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Frequently Asked Questions.
(Updated April 2009)

Charterer's Centre

	Briefings

To ensure "smooth sailing" please ensure you arrive at our base "ready to go". That is you have done your provisioning, gone back into town, dropped off the car.. Your briefer is here to help you load and conduct your briefing. If you need time to prepare just let us know when you want to start and we'll have your briefer here ready to go.
Your briefing is divided into three parts – the Area Brief, Boat Brief and Practical Assessment. In the area brief safety, navigation and marine park regulations in the area are covered to ensure you are aware of the charter limits of your vessel and are informed of your responsibilities in the marine park.
In the boat brief the functioning of the various systems on the boat are explained as well as the location of the safety equipment.
The practical section covers anchoring and sail handling.
The combined briefings will take 3-4 hours depending on your experience level.

	Can we go to the Resorts?

All Cumberland bareboats are welcome at the resorts of the Whitsundays.

Each resort charges a mooring fee per vessel which enables you to use the free on-shore facilities and experience the delights of a "cocktail around the pool".

The mooring fees range from $90 per night at Hamilton Marina to $49 per night at South Molle.

More Resort Information

	Cooking Facilities

All vessels are supplied with crockery, cutlery, cooking gear, gas stove, gas bbq and fridge/freezers. All vessels have an oven. All vessels are supplied with enough pots, pans, cutlery and crockery to cope with the surveyed amount of people that vessel can carry. Prior to arrival for charter you can download your vessel operation manual which gives you a full inventory of the galley and the vessel.

	Dinghies

All vessels have a rubber ducky type dinghy that can carry all the crew comfortably. They are equipped with an outboard motor and oars for the energetic!!

More information and pictures

	Fuel

You will only be charged for fuel that you use during your charter. We have a suggested daily fuel budget for all vessels check each vessel's file for this rate. Each vessel is supplied with dinghy and 5 or 6HP outboard. Fuel used to be paid for on completion of charter.

	Galley Gear

Including crockery, cutlery, cooking gear, stove, bbq and fridge/freezers. All vessels are supplied with enough pots, pans, cutlery and crockery to cope with the surveyed amount of people that vessel can carry.

	GPS Position

Abel Point Marina's position is Latitude - 20 Degrees 15.8 South, Longitude is 148 Degrees 42.6 East. For any others - just ask.

	Holidays (Public & School)

You can depart on, or return from your holiday on any day of the year except Christmas day.

Keep in mind the upcoming holidays and special days including:

Good Friday 2/04/2010
Easter Monday 5/04/2010

For 2010 school holiday try:
www.australia.gov.au/topics/australian-facts-and-figures/school-term-dates

We've made it easy for you to check availability for your holiday period. Have a look at www.ccy.com.au/select - go to "The Holiday Period" section and we've listed each state's school holiday for the next twelve months.

	Internet

There are a number of ways to connect to the Internet while cruising the Whitsundays. Current technologies and coverage include:

Marinanet. This is a wireless network company that has 802.11b/g good network coverage for Abel Point Marina and Hamilton Island marina. This allows connecting using wireless enabled notebooks. To connect there is a subscription fee and a MB download fee, which you purchase in advance. Speeds up to 11 megabits (fast) are possible depending on proximity to the base station.

Telstra Wireless broadband. Using the Telstra Next G and Bigpond wireless broadband Internet connection allows reasonable connection inside the Whitsunday island group and around Hamilton Island. Certain locations and some anchorages also enjoy Internet coverage using this technology. Connection speeds are quoted up to 800 kilobytes per second, which is about the same as a standard home ADSL broadband connection. Use of external antennas increase speed and connection reliability.

Vodafone, Optus and other telecom companies offer internet coverage, but it is believed to be very limited.

You can hire a Telstra Next G USB modem, software for Windows XP and aerial by the week from eCentral, collecting the device from the Cumberland office. Click here for more information.

Internet Cafes. There are numerous Internet Cafes in Airlie Beach. There is limited opportunity at the Island resorts.

	Irukandjis

While jellyfish do inhabit the beautiful Whitsunday waters (and who can blame them) they are not a year round phenomenon and they are not ubiquitous to all areas. Cumberland recommends that anyone swimming in the sea uses a comfortable lycra suit that offers not only substantial protection from marine life but also from sunburn. The suits offer 100% UV protection allowing you to stay in the water longer. We hire suits for $25 for length of charter. We have sizes from child 2 to xxxl.

