Chartering in the Maldives – it’s childsplay!

The idyllic Maldives has long been associated with honeymooners and romantic getaways for couples wantiTurtle in the Maldivesng to enjoy each other’s company without the familiar sound of children screaming and jumping in the pool – so it may come as a surprise that one of the top resort hotels, Diva, is now pushing and promoting their kids’ clubs, and many other top resort hotels are following suit. Despite worries that young families on holiday might ruin the tranquility that so many holiday makers in the Maldives love, there is plenty of beach to go around.

The Maldives make an ideal destination for a family holiday; shallow waters, white sandy beaches, all the water sports in the world under a perfect blue, sun drenched sky, and now is the perfect time to book up and go! There is still time to charter a yacht in the Maldives to get some winter sun, and now you can take the whole family with you!

 Information courtesy of the Times online.

Ericsson 4 team leading Volvo Ocean Race and setting records

A world record has already been achieved in the first leg of the gruelling Volvo Ocean Race (formerly the Whitbread Round the World Race) by Sweden’s Ericsson 4 team.  The yacht managed to achieve smashing the previous 24-hour monohull distance record by travelling an astounding 589 miles (1,085km) in the journey from Alicante in Spain to Cape Town in South Africa.  The previous record was 562.97 miles and was set by ABN Amro 2 in January 2006 in theimage of racing sailors Indian Ocean.

The Ericsson 4, looks set to enjoy a healthy lead as the race reaches Cape Town, currently leading by 30miles ahead of the US Puma Racing team and could even break the record again with the prevailing weather conditions. The race is due to take in 10 legs encompassing Africa, Asia, the Americas and finally Europe before finishing in St Petersburg after covering 42,600 miles.

Some information courtesy of ChannelNews Asia.

Where does the word ‘Yacht’ come from?

Today the yacht is symbolic of luxury vessels that cruise the oceans and seas elegantly in pursuit of leisurely indulgence.  However, its origin is a little distant from this current image and heralds yacht imagefrom a time when Pirates pestered the shallow waters of the Low Countries of Europe.  The word yacht comes from the Dutch word jacht which means to hunt, the vessels described as jachtships where light, fast and used for pursuing (or hunting) the pirates and bucaneers that hounded the waters of these countries.  It wasn’t until King Charles II of England famously chose the vessel for his return to Britain from the Netherlands for his restoration to the throne that the yacht was then identified as a vessel to transport important people and consequently as a luxury item for the rich and famous. Today this luxury has become accessible to more people than ever with the facility to charter a yacht available to everyone who considers themself to be important.
Some information courtesy of Wikipedia

Fort Myers in Florida recognised as a Clean Marina

As we look to take more responsibility of our effect on the environment around us, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection along with the Clean Boating Partenership have been recognising steps to protect our Earth in the boating community.  The Fort Myers Yacht Basin in Florida has recently been added to a growing list of Clean Marinas in the state, setting the benchmarks for environmental stewardship whilst providing a public service.

image of floridaThere are more than 2000 marinas dotted along Florida’s coastline and the effects of year-round boating activity contributes to the growing pressure on Florida’s sensitve aquatic and marine ecosystems.  Marinas awarded with Clean Marina status go above and beyond the required environmental regulations by adopting practices that keep solvents, sewage, fuel and oil out of the water and look to protect the native manatees and other marine creatures.  As a yacht charterer, you too can help to protect the environment and ensure the sustainable future of our planet and the yachting industry wherever you are by making concerted green chartering decisions and efforts, including reducing your carbon footprint and taking responsible care of your waste.  If we all try to make a difference, we can help to keep our seas and oceans as glorious as they are today for the yachting lovers of the future.
Some information courtesy of News-Press.com

Bermuda Triangle thwarts Branson’s trans-atlantic sailing record attempt

Sir Richard Branson spoke via satellite today from his 99ft sailing yacht VIRGIN MONEY about the picture of richard branson on yachtassault on the yacht by 40ft waves in the Bermuda Triangle.  The huge waves stripped the boat of one of its life-rafts, took out the spinnaker and ripped the main sail, leaving the boat to limp along until the decision is made as to whether they can still break the record if they repair the damage and carry on.  Branson remains confident as the crew of the British 2009 America’s Cup team ‘Team Origin’ form part of the 30 strong crew and are adept at coping in such situations.  Teambut if the weather worsens accepts that the day to break the record will have to wait for another time.

The intention of the attempt is to break the current trans-atlantic record of 6 days, 17 hours, 52 minutes and 39 seconds, joining him on this attempt are his two children Holly and Sam Branson and the Olympic hero, Ben Ainslie.
Information courtesy of the Telgraph online