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The Nautorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Swan built Luca Brenta designed Silandra V in action.

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Sail Indonesia 2010 www.sailindonesia.net

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November - April NE trades “It is an interesting biological fact that all of us have, in our veins, the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or watch it – we are going back from whence we came.” John F. Kennedy

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CONTENTS Regional News Catch up on who’s doing what, when, where and how in Southeast Asia’s marine scene. We preview the upcoming Top of the Gulf Regatta and Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek, and don’t forget about the Samui Regatta now run by Simon James & crew.

Cutting-edge Silandra V making waves

The 76-ft Silandra V designed by Italian Luca Brenta and built in 2006 by Nautor’s Swan at its shipyard in Pietrarsari, Finland, is now calling Phuket’s Yacht Haven home. We take a look at what makes this boat so special according to skipper Riccardo Benoni.

PIMEX date shift works Andy Dowden and the folks at the Informa Group outdid themselves again, as moving Phuket’s only international boat show from early January to late March didn’t seem to affect the turnout and number of boats on display at the Royal Phuket Marina venue.

Sunbrella protects your boat Sunbrella is a true performance fabric designed to withstand nature’s most unforgiving elements. Ideal for Biminis, enclosures, sail covers, boat covers and more, Sunbrella fabrics are not only durable and colourfast, but breathable as well. No other performance fabric company has gone to such lengths to make sure its fabrics are as durable in any weather as they are beautiful.

www.seayachting.net

Southeast Asia's yachting and marine industry magazine

CONTENTS 42

Blue World Safaris

Vega’s humanitarian visit to Banda

MV Blue World is a truly multi-purpose vessel, being equally at home accommodating corporate getaways, team-building events, film crews, weddings, sightseeing, as well as snorkelling, cruising, exploring, diving, kayaking and camping expeditions. Blue World’s speed and comfortable ride bring more exotic and faraway sights within easy reach.

In exclusive to SEA Yachting, Captain Shane Granger and his partner Meggi Macoun provide us with a superb insight into the Bandas, the fabled Spice Islands that Columbus, Vasco da Gama, Magellan, and many others searched for. This small archipelago with a total land area of less than 40 square miles once changed the course of our entire world.

BOAT ASIA basks in success

Go Yachting, Asia’s leading marine TV production specialists

Two decades on, Boat Asia is thriving, in large part due to the hard work of Herman Ho and the people at TMX. We take a look at the recent show held at Keppel Bay Marina, featuring a line-up of more than 50 luxury yachts from 30’ to 130’, which showcased the best of Southeast Asia’s growing leisure marine industry. Over 12,000 people visited the show and its 100 exhibits from around the world.

We take a look at Go Yachting, whose event productions, including the monthly Go Yachting show, are produced in Full HD for traditional (satellite, cable, terrestrial) broadcast, and are hosted online at www.MarineScene.asia, and through associated social media outlets on facebook, twitter, google+, youtube and vimeo, ensuring a global reach.

www.seayachting.net

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Asia’s best head to 2012Top of the Gulf Regatta

The fleet line-up for the 2012 Top of the Gulf Regatta, held 4-8 May off Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Jomtien, Pattaya, Thailand, is set to be one of the most competitive yet.Over 600 participants in 300+ sailing craft, from more than 30 countries will compete in 12 classes over four days of racing at Asia’s largest multi-class regatta – the Top of the Gulf Regatta (TOG Regatta). A record fleet is expected on the keelboat and multihull courses this year. Growing year-on-year, the highly competitive fleet includes boats from Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Thailand and beyond, and will be managed by experienced Principal Race Officer Jerry Rollin. “We expect over 70 boats on the keelboat and multihull course this year, with an increase in interest from Singapore, Hong Kong and Manila, particularly in the 40 foot keelboat range,” said William Gasson, Founder and Chairman of the Regatta Organizing Committee. Asia’s 40-foot fleet continues to grow and top boats from around the region are heading to Pattaya to test their skills against one of Asia’s most competitive fleets, at the TOG Regatta. 2011 Phuket King’s Cup Regatta winner, Japanese-entry Karasu, skippered by Yasuo Nanamori, will be competing for the first time this year and will be up against KukuKERchu, the Kerr 40 from Singapore, Walalwala 2, a Sydney GTS 43 from Singapore, and the Mills 40 EFG Bank Mandrake from Hong Kong – all newcomers to the Regatta this year. They will be up against Thai teams Wan Marang (GP42) and Katsu (Swan 42), amongst others. Add to the 40-footers the Singapore Kerr 32 Foxy Lady IV, skippered by Asian regatta veteran Bill Bremner, and the allnew, never-before-raced Soto 30, which will be making its worldwide debut at the Regatta, and the Class is wide open. The pedigree of sailors at the 2012 TOG Regatta is exceptional, with winners of all the major Asian Regattas in the last 12 months, taking part, as well as national and regional champions competing in the Optimist, dinghies and beach catamaran classes. The Racing Class will again be competitive with Neil Pryde and his HiFi crew returning to try again for the elusive class title – one of the few in the region he has yet to win. The Sports Boats Class is set to grow with two new Shaw 6.5’s launched recently and expected to join the fleet, together with Hong Kong newcomer the 25-foot Brace Brace. The Prestigious Coronation Cup, competed for by the one-design Platu fleet, continues to attract attention from sailors in Asia and beyond. With 15 Platus already confirmed and more crews wanting to take part, the Class looks to be one of the biggest yet in the Regatta’s eight-year history. Crews from Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and Thailand have currently signed-up. “The standard of competition looks set to be very high at this year’s Top of the Gulf Regatta. We’re expecting one of the most competitive line-ups of any regatta in Asia and are looking forward to some exciting racing,” added Gasson. The 2012 Top of the Gulf Regatta will take place 4 th to 8th May. Hosted at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, racing will take place in the waters off the marina, Jomtien Beach, on the Gulf coast of Thailand. Website: www.topofthegulfregatta.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/togregatta Twitter: www.twitter.com/togregatta YouTube: www.youtube.com/TOGRegatta Email: togrinfo@topofthegulfregatta.com

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Albatross’ new M40 racing sailing cat Thailand-based design office Albatross Marine Design has developed a M40 - 40’ racing sailing catamaran. The boat measuring12.17m in length with an overall beam of 7.6m will weigh empty just 1800kg. Ther main structure is in epoxy sandwich based on biaxial E-glass with variable densities of foam. Carbon is used in hull reinforcements, and also for the beams, rudders, daggerboards, mast and boom. In general, the design is intended for racing in Southeast Asia. The design has been optimized for local weather conditions using advanced VPP software tools. By having this design, Albatross Marine Design is returning to the field of hightech sailing craft design; this is where principal of company Albert Nazarov started his career as he received his Ph.D in sailcraft hydro-aero dynamics. During crisis time most of Albatross commissions were commercial and patrol craft, sometimes motorsailers. Now it is time to apply Albert’s experience in the structural engineering of high-speed interceptor powerboats to the field of racing sailcraft design. www.amdesign.co.th

Simpson Superyachts Partners Blue Coast Yachts in Asia Simpson Superyachts, Asia’s leading superyacht broker, has partnered with Cannes-based Blue Coast Yachts to promote the brand in Asia. Blue Coast Yachts is founded by leading designer Jean-Jaques Coste of Coste Design & Partners, an international award winning boutique design firm that has been at the forefront of the catamaran market, boasting unique expertise in the design and construction of some of the world’s largest carbon fibre catamarans that have been launched to date. Blue Coast Yachts luxury catamarans are the latest generation of mega yachts. They marry the efficiency of the catamaran concept with the design and building technologies of modern yachting. New materials, powerful software, transfer of technology, integration of eco-friendly solutions, and many other innovations are complemented by luxurious outfitting and interior d cor that make Blue Coast Yachts so avant-garde. The team is currently developing projects ranging from 85ft to 200ft, offering the largest and most advanced luxury yachts one can find in the market. Among them is Blue Coast 165’, which will be the largest sailing catamaran in the world. She is designed with four decks (two in each hull), providing expansive private space for both passengers and crew. With a high quality composite structure which is both light and resistant, the yacht’s hull has outstanding seagoing capabilities and is able to perform in any sea conditions. Paul Whelan, General Manager, said “We are delighted to be able to work with Blue Coast Yachts in Asia. Their yachts perfectly complement the best selling Lagoon catamarans marketed by our sister company Simpson Marine. Many of our customers have shown interest in moving up to a bigger catamaran than is currently available from Lagoon and Blue Coast’s range of Power and Sailing Catamaran ‘superyachts’ are ideally suited to meet this demand.”

