Waterline June 2017

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

ase take one

JUNE 2017

Best of both worlds See page 8

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JUNE 2017

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 3110. PO Box 240, Tauranga 3140 email: brian@thesun.co.nz For advertising, call Jo on 07 552 0506 email jo@thesun.co.nz

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JUNE 2017

Our own slice of heaven

By Phil Phish

“We don’t know how lucky we are mate!” with the passing of John Clarke this year, those few words rang very loud to me.

The country that is ours, the region we live in, and the boundless opportunities for recreation, in, on and under the water in this area are just simply endless.

As a destination to surf, it is world class, as a destination to dive it is world class, and as a destination to fish it is world class. Just across the Tauranga entrance is Matakana Island, where possibly some of the most perfect beach break wave in the country happens.

No longer the secret spot of the pioneers that paddled the entrance and walked the beach to perfect uncrowded waves but still today firing off dredging tube rides to super fast sections it is unrivalled in its ability to test surfers of all levels.

Access to fantastic diving is also very close at hand, Motuotau (Rabbit) Island is a short kayak or paddle board from the beach and has some awesome underwater vistas close at hand.

I am not sure why we don’t have a glass bottom boat here for the cruise ship season, a business opportunity for someone. For those wishing to travel. Motiti, Motunau, Motuhaku, Okaparu, Astrolab, and Karewa have endless options for adventures beneath the surface not that far from home. If we are to consider the fishing options there is not enough paper to right them down on. From the very successful saltwater fly fishing for Kingfish in the harbour to the deep water game and bottom fishing out wide there

won’t be many excuses for not getting out amongst it.

At the time of writing this the fishing is just simply “going off ” The whitebait and bait schools are everywhere in the bay. The inshore snapper fishing along the coast is fantastic with good sized fish in the 12-14lb range being regularly caught, if you get lucky enough at this time of year, with cloudy conditions as well as early in the morning or at the last of the day’s light the snapper will be high in the water column and can be seen tailing on the surface, normally they are followed by the red beaked gulls, no sure why those, but is a spectacular sight if you get to see them, we have had a whole school swim behind the boat with the setting sun on the Kamai ranges reflecting on their bodies presenting a brilliant gold reflection.

Speechless!!

Social media sites also have reports of very good snapper fishing in the harbour. The outer reefs and islands are all holding big kingfish, live baits have been our method of choice for the last while, Jack Mackerel are all holding along the container wharf side of the port and on the right tide easy to get, small kahawai, piper and small blue mackerel (a new one on us in the harbour) are prolific. A tank full of these and you are set for a day of sore arms and big smiles.

Also from the deep, some very good Broadbill captures in the last month which is a real credit to those putting in the hard yards to get them. Everything is going to be on the chew putting on condition for winter and the colder water temperatures that are coming. the best time of year.

We DO know how lucky we are mate!

Rob Reilly

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JUNE 2017

JUNE 2017

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Hinemoana Fiji -bound The Tauranga-based Hinemoana waka is following the New Zealand yachting tradition of heading north for winter, but unlike most other Kiwi yachts that head north for the winter Hinemoana is hoping to make a living out of it.

“Some of the other wakas are now running on coconut oil,” says Pat. They will be keeping the solar panels.

The New Zealand programme is going to change a little next season because they will be picking up at-risk youth from the Turou Hawaiki scheme. The 12-week pilot programme finishes with the young people enjoying an eight-day waka voyage on Hinemoana.

The programme will change for them, there will be more land-based Hawaiki Rising Voyaging Trust project leader and Hinemoana skipper activities, more build-up to the ocean, just so that when the kids get out Pat Mohi says they are hoping to earn enough taking tourists and guests on there they are aware and more secure in what they know to be safe and they waka voyages to be able to subsidise costs for some of their New Zealand are more secure need to do, says Pat. voyagers.

“The waka will be doing what it does now but “We would like to go up there and offer an also carrying for those kids who are more in need,” authentic cultural experience on-board a waka, says Pat. taking passengers or clients between islands, “It will definitely feed into the marine area, but giving them an experience of what a waka is there has to be more homework done on land. So about in the environment,” says Pat. the kids are fully versed in what they need to do “What we are hoping to do is maybe we can when they get on the waka. gather some funding up there and maybe be able “If gives them a sense of where they are at, a sense to put that back into our youth programmes of how to behave in a certain situation. If we can down here, to offset costs for our young ones do that with the kids we’ll be half way through the coming on the summer programme in New safety issues sorted.

Zealand.

“I liken it to going onto a marae,” says Pat. “It’s “It just takes a bit of the weight off the kids that just so they are safer and can then build up better are waiting to come onboard, some of the money appreciation of what needs to happen on the waka. stuff. “Takes a bit of pressure off Simon as well.”

Hawaiki Rising Voyaging Trust trustee Gina, At the same time it’s really appreciated by a lot of Simon McDonald is the Hawaiki Rising skipper Pat Mohi and the trust’s director kids to have that sense of space. A lot of kids really Voyaging Trusts benefactor. He sold his internaSimon McDonald onboard Hinemoana. rise to the occasion thinking: ‘I’m part of sometionally successful dental business, Katikati-based thing huge’.

Triodent, a couple of years ago – leaving him with sufficient funding “to do “My history, my wife’s history is working with at-risk youth, or just with something philanthropic”. people that are culturally disenfranchised,” says Pat. The waka Hinemoana is enabling him to give something back via a “They just want to be in contact with their culture and learn more about youth-oriented ‘rite of passage’ experience similar to Spirit of Adventure or it. It doesn’t necessarily mean they are from a household that is lacking.

Outward Bound, and something that particularly appealed to young Maori “So it’s just about exploring the idea that culture is a healthy thing and and Polynesians. exposing the young ones to it so they feel more a part of it, and the benefits “I was reading Andrew Crowe, he’s been writing a book about Polynesian that would operate in regarding to identity and self-worth, and stuff like voyaging looking at the anthropology and history and linguistics and the that.” navigation,” says Simon.

Hinemoana is one of seven waka designed and built in 2009 for Te Mana “He asked me to read a book that he is writing, it still hasn’t been o Moana, the Spirit of the Ocean voyage. Hinemoana was the flagship. published. As I read the book I became increasingly in awe of what the “She was built in mind that she would cater to all the small islands that Polynesian explorers and voyagers did back then. It’s boggling. They discovcouldn’t maintain and keep the vessel to themselves,” says Pat. ered virtually every island in the Pacific.

“So on the deck and throughout the vessel are designs “They were able to build ocean-going vessels that could withstand storms and symbols that come from each of the differthat could get people from A to B and back. An extraordinary achievement ent islands. She is the pan-Pacific vessel that’s all but forgotten.” that incorporates all the traditions of Hinemoana’s last summer voyage finished at the beginning of June.

Polynesia as well as Micronesia During the next month or so the waka’s electric motors are being removed and Melanesia.” and replaced with biofuel diesels.

By Andrew Campbell

JUNE 2017

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The $80 million Rena diver Rotorua diver Joe Te Kowhai is credited by the Environment Court decision with being responsible for influencing the salvors to clean up an additional 4000 tonnes of Rena wreckage at a cost of more than NZ$80 million.

Photo: Darryl Torckler

Joe gets a special mention by Judge Jeff Smith in his interim decision on appeal against the earlier Hearings Commissioners’ call to re-open Otaiti Astrolade reef to public access.

Joe, a commercial diver and mechanical engineer, was asked by Te Arawa to inspect the salvage operation on their behalf.

“He freely admits that he started with a suspicious approach, and that from his initial inspections he considered that the site was far short of that which was acceptable,” says Judge Smith’s decision. “We concluded that Mr Te Kowhai’s evidence was both illuminating and honest.”

Joe is credited with noting the scouring being done to the reef by the grapple hook, which resulted in Te Arawa asking for its use to be stopped because it was doing more harm than good.

Witnesses evidence suggests Joe advocated for and obtained a significant reduction in the wreck volume – some 4000 tonnes – by advising and working with the Joe Te Kowhai salvors until he was satisfied that at work. all that could be done had been done, says the Judge.

“We cannot overemphasise the influence Mr Te Kowhai had on getting Captain King and the owner to extend salvage works on the wreck. Mr Te Kowhai was a forthright and impressive witness, with significant expertise.”

