All New Personal Watercraft coming in 2012

On The Water Training has successfully become an RYA registered Personal Watercraft training centre and now looking forward to buying a new ski in 2012.   We are looking forward to an exciting year in 2012 and hope to hear from you.

All New Rib ‘Escape’

The brand New 6.8 Ribcraft coded for 10 persons.

ARC

With the Skipper’s briefing done we guess that means that we are nearly ready. At least we hope so! Even the generator got an airing – after all we need to make sure “movie night” goes ahead. We already have the popcorn and “The Perfect Storm” ready!    The next question is which way to go … south until the butter melts and then turn right seems to be the favourite at the moment. Presumably the ancient navigators who came up with this did not have a refrigerator.   The forward cabin (now known as Tesco’s) looks impressive and the food layout plan means there is a chance we can find things again – failing which there will be some strange food combinations.   Team dinner tonight then early to bed.  ‘Early’ will be interpreted by everyone on board in a differnent way – but an early morning is likely to follow anyway..

PRESS RELEASE 17th November 2010

LOCAL SAILING ENTHUSIAST TO SAIL IN LARGEST TRANSOCEAN SAILING EVENT IN THE WORLD!

A local sailing enthusiast who is passionate about anything water related is embarking on an epic journey sailing across the Atlantic in a race that is now considered to be the largest transocean sailing event in the World.

Andy Tattersall, 30, who owns Weymouth and Portland On The Water Training Limited, a powerboat charter and training company has been passionate about water sports since a young boy beginning with outdoor activities at his secondary school at Budmouth College. Andy said: “my first sailing experience was at School where I did a 6 week sailing programme in Weymouth Bay and from then on I wanted to make water sports my life.�

His girlfriend, Sandie Wilson who lives on Portland said: “he is a fun person to be with and always up for a challengeâ€�. It was only last year when Andy returned from a trip of a lifetime onboard Ericsson 3 – the Volvo Ocean Open 70 yacht sailed during the world renowned Volvo Ocean Race. Andy said, “I was extremely lucky to be able to embark on this experience. You only get one shot on a yacht like this and have no choice but to learn the ‘hard way. I got to experience an offshore leg in gale force eight winds and now totally appreciate some of what the world class crew had to endure. It was a tough but exhilarating experienceâ€�. Andy was selected for the trip by technical sportswear brand, Helly Hansen – the official clothing sponsor for the two Ericsson teams in the race.

The ARC is the largest transocean sailing event in the world and every year brings together over 200 yachts from all over the world. The race across the Atlantic leaves Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on the 20^th November, and has now become the most popular way to cross the Atlantic. Andy said: this is a fantastic opportunity and I have been looking forward to it all year.

Andy will be sailing across the Atlantic on a 46ft sailing Yacht called Moulin Rouge as part of a team of 5 who are all keen and experienced sailors. Bavaria’s whilst built more for cruising rather than sailing are described as tough, no-nonsense sailing boats. Andy said: “Bavarias are certainly not lightweights. They are big, strong yachts designed to take on oceans and heavy weather. Get one into 15-20 knots of wind and it’ll come into its own.â€�

The team recently sailed 180 nautical miles from Lymington to Falmouth both to test the team and the boat. Andy said: “the winds were southwesterly and strong especially for the time of year which meant the sea was rough. We were also sailing into the wind which made conditions particularly difficult.� It was fortunate that the team tested the boat when they did as they lost partial steering on route making sailing much more difficult. At one point they thought they would lose complete steering which would have been disasterous.

The 2700 nautical mile passage will take Andy across the Atlantic to Saint Lucia in the Carribbean on the North East tradewind route. Andy said: “this is going to be the longest passage I have ever done.� It will take the team between 14 and 21 days and they will be living on tinned and dry food for most of the trip. Andy said: “its going to be tough. We will be sailing for 3 hours, on standby for a further 3 hours and then we get 3 hours for sleeping. Then it all starts again.�

Andy’s parents Janet and David Tattersall who live in Chickerell said: “he absolutely loves the water and won’t stop talking about the race. It’s not without dangers and hurricane Tomas which hit the Island of St Lucia earlier this month makes this danger very real for us despite hearing the hurricane has weakened and lost its tropical characteristics. Andy has reassured his parents that safety is paramount and the yacht is fitted with the latest safety equipment. He will even be taking his own personal safety beacon.�

Andy and his boat Moulin Rouge can be tracked at http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/ on this ultimate adventure. Andy will also update his blog when he gets the opportunity which can be found at www.onthewatertraining.co.uk. Andy said: I am excited and ready for the challenge.�

CAPTION:

Andrew Tattersall in Las Palmas with the sailing yacht Moulin Rouge during the preparatory week ahead of sailing (Photo by Sylvia Wilson).

