Tidelines: Contest pay-out

The Foam (Friends of Auckland Maritime) charity will receive more than $30,000 from the sale to Moana Pacific Fisheries of the catch from last weekend's Lion Red Furuno fishing contest. South Aucklander Chris Hepworth won the biggest single prize for contestants, a Haines Hunter boat, Yamaha 90hp motor and DMW trailer package worth $36,000.

Stay away call

The Irish Ministry of Marine has recommended that British anglers be discouraged from crossing to Ireland to fish because of the foot-and-mouth risk. No actual ban on travel has yet been imposed.

Yard saved

Australian boating industry organisations' campaign to save the historic Halvorsen shed on the Parramatta River from demolition has been successful. The site, just north of Sydney Harbour, now becomes a vital part of the plan to preserve a working harbour in the area.

Workboats, too

The Middle East International Boat Show in Dubai this week featured workboats as well as recreational craft. The decision to include workboats was prompted by the growing tendency of Middle East yards to build both types of boat. Seminars at the show covered the use of composite and aluminium materials; superyacht design; water jet propulsion and satellite communications.