About Simpson Superyachts Simpson Superyachts is the specialized division of the Simpson Group, created to meet all the needs of the large yacht owner. Simpson Superyachts has nearly three decades of experience in the yacht market and a reputation for delivering exceptional services with integrity. Our team of specialists will guide you through all aspects of superyacht ownership, from new construction to servicing. Simpson’s team will help you: X Identify and secure a suitable yacht that suits your needs X Undertake new yacht construction X Manage and maintain your superyacht X Undertake any repairs, refits and maintenance X Arrange appropriate shore support when cruising X Source Captain and crew X Assist with financing and insurance aspects X Arrange registration and ownership X Identify and book international yacht charters For more information, please visit our website at www.simpsonmarine.com

Regional

NEWS

ToG Regatta at the heart of marine leisure tourism growth in Gulf ofThailand

The sailing scene in the Gulf of Thailand is experiencing a period of sustained growth as more boats choose to locate themselves in the Gulf to benefit from the stunning sailing grounds, and the international-standard sailing events attract boats from all corners of the globe. Home to Thailand’s preeminent yacht club, the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, and to many leading sailing events, the Gulf of Thailand is also home Ocean Marina – the host of Asia’s largest annual multi-class competition, the Top of the Gulf Regatta. Easy access to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi international airport, with a capacity of 45 million visitors per year, contributes to Pattaya and surrounds’ attractiveness to boat owners. To support the region’s growing popularity, infrastructure development is apace. No more so is this evident than at Ocean Marina, on Jomtien Beach. Ocean Property, the parent company of Ocean Marina in Thailand, has confirmed an expansion of 100 new floating marina berths (13m and 20m), and an upgrade to 100 larger existing berths – the single largest expansion since the marina was built 18 years ago. Scott Finsten, Harbour Master at Ocean Marina, said: “The marina is not only a boost to Thailand’s boating industry, but also a boost to the local economy given the amount of jobs that will be created,” adding, “We have dredged the marina to 3.5m so we can accommodate the deeper draft vessels that visit Thailand. The new marina completes the investment, to ensure we can cater for longterm demand.” Playing a central role in the growth of marine leisure tourism in the Gulf of Thailand, is the Top of the Gulf Regatta (TOG Regatta), taking place for the eighth time this year. Held 4th to 8th May, Thailand’s TOG Regatta has, since the very beginning,

been a strong supporter of marine leisure tourism and grass roots sailing in the Kingdom, funding and supporting Thai youth sailing, and providing competitive experience through the hosting the Thailand Optimist Nationals. The TOG Regatta is unique amongst regattas in Thailand and Asia, in that it brings together keelboat and multihull racing with beach catamaran, dinghies and optimist competition on a large scale. “The TOG Regatta really is like no other. We continue to support a large variety of classes, and give opportunity to youth sailors as well as provide top quality competition for sailors from around the world in the keelboat and multihull classes,” said William Gasson, Founder and Chairman of the Regatta Organizing Committee. The TOG Regatta provides a truly multicultural experience. Attracting a large number of Thai sailors each year, TOG Regatta also attracts international participants across all classes, regularly including regional and world champions. Over 500 sailors from more than 30 nationalities competed in the 2011 Regatta. “We expect over 70 boats on the keelboat and mutihull course this year, with an increase in interest from Singapore, Hong Kong and Manila, particularly the 40 foot keelboat range,” added Gasson. Eight years old and the TOG Regatta continues to grow and develop. 2012 looks set to be a bumper year with a record fleet of one-design Platus including teams from Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and Thailand, competing for the Coronation Cup. A first for this year, the NeilPryde Racing Series (racing the one-design RS:One sail board) will be incorporated as part of the Regatta and run off the host venue, Ocean Marina Yacht Club – the first time the Series has competed in Thailand. Other classes for 2012 include: IRC 1, IRC 2, IRC 3, IRC 4 Cruising, Sports Boats, Platu (racing in the Coronation Cup), Ocean Multihulls, F18’s, Open Beach Multihulls, Single-handed monohull dinghies, double-handed monohull dinghies and Optimist (racing in the Thailand National Optimist Championship). Over 600 sailors are expected to descend on Jomtien Beach on the Gulf of Thailand, from 4th to 8th May, to enjoy some top quality sailing competition at the 2012 Top of the Gulf Regatta. Website: www.topofthegulfregatta.com

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The NeilPryde Racing Series – a one-design windsurfing class world tour – will race in Thailand for the first time at the 2012 Top of the Gulf Regatta, Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Thailand. The Series will race over the first two days of the Regatta, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th May, and provide a spectacular display of close-quarter racing at Ocean Marina Yacht Club. Launched in 2011, the NeilPryde Racing Series will hold its first stop of 2012 in Pattaya in conjunction with the Top of the Gulf Regatta. Subsequent sailing venues for 2012 include Istanbul (Turkey), Dunkerque (France), Porto (Portugal), Cardiff (Wales), Trapani (Italy), Nice (France), Hong Kong and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Designed by Olympic windsurf equipment supplier NeilPryde, the NeilPryde Racing Series uses the new, universal one-design ISAF windsurfing class, the RS:One. The RS:One Class features a new, attractive, and dynamic race format making the racing a spectacle for the crowds. One sail, one board - everyone on the same equipment allowing male and

female racers of all ages to compete together with equal chances. Top Asian athletes will compete on the RS:One along with local windsurfing heroes and London Olympic Games representatives from Thailand. The winners of each division will share the US$3000 prize money. Race Manager, Emmanuel Messiaen, said “We expect 20 to 30 racers in Pattaya, with a strong representation from Thailand, as well as racers from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Being a one-design class, we will supply the RS:One equipment and all will be equal. The winner will be the one who races the best over the two days.” The Top of the Gulf Regatta is Asia’s largest multi-class regatta, combining keelboats and multihulls with dinghies and beach catamarans, and new for this year windsurfing, in conjunction with the NeilPryde Racing Series and with support from the Windsurfing Association of Thailand. William Gasson, Founder and Chairman of the Top of the Gulf Regatta Organising Committee, said “We’re delighted to welcome the NeilPryde Racing Series to the Top of the Gulf Regatta this year. The Regatta aims to support all disciplines within the sport of sailing and this year we will have a diverse fleet on-the-water from boards to dinghies to beach catamarans, multihulls and keelboats.” The Top of the Gulf Regatta will take place 4 – 8 May 2012 at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Thailand. The NeilPryde Racing Series will take place 5th and 6th May, with a possible exhibition night race with LED sails on the evening of Saturday 5th May. Websites: www.topofthegulfregatta.com, racing.neilpryde.com

Hull Marine

NeilPryde Racing Series to join Thailand’s Top of the Gulf Regatta

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Easy Bran

ncher

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A THAI Boeing 747-400 with a retro livery design to commemorate the airline’s 50th anniversary of 2010 (Source: Adrian Pingstone).

DRAGON TREASURE BOAT UPDATE - Building a Jumbo 747 Sea Liner The Dragon Treasure Boat, the JV Company between the Dragon Group and the Nanjing Government is reporting good progress on the reconstruction of Admiral Zheng He’s Treasure Boat. Our last story featured the difficulty in acquiring naturally curved timber logs for the construction of the ribs, but the ribs of this massive wooden boat are almost completed now. Master craftsmen are presently assembling the internal cross planks and once those are in place, work will begin on the external cladding. It is anticipated that by July, one should be able to see the 71-metre long and 14-metre wide silhouette as the boat finally takes shape. The challenges of building the world’s largest wooden sail boat remains just as daunting despite this progress. “The hull needs to be sealed, waterproofed and rendered fire-retardant,” said TJ Jia the project’s deputy general manager. “Of course, we can utilize modern techniques but in keeping to the objective of mirroring as close as possible this cultural icon, we opted to use technologies that were first used and proven 600 years ago. The sealant used then was a formula of Tung oil, shell powder and ramie fiber. The craftsmen who will specially apply this mixture are extremely skilled, having learned this practice through the generations from successive masters.” TJ also said that when the hull has been completed and sealed, the boat will be launched into the water for ensuing works which includes internal retrofitting and construction of the masts. The main mast itself is 38 metres high. When these boats were first constructed during the Ming Dynasty, the river from Nanjing to the sea was passable. Today, with modern bridges spanning the river, the obvious challenge is how to assemble the mast and yet sail downriver too. We will regularly bring you updates on the boat construction but for now, we would like to share the following facts on this history in the making: Length of the boat: 71.1 metres. Almost as long as a Boeing 747-8 (76.3 metres) or an Airbus A380 (72.73 metres) Width of the boat: 14 metres or twice the fuselage width of the airplane. Height of the mast: 38 metres or about the height of 25 people standing on each others shoulders.

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SEAT BOAT

LAP MARINE

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Phuket Raceweek

Announces New Title Sponsor and New Venue

The jetty at Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket.

