S AILIN G NEWS & T H E S O U T H P A C I F I C "IT'S FREE TO ENJOY AHOY!" MAY2023 ReadySetGoEast! ImagecreditDownUnderRaly
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S AILING NEWS & THESOUTHPACIFIC ©Copyright 2023 Down Under Rally Pty Ltd AHOY Sailing News is published and distributed electronically via the world wide web. Original editorial content & advertisements in this newsletter are copyrighted and the exclusive property of Down Under Rally Pty Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the Down Under Rally Pty Ltd. The comments and views in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Down Under Rally Pty Ltd. Published by Down Under Rally Pty Ltd To submit an article or to enquire about advertising, contact John Hembrow Email: admin@downunderrally.com Website: downunderrally.com IN THE MAY AHOY
Ready Set Go East Understanding & Avoiding Shark Attacks The Hunter & The Gatherer Answer The Call - Vanuatu Event Calendar Delivering Day For Girls Vanuatu Lots of Lights For Vanuatu On The Air - Gulf Harbour Radio Introducing Boaters World Be Prepared Hip, Hip Hooray Gathering On The Bay Extreme Sailing for Climate Action Now Members Marketplace 2 6 11 27 34 36 37 43 49 55 61 68 78
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AUSTRALIA'S GREATEST BOATYARD
n the 2023 Go East Rally to New Caledonia will depart the Gold Coast later this month, bound for New Caledonia.
A week of pre-departure events will commence on the 3rd of May at The Boat Works Gold Coast. Firstly the participants will collect their Go East Goodies, including t-shirts, hats, flags and participant plaques
The first get-together will be at our Meet the Fleet party. Vessel inspections, Sea Survival wet drill & flare demonstration, Yoga sessions, Iridium user communication tuition & support sessions, PredictWind Offshore App User tuition & support sessions, Days For Girls information session, Departure Briefing & a Bon Voyage Party will round out what will be a busy and exciting week.
Monitoring of the weather will also begin in earnest as we look to identify a suitable forecast for the voyage
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Follow the progress of our Go East Rally participants as they voyage from Australia to New Caledonia & Beyond, thanks to PredictWind.
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Being part of an organised event such as the Go East Yacht Rally is about being part of a community.
Sure, we provide our participants with a ton of information, advice and we share the wisdom that we have accumulated during the years we have spent sailing from Australia to the South Pacific and back.
The local knowledge and the relationships we have gained from cruising in the region are also invaluable, and our participants receive the benefits of this knowledge and these relationships.
However, in our experience, it is the friendships that will be made as a result of an experience which, for most, will see them venturing beyond their comfort zones. This has been said by past participants to be the most valuable part of being a Go East Rally participant.
For some, there will be times when these friendships and the support of their fellow rally participants will make all the difference, and that is what the Spirit of The Rally Award is about...recognising that support.
Most of our readers will know who Murphy is...
He is the bugger that watches all we do and then messes with us, usually at the worst possible moment.
In what appears to be a random manner, Murphy chooses who will be his source of entertainment and then takes up residency aboard their vessel.
Sometimes he stays for weeks or months, and other times he just visits for a few hours, but regardless of the duration of his stay, you can be certain that there will be a number of events that will test the resolve of most who host him...
The upside is that the drama he creates during his visit often makes for entertaining conversation at sundowner time.
The not so coveted Murphy Award will be presented to one of the Go East Participants at the end-of-passage party in New Caledonia.
Understanding & Avoiding Shark Attacks
1.LET'SBEREALISTIC.SHARKATTACKSARERARE.
Thepresslovessharkattacks,andeverysinglefatalityisheadlinenews.Manypeoplehaveanalmost psychotic fear of being attacked by a shark, but in reality, the odds of an unprovoked attack by a sharkareminusculecomparedtotheotherdangersweface.Forexample,weabsolutelyadoredogs. Didyouknowdogsattackaround4.5millionpeopleayearintheUnitedStatesaloneandkillaround 30,000peopleperyearworldwide?
In2022therewere104sharkattacksworldwide,57wereunprovoked,and32wereprovoked(people feedingsharks,tryingtounhookthemfromfishinggear,tryingtokeepasharkfromeatingafishthe victim just speared). 9 of the 104 people attacked by sharks died. 9. Worldwide. 9, compared to 30,000deathsfromdogattacks.
Don’t misunderstand me; sharks ARE dangerous. People often think sharks are like submersible garbagecollectors,stupidlymistakinghumansforoneoftheirtargetprey.That’srubbish.Sharksare smart,withhighlysophisticatedsensesofhearing,smell,sightandelectromagneticreception.And theyarebigandfastwithpowerfuljawslinedwithhundredsofsupersharpteeth.But….Worldwide they only kill about 9 humans a year; humans are definitely not their favourite prey. However, like
Many species of sharks have attacked humans, but the most dangerous are the great white sharks (351 unprovoked attacks, 59 fatal), tiger sharks (142 unprovoked attacks, 39 fatal) and bulldog sharks (119 unprovoked attacks, 26 fatal). Those figures are worldwide and for 100 years.
"Sometimes our perspective gives an overinflated view of the danger of being attacked by a shark."
By Dr Richard Chesher
"the odds of an unprovoked attack by a shark are minuscule compared to the other dangers we face."
Bull Sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) are especially dangerous near beaches and estuaries.
Avoiding Shark Attacks
By Dr Richard Chesher
2. HOW TO AVOID BEING ATTACKED BY A SHARK.
Surface Sports – the most dangerous.
By far, the majority of unprovoked shark attacks have been on people who are on a float with their hands and legs in the water; surfing, water skiing, windsurfing, boogie boarding, rafting, or floating on inflatables. This is where the “mistaken identity” idea comes from – the shark thinks there is a dead or dying animal floating on the surface, injured, making a lot of splashing noises. The second reason it’s so dangerous is…. The victim never sees the shark until it bites. The best way to avoid being attacked when doing these sports is to:
Stay close to other people doing the same thing. Sharks are much more likely to attack a person who is alone
Avoid acting like a sick, dying, struggling, splashing creature (not easy when doing these sports)
Consider wearing a magnetic bracelet like the Sharkbanz
Don’t do it late in the afternoon or evening or very early in the morning.
Avoid murky water, especially near river mouths.
Avoid places where sharks have been fed.
Fish and birds feeding... Stay out of the water.
Understanding &
By Dr Richard Chesher
WHENSNORK
Thenextmostc ginthewater, wading,orsnork edcreatureson thesurfaceofth PICK THE TIM
Ifyouseebirdsandfishactivelyfeedingnearby,don’tgetinthewater,sharksareprobablyenjoying theparty
Avoidgettingintothewaterwherepeoplearespearfishingorsportfishing(provokingthesharks)
Avoidareaswherepeoplearefeedingthesharkswithfoodwaste,likecleaningfishandthrowing thewasteintothewater Anddon’tYOUeverdoitthencannon-ballintothewater (Ihaveseen peopledojustthat–andtheydidn’tgetattacked)
Stayoutofturbid,muddywater,especiallynearrivers
Beverycarefulneardrop-offsintodeepwaterandreefpasseswheresharksliketowaitforprey Avoidgettingintothewaterinthelateafternoonorevening,atnightorveryearlyinthemorning Beextracarefulduringthesummermonths–that’swhenfemalebullsharksgivebirth.Thismeans thatfromFebruarytoApril,theyhaveupto12babysharksgrowingupinsidethem,andtheyare HUNGRY
ng & Attacks
Understanding & Avoiding Shark Attacks
By Dr Richard Chesher
BE RESPONSIBLE - BE PROACTIVE
Dive with a buddy and stay together.
Stayoutofthewaterifyouhaveanopenwoundoraremenstruating.
Don’twearshinyjewellery.Thesunflashingoffitresemblesfishscales.
Get into the water QUIETLY. Don’t jump in. The splash noise can attract a shark from a kilometreaway.
