Waterline Magazine June 2015

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

JUNE 2015

Starting them young Young sailors encouraged by club Abandoned

Marina cleanup

Board talent

Successful Raid

02 WATERLINE

JUNE 2015

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

Phone 07-578 0030 Fax 07-571 1116 No.1 The Strand, Tauranga 3110. PO Box 240, Tauranga 3140 email: brian@thesun.co.nz For advertising, call tasha on 07 578 0030 email tasha@thesun.co.nz

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WATERLINE 03

JUNE 2015

Abandoned yacht image sunk The last sighting of Morning Star.

Picture: Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust.

The vision of an abandoned yacht adrift somewhere north of White Island, just waiting for someone to salvage, was only allowed a brief 24 hours in the public eye before being sunk by the skipper of the ketch Morning Star.

The 13.4 metre ketch’s EPIRB was still transmitting two days after it was abandoned by her crew at daybreak on May 17.

When the fact the EPIRB remained transmitting was publicised Maritime NZ contacted Sunlive to say the skipper dropped the EPIRB overboard.

“I’ve just been advised that the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon is not actually on the yacht,” said Maritime NZ spokesman Steve Rendle on May 21.

“The skipper apparently removed the EPIRB during the rescue, but somehow it ended up in the water. It’s still transmitting but obviously it doesn’t provide a position for

the yacht.”

The Morning Star was abandoned about 139km northeast of Tauranga – over some of the deepest water in the Bay of Plenty. Two days later, Maritime NZ said the EPIRB was still transmitting about 83km north of White Island.

Other media reported the crew readied the life-raft in case they had to abandon ship before rescue arrived.

The photograph shows a line streaming astern, but no sign of a raft or dinghy – unless it is the shape photographed on the foredeck.

They put out a Mayday call at 4.10am, saying the yacht was taking on water and they wished to abandon ship.

Two men, aged in their 50s and 60s, were picked up by the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter and dropped off at Tauranga for a medical check.

Maritime Radio first heard from the Morning Star at 2.30am on May 15 with a report the engine had broken down.

The Morning Star was then 20 nautical

miles/37km east of White Island and the skipper was seeking a tow to Whakatane. No vessels were available.

Hampered by damaged sails, the crew attempted to reach the coast throughout May 15 and 16.

At 4.10am on May 16 the yacht made a Mayday call to say that vessel was taking on water, the pumps were not coping and the crew wanted to abandon ship.

A nearby ship, the Asian Adonis, offered to assist and started steaming to the yacht’s position.

The Rescue Coordination Centre NZ then tasked the Westpac Rescue Helicopter from Auckland and they arrived on scene at first light.

The two men on board were winched off the deck and transported to Tauranga for medical assessment. They were reported to be uninjured when they landed ashore.

The Morning Star had been on the hard at Opua for some months being done up, before being sold.

By Andrew Campbell

on

04 WATERLINE

JUNE 2015

Beware of imitations

Winter weather coming on is the time when many trailer boat owners think about maintenance, getting the motor serviced ready for the spring. While there are a lot of people around able to service or repair an outboard motor, only registered service technicians can do it without voiding the engine’s warranty.

When an outboard costs $20,000 to $35,000, going outside the registered service network can cost. New engines require a regular 12-month service to keep their warranty and for Mercury, Mercruiser and Honda engine owners, Sportcraft Marine is the only workshop in the Western Bay of Plenty.

“We are the only factory dealership left over at the Mount,” says proprietor Jamie Black. “The only Mercury shop, we are the only Mercury and Honda garage in the Bay area. We are the only guys that can do it and retain the war-

ranty,” says Jamie.

The backyard operators can do the service as they say, but do they tell their customers that it voids the warranty, asks Jamie.

With the Mercury products, servicings have to be registered online on an Australasian database.

As well as guaranteeing the warranty, it provides a permanent service record for any technician who cares to look.

“If they want to remain in warranty they have to get their outboards serviced every year,” says Jamie.

Sportcraft can cope. Behind the display room facing Hewletts Rd and the chandlery shop is the service area, which has more floor space than the sales floor when you include the four service bays, the in-house parts storage and the service department office presided over by service manager Graham Raubenheimer, who has been working in boats since arriving in Whakatane in 1996.

The Sportcraft Marine service department has four bays opening onto the yard, allowing boats on trailers to be reversed in for attention from a service technician working under shelter.

Service checks are

Not all technicians are created equal not just a quick once-over. They do the extras like replacing the bungs and the outboard thermostats.

“We don’t want the customers to have a limited time on the water. To be off the water for the sake of a $2 bung is false economy,” says Jamie.

Sportcraft also employs the most experienced Mercruiser technician in Australasia. He wasn’t there for the photograph as he spends most of his time over at the drystacks.

It’s a business style that works and has gained international recognition. Sportcraft Marine is the only Australasian Mercury centre to win the highest service award.

Sportcraft is open seven days, so people can drop off their boats on weekends for servicing.

“We are the only boat shop that is open seven days in the Bay,” says Jamie.

Saturdays they’re from 9am-3pm, and on Sundays from 10am-3pm.

In addition to the service centre, Sportcraft Marine is a broker selling their own ranges of alloy boats, the Bluefin and Scorpion ranges.

They also sell the FiGlass range of GRP boats and Mercury inflatable boats.

They also sell new and used engines, second-hand boats and the business boasts a well-stocked chandlery offering everything a boatie might want to add to the new boat from oars to charts and lifejackets.

WATERLINE 05

JUNE 2015

Fifty eye splices in a day Bruce Alexander splices up a new eye.

The effects of the Anzac weekend oil spill are still being felt at the two businesses that took the direct impact of the stream of heavy fuel oil which flowed southwards from under the Mount Maunganui wharf.

One of the changes is the appearance of the blue container/office/chandlery outside the entrance to Phil’s Place.

It’s the current workspace for Bruce Alexander, who at the rate of about 50 eye splices a day, is reinstating the mooring lines for each berth holder whose lines were fouled by the heavy fuel oil that blew through the marina on the incoming tide on April 27.

That’s most of the berth-holders at the northern end, the A, B, and C piers and a smattering of others, depending on where the wind and tide took the oil before the Bay of Plenty Regional Council was able to find containment booms.

Not only do the berths and boats have to be cleaned but everything else fouled had to be replaced, including the fenders and dock lines.

Bruce is replacing the three-strand dock lines, using the oily rope as a model to measure up the replacements, so each boat owner’s bespoke arrangement is replaced as it was.

While the boat’s out of the water, Bruce cuts off the oiled mooring lines and lays them out on polythene sheeting beside the containers.

“And then I copy it and make the boat a whole new set,” he says, pointing to the labelled sets hanging on the inside of the container.

There’s a few tricks and a bit of experience

involved. He’s got to allow for the length of rope absorbed by the splice.

Bruce says the three strand is not as critical as with the braided lines, where Mike McCormick Rigging Services is able to stretch the lines to get the measurements correct.

Some days Bruce estimates he puts in about 50 eye splices in a day. The fenders are also being replaced by Mobil Oil NZ. The pace of the work depends on the decontamination progress, says Tauranga Bridge Marina Ltd’s marina manager Tony Arnold.

Between 100 and 130 boats are in the process of being moved cleaned and returned to the water.

After the first frantic few days they have learned the oil is not staining the paint or gelcoat, so there’s no rush to get them out of the water – which is just as well because there’s a hiccup in the marina cleaning process.

They discovered the oil worked its way into the seagrass growing between the floats, the pontoon sections. Each berth had to be boomed off in both directions and the gaps waterblasted.

“Which took a long, long, time,” says Tony.

The gaps between the pontoons on each of the berths on the northern piers had to be cleaned out. And because there’s two knots of tide going in each direction, each berth had to be boomed off in both directions while the work was done.

The larger boats on A pier won’t be going out of the water until they can go back in to their own berths. Many of the other boats from A, B and C piers are squeezed onto temporary berths at the south end of the marina.

There’s a hardstand also beginning to fill

with boats that are waiting to go back into the water.

As of the end of May, the hardstand operators had cleaned and returned 48 boats to the water, with about another 40 awaiting treatment.

Many of the boats are a simple lift, hold and wash, while the oilier ones can take two to three days.

