Wljun2013

ple

The Bay of Plenty & Coromandel’s own watersports news. Phone 07 578 0030

ase take one

JUNE 2013

Time voyager A classic of our coastal cruising heritage INSIDE: Shark plea

H28 restoration

Six plus decades of theWaitanguru story, p18-19

Boat review

Maketu’s little boat

02 WATERLINE

JUNE 2013

POWERED BY VOLVO PENTA

The Bay of Plenty’s own boating, fishing, diving, yachting and watersports news.

Phone 07-578 0030 Fax 07-571 1116 No.1 The Strand, Tauranga. PO Box 240, Tauranga. email: brian@thesun.co.nz For advertising, call Salina on 07 578 0030 email classi2@thesun.co.nz Follow us on facebook www.facebook.com/Waterlinemagazine

Waterline advertising & editorial deadlines

Edition

Deadline

Sept 2013 Dec 2013 March 2014 June 2014

31 August 2013 29 Nov 2013 24 Feb 2013 30 May 2014

TIDES Date

JUNE 1 Sa 2 Su 3 Mo 4 Tu 5 We 6 Th 7 Fr 8 Sa 9 Su 10 Mo 11 Tu 12 We 13 Th 14 Fr 15 Sa 16 Su 17 Mo 18 Tu 19 We 20 Th 21 Fr 22 Sa 23 Su 24 Mo 25 Tu 26 We 27 Th 28 Fr 29 Sa 30 Su

Time / Height Time / Height Time / Height Time / Height

Date

0:44 1:39 2:34 3:28 4:21 5:12 6:01 0:39 1:24 2:07 2:49 3:29 4:08 4:48 5:29 0:01 0:45 1:33 2:25 3:20 4:17 5:17 0:05 1:03 1:59 2:54 3:48 4:42 5:34 0:20

JULY 1 Mo 2 Tu 3 We 4 Th 5 Fr 6 Sa 7 Su 8 Mo 9 Tu 10 We 11 Th 12 Fr 13 Sa 14 Su 15 Mo 16 Tu 17 We 18 Th 19 Fr 20 Sa 21 Su 22 Mo 23 Tu 24 We 25 Th 26 Fr 27 Sa 28 Su 29 Mo 30 Tu 31 We

2 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.7 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 1.9

6:51 7:47 8:43 9:38 10:32 11:23 12:11 6:47 7:32 8:15 8:56 9:36 10:16 10:57 11:39 6:13 6:59 7:49 8:43 9:39 10:37 11:34 6:16 7:15 8:12 9:08 10:03 10:57 11:51 6:27

0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 1.9 1.9 1.9 2 1.9 1.9 1.9 0.2

13:09 14:07 15:05 16:02 16:56 17:47 18:35 12:56 13:39 14:19 14:58 15:37 16:16 16:57 17:39 12:24 13:13 14:06 15:04 16:03 17:03 18:01 12:31 13:26 14:20 15:14 16:06 16:59 17:53 12:46

1.8 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.9 0.1 0.1 0 0 0.1 0.1 0.2 1.8

19:11 20:09 21:07 22:05 22:59 23:51

0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5

19:19 20:01 20:42 21:22 22:00 22:39 23:19

1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8

18:25 19:16 20:10 21:07 22:06 23:06

0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3

18:58 19:53 20:48 21:41 22:35 23:27

2 2 2.1 2.1 2.1 2

18:47 0.3

Time / Height Time / Height Time / Height Time / Height

Date

1:12 2:04 2:57 3:49 4:40 5:30 0:11 0:57 1:40 2:21 3:00 3:40 4:19 5:01 5:44 0:15 1:03 1:56 2:53 3:53 4:56 5:58 0:44 1:41 2:35 3:28 4:19 5:09 5:59 0:41 1:31

AUGUST 1 Th 2:21 2 Fr 3:13 3 Sa 4:05 4 Su 4:57 5 Mo 5:47 6 Tu 0:26 7 We 1:09 8 Th 1:50 9 Fr 2:30 10 Sa 3:10 11 Su 3:51 12 Mo 4:33 13 Tu 5:17 14 We 6:04 15 Th 0:39 16 Fr 1:33 17 Sa 2:33 18 Su 3:36 19 Mo 4:41 20 Tu 5:43 21 We 0:27 22 Th 1:22 23 Fr 2:14 24 Sa 3:05 25 Su 3:53 26 Mo 4:40 27 Tu 5:27 28 We 0:07 29 Th 0:54 30 Fr 1:43 31 Sa 2:34

1.9 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.9 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 1.8 1.7

7:20 8:14 9:07 10:00 10:52 11:41 6:18 7:03 7:47 8:29 9:09 9:49 10:30 11:11 11:56 6:30 7:20 8:15 9:12 10:12 11:12 12:11 6:58 7:55 8:50 9:43 10:35 11:26 12:18 6:48 7:39

0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.8 0.2 0.3

13:41 14:37 15:32 16:26 17:18 18:06 12:27 13:10 13:50 14:30 15:09 15:48 16:29 17:12 17:59 12:45 13:39 14:37 15:39 16:41 17:41 18:39 13:07 14:02 14:54 15:46 16:37 17:28 18:20 13:10 14:03

1.8 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.9 2 0.1 0 0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3 1.7 1.7

19:43 20:39 21:36 22:30 23:23

0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5

18:51 19:33 20:14 20:53 21:32 22:11 22:50 23:31

1.7 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8

18:49 19:43 20:42 21:43 22:45 23:46

0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3

19:34 20:28 21:20 22:11 23:02 23:51

2 2 2.1 2 2 1.9

19:12 0.4 20:07 0.4

Time / Height Time / Height Time / Height Time / Height

1.7 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 0.2 0.1 0.1 0 0.1 0.1 0.2 1.8 1.7 1.6 1.6

8:31 9:24 10:17 11:07 11:55 6:34 7:19 8:01 8:42 9:23 10:04 10:47 11:32 12:22 6:55 7:51 8:50 9:52 10:54 11:53 6:42 7:38 8:31 9:21 10:10 10:58 11:46 6:13 7:01 7:51 8:43

0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.8 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4

14:58 15:52 16:44 17:33 18:19 12:39 13:21 14:01 14:41 15:22 16:04 16:49 17:36 18:27 13:17 14:16 15:19 16:22 17:23 18:20 12:49 13:43 14:34 15:24 16:13 17:01 17:50 12:35 13:25 14:18 15:12

1.6 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.7 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.9 1.9 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.6

21:02 21:57 22:50 23:40

0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

19:03 19:44 20:23 21:03 21:42 22:22 23:04 23:50

1.7 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8

19:23 20:22 21:24 22:27 23:28

0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2

19:15 20:07 20:57 21:46 22:33 23:20

2 2 2 2 1.9 1.8

18:40 19:31 20:24 21:19

0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5

Tauranga tide heights in metres. Bowentown: subtract 5 minutes from Tauranga (both HW and LW) Katikati (Kauri Point): add 30 minutes to Tauranga (both HW and LW) Whitianga: High Water subtract 2 minutes from Tauranga HW tide; Low Water add 2 minutes to Tauranga Low Water. Every effort has been made to ensure that these times and tides are correct, no responsibility will be accepted for any inaccuracies, omissions, or misuse or misinterpretation of the values for tides and times published. Times used in the tide predictions are in New Zealand Standard Time (NZST1).

JUNE 2013

WATERLINE 03

Restoring an early H28 Luka Nazari and Kiyoko Larsen are restoring their boat Paparahi in the water – partly because it’s cheaper but also because the H28 predates the fibreglass Compass H28s and is planked.

Taking her out will create leaks as the caulked seams dry out and part.

They’ve owned Paparahi for about a year now, but haven’t done a lot of sailing apart from the memorable delivery voyage, which encountered 40 knot winds and four metre swells.

They took shelter behind a point they later learned was Paparahi Point.

Luka and Kiyoko arrived in Tauranga last September and lived aboard until January, by which time remaining aboard, with the on-going reduction of the interior, was becoming impossible.

“It was all the red lead, you didn’t know what you were eating with your paprika,” says Kiyoko.

Stripping out Paparahi has also been a voyage of discovery, but mainly of more rot.

“We found about half the rot in the boat,” says Luka. “It was pretty bad. A little bit was a surprise - most of it.

“I knew it was timber, but back then I didn’t know the difference between ply and plank. Today my first enemy is plywood.”

They originally wanted to see the original kauri planking, but it was layered with treated pine. Removing it uncovered more issues to the point where entire bulkheads were removed.

“I’m sure it was built properly over the years, but so many hands have gone into it, that it sometimes doesn’t work.”

It’s given them plenty to think about, because when they get round to putting wood back in the boat the new below-deck layout will be begin from pretty much a bare boat.

“I didn’t think it would be this big,” says Kiyoko.

Dealing with it is all part of the on-going education process, says Luka. He’s even picked up a little knowledge of the caulking process, by being on hand to learn from the re-caulking of a carvel launch on the bridge marina hardstand.

“Then it just comes down to doing things, seeking advice, making your own judgements.”

The former marine studies students are working fulltime on the boat.

The decision was to work full time and not have the time to fix the boat, or not working and doing it themselves.

They were steered towards the H28 design after looking for a boat for a while, says Luka.

Being told by a friend they should check out the design, and if it was a capable boat they wanted.

Not much is known of Paparahi, except that for many years she was a Tauranga boat, moored in Pilot Bay. The mooring failed and she washed onto rocks, springing a couple of planks that were repaired at Hutcheson Boat Builders on insurance.

Luka thinks it was an insurance sale that resulted in her being taken to Northland by the owner they bought her from.

“He had two H28s. He was living on one and he sold the other one to us,” says Luka.

The original H28 was drawn by L Frances Hereshoff. John Lidgard added a plank at the sheerline and increased the depth of the keel by 6” (150mm).

Several wooden H28s were built by Phil Barton who added the extra topside plank and keel depth. The deck and deck-house changes allowed for standing headroom and to accommodate the masthead sloop rig, based on the John Lidgard’s “Takiri” design and rig.

By Andrew Campbell

“Stripping out Paparahi has also been a voyage of discovery”

Luka Nazari and Kiyoko Larsen standing proud on Paparahi.

JUNE 2013

04 WATERLINE

The ABC of safe boating Now that winter has finally set in, it’s time to reflect on last summer’s boating and any lessons we may have learned.

What could we do better next summer?

Here’s a quick alphabet soup of tips to jog your memory: Avoid mixing boating and alcohol.