What do the suits look like? Click here for a picture

Download a Fact and Fiction sheet - Word document or PDF document

For some realistic information on irukandjis have a look at www.reef.crc.org.au

	Lifejackets

The Queensland Department of Transport stipulate that we must supply a one size fits all style jacket for each member of the crew. These lifejackets are stored on the boat in case of emergency.
As of 1st April 2006 children under 12 years in open boats under 4.8 metres must wear a properly fitted lifejacket. This means that children of this age in the vessel's dinghy must wear a properly fitted lifejacket. Cumberland will supply an appropriate lifejacket for children under 12 years at no extra cost. Please ensure you know your child's height/weight.

	Lycrasuits

While jellyfish do inhabit the beautiful Whitsunday waters (and who can blame them) they are not a year round phenomenon and they are not ubiquitous to all areas. Cumberland recommends that anyone swimming in the sea uses a comfortable lycra suit that offers not only substantial protection from marine life but also from sunburn. The suits offer 100% UV protection allowing you to stay in the water longer. We hire suits for $25 for length of charter. We have sizes from Child 2 to xxxl.

What do the suits look like? Click here for a picture

	Marriage Celebrant

You can now get married or renew your vows onboard. Contact Donna Fornasiero Registered Civil Celebrant.
dforno@hotmail.com or 0427040972.

	Mobile and Satellite Phones

Mobile phones are very useful to bring on charter. Unfortunately you aren't able to get coverage everywhere. Next G has the best coverage.
Places like Whitehaven Beach or Butterfly Bay don't have mobile service.
To keep phones charged - all vessels have a 12 volt outlet so bring your car charger along to charge up your phone.

If you require a phone all the time you can hire a Satellite phone from Ranger Electronics situated here at Abel Point Marina. Just contact Magnus at magnus@req.com.au or on 0408 800159.

	Moorings

Cumberland have moorings available for your use that are off Abel Point Marina.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority have put down moorings around the Islands in designated "sensitive" sites. These moorings are free to use but have time restrictions - 2 hour limit during the day. They cannot be booked and are first come first serve. Your briefer will go through mooring use during your briefing.
Download the mooring map (current at 1 August 2004) for location details.

	Music

1. All vessels are supplied with an AM/FM Radio.
2. All vessels have a CD player.
3. Direct plug in from an IPOD or MP3s into the vessel's sound system. Most vessels do not have this facility but if you have an ITripper you and do the below.
4. An FM transmitter which is an accessory attachment to an IPOD tuned into an FM station. ALL of our vessels have this capability. When you purchase your FM transmitter it comes with a CD format which allows you to choose which FM station you want your IPOD to tune into. We suggest a frequency between 101.5 and 102.5 as these frequencies are not locally used.
5. A nomal CD which has been burned in MP3 format. With this format you can store 2 or 3 times as much music on a CD but an MP3 unit onboard is required to play this disc. Please check your vessel manual to see if your vessel has this option and if it is IPOD compatible.

	Passenger Numbers

Once a baby is twelve months old they are considered to be a "person" and must be included in the passenger list and are counted in the "maximum passengers". If you will have a baby onboard you can hire gear from Whitsunday Baby Equipment to save packing it. Contact them on 0411442217.

	Payment

A$500 deposit is due within 14 days of booking. Balance of charter fee is due 60 days prior to departure. These can be paid by mastercard, visa, cheque, bank transfer or cash. We will take seperate payments from each crew member.
A$25 a day to a maximum of A$250 non-refundable damage waiver is payable by day of departure.
On day of departure miscellaneous costs including Environmental Management Charge of A$25 per person (this includes administration charges) for duration of trip are due on day of departure. Fuel used is to be paid for on completion of charter. These costs must be paid by above credit cards, eftpos or cash.

	Power

All Cumberland vessels have 12 volt power onboard - the same as a car. Selected vessels have either small or large inverters, with some having "Gensets"
Genset
This is diesel engine dedicated to the producing 240 volt power. It is suitable for running microwave ovens, air conditioners, etc. Additionally it has plenty of power for charterer accessories including mobile phone chargers, notebook computer and even hairdryers.
Small Inverter
This is a device that converts 12volt battery power to 240 volt power. These are suitable for low power 240 volt appliances including mobile phone chargers, notebook computers. They WILL NOT run hair dryers.
Large Inverter
this is a device that converts 12 volt battery power to 240 volt power. It is suitable for most 240 volt appliances, including some of the more power hungry. Phone chargers, and notebooks are no problem. Small hair dryers may work, but at the expense of battery storage.

You can hire a portable plug-in 240 volt inverter. The inverter will run laptops, phone and camera charges as well as sleep apnia machines. The inverter can be hired for $5 a day (minimum charge of $25). The inverter can be used on all yachts that do not have a generator onboard.

