wl1105e by Sun Media

May 2011 Issue No 156 ase take one

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

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Tauranga Boys’ College, were dominant at The ‘Steve’s Marine Supplies’ 2011 BOP Secondary Schools Teams Racing Championship, winning eight of their nine races. See story on page 10.

College

02 WATERLINE

HIGH TIDES MAY 2011

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

PH 07-578 0030 FAX 07-571 1116 PO Box 240, Tauranga. 1 The Strand, Tauranga email: brian@thesun.co.nz

Waterline advertising & editorial deadlines Edition Deadline June/July 2011 27 May August 2011 15 July September 2011 12 August For advertising, call Sun Media’s specialist marine consultant Jo Dempsey 07 928 3041 email jo@thesun.co.nz Follow us on facebook www.facebook.com/Waterlinemagazine

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W ac ky c p ti N con e

Send us the best silly caption for this photo, and we’ll top off your day with a fine Waterline cap. brian@thesun.co.nz, Fax 07 571 1116, Waterline, PO Box 240, Tauranga.

This month’s winner from Donovan “Wait a minute, Doc. Are you telling me that you built a time machine out of an inflatable boat?” “Ok so where’s the ‘biscuits’ you promised us?” From Kym “On the trail of the owl and the pussycat in the pea green boat.” From Tracy

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu

5:41 0:14 0:57 1:38 2:19 3:00 3:42 4:26 5:13 6:02 0:41 1:35 2:32 3:30 4:28 5:26 0:09 1:05 2:00 2:53 3:45 4:36 5:27 0:09 0:58 1:47 2:35 3:24 4:11 4:59 5:45

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

JUNE 2011 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr

0:21 1:06 1:50 2:35 3:20 4:07 4:55 5:44 0:23 1:16 2:11 3:08 4:06 5:05 6:02 0:47 1:42

0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 0.3 0.3

11:53 6:26 7:08 7:49 8:30 9:10 9:52 10:35 11:21 12:11 6:54 7:50 8:47 9:46 10:45 11:42 6:23 7:19 8:13 9:06 9:57 10:48 11:38 6:17 7:07 7:56 8:46 9:36 10:25 11:12 11:57

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

18:12 12:36 13:17 13:56 14:36 15:16 15:57 16:41 17:27 18:18 13:05 14:04 15:05 16:07 17:08 18:07 12:38 13:31 14:23 15:13 16:03 16:51 17:40 12:28 13:18 14:10 15:03 15:55 16:46 17:35 18:21

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

6:31 7:16 8:00 8:45 9:30 10:16 11:05 11:56 6:36 7:30 8:27 9:25 10:23 11:21 12:17 6:59 7:53

1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.8 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 1.8 1.8

12:41 13:24 14:06 14:50 15:34 16:20 17:08 17:59 12:50 13:48 14:48 15:50 16:50 17:49 18:44 13:10 14:02

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

18:55 19:37 20:17 20:57 21:37 22:19 23:03 23:50

1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8

19:12 20:10 21:10 22:11 23:11

0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

19:02 19:56 20:49 21:40 22:30 23:19

2 2 2 2 1.9 1.9

18:30 19:20 20:12 21:05 21:57 22:48 23:36

0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5

19:05 19:48 20:31 21:14 21:58 22:44 23:32

1.7 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.9 1.9 1.9

18:53 19:51 20:50 21:51 22:52 23:51

0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

19:38 1.9 20:28 1.9

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

MATAITAI RESERVE

WATERLINE 03

Legal test for new reserve The strength and status of the Tauranga harbour’s Mataitai reserve is being tested in the Environment Court hearing of opposition to the Port of Tauranga dredging plan. The reserve came into effect on September 2008. The Mataitai reserves are established under the Fisheries Act, under the Waitangi Claim Fisheries Settlement Act 1992. Te Rununga O Ngai Te Rangi Iwi is fighting the development on the Mataitai issue and on several other issues says manager of the iwi’s resource management unit, Reon Tuanau. “We feel that the Crown’s obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi, where the Mataitai reserves stems from, is not met,” says Reon. The reserve gives local iwi the authority to manage the fisheries in the reserve area which include the entrance, the Tanea Shelf and the Central Bank. The iwi has issues with the Tanea Shelf and the Central bank pipi bed, Te Pari Taha. The iwi don’t want boulders removed from the shelf, which is a natural marine habitat.

“We are also very much concerned about the natural and cultural integrity of Mauao, which we feel must be maintained,” says Reon. “We see Mauao as an ancestor of ours, and how its been described is having the Tanea boulder shelf removed would be like cutting the toes or toenails- whichever way you look at it, off our tipuna, our ancestor.”

There are also concerns further dredging will create safety issues for divers who take pipi from near the shelf, says Reon. Any further impact on the central bank pipi bed is not acceptable, says Reon. “It has already been severely affected, especially over the last 40 odd years, and we are just totally opposed to any cutting in of it. We want to leave it in its natural state.

“We are also very concerned about the loss of the natural character the significant habitat for fishing, the water quality, all really focussed on the environmental impact.” The iwi argues the dredging plan is contrary to the relevant provisions of the Resource Management Act, and the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement, the BOP Regional Coastal Policy Statement, and the Regional Coastal Environment plan. “We feel they are going against their own rules in a technical way. It’s kind of like a battle of law, which one has the most weight. It will set precedents for the rest of the country in the future. “The proposal to dredge out about 15 million cubic metres of sand, its just too huge. It’s about as much sand coming out of that harbour in one go and has come out in its entire existence. We fell it is just going to have an irreversible effect. “It will really impact upon our ancestral relationship with Tauranga Moana. When we speak of who we, are we say ‘Tauranga Moana, Tauranga Tangata’, the people and the harbour itself are one and the same. We see ourselves as one and the same.” By Andrew Campbell

Length Feet

Total $ Cost

Length Feet

Total $ Cost

Length Feet

Total $ Cost

847

1533

2179

910

1606

2265

980

1668

2353

1048

1731

2450

1124

1798

2550

1194

1869

2655

1260

Sternlegs

185

2725

1324

1954

2830

1387

2023

2850

1459

2096

2970

55+

POA

Saildrives

COASTGUARD

04 WATERLINE

Vitamin C man speaking Allan Smith the Otorohanga man saved from swine flu and leukaemia by vitamin C, is speaking at Baypark on May 27.

He’s fund raising for the Tauranga Volunteer Coastguard, of which Allan is a member. The Otorohanga dairy farmer keeps his boat Oscar at the marina, but he hasn’t been fishing for a year, what with the swine flu, the aftermath and so on. He’s just recently had her out of the water, added a bow thruster and strakes for the hull. It’s the chance to raise funds for the Coastguard that has led Allan to tell his story in Tauranga – a story that began on Oscar where he first fell ill after returning from Fiji with swine flu. His wife Sonia began the struggle with the medical establishment, finding the ambulance officers she’d called had no wheelchair and had to support Allan for the long walk from the end of the pier. Diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia, Allan was taken from Tauranga to Auckland where he went into a coma and was put on life support. It’s not the first time Allan’s been in medical trouble. He had glandular fever, followed by hepatitis while a teenager. Ailments he now looks back on saying if he knew then what he knows about vitamin C now… At age 16 he was hospitalised with peritonitis. Years later he had is first brush with death when a bull on the farm broke several ribs and caused internal injuries, but nothing to match the 90 day coma while

his family fought with medical authorities to save Allan’s life. Allan had been in a coma for three weeks and doctors were calling for the machines keeping him alive to be turned off. The idea to try iv vitamin C came from Allan’s brother in law, Jimmy, says Sonia. “He’s been taking it for about eight years and he was at the meeting when they said they wanted to turn him off. He takes the powder.” Jimmy was the one who contacted the overseas medical specialists who have been using intravenous vitamin C. They put him in touch with the New Zealand doctor importing the product. The story about how the family fought the doctors to try the treatment, even though they had declared Allan to be as good as dead, and how they obtained a legal opinion telling medical staff they were in breach of the Hippocratic Oath if they didn’t do their job, will be covered in detail in Allan’s talk. Since his extremely rapid recovery from near death, Allan has been avoiding publicity while the iv vitamin C treatment became registered in New Zealand as a medical treatment. Tickets to hear Allan tell his story are selling through the Tauranga Volunteer Coastguard at $15, with all proceeds going to the coastguard. There are 500 tickets available and the evening starts at 7pm.

Coastguard calling out for help Coastguard New Zealand is launching its inaugural MayDay fundraising appeal on Sunday, May 1 and is calling on Kiwis to show their support for the volunteer organisation. Running until Sunday, May 15, all donations made during MayDay are being invested in supporting Coastguard’s critical volunteer programme ‘Train one – save many’. Coastguard relies on the funding support of the New Zealand public to continue the valuable work it does to keep Kiwis safe on the water and to help fund the crucial education initiatives needed to train each volunteer. There are 585 volunteers in Coastguard

Eastern Region and they play a critical role in the charity’s ongoing mission to save lives at sea. Each individual requires extensive practical training, both in the water and the air, to ensure they can respond to each call for help with speed and accuracy. In the past year these 585 volunteers have invested 86,172 hours and responded to 503 rescues and calls for help. The longest serving volunteer who played his part in this considerable collective effort is 41 year veteran, Tauranga’s Garry Freeman. Commencing on the day historically celebrated as May Day, the name of the campaign also references the well-known distress signal used by boaties around the world when calling for help. Coastguard Eastern Region acting regional manager Baz Kirk hopes New Zealanders

will dig deep during the MayDay appeal. “Our volunteers give so much of their personal time to help keep New Zealanders safe on the water. “We hope that MayDay will help raise the profile of the outstanding contribution they make every day. “We also hope the MayDay appeal will help raise the necessary funds to give them the training and support they need to do their job safely while out on the water.” Donations for the MayDay appeal can be made directly to a volunteer on a street collection, May 1-15, at www.coastguard. co.nz or make an automatic $25 donation by calling 0900 SOS SOS (0900 767 767) Donations can also be made direct into the Coastguard ASB Account 12-32090434030-01 (Please reference with MayDay and your surname).

