Maritime treasure hunt at Sydney Boat Show

by Brad Schmitt on 30 Jul 2009 Children and families will be able to 'hunt' for prizes – and learn all there is to know about safe and responsible boating – when the Sydney International Boat Show gets underway at Darling Harbour tomorrow (Thursday July 30).

Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi said the NSW Maritime Treasure Hunt is a new feature of the Boat Show and will offer more than $12,000 worth of prizes from a range of sponsors.

'Boating is a family activity and the NSW Maritime Treasure Hunt is an opportunity for young show goers and their parents to have some fun while gaining awareness of boating safety.

'Organisers are expecting some 7000 school age children to attend the Boat Show, so this is a great opportunity for NSW Maritime to promote boating safety education in partnership with the Boating Industry Association of NSW,' Mr Tripodi said.

Young show goers can enter the treasure hunt by collecting their entry form in the BIA’s kids’ activity packs which are available at the NSW Maritime Marine Precinct in Hall 5 of the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.

'All you have to do is follow a set of clues to several different locations in the exhibition halls,' Mr Tripodi said.

'The clues are based on important boating safety messages, and the answers provide a codeword reinforcing one of NSW Maritime’s key safety campaigns.'

The NSW Maritime Treasure Hunt prizes will be on display in the Hall 5 foyer throughout the show.

Prizes include:

- A three hour sail on Sydney Harbour for up to five people aboard Pete Goss’ Spirit of Mystery, one of the highlight displays on Cockle Bay marina during the boat show;

- An Optimist junior sailing dinghy supplied by OziOpti;

- An RC Laser radio-controlled model yacht supplied by Radio Control Sailing;

- A Hobie Lanai kayak supplied by Sailing Scene;

- Two Tackers Learn to Sail courses and two junior club memberships supplied by Middle Harbour Yacht Club;

- One Basic Skills Learn to Sail course and Young Adult Boat Licence course supplied by High Performance Sailing;

- A School Holiday Introduction to Sailing course supplied by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia;

- A Musto clothing pack supplied by Musto Australasia;

- Twelve junior lifejackets supplied by RW Basham;

- Six fishing rods supplied by Blakes Marine;

- A ‘cuddly pup’ soft toy supplied by Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter

The winners will be drawn by NSW Maritime at 4pm on the final day of the Sydney Boat Show, Monday August 3, and their names posted online at www.maritime.nsw.gov.au by midday Tuesday August 4.