Greenpeace blocked 4 vessels in Aveiro, Portugal

The Greenpeace held today, an action in the port of Aveiro, in Portugal, against "fishing piracy" by posting notices in four fishing vessels and blocking their propellers, all belonging to the Silva Vieira Group, the owner denies any illegal practices.

Members of Greenpeace made this action using small boats semi-rigid with the flag of the movement, and displayed notices with the message "Get these pirates out of the seas", while divers took to the water with the purpose of blocking the propellers.

In a transcript released to the media, Greenpeace justified the action by the four ships, with the current designation of "Red", "Carib", "Brites" and "Aveiro", having "a history of piracy in fishing, repeatedly violating the International Fishing Regulations.

Among the alleged breaches, sailing without flag or fishing without quota law, use of illegal equipment and fishing protected species.

According to this organization, this boats change several times of identity and do not fill the fishing dairy, and ask the Portuguese authorities to proceed with the apprehend of these ships as the only effective way to ensure that not continue with such practices.

All these ships are on the Greenpace blacklist of fishing piracy, "IUU", and one of them is also referenced by the Commission of the North Atlantic Fisheries (NEAFC), according to the text released to the media.

source & image:

SIC, JN

5km off the Atlantic coastline of northern Portugal

This multiple Pelamis units build up at the Aguçadoura wave farm is both the world’s first, multi-unit, wave farm and also the first for commercial order for wave energy converters. as well Enersis have issued a letter of purpose to PWP for a extra 20 MW of Pelamis equipment to increase the initial Aguçadoura development to a larger scheme. expansion work for the second phase project is already on going. The Aguçadoura wave energy project in Portugal is supported by a specific feed-in tariff currently equivalent to approximately €0.23/kWh. This project is possible with the collaboration of national companies like EFACEC and EDP.

source and image:
pelamiswave.com

River trip....

Here’s a view that we don’t see every day. A view from the river, and in this case it’s the Douro River at north of Portugal. On board off a small boat I crossed under 5 of the 6 bridges, Arrábida bridge that was build in 1963 by Edgar Cardoso and was considered at the time the largest concrete span of any bridge in the world. D. Luiz I Bridge made by Teófilo Seyrig in 1886 with an arch bridge that spans Douro River between cities of OPorto and Vila Nova de Gaia. Then comes Infante D. Henrique Bridge build in 2003 by Adão da Fonseca. At the horizon I see D. Maria Pia Bridge raised 1877 under Gustavo Eiffel instructions, and then finishing the river trip under the S. João Bridge borne once again by the hands of Edgar Cardoso in 1991.

BOB - the Breathing Observation Bubble...

BOB, is nothing more than a breathing observation bubble, is a exceptional system to see and take pleasure of the underwater world. This unique pleasure can last approximately 3,5 hours. Imagine driving your own individual undersea motor scooter and no dive experience is required, is a mix of George Jetson and James Bond world.

source & image:

bobunderwateradventure.com

Alquimia do Mar

Are you in Portugal? Near the beautiful city of Aveiro? Take a couple of friends and enjoy the pleasure of the Aveiro river.

Alquimia do Mar has to offer several services: River site seeing, sea side seeing, fishing on the Atlantic and nautical sport events.

Weather forecast for Portugal

source & image:

alquimiadomar.com

Earthrace - Specialist volunteer needed...

Earthrace is looking for a volunteer who is used to working with composite materials, in this case carbon fibre, kevlar and foam to work with the team for the pre-world record refit in Valencia Jan/Feb 2008. Must be confident in both small and big repairs. You will have help, and good spoken English is essential. Contact Adam +34 680 884 873.

