Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

SEAPLANE

Richard Branson has added Necker Nymph, an underwater seaplane, to his toybox on Necker Island in the Caribbean. Designed and built by Hawkes Ocean Technologies, the Necker Nymph is a new class of high-performance, positively buoyant vehicles which safely extend the overall capabilities of scuba diving, while offering the unique experience of underwater flight. Unlike all conventional submersibles which use ballast to sink in the water, the DeepFlight submersible uses downward 'lift' on the wings to fly down to depth. Seating two guests and a pilot, the open cockpits afford near ideal 360 degree viewing for occupants, creating a uniquely open experience. The Necker Nymph submersible is available either when chartering Necker Belle, a luxury 105 foot catamaran, or when staying on Necker Island. Chec out DeepFlight.com for more info.

FISHING

Team Mercury secured a third straight Australian Fishing Championship (AFC), coming from behind at the final round at Tweed River. A 32cm bream weighing a mere 660 grams made all the difference. It beat the competition’s 540 gram fish to give Team Mercury the round and the title on count back. Along with team stalwart and bream specialist, Darren ‘Dizzy’ Borg, Team Mercury consisted of fellow veteran Matthew Mott (bass), new comers and barra guns Al McNamara and Matthew Coleman and AFC regulars Dave Green and Ben Godfrey, who pulled the winning fish. The guys were fishing from a Nitro Z7 bass boat powered by a 150hp OptiMax outboard and manoeuvred by a MotorGuide Tour Edition electric trolling motor.

Representatives from the recreational fishing industry, fisheries research agencies, government funding bodies and recreational fishers across Australia have united to undertake the first large-scale survey of longtail tuna catches in Australia. Longtail tuna is the second smallest species of the ‘true’ tunas (i.e. the Thunnus genus) growing to a maximum length of 142cm and weight of 35.6kg. LongTailTuna.com.au.

SAFETY & RESCUE

A ‘Take Care – Be Prop Aware’ campaign has been launched in NSW to reduce boat propeller injuries. According to NSW Maritime records, five people have died and 46 suffered injuries after being struck by a spinning propeller, an impact known as ‘prop strike’, in the past six years. More information on prop strike and general boating safety can be found at Maritime.NSW.gov.au.

NEWS BRIEFS

Commodore Mike Stringer ESM OAM of Narrabeen, a member of the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol for 37 years and now one of the nine original directors of the unified Marine Rescue NSW, has been honoured as a Member (AM) in the Order of Australia in the 2010 Australia Day honours list. Commodore Peter Campton of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard North NSW Squadron and Commodore Kevin Hill, deputy Officer Commanding RVCP and member of Marine Rescue Jervis Bay, were both awarded the Emergency Services Medal (ESM).www.marinerescuensw.com.au

The Phoenician Ship Expedition launched from Arwad, Syria, in August 2008 aims to re-create the first circumnavigation of Africa, believed to have been achieved by Phoenician mariners in 600 BC. The replica 70-foot Phoenician ship sailed through the Suez Canal and into the Red Sea and reached the Hodeidah in the Republic of Yemen in January 2009. In September the Phoenicia rounded the Horn of Africa and sailed down the east coast, stopping at Aden (Yemen), Salalah (Oman), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and Beira (Mozambique). The vessel is now in Richards Bay, South Africa, before sailing on to Cape Town and the Cape of Good Hope. Phoenicia.org.uk.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Feb 5 - 7 -- Melbourne International Boat & Lifestyle Show, Docklands. MIBLF.com.au.

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. Woodenboat.com.au.

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