Penelope Wensley AC, has accepted the Commodore’s invitation to get the fleet underway with the Warning Signal scheduled for 1155hrs on 22 April 2011. The start is a little later than usual because of a 1.73 metre high tide predicted for 1231hrs.
Interest in the race is very high this year given the trauma many people have been put through recently with over 50 yachts registered to face the Starter by mid March.
Geographically they represent Melbourne to Yeppoon. Marcus Blackmore makes a return to his home state with his TP52 Hooligan. Ray Roberts, former two times winner, is negotiating to charter a yacht and Jim Cooney’s Brindabella is making her first appearance with the B2G fleet.
Peter Harburg’s Black Jack is also looking for a third consecutive Line Honours victory and Bruce Absolon’s Spirit of the Maid to improve on their 2nd placing last year.
Stewart Lewis’s entry of Ocean Affinity, a Marten 49, will be making her first B2G appearance after Line Honours victories in the 2009 and 2010 Lord Howe Island races and a 1st on IRC in the 2010 Passage Airlie race.
A list of all the yachts are available on the race website www.brisbanetogladstone.com.au
When you look at the tidal range for Good Friday you would swear a mistake has been made with the timing of Easter this year and given the shoaling that has occurred in the Entrance Channel on the Lead Beacons. Exiting the creek with a deep draft boat will be a bit tricky if the Government Department responsible for maintaining our waterway does not clear it before Easter.
Be sure to join us for the “The QantasLink Legends of Brisbane to Gladstone” Pre-race Cocktail Party on Saturday 16th April @ QCYC from 1830hrs.
For the last 3 years this party has been a lot of fun with many former crew mates catching up to discuss former achievements, future ambitions, misdemeanors and of course to meet the younger generation now involved with our great sport.
Peter Harburg (Black Jack) as guest speaker last year gave us an interesting insight into how he became involved in sailing and surprised a lot of us with stories of one of his other passion, motor racing, even bringing along one of Jack Brabham’s former cars which Peter still owns and races.
At the time of going to press we are still looking for a guest speaker this year. If you have someone in mind, please give me a call on 0428 190 483.
More information is available elsewhere in this edition and tickets can be purchased from the office in person, by phone on 3269 4588.
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B W
QANTASLINK BRISBANE TO GLADSTONE
QANT
ASLI
NKBR
ISBA
NE TO
GLAD
STON
E Friday 22nd April 2011With racing action scheduled to commence at 12 noon, be sure to join us for a great ocean racing spectacle. With up to 60 yachts on the water, treat yourself to all the drama and action at the start of the one of Australia’s premier yachting events.
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The annual Bluewater Festival is once again shaping up to be a highlight on the events calendar. Commencing during Easter week with main events starting on Saturday 16th April, the festival continues right through until Sunday 24th April. Brimming with talent from all corners of the region, the 2011 festival will showcase a diverse range of music, performing arts and unique creativity. The highlight of the festival is Good Friday's start to the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race at 12:00pm, from Moreton Bay, just off shore of the Shorncliffe Pier.
In the lead-up, patrons can enjoy a variety of events including the Brisbane to Gladstone Pre-Race Party, Victoria Newton’s Moonlight Theatre, and The Bluewater Art Exhibition. The major festival events are in Lower Moora Park at Shorncliffe and will include a huge fireworks display, live entertainment, markets, food stalls and rides. Attracting close to 10,000 people throughout the duration of the festival, the event provides an excellent opportunity for artists to showcase their talents to wide and diverse audience. We look forward to seeing you there!
UP COMING EVENTS
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QCYC’s New Fishing Club:Check on website for upcoming fishing competitions
www.qcyc.com.au
SA
ILIN
GC
ALE
ND
ER
SAUS
AGE
SIZZ
LESaturday 11th to Monday 13th June 2011
Live entertainment every night
FREE FOR MEMBERS
VINT
AGE
YACH
T RE
GATT
A
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Every Saturday 12pm -1pm (Excluding long weekends and Cruise in Company weekends.)Take time out from the weekend grind and pop in for a well earned break with the whole family.