“In most cases, the boats have been wiped or water blasted clean, cut and polished,” says Mobil Oil in a statement.

Very few needed re-antifouling. Mobil is directly paying for the cleaning to expedite the process, rather than paying owners individually.

Bridge Marina Travelift operators say the insurance company has been easy to work with, they have a good system in place for cleaning the boats and it’s all going smoothly.

While a thorough investigation is being conducted into the cause of the estimate 1.5 tonnes spill, it’s too early to comment further.

There is no figure yet available on the cost of the clean-up. Claims are still being processed and work is continuing on affected areas and boats.

“We have been working very closely with our customers and continue to accommodate bunkering at the tanker berth as best we can,” says the statement.

“The bunker pipeline to the main wharf remains shut down. We are working on a plan to reinstate the bunker pipeline, which will not be used until we have full confidence in its integrity.

“Unfortunately, this is taking time, and we do not expect it to be operational for several

By Andrew Campbell weeks yet.”

06 WATERLINE

JUNE 2015

JUNE 2015

WATERLINE 07

Rule change on marine pests A rule change giving the regional council power to order marine pest clean ups is now in force in the Bay of Plenty.

In the last two years five recreational boats moored in Tauranga Harbour have been discovered with pest fanworms or sea squirts growing on their hulls. All five boats had travelled from Auckland or Northland. They were subsequently hauled out and cleaned.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is instituting a Small Scale Management Programme, a Biosecurity Act process that gives regional councils access to statutory powers to manage pests that aren’t otherwise managed under a Regional Pest Management Plan.

Where voluntary co-operation can’t be achieved, the SSMPs empower regional council staff to take action such as inspecting or seizing equipment or directing boat and marine structure owners to take immediate action to prevent the spread of specific marine pests.

BOPRC has declared two new Small Scale Management Programmes to stop the unwanted pests Mediterranean fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii) and clubbed tunicate sea

squirt (Styela clava) from becoming established in Bay of Plenty waters.

The SSMPs give the regional council the legal powers and resources it needs to be able to take strong action and respond more quickly when specific marine pests are detected in the Bay of Plenty.

Mediterranean fanworm found on a boat hull moored in Pilot Bay. Photograph Phil Ross.

Marine pests are plants or animals originating from overseas and have aggressive growth or feeding habits that pose a threat to New Zealand underwater environments, seafood stocks or aquaculture potential.

Large clusters of unwanted marine pests

such as fanworms or sea squirts can also cause costly and unsightly damage to boat equipment, wharves and other marine structures.

Most marine traffic entering the Bay of Plenty originates from Auckland and Northland; both areas host populations of marine pests such as Mediterranean fanworm and clubbed tunicate sea squirt that are not yet established in the Bay of Plenty.

Marine pests are easily spread through ballast water and hull fouling. If pest-infested boats moor in the Bay and the pests are knocked off or allowed to spawn here, they could spread quickly and become impractical to control or eradicate.

When the Bay of Plenty RPMP is next reviewed in 2016, marine pests will be considered for inclusion. In the meantime, the SSMP will provide a stop-gap for addressing this new pest threat to the region.

The SSMPs became operative as soon as they were publicly declared.

The public is asked to report any marine pests or heavily fouled boats seen in Bay of Plenty waters. Note the location, and take a sample or photo if possible and call 0800 STOP PESTS (0800 780 773) or email STOP.PESTS@boprc.govt.nz

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JUNE 2015

WATERLINE 09

S Bo Tau O LE at ra n A Sa ga G le E s N C Y

JUNE 2015

Tauranga Boat Sales ed

Repowered and ready

Does your style of boating require space, proven Kiwi design, an ability to handle a vessel without a large crew, but big enough to entertain, take family and friends on a casual cruise up the harbour or a day’s fishing?

Then this Markline 1000 is for you.

Accommodation consists of one double and two single berths. It sports a well-equipped galley with gas burner/oven and grill, fridge, hot and cold pressure water.

Head contains electric toilet and shower. A second shower is located in the cockpit for rins-

ing down after that refreshing dip in the sea.

Navigation is taken care of with Lowrance and hummingbird electronic from both the Flybridge and saloon helm stations.

Handling this craft in tight spaces or berthing is executed easily with the twin D3 Volvo electronic engine and stern leg packages, with the assistance of a Max Power bow thruster.

The D3 Volvos were fitted new in 2012 with only about 310 hours of usage have a combined power of 280hp which allows for a cruise speed of 16 knots and a top speed of 18-20 knots.

With $80,000 spent on the repower and a purchase price of $115,000, it shows you’re getting great value.

The vessel is available for viewing in Tauranga on our sales berth.

A Berth, which the vessel is normally based on in Whangamata, is also available for sale or lease.

For further information or an appointment to view, contact Craig Mellsop on 027 675 2465.

10 WATERLINE

JUNE 2015

CLUB NEWS

Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club

Centre board success shining through P class fleet heads out for another race.

Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club is very fortunate to have so many good people willing to devote their spare time and energy to helping others develop their skills at sailing.

Getting more people into sailing and keeping them in the sport for life requires a long-term investment in time and effort.

There have been some wonderful legacies left to our current generation of young sailors.

Not only do TYPBC sailors know they follow in the wake of many famous sailors and boat designers whose exploits are world-renowned but we also have wonderful facilities to make it easy for our members to go sailing.

Recently, we were having a good oldfashioned working bee at the club and while we worked I heard one of our longer serving members explaining to a new member how the club members themselves built the club.

Many of those same families are still actively involved in the club today. The club building is a reminder of what we can achieve when we pool our talents and skills and work together to build something bigger than ourselves.

Our current Centreboard Committee has worked hard during the last three years to build the TYPBC membership, with the vision of establishing a sailing school that would not only get new members into sailing but then continue to develop them through many different sailing programmes.

A number of initiatives have been part of this strategy and key to success this year has been the calibre of the coaching provided by the three overseas coaches, Greg from the UK,

Jean from France and Maria from Argentina.

Maria was able to take the race coaching up to a new level, with her international experience being an energising force behind the success of many of our junior sailors.

Maria, through her unstoppable enthusiasm for all things sailing, also gave generously to many other parts of the club – getting involved in Women on Water, adults learn to sail, encouraging more teams racing as well as spreading her knowledge on her other passion of judging.

It’s wonderful that she’s agreed to come back next season and share more of her love of sailing with us.

The Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy Trust has continued to contribute to sailing at TYPBC, making sailing affordable and accessible to many young and not-so-young sailors through the provision and upkeep of Optimists, Topaz, 420s and windsurfing equipment.

This year saw a record number of school teams make up 420 teams for racing – and for some of the young people this was their first sailing experience.

Many of the teams took part in a local Tauranga teams racing regatta before going on to compete at the Central Region regatta in Taupo in March.

Tauranga Boys’ College won this regatta for the third year in a row. TBC was the only team to contest the Nationals in April and they finished seventh in the Gold fleet.

We hope to build on the success of the teams racing format for the coming season and encourage more school teams to take on the challenge of Nationals.

Some of our club’s success can be measured

by the number of our TYPBC members competing overseas as part of the NZL Sailing Team.

The heat is on as we move into the third year of the Olympic cycle and teams look to secure their place in the Olympic team.

Jason Saunders and Gemma Jones sailing the new Nacra class continue to do well with a second place recently at the Lake Garda Olympic week and a 14th placing at World Cup Hyeres, France.

Molly Meech, in the 49er FX, enjoyed a seventh placing at the World Cup Hyeres.

In the Laser, Tom Saunders narrowly missed out on the top 10 but counted a race win in the last qualifying race to finish 12th with Sam Meech in 14th.

Andrew Murdoch in the Finn class was close to the medal race cut off but had to settle for 12th.

At the World Cup level, where the best 40 sailors compete, everyone is expert at sailing their boats but to consistently perform well under pressure marks out the elite performers.

None are more consistent than Peter Burling and partner Blair Tuke sailing in the 49er class. It’s quite an amazing run they’re having with 18 consecutive victories. Peter commented recently that you just keep on learning every time you go out sailing and perhaps that’s one of the keys to his success.

This is certainly the message being conveyed to our young Optimist sailors heading off overseas to represent New Zealand at various continental championships – effective learning, they were told, is one of the keys, along with learning to execute your plan under pressure.

