SEA Yachting is a production of AP PACIFIC Co. Ltd. Suite D, 16th Floor, On Hing Building 1-9 On Hing Terrace, Central Hong Kong. SEA Yachting is produced under contract by Dragon Art Media Co. Ltd. of Bangkok.
November - April NE trades Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth, whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul...then. I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. "Herman Melville
Bangkok Offic e: 1201/ 65-66 Soi Lard Phrao 94 Office: Wangthonglang, Bangkok 10310 Tel. (66 2) 559 0360-3 Fax (66 2) 559 0363
Phuket Office: 169/63 Ban Benjamas, Soi San Sabai Rat-U-Thi Song Roi Pee Road Patong, Katu, Phuket 83150 Tel. & Fax (66 76) 341 685
Editor: Nanta Boonmee Managing Editor Editor:: Scott Murray
Davao
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Associate Editor Editor:: Ken Loh Designer: Krisana Ekapoom Advertising Regional: sales@dragonartmedia.com
Manado
ratchanee@dragonartmedia.com
Ternate
Sales & Marketing Executive: suchada@dragonartmedia.com
Biak
Distribution Thailand: scottm@dragonartmedia.com
Jayapura
Ambon
Dili Timor
Thursday Is. Darwin
Port Moresby
Cairns
SEA Yachting is Southeast Asia's regional marine industry magazine. We welcome your comments. Please feel free to send comments or letters to the editor at scottm@dragonartmedia.com Where possible your letters will be published.
Marina Distribution
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Southeast Asia’s yachting and marine industry magazine
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Southeast Asia’s yachting and marine industry magazine
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Regional
NEWS
Cape Panwa Hotel – the stunning home of Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek is set to take place 19th–23th July off Phuket’s southeast coast. Having grown from a primarily local regatta into an award-winning international regatta welcoming in excess of 40 boats and sailors from more than 20 countries each year, the organizers are to be congratulated for chartering the regatta's path to success. The regatta is headquartered at Cape Panwa Hotel, which is both the regatta’s title and host sponsor. Speaking with Mr. Poomiphat Navanukroh, Cape & Kantary Hotels' Travel Industry Group Director we find out more about their involvement in the event and the value it brings to both Cape & Kantary Hotels and Phuket.
Why did you become the title & host sponsor for Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek & how do you see the regatta beneÚting both your business & Phuket? The answer comes in two parts - one is about passion, and the other is about creating a profitable marketing platform to drive revenue. About the passion: the owner of Cape & Kantary Hotels, Khun Tiraponge Pangsrivongse, is a passionate sailor, having sailed around the southeast region most of his life, from Indonesia, Malaysia to Thailand and Myanmar. Through his love of yachting, a few years ago he created Cape Yacht Charters – a collection of luxury yachts for charter around Phuket, Siracha and Hua Hin – to promote Thailand’s picturesque sailing locations. It was a natural fit to extend this passion and become Phuket Raceweek’s title sponsor. About the business aspect, Cape & Kantary Hotels has become one of Thailand’s leading hospitality companies with 22 hotels and serviced apartments currently operating in Thailand. We see sports tourism – especially yachting – as an effective way to “Brand Phuket” as Thailand’s premium tourism destination. By partnering with the event's organisers, Media Business Services, we have the opportunity to promote Cape Panwa Hotel to our target market of premium local and international leisure and business travellers. About the benefits to the island of Phuket: approximately 400 – 500 people, including media, sponsors, participants and families join the event every year and this benefits Phuket tourism in terms of money spent by these people in the local economy. Considering direct benefits: yacht repairs, servicing and provisioning, hotel accommodation, marina berthing, wining and dining, transport and other services will bring in many millions of baht in direct tourism revenue from this high-spending sector. In addition, we estimate that there will be more than six million Thai baht spent with local suppliers for infrastructure, entertainment, boat hire, logistics and other services.
Cape Panwa Hotel and Kantary Bay Hotel both support Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek, please share with us what is special about these hotels and why you have so many guests who come back to stay with you year after year? Cape Panwa Hotel is located on a palm-fringed beach and has an established international reputation for unsurpassed service and first–class facilities. The hotel is just one hour from the airport and 15 minutes from Phuket Town. Cape Panwa Hotel nestles on the hillside of an old coconut plantation with breath-taking vistas of the Andaman Sea, boasting elegant sea-facing suites and pool villas equipped with every comfort of a modern hi-tech lifestyle. The exclusive Cape Absolute Suite, featuring 360-degree ocean views, private butler and chef service, a private lift, a limousine and the use of Cape Panwa’s 35-metre private yacht, is the crown jewel of the hotel, and has been graced by Hollywood celebrities such as Leonardo Di Caprio, Elizabeth Taylor, Jean Claude Van Damme, Pierce Brosnan and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Beach lovers will love Cape Panwa’s revamped Bamboo Bar to dine al fresco and soak in the serene ambiance. The refined mood of Otter’s Bar piano lounge or the nautical atmosphere of The Lighthouse pub with live music are perfect for a relaxing drink. Whatever your needs the Cape Panwa Hotel team is there for you. Kantary Bay Hotel Phuket itself is a charming seafront property with a difference; following a new trend that is becoming more and more preferred around the world, each room makes the most of its surroundings, breaking away from the traditional "standard" hotel room design to offer you a unique hotel experience. Kantary Bay Hotel Phuket offers spacious, fully furnished studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom suites. Each room type is furnished with a living room, kitchenette and separate sleeping area. You will find terra cotta tiles and wooden floors instead of the usual carpet. We also provide our guests with full facilities including a fitness room, swimming pools, scenic gardens, reading lounges and more. Famous for its professional on-water race management and beautiful sailing grounds off Phuket's southeast coast, the large fleet of monohulls and multihulls are set to compete in the 14th Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek where they will also enjoy lavish fivestar parties and an onshore experience unlike any other (www.phuketraceweek.com).
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OPTION LIST Generator 20 KW Seakeeper stabilizer Air conditioner BTU 92000 Air extractor for all bathrooms Bow thruster Chain washing system Double Racor filters for main engines Emergence bilge water discharge through engines Joy stick control for engines and thrusters Racor filter for generator Spare conduits connecting engine room/wheelhouse/ radar arch Automatic firefighting system Electric mooring winches in cockpit Electric search light Retracable scenic windows in VIP cabin Boarding gates in cockpit on both sides Chain counter control on flybridge Chain counter control at main helm Flybridge table Sun bathing cushions on bow Teak on cockpit deck Crew cabin with air-conditioning (2 beds) Step lights for interior and exterior Barbecue on flybridge Ice maker on flybridge Refrigerator on flybridge TV system with antenna + TV in the saloon RayMarine Silver pack – Maper CU: C80 and displays (1x at main helm, 1x on flybridge) Teak on side decks Wooden floor in dinette
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Regional
NEWS
2017 RMSIR
all set to stay on course
The Royal Selangor Yacht Club (RSYC) today announced that the 28th Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta (RMSIR) fleet will set sail from Port Klang on 18 November 2017 and maintain its regular course along Malaysia’s west coast to the finish line. This world-class event will see participating boats pushing onwards from the start point and making their way – via the Straits of Malacca – to the various checkpoints at the islands of Pangkor, Penang and Langkawi in an attempt to win the prestigious Raja Muda Cup, among other prizes. This year’s RMSIR will run from 18 to 25 November 2017. Known for its unpredictable winds, weather and tide, the RMSIR provides excitement for even the most experienced of sailors, along with an interesting challenge. Add to that a little bit of sightseeing, inshore racing, awards and dinner parties at every stop and you have a regatta with everything. The RMSIR is organised annually by the RSYC in association with the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) and the Malaysia Sailing Association; assisted by the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) and Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN). The RMP’s Marine Police play an instrumental role in escorting the boats out to the starting points and back to the finish line in the whole regatta. Tourism Malaysia and Selangor Tourism have returned as main sponsors for this year’s RMSIR, along with container port Westports Malaysia and Scottish whisky brand Old Pulteney. Also returning to the fold is veteran Race Officer, Jerry Rollin, who will be overseeing race management for the 2017 RMSIR. “We are pleased to welcome our sponsors and Race Officer back to the RMSIR, an event which continues to bring the regional sailing community together. We would also like to express our appreciation to the sailing community for its continued support – we were pleasantly surprised to have sailors sign up for the RMSIR even before the Notice of Race was officially issued,” said Royal Selangor Yacht Club (RSYC) Commodore Jeff Harris, who is also the RMSIR chairman. “As regular sailors know, conditions along the west coast of Malaysia can very enormously. Fortunately, the RMSIR has experienced reasonably consistent winds that have allowed us to continue racing. There will be no major changes to the tried and tested passage race courses this year but the race committee will constantly review the smaller details of all race courses as things progress,” he added. The RSYC recently released its Notice of Race for the RMSIR, which officially signals that registration for the regatta is now open. This year’s event retains it usual Class 1 to Class 7 categories along with the Class 0 division (Transpac 52 yachts). There are also Early Bird deals for those who register by 1 October 2017 at www.rmsir.com. Singapore’s SY Mystic River, skippered by Daniel Pang, was the first entrant to sign up – the Hanse 400e boat will be joining Class 5 in a non-IRC cruising class. The RSYC will set up RMSIR race offices at Penang’s Straits Quay marina – which is managed by former RMSIR alumnus, John Ferguson – and the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club (RLYC). Berths are available at the RLYC, which now has a 44-room boutique hotel.
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NEWS 19
The regatta schedule for 2017 is as follows:
glassy waters and light breeze to a sea heaving with two metres of swell or higher and 30 knot squalls blowing off the coast. In other words, these northeast monsoon months bring conditions that are challenging enough even for seasoned sailors. The other sponsors for the 2017 RMSIR are the Port Klang Authority and the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA). The event is also supported by the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club. For more information on the 2017 RMSIR, log on to www.rmsir.com or www.facebook.com/rmsir.
