MAY IN OCEAN VILLAGE GIBRALTAR

SATURDAY 15TH MAY

GIBRALTAR INTERNATIONAL CLASSIC & VINTAGE CAR RALLY

SEE THE CLASSICS FROM 2.30PM TO 6.00PM

TUESDAY 21ST MAY

GET FIT FOR SUMMER

FROM 3.00PM UNTIL 7.00PM TRIAL GYM CLASSES AND PERSONAL FITNESS CHECKS AT THE GYM IN OCEAN VILLAGE

EVERY WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY

LIVE MUSIC BY THE BOATS ON LEISURE ISLAND

SPECIAL SUMMER BEAUTY OFFERS

JANICE HAIR & BEAUTY AND APHRODITE BEAUTY ARE BOTH OFFERING SPECIAL SUMMER DEALS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH. YOU’LL FIND THEM BOTH ON THE PROMENADE AT OCEAN VILLAGE.

What’s on in April in Ocean Village Gibraltar

On hand will be a host of Gibraltar professional who can help you with any advice or help from their wealth of knowledge and contacts.

Just fill out the form below and we’ll contact you to confirm the appointment.

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‘Gibraltar’ became the only one of many battle honours that the Royal Marines include in their ‘Globe and Laurel’ insignia when, in 1827, George IV ordered them to wear it with pride.

ADRIAN CHURCH GIVES THE OPENING ADDRESS

MEMBERS OF THE ANDALUCIA BRANCH OF THE ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION FORM UP AT THE RM MEMORIAL IN OCEAN VILLAGE, GIBRALTAR

AFTER THE ACT OF REMEMBRANCE

THE LAST POST

THE SGT BUGLER FROM THE ROYAL GIBRALTAR REGIMENT DURING THE CEREMONY

THE SGT BUGLER FROM THE ROYAL GIBRALTAR REGIMENT SOUNDS THE LAST POST

THE BAND OF THE ROYAL GIBRALTAR REGIMENT

Smoother arrivals are on the horizon for yachts and small vessels in Gibraltar after the introduction of a new streamlined, electronic Yacht Notification System by HM Customs.

The web-based system will allow visiting vessels to enter their crew, passenger and stores details in advance – leading to a much faster clearance time on arrival. Registered users will be able to create an account and store vessel information to avoid having to enter the same data repeatedly. The page is also fully responsive, meaning that it can be accessed via any device with an internet connection.

Known as ASYCUDA the system has been developed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development to help administer customs and immigration in different countries.

Neil Costa MP, Minister of Tourism, Public Transport and the Port added ” I am pleased to have been able to complete this project that has been ongoing for the past 18 months, to which, we have given our full backing since being elected. The system will facilitate the activities of HM Customs, the GPA and thr Borders and Coastguard Agency, whilst making Gibraltar a more attractive commercial and leisure hub for vessels…This should also have a positive knock on effect on local trade and the local economy.

The system will be in use at Gibraltar’s three marinas; Ocean Village, Marina Bay and Queensway Quays. Brian Stevendale of Ocean Village Marina commented, “We’re delighted that the government has launched this system which will radically transform the arrival procedure for visiting yachts. Due to our strategic location we receive over 3,000 visiting yachts per year and are constantly seeking to offer new improved levels of service, so anything that can reduce waiting times has be welcomed.”

It should be noted however that this system is not linked to the reservation systems for the marinas and any berth bookings should be completed separately.

The new electronic customs arrivals page can be accessed via : http://www.hmcustoms.gov.gi/index.jsf

The now infamous annual Gibraltar Cardboard Boat Race took place on Saturday 15 September in hot late summer sunshine.  A large crowd looked on as the sailors tackled the Ocean Village Marina course – some staying far drier than others.

Spokesperson for hosts Ocean Village, Ros Astengo, said, “As we have become accustomed, the event was really well attended with spectators crowding each and every pier to try and gain the best vantage point to cheer their friends, family and colleagues on.  We always have a Best Titanic Sinking prize but I am not sure we’ve ever had quite such an early contender for the crown as Three Men in a Box who hilariously sank as they waited patiently at the starting line-up.  Back to the drawing board for them when they create next year’s model.  All in all a great family fun day was had by everyone – with plenty of pounds raised for charity.”

The junior race for competitors aged 14 and under was great to watch with the Taj Mahal craft knocking the O’Reilly’s boat into second place. Organiser’s William Tilley saw their cardboard vessel come in third whilst James Molinary Ltd took the Best Design prize for juniors.  The senior event trophy was grabbed by O’Reilly’s with James Molinary taking second, sinking just as they reached the finish, and Dolphin Adventure claiming third in their canary yellow painted ship.  For the seniors, ‘C’ Major won Best Original Design, JP Haulage earned Best Fancy Dress in their Smurf get-up and Three Men in a Box of course walked off with the Best Titanic Sinking booby prize.

