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The Spouting Whale Bluff Yacht Club

Editor: Lawrence Moorcroft Contact: 0835194669 Email: [email protected]

Office: 031-4661386 Email: [email protected]

Issue No: 22 November 2014

Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble.

The well known quote from Shakespeare’s Macbeth as the 3 witches dance around the bubbling cauldron and cast their evil spells ………… Something is wrong. Aren’t witches supposed to be ugly old toothless hags with sunken eyes and warts all over their noses? Whatever, our coven of old crones spotted at the recent Halloween party, certainly look as if they can bring some unsuspecting male under their spell!

with a little help from my friends Willi Quebbemann Andrew Prewett Pat Kamerman

From the Helm

Gooday fellow members, it’s been 2 months since the AGM and my goodness there has been a lot going on at the club. First the Sail Past which is an annual event opening the Club’s sailing season and welcomes the new committee members. The weather was not the best but thanks to a few hardy sailors, we raised the flags and had a sail past, with the committee boat being Blikkie, thanks Ashton and Charlotte. To all that sailed, the NSRI, the visiting Commodores, VIP’s Mrs Rowntree, Joy Baker, to all the helpers that made it a success, the Club thanks you. Congrats to Larry and Sarie, family and friends who all helped to make the Halloween evening a success. I certainly enjoyed it with a few friends. What value for money, well done folks. What was disappointing though was the club member’s attendance. Larry and Sarie went to a lot of trouble and there were only a handful of members to support him. I hope it will improve for the Christmas events. Come on members you have to try harder to support your club. Welcome back to Graham and Andrew from a very long delivery. Chatting to the guys it was a very interesting trip, am looking forward to their presentation at the club, so come listen and braai. The windy season is upon us, causing some damage. One boat sank after breaking her mooring. So please boat owners the onus is on you to ensure your mooring lines and sails are secure and fenders are in order. It’s not the clubs responsibility to look after your boat. Fortunately we have members who spend time at the club and thanks to them have prevented further damage to other boats. There have been talks about SAMSA introducing new rules. First the wearing of life jackets which is a good thing. The self inflating personal floating devices commonly known as PFD’s - passed by SAMSA are comfortable and unrestrictive. So if you are going to get life jackets for your yacht or ski boat get a PFD. Next is the radio operator’s licence. Rumours are if you have a licence you will have to redo your licence and convert to digital selective calling-DSC. Richard Crockett gave a good rundown on DSC in his sailing mag, I suggest everyone should read it if you plan to go to sea in the future. It will also put an end to rumours, especially those generated from and stuck on mahogany reef. Lastly, my brother and I flew to Cape Town, and spent a day at the boat show. What makes the show is the V & A waterfront, where the boats are moored, then its a ferry ride on the waterway to the ICC for the land based displays, all inclusive of the entry fee. Tops to that. I enjoyed the show and the excellent transport system in CT. Please support our club events, see you on the water, safety first. Andrew

Product Safety RecallGME EMERGEncy PoSition indicatinG Radio BEaconS (EPiRBS)

Mt400/Mt401/Mt403Standard Communications Pty Ltd designs and manufactures a range of Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) marketed globally under the GME brand.

Problem

After exhaustive testing we have identified a fault in the microprocessor of certain units that effectively shuts the beacon down. We are concerned that the beacon may not work in an emergency situation.

Action

In consultation with national maritime authorities, Standard Communications has decided to recall certain EPIRBs manufactured between January 2005 and February 2008.

The affected units are the MT400, MT401 and MT403 beacons with serial numbers between 50101000 and 80250722.

What should you do?

If you have a GME EPIRB, please check the model number and serial number. The serial number can be found on the left side of the beacon at the base of the identity panel.

If you own one of the affected units listed above, please contact GME at [email protected] or your local distributor to arrange a replacement of your beacon at no extra charge.

Standard Communications would also like to take this opportunity to remind all EPIRB users, regardless of the brand, to regularly test the unit. There should be a simple self-test mechanism on all units. You should also ensure that beacon batteries are replaced at intervals recommended by the manufacturer.

Standard Communications Pty Ltd PO Box 96, Winston Hills, NSW, 2153, Australia. www.gme.net.au

See www.recalls.gov.au for Australian product recall information

Drawing No: 47880-1

Bluff Yacht Club Sailpast 2014

Editor’s Spout.

At the recent Sailpast, Pat Kamerman got talking to Jackie Barnard of Sail Africa about the Bluff Yacht Club hosting a training camp to teach young children how to sail.

Jackie followed up with an e-mail detailing how Sail Africa would supply the coaches, the training boats, the rescue boat and all the buoyancy aids that would keep the children afloat should they fall into the water. The BYC would provide the venue and up to ten trainees between 8 and 12 years old [approx], each paying R700 for a five morning course. Seeing this offer as the proverbial ‘Just what the Doctor ordered’, and with the Rear Commodore Sailing, Steve Jones’ blessing, the wheels were set into motion to attract youngsters by advertising posters and sending sms’s to the members. If this does not produce the minimum of 6 trainees, then posters will be sent by e-mail to the schools in the south Durban area. This direction was not pursued at first as our timing was hampered by end of the year examinations. Happily the ball has been set in motion and I am positive that enough interest will be shown to fill all ten positions!