2011 Racing Class contenders Babe and Kukukerchu.

Faced with the inevitability of a venue change after eight successful years, Phuket Raceweek organisers, Image Asia Events, today announced the conclusion of multi-year deals with new Title Sponsor Sponsor, Cape Panwa Hotel and Host Venue Sponsors, Cape Panwa Hotel and Kantary Bay Hotel Hotel. “Cape Panwa Hotel and its sister property, Kantary Bay Hotel, on the tip of Cape Panwa in the southeast of the island, will give us the opportunity to lift the standards of Phuket Raceweek even higher than before, while introducing some welcome new elements – such as Cape Panwa Hotel’s stunning beach and beachside gardens,” said Image Asia’s MD, Grenville Fordham. “This agreement means that we continue to race in the same waters in and around Chalong Bay that are so popular with regatta participants, that we keep our signature ‘one regatta, one venue’ format – and that we have security of venue beyond 2012,” he added. According to Fordham, the Cape Panwa Hotel deal is testimony to the attraction of Phuket Raceweek as a commercial sponsorship platform. “This is not a charitable deal. Cape

Panwa Hotel owners, Kasemkij Hotels, have taken a commercial decision and expect a return on their investment. We’ve spent the last few months ironing out the details with their senior management to ensure that they, the regatta organisers, the participants and other sponsors all get the value they should expect,” he said. “We’re excited to be partnering with one of the region’s top regattas as it goes into its ninth year,” said Tirawan Pangsrivongse, Kasemkij Hotels’ Project Development Manager, adding, “Sports tourism is the fastest growing sector in the global travel and tourism industry and Phuket is the sports tourism centre for Thailand. Leisure yachting and yacht racing are at the pinnacle of high-end sports tourism and this new partnership is a perfect fit with our position in the market. We look forward to showcasing our two Phuket properties, Cape Panwa Hotel and Kantary Bay Hotel to regatta participants and associated media this July.” Lining up alongside Cape Panwa Hotel in one of the top sponsorship slots is worldwide regatta sponsor, Mount Gay Rum Rum, who used the 2011 regatta as the Thailand launch

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Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket and Kantary Bay Phuket, with Chalong Bay in the background.

platform of the sailorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; favourite tipple. After the huge success of their 2011 participation, they have increased their investment this year, returning as Presenting Sponsor Sponsor. Online registration for Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek 2012 will open on Monday, April 30 with a very special offer for early bird entrants. Participants wanting to book accommodation at either Cape Panwa Hotel or Kantary Bay Hotel should visit http://www.phuketraceweek.com/ accommodation.htm from 30 April onwards to book rooms at very special regatta rates.

About Kasemkij Hotels Kasemkij Hotels is the owner and operator of Thailandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three leading hotel brands, the Cape, Kantary and Kameo Collections with 15 properties countrywide. Each collection is committed to providing the highest standards in service, accommodation and facilities to its target segment. The Cape Hotel Collection offers unsurpassed standards of luxury; the Kantary Collection provides executive-class residential style hotels for short and long stays, while the Kameo Collection specialises in offering excellent facilities and attractive rooms for the price conscious business and leisure traveller. www.capecollection.com www.kantarycollection.com www.kameocollection.com Information the regatta:

www.phuketraceweek.com raceweek@image-asia.com (English) nit@image-asia.com (Thai) Information on sponsorship opportunities:

http://www.paulpoole.co.th/phuketraceweek paul@paulpoole.co.th (English) udomporn@paulpoole.co.th (Thai)

Asia Marine

NEWS 21

Cutting-edge Silandra V making

wwaavvveesss es

T Charter info To charter Silandra V, please contact Vincent Tabuteau of Asia Marine at charter@asia-marine.net (www.asia-marine.net) or call him at +66818276075.

he 76-ft Silandra V was designed by Italian Luca Brenta and built in 2006 by Nautor’s Swan at its shipyard in Pietrarsari, Finland. Brenta is famous for having designed many other superyachts including the 123ft Ghost, the 107ft Kenora & Wally B, & the 98ft Chrisco. Silandra V is totally customized with all systems being designed by her owner, a passionate sailor. The yacht was built for him and his family to sail around the world in. The owner had a very clear idea of what he wanted from his boat. He wanted a fast cruising and racing yacht able to cross oceans in speed and comfort. Having vast sailing experience, the owner knew what problems could occur during a long navigation. He knew also how important it is to be self sufficient when you are in very remote places. For those reasons he designed the systems on board with the concept of “reliability and redundancy”. All the systems on the yacht are double: double battery charger, double water maker, double generator and double engines. It is very rare to

The 76-ft Silandra V was designed by Luca Brenta and built in 2006 by Nautor's Swan at its shipyard in Pietrarsari, Finland.

find these kinds of features on a light-weight sailing boat. Although she has every system doubled up, her weight is quite low. She weighs around 38 tons, of which 18 are in the retractable keel and bulb. The boat is made of a composite sandwich of carbon fibre and PVC foam, and liquids like diesel and water are stored in 10 different inflatable PVC bladders. This made the distribution of the weight a little bit easier so engineers and designers could position smaller and lighter tanks in the lower and more central part of the boat. Describing Silandra V, Captain Riccardo Benoni says “Keeping up with the maintenance of this beautiful vessel is double the time and the effort since every system is duplicated. However, she is great fun to sail. She is fast on the wind, light and very responsive when the wind blows from the aft quarters. When the spinnaker is flying she surfs very easily. In rough wind her stiff hull cuts the waves with power. A very small crew can manage to sail her in any condition of sea and wind. Cruising on Silandra V has been so far a great adventure: The owner comes on board with his family and they enjoy exploring very remote parts of the planes - with a two year old on board everything became more

Silandra V is totally customized with all systems being designed by her owner, a passionate sailor.

challenging. Anchoring in shallow bays is not a problem because the keel can be lifted to 2.7 metres, while sailing it goes down to 4.5. The double GPS and navigation program give us the certainty of not losing our fix. “Racing Silandra V in the Raja Muda and in the Phuket King;s Cup last December has been the cherry on the cake: we arrived in Phuket at the end of November last year after a 5,000 mile delivery from Brisbane, our last port of call. We had just three days between our arrival and the beginning of the race, so we had no time to take off all the cruising gear we collected during the last four years cruising around the world. “However, it has been great fun. The owner enjoyed sailing hard his yacht around the beautiful scenery of Phuket. We often cut the finish line first, in front of the bigger yachts.”

BOX ITEM

SILANDRA V SPECIFICATIONS

LENGTH

76ft (23.2m)

BEAM

18ft (5.6m)

DRAFT

9ft 0in (2.7m)

TYPE

Sail yacht

YEAR BUILT DESIGNER

2006 Luca Brenta

REFIT BUILDER

Nautor OY

STABILISERS

None

ENGINES

2x110hp

SPEEDCRUISE/ MAX

10kts / 11kts

CREW

Captain Riccado Benoni, 31 years old, Yachtmaster with commercial endorsement; & Chef Alana Pooley, New Zealand, 25 years old

FLAG

United Kingdom

Quality Underscores

he ninth Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) came to a close with successful sales and hot leads reported from exhibitors. The four-day show – the largest consumer boat show in the region – has become known for its quality products, exhibitors and visitors. PIMEX saw US$250 million (THB7.5 billion) worth of boats on display, ranging in price from US$80,000 (THB2.4 million) up to US$14 million (THB420 million), the largest being the 92 foot Pershing presented by Ferretti Group. PIMEX was officially opened by Phuket’s Vice Governor, Sommai Prijasilpa, together with PIMEX Show Director, Andy Dowden, and Bangonrat Shinaprayoon, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Phuket Office.

Attending PIMEX for the first time was Robert Braithwaite, Founder and President of Sunseeker, who opened the Sunseeker display together with local dealer Max Marine Asia presenting a trio of boats – the new Manhattan 53, together with the Manhattan 63 and Manhattan 73. Following the opening, Braithwaite said “We are launching a number of new models in the near future, including the smallest boat we’ve ever built, the Sunseeker 40, together with the largest at 48 metres.” “Thailand has been full of opportunities for us and Sunseeker Thailand is an important part of the Sunseeker family,” Braithwaite added. According to exhibitors, the quality of visitors to PIMEX this year has resulted in sales, good contacts and many hot leads, which brokers expect to convert post-Show.

PIMEX Success

Lee Marine, however, made several sales at the Show including a Jenneau 53, and generated many qualified leads on other boats and brands they represent. Said Tony Nixey, Managing Director of Go Boating Thailand, “The leads we develop from the show may turn into sales later. For us it’s about developing relationships through the show, and gaining friends at the show, who will hopefully become partners with us later.” In response to exhibitor feedback, PIMEX organizers moved the exhibition from January to late March for 2012, with the aim of encouraging a higher quality display of boats. This decision has been vindicated: 2012 saw more boats displayed than last year, with the average size of boat displayed being larger, and the quality of boats in-the-water higher than ever before.

“The quality of the boats in the water this year is the best yet. It is second to none in the region with a large choice of luxury power and sail boats, down to smaller day boats and dinghies,” said PIMEX Show Director, Andy Dowden. PIMEX 2012 attracted an international exhibitor mix from throughout the AustralAsia region, including Australia, New Zealand, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand; as well as from Italy, The Netherlands and the USA. The visitor demographic is equally international. The traditional regional markets remain strong with increasing numbers of visitors from Russia and Thailand. In 2011, PIMEX welcomed an influx of Russian visitors and the trend continued this year with exhibitors reporting qualified

The Ferretti Group, together with local dealer Lee Marine, displayed the 92foot Pershing – the largest boat at PIMEX 2012.