Be a responsible skipper – know the rules for preventing collision.

Courtesy on the water will ensure everyone enjoys their boating.

Divers’ flag must be 600 x 600mm – and visible at 200 metres.

Emergency steering – do you have an alternative method of steering your boat?

Five knots is approximately brisk walking pace – five knots is the speed limit within 200 metres of the shore.

Get a marine weather forecast before you go out boating.

Have a chart of the local area on

Go slow near boats and swimmers

or pay a $200 fine!

board and know how to interpret the other boats – it’s the law.

Torch – always carry a torch and symbols. spare batteries.

If in doubt, don’t go out!

Untreated sewage must not be disJoin the coastguard and your local charged into the sea within 500 metres boating club of the high water mark, or in water Keep a good lookout at all times.

Lifejackets must be worn when there less than five metres deep.

Visual communication – flares are a is any risk, for example, crossing bars, very effective way of communicating bad weather, rough seas. your need for assistance.

Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! Use Wake – your wake must not cause VHF channel 16 for emergencies. damage to other vessels.

Navigation lights must be shown X flag in the International Code after sunset. of Signals means: “Stop carrying out Obey the local bylaws – pick up a your intentions and watch for my copy at your nearest harbour master’s signal”. office.

You should always tell someone Pollution Hot Line phone number where you’re going and when you in the Bay of Plenty is 0800 884 883. expect to return.

Quell fires quickly with a fire extinZephyr is a soft, gentle breeze – the guisher – make sure you know how sort of breeze we all hope for when out to use it! boating!

Radar reflector will assist other vesDon’t forget your A B C: Always Be sels to see you at night and in poor Careful (to Avoid Boating Carnage?)! visibility.

Jennifer Roberts Safe speed near swimmers and Harbour Master – Western Bay of Plenty

Wear a

LIFEJACKET

You must have an observer when towing

or pay a $200 fine!

GO SLOW NEAR DIVERS

WATERLINE 05

JUNE 2013

Basic Fishfinder operation Fish finders tell you the distance from the transducer to the fish, weed and bottom below.

The right hand side of the screen shows what is directly below the transducer. Sometimes, this is also shown on an “A scope” which shows this as a larger bar. Everything to the left of this is history, getting further back toward the right.

If a mark is not attached to the bottom or is surface noise or turbulence at the top, then it’s fish – or a plastic bag. Schools of bait fish generally appear as large blobs of softer colours, while individual fish will appear as lines of stronger colour.

A common misconception about fish finders is that fish will appear as arches. This is not always the case, and is affected by the beam width of the transducer, and the speed of the boat.

The ability of a fish finder to display a good picture, while the boat is moving at pace, is affected by how the transducer is mounted.

The world’s best fish finder wouldn’t be able to get a good picture at speed if the transducer is mounted incorrectly. Good transducers have detailed installation instructions which clearly show the best way to mount them.

Gain amplifies the received echoes to levels which can be clearly seen on the screen. Think of gain like the light in a very dark room – if you turn on a dim light you might miss different items in the room, if the light is too bright, you will be blinded. Too little gain and you will not see the fish on the screen, too much and the whole screen is covered in echoes and you won’t be able to tell what’s what. If you are new to fish finders, it is probably best to leave the gain on auto. Once you get the hang of it, you will get much better performance on manual.

Frequencies used by the fish finder are much higher than what fish and humans can hear.

But anyone who has gone swimming under an operating transducer says it is not a very nice experience. We recommend that, if anchored and fishing, it is probably a good idea to turn the sounder off.

Grey scale sounders can distinguish the returned echo into four to eight different shades of grey, while colour sounders can split the echo into literally hundreds of different shades. This means colour sounders will give a much truer representation of what’s beneath.

Most sounders less than five years old will be able to reach about one-third the power output in depth. If the unit is 100w, it should

Generally schools of bait fish will appear as large blobs of softer colours, while individual fish will appear as lines of stronger colour.

reach 33m. If it is 600w then it will reach 200m. These numbers will be greatly affected by sea conditions and transducer placement.

In shallow water 200kHz should be used, while 50kHz (or 77kHz depending on unit) is better in deep water. There are issues with cone angle, which are beyond this very basic article, but if you are in doubt, use both. Most units will have the ability to split frequency, which can be a good display to use.

By Robert McAllister

JUNE 2013

06 WATERLINE

Monster fish stories just part of job Commercial fishing is not for the faint hearted. It entails lots of hard, physical work and long hours away from family.

On the flip side, there’s nothing like the call of the sea, fighting monster fish and earning an income that many only dream about.

Josh Mower has been

fishing for as long as he can remember – and he still registers excitement over catching his first big snapper at only four years old. It’s this passion that drove Josh to pursue a career in the fishing industry.

From school, he enrolled straight into Bay of Plenty Polytechnic’s Certificate in Maritime and Fishing course – and he’s never looked back. Josh’s positive attitude and willingness to give anything a go has seen his career go from strength to strength.

First working for Talley’s in Nelson, Josh is

now working on the ‘50 South’, a privatelyowned fishing vessel based out of Tauranga.

“I’ve been back to the polytech and done my Inshore Launch Masters ticket and the Advanced Deckhand qualification – I want to get a few others under my belt too,” says Josh. “I’d ultimately like to run my own boat but I’m really happy doing what I’m doing at the moment. There’s a real shortage of qualified people out there, so there’s some great opportunities.”

Josh is now a seasoned seaman having spent large tracks of time at sea. “The furthest I’ve been is Lord Howe Island (about 900km from Norfolk Island) catching alfonsino for the export market. At the moment I’m longlining, pulling up some monster tuna and swordfish.”

When Josh says ‘monster fish’ – he’s not kidding. Some of the fish can weigh in excess of 300 kg, which is perfectly fine by Josh. He likes the challenge that fishing presents and he can’t imagine a more perfect job – lots of time fishing, earning great dollars, with plenty of time off for hunting in his downtime.

Jason Mower turns a passion for fishing into a career.

WATERLINE 07

JUNE 2013

Tauranga’s new POFA status Tauranga has been a POFA since Christmas. The acronym means Port of First Arrival – and achieving it has cost thousands of dollars and has left Tauranga Bridge Marina manager Tony Arnold with a thick stack of paper.

It’s all come about because of a change in policy somewhere in the bureaucracies.

Time was, a foreign-flagged yacht arriving in Tauranga from overseas would be met on arrival by Customs and Ministry of Agriculture staff. Similarly, boats going offshore would be cleared at the berth and off they would go. There was a change of policy by MAF and customs in late 2012, says Tony.

“To remain a New Zealand port of entry we had to establish a separate quarantine area,” says Tony. “And that’s where everyone now arrives and everyone leaves from.”

It’s also where boats have to depart from, and where bonded stores now have to be debonded.

It’s at the very end of the marina’s northern breakwater, marked by a length of fendering, caps on the piles – and a gate.

And there is the stack of paper, the record of the courses Tony and Bridge Marina Travelift

director Bruce Goodchap had to attend to get certificated.

Bruce’s course was required to have the travelift and operator recognised and certificated for dealing with any boats that arrive with detectable hitchhikers, un-wanted hull growths.

If an MPI officer declares the boat biologically contaminated, it now needs to go to an officially-approved and certificated ‘transitional facility’ for decontamination.

“We’ve had to do it all so we could remain a port of first arrival,” says Tony.

The Sulphur Point Marina doesn’t have the room, the commercial port isn’t keen to have random yachties wandering through an operational area, and the bridge marina was able to convert part of the breakwater.

“It cost about $12,000 to get the fendering, the pile caps, and beef it up a bit,” says Tony.

“We are very fortunate that we had that area so we didn’t have to build a dock.”

The berth will take boats up to 20 metres, anything bigger will have to anchor off.

The Bridge Marina’s costs have been supported by the Tauranga Marine Industries Association, says Tony.

“We got it working two days before Christmas.”

Chief customs officer, at Tauranga, Steve

Tony Arnold’s customs paperwork.

Wineti says a customs controlled area was set up because all small craft and yachts arriving into New Zealand now have to arrive at a customs controlled area.

“Along with our MPI colleagues here, we have spoken to Tony at the bridge marina.

He’s been in support of the reasonings to why we wanted to set up a customs controlled area.”

Most yachts go into Opua, says Steve, but there are also customs controlled areas at Whangarei, Auckland , Gisborne, Napier, Wellington and New Plymouth in the North Island.

By Andrew Campbell

08 WATERLINE

JUNE 2013

The job that has everything There are increasing numbers of young New Zealanders making their OE a step on-the-way to an internationallybased career that involves travel and luxury superyachts.

For anybody outdoors-oriented, who is practical and likes travelling, throw in good pay for doing things you are good at and enjoy, then superyacht crewing is looking like the job.

And in the Mediterranean and Caribbean ports, where super yachts collect their crews, New Zealanders are popular because of their reputation for a ‘can-do’ attitude.

But to get on-board, crew have to hold an internationally-recognised certification, the STWC, or Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping, which is essential for anyone wanting to work in the superyacht world.

From September 16, the course will be available at Pacific Coast Technical Institute in Mount Maunganui.

It’s a practical course that gives training in bar service, cocktails, firearms, helicopter safety, and floristry – as well as a solid grounding in first aid, sea survival and fire fighting. The course gives seafarers of the

future a taste of what disasters can occur on a boat and some knowledge of how they’re best handled.

There’s no calling 111 at sea – emergencies like engine room fires and medical emergencies have to be dealt with by the people on the scene, the crew.

There’s time spent bandaging wounds, learning the correct procedure to moving someone with a suspected broken neck, the recovery position and the different CPR techniques for adults, children and infants.

For fire fighting, the same rules apply. By learning the different types of fire, the phases of fire, various types of extinguishers and a basic knowledge of how to fight a fire, it goes a long way towards saving a ship and the lives of those on board.

The Certificate in Superyacht Crewing Level Four includes all modules of the aforementioned STCW, plus other noteworthy qualifications such as the Coastguard Boatmaster, RYA certificates in Diesel Maintenance, Radar, Powerboat Level 2, Personal Watercraft, and modules on helicopter safety, hull care, repair and sail maintenance, among a number of other necessary superyacht skills.

The course costs $3772 and student loans and allowances are available for those who fit the criteria.

New Zealanders’ can do attitude makes them good superyacht crew members.

WATERLINE 09

JUNE 2013

Expert’s plea for big blues in Bay

Shark expert Riley Elliot is pleading with Bay of Plenty fishers – if they see a blue shark with a satellite tag attached, to not catch it.