TAURANGA BOAT SALES

SOLE AGENCY

TENdEr OffErS

SOLE AGENCY

View over 150 yacht and launch listings at www.taurangaboatsales.co.nz

WL1105DB Tgaboat

WATERLINE 05

ENVIRONMENT BOP

06 WATERLINE

‘Mayday, mayday, mayday, this is …’ “Hey, did you hear something, Trev? Was that a Mayday I just heard on the radio? Aren’t we supposed to do something?” Yes, Trev! You must do something. The skipper of every boat in a distress area is obliged to give the utmost assistance to persons in distress at sea and to co-operate fully in any search and rescue operation being directed by the Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCCNZ). Got that, Trev? That means you have to help if you possibly can. The Maritime Transport Act 1994 says that the skipper of any vessel shall, so far as they can without serious danger to themselves, render assistance to every person at sea in danger of being lost. If they fail to do so then they are guilty of a crime.

You must assist if you’re the nearest boat to someone in distress! The fine is serious for not complying with this rule: maximum $100,000 or up to 12 months in prison. If you hear a distress call on the radio, write down the details and listen to see if a station responds. If there is no response, relay the message or give assistance if possible. Let the coast radio station know what you’re doing. In the Bay of Plenty region, you can call Plenty Maritime Radio on VHF channel 16; their working channel is 68. Continue to listen on the same radio frequency. What about the big ships? Commercial ships all maintain a listening watch on the radio distress frequencies. Mostly they listen on VHF channel 16 and SSB on 2182, 4125 or 6215 kHz. They also have to help a person in distress, if

asked to do so. Usually, the request would come through the Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCCNZ) which is based in Wellington.

Involved in a collision?

It’s just like on the roads – if you’re involved in a collision you must stop to see if the other party needs help. You must also supply the other boat with your contact details. Maritime NZ will need to be notified, as well as your nearest harbour master.

Pyrotechnics

If you see a flare at sea, be quick, Trev! Take a compass bearing of its direction before the flare dies out. Inform the coast radio station by VHF, or call the police by dialling 111 on your phone. Monitor your radio in case you can help. continued...

Rough weather is when things are more likely to go wrong.

ENVIRONMENT BOP

WATERLINE 07

Replacing out-of-date equipment Flare practice.

Burnt launch.

dirtiest, stormiest night, should you ever need to use one! Memorise the firing instructions – and take every opportunity to attend flare demonstrations or practise sessions. Rocket parachute flares are visible for about 60 km in clear weather. The parachute ensures the flare descends slowly, burning for at least 40 seconds. Keep your pyrotechnics dry and protect them from damage. Replace your dateexpired pyrotechnics to make sure they’ll work should you need to use them. Never dispose of date-expired flares in the rubbish or by dumping them. You can hand your date-expired flares to your supplier when you replace them, or to your local Coastguard unit.

Radar target

...continued Keep watching in case there is another flare. Flares are a great way of signalling distress – but could you set one off in the dark? You can guarantee it will be the darkest,

Make your boat as visible as possible: a small boat is not readily visible to rescuers on radar or from the air. Small fibreglass or wooden boats make particularly poor Wrecked trimaran. radar reflections.

Carrying a radar reflector will help to make your boat a better radar target. When carried up high, a radar reflector can increase your boat’s detection from say an average of two nautical miles, to about 5 or 6 miles. So you’d better keep your eyes open, Trev. You never know what you might see or hear! Remember, if in doubt, don’t go out! Good fishing – and be safe, be seen! By Capt. Jennifer Roberts Harbour Master – Western Bay of Plenty

08 WATERLINE

HARBOUR MAPPING

New maps from student work Intercoastal programme students are mapping the seabed round the port to help determine how marine habitats could be impacted if large amounts of sand is removed during future harbour construction. The earth science and biology students used a multibeam sonar profiler to monitor and map parts of the sea bed in Tauranga Harbour every hour, in particular shipping channels and marine habitats. High resolution 3D images provide detailed information on what the seabed looks like and what changes are taking place over time. Students will return later in the year to re-map the area to get a longer-term sequence of changes over time. Doctoral students from the University of Bremen in Germany are part of the Intercoast programme, set up last year between the Universities of Waikato and Bremen to bring international PhD students to New Zealand to focus on marine research in the Bay of Plenty. Similar research will be conducted around the North Sea in Germany, where Waikato doctoral students will travel later in the year. The study is intended to show development impacts and also how the tidal system and current changes impact the seabed and channels. “Results and analysis from all the different research projects will provide invaluable information to marine and environmental planners in our region,” says Chair of Coastal Science Professor Chris Battershill. University of Waikato project supervisors Dr Willem de Lange and Dr Karin Bryan, say new technology using acoustic imagery will enable students to identify the different marine habitats, and find out about the ongoing changes to the seabed which can cause changes to

Tauranga harbour but not as we know it. the whole circulation of the harbour. The programme is the first of a number of international partnerships planned by the University of Waikato to enhance coastal research and training in the region. “Both the Bay of Plenty marine system and the North Sea in Germany have similar pressures from multiple users,” says Chris. “Both areas are dealing with rapid population increase, commercial development and significant recreational usage, which means long-term and careful planning is critical to ensure decisions on future harbour development are sustainable.”

BOP POLYTECHNIC

WATERLINE 09

The call of the sea As well as having a comprehensive range of statutory maritime programmes, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic also offers the popular Certificate in Maritime and Fishing Technology.

For many young men (and a few young women too) they leave school not having any direction. The Maritime and Fishing programme helps these people get that direction by giving them a real sense of commitment and teamwork – ingredients essential to succeed in a physically challenging, but rewarding career in the maritime industry. Our pre-sea programme prepares students for life as a deckhand on a range of vessels within the seafood and maritime industry. As well as covering seamanship, sea survival, deck safety, watchkeeping, navigation, fire fighting, seafood processing and more, the programme really builds self-confidence and motivation to tackle any task at hand. Dr Tim Lowe, Head of School Applied Science, is impressed with the calibre of the students coming through the programme. “The pride these students take in their work practices is admirable

and is reflected by the numbers of graduates who successfully find work in industry,” says Tim. The programme has been refined to build teamwork and camaraderie, essential for close working environments when out at sea. Its practical hands-on nature also has wide appeal to those that aren’t cut out for ‘paper pushing’. A key component of the programme is for the students to get work experience on a fishing vessel and skippers happy to help with this are encouraged to contact the polytechnic. Aligned with this is the development and maintenance of career pathways for graduates. We’re always looking for opportunities to develop successful working relationships with businesses working within the maritime industry. If a business can benefit by utilising graduates, they are welcomed to contact the polytechnic’s maritime team. Final word belongs to graduate Pone Kahotea who is now fishing for Patagonian toothfish in Antarctica. “The programme helped me get sorted – the tutors were great; they even helped me get my job on the Janus. If you like fishing and want to earn some serious dollars, it’s really cool.”

TYPBC NEWS

10 WATERLINE

Tauranga Marine Industry Association

TAURANGA YACHT & POWERBOAT CLUB NEWS

CLUB NEWS

Omokoroa Boat Club

Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club Mt Maunganui Yacht Club

TYPBC Women on Water

Tauranga Boys’ College triumph again

The ‘Steve’s Marine Supplies’,2011 BOP Secondary Schools Teams Racing Championship, took place at the Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club on March 29. Four Colleges participated, on a warm, calm and cloudless day. On an incoming tide and a light southerly breeze the boats headed out to the course over the bank opposite the TYPBC, at around 10.30am. During the morning, with a light and a fluctuating southerly breeze, Race officer Richard Burling was only able to complete a single race. Shortly after lunch, the sea breeze settled in at between 5 and 7 knots, allowing a further 17 umpired races of approximately six minutes duration and a full three round robins.

Dominant teams

Tauranga Boys’ College, were dominant, winning eight of their nine races, only losing one race to the Taupo Combined Team, In second place were Otumoetai College with five wins, the Taupo Combined Team won four races and Bethlehem College with a single win against Taupo Combined. An understandable result for Bethlehem College, as they competed with a brand new squad of very young sailors, who hadn’t had any

Team Racing experience. This is the start of a new era for Bethlehem College and with the planned Teams Racing training in Term 4, starting on Monday 31 October, they’ll be a more coherent team by the time they compete in the 2012 Championships. Prize Giving will be held at the TYPBC, in conjunction with the Centreboard Division’s Prize Givingon Friday evening, May 13.

