14-year-old Dutch sailor Laura Dekka who is aiming to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world says she has reached Spain's Canary Islands off  but declined to say  exactly where she was.

In an email to The Associated Press, Dekker said she would not specify where she was for fear of attracting the press. She also said she did not know how long she would stay in the Canary Islands. The trip has been shrouded in secrecy since the start. Dekker has also sold exclusive TV rights to her voyage to a Dutch media company. Laura's website features links titled "My Coordinates" and "Where is Laura," but neither was working when I last visited the site, I also walked round our local marina, Corralejo, here in Fuerteventura but sorry I could not see her so no scoop for World Marine Guide. As we reported on the 23rd August she is expects to stay in the Canaries while waiting for the Atlantic Hurricane season to end. During her stay she will be able to catch up on her schoolwork, receive family visits and install cameras on her yacht for a film to be made of the voyage, she is also considering a trip home.

Source Mercury News and Laura Dekka

http://www.worldmarineguide.com

Sunseeker International will launch the brand-new 40 Metre Yacht at this year’s PSP Southampton Boat Show. The firm’s new flagship builds on the success of the 37 Metre Yacht – providing further proof of Sunseeker’s global status.

Approaching the vessel, the most noticeable development is that, compared to the 37 Metre Yacht, the stern of the 40 Metre Yacht has an increased rake which gives an impressive streamlined profile and features a sharp, ocean-going bow. Passengers enjoy steps which curve inwards on each side of the hydraulic central bathing platform, providing a true superyacht feel when boarding. The main deck cockpit is also significantly larger with an extended aft deck, allowing for a number of customised layouts to suit each clients requirements.

Significantly, the interior of the 40 Metre Yacht is across three decks and offers the option of balconies on either side of the main deck saloon, and on one side of the master stateroom – opening up magnificent seascapes and bringing in more natural light.

ACOMMODATION: UP TO 12 GUESTS AND 9 CREW

PERFORMANCE: UP TO 24 KNOTS

RANGE: UP TO 1500 NAUTICAL MILES

Of course once you have purchased your new Sunseeker www.worldmarineguide.com can help you find the marina to bert her in.

Available to view at marina berth M540 at Southampton Boat Show

Source Super Yacht Times and Sunseeker International.

Puerto de las Nieves with its marina is also known as Puerto Agate which is the village about 2.5km inland. Once a small fishing harbour the port has been extended to increase the height of the breakwater and provide a large Ro-Ro ramp for the Fred Olsen high speed Gran Canaria to Tenerife ferries. The village has retained its character despite the increase in tourists that use the ferry service, and the white washed buildings that line the narrow winding streets give you a glimpse of how Canary life used to be. The marina is small and mainly for local craft though space for a visiting yacht can usually be found by rafting up.

There are numerous Bars and restaurants that specialise in locally caught fish, and fresh fish can be obtained directly from the fishing boats in the harbour or from local shops. Particularly recommended is the "Caldo de Pescado" (fish soup) which is served in all the restaurants. Other shops and small supermarkets are in the village and more are in Agate.

View other marinas in Gran Canaria with World Marine Guide

http://www.worldmarineguide.com

Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners went through a long consultation process last winter and had a lot of response, and as a result amended the plans. In fact the 10 most frequently raised issues were all addressed in the revised proposal. We are now following the statutory process of planning permission and the necessary licences, having previously discussed our plans with all of the regulatory bodies. If all those permissions are granted we hope to carry out Phase One of the development before the 2011 season, so by Easter 2011.

It is being said that Yarmouth Harbour will become a dormitory for abandoned vessels. The people saying this have clearly not read the documentation nor have attended any of our meetings. The split of moorings between resident annual mooring holders and visitors will not change (it's about 250 of each).

The type of moorings will change, there are to be more walk ashore moorings both for residents and visitors. In planning berth allocation after Phase One of the development it is already clear that we won’t be able to meet the preferences all of the existing resident annual mooring holders and those on the waiting list who have asked for a walk ashore mooring, so there is significant demand from residents.