The University of Auckland PhD student’s appeal follows suspicion one of the sharks tagged for his current project is pregnant and residing in Tauranga waters.

Riley is conducting his PhD project which aims to describe the spatial and temporal patterns in habitat use and migration by blue sharks within the south Pacific.

His research involves monitoring eight tagged blue sharks, including one lone female shark Hannah – named after Riley’s Mount Maunganui friend – who is currently tracked in Tauranga waters.

“She has resided here for some time now, possibly conserving energy for possible pregnancy.”

Riley says blue sharks separate by gender, with males moving north together, while females often inhabit the Kermadec Rise – where mating occurs as males pass through.

“Hannah resided there for some time, before moving south into the coastal waters of Tauranga.”

If Hannah is pregnant, Riley’s research could explain vital information about the species’ reproduction.

“Only time will tell us if where she will go, and in doing so, possibly explain where blue sharks breed, give birth and the nursery grounds for their young. These are important pieces of information to know about a population, as removal of them may risk population sustainability,” says Riley.

Having recently lost signal on his shark

Bluey, Riley fears his first tagged shark was caught and killed.

Bluey had been residing in Tongan waters earlier this year. “In these waters, as with most of the Pacific Island nations, shark sanctuaries were recently set up protecting him from being caught and finned.

Bluey returned south near New Zealand’s Norfolk Islands, where Riley says he is not protected from shark finning. He hasn’t heard from him in more than a month.

“Given I received signals every day from Bluey up to this point, I am afraid he has likely been caught on our domestic tuna longlines, pulled on board alive, and instead of being released alive, he was finned. And for what? A bowl of soup.

“Is this the New Zealand the public wants? I think not.”

Riley hopes fishers will be extra careful not to catch or harm Hannah in following weeks.

“If a shark is already on the line, please bring in to boat gently and cut the line as close to the hook as possible.”

Another of Riley’s sharks made headlines when it completed a record dive for squid off the Bay of Plenty coast last month.

Bodhi, a 2.5metre male, dived 1250 metres and slayed the previous 1160metre record held by a 1.8metre female blue shark tagged in Portugal.

“He foraged across the Whakatane seamount, and down through the Tauranga trough to reach this depth where it was only four degrees Celsius,” says Riley.

“There he’s in 2000m of water at a big underwater volcano, and for some reason he realised he wanted to go down for a dive – so he went from the surface water down to the deepest recorded depth a blue shark has ever gone.”

A map showing Hannah’s current location in Tauranga waters.

Riley Elliot is monitoring eight blue sharks, one of which currently resides in Tauranga waters.

Blue shark Bodhi recently completed a record dive for squid off the Bay of Plenty coast.

Bodhi has since moved into Bay of Plenty waters off Waihau Bay. Riley uses satellite tags to monitor the sharks. These are bolted to the sharks’ dorsal fins, recording GPS locations whenever they are at the water’s surface, along with depth and temperature profiles.

The data is transmitted back to Riley’s computer over the lifespan of the tags (1-3 years). Due to their complexity, the tags come at a hefty price.

Having completed stage one of his research, stage two is scheduled for November 20132014. This will involve tracking the sharks’ large scale migration path through the South Pacific, identifying if there is one entire population that circles the basin, as Riley has hypothesised, or whether there are segmented populations.

Now based in Auckland, Riley spent six of the last eight years involved in tertiary education at Otago University, resulting in a BSc, majoring in Zoology with first class honours and a Masters in marine science with distinction.

He hopes his current PhD research will create awareness of the blue shark’s importance to ocean life.

“These creatures as so necessary to our ocean’s future, and yet our Government is allowing thousands each year to be killed just for their fins.

“Such research is essential to back the public voice I hope to stimulate, illustrating that we care about our ocean and want to stop its demise,” says Riley.

For more information on Riley’s project, visit www.rileyelliot.com

By Corrie Taylor

10 WATERLINE

JUNE 2013

CLUB NEWS

New sails and close racing for trailer yacht f leet The summer series sailing was one of the better series for the division four trailer yachts, with six boats entered most Wednesday nights seeing a fleet of five boats.

The second half of the series, apart from one race, was sailed in light airs that seemed to go with the long, hot dry summer that we all enjoyed and took best advantage of.

The racing was close and with some of the boats sporting new sail wardrobes and new paint jobs, it was going to be a great season and it certainly proved that. The overall summer series prize was narrowly taken by Christine Headley sailing the legendry Mintaka thanks to come some great sailing; and the second to fourth-placed boats being only

one point apart from each other – so you don’t get any closer than that. This means there is some “un-finished business” for next season.

The Friday night two handed racing had two to three boats sailing, and again, the whole season saw mostly light air sailing.

For this, John Burns, sailing his legendry Mintaka, took out the season prize.

All of us in the trailer yacht division would like to say a big thanks to the Tower folk, on Wednesday and Friday nights, for their dedication and patience (there was some late drifting across the line on Fridays) – we wouldn’t be sailing without you!

We are looking forward to next season and can only encourage more boats to join in.

Wednesdays are great fun and Fridays are a great way to wind up the week with some sailing in great company.

Trailer yachts make a colourful scene.

WATERLINE 11

JUNE 2013

A picnic cruise

Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club

...with all four seasons in a day

The rainbow after the rain.

The sun shone warmly on the sand.

It was a day full of surprise turns – and a soaking in heavy rain passing Omokoroa took some by surprise.

A much-needed change to dry gear for some, gave others time to a make serious effort to catch a fish. The Picnic Cruise to Pohutukawa Bay on Saturday, April 6 had it all – weather for all the four seasons in one day.

The sun shone warmly on the sand on the calm and sheltered beach right on high tide and at cuppa tea time it was beautiful. A wonderful reward for the drenching on the way up, and a memory to hold in credit. The icy-cold deluge of pelting of

near hail as we passed Motuhoa Island in a white-out, and passing squall, followed by the reward of a wonderfully-intense and complete rainbow arching over the full reach, from the Mount to Tauranga City, was riveting. Our outing ended with a filling breeze and a well-enjoyed sail home.

The winter weather will soon pass. If you have a trailer yacht and would enjoy taking part in the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club activities, the Trailer Yacht Division has a racing programme and a Cruising Group calendar of events on offer.

Enjoy the fun of sailing, in either competition racing or sailing in company, just cruising. Phone 07 578 5512 and join the club.

Stern Post

Picnic day yachts parked in a quiet Bay.

12 WATERLINE

JUNE 2013

CLUB NEWS

Being a (sometimes) armchair sailor

TYPBC Women on Water

Sailing is, by nature, an outdoor pursuit, and there is much to be said for spending as many hours on the water as possible.

This becomes particularly important when the sailor is a beginner and practical application leads to improvement in leaps and bounds. The end of the WOW season is not a valid excuse to stop sailing – nor is the decline in air temperature!

However, if staying at home seems like the best (warmest, driest and least agitating) option some days, sailors can still take heart. There is a perfectly acceptable way to keep learning from home: Read. No, not on the internet. Although, admittedly there is plenty of information to be gleaned from cyberspace. Sit back, relax, make sure you have a warm drink nearby (and maybe some chocolate), and pick up a book.

It doesn’t matter how advanced a sailor you are –there is always more to learn.

The existence of many aspects of sailing ensures that there is endless variety for the armchair sailor. There is almost unsurpassable value in Mike Scanlan’s ‘Safety in Small Craft’. It is akin to the bible, in terms of general boating knowledge, and should be in every yachtie’s house, and, even better, firmly planted on every yacht’s bookshelf. ‘Safety in Small Craft’ is required reading for Boatmaster classes, and with good reason.

In terms of weather, of particular importance is the small gem ‘Weather-wise Boating: Forecasting for New Zealand’s Coastal Waters’

by Geoff Sivess. Emerging from the pages of this book is like living the cartoon ‘idea-light-bulb-above-the-head’ scenario. For cruising guide value and sheer inspiration, it is hard to beat the ‘Royal Akarana Yacht Club Coastal Cruising Handbook’. Opening this book almost guarantees that you’ll start planning your next (or first) coastal cruise. Entering into the realm of marlinespike seamanship, there is pure joy between the covers of Hervey Garrett Smith’s ‘The Arts of the Sailor’. Filled with easy-to-understand descriptions and accompanied by the author’s own beautiful illustrations, this book will teach you how to splice, tie knots, whip lines, and even (in case you’re into it) make baggywrinkle and deadeyes. Rounding the non-fiction off with David Lewis’ ‘We the Navigators’, which explores the profundity of ancient Polynesian navigation, and Joan Druett’s ‘She Captains’, which provides a colourful historical look at women sailors of the past, one can’t help but feel the

Irish born redhead and eighteenth century Caribbean pirate Anne Bonny. knowledge soaking in. (And maybe the chocolate, too.)

Historical fiction also has its place in the sailor’s library, and like their non-fiction counterparts, these books can fascinate. One notable work is ‘The Riddle of the Sands’ by Erskine Childers, which chronicles the antics of two sailors as they sail the Dutch coastline and happen upon the German Navy, who is rehearsing an invasion of England. Written in 1903, this novel actually inspired English authorities to build up their own naval strongholds along England’s coastline, with obvious results.

Lest this book seem like heavy reading, it is important to note that it is truly inspiring to read about this genre of sailing – no auxiliary engine, nearly-constant kedging off (due to nearly-constant and par-for-thecourse groundings), a bit of romance and good old-fashioned courage.

On the fictional front, there can be nothing better than reading Arthur Ransome’s ‘Swallows and Amazons’ series to the kids. As educational as they are enthralling, these books allow adults to benefit as much as the younger generation, and happily, these books are still in print despite being first published in the 1920s, which attests to their entertainment value – clever writing, and timeless appeal.

There are so many other books to mention – Alvah Simon’s ‘North to the Night’, Nicholas Monsarrat’s ‘The Cruel Sea’ (although new sailors might not want to scare themselves with this one). There are so many wonderful books that haven’t been mentioned here, that deserve to be mentioned. New books, classic books – all waiting to be discovered by the (sometimes) armchair sailor. If one look at the sky or one feel of the southerlies makes you creep sheepishly back inside – fear not – there is still plenty of opportunity to learn. (And don’t forget the chocolate.)

By Nicole Harris

WATERLINE 13

JUNE 2013

Maketu coastguard’s tinny boat

The Maketu Volunteer Coastguard rescue boat brought back to life.

