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A progressive let up in the conditions for the Transat Jacques Vabre crews presents opportunities to gain some respite but also to press on hard, keeping on top of the changeable breezes, as the seas drop slightly.
IMOCA Open 60 fleet leader Seb Josse on BT spoke this morning of the difficult swell dropping back from six and a half metres to four metres and a more useful wind on 20-25 knots which he expects to drop a little further to 15-20 knots.
The night on BT may have been uncomfortable and tiring, better than the preceding one, but Josse and Jeff Curzon still hold a steady lead of just over 12 miles over Marc Guillemot and Charles Caudrelier on Safran.
Clements Marine has been appointed to supply propellers to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) for the charity’s 44 strong fleet of Severn class lifeboats.
The Severn class lifeboat, the largest in the RNLI fleet, was introduced into the RNLI in 1995 and the vessels are currently undergoing an update programme to ensure optimum performance.
The lifeboats are used in the toughest offshore conditions for saving lives at sea and are known for their excellent sea keeping ability and manoeuvrability.
The UK based propeller manufacturers have been appointed as suppliers following extensive testing in association with the RNLI engineering team.
Brian Thompson admitted he and Dee Caffari are pleased to be in the mix
Brian Thompson, co-skipper Aviva.
"We have been trying to keep on top of everything because it is going to be very tricky over the next few days.
We are setting ourselves up to enter this area of strong upwind conditions and that may not be all about strategy but about keeping ourselves and the boat together."
"As we get into the stronger winds we’ll be getting the sails down below, making sure we have had enough to eat, drink and sleep.
It is exciting stuff. We should be down to very small sails and so not too many sail changes, just a case of looking after everything."
IPC Marine Media, owner of the Motor Boat of the Year Awards, has announced marine electronics manufacturer and global leader in satellite navigation, Garmin as the main sponsor of the 2010 event. For the second year running, the company will support the prestigious Awards, taking place at the luxurious Langham Hotel London, on Monday 11th January 2010, which coincides with the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show.
The Motor Boat of the Year Awards, now in its fourth year, gathers an audience of industry VIPs to celebrate the best of the motorboating world, recognising and rewarding design, performance and innovation in the production of motor boats.
Tides Marine has been chosen to supply the Shaft Seals and Smart Seal Alarm System to Falmouth Harbour Commissioners for their 16m Pilot Vessel “Arrow”. This is the first commercial working vessel to be fitted with the new Smart Seal Alarm System.
The pilot boats in Falmouth Harbour regularly achieve in excess of 2,600 working hours per year and down time can be detrimental to the efficient working of the harbour. Will Davies, Assistant Harbour Master explained “We had experienced some problems with vibration and water in the stern seals.
Tides Marine offered us the dry, dripless solution. With their experience and knowledge of the systems used, they were able to help resolve the tail gear problems we were facing”.
Co-skipper of Actual is brought ashore
Yves Blévec co-skipper of the capsized trimaran Actual has been brought ashore. He is has a slight wound to his hand and has had a basic medical check up from the SMUR ambulance service.
Jean Le Cam has remained with the boat. The plan is to release the rig and bring it back separately. The boat remains on station and the objective is to tow it back to port.
Sebago commemorates the 40th Anniversary of their famous Dockside by launching a limited edition, unique colourway. This one off Dockside features contrasting coloured eyelets, in its original design, along with all new Sebago branding on the iconic outside back label.
Just like the original Docksides, the limited edition shoe is hand-sewn, crafted from the highest quality leather.
Equipped with a littleway stitched boat sole with slip-resistant, non-marking rubber and rawhide laces, the Anniversary Dockside acts as the perfect companion for any nautical adventure, or ultimate fashion accessory for the S/S 10 season.
The three yachts representing the Royal Navy (HMSTV Adventure), the British Army (HMSTV Challenger) and the Royal Air Force (HMSTV Discoverer) on Exercise TRANSGLOBE are now only a few days away from their fourth leg destination Perth, on the west coast of Australia.
On arrival, the exhausted crews will be hosted by the Fremantle Sailing Club and will enjoy a few days respite and recovery from the tough weather conditions they have endured during the 5,000nm voyage from Cape Town across the Southern Ocean. The 4th leggers will fly back to the UK and their places will be taken by the three new skippers and a new group of 39 crew personnel with 13 being allocated plus their skipper to each of the 67ft yachts.
Actual is reported to have capsized while to the north of Cherbourg
Actual, the new trimaran of Yves le Blevec and co-skipper Jean Le Cam is reported to have capsized in a position approximately 22 miles north of Cherbourg around 1645hrs GMT.
Reported to have been making around 20 knots of boat speed in approximately 23 knots of wind, the boat is reported to have pitch-poled.
A 10 knot northerly breeze started proceedings at 1430 (GMT +1) this afternoon, as the 14 strong IMOCA fleet set sail on the ninth edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre.
It was a tight start off the line with Aviva leading the fleet as they headed out, HUGO BOSS made up ground after crossing the line in eighth. Shortly after the start the fleet split into two packs east to west. HUGO BOSS headed out east alongside the other Finot designed Open 60 Brit Air. The first poll will be at 1500 GMT, with four hourly positions reports after that at www.jacques-vabre.com/en
They have seen wind, rain, hail, sleet and freezing cold winds and that is before they left the confines of Le Havre. The skippers have been counting down the final days to the start of the 4,720 mile Transat Jacques Vabre Race.