The emergency yellow Grab Bag is ruggedly constructed, so it’s up to the job of holding those vital items while a crew awaits rescue.  Double thickness walls are waterproof and a fold over top secured by strong Velcro and an additional strap ensures extra sealing power.  The Grab Bag has a long, fully adjustable shoulder strap.

The Grab Bag should be packed with an EPIRB and PLB, flares, first aid kit, fresh water, survival blanket, torch and other survival items.

In the event of a collision or sinking, there is often time to only take one item off of the boat, so all the most vital life-saving equipment should be to hand inside the Grab Bag.

The Kannad Marine Grab Bag is only £14.09 plus VAT in the UK (please enquire to your nearest distributor for other prices – see the McMurdo website) and it is bound to be hugely popular for both yacht and boat owners and commercial sea-going vessels of all kinds.

The Andalusian city of Almeria is playing host to the fleet of Extreme 40s for the second year running. Furthermore, for the 2010 season final, the organisers have concocted a full race programme for the eight competing teams. The competition days will begin shortly after 1400 hours with so-called ‘long’ races, contested just outside the harbour walls. Following on from these, midway through the afternoon, the fleet of one design catamarans will compete in the event’s more familiar short race formats, right next to the quayside in Almeria to put on a show for the big Spanish crowds expected: “Unlike last year, where all the races were run within the harbour walls, we have some races scheduled to take place outside involving some slightly longer courses. The variety and the switch in race format is a positive thing. We’ll have to be versatile to hang onto our position at top of the table, which isn’t something I mind!” explains Yann Guichard.

At this stage of the competition, calculations are rife. Indeed, to win the Extreme Sailing Series 2010 outright, the crew of the catamaran fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild will have to finish ahead of Paul Campbell-James’ men in this event. Very much aware of this fact, Yann Guichard has no intention of focusing on a single competitor however: “The top four boats can play to win in Almeria as just four points separate us in the championship ranking. Above all else we’ll have to sail well and enjoy our time on the water, as we’ve always done, before thinking in terms of positions and points. This is always the way we play it” recalled the skipper of the Gitana Team. “My crew and I are confident. The last races, in the Grand Prix of Trapani at the end of September, taught us a lot and we intend to tackle this final meet of the year with a real sense of keenness and motivation.”

Since Trapani, the skipper of Edmond de Rothschild Group has spared no effort and has had to adapt to a busy schedule. Indeed for several months now, Yann Guichard has been juggling two objectives: that of winning the crewed Extreme Sailing Series and that of earning another victory for Gitana Team in the famous solo transatlantic race between Saint Malo and Pointe-à-Pitre, the start of which is looming ever closer. On his return from a night at sea aboard the maxi-trimaran Gitana 11 and a few hours prior to taking off for Spain, the Gitana Team skipper expressed his views about these switches in craft and the considerable disparity between the two disciplines: “My numerous years in Olympic Sailing were very good training. Aboard the Tornado, we were constantly linking together races and training sessions, to the extent that we were always in competition mode. As such my schedule over the past few months has been a question of organisation. I’m lucky to be very well supported within the Gitana Team. You might think that, just a few days before the start of the Rhum, coming here to race in the Extreme may ‘disrupt’ the preparation, but in reality it’s a welcome addition. The Grands Prix enable me to unwind and have fun doing some close contact racing. Certainly my main goal this year remains the Route du Rhum.”

Two new crews to join the Extreme Sailing Series in Almeria

A Spanish Extreme 40 called Rumbo Almeria, co-skippered by Mitch Booth and Guillermo Altadill, will join the regular teams, along with a one design from New Zealand (Emirates Team New Zealand) helmed by Dean Barker. The arrival of these two crews brings the number of teams competing in the Grand Prix of Almeria to eight.