National champs

Tauranga Boys’ College will be attending the Teams Racing National Championships, which are being held at Algies Bay, Warkworth, on 26 April. The Boys’ College has won three out of the last four National Championships, loosing on count-back last year. The Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy Trust intends to enable other Secondary Schools to train and be in a position to participate in next year’s regatta. If you or you College are interested in participating, please contact Roy Walmsley. BoPSAT also has plans in place, for Intermediate aged students (11 and 12 year olds), to training in their Topaz class of boats. A new regatta will be established on the same day as the BoP Secondary Schools Teams Racing Championships in 2012. BoPSAT would like to thank our

sponsors and in particular Steve’s Marine Supplies, club members, especially Richard Burling, for his assistance with coaching and taking on the role of Race Officer and all the parents who assisted, as without these, we just wouldn’t be able to hold the event. Other sponsors and details of BoPSAT’s programmes, plus CAMPER ETNZ’s Volvo campaign, can be found at our website – www.youthsail.org.nz

Give it a go

If the idea of sailing interests you, but you haven’t given it a go yet and you’re between 8 to 12 years old, go to the Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy Trust (BoPSAT) website – www.youthsail.org. nz and complete the ‘Free Have a Go!’ registration form. You may be one of the lucky youngsters to be drawn to ‘Have a Go!’ for FREE, at the Tauranga Yacht& Power Boat Club, 90 Keith Allen Drive, Sulphur Point, Tauranga, next Spring. For further details contact By Roy Walmsley, Chairman, Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy Trust (BoPSAT), PO Box 9112. Tauranga 3142, E: roy@youthsail.org.nz. www.youthsail.org.nz. Ph: 07 541 2341. BOPSAT is a Registered Charitable Trust. Registration Number: CC10958 By Roy Walmsley

TYPBC NEWS

Summer series comes to an end Our summer series of races has come to an end with the end of daylight saving. The total races sailed was 24 and with four discards the division winners were: Multihulls Division 1 Division 2 Division 3 Division 4

Wild Thing Sniper No Regrets Harmony 1V Mintaka

Andy Knowles Gary Smith Bill Faulkner Paul Sloane John Burns

Paulien Eitjes sailed into 2nd place in the World Blind Match Racing Champs in Perth. Paulien competes in the B2 division and was defending her title, but unfortunately the English were too good this time. Sam Meech achieved 4th place in Lasers at the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Palma, Spain. Also at Palma, Jason Saunders with crew mate Paul Snow Hansen in the 470s still finished 18th out of 83 entries after being disqualified in one race which knocked them back down the ladder a long way.

Autumn approaches

It has been a calm summer, especially as autumn has approached. Contrary to what most people think, it is harder to sail in light winds than in strong winds, as sail trim and concentration levels are much increased disciplines. The first of our migratory cruising sailors have left with Bob and Laura Wright on ‘Shearwater’ cruising the NZ coast between here and the Bay of Islands before heading off to Vanuatu for the winter. Isabella (Mark Scapens) will depart in May for Fiji and Shaz will join him once he is safely there. Our Tornado catamaran fleet will increase by two boats with

Andy Knowles’ super quick ‘Wild Thing’ changing hands to new owner Phil Scherer (formerly racing Nacra 17 ‘Fuel Injected’). Andy will dust off Tornado number two and another is arriving from Rotorua for the winter. With ‘Dorothy’ this gives us four of this Olympic Class cat with one more yet to arrive. These are ideal boats for Tauranga harbour as they are fast and exciting with a very shallow draft and kick up centreboards. We enjoy a great mix of people in this club and I always enjoy learning more of people’s lives and achievements. Adrian, Will and Ian gave us a very entertaining evening on 8 April as they recounted their respective adventures in the Around North Island two-handed race on ‘Windara’ and ‘Open Country’. The quiet gentleman John Burns, skipper of ‘Mintaka’ has retired from Wednesday night racing at age 75 and I was surprised to learn he used to run ultra marathons of 1000km.

From the undergrowth

Then out of the undergrowth, I find a club member who built a 36ft catamaran our of plywood (not glassed over), then piled his family on board and circumnavigated the Pacific including Japan and Alaska, literally sailing among the ice floes before returning to NZ. Have deliberately left this name out – it’ll come in handy for one of our mystery questions! People are fascinating and never to be under estimated. Getting to know fellow members is what makes belonging to the club so interesting for me. Events coming up are Closing Day Race around Karewa on 1 May. Prize Giving on Friday 13 May and the start of the Winter Series on 22 May. Roger Clark, Commodore

TAURANGA YACHT & POWERBOAT CLUB NEWS

WATERLINE 11

TYPBC NEWS

12 WATERLINE TYPBC NEWS

Rigmarole wins series in decisive manner In a stunning show of consistency and crew chemistry, Rigmarole was the decisive winner of the 2010/11 Mills Reef Women on Water Series. Skippered and helmed by WOW veteran Anne Burton, Rigmarole and the crew of Debbie Davidson, Joy Greer, Lesley Dunning, Cathy Haxell and Miriam Jongenelen, sailed a smart and consistent campaign throughout the nine race season. “I think the secret to our success is definitely the commitment of my crew,” says Anne. “They delay holidays and schedule their calendars around the WOW season so they are there for every race. Then, when it’s race night, they’re concentrating one hundred percent on the task at hand.”

Becoming better sailors

Anne added that another important key was the calibre and cohesion of her crew. “With Deb on the bow acting as my 2IC, the crew works like a well-oiled machine while I get to concentrate on helming and where we’re going. All the girls own their own boats so they already come with core skills. Most importantly though, they thrive on learning as much as they can during the WOW races so they can continue to become better sailors.” Rigmarole finished the season with a total of 17 points. With three victories under their belt and a worst showing of only fourth, the team went into the final race with an unassailable lead. Kaimai Logo.pdf 13/11/08 Flyer, OSE_wl_advert_New helmed by Charmian Ward, sailed

WOW season to 118.9 this season. A massive thank you goes out to all the boat owners and skippers who graciously allowed the WOW Committee to use their boats. It has been said before but the truth of it is no less pertinent - without the generosity of so many, WOW could not happen.

Commitment to sailing

The winning Rigmarole team, from left: Anne Burton, Miriam Jongenelen, Debbie Davidson, Cathy Haxell and Lesley Dunning. into second overall with 29 points, narrowly beating the Frenzy/Ballistic crew who had 30 points. The remainder of the results saw General Jackson and Sniper tied for fourth on 36 points, followed by Whatever (38), High Point (41), Silas Marner (61) and Silkie (63).

Season highlights

A major highlight of the season was the record turnout by participants throughout the season. Overall the average number of 2:06:07 ladies and male helpers out on the p.m. water increased from 92.4 in the 2009/10

CMY

40c Mirrielees Rd PO Box 14015 Tauranga New Zealand

Tel +64 (7) 927 9172 Fax +64 (7) 927 9172

Sponsors also play a major hand in the success of WOW. A great deal of gratitude goes to naming sponsor Mills Reef for its wonderful and ongoing commitment to ladies’ sailing. Many thanks also go to Synergy Vitality Spa, Aussie Butcher, Welcome Bay Hot Pools, Le Chat Noir, Cambrian Meats, sPacific Landscaping & Gardening, and Healthy Inspirations for their contributions. Although WOW does not sail through the colder months, plenty of activity will be taking place behind the scenes as a newly elected committee gears up for the 2011/12 season. If you’d like to know more about WOW or provide any suggestions on how it can be improved, feel free to drop the Committee a note on wow.tauranga@gmail.com.

TYPBC NEWS

In early 2010 Lance Putan of LP Steel Fab Ltd and Jason Marra of Fuel Advertising were invited to take part in an event called the Kawau Raid, which is a race for 18 foot catamarans from Auckland to Kawau Island and back over two days.

The "Kawau Raid" is loosely based on an event held in Europe called the "Archipelago Raid". The Archipelago Raid is a very gruelling race covering 500 miles over 5 days without any external support. Competitors have to find 20-25 checkpoints located on islands (pontoons, beaches, boats, lighthouses) and described in the "Archipelago Raid Book" (latitude, longitude coordinates are the only reference). Teams are free to choose their route between two checkpoints.

Complicated course

The course is even more complicated as there are many uncharted features amongst the 100,000 rocks and tiny islands of the Scandinavian Archipelago. After taking part in the Kawau event Lance & Jason decided it would be a good idea to hold a similar event in Tauranga. So they organised with the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club to hold the "2010 Matakana Raid" from Tauranga to Athenree Hot Springs, returning the next day. They had 8 boats taking part last year. This year there were 19 entries plus 2 support boats, with boats coming from Tauranga, Auckland and as far away as Wellington. The classes of the Catamarans were F18, Hobie Cat, Tornado, a Great Barrier Express (GBE) at 8.5m, a 10.6m Snowbird and a 10.6m Ron Given Cat. The three large cats that took part were

also support boats, if needed, as they had motors. The Tsunami warnings that were issued in the morning of the event were a worry to all and the TYPBC Commodore and their Safety Officer advised that it would be at their own risk if they decided to continue. After waiting most of the morning for updates it was decided that the event would continue, with the event starting at 10am. The course for the race was a start outside the TYPBC up the harbour to Omokoroa where the boats were to be beached, then

a crew member was to run up to and touch the toilet block which would be the time marked for that leg. Once all participants had arrived, regrouped, had something to eat and drink the next leg was from Omokoroa through the middle of the harbour on the high tide up to Athenree; finishing on the beach opposite the Athenree Hot Springs Holiday Park. The Matakana Raid is a family event, where families and children are welcome to join in or meet at the Athenree Hot Springs & Holiday Park for the barbecue dinner and the night. For the first 2 legs to Athenree the winds were very light up to the corner of Rangiwaea off Omokoroa and boats had to use their paddles for a time. The first boat in to Omokoroa was Wild Thing, a

Tornado Cat belonging to Andy Knowles of Tauranga closely followed by Octane, Jason Marra's F18. Light winds again up through the middle with the assistance of paddles as boats realised we only had until 2pm to get through on the high tide. Once through, and sailing in light conditions once again, Andy Knowles' Wild Thing passed everyone to be the first boat in to Athenree. On Sunday, for the last leg from Athenree to Tauranga Yacht Club, there was no wind to speak of. The little boats were towed by the support craft until the wind picked up and there was some good racing through to the finish.

Winners

Overall winner was Andy Knowles’ Tornado Cat Wild Thing who won the LP Steel Fab Ltd trophy. Second was Jason Marra with Octane and third was Phil Sherer with Fuel Injected, all Tauranga boats. Lance says Athenree is a fabulous destination, as it is only accessible to a multi-hull sailing fleet and not keel boats, so it is pretty special to be able to go there. “The Holiday Park is a wonderful place to stay with their motels, cabins and tent sites along with the hot pools being a fabulous bonus for having a soak after a hard days sailing.” We will be back next year, says Lance, hopefully with an even larger fleet of catamarans, as the boats that attended enjoyed this year’s event so much. Jason Marra and Lance Putan are currently planning to compete in the 2013 Archipelago Raid held out of Stockholm, and will be looking for sponsorship to help with costs. Contact: Lance Putan 021 125 4640, or Jason Marra 021 702 701.