Maketu Volunteer Coastguard is the only coastguard in the country that can boast they found their ideal rescue boat under a tree.

That’s where the new rescue boat was when they first set eyes on it, under a tree in Canterbury, with the hull complete, jet units installed and ready for the fit-out.

“It was good fate more than anything,” says Maketu Volunteer Coastguard president Shane Beech. “Water Rescue New Zealand was building a rescue craft for a bit of inshore-offshore work and the outfit went into recession, and folded over time unfortunately.

“It was basically sitting in a paddock under a tree for 18 months. We got word of it through some funding trust that we were trying to get money out of, which let us know this boat was down there. Basically they told us nip on the aeroplane, have a chat with the people, [and] see what we could do,” says Shane.

“It was exactly what we were after.”

The deck is so big, they can pull kayaks, jet skis, and little tinnies on the back of it quite easily. They even put an IRB on board before going out to Plate Island recently.

“We are set up to help out Tauranga or Whakatane if need be, and look after our own patch of water,” says Shane.

“With the bigger boat we can get out further, quicker, with more safety on board.

“It’s designed to be self-righting, not that we’re going to try it out, we’ll take their word for it.”

They can spend 10-12 hours at sea without having to re-fuel, and it has the power to punch out through conditions at the Kaituna Cut. The Hamilton jet units are being driven by two Yanmar 440 diesels. The cruising speed is 30 knots, with a top speed of 40 knots. The boat is surveyed for 24 people.

“The twin jets, that was what we were after to get in out of that bar,” says Shane.

Fit out of the 11 metre Scott Robson design was by Alloy Cats in Tauranga.

It’s got two bunks up front, it hasn’t got a galley but has a shower/toilet, says Alloy Cats director Colin Bertelsen. They also installed a ‘heap’ of Ray Marine ‘very sophisticated’ electronics.

Alloy Cats also offered to cut off the stern arch, but the coastguard wouldn’t let them, says Colin.

“Originally, I think it was there to help lift jet skis and stuff in through the back, [and] it had another inner one as well,” says Colin. “At the moment, the only function for it is that they have got some support that goes across, so they can put a cover completely over the cockpit.”

The Maketu Coastguard may put some spotlights on it over time, says Shane.

Funding has come from TECT, NZCT, the Lion Foundation and First Sovereign. As well as the boat, the coastguard has a nice new jetty at Ford’s Cut. Having the boat permanently in the water has hugely improved their response times, says Shane.

“It’s just a case of getting down there,” says Shane. “Once we are clear of the bar, Motiti’s only ten minutes away.

“It’s a tricky one to put a price on – because there’s no price on the hull,” says Shane. “We pretty much got a 70 per cent boat for the cost to get it up here. It probably took another $300,000 to finish it off. It’s a great asset for the area, that’s for real.”

The coastguard took possession of the boat in early April.

By Andrew Campbell

14 WATERLINE

JUNE 2013

Thar’s gold in that thar mud

In this watercolour Māori and Pākehā talk onshore.

The barrels and the shed are evidence of commerce, and in the harbour a schooner is at anchor.

Thames-Coromandel district councillors see the granting of a prospecting licence for the harbour as an opportunity to begin its remediation.

Sea Group Holdings Ltd has a licence to explore the possibility of dredging historic mine tailings from the harbour.

Mayor Glenn Leach sees it as a chance to restore Coromandel’s deep water harbour and rebuild the wharf.

“In reality, much of the harbour is actually a tailings dumpsite, which over the years has trapped silt from the rivers, which has turned a beautiful deep-water harbour into mud-flats,” says Glenn.

“If the private sector can remediate the harbour back to its original state, without significant environmental damage and at no cost to ratepayers, then this would be a win-win for the Coromandel.”

The council plans to build a new Coromandel wharf for a fast ferry, providing direct access to downtown Auckland. The tailings mining may give the council clean fill to build the wharf, as an alternative to quarried rock from land-based sources.

“We don’t even know if the project is economically or environmentally feasible, but if our project to build a wharf for the fast ferry lines up with the remediation of the harbour by Sea Group, then we’d be foolish not to at least explore the opportunities” says Glenn.

Sea Group Holdings Ltd is looking to extract gold from tonnes of historic mine tailings dumped into the Coromandel Harbour during the gold-rush of the late 1800s.

SGH believes the tailings remain rich in gold, because of the lessdeveloped technology of the time.

The permit allows the company to explore 3.92sq/km of harbour for the next two years, and take 80 one-metre core samples from the seabed.

The exploration involves building a database of all previous mining in the area, and a full bathymetric survey (GPS and echo-sounding) of the Coromandel seabed using a survey vessel, a marine sediment thickness survey, and a geochemical and geological analysis of the samples.

“If the industry that created the mess in the first place can clean it up once and for all, then I think it’s worth investigating –and for the business case to be ultimately tested by the very high environmental standards set out in the Resource Management Act,” says Glenn.

WATERLINE 15

JUNE 2013

Canvas cover maintenance Sail covers, dodgers, and most other exterior covers for boats are manufactured using the most UV resistant fabrics available here in New Zealand – with the four most well-known brands of acrylic canvas being Sunbrella (USA), Planasol (Austria), Docril (Spain) and Styleshade (Australia).

The fabrics are 100 per cent solution-dyed acrylic fibre and are resistant to environmental conditions, fading; and they breathe well and come in a great colour range.

The best polyester thread available is more than adequate for most boat covers. However, in some instances we recommend PTFE long-life thread for an extra initial cost. This will last for a minimum of eight years or the life of the cover and it will not break down due to exposure to sunlight, weather, or water.

All brands of new acrylic canvas come with a water-repellent finish and regular cleaning will remove it – so delay the need for deep cleaning. Brush off loose dirt using a soft brush or hose down the covers occasionally and allow to air dry. Wash using a mild, luke-warm natural soapy solution. Rinse thoroughly and air dry.

For mould and mildew soak for 20 minutes, lightly scrub, and then rinse. Do not use a high pressure hose, hot water, chlorine bleach, solvents, or put in a dryer. When clean and dry, re-apply waterproofing.

There are purpose-made product ranges available, which are recommended for covers under warranty (less than five years old). I’ve had good success with 303 Cleaner Concentrate (for removing mould) and 303 Fabric Guard. After the warranty period, there are several other products available on the market which would be effective (but read the labels carefully).

Clear windows in dodgers and canopies can be replaced to enhance visibility and add a new lease of life. Existing windows can be maintained using purpose-made cleaners.

They help improve visibility and repel dust and other contaminants. And don’t forget, now is an ideal time to get your repairs and any new work done to avoid the summer rush.

Safe boating

Wendy Oldham

3a Landscape Road Tauranga

Sealegs to the rescue The fast response and versatile capabilities of amphibious Sealegs vessels have been highlighted, after a successful response to a Mayday call off the Coromandel.

Mike Watkins at Opito Bay was alerted to the sinking of the 38 ft launch Inova, on June 2, by a friend who heard the distress call.

Mike knows Inova skipper Aaron Costello personally and Aaron’s father is a neighbour at Opito Bay. Mike roused Costello Senior and together they drove Mike’s 7.1m Sealegs into the sea.

Heading home from a fishing trip to Cuvier Island, Inova struck a reef at cruising speed just north of Te Whanga Bay on Great Mercury Island about 7.40pm.

They managed a quick mayday call on the VHF radio, and to point a spotlight to rocks 20 metres away. They grabbed flares, cellphones wrapped in plastic, and lifejackets.

The crew also took off their shoes and jackets so they wouldn’t sink – and abandoned ship.

There was no cellphone reception, and they huddled awaiting rescue. They were found about an hour later.

Meanwhile the Sealegs arrived off Korapuki, where it was first thought Inova had gone down, at about the same time as the Whitianga Coastguard boat.

“When we were out there we saw the flare go up over the island,” says Mike.

They found the trio huddled on a rock on the south eastern side of Great Mercury Island.

“It’s an unbelievable boat to go out and do it,’ says Mike. “It was pitch black, but these boats now have headlights on them. They were invaluable out there.”

The headlights are either side of the bow, like a car’s headlights. They could use them without their night vision being affected.

They had to turn off the navigation lights and the depth sounder and GPS screens.

They located the men and the coastguard

sent Mike in with the Sealegs – because of the confined space round the rocks.

“I took the three of them on board, got the three of them off the rocks, out of the water onto my boat and transferred them to the coastguard,” says Mike.

“The three of them were in terrible shock.

With the shock and hypothermia, we couldn’t get them to talk much. We had quite a job just getting them off the rocks, to get them to move. And of course we couldn’t be too gentle with them when hauling them on board.”

They later learned Pat McCabe had a broken shoulder, and Aaron had bruising to his face, which struck the screen when Inova hit rocks.

Graham Howard injured his neck.

“It was a real terrible situation we hit upon, we’re so lucky there was no loss of life. If the sea had been like the next morning we wouldn’t have gotten them off,” says Mike.

Instead the rescue helicopter, which was on standby, would have been called to winch the men off, says Mike.

Aaron, who lived on board Inova at the Whitianga Marina, lost everything but what he was wearing.

“It was just a total loss, of everything,” says Mike. “We probably could have got quite a bit back that night. There was a lot of debris round us but we just didn’t want to risk it. We just wanted to get them out of there.

“So that’s why we went back in the morning to see if we could save something for him, but everything had gone back into the rocks with the swell coming in. You could see it all piled up in there. At night the boat was complete, but by 7.30am the next morning the boat was completely broken up.”

Aaron will probably stay with a mate in the meanwhile, says Mike. Aaron’s got a house in Whitianga, but it’s rented out.

“The Sealegs, to get out there so instant with no worry, it was just the ideal boat,” says Mike.

Four years ago, his was the only Sealegs in Opito Bay, now there are 11, and a 75-yearold local has just bought the 12th.

By Andrew Campbell

Next day was nothing but wreckage.

Tel: 07 576 3009 Mobile: 027 627 5448

16 WATERLINE

Waitanguru:

Roger, Les and Pam enjoying another perfect Coromandel sunset, one of many Waitanguru has witnessed.

There she sat in Parapara Bay at Great Mercury, basking in the orange glow of a perfect Coromandel sunset.

Thirty feet or so of well-travelled kauri, oozing a thousand stories of coastal seafaring.

The old launch is a familiar sight in the waters of the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty – but this day it’s the name that catches my attention. Waitanguru. It’s a name from my forebear’s region, down Te Kuiti way. Could there be a connection, or is it coincidence?

