MAINSAIL Issue 1

mainsail

>> cover story: The Will To Win p.06 >> feature: A First-Ever Visit Paid To A Legendary Wreck Found Off Malta p.20 >> sailing narrative: e Strait - Epic Voyage Of Lin And Larry Pardey p.30 >> focus: I’m On A Megayacht At The Monaco Yacht Show, What Do I Do? p.44

may 2015

issue 1

Exclusive interview with Sir Ben Ainsle p.06

P Win a tVtIo ticke the VoRlvaoce Oceannburg Gothe p.34 e on read mor

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mainsail

may 2015

issue 1

Contents 06

Cover Story The Will To Win

MAINSAIL exclusive interview with Sir Ben Ainsle on how he has managed to power through against the odds to become the most decorated sailor of all time

Feature

12

We Race What We Build: Team Chaudron to Race in 2015 UIM ClassOne Worlds

We highlight the most important race Team Chaudron will compete and also take a look at their crowning achievement at the World Championship

14

Feature

RC 44 Valletta Cup

We go behind the scenes to cover the RC44 Valletta Cup which kicked-off the elite Championship Tour

Feature

20

A First-Ever Visit Paid To A Legendary Wreck Found Off Malta We dive with U-Boat Malta to visit the legendary wreck of HMS Olympus, tragically lost outside of the Valletta Grand Harbour in 1942

30

Sailing Narrative

e Strait - Epic Voyage Of Lin And Larry Pardey

An epic story by award winning writer Herb Mccormick and former editor-in-chief of Cruising World

Focus

I’m On A Megayacht At The Monaco Yacht Show, What Do I Do? Sathnam Sanghera’s exclusive account of her sojourn on board a luxurious super yacht during the Monaco Yacht Show

Issue 1 >> 04

44

Editor’s Note

Features

18 Gadgets Medcomms present a variety of latest on board gadgets

It is with pride and joy to launch the first edition of MAINSAIL, Malta’s truly dedicated boats and yachting publication. As the premier issue of MAINSAIL magazine hits the news stands across Malta and Gozo this weekend, the company will be setting a benchmark for quality publications, setting high standards of quality journalism, content and design.

Therefore, as I pay tribute to all those related with the first issue, including all our contributors, sales team, advertisers, and supporters, MBR Publications will also be celebrating a milestone in the distribution and promotion campaign related to this outstanding boats and yachting publication.

Company Highlight

26 WD Resources (Malta) Opens For Business

We review WD Resources (Malta) Limited (WDRM), in association with established employment services provider CES Guernsey

Sailing Narrative

34 Volvo Ocean Race 2015

Win a VIP ticket to the Volvo Ocean Race Gothenburg – June 15

Focus

42 Dedicated to Sailing

We focus our spotlight on Malta Yacht Charters, managed

by Capt. Michael Gauci

52 Ultimate Human Endurance

Challenge - Rowing The Pacific!

Roz Savage writes for MBR about the first ever rowing race to take place across the Pacific Ocean

54 A Philadelphia Rowing Tradition

Celebrating 150 Years of Rowing Excellence by the Malta Boat Club founded in 1860 by members of the Minnehaha Lodge of the Sons of Malta

Our mission is to deliver unparalleled quality and unbiased editorial on all variety of boats and yachts, including anything related with this industry, such as chartering, boat shows, regattas, personal stories and true life drama, high seas experiences, electronic and technology, sailing gadgets and gear, maritime adventures and anniversaries, news feeds, interviews and much more. Reflecting the impressive growth in the demand for high quality boats and yachting magazine, MBR Publications Limited is the first and only independent, and genuinely committed magazine, exclusively serving all the market segments of the boat and yachting industry.

Every issue of MAINSAIL will be packed with rich full-colour features, reliable reviews, and engaging columns, written exclusively by experienced and passionate yachting experts, boat owners, sailors, yachtsmen, marine importers and journalists. With a circulation of over 170,000 electronic digital version, combined with a print run of 10,000 copies, and an estimated of new readership flow, MAINSAIL will undoubtedly be Malta’s largest boating and sailing publication. Known for our strong editorial content, we hope to gain a very loyal readership – hundreds of boat and yacht owners will devoutly read each issue of MAINSAIL cover to cover. Whether it’s our exclusive interviews, or our comprehensive features or any of the other wealth of entertaining and informative editorial material that is in every issue of MAINSAIL readers will come to realise that no matter what they are interested in, they will get it in every issue of MAINSAIL. Finally, there is a bottom line; we work hard to make our dreams come true. Just as our customers do. Our customers are the reason why we sell more than double the number of display advertising than any of our competitors; why over 90% of all active boat and yacht brokers choose to advertise in MAINSAIL; and why we are also Number One for print advertising. When it comes to value-for-money, highly effective advertising, no one beats MAINSAIL! Thanks to all those who have contributed and helped us make our MAINSAIL dream come true.

Quote of the Month “Hark, now hear the sailors cry, smell the sea, and feel the sky let your soul & spirit fly, into the mystic...” - Van Morrison MAINSAIL is distributed to all major banks, car hire, port authorities, maritime agencies, financial and maritime law companies, foreign diplomatic representations, transport and logistics agencies, shipping agents, ship and yacht registration, ship repair and suppliers, including Creek Developments Ltd, Grand Harbour Marina, Harbour Marina, Kalkara Boat Yard, La Valletta Club, Malta Maritime Authority, Malta International Airport, Manoel Island, Mgarr Marina Gozo, Msida & Ta’ Xix Waterfront, Passenger Terminals, Portomaso, Valetta Waterfront, and four/five star hotels.

MBR Publications Limited

Martin Vella

Publisher - MBR Publications Limited Editor - Martin Vella Technical Advisor - Wilfred Sultana Sales Director - Margaret Brincat Sales Executive - Charlotte Munro Art & Design - Jessica Camilleri Advertising - 9940 6743 / 9926 0163

Email: margaret@mbrpublications.net; charlotte@mbrpublications.net;

Contributors - Carl Formby; Chris Freeman; Mariella Galea; Herb McCormick; Patrick J. O’Brien;

Disclaimer All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by copyright may be reproduced or copied and reproduction in whole or part is strictly prohibited without written permission of the publisher. All content material available on this publication is duly protected by Maltese and International Law. No person, organisation, other publisher or online web content manager should rely, or on any way act upon any part of the contents of this publication, whether that information is sourced from the website, magazine or related product without first obtaining the publisher’s consent. The opinions expressed in Mainsail are those of the authors or contributors, and are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher.

Roz Savage; Sathnam Sanghera; Wilfred Sultana; Catherine Wieser

Special Thanks - Grand Harbour Marina; International Canoe Federation; Middle Sea Insurance

plc; National Maritime Historical Society, USA; RC 44 Valletta Cup; Royal Malta Yacht Club; Team Chaudron; Transport Malta; The Interview People; The Malta Boat Club “Minnehaha”; The Daily Telegraph; The Independent; The Times; U-Boat Malta; YachtPals Print Production - Printit Offices - 41B, Wayne, Triq il-Herba, Birkirkara, BKR 2322 Telephone - +356 2149 7814 www.mbrpublications.net

>> 05

>> Cover Story: Exclusive Interview with Sir Ben Ainslie

The will to

Win

“I’m not stupid as to think I did it alone”, reaffirms modest hero Sir Ben Ainslie in an exclusive interview for MAINSAIL, on the America’s Cup triumph he helped secure, and the sailing childhood that set him on course to glory.

By Neil Tweedie

W

hen he was a teenager, still at school, Ben Ainslie was invited to attend the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony in recognition of his winning a sailing championship.

took another look, and some little kid said to his father, ‘Oh, it’s all right, Dad, it’s nobody.’ My dad put his arm around my shoulder and said, ‘It’s all right son, don’t worry about it,’ and that’s sort of been the case throughout my career as a sailor.”

“I went with my dad and we pulled up in this taxi outside the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre in London,” he remembers.

“There were loads of people there with cameras and they came running towards us with flashes going off. Then they stopped,

Sir Charles Benedict Ainslie is, at 36, currently the best–known nobody in Britain, a man whose single–minded pursuit of success has propelled competitive sailing, for so long confined to the backwaters of sport, to the forefront of national consciousness.

Issue 1 >> 06

Cover Story: Exclusive Interview with Sir Ben Ainslie <<

J.P. Morgan BAR Extreme Sailing Series 2014, Act 2 Muscat.© J.P. Morgan BAR/Lloyd images

IN 2013, Sir Ben guided the United States to victory over New Zealand in the America’s Cup, overturning a seemingly insuperable Kiwi lead of eight wins to one to steal the trophy nine– eight. He had been called in as an emergency replacement on–board tactician to salvage American pride, and the millions of pounds lavished by American software billionaire Larry Ellison on the giant catamaran carrying his company’s name, Oracle. A worldwide audience was able to listen in as Sir Ben called the shots on wind and current in San Francisco Bay, imploring the crew to “work your arses off”.

Sir Ben is the undisputed king of British yacht racing, his status as a team leader confirmed emphatically following a solo career that saw him capture four Olympic gold medals.

Unforgiving on the water – he was briefly a hate figure in Brazil for the aggressive blocking tactics he used to take gold in the Laser class from that country’s sailing hero during the Sydney Olympics – he is a model of modesty on dry land.

“In other sports, good results would lead you to becoming a household name and whatever comes with that, but to be honest I’m quite comfortable with not being widely known,” he says, reclining in the Royal Ocean Racing Club in St James’s. “I’m quite a private person and wouldn’t really love the attention given to, say, a footballer.”

The America’s Cup is the oldest international sporting trophy in existence, named not after the country but the American schooner that won it in 1851. Fashioned by Garrard, the royal jeweller, the silver ewer was purchased by the 1st Marquess of Anglesey for the Royal Yacht Squadron, and was initially known as the One Hundred Pound Cup. Legend has it that, as the America ploughed to victory past the Royal Yacht, anchored in the Solent, Queen Victoria, searching in vain for the trailing field,

asked her attendant to identify the vessel in second place. “Your Majesty, there is no second,” came the reply.

I’m quIte a PrIvate PerSon and wouldn’t reallY love the attentIon gIven to, SaY, a footBaller

Donated to the New York Yacht Club, the rechristened trophy remained on the far side of the Atlantic for more than a century, the object of duels between successive generations of super–yacht.

British contenders came and went, all unsuccessful and many complaining of unsporting behaviour by the hosts – the holder of the cup writes the rulebook. “The Americans did a pretty good job of subtly manipulating the rules to make sure that it was almost impossible for anyone to beat them,” says Sir Ben. American domination ended in 1983 when Australia II, equipped with a revolutionary winged keel, wrested the “Auld Mug”, as it is known. A yachting arms race ensued, with money and technology poured into evermore advanced designs. Ellison’s involvement has taken the event to new levels but also threatens a monopoly – few can match his resources and commitment. “Larry has taken a lot of criticism for this event,” says Sir Ben, “but I know his vision is to reduce costs and in the future to bring in more teams.”

Like his skipper on Oracle, Sir Ben was equipped with a screen on his arm relaying information from sensors strewn around the 72ft catamaran. So, was it British tactics or American technology? “We’ll never know,” he offers. “I was a bit embarrassed about some of the comments made over here www.mbrpublications.net

>> 07

>> Cover Story: Exclusive Interview about me single–handedly turning the whole thing around. Not only are there eleven guys on the boat but a huge number of people on shore. It’s like working with a Formula 1 car.”

provided an escape. “I didn’t really enjoy school,” he says, “but through sailing and getting results – it’s amazing what it does for your self–esteem.”

Sir Ben pays tribute to John Kostecki, the American he replaced as tactician, for behaving in gentlemanly manner, continuing to offer advice despite his eviction from the boat. “I don’t think John was necessarily doing anything wrong. The mood was obviously difficult because of the dire situation, so to bring in someone with a fresh perspective was a way of lifting the team. I did try to be super–positive but I’m not stupid enough to think I could do it on my own. As for technology, these boats are still so physical.”

If You are goIng to do SomethIng SerIouSlY then You’ve got to gIve It everYthIng

And dangerous, promising speeds of up to 50 mph. Sir Ben was among those who pressed for improvements in safety following the death of his friend Andrew “Bart” Simpson, killed when the Swedish multi–hull Artemis capsized during training for the Cup. Following his victory, he remarked: “I looked up to the stars after it all settled down and thought of Bart. In some ways this was for him.”

Ben Ainslie was born in Cheshire but moved at an early age to Cornwall.

A recurrent skin condition led to him being bullied at school. Sailing

His father was crucial in forming his ambition. “There was a pub a mile up the creek from where we lived which was our local, and it was Christmas morning and my dad said the family were going there, and I should get in my boat and meet them. I was in my duffle coat with no lifejacket or anything like that, and it was the first time I’d sailed any boat on my own. You couldn’t do it these days – social services would be all over you – but I made it. “When you are out there on your own, all of a sudden you are in complete control. You are in control of destiny”.

A will to escape, yes but the will to win? “There was quite a telling moment in my childhood when I was sailing in a club race, and my parents had always been really supportive but never pushed me or anything. There

The Duchess of Cambridge attended a breakfast reception at The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. The Duchess met supporters of the bid to launch a British Team for the America’s Cup, headed by Sir Ben Ainslie. The Duchess met crew and boat designers before viewing an America’s Cup class boat at the museum.Picture shows Credit: Lloyd ImagesRights free for editorial use was this race and I wasn’t doing very well and sort of gave up. I was two years old or something. I didn’t realise that my dad was watching. He came over afterwards, really pissed off. He said, ‘if you want to go sailing for fun that’s fine, that great, but if you want to go racing and you are expecting us to travel around the country, then you’ve got to take it seriously, because I’m not going to waste my time’. It really sank in. I thought, ‘he’s right’. If you are going to do something seriously then you’ve got to give it everything”.