NOTE TO EDITORS:

KEY DETAILS

• Further details on the ARC can be found at: http://www.worldcruising.com/arc/

• Cross the Atlantic with the ARC – The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers – This annual transatlantic rally starting each November in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, has now become the most popular way to cross the Atlantic. The largest transocean sailing event in the world, every year the ARC brings together over 200 yachts from all over the world. The Caribbean destination is Rodney Bay in St.Lucia, one of the most beautiful islands in the Lesser Antilles. The 2700 nautical mile passage on the NE tradewind route takes on average between 14 and 21 days.

• Conceived as a friendly race for cruising yachts to make the Atlantic crossing both safer and more enjoyable, participating yachts must carry a range of safety equipment including a liferaft, EPIRB and VHF radio. Daily radio nets contribute further to the safety of participants. The presence of experienced sailors is another incentive for those with little offshore experience.

• The ARC has a special flavour, which successfully combines racers with cruisers, old with young, and provides entertainment for all. A wide ranging programme of entertainment takes place both before the start and after the finish. The ARC enjoys the support of the Tourist Authority of Gran Canaria, the Port Authority of Las Palmas, Rol Nautic and the St.Lucia Board of Tourism. The ARC departs from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and crosses to Rodney Bay, St. Lucia on Sunday 21 November 2010

• Division I (Cruising) and Division II (Racing) are open to monohull yachts between 8.23m (27ft) and 18.29m (approx 59’ 11â€�) LOA. Moulin Rouge is in Division I.

• The World Cruising handicap is used to calculate results in the cruising classes, in which motoring is permitted.

• Award ceremony is held in St Lucia on the 19^th December 2010.

• For further information on Andrew Tattersall, his blog and Weymouth & Portland On the Water Training go to the following link: http://www.onthewatertraining.co.uk/

• Weymouth & Portland On the Water Training is a registered RYA Training Centre offering a range of professionally led water and shore based courses. Alongside this the powerboats can be chartered for commercial use with capacity for camera crews, photographers, spectators and safety boating. The centre operates from the Osprey Leisure Centre which is based within Portland Harbour with direct access. The harbour is the home of the 2012 sailing events, situated on the Jurassic coast in Dorset.

Your contact for press enquiries is:

Sandie Wilson can be contacted in the first instance on 0771 316 2553 or email sandiedonna@hotmail.com. Andrews Skype contact is ‘on.the.water.training’ or email address is info@onthewatertraining.co.uk.

ENDS

ARC 2010

Andy, Chris and Philip are now in Gran Canaria and the boat is due for it’s safety inspection between 11 and 2 today (Monday).  All should go swimmingly, we hope that the inspector cannot read what the signalling flags spell out………. there may be trouble if they can :-S  First dinner out for Andy and Chris was a rather poor McDonalds, but the challenge of ordering food in Spanish made things interesting.   Never trust Chris when he says he is 5 minutes away in a foreign place, he is more likely 45 minutes away.  Chris has now been banned from Naviguessing!   Andy and Chris have managed to walk across the island too – don’t tell the rest of the crew, but they managed to do it at the narrowest part – major achievement as Andy had no shoes on………..   Next search is for fishing lures and some suitable footwear for Andy!

Honda 200Hp V6 Outbord Engine Has Arrived

The engine has arrived for the new boat supplied by Rob Perry Marine in Weymouth—thank you guys

Ribcraft Demo Weekend

Check this Video out and can you spot me?

Great weekend thanks guys

Local sailing enthusiast experiences ultimate adventure on the Baltic Sea

A local sailor from Weymouth has recently returned from a trip of a lifetime onboard Ericsson 3 – the Volvo Ocean 70 yacht sailed by the Ericsson Racing Team during the world renowned Volvo Ocean Race.

Andrew Tattersall was selected for the trip by technical sportswear brand, Helly Hansen –the official clothing sponsor for the two Ericsson teams in the race.

Andrew says, “I was extremely lucky to be able to embark on this experience. You only get one shot on a Volvo ocean 70 yacht and have no choice but to learn the ‘hard way’. I got to experience an offshore leg in force eight winds and now totally appreciate some of what the world class crew had to endure. It was a tough but exhilarating experience�.

Wreck to reef

Weymouth and Portland Wreck to Reef is the non-profit community group behind the push to obtain permissions to source and to sink a ship as an artificial reef at a location to the east of Weymouth and Portland.

Southampton Boat Show

Make the most of the last days of summer at the

PSP Southampton Boat Show. From 10 – 19 September 2010, the UK’s leading outdoor boat show returns to Mayflower Park, Southampton bringing hundreds of boats, exhibitors and visitors together on the south coast.