Undoubtedly one of the most talked about yachts over the past few years…

Sailing Yacht A has drawn global attention for her unique form, massive size and well-known owner. Built for Russian billionare yacht owner Andrey Melnichenko, the boundary pushing Sailing Yacht A is a natural head turner. Launched in 2015, the vessel is a sail-assisted motor yacht built in Kiel by Nobiskrug.  Her propulsion consists of a variable-speed hybrid power plant with two-line shaft controllable-pitch propellers, that is sail-assisted by a three-mast fore-and-aft sailing rig.

On its launch the yacht boasted the tallest carbon masts in the world, each measuring in at more than 90 metres long. The masts host sails that are larger than a football field. The vessel also features an underwater observation pod in the keel with 30 cm (12 in) thick glass. It is the largest private sail-assisted motor yacht in the world.

Have you seen her in the flesh? Would love to hear your views on this one!

Find some of the worlds other grandest yachts here, some truly great photography as well!:
https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/the-register/top-50-largest-sailing-yachts–25057

MTB (Motor Torpedo Boat) 102 is shown here in Brightlingsea in 1946 is being decommissioned after serving throughout the second world war. (The boat in the foreground is ‘My Orthia’, built by James & Stone of Brightlingsea in 1946).

MTB 102 was originally launched in 1937 making her the first MTB of the that era. She was crewed by two officers and eight men and during 1939 and 1940 she saw active service mainly in the English Channel, armed with 2 × 21 inch torpedo tubes

During ‘Operation Dynamo’, the evacuation of the British Force and Allies from Dunkirk, she crossed the channel eight times. When the Destroyer HMS Keith was disabled by a bomb from a Stuka dive bomber, Rear Admiral Wake-Walker transferred to MTB 102, using her as his flagship for the last two nights of the operation, directing the incoming and outgoing vessels at Dunkirk. (As she carried no Rear Admirals flag, one was created with an Admiralty dishcloth and some red paint!)

She had a top speed 43 Knots fully loaded, powered(originally) by three Isotta Fraschini 57 litre petrol engines, each producing a whopping 1100hp. No surprise this made her the fastest wartime British naval vessel in service.

After the war, like so many navy vessels, she fell into civilian hands and her condition slowly spiralling downhill, eventually being found by Norfolk Scout Group in 1973. She very poor condition, but had finally been saved.

102 is one of few surviving motor torpedo boats that served with the Coastal Forces of the Royal Navy in the Second World War and today, is looked after by a Trust which finds sponsorship and donations to look after her.

She is a regular at Brightlingsea Regatta in the Spring/Summer thrilling adults and small boys alike! You only have to look at her to know she is something special…

If you would like to know more please take a look at http://www.mtb102.com where you can also find events lists and newsletters.

MTB 102 today and at Brightlingsea Regatta:

Okay, if we said sell up everything over here in the cold and wet (and snowy!) UK and live your life on a luxury motor yacht soaking up the sun on the Costa Del Sol, you might think we are a little mad…but wait, just listen…

We have for sale a Prestige 500 Flybridge in fabulous condition, fully loaded with all extras. 2x Volvo IPS drives + joystick + trim tabs + bow thruster. Full galley with microwave, 4 burner cooker and grill, fridge, washing machine + dryer and dishwasher. Tropical air conditioning and an 11kw generator. Volvo serviced and scrubbed in July 2017 with warranty remaining until June 2018. CE category B12 and C14.  Link here: http://morganmarine.com/boat/prestige-500-flybridge-10111/

The Prestige is currently lying at berth in Denia, a port city on the Mediterranean coast of eastern Spain in the province of Alicante. (The walls of the 11^th century Dénia Castle dominate a hilltop by the marina. It’s ruins also host the Archaeological Museum, with many Roman artefacts found nearby). Constantly maintained by a Guardianage for the current owner, with very low hours, it really is fantastic example of a Prestige 500 Flybridge.

This is a unique opportunity to own fantastic boat (which rarely come onto the market) for great holidays, or live aboard under the sun 12 months a year!

Contact Ric Morgan on 01206 302008 to discuss further and arrange a viewing. Finance available and yes, we can arrange for transport of the Prestige back to the UK, or any other EU country.

More than eight million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year, yet at best the biggest clean-up organisations deal with just 0.5% of that pollution. Plastic has been found in the stomachs of almost all marine species including fish, birds, whales, dolphins, seals and turtles. This crisis urgently demands innovators, industry and governments to develop systemic solutions that prevent plastic from becoming waste in the first place. It also needs YOU to make a conscious effort to avoid single use plastics.

If you are still not clear about the gravity of the situation… maybe because you are only seeing a few more empty plastic bottles washed up on your local beach, take a look at Ellen MacArthur’s excellent site:
https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org

Also, this informative news piece form the FT:

https://www.ft.com/content/30b30b1e-004a-11e8-9650-9c0ad2d7c5b5?utm_content=buffer5b07e&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer Then take a look at this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju_2NuK5O-E

And this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju_2NuK5O-E

Convinced? Hopefully! We have tried illustrating this piece with plenty of links to make your job of ‘understanding’ as easy as possible.  As this huge issue has gained public momentum there are now more companies working on solutions both at the initial manufacturing end:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40521263/these-bold-ideas-aim-to-make-plastic-waste-a-thing-of-the-past?utm_content=buffer31f72&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

and the clean-up of the existing problem

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2099339-ocean-cleaning-sea-bins-will-gobble-up-plastic-waste-to-recycle/

You can also do more yourself. Try donating to clean-up charities/organisations. This one is NOT a charity, they are for profit but actually have boats out there NOW, doing it!
https://4ocean.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8-f1-paR2QIVTrXtCh0GTQ6-EAAYASAAEgKa3vD_BwE

OR, get hands on with a beach clean-up initiative.  The Marine Conservation Society regularly holds weekend clean-ups (as well the site being a mine of information). Every year, volunteers give over 1,000 days of their time.
https://www.mcsuk.org

What else can you do to help preserve our oceans and environment individually?