Russians interested in boats and marine lifestyle products. A growing market also this year was the Thai market, with more interested Thai buyers visiting the show and researching boat buying opportunities. This is becoming a market more and more exhibitors are turning their attention too. Said Mario Zanasi, Simpson Marine’s Country Manager for Thailand “We are looking more at the Thai market. For this reason, we have a new Thai broker, and we are

“The boat brands you see in Monaco, Cannes, and in Fort Lauderdale, you will find here at PIMEX. The number and diversity of brands is impressive, but more important is the quality of boats on display this year,” PIMEX Show Director, Andy Dowden, pointed out. “The largest boat on display this year is a 92-foot powerboat, and the smallest a little over 20-foot. And there is everything in between – different sizes, specifications, prices, power and sail. Whatever your

really confident in the future of the Thai market.” “Talking to many exhibitors at the show, feedback is that there is increased interest in marine leisure products from Thai buyers this year, and an increased interest to target more Thai buyers in the future,” commented Dowden. Complimenting the boat displays was a packed Exhibition Hall full of the latest gadgets, boating toys, marine and lifestyle products and services, as well as promotions for a number of stunning villas available on the island.

boating needs, you will find something to suit at PIMEX.” For the first time this year, the flagship Fairline Squadron 78 Custom – a first show in Asia –was presented by Derani Yachts, and Sunseeker displayed three luxury flybridge yachts – the Manhattan 73, 63 and 53. Princess had an exciting line-up with Asia Premieres for the V52 – a sports yacht – the P60 – a brand new model for Princess – and the 72MY. There were also many quality midsized powerboats on display, and an

PIMEX saw it all: from uber-luxe multi-million dollar luxury superyachts to power boats, sailing yachts, tenders and dinghies.

increase in the number of sail boats, including the new Jeanneau 57, Prestige 440S and the award-winning Tartan 4000 which was displayed for the first time in Asia. And for those looking to dip a toe in the water of boat ownership, the Absolute World Group offered Fractional Boat Ownership. Phuket Island is at the centre of Asia’s growing marine leisure industry – one of the top five cruising destinations in the world – and is the centre of the emerging ‘Andaman Marine Triangle’.

markets in Asia and Europe. The three provinces share the same coastline and marine environment, and together have become the marine playground for the rich and famous – the wealthy, the celebrities – and tourists from around the world. With its long established and well developed infrastructure, Phuket holds a pivotal position in the Andaman Marine Triangle, and is home to four world-class marinas with a capacity of over 750 boats. As reported by Channel News Asia:

Consisting of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi provinces, the Andaman Marine Triangle is home to some of the most stunning sailing grounds in the world, and location of choice for the filming of many international blockbuster movies. The coastline of the Andaman Marine Triangle, and associated marine leisure industry, is the single largest asset for the area’s tourism industry, Phuket is the gateway to the Andaman Marine Triangle with more than 200 direct international flights weekly from major tourist

“The amount of private wealth in Asia is estimated to triple to US$16 trillion by 2015, according to Swiss private bank Julius Baer’s annual wealth report done jointly with CLSA.” It is this growth in regional wealth, combined with the desire of boat owners wanting to relocate from traditional cruising grounds that continues to fuel the growth of the marine leisure industry in the region. In line with this growth, large-scale marine infrastructure in Phuket continues to develop. Further investment by established Phuket marinas is expected to be over

PIMEX is an Asian shopfront for global boat brands.

THB500m, and a likely expansion of berth capacity of over 20%, over the next five years. PIMEX plays an integral role in creating and stimulating demand for marine products and services in Asia. Over 5,500 visitors attended the 2011 Show to view the US$100 million of boats on display, and marine and lifestyle offerings. PIMEX connects buyers with sellers in the marine and luxury lifestyle space, and with the largest in-water display in the region, allows potential buyers to view boats first hand. International buyers often then choose to leave their boats in Phuket’s marinas so they can enjoy the facilities and surrounding cruising grounds at their leisure. The trend of marina growth can be seen expanding from Phuket to the Andaman Marine Triangle, with two new marinas in Krabi – Krabi Boat Lagoon and Krabi River View – and another – Port Takola Marina – in the pipeline, adding almost 400 berths to the triangle when complete. Over one billion baht of marina infrastructure development is expected in the

Andaman Marine Triangle over the next five years. This bodes well for the continued growth of the region’s marine industry, as marinas in the Asian region are filling up. PIMEX is positioned as a key marketing and promotional tool for Phuket and beyond, helping to position the Andaman Marine Triangle as the marine leisure playground in Asia. PIMEX showcases Phuket Island, Thailand and the Asia region to the marine leisure world globally. Attracting an international clientelle, organizers confirm markets of growing importance for the show and for the regional marine industry in particular, are Russia and China, with Thai buyers also on the increase.

About the Phuket International Boat Show Now in its ninth year, PIMEX is an established and successful event in the marine and leisure calendar. PIMEX 2012 has big plans for 2012 as the on-water display

increases and the exhibition hall includes a greater diversity of displays from as far afield as China, Australia, Italy and France. Like its location, PIMEX is a relaxed event where participants celebrate the boating, leisure and luxury lifestyle in an ideal tropical destination. The show is more than boats on display but also an opportunity to see the latest luxury cars, properties and engage in some Phuket hospitality. www.phuketboatshow.com

About the Informa Yacht Group The Informa Yacht Group is part of Informa Plc and encompasses all the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leisure marine events. Informa is internationally renowned as a leading provider of information and knowledge via a wide spectrum of media. The company is also the largest publiclyowned organizer of exhibitions and conferences in the world, with an output of over 10,000 events held annually. As the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading organiser of

business-to-business yachting events, Informa Yacht Group offers an industryspecific marketing platform for the luxury yachting and lifestyle sectors, through a global portfolio of exhibitions, conferences, regattas and other events. IYG organises a number of leading Superyacht and other marine events, including: ) ) ) )

) ) ) ) ) )

Superyacht Cup Palma Monaco Yacht Show World Yacht Racing Forum Yacht Racing Design & Technology Symposium Abu Dhabi Yacht Show Middle East Superyacht Conference Asia Superyacht Conference Singapore Yacht Show Phuket International Boat Show Superyacht Cup Special Edition Cowes www.informayachtgroup.com

Ideal for Biminis, enclosures, sail covers, boat covers and more, Sunbrella fabrics are not only durable and colorfast, but breathable as well.

Sailors can count on two things:

weather will change and Sunbrella will protect your boat

erformance meets beauty and selection, that’s how Sunbrella has been described. No other performance fabric company has gone to such lengths to make sure its fabrics are as durable in any weather as they are beautiful. Sunbrella’s products pass through rigorous testing and have been awarded the “Seal of Recommendation” from the Skin Care Foundation, the only global organization concerned exclusively with cancer of the skin. Sunbrella is a God-Send to the leisure marine market. What sets Sunbrella apart from other products is that superior pigments are added during the production of fade-resistant Sunbrella fibre, a thermoplastic. The final result is Sunbrella yarn and fabric with colour throughout that won’t fade or wash away. Think of a carrot, it’s orange the whole way through. Whereas other fabrics use dyes that are added to the surface of the yarn or fabric. The colour only penetrates the outer layer and washes out or fades away over time. Think of a radish, red on the outside, white on the inside. But when you want a wide selection of performance fabrics that can withstand the elements without creative limitations then Sunbrella is the product you need. And the Sunbrella Man in Thailand is Henk Stijweg, a Dutch native, who spent 25 years in Hong Kong before relocating to Bangkok in 2004. For many of those years he was the head of a major trading company, B, van Zuiden Asia, which sold multiple products throughout Asia. Henk first became intrigued by Sunbrella while talking to the founder of Sunbrella at Royal Hong Yacht Club. Discovered over 50 years ago, it was well known in Europe and North America, but not in Asia until Henk started distributing it in 1992 and later through his own company BVZ Asia (www.bvz.com) , but the SARS crisis put his original expansion plans on hold. Today, no one has done more to spread the wonders of Sunbrella in Asia than Henk.

Henk originally targeted marine markets in Hong Kong, Macau and China, which were seeking better quality products, but a chance trip to Phuket in 2003 made him realize the potential for Sunbrella in Thailand’s hotel market as well, so he started a company here and it has been successful from the get go, today employing 80 people. Henk still maintains an office in Hong Kong and has offices in Kuala Lumpur, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh City, and Taguig as well. He sees ASEAN and Greater China as his two main target markets moving forward. Anything you wear outside eventually becomes ruined by ultra-violet radiation. Sunlight destroys almost everything, including human skin. When Sunbrella was first brought to Asia it was very expensive, and while the price has gone down a bit, it is a still bit more pricey than other products, but Sunbrella comes with at least a 5-year warranty, so if your bimini starts to fade in that time frame Henk guarantees it will be replaced. How does Sunbrella help your boat? Well, it protects it and saves you money. Say a bird craps on your Bimini or cotton sail bag, or a guest spills their drink while lounging on a cloth seat cover. You have to take these off what they are protecting, then hand wash and dry them, or send them out to be cleaned, which leaves the items they were protecting unprotected. But with Sunbrella, you just wet the soiled area with mild soap and cold to lukewarm water, scrub using a sponge or soft bristle brush, rinse, wait fifteen minutes and voila, it’s clean again (for tougher stains mix together a cup of bleach, a ¼ cup of mild soap and a gallon of water). But one of the best ways to keep Sunbrella brand fabrics looking good and to delay deep or vigorous cleaning is to properly maintain the fabrics. This can be accomplished by simply brushing off dirt before it becomes imbedded in the fabrics, wiping up spills as soon as they occur or spot cleaning soon after stains occur. Henk’s company also carries about 30 other products applicable to the leisure marine industry including specialty fabrics, and easy-to-install hardware such as a water slue, which allows items to dry quicker once they get wet, and Urecel QuickDry, foam that is made for the outdoors. Amateur sailors and hardened crew the world over know that sailing conditions in the open sea are completely unpredictable. Sunbrella’s marine product line lets sailors find optimal solutions for flybridge enclosures and protective fitted covers, sunshine awnings, canopies and bimini tops, protective screens and general marine outfitting. The elements can be hard on a boat, so to help protect your investment and fully enjoy life on the water by checking out Sunbrella’s range of specialty marine fabrics for any on-board application.

