Resolution Bay, Marlborough Sounds
WELCOME
What a year 2020 has been — with the challenges brought by a global pandemic, and a restricted boating season I think you’d agree we all need a good break away on the water! Despite this, we’ve completed some critical work around the Marina, and made some great improvements along the way. I’m proud to be part of Mana Marina which has such a strong boating community, and supported by staff that go the extra mile. Now, we’re waiting for the gales to stop and summer to arrive, so we can get out there and enjoy our boating! I’d also like to acknowledge that Christmas will be different for a number of families this year with the loss of loved ones, and in particular we remember our Marina friends and members who are no longer with us.
— Neil, Marina Manager
WE REMEMBER
Jim Forsman
Elec Cechrzycki
Peter Bowen
Peter Moroney
Claire Sellens
Brian Eames
AGM
The AGM for Licence holders held 24 November 2020 was well attended. The Board presented some detailed analysis of Marina finances and reported that, despite the interruption of Covid-19, the Marina has had a positive year and is a good position moving into the future.
What’s new?
Security system
The new security system is live today! If you haven’t yet picked up a new access key card, please call into the Office or email us at office@manamarina.co.nz and we’ll arrange to send one to you. Just like the old swipe cards, these will get you into the barrier arms, diesel fuel wharf kiosk, and facilities, but the new system installed enables cards to be registered to the account holder, for improved management and on site security.
New six-monthly power invoicing
Vessels plugged into shore power incur a $33 charge for each month connected. Power invoices will now be sent six-monthly (rather than annually). The first invoices will be sent 1 February 2021.
Have you got the Cruise Guide app for the Marlborough Sounds?
It’s perfect if you’ve heard about a great bay in the Sounds but haven’t been there before – now you can check it out before you go, or search for a new spot to explore. As an interactive guide, it’ll give you photos, and detailed local knowledge about good places to anchor, available moorings, facilities in the area and the best places to tuck into when the wind blows a gale.
Based on the original printed NZ Cruising Guide Central Area, the Cruise Guide app has a lot of extra info, and is regularly updated.
Available for download from the Google Play or Apple app stores. And it’s free!
NIWA SMART BUOY
NIWA team with the new smart buoy
Last month, NIWA launched a new smart buoy on the edge of the Kāpiti Marine Reserve, expanding the area of ocean data measured in the Wellington area. As the buoy was loaded onto the vessel at the Cruising Club breastworks, Tara from Mana Marina had a quick chat to Mike and Jenny – oceanographic engineers from NIWA.
Tell us a little about your involvement with this…
We’ve been working on this buoy for four or five years, on the technical side - design and build. And what’s been great about this project is there’s so many different teams involved – there’s NIWA, Greater Wellington Regional Council, DOC, Iwi, and funded partially by Air NZ.
How would you describe what it does?
It’s a real time monitor – it’s like a smartbuoy so what’s really cool about this is that it measures data above the surface, at the surface and below the surface. So, we’re getting real time wind speed and wind direction (and this will all be on the GWRC website – it’s free to view). It also tells us wave height, wave direction (swell), then we’ve got surface temperature sensors at various depths plus salinity and water quality.
You could kinda look at it as a smart harbour marker — it’s got its light and it’s completely self-powered by six car batteries (AGM) and the solar panels top it up. This is the ‘sister’ buoy to the one in Wellington (just south of Matiu/Somes Island) so this is the start of a sentinel system of long-term monitoring sites.
Do vessels have to keep a certain distance from it?
No but don’t hit it, and don’t tie up to it! It has got an AIS on it, so it does pop up on the chartplotter (as WRIBO-K).
Is there anything you’d like boaties to help with?
If they see there’s anything wrong with it, or if it looks really low in the water, take a picture and send it to us (at NIWA) and ask if everything’s ok - which is really useful. Because we monitor the data as it comes in but sometimes we can tell there’s something wrong and it saves us time seeing what it is.
What’s the mooring tonnage for the buoy?
2.5 tonnes of railway wheels! On a primarily chain mooring.
How do you keep growth off it?
We send a dive team out and they give it a good scrub. We also use divers to change over the sensors (at 5m depth) – we have to keep them on calibration.
