Britain's Royal Yachting Association has warned sailors to heed a Marine Accident Investigation Branch report that lays the blame for collisions at sea on the increasing reliance on electronic navigation systems instead of keeping a good lookout. Kathryn Burnett, who heads the RYA cruising services team, said all vessels, including leisure craft, had a responsibility to keep an effective lookout. The masters of large ships must ensure their crews always correlate the information their electronic aids are giving them with the situation outside the bridge window.
Marine winners
Two marine products are included in the Popular Science magazine Best of What's New awards for 2001 - the Yamaha 4-stroke WaveRunner FX140 and the 40hp PowerSki jetboard. The magazine says the WaveRunner is the best of the crop of new four-stroke personal water craft because it eliminates "everything you hate about PWCs, including noise, smoke and pollution", and it calls the PowerSki the world's first motorised surfboard. The FX140 costs $US9499 ($23,000) and the jetboard $US6000 ($14,500).
Fishing starter
Fishing fanatic Bill Hohepa has a fast-growing non-profit arm to his commercial operation. Called Camp Hohepa, it is an incorporated society that runs week-long sponsored camps to introduce kids to fishing. There is also a free day-long exercise that teaches youngsters basic surfcasting techniques. The next one is at Waihi Beach on January 5. It is a family day that runs from 10 am to 2.30 pm. Parents should call Murray Hodges on (07) 863 6020 for details.
Water watch
The master swimmers' race from Curran St to Chelsea provides some non-boating action on Sunday. Start time is 2 pm. Other highlights:
Saturday: Optimists Dirty Dog Regatta (Glendowie); Harbour race (RNZYS); Two-handed Round-Waiheke race (DYC); Cruising race (BBYC); Cruising races to Rakino (RAYC and Weiti); Lidgard Memorial, final race (PCC); Midnight Madness, Maraeti (MSC).
Sunday: Cruising race (BBYC); M-Class harbour race, 1400, ffl15 and open division (RAYC); Doyles Hauraki Gulf Challenge Series (PCC).
* Clubs and organisations planning activity on or in the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours should register with the Auckland Regional Council Enviroline on 0800 80 60 40.fuend
<i>Tide lines:</i> Lookout warning
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