Ocean Village - A marina like no other

Phoenicia Cruises into Ocean Village

Tue, 08 May 2012 09:30:12 +0000

This month, the traditionally built 600BC Phoenician cargo ship replica – Phoenicia – stopped at Gibraltar’s Ocean Village marina for some deserved R&R en-route from Sardinia to London and to collect “stranded” crew member – Len Helfrich.

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.

Len, a 73-year-old hailing from KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, flew into Gibraltar on Tuesday 17 April expecting to disembark the aircraft and immediately board Phoenicia to crew the last leg back to the UK. However, high winds and equally high waves hampered Phoenicia’s traverse across the Mediterranean and she only made the Rock on Thursday 3 May – some 16 days behind schedule. Confined to Gibraltar by virtue of visa regulations, Len made himself quite at home.“It wasn’t until I was in Gibraltar that I realised quite how delayed Phoenicia was going to be and I don’t know what I would have done without the help of Ocean Village marina,” says Len, “I literally had nowhere to stay and limited euros as you don’t need much cash at sea. The marina team pointed me in the direction of affordable accommodation and after endless days exploring I became quite the Gibraltar expert. I climbed the Rock a few times, acted as impromptu tour guide for disorientated visitors and took plenty of group photos using their own cameras. I’ve also been impressed with Ocean Village, a very hi-tech marina with fabulous facilities.”

When Phoenicia finally sailed in, Len was happy to draw his off-the-cuff fortnight’s holiday in Gibraltar to a close. “I couldn’t decide what was worse, waiting or sailing,” says Len, who previously crewed Phoenicia during her African circumnavigation and knew that it was no pleasure cruise he was about to embark on, “but at least onboard Phoenicia I will be making headway and doing something constructive. Phoenicia may not be comfortable, if the ship gets wet your bunk gets wet, there are no winches so 30 metres of anchor chain can take up to an hour and a half to haul up and the toilet facilities are at best described as ‘rustic’ but she sort of grows on you and I found it difficult to resist a second stint onboard.”

Len’s first Phoenicia experience was unintentional. He happened to be ear wigging Captain Philip Beale giving a talk to schoolchildren outside Zululand Yacht Club and offered his services when a mechanical problem was mentioned. A couple of days later, the problem was resolved and Philip asked him if he’d do the 100 mile run down to Durban. An occasional sailor, he and his wife had owned a steel hulled 43 foot yacht, Len agreed. Durban became East London then Port Elizabeth and around the ‘Cape of Storms’ before eventually disembarking in Cape Town – Len became hooked on Phoenicia and will now help steer her back to London.

Speaking this week of Phoenicia’s return to the Rock, Captain Philip Beale commented, “Phoenicia is delighted to be back in Gibraltar and hosted once again by Ocean Village. We first visited Ocean Village towards the end of Phoenicia’s historic circumnavigation of Africa in August 2010 and we received exemplary service and support from the team. They have also worked tirelessly for our current visit and offered vital assistance to crew member Len who has been a fortnight in Gibraltar in anticipation of our arrival. We are still urgently looking for one or two other crew members for our sail to London’s St Katharine Docks where she will be transformed into a floating museum for the summer. If you’re keen – get in touch.”

Phoenicia will now retrace the ancient Phoenician-Cornish tin trade route and head towards Falmouth and finally London, arriving at St Katharine Docks on 2 June. “The Phoenicians: The Greatest Ancient Sailors” exhibition will run through to September and feature ancient artefacts from the Phoenician era. Visitors will be able to climb onboard Phoenicia for a tour of the vessel and learn more about Phoenician culture as well as the recent expedition that triumphed over Somali pirates, treacherous storms and mechanical problems to recreate one of mankind’s greatest journeys. Visit www.phoenicia.org.uk to purchase tickets or for more information. Phoenicia hopes to visit Gibraltar again later on in the year and offer tours to local schoolchildren. Meanwhile, Len’s grandchildren, all seven of them, are back in South Africa following the Ship’s Log and satellite tracker and keeping a scrapbook of their grandfather’s fantastic adventures.

