Carolijn Brouwer makes history as first woman to win Volvo Ocean Race

DutchNews, June 25, 2018

Photo: Volvo Ocean Race

Dutch sailor Carolijn Brouwer has become the first woman to win the round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race following a dramatic finish in Scheveningen on Sunday. 

Brouwer’s Dongfeng Race Team passed Team Brunel in the final hour of the last stage from Gothenburg to The Hague on Sunday, denying her countryman Bouwe Bekking a first victory in eight attempts. 

‘It was an insane race. The main thing was to keep a cool head and we managed that,’ said Brouwer, 44, who was trimmer in a crew skippered by Frenchman Charles Caudrelier. 

‘It was the most important race of my career,’ she said. ‘It’s a dream come true. We pulled it off.’ 

Originally from Leiden, Brouwer currently lives in Australia and has competed in the Olympics with both Dutch and Belgian crews. 

The Volvo Ocean Race lasts eight months across 11 stages spanning 45,000 miles. The rules were changed this year to encourage more mixed crews by restricting the size of all-male teams to seven. Mixed teams could have up to 10 members while all-female crews had a maximum of 11. 

Brunel, which finished fourth in the stage and third in the overall standings, was one of two Dutch crews participating in the nine-month race. The other crew, sponsored by AkzoNobel and skippered by Simeon Tienpont, took second place on the final stage to secure fourth place overall.

Celebrate Amsterdam’s maritime past at SAIL 2015

DutchNews, August 14, 2015

The arrival of the tall ships. Photo: Wim Haze

SAIL is one of the city’s biggest and most unique festivals but it only happens once every five years. Brandon Hartley checks out what is on offer for the 2015 edition. 

Amsterdam and boats have gone hand in hand since it consisted of little more than a few cottages and a bridge over the Amstel. Needless to say, the city has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the Middle Ages. During the Dutch Golden Age, Amsterdam’s ports helped it become one of the wealthiest places on the planet. 

Flash forward to the early ‘70s when Amsterdam officials were looking for a way to celebrate the city’s 700th anniversary. What they came up with was SAIL Amsterdam, a nautical event in the summer of 1975 devoted to the history of the city’s maritime industry and its culture. 

The five-day extravaganza featured ‘tall ships’ from all across Europe, around 500 modern vessels and over 700,000 visitors. By all accounts, it was a huge success; so much so that the organisers decided to host the event again in 1980 

Sailing Into the Present Day 

Now in its ninth edition, SAIL Amsterdam is held every five years and it’s grown into the largest free maritime event in the world. It’s now a tradition for thousands of spectators line the banks of the river IJ to watch the ships arrive on the first day of the festival. 

The 2015 celebration will take place from Wednesday 19 until Sunday 23 August. The fun will begin with the Sail-In Parade, which organisers promise will be the biggest opening event in SAIL Amsterdam’s history. Over 43 tall ships along with five Dutch Marine boats and hundreds more vessels are scheduled to sail in file down the North Sea Canal into central Amsterdam.

If you can’t make it to the shores of the IJ to watch the fleet arrive, you can always tune in from home. The Sail-In Parade will be broadcast live on national television on the 19th. The ships will set sail for Amsterdam at 10:00 and are due to arrive in the city around 15:00. 

While the parade itself is a spectacle, what traditionally happens afterwards can be, well, a little less so. Getting all of those boats into the correct spots along the IJ’s quays tends to make the average rush hour traffic jam in Los Angeles look downright orderly by comparison. 

Tall ships

SAIL Amsterdam will feature countless boats and numerous events but, as with prior editions, the main draw will likely be the tall ships travelling to the city from ports all across the world. These gorgeous vessels and their photogenic masts harken back to the classic era of seafaring. 

The STS Young Endeavour is just one of the dozens that will appear at the 2015 festival. This tall ship hails from Australia and is currently in the middle of a year-long voyage around the world. A replica of the legendary Nao Victoria will also appear. The original ship was one of the first vessels to circumnavigate the globe back in the 16th century. 

The Biggest SAIL of All Time 

‘1.7 million people visited SAIL Amsterdam 2010,’ SAIL spokesperson Jan Driessen told DutchNews. ‘This year we expect even more visitors because we have an extra (fifth) day.’ 