*Anyone who is interested in volunteering and have their name added to the “2011 Cooking Roster” please contact the office.
APRI
L
RACE DATE EVENTYA SAFETYCATEGORY
JUN
E
Sat 11th / Mon 13th VINTAGE YACHT REGATTA
Saturday 3rd KEN O’BRIEN MEMORIAL RACESaturday 9th & Sunday 10th GILL SHORT COURSE SERIES Saturday 16th LIFE MEMBERS RACE Friday 22nd BRISBANE TO GLADSTONE
5552
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MAR
INE
RADI
O
CO
UR
SE
A one day course covering marine radios ending in a MROCP certificate of proficiency.$180per person.Date to be organised.Dependent on a minimum number.Register your interest with the office.
COM
BINE
D CL
UBS
Saturday Evening 14th MayJoin the party when the combined Yacht Clubs visit Cabbage Tree Creek
FISH
ING
CO
MPET
ITION
S
FUNC
TION
S Our two function rooms, both with great views of the marina, are fantastic venues for hosting your special function. Whether it’s birthdays, corporate conferences or weddings, we cover it all. Call the office on 32694588 for more information
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Queensland Cruising Yacht Club (QCYC), in conjunction with OAMPS Insurance Brokers, is proud to announce a new valuable member benefit.
By using OAMPS, QCYC members can now purchase an enhanced pleasurecraft insurance policy at little or no extra cost and be represented by a professional marine insurance broker.
QCYC will receive a benefit in the way of cash for each policy purchased for the replacement of club assets and funding special events.
Pleasurecraft insurance benefits include:-• AgreedValue
• 10YearsreplacementforMechanicalandElectrical
• IncreasedPersonalEffectCover
• IncreasedFishing,WaterSki&DivingGear(incTools)
• MarinaBerthLiability
Help yourself and your club too
Closer to clientsCloser to communities
07 3367 [email protected]
oamps.com.au
Forfurtherinformation,pleasecontactSteveMahaffeyandmentionyouareamemberoftheClub.
Help yourselfand your club too
Queensland Cruising Yacht Club (QCYC), inconjunction with OAMPS Insurance Brokers, is proud to announce a new valuable member benefit.
By using OAMPS, QCYC members can now purchase an enhanced pleasure craft insurance policy at little or no extra cost and be represented by a professional marine insurance broker.
QCYC will receive a benefit in the way of cash for each policy purchased for the replacement of club assets and funding special events.
Pleasurecraft insurance benefits include:-
• Agreed Value
• 10 Years replacement for Mechanical and Electrical
• Increased Personal Effect Cover
• Increased Fishing, WaterSki & Diving Gear (inc Tools)
• Marina Berth Liability
Queensland Cruising Yacht Club (QCYC), in conjunction with OAMPS Insurance Brokers, is proud to announce a new valuable member benefit.
By using OAMPS, QCYC members can now purchase an enhanced pleasurecraft insurance policy at little or no extra cost and be represented by a professional marine insurance broker.
QCYC will receive a benefit in the way of cash for each policy purchased for the replacement of club assets and funding special events.
Pleasurecraft insurance benefits include:-• AgreedValue
• 10YearsreplacementforMechanicalandElectrical
• IncreasedPersonalEffectCover
• IncreasedFishing,WaterSki&DivingGear(incTools)
• MarinaBerthLiability
Help yourself and your club too
Closer to clientsCloser to communities
07 3367 [email protected]
oamps.com.au
Forfurtherinformation,pleasecontactSteveMahaffeyandmentionyouareamemberoftheClub.
For further information, please contact Steve Mahaffey and mention you are a member of the Club.