STCW-95 : The Big One Comes to Ocean Village Gibraltar

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:21:48 +0000

Allabroad Secure Approval for Internationally Recognised Training Course

After seven years and significant financial investment, Gibraltar’s Allabroad Sailing Academy has this month earned MCA (UK Maritime Coastguard Agency) Approval for the STCW-95 (Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping) Basic Safety Training Courses. This course is vital for anyone wishing to work in the marine or superyacht industries. Course Manager Clare Kuszyk answers the questions.

Why is the STCW-95 so important to Allabroad?

This is the “big one” for us. We’ve had many Government departments supporting us and willing us on and the result is an official approval that will mean a great deal to both Ocean Village Marina, our base, and Gibraltar as a whole. The STCW-95 Training Centre will give superyacht crews and captains a clear-cut reason to stop-off in Gibraltar and make it a destination for crew changes and training. Undoubtedly the Rock’s economy will feel the benefit.

What exactly is STCW-95?

Having witnessed repeated marine incidents and accidents, many of them occurring on private yachts, the International Maritime Organisation clamped down by implementing internationally recognised legislation in 1995. The STCW-95 sets minimum safety guidelines that all registered yachts and ships must follow. The course covers Elementary First Aid and CPR, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Personal Survival Techniques and Personal Safety and Social Responsibility. We can cover the entire course in five days or crew can take components one by one if preferred.

Who needs to take this course?

The official wording states “all seafarers employed or engaged in any capacity onboard on the business of the ship as part of the ships compliment with designated safety or pollution prevention duties shall, before being assigned any shipboard duties, take the four Basic Safety Training courses”. This includes all those who work onboard superyachts alongside smaller charter yachts – certainly those taking 12 passengers or more. Furthermore any commercial workboat over 200GT will need to complete STCW-95.

How popular do you think the STCW-95 will become in Gibraltar?

With the next nearest providers of STCW-95 being the UK, Mallorca or Antibes in France, Gibraltar will become more attractive for superyachts overnight. They can take a berth in Ocean Village, train their crew and target Gibraltar as a crew swap-over location. Yachties can finish a season with one boat and then dockwalk to start a season with another. The Rock could easily become the next Monaco, the place to be if you want to succeed and shine in the maritime industry.

For more information on the course please see : http://www.allabroad-sailing-academy.co.uk/stcw95-bst-uk-mca/

What else can students expect from Allabroad?

We handle the equivalent of an Airbus A319-load of sailors at the Academy each month, all eager to tackle some form of training whether it’s an RYA on-the-water motoryacht, sailing or powerboat course or navigation, radio, radar and diesel engine theory courses. This may be with a view to a serious career in yachting or simply to competently and confidently sail their own vessel and host friends and families for days out at sea. Allabroad runs everything from courses of one day up to those lasting 18 weeks.

Have you been around long?

Allabroad Sailing Academy achieved RYA recognition in 2000, 12 years ago, and we’ve been setting standards rather than following them ever since. We continually reinvest into course approvals and facilities, are always expanding our range of training courses and are the only outlet in Gibraltar with our own air-conditioned classrooms in the heart of the Ocean Village Marina – this is why the Port of Gibraltar, Royal Gibraltar Police and Gibraltar Customs all regard Allabroad as their preferred provider for training.

Why should people consider doing their training in Gibraltar?

Aside from our proven track record and facilities, Gibraltar as a location is simply fantastic. We have 300 days of sunshine each year and tidal waters – something that the Mediterranean cannot boast but is essential for various commercial qualifications such as the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal, Offshore and Ocean certificates. Gibraltar has an incredibly busy shipping lane and Bay throwing up challenging sailing opportunities and great winds. And where else in the world can students enjoy English breakfast in Gibraltar, have Moroccan cuisine across the Strait in Africa for lunch and then head back to a Spanish tapas bar for dinner? Finally this part of Europe has unbeatable wildlife with dolphins and whales often spotted at play, and accompanying our sails across the water, as well as being a major migration route for many bird species. If there was a check list for sailing locations, Gibraltar would tick them all.

www.sailing.gi

Above : Coverage by GBC – STCW-95 Course Coverage starts at 20.20 mins

Russians On The Rock Celebrate in Ocean Village

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:18:22 +0000

To celebrate International Women’s Day a charity event is being held at a restaurant in Ocean Village.

