The ORIS National Big Game Tournament in aid of the Puttinu Cares Foundation

SEAFOX · June 04, 2011, 08:03:26 CET

Ehhhhh - Skip "he sets we meet"..that is what the master and slaves are for..
my back is still slashed!

Gogo · June 04, 2011, 14:08:59 CET

These are the boats registered so far for Tournament and for BFT Permit.

Missing are the five support boats.

MFC 1140 MFC 6335

ON1233 ON 10081 S11434 S13464 S 15746 S16595

MFB778 MFB 940 MFC 193 MFC 334 MFC1195 MFC1618

MFC5577 MFC6026 MFC 6431 MFC6725 MFC6784 MFC 6868

MFC6870

MFC1485 MFC1543 MFC1546 MFC1638 MFC 5421 MFC5769

MFC5780 MFC5791 MFC6059 MFC 6121 MFC 6197 MFC6488

MFC6713 MFC 6723 MFC7535 S 8671 S11188 S12568

S 15712 ON 9707

MFC 6234 MFC6500 MFC6455 MFC6601 MFC6663 MFC6674

MFC6700 MFC6798 MFC 6836 S11313 S15682 S18139

S18586 S15129 MFB1762 ON2252 ON 7394 ON 9798

SSR138203 SSR 146850

MFB1790 MFC 6593 MFC6626 MFC6701 MFC6734 S9232

S14264 S16449 S16564 S18101 ON 4611 ON 7408

ON 12979 Saucy

S 9886 S9947 S11369 S11838 S11969 S14340

S14838 S16802 S17590 S18907 MFB1731 MFC6797

ON 3711 On 5588 ON7304 On 10197 On 13336 ON16762

ON Carla

Joe Carabott Damato
Tournament Director

Gogo · June 05, 2011, 17:02:45 CET

All skippers that want to be vetted at Msida must asap sent their request with skipper name and / or boat number.

Please note that inspections will be carried out at the end of Pontoon A/alongside Dilletanti Pontoons.

All Boats have to head to that area.

Tournament Director.

venere · June 09, 2011, 09:22:26 CET

Boat: Venere
Skipper : Ivan Busuttil

skip · June 09, 2011, 10:06:31 CET

The Organising Committee would like to inform everyone that the last date for Registration to participate in the tournament is the end of the day on the 10th June 2011.

No new boats will be accepted after this date.

We have been forced to close registration early given the over-whelming response received, almost 100 boats, due to safety aspects and given the required logistics, man power and planning needed to make this event a success. This decision was taken by the Organising Committee in conjunction with the Tournament Safety Officer during a meeting yesterday evening. The Tournament Director has confirmed that in the last 10 days, no new boats registered for the tournament.

If you know of anyone who would would like to take part, but hasn't yet sent his/her vessel details to the Tournament Director, please could you highlight the closing date to them.

The_Gaffer · June 09, 2011, 11:23:24 CET

Tournament Logistics

As Nick posted above, yesterday we had a 4hr meeting with all Judges, tournament inspectors and tournament officials. I will not go into the details of the rules and regulations governing the actual tournament, as that is not my perogative. I will however, briefly explain the tournament logistics. May I remind all that the logistic details are set in stone, cannot be changed, and are posted here for information purposes only.

1. All boats need to be inspected prior to the tournament.
2. There are three designated inspection points, one on Pontoon A in Msida Marina, and 2 located in Birzebbuga; 1st is the Birzebbuga Jetty in St.Georges Bay, and a multi inspection point provided by the support vessels.
3. Each boat, following a successful inspection, will hoist the Oris Tournament flag signalling that the boat has been inspected and passed.
4. Following inspection, each boat will make its way to a pre determined point inside Birzebbuga bay, and hold fast next to the designated support vessel awaiting further instructions.
5. Each support vessel has been allocated 20 boats.
6. All boats will be provided with instructions as to which support vessel they have been assigned to, a GPS waypoint with details of where to hold fast, and details of there respective support vessel
7. Once the tournament director is satisfied that all boats have been successfully inspected, and all boats are holding fast next to thier designated support vessel, the tournament director will signal the support vessels to proceed to the start point.
8. All boats MUST follow in an orderly fashion their designated support vessel to the starting point.
9. Once all boats arrive at the start point, the support vessels will line up all participating boats according to pre determined plans and according to the maximum speed indicated in the vessel participation form.
10. All boats will hold fast at the start point until they recieve further instructions from their respective support vessel or tournament director/safety officer for the offical START of the Tournament

I have provided a very brief description of the actual logistics from the moment a competing vessel is inspected until it arrives at the start point.