TYPBC NEWS

The Matakana raid

WATERLINE 13

OBC NEWS

14 WATERLINE OMOKOROA BOAT CLUB NEWS

Good conditions for duck racing Here is a brief set of notes following the Committee Meeting of 15 March 2011. First, I and the Committee would like to welcome Michelle Berry as replacement Treasurer which will allow Kay Ducat to step down after all the hard work she has done to get our finances in good shape. Welcome Michelle and many many thanks Kay who will be seeing the accounts through to the end of the financial year. Also, congratulations to Lex Bacon and the Fishing sub committee for two very successful competitions held last month. Special mention to the juniors and their supporters for going out in poor conditions but the fish were biting!! Well done every one. Secondly, the Club is moving along smoothly and funds are still building, nice to see the progress that Steve and his team have made on the extensions. Thirdly, thanks to Kevin Blincoe for arranging the “Cans for Canterbury” which saw a massive amount of canned items go south, thanks every one who partook. We have some events coming up in April that should be fun, the Sand Bar Cricket followed by the 3rd Annual Duck race. Watch for news flashes on these events. Happy Autumn.

New Members

At the March committee meeting the following new members were welcomed: Double: Robert & Colleen Hay, Marcus Vize & Kate Harvey, Single: Thomas McGregor. We hope you enjoy your membership!

Can for Canterbury

When news of the Christchurch earthquake reached Omokoroa, Boat Club member and former commodore, Kevin Blincoe, felt compelled to do something. “I thought sending canned goods would be the quickest way to help” said Kevin. So the appeal went out to members to donate a can for Canterbury. Not only did the Club membership respond big time but the Omokoroa Beach Store, run by Brothers and club stalwarts Murray and Robin Moon, generously offered to match any can purchased for the appeal. The collection came to the biggest load Kevin’s truck had carried, but the front wheels stayed on the ground to First national, who forwarded them on to Canterbury. The earthquake in Christchurch has proved that ordinary people recognised an extraordinary need and responded.

Adult fishing contest

The Greerton super liquor open fishing contest was held over 26-26 February, with the competition was confined to the harbour, in beautiful weather. The dates were chosen for the best combination of tides and change of light, and some good hauls of fish were caught. There were over 100 entries, and the prizes awarded by Lex and Sue Bacon. Murray Bell’s 2.27 kg snapper was good enough for second place, while John Stephenson’s 2.37 kg snapper won First place.

A big thanks for Lex for organising a great day – these events just don’t happen by themselves! There were further prizes for the average fish weighed in (for each species), And more prizes for the heaviest and average fish caught by the ladies. The club would like to thank all the generous sponsors which provided for great prizes for both the top Fishers, and for plenty of lucky spot prizes This scribe normally enters the competition with the object of catching just enough to feed the family, and not to plunder the stocks. However we came across large numbers of suicidal snapper which we helped out. We did not feature in the prizes – all between average and second best – but a great 24 hours of fishing.

Club rescue boat

Rescue 1 - Called out to rescue a swimmer in difficulty seen hanging on to a moored boat ,when arrived, swimmer had made back to the shore. Rescue 2 - Local resident reported 2 kayakers in trouble off Pahoia when arrived at an area close to the end of Omokoroa we found 2 people in the water hanging on to their upturned kayak and a swamped dinghy with 3 people hanging on, the 2 kayakers were dragged aboard, both exhausted we then attended to the dinghy which had managed to make it closer to shore and did not require any more assistance. In both these cases there was a very strong gusty SW wind. Thanks to Phil Cox, Steve Willoughby and Peter Jury. Members please note: Parking – the council will be enforcing the new parking layout, so obey the signs, or be prepared to pay for your education! Membership cards – please show yours to the bar staff when ordering drinks!

Annual duck race

This was held on Sunday 10 April at the club. The conditions were excellent for quality duck racing, with the tide nearly full, and calm conditions with light cloud cover keeping more than 100 of our fine feathered friends from overheating. The more astute punters matched their selected ducks’ form to the conditions, and they were; First - Andrew Carr, Second Kitchen syndicate, Third - Riley Moore, Fourth - Trish Williamson. Profits were shared with junior fishing and junior sailing. As a warm up to the main event, the annual rowing races were held and the results were:Singles: First - Josh Clodo, Second - Hugh Reynolds, Third - Graeme Faulkner, Fourth - Glenn Proctor. The Omokoroa / Pahoia Sea Scouts Cutter crew won the junior and cutter prizes. They were Liam Hansen, Emma Dalton, Zach Chisam, Hayes Procter, Irene Tutbury, and Taina Ould. John Budden Commodore

OBC NEWS

WATERLINE 15

We had one of the best turn outs for ages for the Karewa event on Sunday.

Weather perfect (for the Trailer Yachts) smooth seas and a light East to South East breeze. We were able to sail two divisions, Trailer Yachts, the nippy light weights and the Keelers the stately more stable queens of the sea!! So who were they? Pau Hana (PH) Pacific 38 with the Reynolds in charge, Chico Too (CT) Chico

30, sailing solo with Greg Molesworth, 10 out of 10 ( 10/10) Nolex 30 with Rick Murrell and team joined at PanaPane completed the Keelers whilst Jamima (J) Nolex 22 with the Olds / Edgar Team up and Piccaninny (P) Tasman 20 with Alan Roberts and John Budden completing the Trailer Yachts. Start at Pane Pane wharf was at 10.58 and we flushed out on the tide. J took an inside berth at Matakana and was out first followed by P, PH, CT and 10/10. As usual the breeze in the entry vanished behind the Mount so it was drifters to A buoy. Once through the tide gate it was off to Karewa which was to be passed to Starboard then home to PanePane. On P we were sorting out the new mast and Alan was deeply involved setting up the Garmin GPS (thanks Rutherford Marine!). We were all on about 4 Knots until J took off with her kite, on P Alan set the big red and white job and we chased hard. J was first around at about 12.30, a relatively fast leg, and took a fairly wide angle back towards A buoy. P hung on to a reciprocal from the GPS

to B Buoy and was followed by the keelers. Due to the conditions we had hoped to be at the entrance as the tide turned but J got the last of the ebb and the fleet closed in. Panic on the Nolex, up goes the kite and away to the beach to avoid the tide. P launched the big Red and white and closed in. At the PanePane finish line it was J by 39 SECONDS from P a very close finish after some 12 nautical miles!! However the fat lady had not finished, PH was heading home and CT was on her counter, the time difference there was only ONE SECOND! 10/10 was only 1 minute 29 down on CT. Fantastic results after such long event, well done to all with special mention to Madison on J and Rick's young lads on 10/10. P carried her Kite to Rangiwaea and en route passed Abakazam (The Olds previous cat) with new owner Brian Rogers of the Sun Media on board. No mermaids on the foredeck that afternoon! If the weather stays mild we are looking at extending the season the make up for lost events so we can get Larry and Brian W back on the water. John Budden, Commodore

OMOKOROA BOAT CLUB NEWS

Perfect weather for trailer yachts

CLUB NEWS

16 WATERLINE

Spinnaker run to the Mount In early February I had planned a quick trip, on “Gillian” to the west side of Coromandel Peninsula. But mother nature was not cooperative and forecast light NW winds for the first 2 days and then SE for last 3 days. Plan B was to head east, with 2 friends Geoff & David, to uncharted waters, as far as I was concerned, apart from 2 tourist trips to White Island. We motored away from the Mount, caught an Albacore, then caught some wind and had a nice spinnaker run for 2-3 hours, till wind dropped. We had another spinnaker hoist for the last hour to Whale Island and anchored in Mckewn’s Bay. The tide was all wrong for entering Whakatane. After a quiet night, we had blue Mao Mao for brekkie and motor-sailed all the way to Omaio Bay, catching another Albacore on the way. We were nicely sheltered behind the reef, from the NE swell, till the tide came up over the reef in the middle of the night. Day 3 found us motoring again along the coast eastwards but the wind kicked and we sailed on till we could see around Cape Runaway, then returned to Waihau Bay ( well, that’s where the pub is!) I think the local fishermen thought we were a bit mad, especially sitting out in the swell all night but the beer was worth it. No wind the next day again but after yet another Albacore was hooked, the forecast SE wind arrived for a gentle sail to White Island, where we spent a relatively comfortable night near the old wharf. We managed to be sheltered but without corrosive fumes blowing over us. Our final day started with a visiting cruise ship, then we had an all day spinnaker run back to the Mount, before the expected brisk SE wind.

Emirates New Zealand’s new Volvo Ocean Yacht. All in all, a worthwhile trip to some interesting spots but it needed the very settled weather, as forecast, for the rather marginal anchorages.

