Tidelines: Coastguard alert on channel changes

Coastguard Northern Region advises regional boaters to check their website for details of VHF channel changes. These are necessary because of International Marine Organisation decisions. The initial changes are Moehau (channel 18 to 82); Tutukaka Coastguard (87 to 85); Hokianga Coastguard (88 to 86) and the Waiheke ship-to-ship channel from 85 to 62. Marketing director Margie Sorensen also has a reminder for members and anyone else interested in coastguard and what it does. Open day is on Saturday, November 20, at the Marine Rescue Centre, Mechanics Bay, from 10am to 4pm. Details of that are also on the website.

ROTOITI CLASSIC BOAT PARADE GETTING BIGGER

After seven years of steady growth the parade of wooden boats on Lake Rotoiti is getting serious. Lindsay Brighouse and the team, who began what has become a significant feature of inland waterway boating in New Zealand, are about to form a proper association. Next year's event is on February 5. For pictures of many of the classic old boats, plus the parade programme and a for sale section, go to Wooden Boat Parade.

PROSPECTUS OUT FOR INTERNATIONAL SHOW

The Marine Industry Association has released the prospectus for the Auckland International Boat Show at the Viaduct Basin from March 9 to 13 next year. The show, which includes the IMTEC marine equipment exhibition, has been extended to take in the Alinghi base on Halsey St. Details on the website.

WATER-WATCH

Sailing action this weekend includes:

Saturday: Interclub Optimist team racing (Murrays Bay SC); Old Fox 2 to Waiheke, Te Whau (NE) or, if SE, Owhanake (Westhaven YC); Hobsonville race (Panmure YMBC).

Saturday and Sunday: Cruising weekend (Richmond YC and Ponsonby CC).

Sunday: Gulf race (Weiti BC); Javelin and 12ft skiff Auckland championships (Auckland SC).

Organisations planning events should register in advance with the ARC on (09) 366 2000.

Editorial inquiries to Robin Bailey (09) 524 4572; rbailey@ihug.co.nz