Whatever, it’s a good enough reason to row over for a yarn.

Aboard this fine old warrior of the waves we find owners Les and Pam Porter and their crewman, Roger Hawkes.

A couple of questions, and it’s like someone has pushed the play button on the History Channel. And a fine and intriguing history it is.

The Porters, based in Tauranga, run Deep Water charters with Waitanguru. Les Porter’s background is aviation, aerial topdressing loader driver, a topdressing pilot for 21 years

JUNE 2013

Les Porter at the wheel. Waitanguru now sports a few modern conveniences.

in Taranaki and Wairoa. He was general manager and chief pilot of Air Transport Division of Cookson Airspread Ltd for 14 years.

Then came the charter skipper seachange with Waikare II, Simon Dickie adventures in Taupo; and Pam as deckie and hostess in the late eighties.

Les was Taupo’s deputy harbour master from 1988 to 2002 and harbour master from 2002 to 2008.

These days, he’s a nautical consultant and semi-retired charter skipper, with the lovely old launch Waitanguru.

Sixty-three years old and still in survey, the launch boasts many thousands of sea miles under her keel. She’s of quarter-sawn kauri; cut, milled and stacked in 1945.

The hull built by Allen Williams of Milford, Auckland, in 1950.

Around then, the price of kauri is tipped to skyrocket in price so Allen sells the hull and purchases a significant amount to complete two or three hulls, one of which one is his own, Banshee, to replace Waitanguru at 29 foot (8.7 metres) at waterline.

Waitanguru is purchased by Pete Peterson of the Waitanguru Farm at Piopio near the

Waitanguru Falls, in the Te Kuiti area, and is completed by Pete, and Gerry Dawson under the supervision of Allen at his yard.

And that confirms my suspicions of an old family connection. The Petersons were sharemilkers on my dad’s uncle’s farm (Ed Buckley) and Peterson later bought the farm.

Pete owns Waitanguru (the boat) for some 20 years then sells her to Gerry Dawson, his fishing mate over all the years. He sells (on medical advice from his doctor) and then continues to carry on boating and fishing with Gerry for a few more years. Some of the history from here is a bit sketchy, but it goes something like this: Gerry sells to Ian and Helen Anderson from Whangaparaoa who run her for a short time in the eighties, then she passes into ownership of Tony Atkinson in Northland, who after about four years, sells to Ken Mackie of Whangarei in 1991.

Ken Mackie retires from farming and moves to Taupo, where Les Porter, then the deputy harbour master of Lake Taupo, allocates Ken a berth.

WATERLINE 17

JUNE 2013

Too good to be on a lake!

Les is on site the day Waitanguru arrives.

“I observe its profile as it is swung into the water by the crane and think to myself ‘what a fantastic looking vessel, and what a waste to put a vessel like this on Taupo, it belongs in the sea’.”

Four years later in March 1996 Ken is somewhat disillusioned with Lake Taupo and decides to move to Australia with his wife.

Les makes him an offer for Waitanguru and after some time, and close to their departure, he accepts.

“My wife Pam, son Richard and I become the proud owners of Waitanguru.

“I carry out a lot of work on her, enter the annual Mighty River Power fishing competition (a weekend event in April), Pam and I achieve first equal with three other boats for the first time in the long running competition. It was not won outright so a draw out of the hat saw Richard Steins of White Striker fame become the eventual winner of the major prize.”

In October 1996, Waitanguru is fit for the sea once again and is transported to Tauranga where it is today. Pam and Les bought out their son’s share, and continued its upgrading and ongoing maintenance.

Each year, it has been improved on the year gone. “It has been repowered and brought into survey under Safe Ship Management (commercial survey) and is operated by myself as a charter boat in the survey area East Cape North Cape out to 12 miles,” says Les. Currently she runs with a 39hp Yanmar, an upgrade from key to prop. The three cylinder diesel was fitted new in 2005, her fourth engine.

“The first was a 27hp old lifeboat engine

Waitanguru’s worn out three engines in her six decades. Les pictured with the 39hp Yanmar.

then a 50 Ford, followed by an upgrade to a 62. That was in it when I took her over in ’96 it had 6000 hours when we replaced it.”

Waitanguru has up-to-date navigation equipment and is fitted with remote anchoring and auto pilot, says Les. “We take her to Great Barrier Island each February for two or three weeks and this year she did her 12th trip up and back from Tauranga.”

“Roger Hawkes, a boat builder who did his apprenticeship with Alan Williams, is a family friend and assists me with major maintenance tasks (I should say I assist him) he has taught me heaps about wooden boats.

“Roger did his first trip on Waitanguru when he was 12 years old and many others since then in the early years. He again travels to the Barrier with Pam and I and has been aboard all but one of our Barrier trips. You can say that Roger has a very long relationship with the 63 year old Waitanguru.

“When we acquired the ownership I was intrigued with the name Waitanguru. I spoke with many Ngati Tuwharetoa elder and after sometime they advised that it meant Deep Water which is how the name Deep Water Charters came about.

Roger Hawkes has a long association with Waitanguru.

He says at the time of launching, the first engine was out of a ship’s lifeboat.

“I started working for Allen Williams sweeping the floor and doing odd jobs after school from the age of 13 (1958) and at this time Waitanguru was tied up at the end of the wharf beside the slipway in the Milford Creek.

This was prior to the Milford Marina.

“I first went out in Waitanguru that year

Right: Roger Hawkes took his first trip on Waitanguru when he was 12.

with Allen and his wife, Jessie, to Great Barrier. In those days it was a long way offshore for vessels of that size. The engine at the time was a four cylinder Ford diesel.”

The ship to shore radio at the time was a large size Marlin, also the depth sounder, recalls Roger.

“Before the Marlin radio, the boat was fitted with an Army ZC1. Neither radio was very reliable, and because of this, Peterson didn’t use the boat as much as he could have. I guess he felt safer when the radio was working. It was generally at these times that Allen and Jessie went away in the boat and I was very lucky to be able to go with them.”

“I remember sitting inside the boat and it rolling over that much at times that the water on the low side was half way up the windows.

“Many years later, when I was an apprentice boatbuilder with Allen, most of the launches were powered with Ford diesels. Different people would ask Allen how he liked the engines and how they run. Allen would reply that the only way he hadn’t run them was upside down.”

Roger recalls Banshee, also designed and built by Allen in the yard at the time, powered with a Ford 120hp.

As the last of the sun’s glow seeps from behind the Coromandel ranges, Waitanguru glows at anchor in the Bay. Her classic lines a reminder of the seagoing qualities Les recognised, hanging from the crane over the lake many years earlier.

Waitanguru: A fine example of the boats and the people who make up our region’s rich coastal cruising heritage.

By Brian Rogers

18 WATERLINE

Recreational fishers are claiming victory after the Government agreed marlin will stay off the quota management system.

JUNE 2013

marlin, spearfish and sailfish within mainland USA. “A similar campaign is under way in Australia and if both countries were to adopt this position it would send a strong message to all South Pacific countries,” says Trevor.

“If we don’t do something, our marlin fishery will go the same way LegaSea’s national programme leader Mandy Kupenga says in only as our yellowfin tuna fishery, which has been almost totally destroyed two-and-a-half days, members deluged the Minister of Primary Indusalong the New Zealand coast.” tries with more than 3000 letters, many comparing the marlin fishery Commercial fishers wanted to be able to land some or all of the with the now dead yellowfin tuna fishery in the Bay of Plenty. marlin by-catch, in the commercial long lining, noting the wastage that “It shows that united and mobilised we really can make a difference,” comes from discarding dead marlin. says Mandy in a message to members.

Commercial fishers believe marlin could form a small but valuable But New Zealand sport fishers say more still needs to be done to get component of overall fishery profitability, and also remove a constraint marlin off the menu at restaurants, which can still obtain the specie as not experienced by other fishing fleets in the region. a by-catch from commercial long line fishing vessels – if caught outside But the recreational sector wants to New Zealand territorial waters. prohibit New Zealand vessels from “What we really want to see is a total landing marlin caught outside of stop to all marlin sales in New Zealand, New Zealand waters, and to prohibit both by New Zealand boats operating imports. It says this will strengthen the outside the New Zealand economic recreational-only status of the marlin zone and from imported fish bought fishery and support the efforts of in from other countries,” says Bay of international game-fishing organisaIslands Swordfish Club president Trevor tions.

Woolston. “As marlin are a migratory MPI director fisheries management fish, it doesn’t matter where they are James Stevenson-Wallace says he reccaught, as it all has an impact on the ognises the considerable value striped future sustainability of the species, marlin provides for the recreational which is in serious decline.” game fishery. He also acknowledges Several groups, including the Bay of that commercial fishers believe some Islands Swordfish Club, are calling for changes could be made to reduce what New Zealand to follow the lead of the they see as unnecessary waste of marlin United States, which earlier this year An endangered Yellowfin Tuna jumping. by-catch in tuna longline fishers. passed legislation to ban the sale of

JUNE 2013

WATERLINE 19

20 WATERLINE

JUNE 2013

Iconic pontoons back with gr

Stabi-craft are back in town and the first of the new generation designs has hit the waters off Tauranga.

The latest is the smallest of the hard tops, the 1850, and the new agent Mastertech Marine has set it up with a Suzuki 115hp.

Stabi-craft have been notably absent from the Western Bay for a number of years, but with Mastertech taking on the franchise, they are gearing up for a busy time as agents for the leading pontoon brand.

Waterline took to the harbour for the afternoon for the 1850’s first outing and found out first-hand the benefits of this amazing little hardtop. We took along the SunLive cameraman too, so you can see the live action online at: www.sunlive.co.nz The new 1850 is a stunning small hardtop.

It aims to provide all the benefits a solid top with a windscreen providing protection from the elements, packed into an affordable and manageable smaller craft.

It retains the easy-towing and handling, and cheap-running of a runabout, while also achieving great protection from sun, wind and rain.

As the only model in the HT range on a single axle trailer, means it can be easily manoeuvred in the driveway, and towed with a moderate size vehicle.

Provided you don’t plan to do a lot of overnighting, the small cabin is perfect for most families, whose boating is predominantly day-tripping, fishing and a spot of water toy action.

Stabi-craft 1850 hardtop: Nice lines in a compact package.

The new ‘gamechaser’ transom, complete with boarding ladder, plenty of handy rails and a tidy motor mount set up.

