Tidelines: Extra courses

Coastguard Northern Region has a winning carrot with its offer of a free Day Skipper course with every new member signed up.

The course can be taken by the member himself or herself or a family member or crew member. Coastguard Maritime School has programmed extra courses to cope with the demand.

The offer is still open and anyone interested should call 0800 RESCUE. Coastguard marketing manager Margie Sorensen emphasises her organisation is totally voluntary and gets no government funding, which means increasing the membership is the only way to improve the 24-hour communications and search and rescue service for boaters.

WHITTLEY EXPANDS

The Australian boatbuilder Whittley Cruisers has bought the former Glasstream-Aquatron factory in Willacoochie, Georgia, to develop its presence in the United States. Company president Neville Whittley says their range of affordable family cruisers up to 8m fit a niche market not being fully satisfied by existing American brands. He plans to be in full production by June and will have a full range in US boat shows for the start of the 2005 season.

REGISTRATIONS RISE

The American National Marine Manufacturers Association says latest figures show that at the end of 2002 there were 13 million recreational boats registered in the United States.

This was a rise of 154,000 or 1.2 per cent on the previous year.

WATERWATCH

The Auckland Laser championships being sailed out of the Tamaki Yacht Club are the biggest event on the calendar this weekend. Other on-the-water activity includes:

Saturday: Printing Express series to Hobsonville (Ponsonby CC); Two-handed race (Gulf Harbour YC).

Saturday and Sunday: Auckland Laser Championships (Tamaki YC).

Sunday: Return race from Kawau (Richmond YC); Single-handed race Panmure YBC).

* Clubs and organisations planning events in or on the Waitemata or Manukau harbours should register well in advance with the Auckland Regional Council Customer Service Centre on (09) 366 2000. The new 24-hour response number for the ARC maritime unit is (09) 362 0397.