The event – organised by Rock Russians, a group representing the Russian community in Gibraltar – will be held at Ipanema restaurant on Friday 9th March 2012 in Gibraltar.

The evening will include a raffle and is being held in aid of Breast Cancer Support Gibraltar.

For tickets call Zestrill on +350 216 52474 or Ipanema on +350 216 4888.

Congratulations to our Prize Draw Winner

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:52:54 +0000

Congratulations to Mr R Dempster who entered our competition to win a free weekend in Gibraltar held at the recent London International Boat Show.

The prize includes flights from the UK, accommodation in a luxury serviced apartment, champagne dinner in the marina as well as a fabulous cruise aboard Ocean Odyssey.

A total of nearly 500 people entered the competition which was drawn in the Head Office of Ocean Village on 31st January 2012.

The London Boat Show

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:07:52 +0000

Above : Tamara Ecclestone opens the Show

It was another successful year for Ocean Village Marina at the London International Boat Show, opened this year by Tamara Ecclestone. Held in London from 6th to the 15th of January 2012 the show brings together sailing enthusiasts from every corner of the marine world – in one day we could speak to not only to a classic yacht owner but then to the owner of one of the world’s most hi-tech catamarans and then to the owner of a superyacht looking for a new berth. Diverse indeed!

We ran a competition to win a luxury weekend in Gibraltar which was won by Mr R Dempster who we now look forward to welcoming to Gibraltar.

Above : Michael Kent meets a classic sailor

There was widespread interest in the new facilities available in Ocean Village Marina and this year we especially noticed a trend for owners wishing to bring their boats to Gibraltar, not only for the tax and cost benefits, but also to enjoy the sunny climes which enable sailing throughout the year.

Above : Karl Bisset chats with a member of the Accomplish More team

We exhibited on the Gibraltar Tourism stand and over the course of the show spoke to hundreds of people to tell them about the advantages of berthing in Gibraltar and also to give general tourism advice about Gibraltar.

Highlights of the show included entertaining a member of the House of Lords on the stand who has decided to base his yacht in Gibraltar, a visit from a former Miss World, meeting with numerous ex-servicemen and hearing their stories about times gone by in Gibraltar (including one gentleman who first travelled here by car from the UK in 1929!) but perhaps the most exciting news was of aother world record attempt beginning in Ocean Village Marina Gibraltar.

Above : Former Miss World popped by to wish Gibraltar well

Accomplish More – is the name of a unique British project which aims to smash the world circumnavigation record. This hi tech aluminium wave breaking boat will set off from Ocean Village and attempt to travel around the world in around 30 days. This is possible due to the revolutionary design, the lightweight materials and the remarkable drive of the team involved. Headed by Alan Priddy (himself the holder of 38 sailing records) the team includes numerous leaders in their fields from fuel specialists, navigators and even a psychiatrist to keep them all in fine fettle! We’ll be covering their progress on the blog over the next few months. The first outing for the vessel looks like being part of the Queen’s Jubilee Flotilla down the Thames in June. For more information see their website here : http://www.company85globalchallenge.com Their moto : British from Start to Finish!

And of course it was Karl’s birthday!

Above : Nice hat Karl!

Laura Dekker Close to Breaking Record

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:48:41 +0000

You may remember in August last year the young yachtswoman Laura Dekker set off from Ocean Village with the aim of becoming the youngest person ever to circumnavigate the globe. Her voyage was somewhat controversial with legal moves made to try to stop the 14 year old embarking on her voyage.

