And hence, in a bid to protect the integrity of the GPS system the FCC had put restrictions on installation of cell phone ground stations since GPS devices are the most important and reliable tools for the travels may it be on roads, water or in the air. BoatUS also had launched a campaign ‘Don’t Mess With GPS’ to slow down the federal approval process until sufficient tests were done. Under the flag of this campaign, the boaters from across the country had sent over 18,000 comments to FCC.

But, GPS users including recreational boaters can now breathe with no worries as the FCC has planed to revoke the conditional approval of a proposed cellular telephone network only after being advised by the U.S. Commerce Department that there were no mitigation strategies that could prevent interference with GPS signals at that time if LightSquared built the cell phone network as planned.

As the boaters depend upon GPS to steer clear of shallows, other hazards and safely navigate through unfamiliar waters, and though the system helps them move forward in right direction during the journey, the FCC has set a 15-day comment period ending March 1 to get feedbacks on the plans to lift LightSquared’s conditional permit.

Image Credit: Creative Commons/Ludovic Peon

The city’s Departmental of Environmental Protection announced that they have already started the expansion of recreational boating program at the Neversink, Pepacton and Schoharie reservoirs from 10th of February, 2012.

The new rules of the Memorial Day Weekend, which are applied to three reservoirs, will be similar to a three-year pilot program at the Cannonsville Reservoir that will be made permanent with effect.

After the official announcement, metal rowboats with boat tags by the DEP are permitted for fishing at the Neversink, Pepacton and Schoharie reservoirs. However, the new rules allow permission of boat tags by private steam cleaning vendors for the other small boats.

Also, all new boats launched will be manufactured at each reservoir.

Image Credit: Creativecommons/Daniel Case

On 26th of May 2012, the company has organised the naming ceremony in Marseille, which will be celebrated as the symbolic traditional MSC Cruises style. This time, MSC’s owner – Gianluigi Aponte, will name the ship as Divina derived from the word ‘divine,’ after the long-time brand ambassador, Sophia Loren, a diva.

MSD Divina is 333.3 metres in length along with a width of 38 metres at its maximum speeds, it can touch 23.7 knots.

Specifications

Class and type: Fantasia-class cruise ship
Tonnage: 139,000 gross register tons (GRT)
Length: 1,092.5 ft (332.99 m)
Beam: 124.7 ft (38.01 m)
Height: 219.2 ft (66.81 m)
Draft: 27.2 ft (8.29 m)
Decks: 18 totals, 13 passenger decks
Installed power: Diesel (40,000kW)
Propulsion: Twin propellers
Capacity: 3,959 passengers
Crew: 1,370 crews
Notes: 17 elevators, post-Panamax

Image Credit: Creativecommons/Kefalonitis94

The third Rainbow has been whole heartily added in Greenpeace family on 14th of October 2011. The New Rainbow Warrior is well-advanced sailboat, as well ready to provide all the time futuristic needs to save the earth. It is an eco-friendly ship, which sails primarily under the influence of wind. With a giant 55-high A-frame mast system, it has improved power compared to a conventional mast of the same size.

The sailboat has been built with sustainability in mind, but it doesn’t carry far-fetched electric drive engines to tackle in vulnerable circumstances.

Specifications

Port of registration: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Vessel Type: Motor Sail yacht with helicopter landing deck
Class: Germanischer Lloyd, Notations include Green Passport
Length Overall: 57.92m
Beam (Max): 11.30m
Draught (Max): 5.15m
Air Draft: 54.25m
Gross Tonnage: 855
Sailing Rig: Staysail Schooner, 2 A frame mast with 5 sails
Sail Area: 1255 sq meter
Service Speed / Max Speed: 7 knots / 15 knots
Main & Auxiliary Engines: Caterpillar, IMO Tier II Certification
Cruising range: up to 9,500 nm
Accommodation: 30 persons

The New Rainbow Warrior represents itself as, “an icon of non-violent direct action and a beacon of hope for millions of people around the world” as well it is called as a marshal to prevent environmental crimes happening on different oceanic corners.

Image Credit: Creativecommons/Chiswick Chap

The announcement was made in presence of Mohammad Al Eisa, regional PR director of Oman Sail, Majid Al Muhairi, director general of ADSYC, and Philippe Sa’ad, managing director of Eden Yachting.

Al Eisa is confident about the success of the race, resting its laurels on its first season when six teams representing the Gulf heritage, took part. Since Europe holds no sailing races in this season, the best sailors in the world will be naturally attracted to participate in the race. In fact, an award winning French team is entering the race.

Teams taking part will include Team Ras Al Khaimah from UAE, Team Commercialbank Group from Qatar, BAE Systems, Team Renaissance & Team Al Thuraya from Oman, Team Muscat 2012, Team Bahrain, Team Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Team Courrier Dunkerque from France.

The team carrying a total of seven sailors led by a skipper will be changed every four hours. Some long distances such as Doha to Abu Dhabi are expected to be covered during the event. Sailors will stopover at seven marinas at Manama, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Musandam, Mussanah and Muscat to rest and rejuvenate before continuing the race to clinch the top title.