Provisional ranking for the Extreme Sailing Series 2010 (after four Grands Prix)

1. The Wave, Muscat (Paul Campbell-James) – 28 points

2. Edmond de Rothschild (Yann Guichard) – 27 points

3. Ecover Sailing Team (Mike Golding) – 25 points

4. Oman Sail Masirah (Loïck Peyron) – 24 points

5. Groupama 40 (Franck Cammas) – 13 points

6. Red Bull Extreme Sailing (Roman Hagara) – 12 points

7. The Ocean Racing Club (Mitch Booth) – 8 points

8. Team GAC Pindar (Nick Moloney) – 3 points

The crew of Edmond de Rothschild Group in Almeria

Yann Guichard – Skipper, helmsman / Pierre Pennec – Mainsail trimmer / Thierry Fouchier – Headsail trimmer / Yves Detrey – Bowman

Yarmouth Coastguard made broadcasts to shipping to inform them of the incident and also requested the launch of the Skegness RNLI All Weather lifeboat.  When the lifeboat arrived on scene they took the three crew members on board and took the motor cruiser under tow for Grimsby.

However, once the lifeboat crew had taken the three people on board they discovered that they were all suffering seasickness and hypothermia, and the skipper was slipping in and out of consciousness.  Realising that all three crew members needed medical attention, Yarmouth Coastguard requested Rescue 125 Helicopter from RAF Wattisham proceed to the scene, and the lifeboat handed over the tow to the Skegness RNLI Inshore lifeboat and brought the three casualties ashore.  Two of the crew members were taken to the Boston Pilgrim Hospital by Ambulance, and the RAF helicopter landed on the beach to transfer the skipper to hospital.  The unmanned Motor Cruiser was then towed into Wainfleet Haven.  Skegness Coastguard Rescue Team attended to prepare a landing site for the helicopter at the hospital.

Yarmouth Coastguard Watch Manager Mario Siano said:

“I am always surprised when people attempt passages such as these, in craft such as these, without ensuring they have enough fuel for the trip.  It is always advisable to carry more than you think that you will need to make sure you do not run out of fuel and have to call for help.  The crew of the vessel were lucky we managed to pick up the weak radio call and of course we wish them a speedy recovery in hospital.”

Crowds have been flocking to the VELUX 5 OCEANS race village in the Bassin des Chalutiers since it was officially opened by the ocean racers yesterday. Thousands of visitors enjoyed the beautiful weather, music and the great atmosphere in the village. The race village is the largest in the VELUX 5 OCEANS’ 28-year history and boasts more than 50 exhibitors from the La Rochelle region as well as daily music and dance performances.

The pontoons have also been a hive of activity as the teams, many made up of volunteers, continue to prepare the Eco 60 ocean racing yachts for their huge global challenge.

Brad Van Liew, skipper of Le Pingouin, said: “Everything’s going well, the boat work is as we were expecting. It’s a long list but manageable. We’re hoping by Wednesday of next week to be done with the boat. At that point we’ll just clean up and make the boat as light as we can, put the food on, that sort of thing. Then it’s time to start focusing on the actual race. We will be putting the sails on in the next 24 hours, going sailing a couple of times early in the week, putting everything on board and getting out of here!”

“The weeks go by so quickly and as we get closer to the start time goes quicker and quicker,” said Canadian ocean racer Derek Hatfield. The skipper of Active House added: “You come here and you think you have three weeks to do your preparations and you think everything is sorted. Of course, things happen and the list gets longer and you just continue to work on it. We feel we’re in a really good place. The new sails are coming on Wednesday so I think we’ll get to go sailing on Thursday. The sails are really the last piece of the puzzle. This last week have tuned the mast and sorted all the containers. I’m starting to think about the start next Sunday and of course I’m starting to miss the family a little bit.”

British solo sailor Chris Stanmore-Major and his team have been working flat out on Spartan since arriving in La Rochelle last week. “It’s been a really busy week,” he said. “Some of the guys that I worked with have come down to help all the skippers and we’ve been able to get a lot of jobs done very quickly. We’re pretty happy with where the boat’s at. The media system has been installed, the autopilot has been overhauled, we’ve painted, replaced ropes and heap of other things. Now the race village is open we’ve had loads of people coming onto the pontoons to look at the boats which is great. It’s great to be here.”

Polish skipper Zbigniew “Gutek” Gutkowski relaunched his Eco 60 this week as Operon Racing after securing title sponsorship from publishing house Operon. The boat was rebranded and now sports a dark blue hull with silver lettering. He said: “I have lots of things in my mind right now. I’m not thinking about the race start yet – there are lots of things to do before then. All my time is spent preparing my boat. The preparations are going really well.”