07 3367 [email protected]
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QantasLinkBrisbane to Gladstone
Merchandise2011
”Commemorative 63rd running of the Brisbane to Gladstone t-shirt”
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16 THE RED SEA - Story by Malcolm “Fred” Robb
We anchored quite a way off our next rendezvous, Port Sudan, which is situated half way down the western coast of the Red sea. We were inside the reef but the water was deep, approximately 30m and so clear, we could see the chain and anchor on the bottom, with all the fish swimming around. The sea was such a lovely blue, just like a swimming pool, so we had to go for a swim, what an adventure! The motor lifeboat was swung out loaded with beer, fishing gear, bait, more beer and off we went to the reef. We anchored the lifeboat close to the reef and leapt over the side. The water was glorious, a cool 33-34degC (it was 40-45degC in the shade), bliss! We took turns with a couple of face masks and snorkels, swimming in and out of the reef coral heads. The variety and colouring of the fish was unbelievable. We were surrounded by huge shoals of them all wanting to come up and bump our face masks. I had never seen anything like it, even on the TV - black and white David Attenborough had nothing on this (1965 don‘t forget). After frolicking about and feeling knackered, we decided to have a go at fishing and in preparation threw some meat over the side as ground bait. Within 30 seconds the water was a threshing, bubbling turmoil as Barracuda fought for the meat. Holy Moly! I had been swimming there a minute ago. These fish were about 400mm long but 200mm of that was all razor sharp teeth, ripping and tearing the meat to shreds. We were all very subdued for a while, and had another beer or three, deciding we would not go in the water there again, ever.
The Town of Port Sudan seemed to consist mainly of flat roofed mud brick buildings. There were a few European style buildings around but not many. The place was just drab and dreary, with very little vegetation.
But this was more than compensated for by the people themselves. There is only one word to describe them and that is ‘magnificent’. My first sight of the locals was of the cargo gangs as they came on board. Outwardly they were
like the buildings, drab and dreary. All poorly dressed in the same style of clothes, either a voluminous kaftan or loose shirt and pants made from a coarse cotton all the same colour dark beige or very light brown (this may be the colour of the raw cotton). This was not just a working uniform, but the standard dress as worn by all the natives throughout the town. Some of the guys wore sandals, some not, but they all had huge feet which was understandable when you considered their amazing stature. They stood ramrod straight. Large men but slim with not an ounce
of fat on them, all sinew and muscle and so tall. A small man was six foot, but his height was further increased by his hair which was like a dense ball of crinkly wire positioned like a halo around the top of his skull. This ball of hair could be quite large in diameter thus increasing their height dramatically, some were over seven foot. The denseness of the hair was apparently accentuated by a judicious application of camel dung as ’conditioner and gel’. Poking through this cranial ball were usually one or two long thin white bones, which they pulled out and used to adjust their hair when I suppose the ‘conditioner’ was particularly ’active’. Quite a few of the men had these long thin bones through their noses as
well, which along with tribal scars helped to make their overall appearance quite fearsome. To top it all, these were the blackest people I have ever seen, their skin was not coloured, it was actually black and in fact in certain lights took on a blueish hue.
These people are fearsome warriors and earned a fine reputation when they fought the British in the late 19th century. Because of their appearance the British soldiers called them ‘Fuzzy-Wuzzies’ a name which stuck for quite a while. I don’t think it was meant derogatively, as the natives were admired by the soldiers. Unfortunately in my limited travels around the town I did not see any women, but I figured they would be just as striking as the men.
Leaving Port Sudan the Chakdara headed south, it only took a day or so to reach Aden, where we anchored in the ‘roads’ off Steamer Point. The port was busy with many ships at anchor, a P&O liner and quite a few Royal Navy ships were present as well. Aden was still a British colony and garrison town, but was going through an unsettled time, as local guerrillas were very active in pursuit of independence .
We only had a short stay there, long enough for the Chief to load some Bunker fuel. I was chafing at the bit to get ashore here, as Aden was my first ‘Duty Free’ port and my hard earned ‘dosh’ was burning a hole in my pocket. I went ashore with the two deck cadets Taffy Evans and Tony Bennet. They were both final year cadets of about my age, but had been at sea for more than three years, so they knew the ropes.
