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Greenpeace heads off whale ship
Greenpeace conservation activists say they have disrupted the Japanese whale hunt near Antarcticas coast by chasing a factory ship out of the whaling zone. Crew from protest ship Esperanza said they were maintaining the chase as the whalers cannot hunt at the same time. A spokesman for Japans whale hunt said Greenpeaces actions were illegal and people should not treat them as heroes. Japans whaling fleet plans to kill about 900 minke whales and 50 fin whales by mid-April. The hunt is part of what it calls a scientific research programme, permitted under a clause in International Whaling Commission rules. But Australia and other nations say the same research goals could be achieved using non-lethal methods, and call the research programme a front for commercial whaling. The hunt has suspended plans to kill 50 humpback whales, amid a storm of international criticism. Hunting the hunters A number of ships are in southern waters on the trail of the hunters, including an ...

Evidence of a warming climate
A chunk of ice the size of the Isle of Man has started to break away from Antarctica in what scientists say is further evidence of a warming climate. Satellite images suggest that part of the ice shelf is disintegrating, and will soon crumble away. The Wilkins Ice Shelf has been stable for most of the last century, but began retreating in the 1990s. Six ice shelves in the same part of the continent have already been lost, says the British Antarctic Survey BAS. Professor David Vaughan of BAS said: Wilkins is the largest ice shelf on the Antarctic Peninsula yet to be threatened. I didn expect to see things happen this quickly. The ice shelf is hanging by a thread - well know in the next few days or weeks what its fate will be. Like an explosion BAS researchers were alerted to the break-up by daily monitoring of satellite images. They sent a Twin Otter aircraft on a reconnaissance mission to video what was happening. Jim Elliott, who was on board the plane, said he had never ...

Australian ship seeks out whalers
An Australian patrol ship tasked with monitoring Japans whaling fleet has departed from the western city of Perth for waters off Antarctica. The Oceanic Viking, a customs vessel, left Stirling Naval Base on Tuesday night on a 20-day surveillance mission. It will collect photographic and video material for a possible legal challenge against the whalers, Australian officials have said. Japans fleet began its annual whale hunt in mid-November. It plans to kill about 900 minke whales and 50 fin whales by mid-April 2008 as part of what it calls a scientific research programme. But it has suspended plans to kill 50 humpback whales, amid a storm of international criticism. Legal challenge Acting against the whalers was one of the new Labor-led Australian governments election pledges. An Airbus A-319 will also conduct surveillance flights over the fleet. Evidence from the vessels would be used to help Canberra decide if it could take action against the whalers in international ...

Sealine SC35 wins Best Sports Cruiser of the Year
Sealine wins Best Sports Cruiser at the Motor Boat of the Year Award 2008. At the awards ceremony the new Sports cruiser was announced as the super cool SC35 - the range of practical and innovative features plus an exhilarating on water performance showed how it lived up to the name. The SC35 clearly showed the best combination of fun, style, practicality and price - she certainly exceeded all expectations since the launch in Sept at Southampton boat show. The event was held in January at a London hotel. The spacious 35 foot sports convertable was awarded the top prize for best sports cruiser under 45 foot. The award was voted by the editorial teams of the UKs leading Motor Boating titles and seen as the outstanding winner of its category. Managing Director, Steve Coultate said “We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award which firmly underpins our commitment to producing the very best in British design and for stretching the boundaries to create a truly innovative product ...

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 ...

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 ...

Bow thruster control panels sport
The VETUS programme of bow thruster accessories has recently been extended with a new range of control panels designated SPORT. These new control panels for bow and stern thrusters are ideal for external installation on the flying bridge or in the cockpit. The range consists of a push button panel, a joystick panel, a twin joystick panel and the intuitive “Easy Dock” control for both bow and stern thruster. The main features of these beautifully shaped panels are: • Protection against accidental or unauthorised operation • Panel power on indicator • Warning LED and buzzer in the event of continuous running for more than 2 minutes • Control circuit overload protection • Watertight to IP65 Older VETUS bow thruster panels can be replaced with the new models using an optional adaptor plate. The panels are pre-wired and installation is facilitated with a simple plug connection to the wiring ...

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 ...

Rescuers new faster helicopter
Coastguards have taken delivery of the first of three helicopters, which can travel faster and further to rescue casualties at sea. The AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters, designed as search and rescue SAR aircraft, will be based at Portland, Dorset and Lee-on-the-Solent. The two at Lee-on-the-Solent will operate 24 hours a day, the other, at Portland, on a 12-hour daytime basis. Contractors CHC Helicopters will also manage a service based at Stornoway. Winch speed The AW139 can fly at a cruising speed of 140 knots with a top speed of 167 knots, compared with the 110 knot cruising and 130 top speed of the previous Sikorsky helicopters used by the coastguard. The AW139 also has a 40% increase in winch speed and has a maximum flight time of three hours and 20 minutes. Peter Cardy, chief executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency MCA, said: These new aircraft will be able to fly more quickly, and will be able to fly farther to people in distress at sea than those currently in ...

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 ...