Swimorsnorkelwithabuddyorbuddiesandstaytogether;sharksaremuchmorelikelyto attackasingleperson.
Avoidsplashingaroundlikeaninjuredfish.Swimorsnorkelquietly,smoothly,andeasily likeahealthyseacreature.
Considerwearingastripedleotardand/oramagneticbraceletlikeSharkbanz.
Wearadiveknifeorbringasharkpoleifthereisalikelychanceofseeingashark.
Don’tspearfish.
Staynearyourdinghyorboatorclosetoshore.
Avoiding Shark Attacks
By Dr Richard Chesher
A zebra-striped leotard keeps sharks away. Here’s what happened when Freddy tried to take a photo of the shark.
Understanding &
White tip reef shark fleeing ahead of Freddy’s striped leotard.
Avoiding Shark Attacks
By Dr Richard Chesher
DON’TFEEDTHESHARKS.
Thisnotonlymeansdon’tdeliberatelyofferthemfood,itmeansdon’tcleanfishinananchorage andtossthegutsandbonesoverthesideorthrowanyotherleftoverfoodovertheside.
OntheRocketCruisingGuidestoNewCaledoniaandVanuatu,weincludeasharkiconwherethere havebeenrepeatedattacks–andmanyofthemwereplaceswherefishormeatwasteswerethrown intothewaterformanyyears.Sharkslivealongtime–over40years–andoncetrainedtofeedin placeswheretheyweresuppliedwithfreegoodies,theydon’tforget.
It’sabitcomplicatedbecauseyoumightnotknowifpeoplehavebeenfeedingsharksinaparticular area.Theproblemiswellknowninsomeareas,andwarningsareinplace.Forexample,from1982 until2020,thecommercialfishingwharfintheGrandeRadeofNoumeathrewfishwasteintothe harbourandbullsharksgatheredtodevourthewaste,doingwhatbullsharksdo;cleaningthesea. Soforover40years,thecommercialfisheriesatNouvilledomesticatedbullsharks,makingthem accustomedtoassociatinghumanswithfood.NationalGeographicdidaspecialabouttheproblem whichcanbeveiwedviathelinkbelow.
In 2013, the Province Sud banned Shark fishing, and so the population of fisheries-fed sharks increased dramatically. In 2019 two shark attacks, one in a marina, caused the local government to reinstate fishing for Bull and Tiger sharks and stopped the fisheries wharf from disposing of wastes and wastewater into the harbour. In 2023 the mayor banned swimming from the beaches or the bays near Noumea and hired fishermen to actively catch the surplus of sharks.
But sometimes people throw food waste into the water, and unless you specifically ask someone in the area, there is no way of knowing.
And that is why you always need to avoid splashing around like an injured fish on the surface and wear a facemask so you can see the shark and respond.
Understanding
&
Understanding &
Avoiding Shark Attacks
By Dr Richard Chesher
WHATDOYOUDOIFASHARKAPPROACHESYOU?
Ifyouseeasharkinthewater,youareluckyandrememberthiscrucialfact.DONTPANIC!
Mostsharkattackvictimsdon'tseethesharkbeforeitbitesthem.Youarehugecomparedtomost thingssharkseat,andyouareahuman,themostaggressiveanddeadlyapexpredatorontheplanet. Seriously.Sharksaresensitivepredatorsandwillreadyourbodylanguageandmovements.Ifyou panicandflee... youareprey.
PHASE1
Ifyouhavebeenspearfishingorcollectinglobstersoranythingelse,itwasprobablywhatattracted theshark(s)inthefirstplace.Ifyoudropyourcatch,theshark(s)willgoafterthatwhileyougetout ofthewater–butagain,don’tpanicandstartthrashingaway.
Thefirstthingyoumustdo ismoveclosetoyourdivebuddyandmakesureheorsheknowsthe sharkisthere.Nowtherearetwolargeapexpredatorsfacingtheshark.
Watchtheshark.
Ifitisareefsharkmovingbackandforthorupanddown,archingitsback,itislikeadogdefending itsterritory.Somoveawayfromitsterritory-backtowardsyourboatortheshore.Becasual,but keepaneyeontheshark(s).Ifpossible,swimclosetothereefedgetoprotectyourflankasyou move.Ifthesharkcontinuestofollowyou,stop,turnaround,andfaceit.Whenitturnsaway, continuemovingbacktowardsyourboatortheshore.
Ifitcontinuesandcomescloser,gotophase2.
PHASE 2.
When a shark is rapidly approaching you.
PHASE 2.
Avoiding Shark Attacks
By Dr Richard Chesher
If you see a shark rapidly approaching you or circling you, it's not defending its territory. It's checking you out as a potential meal.
1 You need to mentally become the predator, not the prey
2 Get out your diving knife, or your camera, or better yet - if you have one - a pole
3 You and your dive buddy should team up and swim slowly toward it, side by side, like the two of you are trying to sneak up on it to get close enough to kill it Think of roasting it, eating shark fin soup, smile & try to get closer. If it tries to swim past you, turn as if to try to stop it - but let it go.
Chancesare,bythistime,itwillbegone.Butjustbecauseyounolongerseeit,don'tassumeit's goneveryfar.Getoutofthewater.MywifeandIhavedonethismanytimesoverthe40+years we’vebeendivinginthetropics.Workseverytime.
ForanexampleofwhenIusedthistacticwhenIwasdivinginareefpassinPapuaNewGuinea,and threesharkscameatmeexpectingaquicksnacksee: www.log-of-the-moira.com/8SNAKPAS.HTM
PHASE3.
Whatifasharkdoesn'tgetthehintandcomesreallycloselikeitisgoingtobite?
Again,don'tpanic. Faceit,andsmackitonthesnoutashardasyoucan-butnotwithyourbare hand.Useyourdivingknife,camera,glovedhand,orapointedstick.
Manydiversprefertohaveasharkstickwiththemwhentheyknowtheywillbedivingnearsharks. Thisisjustashortpolewithasharpenedpointoraspearheadontheend.Theydon’tactuallyspear theshark(badidea)justusethestickasaprodtoturnitaway.Thesharkwillretreat,butitwon'tbe goneitwillbeback,sogetoutofthewaterandbequickwhenyougetbackinthedinghyoronthe boat.
WHATTODOIFYOUFAIL.
Ifasharkbitesyou-becauseyoudidn'tseeitfirst-useyourthumbstogougeitseyes,stickyour fingersinitsgills.Hititonthesnout.Yourdivebuddyshouldalsoattacktheshark’seyesandgills, thenhelpyougetoutofthewaterandstopthebleeding.
But….Ifyoudiveinclearwater,staywithyourbuddyandkeepyoureyesopen,thechancesofbeing bittenarenegligible.
Understanding &
& Avoiding Shark Attacks
By Dr Richard Chesher
About the Author
Dr. Richard Chesher in New Caledonia
Dr. Richard Chesher is a specialist in coral reef ecosystems and has cruised aboard his own boats since 1959 from Florida and the Caribbean to Panama and many of the tropical Pacific Islands. His research was featured in National Geographic, the New York Times, Sports Illustrated, Skin Diver, Ocean Magazine, and many other journals and newspapers. See RichardChesher.com
Richard conducted research on environmental issues with Pacific Island governments, the United Nations, the University of Guam, the University of the South Pacific, The South Pacific Regional Environment Program and Earthwatch on facilitating community environmental improvement and working with volunteers for resource assessment and monitoring including:
1968 to 1969 Divers throughout the Pacific helped map the distribution of the Crown of Thorns starfish.
1968 to 1969, Guam volunteer divers assist in the community-based Crown of Thorns control program.
1972 to 1975 Sixteen Earthwatch expeditions used volunteer divers to help document the impact of man on Bahamian and Florida coral reefs.
1980 to 1981 Eight Earthwatch expeditions used volunteer divers for coral reef resource assessments in Papua New Guinea.
1986 to 1987 Five Earthwatch expeditions used volunteers for resource mapping in Vava'u Tonga.