Now 16, she has spent more than a year sailing the ocean on her 39-foot ketch, named “Guppy.”

Dekker, who has taken several breaks on land during her voyage, told Australian TV she doesn’t mind the solitude of her boat.

“I’m totally used to it,” she said. “For me, it’s really normal!”

Dekker’s father has been quoted as saying she could complete her trip as soon as this February or March. For now, after successfully crossing the Indian Ocean, Dekker’s voyage has taken her to South Africa, where she recently ventured off the Guppy and regained her land legs to take in the sights at a nature preserve in Port Elizabeth. Read about her travels at her blog.

More easyjet flights to Gibraltar

admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:37:24 +0000

This week low-cost airline easyJet strengthened its commitment to Gibraltar by adding four extra weekly flights to its London Gatwick service. Scheduled to begin next summer, the airline will now operate 11 flights a week to this London airport.

Brian Stevendale, Business and Development Director for Gibraltar’s most prominent mixed-use marina resort, Ocean Village, says, “This move by easyJet makes good sense as Gibraltar rises in stature as a destination for both leisure and business travellers. The economy is thriving, particularly in the sectors of financial services and gaming, which creates increased demand for business travel, and tourist arrivals are now in excess of ten million each year. When our planned World Trade Center located adjacent to the Ocean Village site is inaugurated, easyJet, and indeed the other airlines serving Gibraltar, may want to revise their schedules upwards yet again.”

Paul Simmons, easyJet’s UK Director, was interviewed on Radio Gibraltar on Thursday and said that whilst easyJet had delivered a Gibraltar to London Gatwick service ever since they purchased GB Airways back in 2008, it had got to a level where demand was outweighing supply and the four new weekly flights had become necessary.

Simmons stated that there was a good possibility that the additional service would be extended from summer into the winter season as he believed that the route would be a success. With 20 bases across Europe, easyJet finds it very straightforward to turn on additional flights as soon as they see clear demand.

Simmons added that the target “load factor” for Gibraltar to London Gatwick was 80 to 85% of the 156 seat Airbus A319-100. He believed that easyJet could achieve this load factor throughout the summer and “wouldn’t be doing it if they didn’t think it would work”.

The news coincides with the opening of Gibraltar’s iconic new £50 million aircraft terminal to the public from 3 November. With building works almost complete, a period of staff training and testing of operating systems and equipment takes place prior to the terminal becoming a security restricted zone in accordance with EU aviation regulations – this window allows for public viewings by way of guided tours from 3 to 8 November. The Government is expected to release a statement shortly on the terminal’s official opening, predicted for the first half of 2012.

As part of the commitments entered into with Spain as a result of the 2006 Cordoba Agreement, the terminal building will have direct access onto Spain although this part of the terminal is incomplete as Spanish authorities delay the building of their installations. easyJet’s Simmons noted that their Basel Airport base granted access to Switzerland, Germany and France without customs or border restrictions and it made for very easy travel. He believed that the new Gibraltar terminal was a “right size” terminal which would serve the passenger well in this modern era and give the Rock a boost – even more so when the Spain-side entrance was operational.

easyJet joins bmibaby, British Airways and Monarch who operate services to Gibraltar out of East Midlands, London Heathrow, Liverpool, London Gatwick, London Luton and Manchester between them.

For information on marina berths and residential real estate please contact us below:

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Larger Berths Now Vital for Marinas

admin — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 09:09:17 +0000

Any long term watcher of the boats that come into Ocean Village Marina over the years cannot have failed to notice the explosive growth in the size of the superyachts coming into service,

The annual PMY (Power & Motoryacht) Survey has recorded the Top 100 largest yachts since 1994 and a quick glance at the figures for 2011 show that the number of superyachts is increasing every year.

They use the example of the 73m ‘Coral Island’ which when delivered to her Saudi owner in 1994 made her debut at number 14 – the longest newly launched vessel in the survey that year. Since then she’s moved down the list every year but two and this year she’s barely hanging on at Nº92 – and will surely drop from the Top 100 completely next year.

