A group of very excited scuba divers with Great Adventures Cruises at Green Island were treated to a rare encounter with a young adult dugong. Estimated to be around 2 metres in length, this was the first dugong sighting recorded by Great Adventures divers at Green Island in several years. It was also the first ever sighting for videographer Dan Liu and two very lucky introductory divers on holiday from Ballarat Victoria. “It was so exciting to see! He was very curious swimming near us as the group were diving on a nearby coral bommie. He came close within about 4 metres, swimming away and then coming back for another look before swimming off over the seagrass beds,” said Dan Liu. Dugongs, often called sea cows, as they graze shallow seagrass meadows (eating up to 40kg a day!) are found across the tropical belt in Australia. They reach a length of 3 metres, live up to 70 years of age and can weigh as much as 400kg. Dugongs are fascinating mammals, sharing a common ancestor with elephants, and early sailors are believed to have confused them for mythical mermaids. They are most closely related to the manatee, their northern hemisphere relative. They resemble a large dolphin but lack a dorsal fin and have an upper lip covered in thick bristles. They are well designed for aquatic life, with nostrils situated on top of their heads so they can breathe, and have a large, strong tail that propels them through the water. Their eyes and ears are on the side of their heads. Although their eyesight is poor, they have an acute sense of hearing.” Dugong are threatened on a worldwide scale and in Australia, are a protected species under various legislation including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975. This important sighting will be reported to GBRMPA’s Eye on the Reef monitoring program contributing valuable information about these endangered creatures as well as the long-term protection and management of the reef. Video credit Dan Liu, Island Photography Australia

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Doyle vs North Sails Sorrento, Italy. Incredible line up to test the modes and speeds of each boat against one another. We've got the upwind covered. Django seems to have an extra gear downwind. @tybaird.media #yachtdesign, #exclusiveyachts, #travel, #spinnakermagazine, #spinnakerbureau

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We had so much fun in 2022, we''re doing it again 13-20 May 2023 14-21 October 2023 Why join us? One of the main benefits of any flotilla is the lead skipper and on your 'Sharpen Up' Flotilla, Nick Hathaway is it. Having learned to sail in the famously blustery waters of Wellington, New Zealand, Nick understands the value of forward planning, monitoring situations and being able to make strong, confident decisions. Be assured that Nick, as lead skipper, has the experience to make tough decisions about the weather, about what ports your itinerary will take you to, as well as being a professional in-person point-of-reference if anything unexpected pops up for you during the week. With Nick leading the flotilla, and this year with Mahina joining the lead team, you will get to benefit from their both of their years together chartering and sailing in Croatia. They also know the best Konoba for amazing traditional Croatia cuisine, wines and other local delicacies. Add to this of course, over 15 years experience instructing and training both skippers and crew. And you have an amazing package! LEARN MORE - https://go.45degreessailing.com/sharpen-up-flotilla REGISTER YOUR INTEREST NOW - Only two charter spots left in May. 13-20 May 2023 14-21 October 2023 #flotilla #sharpenup #sailing #croatia #charteryacht #sailingadventures

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