Senses Reel As You Fly High

Newcastle Herald

Friday January 16, 2009

Boating, Mark Rothfield

THERE are many pleasurable noises associated with boating. The plaintive groan of a loaded yacht winch, the phwizz of a fishing reel being stripped of line, the swoosh of water cascading off the bow, and the throb of a finely tuned diesel.

For the sound of squeals and laughter you need look no further than the toys being towed behind a runabout. Whether it's a beginner or expert, they're invariably having the time of their lives.

Quick to recognise the fact, Quicksilver has released some high-quality, high-performance equipment. For kneeboard fans there are beginner models with bevelled edges and tip channels for a more forgiving ride and easier starts, while experienced riders will appreciate the "hydro hook" system that gets them out of the water faster.

High-density foam kneepads enhance comfort and performance and the wide knee strap affords greater control.

Wakeboarding wise, there are models offering balance and control, and advanced riders have the more sophisticated option of a three-stage rocker for massive launches.

Junior trainer waterskis are made from maple and come with a stabiliser bar to boost confidence. Family skis offer a compromise between responsiveness and stability, and the wide-body combo model allows easy deep water starts.

There's a serious side to towing too, with NSW Maritime currently clamping down on dangerous practices.

Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi said Operation Ski Safe would target waterskiing, aquaplaning and wakeboarding on waterways throughout the state.

"Tow sports are especially popular during the school holidays so Maritime inspectors will be making sure participants are doing so safely," Mr Tripodi said.

Last year there were 22 incidents in NSW involving tow sports, including one fatality. Rules stipulate there must be an observer on board who's at least 16 years old or holds a young adult boat licence. Both they and the driver must be under the .05 alcohol limit.

Towboats need to keep 30 metres from other vessels and the shore, 60 metres from swimmers in the water, and 300 metres from bridges and overhead structures.

No more than three people can be towed at once, and there's no skiing before sunrise or after sunset.

Steering new safety course

MINISTER Tripodi also announced this week that there'll be a new, practical on-water component added to the NSW boat licensing system.

Previously, applicants simply sat a theory test before being allowed to drive any boat at any speed. From June 1, a Boating Licence Practical Logbook must be filled out under the guidance of an experienced skipper.

Learners will have to successfully complete and log three trips or, alternatively, undertake an approved course.

"When you apply for a driver's licence you have to prove you have the practical skills to drive a motor vehicle. The same principle should apply for boating," Mr Tripodi said.

In addition to the new practical component, a Boating Safety Course will have to be completed either on-line, by CD or at a training course, and there's a theory test undertaken at a NSW Maritime office.

The logbook will be available at Maritime offices, RTA registries and Government Access Centres.

It can also be downloaded from Maritime's website (maritime.nsw.gov.au).

Alert to anchor dangers

BEING tethered to an anchor rope in a secluded cove is the essence of cruising, but life can quickly become a drag if your anchor fails to hold. Many a ship has been lost while the skipper sleeps.

I was fortunate enough earlier this month to have a night aboard a flybridge cruiser not mine I hasten to add in Fame Cove and inadvertently got an anchoring lesson.

I'd dropped the pick into four metres of water, then reversed to pay out 20 metres of chain a 5:1 scope normally being considered adequate.

At 2am a southerly front struck at 30 knots, bending around the cove's entrance to create a lee-shore situation. I woke to the slapping of waves and a sense of foreboding.

Somehow your inner "radar" keeps working during the night. I jumped on deck to discover we'd drifted to within 10 metres of another vessel. If I'd slept any longer we may have struck them or ended on the rocks.

We fired up the engines, weighed anchor and motored to a safer location. Again we tried anchoring but the pick refused to hold, partly because this particular boat sailed to the left and right rather than sitting sedately.

We were drifting astern at about two metres per minute in pitch darkness. What to do next?

Paying out more chain is one option. Also, if you've got a second anchor, now's the time to use it. We didn't have a spare, which meant leaving the anchorage and finding a more protected shore.

Fortunately the cruiser was large enough to handle the conditions, though our sleeping children levitated on their bunks. In hindsight I should've woken them and donned lifejackets.

Finding a Maritime or police mooring is a good option. In a crisis I'd suggest finding a private mooring that's unoccupied, which is what I did. The fact it was in deep water surrounded by larger vessels, had swing room and a newish rope suggested it was safe.

We rode out the storm then re-anchored as soon as the conditions abated.

The lesson is to ensure your anchor has suitable holding power and is laid correctly. And always have an escape plan.

Mark@newcastleyachting.com.au

© 2009 Newcastle Herald

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