According to North East news, the marina provides moorings for vessels up to 40 feet in length, bringing back the days when boats clustered around a busy Newcastle Quayside.

Boats can now book to moor on the pontoons during the day at a cost of £10 for boats up to six metres in length, and £15 for longer vessels.

The pontoons are run by city business group NE1 who will also oversee the trials and train up street rangers to manage the city centre marina.

Managers at NE 1 say they are confident that, with only an hour's sailing from the mouth of the Tyne into the heart of the city, yachtsmen on round-Britain trips will add Newcastle to their itinerary as a new stopping-off point.

Adrian Waddell, director of operations, said: "NE1 received tremendous and widespread support for this plan.

“This is a real boost to our business to have Sunseeker International recognise us as an important supplier to them,” said Elizabeth Noles, sales and marketing manager.

“This shows great support from Sunseeker for UK-based design and manufacturing to complement its exquisite UK-manufactured yachts.”

Sunseeker International’s director of procurement Andrew Macdonald said: “Phoenix Marine Solutions has a good understanding of our demanding requirements for quality and design.

“We are working together on a number of mechanical/hydraulic products for use on our yachts.”

In spite of the economic downturn, Phoenix has increased its business in the marine sector, boosting turnover by about 15 per cent in the last 12 months.

As a result, the company recently improved its facility with the addition of more equipment, allowing it to handle the larger mechanical mechanisms, and has increased staff numbers to cope with the new business.

It has added three engineers to its personnel and is seeking to fill two further vacancies for hydraulics engineers.  

Phoenix supplies hydraulics systems for the super yacht industry, predominantly those craft of 24 metres and larger.

It supplies all of the UK’s main boat manufacturers, which also include, in addition to Sunseeker International, Oundle-based Fairline Boats, Princess Yachts, Oyster Yachts and Palmer Johnson.

Police were called to the incident in East Dunbartonshire at around 5pm on Sunday with ambulance and fire and rescue services.

The body was recovered around 7.30pm. The dog also drowned.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue had three crews from Kirkintilloch, Bishopbriggs and Clydesmill at the incident.

They used a rigid inflatable boat to conduct a search of the loch, using a thermal image camera to locate any heat sources under the water.

Working with the police helicopter they swept the shore line of the loch and identified the location where the man fell into the water.

The rescue team warned of the dangers that open water areas present, urging people to keep pets on a lead around frozen water and to avoid attempts at rescuing animals on ice.

The Gadloch is often used for curling in winter as thick ice covers the surface, but police said there was only a small and unstable covering of ice on the loch at the time.

Police said investigations are continuing but they believe it was an accident and there were no suspicious circumstances.

Sarah is eight months and 11000 miles in to this 2.5 year expedition, having cycled and kayaked all the way to Japan

The next phase is a solo row across the North Pacific Ocean.

" I set out from the east coast of Japan in the spring, bound for the North America and Canada, where I hope to arrive some five or six months later. From the coast I will pick up my bike once more and cycle across the continent to the edge of the Atlantic, ready for the final row home to the UK.

I am doing it out of curiosity, for the challenge and for the perspective of traveling so slowly across landscapes and so close to nature. The idea came about during my solo row across the Indian Ocean in 2009 -- I loved tracing the line across a vast swathe of blue and feeling like I was a part of the ocean.

I wanted to spend more time at sea and I wanted to experience the people and green parts of our globe too. One of my aims is to share the journey as I go -- via my website and live links with schools. It has been wonderful to link up live into school groups over the satellite phone and answer their questions on the project -- such an exciting thing for both of us, I think.!"

The Scottish government was less happy, saying it faced "huge frustration".

The BBC's Andy Moore says Britain had French and German support in battling against cuts that could have been disastrous for the UK fishing fleet.

One of the proposals was to cut cod fishermen's days at sea to just four a fortnight.

Threat lifted

That particular threat now seems to have been lifted.

The National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations (NFFO) - which represents fishermen in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - claims there are 12,000 fishermen employed on around 7,000 boats in the UK.

The NFFO's chief executive, Barrie Deas, said: "The casual observer would never guess that the stocks advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas for this year paints the most positive picture for more than a decade."

He said the outcome of the "tortuous" negotiations was "absurd" and provided "ample evidence" of the need to reform the Commons Fisheries Policy.

The Scottish government was particularly delighted that the EU Commissioner, Maria Damanaki, accepted Scotland's interpretation of article 13 of the Cod Recovery Plan.

This allows for boats to fish if they are practising "cod avoidance measures", such as eliminator trawls, which allow effective fishing for haddock and whiting while eliminating cod from the catch.

ertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, criticised the cuts in days at sea, which is estimated to be between 15% and 25%.But boats will be confined to ports for longer making it harder to cash in on rises in fish quotas and Scottish Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead said big challenges remain.

He said: "While fishing opportunity in terms of tonnage has always been vital, this time around it was the granting of enough time at sea to actually catch the fish that was under threat.

'Bitter blow'

"This is a bitter blow for our fishing fleet, which is now going to struggle to maintain economic viability under the impact of these totally unwarranted cuts."

Conservation group Oceana Europe said scientific advice had been ignored.

Oceana's executive director Xavier Pastor said: "Unfortunately nobody seems to be looking out for the welfare of the resources.

"This type of short-term approach will lead to the deterioration of not only fish populations, but also of the profitability of the sector and the viability of the fishing communities."

The UK government's fisheries minister Richard Benyon said allowable catches for a number of species would go up next year.

Fishermen in the north-east of England, for example, will be able to double their quota of herring.

The amount of haddock that can be caught off the west coast of Scotland will treble.

Our correspondent says some fishing stocks in some areas have recovered well, but it is a mixed and complicated picture.

The European Fisheries Commission was seeking an overall reduction of 11% for the total catch in the Atlantic and North Sea.

Many conservation groups say big reductions are needed to protect fish stocks.

The exact details of how many days each boat can take to the sea will be worked out over the next few weeks.

Mr Benyon said: "After two days of tense and frustrating negotiations, I am delighted to have secured the best deal possible for the UK fishing industry and ensure the future sustainability of our fish stocks.

"By arguing that we should follow scientific advice, we have been able to agree quotas that will not only allow local fishermen to make a living but will also ensure that we can protect the environment."

"There is very good news on the west coast in particular with a 200% increase in haddock quota and the removal of regulations that were hurting the fleet."Mr Lochhead said: "Quotas are the lifeblood of the fleet and we have won increases for our key stocks in line with the science.

He also highlighted the retention of this year's scampi catch allowance in Northern Ireland next year.

'Annual circus'

But he added: "We are very disappointed that despite the call from many member states for a pause in the annual cut in days at sea for vessels that fish in the Cod Recovery Zone, Europe pressed ahead."

Scottish Conservative MEP Struan Stevenson described the talks as being an "annual circus" akin to a "Christmas pantomime".

He said : "It is the most vivid manifestation of the discredited system of fisheries micro-management from Brussels. Happily we may now be able to sweep this aside with the complete reform of the Common Fisheries Policy that is currently under way."

The agreement came only hours after 17 skippers from the Shetlands were ordered to hand over almost £3m by the High Court in Edinburgh after lying about the size of catches from their boats.

The so-called "black fish" scandal dates from 2003-2005.

The 22nd edition of the prestigious RMSIR will be held until Nov 27.

Baby Tonga, three-time consecutive winner of the Premier Cruising Division title at the RMSIR, is fast becoming a legend in the Asian regatta circuit and is poised to deliver yet another win this year, thanks to the excellent stewardship of skipper, Aussie legend Fraser M. Johnston, and a formidable crew.

Guinness Anchor Berhad (GAB) marketing manager and Strongbow spokesman Tai See Wai said, “We had a great partnership with Baby Tonga and the RMSIR. On top of that, Baby Tonga’s win in the Premiere Class three years running has made the partnership a perfect fit.”

Going for it: Baby Tonga will be aiming to rule the waves again this year.

“Being a distinguished sporting and lifestyle event, RMSIR is the perfect platform for us.

“The taste of Strongbow and Baby Tonga go hand-in-hand as we quench consumers’ thirst for adventure and a refreshing experience.

“We wish Baby Tonga all the best in the race, and look forward to seeing them fill the winner’s trophy with Strongbow again,” Tai said.

Despite the mounting pressure to win in unpredictable wind and sea conditions, the Beneteau F53 Baby Tonga will not succumb to the heat.

Crew member Antoine Commare said his team stands a good chance to go after the title again.

“We have a great crew who are very competent, disciplined and, above all, hungry to win again.

“The wind and tide may be different each time, but our passion and dedication to win remain the same.

“We can’t wait to challenge the other yachts and participating in the challenging and exciting race this year,” he said.

One of Asia’s most distinguished regattas, the RMSIR takes place over 240km consisting of three overnight passage races.

Contestants will race from Port Klang to Pangkor, Pangkor to Penang and Penang to Langkawi, inclusive of a day of harbour racing in both Penang and Langkawi.

According to The Gaurdian, the Chinese captain pulled out an unidentified weapon after officers from two coast guard ships boarded the fishing boat over suspicions that it was illegally operating in Yellow Sea waters rich in blue crabs, anchovies and croaker, coast guard spokesman Kim Dong-jin said.

A South Korean officer stabbed in the side was taken by helicopter to a hospital in the port city of Incheon but later died, Kim said. Also brought to the hospital were an officer stabbed in the abdomen, who was to undergo surgery, and the Chinese captain, who had minor injuries from the fight, he said.

caught on CCTV at a scrap metal merchant in Plymouth shortly after a £5,000 metal boat was hauled away from a storage yard in Wolseley Road close to the Royal Albert Bridge Inn on October 13.

The boat, a Dutch barge-style sailing vessel made of welded sheet metal, was hauled away by a group of four or five men, using a low loader with a large tailgate acting as a ramp.

The vessel, called Toad, was first emptied of several hundred gallons of water which had collected inside.

Amazingly, the entire operation – which took several hours – was watched throughout by a large group of drinkers at the nearby RABI pub who even chatted with the men removing the boat.

Police have since learned the boat was immediately taken to a city scrap metal merchant and scrapped.

Police believe the male shown in the CCTV image was the lead man who took charge of the vessel's removal. The white transit van in the image was similar to the one used to carry the men to the scene and escort the lorry which carried the boat away to the scrap merchant.

If you recognise him, call police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, ref ED/11/6472.

The first of a distinctive new generation combining the very latest in innovation and technology, the new 28 Metre Yacht will make its world debut at the 2012 Tullett Prebon London Boat Show (6th-15th January). The world launch will take place on Friday 6th January at 11.30am on press day.

This new design launches the next generation of the ‘Sunseeker’ Yacht look. The element most captivating is the remarkable extent of main deck glazing. Unusually full height and pillarless, the glazing flows continuously down the sides and around the rear of the saloon, merging with the aft patio doors. This new wrap around glazing gives the main deck accommodation a unique uninterrupted floor to ceiling panoramic view and an extraordinarily bright interior, bringing the outside in.

Just as this increases usability of the saloon throughout the day, particularly with the option of side doors and bulwark balcony, other external social areas on the foredeck and flybridge have been innovated with new sunpad and group seating formats. The expansive foredeck has given rise to a completely new seating and sunpad layout with a centre companionway providing increased social areas. The large carbon fibre hard topped flybridge deck offers unrivalled room for enjoyment with a comparable increase in available space resulting in an area that can be tailored to suit every client’s needs. From spa tubs to extended sunpads, this area will have endless entertaining layouts to enjoy true al fresco dining.

Every 28 Metre Yacht will be unique and tailored to specific customer requirements offering a breakthrough in interior layout and design with interior furnishings selected from the 2012 Sunseeker Collection of materials and linings, ensuring that the striking exterior design continues throughout the interior. Two individual stairways lead down to four equally well appointed and spacious suites, including up to two VIP double staterooms and a full-beam master stateroom. Each and every cabin incorporates the large window sets now synonymous with Sunseeker design.

Throughout, headroom and hull-side storage has been maximised demonstrating that modern design and practicality can go hand-in-hand. The completely new hull provides increased space whilst still capable of producing excellent performance speeds from a choice of engines, the final delight in a truly remarkable new craft.

Sunseeker International is the world’s only single boat brand building performance motoryachts across a range from 40ft to 155ft (12m-47m).

Boats also on display

Sunseeker will have a total of 14 boats on display at stand number (H102). Boats on display include; 28 Metre (world debut), Predator 53 (world debut), 40 Metre, Predator 115, Predator 84, 80 Yacht, Manhattan 73, Predator 64, Manhattan 63, Predator 60, Manhattan 53, and Portofino 48.

New Predator 53 to be launched at the 
2012 Tullett Prebon London Boat Show

Sunseeker International, manufacturer of the world’s finest luxury motoryachts, will launch an exciting new addition to the Predator range, the new Sunseeker Predator 53 at the forthcoming 2012 Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show 
(6th-15th January).

The world launch of this stunning new model will take place on Friday 6th January at 11.45am. The new Predator 53 may be the smallest in the Predator family; however she offers more interior space than most in her class whilst boasting a sharp, sporty and bold design.

Borrowing from other boats in the Sunseeker range gives the Predator 53 a pedigree all of its own. A sleek sporting profile, the use of modern carbon materials and an intuitive accommodation layout make this boat a winner in all departments.

The main deck saloon area is split between two spacious social areas, incorporating an aft patio door closing the area off from the aft cockpit.  The saloon features a carbon sliding hardtop positioned above the helm and dinette seating area, bringing the outside in. 

The lower deck accommodation comprises of three spacious cabins, two doubles and a twin, including an extensive fully fitted galley area.  Fittings and equipment throughout the Predator 53 reflect the Sunseeker high standards approach with the adoption only of first class, from the finest fabrics to the latest navigation aids, whilst ensuring an ergonomic yet aesthetically pleasing helm.

Outside, the large aft cockpit with its generous seating area is available to customers in two configurations, depending on whether the client prefers a larger dedicated dining area or perhaps increased sunbathing space. 

The teak planked hydraulic aft platform may sport a tender or jetbike for thrills, so just as the Predator 53 joins the high performance line, it truly can still comfortably fulfil the role of a family boat.

Owner Jim Hendricks, referring to the boat's whistle, told the Key West Citizen it would mean "giving the Queen her voice back".

According to the BBC, Mr Hendricks' late father bought the Queen in 1982 for $65,000 (£41,300).

The boat is in a state of disrepair after sitting in a dry dock next to the Key Largo Holiday Inn for 10 years.

Mr Hendricks, who runs the hotel's gift shop, told the Citizen the boat had "several generations of engines built in England".

"She was shipped to Africa and carried over land to Stanleyville where she worked on the Rukki River," he added.

He said the boat, previously named the Livingstone, was acquired by director John Huston and Sam Spiegel in 1950 and renamed the African Queen.

The wooden boat was originally built in 1912 for the British East Africa Railway Company, according to The Times newspaper.

Huston's World War I film tells the story of American Rose Sayer - played by Hepburn - who escapes a village burned down in German East Africa on a boat owned by rough-and-ready Charlie Allnutt, played by Bogart

The divorce involving Li - scion of a Prudential Enterprise financial wizard whose flagship property here in Hong Kong is the eponymous hotel located above Jordan MTR station - had all the makings of a celebrity divorce that saw barristers leave no stone unturned to extract that last million for their clients and sent newspapers and gossip magazines into a feeding frenzy.

In recent years, the list of such divorces reads like the A-list of a Hollywood movie.

While marriages are made in heaven, divorces are very much an earthly phenomenon. Witness the spate of celebrity marriages that have lasted barely long enough for the ink to dry on their marriage contracts.

Singer Jennifer Lopez and Cris Judd managed to hold on to their wedding rings for only eight months before calling it quits. And American reality TV star Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries divorce came just 72 days after they tied the knot in an elaborate wedding ceremony.

While the Li-Tsang divorce has become the cynosure of all eyes, minus the salacious

tittle-tattle so commonly aired in courtrooms, its jaw-dropping settlement, while the biggest in Asia and, indeed, in Hong Kong, pales in comparison to the daddy of all divorce deals - that of Rupert and Anna Murdoch.

When their divorce was finalized in June 1999, the media tycoon agreed to leave his ex-wife US$1.7 billion (HK$13.26 billion). He married Wendi Deng 17 days later aboard his yacht, Morning Sun.

Divorce is, without exception, a traumatic experience but in the case of Tsang, the gain may have far outweighed the pain.

Tsang, a 38-year-old solicitor, had revealed to the court in eye-popping detail the luxurious life of her ex-husband - all, of course, in the hope of extracting a high amount of maintenance to maintain her current quality of life and that of her three-year-old daughter.

Besides the huge amounts of money involved, what sated public interest in the case were revelations by Tsang about Li's luxurious lifestyle.

Their London mansion - just one in an extensive property portfolio divided between the British capital, San Francisco and Japan - was so gargantuan he had a mini telephone exchange set up comprising 28 internal lines.

Other juicy tidbits from the case included 26 cars and a wine collection worth millions of dollars at his Japan mansion.

And after his divorce in 2008, he purchased two yachts - Kogo and Wally Power. His curiosity obviously piqued, Li last summer rented a 70-meter-long yacht, paying HK$60 million for three months.

Purveying all that dazzling wealth around made Li a natural magnet for all who wanted to soak up the good life. Around the middle of this year, he led a fleet of yachts to Croatia's Hull Island, inviting a posse of bikini-clad girls aboard for the cruise.

His celebrity and lifestyle soon attracted the attention of the media in Europe, which found that Li's father, Samuel Tak Lee, owned a huge portfolio of properties in England. The press described him as possibly the biggest landlord [in England], next only to the royal family.

Sailing his behemoths in the open sea was not the only - nor the first - indulgence Li had: in 1997 he founded Team Veloqx, a racing team.

In 2004, along with Audi Sport UK, Team Veloqx took part in Le Mans 24, the world's oldest endurance sports car race since 1923.

Li also bought a Boeing business jet between 2005 and 2006 to traverse the globe in luxurious seclusion.

That high life came down to earth in one split second between the sheets in 2007 in a consummation that should have laid the seeds for a lifelong marriage. Instead, as Tsang told it, it was the beginning of the end.

"We did not use any contraception after we were married and he did not say that he did not want a baby. But he asked me to get an abortion after finding out I was pregnant in 2007."

Tsang refused, and gave birth to a daughter the next year that Li is said to have barely looked at.

The couple tried to rescue their relationship in Tokyo. When that failed, they headed for the divorce lawyers.

Li insists it was Tsang's responsibility to know when they could be intimate without ending up in a family way, suggesting that Tsang deliberately made herself pregnant, which was the real reason he was not happy about it.

He also said that he asked Tsang to get an abortion because his father [Samuel Tak Lee] wanted him to inherit the entire estate and feared a child would jeopardize the chances of that happening.

To weed out the excess baggage of hurt and misunderstanding that bickering couples can carry, Tsang requested a one-off payment of HK$5.5 billion to keep her in the lifestyle to which she had become accustomed and to fund her daughter's education until she graduated from university.

The lifestyle claims covered properties, yachts and more than HK$32 million in annual expenses. The interesting bits in that last miscellaneous item included HK$5 million for clothes, HK$140,000 to take care of her dog and HK$1.8 million for food.

High Court Justice John Saunders said Tsang and Li lived "a lifestyle which was best described as just below that of a US-dollar billionaire" and, with his award, hinted that the ex-wife should not have to settle for very much less than that in her two main cities of residence - Hong Kong and London.

As such, based on the principle of reasonable needs commonly used in other maintenance cases, the judge determined that Tsang would, in such a situation, normally have been entitled to HK$400 million.

Highest award

That covered claims for a Hong Kong property worth HK$250 million, a London property costing 2.5 million (HK$30.53 million), the cost of two cars worth HK$2.5 million, one yacht worth HK$5 million and club memberships in Hong Kong and England costing HK$4.6 million, together with HK$800,000 of living expenses each month.

But Saunders declined a request by Tsang, worth just HK$79 million as of March, for more than half of Li's HK$6.42 billion worth in recognition of fact that all of his assets had their origins with his father Samuel Tak Lee.

As such, Tsang was judged to be entitled to one fifth of Li's assets.

The HK$1.2 billion, though almost five times less than the HK$5.5 billion lump-sum figure that Tsang demanded to end the eight-year marriage, is believed to be the highest award given in an open court in Hong Kong. Naturally, the ruling has attracted the attention of the international media.

Barrister Albert Luk Wai-hung gave an inside look at the legal reasoning that went into the award.

"Hong Kong's courts usually apply reasonable needs on maintenance cases, ensuring the petitioner can maintain the living standard after divorce, which concerns one's financial needs," he said.

Explaining the "sharing principle" employed in the case, Luk emphasized that it does not matter which side in a marriage works or which side stays at home to take care of the children. Their family contribution is equal.

"So their matrimonial assets should be equally split when they divorce," Luk added.

That turned out to be the worst nightmare for Li's father, as some of the family's secrets spilled out in court.

Lee, 71, is said to have criticized Tsang for only caring about money and went as far as to demand his daughter- in-law and Li sign a post-nuptial agreement that entitled her to only US$10 million (HK$78 million) or the equivalent in pounds in the event of a divorce.

But his machinations came to naught later when the son consented to have the agreement cancelled.

In true Hitchcock style, the case took a strange twist when Saunders wrote in his judgment that he found evidence of criminal conduct when Li and his father forged a 2006 convertible loan agreement allegedly transferring virtually "the whole of the husband's assets to the father."

He further concluded that the "husband and father were likely to have committed perjury in numerous affidavits in relation to the 2006 CLA, in an attempt to defeat the wife's claim in ancillary relief."

Whether there is any happy ending to the 2006 deal struck between the son and his father is now a matter that lies in the hands of the director for public prosecutions.

There is, on the other hand, no doubt about Tsang's feelings about how the matter has been resolved.

"I am very happy," Hong Kong's newest billionaire said.

York fireman Jim Sanderson is preparing to revamp the SL Belle, a 117-year-old, 75ft-long teak-on-oak vessel which can carry up to 100 passengers and he predicts it will quickly generate profits.

The boat, SL Belle, is based in dry dock at Hull Marina but will be moved next month to the International Boat Building Training College in Lowestoft, where IBTC Heritage will restore its Victorian decor to its glory days ready for use by Easter 2013.

Two leading South Carolina yacht dealers merge to strengthen presence in the southeast. St. Barts Yachts, a Beneteau Certified Platinum dealer and Charleston Yacht Sales will join forces and operate under the St. Barts Yachts brand.

Charleston, SC (PRWEB) November 14, 2011

St. Barts Yachts and Charleston Yacht Sales have merged in an effort to strengthen their presence in the southeast and will operate under the St. Barts Yachts brand maintaining headquarters at 3 Lockwood Drive in Charleston, SC with locations in Oriental, NC and Orange Park FL.

“It’s a strategic business decision. Now is the time to position for growth and joining forces with Charleston Yacht Sales is a no brainer. Peter Dodds has been very successful in this industry and working together will be more advantageous than competing against one another,” said Chuck Laughlin of St. Barts Yachts.

Chuck Laughlin founded St. Barts Yachts in 1987, and it grew to become one of the leading dealers in the southeast. Of the 44 North American Beneteau dealers, St. Barts Yachts is one of only 12 who have achieved recognition as a Beneteau Certified Platinum Dealer. Moreover, St. Barts was awarded the Beneteau USA Presidents Service Award for 2011. In addition to representing Beneteau and Sabre, St. Barts Yachts provides brokerage services and a highly skilled service department experienced in boat commissioning, repairs and maintenance.

Charleston Yacht Sales has been one of the lowcountry’s leading brokers of sailboats, sport fishing boats, trawlers and motor yachts for more than 40 years. After joining Charleston Yacht Sales in 1970, Peter Dodds purchased the business in 1979. In 2002, Peter was one of the first 50 yacht brokers in the country to achieve the designation of Certified Professional Yacht Broker from the Yacht Brokers Association of America. Peter is also a licensed and bonded broker in Florida.

Rickmansworth Waterways Trust (RWT) is raising money to fund conservation work on the “Roger”, a wooden boat built in 1936.

The boat is one of the last wooden canal boats left in working order and is kept in Batchworth Lock.

A total of £30,000 is needed to bring the boat back to its former glory, after rot appeared unexpectedly in the bow.

As well as £6,000 from Three Rivers District Council, the Arts Council England’s Preservation of Industrial and Scientific Material (PRISM) Fund has donated £12,000.

Fabian Hiscock, trustee, said: “This is a really important contribution, we’re delighted and very grateful to the Arts Council England for their support.

“Roger is almost unique, and a key part of our heritage education work for children, young people and other community groups.

“Keeping her going is one of our primary, and one of our most difficult, projects. The Arts Council’s generous grant is a real boost.”

The boat, included in the National Register of Historic Vessels, is a popular feature at the Rickmansworth Canal Festival, and is used to train boat captains of all ages.

The Trust still needs to raise another £12,000 to complete the work, and has other applications under consideration as well as working hard on other fundraising

Around 400 delegates attended the 2011 China (Haikou) Yacht Forum held in Haikou on the Island of Hainan.

The forum was opened by Zheng Wei Hang of the China Cruise and  Yacht Industry Association (CCYIA).

On day 1 of the forum delegates who came from  all aspects of the marine industry in China heard from speakers from industry and government regarding current progress and future plans for development followed by a Q & A session with the panel being comprised of leaders from international marine organizations ranging from Australia to America.

Topics discussed or presented ranged from government policy on the registration and pleasure craft to the importance of the industry to the Chinese economy seen by both national government and industry leaders.

Generally the Forum had an upbeat positive atmosphere on day one where, although challenges were admitted, opportunities could be seen.

The day concluded with a gala dinner giving people the opportunity to network and discuss what they had heard during the day.

Overall the messages heard by delegates were positive and clearly demonstrated that the understanding of the market potential and what was required was understood by government organs and industry bodies alike.

Day two of the China (Haikou) Yachting Industry Forum started with a panel representing the city mayors of some of China’s coastal cities sharing their visions of where yachting development in their cities would go in the future.

There was a surprising lack of consensus with one mayor still firmly believing the future would follow history with increasing numbers of large yachts being attracted to his city. The other mayors had quite different ideas with the representative from Zhoushan going as far as promoting public marinas to further encourage the middle class into boating by making marinas more affordable.

Interestingly throughout the day the term boating industry in place of yachting industry crept into the vocabulary, a small but important step to the understanding that to expand the user base in Chinese boating requires a widening of the market place rather than increasingly targeting just the very rich.

The morning session was conclude with a forum of lady entrepreneurs in the marine world in China hosted by Ms Zhou Jian, herself General Manager of Double Happiness Yachts in Shanghai. While most of the speakers were career managers within the industry of particular interest was the only end user to speak at the entire forum.

Hong Kong based architect and interior designer Inge Strompf-Jensen freely admits she started her boating life as ‘decoration’ but learned to sail, bought her own boat, often sails with a ladies crew, bought her own boat and rose to become the first Lady Commodore of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht club, undoubtedly the premier member’s run yacht club in Asia. Lately work and passion has combined with Inge producing the interior design work for a radical wave piercing trimaran currently being built in China.

The afternoon was an incredible 14 speakers starting Julian Goldie of the Yacht Harbour Association from the UK who explained their Golden Anchor Scheme through to industry veteran (Jimmy) Ma Jing Ming of Marine Depot whose more than 35 years experience,  in the marine hardware OEM and aftermarket business, producing in China and supplying chandlers and to top western builders across all that time as well as building boats in China, gives him a unique perspective of the yacht and boat industry in China.

A bird hunter was shot in the buttocks after his dog stepped on a shotgun laid across the bow of a boat.

Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Potter says the 46-year-old Utah man was duck hunting with a friend when he climbed out of the boat to move decoys.

Potter says the man left his 12-gauge shotgun in the boat and the dog stepped on it, causing it to fire. It wasn't clear whether the safety on the gun was on at the time.

Potter says the man was hit from about 10 feet (three meters) away with 27 pellets of birdshot. He says the man wasn't seriously injured, in part because he was wearing waders. The man was treated at a nearby hospital.

The two companies have joined in a program which receives the full support and even funding from the European Union in what will hopefully be a success. At the moment, “Within the SCV sector, a UK commercially qualified skipper, boating in Spanish waters, can only work commercially on UK registered vessels; he is not allowed to work on Spanish or any other EU registered vessels unless he holds Spanish or other country specific qualifications. Equally, Spanish nationals boating in Spanish Waters with Spanish commercial qualifications can only work on Spanish registered vessels regardless of their knowledge, ability, experience and competence” said Mike John, Director at the Sea-Tech School Principle.

He also added the only solution “currently available to both skippers is that they must both re-qualify, i.e. the Spanish skipper must be re-trained and examined under the UK system with the condition that the training and examination be carried out in English language. Likewise the UK skipper, in order to work on a Spanish registered vessel in Spanish waters, must complete a Spanish course and examination in Spanish language”.

the chance to see the first glimpse of the newest boats being unveiled to the World.

Whether visitors are considering a summer sailing holiday, planning to fulfil their dream and invest in one of the 1,000 boats on display, or buy the latest innovative gadgets, clothing and equipment , a visit to this Show is a great way to start the season.

The 2012 Tullett Prebon London Boat Show is being held at ExCeL London which is just 20 minutes from London Waterloo and has over 2,500 car parking spaces on site.

Tickets:

Adult tickets can be purchased in advance of the Show from just £16, with two children going free with each paying adult.

For the last four days of the Show, you will also be able to enjoy the London Bike Show, Outdoors Show and Active Travel Show at ExCeL with your Tullett Prebon London Boat Show ticket.

Visitors can keep updated on Show news and developments and book tickets via the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show website www.londonboatshow.com or call the ticket hotline on 0871 230 7140.

The fully rigged section of mast carrying the fore topgallant yardarm of Nelson’s flagship will tower above the Show as the centrepiece of the ever-popular Classic Boat attraction in association with Teamac Marine Paints.

Usually found 150 feet above the deck, this impressive attraction will allow visitors to climb up the rigging to truly experience what it is like to be aloft on an 18th century Man O’War under the watchful supervision of the National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth.

Take advantage of this rare opportunity to learn about the history of this famous vessel and watch live demonstrations about the use of several remarkable artefacts which have been extracted from the ship while under refit in Portsmouth’s naval dockyard.

To add to the flavour of this genuine article from HMS Victory, as well as bringing and rigging this iconic ship’s yardarms, sailors from the National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth will be providing visitors with the opportunity to explore a reconstructed traditional boatyard’s workshop. Take advantage of the educational opportunities on offer in the boatyard workshop to absorb an invaluable insight from sailors.

The marina’s brand new facilities, competitive prices and mild winter climate make the marina and resort an attractive destination for those struggling to secure a berth in the over-crowded western Mediterranean.

(PRWEB UK) 30 November 2011

The lack of superyacht berths in the western Mediterranean is widely reported, and a shortage results from the superyacht fleet having grown in the last decade (2001 – 2010) by 95.2 per cent, but the number of berths not having increased to meet the demand. Marinas based in the eastern Mediterranean are increasing in popularity for berthing and wintering a yacht as a result.

The recent opening of Karpaz Gate Marina has meant that the unspoilt and undiscovered cruising of Northern Cyprus is now available for international yachtsman to explore for the first time.

Facilities at Karpaz Gate Marina include 950 metre breakwaters, protecting not just from the north but all directions. An extensive 18,000sqm dry dock facility is available, with the space to accommodate hundreds of yachts, and a 300 tonne travel lift, suitable for yachts 45m x 10m has also recently been installed. The marina also has the resource to repair and provide maintenance for yachts.

A 24-hour security, access control and surveillance system operates 365 days a year and a concierge service, that provides a full range of services, are at the yacht owners disposal when a berth is owned or a yacht is wintered at the marina.

22nd edition of the prestigious RMSIR will be held until Nov 27.

Baby Tonga, three-time consecutive winner of the Premier Cruising Division title at the RMSIR, is fast becoming a legend in the Asian regatta circuit and is poised to deliver yet another win this year, thanks to the excellent stewardship of skipper, Aussie legend Fraser M. Johnston, and a formidable crew.

Guinness Anchor Berhad (GAB) marketing manager and Strongbow spokesman Tai See Wai said, “We had a great partnership with Baby Tonga and the RMSIR. On top of that, Baby Tonga’s win in the Premiere Class three years running has made the partnership a perfect fit.”

"Police have re-opened their investigation into Wood's death after Dennis Davern claimed that the full version of events leading up to the tragedy had never been revealed.

Thanks to a unique partnership between the P1 Marine Foundation and Southampton University simulator technology is being introduced into powerboat racing in a move which could revolutionise driver training and participation in championships such as P1’s SuperStock series.

Simulators provide the most immersive racing experience possible outside of a boat, allowing a driver to experience track lay-out and handling without going near the water. Southampton University is engaged in a project using simulators to investigate and then reduce shock and vibration levels during training of drivers and navigators and called P1 in to help.

Developing a realistic training environment is not a trivial process as researchers have to carefully consider the many factors influencing the boat during a race as well as how it is driven by the pilot. The simulator is designed to assess human driver performance in relation to a variety of measures including eye movements.

“This project forms part of a wider research programme into the design of high performance craft that more effectively reduce human exposure to shock and vibration”, said a spokeman for the university. “We anticipate that the simulator will provide a valuable training platform for powerboat drivers and will allow them to gain experience of driving powerboats at high speed in a variety of realistic sea conditions without exposing them to the high levels of vibration and repeated shock.”

P1 Marine Foundation’s active collaboration with Southampton University started recently when P1 SuperStock driver Andy Wilby took part in a recent experiment.