Since dismasting en route to La Rochelle on Monday, Belgian ocean racer Christophe Bullens has been looking at possible Eco 60 yachts to charter for the VELUX 5 OCEANS. Christophe visited two Eco 60s in France this week with a view to chartering one but that is now not possible.

“Our main partner cannot release the necessary money in such a short time,” he explained. “There is still a possibility: Simon Chalk’s boat, which was originally due to participate in this race, is available for rent. But if I leave on this race it is because I want to finish, so the only question now is whether the boat is ready to race. I won’t know this until I have seen it.”

Simon Chalk left Falmouth in the UK on board his Eco 60 Ocean Planet, last night bound for La Rochelle. Christophe will then evaluate the boat when it arrives. Christophe and his team may have a race against time on their hands but he is determined more than ever to start the race.

Australian skipper Garry Golding is still in Gosport dealing with problems to the mast of his Eco 60 Oz. He is doing all he can to make it to La Rochelle.

The VELUX 5 OCEANS, run by Clipper Ventures PLC, is the longest running solo round the world race, and has 28 years of rich heritage as the BOC Challenge and then the Around Alone. This edition features five ocean sprints over nine months. After setting off on October 17 from La Rochelle to Cape Town, the race will then take in Wellington in New Zealand, Salvador in Brazil and Charleston in the US before returning back across the Atlantic to France.

From a technical standpoint, it was a Barcolana in three chapters.

1) The race of the expected winner, Esimit Europa 2, who sailed at her best, avoided all risks and aimed at setting a new record. The Dream team of Flavio Favini, with excellent choice of Alberto Bolzan at the helm, did not make a single mistake. From a perfect start half way on the start line, to the choice of sails avoiding the use of spinnaker which would have taken the boat off the course at the first mark (a mistake many made, betrayed by the feeling of going faster) The speed of the boat did all the rest: Reichel-Pugh design boat literally flew on the water at a speed which could hardly be kept by a good rubbery dinghy. Also the last leg between Miramare land the finish line was favourable: Esimit Europa 2 did it in a flash without tacking, while many boats behind had to tack several times. A great party and hugs on board and huge satisfaction for Igor Simcic, a brave boat owner able to make excellent choices, conquers a line honour at the Barcolana after many category wins . The record time of 56’ and 13” will be registered in the books of the Autumn Cup. Mission accomplished.

2) The outsiders’regatta. There were those who followed Esimit Europa 2 hoping in a mistake, those who hoped in miracle tactics to come in first, those who were happy with an unexpected result: the fleet of pursuers was even larger than in the past. And in the end the best was Mitja Kosmina, the winner of Barcolana 2009, able with Maxi Jena Amori to keep the pace of Esimit as far as the last mark. The second place was clinched as a true sailing champion. A problem at the Hydraulic system of the canting keel made manoeuvring of Maxi Jena Amori impossible, and had a really tough time in the last leg before crossing the finish line. Behind him strong Andrea Nevierov at the helm of Beauxt Vte Tuttatrieste 1 was really close. Kosmina was able to come in second for just a few centimetres after an hour and a half or racing. Incredible and deserved. Third came Beauxt Vte Tuttatrieste 1 thanks to a crew who took advantage of every tiny wind shift. Fourth finished surprising Shining Umag with Zeljko Perovic, fifth Idea Amori with Alberto Leghissa and sixth Tuttatrieste 2 with Furio Benussi. Among positive surprises are also a seventh place clinched by Vitrani, a TP52 perfect for today’s conditions and led by the excellent team of Gabriele Benussi (first in Category 0 ahead of great Orlanda of Filippo Sammarini), even if Vasco Vascotto was not on board, and ninth place of Montenegro Wild & Beauty with Riccardo Bonetti, first of the small fleet of Farr 80s.

3) The regatta of the best of class. A note of merit for Alligator 2, the RC 44 of Marko Popovic who won in Class 1 ahead of Casali No Border’s Team, the Fast Wave 40R of Mirko Sardoc. Good race for the Olympic Stars of Larissa Nevierov helmed by Greek Sofia Bekatorou, eighth of class. In category 2 first came Roberto Bertocchi who did a good job on his Sayonara Orion (Millenium 40R), 28^th overall.

