20 YEARS ON THE WATER
First held in 1999, the Show was an initiative of the NZ Marine Industry Association – then called the Boating Industry Association – and proved extremely popular with exhibitors and the boating public.
The Viaduct Harbour site will again host this year’s event, with no disruptions expected despite Emirates Team New Zealand’s announcement that it will use the ANZ Viaduct Event Centre, home to many of the boat show’s undercover exhibits, as its America’s Cup base.
“It will be business as usual,” says show organiser Stacey Cook, “and NZ Marine will work with Emirates Team New Zealand to ensure the best outcome for exhibitors and the public at the 2019, 2020 and 2021 events.”
NZ Marine is expecting more than 200 New Zealand and international businesses, including marine engine and electronics suppliers, to exhibit this year, making it one of the biggest in the event’s 20-year history.
Held at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour, the show runs from September 27 to 30.
For more information visit www.auckland-boatshow.com
SMALL BOAT, BIG RECORD
Kuczynski, who departed from Plymouth in the UK in August last year, spent 270 days, 10 hours and 29 minutes, covering nearly 29,000 nautical miles, living in a space of only 4m2. He took the classic route round the three capes at the southern ends of Africa, Australia and South America.
The intrepid sailor self-funded the voyage and, by departing from and returning to Plymouth, followed in the footsteps of many legendary seafarers who set sail from the city to circumnavigate the globe, including Sir Francis Chichester and Sir Francis Drake.
Some 300 people have sailed singlehanded around the world but only 80 sailors have achieved this solo and unaided.
SQUADRON’S 2021 CELEBRATIONS
Says Rear Commodore, Aaron Young: “The 150-year legacy is worthy of more than just one event at one time, so we’re marking this with a year of celebratory events and occasions, the pinnacle of which will be the hosting of the 36th America’s Cup. The stars have aligned – it will be a huge year for us.”
RNZYS has established a 150th anniversary committee to orchestrate the event. Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf will be centre stage for a series of sailing spectacles. The committee is working closely with Emirates Team New Zealand, along with central and local government agencies, as well as various supporting associations such as NZ Marine.
The line-up of events is yet to be confirmed but will kick off with the New Year’s Day Regatta at Kawau Island that is tipped to attract the attention of visiting superyachts who already have Auckland firmly within their sights over this period.
OTHER EVENTS INCLUDE:
• Great Barrier Island cruising race/rally from Kawau and Auckland – that will include superyachts (and potentially J Class yachts)
• Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta
• America’s Cup 36 (December 2020 through March 2021)
• 12m Class – many of these are ex-America’s Cup boats such as the famous Kiwi Magic – KZ7
• The Classic Yacht Associations of NZ and Australia have been invited to participate
• An offshore race from Australia (Sydney) arriving mid-January 2021
• An offshore race to Australia from Auckland – early June 2021 to join the Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island regattas
• National or world match-racing regatta – RNZYS has won the rights to host World Youth Match-racing regatta in 2020, so this will be an evolution of that event
• RNZYS Youth Training Program (YTP since 1987) Graduate and Alumni Regatta – the world’s most successful youth training sailing programme has more than 1,000 graduates, many of whom have competed internationally
• A Trans-Tasman regatta between Australian and NZ’s leading yacht clubs – 10 clubs competing in NZ with sailors aged 40 to 60 years
• Navy Regatta – international navies have been invited
• Auckland Regatta – Auckland’s premier keelboat regatta
• International Council of Yacht Clubs (ICOYC) regional conference – Asia-Pacific region
• The Squadron Ball
• Royal NZ Navy and Sir Peter Blake Trust youth leadership and conservation exercise
• The final act of the year will see the publishing of a 150th anniversary book (currently being put together by Ivor Wilkins).
• Onshore, visitors to RNZYS will enjoy an array of land-based entertainment and celebratory events.
Formed in 1871, the RNZYS was granted royal patronage by the British Admiralty in 1902 and with it the right to fly the blue ensign. The RNZYS is the official home of the America’s Cup after Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ), representing the RNZYS, won the oldest sporting trophy in the world at the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda in 2017.
