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8:46 AM Tue 2 Dec 2008 GMT
 | | 'Wild Oats XI with keel canted attempting to enter the marina inner harbour after the 2007 Pittwater to Coffs Race'
Damian Devine |
With entries for the 2009 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race due to close this Friday 5th December 2008, the Department of Lands have confirmed they will dredge the entrance to the marina & inner harbour in Coffs to allow boats with a sizeable keel to berth safely after the race.
With sand and silt building up over recent months making it difficult for larger boats to berth in the marina, some recent lobbying by local Coffs Harbour authorities including the Chamber of Commerce, Coffs Coast Tourism, the receiving club CHYC and the RPAYC supporting the dredging, has resulted in a positive outcome for all.
The Department has agreed to dredge the area prior to the race to a depth of 4.5m SLW, allowing more competitors to join in the post race celebrations, hosted by the receiving club Coffs Harbour Yacht Club and help boost the local economy. The dredging also makes the destination a 'safe harbour' for all passing sailors.
It also means the Festival of Sail; the annual community based event run by the Coffs Chamber of Commerce in parallel with the Coffs race will be bigger and better with a festive feel dockside as the competitors finish the race and enter the Coffs marina.
Receiving the news from the Department first hand, the RPAYC's Commodore Russell Murphy commented, 'this certainly is great news for the fleet and for Coffs Harbour and will ease any concern that a handful of competitors had about safe berthing and now can enjoy the warm hospitality when they arrive in Coffs'.
With entries stepping a notch with the deadline date drawing closer, the Category 2 226nm Pittwater to Coffs Harbour ocean race, hosted The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, will get underway by Race Officer Ted Anderson and official starter, local businessman Bill Buckle at 12 noon on the 2nd January 2009.
The Pittwater to Coffs Race will be followed by popular Solitary Islands race in Coffs Harbour on the 5th January, the finale of the Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Offshore Series.
An event launch will be held at Coffs Harbour Yacht Club on Friday 12th December.
For race enquiries and documentation please contact the RPAYC Sailing Office on (02) 9997 1633 or yachting@rpayc.com.au.
The notice of race and application for entry can be downloaded from the official event website www.pittwatertocoffs.com.au
by Damian Devine
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Cape Byron, NSW