Built to a Judel Vrolijk design and  very high specification using materials and processes that are typically applied for Grand Prix racing yachts.

According to PRWEB UK  the owner’s representative James Stagg and Green Marine’sproject manager Simon Smith were very pleased with the way this important project milestone was achieved.

Simon Smith: “We are working on a very tight schedule to complete this Cento on time and launch it in July 2012. Every single task is planned and monitored on a daily basis. Our experienced team of boat builders have delivered another top quality product on time.” James Stagg added: “The team here have had their work cut out with an aggressive structural fit out schedule. They have managed to meet the key milestone of fitting the deck and rolling over on time - this was no mean feet and we are very happy with the workmanship.”

The boat will now be faired outside while the boat builders carry on installing secondary structures inside the hull. Marcel Müller, Managing Director of Green Marine, said: “All our build ovens have the extraction system and air filtration of a spray booth. This way we can provide the optimal and safe work environment for both teams working on the boat. The fact that we can cure the paint system and laminates at any time during this process will save us precious time.”

The system and interior fit out will start before Christmas. This Green Marine high performance racer-cruiser is built under the WALLY Cento class rules. As the first boat of its class hitting the water it will be the pace setter for this new generation of exiting and extremely power full race yachts.

 crew reported  hull was cracked in bad weather and the ship was taking on water.

The coastguard sent out a mayday relay and several vessels responded and went to the scene to assist.

The vessel is reported to have sunk 20 miles north-west of the tip of the Lleyn peninsula.

A helicopter from RAF Valley in north Wales and another from Dublin Coastguard arrived at the scene, as well as lifeguard boats from Pwllheli and Porthdinllaen.

Two people were rescued from the water and taken to RAF Valley but the search is ongoing for the remaining six crew members.

The coastguard report very difficult conditions in the dark with rough seas and high winds.

(PRWEB UK) 23 November 2011

The award-winning American waterski and wakeboarding boat manufacturer, which for more than eight decades has been building high quality boats, has recently expanded its international dealer network to broaden the reach of the Nautique brand around the world. Sea-Alliance Group will represent Nautique in Northern Cyprus, at Karpaz Gate Marina.

Nautique President/CEO, Bill Yeargin, said: “We are delighted to appoint Sea-Alliance Group as an international dealer of Nautique Boats. So many more people around the world now have an opportunity to experience the Nautique lifestyle and we are excited about welcoming them to the Nautique family.”

Roy Klajman, Owner of Sea-Alliance Group, who visited the Nautique Boats factory in Orlando, Florida last week said: “The Nautique product range includes top of the range towing boats which are perfect for having fun out on the water. The Sea-Alliance Group team is very proud to be an official dealer of Nautique boats and we are looking forward to introducing them to the eastern Mediterranean market.”

Wales online reports that Campaigners who have been fighting to save the station said they would consider a judicial review of the closure plans.

Speaking in the Commons yesterday, Mr Penning said operations at Milford Haven and Holyhead will continue, and the building at Swansea will be used by volunteer rescue teams.

Holyhead and Milford Haven will continue to employ 23 staff each. Currently, 28 staff work at the Swansea centre.

Mr Jones warned last night that lives may be at risk as a result of the decision.

He said: “I am very dismayed the UK Government has ignored a major campaign against the proposed changes which, we argue, will put pressure on emergency services and potentially put lives at risk. Over a million people have signed a petition against these proposals, which shows the strength of feeling.

“One of the UK Government’s rationale for closing Swansea Coastguard Station – Wales’ busiest and the third busiest in the UK – is that the Department of Transport already employ large numbers of people in the city at the DVLA. This is unacceptable.”

 Spitbank is being turned into a luxury retreat.

Eight large bedrooms will have wonderful views across the Solent. A function room, hot tub, sauna and fire pit for barbecues will make the upper level a place for gathering. And the fort will also boast private dining rooms, bars, games rooms, a wine cellar and tasting room.

The fort – which sleeps 16 in eight rooms and can hold up to 60 people for functions and 48 for banquet dining – costs £14,400 for one night. Seven nights will cost visitors £61,200. But there are promotions of exclusive use stays from £8,000 and day conferencing from £150.

 Spitbank will be used for corporate functions, weddings and anyone who wants to hire the building as a unique holiday destination.

as to be craned onto the fort and during the first part of the build 600 sacks of rubble were removed.

The barge, belonging to Portsmouth-based Baker Trayte Marine, has carted over generators, a sewage treatment plant and is due to deliver the kitchen equipment.

But the cost and difficulties had been envisaged, explains Mark. ‘From a bank’s point of view, they would laugh you out the door. But that’s not why Mike and Amazing Retreats have done this. Buying these properties and putting them back together are a labour of love, although obviously we want people to stay at them and enjoy them.’

The company has been working closely with local historical societies and English Heritage to retain and make features of importance historical details.

The bar tables will be original portholes from ships, framed in oak, and the sinks in the washroom will be cleaned up and covered with glass as a feature of the Champagne bar.

The original fireplace stays in the lounge and two rooms – a kitchen and pantry – are being kitted out as museum pieces.

One of the most interesting features of the fort is an artesian well, which draws drinking water form the chalk bed. The boring of this well began in 1877 when the fort was almost complete and it originally supplied 23,000 gallons a day. Now the water supply will be bottled for guests.

One part of the fort will have to fulfil its existing function. There have been consultations with the harbour master over the lighthouse as its red beacon must stay as a direction for ships.

‘I think people want to know about where they’re staying,’ adds Mark. ‘It’s all part of the theatre of coming to Spitbank Fort. If you just want to go to a nice hotel, you can go anywhere in the world.’

A new landing stage has been developed so guests will simply be able to step sraight off a RIB or cruiser.

Last year there were 14 incidents involving solid fuel stoves being used on boats and in the last decade at least two dozen boaters have been hurt and five have died in incidents linked to stove use.

Using what it has learnt from these incidents, the BSS points to four key risks that must be avoided or managed if boats and crews are to keep safe with solid fuel stoves,-

‘over-firing’, where the stove runs out of control and burns super-hot;

‘proximity and pyrolysis’ - wood, textiles, paper, fuels, etc. being too close and getting too hot for too long.

CO poisoning due to the escape of stove flue gases into the cabin;

Poor maintenance and misuse of the stove.

The BSS will also be promoting on its website, the new Code of Practice published by British Standards for installing stoves implemented this year, and the BSS believes it will be a great help for anyone buying a stove, renewing a chimney or just revamping the hearth or stove surrounds. There will be an overview with some headline pointers as well as links to more details.

Graham Watts, BSS Manager said

‘Our advice draws on the code and the lessons from fire and CO incident reports over the years. We’ve also used both boat building and stove experts to analyse the guidance as well as carry out practical tests. 

‘We hope to follow up the new web pages with more materials in the coming months. It’s been a huge project and we’re not finished yet, we want UK boaters to have the best possible information and support.’

‘However, simply having good equipment, properly installed is still not the complete story, the way that stoves are used and maintained are just as critical.

‘There can be hidden dangers associated with normal use and our web pages will help boaters avoid the risks’

The BSS is also promoting the additional benefits of the new installation practices, as they can help some boaters to save money by using less fuel.

Stoves with insulated chimneys are also more controllable and so have the potential for drastic fuel reduction – some early tests indicate that the savings could be as high as 50 per cent.

The BSS has been checking with manufacturers and suppliers and most of the major names in the market now have products and instructions that align with the new Code.

Editors

BS 8511 Code of practice for the installation of solid fuel heating and cooking appliances in small craft was published in in February 2010 and its provisions came into effect on 28 February 2011.

Its purpose is to help improve safety for boaters and reduce the number of boat fires and CO poisonings linked to solid fuel stoves, specifically to enhance the safety of those at risk from poorly designed, maintained or used solid fuel burning heating appliances. [extracted from the BSI Acceptance Proposal]

The main safety impacts of the code are the introduction of clear guidelines as to how to protect combustible materials from the heat of the stove and the critical importance of seeing flue-gases escape the boat.

Solid fuel stove flue-gases can carry up to 100 times the amount of CO from burning LPG and that is the critical reason for ensuring flue-gases are carried up the chimney and away from the cabin.

Modern, highly efficient stoves operate with lower flue-gas temperatures. Although this has reduced the risk of chimney fires, it has increased the likelihood of more tars condensing on chimney walls and reducing the chimney draught. This increases the risk of flue-gas spillage from any weak point and especially defective joints.

Facts from reports of stove related incidents and significant points within the published Code were considered by the BSS support committees in conducting a recent risk review.

The review established that promoting the correct choice of new or replacement equipment and installing it to the Code is the most effective way forward in helping to reduce the number and severity of incidents.  

Mandatory installation checks in the BSS examination were considered unlikely to be as effective in addressing the all the factors involved, but this position will remain under continual review.

With the code now published, the emphasis is on boaters, equipment suppliers and boat builders to embrace the newly accepted way forward for stove installation on boats.

The Solid Fuel Technology Institute (Soliftec) has posted a simple overview looking at the key points on fitting and installing to the BS 8511 Code on its website,www.soliftec.com/Installation.htm  and this will help boaters to know what basic points to cover when talking with suppliers and installers.

The Code of Practice covers solid fuel cooking or heating appliances burning either natural or manufactured solid mineral fuels, or natural or manufactured wood logs.

It advises on appliance selection, design considerations, installation requirements, inspection and testing, and the provision of instructions for the end user of the stove including maintenance and stove use.

PDF and hard copy versions of the Code of Practice can be purchased directly using a credit card from the BSI Shop website www.bsigroup.com/shop or can be viewed at some county libraries or on some online county library services.

The BSS is a public safety project owned jointly by British Waterways and the Environment Agency. At least 14 other navigation and harbour authorities have also adopted it. The navigation authorities’ purposes for the Scheme are to help reduce the risks of fire, explosion and pollution on small craft. This is done by promoting fire safety and pollution avoidance advice to help boat owners keep themselves and their crews’ safe as well as regular examination of fuel systems, gas systems, electrical systems and appliances.

The BSS examination and certificate BSS certificates have a life span of four years. Navigation authorities using the Scheme usually require a valid BSS certificate at the time of licensing, registration, and toll renewal or similar. The certificate is issued to boat that is found to be compliant with all the BSS requirements relevant for that boat. These can be found in the BSS Essential Guide which can be freely downloaded or read on www.boatsafetyscheme.com. The compliance check is carried out by an authorized, independent practitioner known as a BSS examiner.

The first Shannon class lifeboats will be given to stations in 2013

The charity said the St Ives lifeboat was more than 20 years old and would be replaced at the end of its operational life.

The boat will be paid for by a generous legacy, a charity spokesperson added.

They said that for confidentiality reasons the source could not be named.

'Enhance our ability'

St Ives lifeboat operations manager Derek Hall said: "Everyone at St Ives lifeboat station is delighted and extremely honoured.

"We're extremely excited to see the Shannon coming to the station where we're sure her capabilities will enhance our ability to save lives."

The Shannon can be launched and recovered from beaches without relying on slipways and harbours, the charity added.

The lifeboat can reach a top speed of 25 knots, compared to its predecessor which had a top speed of 17 knots.

"Tods pioneered and introduced fiberglass to the marine boat building industry in the early 1950s, designed and built the gondola for the record-breaking Breitling Orbiter around-the-world hot-air balloon, and are currently involved in the development of super-lightweight structures for a new generation of airships." according to Compositesworld.

Tods is an accredited composites engineering firm for the supply of high-integrity weight-efficient airframe sub-assemblies for world leaders in the aviation business with components specially produced for Airbus, Boeing and AgustaWestland, and other manufactures on both sides of the Atlantic. 

The relevance of being a member, of the National Composites Centre, is highlighted by Simon Finch CEO of Tods: “As a progressive SME, we see ourselves actually being able to provide positive technical input for many of the big names who now support the ideals of the new center. From our perspective, access to NCC’s range of specialists and state-of-the art technology will allow us to interact favourably with industry developments and allow us to gather momentum in sustaining our innovative reputation that we have gained over the last 60 years.”  

This year we have really pushed the boundaries in terms of growth, and, in the process, have become the world's fastest growing boat show," said BBSI organiser Knotika Holdings chief executive officer Wael Juju.

He was speaking at a Press conference held at the Dragon Hotel, Amwaj.

"Last year's event saw 10,000 visitors walk through its doors and this year numbers will be capped at 15,000 over four days," said Mr Juju.

"This growth is partially due to the dedication and vision of our team and especially due to the immense support and involvement we have received from our partners."

He said within three years, the BBSI had the privilege of gaining Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife chairman Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa as patron.

This is in addition to forming a partnership with the Economic Development Board (EDB), said Mr Juju.

"We have also worked with Tamkeen this year as part of their enterprise development support programme as well as taking part at the World Travel Market in the UK in association with the Culture Ministry," he said.

Mr Juju said the Information Affairs Authority had been particularly supportive with shared aims to promote Bahrain.

"BBSI 2011 encompasses more than 50,000sqm of exhibition space, both on land and in water with more than 100 marine brands expected to display their latest products," said the official.

"The super yacht enclosure will include corporate paddocks, an official Lamborghini lounge, a remote exhibit and VIP area for gold ticket holders as well as the Royal Lounge for EDB guests."

He said there will be demonstrations by Jet Pack International showcasing their flying man and Viva, the official telecom partner, will co-host rides in a Formula 1 speed boat driven by a former Formula 1 driver.

"At the cultural village, visitors will get a chance to discover life in Bahrain from the days gone by with the chance to take part in traditional handicraft activities," said Mr Juju.

He said there would also be a designated kids' zone, where children could participate in face painting, experience water activities and climb aboard the inflatable pirate ship. Mr Juju said the Al Baraka Islamic Bank had joined as the official finance partner for the show and would offer financing options and on-the-spot financing approvals. EDB chief executive Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa said the BBSI would help significantly boost the footprint of the boating industry in Bahrain, which forms part of an ongoing effort to diversify the economy and attract more tourists.

Company director Justin Haines said his firm was looking to add two new staff members to his 26-strong team as it develops new inland and offshore models.

The firm has been doing particularly well in the export market and Mr Haines said the last five orders –worth about £1m – had been sold in Ireland, Germany and Russia. “We are bucking the trend in our industry and the orders keep coming in,” he said.

He said that as the recession hit, the firm continued to strongly market and develop the brand which had paid dividends. “We are pretty flexible and diverse in terms of what we will build,” he said.

The new development programme will see the firm add new models to its range, including a new inland cruiser targeting markets in France, Germany, Holland, Ireland and the UK, and late next year it will also launch a boat aimed at the young family or starter boat market. In 2013, it will launch an offshore model.

Mr Haines said the Norfolk factory was currently operating at full capacity. He said: “We would build five boats at a time, but we hope to go up to six in the next year. But to do that we need more labour and more staff.”

"We feel we can best serve our customers in the UK by focussing our efforts into the PSP Southampton Boat Show, where we can have boats on the water and show our full range. We had more boats at Southampton this year than ever before and enjoyed a successful show. We will soon be showcasing equally large exhibits at both the Paris and Düsseldorf boat shows where an extensive selection from our range will be on display along with many new models. As always we welcome people to these shows from all over the
world including the UK."

UK manufacturer, Digital Yacht, has won the electronics category of 2011 DAME Award at METS (Marine Equipment Trade Show).  The prize was awarded at this morning’s breakfast briefing. The product that impressed the panel of 10 judges the most was iAIS, which wirelessly links a boat's navigation data to the Apple iPhone, iPad or iTouch. 

“I’m delighted to accept the DAME award for best marine electronics.  The standard among the competition is high, so this is a great achievement. It’s the icing on the cake for us after recently picking up the 2011 NMEA Technology Award only a few weeks ago.  The DAME award will help to cement Digital Yacht’s future as a forward thinking manufacturer that is here to stay,” said CEO, Nick Heyes.

Over 130 products were entered for the Design Awards.  This was narrowed down to 43 finalists and spread across eight categories.

iAIS, wirelessly links a boat's navigation data to the Apple iPhone, iPad or iTouch.  It also incorporates a highly sophisticated, dual channel Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver allowing compatible “apps” access to NMEA instrument, GPS and AIS data.  iPad and iPhone users simply turn on their device to wirelessly connect to the iAIS hot spot. No connection to the internet is needed and there are no cumbersome cables to connect.  The AIS data (which brings information such as position, name, call sign, MMSI number, course and speed of other ships) then becomes available for any compatible application.   iAIS also multiplexes any other NMEA data that is available on board the boat - for instance GPS, depth, speed and wind.  All of this information is combined with the AIS data into the wireless feed. 

Mr and Mrs Dickinson were travelling home to Alderney in the Channel Islands from an airfield in Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire, when their hired single-engined Piper Archer plane crashed at 3.50pm on Saturday. According to the Daily Mail.

The two-seater plane capsized after ditching in water 25 miles off the coast of Guernsey.

A 9-year-old boy airlifted to hospital after falling into a lake has been released.

John Sallee, IV is back home after being airlifted to UK Hospital Saturday afternoon. He and his father, John Sallee, III, somehow fell out of a boat and into Cedar Lake in Lincoln County, U.S.A.

Bystanders helped pull the boy out of the lake, but could not reach his father in time. Crews searched for several hours before recovering the father's body.

Princess's sales manager, Bill Barrow, said it has entered into an exclusive arrangement with Navnit and will sell the entire range of its yachts here.

Princess, the UK-bsed company, which was bought over by LVMH in 2008, is also designing a 39-footer yacht, which will be its smallest. It will help attract more buyers in a price-sensitive geography like this, Barrow said.

When asked if the entry into India is a strategic decision, considering the slowdown in Europe and elsewhere, Barrow avoided giving a direct answer.

However, he said the share of emerging economies like China in the company's total revenue pie has been growing steadily over the past few years. The company sells its products in 65 countries.

According to Navnit Marines, which has a tie-up with five more yacht-makers, demand for the super-luxury machines continues to be strong even in the present economic situation.

Navnit has sold around 100 yachts of various sizes since its launch in 2002, Kachalia said, and added that absence of supporting infrastructure like marinas is holding back the sector.

For several years, some of our finest maritime minds have been sharing their expertise to develop a brilliant scheme which is as practical as it is attractive. And now, as we approach the Diamond Jubilee — only the second in history — it is a concept whose time has come.

Codenamed FSP21 (Future Ship Project 21st Century), this great vessel would be built in the UK. But its £80 million construction cost would not be financed by the British taxpayer.

Instead, it would be funded by donations from individuals and  corporations (millions of pounds are already in the pipeline). And it would not end up as a burden on the taxpayer, either.

Run by a charitable trust, it would cover its own costs — through  everything from trade exhibitions to training sea cadets.

And let no one be deterred by the state of the economy. Britannia was commissioned in age of austerity, too. It was an idea which brilliantly captured the imagination of a war-weary, ration book nation and went on to be a great servant of this country for nearly half a century.

see the pictures and Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2060561/A-yacht-rule-waves-Two-weeks-ago-Mail-launched-campaign-new-Royal-Yacht-Here-unveil-truly-majestic-blueprint.html#ixzz1ds178ljL

The new national flagship would make every day count. It would be in port for a total of just two months each year, undertaking royal or national duties and promoting trade. But for the rest of the time — 285 days a year — it would be at sea earning its keep.

Hence the traditional square rig. Unlike modern sailing yachts, a square rig involves rectangular sails hanging down from a yard arm. Not only is this more spectacular but it is internationally recognised as a great way to inspire leadership and teamwork in young people (the famous Tall Ships' Race being a case in point).

The new ship would require teams of young people, known as 'Queen's cadets', to clamber aloft in all  weathers to keep it going. And those 220 trainees — whether on gap years, college courses or secondment from the Armed Forces — would all have to pay their way. In return, the experience would stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives.

'Then we started exploring the possibilities of embarking scientists and discovered that there was enormous potential,' explains Rear Admiral Bawtree, pointing to a recent parliamentary report on the lack of proper ocean-going opportunities for marine research.

By providing world-class facilities for oceanographic and environmental studies, the ship could open up an entirely new revenue stream. The British Antarctic Survey became an eager new recruit to the consortium and the ship was redesigned to house all the submersibles and laboratories (wet and dry) required for serious academic research — not to mention room for 20 scientists.

Colin Mudie extended the design by another 100ft. He also raised all the rigging 65ft above the deck on a series of giant plinths to create the open space required for all the  scientific equipment.

The crew of the Chin Yi Wen managed to overpower the Somali pirates and regain control of the 260-ton Kaohsiung-registered fishing boat, the agency said.

Three crew members sustained slight injuries during the fight, according to the agency, which said it had been in close contact with the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on the hijacking.

The Chin Yi Wen, with 28 crew members aboard — none of them Taiwanese — rendezvoused with UKMTO-authorized British anti-piracy vessels in the Indian Ocean around 4 a.m. Sunday (Taipei time), the Fisheries Agency said in a written statement.

Felix Badcock, the club’s long serving president, said: “Rowing has moved on a long time ago from being stuffy and chauvinistic and the unanimous election by the members of Jen as our lady captain demonstrates this.”
Stratford Boat Club’s recent other newsworthy events include Camilla Hadland winning gold at last year’s Junior World Championships and James Roe winning gold in Bled at the World Rowing Championships in the Legs, Arms & Trunk Category

The wind was blowing 30 knots and the waves were about 3.5 metres, organisers said.

"There is no panic on board and we're planning to motor back during the night before effecting repairs," navigator Jules Salter told race control.

Azzam's shore team were working on a recovery plan to ensure the yacht can rejoin the race as soon as possible, organisers added.

Spain's Crown Prince Felipe had earlier set the teams on their way, with former France soccer team captain Zinedine Zidane riding on board Azzam for the eight-mile inshore course.

The crew of the HMS Mersey reported flames rising 15 metres in the air and explosions that were visible from a number of miles away.

Once on scene the crew could see the yacht had been destroyed and flaming wreckage still remained on the surface.

The focus for HMS Mersey was turned to searching for survivors.

Within minutes of starting the search using night vision goggles, Mersey’s 2nd Officer of the Watch, Midshipman Phillip Fordham, spotted a glint of something in the distance a couple of miles from the remains of the burning yacht.

One of the ship’s two fast sea boats – equipped with a first aid team – was immediately sent to aid what turned out to be the sole occupant of the yacht, floating in a partially inflated and unlit life raft.

He had been sailing alone from Lowestoft to his native Holland when the fire took hold and he was forced to abandon ship. Picked up by the crew of the sea boat, he was given blankets and first aid and brought back to HMS Mersey.

Onboard the ship’s first aid teams assessed his condition and found him to be in a state of shock and cold, but otherwise unhurt.

The yachtsman was cared for onboard until a rescue helicopter arrived on scene a short time later. He was winched from the cargo deck to safety and transported to hospital in Great Yarmouth for further assessment.

HMS Mersey’s Commanding Officer, Lt Cdr Mark Anderson, said: “I am immensely proud of how my ship’s company responded to this distress call in challenging conditions. The ship was able to re-role from core fishery protection duties to search and rescue operations in a matter of minutes.

“I am pleased that we were able to rescue the casualty from the water and render first aid treatment as the yachtsman was in a perilous situation and understandably in a state of some shock but should make a full recovery.”

The River Class patrol ship had been on routine fishery protection duties off the Yarmouth coast when she heard the frantic mayday call from the yacht Pimpernel.

Information was limited at the time, and the only known facts relayed to the crew were that the vessel was on fire and that it was possibly in the area.

The crew worked with other vessels in the vicinity to identify the location of the yacht, and raced to the scene to offer assistance.

En route, the ship’s company prepared fire fighting, first aid and search and rescue teams ready to assist.

Authorities said the vessel  tried to flee when questioned, and was stopped only after a four and a half hour chase ended with a collision.

The arrest happened off the Goto Islands on Sunday. The islands lie off the west coast of Nagasaki prefecture in the southern island of Kyushu.

The captain, named as Zhang Tianxiong, 47, reportedly faces up to six months in jail if convicted.

they were "attempting to break the maritime security blockade that is in place in accordance with international law". The military said the takeover was peaceful.

The Israeli military issued a short video clip showing a naval official calling on the ships to turn around.

"The Gaza area and coastal region are closed to maritime traffic as part of a blockade imposed for security purposes," the officer said.

"Your attempt to enter the Gaza Strip by sea is a violation of international law. We remind you that humanitarian supplies can be delivered to the Gaza Strip by land, and you are welcome to enter (Israel's) Ashdod port and deliver supplies through land crossings."

The benefits claimant also lived in a council house in Croydon, South London, despite part-owning a farmhouse in Normandy. Mr Axford was apparently exposed living a double-life by a BBC Panorama investigation, which airs tonight.

The keen sailor started receiving incapacity benefit in 1996, after injuring his back in a motorcycle accident.

Archaeologist Dr Hannah Cobb said the "artefacts and preservation make this one of the most important Norse graves ever excavated in Britain".

Dr Cobb, from the University of Manchester, a co-director of the project, said: "This is a very exciting find."

The universities of Manchester, Leicester, Newcastle and Glasgow worked on, identified, or funded the excavation.She has been excavating artefacts in Ardnamurchan for six years.

Archaeology Scotland and East Lothian-based CFA Archaeology have also been involved in the project which led to the find.

The term "fully-intact", used to describe the find, means the remains of the body along with objects buried with it and evidence of the boat used were found and recovered.

The Ardnamurchan Viking was found buried with an axe, a sword with a decorated hilt, a spear, a shield boss and a bronze ring pin.

About 200 rivets - the remains of the boat he was laid in - were also found.

Dr Oliver Harris from the University of Leicester says the burial artefacts belonged to a high-status individual

in the southeast of China, where there are abundant water resources such as inland rivers, lakes and offshore waters. The GDP per capita in coastal developed provinces like Guangdong achieved USD7000, and that in first-tier cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen has reached USD10000, which all exceeded the threshold for rapid growth of yacht consumption.

Currently, yacht manufacturing industry is still in the initial stage of development. There were only less than 400 boat manufacturers in the beginning of the year 2010, wherein, 75 enterprises were mainly engaged in manufacturing of yacht, and approximately 40 enterprises realized the annual sales of over RMB10 million.

Over the last 12 months, Beneteau has continued to develop its business in the powerboat market and now claims to be one of the leading players in Europe. At a press conference in Cannes, the company announced that the Jeanneau, Prestige, Beneteau and Monte Carlo Yachts (MCY) brands are all expanding their motor ranges with an emphasis on targeting growth in new markets.

Beneteau offers more than 100 sail and powerboat models from 6m-18m (20ft-60ft) under the Beneteau, Jeanneau, Lagoon and Prestige brands. The company also builds custom luxury yachts under the CNB marque.

Some of the UK's most highly rated practices were among an initial 114 potential entrants and the final eight include well-known names. But the competition is being judged blind and, although trademark features are likely to give the game away in some cases, the panel will not be told the architects' names until after they have announced their decision.

"We're really please with the quality and range – it's going to be a difficult choice," said Charlotte Upton, project co-ordinator for the museum. "The architects have approached a complex problem from a great variety of different angles. We're confident that we'll finish up with a really special building, worthy of a very special site."

The museum will look across the lake to the rugged outline of the Langdale Pikes, three felltops which are among the Lake District's most famous views. Upton said that the project had a good relationship with the national park office, ultimate arbiters of all development locally, whose own visitor centre, Brockholes, is a short distance north along the lake edge.

The new building, which is in line for £7.4m of lottery money, with fundraising making up the balance, will replace the original, much more modest home for 16 historic boats which flourished as a tourist attraction between 1977 and 2006. Lined with the homes of northern businessmen, Windermere was the UK's greatest centre of private steam launches in the country's industrial heyday and the many by-products of such activities include the Windermere steam kettle, a kind of marine tea urn which has outlasted most of the boats.

The small and dainty fleet, now 40-strong, was gradually collected by a Cumbrian builder George Pattison, whose passion for the craft saw exiled launches return while others were roused from rotting and rusting retirement, or raised from the lake bed. One of the most celebrated, the Dolly, sank in Ullswater in the great frost of 1895, but was back in steam with its original boiler intact within a few years of salvage in 1962. Dolly is the oldest working mechanically powered boat in the world.

The museum, whose lottery grant is assured if development plans are followed, also includes one of the most luxurious launches to sail the UK's inland waters. The Esperance was commissioned by the multi-millionaire ironmaster Henry Schneider who commuted on it and his personal train to Barrow-in-Furness. The craft later starred as Captain Flint's houseboat in films of the Swallows and Amazons stories written by the Manchester Guardian foreign correspondent Arthur Ransome.

Other exhibits will include a sailing yacht built in 1780 and the curious, almost square, rowing dinghy in which Beatrix Potter pottered around small tarns above her farmhouse on the other side of Windermere.

Several of the shortlisted architects' designs tilt their heads at the area's rich history, with the echo of Blackwell honouring another industrial titan, the brewer and twice lord mayor of Manchester, Sir Edward Holt, who built the mansion in 1900. Another links its patinated copper roofs to "regional copper mining and the great halls of Victorian engineering tradition".

The designs are on show at the Marchesi Centre in Windermere on Thursday, 3 November. Architects will be interviewed by the judging panel in November and a decision made in December.

Following the incident 14 miles from Berry Head, Brixham Coastguard spokesman Andy huber said: "The man had fallen, probably banged his head and possibly had spinal injuries."

He was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital.

The Weymouth lifeboat crew boarded the yacht and decided the man should be airlifted to hospital, Mr Huber said.

The Torbay RNLI lifeboat escorted the yacht back to Brixham Marina.

Five tourists were treated for hypothermia, shock and smoke inhalation after being rescued from a life raft.

The 23 adults and three children were on a dolphinwatching trip off Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands.

David Masters, 32, from Birmingham, said: “It was a terrifying experience.

“We were so close to the flames when they came to rescue us I could feel the heat. I was worried there would be an explosion.”

Organised jointly by Great Ayton Parish Council and the Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum, for this event  local schoolchildren design and build  their own vessels which are judged for their design before being entered into a race.

Gary Readman, chairman of the museum, said: “Captain Cook went to school in Great Ayton and is an important person of the village’s history.

“This event is a great way for the children to learn about Captain Cook from a young age.”

Princess Yachts is among the regional successes, which will share £96million and create 6,000 jobs.

The manufacturer will use its slice of the cash to secure approval from its French parent company to create a £35million "world-leading" boat building facility at the company's South Yard site.

Plans for the facility were approved by Plymouth City Council last year.

The new production site will be used to build Princess M Class yachts, a range of 100-foot plus vessels developed to meet the growing global demand for craft of this size.

The facility is planned to be operational by early 2013 and will create or secure more than 1,000 jobs both directly and indirectly in the wider Plymouth economy.

Princess Yachts exports 90 per cent of its production and has built a global reputation for quality and craftsmanship.

It is already Plymouth's second largest private sector employer, with about 2,000 employees, and supports several hundred supply-chain jobs.

Last month, Princess Yachts completed the purchase from Defence Estates of a freehold interest in the 18-acre South Yard site.

Chris Gates, managing director of Princess Yachts, said: "I am delighted the Government has decided to back our investment in a new production facility to meet the global demand for larger vessels."

Cllr Vivien Pengelly, council leader of Plymouth City Council, said: "Their ambitious plans will kick-start the regeneration of

The yacht, with its four-person crew, was pushed ashore by the wind onto Denny Island and started taking on water.

The 42-year-old yacht owner then put out a mayday at 4.45pm.

The Coastguard came to the rescue with pumps and eventually hoisted the yacht from the water with a crane.

A Coastguard spokesman said: “The keel of the boat struck the ground hard, causing damage under the hull.

“If left in the marina overnight it would have sunk.

“The skipper made the right choice by calling us immediately which allowed us to make a rapid response and we would urge anyone in a similar situation to always do the same.”

No one was hurt.

Part of a wider initiative by the Government to create a £25 billion marine industry in the UK by 2020. This is the 12th successive year that UK Trade & Investment and the British Marine Federation will have brought buyers over for one-to-one meetings with UK suppliers. The Tullett Prebon London Boat Show is host venue for the summit.

The marine ‘Meet the Buyer’ event offers a safe voyage to export markets and is being staged alongside the boat show at the ExCel centre in Docklands on January 10 and 11.

Last year’s event involved 18 overseas buyers and 64 UK suppliers, resulting in more than 435 one-to-one meetings – a record for the event – and significant levels of new business. In a survey of the UK suppliers who took part, the 38 companies that responded expected their meetings to generate business worth a total of £1.5 million.

Already, six global buyers have signed up – Bavaria Yachts (Germany), Dufour Yachts (France), Cyrus Yachts (Turkey), Nautor Swan (Finland), Lurssen (Germany) and Baltic Yachts (Finland).

Sarah said to Leeds Evening Post “I wasn’t really into boats at all but it was a cheap way to set up a bookshop and I thought it was a novel, quirky idea.

“It’s my dad’s boat – I twisted his arm to buy it for the business.

“I read a book about a girl doing a similar thing and it inspired me. It’s just an ideal job - you are working for yourself and you get to read all day.

“I want to open a super yacht with a book shop and sail round the Med, but who knows.

“My business partner Stuart Dixon helped fit it out – he’s a carpenter – and it’s full of books that I like to read.

“I have no living facilities on here so sometimes instead of paying for a book, customers let me use their shower or something – it’s much more economical than paying for a B&B.

“I’ve never been to Leeds before but I love it here – everyone’s so friendly.I want to promote independent book shops because so many are suffering or are in decline.”

The Book Barge has toured the country for the past six months, including London and Bristol, and will be in Leeds until Monday morning.