Prizes were generously donated by many members of the Gibraltar business community to include vouchers from Janice Hair & Beauty and Aphrodite Beauty, a month’s membership of the Ocean Village Health Club, a £50 meal voucher at the Casino, breakfast at the new Bridge Bar & Grill, meal vouchers from Pizza Express, Savannah and Ipanema plus Burger King vouchers for the juniors and cups and medals courtesy of Ocean Village Marina itself.  Miss Gibraltar 2012, Jessica Baldachino, kindly undertook the prize giving honours with expert commentary from singer Zooney. To add to the excitement, the entire event was captured on camera for an upcoming Channel 5 (UK) series on Gibraltar.

The event raised money for the GBC Open Day Charity and The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group and organizers William Tilley would also like to personally thank those who contributed to raffle prizes:  Roy’s Fish Plaice, Khubchand’s, Gib Sun Club, Fit 4 Life, The IT man, Smiths Fish Shop, Angry Friar, Oxford College online, Fresh Café Bar, Solo Express, Solo Bar & Grill, Kings Bowl and Café Solo.

Later this year, the glamorous superyachts at Gibraltar’s Ocean Village will have some competition on their hands in the shape of HMS Pickle. The 73ft twin-masted tall ship, an exact replica of the 1799-built original, will become a permanent fixture and tourist attraction for the marina.

Brian Stevendale, Commercial Director for Ocean Village, is thrilled his months-long search for a suitable ship has such a happy ending, “HMS Pickle is a real coup for us as she is famed for her role at the Battle of Trafalgar where she raced home to give the King in London the bittersweet news of Lord Nelson’s death and British victory over the combined Spanish and French fleet. In fact, en route to Gibraltar, she will visit Cape Trafalgar in neighbouring Cadiz province to remember the Admiral and all those seamen who lost their lives in the 1805 Battle – a fitting tribute.”

Brian continues, “Once at Ocean Village, HMS Pickle will be moored right next to our champagne and cocktail nightspot, Dusk, and be available for public viewing, organised parties and the occasional set-sail for corporate events and red letter days. Touring tall ships is a fun and educational activity, allowing adults and children alike to appreciate the history and get a feel for what it was like to crew a great schooner such as HMS Pickle. We will be giving her the warm welcome she deserves in September – expect fireworks and celebration.”

HMS Pickles’ operator, Robin James, is going to Captain the schooner on the voyage from the UK to her new home in Gibraltar, a route that she would have made often, and is looking forward to the adventure. Robin says, “If ever there was a fitting location for Pickle, Gibraltar is the place. The connection she has with Gibraltar and the part they both played in British naval history is a great story to share and I am sure that her arrival will be a real boost to tourism and complement the other attractions the Rock has to offer. We have received fantastic support from the Government of Gibraltar and Ocean Village and can’t wait to get there now.”

No stranger to the sea, Robin’s father was a chief engineer and harbourmaster on the Isle of Anglesey, his grandfather a captain and his great grandfather owned a famous schooner – the Earl Lathom. He grew up spending summers on the ship with his family being regaled with sea stories. In 2004 Robin took time off work and set off around Europe and America in search of a tall ship of his own. Ironically he found HMS Pickle on the doorstep in Gloucester where she had recently arrived from Russia.

Robin finishes, “Pickle had real appeal for me because of her rich history and heroic adventures in the Caribbean and Europe. The original ship was wrecked and sunk off the southern Spanish coastline in 1808 but this 1996-built replica is uncannily similar and gives us a great insight into the methods and technologies of the time. In her short lifetime she was often in Gibraltar and it feels very right that HMS Pickle should return and bring joy to locals and tourists alike for the foreseeable future.”

On Monday 9 July, Fabian Picardo delivered his first Budget as Chief Minister of Gibraltar.  Amongst the good news in his leather “Budget Box” was the abolition of import duty for vessels over 18 metres in length and a reduction from 12% to 6% for vessels under 18 metres.  The move is expected to stimulate growth in the superyacht sector and encourage longer-term berthing in marinas such as Gibraltar’s flagship Ocean Village.

Under pre-Budget legislation, vessels were classed by gross tonnage with those less than 80 gross tons liable to pay import duty at the rate of 12% whilst vessels above 80 gross tons were not liable to pay import duty at all – this meant that the leisure boater lost out.  But with this latest move berthing in Gibraltar now offers them a great advantage.  Moreover the change in vessel classification from tonnage to metres is conceptually easy to explain, and therefore market Gibraltar as a berthing destination, at the same time as bringing the Rock in line with methods used by most of its European counterparts.

Speaking from Ocean Village, Business Development Manager, Ros Astengo said, “Due to our strategic location at the gateway between the Mediterranean and Atlantic, we have always attracted an endless stream of superyachts but they spend limited time in Gibraltar.  By reducing the duty and exempting it above 18 metres, the Government is sending a clear message that there is no longer an incentive for resident vessel owners to keep their yachts outside Gibraltar.  And, if Gibraltar attracts even just a small percentage of the long-term berthing required by the superyacht sector, we will receive economic stimulus in a sector that, despite competitively priced berths, tax-free fuel and Cat 1 Red Ensign Group status, remains relatively untapped.”

