Minutes can be found at
www.windsurfingnsw.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/WNSW-Committee-Meeting-minutes-25-2-22.pdf
Thanks WNSW committee for continuing to advocate on our behalf around lifejackets and sydney harbour access. Seems crazy that a small child in an Opti can sail all over the harbour but windsurfers have huge restrictions.
Agreed, and now it appears that Maritime blame Port Authority of NSW as the party that continues to dislike windsurfers.
Was interesting seeing the ferries avoiding the 18 foot skiffs if they come too close in the recent JJ series, rather than blowing their horn and full steam ahead!
Some of the Ferry drivers are ex-skiff sailors, so do try to work with the yachts on the harbour.
That said the 18's are always under pressure with the Ferries.
I think that when the big Manly Ferries are replaced with lots of super fast versions, the dynamic on the harbour will change again, potentially very busy and hard to avoid the Ferries as they are so quick. I've noticed that the private fast Ferries, don't give way and plow through racing fleets as if they own the harbour.... Not sure why, but assume they are just paid drivers who don't really care...
From the Manly Daily. The emerald class ferry skipper above would have had their hands full. As noted by Brett, it's nearly as quick as the current NRMA operated fast ferry. Sailing on North Harbour midweek, I haven't found either current ferry as intimidating as the old jet cat or Freshwater class ferries and I'm well away from the private ferry operators. The weekend would be a different kettle of fish.