For more details, visit www.thebookbarge.co.uk

Max said: “I thought it wouldn’t be too tricky to make one. It turned out to be harder than I first thought because there are so many different bits you can change. Getting it just right is really tough.”

Max used his knowledge of electrical engineering and some help from his dad Frank to make the MaxPAC.

The small orange box features hi-tech computer chips and is able to immediately tell sailors if they are on the right course or not.

Max added: “When you are going out to sea there is no land to line anything up with so it is easy to veer off course.”

“The initial product took about a week to make but we have been changing bits for six months.”

The first MaxPAC beeped to let sailors know if they were going off course, but after a successful trial run the beeping model was upgraded to a talking version.

About a dozen MaxPACS have been sold so far, including a custom-made box for a blind American man who fishes in a kayak.

Max has been sailing since he was young and last year won the UK National Blind Sailing Championships in Suffolk Yacht Harbour.

He was the youngest competitor but managed to beat competition from blind and partially sighted sailors from across the UK.

Frank, who also sails, says inventing the compass has helped Max a lot.

He said: “The whole thing is great for Max. The technology aspect, turning that into design and build and then actually getting into a marketable format.

“He’s learned a lot about customer relations and running a small business. It’s a fabulous project.”

Max is currently studying maths, further maths, physics and chemistry at AS Level and hopes to go to the University of Cambridge.

Bourne Grammar School headteacher Jonathon Maddox said: “He’s a bright, motivated lad, he works very hard, has made excellent progress and achieved very, very good GCSEs. We are not entirely surprised but are delighted with his invention.”

To find out more about the MaxPAC or make an order, visit www.blindsailing.net/AudioCompass.htm.

Permanent displays and tours of exhibition boards detailing the plan will be on show at venues throughout Poole this Autumn and Winter.

Poole Harbour Commissioners is also meeting with a range of stakeholders including theRNLI, boatyard and mooring contractors, passenger boat operators, the Poole Maritime Trust and Natural England.

The feedback will be reviewed by Poole Harbour Commissioners ahead of releasing the final plan in the first quarter of 2012.

A display banner is already on show at Poole Central Library until Monday before moving on to the Poole Tourism Information Centre for the half-term week.

, Mrs Draper sent via email to her husband,  “One hell of a night. Been a storm for a number of hours, now being thrown all over the place, even out of my bunk. Fortunately I was on the bottom bunk and landed on a sail.”

A few days later she wrote: “Everything is getting soaked and had to sleep in wet sleeping bag last night so very uncomfortable.

“Dried off in generator now and using bin bags to try and keep the bed dry.”

Team Qindao has also had to dodge fishing boats trawling nets “miles long” and giant blue whales, while snatching irregular sleep between watches.

Skipper Ian Conchie said last week: “Each time I think of increasing sail either the wind picks up or we hear of more breakages in the fleet, so caution and looking after the boat are definitely the order of play today.

“Finally we have seen the power of the Southern Ocean and even now we know she has more to give.

“The sea takes on an amazing beauty at times like these and shows us just what Mother Nature can do when she simply flexes her muscles.”

Mr Draper travelled to Cape Town last month to deliver treats on his wife’s brief stopover there. She is due back in the UK in June.

The adventure will raise money for charity Kids Alive, which provides education, food and clothes for children in Africa. To support Catherine, visit www.justgiving.com/catherinedraper.

Saunton took the title in a new Masters event for competitors over 40 years of age, which was included in the British championships for the first time this year.

The club then dominated the Open event, overcoming leading teams from Whitsand Bay, Bantham, Southbourne, Hayle, Branksome Chine and Newquay.

It made a clean sweep in the men’s and ladies’ categories and also took the overall British IRB title.

Next day came the European event, in which all the UK teams were joined by others from, Latvia, Poland, Germany, Holland and a guest team from Australia.

Again the four race disciplines were fiercely contested, but again Saunton came out on top, winning the men’s and ladies’ overall title and the coveted Arancia Trophy, presented by the New Zealand-based IRB boat builders

 two miles from shore, Seaman Kendra Graves of the Coast Guard and her colleagues got their first sighting of the missing party: a cluster of heads bobbing in the water, with something box-like floating with them. It was a stroke of luck. The three women in the ocean waved wildly and shouted. They had a 4-year-old child with them; all four were wearing life jackets.

“We were pretty excited,” Seaman Graves said. “Of course we were looking, but being that far away from the original first point, it was a surprise.”

The women had been floating for about 20 hours, holding on to a blue cooler for buoyancy. Their rescuers got them on board and wrapped them in blankets.

“They were thanking us over and over,” Seaman Graves said. “But they were very concerned about locating their husbands.”

Their husbands were nearly eight miles away, holding on to a portion of the boat that was not under water. They had lost one person: An 80-year-old woman, the mother of one of the men, had slipped under the water soon after their boat capsized. She is presumed dead. None of the four was wearing a life jacket. The men were rescued about 8 a.m. by a commercial fisherman, who alerted the Coast Guard.

The Florida fish and wildlife commission identified the missing woman as Zaida San Jurjo Gonzalez. It said those rescued were her son, Jorge Alejo Gonzalez, his wife, Tomasa Torres, Elena G. Gonzalez, Juglar Riveras, Jose Miguel De Armas, Yunisleidy Lima Tejada, and Fabiana De Armas Lima, all of South Florida.

The group of family and friends set off Saturday morning from Layton, in the Middle Keys, on the 22-foot boat that belonged to one of the people in the party. The forecast called for heavy rains and powerful winds that day, although it might not have been storming when they set off.

The Florida Keys are not always easy to read, said Master Chief Petty Officer Charles Lindsey of the Coast Guard. “We had high winds and heavy chop that day,” he said. “But the Keys are different. You have to constantly monitor the weather. It could have been beautiful when they got under way and then turned quickly.”

The six crew members were dressed in survival suits and equipped with emergency beacons and a hand-held radio.

Steve Carson from Belfast Coastguard, said the fact the men had had sea survival training and were properly equipped had been key to the successful rescue.

Info please to  e-mail james@hazport.com or phone the police on 03003 333000.

 

She drilled three holes in the hull and turned on cooker gas taps which turned the £75,000 vessel into "an explosive bomb".

Fleming of Sheerness, Kent, pleaded guilty to endangering life by causing criminal damage.

Old Bailey Judge Richard Hone told her: "You were a manipulative, angry and troubled individual."

Fleming wept as she was told she would have to serve half the sentence, less the two-and-a-half months she had initially spent in custody.

The court was told that turning on a light would have been enough to blow up the boat. A marina official had gone aboard to pump out water and four people had been staying on vessels nearby.

Very special deals are available for homebuyers and sellers 

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anyone buying or selling a house flat or even

land or other property

WBZ NewsRadio 1030 revealed John Henry Boston Red Sox, owner as well as owner of Liverpool, left his private boat in a neck brace after a minor incident yesterday.

 the 62-year-old was treated by paramedics at the scene before being put on a stretcher and transported to Massachusetts General Hospital by ambulance.

Massachusetts General Hospital confirmed the 52-year-old had been admitted to the emergency room last night.

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore announced the funding during a visit to Stornoway, on Lewis.

Two tugs hired by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) were withdrawn from service on Friday.

Mr Moore said the funding would be for replacement vessels that would work from Stornoway and Shetland.

The SNP has criticised the UK government for leaving Scotland without cover over the weekend.

The UK government had said the emergency towing vessels (ETVs) hired by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) were too expensive.

It said salvage operations should be the responsibility of the commercial shipping industry.

'Final attempt'

Mr Moore said: "I am aware of the strength of feeling on this issue expressed by communities in the Northern and Western Isles.

"It is disappointing that efforts by local representatives to secure a commercial replacement for this service were unsuccessful before expiry of the contract.

"I believe it is worth a final attempt to try and find a solution, and the Scotland Office has agreed to lead the efforts."

He added: "Everyone must be clear that this cannot be a long-term solution.

"The majority of traffic in these waters is owned by private companies and we will be engaging with them and others to find a satisfactory alternative."

The Scottish government said it was "extremely important" the UK government identified and funded a long-term solution.

According to the BBC, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Keeping the emergency towing vessels in service is absolutely the right thing to do to ensure Scotland's mariners, coastline and marine environment remain suitably protected and I am pleased that UK ministers have listened to the case put forward by us and by all the other campaigners who were pressing for this.

"Scottish ministers have repeatedly called on the UK government to reverse their decision and retain the current level of provision until a suitable alternative can be introduced."

'Greater danger'

Western Isles SNP MP Angus MacNeil said the replacement tugs had to be put in place immediately.

He said: "Scotland's waters have been without any emergency cover since Friday night and the lack of action by the UK government has been astounding.

"The UK government's dithering and lack of urgency on this has placed everyone that uses Scottish waters for employment, transport and recreation into greater danger."

He said "emergency cover must be up and running this afternoon".

"We got a call that the two people were picked up in the sea and there was no medical harm and they went back to port," she said.

RJ Diving Ventures of Miami Beach took a group of 30 people, including Kline and Garcia, in a boat to scuba dive in the open ocean, the Miami Herald reported.

When Kline and Garcia surfaced, however, they found that the boat had gone.

"We were in shock," Kline, 44, told the newspaper. "We could easily have died."

RJ Diving Ventures did not respond to requests for comment.

The two said they clung to a fishing buoy and around 6:00 pm as it was getting dark they were spotted by passengers on a yacht.

"We could see two divers with all their equipment and an inflated red tube," the yacht's capitan Elie Trichet told the Herald.

"You could notice a strong feeling of relief" Trichet said. "They had been clinging to that buoy for two hours hoping somebody would rescue them." Source

Somali militants from the town of Ras Komboni in al-Shabab, were pursued and engaged in a firefigh two boats and a plane of the Kenyan navy and police who chased the suspected boat at sea.

"Security forces swung into immediate action and pursued the abductors as they sped northwards in a high-speed boat towards" Ras Komboni, the town in Somalia the government said the militants originated, according to a government statement.

"In the ensuing shoot-out between the abductors and the Kenyan navy, several of the abductors were injured but managed to enter Ras Komboni", the statement said.

At one point during the chase two Kenyan boats had the suspected pirate boat surrounded, with four men and the kidnapped woman on board, said tourism minister Najib Balala. A plane overhead was also monitoring the situation, he said.

Portland is scheduled to make way for a new national supercentre which will also cover the central South Coast at either Southampton or Portsmouth.

The campaigners want to see the supercentre in the Weymouth and Portland borough, which has seen significant marine-related development in advance of its hosting of next year's Olympic sailing events. 

Sept. 30 (Bloomberg) -- The following companies’ shares may have unusual moves in European trading. Stock symbols are in parentheses.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index gained 0.7 percent to 228.90. The Stoxx 50 Index rose 0.7 percent to 2,178.71. The Euro Stoxx 50 Index, a benchmark measure for nations using the euro, advanced 1.6 percent to 2,212.44.

Anglo American Plc (AAL LN): The part owner of the world’s biggest platinum and diamond producers sees a “very, very solid” outlook for the industry as China’s economy expands, Chief Executive Officer Cynthia Carroll said. The stock dropped 2.1 percent to 2,291.5 pence.

Alstom SA (ALO FP): The maker of high-speed trains said it signed a 1 billion euro ($1.36 billion) contract to develop and produce electric locomotives in Russia. The shares rose 0.7 percent to 25.43 euros.

Beneteau SA (BEN FP): The sailboat manufacturer said full- year revenue rose 18 percent to 921.5 million euros. The shares rose 1.9 percent to 10.63 euros.

Suspects stole an outboard engine from a boat moored at Brooms Boatyard, in the Riverside Estate, between 3pm on Thursday September 22 and 10am on Friday September 23.

Meanwhile, an outboard engine was stolen from Broom Boats between 2pm on Friday September 16 and 2.30pm on Sunday September 18.

It is believed attempts have also been made to steal other engines. If you have any information, contact BroadsBeat team on 0845 456 4567 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Sunday, 2 October 2011

extract from Dom Joly's article in The Independent 

"A sailor's life for me .........

 I've suddenly found myself thinking more and more about getting a boat. Obviously this is a sign of an impending mid-life crisis, but there seems to be very little that I can do to prevent these feelings. I've tried having long cold showers and not thinking about boats, but they just kept popping up. It's all out of control. Then a friend rang me up out of the blue and asked me to go sailing with him in his new boat. I've never really been into sailing. I love the whole aesthetic but the reality always seems a tad too much like hard work for me. I just want an engine, some sun, a lovely place to anchor up, and I'm happy. I don't want to be washing down decks or frigging in the rigging.

So, it was with some trepidation that I arrived at the marina in Gosport, where his new boat was kept. It is a huge catamaran, and first impressions were good. There was a lot of living space, a fridge dedicated entirely to alcohol, and a nautical type man who seemed to have been employed to do all the technical, sailing things so we could enjoy a leisurely day out on the Solent. We set off past rows and rows of boats with awful names like Don't Tell the Wife or Breaking the Bank and joined a line of multi-sized vessels heading out towards the Isle of Wight.

4 others are still missing, including the captain.

 On Wednesday a traditional percussion troupe were heading from Bali to the nearby island of Nusa Penida to perform at a cremation ceremony when their vessel capsized after travelling for half an hour .

According to the BBC, the Navy will cut 1,100 jobs by March next year. It's part of the Ministry of Defence's wider efforts to slash numbers by 5,000 before 2015.

"The decisions we are making are not easy but they will help to defend the UK, protect our interests overseas and enable us to work effectively with allies and partners to deliver greater security and stability in the wider world," an MoD spokeswoman told the BBC. 

According to the BBC this Plymouth yacht fall leaves a sailor homeless

The owner of an ocean-going yacht has said he is homeless after his craft toppled over in a Plymouth boat yard.

Kurt Lillywhite's 45-tonne yacht, Big Spirit, had been lifted out of the water for three days of maintenance at Plymouth Yacht Haven when it fell.

Mr Lillywhite, 43, normally spends most of the year sailing around the world in the yacht, which he bought five years ago for holiday charters.

Plymouth Yacht Haven said an investigation was under way.

The 410 foot steel-hulled, Ministry of War Transport ship was torpedoed in 1941.

Odyssey Marine Exploration confirmed the identity and location of the shipwreck site, nearly 4,700 metres below the surface of the North Atlantic, about 300 miles off the coast of Ireland in international waters.

Made in The United States of America

Eleven boats have made their world debut, with 33 unveiled for the first time in the UK.

Sunseeker confirmed a £6m order for its luxury 30-metre yacht among six sales so far.

Two orders of between £4m and £5m were also placed for its 88 and 80 yachts, the Poole-based firm said.

Marchwood-based Discovery Yachts sold one of its flagship 67ft yachts, which has a list price of £1.9m, on the first day of the show to a US buyer.

Hamble-based Clipper Marine, a UK retailer of power and sailing boats, said it had chalked up sales of seven boats worth around £850,000.

Alerts had gone out to all shipping over the past 10 days.

The Golden Eagle had a shortwave radio but had no contact with any coast guard until it sailed up the Portmagee channel skirting Valentia Island.

At that time a local ferryman on his way to Valentia Island spotted the yacht and alerted the island’s Coast Guard.

For most of the 36-day voyage since leaving Bermuda, the yacht could not pick up anything on the radio. In recent days the crew managed to receive “strange languages” but most of the stations seemed to be talking about soccer, said skipper Francis Cooper.

Mr Cooper (62), a native of New Zealand, spent seven years sailing around the world between 1997 and 2003 and said at no time did he fear for his life. “Never, not for a moment. I’ve done this for many years,” he said, two hours after making port.

A hurricane had hit them in the higher latitudes and they were forced to lower their sails and lay low for “several days”, he said.

I just love sailing,” explained the 35-year-old. “I know where everything is and feel so much in control. It is when I get back on dry land that I find life more difficult. Things move around and there are cars and other obstacles.”

He was born with an eye condition that affects the retina but had some low-level sight until his early teens, when the condition worsened. By the age of 13 he had virtually lost all his sight. It was thanks to his father that Ed found freedom in sailing.

“I’ve been a keen sailor since a child. My Dad always encouraged me to live my dreams and to not allow my disability to get in the way. I first stared sailing in the Med with school and then with my dad on the Norfolk Broads. Sailing is a big part of my life. I’d always wanted to take part in the Fastnet but have never had the finances to do it. This year I decided I was going to do it.”

Originally Ed had been accepted by one sailing club to take part with them.

“But they decided they didn’t like sailing with me because of my disability.” Undeterred Ed contacted the British Offshore Sea School and, although they had already started their training races, they were happy to let him join. “They just accepted me and we all got on really well. It was really good; very intense and very tiring but an amazing experience.”

The Fastnet sees a fleet of 300 yachts battle each other, and the elements, in one of yachting’s greatest offshore races. The Rolex Fastnet Race leaves from Cowes and heads down the English Channel, before rounding Land’s End and heading across the exposed Irish Sea.

Once around the Fastnet Rock, the final leg circles the Scilly Isles before the dash to Plymouth and a welcome celebration ashore.

54% of SYUK members said they had a higher workload over the last 12 months compared with the same period a year ago, with only 19% experiencing a lower workload.

In addition, 46% reported a higher-value order book in 2011/11 than in 2009/10, with only 26% reporting a lower-value one.

Also, 59% of members rated future prospects over the next 12 months as good or excellent with 39% rating them as OK and only 2% having negative expectations.

SYUK said there were around 3,650 full-time people working in the sector, which was 2.7% more than last year.

SYUK chairman Toby Allies said: "We are pleased to see an increase in the value of the industry, despite difficult market conditions.

In August, 2004, she embarked on an epic voyage to the other side of the world, sailing her 38ft yacht all the way from Britain to New Zealand and the islands of the Pacific.

On the 14,000-mile voyage Lily and her crew did important conservation work, surveying and photographing coral reefs and teaching local people how to monitor the reefs themselves.

Using the latest iDirect® Evolution DVB-S2 technology, the BroadBEAM FLEX VSAT service has been specifically designed to provide top-quality connectivity for yachts. It now combines the service’s proven performance with a near-global connectivity with full Automatic Beam Switching and Beam Redundancy features.

OmniAccess’ BroadBEAM FLEX VSAT service is the world’s most flexible maritime service of its kind, as it is available as a “shared” service with a low contention ratio of 5:1 or a fully dedicated service with a contention-ratio of 1:1. Once launched, it will be offered in speeds ranging from 512/128 kbps to 3072/512 kbps, and a guaranteed core network availability of 99.2% is offered. Industry-leading technical support from a highly qualified and experienced support team comes as standard.

Carlos Carbajal, Managing Director Yacht Services at OmniAccess, said: “Our new BroadBEAM FLEX VSAT is now available in all corners of the globe and offers increased resilience against blind-spots and adverse weather conditions, meaning that we can offer an unrivalled service with optimum connectivity at all times. We have many years of experience in the field of wireless network technologies and the expansion of this service is the latest addition to our extensive portfolio of cutting-edge services and products, which we provide to some of the world’s most impressive yachts.”

OmniAccess offers a unique “month to month” service plan meaning that there is no need to commit to the service long-term, and it comes complete with a clearly written Service Level Agreement and a personalised DashBOARD® Customer Support Portal subscription that allows clients to monitor their link’s performance.

The OmniAccess team will be at the forthcoming Monaco Yacht Show from 21-24 September 2011. For further information please contact Carlos Carbajal (+34-618-98-658 or +34-971-22-19-79) or Cher Van Reeven (+34-648-265-681), or visit http://www.omniaccess.com

The Pumpkin Motor Boat Regatta also sees more serious pumpkin racers attach motors to their pumpkins as part of a ‘super-modified’ category. 

Pumpkin racer Robert Clifford said the build-up to the event can get very tense.

‘You have no idea whether it will float or not until you put it in the water. And then you’re at the mercy of gravity.’

The week of events includes a Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off, Pumpkin Catapulting and - for the first time in its six year history - a Pumpkin Derby.

In addition to the race, Pumpkin Derby Racers were judged by experts and awards were awarded to the most creative, scariest, and funniest Derby Racers.

Damariscotta's Pumpkinfest started when a few friends who grew some giant pumpkins and decided hollow them out and race them in the river. It is now thought to attract over 10,000 visitors each year.

“In recent years synthetic materials, such as coated polyester fabrics, have been used more and more in boatbuilding,” said Flaxland owner Simon Cooper.

“In an attempt to return to traditional boatbuilding methods, I became interested in the use of Flax as a sustainable crop for the production of oil and fibre to make a boat. I wanted to find new, novel, but natural materials, and in my search found the Biotex website.”

The canoe is currently undergoing long-term durability and water resistance tests

“ 'Utopia' is not an object to travel in, it is a place to be, an island established for anyone who has the vision to create such a place.”

The boat is designed to float on four platforms, each with thrusters to keep the whole yacht island stable, even in the extreme seas.

Able to move “at slow speeds”, it stretches 65m above the sea’s surface, providing visitors to the “13th floor”

observation deck with panoramic views.

Just below, the top deck of the main accommodation and service spaces – which could house shops, bars and restaurants – would be covered by a retractable canopy.

In the middle, a large column plunges down into the water, acting as a mooring system and housing a wet dock providing access from the sea.

Largest on the list: Rising Sun at 454 feet, owned by Dreamworks co-founder

Smallest on the list: Rusalka at 83 feet, owned by real estate developer

Mean wealth of listers with a yacht: $5.37 billion

Listers with two yachts: Geffen (736 total feet), Microsoft co-founder (717 total feet),

Greatest decrease in yacht ownership: cell phone pioneer sold 303-foot Tatoosh to Allen and lost 194- foot Calixe in divorce to wife Wendy

Coolest boat to leave a lister: 289 foot Maltese Falcon, sold by venture capitalist Tom Perkins to UK hedge fund chief Elena Ambrosiadou

"The yachting market in China is emerging and exciting," Thierry Regnault, technical managerof France-based CMN shipyard, told China Daily at the Monaco Yacht Show, which runs fromWednesday to Saturday.

Regnault said that his company will attend the yacht show in Hainan next year to attractChinese buyers, although CMN has yet to sell any yachts to China.

More than 500 exhibitors from 36 countries and regions across the world joined the annualshow, which is the world's leading event in the super-yachting industry.

According to local media, more than 100 super yachts are on show, including 40 debuts.Around 30,000 visitors are expected to attend.

Yachting, a major pastime of affluent Americans and Europeans, is increasingly becomingpopular among the rich in China as a show of wealth.

Demand for private yachts has gained traction in China over the past two years. According tothe 2010 Hurun Wealth Report, there are at least 875,000 millionaires on the Chinesemainland, and half have indicated they intend to purchase a private yacht.

China makes up a small part of the global yacht market currently, but "I believe that China hasthe huge potential for growth, even the fastest growth in the world", British yacht designer AlexMcDiarmid also said.

He said that yacht magazines in China are on the rise, adding that his company has createdspecial yacht designs for the Chinese market.

"Many companies will focus on the Chinese market as China's economy develops fast," saidDavid Namany, co-founder & director of UK-based superyachts.com, an online information andpurchasing platform.

China's yacht producers also want to have a slice of the pie. Roger Liang, managing director ofHong Kong-based Kingship Marine Ltd, which owns a shipyard in Zhongshan, Guangdongprovince, hopes to attract buyers from the Chinese mainland in the future.

Liang is confident in his steel and aluminum luxury yachts, which currently are sold to overseas  customers.

However, not all of China's yacht builders are developed enough for mainstream sales.According to the 2010-2012 China Yachting Industry Report, the yacht manufacturing industry is still in the initial stages of development.

There were less than 400 domestic boat manufacturers at the beginning of 2010, of which 75enterprises were mainly engaged in the manufacturing of yachts and approximately 40enterprises realized annual sales of more than 10 million yuan ($1.56 million).

International yacht builders dominate the middle- and high-end yacht market in China,compared with Chinese enterprises, which focus on the middle- and low-end market.

In addition, from yacht design to manufacturing technology, Chinese enterprises have longrelied on resources provided by European and American enterprises, the report said.

China Daily

 the new initiative which was launched between the GTBS, Broads Authority and Broads Tourism earlier this year. It is available to any hire boat which belongs to a boatyard with GTBS grading and is awarded for hull design, method of propulsion and green information for guests.

The public will have the opportunity to get out on the water in a wide range of craft, from canoes, rowing boats and pedal boats to electric and sailing boats and will be able to watch boating demonstrations. One or two boats may even be for sale.

They will be able to arrive in style by electric water taxi from Granary Staithe Hoveton for a return trip for £7 which includes admission to the show and a 30 minute silent boat trip down the River Bure.

There will be plenty to interest children with the Nutmeg Puppet show ‘Apple Pip’ highlighting environmentally friendly issues at noon and BeWILDerwood’s boggling treasure trail round the broad.

Children will even be able to design and build their own “green boats” from recycled materials and then race them.

There will be a variety of stands promoting green boating including fuel cells, solar panels and wind turbines. A smoothie maker will be operated by pedal-power among the locally sourced refreshments. The Norfolk Broads Concert Band will provide the entertainment.  

Organised by Salhouse Broad and Broadland Cycle Hire with support from The Broads Authority. 

Discounts are offered if you arrive by public transport, bike, green boat or foot. Moorings and car parking are provided, for which there is a small charge.

The vessel is registered in Bergen, Norway. On Saturday the skipper’s family contacted the Norwegian coast guard when he failed to make contact with them as they had expected, given his estimated time of arrival in west Cork.

The Norwegian Coast Guard then contacted Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre which alerted the Irish Coast Guard and a major search operation was launched for the vessel at the weekend.

Bermuda chief maritime operations controller Denis Rowe said that the last contact that Bermuda had with the vessel was via VHF radio, which has a radius of 40-50 miles, as it left the British dependency. However, Mr Rowe said that Golden Eagle was equipped with a 406MHz EPIRB (emergency position indicating radio beacon), which is activated as soon as it comes in contact with water and sends a signal via satellite to the nearest coast guard service.

“An EPIRB is a great piece of equipment to have on a boat and the fact that it has not been activated so far is a good sign,” Mr Rowe said, adding that yachts crossing the Atlantic were frequently delayed and end up diverting to alternative ports.

The Bermuda centre, the Irish Coast Guard, the UK Coast Guard and the Portuguese Coast Guard on the Azores are on the alert for the vessel with long-range information tracking being used to plot its possible route.

An added concern is that the sloop may have been caught in the tail end of Hurricane Katia in the first week of September before it was due to make a landfall in the Republic on or about September 11th.

Declan Geoghegan of the Irish Coast Guard confirmed that the Sikorski helicopters based at Shannon and Waterford carried out a sweep off the Cork coast, while the long-range fixed wing Air Corps Casa also joined in the search yesterday.

Four Naval Service ships on fisheries patrol and drug interdiction duties are also on the lookout for the yacht, while freighters and cruise liners crossing the Atlantic have also been alerted and are sending out radio messages for the vessel.

Mr Geoghegan said the Irish Coast Guard had also contacted air traffic control in Shannon requesting all airliners to keep an eye out for the vessel which would be visible to aircraft flying between Europe and the Americas.

UltimateBerths.com’s business development director Daniel Wilde said the partnership was a perfect fit for both organisations.

“Established to develop the marine industry by supporting marina members of the British Marine Federation, TYHA assists boaters in finding good quality marinas and helps marina businesses improve their services and operate to high, modern standards,” Mr Wilde said.

“Similarly, UltimateBerths.com was established to assist marina operators and private owners in selling or leasing their berths and moorings, as well as assisting boaters in locating the same – wherever they might be in the world.

“UltimateBerths.com is an online global marketplace that is easily accessed via computer or mobile phone and allows boaters to search for the ultimate berth or mooring absolutely free... be it a berth for an overnight or extended stay, or a permanent mooring.”

TYHA members who take out a multiple listing package with UltimateBerths.com will automatically be upgraded to the next size package for free. As an example, the ‘Up to 5’ package gets upgraded to ‘Up to 10’ package at no extra charge, and so on.

UltimateBerths.com now has partnerships with several marina organisations, including the Association of Marina Industries and the Marina Industries Association of Australia, and supports marina conferences all over the world.

E-Lites Aim to Rule the Waves with Pioneering Powerboat Venture

The powerboat world welcomed an exciting new arrival for the Southampton Boat Show when leading UK-based electronic cigarette brand E-Lites officially announced their ambitious partnership with championship-winning outfit BananaShark.

 BananaShark Powerboat

The powerboat world welcomed an exciting new arrival this weekend when leading UK-based electronic cigarette brand E-Lites officially announced their ambitious partnership with championship-winning outfit BananaShark.

BananaShark’s spectacular new 37ft powerboat was unveiled for the first time at a launch party at Salcombe’s iconic Island Street Bar and Grill, but the celebrations did not last long, as the team embark on a busy programme of racing, exhibitions and even a world record attempt.

After featuring at the UIM Marathon Classic the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes race on 24-26 August, the boat also appeared at the Class 3B World Championships, held in Torquay on 1-4 September, as the official start and finish boat for the three races of the World Championship event.

The boat, with vivid red-and-white livery providing a flashback to the iconic cigarette brands that once adorned F1 cars, will now take pride of place at the flagship Southampton Boat Show, where it will be the feature boat for the final three days of the event, from 23-25 September.

After that, the team have set their sights on a new world record attempt on Lake Coniston in October, before preparations begin for their entry into the RB12 Round Britain campaign next year, which will test endurance levels to the maximum on a 1,700-mile tour of the country’s coastlines.

E-Lites, who also sponsor the World 3B Championships 2011, is determined to be a driving force in the sport, and could hardly have chosen a better partner than BananaShark, with six British championships under its belt as a constructor, a Formula One British Championship and a pair of speed records at the hands of lynchpin John Cooke.

Adrian Everett, one of the founding directors of E-Lites electronic cigarettes, will be at the heart of the action as a co-driver for the team. He said: “We’re hugely passionate about the powerboat scene and delighted to be getting involved in a way that reflects the energy and enthusiasm we put into our market-leading products. That winning mentality should stand us in good stead for the many challenges we have set ourselves as a powerboat team.

“Perhaps best of all, we feel privileged to be joining up a historic circle by re-establishing that fantastic connection between cigarette branding and high-speed motorsport. We’re back in the race! However, things have moved on a great deal since the 60s and 70s heyday of those classic partnerships. This is 2011 and just as technology has powered the evolution of the vehicles that are racing, similar technical advances have taken smoking into a new age.

“With E-Lites, we have invested in pioneering technology to create the most credible alternative to tobacco cigarettes. Our mission has been to provide smokers with an enjoyable and authentic smoking experience – but one that is significantly healthier, better value and unrestricted for use in almost all public places.”

John Cooke of BananaShark said: “I’m extremely proud to be standing alongside E-Lites and launching such a fantastic powerboat after almost 18 months of development. Working with a number of technical partners including marine electronics company Raymarine and engine importer E P Barrus, we believe we’ve created a craft that will challenge the very best in terms of speed and reliability, which is the key to successful endurance racing. We have already planned a great deal of activity over the next year and there’s a lot more to come so watch this space!”

Thursday, 15 September 2011

Jean-Paul Chapeleau, General Manager of Prestige and Prestige Yachts commented "It is a pleasure to announce that Ancasta will distribute the Prestige range in the South of England. As part of our strategy for the worldwide development of the Prestige brand we are keen to strengthen our distribution network in those countries that currently offer the most potential and it's clear that the market presence of this strong partner ensures the future success of the Prestige brand in the UK.

We are excited to welcome the Ancasta staff to our boats at the forthcoming PSP Southampton Boat Show and look forward to a successful show together to mark the start of what I am sure will be an enjoyable partnership for both companies'"

There are 11 models in the 2012 Prestige range of flybridge motor yachts and sports cruisers, ranging in length from 35 to 60 feet.

Ancasta will be representing Prestige at the forthcoming PSP Southampton Boat Show with 3 Prestige motor yachts on display: the Prestige 350 flybridge, the Prestige 390s and the Prestige 500s

The bodies of five Haitian women and five men were recovered by search-and-rescue teams, according to Morgan. It was not immediately clear whether there were any children on board.

“It appears that most of the dinghy's passengers drowned,” Morgan said from the eight-island British dependency located between Haiti and the Bahamas. “These tragic events show just how dangerous it is to seek to enter the TCI illegally by boat.”

Morgan said survivors were being questioned by police but he could not say precisely how many survivors there were or how many migrants were believed to be traveling on the smuggler's boat.

A number of arrests have been made and territory police are investigating, along with immigration and customs officers. It was not immediately clear whether the captain of the smuggler's boat was captured.

Larry Mills, the acting director of immigration, said in a Sunday statement that any would-be migrant coming to the Turks and Caicos Islands illegally is treated humanely but also questioned closely and returned home swiftly in accordance with the islands' laws.

Haitians have been coming to the Turks and Caicos Islands for years, fleeing severe poverty and the social turmoil of the Western Hemisphere's poorest country for jobs as construction workers, janitors, landscapers and bellhops in the U.K. territory of about 33,000. The immigrants form an essential low-income work force on the islands, laboring to build luxurious beachfront homes, collect trash and carry suitcases for tourists.

Many Haitians arrive here illegally by boat, paying roughly $400 for the two-day journey across 125 miles  of ocean.

Ocean Safety, the UK’s leading independent maritime safety supplier, has provided the equipment free of charge in recognition of Geoff’s determined efforts to make boating more accessible to less able sailors.

Charlie Mill, Managing Director of Ocean Safety explains, “The MCA Coding means that Geoff can operate the vessel commercially if he wants to, and the guests will be reassured that Wetwheels has been built to the highest safety standards and she is equipped with our latest safety equipment.”

