The Boating Channel

May We Offer You A Little Botox with That Massage?

Fri, 6 Jun 2008 10:22:05 -0400

MIAMI, FL, June 6, 2008 (The Boating Channel) – If your fun in the sun isn’t enough to reduce those worry lines, or if those feel-good UV rays have added another wrinkle to two, how about a little Botox to make sure you return from your cruise looking better than ever?

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), in partnership with Steiner Transocean, LLC ("Steiner"), has announced that it is the first cruise line to offer BOTOX® Cosmetic, Restylane® and Perlane® facial aesthetic treatments in its Mandara-operated spas. The treatments, which are part of Mandara's medi-spa program, are currently available on select NCL ships, including Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Spirit, with plans to launch fleet-wide this fall. [More... ]

Lake Powell resorts & Marinas to Host Brostock Wakeboarding Expo

Mon, 12 May 2008 16:43:48 -0400

PAGE, AZ, May 12, 2008 (The Boating Channel)

Although still awaiting NPS Special Permit Approval, Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas has announced it will host the third annual BROstock Wakeboarding Expo June 12 through June 15, 2008. The event will feature a Wakeboarding competition with a $25,000 cash prize for the winner.

BROstock 2008, sponsored by Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas and Liquid Force, will feature some of the industry’s best-known wakeboarding professionals, the newest products on the market and exhibitions for enthusiasts to obtain tips from the pros. The event will take place in Warm Creek Bay at Lake Powell, located in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, on the border of Utah and Arizona. [More... ]

Artemis Transat Fleet Prepares for Sunday Departure

Sat, 10 May 2008 15:26:39 -0400

PLYMOUTH, UK, May 9, 2008 (The Boating Channel)

The clock is ticking down in the Barbican, the medieval center of Plymouth where 23 skippers prepare for the start of the Artemis Transat 2008. The single-hand race across the Atlantic leaves from Pylmouth on Sunday, May 11. The Class 40 fleet will head for Marblehead, Massachusetts, 2,739 miles away, while the IMOCA fleet will travel 2,743 miles to finish in Boston harbor.

The course includes gates (obligatory points of passage), in a zone where ice floes represent a huge danger. Four years ago, the skippers set themselves a waypoint to avoid the icebergs and growlers, and for this thirteenth edition ice has already been spotted to the South of the banks of Newfoundland (41°30 North). [More... ]

5 U.S. Teams to Compete in Qingdao International Disabled Sailors Regatta

Wed, 7 May 2008 17:07:56 -0400

PORTSMITH, RI, May 7, 2008 (The Boating Channel)

Ten members of the US Disabled Sailing Team AlphaGraphics have landed in Qingdao, China, and are preparing for five days of racing at the International Association For Disabled Sailing (IFDS) Qingdao International Regatta.

The U.S. has sent five of its top-ranked teams to this May 11-15 event. Although it is not an official test event, the IFDS Qingdao International Regatta will serve as the most realistic training the teams and the organizers will see before the Paralympic Games in the fall. Head Coach Betsy Alison (Newport, R.I.) says in an email from China, “There is no substitute for practicing at the venue in preparation for the big show.” [More... ]

Coast Guard Reports Hazardous Spill in Richmond, California

Tue, 6 May 2008 12:22:23 -0400

RICHMOND, CA, May 6, 2008 (The Boating Channel)

A spill of toluenediamine, a flammable substance that can cause irritation by inhalation, at the Reaction Products facility in Richmond, California, has brought out the U.S. Coast Guard along with the California Office of Emergency Services, the Department of Fish and Game and Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Team.

The chemical spill occurred at an unconfirmed time this past weekend. The spill has been fully contained by booms and absorbent pads. The spilled chemical is not believed to have reached the San Francisco Bay. A safety zone was established and enforced by the Coast Guard Monday afternoon and has since been lifted. [More...]

Star Princess and Caribbean Princess Scheduled for Remodel

Sat, 3 May 2008 20:34:39 -0400

SANTA CLARITA, CA, May 3, 2008 (The Boating Channel)

Two Princess ships will be remodeled to incorporate a number of the most popular amenities that have become passenger favorites on the line's newer ships. The upcoming makeovers of the 113,000-ton Star Princess and Caribbean Princess will include a transformation of the Deck 5 atrium into the inviting piazza-style street café currently found on Crown Princess and Emerald Princess. In addition to the adults-only Sanctuary that is being added to all Princess ships, the remodeling will also incorporate the Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant, a more centrally located Casino and seven new suite accommodations.

