AROUND THE PORTS

John Cornelius, Port Officer Cairns, Australia

Cairns continues to boom as a tourist destination -- especially since the international airport was opened -- and a side effect has been the establishment of a modern marina to augment estuary pile berths and (restricted) anchoring facilities. Cyclone warnings this time of year (January) still send everyone seeking shelter in the mangrove creeks, however!

Romulo F Federici, Port Officer Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

First of all, pardon me, I took too much time to answer you. On the other hand I am sure I did not cause much damage -- I have not received any calls from OCC members arriving in Rio for a year now. The last form I sent to the Cruising Information Service is still correct.

During the week (Monday to Friday) I work in Sao Paulo City, forty minutes by plane from Rio. My work address is: Av Paulista 2313, 4th floor, 01311-00 S@o Paulo, SP, Brazil. Telephone: 883-7855, branch 4031. Fax: (011) 883-2783. Telex: (11) 33455. My home address during the week is: R Inhambu 635, apto 132, 4520-000 S@o Paulo, SP, Brazil.

At weekends I am in Rio de Janeiro at : Rua Corcovado 57, apto 102, 22460-000 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Telephone: (021)294-7252.

Tell the members to come here. I am becoming lazy.

Steven H Baker, ex-Port Officer Bali, Indonesia

I have now moved from Bali back to the US and can therefore no longer be Port Officer for the OCC. Our only recent contact with members was with the Trevelyans. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting them and helping them out while in Bali. Their comments were that Benoa Harbour, the main port, is not very welcoming and that harbour clearance and customs are an arduous process. Once cleared, though, they enjoyed Bali and its culture and the endless shopping opportunities for clothing, handicrafts and provisions.

For Indonesia it is mandatory to have a cruising permit and security clearance in advance. This can be obtained most easily by contacting Mrs Greta Baer, Fairwinds, Jalan Gempaka 1/8, Jakarta, Indonesia. She is owner of the Bali International Yacht Club and an active member of the Indonesian Yachting Sports Union. Her telephone number is (62 21) 739 4588.

After receiving your permit, you can either contact the Bali International Yacht Club (VHF Ch 13) or Bali Yacht Services (VHF Ch 11) upon arrival in Benoa Harbour for assistance or information. Both can help with the clearing process (for a fee) and with supplies and minor repairs while in Bali.

Another good company is Rasa Yachts, owned by Australian Eric Powell and his Balinese wife, Ketut. They have a three boat charter fleet taking visitors on day cruises as well as crewed charters for cruising the islands to the north and east of Bali and for scuba tours. Contact Rasa Yachts at PO Box 421, Nusa Dau 80363, Denpasar Bali, Indonesia. Telephone: (62 361) 71751 or 36359. More information on Bali is given in an article by Jimmy Cornell, published in the March 1992 issue of Cruising World.

Aran Neumann, Port Officer Tel Aviv, Israel

It is now, I believe, six or seven years since I was asked to become Port Officer for Tel Aviv. Unfortunately I have not yet met a single OCC member, but we are still waiting for the first one to come. In general, our Marine Service & Yachting School Ltd consists mainly of teaching sailing and of chartering. Our office, in the Tel Aviv Marina, is open daily from 0900 - 1700 except Saturday.

This marina, with around 250 yachts, is still the largest in Israel. It has all facilities and authorities' offices. One point that must be stressed is the marina entrance. By day and night it is easy to identify by the chimney of the power station which lies less than a mile to the north of the marina. The light tower of the marina is very hard to identify because of the city lights. I strongly recommend any yacht coming for the first time to contact the marina office by VHF (Ch 16 over 24 hours) and enter in daylight only. A new marina is due to open in Herzlia, 7 miles north of Tel Aviv within the next year. It is said that it will be very modern and will accommodate 800 yachts.

PS: I receive your Journal from time to time and it always lights my imagination as to what I should do with my own yacht, a 40ft sloop.

Tim Thompson, Port Officer Christchurch, New Zealand

Following my note in Flying Fish 1992/2, the fresh water in the Port of Lyttelton is now drinkable and safe for human consumption. In an article in the local press the Mayor says it complies with World Health Organisation standards, so once again we can use the hose on the marina to fill our tanks.

Gale after gale has swept upon us during the summer. Racing has not been cancelled at all, but cruising has been less popular. Cook's Strait has had its share of ferry cancellations because of high seas, but the yachts haven't complained!

Peter Corby, Port Officer Cowes, UK

I enclose a copy of the COWES YACHTING Port Handbook & Directory of Marine Services, a useful little book* describing the local facilities. I have copies here for any OCC members who might like to have one.

Since publication, West Cowes Marina (previously Groves & Gutridge) has been taken over by a new organisation called `The Cowes Waterfront Trust' which is comprised of local individuals and business people together with the Harbour Authority, the Borough Council and the Isle of Wight County Council. The investment by the local authorities is substantial, and the only return they will be looking for will be an overall benefit to the town and to the Island. No private developer, who would need a financial return on every penny of his investment, could possibly produce a comparable result, and we foresee substantial desirable development for Cowes as a yachting centre.

* An understatement -- for a `freebie' it's impressively comprehensive. The 93 pages, plus folded harbour and town plans in the centre, appear to include everything from local tide tables to where to dispose of your garbage -- even the density of the harbour water!

Michael Grubb, Port Officer Falmouth, UK

I am honoured to succeed Harry Jonas as your Port Officer for Falmouth. In my new position as Honorary Secretary of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club I am probably in as good a position as anyone to be able to offer help to visiting members. The Commodore of the RCYC has asked me to say that there will be a special welcome for all OCC members.

Falmouth itself needs no introduction -- it is the first UK port of call for so many transatlantic yachtsmen. Not only is the whole area quite delightful but we are blessed with many excellent yards and other facilities. In particular I can help with:

1. Mail -- send to Name and Yacht c/o Hon Secretary, Royal Cornwall Yacht Club, Greenbank, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 2SW, UK.

2. Messages -- Tel: (44) 326 312126 (office), (44) 326 317590 (home)

Fax: (44) 326 211614

3. Moorings -- The RCYC has nine deep water moorings for which reservations can be made.

4. RCYC -- OCC members are welcome to use all the facilities of the Club. We have the usual domestic offices with a particularly good restaurant. Bar snacks are also available.

5. Shops -- many good local shops and chandleries in the town.

6. Accommodation -- not at the RCYC but many hotels and guest houses of all grades in the vicinity.

7. Information -- please call if you have a problem.

Welcome to Falmouth!