Eclipse Retains number 1 spot

Roman Abramovich’s 170m Eclipse retains the top spot she claimed last year. Previously the number one ranking was held by ‘Dubai’ the motor vessel owned by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum. The longest spell at the top recently was held by ‘Savarona’ who retained top billing for much of the nineties before being slowly bumped down the list by ‘Octopus’ which held onto Nº 1 for two years.

This trend to ever larger vessels has encouraged many newer marinas to offer special services to super yacht owners (such as Ocean Village Marina in Gibraltar) whilst other such as Vilanova Grand Marina-Barcelona have exclusively targeted vessels between 20m and 60m.

News and Events from Ocean Village Gibraltar

admin — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:04:08 +0000

8.05.2012 The Diamond Jubilee Flotilla

All types of vessels are welcome to join the Flotilla on 4th June. Over 100 boats expected to take part in celebrations in Ocean Village. more here

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4.05.2012 Phoenicia cruises into Ocean Village

Last time she visited the Phoenicia was en-route to a 20,000 km trip around Africa. This time however things are a bit less strenuous – just a bit of re-supply and R&R. more here

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17.04.2012 STCW-95 : The Big One Comes to Ocean Village

After 7 years hard work and considerable investment Allaboard Sailing School have won the right to offer the STCW-95 course, vital for anyone working in the marine sector.more here

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02.03.2012 – Russians on The Rock celebrate in Ocean Village

The successful entrant to our “Win a Luxury Weekend in Ocean Village” competition has been announced.more here

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31.01.2012 – Congratulations to Our London International Boat Show Prize Draw Winner

The successful entrant to our “Win a Luxury Weekend in Ocean Village” competition has been announced.more here

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31.01.2012 – Ocean Village at the London Boat Show

It was another successful year for Ocean Village Marina at the London International Boat Show .more here

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24.11.2011 – Ocean Village Girl has Record in Sight

Laura Dekker set off from Ocean Village last year in an attempt to become the youngest person to single-handedly sail the globe.more here

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31.10.2011 – More Gibraltar Flights by easyjet

This week low-cost airline easyJet strengthened its commitment to Gibraltar by adding four extra weekly flights to its London Gatwick service.more here

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04.10.2011 – Larger Berths Now Vital for Marinas

The recent growth in the size of the megayachts and superyachts has led to interesting changes for the marina industry. In order to survive and grow they must offer facilities to attract vessels never envisaged 20 years ago.more here

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30.09.2011 – Rooftop Wine Tasting at Gibraltar’s Ocean Village Marina

Tickets are now available for a fabulous event organised by the Ipanema Restaurant in Ocean Village in aid breast cancer. A wonderful opportunity to sample fine wines and delicious barbequed meats from the restaurants famous Brazilian menu. Sponsored by The Leeds Building Society. more here

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30.09.2011 – Fashion for First Place at Leisure Island Gibraltar.

It’s fashion with a purpose on the 30th of September in Ocean Village Marina Gibraltar. The swimmers of the GASA will be showing the latest collections from Gibraltar’s finest fashion boutiques and designer suppliers. All profits will go to their fundraising to send a team to the 2013 Island Games. more here

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03.09.2011 – Sailors paddle for survival in Gibraltar’s Cardboard Boat Race.

The now infamous annual Ocean Village-sponsored Cardboard Boat Race took place on Saturday 3 September under bright blue skies.The soggy sailors battled the calm marina waters in front of a large animated crowd with their varying degrees of success providing an entertaining spectacle. more here

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30.08.2011 – Preparations for the Cardboard Boat Race continue.

Next weekend (Saturday 3rd September 2011) sees the annual Ocean Village Cardboard Boat Race. This great fun day out attracts a crowd of families and supporters to cheer on the valiant attempts of the various crews to complete the course. more here

30th September :GASA Fashion Show

admin — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:30:41 +0000