The cabin won’t sleep adults, but is big enough for young crew to take a nap, for dry stowage of gear and enough shade to protect those in the cabin. The design maximises cockpit space for fishing.

The one-piece curved glass windscreen is a great feature. It provides total vision without the intrusion of pillars or posts.

This model includes a windlass anchor winch, in clear view for the skipper, so all anchoring can be done at the flick of the switch from the helm position.

The cabin is set up with a couple of luxurious bolster seats, with the swing-up bolster providing excellent support for your back, when the sea gets up and standing is a preferred option.

Wide gunwales provide perfect fishing stations and the large areas of non-skid make entry and exit safe and easy. Fold-up rear seats mean fishing room is maximised when they’re not in use.

Between them is a real bloke’s bait tank. Not a piddly little fish bowl, a massive glass fronted set-up with a swing-up bait board atop. The batteries are housed in a closed locker below.

The “gamechaser” transom is a great development by Stabi-craft and features a wide boarding area around the outboard. An industrial strength, swing down boarding ladder completes the picture.

For the diver, this Stabi-craft ticks all the boxes for access and stability.

Stabi-craft has refined the pontoon shape in this series, aiming for a softer ride and it seems to have paid off. The hull is more respon-

WATERLINE 21

JUNE 2013

r ound-breaking little hardtop

The industrial-size livey tank. sive to trim than many pontoon boats we’ve driven.

The 115 Suzuki liked a bit of trim and it was easy to find the “groove” where the hull and engine were working sweetly.

Making boating more affordable is one of the aims of the new little hardtop, and the combination with the Suzuki hits the mark.

The new ‘lean burn’ fuel control system of the A series engine pushed the rig along at a cruising speed of 23 mph, using just 0.6 litres per mile. At about 14 litres an hour, a 20L tank would give a 31 mile range.

That’s pretty cheap running for a safe and capable hard top.

Stabi-craft’s safety record speaks for itself.

These tough boats, made in Invercargill, can handle the worst of conditions. They suit Bay of Plenty and Coromandel conditions very well. With a “life ring” of flotation built right around the boat, there’s inherent safety bred into every model.

It’s a great feat to have engineered the ultimate in stability and safety into essentially an 18 foot package.

For many boaties, budgeting within the confines of a single axle is the sticking point.

Go any bigger and you end up with handling issues, more tow weight, a bigger tow vehicle – and consequently more hassle and more cost.

This little hardtop offers most of the best of big boat features, but in a compact and leanrunning package, on a single axle Mudgeway.

The vessel, as tested with all the gear including windlass and Garmin instruments ,is $69,000.

The new Suzuki 115 features ‘lean burn’ fuel control system.

Fold up bolster seats provide versatility and comfort up front.

Swing down rear seats fold up neatly to maximise fishing space in the cockpit.

Karl Rastrick and the team at Mastertech at The Lakes in Tauriko have a range of demo models in store, so you can try them out for yourselves.

As well as the 1850 supercab, they have a range of the smaller Stabicraft including both versions of the new model 1410, the fisher and the centre console frontier.

“The centre console is getting popular as time goes by,” says Karl.

“Then we have the range up to the hard top as well so we have quite a good range in stock.”

As part of reintroducing the Stabicraft range to Tauranga, Master Tech Marine is doing packages with the 1410 for under $20,000.

“That’s affordable and very safe boating,” says Karl. “It’s a pontoon craft, so if you want to fish in the entrance or fish by yourself, you are in a boat that you are not going to fall out of.”

Stabicraft Marine pioneered the first rigid hulled aluminium pontoon boat in Invercargill, in 1987.

As well as the 1850 supercab, Mastertech have a range of the smaller Stabicraft including both versions of the new model 1410, the fisher and the centre console frontier.

“The centre console is getting popular as time goes by,” says Karl. “Then we have the range up to the hard top as well so we have quite a good range in stock.”

As part of reintroducing the Stabicraft range to Tauranga Master Tech Marine is doing packages with the 1410 for under $20,000.

“That’s affordable and very safe boating,” says Karl. “It’s a pontoon craft, so if you want to fish in the entrance or fish by yourself, you are in a boat that you are not going to fall out of.”

The original design was a compilation of a wish list of local paua divers, who wanted an evolution of the traditional Rigid Hulled Inflatable boat – one that retained the RIB’s superior buoyancy, stability on the water and ease of handling. But, with a sturdier construction framework to make it even safer in rough waters.

By Brian Rogers

22 WATERLINE

JUNE 2013

For Sale

To Rent

BONITO AQUARIUS 22 AND 8 METRE MARINA BERTH - Late model excellent condition. Roller Reef headsail, electric winch, two Batteries with marine charger, portaloo, road trailer no registration. $35,000 phone 0274544933 MOORING FOR SALE OR RENT at Tanners Point. Certified mooring. Ph: 0274 517 759.

28 FT WRIGHT NOVA KEEL BOAT Innovator of Mana needs to be back on the water. Well proven off-shore single-handed or two-handed sailing. $15,000 incl Pilot Bay mooring. Neg terms.

Ph / Txt Chris 021 279 6219.

14 FT CABIN FIBREGLASS WITH CANOPE fish binder, VH radio, 1997 40HP mercury output. On galvanised trailer with road cover, tidy condition.

Registered and WOF. $4900. Ph 027 544 8595.

SOLE MARINE DIESELSole - 20hp, excellent condition, $3000. Ph Ian 5700333.

WARN BOAT WINCH - $150.00 as new.

Ph Dennis 570 2071.

STARLING - “CARPE DIEM” 1130, Professionally built & launched oct 1994, Built on same jig as “Helter Skelter” (1131), This yacht and fittings are in excellent condition Has been compliant with Bow Jig. Extras include Aluminium Beach Trolley, Road Cover and Spare Mast. Asking Price $3,900.00.

Telephone 021 120 7060.

CATAMARAN - 3yr old 11.4 mtr, Roger Simpson, Wildside, Twin 10 hp Yanmar, Diesels. 3 Queen, Size Double berth. Galley. Nav Station, Heads.

Saloon. Usual instruments. Ph 07 866 5157 or email cox.wall@xtra.co.nz.

4.95 ALUMINIUM MAST AND SAIL - plus centre board, rudder and anchor. All in V.G. condition.

Open to reasonable offers. Please ring 576 0294 (has answer phone).

MOORING - C6 The Strand, Town Reach, Tauranga, new survey. Upto 10.5m. $1000 spent on survey. $4000 ono. Contact 07 307 9097 or 027 307 9009.

MOORING - Waikaraeo Estuary #5. Good position, good swing, good depth. Fully rebuilt. Suit up to 29’ boat. Phone 07 576 1309.

YACHT - 26’ vanderstadt centreboarder, on launching trailer in hardstand. Very nice condition. 8HP yamaha outboard, alloy s/s rig. $12,990 neg.

Ph 0274 272 054.

SPINNAKER - off Davidson 32. 11.5m-6.8m, orange/white. In good condition $600.

Phone 06 868 8328 28ft Keeler - a well maintained gulf cruiser, sleeps 5, Yanmar diesel engine, Furling headsail. $28,000 ono. Phone, 07 864 7432.

HARTLEY 16 QUIKSILVER mast and sails.

Offers. Ph 07 576 0207.

TRAILER YACHT VENTURE 20 - Good condition on trailer price $5000 phone 027 332 3369.

LAUNCH - Steel launch 30ft to 10ft. Little use View C2 Tauranga Marina. $38,000.

Ph 07 843 4392 or 027 620 971.2

Call

MOORING - Omokoroa. Phone 021 114 7339.

MOORING FOR RENT -Town basin, TA10, will take up to 30’ boat. Phone Ian, 5700333.

MOORING FOR RENT - Waikaraeo Estuary.

Phone 07 843 4392 or 027 620 9712.

MOORING - handy to Omokoroa Boat Club, suit up to 30’ boat. $17 per week. Ph 027 201 5113.

MOORING - Omokoroa, close to beach. $20 per week. Registered mooring. Ph 07 548 0328.

MOORING - available for rent or sale. Pilot Bay, excellent position. Ph Ian 07 570 0333.

MOORING TE PUNA – Most sheltered area in harbour, handy position $12/week. Ph 0274 996 747.

Wanted YACHT OR LAUNCH in need of love or care.

Up to about 40ft. Phone Jeff 09 4268803 or 022 351 1334.

WANTED TO BUY Small Trailer Sailer, Monarch 17, Tropic 520, Quick Silver or similar up to 20 ft (5m). Phone 07 544 1477 or 027 416 1417

WANTED Volvo 200HP or 230HP. Phone 07 843 4392 or 027 620 9712.

FOLDING PROP - briski, 16 x 12. 25mm shaft.

Right handed NZ. $500 ono. Very good condition.

Ph 021 243 5555.

HARTLEY TS18 - ‘Antares’ is in really good condition. Trailer has WOF. She has been beautifully built inside and out with painted wood interior and can sleep up to 4 people. Comes with Honda 5HP outboard motor with stand for easy storage.

Drop keel makes her a great family boat for going to places in and around the harbour. She has had new aluminium mast and rigging by Mike McCormack and new winch and guide bars added to trailer, for easy launch and retrieval. All ready to go for 2011. Asking price $4,500 ono. Phone Ian Gray 07 578 5022 or 027 572 9439.

TOWN REACH SWING MOORING – For sale or rent. Phone Peter 027 491 5616 or 578 0230.

WANTED TO BUY second hand sun burst sales.

Ph 06 868 8328

WATER PUMP - 25PSI, Sureflow. As New $120.

Ph 0274 333 220.

QUARTER SHARE IN VINDEX 10 METRE LAUNCH - Shaft drive, 180 hp Ford Diesel Turbo, Sleeps 6, two showers, 3 steering stations cruises 10-12 kts. This syndicate has been operating successfully for 6yrs. A great opportunity to enjoy the pleasures a launch offers whilst sharing the costs.

Based at Tauranga Bridge Marina. Price $20,000 Ph 548 2314.

MOORING FOR RENT – 100 yards from Bridge Marina. Very protected, great position. $180per month. Phone Jeff 09 426 8803 or 022 351 1334.

WANTED TO RENT Swing mooring for 25ft yacht, also short term marina berth. Phone/text Marc, 027 200 2316.

33FT WOODEN LAUNCH, 70h/p ford. GPS, VHF, stereo, auto pilot, electric capstan. Sleeps 3, 2 burner cooker and oven, electric toilet, game rigged. Good condition, on rented swing mooring.

Best of offer $20k. Ph 021 0277 4294.

