Archive for August, 2009
Growing Yacht Industry Relies On Yacht Delivery Captains
Dublin Ireland Phenomenal growth in the global yacht industry has caused many new boat owners to hire professional yacht delivery captains to skipper their boats on long or dangerous voyages. Yacht delivery skipper Graham Caswell of the http://www.deliveryskipper.com website confirms that the boat delivery industry is growing with international trends. “It’s relatively easy to buy a new yacht” he said “but sailing long distances through potentially difficult waters or weather conditions requires skills that can take years to learn”.
Recreational boat ownership is currently a 25 billion international industry and sales are growing annually at 510. While sales growth will likely be lower in 2008 due to economic conditions many motor and sailing yachts are preordered and already under construction. There are waiting lists of up to three years for luxury yachts in the USA and Europe and so the international fleet of recreational boats will continue to grow strongly.
However sail training and sea experience lag far behind the growth in boat numbers. Learning how to handle boats safely how to navigate and how to operate the oftencomplex equipment found on a modern boat can take years. The American Sailing Association and the British Royal Yachting Association operate training and certification schemes in the United States and Great Britain. But learning to sail is not as simple as doing a course developing experience is critical.
“Often new boat owners will join a delivery skipper for the voyage to the boat’s new home” said Caswell. “This helps them to get to know their new boat and gives them valuable sea experience while the presence of a professional captain gives them security and confidence”. Caswell offers instruction to new yacht owners in such cases as do most delivery captains.
But lack of experience is not the only reason that boat owners hire delivery captains to move their boats. Many wealthy boat owners are also very busy people and cannot afford to spend days at sea away from mobile phones and Internet connections. The average yacht will only move about 150 miles a day so a long trip can take weeks that busy boat owners don’t have. Instead they want to be able to hop on a plane for a sailing holiday and have their boat waiting for them when they land.
Popular routes for yacht deliveries include from the United States to the Caribbean and back and from the boatyards of Northern Europe to the sunny marinas of the Mediterranean. Yachts are also delivered to major events such as yacht races or the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers in which hundreds of yachts sail across the Atlantic Ocean each year. And of course the boats have to be brought back as well.
“In rough seas or on cold nights the job of a delivery captain can be difficult” says Caswell. “But it also gives you the opportunity to see things that most people never see. You’re always on the move meeting new people and travelling to new places.”
As boatyards continue to produce record numbers of motor and sailing yachts for busy boat owners who are often inexperienced with long voyages it seems that yacht delivery captains like Caswell will be moving for some time to come.
About the writer: Graham Caswell is a professional yacht delivery skipper based in Ireland. He delivers sailing yachts throughout Ireland the UK and Western Europe including the Atlantic and Mediterranean. His professional website can be found at http://www.deliveryskipper.com .
Famous Ocean Explorers
The Forerunners of Ocean Exploration
Bartholomew Dias and Vasco Da Gama
The Portuguese have often been credited as some of historys bravest explorers and the establishment of the Spice Route to India is to this countrys credit. What drove much exploration of the seas in the early years was a desire to gain the best access to the rich resource of spices in the East. In his quest to find such a route Bartholomew Dias became the first European to navigate around the southernmost tip of Africa. It was Dias who first named the Cape the Cape of Storms; and while the explorers did not make it all the way to the East on their 1488 journey they have never been forgotten for their feat of being the first Europeans to sail around the tip of the African continent.
Vasco Da Gama was more successful in his quest to create the best Spice Route for the Portuguese and in 1498 reached Calicut in India. The tales of his cruel treatment of the people living in the places along the route are chilling but his victory was claiming the best Spice Route possible in the name of the Portuguese. This sea route was far less treacherous than heading overland through Asia and gave Portugal the ultimate advantage in trade in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Christopher Columbus
By 1493 Italian Christopher Columbus was convinced that a quicker route could be found to the East by travelling west. What resulted was a discovery that changed the face of world geography forever. When he could not convince his own countrymen of his theory Columbus moved to Spain and managed to convince the authorities to fund his expedition. He set sail in August 1492 and was in sight of the Bahamas within only ten weeks which he mistakenly believed to be Japan. Further west when the voyagers reached Cuba they were convinced they had found China and moved inland to India;. The darkskinned people they encountered were soon labelled Indians; and Columbus returned to Europe victorious in his achievement of finding the quickest route to the riches of the East. Columbus returned to his East three times during the remainder of his life exploring Jamaica Puerto Rico the Virgin Islands and Trinidad. He died believing he had found the shortest route to the East never knowing that he had in fact discovered something much much more important.
