RALLY’S FIRST AUSTRALIAN STOPOVER A RESOUNDING SUCCESS

The Blue Water Rally fleet has given Mackay Marina Village a thorough stamp of approval and the organisers behind the rally are determined that it will return in two years.

The fleet’s stay began in August and as Race Director Peter Seymour remarked, it was a hectic few days in the Marina with yachts arriving day and night.  The Marina set aside a secure pontoon as a customs and quarantine berth and yachts received their clearances there before going on to their pre-allocated berths.

Understandably there was some trepidation among the crews about the strict customs and quarantine procedures for yachts entering Australia.  However, BWR crews reported only helpful professional officers from the Customs and AQIS Departments.  Both are based at Mackay Marina.

Peter Seymour said: “The Mackay officials have made every effort to welcome our people and make their entry into Australia as quick and easy as possible.  What a change from some of the places we have been! 

“We all knew that Aussies have a can-do attitude and it’s been reflected in the welcome skippers and crews have received at the Marina Office and from the Marina staff.  However, it is probably at Mackay Marina Shipyard that this has been most noticeable.”

For several months Manager Todd Gavan and team have been planning liftouts and work on Rally yachts.  These have ranged from relatively straightforward antifouling and paint jobs to the purchase and replacement of generators. 

Peter said: “I watched the liftout for Jenny take about 20 minutes and within the same hour the yacht was on hard-standing and propeller and shaft removed for repair.  Before I arrived three Rally yachts had been through the liftout and engineering process and there are others awaiting similar professional treatment.  Certainly our decision to visit Mackay because of its all-round support services appears to be vindicated.

“Another benefit of being here is the proximity of the various bars and restaurants lined up along the side of the Marina.  Whilst it can’t quite compare with being stern-to at the Copra Shed at Fiji, it comes a very close second!  However, Mackay beats it hands down for variety.  There is a huge choice here – seafood, steak, Thai, tapas and a welcoming Yacht Club with bar and restaurant, not forgetting the 4-star restaurant at the Clarion Hotel.”

Other members of the fleet also had positive testimonials to give:

Ian Addiss from Bury, UK, of 36ft Paramour: “The Hotel has done us proud and the Shipyard is second to none. On the way to Mackay we hit a whale and bent the rudder. I thought I was going to be stuck here for weeks while a new one was made but the Shipyard fixed it in four hours.”

Hugh and Shan Evans from Wales, of Stargazer: “The Shipyard is first class all round. As soon as Stargazer was lifted the team began working right away and have worked incredibly quickly. I don’t think we’d get that at home.”

Gianfranco and Barbara Balducci from Italy, of 40ft Shaula 3: “The Marina is excellent – I needed a part and they got it for me within one day.”

Further details of the Blue Water Rally's visit with stories and pictures from the fleet can be found at www.bluewaterrallies.com.