Winter series

Open Series : Handicap Race Sunday 15th May, then alternate Sundays 2 Handed Series : Handicap Race Saturday 21st May, then every 3rd Saturday. We will have enjoyed a visit from Grant Dalton on 26 April and a chance to view Emirates New Zealand’s new Volvo Ocean Yacht at Salisbury Wharf. Grant will talk about the Volvo Ocean Race and progress towards the Americas Cup 2013. By Jim McCrone

Boat expo returns to Tauranga Tauranga Marine Industry Association Tauranga Boat Expo will be held again this year at the beginning of November. The TMIA have formed a sub committee of local exhibitors and are currently

in negotiation with Tauranga City Council for the use of the southern end of the strand reclamation in downtown Tauranga. They are currently looking at different layout options in this area. The Tauranga Boat Expo will consist of both on water and on land exhibitors with the opportunity to do on water displays

and demonstrations. TMIA believe that the location of this show will make for a great family outing with the close proximity of cafes and shops. If you interested in exhibiting in the Bay Boat Expo please do not hesitate to contact TMIA committee members direct. secretary@tmia.co.nz

MARINE NEWS

WATERLINE 17

Raiatea bound

The French registered catamaran Te Marama 3 cleared customs at Tauranga for Raiatea before Easter. A distinctive design, the aluminium-hulled catamaran is owned by a French Polynesian pearl diver, and was passing through Tauranga from the Bay of Islands where it has been based for a while. She still has a wing mast but different from the photos published when Te Marama 3 made

the news in July 2004. A New Zealand woman and two crew were rescued from Te Marama 3 while it was en route from Opua to New Caledonia. A French navy patrol boat was directed to the vessel which was adrift 230km East of Norfolk Island in 5m seas with damaged engine, steering and rig. A distress beacon had been set off the night before. The owner declined rescue, saying at the time that the weather was improving and that he was no longer in distress. By Andrew Campbell

More hitch hiking boats A second tranche of luxury yachts has cleared the bridge marina for the northern hemisphere summer. A total of seven boats, three from Australia and four from New Zealand, were scheduled The bowsprit carving on Kemmuna. to travel as deck cargo on Edamgracht, which was loading debating whether to make onions at Tauranga for northern repairs at Southern Ocean hemisphere ports. Marine or in the northern Included is the blue hulled hemisphere. Kemmuna, a 23m charter ketch Asturiana is one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that has cruised across the top ocean racing yachts. It was South Pacific from the Marque- built at Southern Ocean Marine sas and Tuamoto archipelago and launched in Tauranga in to the Bay of Islands over the 2003 as Ecover. summer. Ecover won the Transat Also a candidate for the race in 2004, was third in the ride north is the IMOCA 60 2004-5 Vendee Globe, second Asturiana which limped into in the Calais Round Britain Port of Tauranga on April 13 race in 2005, fourth in the after breaking a ring frame that Transat Jaques Vabre and won forced it to abandon the Barthe SNSM record in 2006. celona World Race somewhere In 2007-8, as Madrilena, she east of New Zealand. was fourth in the 2007-8 BarceAs Waterline went to press lona World Race and seventh in the yachtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s principals were still the first Round Spain Race.

KAYAK

18 WATERLINE

One trip, one kayak

Tim Taylor gets the same question on just about every beach he’s stopped at during his circum kayak of New Zealand.

It’s about the boat. Tim’s kayak is a Mission Eco Bezhig ocean touring kayak, made of plastic. “From what I learned from him the other night, every beach he pulls up on an expert kayaker will come along and say ‘Crikey, why are you doing it in plastic?’ – and he just repeats the same story,” says Mission Kayaks operations manager Patrick Frame. “He wanted the boat to last and he wanted it to be the same boat all the way round. He certainly hasn’t regretted his choice. “He calls it Waverly and talks to it all the time, and when he’s asked why he’s chosen a plastic kayak for his round New Zealand trip he says ‘Look at the boat. I’ve done 4,500km do you think you would get the same performance out of a composite boat.” Patrick, and Waverly’s builder Kerrie Nolan met Tim at Himitangi beach on his closest approach to Palmerston North. “I rang him before I went out,” says Patrick. He offered to meet Tim with replacement bungies, replacement hatches, a plastic welder, silicon, new bulkheads. “And he goes, ‘nope, absolutely nothing’s necessary’. So we’re pretty rapt with that. “Seeing the boat, it’s just extraordinary. It’s as scratched, grazed and gouged as you would expect a boat to be that has done 4500km with one shore launch and one shore landing each day. “You’ve got a boat that’s done a lot of work on stones and sand and whatever, and it’s looking really, really good.” You can see where the boat was stapled when an attempted launch into a shore dump off a Southland beach, says Patrick. Kayakers launch off beaches by waiting for the wash to float the craft and paddling out into the waves. It can be fraught, and is a process that prompts prayer in even the

“Look at the boat. I’ve done 4,500km do you think you would get the same performance out of a composite boat?” non religious, says Patrick. “He launched just as a wave came in and picked the bow up and folded the boat in half through the back hatch,” says Patrick. “He got absolutely smashed. Our sales rep was talking to him because we have a boat on stand by. We could get the other boat to him in 24 hours and does he need it? ‘No its fine, I’m going to carry on with this boat,’ then he proceeds to paddle round Stewart Island in a boat that had just been folded in half.” It’s a common story and it happens to a

lot of kayakers as they are launching themselves off beaches, says Patrick. “It literally folded the boat in half. I’m not sure if it got to 90 degrees or not, but if it was a composite boat it certainly would have fallen in half very quickly.” Tim made some repairs at Bluff before continuing on with the most challenging ocean kayaking of the trip till then - paddling round Stewart Island. Tim is sponsored by Mission and its associate company Hydraulics which provides PFDs clothing and accessories.

WAIRIKI

WATERLINE 19

Old winner returns to scene The 107 year old yacht Wairiki will be joining the fleet in the Auckland Tauranga race this year.

Designed by Arch Logan of Logan Bros, Wairiki previously won the Auckland Tauranga race in 1926, 1928 and 1929 and in 1930 with a new owner. Wairiki was sold to Lyttelton in 1930. “This is her first coastal race up here since 1930,” says owner and former Tauranga resi-

dent Jason Prew. “The last time she did Auckland/ Tauranga she won it, then she got shipped off to the South Island for the next 80 odd years.” Racing rules have changed since 1930, and Wairiki cannot qualify. “The Auckland/Tauranga race is a Cat 3 race, which Wairiki in her wildest dreams wouldn’t be able to do,” says Jason. “She’d need a redesign of the cockpit-bridge area, stanchions, and a heap of stuff that just makes it a bit dangerous when you are sailing with a gaff rig. “The hatches would probably be alright, but the whole design of the yacht is not really suited to modern safety standards. “Officially we are coming along for a sail, but we will be starting and finishing. Because of the Yachting New Zealand rules we can’t enter as a proper race. We are just going along as private citizens.” Wairiki will be sailed with a crew of four and Jason’s 10 year old nephew. The will be warmly welcomed in Tauranga says race organising committee chairman Ross Sheerin. “It would be great to see them down here,” says Ross. They have arranged a berth for Wairiki at the marina close in and handy to the yacht club, to allow the public to get a look at her after the race fleet arrives. The Auckland/Tauranga race departs Westhaven at 10am on Thursday with the majority of the boats expected Friday. The 10.3 metre gaff rig Wairiki is built of double diagonal

kauri without frames in the conventional Logan fashion. She was launched in October 1905, and raced principally with the North Shore Yacht Club and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. Wairiki was sunk at the Lyttelton marina in 2000 in a severe storm. She was repaired but major restoration was required. Jason rescued her in 2009, and took Wairiki to the Auckland Traditional Boatbuilding School at Hobsonville, for restoration. She was re-launched in 2010. Wairiki joins the others of the Logan Bros stable already restored, like Jessie Logan (1880), Waitangi (1894), Thelma (1897) and Rainbow (1899) and those in first class original condition like Ariki (1904) and Rawene (1908). They are regarded as being among the bestdesigned and best-built yachts in the world of their time and are part of the superb heritage of fine yachts that exists in New Zealand. Wairiki’s restoration is recorded on her website: www.wairiki.co.nz

SEA LEGS

20 WATERLINE

She’s got legs

This summer we were lucky enough to get a tour of the Sealegs factory in Albany. We’d towed the Waterline Magazine Sealegs 6m amphibious craft there for a well-earned refit. It’s been five years since we took delivery of this amazing amphibian vessel and she’d done a ton of work around the coast of the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel. That includes dozens of coastal passages between Tauranga and Whitianga; more than 60 nautical miles which the 6m Sealegs covers in a couple of hours or so; usually quicker and a lot more enjoyable than the twisty road trip. The Sealegs has also been a stable

photography platform for our coverage for Waterline magazine and SunLive; carried building supplies across the harbour to the bach and been an excellent dive boat. After five years, the team at Sealegs were keen to provide us with some refinements to the system – the boats are constantly evolving and there are some useful modifications that have become standard since our boat, number 33, was assembled. They’ve built around 450 boats and the customer base is worldwide. Military, rescue and fast response is a huge developing market for Sealegs. There were a handful of military-style black 7m beasts taking shape on the production line during our visit.

SEA LEGS

WATERLINE 21

Sealegs making big strides “Do away with the trailer and its complications; take the fast and easy way to the water. You’ll find you do much more boating, because it’s just that simple.”

Our boat had finally worn out its inboard muffler, much to the awareness of our neighbours in Te Puna as the Sealegs came ashore from its latest coastal passage. Fortunately, a swanky stainless steel version has since been developed so we upgraded to the new salt resistant version. After a week of TLC from the good folk at Sealegs, the Waterline boat was looking as good as new. The hydraulic drive system was still in top class order, just a change of filter, and she’s good for at least another five years. It is a real testament to the brilliant design of these craft that they are so reliable and low maintenance. They’re not paying me to say this, but these boats are seriously good value. We’ve given ours a thorough workout in five years and put it through some very testing conditions. Ranging from bar crossings, surf landings, open coastal voyaging – to mudflat crawling and bush track driving. Even carrying building supplies to remote locations has all been taken in the Sealegs’ stride. Coastal camping has proven a great adventure, the ability to be able to land through surf and stay in remote locations has opened up whole new possibilities. Plus, it is a very capable sea boat that handles well and rides dry, for a centre console. These days Sealegs have virtually become a household name and the incredulous stares are fewer. When we first drove out of the ocean and onto the land in the early days, the amphibian created quite a circus on the shore. Nowadays, most people have seen or heard about them and realising the incredible versatility of these craft; so there isn’t quite the same novelty performance from onlookers.

BOP Marine Painting Allen Hartridge - Qualified Marine Spraypainter ph 027 472 6655 a/h 07 570 3646 email bopmarinepainting@xtra.co.nz

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New Work • Full Fair & Paint • Antifouls • Prop speed Interiors & Exteriors • Touchups • Repaints

We’ve also met a couple of the other local Sealegs owners who have also found the amphibian to be the perfect craft for waterfront properties. Now well proven, anyone with waterfront property, or close to the sea or lake, should check out the option of an amphibian. Do away with the trailer and its complications; take the fast and easy way to the water. You’ll find you do much more boating, because it’s just that simple.

