Page 30 - Bush 'n Beach Fishing magazine

A northern 35-fathom line snapper falls to a oater.
And what was been done was a partial job, with more attention re- quired in the Rous.
Though, I am unsure how they would catego- rise those particular inci- dents in any future report.
To give MSQ a lit- tle credit, they recently made several changes to three of the most critical starboard lateral marks and the situation mar- ginally improved in the most critical areas.
COVID can’t be blamed for condition of local waterways
* from P29
boat channel past the
cently about the num- ber and types of marine incidents that had oc- curred in Queensland waters, and skippers were reminded of their obligations.
to servicing the needs of boaties who use the Rous Channel?
Chain Banks, where it links with the Rous.
Surely the pandemic can’t be blamed for this situation being allowed to get so out of hand.
From that point out- bound it is fair enough to expect a change in channel location from the always slowly shift- ing sand banks in that area, which is precisely why the area is marked with buoys not beacons.
I would think that MSQ also have an ob- ligation to more fre- quently relocate their navigation aids when the situation requires, keeping their thousands of marine stakeholders safer.
If it was a shipping- related matter, it would have been done pronto.
In September 2019, Maritime Safety Queensland officers were acknowledging the need to do serious navi- gation aid relocation in the Rous Channel, and despite occasional prod- ding, nothing has hap- pened in that regard un- til a few weeks prior to penning this article.
But typically, non- shipping matters often seem to fall well down the pecking order.
In this case, their in- ability to meet their ob- ligations has been the cause of quite a few ma- rine incidents, and the recreational and com- mercial vessel commu- nity deserve better.
Everything that has been neglected by gov- ernments of late tends to be blamed on COV- ID, but this situation is ridiculous and farcical because it has such a simple fix.
YOUR TOOL FOR PURE FUEL
Removes water, dirt, sand, rust and debris.
Portable, self-cleaning, static free with no replacement parts.
0412 013 981
www.mrfunnelaustralia.com.au
Offshore reef fishing fanatics WANTED
One of Brisbane’s oldest deep-sea fishing clubs with a 100 percent safety record has vacancies for new members. Owners of suitable vessels encouraged. All levels of experience. Those without own vessels also invited to apply. Approximately 15 deep sea trips per year. One week-long fishing holiday to Town of 1770. Monthly meetings, video shows, guest speakers and free nibbles. 4WD beach fishing and camp- ing. Inshore fishing also on the agenda.
Interested? Then call Darryl (0407 596 822) or Robin (3269 5013).
POWER BOAT ANGLERS REEF FISHING CLUB INC
The buoy relocation in the Rous had been let go for so long, several navi- gation aids are now in the middle of sandbanks and others are sitting way out in the middle of the channel.
Has the bloke who said we couldn’t go boating during the early days of COVID – and had his edict overturned by his own Minister the same day to allow ‘fishing for food’ – been asleep at the helm when it comes
However, after several weeks and at the time of writing, I am yet to see a Notice to Mariners is- sued in respect of those placements.
It was so bad that a few of the green star- board buoys had to be passed on the opposite side intended, where the deeper water was – one is still way off the good water.
* continued P31
The author with a recent early morning snapper, caught oat lining a Klik sinker rig.
Page 30 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, November 2020
www.bnb shing.com.au
In particular, as a result of the starboard buoys sitting over sandbanks, it was not uncommon to see vessels aground, waiting for the tide to rise and float free.
Those skippers were simply following the navigation aids and were blissfully unaware of their incorrect loca- tion until – whoomp – they ran aground.
Ironically, there was mention in the press re-