In addition to giving the schedule a boost, Driessen and his colleagues have done their best to make this year’s event the biggest and best SAIL Amsterdam thus far. The festival’s grounds have been expanded to cover a wider portion of the city. It’s been divided into five areas dubbed ‘Oceans,’ each with its own unique theme and colour. 

Those eager to have a look at the tall ships can head to ‘Orange Ocean’, the spot where they’ll be moored along the IJ. The ships will be joined by a full programme of live music at the nearby SAIL Music Marina and a nightly fireworks display.

In search of calmer seas? Then aim for the ‘Red Ocean’, which will feature educational exhibitions and lectures at various locations across the city centre. 

SAIL at night. Photo: Wim Haze

Over at the NDSM Wharf visitors can enjoy exhibits that focus on technology, sustainable shipbuilding and innovation in the ‘Green Ocean’. The centrepiece of this area is sure to be the Volvo Ocean Race Team’s Brunel yacht. Crew members will be on hand to tell attendees about their experiences during their races on the high seas and what everyday life is like on board the ship.

‘White Ocean’, located near the EYE Film Museum, will serve as the home of the Northwave Festival. It offers a relaxing departure from the hustle and bustle of central Amsterdam with food and live music. Finally, ‘Blue Ocean’, over by the National Maritime Museum, will host a series of corporate events and a private ‘Captain’s Dinner’ with the commanders of the event’s tall ships. 

The full programme for SAIL Amsterdam 2015 can be found online.

Teenage globe sailor takes down Dutch flag

RNW, 11 January 2012

Photo: Laura Dekker, Hvyes

Solo yachtswoman Laura Dekker has taken down the Dutch flag from her sailing boat and replaced it with a New Zealand one, in response to renewed efforts from Dutch school attendance authorities to force her to continue with her education.

Authorities claim 16-year-old Laura has been doing too little school work. When her father refused to make an appointment to discuss the issue, attendance officers announced they intended to complain to the Dutch council for child welfare.

Laura – who aims to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the world single-handed - is currently crossing the Atlantic Ocean, headed for the Dutch Caribbean island of Sint Maarten where she will complete her journey in her boat, Guppy. It is expected that she will arrive within two weeks provided there are no setbacks.

Battle to sail with authorities

In 2009, when Laura first announced her plans to circumnavigate the globe, Dutch authorities intervened and insisted she should first finish school. The child welfare authorities brought the case to court and a judge ruled that the 13-year-old was too young to travel alone. Laura then ran away and took a plane to St Maarten, where she was arrested and sent back to the Netherlands.

In July 2010, a judge gave her permission to carry out her plans - provided she agreed to a number of conditions, including continuing her secondary-school education through an online teaching programme set up for Dutch-speaking children abroad.

Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant reports her lawyer, Peter de Lange, “is furious about the latest action of the school attendance enforcement officers.” Laura has had enough of Dutch authorities, he says. “She was almost put into care. And now this.”

A Dutch court had ordered authorities to take temporary guardianship of Laura when she was 13, while her case was being assesed by psychologists.

Turns back on Dutch citizenship

Officially, Laura does not have to comply with Dutch regulations concerning her education, as she is no longer registered as a Dutch citizen. She holds New Zealand citizenship because she was born on a boat there while her parents were sailing around the world.

De Volkskrant says the World School, which organises the education by correspondence, is afraid a precedent will be set if they don’t intervene. “Laura is contending with an 80-year school attendance battle. Compulsory school attendance is sacred in the Netherlands.”

Related Article:

Dutch court gives teenage sailor go-ahead

www.lauradekker.nl

Tourism minister to organize Sabang yacht festival

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Sun, 09/04/2011

Tourism and Culture Minister Jero Wacik says his ministry is now in the middle of preparing an international yacht festival that will take place in Sabang Island, Aceh, mid this month.

Dubbed the International Regatta Festival, the event is expected to attract yacht owners from the world over.

“So far, 26 yachts from Europe, Asia and Australia have registered to participate in the event,” he said on Sunday as quoted by tribunnews.com.

Jero Wacik said the festival is a joint cooperation between Malaysia’s Langkawi tourism resort and Thailand’s famous Phuket beach. He said the event will begin on Sept. 13 in Phuket and then continue to Langkawi before wrapping up in Sabang.

