Luxury Land and Sea Vacation: Vicem Yachts Partners with Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay, Bodrum, Turkey

Turkish builder Vicem Yachts and Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay in Bodrum, which is distinguished as one of the “World’s 25 Best Hotels and  recipient of the Condé Nast Traveller Reader’s Spa Awards 2010”, have partnered in an unique international marketing initiative that presents the yachting public with a five star travel opportunity: a number of Vicem yachts will be available for the upscale clientele of Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay in the cosmopolitan Turkish city of Bodrum.

the Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay can expect to enjoy secluded bays, brilliant sunny days and gorgeous nights ornamented with millions of stars, and the option for a private cruise with Vicem selecting from the Vicem 92, Vintage Line range yacht featuring four cabins and three decks; or the Vicem 78 Cruiser, one of the latest launched from the yard with a flybridge enhanced by a four person Jacuzzi.  The Vicem 75 Fly, a new build for 2011, will also be an option. If someone prefers a day cruise Vicem invites guests to cruise on board the 40′ or the 36′, the smallest hulls of this series.

Please follow this link for important information about Turkish Yacht Charter, Bodrum, and the Bodrum Cup Reggatta.

Ho Ho Holiday Gifts that Help Sea Turtles!

The gift of an adopted sea turtle makes a great stocking stuffer for kids, a unique gift for that hard to buy for friend, or the person who has everything. This special gift will spread feelings of good will in keeping with the true spirit of the season. Adopt a satellite-tagged sea turtle, or other endangered animal, in the name of someone you love and your loved ones will take pride in helping ensure the survival of these magnificent animals.

Sea turtles have been on the earth for more than 300 million

Leatherback hatchlings

years, but now face conditions that threaten their existence like never before because of man’s activities. Adopting a sea turtle helps fund research into caring for and protecting these magnificent creatures by supporting Sea Turtle.org and its partners in tracking their movements and behavior.

When you adopt a satellite-tagged animal, you can track their movements through the Sea Turtle.org website.  This nonprofit and their partners have fitted more than 400 animals from 100 projects around the world with high-tech data transmitters that will relay information about their location via satellite. Tracking their movements helps researchers to better understand animal behavior and improve laws and regulations that protect sea turtles and other endangered species. Visit the wildlife adoption web page to find out which tracked animals are available for adoption.

To ensure delivery by Christmas, submit orders by Friday, 16th December for US deliveries and Saturday, 10th December for deliveries outside the US.

Be an environmentally savvy yachtsman. Follow this informative link to learn about Green Chartering for Low Carbon Emissions.

Here is a useful site to explore Luxury Yacht Charter Worldwide.

SOUTH FLORIDA FREEDIVERS TO HOST BISCAYNE BAY LIONFISH SMASH WITH THE HELP OF SURFRIDER FOUNDATION

On October 29th, 2011 the South Florida Freedivers are hosting the first Biscayne Bay Lionfish Smash at Rickenbacker Marina on Virginia Key with proceeds going to the University of Miami’s Rosentiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. This event has the goal of bringing awareness to the Lionfish invasion in Biscayne Bay and educating the public on how to harvest and handle these venomous but tasty invaders.

The Lionfish are an invasive and venomous species that hail from the Indo-Pacific Region, threatening the biological diversity of the western Atlantic. The South Florida Freedivers hope to work in conjunction with other local and national organizations such as the Surfrider Foundation to help slow lionfish invasion and educate people on how to safely kill and handle these fish.

The format is as follows: Divers will compete as two person, with more than 1 team allowed per boat. Entry fee is $60 per team. Teams must be signed up no later than the Captain’s meeting which will take place on October 27th at the Rickenbacker Fish Company. A representative from each team must sign in at this location between 7-9 am the day of the tournament. Once signed in the team can fish wherever they like in U.S. waters but must have their cooler or bucket at the dock no later than 4pm.

PRIZES:
Largest Lionfish taken $500
Smallest Lionfish taken $200
Most Lionfish by a team – A case of fine Rum

“I’m very excited to assist in increasing awareness of the negative effects of the lionfish here in my home waters. By getting the word out and working together we can combat this invasion, ” mentioned Tom Ralph, chairman of Broward Surfrider Foundation.

The South Florida Freedivers is a grassroots organization focused on bringing together free divers, scuba divers, fishermen, boaters, and all who utilize the ocean as their playground. Meetings are held every 2nd Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM at Scotty’s Landing in Coconut Grove – Miami, Florida. The purpose of these meetings is to put together a group of likeminded individuals who respect and honor the best of the sport; local fishing regulations and practices, selectivity and conservation, and above all diver safety.

YACHTONUS – FREE ONLINE SAILING and MOTOR YACHT MANAGEMENT

YACHTONUS.com is a new international online platform for yacht management that allows owners to input data and create an individualized maintenance plan, with the additional option of inviting providers and other users to assist in the process.

It is difficult to remember when various components on your yacht will require servicing, oil and battery changes, life rafts, flares, first aid kits, etc. YACHTONUS.com offers a simple format to create an online profile complete with images.

Sailing yacht and motor yacht registration is free for any boat owner. The user creates an online boat profile in their chosen language that includes all components on board and their state of repair.  Owners develop a maintenance plan and safely give service suppliers access to their online boat profile enabling them to update the configuration, the corresponding maintenance plan and schedule essential tasks in the future. A brief overview of the boat can be shared easily via an email link.