Sunbrella is a true performance

fabric designed to withst and natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most unforgiving elements.

Sunbrella Accessories

Sunbrella is weather resistant, beautiful and soft to the touch. To complete the Sunbrella lifestyle, you need beautiful, durable accessories made with superior Sunbrella yarns. Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking to anchor a chat set with a versatile rug, add a pop of colour to a cabin with a sumptuous throw pillow, Sunbrella accessories fit the bill. Sunbrella rugs, made of 50% recycled Sunbrella fiber, are reversible and unbelievably easy to maintain. They come in a variety of sizes and colors to fit any space â&#x20AC;&#x201C; outside or in, they coordinate beautifully with other Sunbrella fabrics. Sunbrella throws are available in a multitude of colours and textures to add warmth or an accent color to any cabin. These throws are worth fighting over on a cool night spent outdoors. While Sunbrella throws are luxuriously soft, they also are stain-resistant and can even be laundered with bleach if the need arises. No cabin is complete without a collection of throw pillows in amazing colours and patterns. Whether you seek highly decorative patterns or are more drawn to textured solids, pillows made with Sunbrella fabrics are practical, useable accents to any cabin. For ease in cleaning, look for pillow covers that can be removed from the insert and tossed into the washing machine for the occasional cleaning. Just be sure to let them air dry to ensure that they fit easily back onto the pillow insert. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also stain-resistant, easy-to-clean Sunbrella pet beds to ensure that your four-legged family members share in the Sunbrella lifestyle.

Sunbrella marine fabrics offer superior water repellency without the loss of breathability. As one happy customer said, “It’s simply the best value in the industry. No wonder so many boat owners insist on Sunbrella fabric for their marine canvas needs.” Because Sunbrella’s fabrics are woven for breathability, they don’t trap heat and moisture like vinyl, eliminating mildew and staying beautiful season after season. Adding a bimini or cockpit enclosure made with Sunbrella fabrics helps extend your boating season to cope with the monsoon rains. If you gaze out on any marina in the world, Sunbrella fabrics will be visible as far as the eye can see. Sunbrella’s fade-resistant fabrics protect your investment from salt water and all kinds of weather. That’s why boaters rely on Sunbrella fabrics for all their marine exterior needs. Because Sunbrella fabrics are breathable, mildew resistant and provide years of style and comfort, Sunbrella is also ideal for marine interiors. With the same Sunbrella acrylic fibre as the traditional marine canvas, Sunbrella’s marine interior fabrics have more styling options than ever before, combined with our legendary performance characteristics. Now available in a wide array of luxurious velvets, jacquards and textures – all as appropriate for your boat interior as for your home - Sunbrella gives you all the options you want for any kind of boat - from cocktail cruisers to fishing and sailboats. If fishing excursions are your thing, consider heavy duty, durable Sunbrella fabrics like Canvas, Sailcloth and Heritage, and keep the lines clean and simple for a more masculine look. If your tastes lean more towards dinner cruises and weekend getaways, bring the luxury and comfort of home to the open water. Combine Sunbrella velvets with decorative jacquards that suit your style. And don’t be afraid to take that cocktail cruiser fishing. The stain-resistant properties of Sunbrella will make clean-up a breeze, and the fish won’t know the difference. Bunks and v-berths are ideal applications for Sunbrella. Whether you desire a tight fitting mattress cover or something a little more glamorous, Sunbrella has fabrics to fit the bill. Whether you’re trying to add privacy to cramped quarters or soften the lines of the space, drapery panels made of Sunbrella make a wonderful addition to boat bunks. Summing up, Sunbrella colours stay strong and vibrant through intense sunlight exposure and cleaning with bleach. Sunbrella fabrics are as soft and inviting as they are durable. Available in hundreds of solids, stripes, and textures, as well as exquisite decorative jacquards, Sunbrella resists stains and fading, so you don’t have to worry about your fabrics. And Sunbrella can also be recycled and reused.

WORLD M

V Blue World is a truly multipurpose vessel, being equally at home accommodating corporate getaways, team-building events, film crews, weddings, sightseeing, snorkelling, cruising, exploring, diving, kayaking and camping expeditions. Blue Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s speed and comfortable ride also bring more exotic and faraway sights within easy reach. Bring your own music and plug it into the catamaranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stereo system; the widescreen TV is set up for Power Point Presentations.

Austhai 1600 Dive Catamaran Series Technical Specifications Parameter Length maximum length (with platform) length of hull length of waterline (at DWL) Beam maximum beam beam of hull beam of waterline (at DWL)** beam between centres of buoyancy beam at chine* Depth maximum depth midship depth Freeboard (at DWL) freeboard forward freeboard midship freeboard aft Draught canoe body draught (at DWL) minimum draught (LCC displacement ) maximum draught (LDC displacement) Height headroom in saloon air draught (at DWL, excluding antenna) Displacement volume displacement (at DWL) light craft condition mass (LCC) mass of craft at minimum operation condition (MOC) loaded craft mass (LDC) maximum load immersion (at DWL) Engine number of engines power recommened Performance maximum design speed (minimum operation condition) maximum design speed (loaded craft) recommended cruising speed Tankage fuel water waste Passengers/Crew crew Dive tanks- up to passengers/ divers Coefficients and parameters (at DWL)* block coefficient midship section area coefficient waterplane area coefficient prismatic coefficient deadrise angle at transom longitudinal center of buoyancy length to displacement ratio displacement to length ratio static load factor Certification Category All measurements according to ISO8666 * - estimated (depends of propeller diameter limit) ** - for one hull

Symbol

Units

Value

LMAX LH LWL

m m m

16.30 15.23 14.81

BMAX BH BWL BCB BC

m m m m

6.09 6.09 1.53 4.04 1.49

DMAX D LWL/2

m m

2.36 2.33

FF FM FA

m m m

1.62 1.70 1.29

TC TMIN T MAX

m m m

0.66 0.92* 1.12*

m m

2.05 4.30

m3 kg kg kg kg kg/cm

12.81 9200 9800 16800 7600 396.4

2 2 x (240…700)

kts kts kts

34…36* 31…34* 28…30

L L L

2 x 1500 2 x 200 2 x 200

VD m LCC m MCC mLDC m MTL

2…3 80 40..50 CB CM CWP CP 8 LCB/LWL LWL/VD1/3 DLR CD

deg -

0.43 0.567 0.852 0.758 11 (14) 0.425 6.335 112.8 0.484 B ‘offshore’

Blue World Charters Charter MV Blue World by day for your family, or a group of friends; overnight stays for large groups of people can be arranged with participating hotels. Consider Blue World for your corporate event or for that romantic beach wedding. Charter prices include use of Blue World’s facilities, including kayaks and snorkel gear. Diving carries an extra charge and must be booked in advance. The maximum number of guests allowed is 36, which leaves ample space for all guests to sit, sunbathe or move around in comfort.

Blue World Excursions Sightseeing and Snorkelling Anchor in sheltered bays, enjoy a gourmet lunch, explore beautiful islands, sink your feet into white sand beaches and snorkel on shallow coral reefs that are teaming with colour and tropical marine life.

Kayaking Explore enchanting coves, caves and secluded beaches. Blue World carries four Ocean Kayaks which are very stable and seat two adults and one child.

Discover Scuba Why not take snorkelling one step further and enjoy the magic of the underwater world on a one-toone dive experience on a shallow coral reef with one of our qualified instructors? (A limited number of divers can be accommodated on each sight seeing trip at an extra charge – please book in advance.)