He said the end of the regatta would be marked with an event honoring Aceh’s tsunami victims.

Sail Wakatobi participants start enjoying underwater beauty

Antara News,  by Otniel Tamindael, Wed, August 10 2011

Related News

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• Some 2,500 people join tour of 1,000 bikers in Wakatobi
• Minister Launches Sail Wakatobi Belitong 2011
• Wakatobi opens registration for undersea photo contest

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Several crew members of yachts arriving in Wakatobi on Tuesday to participate in Sail Wakatobi-Belitung (SWB-2011), have started enjoying the magnificent diving facilities in the waters at Hoga island.

The participants of international yacht rally and race who set sail from Darwin, Australia, on July 23, 2011 have started entering Wakatobi waters since Tuesday to participate in the much awaited Sail Wakatobi-Belitung 2001.

Wakatobi Culture and Tourism Office spokesman Tawakal said that eight of the yachts, participating in the international yacht rally and yacht race, arrived in Wakatobi on Tuesday and many would follow.

"At present the crews of the yachts are swimming and diving in the waters at Hoga island to enjoy underwater natural beauty of various coral reefs and marine biota around the island," Tawakal said in Wakatobi on Tuesday.

All participants of the SWB-2011 as well as divers from around the world will undeniably have a great opportunity to go diving in the superb diving sites and the most pristine reefs at Wakatobi Diving Resort.

Therefore the Wakatobi district administration and local coral reef youths will guide Sail Wakatobi-Belitong participants when they all arrive at the location.

According to Tawakal, the eight yachts which have arrived in Wakatobi waters entered the Indonesian archipelago through Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara.

He admitted that the Sail Wakatobi-Beliton participants tried to arrive in Wakatobi much earlier because they wanted to enjoy the underwater natural beauty and the hospitality of Wakatobi people as much as possible.

Wakatobi district head Hugua has ever said at least 1.3 million hectares of Wakatobi are part of Wakatobi National Marine Park with Karang Mari Mabo, Onemobaa, Pulau Hioga, and Pantai Patuno diving sites.

Therefore the Wakatobi Coral Reef Youths will guide the SWB-2011 participants wherever they want to go diving at the center of the world`s coral reefs triangle in Wakatobi.

"Divers, tourists, and guests will have an excellent diving holiday and enjoy every moment of it to see the colorful and magnificent underwater life because the area is tremendously rich in marine heritage," Hugua said.

Wakatobi is one of the protected marine national parks in Indonesia.

According to Hugua, Sail Wakatobi-Belitong participants and tourists divers at Wakatobi Diving Resort would experience a highly enjoyable moment that they would never forget.

In the Wakatobi Diving Resort there are a lot of beautiful diving sites with incredibly colorful marine diversity which could be reached easily.

Known for its built-in Beach and a house reef just twenty meters from the dive center, Wakatobi attracts many professional divers from around the world who want to go diving there.

The Wakatobi Diving Resort is surrounded by stunning and pristine drop-offs, walls and slopes to ridges, caverns, caves and sea-mounts.

"Here at Wakatobi, the beauty of the marine life is waiting to be discovered and explored by the Sail Wakatobi-Belitung participants," Hugua said.

Besides, Wakatobi Diving Resort is also offering premier and luxurious accommodation with modern comforts to tourist divers and guests in Bungalows, Garden Bungalows, Beach Bungalows, and Cliff Villas.

There are still many beautiful diving sites with pristine reefs, stunning colorful corals and tropical marine life that are in remote sites and not accessible from the Wakatobi Diving Resort that are waiting to be explored and discovered by SWB-2011 participants.

Wakatobi Diving Resort also offers a very comprehensive diving package holiday for tourists and Sail Wakatobi-Belitung participants to have an opportunity to explore its underwater marine life.

Meanwhile, Tawakal said the official ceremony for all participant of the SWB-2011 international marine event would be conducted by Wakatobi district government on Tuesday night, August 23, to mark its peak event.

"I have been informed that 25 yachts have anchored in Saumlaki and will arrive in Wakatobi on August 23 at the latest," Tawakal said, adding that Sail Wakatobi-Belitong peak event, to last for a week until August 29, would be opened by President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono on August 23.

According to him, the Wakatobi district government has prepared various cultural attractions to enliven the Wakatobi-Belitong international marine event.