1. Mind your Carbon Footprint and reduce energy consumption

Yes, you can reduce the effects of climate change on the ocean by simple things, like leaving the car at home when you can and just being conscious of your energy use at home and work.

2. Make safe, sustainable seafood choices

Global fish populations are rapidly being depleted due to demand, loss of habitat, and unsustainable fishing practices. When shopping or dining out, help reduce the demand for overexploited species by choosing seafood that is both healthy and sustainable.

3. Use fewer plastic products

Plastics that end up as ocean debris contribute to habitat destruction and entangle and kill tens of thousands of marine animals each year. To limit your impact, carry a reusable water bottle, store food in nondisposable containers, bring your own cloth bag or other reusable bag when shopping, and recycle correctly whenever possible. Refuse plastic drinking straws in clubs/bars/restaurants and ignore plastic cutlery in fast food outlets. Products containing plastic micro beads, one of the worst pollutants are probably of biggest detriment to marine life, have just been banned from all cosmetic and personal use products. A great step forward and one less thing for you to consider.

4. Help take care of the beach

Whether you enjoy diving, surfing, or relaxing on the beach, always clean up after yourself. Explore and appreciate the ocean without interfering with wildlife or removing rocks and coral. Go even further by encouraging others to respect the marine environment or as mentioned previously participate in local beach clean-ups.

5. Don’t purchase items that exploit marine life

Certain products contribute to the harming of fragile coral reefs and marine populations. Avoid purchasing items such as coral jewellery, tortoiseshell hair accessories (made from hawksbill turtles), and shark products etc.

6. Your pet and the ocean

Read pet food labels and consider seafood sustainability when choosing a diet for your pet. Never flush cat litter, which can contain pathogens harmful to marine life. Avoid stocking your aquarium with wild-caught saltwater fish, and never release any aquarium fish into the ocean or other bodies of water, a practice that can introduce non-native species harmful to the existing ecosystem.

7. Support organizations working to protect the ocean

Many institutes and organizations are fighting to protect ocean habitats and marine wildlife. Find a national organisation and consider giving financial support or volunteering for hands-on work or advocacy. If you live near the coast, join up with a local branch or group and get involved in projects close to home.

8. Travel the ocean responsibly

Practice responsible sailing, cruising, kayaking and other recreational activities on the water. Never throw anything overboard, and be aware of marine life in the waters around you. If you’re set on taking a cruise for your next vacation, do some research to find the eco-friendliest option, from use of low sulphur diesel to how they tackle waste and recycling….

9. Educate yourself about oceans and marine life

All life on Earth is connected to the ocean and its inhabitants. The more you learn about the issues facing this vital system, the more you’ll want to help ensure its health—then share that knowledge to educate and inspire others.

Brightlingsea church – honouring lost seafarers for well over two Centuries.

Brightlingsea’s connection with the sea is not just illustrated by shipbuilding or sailing. All Saints Church, parts of which date to the 13^th century and situated just outside the town contains unique memorials to parishioners who have lost their lives at sea – 213 memorial tiles, to be exact. Each tile placed in a frieze which runs around the nave wall.

The tiles were started by the Reverend Arthur Pertwee, who was particularly concerned with the welfare of the sailors and fishermen. He served Brightlingsea for 50 years, from 1872-1912 and even in his old age was well known for rushing to the church and climbing the tower to raise a light to guide fishermen safely home in a storm. In March 1883, however, there was a terrible storm in the North Sea and he was shocked to hear of the loss of over 200 sailors across the counties that bordered the North Sea – and 36 of them were from his own parish of Brightlingsea.

Reverend Pertwee decided that a tile should be made in memory of each one of his parishioners lost at sea. Not just for that tragic event in March but right back to 1872, when he had begun his incumbency at All Saints Church. The first tile is dedicated to William Day and his son, David. The ship they were working on went down off the coast of Hartlepool.

At first these tiles were limited to mariners by occupation, but this eventually changed to include anyone from Brightlingsea who lost their lives at sea. Hence, you can see a tile commemorating Sidney Siebert, who was not a fisherman but was lost in the wreck of the Titanic in 1912. There are now over 212 tiles, each unique, each telling a story of tragic loss but leaving an enduring memory. It’s a reminder of how closely the people of Brightlingsea have historically been tied to the sea. The last tile is dated 1988 and is dedicated to David E. Clifford who lost his life while on duty on the M.V. Union Jupiter.

Reverend Pertwee’s idea was supported by the churchwardens, and then continued by their successors. The number of new tiles has reduced decade by decade, due to improvements in safety at sea and boat design but the tiles will always remain as tribute to not only those Brightlingsea men and women lost at sea but one man who dedicated his life to caring for and remembering his seafaring parishioners.

Dear Rick and Steve

We would like to say, ‘Thank you’ to you and your team for the help and support you have given us with regards our NC11 – Sansofé – which we bought from you 18 months ago.

As with all new boats – especially ones with such extensive specification and complex systems – there are bound to be teething problems and faults, as well as us not understanding. However, the service and attention we have received has been truly professional, whether it be the solution your team came up with to solve some problems to sorting out the plotter/engine interfaces, or replacing the few faulty items.

From our first meeting at your Boat Show, which we just happened to meet upon and certainly had no intention of buying a new boat, to the purchase and preparation of the boat our experience of Morgan Marine and its staff has added greatly to the enjoyment we have had from our lovely boat!

A big thank you to you all

Mike & Jill Ballinger