Boating NZ January 2018

It’s hard to believe that, after one of the wettest years on record, large parts of the country are now sweltering under extremely parched conditions. Many places already resemble the African savannah. Remarkably, local authorities are urging responsible use of water because summer’s only just started. The warnings are dire – it’s going to get much, much drier. Boaties, understandably, will be relishing the golden weather after months of the miserable wet, and I’ll wager that for many, any pre-existing festive season plans will suddenly have morphed into a boating holiday. That’s great – but there’s a rider. As a nation of boaties we don’t have a particularly attractive safety record – and statistically, far more boats on the water equates to more accidents and drownings. By the time we…

In a radical step to help the conservation of marine creatures such as whales, giant rays and turtles, Mexico’s government has created North America’s largest ocean reserve around its Revillagigedo islands, some 390km south-west of the Baja California peninsula. The 150,000 km2 protected area includes four volcanic islands – the Revillagigedo archipelago – which are part of a submerged volcanic mountain range. The local ecosystem supports some 400 species of fish, sharks and rays and is home to hundreds of species of animals and plants, lizards and migratory birds. It’s also the breeding ground for commercially-fished species such as tuna and sierra. These have suffered, unable to reproduce fast enough. With all fishing activities now prohibited, the new reserve will be key to their recovery. Mexico’s president, Enrique Peña Nieto,…

Barefoot Sailing Adventures – based in the Bay of Islands – is New Zealand’s first recipient of a newly-created category in the Blue Flag Accreditation programme. Blue Flag is a world-renowned eco-label operating in 45 countries with over 4,000 marinas, beaches and sustainable boating operators flying the Blue Flag internationally. It’s new category – Sustainable Boating Tourism Operator (SBTO) – was awarded to Barefoot Sailing Adventures thanks to its “strong environmental focus throughout all their activities and sustainable boating tourism.” Company spokesman Rachael Biggins says the environmental education component of the programme attracted her to Blue Flag. “We are passionate about providing support and educating others on conservation initiatives, such as ‘Project Island Song’ in the Bay of Islands; the Blue Flag criteria aligns well with this commitment.” Three Auckland…

BEST EVER PRIZE AT 2018 SHOW Boaties and fishers at the 2018 Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show in Auckland in May will have the chance to win a boat package worth over $180,000. The prize is a Surtees/Yamaha Grand Prize that is almost certainly the biggest, most expensive, single prize ever given away at a boat show, anywhere in the world. Show general manager, Dave Gibbs, says athough full specifications of the prize won’t be unveiled until the New Year, it will include one of Surtees Boats’ ‘go anywhere’ flagship models, powered by a pair of the latest Yamaha engines. “It will have a top speed of at least 43 knots, a comfortable cruise speed of 20- 22 knots and will have a cruising range of over 250 nautical miles.…

It was a victory that captivated a nation, so it was little surprise when Emirates Team New Zealand was named Executive Travel Sailor of the Year at the recent Volvo Yachting Excellence Awards. ETNZ beat Oracle 7-1 in Bermuda in June to win the Auld Mug, and received the Sir Bernard Fergusson trophy at a gala dinner at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. Peter Burling and Blair Tuke have won previous Sailor of the Year awards and had a big hand in ETNZ’s America’s Cup campaign as key sailing members. Neither were able to attend the Volvo Yachting Excellence Awards with both chasing a rare treble – the Volvo Ocean Race to go with their Olympic gold medal and America’s Cup win. Burling also picked up a performance award…

Marlborough volunteer David St John took home four of the seven gongs at the recent Coastguard New Zealand Awards of Excellence – including the supreme Hutchwilco Coastguard Volunteer of the Year. The annual ceremony recognises Coastguard volunteers and units across seven award categories, acknowledging the rescues undertaken on the boats as well as the work that goes on behind the scenes on land. Says Coastguard New Zealand CEO, Patrick Holmes: “Last year 6,797 New Zealanders were brought home to their families thanks to the selflessness and dedication of our 2,052 volunteers around the country. They really are good people doing extraordinary things in our communities.” In addition to the supreme award, David also won the Community Relations Activity of the Year, the Century Yuasa Rescue Vessel Volunteer of the Year…