"Various attractions that have been prepared are among others

mass underwater wedding, traditional sports festival, traditional art and cultural festival, and diving activities at Wakatobi waters.

One of cultural performance to entertain the participant of the international marine event is Bangka Mbule-mbule, a ritual tradition of Bajo ethnic community in Wakatobi.

Bangka Mbule-mbule cultural attraction is usually performed to ask for the Creator to bestow the local fishermen with blessing, and to save them from perils when they go fishing at open sea.

Tawakal said that the peak event of Sail Wakatobi-Balitung would be marked with big parties because the committee had make every effort to greet the participants of the sail as well as possible to make their visit pleasant.

Editor: Priyambodo RH

Seventeen yachts competing to reach finish line in Ambon

Antara News, Tue, July 26 2011

Ambon (ANTARA News) - Seventeen yachts in their international race from Darwin (North Australia) to Ambon, Maluku province are competing to reach the finish line in the coast of Amahusu village, Nusaniwe sub-district, Ambon.

"The participants are competing making use of the strong wind to reach the finish line in the Amahusu village coast," coordinator of the Darwin-Ambon Yacht Race & Rally 2011 Hellen de Lima told ANTARA on Monday.

He said the monitoring committee disclosed that the sail boat Fantasia with skipper Andrew Stransky was leading the race.

Since the flag off at Darwin port, Fantasia from Brisbane, Australia, managed to lead the race.

Since entering the Indonesian waters, Fantasia of the Racing Multihull category made use of the wind velocity of 13.45 knots per hour.

But since passing the waters between Babar Island and Romang Island, Southeast Maluku regency, Fantasia sailed with a wind velocity of only 10.52 knots per hour.

Another participant Walk On The Wild Side with skipper Garth Curran and Australian Maid (John Wardil) are second and third.

Walk On The Wild Side moved with the wind blowing at a velocity of 9.20 knots per hour, while Australian Maid 9.51 knots per hour.

The two sail boats were known to win various international yacht races, the last before the Darwin-Ambon Yacht Race & Rally 2011, the two won Visit Indonesia Fremantle-Bali International Yacht Race 2011.

In the meantime, Freedom Express with skipper Ross McCombe, the third as Racing Multihull category in the Darwin-Ambon Yacht Race & Rally 2010, was fourth of the total of 17 participants in the event.

Freedom Express sailed with the wind blowing at a velocity of 9.40 knots per hour, followed by Sue Sea (Brian Todd) 9.29 knots per hour.

Game Set (John Mulkearns) was trailing with the wind blowing at a velocity of 8.49 knots per hour, followed by Even Karma (John Hard) 8.44 knots per hour.

"Most of the participants have entered Southwest Maluku regency waters and the Banda Sea, where some of the participants may have reached the finish line to night (Tuesday) or Wednesday morning," Hellen said.

The annual event was held to fill this year`s Darwin-Ambon sister city cooperation program followed by 19 participants, in which 18 participants dame from Australia, and the other one from the Netherlands, covering 634 nautical miles, the equivalent of 1,174.68 kilometers.

The flag off of the participants was marked with start sign from on board the HMAS Ararat (89) patrol boat in Darwin port by Ambon Mayor Jopi Papilaja and Darwin Governor Tom Pauling on July 23, 2011.

The yacht race is competing four categories, namely racing monohull (IRC) followed by six yachts, racing monohull cruising (six yachts), racing multihull (five) and rally (two).

The race is to win the cup of the Indonesian Minister of Culture and Tourism, was for the first time held in 1976 in an attempt to establish cooperation between the Darwin and Ambon administrations.

In 2009 the number of participants reached 100 yachts, but was later canceled as Ambon and Maluku were involved in a social conflict, and revived only in 2007.

Editor: B Kunto Wibisono

Twenty-two countries to participate in Sail Indonesia 2011

Antara News, Sat, June 11 2011

Sail Indonesia 2011 which will make Kupang as the entrance to the other regions in Indonesia will focus on areas that have not yet been visited.

Sail Indonesia
(ANTARA/istimewa)

Kupang, E.Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - As many as 22 countries have confirmed their plans to participate in Sail Indonesia 2011 that was officially launched in Jakarta a few days ago, a local marine official said.