TRIMARAN - 30’ piver, 15hp outboard, good condition, easily sailed. $18,000. Phone Grant Lawton 07 552 0737 or 021 057 5755.

HARTLEY 16 Fibreglass trailer sailer.

Ph 07 576 0207.

Deliveries Rex Sturmey Ph: 07 868 3870 Mob. 027 358 5656 or Tony Wells Ph: 07 862 7257 Mob. 027 286 8883.

Email ar.wells@hotmail.com

MOTOR SAILOR - 37’ LOA Kauri, shoal draft, twin keels. 20 Horse Yanmar. Painted ready for season. $66,000ono. Ph 07 211 9200.

MOORING - Tanners Point. Good location, just been reconditioned. $6000. Phone Grant Lawton 07 552 0737 or 021 057 5755.

WOODEN MAST and boom with standing riggings, free for removal. Ph 0274 393 028.

For Waterline classified advertising contact Salina on 07 578 0030 or email classi2@thesun.co.nz

Finance for all marine finance 07-574 0002 or 0274 435 524 available 7 days

WATERLINE 23

JUNE 2013

Directory BATTERIES

BOAT SALES continued

Battery Warehouse

Tauranga Boat Sales

Ph/Fax: 07 578 8056

Tauranga Bridge Marina: 07 575 0512

25 Marsh Street, Tauranga

Sulphur Point Marina: 07 571 8443

0274 894 056

Email: thecrew@taurangaboatsales.co.nz

Battery Direct NZ

Website: www.taurangaboatsales.co.nz

Free delivery in NZ

CHANDLERY

59 Mirrielees Rd, Tauranga

Steves Marine Supplies

TRAILERS

www.BatteryDirect.co.nz sales@batterydirect.co.nz 0800 267 468

BOAT MAINTENANCE Bridge Marina Travelift Tauranga Ph: 07 574 7166 021 685 438 101 Te Awanui Drive, Tauranga Email: travelift@xtra.co.nz

Ph: 07 578 9593 18 Cross Road, Sulphur Point, Tauranga

ELECTRONICS Bay Marine Electronics Robert McAllister Ph: 07 577 0250 www.baymarineelectronics.co.nz

Tauranga City Council Ph: 07 577 7000 www.tauranga.govt.nz/council-projects

RIGGING Mike McCormick Ph: 578 3071

Prescott Trailers Ph 07-573 9130 29 Station Rd, Te Puke www..prescotttrailers.co.nz

CLUB CONTACTS Mount Maunganui Yacht Club Ph: 542 0305

www.bridge-marina-travelift.co.nz

FINANCE

Canvas Locker

AFB Accept Finance Brokers

John Budden Ph: 548 1180

Marine covers and canvas goods

Ph: 07 574 0002

Alan Roberts Ph: 579 1967

027 627 5448

FISHING & DIVING

Tauranga Game Fishing Club

GemCo Ltd

Blue Ocean Charters Ltd

R63 Hewletts Rd,

Ph 0800 224 278

Mount Maunganui

www.blueocean.co.nz

Ph 572 2411

email: info@blueocean.co.nz

Hutcheson Boatbuilders

Tauranga Marine Charters

Ph:07-578 8312

MV Manutere Brett Keller

Ph: 07 576 3009

Matamata Motor Trimmers & Upholstery Boat clears, canvas work, upholstery Ph: 07 571 4421 Cnr Mirrielees & Cross Roads, Tauranga

BOAT SALES Coastline Marine Ph: 07 574 9613 Email: coastlinemarine@xtra.co.nz www.coastlinemarine.co.nz

Ph: 07 552 6283

Omokoroa Boat Club

Keith Allen Dr, Sulphur Point Tauranga Ph: 578 6203

Tauranga Marine Industry Assn.

PO Box 13303 Tauranga Steve Glover www.tmia.co.nz or secretary@tmia.co.nz

0274 351 353

Tga Yacht & Power Boat Club

Email: fishingcharters@xtra.co.nz

PO Box 14352 Tauranga

INSURANCE Tauranga Insurance Ph: 571 0405 195 Devonport Rd, Tauranga

Ph 578 5512

OTHER GAS FIRE CYLINDER Ph: 07 579 5939 58 Courtney Rd, Tauranga Email; info@gasfirecylinder.co.nz

KAYAKING

www.gasfirecylinder.co.nz

Viking Kayaks

Tauranga Boat Expo

Gulf Group Marine Brokers

Specialising in fishing and recreational kayaks.

www.boatexpo.co.nz

Ph 07 579 9716

0800 529 253

email: tauranga@gulfgroup.co.nz

www.vikingkayaks.co.nz

Environment Bay of Plenty

www.gulfgroup.co.nz

Hutcheson Boatbuilders 1 & 2 Den Place, Sulpher Point, Tauranga 07-578 8312 or 027 489 704 Email: hutchboats@xtra.co.nz

MARINA Tauranga Bridge Marina Ph: 07 575 8264 Fax: 07 575 8369 VHF: Ch 73 “Bridge Marina”

Ph 0800 884 880 www.boprc.govt.nz

JUNE 2013

24 WATERLINE

Salthouse Corsair – The Next Generation The Salthouse name in Kiwi boat design and building is synonymous with performance, high quality and truly special boats. Salthouse owners rave about their boats, and enjoy an immense pride of ownership.

Dean Salthouse Next Generation Boats aims to carry on this tradition with its new Corsair range. Offered in both 44 and 49 foot versions, each is available in Euro, Classique and Cabriolet styling. Launched in 2010, the 44 cabriolet “Eligo” is an excellent example of what is on offer.

Eligo was designed and built to be a family boat in keeping with the Corsair tradition.

The term “modern traditionalist” describes her perfectly. Its classic styling belies the extent that modern technology has been embraced and been used to produce a boat that is

modern in every way. The result is a boat designed and built to be used, which is a boat for the entire family – from sticky-fingered kids through to grandparents in their golden years.

It is a look, touch and try-me boat, built to take the knocks that come as part and parcel of family living.

Eligo is powered by twin MTU 6R700 M94 common rail diesels, rated at 345hp, which Salthouse says are perfectly matched to the Corsair being both relatively light yet delivering impressive torque. Top speed is a credible 33knots with the engines sitting at 3800rpm sipping 4.63 litre per nautical mile. At a 22knot cruise, consumption is just under three litres per mile, giving a potential range of 272 nautical miles from the 900 litre tank.

Eligo is offered for sale at $810,000

by Tauranga Boat Sales and can be viewed at their exclusive sales berth at the Tauranga Bridge Marina. Stop by and have a look at boating the way it is meant to be!

JUNE 2013

WATERLINE 25

26 WATERLINE

JUNE 2013

Get a really BIG crane

Really big cranes in Busan, South Korea.

Ninety per cent or more of the MV Rena is still on Astrolabe reef, the bulk of her being a metre or so below the surface and out of sight.

I thought it would be prudent to take a creative look at what could be done to remove the rest of her, based on a couple of the more absurd ideas that I have heard discussed around the cappuccino machine at Bridge Marina Cafe.

Someone suggested blowing the reef up and floating the MV Rena remains away after pumping refrigeration foam into the hulk, then towing the toxic old carcase of Rena far away over the horizon to be disposed of in the manner of traditional thinking – burning the foam out of her and sinking her into the depths of the Kermadec trench. The originator of this idea was sober when he told me the idea. I must have looked a little doubtful but his voice increased in pitch and volume.

“And...” he did tell me, “that people generally haven’t got a clue about whatever they’re doing.

“It’s a default position of the human condition,” he continued, “except for the consortium of bankers and high rollers who gaggle together to confuse and enslave the rest of us. That’s where the power is.” This guardian of the ancient armchair explained, “and that’s why things don’t get done the way they don’t.......”.

He may have had some merit to the filling up the hull with refrigeration foam, who knows? It could make a huge mess too and achieve very little, but since it seems there is a perception among local seafarers that very little has been achieved by conventional means, perhaps it’s time to look at alternatives. In fact, there has probably been a lot more achieved at the wreck than what’s apparent. And now the bits of the wreck above water have been removed it’s unlikely that the general local populace are concerned any longer.

Someone else thought MV Rena should be chopped up into sections,

using long cutting-cables laced with diamonds, and when wrapped around the section of hull, be cut through. These cables could be, driven around large winches mounted on tugs and they would act like giant chainsaws, running the cable around and around the hull while relentlessly slicing through steel until there are chunks of ship that cranes could lift free. Folk may wonder how chunks of ship weighing thousands of tonnes each could be lifted free. What with? A turbocharged sky hook with triple overhead eckelgrinders?

Well, read on, because while in Busan (a large ship building port in South Korea), I watched as a huge floating crane lifted the whole tower section of a new ship onto the hull. A barge bought the complete tower section into the harbour, the crane floated in behind and connected to the tower and lifted it clear of the barge. The barge moved and the crane floated into position above the hull on the slip in the boat yard.

The tower was lowered in place onto the hull. The operation started about 0800hrs and the crane floated away at about 1600hrs; and the job of connecting the business-end of the ship to the hull was complete.

All in a day’s work.

Float a few of these giant cranes out from Asia, connect them to the Rena, lift her clear of the ocean and float her off to be safely demolished somewhere far away from Tauranga’s pristine coastline. In theory it’s possible. In practice, it’s probably fraught with issues and unsolvable problems.

There are plenty of ideas around as to what’s best for removing the Rena but perhaps more than ninety per cent of the ship is still at the reef. There are still a lot of containers and debris submerged around the wreck site, still lots of toxins, and the like, and the MV Rena is still a big headache. But it’s down below the horizon and under the sea, and is no longer a constant reminder of what can, and often does, happen to ships – even large well-run commercial container ships. And now that MV Rena gone from sight and mind, the perception of crisis is finally over.

Thank goodness it wasn’t the wreck of a large tanker carrying perhaps 100,000 tonne of crude oil from freshly-exploited oil reserves off the New Zealand coast. Then the problems would never be over, the region would have been devastated environmentally, ecologically and economically for generations to come. Real problems are the response to disaster, that New Zealand is capable of, and the ability to clean up after a disaster. I wonder what new thinking there is among those who have taken on the responsibility for effective immediate response; and whether there is confidence in the ability to fund the salvage and clean up, and remove on-going environmental and ecological risks; and address the economic losses for innocent business owners.

Or is the real default position of the human condition simply to hope that disasters like the MV Rena don’t happen during their watch?