“The equipment from Ocean Safety includes the liferaft, lifejackets and flares, and other safety items that must be carried on the boat,” he adds.  “As one of the largest providers of marine safety equipment, Ocean Safety is delighted to be providing much of the essential equipment that Wetwheels will require and we will be advising Geoff on all aspects of safety”.

Ocean Safety is also working with Geoff to develop a completely new concept in lifejackets for the disabled, modifying the company’s proven Kru lifejacket. 

Wetwheels, a 9 metre Cheetah catamaran can carry up to 10 people, and is modified with a side-opening door, a raised helming position and various wheelchair tie-down points plus state of the art electronics.

“I’ve been saving up for some time to buy my ideal boat but when the moment came, I realised I wanted my boat to be used by other disabled people so they could share my enjoyment,” says Geoff Holt. Wetwheels has been conceived and designed by Geoff, but the project has been made possible with the generous support from several members of the marine industry including Ocean Safety.

Each boat is computer-handicapped according to its potential performance, so everyone has an equal chance in this 'slowest away first, fastest last' handicap race.

Every year some  new and unusual boat is found ind in the entries that presents a challenge to the handicappers. in their quest for fair play.

This year's official charity is MediCinema which provides cinemas in hospitals around the UK.

There will inevitably  be some interuption of Thames Clippers boat services during the race.

Those who came to the stand were from all over the world including China, India, USA, Malaysia, Poland & Uzbeckistan. The questions that the team were fielding focused how people, can go canoeing in London, training in London and where can a canoe/kayak be purchased.  The team estimate that about 150 people took part in the Kayak challenge with countless more being entertained and spoken to about getting on the water. 

"The Thames Festival is a free to enter event run by the Thames Festival Trust and features two days of arts, entertainment, education and on water activity. If you are hosting a boating event please visit onthewater.co.uk and load up your event to the events calendar – it’s a free resource. The On the Water Team will promote your event through our email campaign."

Members of the elite regiment, who played recently at April’s Royal Wedding, will march through Mayflower Park at approximately 11.50am to join Michelin star celebrity chef and Show ambassador, Shaun Rankin and representatives from Show sponsor PSP to officially open the Show.

The drummers of the Coldstream Guards are believed to have been formed into a Corps of Drums in 1872 as part of the Cardwell Reforms. However, unlike many military bands, the Corps of Drums are very much infantry soldiers first; their musical and ceremonial role is an extra task over and above their normal duties.

As well as opening the Show, Shaun will be cooking live for visitors in the Sea Kitchen Theatre, along with some of the region’s best restaurant chefs. Speaking ahead of the opening, Shaun is looking forward to the 10 day event: “The PSP Southampton Boat Show is a fantastic day out and a great showcase for the marine lifestyle. Outside of the kitchen, I’ve always been a keen fisherman and I’m looking forward to sharing my passion for fresh, locally sourced seafood with Show visitors.”

With the Show opening its doors tomorrow, (Friday 16 Sept), it is set to be an action packed event. As well as the Sea Kitchen Theatre, interactive food attractions continue with the Great British Oyster Festival, supported by the Shellfish Association of Great Britain. A UK first, the attraction offers daily oyster tasting free of charge on a first come, first served basis.

As always there is ample opportunity for visitors to get out on the water. Kids not only get into the Show for free with a paying adult*, but also have the chance to learn to sail with free 90 minute dinghy sailing sessions thanks to Get Afloat from Rockley Watersports. Show visitors can also have a go at rock climbing or kayaking, brought to the Show by Active Nation, get under the water with Try-A-Dive, or try boating first hand with Try-A-Boat in association with onthewater.co.uk.

With 1000 boats on display including unique and historical vessels, Show visitors will be treated to some incredible sights. This year’s feature boat line up includes Harbour Defence Motor Launch HMS Medusa, a former Brixham sailing trawler Leader, Science ship Callista, Yachting Monthly’s Crash Test Boat, racing machine Banana Shark, and historic yacht Gipsy Moth.

As well as those attractions running every day, Saturday 17 September sees on-water action with Team Racing, where top sailing clubs will take to the water to do battle around the stunning purpose built marina.

Ladies Day on Thursday 22 September lets ladies compete in their finery to be crowned ‘Best Dressed Lady’ and arriving on the same day is HMS Bulwark, the second of a new class of Royal Navy assault ship which will be open for visitors to climb aboard.**

British Sailing 2012 Legacy Event Thursday 22nd September 4-6pm

British Sailing invite you to attend this Legacy event which is a ‘hot topic’ with the Olympics less than a year away.

British Sailing 2012 Legacy Event

Thursday 22^nd September 4-6pm

BMF Members Lounge – Mayflower Complex

PSP Southampton Boat Show

British Sailing will host a 2012 Legacy event on Thursday September 22^nd, 4-6pm during the PSP Southampton Boat Show.

This event is for any company thinking “How can my company and the sailing industry benefit from the Olympic legacy?”

This event will sign post events your company could get involved in and encourage your company to put on events of your own. A variety of companies will be sharing their ideas on their Olympic strategy. You should be able to go away with ideas on ‘How can my company profit and sell more because of the games’ and ‘how can we capture all the increased interest in the sport as a whole to increase participation’. This event will conclude with networking drinks.

If you think this is more relevant to a different member of your company then please do forward the email.

Please contact Amanda Simpson if you would like to attend.

Tickets to the show will be provided if needed.

asimpson@britishmarine.co.uk

Bringing together 500 exhibitors and attracting superyacht clients from all over the world, the event prides itself on showcasing the most spectacular yachts afloat today. With its nearly 40-year history, Burgess will once again take centre stage with eight of the show’s most inspiring superyachts as well as the largest dockside presence featuring a full hospitality area for clients, and a fleet of private tenders and Rolls-Royces to fast-track clients around the show and onto the yachts.

Sure to capture everyone’s attention and grab the headlines are these two record-breaking yachts:

World's Largest Catamaran - Hemisphere – Delivered in July 2011, the brand new Hemisphere sets the record as the world's largest luxury sailing catamaran, with an overall length of 44.2m (145ft) and a gross tonnage of just under 500. Burgess, together with her builder Pendennis Shipyard, debuts this one-of-a-kind yacht which is part of the Burgess superyacht charter fleet, sailing the Caribbean this winter and then transiting the Panama Canal into the South Pacific for summer 2012 charters. Charter rates for Hemisphere start at EUR €175,000 per week.

Largest Yacht Built in the U.S. - Cakewalk – At 85.6m (280.9ft) and 2,998 tons, Cakewalk is the largest yacht built in the U.S. since J.P. Morgan's fabled Corsair IV of the 1930's, but eclipses this classic as the biggest ever built in the U.S. when measured by volume. Upon delivery last year, Cakewalk captured the attention of the superyacht world as one of the most spectacular new yachts to hit the water in 2010 and is now offered for sale for the first time. Price upon application.

Burgess will also unveil these newly-built yachts that are sure to be showstoppers:

Spectacular Brand New Superyacht - Numptia

Created by an impressive all Italian team, Numptia echoes timeless elegance from several eras with some deliciously eccentric twists and some unique design features, such as a dedicated spa deck and a glass elevator through 4 decks. This impressive, fully custom 70m (229.7ft)motor yacht was conceived and built for an experienced owner who specified an exacting brief, including the yacht’s capability to accommodate his multi-generational family and a design that facilitates exceptional service. Following her inaugural August charters in the Mediterranean this summer, she is debuting at the show before heading for the Caribbean. Charter rates for Numptia are EUR 525,000 per week in high season and EUR 490,000 per week in low season. Numptia is also offered for sale - price on application.

Newly Built “Floating Resort” - Yogi

The inspiration for Yogi was to build a yacht that would offer all the amenities of a resort property, including a pool, beach club, panoramic al fresco dining room, media and play room, full array of leisure equipment, as well as a wellness centre. All of this is in addition to the most luxurious accommodations. Co-exhibited by the shipyard Proteksan Turquoise, Yogi which hit the water for the first time in the spring of 2011, is an impressive 60.2m (197.52ft) and accommodates 12 guests in six extremely spacious cabins. Available for charter in the Caribbean this winter with rates of USD 395,000 per week in high season and USD 357,000 per week in low season.

Lady Trudy

An outstanding opportunity to purchase the latest brand-new CRN Navetta 43 (139.8.1ft). Built by an extremely knowledgeable and experienced owner who ensured every detail has been considered, with a light, contemporary interior, based on the style of a Hamptons beach house. Special features include a large drop-down swim platform with stunning enclosed beach club area and gymnasium, and an extended sun deck with touch and go helicopter capability. Asking price for Lady Trudy is EUR 16,950,000.

E&E

The newly delivered 42.1m (138.1ft) E&E offers long range cruising possibilities for those looking to explore the world in style and luxury. With excellent volume and an elegant interior, the yacht boasts a very high specification with top quality components. In addition to the spacious master suite there are four cleverly designed cabins on the second deck level with access directly to the side decks. Price upon application.

Helix

The shipyard Feadship will be exhibiting this newly built Feadship F45 Vantage (#5) 44.7m (146.7ft) for which Burgess has been appointed joint Central Sales Agents. Her “Nautical Style” interior features traditional dark woods and a neutral colour palette, creating a warm and distinguished ambience. With spacious living areas inside and out, HELIX offers light-filled accommodation for 10 guests. The expansive master cabin has numerous floor to ceiling windows and exceptional headroom, opening up to a skylight more than 3.2m (10ft) above. Asking price for Helix is EUR 33,500,000.

Burgess will also be exhibiting these incredible superyachts which are available for sale:

Excellence III

One of the world's most admired superyachts, designed by Donald Starkey and built by the highly acclaimed German shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen, Excellence III at 57.3m (188ft) enjoys an enviable reputation in yachting circles. Her timeless exterior profile and bold lines give her a striking presence on the water and her interior layout was designed specifically for entertaining at the highest level. Excellence III can access many restricted ports, such as St Barths and Nantucket, enabling guests to be at the 'heart of the action' if they choose. Excellence III is available for sale at an asking price USD 55,000,000. The yacht is also for charter in the Caribbean this winter with rates starting at USD 450,000 per week.

April Fool

With a timeless exterior profile, April Fool (61m/200 ft) is an outstanding, award-winning motor yacht built by Feadship in 2006 and has always been a private yacht. She offers opulent accommodation for ten guests, with oak and cherry interiors and a main saloon with full-height picture windows and double doors leading out to the aft deck. She is offered for sale at an asking price of EUR 49,000,000.

Sunrise

Built in 2000 by Oceanco for her current owner, this pedigree 52.8m (173.2ft) yacht has only ever been in private use. The yacht provides spacious decks with two jacuzzi spa pools and plentiful areas for lounging and dining while her contemporary-styled elegant interior is panelled in limed oak and features a spectacular split-level master suite. She is available for sale at an asking price of USD 29,500,000.

Perseus

This impressive 49.8m (163.4 ft) Perini Navi ketch has a restful and inviting yet traditional interior styled with beautiful rich wood panelling which creates an air of classic elegance. This sailing yacht accommodates up to 10 guests in 4/5 luxurious, well-appointed cabins and offers an excellent combination of indoor and outdoor dining and lounge areas to suit every possible occasion. The asking price is EUR 14,900,000.

Founded in 1975 with ten international offices, Burgessis the global superyacht industry leader, uniquely specialising in yachts of over 40 metres (130ft). Renowned for its professional yachting services, the company leverages its expertise to guide clients through every aspect of the yachting experience, including sale and purchase, technical consultancy services, yacht charter and operational management. The superyacht credentials of Burgess are unmatched in the industry, ensuring that clients enjoy the highest levels of customer service.

According to custom builders Devonport Yachts, the Vava II is the largest superyacht in the UK.

It will soon begin sea trials before it is handed over to its owners.

Ernesto Bertarelli is believed to be worth about $10 billion, according to a profile in Forbes magazine.

The 45-year-old from Switzerland inherited his father's biotech company Serono in 1998, expanded revenue and sold the company for $9 billion in 2009.

Mr Bertarelli is the richest man in Switzerland, the fifth in Britain and is number 81 on the Forbes list of billionaires.

He has five yachts and his sailing team Alinghi has won the America's Cup twice, but lost in 2010 to billionaire Larry Ellison's team.

Kirsty Bertarelli, who was crowned Miss UK in 1988, married Ernesto in 2000 and they live with their three children in Switzerland.

Mrs Bertarelli co-wrote the song Black Coffee, which went to number one in Britain when it was recorded by girl group All Saints, and she recently launched her own solo singing career.

19 other Pakistanis, fleeing the troubles in Libya, ended up drowning in the choppy waters.

Nicolette’s mother May Horrocks, 82, said she and husband Frank got a text from their daughter to tell them about the drama.

She said: “We are very, very proud, it is incredible to think they have saved so many lives, they are heroes. They have done a fantastic job. It sounds very dramatic and not what you expect from a holiday.”

The Chambers had set off from the Greek island Zante in their £500,000 yacht Jasmina and were sailing through the Ionian Sea when they saw the 30 people on a nearby boat were in trouble.

The couple from Cheshire  have three children and  bought the eight-berth, three-cabin 65ft Beneteau  two years ago.

 

David Florence and Richard Hounslow, bronze medallists last year in the two-man C2 category, had to settle for fourth this year in Slovakia.

Team-mates Tim Baillie and Etienne Stott were sixth, while Fiona Pennie finished fifth in the women's K1 event.

The results mean Britain has qualified one boat from both categories for 2012.

However, Florence and Hounslow now look set to face Baillie and Stott in a race-off for the right to paddle in the British men's C2 boat at the Games.

Stuart, a 35-year-old Scot, was born in Dubai and lives in Southampton, UK, has an impressive ocean racing pedigree, having skippered Barclays Adventurer to second place in the final Global Challenge Race in 2004-2005. 

More recently Stuart has been involved in putting the Clipper 11-12 crews through their paces during the rigorous pre-race training programme. 

He says, 'After being an integral part of the training of the Clipper 11-12 crew I feel that it is a natural progression to be a part of the experience. Having previously skippered an around the world race I feel I can help to drive and motivate a team in the right direction.' 

The kidnap occured at the remote Kiwayu Safari Village, close to the border with lawless Somalia, which has played host to the artist Tracey Emin, the actress Imelda Staunton and reportedly Sir Mick Jagger.

There were suspicions the armed gang responsible was from Somalia, and may have used a speedboat to get away from the isolated island resort following the attack during the early hours of yesterday morning.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We can confirm that two British nationals were attacked overnight at a beach resort north of Lamu, near the Kenya-Somalia border.

"One was killed and another kidnapped. We are working closely with the Kenyan authorities to establish further details."

The couple were attacked on the first night of their stay at the resort, officials in Kenya said, with reports suggesting the bandits broke into their accommodation.

Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere said that the couple had come from visiting the Masai Mara reserve and were the resort's only guests.

The kidnappers could be from an al Qaida-linked insurgent group called al Shabab

The Nene Valley Dragon Boat Race 2011 is being held at Lilford Lakes on Sunday.

Spectators can expect to be dazzled by the racing, but there is also a host of other activities to keep visitors busy.

The day kicks off at 9am, with races starting at 10am and running until 5pm. The prizes will be presented at 5.30pm.

There will be live music, group displays by various organisations including the Territorial Army, and a beer tent. For details visit www.nenevalleydragons.org.uk

said they realized something was wrong when the overnight ferry began to list from side to side.

Then water rushed through and killed the engines, sending the M.V. Spice Islanders upside down and pitching hundreds of people into the deep sea early Saturday morning. A witness counted nearly 200 bodies, and the president of the nearby island of Zanzibar said more than 570 people were rescued, suggesting the boat was overloaded. Some survivors said the boat's capacity was about 600.

Those lucky enough to find something to cling to floated in the dark waters for at least three hours until the strong currents began to wash them up on the white sandy shores of Zanzibar. As the sun rose, news of the tragedy had already spread throughout the community and thousands of people were on the beach, desperately hoping their family members would be the next to emerge from the waves. One man — too upset to give his name — screamed over and over again the names of 25 missing family members, including his sisters, wife and grandsons.

Throughout the day, police waded through the clear waters to shore, carrying bodies on stretchers, wrapped in brightly colored cloth and blankets. The smallest bundles — the children — they carried in their arms. Tourists on the popular island helped survivors and local charities provided blankets and tea.

According to the Telegraph, the 11.95-meter cruiser is still related to the car manufacturer's mainstream products as its two V8-cylinder engines are adapted versions of the 4.5-liter V8 diesel engine that can be found in the Toyota Land Cruiser.

And while elsewhere it might be considered unusual for a car firm to dabble in pleasure boats, several of Japan's other major auto firms also have boat divisions. Nissan Motor Co. and Suzuki Motor Corp. both build boats, although Yamaha Motor Corp. is seen as the leading domestic firm in the sector.

With their son Oliver, 18, and two family friends they managed to pull 11 people on board their luxury yacht, the Jasmina, before alerting Greek coastguards.

They had set off from the Greek island Zante and were sailing to Kefalonia.

The Foreign Office confirmed that 11 people had been rescued and 19 drowned in the incident at around 3am on Saturday.

The group of 30 refugees would have travelled around 300 miles on the small boat and would have been at sea for several days, officials said.

Nicolette told the dramatic story to her parents May and Frank Horrocks, who live in Helmshore, after they transferred the refugees to a bigger rescue ship which took them on to to Kefalonia.

Thames Water has contacted his team to inform them of the stomach-churning amount of sewage in the water.

Richard Aylard from the water board said: "We've been in touch with David Walliams' team and he'll have to make his own decisions. We're not public health experts but I wouldn't recommend swimming in it. That said, David is doing a hugely admirable thing and we wish him all the best."

The comic, who has had inoculations to protect him against possible diseases during his epic swim, will press on regardless.

On Saturday Walliams passed the 100-mile mark in his BT Sport Relief Challenge, spurred on by the presence of his wife Lara Stone in a support boat.

He even rescued a pet Labrador called Vinny which was struggling to get out of the river due to a bad hip.

Walliams said: "I heard a splash and looked over to be met with the face of a sweet Labrador. I thought he was fine, but he started to really struggle when he was getting out so I swam over and helped his owner get him out."

He charts the course of the boat to within 300ft (90m) of Niagara Falls, a wall of water rushing down 170ft (52m), and remembers when the first boats were wooden steamships.

The 63-year-old and his colleagues have had plenty of famous passengers.

"We've had Princess Diana, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, a lot of actors, actresses, Joan Rivers, Vincent Price, Roddy McDowell," he said.

 Aug. 31, 2011 - Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) today announced that it has sold its Sealine brand of boats, based in Kidderminster, UK, to The Oxford Investment Group.  Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.  The Company is currently determining the amount of restructuring charge associated with the transaction.

"This decision was part of our strategic review to further refine our product portfolio and to best concentrate our resources on our continuing brands and the marine segments in which we compete," said Brunswick Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dustan E. McCoy.  "A primary goal at Brunswick going forward is to better exploit our opportunities for organic growth and to gain share in the marketplace.  For the past several years, we have been steadily transforming our operating model and business structure to be more consistent with the changing marine market.  With the global presence of Sea Ray, Bayliner, Meridian, Hatteras and Boston Whaler, as well as our involvement in regional brands around the globe, Brunswick maintains its leading presence in the world's marine markets."

He will be swimming roughly 20 miles a day - an average of two miles per hour, eight hours a day - for eight days to raise money for Sport Relief, in an event sponsored by BT.

It will be a long, exhausting, wretched, filthy and rather hazardous experience. During training sessions on the relatively civilised stretch of the Upper Thames near Marlow, Walliams' elegant stroke and bi-lateral breathing technique was regularly rudely interrupted. 'I was hit by rowing boat oars, attacked by swans and got covered in insect bites from all the bugs that live in the weeds,' he says. 'It is also very, very cold.'

Bravo David!

The insurer, which through Navigators & General is the UK’s leading pleasurecraft  insurer, says once the diesel bug has got into the fuel system of a boat, it can quickly contaminate filters, pipes and tanks with a nasty black slime that can lead to dangerous and unexpected breakdowns, and high repair bills.  Diesel bug is also 
unlikely to be covered by boat insurance policies, and the repair costs can be  significant.

James Roberts, Head of Navigators & General said “The earlier Diesel Bug is spotted,  the easier it is to clear. There are also many treatments available that work to prevent it taking hold in the first place. “The best advice seems to be to try and find out if the fuel you are intending to purchase has any Biodiesel or FAME additive, and try to avoid using fuel that does.  If this is not an option, then using recommended fuel treatments such as ‘Marine 16’  to prevent and clear diesel bug will help. Also checking for water in fuel tanks which further increases the risk of diesel bug, and exploring methods to check and drain tanks.” Navigators has said it has already seen a number of pump failures due to likely seal breakdown caused by Biodiesel.

Since the introduction of a recent EU Directive1, boat owners are required to use marine diesel with significantly reduced levels of sulphur and one of the ways this is being achieved is through the addition of 
Biodiesel.

A year on - with 50 of the lost jobs already replaced - the company held a party at its yard on Saturday to mark the launch of its first new models in several years.

More than 300 guests came from all over the country to look over the Broom 455, a 48ft ocean-going cruiser, and the Broom 370, a 38ft four-berth boat for use at sea or on inland waterways.

The 370 represents Broom’s first venture into hybrid power units, offering customers up to four hours of electric-powered cruising, saving on diesel and being kinder to inland waterways and wildlife.

Mr Garner, who lives in Norwich and describes himself as a Norfolk lad, brought an impressive track record of having led the turnaround of UK Fire, the national fire extinguisher and alarm company.

He said he had been eager to seize the opportunity at Broom as he viewed the brand as “the boating equivalent of Lotus”.

“I always thought the brand was way bigger than where the company was at,” he said.

Mr Garner said the key to Broom’s revival had been re-establishing its Europe-wide dealer network on a more stable platform and modernising its range of boats which range in price from £250,000 to £1m.

He said: “While safeguarding the core values of Broom’s DNA - the vast accommodation inside, the incredible practicality and the tremendous handling on water - we brought the design right up to date.”

They had built seven boats since the start of their revival and had seen a surge of inquiries from markets far further afield than before, including Australia, China and Russia.

He said: “There is still a long way to go to get back to the days when Broom was building 40 boats a year. However, we now have 10 months of visibility in our order book with another seven or eight boats on order.”

Mr Garner is proud of the fact that they have all the skills of boat building - from design and development to upholstery - on the same site. “That has allowed us to develop new models from the drawing board inside nine months, something that would be outside the capabilities of other boatbuilders,” he said.

Mr Garner said as the company developed further, it was his ambition to return Broom to Broads boat hire and reinvigorate the sector with new modern craft

Measuring a staggering 176 metres long, HMS Bulwark is a sight you can’t miss! On Friday 23 and Saturday 24 September from 11:00 to 18:00 and Sunday 25 September from 10:00 to 12:30, visitors to the show will be able to climb aboard, talk to the crew and explore this astounding ship.

HMS Bulwark is part of the Albion class – the UK’s newest class of amphibious assault warships. She was launched in 2001 and has since taken part in operational tasking off the coast of Southern Iraq. Following her flagship status in the Taurus 09 deployment, she underwent a six-month refit in 2010 and rejoined the fleet in March of this year.

HMS Bulwark’s Commanding Officer, Captain Alex Burton, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have this opportunity to present HMS Bulwark at this year’s PSP Southampton Boat Show and we look forward to welcoming the show’s visitors on board the Royal Navy’s future Flag Ship. I can promise you a fantastic tour of one of the country’s most modern warships and a chance to meet some of the finest sailors at sea today and of course our Royal Marines many of whom are recently returned from operations. It will be a high point of your visit!”

According to thisisoxfordshire, Bernard  said: “It is of huge importance to give disabled anglers the same opportunities as able-bodied anglers and this purpose-built boat will do just that.”

The so-called Wheelyboat will let disabled anglers access the boat safely and allow them to enjoy the catch at the reservoir.

It will launch from a special pontoon at the reservoir, operated by Thames Water.

The boat, which cost £12,000, was paid for by Thames Water with additional funds from The Peter Harrison Foundation, a charity focusing on offering equal sporting opportunities.

There is a special hydraulic platform within the boat and a step-free external ramp between the boat and the pontoon.

The Wheelyboat will join the fleet of boats already at the reservoir.

Matt Prior, conservation, access and recreation manager at Thames Water, said: “The facilities for fishing here at Farmoor are some of the best in the country, so we want to make it accessible to everyone.

The crew faced 314 teams all the way down the Channel, round the Lizard, up to the Fastnet Rock off the south of Ireland and back across the Irish Sea to finish in Plymouth.

The team finished 126th against teams of able-bodied and professional sailors.

Geoff said: “We did incredibly well considering there was some horrendous weather on the way out.

“The start was amazing, with 350 yachts all trying to get through a small gap – it was lucky there wasn’t a multi-yacht pile-up.

“Then we were flying across the Irish Sea and caught a westerly wind, which meant we finished very well – we were back in the bar before some people had reached the rock.

“I feel humble because the guys I was doing it with were brilliant We had a 72-year-old leg amputee called Tom and he was just unbelievable. He was powering away – I was tired just watching him.

“There were no complaints and some coarse Army humour got us through.

“I was a very small part of it all – I just helped steer it. It’s like standing on the shoulders of giants.”

Geoff said there were a few scary moments, including the foresail getting damaged and hearing on the radio the news of the US yacht Rambler 100 capsizing.

While in Felixstowe, according to the Evening Star, the boat will undergo preparations for the race and staff were happy to see it berth at the port.

David Gledhill, head of Hutchison Ports UK, said: “We have worked very closely with Team New Zealand on this shipment and are pleased to have been able to accommodate the yacht in Felixstowe.

“With the additional flexibility gained through our newest cranes offering super-heavy lifts of up to 100 tonnes, we look forward to continued growth in the area of break-bulk shipments. We wish the team the best of luck for the race.”

The trip, which began at the team’s base in Auckland, New Zealand, took one month to complete and included a trip to Malaysia where the yacht was put on to the Maersk vessel.

The boat will now stay in Felixstowe, in a specially-created berth facility, before she sets sail to London to begin a promotional tour on September 5. The race is due to start on October 29, in Alicante, Spain.

He was told the only berth large enough for his £300million floating palace is already taken by the 80m (265ft) yacht Kingdom, owned by Saudi sheikh Prince Aziz al Saud.

Eclipseis now  offshore a few hundred yards from Mr Abramovich’s beachfront chateau.

Roman failed in an application to council officials three years ago to build his own pontoon at the villa and Antibes International Yacht Club says plans to build another large berth at the marina could be years away.

It is the world’s biggest private yacht and boasts a missile- detection system, two helipads, a spa, swimming pool and a mini-submarine. It also has armour-plating around Mr Abramovich’s master suite and bullet-proof windows.

The lifeboat crew found the distressed vessel with a seasick crew member just short of the shore in Colwell Bay being driven ashore by the breeze.

After putting a lifeboat crew man aboard the casualty to secure the tow, the crew requested the assistance of the Yarmouth all weather lifeboat to tow the casualty to safety.

Once the tow had been taken over, Lymington lifeboat took off the sick person and landed him into medical care at Yamouth.

According to the Courier, The modern 26m yacht will be capable of circumnavigating the globe.

The company, bought by Fife firm Ace Marine Ltd in 2007, has now set its sights on becoming an industry leader in yacht design.

Mylne secured the commission, codenamed PF-36, due to its heritage of producing some of the finest Edwardian yachts and its cutting-edge design technology.

The brief demanded the yacht be tough, reliable, and environmentally friendly while adhering to the traditional style requested by the client, whose identity has not been released.

It features a specially-designed hull that reduces slamming and pitching, while active fin stabilisers will minimise roll.

Hull efficiency has been optimised to give a target fuel consumption of 30 litres per hour at 10 knots — less than half that required by a modern equivalently-sized vessel.

The yacht is also high-tech on the inside, boasting 10 iPads for instant access to navigation charts as well as information on speed and heading.

There is an underwater dolphin camera under the bow and, in a nod to its Scottish heritage, the yacht will feature a whisky room stocked with malts.

The ship will go into production this year and will be completed by spring 2013.

The all-weather lifeboat the Doris M Mann of Ampthill was launched at about 6.50pm on Sunday to come to the aid of the Graduate, which was on its way from Grimsby to Wells with two people on board.

Wells harbour had been standing by with their launch to escort the yacht into the harbour to a mooring but became concerned that the yacht was struggling in the blustery Westerly winds and difficult sea conditions.

The lifeboat located the yacht and guided it back to the harbour and no-one was hurt

A battery-powered boat covered in solar panels may be plying China’s coastal waters and estuaries in less than a year.

Faced with crippling traffic on land, China is turning to the water to ease congestion in major cities. BMT Nigel Gee, based in Southampton, UK announced earlier this week they won the contract to design and build an all-electric 150 passenger ferry destined for use in China. Construction on the 85 foot long, 28 foot wide catamaran will begin later this year, and a maiden voyage is set for the middle of 2012.

The vessel will rely on a Vanadium Redox Battery (VRB), a flow-type battery that’s good at providing large amounts of power. They’re usually used to store energy produced by wind farms or solar arrays, and they can’t be damaged if they’re stored while depleted. While VRBs are large, they can also be “refilled” without a charger simply by replacing the electrolyte.

Those batteries power an electric drive motor that can propel the boat up to a speed of 10 knots, and can be recharged while in use by solar panels mounted on the ferry’s roof. We’ll have to wait to find out the boat’s range and how long a recharge will take, but infrequent ferry operation may be ideal for an electric boat, allowing it to recharge while awaiting passengers.

While other electric watercraft have been proposed, promised battery-powered ferries have yet to materialize. Hybrid boats sail in California and New York, and solely solar-powered research vessels have been built, but the world’s ferries still burn fossil fuels.

The as-yet unnamed Chinese boat appears to be quite close to production, however, with construction beginning later this year. BMT says their expertise in building low resistance hulls helped, but building an electric boat isn’t all smooth sailing.

“This design has been an interesting challenge as we needed to balance the weight of the batteries against the vessel performance in order to ensure that a practical ferry service can be provided ,” said BMT technical director Ed Dudson.

During a Spanish cruise and in front of friends including James Packer, Warnie got down on one knee and popped the question, the Daily Star newspaper reported.

"The boat was moored in Marbella and the Packers were on board along with about 15 people, just close friends, no one famous," an unnamed source told the Star.

"Shane and Liz flew in for a few days and looked so in love during their time.

"It was just a really beautiful moment when he proposed. Really romantic, and she said yes. There was no hesitation."

The Star suggests the couple may wed before the end of the year, during a trip Down Under by Hurley which is due to begin in November.

The Sheringham Shoal wind farm is to provide electricity each year for 220,000 British homes. Statoil Communications Manager Morten Eek tells The Foreigner “the original boat was not suitable for these types of operations as it was too vulnerable to swell. The decision to use MS “Svanen” was taken by the contracting parties MT Højgaard and SCIRA.”

“The decision was then taken to replace MS “Svanen” with the “Oleg Stashnov””, says Mr Eek, “but we had the possibility to start parallel activities when the problem was first discovered. All the foundation work has now been completed, meaning the project is on track to start up in the first half of 2012.”

Owner and operator SCIRA says the first turbine was put in place last month, and has recently started producing electricity power to the UK grid.  

HMS Liverpool has been stationed close to the front line since April and came across the small Maltese-registered vessel while conducting surveillance off Tripoli.

The boat filled with refugees had been damaged by hostile fire while leaving Tripoli port and her manoeuvrability was impaired.

Major General Nick Pope, from the Ministry of Defence, said: ‘HMS Liverpool passed a line to the vessel and towed her to open waters where she was able to proceed safely.

‘Liverpool alerted the Maltese authorities to the vessel’s condition, and then was able to return to her duties off the coast.’

The warship has been shot at six times by Gaddafi’s fighters who seized control of much of Tripoli on Sunday evening.

Large crowds have gathered in Green Square – where pro-Gaddafi demonstrations have been held in the past – and tanks came out of Gaddafi’s Bab al-Azizia compound early this morning and started firing.

Rebels claim to have captured Col Gaddafi’s son Saif al-Islam, but the location of the colonel is still unknown.

HMS Ocean, HMS Bangor, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Fort Rosalie and the Fleet Air Arm Sea King helicopters are also in Libya to assist with the conflict.

Since military operations started on March 19, the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Army Air Corps have damaged or destroyed over 890 former regime targets which were thought to pose a threat to the Libyan people, from secret police and intelligence headquarters, to several hundred tanks, artillery pieces and armed vehicles.

Western leaders have welcomed the rebel advance and urged Col Gaddafi to go.

David Cameron is to chair a high-level meeting on Libya this morning.

Ahead of the National Security Council-Libya meeting, a spokesman for Downing Street said: ‘The first and most important thing is to make sure civil order is preserved, that there’s food and power, all the things that people need to make sure their daily lives go on

The incident was reported to emergency services at about 2.10pm yesterday when the 10-metre-long sailing yacht ran aground.

A Plymouth Lifeboat team were sent out, along with the Yealm Coastguard. Brixham Coastguard oversaw the incident.

The five people on board the yacht were transferred to one of the vessels and the yacht was later re-floated at about 7pm.

The yacht was later berthed on the Yealm in Newton Ferrers.

No-one was injured during the incident

Ten years ago, the Discovery 55 set the benchmark as the perfect short-handed luxury cruising yacht. Building on feedback from over 40 owners, Discovery Yachts will unveil a stunning new yacht, the Discovery 57, at the Southampton Boatshow in 2012. This impressive new model retains all of the great design features but with more space and stunning new styling. With a clear ambition to create the ultimate short-handed cruising yacht, the new 57 bears all the hallmarks of a Discovery: designed for performance, built for safety, equipped for luxury and defined by quality.