Blue World Diving Excursions Blue World is a fast, luxury dive catamaran that brings amazing dive sites within reach that were once only possible by overnight stays on live-a-board boats. Exciting dive sites like the Similans or Hin Daeng can be reached from Phuket in just over two hours. There is also plenty to do on the boat for those who would normally stay in the hotel when partners go diving. The dive sites vary from the picturesque suitable for all levels of diver to the more adventurous and spectacular dives that require greater experience and planning. Dedicated dive trips can take a maximum of 24 Divers and 48 Dive Cylinders. Blue World operates the whole year round,

Why a Catamaran? The void between the hulls of a catamaran creates a cushion of air that acts as a natural shock absorber giving a smoother and more comfortable ride. At the same time, the narrow twin hulls cut through the waves more efficiently reducing vertical movement and eliminating â&#x20AC;&#x153;slammingâ&#x20AC;?. For more info contact Mike Fallows at: +66 (0) 854 750 447. Blueworldsafaris@gmail.com

The Build The Austhai 160 series of commercial catamarans was designed by leading architect Albert Nazarov of Albatross Marine Design ( www.amdesign.co.th ) specifically to meet the sea conditions on the west coast of Thailand. Before commencing the design, both the architect and the builder visited the area, made several trips to the various west coast island destinations, and had discussions with a number of operators on the western coast. The conclusions reached were that a semidisplacement hull of 16 metres in length would provide optimum seaworthiness, economy at the desired speeds and cater to the optimum number of passengers. Two versions of the boat were designed on the one hull. One is a ferry, callable of transporting up to 80 passengers in comfort and the second is a Dive Cat, capable of carrying up to 40 divers and 80 tanks. Various other options and layouts are also available. The first build commissioned by Blue World Safaris was completed in October of 2011 and is now operating from its base in Phuket. This vessel is a multipurpose boat, with owner and crew accommodation. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s equipped for 24 divers or up to 60 passengers on nondiving trips. Featuring twin 400 HP Yanmar diesel shaft drives, the vessel has proven to offer exceptional economy under operating conditions at a cruising speed of 25 knots. The hull design enables a cruising sped of up to 30 knots with larger engines. Exceptional passenger comfort is inherent in the design, as the boast offers a superb soft ride, with ample space for passengers to move around the boat in comfort, and sunbathing areas too. The extensive flybridge seats up to 20, while the lower salon offers more sheltered accommodation. The huge aft deck offers ample room for divers to kit up. The boat is also equipped with numerous extras to increase the passenger experience, such as a full galley, deck mounted barbecue, glass bottom boat, etc. Construction of the second boat, a general purpose charter boat, is scheduled for commencement in July. For further information contact Austhai Marine Co., Ltd, www.austhaimarine.com

Simpson Marine

The Banda

Archipelago Home of nutmeg, cloves & friendly people

By Shane Granger, H/V Vega

hat had been a gray smudge on the horizon in the early light of dawn rapidly resolved itse lf into a verdant green island as our 120-yearold sailing vessel reached at a steady 7 knots across the southeast monsoon 4 and ½ degrees south of the equator in the middle of Indonesia’s Banda Sea.

In front of us lay a small archipelago with a total land area of less than 40 square miles that once changed the course of our entire world. The search for these islands brought about the fall of ancient empires and the accumulation of vast riches. These are the Banda Islands, for hundreds of years the only source for the world’s most sought after spice - nutmeg. Now, these islands, that once enticed a queen to gamble her crown jewels and were at the heart of several vicious European wars are only a forgotten backwater with a population of warm friendly people always ready to assist and very proud of their island’s history. After all, one of these islands was once traded for another island in North America called Manhattan with all of what is now New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Long Island thrown in to sweeten the deal.

A visit to the original Spice Islands of Indonesia

Photo by Muthiara Guest House SEAY-Banda.indd 2-3

4/14/12 2:38 PM

Photos by Muthiara Guest House

Above left: Transport on the islands is mostly by foot or rickshaw. Here two of Vega’s crew deliver educational supplies to an island preschool. Above right: Reminders of Banda’s vibrant history are to be found every where you look. Facing page left: View of Fort Nassau seen through the gate of another fort built in the late 1600’s

View of the entrance between the islands of Banda Naira and

SEAY-Banda.indd 4-5

As early as 300BC Chinese, Malay, and Arabic traders visited these islands trading rice and sago for nutmeg, mace, and cloves that were highly valued in their own countries and for export. Those spices often continued their journey from China by camel westward along the Silk Road or by sea to the Persian Gulf where they were transferred to caravans that carried them to the Mediterranean. There they were distributed from Constantinople, Genoa, and Venice at exorbitant profits. As early as 100AD the Romans sent ships of their own as far as India seeking to break the Arab monopoly on Nutmeg and Mace from these islands. These are the fabled Spice Islands that Columbus, Vasco da Gama, Magellan, and many others searched for. Today there are traces of this rich history wherever you look. Old fort Nassau, first started in 1512, whose walls proudly proclaim 1670 as its year of construction, now serves

as a short cut from the beach to the main road. Cannons dated from the 1700s lay abandoned beside the street. Rare exotic Ikan Banda (mandarin fish) can easily be seen by snorkeling along the old harbour walls and, of course, everywhere are nutmeg trees under their shading Kanary trees - themselves the source of the Indonesian almond. If these short lines have tickled your desire to visit this amazing place, then read on. This is one destination you will love to discover and hate to leave. Just be sure to allow yourself enough time to truly savor these lovely islands and there relaxed style of living. The best time to visit the Banda Islands is during the southeast monsoon with September/ October and April/May being the best months of all. Arrival is easy and straightforward. After all for thousands of years sailing ships made this a regular port of call to load their precious cargos of nutmeg and cloves.

Approaching from the south, leave the islands of Run and Ai to port and the volcano Gulung Api to starboard making your way around the north coast until the second entrance between the islands of Gulung Api and Banda Naira bear almost due south. That point is located on the eastern side of Pulau Karaka. Pass between the red and green lights into the deep water bay between the islands. By staying to the middle of the channel you should see a least depth of 15 meters. At the anchorage waypoint the choice is between close in and shallow at +/- 5 meters or further out and deep at +/- 45 meters, both provide good holding and are well protected from almost all winds. If the fishermen advise you of a better place, best listen to them, as their advice has always been spot on for us. If you are invited to moor Mediterranean style with an anchor from the bow and the stern tied to the palm trees - politely do it. That is

the best place to be, but only do it if invited by the owner of the property. These moorings are usually free and provided as a kindness to passing travelers. So do be polite. There is another entrance between Banda Besar and Gulung Api to the south that looks enticing, but having used that entrance once I found the depths were not at all what was on our charts and the holding ground not very sure. Later, we found that the last eruption of Gulung Api in 1988 changed the entire bottom profile especially at the entrance. My advice is stick to the northern anchorage, which is better protected. Once you are safely anchored checking in is easy. Banda is not an official entry point so they only have the Harbormaster and Navy, for now. The Harbormaster usually does everything for you so you do not need to visit the navy installation just beside the new petrol station. We found the officials to be very helpful and friendly.

Here are the waypoints I use. Nr 1 Fro m outer arrival point N.E. of Pulau Karaka 04 30’ S, 129 53’ 16” E, steer 180 T for 0.24 NM Nr. 2 Fro m 04 30’ 30” S, 129 53’ 16” E, steer 150 T for 0.48 Nm Nr. 3 Fro m 04 30’ 65” S, 129 53’ 42” E, steer 160 T for 0.21 Nm Nr. 4 Fro m 04 30’ 84” S, 129 53’ 47” E, steer 128 T for +/- 0.35 Nm

Just remember, I make no guarantees for these waypoints. So, use at your own risk.

4/14/12 2:39 PM

Anchorage

View of Banda Neira and Banda Besar from atop Gulung Api volcano. The best anchorage is close in with the stern tied to sturdy palm trees and one - or two - anchors from the bow.

SEAY-Banda.indd 6-7

When you leave the port captain’s office and pass under the archway to the street stop, look around. In front of you are two shops that sell phone cards and top-ups. Banda just received mobile phones last year. The system did still have a few glitches when we were last there, but those should soon be solved. There are also a several Internet cafes that have sprung up in the past year. The local bank now has an ATM that is working, though a tad bit slow. They take most credit cards. Slightly to your right is the big mosque. Turn right and follow the street straight along and you will find several nice shops where you can get bread and other supplies. Further along that same street after passing the Chinese temple is the “Kongsi Klenteng” built in the 15th century and well worth a visit. If you turn to the right you will quickly find the local market, the place for fresh veggies and very fresh tuna steaks at about US$1.50 or 10,000 Rupias for a prime strip of about 1 kg. Banda is not a good place to provision. What is available is fresh but very basic so be sure to carry enough stores with you for the onward passage.

If instead of going straight to the market you turn left at the big mosque, then right at the first corner, you will come to the park. Continue straight a bit and you will find the Dutch Reform Church reputed to be from the mid 1600s. If on arriving at the park you turn left about 3 lanes up on the left you will see a sign for the Mutiara Guest House – Mutiara means Perl – belonging to Abba and Dila. Dila is an amazing cook, so do not miss a chance to have a dinner at their place. If you tell them you are friends of Vega she may even bring out her special nutmeg cake for desert. That route also leads past the restored Fort Belgica on the hill to your left and in front of the old VOC warehouses and offices. For fuel and lube oil contact Husain Kamis just ask anyone in the port office and he will be around shortly. Banda has a very efficient “Jungle Grape Vine” that gets messages around with amazing speed. If you have an Indonesian hand phone his number is o81247226956.

This is a beautiful safe anchorage with a spectacular view of the volcano Gunung Api. You can spend hours lost in the pristine waters snorkeling right from the boat as exotic tropical fish and ancient shipwrecks abound. Above all, this is a place where the people are so friendly and helpful you will not want to leave. These islands exist in the worlds largest maritime preserve and their waters are considered to be among the very few in the world that are still unspoiled. Walk along the beaches and collect pieces of old Chinese porcelain washed ashore from those ancient wrecks, or stroll through the town and discover history at every turn. Most of the town’s real foot traffic is along walkways and paths between the roads. If you see what looks like a walkway between buildings or going up a hill it most likely is. We found the best exploring is by following these paths.