Part of Joe’s statement says: “….the initial steps into getting my point across or our point across, well...to Roger [King] took some time but in saying that eventually, as we worked through the process and both being divers, we both knew how difficult this was going to be so those views came closer and closer together.

“As I expressed them to Roger we began to gel and what we were seeing were the same thing. With Roger he wanted, or the owner of the site wanted it tidied up. I wanted it cleaned and that’s the agreement that we had and we started working towards that so we both had a goal at the end”.

Judge Smith says: “We are in no doubt that the insurer and owner committed significant further funding after 2017 based on Mr Te Kowhai’s input. This yielded significant improvements to the site, with over 4000 tonnes of further material at a cost of over NZ$80m”.

“We note that these concessions by Mr Te Kowhai came at considerable personal cost, and it appears he has been subjected to criticism and pressure from other groups in relation to his actions,” says the Judge.

“Curiously, no witness, including any witness for the appellants, contradicted Mr Te Kowhai’s evidence or vouchsafed his experience in this area. His evidence is entirely consistent with other witnesses for the Applicant, including Captain King who was in charge of the salvage operation.

“Barry Wilkinson, a witness called for the appellants, is a person with considerable experience of fishing the reef and had been the fisherman for Ngati Whakahemo Kaipapa marae at Maketu. He attended at Otaiti in 2013 and his view then was that it would take three to four years to recover. In cross-examination he confirmed he was extremely pleased to hear that a lot of further work had been done since his visit to ‘clean up the rubbish’.

“From the Court’s perspective these two witnesses fairly acknowledge the significant improvements that had occurred over this site.”

By Andrew Campbell

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JUNE 2017

The Monterey 196 FS Sport Boat During the last few months we’ve been anticipating the arrival of the 196FS Sport Boat at Pinnacle Marine in Tauranga.

And as promised, owners Geordie and Kirsten Nicholson called us as soon as the tides and weather aligned for a perfect afternoon on the water.

Having already reviewed other models in the Monterey range with their awardwinning design and futuristic cock-pits, we had high expectations for the 196FS – and we were not disappointed.

The Monterey 196FS Sport Boat is designed for those who prefer action-packed days on the water and bowriders by their very nature are made for maximum enjoyment of the elements –set up for wakeboarding, skiing, towing or enjoying maximum UV exposure.

The 196FS is one stylish bowrider that puts the “sport” in sport boat, however this model comes with a twist. If you fancy a bit of fishing as well as your more active

watersports, then this is the boat for you.

With the fishing package added you get a live-bait tank, special seats both front and rear for fishing off the bow or stern, a standing cast platform upfront, inbuilt horizontal rod holders and even an optional Motorguide wireless electric engine. These boats are actually now being used in the United States in pro bass fishing contests.

With its aggressively sporty attitude and two sun worshipping cockpits, the Monterey 196FS Sport Boat is best suited for the young at heart, mind and body. This stylish, perky bowrider was designed primarily as a tow vehicle for wakeboarders, skiers or those who fancy hearing their children beg for mercy hanging on for dear life to the ski-biscuit in a high-speed U-turn. Now with the added benefit of being a serious fishing platform it really does offer the best of both worlds.

With uncompromising and elegant style the 196FS Sport Boat includes standard features like multiple stainless steel cup-holders, a fantastic sounding entertainment system

by Jensen, a swim ladder for easy boarding access and plenty of bow area seating and

storage throughout. The 196FS is a powerful and chic performance machine, sure to make your friends and neighbours envious!

The Mercury MerCruiser 4.5L 200hp inboard sterndrive engine is unbelievably quiet and smooth. It is so much quieter than an outboard option due to the high-tech dampening in the engine bay. Introduced

by Mercury in 2014, this is brand new marine technology purposely designed for marine environments. The 4.5L 200hp sterndrive was designed and is manufactured at Mercury Marine’s world headquarters in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

The 4.5L is the first of its kind, creating new standards for acceleration and overall performance with design innovations such as a long runner scrolled intake manifold and high displacement, which produces an outstanding power-to-weight ratio.

The 4.5L V-6 also offers Adaptive Speed Control, which automatically maintains the set rpm point regardless of load or condition changes, such as tight turns, tow sports and lower speeds on plane. Mercury Marine built the ultimate anti-corrosion protection system into the 4.5L V-6, using durable cast-iron componentry wherever the engine encounters seawater, and corrosion-resistant aluminium and composites everywhere else.

Digital rather than analogue sensors are used throughout.

Geordie says: “The inboard configuration means more useable space in the cockpit too with a back-seat that stretches across the entire beam of the boat”.

Visit the home of Monterey Boats right here in Tauranga. Pinnacle Marine.

Phone 021 1667284, email: geordie@pinnaclemarine.co.nz Matt or see: www.pinnaclemarine.co.nz Batchelor

JUNE 2017

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Regatta app takes off The echoing public address system that has forever been a feature of public events may have been silenced by a New Zealand-developed ‘regatta app’ that is catching the attention of the sailing world.

Five New Zealand regattas have used the app since its debut at last December’s Youth Sailing World Championships in Auckland, including the World Masters Games and Optimist national championships.

The app hosts information from results and jury decisions to live weather reports and notice of races. People can even order lunch or see when their next bus is going to depart.

Not only did it receive widespread approval from those competing – the 379 sailors from 65 nations who took part in the pinnacle event for sailors aged under-19 – but it was also so successful it caught the attention of World Sailing, the sport’s governing body.

It’s likely the app will be used for the next two Youth Sailing World Championships in Sanya, China, this December and Corpus Christi in the United States in 2018.

The app is the idea of 2016 Youth Sailing World

Championships event director Peter Dawson and put together with the help of The Sports Agency, a New Zealand company specialising in design and implementation of sport-focused mobile apps. It was developed off the back of Yachting New Zealand’s members’ app, which was launched in 2015.

“It was hugely successful,” says Peter.

“Normally people go to a noticeboard at the venue or someone posts it on Facebook. But with the app, everything everyone needed at the youth world championships was in one place.”

It cut down administration and eliminated the need for a public address system, creating a much quieter atmosphere.

The app can be used by national sailing bodies around the world for any major regatta – particularly national class regattas, which is not only cost-effective but also presents commercial opportunities by aligning with sponsors and partners, says Peter.

It typically costs between $30,000 and $50,000 to develop a new app but organisations can adapt the one used for last year’s Youth Sailing World Championships and create their own unique look at a fraction of the cost.

“Rather than someone re-inventing the wheel, we have done all of the work so it will save time and money,” says Peter. “It can also be a great

JUNE 2017

income generator.”

The Youth Sailing World Championships app was downloaded by more than 1500 people during the event and attracted more than 79,000 views, helping increase competitor and fan engagement.

There was little need to build a specific website and only a limited number of handbooks were printed, creating further cost savings.

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JUNE 2017

Kennedy Point current view.

How the floating marina is expected to look.

Waiheke marina consented Kennedy Point Boatharbour Limited has obtained resource consent to build a new 186-berth floating marina at Kennedy Point in Putiki Bay at Waiheke Island.

An independent panel of five commissioners delegated by Auckland Council granted the project resource consent May after a week-long hearing in April.

“The hearing heard from people both in support and in opposition to the marina. But I believe the decision we made earlier this year to change the design from rock breakwaters to floating attenuators helped to reduce any concerns of environmental impact at the site,” says Kennedy Point Marina developer Tony Mair.

In 35 years of marina development, Tony says he’s never seen a more appropriate site. The water is deep, avoiding the need for dredging, and the coastline is already modified. The design is also unique, with all structures, including the car park, marina office, community building, breakwaters and marina fingers floating.

The structures, to be manufactured by world-renowned company SF Marinas in Sweden, will all be towed into place, mitigating a lot of construction noise and onshore disturbance.

The marina will include about 186 berths, up to 19 pile moorings and 30 public day berths, two Swedish-designed floating breakwaters to protect the berths, floating pontoons piers and wharf.

There will be a marina office, storage for kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, visitor facilities, café/public space, meeting room and a carpark with up to 72 spaces.

The Kennedy Point Marina will be located west of the existing SeaLink car ferry terminal at Kennedy Point and will be accessible from Donald Bruce Rd to the south of the breakwater.

