Tidelines: Graduation time

The marine industry lifted its training game on Wednesday with a formal graduation dinner at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. The ceremony was the first in which the Boating Industry Association and its offshoot, the Boating Industry Training Organisation, recognised the achievement of Level 4 students in boatbuilding (37 graduates) and marine sales and services (15).

Wright parade

Five yacht classes from the drawing board of designer Alan Wright will be open to the public on X marina at Westhaven next Sunday, December 8. From 10am to 3pm, owners of Marauder, Lotus, Tracker, Variant and Nova designs will be explaining the virtues of their particular Wright design.

Technical recruit

Electronic Navigation Ltd has taken on board South African Stan Hassett as technical manager. A specialist in deep-sea commercial fishing, his role will be to work alongside the company's dealer network serving the fishing fleet. He will also offer advanced education on the new Furuno range of products as well as running training seminars.

Good fishing

No wind on the race track has meant some dull days for watching America's Cup yachting. For spectator boats equipped for a spot of fishing it has been a different story altogether. The snapper have been biting right there in the starting box with canny fishers landing limit bags.

Water-watch

The yachting programme for this weekend puts the accent on summer cruising. Activity includes:

Saturday: Pre-Christmas Regatta, Eastern Beach (BBYC); International classes regatta, single-handers at Tamaki (TYC); summer cruising (RYC, PCC and RNZYS); John Sarney Gold Cup (PYBC).

Sunday: Small boat summer series, ff15s, M-Class and Solings (RAYC).

* Clubs and organisations planning events on Waitemata or Manukau harbours should register with the Auckland Regional Council Enviroline on (09) 366 2070.