The next America’s Cup tournament will be held in 2017. Ellison wants to turn it into a truly global event, limiting expenditure, possibly, to attract a bigger field of 10 boats or more. “There’s an argument for fleet racing in this type of boat, “says Sir Ben. “It has to be tried and tested but it

Issue 1 >> 08

would be an amazing spectacle.” Sir Ben hopes his success will spur British business to back a truly British bid for the Cup-British boat, British crew.

Britannia will eventually regain what is rightfully hers, he believes-whether or not he is there. “It’s not a matter of if, but when,” he promises. “As for me, I have about ten years left at the highest level”.

But of course he’ll be there. Who could keep him away? Nobody calls Sir Ben Ainslie “nobody” and gets away with it.

All Rights Reserved | Copyright 2015

Thanks to special collaboration with The Daily Telegraph / The Interview People

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Amazing

>> Story of the Month

The

By Simon Usborne

Mr. Ainslie

It was, depending on your interest in AC72 wing‐sail catamaran racing before yesterday, one of the great comebacks by inspirational athletes against all odds... or a victory of money over sporting spirit masterminded by a billionaire hobbyist on a playing field as level as the Atlantic

At the London Boat Show 2014

in a hurricane.

Either way, the Oracle team’s last‐gasp victory in the America’s Cup, still the most prestigious event in sailing, has elevated its master tactician Sir Ben Ainslie to a new level of personal fame and riches.

Ainslie, 36, was the weedy kid from Cornwall who defied playground bullies to win his first of five consecutive Olympic medals, the last four gold, while still in his teens. With his heavyweight’s physique and bearded, billboard‐ready face, he is known on dry land for his genial demeanour. Yet when he steps into a boat, he becomes an aggressive and ruthless water‐ borne warrior.

Ainslie was only called to the helm of Oracle’s £60m flying machine when the team, bankrolled by computing mogul Larry Ellison, trailed its New Zealand rival by four races to one.

He replaced veteran American John Kostecki in what the New York Times called `a move not unlike a football team changing quarterbacks — or, perhaps, the coach — at half‐ time of a one‐sided game, looking for a spark.’

For teams searching for a spark, Ainslie is a human angle‐ grinder. Yet his elevation did not bring instant success. From 4‐1 down, Team New Zealand stretched their lead to 8‐1, only to see an Ainslie‐inspired US crew pip them to the prize in the final contest in San Francisco Bay on that auspicious Wednesday.

Issue 1 >> 10

The comeback is an Ainslie speciality. Carrying the weight of national expectation at the Olympics last year, he had lost the first six of the 11 races in the Finn regatta to Danish sailor Jonas Hogh‐Christensen. Due to the way the scoring system works he was still alive in the race for gold, but only just. As he began his fightback in the waters off Weymouth, he accused his rival and a Dutch sailor of ganging up on him, later delivering one of the quotes of 2012. “They’ve made a mistake because I’m angry,’ he said. `And they didn’t want to make me angry.”

Ainslie’s steely eyes reveAled his genuine fury And the Anger seemed to gAlvAnise him to eventuAlly overtAke his rivAls It was an almost pantomime threat, but Ainslie’s steely eyes revealed his genuine fury and the anger seemed to galvanise him to eventually overtake his rivals. An unlikely winning streak earned him a fourth consecutive gold medal; only Sir Bradley Wiggins, Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Chris Hoy have more British Olympic medals than Ainslie, who joined their ranks last January with a knighthood. In the America’s Cup, he is the first British sailor to stand on a winning yacht for 110 years.

Ainslie quickly dedicated his latest win to the memory of Andrew Simpson, one of his best friends and a fellow Olympic

Story of the Month << champion who was killed in May when his catamaran capsized on the same San Francisco race course. Ainslie, who witnessed the incident, later admitted the shock had caused him to question his future in a sport that had already consumed his life and ravaged his body.

Ainslie traces his fighting spirit to his school days in Cornwall. He is the son of a sailing‐mad father, Rod Ainslie, who captained a yacht in the first Whitbread Round The World Race in 1973 and later sold the family home to finance his son’s first bid for Olympic glory. Ainslie, who has a sister, Fleur, has credited his father and mother, Sue, with a balanced upbringing free from the pressures that might have put him off the sport.

In Truro, Ainslie’s classmates were less supportive, picking on him throughout his early teens when an over‐sensitivity to light caused his face to blister and break out in a rash. `They never gave me a break,’ he wrote in his 2009 autobiography, Close to the Wind. `It made me ferociously determined to be good at something to prove to myself that I could be a success and that there was more to life than school and being picked on.’

Ainslie found escape in the freedom of one‐man dinghy sailing and soon became an accomplished racer with a hatred of losing. Aged 18, he won the Youth World Sailing Championships and realised he could mix it with the best. Just a year later he became the youngest British sailor to be selected for an Olympic squad — and won silver in the Laser class in Atlanta in 1996. His take‐no‐prisoners approach earned him global notoriety at the 2000 Games in Sydney when he returned to the Olympics a bulkier, manlier, and hungrier competitor. To win gold he would need to ensure the great Brazilian sailor Robert Scheidt, who beat him to gold four years earlier, finished outside the top 20. So he took what appeared to be a less sporting route to victory, blocking the Brazilian and forcing a series of mistakes that eventually saw him disqualified. His tactics displeased, among others, the gentleman four‐minute mile runner, Sir Roger Bannister, while Australian police also told him he had received death threats from Brazil and offered him protection during the medals ceremony. “Critics like [Bannister] don’t seem to understand the nature of the sport or the rules,’ said Ainslie in his book. `Nor do they seem to understand how hard it is to pull off something like that.”

Gold number two came in Athens in 2004, when Ainslie was a man transformed, bursting out of his life jacket after gaining almost three stone in muscle on a diet of steak and protein shakes. He needed it to compete in the more physically demanding Finn class, in which he excelled, winning the first of three golds in the discipline. In Beijing in 2008, a French sailor who won bronze said Ainslie was “like Mike Tyson at his peak”, while a reporter from the Chinese state news agency asked: “Are you Superman or from another planet?” Ainslie smiled before replying: “As far as I know, I’m human.”

Ainslie’s temper has occasionally rocked his own boat. At the World Championships in Perth, Australia, in 2011, he felt he had been impeded by a media dinghy. So he attempted to hijack it, grappling with its crew before diving into the water and returning to his own vessel. He was disqualified and feared being barred from the Olympics last year. The Royal Yachting Association thought better than to exclude its biggest star, and took no further action. Despite occupying the heights of Britain’s sporting hall of fame, Ainslie has struggled to win as much popularity or media coverage as the country’s cyclists, swimmers or heroes of the track and field. He won two per cent of votes for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in December, finishing ninth out of 12 nominees behind Sir Bradley Wiggins, albeit after a year of unprecedented national success. In previous, less glittering Olympic year in which he also took a gold medal, he still could not trouble the top three, blaming his sport’s continued niche status.

within the limits of A sport thAt struggles to enthrAl the cAusAl television viewer, Ainslie is A giAnt

“The profile of sailing has actually come a huge way in the last 10 years, with Olympic success and people like Ellen MacArthur who have gone out and done fantastic things in offshore racing”, he said before the London Games, “Sometimes it’s a bit frustrating, for example at the Beijing Olympic Games sailing was actually more successful than cycling in terms of the number of medals available, but all the media concentrated on how amazing cycling was”.

But within the limits of a sport that struggles to enthral the causal television viewer, Ainslie is a giant, and has scored lucrative sponsorship deals with JP Moran and Volvo. Home today is the Hampshire coast, where he leads a simple life in a circle of friends, country pubs and the Lymington Yacht Club. Those who have meet him say he is down-to-earth, thoughtful, funny – a shadow of the fearsome tactician he becomes while at sea. He once names Newsnight as the thing he misses most which away from home.

Last year, he was honoured with the opening leg of the Olympic torch relay from Land’s End. Later, outside the Team GB kit room at Loughborough University, where athletes received their outfits for the parade during the 2012 opening ceremony, he stepped out to talk to journalists anxious to discover their top-secret designs. “We’re going to look like an Elvis Presley tribute band”, he told them (he was tight).

Ainslie rarely talks about romance – a girlfriend in Switzerland gave up on him for his obsession with sailing – dedicating his life and career to Rita, the name he has given to his successive yachts.

Now retired from Olympic sailing – the strain on his back was too much – he may yet get to christen a much larger Rita. He had joined the oracle team this year with a view to racing his own America’s Cup vessel, a childhood ambition that paralleled his quest for Olympic gold. If he fails to realise his second dream – a few could doubt a man with a determination of Sir Ben Ainslie – it won’t be without a fight.

Sir Ben Ainslie hoists the America’s Cup Trophy [EPA]

All Rights Reserved / Copyright 2015 Courtesy: The Independent / The Interview People

www.mbrpublications.net

>> 11

>> Powerboat Racing

WE RACE WHAT WE BUILD: Team Chaudron to race in 2015 UIM ClassOne Worlds Five events where the power of machines and the human stamina and talent are tested to extreme limits. Venezia-Rimini (Italy) 30 June-1 July, Salerno (Italy) 8-9 July, Terracina (Italy) 16-18 October with the Grand Finale in Abu Dhabi/ U.A.E. in the United Arab Emirates Grand Prix (16-21 November).

For Aaron Ciantar and the Chaudron family the UIM Powerboat P1 World Championships opened a glittering horizon both as a sport and also the business way.

By Wilfred Sultana Team Chaudron will be defending the World Title won last year by facing another strenuous challenge the 2015 UIM ClassOne World Powerboat Championship is bound to present.

Issue 1 >> 12

Chaudron made its international racing debut as a “Wildcard” entrant on the P1 circuit in May 2004 during the Malta GP with 24-year-old Aaron featuring as trotter-man and driver. For seasons 2005, 2006, and 2007 the Chaudron brother-and-sister team - Aaron and Audrien – as driver and trotter-man were powerful enthusiastic protagonists in a World Championship full of excitement, contest and spectacle.

In 2008 after four seasons of great experience and opportunities – where the local constructor even sold a number of racing boats to foreign owners – Aaron decided to join Italian World Champion Angelo Tedeschi. A decision which indeed paid for season 2008 saw Aaron as driver and Angelo Tedeschi (throttle-

man) on Racing Project and again in season 2009 on Seagull Chaudron, the crew being throttle man Angelo Tedeschi, Aaron Ciantar as driver, and Ukrainian Victor Shemchuk as an owner and navigator conquer two consecutive editions of the P1 World Championship – both on Chaudron built racing machines as was Tedeschi’s winning boat of 2007.

In 2011 Ukrainian Spirit and Seagull, two boats of Ukrainian Victor Shemchuk ownership and Malta Chaudron-built origin, made history by winning both their respective categories at the 31st Key West World Championship on their first outing in powerboat racing in the United States. Here again Aaron was in the driver’s seat of the 13-metre Chaudron Canopy 41 with twin inboard 800hp engines, Ukrainian Spirit (P1-55), that featured in the Manufacturer Production 1 Class.

The legend continued with Aaron Ciantar and Chaudron Powerboats last tested their talent and power in the 2014 UIM ClassOne World Powerboat Championship where they once again tasted victory and World glory. The 13-metre Chaudron Canopy 41 - the ex-Ukrainian Spirit - features a twin 800hp inboard engines and now flies the Malta flag.

Powerboat Racing << Solid PartnerShiP Team Chaudron will once again have the powerful pair of professionals in the canopy cockpit for the 2015 UIM ClassOne World Powerboat Championship, a partnership who share the same dreams, ambitions and glory. Aaron Ciantar will retain his traditional driver role with Frenchman Dominique Martini featuring as throttle-man. Since crossing path in 2012 they worked hard to combine their experiences and competencies in order to get the best out of their professional partnership.

The revised World Championship events format ‘ClassOne’ sees the Class 1 Catamarans and V1 Monohulls running together on a simple mirrorimage circuit with separate sets of turn-buoys, Class 1 turning on the inside marks, V1 the outside.

Class One V1, where Team Chaudron will be positioned, should include prototype racing craft that, with a minimum length of 36ft and maximum of 43ft, using inboard motors only, can reach speeds in excess of over 100mph.

Dominique Martini is a known personality on the French National Championship of offshore racing circuit having won 3rd place in 2009, finished Vice-Champion by reaching the podium for each race in 2010 and eventually became French Champion in 2011.

Dominique is also familiar to Chaudron boats for together with his brother Jean-Luc, the Martini brothers won 3rd place in 2012 and 2nd place in 2013 of the French Championship on a Chaudron 25.

“Once again we are enthusiastically looking forward to this huge but significant challenge. We have trained hard, tested the boat thoroughly and we are pleased with its performance. We are determined to do our utmost to retain the World Title”, remarked four-times World Champion Aaron.

Indeed a remarkable and prestigious record for Chaudron as boat builders and crew: Six World Titles as manufacturers with Aaron at the helm as driver achieving Four titles. An achievement which certainly makes Malta proud. all rights reserved | Copyright 2015

ChaUdron World Championships Victories as Manifacturers PowerBoat P1 Championship 2007* PowerBoat P1 Championship 2008* PowerBoat P1 Championship 2009 31st Key West World Championship 2011 (Production 1 Class)* 31st Key West World Championship 2011 (Production 4 Class) UiM Classone World Powerboat Championship 2014* * aaron Ciantar featured in winning team as driver

Aaron Ciantar waves the chequered flag after winning a Championship Title!

