Sydney-Hobart Spectator fleet - no place for inexperienced skippers

by Bob Wonders on 17 Dec 2009 Boxing Day, December 26, and Sydney Harbour becomes the setting not just for another yacht race, but for one of the world's great sporting spectacles as more than 100 yachts jostle for a clean start to begin their 630 nautical mile voyage down Australia's east coast.

Since the inaugural race in 1945, the Rolex-sponsored Sydney-Hobart, recognised worldwide as one of the classic blue water events, has become a tradition for Sydneysiders as thousands pack every vantage point around the foreshores to witness the action.

Hundreds of recreational vessels gather to watch and despite excellently-placed exclusion zones, monitored by NSW Maritime, from the seamark onwards its a free for all and there in lays a major problem.

Experienced owner/skipper Neville Crichton, whose 100' maxi ‘Alfa Romeo' looms as one of the favourites for line honours, summed things up succinctly last week when he said ‘someone will get killed'

Crichton was referring to a much smaller flotilla of recreational boats on the harbour to watch the annual warm-up event, the Big Boat Challenge, won by ‘Alfa Romeo.'

'I don't think some of these people in their powerboats watching the race realise the danger they're putting themselves in, we're doing 20 knots at times, going into a buoy turn and manoeuvring is not easy,' he explained.

During the 1980s I spent several years as skipper of one of the media boats; flying the official media flag allowed me certain advantages over recreational craft, but I still had the responsibility of acknowledging exclusion zones while making sure photographers on board were in position for appropriate action shots.

To this day, I have clear memory of numerous A-grade idiots at the wheel of vessels, people who were not only extremely poor helmsmen, but who had or appeared to have absolutely no understanding of the pressure racing skippers were subjected to.

Among the worst, and believe it or not, they are out there, are the ‘thrill seekers' paddling canoes and kayaks, who seem to have a death-wish as they ride the chop outside Sydney Heads.

Surely these people must be aware that they are virtually invisible to the helmsman at the wheel of a 100' maxi charging away from the seamark?

It pains me to say this, but over many years spent boating on Sydney Harbour and its surrounding bays and rivers, I have seen people at the wheel of boats that I would hesitate to allow on a waterfront block of land!

Commonsense is something we're all supposed to have, but it is often, too often, lacking among many recreational boat owners, be they skippering ‘tinnies' or megayachts.

Some of the worst instances I have encountered have been offshore, with the flotilla of small boats following the race fleet out through the heads and south towards Bondi.

With so many craft churning the water, and strong breezes, often Sydney's prevailing nor-easter coming in briskly, swells and troughs can be humbling even to skilful helmsmen.

Despite the obvious dangers, it was not uncommon to see water ski boats, with minimal freeboard, tiny ‘tinnies' and small trailer boats designed for river and estuary operations risking their all be part of the excitement.

I would hate to see this once-a-year spectacle be subjected to even stricter regulations imposed just because of an inconsiderate or unskilled few.

The spectator fleet is part and parcel of this fabulous Boxing Day extravaganza, but to all intending to take part, please, remember these sailboats, many of them multi-million dollar maxis, don't come with brakes!

Follow the directions of NSW Maritime Boating Safety Officers, observe the exclusion zones, stay well clear of the path of any competing yacht and while you're out there, have an absolute ball and be part of one of the world's great sporting events.