World’s largest Solar Boat visits St. Martin
MS Tûranor Planet Solar, the World’s largest solar-powered boat, paid a visit to St. Martin in May. The unusual craft beat her own record for a transatlantic crossing, taking 22 days, 12 hours and 32 minutes to complete the voyage from Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. The vessel sailed 2,867 miles at an average speed of 5.3 knots.
The 35-meter long, 23-meter wide Planet Solar has two decks; the lower contain crews’ quarters and galley while the top deck is reserved exclusively for the capture of solar energy. This 530-square meter flat deck holds 800 solar panels made up of 29,160 photovoltaic cells. The panels supply energy to 8.5 tons of Lithium-ion batteries stored in the two hulls. The ship left Marigot’s Fort Louis Marina bound for Miami at the end of May to begin a scientific expedition on the route of the Gulf Stream lead by a team from the University of Geneva.
Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club’s Dolphin Derby
The catch of a 34.49lb dolphin (mahi-mahi) made St. Thomas angler Tamika Turbe Top Angler and won her a $1,000 cash prize at the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club’s (VIGFC) Dolphin Derby, sponsored by Budget Car & Truck Rental, and fished May 5th.
Fishing aboard the 34ft Calypso, Emanuel, Turbe caught her winning fish off the south coast of St. Thomas. “We didn’t know how big it was until we got it up to the back of the boat,” says Turbe, who fished with her husband, Capt. Alvin Turbe, and friend Gilbert Laban. Turbe also won prizes for the eighth and ninth largest dolphin, weighing in at 25.02lb and 24.57lb, respectively.
Turbe’s first place fish was about 21lb shy of the over 55lb criteria to win the tournament’s ultimate prize – $25,000 in cash.
Island Global Yachting Million Dollar Sportfish Challenge
Island Global Yachting (IGY) Marinas announce its inaugural Million Dollar Sportfish Challenge! The IGFA all-tackle world record catch contest takes place from select marinas in the IGY network and runs from May through December 2013, with registered anglers vying for a million-dollar prize.
IGY Marinas is inviting anglers from all over the world to participate in the challenge and fish the designated waters for the ultimate IGFA all-tackle record breaker.
“IGY Marinas is home to a number of top nationwide sportfishing tournaments, and sees this contest as an opportunity to give back to the anglers that we have been fortunate to host for so many years,” says Bert Fowles, Vice President of Marketing and Sales for IGY Marinas.
Destinations chosen for the sportfish challenge include IGY owned marinas as well as its marinas under management agreements. For details, visit: http://www.igymarinas.com/news-events/million-dollar-sportfish-challenge
Grenada Marine Supervisors Attend Training Workshop
Four Grenada Marine supervisors attended a Supervisory Skills Training Workshop in May. The workshop was conducted by Dr Nella Roberts from High Impact Consulting.
“This is part of our continuing efforts to improve skills training and employee development,” said Grenada Marine in a press release. “It’s great to see the supervisors re-energized, re-focused and ready for the busy season!”
Supervisors attending from Grenada Marine were Isaac Thomas – General Services; Roland James – Fiberglass/Composite; Stefan Fletcher – Marine Mechanical; and Jimmy Bethel – Paint & Finishing.
New sponsors for Salty Dawg Rally
West Marine, Beneteau America, and Earle Yachts have signed on as Salty Dawg Rally Sponsors.
The Salty Dawg is a ‘free for all participants’ rally, founded by cruising enthusiasts Bill & Linda Knowles of Rhode Island. The rally leaves Hampton, Virginia, in the fall, heading for the British Virgin Islands and other ports in the Caribbean, and returns to the participants’ various home ports in the spring.
The new sponsors join a long list of SDR supporters that include nv-charts, Blue Water Sailing magazine, the Bitter End Yacht Club, Jeanneau North America and Hylas Yachts.
www.saltydawgrally.org
