Standing by

“If the government says it is safe to run Race Week in its usual timeslot and sailors have the inclination to be part of the regatta, we will cater for the demand,” he promised.

“To use a sailing analogy, we’ll cut our cloth to suit the conditions.

How we do it will be determined by government restrictions and if they are lifted, how many entries we see”, he added.

At this stage Hamilton Island will remain closed till June 1 but Bourke says management is eager to restore one of the most popular events on the sailing calendar.

“We’ve got history, we love Hamilton Island Race Week and we know when we come out the other end of this health crisis it’s important to open your doors and offer the things sailors most enjoy – good day racing and warm weather,” he confirms.

Hamilton Island was shut on 23 March as the COVID-19 travel restrictions came in force, but not before a female tourist from the UK ignored warnings and travelled to the island after being tested for coronavirus.

The 37 year-old returned a positive result and was tracked down on the island, arrested by Border Force officers and placed in Immigration Detention.

The Whitsundays and Airlie Beach are among Australia’s most popular holiday destinations and have been hit hard by the collapse of tourism in the region.

But the local charter yacht industry has adapted to the crisis and is working to ensure the boats will be ready for guests to push-off when travel restrictions are removed and flights resume.

Christophe Vanek from the popular Dream Yacht Charter based at Airlie Beach’s Coral Sea Marina says around 95 percent of charterers for their fleet of 31 boats have simply deferred their holiday plans. He says it is possible for locals to charter, keeping in mind the current social distancing rules.

He acknowledges it will take some time “to re-prime the pump’, but is confident the Whitsundays will be a bigger drawcard than ever as destinations such as Bali and Thailand remain off limits. Christophe has also recognised an improvement in water quality and an increase in marine life as the environment benefits from the respite.

Another well-known charter company, Cumberland Charter Yachts also normally operates out the Coral Sea Marina, offering exceptional experiences on their fleet of 28 boats ranging from 32 to 47 feet.

Managing Director Charlie Preen says Cumberland’s fleet is in caretaker mode but will be ready to go back in service at short notice.

“We have the resources to survive this period,” he says, explaining the boats will be regularly maintained and critical systems checked.

“We have to keep the costs down for the boat owners as well. They will be kept in operational condition. Each week we will turn the engines over, make sure the bilge pumps are working and things like that,” he told Sails.

When the COVID-19 restrictions are eased Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham has warned Australia overseas travel may not be allowed till 2021.

“Look, I wouldn’t put any guarantees that you could undertake that overseas trip in December,” Minister Birmingham told a viewer who tweeted a question on ABC News Breakfast.

But while trips overseas are certainly on pause, the minister, on multiple occasions, has encouraged Australians to start dreaming about domestic travel.

“This is a time where, unfortunately, people can’t undertake holidays and they won’t be able to overseas for quite some time to come,” he said.

“And there may be a slightly earlier point in time where it becomes feasible to think about domestic travel again.

“We’re not there yet, but certainly this time is a good time for a bit of dreaming, a bit of planning. Think about that Aussie break that you might take when we do finally get to the other side of this,” he urged.

The prospect of an earlier relaxation of domestic travel is good news for Charlie Preen and the team at Cumberland Charter Yachts. He agrees it could mean a very busy and extended season next year.

“The day the (social) distancing rules are over and the Government say it is safe to return to doing what we love best, is the day we are back in business,” he says with conviction.

ccy.com.au

hamiltonisland.com.au

dreamyachtcharter.com