Recent News

Please refresh this page to ensure you are reading the latest report.

7 January 2012

The Strait4Devils team continues to promote the cause of seeking a cure for the Tasmanian Devils facial tumour disease.  Adrian Beswick is regularly seen with his distinctive vehicle and B14 racing dinghy at various regattas.  He is currently competing in Perth WA in the Australian B14 Championships with his forward-hand Clare Cromarty. After 10 races with eight to count Strat4Devils is in a creditable fourth position.

Full results.

Photographer: Ben Zalmstra

Strait4Devils rockets downwind to victory in Heat 2 in Perth WA during the B14 National Championships. conducted by the Perth Dinghy Sailing Club

There is still time contribute to research to save the Tasmanian Devil. At a special lunchtime talk at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania today, Adrian and Josh spoke about the challenges of the Bass Strait crossing and showed a short video of highlights of their voyage. An auction for some accommodation and special wines added further funds to the total already for the devil facial cancer research that already totals $78,489.69.

Adrian and Josh at the RYCT lunchtime presentation.

24 June 2009

(Extract from The Mercury, Wednesday 24 June 2009)

"Devil of a good cause
"A US supporter of sailors Adrian Beswick and Josh Phillips, who crossed Bass Strait in a small skiff in March, has given $3000 to the Strait4Devils Appeal.

"On Friday, Mr Beswick and Mr Phillips hope to raise more funds for Tasmanian devil research when they speak at a luncheon and auction at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania in Sandy Bay."

2139 hrs. The Strait4Devils crew of Adrian Beswick and Josh Phillips have safely arrived along with their support vessel Abstar skippered by Grant Jordan!

2108 hrs. The boats are in sight of the township lights with about one hour to go. While they are nearly there, no one can relax yet until the voyage is complete. They still have to navigate the barway before everyone can say it is a success. The winds inshore are lessening that will have the dual effect, making the finish slower and dropping the sea height making the bar entry easier.

1850 hrs. Mobile phone contact now made with support vessel Abstar. Crew reported that Cape Liptrap light visible.

1750 hrs. Strait4Devils support officer at Walkerville South reports wind easing. Whitecaps are still visible out to sea but not appearing large. A pleasant afternoon!

1658 hrs. With about 32 nm to go there should be another 3 hours of sailing to see the Strait4Devils team closing on the finish at Walkerville South. Winds are expected to build as they approach the Victorian coast veering more westerly from the SSW experienced for most of the day. It is hoped that the expected easing of winds from early evening on will lessen wind strengths currently forecast.

1650 hrs. Forecast for the Victoria Central Coast issued by the Bureau of Meteorology: Winds: West to southwesterly 15 to 20 knots decreasing to 10 to 15 knots later in the evening. Seas: 1.5 to 2 metres. Swell: Southwesterly 2 metres.

1615 hrs. They are underway again at the desired speed hoping to maintain good speeds for the conditions until the finish point.

1608 hrs. Because of the fuel problem the support vessel has only progressed about 5 miles in the last hour rather than the expected 12 miles thus slowing down the challenge.

1508 hrs. The support vessel has temporarily stopped due to a minor fuel problem. Conditions are the same as previous report.

1403 hrs. The wind has increased to 18 to 20 kts still being the ideal SW. While swells have eased the seas are now more consistent at 2m while their boat speed has to dropped to 12 kts. There is now 49.3 nm to Cape Liptrap with a short leg to the destination at Walkerville South.

1305 hrs. Conditions are continuing to be good although the sea state has risen to about 2 m. They are maintaining a speed of 14 kts in an 18-20 kt SW wind.

1209 hrs. 15 kts wind, spead 10 kts. Food & drink taken by team. All in good spirits.

1105 hrs. 1 m seas with an occasional 2m sea, winds 16-18 kts, all travelling well

0959 hrs. Good conditions with a 1 m sea, wind 15-18 kts, boat speed 13 kts, spinnaker up. One tracker now working well.

0850 hrs. The trackers are causing problems so positions are being obtained manually. They are sailing comfortably. Efforts are being made to rectify the tracking problems aboard the yacht and the support vessel.

0805 hrs. Strait4Devils has travelled about 13 miles. They have stopped to replace the centreboard as the original board has broken. To take pressure off the second board a reef has been taken in on the mainsail.

Tuesday 17th. At 0646 hrs the Bass Strait crossing for Strait4Devils, Adrian and Josh commenced in light wind conditions and a flat sea. As they cleared the shelter of the land they were able to get up to planing speed and were travelling comfortably.

Tuesday 17th is the day! The weather is looking favourable for a good crossing. Tracking of the B14 yacht will be by mobile phone networks and satellite communications providing regular positioning as Adrian and Josh cross Bass Strait. Departure from Stanley will be about 6.00 am Tuesday 17th March.

All is in readiness for the start of he chalenge for Monday 16th or Tuesday 17th March. The weather front crossed Tasmania today bringing thunderstorms and rain with coastal gale warnings. The forecasts are being carefully monitored for the easing of winds and seas across the Strait that will allow a crossing in favourable conditions. The team is now located on the NW Coast ready to depart as soon as it is appropriate. On the selected day Adrian and Josh are likely to put to sea at first light.

12 March 2009

Finding the right weather is a waiting game but now Monday 16th March appears to be a distinct possibility for Adrian and Josh to make the Bass Strait crossing. Following the passage of a weather front on Saturday, there is expected to be SW winds of the right strength to give the B14 idea sailing conditions to Victoria.

5 March 2009

The time for the sailing challenge is getting closer. Following some particularly wild weather there appeared an opportunity for a crossing of Bass Strait in ideal south westerly weather for Saturday 7th March but the forecasts have changed to make that day unsuitable. The team is now waiting for the next weather cycle to pass to find a suitable opportunity.

Look for the position tracker on this website following their course when the Bass Strait crossing is in progress.

10 Feb 2009

You can help to raise funds for the project and also have fun by attending the Quiz Night on 20 February 2009. Click here for details.

Promotional Videos made to highlight the challenge and the fund raising for the Devils View ...

Devil Day a Step Closer

Thursday 22 January 2009
Two passionate sailors, Josh Phillips and Adrian Beswick, are a step closer to conquering a challenge of a lifetime. More...

Strait4Devils alerted many to the cause of saving the Devil at the MYCT Boatshow. More ...

Sunday Jan 4, 2009.
Source: ABC News.

Devil fundraiser on the deep blue sea

Two Tasmanian sailors are set to join the fight to help save the Tasmanian devil.

Adrian Beswick and Josh Phillips plan to to sail their B14 skiff across Bass Strait ...
Read more on the ABC website.

Dare Devil for Cause

The Advocate, 19 November 2008 It's doable, and a stunt like that will get a lot of media attention. Unless something is done in the next 10 years we may not have a devil. He will join his comrade the Tasmaian Tiger. View image and story.