The Mutiara Guest House is one of the finest on the islands. The food is superb and not at all expensive. The accommodation is very comfortable. Abba & his wife Dilla Bahalwan do everything possible to make any visit - be it days or a dinner - a memorable event. Abba is well connected and can arrange visits to the volcano, the other islands, or the best snorkeling adventures. There e-mail is banda_ mutiara@yahoo.com Another interesting place is the Maulana Hotel, which is also the PADI dive center for the area. Located close to the village center they provide a slightly more upmarket service. You will walk past it on your way from the anchorage to the town center.

4/14/12 2:39 PM

Above right: Cakalele dancers Facing page upper left: Symbol of the Dutch VOC which ruled these islands for centuries Lower: Typical street scene Upper right: Vega provides educational supplies for schools on all 5 islands

Kora Kora were the original Bandanese war canoes. These long thin war canoes holding anywhere from 30 to 50 rowers, a captain, two or more bailers to toss out any water that came onboard, several musicians playing drums and gongs, and a helmsman who sat at the stern and steered with a large paddle. Averaging 22 metres in length with a beam of only 1.25 metres, these war canoes with their high curving bow and stern they are strongly reminiscent of Viking long boats without the sails. Today, these impressive craft are used for the highly contested Kora Kora races that are regional events with boats coming from several districts to participate. Each boat is painted in its team colors and the teams themselves all dress to match in bright turbans and sarongs. The effect is stunning as they power through the water at up to 12 knots. Two power strokes followed by a rest in perfect timing. When racing they often strike a rhythm that closely resembles the movement of a centipede’s feet, a

SEAY-Banda.indd 8-9

most pleasing and impressive feat to watch. It is well worth asking if any races are scheduled and if so waiting to watch them. In lew of that good fortune they are frequently to be seen in the bay practicing. The Cakalele are Banda’s best-known cultural dances. These are war dances that commemorate the massacre of Bandanese men in 1621 by the Dutch.Almost anyone can tell you when the next dances will be held and where. These are not tourist events, but the local people expressing their cultural identity. The costumes are colourful and eclectic. Many of the helmets, swords, pistols, and other ancient arms are real antiques, some dating from the days of the Portuguese that are only brought out for these special occasions.

I could go on for pages about the discoveries and friends we have made on Banda Niera alone. It seems that every turn of the road or path leads to another historic building, fort, or other interesting place. If that small island is amazing the other islands are even more so. Everywhere are reminders of the strong Portuguese and Dutch colonial influence; a visit to the old nutmeg plantations on Banda Besar makes an enjoyable day trip where you will see nutmeg harvested exactly the way it was done 500 years ago. Banda is unique, its ambience and the tranquility of times past will captivate you. It is well worth the effort too climb the Gunung Api Volcano or visit the islands of Run and Ai. For visits to outlying islands it is best to use local craft, which are inexpensive and can show you the best locations for landing, snorkeling, and sightseeing (Abba is the best man to organize that for you).

Every year the 120 year old Nor weg ian build historic vessel Vega delivers too ls, between 15 and 20 tons of donated some educational and med ical supplies to nd of South Eas t Asia’s most isolated isla port com munities. Those supplies help sup local level com munity development, health, and educational services.

loads Every sing le item Vega reques ts and t is in response to a specific requiremen ting and is nee ded by someone who is wai ch for it to do a specific job. This approa

has pro ven to be extremely effective. os Nobel Peace Prize winner Jose Ram llar Horta of Eas t Timor has stated that “Do aid for dollar Vega is the most effective nt arriving in my country”. One importa part of that success is Vega’s on going ities. yearly support of the same com mun

a To continue this work effectively Veg a nee ds your help. Please visit the Veg r blog website at www.sailvega.co m or thei . site at www.sailvega.wordpress.com

Photo by Muthiara Guest House

Above left: Kora-Kora crew

4/14/12 2:39 PM

2012 Boat Asia

Basks in Success

oat Asia celebrated two decades of serving Singapore and the Southeast Asian region with solid onsite sales and many high-potential ongoing talks based on official survey feedback. Organized by TMX Show Productions and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, Boat Asia 2012, ran from the 12th-15th April at Marina at Keppel Bay, featuring a lineup of more than 50 luxury yachts from 30’ to 130’, which showcased the best of Southeast Asia’s growing leisure marine industry. Over 12,000 people visited the show and its 100 exhibits from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, the US, the Middle East, and China. Although boating markets have been relatively quiet, the event’s long-term reputation for attracting genuine yet disparate buyers to see a wide range of watercraft, from sailboats to superyachts, again proved the right Asian formula, and separately CEO Herman Ho said substantial new initiatives would help increase both exhibitors and high-end visitors when the next Boat Asia takes place from April 18-21 next year. Observers noted that the Hainan Rendezvous in Sanya, the China International Boat Show in Shanghai, and Boat Asia in Singapore were held in consecutive weeks, allowing boat yards in Europe and North America, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand to better focus on the evolving Asian scene.

Boat Asia is one of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading boat and lifestyle shows.

Mr Ho did not elaborate on what the Boat Asia initiatives might be, but he has taken a no-nonsense approach to the event since purchasing it five years ago, and moving it steadily upmarket. “It’s been extremely satisfying to see serious sales and charter business being transacted by our new and regular exhibitors,” said Herman. “We continue to cement our position as the only leading Singaporebased regional boat show of real merit, one which always delivers.” On the waterfront, Boat Asia 2012 returned with its highly popular Lifestyle concept, featuring prestigious brands such as Audi, Gaggenau and Mumm Champagne in addition to a wide range of on-land exhibitors from resort operators, charter companies, clothing and fashion brands, swimwear and sports and nautical watches. Lifestyle brands participating included Creatifventure, Paul & Shark Yachting, Wyndham Wines, Chivas, San Benedetto, Citibank “preferred credit card”, Scarlet Hotel, Naumi Hotel Singapore and X-tra furnishers. In a coup for Boat Asia 2012, this year’s show featured Sea Bear, the superyacht owned by golfing legend Jack Nicklaus (known by his nickname “Golden Bear”). Sea Bear was featured alongside numerous other exciting exhibitors including Vicem Yachts Turkey, Changi Sailing, Nansha Marina China, Yacht Haven Phuket, LOPE HK, X-tra, Lloyd Marine, Paul & Shark Yachting, Bellingham, RSYC, Jade Marine HK, Oneberry, and AzureaLifestyle. Also taking part were Grady White, Cris Craft, MAN Engines, Suzuki Outboards, MAN Engines, Stormy Lifejackets and Seadoo, while Boat Asia stalwarts like Gulf Craft, Horizon Yachts and SG Boating, whose brands include Leopard Catamarans, Fairline, Chaparral, Robalo, and Meridian, also featured prominently. The yacht trade was well represented with yacht shipment experts Peters and May. Off-the-water activities included car displays and test-drives, a nautical fashion and swimwear show at the waterfront promenade, jazz performances, wine and whisky tasting and an exclusive timepiece showcase. Boat Asia 2012 had a special focus on the growing interest in luxury charters

Boat Asia showcased the increasing use of â&#x20AC;&#x153;greenâ&#x20AC;? technologies in boat building and design.

Jack Nicklaus Sea Bear Debuts at Boat Asia 2012 Sea Bear, a Westport 135ft yacht-cum-floating-museum houses 36 unique pieces handselected by Jack and Barbara Nicklaus from the Jack Nicklaus Museum in Columbus, Ohio, as well as items personally donated from their home collection. The yacht comes courtesy of Boat Asia exhibitor KOP Group. The yacht’s main showcase piece measures 50 by 36 inches and is placed in the main saloon. Created by artist Pat Morell the piece is made of cherry and features bas-reliefs of all Jack Nicklaus’s major championship trophies, including the US Amateur. Sterling silver plates list the years, venues and scores associated with each victory. A centre plaque features an overview of Jack’s illustrious career, printed on parchment paper.

About TMX Show Productions Pte Ltd TMX Show Productions Pte Ltd (TMX) acquired Suntec Integrated Media (SIM) in November 2007. TMX focuses on conceptualizing and managing specialized sports and lifestyle events for (targeted) industries and market segments. Boat Asia (conferred the Best Boat Show in Asia by the prestigious Christofle Asia Boating Awards 2007) is Asia’s leading leisure boat and luxury lifestyle event. For more information on TMX, visit www.tmx.com.sg.

from corporations and private banks and for the first time featured an exclusive luxury private yacht charter segment. Regional luxury charter companies included Aqua International and international luxury charter companies include Sunsail and Fraser’s Yacht. The event also showcased the increasing use of “green” technologies in boat building and design. There were some interesting products in this sector which will reduce the carbon footprint for environmentally conscious boaters. The “green boats” on display featured such innovations as solar films and panels, solar electric power and fuel cells.

Over 12,000 people visited the show and its 100 exhibits from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, the US, the Middle East, and China.

Go Yachting:

Bringing Asia to

video screens the

around

world

I SEA Yachting recently cornered the co-founder of Go Yachting, Duncan Worthington, to discuss online TV, the benefits for the marine industry, and to learn more about Go Yachting – Asia’s first IPTV marine program.

