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What happened to the Branscombe booty
In January 2007, scavengers swarmed to Branscombe in Devon in search of plunder. But what happened to the booty they took away? A year on, the MSC Napoli still casts a shadow over Branscombe - literally. Half of its stern, still waiting to be removed by salvagers, is still visible from the shore. When it ran aground off the coast of Branscombe, the villagers could not have predicted what the wreck would bring them. Containers washed from the stricken vessel delivered BMW motorbikes, pet food, anti-wrinkle cream, empty wine barrels, copies of the Bible in Xhosa - and a horde of scavengers eager for booty. Most were disappointed. Only 17 motorbikes - by far the most valuable item of cargo - came ashore, and most beachcombers could only fill their pockets with soggy cosmetics. But a select few were lucky. Contrary to portrayals of them as lawless looters, the Receiver of Wreck has been informed, as the law requires, of the whereabouts of 13 bikes. Two undocumented bikes were ...

MAXWELL joins the VETUS Group of Companies
VETUS N.V. takes great pleasure in announcing that MAXWELL Marine Limited, a leading manufacturer of high quality anchor windlasses and related deck equipment announced today that it has joined the VETUS group of companies. MAXWELL will remain independent within the group and will continue to develop, brand and market its own products, and will now have access to the capital resources of the international Dutch boat equipment company. MAXWELL and VETUS will form a strategic marketing alliance and seek opportunities and synergies to jointly expand their world wide businesses. Beschier Kik, CEO of VETUS comments: ‘I am really pleased to welcome MAXWELL to the VETUS group of companies. Their products and people are a fantastic addition to our business’. Marcel Borsboom, COO of VETUS adds: ‘VETUS and MAXWELL have many opportunities for growth and this alliance brings the group a strong team of dedicated people with excellent market relationships and fine production resources’. MAXWELL ...

Moonen To Launch Two Yachts In New Series
s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands: Moonen Shipyards—builders of a full range of Displacement, Semi-Displacement, and Explorer models, will add two new 97-foot “pocket-size superyachts” to its growing fleet this year. The Moonen 97 is the latest model in the shipyard’s acclaimed Displacement Series. It is handsomely shaped by René van der Velden Design, with a round-bilge hullform drawn by naval architects Diana Yacht Design. Both yachts will have interior styling by Art-Line. With steel hull and aluminium superstructure, they also feature Caterpillar engines and zero-speed stabilizers, and are built to Lloyd’s Register Class and MCA Certification. The Moonen 97 is an evolutionary design, derived from two recent yachts by Moonen—the custom Moonen 96 Clementine launched 2005, and the shipyard’s most successful model, the Moonen 84 the eighth will be launched this year. The strong attraction of the Moonen 84 has been its ideal four-cabin layout. The equally strong attraction of ...

AMELS SHIPYARD IN PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT
Dutch superyacht builder increases capacity and efficiency Vlissingen, The Netherlands: AMELS, a global leader in the art of yacht building and member of the Damen Shipyards Group, has ten 10 newbuild projects in various stages of design, engineering, and construction. Inspired by this activity AMELS is undergoing a phased improvement of its extensive Vlissingen facilities on the North Sea—increasing production efficiency, advancing construction quality, and enhancing on-time delivery of Custom and Limited Editions yachts and major refits. The program, representing a substantial investment of more than eight million euros, will be completed in 2008. Since 2000 AMELS has shared the vast covered drydocks—and expert naval architects, designers, and engineers—of Damen’s Royal Schelde Shipyard, builders of more than 400 advanced naval and commercial ships. Within that facility, AMELS will soon complete the second of two new state-of-the-art covered finishing bays for hulls brought inside ...

Best Educational Company Award for Feadship Royal Van Lent
Royal Van Lent, one of the two Feadship yards, has been awarded Best Educational Company 2007 by the Dutch Association of Centres of Expertise on Vocational Education, Training and the Labour Market. The award was established by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Cultural Affairs and Science in 1996 and is annually presented to a company with top quality educational and internship policies for young professionals. The jury described Royal Van Lent as a company providing a great opportunity for apprentices to develop themselves and as having excellent ties with affiliated schools and academies. They commended the fact that employees on all levels were offered the chance to develop and educate themselves further. The jury also remarked on the overall passion among the staff for their craft and the loyalty shown towards Royal Van ...