1988 to 1991 Twenty-Five Earthwatch expeditions used volunteers to help establish and monitor community-based giant clam sanctuaries in the Kingdom of Tonga and produce two videos.
1992 to 1993 Ten Earthwatch expeditions used volunteers to develop a community-based coral reef management plan for the Kingdom of Tonga and produce three videos.
1995 to 1996 Director of the Sea Keepers for Schools Activity with 1250 participating schools in New Zealand (Telecom Education Foundation and Sea Keepers).
Understanding
Avoiding Shark Attacks
By Dr Richard Chesher
Since 2000 Dr Chesher has concentrated on sustainable tourism and created the Rocket Cruising and Travel Guides to New Caledonia and Vanuatu in association with the tourism departments and the New Caledonia and Vanuatu travel industry.
During his day and night diving adventures, Richard had ample opportunity to meet members of the Shark community, including a close encounter in the Bay of Panama with a great white shark, eye to eye with a hammerhead shark in murky water in Florida, hitting a Caribbean blue shark on the snout as it was about to bite, dislocated his shoulder when a tiger shark charged into his pole spear when he jumped into the water off his yacht, and a peaceful approach by a giant deep sea shark in 350 feet of water at 8 o’clock at night during a record-breaking deep saturation dive in the Gulf of Mexico. See 1967SinDiver600 Feet.
He’s never been bitten and, once having learned how to avoid attracting sharks, the only close encounters with sharks have been peaceful and when trying to get close enough to take their photograph
On each of his 60 Earthwatch Expeditions, Richard briefed the dive teams on the very same information he presents in this article. During his two-week diving expeditions in Florida, the Bahamas, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga, with a total of over 680 novice participants, there was not one hostile encounter with sharks.
Richard was with Dr. Walter Starck in the Solomon Islands when Dr. Starck came up with the idea of a striped wetsuit to discourage sharks Dr Starck dove on a shark-infested reef wearing a robe around his striped wetsuit, and when a shark would approach, he opened the robe to show the stripes – and the sharks left.
He and his wife have had ample opportunity to verify the striped suits deter sharks.
For example, in 1981, Dr Carl Edmonds, author of Diving Medicine for Scuba Divers, and three other members of his diving medical clinic Joined the Cheshers on a dive near the reef pass in Ouvea, the Loyalty Islands.
The incredible account of that adventure, an extract from the Log Of The Moira, appears on the following page...
Understanding &
From the Log Of The Moira
The Caverns of Sea's Remembering
Read the full log entry here
Avoiding Shark Attacks
By Dr Richard Chesher
Lazily, I submerge and drift down to Freddy. Together, we soar through a big cave and emerge outside the reef in 20 meters of water. Carl, John and Chris are clumped together at the foot of the wall of coral. They look at us and gesture franticly the sign for shark and point all around themselves. Freddy and I roll, exchanging positions so she is between me and the coral wall. We scan the deep as we roll but don't see anything.
The men's bodies reflect their fear. The sea is clear, but sharks are hard to see when they are in mid-water. Their bodies are twotoned greyish blue, the lighter belly colour is in the shadow of the shark's own body and thus appears to be the same hue as the top of the shark - deep ocean watercolour. This is called obliterative countershading. On the seaward side of the reef, the bottom drops off rapidly. The sharks, if they are still around, could be lurking close in the vast blue cavern, and we would never see them. But I feel they have gone, and both Freddy and I are relaxed as we turn to face the men. It isn't actually a lack of respect for sharks. It's a kind of acceptance of them.
The three men continue their signs of agitation, backed against the coral wall, blasting out clouds of air I give them the OK sign, and they hastily retreat back towards the boat Freddy and I follow along, holding hands. "Jesus CHRIST!" John explodes as soon as we clamber back aboard Moira, "There were these three BIG sharks down there. They were getting aggressive, darting in at us, and it was bloody scary."
"Yes, it was interesting the way they took off when the two of you arrived in those zebrastriped suits." Carl smiles as he dries off and puts on his thick glasses. "They may look funny, but they do seem to work. I must look into getting one of those. Of course, Walter Starck has been saying they work for some time, but it's the first practical demonstration I've seen " "You're right," John's long face looks surprised. "They left just before Rick and Freddy showed up. All three of them turned and swam away fast. I'll be damned." He watches appreciatively as Freddy peels off the skin-tight leotard under the shower on the afterdeck
Understanding &
T h e R o c k e t C r u i s i n g G u i d e s t o N e w C a l e d o n i a & V a n u a t u h a v e b e e n c i t e d a s t h e b e s t c r u i s i n g g u i d e s i n t h e w o r l d .
B a s e d o n h i g h r e s o l u t i o n s a t e l l i t e a n d a e r i a l p h o t o g r a p h y , t h e c r u i s i n g g u i d e t o N e w C a l e d o n i a & V a n u a t u g i v e s a p r e c i s e , a c c u r a t e a n d c o l o u r f u l i n f o r m a t i o n o n e v e r y p r a c t i c a l a n c h o r a g e i n N e w C a l e d o n i a & V a n u a t u .
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32mapsand173colourphotos,includingaerialandunderwaterphotographyand detailedanchorageinformation. Learn More & Order here: www.downunderrally.com/coral-sea-islands-cruising-guide
WrittenasaguidetotheislandsandreefsoftheAustralianCoralSea,thebookcontains
COVID, more and more people are seeking alternative life adventures. Of them, sailing
Thisisn’tnewstoCatherineLawsonandDavidBristow,who,withtheirdaughterMaya,havebeen liveaboardsailorsforlongerthanYouTubeandInstagramhaveglorifiedit.Havingmadeconscious choicestolivesimplerandmoresustainably,they’veneverlookedbacktoshorelifeinenvy.
CurrentlycruisingthewildsofIndonesiaandSoutheastAsiaontheir40-footcatamaran WildOne, Catherine,atraveljournalist,andDavid,aphotographer,preferanchoragesawayfromcivilisation asmuchaspossible—thatdesiretobefarawayshapedtheirfoodmentality.
Photo by D. Bristow
Catherine Lawson and David Bristow, The Hunter & The Gatherer.
“Instinctively, we are drawn to the sea. Lured by water, waves and sunshine, calming blue vistas, and a horizon that reminds us the world is bigger than the lives that seem to define us. ”
The Hunter & The Gatherer is the culmination of all they’ve learned after spending two decades at sea across five different yachts.
With over 260 pages, 160 recipes and more than 60 pages of provisioning advice, this book contains everything a sailor, experienced or dreamer, should know about planning and preparing good food for any adventure.
Catherine says, “We call these recipes faraway food and create them for people who love to eat well but love to escape more.”
She adds, “This is a book for ocean-loving foodies striving for better health, greater selfsufficiency and a tiny footprint on the sea: sailors and boaties, anglers and divers, snorkellers and surfers, and everyone whose best adventures end with feet dug into the sand, watching the sunset with good mates and great food.”
“Our food is for tiny galleys, long passages and perfect beach sunsets, and those times when food stocks might be low, but the fish are biting.”
“The food we cook in this book is the food we catch. Not every day on the sea brings in a fish, but we might harvest oysters instead, find a nice, fat mud crab, or forage for coconuts to crack. Some of our vegetables are boat-grown, and others are market-bought or traded off the back of our yacht. We sprout seeds, grains and pulses to produce the healthiest, most sustainable menus imaginable in the most remote and beautiful locations we can reach.”
The Hunter & The Gatherer is divided into four sections. There are extensive notes on provisioning your yacht and preparing your galley and advice on dealing with seasickness, the mishaps of sailing life and how to make everything last when shops are an ocean away.
The recipes are divided into three of those sections. Food for Hunters is a compilation of the best seafood recipes Catherine and David have created, with experienced advice on how to catch what you need from the back of your boat. Food for Gatherers focuses on vegetable-forward dishes using everyday ingredients you can find at just about any market around the world. Sweet Treats round out the book, collating those foods that get sailors through long, overnight passages or are perfect for floating celebrations and relaxed sundowners.