MCC TRAVEL LIFT
Welcome to John McKenzie (who many of you will already have met) — Mana Cruising Club’s new Travel Lift/Yard Operator. There’s still space available for quick slips to be done in preparation for your summer cruising. Book in via Mana Cruising Club here. On receipt of your booking, John will contact you to confirm/arrange a suitable time/date.
Review
MARINE BIOSECURITY WORKSHOP
Whilst the weather wasn’t the best, the Top of the South workshop still had a solid turnout to check out the boat hauled, and the anti-foul presentation.
Peter Lawless Coordinator of the TOS Marine Biosecurity Partnership reported:
“Twenty club members attended the marine biosecurity and antifouling workshop offered by the Top of the South Marine Biosecurity Partnership and Altex Paints on 21 November.
No new pests were found in the marina. The two harmful organisms in the marina, wakame and the clubbed tunicate have both come from Japan. Both are in the Top of the South, but Mana vessels can help spread them to new locations.
Most interest was shown in how to get the best out of antifouling. Marcus Gardner from Altex provided both individual and general advice. The key, he said, was good preparation and sticking to the manufacturer's specifications. The best product depends on how the vessel is used and how often it is used.
The organisers were heartened by the commitment of club members to looking after the environment. Mana and Wellington provide 80% of the out of region recreational vessels visiting the top of the South with the Marlborough Sounds being the favoured destination. Only half of those boats go to a marina so it's really important you are clean below before you go.
The TOS team will be inspecting 450 vessels out and about this summer again. We look forward to seeing you on the water.”
Reminder
MOORING LINES & STORMS
Over the last few weeks, we’ve had a series of big lows pass over the Marina, one with a sustained 60knot southerly. This reiterated the importance of boat owners regularly inspecting their mooring lines to ensure they’re in good condition. Please ensure old lines are replaced, as severe damage can occur if these let go during a storm.
MARINA POLES
Please don’t fix mooring lines to the Marina poles. Lines should be fixed to the eyelets on the pole rings only. If in doubt, please check our Mooring policy here.
Replace lines well before they get to breaking point
Mana channel is a busy area. Photograph by Ross Giblin
Message from the Harbour Master
The summer weather must surely be getting closer...as we head into the holidays the numbers of boats, kayaks, kites, paddleboard, and swimmers are all going to increase.
The Mana channel is going to be an area of congestion again this summer. For larger vessels coming through the channel we recommend slowing to 5 knots, however, it is important to maintain your course and speed. We have been advising kite surfers and other water users to avoid larger vessels and pass behind if at all possible, however you must be prepared to take action to avoid collision at all costs.
Weather + Lifejackets + Waterproof coms + Tell someone = Happy holidays and safe return
I would like to take this opportunity to remind members of some of the basic safety rules
Wear your lifejackets in boats under 6 meters
Ensure you have at least two waterproof means of communication. (Preferably one on your body)
Observe 5 knots within 200m of shore, structure or a dive flag and 50m of another vessel or person in the water.
Check your navigation lights before venturing out in the dark and continue to check them for operation.
Have fun out on the water this summer and have a happy and safe Christmas.
FRESH FISH FOR DINNER
The Sounds season for blue cod opens again from 20 December (minimum catch size 33cm). Stay up to date with the current fishing rules here.
Admin
CHANGED YOUR INFO?
Moved address, changed your postal, got a new phone or email address? Please let the Office know, so we can keep our records up to date and contact you.
KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED
If you find an orange horse-shoe buoy with the name Mohua on it, please let the Office know so we can return this to the owner, thank you.
Holiday Office hours
The Office will be closed for the statutory holidays. From Thursday 24 December 2020 to Monday 04 January 2020, we’ll be open from 0900-1200 weekdays.
If you have an urgent matter during this time, please contact the Manager on 027 2330111, alternatively non-urgent matters can be emailed to office@manamarina.co.nz and we’ll reply as soon as possible.
Enjoy the Festive Season
We wish everyone safe and happy holidays, and look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.
Board of Directors George Saunders, Bruce Judge, Clive Glover, Menno Oortgiesen
Marina Team Neil Cornwell, Tara Cooney, Andrew Kiddle, Steven Crawford