New Lifestyle Magazine for Sealine
Sealine International is delighted to announce the appointment of Seascape Media as the official publishers of its biannual customer magazine. Designed to capture the personality of the Sealine brand and to reflect the lifestyle associated with owning a luxury motorboat, the new ‘Sealine Magazine’, which replaces the former ‘Instinct’ publication, will be a glossy lifestyle title. It will include features on a wide range of subjects from inspirational real life adventures, on board living to beautiful cruising destinations. It will be published in March and September and has exclusive distribution rights via the company’s dealer network and at international boat shows. It will also be distributed direct to Sealine owners in the UK. Commenting on their appointment Claire Read Managing Director of Seascape Media said we are thrilled to be handling this exciting new project and look forward to working with Sealine as their exclusive magazine publishers. Our objective is to produce a ...

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 ...

UK cruise ship is held in Madeira
Efforts are under way to release a UK cruise ship that has been detained by police in Madeira. The Van Gogh, which has about 460 passengers on board, was held on Tuesday shortly after it came into Funchal port in the Portuguese isles. Administrators claim the ships owners owe £2 million, after taking over the cruise at Christmas. Van Gogh Cruise Line Ltd said its lawyers were liaising with authorities. One passenger said she was shocked. Home straight The ship is on the final stage of a round-the-world cruise - stops included Egypt, the Caribbean, Ecuador, Tahiti and Cape Town - and had been due back in Falmouth on Saturday. It set off on 4 January from Falmouth, after its previous operator Travelscope went into administration at Christmas. A spokesman for Van Gogh Cruise Line Ltd, which is based in Cheltenham and a subsidiary of the Dutch-owned Club Cruise, said it was working with lawyers to get the ship released as quickly as possible. Passengers said the cruise director ...

Boatshed office in the Caribbean
Boatshed.com is very pleased to announce the launch of the very first Boatshed office in the Caribbean. And WOW what a start! The British Virgin Islands is a meca for sailboats around the world and BoatshedBVI.com has launched from its headquarters in Rhode Town, Tortola. BoatshedBVI.com is owned by Mr. Arjan Stoof who also owns and operates BVI Yacht Charters from his own 53 slip marina. A native Dutchman, Arjan has spent the last 23 years on Tortola and Boatshed HQ is happy to report he does know every boat, boat owner, bay and bar in the BVI’s. Also as a major Beneteau dealer, BoatshedBVI.com is very well placed to offer clients around the globe the very best brokerage vessels from the most unique location in the world. “With the charter side of our business we can also offer a “Try before you buy” on any of our Beneteau brokerage fleet” quotes Arjan. The short straw to assist in the training and launch of BoatshedBVI.com were Neil Chapman and Roger Bailey from Boatshed HQ who ...

Engine repairs free ice trawler
A British trawler stuck in Antarctic ice for more than a week has been repaired and is set to resume fishing once its engine warms up, crew say. A US air force plane was called in to drop a piston to the Argos Georgia, with an icebreaker due to deliver extra parts shortly. A number of British fishermen are among the 25 crew on board the ship, which lost its power in the Ross Sea. Fish master Shane Jennings said the ship would soon be back up to steam. He had earlier said he was extremely relieved that they would be able to free themselves, having been stranded since 23 December. Boring experience Describing how it felt to be stuck in the remote region, he said: It has been okay - a bit boring for the crew but its just part of the job. We have just been on watch, keeping an eye on the ice and making sure we are not running into any danger, or watching videos and playing cards. New Zealand, which is responsible for co-ordinating rescues in the area and has a research base there, ...

Sealine to Launch new 35 Sport at the 2008 London Boat Show
Perfect for day and weekend cruising, the new 35 Sport has a complete wrap around sport windscreen with a distinctive stainless steel frame. The clean sophisticated lines of the totally open deck layout together with the low screen emphasise the fact that this is a boat that has been built for a true wind in the hair experience. The boat at the show will have a striking Sealine blue hull with teak side decks and light pebble coloured sunbrella ...

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 ...

Holmatro Marine Equipment Expands Operations to the Americas
Holmatro Marine Equipment, rigging hydraulic supplier to the NYYC Club Swan 42 and other fine European-built yachts, is pleased to announce their Maryland, USA based operations for the supply and service of their wide range of rigging hydraulics and hydraulic rod and wire cutters. Holmatro is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of hydraulic tools for rescue and industry with sales and service points worldwide. Holmatro introduced their marine equipment for sailing yachts in 2002 with resounding success. Their hydraulic rigging equipment line includes integral backstay adjusters, cylinders, boom vangs, control panels and mast jacks. In the summer of 2004, Holmatro acquired Meissner, a company well known for their line of classic winches. Innovation, quality and service are the key elements of Holmatro’s philosophy. Their experienced team of research and development engineers thoroughly bench test all new products before conducting field trials. In addition to field tests on ...

