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

ase take one

MARCH 2013

Shane Wasik Photography - www.shanewasik.com

The Bay beneath Ancient art of caulking

Rena as a dive spot?

All-weather painting

Eyes on the sea

02 WATERLINE

MARCH 2013

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June 2013 Sept 2013 Dec 2013 March 2014

1 June 2013 31 August 2013 29 Nov 2013 24 Feb 2013

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TIDES Date

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

MARCH 1 Fr 3:19 2 Sa 4:05 3 Su 4:53 4 Mo 5:44 5 Tu 0:33 6 We 1:31 7 Th 2:32 8 Fr 3:35 9 Sa 4:37 10 Su 5:36 11 Mo 0:06 12 Tu 1:00 13 We 1:50 14 Th 2:38 15 Fr 3:24 16 Sa 4:08 17 Su 4:52 18 Mo 5:35 19 Tu 0:13 20 We 0:59 21 Th 1:48 22 Fr 2:40 23 Sa 3:33 24 Su 4:26 25 Mo 5:16 26 Tu 6:05 27 We 0:33 28 Th 1:21 29 Fr 2:09 30 Sa 2:57 31 Su 3:46

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

9:37 10:22 11:09 11:58 6:38 7:36 8:37 9:40 10:42 11:42 6:31 7:23 8:11 8:58 9:42 10:25 11:06 11:48 6:19 7:05 7:54 8:46 9:39 10:33 11:24 12:14 6:52 7:39 8:26 9:13 10:02

1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.7 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.4 1.8 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9

15:47 16:33 17:20 18:11 12:51 13:49 14:51 15:55 16:59 17:59 12:37 13:29 14:18 15:04 15:48 16:30 17:12 17:53 12:30 13:16 14:05 14:58 15:54 16:49 17:42 18:32 13:02 13:49 14:36 15:23 16:12

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

22:03 1.9 22:49 1.9 23:39 1.9 19:05 20:03 21:04 22:07 23:08

0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

18:55 19:47 20:35 21:20 22:04 22:47 23:29

1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.8

18:36 19:22 20:12 21:05 21:59 22:53 23:44

0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4

19:20 20:08 20:55 21:43 22:33

1.8 1.9 1.9 2 2

Date

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

APRIL 1 Mo 4:37 2 Tu 5:30 3 We 0:20 4 Th 1:18 5 Fr 2:18 6 Sa 3:19 7 Su 4:18 8 Mo 5:14 9 Tu 6:08 10 We 0:39 11 Th 1:28 12 Fr 2:15 13 Sa 2:59 14 Su 3:42 15 Mo 4:24 16 Tu 5:05 17 We 5:47 18 Th 0:23 19 Fr 1:09 20 Sa 1:58 21 Su 2:49 22 Mo 3:41 23 Tu 4:33 24 We 5:25 25 Th 0:01 26 Fr 0:53 27 Sa 1:45 28 Su 2:37 29 Mo 3:29 30 Tu 4:22

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

10:52 11:45 6:26 7:24 8:24 9:25 10:25 11:22 12:15 6:58 7:45 8:30 9:12 9:54 10:34 11:15 11:56 6:31 7:18 8:07 8:59 9:52 10:46 11:38 6:17 7:08 7:59 8:51 9:43 10:37

1.9 1.9 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.7 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.3 1.8 1.9 1.9 2 2 1.9

17:02 17:54 12:40 13:39 14:40 15:43 16:44 17:42 18:36 13:05 13:52 14:36 15:18 15:58 16:38 17:18 18:00 12:41 13:28 14:20 15:15 16:11 17:06 18:00 12:30 13:20 14:11 15:01 15:52 16:43

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

23:25 1.9 18:49 19:47 20:48 21:50 22:50 23:47

0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

19:25 20:11 20:55 21:36 22:17 22:58 23:39

1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.7

18:44 19:32 20:24 21:18 22:14 23:08

0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4

18:51 19:42 20:33 21:25 22:17 23:11

1.9 1.9 2 2 2 2

Date

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

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

5:17 0:07 1:03 2:01 2:59 3:55 4:49 5:41 0:16 1:05 1:50 2:34 3:15 3:56 4:36 5:17 6:00 0:33 1:19 2:08 3:00 3:54 4:48 5:44 0:27 1:23 2:17 3:12 4:06 5:01 5:56

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

11:32 6:12 7:10 8:08 9:06 10:04 10:59 11:51 6:30 7:16 8:01 8:43 9:24 10:04 10:44 11:25 12:08 6:44 7:32 8:22 9:15 10:10 11:06 12:00 6:39 7:35 8:30 9:26 10:21 11:16 12:12

1.9 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.2 1.9 1.9 2 2 1.9 1.9 1.9

17:37 12:28 13:27 14:27 15:27 16:26 17:21 18:13 12:39 13:25 14:07 14:48 15:28 16:06 16:46 17:26 18:10 12:55 13:45 14:39 15:35 16:33 17:29 18:25 12:54 13:47 14:40 15:33 16:25 17:19 18:14

0.2 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.9 0.1 0.1 0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2

18:32 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:29 23:25

0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4

19:01 19:46 20:28 21:09 21:49 22:29 23:09 23:50

1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.7

18:57 19:47 20:42 21:38 22:35 23:32

0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3

19:19 20:13 21:06 22:00 22:54 23:49

2 2 2.1 2.1 2 2

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). Daylight saving add one hour.

WATERLINE 03

MARCH 2013

Dive clubs keen on Rena As a dive site the stern section of the wreck of the Rena promises good diving for the entire diving community from recreational divers breathing compressed air, to the more technical mixed gas divers, says NZ Underwater president Tony Kuiumdjian.

“It’s a very interesting dive because of the way its sitting on the reef,” says Tony. “The wing bridge is probably only about eight metres under water, and the accommodation block sits up.

“The stern is sitting in 50-60 metres, too deep for recreational diver unless using mixed gas.

You can go from surface right through recreational block, which is accessible to most recreational and novice diving “I haven’t been on the wreck myself,’ says Tony. “We are angling to get out there just to do our own assessment. Everybody asks for our comment. It’s very difficult to comment unless you have actually seen what you are dealing with.”

Beca has had diver Shane Wasik do a couple of dives on the wreck and is preparing a report on its suitability for recreational diving.

Some videos from those dives have been passed round Mount Underwater Club members and Tony’s seen lots of fish and the beginning of marine growth.

The official view of NZ Underwater is

they want the Rena kept as a dive attraction - after as much of the hazardous material as possible is removed.

“We encourage safe diving,” says Tony.

“Anyone contemplating diving on the Rena should have the appropriate training, experience and equipment.

“The Astrolabe was, and probably still will be, the best reef in the Bay of Plenty accessible from Tauranga. It’s always been very good.

A diver on the Rena. Video at renaproject.co.nz video archives.

“I do a lot of underwater photography myself and it’s always been my favourite place to go simply because of the diversity of what you find there. There’s always a swell or a current running, it would be a very rare day when you are not going to find that out there.

“I think it will be good diving. Until I get an opportunity to have a look first hand that’s pretty much my position.”

If the stern section has to be removed,

whichever method is chosen will cause more environmental damage than the alternative of just leaving it there.

The salvage operation will have to be conducted from barges larger than any seen at the wreck so far. Their mooring anchors will be at the end of lines 800-1.2km long which will drag across the reef and the sea floor every time the barges have to be re-positioned. Each barge will be held in position by up to six anchors.

Information provided by Beca to the divers is that whatever method is used to reduce the wreck, whether it is cut up by saw, explosives or torches – there will be sudden releases of contaminants into the environment.

“If you leave it for 300-400 years those contaminants and debris will be released I think in a much more controlled safer manner,” says Tony. “I mean look at all the ships that got sunk in the Second World War. Why the big fuss?”

“That is pretty much the view of the Mount Underwater Club as well. There are people within our organisation who from an environmental point of view would like to see it gone, but a large percentage would like to dive on it really.”

The wreck’s owners and insurers have announced that they intend seeking a RMA resource consent to leave the remainder of the wreck on the reef.

The owners and insurers have also held a second round of public meetings gauging public opinion on the wreck’s future. The container ship Rena struck Astrolabe Reef early on October 5, 2010.

By Andrew Campbell

MARCH 2013

04 WATERLINE

VHF basics - keeping safe at sea Over the last few months New Zealand has seen a spate of boaties going out unprepared and getting themselves in trouble. This often leads to fatalities and many hours of searching

by Coastguard and Police.

A common theme is the lack of communication and safety equipment. Many serious incidents can be avoided by carrying a suitable VHF Radio and knowing how to use it.

The term “VHF” Radio refers to the frequencies used – Very High Frequencies – which are between 156 Megahertz and 162 Megahertz. These frequencies are split up into about 50 channels for easy use and their actual frequencies are rarely referred to.

The channels are split into two different types – Simplex and Duplex. Simplex channels transmit and receive on the same frequency - this is simple ship to ship communication. Channel 16, the emergency channel, is an example of a Simplex channel.

Duplex channels transmit on a different frequency to the receive frequency - With Duplex comms, you are not communicating directly with another boat, you are actually communicating with a repeater. Most Coastguard channels are duplex, including 83, the Tauranga Volunteer Coastguard frequency.

The repeater is located on the Kaimai Ranges, so even if you are 100 metres away from the coastguard building at Sulphur Point, your

transmission actually goes to the Kaimais, through the repeater and back down another frequency to their office. Coastguard and Maritime radio also keep watch on channel 16.

If you are out of range of any particular repeater, you will not be able to use that channel to communicate with anyone, even if they are close to where you are. You will need to switch to a simplex channel for better chatting. Conversely, if your mate is way down the coast, but there is a repeater between you, use a duplex frequency to contact them, so long as its ok with the repeater owner.