By Brian Rogers

CLASSI

22 WATERLINE

Call FOR SALE

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

ViStaCraFt 14 - 14.2ft Fiberglass, mariner 40hp, Johnson 6hp aux, new paint, ski pole, high pole, new rod holders & cleats. Very tidy and economical boat. Great for harbour fishing and skiing/wakeboarding. $5500 ono. Don - 021 298 6647 Pelin FOr Sale - 28’, professionally built, reconditioned Nissan ED 33 110HP diesel engine, mint condition. Comes with dinghy and outboard. $49,000. Ph 07 579 4128 or 027 291 2929. StarlinG FOr Sale - “CARPE DIEM” 1130, Professionally built & launched oct 1994, Built on same jig as “Helter Skelter” (1131), This yacht and fittings are in excellent condition Has been compliant with Bow Jig. Extras include Aluminium Beach Trolley, Road Cover and Spare Mast. Asking Price $3,900.00. Telephone 021 120 7060. yaCHt FOr Sale - 7mtr catalina yacht trailer sailor. Trailer warranted, registered and ready for the road. Pop top cabin, sleeps four, dual batteries, VHF & CB radios, stereo system. Price $17,500 neg. Ph (07) 542 3102 or 027 628 7900. Ganley tiMerider, 38 ft Steel Sloop. Proven offshore yacht. Well maintained & equipped. Excellent condition. Professionally built 1992. Sleeps 6-7. Interior attractive light woodgrain. Large water & diesel tanks, 50hp Nissan engine, Fleming windsteering. $189,000 ph (07) 8627455 or email srlobb007@hotmail.com CataMaran - 3yr old 11.4 mtr, Roger Simpson, Wildside, Twin 10 hp Yanmar, Diesels. 3 Queen, Size Double berth. Galley. Nav Station, Heads. Saloon. Usual instruments. Ph 07 866 5157 or email cox. wall@xtra.co.nz. lidGard 7.9M - Launched approximately 1956. Kauri planked, powered by 60hp nissan diesel, 7.5 knots cuise, economical at 5 ltrs/ hr cruising Accommodation for 2, toilet, gas cooker, game rigged. Electronics include VHF, GPS, chartplotter, depthsounder. Vessel is in sound condition. 027 447 2393. Water PuMP - 25PSI, Sureflow. As New $120. Ph 0274 333 220. bOat and SulPHur POint Marina bertH 26ft hartley sedan launch. View boat and full details at berth B43, Sulphur Point. Boat $23,000 ono. 8 metre marina berth $16,036 with launch. Has cruised and fished to Mayor, the Mercs and Great Barrier. Ready to go again. Passed insurance survey December 2010. Ph 07 543 4099 or 027 239 6445 Main Sail - 7.5oz, hoist 43’ 7”, foot 14’ 9”, 5 reaths, 5 7/8 slides, very good condition. $400 ono. Ph 021 243 5555. FOldinG PrOP - briski, 16 x 12. 25mm shaft. Right handed NZ. $500 ono. Very good condition. Ph 021 243 5555 OMOkOrOa MOOrinG - Prime location opposite Boat Club. Suitable for up to 40ft boat $8000. Recently surveyed - September 2010. Ph 548 2314. Quarter SHare in Vindex 10 Metre launCH - Shaft drive, 180 hp Ford Diesel Turbo, Sleeps 6, two showers, 3 steering stations cruises 10-12 kts. This syndicate has been operating successfully for 6yrs. A great opportunity to enjoy the pleasures a launch offers whilst sharing the costs. Based at Tauranga Bridge Marina. Price $20,000 Ph 548 2314. yaCHt - Moonraker 26ft keeler. 5 sails, 4 stroke vovlo 2 cyl inboard motor. Fully serviced. Starts every time. Hummingbird depth sounder, marine radio, radio cassette, toilet, gully, includes 2 burner stove. 6 berth. 20l water tank, 20l fuel tank, last slip March 2010. Draft 4’6”, 8’ 2” beam. 2m fibreglass dinghy. $12000. 07 548 2114 or 027 548 2114. MOOrinG - Te Puna Estuary. Ph Dave Watson 552 6662.

Hartley tS18 - ‘Antares’ is in really good condition. Trailer has WOF. She has been beautifully built inside and out with painted wood interior and can sleep up to 4 people. Comes with Honda 5HP outboard motor with stand for easy storage. Drop keel makes her a great family boat for going to places in and around the harbour. She has had new aluminium mast and rigging by Mike McCormack and new winch and guide bars added to trailer, for easy launch and retrieval. All ready to go for 2011. Asking price $4,500 ono. Phone Ian Gray 07 578 5022 or 027 572 9439. Marina bertH - 12m, Bridge marina G25. Good location with plenty of parking. With mooring lines and corner wheel. Currently rented month to month. Must sell so present reasonable offer. $50,000 inc. Phone Hm 5767748 4.95 aluMiniuM MaSt and Sail - plus centre board, rudder and anchor. All in V.G. condition. Open to reasonable offers. Please ring 576 0294 (has answer phone). MOOrinG - C6 The Strand, Town Reach, Tauranga, new survey. Upto 10.5m. $1000 spent on survey. $4000 ono. Contact 07 307 9097 or 027 307 9009. MOOrinG FOr Sale - Waikaraeo Estuary #5. Good position, good swing, good depth. Fully rebuilt. Suit up to 29’ boat. Phone 07 576 1309 trOJan trailer yaCHt - 7.5m plus marina berth. New antifoul, new rigging, 5 sails, 2 spinnakers, 8HP yamaha, autohelm, all in good condition. View B39. $31,000. Ph 07 576 3461 or 021 0279 5289. yaCHt - 26’ vanderstadt centreboarder, on launching trailer in hardstand. Very nice condition. 8HP yamaha outboard, alloy s/s rig. $12,990 neg. Ph 0274 272 054.

TO RENT

MOOrinG - town reach by Kestrel. Newly surveyed. Ph 578 0230 or 027 491 5616. MOOrinG - Waikareao Estuary. Ph 578 0230 or 027 491 5616. MOOrinG - Tanners Point. Excellent position, available for rent or for sale. Ph 07 570 0333 MOOrinG - Omokoroa, best position. For rent or for sale. Ph 07 570 0333. MOOrinG to rent or buy Tanners Point. Ph 0274 915 616. MOOrinG - Omokoroa. Phone 021 114 739. MOOrinG tO leaSe - Tanners Point. Suit launch or multihull. Long term. ph 5490091 SWinG MOOrinG - for rent or sale at Tanners Point. Recently serviced. Ph 578 0230 or 027 491 5616. MOOrinG - Pilot Bay, suitable for 28-38’ yacht. In reasonable order. Available 10 months of the year, from 1st March to 31st December. Ph 021 960 720

WANTED

SWinG MOOrinG by Tauranga Bridge marina. Long term. For 8 tonne boat. Phone 021 963 399. MOOrinG tO buy - either Bridge marina area or slipway side of Pier at Omokoroa. Phone 0276 769 802. SHareS in launCH - and marina berth. 30 to 40 feet. Cash buyer, what have you? Phone Malcolm 576 6443 MOOrinG tO buy - Te Puna, shallow mooring fine. email simon. ifes@gmail.com. Phone 07 552 4694 Wanted tO rent: Swing mooring for 25ft yacht, also short term marina berth. Phone/text Marc, 027 200 2316. Hartley 16 Fibreglass trailer sailer. Ph 07 576 0207.

DIRECTORY

WATERLINE 23

BATTERIES

FISHING & DIVING

Ph/Fax: 07 578 8056 25 Marsh Street, Tauranga 0274 894 056

Ph/Fax 07 575 9056 15 Newton St, Mount Maunganui Ph/Fax 573 4493 155 Jellicoe Street, Te Puke

Battery Warehouse

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

BOAT MAINTENANCE

Big Fish Bait and Tackle Co

Blue Ocean Charters Ltd Ph 0800 224 278 www.blueocean.co.nz email: info@blueocean.co.nz

Mount Dive Shop

GemCo Ltd

15 Newton Street, Mount Maunganui Ph: 575 4418

Hutcheson Boatbuilders

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

R63 Hewletts Rd, Mount Maunganui Ph 572 2411

Ph:07-578 8312

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

Mercury Bay Boatyard

Ph: 07 866 4637 Yard: 3 Moewai Rd, Whitianga Refits, repairs, painting, maintenance

Tauranga Marine Charters

INSURANCE

Tauranga Insurance Ph: 571 0405 195 Devonport Rd, Tauranga

KAYAKING

Oceanz Stainless Engineering

Canoe & Kayak BOP

BOAT SALES

Viking Kayaks

Ph:07-571 4130 30-34 Mirrielees Road, Tauranga www.southernoceanmarine.co.nz

Challenger Boats

142 Newton Road, Mount Maunganui Ph 07 575 0497

Ph:574 7415 3/5 MacDonald St, Mt Maunganui OPEN 7 DAYS 9-5pm

Specialising in fishing and recreational kayaks. 0800 529 253 www.vikingkayaks.co.nz

www.challengerboats.co.nz

MARINA

Ph 07 579 9716 email: tauranga@gulfgroup.co.nz www.gulfgroup.co.nz

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

Gulf Group Marine Brokers

Hutcheson Boatbuilders 07-578 8312

Mastertech Marine 60 Whiore Avenue, The Lakes, Tauriko Tauranga Ph:579 4240 www.mastertech.co.nz

Tauranga Boat Sales

Bridge Marina, Harbour Bridge Ph: 07-575 0512 www.taurangaboatsales.co.nz

CHANDLERY

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

DELIVERIES Ross Hislop

Ph: 07 543 1023, mob 0274 770078 Email: hislopra@xtra.co.nz

ELECTRONICS

Bay Marine Electronics Steven Gillett Ph: 07 577 0250 www.baymarineelectronics.co.nz

FINANCE

AFB Accept Finance Brokers Ph: 07 574 0002

Tauranga Bridge Marina

RIGGING

Mike McCormick

Ph: 578 3071 59 Mirrielees Rd, Tauranga

TRAILERS

Prescott Trailers

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

Greerton Engineering Ph 541 0024 64 Maleme Street TAURANGA www.greertoneng.co.nz

CLUB CONTACTS

Mount Maunganui Yacht Club Ph: 542 0305

Omokoroa Boat Club John Budden Ph: 548 1180 Alan Roberts Ph: 579 1967

Tauranga Game Fishing Club Keith Allen Dr, Sulphur Point Tauranga Ph: 578 6203

Tauranga Marine Industry Assn.