Continued ...

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JUNE 2015

Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club

Young Optimist sailors are heading overseas.

Photographs by Joanna Maidment

Continued ...

James Barnett will be representing New Zealand at the Asia and Oceanian championships in Doha, Qatar, after finishing the season ranked 20th in New Zealand.

James is one of a team of six TYPBC optimist sailors, which include Joel Kennedy, Blair Mellsop, Braedyn Denney, Lachlan Dillon and Josh Blackie, who competed at the NZ Optimist Nationals in Wellington at Easter.

There were more than 160 sailors from throughout NZ as well as 10 Aussie friends and a team from New Caledonia and Tahiti.

Wellington served up plenty of wind and waves and our sailors had to learn fast to hike like demons as well as sailing and bailing!

One of the good things about getting to sail at different venues around NZ is it does expose you to conditions we sometimes don’t get so much of in our harbour.

All of our TYPBC team did well and each had moments when it all came together to produce some really good results. Importantly, we hope during winter this group can continue to train and learn, ready to take their sailing to the next level in the coming season.

Following straight on from the Optimist Nationals a large group of Starling sailors ventured to New Plymouth for their Nationals.

Unfortunately, the weather was in no mind to cooperate. The first two days day had to be abandoned because of big swells and either too little wind or too much.

Day three started hopefully with some breeze that died and then swung round causing delays. Races were finally completed allowing the fleet to be divided into Gold and Silver.

The final day had stronger breeze, large swell

and rain. Three racess were completed in the Gold Fleet but everyone was sent ashore during the Silver fleet’s third race when a 30 knot squall hit the fleet.

Top finishers were Jason Hewitt from Coaches Maria Hamilton who from Argentin a and Greg fro came in eighth m the UK. place, Jonathon Barnett was 22nd and Tom Maidment 24th out of a fleet of 113.

I think coach Maria at this point, having had definitely quieter at the club during the week, this year coaching has been introduced two windy, wavy, rainy Nationals thought her for Optimist sailors, Learn to Sail, Learn weather luck must be about to change as we to Race and P Class every second Saturday travelled on to Taupo for the NZ Secondary which has been a big hit.

School 420 Teams Racing Nationals.

There is also club racing on the Sunday, Not so, it was raining and cold as we arrived which is vital for keeping up engagement in and I believe it only got colder with ice on the the off season. Some of our keen Optimist boats and either lots of wind or not enough. and Starling sailors are also traveling to Luckily, Maria was coaching the Tauranga Boys’ College Team and they’ve been fortunate Auckland to take part in the Winter Sprint series, which gives them an opportunity to for many years to have Camp Mums, Kerry hone their racing skills against the sailors Rippey and Sharon McKinlay, on-board who are training to go overseas. organising bountiful hot food and drinks for There is also a revived interest in sailing all.

P Class. Last weekend the sailing storage Sharon, Kerrie and Nigel Rippey has given a shed was a hive of activity as grown men huge amount of time and efforts to seeing this compared P Class hulls and mulled over team continue to be successful. weights and different shapes – and revived Sharon has taken many leave days to support former glories. I suspect some of them are the team at regional and national regattas very fondly remembering the fun they had during the last few years and this was her last in these tricky boats as well as looking for a team racing regatta with her son Dylan finishreally good time-consuming DIY project for ing school this year. The team will really miss the coming darker months!

Sharon and her delicious meals!

And so to the winter season and while it’s

By Pauline Barnett

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JUNE 2015

CLUB NEWS

Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club

Boardsailors hitting their straps March and April were busy months for Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club’s boardsailors, with three big regattas taking place around the North Island.

The senior boardsailors headed to Auckland for the ISAF Grade 1 event, Oceanbridge Sail Auckland, at the end of February racing in some pretty bizarre conditions including lightning storms, torrential rain and light winds.

Alex Hart finished second in the RS:X 9.5 and Alex van der Zalm fourth, while Bradley Nixon was the first Foiling Kiteboarder and Coral Headey was the second Youth Girl.

The next regatta was at Manly on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula for the RS:X & Techno Kendall Cup Series regatta during the last weekend of March.

We were also joined by 19 raceboarders or longboarders who’ve enjoyed a resurgence in Auckland in recent months.

We were fortunate enough to have more wind than forecast on the Saturday with eight12 knots from the north.

After four races were completed on the Saturday TYPBC boardsailors were looking pretty good on the scoreboard with Max van der Zalm winning the Technos with four wins and Coral lying second overall on the RS:X. On the Sunday a good breeze came in from the west off the shore with lots of holes and shifts and with the added challenge of weed drifting through the course.

It was really exciting to see the boards blasting around the course and enjoying the speed.

Max succeeded in winning two more races and a second, to win the Techno fleet of six boards.

Veerle, in her first season of windsurfing, showed huge improvement by completing almost all of the races and beating her brother in the process.

Technos after the start on Rotorua at the North Island Champs.

Alex van der Zalm blasting on Rotorua at the North Island Champs Alex van der Zalm finished in the top five for all races finishing a very good third overall from 19 other raceboarders.

Coral finished third overall in the RS:X despite being put out of two races from damage caused by a collision on the startline.

It was good to see Daryl McConnell rock up on the Sunday with his Formula board. He

Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club

only missed one race on the Saturday so was able to discard that and finish a very good third overall and first Master from 13 other Formula boards.

The last regatta of the season was the RS:X and Techno North Island Champs held at Rotorua on April 11-12, which was held in conjunction with last of the Kendall Cup Series.

Four races were sailed backto-back on the Saturday in Veerle ten marginal planing conditions Have on with both Coral on the RS:X Rotorua at and Max on the Techno making the North a clean sweep of things.

Island Little Olly Maidment toughed Champs. it out to complete all four races, which is a huge achievement in itself.

As expected, the wind had increased for the Sunday, but coming from the south-west meant there were many holes and shifts to contend with.

So after three more back-to-back races it was pleasing to see both Max and Coral hold their leads to become the 2015 Techno and RS:X North Island Champions respectively.

Olly managed another race and Alex van der Zalm fought hard to finish second in the raceboard division.

Overall in the Kendall Cup Series, Max won the Techno division, Veerle won the Girls’ Techno, Dolf claimed the Open Techno, Olly the Green fleet and Coral came second in the Girls’ RS:X. Well done to all our TYPBC boardsailors for yet another very successful season. To top it all Coral also won this year’s TYPBC Young Sailor of the Year Legends Trophy at the club’s end-of-season prizegiving. She’s only the second boardsailor to have her name on this prestigious trophy and the first girl – well done Coral!

By Christine Headey

New trailer yacht division chairman Graham Vincent is the recently elected chairman of the Trailer Yacht division at Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club.

His to foster and promote trailer sailing to the community, encourage trailer yacht racing, cruising and sailing in general.

“My aim in promoting division 4 is to assist those new to trailer sailing by arranging tuition and events. Also to pair boat owners and crews to sail,” says Graham.

The division website is www.yacht.org. nz/trailer Winter racing is held fortnightly, and the TYPBC website has up to date information.

Graham says now is a great time for overhaul and maintenance for trailer yacht owners.

“If you are new to trailer sailing and need help with a boat issue you’re not familiar with, feel free to drop an email to me.”

Boys college 420’s team. Back row L-R: Jack Graham’s email g.vincent@xtra.co.nz Revington, Dylon McKinley, Cole Rippey, Maru “Happy and safe sailing,” says Graham. (Coach) Front L-R Tom Maidment and Jono Barnett.

JUNE 2015

WATERLINE 13

CLUB NEWS

Omokoroa Boat Club

Our fifth annual duck race The weather had cleared to provide clear skies but a cool southwest breeze was approaching a serious wind when our Omokoroa Boat Club hosted its fifth annual duck race.

As result, the duck flock was given an excellent start on a shortened course down wind.

The ducks responded well and after an initial flocking effect, the leading group broke away to the finish line.

First was No 90 coached by Molly Larkworthy, followed by No 82 groomed by Nick McDonald, third was No 128 rescued by Tim Raeburn and fourth was No 144 set free by John Aldridge. The rest headed for Matakana.

Thanks to the support for the race, with funds raised split with the Omokoroa Point School and the club’s junior sailing programme.

