Sri Lanka to promote luxury yacht charter, "boat safaris"

Sri Lanka’s English newspaper, the Sunday Observer, highlighted plans to promote yacht chartering from the island’s cities of Galle and Colombo. In a brief interview with the country’s Deputy Minister of Ports and Aviation, Dayasritha Tissera, it appears that the government is enthusiastic about immediate investment in the marine sector.

The South Asian island country, located about 20 miles off the southern coast of India, is a destination of primal forests, pristine beaches, breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural traditions. The Ministry hopes to entice both local and foreign tourists to depart from hotel stays and embark on œluxury boat safaris to destinations around the exotic island. To this end, Tissera outlined plans to purchase four luxury yachts with four to six cabins, suitable for up to 20 guests.

The Ministry also wants to launch a luxury passenger liner yacht service to connect the harbors of Colombo, Trincomalee, Kankesanturai and Galle, with extended service to neighboring India. Plans also include construction of a first-class yachting center and marina in the old port area of Galle.

The Ministry is undertaking these initiatives with confidence that the now peaceful country’s lighter security restrictions will enable passenger travel unencumbered by red tape. The Ministry has set a November goal for the luxury yacht launch, however exact dates remain uncertain. Perhaps this is because, according to Tissera, the Ministry is presently seeking investors for the projects.

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Lionfish: Dangerous, Dramatic and Delectable

If you are planning to dive or snorkel the reefs on your next charter voyage to the Caribbean, Bahamas or Florida Keys you may encounter the astonishingly beautiful lionfish. Beware, the graceful profusion of colorful fins belies venomous spines that, although not known to be fatal, are extremely painful and can (rarely) come with severe complications. In addition, some scientists consider them as one of the top 15 threats to biodiversity worldwide.

Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific region but in recent decades have invaded the waters of the Caribbean, the Bahamas, the east coast of the Americas as far north as Rhode Island, and as far south as Columbia. Their infiltration is likely the result of releases from tanks of saltwater hobbyists. With few known natural enemies, lionfish present a major threat to coral reef ecosystems as predators and competitors for food.

Humans are becoming the most lethal threat to date, as the fish emerges as a gourmet delicacy. Facebook groups promoting lionfish consumption include œI Spear Lionfish, œLionfish Derby and œEat the Lionfish. According to an article published by the Washington Post, July 7, 2010, chefs, spear fisherman and seafood distributors are plotting to eat the fish out of non-native existence. The REEF Environmental Education Foundation, a leading organization in the research and development of lionfish control programs, is preparing to publish a cookbook this fall on how to prepare the lionfish, described with a flavor between snapper and grouper.

What you should you do if you see the foot-long lionfish? They are glamorous and peaceful creatures, so use the photo opportunity. Otherwise, unless you are a savvy fisherman, or have the proper training and equipment, leave it alone but report the sighting location to the local island authorities and/or REEF when you surface.

Photo credit: REEF

Visit REEF Environmental Education Foundation: www.reef.org/lionfish

Lionfish Recipes: www.lionfishhunters.org/Recipes.html

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/06/AR2010070601003.htm

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Peter Island Resort’s Unique Programs Welcome Charter Yachts

Peter Island is traditionally a very popular destination on every BVI charter itinerary. This season Peter Island Resort features two exceptional opportunities; photo documentation of your snorkel or dive adventure and professional cooking classes. Both will let you cherish a bit of the island color and flavor long after your return home.

Peter Island has some of the most awe-inspiring reefs in the BVI. Hundreds of brilliantly colored species of fish, coral and numerous shipwrecks set the stage for an extraordinary underwater quest. Armando Jenik is available to escort charterers undersea and professionally photograph their experience.

Armando is a highly acclaimed underwater photographer and cinematographer, with published images in Geo Magazine, GQ and others. His work has appeared in commercials, documentaries and feature films and he was honored with the Mobius award for best commercial in 1990. He will organize the optimum snorkel or dive adventure and create a personalized photo document that captures your experience as a work of art.

October 24-31 is the resort’s first Guest Chef Program of the season, with Corporate Executive Chef Jason Drysdale of the Norwegian Caribbean Line. Jason is the Culinary Trainer for NCL America and a genius at preparing trendy gourmet cuisine. Jason, along with the resort’s executive chef, Lisa Sellers, offer this creative, intimate cooking class limited to ten couples. The class will ferry to a working farm on Tortola to select produce, then return to the kitchen at Falcon’s Nest to create signature items that will be featured on the restaurant’s menu. This is an ongoing program so if you are interested please inquire as to future dates.

To participate in either the underwater photography experience or the Guest Chef Program at Peter Island Resort charter guests are not required to be guests of the resort but should consider program registration in advance, especially during peak periods, due to very limited space. Please read more about Peter Island in our Peter Island Yacht Charter Guide.

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Project KHARIMA 81’ Luxury Motor Catamaran from Pro Ship

Catamaran yachts are rapidly gaining popularity for their inherent stability, expansive exterior space and roomy interior layout. They are also notable for superior energy efficiency. One of the newest models to emerge from the drawing board is 81’ KHARIMA, designed by Antonio Luxardo of Pro Ship and under construction at a boatyard in Qingdao, China.
Innovative architectural features on the yacht include a main deck salon that encompasses 1,184 square feet and a foredeck owner’s suite with 180-degree panoramic views. Two VIP ensuite staterooms and two crew cabins are positioned on the lower deck. The spacious flybridge is the perfect spot for guests to enjoy magnificent views in sun or shade, or cocktails and dinner al fresco.

KHARIMA 81 incorporates significant new trends in catamaran construction beyond the apparent. To further enhance exterior space two concealed side platforms open out when desired to generously expand options for sun and fun. Ample storage space for tenders and toys is equipped with an interior crane for launching. The high performance hull is designed for greater speed, stability and energy efficiency. All things considered, KHARIMA 81 is shaping up as a very competitive build in an aggressively expanding sector.

Boatbookings.com has a superior selection of luxury catamaran motor yachts available for charter – feel free to visit our Catamaran Yacht Charter and Sailing Vacation Guide.

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Future Destination: Tel Aviv Port to Reopen After 45 Years

Tel Aviv, with two overly congested marinas at the Jaffa Port and Atrium Square, has developed a fast-paced, two-year construction plan to ease the situation. The construction of a third marina at Tel Aviv Port, located within steps of numerous stimulating venues, will introduce an exciting new alternative for luxury yachts.

The first ships arrived in the Tel Aviv port in 1938, which remained a bustling hub of naval activity until its closure in 1965. Now Israel’s Transportation Ministry recognizes both the pressing need and economic viability of renewing marine activity at the old port.

Plans are in place to construct a new luxury marina able to accommodate smaller yachts in slips, with anchorages for larger yachts located just outside the marina. Plans include dredging the harbor to increase depth and construction of a new breakwater and docks.

Otzar Mifalei Yam and Atarim companies infused new energy into the old port about ten years ago with commercial development that today houses numerous restaurants, retail shops, offices and nightclubs. To further enhance facilities at the port plans for a major hotel and supermarket are also in the works.

Tel Aviv is a unique destination situated on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline. For architecture enthusiasts, Tel Aviv’s White City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprises the world’s largest concentration of more than 4,000Bauhaus or Modernist buildings built in the 1930s by immigrant German Jewish architects.

Tel Aviv is the wealthiest city in the country and evidences a very cosmopolitan lifestyle. Its beautiful beaches (ranked ninth-best among world beach cities by National Geographic), upscale shops, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs keep the city vibrant 24 hours a day. For information on charter yachts worldwide visit Boatbookings.com yacht charter.

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