Some radios, like the Uniden UM380 Solara, are shipped with USA frequencies enabled, and you will need to change to International frequencies to get all correct duplex channels here in New Zealand. On some

radios this is changed through a button with U/I/C on it (USA, International, Canadian).

Whatever marine VHF radio you have, channel 16 will always be the correct frequency.

Other common problems are related to the antenna. Positioned outside and in the weather, we commonly get issues with antenna failure, especially the ones which screw down onto the base. Your radio is only as good as your antenna, if you skimp on the antenna it will come back to bite you, normally when you need it most.

A common misconception is that the antenna cable needs to be a certain length – this is incorrect, so long as the cable between the radio and antenna is longer than about 1 metre, any length will be fine.

Vessel mounted radios start out at about $349 for a good quality unit and antenna.

This is what we recommend for anyone going further than Karewa or this side of Motiti island. If you’re just in the harbour, then a cheaper, hand held radio may meet your needs, which start at just under $150.

Lastly – If you are going out on the water this summer, make sure you get in touch with the Coastguard, and make sure you are doing it legally and safely. They run regular courses for radio licences and safe boating, which are a small investment to keep the family safe.

By Robert McAllister

MARCH 2013

WATERLINE 05

Another satisfied customer and another boat being craned back into the water after being painted by the paint team lead by Jeff Cashman at Hutcheson Boatbuilders.

All-weather boat painting facility Aceiano is a 55ft Whitianga based Don Senior game fisher that underwent a complete re-paint interior and exterior at Hutcheson Boatbuilders on the Tauranga side beside the new harbour bridge.

In the 8.5 metre high shed Aceiano was stripped of fittings, windows and hatches, for the repaint. Aceiano was enclosed in scaffolding and tented within a high pressure atmosphere fan driven, to keep dust out. Also the scaffolding was floored so they could work each level of the boat at a time, working down from hard top to hull.

An epoxy marine paint system was used. This entailed, after some remedial repairs, sanding filling and fairing then a primer applied before using a 3 coat paint system. The fittings were re-chromed, the stainless polished and modified by Hutcheson’s sister company Specialised Metal Fabricators.

The project was completed to the highest level with the owners very satisfied with Jeff and his team with the job coming in on time and on budget.

Hutcheson Boatbuilders are right next to the water so with the help of local craning company’s vessels can be craned out and placed on a track and cradle system and rolled into the shed. This means boats are out of the weather which is good news for customers no delays due to weather. We have three large sheds and hardstand facilities.

For partial painting or small touch ups we can offer paint matching using a spectrometer. A camera takes an image of the colour this is then downloaded into a computer which calculates tints required and all this information is stored against the boats name, good if you happen to have another mishap and need paint touch up later on down the track.

Don Mattson owner is very proud of his team and the work they do, they cover many aspects – builds as well as repairs on all types of vessels be it a small pleasure boat to large fishing trawlers check out their web site www.hutchesonboats.co.nz or give them a call.

MARCH 2013

06 WATERLINE

Tsunami risks for those afloat

The recent tsunami alert caused by an earthquake near the Solomon Islands reminds us that New Zealand’s entire coast may be at risk of tsunami. \ A large tsunami could flood coastlines and cause devastating property damage, injuries and possibly loss of life.

What is a tsunami?

A tsunami is a sea wave caused by large submarine or coastal earthquakes, undersea landslides, under-sea volcanic eruptions or even big objects, such as meteorites, falling into the sea.

Tsunami waves can travel at about 600km an hour across deep oceans – that’s as fast as some jet planes.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii detects and warns countries about tsunami that may affect them. However, a tsunami generated close to New Zealand’s coast could arrive so quickly that there is little or no time to warn people.

Know the natural warning signs

If you are at the coast and experience any of the following: • feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up, or a weak rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more • see an unusual or sudden sea level rise or fall

Go slow near boats and swimmers

or pay a $200 fine!

• hear loud and unusual noises from the sea, then move immediately to the nearest high ground, or as far inland as you can.

Expect strong surges

Experience with recent tsunamis has shown us that strong surges are experienced flowing in and out of the Tauranga harbour entrance.

These surges were up to four knots in the case of the 2011 Japan tsunami, changing direction roughly every ten to twenty minutes.

The surges peaked several hours after the initial predicted wave and lasted – gradually decreasing in intensity – for several days.

This effect would be likely anywhere that there are strong currents, for example at river mouths, around prominent headlands and between islands.

1947 Gisborne tsunami

In March 1947 an earthquake off Poverty Bay, probably accompanied by an underwater landslide, produced a 10m high tsunami north of Gisborne.

The force of the wave was enough to break off large fence posts at ground level. Seaweed was found in overhead wires.

At Tatapouri Hotel outbuildings were damaged and destroyed, and fish were collected from inside the hotel itself.

Kermadec Trench tsunami

An earthquake deep under the sea in the Kermadec Trench off the north east of New Zealand could generate a tsunami that strikes the coast less than an hour after the event.

Initially, depending on the severity of the under-sea quake, waves up to five metres could hit the shore, rising to eight metres on shallower stretches of coast. Large waves are likely to hit the coast for several hours after the first strikes.

Your boat

Boats are usually safer in water deeper than 20 metres than if they are near the shore. Move your boat out to sea only if there is time and it is safe to do so. If your boat is kept in a marina and there’s not sufficient time to motor into deep water, double up on all your mooring lines, disconnect any shore power connections and look after yourself – get yourself to a safe place on high ground in good time.

After the tsunami, expect unusual currents in harbour and river entrances and assume there will be unpredictable tide changes possibly lasting for up to several days. Fishing is reputedly poor around the time of a tsunami, so there’s no reason to head out in the boat until it all settles down. Stay safe.

Jennifer Roberts 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 07

MARCH 2013

Rejuvenating Nimrod There’s been an odd sound at the Bridge Marina hard stand lately, the ‘tap-thunk’ of a caulking mallet.

Barwick caulking Nimrod

Caulking is the ancient art of stuffing the cracks between carvel planking with cotton to prevent leaking.

It’s a centuries old technique that defies scientific quantification. Caulking is one of those skills that relies entirely on operator experience to judge the weight of the strike.

Hit the cotton too hard and it will expand when wet and crack the planking causing serious leaks. Hit it too light and there will also be leaks because it won’t be tight enough. It has to be struck just right, depending on the width of the gaps, the hardness of the planking, and how wet the wood is.

Shipwright Barwick Harding learned his caulking at the Devonport naval dockyard, where he started when he was 16. The mallet he made from Plane Tree wood from Tauranga Boys’ College.

“You make your own mallets,” says Barwick.

The cotton is covered in putty, traditionally mixed with red lead, but that doesn’t happen now.

“This is one of the few boats where he’s done the whole boat, a lot of people just patch them because of the effort,” says owner Dan Lusby.

“There’s this guy and one other that really

do it. There’s people trained to do it, but they don’t have the experience at it. Sure they have done their boat building and they are tradesmen, but they haven’t actually done it.”

The boat receiving the attention is Nimrod, a carvel planked kauri launch built in Tauranga near the railway bridge by Charlie Williams in 1963. The slipway is still there.

The former Mayor Island mail boat has been in Dan’s hands for about eight years. He put it on the market a couple of years ago but changed his mind and decided to carry on with the restoration.

“Last year I couldn’t get it insured, the insurers wanted to have it surveyed,” says Dan. “That’s when we found we needed to do all this work. We knew it needed doing so we are just getting stuck in and doing it.

“The main thing we are trying to get done is get the hull back up to spec again. Once the hull is restored Dan will continue working on the top deck. He just intends restoring Nimrod to its original condition.

“It’s a good boat anyway. You wouldn’t modify it, I don’t know how you would modify it. It just needs bringing up to new again.”

Working on the hull’s taken two or three months. By mid-February he’s looking at what he hopes is the last two weeks on the hard.

“There’s six coats of paint to go on, and you can only do one coat a day, and another week of caulking I would imagine.

“The inside of the boat’s good. I have had it eight years and its mechanically restored. I’ve done some work in the cabin, there’s just some work on the outside and the top deck that needs to be done now.”

He doesn’t intend splining and glassing the hull, says Dan. “It’s an old character wooden boat.

“When we put it back in the water the timber will swell back up again and squeeze out some of the putty. I’ve been told in eight months time I should pull it out and scrape that surplus putty off, sand and repaint those joints again, and she will be like new again.”

Nimrod is 36 feet long overall and has an 11 foot 6 inch beam (10.9m, 3.3m) She is powered by a 120 horse power Ford diesel engine. She has dual controls sleeps five and has gas cooking, gas barbecue, and a toilet.

By Andrew Campbell

08 WATERLINE

MARCH 2013

A new breed of mariner When he’s not making internationally acclaimed documentaries and taking award-winning photos, Andrew Marshall can be found tutoring on Bay of Plenty Polytechnic’s Maritime Fishing programme.

The new role is no surprise for those that know the busy adventurer – he’s not one to let the grass grow under his feet and instead prefers to spend time on the water.

His expedition cruising experience includes Greenland, Alaska, Antarctica, the Sub Antarctic Islands of both NZ and Australia, Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia, Indonesia, Borneo and South East Asia. He’s also skippered whale watching and dolphin swimming vessels in New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii and British Columbia, and has worked as a dive guide in the Red Sea. He is really enjoying showing students on the Certificate in Maritime and Fishing Technology the world is truly their oyster when it comes to a career on the water. “There are literally boatloads of amazing opportunities out there for people who really want it; the most important thing at sea is having a positive attitude.”

With a deep interest in the maritime industry and marine conservation Andrew is also leading

Andrew Marshall.

the charge for the new breed of mariners; those who want their grandchildren to still be able to fish the great oceans of the world.

Numbers on the maritime programme continue to climb with many of those graduates gaining employment locally and nationally.

Andrew hopes his experiences will inspire the next generation of mariners to achieve a brighter more sustainable future.

