13 November 2011 - A DRAMATIC lifeboat rescue took place this week when a yacht ran aground near Beachy Head and was lost to the sea. Both Eastbourne's RNLI all-weather lifeboat and inshore lifeboat rushed to the scene and found Eastbourne skipper Ray Pickering, a regular sailor, had hit a ledge and his 30ft vessel was taking on water rapidly. Poy Pickering's yacht founders on the rocks off Beachy Head with an RNLI crew in close attendance It is thought the collision with the rocks created a hole in the boat and despite the best efforts of the lifeboat crews, the yacht had to be abandoned at sea. Mr Pickering, 69, has been sailing for around 60 years. This yacht was his first big boat and he had owned it since April. He told the Herald how he likes to sail eve...

9 November 2011 - One of the most priceless wonders of this world is Australia's Great Barrier Reef and we should all be thankful to have such a beautiful place. However, Australian and Queensland Government are not doing a great job to protect the largest coral reef on this planet. Even the WWF group can see that UNESCO's World Heritage Committee has failed on safeguarding the reef's health from the LNG processing plants and the huge scourging operations near it.   WWF Spokesperson, Sean Hoobin says: "The World Heritage Committee, the independent umpire, has red-carded Australia's development approval process. I think many Australians would find this embarrassing."   Australian Marine Conservation Society also feels th...

SeaWays Europe Ltd Has commenced training using a brand new 360 degree tug simulator complete with real Damen ASD tug controls and equipment. TugSim is the latest in marine simulators featuring high quality graphics projected on to LCD screens in a unique all round simulator built by Transas Marine UK Ltd at Portsmouth.The TugSim is part of a suite of simulators that can be linked up to provide realistic port operations training. Simulators can now provide realistic marine environments with exceptional visuals and accurate hydrodynamics. This simulator is about to leap ahead due to innovative Transas technology in 3D projection which for close in manoeuvring gives the vital depth perception . It will not be long before super yacht handling can be simulated al...

7 November 2011 - Italian yacht builder ISA and German design firm Egg & Dart have come together on a relatively new design, an Explorer 58-meter superyacht called "Ranger". Egg & Dart are actually handling both the exterior and interior designs while ISA will build the vessel if a contract is made.   Some special features onboard the 58-meter Explorer superyacht: Gym, Sauna, Spa, Helipad, an interior swimming pool and a plethora of tenders and toys inclusive of a Nautica Limo tender. The Egg & Dart design will play host to twelve guests in six well-appointed staterooms. The 58M Ranger is an Explorer styled yacht but also will be that in nature. A vessel that will be utilitarian in the storage of a number of tender, toys, and practical equipment for exploring. A dive...