Charlie Pitcher, 46, was at HMS President next to Tower Bridge in London to publicly unveil the one-of-a-kind boat in which he will attempt to row the Atlantic Ocean. This is Charlies latest adventure after compling 6 marathons in 6 days in the Sahara Desert!

His boat, has been specially designed for the solo challenge, it has a canoe-type hull to help surfing on larger waves, and the cabin is situated on the front of the boat in order to concentrate the displacement further forward and help propel the vessel in following winds. The boat which cost £60,000 is made from carbon kevlar. Charlie says “Fortunately, my boat has been designed specifically with this challenge in mind, and though its design makes me more likely to capsize, it should make me faster. I am looking forward to the challenge immensely.”

Charlie is aiming to raise £100,000 for the renal unit at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, in memory of his friend Shaun McLeod Jones, who died in 2003 after spending 13 years on dialysis at the hospital. He will set off to compete in the Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race in December, setting off from the Canary Islands and finishing in Antigua.

If you would like to sponsor Charlie, and find out more details about his efforts to become the first person to complete the Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race  visit: www.transatlanticsolo.com. Source  Sport.co.uk 

Plymouth, United Kingdom is to host a regatta to rival the likes of Cowes week. Plymouth's Royal Western Yacht Club is committed to organising the yachting event and the first will be held in July 2011. Chris Arsccott, Commodore of the club said "It will be a great boost to maritime businesses in the area and to the local economy as a whole."

The event will be called "The Plymouth Race Week"  and will be held from July 7th to the 10th, 2011, a year before Olympics are staged at Weymouth, with the second event in 2013.

Already organised are fairs, fireworks, a jazz festival and an appearance by the Red Arrows. At least three separate race courses are planned both inside and outside the Plymouth Sound breakwater. A tented "race village" will overlook Queen Anne's Battery marina while shops, restaurants and pubs on the Barbican will provide the perfect "apres sail", according to organisers. The shore around the sound will provide a perfect view for the spectators.

The event is being supported by Sutton Harbour Group, Plymouth City Council and the Cattewater Harbour Commission. With the Naval tradition of the city, the marinas in situ and nuical nightlife ashore it is hed hat he event willattract ore than 40 yahtsand bea huge success.

Laraca in Cyprus is to get a brand new marina in the redevelopment of the port. The whole project is expected to cost around 1 billion Euros which will also provede a new commercial port and waterfront development including hotels, shops and leisure facilities.

The communication and works minister Nicos Nicolaides said "At last, we are opening the way for one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Cyprus," Nicolaides went on to explain that this will be a great boost to Larnaca and to Cyprus in general.

Once the project is finished the marina will have a capacity for 1,000 boats complete with all modern facilities, while the port will become the main passenger terminal in Cyprus. 
 

River Dunes Marina in North Carolina has been added to the World Marine Guide web site. To view the marina on wwwworldmarineguide.com click the link.

The River Dunes Marina is situated at the head of the River Neuse which opens up to the Pamlico Sound offering fantastic sailing conditions. This marina is brand new and offers modern facilities and very good shelter.

For overnight visiting yachts to the marina, the Harbor Club is available to the crew with facilities including use of pool, spas, cabanas, bicycles, harbor carts, fine and casual dining, billiards and library.

Thanks to JC Cappalmann for supplying the information and recommending the Marina

Birdham Pool Marina is to undergo a six figure investment as dredging works get under way to improve access to the marina and dredging to link the the marina with the main Chichester Harbour channel.

Birdham Pool Marina in Chichester harbour, is one of the country’s oldest marinas and is owned by Castle Marinas,  permission has been granted to dredge its entrance channel thereby linking the marina with the main Chichester Harbour channel.

When the dredging project is finally complete it will mean larger boats will have access to the Pool over a wider tidal window of 3½ hours either side of High Water Portsmouth.

Commenting on this major expenditure, Tony Dye, Group Operations Manager, said, “We are very pleased that consent has been granted and this important dredging work will now commence in October 2009. It will make a significant difference to the ease of access to ‘The Pool’ and as such will be a popular development with our berth holders; we hope too that owners of larger craft will now consider mooring at the marina, widely acknowledged to be one of the most picturesque and peaceful in the UK”.

Peel Marina on the Isle Of Man has been officially opened after its completion in May. The harbour has long been associated as a commercial port but now the harbour has a state of the art new marina. The islands Parliment, Tynwald, granted permission and a budget of 3.1 million in February of 2008 and work began in April of the same year.

The Minister for Transport Mr. David Anderson said: "The number of visiting leisure craft has increased dramatically since the marina’s completion in May this year. In the year to the end of August the number of visiting boats totalled 463 of which 353 were accommodated in the new marina pontoons and in future years the number of visiting vessels is expected to increase."

The Minister also suggested that the success of the Peel and Douglas marinas should mean that the planned marinas in Ramsey and Port St Mary would bring similar benefits and help to establish the Island as a popular and desirable cruising destination.

If you have any information on this marina or others on the Isle of Man please visit our web site and add the information www.worldmarineguide.com or email nick@worldmarineguide.com

Source www.isle-news.com

Luperon Bay Marina in the Dominican Republic has been added to the World Marine Guide web site. Luperon is on the north coast of this picture perfect Caribbean Island and renowned for is excellent shelter it is described as a hurricane hole providing a safe berth in some of the worst conditions.

You can find out more about this marina at www.worldmarineguide.com to go direcly to the Luperon page click here

Thanks to Gil McWhirter of Luperon Value Yachts for recommending the marina and supplying a lot of the information. If you want more information abut Luperon Value Yachts you can contact Gil at mcwhirtergil@gmail.com or telephone (829) 973-4215

Long Beach Yacht and Boat Show began today the 11th September and will continue through to Sunday at the Shoreline Village Marina.

The event is the 41st to be held is one of the largest boat shows on the West Coast of the USA. Visitors will be able to board many of the vessels, sailing seminars will be held by experts and events will be held for sailing clubs/schools.

Organizers are encouraging sailors to sail to the show in their own vessels and use an anchorage off the Queen Mary. Tickets are 12$ on the door.

Long Beach Yacht and Boat Show opened today the 11th Septenber and will continue through to Sunday at the Shoreline Village Marina.

The event is 41st to be held and is one of the largest boat shows on the West Coast of the United States. People will be able to board many of the vessels and have their questions answered by watercraft experts. As well as boats to to board, sailing seminars will be held by experts and sailng clubs/schools will be encouraged to become involved

Organizers are encouraging yachts to sail to the show in their own vessels where an anchorage will be provided off the Queen Mary.

Tickets from 12$ at the entrance

Sotogrande Marina on Spains Costa del Sol has been added to World Marine Guide growing portfolio of yacht harbours. This modern well run marina has up to date facilities and plenty to entertain the visiting yacht.

Being just 25 kilometres from Gibraltar and its airport makes this an ideal crew change port, not to mention the duty free bonus.

One of the most exclusive golf course on the Costa del Sol is close to the marina as are several natural parks. The Marina has bars, restaurants and a gymnasium for after any over indulgence.