For more information contact Hayden Porter – RNZYS General Manager on 0272 222 556 or email hporter@rnzys.org.nz
O-PRO UPDATE
Professional sailor Matt Mason – who developed the concept – says the O-Pros are already being sailed in Denmark, Austria and the Netherlands. Matt is visiting Europe to explore the establishment of production facilities, a move designed to eliminate shipping costs. The clip-on bows are currently being manufactured in Asia.
“We’re very enthusiastic about the O-Pro’s European reception. People see it as a logical, easy extension of the Optimist – for a minimal cost. The fact that the transformation kit turns the Opti into a two-child yacht seems to be particularly appealing.”
In most European countries, he points out, kids go straight from the Optimist into the Laser 4.7 – a fairly significantly leap in both costs and skills. The O-Pro conveniently bridges the gap.
Several New Zealand clubs have also expressed interest in rebuilding their Optimist fleets for next season.
For more information visit www.opro.co.nz or follow Facebook-Opro.
COURT APPROVES WAIHEKE MARINA
Environment Court Judge Laurie Newhook says the “overall outcome concerning natural character, landscape and visual amenity values … is that … the proposal is appropriate development in this location; will have only minor adverse effects on the landscape and natural character of the environment; and will have a range of effects, the great majority of them minor, on visual amenity values present in Kennedy Bay and around Putiki Bay and varying to positive and adverse depending on viewer attitude and visual perception.
“We consider that when analysed in this way, the marina would fit well into the landscape of Kennedy and Putiki Bays, provide a largely positive contribution to the experience and amenities of Waiheke Island, and offer adverse effects that in the round will be no more than minor.”
Tony Mair, director of Kennedy Point Boatharbour Ltd, the successful applicant, is delighted with the decision. “The Court has endorsed all of the effort we put into the project. All of our design innovations and the engagement process we followed with key stakeholders Ngati Paoa and Sealink have been affirmed.”
The marina will use New Zealand-first floating breakwater technology from Sweden, including floating pontoons for access, car-parking and marina buildings. It will include space for public pick-up and drop-off and day berthage for small boats visiting the island. A café, kayak/SUP storage and community meeting space will be developed. Donald Bruce Road will also be widened to improve ferry queuing.
The Court noted that the “proposal is actually and positively notable for the extent to which it offers public access during hours of daylight and other facilities accessible to the public such as community rooms, a café, and carparking. We consider that the Applicant has found a good balance between the needs of safety and security on the one hand, and public access on a managed basis on the other.”
Mair is disappointed with the additional costs and delays incurred due to local opposition, forcing the project to the Environment Court. The appeals cost his company in excess of $300,000.
Final design work will be completed in a few months, after which the marketing and sale of berths will commence. Berths will range from 10-25m in length.
For more information visit www.kennedypointmarina.co.nz
WYNYARD’S NEW MARINE FACILITY
A proposed new marine refit facility for Wynyard Quarter has been given the green light following the signing of an agreement between the city’s redevelopment agency (Panuku Development Auckland) and marine services company Orams.
The facility – on a location known as Site 18 on the corner of Beaumont and Jellicoe Streets – will feature a marine haul-out and refit centre, commercial buildings and a residential tower on the northern end. It will target vessels up to 620 tonnes, which account for 85 percent of the world marine refit market.
The development also aims to provide increased maintenance facilities for Auckland’s ferries, fishing vessels and commercial vessels. The majority of existing marine business on the site will be accommodated within the new development.
Panuku chief executive Roger MacDonald says the development “has the potential to deliver significant economic benefits, not only for Auckland but for the country as a whole. Only last week Queensland launched a five-year superyacht strategy with the intention to become a key superyacht hub in the AsiaPacific region by 2023.”
Orams proposes to complete the marine elements of the site in advance of the residential development to enable the facility to be up and running for the next America’s Cup in 2021.
Orams marine services managing director Craig Park says the marine sector is an important economic contributor to New Zealand and Auckland, and the refit facility will create more than 500 jobs and generate significant income for the marine and tourism industries.
“The 620-tonne travel hoist will allow us to triple our capacity for vessels out of the water. This project will put Auckland and New Zealand at the forefront of the world refit and maintenance industry.”
