MAKING WAVES

Register fights theft

Insurance business Club Marine has teamed up with police, Crime Stoppers and DataDot Technology Australia to create a new national marine register to combat boat theft. Buyers can use the free service to see if a potential purchase has been stolen. Club Marine chief Greg Fisher says the most commonly stolen boats are trailer rigs used for fishing and waterskiing. Now boat owners can register their craft, upload pictures, and provide information on identifying features such as motor serial numbers — details that are critical to police if the boat is stolen. More than $11 million worth of boats are stolen annually. See nationalmarineregister.com.au.

Free tide tables

Roads and Maritime Services has released its annual compilation of tidal predictions for the next 12 months. These are available free of charge at motor registries, maritime service centres and boat shows. Tide heights of 1.7 metres or more, and 0.3 metres or less, are highlighted, and moon phases are included. Online access is available at maritime.nsw.gov.au/docs/Tide_Tables.pdf.

Volunteers honoured

Three volunteers from Marine Rescue NSW have been recognised for their contribution to safety on the water and the NSW boating community in the Queen's Birthday honours. James Glissan, QC, Patricia Fayers and Joan Noble have been awarded the Emergency Services Medal. Mr Glissan is chairman of Marine Rescue NSW; Ms Fayers is unit commander of Marine Rescue Central Coast; and Ms Noble is deputy unit commander of Marine Rescue Kioloa in the Illawarra. Remember to log on and off with your rescue base every boating trip, especially in winter, when the risks are heightened due to cold water and rough seas.

Parks review urged

Leaders of the recreational fishing industry have called for an immediate and independent scientific review of the marine park process following reports that federal minister Tony Burke said fishing would be banned in the reserves. The managing director of the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation, Allan Hansard, said it was clear from the recent parliamentary debate on marine parks that the process was driven more by politics than the science required for good public policy to protect our marine environment. "We have continually asked Minister Burke to answer one simple question: why is he locking recreational fishers out of the Marine National Parks?" Mr Hansard said. See keepaustraliafishing.com.au.