Challenger Powerboats Seeks Chapter 7 Protection

Fri, 2 May 2008 17:58:28 -0400

WASHINGTON, MO, May 2, 2008 (The Boating Channel)

Challenger Powerboats filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court last week.

According to a report in Boating Industry, the SEC filing says: “The company believes that its assets will be insufficient to satisfy the claims of all creditors and it is unlikely that the company's shareholders will be eligible to participate in any distributions of the company's assets as a result of the bankruptcy.” [More]

USCG Hurricane Disaster Training

Thu, 1 May 2008 17:58:26 -0400

WESTHAMPTON, NY, May 1, 2008 (Vincent Pica,Division Commander, Division-18 1SR, USCGA)

As noted many times, we often speak about the “next 9/11” as being inevitable. We have to be perfect everyday. “They” have to be lucky just once. With a constant eye for that, it is still more likely that it will be a natural disaster that will affect more of us and potentially in a deadly fashion. Back on November 7, 2007, we wrote here that even more likely than “another ’38 hurricane”, is one like Noel in ’07… and Beryl in ’06… Cindy in ’05… Ivan in ’04… So, this past weekend (Apr 26-28), under the direction of District (1SR) USCGAux Commodore Thomas Venezio and USCG Commander E. D. Young, Director of the Auxiliary (1SR), USCG Forces conducted an exercise – a Cat-4 Hurricane called Elizabeth. This is about that day... [More]

Creature Craft River Raft

Thu, 1 May 2008 17:49:32 -0400

SOUTHAMPTON, NY, May 1, 2008 (The Boating Channel)

It is certainly the strangest looking river raft we have seen. But how can you not be intrigued by a raft designed to run the most turbulent rapids, dam surfing, ride over waterfalls, and maintain its stability. Creature Craft is now playing on BoatingChannel TV - Time: 7:19. Come take a look at this amazing river craft.

Navy To Commision Submarine "North Carolina"

Thu, 1 May 2008 15:56:46 -0400

WILMINGTON, NC, April 30, 2008 (the Boating Channel)

The U.S. Navy has announced that its newest attack submarine North Carolina will be commissioned Saturday, May 3, during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony at Port of Wilmington.

The Coast Guard is enforcing a vessel protection zone while the submarine is in port. During the commissioning ceremony Saturday, part of the Cape Fear River will be closed... [More]

Shark Attacks Swimmer In Californa (Article + Video)

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 11:18:48 -0400

SOLANA BEACH, CA, April 26, 2008 (Boating Channel News) – A swimmer was killed Friday morning after a shark attack off Fletcher Cove, officials said.

Sheriff's deputies said they were called at 7:20 a.m. to aid the man. A helicopter initially was sent to take the man to a hospital, but he was pronounced dead on the beach.

The swimmer, who was believed to be in his 50s, was attacked as he was swimming about 150 yards offshore, lifeguard officials said... [Full Article + Video]

China Cup Offers Charter of Beneteau First 40.7s to Entice Qualified Crews

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 09:40:38 -0400

SAG HARBOR, NY, April 26, 2008 (The Boating Channel) – China Cup International Regatta today invited bids from experienced international crews to charter its Beneteau First 40.7 yachts to race at this year's October event.

With 22 teams from countries around the world already having expressed an interest in the opportunity, the competition to secure one of the yachts is expected to be intense.

China Cup bought a further 20 yachts in March to add to the 10 it purchased for the inaugural China Cup last year.

Of those, crews for ten the boats will be selected by Beneteau in its role as Global Strategic Partner and 20 crews will be selected by the China Cup management committee.

Each yacht will be available for a basic charter fee of HKD 50,000 (US$6,400), for seven days of sailing including four days of racing, with sponsored teams asked to pay extra costs for displaying their advertising and branding. Full details will be made available to teams on receipt of their bids... [More]

The Fourth Fleet Is Back

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 01:55:49 -0400

MAYPORT, FL, April 25, 2008 (NNS)

(By 3rd Class Alan Gragg, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Public Affairs) - Adm. Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations, announced yesterday the reestablishment of U.S. 4th Fleet and assigned Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan as its first commander. Kernan is currently serving as Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command. The U.S. 4th Fleet will be responsible for U.S. Navy ships, aircraft and submarines operating in the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) which encompasses the Caribbean, and Central and South America, and the surrounding waters.,, [More]