The number of participants has increased compared to Sail Indonesia 2010 when only 15 countries took part, the chairman of Cinta Bahari Indonesia Foundation (YCBI), Raymond T. Lesmana, said here Saturday.

"There are more participants for Sail Indonesia 2011 than last year. If in 2010 there were only 15 countries, now the number has increased to 22," he said.

According to Raymond, the Sail Indonesia participants were scheduled to depart from Darwin, Australia, on July 23 and expected to arrive in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara`s provincial capital, on July 27 to 28.

The participants will be in Kupang for a week before they sail on to Alor, Rote Ndao, Sabu Raijua, Lembata, Ende and Labuan Bajo districts on Flores Island and elsewhere in Indonesia.

"We expect the participants will be in East Nusa Tenggara province about a month because there are a number of such new areas to be visited by the participants as Sabu Raijua and Rote Ndao," Raymond said.

He said, the foundation is coordinating with several district administrations, especially the new area ones that will be stop off to perform a variety of preparations.

In addition, Sail Indonesia 2011 which will make Kupang as the entrance to the other regions in Indonesia will focus on areas that have not yet been visited.

The regions are Ndao Rote, Sabu Raijua to Sumba island which have been less had the opportunity to stop off by the Sail Indonesia participants.

"In previous years, the transit route is always monotonous namely the northbound lane through the East Flores to West Flores. Now we are trying to open new destinations," Raymond noted.

The new areas to be visited is located on the southern route which has been less a promotion, he added.

Editor: Ella Syafputri

Sail Wakatobi-Belitong targets ASEAN involvement

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 05/10/2011

Indonesia plans to promote the maritime event “Sail Wakatobi-Belitong” to other Southeast Asian countries in keeping with its current role as Chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), ministers say.

Photo: Wakatobi / JP

The idea to encourage more ASEAN member states to get involved in the maritime event was proposed by Coordinating People’s Welfare Minister Agung Laksono, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad said Tuesday.

"During previous events, such as Sail Banda in 2010, we saw other countries taking part, such as Australia [and] Thailand. This year, in connection with Indonesia's role as ASEAN Chair, we want more participation from ASEAN countries," Agung said after a meeting about the event at his office on Tuesday.

Agung added that a letter would be sent to the ASEAN Secretariat General to request that the organization inform neighboring countries of Indonesia's wish.

Fadel said this year’s event would be unique because it would involve two provinces, Southeast Sulawesi and Bangka Belitung.

"According to various research, both places are famous for their coral. Many tourists visit Wakatobi but not in large numbers. Belitung is also famous for its beaches. That's why we want to promote both of these places," he said.

The event in Wakatobi will be held in August, while the Belitung event is scheduled for October. The events will not comprise a yachting contest, but also social activities such as health services onboard vessels ship.

Wakatobi will also hold a mass wedding under the sea. (rcf)

SWB 2011 to become biggest international marine event

Antara News, Otniel Tamindael, Sat, May 7 2011

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Themed "The Ocean for Future Life," Sail Wakatobi-Belitung 2011 (SWB 2011) is expected to be the biggest international marine event in Indonesia after Sail Banda 2010 and Sail Bunaken 2009.

During the SWB 2011, two of Indonesian paradise islands besides Bali, namely Wakatobi and Bangka Belitung will be presented to foreign tourists who have been quite familiar with the island resort of Bali.

In a bid to make the upcoming event a great success, Southeast Sulawesi Governor Nur Alam has called on all related government agencies in the province to fully support it.

"I call on all related parties to help make the Sail Wakatobi-Belitung 2011 a great success," Governor Nur Alam told all district heads and mayors at a preparatory meeting for the event at his office in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi on Wednesday.

For him, the SWB 2011 will be the greatest international marine event ever held in Indonesia after Sail Bunaken 2009 in North Sulawesi and Sail Banda 2010 in Maluku.

Sail Bunaken 2009 was held from August 12 to 20, 2009 in North Sulawesi and participated in by 28 warships, a number of fighter planes, and 165 yachts from at least 30 countries which joined an International Fleet Review.

A year later, Sail Banda was organized in Maluku from July 24 to August 17, 2010 when Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfara Agung Laksono flagged off 49 of 106 foreign yachts at Cullen Bay in Darwin, Australia, to mark the start of Sail Banda international yacht rallies.

