Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

WHALE WARS

The Ady Gil has officially been declared sunk in remote Antarctic waters after a collision with a Japanese whaling vessel. Six crew members aboard the $1.5 million anti-whaling ship were rescued, one with broken ribs. The high-tech trimaran, formally called Earthrace, set the record for a powerboat circumnavigation around the world in 2008. She could travel over 13,000 nautical miles on one tank of fuel and ran on 100 per cent biodiesel made from sustainable sources.

According to eyewitness Captain Chuck Swift on the Sea Shepherd ship Bob Barker, the attack happened while the vessels were dead in the water. The Shonan Maru No. 2 suddenly started up and deliberately rammed the Ady Gil ripping eight feet of the bow of the high-tech trimaran completely off.

Sea Shepherd captain Paul Watson has accused Japanese whalers of a high seas hit-and-run, disputing claims the collision was accidental. Japan's Fisheries Agency has blamed The Ady Gil for the crash, saying it slowed suddenly while crossing in front of the Shonan Maru.

Asked if the environmental group would press charges against the whalers, Mr Watson said "there's no law down here, there's no way to bring charges against anybody". For more information see Seashepherd.org and Earthrace.net.

INFLATABLES

Quicksilver’s new 470 Heavy Duty Sports inflatable boat is rated to handle a 60hp outboard and is based on the TM 470 which they produce for military use. With a maximum load carrying capacity of 1,800kg (or up to 11 people) it’s an option for diving enthusiasts or fishermen and has stainless steel towing eyes in the reinforced transom for tow sports.

POWERBOAT RACING

For the first time since joining the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship in 1993, 2009 saw the Victory Team achieve the Grand Slam of all four titles in the same year, winning the World, European, Middle East and Edox Pole Position Championships.

But their year was shrouded in sadness and ended in tragedy with the loss of the lives of pilots Mohammad Al Mehairi and Jean-Marc Sanchez in a high-speed racing accident on Friday, 11 December, in the Dubai Grand Prix. Visit Class-1.com for more.

SAFETY & RESCUE

After two boat fires in NSW this week boat owners are reminded to be extremely cautious about fire safety on vessels, particularly when refueling. Fumes can linger in confined spaces after refueling so it is important to allow vapors to dissipate or use blower ventilation if your boat is equipped with these devices. It is also good practice to remove passengers and crew during the refueling and start up process. Maritime.NSW.gov.au.

A safety campaign aimed at educating NSW boaters about the rules and risks of towing sports saw mixed results with a low compliance rate overall. Almost 1800 vessels were inspected by NSW Maritime Boating Safety Officers during Operation Tow Smart which targeted activities such as waterskiing, aquaplaning and wakeboarding. Over the three days from January 1 to 3, 132 penalty notices and 104 formal warnings were issued across NSW.

Rules to ensure safe boating while towing people and devices include:

•  Keep the boat and device at least 30m clear of powered vessels, the shore and structures;

•  Keep the boat and device at least 60m clear of swimmers and non-powered craft;

•  Carry an observer aged 16 years or older or a young adult licence holder to keep watch over the people being towed;

•  Don’t tow more than three people at the same time;

•  Ensure people being towed, whether in a tube, on skis or on a wakeboard, wear a life jacket and the towing vessel is registered and displays a capacity plate. Maritime.NSW.gov.au.

Marine Rescue NSW, the new boating safety organization, is comprised of volunteers from the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association, Volunteer Rescue Association, Marine Branch, and the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol. Launched on New Year’s Day, the group had a busy first weekend, recording 440 radio contacts compared with 89 in the same period last year. MarineRescueNSW.com.au.

NEWS BRIEFS

Townsville’s Reef HQ Aquarium has begun a behind-the-scenes daily tour of its new turtle hospital so visitors can learn more about the plight of endangered sea turtles. A Reef Guide explains how each turtle came into Reef HQ’s care and what sort of treatment they are receiving. Other popular exhibits include the coral reef and predator exhibits, daily talks about the creatures and corals of the Great Barrier Reef and feeding tours of sharks and other marine life. ReefHQ.com.au.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Jan 15 – 16 -- Freestyle Sports Expo at Mulwala Water Ski Club & the Ski Park, NSW. Freestyle Motocross, BMX, water skiing includes barefoot, slalom, freestyle jumping and even Sampson the monster truck. MulwalaWaterski.com.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. 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 AustraliaDay.com.au.

Feb 5 - 7 -- Melbourne International Boat & Lifestyle Show, Docklands. More information.

Feb 6 – 7 -- Australian Formula Powerboat Association, round two on the Clarence River, Grafton, NSW. Racing will include Formula Futures, Mono Hull, Formula 1, 2 and 3, with each class contesting three races each on Saturday and Sunday.

Feb 12 - 14 -- Club Marine Southern 80 - Water ski races are held on the Murray River in the border towns of Echuca - Moama. Southern80.com.au.

Feb 19 – 21 -- The Melbourne Wooden Boat Festival will be held at the Docklands precinct on Victoria Harbour. More information.

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. 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. RGYC.com.au.

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

Mar 19 – 21 -- 2010 Brisbane Tinnie and Tackle Show, RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane. TinnieandTackle.com.au.

Mar 26 - 28 -- Club Marine Trailer Boat Fishing Tournament, Port Stephens NSW. 1500 competitors and 500 boats compete for around $100,000 in prizes. More details.

April 2 – Good Friday 

Photograph: Ady Gil – courtesy of Glenn Lokitch/Sea Shepherd