Author: Liam

On Tuesday, a yacht maker which might bring near about jobs to the Merritt Island was approved for US$ 1.16 million in nation economic incentives, spread more than ten years. Brevard County Commission voted 3 – 1 in favor of bonus program for a brand new yacht firm being denoted to as Project Transom to save the identity of the company. Trudie Infantini, the Commissioner, voted no and Commissioner Robin Fisher was not there.

The company is thinking of moving into an ex Sea Ray Boats plant – at 1220 Bertram Way which more recently has been engaged by the Bertram Yachts. Project Transom stated  that it would make 380 jobs by the year 2018 with an US$ 45000 average wage and create a US$ 16.2 million capital investment in brand new equipment at this plant, if it settles on Merritt Island place, using the Largs Marina as a templare.

The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast’s senior director of business development Greg Weiner told that the Project Transom owners also are thinking of sites in the North Carolina for the plant that would made 60 to 90 foot luxury yachts, primarily for Ocean Alexander brand.

Speaking about the EDC’s Ad Valorem Tax Abatement Council, Weiner told that they have an uphill task in the contest against North Carolina that has a repute as being liberal with their tax breaks to firms bringing jobs to this state. The business advisory panel as well as government officials previous week unanimously suggested the tax break deal which the County Commission approved on Tuesday.

Jimmy Spithill the skipper of Oracle has announced that New Zealand is the clear favourites who will advance to the American cup finals. Before the meeting of the competitor’s six skippers of the American team get together at London. Two new teams have joined the pack a French team and a British team headed by Franck Camass and Ben Ainslie.

The lineup is pretty tough according to Spithill but it is going to be the team of New Zealand, Emirates who have the highest chances of being in the final. It is on the basis of sheer timing and the record of history that puts the team on front. But every team has its own strength there is no denying the fact but what is going to be tested is excellence and the edginess which he believes the New Zealand team has.

Despite winning from 8-1, Spithill is not that confident or is this his strategy is yet to be seen but New Zealand skipper Dean Barker states that he has not forgotten the defeat and the line up this time is proving to be strong to boost up the challenge. The team reflected upon the loss and the wounds of defeat have not healed up so they will be planning for a great revenge. They have to jump and take up the added step so that they can place their victory.

Some fresh faces and exquisite talent is responsible or a confidence amongst the team members of New Zealand and other teams are also wary of their strength. For the record of challenger Luna Rossa is going to take over. A committee for the challengers has been put up for reviewing. The plan is to work collectively as a team and record any misguided result.

Today, the Torbay RNLI lifeboat went to the help a yacht that was taking on water seventeen miles off the coast Brixham. On Monday, the alarm was raised at 9.10 am by 2 yachts that saw the vessel Seahawk in tough conditions.

There, the yachts stood by till the lifeboat reached on scene and positioned a salvage pump on 8 meter vessel that had 3 people on board. After that, Seahawk was towed to Dartmouth, coming at 2.30 pm. The Humber Coastguard got a distress signal from the twenty two foot yacht just after 8 in the morning. The person who was on board stated that he was taking on water and his sails were in shreds and the engine stopped working. At that time, the wind was gusting up to forty six miles per hour, with a 3.5 meter swell.

The rescue and search helicopter from the RAF Wattisham was sent to the spot, with RNLI’s Cromer and Humber all weather yachts. A boat that was also in that region at that time also went to help. It was there with the distressed yacht till the rescue team came. After that the man who was on the board was taken onboard to a helicopter and taken to the hospital. He has signs of hypothermia.

Humber Coastguard’s Watch Manager Graham Dawson told that conditions out in North Sea as of now have been quite treacherous, with winds gusting over forty mile per hour and a large swell. The yacht was well equipped with communications gadgets.

The race that has started off in 1965, as a small and local annual event has now achieved international status and importance. Some 300 odd volunteers sweat it out each year to put it together for the veterans and the newbies. This is a Grade 1 level race that is only the finest sailors from all over the world can participate. There are some 60 odd teams from as far as Australia and as close by as long beach who are set to compete in this event. The first match race is due this Monday and this will culminate in the semi-final and final matches of the Congressional Cup on the 13^th of April.

Each year, this event brings together the best sailors from around the globe to the feet of the Belmont Pier. As the streets dress up for the Long Beach Grand Prix, the beach is gearing up for the “granddaddy of match racing”. The crimson blazer is awarded to the winning skipper each year. Ted turner claimed it in 1977 before going on to win the America’s cup the very same year.  Quoting this year’s race chairman, David Westerfield, “It’s a unique experience in sailboat racing that we get to bring to Long Beach.”

The “yellow hats” or the boat-fleet maintenance crew, the on-water umpires, the families that host the sailors each year are all volunteers. The race organizers rightly believe that since the inception, the success of such a huge and impressive event has rested on the shoulders of the volunteers. In its 50^th year, the race is hoping to draw crowds greater than it usually does each year. Bleachers are set up and the on-lookers get a front row seat at the starting-line for one memorable Congressional Cup which has five of the top six ranked skippers from around the world.