The Sail Wakatobi-Balitung 2011 yacht rally will start from Darwin Australia on July 23, and the participants will pass 21 districts and cities in Indonesia until finish in Singapore.

Governor Nur Alam said the event with various marine activities would be a precious opportunity to promote the regional potential including Wakatobi as the center of the world coral reefs triangle with underwater paradise.

Therefore the governor called on all district heads and mayors in the province to prepare various facilities and infrastructure for the international marine event.

Meanwhile, Southeast Sulawesi Marine and Fisheries Department spokesman Abdul Salam said that various activities such as Surya Baskara Jaya health operation, exhibitions, maritime shipping traffic, and international seminars would be conducted as part of Sail Wakatobi-Belitong 2011.

In addition, Abdul Salam said the event would also be enlivened undersea mass wedding activity, undersea photo taking competition, and culture and art competition in each district.

He said Sail Wakatobi-Belitung 2011 was a national program and therefore it should run as planned.

For the success of the international marine event, the 50-kilometer Wangi-wangi ring road in Wakatobi will soon be asphalted before President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono`s visit to the district to open the event in August this year.

In addition, three docks, namely Wangi-wangi, Kaledupa, and Pulau Tomia in the district, have been fixed for the international marine event.

Wakatobi Transportation Department head Syarifuddin said in the Southeast Sulawesi provincial city of Kendari recently that the

repair of the three piers would cost around Rp70 billion from the state budget through the Transportation Ministry.

"The funds have been disbursed and the work to fix the three quays is expected to be completed by the end of July this year," Syarifuddin said.

According to him, the quays would be used by the participants of event and the divers from around the world.

Besides, they will also be used by naval ships to conduct a so-called Surya Baskara Jaya health operation.

Especially for the Wangi-wangi pier, Syarifuddin said it would be used by the sail participating yachts to moor and a command post.

Meanwhile, head of Wakatobi Public Works Agency, Tawakal, said in Kendari that the project of Wangi-wangi ring road was expected to be completed early August before the arrival of President Yudhoyono and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono to open the Sail Wakatobi-Belitung.

To welcome the Sail Wakatobi-Belitung event in which world-class divers will take part, Tawakal said the Wakatobi district government and the local people have started to prepare cultural attractions of

Kabuenga, Bangka Mbule-mbule, and Karia to entertain the participants of the international marine event.

Besides, the participants of Sail Wakatobi-Belitung 2011 and the divers from around the world are expected to have a great opportunity to go diving in magnificent diving facilities at Wakatobi Marine National Park.

As stunning as Wakatobi, Bangka Belitung is also blessed with beaches having blue sea waters, coral reefs, fine white sand, and giant granite rock formations awaiting the SWB 2011 participants.

Belitong exotic beaches include Tanjung Kiras beach, Tanjung Pendam beach, Tanjung tinggi, Tanjung Kelayang, Tanjung Binga fisherman village, Panyaeran beach, Tanjung Kubu, Gembira bay and Tanjung Ru, which are ideal sites for diving, scuba, snorkeling, fishing and sailing.

The island also has other tourist attractions such as Golf Babute driving course, Lengkuas island, Gurok Beraye waterfall, Batu Baginde hill, Tirta Marundang natural pool and Dayang Seri Pinai Pool.

Meanwhile, the marine affairs and fishery ministry`s director general of marine and fishery resources surveillance Syahrin Aburrahman said the SWB 2011 would be highlighted with six main activities, namely a yacht rally, a Bhakti Surya Bhaskara Jaya civic mission, national and international seminars on marine and fishery resources management, a youth marine event, and marine and fishery product exhibition.

Abdurrahman said the Bhakti Surya Baskara Jaya civic mission would be held in Riau Island Province, Bangka Belitung Province, West Kalimantan Province, Gorontalo Province, Southeast Sulawesi Province, and South Sulawesi Province.

"After successfully breaking two world diving records during Sail Bunaken 2009 and Sail Banda 2010, Sail Bunaken-Belitung 2011 will be highlighted with underwater chess games trying to break another world record," he said said.

Editor: Jafar M Sidik

President Supports Sail Komodo 2013

Antara News, Sat, February 12 2011 

Kupang, NTT (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has expressed support to East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) provincial government plan to host Sail Komodo 2013.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. (ANTARA)

"I have reported the provincial government plan to host Sail Komodo 2013 to President Yudhoyono and the head of state said he would fully support such an international marine event," NTT Governor Frans Lebu Raya said here on Saturday.