About the Royal Selangor Yacht Club (RSYC) The RMSIR was established in 1990 by the RSYC’s Royal Patron, the Sultan of Selangor HRH Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (who was then Raja Muda Selangor) together with Dato’ Johan Ariff and Jonathon Muhiudeen. Yachts competing in the regatta range from top class IRC1 racers to beautiful classic cruisers with long overhangs dating back over 100 years. Skippers and crew will have to cope with the unpredictable weather, changing tactics and heavy shipping traffic in the Straits of Malacca, all of which make the regatta a matchless experience. The month of November typically marks the height of the northeast monsoon on Peninsular Malaysia where sailors can expect anything from
The Royal Selangor Yacht Club (RSYC) is the oldest and most active members’ yacht club in Malaysia. Established in July 1963, it was first registered as the “Port Swettenham Yacht Club”, before changing its name to the “Selangor Yacht Club” in 1972. In March 1989 a new name was given, where it was officially opened and named the “Royal Selangor Yacht Club” by the Patron, His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor. Today, the RSYC has more than 600 members and caters for sailors, anglers and powerboat owners.
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Regional
NEWS
Yanmar, The Perfect Match for Hi-Tech Cats Some of the most stunning, recent multi-hull launchings share two common elements. Both vessels are Yanmar powered, and both were built by the Noosa Marine shipyard.
T
he Noosa region is best recognised as an idyllic sub-tropical tourist destination. However, in the industrial zone the unassuming the owner of Noosa Marine, Julian Griffiths, is turning out exceptional vessels. Noosa Marine deals exclusively in high technology, composite construction. The company only builds custom multi-hull vessels for the most discerning of owners who have a passion for multi-hull designs. Julian Griffiths began his boat building career as an apprentice at the Norman R Wright & Sons shipyard in Brisbane. Julian’s passion is sailing and his speciality has always been one-off, cold moulded or composite hulls. In 2008, he struck out on his own founding Noosa Marine, and in the process, returning to his home town.
Today at Noosa Marine the big cat under construction fills the shed to bursting point. A dedicated team of seven, including three apprentices, work on each project. “I’ve been involved in the yacht racing scene for years, so my name is definitely out there in this niche market,” Julian Griffiths said. “While my customer base is predominantly in Australia, we are receiving a significant inquiry from the US. All of the international inquiry is for sail and the interest has been driven by wordof-mouth referrals as well as published reports of our recent launchings.” Some of the boats which have given Noosa Marine prominence have been the sailing cat Kato plus the most recent of launchings, the powercat Bajaca. Kato was designed and constructed specifically for Gold Coast marine identity Tony Longhurst. The 18m cat is powered by dual Yanmar 75mhp 4JH4- TE engines matched to Yanmar SD60 Saildrives and Gori 3 Blade Folding propellers. Bajaca came from the drawing board of Roger Hill in New Zealand and measures an impressive 18.7 meter loa. Despite her bulk, Bajaca has flowing lines and is as sleek a cat as you will ever see. With dual Yanmar 530mhp 6CX-530CR engines in the engine rooms, Bajaca is capable of reaching 25 knots if required. “Our strength at Noosa Marine lies in our ability to build custom designed hulls entirely from composite materials,” said Julian Griffiths. “Generally, when a customer comes to us they have already been working with a designer. We add our perspective to the design and layout, before the drawings are finalised and purchased.” Construction begins with a male jig being built. The composite hull is formed over the jig which is later removed and discarded. The skin laid over the jig is a strip plank lay up in epoxy and carbon fibre. The exotic composite materials bring an impressively high level of strength to the hull, while eliminating the weight and bulk associated with a conventional fibreglass lamination. The hull currently under construction in the Noosa Marine shed is the biggest hull to date with a length of 19.5 m. The build time is estimated at 13 months, with roughly 75% of the time taken to get the hull to the lock up stage.
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NEWS 21
Generally, it takes 3 months to build the hull and side decks, 2 months for fitout then a further 3 months for filling, fairing and paint. Electricals, upholstery and the rig are contracted out to marine specialists. The Yanmar brand is no stranger to Julian Griffiths. He fitted a Yanmar engine to his own boat, a H28 which he built during his apprenticeship years. “Power Equipment is an ultra professional organisation,” Julian said. “The people on the ground are very forthcoming with advice and they are supportive of our work. They drop by during the build to make sure that everything is in order, then conduct comprehensive Yanmar engine tests during the sea trials.” Julian Griffiths is also a big fan of the Yanmar brand. The finish of the Yanmar engines, the way they arrive with protective packaging and the array of support information all rate highly. “The Yanmar marine diesel range is massive. The Yanmar product is ideally matched to our applications. These engines deliver the right power for the right weight so that our hulls can perform really well.” With Noosa Marine cats capable of heading off to distant ports literally all over the world, Yanmar is the brand of choice when it comes to product support virtually anywhere in the world. Yanmar truly is, the global brand in marine diesel power.
Hull Co., Ltd. 167/3 Moo 4, Na-Jomtiene, Sattahip, Chonburi 2025, THAILAND Tel: +66(0)38-238-131 to 2 Fax: +66(0)38-238-133 Website: www.hull.co.th
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NEWS 23
ASAP
to be Torqueedo’s Thailand distributor
Electric Boating
1.5 3 HP
Equivalent
HP
Equivalent
Travel Outboards
5
HP
Equivalent
8
HP
Equivalent
20
Equivalent
Cruise Pod Drives
With the recent expansion and market development plans of Torqeedo in Asia, it was announced that ASAP Marine Trading Co., Ltd. has been appointed as the Distributor for Torqeedo Motors in Thailand effective as of the 1st of June 2017. "After careful evaluation and consideration, we found that the expertise and services already provided by ASAP Marine in Thailand fits extremely well with our vision of bringing the Torqeedo range of products to Thailand and Asia in general,” said Mr. David Hunter, Sales Manager, Asia, Torqeedo Gmbh. “We look forward to working with their team and strengthening the position of Torqeedo in Asia." "From the start of ASAP Marine, we have worked to provide quality products to our customers, supporting them with top service afterwards. Torqeedo has a reputation for efficient, reliable and durable electric drives and we're honoured to represent them," replied Berne Lamprecht, MD, of ASAP Marine Trading Co., Ltd.
40
Equivalent
HP
80
HP
Equivalent
Deep Blue Inboards
About Torqeedo Torqeedo is a market leader in the development of Electrical Inboard and Outboard Motors using Lithium Ion Batteries, among other cutting-edge technologies. Established in 2004, Torqeedo now offers Electric Motors ranging from 1hp all the way through to their latest 80hp drives. To learn more about Torqeedo visit www.torqeedo.com or contact ASAP Marine at www.asap-marine.com for support.
HP
Distributed By:
0$5,1( 75$',1*
ASAP Marine Trading Co., Ltd. cs@asap-marine.com www.asap-marine.com
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Regional
NEWS
Port Takola’s mooring an affordable berthing solution for a monsoon season
An aerial view of Port Takola from Krabi town. A famous sailing destination, Reiley, can be seen on a background.
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NEWS 25
A perspective of the marina phase one showing 20 moorings and 50 stern-to berthing.
Port Takola is a new yacht marina & boatyard in Krabi, Thailand. The marina’s phase one has started operation since February. It has gradually grown to become a popular stopover destination for international cruisers and charter yachts. This is due to the marina’s convenient location close to a tourist town, Ao Nang, Krabi Town, and Krabi International Airport. It’s proximity to attractions, modern amenities make Port Takola a convenient stop for exploring Krabi, as well as, a base for sailing the Thai Andaman Sea. Port Takola has introduced 20 numbers of mooring to provide an affordable berthing solution. The mooring will have a protection from the marina’s year round shelter harbor while also enjoy a comfort from onshore facilities, and a convenient access to near by amenities. The moorings are provided with a bow and a stern securing. The bow will be tied to a mooring buoy that is attached to a 2 tons concrete block. The stern will be secured to a pile on shore. The marina team will provide a regular check-up to ensure that a boat is safe while owners are away. The Southwest monsoon season starts from May to October. This is a period when the Thai Andaman Coast is most dangerous for sailing and anchoring, as a wind can reach up to 60 knots during a storm. Leaving a boat at anchor has a high prone risk from a natural disaster. Port Takola has introduces the moorings to provide an affordable option for keeping a boat safely inside it’s shelter harbor. The mooring is available from 12 to 18 meters boat and it is serviced on a monthly, semi-annual, and annually basis. The mooring charges starts from just 7,000 THB/month. The marina is also offered a special explorer discount with 50% discount on berthing. For more information, you can contact Matthew at matthew@porttakola.com or call +66 89 446 1991.
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Regional
NEWS
By Kev Scott
Ocean Marina Yacht Club’s “Orphan’s day out”
we like it.
T shirt handout.
Thankyou speeches.
I want to come again.
In this day and age of apparently bad news every day, it is a great relief to bring good news about good people. A small group of sailors, based at Ocean Marina Yacht Club near Pattaya, got together and organized a day out for the children of the Camillus Foundation of Thailand (www.hiv-aids-kids. org). These are orphans and most of them with the added burden of being HIV infected. By giving their time, energy and resources this small group of sailors provided a day out to remember for 50 children and their ten caregivers. It was also a day out to remember for the organizers because these children were so happy, well behaved and appreciative of the day’s fun. Credit must also go to the Ocean Marina Yacht Club who backed up the organizers with enormous help and assistance on and off the water. The weather was very kind to the organizers by providing a nice calm day with good shade from the normally merciless sun. And so a small flotilla set off from the marina in yachts ranging from multi-million pound catamarans to small racing yachts so that the children could witness the wide variety of yachts based at the marina that provide fun for their owners. There was just enough wind to blow the flotilla slowly to anchor just off Bang Saray. This is when the real fun started with the children jumping into the small dinghies and canoes supplied by the Yacht Club. Paddling around on a nice flat sea gave them a chance to let off steam and judging by the shouts of excitement this is when they could all enjoy the water. Swimming was also on the agenda, which included some screaming while jumping off the high deck of the biggest boat. If noise level was any indication of the fun level …it was very high indeed. The relative quiet that followed was an indication that lunch had arrived and appetites were high. Then it was time to head back to the marina. Luckily the wind had picked up enough for the small racing yachts to give the children their first taste of what racing is all about. Judging by their reaction and screams they all seemed to enjoy it. And so it was back to terra firma but the fun had not stopped. The children politely lined up to receive their t-shirt, emblazoned with a sailing yacht, as a reminder of the day. Then it was group photos followed by some heart tugging thank-you speeches from a whole range of children of all ages, down to a two-year-old that simply stole everyone’s heart. Luckily, the mood was lightened with the arrival of delicious ice cream, generously sponsored by a local company that is always at the front of the queue when it comes to offering help on such occasions. It is a great credit to the foundation that cares for these children: they were all well dressed, well behaved, polite but they were still children…full of life and mischievousness. A big thank you to the organizer and everyone who contributed to a wonderful day for everyone who was there.