The main organizer of the sailing event is Oman Sail while Eden Yachting has joined as one of the sponsors.

The famed Russian sailboat Pallada is set to sail cruise around the globe. The tour will start off from Vladivostok in Russia from 3rd February. Pallada is owned by Far Eastern State Technical Fisheries University. The Trans-Pacific International Tour will span over three months.

The Pallada sailboat is world renowned and has its glory of fame. It is recorded in the Guinness book of world records as the fastest sailboat with a speed that extends over 18 knots. Pallada has emerged victorious in many international festivals and races. Pallada was built in 1989 and has since engaged in over a 100 international trips. Many celebrities have graced the Pallada with their presence.

For the tour, the crew will be comprises of 100 cadets from the university and from other Far Eastern naval academies. During the tour the famed sailboat will visit South Korea, Japan, China and Vietnam. The tour will end on 5th May at the home port Vladivostok .

The Costa Concordia cruise ship listing dangerously on its one side will continue to uglify the Giglio coast for coming part of the year.

Depending on methods and cost, the cruise line company is likely to announce the selected bid in two months to remove the ship’s wreck, which could take up to 10 months.

Stormy weather over the weekend have hampered salvage efforts off the Tuscan coast to remove 500,000 gallons of fuel off the cruise ship. Pumping equipment attached to the ship to extract the fuel was removed after high winds and rough seas deteriorated conditions for divers battling the wreck.

To avert a looming environmental disaster in the virgin locales of Tuscan, removing fuel from the ship is essential and which could take up to one month to complete.

Officials are not optimistic about finding any cruise members alive more than two weeks after the Concordia hit the reef. Initially, the goal was to find as many survivors on the wrecked ship but now it has shifted to avert an environmental disaster after Concordia shifted one and a half inches over a six hour period.

The cruise disaster is expected to initiate the biggest maritime insurance claim ever against the operator, Costa Cruises. The operator in turn is offering $14,460 each in compensation to more than 3,000 passengers albeit they drop their plans to file a legal case.

The Concordia’s captain who caused the crash has been kept under house arrest on possible charges of multiple manslaughter and abandoning ship.

For more videos, news and information, please click here: http://wn.com/costa_concordia

Laura Dekker, age 16, completed a year long voyage around the globe, on a sailboat named Guppy. She is the youngest person to have circled the globe alone on a sailboat.

There were many stops on her voyage. It ended at St Marten, Philipsburg, where she was greeted amidst a lot of cheer and applause. Her family had already greeted her at sea earlier.

Laura had to battle against high seas and heavy winds on her final leg of the Voyage from Cape Town. She described the whole experience as a dream that she lived through. Although she is the youngest sailor to circle the globe alone, the Guinness World Records and the World Sailing Speed Record Sailing Council do not acknowledge the record, as they do not want to encourage young sailors to attempt dangerous feats.

The stops through her voyage include exotic names such as  Bora Bora, Fiji, South Africa, Australia, Canary Islands, Tonga, Galapagos Islands and Panama. On her journey around the globe, the teenager covered more than 27,000 nautical miles.

The company has planned to demonstrate four of its latest models at the Collins Avenue Display, which includes the new 43 Open Flybridge with IPS, new 53 Enclosed Flybridge with IPS or ZF 4000 pod drives, 5000 Sport Yacht with Zeus and the 5800 Sport Yacht with IPS or Zeus.

Chris McCafferty, the director of Riviera Yachts said that the Miami Yacht and Brokerage Show is the world’s prestigious show organised in an area of 1.2 million square feet in the heart of Miami Beach. The company is an active participant for the past 12 years as well prepared to demonstrate many new models in the upcoming event.

McCafferty said: “The Riviera display is located at the southern most end of Collins Avenue near the road bridge and adjacent to Ramp 34 is a prime spot to showcase our latest models.”

After the launch of Riviera’s 53 Enclosed Flybridge in May 2011, it has received 17 orders from enthusiasts in Australia and the United States.

Where: Miami Yacht and Brokerage Show
When: 16^th to 20^th February 2012

Image Credit: Creativecommons/Averette

Kasey Iwasyk, operations manager of Pinnacle Yacht said that: “Getting the boat into the Show is a major undertaking.” However, it will be a symbol of attraction for visitors as well the 27^th flagship of the Pinnacle Yachts fleet in Chicago Show. The yacht will be sailed by members of Pinnacle Yachts who are actively participating in the company’s new performance sailing program. Ocean will be a part of big yacht racing that is ready to explore interesting ports.

Gary Feracota, founder of Pinnacle Yachts said: “The wonderful Pinnacle members of Team Ocean will contribute to the legacy of a yacht that will be the largest, fastest and most beautiful on Chicago’s lakefront and among the top few of its kind on the planet.”

Date: 26^th-29^th of January 2012
Venue: Progressive Insurance Strictly Sail Chicago Show, Navy Pier

Image Credit: Creativecommons/ Vera & Jean-Christophe