The governor said President Yudhoyono has asked the local government to plan and promote the event as well as possible in advance.

"Bapak President wants us to plan it better like Sail Banda 2010 which ran successfully because of better plan and vigorous promotions," the governor said.

He said Sail Komodo was intended to introduce komodo to international community and to support tourism in East Nusa Tenggara.

According to the governor, the Sail Komodo event had been proposed to Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry.

Frans expressed hope that the proposal would be approved by the ministry this year so that the event could be realized in an effort to preserve the endangered giant lizard in Komodo island.

Editor: Ruslan

DKP allocates Rp2.7 billion for Sail Wakatobi-Belitung

Antara News, Friday, December 24, 2010

Wanci, Southeast Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - Southeast Sulawesi Marine and Fisheries Agency (DKP) will allocate Rp2.7 billion from regional budget (APBD) to support Sail Wakatobi-Belitung 2011.

"For Sail Wakatobi-Belitung event, we have proposed Rp4.7 billion fund but the Provincial Legislative Agency (DPRD) only agreed Rp2.7 billion," local DPK spokesman Abdul Salam said in Wakatobi on Friday.

According to him the Rp2.7 billion fund would be spent on accommodation and fuel oil for a number of Navy ships which would be mobilized to ensure security at Southeast Sulawesi waters.

"A lot of Navy ships will be mobilized to ensure the security on the peak event of Sail Wakatobi-Belitung from August 2, 2011 to September 2, 2011 in Wakatobi," Abdul Salam said.

He said the during the international marine event, the need of fuel oil for the Navy ships including accommodation for the personnel would be borne by the host of the sail, namely Southeast Sulawesi and Bangka-Belitung provinces.

"We hope a number of districts and cities which have been appointed to be the venue of the sail will fully support the event and make it a success," Abdul Salam said.

District administrations told to prepare for Sail Belitong

Antara News, Thursday, October 7, 2010 17:07 WIB

Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung (ANTARA News) - Bangka Belitung province Eko Maulana Ali called on district administrations in the province to prepare themselves for Sail Belitong 2011.

"I called on the district administrations to prepare themselves for Sail Belitong 2011 as various activities will be held in different districts in the province in support of the upcoming international event," the governor said here Thursday.

He said however greater scale activities were expected to be held in Bangka as it provides better accommodation and transportation facilities.

"Several activities will be held in Pangkalpinang city and Sungailiat, Bangka. Meanwhile, and the event was expected to be recorded in the Guiness Book of Records," he said.

According to him, an under-water chess game is now being prepared and also expected to be recorded in the Guiness Book of Records.

"Supporting activities for Sail Belitong will have been promoted early in 2011 to make people aware of the international event whose peak program will take place in November next year," he said.

With Sail Belitong 2011, more foreigners are expected to visit Bangka Belitung, he added.

"If more foreigners visit Bangka Belitung, the local economy would grow further because the visitors will include businesspeople who would invest their capital in the province," he said.

He cited as an example the Visit Babel (Bangka Belitung) Archi 2010 has attracted investors in star-rated hotels.

"Hotel Novotel is the only five-star hotel in Bangka Belitung a proof that investors are confident in investing big capital there," he said.

After Sail Belitong 2011, Eko said his administration would think of other programs in 2012 so that Bangka Belitung will continue holding international events.

"Sail Belitong is expected to attract more tourists and investors so that Bangka Belitung could hold more international events in 2010," he said.

Buleleng welcomes Sail Indonesia yachts

Alit Kartarahardja, The Jakarta Post, Lovina, Buleleng | Wed, 09/22/2010 10:39 AM

More than a hundred yachts from 19 countries are expected to arrive in Buleleng regency on Sept. 22 as one of many port calls for Sail Indonesia 2010.

Buleleng cultural office head Putu Tastra Wijaya told reporters that he had received confirmation from the organizing committee that all 106 yachts participating in the international maritime event would spend four days of their three-month journey, from Sept. 22 to 25, at Lovina Beach.

The annual event was organized by the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, the Culture and Tourism Ministry, provincial governments and the Cinta Bahari Foundation to promote Indonesia as a maritime country and to showcase the country’s cultural and marine wealth.