CORPORATE BRIEF CHAUDRON offshore powerboats are constructed by Chaudron Company Limited, a company established in Malta in 1988 which today is the undisputed top boat-building company in Malta. From its humble beginnings in 1988, where the company used to construct boats in the sixteen to twenty-two foot range only, success was immediate and the company expanded to a larger facility in 1990 which is equipped with the latest amenities. The range of boats built by the company, which is a family run business, today ranges from thirteen foot pleasure boats to forty-one foot offshore racing powerboats, which the company has been building now for these fourteen years. Chaudron Started competing in the PowerBoat P1 championship in 2004 with the debut race in home seas. Chaudron were allowed to compete after being given a wildcard and after the experience the team planned on entering the SuperSport championship with the main aim of securing the world title - a daring ambition which saw its first of six achievements in 2007.

www.mbrpublications.net

>> 13

>> Feature: RC44Valletta Cup

RC44 Kicking off the season and making its debut on to the RC44 circuit is Malta’s renowned capital Valletta, City of the Knights. Built on a peninsula in one of the world’s largest and deepest natural harbours, this historic city on the east coast of Malta offered the sailors a thrilling start to the season with prevailing westerly breeze of 11-15 knots and racing against the backdrop of the city’s magnificent fortress.

Valletta CUP

DAY 1 WED 25 MAR: GLAMOUR DAY ON GRAND HARBOUR

On this day Malta laid on possibly the best ever beginning to a RC44 Championship Tour. The RC44 Valletta Cup kicked off on Malta’s Grand Harbour with a day of match racing within one of sailing’s most spectacular settings: The 500 year old Maltese capital of Valletta on one side and the city’s giant forts on the other.

Within the confines of the bustling natural harbour, racing started for the eleven RC44s at 11:30 local time, the wind fortunately blowing from the southeast enabling the race committee to set the weather mark deep within the harbour.

match racing that introduces every RC44 regatta, Prosikhin observed that today many of the RC44 owners steer. He has been doing so for the last year. “I love match racing - I really enjoying it. It is great fun.”

Vladimir Liubomirov helmed Bronenosec today.

According to the team’s Italian tactician, Michele Ivaldi, Liubomirov does this to practice for the fleet racing that comprises the remainder of the regatta. “Today the wind conditions were really tricky, but we were improving our speed, communication and crew work and in the end it was a good day. Our goal was to come back on shore still with everyone being friends! So we achieved goal number one!”

At the close of play four teams were left on four wins. St Petersburg Yacht Club Commodore Vladimir Liubomirov’s Bronenosec Sailing Team and Vladimir Prosikhin’s Team Nika, the only two teams to finish the day with just one loss, Bronenosec winning on countback with Team Nika second.

The boat-on-boat nature of match racing can make it an aggressive sport and, despite this being the first day of racing in the season, there was a spectacular bout between Team CEEREF and Artemis Racing Youth. This saw a prestart collision in which Artemis Racing Youth was deemed to be in the wrong. Then a tacking duel immediately off the line ended when Team CEEREF came in on port, without rights, and unsuccessfully attempted to duck Artemis Racing Youth, stabbing her bow into the Swedish boat’s hull. Artemis Racing Youth continued and won the point but was docked three points for the two incidents, while Team CEEREF was penalised two.

“We had a great day of sailing. There was good wind inside the harbour – it was beautiful,” said Prosikhin. While in the past many of the RC44s have had pros helms for the

Fleet racing sets sail on Thursday 26th March at 11:30 local time but on this occasion the courses was set in open water, outside of Valletta’s magnificent harbour.

For the opening rounds there were 15 knots of wind, but over the course of the day the wind dropped. Despite a delay waiting for a giant cruise ship to dock, six flights were held before Principal Race Officer Peter Reggio stopped proceedings.

Team Ceeref

Issue 1 >> 14

(c) MartinezStudio.es

Feature: RC44Valletta Cup <<

Charisma wins their first RC44 event at the season-opener in Malta (c) MartinezStudio.es

Golden WheelS FoR ChaRiSMa

RC44 VALLETTA CuP MATCH RACING RESuLTS 1. Charisma - 29 2. Team Nika - 39 3. Bronenosec Sailing Team - 41 4. Team Aqua - 43 5. Team CEEREF - 50 6. Katusha - 53 7. Peninsula Petroleum - 57 8. RuS 7 - Anywayanyday - 61 9. Artemis Racing - 64 10. Artemis Racing Youth - 72 11. MAG Racing - 98

Conditions came good for the final races of the RC44 Valletta Cup in Malta with the wind well into the 20s and substantial waves once again, but today with the welcome addition of Mediterranean sunshine.

After the single race, Principal Race Officer Peter Reggio coaxed the fleet out an hour earlier and succeeded in getting three races completed before returning to the Royal Malta Yacht Club’s clubhouse early in the afternoon. The races saw crews severely challenged once again with almost all making costly errors, particularly with their gennaker handling, with a variety of hour glass wraps, broaches and costly trawling of sails.

Nico Poons and his Charisma team put in another consistent day to win the RC44 Valletta Cup comfortably. The previous day’s leader Katusha did not race today, having retired due to a discrepancy with their crew classification.

“It feels great,” said Poons after dowsing his crew in victor’s champagne. This is his first victory since joining the Class at the beginning of 2014. “Today was not that easy!” admitted the Monaco-based Dutchman. “There was quite a lot of wind, but it was fun, especially downwind. You had to concentrate so that you didn’t flip which was difficult. Even upwind, going through the waves needed concentration.”

Poons’ new tactician, Ray Davies, described the day: “It was fantastic yachting, but pretty ugly, especially on port tack offshore.” To avoid the worst of the waves, all the boats typically took the left side of the race track all days. “It was a bit hairy at times in the gybes and a lot of boats were wiping out. It is very easy to broach these boats,” continued Davies.

Charisma’s success, Davies confided, was due to them making less mistakes than their rivals. “Just aim for top fives and let people make mistakes around us. We have a fantastic

team. We made two crew work mistakes the whole regatta.

Other teams were making two each day. And Nico did a good job too.” Davies beat his former Emirates Team New Zealand skipper into second place, Dean Barker calling the shots on board Vladimir Prosikhin’s Team Nika, ending the regatta ten points adrift of Charisma. “It is a very good position, second in this fleet. When the fleet is so strong, it is an honour,” said an ever modest Prosikhin.

Vladimir Liubomirov and Bronenosec completed the RC44 Valletta Cup podium, finishing two points behind Team Nika. Liubomirov was pleased with his team’s third place but admitted making mistakes. A broken steering system had caused them to broach during the first race. In Russia Liubomirov is Commodore of the St Petersburg Yacht Club and was pleased that two yachts from his club – (Bronenosec and Team Nika) had made it to the podium. He added that they look forward to the RC44s returning to Malta. “We have to come back next year. It is one of the best places we have been to. The people are so friendly. The hospitality is at a very high level.”

This regatta has been quite an initiation for Gorannson, sailing his first RC44 regatta but ably assisted by Kiwi tactician Cameron Appleton and the crew that is the current RC44 Tour Champion, Team Aqua was one of the few not to broach today.

“We had well over 20 knots for quite some time but we kept the boat upright, which is not something everyone did,” said Gorannson. “It is one of the first regattas I have been to where we have big conditions every day. These boats go really well downwind and it is so much fun to steer, especially when you have the small kite on because you are really on the edge. I was apprehensive about it at first, but now I am really hooked on it.”

The RC44s now decamp north ready for the Audi Porto Cervo Cup over 17th-21st June. www.mbrpublications.net

>> 15

Maritime

>> Naval Chronicles

History Recollections 1815 1806

Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson receives a state funeral and is interred in St Paul’s Cathedral.

Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, was born 29 September 1758. He was a British flag officer who became famous for his service in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. An inspirational leader with a fantastic grasp for strategy, Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson was responsible for a number of Naval Victories. In his failed attempt to conquer Santa Cruz de Tenerife he lost his right arm, and sacrificed the sight in one eye in Corsica. He was shot and killed in the Battle of Trafalgar in October, 1805.

Nelson joined the Navy through the influence of his uncle and rapidly rose through the ranks. He served leading commanders, and eventually obtained his own command in 1778.

After the American War of Independence, Nelson suffered from illness and unemployment until the French Revolutionary War allowed his return to service in the Mediterranean. On 21 October 1805, the FrancoSpanish fleet came out of port, and Nelson’s fleet engaged them at the Battle of Trafalgar. The battle was Britain’s greatest naval victory, but during the action Nelson was fatally wounded by a French sniper. His body was brought back to England where he was accorded a state funeral. Nelson’s death at Trafalgar secured his position as one of Britain’s most heroic figures. Numerous monuments, including Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, London, have been created in his memory and his legacy remains highly influential.

War of 1812: Battle of New Orleans – Andrew Jackson leads American forces in victory over the British.

The Battle of New Orleans, the final major battle of the War of 1812, took place on January 8, 1815. Major General Andrew Jackson commanded American forces to defend against the invading British Army, commanded

by General Edward Pakenham, intent on seizing New Orleans and the land the US acquired through the Louisiana Purchase . Though the Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24, 1814 it was not ratified by the US until February 16th, 1815 and hostilities continued until official noticed reached the Louisiana area. The Battle of New Orleans is widely regarded as the greatest American land victory of the war. In the early hours of January 8th, General Pakenham organized an attack against Jackson’s position. He ordered one of his Colonels to cross the Mississippi in the cover of night for a surprise attack on Commodore Daniel Patterson in the American entrenchments and then open fire on Jackson’s line. The plan did not work due to a canal that was dug collapsing, rendering the dam that was supposed to divert the flow of the river into the canal useless. The sailors were left dragging their boats through thick mud and arrived for battle twelve hours late. The battle resulted in 2,042 British casualties: 291 soldiers were killed, including General Pakenham, 1,267 were wounded and 484 captured or missing. The Americans had 71 casualties: 13 dead; 39 wounded, and 19 missing.

1912 German geophysicist Alfred Wegener first presents his theory of continental drift.

Upon noticing that the large landmasses of Earth seemed to fit together like puzzle pieces, Alfred Wegener began to develop the theory of Continental Drift.

After reading an article in 1911 about a flooded land-bridge which disputed isostasy, a belief popular at the time, Wegener began to delve into the notion of continental drift. On January 6th 1912, he presented his hypothesis. Wegener analyzed either side of the Atlantic Ocean for rock type, geological structures and fossils. He noticed that there was a significant similarity between matching sides of the continents, especially in fossil plants. From 1912, Wegener publicly advocated the existence of “continental drift”, arguing that all the continents were once joined together in a single landmass and have drifted apart. He supposed that the mechanisms might be the centrifugal force of the Earth’s rotation (“Polflucht”) or the astronomical precession caused the drift. Wegener also speculated on sea-floor spreading and the role of the mid-ocean ridges, stating: the Mid-Atlantic Ridge … zone in which the floor of the Atlantic, as it keeps spreading, is continuously tearing open and making space for fresh, relatively fluid and hot sima [rising] from depth. However, he did not pursue these ideas in his later works. Wegener’s theory was rejected by members of the scientific community until Geophysicist Jack Oliver provided seismologic evidence supporting plate tectonics which encompassed and superseded continental drift with the article “Seismology and the New Global Tectonics” in 1968.

Issue 1 >> 16

Courtesy: National Maritime Historical Society, USA

1835 HMS Beagle drops anchor off the Chonos Archipelago.

HMS Beagle was a Cherokee-class 10-gun brig-sloop of the Royal Navy. Launched on May 11, 1820 from the Woolwich Dockyard on the River Thames, the ship became the first full rigged man-of-war to sail under the old London Bridge. With no need for her services after that, lay afloat with no masts or rigs and sat dormant. She was later adapted as a survey barque and served as a research vessel for three expeditions. Charles Darwin boarded the ship on it’s second expedition securing her place in history. The Chonos Archipelago is a series of low, elongated, mountainous islands with deep bays.

Most of the islands remain forested with little or no human settlement. The largest islands are Melchor Island, Benjamin Island, Traiguen Island, Riveros Island, Cuptana Island, James Island, Victoria Island, Simpson Island (Chile), Level Island, Luz Island.

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The stern area of the cockpit behind the helm station has a grill and sink.

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Once within the area, the search and rescue services can quickly home in on your location using the unit’s 121.5Mhz homing beacon and flashing LED SOS light.

VIRB Elite records true HD 1080p video that lets you relive every minute of your adventure in full, high-contrast, undistorted detail. In addition to 1080p@30fps, you can adjust resolution and filming speed for crisp, dramatic slow motion up to 120fps.

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Smartfind E5 Epirb (Manual Bracket) Designed to meet the requirements of both the commercial and recreational user, the E5 features transmits on 406 and 121.5MHz and includes a high brightness LED light which helps rescue services locate you at night or in poor visibility. Location is determined within 5km (3 miles) by measuring the doppler shift of the EPIRB’s signal through the COSPAS-SARSAT network.

Once in the area, rescue services are then able to pinpoint your precise location using inbuilt 121.5Mhz homing transmitter.

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Thuraya XT The world’s toughest satellite phone for use in the most challenging environmentsThe only satellite phone to meet the most demanding criteria for splash resistance, dust resistance and shock proofing, Thuraya XT combines its unparalleled phone functionality with the dependability of the Thuraya satellite network. Thuraya XT is ideal for users who operate in remote areas and harsh environments where local networks are unreliable.

Issue 1 >> 18

>> Diving Exploration

A first-ever visit paid to a legendary wreck found off Malta A first-ever visit has been recently paid to a legendary wreck of HMS Olympus, tragically lost outside of the Valletta Grand Harbour in 1942. U-Boat Malta explorers and maritime archaeologist Dr. Timothy Gambin plunged to the depth of around 120 meters in a submersible C Explorer 5.8 to investigate the sunken British submarine.