The Hunter & The Gatherer can be ordered from all good bookshops or exploringedenbooks.com. For every copy sold, one tree is planted to help make sure the books do more good than harm. Its recommended retail price is $32.95 for the eBook or $49.95 for the print version.
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Find out more at: exploringedenbooks.com/our-library
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Peter Smith, the New Zealander sailor, boatbuilder, and designer of the Rocna Anchors range, last made an appearance in the pages of AHOY! from his temporary Australian base in Hobart He has now departed Tasmania and is headed north to the mainland.
Peter ultimately wants to complete a circumnavigation of Australia and is presently debating the best way to accomplish that.
In the meantime, Kiwi Roa is sailing toward Sanctuary Cove and the namesake boat show, which starts on the 25th of May.
Kiwi Roa is named after the great spotted variant of New Zealand’s native flightless bird.
A large grey kiwi seemed an appropriate metaphor for an unpainted aluminium yacht flying the New Zealand flag.
All the systems on board have been designed to operate in the harshest environments, mostly in cold climates.
Bulletproof, easy to repair and totally “off the grid” would best describe this amazing boat, making her the polar opposite of the modern mass-produced boats sailing the world.
Kiwi Roa, 15m in length with a displacement of 27 tonnes, is built as the famous Rocna Anchor is built: strong and without compromise! Peter built Kiwi Roa himself and sailed in some of the most remote areas for the past 20 years. The fascinating story of Kiwi Roa is available on Peter’s website www.petersmith.net.nz/about/kiwiroa
SAY G'DAY TO PETER AT THE SANCTUARY COVE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW.
InconjunctionwithAllMarineSpares,RocnaAnchorsdistributorforAsia-Pacific,Peterwillbe spendingsometimeattheAMSstand(#PR25)forthefirstfewdaysoftheshow.
Peterlovessharinghisamazingadventuresand,evenmore,answeringtechnicalquestionson anchoringtechniques.NooneismoreexperiencedthanPeterafteranchoringforthepast20 yearsinthemostremoteplacesandhostileenvironments.ThisisachanceencounterasPeterhas beenworkingonsomethinginhiscapacityasRocnaAnchorsdesignerforanumberofyearsnow, whichhe’slookingforwardtointroducing.
Ifyou’reontheGoldCoast,keepaneyeout,andyoumightseeKiwiRoasafelyanchoronher Rocna!
" O u r s e a w a l l a n d s w i n g m o o r i n g s a r e r e a d y ! yachtingworld-vanuatu.com
LEARN MORE HERE downunderrally.com/days-for-girls In the week leading up to the 2023 Go East Rally departure for New Caledonia, Days For Girls Queensland representatives will meet with our rally participants who plan to sail on to Vanuatu with our NC2V Rally. The representatives from DfG Australia will provide guidance on how to deliver and distribute1000DaysForGirlskitstogirls andwomeninVanuatu. DOWN UNDER RALLY DELIVERING DAYS FOR GIRLS TO VANUATU
For the people of Vanuatu, particularly those in the more remote communities, having solar lighting means they have reliable, environmentally friendly & safe lighting as opposed to lights that require fuel and or batteries that need to be replaced frequently.
LotsOf 132 LIGHTS DONATED!
With the support of Luci Lights Australia and the generosity of the Australian & International Sailing community, participants in The Down Under Rally NC2V Rally will deliver 132 portable personal solar lights to the people of these remote Vanuatu communities when we visit in August 2023.
CRUISE IN COMPANY CRUISE IN COMPANY Submit Your Expression Submit Your Expression of Interest for 2024 Now of Interest for 2024 Now Departs New Caledonia in August Departs New Caledonia in August Departs Fiji in August Departs Fiji in August LEARN MORE LEARN MORE LEARN MORE LEARN MORE LEARN MORE LEARN MORE
CRUISE IN COMPANY CRUISE IN COMPANY
Departs Fiji in September Departs Fiji in September
LEARN MORE
LEARN MORE
LEARN MORE LEARN MORE
Arrive In Australia Between September & November
SailingwithTheDownUnderRallyprovidesourrallyparticpantswith SailingwithTheDownUnderRallyprovidesourrallyparticpantswith accesstotheknowledgeandtherelationshipswehavegainedover accesstotheknowledgeandtherelationshipswehavegainedover manyyearsofcrusingintheSWPacific&Australia. manyyearsofcrusingintheSWPacific&Australia.
IInadditionourrallyparticipantshavetheopportunitytovisit nadditionourrallyparticipantshavetheopportunitytovisit destinationsthatmayotherwisenotbeanoption. destinationsthatmayotherwisenotbeanoption.
Andwehaveplentyoffunintheprocess! Andwehaveplentyoffunintheprocess!
TheDownUnderRallyhasalong-standing relationshipwithDAZMAC,whoarecustoms brokers TheDownUnderRallyrecommends contactingDAZMACtogetaquotefromthemto actasyouragentshouldyouberequiredto importorre-importavessel
Youcanmakeanobligation-freeenquirywith DazmacviathefollowingpageoftheDown UnderRallywebsite: wwwdownunderrallycom/agents DiscountsforDownUnderRallyMembers.
NOTICE OF SAILING EVENT NOTICE OF SAILING EVENT AUSTRALIA TO INDONESIA AUSTRALIA TO INDONESIA THREE DIVISIONS* THREE DIVISIONS* The Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Association is thrilled to be running the annual Spice Islands Darwin Ambon Yacht Race in August 2023. *Yachts who wish to participate under Rally conditions may enter DIV 2 or 3 and advise race officials of their intention to motor. To find out more about the race and the club, head to www.dbcya.com.au/darwin-to-ambon or email secretary@dbcya.com.au
By now, those about to head offshore from Australia & New Zealand will be starting to look at the weather. There is a myriad of model weather products, and how to make the best use of them can be daunting.
Gulf Harbour Radio, based in NZ but covering the SW Pacific, has run a Coast Weather SSB Station for over 10 years. In addition, David, the weather half of the operation, has written many articles that help demystify the terminology and his “Weather for the Yachtsman” on the Gulf Harbour Radio website weather section. www.ghradio.co.nz/weather.
David and Patricia cruised for many years, mostly in the Pacific, so they know the area well. David used to explain and update the daily weather situation on cruiser nets while they were sailing, so it seemed natural to continue when they decided to stay home in NZ to experience winter.
Previously they used to broadcast in the morning, but post covid their broadcast time is in the evening at 0515UTC on 8752kHz. During passage making, they are on air daily from May 1.
Patricia starts with any news of interest and takes check-ins. They have worldwide live AIS, but the check-ins are very useful to get your actual weather conditions. David then has a way of checking the validity of the various models he looks at.
Their broadcast is live-streamed so friends and family can keep track of the boats of interest, either at the same time or later on YouTube. All your friends and family need to do is ‘subscribe’ to their YouTube Channel @gulfharbourradio9184 (it's free to subscribe) to get a notification when there is a new post.
If you are going to check in with them, it is worthwhile emailing ahead of time with your boat and crew details and an emergency contact. It makes it easier if they know whom they are dealing with, as a 60’ racer with 8 on board is going to need different weather information than a 36’ steel doubleender.
They have sailed worldwide but extensively between New Caledonia and French Polynesia, providing ideas you will not get from looking at models. David’s background in meteorology and Patricia’s radio interest combine to make the Gulf Harbour Radio broadcasts a useful and often entertaining part of your passage. Contact them at ghradio@xtra.co.nz
I HAVE ALLERGIES, AND IT SUCKS!
by Leanne Hembrow
ThesedaysIamusuallyveryparticularaboutwineoravoiddrinking it,butrecentlybeingaskedtodineout,Iletmyguarddownandcombinedmytwoallergytriggersin
BOOM!Afewhourslater,asuddenrushofthesesymptomsoccurred;
Headache/Migraine
Daystorecover-tired,fatigued,rash,itchesandburningurination.
