Charter Chatter

Victorians John and Sandy Lindholm and their three children recently sailed their chartered yacht to victory in the Mariner Boating Holidays' 2009 Croatia Yacht Rally, finishing equal first with a crew from Tasmania. The Lindholm's won their trip to the Croatia Yacht Rally in a raffle conducted during the 2009 Variety Splash - the annual Port Phillip-based boat rally that raises funds for Victoria's special needs and disadvantaged children. Find out more at the
Variety Splash website.

The National Marine Safety Committee has released for public comment a draft standard to replace the USL Code's Section 18 'Hire and Drive' vessels. The draft standard covers a wide range of operations from unpowered off-the-beach craft, through to houseboats, PWCs (jet skis) and bareboat yachts. National data shows that most incidents involving these craft are the result of driver error, so the emphasis is on safety management and the provision of an adequate briefing, especially for inexperienced and unlicensed hirers. See have your say at NMSC.gov.au.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' MS Europa was ranked as the only fivestars-plus ship and named the top cruise ship in the world for the tenth consecutive year by the Berlitz Cruise Guide. 270 vessels are reviewed in the book.

In 2012, Tropical North Queensland will experience one of the world's great astronomical events - a total solar eclipse. On the morning of Wednesday 14 November 2012, the earth will be plunged into darkness as the moon passes in front of the sun. With the possibility of coastal cloud cover affecting visibility, it is believed the best place to view the eclipse will be on the Tablelands and out on the Great Barrier Reef.

Aurora Expeditions offers two new adventure cruises to remote communities on the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea on board the luxury ship Oceanic Discoverer in 2010. Village life along the Sepik remains virtually unchanged since European explorers made first contact in the 1800s. The local Sepik people are among the greatest primitive artists on Earth, and the skills of its craftsmen are legendary.

Book a Fiji Island family adventure cruise with Captain Cook Cruises and receive a separate children's bunk cabin at no additional charge when booking for two or more children aged 3-15 years who are accompanied by adults. Book now and also save up to 25 percent off the brochure price for cruises until March 31st, 2010.

Ipipiri, a 46 metre catamaran, was recently launched in New Zealand's Bay of Islands where it will operate two day one night cruises. Each cruise will include full commentary on the history, environment, and some of the Bay of Islands most spectacular landmarks. From Kupe, the very first voyager and Maori to discover New Zealand over 1,000 years ago, to the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, Northland brings together the unique culture and history of the original Maori and European settlers of New Zealand.

Tropic Sail in Townsville has acquired two new vessels, and another five are due to join their fleet of skipper yourself yachts, catamarans, and motor cruisers in the next six to twelve months. One of these vessels, a brand new Fusion 40 Sailing Catamaran 'Slinkycat', raced at Magnetic Island Race Week
2009 in early September in the Multihull Division.

Roaring 40s Wilderness Tours recently launched a three day exploration in kayaks in Tasmania's south west from November to April. The journey begins on a small aircraft, taking travellers on a 45 minute flight over rugged coastal terrain and mountain scenery before landing on the Bathurst Harbour airstrip. A three day wilderness kayaking experience is conducted by professional guides on the calmer waters of Bathurst Harbour and the Narrows, with relaxing lunch breaks and accommodation at the Forrest Lagoon Standing Camp.

Whitsunday Rent A Yacht has expanded its fleet of bareboats to increase the level of luxury couples, families, and groups can experience on their own sailing holiday. Two brand new designs, the Beneteau Lagoon 380 and a Highland 35ft motor cruiser, as well as more of the popular Beneteau Lagoon 420 and Perry 43 and two more Seawind 1160s have recently been added to the fleet.

Photograph: Sailing in Mariner Boating Holidays' 2009 Croatia Yacht Rally