New Marine Training Facility - Essex

New boatyard opens in Brightlingsea

By IBI Magazine

A new boatyard designed for use as a marine training facility has officially opened on Britain's east coast.

According to the Chelmsford Weekly News, Harker's Yard — which is based in Brightlingsea, not far from Colchester in Essex — was built with funds from the East of England Development Agency (EEDA)'s Economic Participation programme.

Essex County Council, in partnership with Maldon District Council, is to fund a marine apprentice programme at the yard, says the paper. It will be aimed at young people who aspire to work in the marine sector and is expected to be underway by spring.

EMS for Marine Surveys - All Types, Project Management, ADR Dispute resolution / Mediation

www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

(10 February 2010)

America's Cup Racing - Race Starts Feb 8 2010

America's Cup racing: Even with court battle looming, it's a go

By IBI Magazine

Despite still being entrenched in legal issues, both syndicates in the America's Cup race are preparing to race on February 8th. The Defender, Alinghi, and Challenger, BMW Oracle, have been at their bases in Valencia, Spain over the last weeks preparing for races that many observers believed might never happen.

New York Justice Shirley Kornreich on Friday told the syndicates that she would not be able to rule on the legality of Alinghi's "constructed in country" issue over its sails before next week's races started. BMW Oracle, through its sponsor Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC), had earlier asked the court to decide if Swiss-based Alinghi would be allowed to defend the title. It says Alinghi's sails were made in the USA, in what it says is in direct contravention to the America's Cup "Deed of Gift." The Deed specifies that a club's yacht must be made in the country it represents.

"We are delighted that BMW Oracle's attempts to disqualify Alinghi and to win the America's Cup in court have been denied," said Ernesto Bertarelli, CEO of Alinghi, in a statement. "We look forward to meeting them on the start line here in Valencia on 8 February to race for the Cup." Alinghi had earlier said it would forfeit the Cup if the New York Court ruled against it.

"It's unfortunate the legality of Alinghi's American-made sails probably will not be decided before the match," said Tom Ehman, GGYC spokesman, in a statement. "However, it will be decided eventually."

It is possible that even if Alinghi's 95ft catamaran prevails over BMW Oracle's 95ft trimaran on the racecourse, the New York court could still overturn the results. Kornreich's decision allows for post-race legal complaints from both sides.

The Cup series, unless postponed by weather, is scheduled to be a best-of-three match starting on February 8 and concluding on February 12.

EMS for Marine Surveys - All Types, Project Management, ADR Dispute / Mediation

www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

(1 February 2010)