The rules for residents have not changed, they need to live within seven miles of Yarmouth Church. When we consider visitors, the number of berths stays the same but similarly there will be more walk ashore berths. About 90% of those who arrive at the harbour entrance ask for a walk ashore berth; there is great demand for this much more convenient type of berth. Some of our walk ashore berths are bookable over the internet and there is a growing demand for certainty of a walk ashore berth in Yarmouth.

Increasingly, yachtsmen and women want certainty of getting a berth in Yarmouth, and the provision of power and water to the berth as well as the convenience of being able to literally walk ashore without the need to use the harbour taxi service or a tender/dinghy. Those on a walk ashore pontoon can come and go as they please and can go into the town as many times as they want, clearly it's much more convenient than the buoys, piles, and other pontoon berths that we offer. I therefore find it very difficult to understand why some people are suggesting that the harbour development will have a negative impact on businesses in the town, when it appears that it will actually attract more visitors and make it easier for these visitors to get access to the town.

None of the objectors appear to address the fundamental issue that faces the Harbour Commissioners, for which indeed the Commissioners have a responsibility, which is to ensure the long term sustainability of the harbour and its assets. It is clear that significant costs are on the horizon for the harbour, those looming largest are further work on the pier, mostly the pier head, and a replacement breakwater.

We also have to take into account the current predictions for sea level rise which DEFRA are stating as about one metre by 2100. The Harbour Commissioners are endeavouring to be prudent, taking into account the long term and planning accordingly. In addition, the Harbour Commissioners are trying to reduce their reliance on a single customer, Wightlink, which is currently 40% of the harbour's income; this seems to be good risk management. Thirdly, we are responding to the vast majority of our customers who are demanding better facilities including walk ashore berths.

Suggestions that Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival will cease are just not true. Throughout its life this Festival has been actively supported by Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners. It is the biggest event in the calendar not only for the harbour, but also the town. Old Gaffers uses the harbour and much of the land controlled by the Harbour Commissioners; our employees assist in the set up of the event, we are active participants on the Committee, and furthermore donated £5,000 cash to the festival in 2010 to ensure it continued. The Harbour Commissioners will work with the Old Gaffers Committee to ensure the festival continues whatever the configuration of the harbour.

Yarmouth Harbour has changed over the years, but needs to continue to change if it is to survive. The Harbour Commissioners are well aware of the character of the harbour and are doing their utmost to preserve it whilst making the necessary changes in a sympathetic way to ensure the harbour and the town continue to be a destination of choice for yachtsmen and women on the south coast.

Chris Lisher
Chief Executive/Harbourmaster

www.yarmouth-harbour.co.uk

Information on this marina and others on the south coast of th UK can be found On World Marine Guide

Isle of Wight Council website, Yarmouth Harbour Planning Application Isle of Wight Council website, Yarmouth Harbour Planning Application

Morro Jable used to be a sleepy fishing village until it was discovered by German tourists and now the towns  of Jandia and Morro Jable have grown so much that it is now difficult to discern where one ends and the other begins. The name is explained by Morro meaning headland and Jable meaning a coopers gouge. Now it is one of the largest tourist resorts on the island and provides the visiting yacht to this marina with a wide choice of bars and restaurants.  This part of Fuerteventura is known as Costa Calma because of its sheltered coast from the almost constant Northerly trade winds. The marina is close to the shops and the town centre.

Morro Jable marina seems to be under a constant renovation programme but it provides good shelter and is the last jump off point for yachts leaving Fuerteventura for Gran Canaria

For information on all the Canarian marinas click http://www.worldmarineguide.com

The Atlantic Crossing Guide has become established as the standard reference for anyone planning an Atlantic passage, whether via the trade wind route to the Caribbean or to Europe from the United States.

Refined and developed over the past 25 years, this new edition is now divided into two sections, the preparations section covers topics from advice on suitable boats and equipment to watchkeeping and safety considerations, whilst the passages and landfalls section covers topics from seasons and timing to a comprehensive selection of ports and port information for destinations on both sides of the Atlantic.

The sixth edition has a much wider geographical scope, and includes introductory information on peripheral cruising grounds, routes down the coast of Morocco and via West Africa, the route to Brazil, the whole Caribbean Basin, an overview of the Intracoastal Waterway and possible routes via Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands.