The ship was surrounded by ‘bum boat taxis’ so it was easy to hail one and get a ride ashore to the main landing stage, a famous set of steps whose name I have forgotten. The big attraction of Aden was of course the shopping. It was ‘THE place’ in those days to buy watches, cameras, any sort of sound equipment and exotic stuff for the ladies. I wanted to buy a camera, so the guys led me to the bazaar and their favourite shopkeepers. That was something I learnt from the lads, no matter where in the world or for what type of goods you were shopping, you haggled like hell between various shopkeepers to get a bargain basement price for your first major purchase. Once the deal had been made, that vendor becomes your favoured ‘factor’ and in the future you deal with him first before considering any competitor.
We wandered through the streets looking at all the shops and enjoying the hustle and bustle. The locals here were of course different to the Sudanese as they were mainly Arabs with long flowing robes and the women in Purdah with only their eyes visible, very mysterious. But after Port Sudan, the streets and people were extremely colourful. The scene was somewhat spoilt by the armed British soldiers on all the street corners and mobile patrols in Land Rovers frequently passed us. I was
introduced to the art of haggling and after much to-ing and fro-ing bought my camera, a German Voigtlander for the princely sum of 7 Pounds 10 Shillings. In the days before ‘Japan’ and then ‘China’, Germany made the best lenses, cameras etc. To buy a Voigtlander was something special, even if it was the cheapest mass produced bottom of the line model. Taffy and Tony also made a few purchases and we started meandering back to the wharf. Suddenly there was a great explosion, everybody dropped to the ground, except Tony, Taffy and I, who stood there in the middle of the street, holding our parcels like shags on a rock. There were sirens wailing and soldiers running everywhere. We rounded the corner to the main drag, where we saw the obvious results of a bomb. Bodies strewn over the road and blood everywhere. Not a pretty sight for a naïve young bloke like me.
Out of the Red Sea we headed east, passing Cape Gardafui the easternmost tip of Africa (Somalia) and out into the azure blue Indian Ocean. We settled down to the routine of a deep sea passage when one day seems very much like the rest. It could become quite boring but I was still in the learning and novelty stage, lapping it all up. A few days later we passed Minicoi, a small island that acts as a marker on the route to the southern tip of India and then on to Colombo. Using Minicoi as a guide, we go to the north of the shallow waters surrounding the Maldives. On the way I saw ’Flying Fish’ for the first time and even picked up the odd one on deck. They are slim silvery fish about 200mm long which use the ships bow wave or wash to launch themselves into the air. Speed is important too, they sparkle and glisten as they reach ’launch speed’ just below the surface and shimmer as they fly, almost too fast to see just above the waves. Sometimes they bounce off wave crests to give themselves extra impetus, their little wings going so fast they are translucent with a rainbow sheen. I have never solved the mystery though, of how they get up on to the ships deck (at least 4m above sea level).
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18 LONG REEF VOYAGE HOME - Part 4- FinalStory By Guy Badgery Continued from Cruisin’ News Summer 2010
We were now down to 1 engine to begin the leg to Munda, the capital of the New Georgia Group. A narrow steep sided coral passage, almost like a jungle river, took us through to wider waters. We used a reproduction map from a cruising guide which was scarce on detail! It was only by following local open outboard boats that we were able to spot the channel. Eventually, lost for any markers, the water turned rapidly from green to brown. We quickly realised that we were about to hit the coral -and so we did. The starboard dagger board crunched onto an outcrop but thankfully across we went, the hull clearing it by a whisker. Having had this fright we headed far out and picked up the old ship channel which led us into the sheltered water off Munda. Way to seaward a line of breaking water was visible on the outer reef where the Munda Bar was supposed to give a reasonably safe passage to the Coral Sea.