“

HMS Olympus was one of the last remaining undiscovered warships from World War II and it provides further material evidence of the conflict that raged off the Maltese coast. The visit to wreck in the submarine enabled us to gather vital information on the damage suffered by the Olympus, which will in turn enable us to better understand the circumstances that led to her loss,” Dr. Gambin of University of Malta comments on the event.

He led a team of researchers back in 2011, when 283-feet wreck was discovered using side scan sonar. In order to confirm the identity of the found sub, later on explorers came back to the site with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to capture images.

Configuration of the bow torpedo tubes, cunning tower shape and other evidence allowed the positive of HMS Olympus. However, there was still much more to discover. Among other things, on the basis of a systematic visual examination experts intended to confirm or deny the version that the submarine was lost due to striking a mine.

U-Boat Malta’s mission has become the next important step in HMS Olympus underwater investigation, letting researchers observe the object, make notes and verify theoretical evidence with factual data. Explorers also filmed a high quality video for more detailed desk-based studies.

During all submarine operations the survey methods were non-intrusive. The members of the exploration team ensured that through such a methodology («look don’t touch» principle) the site is treated with utmost respect as per local laws and international conventions The core group of the project continues with its research and is currently planning further dives on the Olympus.

HISTORICAL NOTE During the World War II, due to the difficulty of passing convoys to Malta, submarines were used to run essential supplies to the island. Among those which contributed towards this hazardous task was HMS Olympus (N35), which unfortunately, in the early hours of 8th May 1942, few kilometers off the coast of Malta, is said that hit a mine and sunk.

HMS Olympus, an O- or Odin-Class submarine, was commissioned in 1930. This class submarine measured 86.5 meters length, 6.1 meters width and had a draft of 4.9 meters. Her

Issue 1 >> 20

displacement was 1,781 tons surfaced and 2,038 tons when submerged.

From 1931-1939 HMS Olympus formed part of the 4th Flotilla operating out of Hong Kong. After that she was with the 8th Flotilla, in Colombo, Ceylon (modern day Sri Lanka). In 1940 she was redeployed to the Mediterranean.

HMS Olympus played an important role in what became known as ‘Magic Carpet Service’, ferrying passengers, fuel, ammunition and food from Gibraltar to Malta.

About hundred men were on board HMS Olympus on that fateful night - 8th May 1942: her own crew plus other survivors from different sunken submarines on their way to Gibraltar.

Only eleven men made it to the shore. This was a wartime tragedy of epic proportions.

Although technical divers from UK and Malta believed that they had found the wreck way back in 2008, but after, it transpired that it was not the HMS Olympus. Later, in 2012, it was announced that it had been finally located.

Now, in 2014, U-Boat Malta Ltd., together with Marine Archaeologist Dr. Timmy Gambin, for the first time dived on HMS Olympus with their Submersible C Explorer 5.8.

CORPORATE BRIEF U-Boat Malta (a division of Maltese holding company U-Group) specializes in marine archaeology, scientific and historical research.

The company explores the richness of the Maltese islands and launches expeditions to various intriguing locations abroad. Company’s latest missions include an expedition to Greece, where researchers investigated legendary WWI wrecks, HMHS Britannic and S/S Burdigala. U-Group as a holding is investing in the documentary to promote the underwater cultural heritage of the Maltese Islands U-Boat Navigator vessel, C Explorer 5.8 and Triton 3300/3 submersibles, wet diving bell, ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle) and other leading-edge technologies ensure a sophisticated underwater experience with the maximum result in each mission. U-Boat Navigator is also equipped with decompression chamber, diagnostic medical system and other up-to-date facilities.

Diving Exploration <<

www.mbrpublications.net

>> 21

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>> Canoeing

Canoe Ocean Racing Ocean Racing is the latest discipline to fall under the ICF. This exhilarating sport encompasses long distance Surfski, Sea Kayak and Sea Touring races and its athletes, among the fittest of the Canoe World, require both endurance and navigational skills as well as other ocean-going expertise. A marriage of kayak technique and speed, Ocean Racing is an ideal meeting place for athletes of all Canoe disciplines. Indeed, some of the most successful Ocean Racers are well-established Canoe Marathon or Canoe Sprint athletes. That’s not to say there are no specialised Ocean Racing athletes out there too.

An extremely popular sport in warm coastal regions, Ocean Racing is huge in places such as Australia, California, Hawaii, and South Africa.

Its appeal is clear; a Surfski is the fastest boat over long distance on ocean swells. (In flatwater, only an Olympic standard Canoe Sprint boat is faster.)

Athletes can expect to ride big wind-driven waves or hurricane generated ground swells, as well as the challenge of paddling in 20+ knot wind conditions.

FROM OySTeR OCeAn RACIng

pICKIng TO

started to go further out to sea and Ocean Racing as we know it today began in earnest.

successful Surfskis and replicated into glass fibre which was much cheaper.

The first Ocean Racing event was in 1958. The 46km-long Scottburgh to Brighton race in South Africa has been held every year since. The longest race is the port elizabeth to east London race in South Africa (known as the Southern Shamaal).

This 240km race is run every year since 1972. now, every even year features an individual race, every odd year a team event. probably the most famous of all is the Molokai Race in Hawaii. 60km of racing in the beautiful pacific waters, the Molokai run since 1976.

Branching away from short distance lifesaving Surfski racing, Ocean Racing Surfskis were made longer with sharply pointed bows and under stern rudders. They also differ with the more longitudinal curvature or rocker. Helping it cut through waves, the large volume in the bow creates buoyancy and making use of ocean swells, the boats have a longer waterline. expertly crafted Surfskis must be sleek and narrow (to reduce water resistance) yet it needs to be stable enough so that athletes can paddle through rough conditions.

WHAT IS A SuRFSKI? A Surfski is a long, narrow, lightweight kayak with an open (sit-on-top) cockpit, usually with a foot pedal controlled rudder. They are generally 5-6.5m (16½-21ft) long and just 40-50cm (1620”) wide.

In complete contrast to the shorter boats we see in Canoe Slalom and Canoe Freestyle, Surfskis are not very manoeuvrable, yet in the right hands the boat can cut through large broken waves with ease.

The Surfski boat was first seen in Australia in the early 1900s when two young brothers, namely Harry and Jack McLaren, used them around their family’s oyster beds on Lake Innes in nSW. They also used their custom-made boats to surf on the nearby port MacQuaries beaches.

Some boats are made from polyethylene but much lighter versions (and more expensive) are made from composite layers of epoxy or polyester resin-bonded cloth such as fibreglass, kevlar, carbon fibre or a mixture. Depending on its use, the number of layers can be increased (for added strength) or decreased (for a lighter craft).

Recognising the speed and versatility of the boats, Surfskis were later used for life saving. From 1946, Surfskis entered the lifesaving competition programme and, over time, the boats became much narrower and quicker. Initially a surf life saving sport, Ocean Racing started with short distance races of 700m but with developments in boat design, people

In the beginning Surfskis were like surfboards, laminated in light wood and sometimes covered in fabric. By the 1960s production had moved to polystyrene foam strengthened with wooden stringers and thin layer of fibreglass. But as the sport grew in the 1970s production moved with the use of moulds. Moulds were made from the most

Issue 1 >> 24

By Catherine Wieser

InTO THe ICF As Ocean Racing grew the sheer number of entries and scale of the competitions has led to the ICF organising International Competitions through it’s national Federations. A Surfski World Series is underway for 2010. The ICF has set new rules for this discipline.

The different types of kayaks, varied ocean water condition, and the climate of the different regions of the World are so varied that it is going to be a major challenge to establish suitable criteria and body of rules that will fit all types of Ocean Racing.

Distances can vary from approximately 10 kms to multi day races over ultra long distances. Races are held in single and double surfski’s or sea kayaks and in single and six person outriggers Keep watching to check the progress of Ocean Racing as an ICF Discipline. For more information about the marketing packages available at the ICF World Championships and ICF World Cups, please contact catherine. wieser@canoeicf.com.

Credit: International Canoe Federation

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>> Ship Registry & Marine HR

WD ResouRces (Malta)opens foR business

With the Malta Ship Registry continuing to develop at a faster rate than any other, and the improving infrastructure of its ports, Malta is seeking to become a centre for the superyacht industry. The existing local facilities and expertise, combined with the excellence of the Maltese Registry and a history of seafaring make Malta a natural choice for employment services too.

WD Resources (Malta) Limited (WDRM), in association with established employment services provider CES Guernsey, has been launched to offer a wide range of services to both commercial and leisure maritime clients, including developing the supply of trainee and qualified seafarers to the marine industry, ongoing STCW and other crew training, employment & payroll services, crew management, MLC 2006 compliance and other employment related services.

Neil Carrington, Director of WDRM, said “Providing global employment solutions to companies in the marine, energy and other business sectors, we were approached by clients to provide a specific employment solution within the EU. Fortunately, due to our Group contacts and existing links with Malta, we created our first company in Malta to service this need. This led to me thinking about the bigger picture and the fact that we could extend and offer these services across the whole industry; so launching WD Resources (Malta) was the logical next step. Our client base covers many sectors of the shipping industry, both commercial and leisure, and, in particular, we have clients within the cruise and luxury yacht sectors who are constantly on the lookout for good seafarers of all ranks.

WDM can offer companies not only the services they need, but will be encouraging clients to take a closer look at the services available within the current Maltese marine sector.”

The WDM office will be headed up by Marika Vella Pace Micallef, who prior to joining WDRM, worked in executive level positions within the HR and Accounting Departments in several companies including 2X Software Ltd, FTI Services Ltd and BC Commercials Ltd. “I am delighted to head this new venture and look forward to working closely with both new clients and the Maltese Authorities, delivering excellent employment and payroll support services. Malta as an EU Member State offers a tremendous opportunity in terms of its social security and tax system, which is both attractive and compliant for the maritime sector.” Marika added.

WD Resources (Malta) Ltd is also proud to have sponsor of ‘Opportunities in Superyachts’, organised by Quaynote Communications, held on Thursday, 26th March, 2015 at the Westin Dragonara Resort, St. Julian`s, Malta.

For further information please contact WD Resources (Malta) Limited Dixcart House, 2 Sir Augustus Bartolo Street ,Ta’ Xbiex XBX 1091,Malta or visit www.jeaniusconsulting.com

Issue 1 >> 26

>> RMYC Match Racing Series

AnAstAsi

clinches overall lead in day five of RMYC Match Racing series

tough competition at the 2015 Royal Malta Yacht Club Match Racing Winter series Photo Credit: RMYC/Maria Vella-Galea

Day five of the RMYC Match Racing Winter Series saw the top three teams go head to head. Racing was the closest and most exciting to date.

Matthew Fleri Soler provided a worthy challenge to both teams, winning two races from Condachi but losing three to Anastasi. This puts Fleri Soler’s team in fourth place overall.

David Anastasi and his crew of Mark Vassallo, Tom Bonello Ghio and Karl Miggiani came out on top winning five out of eight races.

Ray Condachi’s team, who have been on top of the leader board since the beginning of the series managed to win 4 out of 8 races sailed which means that they have now lost the top spot and Anastasi’s team moves into the overall lead by just over one percent win average.

Day six of the Series, scheduled for 31st March, will give Fleri Soler the opportunity to try get some more points but will not be able to challenge the top two teams.

“As we reach the end of the series, competition is intensifying which makes racing even more exciting for us,” said David Anastasi, winner of last year’s series. “We are very happy to have reached the top of the leaderboard, this will allow us to go directly to the final where we know we will have to fight to keep the top spot”.

Anastasi will remain on top until the final day where all teams will compete in a final knock out series to determine the winner who will be representing the Royal Malta Yacht Club in the International Etchells Invitational Regatta, which will be held in Cowes, between the 1st and 5th August 2015 The next race day for the 2015 RMYC Match Racing Winter Series is scheduled for Tuesday 31st March, a public holiday, where the top three teams will come head to head.

2015 Royal Malta Yacht Club Match Racing Winter Series – Overall Results after Day Five

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Raced

Won

Lost

% Wins

Position

David Anastasi Ray Condachi

20 16

14 11

6 5

70.0% 68.8%

1 2

Kurt Camilleri Burlo Matthew Fleri Soler Marco Sartori Patrick Vassallo

14 14 16 16

9 7 4 3

5 7 12 13

64.3% 50.0% 25.0% 18.8%

3 4 5 6

>> Sailing Narrative

e Strait - Epic VoyagE of Lin and Larry pardEy

By Herb Mccormick

Ernest Hemingway once wrote that there are two ways to go broke: “Gradually and then suddenly.” The same could be said of most shipwrecks. On a bleak, black evening off the coast of Argentina in February of 2002, the phrase also would have described Lin Pardey’s emerging awareness that the situation aboard the wooden 29-foot yacht Taleisin, which she sailed with her husband, Larry, was crossing a bridge from uncomfortable and bothersome to dangerous and terrifying. It sneaked up on her like a slasher in a horror flick. Alone on watch, she’d felt uneasy but mostly in control. A few heartbeats later, she was swimming upstream against waves of panic.

Issue 1 >> 30

Sailing Narrative << “Every story needs a storyteller. The fascinating tale of Lin and Larry Pardey stretches across nearly half a century and touches much of the earth and its oceans, shared lives pulsing with adventure, creativity and passion. Herb McCormick navigates the Pardeys’ sprawling journey like one of their own cutters skimming along the surface of a calm sea.

They lived in many worlds

That’s when she had seen the rocks, dead ahead, out of nowhere, and had thrown the tiller over hard, whirling the boat into a hairpin turn. Down below, the wicked spin flipped her sleeping spouse from his bunk, and almost instantly Larry was on deck. His hair and beard, now flecked with gray, were tousled. But his mind was fully engaged. “What the hell’s wrong?” he screamed, gaining his bearings in the inky night.

