Tidelines: Big sloop added to Wally range

Monaco-based Wally Yachts is to add a 45m (148ft) sloop to its range. The carbon yacht, developed from the Wally 143, is expected to be launched in 2007. It has a medium-light displacement of 150 tonnes, and a lifting keel that increases the draft from 4.2m to 6.2m (13ft to 20ft).

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Waterway to link British cities

Planning approval has been given for a project to add 240km of navigable waterway in Britain, linking several cathedral cities and creating hundreds of moorings for recreational craft. Running through Lincoln, Boston and Spalding to Ely, it will provide economic regeneration along the route through the creation of moorings, repair yards, restaurants, bars and accommodation facilities.

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Mackay Marina earns environmental gongs

Mackay Marina village and shipyard in Queensland has received a number of awards since it opened in 2003. These include a Central Queensland export award, an environmental development award and this year, for the second year in a row, an above-compliance award from the Environmental Protection Agency of Australia.

The 328-berth marina includes repair and maintenance facilities, a residential village and luxury townhouses.

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Water-Watch

Auckland and North Harbour Tanner Cup trials are included in the action on the water this weekend. Main events:

Today: Mullet boats to Hobsonville (Ponsonby CC); Opening Day (Panmure Y & BC).
Today and tomorrow: North Harbour Tanner Cup trials at Wakatere Boating Club and Auckland's at Howick Sailing Club.
Tomorrow: Performance regatta - Tornado cats, A-Class cats, F18s, Paper Tigers, Farr 3.7s, 18ft skiffs, 49ers and 29ers (Royal Akarana YC); Spring Series two-man (Weiti BC); Spring Series race one (Ponsonby CC).

Organisations planning events on or in the Waitemata or Manukau harbours should register in advance with the Auckland Regional Council on (09) 366 2000. The 24-hour response number for the ARC maritime unit is (09) 362 0397.