A detailed description of this arrangement will be provideed by the tournament director next Tuesday, 21 June during the pre tournament briefing. I have ommitted to mention the actual rules and regulations, as these are not my jurisdiction. The tournament director will be posting the full rules and regulations shortly.

fisheye · June 09, 2011, 13:23:20 CET

May I suggest that all rules and directions will be written in both English and Maltese please. Thank you

The_Gaffer · June 09, 2011, 13:46:24 CET

Quote from: fisheye on June 09, 2011, 13:23:20 CET
May I suggest that all rules and directions will be written in both English and Maltese please. Thank you

They are - That's the cause of the delay in posting the rules. I heard that they're being translated into Maltese. In any case, these rules will be fully explained during the pre tournament briefing.

skip · June 09, 2011, 15:50:39 CET

Only 25-30 copies will be printed in Maltese. However the rules and regs in both English and Maltese will be uploaded to the forum. Therefore anybody wanting them in advance can download and print.

Gogo · June 09, 2011, 17:40:02 CET

Oris Big Game Fishing Tournament 2011

Only vessels registered with the ORIS National Big Game Fishing Tournament Director can participate in this event.

The skipper is responsible to observe all current health / safety regulations and other regulations including notices as issued by Transport Malta and Department of Fisheries.

The ORIS Big Game Tournament Organizing committee is not responsible for any third party damages or injuries. All participants take part at their own risk.

Children 12 years and under must wear lifejackets on board the vessels taking part in the Tournament.

Every thing on board can be inspected by a Tournament Official prior to departure and can be inspected out at sea if need arises. Skippers are reminded that they cannot refuse boarding by Tournament officials for purposes of inspection and control throughout the Tournament.

Officials may ask participants to open bags or empty pockets for inspection.

All vessels must carry a working VHF and also a mobile phone whose number has been registered in the application form.

Channel 67 is the official ORIS Tournament channel and must be kept clear and used only to communicate with support boats. For private conversation use other channels.

Mobile telephone contact is permitted at all times between participating vessels.

Each vessel will be designated an official Tournament number that MUST be displayed on the boat and visible to other boats at all times during the Tournament.

All vessels will be identified by the designated official number, and not by the vessel name or TM registration number.

All vessels must fly the ORIS Flag at all times.

Skippers and crew must wear the designated Tournament T-Shirts. Skippers are obliged to wear the official ORIS Tournament Cap. Vessels will only be inspected once tournament number and ORIS flag are displayed, and all crew are wearing Tournament T-Shirts.

Absolutely no boat to boat physical contact is allowed. A distance of at least 10 meters should be maintained.

Transhipment of catches from boat to boat is not allowed.

The use of LIVE and/or DEAD bait is strictly prohibited at all times; attractant sprays may be used on lures/hooks.

No Chumming or Chunking is allowed at all times using live or dead bait.

Long lines are NOT PERMITTED and cannot be carried on board.

Lures intended for use with LIVE or DEAD bait cannot be carried on board.

Only one artificial lure with hooks per line and/ or rod is permitted. All lures must be displayed. Multiple lures are permitted as long as only one lure is rigged with a hook or double or treble hook.

One or more rods and/or lines can be used at any time.

Immediately inform a Tournament Official on the support boats when a Tuna (within allowed size and weight) or swordfish is caught, preferably on hook-up.

All Bluefin Tuna below 115cm must be released immediately after measuring.

Having on board a BluefinTuna of less than 115 cm leads to automatic disqualification of the vessel. All boats must have a measuring tape on board.

All boats must have from three to four fenders according to size of boat.

If the skipper or crew member/s suffer any serious sickness or injury, immeadiately call on channel 16 the Authorities and then the support boat and nearby vessel.

All skippers are bound to observe directives given by Tournament Officials on land as well at sea. Any uncalled breaches of directives will cause disqualification

All Skippers are obliged to follow these rules and any other directives as issued by the Tournament Director or Tournament Officials. Failure to observe these rules will lead to immediate disqualification.

The Tournament Director's decision is final in all matters.

Pre Tournament Briefing

A compulsory Briefing for all skippers is to be held on the 21st of June at Angiolina Bar Birzebbuga at 7.15 p.m.
Following the briefing, skippers or their representative (member of crew)should sign the application form and pay the fee according to the crew number. If registration is not completed in full, you cannot participate.