After thirty-four years of marriage and more than 170,000 nautical miles of voyaging together; after sharing bylines on nearly a dozen books and hundreds of magazine articles on navigation, seamanship, and heavyweather survival; after scores of lectures and seminars attended by thousands of sailors that further established their rock-solid credentials as the era’s preeminent authorities on long-distance offshore sailing, for the first time Lin uttered the three words her partner never, ever expected to hear. “Larry,” she said ruefully, “we’re lost.”

Strictly speaking, that wasn’t necessarily so. Taleisin was a handful of miles to seaward from the highlatitude archipelago of Tierra del Fuego—the craggy, shadowy profiles of the remote islands were visible through the murk—in a nasty waterway beset by smoking-fast currents called the Strait of Le Maire.

True, their precise position within that strait was, at the moment, somewhat nebulous. And it was entirely possible that the swift northbound current had swept them beyond the boundaries of the pass. This, after all, was their third swing at negotiating the treacherous strait after a pair of failed attempts. But Lin’s dramatic pronouncement had its desired effect. She had captured Larry’s undivided attention.

and McCormick’s prose slips seamlessly among them, whether describing the complexities of boat construction, the breathtaking beauty and harrowing danger of global navigation or the economics of life on the fly. Lin and Larry thrived in an esoteric life of their own making; McCormick is a genial and informed guide with an insider’s knowledge and a poet’s voice. In his hands, their journey is ours.”

— Tim Layden, Senior Writer, Sports Illustrated

That was only fair. He was the reason they were in this pickle. He’s the one who came up with the bright idea of sailing around the legendary promontory at the far reaches of South America known as Cape Horn.

Not only that, but in a classic moment of Larry being Larry, he’d also decided Taleisin would attempt the passage—one that voyagers dubbed “the Mount Everest of sailing”—from east to west, upwind, against the prevailing westerlies and foul currents, an almost unheard-of feat in contemporary seafaring. To get there, of course, they would first need to navigate the Strait of Le Maire.

Which is right where they were.

Well. Probably.

At the no-longer-tender ages of fifty-seven and sixty-two, respectively, Lin and Larry (as they universally have become known to sailors) had already voyaged around the world once, on an eleven-year-trip that began in 1969 aboard Seraffyn, a 24-footer they’d built themselves. To the extent that it was possible in the relatively rare and esoteric pursuit of high-seas adventuring, the four books they’d written about that circumnavigation had launched a career that made them major celebrities in their sport.

TruE, THEir prEciSE poSiTion wiTHin THaT STraiT waS, aT THE MoMEnT, SoMEwHaT nEBuLouS

To anyone with even the smallest interest in small-boat cruising—of taking your own floating home wherever you want—the Pardeys needed no introduction. They’d been called, by various observers, “cruising royalty”; “the first couple of cruising”; “the reigning king and queen of voyaging.” During a time when yachts were becoming ever bigger and more complicated, they’d remained true to their mantra: “Go simple, go small, go now.” In recounting their deeds through their writings and, later, with videos and DVDs, they’d proven that the dream of cruising under sail was accessible, attainable, and affordable to almost anyone. After all, they were both children of modest, middle-class families and upbringings. If they could do it, who couldn’t?

Following the completion of their first round-the-world trip, in 1981 they retreated to an improbable Southern California mountainside tract, many miles from the ocean, to build a second boat, Taleisin, aboard which they set forth on a second lap around the globe, beginning in 1984. The fact that they sailed with no engine on either www.mbrpublications.net

>> 31

>> Sailing Narrative of their boats was just one of their many controversial choices and tactics. So, while nearly every experienced sailor alive knew who the Pardeys were, not everyone agreed with their strategies or opinions. In fact, some observers even considered them outspoken, goddam fools.

In one regard, this voyage around the Horn was the culmination of their life’s work; all the miles that preceded it were a fateful journey down an inevitable path. Larry had certainly dropped enough hints about it over the years. Back in 1977, after crossing the Atlantic for the first time on Seraffyn, he’d said, “Next boat we build, there won’t be a cockpit to fill with seas.

Then we could take it anywhere, even round the Horn.” And later, while constructing Taleisin and drilling the holes for the seventeenth and eighteenth keel bolts, he told Lin, “You can call it overbuilding. I call it insurance to make her strong enough for anything, even Cape Horn.”

For Larry, sailing around the Horn would be the validation of his very existence, unassailable proof that he was one hell of a boatbuilder and sailor.

The decision to pull the trigger on the Horn run, however, had been a recent one, almost spur-of-the-moment. And at first Lin didn’t share her husband’s fervor for the undertaking. They’d been in the North Atlantic in the summer of 2001 after a couple of seasons based on Chesapeake Bay, and they were ready to begin sailing back to New Zealand, to their home in a nestled cove on a small island. Larry was adamant about skipping the Panama Canal, a transit they’d made on a couple of occasions. That left few options, and one thing had led to another. The upshot was that Taleisin would return to the Pacific after sailing south of South America. At first, petite Lin suggested Larry take a friend while she caught a plane; she didn’t know if she still had the pure physical stamina to pull it off. But Larry wouldn’t hear of it, and eventually he persuaded her to join him. That’s the way it had always been . . . and would continue to be.

As usual, they hadn’t told anyone where they were going, had left no hints about their actual scheme. It was one of the main points they’d always hammered home in their yacht-club and boat-show presentations. Never make the mistake of telling people you are going to do something like sail around the world. If for some reason you don’t accomplish the feat, all it does is set you up for failure and disappointment. With Cape Horn, they’d taken their own advice to heart. As they worked their way southward, if for some reason they felt the need to bail out, no one would be the wiser.

nExT BoaT wE BuiLd, THErE won’T BE a cockpiT To fiLL wiTH SEaS. THEn wE couLd TakE iT anywHErE, EVEn round THE Horn But they hadn’t turned around and nobody on the planet had any idea where they were. And now this. Among the many modern technological conveniences the Pardeys eschewed were long-range radios and emergency satellite beacons. They were all alone.

So when Larry joined Lin topsides, somewhere in or near the Strait of Le Maire, they were in a conundrum entirely of their own making. And they both knew that if they did smash a rock, and Taleisin went down, the chances of surviving in the cold water, on this bold coastline, were exceedingly slim.

For the briefest of moments, though they did not speak of it, the notion crossed their minds. This is where we lose the boat? This is how it ends? Really? Here?

And wouldn’t that be a delicious denouement for their critics, the high-and-mighty Pardeys hoisted aloft by their own bloody petards.

It all added just a touch of punctuating irony to an earlier conversation the couple had during their negotiations to launch this journey, one that was now teetering on the precipice of catastrophe.

“At my age,” Lin had said, “I’ve got nothing left to prove.”

“At your age,” Larry had replied, “you’ve got nothing left to lose.”

The preceding excerpt is from the biography on Lin and Larry Pardey, As Long As It’s Fun.

CORPORATE BRIEF Herb McCormick is a native of Rhode Island and a graduate of Williams College. He is the former editor of Cruising World magazine and has also been the sailing correspondent/ sports writer for the New York Times. A veteran ocean racer, he has competed in the Newport to Bermuda, Pacific Cup, Transpac, Sydney to Hobart and cruised and raced from Alaska to Antartica. He is the co-author of Out There, a book about the first BOC Challenge.

Herb McCormick was the former editor-in-chief of Cruising World and a long distance cruiser himself.

Issue 1 >> 32

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>> Volvo Ocean Race Competition

E A C N O RAC O V L E O V

Win a VIP ticket to the Win a VIP ticket to the Volvo Ocean Race Gothenburg - June’15 Ocean Race Volvo Gothenburg - June’15 (

Issue 1 >> 34

Volvo Ocean Race Competition <<

Prize: 2 VIP Packages for clients ( 24-26 June) The prize consists of: • Air Ticket to Gothenburg & 2 nights hotel accommodation in single room • Transfer airport / hotel • Access to Hospitality Desk Marquee :Reception and accreditation + Welcome Breakfast • Onboard Lunch (catamaran or similar) • Arrival early dinner at Port (Port Restaurant TBD) The competition conditions are: Winner: A draw for a client and guest who has a Marine Hull policy in force with Middlesea.

Draw will be end of May.

Route

www.mbrpublications.net

>> 35

>> Middlesea J70 Med Cup TAOB ECNARUSNI

The boat which will be taking part in the event

The Middlesea J70 Med Cup, an international sailing event launched at the Royal Malta Yacht Club

By Special Correspondent yciloP ecnarusnI taoB aeselddiM e v a e l t o n o D . e u r t e m o c m a e r d g n o l e f i l a r o tn e m t s e v n i tn a t r o p m i n a s i t f a r c e n i r a m A ruoy sdraugefas hcihw ECNA RUSNI TAOB sref fo aeselddiM – ecnahc ot gniht yna The Middlesea J70 Med Cup laiwas cnanfi s ref fo os la y ciloPuring taoB the ehTlaunch, .noit cetHon. orp eChris visnetAgius xe sedpraised ivorp dthe na tinitiative, fa r c e r u s a e l p . l e s s e v e h t d r a o b n o s r e h to d n a f l e s r u o y r o f y t i r u c e s recently launched at the Royal Malta especially the positive impact which the race will have on local Yacht Club by Hon. Chris Agius, tourism. “The Maltese sea and landscape are second to none .su ot srettam ti ,uoy ot srettam ti fI and Malta surely deserves to be a world class sailing destination,” he said.

Parliamentary Secretary for Research,

D

Innovation, Youth and Sport. The international sailing event, which will be taking place for the first time between June 4 and June 7, 2015 in Malta is sponsored by Middlesea Insurance and organised by the J70 Association Malta in collaboration with the Royal Malta Yacht Club.

Issue 1 >> 36

Alfredo Munoz, President and CEO of Middlesea Insurance said: ro moc.aeselddim.w w w tisiv ,2626 4 212 no su t catnoC “Mapfre Group, no sof u dwhich niF .sMiddlesea eiraidemInsurance retni desiforms rohtupart, a ruohas fo aynlong a t c a t n oc tradition of supporting sailing events. In fact, MAPFRE is currently one of the sponsors of the Volvo Ocean Race.”

Sebastian Ripard of the J70 Association Malta praised the attributes of the J70 boat, stating that this sailing class is increasing in popularity since it offers a fun but demanding sailing experience. He added that the Association is doing its best to attract as many participants as possible to the race.

.8991 ,tcA ssenisuB ecnarusnI eht rednu ssenisuB lareneG dna mreT gnoL htob no y rrac ot y tirohtuA seciv reS laicnaniF atlaM eht yb desirohtua si )3555-C( .c.l.p ecnarusnI aeselddiM 21/60 51043 BOJ 336 213003 MOC

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COM 300312 633 JOB 34015 06/12

>> Maritime Security

ISIS threat to Mediterranean superyachts played down A report from marine security firm Dryad Maritime has quashed press reports that ISIS might try to attack.

Luxury yacht owners should not let the

Indeed Dryad’s analysis of the Global Terrorism Database shows that only 199 of

cruising in the Mediterranean, according to a

The report rates the current risk level as “low” and adds that the chances of a future ISIS attack on a superyacht are “very low”.

maritime security expert.

ISIS AnALYSIS

have been on marine targets.

threat of ISIS terrorist attacks put them off

A report published in The Sunday Times in February suggested that the Islamic extremist group could attack superyachts, a prospect that has since been reinforced by ISIS propaganda targeting the shipping industry.

Reasons given include a lack of maritime infrastructure within ISIS and their ongoing land campaigns in Libya, which appear to be the main priority.

Even if ISIS were to gain a foothold in Libya and turn its attentions to the Mediterranean, association MBYA commissioned Dryad the numerous counter-terrorist groups Maritime to look into this possibility and the overseeing this area would likely prove a huge deterrent1to any potential 16:26 raids. results areSurfYacht reassuring for boatand owners.

Congierce Tracking Advert paths.pdf 04/05/2015 In response to this, global yachting

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Issue 1 >> 38

the 98,000 terrorist attacks in the past 40 years

Terrorist attacks at sea, as opposed to pirate attacks, remain rare – the notable exception being the Tamil Tigers uprising in Sri Lanka, which effectively ended in 2009.

The Dryad Maritime report concludes: “There should be no reason to decide not to operate luxury yachts in the normal sea areas.”

Courtesy: Motor Boat & Yachting

>> Maritime

A Short Guide to Understanding the Importance of Maritime

Surveillance

By Chris Freeman The 21st century has provided a wealth of

knowledge and technology that makes maritime surveillance tougher on potential threats, but easier on security teams. Terrorist activity is never going to go away, so it is imperative that professionals have all of the tools they need to save lives and protect ships.

T

errorist activity is on the rise all across the planet, which means that new security measures and techniques must be developed in order to keep people safe. Maritime facilities are one of the areas at the highest risk of being attacked by elite frogman units. These units are comprised of highly trained soldiers that swim stealthily through the water toward a country’s naval ships. Often times these attacks are done with explosives, and the goal in mind is to send as many ships plummeting to the depths as possible.

You might be thinking that these frogman units only attack naval shipyards, but that isn’t the case. They will also attempt to sabotage shipping ports to try and disrupt the flow of goods out of the country, effectively damaging the economy. In order to stop these attacks from happening, strict maritime surveillance measures need to be put in place. These measures will help alert security professionals tasked with guarding the ports to any suspicious activity going on around the area.

Thankfully, the 21st century has provided a wealth of knowledge and technology that makes maritime surveillance tougher on potential threats, but easier on security teams. One of the greatest tools that professionals have at their disposal is sonar imaging devices that are attached to ships and

other submersible vehicles. The devices can create a three dimensional rendering of the surrounding area, making frogman units more visible to guards.