Rowing Due to the high winds we changed back to the alternate and original course from the jetty to the pontoon, off the old boat yard and

return for the men, while the ladies and juniors rowed and paddled a shorter course.

In the men’s event there were four starters – Hugh Reynolds, Peter Catcheside, Michael Newcomb and John Budden.

An excellent start was coordinated by the commodore Phil Cox and club captain Steve Willoughby, which saw the guys away downtide to the pontoon.

Hugh, back in form, was first round the mark followed by John, Michael and Peter.

Hugh sprinted for home and is again Upper Harbour Champion followed in equal second place by Michael and John, with Peter close behind in fourth slot. Well rowed all.

Ladies’ event With the largest field in years, five keen girls faced the course – Louise Turner, Heather Reynolds, Amy Brookes, Faye Mc Causland and Brenda South.

The last two were very late entries.

At the start Louise, in Battle Star Galactica, opened an early lead followed by Faye while Heather and Amy had a clash of oars and

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Brenda followed the coastline.

At the buoy Louise had a poor turn, which allowed Faye the gap she needed and she headed for home, with Heather and Amy in hot pursuit and Brenda keeping going well.

At the finish Faye made it home first with Heather second, having powered home.

Louise was third, Amy came a close fourth and a brave Brenda fifth, having done an excellent job as she’d never rowed before.

Juniors’ kayak There was only three starters – Fynn Turner, Jordan Brookes and Holly Warren. The boys were put on the long course and Holly on a shorter course in shoreline. The boys had a battle royal to the mark but Jordan slipped ahead to finish first with Fynn second and Holly third.

Well done everyone and thanks for your support – especially the rescue boat crews, and Phil, Steve, Tim, Anna and Angus, Matt and Kiera who rescued the ducks for next year.

By John Budden, Omokoroa Boat Club sailing coordinator

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JUNE 2015

CLUB NEWS

Women on Water

WOW going from strength to strength

TYPBC Women on Water

The success of Women on Water depends upon the availability of boats and experienced sailors.

It’s the boat owners and skippers I give, on behalf of all of WOW members, our heartfelt thanks and appreciation.

The generosity shown in allowing your boat, providing your skills and time, sharing your knowledge – and perhaps most of importantly of all your limitless patience as we gradually gain an understanding of the complexities involved in sailing – is unmeasurable.

It’s wonderful to have regular boat owners who come back each year, many have done so since WOW’S inception, and also to have new boat owners this year to welcome into the WOW experience.

Mills Reef has been the major sponsor from the early beginnings of WOW and once again showed their generous support providing prizes of their delectable wine for the placegetters in the racing and spot prizes in the cruising division.

They also provided a generous meal voucher for the winners of the racing division – which was Sniper. Second went to Synergy and third was Smudge.

Although there is not an overall winner in the cruising division, special mention must go to General Jackson – because having a fairly regular crew, they improved to become consistent winners in the second half of the series.

During the season we’ve had eight boats in the racing division and up to nine in the cruising division.

We’ve also had 14 boats participating, albeit at various times, in the cruising division.

The numbers of women participating has been slightly down on past years and has varied from 58 to 99 out on the water each night.

The vagaries of the wind – from nothing to gale force and the strong tides experienced at times, presented some challenges for our handicapper – Leanne Smith, who did an awesome job and fortunately is prepared to continue for another season.

Being able to set a shorter course for the smaller boats was useful in making the courses achievable for most, when the weather was consistent, and much appreciated by the skippers.

My thanks also go to Bill Witiksi, who once again offered his guidance, time and support to be our race officer.

Several training opportunities were offered to all WOW members and should continue to be offered in the future.

A Racing Rules Night by Hamish Hey from Yachting NZ was well attended but was geared at a more advanced level than expected.

Club coach Maree ran a very valuable and informative session on ‘Helming Tips’. And although there was a vast range of experience in the small group that attended, everyone was able to come away with some very valuable skills to use.

The dinghy sailing with another club coach – Greg – was a fun and great way to learn the

More women are getting out on the water thanks to WOW.

skills of helming and adjusting sails to get around a course. Many of the 16 women who gave it a go had never been dinghy sailing before and were eager for more.

It’s exciting to see an increasing number of boats not only crewed by women only but also owned by women and getting out there and becoming competitive.

WOW offers the chance to build on your own personal experience of sailing and all the intricacies it offers.

There’s basic seamanship, increasing awareness of sea and boat safety, racing rules,

reading weather conditions, to managing and being responsible for a boat and developing a crew into a cohesive unit and enjoying being out there.

There are areas that as a group, WOW could be supportive in helping more women into participating in other events.

The MRX nationals have had, at various times, a WOW crew compete and in April Smudge finished the Auckland to Tauranga and successfully completed the Coastal Classic.

It would be great to see more woman crews take part in these events, not only as an allwomen crew but also as part of the club crews and racing.

As always, the WOW members are supportive of the club activities and I wish to thank those who’ve given their time assisting in the club events such as City to Surf fun Run – packing the goody bags, acting as road marshals or helping with registrations.

For the Auckland to Tauranga Race a marina berth control roster was organised by Angela, but due to fickle winds was not required until well into the next day.

Father and Son Sailing Day – people assisted with issuing life jackets as well as being crew for the Rotary Regatta fundraiser.

Committees are an integral part of club events succeeding and during the years WOW has developed into a strong base and continues to grow in strength.

I wish to thank all members on the current WOW committee for the support given to me and the contribution each member has made to make this a successful season.

With their enthusiasm the workload is very light for us all and we’re in a financially stable position to plan for the year ahead.

Many are prepared to stand again and I’m positive WOW will continue to grow to support our Women out onto the Water Sailing and most importantly having fun doing so.

For anyone wishing to give sailing a go WOW will recommence later in the year – about October.

More information can be gained from the WOW section of the TYPBC website or email wow.tauranga@gmail.com Remember, we welcome and cater for newbies to the experienced – just so long as you want to have fun out on the water.

By Delwyn Keyworth, WOW chairperson

WATERLINE 15

JUNE 2015

HMS Buffalo quartoseptcentennial

Wreck of the HMS Buffalo by G. Jackson. Photo courtesy of Mercury Bay Museum.

This July 28, 2015, marks 175 years since the HMS Buffalo was beached and wrecked in Mercury Bay. The British Navy stores ship, loaded with Kauri, was anchored at Cooks Beach when the easterly gale caught the ship at anchor on July 24.

Captain James Wood was unable to put to sea. The hawser broke about 5am on July 28,

driving the ship towards Shakespeare Cliff, where she repeatedly struck bottom and wrecked the rudder before being blown across Flaxmill Bay. Captain Moore was attempting to sail the ship into the Whitianga River but the ship was caught by a gust and blown onto the beach.

Moore was exonerated in the subsequent Court Martial into the ship’s loss.

The Mercury Bay Museum has a display of

Hamiltonian takes prize boat

memorabilia and artefacts from HMS Buffalo, including shackles that were used to restrain convicts being transported to Australian penal colonies.

Many descendants of the original colonists, who sailed on the Buffalo in 1836 to settle in South Australia, regularly make a pilgrimage to Whitianga to observe what can be seen of the ship’s remains that are still under water off Buffalo Beach and to explore the museum.

New resident arrives The first of two new big, bright, yellow boats has arrived in Tauranga on June 5 following a 30-day delivery voyage from Hong Kong.

Aaron Elliott has won a ute, boat and trailer.

Snapper fisherman Aaron Elliott has won the major prize in the Million Dollar Snapper competition from May 22-31 –a Isuzu D-Max Ute/Fyran 550, Honda Marine and Hoskings Trailer package worth nearly $150,000.

Aaron had gone fishing in the Hauraki Gulf in hopes of snagging a prize-winning snapper and he did just that, with his registration number making the final draw and winning a shot at the big prize.

He was given the chance to choose from 100 envelopes, one of which held a $1 million cash prize or the major prize package.

It’s his first big win and Aaron is shocked and delighted with his prize, say Million Dollar Snapper competition organisers.

The prizegiving night was a festive affair more like Christmas than a fishing contest with few of the 400-plus guests departing without some sort of prize, varying from Shimano rod and reel sets, Handheld Furuno Marine VHS radios, Rheem Continuous Water Heating units and bathroom renovation prizes from Mico Plumbing.