The fee is € 35 per boat up to three persons. Every additional perso carries a fee of € 20.

Children under 12 years and under are free.

Once the fee is paid, no refunds will be given.

Tournament


The ORIS Big Game Fishing Tournament is due to be held on the 26th of June 2011.
If weather conditions are unfavourable, then Tournament will be postponed to the 29th June, or subsequent Sundays.

The inspection sites are Msida between Pontoon A and 'Pontoons tad Diletantti and Birzebbuga - Saint Georges Pier.

Inspection time starts at 2.30 am, latest 4 am. Inspection of boats and gear has to be carried out prior to departure or you cannot participate.

Vessels on trailers should call at Saint George's slipway as early as possible. Following launching of vessel, Tournament Officials will perform the inspection and lead the trailer to a reserved area. Participants should follow the indications of the Tournament Officials.


Participant skippers arriving by sea with their vessels should gather at a set point in Birzebbuga port which will be communicated by the Tournament officials.


Within Birzebbuga Port the maximum speed of 5 knots must not be exceeded.

Following inspection, each vessel has to go to a set point indicated by Tournament official and wait for further instructions.

Vessels will be escorted in groups, by their respective support boat to the starting point out side Marsaxlokk Port.

At 5.30 am support boats will move forward with increasing speed followed by the respective group of participant vessels, no vessels may break away until the 'GO' call is given by the Tournament Director to the desingated group signifying the start.

Vessels have to follow the support boats at similar speed of the respective support boat. Any skipper that pulls out at higher speed than its supportboats, overtakes and/or zigzags before the 'GO' signal is given, will be disqualified.


Reckless and/or dangerous driving during the Tournament will automatically cause disqualification of the vessel concerned.

Return to port at St Georges Bay original gathering position by 15.00 sharp.


Arrivals after 15.00 will disqualify the vessel.


Call the Tournament Director preferably via mobile on entering port giving your Tournament number. Await confirmation that message has been received.

Further instructions will then be delivered for weigh in etc.


Do not call alongside the pier unless ordered to do so by a Tournament Official.

If you do not have any catches, vessel can continue to home base but must inform the Tournament Director giving Tournament no. Await confirmation that message has been received.


Tournament Director - Dr. Joe Carabott Damato

SEAFOX · June 09, 2011, 20:02:13 CET

Just as a matter of interest..... We are having some participants arriving from South Africa with full gear, rods, reels and lures. They are actually Dutch by origin. Don't worry Gogo/Nick they do understand English very well. Pls. make them welcome during the briefing.

For those with trailers/vehicles....rest assured that after today's meeting with the Police (Mrs.) Inspector of B'Bugia we have been designated excellent facilities and huge parking areas being kept free from midnight Saturday up to 4.00 pm Sunday. The allocated section is from the park recess in front of the winch installation by the pier right up to the gate of the Enemalta fuel depot, a stretch of approx 200mets.....plus the huge square where the monument to Bush/Gorbachov is, a slip is also available right on the edge of the square. The locations have just been refurbished and new surfaces laid. Guys the female inspector was just absolutely supportive of our event. God bless her!

What Gaffer/Nick and Gogo have stated with regards to the rules & regulations is absolutely correct and final. These are now established after yesterday's 4 hr meeting and nothing is going to be amended.

baghira · June 09, 2011, 20:54:50 CET

vhf is a problem
I know that not everyone that applied has one.
So!

robby017 · June 09, 2011, 21:04:49 CET

to skip the 3NM, for a S reg vessel, vhf is a must by maritime law if i'm not mistaken...... thus, see point 2

QuoteThe skipper is responsible to observe all current health / safety regulations and
other regulations including notices as issued by Transport Malta and
Department of Fisheries.

Plus, most of us know that Alungi fishing grounds span from 5-40 miles out easy.... with the norm being 7-15 miles....... thus since no mobile reception is found past the 10 mile mark, a vhf is a must. Another point for the participants is an S registered vessel with a VHF may only go out to 12 Nautical Miles.....

The committee cannot be held responsible for anyone going against what is stated in point 2. I believe its the same for MFC but i stand to be corrected.

baghira · June 10, 2011, 08:42:13 CET

No prob for me...

skip · June 10, 2011, 09:49:29 CET

People have ample time to ensure they have a working VHF on board before the 26th.