With the core design again determined by Ron Holland, our in-house design and production teams have reviewed every detail of the new yacht design to ensure that this is the creation of a new classic. The interior is designed by Ken Frievokh, and the structure is engineered by High Modulus.

Discovery Yachts is a company in pursuit of perfection and nowhere is this more evident than in the design and construction of the new Discovery 57.

Design Dimensions

Length of hull17.48 m (57’4”)

LOA17.90 m (58’ 8”)

Beam5.10 m (16’ 8”)

Displacement (half tanks)29.000 kgs (63,900 lbs)

Draft2.35 m (7’ 8”)

Fuel Capacity1,300 ltr (343 US gals)

Water Capacity1,000 ltr (264 US gals)

EnginesVolvo D3 150hp

Having sent a speedboat out to collect friends from nearby St Tropez, Rihanna looked thrilled when she saw her pals approaching the boat and was spotted waving wildly at them.

This is the life: Rihanna checks out the view from one of the yacht's five decks

Following two energetic performances at the V Festival in England over the weekend, no doubt the Barbadian star was looking forward to some rest and relaxation.

Having arrived in France last night, Rihanna has chartered the exclusive vessel, which includes accommodation for up to 12 people, two dressing rooms, massage and beauty salons, five decks for sunbathing and dining.

Earlier today, she was seen climbing into a speedboat to take her Latitude from the Saint Laurent Du Var port near Nice.

Builder Kris Marquis, 28, was one of a number of Guernsey islanders who discovered that their leisure boats, moored at Chouet, had been tampered with on Friday night or Saturday morning.

Kris explained ‘They filled up the petrol cans with salt water and tipped the diesel in the dinghies and anything in the back of the boat was slung over the side.

‘The battery was stolen, the radio and the chart plotter.’

The police are investigating,

Officers attended Morston Quay on Sunday, August 7, after a report that an outboard motor had been stolen from a boat.

Four men from the Wisbech area were arrested at the scene in connection with the incident.

Owen Hodgson, 18, of West Parade, Wisbech has been charged with theft and two counts of taking a boat without consent

Stephen Townsend, 18, of Mill Close, Wisbech, has been charged with criminal damage and two counts of taking a boat without consent.

Martin Massingham, 26, of West Parade, Wisbech, was charged with two counts of taking a boat without consent.

A fourth man was released without charge.

The three men have been released on police bail to appear at King’s Lynn Magistrates Court on Tuesday, August 30.

The other two yachts in the team were Leopard and Uxorious. They won the Martin Hollingsworth trophy for the fastest three boats in the 300 boat fleet after completing the 600 mile race.

Mr Loftus, who celebrated with his crew with a kiddush of herring and vodka, said: "It is an honour to win a trophy for Israel and Herzliya in what is considered to be one of the world's most prestigious offshore races and I want to thank my crew of 16 and the crews of Leopard and Uxorious.

"As skipper of Desperado, it is nice to know that it's not only my family that thinks I'm a captain."

The Roy Barker I was launched at 19:45 BST on Thursday and was alongside, about 23 miles northwest of the island, within the hour.

A towline was secured and both boats were safe in Braye Harbour by 11:45.

The Chichester-registered yacht had been returning to England from Guernsey.

Fred, a security firm manager from Plymouth, Devon, said: 'I looked around on the boat and in the water and I suddenly realised it could be Deb that was missing.

'I'm still in shock about what happened, it's like a bad dream. I just still can't believe it has happened.

'When we couldn't find her I knew there was not going to be a positive outcome.

'She had been fine earlier in the day.

"Dramatic video footage shows a speedboat crewed by at least two men powering parallel to the 4,900-tonne warship as it patrolled off the coast of Bahrain," the newspaper said.

The British ship fired warning machine-gun rounds into the sea before the vessel turned around and sped away.

"Military experts said it had 'all the appearances' of previous incidents when the Iranian Revolutionary Guard has used boats and planes to buzz Western warships to provoke a response," says the newspaper.

A UK Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed the incident.

"An unidentified small vessel made an unusually close approach at speed to HMS Iron Duke," he said.

"In accordance with standard operating procedures, HMS Iron Duke took a series of escalatory preventative measures which resulted in warning shots being fired."

The pair got into difficultly after they took the vessel out to the water just after 11:00 BST on Sunday.

A member of the public, who was fishing at the scene, alerted Belfast Coastguard and the Red Bay lifeboat, who brought the youths back to the shore.

They then ran off.

'The shark tore off his arm and bit a part of his left leg,' a police statement said.

His wife was on the Anse Lazio beach, a famous beauty spot hailed for its white sand on the archipelago's Praslin island, and watched helplessly as her husband was mauled by the shark.

'Two people who were on a boat not far from the attack tried to rescue him,' the statement added.

'Ian Redmond did not survive his injuries because he had lost too much blood.'

Authorities on the Indian Ocean archipelago have ordered fishermen to try to capture the killer shark.

The attack happened on Tuesday afternoon in the same area where a shark attacked and killed a 36-year-old French diver earlier this month.

The Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority issued a swimming ban at the Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette beaches.

'Fishermen will be undertaking continuous patrols, research and fishing activities in order to capture the shark,' the maritime authority said in a statement.

It said it would also reinforce a ban of 'dumping of waste from yachts and other boats, which have been reported in some of these areas' which some fear could have attracted sharks.

Customers can order GO2 on line at www.ecosuperyacht.com or else by calling the GO2 Sales and Technical Hotline on +44 33 33 447 111. Once an order has been placed, ECOsuperyacht will dispatch it from their UK, Gibraltar or Palma de Mallorca warehouses to anywhere in Europe within 72 hours of receipt of payment.

For yachts seeking regular supplies of GO2, ECOsuperyacht can offer a supply agreement to ensure that the risk of running low on GO2 during the season is minimized.

One very interesting addition to the ECOsuperyacht website is the ability to calculate the potential annual cost savings that owners can look forward to from using GO2.

Further to this, Richard Franklin, Managing Director of ECOsuperyacht has put together a fascinating appraisal using attendance data from last year’s Antigua Charter Show to illustrate just how massive the savings could be. “Over 100 yachts attended the show last year and we estimate that in total they travelled approximately 240,000 nm to get to the show. In doing so, we estimate that they used 9.25 million litres of fuel in aggregate. That would have cost them about €7 million at current tax free prices. Using GO2 would have allowed them collectively to save between 740,000 litres and 1.2 million litres of fuel, as well as avoiding around 3,000 tonnes of carbon emissions and dramatically reducing the soot deposits that need to be cleaned off before the show opens” stated Franklin.

“The 25 largest yachts of over 45m in length packing passage to the Caribbean from Europe and back could saved themselves between 700,000 litres and one million litres of fuel by using GO2, enjoying an average saving of 30,000 litres on a round trip, worth €22,500 per boat at current tax free fuel prices. And of course if their fuel is bought at duty paid prices, then the financial savings are even bigger.” added Franklin.

Richard Franklin continued "with high fuel prices and a global push for more environmentally friendly marine practices, yacht owners are searching for ways to reduce their fuel bills and cut their yacht's carbon footprint whilst extending their yacht’s range and avoiding soot problems. With GO2, we see a product that can accomplish all of these goals”.

A month-long period of consultation between management and the staff will now begin.

The news comes less than a month after a multi-million pound deal saw the firm bought in a joint venture by private equity firm Better Capital and the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).

Derek Carter, chief executive of Fairline, said: “Any proposed redundancy is regrettable but investing in, developing and maintaining a profitable business will secure the employment of the remaining employees and enable our global development to continue apace.”

He added that the company was predicting little growth in its core European markets over the next three years and as a result it needed to find significant efficiency improvements and cost reductions to restore its profitability.

Around 40 per cent of Fairline Boat’s business is now conducted outside Europe.

When  the sale of the 43-year-old business was announced on July 14, Mr Carter said the multi-million deal would safeguard the 850 jobs at its two sites.

The subsequent implementation of redundancy measures will result in total job numbers dipping to between 775 and 800 staff.

But the sale brought with it an additional £17 million injection from Better Capital Ltd to sponsor and underpin development plans to introduces new models to the market in the 38ft to 80ft range over the next three years.

Mr Carter said: “This investment will allow us to focus on three core elements paramount to our continuing success as a UK manufacturing business.

“These are new product development, the implementation of new build technologies and the support of further growth in burgeoning overseas markets.

“The investment allows our three-year model launch plan to be set in motion which includes the completion of our much-awaited flagship, the Fairline Squadron 80.”

Fairline Boats specialises in the design, engineering, manufacture and sale of luxury boats in 69 locations worldwide.

The company has maintained a period of stability since 2008 when the recession hit resulting in 500 out of 1,500 staff at the time being made redundant and the business downscaled by 40 per cent.

Up until that year, Fairline enjoyed 13 years of uninterrupted growth.

In 2005 Fairline entered into a management buy-out with private equity group 3i and continued growing until 2008 when it was a £150 million business. It is now a £100 million business.

•  
• AddressHoly Island, Berwick Upon Tweed, Northumberland - TD15 2RX

With the fun starting from 1pm. in Learmonth Gardens, there will be various stalls from local and national charities, the art club will have an exhibition of work, and for younger visitors there will be a Punch and Judy show along with face painting. Local players from the Linlithgow Folk Festival Association will also add to the day’s entertainment.

Canal short boat trips are available for most of the afternoon, and there will be a free ferry taking visitors from one side of the basin to the other. Refreshments will be on offer at the tea room as well as a BBQ and ice cream for sale. This year, musical entertainment will be put on by the Graham Laurie Paisley Accordion Orchestra

The cardboard boat race will take off at 3pm with new obstacles on the course specially designed for this year.

Karen Hunt of LUCS said: “It should be an interesting day with lots to see and do, and we’re hoping for good weather.”

For more information and to enter the cardboard boat race go to www.lucs.org.uk/canal_fun_day.htm

 She is a poetry producer and promoter, and was one of two programmers for Ledbury Poetry Festival this year. A former Cheshire poet laureate and lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University,

They cause damage to riverbanks and buildings, increase flood risk, crowd out and kill off native wildlife and become so prolific on waterways that fishermen, boaters and anglers are unable to use them.

The cost of clearing land, such as construction sites, of invasive plants can run into the millions. The rise of invasive species is also a major challenge in meeting tough new EU targets on the ecology of rivers and lakes.

The Environment Agency already spends more than £2million a year controlling invasive species, and is aiming to increase funding to help more English rivers meet the new EU targets.

While Britain’s rivers are the healthiest for over 20 years and otters, salmon and other wildlife are returning for the first time since the industrial revolution, rivers that harbour non-native species could fall short of these tough new standards.

Trevor Renals, invasive species expert at the Environment Agency, said: “River water quality is the best its been since before the industrial revolution. But if we don’t control invasive species, we risk losing some of our precious native species and incurring even more clean up costs. We could also fall short of the strict EU targets for our rivers and lakes.

“The Environment Agency will be working with other environment bodies as well as community and volunteer groups to manage the spread of these damaging plants and animals.

“We would urge everyone to help stop the spread of these species by making sure that garden and pond plants don’t end up near rivers and parkland and thoroughly cleaning any fishing, boating and canoeing equipment when moving between waterways.”

The Environment Agency has the following 10 species on its hitlist:

1.Killer Shrimp

Dikerogammarus villosus is referred to as the killer shrimp as it has a voracious appetite. While only 3cm long, this tiny terror kills a huge range of native species such as freshwater invertebrates, particularly native shrimps and even very young fish, altering the ecology of the habitats it invades.

Insects such as damselflies and waterboatmen, common sights on British lakes and rivers, could be at risk, with knock-on effects on the species which feed on them.

The shrimp is currently found at three sites in England and Wales. The Environment Agency and its partners are working with anglers and boat owners to make sure that the species remains isolated in these locations and spreads no further.

2. Water Primrose

Creeping water primrose has recently been sold in the UK as a pond and aquarium plant. The plant can spread rapidly – taking over from all other wildlife, and completely covering waterways.

In France, Holland and Belgium this plant has caused serious damage to the aquatic environment and an economic study estimated that Ludwigia could cost the UK over £150 million a year if it were allowed become as well established here.

It has so far been recorded in sixteen sites across the UK. All of these infestations are either being managed, or have been eradicated.

3. Floating Pennywort

Floating pennywort was first brought to Britain in the 1980s and is still sold as a plant for aquariums and garden ponds.

It now grows in the shallow margins of slow-flowing water bodies (particularly ditches, slow flowing dykes and lakes), and forms dense interwoven mats of vegetation, which can often be mistaken for solid ground. These mats quickly cover the water surface, ruining the habitat for other wildlife and making sports such as boating canoeing and fishing impossible.

4. American Signal Crayfish

White clawed crayfish, which are native to the UK, are now seriously endangered, thanks to the spread of their cousins from across the pond – the much larger and more aggressive American signal crayfish.

American signal crayfish not only drive out native white clawed crayfish as they compete for food and habitat, but also carry a water-borne fungus which is fatal to our native species. It is predicted that white clawed crayfish could become extinct in the UK within decades if efforts are not made to protect them.

The Environment Agency is running the first ever captive breeding programme for native crayfish, releasing the new crayfish into ark sites where they are safe from American signal crayfish.

5. Topmouth Gudgeon

Originally from Japan but now found primarily here in stillwaters, the topmouth gudgeon can reproduce rapidly with numbers in excess of 65 fish per square metre. This tiny fish – which is only a few centimeters long – crowds out other fish, out competing them for food and can also introduce disease that prevents other species from spawning.

The Environment Agency is working to prevent the spread of topmouth gudgeon, and also eradicating them where they are found.

6. Giant Hogweed

Giant hogweed was introduced to Britain in 1893 as an ornamental plant. It escaped from gardens and now colonises many areas of wasteland and riverbanks.

The plant spreads rapidly along watercourses forming dense colonies that suppress the growth of native plants and grasses, leaving the banks bare of vegetation in winter and increasing the risk of erosion and flooding.

The stems, edges and underside of the leaves have small hairs containing poisonous sap, which can cause blistering and skin irritation.

7. Japanese Knotweed

Japanese knotweed was first brought to Britain in the mid-nineteenth century as an ornamental garden plant. Since then it has caused serious problems in a range of habitats – particularly roadsides, riverbanks and derelict land – by displacing native flora and even causing structural damage.

8. Himalayan Balsam

Himalayan balsam is a native of the western Himalayas. Introduced to Britain in 1839, it escaped from gardens and rapidly colonised river banks and areas of damp ground. It is the tallest annual plant in Britain, growing up to 3m high. The characteristic purplish-pink slipper-shaped flowers appear in June.

Himalayan balsam plants grow in dense stands that suppress the growth of native grasses and other flora. In autumn the plants die back, leaving the banks bare of vegetation, and therefore liable to erosion.

9. Mink

Mink are native to North America but were bought into Britain in the early 20th century to be bred for their fur. By the 1950s mink escaped from fur farms and spread throughout the country.

They usually hunt for food in woodlands and near watercourses and eat fish, small mammals and birds. They also prey upon poultry on farms and fish stocks in lakes. Mink often need to be controlled because of the damage that they can cause to wildlife, fisheries and property.

They are a particular danger to our native water voles, which are protected in this country. Currently mink are trapped and destroyed to minimise the damage they can wreak on our native species.

10. Parrot’s Feather

Parrot’s feather originates from l South America and is sold as a pond plant. It has now spread to over 150 sites in the UK.

The plants form dense mats that cover the water surface and can severely inhibit navigation, fishing and many other forms of water-related sport and recreation.

These dense mats cover the water surface, starving the waterbody of light, nutrients and oxygen which kills many of the species living in it and also increases the risk of flooding. They can also tempt children or animals to walk across it, exposing them to deep water.

The Environment Agency advises anyone who finds these plants in their garden or pond to visit the ‘be plant wise’ website for advice on how to remove and dispose of them.

The agency also urged river users to contact them immediately on 03708 506 506 if they suspect that they have seen killer shrimp in their local 

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing ready to sail.Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority’s (ADTA) Volvo Ocean Race 2011/12-contesting outfit will be unveiled to crowds during Cowes Week, Isle of Wight, UK - one of the world’s most famous and longest running sailing regattas - and will feature in the event’s festivities, running eight days from August 6.

The team will take its starting orders in the prestigious 608-mile Rolex Fastnet Race on Sunday, August 14, lining up against other Volvo Ocean Race 2011/2012 contenders Team Sanya and Groupama.

Meanwhile, ADTA will also award the ‘Abu Dhabi Trophy’ for the Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week regatta’s Big Boat race on Thursday, August 11.

The 28-year-old's hand was reattached during a six-hour operation in the coastal city of Split, revealed police from the island of Hvar, who also said the British man is being sought for 'his side of the story'. 

He is believed to have fled after the accident. 

'Ithe couple were engaged in a passionate act in the bathroom where at some stage the sink broke - leaving a jagged edge that severed the woman's hand when she fell to the floor,' said police spokesman Kraljevic Gudelj.

'The young woman almost died, and was only saved after she was airlifted to hospital where doctors managed to reattach the severed limb. It had only been attached by a small amount of skin.'

According to the Croatian Times, the woman - known only as Amy R - met the man in Croaitia and they ended up on a yacht called' Anete' in a nearby marina.

The Rose Road Association will benefit from donations from the tickets for Ladies Day at the PSP Southampton Boat Show if people quote a promotional code when purchasing them.

They are also holding a special drinks reception on the day with record-breaking yachtswomanDee Caffari giving a speech.

To register your interest in attending the event, which is in the show restaurant at 6pm on September 22, email naomilush@roseroad.org.uk.

The PSP Southampton Boat Show runs from September 16-25.

To make sure your boat show ticket helps Rose Road receives a donation, quote S29 when calling the box office on 0871 230 7140.

This makes sense to UK readers, who know that Cowes is the home of international yacht racing on England's Isle of Wight. The world's oldest regular regatta, Cowes Week, is underway right now, in fact.

No bargain shopping here, but Middleton pays no mind. "Top addresses are Bellevue and Ocean Avenues (prices from £2.5m-£11.3m), but there are places right on the harbour for around £1 million. You fly to Boston, and after a 75-minute drive, you’re dipping your toes in the water."

Do keep in mind that a British pound is worth about 1.64 US dollars right now.

"There's no law which says that when you're buying an overseas property, it has to be in Provence or Tuscany," he says. You don't need to tell that to Newporters.

The cocaine, weighing 1.2 tonnes and with a street value of up to 300 million pounds, was found expertly hidden beneath the bathing deck of the yacht 'Louise' at Southampton docks in June, the border agency said.

Britain subsequently helped Dutch police arrest six men in the Netherlands and Belgium.

The cocaine was originally packed into the specially prepared space in Venezuela before the yacht itself was transported from the British Virgin Islands to Southampton in a cargo ship.

With a purity of 90 percent, the seized cocaine is of a much higher purity than the average seized in the UK, at 63 percent.

Along with the cocaine, the UKBA raid discovered a stash of 40,000 euros in cash and a firearm.

The operation involved intelligence provided by Britain's Serious Organised Crime Agency and the help of French customs authorities.

Characterised by an aerodynamic profile and long rectangular portholes she measures 28,6 metres and has a beam of 6,40 metres. The Peri 29 accommodates 8 passengers in one master, one VIP and two identical guest cabins, each with private bath rooms, sophisticated entertainment equipment and spacious storage place.

Both the master and VIP cabins are full beam, and offer a great deal of space, unusual for motoryachts of this size.

Powered by twin 1,825 hp Caterpillars C32 Acert diesel engines, Ozone can reach a top speed of 28 knots and maintain a comfortable cruising speed of 24 knots. Like all Peri Yachts she is RINA Charter Class certified and MCA compatible. Two more sister ships have been ordered and are due in February and May 2012. Ozone is currently being offered for sale.

Police are hunting a man who was seen running from the scene.

He was wearing a light-coloured hooded top, jeans and trainers. He had a rucksack over his shoulders and was carrying a fishing rod.

It was held the night before Zara's wedding to England rugby star Mike Tindall. wedding will be at Canongate Kirk on the city's Royal Mile.The Royal wedding will be a private ceremony, the doors of the kirk being closed to the public.

Prince Harry was last to arrive at the yacht.as he entered loud cheers were heard outside. 

Zara, 30, and Mike, 32, arrived with Zara's parents Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips.

A crowd had gathered  outside Ocean Terminal shopping centre,overlooking the yacht. 

The party went on for over two hours Members of the Royal Family left first.

Zara and Mike  stayed on board to the very end to see their guest off.

The Royal Yacht Britannia was in service for 44 years.Her majesty the Queen and the Royal Family enjoyed almost a thousand  voyages on board. The announcement that the Royal Yacht was to be taken out of service was the only occasion when her majesty wept in public.

The skipper called Clyde Coastguard which asked Portpatrick RNLI to rescue the team, who are using a 10-metre ocean-going rowing boat.

Rescuers towed the rowers to Drummore village at Stranraer for repairs, with the local coastguard rescue team there providing shore support.

Clyde Coastguard watch officer Irene Reid said: "The skipper of the 3 Peaks Row acted entirely correctly by seeking assistance as soon as it became apparent that a problem was developing. They were well prepared, with the appropriate safety and communications equipment, which enabled us to locate them and provide help quickly."

A post on the group's website said: "The boat is currently in Drummore undergoing repairs and the team are hopeful of heading back out to resume their challenge."

The group hopes to raise £40,000 for four charities: RNLI, Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust, Devon Air Ambulance Trust and Help For Heroes

SOLDIERS paraded through the streets of Hamble to mark the historic partnership of an army regiment and a yacht club.

Dozens of troops from the King’s Royal Hussars marched through the town to the Royal Southern Yacht Club pier, where they took part in a ceremony formally twinning the two organisations

Soldiers from the Kings Royal Hussars on parade during the twinning ceremony with the Royal Southern Yacht Club in Hamble

Two UK Border Agency cutters escorted a 16-metre yacht called Majestic into Newhaven Harbour after intercepting.

Drugs were allegedly discovered in a locked hatch in the boat’s deck when it was searched in the harbour.

The previous biggest police seizure is believed to have been made when police found 1.8 tonnes of cannabis in a house in Sandy Cross, Heathfield, in October last year.

The two customs cutters HMC Valiant and HMC Searcher escorted the Dutch vessel into Newhaven Harbour at about 1.40am on Sunday. At about 10.15am it was searched by UK Border Agency officers.

Four men have been charged with the importation of controlled drugs through Newhaven.

Three men Al Turner, 53, of Attleborough, Norfolk, Mark Timothy, 59, Sandown Close, Clacton, and Johan Bouma, 64, of Amsterdam, Holland, appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Monday).

None of the three entered a plea and all were remanded in custody.

Franciscus De Geus, of 56, of Amsterdam, Holland, appeared at court on Tuesday.

"Brad thought the family might as well have a holiday while he's shooting World War Z,” a source told British newspaper The Sun. "Cornwall is a little different from their usual destinations but they've heard lots of good things about the county. Staying on a yacht will mean they'll be able to visit various seaside towns so the kids won't get bored.

"They're all really looking forward to it."

Although movie bosses offered Brad a host of luxurious hotels to stay in, the couple believe they will have greater privacy if they stay on the yacht.

Once the family have finished their sailing trip, Brad will be travelling to Glasgow, Scotland. He is scheduled to shoot an important battle scene there in a few weeks, which will feature hundreds of extras.

 Combined brokerage sales for Europe 

 The ‘Clipper Round the World Race', an amateur yachting event  was started by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail solo and non-stop around the world. This is the eighth edition of the race.

Raghu, who was in the city to meet his parents between training schedules, says, “Anybody who has that adventurous streak in him can take part in the Clipper Race. You need not be a sailor. You will get training.” But you have to dish out a quite a packet to get a taste of this worldly experience.

After a Masters in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Miami, he did research in retinitis pigmentosa, a debilitating eye disease before getting into the IT field, where he made a mark.

So, why the sudden craze for sailing? “I've always wanted to go round the world, it was a dream and it's fun doing it this way,” says Raghu, the drawl stretched.

What's special about the race? “We can't use an engine,” says Raghu. The yacht is out there in the ocean, bobbing up and down with no engine and only sails? “Yes, that's the idea, no mechanical power, only skill”, he reiterates in a manner that reflects his adventurous streak. Each yacht uses three sails and keeps ‘a wardrobe' of 12-13 sails. The wind does the rest of the job in the 40,000 nautical miles race. The mast is 81 ft high and the longest stretch is the Pacific, when they are on sea for six weeks.

Dangers in the sea

The danger out there is not sharks, as one may imagine, but whales, which are silent and can topple yachts. Another danger is freight containers that have fallen off ships and are floating. But there are radars that warn you, he explains. The yachts are ‘Made in Shanghai'. Coast guards and sea survival training will see to the rest of the dangers involved.

They travel light. Each is allowed limited technical clothing, (clothes that protect constant wetness that they confront). There's a special stove to cook, water made through reverse osmosis, a diesel generator for light, bread-maker, egg, milk, pasta, beans and soup on board. Satellite phones keep them well connected. No, there is no TV, but there is a music system aboard.

A 22-year-old and a 72-year-old are the youngest and oldest on board ‘New York', with Raghu. Of the 400- plus participants from 33 countries, 40 per cent are women. “There is a grandmother among us,” Raghu adds. Not everyone does all the eight legs. They may join at the next port or drop off in between.

There are 15 races in all and the points added up to decide the winning yacht. The route goes like this: From Southampton, it's off to Portugal, Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town…Singapore…San Francisco, and 15 ports later, they will be back in Southampton.

he yacht story had initially looked genuine as the golden yacht was featured on the website of UK designer Stuart Hughes. The yacht ‘History Supreme’ is apparently a gold-plated Baia 100, a model introduced by Baia Yachts of Italy in 2008.

But basic journalistic tenets were apparently ignored. The golden yacht story was picked up by half the UK press (and elsewhere) and “reported faithfully, without a call to Baia to check the story’s authenticity”, claims Motorboat and Yachting deputy editor Stewart Campell.

The images that were circulated appeared to have been taken from the Baia Yachts website and ‘photoshopped’. The Baia Yachts sales manager Mario Borselli confirmed to Motorboat and Yachting that the story was fake. “We will write him a letter asking him to take them down, but we are not thinking to go legal. It’s such a stupid story it’s not worth it… I can’t believe people would believe someone would be so stupid to commission this boat.”

The launch of the 38GT also heralds the launch of the fastest ever Fairline. Powered by two of Volvo Penta’s new D6-400 engines, a top speed of 45 knots is anticipated – a claim that will be tested on the delivery journey to the boat show.

The Targa 38 range will continue to offer a number of Volvo Penta stern drive engine options including the D4-260, the D4-300 and the D6-370 in both Open and GT models.

Below decks, accommodation has been increased with the option of a sofa bed that converts to a third berth in the aft guest cabin and following customer feedback, entry to this cabin has been significantly improved.

The Fairline design team has upgraded the overhead lockers in the saloon and master cabin, as well as completely updated the soft furnishings throughout the boat and specified Avonite® work surfaces in the galley.

To further differentiate the 2012 Targa 38 range, new hull windows have been incorporated into the latest design to add even more natural light to the accommodation level as well as being visually striking.

Since the Targa 38 launched in 2006, she has been one of the fastest selling models in the Fairline range and in 2007 won the prestigious ‘European Powerboat of the Year’ in the 30ft to 40ft category as judged by marine magazines from 10 European countries.

It can be used for vertical or horizontal surfaces, with the added benefit of also being well suited for curved surfaces. The blind housing is available in White, Silver anodised and Beige.

The Portshade design incorporates 100% blackout fabric ensuring light removal and increased privacy onboard. Made to withstand the marine environment, the blind fabric has a water repellent coating as well as UV protection to resist fading and sun damage. Furthermore, small marks can be removed by gently rubbing with a rubber eraser that will probably be onboard inside the chart table!

Portshade is easy to fit with all mounting hardware and instructions provided, and a simple single screw fixing at each end is all it takes to install. A choice of fixing to hold the Portshade in place when in use creates total flexibility and includes a peg option, toggle, long toggle or mini grip option. The blind comes in a range of standard sizes, although custom sizes are available by special order.

John Heald, senior cruise director, Carnival Cruise Lines has made quite a name for himself in the online world, winning numerous blogging awards and effectively ‘humanising’ the Carnival brand.

The recipient earlier this week of the ‘Best Travel Blog’ award by UK website Travelmole, Mr. Heald’s wit and humour entertains many on a daily basis.

Responding to guest enquiries online, some quite absurd, and updating the world on the goings on at Carnival is a regular occurrence, but sometimes these are peppered with heartwarming stories of life at sea, as was the case yesterday.

Receiving a call from the captain of Carnival Magic just after midnight on 18 July, Mr Heald was notified of a father and son being stranded on their small motor yacht which had lost all propulsion. The ‘May Day’ call had come through and Carnival Magic was diverting her course to assist.

50 knot winds and 10 foot swells meant that the 30-foot yacht was struggling and, the father and son onboard refused to aba           Instead, the captain made the call to maneuver Carnival Magic to within 50-100 metres and act as protection from the swells for almost five hours.  Image courtesy of John Heald’s blog

The Spanish Coast Guard cutter arrived at approximately 4:50am and the ‘Jean Michele’ was towed back to Majorca where, Mr. Heald reports, they returned safe and well.

‘It’s a great shame we no longer have a Royal Yacht. And while I wouldn’t put Leander in the same class as Britannia, she is a good ship capable of helping out in the celebrations.

‘The Queen visited Leander in Portsmouth a couple of months ago and liked what she saw. She spent a couple of hours on board and had lunch.’

Leander is one of the world's most luxurious yachts which is available for hire

A Royal source said last night: ‘The Queen is delighted. She used to love to entertain on the Royal Yacht and she will love this. Leander, we understand, is to have a bit of a facelift, but it is a style she loves – quite old-fashioned, quite chintzy. She also really likes Sir Donald. He makes her laugh.’

The 1,930-ton Leander is among the world’s largest and most luxurious yachts available for private charter.

It boasts two master bedrooms, eight en suite guest cabins, a sauna, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, grand piano and helipad, and is renowned for its ‘fantastic cellar and phenomenal food’.

 

Charming and chintzy: Leander is furnished in a style the Queen is said to love

Joan Collins, Sir Tim Rice and the late Elizabeth Taylor are among those who have enjoyed Sir Donald’s hospitality on board.  

Although Majesty magazine editor Ingrid Seward once described Leander’s decor as ‘hideous’, one former guest recalled: ‘It’s beautifully designed, with phenomenal attention to detail.’

Sir Donald’s road to riches began when he was working as a trainee surveyor with Westminster City Council. That was where he met his long-term business partner, Ronald Hobson, and in October 1948 the pair bought up a bomb site in Holborn and created their first car park. 

In 1959, the pair took over National Car Parks and the business thrived. The firm was sold to an American company in 1998 for £801 million. Sir Donald made £290 million from the deal. 

Knighted in 1976, Sir Donald began to develop friendships with members of the Royal Family, and when Britannia was decommissioned he quietly began lending the Royals his own vessel. 

Hospitality: The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall travelled round the Caribbean on Leander in 2008

In 2008, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall used Leander for their official tour of the Caribbean. Sir Donald and his long-term girlfriend Gabriella di Nora were among the guests at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in April. 

Talks about the use of Leander for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee have been protracted and it is still unclear exactly what role the yacht will play. 

‘I have had discussions with officials but no plans are concrete,’ said Sir Donald. ‘It’s going to be a great year and the Queen will be in enormous demand. She will be visiting much of the country and everyone is putting in bids on her time. But she will need some life to herself – she works pretty hard as it is.’

The main celebrations will take place over an extended weekend from June 2 to 5. 

The central event will be a river pageant featuring a flotilla of 1,000 boats sailing down the Thames from Putney to Tower Bridge. The procession will be accompanied by fireworks and the ringing of church bells. 

There will be a televised concert from Buckingham Palace and a line of jubilee beacons across the country.

A Royal source said last night: ‘Sir Donald is terrifically generous and a real supporter of the Royal Family. He and the Queen get on well. She likes his down-to-earth approach.’

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the loan of Leander.

There were no such luxuries for Bob Shaw on his boat Roamer, but that didn't stop him spending 24 years at sea before returning to Brighton last week to visit relatives. He set out in 1987 to go round the world after a triple heart-bypass and just kept on going. He's already set off again

The boat has been part of the UK’s maritime heritage since Sir Francis Chichester sailed her around the world in 226 days in 1966-67.

“She can still turn heads and there is still a huge amount of goodwill and fondness for her,” co-owner Rob Thompson said.

The other owner, Ms Eileen Skinner, said: “Most people over the age of 50 remember the Gipsy Moth story and Sir Francis bringing her back in 1967.

“It inspired a whole generation of people to achieve their full potential.”

More than 60,000 sailing fans will flock to events at Weymouth, Dorset, next year - making the harbour a prime terror target.

Crack SBS troops - the UK's experts in Maritime Counter Terrorism - have been practising manoeuvres to deal with several scenarios at sea.

Another being prepared for is a yacht bearing a team of gunmen. A source said: "They will be primed and prepared to tackle any threat. If anyone tries anything their attempt will be put down with precision and ferocity."

Olympic sailing events will also be protected by Special Forces Chinook pilots operating out of RAF Odiham, Hants.