“While Waiheke Island is well served for passenger and vehicle access, for those arriving on their own boats, there is no marina or other permanent overnight berthing facility at Waiheke,” says Kennedy Point Boatharbour Ltd counsel Derek Nolan QC. The Kennedy Point Marina Supporters’ Group represents the more than 540 people who want a berth at the new marina.

Updating EPIRB details a must The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand – our country’s national search and rescue organization – is asking Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon – also known as EPIRB – owners to check their device details are updated after responding to two beacon alerts for which they had no details.

Search and rescue helicopter crews had only a signal location for each incident when responding to two separate rescue beacon alerts from South Island mountains recently.

“We need owners of rescue beacons to register and update their personal details and those of their emergency contacts,” says RCCNZ manager Mike Hill.

“It is much safer and more effective if we are able to pass on details to rescuers about how many people are in the party; whether they are hunting,

fishing, climbing or whatever, and their intended route.”

Two Garden City Helicopters flew to each of the locations, in the Southern Alps and inland from Kaikoura but could not glean any information from emergency contacts about what crews could expect on arrival.

Despite the lack of information, two men were successfully rescued and flown to hospital. One was a climber in a party of three with a shoulder injury who was flown to Greymouth Hospital. The other was a hunter who was taken to Christchurch Hospital with a suspected pelvis injury.

Once a rescue beacon is set off and the signal is picked up by RCCNZ, staff check whether it is registered and attempt to contact the friends or family that are listed as emergency contacts.

One of the beacons was registered with an emergency contact, but that person didn’t know anything about the climbing trip the victim was on.

The other had incomplete registration details with no phone number for the owner or emergency person listed.

Mike urges owners of beacons to register them properly and to regularly check the details held are accurate. And when heading out, let emergency contacts know.

“Just send a text message to let them know you are heading off, and what you have planned. Then when you get back, send another text confirming you are home safely,” says Mike.

“The details we need permanently on our beacon database can be updated on the website: www.beacons.org.nz Or email us at: 406registry@maritimenz.govt.nz”

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JUNE 2017

CLUB NEWS

Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club

Keelboat team off to Melbourne

From left; Fi Charman, Lisa Knapton, Amanda Torr, Sas Pearce, Maria Ferrario, Kirsten Moratz absent.

While the Tauranga women’s keelboat team didn’t win the recent women’s MRX nationals, they got along so well with an Australian team at the event they’ve been invited to compete in an Australian women’s sailing competition in June.

The Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club has sent various teams to the national MRX event over the years, says skipper Delwyn Keyworth. But this year’s fifth place doesn’t reflect the actual event.

With a team that included a range of experience, including some new to sailing, they claimed a second and missed a third place by one second – racing against Auckland club teams which compete more regularly.

“We got on really well with the team from Australia,” says Delwyn.

Last year the team that came second in the NZ MRX competition went to Australia and

won the Australian contest. This year the skipper for the Australian regatta will be club sailing coach Maria Ferrario. Delwyn can’t do it herself as she’s crewing a delivery to Fiji.

The New Zealand MRX fleet consists of 11 identical 10.2 metre Farr yachts, which are used for national and international match racing events and national fleet racing regattas.

The MRX is based on the Farr1020, but has extended hull length, a more racing oriented cockpit layout and redesigned rudder and keel.

The aim was to create a fleet of equal boats where race results would be solely dependent on crew performance and to create a stepping stone for NZ sailing’s youth talent to move from dinghy classes and programmes like the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron’s youth training scheme to offshore keeler events, the international match racing circuit and America’s Cup. The fleet was launched in October 1990 and is used for regular fleet and match acing events. They are also available for charter and corporate events.

The Westhaven-based women’s event is the inspiration for the Australian event, which was started at Melbourne’s St Kilda club by two sailors who attended the first New Zealand Women’s Regatta.

The stated intention was to encourage women to get involved in the sport of sailing.

The Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta is the only all-female keelboat regatta in Australia. The 2016 fleet comprised 26 keelboats and 171 sailors from all over Australia, and from NZ. In 2017 the organisers are expecting to host 200 sailors, including some from Asia and the Pacific.

The AWKR is held annually at the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron in St Kilda during the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in June.

The AWKR is notoriously fun, often cold and always very competitive.

In 2015 there were 25 boats and 160 competitors. In 2016 there were 26 boats with 168 competitors, who were from every state and territory in Australia and New Zealand.

By Andrew Campbell

TYPBC masters games report Four current Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club sailors were involved in World Games in April. Andy Knowles in the judges team; Phil Scherer sailing Weta; and Rick and Helen Spencer sailing Laser Radials.

More than 170 competitors were on the water.

Helen describes the atmosphere as “great sailors and great spirit”.

She says ex-world and Olympian champions were happy to chat away with club sailors, sharing sailing tips, and good humour. Overseas sailors came from an array of countries – Argentina, France, United

States, Australia, beside lots of Kiwis. Zephyr sailors even dared to go back to lasers for this event.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” says Helen.

With large numbers of lasers the fleets were divided into Full and Radial Rigs, then subdivided into the younger ones: Apprentices and Masters from 35-54 years, and the older ones: Grand Masters to Legends from age 55-plus. Points were then allocated to the specific age groups.

TYPBC coach Maria prepared Rick and Helen to get onto that line in big fleets. They

did 2016 training in starlings with Maria and the TYPBC teens, then moved to lasers to round out training before the games.

The coaching programme builds to preparing sailors for big fleet regattas. Helen says powering off the line with people like Michelle Bain (nee Baker) and Carla Holgate was a rich experience to build upon Maria’s solid foundations.

Helen and Rick’s results were down the fleets, below the world and national champion sailors, but strong amidst club sailors.

They bring their games experiences back to sail amidst our zephyr fleet this season.

JUNE 2017

Theory class at the Opti Nationals.

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Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club

Young Tauranga sailors’ international selection This has been awesome season for the Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club with many sailors achieving outstanding results in the National rankings. TYPBC sailors achieved 3rd Place at the Nationals Championship in the Team Racing event and came 2nd New Zealand club in the final Team Racing score based on results at the National championship regatta.

One of the most popular boats to sail for young sailors is the Optimist class. This is a one-person boat for kids from eight to 15 years old. After learning to sail the young sailors can then move into racing. There are a number of regattas over the season ending with Opti Nationals. During this season over 200 sailors competed in Opti open category with sailors from NZ, as well as sailors invited from Australia and New Caledonia.

At the 2017 Optimist National Ranking regatta, from a team of 10 TYPBC sailors, a total of 6 TYPBC sailors qualified to make the NZL Optimist Team and represent the country at different international events. This is an outstanding achievement for Tauranga Yacht Club.

To make a NZL team the sailor must finish in the top 23 in the 2017 National Ranking or finish top 10 for girls. Depending on the sailors result they are selected to travel to different regattas. The TYPBC sailors selected are: • Lachlan Dillon. Qualified to the 2017 Opti North Americans Championship. Toronto. Canada • Max Scott. Qualified to the 2017 Opti Asian and Oceania Championship. Hong Kong • Sydney Cunliffe. Qualified to the 2017 Opti Asian and Oceania Championship in Hong Kong and placed 4th National Girl.

• Anya Pearce. Qualified to the 2017 NZL Girls Development Team.

Australia • Teaghen Denney. Qualified to the 2017 NZL Girls Development Team. Australia • James Barnett. Qualified to the 2017 European Championship.

Bulgaria

Others outstanding results at the 2017 Optimist National Championship: • 3rd Place Team Racing National Championship and 2nd NZL club place • Reuben Coxhead finished in the 9th place in the green fleet category at the Nationals • Robbie Shirley, Monty Carter, Andrew Stretton and Joelie Scott had also good performance at the Nationals in the silver and bronze fleet.

As a coach, it is very rewarding to see all these sailors achieving their goals during this sailing season. Each sailor put in a lot of hard work attending many intense training sessions, doing boat preparation, fitness and goal planning and attending regattas over many months, so it was good to see these young Tauranga sailors perform very well in the most important event of the year: Well done sailors, parents and coaches.

None of this would be possible without the support, commitment and volunteer hours from the TYPBC committee and their club members and of course the endless support of the parents of these sailors.

Goal setting, commitment, perseverance, sportsmanship and friendship are just some of the life-skills that this kids from 12 to 15 years old are learning at the club racing program. Skills and memories that will last forever and that will probably take them to a very success high level and international racing career.