Once we were anchored off the only hotel in Munda, I dived below to find out why the prop had come off the sail drive; the spline had cracked off at the lock nut. To my dismay I saw that the other prop was about to go as well so any further use of the port engine would have to be only in forward gear in the hope the prop would remain on the shaft. Any thought of putting on new props in the ill-equipped town was pie in the sky. My only option was to risk the crossing to Bundaberg with one engine and a prop about to come off. The owner of the hotel very kindly leant us his number one boat handler, Billy, to guide us out to the Munda bar on the 13th of June. We glided under sail over the bar mid-morning with around 2 meters to spare below the hulls, the coral clear below and breakers well to our sides. The weather was good but intuitively I knew it would not last.
Our weather forecasts had largely been provided by Paul Croft, another flying mate living in Perth. He would summarise the forecast and email it through onto my onboard computer. Data links through Iridium proved extremely fragile. I had paid a considerable amount for the Global Marine Networks (GMN) X-Gate programme and spent many hours trying to get it operational but I achieved only one successful download. Getting the download to work through the AST mail server was also difficult, requiring hours of telephone calls to get the interface working with Windows Vista. Weather could also be obtained at this stage through HF radio by the Australian Marine broadcasts from VMW and VMC. I found these broadcasts were read with so rapidly that I would lose track of the vital forecast.
Having made some good easting, the wind turned against us and after 4 days Long Reef was some 30 miles west of the Rhumb Line to Bundaberg. The seas had been getting progressively steeper and gusts to 35kts were regular. On the 17th June I had Matt bring up the sea anchor
paraphernalia into the saloon. There was no moon, steep seas and we were now into a small ships weather warning area so with some light left we all agreed it was time to park the boat. It took some time to rig the bridle back to the cockpit and ensure the parachute and lines were all attached in sequence for deployment. I had never deployed a sea anchor before. Ours was wonderful. It held the bow to the sea and the motion became predictable. The enormous stretch of the rope cushioned the impact of waves.
During the entire voyage and particularly now Matt kept morale up. He is a trained chef and no matter what the conditions he would pin himself in the galley and produce two hot meals every day, his specialty being Italian food.
We kept the watch system going and white flares at the ready during the hove-to period for fear of shipping appearing out of the gloom and not being able to manoeuvre ourselves. We lay to the para for two days and retrieved it as the weather abated on the 19th June and resumed course for Bundy having actually gained some miles back toward track due to the sea current. Our passengers, a couple of albatross who had perched with us during the poor weather, now stayed with us for a while, still trying to land on the bimini or the cross tree but with the apparent wind now being close hauled, they could not get enough runway into the wind to land successfully and would touch down, slide and take off again with much squawking.
I had given the statutory 96 hours notice of our impending arrival to the Australian Customs Department who were very helpful in passing our information to Bundaberg. On arrival on the 25 June at Bundaberg Port Marina, Customs Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) politely and courteously handled our formalities. In my opinion the combined duty and GST deemed payable on Long Reef was excessive considering I had already owned and lived on the boat for nine years.
Several days were spent in the graceful town of Bundaberg. It was an interesting navigation exercise the 9 miles up-stream to where I had booked into the only remaining Bundaberg Slipways. The river is so silted that even a catamaran has to wait for a high tide to slip. Two new propellers were fitted and a few minor repairs completed. The boat would not float off the chocks and the next high tide was one month away. Drastic measures were called for. A dual pulley system hauled the boat off backwards so with a slew and a thump it floated and we spent the rest of the night navigating back down the river to the Port Marina. It was so good to have two engines again. Conversations with locals at the RSL convinced us to take the Great Sandy Strait toward Brisbane but our enthusiasm waned the bigger the stories got about crossing the Wide Bay Bar.
19
19
19
The Bundaberg fairway was cleared at 1100 on Tuesday the 11th July. The light breeze was enough for us to make Burrum Heads that evening. The next day saw us on the tail end of the few yachts in Gary’s Anchorage close to the exit over the bar. Some fishing and a walk ashore was pleasant enough though I was certainly surprised to see the crocodile warning sign ashore. Those notices seemed to make the Sandy Straits less of a fun place.