The NZ Marine industry has welcomed the news, forecasting greater apprenticeship numbers, an increase in jobs and the ability to take full economic advantage of having the America’s Cup in local waters. Limited facilities in New Zealand for adequately hauling out vessels of this size means local companies are regularly turning away work due to lack of space.
“This move is a step towards a long-term strategy the marine industry has held dating back to 2000,” says NZ Marine executive director Peter Busfield.
As part of the development the existing seawall will be replaced and contamination remediation works undertaken.
MEET YOUR DISTANT NANA
Researchers from Flinders University, along with colleagues in the UK and Sweden, used the scanning to uncover the origins of a 400-million-year-old fossil fish called Ligulalepis. The technology has also revealed a 3D-model of the fish’s ancient brain and confirms it as the ancestor of all modern bony fish.
The fossil’s also linked to the bone structure of human skeletons, providing anatomical evidence about human evolution from fish which can today be found within the makeup of our own bodies.
Flinders University Research Associate, Dr Alice Clement, says the discovery of two 3D-preserved fossils in Australia allowed the team to scan hidden features inside the skull and lead to the reconstruction of an ancient brain cavity.
“Our research reveals previously unknown details about the pattern of dermal skull bones, the shape of the brain and other soft tissue features. It resolves the big question about what the ancestor of all modern bony fish looked like,” Clement says.
“Understanding the structure is important because Ligulalepis is in a crucial position on the evolutionary tree. This discovery identified this fish as being the ancestor of all bony fish right before two major groups split and evolved different bodies.”
The University’s palaeontology professor, John Long, says bony fish are an important group because land animals such as mammals, reptiles and amphibians evolved from them.
“Not many people would think humans evolved parts of their bone structure from a fish. We are all just highly advanced fishes, that’s the point of our story. Four hundred million years ago, some of these fish started to develop fins at the front with bones that would eventually become the humerus, ulna and radius that forms our arm.”
Flinders University’s research has highlighted the evolutionary relationships of the first bony fishes and demonstrated the importance of palaeontology to help accurately understand our distant origins.
Floating Nation
An independent floating nation is only a concept at this stage, but essentially, it’s a proposal for a cluster of floating pontoons tethered together to create a base for a community of like-minded individuals.Thanks to the geometric shape of the pontoons – pentagons and rectangles – they’re a bit like a floating jigsaw, easily arranged into different patterns to suit the specific needs of individual communities.
They could be established anywhere on the planet’s oceans, with the platforms oriented to the prevailing wind, to minimise the effects of the waves.
Typically, each of these sea-bound, city-states would feature 300 homes as well as a handful of hotels, restaurants and offices. It would also be equipped with aquaculture farms, healthcare and medical research facilities, as well as sustainable energy powerhouses. In other words, the inhabitants would be pretty much self-sufficient.
Floating in international waters and operating within its own laws, an island community would be ‘liberated from politicians’. And with a number of the buildings functioning as business centres, companies would be free from conventional government regulations and shackles. The island nations would even use a unique cryptocurrency – the ‘Vayron’.
Apart from the utopian appeal, the concept is also likely to resonate with countries/communities affected by global warming and rising sea levels. The artificial islands offer a lifeline to existing island nations – many in the South Pacific – where the prospect of homes disappearing under the waves is a real possibility.
Whose idea is this?
It’s the brainchild of a Dutch-based, non-profit organisation – the Seasteading Institute. It describes its members as a diverse, global team of marine biologists, nautical engineers, aquaculture farmers, medical researchers, investors, environmentalists and artists.
The Institute was co-founded in 2008 by Peter Thiel – the gent who set up PayPal – together with Patri Friedman, a software engineer and political economic theorist. He is also the grandson of Nobel Prize-winning economist, Milton Friedman.
Thiel has seed-funded the Institute to the tune of $1.25 million, and it’s estimated that the development of plans for the prototype island nation will cost around $50 million.
Institute president, Joe Quirk, wants to see ‘thousands’ of these rogue, floating cities by 2050, each offering different ways of governance. As you may have guessed, he has a dim view of politicians. “They just don’t get better. They’re stuck in previous centuries. That’s because land incentivises a violent monopoly to control it.”