Lakes residents fight for jetties Rotorua Lakes residents are concerned the Rotorua District Council is trying to take away their jetties and boat houses.

The campaign started two years ago with the RDC demanding all ramp and jetty owners apply for terminating 10 year resource consents, enforced by threats of demolition.

In some cases the jetties have been in existence for more than 80 years, giving the owners customary user rights.

Now the council is proposing reclassifying the lake right up to the lake shore around the more heavily populated Gisborne Point as “outstanding natural feature or landscape”.

The RDC is also classifying all lake structures as discretionary activities where the council can refuse resource consent, say residents who are organising submissions against the proposals.

WATERLINE 09

MARCH 2013

Barry always has one eye on the water Barry Benton, volunteer maritime warden is always keeping an eye on the water.

Volunteer maritime warden Barry Benton is pretty much on duty 24/7.

He lives on the waterfront at Maungatapu and even if he’s not officially on duty for the Bay of Plenty Regional Council he’s got one eye on the water. If he sees a problem or situation arise, he’ll head out to intervene.

This summer the Regional Council is focused on improving the behaviour of jet ski users on Bay of Plenty waterways. As the number of jet skis has increased in recent years, so have the number of accidents, incidents and near misses across the region. Most jet ski incidents in the Bay of Plenty involve males aged about 17 to 30.

They’re as powerful and as fast as a car but under current laws anyone 15 and over can be in charge of a jet ski, no licence required.

Mr Benton says he often comes across people with new jet skis who do not know how to operate them properly or don’t know the rules. Sometimes he believes people simply say they don’t know the rules because they’ve been “busted”.

Speeding near the shore and other water users is the most common breach of the rules when it comes to jet skis. Within 200m of shore or 50m of other water users, jet skis must keep to a 5 knot speed limit, just like boats.

“A lot of jet ski users who we catch speeding

are just hooning around.”

Mr Benton has been a volunteer in the Bay of Plenty for more than 30 years for the Port of Tauranga and now the Regional Council, keeping an eye on the area between Maungatapu and Omokoroa. He also helps out at Lake Rotoiti near Rotorua where he and his family holiday.

In that time he’s seen a huge increase in the number of jet skis on Bay of Plenty waterways.

“They’re more affordable now and very economical to operate. They’re also fast and manoeuvrable and people like that but that makes them potentially dangerous. It’s like a motorbike – if you don’t have the skills to ride it properly, you’re going to put yourself and others at risk.”

Anyone out on the water who disobeys the rules is putting others at risk and preventing that is Mr Benton’s main motivation.

“When my family and I are out on the water I want to feel safe. For me, being a warden is all about making the waterways safer for everybody.”

A retired motor mechanic who ran his own business, Mr Benton has “seen it all” during his time as a warden.

“I have seen accidents and picked up bodies and that sort of thing makes you very aware that doing whatever you do on the water safely is the most important thing. We go out

on the water to have a good time, not to end up in hospital or the morgue.”

Mr Benton says in his experience, accidents on the water generally come down to either stupidity, people not knowing what to do or people simply disobeying the rules.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Harbourmaster – Western Bay of Plenty, Jennifer Roberts says with such a huge influx of people on Bay of Plenty beaches every summer, bad behaviour puts people at risk.

“Jet skis must obey the same rules as other boats and anyone who breaches these rules can be fined or even prosecuted.

“Our maritime team will be out in force all summer spreading the safety first message and encouraging all jet skiers and boaties to wear life jackets, not just stow them on board.

“We want everyone to have fun but safety must come first.”

This summer’s Bay of Plenty Regional Council jet ski safety campaign has the support of Tauranga-based professional surfer Matt Hewitt and Olympic kayaker Luuka Jones, who hails from the Western Bay of Plenty and participates in surf lifesaving in summer.

The whanau of Rotorua teenager Bishop Thompson, who was killed as a result of a jet ski accident on Lake Okareka in January 2011, are also supportive and are involved in the campaign.

10 WATERLINE

MARCH 2013

CLUB NEWS

A lot of sailing act The summer sailing season is at its peak right now with so much action on the water, it’s hard to keep up with who’s doing what.

What fabulous sailing conditions we have had – particularly for those children and adults who have been learning to sail during the holidays.

The colored BOPSAT Optis have hardly been in their shed, with several courses running and many new sailors deciding to go on to the next level of coaching at the club as well. Taylor Chittick has done a wonderful job organizing the courses and inspiring people of all ages to enjoy the water and the wind with his enthusiastic approach ‘Come on guys, let’s go sailing!’

Sailing at the club over the summer has also been one of our newest members, Olympian, Andrew Murdoch who has switched classes and is running an Olympic campaign for 2016 in the Finn. It’s always inspiring for the club’s younger members to see these sailors in person, rigging up their boats, just like them and interesting to see that even when you have been sailing many years you still have to get out and practise, practise, practise.

Many sailors have been away over summer for various regattas with so many National championships, ranking regattas and youth selection trials and even ISAF level regattas to go to.

Extreme weather

First cab off the rank was the P Class Tanner and Tauranga Cups in early January in Nelson. Both were hit by extreme weather, resulting in the first ever time in the P Class Tauranga Cup (Nationals) that a series was not completed. The Tanner Cup regatta resulted in a third place for our BOP rep Cole Rippey and Julia Ebert representing Waikato was 7th.

Many families then ferried over to Wellington for the North Island Starling Champs at Muritai. They breed race officers tough inWellington as the gale force winds, 41 knots recorded on one day, were not enough to abandon racing and the sailors headed out to do battle.

The resulting breakages are already becoming the stuff of stories with some sailors breaking or bending two and in one case three masts. Zak Merton was unfortunate to break his mast in the first race which he was leading very comfortably and he was out for that and the next race.

Club mate Sam Barnett, one of the lightest sailors in Starling hung on somehow, only bending his mast on the last to day to finish fourth overall. The winner, Arkady Edmonds of Glendowie had a very consistent regatta. Zak Merton finished 9th, with two race wins. Jason Hewitt was 30th.

Without a pause to rest, it seemed, all were back on the road, heading for the Starling Match racing where Zak Merton was placed 7th and at the 29 er Nationals where Trent and Cole Rippey finished third, in testing windy conditions. The Laser Nat ionals were held in Napier at the same time and Berrick Fitzsimons finished 11th in Laser Radial (7th youth) with Sam Meech 2nd in Laser Open and Tom Saunders 3rd.

Anniversary regatta

This year the Optimist Auckland Champs was run as part of the Auckland Anniversary regatta weekend. Wakatere hosted it and tested sailors as usual to remember THE TIDE. The Race Officer was adamant that he would not be giving any leeway and as a consequence each day around 20 young sailors were sent to the beach after incurring a black flag. TYPBC sailors Jonathon Barnett and Tom Maidment competed in Open Fleet and were placed 53rd and 68th . In Green Fleet James Barnett was 16th, Olly Maidment 33rd, Joel Kennedy 19th and Samantha Kennedy20th.

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MARCH 2013

tion happening on the water On the same weekend Zak Merton and Sam Barnett (420) competed in the Takapuna Regatta and the Anniversary day regatta, scoring second in both.

Also having their Auckland Champs were the Starlings at Maraetai where Jason Hewitt of Hamilton was 19th, with Shaun Hewitt 59th and Richard Wright was 52nd in his first Open Starling regatta.

Olympians compete

Oceanbridge Sail Auckland in January was the first big regatta back for Olympic level sailors with Peter Burling, Jason Saunders and Andrew Murdoch all kicking off their 2016 campaigns. Many other TYPBC sailors were taking part with Tom Saunders and Sam Meech in Laser, Molly Meech with Alex Maloney in the 49er FX and youth sailors Trent and Cole Rippey 29er, Sam Barnett and Zak Merton 420, Alex Hart RSX, Berrick Fitzsimmons Laser Radial, trying their best to gain selection in their class for Youth World Championships.

The first two days had a brisk easterly which then became a rather ferocious easterly for the third day resulting in a number of damaged boats and bruised egos and heads following many capsizes. A number of sailors came to grief on the ramp in the large swell and there were a few snapped masts. Some saw their fortunes change with the heavier weather with 420 pair Sam Barnett and Zak Merton having a number of issues in the heavy wind, dropping from 2nd to 4th following a nasty capsize or two. Berrick Fitzsimons was unfortunate to break his Laser mast. The skiffs weren’t even allowed on the water.

Contrary to the forecast Tuesday turned out to be even windier than Monday, but an offshore wind direction dealt to the swell conditions obviously suited Andrew Murdoch, gaining his first race win in the Finn. It was

a great opportunity for the youth sailors to see NZ Olympic sailors in action (they too capsize) and to see how relaxed they are off the water and generous with their time helping out with questions or showing us how to fix things - a wonderful atmosphere to be part of.

Dramatic change

What a difference a week makes - the Junior Sail Auckland regatta was sailed under very difficult, shifty, light conditions off Kohimarama the week following Sail Auckland.

Fortunes changed dramatically in some of the races with sailors losing out on big shifts and going from hero to zero very quickly.

James Barnett managed an 8th in Opti Green Fleet, Ben Warren was 24th in the Starling, Jonathon Barnett was 49th in Optimist and Coral Headey 3rd in 6.8 Techno. Exhausting work hauling those boats over the oysters and soft sand at the end of the day - we are so fortunate in Tauranga.

Also on the same weekend were Zephyr Nationals at Manly, the 420 North Island Champs and the Javelin Sanders and Kingham cups in Napier. Ben Bax and Phil Smith were third in the Sanders Cup and winners of the Kingham Cup. Sam Barnett and Zak Merton returned with the North Island Championship trophy after a closely fought contest in light winds.

They noted that there were a number of now famous TYPBC names already on this trophy.

