Yasi raises marina design questions

by Nancy Knudsen, Cruising Editor on 10 Feb 2011 Cyclone Yasi has raised some questions about marina design, as the yachts in the Hinchinbrook marina simply floated up with the water and over the tops of the pylons that held the floating pontoons in place.

The good news is that yachts in the Cairns Marlin Marina, which were moved to mangrove mud berths, were all safe, and the marina itself is in good condition and open for business.

Three thousand volunteers - what a number. That's the number that Marine Rescue NSW has just reached and now they are going for four. That's a lot of people out there looking after the safety of you and me when we're on the water. Well done guys!

Whether you think they should be there or not, I fear for the safety of the stranded yacht families, mostly European and American, who are trying to get to the Mediterranean and home from India and the Maldives.

One of the cruising sailors I spoke to in the Maldives, Rene Tiemessen, estimates that right now there are about 100 yachts with about 200-250 sailors including many children, stranded on the east side of the Indian Ocean, and rejected for escort by naval authorities.

On the other side of the world, Sarasota Yacht Club is waiting for news about whether they can hold a rally for American sailors this year to Cuba. It's 50 years since American citizens were discouraged or forbidden, but there are hopes that 'this might be the year'. Read why...

In South Africa, a news conference held by the families of kidnapped sailors Deborah Calitz and Bruno Pelizzari was mostly a plea for sympathy, but maybe also for the $10million that the pirates are demanding. There's no proof right now that the couple are even alive.

Sailing is a growing sport, and growth brings it own problems. The fact that the Maritime Coastguard Agency in the UK is clamping down on unsafe operators is good news for sailing enthusiasts and their families there, but also sends a message to Australian operators. 'Our concerns are that after unqualified yacht skippers take part in bona fide races they go 'off piste' and take equally unqualified crew into areas they are not trained to venture,' Mark Clark of the MCA told me this week.

Up in Singapore they have just had the best fun of the year by racing (well sort of, as motor boats were allowed) to the equator and back – no, there was no mark, it was all Scouts' Honour.

In practical news, we profile the European Yacht of the Year in the Luxury Cruiser section, the lovely Xc 38. We also talk about the coolest gizmo around for navigators, the ECDIS. The technology is trickling down to superyachts and may one day be standard on a 40ft cruising yacht.

Finally can you sail (not motor) your boat to any given spot, in any wind? If not it's time to learn – one day it could be vital, so read the technique.

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Sweet Sailing!