Thisledmetoquestiontheabovereaction:
IhadeatenCodFishforlunch-soIwasquestioningthis,butIrecentlyreadthatsomeofthe unluckyciguaterasuffererscanbetriggeredbyanytypeoffishwhichisnotonthelistofthe perpetratoroftheillness.Also,becauseIdidnotsticktoOrganicorVeganWine,knowingmy history,Iwasdestinedfortheconsequences.
Alcoholintoleranceoccurswhenyourbodydoesn'thavetheproperenzymestobreakdownthe toxinsinalcohol.Thiscanbecausedbyinherited/genetictraitsandotheringredientscommonly foundinalcoholicbeverages,whichcancauseintolerancereactions.
Theseinclude;
SulphitesorotherpreservativesChemicals
Grainsorotheringredients
Histamine,aby-productoffermentationorbrewing
Forreasonsthatarenotentirelyclear,somepeople,andyouguessedit,“ME”,havehypersensitivity tosulphite,andalloftheabove!
Inthesepeople,the immunesystem willrespondtosulphitesasiftheywereathreat,releasinga defensiveproteinintothebloodstream.Inturn,causesspecialisedimmunecellstobreakopenand floodthebodywithaninflammatorycompoundcalled histamine.Histamineisthemaincompound thatcausesallergysymptoms.Itdoessobyspurring inflammation intheskinand mucosaltissues oftherespiratoryanddigestivetract.
"WASITCIGUATERA,ORWASITTHEALCOHOLORBOTH?"
Iwon’tboreyou withall thedetails,butI’ll sharealittlebackground.
Having contractedCiguateraPoisoning afew yearsagohasonly addedtomanaging my diet andallergicissues.
Iam oneof theunlucky onesasitoftenrecurs andnotjustfrom eating fish...
These people may be interested to know that Winemakers use several protein-containing clearing agents to precipitate dead yeast, bacteria, proteins, pectins, tannins and phenolic compounds from Red Wine before bottling.
You may also be surprised to learn that these below agents are commonly used by winemakers!
Fish Gelatin
Fish Bladder (Isinglass)
Ovalbumin
Dairy
Gum Arabic
Egg White
Ahhhhhh!!! So, the above is alarming and annoying, adding to my full-on Allergic Reaction, consuming many other nasties from the wine as well as fish.
Note to self...Leanne, stick to your usual careful diet and only drink Vegan-friendly wine.
*Outside sources provide some of the information in this article. Hyperlinks to those articles have been provided. Whetheryouareaveganorsimplylookingforahigh-qualitywinethatalignswithyour values,wearepleasedtoofferyouawiderangeofveganwinesthataresuretosatisfyyour tastebudsandyourconscience.Cheers,Mike&Kim-Founders-GreenskinWine
Sometimes you don’t want to beach your dinghy as it can be a mission to drag it back into the water, especially if you beached it at the top of the tide!
Thenthereisthetimeyou anchoryourtenderatlowtideandthenhavetowadeorevenswim out toretrieveit.
Whataboutwhenyou aregoing ashoretoabeachwherethereisasurgeorwaveaction,whichcan resultinthedingy getting swampedasitiswashedinandoutwiththesurge?
TheANCHORBUNGEEisasimpleandeffectivesolution.
WatchTheVideoBelowtoSeeTheAnchorBungeeInAction
The Anchor Bungee & the Cooper anchor shown in the video can be purchased in-store or online from Rib Force Inflatables Gold Coast. ribforceinflatables.com.au/product/rib-force-inflatables-bungy-rope
Down Under Rally Members receive discounts at Rib Force Inflatables. More Information here: downunderrallymembers.com
youtube.com/c/DownUnderRally Videos about sailing to and cruising in Australia, Indonesia & the SW Pacific islands, including Fiji, New Caledonia & Vanuatu and more... FREE Cruising Guides downunderrally.com/cruising-guides-resources View & Download at
BOATERS WORLD IS A NEW ONLINE DIRECT TO CONSUMER MARINE PARTS SUPPLIER THAT FOCUSES ON SUPPLYING CUSTOMERS WITH THE PARTS THEY NEED TO KEEP THEIR MARINE ENGINES HAPPY.
Boaters World stocks a wide range of genuine and aftermarket parts such as service kits, oil filters, fuel filters, air filters, impellers, seawater pumps, spark plugs, drive belts, anodes, starter motors, alternators, heat exchangers, propellers and much more.
As a stockist of Volvo Penta, SPX Johnson, Sherwood and Racor filters, and NGK Sparkplugs, you can be sure to find the parts to satisfy your needs as a cruiser.
In addition to these genuine parts, we offer a large range of aftermarket brands such as Martyr anodes, Fleetguard filters, Sierra marine parts, Albin seawater pumps and impellers, Solas propellers and many more.
These premium quality aftermarket parts will fill the more price sensitive cruisers with confidence as they sail off into the sunset.
SUGGESTED SPARES
To ensure that you and your boat are ready to go cruising and to avoid costly repair bills whilst overseas or in remote areas, the experts at Boaters World have suggested a list of service parts you should consider keeping on board in order to prevent the trip of a lifetime from turning cutting short while waiting for repair and parts to be received.
FILTERS
Filters are essential components of many systems on board a boat, including the engine, fuel system, and water system These filters need to be regularly replaced to keep these systems functioning properly.
Keeping spare filters onboard can help ensure that your boat remains in good working condition and that you have the necessary components to make repairs and perform routine maintenance This can help prevent breakdowns, reduce costs, and ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable sail touring experience.
By keeping a couple of spare oil, fuel and air filters on board, you can save yourself a lot of stress and be prepared to get your engine up and running again quickly
SEAWATERIMPELLERS
Seawaterimpellersareanessentialcomponentofaboat'spropulsionsystem,astheimpelleris responsiblefordrawinginseawaterfromthesurroundingenvironmentandpumpingitthroughthe engine'scoolingsystemtopreventoverheating.
Whenchoosinganimpellerforyourengine,itisimportanttochooseareputablemanufacturer,as acheap,low-qualityimpellercanquicklyfailleavingyoudeadinthewater.
BoatersWorldonlystockspremiumqualityimpellersfromVolvoPenta,SPXJohnson,Sherwood, AlbinandSierrathatwillgiveyoutheconfidencetoexplorethePacific,knowingyourimpellerwill bereliableandlong-lasting.Whencruising,itisimportanttokeepsparesonboardtoavoid overheatinganddamagebeingcausedtoyourengine.
Yammar Fuel Filter 104500-55710 Onan Fuel Filter AO26K278 Volvo W/Sep 3581078 Volvo Oil Filter 3840525
www.boatersworld.com.au
SPX Johnson 09-810B Sherwood 10077K
SUGGESTED SPARES
To ensure that you and your boat are ready to go cruising and to avoid costly repair bills whilst overseas or in remote areas, the experts at Boaters World have suggested a list of service parts you should consider keeping on board in order to prevent the trip of a lifetime from turning cutting short while waiting for repair and parts to be received.
SEAWATERPUMPS
Seawater is highly corrosive, and if a pump is leaking or damaged, it can allow seawater to enter areas of your engine where it shouldn't be.
Over time, this can cause corrosion of critical engine components, which will make you incur costly repairs to your engine
Keeping a spare seawater pump onboard can provide convenience, cost savings, and peace of mind while also ensuring that you are prepared for any potential pump failures that may occur while out on the water. Boaters World stocks quality genuine seawater pumps by Volvo Penta, SPX Johnson and Sherwood, as well as aftermarket pumps by Swedish company Albin
STARTERMOTORS&ALTERNATORS
Havingasparealternatorandstartermotoronboardwhencruisingimprovesself-sufficiency, safety,andpeaceofmind,whilealsoensuringthatyouarepreparedforanypotentialelectrical orenginefailuresthatmayoccurwhileatsea.