Peters & May and Sevenstar join forces to create new yacht
Peters & May and Sevenstar Yacht Transport are pleased to announce a new joint venture to provide specialised logistics for the yacht racing community. Over the past several years, both companies have been active in supplying services to the yacht racing industry. Peters & May are recognised as leaders in providing comprehensive global logistics solutions on a door-to-door basis and have worked with many of the world’s top racing programmes and events over the past 20 years. Sevenstar is well known for having today’s largest fleet of yacht transporters in the world and has a close relationship with the racing scene. This new joint initiative will provide racing teams and yachting associations with a total logistics package offering global solutions for yacht transport, spares positioning, refit work and multi-destination racing programmes amongst others. Through this joint initiative, Peters & May and Sevenstar will actively promote this new service with a focus on developing new ...

Outboard engines - 2 Stroke or 4 Stroke
There are two types of outboards available, 2 stroke and 4 stroke. Each has its good and bad points, depending on what you want the engine to do. Weve put together a handy guide to help you decide which is the best outboard motor for your boat. 2 Stroke Outboards 2 stroke engines are lighter and faster so when speed and acceleration are required, this would be the engine of choice. They are also more affordable and have a higher resale value. As 2 stroke engines have been around for almost 80 years, parts are readily available, making repairs easy. Also, the design on these engines is less complex than a 4 stroke, meaning problems are less likely to arise. There are some disadvantages to the 2 stroke engine. 2 stroke outboards are not as environmentally friendly as 4 strokes as they produce far more pollution. Their engines are lubricated by the oil that is mixed into the gasoline, meaning the exhaust is smoky and contains unburned oil, which in turn pollutes the water. With new ...

The new spacious Hatteras 56 Motor Yacht
Hatteras Yachts is pleased to announce the newest member of its fleet, a 56 Motor Yacht that incorporates original design concepts, a spacious interior and intuitive features that make this an ideal boat for the owner-operator. Priced at under $2 million, the 56 Motor Yacht represents a new entry-level product for the thousands of boat owners who aspire to own a Hatteras. Thanks to its impressive interior, innovative features and solid Hatteras-worthy construction, the 56 Motor Yacht stands ready to introduce a whole new group of boaters to the benefits of becoming a member of the Hatteras family. To learn more about the 56 Motor Yacht, contact an authorized Hatteras dealer today, or visit a Hatteras display at an upcoming boat show. Boaters the world over appreciate the advanced design and robust construction that sets Hatteras apart from the fleet. Like all Hatteras models, the 56 features a solid-fiberglass hull bottom that includes beefy support for key areas such as the ...

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 ...

Sailors die after trawler sinks
Two French sailors have died and four others are missing after a French fishing vessel sank about 50 miles 80km off Cornwall. Two French helicopters were first sent to search for the crew of La P ite Julie at its last reported position south of The Lizard at about 0400 GMT. French authorities said one of seven crewmen from the 24.6m 81ft trawler had been rescued and two bodies found. Two helicopters from RNAS Culdrose have been assisting. One pilot said wreckage could be seen over a wide area. Two empty life rafts were found in the area where the trawler radioed for assistance before sinking. British rescue services were alerted to the incident at about 0700 GMT. Coastguards at Falmouth were contacted by French authorities and the first helicopter from Culdrose was scrambled at about 0730 GMT. Helicopter pilot Lt Chuck Norris said: We arrived at the scene at 0810 to find a French fixed-wing aircraft coordinating the search, and a French heliopcter. We searched about 20 square ...

CONTEST YACHTS EXPANDS RANGE WITH 40-FOOTER
The design of the Contest 40CS is distinctive from other Contest yachts due to its aft cockpit. This reflects the yard’s conviction that such a cockpit makes optimal use of the available space both above and below deck on yachts of this length. It also gives the 40CS a sporty look, which is exactly what designer Georg Nissen and Contest Yachts had in mind for this model. “The entire design is aimed to make the yacht perform at its best in all weather conditions and offer a multifunctional character,” Contest director Arjen Conijn comments. “The large cockpit provides plenty of room for the crew to move around. The reef genoa drum has been placed below deck and the fore deck kept free and orderly. “Sail trimming and other actions can be performed quickly and effectively thanks to the smart arrangement of winches and lines. And, naturally, we equipped this performance cruiser with fractional rigging and angled spreaders.” Space and light Birgit Schnaase was responsible for the ...

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 ...

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 ...

Tow plan for stricken cargo ship
Coastguards have said attempts will be made later to tow back to shore a cargo ship from which 20 crew were rescued off the Devon coast on Sunday night. The crew members were rescued after the Greek-registered Ice Prince got into difficulties about 35 miles off the Start Point. MCA spokesman Fred Caygill said salvors were on the way to the vessel which is carrying 5,260 tonnes of timber. Mr Caygill said it had not been decided where the stricken ship will be taken. It depends where we can get her in, he said. Twelve of the crew were airlifted to Portland by coastguard helicopter and eight others were taken by the Torbay lifeboat to Brixham. Dark on board The MCA said an emergency call was made from the Ice Prince at about 1900 GMT on Sunday. Crew reported that the ship, which was heading for Alexandria in Egypt, was rolling heavily in very poor weather, 35 miles south east of Start Point. At 2015 GMT, the MCA said the coastguard received word that a 41-year-old Greek crewman ...

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 ...