Tidelines: Harbourmaster says watch those wakes

Following up complaints about big wakes in the Tamaki River and parts of the Waitemata, Auckland Harbourmaster John Lee-Richards and his team have identified some operators who have been travelling at speeds inappropriate to the vessel hull shape and creating wakes that upset the owners of moored boats, marine facility operators and other water users. NIWA wave recording buoys were used to monitor several areas and this work will be continued closer to summer when big, fast launches are entering and exiting marinas. Meanwhile his message is: Watch that wake and see what you are leaving behind.

NEW RODECOUNTER MAKES FOR EASIER ANCHORING

Anchoring is made easier with the just-released AutoAnchor 150. It connects to the windlass to show the length of anchor rode deployed and fits most windlasses, AC, DC or hydraulic and accurately counts all chain and rope/chain anchor rodes. It has a docking alarm and adjustable backlighting and the manufacturer says it is easy to fit with pre-set calibrations. It costs $425. Details on Auto Anchor (see link below).

WASHINGTON GIVING BACK MORE PETROL TAX

The United States House of Representatives and Senate have voted to increase the amount of petrol tax on boat fuel paid to the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund (ARTF) by US$110 million ($159 million). The tax money is used for state-based boating safety, fisheries conservation, boating access programmes, marine sanitation device facilities and support for coastal wetlands. The fund distributes the lion's share of the US$450 million ($650 million) of repatriated fuel taxes allocated each year. Fund organisers say the objective is to ensure that all the petrol tax paid by anglers and boaters is returned.

WATER-WATCH

The winter racing programme continues this weekend and the alternate fortnightly series of competition nears the season's end.

Organisations planning events on or in the Waitemata and 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.