In January last year a feasibility report into the floating island concept – by Dutch engineering firm Deltasync – proposed that the floating platforms would measure 50m in length, with 50m-tall sides to protect buildings and residents. It also calculated the price of each platform at around $15 million – similar to the price of land in London or New York.
The Institute has established a separate company – Blue Frontiers – a new start-up specialising in the actual construction of the floating islands.
Hiccup
The first of the prototype island nations was on track for establishment near Tahiti by 2022, in partnership with the French Polynesian government. Concerned about the dangers from rising sea levels to its 118 South Pacific islands, the government agreed to create a special economic zone, allowing the floating nation to operate under its own trade laws.
But after protests that the floating island would only cater to the privileged and wealthy, the government subsequently changed its mind. With this rejection, Seasteading and Blue Frontier have now developed a different strategy: a global competition offering $100,000 to any entrepreneur able to convince his/her government to host a nearby floating island.
To enter you have to obtain “a general letter of invitation from a government official” in your home country, together with photos and videos of the proposed floating island site. And you will have to pass a background check. The winner will be awarded 100,000 Vayron immediately, and a further US$100,000 once the prototype is built.
Hmmmm. Sounds interesting but could get a little lonely – and dicey for anyone with a delicate tummy. My biggest concern though is the lack of a golf course. Virtual golf just doesn’t cut it!
Ditch vintage lifejackets
Kenny Crawford – general manager Maritime Compliance – says the old lifejackets should be replaced as soon as possible with modern foam-filled or inflatable lifejackets and destroyed so they cannot be reused or on-sold.
The manufacture of these lifejackets stopped in the 1980s, but an unknown number are still being used.
“Kapok,” says Crawford, “is a cotton-like fluff that’s no longer used in lifejackets because it naturally loses buoyancy over time and if it gets wet it will absorb water and pull you down. Cotton straps rot over time, even if the lifejacket’s not used, and will tear or break off the lifejacket. The lifejacket will come off in the water.
“Even if these lifejackets are in their original packaging, have never been used and look in perfect condition, replace and destroy them. They are unsafe.”
Crawford says the old lifejackets complied with international rules when they were manufactured, and many carry the old standards ‘S’ logo. But they no longer comply with the modern New Zealand standard for lifejackets.
Trade Me, Coastguard and many other organisations are helping to get rid of the old lifejackets. On Maritime NZ’s advice, Trade Me has removed several old lifejackets from auctions and will continue to do so as they are posted.
Volvo Penta self-docking technology
Gothenburg, Sweden – the June stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race – was the scene for a live demonstration of the self-docking system. A 68-foot launch fitted with the technology skillfully maneuvered itself into the tightest of spaces between two of the Volvo Ocean Race 65 racing yachts.
The pioneering technology is the latest in the company’s ongoing ‘Easy Boating’ philosophy to make boating simple, enjoyable and accessible to more people.
At its heart is the joystick-controlled Inboard Performance System (IPS), a complete, integrated propulsion system – from the helm station, via the engine, all the way to the propellers.
Narrow berths, changing wind and sea conditions and congested marinas will all soon be less of a challenge when docking. Thanks to the responsiveness of the IPS system, coupled with sensors and advanced navigation processing power, the system helps get the boat into the dock easily and safely. It also helps with leaving the dock.
The automated docking capability uses an onboard electronic vessel control system (EVC). It computes steering and drive calculations in relation to the boat’s actual position, and four sensors located at the intended berth.
“Docking,” says Björn Ingemanson, President of Volvo Penta, “is one of the most challenging boat handling manoeuvres – getting it wrong can be embarrassing and expensive.
“This new self-docking feature uses sensors and onboard computers to react in milliseconds to changing wind and sea conditions.
“It constantly makes micro adjustments in power and steering angle of the IPS drive to keep the boat on its intended course. If necessary, the docking process can be paused, and the system will hold the boat stationary in the water.”
How it works
Automating the docking process involves three distinct phases. First, as the boat nears its berth, the system recognises that it has entered a ‘catch zone’ and sends out a signal to the captain that it is ready to dock.
Once the skipper activates the self-docking function, the boat is (aided by GPS) automatically moved into a ‘docking ready’ position. When he initiates the final stage, the system uses a combination of GPS and sensors – both those fitted onboard and on the destination dock – to automatically move the boat.