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THAI MARINE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION NEWS
Annual General Meeting on the 26th of May at Royal Phuket Marina.
TMBA website with news and special Member sections: www.thaimarineassociation.com.
As you are no doubt aware, the Thailand Marine Business Association (TMBA) was reinvigorated in May 2016 at the request of the Government of Thailand. The Marine Department and The Tourism Authority of Thailand had expressed a wish for a united voice from the Thai Marine Industry to contribute to the Marine Tourism Development Strategy. A new Board of Directors has been elected since to collaborate with the different government agencies and ministries. We have been blessed to nominate very dedicated and motivated Executive Committee members, all experienced professionals, both Thai Nationals and foreigners, forming an effective combination of talents.
AGM on 26th of May
TMBA’s recent Annual General Meeting, on the 26th of May and hosted by Royal Phuket Marina, was attended by 18 association members, with 8 members voting by proxy for other members and 14 members were absent. Official voting in the meeting took place on three topics. 1. a new TMBA Board Member was elected by the AGM: K. Ditapong (Non) Boonsung of Phuket Premier Boatyard has been welcomed to replace K. Tanyuta (JoJo) Sudjacharee of Asia Pacific Superyachts, who unfortunately had to resign for personal reasons. 2. The term for board members to serve in the TMBA Board remained at 3 years. And 3. The number of Board Members was changed to 7 to 13 board members. With the official voting out of the way, sub-committee members presented progress and issues on the following topics: Customs; Charter Industry (Bareboat Charters and Superyacht License); Education, Safety and Environmental issues; Boat builders; TMBA marketing and communication; Facts and statistics and TMBA Membership. Also an agenda for 2017 – 2018 was voted for and in addition to the ongoing above issues, 2 new topics will be developed: a) A committee will specifically focus on establishing a ‘Yachting School’ with a special curriculum for ‘Professional Marine Tourism’ in view of developing safety standards and protection of our cruising grounds b) At the request of the boat builders a committee will explore the impact of the import duties on the various sector of our industry. Concerned companies will be asked to collaborate to our fact-finding questionnaires More details about the AGM and progress of the sub-committees can be found in the AGM minutes published at the TMBA website www.thaimarineassociation.com and at the Face Book page for “Thai Marine Business Association (TMBA)”.
Support TMBA by becoming a member, vote on important topics and participate in TMBA sub-committees.
Working together with authorities
Understanding the need for regulatory reform, the relevant ministries initiated amendments on several topics. The Customs department extended the period of stay for the foreign yachts, now also valid for the Gulf of Thailand. The Marine Department re-examined the Bare Boat Charter regulations and some loopholes were rectified. Understandably some problems remain and are the topic of further dialogues such as the status of the professional crew of the visiting yachts or the Super Yacht Charter License. An important objective of the TMBA is to promote Thailand as a premier cruising destination to the global yachting community. In Phuket, TMBA members have had regular meetings with the Phuket TAT director and a significant marketing budget was allocated; TMBA was present in 4 International Yacht Shows during the past 12 months. TAT is currently working on the 2017-18 budgets and we need the contribution and suggestions from all members. Also, now that visiting boat visa regulations have changed for the better, for the promotion of the Gulf of Thailand as new cruising grounds it would be relevant to work together with TAT. Sail Thailand organizers and rally partners will continue with the Sail Thailand West -Cruising Rally from Langkawi to Phuket (January 2017) and are looking together with Ocean Marina and Sail Malaysia at organizing the first even cruising rally to the Gulf of Thailand: Sail Thailand East (May/June 2017). Despite these achievements, it is just the beginning and more than ever we need the support of the industry to find the resources and support TMBA’s initiatives. Here is why Thai Marine Industry needs the input of all sectors to define a TMBA program of topics to work on, to conduct fact-finding missions and to develop rationales and recommendation to the authorities in order to help grow Marine Tourism in Thailand together.
Support the Thai Marine Industry and become a TMBA member today!
Do you agree that it is important for the Thai Marine Industry and Thai Authorities to work together on above and many more topics? And you are not a TMBA member yet? Contact TMBA to become a member today. Membership fee is 7.000 THB per year and membership is available for Thai companies, Thai nationals and expats with a valid work permits. Extraordinary membership is available to those not meeting Ordinary membership criteria, they just cannot vote or be on the board, however they can participate in and contribute to sub-committees. TMBA is in place to be used as an “umbrella” for addressing your issues, help our Association do so.
Contacts for new memberships Khun Chatpassorn (Jaeng) Kruesiriyong – Asia Marine - chatpassorn@asia-marine.net Khun Nart (Woranart) Wongvanich – Royal Phuket Marina - woranartw@royalphuketmarina.com
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Using the finest Italian designs, Sanlorenzo creates uniquely tailored yachts according each owner’s indivdual style & taste.
O wner's cabin.
caveat, however, Perotti had to spend a year working elbow-to-elbow learning all the insand-outs of Sanlorenzo with Jannetti before he could take over the company. Perotti passed the test and ushered Sanlorenzo into a new era. To give you an indication of the transformation the company has undergone consider that in 2004 the sales turnover was 40 million euro; in 2016, it was 300 million euro. Ewa Stachurska, Simpson Marine’s Group Marketing Manager noted that every owner of a Sanlorenzo yacht gets a chance to meet and talk with him personally. Mario Gornati compares buying a Sanlorenzo yacht to buying a custom-made suit. You visit a tailor who designs a “made-tomeasure” suit for you taken from your personal measurements. The suit is designed especially for you. Mr Jannetti had to take Mr Perotti from his cookie-cutter pret–a–porter background, stressing how important it was he listen to each clients’ needs and wishes. He had to become a yacht tailor if you will (Sanlorenzo is not a massproduction boat). In comparing Sanlorenzo to other highend Italian yacht builders, Mr Gornati said,
company, Simpson Marine, joined forces with Sanlorenzo in mid-2015, this region has become home to an SL96, an SL106, a 40Alloy, a 46Steel and a 460EXP with a helideck and an extended water toys platform – and there’s an SL78 arriving in Hong Kong in May this year. Sanlorenzo and Simpson Marine are a perfect match: a leading luxury yacht builder working with the Asia’s leading yacht dealer. “It is the infinite attention to detail in every single Sanlorenzo yacht that sets the brand apart,” says Mike Simpson, Founder and CEO of Simpson Marine. “These beautifully crafted yachts are for nautical connoisseurs. They are for discerning boat owners who appreciate understated elegance and recognise the ultimate in quality – not just where you can see it, but all the way through the design, the engineering, the construction and the finish, from stem to stern. The obsessive attention to detail is there all the way through the range from the smallest to the biggest yacht.” The company has three shipyards, where it builds boats ranging from 24-60m; the La Spezia site is where the aluminum/steel superyachts (40m plus) are built. The facility is
Sanlorenzo 460 Exp.
“There are many BMWs, Audis, and Mercedes, but only a few Rolls Royces.” Sanlorenzo yachts are entirely bespoke, which appeals strongly to Asian buyers. They are designed to incorporate clients’ wishes into every line of every yacht;. succeeding in being both classic and up-to-spec at the same time. They are full of innovative solutions involving acoustics, lighting, and the utiliztion of space, while providing classical levels of comfort and luxury. Since its founding in 1958, Sanlorenzo has built and launched over 750 boats. Thirty motoryachts were delivered in 2016 and the company presently has 40 yachts in the process of being built. It ranks second among the top 20 builders of yachts over 24 metres. Since Asia’s premier yacht dealership
175m long and 35m high. The Amegila shipyard is for construction of small fibreglass boats from 24-30m while the Viareggio site is for large fibreglass yachts from 30-40m long. Sanlorenzo has three types of superyachts: the 40-44m Alloy (Fast Displacement); the 46-64m Steel (Displacement) and the 42m Exp (Explorer). Mr Gornati says the Explorer can travel 5,000 nautical miles without refueling, or twice across the Atlanic Ocean. And the high-end gadgets and toys on the Explorer include submersibles, sea planes and a helipad so an Explorer owner can really go places that few people have travelled to. For over 50 years, Sanlorenzo has crafted tailor-made motor yachts respecting the style and needs of their owners. The priority is to
Sanlorenzo 460 Exp.
listen to a customer’s needs. It allows Sanlorenzo to develop a project based on a plan of that customer’s personalized space. The project identifies the number, size and the types of cabins. It also delineates special-purpose areas, whose function is to satisfy the customer’s specific entertainment, relaxation or fun needs. Since Sanlorenzo’s customers have their individual lifestyle, the company’s aim is to have their tastes, habits, and style define their boat. The clients’ land-based home can prove to be a good starting point for understanding the style most suited for their floating home. Sanlorenzo hires leading international designers to understand and illustrate how customers’ style choices may look inside a boat. They are in charge of developing individual interior design projects, whose purpose is to advise their clients by creating optimal, tailor-made solutions. Owning a Sanlorenzo means having the opportunity to choose the materials involved in creating your boat. This choice is not limited to the cladding and covering materials, but extends to items such as the marble slabs and the wood species employed. That’s because boat owners should be able to choose each and every detail to best express their personality. Sanlorenzo’s Interior Design team supports its clients in each step of the selection process, by helping them choose all the furnishing details,
inclusive of furniture and supplies. Sanlorenzo provides handcrafted production that ensures that each and every detail and choice made by our customers is a perfect fit with all the other elements. The company employs the best artisans, whose work is synonymous with quality and care. A Sanlorenzo boat is tailored to the owner's needs to produce something unique. The company prides itself on having a team of people who are highly skilled at supervising each and every step of production. This supervision is an integral part of our quality process, which has been in place since 1958 and is constantly evolving. Sanlorenzo boats in essense are an outward expression of their customer's style and personality. They are places where clients can express their elegance and exclusivity. Each Sanlorenzo motor yacht is as unique as a work of art, and every Sanlorenzo has its own story to tell. Sanlorenzo’s ethos is best summed up thus, “Our mission is to be the shipyard of choice for uncompromising yachtsmen. A place to explore innovation by experience, where you come to craft your own yacht and have it built to stand the tests of time – and of the sea.” For more information on Sanlorenzo in Asia contact: thailand@simpsonmarine.com (www.simpsonmarine.com)
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In the Water - Commissioning in Singapore.
ergey and Ira booked their sailing course with Yachtpro in mid-2016. By April 2017, they were returning to Phuket from the Andaman Islands sailing their own Hanse 415, La Chica. Quite an Achievement! Both the couple were quite experienced Scuba Divers with a quite a bit of associated “boating” experience when they took their first steps on board the sailing boat they would commence their training on. They did Yachtpro’s 7-Day Fast Track to Bareboat Charter Skipper Course, a combination of Day and Live-aboard sailing, and impressed their instructors with their aptitude and desire to learn. Both passed the course with high marks. After the course, we chatted about what was involved with on-going bareboat chartering and left it there. Shortly after I received an email from Hanse Yachts that someone sharing Sergey’s name had inquired about buying a new
S Returning to Phuket Yacht Haven.
