International Pirates on Black Rose enjoy SMIRW

by Al Constable on 9 Sep 2008 Black Rose owner Rob Hart and his crew of international ‘Pirates’, Ute Keck originally from Germany and now living in New Zealand, Arie Van Dyk also from New Zealand, Massimo Papa from Italy and Hart’s mate Lew Green from Townsville certainly stand out on the racecourse at the second Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week.

Rob Hart, now living anywhere along the coastline of Australia onboard the Black Rose, brought the 20 tonne, ketch rig motor sailor in Cardwell last year, and with the help of Lew Green sailed her to the Townsville Cruising Yacht Club. In the past year Hart has been working on restoring and modifying the spacious boat. In October last year Hart sailed the boat solo down to New South Wales, where he spent five months working on her, including building timber decking and adding a windscreen. He returned to Townsville earlier this year, a place he definitely loves.

Black Rose was built in Brisbane and is a Boro design, but as Hart says, unfortunately he knows little else about the history of his boat. He is searching for anyone who might be able to help with his boat's history.

After sailing the inaugural Sunferries series last year on another yacht which was then sold, Hart asked his regular crew if they would like to sail on the Black Rose this year.

At the last minute, some of his regular crew had to drop out but New Zealanders Ute Keck and Arie Van Dyk in Australia on holiday, decided a few days of being Pirates might be fun. They were joined by Massimo Pappa, Muzz to his skipper, and Lew Green.

Fully aware that this motor sailor had its limitations in a sailing fleet, the skipper and his crew entered the event ‘just to have fun.’

Rod Hart explained, ‘Black Rose is a motor sailor. I need five knots of breeze, she wont steer in less as I don’t have enough propulsion past the rudder unless I can get a running start…. from the standstill it won’t move unless I have 25 knot winds (he laughs) but we are all having a lot of fun.

'Black Rose crossed the start line once in the regatta…..we were creeping up on everyone in the fleet to attack, what else do pirates do… then the race start gun went off and the fleet escaped…they were to fast for us!

And on the second day we crossed the finish line…’

Hart continued, ‘I am retired, this is my fun time in life. I have no plans but to keep going north and keep Australia on the left and where I go I go.’

Longtime mate, former pearl diver and professional crocodile hunter, 73 year old Lew Green, had the paper spread out in front of him this morning. ‘I have been going through the Positions Vacant, but I don’t see many jobs for Pirates. Better go out and enjoy this last day of racing…'

Judging by the laughter coming from the boat, the Pirate crew of Black Rose is certainly doing that.