With the four Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club sailors that compete at the 2017 Olympic Games in Rio and bringing Gold, Silver and Bronze medals home, these young sailors have very good TYPBC role models to look up to. Tauranga Harbour is one of the best places to train because of the difficult sailing and tide conditions. It also provides the sailors the opportunity to train whole year round, with no need to stop in winter.

With the Americans Cup just around the corner and Tauranga sailor Peter Burling skippering the Team NZL boat, this big event will be a great inspiration for all these young sailors. Peter Burling is inspiring the new generation.

By Maria Ferrario

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JUNE 2017

CLUB NEWS

Women on Water TYPBC Women on Water

Continuing WOW in other waters For several years now the wonderful ladies at Bay of Plenty Trailer Yacht Squadron annually organise a special event for Tauranga’s Women On Water group at their Rotoiti Club.

WOW’s long-time member Jojette Drost, who was one of the sailorettes that participated, shares a recap of the day on Lake Rotoiti.

This is a day where sailing abilities of all our sailorettes are catered for, by matching experienced with learning sailors in a fun day out.

For those of us spoilt with sailing on keelers, trailer-yachts are a great way to hone those sailing skills and gain experience with windwatching for the many wind shifts one always experiences on lakes.

When only two crew are racing – as was the case on the boat I was on – teeth, hands and feet are all employed to work all the sheets, while the other sailorette manages the tiller and calls the tactics.

Weed is another obstacle, something we don’t often experience in the harbour and involved several clearings of the keel and rudder – sometimes during the race!

The day begins with a welcoming cuppa and morning tea for us travellers while the briefing and boat allocation takes place.

Racing is not always guaranteed due to the vagaries of the wind so when it dies completely, we take advantage because it allows for a dip in the refreshing fresh water or an impromptu picnic on the beach. Hey, we’re adaptable!

We always look forward to the barbecue prizegiving after racing in the little clubroom near the boat ramp. This is when the elusive wind we’ve been hoping for all day decides to move in of course. Plenty of ribbing about following rules and flag-changes, male boat-owners wearing skirts, and handicap committee members winning races, but all great fun in a small casual group. Be sure to join us next time!

Keelboat nationals

It’s been about three years since WOW entered a team in the NZ Women’s Keelboat National Championship and not wanting another year to go by a team was quickly formed with only two weeks to go.

Reina Del La Varis, who only started sailing in the last year and had just completed her first season with WOW and was one of the seven crew, reports on the event.

After a last-minute practice, the first time we’d all sailed together, our team of Delwyn Keyworth, Jojette Drost, Fi Charman, Maria Ferrario, Anita Benes, Amanda Torr, and myself – all members of TYPBC and WOW – headed to the RNZ Yacht Squadron for the briefing and boat allocation of the MRXs that are used in this championship held on April 1-2.

There were six crews competing this year: four from Auckland, one from Blairgowrie, South Australia, and ourselves. Although there was only very light wind and at times no wind on the first day – not to mention very strong competition from the Auckland teams that race these boats weekly – we held our own under the expert tactical and

helming skills and guidance from our skipper Maria Ferrario In spite of being only able to get in three races it was a fantastic day out on the water on the Waitemata and gave us an insight to the currents as we shared the course with the Etchells International Fleet holding their Championship that weekend.

Despite a few bruises – or a lot in my case – day two was our time to shine. The winds were once again very light and shifted frequently, causing delays, and only another three races were completed. We placed second in Race 4, only three seconds behind the winner, and missed by only one second for a third place in Race 5. Generally, the fleet was very close and overall we placed fifth, a truly amazing result. It was a great experience for us all and I can’t wait to do even better next year.

WOW opportunities

Delwyn, as chairperson of the WOW division of the TYPBC, says it is great to be able to say: “it is our aim these events stay as part of our regular WOW calendar”.

“They provide an opportunity for those that wish to have a challenge to improve their sailing knowledge and skills while having fun.”

The WOW division is holding its AGM on Thursday July 7, from 7pm at TYPBC. “We invite people to come along join the committee or find out some more about WOW. You are all welcome.”

Or email WOW chairperson Delwyn Keyworth at: wow.tauranga@gmail.com

By Delwyn Keyworth

WATERLINE 15

JUNE 2017

CLUB NEWS

Sailability

Sailability: Inspiring more sailors Sailability Tauranga is going from strength to strength in its short time as a voluntary organisation.

From our first series of trial days, where the dedicated army of volunteers learnt how to fulfil their roles, from land-based welcoming crews to the skippers of the Hansa 303 boats to our sail days and land-based training sessions, the community has responded incredibly warmly to our initiatives.

Sailability Tauranga offers any person with a physical, intellectual or sensory disability the opportunity to go sailing on our magnificent Tauranga Harbour, alongside experienced sailors. These skippers soon become guides and mentors in all aspects of sailing for each of the disabled sailors. The aim is to have as many of the sailors become independent in the boats and even start entering regattas. There are no limits to what can be achieved for some of our sailor members. It really is amazing how these incredibly safe and easy-to-sail boats, alongside great mentors, inspire the sailors to be confident with their sailing experiences.

This organisation couldn’t run without its dedicated volunteer base, committee and board members. The time and effort put into the setting up and running of this fledgling not-for-profit is so greatly rewarded when sail days are enjoyed so much. And it’s not just the sailors but their carers, family members and the volunteers at Sailability Tauranga, who all thoroughly enjoy themselves.

On sail days we meet behind the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club at Sulphur Point. It’s a pretty special place to come and have such a fun experience. We are very grateful to be able to use the facilities so our sailors and other water-based volunteers can get changed, have a cup of tea or maybe a beer after and have something delicious to eat after they have sailed. And yes, all prepared by some of our amazing volunteers.

We are looking forward to our next sailing days. Each session gets better, and we are now seeing repeat sailors who are keen to become members of the Sailability Tauranga Sailing Club. We are attracting high calibre volunteers to help with the organisational aspects and running of the sailing days. We are now ready to increase the number of sailors we can have, as we are confident that all of our systems and safety procedures work.

The best thing of all is the pride that everyone feels when you see how much of an amazing time the sailors have had on the water, and how much they, their caregivers and our volunteers, learn in a really short space of time.

We are sailing throughout winter as long as the weather holds on each sailing day. If the winds or rain are against us then we offer land-based sessions, which teach the basics of sailing in lieu of a sail on the harbour. We have sailing dates in June, July and August and will be planning our spring sailing dates soon.

We are really excited to celebrate our awesome volunteers during the upcoming National Volunteers Week in June. We are planning on having a volunteer training session and orientation for anyone who is interested in joining Sailability Tauranga. We’ll be offering training in sign language, hoist safety, disability awareness and effective communication, sea rescue procedures as well as role responsibilities.

We really are proving there are no barriers to living.

Contact volunteer coordinators at: volunteer@ sailabilitytauranga.org.nz or for more information check out the website: www.sailabilitytauranga.org.nz

By Susan Rose Ludbrook

Sailability will be sailing throughout the winter as long as the weather holds on each training day.

16 WATERLINE

JUNE 2017

CLUB NEWS

Young Mariners

Friends... focused on fun

Young Mariners - Pyper Loane , Anna Haywood, Lily Knight, Madi Adsett, Kate Amundsen.

While Cyclone Cook wreaked havoc outside the protective walls of our pre-Easter sleepover, it dimmed only the lights – and not our excited moods. Nevertheless, the power outage caused our well-polished mariner instincts to kick in, and dinner was a candlelit one set for six.

That night, looking outside to the heavy rain and stormy conditions, Auckland seemed untouchable.

Yet at 5am the next morning, it was with high spirits we entered the car packed full with gear and the essential snacks. We arrived at the school, under a clear sky, our stomachs full and eyes trained on the patch of grass that was our campsite.

After a couple of hours we had our tents up and ready like a well-oiled machine.

Though our teamwork was undeniable our new blow-up tents, thanks to our amazing funders and supporters, were brilliant and very much appreciated and so was the

electric pump.

Each night the hosting unit, Franklin, came up with entertainment for us kids.

The first evening it was an intense game of tug of war; next, a newspaper and tape challenge where we had to make a stable giraffe. Speaking from experience this was a lot harder than it sounds.