Launching in Singapore.
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Novice to Accomplished Sailors in Less than a Year By Rob Williams
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Packed and Ready to Ship.
Bimini & Davits H415.
Everyone that has worked with, or met, this delightful couple admires what they have accomplished in a short time.
boat. When I called the number it as the same Sergey; we were so busy talking sailing that I had forgotten to mention that we were Thailand’s Hanse Dealers. He was surprised to find that the Hanse 415 was within his budget was pleased to take advantage of the Early Bird Savings (the 2017 offer is current now). Sergey had developed a plan for his sailing when he had the boat and had a good idea of the factory options he required and other items that could be sourced and shipped with the boat. In the meantime, they built up their experience by doing some bareboat chartering north and south of Phuket. Named La Chica, she was shipped keel-on and antifouled, to Singapore for commissioning. The keen owners were there for the commissioning and then equipping her, as they planned to sail La Chica to her home port of Langkawi then on to Phuket. After stopping at many locations on the way, she ultimately arrived in Phuket in early December after a trouble-free trip...La Chica’s and her crew’s first long trip. This trip was a great way for the crew to acclimatize and realize the gear they needed for longer trips. Yachtpro and Sergey then worked together to add Davits with a Bimini extension, Solar Panels and Aerial pads for a Sat Comm and enhanced WiFi, additional batteries, a
Andamans.
12volt watermaker, an extra 100 metres of chain with a Manson Supreme Anchor, an anchor remote control and counter, fans, water filtration and cockpit-end backrests all before the midMarch departure for the Andaman Islands. A week’s cruising gave a break mid-project. After a quick and uneventful passage, she arrived in Port Blair. Meeting some friends, they then cruised the islands, the secluded anchorages and spectacular dive sites of the area, eventually returning to Phuket in April. Since then La Chica has spent a couple of weeks cruising the waters between Phuket and Langkawi. Their enthusiasm and concentration has been a feature of their sailing from the start of their course to the present. Everyone that has worked with, or met, this delightful couple admires what they have accomplished in a short time. SEA Yacht Sales is the Thai Hanse Dealer and can be contacted at inq@sea-yss.com or +6681 370 1995. Yachtpro (Thailand) who conducted the training course and managed the customization can be contacted at inq@sailing-thailand. com or +6676 397 942.
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T H E
THE C-DUCER:
t first sight, the C530 stands out with her styling and impressive panoramic windows. She features outstanding design with two electric sun-roofs, wide interior spaces, amazing natural light, luxurious yet practical living areas below and on deck and German engineering. With a top speed of 34 knots distances are covered quickly. The loft styling enhances the space and enables versatile seating arrangements. The U-shaped sofa can be transformed into a double-facing sofa, so all the guests on board can enjoy the view. The U-shaped galley, located between the saloon and cockpit, comfortably serves both areas and features a big fridge and freezer, electric cook top and a microwave with grill function‌also an elegant free-standing wine cooler. The VIP Cabin at the bow is lit by big hull windows and a skylight above. Her guest cabins are a double aft and a third cabin to the portside that features a large openable hull window and the options of two single berths or a double berth. When you open the rear door and fold down the cockpit seat, the C530 turns into a terrace with a wet bar, a bathing platform and an outdoor barbecue.
NEW
SEALINE C530 The First Look
A
PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS (according to ISO 8666) LOA 16.13 m/52' 9"
Beam 4.56 m/14' 9"
Draught 1.13 m/3' 8"
Displacement (approx.) 19.5
Fuel capacity 1,560 l 342 UK gal
Water capacity 766 l 168 UK gal
Max people on board 12
CE Category B
ENGINE 2 x Volvo Penta IPS600, Pod Drive 26 knots*
2 x Volvo Penta IPS700, Pod Drive 30 knots*
2 x Volvo Penta IPS800, Pod Drive 34 knots*
*Optimum Calculated Speeds
For information on the Sealine C530 and other boats in the Sealine Range contact: SEA Yacht Sales inq@sea-yss.com
+6681 370 1995
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Stornoway.
Venture, Craig house, Isle of Jura.
Loch Scavaig.
T
he Western Isles of Scotland provide a magnificent cruising ground, combining wild and rugged scenery with myth and history. My great-grandfather, Donald McKechnie, had been born and bred on the Island of Jura - sometimes described as the wildest island in the Inner Hebrides - and the house in which he lived still stands on the shores of the island which today has a population of just under 200 people and 5,000 red deer. I had long been fired by the romantic notion of bringing to this spot a boat designed by his great grandson and built thousands of miles away across the globe by skilled craftsmen in faraway Taiwan. And so, it was that we found ourselves cautiously feeling our way into Glengarrisdale Bay in Venture II, my Fleming 65, on the remote northwest corner of the island. The exposed location and rocky bottom prevented us from anchoring in the bay itself but my daughter and myself were able to get ashore in the tender and make our way to the white-painted, red-roofed cottage that serves today as a bothy – or travelers hut. It was a special moment pushing open the unlocked door of the humble dwelling that had been home to my ancestor and imagining what life must have been like 160 years ago. That evening we anchored in another bay
three miles up the coast under a sky painted with the glorious colours of a Hebridean sunset. The following morning, while still on Jura, we visited Loch Tarbert, a sea loch which almost divides the island in two. You need to be sure of your exact position as rocks shown on the chart carry no physical markers. Once inside through the tricky entrance we found ourselves in a protected anchorage with the only the cry of wild geese to disturb the serene surroundings which bore no signs of human activity. Raised beaches, as much as 120 ft above the existing sea level, are a feature of the area. When the ice receded 10,000 years ago, sea levels rose and flooded many low-lying areas. Relieved of the immense weight of the ice, the land rose - stranding the original coastline well above the present levels. These beaches consist of smoothly rounded pebbles which have been naturally graded into different sizes so that all pebbles at one location are small while elsewhere they may be four or five inches across. The stones have been polished to their present shape and smoothness by the action of seas which have not touched them for 10,000 years. Food for thought as you hold one of these pebbles in your hand and feel its smoothness against your skin. From here we completed our circumnavigation of Jura and made our way to Ardfern on the Scottish mainland. Marinas are scarce up here but
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Venture in bay at Bothy.
Callanish Stones, Isle of Lewis.
Fingals Cave, Barra.
this is one of the best. The following morning not a breath of wind disturbed the surface the water and every yacht in the marina was perfectly reflected in the glassy surface. From Ardfern, we passed through a channel called the Dorus Mor which lies just off the tip of Craignish Point to the east of the infamous Gulf of Corryvreckan separating Jura from the adjacent island of Scarba. The Sailing Directions describe this channel in the most frightening of terms - and indeed the author of 1984, George Orwell almost lost his life here. Certain combinations of wind and tide create truly ferocious conditions when it would be extremely foolish to attempt to navigate the Gulf, but, provided one treats it with respect and makes the passage at the right state of the tide, it
Sheep on single-track road.
can be perfectly safe. For us, the notorious passage was calm and, after passing through it, we had the mountains of Mull to port as we followed a ferry into Oban - one of the larger towns north of Glasgow on the West Coast. Fueling facilities are few and far between in these parts and you need to take advantage of them when available. We phoned the local fuel company and they brought a tanker truck down to the dock. A hose was run across two intervening boats and, as we can fill all the tanks from a single fill, the exercise was quickly and easily accomplished. This was the first fuel we had taken on since leaving Southampton. The fast running, modern-styled powerboats with limited range are not well suited to cruise these waters. You really need a sturdy boat with comfort-
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able amenities for living aboard and a good range. From here we moved to the large Island of Mull. Our route took us through the Sound of Mull with wonderful mountains on either side punctuated with prominent lighthouses and ruined castles. The sea was calm and the weather mostly sunny with broken cloud and occasional showers. We arrived at the picturesque town of Tobermory with its multi-coloured houses lining the harbour. We were allocated a convenient hammerhead berth in the small marina. The island of Iona, adjacent to Mull, was on our list of must-see places to visit but, with worries about finding somewhere safe to leave the boat while we went ashore, we decided to leave Venture secure
Stornoway.