The Club of course benefits by hosting the course and thereby attracting parents and families of the participants to our facilities that they may never have visited normally. What a wonderful opportunity to make a festive occasion of the training week, with flags and welcoming banners and whatever else we can do to put the Bluff Yacht Club on the sailing map. We will need willing helpers, not for the course itself as Sail Africa has that base covered adequately, but to help implementing the host of ideas that this event will generate and flinging the doors wide open for future sail training camps.

Sailing for Children

FOREVER’S Journey We bought FOREVER in 2005 from Cliff Mottram who took 20years to build her. She was launched in 2001 and unfortunately their dream of cross ocean sailing was never realized. FOREVER began her adventure in July of 2007 when with Billy Beare at the helm we sailed to the Bazaruto archipelago. Time was spent relaxing and exploring the islands with Ash and Zel on Blikkie and Brett and Gideon on Priviledge. Now, anyone who has sailed through the gap between Bazaruto and Benquera knows that there is a right way and a wrong way. This particular day we had been out at 2 mile reef when we heard Graham and Che Coleman on the radio asking about coming in through the gap. Well Ashton was on hand and said that he would bring them through, just “follow me”. And so the story begins. Surfing through the gap we had hooked a fish and needed to boat it, so MOJO had to take evasive action as she was surfing on Blikkies tail, and, of course, Ashton was helming with his foot????!!!!. Then it was time to drop anchor so that Zel could go and look for beads on Bazaruto. Che’s comments are unprintable!!! A few weeks later we said goodbye to Billy who travelled back to SA, Blikkie headed up the east coast to Dar and a week after that Mojo was off to Bassas to meet up with another yacht. We hung around a few more days waiting for Ben and Cora on Aquarius but they had misfortunes of their own and turned back from Maputo. After filling diesel we left a few days later for Bassas and also tried the gap. As total greenhorns we undertook things that probably if we had known better we would not have attempted, but we got through scraping bottom and headed for Bassas. Imagine our surprise when we arrived at the way point Billy had put on the chart and Bassas wasn’t where it should have been!!! At Bassas we again met up with Graham and Che and Graham always the gentleman, took me under his wing and taught me the fine art of navigation. Three days and two stuck anchors later, which Graham and Gavin had to dive out, we left for Juan de Nova, where when we arrived the French would not allow us ashore. Then off to Madagascar and the infamous Cap St Andre. Sailing the coast of Madagascar with Mojo was the highlight of our trip. The one huge drawback was we had a draft of 1.9m and a catamaran only .9m, so they could tuck in behind an island and we couldn’t. We explored the coasts, rivers and bays, experiencing things some people in a whole lifetime would have no idea where, what or how. Towards the end of our time in Madagascar Peter fell ill, but was insistent that as our visas had come to an end we needed to leave Madagascar and head for Mayotte where we were sure to get better medical attention. Soo off we went, little did we both realize just how sick he was, it was then that I had no option but to take over completely. In Mayotte he obtained a script from a yachtie doctor and went onto anti-biotics for 10days.

by Peter and Yvonne Petersen

We were treated like royalty when we arrived at a restaurant to watch the Rugby World cup as it was the Springboks against the English, and the French were rooting for the Boks. Just as well we won!! Well time to leave Mayotte and head for the east coast of Africa and Ille de Mozambique, but that was not to be, as south of the Comores we starting running head on into current and then the storms started. Sailors become very religious when surrounded by severe rain squalls and lightning!!! Next stop Tegomagi in the Corimbas to rest. We sailed past Mtwara and onto Lindi Bay, but that was only cause we needed to buy cigarettes. The trek up Lindi bay was eventfull as there were dugouts all over, with their fishing lines out and gesturing to us which side we should pass. Next stop Mafia Island to rest and we had also decided that we needed to get to Dar es Salaam asap so that we could get back to SA. We flew back and Billy sailed FOREVER back to Durban. The next adventure with FOREVER was as far as Maputo where we tried several times to leave the marina, but as those who have been there know that a monohull with a 1.9m draft can only exit the marina on spring high, so as the season was changing we decided to come back to Durban. No longer will the familiar orange stackpack on the monohull FOREVER be seen around the club as she has been sold and has re-located to Richards Bay. We wish the new owners Ray and Lindy Spinney fair winds and calm seas, and hope their new adventure will be all they envisage.