Sail Indonesia participants departed from Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, on July 24. The yachts stopped to participate at a series of events and cultural festivals at ports throughout Indonesia, including Timor, Banda, Ambon, Buton, Lembata, Wakatobi, Flores, Sulawesi, Bali, Java, Kalimantan and Belitung. The flotilla will continue from Bali to the voyage’s last stop in Batam, Riau Islands; which is just south of Singapore.

Event organizers added port calls at Rote Ndao in East Sumba, and at Saba and Bau Bau. The sailors are expected to visit 22 provinces and regencies during the voyage.

Wijaya said that Buleleng administration has already prepared to cultural and tourist activities to welcome more than 400 Sail Indonesian 2010 participants.

“This is a valuable promotional activity for Buleleng regency. We will take them to visit several tourist sites in North Bali,” he said.

He added that the arrival of Sail Indonesia 2010 vessels would also benefit the regency’s economy as they would stay at local hotels and spend money on food.

If each participant spends US$50 per day, Buleleng would reap Rp 5 billion ($560,000) during the four-day visit, he said.

Tall ships head for Holland

RNW, 11 August 2010 - 2:22pm

Tall ships head for Holland (Photo: ANP)

More than 30 tall ships are setting off for Holland this afternoon as they take part in the North Sea Tall Ships Regatta. The race is from Hartlepool in England to the Dutch coastal town of IJmuiden.

The race is not to see which is the fastest boat but who can sail the furthest in 120 hours. It is up to the crew which course they take.

The tall ships are due to arrive in the Netherlands next Tuesday. On Thursday next week, they will sail together to the Dutch capital Amsterdam via the North Sea Canal for the nautical event Sail.

Sail is held every five years. Many of the tall ships can be visited while they are moored in Amsterdam's harbour for five days.

Sail 2006 (Telegraaf)

Related Article:

Sail Amsterdam 2010

Mutinous Crew on Spirit of Majapahit Brings Historic Voyage to Abrupt End

Jakarta Globe, Stephanie Riady | August 13, 2010

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Manila. When the Spirit of Majapahit, a reconstruction of a 13th-century merchant ship, embarked on its eight-country expedition a month ago, it hoped to showcase the country’s maritime spirit and relive the past glory of the Majapahit Empire.

But after visiting just two countries, its crew members are heading home on a plane, and the ship will be sent back to Indonesia in a container.

“The expedition ended because of bad weather, mismanagement and the ship’s poor condition, which renders it unusable,” an Indonesian crew member said in a text message to the Jakarta Globe.

The decision came following mediation talks held late on Friday night in Manila.

The ship, which has 10 Indonesian and three Japanese crew members, docked in the Philippines capital on Aug. 4. It was supposed to depart for the Japanese island of Okinawa two days later, but bad weather and technical problems derailed plans.

Vera Kilapong, from the social and cultural division of the Indonesian Embassy in Manila, said that while waiting for the boat’s navigational equipment to be fixed, the crew members discussed a number of problems and decided to mutiny.

According to crew members, the ship, supposedly designed to break through five-meter waves, was in bad shape and could have been seriously damaged by two- to three-meter waves.

Aside from safety issues and bad weather, the crew members cited a lack of insurance and delayed payments as reasons for wanting to abandon the voyage.

Suroso, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture’s director of archeological heritage, flew to Manila on Friday to try to convince the Indonesian crew members to continue with the voyage.

But after the meeting, it was decided that the crew — and their ship — would return home, albeit separately.

​“I thank God almighty because the meeting went well, and what [our demands] as the crew of the Spirit of Majapahit were met by the ministry, represented by the presence of Pak Suroso,” said the crew member, who asked not to be identified.

“The crew will be returned home on a plane as soon as possible, and the outstanding wages will be settled by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.”

The crew member said that it had been decided the ship would be sent home in a specially-designed container for ships, “as has been done with other Indonesian [replica] ships like the Phinisi Nusantara, the Arung Samudera and others.”

“This expedition will be my first and last,” the crew member added.

The original plan was to preserve the Spirit of Majapahit at a museum and turn it into a tourist attraction after it returned from its expedition.

Tourism officials could not be reached for comment on Friday, and it is unclear whether this plan will still be pursued.