GASTONE NOVELLI, PRESIDENT OF SVBG “The winning combination which has been the motto of this Barcolana, with the event that took place on 10-10-10 and which came true on the race course, with a number of entrants greater than in the past, a beautiful Village on land, tailored to the passions and interests of seafarers and weather conditions that enabled everybody to race safely and have fun. Congratulations to all participants, from the first to the last and to the many boats that at 5.30 pm did not cross the finish line, but nevertheless enjoyed the party and the great spirit of the Barcolana. I would like to thank all institutions, sponsors and police forces as well as all the members of the sailing club who worked with passion and love for the regatta that made Trieste become great in this week-end”.

IGOR SIMCIC, BOATOWNER ESIMIT EUROPA 2 “We have just ended a season full of successes and records. This Barcolana has been fantastic from all points of view, and the greatest satisfaction is that of having beaten Alfa Romeo’s record in lighter wind conditions.  This means that the crew has worked perfectly in preparing the boat and upgrading the hull. This project will continue to give us great satisfaction”.

At 05.20 am Portland Coastguard received a mayday from the yacht ‘Summer Song’ reporting that they had run aground on Peveril Ledge near Swanage.  They were in pounding seas, taking on water and being blown onto rocks and in danger of sinking.

Portland Coastguard requested the launch of the Swanage RNLI Inshore and All Weather lifeboats.  The two crew on board the yacht were evacuated onto the All Weather Lifeboat and brought safely back to shore, where they were met by the Swanage Coastguard Rescue Team.  An ambulance was also sent to the scene to assess the casualties, as one had a suspected back injury although he was later declared fit and well by the ambulance paramedics on scene.

Portland Coastguard Watch Manager Dominic Lonsdale said:

“Within forty minutes of the initial mayday call the casualties were safely ashore, with an ambulance en route.  This illustrates the speed at which rescue resources are able to be despatched to those in need, and with strong easterly winds and the yacht being pounded onto rocks, this was certainly an immediate call for help.

The yacht has now been washed up onto the eastern ledge and is hard aground heeling over. The Swanage lifeboats are still on scene however there appears to be significant damage to the hull of the vessel so recovery may be difficult. “

At 7:25am Falmouth Coastguard received 406 beacon alert from the French Maritime Authority stating that the vessel concerned was in the UKs search and rescue region. The French authorities identified the vessel as a pleasure vessel, a Beneteau 38 named Idem but could not ascertain its owners due to the fact the vessel had been sold and the new owners details could not be located.

Subsequent alerts assisted in pinpointing the position of the vessel and the Spanish and French Maritime Authorities issued radio broadcasts to shipping in the area. Falmouth Coastguard put out a satellite broadcast to all ships.

Henry Purbrick, Watch Officer, Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, said:

As a result of the broadcasts to shipping we had three ships offer assistance, the container vessel Wilhemshaven arrived on scene at 10:43am and in harsh weather conditions (force 7) the Captain manoeuvred the vessel with great skill to evacuate the yachtsmen from their yacht; which has now been abandoned.

The yachtsmen were on passage from Iceland and were due in Brittany yesterday. We understand they had experienced engine failure, sailing difficulties and were in risk of losing all power.

Marlink, the global provider of maritime satellite communications, has recently secured a new 3-year contract with Irish Ferry Operator, Fastnet Line. As part of the new agreement, Marlink will deliver, install and operate its innovative Sealink(TM) VSAT solution onboard Fastnet Line’s flagship vessel ‘Julia’, providing the ferry operator with high-quality, reliable bandwidth for vessel management, passenger and crew applications.

“The installation of Marlink’s Sealink(TM) solution is inline with our ongoing commitment to offer our customers greater choice, as passengers will be able to take advantage of onboard Internet and telephone services, providing them with greater value during their journey with us. In addition, Sealink(TM) will improve operational efficiency by strengthening communications between the vessel and head office ashore and enabling crew to effectively stay in touch with friends and family at home, improving crew welfare,” comments Owen Barry, Operations Manager, Fastnet Line.

Marlink’s Sealink(TM) Ku-band VSAT will provide MS Julia with bandwidth up to 128 Kbps, as well as 10 simultaneous telephone channels and Administration LAN connected to an Internet VPN service. Providing Fastnet Line with exceptional value, the contract also includes Marlink’s Prepaid Talk and Internet@sea services, which can be sold to passengers at Fastnet Line’s own defined rate.

