Will Henry be in town for Skandia Geelong Week?

by Rebecca Tucker on 16 Jan 2005 Geelong may have lost super maxi yacht Skandia but Henry the super maxi seal is drawing crowds a week before our major yachting regatta.

The only problem is the 700 kilogram seal and an international yachting event do not mix.

The seal, affectionately dubbed Henry by Skandia Geelong Week organiser Doug Jarvis, has made the waters below Fisherman's Pier restaurant his latest home.

He moved to the spot on Monday after spending more than a week between Eastern Beach and the Royal Geelong Yacht Club since New Year's Day.

Crowds already flock to see the seal and with a capacity waterfront expected for the regatta in week's time, organisers are concerned how he will cope with the noise and activity from the boats.

Officials were yesterday getting nervous, although hopeful the seal would move on before the event started next weekend.

‘It's very intriguing at the moment, ‘ Royal Geelong Yacht Club general manager Rod Driscoll said. ‘I don't know if anyone's taking bets about when he'll move on.’'

According to Department of Sustainability and Environment wildlife officer Stan Williams, the seal should already have left, based on habits formed in the past couple of years since he has been spending time at the Geelong waterfront.

Mr Williams said the seal appeared healthy but people-management issues would present a problem if he remained in town for the yacht races.

The seal has visited Geelong for his annual moult for five years, starting his pilgrimage at Point Henry. He arrived there early December before heading to Eastern Beach just before New Year's Eve, when he traditionally leaves.

Mr Williams said this year's visit came about a week later than usual and expected the seal would leave ``any day now'.

If not, the department would work with zoo staff to entice the seal back to Point Henry before the yachting regatta, he said.