These tools can also be used to scope out the hulls of incoming ships, making sure that they are not tagged with bombs or other explosive ordinance as they are brought into the harbour.

Another important tool for maritime surveillance is the classic wireless security camera. Security camera technology has come a long way over the last 10 to 15 years. Images have become clearer, making it easier to spot and identify potential suspects in the port. Many underwater cameras being used by maritime security specialists feature laser technology that enhances the quality of underwater images.

Maritime surveillance for successful military missions requires similar tools. This type of gear is not only great for protecting home ports, but it is essential to have this equipment if you are performing offensive operations. Underwater cameras can help a frogman unit identify potential traps and obstacles in the water such as sea nets.

These nets are fitted with cables that can identify a man’s position if any cuts are made to the material.

Maritime surveillance for successful military missions is important if a threat is identified just off the horizon of a naval shipyard or shipping port.

Terrorist activity is never going to go away, so it is imperative that professionals have all of the tools they need to save lives and protect ships. When the right tools are placed in the hands of the right people, terrorists don’t stand a chance of accomplishing their dark deeds. Constant advancement in imaging technologies are helping to prevent these types of attacks from taking place, making the seas safe for transport and trade.

In order to stop piracy attacks from happening, strict maritime surveillance measures need to be put in place. These measures will help alert security professionals tasked with guarding the ports to any suspicious activity going on around the area.

Courtesy: Articles Factory

Issue 1 >> 40

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Fairline Targa 38

Built 2014 – As New and still under warranty. LOA:11.85MT. Engines: Twin Volvo Penta D6 x 370 HP Each used for only 35 hours. Includes Generator, Air Conditioning, GPS and Plotter, Auto Pilot, Bow Prop, Tender and Outboard and more.

Price : Euro 315,000.00 + VAT

Bavaria Cruiser 45

Built 2010 – LOA :13.65MT. Engine 1 x Volvo Penta x 75 HP with Sail Drive. Includes: Genoa, Roller Mainsail, Bow Prop, New Bimini, Spray Hood, New Batteries, 2 x 12volt Fridges, GPS, Plotter, Autopilot, TV, DVD, Ray Marine Wind Price : Euro 145,000.00 + VAT Instruments, Extended Electric Bathing Platform. etc. www.mbrpublications.net

>> 41

>> MSA / MYC

Dedicated to Sailing

By Mariella Galea

Malta Yacht Charters, managed by Capt. Michael Gauci, a veteran sailor who has been in the maritime business since he completed his nautical training at the Maritime College of Vigo Alicante & Cadiz (Spain) in 1979, is able to offer a complete range of high quality and affordable Yacht Charter Services given its varied range of fleet including a Beaneteau Cyclades 50.5 Bavaria 36. All of our boats are commercially certificated and fully fitted with all required safety equipment.

Charters can include everything from day charters around the wonderful and enchanting islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino up to one week charters. Most importantly, all skippered charters are handled by RYAcertified instructors.

Companies. It meets any sailor’s level of experience and aspirations. While students enjoy the satisfaction of growing their skills, they also move towards achieving recognised certification proving a skipper’s experience and competence.

Besides private charters, Corporate Sailing is ideal for those who may be interested in holding a differentiated executive function, treat clients or encourage staff team building or reward their diligence.

The Academy also offers exclusive training with oneon-one tuition tailored to your needs, and is open to sailors from other parts of the world who can come to Malta to complete their training. Malta’s all year round sailing grounds enhance the tourism aspect of such initiative. Not to mention that yachting is becoming more popular for its sportive principles with locals.

Whether you are an experienced sailor, would like to start learning how to sail or are already a sailor but would like to sharpen those skills, Malta Sailing Academy (MSA) offers the provision of various courses that cover different sailing interests. MSA is certified by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), a reputable UK-based certifying training center operating in over 20 countries worldwide, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) and locally recognized by the competent authorities Transport Malta (TM).

The course choices are endless. The Academy takes you through all the ropes to learn the skills necessary to manoeuvre a boat with ascertation. Courses start from total beginners through Day Skipper courses to the full Yachtmaster Offshore and Ocean certificate of competence. All certificates are recognized worldwide by Maritime authorities, Charter Operators and Insurance

Issue 1 >> 42

Malta Sailing Academy is also able to offer the VHF/ DSC Short Range Radio Operators Certificate, which is valid not only in Malta but throughout Europe and beyond. In addition, it has now been certified to conduct the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) sea survival courses.

Let us not forget that “it is not the ship so much as the skilful sailing that assures the prosperous voyage” – George William Curtis.

CALLING ALL BOAT OWNERS

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We are also sole Agents for: • Solas Propellers • Sierra marine engine parts • Teleflex steering, control cables and control boxes • Seastar Hydraulic steering systems • Veethree instruments • Sabb marine engines • TK spray paints • Safe antifouling We also specialise in second hand parts and carry out Professional maintenance on boats and engines.

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>> Monaco Yacht Show

I’m on a megayacht at the monaco yacht Show, what do I do?

By Sathnam Sanghera The good news is that I am on a megayacht. Physically on board an actual megayacht in Monaco! And it is . . . mega. The bad news is that, coming from Wolverhampton, where the nearest thing to a body of water is a canal, and only just able to swim, I have no idea of how to behave on a megayacht.

he good news is that I am on a megayacht.

Physically on board an actual megayacht in Monaco! And it is . . . mega. About 73m (240ft) long, its five decks are being continually cleaned by a team of sunburnt teenagers with provincial British accents.

The ceilings of its twelve guest rooms, seven “state rooms”, four double cabins and two-twin cabins are lined with precious palladium leaf. The thick panels of sycamore that comprise part of the floor have been sandblasted, bleached and polished to such perfection that they feel like carpet to walk on, and the corridor

Issue 1 >> 44

walls appear to be lined with leather, making you feel as if you are padding through a giant, luxurious handbag.

The bad news is that, coming from Wolverhampton, where the nearest thing to a body of water is a canal, and only just able to swim, I have no idea of how to behave on a megayacht. So while there turns out to be an informal dress code among the select group of people being shown around — the men in chinos with a pastel pullover draped around their shoulders, the women all looking like a version of Princess Stéphanie of Monaco — my cords and lumberjack shirt don’t really cut the mustard.

Monaco Yacht Show << Having no idea you had to take your shoes off before getting on board, I am fifteen minutes into the tour before I realise that my socks have holes in them. And everything I say is wrong, whether it is asking the price of the yacht (“If you need to ask, you can’t afford it,” says someone in our group), inquiring about the identity of the owner of the yacht (“That is confidential information,” announces a representative of the Italian manufacturer), or trying to determine whether this boat classes as a superyacht, megayacht or gigayacht. “If you want to be elegant, you say it is a ‘large yacht’,” says one of the party. “Or a ‘very large yacht’.”

Who made the mistake of letting me on? Well, I am at the 2014 Monaco Yacht Show, at the invitation of Boat International (BI) magazine, the Vogue of the superyachting world, to work out why sales are soaring.

According to a survey by the industry association Superyacht UK, the British sector is seeing a return to order levels not seen since before the financial crash. BI magazine — so thick with high-end advertising and features on £112,500 Richard Mille watches that the postman fails to get it through my letterbox — estimates that, in terms of length, 9,337m of superyachts were sold across the globe in the calendar year to July 2014, up from 6,716m last year, amounting to sales worth some €1.99 billion (£1.6 billion), up from €1.39 billion.

Of course, having read in the newspaper cuttings, during my easyJet flight, about the Emir of Abu Dhabi’s 180m yacht Azzam, which at $627 million (£389 million) is classed at the most expensive luxury asset of all time, and Roman Abramovich’s 163m Eclipse, which caters for 36 guests, requires 92 crew, includes use of a submarine and costs more than $2 million a week to charter, and how even smaller yachts, as a rule of thumb, cost $1 million a metre to build or buy, I have put the boom down to a mindless need to keep up with the Joneses among the globally hyperwealthy.

And I can’t say my 36 hours in Monaco entirely subvert these preconceptions, given (a) some of the yachts parked in the harbour go by names such as My Trust Fund and Privilege One, (b) I find myself at one point listening to someone complain that the font on the monogrammed towels on a superyacht doesn’t quite match “the design philosophy of the boat” (which forces me to redefine 1 the entire notion of first-world problems), and (c) the esoteric nature of the goods being flogged to superyacht owners in the miles of exhibition stands. They include: a glass company selling a €90,000 clock; a company flogging boat name signs that cost up to $70,000 each (“They are waterproof,” says the sales assistant, as if this is some kind of justification); a Dutch party organiser who tells me it is not uncommon for owners to spend £200,000 on one party just for 100 people, 50 of whom the owner might not even know (“I’m not a pimp!” he adds, without prompting), and a $25 million “full ocean depth submarine”, which will allow three of your guests to explore the bottom of the ocean while feasting on caviar and drinking champagne (“How many have we sold? None.”).

the BrItISh Sector IS SeeIng a return to order levelS not Seen SInce Before the fInancIal craSh

It is insane, and I find myself crying with laughter when I come across marketing material from one manufacturer that tries to make spending tens of millions on a yacht sound essential. “The simple pleasure of watching your family enjoying themselves,” it says. “The quiet joy of observing your friends meet new friends. The delight at the effortless service afforded by the discreetly attentive crew.” However, I battle with my sanctimony in an attempt to gain a more sophisticated understanding of the market. I remind myself that all wealth and poverty is relative and that the industry supports 140,000 jobs in the UK alone and contributes £6.2 billion to the economy.

I attend (along with the likes of Tina Green and David Coulthard) the glamorous Boat International Party at the magnificent new HQ of the Monaco Yacht Club designed by Lord Foster of Thames Bank, and talk to so many boat owners and board so many yachts that when, at one point, I am told I am being taken to the “King of Norway”, I don’t know whether it will be a yacht or a monarch.

While there is no getting away from the inane bling of some of it, I will concede a couple of things, the first being that for some owners, the yachts are a reflection of a deep-seated interest in sailing. Admittedly, some owners don’t use their yachts to explore the world beyond the harbours of Antibe, Capri and Portofino. And some superyachts are packed with fittings that would make a Liberace blush, and basically feels like Las Vegas hotels in water.

www.mbrpublications.net

>> 45

>> Monaco Yacht Show

I reMInd MySelf thAt All WeAlth And Poverty IS relAtIve And thAt the InduStry SuPPortS 140,000 joBS In the uK Alone

Issue 1 >> 46

Monaco Yacht Show << for many ownerS, theIr SuperyachtS, more than anythIng elSe In theIr lIveS, are a form of creatIve fulfIlment

But some of the boats, like the Italian one I tour, are utterly, supremely beautiful. I went to the show not even being able to imagine why someone would buy a superyacht, and left thinking that if I were a billionaire, I might be tempted. Another concession: for many owners, their superyachts, more than anything else in their lives, are a form of creative fulfilment. The hyperwealthy, of course, have no shortage of outlets of expression for their colossal egos. But while cars are desgined by other people and houses are subject to planning limitations and local laws, you can stick almost anything on a yacht and, given the international nature of the waters you a travelling through, you can behave however you want once you are on them.

The fantasy nature of the word is reflected in the stories of excess: people in the industry are full of tales of owners hiring dwarfs to water-ski around their boat; sending dry-cleaning by Learjet to New York; waking up one morning and firing the entire crew without notice; demanding that toilets be cleaned with cotton buds.

But it is also reflected in the language manufacturers use to court owners, with yacht builders at the yacht show talking in their marketing literature about “visionary owners” and “building dreams”.

And in the relentlessly bespoke nature of the services on offer to yacht owners. One reason there are no price tags is that every object, however mundane, is potentially on sale for infinity pounds as a result of being unique, with even a mattress manufacturer telling me that while prices start at dollars 1,000, the potential spend is “unlimited” because “you could have them heart-shaped and made out of gold if you want”.

Then there is the art, which is on sale everywhere at the show, in various degrees of quality, and some of it in a gallery that, for reasons I don’t understand, has a massive Porsche parked in the middle of it. But I find myself struck in particular by the work of the Irishman Eoin Turner, whose “commissioned art”, according to the literature, is a “blend of the classic and the sophisticated embodied by his unique bond with nature and his raw, evolving talent”, and who has on his stand a copy of a lead crystal and cast metal sculpture of Eddie Jordans yacht Blush, which he sold to the former formula One team leader and which is displayed in the yacht itself.

It turns out to be a docked in the nearby harbour and the artist turns out to be on the exhibition stand. As he tells me that he is the “first artist to create models of yachts which are a hybrid of a model and a sculpture” – explaining that while the price cost about €30,000 other works could be a lot more because they could be “inlaid with diamonds” and that his work appeals to superyacht owners because “they have been highly involved in the creation of their boat, which is an expression of their personality” – I can’t get the image out of my head. A multimillionaire superyacht owner, sitting on his multimillion pound superyacht, admiring a possibly diamond-encrusted sculpture of the superyacht in question. I guess whether you think this is something to aspire to, or a nauseating celebration of inequality, defines not only how you feel about superyachts, but about life in general. all rights reserved | copyright 2015

CORPORATE BRIEF Sathnam Sanghera is an award-winning journalist and author. Sathnam Sanghera was born to Punjabi parents in Wolverhampton in 1976. His parents had emigrated to the UK in 1968. He was raised as a Sikh. At the age of ten he worked part-time in a sewing factory. He attended Wolverhampton Grammar School and graduated from Christ’s College, Cambridge with a first class degree in English Language and Literature in 1998.

Get you jetty-quette riGht Come bearing gifts and make them count: Don’t even consider stepping on board without a well thought-out gift. Anything monogrammed or personalised will go down a treat. Mug up on the age of your hosts’ children; there is little that is more embarrassing than giving a My little Pony to a 14-year-old boy.