Afailedstartermotororalternatorcanleaveyouwithouttheuseoryourmainengine,whichcan leadtosignificantdowntimeanddelaystoyourjourney.
Additionally,afailedalternatorcanresultinaflatbattery,leavingyouwithoutpowertorun criticalsystemssuchasnavigationlights,radios,andpumps.BoatersWorldstocksquality aftermarketstartermotorsandalternatorsformostVolvoPentaandYanmarapplicationsthat comewithaone-yearwarranty.
VolvoPenta
Yanmar
VolvoPenta 873770 VolvoPenta 874502 Yanmar 119573-77201 VolvoPenta 21306969 Yanmar 129608-77010
3593655
128990-42500 Kohler GM104855
www.boatersworld.com.au
SUGGESTED SPARES
To ensure that you and your boat are ready to go cruising and to avoid costly repair bills whilst overseas or in remote areas, the experts at Boaters World have suggested a list of service parts you should consider keeping on board in order to prevent the trip of a lifetime from turning cutting short while waiting for repair and parts to be received.
HOSE CLAMPS
A failedhoseclampcanresultinaleak oradisconnectedhose,leading tolossof fluidorwater intrusion.Having sparehoseclampsonboardcanhelpensurethatyou canquickly fix theissueand avoidany safety risksassociatedwithfluidlossorwaterintrusion.BoatersWorldstocksNorma 304 stainlesssteel worm drivehoseclamps8mm to160mm andsuperclamps17mm upto 330mm.
PROPELLER
Whencruising,itisalwaysagoodideatohaveasparepropellerforyourtenderbecause unexpectedpropellerdamagecanoccur,leavingyoustrandedwithoutameansoftransportation. Havingasparepropellercansaveyoutimeandmoneybyavoidingtheneedforcostlyrepairsor replacementsinremoteareas
BoatersWorldstocksalargerangeofpremiumqualitySolaspropellersforalloutboard applications.
Yamaha 69W-45945-00
Mercury 48-828158A12
BoatersWorldisproudthebea DownUnderRallyPartnerBusiness. DownUnderRallyMembersreceive a10%discount*onpurchasesmadeviathe BoatersWorldOnlineStore *Discountcodeistobeappliedatthecheckout.ThediscountcodeisavailableexclusivelytoDown UnderRallyMembersviatheDownUnderRallymembersportal. BECOME A MEMBER Your First Year Down Under Rally Membership is Only $125.00 $99.00 per year to renew each year
THE RUTLAND 1200
Available in 12V & 24V
Assurance of power for essentials such as navigation, refrigeration etc.… and so you can enjoy electrical comforts on-board with confidence.
Quiet operation lets you sleep!
483 watts max
Direct savings on fuel
Reduced engine running time and maintenance
POWER
3 Phase AC power minimises voltage dropon longcable runs Unique Tri-namic Profile Blades www.stellamarine.com.au dAskabout Discountsfor URMembers dAskabout Discountsfor URMembers
THERE WAS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY RECENTLY ONBOARD WORLD ARC 2023-2024 YACHT CEPA.
At the start of the sixteenth day at sea, one of the crew members of the German-flagged catamaran CEPA was experiencing some very uncomfortable symptoms, including an intense headache and the loss of movement in some of his body This was a concern for his crewmates, as Ebo is normally an active character, ‘full of drive’. The skipper of CEPA, Thomas Floss, was very concerned and telephoned contacts with medical knowledge back in Germany. Through this conversation, the crew and doctor diagnosed that Ebo had had a stroke and continued to have high blood pressure. The crew needed to get Ebo to medical care ashore as soon as possible and, in the meantime, try to reduce his blood pressure. Read the article HERE
If this situation occurred onboard your vessel, would you know what to do?
Whom to call for medical assistance?
If the casualty lost consciousness, would you know how to provide appropriate care?
Would you be able to give the medical team details of their medical history, medications, family G.P and next of kin information if they could not speak for themselves?
PREPARATION IS KEY
The best way that you can respond quickly and help someone who becomes ill or injured is to be prepared before you even step foot on the boat
For starters, you need to pack the necessities for safe travel, which includes a comprehensive first aid kit. This kit should have enough necessary equipment to treat a range of illnesses and injuries and be sufficiently stocked to provide for the number of crew members on board
The kit should be stocked appropriately for the area of your voyage and the distance out to sea you are heading. A medical kit for coastal cruising versus an Atlantic crossing will have different requirements Prepare to have appropriate equipment for paediatrics if you have children on board
"Theseaoffersmanyincredible experiencesyoucannotfindonland, butsometimestheyarenotallpositive. Illnessandinjuriescanhappenquickly, andontopofthat,itisnotaseasyto gettothehospitalwhenyouare surroundedbywater."
HAT TYPE OF EMERGENCY WILL OCCUR, INJURED PERSON AT EASE.
In many cases, a medical situation or minor injury can be handled temporarily while you are on the boat, so you don’t have to return immediately to shore For instance, if someone sustains a bruise or sprain, you can provide first aid until they can visit a medical professional when they return to shore.
If you are miles away from shore when an emergency occurs, you can contact a doctor while you are on your way back by utilizing a telehealth program. Telehealth has grown by leaps and bounds over the years and now you can contact a doctor with your phone or through email If you need help treating a wound while heading back to shore, consider calling a doctor for advice.
For the most extreme medical issues, including heart issues, wounds with impaled objects, and severe burns, issues beyond the scope of a First Aider, you will want to get to land as soon as possible, or a medevac will be arranged to transport the patient to definitive medical care safely.
For some injuries, you simply cannot delay As a basic rule, think about if the illness/ injury happened on land. Would you be able to wait around for a doctor's visit, or would you need to rush to a hospital for immediate assistance? It’s the same idea on a boat. If there isn’t a doctor on board, get to one as quickly as possible. This prompts the question: Have you checked that you have travel insurance coverage for medical repatriation from another country?
IT IS KNOWN BY AUTHORITIES THAT THE NEED FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IS BY FAR THE MOST COMMON REASON THAT VESSELS REQUIRE EXTERNAL HELP AND SUPPORT.
This may be for single or multiple casualties, for injury or illness, for passengers or crew. The calls to Telemedical Assistance Services (TMAS) result in a significant proportion requiring medical evacuation.
An article on the AMSA website dated Wednesday, November 18, 2020, sheds some light on the complexity of coordinating a multi-agency response to a medical emergency at sea.
This particular event involved AMSA, the Australian Defence Force, which tasked the Royal Australian Navy who deployed two senior doctors, a nurse and three other medical staff to support the medical evacuation. Read the article HERE
The impact of a medical emergency on board a vessel can be huge in terms of both personal and operational ‘cost’. How best to manage this must include a discussion on how best to prevent it and mitigate the effects.
"Theseaoffersmanyincredible experiencesyoucannotfindonland, butsometimestheyarenotallpositive. Illnessandinjuriescanhappenquickly, andontopofthat,itisnotaseasyto gettothehospitalwhenyouare surroundedbywater."
SITUATION CAN SAVE LIVES.
THAT KNOWLEDGE COMES FROM TRAINING, PREPARATION AND EXPERIENCE.
Through preparation and training, we can learn to increase our chances of survival should things go wrong. Skippers can’t plan for every possible eventuality, but they can plan what they are going to do if any of the more common emergency scenarios occur. As well as being prepared and trained in maintaining the safety of the vessel and providing first aid, it is their attitude and leadership skills that help skippers cope with difficult situations
KEEPING CALM
In an emergency, it’s crucially important for everyone onboard, and especially the skipper, to be calm, collected and methodical. That is easier said than done, and for the skipper, there is added pressure because the crew will be looking to them for guidance and wise decision-making.
A competent skipper needs to be able to decide on the best course of action to protect their crew and vessel. Unfortunately, the adrenaline rush our bodies produce makes it very easy to go into a semi-panic mode, in which we rush around doing too many things too soon without adequate preparation and briefing.