“The Million Dollar Snapper Challenge lived up to its billing as the most valuable fishing contest in the country and it was a fantastic first outing,” says organiser Dave Baty.

“I expect that the event will continue to grow and become the largest competition in the Southern Hemisphere.”

The Tai Pari and her sister ship Tai Timu are built by Cheoy Lee of Hong Kong and will take over from the blue boats, some of which are now on the market.

The Matua has been sold to another New Zealand port, and Port of Tauranga operations manager Phil Julian is open to offers on Kaimai.

The Tai Pari will be out and about for the first couple of weeks used for training, and is expected to enter service about the end of the month.

The Tai Timu is expected to arrive from Hong Kong either at the end of June or the beginning of July.

The $20 million tug upgrade project is part of a $350 million capital expenditure programme that includes the $30 million Sulphur Point wharf extension, another $12 million Liebherr Post-Panamax container crane, six more straddle carriers at about $1 million each and a $50 million harbour dredging programme that will increase the depth from 12.9m to 16m.

The new tug is hard to miss.

Picture: Port of Tauranga.

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JUNE 2015

WATERLINE 17

JUNE 2015

Get qualified to work on the seas If you’re planning on working in the maritime industry, either in New Zealand or overseas, you’ll need a STCW Basic Safety Certificate.

If you’re heading overseas and plan to work in the maritime industry, New Zealand is one of the cheapest places in the world to get these international qualifications – so it’s a great idea to get trained before you go.

All of this training is available at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic’s Windermere Campus in Tauranga. You’ll also have free access to our gym and heated pool for the week.

The STCW – which stands for Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers – is an international convention that sets the minimum training, certification and watchkeeping standards if you wish to work on cruise ships, superyachts, commercial vessels, offshore oil and gas, fishing and other international boats or ships.

The STCW Basic Safety Certificate is a week-long training course delivered at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, with an extra half-day if you need the additional security awareness training.

The compulsory training consists of sea survival – for example, life raft operation– first

International training underway at Windermere. aid, personal safety and firefighting, including the use of self-contained breathing apparatus.

An extra course that’s now compulsory for most people needing STCW is security awareness training – a direct outcome of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

The STCW Basic Safety Certificate is also included within several new qualifications due to be launched next year at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, including training programmes

for superyachts, deckhands and skippers.

To enrol, you need to be fit and capable of undertaking training for sea survival and firefighting, and you’ll also need a current medical certificate. However, sea time is not required.

If you’re keen to start your maritime adventure, check boppoly.ac.nz or call 0800 BOPPOLY to find out when the next STCW Basic course starts!

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JUNE 2015

Race tragedy remembered With 10 people dead, two boats lost and one abandoned, the 1951 centennial Wellingtononns the Lyttelton yacht race remains single largest loss of life in any nd New Zealand yacht race and the second worst worldwide, de, surpassed only by the 18 dead ad in the 1979 Fastnet Race.

Astral crew member Ashley’s son Graeme A Ashley Burton.

(Buz) Burton.

Graeme Burton’s dad Ashley Burton ton ley was among the crew of Astral. Ashley abou about smacking into the back of the trawler – and od is still alive but his health is not good w would pass underneath and then the the wave and his son and Tauranga Yacht & trawle trawler would get ahead and the rope would go Power Boat Club member Graeme ‘boing That happened through the day until finally ‘boing’. stepped up to do the interview for near th the end of the day the rope chaffed through and TVNZ’s ‘Descent from Disaster’ the line broke. programme about the race.

“So it was on dusk. They rigged a light on the stump Twenty yachts started on January Astral be m and the Tawera circled them all night of the mast 23, 1951, in light easterly condifore it lo st it’s mas making sure they wouldn’t lose them which is a feat in tions with a land-based forecast t in the ra ce. itself.” of benign conditions. UnfortuGeorge is reported later saying they could only see the on nately, no one on the Port Nicholson whe she crested the waves. It was still blowing a Astral when Yacht Club committee checked, or knew about the shipfull gale. ping forecast – which forecast a severe southerly storm.

The following day they began taking the crew off. Heaving a line As conditions deteriorated boats began pulling out of the race. George across which was tied round each man’s waist, before he jumped into Brasell, skipper on the keeler Joy, turned back in Cook Strait. He was the sea and was hauled across to the fishing boat. so concerned, he rang his wife and told her to get a crew together. He “They would pull them against the boat and as the Tawera was rolling then he flew down to Christchurch, boarded his fishing boat Tawera in the swells when the side with the person on was down, they would and headed north. pull like hell and pull them up over the side,” says Graeme.

Ashley survived the race, but it was 30 years before the boat builder “It put the old man off sailing. He was always building boats, and fisherman sailed again, says Graeme. involved in boats all his life. He was a commercial fisherman In “He went fishing, but it wasn’t till the family bought a trailer/sailer in Tauranga for 15 years, but he never went sailing again until years later Tauranga that he ever sailed again.” when we bought a trailer yacht and raced it out of Tauranga. That His dad had a particularly rough trip, breaking ribs and hurting his would have been in the early 1980s. But he was always fishing.” back when the yacht Astral went over and lost its mast in winds of The last man off Astral brought a kit bag containing dry clothing and 148km/h and more than 18 metre seas. a bottle of rum. The two exhausted crews put on the kettle and a pot He then survived the bailing and the beating for another couple of of savs and headed for Wellington. The wind had eased slightly but visdays before being hauled through stormy seas to safety on-board the ibility was still limited and they found themselves approaching Island fishing boat trawler Tawera – by a rope tied round his waist.

Bay before turning for the harbour.

“The boat that dad was on, the conditions kept getting worse and The Astral drifted north and was eventually towed into Paremata worse,” says Graeme. “They were off Cape Campbell somewhere off Harbour. She was sold and a few years later was lost in Cook Strait the Clarence River mouth, about halfway down to Kaikoura. It was without loss of life. about there, running under bare poles, they couldn’t get sail up.

His dad didn’t talk about the race much at all, says Graeme. He talked “They had two people on deck and they heard this big wave coming. a bit about George and the crew of the Tawera and what they did.

Dad’s mate Jim Smith; he yelled out: ‘For Christ’s Sake, hold on!’ and It wasn’t until a few years back that family members found a piece of he grabbed the main hatch and slid it shut. And dad reckoned if he rope with the monkey’s fist tied in it. hadn’t done that they would have gone down.

A crewman from the Tarewa had cut up the line that pulled the Astral “So they got knocked over, then when the boat came back up the crew aboard and given each of them a length with a monkey’s fist tied mast was gone and there was water up to the top of the bunks inside, a in it as a memento. huge amount of water.

“He kept that to himself,” says Graeme.

“They had to secure the mast to the boat and start bailing. The mast Another thing that emerged during the years is that but for some broke about two metres up, so the stump was there. beers in an Evans Bay boatshed, Ashley and his mate Jim Smith could “My dad was thrown around inside, broke some ribs and hurt his just as easily have been on the missing boat Argos on which they had back. He was injured and I think it was something like two days they sailed before. Instead, they struck up a conversation with Astral owner were drifting for.”

Brian Millar.

They heard a plane, which was circling overhead, giving the Tawera Lost were Argo from Wellington with six men on-board and Lyttelsomething to steer for. Someone on-board the plane took photos. ton-based Husky with four on-board.

“So then they got a line aboard Astral, just a heaving line and they The other missing boat, Aurora from Dunedin, skippered by Neil pulled a 2” tow rope secured it and started towing,” says Graeme.

Brown and crew, aged 16 and 17, was found near Napier riding to a “Dad was saying, what was happening was in the waves the Astral sea anchor. would be surfing down the waves with not much control, and just

By Andrew Campbell

WATERLINE 19

JUNE 2015

Bronze for Nacra team Boat cover maintenance The Canvas Locker’s Wendy Oldham says cleaning your covers is quick and easy. All brands of new acrylic canvas come with a waterrepellent finish – and, regular cleaning will remove it, so delay the need for deep cleaning.

Simply brush off any loose dirt using a soft brush or hose your covers occasionally and allow to air dry. This will prevent the buildup of contaminant agents, like those present in the air, from sticking to the fabric.