Get involved in the action: No one appreciates an idle guest, buy make sure you know how to use the toys. True story: one acquaintance was stranded at sea when her bikini bottoms got caught up in the motor of her Sea-Doo. The hostess was mortified when a crew member went to fish out her marooned guest, commando-style. the tippinG point: Every self-respecting yacht owner has a policy on tipping crew. Some encourage guests to show their appreciation, while others deem tipping to be the ultimate insult. Find out where your host stand on the issue and come prepared with a wad of cash just in case.

compliment the host: Make sure you spend at least ten minutes day extolling the virtues of your host’s superlative superyacht. A little sycophancy goes a long way in securing future invitations. mind over matter: Avoid the pitfall of dosing up on anti-nausea medication unless you want to spend the entire trip asleep. True fact: on my first superyacht cruise I gratefully spend the entire trip asleep. True fact: on my first superyacht cruise I gratefully guzzled the travel sickness pills on offer and spent the next five days in a state of semi-consciousness, even falling asleep at the table – twice. I was never invited back. drink with caution: Everyone loves cocktail hour on a yacht, but do monitor your alcohol intake. True story: one unfortunate friend, having ingested more that her share of wine, stumbled downstairs to her cabin to discover in the morning that she had climbed into bed with the wrong man.

BrinG you are a-Game: Every guest should a special skill to bring to the party. If yours is conversation, come armed with an arsenal of amusing anecdotes; if it is board games, pack your king-sized Scrabble; if you don’t have a skill, find one. Fast.

Friends and Fish Go oFF aFter three days: If you’ve been invited for a long weekend don’t try to wangle a longer stay. On your designated departure day, organise your transport from the boat and book a flight from the nearest airport. Owners don’t like making expensive detours because Ryanair doesn’t fly from Olbia.

courtesy: The times / The interview people

By The superyacht wife courtesy of Boat international

www.mbrpublications.net

>> 47

>> Editor’s Choice

Underwater Timepieces Whilst many watches claim to be waterproof, when you are constantly at sea you want a watch that was made for the sea. The BEUCHAT range of underwater watches has been designed with a heritage of underwater timepieces that spans over 100 years since it’s inception in 1904.

Watches that are water resistant will display the water resistance rating on the back of the watch case. They will have the words “water resistant” followed or preceded by a number in meters, feet, BARs, ATM’s or a combination of any of these four numbers. There are four different classes of water resistant watches.

Water resistant 30M is the minimum water resistance. Any watch labelled as “sport” watch should, at the very least, have this rating. These watches shouldn’t even be worn while bathing.

Water resistant 50M is the standard classic water resistance for everyday wear. These watches can be worn while bathing, but shouldn’t be worn while swimming or diving.

Issue 1 >> 48

Water Resistant 100-200M. These watches are suitable for skin diving (snorkelling), but not for scuba diving.

Water Resistant 200-300M Diver’s watches must be made in accordance to the ISO 6425 standard, which outlines test standards and features for diving watches. These are marked DIVER’S to distinguish true diving watches from those that are not suitable for scuba diving.

Most diver’s watches are rated for 200-300m, but modern technology has allowed the creation of watches that can go far deeper. BEUCHAT offers water resistant watches up to depths of 650 mt and also a 1000 mt, with a helium valve.

The Dive Warehouse are now the sole distributors in Malta for these timepieces and currently the watches are available at Expo in Valletta, Dive Systems in Sliema, Dive Med in Marsascala and Go Dive in Mellieha.

For trade enquiries call The Dive Warehouse on 27658035 or visit www.thedivewarehouse.com

First Class, Second Chances DOMINATOR 86

FERRETTI 680

Length: 27.1m Cat Engines 2 x 1361 Kw Build - 2009 Cruising speed: 26 kn Max speed: 32 kn 4 Cabins Highly equipped with extras SOLD

Length: 21.2m MAN Engines 2 x 1200 Hp Build - 2004 Cruising speed: 30 kn Max speed: 33 kn 4 Cabins & 3 bathrooms Crew cabin with toilet Price: € 450,000

CANTIERI DI PISA 76

PERSHING 45

Length: 23.2m - Build: 2003 MTU Engine: 2 x 2000Hp Cruising speed: 40 kn Max speed: 45 kn 3 Cabins & 2 bathrooms Crew cabin with toilet Air conditioning – Teak cockpit Bow thruster –Stern thruster Price: € 350,000

Length: 14.2m - Build: 2003 MAN Engine: 2 x 610 bhp Max speed: 35 kn 2 Cabin with ensuite GPS – Auto pilot - Air con Bow thruster – Generator Teak cockpit Price: € 220,000

Other bank owned yachts for sale: Sunseeker Predator 56 - Atlantis 55 – Fairline Targa 47 – Azimut 46 – Gobbi 42s – Aicon 72 …..

SUPERYACHTING Malta - Yacht charter and brokerage service. Yachting is our business Sales office: SUPERYACHTING, Qui Si Sana Seafront, Sliema SLM 3112 ∫ C: 7929 3797 / 7949 2459 / 2132 2587 ∫ W: www.superyachtingmalta.com

>> Rescue Boats

Features Of Inflatable Rescue Boats

By Carl Formby

by two people, the driver and the crewman.

The driver straps himself to the boat in order to secure himself to the boat, sitting on the port side of the boat. With both his hands he drives the vessel skillfully. The left hand is used to hold the strap while the other is used to operate the motor.

On the starboard side sits the crewman who holds on to a handle with his left hand, while the other hand is used to hold on to the strap to secure himself like the driver.

The crewman’s job is to maintain the balance of the boat while passing through a wave or over it. In times of emergency, the peddle is also used to move the boatPsychology Articles, in case the engine malfunctions.

USS San Antonio Rescues 128 Migrants in the Mediterranean Info on rigid inflatable boats, including aluminum rigid boats, steel boats, buy inflatable boat, dinghies, retailers, prices and more.

Ribquest rescue craft currently deployed by the Maritime Squadron of the AFM

Boats as we all know are mainly meant for rides and entertainment. At times they are the only means of transport. Boats do play an important part in rescuing men in times of danger. The rescue boats are obviously of a different type. They are called the inflatable rescue boats. These are inflatable, which means that air can be blown into them when required. Deflating them when not in use is also easy and this makes them simple to store.

Since the boat is low it keeps good balance even in the rough waters no matter what the weight may be that it carries.

The rubber inflatable rescue boats often have four tubes that are inflatable. There is a tube called the keelson tube, one that is termed the bow tube and along with these there are two side tubes. These tubes and the fact that they are well balanced in water fighting even the rough seas, have given it the name “rubber duck”. They are also called just “duck”. In order to make them easily visible these boats are painted red or orange. In the vast blue waters they are easy to locate. These vessels are specially equipped and designed. The floor and transom are normally hard otherwise they may be able to fit and bear the outboard motor.

The engine is a highly powered one that can run the boat at a speed of 25 to 30 knots. Among the other important parts the fuel balder is one. This vehicle is manned

Issue 1 >> 50

The rescue boats are also used for patrolling the seas. The marine vessel is extremely helpful when the beach is too long for the other vehicles to comb the sea. They are also very effective in the rough waters for their steady nature. The best part of these boats is that they do not entail cumbersome processes to start.

The inflation needs to be done and a regular basic testing of the engine makes them good enough even to parasail. These are the essential features of these rescue boats.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Carl Formby owns and operates www.inflatableboatdealers.com, all about Rigid Inflatable Boats and the types of Pontoon Boat Trailer Courtesy: Articles Factory

CORPORATE BRIEF Malta Surveillance and Rescue boats are supplied by Ribquest Supply. Ribquest supply 2 new 6m Commercial Surveillance / Rescue Craft with foam lined Hybrid Tubes and the new light weight twin Yamaha 70s. Supplied To Phoenix 1 a commercial vessel based out of Valletta Malta Run by the Charity MOAS. Phoenix 1 will be patrolling off the North coast of Libya performing humanitarian surveillance and rescue duties giving assistance to Overloaded or un seaworthy vessels carrying immigrants when required.

Superyacht Review <<

The Ultimate Billionaire Toy: The Maltese Falcon

By Patrick J. O’Brien Patrick J O’ Brien Exante’s Communication Director and Co- Founder of Genesis, Malta’s exclusive business Network for HNWI and Professionals takes us on a tour of The Maltese Falcon.

Elena Ambrosiadou, the Greek founder of the Cyprus-based hedge fund Ikos, first laid eyes on the Maltese Falcon as she watched it glide by the Grecian island of Delos. It was lust at first sight. But it wasn’t the enormous size of the yacht (which, at 289 feet, is the largest private sailboat in the world) that got her. It was the arresting vision of its three massive white sails, puffed like proud chests on their 190-foot carbon fiber masts.

In 2009, Ambrosiadou bought the Falcon for a reported $100 million.

The Maltese Falcon isn’t a classic yacht, she’s a new class of yacht.

Her revolutionary sailing system, the Falcon Rig sets a new milestone in yachting history: 3 self-standing and rotating masts hosting 15 sails for a total sail area . Her revolutionary sailing system the Falcon Rig sets a new milestone in yachting history: 3 self-standing and rotating masts hosting 15 sails for a total sail area of 2,400 square meters (25,791 ft square), handled by the ultimate in Perini Navi Sail Control for unrivalled performance with unmatched safety and maneuverability characteristics.

This incredible super cruiser has a maximum speed of eighteen knots and a range of 3,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of fourteen knots making

the Maltese Falcon the ultimate charter vessel. Whether you desire a super yacht for large scale entertaining between smart anchorages or as a way to experience a once in a lifetime blue water ocean passage, Maltese Falcon is the only way forward offering some of the most luxurious quarters available from any charter vessel on the market today.

2,400 square meters (25,791 ft square), handled by the ultimate in Perini Navi Sail Control for unrivalled performance with unmatched safety and maneuverability characteristics.

This incredible super cruiser has a maximum speed of eighteen knots and a range of 3,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of fourteen knots making the Maltese Falcon the ultimate charter vessel. Whether you desire a super yacht for large scale entertaining between smart anchorages or as a way to experience a once in a lifetime blue water ocean passage, Maltese Falcon is the only way forward offering some of the most luxurious quarters available from any charter vessel on the market today.

Exante was once dubbed The Maltese Falcon by Forbes, no mean feat for a brokerage company sailing on clear waters since 2011.

to MAke the ACquiSition And ownerShip of A boAt A pleASAnt experienCe

With its network of partners from all around the Mediterranean Club Services Malta are certain to select the right boat at the right price for you.

Agent for ►Z SPARS UK ►Hyde sails ►Reliance delivery services Brokerage, specialising in good value Sailing yachts Professional Experienced Skippers & Crew, Online Tracking, Port To Port Worldwide, 365 Days A Year A One Stop Shop To Meet The Needs Of The Experienced Yachtsman And The Aspiring Yachtsman Club Services Malta, 1 De Hosa Street, Santa Lucia SLC 1862, Malta | Tel: (+356) 9986 9621 | Email: info@clubservicesmalta.com | Website: www.clubservicesmalta.com

www.mbrpublications.net

>> 51

>> Endurance

Ultimate Human Endurance ChallengeROWING The Pacific!

By Roz Savage Ten crews set out from Monterey, California on Monday, in the first ever rowing race to take place across the Pacific Ocean. Four solos, two pairs, and four four-man crews are rowing their boats 2,400 miles from California to Hawaii, and are expected to take between 30 and 90 days to complete the crossing.

The race was originally due to start on June 7th, but high winds gusting to 40 knots were forecast offshore for the period immediately after the scheduled race start, so the Great Pacific Race officials made the decision to postpone the race start by 48 hours.

The Race Director, Chris Martin, explained their reasoning before the start; “Safety is the paramount concern and although the rowers will have to take their chances with the weather once they get further out to sea, we are determined to ensure that the first few days of race provide the crews with the best possible chance of making it safely away from shore and into the open ocean.”

The Great Pacific Race will be watched with keen interest by people around the globe; between them the crews have rowers from 9 different countries. It was appropriate that the winners of Saturday’s 8-mile prologue event around Monterey Bay was a crew called Uniting Nations, a pay-per-seat scratch crew made up of four men from the Netherlands, the UK, New Zealand and South Korea.

Originally thirteen crews were slated to take part in the rowing race, but three

Issue 1 >> 52

have had to delay their starts due to the late arrival of their boats in Monterey. They still plan to row to Hawaii, but will set out a few days later once they have completed their preparations.

All the crews are first-time ocean rowers, and the possibilities are wide open for many of them to earn Guinness World Records because this race is absolutely in the vanguard of human endeavour. To put it in perspective, 12 humans have walked on the moon, yet only 4 people have rowed from North America to Hawaii. Safety yachts will accompany the race to monitor and manage crew safety and communications throughout the race.

Armchair adventurers will be able to follow the race via the race website, with an online map showing the crews’ progress, plus regular roundups of news from the crew blogs, tweets, and iPadio voicecasts.

If the idea of rowing an ocean floats your boat, you will be interested to know that the race will take place again in 2016 and race entries are open now at the official race website - greatpacificrace.com. Sign up now for the adventure of a lifetime!

Courtesy: YachtPals.com

Statistics Corner <<

Did you know there are...

2

9

227

250

seasonal marinas operating in Malta

marinas operating in Malta

berths in Gozo operating

by Mgarr Harbour Marina

‘super yachts’ and other berths available at the Grand Harbour Marina in Vittoriosa

330

700

1,800

16,000

‘super yachts’ over 80 feet registered in Malta

berths offered by the Ta’Xbiex Marina, the largest yacht marina in the Maltese Islands

berths in the Maltese Islands

yachts, boats and cabin cruisers registered in Malta

Source: Transport Malta

www.cutricomarine.com Cutrico Marine is one of the leading providers of marine equipment and maintenance services in the Mediterranean, and supply some of the leading brands in the industry.