Of course the real competition was to get it the tallest but we struggled to keep it off the ground. That was followed by skit night, which caused a lot of laughs.

My overall favourite though was the disco where we got to show off our moves. My signature one was the shopping trolley where you shuffled on your feet and grabbed for invisible cans. The dance itself was pretty funky once you combined the movements.

Franklin did a great job of hosting, so a big thank you to them for the amazing food, awesome activities and good organisation.

During the four days of Easter regatta, we participated in sailing, boat rigging,

rowing, iron woman, canoeing, shooting, swimming and seamanship – which is a test of the selected fours skills in boating rules, navigation, first aid and knot tying.

We did well in the majority of these activities, leaving prizegiving with a total of seven trophies, 20 chocolate fish and near uncountable certificates.

Every single girl in our unit had a reason to feel proud of themselves, as did the parents and leaders, who we could not have done it without. In return for their hard work, we put up with the embarrassment that came with their tutus, sparkly hats, red wings and very loud encouragement.

We competed fiercely, but not without picking up friendships along the way. I, along with three other girls in our unit, challenged myself to learn all the names of people I met and remember them. I think I came as close to that goal as it was possible.

Personally, one of my highlights this Easter was the time spent with the amazing people from other units and my own. I can’t wait for next year.

By Lily Knight

WATERLINE 17

JUNE 2017

CLUB NEWS

Young Mariners

Good haul from Mariner regatta

Great preparation and teamwork resulted in Tauranga Young Mariners having an incredibly successful regatta at Easter weekend at Clarks Beach, where the nine young mariner units came together to compete in activities that included lifesaving, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming and kayaking.

Seventeen girls from Tauranga Young Mariners attended the regatta and our trophy cabinet now has seven new trophies, including Overall Top Unit, Friendliest Unit and the Junior Leadership trophy, to show for their efforts.

Young Mariners of NZ Inc’s National Regatta was hosted by the Franklin Young Mariners and was based at Waiau Pa School, where we camped, and Clarks Beach, where the watersports events took place on the southern shores of the Manukau Harbour.

More than 130 mariners and 150 supporters and leaders attended the regatta for the four days. It was a full programme for the girls and also included an Open section for parents and siblings to compete in.

TYM junior Lily Knight was awarded the junior leadership trophy at the regatta. Her hard work and friendliness throughout the regatta was appreciated and recognised by all of the units.

The threat of a cyclone didn’t stop the girls from putting in a great effort to get their campsite setup and then competing

Young Mariners with their trophies and some of their supporters.

in back-to-back competitions during the long weekend. They arrived home Monday night thoroughly worn out but very proud of themselves.

National Regatta is the event we work towards the whole year. We practice rowing, sailing, shooting, lifesaving, swimming, kayaking and camp site setup – and at the National Regatta we compete in all of these events and plenty of fun activities as well as building relationships with other units.

The girls’ efforts in building relationships with the other units was rewarded with the presentation of the Friendship trophy for friendliest unit as voted by their fellow

mariners.

Points from all of the events count towards the overall top award, which Tauranga Young Mariners took away with the Top Unit trophy.

TYM unit leader Shelley Olds says the girls exceeded all her expectations for this regatta. “And I am very proud of how they all handled the challenges of competing in a regatta that covers such a wide range of activities.

“They started every day with a smile and made a huge effort to do their best in everything they took part in.”

By Kat Chantler

18 WATERLINE

JUNE 2017

CLUB NEWS

BOPSAT

The gift that keeps on giving Cheaper boats are coming from The Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy Trust’s endowment fund.

The Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy Trust’s endowment fund at the Acorn Foundation, the Sail for Life fund, has seen a substantial boost during the first half of 2017.

A total of $74,000 was donated to the fund by the end of May. This is on top of $2000 last July and $50,000 in 2013 and 2014. Total donated so far is $126,000.

Sail for Life is an endowment fund, a pool of money that is invested to produce a perpetual income for the beneficiaries. The pool grows through donations during people’s lives, and bequests in people’s wills.

Instead of an annual gift of say $50 to the charity of your choice, you give a one-off capital donation of $1000 that not only generates much the same level of annual support, but also assures the charity of future income rather than having to live hand to mouth as is often the case. Donors get one-third back as a tax credit, so it only costs them $667.

Some of the investment return, particularly in good years, is reinvested to allow the fund to preserve its value against inflation, so it can keep producing a worthwhile income indefinitely.

From an annual distribution of about $2000 last year, the fund should now generate a very useful $5000 per annum of income to BoPSAT forever, which will allow us to do

significantly more than we have to date. New Zealand is far from the egalitarian society we would like it to be, so there’s no end to what we could do in our small way to help redress the imbalances.

One of the earlier donations was earmarked for blind and disabled sailing, so with some of the income we will continue to support such sailors directly or through the Sailability trusts in the Bay. The rest we apply towards reducing the cost of sailing for youth, and particularly giving sailing opportunities to those who are from disadvantaged backgrounds: The first thing we did was reduce the hire rate for our 420-fleet for high school team sailing. We’d like to do more here if we can, once we have progressed what follows.

Second, we started a free school sailing programme for hand-picked students at low decile schools. Five schools are now doing this in term four and term one. With more income and/or more volunteer instructors, we can expand this programme.

Third, last year we gave 10 boats to Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club for the Sailing School, saving them $1000 per annum but costing us $1000 in income. This will help support the viability of the Sailing School, which is crucial to the growth of junior sailing in Tauranga. If we can do more of this, we will.

Fourth, our ‘Sponsor a Sailor’ programme is up and running this year, whereby sailors from

the free school sailing programme are being supported by corporate or private sponsors and BoPSAT funds to take their sailing to the next level and beyond.

What more can we do?

While we are keen to see New Zealand continue to succeed as a sailing nation, our main interest through BoPSAT is in the personal development advantages that comes to young people from getting on the water. Having gained a lot personally from sailing, all the trustees want to see everyone have this chance.

In addition to the four initiatives above, there are other opportunities as well such as boosting our Overseas Sailors Fund for young NZ representatives, and supporting other local community youth programmes such as Hawaiiki Rising Voyaging Trust and Summerhill Youth Academy.

We’re now targeting a fund size of $200,000.

The income from Sail for Life contributions will help make a big difference in our lifetimes and beyond. Whether you believe in a spiritual afterlife or not, if you make a capital gift to Sail for Life, you’ve already created a tangible one here on Earth!

We’d also like to gratefully acknowledge Nicky Wilkins from Acorn, whose efforts through March especially were crucial in getting our message out and acted upon.

And to those who have donated, our heartfelt thanks again on behalf of all the young sailors you are helping.

By Stuart Pedersen

WATERLINE 19

JUNE 2017

World Masters Games From a Weta’s point of view

The 2017 World Masters Games were held in Auckland, New Zealand from April 21-30, with more than 28,000 competitors and supporters turning out for the event.

Officially, the World Masters Games is the world’s largest multi-sport event. Held every four years, it is the pinnacle sporting event for masters competitor worldwide.

In supporting the Olympic Games ethos of ‘sport for all’, the goal of the World Masters Games is to encourage participation in sport throughout life. Competition and camaraderie are equally celebrated.

Informally, the World Master Games allows old World and Olympic Champions to relive pass glories, and for the rest of us want-tobe’s a chance to complete against the heroes of our youth, and maybe fulfill a long-held dream of winning a major international competition.

Every four years, the International Masters Games Association, the representative body of masters sport worldwide, grants to one special city the rights to host the next games.

The first ever games were held in Toronto, Canada in 1985. Since then seven other cities have embraced the global event including Sydney in 2009 and Torino in 2013.

Two of the philosophies of the Masters Games are to promote friendship and understanding, along with competition, between mature sportspeople regardless of age, gender, race, religion, or sport status.

This unique spirit was be very much alive in 2017 when Auckland, New Zealand became the latest home to this hugely exciting global sporting event.

The sailing event was held at the Torbay

Sailing Club, which did a fantastic job of running the event and providing the food and entertainment for the competitors.

My lead-up to this event hadn’t been the best with work, trips, sickness and no wind getting in way of my preparation. But I wasn’t overly worried about my boat speed, because I had recently finished second in the NZ Weta Nationals behind Rex Sellers, plus I had been the champ the previous two years.