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

Tga Yacht & Power Boat Club PO Box 14352 Tauranga Ph 578 5512

FISHING

24 WATERLINE

Time for change The end of March and beginning of April have been a bit frustrating weather-wise in the Bay, the first hint of Autumn with some chilly mornings and lots of rain and strong winds.

15 NEwtON St, thE MOuNt. 575 9056

155 JEllicOE St, tE PukE. 573 4493

OPEN 7 DAYS

OPEN 6 DAYS

A number of well known and anticipated competitions have had to be cancelled or postponed but there have still been some excellent opportunities to get out there and the fishing on the whole is still very good. One competition that did go ahead on our local Papamoa beach was the inaugural KahaThe Kahawai World Cup. wai Classic, a competition that has been labeled as â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Kahawai World Cupâ&#x20AC;?. Up for grabs was a $10k purse for the heaviest kahawai, plus a raft of other prices. The competition was fished in very trying conditions with torrential rain and strong winds but the hardy were not deterred from getting out there, that prize money a very motivating lure. The heaviest fish weighed in at 2.28kg, securing the prize for the worthy captor plus a good array of other prizes for another minor placing. The plan at this stage is for a bigger brighter competition next year, I am sure there will be a few more keen fishos having a go in 2012. Our harbour is still coming up with some great results, snapper, kahawai and the odd kingie and unusually a few gurnard. The fishing will slow as soon as the water temperature drops. This is the time for change in The Bay as some fish head for their usual winter haunts, it is really just a bit of a shuffle around with fish changing territories and moving into different areas. Normally the snapper move out into deeper water but in the last few years there have been good numbers of isolated schools staying in close and with good numbers of gurnard moving in there is still good fishing to be had right through. At the moment the water temperatures are holding up and the snapper are feeding aggressively in close, surf casters are getting good results, snapper and kahawai, the beach long liners also report generally good results. The inshore reefs are still holding tarakihi and snapper but the fishing has definitely been better inshore, softbaiting and a good straylining season have been very productive, a bit of a resurgence for those having a go with slow jigs. Outer reefs are patchy although there have been a few good schools of kings at Astrolabe, this area has been a bit quiet if targeting marlin for the last couple of years. There have been much better results out further around the Rangitiras and further North around the Alderman Rise, The Mercs and The Hook. The local game fishing scene has been a bit average this year, the normally productive March and April period has not had the settled weather we normally expect, but there is still a bit of time left. Generally over the next couple of months we can expect a lot more gurnard in close, a few more good sized kingfish around the outer reefs as the water temperature drops. The harbours should slow as well but there will still be a few kahawai around, john dory have been few and far between this summer. The skippies and albies normally hang around through Autumn, the moochers should be moving into the shallows around structure, the deep reef fishing should pick up and if the weather doesn't play ball, a trip down to the Rotorua lakes could be worth a shot. By Bruce Weston, The Big Fish

FISHING

WATERLINE 25

Plenty of koura in Rotorua lakes Koura, New Zealand’s fresh water crayfish are a delicacy that not many people have tried, yet they are freely available in some Bay of Plenty streams and lakes.

two species, North Island and South Island with the local adults measuring about 70mm compared with 80mm for the South Islanders. South Island commercially farmed koura are from 120mm to 150mm in length, taking about four years to grow to full size. There is a commercial koura farm in central Otago. Francie and Peter Diver are the first registered farmers of sweet koura, and sell them directly from the farm gate from October through to May. Tours of their koura ponds are available by appointment.

A floor of Lake Rotoma is covered in koura, and the other Rotorua lakes may be the same. The Rotoma koura are known because the lake is a popular classroom for dive courses. A dive at altitude and on the sunken runabout hull beside SH 30 make it a twoin-one dive site. But the dive instructors that warn the students off taking the koura are wrong. Taking Taupo koura has to be authorised by the Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board, but there is no similar agreement covering the koura in the Rotorua Lakes.

Cooking

Limits

The maximum daily bag limit for koura is 50 per person. This is a combined, mixed species bag limit that applies to all shellfish species without species-specific catch limits. There are currently no size restrictions in place for the taking of Koura. There are

Koura, a delicacy freely available in the Bay of Plenty.

By Andrew Campbell

O u r f i s h i n g t r i p s a re

legendar y

FISHING TRIPS • Reef Fishing-half and full days • Hapuka Fishing-day/overnight • Tuhua (Mayor Island)-fishing/ tramping/camping • Team Building/Corporate Groups • Individuals or Charter Groups • Discounts for Seniors and Kids (conditions apply)

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE

blueoceanchartersWL912

*SPECIAL: PAY FOR FIVE - SIXTH PERSON FREE* Phone 0800 2 CHARTER (0800 224278) OR 0800 FISHPLENTY (0800 347475)

Cooking koura is easy. Place a large pot of water on the boil and add koura. Or, give them a knock out in the freezer first – then throw them in the boiling water. They turn bright orange. Give them a couple of minutes and eat immediately. There are a bunch of koura recipes available on the net. The general advice is to treat them like prawns, marinate in olive oil garlic and paprika and grill. Or fry with garlic and chopped chillis. They taste different to prawns though, and experimentation is advised.

Email: info@blueocean.co.nz

Website: www.blueocean.co.nz

26 WATERLINE

FISHING

Amateur fishing charter boat reporting The Ministry of Fisheries is now requiring any amateur-fishing charter vessel operators to register before they run any trips and then also report on their fish catches on each and every trip. Basically this means that anyone who is involved in taking people out fishing (under the New Zealand amateur fishing regulations) and who also get paid for this will need to comply with these reporting regulations. And they want to know where, when and how amateur charter boats fish, as well as what they catch. There are two kinds of compulsory reporting; being catch reporting and activity reporting. The catch reporting is providing information on the specific species and amounts that are caught. Some of the species that have been chosen for catch reporting are considered to be vulnerable to localised depletion. Additionally, amateur charter vessels are thought to be catching a major proportion of some fish species so will be able to shine a light on how sustainable the stocks actually are. In the case of Bluefin tuna New Zealand also has international obligations to monitor this species. The kind of reporting that is required includes the locations of latitude and longitude to the nearest minute of a ‘new fishing event’ or catch which is more than 6 nautical miles further than the last activity or catch. This helps to avoid having to complete new reports when you are drift fishing or moving a lot over small area to hunt down those unsuspecting fish. Any boat that is taking people on big game fish trips where there is plenty of trolling involved have to report in accordance with other instructions that are designed for vessels that will cover large distances for one fishing event.

The Ministry say they want the information to help make management decisions on allocating scarce resources, spatial management and stock sustainability and to ensure the ongoing health of our fisheries. Apparently improving amateur fishing information is a government a priority and as such the New Zealand taxpayer is contributing almost $4 million to fund recreational fishing research. Many amateur fishing charter boat owners and skippers are likely to be concerned that their best and most coveted fishing spots will now be easily accessed by other people. The Ministry of Fisheries say that the disclosure of this information is subject to very strict rules under the Official Information Act and that they will “carefully guard any data”. This also begs the question about how the Ministry will actually deal with any non-reporting. At this stage they plan on a raising awareness of the purpose of charter vessel reporting and helping with understanding of the requirements so really hoping for voluntary compliance. However, as a last resort, they will consider infringement fees. You can find out more information at By Lucy Brake www.fish.govt.nz

BATTERY WAREHOUSE

SEA BIRDS

WATERLINE 27

No mistaking a Caspian tern A large silver-grey bird flies strong and purposeful, jaunty black beret and blood-red dagger of a bill pointing down to the sea where it searches for fish.

There's no mistaking a Caspian tern, the largest tern in the world (body length 51cm, wingspan 140cm, weight 700gm). We have around 3000 in New Zealand, but the species occurs in most coastal areas – and of course at inland seas such as the Caspian. It is classed as native, though documented here only from about 1860. Numbers increased until the 1970s, but now human disturbance is causing a decline. You will usually see single birds on patrol over the shallower waters of tidal channels or submerged banks. Sighting small fish near the surface, they plunge steeply, often totally submerging. Then pop up and swallow their prey as they resume patrol. They also skim fish from the surface. Some feed in lakes and rivers.

Birds flying with head horizontal are probably full and heading to roost. Caspian terns mate for life. The oldest bird known in NZ was 24 – it would have been leg banded in a research study and thus identifiable. If it bred from age 3 or 4, laid the usual 1-3 eggs each year, that's a healthy 20 or more offspring theoretically possible for each pair. Barring egg or chick predation by harriers, black backed gulls or skuas, atrocious weather or extra high seas during the breeding season, shortage of food, stray dogs, carelessly driven off-road vehicles in breeding areas… and all the other risks of life at sea and on land. Most breed in colonies, some in small groups or single pairs. Parents incubate

eggs 3-4 weeks. Chicks fledge around 33-38 days, but stay close to be fed for several months. You can distinguish young birds by their duller caps and bills and orange rather than black legs. Non-breeding adults swop their black berets for white flecked ones. Like most birds, they moult and replace their feathers twice a year. A survey of Caspian tern colonies is to be carried out this year. If you know of a breeding colony, please email osnzbop@gmail.com .