All installations and services are undertaken by fully qualified factory trained technicians, with 24/7 service available to clients to ensure the highest level of service.

Our Services: • Marine Air-Conditioning • Marine Refrigiration & Cold Rooms • Marine Water Makers • Marine Sewage Treatment Plants

• • • •

Ventillation Engine Room Ventillation Ballast Water Treatment Sanitation Systems

Cutrico Ltd. Mriehel Bypass, Mriehel, BKR 3000 - Malta | T: +356 2149 8658 +356 2149 8693 | M: +356 7948 6078 | E: marine@cutrico.com

www.mbrpublications.net

>> 53

>> Anniversary

The Malta Boat Club was founded as the Malta Barge Club on February

A Philadelphia Rowing Tradition Celebrating 150 Years of Rowing Excellence

22, 1860 by members of the Minnehaha Lodge of the Sons of Malta.

The Club initially used a house on Smith’s Island in the Delaware River, just off Chestnut Street. There the Club kept its first boat, a six-oared barge called the “Minnehaha”. In 1863, the club underwent reorganization and moved to the east side of the Schuylkill just above the Spring Garden Street Dam. In 1865, Malta purchased the clubhouse of the Excelsior Club, which stood on the site of our existing boathouse.

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Malta’s current membership is comprised of prominent businessmen, doctors, lawyers, educators, priests and students. Former members include one of the original signers of the Schuylkill Navy Charter, a US Featherweight boxing champion, a US lightweight wrestling champion, a Congressman and Solicitor General of the United States, a Philadelphia District Attorney, Olympians and past commodores of the Schuylkill Navy.

The club’s colours are Royal Blue and White, it’s symbol is the Maltese Cross. The leafs of the cross stand for the virtues prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude while the eight points stand for beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.

ClUB FACilitieS Boat storage and water access Malta houses both private and club equipment with internal boat racks. Club members store blades and boats in one of two bays with direct access to the most historic rowing in North America, the Schuylkill River.

Social and meeting spaces Malta’s second floor is home to three beautiful meeting rooms and is considered the social center of the club. All members and guests feel at home in a setting that contains 150 years of rowing tradition and memorabilia. With a beautiful deck view of the Schuylkill, the historic Art

Museum, Boathouse Row, and downtown Philadelphia, Malta’s second floor is the perfect place for members to gather for monthly meetings and social affairs.

Workout Facilities The third floor of Malta supports dozens of members annually with full erg and weight facilities.

This heated space carries rowers through long winter cross-training when the water of the Schuylkill is frozen. The high vaulted ceilings of the top floor of the club used to host the Malta men’s basketball team but now support locker and shower facilities for members. http://maltaboatclub.com/

Editor’S NotE located on historic Boathouse Row in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Malta Boat Club has been dedicated to the sport of rowing since 1860. Throughout its history, Malta has enjoyed success at every level of national and world competition, and recently represented on the US National Under 23 and Senior team. Malta currently hosts many active rowers who participate in Schuylkill Navy and Philadelphia rowing events through racing, volunteerism, officiating, and coaching. Malta prides itself in being an active member of the Schuylkill Navy and the Philadelphia rowing community. 2010 was a banner year for the club, marking its 150th year of rowing excellence.

Brand Focus <<

Rope stuck in your PRoP? Anchor SnAgged?

Few people realise how much trouble they could face when they get themselves into one of these two situations. Word problems in Mathematics books always have a problem about colored marbles. We have one for you about entanglement in this article.

Getting out of this predicament could happen the difficult way – grab a mask and snorkel and try and cut the rope around the prop or try to dislodge the anchor (must have large lungs), the expensive way – call in the professionals and pay the bill, or the easy way – bring out your BEUCHAT Boat Set and dive.

What’s this BEUCHAT Boat Set you might ask? It is basically a small scuba unit which allows the user to dive under the boat and work easily on the hull or to dive down to the anchor and dislodge it with ease. The unit is purposely built for boat owners and is designed to be compact enough to fit easily in small spaces but has a proper tank, regulator and harness to be able to dive and work with free hands, and for enough time to do a good job.

The 2lt tank offers an average person around 15-20 mins working on the hull and around 10 minutes at anchor depth (autonomy depends on the person and breathing pattern as well as level of exertion).

The unit has a pressure gauge to show you how much air you have in the tank so you will never get caught out.

Of course like every emergency unit it needs to be kept in good working order, serviced and with a full tank. Air should be changed every six months and regulator and tank serviced annually, but otherwise the equipment is extremely reliable and hardwearing.

The unit sells for €489, so you will surely get your money back on the first time you need to use it. The unit can be found at Expo in Valletta, Beuchat Dive Centres in Sliema (Dive Systems) Mellieha (Go Dive) and Marsascala (Dive Med) leading Dive Centres and Ship Chandlers.

For Trade Enquiries call The Dive Warehouse on 27658035 or visit www.thedivewarehouse.com

www.mbrpublications.net

>> 55

>> Newsfeeds

Inmarsat launches Fleet Media service, delivering on-board entertainment Those on commercial shipping vessels will no longer have to wait until they reach dry land to catch-up on the latest films, sports and news as Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT.L), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, has today launched its latest service, Fleet Media, which will bring the most recent viewing content to those at sea. A ground-breaking agreement with NT Digital Partners, a joint venture between global content agency Spafax and the world’s largest non-theatrical distributor Swank Motion Pictures Inc., has enabled Inmarsat Maritime to bring Hollywood to the high seas with its innovative Fleet Media service. A comprehensive catalogue of Hollywood and international blockbusters and television programming, along with sports and news content will be available to crew over the Inmarsat network for on-demand, offline viewing. Fleet Media is currently available on XpressLink and will soon be available across the wider Inmarsat Maritime portfolio. Watching films, sports and news on tablets, laptops and smartphones brings much more than simple viewing pleasure. It helps keep seafarers connected to the outside world and their world at home, improving their quality of life while aboard a vessel.

Ronald Spithout, President of Inmarsat Maritime said: “This is a revolutionary service for Inmarsat and for the maritime sector. It has been uniquely designed to support the industry in attracting and retaining their skilled personnel, as it serves as a game-changing differentiating factor in recruitment. While life at sea has historically been socially isolated, this service bridges that gap allowing seafarers to be more integrated and connected with their lives ashore than ever before. Fleet Media brings life on land to those living at sea.”

With reference to a recent news conference organised by the Birżebbuga Local Council, regarding the boat moorings relocation project, Transport Malta wishes to clarify that it has in fact been meeting and consulting with the representatives of Għaqda Sajjieda Dilettanti (Birżebbuga), who represent the boat owners, for at least the past two years. It is also important to note that Transport Malta has also met with Local Council representatives very recently. The relocation of these moorings is necessary for safety reasons. It is aimed at providing boat owners with moorings within a safe location, outside the swimming zone, within an organised system. This allows maximum utilisation of space and maneuverability whilst ensuring the safety of both boat users and bathers alike. The relocation process was done through a public call for tenders. There were no objections to this, not even from the local council.

Transport Malta will do its utmost to assist, in any way it can, towards the achievement of the Blue Flag status for Pretty Bay. The unfounded claim made today by the Mayor that the relocation of moorings may jeopardize the blue flag project, may be regarded as highly unrealistic in view that similar arrangements already exist in other designated Blue Flag beaches.

In view of such developments Transport Malta takes note of the concerns and is again inviting the Local Council to come forward with practical and feasible solutions.

EU Warns of Hefty Fines for Single Handed Sailing It has long been known that sing;l handed sailing for more than a day or so is, necessarily, technically illegal. Rule 5 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) specifically states that “Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing,” and this is simply impossible to do while sleeping Up until now, there’s been a sort of a wink and a nod in regard to single handing. It is, after all, a romantic dream of many to set off alone across the sea, and few who have experience on the water would take that away. In fact, very well funded races have certainly promoted the activity with no regard to the international Rules of the Road, despite numerous collisions and rescues.

However, that’s all changed.

According to the latest publication of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy, any EU member flagged vessel, or any vessel transiting EU controlled waterways, will be restricted to 12 hours of operation per crew aboard. The fines for not adhering to this law, or for not keeping a detailed log-book of watches, can be up to 100,000€ and/or 1 year in prison.

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Said a spokesman from the European Convention’s office of Maritime Affairs “This is not a new law. This is simply the progressive enforcement of existing law. Our water is too crowded with commercial traffic to allow individuals to operate water vehicles [sic] without lookouts.” There have been, thus far, no arrests made.

It is unclear whether other national and international bodies will also begin to enforce the existing laws more strictly. If you feel strongly one way or the other, you are encouraged to make your opinion heard at your local maritime office, which you can locate by following this link.

Courtesy: YachtPals

Diving <<

Utina Diving College Ltd UTINA is based in the picturesque village of Xlendi on the island of Gozo

Utina is a small friendly dive school and prides itself in providing facilities for all classes of divers and divers of the future who have not tried yet. Many of our customers experience their first underwater steps to then go on to greater achievements within the diving community. Some of the dive sites are world renowned such as the Blue Hole and the Inland Sea at Dwerja, The Double Arch near Xwenji Bay, the wrecks of the Karwella, Cominoland and the Xlendi Ferry at Xlatt L’Ahmar. Raqqa Point and the nearby Billinghurst Cave and the spectacular Cathedral Cave at Ghasri are dives that you will never forget.

We try to create a ‘family’ atmosphere where all are welcome no matter what their experience is. We are a PADI 5* Gold Palm & Instructor Development Centre and are also affiliated to the International Technical Diving Association and therefore cater not only for the recreational holiday diver and the experienced dedicated diver but also for Technical

Divers. We can boast a ITDA Instructor so can take you to the next level of your Technical training.

Being based in Xlendi with its protected sandy bay, Utina Diving College has the advantage that from the moment a student decides to learn dive they are able to experience the real underwater world and is therefore a really spectacular place to not only learn to dive but also to progress ones diving skills. Being 75 metres from the sea, the school has the ease of being able move from the quietness of the classroom to the sea and to experience that first step into the underwater world with very little effort.

Our aim in running the school in a relaxed but professional friendly manner we think is the secret to our success, as year after year our customers return to dive with us and in many cases climb the ranks to be a PADI professional. We provide the complete diving service whether it be purely learning to dive, guided diving, to increase your dive skills or rise through the ranks to Rescue Diver or Divemaster.

PADI 5* GOLD PALM RESORT AND INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

Come and Dive with the Utina Team

We are a Small Friendly School in Xlendi Bay and can Tailor Dive Trips to Suit YOU ! www.utina-diving.com utina@gozomail.com Tel 00 356 2155 0514 Mob 00 356 7955 0514 www.mbrpublications.net

>> 57

>> Directory Launch Wilfred Sultana, Editor-Publisher of the 11th Edition of the Yachting Industry Directory Yachting in Malta presenting copies to:

The 11th Edition of YACHTING IN MALTA The Official Launch of the 11th Edition of YACHTING IN MALTA (20152016) was held at the Malta Maritime Museum - Grand Harbour Marina, Vittoriosa on Wednesday 22nd April 2015.

This significant Edition marks the 40th Anniversary since the publication of the first issue of Malta’s Yachting Industry Directory in 1976.

The Hon. Joe Mizzi MP - Minister for Transport and the Infrastructure

The Official Launch of this 11th Edition was held under the auspices of the Hon Joe Mizzi, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure who also drew up the Foreword of this issue.

In his welcome speech at the Launch as well as in his Reflections as Editor-Publisher in the 11th Edition Wilfred Sultana referred to his past years association with the yachting industry.....

Looking Back Over The Years Delightfully!

The Hon. Chris Agius MP - Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport

“Over the years Yachting in Malta (YIM) took the initiative not only to use the Directory to promote extensively the Island’s potential but coordinated various promotion articles in reputed international yachting periodicals and was also behind the organization of other marketing initiatives.

Possibly the most beneficial were the three Superyacht Industry Seminars hosted in association with Transport Malta and the International Superyacht Society (ISS). With their involvement in the 2009, 2011 and 2013 seminars ISS not only provided speakers of standing but also gave Malta a prestigious global exposure through their commendable marketing network.

A close up of the 11th Edition Front Cover

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Another exciting Event of ours was the Malta Maritime Careers Day in 2014 where we secured the relevant involvement of ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations), IMO (International Maritime Law Institute), and SNAME (Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers).

YIM was also behind the organisation of a PreElection (2013) Forum where political parties presented their perspectives and projections for the coming years with regards to the Yachting Industry in Malta.

Definitely one looks back delightfully over our involvement and contribution throughout the past Forty Years. While we thank all those directly and indirectly involved in the yachting industry in Malta for their significant support and encouragement throughout these years we wish the industry further growth and success.”

The 11th Edition Front Cover shows Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich’s £1.5billion mega-yacht Eclipse, which is twice the length of a football pitch (533ft), in Grand Harbour on one of its Malta visits. The photograph of this 2nd World Ranking Superyacht as well as images of other luxurious sea beauties shown under ‘Super Visitors Collection’ in this 11th Edition are by Capt. Lawrence Dalli.

Protection from Fouling: You’re in safe hands with us.

As a boat-owner, it could be your most important task: protecting your vessel from the damage and expense of fouling. That’s why you need the assurance of a name that’s trusted globally. A name that stands for quality and knowledge. We’ve been working in the yachting industry since 1881, developing world-leading technologies to create the antifouling products you need today.

, International and the AkzoNobel logo are trademarks of AkzoNobel. © AkzoNobel 2014.

Use antifoulings safely. Always read the product label before use.

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