Tidelines: Reserve closer

The proposed marine reserve at Paterson Inlet on Stewart Island is in the final stages of development. The Department of Conservation met strong opposition when the reserve was first suggested in 1988. Southern islands area manager Greg Lind says these problems have now been overcome. The reserve will protect the inlet and return it to its natural state. "It's like an underwater national park," says Lind. "It's a diverse area ranging from mudflats to tube worm mounds and reef systems like no other place on Earth."

Boat bags

British inventor Dr Willy Johnson has devised an airbag for boats. He calls it a C-Bag and it works a bit like a car airbag. If a boat is holed, water flowing into the hull triggers a sensor that inflates the airbag, keeping the vessel afloat. Johnson says he is negotiating with a "major boatbuilder" over the patented device and plans to target commercial shipbuilders.

Card scam

The Boating Industry Association of Victoria has warned members about a credit-card scam working out of Indonesia. A British company said its international distributors were being contacted by email and product ordered with payment instructions via two credit cards, usually in the name of American citizens. By the time the scam has been discovered the product has been shipped. The International Council of Marine Industry Associations is following up.

Water-watch

One of the main events on the sailing scene this weekend is the Printing Express Lipton Cup for mullet boats, being sailed, as always, out of the Ponsonby Cruising Club, on Saturday. Other activity:

Saturday: Cruising race, to Little Manly (RAYC); Placemakers cruising race 9 (GHYC); Old Fox, race 5, Onetangi/Rocky Bay (WYC); Optimist, P-Class and Starling; freshwater championships, Lake Pupuke; Male-female race (WeitiBC); Te Kouma passage race, including classic yachts (RNZYS).

Saturday and Sunday: North Island championships, Ff15s and Dragons (RAYC).

Sunday: Flap Martinego Memorial (RYC); Single-handed race (PYBC); Return race from Te Kouma (RNZYS).

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