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Best of the Week
19 November 2014
It’s been another week of amazing visibility for snorkelling in the Whitsundays, with some neap tides creating excelling conditions for marine life viewing. Our turtles have been chilling out in abundance, and large schools of trevally have been delighting our lucky snorkellers.
What’s a neap tide?
A neap tide is when there is little difference between high and low tide. This happens about a day after the first and third quarter of the moon. It usually brings great visibility with it, because the tidal movement is limited.
The opposite of neap tide is spring tide (which has nothing to do with the season). When the moon is full, or there is a new moon, we get a spring tide, which means a bigger variance between high and low tide.
The Captain’s Choice Highlights Video
[gdlr_video url=”https://youtu.be/YnhDcJ5390M” ]
TIP: Swim with turtles from the 1.00 minute mark!
Weekly Highlights
Hamilton Island Exploits
Derwent Hunter explored further afield this week, heading to Hamilton Island for a private charter.
Berthed next to the amazing Hamilton Island Yacht club, corporate guests were entertained throughout the day on a series of sailing adventures cruising out towards rugged Pentecost Island.
The corporate rum sponsor wanted a pirate feel to the day, and we didn’t disappoint. Pirate dress, cannonball cocktails and a sail on the high seas were in order. 150 guests experienced a Derwent Hunter day over 3 session times.
To enquire about private charters on Derwent Hunter from resort islands, please contact us on 07 4946 7124.
Family Moments
It was a proud family moment this week for old salt and owner Warren Ladd, as he acted as mentor for niece Ena Ladd as she took the helm of the Derwent Hunter for the first time.
Under guidance, Ena did a wonderful job running the ship and took everything in her stride. Sister Ali claims, “This is what she was born to do.”
Warren was very pleased with her efforts but says you never stop learning.
“Every day on the water, the ship or the sea teaches you something.”
It is great to see a young female taking command at just 20 years of age. We have trained many young kids on the deck of the Derwent Hunter, and many end up sailing all over the world, but they always come back!
Staff Profile
Warren Ladd aka Wazza
Warren has been the owner of the Derwent Hunter for over 25 years, and says that sea faring his in his blood.
The Whitsundays are a perfect sailing ground for this great old lady of the sea. She allows Warren to pursue his other passions of wildlife and nature.
His aim for the Derwent Hunter day sail experience is simple.
“We want our guests to have an appreciation of sailing on a fine piece of Australian maritime history along with a greater knowledge of just how special this World Heritage Marine and National Park is.
“Hopefully, through this experience, they may tread a little lighter on their own part of the planet and develop a deeper respect for our unique maritime history.”
As a young man, Warren once saw a picture of the Derwent Hunter in a history book of early Australian vessels and remarked to a friend that he was going to one that boat one day.
Over 20 years later, walking to work at the marina in Southport one day, there she was, tied up to the jetty. It took a further two years but Warren finally bought the Derwent Hunter and brought her up to the Whitsundays in 1993.
Read more about Warren and the Derwent Hunter’s intriguing history in this magazine article.
Photos of the Week
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