Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

POWERBOAT RACING
The Australian Grand Prix Hydroplane Championship and the Hayes Wood Trophy, the Australian Championship for Unlimited Unrestricted Powerboats, will be conducted as part of the Lake Mulwala Power Festival on 28-29 November. 

Raced close to shore on a short oval circuit around buoys, the high speed Grand Prix Hydroplanes and Blown Alcohol Displacements are the fastest boats in the world at over 270kph. In addition over ten other classes will be contesting various titles, including the Formula Future Class for the kids. In all, over 50 teams and their racing machines will be on display. For more information go to the Lake Mulwala Power Festival website lakemulwalapower.com.au/
 
Two Class-1 Grands Prix and four races in three weeks in the Middle East - the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, 19-21 November, and the Dubai Grand Prix, 10-12 December - will decide the destiny of the World, Middle East and Edox Pole Position Championships. Victory 1's Mohammad Al Mehiari and Jean-Marc Sanchez are the only crew with the four titles Grand Slam in their sights, after lifting the European crown in Stresa, Italy, earlier this month. For the second time in three seasons Sanchez has guided a rookie to a title in his first season.
 
Al Mehairi and Sanchez head Fazza in the World Championship standings by a slender four points, but Al Zafeen and Bin Hendi lead the Middle East and Edox Pole Position Championships. Both will be wary of Maritimo and Welmax, who have both hit form to take podium finishes in the last two Grand Prix.
 
ELECTRIC BOAT
Swedish boat builders, Nimbus Boats, have revealed the world's first electrically powered boat for the commercial market. Nimbus 27 E-power is 27 feet long, has a range of up to 20 nautical miles, or 37 kilometres, at a cruising speed of 22 knots and takes four hours for a full charge. Top speed is 27 knots.
 
The lifetime of the batteries is calculated at 3000 charges, or more than ten years use, and a new generation of batteries which will be available soon will probably double the range.
 
Initially, the price is going to be 30 to 40 per cent higher than for an equivalent diesel powered boat but it will be good for the environment, have lower running costs - five Euros for a “full tank” - and far less maintenance will be needed. Visit nimbus.se
 
ENVIRONMENT
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's newest ocean defense vessel is the Ady Gil, previously known as the Earthrace, a fast, futuristic looking trimaran that recently set the world record for global circumnavigation. Sea Shepherd is currently preparing for its sixth Whale Defense Campaign, Operation Waltzing Matilda, to be launched from Australia in early December with Sea Shepherd's flagship Steve Irwin sailing to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary accompanied by the new Ady Gil. Due to its speed capabilities of up to 50 knots, Ady Gil will be used to intercept and physically block Japanese ships from illegally slaughtering whales. Visit seashepherd.org
 
Marine Queensland speaks out over concerns regarding the increased levels of pollution found in our waterways after the results of the Ecosystem Health Report Card were released. Significant research and debate has been centered on designating marine parks and green zones in Queensland to preserve marine environments and the marine life, but the greatest contributor to waterways pollution is the waste that occurs as a result of run-off from streets and roads via storm water drains. Visit Marine Queensland's website marineqld.com.au
 
NEWS BRIEFS
Overloading a boat with people and alcohol is a dangerous and unacceptable mix, according to NSW Maritime. A houseboat with a legal limit of 12 people had 22 people on board on the Murray River just downstream of Moama. Three large beer kegs were also on the boat. The skipper, who was not intoxicated, was fined a total of $750 for overloading and not having enough life jackets.
 
Mon Repos is a small beach near Bundaberg and every year the Loggerhead turtle nesting and hatching ritual occurs from November to February, with the baby hatchlings bursting from the sand and making the dash down to the sea from January until late March. Access to Mon Repos beach is restricted during the turtle season so the best way to see these endangered animals up close is on a nightly guided tour from the Mon Repos Visitors Centre. Visit bookbundabergregion.com.au
 
Lloyds Ports of the World 2009 directory gives you more than 1000 pages of valuable information, meticulously researched by a team of industry experts to ensure its accuracy. The 2009 edition is out now, and features over 20,000 port facilities and services and Port-Call Statistics recording the number of arrivals at each major port by specific vessel type.
 
MARINE INDUSTRY
NSW Maritime is calling for Registrations of Interest (ROI) to both develop and operate two proposed maritime hub sites at Homebush Bay, West Sydney. Registration of Interest closes Friday, 30 October 2009. Visit the NSW Maritime website maritime.nsw.gov.au
 
The global economic downturn has impacted on the luxury yacht building industry and Australian yacht builder Azzura Marine says it does not have the financial resources to maintain three ship building facilities. Azzura Marine Nowra Pty Ltd is to cease operations and be placed into creditor's voluntary liquidation. Visit Azzura Marine's website azzuramarine.com
 
Three Australian companies have been nominated in three categories for the DAME (Design Award METS), a worldwide design competition for new marine equipment and accessories. Superior Jetties' Superior Fender, Ronstan's Series 25 T-Track Composite Jib Lead Car and VEEM Propellers & Propulsion's VEEMSurf Interceptor Propeller were among the 53 nominations from a total of 125 entries. Visit metstrade.com
 
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Oct 31 - Love of Seafood at the Sydney Fish Market is part of the city's International Food Festival. Features cooking demonstrations, chef challenges, oyster appreciation and interviews with food experts and fishermen. Visit sydneyfishmarket.com.au
 
Nov 6 - 8 -- Bundy Thunder -- Queensland's biggest powerboat racing spectacular at Sandy Hook, Bundaberg has a record entry list with over 80 boats. Visit bundythunder.com.au
 
Nov 21 -- 23 -- Club Marine Boating Extravaganza, Goolwa, SA - 150 on-water sites, more than 200 hard stand sites and a number of hands-on exhibitions and demonstrations. Visit tmhi.com.au
 
Nov 28-29 - Lake Mulwala Power Festival. Visit lakemulwalapower.com.au
 
Photograph: Nimbus 27 E-power