Despite her generous size, the Oyster 625 is set up for easy, short-handed sailing for those owners who prefer to sail without crew. However, with an interior option that allows for a forepeak layout for a full-time crewmember, giving the potential of five cabins onboard, combined with her spacious, flush aft deck - the perfect spot for sun lounging or entertaining - the 625 is as well suited to occasional charter as she is for comfortable family sailing.

A fresh look at interior design and detailing has given the accommodation a clean, contemporary feel with new joinery, upholstery design, shower rooms and hardware. Together with Oyster's choice of interior timbers and finishes, the Oyster 625 allows owners to create a really stunning onboard living environment.

The spacious saloon is fitted with triple 'seascape' vertical windows, which fill the saloon with light and give a fantastic view over the water while seated below deck, a real superyacht feature.

The accommodation features two generous guest cabins, each with its own heads and shower, a sumptuous aft owners suite, which is full beam and has private access to the aft deck and a fourth cabin that can be configured as a workshop, guest cabin or a children's cabin with access from the master cabin. The linear galley on the 625 offers significantly more storage than on previous models with space for a full size washer-drier and dishwasher as well as the standard front-opening fridge and freezer.

Available with a Standard, Shoal or SuperShoal keel, the 625 can be configured to meet every owners' cruising requirements.

Nigel Crang (pictured) and fellow volunteers John Heale and Will Bower were on board the inshore lifeboat which rescued two people from the stricken yacht Blithe Spirit in heavy seas in May.

Adrian Carey, RNLI divisional inspector for the South West, said the crew were faced with perilous conditions: "Nigel said this was the closest he has come in his 23 years of voluntary service to losing a lifeboat."

The Blithe Spirit was listing on rocks with waves crashing over it. Because of the difficult weather, the vessel could not be towed off the rocks and the inshore crew had to get the elderly couple on board to safety.

As Mr Crang, 45, made three attempts to get alongside the inshore lifeboat was repeatedly driven hard aground, completely filling with water and causing propeller damage.

At one stage volunteer John Heale had to jump onto the rock and push the lifeboat free.

As the yacht's situation worsened helmsman Crang drove the inshore lifeboat alongside the stricken vessel during a lull in the waves and took the man off the yacht.

The woman, who was on the other side of the yacht, was then persuaded to move to the lower side and was successfully recovered as the yacht broke up on the rocks.

A modest Mr Crang said: "It was one of these jobs which could easily have gone wrong. People don't realise that it was a team effort. I wouldn't have done it without the crew."

For his bravery and quick thinking actions in a difficult situation, he is to receive the RNLI's Thanks of the Institution on Vellum. John Heale and Will Bower are being presented with framed letters of thanks.

It is the second time Mr Crang will receive such an award. The first was in 1999 when he helped rescue four youngsters stranded on rocks near Roundham, Paignton.

Richard Fowler, the second Coxswain of the all-weather lifeboat will also receive a special letter of thanks as he and his crew stood by during the May 1 rescue.

Mr Carey added: "This was a difficult and dangerous service that could easily have resulted in the capsize of the inshore lifeboat.

"Despite suffering several setbacks the crew volunteers showed great perseverance to achieve a successful outcome."

The Thanks of the Institution on Vellum is one of the four major awards given by the RNLI for meritorious actions.

Researchers were amazed when a great white shark leaped onto the back of their boat in South Africa.

The 3m long animal was attracted to the bait that was being thrown into the sea by the research team.

They wanted to lure sharks closer so that they could identify and count them.

But the bait worked a little too well and the hungry shark leaped from the water and onto the boat!

Luckily no one was injured but the shark did become wedged between the engines and some containers.

After trying to move the shark from the boat themselves, the research team decided it was best to head back to land where it was lifted off by a crane.

Johnson, who was involved in the rescue. "These sharks belong in the sea, they don't belong on land."

The big fish was last seen swimming strongly out to sea and didn't look like it had been harmed by the experience.

The researchers don't think the animal attacked the boat deliberately.

 

All aboard: The Duchess of Cambridge wore stylish but practical boat shoes when she visited Blachford Lake in Canada

And, best of all, as they were originally designed to be a non-slip shoe to sport dockside you can guarantee there won’t be any embarrassing slip-ups during the unpredictable British summer in a sturdy pair of these.

Another new addition is the Sea Kitchen Theatre with Shaun Rankin. With a filled schedule of gastronomical treats, this kitchen will host legendary Michelin-Star chef Shaun Rankin alongside top chefs, all of whom will give the audience tips on how to enjoy fish at its best.

The industry's top experts will be on hand at the Boat Clinics to give advice on a range of topics including racing, safety at sea, hybrid propulsion, and kayak fishing.

You'll be able to hear snippets from books as part of the Authors Live attraction, where guests can meet authors from the boating world who will read parts of their published work.

Another further addition is the Boat Parade, which will happen every day during the PSP Southampton Boat Show. A flotilla of boats will cruise past the marina whilst a commentator tells the audience about each craft.

Blount Boats Inc. has closed a licensing agreement with U.K.-based South Boats Special Projects for its design for aluminum catamarans, mainly used to service wind farms.

Blount will be the exclusive manufacturer of the design in the United States. South Boats is a major player in the European wind farm service vessels market, a news release said.

The U.S. has stricter regulations about importing foreign vessels than the U.K., so Blount will be able to manufacture the boats for the U.S. as well as, in the long-term, possibly export the boats back to the U.K. or Europe.

The South Boats vessels are in high demand abroad, said Marcia Blount, president of the Warren-based shipyard, to Providence Business News, noting they have about 16 under construction.

Blount said that the company hopes to finish a prototype of the aluminum catamaran by next June for a scheduled boat show in New Bedford. Getting approval from the U.S. Coast Guard should take about 2 to 3 months, since it’s not a new design, she estimated.

She declined to disclose the licensing terms or an estimate of how much the prototype would cost to build but noted that there has been “a lot of interest” from a variety of people, including vendors offering delayed payments to be at the “front line” of the project. No definite agreements have been made as of yet.

The licensing agreement allows Blount to build wind farm boats as well as non-wind farm boats, which opens up other possible opportunities for the highly-stable vessels, such as water taxis.

Events on the day, which starts at 9.30am, include coxed fours, single sculls, dongolas, dinghies and canoes. There are races for men, women and mixed crews, as well as events for youngsters.

Non-rowers will be able to enjoy a display of classic cars, craft tents, real ale and live music as well as a performance arena where there will be demonstrations of birds of prey, ferret racing and dog agility classes.

Children will be able to have their face painted, enjoy some traditional entertainments and take a trip down a long bouncy slide.

Olympic rower Zac says that he is looking forward to coming along this Saturday.

“As a local resident, I am delighted to be able to support this year’s Goring and Streatley Regatta,” he says. “It promises to be a great day of entertainment on and off the water.

“I am a keen advocate of any activity that brings rowing to as many people as possible and the regatta is the perfect example of how to achieve this in the most relaxed and enjoyable way possible. I hope the weather plays its part to deliver a great day out for all the family. I am looking forward to being there in the afternoon and handing out the prizes.”

The Regatta is organised by the Goring Gap Boat Club and it has been held since 1895 a display of years gone by will form part of the day’s entertainment.

- Entry costs £7 or £3 for children and the day runs from 9.30am to 6pm. For details, log on to www.goringgapbc.org.uk/Regatta.htm.

 the independent review and the supporting documentation were published yesterday 14 July 2011.

However, the central thrust of the proposals remains the same. That is a Coastguard coordination structure that is effective, resilient and able to meet the challenges of the coming decades whilst maintaining the safety of seafarers as the highest priority.

The revised plans take account of government decisions made following the first consultation  and the RYA is pleased that the revision addresses the perceived risks concerning local knowledge and the weaknesses and threats identified by the RYA in its response to the first consultation.

 donations towards the restoration of The Old Stratford and Buckingham arms of the canal will be gratefully received.

Attractions include historic narrowboats, boat trips, cheese boat, fudge boat, the MP Playboat cake and craft stalls.

Email info@buckinghamcanal.org.uk or call 01908 661217,

One leading firm, Sunreef Yachts, boasts it's the world "leader in the class of custom-built, luxury catamarans," according to public relations officer Rafal Lenartowski.

He said clients are "proud" to own vessels made in the hallowed shipyard where the pro-democracy Solidarity trade union rose up under Lech Walesa in 1980 and nine years later helped bring down Warsaw's old Soviet-satellite regime.

Sunreef's head offices are in no-nonsense portable containers on a leased plot in the shadow of rusty, gargantuan cranes. In a rambling red-brick production hall nearby, 250 local craftsmen hone its double-hulled vessels to perfection.

Started in 2000 by Francis and Nicolas Lapp, an expat French father-and-son team with a background in electrical engineering, Sunreef tapped into generations of ship-building savvy in the Gdansk workforce to turn out products for choosy clients from Monaco to Qatar, Hong Kong and even Santiago, Chile.

Their vessels measure 58 to 114 feet (17 to 35 metres) with "competitive" prices from 850,000 to 10.5 million euros ($1.22-14.5 million). The catalogue also offers a "world-first" 200-foot model valued at 30 million euros.

The key to success, says Lenartowski, is quality at the "same or higher level than other yards in Europe" but prices that are "still a little bit lower", 15 percent on average.

"Clients are comparing us to the best-known Italian brand in terms of craftsmanship," he said.

Industry insider Superyacht Business magazine recently carried an eight-page spread hailing the competitiveness of Sunreef and three other home-spun Polish superyacht-makers, Galeon, Conrad and YBM.

The four firms are the stars among Poland's 100 yacht yards that, all told, build around 20,000 boats per year costing an average 9,000 euros - mostly small and mid-sized motor and sailing yachts from six to 10 metres, according to POLBOAT.

- 'We put more soul into our yachts' -

"Poland today is one of the leading players in boat production in Europe up to 10 metres," said POLBOAT's Scott. "The share on the European market is significant," he said, with French and Italian yacht-makers the main rivals.

In boat shows across Europe, about a third of all vessels are now Polish-made, Scott added. But they are sold under global brands like France's renowned Jeanneau-Beneteau and US giant Brunswick Marine which "account for around half of Poland's production."

Virtually all Polish-made boats are exported, as two decades after communism's demise most Poles still can't afford such luxuries.

POLBOAT chairman Andrej Janowski, the first to open a commercial shipyard to build luxury yachts after the fall of communism, attributes the drive to make more sophisticated and speedy boats to what he calls the freedom-loving Polish soul.

"Sailing is something which is characteristic of people with a mentality of freedom and we Poles have always been a free people," he insisted.

Indeed, domestic yacht-building exploded when communism collapsed in 1989 and the essential marine-grade resins, fibreglass, plywoods and lacquers suddenly became available on the nascent free market (extract from The Independant)

It took Iain Tolhurst (58) around 22,000 hours and £60,000 to build the beautifully-crafted Naida, and although he never doubted his ability to create her, it did take him longer than he expected.

‘I underestimated the scale of the job,' he said ‘I thought it would take me only four or five years, not decades.'

Calshot RNLI all weather lifeboat Alexander Coutanche was called by Solent Coastguard to come to the aid the young crew, who were with two adult trainers, yesterday aftrenoon. The damaged mast and rigging was cut it free.

Crew from Calshot lifeboat towed the yacht into safer waters. It used its own engine to motor back to the River Hamble escorted by the lifeboat.

RNLI coxswain Mike Lawrence said: “Everyone on the yacht acted in a very calm and professional manner in a situation that could have escalated into something more serious.”

Initially Hamble independent Lifeboat had been called to help but were having difficulty due to the strong winds and worsening sea state

Esme McIntyre finished her treatment at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow in December 2007.

She was one of 17 participants from across the UK who took charge of four cruising yachts in and around the Solent waters last week, getting the chance to do everything from helming the boat to cooking.

Esme, who was joined by three other young people on her boat Moonspary, said: “The trip was great, I really enjoyed it.

“I have been sailing a few times before but never on a trip like this! I really enjoyed meeting Ellen MacArthur and her dog Norman on the last night.

“Everyone was so friendly and I made some great friends.”

Dame Ellen said: “These children are truly amazing.

“They face experiences that no child should ever have to go through, and yet they do it with the biggest smile on their faces.

“They are truly inspiring.”

The trust was launched by Dame Ellen in 2003 and gives young people in recovery from cancer or leukaemia the chance to test themselves in a safe and supportive environment.

Esme’s group set sail from Cowes on the Isle of Wight, with the young people spending four nights sleeping on board the boats.

On the final day the group were joined by Dame Ellen and enjoyed a barbecue and an evening on the beach playing games.

More information in the trust is available online at http://www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org

Moulding the hull in this way also has major benefits for the manufacturing process itself by cleaning up the operation and dramatically reducing emissions which supports the company’s environmental initiative. Princess Yachts were the first major European boat builder to be awarded ISO 14001 environmental award in 2010 and recently became the first manufacturer to gain the new RINA Green Plus (Y) notation for their entire range of craft below 90 feet.

The 40M, a 130-foot tri-deck yacht which can accommodate twelve guests in complete luxury with separate quarters for up to eight crew, is the second model from the new M Class range of yachts and follows the 32M which was launched at the London International Boat Show this year.

This magnificent new Princess flagship is now in full production within a purpose built hangar at the company’s South Yard site where hull 3 and 4 of the Princess 32M are also in build. The first 40M yacht is due for completion early 2012 with delivery to her owner planned for early Spring

The level of competition during the Solitaire du Figaro is always extremely high and this year is no exception. A total of 49 entries including last year’s winner, Frenchman Armel Le Cléac’h, and a host of other top-ranked solo sailors is set to provide exceptionally close racing. The British contingent of Artemis Offshore Academy squad sailors entered have been clocking up some respectable results en route to the main event. 

With demand far out-stripping cash, there are concerns many businesses will be left empty-handed.

Labour has accused the Government of failing to earmark enough money for the regional growth fund when it decided to allocate just £1.4 billion to it over the course of this parliament.

"It will create far more losers than winners," said Shadow Business Minister Gordon Marsden.

The fund is a cash pot set up under the Government move to scrap regional development agencies, aimed at creating jobs and kick-starting private-sector led economic growth in areas dependent on the public sector.

Labour MP for Plymouth Moor view Alison Seabeck said: "I am worried that because of the overwhelming interest in this scheme that Plymouth might lose out.

"That said we were very much encouraged by Vince Cable when we met him to persuade Princess Yachts to put in a second bid.

A long time favourite in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Hong Kong, the class has seen recent growth in Europe and this year's World Championship includes competitors from Ireland, France, Belgium and Spain. The British Nationals will form the Pre-event for the Worlds and provide a last chance to qualify, which will add an extra edge to the National Championship.

The qualifying events in the UK have seen a variety of winners including Russell Peters and Tim Hall, recent Southern championship winner, Charles Apthorp sailing with Dun Laoghaire's Alan Green. And finding a lot of speed lately at HISC, Mike McIntyre and his daughter Gemma. Multi world and national champions, Steve Goacher and Phil Evans are never far from the front when it comes to the big occasion and topped the UK qualifying.

Six Irish boats are entered with the National Yacht Club represented by three boats. Dun Laoghaire's Alan Green crewing for top British sailor Charles Apthorp are listed as front runners for the worlds title.  Northern Ireland's Brian McKeen and Ian Smyth represent Strangford Lough Yacht Club. Irish class president Ben Mulligan is sailing with Jay Bourke. John Lavery and David O'Brien of the National Yacht Club and David Mulvin and Ronan Beirne are also sailing.

Names to look for from the large Australian entry include defending World Champions Grant Alderson and Dean Mcaullay, and David Tucker and Matt Summers (7th 2009). From New Zealand Murrey Gilbert and Jon Burgess are in form and the Irish crews could spring an upset on the established order.

With what the Met Office describes as an unseasonably deep low affecting the UK, weather for the early part of the Nationals is expected to be rain showers with winds building to force 6 to 8 for the opening races on Sunday. The strong wind is expected to ease from Monday. The Nationals complete on Wednesday 20 July, there is a lay day on Thursday, then the Worlds start on Friday 22 July through to Thursday 28 July.

The Plymouth team was one of more than 1,900 that started the race and one of only about 1,300 to finish in a race which saw two capsizes, a dismasting and several crew going overboard.

The team flew a Plymouth America's Cup World Series banner from their boat and when back on dry land, made the most of the opportunity to distribute posters and leaflets while wearing promotional T-shirts.

Mr Young said: "This was an opportunity to promote Plymouth to one of the city's key target markets – other sailors.

"We didn't have much time to pull it together, but we made it happen through the positivity and creativity of some great Plymouth people and city-based businesses."

Marquis Motorhomes at Lee Mill provided a motorhome on loan at short notice so that the team would have somewhere to stay on the crowded Isle of Wight.

"The America's Cup World Series offers a huge opportunity for Plymouth to showcase our city on a world stage and to be a springboard to achieving some of our economic ambitions," said Mr Young.

"It's so much more than a yacht race – albeit a major international one.

"I look forward to seeing lots more examples of creativity and ingenuity from across the business community showing how they are making the most of this hugely exciting opportunity."

The second leg of the America's Cup World Series will be in Plymouth from September 10 to 18.

Got a spare £124,000? For that measly sum you can hire out Sir Richard Branson's very own sailing yacht, Necker Belle, for a fortnight 

The 105ft catamaran sleeps 12 guests with room for seven staff. Enjoy a glass of wine from the on-board cellar, or speed off for the day in a fast boat stocked with waterskis and scuba equipment.

Those who live in the real world needn't despair. If the high seas is the life for you, hire a more ordinary vessel for more ordinary prices. Yachtsforfun.com (01256 896239) hire out a 36ft Beneteau Oceanis sailing yacht from Southampton, Gosport and Portsmouth.

Boats start from £960 for a week in low season and, if you're not confident taking out a boat on your own, add £150 a day for a skipper.

HMRC listened to the industry’s concerns about the cost burden that the withdrawal of red diesel would bring to waterside fuel suppliers and recognised that a lower rate of duty applied to fuel used for non propulsion purposes by boaters. The Government agreed to the continued use of red diesel by recreational boaters with a differential rate of duty being applied (60% propulsion/40% non-propulsion). The Commission is now suggesting that this approach breaches European law.

The BMF, along with the RYA, have met with HMRC this week to discuss the situation and understand the legal process. Following the meeting, Howard Pridding, BMF’s Executive Director commented:-

“This development is obviously a cause for concern but there is no immediate need to panic. Infringement procedures by the European Commission is a legal process that can take years to complete and there will be no change to the current duty situation until it is finished. The BMF will be working closely with our colleagues from the RYA and the Inland Waterways Association, together with HMRC officials, to vigorously contest the Commissions view."

BMF have announced they will be writing to Treasury Minister, Justine Greening MP, setting out the adverse impact that any change to the current red diesel situation would have on the industry. 

He says, “Sailing is an ideal sport for team building and bonding. When you are confined to a sailing boat, surrounded by water, you have no option but to co-operate in a close-knit environment.”

Along with his qualifications in sailing, Simon’s corporate background is perhaps where Suffolk Coast Sailing’s area of expertise stems from; “Having worked for a major multi-national company for more than 30 years, living in the UK, Hong Kong and Malaysia, I understand the importance of business relationships and how they are developed,” explains Simon. “Suffolk Coast Sailing specialises in a range of corporate opportunities; team-building challenges, staff reward days, client entertainment, networking and business trips are all enjoyed on board EMMA.”

With a reliance on nature and the elements, Suffolk Coast Sailing experiences are about adventure, exploration, teamwork and fun. “Sailing offers so many opportunities and we have designed flexible programmes that make the most of them, whether it’s to relax and enjoy the spectacular views or get hands on and tackle the challenges of sailing.”

“As a team training exercise, sailing is a great way to bring together business associates from all levels of the company,” says Simon. “Ever heard of the phrase ‘Hang your job title on a hook outside the door’? When you are all learning a new skill, everyone is in the same boat – literally!”

 Leeds solicitor Guy Jackson, jpoins several other crew members from Yorksire. The 54-year-old will participate in three legs of the race, which starts from Southampton on July 31 for the first leg to Rio de Janeiro via Madeira.

Joining him on the first two legs will be 51-year-old PA Lynette Greaves, also from Leeds, who started sailing seven years ago.

A third Loiner, Richard Hilson, will complete the fifth leg. The 36-year-old, who works as a head of user experience, has run a marathon previously but had no sailing experience before beginning training for the Clipper Race.

Yorkshire’s involvement in the event was revealed in Whitby where crew members joined Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive Gary Verity on board a replica of Captain James Cook’s boat the Bark Endeavour.

Mr Verity said: “Yorkshire is a world class destination and deserves to be seen on a global stage. The Clipper Race is the perfect event to showcase Yorkshire in key global markets, this is the third edition running that Yorkshire has competed in the Clipper Race, we are building on the success of those endeavours and hope to make this race our most successful to date.”

Analysis by development agency Yorkshire Forward showed Hull and Humber’s involvement helped raise the profile of the region and boost investment, with £5m of trade deals during the 2009-10 race alone.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, yachtsman and founder of Clipper Ventures, said: “This is the third race in which the county has been represented. Welcome to Yorkshire has already shown itself to be an organisation that comes up with inspiring and effective ways to promote tourism and giving a warm Yorkshire welcome around the world.”

Welcome to Yorkshire is so far the only English entry.

As well as experiencing what it’s like in a gig boat, participants will be able to attend an après-sea party to meet experienced gig rowers who will answer any questions they may have. 

The traditional Cornish pilot gig is a six-oared rowing boat, built of Cornish narrow leaf elm. Its original purpose was as a general work boat and was used for taking pilots out to incoming vessels inthe Atlantic. Today pilot gigs are used primarily for sport and there are around 100 active gig rowing boats across the globe.

Crew Clothing is passionate about traditional British sports and is thrilled to support the gig rowing community in its quest to popularise the sport. In addition, the move supports Crew’s initiative to further strengthen its ties with its coastal roots and associated coastal traditions.

The British casual luxury clothing retailer is no stranger to supporting British sporting events. In May 2011 the company announced it will be providing the stewards of the world famous Queen’s Club Tennis Tournament with several items of clothing including men’s shirts in Crew Classic Stripe and Ashton Blazers, as well as women’s shirts and white Burley Blazers.

In the past, Crew has also sponsored the Volvo Ocean Race (formerly the Whitbread Round the World Race) and Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall and as the official clothing supplier to the England Polo Team.

Those keen to get involved with Give It A Go, or would like more information about the campaign, can email events(at)crewclothing(dot)co(dot)uk. Give It A Go events will be held on the following dates:

Salcombe, Devon

Salcombe Estuary Rowing Club

Wednesday 13th July

Falmouth, Cornwall

Falmouth Gig Club

Wednesday 20th July

Wednesday 27th July

Dartmouth, Devon

Gigs Might Fly Rowing Club

Thursday 21st July

Padstow, Cornwall

Padstow Rowing Club

Wednesday 3rd August

Wednesday 17th August

Rock, Cornwall

Rock Rowing Club

Wednesday 10th August

Wednesday 24th August

Fairline produces around 170 boats a year to high-quality specifications, retailing from €200,000 to more than €3m.

In June 2005, 3i backed a management buyout by Fairline’s six-strong management team, which included chief executive Derek Carter. 

Fairline, which has bases in Nene Valley Business Park in Oundle and off Steel Road, Corby, was bought for an undisclosed sum yesterday in a joint venture between the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and a private equity firm Better Capital Limited.

Derek Carter, chief executive of Fairline, said the deal would safeguard the 850 jobs at its sites.

He said: “This investment will allow us to focus on three core elements paramount to our continuing success as a UK manufacturing business.

“These are new product development, the implementation of new build technologies and the support of further growth in burgeoning overseas markets.

“The investment allows our three-year model launch plan to be set in motion which includes the completion of our much-awaited flagship, the Fairline Squadron 80. As such, this will secure the existing jobs at Fairline.”

Better Capital Limited, an investment company owned by the BECAP Fund LP, has bought a majority stake in Masco 30 Limited which is a new company set up solely for the purpose of acquiring 100 per cent of Fairline Boats.

Under the agreement West Register (Investments) Limited, a company owned by RBS will acquire a minority stake in Masco 30 Limited.

The acquisition follows 18 months of speculation over who would buy the British boat brand after it was announced in November 2010 that its previous owner, private equity firm 3i, was looking at “strategic options” for the business.

BECAP and RBS have committed £16.6 million and £3.9 million respectively to finance the transaction and to fund restructuring and working capital requirements.

The actual sum paid to buy the company has not been disclosed. As part of the deal, Nick Sanders, a member of Better Capital Limited, will join the Fairline Group board as chairman.

Fairline Boats is a leading global brand specialising in the design, engineering, manufacture and sale of luxury boats in 69 locations worldwide.

The company has maintained a period of stability since the turbulent times of 2008 when the recession hit resulting in 500 out of 1,500 staff at the time being made redundant and business scaled down.

Up until 2008, the company enjoyed a 13 years of uninterrupted growth.

When Mr Carter joined the business in 1995 it was a £50 million company operating in the UK and Europe.

He moved it onto a worldwide stage and between 1995 and 2001 the business doubled in size.

In 2005 Fairline entered into a management buy-out with private equity group 3i and continued growing until 2008 when it was a £150 million business. It is now valued as a £100 million operation

For the third year in a row  the green (House of Commons)crew has beaten the red (House of Lords)crew in the race between Millbank Pier and the Palace of Westminster.

The Commons crew included Tory MPs George Freeman, Edward Leigh, Claire Perry and John Stevenson.

The Lords v Commons race is the grand finale of the annual regatta organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Rowing Group.

Solent coastguards who had deployed the Eastbourne lifeboat were also co-ordinating Shoreham lifeboat and Shoreham coastguard rescue teams after the air crash, in which part of one of the planes landed on the beach. 

Mark Sawyer, coxswain of the Eastbourne lifeboat said: 'We were working on the same frequencies so there were communication problems and we were 'bleeding' over each other. It did cause problems.' 

The 12-year-old ran up a £20,000 emergency services bill, making the call at the same time as the fatal Shoreham air crash. 

Sawyer described the incident. 'We got a call from Dover Coastguard that a 30-metre yacht was anchored and had suffered mechanical failure. The caller was not making much sense and was speaking Spanish and a translator was called in. He described seeing Beachy Head and Sovereign Tower. He said he had left Barcelona a few days earlier.' 

But when the crew were dispatched to the area they could not find the yacht, so a message was sent to all boats in the area and nearby fishing vessels were questioned. 

It caused coastguard lines to become jammed and meant the crew who headed to the yacht could not attend the crash. 

Yesterday the boy, a pupil at the Twin English Centre in St Anne’s Road, Eastbourne, was visited by Sussex Police. 

The crew of the Eastbourne lifeboat has also warned that responding to hoax calls at any time could cost lives if the lifeboat is needed for a real emergency elsewhere. 

Bob Jeffrey, a volunteer with the RNLI, said: 'A member of the public could have lost their life because we were in the wrong place.' 

The RNLI relies on donations to fund the lifeboat service and the fuel alone for the call-out cost £350. 

'Disruption to the station is a major problem. The coastguards and the police will follow it [the hoax call] up, and as in this case the people were identified and they will be dealt with by the police,' he said. 

Le Rourke, writing in the Guardian on Wednesday recounts his interview with Sarah.

 "By setting up on a canal boat," she explained, "we hope to promote a less hurried and harried lifestyle of idle pleasures, cups of tea, conversation, culture and, of course, curling up with an incomparably good Book Barge purchase." I was immediately sold. But why a canal boat? "I hoped that by creating a unique retail space, customers would realise how independent bookshops can offer a far more pleasurable shopping experience than they're likely to find online or on the discount shelves at supermarkets."

A few months later I received another email from Sarah. This time she informed me that she was about to embark on a six-month tour of the UK's canal network, incorporating a series of onboard author events along the way, including David Vann and Per Patterson, and wondered if I would like to read at one of her book clubs in London. The tour is a mammoth undertaking, as Sarah will be living on The Book Barge, hoping to swap books for the odd meal, or for the use of a shower along the way. (Most recently she offered to swap books for a mechanic to have a look at the engine – I hope she found one).

So, last week I stepped aboard the Book Barge on the Regent's Canal by The Narrow Boat pub for a planned reading and book signing event. At 7.30pm on a balmy evening, we set off along the canal, through Wenlock Basin and towards Islington Tunnel. The thing is I didn't get to read, as we were all enjoying ourselves so much it didn't seem right to spoil the fun, besides it has always been a geeky ambition of mine to travel through the Islington Tunnel (I have never seen so many spiders' webs in my life). It was the best (non)reading I have ever taken part in.

On the way, as Sarah navigated the barge along the canal, I managed to ask her just whom her average customers might be. "I've had school teachers and kids who are skiving school," she laughed, "tourists and a bride groom; the odd celebrity; a whole shop full of parents waiting for a Justin Bieber concert to end and most recently a bunch of drunkards diving off the roof into the canal at 5.00am on a Sunday morning. A good independent bookshop shouldn't have an average customer. The more diverse the custom, the better independents are doing at bringing books to the widest possible audience."

The Book Barge is a breath of genuinely fresh air and quite possibly the coolest bookshop in the UK. With a wonderful kids' section and an excellent selection of contemporary and secondhand fiction and non-fiction it makes for a pleasurable book-buying visit. At the moment, it is moored outside the Guardian offices in London. but be quick, the Book Barge sets off for Bath, Gloucester, Worcester, Manchester, Skipton, York and Derby soon. A full itinerary of events can be found here.

four fishermen were rescued when their boat capsized after it was hit by a freak wave.

The boat was catapulted 6ft into the air, hurling the four men into the Solent.

Martin Todd, 56, and  hgis son Shane, who were also out fishing off the coast of Hayling Island, rushed to their aid in their 22ft boat Be Lucky and dragged them to safety.

It was a race against time and tide as one of the men was not a strong swimmer and none was wearing life jackets.

Martin, a retired builder, of Kingsclere Avenue, Leigh Park, said: ‘We were coming into the bay. My son said to me, “stop, turn round, they’ve gone over”.

‘I looked round and I could see one chap on the top of the underside of the boat. The other three were in the water. One couldn’t swim.

‘I was driving the boat – if my son hadn’t seen them I hate to think what could have happened because there was no-one else around.

‘We were two miles out in the Solent. I span the boat around to get back to them. I couldn’t get too close because of the propeller. I had to keep turning it off.

‘It was a matter of trying to get as close as you could so we could pull them over one at a time.

‘Their clothes were ripped but they weren’t seriously hurt.

‘The look on the face of the man who couldn’t swim was panic-stricken. It was an awful thing to see.’

Shane, 30, said: ‘We had a hell of a job getting to them because of the current, but we managed to get all four into my father’s boat and take them back to the marina at Hayling Island.

‘He was very professional in the way he did it.’

Solent Coastguard received a call-out at 2.55pm on Sunday.

Spokesman Fred Caygill said: ‘They were picked up out of the water and brought back.

‘There was no need for us to go out.’

He added: ‘The coastguard is always very grateful for any assistance given by other boat users. Obviously we praise their efforts.’

The rescued fishermen, from Newbury, thanked the Todds, and particularly the swift actions of Martin.

One of the fishermen, a 59-year-old man who did not wish to be named, said: ‘I phoned him to thank him for what he did. He’s a hero. He was brilliant. He did what any self-respecting boater would do when he sees other boaters in trouble.’

But Martin said he did not feel like a hero and just reacted with his instinct.

He said: ‘It’s just something you do – it’s just one of those things.’

There were  six people onboard the 38ft (12m) Roche du Solent.

They radio'd for help after the ship had dragged anchor and hit a rock just south of Longis Bay.

The Alderney lifeboat "Roy Barker" was launched at 0511 BST and was on the spot within 15 minutes.

No-one in the crew was injured and the Granville-registered yacht was escorted to Braye Harbour by 0540 BST.

A lifeboat crew were sent to help free the 10m yacht ‘Belerian 2’ after it collided with a shingle bar at the entrance to the river just after 6am.

Harwich inshore lifeboat worked quickly in a falling tide to free the yacht but were unable to release it.

Two people onboard were taken to shore but Thames Coastguard said they will have to wait until this evening to salvage their boat.

Linssen Yachts has worked with Raymarine equipment for a number of years.  With the formation of the new Raymarine Nederland subsidiary, Linssen yachts has chosen to sign an exclusive supply agreement stating that it provides additional benefits for both the company and its customers. 

Linssen Yacht customers are able to personally select from Raymarine’s complete range of marine electronics; from multifunction displays to thermal imaging cameras, autopilots to man overboard safety systems.  Raymarine products ease of use ensures that everyone on board benefits from the latest state-of-the-art technology, providing higher levels of safety alongside easy access to navigational information and communication.  Linssen Yacht owners can now benefit from the new 3-year onboard warranty when the product is registered under Raymarine’s extended warranty scheme. 

Marc Ledieurt, Raymarine Area Sales manager for European Subsidiaries, says he is delighted that Linssen Yachts has chosen to stay with Raymarine for its exclusive supply agreement.  “This new agreement enables our new subsidiary Raymarine Nederland to partner directly with Linssen Yachts, giving excellent support to the company, their dealer network and their customers around the world.  I look forward to working with family Linssen and their teams in the coming months to develop our winning partnership as two of the most recognised brands in the leisure marine industry.”

The Standard takes a series of measurements on completed boats, from idle to full speed, to determine fuel consumption across the full range of the boats’ expected operation. An informative annex also proposes a graphical way of portraying optimal operation of a boat to achieve best fuel efficiency. The standard has been developed by ICOMIA and technical marine engine experts in consultation with national boat builders to meet the growing political pressure of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“We noted measurement of fuel consumption is common, both by boat builders and consumer magazines, so we are now introducing a standard method where there previously has been none,” said Udo Kleinitz, ICOMIA Technical Manager.

