grantmc

For commercial operators there's no such law, but there is for recreational. In respect to the recent tragedy that this post has followed, was the charter commercial or recreational?

Not correct. No such law exists. There is a code of practice for crossing a bar established by Maritime NZ. The link: http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/commercial/safety/crossing-the-bar/ Nor does the code require life jackets top be worn. Here's the relevant section of the code in respect to the specific type of PFD: Ensure lifesaving equipment is easily accessible and ready for immediate use. Every person should wear a lifejacket or personal flotation device (PFD) of an appropriate size, particularly children. There are many approved inflatable lifejackets that are easy and comfortab

I agree Admiral. It's like yesterday's story in stuff about some sail boats in Evans Bay (Wellington) that capsized as a squall went through. A small fleet of 420 dinghys actually practicing. 420s capsize all the time and are quite tippy little boats. So I guess we can expect a report in the media from now on whenever a dinghy capsizes. Complete non news.

Been there, done that, got the tee shirt.

Map of restricted area

The Harbour Master has put a restricted zone around much of Centre Port's and the Rail Ferry's wharf areas. This is due to the damage caused by the earthquake last week. The area is visible on the water with yellow buoys marking the restricted zone.

Noticed an advert for a boat for sale. The notes about the boat included 'cutlass bearing needs replacing'. and I wondered how would you know your cutlass bearing needs replacing? This particular boat is on a hard stand. Obviously bearings breakdown. Presumably the problem would result in a serious water ingress? Are they an item that needs replacing periodically? Thanks for your thoughts.

Heaps of good suggestions. Wheels and IT, as usual, right on the money. D'Urville on both coasts is an awesome adventure. Mana to Port Harby through Stephens Passage or just sail around the island is an easy trip in a Southerly. Port Hardy (Philatee Bay, not sure how you spell that) is just astonishingly beautiful as is the DOC camp just beyond. We always take a couple of riffles (or cameras) as the deer hunting is excellent too. A saunter around the lake at the entrance to Port Hardy is a lovely afternoon and the fishing, wow. If you like snorkeling there are always butter fish. We've never s

The dignitaries have been invited, the catering has been organised, the club is looking spic and span and the 98th Opening Day of the Evans Bay Yacht & Motor Boat Club is set for this coming Saturday 1 October 2016. Guests will begin arriving from 1100hrs with the formalities and speeches kicking off at midday. The ceremony will be followed by a light lunch and the Opening Day Races. We've also arranged for clear blue skies and a warm northerly breeze. It will be great to see as many people and boats as possible to celebrate the start of another fantastic summer season of sailing a

I recommend the documentary film Chasing Bubbles . The film is 1 hour 24 mins and is free to watch on YouTube. Following the life of Alex Rust as he tries to find meaning by sailing around the world we share intimate moments behind the facade of a continuous party. Without knowing the ending, right from the film's start we know there has to be a bad ending. I think any cruiser, aspiring to sail long passages will find some gems in this film. The highs and lows, the breakdowns, the near misses, and the accidents. Above all the friends one makes along the way. And nope I have nothing at all

Just a few hundred metres to the east of French Pass there is a tiny village (perhaps look with Google Earth). There's a single general and yes they still sell diesel), a jetty and an old school, Plus a Doc motor camp, very basic with col as showers. Out front there are several moorings. Even at the height of Summer there's always a spare mooring or 2. Ask at the shop.

Single handed division? How's about more info please Jeff.

Sounds like huge fun.

Like many Clubs, our local boat club is in need of some inspiration to both improve the member roll and help attract our wider membership to front up. Our Club is all run, and mostly staffed by volunteers, many of whom make huge contributions of their time. It’s a boat Club with 400 odd members, sailing all classes from dinghies to keelers and of course all ages from 8 to 108. Our sailing classes are excellent and full to overflowing. But much of the time, when I look around inside the Club house all I see is a bunch of guys over 50. We do have a reasonably well attended racing program

What's prompted you to make that comment today Saint?

For proof of ownership of any asset in NZ, isn't our only option the Personal Property Securities Register? Certainly that's what the banks and finance companies use.

Perhaps ScottiE but perhaps not. If the seller and buyer register separately (the normal process), then they each pay $55. But the above charges are only relevant if the boat is already registered with YNZ. If the boat isn't already registered then the standard fee is $365. For those requiring special number, ie classic yachts using say the E series then the fee is $620. It can get even worse for a trailer sailor. I was told by a YNZ staffer that the reason the YNZ register is such a mess is because about 11-12 years ago YNZ lost the registration database and had no backup.

IT I think there's been topic creep. The original posts were all about registration of a boat for offshore. Ie the Maritime NZ register. But it's changed to the register run by Yachting NZ. And as you know the two registers are quite independent. In respect to the rather argumentative postings concerning the YNZ register, YNZ service etc, I wonder if perhaps it should be a separate topic?

Did you pull your thong up the wrong way round? Hey it happens to us all, but really. Down boy, down!

Unless your boat needs PHRF, then unlikely any race officials at your local sail boat club would care less. Even less likely that anyone would look up on the YNZ register. The YNZ register has been full of mistakes, errors and omissions for years. YNZ don't care, why would anyone else?

Someone posted this photo on their facebook page yesterday. Photo was taken by an Evening Post photographer during a storm in 1963. The photographer was standing pretty much where the southern end of the apartments in question are located (they run north/south). As you can see the sea is actually so deep from built up northerly wind waves and high tide that the wall is almost submerged (it's usually 1.5 mtrs higher than high tide). In 1989-90 the western wall (in the photo's foreground) was raised by 1 mtr. (At least I know that my boat's safe in any Wellington storm.)

Caper was moored at Seaview marina and owned by a Wellington family until about 6 years ago. She was used very little and I think health issues eventually forced her sale. An astonishingly nice boat. I believe Caper was still in survey when she was sold. I spotted her in Fiji last year at Vuda Point marina. Still looking quite magnificent too.

You'll find a reasonable level of information for the trip here: http://www.cruiserswiki.org/wiki/New_Zealand It's fairly basic stuff, charts to carry, ports you can visit, services available etc. I have to confess to being the person who has done much of the material for the East Coast, North Island, so any suggestions for improvement very welcome. It's a terrific trip and lots of fun. Especially if you're not in a hurry. The scenery is awesome. Worthwhile going ashore at a bay or two on East Coast proper. By the time you get to Gisborne you might need a shower. The pub at the tiny marin

That's my point. And ok it still isn't perfect. But those poor practices were pretty much stopped in the motor industry by clear rules, inspector education and as a result we have consistent inspections. But yacht inspections seem stuck in the 1980s.

The variability and inconsistency between inspectors makes the system somewhat of a farce. Imagine if we just ran round as suggested with our cars until we found a garage that would provide it with a WOF. But this seems to be the practice with yachts. It's caused of course because so much of the regulation is open to interpretation because it lacks definition. Also as pointed out earlier the rules are now so far out of date. It's not even clear what category an event should be given the rules use vague and non specific words like; very extended, heavy storms, serious emergencies, self-suff