Our first tunnel was at Braunston. Braunston is a historic canal town which marks the joining of two very important canals – the Oxford and the Grand Junction. In the early 1700’s these two main waterways were in hot competition for the heavily loaded cargo-carrying narrowboats and each side exacted heavy tolls from any boats that passed their way. Happily nowadays we just have to pay our annual licence fee and are free to travel where we please. So we cruised confidently passed the 1796 Stop House where the tolls were paid and winched our way through the flight of 6 Braunston locks. Now for the dreaded first tunnel which is 1.9km long and was cut through an ironstone outcrop. It has a slight bend in it which means once in you cannot see the other end. Pitch black eeriness enveloped Dave and I. Our spot light at the front managed to penetrate some of the darkness but when I turned to look at Dave who was standing just a few steps behind me all I saw was inky blackness. All that changed in an instant when a boat appeared from the other direction. Blinded by their spotlight Dave tried to manoeuvre Driftwood to pass port to port. Blackness means you have no reference point to steer by and so with some bumping and grinding we made our way slowly through. There are huge ventilation shafts to allow fresh air into the tunnel and as we passed under each one we gasped as we were showered with icy cold water.

Of course we have it easy nowadays. In the old days narrowboats were ‘powered’ by horses but the long black tunnels were no places for horses – so two boatmen lay on their backs on the roof of the boat, and placed their feet on the sides of the tunnel - then literally walked the boat through. This was called legging – a superhuman physical feat. As we encountered more tunnels we got used to the blackness. We now don wet weather gear however fine the weather and we have learnt to shine a torch on the side of the tunnel to give Dave a point of reference. Leaving all the internal lights switched on also helps. Highlights are the 2.9km Blissworth, the third longest tunnel, and the Husbands Bosworth tunnel which boasts a ghost. This must have made it difficult to find men to do the legging! We loved the ghost as tea mysteriously appeared when we emerged from the tunnel. I think the ghost is called Bev – like Dave’s sister.

Tunnelling around the canals. by Dave & Elizabeth Wood

Leaving Braunston Tunnel literally walked the boat through.

But the mother and father of all tunnels is the Harecastle tunnel. Constructed in 1777 it has a chequered history of collapses and other problems. It is narrow and can only take one-way-traffic so when you arrive you have to book in and wait – like waiting to see the dentist! The tension rises. As you enter the very small entrance strong doors clang shut behind you and huge extractor fans roar into action supplying fresh air. It is terrifying. The roof is low to begin with and then it gets lower and lower. Dave had me yelling in his ear to duck all the way through which lasted 40 long minutes. At last the light at the end of the tunnel got bigger and bigger and we were through! Stories of tunnel ghosts abound – a headless woman, white horses, ghost boats and once the barrier gates would not open! But we got through and felt like heroes.

Eerie darkness Entrance to the dreaded tunnel

Out and safe!

There is nothing quite as satisfactory for a small child, but to don some grotesque mask, hide behind the door, and frighten whoever passes through. If the target person over reacts to the scare tactic, the child is doubly rewarded. There seems to be no end to the pleasure a child derives from doing this, and it is therefore small wonder that they enjoy halloween to do just this – frighten people. Of course in America, the added attraction is trick and treating, where children dress up in costume [not necessarily as ghosts] and go from house to house to be plied with sweets and cakes and other tooth decaying goodies. Needless to say, dentists simply love Halloween! The Halloween tradition that was completely unknown in South Africa a decade ago has now taken root and celebrated with parties and spooky get togethers. Larry Rowlands organized a Halloween party at the BYC and it certainly produced some scary moments. Prizes were awarded at the whim of the judges and almost everyone got something. Soup, probably prepared from the witches’ cauldrons in the galley kitchen and bunnychows fed the gathering of ghouls. At the end of the evening that included an ultra-violet light display of glowing gloves in the dark, set to the strains of the Phantom of the Opera’s , Music of the night, everyone seemed to have had an agreeably eerie apparition evening. Larry’s final comment, ‘As long as the kids have had fun’ and so say all of us! Thanks Larry.

A couple of young wannabe witches appears from out of the shadows

Even the crusty old pirate from the haunted house on the hill was there

Halloween evening

Snippets

IOU Fees.

IOU of course refers to In Out & Under, rather than ‘I owe you’.

Bringing a boat onto the Hardpark will need the following refundable deposit.

• Ferro cement hulls R10,000.00 • Fibreglass [GRP] hulls (to be assessed) R2,000.00 to R5,000.00 • Wooden hulls (to be assessed) R2,000.00 to R5,000.00 • Steel hulls R2,000.00

Bequeath your inheritance to the NSRI!

It wards off wearisome ghosts

Wednesday 26th November at 6pm Gavin van der Meulen presents his experiences in the Round the World Clipper races. Don’t miss this one!! Wednesday 3rd December at 6pm Graham Coleman and Andrew Prewett. Slide show on their recent catamaran delivery from Durban to Cypress Saturday 13th December from 9am to 11am Boat Jumble Sale and flea market. Bring your unneeded boat bits and equipment to sell. Saturday 13th December at 11.30am Children’s Christmas Party. Tuesday 16th December Traditional Silt Canal Club Crawl. It was loads of fun last year. Wednesday 31st December New Year’s Eve party

Up&coming events for December at the Club

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