Alex Hart and Coral Headey once again performed well at the Windsurfing Nationals at Manly, with Coral winning first girl in the Under 17 division and Alex Winning RSX Youth division. Josh McConnell was third in the Boys Under 17 division.

At home

It was quite a relief to be able to stay home for the Tauranga regatta. On the first day,

Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club

racing was delayed briefly to allow the power boat race to complete before a good sized fleet took to the water in warm conditions with a good breeze. There was even a Rainbow Opti fleet with many of Taylor’s current Learn to Sail students taking part.

They provided some entertainment with their mark roundings but all looked proud to be out there sailing their boats around a course. They appeared to be having a great time and we hope they and their parents will want to make this the first of many regattas.

Day two racing began promptly at 10.30 on Sunday, catching a few sailors napping on the beach. Two races were completed before the wind died away and the next hour was spent milling around waiting for the first signs of a new breeze. Finally the third race was able to get away but then a series of general recalls saw the start/finish boat have the interesting task of finishing Zephyrs while starting Optis and P. Luckily all managed to avoid each other successfully!

And all of these regattas were by and large run by parent volunteers. Sitting on a lovely catamaran finish boat at the Auckland Opti Champs, along with six others I was reminded by how much sailing relies on volunteers who give their time, sometimes their boats and their expertise over many days so that our young sailors can have all these wonderful opportunities to race. A week later at Sail Auckland I saw many of the same faces! True for some it is their job, but even so, they are often going the extra mile because it’s a sport they love. Whether big or small, regattas rely on everyone doing their bit to help out. So a BIG thank you to all the many volunteers out there giving our sailors the best of sailing summers! And it’s not over yet...

Pauline Barnett

12 WATERLINE

MARCH 2013

CLUB NEWS

Hard lessons in Whangamata Ever wondered how far off high tide your boat can get into Whangamata Marina?

We found out the hard way...literally.

I was unexpectedly thrown the task of getting our 2.4m draft race boat ‘Whatever’ down the narrow channel and into the marina before the outgoing tide got the better of us.

On Saturday 9 February the Mount Yacht Club hosted the annual race between Whangamata and Tauranga, starting at Whangamata this year. We did it 3 years ago in Pussy Cat (GBE catamaran) and came 2nd to the Newick trimaran ‘Suncherro’ and the following year Colin and Roy Pearson won on line and handicap again on Pussy Cat. We wondered if Whatever was up to beating the trimaran too.

It was Friday 8 February, our wedding anniversary, but we were destined not to be together...not till dark anyway. Colin was on Jury Service and hoped to be out by lunch time. I organised the 4 other crew (Tim, Lynda, Laura, Mike) to meet at 1400 in the hope that Colin could jump on and off we’d go. But at 1400 he phoned to say ‘It’ll be 3 or 4 before we get out so just go without me’. It didn’t phase me too much as it was a sunny day with a nice 10kt breeze but we had to go now to make it in time to catch the high tide.

It was 1442 as we motored out of the Sulphur Point marina, hoisted sails and close hauled all the way up the coast straight over the Matakana shelf to avoid the incoming tide. As predicted we arrived at Whangamata entrance at 2030, 2.5hours after the high tide, exactly when the harbour master said we may have a problem. A calm sea made the sand bar at the entrance passable at 2.3m as we heeled her over, then we motored quickly up past the pole moorings. The light was fading fast as we took the sharp left turn into the marina channel under full power to counter-act the sideways current but BOOF! SPLAT!! SHAZZAM!!! Poor ’Whatever’ now wallowed on her side.

What can a woman do but wave down a passing fisherman...

TYPBC Women on Water

‘Heeelp, help us please, we need a tow.’ He tried, but alas, she wouldn’t step off her perch...but then along came our heroes. Lance Putan from Two to Tango just happened to hear my call for help while onboard the harbour master’s boat and insisted in coming to our rescue. ‘Throw us your halyard!’ he called from the darkness. My crew and I, perched on the leeward side, braced ourselves for the heave but instead it spun us around narrowly missing the channel marker.

Poor ‘Whatever’, so ungracious, lucky for the darkness nobody could see us.....yeah right!

Car headlights shone on us from the shore.... ‘Yes Colin I know it’s you’ I thought as one more haul had us upright again. As our heroes slipped away into the shadows assuring us we’d be alright we carefully followed the channel markers leading to the marina. Luckily, we’d been here at New Year and I remembered the large gap where a water skiing lane traverses the channel. I could just make out the faint green lights of the channel markers on the far side, otherwise I might have made a bee line for the bright green & red lights marking the entrance to the marina which would’ve put us aground again. Phew. So treacherous.

My last challenge was crucial...finding our marina berth in the dark and berthing the boat safely. I’d booked one earlier in the day which posed some problem for the staff with our 2.4m draft but they found us one at the far end of E pier. We entered in trepidation and again, chivalry prevailed. Colin phoned to say that Wil Horne would move his ‘Berenice’ from the deep berth on AA pier for us...thanks Wil. Gracefully, I spun ‘Whatever’ around and headed back towards the marina entrance, pulling into the confined arm while ‘Berenice’ slipped away then slowly I manoeuvred our beloved ‘Whatever’ into her berth with a sigh of relief.

But wait...’Two to Tango’ suddenly appeared at the entrance looking for a party...it’s not like Lance to be left on his own so we hailed him over to the pier, cracked open a beer and turned up the stereo....no time to sleep! Some of us value our sleep and quietly slipped away around midnight. Unfortunately, there was a fishing competition happening so everyone was in party mode. Not much sleep was had and then all those mad fishermen started heading back out to sea well before dawn...I know...I was awake the whole time. Grrr.

Never mind, racing sailors don’t need much sleep and we were all up at 7am (except Colin who’d partied too hard) ready for racing action... yeah! Actually, we had to get out while we had water in the channel... didn’t want a repeat of last night. On barely a breath of wind the A & B division fleets started the race and slowly but surely Whatever slipped into first place to beat our arch rivals, Suncherro, by 33 minutes and again take out line and handicap honours...and the rum.

Arrrr.

What an adventure for a WOW woman! Another notch in my belt and it just goes to prove we can do it if we have to! cheers

Megan Harris, WOW Chairwoman

3a Landscape Road Tauranga

Tel: 07 576 3009 Mobile: 027 627 5448

WATERLINE 13

MARCH 2013

CLUB NEWS

Motiti or bust challenge We had a perfect day for the Motiti Island Challenge. The briefing was held at 0900 on February 24, and a chart of the course was available.

Simple really, start at Panepane Wharf turn to Starboard at B buoy and head for the Motiti Island Light on the North East cliffs of the island.

Starters were Konini a Logan 30 with Brendon and Fiona and her racing crew of Murray and Des, Wayleggo a Cav.30 with proud owners Hugh and Heather Reynolds, Culprit an H28 with Lloyd and Lynn, and Piccaninny, a Tasman 20 with Alan, John and a pierhead jumper, Michael Codderingham along for the ride.

We motored to Panepane keeping a radio watch for the Mount Club but at the start at 10.36, no one from the lower harbour had turned out.

The breeze was South East but veered to North East as we exited the harbour.

An in-coming freighter caused concern with the back markers but Piccaninny and Wayleggo were out and making their easting.

The voyage took 5 hours with wind shifts, holes and wing changes and at 3 to 5 knots it was

Konini.

slow going, however it was trailer yacht weather and Piccaninny, although closely followed by Wayleggo crossed the line at 15.44.

The race home became a powered event due to the high tide being at 19.03 at Tauranga and the presence of two cruise liners in port.

No one wants to be sailing the entrance when these mothers leave town. Piccaninny hoisted her big red and white kite after leaving the island but after an hour reverted to plain sail for the run to the entrance.

We had a great view of the Legend of the Seas leaving port and were happy to motor home after a 9 hour trip made easy with a flat calm sea for the return journey to Omokoroa.

Alan has done a great job with the points and all in all it was a great day to go out to Motiti and we must go again with a bigger fleet next year and involve the Mount Club. Well done all Crews for sticking to it.

Results: Piccaninny1, Wayleggo 2, Culprit 3, Konini 4.

John Budden Sailing Convenor

John Budden on Piccanniny.

Wayleggo.

Whitianga keelers enjoying a perfect sailing day out in Mercury Bay on New Year’s Day.

Photos by Brian Rogers.

MARCH 2013

14 WATERLINE

CLUB NEWS

Exciting developments for trust The Sailing Academy Trust supports sailing in a number of ways: yacht club programmes, coaching and travel funds, school teams racing, and private charter. All have seen exciting developments this season.

Times are tough in the Bay of Plenty economy and BoPSAT has not held its hand out to businesses and families for support this season. Our one significant fundraiser was the joint one with TYPBC and the City Council in August when the Mayor held a luncheon in honour of our Olympians, following the parade down Devonport Road. This raised a pleasing $2,659 for BoPSAT which went into the Joint Coaching Fund for sailors at the yacht club.

Yacht Club Programmes

This summer has seen a new operating model for one arm of the Trust’s activities, where courses and programmes are delivered by sailing clubs using BoPSAT equipment, rather than the trust running its own courses. The first club to do this School teams racing was Rotorua Yacht Club, which used our learner The Trust’s 420 fleet has been dusted off and is Tina with the first three new Optis. windsurfing equipment as well as their own, to run back in action at Sulphur Point with the Tauranga first an Open Day, and then a Learn to Windsurf course in September/ Boys College racing team training for the regional champs which are October 2012. Coaches included Olympic legend Bruce Kendall, and being held in Taupo in March. Revised pricing from BoPSAT has made Tauranga’s Herve Pruvost, and the programme was organised by RYC this sport much more affordable and it is a great way for more kids to get member Ian Wallbridge. This very successful programme now has a great on the water without the expense of owning a boat or the time commitbunch of kids windsurfing regularly at the club. ment of sailing at the club every weekend. The social and fun aspects of Soon after the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club’s new coach, Taylor teams racing make it a real hit with the kids.