Following registration and measurement on Friday, we had the practice race on Saturday where I suddenly discovered everyone else was fast, and in a big fleet competition sailing is very different to blasting around the harbour on a Wednesday night.

The racing started on Sunday with four races, and Monday followed with another three, both days providing 10 to 15 knots fully powered up, gut-straining hiking conditions with a short sharp chop that has the Wetas flying and crashing their way upwind and surfing and diving downwind.

After two days of mid-fleet finishes, the ANZAC enforced rest day was welcomed, as the body doesn’t recover the same as it used to.

The New Zealand-designed Weta is a 4.4m long, 3.5m wide trimaran with a main, jib and gennaker that can be sailed singlehanded or crewed, is a safe fun easy boat to sail that provides a challenge to race successfully.

With three sails, there are a lot of ropes to pull. The Weta has recently been chosen as a Paralympic class, and will hopefully will be sailing in the 2024 Paralympics.

The Weta fleet consisted of Olympians like Jon Bilger, and Rex Sellers, who has Gold and Silver, world champions and various professional sailors. While Kiwis made up half the fleet, there were a large contingent

from Australia, and sailors from the United States, Austria, Japan, China, Spain, and Sweden, with many using the games as a reason to come and see where the hobbits live. We also had two para-sailors in the fleet, Andrew May and Chris Sharp, who with slightly modified boats finished second and third in their respective age groups.

Wednesday gave the sailors a relaxing day on the beach as we watched the wind slowly make it’s way slowly from the far side of Rangitoto channel, with the one and only race for the day starting 2.30pm. Following a comment I heard on the beach about Rex Sellers’ sailing style, I suddenly discovered speed, and rounded the top mark in third place, and finished with my best result of fifth in the fleet.

The wind returned for the last two days – as well as the feeling back into my legs – and I was able to maintain the newfound speed through Thursday and Friday to end up 13rd overall and fifth in my age group.

I was happy with my starts, but I did learn the hard way what being over on a U flag start means, and it was my lack of experience with traffic management in a large fleet that impacted on my results.

The World Master Games was a fun, wellrun event, and it gave me a chance to sail against great sailors from around the world, and unfortunately, it looks like the Weta will not be at the 2021 Master Games being held in Kansai in Japan. This is disappointing, because the 2017 games showed the Weta was a fun and competitive boat to sail, either singlehanded, or crewed, able-bodied, or para-sailor, young or old.

These World Master Games has shown the old sailors never die, they just have more fun on and off the water.

By Phil Scherer

20 WATERLINE

JUNE 2017

Delays on dredging Delays on both sides of the Matakana dredging project may cancel each other out. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s contractor is unable to start the job because he’s missing an essential piece of equipment, a dewatering cyclone. It’s a cone-shaped device that extracts a lot of the water from the dredged slurry.

BOPRC project manager and technical advisor Bruce Gardner says although there has been a delay, the contractor has assured the council they can still meet the project goals and council staff are working with them to achieve that.

Due to the contractor being unable to obtain the dewatering cyclone, the long-awaited dredging of the Opureora Channel is delayed.

“We are currently working hard to start the job late-June/ early-July, and still plan to complete it within the current consent window, which ends at the end of August 2017,” says Bruce.

Matakana ferry operator Glen Proctor says the builders of his new ferry are running about three weeks behind and in late-May wasn’t expected to arrive in the harbour for about another month.

Currently under construction by Shipco360 in Whangarei, the new barge is similar in appearance to the Matakana ferry Snookum, and is being built by the same company.

It is a double ender that will be able to carry two milk tankers – two truck and trailers, at once, instead of one. It will carry 120 tonnes instead of 40, but it needs slightly deeper water at 1.5m loaded compared to 1.2m empty, but the current ferry draws 1.2m full, and it only takes one truck.

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Southern scallops still in decline Public feedback is being sought on a Ministry for Primary Industries proposal to close the southern scallop fishery for a year to see if depleted stocks recover.

The fishery was closed last season, but a survey this season shows stocks continue to decline, says MPI’s manager of inshore fisheries, Steve Halley.

“Some individual scallop beds have stabilised during last season’s closure. However, overall the fishery, including in the Marlborough Sounds, is close to its lowest recorded levels,” says Steve.

“The proposed closure would be in place through the entire 2017 season, which runs from July 15, 2017, to February 14, 2018.

“I’d encourage everyone who takes part in this fishery to provide us with their feedback. All feedback will help us arrive at the best possible decisions for this fishery.

“As part of last year’s consultation on the management of this fishery, submitters told us longer term closures would provide the best opportunity to support an increase in scallop numbers.”

The ministry has worked with tangata whenua, recreational and commercial fishers to develop the proposals, says Steve. In addition, a multi-sector working group has been established to ensure all sectors have input into the development of long-term management options for the fishery.

“Once developed these options will be presented to the Minister for Primary Industries for consideration.”

WATERLINE 21

JUNE 2017

Sailmaker back in town

Tauranga’s new sailmaker is bringing the advantages of big city industry contacts to what was a one-man band.

Sam and Lorena Burton took over the business from Tony Thornburrow last October, with the renaming of the business as Doyle Burton Sails showing the on-going connection Sam has with Doyle.

It puts him in the unique position of being an independent business, but able to bring to Tauranga the same technology that is available in the big city.

Sam left Tauranga in 2001 to pursue an apprenticeship with Doyle Sails in Auckland at the biggest sail loft in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the largest open area sail lofts in the world.

After completing his apprenticeship Sam went over to the Doyle loft in Sydney, where he remained for a year before taking up an opportunity to sail America’s Cup boats in

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, as a performance charter business.

“I took that on for three years until I came back to where it all started in Auckland,” says Sam. “And from there I was sort of looking at what else there was I guess, being there for the last five years.”

Sam agrees he was shoulder-tapped for the job, with Tony telling him: “Hey I’m going to be retiring in a couple of years are you interested in taking it on?”

They were back and forth for a couple of years finalising a move-in date, which sort of happened in October.

“And we were straight into it as soon as we took on the loft,” says Sam. “Tony was there to work with us, did a great job of the handover and from there we just hit it running.

“It wasn’t goodbye forever. He comes back and gives us a hand every now and then. He’s

Sailmaker Sam Burton.

awesome to have and helps us out a lot.”

They are busy and it’s great with suppliers and customers being helpful and supportive.

“Tony’ handed over the bulk of the cruising customers; I guess the racing customers if not Tony they would go to Auckland. Having both markets definitely keeps us busy,” says Sam. He estimated the business is about 50:50 cruising/racing. The racing sails are Stratis, which is a Doyle sail membrane they make in Auckland and ship worldwide, “so we have Stratis for the race sail”.

The cruising sails are measured in Tauranga, cut in Auckland and the membrane panels are sent back to Tauranga where they are sewn together.

“They [Auckland] have a plotter but it doesn’t cut, it only draws,” says Sam. “It draws the line but you have to hand-cut them. Imagine how long that takes. You’ve got to be quite smart these days building sails.”

22 WATERLINE

JUNE 2017

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WATERLINE 23

JUNE 2017

Foam sandwich proa for Saipan Proa hold a unique place in the annals of sailing technology, being among the family of Pacific multi-hulls that introduced the idea of speed to European voyagers.

When ships like the Endeavour had a cruising speed of about four knots, and a maximum of eight knots, the islander double-hulled canoes were astonishingly fast by comparison.

A recorded speed of a Gilbertese flying proa touching 17 knots, and a Carolines outrigger boat averaging 12.5 knots during the 1200 nautical mile voyage from Guam to Manilla are still considered exceptional speeds.

The proa used to be ubiquitous. Derek Kelsall, who hosted the recent build of a foam sandwich proa at his shed near Waihi, says there were hundreds of them around where the builders came from – Saipan in the Northern Marianas.

“It’s certainly not the only foam sandwich proa, but it’s certainly the only kind to an ancient design,” says Derek.

“There are modern proas. I did three or four 25 years ago. They were quite popular for a little while as a way of getting quite a long boat for the least amount of money.

“To some extent that still applies, but this is still the only example of foam sandwich combined with the old traditional bamboo, and whatever cloth you have got around for the sails.

“It was a very interesting project for me, combining the old and the new and getting the best out of both in many ways.”

