FINN (COM) DAILY RECORD: MONDAY, 04 OCTOBER 2004
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
NEW POLAR: A FISHING SHIP FOR THE FALKLANDS
By J. Brock (FINN)
Just over a year ago, when H. E. the Governor Mr. Howard Pearce was in Vigo in Spain, he toured the shipyards where New Polar was being built. At the time, it was still in dry dock and bore no resemblance to the splendid new ship that New Polar is today. On Friday, 01 October 2004, the New Polar was the venue of a reception and tour that was hosted by Polar Limited, that marked it’s flagging in the Falkland Islands. Approximately 50 invited guests enjoyed a cold buffet, wine and a tour of the ship.
This ship is the first purpose-built ship for the fishery and the New Polar will be fishing for Ice-fish in South Georgia waters as well as for other finfish species in Falklands waters. At just under 2,000 GMT, New Polar carries 58 crewmembers. The vessel has top of the range refrigeration equipment. Approximately 50 tonnes a day can be processed in the ship’s state of the art factory. Though the ship is geared for trawling for Squid, it can target many species as she can quickly change nets as the targeted species changes. According to Managing Director, Dick Sawle, the ship holds a database that can tell you where each individual fish was caught.
It is wholly owned by Polar Limited, a joint venture Company owned 50% by Seaview Limited and 50% by Pesca Nova. “Our partnership, rather like a strong marriage, survived all of the Fishery’s ups and downs and has flourished, Mr. Dick Sawle, told the guests.
Mr. Sawle went on to thank Manuel Fernandez, fellow Director and President of Pesca Nova, and Polar Directors, Umberto Pasangradi and Jose Maria Nunia, who apologised for their absence but sent along their very best wishes. He also thanked the design team, the Naval Architects of Pesca Nova, the shipyard and to the Captain, Jose Alnin and all of the Officers who all had an input to the design and specification of the New Polar. Alex Reid and Trish Henry were thanked for their help throughout the project.
In his remarks, H. E. the Governor Mr. Pearce thanked Polar for the invitation to mark the arrival of the New Polar to the Falkland Islands. He congratulated Mr. Sawle and his colleagues in the joint venture for showing their confidence in the Falklands’ fishery by investing time, effort and money in the new fishing vessel. “I think that shows a great deal of confidence in this fishery,” he said. He went on to say that the Falklands are going through a rather difficult time in the fishery in the Falklands but these things tend to go in cycles. Then he expressed his confidence that fishing would continue to play an extremely important part of the Falklands’ economy. “Your working with Pesca Nova, one of the leading fishing companies in Vigo in Spain and over the years we have learned through experience of these partnerships.” He added. He mentioned the continuation of partnerships and friendships that have been made and the experiences would continue to bring great benefits to the Falklands fishery.
2nd ANNUAL STANLEY REGATTA 5TH FEBRUARY 2005 Box 414 Stanley, Falkland Islands FIQQ 1ZZ Phone (+500) 27285 Fax (+500) 27284
PRESS RELEASE
The second annual Stanley Regatta is set to take place on Saturday 5h February 2005. A fun day out for all is planned with something for everybody, spectators and sailors alike. On the sea front we plan to have a BBQ tent with all the luxuries offered at the Seaman’s Centre on sale as well as a Beer tent with the Narrows Bar offering their wares. There are fantastic cash prizes to be won with a packed event list. The event schedule is yet to be finalised but last year’s regatta included the following;
P 5 Round Dinghy Race
(run under the RYA Portsmouth Yardstick Handicap Scheme)
P Powerboat Race
P Jet Ski Race
P Pirate Race
P Canoe/Kayak Race
P Junior Dinghy Race
P Orienteering Challenge
P Windsurfer Slalom Race
P Windsurfer Speed Challenge
Entry to the Regatta is free. There are a number of craft available to borrow so if you are keen to have a go in an event and do not have an appropriate craft available to you then let Steve Dent know and he will attempt to procure a craft. Entry is open to both civilian and military members of the Falklands sailing and water sport community.
Sponsors are needed so if you would like to link your company to this prestigious, high profile event then contact Steve Dent for more details.