Venture at Bothy.
in the marina and rent a car to drive across Mull to Gallanach from where the ferry made the 10-minute crossing to Iona. Christianity was brought to Iona in AD 563 when Saint Columba landed here with twelve companions. He founded an abbey which was destroyed multiple times in a series of Viking raids. The Celtic cross in front of the main entrance to the abbey has been standing for 1200 years. We spent several hours wandering through the restored abbey and examining the beautifully carved medieval grave markers that had adorned the tombs of the many Scottish kings buried here, From Tobermory we headed west to the island of Staffa famous for its basalt pillars from which wave action, over thousands of years, has carved the huge cavern known as Fingal’s Cave. Mendelssohn visited here in 1829 when the sound of the waves booming in the cave inspired him to write his Hebridean Overture. We circled the island a couple of times but with winds gusting up to 20 knots the sea was too rough to permit us to make a landing at the small exposed jetty. Given the conditions and the lack of safe landing options it is really only practical to visit this island in a small tour boat and this we were able to do at a later date. From here we felt our way through foggy conditions towards Loch Scavaig in Skye and felt our way into the dramatic anchorage of Loch na Cuil. The mist slowly parted in sections like gauzy curtains
being drawn aside to reveal tantalizing glimpses of waterfalls and steep crags. The anchorage was tight and we passed a rock with seals resting on top of it peering warily in our direction as we slid past. Shortly after we dropped anchor in 10 ft of water, the mist slowly dissipated and the whole dramatic scene was revealed to our startled gaze. That night the sounds of rushing water from the nearby waterfall was our lullaby. It was time for us to head 40 miles farther out from the mainland offshore to visit the Outer Hebrides. To reach them we passed the Small Isles with the curious names of Muck, Eigg, Rum and Canna. Enormous basking sharks cruise these waters and we had to keep a sharp lookout to avoid running into them. The Island of Barra is famous for having the only official airport in the UK where, due to the airstrip being on the beach, flight schedules are listed as being “subject to tides”. We continued up the eastern shore of the Outer Hebrides and anchored that night at Loch Maddy a few miles south of the Sound of Harris. The remote island group of St. Kilda, located a further forty miles out in the wild Atlantic, had been high on our wish list of places to visit. The ability to reach this isolated spot is very much weather dependant as the only anchorage on the main island of Hirta is wide open to winds from the South to the North East. Luck was with us and the forecast was for settled weather for the next couple of days with light winds mainly from the northwest. We were underway by 0600. The sky was overcast with showers but it was the strength and direction of the wind which was most important to us. As soon as we were into the Sound the speed of the current picked up – fortunately in our favour – but this meant it was in opposition to the swells coming from the Atlantic. The next major landmass to the West was Labrador so they had a pretty good fetch. We cleared the sound at 0845 and, out in the Atlantic, the wind gusted to 25 knots and, being from the west, was pretty well on the nose. Overhead the skies looked quite ominous with dark clouds and heavy rain showers. The seas were 3 to 4 feet and confused but Venture handled them well. The forty-mile passage to St. Kilda took us 4½ hours and we pulled into Village Bay just after one o’clock. Being sheltered from the wind, the bay was blissfully calm with just a slight ground swell. The abandoned village houses, built of rough natural stone, blended into the landscape. There was a small stone jetty with stone steps where passengers can be landed but it is not suitable for leaving a tender especially as the steps needed to be left accessible for other boats. During the night, the wind dropped completely which allowed the boat to swing around parallel to the swells so it was a little roly. The islands have been inhabited for around
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4,000 years and it was only as recently as 1930 that the remaining islanders were evacuated at their own request. Their whole way of life revolved around the millions of birds that breed on the islands and sea stacks that comprise the St. Kilda group. Almost nothing in the way of sustenance was taken directly from the sea itself. The collection of huge numbers birds and their eggs to sustain life involved perilous climbs up and down the precipitous cliffs. The island group represented the entire world for its inhabitants for thousands of years and it was only when they started to interact with the outside that their way of life began to unravel. The slopes and fields which surround Village Bay like an amphitheatre are a rich green which is reflected by the clear water so it seems almost as if you are viewing the scene through a green filter. From the village side the hills appeared to be rounded but they have no backs to them and plummet sheer into the sea. We walked through the village and over the first ridge to a cluster of ancient stone enclosures. From here we could see a diminutive Venture swinging at her anchor in the distant bay. We continued hiking to the top of the saddle between the mountains of Conachair and Oiseval. On the way up, we were dive bombed by a skua and I found the boggy ground and tussock grass quite hard going: but the climb was well worth the effort. When we reached the ridgeline, the land dropped vertically into the sea. With fulmars wheeling over our heads, we lay on our stomachs peering over the edge of the cliff and watched the waves explode against the jagged rocks 700ft below. The air was filled with noise of the surf and the cries of a thousand birds. Nesting fulmars were tucked into every nook and cranny on the jagged cliffs. There are sheep everywhere and you have to be careful where you are stepping. These are a very ancient breed of Soay sheep that come in a variety of colours including brown and they are left to take care of themselves. Many were shedding their winter coats and looked woefully disheveled with great masses of tangled wool falling off by itself. After lunch, the weather greatly improved and we decided to take advantage of the conditions to cruise Venture around the archipelago. We passed the island of Soay and across the four miles from there to the precipitous crags of Boreray and the adjacent stacks of Stac Lee and Stac an Armin which collectively provide the world’s largest breeding colony of gannets. The huge crags soared skywards with every ledge and crevice white not just with guano but with millions of individual birds. It was these cliffs which the inhabitants of St Kilda had to climb to fill their stone larders. We returned to the anchorage in Village Bay for a rather restless night as the wind began to increase with gusts to 30 kts. In the morning, a look
at the horizon through binoculars showed it to be a very bumpy line indicated that the smooth conditions we had encountered yesterday had gone and we could expect rough seas for our return journey to the Outer Hebrides. The strong northerly wind was on the beam for the return journey which, with stabilizers, meant that we had a comfortable ride even though the seas were 3 to 6 ft. Stabilizers are much more effective when the waves are on the beam. We arrived in Stornoway, the main town in the Outer Hebrides, which had an airport as well as ferry service to the Scottish mainland. We were given special permission to tie up alongside a floating pontoon intended for landing cruise ship passengers. Over the next few days we rented a car and drove over the entire island, the northern two thirds of which is called Lewis while the southern third is called Harris. We saw stunning beaches with miles of dazzling white sand lapped by water of iridescent blues and greens which you would swear were tropical if not for the temperature. We visited the Callanish Standing Stones more ancient than either Stonehenge or the Egyptian pyramids. Parts of the landscape - especially in the south - encompassed huge mountains and small isolated communities linked by a winding single-track road that went by the name of The Golden Road due to its construction cost. Other areas further north were relatively flat where the abiding impression was of bare, rocky landscape interspersed with peat bogs and numerous tarns or lochans. Trees were very few and far between and usually only around villages or individual sheltered houses. The land comes to an abrupt end at the Butt of Lewis where an impressively tall light house built by David Stevenson - father of the famous author – stands sentinel over the rocky headland. Buffeted by a strong wind with the cries of seabirds in our ears, we stood looking out over the heaving ocean. Except for the remote island of North Rona and an isolated sea stack there is nothing between here and the Faroe Islands - our next destination on our way to Iceland.
Scottish castle.
(For more info on the exiting range of Fleming Yachts please go to www. Ýemingyachts.com, or visit the Derani Yachts' website at www. derani-yachts.com/ brand/Ýemingyachts/. If you would like to talk to their Thailand rep, please contact brand manager, Ian Hewett at ian@derani-yachts. com, +66 83 388 9090.)
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By Russell Hopkins
BLAZING to Pure Paradise Experiencing local hospitality and friendliness towards travelers is no longer as common as it once was in the past, when traveling to faraway lands was a rare event. The way it can be found in spades in the Anambas Islands of Indonesia, makes this place a joy to visit. But in fact, Anambas has a lot more to offer. The pristine Anambas are a true tropical paradise, still largely undiscovered. Here you can step back in time, swim in warm blue seas, azure lagoons and view underwater scenery unparalleled in Asia. Cruising through the Anambas you'll come across the occasional island village. Inhabitants are few and warmly welcome visitors with smiling faces and kindness. Explorers curious to visit this paradise region don't have to travel to the end of the world. An easy start can be made from the cosmopolitan travel hub of Singapore. Then travel on by yacht (about 140 nautical miles) to best experience this hidden gem in the South China Sea. Following is an itinerary of charter yacht BLAZE II, a luxurious 62' sailing catamaran, combining spacious accommodation, abundant exterior space and the most comfortable on-board conditions with excellent seaworthiness.
DAY 1 Singapore to South China Sea – Distance: 140nm Depart in the morning from ONE°15 Marina in Singapore. Customs and Immigration clearance out of Singapore is a quick and efficient on-water process, just a few minutes from the marina. You can sit back and, after clearance, enjoy a two-hour sail across the Singapore Straits to Nongsa Point Marina. At Nongsa Point, the captain arranges for clearance into Indonesia. You may go ashore to walk around and have a look around the marina. After completion of formalities, BLAZE II sets sail for the Anambas Islands.
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DAY 2 Pulau Bawah – Distance: 15nm As the sun rises, awaken to clear blue skies, the first of the Anambas Islands coming into view and arrive at Pulau Bawah at about 10am. The gorgeous lagoon is surrounded by pristine (really!), white sand beaches and coral reefs. Swim and snorkel and, in between, enjoy delicious meals on board.
DAY 3 Exploring Pulau Bawah There's no way anyone could get bored in this amazing anchorage! Spend the day enjoying more swimming, snorkelling or paddle boarding. BLAZE II can also arrange rendezvous diving, if you'd like. Or pick one of several hiking trails on the island for a vigorous jungle trek. The island is home to an exclusive resort project: “Bawah Private Island”. Soon to open, this extreme eco resort has safari tented villas and water villas that afford unbelievable sunrise and sunsets. Even before opening, the resort received Indonesian and international accolades.
DAY 4 Pulau Airabu – Distance: 19nm A pleasant three-hour sail brings you to Pulau Airabu, another equally stunning, azure-coloured lagoon. With a little luck, you may have an escort of a playful pod of dolphins. With a little more luck, you might catch a fish for a delicious seafood dinner. The local fishermen know how to conserve their resources. No trawling fish nets are allowed. Just simple line and hook are used to fish those Tongkol (little tuna), Kerisi or Kerapu (grouper). At Airabu there are beaches, mangrove forests and coral reefs to explore in every direction. And very likely, there will not be another yacht in sight.
DAY 5 Lubang Tamban – Distance: 15nm Early morning, sail with the wind northeast to your next destination. The island group of Lubang Tamban is largely uninhabited and surrounded by the clearest water you've ever seen. It has amazing coral reefs. Walk on the white sand beach, snorkel amongst beautiful corals, get coconuts straight from the trees and feel like a modern-day Robinson Crusoe.
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DAY 6 Tarempa, Siantan Island – Distance: 19nm Tarempa, in the heart of the Anambas, is the capital and administrative centre of the Anambas. There are many small shops, a bakery and a market offering a wide range of goods. Walking through this friendly and clean town is accompanied with waves and hellos. You'll be met with an openness and generosity that is humbling. Rent a moped, or "ojek" as they're called in Anambas, for a ride around town. Dine on-board, or enjoy a local dinner with yummy fresh seafood at one of the lively restaurants in town. Highly recommended is to try some of the local delicacies like nasi dagang, roti rendang, smokey tongkol, or the popular mie Tarempa (spicy fried noodles with fish and egg). Local cultural events are organized now and then, such as a dance or kite-flying. Or you might catch a local wedding.