Ferdinand Magellan
Ferdinand Magellan was not discouraged by the subsequent discovery of Columbus actual failure to find a westerly route to the East and set of in 1519 to prove that it could be done. Although from Portugal Magellan undertook this journey with Spanish backing and set sail in 1519. The five ships in the party housed 260 men who had no idea where they were going as Magellan believed they would be too frightened too continue. A massive storm along the coast of South America forced the ships to seek cover and thus Magellan discovered an inlet ndash; completely by accident. The Magellan Strait as it is now known offers a route through the South American continent to the Pacific Ocean on the other side.
With one ship deserting the voyage Magellan and his four other ships suffered extreme hardships on the Pacific and only 18 of the 260 men made it back to Spain three years later. The journey went through the Philippines where Magellan himself was killed in battle and on to the East where the ships were loaded with spices. The Victoria continued west and made it back to Spain while all of the other ships were lost at sea. The westerly spice route discovered by Magellan and his crew was not used for many years thanks to the treacherous outcome it had for the many men on board. Instead of discovering a new Spice Route Magellan is actually credited with captaining the first circumnavigation of our globe a more impressive feat by miles.
Modern Ocean Explorers
Ocean exploration has never stopped since the great explorers of the 15th and 16th centuries but has simply evolved to become more in depth competitive and adventurous. By the beginning of the 20th century most of the earths waters had been explored and ocean travels became more about setting records than discovering new places. The year was 1895 when American Joshua Slocum set out to become the first man to sail solo around the world. He sustained himself during the three year trip by stocking up on supplies from islands along the way and his safe return home in 1898 cemented his place in the history books.
The next person to better this record was Sir Francis Chichester in 1967 who managed an around the world feat that only required one stop in a year long trip aboard Gypsy Moth. It was a fellow Briton Robin KnoxJohnston who twelve years later managed to finally circumnavigate the world without stopping ndash; in a lightning fast 312 days. In 1988 Kat Cottee became the first woman to sail solo and nonstop around the world in an improved time of only 189 days. To date the fastest solo trip every recorded to circumnavigate the globe occurred as recently as 2008. Francis Joyon a 51 year old Frenchman climbed aboard his 98ft fireengine red trimaran Idec and reappeared around the world just 57 days later. This took a massive 14 days off the previous record which was held by the fastest female sailor in the history of yachting Dame Ellen McArthur.
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Find out more about some of the spectacular yachts sailing our oceans today many of which are available to buy or charter.
Dining Onboard Ventura
Dining onboard Ventura
Stunning superliner Ventura is the newest addition to the PO cruise lines fleet. It is the largest ship built exclusively for the British market with this in mind the features onboard have been carefully created to appeal to the contemporary cruise passenger. With a selection of dining everyone has been catered for; ensuring traditional and flexible options are available giving people a choice and a chance to experience new and exciting flavours.
The ships three main restaurants offer a selection of a la carte dining with five course menus they are giving a traditional approach to the fine dining onboard:
Bay Tree and Saffron Restaurants
The Bay Tree and Saffron Restaurants are situated on F Deck offering a wide selection of breakfast and lunch menus. Club Dining is offered in the evening operating on a fixed seating basis this gives the option for passengers to sit with the same companions each night dining at the same table and a specified time. There are two options of sittings with the first at 6.30pm and the second sitting at 8.30pm. The menus are inspired by the destinations incorporating Marco Pierre Whites signature dishes; the traditional ambience is designed to add an amazing dining experience to your cruise.
Cinnamon Restaurant
Providing evening Freedom dining Cinnamon Restaurant works on the same menu choices as the Bay Tree and Saffron Restaurants in that you experience an exquisite five course meal you do however have the option of freedom dining allowing you to dine at any time you wish with whoever you would like. This gives you flexibility at the time in which you go to dinner between the hours of 6.00pm and 10.00pm.