WATERLINE 27

JUNE 2013

Flyable, carryable boats for RNZN The navy’s new Rapid Environmental Assessment boats are designed to fit into a Hercules C130, be deployed on-board an RNZN Offshore Patrol Vessel or embarked on-board HMNZS Canterbury.

The versatile craft named Takapu and Tarapunga are going to mainly be the navy divers’ and mine counter measures crew’s transport, but the 9.2m long tunnel hulls are multi-role craft also intended for autonomous underwater vehicle operations, rapid environmental assessments and survey tasks – identifying safe beaches and establishing temporary navigation marks. They are capable of working alone or as a support tender to larger RNZN vessels.

The first of the new boats was named Takapu in Opua in March. Built by Opua company Northland Spars and Rigging, they are designed by naval architect Alan Walker.

The second boat, to be named HMNZS Tarapunga, is under construction and expected to be completed in early July – though the Navy expects sea trial and deployment will depend on when the relevant squads are back in country. As Waterline went to press, the divers are exercising with US military, and the mines counter measures crew are blowing up old bombs in the Solomon Islands.

The boats’ specifications emphasise flexibility. They include the speed, stability and draft

to enable towing of a 500kg submerged weight, deploying REMUS or other underwater search equipment and lifting 250kg on the removable davit – all the while being able to embark into an Air Force C-130 Hercules.

The boats have a crew of two and can carry six. They are 2.9m wide and draw 0.65m.

Displacement is 7.67 tonnes and they are powered by twin Yanmar 370hp turbocharged, intercooled, waste-gated, direct-injection, 24-valve, inline-six cylinder marine diesels giving a speed of 27 knots.

As well as enhancing Navy’s capabilities, the project to obtain the new boats generated additional benefits in supporting local industry, said deputy chief of Navy, Commodore Wayne Burroughs during the naming ceremony.

“The Navy is delighted to be supporting local business through this partnership initiative,” he said. “The Navy maintains a close relationship with the region through our historical ties to Waitangi and this is certainly another positive link for the region and the Navy.”

HMNZS Takapu on sea trials.

Coastdesign is a specialist in the aluminium powerboat industry, in design, as a consultant in production methods and in project management. CNC (computer numeric control) cut files are a specialty, enabling components for a vessel to be cut from the data on a computer disk using plasma, water-jet, laser or milling machine.

New sea urchins discovered off the Bay of Plenty Seven new species of sea urchins, known as tam o’shanters, have been discovered in a collection of urchins at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research’s (NIWA) Invertebrate Collection.

Unfortunately people have little chance of seeing any of the new species alive because they live so deep in the ocean, says deep water fisheries scientist Owen Anderson.

Deep sea urchins are most commonly found off the Bay of Plenty, on the Chatham Rise, and on the Campbell Plateau. They are not found on beaches and are too deep for divers to see – so to find one is incredibly rare. They are occasionally seen when caught in deep sea nets, says Owen.

“These urchins live at a depth of 100-1200 metres and are named tam o’shanters – as their shape is similar to a Scottish hat.

“New Zealand waters are rich with diversity when it comes to this urchin group - there are about 50 known species in the world with nearly a third of

these found in New Zealand waters.”

These deep sea urchins don’t have a hard shell like their cousin kina – with the various tropical species being seen in less than 10 metres of water.

Instead, the tam o’shanter has a flexible leathery outer skin adapted for the deep sea environment in which they live.

“There are many different kinds of urchins, which I hadn’t appreciated before I started researching kina but now I am hooked.

“I love the symmetry and detail of the shell plating, they are very beautiful. I had the privilege of naming the seven new species and I’m also in the process of researching, identifying, and describing a further seven species,” says Owen.

Nine separate species have been found on the seamounts of the Bay of Plenty.

NIWA has a large collection of urchins that have been preserved and stored since the 1660s, with some remaining unidentified.

In New Zealand, there are 100 different species known so far.

There are some tam o’shanters on display next to A new species of deep sea urchin the giant squid at Te Papa museum in Wellington. called Araeosoma bakeri.

Photo by Owen Anderson.

By Letitia Atkinson

JUNE 2013

28 WATERLINE

Retiring wardens recognised Nearly 30 years’ service to the boating community in the Eastern Bay was recognised at the recent retirement of Bob Batt, 90, and Corb Whitton, 87.

Both have both been volunteer harbour wardens in the Eastern Bay of Plenty since 1984.

Bob is a WWII Veteran who served in the Navy for 15 years. He was part of the crew of HMS Achilles, and recalls his involvement in the Battle of the River Plate in South America in 1939 as his most exciting memory of his time out on the water.

He’s really enjoyed his time as a harbour warden in the Eastern Bay and says he never encountered any problems.

“I’ve seen a lot of things and spoken to a lot of people, but never encountered any real issues,” says Bob. “Speaking to people in a respectful manner about their responsibility on the water has always worked for me.”

BOAT SUPPLIES

Eastern Bay of Plenty Harbour Master Brian Spake, with Bob Batt (retiring), Regional Councillor Malcolm Whitaker, Corb Whitton (retiring) and Ken Tarboton.

Corb made the decision to get involved with the safety side of maritime operations after a friend was killed crossing the Opotiki Bar. He approached the harbour master, asked to be involved and was made a harbour warden.

Corb, with another friend, is also responsible for setting up the Opotiki Coastguard, where Corb is a life member.

He’s been based in Opotiki since 1955, and says people are generally pretty good at wearing life jackets, following the navigational rules and keeping in communication when they head out on the water.

“It’s been good. I’ve enjoyed sharing my knowledge, reminding people about the rules and having an impact on water safety in the area.”

They were thanked at an evening hosted by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

Eastern Bay of Plenty harbourmaster Brian Spake says their commitment has been immense and it will be hard to replace them.

WATER SPORTS

“The support you’ve provided over the years has made a real difference, not just to me, but to all the boating community in the area.”

They were presented with certificates and thanked for their time by regional councillor Malcolm Whitaker.

“Bob and Corb have provided an incredible service to this community. Not only have they volunteered significant amounts of their time, but they have undertaken a job that is not easy and not to be taken lightly, and done it with pride and passion,” said Malcolm. “We wish them well in their retirement.”

There are currently 52 volunteer harbour and lake wardens in the Bay of Plenty. Wardens are valued members of the public who give up their personal time and effort to help keep waterways safe for all users. They are the very valued eyes and ears for the harbour masters.

If you’d like to get involved, call us on 0800 884 880.

FISHING GEAR

ACCESSORIES

Having an extensively stocked shop is one thing, having staff with extensive experience and expertise is another ... because we love boating as much as you do.

MARINE SUPPLIES

18 Cross Road, Sulphur Point

Phone: 5789593 Email: info@stevesmarine.co.nz

Shop online at www.stevesmarine.co.nz

WATERLINE 29

JUNE 2013

Hunt for feral fish in Bay lakes A joint-operation between several agencies and iwi targeted the dozens of goldfish lurking in Whakatane’s Sullivan Lake in February.

Highly-visible fish, most believed to be goldfish, have been in the lake for a number of years, and numerous attempts have been made to confirm whether other species are also present.

When the lake level was lowered to replace retaining walls and remove sediment, Bay of Plenty Regional Council land management officer Dave Paine saw an opportunity to catch more of the wily fish while the population would be in a more concentrated area.

He organised a day’s fishing operation with Ngati Awa iwi representatives, Whakatane District Council, Department of Conservation – which is responsible for managing koi carp – and several contractors, who dropped other work to provide equipment and expertise, and an eel fishing expert.

The hunters started the day with a karakia from Whakatane councillor Pouroto Ngaropo and the team went to work using a combination of gill-netting, seining and electric fishing to catch about 40 fish for further identification.

“The fishing was extremely difficult because the layer of soft bottom sediments made wading through the lake dragging nets challenging, and sometimes exhausting,” says Dave.

All of the fish caught appeared to be feral goldfish, not koi carp, and they may well have got into the lake through people disposing of the contents of home fish tanks, he says.

“In the lake environment, they grow much bigger than the domestic variety [when] con-

fined in a bowl, and compete with other species for food.”

Positive identification of the fish without capturing them is very difficult.

“Feral goldfish are known to exist in Sullivan Lake and many other lakes in our region, including many Rotorua lakes. They are easily mistaken for koi carp but don’t affect the environment as badly as koi carp.

“Though wild stocks typically revert back to their feral colours of olive-bronze to deep gold, some retain the bright orange colouring like koi carp. Feral goldfish are not listed in our Regional Pest Management Strategy as they’re not considered a significant environ-

mental pert compared to other species.”

Dave says koi carp can be identified by their barbells or whiskers, which they use to located food.

They are closely related to goldfish and difficult to distinguish.

While the regional council doesn’t actively manage feral goldfish populations, koi carp is listed as an exclusion and eradication species, and the council works with landowners and DOC to control known populations and identify where they are present.

Eel and a single brown trout were also caught in the operation and released.

By Letitia Atkinson

Hunting the wily wild goldfish in Whakatane.

BATTERY WAREHOUSE

30 WATERLINE

San Alpa

JUNE 2013

Often admired for many years, as it was seen on its swing mooring at the viaduct basin in Auckland, San Alpa was this long liner’s name.

A solid-looking vessel with a swept up bow and nice lines, she was built by John Gladden Boatbuilders of Milford in Auckland in 1968 of strip-planked Kauri for a Gus Vistocich.

He used her for some 20-plus years as a long liner in the inner and outer Hauraki Gulf – hence the large cockpit.

The vessel was named after his three children, Sandra, Alan and Paul.

She’s powered by a Gardner 6LXA marine diesel with a cruise speed of 8.5 knots.

She cuts through the water beautifully and is known for heavy construction and sea keeping abilities.

Having been retired from commercial long lining, San Alpa makes a great pleasure boat with accommodation forward for three, plus a double and the nicely-appointed toilet and shower.

The helm station is in the main cabin with a sliding side door. The cabin has two settees that convert to double berths, and there is a rather large cockpit.

Complete with hot and cold pressure water, a fridge freezer and a new stainless steel two burner oven. Electronics include VHF, GPS/Plotter fish finder and depth sounder.

San Alpa has auto anchoring and comes complete with an inflatable dinghy and outboard.

If you are looking for a lovely traditional, well-built displacement vessel, with nice lines then San Alpa would be worth a look.

To view, contact Brian Worthington at Gulf Group marine brokers.

JUNE 2013

WATERLINE 31

32 WATERLINE

JUNE 2013