Weekily Powerboat and Fishing Summary

Coastal glider bound for Moreton Bay, Club Marine Southern 80 postponed, log on log off, large seas swamp boats

COASTAL GLIDER

A $200,000 CSIRO coastal glider is bound for Queensland to be deployed in Moreton Bay to investigate the impact of the recent flooding on marine ecosystems. The glider will generate three-dimensional maps illustrating the impact of the flooding on the marine waters receiving the flow of the Brisbane River. There are only two of the robotic monitors in the world with this array of sensors. It will help ocean engineers to predict how the system is being affected now and how it will be affected in future. www.csiro.au

SKIING

The Moama Water Sports Club has postponed the 2011 Club Marine Southern 80 to 15-17 April after a number of key stakeholders assessed the risks given the recent rain and high water in the Campaspe, Goulburn and Murray Rivers. Debris along the route of the course, softened riverbanks and inundated public camp sites are among the reasons for this decision. The Moama Water Sports Club maintains that safety is paramount. www.southern80.com.au

FISHING

Due to flooding in key fishing areas, consultation on future management arrangements for the Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery, which includes snapper, has been extended and meeting dates postponed. www.qldmarine.com.au

SAFETY & RESCUE

Marine Rescue NSW calls for all boaties to log on with their local volunteers, giving information about the boat, the number of people on board, some contact details and the day’s plans. Skippers can register with the Marine Rescue unit so that much of the information is already recorded. The skipper logs off when back safe, but if a log off is late, radio operators will try to contact the skipper by radio and phone. They’ll check the home contact provided in case the skipper just plain forgot – which is not hard to do if you’ve had a good day out. www.marinerescuensw.com.au

Following two incidents where large seas swamped boats, NSW Maritime reminds boaters to be aware of the dangers of capsize when crossing coastal bars and when fishing on bomboras and shallow coastal reefs. Skippers should check conditions before heading offshore as swells from storms thousands of kilometres away can turn into large waves with absolutely no warning. www.maritime.nsw.gov.au

NEWS BRIEFS

NSW Maritime has approved the redevelopment of the Rose Bay seaplane base on Sydney Harbour. Rose Bay has a long aviation history as Australia’s first international airport and the original home of the famous Catalina flying boats. www.maritime.nsw.gov.au

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Jan 26 -- Australia Day. Events on Sydney Harbour include a Ferrython, Awesome Forces displays, best-dressed vessels competition, tall ships race, 174th Australia Day Regatta, Sydney Ports Jazz on the Water Concert. For details see www.australiaday.com.au

Feb 4-6 -- Melbourne International Boat & Lifestyle Festival, Docklands. www.miblf.com.au

Feb 11-14 -- Australian Wooden boat Festival, Hobart. www.australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au

Feb 16-Mar 20 -- Van Dieman’s Land Circumnavigation Cruise. www.ryct.org.au

Feb 19 -- The Wooden Boat Rally will be held on the Tamar River at the Seaport Marina in Launceston, Tasmania. www.woodenboatrally.com

Feb 19-20 -- Luhrs Billfish Shootout, Newcastle & Port Stephens Game Fishing Club. Over $30,000 in prize money. www.npsgfc.com

Feb 23-Mar 5 -- Australian Offshore Challenge Bass Strait Rally, a 700 nautical mile navigation rally for powerboats starts in Hobart. The fleet travels the east coast of Tasmania, before crossing Bass Strait via the islands of the Furneaux Group and then on to Westernport to the finish in Melbourne. www.offshorechallenge.com.au

Feb 24-27 -- Variety Splash. A three-day rally on Port Phillip open to all sail and power boats, commencing at Waterfront City, Docklands, with an evening ‘Welcome’ function. www.varietysplash.org.au

Feb 26-27 -- South Australian Wooden Boat Festival at the historic River Port of Goolwa. www.woodenboatfestival.com.au/

Feb 26-27 & Mar 5-6 -- 2011 Interclub Tournament, Port Stephens is where NSW Game Fishing Association clubs compete on various levels. It is expected that there will be up to 1000 anglers competing aboard as many as 200 boats.

Mar 5-6 -- Rosehill Trailerboat Show, Rosehill Racecourse, Sydney www.bia.org.au

Mar 6 -- Clean Up Australia Day www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au

Mar 12-13 -- Australian Offshore Superboat Championship - Round 1, Williamstown, Melbourne. www.superboat.com.au

Mar 26-27 -- Australian Offshore Superboat Championship - Round 2, Geelong. www.superboat.com.au

Mar 26-27 -- Australian Formula Jet Sprint Championships at Melton, Vic www.v8superboats.com.au

Photograph: CSIRO ocean engineers, Rob Gregor (left) and Lindsay MacDonald, with the glider in Hobart before shipment to Brisbane -- courtesy of Craig Macaulay, CSIRO

Weekily Powerboat and Fishing Summary

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