The only specialised marine publication in Oceania that focuses on the maritime industry, from super yachts to small craft to large commercial ships, including coastal shipping, tugs, tow boats, barges, ferries, tourist, sport-fishing craft
Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/39567
LETTERS CONTINUED… apart from that "Guard" fellow they don't have a clue what is going on, so for me it's better to stay under the radar and keep them in the dark. We are committed to continuing to build this fishery as a world-recognised opportunity to catch big XXXOS tuna, and God only knows Greymouth needs the tourist income these fishers will pay. It's an opportunity going to ruin because of the Wellington wankers, whose only constructive purpose in life is to be obstructive and difficult. Have you tried hitting the Minister of Transport? They say he's not a bad dude, better than the pussy in charge of fisheries. Seriously, you have given us a wake-up call. Yes, we support you and most will not know how to say so. The work you do on behalf of the wider maritime and charter boat industry pales into insignificance and the majority would not have a clue. From me and my crew, you are a top guy and your blood's worth bottling, as there are not many like you who are prepared to stand and call the shots, and who take no prisoners while doing so. We are all indeed very fortunate to have you on our side and speaking up on our behalf. Thank you. Name and vessel name withheld by request for the reasons above FAIRMILES' FATE Dear Sir As always, I was delighted with your July/August issue and as an ex-Fairmiler with your article on Q406, now at Waitomo Caves. Until a couple of years ago we used to have annual reunions of those who served on Fairmiles in the Second World War, but ceased when the numbers reduced somewhat. I watched the lifting of the old Q406 onto the hard at Tauranga. She had been swinging at anchor for years in the upper harbour at Whitianga before Barry Woods bought her. Barry had to scrape 4.5 tonnes of mussels and oysters off her to reduce the weight problem. Even then he had to let the kauri planking dry out for some weeks before reaching a weight level which allowed him to transport her over several bridges on the way to Waitomo. They thought they would sample the huge oysters, but they found they were all green inside, having absorbed the copper from the sheathing. I thought you might be interested in a list of the fates of the other 11 Fairmiles. Female pirates off Malaysia finally captured my old ship, Q409, and after being chased by the local navy she ended up on a reef and was wrecked. Barry Woods is how we know Billy Black. Q400 Burnt and abandoned at Great Barrier Island Q401 Beached and abandoned in the Cook Islands Q402 Sold to Singapore Q403 Beached and abandoned at Raglan Q404 Wrecked in Fiji Q405 Burnt to salvage the copper fittings Q406 Lives again in Waitomo Q407 Last heard of in Vanuatu Q408 Last heard of in Fiji Q409 Captured by pirates and later wrecked in Malaysia Q410 Last heard of as the Sayandra but whereabouts unknown Q411 Anchored in upper Auckland Harbour There was also an Australian Fairmile around used by the Mana Sea Scouts at Porirua but she was later beached and burnt. Peter Chappell GREAT COVERAGE Dear Sir A quick note to acknowledge and thank you for some great Navy coverage in the latest edition. This is most welcome for us in difficult times, when it is not always easy for us to get our stories out there. Thanks again – much obliged to you. Rear Admiral Tony Parr, Chief of Navy ACCIDENT REPORTS Dear Sir In response to RM Chapman's letter in your May/June issue relating to the Delphinius vs Matahorua collision of February 5, I make the following points: Your correspondent alleges this matter has been "swept under the carpet". This is incorrect. Maritime New Zealand has thoroughly investigated this accident – a fact that has been widely reported. As a result, a charge has been laid under the Maritime Transport Act against the skipper of the Delphinius. 4 Professional Skipper September/October 2011 Care should be taken when interpreting the accident notifications provided to Maritime NZ (and published in Professional Skipper) as they are taken directly from the text provided by the person reporting them and may not necessarily be in accord with any findings made by Maritime NZ. We accept no liability for the accuracy or otherwise of the information provided to us, which is also spelt out clearly in the preamble to the reports published in every issue of Professional Skipper. In any investigation, such information needs to be verified and viewed in context of the other relevant facts. V S77P.VIIP.