PTV, Broadband TV, Online TV... the terms are confusing but all, essentially, refer to the same thing – TV streamed over the Internet. In the sailing world, IPTV (the chosen terminology for this article), has taken off in recent years. From “YouTube-style” amateur clips of sailing events and action, to professional “traditional-style” TV Productions that are broadcast online, sailing has jumped into the IPTV world with both feet, and rightly so. Sailing doesn’t have the mass market appeal of many sports – football (soccer) for example – thus it does not (and cannot) command the airtime mass market sports do. For example: you can almost count on one hand the number of sailing program there are on satellite or terrestrial TV. The reality is that in the grand scheme of things sailing is a niche sport. As such, the potential TV viewing figures are small, and thus airtime for the sport is minimal. And this is where IPTV has become so valuable to the sport. There are many online video platforms, the most commonly known being YouTube.com. Not the only one by any means – there are a lot more smaller and niche platforms, and Vimeo.com is becoming a choice for many. However, YouTube reigns in this space, and like most platforms, it is free. (Note: there are some caveats to this, and there are some conditions

users have to accept in order to use the free service, but in the majority of cases, these are not an issue). The beauty of IPTV is simple: it has a large potential reach, it’s cost-effective, allows viewing on-demand, and for marketeers it provides accurate statistical analysis of viewers (traffic), unlike traditional broadcasts. To put that into perspective: More than 24 hours of video is uploaded to YouTube every minute*; and there are more than two billion video views on YouTube every 24 hours.* In 2011, three Thailand-based entrepreneurs got together and launched Go Yachting, Asia’s first IPTV programme. Covering the marine scene in Asia, the program is produced monthly, in English language, and is hosted on the marine portal, www.MarineScene.asia. Go Yachting is actually the name of the monthly program. In addition to the program, the company provides TV Production Services to clients in the marine industry – regattas, rallies, boat shows, marine events, charter companies, brokerages and much more; essentially, any business in the marine industry, in Asia. “Our focus is the marine industry. That is our specialty. A big part of the drive to

set up Go Yachting was from our event experience. The big professional sailing events in the world have really upped their game in terms of TV production quality, specifically online. And while a number of these events now come to Asia – Extreme Sailing Series, Volvo Ocean Race and the Alpari World Match Racing Tour, for example – our interest was not these events but the numerous amateur events in the region,” said Go Yachting co-founder, Duncan Worthington. “There are so many great events in Asia that don’t get the coverage they deserve, so we decided to set-up a dedicated Asia-based team that can produce to international standards using the latest HD cameras and waterproof onboard units, and provide an online platform that can deliver worldwide exposure - and all of this at Asian prices.” Since its launch, Go Yachting has covered a number of the region’s regattas and it has a busy 2012 schedule lined up. “In 2011 our initial focus was Thailand-based regattas, filming the Top of the Gulf, Samui, and the Phuket King’s Cup, as well as some smaller events. “So far in 2012 we have filmed the Royal Langkawi International Regatta (Malaysia) – produced daily clips and a post-event Highlights Show, and distribution – The Bay

The beauty of IPTV is simple: it has a large potential reach, it’s costeffective, allows viewing on-demand, and for marketeers it provides an accurate statistical analysis of viewers.

“Our dedicated team of camera people and editors are experienced in filming on and offwater. We use the latest HD cameras and film Full HD. Whether it is an action-packed regatta, or an offsite interview, we film to the highest production standards,” says co-founder Duncan Worthington

Regatta, and the Phuket International Boat Show. We have a number of other events scheduled and are in discussions with events further afield, but still within our area of focus, Asia.” With regards to regattas, Go Yachting provides a series of options, depending on what the event is looking for. Daily clips at the event, a post-event Highlight Show, media distribution and much more. Production Services are bespoke to the needs of the client. In addition to event TV Production Services, Go Yachting has produced a number of client videos, specifically for charter clients. “No longer is a website enough for your business, online video is becoming essential, and in the case of marine businesses such as charterers and brokers, there is no better way to show the product to potential customers a-far, then through video. “A savvy marketeer will see the synergy with social media and the power to share video content easily, and comment, adds to the value of online video for businesses.” MarineScene.asia offers a central portal for Asian-related watersports content. Not only home of the Go Yachting program, the portal hosts a variety of event-specific content, client videos and through a recent partnership with the Kiteboard Tour Asia (KTA), a series of kiteboarding videos. “We have three online channels – Go Yachting, Asian Regattas and Kiteboarding. Users can select the content they are looking for. We have been approached to add more channels, and are

looking into expanding the channels and services we currently offer.” What sets the Go Yachting team apart is their dedicated team, on staff. “From the start we decided that we didn’t want to be another freelance service in the marketplace. We wanted to offer something different, something better. “We listen carefully to a client’s needs and work with them closely. We aim to deliver beyond their expectations. Our dedicated team of camera people and editors are experienced in filming on and off-water. We use the latest HD cameras and film Full HD. Whether it is an action-packed regatta, or an off-site interview, we film to the highest production standards.” While Go Yachting are innovating with IPTV, and taking the Asian marine industry’s message to the world, Worthington is in discussions with a number of traditional broadcast outlets for airtime. “When we started out, our goal was solely IPTV. And this remains our focus. However, we have established contacts with international broadcasters and are currently in discussions for airtime. “If we are successful, we would likely create a new program specifically for broadcast, which could be aired weekly or monthly, while continuing to produce our IPTV channels and programs,” added Worthington. For more information on the serviced offered by Go Yachting, and to view the Go Yachting program and other Asian marine scene videos, visit www.MarineScene.asia, or email go@MarineScene.asia. * Source: Econsultancy.

SEA Yachting Q & A with John Magel

t the age of six years old John Magel’s father bought a motor yacht with the intention to live aboard, it was moored in the Fraser River, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Life on the sea had started. In the summers during his high school years he would go trolling for salmon commercially with his brother off the coast of BC. Soon after school he made up his mind to be a full time fisherman working his way through the fleet to reach the top producing boats on the west coast. At 21 John achieved a 350 ton commercial captain’s license as well as a fishing master unlimited ticket from The Pacific Marine Training Institute in Vancouver. In 1991, John came to Southeast Asia, and Thailand in particular, he has done many yacht deliveries in the region and worked for Gulf Charters Thailand doing skippered sailing charters. John is now captain of the 34-metre superyacht Nymphaea (above) based half-the-year in Singapore and half the year in Phuket. You can reach Capt.John at jayban69@hotmail.com

Favourite Marina? I would have to say in the Southeast Asia region the best marina that I have been to is 1Degree15 on Sentosa Island, Singapore; friendly helpful staff and a superb facility, all within minutes of downtown Singapore. Favourite Anchorage? Rose Harbor on Anthony Island, the last island in the Queen Charlotte chain off the northwest coast of British Columbia. It used to be an old whaling station at the turn of the last century, steeped in history and charm; a safe haven during a brutal North Pacific winter storm. Favourite Chandlery? National Marine Suppliers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Favourite Sailing Film? Dead Calm with Sam Neil and Nicole Kidman. I like when the bad guy (Billy Zane) gets shot with the flare gun and you can see right through the hole in his guts. Favourite Sailing Book? Without a doubt I would have to say, Sailing Alone around the World by Joshua Slocum. It really inspired me about sailing at a young age. Joseph Conrad has written some great sailing yarns as well. Favourite Sailing Hero? Tim McMahon, no seriously, I would have to say Bernhard Moitessier who participated in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race in1968. He was well ahead of the fleet on the return leg to Briton when he decided he did not want to stop and went half way around the world again and landed in Tahiti. Back to the book question A Race For Madmen outlines this first ever race and is a must read for any sailor junky. Favourite Boat Show? Fort Lauderdale. Favourite type of sailing boat? Having owned a boat before my standard answer is “someone else’s”. Favourite Regatta? Top of The Gulf, hands down! (big brownie points from Bill Gasson) Sailing race you still most want to compete in? Sydney to Hobart. Sailing destination you still most want to get to? I have a good friend who has done two laps around the world in his yacht, he maintains Chagos is the closest place to god, so why not? Sailing journey you’d still like to make? At a young age I had the dream to sail around the world, now as I am older I would like to revise that to sail around the warm parts of the world. What could the Thai gov’t do to improve the marina business in this country? The previous government with PM Thaksin did a great service to the yachting industry in Thailand by reducing the import taxes to 7 % thus opening the door for foreigners to bring their yachts to this region. Myself and others with a vested interest in the chartering side of the industry are currently in talks with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), trying to allow foreign flagged superyachts to conduct charter activities in Thai Waters. The Thai vessel act 47 basically states that the minister has considered that the number of Thai vessels operating in any part of Thai waters is not enough for the demand of the country; he or she shall have the power to grant permission to a vessel of a foreign flag to carry out activity under section 47. This rule seems to have already been applied in the off shore oil industry. We think l that there is a need for superyachts to be able to conduct charter operations in Thailand with the benefits going to local communities and businesses huge. Perhaps the best way to regulate this is through a charter license issued by the government, valid for six months to coincide with the length of stay a foreign yacht is permitted to stay in the country If you weren’t in the sailing business, you would be…? Dead?