To confront “Magaris” aka “Able Tasman” was the goal of this row! Confrontation in the sense of an up close encounter rather than in the critical sense of an opposition of ideas – although I admit to some concern about the scale of mayhem that such a vessel could wreak upon fishes!

This monster trawler was berthed at the bulk handling wharf in Port Lincoln making preparations to fish whilst awaiting the political process relating to its permission to fish.

So it’s yet another row from the Marina to the wharf – a nice Sunday mornings exercise!

The Super trawler is an impressive vessel and berthed at the bulk handling, outer end of the wharf you could be excused for mistaking her as just another bulker about to engorge a belly full of grain. She is truly big and from the perspective of a whitehall, she reduces ones significance!

Rather an amusing aspect to our approach was the charade performed by the lone security person upon spotting the diminutive rowing boat! Given the publicity and controversy that the arrival of the Magaris in Port Lincoln had aroused it was not surprising to see a security contingent posted at the gate that leads into the secured section of wharf beyond which Magaris lay. What was amusing was the lack of vigilance demonstrated by this lone stalwart. He was in conversation with some local spectator who had strolled out along the wharf for a closer look. With his back to us and engaged in conversation he had failed to see our approach until he must have been roused by his interlocutor to look seaward, whereupon he flew into a pythonesque dive into his vehicle for binoculars, followed by intense focus on this approaching menace – Whitehall and crew!

Needless to say, he soon determined that no further action was necessary and we rowed by, taking only a few shots with the camera!

So a nice row, a good belly laugh and a few close up snaps as keepsakes for yet another Open Water Rowing adventure!