Questions asked by Mornington Environment Association Inc. about a yacht adrift from a mooring in Mornington Harbour

PORT PHILLIP CONSERVATION COUNCIL INC.

Telephone +61393769442, +61429176725 12 Burton Street, DROMANA VIC 3936

A0020093K Victoria www.vicnet.net.au/~phillip

ABN 46 291 176 191 3rd April 2005

QUESTIONS BY MORNINGTON ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION INC: WHY ONE LARGE YACHT [44 STAYED MOORED] CAME ADRIFT FROM ITS MORNINGTON HARBOUR MOORING THIS WEEKEND?

Why was the yacht "MORNING STAR" grounded at Mornington’s Mothers Beach during the night or early hours of Sunday morning, 3rd April 2005, whilst 44 other yachts moored in the harbour remained at their moorings?

Once again we can expect to hear the loud clamour from the Mornington Yacht Club fraternity about the need for a "Safe Harbour" to protect their boats from stormy weather.

Why is it that only one boat was grounded, and not more?

Mornington Environment Association Inc. (MEA Inc.) is of the opinion that this is a serious matter; and needs to be investigated thoroughly. MEA Inc. seeks answers to the following questions : -

1. WAS THIS MOORING DRAGGED BY THE BOAT?

2. DID THIS MOORING BREAK?

3. WAS THIS MOORING ADEQUATELY AND APPROPRIATELY SECURED TO THE BOAT?

4. DID THIS MOORING COMPLY WITH PARKS VICTORIA’S SPECIFICATIONS FOR A BOAT THE SIZE OF “MORNING STAR“?

5. WHEN WAS THIS MOORING LAST INSPECTED – AS REQUIRED BY PARKS VICTORIA?

6. WHEN WAS THIS MOORING LAST REPLACED / RENEWED- AS REQUIRED BY PARKS VICTORIA?

7. WHO CARRIED OUT THE LAST INSPECTION AND/OR REPLACEMENT AND/OR RENEWAL?

8. DO ALL THE OTHER MOORINGS (NOT ONLY THE SWING AND TROT MOORINGS) IN THE HARBOUR COMPLY FULLY WITH PARKS VICTORIA’S EQUIREMENTS IN TERMS OF SIZE/CAPACITY, INSPECTIONS, RENEWALS, REPLACEMENTS, ETC? –

9. WAS THE PERSON WHO INSPECTED, RENEWED OR REPLACED THIS MOORING SUITABLY QUALIFIED AND APPROVED FOR THIS WORK?

Mornington Environment Association Inc. is pleased that the yacht “Morning Sta “ was able to be retrieved, apparently without severe damage .

However, MEA Inc. is of the opinion that a full and official inquiry should promptly be conducted by a proper person into this grounding to establish ALL relevant facts.

Franz Bjerkhamn – Secretary , Mornington Environment Association Inc.