The Wide Bay Bar was considered quite navigable by the radio chatter so I obtained the latest channel coordinates from VMR Tin Can Bay. The SW wind was kicking up quite a slop against the incoming tide making conditions look rugged rather than dangerous, nevertheless, it was good to see other yachts arriving. It was a freezing sail down the coast to Morton Bay. Being late at night and blowing a stiff 25-30kts when we arrived, the main shipping channel was my only real option because of my lack of local knowledge
about passing along the coast of Bribie Island. Our shallow draft meant we could scoot to one side should a larger ship confront us. GPS was handy but the stop watch was even better to confirm the lights as we navigated with the Beacon to Beacon publication. Unfortunately, it let me down with the final turn abeam Bulwer wrecks as it seemed there were two additional lights ahead not shown in the book. I then elected to make an early turn parallel to the coast. It was now blowing a cold 35kts straight from the south and the usual Morton Bay chop prevailed so it was diesel power for us. This early turn quickly put us into the Pearl Channel. After the all night sail from Wide Bay, we hove-to off Scarborough to tidy up for our final midday arrival at the QCYC after three months at sea.
It was a beautiful day to arrive home to a champagne welcome by my wife Trish and neighbours and friends.
EQUINOX CLASSIC YACHT & CAR RALLYIt appears that every event at the Club in 2011 is spoilt by the weather. The inaugural Equinox Classic Yacht and Car Rally was, unfortunately, no exception. Despite the constant rain, the Club played host to a dozen visiting Classic Yachts over the weekend.
The weekend kicked off with a pursuit race on the Saturday with each boat being given its own start time and, theoretically at least, all of them finishing in a dead heat. Obviously the best laid plans rarely work out. QCYC boats achieved a clean sweep of the placed positions. First place went to Roger Allen in Wee Barkie. Tim Cassidy in his newly acquired yacht took second and the Walkers took third in Tequila.
Not content with winning the race, Roger then proceeded to win the race to the bar whilst the rest of the fleet trailed a new version of the old classic, ‘First one to go aground is buying’. Official results were never published for this event but the Club rescue boat was certainly kept busy for a couple of hours.
Sunday was festival day but someone had obviously forgotten to tell the weather. No matter, the show went on for jazz group Mettaphor who played to a surprisingly large crowd. A dozen cars, mainly from the Sunshine Coast MG Club, turned up for lunch and the marina look positively busy with both members and non members admiring the yachts. Unsurprisingly, the beautiful Balamara, which was featured in a previous edition of Cruisin News, won her owner John Richardson the best presented yacht award ahead of Peter Kerr’s Pagan.
The Club’s Vintage Regatta in June is the biggest annual classic yacht event in Brisbane. The Classic Rally is intended to compliment the Regatta and early indications are very encouraging despite the weather. There had been reports of up to forty cars turning up on Sunday; a bit of sun in 2012 and these reports are likely to become reality.
Article by Nigel Statham
20 CHRITMAS PARTY
Thanks to all those who made the day a sucess, in particualar Judy Bridgewater and Clem Collins.
21
HUMOUR ME
SAIL TRAINING Article by Gary Head
A mobo-er meets an old salt in a bar, and they take turns recounting their adventures at sea. Noting the aging skipper’s peg-leg, hook, and eye patch The mobo-er asks “So, how did you end up with the peg-leg?” The raggie replies “We were caught in a huge storm off the cape and a giant wave swept me overboard. Just as me crew were pullin’ me out a school of sharks appeared and one of ‘em bit me leg off”. “Blimey!” said the mobo-er. “What about the hook”?
“Ahhhh...”, mused the old salt, “We were in a bar in Casablanca and a little disagreement ensued over a woman. In the fracas me hand got chopped off.” “Blimey!” remarked the mobo-er. “And how about the eye patch”? “A seagull droppin’ fell into me eye”, answered the abashed raggie.“You lost your eye to a seagull dropping?” the questioner asked incredulously. “Well...” said the old salt - “ it was me first day with the HOOK!”