Further assistance is also needed both on the day and with organisation of the event. If you are new to the islands and have experience or an interest in sailing or if you saw last year’s fantastic event and want to get involved contact Steve Dent for details.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
Wednesday, 06 October 2004: Housing Committee - 1330 - Liberation Room Secretariat
Thursday, 07 October 2004: Planning and Building Committee -0900 - Liberation Room
Stanley Lands Committee - 1330 - Liberation Room
Friday, 08 October 2004: Vehicles Working Group 1000 - Liberation Room
FIBS NEWS DIRECT: 04 OCTOBER 2004 Corina Goss (CG)
FLIGHTS TALKS COULD RESUME:
Argentine Foreign Minister, Raphael Bielsa has now described us as Crown Subjects inhabiting Argentine Territory. He was speaking to Argentine news agency DYN about direct flights from that country to here when he made the comments. He told the agency that Anglo-Argentine talks could possibly resume next December in London and could eventually help reach an understanding regarding charter flights to the Islands. But he says the Argentine position in the immediate term remains unchanged. Bielsa says that during the recent UN meeting, Argentina was very close to reaching a satisfactory agreement with Bill Rammel. This months’ Council Rep. Roger Edwards, wasn’t answering his phone this morning but, asked about the credibility of the Argentine Press, Cllr. John Birmingham said that for every 100 press reports coming out of the Country, less than half of one percent has any proof in it, adding that as far as Councillors are aware at the moment, nothing is happening regarding flights.
SPRING HOLIDAY:
You may not feel it but spring having sprung calls for celebration today with a public holiday belatedly marking its arrival. Formerly known as “Peat Cutting Monday” the holiday used to be a chance to take to the banks with your spades and sandwiches. But it’s a case of history repeating itself. As a holiday, which appeared nearly half a century ago to replace a holiday in August, it was to be deleted in favour of a holiday in Heritage year. Archivist, Jane Cameron (JC), explains the history around this confusing holiday.
JC: The holiday seems to have been known as “Peat Cutting Monday” although it is officially known as “Spring Holiday.” It’s always on the first Monday of October and it was actually instituted for the first time in 1965.
CG: But it didn’t remain, did it?
JC: It was introduced at that time specifically and traditionally because around the time of the First World War, there had always been a holiday in August, which fell on the same date as the British August Bank Holiday. That was a very long-standing traditional arrangement. And, in the early 1960s - I found a note on the Secretariat File - which read “One often hears the August Bank Holiday criticised as it falls at a particularly bad time in this hemisphere. Presumably, it is fixed for August, the traditional holiday month in Britain. But that could hardly be said of this Colony.” And, he goes on to say, “I suggest, for your consideration, that the first Monday in November might be a more fitting date in Stanley. There are, at present, no public holidays during the gardening and peat-cutting season.” This wasn’t taken up immediately but in 1964, the Falklands celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Battle of the Falklands. And, because they were due to have quite a number of festivities centring around that, it was suggested that the August Bank Holiday be sacrificed just for that year and another holiday be instituted on the 7th of December so that together with the 8th of December on the weekend, it would make a fairly long time for the festivities. That was done in 1964 but only after people had been canvassed to see whether they liked the idea or not. The next year the holiday was deleted and the first Monday in October was instituted. That’s during the Gardening and Peat Cutting Season and that’s why it is known as Peat Cutting Monday.
CG: But then History kind of repeated itself a few years later, didn’t it and Peat Cutting Monday was deleted and the holiday went back to August again. What happened there?
JC: That was in 1992 when the Falkland Islands were celebrating Heritage Year. People were very keen that important dates in the Falklands History should be commemorated. And, one of the suggestions was that a public holiday should be instituted on the 14th of August, which was the day John Davis was reputed to have first sighted the Falkland Islands. That was actually carried through. So, the Holiday went back to being in August and remained there for another 10 years. A couple of years ago, I believe the same objections arose that it was a cold, wet day in the middle of winter and nobody really could take advantage of a holiday then. And, it was suggested that it be moved back to the springtime, as it has now been.
SIMON WESTON:
Falklands War veteran, Simon Weston, has had an activities centre named after him in view of his contributions to the charities activities. Richmond and Twickenham Times reports that Simon is the Vice President of the Royal Star and Garter Home in Richmond, where the centre is based, reported that he carried out the opening last week. He was made a Vice President of the charity in 1995 and continues supporting fundraising and public relations events across the UK. The charity’s Chief Executive, Lyn McDougal, says the Governors are delighted to have the chance to acknowledge Simon’s invaluable contribution to the work of the Home.
FLEA MARKET:
Yesterday’s Flea Market was very successful, according to organiser, John Birmingham. John said that around 200 people went along to browse and buy from the stalls. Items ranged from seeds and plants, books and videos, as well as a choice of household goods. The flea markets are held monthly in the Town Hall.
HARBOUR, FISHING AND SHIPPING NEWS:
The St. Brandon arrived alongside FIPASS this afternoon. She will be loading containers and heading towards Punta Arenas. This morning the Tamar arrived alongside the East Jetty. The Japanese Surimi Vessel, Nataka Maru started fishing on Saturday and she is reported to be hauling in good catches of Blue Whiting. The Toothfish Vessel, Gambler, is also in Falkland Waters and is catching well. Finfish amounts inside the zone are reported to be low but Lolligo numbers are reported to be reasonable on the high seas, with ships catching around 6 tonnes a day at 46S. This is around 150 miles north of the FICZ.
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