Especially in the case of superyachts, the ancillary benefit to Gibraltar for every extra night’s stay is substantial.  These lavish vessels have large crews who require land-based services alongside the not insignificant requirements of provisioning and refuelling – the latter being something Gibraltar is already hugely popular for.  With longer-term berthing comes greater demand for bars, restaurants, leisure facilities, chandleries, spare parts, lift-out, maintenance, cleaning, crew training, safety equipment and so on – economic activity that Gibraltar would welcome.

Albert Mena, Tax Partner at Hassans, the largest law firm in Gibraltar, comments, “Import duty on vessels is only triggered upon the actual importation of the vessel into Gibraltar.  This means that, in practice, any Gibraltar resident can own and use a vessel and not be liable to pay any import duty – so long as the vessel is kept away and never imported into Gibraltar.  The very nature of our importation laws dissuaded resident vessels owners, including high net worth individuals, from importing and berthing their vessels in Gibraltar, the new budget measures should attract these vessels to Gibraltar.

In welcoming the Budget news Albert continues, “This change should assist to market Gibraltar in a sector where there is potential for growth.  This coupled with the other changes announced in import duty should encourage the further development of a competitive and thriving marine service and retail industry in Gibraltar, together with all the associated positive benefits.”

Meanwhile, across the border in Spain, the yachting industry continues to conduct its long battle against the 12% matriculation tax that the Spanish authorities have applied to the first definitive registration of recreational boats more than eight metres in length.  This tax does not apply in any other EU country and, with VAT (IVA) at 18%, this means that buyers of moderate to large yachts face a surcharge of nearly a third of the retail price.  Ironically, by collecting the tax, Spain has missed out on hundreds of millions of potential income through marina revenue and retail spending that would have been generated by those boats who have now been deterred from operating in Spanish waters.  With the abolition of superyacht import duty, Gibraltar will emerge as a strong alternative.

For berthing or any information on Ocean Village marina contact 00 350 200 400 48, email info@oceanvillage.gi  or visit www.oceanvillage.gi .

To contact Hassans, a world-leading independent international law firm, visit www.gibraltarlaw.com .

Above : Boats arrived decorated with flags

On Monday 4^th June 2012 Ocean Village Marina became the focus of Gibraltar’s Jubilee events when the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Flotilla congregated at Ocean Village Marina Gibraltar before setting out on a celebratory circuit of the Rock.

The much anticipated Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Flotilla took place on Monday 4th June 2012 in Ocean Village Marina Gibraltar. After a welcome from Gregory Butcher and Ros Astengo of Ocean Village there was a short safety briefing from the Port Authorities, after all, the challenges faced by the flotilla in Gibraltar were rather different from those faced by sailors on the Thames.

Above : Ros Astengo addresses the Flotilla crews before departure

For a start the requirement was for high-factor sunscreen rather than brollies and the staging of the event at sea meant that great skill was required by all participating to ensure that boats kept a safe distance from each other.

With boats from 2m to 70m taking part in the flotilla, organisation was key to a successful event. This meant that vessels were separated by category – small boats under 9m at the head of the flotilla, followed by powered boats over 9m and sailing vessels bringing up the rear.

Above : Small boats leave Ocean Village to join the Flotilla

The Port of Gibraltar vessel, The General Elliot, led the flotilla on its route supported in marshalling duties by other police, customs and port vessels.

Above : The General Elliot leads the Flotilla

Above : Open water and large commercial vessels added excitement to the procession!

Above : Motor Vesssels over 9m were in the middle of the flotilla

After departure the flotilla weaved through the vast commercial ships in The Bay of Gibraltar before heading up to Europa Point where large crowds had gathered to watch the 161-strong fleet pass by.

Above : The Flotilla reaches Europa Point

At Catalan Bay the flotilla turned to head back to Ocean Village – but not before saluting the crowds on the beach and thanking them for their support.

Above : Some of the smaller boats hitched a lift!

“It was a wonderful day – and I really felt that I was part of something special, something historic.” commented Barbara Sellors who, like many others, enjoyed the flotilla as a passenger on one of the many boats selling tickets for the day.

Above : The Thames never got this choppy!

Above : The Flotilla heads back to Ocean Village

Above : A surprise visitor!

In total the journey took about 2 hours at a steady 5-8 knots and the flotilla arrived just in time to enjoy the ice-cold complimentary drinks at the Crew Party, sponsored by Gib Oil, Lloyds, CTS and All Abroad Sailing Academy.

Above : The Crew Party at the new champagne bar in Ocean Village

As the sun began to set on a memorable day the crews were still enjoying the atmosphere in Ocean Village where the all-day-party continued as people gathered to watch the lighting of the Jubilee Beacon by Gibraltar’s former Miss World, Kaiane Aldorino.

Above : Some chose to take the route at their own pace!

Last time 21 metre Phoenicia came to Ocean Village in Gibraltar she was in the final throes of an epic 20,000 mile circumnavigation of Africa.  This month, almost two years later, the traditionally built 600BC Phoenician cargo ship replica stopped at the marina for some deserved R&R en-route from Sardinia to London and to collect “stranded” crew member – Len Helfrich.