DAY 7 and 8 Jemaja Island Group – Distance: 30nm This group of islands is again largely uninhabited, and has numerous, wonderfully sheltered bays and coves. You'll want to spend at least one night at Pulau Ayam, a true gem, with fine white sand beaches, and the remains of a simple resort onshore. The following day you'll cruise to Padang Melang, which has the longest white sand beach in the Anambas. There is a small, colourful village to explore. Beyond the village lie shimmering rice fields and there are waterfalls further afield.
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DAY 9 Departure for Nongsa Point Marina – Distance: 140nm After breakfast on board, BLAZE II will hoist sails and set course for Nongsa Point Marina. Help take the helm, trim the sails, or lounge in the spacious cockpit or on the flybridge. Curl up with a book and relax in the stillness without interruptions. Then again, you might have a tuna striking the fishing lines, or dolphins surfing on the bow waves.
DAY 10 Return to Singapore – Distance: 15nm After checking into Nongsa Point Marina at about 9:00am, BLAZE II will depart for Sisters Islands, Singapore, for inward immigration clearance to Singapore. After a farewell breakfast, disembark at ONE°15 Marina Club in Sentosa around noon.
IN SHORT The Anambas Islands are an amazing, authentic place with kind and generous people, living at a blissfully unhurried pace. If you like to go off the beaten track, prefer active holidays and idyllic and secluded Survivor-type lagoons, then Anambas is the place for you!
BLAZE II Charter yacht BLAZE II, a Sunreef 62' catamaran, sails to Anambas from May to October. She has four spacious double cabins with private bathrooms, and accommodates up to 8 guests. Captain Ekachai and his 2 crew provide outstanding service, and have received nothing but praise from previous charter guests. Contact us for more information for charter of BLAZE II in Anambas or other SEA destinations.
CHARTER Hong Kong T: +852 9310 7427 Sytske.Kimman@NorthropandJohnson.com Thailand T: +66 81 539 6106 Lies.Sol@NorthropandJohnson.com Thailand T: +66 81 893 7018 Kay.Monney@NorthropandJohnson.com
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A DESIGNER’S INSIGHT ON SAILING CATAMARAN DECK SHAPES Albert Nazarov Albatross Marine Design, THAILAND
Figure 1: Alternative approach to design of catamaran superstructure – open layout with hardtop roof on P44 sailing catamaran, intended for weekend cruising and racing in tropics. Swing steering wheels allow changing of steering position for racing (from deck) and cruising (under hardtop).
Figure 2: Comparison of volumes on 40foor monohull keelboat and sailing catamaran. Note the difference in height of the above water part.
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At AMD, we conducted a numerical study of aerodynamics of catamaran superstructures using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods. Different superstructures presenting typical trends in catamaran design were modeled on the same hull of a 38-foot sailing catamaran. Some studied configurations are shown in fig.3. The contribution of aerodynamic properties on overall sailing performance was analysed with sailboat velocity prediction VPP software. Of practical interest was the performance “cost” of increasing cabin height to some reasonable level – see fig. 4. The results should prove quite useful for catamaran buyers: Difference in performance between “low” and “high” cabins results in only 0.9...1.4% of “velocity made good” to upwind (VMG); difference in the absolute speed does not exceed 1% close-hauled; Difference in the upwind VMG between catamarans with high-aspect daggerboards and the low aspect ratio (LAR) keels options exceeds 20%. This means the boat with LAR keels is inferior in terms of upwind speed; In general, the influence of cabin shape on performance, within studied configurations of the above water part is rather small; For an average cruising catamaran with LAR keels, the improvement of performance due to low profile, or streamlined cabin shape, is negligible, while degradation of comfort is obvious.
Figure 4: “Roll cake” diagram showing 39’ catamaran with two cabins of different heights: above – “low”, initial version, insufficient overall headroom, limited headroom above stairway to demihulll below – “high”, final version with cabin raised total by 250mm.
Figure 3: Illustrations of airflow and pressures at 0° incidence angle, for two superstructure configurations – “streamlined” and “straight”.
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Working on catamaran exterior and superstructure in particular, the designer should keep in mind broad range of considerations other than aerodynamics and styling. achieved by One of them is headroom in the saloon and above the stairway from the bridge deck down to the demi-hull. Amazingly, it was found that on some “sleeklooking” 40-50-foot catamaran models the standing headroom was provided only at the saloon entrance (fig. 4); headroom at the periphery and above stairways is lacking. Usually, 95-percentale male data is used to define acceptable headroom, but one should have in mind that available anthropometric statistics might be dated and would also depend on regional factors. Say, 95-percentile male from Netherlands would be 1.96m tall. At 3D modelling stage, it is helpful to draw the headroom volume – the box representing the area where a person should be able to stand; this volume should cover main passageways and activity areas, and also the galley (fig.5). are important emotional design factors. On a catamaran, a seated person should preferably be able to look outside through the windows. are critical, it is common knowledge that sloped and rounded surfaces can be extremely uncomfortable to walk on. For formal safety assessment, the ISO15085 standard should be followed. For complicated cabin shapes, it is helpful to make a full-size mockup prior to final manufacturing. Such a mock-up is mandatory to get comfortable access to the mast, winches and steering.
on many sailing catamaran models is rather poor and often restricted by massive cabins. Ideally, a helmsperson should enjoy all-round visibility (excluding sectors naturally closed by the headsails), and view of the sails for efficient steering. Ability to see alongside is desirable for mooring operations, and sighting anchor equipment for anchoring. The Standard ISO11591 currently does not cover visibility on sailing boats but it can be a useful guideline. Note that according to USCG statistics about 60% of all small craft accidents are collisions with other boats and objects mostly due to poor lookouts, thus visibility is a priority factor of safe navigation. - experience shows that these items should be drawn by the designer from the beginning, otherwise they will be added by the owner detracting the craft’s appearance. These items provide protection of crew from the sun (essential for tropics), placement of mainsheet traveller, etc. but can also add some considerable windage. is essential for the comfort and natural airflow - there is a trend to place large opening windows and hatches to provide cross flow through the saloon. Such opening windows usually require flat surfaces to be installed. of cabin space is important, but it is desirable to avoid direct sunlight into the saloon from large sloped windows, as such sunlight is a source of heat transfer and can make a stay on board a catamaran in tropics extremely uncomfortable.
Figure 5: Headroom over stairway on two catamaran designs: left – sufficient headroom; left – lack of headroom.
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as the cabin experiences the global transverse bending/twisting of the catamaran, it also experiences considerable concentrated loads (for instance, from the headsail tracks). The last but not the least is of a cabin – the area the of expertise of a stylist. Unfortunately, cabin shape often becomes a client’s fetish and very often their subjective demands to make catamaran’s cabins “look like a racing car” might significantly impair other important qualities. As it has been shown above, such a “racing look” has negligible effect on overall sailing performance, but might reduce safety, practicality and comfort.
Figure 6: Sample of K60 catamaran design with streamlined deck shapes. From performance point of view, such shapes are only justified on catamaran with efficient daggerboards.
Figure 7: Sailing catamaran of P50 design – typical cruising/ charter catamaran, simple and reliable, with plenty of interior space and shaded seating.
Besides catamaran architecture has certain advantages, there is plenty of space for new ideas. The design shown of fig.1 features a rather unusual layout with a de-facto open saloon under hardtop roof, seating and pantry – design for hot climate to allow the airflow through the public space. P44 catamaran is intended mostly for racing and weekend cruises in tropics and is inspired by sailing experience in Thailand. Demand for distinctive styling and comfort, the variety of shapes and solutions available to catamaran designer often distracts him from considering performance and practicality as priority factors affecting catamaran architecture. Calculations indicate that the cost of compromise between ‘sleek look’ and increasing headroom to acceptable/comfortable limits is very small and more than affordable.
Phuket MAGAZINE
Phuket MAGAZINE
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Story by Duncan Worthington, Photos by Scott Murray
Getting Ready Based at Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui on Chaweng Beach and with support from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, this festival of sail attracted participants from more than 20 countries and has helped put Samui Island on the map as a world-class sports destination. Now in its 16th year, the Samui Regatta maintains is prime position as the final event in the season-long AsianYachting Grand Prix championship and the best sailors from Hong Kong, Singapore and around Asia, as well as from as far afield as Australia and Europe, come together for five days of competitive sailing in the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand. “Samui Island is known for its excellent sailing and onshore hospitality. Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui is the perfect host for the regatta, providing an unmatched venue for post-race celebrations and the ever-popular final night Gala Dinner, while on-the-water sailors will be in for some very competitive sailing,” commented Simon James, Race Director. Samui Island is famous for its white-sand beaches, warm blue sea, shimmering coconut palms and its picture-postcard tropical appeal, but few are aware of its position as a leading sports tourism destination. The Thai government has a clear policy to promote sports tourism, attracting more international events
and sports people to the country, and Samui Island has hosted a number of world-class international sports events the largest and longest running being the Samui Regatta. Samui Regatta has grown to attract the best yachts in Asia and a large spectator following who come to Samui for great sailing, excellent beach parties and to experience the island's acclaimed hospitality. Regattas Asia, organisers of Samui Regatta, recently undertook a survey of participants and the findings underscore the importance of the event to the local economy. “Samui Regatta contributes significant revenues to the local economy every year. Most of the 500 or so participants come from overseas to compete and have high disposable incomes. The majority stay for 7-10 days during the regatta and our research shows that spend on food and accommodation only, is a minimum of 5,000THB/ person/ day. This does not include spend on flights, travel around the island, and other lifestyle and entertainment expenditure,” said Ms. Kae Wattana, Managing Director of organizers Regattas Asia. In addition to being a tourism destination known worldwide for its natural beauty, island culture and delicious cuisine, Samui Island has built a reputation as being a leading yachting destination in the region. “Samui Island is one of the top tourism and yachting destinations in Asia. We have organ-
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ised Samui Regatta for 15 years and each year we see the number of yachts that come to the island is growing. I believe this growth will continue as more and more people experience the beauty of Samui and the unmatched sailing it has to offer,” commented Ms. Wattana. Frank Pong and his multinational crew on the 76-foot Jelik were up against a trio of TP52s in IRC 0 including defending champion THA 72 (ex Provezza), skippered by Kevin Whitcraft, and Freefire (HKG), skippered by Sam Chan. Taking on the bigger boats is 2011 winner Marcel Liedts, who raced his Ker 46 Zannekin (HKG) in the regatta for the first time. In the fast forties division, IRC 1, the Ker 43 Black Baza (HKG) are looking to place well in an attempt to protect their Asian Yachting Grand Prix lead and defend their 2015/16 title, though they're up against some formidable competition in the likes of the Sydney GTS 43 EFG Mandrake (HKG), who will be competing at their 16th Samui Regatta this year, the Club Swan 42 Loco (USA), Farr 40 Ramrod (AUS), Sydney 40 Emagine (AUS), Beneteau First 44.7 Fujin (AUS), and an all-Chinese entry on the Beneteau First 40.7 Ocean Night (CHN). Joining the racing fleets was a Cruising class included two Thailand-based boats – Lady Bubbly (AUS), SailQuest Hi Jinks (USA) and a revived Multihull class fleet featured two Corsair Pulse 600s, Pixalux and H30 Multihull Solutions.