It has been a disappointing start to 2011 with the floods making Cabbage Tree Creek health and saftey risk. I had no alternative as the responsible person to call off all Dinghy activities until I have the all clear from the powers that be. I hope everyone understood my predicament.On a better note it is not all bad we have Russel Menere back on board. Russel and Kevin Appleton were responsible for restarting the QCYC Sail Training program some 7 years ago. Welcome back Russel. We have been successful with a grant application from the Community Gambling Benefit Fund. This will let us repower the large RIB safety boat with a new motor, which when you think that the motor is over 15 years old it is badly needed and will be welcomed I am sure by Sail Training /Sailablity / and the racing side of the club. We were also granted money to buy 3 Laser dinghies. The Laser Association is very keen to have Lasers sailing out of the club and are offering some additional training.
I would love to get a Laser Squad going, with members actively engaged in volunteering with the Sail Training with the vagabonds and on the Junior days with the Sabots. Once the squad member gets the hang of it I would like to encourage them to buy their own Laser to grow the squad.I have heard and being asked over the years “ok I have done 8 session with sail training where to now?’ And my answer has been,” if you feel up to it buy a dinghy or a modest trailer sailor”. Now I will be saying, “can you skipper a vagabond with just beginners as crew?” If so, join the Laser squad or join the Corsair group who have 2 Corsairs that are working and race with the SYC that have races just out the front of the Creek. If you want to be part of this, please feel free to contact me.Once the Juniors have mastered the Sabots in all conditions, age permitting, we will be encouraging then to join the Laser squad. Please note! I am always looking for volunteers to help with the Juniors in the Sabots if you would like to help please contact me.
22 DIRECTORY
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0321 0.610848 1.811500 0.382129 2.43
0238 2.220926 0.501538 1.892134 0.71
0459 0.461024 1.811618 0.352253 2.53
0354 1.741035 0.601715 1.922322 0.93
0403 0.580928 1.801537 0.372207 2.46
0339 2.131023 0.451648 2.022252 0.72
0541 0.491108 1.791658 0.422332 2.45
0458 1.691129 0.561811 2.04
0444 0.571009 1.791614 0.382246 2.47
0444 2.041120 0.391753 2.18
0621 0.53 1151 1.771736 0.50
0030 0.850558 1.671220 0.501901 2.17
0525 0.571052 1.791653 0.412326 2.46
0009 0.470548 1.961217 0.351854 2.34
0010 2.340657 0.571232 1.761816 0.61
0127 0.750652 1.681308 0.441945 2.29
0607 0.581138 1.781734 0.45
0121 0.600651 1.901313 0.311949 2.47
0046 2.220733 0.601316 1.741859 0.72
0217 0.470741 1.711353 0.392028 2.38
0007 2.430652 0.581228 1.771821 0.52
0224 0.530751 1.861404 0.292040 2.55
0124 2.100811 0.621406 1.741949 0.83
0303 0.600827 1.751436 0.342109 2.45
0052 2.380739 0.571324 1.771916 0.59
0321 0.470846 1.841452 0.282127 2.59
0206 1.970854 0.621505 1.762051 0.92
0142 2.310831 0.541428 1.812020 0.67
0412 0.450937 1.821536 0.302211 2.58
0255 1.840943 0.621610 1.822205 0.96
NEW MOON FULL MOON LAST QUARTERFIRST QUARTER
Tide Times provided courtesy of Maritime Safety Queensland. For more information, see the Official Tide Tables and Boating Safety Guide published by the Maritime Safety Queensland and the World Wide Web at htt://www.msq.qld.gov.au/qldtides.
The tidal predictions for the Brisbane Bar are supplied by the National Tidal Centre Bureau of Meteorology, copyright reserved.