See the Earthrace sponsorship video

Suzuki 300 DF300 4.0 liter

These 300 HP wild ponies sends you flying across the waves. With more 4-stroke horsepower than ever before, this new Suzuki gives you more speed, extra acceleration, and supplementary performance than any outboard you’ve ever seen. It has more horsepower than any 4-stroke outboard anybody’s ever seen. It can be considered the world’s strongest 4-stroke outboard with 4.0 liter displacement, a 24-valve V6 power head with dual overhead cams, variable valve timing, and a new streamlined lower unit that slices through water like a hot knife through butter. You’ve never seen so much power at your fingertips. Strong yes, but safety first, the advanced electronic throttle and shift control system, you can take over the beast.
With the introduction of this 300 HP V6 4-Stroke outboard motor, Suzuki certainly has demonstrated itself as the leader in 4-stroke engine technology for the marine market. This new DF300 builds upon the performance features of Suzuki’s pioneering V6 power head, with new innovations to offer better performance and trustworthiness.
Has said previously you can control all the 300 Horses. This computerized, fly-by-wire system eliminates the friction and resistance of mechanical control cables so you get smooth, friction-free throttle operation and decisive shifting. Place your hand on Suzuki Precision Control’s single or dual lever control and you can check out what I’m talking about.

300 HP

4-Stroke DOHC 24 Valve Multi Point Sequential Electronic Fuel Injection

Cylinders: V-6

Displacement: 245.6 cu. in. (4.0 liter)

Shaft Length: XLong 25" XXLong 30"

source & image:

suzukimarine.com

BBQ DONUT

Do you like barbecue? Do you like to spend your free time near a river? What if you could do it both at the same time? If you think it’s impossible, check this out, this amazing idea. Be surprised by the BBQ DONUT, It’s my seems impossible to do a barbecue in the centre of a river or lake, but not with BBQ DONUT.

This mini innovator boat of recreation has the capacity for 8 to 10 persons to enjoy the pleasant moments of leisure in the company of friends or relatives when making a lovely barbecue and having a refreshing drink by the sound of his favorite music.

source & image:

bbqdonut.de

Earthrace and the green project!

Quickly was known as best powerboat in the world, as well as one of the greenest. It is a environment friendly technologies vehicle with low-emissions engines, non-toxic anti-foul, nice and efficient hull design. It is also one of the coolest looking boats we ever imagined.
The exceptional attribute of the Earthrace boat is that she has the capability of to go through big waves, and can even reach up to 7m underwater as she does so. This enables the boat to maintain a higher average speed all the way through big seas as compared to a conventional vessels. Pete Bethune is the New Zealand skipper and founder of the project, He said that he truly believes that Earthrace has a great chance to cultivate and grow the European biodiesel industry, as well as to advance biodiesel as a really possible substitute to petroleum diesel.


It's planed to start in March 2008, from Valencia, in Spain, Earthrace will attempt to set a new speed record for a powerboat to circumnavigate the globe running 100% biodiesel, and with a net zero carbon-footprint, in order to increase awareness of the environment and the sustainable use of resources.
You can keep track them, just click this link.

At the moment this technologic vehicle is on a European Tour, and is located at the Portuguese coast. From 9 to 11 of November in the Douro river, on the beautiful city of Oporto, it was available to be visit, meet the crew and walk aboard the boat for a small donation. And will continue in Lisbon on 12 to 14, and 15 to 18 in Vilamoura (Algarve). Then it will follow for Spain.

Previous and next Scheduled stops:


source & image:
earthrace.net

The GMR 406 Open Array - See Everything in Sharper Detail

The GMR 406 open array radar will let you scan more than a regular radar while you are on the sea. Whether ships, shores, birds or weather. This radar is a 6-foot open array scanner with 1.1° beam width and a range of 72 nautical miles. This powerful beam width and 4 kilowatts of power offers exceptional simplicity, accuracy and target definition. It can be better if you add MARPA target tracking function (Mini Automatic Radar Plotting Aid) to avoid traffic on the water.
This model can easily connect to the Garmin Marine Network, it can transmits data at 100 Mb with plug-and-play proprietary network that gives the capability to enlarge your boat’s system as desired.

source & image:

garmin.com

FRED OLSEN EXPRESS - The CANARIAS maritime revolution

Since the creation of "Ferry Gomera" company in 1974, Fred Olsen has keep his conviction by the development of the sea communicationses in the Canary Islands located on the Atlantic Ocean, Grand Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma

A dream of united them between his nearer points, at the greater possible speed, and offering the maximum comfort came through. In particular, on the 8 of July of 1974 with the inauguration of the line San Sebastián of the Gomera. And the Fred Olsen marine commitment with the canary community began. Over the years, and consolidating the service between Tenerife and the Gomera a stage of expansion by all Canary Islands began. For about 25 years needed, Fred Olsen, has managed with his marine activity the objective to be present in all the Canary Islands, offering what has been promised with his 5 vessels: Bonanza Express, Bencomo Express , Benchijigua Express, Bocayna Express and Bentago Express: comfort, speed and quality on watch. Nowadays, Fred Olsen Express works with five marine lines leading the interinsular market of passengers and load, transporting more than 2.700.000 people, 550,000 cars, and more than 200,000 vehicles of load to the year. A marine service composed solely by fast boats of last generation. A spectacular concept of transport that maintains unites the seven Canary Islands, turning to Fred Olsen Express in your Better Company.

source & image:

fredolsen.es

Crab Fishing in Alaska – Fishing for Riches

At the moment the world’s highest paid job is crab fishing in Alaska. The frozen waters off the Alaskan costline it lodges a veritable fishing goldmine and crab fishing.Crab fishing is the most significant of the Alaskan commercial shellfish industries. The waters of Alaska, notably the Bering Sea, Bristol Bay, Dutch Harbor and the Kodiak and Aleutian Islands are home to rich bounties of crabs: tanner, Dungeness and the famed Alaskan King crab.

The different varieties of the Alaskan crabs possess immense commercial value and the Alaskan King crab in particular is a prized dish in the culinary world, valued as highly as caviar or vintage French wine. US and Japanese restaurants are the primary importers of Alaskan King crab in the world. An idea of the valuation of crab fishing in Alaska can be garnered from the fact that a seasoned fisherman can hope to rope in US$50000 worth of catch in an eight-week period. The commercial crab fishing industry in Alaska had its beginning way back in 1950. The returns were promising from the very start and the region quickly attracted hundreds of US fishing boats. The 1980s were the heydays of crab fishing in Alaska. During this period of king crab boom, the fishing boat captains regularly earned US$150000 in a season and the crab fishing boats boasted of saunas, music systems and microwaves.

By 1983, the Alaskan King crab industry crashed for no apparent reason. The worst slump in fishing history, it forced fishermen to look into alternative fishing sources. Thus Alaskan commercial fishing branched out either to salmon and halibut or bairdi and opilio, two types of tanner crabs.Since then the Alaskan crab fishing trade has looked up a little with the year 2001 bringing in 23.2-million pounds of fishing stock worth US$36-million. But crab fishing in Alaska still continues to command the highest pay packet in the world. This is only the rosy side to the job. Crab fishing in Alaska is one of the most dangerous of all jobs in the world. To fish for crabs in the glacial waters of the Arctic Ocean in sub-zero temperatures, with pounding waves thrashing on the deck and tossing the fishing boat treacherously and icy winds howling continuously, needs a stout heart and an able body. Furthermore, your work will involve negotiating the enormous crab pots and coils of line along the slippery deck.Each and every muscle and sinew of the body is stretched to the hilt and exhaustion to the point of breakdown is common. Crippled limbs, crushed fingers and ribs, broken legs are the staple fare in the grueling 20-21 hour daily schedules, while men toppling overboard are not uncommon incidents either.

In fact, every year there are some casualties in these fishing trips. However, in spite of all the hardships, there is no dearth of men seeking employment in this fishing trade. Crab fishing in Alaska remains a haloed job to land.

source & image:

fishex.com

Powerboat P1 - GRAND PRIX OF PORTUGAL

The Powerboat P1 Portuguese Grand Prix of the Sea took place in September as part of a three-year deal for Portimão to be a host city for the UIM Powerboat P1 World Championship. Already the venue for other top-tier international motorsport championships, the city already prove to be expertise in organising events and provided an exciting spectacle for the finale of the 2007 season. Check the 2007 GP results

Portimão has established is reputation as one of Europe's most prestigious and fashionable resorts. The renovated Marina de Portimão which had the P1 event. Facilities on the 25 hectare site include 620 moorings, a 4 star apartment hotel, shopping, watersports centre and yacht club. The marina development is part of a major initiative to revitalise and enhance the coastline, creating a fresh energy and impetus to attract all year round visitors to the area. Portimao has 35,000 inhabitants and was one of the most important canning and fishing centres in Portugal. Located at the mouth of the River Arade, the city provides a natural harbour and has been associated with many famous smugglers and pirates in the past.