“We have long had the ambition to make docking as easy as possible,” says Johan Inden, Chief Technology Officer at Volvo Penta.
“The first step towards this was in 2006, with the launch of our joystick docking technology. This was followed by the Dynamic Positioning System, which automatically maintains a boat’s heading and position, even in strong currents or windy conditions – ideal when preparing for docking. Now, we are taking the next important step by enabling the boat to dock itself.”
Upgrade option
The new technology will also be available as a retrofit version – something that would make it an attractive upgrade to thousands of boat owners.
The initial focus for Volvo Penta’s self-docking system will be individuals who can install the system on their own private docks. Longer term, it is believed the technology will be of considerable interest to harbours and marinas, allowing IPS-equipped boats fitted with the system to dock in complete safety and accuracy.
A future scenario for the self-docking system is that it could be integrated with Volvo Penta’s Easy Connect App. The App could allow users to check if the nearest marina is equipped with the appropriate self-docking technology – or even perhaps use it to secure a parking space.
007s new toy
Making its world debut at the Dubai International Boat Show earlier this year, the 9.6m Foiler’s equipped with retractable carbon-fibre hydrofoils. When deployed, the boat flies 1.5m above the water.
Enata says using the boat is easy – it’s just like a sports car. You press a button to deploy the foils, push the throttles forward and you’re on your way. The foils are able to handle waves up to 3m (Force 5 to 6), while providing a comfortorable ride for up to eight passengers (skipper and seven guests). The foils are retracted in more extreme conditions, and the vessel is used as a conventional monohull.
The foils offer a wide operational window – the boat starts to foil at 12 knots and is completely out of the water at 17 knots. In flight mode maximum speed is 40 knots.
Enata general manager Alois Vieujot says the development of the Foiler was a very natural step. “We are a family of sailors and kite-surfers and have been foiling with kites and catamarans for about 10 years.
“We produce large competition and professional drones, as well as racing sailing boats and kitefoils. The Foiler is really a blend of all those technologies. To start this project, we merged our R&D with the Swiss company Hydros. It had already produced a working foiling prototype in 2015.”
The Foiler switches between foiling and conventional boating mode in a few seconds. When moored or in a marina, the foils are out of the water. That way they stay dry and clean, thereby reducing maintenance.
Hull design ensures a smooth take-off and landing, bringing advantages such as comfort and excellent fuel efficiency thanks to minimal drag.
A hybrid propulsion system comprises two diesel engines and a large battery for the electric drives. The combination of these technologies make the Foiler about 20-50 percent more fuel efficient than conventional launches of a similar size. Users can opt for completely silent mode (full electric) for up to 10 minutes at 10 knots, with a larger range at lower speeds. This is ideal for maneuvering around a marina.
Foils also offer the advantage of a minimal wake – which means less irritation for moored vessels and less impact on sensitive environments along the shoreline. And because of the hybrid system and the boat being above the water, it generates very little noise. Without any water hitting the hull, noise levels inside are also very low. “The best word to describe driving the Foiler is tranquility,” says Vieujot. “It’s like sitting on a flying carpet – sweeping over the ocean.”
The company specialises in innovative, high performance, composite products. Boats it has produced include the GTCat and Multi50 – as well as the SR71 Blackbird model airplane.
The GTCat is a carbon-fibre catamaran fitted with large curved foils. The Multi50 is a trimaran, designed to compete in the TransAtlantic race La Route du Rhum. The SR71 Blackbird is a 4m remote-control carbon-fibre plane which in May won the World TopGun competition for replica model airplanes. The event was held in Florida.
MONSTER OUTBOARDS HAVE LANDED
These huge US-manufactured engines – rated at 527, 577 and 627hp – are being distributed locally by Power and Marine Ltd.
Seven Marine’s supercharged engines are the world’s largest commercially-produced outboards and each engine is engineered and customised specifically to each client’s order.
The company’s online ‘design studio’ allows future owners to pick from a full colour palette to individualise their new engines. LEDs in the engine cover add to the engines’ exclusivity.
Volvo Penta became the majority shareholder in Seven Marine last year and its backing has enabled further development.
For more information about the Seven Marine Outboards contact Leon Warner at leon@powermarine.co.nz
