Eternity took a short trip to visit Broughton Island

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Hello fellow Cruisers,

Spring is finally here and MHYC held the opening day on Saturday 2nd September, which means that the racing sailing season has officially begun.

A lot of our fellow cruisers have been enjoying winter in warmer climates, both sailing and/or exploring and we are looking forward to sharing stories of adventures at our monthly meetings.

Time to get the boats ready for summer and whatever adventures you choose to go on, be it with your boat or on land with fellow cruising members. Keep an eye on the cruising events on the website or in the Compass Rose and come along wherever you can.

I look forward to catching up with you all both on land and on water.

The Make-a-Wish sail is on the 15 th of October. Our charity sail with kids and their families who are doing it tough due to illness. If you or your friend have a boat and you would be able to come along and take a family for a sail around the harbour, get in touch with us.

The long lunch is now back – 22 October at Foys Kirribilli – more information further on in the Compass Rose. Remember to book your seat as soon as possible.

Stay safe on and off the Water.

Sanna

Captain Cruising, S/V RaRa

The events are updated on the cruising website. Keep an eye out there for any changes.

September winner: Sardinia Sunset - Jeremy Clarke

Send your photos to Mike McEvoy to enter into the 2023 Cruising Division Competition. Each Month the best photo received will be published and, in the running, to win a new Mystery Prize at the end of 2023.

Send your best photos (as a JPG / JPEG) - Remember … to be in the running to win the prize you must be in it.

Hint …. Give your favourite photo a Title and Place taken. Submit your photos to mmcevoy@bigpond.net.au

Good Shooting …!! Mike.

1. You see a large commercial vessel flying two flags (from adjacent halyards) – one a red swallowtail, and the other showing white and red vertical halves.  What do these mean?
2. You are sailing in the Hawkesbury River at night and you see a vessel showing normal nav lights, plus a green light over a white light at the masthead.  What should you do, and why?
3. Two vessels are approaching each other under sail and look to be at risk of collision.  One is on port tack and the other on starboard tack.  Does either vessel have right of way?
4. What is a Tidal Atlas, and do we have one for Australian waters?
5. Your chart says (in the notes): IALA Maritime Bouyage System – Region A.  Where is region B and what differences should we expect in that region?
6. You are motoring up the Brisbane River and arrive at the Gateway Marina, and wish to come alongside the outer arm.  The wind is blowing from the east (astern) at 20kts, and you notice the tide is flowing out at 5kts.  In which direction is it best to approach
   a) Heading upstream?
   b) Heading downstream?
7. You see a red flare go off at night, but are concerned since it is in the middle of an area of reefs and strong currents.  What are your obligations, and why?  What would you do?
8. What causes “prop walk”, what is it’s effect on your own boat, and what can you use it for?
9. You are taking a 3-point compass fix using:
   - A nearby wharf
   - A prominent building about 3 miles off
   - A distant mountain top about 15 miles off
   In which order should you take these?  Which one should you be most concerned about getting an absolutely accurate bearing?
10. We are coming up to summer, and may be tempted to have a drink onboard.What is the alcohol limit on the water in Sydney, and who does this limit apply to?

The latest on Swansea Channel from LMYC

Dredging of the channel has finally commenced and is expected to be finished by the end of November 2023 (although we have heard that we should be able to navigate it well before that date).

We still need to continue the pressure for a long term solution (permanent dredge and pipeline to Blacksmiths Beach). Please contact the minister for transport using the following link www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/ministers/minister-for-transport. Compliment them on the progress with the temporary dredging, but emphasise the need to permanently keep the channel navigable. Copy to your local member.

1. The solid red swallowtail flag is code flag B (bravo), meaning dangerous goods are on board.  The flag with red and white vertical halves is code flag H (hotel) – meaning pilot on board.  On Sydney Harbour it is most likely an oil tanker heading to (or departing from) Gore Cove terminal.
2. It is a trawler with nets out, and you must give way under the rules.  I would keep clear specially of the area astern to avoid the nets.
3. Under the Collregs there is no such thing as a right of way.  One vessel (the starboard tack vessel) is the “stand on” vessel and has a responsibility to hold course and allow the other vessel time to give way.  The other vessel (the port tack vessel) is the “give way” vessel and must take early and decisive action.  If it becomes obvious that the give way vessel is not taking sufficient action and that a collision is possible, then the stand on vessel then has a responsibility to take whatever action is necessary to avoid the collision.
4. A Tidal Atlas gives the expected direction and strength for tidal currents.  They are common (and very useful) insome overseas jurisdictions such as the UK.  The author is only aware of one published source for Australian waters – in the Australian National Tide Tables published by the Navy (Australian Hydrographic Publication 11) – which covers (pretty briefly) only 4 Australian ports.
5. Region B is the Americas (North and South), Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, while the rest of the world (including us) is in region A.  The difference is in the lateral markers – Red markers are to port going TOWARDS the sea, whilst green are to starboard towards the sea.  The only other difference is that red markers have a (red) cone shape on top whilst green markers have a (green) can shape on top.  All other markers are the same.
6. I would approach heading upstream, since the tidal current at 5kts would have a much bigger effect on your vessel than the wind astern at 20kts.
7. You have an obligation (both legal and moral) to give all possible assistance without endangering your own life.  You would probably choose to stand by at the closest possible point and give any assistance possible.
8. “Prop walk” is the tendency for a propeller in reverse to pull the stern to one side before the vessel starts to make way in reverse.  It is very useful in pulling the stern of a vessel in to a wharf, and in making short turns.
9. You should take the sights which change most after the others – so without better information we would take the distant mountain top first, then the building, then the nearby wharf last (bearings abeam usually change faster than bearings ahead or astern).  You should be most concerned with accuracy on the furthest away items as a small change in these will affect the bearings most – so be most concerned with accuracy on the distant mountain top, and least concerned with the nearby wharf.
10. The alcohol limit on the water is 0.05%, and this applies to both the helmsman and to the skipper.