In many emergency situations, there are actions that must take place instantly and almost instinctively – But there’s also a need to buy a little time to identify the best solution to a problem, brief the crew and prepare the boat.
MARINE FIRST AID TRAINING & EQUIPMENT
First aid training can help overcome the anxiety that comes with dealing with problems without immediate expert help on hand. Completing a first aid training course tailored specifically for the marine environment is a great way to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to manage illness and injuries on board. It’s also a valuable skill to carry through life.
At Marine Medical Solutions, we will help you be prepared to respond effectively whether you are a singlehanded sailor or like to cruise in company. Each crew member onboard can play a vital role in an onboard emergency. When illness or injury happens out on the water – don’t guess. Equip yourself and your loved ones with the skills that can save lives.
To make sure you are prepared – a well-stocked first aid kit should be the first item you stow, along with safety equipment and provisions. At Marine Medical Solutions, we will help you understand what you need in your first aid kit, why you need it and most importantly, how to use it!
MARINE MEDICAL SOLUTIONS www.marinemedicalsolutions.com
"Theseaoffersmanyincredible experiencesyoucannotfindonland, butsometimestheyarenotallpositive. Illnessandinjuriescanhappenquickly, andontopofthat,itisnotaseasyto gettothehospitalwhenyouare surroundedbywater."
www.hearttraining.com.au
DaveandHelenbroughtAustralianBoatingSupplies(ABS)about15yearsago whenitwaslocated atthefrontofGoldCoastCityMarina,partofthe GoldCoastMarinePrecinct.Sincethentheyexpandedto shedF31,andagainintoshedC17whichisrightnexttotheboomgatesandhassubstantiallyincreasedthe rangeofboatingandmarineproducts.
HavingraisedtheirfamilyinCanberra,theymovedtoQueensland,purchasedthechandleryandTropical SunsetaSeawind1160andboatingbecamealargepartofthefamily'slives.
FormanyyearsDave,Helen,Danielle,MichaelandEmmaholidayedandsailedbetweentheGoldCoastand farnorthQueenslandonTropicalSunset.Duringthistimetheytriedandtestedmanyoftheproducts currentlystockedintheshopandcanprovideadviceandknowledgebasedontheirownexperience.
The Hutcheson family and the staff at ABS have extensive boating experience and really do enjoy helping you with your chandlery needs.
We look forward to welcoming you IN-STORE
to Friday 8 AM – 4:30 PM
8:30 AM -12:00 PM, OR by phone or online when it suits you
REMEMBER GOOD OLD-FASHIONED SERVICE?
That is what you will find at our chandlery, Australian Boating Supplies. C17 Gold Coast City Marina, 76-84 Waterway Drive, Coomera Qld 4209 AUSTBOATING.COM.AU PHONE: 07 5502 8484 DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS RECEIVE GENUINE DISCOUNTS OFF ALL ITEMS IN-STORE, EXCLUDING ITEMS ALREADY ON SALE AND AS SUCH ALREADY DISCOUNTED.
Monday
Saturday
HIP HIP HORAY FOR GATHERING ON THE BAY!
The last week of March saw women from every state (and almost every territory) converge on Port Stephens for the Women Who Sail Australia Gathering on the Bay.
While the Gathering itself takes place over three days (Friday to Sunday) it is bookended by optional activities – this year eight women (three flying in from Victoria) signed on for a day of sail training with RYA instructor Annette Hesselmans from Paper Sailors Rock.
Fresh westerly winds created some spirited sailing and a lot of practice in gybing and tacking aboard SV Fika.
The Gathering officially kicked off on Friday and included sessions on ropes and deck fittings with Mel Yeomans and diesel engine basics with Lily Barlow.
The highlight for many on Saturday was a presentation by record-breaking solo sailor Lisa Blair who is one of only three people (and the only woman) to have circumnavigated Antarctica, solo, non-stop, and unassisted. In 2022, Lisa smashed the existing speed record for the circumnavigation by ten days and carried out important citizen science during the voyage, collecting valuable data for scientific organisations and agencies, including microplastic samples and deploying weather buoys in remote areas not usually transited by vessels.
Lisa presented a second session on Sunday on managing your boat during storm conditions, including the use of drogues – with hands-on displays of several types.
Over the three days of the Gathering, Sydney to Hobart double-handed division sailors, Kathy Veel and Bridget Canham, enthralled us with their story, Annette Hesselmans explained sail trim, Laura Cora Macolino shared the Sassy Sailing Sisters program, Julie Porter took us back in time with a talk about SV Rhona (the smallest tall ship in Hobart), and Debi Thornton outlined how cruisers and the marine environment are impact by climate.
Informative sessions on anchoring, by Fabien Vignes from Rocna Australia, and first aid for cruisers, Wendy Sullivan from Marine Medical Solutions were extremely popular.
Two of our WWSA skippers who have experienced rescue situations on their vessels, Cherylle Stone and Deb Keeley, were joined by Port Stephens Marine Rescue skipper Sue Freeman to present a panel discussion on rescue at sea, describing what can go wrong and how to prepare your vessel for a rescue situation.
A new format for 2023 Gathering was an interactive session guided by Sonia Robinson from Eziyacht. Breakaway groups discussed various boating scenarios before sharing their outcomes with the room. This was highly successful and will return for 2024.
Leanne Hembrow ensured our attendees started the day relaxed and stress-free with her morning Yoga4Yachties sessions.
Of course, the men were not forgotten, a group of BOBs (blokes on boats) met for coffee and a chat on Friday and joined the women at the official Gathering dinner (Saturday) and a sunset cruise (Sunday).
During the Gathering dinner, founder of WWSA Dr Shelley Wright announced the creation of the inaugural WWSA Birch and Dorning Sands Environmental Award, created in memory of Jo Birch and Lynne Dorning Sands, two well-known international cruisers and WWSA members who passed in 2022. The award was presented to Tasmanian WWSA member Sheenagh Neill for her work on the issue of marine debris from industrial salmon farming
WWSA would like to thank the Down Under Rally and Ahoy Sailing Magazine for their sponsorship of the 2023 Gathering on the Bay. Also, thanks to Soldiers Point Marina, DeckHardware, Rocna Anchors Australia, Marine Medical Solutions, Eziyacht, The Boat Works, Coral Sea Marina, Paper Sailors Rock, Thwaites Marine, Marine Outlet, and Hawaiian Heart Massage Therapy for their support. The Gathering on the Bay will return in late March 2024 – dates will be announced soon. womenwhosailaustralia.com
SouthernSeasMarineprovidessolutionsforrecreational, commercialandsuperyachts.
Weoffersuppliesforsailboatandpowerboatdeck hardwareandfittingstobothwholesalersandthegeneral publicviaouronlinestoreordirectlythroughourretail outlet.
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LocatedintheGoldCoastMarinePrecinctatCoomera, weareyourone-stopshop.
southernseasmarine.com.au 07 55 029 666 As Us About Offers For Down Under Rally Members!
downunderrally.com/offshore-cruising-prep-courses UNLIMITED FREE ACCESS FOR DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS Online On Demand LEARN SKILLS GAIN CONFIDENCE BE
PREPARED
20222023 RECORD-SETTING AUSTRALIAN SAILOR LISA BLAIR www.LisaBlairSailstheWorld.com
PROJECT SUMMARY page 1:2
Lisa, is one of Australia's most acclaimed sailors, earning international recognition when she became the first woman in history, the third person, to sail solo around Antarctica and was on the way to achieve the speed record of Fedor Konyukhov until she suffered a dramatic dismasting. Lisa fought for her survival and success to set this record but was no longer able to challenge the overall speed record, due to stopping for repairs. The Guinness record stands as the First Woman Solo with one-stop.