LAT27o 22’S LONG 153o 10ETIMES AND HEIGHTS OF HIGH AND LOW WATERS TIME ZONE - 1000
TIDE CHARTS - BRISBANE BAR
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 SU MO TU WE TH FR SA SU
MO TU WE TH FR SA SU MO
TU WE TH FR SA SU MO TU
WE TH FR SA SU MO TU
MAY 20110222 0.630808 1.991427 0.432041 2.28
0107 2.280752 0.711331 1.661924 0.67
0328 0.420900 2.011514 0.242141 2.63
0303 1.991000 0.691606 1.722148 0.93
0302 0.590842 1.961458 0.402116 2.35
0203 2.240855 0.691443 1.682034 0.71
0421 0.410950 1.941555 0.272227 2.63
0401 1.911050 0.651710 1.832303 0.92
0340 0.580917 1.921530 0.392150 2.39
0307 2.210959 0.621602 1.772154 0.72
0511 0.441038 1.861636 0.332312 2.58
0500 1.871139 0.591804 1.96
0418 0.580950 1.881602 0.402225 2.40
0413 2.201101 0.531713 1.932312 0.67
0600 0.501126 1.791716 0.422355 2.48
0009 0.860555 1.851224 0.531850 2.10
0455 0.601025 1.831634 0.432301 2.39
0518 2.191200 0.431816 2.12
0647 0.571214 1.731758 0.53
0105 0.780643 1.831306 0.471932 2.22
0532 0.631103 1.781708 0.472339 2.36
0025 0.600618 2.181254 0.351912 2.30
0039 2.360734 0.641303 1.681841 0.66
0154 0.710728 1.821345 0.432013 2.31
0612 0.671144 1.731744 0.53
0132 0.520714 2.141344 0.282004 2.46
0123 2.230821 0.681357 1.651932 0.78
0239 0.650809 1.811423 0.392051 2.38
0020 2.320658 0.701232 1.681828 0.60
0232 0.450808 2.081429 0.252054 2.57
0210 2.100909 0.701500 1.662034 0.88
Time m Time m Time m Time m Time m Time m Time m Time m
23
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 WE TH FR SA SU MO TU WE
TH FR SA SU MO TU WE TH
FR SA SU MO TU WE TH FR
SA SU MO TU WE TH
JUNE 2011 Time m Time m Time m Time m Time m Time m Time m Time m
0209 0.570813 2.171439 0.492036 2.11
0036 2.200702 0.781238 1.671843 0.64
0246 0.350834 2.321503 0.232112 2.49
0257 2.091003 0.761550 1.602123 0.87
0248 0.540847 2.151509 0.452109 2.19
0123 2.150758 0.831335 1.601937 0.71
0338 0.320921 2.251544 0.212159 2.58
0404 2.011101 0.731700 1.692245 0.88
0324 0.520918 2.121538 0.422142 2.25
0224 2.110912 0.831455 1.582053 0.75
0430 0.331008 2.141623 0.232244 2.61
0508 1.991153 0.671758 1.822354 0.83
0359 0.520948 2.071606 0.412214 2.29
0338 2.121031 0.761624 1.652218 0.72
0520 0.391054 2.011701 0.292330 2.57
0602 2.001238 0.591846 1.96
0433 0.541017 2.011633 0.422247 2.30
0452 2.191141 0.641738 1.812336 0.63
0611 0.481141 1.871740 0.39
0050 0.750650 2.011317 0.521928 2.09
0508 0.581048 1.931702 0.452321 2.29
0557 2.271241 0.511840 2.00
0017 2.480704 0.591231 1.731821 0.52
0138 0.690730 2.001353 0.472005 2.19
0542 0.641120 1.841732 0.502356 2.25
0046 0.520654 2.331333 0.391934 2.19
0104 2.350800 0.691326 1.631907 0.66
0619 0.711155 1.751804 0.57
0149 0.420746 2.351420 0.292024 2.36
0157 2.210901 0.751433 1.582006 0.79
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 FR SA SU MO TU WE TH FR
SA SU MO TU WE TH FR SA
SU MO TU WE TH FR SA SU
MO TU WE TH FR SA
APRIL 2011Time m Time m Time m Time m Time m Time m Time m Time m
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