Based in Cork, Ireland Fastnet Line has recently introduced a new overnight route between Cork, Ireland and Swansea, Wales providing a quality cruiseferry experience direct to the South West of Ireland. Marlink routes its services to Fastnet Line through its own teleport in Eik in Norway, enabling the satellite communications provider to ensure high quality, reliable connectivity as well as exceptional flexibility of service. Marlink’s comprehensive portfolio ranges from its own VSAT solutions Sealink(TM), WaveCall(TM) and @SEAdirect(TM), to MSS on-demand services including Inmarsat FleetBroadband and Iridium OpenPort. For further information please visit www.marlink.com.

Team Ring has developed three boats which include a 9m RIB, an 8m Ring Ranger hard boat, and a high-performance race boat, which is still under construction. Each boat has been equipped with the latest Raymarine technology, giving the navigators and drivers fast and precise data.  The C90W provides large, clear and easy-to-read multi-function display of a multitude of data from chartplotter to depth, tide and weather conditions to radar and situational awareness.  For fast and reliable comms, the Raymarine 49E ulta compact VHF provides crystal clear audio and is ideal for smaller boats and RIBs.

Despite two of the three Team Ring crew classed as OAP’s – with their birth dates putting them over the “three scrore and ten” total in years – their experience and previous racing success makes them strong contenders for the trophies.  Throttle and Trim Man Mike Ring has competed for over twenty years, and has been successfully building powerboats since the late 1960’s.  Driver Mike Lloyd was National Champion in the 1980’s, and was the force behind the successful resurrection of the Round Britain Powerboat Race.  Youngster among the crew is navigator Andy Crabb, who at just 42, has still managed to notch up over 30 years of involvement with powerboats.

Mike Lloyd of Team Ring Powercraft said “”The support by everyone at Raymarine has been incredible which is so important if Team Ring Powercraft is to be successful in obtaining a Class win in the internationally famous and challenging Cowes – Torquay – Cowes powerboat race this month”.

Whether cruising in the Mediterranean or relaxing in the Caribbean, Halyard’s PureGen Soot Cleaner, provides the perfect solution to ensure the water surrounding a superyacht is as inviting and luxurious as the yacht itself.

All boat generators will emit soot, which will emerge from the exhaust outlet as unsightly and smelly smoke. The remaining soot will be ‘scrubbed’ from the exhaust gas by the exhaust system’s water separator, and washed into the surrounding water. The soot floats and will leave a sheen on the water’s surface, which is easily deposited onto swim wear and the skin during swimming. PureGen resolves this by removing 99% of soot from a generators exhaust outlet and from the cooling water flowing from the exhaust gas water separator.

PureGen is a compact unit intended for generators from 40kw – 500kw. It has been designed using an exhaust gas heater and catalytically coated ceramic filter, and fits into the marine exhaust system immediately downstream from the generator.

The PureGen unit is smaller and lighter than any competing project. It measures just 1.25m long by 300mm in diameter, and weighs less than 50kg for a typical 120kw system. In addition it is incredibly uncomplicated to use. The unit’s electric pre-heater takes the exhaust gas up to the required temperature, before it passes into the ceramic filter. PureGen’s honeycomb construction creates an enormous surface area so the exhaust gas can pass through with minimal back pressure. Simultaneously the catalyst and the exhaust gas temperature ensure the destruction of all soot particles.

The pre-heater has the added advantage that it can be run either for ten minutes in any hour, or used continuously to provide a low level loadbunk for the generator. PureGen will automatically cut out when the generator full load is required.

Once installed, PureGen is easy to maintain. The ceramic filter needs no attention, beyond reversing and cleaning annually depending on service hours. The filter is continually cleaned by the burning process ensuring that its efficiency remains at a constant level.

Last year, Halyard announced that its overseas projects for the superyacht market had increased by 34 percent in just twelve months. Following this significant growth, the company will be displaying its range of products on two separate stands throughout the Monaco Yacht Show. Stand 11 will have PureGen on display, whilst a range of other products from Halyard will be on display on Leviathan’s Stand QSE-5, Darse Sud Exterior.