By Eila Lawton

Please name me when you see me – I am taranui, a Caspian tern (nui=big). Photo by Brian Chudleigh.

BUTLER’S VIEW

28 WATERLINE

Left to fight the battle alone An official report about the incident in the Antarctic where the Ady Gil was struck by the Shonan Maru has been released.

The Shonan Maru was acting as ‘bouncer’ for Japanese whaling vessels, attempting to slaughter whales in the Southern Ocean. Ady Gil was protesting against the killing of whales in the world’s largest wildlife sanctuary. Meat is destined for the lucrative gourmet market in Japan. It is claimed that prior to this incident the Ady Gil had attempted to entangle a propeller on one of the Japanese whalers with a rope so there had been some aggression between the protest vessels and the whaling ship Nisshin Maru, however that rumoured sabotage attempt was not the incident reported on. The use of a smelly but harmless substance made from rancid butter, may have made life on board the whalers’ vessels almost as uncomfortable as the whalers were making the whales’. A barrage of old kumara and apples further upset that factory ship Nisshin Maru’s crew but were not a threat to life. The lightly-built, high-speed Ady Gil simply wasn’t strong enough to even dent the robust steel hulls of the whalers and their minder vessels but would have, and this was sadly proven, disintegrated on contact.

Limited lookout

The report about the collision says the Shonan Maru was directly astern of the Ady Gil in an overtaking position and consequently the helmsman of the Ady Gil had limited lookout. However the report also states that the skipper of the Ady Gil joined the rest of the crew on the stern of the vessel to discuss the day’s efforts. So it would be likely that they, the crew and skipper, could easily see the approaching Shonan Maru. The helmsmen was in easy communication with all of the crew, the day was clear, visibility was good and the sea reasonable for the location. The Shonan Maru approached at speed. Apparently a mistake the crew on the Ady Gil is accused of making is that they didn’t monitor the situation on radar. The report states that water cannons deployed by the Shonan Maru were aimed in ‘the general direction’ of the Ady Gil but the photos show that this huge bullying ‘bouncer’ deliberately shot the cannons at the protest vessel while approaching at high speed. The Ady Gil was stopped at the time and, it is my guess, that

view

By Graeme Butler

never in their wildest dreams did they expect the Shonan Maru would continue at speed directly into them eventually running into and destroying the Ady Gil. The Shonan Maru was had apparently taken the law into its own hands and retaliated against the protest vessel for its effective activities. It was doing the job it had been hired to do in a wild remote part of the planet well away from any authority or official surveillance. The result was the Ady Gil was destroyed and its occupants put in extreme danger. I think the Shonan Maru, its charterers and owners, its master and the crew committed a criminal act. The report sickly downplays the part that the Shonan Maru’s master had in the complete illegal destruction of the Ady Gil and with PC aplomb shared the blame between either vessel. The Shonan Maru sank a vessel in the Southern Ocean in circumstances that are unforgiveable.

Anti bullying

In this day and age of ‘anti bullying’ rhetoric, to not recognise the actions, nature and character of the people in charge of the Shonan Maru as bullying and criminal, to white wash these actions and attempt to smear blame onto the victim shows an unacceptable level of PC Diplomacy. No wonder Bethune and his crew are outraged. No wonder I am outraged and others who would like to see the annual whaling disaster perpetuated by a few Japanese against a peaceful species attempting to survive in the last whaling habitat available to them. Various tut tutting politicians called for a diplomatic solution to whaling. Diplomacy simply doesn’t seem to be effective against the whalers of Japan. What has worked is the dedication and direct confrontational tactics employed by Sea Shepherds, the organisation Pete Bethune, Skipper of the Ady Gil was working with. This ‘whaling season’ has been cut short with fewer whales caught than ever. New Zealand people largely reject whaling and so do many other countries. World opinion is largely anti whaling and in Japan this rejection of whaling is a growing trend among young people. Diplomacy doesn’t work against bullies. Schoolyard bullies get away with their bad behaviour ad infinitum, like drunk drivers, because there is no acceptable solution to bullying. Like drunk drivers, they simply do it regardless. Two cases of school yard bullying that have featured on TV both showed that the victims were kept away from the school while bullies involved remained in class. Bullying gives great rewards to bullies and bullies take this behaviour into their adult life because it works. Pete Bethune had a good case against the bully who deliberately sank his ship but like all victims, he was left to fight the battle alone. Bullies are entertaining and most incidents of bullying have an audience made up of people who won’t intervene on behalf of the victim. ‘Tell an adult’ was the advice on TV from a panel of ‘experts’ discussing the issue of bullying at schools on Campbell live recently. Talk to a policeman is the advice of the PC brigade when advising victims of bullying in the workplace or on the streets. What a joke that is, all that happens is Police find as many loopholes in the evidence train as they can so no prosecution will drain the public purse.

BUTLER’S VIEW

WATERLINE 29

Making a difference to security of whales A negotiated conference attended by both parties where a victim has to sit across the desk from a bully and largely listen to the lies and accusations as the bully dodges responsibility. The victims of bullying generally get traumatised by lack of ‘official action’ and the bully is strengthened in his/her resolve because they get a win. People who witness bullying generally fail to come forward against a bully, some will even lie to protect a bully rather than evoke the bully’s wrath. Bullies often have a following of emotional cripples that draw strength from being a part of a bully gang. The word of the victim is drowned out by the lies and jeers of the gaggle. One honest man’s word fails against the testimony of a number of liars.

The victim

The Ady Gil is a victim and I see a parallel between her sinking and other incidents of bullying. There is no victim help, nobody wants a snivelling inept underdog as a friend, no parent wants a weak weed as a kid and there is that other thing where ‘you must have done something to deserve it’ is dragged out. I discovered what it is like to be a victim when attacked while sitting in my car

at the Marina Carpark, spending most of the night in hospital and then having to deal with the bully’s lies, and worse, others who were not in any position to give any account, lying on behalf of the bully. I dealt with security cameras being, apparently, turned off while a technician performed maintenance at the time of the assault.

Bullying tactics

That incident showed me that lying is a good tactic for bullies. So while a victim brings shame on those around him and generally loses self esteem, a bully generally has size, toughness, staunchness and mana on his/her side and gets away scot free and the characteristic inane sense of entitlement reinforced. There is only one thing worse than the bully for a victim is having to watch a reluctant policeman do everything in his power to save the public purse the cost of a prosecution. A policemen who becomes judge and jury and denies the victim the basic right to be heard in a court of law. Just as MaritimeNZ has failed Pete Bethune and his crew because no charges have been laid against the dreadful Shonan Maru’s skipper. The Ady Gil and her crew appear to be

an embarrassment to the whale diplomats who engage in expensive talk fests so it’s no wonder to me that the report about the Ady Gil - Shonan Maru incident pulls an inordinate amount of blame onto the Ady Gil while the aggressive and illegal actions of the bullying Shonan Maru receive no sanction whatever. My sympathies lie with Pete Bethune. Just as when a bully attacks any victim, the ‘authorities’ be they school teachers, police or any other come up with bizarre blame splitting in order to soften their need to be proactive and thus protect themselves from criticism when all goes pear shaped. No help there, no surprises either. So I applaud Paul Watson of Sea Shepherd for his stand against the bullying cheating, lying whalers, he, and it seems only he, has made a difference to the security of many whales in the Southern Ocean. The whalers have cut and run this summer, probably just as most bullies do when the going gets tough, when someone with courage and determination cuts through the crap and calls them to account. That is the best outcome, rare but welcome strong, just and firm intervention. Pete Bethune is a strong, brave and committed person and an inspiration.

Wakeboarding Worlds call for Tauranga teen Tauranga wakeboarder Talor Walters is campaigning to get himself to the Wakeboarding Worlds in Milan in July. At 14, Talor’s a seasoned wakeboarding veteran. He took to wakeboarding in 2004 when he was 10 and has since taken out every age group championship. His dad Darren says Talor was only second in the under 19s because the guy who beat him didn’t step up. “The guy who beat him should have stepped up, but he stayed under 19 because he hadn’t won a championship,” says Darren. Talor’s going to the worlds for the under 15s. “It’s going to be about a 10km trip, and we need to fundraise,” says Darren. Talor’s already placed fifth in the Australian Worlds and ninth in Texas. He’s won every other comp in New Zealand for his age. The worlds are in Milano between 12 and 17 July. The organisers are expecting more than 250 wakeboarders from 30 nations to take part, drawing 50,000 spectators. The worlds includes five days of competitions, with entertainment that includes freestyle motocross, half pipe BMX.

Photo by Tracy Hardy.

VOLVO RACER

30 WATERLINE

Racer in port New Zealand’s latest entry for the Volvo Ocean Race, the VO70 Camper, blew in to Tauranga on a north easterly and left port later the same day under a gusty south easterly.

Grant Dalton, managing director of Emirates Team New Zealand.

Kingston and Jackson Runga with Camper crew member Stuart McLachlan.

The VO70 Camper.

Joan Dickson gets behind the helm.

The blustery conditions were relished by the crew on their first sail out of Auckland on the world class ocean racer, but put paid to many of the plans for the day. Having children sail on board was cancelled and Camper remained snug against Salisbury wharf, instead of taking the exposed mooring in front of the yacht club. The Tauranga visit is following a tradition set by New Zealand Whitbread Race entries, says Emirates Team New Zealand managing director Grant Dalton. “We did it for no more simple season than to try and involve the public, to let them see what it is like on one of these boats, the conditions that you would be living in over the time that you are at sea,” says Grant. “When they see it on TV, when the race starts in November this year, they can relate to it, they feel part of it – and that’s why we By Andrew Campbell are doing it.”

   

  •

• •

• •

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