The standard can now be downloaded for free from the ICOMIA Online Library

Cobb’s Quay is one of just a handful of marinas in the country able to accommodate larger motoryachts, allowing boat owners to stay in the comfort of their cabins whilst taking in the top-class sailing action on the water. In addition, MDL’s Ocean Village Marina and Shamrock Quay are experiencing a similar increase in enquiries from large superyacht owners keen to secure a berth suitable for their yacht throughout the Olympic event.

MDL’s Windsor and Bray marinas are also in the thick of the on-water action, located just a few miles from Dorney Lake, which is playing host to all the Olympic rowing and flat water canoeing events.

With 2.3 million tickets up for grabs, and 46,000 already sold for the sailing event alone, local accommodation will be at a premium.  Local marinas can be an excellent option for visitors to the Olympics, when many others will be opting for expensive but substandard hotel accommodation. London-based boat owners can even use marinas like Penton Hook as a base to travel down the Thames and into the heart of the action.

Dean Smith, Marketing Director at MDL Marinas, commented: “We’re seeing a definite surge of interest relating to berths in marinas close to the 2012 Olympic sailing and rowing venues.  As boating enthusiasts have applied for and received confirmation of their Olympic tickets, they’ve been quick to source local berths. With enquires coming thick and fast, we expect that we’ll be fully booked for the 2012 games which might give us an excuse to set up our own little sporting village!”

Ark Royal is a light aircraft carrier that played a leading role in the Iraq invasion and was in service for 25 years. She is among a number of vessels put up for auction by the UK Ministry of Defense this year, including her sister carrier, HMS Invincible, which was sold for scrap in a £2m deal this spring, as reported by local media.

The MoD's disposal services authority will strip Ark Royal of her weapons, communications systems and other advanced military equipment before handing her over to the eventual buyer, according to its website. But a Chinese bid is still likely to stumble in the face of political sensitivity.

Another Hong Kong-based company bought the Ukrainian aircraft carrier Varyag in 1998, ostensibly for turning into a leisure boat. A few years later, it sold the Varyag to the Beijing military and the vessel has re-emerged this year as China's first aircraft carrier.

Mr. Huang is the beneficial owner of the little-known Hong Kong company, called Eagle Vantage Asset Management, which submitted the bid. Zhao Qi Guang, a spokesperson for the company, on Tuesday said that the offer was driven by purely commercial reasons.

Mr. Huang's conviction last year on fraud and corruption charges could also diminish his chances of doing business with the British government.

He is not the only bidder. The MoD has had to extend the offer deadline because of the amount of interest it received. There are companies that want to sink Ark Royal off Devon, in the south of England, and turn her into a diving wreck, for example, according to local reports.

There is another Chinese bidder. Lam Kin-bong, a Birmingham-based restaurateur with business interests in mainland China, failed to buy the Invincible despite making a high offer of £5m and he has returned with a bid for Ark Royal. His business partner involved in the previous auction said Mr. Lam would be bidding through a Portugal-registered company this time to avoid "political issues".

It is not clear how much the bids are and the MoD is expected to name the winner within weeks.

It is the fourth Nowka Bais boat race, and an estimated 2,000 people came to see 18 teams pit themselves against each other in traditional Bangladeshi boats.

Founder Aziz-Ur Rahman, who is also chairman of the Oxfordshire Bangladeshi Association, said: “The event is growing each year.

“It’s been such a wonderful day, a day of celebration of culture and diversity.”

Teams came from all over the country, and fans of the sport were bussed in from as far as Wales.

Among those taking part was Yousif Shahab, 19, from Abingdon, who rowed with the Oxford East Bengal Tigers .

He said: “It was really good, a good competition. This was my first day on the boat.

“It’s been a really good day.”

This new concept, dubbed a “botel” by its creator, would have a lobby, reception, bar and restaurant surrounded by a covered outer deck and multipurpose terrace, which has a swimming pool, nightclub and dance floor.

Individual rooms would come with solar cells to power the drive motors. They would also have GPS units to help keep track of guests who stray too far. Pods would also be able to return to base automatically at the push of a button, or be controlled remotely by hotel staff..

Filipovic also envisions the pods being able to dock with other modules such as a helicopter pad or tennis court.

The craft, which is 21 metres long, was launched on Monday and given a trial run down the River Usk.

It will now be used throughout the summer and for parts of the spring and autumn to provide the trips for locals and visitors.

Cardiff Bay Cruises owner Steve Woodward, who also runs Cardiff's aquabus service, said the boat was one of the first ones to be built in the city since the 1960s.

A SLEEK AGGRESSIVE DESIGN,

AN INDICATION OF PERFORMANCE

Rapidity, performance, safety and design. These key words class the Barracuda among the boats for sea adventurers, keen on well mastered power.

+ A powerful and noble design

+ Seafaring qualities and safety without compromise.

+ An aggressive hull, equipped with Air Step ©

Technology

The Air Step© hull guarantees optimal safety even at high speed in a rough sea.

As for the tulip shape of the bow, it provides protection against the sea. The stability when immobile has been increased thanks to a double bilge. This hull makes her exceptionally seaworthy and easy to handle!

+ An intelligent and practical deck plan

A must in a fi shing boat, the exterior « work » surfaces (cockpit and fore deck) are designed to be both spacious and functional, (removable seats, optional galley/storage furniture, plenty of storage.

Inside, we favour comfort when cruisng:

2 pilot seats plus co-pilot of the Bolster type, one dashboard ready to receive full electronic equipment.

Each hollow space is used as a storage locker and for storing equipment. It is also worth noting

the presence of the rear seat, facing the navigation station, where a meal/picnic space can be created inside with the rest of the crew.

The wheelhouse has a « walk around » layout : It can be accessed by 2 lateral sliding doors which enables good movement on board without losing space.

+ A powerful outboard for a cheaper price.

BENETEAU proposes Barracuda with an outboard engine :

Increased performance : 30 to 45 knots at top speed, with a reduced maximum engine power with single or twin engines, thanks to Air Step© technology

Due to its technology, the outboard engine is extremely reliable and reduces servicing costs.

Better comfort cruising : sound level and vibration reduced.

A price that is reduced by 20% in relation to an inboard !

Provisional specifications

Lenght overall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8,78 m • 28,81 ft

Hulll enght. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7,98 m • 26,18 ft

Hull beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,98 m • 9,78 ft

Light displacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 000 kg • 6 613,87 lb

Air draught . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,50/3,52* m • 8,20/11,55* ft

Max draught . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0,50/0,80 m • 1,64/2,62 ft

Fuel capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400 L • 105,68 gal

Water capacity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 L • 26,42 gal

Max engine power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .400 CV • 400 HP

CE Certifi cation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B6/C10

Architect / Designers

Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. Tableau

Interior layout and design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarrazin Design

Air Step© Patent : Patrick TABLEAU – Maud TRONQUEZ and Rémi LAVAL - JEANTET

He says, “Sailing is an ideal sport for team building and bonding. When you are confined to a sailing boat, surrounded by water, you have no option but to co-operate in a close-knit environment.”

Along with his qualifications in sailing, Simon’s corporate background is perhaps where Suffolk Coast Sailing’s area of expertise stems from; “Having worked for a major multi-national company for more than 30 years, living in the UK, Hong Kong and Malaysia, I understand the importance of business relationships and how they are developed,” explains Simon. “Suffolk Coast Sailing specialises in a range of corporate opportunities; team-building challenges, staff reward days, client entertainment, networking and business trips are all enjoyed on board EMMA.” 

The team flew a Plymouth America's Cup World Series banner from their boat and when back on dry land, made the most of the opportunity to distribute posters and leaflets while wearing promotional T-shirts.

Mr Young said: "This was an opportunity to promote Plymouth to one of the city's key target markets – other sailors.

"We didn't have much time to pull it together, but we made it happen through the positivity and creativity of some great Plymouth people and city-based businesses."

Marquis Motorhomes at Lee Mill provided a motorhome on loan at short notice so that the team would have somewhere to stay on the crowded Isle of Wight.

"The America's Cup World Series offers a huge opportunity for Plymouth to showcase our city on a world stage and to be a springboard to achieving some of our economic ambitions," said Mr Young.

"It's so much more than a yacht race – albeit a major international one.

"I look forward to seeing lots more examples of creativity and ingenuity from across the business community showing how they are making the most of this hugely exciting opportunity."

Read the article in full and see all the pictures on TNT today
Narrow bunk beds, tiny cooking hobs and compromising bathrooms make for a cosy living experience but that’s all part of the charm. Rainy days become the perfect excuse to huddle inside playing card games, and when the sun shines, you can bask on the roof or walk alongside on the towpaths. 

To hop aboard, simply choose a UK waterway you’d like to cruise through and contact one of the region’s barge hire companies.

A narrow boat that sleeps up to four people will cost between £430 – £1000 per week, depending on the season and quality of the boat. 

You don’t need a license to drive a canal boat although you will be expected to stick to the speed limit and to follow The Waterways Code. All information will be provided at a tutorial when you pick up your boat – you’ll be cruising down the canalways in no time.

The Oxford Canal

Considered to be one of the most scenic waterways in Britain, the Oxford Canal links with the River Thames at Oxford and then crosses the picturesque Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire countryside. Passing through the historical towns of Rugby, Banbury and Coventry, this 78-mile long canal was once a vital trade route between the Midlands and London. Allow one week to glide along this canal route. 

» canalguide.co.uk

The Worcester and Birmingham Canal

For the majority of the 30-mile stretch connecting the two cities you’ll pass little more than solitary lock keeper’s cottages and the odd village pub. 

Closer to Birmingham you’ll brush by the Dickensian Cadbury’s Factory, built in 1879. The factory relied so heavily on the waterways to receive raw materials it built their own fleet of canals and even a workers’ village – all of which can now be toured by visitors. This route can be covered in two days.

The Bearley Aqueduct

This impressive feat of Victorian engineering carries the Stratford canal on cast iron and brick pillars 11m above the fields. Built in the early 1800s, the 250-yard aqueduct is still the longest in Britain. Allow one day to tour.  

 

The Norfolk Broads

The UK’s largest nationally protected wetland has had locals working and living with the marshlands since Medieval times. With more than 2500 miles of interconnected rivers and canals in the region there are a number of routes to consider.

Popular start or end points include Norwich to the west of the canal network, Great Yarmouth on the east coast, or the pretty town of Wroxham. Allow anything from one-day to two weeks to cruise the Broads.

The depth at the site was 20 meters, it said.

Irina Andrianova of the Emergencies Ministry in Moscow said there were 135 passengers and 47 crew onb oard when the double-decker went down.

Authorities say a ship rescued some 75 passengers, while the body of an unidentified woman and one injured man were sent to a hospital.

Russia's Vesti 24 television quoted a survivor as saying that the boat "tilted to the right and sank within minutes".

Emergency teams from neighbouring regions rushed to the site of the tragedy, and Tatarstan's leader Rustam Minnikhanov interrupted his holiday to return to the region.

The Volga, Europe's largest river in terms of length and discharge, is up to 19 miles wide. The river is a popular tourist destination, especially in the summer months. Most of Russia's largest cities are located in the Volga River basin.

The boat, called Bulgaria, was made in the late 1950s in Czechoslovakia and belongs to a local tourism company. It was going to the regional capital, Kazan, from the town of Bulgar.

A tourism expert said the lack of partitions inside the Bulgaria made it vulnerable to breaches. "It case of an accident these ships sink within minutes," Dmitri Voropayev, head of the Samara Travel company, told the Ria Novosti news agency

The yacht will join Pendennis’ impressive roster of over 30 new build projects, completed in their extensive 150m long covered dry dock facility. With over 20 years of combined refit and new build experience, Pendennis is proud to be partnering with leading multihull naval architects Van Peteghem Lauriot Prévost (VPLP) – designers of the 33rd America’s Cup winning multihull – and the obvious choice to offer their unique experience to such a specialised project. Celebrated superyachtinterior designers Michael Leach Design and the entire team behind the build have pooled their respective talents and expertise to accomplish the execution of this groundbreaking vessel. The result is an innovative design brimming with creatively practical features that blend speed and stability with both space and style to encompass the pure essence of innovation in the multihull market.

With a draft of just over 3m (9.8ft), Hemisphere ensures ease of manoeuvrability and the scope to cruise shallow draft destinations inaccessible to monohulls of comparable size. Decks and rig are remarkably uncluttered as visible deck hardware has been minimised and the 58m (190ft) high mast soars free of spreaders with all lines run internally. Tenders are also stowed out of sight and the port transom houses a full watersports and dive locker served by a large hydraulic swim platform.

Destined for the luxury yacht charter market in tropical climates, Hemisphere boasts a spacious flybridge with jacuzzi, sunpads and shaded dining along with a vast indoor/outdoor living area on the main deck. Michael Leach Design’s relaxed, elegant interior is the epitome of contemporary chic and the yacht’s exceptional volume offers a high degree of luxury without a trace of glitz. Dark wood floors are offset by a soothing neutral colour palette with innumerable customised touches such as seventeen different types of granite and sixteen leather finishes, creating an ‘island living meets deluxe Pacific Rim ambience’.

Accommodation for 12 guests is arranged in 5 comfortable ensuite cabins and the yacht will operate with a professional crew of 8.

Hemisphere’s inaugural season this summer will be enjoyed by her owners in the Mediterranean. Burgess has been appointed to manage the yacht’s charter programme which will commence this winter in the Caribbean with charter rates starting at EUR 175,000 per week. Following this, she will transit the Panama Canal into the South Pacific for summer 2012. Conceptualised and built for cruising the tropics, Hemisphere is certain to set a new benchmark for luxury charters in some of the most exotic locations on the planet.

Hemisphere will make her debut at the Monaco Yacht Show in September, showcased by Pendennis with Burgess as co-exhibitor.

Sarah Brooke, Raymarine UK Sales & Marketing Executive, says; “Raymarine is delighted to be introducing its new product range at the Southampton Boat Show. It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase our latest developments to the public, and to offer advice on how they fit our customer’s specific needs. Ultimately we want to help people get the most out of their boating, whatever the age of their boat, and our extended new product range will certainly enable us to do this.”

During the show, Raymarine will be demonstrating its support for the National Historic Ships, the official voice for historic vessels in the UK. On Saturday 17th September, Raymarine UK will present over £4000 worth of prizes to the winner of a special competition, which has been run in conjunction with the organisation. One lucky winner will receive an AIS transceiver (Automatic Identification System) and a C120W chartplotter from Raymarine. The competition promotes the use of electronic navigational equipment to increase safety at sea, and is open to owners of craft on the National Register of Historic Vessels.

The deadline for competition entries is Monday 15th August with entries to be submitted via the National Historic Ships’ website - www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk. 

The evolution of a seed-inspired anti-fouling coating. From extreme left: Dypsis rivularis seeds; Electron microscope image of the seed surface; Electron microscope image of the artificial surface based on the seeds; Test panel of artificial surface after 12 weeks in the North Sea, showing minimal fouling.

"These plants have seeds which are dispersed by the ocean currents. As it is an advantage for these seeds to remain free of fouling to allow them to disperse further, we guessed they might have specialised surfaces we could mimic," explains Katrin Muhlenbruch, a PhD researcher who is presenting this work at the Society for Experimental Biology Annual Conference in Glasgow on the 4th of July 2011.

The researchers floated seeds from 50 species in the North Sea for 12 weeks. The seeds of 12 species showed no fouling at all. "We then began by examining the micro-structure of the seeds' surfaces, to see if we could translate them into an artificial surface.

However, the phone too lost power, although a rough position had been passed and the coastguards were able to plot his position and pass it to the lifeboat. The lifeboat launched at 11.09 pm, with a suggested position for the yacht some three and a half miles off Blackhead.

Using eyesight, radar and a white parachute flare, the crew managed to locate the unlit yacht in less than an hour.

A tow rope was then attached and the boat was bought safely into the Pendennis Marina at 3am.

A spokesman for the RNLI said: “Sailing from the Azores to the UK Lady Lesley encountered some very bad weather off the Bay of Biscay, with winds gusting to 70 knots and very rough and confused seas. This was when the yacht lost all power.

“The batteries were flat; she had no engine, communications or lights, but Skipper David Bussey, whose home is in Brentwood Essex, managed to continue on his way.

“However, when he was found off Blackhead he was extremely tired and very grateful when he saw the lights of the lifeboat heading toward him.

“His intentions now are to stay in the Falmouth area for as long as it takes to sort out his power problems before continuing on his way.

Record-breaker Gary Copeland from Tideswell in Derbyshire, has never done this Race before but he and his wife brought a boat called FRANZI three years ago that is familiar with the course. FRANZI is 26ft Classic long keel wooden sloop built by Cowes Boatbuilding Company in 1961. She is one of a pair designed by George Marvin and was raced regularly in the 1960s in the Junior Offshore Group (JOG). She last sailed in the Round the Island Race in 2001. Gary will sail with his wife Caroline and his sister Gillian with whom he was brought up sailing dinghies in Anglesey.

This entry number overtakes the previous record set in 2008 and serves to underline that Britain's favourite yacht race can proudly maintain its status as the 4th largest participation sporting event held in the UK, annually attracting around 16,000 sailors.

Commenting on such a major achievement in this landmark year, the ISC's Commodore Rod Nicholls said, "Everyone at the ISC is very excited at the prospect of hosting a record-breaking entry fleet to Cowes on June 25th. We could even reach more entries by Race Day so the office sweepstake isn't won yet!"

Meanwhile, Race Partner Henri Lloyd will be hoping to break their own record in a J80 HENRI LLOYD owned by Ian Atkins and crewed by Dan Brown and others. They scored a Class win in 2009's Race, were the National Champions in 2010 and are competing in the Worlds in Copenhagen week after the Round the Island Race.

The very talented sailor Henry Bomby, from Totnes, Devon, who raced in his first Round the Island Race in 2010 whilst on a 'stopover' during his Round Britain challenge and scored a highly creditable 26th overall, is back this year skippering a J80 TEAM BALTI.

Haven Knox-Johnston have entered Keith Lovett's HJK FIRESTARTER, a Match 35 and we're happy to see Jo Richards back with his Richards 20, MOO (previously named Moonspray).

Globetrotters

The famous classic racing yacht GIPSY MOTH IV is entered this year. She's the pretty Illingworth & Primrose-designed 53 footer on which Sir Francis Chichester sailed single-handed around the world in 1966-67. Owing to the generosity of her new owners, Rob Thompson and Eileen Skinner, the boat is being retained and preserved as a key part of the country’s national maritime heritage, managed by youth maritime charity UKSA who are using the boat in their work of giving disadvantaged and disabled young people the opportunity to change their lives through on-the-water activities.

GIPSY MOTH IV has previously been used by UKSA to sail the world with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, learning difficulties or suffering from cancer.

The owner of SAGA OF SAKROW, retired Captain RN, John Trinder, tells of this 40 sq m one-off design built in Berlin in 1936 and bought by his father, AVM Frank Trinder, early in 1946. This boat has certainly seen some action!

She was put on a train travelling through East Germany and shot at by Russian soldiers, her bullet holes were repaired in Hamburg, then she was shipped to Tilbury Docks. She spent early 1947 tied to a bank at Teddington with planks round the bow to prevent ice floe damage. She was then sailed round to Calshot (RAFYC) then to Birdham, then Portsmouth (where HMS Warrior is now) and John took over ownership from his father in 1963 and moved to HMS Hornet in Gosport, where he has kept her for 48 years and cruised the channel. Having already piped onboard his 6 grand-sons, John's only grand-daughter will join the crew in July at 3 months old, completing five generations who have been onboard! John Trinder first entered the Race in 1950 and we are delighted to welcome him, his family and his boat back to Cowes on Race Day.

We're not making it up when we say that this Race is truly an international affair. Another foreign-built entry is SANTANA, the Capo 30 from San Francisco, California. This is her 15th year of entering and she's skippered by Myles Perrin

Furthermore, the crew of the French entry PUNNANY, a Beneteau 36.7 skippered by Sebastian Delasnerie, are turning up from all over the globe for a crew reunion on this Race, flying in from Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Buenos Aires and Paris.

TOKOLOSHE is one of two boats in the Race going by this name, the other one being a King 40 racing in IRC Group 1. This one, racing in IRC Group 3 is a Hunter 19 owned by South African born Harry Ellens from Lymington, Hampshire. Having arrived from South Africa with little spare cash but always wanting to do the Race he has set about seeing if it was possible to do the Race for under £4,000 pounds including the cost of purchasing the boat. At the time of entering he had spent £3,719.00 with only guardrail wires to fit!

HOLLYWOOD is the name of an Elan 344 Impression from Hollywood in Northern Ireland owned and skippered by Nigel Northridge. He says he's a proud Irishman who as sailed all his life and is an excellent helmsman. He "enjoys a full Irish breakfast before each race, the breakfast of champions!"

John Taylor has fifty years of experience of doing this Race under his belt and is returning on 25th June with J'RONIMO, a J92 from Hamble in Hampshire.

Team players

The Sea Scouts have been in the news recently as having suffered from a lack of new members. We are therefore delighted to welcome HAMBLE SEA SCOUTS, a Cork 1720 Sportsboat owned by the Hamble Sea Scout Group and skippered by John Dyke. There are over 10,000 Scout Groups in the UK, of which about 350 are Sea Scouts Groups and of these only 100 Sea Scout troops, including Hamble, are recognised by the Royal Navy. Royal Navy recognition allows the Group to fly a Blue Burgee and a Defaced Red Ensign. The Hamble Group is one of the largest in the country, with over 200 members ranging from 8-25 years old. Five Scouts have been selected to participate in the Race this year.

Another Hamble connection is through a yacht named ETERNITY OF HAMBLE whose owners Pat and Erica Jackson come from Sutton-under-Brailes in Oxfordshire. She's the first-ever Bowman 42 built in 1997 and has achieved six Atlantic crossings. Skipper Pat lists his own racing feats as Admiral's Cup GB Team, Southern GB Team and Onion Patch GB Team.

The Farr 45 EXABYTE 4 is another well-known name in racing circles and her skipper and crew for this year's Race, no less so. She is skippered by her charterer Peter Erzberger, Commodore of the Gstaad Yacht Club in Switzerland and a former Olympic Star sailor who is celebrating his 70th birthday and joined on board by such names as Bryn Vaile MBE (Gold in 1988), Mike McIntyre MBE (Gold 1988) and Marc Erzberger, all former Olympians.

Fond recollections

PRIMA DONNA is the only Morgan Giles 30 taking part in this historic event. It was probably the last model to come out of the Morgan Giles yard in Teignmouth, Devon. Designed by the Chief Designer Kenneth Collyer in 1964, the Morgan Giles 30 was based loosely on an earlier design known as the ‘West Channel Class'. This boat has classic lines as you might expect and has great sea keeping qualities.

Peter Knight first entered the Race in 2008 when he sailed PRIMA DONNA up from Falmouth to take part as a complete novice. Since then he has relocated back to Hythe, Southampton Water, where he grew up. "This Race has become a permanent fixture in my sailing calendar and with my two regular crew we are really looking forward to a fabulous day on the 25th of June. I know that every owner loves their boat and you probably get lots of messages like this, but I can say that my first RTI in 2008 was the first sailing race that I had ever entered and it was just the most exhilarating sailing experience ever."

Peter says he looks forward to the RTI every year now because it is his "London Marathon". He continues, "I love being on the water and I relish every chance I have to sail the boat. For me whilst I sail the best race I can, it really IS the taking part that counts. I am a great fan of the ISC and grateful for all the work that goes in to provide people like me with an opportunity to take part in this fantastic event."

Finally, we return to sail number THETA 1 SOPRANINO, an entry I wrote about back in March but which delightfully has brought forth a fondly recalled memory from naval architect Colin Mudie who sailed on her with Patrick Ellam back in 1951 when she left Falmouth to sail the Atlantic. In 2000, Brian Yeomans and Mark Wynter, her 2011 Race skipper, went to Newport, Rhode Island and got her shipped back to the UK for restoration at the Classic Boat Museum in Newport, Isle of Wight. This is how Colin remembers her:

"Sopranino was a world class boat by any standard you could judge her by. She would do anything for you. You could sail her in crowded harbours like any dinghy and she would surf down a wave front and rise to the next one with total confidence in harsh conditions off shore. She was small enough and light enough to sail anywhere and she was up for practical jokes. We would, for instance, read The Times while trapezing in serious races and we used to sail her up the Lymington river with neither of us on deck by steering from inside with no more than codlines."

A South Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: “At 1.25am at Marine Village on Penarth Road, a call was received about a boat on fire. Penarth and Central fire stations attended but the boat had sunk.”

Rob Freemantle, operational director at Penarth Marine Village, said the boat was not one of the marina’s vessels. He said: “I was shocked to find out about it".

Inspector Emma Tyler, of South Wales Police, said: “It appears someone has released it and set it alight under the flyover.”

During the day the Duke will have the chance to show off his flying skills when he takes part in a dramatic helicopter drill.

William, an RAF Search and Rescue pilot, will join the crew of a Canadian Sea King helicopter in making a controlled landing on water know as "waterbirding".

William and Kate will also learn about Canada's history at Province House in Charlottetown where they will meet "Founder Fathers" in period costume before the Duke gives a speech.

As part of their day the couple will take part in a walkabout, enjoy different types of music from the Maritime provinces, including Arcadian, Celtic and First Nations, and sample local delicacies - such as chocolate covered potato crisps and the region's famous lobster.

The relaxed community atmosphere continues when the Duke and Duchess join youngsters playing beach sports on the dunes before going on to Summerside to meet officers from the Canadian Force's search and rescue unit, their families and people saved by the service.

At the end of the day the Royal Canadian Air Force will take them on their longest trip within the country to the remote city of Yellowknife, capital of the Northwest Territories which is above 60 degrees latitude so the sun is unlikely to set during their stay.

a Nimrod aircraft was in the area on exercise.

"The pilot was aware of the position but wasn't called."

Scarborough lifeboat reached the Tamara just over 25 minutes after being called.

The crew attached a line to the boat and towed it back to Scarborough harbour, where local coastguards assisted the lifeboat crew.

The two-man fishing crew were not hurt in the incident.

COYCH was founded in 1982 and is affiliated to the French Sailing Federation. COYCH boasts a highly qualified technical staff and secretariat, with a high level of experience in running world class events. Further news and developments about COYCH can be followed on their website: www.coych.org

In recent years, the Laser SB3 Class has received numerous requests from Yacht Clubs in sailing hot spots around the World to host the classes World Championships. Bid documents are completed by interested Clubs and submitted to the Laser SB3 World Council for review and debate. It's never an easy task for the World Council members choosing from such high calibre invitations, but the acid test for decision making is whether the venue will deliver a high number of entries for a Championship as was the case for the last two Championships: 107 boats at Lake Garda in 2010 and 103 boats at Torquay UK. "With the proximity of strong Italian fleet, with 35 Laser SB3 and the Portugese fleet with 30 Laser SB3, as well as the attraction of the Côte d'Azur in late summer, Hyeres was the best choice for the Laser SB3 class," explained Russo.

Ahead of the 2013 World Championships in Hyeres, the Laser SB3 Fleet will compete at a European Championships in Medemblik, Netherlands, 1-7 September 2012 followed by the World Championships at Hamilton Island, Australia, 13-20 December 2012.

With 40 hulls currently in production, the Laser SB3 continues to grow strongly around the world.

Princess Yachts managing director Chris Gates said: "We already have a superbly skilled workforce in Plymouth and we now need to ensure that we can put in place the facilities for the next chapter in the Princess story."

The company said it had applied for the money from the Government's Regional Growth Fund.

The plans were approved by Plymouth City Council in 2010.

Waterford City Council and Port of Waterford are the lead delivery agencies for The Tall Ships Races 2011 in Waterford having successfully bid to host the race series which previously started from Waterford in 2005.

Bulmers and Waterford Crystal are the host port partners for The Tall Ships Races 2011 in Waterford while RTÉ are media partners and Waterford Institute of Technology are education partners. Waterford’s hosting of the race series is also supported by Fáilte Ireland.

500 volunteers from Waterford and the southeast will work to ensure the safe and successful hosting of The Tall Ships Races in a city with a maritime tradition dating back almost 11 centuries to 914AD when a fleet of Viking warships sailed up the Suir.

Waterford was once home to some of the most sophisticated shipbuilding operations of the 19th Century and was Ireland’s leading location for iron shipbuilding from the mid-1840s to the early 1860s when it was overtaken by Belfast. Several transatlantic passenger liners of this period were steamships built in Waterford – including Cella; Iowa; William Penn and Indiana.

Hellas, a 92ft schooner built at White’s shipyard in Waterford in 1832 for Bewley’s of Dublin was the first ship to bring tea directly from China to Ireland when 2,099 chests of tea were shipped from Canton to Kingstown.

In 2011, the international fleet of Tall Ships from 12 countries will sail with more than 1,400 professional crew and trainees from Waterford to Greenock, Scotland – birthplace of engineer and innovator James Watt. Later host ports for The Tall Ships Races 2011 are Lerwick, Shetland Isles; Stavanger, Norway and Halmstad, Sweden.

6,662 trainees participated on board 120 vessels during The Tall Ships Races 2010. To coincide with Waterford’s hosting of The Tall Ships Races 2011, an attempt is to be made to break the Guinness World Record for the largest number of costumed pirates at a single location. The current record of 6,166 was set in Sussex, England in 2010.

The Sail Training International Friendship Trophy is awarded each year to the vessel which, in the opinion of the captains and crews of all the vessels taking part in The Tall Ships Races, has done most to promote international friendship and understanding. In 2010, the trophy went to Shabab Oman (Oman).

One of the trainees participating in The Tall Ships Races each year receives the Torbay Cup for outstanding achievement and personal effort during the race series. Stephanie Chung, a trainee on Pelican of London, received the award in 2010 when she was part of the crew from Antwerp, Belgium to Aalborg, Denmark.

Waterford-man Capt Liam Keating has been at the helm of several Tall Ships, including periods as Master on Stavros S Niarchos and Prince William, the sail training vessel he brought to Waterford for The Tall Ships Races 2005.

 The Irish Naval Service’s LE Aoife will be in Waterford for The Tall Ships Races 2011 as will Credine, the sail training yacht of the Irish Naval Service Reserve.

 While the fleet is in Waterford, the visiting Tall Ships will generally be open to the public from approximately 10am-4pm daily, though this will vary to some degree from ship to ship, depending on their other commitments.

Ireland will be represented in The Tall Ships Races from Waterford to Greenock by Celtic Mist - the yacht donated by the family of former Taoiseach, the late CJ Haughey, to the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group.

The largest Tall Ships are categorised as ‘Class As’. This applies to all square–rigged vessels (barque, barquentine, brig, brigantine or ship rigged) and all other vessels more than 40 metres Length Overall (LOA), regardless of rig. Smaller vessels are designated as Class B, Class C or Class D.

18. The Class A Tall Ships due in Waterford are Astrid (Netherlands); Christian Radich (Norway); Eendracht (Netherlands); Europa (Netherlands); Gloria (Colombia); Jean de la Lune (UK); Lord Nelson (UK); Mir (Russia); Pelican of London (UK); Pogoria (Poland); Royalist (UK); Sorlandet (Norway) and Wylde Swan (Netherlands).

Astrid was built in 1918 and served as a motor ship on the Baltic Sea. It was extensively rebuilt in 1999-2000 and has cabin space for 24 people on longer voyages.

Christian Radich functioned as a sail training vessel from 1937 to 1998 and is now used for winter training by the Norwegian Navy. The ship has 1,360-sq metres of sail a main mast of 37.7 metres in height and almost nine kilometres of rope.

 Europa’s global journeys have earned it the nickname ‘Ocean Wanderer’ and it spends each winter in Antarctica.. Eendracht is a regular participant in The Tall Ships Races and was commissioned by HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands in August 1989.

Celebrating 100 years afloat in 2011, Europa is a 55-metres barque.

Gloria is 67 metres long and has a Colombian Naval crew of 10 officers; 37 non-commissioned officers; 70 students; three Marines and 10 civilians. The Colombian national flag that flies aboard Gloria is so large that it takes six people to hoist and lower.

The 100-ft Jean de la Lune dates from France in the 1950s and is Scotland’s sail training vessel. The brigantine has capacity for 14 trainees and six crew members.

Returning from its home port of St Petersburg, Russia to Waterford having previously been in the city for The Tall Ships Races 2005, Mir is the second largest sail training vessel afloat at almost 110 metres in length.With capacity for a crew of 199, including 144 cadets, Mir has 2,771-sq metres of sail and its main mast is 50 metres in height. Mir is owned and operated by the Admiral Makarov State Maritime Academy.

 Pelican of London was originally built in 1946 as a long-distance fishing vessel but only its hull remains after a major reconstruction to make it fit for sail training and other uses from its home port of Weymouth, England.

The barque Pogoria is almost 50 metres in length and is owned and operated by the Sail Training Association of Poland. The ship can accommodate up to 50 crew and trainees.

 Sorlandet is the oldest full-rigged shop in operation having been built in 1927 at Kristiansand, Norway, a host port for The Tall Ships Races 2010.

Royalist is a brig that is just over 28 metres in length. 40 years afloat this year, its home port is Portsmouth, England and it is owned and operated by the Sea Cadets, the UK’s largest maritime youth charity who use it with some 800 cadets each year.

In recognition of their contribution to sail training and their ship’s presence in Waterford, each visiting captain will be presented with a specially commissioned piece of Waterford Crystal from the House of Waterford Crystal on The Mall in Waterford.

