E-Newsletter #4

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our Project Lead, Captain John Highton, who peacefully departed in his sleep on 18th July, 2024. Captain Highton was a cherished member of our local community, known for his invaluable contributions and captivating stories from time at sea. He will be greatly missed. Please join us in keeping his family in your thoughts during this difficult time.

John Highton originally emigrated to Umina Beach as a teenager in 1974. An avid surfer in his younger years, he quickly developed a deep knowledge of the local coastline and a strong appreciation for the environment. Over the course of forty-two years in the merchant navy, John piloted a range of vessels across both domestic and international routes, eventually achieving the rank of captain. Like many who dedicate themselves to a lifelong professional pursuit, he gained a profound understanding of life and character. John believed in the unspoken ethic that caring deeply about something means taking the initiative to reach out, learn, and contribute.

Captain John Highton (1957 - 2024)

(by Sasha Kanthan)

As Project Lead for the regional waterbus concept Brisbane Waters WaterBUS, Captain Highton was often reluctant to take credit for his contributions to the local community. The following six candid snapshots aim to respectfully showcase his wit and charm as he continued to advocate for a waterborne transport network for the NSW Central Coast during the last few months of his life.

Photo 1 of 6: Captain Highton aboard the Fantasea Palm Beach Ferry service, travelling from Ettalong to Palm Beach and back. He made detailed observations on the vessel's construction, fuel efficiency, passenger count, weather conditions, and more. He would discuss optimising routes and study maps to examine the terrain and point out key sections of the coastline.

Photo 2 of 6: Captain Highton's first meeting with Björn Antonsson, Candela's regional CEO for the Asia-Pacific, and his team on Microsoft Teams earlier this year. Captain Highton dedicated countless hours to researching, writing, and planning. His well-thought-out and grounded approach, coupled with a strong sense of practicality and adherence to timelines, enabled him to listen, reflect, and engage in discussions with others about challenging ideas.

Photo 3 of 6: Captain Highton discusses the movement of silt, sandbars, and water currents in the Ettalong Channel, detailing how natural geographical processes have altered the local coastline over the years. He recalls how, as a young surfer, he had to move northwards from Umina Beach as the surfing conditions changed.

Photo 4 of 6: Captain Highton led numerous field trips to explore and discuss our local waterways. "Observe and record" was one of his regular seafaring quotes. In this photo, he takes note of the water surface, estimated depth, shoreline, and surrounding infrastructure. He also discusses the types of vessels that could safely be used in these conditions. True to his character, he is dressed in his signature style of shirt.

Photo 5 of 6: Captain Highton reviews project details, fully embodying his seafaring persona in preparation for a meeting with a Central Coast politician on behalf of Brisbane Waters WaterBUS. He often lightened pre-meeting tension by sharing past experiences, such as meetings with heads of state in Oceania during his time in the merchant navy. He would note how ministers often wore Hawaiian-style shirts, shorts, and thongs to formal meetings. Captain Highton had a deep affection for the people and cultures of Oceania and dreamed of retiring in the Cook Islands.

Photo 6 of 6: On a recent field trip aboard the Central Coast Ferries service on Brisbane Water, Captain Highton observes the passing coastline while carrying his white paper, "The Road Less Travelled: Exploring Transport Options on the NSW Central Coast."

On behalf of everyone at Brisbane Waters WaterBUS and those who will eventually come to discover and appreciate his wonderful legacy: Thank you, and farewell, Captain John Highton 🕊️

54th Sydney International Boat Show (1st - 4th August 2024)

Heading to the 54th Sydney International Boat Show this weekend? Remember to visit Candela at "Marina M 149", hosted by Carbon Yachts. The show runs from 1st-4th August 2024.

The team from Candela has arrived in Australia to showcase the innovative Candela C-8, a recreational watercraft that utilises the same cutting-edge hydrofoil technology as the Candela P-12 Shuttle. Click on the image to watch a brief video review by CNET of the Candela C-8 on our Facebook page and learn about the exciting implications. If you haven't already, be sure to subscribe to our Facebook page to stay updated.

Zero emissions. Zero noise. Zero vibration. Watch Candela's hydrofoiling technology in action on open swell in the video clip below.

Where to next in August 2024?

• Our monthly newsletter will now be published on the first of every month.

• Official Brisbane Waters WaterBUS polo tops have arrived for our paid members and you will begin to see individuals wearing them out in the local community. Consider paid membership and/or volunteering if you are looking to get behind an aspirational regional vision that seeks a constructive pathway forward, particularly as we approach local council elections in September and move beyond.

• The main focus this month will be to work with others to build a calendar of events to celebrate our region and be grateful for the opportunity to work together on the shared challenges ahead.

Remember to take the survey 🗳️

We are currently conducting a community consultation to gauge public interest. If you have not already done so, you can assist us by taking our 6-minute online survey and encouraging interested others to do the same. Our community consultation process ends on the 30th September 2024 (6 months).