The first three rules of cruising listed latter would suggest that organising dates, destinations and time can only lead to failure. So detailed below is a system to co-ordinate and notify cruising boats in a manner that they can be informed of others cruising intentions and can easily make contact in an informal manner when on the waters of Port Hacking and beyond.

First Level:

The first is via a central email address hello.trim@optusnet.com.au where cruising intentions of members can be posted on the cruising web site. The web site will also display all the events planed by the Cruising master so all cruising members can be informed and decide whether or not to participate. The main purpose is therefore to co-ordinate cruising yachts own intentions rather than to organise destinations.

Example: Spray may be planning to cruise to Sydney Harbour on a long weekend, so notifies the central email address which broadcasts to all. A response may come in from several boats considering the same destination at the same time.

These boats can then sail in company or locate each other in due course by the second system.

The website will also records other useful information related to cruising as well as worthwhile cross references to the Port Hacking cruising guide. (a publication to be produced with the help of participating cruisers).

Web address:  http://members.optusnet.com.au/hello.trim

Organised events for example may be; The Broadwater Classic, A Cruising fleet to Bateman’s Bay, Other regular events planned for Port Hacking.

The web can also be used to record the travels or destinations of past times and hopefully members will assist by supplying their write-ups with pictures.

Second Level;

The second system provides a means to locate any cruising boat that is in the same location, by using a universal call sign on VHF channel 16. The call procedure is as follows:

Hello Trim, Hello Trim, Hello Trim

This is Spray, Spray, Spray over

If you read the brief history in the introduction of the cruising guide you would know that Trim was Flinders cat. Any boat (lets say) on the Port will recognise this call as coming from another cruising boat looking for company. It is not mandatory to answer if you want to maintain your privacy, but if you wish to make contact you can reply on channel 16 using your call sign and change to VHF 73 to discuss details.

This system can be used to identify Port Hacking cruising boats in range wherever they may be.

A possible scenario may be; it is a nice summers Sunday and you decide to head to the boat to find a sheltered anchorage for lunch. You have no idea who else may be on the Port so you call Trim on VHF 16. You find there are several other boats with like intension at Darks Bay so you can now enjoy your lunch with the fellowship of others.

To further compliment this system a flag will be issued which has a Yellow background and a black Trim (cat) for you to fly from the lower crosstrees to identify your position on the water and an identifying badge to help new members to meet the older members at meetings off the water.

A Port Hacking Cruising Guide will be available (with the assistance of the cruising members and the onshore meetings) to cruising members or for visiting boats to join into the system.

To join - email The Master at hello.trim@optusnet.com.au