Dublin is among the host ports for The Tall Ships Races 2012 along with St Malo, France; Lisbon, Portugal; Cadiz, Spain and La Coruna, Spain.

At 10.00pm their cries for help yielded several 999 calls from members of the public to Thames Coastguard, who sent the rescue helicopter from RAF Wattisham, requested the launch of the West Mersea RNLI lifeboat, and sent the Bradwell Coastguard Rescue Team to the scene.  At 10.20 pm the coastguard rescue team spotted the dinghy from the shoreline and the lifeboat picked the three men up and brought them back ashore, where they were met by an ambulance and given medical attention.

Thames Coastguard Watch Manager Aimee Rampton said:

"The three men had been in the water for an hour and a half and had drifted a quarter of a mile out to sea when they were picked up by the lifeboat.  Had it not been for their lifejackets keeping them afloat whilst they clung to the boat and shouted for help, this story could have had a very different ending.”

Among the Gwent teams taking part were The Theatre Titans from the Royal Gwent Theatre and The Ridgeway pub, Newport, team who donned Flower Power outfits.

Qualifying heats took place before the grand final.

The winning team was OPCO Construction, of Cardiff, who completed the course in 47 seconds, followed by The Ridgeway public house, Newport, team ‘Flower Power’ and The Cavemen, made up of friends from Newport, who came third.

The winners of the fancy dress competition was the ‘Where’s Wally’ team from Esporta, Cwmbran.

Kris Broome, of St David’s Foundation said: “The weather has been fantastic and hundreds of people have come to support the event. Families have also enjoyed the entertainment on the riverside to help raise muchneeded funds,” he said.

The BAE Systems team from Glascoed, who dressed as sumo wrestlers, won the prize for raising the most money for the charity, after raising £1,600.

Paul Garrod, chairman of the lifeboat, said: “It’s been a really fantastic event and we are over the moon. We had music all the weekend and the crowds stayed throughout.”

The family friendly event ran from Friday, June 24 through to today at the lifeboat station.

As well as real ales available there were three traditional ciders also on offer, as well as a lager, wines and soft drinks.

The Scratch Band performed on Saturday night with other performances from It Takes Two, Left IV Dead, Annie’s Jazz Friends and The Old Codgers.

Mr Garrod said: “Thanks to the generosity of suppliers, we have kept our costs to a minimum and most of the beer was donated.

“We just need to keep raising funds. The lifeboat costs £160,000 to run every year and we hope to have raised £5000 over the weekend.

“It’s also one event the whole crew can enjoy too; they can sit and relax. We’ve also had helpers come along.”

The Bernard Matthews II is the UK’s fastest all-weather lifeboat and went into service at Caister in 2004. The charity, which is independent of the RNLI, is now working out the costs of a major overhaul that would see the two Volvo engines, drive shafts and turbine jets removed, repaired and refitted.

It is also the first of only two offshore lifeboats in the UK that is independent of the RNLI.

Mr Garrod added: “The event has brought the community together in Caister. There were lots of kids running around and playing on the bouncy castle and the rides. The atmosphere was fantastic. People were dancing away to the bands. It was a good day for the community.”

Mr Garrod also confirmed the team are already planning to hold another beer festival next year.

Caister Lifeboat’s next event is the annual fete, which takes place on Caister beach on Sunday, August 7. The team will also be at the Royal Norfolk Show on Wednesday and Thursday.

• For more information about getting involved or donating call Mr Garrod on 07775 604668 or visit www.caisterlifeboat.org.uk

Telefonica Blue, is the boat that Team Sanya has now purchased and she will be called Sanya Lan from now onwards. Telefonica Bluecompeted in the 2008 - 2009 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race and finished in third position on the podium.

Mike Sanderson, Skipper, explained the reasons behind the team selecting this boat: “We had a number of options on which boat to buy, all the boats available had their merits. Our decision to go forTelefonica Blue in the end was based around the fact that we believe the boat gives us the best chance to be on the podium as often as possible. This campaign is very late in getting going, and there is no doubt that we are handicapped by having to use an older generation boat. That said, we know we need to pitch the boat’s performance into a corner and Telefonica Blue last time was very quick in the light and moderate conditions and potent during inshore racing. Seeing the new boats launched so far, it appears she still might be okay in these conditions, only time will tell of course, but we do feel that she will offer us a great opportunity to have our 'day in the sun'. Those of you that remember my daily logs from my last race will remember that I can get quite superstitious, so she will be named Sanya Lan (Lan means Blue in Chinese) to keep the Sea Gods happy!”.

The team now sail the boat from its current base in Sanxenxo, Vigo in North West Spain to Hamble, Southampton in the UK where it will undergo a refit and makeover that is sure to reflect the colourful and dynamic image of Sanya.

David Duff, Chief Operating Officer for Team Sanya, who has been managing the boat selection and purchase process and will lead the shore team through the boat refit programme, added his thoughts,

“Our new Team Sanya race boat will leave Sanxenxo in Spain on Sunday 26 June and will be sailed to the UK where she will enter a boat build facility for 4-5 weeks. The Team Sanya shore team are ready and waiting to make her into our own. As to what modifications we will make, all I can say for now is that she is getting an exciting new paint job!! The rest, you will have to keep a very close eye on! We aim to be completed and ready to hit the water in early August.

SEA RESCUE authorities are searching for a yacht which disappeared off Kei Mouth South Africa after requesting assistance in very rough seas on Saturday.

The yacht, manned by a solo French sailor whose name could not be confirmed last night, has not been heard from since Saturday evening.

Searches from both sea and air had yielded no results at the time of going to press last night.

Maritime authorities were hoping the yacht had managed to sail off when weather conditions improved .

The 12m vessel, named So Long, was 22 nautical miles (about 40.7km) north- east of East London when it ran into trouble due to engine problems.

However, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) could not immediately provide assistance because of rough seas, said NSRI East London station commander Geoff McGregor.

"Sea swells at the time were roughly 7m to 8m and there were very strong winds," he said.

Throughout Saturday, the skipper was in constant contact with the Cape Town-based Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC), which he called from a satellite telephone.

But the communication lines were lost during the early hours yester day.

"NSRI East London were placed on high alert along with the NSRI Air Sea Rescue team, the AV8 helicopter company, and the SA Air Force 15 Squadron, Charlie Flight," McGregor said.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) chief for shipping, Sobantu Tilayi, confirmed that the skipper had requested assistance.

"The vessel ran into trouble sometime on Saturday, and made contact with us looking for a place where they could take shelter," he said.

"When the weather is as bad as it was one doesn’t want to be out in open seas, and we advised him to anchor off a place on the Kei coast."

Samsa houses the MRCC South Africa region which co-ordinates sea rescues all over southern Africa.

He said the centre kept in contact with the ship until operators in Cape Town directed the ship to a shelter near Kei Mouth.

"As we normally do in these situations, we dispatched a signal to ships in the area and also alerted the NSRI. After the vessel managed to take shelter late last night, the alert was uplifted," said Tilayi.

However, by mid-morning yesterday, the NSRI could not locate the vessel where it was expected to be anchored.

Eventually the search was abandoned because of bad weather. The search started again yesterday afternoon.

"No sign of the yacht and the solo sailor have been found and vessels along the coast have been requested to keep a look-out," McGregor said.

He said the conditions at sea made work very difficult as wind speed got up to 45 knots (about 83km/h).

Tilayi also said because of language barriers with the Frenchman, and the poor quality of the connection on Saturday, it could not be established where the vessel was headed, or from where it came.

The skipper was the only person on board the vessel.

Day two brought light to medium winds in glorious Solent sunshine and was shaping up to be a battle between Hatton, a member of Itchenor Sailing Club and, with Verster, a Chichester Yacht Club member, and overnight leader Andy Hill, who had a one-point advantage.

The two battled it out in the first race with Hill coming out on top, closely followed by Hatton. In a three-race one-discard regatta only an outright win by Hatton in the final race could bring a regatta victory.

This was a pressure situation for Hatton and Hill ramped up the pressure with a well-executed tactical attack on Hatton which first forced him to sail away from the start line and then pushed both yachts over the line before the start gun.

Hatton made a good recovery and a tacking duel followed with Hill leading. Hatton clawed his way back in front of Hill only to find another yacht rounding the penultimate mark in front of him. Hatton managed to overtake the other yacht on the last leg to win the regatta by the narrowest possible margin. Ian Luddington (skipper) collected the trophy on behalf of the team of nine.

By tomorrow night she needs the $80,000 entry fee, which she has been fundraising for all year.

Yesterday, her mother Linda Blair said her fundraising could fall short by a mere $3000.

It would follow a tremendous effort, which included a 1000km bike ride.

Lisa, who is currently training in England, plans to join the Clipper 2011-12 Round the World Yacht Race.

The 11-month journey will take her across the Atlantic Ocean, the South Atlantic, the Southern Ocean, the Java and South China seas as well as the Pacific Ocean.

Leaving from the UK in August, the race will be staged in eight legs with 15 individual races, ending in July next year.

Lisa Blair, who is undergoing her Yacht Masters in the UK, plans to take part in the Clipper 2011-12 Round the World Yacht Race but may fall short on funds.

Lisa’s fundraising has included a charity bike ride from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast, covering more than 1000km to raise funds.

While she is in the UK, Lisa is also studying hard to do her yacht masters.

The Staithes Inshore Lifeboat and the RNLI lifeboat from Redcar were sent to the scene.

A coastguard rescue team from Staithes was sent to prepare for the arrival of the men back on shore and Skinningrove coastguard rescue team was sent to monitor the incident from Hunt Cliff.

The two men were brought back to Staithes in a lifeboat and were transferred to the James Cook Hospital, Middlesbrough, to be checked for possible hypothermia, cold water shock and secondary drowning, an MCA spokesman said.

Mike Puplett, Watch Manager at Humber Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, said: ''These two men were extraordinarily lucky.

''Not only did another boat happen upon them but with just one lifejacket between them they managed to stay afloat for 90 minutes.

''Lifejackets are useless unless worn and incidents like this show why. Boats do sink without warning and the MCA recommends that lifejackets should be worn at all times while on deck.

Firefighters in a rescue boat on the River Ouse at Selby last year 

Steve Howley, of the Fire Brigades Union, said eight people had been rescued by boat over the past year from the river between CliftonBridge and Millennium Bridge.

He said that had the number of boats been cut previously, some of the rescues could have been fatalities.

Both the service’s boats are based in York with one moored in the Ouse behind the Clifford Street fire station, which crews can get to and launch within a matter of minutes. The other is stored on a trailer to be taken out to incidents on rivers and lakes across North Yorkshire.

York Green councillor Dave Taylor said he would be concerned if there was a reduction, which would leave people vulnerable.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said the reduction to one boat had been recommended in the light of special “swift water rescue” training which had been given to firefighters across the county in recent years, helping them to carry out many rescues safely and effectively from the bankside.

However, the service had decided not to go ahead with the change, partly because it had signed up to a national agreement to help other brigades throughout the country in an emergency by lending equipment.

If, for example, there was flooding in Cumbria, it might want to lend a rescue boat, and, if the service had only one boat, such action could have left North Yorkshire temporarily without any river rescue craft.

With the fire authority having now agreed to the relocation of just one fire engine from Clifford Street to the proposed new fire station in Kent Street, it had been decided it would be best – in the short to medium term – to keep one boat on the Ouse in summer and the second available on a trailer at the new station.

This year is the 80th anniversary of the 50-mile race around the Isle of Wight, which sees more than 16,000 sailors take to the water, making it one of the largest yacht races in the world.

Conditions have been tricky this morning with strong winds, which has forced Isle of Wight resident and sailing hero Dame Ellen MacArthur and her crew, including Denise Van Outen to retire after many of the crew suffered from sea sickness.

Frenchman Lionel Lemonchois was the first to cross the line in Prince de Bretagne in a time of three hours 49 minutes.

FAMILY and friends of a teenager feared dead after a boat capsized today spoke of their devastation.

Pals said they could not believe “fit and strong” Jake Miller had been caught up in the tragedy.

They spoke after a search for the 18-year-old was officially stood down hours after the fishing boat he was in overturned off the coast of Whitehills, near Aberdeen.

Giles Scott (left) and Ben Ainslie

Three-time Olympic champion Ben Ainslie admits Huntingdon sailor Giles Scott has had him running scared this month – and he fears it won’t stop over the next 12.

The 24-year-old was involved in a mammoth battle with Ainslie in the Finn class at the Sail for Gold Regatta in Weymouth at the start of the month cruelly finishing second behind him.

Ainslie’s triumph on the 2012 waters not only dealt Scott a psychological blow but a physiological one too with his win seeing him capture the sole Finn spot for August’s Olympic test event.

That would suggest Ainslie is in pole position to do the same at a fifth career Olympics in London next year but he admits he will be looking over his shoulder at Scott until it’s certain.

"I was relieved to leave having beaten Giles," said Ainslie, who led Scott in the ISAF World Cup standings following the penultimate regatta in Weymouth.

"And while I know nothing is finalised it has put it in my hands and not Giles’ which is the position you want to be in. There is only one place in the boat though at the Olympics and after the Sail for Gold result I have taken a big step towards that.

"But the results Giles has been getting means he will be pushing me to the end so I know there is no time to relax.

"I know how good he is and that is why I was so relieved just to make sure I was the one who won an incredibly competitive and important event in Weymouth.

"Giles was second and he pushed me really hard, he’s very talented and he wasn’t going to make it easy for me and I’m sure he’ll continue to push me."

Little less than a year ago the roles were reversed with Scott winning the Sail for Gold Regatta and becoming the first person to defeat Ainslie in the Finn in six years.

The triple Olympic champion had literally just returned to Finn sailing after a period concentrating on the America’s Cup – but remains aware that Scott is capable of beating him.

"Giles was very impressive while I was away and it was always going to be a very tough competition to get the solitary Finn place," he added.

"He won Sail for Gold last year which was an important result for him and made the weekend just gone a very important event."

The J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race (Saturday 25th June) is the 4th largest participation sporting event in the UK. Organised by the Island Sailing Club, it is dubbed ‘Britain's favourite yacht race’, attracting over 1,800 yachts and 16,000 competitors.

Using eyesight, radar and a white parachute flare, the crew managed to locate the unlit yacht in less than an hour.

A tow rope was then attached and the boat was bought safely into the Pendennis Marina at 3am.

A spokesman for the RNLI said: “Sailing from the Azores to the UK Lady Lesley encountered some very bad weather off the Bay of Biscay, with winds gusting to 70 knots and very rough and confused seas. This was when the yacht lost all power.

“The batteries were flat; she had no engine, communications or lights, but Skipper David Bussey, whose home is in Brentwood Essex, managed to continue on his way.

“However, when he was found off Blackhead he was extremely tired and very grateful when he saw the lights of the lifeboat heading toward him.

“His intentions now are to stay in the Falmouth area for as long as it takes to sort out his power problems before continuing on his way.”

A giant screen on the Hoe will show close-up action, and the crowds will be entertained with musical acts.

City council leader Vivien Pengelly said: "It is great to see such support already flooding in from the public and private sectors. We're making great progress and the city is really pulling together to make our role as hosts of the America's Cup World Series a success.

"This is going to be a fabulous event and a chance to show the world what a wonderful, waterfront city Plymouth truly is.

"We are expecting thousands of visitors and we want everyone to have fun and come back and visit us again.

"Investing in this event means its legacy will be enjoyed by the city and all those involved for years to come."

Support from English Cities Fund and ABP Ports has allowed Millbay to be used for the Race Village.

Amey LG and Bardon Aggregates are helping prepare the site and the Sutton Harbour Group has offered pontoons to create temporary docks for the America's Cup boats.

Cattewater Harbour Commissioners are providing pilotage and towage for the container ship that will be delivering the America's Cup boats as well as moorings and pontoons.

Princess Yachts has offered the use of some of their boats for corporate entertainment and First Great Western has offered the use of a carriage for VIP guests.

First Devon and Cornwall will show films of the America's Cup boats in action on the park and ride buses, and the City Centre Company is providing sites for banners and advertising space throughout the city centre.

The University of Plymouth's graduation marquees on the Hoe will be used for hospitality during the event.

The city council is expecting more firms to sign up with offers of support and there have already been numerous contributions and efforts from individuals and small companies.

Dave Young, Chair of the Plymouth America's Cup business task force said: "A lot of hard work has been put into this by the council and the way the private sector is stepping up to play its part is fantastic.

"This, to me, is the perfect example of how a city can come together to successfully host a major global event."

The singer is on holiday in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, on the south coast of France, and she took to the waves on board a luxury yacht to relax with family and friends.

During her day out, Halliwell enjoyed a spot of waterskiing but got a soaking when she plunged into the sea and had to be dragged on to a dinghy by her life-jacket.

Once back on board the yacht, she was pictured giggling as she whipped off the top of her blue, two-piece bikini and tried unsuccessfully to cover her breasts with one hand

The ideal accessory for any super yacht, the Sea Pool can be quickly inflated and anchored or attached to the stern of the vessel, providing guests and owners with a ‘private pool’ within close proximity of the yacht. The underwater section of the Sea Pool is structured from a very fine 1.5mm built-in mesh, which prevents any unwanted marine life, including jellyfish, from entering the area.

Chris Hornidge, Managing Director of Henshaw Inflatables, says; “We have long been a supplier to the super yacht industry, supplying the likes of Eclipse, Luna, Maltese Falcon, Pelorus and many others, with Inflatable Fenders. We have now strengthened our product range with the Sea Pool which is a really unique product that has really grabbed attention already. Monaco Yacht Show is a great opportunity to demonstrate the Sea Pool to owners and captains.” 

The Sea Pool has 20cm deep drop stitch double walled fabric, which gives the inflatable structure excellent strength and rigidity. A bathing platform surrounds the Sea Pool, ideal for lounging. Anchoring points, lifelines, and an optional stainless steel boarding ladder ensure ease of use. 

It is understood Jake Miller, 18, from Turriff, was out in a small fishing boat with two friends overnight.

The two others managed to swim to rocks between Banff and Whitehills and raise the alarm shortly before 0100 BST.

A Grampian Police spokesman said: "Unfortunately, the chances of survival in the water for that length of time are sadly very, very slim."

The spokesman added: "The family of Mr Miller have been kept informed of developments throughout the search and my thoughts are with them at this very difficult time."

The boat has been recovered but there was no sign of Mr Miller

.A major air and sea search had earlier been called off at 0600 BST, but local coastguards were then back out combing the coastline.

A search and rescue helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth also rejoined the search, after being out in the early hours.

The 18-year-old and his two friends set off from Banff on Thursday.

After their vessel flooded, they ended up in the water and started to swim for shore.

When one of them reached land he ran to a local hotel and raised the alarm. The second teenager reached the shore shortly afterwards.

Both were taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia. None of them was wearing a life jacket.

Banff, Gardenstown, Portsoy and Buckie Coastguard Rescue Teams were scrambled, along with Buckie and Macduff RNLI lifeboats   Aberdeen Coastguard was co-ordinating the operation.

Spokeswoman Hayley Morden told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "There's a sea temperature of 12 degrees, that's quite average, it does give quite a good survivability time but we're well past that stage at this point unfortunately.

"There's always hope but it's extremely unlikely anyone would be found alive after this long in the water."

The yacht lost its steering near to Calshot spit just before 5.40, but the lifeboat crew discovered limited steering was possible using the vessel's autopilot.

The team escorted the boat to the safety of Southampton's Town Quay.

Deputy Second Coxswain Mike Lawrence said: “The Skipper of the yacht did all the right things by calling for assistance at the right time and performed an excellent job navigating his boat to safety through a very busy channel.”

The event, sponsored by Anne McIntosh MP, Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, gave more than 20 MPs and Peers the opportunity to meet with the two organisations and discuss issues effecting the boating community, with a particular focus this year on the issues surrounding Inland Waterways.

With the current ongoing consultation around the transfer of British Waterways at the front of many people’s minds, the event provided an excellent opportunity for people to share ideas and views with politicians from across the political spectrum.

“We are currently at a potentially critical turning point for the future of the canals and rivers currently managed by British Waterways and the RYA is keen to ensure the inland network is maintained for navigation and the interests of the users”, commented Gus Lewis, RYA Legal and Government Affairs Manager.

“Although our particular focus was on the future of Inland Waterways we took the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues including Marine Conservation Zones, windfarms and coastguard reforms,” he added.

Rob Stevens, Chief Executive of the BMF, said: “A healthy inland waterways network is vital for the marine industry. While we have been broadly supportive of the transfer of British Waterways to the third sector, we are now at the stage where both British Waterways and the Government have to show that the plan is sound financially.”

Keynote speaker at the event was Labour’s Gavin Shuker, the new Shadow Minister for Waterways, who spent two hours speaking to people from the BMF and RYA, as well as representatives from individual clubs and businesses.  Mr Shuker commented: “I recognise that there is a need for change for British Waterways however changes should not be left to chance.  The issues are not simple and we need organisations like the RYA and BMF to remain involved.”

He urged MP’s to engage in the debate about the Inland Waterways as any changes would impact on both the environment and waterways for the future.

Events like the Parliamentary reception are a vital part of the RYA and BMF’s wider strategy of raising the profile of the organisations and the concerns of their members directly with parliamentarians. This will be strengthened further when the two organisations join forces again at the main party political conferences in the Autumn, along with the BCU and IWA, to continue to promote the interests of the organisations’ members to Government and other opinion formers.

Steve, his brother Pat and 18 others will set off in 10 canoes along the Thames and aim to complete the challenge in just four days, covering 35 miles a day.

He decided to take on the journey to give something back to the hospice in Wroughtonafter the death of his father Tom, 82, in March from bone cancer.

Steve said: “My dad had a good life and was an inspirational character – a lot of the lads knew him.

“I wanted to raise money for Prospect because we got a lot of help from the nurses, who were incredible.

“It’s just giving a bit back and it’s important we contribute to helping them. When you really need them they are there.

“We’ve set ourselves a target of £10,000 and we hope we’ll achieve that. We’re looking to get £1,000 per boat and a couple of the guys – Alan Smith and David Beckham – said they’ll help out so hopefully that’ll push it up a bit.”

Steve said training had been tough but he anticipated the event would be even harder.

“It’s hard work and some the lads rowing with us are athletes,” he said.

“You end up with blisters on your hands and the maximum you can row is four miles an hour so, as you slow down, we are talking about 11 hours of paddling a day.

Cambridge University Combined Boat Clubs (CUCBC) has issued a list of the boats fined during the competition, which ended on Saturday.

The “punishment” for Magdalene W1 – the college’s women’s first boat – was chopping wood, to “reprimand” a crew member for what was described as “excessive deforestation”.

As part of the tradition, rowers break off willow branches and attach them to their heads once they have caught up with – or “bumped” – the crew ahead.

Meanwhile, Caius M3 – Gonville and Caius College men's third boat – received a heftier fine of £100 for dangerous coxing, and several boats were handed fines of £20 for using foul language.

Failing to clear the river after achieving a “bump” and “oversized” parties of people along the bank were among the other reasons for boats accruing fines.

Bank parties are limited to four cyclists so the towpaths do not get too busy.

Sidney Sussex W2 – the women’s second boat – was fined £20 for ignoring marshals’ instructions.

Meanwhile, officials on duty at the control desk on Wednesday had their Jaffa Cake supply curbed and replaced with dog biscuits for “adopting a puppy”, according to the list.

Richard Moseley, the News’ college rowing expert, said of the list of fines: “It’s a mixture of obvious safety issues and a bit of fun.

“The Bumps allows contact between two boats so primarily it’s to ensure the boats separate in a safe manner.

“Excess celebration is one which attracts attention. Crews celebrate rather than clearing the river which is a safety issue.”

He added: “Apparently a puppy was found on the towpath and it was handed in to the officials.

“The thing was thoroughly spoilt throughout the afternoon. Apparently no-one claimed it and it was taken off by the animal rescue people.”

The print ad is an existing ad that will now feature a prompt for readers to download the AurasmaLite app to iPhone 4 or iPad 2 to watch action from a race sponsored by the client, Wally Yachts, and the FT.

Once the app is installed and running and the phone is pointed at the ad, video content will start streaming to the device. 

The content initially plays as an augmented reality overlay to the device's camera, but a double tap will transform it to full-screen.

Wally Yachts is currently in the middle of a six-month advertising campaign with the FT. The ad and digital content was created by Jago Partners.

Aurasma has been developed by technology company Autonomy, which video search engine Blinkx emerged from.

John Hunt, chairman and CEO at Wally Yachts, said: "Nothing compares to the drama of the Wally fleet racing on the ocean and this weekend, for the first time ever, readers of the Weekend FT will be able to watch the FT Wally Grand Prix Series come to life by downloading the free Aurasma App."

Aurasma has been downloaded by around 500,000 people, through a range of different apps that integrate the technology.

Paramount Pictures has embedded Aurasma into the Super8 app for the film of the same name.

We are delighted to be launching the C48 alongside our new SC42, the second new model for 2011 and an important part of our investment strategy of creating eight new boats in three years. Continuing Sealine’s unique approach to luxury, modern design, this new coupe has many innovative features. With its temperature controlled environment the C48 is ideally suited to a number of boating regions including the Mediterranean, Asia, the Middle East, North America and Scandinavia” commented Chris O’Connor, Sealine’s Managing Director.

The Saloon has a large L shaped seating area plus three stools, to allow six to relax and dine in comfort. There is a removable table which can be transferred to the aft cockpit, along with the stools, to provide alfresco dining for six. An integrated wet bar, grill and barbecue, plus a sink with hot and cold water, are provided for easy outdoor entertaining.

The raised helm has four individual sports seats. There is a folding chart table and plenty of storage. The large wrap around windscreen provides stunning panoramic views. On the port side there is fully fitted open plan galley complete with fridge, integrated oven and hob and enough space for a washing machine and large refrigeration unit.

The light and airy forward cabin is extremely spacious with a double bed and TV unit located opposite. There are separate ensuite shower and toilet compartments plus plenty of stowage. Due to the position of the forward bulk head, the midship master cabin has full headroom across the width of the cabin with a comfortable walk around area and panoramic hull windows.

Two full length wardrobes offer generous space and there is an en-suite with a separate shower cubicle. The third cabin has two bunks and lots of storage. The interiors have been finished using a natural light oak

For keeping cool in the cockpit an optional electric sunshade can be added.

There is also an optional hi-lo platform system capable of deploying a large tender system. Generous storage includes a large lazarette which can be converted into a crew cabin if required. An optional electrically operated passarelle provides easy access to and from the boat.

The hull is based on the proven SC47’s hull design and is fitted with Volvo’s IPS 600 pod drives with joy stick control. When compared to traditional stern drive models of this size, the C48 can offer fuel savings of between 25- 35%.

FT reports that the Yacht "Bull", one of the final Madoff items for sale, has had about 350 hours of use and has “been continuously and meticulously looked after by the original captain,” say sales documents distributed at the conference and seen by the Financial Times. The €3m pricetag is a significant discount to the boat’s listed price, apparently due to its Madoff connection. Interested bidders from the conference were invited to a watch a demonstration of the boat’s prowess from a champagne reception on the balcony of the Llorca Café, run by two-star Michelin chef Alain Llorca, in the evening.

They watched it cruise at top speed, 42 knots, 77km/h, across the Monegasque waterfront, past Monte Carlo and along the Larvotto. “If the owner wants anonymity a simple name change is all that is required,” Wyles Hardy, the UK-based agent selling the boat, noted in its brochure.

The boat can sleep up to six guests and includes an “owners stateroom”. Further accommodation is provided for its crew.

A HUGE build-up of gravel in Harrington Harbour has become a safety hazard to visiting yachts.

Ged Doran: In his annual report the harbour master calls for urgent dredging of Harrington Harbour to prevent yachts foundering

Harbour master Ged Doran highlighted his concerns for visiting yachtsmen in his annual report to harbour owner Allerdale Council.

He has called for urgent dredging works to be carried out as the build-up of gravel has left only a narrow channel into the harbour.

Mr Doran says in his report: “If this work isn’t carried out the fear is visiting yachts whose skippers are not familiar with Harrington Harbour approaches could easily founder on the bank.”

Large sandbanks which have built up on either side of the outer harbour also need to be cleared, he said.

The council’s Harrington Harbour and Dock Board may have to consider making a major investment as Mr Doran has reported on other work that needs to be carried out.

This includes the “essential” refurbishment of a rock armoured breakwater which has been battered and damaged by rough seas in recent years.

The base of the port perch, which aids navigation, has become dislodged and needs to be levelled and its tensioning struts refurbished.

Mud had built up on the inner harbour roads and anchor blocks and this had to be cleared before new mooring chains could be laid.

Mr Doran described some tasks as impossible because of a lack of finance.

Allerdale Council declined to comment ahead of next Friday’s meeting.

Christopher Reddish,of Grandison Road, Clapham, 46 was racing a 40ft yacht from Cowes, Isle of Wight, to Cherbourg, France, during the Morgan Cup Race.

The Marine Accidents Investigation Branch is investigating . A Hampshire Police spokesman announced there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

Chairman David Adler says, “We are delighted to have the support of the Broads authority staff and its planning committee.  Approval of our plans means we can start work on a ten year development plan for the boatyard, providing the modern working facilities required for boat repair, restoration and maintenance.”

Cox’s Boatyard dates back to the 1800’s and is reputed to be where Lord Nelson learned to sail.  It was saved from insolvency in 1995 by a consortium of local business people who were passionate supporters of the yard.  The new management have invested their own time and money to save the business, implementing sensitive and appropriate developments to build up its facilities for boat repair, and for its use as a marina and dinghy park.  Remaining protective of the traditional history of the yard and its unique location, the developments to date have resulted in an increase in business from Cox’s reputation for high quality and skilled boat repairs and traditional wood working.  Other developments have included repairing and upgrading the walkways and moorings, with electricity and water supplies now available for the berth holders.  Other improvements have included restoring river banks, creating a dinghy park and installation of a modern toilet block and shower facility.

Adler continues, “When we took over some sixteen years ago the boatyard had been in steady decline, and was facing closure as users were voting with their feet and leaving in search of better facilities.  While ensuring Cox’s Boatyard will never change its traditional feel, we have invested in improving and enhancing the site and its facilities.  The company now has a strong balance sheet and is well placed for a positive secure future. Approval of the planning permission now means we can start on the next ten year plan to safeguard this historic and much-loved Broad’s business.”

Today Cox’s Boatyard offers 280 spaces for boat storage and moorings, with 176 water berths.  Its skilled workforce carry out year-round maintenance and repair of all types of vessels, and has recently completed the total restoration of a 49 foot classic gentleman’s launch, the re-build of a boat which took part in the Dunkirk landings, and brought back to life a 30 foot GRP motor cruiser which had been totally destroyed by fire.

Rescuers promptly saved the boat owner from his sinking ship, but they cannot save him from the embarrassment he is dealing with. Wilkinson says he is tired of the iceberg jokes.

David Rees - off to the UK for a second try

This is the second UK Three Peaks for David and his crew of sailors Tim Jones and Jory Linscott and runners Jacqui Guy and Michael McIntyre. In 2010 they won the Tasmanian Three Peaks Race and finished third in the UK event.

“We are all looking forward to the race; we have the advantage of knowing the boat and the course, but it is a very challenging race for both sailors and runners,” Rees said at Cowes on Sunday.

The UK Three Peaks, on which the Tasmanian Three Peaks is modelled, starts on Saturday afternoon (UK time) with a sail from Barmouth to Caernarfon for the first run up Mt Snowdon.

“After Snowdon, we head to Whitehaven for the Scafell Peak run and then to Fort William in Scotland for the final run to the peak of Ben Nevis,” Rees explained. 

“We led the race to Whitehaven last year and then had to watch as the smaller boats were sent through the Whitehaven lock ahead of us. This year we hope we can get through the lock and complete the run on one tide,” he added.

A record fleet of 32 yachts has entered this year’s UK Three Peaks that involves 339 nautical miles of sailing, 26 miles of cycling and 72 miles of running with 14,000 fleet of ascent. The race is expected to finish on Thursday week, 30 June. 

All yachts are fitted with trackers and the race can be followed on www.threepeaksrace.co.uk

He said an autopsy will be conducted, as is standard procedure for any unattended death.

“She was visiting family that owned a boat moored there,” Miliote said. “One of the family members noticed a body floating in the water and called for help.”

The victim was pulled to a rescue area. When emergency medical services personnel arrived, the woman was determined to be deceased, he said.

State police assigned to the district attorney’s office are investigating the death.

The crew of the Hunstanton lifeboat, Spirit of West Norfolk, went to the aid of the stricken vessel after being alerted by Yarmouth Coastguard on the evening of the 3rd june2011

The fishing boat, which been on its way from Lowestoft to King’s Lynn, was drifting towards the shore off Hunstanton after developing fuel problems.

There were two people on board the boat which was towed out of danger, before being handed over to another fishing boat, the Sunny Morn, which towed her back to King’s Lynn.

A tourist visiting from the UK was plucked to safety by a reserve constable after being knocked unconscious when his boat capsized on the Mthatha Dam on Thursday, Eastern Cape police said.

Lieutenant Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said 29-year-old Lewis Marks and five other people, also believed to be from London, had been sailing on the dam, popular in the area with watersport enthusiasts, on the Youth Day public holiday.

Suddenly the boat capsized and five people managed to swim to shore.

However, Marks was still on board and unconscious.

The boat had righted itself, but had started sinking, continued Fatyela.

Twenty-six-year-old police reservist constable Chumani Jingqi was among the first on the scene and swam out to the boat to help Marks.