For daytime and casual dining there are a number of places to eat offering a relaxed and casual approach for the modern day cruiser:
Beach house family restaurant
With its family friendly meals and its beach themed decor including stripy deckchairs The Beach House restaurant is a casual option for families. Designed by Marco Pierre White The Beach House will serve breakfast lunch dinner and midnight snacks during 24hour buffet dining. In order to provide a relaxed family atmosphere there are high chairs available in the restaurant as well as childrens cutlery bibs and beakers. The menu is fun and creative and has been designed to be a success with people of all ages with childrens favourites such as spaghetti and meatballs designed to appeal to adults and children.
Tazzine
The Tazzine caf offers amazing specialty coffee and teas alongside a mid morning or afternoon snack such as cookies pastries and savory snacks. The Tazzine is the place to go to relax soak up the stylish interiors and indulge in good conversation.
Frankies Pizzeria Grill and ice cream parlour
Situated on the Lido deck you can indulge in a selection of gourmet pizza options created by Marco Pierre White. Based loosely on the Frankies chain of restaurants created by Marco Pierre White and Frankie Detorri you have the choice of hotdogs burgers and pizzas. After these snacks you have the option of ice cream flavours such as indulgent chocolate truffle exotic prune and Armagnac.
Waterside
The Waterside is the ships largest self service buffet situated on the Lido Deck you can get breakfast lunch and afternoon tea. The informal setting is relaxing yet the interiors are chic and stylish. You may enjoy a selection of breakfasts including cereal fruit and hot dishes. With lunches of salads pasta and quiches to name a small selection of what is to offer.
Select Dining onboard gives the passengers a chance to dine at the speciality restaurants experiencing different menu influences and options for the diners these restaurants offer an ambience of exclusivity and stylish dining for special occasions or simply to taste and try new foods:
The White Room
Marco Pierre Whites stylish Italian restaurant offers fine dining onboard the Ventura. The three coveted Michelin star chef has created a restaurant and menu to create a unique experience onboard. With an al fresco option for diners to sit under the stars the Italian influenced food is the Venturas signature restaurant. The White Room has a select Dining cover charge which can depend on the length of the cruise on longer sailings it is currently 20 per person per cover charge on days at sea The White Room offer a lunch menu.
Ramblas Tapas and wine bar
Based on Las Ramblas in Barcelona The Ramblas Tapas bar offers an authentic Spanish tapas food selection including dishes such as shellfish paella and gazpacho. With the sound of a Spanish guitar playing and the traditional Spanish dcor including a fake olive tree this is an authentic and lively setting. There is a chance to dine in the more formal dining area which offers more substantial tapas paella and seafood or to have snacks in the bar area. The tapas and snacks are without a charge during the day. A small charge of 5 Per Person per Cover Charge for a 3 course meal or a select 3 small Tapas snacks from the menu for just 2.50 is charged in the evenings.
East
The Asian infused restaurant offers a selection of contemporary foods inspired by the foods of the east East offers an amazing ambience giving an almost romantic setting. An example of the amazing cuisine is spicy tamarind duck and a fantastic selection of Dim Sum. You can even watch the chef prepare your food in the open kitchen area. There is a surcharge for the East restaurant which is around 15 per person.
Balcony Dining
Ventura is offering you a chance to indulge in the chefs finest foods whilst relaxing in your own cabin; you can enjoy a champagne breakfast or enjoy a romantic sunset dinner. The food is delivered direct to your cabin door. You will pay extra for this service but it is an opportunity to be in your own surroundings and dine under the stars.
With such a variety in dining options onboard The Ventura available 24 hours a day passengers are able to experience a flexible yet traditional approach to their time onboard. Experiencing true authenticity in the specialist restaurants and world class menus with food designed by the Michelin starred Chef Marco Pierre White.
With exceptional service on offer you can experience unique and specialist food in the Ramblas Tapas bar White Room and East restaurants. Whether you like the casual or formal approach within The Bay Tree Saffron and Cinnamon restaurants or the relaxed yet intriguing style of the The Beach House all followed by an ice cream from Frankies Ice Cream Parlour. The choice is part of the cruise experience and one that can make each day onboard a delightful and mouthwatering experience.
About the writer: Website editor and experienced cruiser who writes articles for www.insidecruise.co.uk and on occasions for www.idealcruising.co.uk magazine.