The project is being steered by Peter Perez

The Kelsall-built proa with Derek Kelsall (right)) with the team at Waihi.

in an effort to revive the sailing traditions of Saipan and Guam. The 500 Sails project is inspired by the record of the arrival of the sailing ship San Pedro in Guam in 1575, where it was greeted by 500 outrigger canoes.

The project is to create a fleet of 500 canoes for the people of the Marianas.

Using the original Sir George Anson expedition drawing from 1742 and new technology, the project will construct traditional Chamorro canoes of various sizes from fibreglass and put them in the hands of people who can learn how to build them and share in the knowledge of seafaring and navigation.

The project will teach valuable skills and promote a viable boat-building industry.

Ultimately, the 500 Sails project will help the children of the Marianas remember who they are as a people with a rich seafaring history.

“There will probably be other models, the

purpose at the moment is to try and get as many of the islanders sailing as possible,” says Derek.

“It’s quite an ambitious project. He has a good US grant to get it off the ground.”

Proa did a lot of open ocean sailing, says Derek. They had one big hull and one small hull and lots of speed. One hull is always kept to windward, so it needs to shunt to change tack.

“This proa, the Chammoro proa, they swing the foot of the sail from one end of the boat to the other and they are using paddles to steer the boat. Keeps it fairly simple.”

Derek didn’t have a chance to sail it. They ran out of time and it was packed into a container for the delivery voyage.

“If we had had one or two more days we could have got it on the water,” says Derek.

By Andrew Campbell

JUNE 2017

24 WATERLINE

Preparation saves lives, say search and rescue experts TAURANGA MARINA SOCIETY Inc HAULOUT FACILITY

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A US Coastguard Hercules in the Pacific.

Expert advice from delegates attending the recent Pacific Search and Rescue Conference in Auckland is ‘Prep, check, know’ to save your life if you’re heading out on the world’s biggest ocean.

New Zealand deals with about 100 SAR incidents annually across a region renowned for its changeable weather and massive distances between countries.

The SAR experts attending the conference hope to prevent future searches by increasing safety awareness. “If you prepare, you’re more likely to make it back,” says Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand manager Mike Hill.

Search and rescue pros recommend that you – prep, check, know: • Prepare the boat – give it a good safety check. Service the engine, check and change the fuel and check the battery.

• Check the gear – make sure lifejackets are fit for purpose and there are enough for everyone on board, that there are two forms of communication which should include a distress beacon.

• Know the “rules of the road” on the water, so you understand your area’s requirements. Know the boat’s limits – if it’s designed for inshore use, don’t take it far from land.

“Being able to call for help if you get into trouble is crucial,” says the Pacific Community’s deputy director of transport Thierry Nervale.

“You should carry at least two types of emergency communications equipment that work when wet. VHF radios and distress beacons speed up search efforts by giving rescuers your location.”

“You can’t rely on your mobile phone. It may be out of range, have limited battery power or become water-damaged. You need to take a waterproof case and another way to communicate.”

If you do need to be rescued, activate your distress beacon and leave it turned on until help arrives, and make a mayday call on the international distress Radio Channel 16.

It’s the first time New Zealand hosted the Pacific SAR conference, which was attended by about 100 people from 26 countries.

“We’re proud of the Rescue Coordination Centre NZ’s work throughout the Pacific helping to develop search and rescue capability and coordinating dozens of life-saving rescue missions with other agencies,” says Maritime NZ director Keith Manch.

Mike says the Pacific region’s search and rescue agencies have to deal with the challenges of finding and rescuing people in what is the world’s biggest ocean.

“Management skills – like setting the search area, gathering information about the missing vessel and people and their last known movements – are key to life-saving rescues.”

The PACSAR conference is supported by the Pacific Community, an international development organisation owned and governed by its 26 members, which is committed to enhancing the wellbeing of Pacific peoples.

RCCNZ is the national coordinator for all major search and rescue incidents within New Zealand’s search and rescue region – an area covering more than 30 million square kilometres.

RCCNZ is also part of Maritime NZ and is government-funded to provide a professional 24/7 search and rescue response service.

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Honing the oil spill skills It takes at least 40 people, two councils, several government agencies, iwi and Department of Conservation advisors to clean up even a theoretical oil spill.

That was about the number of people involved in the recent exercise held at the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club. Hosted

by Bay of Plenty Regional Council, some Waikato Regional Council staff were also invited along to the exercise too.

Its aim was to test and spruce up the whole organising background that becomes involved when oil is spilled into the harbour in any quantity.

The scenario for the exercise was a 60ft motor launch with the Canadian ice sailing team on board, running into the Otumoetai channel marker and losing diesel into the tide.

The ice sailing team all escaped, says regional harbourmaster Peter Buel. The boat had about 20 tonnes of diesel on board but only about 100 litres entered the tide, plus some hydraulic oils and lubrication oils from the engines.

A boom encircled the channel marker 17 to mark the spot.

While the exercise involved the boats from the regional council’s harbours department and use of booms pumps and skimmers from the emergency store at the port – the real exercise was inside, where people were sitting around tables with laptops.

Wearing colour-coded vests with labels sellotaped to their backs denoting ‘group operations’ ‘group intelligence’, ‘group logistics’, they are the ones who find people, the gear, the equipment and the means to deliver it where it is required.

“They are the ones who find out where we are at, where we are going, what do we need – trying to make order out of chaos,” says exercise health and safety manager Chris Woods.

And while they are actively involved in the exercise the only look at it in the real world is outside the window, where crates for transporting the oil booms and skimmers can be seen at the top of the ferry ramp.

Chris was involved in the Rena response and spent that mission

Above: The booms ready to deploy.

Left: Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club became the exercise centre.

in the former supermarket in Cameron Rd – now Harvey Norman – along with more than a 100 other people.

They had Shoreline Clean up Assessment Teams – or SCAT teams – checking the beaches at Pilot Bay and Matakana Island on the outgoing tide, and were planning to put up defection booms along the channel to prevent the afternoon’s incoming tide washing the diesel back over the pipi beds on the central bank.

Four shags were deemed to have been seen swimming within the boom among the diesel, which required DOC’s involvement. DOC would also be looking out for dotterels, little blue penguins and other marine life.

Of interest is how even at the early stage the demarcation between the regional council and other authorities involvement is clear.

Questions about how the accident happened and what the repercussions would be could not be answered.

“We don’t know why they ran into the beacon, that’s something that investigators will look at. Our focus right now is the response and minimising the damage to the environment,” says Peter.

When asked how long it would take, he pointed to recent experience.

“It can actually take quite a long time as we have seen from other incidents of a similar nature for those investigations to be completed.”

By Andrew Campbell

oil sp Capt centre Capt Capt Head

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Farming NZ saltwater fish for the future Buying local kaimoana for the pot may become cheaper and sustainable following the recent announcement that scientists at Plant and Food Research Nelson have managed to successfully breed blue cod for the first time.

Being able to breed the popular table fish blue cod is alone considered a milestone that will support the development of a new aquaculture industry for New Zealand – and snapper and trevally are also being worked with.

In association with Ngai Tahu Seafood Ltd, the seafood technologies team at the Nelson seafood research centre is investigating how to breed different species of native fish in captivity, building knowledge of the conditions required for the fish to successfully reproduce.

They have bred and grown blue cod to fingerlings for the first time. New Zealand can now consider potential opportunities for the desirable table fish, such as intensive aquaculture grow-out or supplementing local populations under pressure from fishing.

Ngai Tahu Seafood chief executive Joseph Thomas says the outcomes of the programme could have real commercial and kaitiakitanga (guardianship) benefit for the seafood industry.

“By enhancing our understanding of blue cod breeding we may be able to identify ways to replenish and strengthen our fishing stocks, which will have a positive impact on customary, recreational and commercial availability. It will help us sustain the health of our fisheries,” says Joseph.

Around 2000 hatchlings have been raised, most of which are now about 5cm to 7cm long.

Their parents were wild blue cod from the Marlborough Sounds.

The team has been studying both the parents and the hatchlings to determine how they respond to stocking densities, population structure, light, water temperature and different food sources, to develop the best protocol for raising the fish at Plant & Food Research’s Nelson fish hatchery.