Chittick, arrived and swung into action with numerous courses which Whilst it has been disappointing to see only one school taking up the continue through into autumn. Discussions are also under way with Port opportunity this season, a new initiative aims to change that and at the Ohope Yacht Club regarding their use of BoPSAT boats for their learn same time, raise the standard of teams racing in the Bay. A new ‘developto sail programme. As with Rotorua, this is most likely to involve school ment squad’ has been formed jointly by Boys College and Girls College holiday block courses, where the equipment can be relocated, used intenand has kicked off training in the Trust’s more rugged and less expensive sively, and returned to the Bay of Plenty Sailing Centre at Sulphur Point.

Topaz boats. These young sailors are the potential inter-school racers Coaching and travel funds of the future. The Trust would like to see the initiative grow to include intermediate schools as well, and any interested parents or teachers should contact us.

Private charter

This week saw the arrival of the first three Far East Optimists at the BoP Sailing Centre, to kickstart our race charter fleet.

For three seasons we have been successfully offering Bic Techno race boards for charter, contributing to the development of some excellent club sailors like Bradley Nixon, Alex Hart and Coral Headey. Following discussion with TYPBC division, we decided last winter that up and coming dinghy sailors should have the same option. TECT came to the party with $11,000, and the balance has come from the sale of the patrol boat Roy Walmsley and our Hobie Cat, neither of which plays a significant role in our foreseeable future.

The need for charter Opti’s at TYPBC has only increased since Taylor arrived, with good numbers coming through Learn to Sail and Learn to Race, and needing to buy or otherwise secure a good boat to keep sailing and improving. We are hopeful that the two ‘For Sale’ Opti’s at the club, and the three charter boats, will be snapped up quickly.

Three more boats are expected in April. If you have an interest please contact Tina Kennedy teekay@internet.co.nz.

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MARCH 2013

Make a splash with the Mount Maunganui Underwater Club This month the Mount Maunganui Underwater Club celebrates 20 years since the opening of its clubrooms at the Mount Ocean Sports Club.

The MOSC clubrooms are a big part of the success of the Mount Underwater Club, giving it an attractive base to run its activities from, including monthly club nights. All are welcome: scuba divers, free-divers, snorkelers, photographers, hunter-gatherers, young, old, and purely social members.

Another success story of the club is the long standing relationship between it and its dive charter vessel of choice, Mantra. The

underwater club organises trips every month or three weeks out of Tauranga harbour, and access to a big fast comfortable power cat like Mantra is the key to day trips to the likes of Mayor Island in about an hour, or Motiti in about 35 minutes.

“Cruising at 16-17 knots means we get to places reasonably quick,” says committee member Brian Dally. “It’s a very comfortable boat with a compressor on board so we can fill tanks as required.’

“Another option the club offers on Mantra is youth and novice trips for less experienced divers. These trips specifically cater for those who might feel a bit intimidated by some of the sites visited by more experienced divers on our regular club trips, such as reefs in the open

water or on pinnacles with deep drop offs.”

“By taking them to water no deeper than 18 metres and close to the shelter of land we aim to make them feel more comfortable, therefore encouraging them to dive more regularly,” says Brian.

In addition to local trips the underwater club also does trips round other parts of New Zealand, and overseas to places such as the Solomon Islands, The Coral Sea and recently the Chatham Islands.

The Mount Ocean Sports Club is located at Salisbury Wharf and is jointly owned by the Mount Maunganui Underwater Club, the Mount Sport Fishing Club and Mount Maunganui Yacht Club. http://mtunderwater.tauranga.co.nz

MARCH 2013

16 WATERLINE

A few little surprises, com The Waterline crew took off for a quick summer cruise, and as usual, it was far from boring.

I don’t know what it is about our holidays.

Most people seem to have quiet days, reading a book and catching a few fish. Not so the Rogers. Virtually every holiday has its drama.

We thought it was odd when we were in London and the first bombings happened.

But on our next visit a few years later, the place was bombed again. Then there was the quiet trip up north to write features on avocado growers, ending up with two of us in the water for nine hours saving a pod of stranded dolphins.

Minding our own business, returning along the coast to Tauranga, we respond to a mayday and end up pulling a body from the water.

A few years ago, we thought for once we’d cracked it. A seemingly uneventful cruise to the Mercs. Sitting in the cove, remarking how nothing had happened, when a plane spluttered over the hills and crash landed on the adjacent paddock.

We were also in the Cove the night of the Japan earthquake and tsunami, and evacuated with the rest of the boats, and witnessed the bizarre tidal surges that followed the next day.

morning (about the time the bugger in the Riviera starts his gen set). Have they not heard of solar panels? Some just have to run the microwave, washing machine, entertainment systems and whatever else requires squillions of volts to make a generator necessary. But that’s a story for another day.

Bombs away

One morning, walking aimlessly along a beautiful beach, our holiday mindset is blown to smithereens when Claire finds a bomb. At least we think it is. The writing says “Danger.

Do not touch. Contact Police.”

Which we do, and end up talking to the military, who confirm it is an unexploded flare head, an air force rocket which has failed to ignite, then failed to scuttle itself.

The navy say they want it back.

Finding the news

Lucky I guess, we are in the news business. Sometimes we go looking for it, other times, the drama just seems to follow us around. First on the scene to the Rena disaster, before the exclusion zone and photographing the crew relaxing on the stern, drinking coffee and waving. “This is going to be big,” I tried to tell the newsroom. It took a few days before that message sunk in.

First photos of Moko on arrival in Tauranga harbour, then tragically, breaking news to the world that we’d found his body washed up a month later on Matakana, after a tip off from surfer mates.

The list goes on.

So it’s with some trepidation that we set sail in Abakazam for what should be a “normal” holiday, fishing and diving and walks on the beach. Ah ha.

The weather is perfect, the scallops divine and the spearfishing sublime.

After a couple of days, we decide nothing can interrupt the perfect routine of a few evening rums, early nights, great sleeps in beautiful bays and sleeping in till 7.30 in the

“It should be okay to carefully carry it above the high water mark,” says a reassuring voice, safely from the security of a cosy leather chair in an air conditioned office somewhere in Auckland.

So we pick up the grey cylinder and place it in the dunes, mark the spot with driftwood and wait for the bomb disposal experts. The device creates quite a stir around The Cove. A few boats gather to watch. After a few hours, the navy and army arrive, hitching a ride with the fisheries patrol, to deal with the air force’s mess.

Charges are laid out in the sand, and our “bomb” is atomised.

Talking later to a few boats in the Cove including Overstayer, some tell us they heard the blast from Sheep Bay virtually the other side of the island.

The flare heads contain enough phosphorous to burn a flame for up to an hour and billow massive amounts of smoke.

Many more could be floating around the

Pacific and are potentially very dangerous.

The navy’s had to deal with about eight of these things in the last year.

Best advice if you find one, call the police.

Don’t do what one intrepid young man did, take it home and cut it open with an angle grinder to see what’s inside. Fire is inside. Lots of hot fire. Which he could not put out, even when dropped in a drum of water, it continues to burn and boiled the bucket.

They may be floating out there, to wash up on our coastline or, worst scenario, if you run into one in your boat… Well it’s been nice to have you as a reader.

Close encounters

Okay, so that drama successfully sorted, and some nice footage for the newsroom.

Back to the holiday, right? Nothing else could interrupt our lazy, hazy days of summer, right?

Well not until we anchor in Bumper Cove and I grab the speargun and floating catchbag to see what’s for dinner.

Me, possibly, it turns out. After nailing a couple of nice butterfish and a reasonable snapper, I am stealthily holding breath behind a rocky kelp outcrop, when the biggest shark I have ever seen cruises up and checks me out.

I’m pretty sure it’s a mako, although I didn’t think they grew bigger than about 4m. This is at least five. It harasses me for a good ten minutes, spilling most of my catch, ignoring the butterfish but taking the snapper in one easy inhale. It follows and buzzes several times, following me virtually all the way into the shore. At several points I think “this is it.”

One exploratory chomp and 3mm of wetsuit will not stop me bleeding to death and messing up the pristine waters off Bumper Cove.

The smaller fish, including sting rays which had previously been swimming away from me, suddenly are overtaking and swimming in the same direction. That’s when I tell myself through the snorkel, “Here we go again.” But it didn’t come to contact.

There were no fish left to bully from me, the only conclusion is that it was just being inquisitive. Normal for a mako, apparently.

I was completely awed at the size, grace and power of this beast. Hollywood has been convincing us that we should be panic stricken and I’m really surprised that did not happen.

I just wanted to see more, at the same time, didn’t want to see it, if that makes any sense.

The sheer power and grace of this shark has changed my view of them completely.

MARCH 2013

WATERLINE 17

ming to a beach near you I’ve seen plenty from the boat and from topside angle, they do look evil. From under the water, they are as beautiful as any of the amazing creatures around our coastline. The size and presence of this animal commanded huge respect, not just from the human in the rubber suit, but clearly the myriad of other creatures swimming around who equally did not want to be its lunch. And a few opportunists who were benefitting, such as the kingies riding each flank, clearly there to pick up the free morsels on the side.

I eventually make it back to the beach after several encounters.

An hour later, Claire is ready to swim back to the yacht.

“Are you mad?” We get into the inflatable and are no more than 20m from the shore when she yells “there’s your shark,” as the dorsal fin rises up and powers straight toward the dinghy.

It passes directly underneath in less than 2m of water. That’s when I get a proper perspective of its size. The pectoral fins stretch wider than the width of the 2.6m inflatable and it is at least twice as long, a body the diameter of a wine barrel and a dark blue colour.

It turns under the dinghy and powers away, as quick as it arrived.

I can understand it’s interest in a spearfisho with a bag of fish. I can’t explain this last encounter, other than to prove to my wife that the wild story is true.