source & image:

powerboatp1.com

PiranhaMAX 230 - fish finder

Are you thinking on going fishing this weekend? Take PiranhaMAX 230, it's portable features traditional and wireless technology in one compact, portable unit to locate fish anywhere possible. It only takes one touch to get easy access to all the advanced features of the PiranhaMAX Series fishfinders and start seeing better results in your fishing. Clear Edge Grayscale Technology ensures you’ll see more onscreen too.

The NEW PiranhaMAX30 by Humminbird is another device for the leader in fish finding technology. This portable unit is packed with features including the new SmartCast technology. With a new and improved large, High Contrast, easy-to-read LCD screen and backlighting for night fishing, the PiranhaMAX30 will make it easier than ever to find the fish. You'll know in seconds whether your sitting on a hot-spot, or if you should pack your gear find another location. The unit is easy to set up and sets up in seconds. The unit folds up and it's not bulky to lug around. Works great in canoes, kayaks, boats or even on the dock! Once you get used to having your portable PiranhaMAX30, you'll never fish without it!

source & image:

humminbird.com

Splash Proof

Looking for that kind of radio to put on your new boat?, what do you say about this one. Anti splash proof front panel, with IPx5 standard rear AUX IN, UV and salt resistant paint, conformal circuit board coating, front and rear sub selectable w/ LPF, SAT radio Ready, you can even plug your iPod control ready 52W x 4 High Power, ATRAC3 plus/CONNECT™ Ready, optional Marine Commander, red key illumination, plastic chassis cover

source & image:

xplodsony.com/marine

Futuristic watercraft startles New Yorkers

Proteus by name, this project called Wave Adaptive Modular Vessel designed for everything from military uses to biological studies, ocean exploration and sea rescue. This curious catamaran can travel 5,000 miles, farther than across the Atlantic with only 2,000 gallon load of diesel fuel.

The craft rides on metal and fabric pontoons that have hinges and shock absorbers to flex with the motion of the waves, which helps it to skim over the water at a maximum speed of 30 knots (34.5 mph).

Described as 100 feet long and 50 feet wide, this is no luxury craft. Its crew cabin, suspended like a gondola from its four legged superstructure, is appropriately spartan for a boat named for a Greek sea god who in mythology was able to change into different forms.

In keeping with that versatility, Proteus does have pleasure boat potential. It can be fitted with different types of detachable cabins that can accommodate anything from a honeymooning couple to 12 passengers.

source & image:

english.pravda.ru

The Ultimate Outboard Experience

The begining of the awesome Yamaha F200/225/250 series was acknowledged as a landmark in outboard history; the introduction of the most powerful and technically advanced four-strokes ever produced. Since they are now widely regarded also as the most impressive and stylishly designed engines ever to grace the stern of a boat, one thing is certain; this is the ultimate outboard experience.
So extensive are the revolutionary technical features and innovations pioneered by Yamaha with these remarkable engines, that what goes on under the cowling can be described here in only the broadest terms. Suffice it to say that it involves Yamaha’s development of a new four-stroke format that turned conventional thinking on its head by creating an engine with an ‘in-bank’ exhaust system. A world first for Yamaha, this outstanding engineering concept reverses the conventional layout of the intake and exhaust systems, providing astonishing compactness.
In addition to their phenomenal power, performance and acceleration, these engines are three of the cleanest, quietest, smoothest and most sophisticated ever to hit the water thanks to, among other things, a unique EFI system, a micro-processor ECU, VCT (Variable Camshaft Timing), blow-by gas re-burning technology, and special noise reduction systems.
On-water reliability, in combination with durability, are probably the features most appreciated by Yamaha owners around the world, so our sophisticated diagnosis system is also a feature of these models; a simple plug-in link to a personal computer displays a running history of engine use and performance, making easy work of maintenance and servicing.

source & image:

http://www.yamaha-motor-europe.com/