If your covers are showing signs of mildew or contaminant buildup the manufacturers recommend a thorough cleaning.

Most covers can be cleaned while still on the frame or boat. Wash using a mild, lukewarm, natural soapy solution.

Rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry. For mould and mildew soak for 20 minutes, lightly scrub, and then rinse.

Do not use a high pressure hose, hot water, chlorine bleach, solvents, or put in a dryer. When clean and dry reapply waterproofing to acrylic canvas.

“I’ve had good success with 303 Cleaner Concentrate, for removing mould, and 303 Fabric Guard. “There are several other products available on the market which would be effective but read the labels carefully.”

Clear windows that are old but still intact in dodgers and canopies can be replaced to enhance visibility and add a new lease of life.

To maintain existing windows, try using purpose made cleaners as they help visibility and repel dust and other contaminants.

See Wendy at The Canvas Locker, or check out www.canvaslocker.co.nz

Jason Saunders and Gemma Jones take bronze at Medemblik.

Picture: Laurens Morel.

The Nacra 17 team of Gemma Jones and Tauranga sailor Jason Saunders are believed to have taken their first International Sailing Federation – known as ISAF – medal with the bronze at Medemblik, the Netherlands.

The multi-hull team also took a silver at Lake Garda in early May but that wasn’t an ISAF event.

Unfortunately, Gemma hurt her ankle just before the medal race at the Delta Lloyd Regatta but battled her way through it in tough windy conditions, the team reports on its Facebook page.

Gemma and Jason’s medal is among three taken by New Zealand sailors at the regatta; Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski secured silver in the 49er skiff, and Josh Junior has won bronze in the Finn.

Gemma and Jason went into the final with the top three teams separated by just a point. But fortunes went the way of the two Danish crews, and Gemma and Jason had to settle for bronze after coming home eighth in the medal race.

The Kiwis’ podium performance comes from a fleet of 42 and includes plenty of big names of the Olympic mixed multihull scene.

The medal races were sailed in strong breeze.

The Delta Lloyd Regatta is part of the Eurosaf Champions Sailing Cup and a qualifier for the ISAF Sailing World Cup Weymouth on June 8-14, where a strong contingent of NZL Sailing Team was back in action.

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JUNE 2015

A club for all seasons Whether you just want to go for a sail on a yacht, or you’re looking for a unique venue for a family or corporate event the Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat club is the one.

TYPBC has a very busy sailing calendar year-round for centreboard, trailer yachts, windsurfers, catamarans and keel boats.

Women on Water is also very popular where womens crews of all abilities get out racing each Thursday evening during summer on keelers and trailer yachts.

The club is always keen to welcome new people to come and experience sailing at all levels. “Just come down to the club and we can arrange it,” says commodore Nigel Rippey.

“We are open to people coming down,” says Nigel. “They can come down or contact the club to get on a boat and go for a sail. Don’t be strangers.”

If they like the experience they can put their name down as potential crew for Wednesday night keel boat racing, says Nigel. And there are always trailer yachts looking for crew as well.

“They can just register an interest with the club and they will find a boat for them to go on.”

The club employs full-time coaches throughout summer. There are numerous courses for learn to sail, learn to race, adult learn to sail and high performance coaching always available.

The club has a strong focus to get youth and adults into the sport of sailing.

The club’s reception is open Monday to Friday and is available for functions seven days. People are welcome to come down and inspect the venue to see what it’s about. “Come and discuss your needs with our functions manager.”

The club’s unique location at the end of Sulphur Point with unsurpassed views of the harbour and entrance is proving very popular, says Nigel. “It is an awesome location, all looking out at the view of the harbour and the Mount from the big deck out front.”

By Nigel Rippey

WATERLINE 21

JUNE 2015

Stepping away from the helm New Zealand technology was behind both these catamarans.

Former Emirates Team NZ chairman Keith Turner is a Te Puna resident, who made the news when he announced he was stepping down as chairman of Emirates Team NZ. “It’s a voluntary decision of my own,” said Keith, afterwards. “In the end I had to weigh up the relative merits of the time it was demanding of me, versus my original objective when I stepped down from Meridian Energy of having a little more time.

“I wasn’t able to say to my wife what I said I was going to do. I love the world of business; I have to when I’m on so many boards.”

Describing himself as a “reasonably busy” person, Keith was on the board of six different companies until he resigned as deputy chairman of Auckland International Airport in October. He’s also chairman of Fisher and Paykel, and on the board of Chorus.

In Australia he’s on the boards of Spark Infrastructure Australia, South Australia Power Networks and Victoria Power Networks.

“All of those consume a fair amount of time,” he admits.

He took on the Team New Zealand role in April 2014 on the understanding it wouldn’t be too arduous, but during the last six months it’s become a lot more time consuming.

“And a lot of that time needs to be discharged in Auckland where I’m in contact with the CEO and other board members,” explains Keith.

“Trying to get to Auckland after doing these other six boards was adding quite a lot of burden. I guess the idea of retiring from Meridian to have a little more time went out the window.”

In Tauranga, Keith is still on the Titanium

When he was fresh out of uniIndustry Advisory Group – the vversity Keith built his own boat, sort of stuff he’s very passionatee a 38ft steel John Hacker design. about.

“I built it in 1974-1977, it “It takes not a lot of time, ttook me three years and I built it but I love what it represents to iin Dunedin,” says Keith.

New Zealand and I think it’s “I was just out of university extremely exciting where we aand got my first pay packet and could get to as a country. iit seemed like an awful lot of w “The innovation spirit in New m money, I could live for a whole w Zealand is...we don’t realise how tterm on what my first pay packet bloody good we are in compari-w was. son to many other nations.

“And that’s not that there was “I suppose the fact we are Keith K i h Turner T walks lk away a lot of money, I lived pretty ticking over pretty well as an from Emirates Team NZ. frugally, and I thought I could economy right now is a good do something with that money. message to New Zealanders that actually, yep, we can foot it in the world.

“The first pay packet was in a brown enve“We do need to recognise the identity that lope with cash notes in it, and I went round to that innovation spirit can produce so – not a the designer that night, and I liked the look of bad time to change the flag either.” the design and I asked him how much it was Keith’s connection with Emirates Team NZ and he said $250. isn’t just because he’s passionate about the “And I pulled out my pay packet and it had Cup. $185 in it and I said: “That’s all I’ve got, and It’s also because New Zealand punches above he said: “That’s enough”. its weight in the highly technical world of “So I gave him the brown envelope with the modern yacht design and racing. cash in it. My first pay. I had to borrow money “We have extraordinary capability to innofor the flat rent for the first couple of weeks.” vate,” says Keith. “We lead technology.”

He started out as an engineer and learned New Zealand is the origin of both Team to weld.

New Zealand and the Oracle defence.

“I always thought I’d make more money as a The boats and appendages were made in boiler maker than an engineer,” says Keith.

Warkworth, and a lot of the carbon fibre He described himself then as a young technology comes from New Zealand.

Masters engineering student, who wanted to He sees the San Francisco cup competition be able to make things as well as sit at a desk – as a New Zealand challenge against a New and he’s still a very practical person.

Zealand kit sailed by an American team – in “I built a 2500 square foot replica colonial which there were quite a number of New home when I moved to Wellington,” says Zealanders.

Keith. “I had a PhD by then, and not many “You have to say New Zealanders are right PhDs go and build houses. And I still like my at the top of the world stage in terms of woodwork, I have a 1.5m bed lathe.”

America’s Cup technology and team skill.

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JUNE 2015

CLASSIFIEDS

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BATTERY WAREHOUSE

WATERLINE 23

JUNE 2015

Dumping rings alarm bells A spate of search and rescue operations sparked by signals sent from dumped beacons, is prompting the Rescue Co-Ordination Centre of New Zealand to again warn against throwing out operating Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons.

Dumped EPIRBs sparked four searches already this year, two of them involving rescue helicopters – at a cost of about $3000 an hour.

“Not only do these searches waste time and money – helicopters do not come cheap – but they have tied up resources that may have been required for an actual rescue or attendance at an accident site,” says RCCNZ deputy manager support services Rodney Bracefield.

Plus, a search doesn’t stop even if it appears a signal is coming from a dump site.