The only theory I have is the shark is inquisitive about the electric trolling motor we are trialling on the dinghy. (That’s another story) Since sharks supposedly hone in on the electrical impulses of prey, perhaps the electric motor makes some interesting signals?

Who knows. If that is the case, we’d probably see a lot more startled divers behind underwater scooters.

Whatever the reason, it is the encounter of a lifetime. After nearly 40 years of diving I’ve never seen anything like it, although knew that one day, I would.

I’m not in a hurry to see it again. But since the Muriwai tragedy, I’m pleased it was a mako.

Brian Rogers.

Background photo: After harassing a spearfisher for 10 minutes, the large mako appeared an hour later, between the shore and yacht, coming straight at the dinghy.

See the bomb disposal video on Sunlive: http://www.sunlive.co.nz/ news/39787-rocket-head-blownup-on-beach.html Under military direction, Claire carries her XOS double happy above the high tide zone. The navy blew it up on the beach.

18 WATERLINE

MARCH 2013

Tauranga fishers hook the ultimate prize When Tauranga couple Ian Pennell and partner Jan Merrick purchased a family fishing licence for the season they didn’t expect to be winning the ultimate prize.

Ian was on his way back from Whitianga when he answered the call telling him he had won Eastern Fish and Game region’s ultimate fishing prize package worth more than $1600.

After winning smaller prizes before, including the lotto, Ian says he and Jan were excited to win the ultimate prize.

The couple’s win includes a Kilwell harling set and a jigging set, a smoker and vacuum pack system, family accommodation for two nights at Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua, a family pass to Rotorua’s Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park, and annual gondola passes to Skyline Rotorua.

The winners will also receive a half day’s guided fishing trip with Rotorua guide Lindsay Lyons.

Ian and Jan are keen saltwater fishers but also enjoy fishing at Lake Rotoiti.

“It’s just a different atmosphere. You’re away from the salt and everything. It’s quite peaceful out on the lakes, very peaceful in fact.”

The couple have bought family fishing licences for more than 20 years and Ian says they are good value.

“That was the best option really is to buy a family licence and then we can put the kids on

BOAT SUPPLIES

to the licence as well.

“We’re keeping on with the family licence thing because hopefully they’ll be able to come with us and enjoy some of the trout fishing.”

“We’d like to send our grateful thanks to all the sponsors involved, for putting these (prizes) up.”

The amount of time Ian and Jan put into trout fishing and the years of family licences they have purchased Eastern Fish and Game Region manager Rob Pitkethley says the couple are very worthy winners.

Second place prize winners Te Puke couple John and Susan Taylor took home a trolling set, a jigging set, annual gondola passes to Skyline Rotorua and a family pass to Rainbow Springs valued at more than $550.

Dave and Susan Bright, also from Te Puke, took home a third place prize package including annual gondola passes to Skyline Rotorua,

WATER SPORTS

a family pass to Rainbow Springs worth more than $240.

Rob says Eastern Fish and Game Region are very grateful to the sponsors Kilwell, Skyline Rotorua, Rainbow Springs and Sudima Hotel.

FISHING GEAR

By Zoe Hunter

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Shop online at www.stevesmarine.co.nz

MARCH 2013

Digger diving Last winter Waterline magazine broke the news that the widespread sonar survey of Western Bay of Plenty waters for Rena container remnants had discovered the missing Motiti Island digger.

The near new 12 tonne digger fell off the back of the barge while on its way from the Kaituna River mouth to Motiti Island, some six to seven years ago.

Photographer Shane Wasik has since dived on the digger, producing this issue’s cover photo, confirming what the multi-beam sonar revealed.

The digger’s sitting upright in 20 metres of water, about half way from the Kaituna River mouth to a landing cut in Wairere Bay on Motiti Island. It is believed to be almost undamaged.

The digger is set to continue its new role as a fish aggregating device as the cost of recovering it is greater than the salvage value.

WATERLINE 19

Puffer fish on local beaches There’s been a few porcupine fish spotted round the harbour over the summer.

Dead ones, on the beach at Motuhoa Island and at Hutcheson’s slip.

Also known as puffer fish because of their habit of inflating themselves to scare away possible diners, they carry the same type of poison, tetrodotoxin.

Don’t let the dogs near them.

Puffer fish will inflate if another fish catches them, driving their spines into the fish’s mouth. They are apparently excellent swimmers except when they are inflated, and they feed their young by secreting a slime on their bodies.

The poison, tetrodotoxin, is produced by bacteria the fish allows to colonize its various parts. Tetrodotoxin is a neurotoxin, meaning it takes out the nervous system, starting with the extremities, with people first noticing it in the lips then the fingers.

Then there’s a tingling numbness, a loss

Dead porcupine fish washed up at Sulphur Point. of control, and it’s time for hospital. The toxin moves inwards from there, taking out the muscles, often causing weakness, while also bringing on vomiting and diarrhoea. Then tetrodotoxin hits the diaphragm, paralysing the respiratory system while the person is fully conscious.

The toxin gets to the brain eventually, but only after the person involved has felt their body being paralyzed completely, entombing them inside. Even then, some people aren’t lucky enough to completely lose consciousness. They have reported being conscious, either occasionally or continually, throughout their coma.

In spite of all that, people eat puffer fish. They are considered the second most poisonous vertebrates in the world. The toxin is 1,200 times more deadly than cyanide. It’s in their skin, their ovaries, their gonads, and their liver. One fish can kill 30 people. About five people a year make puffer fish their last meal.

20 WATERLINE

MARCH 2013

Hot new boat from Buccaneer This issue’s boat is so new we didn’t have time to get it in the water before Waterline went to print, so we talked to one of the people who knows a lot about it, Ryan Carmichael at Master Tech Marine.

The Buccaneer 440 Esprite is a new model off a new mould and it’s just been released.

Master Tech are selling it with a 60 horse Suzuki four stroke, and a New Zealand made DMW trailer registered and warranted, for a one off introductory special at $29,995.

The normal price is $37,995.

With two king and queen seats the boat comfortably seats four adults and there are two smaller stern seats moulded in the hull.

“I think that’s the key selling point,” says Ryan. “You can get a good volume boat that can take four adults, that has a super reliable motor on it, that is super economical on fuel.

“You might burn 20 litres in four hours.

You are only talking $10 each for four people, it makes boating look very affordable.”

The size makes it an easy boat to launch, easy to retrieve, and the Esprite is suitable for fishing, water sports or sight-seeing.

“They go remarkably well.”

The fibreglass hulls have an internal liner, which makes for a smoother and softer riding hull for the passengers. The insert creates a

buoyancy chamber and makes the boat easier to clean. There are no corners or carpets.

They run special non-skid deck on the floor.

They have removed a lot of timber to reduce weight, They have gone to composite fibreglass which is stronger and stiffer, with the addition of the internal liner makes the boat quieter and easier to clean.

“They handle well. They behave well in the harbour chop we get out here, they are absolutely perfect. Even the likes of the little shore chop you get on the lakes they are very dry, smooth boats and they do run remarkably well.”

There are recessed grab handles in side gunnels, and two rod holders which are standard, and offer mounts for a ski pole of bait board.

The 60 horse Suzuki gives a top speed of about 37 miles per hour (59.5kmh) with a cruising speed of about 20-22 mph or 32kmh. Fuel is stored in 22 litre tote tanks.

The 440 Esprite is equipped with a Garmin 551 GPS fish finder as part of this introductory package which can also display engine data; speed, revs, fuel consumption.

At a cruising speed of 19.5 miles per hour, fuel consumption is 7.3 litres per hour or 0.4 litres per nautical mile - an easy trip to Mayor Island and back on a single tank.

At optimum cruising at 3000 rpm which is just under 10mph or 16 kmh boat speed, the consumption is 5.3 litres per hour.

“If you are only running one tote tank you can see exactly how many litres are left in that tank,” says Ryan. “As much as people say

‘you only have to go back and give it a shake’, the thing I look at is if you are crossing a bar in a boat; you only have to look down to know there’s say six litres left in that tank, because the unit is telling me.”

Not only are people getting maximum fuel economy out of the Suzuki four strokes, they are also super quiet. They don’t run cam belts instead they run oil bath cam chains which brings maintenance costs right down, says Ryan.

“You still have to do the first 20 hour service but after that it’s every 100 hours or every 12 months whatever comes first.

“The motors are unbelievable. The Suzuki four strokes would have to be one of the best motors on the market at the moment. And with a five year warranty they are definitely selling like lollipops.”

He sees the boat as good for a younger family, or older people, or just someone who wants to take a couple of people out to the lakes or wherever. Or first time boat owners.

“Everybody wants to start off with something reasonably small before they jump into a 6.5 or seven metre boat,” says Ryan. “It’s not a marlin fisher by any means, but with all-round day to day use they do open up quite a large area.”

The other good thing about it is you can keep it on its trailer in the garage. Open the garage door, hook the trailer to the car and go.

This is affordable boating at its best.

By Andrew Campbell

MARCH 2013

WATERLINE 21

22 WATERLINE

MARCH 2013

For Sale

To Rent

MOORING FOR SALE OR RENT at Tanners Point. Certified mooring. Ph: 0274 517 759.

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

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.

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.

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.

MOORING - recently serviced. Ohiwa harbour.

Plus one 26 ft yacht, very neglected. Yamaha 12 engine not working. Timber mast and boom and some sails in unknown condition. Offers Ph Keith 0216 60850 or 07 349 4080.

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.

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

MOORING – Sheltered Waikerio Estuary, TGA. Rego Number W020. $3000. Ph Don 027 430 5185.

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

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

MOORING FOR RENT - Waikaraeo Estuary.

Phone 07 843 4392 or 027 620 9712.

MOORING FOR RENT OR PURCHASE – Waikaraeo Estuary. Phone Peter 027 491 5616 or 578 0230.