“Each fish species has different requirements to be in the best health for breeding and for culturing eggs through to small fish. We want

healthy fish with the best chance of survival if cultured in tanks or grown in the sea,” says Plant & Food Research’s science group leader of seafood production Alistair Jerrett.

“By understanding the biology of the parent fish, we can make sure their environment and food supply is optimised for breeding. Any fertilised eggs and larvae produced are carefully monitored as they are moved through a sequence of tanks for rearing into juvenile fish under controlled conditions.

“Having our first population of blue cod juveniles is an exciting development and shows proof-of-concept for raising blue cod for aquaculture or perhaps re-stocking. The next step is figuring out the best way to scale-up the hatchery to one of commercial potential.”

Blue cod is an important species for New Zealand, with both cultural and economic significance. The fish is caught for both recreational and commercial purposes, primarily in winter around Southern New Zealand and the Chatham Islands, although small populations are also found in the Marlborough Sounds and Cook Strait.

About 2000 tonnes of blue cod are caught each year under the Quota Management System. Most is consumed in-market, although New Zealand also exports 29 tonnes of blue cod each year with a value of $650,000, mainly as frozen fish or fillets for the Asian market.

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Tauranga’s hard working TECT Rescue, a 13m Robson powercat.

Looking for the next rescue boat One of the missions facing Tauranga Volunteer Coastguard unit manager Steve Russel during the next few years is beginning the process that will see the eventual replacement of the current rescue boat, named TECT Rescue.

“We’re at the very early stages at this point, it’s a four to five- year strategy to replace the big boat,” says Steve.

There’s two stages to the plan. The fundraising project and the boat project.

Steve’s looking at a five-year plan, describing how they go about it; and then deciding what is the best boat to fit the Bay of Plenty area and its growth.

“That’s going to be a project in its own right,” says Steve. “We are just getting involved, and trying to get some ideas.

“Coastguard New Zealand is quite keen on getting a fleet that are all the same, but that’s

The amphibious Sealegs Rescue in land mode.

part of their strategy. At this stage we have just got to get on and plan what we need to do locally,” says Steve.

“Obviously, if you do end up having a larger Coastguard New Zealand strategy they may be able to supply boats at a much better rate because they will be able to supply more over a longer period.

“It’s going to be a pretty busy year getting the strategy document prepared during the next six months, and from there having an idea what is required and from there going to the local community and the people that are going to help pay for it.”

The current Auckland Coastguard boat is LION Foundation Rescue, a -speed foil assisted catamaran designed by Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design Auckland, New Zealand, and built in Whanganui by Q-West Boat Builders.

LFR is an aluminium, live aboard, multi SAR mission capable vessel, designed to operate in the greater Hauraki Gulf out of its base at the Marine Rescue Centre, Mechanics

Bay, Auckland.

Their operating style is different to Tauranga’s, says Auckland coastguard general manager Duthie Lidgard. Weekend crews live onboard. A crew of four to six stays on board – which with accommodation and services means an all-round bigger boat than a day-tripper like the Tauranga TECT Rescue boat.

“We have so many people out there overnight, it’s nice to be there anchored with them and if somebody is in trouble we are right there,” says Duthie.

“All the accommodation we put in them is not suitable for a lot of other people – and adds to the cost. And the weight and the size.

“Probably they [Tauranga] don’t need something quite as big, but it depends on the work they are getting – because the work here is getting bigger and bigger. Nobody’s buying smaller boats, they are all buying monsters.”

LFR’s cruising speed is 28 knots, with a top speed in excess of 40 knots depending on conditions.

Andrew Campbell

Volunteer coastguarder Anna Meissner and unit manager Steve Russell at The Strand open day.

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The thin end of recreational licensing The long dispute over catch levels in New Zealand between commercial and recreational fishing has a possible solution that will require changes by both parties.

A group of New Zealanders involved in the recreational, commercial and customary fishing sectors were shown how Western Australia has obtained collaboration between competing fishing sectors.

It involves licensing recreational fishers.

“New Zealand’s fisheries management has been increasingly contentious. But Western Australia has widespread public support for the way it manages recreational fisheries,” says Dr Randall Bess from the New Zealand Initiative.

The fisher exchange brought the New Zealanders together with representatives of the Western Australia Department of Fisheries, the Recreational and Sport Fishing Council – called Recfishwest – and the Fishing Industry Council – known as WAFIC. The trip was sparked by Dr Bess’ research into overseas fisheries management, published earlier this year in ‘The Overseas Catch: The state of recreational fisheries management abroad’.

“What stands out about Western Australia is their unique governance arrangements for managing fisheries,” says Randall.

“There are clearly defined roles for Recfishwest, the group representing recreational fishing interests, and WAFIC, which represents commercial interests. These arrangements include both organisations receiving funds to carry out their roles.

“This means they are recognised by the Government as the peak bodies or central points of contact and referral for sector-level

issues. Most importantly, these arrangements have changed intersectoral dynamics for the better.”

Throughout the exchange the New Zealand fishers discussed a range of fisheries management challenges and opportunities shared in common with the Western Australians, says Nathan Reid of Moana NZ. “We were particularly interested in discussing how their sector-level differences and similarities entice them to work together to find solutions that benefit both sectors,” says Nathan. “We are under no illusion; they continue to have their differences, but it is how they approach their differences that leads to improved management.”

The discussions covered what all fishing sectors face, says Geoff Rowling from Our Fishing Future. Such as finding the best surveys methods for collecting catch and effort data on recreational fishing, ways to use smartphone apps for catch reporting, and how to reallocate catch levels between sectors as social values change.

“We also discussed the thorny issues Western Australia has addressed, such as recreational fishing licences funding Recfishwest, levies funding WAFIC and reducing commercial catches in areas of conflict,” says Geoff. “Recreational licence funds are also used for projects and research that benefit recreational fishing, such as re-stocking snapper and buying out commercial fishing licences. The public accepts recreational licence fees because they see the benefits for recreational fishing.”

The next step is to support the debate with the release of the fisheries project’s next report, says Randall. The report will set out policy recommendations reflecting the views of the New Zealanders who participated in the exchange.

These recommendations are intended to stimulate public debate.

“The insights and lessons we learned in Western Australia are very beneficial for us in debating what we want for the future of New Zealand’s recreational fisheries,” says Randall. “It is important that we plan for the future and in ways that uphold the rights associated with commercial quota holdings and Treaty obligations.”

While the fisher exchange participants have some shared views about how to change fisheries management for the better, any meaningful change needs to reflect the views of the wider public – which is why The New Zealand Initiative and the fisher exchange participants are holding public meetings up and down the country later this year.

“We want to hear the public’s views so we can bring about the type of change that has the public’s support,” says Randall.

After consultation the recommendations will be finalised and presented to the new government by the end of the year.

The participants in the fisher exchange to Western Australia are: Sir Mark Solomon (Te Ohu Kai Moana), Dave Turner (Ministry for Primary Industries), Keith Ingram (New Zealand Recreational Fishing Council), Margaret Wind (New Zealand Recreational Fishing Council), Geoff Rowling (Our Fishing Future), Laws Lawson (Te Ohu Kai Moana, Fisheries Inshore New Zealand), Dr Jeremy Helson (Fisheries Inshore New Zealand), Chris McKenzie (NIWA), Nathan Reid (Moana New Zealand) and Dr Randall Bess (The New Zealand Initiative).

The New Zealand Initiative is an evidencebased think tank and research institute.

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Shalimar, a classic sedan Designed by Owen Woolley, built by Roger Priest Boatbuilders Whitford and finished by Roy Parris.

Constructed of two-skin Kauri, launched in 1967.

Powered by 135hp six-cylinder Ford diesel, with a cruise speed of eight knots. Auto anchoring, inflatable and outboard, boarding ladder, holding tank, toilet, fridge, freezer, two-burner/oven, six single berths, electronics include VHF, SSB, GPS/plotter, fishfinder, depthsounder, stereo/CD player.

A very roomy traditional vessel, same owner for 40 years, selling complete with 12 metre Sulphur Point Marina berth.

Contact Brian Worthington, Gulf Group Tauranga for more details. *Shalimar was the cover girl of Waterline Magazine 12 years ago

3a Landscape Road 3a Landscape Road Tauranga Tauranga

Tel: 07 576 3009 Tel:027 07 627 576 5448 3009 Mobile: Mobile: 027 627 5448

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