Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

Lincoln Tuna Classic, scientists test catch-and-release methods, Class 1 boats test torque sensor, cement ships cut short racing

FISHING

The annual Riviera Port Lincoln Tuna Classic on 30 April-1 May has attracted teams from interstate and abroad and, with a limit of 20 boats, organisers are encouraging early nominations. Port Lincoln has some of the best game fishing and cruising grounds in Australia and is home to the Southern Bluefin Tuna. In 2007 five boats in two days caught 5,000kg of 16kg Southern Bluefin Tuna on 10kg lines. A fleet of Rivieras travelling in convoy for R Marine South Australia’s Port Lincoln Owner Experience will depart Adelaide on April 21.

Scientists in NSW have put popular catch-and-release angling methods to the test, to find if fish caught from deep water survive. The vast majority do, depending on where and how they are caught and handled. Barotrauma can occur when fish are caught from water deeper than about 10m. Barotrauma results from the expansion of gasses in fish due to depth-related pressure changes, and causes several symptoms; the most noticeable of which are the protrusion of the stomach into the mouth, bulging eyes and a swollen abdomen. When releasing such fish, many anglers either insert a needle into the abdomen to release the gas, called “venting”, or attach a weighted hook to the fish and sink them back to their capture depth. www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries

POWERBOAT RACING

With the Class 1 season-opener in Abu Dhabi (13-15 April) just weeks away, several teams were out testing the compulsory torque sensor, one of the new technical and regulatory requirements introduced this year by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the sport’s world governing body. The torque sensor is fitted to the driveshaft between the engine and the propellers and records a variety of data; rpm, speed, torque and horsepower. This information is then downloaded into a software programme which deciphers and evaluates the engine parameters and performance at any given point on the course and can show whether or not the boats is running within the agreed regulations. www.class-1.com

Racing was cut short at the Rayglass New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Series at Marsden Cove by the intrusion of two large cement ships heading through the course and, despite being asked by race officials, refusing to wait for the race to finish. This was disappointing for everyone as the organisers go to a lot of trouble to ensure the waterway is closed to traffic and official notice is given to vessels so the boats can race in a safe environment. www.nzoffshore.co.nz

SAFETY & RESCUE

A safety warning to commercial vessel owners follows the release of the Ferry Safety Investigation report into the fire on board rocket ferry Jillian on the evening of 28 April 2010. The fire was caused by the radiated heat coming from a crack in an exhaust pipe under the deck, behind an engine room. The report found the vessel’s thermal detectors were incorrectly wired so the fire alarm didn’t activate. www.maritime.nsw.gov.au

Marine Rescue Narooma towed a local Bermagui boat back to shore after it reported having engine troubles five nautical miles off Baracoot Point. Marine Rescue Woolgoolga towed a vessel competing in the annual Woolgoolga Bluewater Freedivers Classic back to shore as it had a broken a steering cable. www.marinerescuensw.com.au/

NEWS BRIEFS

Mercury Marine announces Nowra Marine, on the south coast of NSW, as Australia and New Zealand Dealer of the Year for 2010. This award is not only based on sales results but on growth year on year, the way dealers support Mercury products and programs, their other promotions and customer events, customer service, and the general presentation of the dealership.

Director of Riviera Syndication, Sharon Russell, was unanimously re-elected as the president of the board of directors of Marine Queensland, a role she first took over in 2010. www.marineqld.com.au/

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Apr 1-3 -- Club Marine Trailer Boat Fishing Tournament, Port Stephens NSW. 1500 competitors and 500 boats compete for around $100,000 in prizes. www.tbft.com.au

April 3 -- Daylight Saving ends in ACT, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.

Apr 8-10 -- 2011 Brisbane Tinnie and Tackle Show, RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane www.tinnieandtackle.com.au

April 10 -- ORCV's Rip Tour. No matter whether you're an avid yachty, casual fisherman, dedicated beach walker, interested surfer, summertime boaty, keen historian or local resident the tour of The Rip at Port Phillip heads is informative and educational and therefore sells out quickly. www.orcv.org.au

Apr 15-17 -- Club Marine Southern 80 - Water ski races are held on the Murray River in the border towns of Echuca - Moama. www.southern80.com.au

April 16 – 17 -- Geelong Heritage Festival. This National Trust organised community event’s theme is ‘Water’. The Royal Geelong Yacht Club will have all types of historic vessels from times gone by on show and sailing. Some rare film footage will be shown of yachting on Port Phillip Bay from the 1930s. The Enterprize will be berthing at the Club all weekend. www.rgyc.com.au

April 22 -- Good Friday.

April 22 -- Australian Formula Jet Sprint Championships at Temora NSW. www.v8superboats.com.au

April 22-24 -- Burrum Heads Easter Fishing Classic celebrates one of Australia's favorite passtimes, as well as the magnificent Fraser Coast region. While prizes are awarded for both live and caught fish in a number of categories, the emphasis is on the random prize draws. www.burrumfishingclassic.com.au

April 23 -- Australian Formula Jet Sprint Championships at Griffith NSW. www.v8superboats.com.au

April 23-24 -- Lake Macquarie Classic Boatfest, Toronto NSW www.classicboatfest.com.au

April 25-30 -- 2011 Cod Nationals, Lake Mulwala. The “Cod Nationals” is designed for the country’s most fair-dinkum anglers to pit their skill against each other over a five-day period while chasing the legendary Murray Cod. www.codclassic.com.au

Apr 30-May 1 -- Australian Offshore Superboat Championship - Round 1, Newcastle. www.superboat.com.au

May 19-22 -- Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, Gold Coast. www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au

Photograph: Steaming out for the Port Lincoln Tuna Classic.

Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

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