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 MOORING FOR RENT – Pilot Bay, up to 20 tonne. Long term. $110 per month. Ph: 021 957 852.

Wanted LIGHT TRAILER for 3.35m Dinghy.

Ph 07 576 3296 WANTED Sailing, fishing, boating cruise/friend wanted in local area. Phone Kerry 021 358 237 WANTED Volvo 200HP or 230HP. Phone 07 843 4392 or 027 620 9712.

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

HARTLEY 16 Fibreglass trailer sailer.

Ph 07 576 0207.

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.

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

WANTED Cruising couple would like to rent

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 - Omokoroa. Phone 021 114 7339.

SPINNAKER to fit a Noelex 30. Ph 06 868 8328.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

WATERLINE 23

MARCH 2013

Directory BATTERIES

BOAT SALES continued

Battery Warehouse

Sportcraft Boats

Ph/Fax: 07 578 8056

Ph 07 928 7193

25 Marsh Street, Tauranga

wwwsportcraftboats.co.nz

0274 894 056

Battery Direct NZ Free delivery in NZ www.BatteryDirect.co.nz sales@batterydirect.co.nz 0800 267 468

BOAT MAINTENANCE Canvas Locker Marine covers and canvas goods Ph: 07 576 3009 027 627 5448

GemCo Ltd R63 Hewletts Rd,

Tauranga Boat Sales Tauranga Bridge Marina: 07 575 0512 Sulphur Point Marina: 07 571 8443 Email: thecrew@taurangaboatsales.co.nz

Email: travelift@xtra.co.nz Website: www.bridge-marina-travelift.co.nz

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

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

Website: www.taurangaboatsales.co.nz

RIGGING

CHANDLERY

Mike McCormick

Steves Marine Supplies

Ph: 578 3071

Ph: 07 578 9593

59 Mirrielees Rd, Tauranga

18 Cross Road, Sulphur Point, Tauranga

TRAILERS

ELECTRONICS

Prescott Trailers

Bay Marine Electronics Robert McAllister

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

Mount Maunganui

Ph: 07 577 0250

Ph 572 2411

www.baymarineelectronics.co.nz

CLUB CONTACTS

Hutcheson Boatbuilders

FINANCE

Mount Maunganui Underwater Club

Email: hutchboats@xtra.co.nz

AFB Accept Finance Brokers

Website: www.hutchesonboats.co.nz

Email: mmuc@xtra.co.nz

Ph: 07 574 0002

Website: mtunderwater.tauranga.co.nz

FISHING & DIVING

Mount Maunganui Yacht Club

Ph: 07 578 8312

9 Mirrielees, Sulphur Point

Marine Refridgeration Services Ph: 07 573 6627 or 027 573 6627 Email: dave@logicool.co.nz

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

Blue Ocean Charters Ltd

Omokoroa Boat Club

www.blueocean.co.nz

John Budden Ph: 548 1180

email: info@blueocean.co.nz

Alan Roberts Ph: 579 1967

Tauranga Marine Charters

Tauranga Game Fishing Club

MV Manutere Brett Keller Ph: 07 552 6283 0274 351 353 Email: fishingcharters@xtra.co.nz

Coastline Marine

INSURANCE

Email: coastlinemarine@xtra.co.nz www.coastlinemarine.co.nz

Gulf Group Marine Brokers Ph 07 579 9716

Ph: 542 0305

Ph 0800 224 278

BOAT SALES Ph: 07 574 9613

Ph: 07 575 5986 or 07 575 6621

Tauranga Insurance

Keith Allen Dr, Sulphur Point Tauranga Ph: 578 6203

Tauranga Marine Industry Assn.

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

Ph: 571 0405

secretary@tmia.co.nz

195 Devonport Rd,

Tga Yacht & Power Boat Club

Tauranga

PO Box 14352 Tauranga

email: tauranga@gulfgroup.co.nz

KAYAKING

Ph 578 5512

www.gulfgroup.co.nz

Viking Kayaks

OTHER

Mastertech Marine

Specialising in fishing and recreational kayaks.

Ph: 07 579 4240

0800 529 253

60 Whiore Avenue, The Lake, Tauriko

www.vikingkayaks.co.nz

Email: karl@mastertech.co.nz Website: www.mastertech.co.nz

MARINA Bridge Marina Travelift Phone: 07 574 7166 or 021 685 438

Environment Bay of Plenty Ph 0800 884 880 www.boprc.govt.nz

Predator kontiki Phone: 0800 347 483 Website: kontiki.co.nz

MARCH 2013

24 WATERLINE

Falling foul of a rules change

Looking after boats may become more expensive because the Environmental Protection Agency is considering banning four anti fouling paint ingredients, and toughening up the application rules.

It’s going to make the paint more expensive in the short term, but the real costs may lie in increased user restrictions that may force boat owners to turn to commercial painters.

The EPA is considering banning chlorothalonil, diuron, irgarol and ziram.

If they were banned immediately, four retail paints and five commercial paints would be removed from the market – leaving nine retail brands and 16 commercial paints to choose from. The banned paints represent about 17 per cent of the New Zealand anti-fouling paint market.

The report on the issue to the EPA by Tim Denne and Stephen Hoskins, is assuming there won’t also be a ban on copper, as that would remove all anti-fouling paints from the market. The only anti-fouling paint not listing copper contains diuron.

Cost increases are reckoned in the range 5-10 per cent or an additional $200,000 a year including the recreational and commercial markets.

Approximately 40 per cent of the annual 60,000 litre sales of antifouling paint, are for use on small boats, with about 38,400 litres applied by the owners. At a price of $50/litre this would represent a total cost of $16,320 $32,640 for a 5-10 per cent increase in price for 17 per cent of boat owners. It is estimated current users of the banned ingredients face an average price increase of $14 to $27. The cost increases will be lower if the ban can be phased in over time.

The cheapest anti fouling paint currently on the market, the Diuron-based Awlcraft, imported by International Paints Akzo Nobel, is likely to be banned. The four retail paints containing diuron in 2011 were: Awlcraft, Coppercoat Extra, Micron Extra, VC Offshore.

Alternatives to Awlcraft include the copperbased Warpaint available from small local producer Wet & Forget which in November 2012 cost nine per cent more, and thirambased No.5 imported by Altex at a 19 per cent higher price.

Prices vary over time in both absolute and relative terms.

Smart Marine prices in 2011 had Altex No.5 five per cent cheaper than Awlcraft4, rather than the 19 per cent more expensive that it is currently. Altex No. 5 is one of the

most commonly used paints currently, so it is unlikely that it would retain a permanent price disadvantage.

The report writers noted that in general terms all the paints appear to offer the same basic qualities, taking account of the different requirements for hard or soft paints.

Some of the more expensive paints for example Micron 66, may provide more years before a re-paint is required, but this can also be achieved by applying more layers of lowerpriced paint.

Because the paints are doing the same job, the writers say reducing the number available will not result in a reduction in the benefits of anti-fouling.

A NIWA survey of private boat owners finds nearly a third, 31 per cent use commercial painters, but that 64 per cent paint their own boats with anti-fouling they have bought.

The DIY market could be squeezed by access restrictions on spray paints to approved handlers and or by introducing increased personal protection equipment requirements. Stopping owner applied anti-fouling will increase costs 100-400 per cent.

The EPA is also treading down the path already trodden by regional councils with requirements for sealing hard stands, and for the collection and disposal of wastes.

WATERLINE 25

MARCH 2013

The Rena eh what’s going on?

I’m wondering about the progress of the Rena salvage.

What’s to become of it and why? It appears to me, that work has come to a halt out at the reef.

I have sailed out in the area many times lately and apart from barges and tugs tucked up in the shelter of Motiti’s west coast, and the patrol tug keeping prying eyes two miles away from the wreck site, there seems to be very little happening.

I know that a lot of people are perfectly happy to see the ship remain on the underwater slopes of Astrolabe Reef, for varying reasons. Some suggest the wreck will make a great home for fish. Well that’s possible, but the reef was already a great home for fish, so removing the wreck will ensure a great home for fish on the original reef in the very long term. So fish homes shouldn’t be a deciding issue.

A few divers, I say a few because many divers I’ve spoken with don’t like the idea of the wreck being left on the reef, think there are not enough wrecks in New Zealand and this one will be spectacular as a dive site. I think there are problems with leaving Rena on the reef as a dive site.

The wreck is unstable in her present position so poses a danger to anyone except the most experienced commercial diver. As it is, the salvors have made public statements about the danger that further work on her poses to them, as they work on the underwater cleanup.

The Rena still has a number of missing

containers, some of which are on board and some may be scattered around the seabed.

Some substances, when mixed with water, can give off highly toxic gases, or combine to form toxins that will have a detrimental effect on marine life for decades. Some substances are simply noxious and toxic with long term damage likely if they are not fully recovered.

So unless all this toxic material is removed it’s unlikely recreational diving will be authorised in any case.

There’s possibly more fuel oil, hydraulic oil, flame retardants, and perhaps asbestos just to name a few of the most obvious.

There is paint, in particular tonnes of antifouling containing biocides and heavy metals designed to keep growth off Rena’s hull, which will slowly dissipate into the surrounding life web. There’s a strong probability of compounds, with toxic heavy metal elements, dissolving into the ecology around Astrolabe over future decades. The effect on the biotoxicology of fauna and flora, and the ultimate effect on people, as these compounds enter our food chain, are unknown. There’s huge risk of a bad decision being made, a decision based on present economics to the detriment of long term ecological health.

New Zealand has a history of toxic sites resulting from dumps of waste chemicals, which were all believed to be okay at the time of dumping. There is a huge responsibility on the part of the stewards of Regional Council, City Council and Port of Tauranga, Department of Conservation and others that the public need to rely on for a clean healthy environment.

