Conducting a fine-tune for regatta challenge

By Terry Maddford

Every orchestra needs a conductor and James McPetrie will hold the baton over the thousands of boats expected in the Hauraki Gulf during the America's Cup regatta.

The Auckland harbourmaster of three years has ultimate responsibility for boating movements during the cup campaign and even has the power to call off racing if he feels he cannot guarantee public safety.

In what sounds like the heart of a military operation, the 59-year-old will be stationed in his "forward command post" on board a Navy vessel, with five other naval ships and 11 police boats around him to keep an eye on races.

New regulations give him the right to issue spot fines of $1000 to individuals and $10,000 to corporations who do not obey the strict water safety and speed regulations.

"When I stepped into the role we knew everybody was going to be affected in some way. But we did not have our heads around the totality of the exercise," said Mr McPetrie, who came to New Zealand in 1985 after 25 years in the Royal Navy. "It has been a huge challenge but a fascinating one."

Commercial shipping, as one example, must be allowed to continue with minimal disruption.

"With the cooperation of Team New Zealand, we have come up with a plan which will allow shipping movements to continue in and out of the port with few delays," he said.

"The pilot boat which usually meets ships near A buoy [off North Head] will go further out into the Hauraki Gulf and rendezvous at a temporary pilot station off Tiritiri Matangi Island.

"The pilot will then take shipping through one of the race courses to port. In the early rounds of the Louis Vuitton Cup, three courses - red, blue and green - will be used. The challengers will race on two and Team New Zealand on the third.

"The course being used by the New Zealanders will become the designated shipping channel for the day."

Mr McPetrie and maritime officers will have four 8.5m rigid-hull inflatable boats to work alongside the 12m police vessels. Telecom will have similar craft on the water on cable protection duty.

With cables worth millions of dollars in the sea off the East Coast Bays and Whangaparaoa Peninsula, there are large areas next to the red and green courses where anchoring and fishing is prohibited.

"This is a real concern and one which will be strictly monitored" said Mr McPetrie. "Some cables carry up to 10,000 volts so there is a real danger. There are severe penalties, and maybe a huge shock, for anyone breaching regulations."

While there will be a watchful eye on the spectator fleet - estimated to be up to 5000 boats on some days - making their way to the racing area, Mr McPetrie is more concerned with the expected late-afternoon rush as spectators and cup boats return to port.

"It will be a more stressful time. There are 1800 boats at Westhaven and 2000 moorings in the Tamaki Estuary. As well, there will be the expected crush at the Half Moon Bay ramp and others around the city.

"The success of the whole event depends on public education."

The vital links between the authorities and the public - off and on the water - will be provided on VHF channels 16 (weather - also for distress calls),18 (race information), 21 (continuous weather) and 73 (for entry into the viaduct village) and the official America's Cup radio on 89.4FM.

Mr McPetrie also reminds the public of the need to have at least one lifejacket a person on board any craft.

He also suggests anyone planning to head off for a day's race-watching should read the special America's Cup Boaties Guide - a comprehensive list of regatta dos and don'ts.