sea

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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, ...

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 ...

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 ...

Sealine International at the Barcelona Boat Show
Sealine will unveil their latest sports convertible - the SC35. Space and light are key elements of this brand new model. Characterised by clean crisp lines and a modern spacious and stylish interior, the boat’s design incorporates a range of truly innovative features including translucent convertible roof system and a deep v hull form. The new SC38 convertible is on show with the SC29 also from the sports cruiser range. The F34 and F37 will represent the flybridge ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...