Just occasionally, we get a delivery into the warehouse of a product that gets me really excited. This has just happened with the arrival of a shipment of the Nexus NX1000 handheld VHF. It may only be a simple little VHF radio, but its fully waterproof, has two power settings, is really small and light and retails for less than £65. There should be more products like this. See it at http://nare.co.uk/ShowDetails.asp?id=425
Archive for February, 2008
Another day, another record
There seem to be so many attempts of this type going on at the moment that it’s hard to keep up, however that doesn’t lessen the magnitude of the achievement. The maxi cat Gitana 13, skippered by Lionel Lemonchois, has broken the Route de l’Or record from New York to San Francisco, setting a time of 43 days and 38 minutes. The boat will now wait in San Francisco pending an attempt on the SF – Yokohama record (yes apparently there is one) in the next 3 or 4 weeks.
Congratulations to Lemonchois, crew and all involved.
Ernesto Bertarelli receives award
Ernesto Bertarelli, owner of the Alinghi syndicate, has been given a special prize for the “promotion of sailing” at the Audi Sailor of the Year gala. Yes, thats right, the same Ernesto Bertarelli who is making the Americas Cup non viable for any challengers who don’t have Larry Ellison sized pockets and incomprehensible in the eyes of the sailing (never mind the non sailing) public. Words fail me. http://bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=23196
Steve Fossett, RIP
A stark reminder that adventure still holds risks. Steve Fossett, businessman and adventurer who sailors will probably remember principally for record breaking feats in his monster catamaran Cheyenne / PlayStation has been officially declared dead. Wikipedia biography here; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Fossett
Back to the future ?!
A French company has launched a low carbon transport business for the wine trade that utilises some radical new technology. Well, that’s partially true anyhow….
In actual fact CMTV (Compagnie de Transport Maritime a la Voile) is going to be shipping wine from its production base in the Languedoc to the UK using a 170 ft barque, the Belem, launched in 1896, although supposedly they are commissioning a fleet of seven, brand new sail powered merchant ships. The company estimates that this will save 4.09oz of carbon for each bottle shipped.
Very admirable stuff, but I can’t help thinking that there’ll be a few supply chain managers tearing their hair out when the winds aren’t quite as forecast. CMTV website at; http://www.ctmv.eu/
An old school hero
The term “hero” is a much overused one these days, seemingly being attached to every half decent footballer by our press, but here’s a chap who really fits the bill. Fedor Konyukhov is currently mid way through a record attempt at circumnavigating Antarctica on his Open 60 Trading Network Alye Parusa (which will be familar to sailors in Falmouth, where she has been based for the last year or so). This is quite something in itself, particularly when added to Konyukhovs other sailing achievements, which include 4 circumnavigations. However it doesn’t stop there. Fedor Konyukhov has also rowed the Atlantic, climbed Mount Everest, cycled across Russia and reached both the North and South poles unsupported. Oh, and he’s also a renowned artist having been the youngest person admitted to the Union of Artists of the USSR.
Makes you feel somewhat inadequate doesnt it ? His personal website is at; http://konyukhov.ru/eng/
Hugo Boss Record Video
A short video of Hugo Boss during her record breaking 500 plus miles in 24 hours here; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMd31zmNhos
Great footage, check out the wake on the thing. Has anyone tried wakeboarding behind an Open 60 ?!
Groupama salvage operation
It seems like a case of “so far, so good…” for the Groupama salvage team, who are benefitting from some near perfect weather. Video here; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxmia5nl4PQ
Iris 50 Compass – as used by the Royal Marines !
Blimey, you learn something every day – apparently the Royal Marines use Plastimos excellent Iris 50 handbearing compass ! Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMi0WB_jht4
We’ve got a deal on these at the moment at Nare (although I’m afraid we can’t supply them in that fetching military green…) Details on the site at; http://nare.co.uk/special-offers.asp?special=1
RNLI rescue stats show increase in incidents
7,715 people were rescued by the RNLI in 2007, one of the highest numbers ever. Over 50% of lifeboat launches were for recreational boat users, mainly for incidents related to mechanical failure. One worrying trend though, a 25% increase in man overboard incidents from leisure craft compared to 2006.
More info on the RNLI site; http://www.rnli.org.uk/who_we_are/media_centre/pressrelease_detail?articleid=302884