“Not only do we have some top boats and skippers entering again this year, the crew lists are littered with names with CVs including America's Cup, Volvo Ocean Race, World Match Racing Tour and more,” added James. The regatta kicked off with youth sailing on the opening weekend (20th and 21st) followed by the opening party at Zico's Brazilian Grill & Bar. Five days of racing were scheduled for the keelboats and multihulls with daily prize-givings on the beach and a Reserve Day on Thursday 25th. The regatta wrapped up on Saturday 27th with a lavish Gala Dinner presented by Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui.
Final Day Racing A five-day regatta can be tough, and after the long 4-hour-plus coastal race on race day four, there were some tired sailors on the beach for the final day showdown. Breeze to the South of Chaweng was blowing a healthy eight to 10 knots as Race Officer Ross Chisholm readied the fleet for two windward/ leewards to close out the series. Coming into the last day, the winners in three of the four classes were already known, however, in IRC Zero, today's racing was to decide second and third while in IRC One, nothing was set in stone as one mistake in what has been incredibly close racing all week, could make the difference.
The Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui played host to more than 500 sailors during the 16th Samui Regatta.
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Anthony Root and Steve Manning's Black Baza was named AYGP the Skipper(s) and Yacht of the Year for the second year in a row.
Samui Regatta's had it all over the years. Countbacks, two-second series deciders and today, races tied on corrected time in two classes – THA72 tied with Zannekin in IRC Zero (Race 1), and Loco tied with Ramrod in IRC One (Race 1). The IRC experts have been very busy! With the TP52 of Kevin and Tom Whitcraft having already won the IRC Zero title yesterday, all eyes were on the battle for second and third between Zannekin (HKG) and Freefire (HKG), and Zannekin were carrying a points advantage into the final day. As has been the case all week, THA72 pulled away at the start and chased Jelik around the course to cross the line just three minutes adrift. It was enough for the win on corrected time, and the smaller 46-foot Zannekin recorded the exact same time on handicap. Both were scored 1.5 points each, allowing Zannekin to increase their lead over Freefire in the series. The close racing continued in the final race with less than a minute separating the top three, and this time is was an outright win for THA72 with Zannekin getting the better of Freefire by just eight seconds to finish second and third respectively. Apart from Race 8 when Zannekin sailed the light airs best, THA72 has been untouchable, finishing the series with eight wins, one tied first and a third. A pretty impressive scorecard with which to defend their Samui Regatta title. David Dimmock's Loco and the Ketelby/ Sorenson/Brown/Douglas Ramrod tied for first in the first race of the day. While they shared the honours, the all-Chinese crew on Ocean Knight sailed an impressive race to finish a mere eight seconds back in third.
Anthony Root's Black Baza, who's managed to finish in almost every position this week, finished on a high note with a win in the final race. And it was hard earned, just five seconds ahead of Nick Burns/Fred Kinmonth's Mandrake III who's second place, together with a sixth for Fujin, was enough for them to finish second overall ahead of Fujin in third. A third place for Ramrod in the final race saw them improve their overall standing in fifth, while the glory this week goes to Loco. No doubt a fifth place wasn't the series ending they had hoped for, it made no difference as David Dimmock and crew claimed the class trophy with an impressive scorecard of consistency. Bringing an end to Lady Bubbly's Cruising class winning streak on the second last day, Tim McMahon's SailQuest Hi Jinks continued in their newfound groove winning the first exchange on the final day by almost two minutes on corrected time. It was a similar story in the
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Final top three in each class: IRC Zero THA72 (THA), Kevin and Tom Whitcraft (9.5) Zannekin (HKG), Marcel Liedts (18.5) Freefire (HKG), Sam Chan (23)
Multihull class with Mick Tilden's Pixalux adding their second series bullet, beating Nut Thongtoam's Multihull Solutions H3O in the first race. Situation normal returned in the final race, however, with Lady Bubbly capping off their series victory with a win and Multihull Solutions H3O adding one more win their top-of-thestandings tally. Samui Regatta was the final event of the 2016/17 AsianYachting Grand Prix season and after 12 events throughout Asia, Anthony Root and Steve Manning's Black Baza reigns supreme, and for the second consecutive year were confirmed as the Skipper(s) and Yacht of the Year. The Samui Regatta is organised by Regattas Asia in conjunction with the Samui Yacht Club Regatta, under the auspices of the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Municipal of Koh Samui and the Sports Authority of Thailand.
IRC One Loco (SIN), David Dimmock (21.5) Mandrake III (HKG), Nick Burns/ Fred Kinmonth (28) Fujin (AUS), Gary Baguley (29)
Cruising Lady Bubbly (AUS), Chris Mitchell (9) SailQuest Hi Jinks (THA), Tim McMahon (14)
Multihull Multihull Solutions H3O (THA), Nut Thongtoam (10) Pixalux (AUS), Mick Tilden (16)
For the full series results, go to http://www.samuiregatta.com/on-the-water/resultstest
For more information Website: www.samuiregatta.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/SamuiRegatta Twitter: www.twitter.com/samuiregatta
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Elegance and Individuality Catamaran Saona 47
aona 47, has now been launched from La Rochelle in France, and Asia Marine are very proud to announce that the very first Saona 47 in the Asia Pacific region will be arriving in Phuket, Thailand in December 2017. To make things even better, Asia Marine are offering this fantastic, brand new sailing catamaran in our new look Asia Marine charter fleet for the 2017/18 season.
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Encompassing the finest signature features of the Fountaine Pajot shipyard, the Saona 47 exudes a striking aura with her distinctive new design, strong lines and timeless elegance, whether under sail or at anchor. The Saona 47 boasts expansive living areas for enhanced cruising pleasure. The huge cockpit area is intelligently designed for entertaining and features an extend-
THIS FOUNTAINE PAJOT SAONA 47 SAILING CATAMARAN OFFERS THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF COMFORT, STYLE AND PERFORMANCE, SETTING A NEW STANDARD IN MODERN CRUISING CATAMARANS
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ed aft platform to easily facilitate a host of leisure activities. One can immerse oneself in spectacular surroundings on the foredeck’s huge sun lounger, share in the cruising experience at the raised helm station, or simply unwind on the 9 square metre upper lounge deck. Inside, the exquisitely crafted saloon has abundant natural light and her comprehensively appointed galley has an island
FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP A unique opportunity to invest in a dream. Asia Marine have been successful in selling boats in Phuket by a concept of shared ownership. For the fraction of the price, owners can acquire a new boat and enjoy unlimited private usage. This business model has a proven return on investment through chartering under Asia Marine’s management. The Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 is currently available for sale under this concept, with just one of the three shares remaining. Please contact Asia Marine for more details.
bench and ample storage for both extended cruising and chartering. This model comes as the 5 cabin quintet, charter version and has been meticulously designed to offer intuitive responsiveness at the wheel and unparalleled performance in all conditions. Her optimized weight-to-volume ratio delivers exceptional balance and stability for an unforgettable sailing experience at any speed.
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The Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 – A dynamic catamaran delivering cruising pleasures designed to be shared.
For more information regarding the Saona 47 or Fountaine Pajot sales or yacht charter in Phuket, please contact Asia Marine at Boat Lagoon,Yacht Haven or Boat Avenue, Laguna. Vincent Tabuteau Founder & CEO Asia Marine
Paul Stamp Senior Broker & Operation Manager Asia Marine
Vincent@asia-marine.net +66-(0)81-827-6075
broker@asia-marine.net +66-(0)91-824-7966
www.asia-marine.net
acer Marina is proud to announce that our new website is online. As all our services are based on precision and quality, we wanted our website to reĂ ect the workĂ ow quality of Racer Marina. To achieve this goal, we decided to work with a Swiss design company, Visual Players - www.v-p.ch.