“We can’t take it for granted that a signal from an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon off a ship is a false alarm even if the signal is coming from a position on land. It could be that the owner has taken it ashore for whatever reason and is genuinely in distress.

“Once a signal is identified, we can’t just leave it operating or it will be picked up every time a satellite is overhead – and that could have implications if another beacon is activated in the area.

“It really needs to be turned off and disposed of correctly,” says Rodney.

More than 20 incidents of dumped beacons sparking searches have been identified since 2012 – with 11 involving the use of rescue helicopters.

The battery needs to be disconnected and the beacon disposed of according to local regulations, as many beacons contain hazardous materials.

Beacon owners should contact their local retailer, or the NZ Police, to arrange appropriate disposal of old or unwanted distress beacons.

Activations this year from dumped beacons: • On May 20, 2015, a signal was received in Taranaki from an EPIRB off a Panamanianflagged LPG carrier but the ship was located safe near Noumea.

The ship’s agent in New Plymouth advised that the EPIRB had been taken off the ship several years ago and been stored at the agent’s premises until it was dumped.

Radio inspectors from Radio Spectrum Management, part of the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, went to the landfill site to locate the beacon but on arrival no beacon signals were detected. It’s assumed the beacon was buried or the battery was flat.

• On April 21, 2015, an alert was received for an unregistered New Zealand EPIRB located on farmland southwest of Taihape.

The Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter was sent to the scene, with Police and the landowner joining the search. The beacon was located in a small rubbish pile on a

neighbouring property. The owner had recently purchased a new Personal Locator Beacon and simply thrown the unwanted EPIRB away.

• On January 7, 2015, an alert was received for a PLB in an industrial area in Wingate, Lower Hutt. It turned out the owner had three PLBs and wasn’t sure which he’d loaned and which he’d sent for disposal. The Westpac Rescue helicopter was sent to the area and the PLB was eventually located on a bench in an electronics recycling building.

• On January 1, 2015, a signal from an EPIRB was identified in a landfill in Whangarei.

The beacon was registered and when the yachtsman owner was contacted, he said he’d thrown the apparently obsolete beacon into the rubbish as it appeared to be in a poor condition and very old.

Two weeks later it self-activated. The landfill manager offered to open the landfill afterhours to allow a search for the beacon, but it ceased transmitting within a few hours.

By law, all distress beacons must be registered. This provides emergency services contact information and allows RCCNZ to quickly ascertain if a beacon alert is genuine or inadvertent.

Beacon registration is free at the website: beacons.org.nz/registration

JUNE 2015

24 WATERLINE

Matakanaa Race officer Andy Knowles pressed the hooter and eight skippers raced to their boats and waiting crews in a classic Le Mans start to the sixth Matakana Raid.

Matakana Island is 11 miles long and creates the Tauranga Harbour, stretching from one entrance at Mount Maunganui to another at Bowentown Head.

The course for leg one took in channel mark 17, Matakana Island to port, and the finish at the ‘Fat Lady’ beacon inside the Bowentown entrance.

The seven Tornados and one Hobie 16 had a testing time as they headed down the coast under gennakers. Winds puffy, shifty, gusty and full of “holes” were the order of the day.

Boats gybed and sailed out to sea looking for breezes that turned into mirages. Those who stayed inshore did better working the shifts.

If Tornado cats get into a breeze they cover ground very quickly, so distances between boats varied greatly as those that ‘breezed’ would take off with two on trapeze, spray flying, while a boat 200m away would be struggling to make five knots.

Eventually the fleet split into two, the leading three sailing into the breeze while the rest played ‘golf ’ – sailing from hole to hole!

Julian and Alistar, racing on Aon, won the leg, with Bill and Roger came second, while Bill and Lewis from the Bay of Islands placed third.

A sea breeze filled in, bringing the rest of the fleet home in style.

The fleet sailed to the beach at the Athenree Holiday Park, pulled the boats up on to the grass, and followed Rose in with the ‘chuck wagon’ loaded with all the gear to erect tents and set up camp.

Hot pools and an afternoon relaxing in the sun and enjoying the sculptures, mosaics and art followed.

Talking with Lance in the changing rooms, I followed him outside a few seconds later, to see him with his back to me. Admiring or

Photographs courtesy of LP Steel Fab Ltd.

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Island I raid concerned – at the condition he was carrying, I walked up behind him, grabbed a handful of his love muffins and said: “Wow fella, you sure have gained condition over summer!”

As he turned slowly around, I realised I’d grabbed the love muffins of a perfect stranger.

“Oh, you’re not Lance, are you?” I proffered.

“No, but I’m quickly gaining a complex,” the poor guy said, as I spotted Lance in the pool. They’re very nice people at Athenree.

A large barbecue dinner with all the trimmings was organised by the West family and Russell, with everyone pitching in. It was delicious and there was plenty of it.

This was followed by a quiz night arranged

by Winston and Patrice – the winner decided with a tie-breaker question – excellent.

Sunday morning breakfast was bacon, eggs, sausages, baked beans and toast. Then we packed up camp while waiting for the tide to come in.

Come 11.30am and the windward-leeward race of three circuits was held in a building southwest breeze of 12-15 knots. This gave us fast and furious racing, and the finishing order was the same as Saturdays.

At 12.30pm the hooter sounded for the drag race through the harbour to Omokoroa. A fast, two-sail reach to the halfway point had all boats fairly close, with Bill and Roger leading the fleet until the fully powered-up Relentless sailed by, and Jason and Bruce also smoked

“Winds puffy, shifty, gusty and full of “holes” were the order of the day.”

past. All boats were doing more than 20 knots – crews out on wires, living the dream.

Then a bear-away through the middle of the harbour, gennakers up, spray flying.

Bill and Lewis, who’d broken a tiller, had control problems. They nose-dived, and Lewis flew forward. Still attached by the trapeze, he swung in a wide arc well forward of the boat and around to leeward, pulling the boat over – spectacular.

Winston and Fi went a little too far into the shallows in a fast, flying, overtaking manoeuvre, clipped the bottom and broke a rudder, lost control and flipped. Unfortunately, this put them out of the race and they limped home.

Relentless continued to lead the charge, but Julian on Aon got the better of him as we all rounded into the sheltered lee of Omokoroa Peninsula.

The finish was the first person to touch the toilet block in the Omokoroa reserve. Julian and Alistar; Jason and Bruce; and Bill and Roger (the old farts) were the order of this leg.

Coffee from the café, and Rose was there with the chuck wagon handing out sausages, buns and leftover salads for lunch.

Another Le Mans start – this time the crew did the running. Clear of Omokoroa and back into the fresh breeze under gennakers, the cats were flying down to the finish at the Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club.

This time Russell, aged 67, with a much younger crew, Cory, led the charge. Jason gybed to close on them, but then nose-dived, sending crewman Bruce flying forward on his trapeze.

With the skill of an acrobat he hit the prod, bounced back, landed on the windward bow, crawled aft on all fours, got back on the trapeze, and they were smoking toward the finish. Aon was in first place literally by a whisker, taking line honours for all four legs.

What a blast of a weekend! Stu and Phil sailed Feisty Feline. Stu’s summary of The Raid went like this: “Won two starts; capsized twice and won the Quiz Night – hugely enjoyable”.

Bill and Lewis had travelled all the way from the Bay of Islands and said it was well worth the effort, as did Bill Caunce from Auckland.

Peter and Leighton, from Auckland with a Hobie 16, also said it was well worth the effort, but they certainly could have done with more Hobies to compete against.

We’ll all be back for another Raid next year.

All entrants are eligible to take the overall trophy on handicap. This event is open to all multihulls of six metres or more, but ideally suited to off-the-beach cats because of their draft.

Do join us, but keep your love muffins covered!

By Roger Clark

Results:

1st: Julian and Alistar on ‘Aon’, on line and handicap.

2nd: Bill and Roger on NZL70 – we call her ‘Bill’!

3rd: Bill and Lewis on ‘Yahoo Serious’.

4th: Russell and Cory on ‘Spirit’.

5th: Jason and Bruce on ‘Relentless’.

6th: Stuart and Phil on ‘Feisty Feline’.

7th: Winston and Fi on ‘Spitfire’.

