Friday wrap: Close shave with a whale caught on camera

The video, believed to have been shot by researchers trying to identify the whales for the Encounter Bay Right Whale Study, shows the boat approaching the pod at speed while travelling in the same direction as thew whales.

The boat turns sharply to port as it comes on top of the pod. It is not known if the turn was as a result of a collision with a whale, or the boat’s driver taking evasive action.

The incident comes just days after a boat carrying five people collided with a whale off the eastern coast of Tasmania, with one of the people injured requiring a visit to the hospital.

May to October is the prime whale migration season in Australia.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries has released a handy explainer on how its game fish tagging system is benefitting the state’s anglers.

You’d be surprised to learn that the state’s saltwater tagging system is the largest in the world, and has run since 1973 – the same year The Sweet’s Ballroom Blitz was topping the charts.

The tags are given to gamefishers, who then record the details of the fish they catch – everything from black marlin to yellowtail kingfish and bonito – before releasing them back into the water.

The department sends a certificate with all the fish’s details to the fisher who does the catch-and-release, and to the angler who re-catches the fish, re-measures it and releases it again. Every time the fish is re-caught, a new certificate is issued to everyone who previously caught it.

Fisheries scientists use the data collected to study the lives and habits of the highly migratory game and sportfish species. To date, more than 480,000 fish have been tagged, with more than 8900 recaptured.

French sailing and powerboat brand Jeanneau has launched its own virtual boat show as the real-world versions struggle to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The brand’s sailboat and powerboat products are featured in a virtual marina, with potential owners able to take an e-stroll down the dock before stepping aboard for a 360-degree tour.

Sailboat products include Sun Fast, Sun Odyssey and Jeanneau Yachts, while powered products include Cap Camarat, Merry Fisher, Merry Fisher Marlin, Leader and NC.

Queensland-based boat brokerage Swan Super Lines has moved to a new home in Main Beach, bringing it closer to Marina Mirage and Southport Yacht Club.

The custom boat specialist represents brands including Powerplay Catamarans designed and built by James Dewing, Intrepid Powerboats from the US, Stilecatalini Powerboats from Italy, and Herley Hybrid (electric) Power Catamarans from New Zealand.

“Our new office is the ideal venue for researching and discussing options with clients, as well as hosting monthly get-togethers to present details of the various brands we exclusively represent in Australia,” Swan Super Lines director Ian Swan said.

“Along with a rise in enquiry for new builds, which we facilitate with the leading yards in Thailand, Italy, Turkey and New Zealand and our clients via Zoom and Skype, we have seen increasing interest in international superyacht charter,” he said.

“Australians are becoming more inclined to charter in Europe, the Caribbean and during travel restrictions in our own waters.”

The new showroom’s address is at 29 Tedder Ave, Main Beach, Queensland.

Danish support and safety group ESVAGT has retired one of its longest-serving rescue boats, the ESVAGT Bravo, after 39 years of service.

The boat was one of the first to serve in the company’s North Sea operations, and has since co-ordinated rescues in everything from 14-metre-high seas to driving snow.

The ESVAGT Bravo was one of the first boats in the service’s fleet to carry a fast rescue boat that could be deployed separately to speed up the rescue of people from sinking vessels.

Alexander Marine Australia is this weekend throwing open the doors to three of the latest additions to its Galeon motor yacht fleet – all while keeping strict COVID-19 control measures in mind.

Models on show at the Southport Yacht Club on Main Beach include the Galeon 500 Fly and Galeon 640 Fly – both celebrating their Australian debut – and the Galeon 510 Sky.

“The three Galeon models from the European manufacturer stand out from the competition for their category-leading innovation, numerous design features, and quality construction,” Alexander Marine Australia said.

“These models represent the next generation of Galeon Yachts in terms of added recreational space, precision engineering and impeccable European interiors.

‘Hallmarks of Galeon range include the ingenious ‘Beach Mode’, cantilevered side decks which extend the width of the cockpit for additional leisure space onboard.”

Viewings are available on Saturday and Sunday between 9am and 3pm. To ensure safety regulations are met in light of the current COVID-19 social distancing regulations, Alexander marine Australia has asked that people pre-register their attendance via sales@alexandermarineaust.com.au.