Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

POWERBOAT RACING

Officials of the UIM and WPPA announce the tragic deaths of pilots Mohammad Al Mehairi, a rookie driver from the UAE, and Jean-Marc Sanchez, a former World Champion from France, following a racing accident during race one of the Dubai Grand Prix, the final round of the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship.

The two pilots, representing the Dubai Victory Team, were involved in a high-speed crash during the early stages of the race, which was subsequently red flagged. Organisers cancelled all other events. Al Mehairi and Sanchez came together for the first time in the 2009 season opener in Doha, Qatar, and secured a pole position, race wins and the European title in their eight races together. www.class-1.com

The Gulf News reported that the Victory 1 boat flipped after hitting a wave on the fifth lap and landed upside down. It was travelling at around 180km/h. Racing had taken off as usual despite the prevailing weather conditions. There was a little drizzle and gusts of wind off the Mina Seyahi waters. At the time of the accident Fazza were clear leaders ahead of Welmax, while Victory 1 was in third place. Further information and video at www.gulfnews.com

Gudio Cappellini battled his way to a third place finish to win his tenth World Championship at the Grand Prix of Sharjah, the 16th and final round of the 2009 U.I.M. F1 H2O World Championship. www.f1h2o.com

The Melton Gold Cup will not be held on 5-7 February 2010. Although the water level at Melton Reservoir is now at 13 per cent, which is its highest for two years, Southern Rural Water will not allow boating on the Reservoir under 15 per cent. For a safe race meeting to be held on the Reservoir a minimum of 18 per cent is needed. From the forum at http://www.ausapba.com.au/

FISHING

Bar Crusher Boats recently teamed up with Navico Australia’s Dave Silva to develop the first 560XS Tournament model, designed around Dave’s passion for tournament barra fishing in the Top End. Built on the heavy-duty plate aluminium 6.10m (LOA) 560 hull, Bar Crusher’s high-tech Waveslicer™ non-pounding, deep-V hull design is perfect for handling the often messy conditions created through large tidal movement and wind, encountered along the Top End’s river systems and open coastline.

NEW BOOK

Rob Mundle has released his latest book, Hell on High Seas, which chronicles some of the most remarkable stories of survival and daring the world’s oceans have ever hosted. Amazing feats of courage: some verging on madness, others where death is eluded through sheer bravery, determination and innovation.

Four New Zealanders survived 119 days in a capsized trimaran before being washed ashore onto a rocky beach; Australian Ben Carlin and his wife, Elinore, survived a hurricane and crossed the Atlantic in their tiny amphibious jeep; five Mexican fishermen went to sea on a three-day shark-fishing trip in an open dory and vanished, but three reappeared nine months later; and more stories.

SAFETY

Recent changes to marine safety regulations mean people spend more time wearing their Personal Floatation Device (PFD). In Victoria everyone in a boat under 4.8m has to wear a PFD. Quicksilver’s new inflatable PFD1 jacket has been designed to be safe and effective while being comfortable enough to wear all day. It doesn’t cut into the back of your neck, rub your shoulders or scratch your skin, and is much less restrictive than most PFDs on the market.

The first NSW ‘Targeting Tinnies’ safety campaign for the summer boating season showed speeding and breaches of safety equipment rules were the most common offences. www.maritime.nsw.gov.au

NEWS BRIEFS

Where to find the best vantage points for Sydney’s New Years Eve celebrations and navigation restrictions for the start of the Sydney to Hobart race and other events are among many handy tips contained in Sydney’s Aquatic Events 2009-2010 – A Boating Guide, to be distributed free of charge by NSW Maritime to waterfront clubs, marinas, retailers and chandleries around the Harbour. www.maritime.nsw.gov.au.

Marina owners in Fiji are targeting the superyacht sector with the development of marinas able to accommodate large yachts. A drop in import duties on boats from 34 to 5 per cent, should also prompt charter boat owners and resort owners to upgrade their vessels in the area. www.ibinews.com

Geoff Holt from Britain has set out on his 60ft, purpose-built, wheelchair-accessible catamaran to become the first quadriplegic yachtsman to cross the Atlantic. Geoff will be accompanied on the voyage by a professional medically trained carer, to aid him with the physical aspects of his life but the carer will play no part in the sailing of the yacht. Holt is heading for Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, where in 1984 he dived into shallow water breaking his neck. www.geoffholt.com

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Dec 27 – Jan 24 – Kids on Deck – The National Maritime Museum’s summer school holiday program in Darling Harbour, Sydney. Children five to ten years enjoy the magic and mystery of dragons, unicorns and mermaids. Wet world is for children three to nine years to participate in fun activities exploring the properties of water. www.anmm.gov.au

Dec 31 – New Year’s Eve on Sydney Harbour – Family fireworks at 9pm with the main show on at midnight. www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nye/

Jan 2-3 -- Nagambie On Water Festival, Buckley Park, Nagambie. Saturday’s events include on water displays of wakeboarding, water skiing and jet skiing. Other activities include a fishing competition. Sunday is a Come n Try Day offering experiences in waterskiing, jet skiing, canoeing and more. www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au

Jan 23 – 24 -- Berri Resort Hotel Speedboat Spectacular on the Murray River, SA. Two full days of racing, culminating in the Australian Open Unlimited Championship for inboards and outboards, the Stannard Cup. www.speedboatspectacular.com

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 5 - 7 -- Melbourne International Boat & Lifestyle Show, Docklands. www.miblf.com.au

Feb 12 - 14 -- Club Marine Southern 80 - Water ski races are held on the Murray River in the border towns of Echuca - Moama. www.southern80.com.au

Feb 19 – 21 -- The Melbourne Wooden Boat Festival will be held at the Docklands precinct on Victoria Harbour. www.woodenboat.com.au/mwbf2010

Feb 25 - 27 -- Variety Splash - Participants will travel a round trip from Docklands’ Melbourne Yacht Club Hotel, with nightly stopovers at Sandringham Yacht Club and Royal Geelong Yacht Club. www.varietysplash.org.au

Feb 27-28 & Mar 6-7 -- 2010 Nautilus Boat Insurance 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 6 - 7 -- The fourth Whyte, Just and Moore Lawyers Wooden Boat Festival of Geelong will be held at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club. www.rgyc.com.au

Mar 6 – 7 -- Rosehill Trailerboat Show, Rosehill Racecourse, Sydney www.bia.org.au

Photograph: Victory 1 courtesy of