8th: Peter and Leighton on ‘Bernie’.

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The secret behind the look BOP Marine Painters Ed

The Tauranga team behind the look of Napier boatbuilder Dickey Boats’ Hutchwilco Boat Show awards is again sharing the glory of a good haul of prizes at the Auckland show.

This year Dickey’s won Boat of the Show New Model 2015: Dickey Custom 850, Aluminium Fishing Boat Open 2015: Dickey Custom 850, All Purpose Open 2015: Dickey Custom 800.

Last year the Napier manufacturer of luxury custom aluminium launches was awarded Boat of the Show for the Dickey Custom 950, and Best New Model.

The Dickey Custom 750xs won Boat of The Show, Aluminium Fishing Boat Open; and Boat of The Show All Purpose Open. It’s the third year in a row Dickey Boats has won Bat of the Show.

The Dickey boats are standouts because of their slick superyacht finish, and many who think they know better don’t believe the flawless, gleaming, mirror finish paint is on an alloy hull – until they touch it.

“People come up and tap on the hulls, they can’t believe it’s alloy. They think it must be glass,” says BOP Marine Painters proprietor Allen Hartridge.

The boat shows are also good for catching up with the customers, says Allen.

“We see so many of them. The feedback,

meeting up with them hearing how satisfied they are with their boats, the huge compliments with everything, it’s really good.”

BOP Marine Painters has been part of the Dickey’s Boats team from the start and is growing as Dickey’s production expands.

They leased more space in the Mirrielees Rd shed, and are booked up until Christmas next year, says Allen, and he’s looking for experienced staff.

A 950 that’s in-build at Napier at the moment is expected to eventually be based in Tauranga.

BOP Marine Painters is the team responsible for the finish, achieved by starting with epoxy filler.

“There are three more epoxy coats before we go to the final coat,” says Allen.

In an unusual step in the high quality marine paints world, BOP Marine Painters uses a mixed system, the primers and undercoats from one manufacturer and the final undercoat and top coat from another.

It all takes place in the Mirrielees Rd shed, which is transformed internally from sanding to painting with the addition of plastic tenting to house the boat, and blowers creating a positive pressure environment to keep dust out.

“We’ve been part of the Dickey’s Boats team right from the start; eight years we’ve been painting their boats. They are going from strength to strength,” says Allen.

He started as an industrial spraypainter in

Rotorua, but did his apprenticeship as a boat painter at Pachoud Yachts NZ in Tauranga – and he still paints Dave Pachoud’s boats.

One of Pachoud’s employees knew Jason Dickey from Napier, says Allen.

“So he helped Jason on his first boat and I just gave a lot of advice over the phone; products, and I think we loaned them some sanding boards and stuff like that,” says Allen.

“Then because Jason got to know me that way, when the next boat came along we were first in line to paint it. So we’ve been doing them ever since.

“The one thing that sells these boats is the ride quality,” says Allen. “They are designed

by Dickey Boats in-house.”

The characteristic plumb bow, the 22 degree deadrise and long keel contribute, says Allen.

The boats themselves are built like superyachts with a traditional ship construction of ribs, stringers and trademarked custom interlocked CNC cut frames.

Popular hull colour is blue with white, it really suits the classic design style, says Allen.

Another thing the punters don’t believe at the shows, is that is how the boats really look.

They are not specially prepped just for the shows, they are borrowed from their owners.

This year all the boats were borrowed, says Jason Dickey. But that’s going to change. One of this year’s builds is to be a 32 foot demonstrator boat that will be based in Napier.

By Andrew Campbell

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JUNE 2015

Aquinas College students helping to remodel the former fishing boat.

Marine Reach vessel Pacific Hope is expected to embark on her first mission voyage to Fiji, Vanuatu and The Solomons on or about June 20, following an open day on the wharf for the public and volunteers who have made it happen.

The open day will be held at the Port of Tauranga No 1 berth, which allows for better public access than the city’s former slip jetty where the Pacific Hope has become a fixture during the last two years.

She’s still a work in progress, says ship director Mike Mears. Pacific Hope will set out on the first voyage with the refit about 80 per cent complete. But they’re hoping to continue with the work en-route.

“We’re hoping to do some work as well while we are sailing, so we’ll have a few extra crew on-board who are contractors and builders, so we will carry on with some of that while we are sailing, assuming that the seas are favourable.”

Pacific Hope is a former Japanese Government-owned fisheries training vessel, which came with a big galley, mess hall and lecture spaces, says Mike.

A post-government owner added the accommodation aft of the funnel, which has become a mess room/recreation room during the refit, but is intended to also become clinic spaces or room for seminars and training.

Pacific Hope was originally a training ship for fishermen and deck officers, says Mike.

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Pacific Hope’s first mission approaching “So it did have a fish hold and refrigeration system. So we skipped all refrigeration stuff out, and we using the hold for building materials, tools, books – and all that kind of stuff for schools.”

Marine Reach is accepting donations of building materials that will be helpful in the islands, says Mike. They’re also approaching businesses for galvanised nails and roofing iron – that kind of donation as well.

As the departure date looms there are still former offices on-board undergoing conversion to more accommodation.

Mike says the Pacific Hope will voyage with a crew of 25, plus about another 40 medical people, doctors, dentists, surgeons.

Eventually, they also expect to have optometrists, healthcare nurses and community development people on-board.

The first trip will focus on water projects and sanitation to help with rebuilding projects in Vanuatu.

Marine Reach added an additional block of outreaches in Vanuatu specifically to help with cyclone recovery.

“As well we have a land-based operation in Vanuatu, so we’ve been sending teams up since the cyclone hit,” says Mike.

“Certainly being able to get out to remote islands is a huge need. Vanuatu has 10 dentists in the whole nation, and about seven of them are located in Port Vila.

“It’s similar with other medical needs that people have. The main city centres have medical facilities but outside they don’t. So we really target the outlying islands where there is very little access or no access to medical care.”

Pacific Hope will have at least two dentists on-board for each outreach, which is usually about two weeks.

“This year we won’t have the ophthalmology on-board but starting next year we’ll have the clinics for the ophthalmology,” says Mike.

The mercy ship’s official farewell will be on June 20, when it will move to the Port of Tauranga No 1 berth and hold its open day for the public and all volunteers who’ve donated thousands of man hours to convert the ship.

But the ship was expected to first be put to sea on June 5 to go into dry dock in Auckland, where the through-hulls will be inspected and the bottom anti-fouled, before returning for the public farewell.

Much of the work converting the ship, providing labour for sanding and painting is provided by volunteers, like the Aquinas College students who’ve painted their way through much of the ship during the last two years – some have been there more than once as part of their community classes.

“We are getting there,” says Mike. “It’s like when you build a house, things change quickly. You get all the framing up, then the gib goes up, and power points go in – and so we’re sort of at that point, which is great.

“We bought this ship in March 2013, and dry docked it then we sailed to Manila. Our chief executive officer is a Filipino and he had a lot of contacts in Manila,” says Mike.

“We went in there for seven weeks, had some engineering work done, pre-painted the whole top half of the ship, then we sailed back to New Zealand.”

By Andrew Campbell

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Versatile older boat Kereru was designed and built by Brin Wilson of Milford and launched in 1958.

She was built as a motor sailor for a Frank Pidgeon – hence the name – of Auckland, who owned a property at Sunny Bay on Bon Accord Harbour, Kawau Island.

He wanted a versatile boat capable of taking out fishing parties, collecting and deliver-

ing guests and stores, and able to make short coastal cruises and the trip to Auckland. But it was not to be too big for the owner to handle solo.

Kereru is built of 1” carvel planking in kauri.

Her dimensions are 30’ length overall and 10’ beam and draught of 3’6”.

The ribs are at 6” centres. There are two bilge stringers each side and floors at of 2” at 18” centres.

Powered by a 100hp Lees engine she’s nicely

appointed with an aft galley, a two-burner grill, fridge/freezer, four single berths, electric toilet, cockpit shower, auto anchoring, cockpit covers.

Electronics include VHF, GPS/plotter, depth sounder, fish finder and CD/stereo.

Kereru is the ideal vessel for the traditional boat enthusiast.

Contact Brian Worthington at Gulf Group for more details.

Celebrate YOUR WAY

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