Users can review the highest rated advice for items on board; raise questions with fellow boat owners and specialists as well as accessing required products or services with the click of a mouse.  The service is currently being expanded to offer an online comparison against predefined profiles for boat safety and offshore racing regulations.

Alex Dowdalls

Alex Dowdalls is the founder and managing director of YACHTONUS.com. Born and raised in Hamilton Scotland, he is currently based in Amersfoot, Netherlands. YACHTONUS.com, Dowdalls’ vision for an international online platform, is currently available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Dutch.

Discover the latest in boating technology through this helpful link to Yachting Events and Boat Show Dates Worldwide.

Celebrate 2011 AquaticAfrolic, Oct 24-Nov 2: Reserve Now for the Fantasy Fest Flotilla through the Fantastic Florida Keys

Local yacht managers in South Florida enthusiastically present the first annual Fantasy Fest Flotilla, featuring all-inclusive crewed luxury charter yachts. En route to Fantasy Fest, Key West`s infamous annual island extravaganza, enjoy world-class diving, snorkeling, fishing, dining and extreme partying in the spectacular Florida Keys.

Monday, October 24: Coconut Grove, Miami – Key Largo
Embark from Coconut Grove, the oldest continuously inhabited neighborhood of Miami, Florida, and a charming urban center of upscale restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. Cruise around Biscayne Bay with a stop to swim and snorkel on the reef before sailing down Hawkes Channel to spend the night in Key Largo.

Tuesday, October 25: Key Largo – Marathon
Key Largo is the first island of the Florida Keys. The 1948 film Key Largo, starring Humphrey Bogart, brought early notoriety to the island. A popular beach bar today, the Caribbean Club provided the locale for a number of the movie’s scenes. The vessel of another Bogart American movie epic, The African Queen, is docked at the Key Largo Marina. Cruise down Hawkes Channel under sail to Duck Key to anchor for the night.

Wednesday, October 26: Marathon
Depart Duck Key for the leisurely two-hour sail to Sombrero Key Light, an excellent spot for snorkelers and divers to explore fantastic living coral reefs teeming with fish. Fishing enthusiasts will want to sail just south of the tower in the Gulf Stream to fight Mahi, Spanish mackerel, and other game fish. In the evening anchor off Boot Key Channel or spend the night at Burdine’s Waterfront or Marathon Marina and enjoy the vibrant nightlife onshore.

Thursday, October 27: Marathon – Little Palm Island Resort and Spa
Boot Key Harbor to Looe Key is a scenic half-day sail. Here the reef provides spectacular snorkeling and diving for an unforgettable afternoon. In the evening sail into the charming marina at Little Palm Island Resort and Spa. This private island is the posh retreat of presidents, high profile celebrities and savvy travelers. Dine on a terrace perched above the beach where key deer and songbirds visit, or at tables strewn along the beach. Sometimes, the revelry goes on all night by a roaring bonfire on the beach.

Friday, October 28: Little Palm Island – Key West
Depart Palm Island and arrive in Key West in the afternoon with plenty of time for exploring, shopping and sight seeing. This historic city is a fascinating crossroads of diversified cultures and lifestyles that coexist with colorful harmony.

Saturday October 29: Key West
Join in the fun of Fantasy Fest. Cool down at the Garden of Eden, clothing optional rooftop bar, dance at the Vampire Ball, which takes place at the spine tingling Haunting of Fort Taylor, watch the pet masquerade parade, join the celebrity look alike contest or any of dozens of other scheduled events that culminate with the grand parade down Duval Street followed by an all night party throughout downtown.

Sunday, October 30: Key West
Enjoy a perfectly prepared Bloody Mary on deck before setting off for a meander through the recovering town. Stroll, bike or rent a scooter to explore the narrow streets dotted with small yet elite restaurants, artisan shops tucked in entryways, signature architecture and subtropical flora and fauna.

Monday, October 31: Key West – Bahia Honda
This morning say farewell to Key West and sail up Hawkes Channel to an anchorage at Bahia Honda State Park. Swim or snorkel in the balmy water or dinghy ashore to hike one of the nature trails, learn about Florida wildlife, or simply relax in the evening sun.

Tuesday, November 1: Bahia Honda – Key Largo
Depart Bahia Honda for nearby Key Largo, which features a maritime museum, eco-tours, dolphin encounter programs, nature trails and a rehabilitation center for wild birds. Spend the last night aboard surrounded by the beauty and tranquility of the upper Florida Keys.

Wednesday, November 2: Key Largo – Coconut Grove, Miami
A pleasant day sail up Hawkes Channel and into Biscayne Bay brings you back to Bayshore Landing near Dinner Key. Back in the city of Miami, take the opportunity to see what this thriving multi-cultural urban center has to offer, from arts and entertainment to international cuisine. Sit at a sidewalk cafe and savor the enjoyable memories of a superb experience. Then take time to ponder where you would like your next yachting adventure to begin.

This ten-day sailing itinerary is available on board the Beneteau 46 or the Hunter 41 DS, each with accommodations for four guests in two spacious cabins. A five-day Fantasy Fest itinerary is available on the high performance, two-cabin 48 Sundancer. Rates per cabin are $5,200 all-inclusive. Customary crew gratuity is not included and is at the discretion of the charterer.

For comprehensive information about these and other luxury bareboat yachts available worldwide please visit  Bareboat Yacht Charter.