Mulder 76 Flybridge Dutchess arrives in New Zealand
In the spring of 2007, Shipyard Mulder in the Netherlands delivered a Mulder 76 Flybridge to a client from New Zeeland. After a successful season cruising the Mediterranean, Dutchess set course for her home berth - the Orakei Marina in Auckland. Mulder 76 Flybridge Dutchess The main part of the Mulder 76 Flybridge’s trip was arranged by Dockwise. She was loaded in Toulon after which the carrier headed for Gibraltar. From Gibraltar Dutchess made the crossing to Martinique. Later the yacht was transported through the Panama Canal to the Pacific Ocean. From there she crossed to Brisbane, Australia. Dutchess sailed the final leg of her journey, the 2400-nm trip from Brisbane to Auckland, on her own keel. This March saw the Mulder 76 Flybridge participate in the Auckland International Boat Show, where she was one of the major eye-catchers. One local newspaper, the New Zealand Herald, wrote how: “People are just amazed at her condition.” Shipyard Mulder has great expectations for this ...

New Insurance Facility at TheYachtMarket
Velos Insurance Services Limited is delighted to announce that they are now working in partnership with TheYachtMarket.com. As marine insurance specialists they welcome enquiries from all visitors to TheYachtMarket.com, whether an insurance quote is wanted for a new purchase or an existing boat. Specialist marine insurance brokers, Velos, have access to a panel of first class marine underwriters, both Company and Lloyds, to ensure they are able to find the most suitable policy for each individual’s needs at the most competitive premium. Excellent for all types of yacht, including higher value vessels, policies are tailor-made to suit each individual’s requirements, and include the ability to offer worldwide cruising ranges. Exceptional customer service is the major ethos at Velos, with a quick turn-around time on quotations and policy issuance. Owning a boat is one of life’s great pleasures and can give many years of enjoyment. But they are expensive items and therefore need to ...

Moonen 85 refit requires temporary parking-lot structure
Parking At A Premium At Moonen Shipyards: With the shipyard order book quite full, Moonen had to erect a temporary heated structure adjoining its older hall to complete the work over the winter. With mast top removed, Moonshadow Noa was moved into the heated, protected environment, where painting could be accomplished with outside temperature as low as 0O Celsius. ’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands: Moonen Shipyards is pleased to announce the completion of a major five-month refit of one of its original “pocket-size superyachts,” the fifth Moonen 85 Moonshadow Noa ex Moon Shadow, launched in 1991. The Moonen 85 was designed by Diana Yachts in the early 1980s, with a graceful flared bow, canoe stern, and classic superstructure. The model is credited with putting Moonen on the world map as a leading quality builder of efficient, comfortable, long-range offshore cruisers. At her launch in 1985, the first Moonen 85, Cassiopeia S, attracted many serious clients; by 1992 the shipyard had ...

Vripack goes Solar
Whilst the daily activities of Vripack® consist of designing and engineering interiors and exteriors of luxury yachts, Vripack® has decided to take a dive into the innovative waters of alternative propulsion by use of Solar Panels. The pinnacle of this state-of-the-art research and development project is the 2008 Frisian Solar Challenge. This project is focussed on designing and constructing an ultra light and fast boat which is strong enough to endure the torments of the long distance race. The solar boat built by the Vripack Solar Team will prove its excellence during the international Frisian Solar Challenge 2008. A 220km race over water passing the famous 11 cities of Friesland. This Solar powered experiment is based on the use of durable energy for powering use. Vripack attaches great value to the preservation of a healthy environment and is proud that an enthusiastic in-company team is performing this development. The boat is driven only by electric power from five solar ...

48 nations registered at the 39th Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia MAPFRE
At less than two weeks from its beginning, the 39th Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofia MAPFRE confirms itself as one of the most international editions in the history of this Majorcan Olympic classes regatta. Up to 48 nations will be represented in the bay of Palma from 15 to 21 March with all the attention of the sailing world on the event in this Olympic year. The 39th Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofia MAPFRE will welcome the best world teams of each class, a fact that consolidates this event as the most important and international Olympic classes regatta in Spain. Up to 586 boats and 900 competitors will meet in Palma as shown by the pre-entry lists of the Consortium Regatta Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofia, formed by the Govern de les Illes Balears, Palma and Llucmajor city councils, the Consell de Mallorca, MAPFRE, Real Federación Española de Vela, Federación Balear de Vela, Real Club Náutico de Palma, Club Marítimo San Antonio de la Playa, Club Nàutic S’Arenal and Escuela Nacional de Vela ...