	Reef Trips

Large Passenger Catamarans go to a Reef Pontoon daily from Hamilton Island.

www.fantasea.com.au

Large Passenger Catamaran go to a Reef Pontoon daily from Abel Point Marina.

www.cruisewhitsundays.com.au

You can be picked up from your vessel and flown to the reef.

www.airwhitsunday.com.au

	Snorkelling

All your snorkelling gear - masks, fins and snorkels - are provided free of charge. Prior to arrival we ask you for your fin sizes and after the briefing we take you to the dive shop to be fitted out. We also suggest hiring lycra suits for the duration of your charter.

	Stingers

While jellyfish do inhabit the beautiful Whitsunday waters (and who can blame them) they are not a year round phenomenon and they are not ubiquitous to all areas. Cumberland recommends that anyone swimming in the sea uses a comfortable lycra suit that offers not only substantial protection from marine life but also from sunburn. The suits offer 100% UV protection allowing you to stay in the water longer. We hire suits for $25 for length of charter. We have sizes from child 2 to xxxl.

Download a Fact and Fiction sheet - Word document or PDF document

For some realistic information on irukandjis have a look at www.reef.crc.org.au

	Supermarkets

Airlie Beach now has three - count them three! - supermarkets within 6 kilometres of the marina. Woolworths (07-49483155) is located as you arrive into Cannonvale from Proserpine. They are open 8am-9pm Monday to Friday, 8am-5.30pm Saturday and 9am-6pm on Sundays. Coles (07-49464869) is located about 3 kilometres from our base and open the same hours. IGA (07-49482680) is located 3 kilometres towards Shute Harbour from our base. Their hours are 7am-8pm 7 days. Please check these hours if you wish to shop during a public holiday.

	Water

Your vessel's water tanks are full prior to departure. Water should be used VERY SPARINGLY during your trip - we suggest showering together!!!
Hamilton Island and Abell Point Marina are the only place where you can refill your tanks. All vessels have hot water for showering and a cockpit shower.

	What about food and drink?

* Airlie Beach has several well stocked supermarkets open 7 days a week.
* Cumberland can organise your provisioning for you. Our provisioning service can be provided on a package basis - from $31 per person per day - or you can use the self-select option.

	What about nature?

* Snorkelling gear (masks, fins and snorkels) are available to all charterers free of charge.

* Fishing tackle is not supplied however you are very welcome to bring any gear you require. There is a fish guide onboard which will help you decide what sort of fish you have caught and if you can have it for dinner!!

The Whitsundays Islands are in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park so some areas do have restrictions placed on them. Further information will be supplied during your area brief.

Click here to download the Whitsunday Zoning Map (file over 4mb).

* The waters of the Whitsundays produce many magnificent coral reefs that can be enjoyed by snorkelling or by SCUBA diving. Many of our vessels have additional storage areas for dive gear. We can arrange for hire of dive gear to certified divers or you are very welcome to bring it along.

	What experience do I need?

No formal qualifications are required as the vessels cannot exceed 10 knots of speed which is when a licence is required in Queensland.

* Prior to arrival we obtain a comprehensive resume of your boating experience. Our operations staff will peruse this and if needed they will contact you. Upon arrival you are thoroughly briefed on your boat and you must then display a practical demonstration of boat handling.

* Your boating experience resume will ask questions such as - have you owned a vessel, have you chartered before, have you been in charge of a vessel overnight, do you understand the rules of the road at sea?? If you have low experience - you will arrange for a sail guide for you.

Try the Experience Calculator on line!

* Sailguides are available for hire. The cost is from $195 for a half day.

More

* All navigation in the Whitsundays is by line of sight. Compasses, dividers, rulers and charts are provided onboard. The "street directory" to the area - the 100 Magic Miles is provided as well.

	Where can I go?

There are 74 islands which encompass the Whitsunday group.

* All bareboat vessels are restricted by their survey rating.

The Cumberland vessels that are in "1F" survey are - the Seawinds, the Beneteau 323 and the Elite 4000 power cat.

These vessels are allowed from Hayman Island to Shaw Island and on the Eastern side of the islands if the weather conditions are favourable. Other vessels are able to go down to the Smith Group as well.

* Cumberland has radio schedules with all vessels each morning and afternoon. You advise your plans for the day and we make suggestions if we feel that your intended overnight anchorage may be a little uncomfortable for you in those weather conditions.

Please note that the Cruising Area will be discussed thorougly during your Area Brief.