This book contains so much information for planning and setting out on an Atlantic crossing. Whether you are contemplating your first ocean adventure or have multiple crossings under your belt, The Atlantic Crossing Guide will be an invaluable planning tool and an indispensable reference once underway.

The RCC Pilotage Foundation is a voluntary, charitable organisation providing pilot books and passage planning advice worldwide.  World Marine Guide also provides information on marinas in the Caribbean, Atlantic islands and the American and European coasts, plus useful articles on weather, routes and cruisng areas.

The Atlantic Pilot Guide is available from Amazon or A&C Black

Source Cowes Online

http://www.worldmarineguide.com

Plans to build a recreational marina in a bid to boost economic development have been announced by the town of Channel-Port aux Basques in Newfoundland, Canada. The objective is to use the town's strategic location as a gateway to the region to attract more visitors and provide new opportunities for local businesses through the marina.

The idea of building a marina has been a long-held one in the town and part-funding for the project has been forthcoming from the provincial government. It is proposed that the marina will have at least 15 berths serving both local yachtsmen and visitors and offering them a safe place to berth. The marina will comprise three pontoon docks branching off from the town's government wharf.

"As the Gateway to Newfoundland and Labrador, Channel-Port aux Basques annually hosts a multitude of recreational boaters from the eastern seaboard of North America, as well as boaters from the Great Lakes," Brian Button, mayor of Channel-Port aux Basques, told a local news service. "Investments in dedicated marina infrastructure for the community will provide a positive first impression of the provincial recreational boating industry, which will impact other marinas throughout the province.

"This project will also stimulate growth of the downtown business community and provide further employment opportunities for residents."

Souurce IBI News

http://www.worldmarineguide.com

More than 50 boats and yachts gathered off Yarmouth on Sunday to protest about proposed changes to the town's harbour as Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners (YHC) have filed a planning application to modernise the harbour, removing many of its traditional pile moorings.
The protesters believe the plans could potentially change the harbour from a popular sailing destination into just another south coast sterile marina, The protesters in yachts, motorboats, RIBs, Yarmouth Scows and rowing boats gathered outside the breakwater, with banners and sounding klaxons and whistles. The protesters are worried that the changes will affect the towns revenue changing the now popular boating destination into a boat park.

Protesters argue that the changes will make it impossible for the harbour to host the annual Old Gaffers Festival, which attracts more than 100 classic boats to the town each June, and helps the town and other businesses on the Isle of Wight.

Details of marinas on the south coast of the UK can be found on World Marine Guide

Source Yachting Monthly

http://www.worldmarineguide.com/

Hurghada Marina on Egypts Red Sea Coast has been added to World Marine Guide after being submitted by the owners Camper & Nicholson. The Marina is modern with good facilites which are being improved all the time and is the first to be added to the Marina Guide from Egypt.

The town of Hurghada has good facilities with palm fringed beaches close by and clear azure seas make cruising the coast of Egypt an unforgettable experience.  Teamed with the exotic fish and amazing coral gardens – diving these waters is essential but just cruising and taking it all in provides a superb experience.

http://www.worldmarineguide.com

Submitted by Lucy Thomson, Camper & Nicholson.

Laura Dekka a 14-year-old Dutch sailor who is aiming to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world departed Gibraltar for The Canary Islands on the first leg of her voyage. Laura is now sailing in fine weather off northwest Africa, her manager Peter Klarenbeek said "The first 48 hours of Laura's voyage have gone smoothly. Everything is going well. She's very happy,"

Klarenbeek said Dekker plans to spend at least two months in the marinas in the Canary Islands 1,380 kilometers (858 miles) away waiting for the Atlantic Hurricane season to end before setting off to cross the Atlantic by Cape Verde for the Caribbean. 

While in the Canaries she will catch up on her schoolwork, receive family visits and install cameras on her yacht for a film to be made of the voyage, Klarenbeek said. After the Canary Islands Dekker intends to head south to the Cape Verde Islands off west Africa before continuing to the Caribbean on a trip expected to last a year or more. The schoolgirl plans to stop at dozens of ports and may even return home to catch up on her studies before resuming her trip. Earlier this year, Australian Jessica Watson completed a 210-day non stop circumnavigation at the age of 16. More information can be found on Canary Island marinas at World Marine Guide. 

http://www.worldmarineguide.com