contact@racer-marina.com T +66 (0)32 632 206 F + 66 (0)32 632 207
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Fon’s Galileo Journey Hi, my name is Fon and I come from Thailand and my home is in Phuket. I trained as a Superyacht crew at Galileo Maritime Academy and then I worked very hard to get my first job on a yacht. I sent my CV to so many agencies around the world and Galileo helped me with lots of introductions. Some captains sent me emails but I didn’t have a visa for Europe so I missed out on many jobs. But I kept going and believing that if I don’t give up I will still have a chance to get a job on board. Finally, I got a job in Dubai on the amazing 164-foot superyacht M/Y Blue Night. My salary is OK, and also everything is provided such as food and accommodation, moreover, for me who had never had hospitality experience before, this is a great opportunity. When I came to Dubai I was really surprised to find that my boss is a member of the Royal Family here! I became the Chief Stewardess very fast because the captain saw my potential and after I had worked on board for 5 months my boss sent the yacht to Europe as he wanted to have a vacation there this summer. So right now that is what I am doing, sailing around the islands of the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas! I am so enjoying my life and my work. I am a passionate traveler who loves the ocean. I have work experience in a French restaurant as a waitress and I looked after the head member of the Olympic Council of Asia for the Asian Beach Games 2014 in Phuket, Thailand. I just want to tell everyone who is waiting for a job on board, please don’t give up. As long as you believe in yourself, one day your chance will come. And my best advice to you, when you do get that job, never break the trust of your captain because he holds the key to your future in this industry. Contact Info Anthony H. Gould, Director of Academy; anthony@galileomaritimeacademy.com Mary Mardsatool, Marketing Manager; mary@galileomaritimeacademy.com www.galileomaritimeacademy.com
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a 26-Metre Medium-Speed Aluminium Dive Catamaran Photography by Tony Hanscomb
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n the words of the owner (Tony Physick) “We must continue the progression with our dive boats”. “Aqua Quest” is a great example of this progression and is the latest to join the ever-growing fleet of Deep Sea Divers Den. This new model was the first of its kind built by the team at Sea Cat Ships Co Ltd in Thailand. It will commence operations in Australia in June 2017 after making the journey from Pattaya, which is located in the Gulf of Thailand to Cairns, Australia. Tony says, “She is the best yet”. The Hi-Tech aluminium fabrication was completed at Ocean Marina Yacht Club (OMCY) in Thailand “in the heart of Asia” from an aluminum computer router cut Kit and the award-winning design is supplied by Sea Speed Design Co Ltd, headed by Paul Birgan. Over the past 17 years, Paul has designed Tony’s past four Dive Cat’s, with each vessel getting better and better each time. The latest proves to be more stylish, provide more comfort and is more seaworthy and economical to operate. Aqua Quest’s home port will be Port Douglas in North East Australia and will operate day trips out of the Great Barrier Reef. She will cruise out to the reef at around 22-23 knots with up to 130 Scuba Divers and snorkelers onboard. She will stop at two to three reefs in the one day, to experience the wonders of the reef. Catering for so many divers, snorkeler’s and reef enthusiasts is made easy with comfortable segmented seating and lounge areas with separate audio-visual systems to allow for dive briefings and reef ecotourism talks. Once out on the reef, the two-stage hydraulic platforms lower and automatically deploys the 10man dive tender boat. First into the water are the most experienced scuba divers, then the intro scuba diver groups and scuba tour groups, followed by the experienced snorkeler’s and free divers then finally the guided reef groups for non- strong swimmers. Access is made easy by the full width transom stairwell (9 metres wide) and the middle sections lowers hydraulically further into the water to waist deep allowing swim on and off. The vessel
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has air compressor and dive banks storage below decks with scuba tank refill via aft’ central station. This one also has a nitrox system to enhance the dive experience. A beautiful lunch is served accommodated by a large stainless steel servery/bar featured with polished Australian Hardwood benchtops and table tops. This galley has three door upright fridges with class doors, freezer, microwave, confection oven and glasswasher. The main cabin is fitted with aircraft style seating with back to back layout and tables. The foredeck features a sunken lounge for use on calm days or when the vessel is stationary at dive sites. The upper deck features a VIP cabin with lounge seating and a futuristic helm position with four large touch screen displays for the Simrad electronics and communications systems plus CCTV system. Outside is the upper aft’ deck with perimeter teak slat seats and central clear area for sunbaking. There is also access to the large sunroof on the third level. She has four toilets two on the main deck which are disable person size with hot/cold water showers and two toilets on the upper deck. The vessel is powered by twin Yanmar mechanical marine engines and gear boxes producing 2 x 911 h.p. each. This is hooked up to twin disc electronic three station throttle and gear shift control unit at one end and prop/shaft arrangement with mini-keels (with wing foils) at the other. The mini-keels allow for docking on its own hull and gives protection to the running gear plus the added advantage to great tracking and seakeeping in a sea. Electrical power is supplied by two Zenith Gensets (50KW) which are totally independent and each able to operate the vessel completely, giving total redundancy. Also, an inverter system which allows for all essential services whilst the Gensets are not running. The electrical system was designed, supplied, and commissioned from Australia and installed to the highest standard by the highly trained Thai staff. The enclosed cabins are fully air conditioned by custom designed salt water cooled ducted system keeping the customers cool in the tropical conditions. The exterior finish is painted on the external decks and the hull up to the gunnels and the rest is vinyl wrap coating (sticker coat) with the Octopus decor’s giving a unique and unmistakable look. All up she is “built for purpose” with long time operation in mind. The aluminium structure is comparatively heavy at the request of the owner. Sea Cat Ships offered fiveyear structural warranty and expect fifty years plus service (www.seacatships.com).
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Words Duncan Worthington, Photos Scott Murray
Preparing Sail Founded in 2005 with the aim of creating an international-standard sailing event in the Gulf of Thailand, the Top of the Gulf Regatta (TOGR) has grown to become Asia's largest multi-class regatta with 10 classes competing with more than 250 boats ranging from Optimists to dinghies, IOM Radio Controlled boats, one-design Platus, IRC and cruising yachts, and ocean multihulls taking part. “Since we launched the Top of the Gulf Regatta in 2005, we have seen a steady growth of entries as well as growth in the diversity of boats taking part. We welcome sailors of more than 25 nationalities each year and we have a strong
turn out again this year from sailors within Asia – particularly Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and of course Thailand – as well as many sailors from Australia and Europe,” said Bill Gasson, co-chairman, TOGR Organizing Committee. Having received two international accolades in recent years, the regatta is a highlight on Pattaya's sporting calendar. With more international and domestic sporting events taking place in Pattaya each year, the regatta's 13 years of operations has helped showcase the areas
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The ToG Regatta is the largest multi-class sailing event of its kind in Asia, incorporating the Coronation Cup and the Thailand National Optimist Championships.
sporting credentials to a worldwide audience and today sports tourism is an important part of Pattaya's economy. Boats and crews from Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand battled it out in the top IRC divisions, led by Kevin Whitcraft's TP52, THA72, while local stalwarts David Bell (Magic), Tim McMahon (SailQuest Hi Jinks) and Gary Baguley (El Coyote) were up against Martin Brown's Nautical Wheeler in IRC 3. In the Cruising class, past winner Le
Vent, skippered by Pote Suyasinto and with an all-Thai crew onboard, would sail against Thidawaree and Chris Mitchell's Lady Bubbly who currently sit third in the Asian Yachting Grand Prix 2016/17 standings and thus will be going all out to gain valuable points in the penultimate race of the AYGP season. This year will see a new crew crowned Platu Coronation Cup winners as defending champion Scott Duncanson competed in IRC 1 on Loco instead of racing his usual Platu Kingdom Property. Racing among the one-design Platus however, will be as competitive as ever as 11 top teams from around Asia and as far afield as Russia, challenge for the prestigious trophy. Kirati Assakul returns to defend his
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The ToG is the only regatta in Thailand hosted at a marina.
Ocean Multihulls title on his Crowther 42, Sonic, to battle it out against the Corsair 28 trimaran of Bob Garner, Bladerunner 7. On the dinghy courses, 76 sailors would compete in the Laser Standard, Laser Radial, Laser 4.7 and 420 divisions, including many Asian national sailing teams as TOGR is the last international sailing competition before the SEA Games in Malaysia, in August. Competing for the Thailand Optimist National Championships, over 100 youth sailors from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India and Myanmar will be racing in what has become Thailand's premier youth sailing event and the last before the Optimist World Championship is held in Thailand in July. Last but not least was the return of the International One Meter (IOM) Radio Controlled Yacht Class. A growing class, almost 20 competitors from the Thai Radio Controlled Sailboat Club, raced off Ocean Marina this year.
Folding Sail Steady breeze on the final day delivered some of the closest racing yet on the keelboat and multihulls course. Just seconds determined who would have the bragging rights at the Ocean Marina Gala Dinner and series prize-giving evening, which was presided over by Admiral Kraisorn Chansuvanich, President
of the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand. David Dimmock and his crew on Loco (USA) continued where they left off on the third day adding a second win to their IRC Racing 1 tally, beating Emagine by a three second margin on corrected time and relegating THA72 to third. Kevin Whitcraft rallied his THA72 crew and in the second race lead from start to finish, claiming the last win on handicap, and tying Loco on points to claim second place overall on count back. The overall class win, however, went to Emagine (AUS) who dropped their third place in the final race to claim the IRC Racing 1 title at their first time of trying. Despite being the third boat to cross the line in the IRC Racing class 3’s first race on the final day, Nautical Wheeler (USA) corrected out to win – their second of the series. However, a win in the final race for El Coyote (AUS) reinforced their dominance taking the IRC Racing 3 title by a clear seven points with Nautical Wheeler coming second and Magic (AUS) placing third. A single course for the Cruising class finished with a stint in the Jury Room. A protest by Lady Bubbly (AUS) saw the rest of the class DQ'd for racing the wrong (shorter) course. Ultimately it didn't affect the top of the table which Lady Bubbly won by a clear margin. Le Vent (THAI) placed second overall and Thida Waree (AUD) third.
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The Platu class went down to the wire. With seven of the 12 entries on the podium during the 10-race series, the racing was close and competitive throughout. A win for Ben Williams and crew on The Ferret (AUS) in the penultimate race, and a second for Rolf Heemskerk's Team Viewpoint (NED), meant the final race would be the decider. Valeriy Dichenko's Russian team on Naiad sailed a near perfect final race and finished on a high with a clear win by almost a minute. Behind them four boats raced neck-and-neck to the finish and once the horn sounded and the results were in, just seven seconds separated second and fifth place. Having never won the Platu Coronation Cup despite many years trying, Team Viewpoint found that extra ebb when needed to place second in the last race, with series-rivals Easy Tiger 111 (AUS) coming in fifth. The number-crunchers immediately went to work and with both boats tied on points, the count back broke in favour of Team Viewpoint. It was sweet revenge for Rolf Heemskerk and his crew who in 2012, tied at the top with Chris Way as well but lost on count back. With the tables turned this year, Rolf Heemskerk and his crew who were finally crowned 2017 Platu Coronation Cup champions. Elsewhere on the course, the Ocean Multihulls class finished their series with a single race and a win was enough for Kirati Assakul and his crew on Sonic (THA) to defend their title from Bob Garner’s Bladerunner 7 (UK).
Podium results in each class IRC Racing 1 Emagine, Scott Bradley (11.0) THA72, Kevin Whitcraft (14.0) Loco, David Dimmock (14.0)
IRC Racing 3 El Coyote, Gary Baguley (8.0) Nautical Wheeler, Martin Brown (15.0) Magic, David Bell (17.0)
Cruising Lady Bubbly, Chris Mitchell (4.0) Le Vent, Pote Suyasinto (8.0) Thida Waree, Dwight Willis (11.0)
Platu Team Viewpoint, Rolf Heemskerk (24.0) Easy Tiger 111, Chris Way (24.0) Naiad, Valeriy Dichenko (29.0)
Ocean Multihulls Sonic, Kirati Assakul (8.0) Bladerunner 7, Bob Garner (10.0)
Organizers welcomed the event's 3,000 entry this year.
www.racer-marina.com