Tag Archives: Safety
Annual Boat Maintenance for Mood Swings
For those that follow us on social media, you’d know we pulled Mood Swings out for annual boat maintenance last week. Typically this involves a haul out and slipping the boat. It also typically involves going way over the budget! Because after you have pulled her out, a ton of new items get found. And…
Crocodile Management
Crocodile Management in Australia is the responsibility of the States. In Queensland, the Crocodile Management Plan is the current document. In the NT however, the State Government is responsible (see details here). Except in areas like Kakadu, which are under Federal Government jurisdiction. The aim of crocodile management is simple. To reduce the risk of…
Crocodiles in Northern Australia
Crocodiles in Northern Australia are a hot topic at the moment after a yacht skipper Andrew Heard was taken from his dingy by a croc. The attack happened at Hinchinbrook Island and was sadly fatal. We know from experience how powerful these animals can be after getting in a perspex cage with a 5.1 metre…
Hindsight is a wonderful thing
There’s a reason people say Hindsight is a Wonderful thing. And not just because you can learn from your mistakes and are unlikely to repeat them. Because let’s face it… Who doesn’t repeat their mistakes? How many times have you got fried sunburnt and swore never again – only to get fried sunburnt 6 months…
Living with Crocodiles
Living with crocodiles in Northern Australia and other places they’re found, can be dangerous. But like tigers in India and lions in Africa, we can’t just go around killing everything that threatens us. Last year Karen went to Jim Corbett National Park in India to see a Tiger and was rewarded with this amazing experience:…
I’m Hooked – Fish hook accidents
Earlier this year, after 30 years on charter I had MY FIRST EVER fish hook accident. For those not on social media, here is a quick outline of the events. I was filming some new content for the land based component of our course Barra Basics with my son. Nek Minut the big local croc…
Storms at sea in small boats – real life stories
Last week on our return to Cairns from holidays, we were caught unawares by an electrical storm at sea. One minute it was just wind and rain, and we felt pretty safe in our Black Watch 40, Mood Swings. Nek Minit – lightning flashed all around. To make it worse, the clear zipper ripped and we…
Boat handling tips for a smoother ride in rough weather
Getting a smoother ride in rough weather can be as simple as changing your angle of travel. When I’m out and about on the water, I see so many people put unnecessary wear and tear on themselves and their vessel. Simply by travelling on the wrong angle in rough weather. Boat handling tips to get…
How to sharpen a fish filleting knife
No one knows how to sharpen a knife better than a butcher. Today we talk to Callan from Cardwell Butchery about how to sharpen a filleting knife. so that it holds it’s edge. Keeping your knife razor sharp is the key to good fillets and getting the most flesh from the fish frame. For this…
Handy wheel bearing tool
Regular trailer maintenance is a must if you want to avoid getting stuck on the side of the road with a breakdown. Launch and boat retrieval in and out of saltwater causes all sorts of damage over time and wheel bearings must be checked and changed regularly. One of the trickiest parts of changing your…