WATCH AN ONLINE SCREENING OF ALIEN INVADERS TONIGHT – JUNE 2ND

By Alecia Adamson, REEF Field Operations Coordinator

Changing Seas, an original production of Miami’s public television station WPBT2, will host a live online screening event of Alien Invaders, the series’ latest episode focusing on the lionfish invasion in the Caribbean and Western Atlantic. Alien Invaders will be screened live on the Changing Seas website www.changingseas.tv/webcast on Thursday, June 2nd at 7:30 p.m. EST. During the screening, dive enthusiasts will have the opportunity to join an online chat with producers and the experts featured in the program. REEF’s Lad Akins and researcher Stephanie Green will be be online to answer questions live during the event.

The Reef Environmental Education Foundation is a grass-roots organization that seeks to conserve marine ecosystems by educating, enlisting and enabling divers and other marine enthusiasts to become active ocean stewards and citizen scientists.

Please visit the Caribbean or Florida and the Bahamas to explore the wonderful options that are available for dive charters.

 

Richard Sauter, Leader In Eco Friendly Yacht Design, Launches Bali Net Zero Hotel Resort & Spa

All Nations Vessel

Richard John Sauter, a long time visionary in the design of the technologically evolved, environmentally responsible superyacht, is diversifying. At the recent RINA Conference held in Genoa he made a presentation emphasizing the ’10 basic steps that will place the Post Carbon Superyacht at the forefront of mankind’s inevitable Post Carbon Future.’  Sauters innovative superyachts harness “the collective maritime resources derived from the sun, wind, waves and currents at sea.”

Sauter has come ashore to tackle sustainability issues with the prototypical Bali Net Zero Hotel, with solar panels numerous enough to collect more than double the amount of energy required to run the hotel. By generating and selling this surplus electricity by day, the Hotel is able to offset the electricity they will consume from the grid by night. The Solar Energy generated by the Hotel complex will be sold to the local community with the profits used to cover the cost of laying down, maintaining and further expanding the systems infrastructure.

Richard Sauter founder of Sauter Carbon Offset Design commented “Building Net Zero Green Power Resorts instead of a coal fired power station is a realistic, cost effective alternative for Bali. The Chinese Coal Fired power station proposed for Bali is what made China the number one environmental polluter on the planet today. Green Power from Net Zero Hotel Resorts like this one will show that collectively, the Tourist Industry in Bali can provide enough Solar Power to establish the island of the Gods as the number one Eco Tourist destination in the world”.

The Bali Net Zero Hotel Resort & Spa generates 2.5Mws of electricity a day from its solar cell array to maintain a Zero Carbon status. Solar panels which have a 25 year warranty will be deployed as an integral part of the cascading roof on 4 floors.

Being a renewable and sustainable power generation station will qualify the Bali Net Zero Resort as a Certified Carbon Offset Project allowing for the sale of Carbon Offset Credits to guests in the form of a 5% surcharge on Hotel facilities. The cost of the entire Solar Power Generating System may be recovered in less than 3 years. As a Certified Carbon Offset Project the Bali Net Zero Hotel & Seminyak Solar Power Station will offset over 5,000 tons of CO2 per year.

Please use these links for information on Green Chartering and Carbon Offset Credits.

Heesen Yachts Delivers 164’ Semi Displacement Performance Yacht SARTORI to New Owner in Monaco: Owner Applies for Acceptance in “La Belle Classe Superyacht”

The prolific Dutch shipyard has delivered another magnificent build.  SARTORI, with a top speed of 24 knots, is among the world’s fastest and most efficient 50meter builds. The innovative hard-chine hull combined with Hessen’s weight reduction technology and equipped with a pair of high power-to-weight ratio MTU 2.720kW engines, results in top speed, greater fuel economy, and an impressive range of 3.200 NM at 12 knots. Frank Laupman from Omega Architects is responsible for the elegantly streamlined exterior styling. The owner appointed the award-winning French designer, Rémi Tessier, to create the stylish interior.

Yachts at Monaco Grand Prix

The Owner will take delivery in Monaco where the official christening will take place during the Monaco Grand Prix. The Owner will also apply to be part of “La Belle Classe Superyacht”, a certification created by the Yacht Club de Monaco to unite owners who share similar yachting values. Members of “La Belle Classe” are committed to an ethical code of upstanding behavior and environmental responsibility. All members of this very select Club sign a charter outlining specific objectives in the areas of etiquette, the environment and technology.

Follow this link for a wealth of information about Yacht Charter in Monaco and Chartering for the Monaco Grand Prix.

A Cure with a View: Stretch Ship Board Sea Legs on Panoramic Hiking Trails from Bitter End Yacht Club, Virgin Gorda, BVI

There are over five miles of intertwining hiking trails at the Eastern end of North Sound, Virgin Gorda, that offer gentle climbs and spectacular views. Guy’s Trail, named for Bitter End’s resident bushwacker and primo photographer, is a 1.5-mile (approximately 45 minute to 1 hour) tour that starts at the Northeast end of the Bitter End property, casually climbs the 455-foot hill behind Bitter End, traverses North to South, and then descends near the pool at Bitter End, or if one chooses to, continues to connect with trails to Deep Bay, Oil Nut Bay, Biras Creek, and on up the 630-foot “Great Hill.”

It’s great exercise, great fun and the views are absolutely breathtaking. Strap on some sneakers or sturdy treads, grab a water bottle or a sports drink at the Club’s Emporium and hit the trails. After hiking, head for the on site world class spa to indulge in a soothing treatment, visit the Bitter End Pub for a refreshing beverage, or simply lounge on the beach.

Here is a helpful link for comprehensive destination and charter information about the British Virgin Islands.

Beyond Outstanding Dives: Sea Saba, Alluring Caribbean REEF Field Station


REEF, a non-profit organization dedicated to marine research and conservation, would like divers to know about their field station, Sea Saba, a top-notch dive operator located on a small Caribbean island devoid of beaches, but abundant in spectacular dive sites! The island of Saba, located southwest of St. Barths, is known for its unspoiled natural beauty and lack of development, the island has fewer than 2,000 residents. Dive shop owners, Lynn and John, have made scuba diving, travel, and photography their life for well over two decades.

Working with the REEF program, Sea Saba continues to improve the knowledge base of their dive instructors. Dive staff members are all qualified as REEF Level 3 surveyors. “It’s a win/win/win. We’re making a concerted effort to ensure a great dive experience is had by all our visitors but also by our staff. If we can engage each guide to be more aware and knowledgeable and share this information with our diving guests, dive guides avoid burnout. The enthusiasm is contagious.” says Lynn.

Sea Saba understands and shares REEF’s mission to educate, enlist, and engage divers in marine conservation efforts. In Lynn’s words, “Fish identification skills are a stepping stone in understanding our underwater environment. By sharing knowledge, we not only create better surface interval conversations, we can hope each diver is also an advocate to use what power he/she has to protect this realm: the coral, the fish, the reef, the ocean…our planet.”

Sea Saba hosted the first REEF Field Survey of the year in March and participants confirmed over 150 species sightings during the week, including rare finds such as yellowcheek basslets, punk blennies, and a hammerhead shark. Divers, led by excellent divemasters and staff of Sea Saba, many of whom are active surveyors throughout the Saba Marine Park surrounding this petite island, were thrilled with the natural beauty of Saba, the perfect setting for diving and hiking adventure.

REEF has fascinating dive programs throughout the world that allow divers to learn and participate in marine conservation.

Here is a helpful link for further information on Caribbean Yacht Charter