Oyster Marine in the UK has been bought by HTP Investments, a Dutch investment firm owned by entrepreneurs Wim de Pundert and Klaas Meertens. The acquisition includes the Oyster Group companies Oyster Marine Ltd, Oyster Brokerage Ltd and Southampton Yacht Services Ltd.

Though HTP and Oyster declined to reveal just how much the deal was worth, it is reputed to be as a guide, £10m-£15m, substantially less than the reputed £70m Balmoral paid for Oyster four years ago.

Oyster, whose range currently comprises 12 models from 46-125ft, has been enjoying a relatively busy two years — in January it closed two new contracts for an Oyster 625-11 and an Oyster 54-21, bringing the total value of its order book for contracts signed in the last 24 months to nearly £80m, plus £25m of world wide superyacht contracts.

However since its acquisition by Balmoral Capital at the height of the boom in late 2007, the firm had been saddled with the debts of its parent company Ocean Wave Finance (incorporated 2007) which had long term debt of £40.7 million at the end of December 2009 plus current loans of £2.5 million.

Source IBI

http://www.worldmarineguide.com

The super yacht "Yogi" has sunk off the Greek coast after a visit to a boat yard in Turkey for warrenty work to her paint work.

It is reported the vessel sank in a gale force storm after an engine failiure, all the crew where rescued. The vessel sank early morning on the 17th February 2012 about 19 NM off Skyros, Greece. Proteksan Turquoise, the yachts builders, said, "It is unclear at the moment as to what caused the vessel to sink and that will not be known until representatives from the shipyard have been able to speak to the Captain and crew".

The 60 metres M/Y Yogi was awarded the "Most Innovative Yacht of the Year of 2011" during the Cannes International Boat Show and was on her way back to the Mediterranean. It is not known at this time as to whether there will be an official marine accident investigation.

World Marine Guide can feel some sympathy for the Captain who has to make the difficult phone call to the owner!!!

Source Superyacht Times

http://www.worldmarineguide.com/

Leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race has got under way after the in port racing at Sanya marina. Team Telefonica have taken an early lead in the race to new Zealand. The teams were given a spectacular send off with Chinese dragon dancers and New Zealand Maori performers.

With little historical data to call on, the 5220 nautical mile Leg 4 from Sanya to Auckland is cited by many of the skippers and navigators as potentially the most difficult tactical leg of the entire race. Amongst many other challenges, the fleet will yet again have to negotiate the Doldrums, this time at their widest point on the planet.

World Marine Guide will be following the yachting and updating the progress of the yachts on their race around the world, Full Race Schedule. Guide to Teams. 

Marine information on other Chinese marinas and  a guide to marinas in New Zealand with World Marine Guide

Source Volvo Ocean Racing

http://www.worldmarineguide.com/

News and events from the world of yachting and sailing is as usual on this weeks World on Water TV show on World Marine Guides home page.

The show is a guide to the world of yachting, marinas and marine racing. You can see previous shows at http://www.boatson.tv

http://www.worldmarineguide.com/

Four months after it began, the underwater volcanic eruption off El Hierro Island persists. This natural-color satellite image, collected on February 10, 2012, shows the site of the eruption, near the fishing village and marina of La Restinga. Bright aquamarine water indicates high concentrations of volcanic material. Immediately above the vent is a patch of brown water that can resemble a turbulent hot tub when the eruption is strongest.

According to El Hierro Digital  measurements of the sea floor by the marine Instituto Oceanográfico Español showed that the volcano’s summit is now only 120 meters beneath the ocean surface—10 meters higher than it was in mid January. The height of the erupting cone is about 210 meters from the former ocean bottom, with a total volume over 145 million cubic meters of new material.

With World Marine Guides offices based in the Canaries we will monitoring the eruptions closely!!

View marinas on the Canarian Island of El Hierro with our guide of marine services.

Source gCaptain News

http://www.worldmarineguide.com/

Open Day at Premier's Port Solent Marina on Saturday 18th February 2012 from 10:00 - 15:00 hours. 

Besides complimentary refreshments at the Marina Reception, you can also enjoy a personalised tour of the marina and take the opportunity to discuss your berthing requirements for the coming year. 