Lisa’s incredible story is now a book, published by Australian Geographic and there is a feature-length documentary underway titled ‘Ice Maiden’. In 2022, Lisa made history once again becoming the fastest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around Antarctica. Lisa was successful in not just breaking the record by 10 days but also for making critical contributions to science.
Working in partnership with several scientific organisations around the world Lisa ran a micro lab 24/7 measuring Ocean Health, taking data sets like acidity, salinity, PCo2. She collected 180 micro plastic samples, deployed 8 weather drifting buoys, and deployed an Argo Research Float She converted Climate Action Now into a Mobile Weather Station for the Bureau of Meteorology, contributed sea floor depth data to the Seabed 2030 Program and contributed to the UN Decade of Ocean Science through the Ocean Ops Odyssey Program.
Building on the success of this record, Lisa is aiming to set two new records in NZ over 2023 and use this as a platform to expand on her school education outreach Rolling together her adventure narrative, with the science to inspire and educate the next generation of changemakers. Lisa is seeking sponsors to support her record and Lisa is seeking partners to collaborate with the education outreach.
PROJECT
page 2:2
Let Lisa strengthen your brand image and ‘do good’ for our community by partnering with Lisa as she leads the way to success. Your brand would be seen to be embracing a leader in women's sport as well as increasing your sustainability image through Lisa's community post-it note campaign Climate Action Now; coupled with the educational outreach to schools about plastic and our oceans, using her story of sailing those waters to shape the content.
All of Lisa's partners from her 2022 Antarctica world record are carried across for this project, but there is a unique opportunity for businesses to connect with Lisa and her Climate Action Now message as she sets her 6th and 7th world records. Lisa also has plans for an Arctic record so there will be many opportunities for ongoing Partnerships.
Lisa is seeking to raise a total of $150 000 to support this campaign and educational outreach, covering expense until early 2024. Take this opportunity to add your logo to Lisa's boat. Lisa is seeking partners from ‘Project Naming Rights’ to ‘Technical Suppliers’ and companies interested in 'sponsoring a school' Lisa understands that every brand is different and as such does not offer a generic sponsorship proposal. Lisa would like to discuss with your company the many ways in which she can promote your brand and support the sharing of the Climate Action Now message Stand with Lisa and together
SUMMARY page 2:2
AUS AND NZ RECORDS
Record 1 - Sydney to Auckland:
Establish a World Record sailing from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand as the
Record 2 -
Circumnavigation of New Zealand:
Departing 10-14 days after the completion of the Sydney to Auckland record.
This record has never been established so Lisa is aiming to set a new record.
Lisa will be getting both records ratified by the World Sailing Speed Record Council.
SydneytoAuckland
Distance 1 200 nm, estimate 8-10 days.
Circumnavigation of NZ
Distance of 2 200 nm, estimate 14-16 days
VesselpreparationstobeundertakenfortheNZrecords
July-September - Working in the Arctic to gather information on the weather, seasons, iceformationsandotherrisksassociatedwiththisrecord.
October-December-SettingtwomorespeedrecordsinNZ(seeotherproposal)
2024-Finalfundstoberaised
ResearchanddevelopmentofVolcanicFibreandconstructionofvessel
2025-completingofArcticrecord
T2026-27finalresearch,approvalsandprojectdeliverablesrolledouttopublicandindustry.
DetailsoftheArcticprojectcanbefoundin'LisaBlairArcticVision'document.
i m e l i n
CLIMATE ACTION NOW
Post-it note community campaign
Since Lisa began sailing in 2005 she has noticed the impact that man-made climate change has on our environment. Lisa's founded the project CLIMATE ACTION NOW to promote the individual to take positive action. Designed not to focus on the problem but instead the solutions by utilising the power of 'note sharing'.
Lisa invites the community to complete a post-it note with an environmental action that they are already doing. This could be 'I ride for climate action', or 'I recycle for climate action'. The goal of the campaign is to inspire people to make positive changes in their life to support our environment.
Lisa digitally transferred these messages into a hull wrap encasing her yacht in hundreds of actions. Renaming her yacht 'Climate Action Now' in 2015 Lisa has been able to further spread these messages and has now sailed this message over 55 000 nm.
About Lisa
After discovering sailing when she was 25 years old, a short 7 years later in 2017, Lisa Blair made history. Lisa became the first woman to sail solo around Antarctica with one stop after surviving a dramatic dismasting at sea.
Lisa then went on to lead the first all-female team to compete in the 2017 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in 16 years. She set two more world records in December of 2018, when she sailed solo, non-stop and unassisted around Australia, spending 58 days at sea. All the while sleeping for no more than 20 minutes at a time. In 2019, racing her yacht Climate Action Now, in the Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race with co-skipper Jackie Parry they became the first double-handed female team to compete.
Lisa set her latest records on May 25th, 2022 becoming the fastest person to sail solo, non-stop, and unassisted around Antarctica, taking 10 days off the record. While on record Lisa was able to complete valuable ocean health research and collected over 180 micro plastic samples in her 92 days at sea
Lisa has now sailed over 110,000 nm and holds an RYA Yacht Master offshore. Lisa is a proud Australian adventurer, Author of Facing Fear and actively presents as a speaker while working on her next record. For Lisa, this is just the beginning.
2017 World Records while sailing solo around Antarctica with one stop
First woman with one stop below 45 South.
Spirit of Adventurer award by Australian Geographic.
Ocean Cruising Clubs Seamanship award
2018 World Records while sailing solo, non-stop and unassisted around Australia
Fastest Monohulled
First woman
First eco powered boat
2021 Southern Cross University Alumni of the Year award
2022 World records while sailing solo, non-stop and unassisted around Antarctica
Fastest person
First Woman below 45 South non-stop
New established record crossing all tracks below 45 South.
Australian Geographic's Adventurer of the Year Award
Australian Sailing Offshore Sailor of the Year Award.
R e c
o r d s a n d A w a r d s
ABOUT THE BOAT Climate Action Now
Designer: Robert Hick
Builder: Hick
Material: Fiberglass/ GRP/ Balsa Cored
Length: 15.25 m
Beam: 3.9m
Draft: 3.44m
Year: 2003
Weight: 11t
Rigging: Aluminum Fractional Sloop
Limit of Positive Stability: 129.5
Degrees
Lisa purchased 'Climate Action Now' in September of 2015 and has since raced her in 2 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races, sailed her 20 000 nm solo around Antarctica and 8 000 nm solo around Australia, a second 20 000 nm around Antarctica and is getting her ready for NZ.
'Climate Action Now' is a safe and seaworthy vessel and has proven reliability to set records Lisa always completes an extensive refit in preparation for her projects to 'Climate Action Now' before departing to ensure all systems are at the highest safety standard
Lisa powers 'Climate Action Now' with a combination system of wind generators, solar panels, hydro generator and biodiesel to ensure she is 100% eco powered.
DEBUTE BOOK and documentry
In partnership with Australian Geographic, Lisa Blair released her first book ‘Facing Fear’ in November, 2020 This mustread book recounts the inspiring and gripping true story of her solo voyage around Antarctica; a tale Lisa almost didn’t live to tell.
A riveting read for people of all ages who are interested in the triumph of the human spirit, Lisa recounts the highlights of her extraordinary voyage. And along the way, she shows readers that positive thinking and perseverance can make a difference
Sir Richard Branson describes the book as, “ An incredible story of adventure and endurance that shows what the human spirit can achieve when pushed to its limits.”
END STAGE OF PRODUCTION…
'Ice Maiden' is a feature-length documentary charting the uncompromising determination of Australian Lisa Blair, who became the first woman in history to sail solo around Antarctica.
Produced by Jackson Speed
Directed by James Blannin-Ferguson
Director of Photography:
Nathaniel C. T. Jackson
To keep up to date with release dates please visit: www.icemaidenfilm.com 'Ice Maiden' is due for release 2023.
CONTACT: LISA BLAIR
PHONE: 0431 302 088
EMAIL: lisa@lisablairsailstheworld.com
LET'SWORK TOGETHER.
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