These civic leaders must make sure that another toxic site is not inadvertently created simply because economic considerations overrule common ecological sense.

What’s really happening out there at Astrolabe Reef? Is there any independent study being allowed? Is the exclusion zone more about protecting the site from independent evidence being obtained? Is there any way that the financial progress can be made public so that those who are receiving a share of this vast sum of money can be assessed?

There seems to have been a huge amount of money spent, over $200 million, so what has been achieved? There’s still 90 per cent of the ship lying down the side of the reef with an order from Maritime NZ to have it removed.

Will this happen? Are the salvors capable of completing the contract? If not, when did they discover they weren’t capable of completing the contract? Are there obscure ‘out’ clauses? What happens if they pack up and sail away? Will funds be able to be recovered?

I wonder whether it may be cheaper to call in an army of public relation’s spin doctors to change the public perception of the reality so there will be public acceptance of the reef salvage not being completed?

Hopefully not.

Hopefully the salvage and other processes are on track, in good health and with integrity heading for a good environmental result. And then I wonder, after all this time, if the very small proportion of the total cost which has been set aside to compensate local businesses, will just be another casualty of ‘economic’ common sense.

26 WATERLINE

MARCH 2013

Enjoy the best of life with a Sangria

The Oliver Corinthian Sangria was built specifically by Oliver Marine in 2003 as the factory demonstration boat.

Her upmarket accessories include leather upholstery, an American Cherrywood interior and twin 370HP Cummins diesels. No expense was spared in building this boat, and she has been fastidiously maintained by her one and only owner.

The Oliver Corinthian was ahead of her time in bringing the benefits of the sedan style launch to the market. She features a large salon with an extensively equipped forward helm station that keeps the skipper connected with friends and family. The large cockpit makes for great evening barbecues and entertaining. Plenty of room as well to catch that special fish.

Her accommodations include separate twin double cabins which provide privacy and comfort for weekends away with guests. The aft galley becomes the focal point of mealtime activity.

Sangria is no ordinary Oliver Corinthian. She features electronic Morse engine controls and the Furuno Navnet navigation system. The engines have been serviced by Cummins engineers with all boat logs and service records available for inspection. She has been equipped and maintained to a high standard in keeping with the owner’s requirements.

Sangria is offered for sale by Tauranga Boat Sales with an asking price of $369,000. Contact listing broker Brett Eaton at 0274 592 982 to view. Get yourself a glass of the good life… Sangria!

Rules change for commercial operators Maritime New Zealand is going to replace its Safe Ship Management with a new Maritime Operator Safety System, the new system being phased in from July 2014.

The proposed MOSS rules are due to be considered by the Transport Minister for gazetting by July 1, 2013.

“We need this time after the rules come into force to engage and consult further

with industry and to develop the guideline material and tools to implement MOSS,” says MNZ Director Keith Manch.

“This has not been possible prior to the rules being approved. This is a major change for the sector and we want to ensure we engage fully with all participants.”

“It is also important that MNZ is well prepared for MOSS and that we use industry feedback to implement the new system.”

An industry advisory group set up by MNZ will provide this feedback.

MOSS is intended to improve safety in

the commercial maritime environment through safer operations and vessels. It will be based on direct relationships between operators, surveyors, and MNZ, as the regulator.

SSM companies, surveyors and operators will continue to operate as they currently do until 1 July 2014. Operators will continue to be members of an SSM company and must meet their obligations under SSM, including renewing SSM Certificates when they expire and having vessels surveyed in accordance with their survey plans.

MARCH 2013

WATERLINE 27

MARCH 2013

28 WATERLINE

Delay on the big row Danny Sunkel’s trans-Tasman double row marathon has been put off until next year because of a number of reasons, mainly shortage of funds.

Danny’s also taken time out to tidy up a niggly knee injury, which has put him out of action for several weeks.

He’s been out in the boat only a few times so far.

“We are in the middle of the electronics fit out at the moment,” says Danny. “Navico came on board under the Simrad brand and supplied us with a full kit of the best of everything.”

The electronics has been the biggest hold up as far as being able to do a lot of the proper testing that is yet to be done on the self-righting wave piercing trimaran rowboat.

“We’ve probably only been out three or four times, and that’s been locally just testing bits and pieces,” says Danny.

“Until we get the auto pilot in it, there is no steering because we have got no manual steering. The steering’s all electronic.

“That’s been the biggest hold up. It’s just been hard work because the boat’s so long, with a long straight waterline it likes going straight ahead, which is all well and good, until you need to go round a marker buoy.”

“We have needed to get that done. “ The project team is also planning a testing programme on Lake Karapiro.

“We want to do some drift testing,” says Danny. “We have got a whole bunch of ideas.

We want to test them where there’s no current.

We’ll probably go over there for three or four days.”

He thinks they could still have put to sea within the late summer weather window, but the boat would have been untested. The decision has the full support of his sponsors, says Danny.

“If we are going to do it, we want to cross in the best possible time. That’s what everyone’s in support of.

“They still maintain that goal is well worth it, and at the end of the day they are the people who have fronted up with their support. They see my campaign as being the example of how it can be done properly.”

The other part of the project coming to fruition is the trans-Tasman trailer, a tilting trailer that is road legal in both jurisdictions.

The plan is that upon arriving somewhere on Northern New South Wales-Southern Queensland Coast, the trailer will transport the rowboat to one of the southern NSW ports like Eden, where Danny intends embarking on the return row the following spring.

Shipping lanes mooted The regional council is considering formalising shipping lanes in the Bay of Plenty as a result of the containership Rena striking Astrolabe reef on October 5, 2011.

The council Strategy, Policy and Planning Committee Meeting in February directed staff to link with Maritime New Zealand and the Ministry of Transport to ensure the council is taking an overarching view of the issue, as it may have implications broader than just the Bay of Plenty.

“The work done to date to look at the options has raised questions about where this type of regulation would best sit whether that be at a local, national or international level,” says committee chair Raewyn Bennett.

The Regional Council has some responsibility for navigation safety within the region’s waters, out to the 12 nautical mile limit. At a regional level maritime safety is controlled by the Bay of Plenty Navigation Safety Bylaws 2010. The bylaw doesn’t mention compulsory shipping lanes.

“We want to make sure any future decisions made about the management of shipping routes are the best for the region.” says Raewyn.

POWERED BY VOLVO PENTA

WATERLINE 29

MARCH 2013

Send us your boating and fishing snaps and be in to win a Waterline prize pack Pictures and details can be emailed (high resolution jpgs) to kym@thesun.co.nz “Waterline Snapped” or posted to Waterline, PO Box 240, Tauranga. Please include a name, address and phone number with every entry.

sent Keith Crouch his us this shot of a twin catch of ul tif couple of beau e an King fish. Sh ile wh e caught thes e side fishing off th by , of the Mount rly ea the statue, in February. us a He also sent ok picture he to shag (below) of a t its ea just about to . own catch

BATTERY WAREHOUSE

er huahua Murphy nev Robyn and Paul’s Chi hout his lifejacket on. travels on the boat wit

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Refuge from the deep

Lamorna was built in 1936 for the Blundell family who were Wellington newspaper proprietors.

Colin Wild built her in Auckland. He seldom built a boat to price, instead he would tell you afterwards how much it cost, but the price would always be satisfactory for the workmanship.

At the time the boat was being built the Blundells were on a trip to England. Down on the Cornwall coast they found a small cove.

Nearby there was a little monument to a boat that has been wrecked there many many years before and apparently all the crew saved.

It was called Lamorna Cove, Lamorna meaning refuge from the deep.

With her light silver grey hull Lamorna was a distinctive sight on Lake Taupo. She was 42 ft long and had a beam of 12 ft. She was powered initially by two 45hp Thornycroft petrol engines which were a feature because they were situated in mid-cabin, clearly visible and surrounded by chrome guard rails around which you could walk. Also in mid cabin were the cooking facilities.

Lamorna was a nice classy boat for here time being the first twin screw boat on the lake.

The Blundells used her privately for a number of years before selling her to Mr McFarlane from Christchurch.

Not long after Jack Edlin the proprietor of the Edgewater Lodge bought her.

Launched approximately 1937, 42ft Kauri carvel planked, ex SSM surveyed.

Powered by twin 90hp Ford diesels giving 9 knots cruise.

6’4” headroom with 1 double and 6 single berths, 2 fridges, freezer, 4 burner oven, electric toilet and shower. Electronics include 2 x VHF, radar, Raymarine combo GPS/chartplotter/depthsounder/fishfinder and stereo. Game rigged, Cyril Jordan game chair, hard top, live bait tank, 2 stations, salt water washdown. Well proven, well known vessel with loads of history and excellent fish catching records. Great family cruiser/fisher.

Jack replaced the two thornycrofts with Parsons PKE diesels. To get these engines in place they had to cut a hole in the cabin top.

This opening was converted to make a hatch and a skylight.

The engines had large brass water cooled exhausts which were always kept polished and were a beautiful sight. Lomora’s three fuel tanks held 160 gallons.

In the main cabin there was a table and two long seats the backs of which could be swung up to make two sets of bunks. Also the cockpit had two roll up canvas sides so it could be used for sleeping as well. At the stern were two davits upon which a dinghy could be hoisted.

Lamorna was sold to Mick Savage who took

her to Whitianga where she was based for a while being used for sword fishing. Her large stern easily accomodated a game fishing chair.

Lamorna chartered out of Tauranga, Bay of Islands, Auckland and Whangaroa for many years by several owners. She has had several refits and has been modernised slightly.

Lamorna is now powered by twin 90hp Ford Diesels, has an electric toilet, a shower, fridge, freezer, a four burner gas hob, oven and grill.

She has six single berths and one double. The vessel is out of survey and would make a great economical family sport fisher.

Lamorna is on the market with Brian Worthington from Gulf Group Marine Brokers for $85,000.

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MARCH 2013

SOLD

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