To get a good feel for what it's like to keep your boat at Port Solent Marina, we Premier marinas are also offering a complimentary visitor night that allows you to experience Port Solent's world class facilities and outstanding customer service, while trialling your potential berth. 

You can use this free night in conjunction with the Open Day on 18th February or at an alternative time convenient to you but you will need to contact the Marina Reception in advance. To secure your marine berth call Port Solent Marina on 023 9221 0765 or email portsolentberths@premiermarinas.com and ask for a guide

http://www.worldmarineguide.com/

A new marina is planned to be built in Szczecin in the northwest of Poland which when finally completed will be the largest marina in the country.

The first phase of the US$21.8m marine investment, involving the construction of floating pontoons for 80 yachts, is to be completed in 2013.  It is hoped it will be ready for next years Tall Ships’ Races, when Szczecin is set to host the second leg of the race. 

The Tall Ships Races 2013 - Organised by Sail Training International

Arhus, Denmark - Thurs 4 - Sun 7 July

Race One

Helsinki, Finland - Wed 17 - Sat 20 July

Cruise-in-Company

Riga, Latvia - Thurs 25 - Sun 28 July

Race Two

Szczecin, Poland - Sat 3 - Tues 6 August

View marinas in Poland with World Marine Guide

http://www.worldmarineguide.com/

Moorings Yacht Charter has announced it will open a new base in Corfu, located just off Greece's northwest coast. The Moorings Corfu base will be open during Greece's primary sailing season from April 14th through November 30th.

Moorings is one of the largest Yacht Charter companies in the world and will be offering monohull and catamaran yachts from 39 to 50 feet. Visit the Moorings web site for a price guide on chartering a Yacht. The Charter base will be in the Gouvia marina and Moorings offer advice on a 7 day voyage

The Ionian is a famed marine destination for charter holidays with large marinas to remote coves

View marinas in the Greek Ionian Sea with World Marine Guide

Source Moorings Yacht Charter

http://www.worldmarineguide.com/

Featured on this weeks World on Water TV show is all the yachting news from the Clipper Round the World Race, the Australian 18 foot Championships, the Volvo Ocean Race and other yachting events from arond the world. As usual the show is on the home page of World Marine Guide 

The show is a guide to the world of yachting, marinas and marine racing. You can see previous shows at http://www.boatson.tv

http://www.worldmarineguide.com/

Suzuki is motoring into 2012 with the announcement of its sponsorship of The Powerboat and RIB Show.

The free-to-visit event, which will be held at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth from May 11 to 13, is expected to attract more than 80,000 people to the marina. Among the attractions will be a wide selection of RIBs, powerboats and associated products for sale, the opportunity to trial boats on the open water and free Suzuki RIB rides.

Gareth Lumsdaine, Sales and Marketing Manager for Suzuki GB’s Marine Division, said: “Suzuki is proud to sponsor The Powerboat and RIB Show in this very exciting year of change and we are looking forward to a great show. It has always been a fantastic event and fits perfectly with our exhibition strategy of focusing on shows where customers can get out on the water and try our range of lightweight and fuel-efficient four stroke outboard motors.”

Organiser, Hugo Montgomery-Swan, added: “I am delighted to have such a great name like Suzuki affiliated with the show. Its support of the marine industry is to be commended and I know The Powerboat and RIB Show, with its tens of thousands of expected visitors, will provide real return on Suzuki’s sponsorship.”

Suzuki will have a major presence at the show including the Suzuki RIB Experience, which will offer free RIB rides to show visitors. Amongst the Suzuki powered boats will also be Wetwheels, which is a 9m Cheetah catamaran powered by two Suzuki 300hp outboards. Wetheels is the latest project by disabled sailor world famous Geoff Holt MBE and will enable fellow wheelchair users to get out on the water for a powerboat experience as well.

View Marinas along the south coast of the UK with World Marine Guide

Exhibitor space is still available for The Powerboat and RIB Show and any companies interested in booking a stand should contact The Powerboat and RIB Show on 01884 266100 for a guide as to rates and availability.

Source;- Laura Downton or Gill Gould at Carswell Gould 

Email: Laura@carswellgould.co.uk /Gill@carswellgould.co.uk