http://www.harbourguides.com The latest news and updates from Harbour Guides. en-us http://www.harbourguides.com/rss.xml Wed, 16 May 2012 08:13:33 +0100 I think almost everyone involved in sailing is aware of the fact that registering your EPIRB or PLB is a free service provided by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in order to rescue those in distress. However despite this reports suggest that there are approximately 15,000 beacons that are not registered.EPIRBs (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) and PLBs(Personal Locator Beacon) Should be registered so that the coastguard knows your, name and type of vessel, contact number, maximum number of people on board, what type of communication systems you have on board, etc etc. This information is vital if a rescue mission is launched.Steve Huxley the MCAs Search and Rescue Communications manager recently told PBOs yachting magazine that: If a beacon hasnt been registered a search and rescue (SAR) would still go on, but the SAR responders ie helicopters or lifeboats would not know what they are going to. What we dont want to do is arrive on the scene not knowing that it is a tanker with 30/40 people on board or a yacht with 6 people on board. There is concern, internationally and nationally about the registration of beacons. Its a free service and it only costs your time online or the cost of a stamp.So come on if you have a beacon, please register it! These guys do a fantastic job and could one day save your life or the life of a loved one, they need all the assistance they can get.To register a beacon visit www.dft.gov.uk/mca/epirb http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/REGISTER-YOUR-EPIRB http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/REGISTER-YOUR-EPIRB Fri, 11 May 2012 08:56:58 +0100 An old guy visits the doctor for his annual Check-up., accompanied by his wife.The doctor enters the examination room and says: I need a urine sample, a stool sample and a sperm sample.The old man who is hard of hearing, turns to his wife and shouts: WHAT DOES HE WANT!His wife shouts back to him: He needs your underpants!. http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/OLD-GUY-AT-DOCTORS-JOKE http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/OLD-GUY-AT-DOCTORS-JOKE Thu, 10 May 2012 12:28:12 +0100 The Harbourguides Crew are now set to sail to Barcelona from Preston on or around 10/11 July 2012. We have had to put the trip back to this date because some of the crew have commitments that cant be changed.Harbourguides crew member Steve Mallinson said: We are all really looking forward to the trip, Our yacht Knight Song will be properly prepared by the time we set sail, and it means we get more time to do all the jobs on her.We estimate it will take them 3to 4 weeks to get to Barcelona where Knight Song will be used as a portable office come accommodation for our inroads into the Mediterranean. We will be keeping Harbourguides visitors informed both before and during the trip via our news pages, Facebook and Twitter.Lets wish the crew a Bon Voyage. http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/HARBOURGUIDES-TRIP-TO-BARCELONA http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/HARBOURGUIDES-TRIP-TO-BARCELONA Thu, 10 May 2012 08:27:24 +0100 Plans have been approved for a new luxury hotel and spa including 82 waterfront apartments at MDLs Ocean Village Marina in Southampton.The project is a joint venture with between MDL Marinas and the Nicholas James Group, who are the owners of Harbour Hotels.As well as the planned 4/5 star hotel the complex will include new sites for restaurants, and retail outlets. Harbour Hotels are planning to get top chef Alex Aitkin to the complex to create another first class restaurant on a par with the Jetty at the Christchurch Harbour Hotel.MDL group MD Eamonn Feeney said: We are delighted with todays decision which will enable us to deliver the final stage of the master plan for Ocean Village Marina, and most importantly create a vibrant waterfront destination for the city. And Nicholas James Group Chairman Nicolas Roach said: : Southampton city lacks a five star hotel product. We intend to bring a luxury waterfront Hotel and Spa to the city, along with our award winning Jetty restaurant concept.The Harbourguides Crew love this news as its great to hear that some companies are still expanding and developing in these difficult financial times, so well done guys and good luck. http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/Ocean-Village-Marina-Hotel-Plans http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/Ocean-Village-Marina-Hotel-Plans Wed, 02 May 2012 08:25:22 +0100 Wow, May seems to have arrived pretty quickly this year and hopefully later this month the Harbourguides Crew will be sailing the yacht Knight Song to her new home in the Mediterranean. On route the Harbourguides crew love a drink or two when in the various marinas they visit, so this months prize is a Light up Cocktail Shaker so you can drink to the crew on their journey.We thought that last months question was very tough, as the answer was in a really old Tweet by the crew. However once again the correct answers came flooding in, so once again for those of you who found it well done we are impressed.We have set another toughie this month so Good Luck to you all.Head over to the competitions page to take partFollow us on TwitterFollow us on FacebookFollow us on Youtube http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/MAY-2012-COMPETITION http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/MAY-2012-COMPETITION Sun, 22 Apr 2012 09:44:57 +0100 Harbourguides are now in the process of updating our guides to the Isle of Man. One of our representatives Paul Smith arrives on the island today Sunday April 2012-04-22.Paul will be visiting as many businesses as possible in the next three weeks, to show them the benefits of being featured on our guides.I am really looking forward to meeting new clients on this lovely island as its been three years since I was last here said Paul.Paul has been pretty poorly lately and we at Harbourguides are glad to see him back in action. If you bump into Paul on his travels please spare him a few minutes so he can discuss how valuable our guides can be for businesses.You can contact Paul on 07872 665 302.Good luck Paul. http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/ISLE-OF-MAN-VISITOR-GUIDE http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/ISLE-OF-MAN-VISITOR-GUIDE Thu, 19 Apr 2012 05:16:25 +0100 The RYA is opposing restrictions preventing boat owners hosing off their boats in South East England, which has been affected by the drought. Their main fear is that trailer sailors will not clean their boats and will therefore spread killer Shrimps from one slipway to another. These Killer Shrimps Prey on other native species. If the boats arent cleaned these minute shrimp like species can get a free ride to different locations.We think its great that the RYA fight the corner of the pleasure sailors, but surely they should encourage the boat owners to act responsibly by getting stuck in with a bucket of water a sponge and plenty of elbow grease. http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/KILLER-SHRIMPS http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/KILLER-SHRIMPS Sat, 07 Apr 2012 07:20:45 +0100 A snow avalanche in the northern tip of Kashmir has buried a number of Pakistani soldiers, (estimated to be around 130) and a rescue operation is now under way.The avalanche hit near the Siachen glacier which is on the border of India.It is not known the fate of the soldiers at this moment in time.The area hosts thousands of both Pakistani and Indian troops and it was a battalion headquarters in the Gavara district that was most affected by the avalanche.The Siachen area is in the Kashmir region that is divided and claimed and disputed by India and Pakistan, hence the amount of troops in the area. http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/AVALANCHE-BURIES-PAKISTANI-SOLDIERS http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/AVALANCHE-BURIES-PAKISTANI-SOLDIERS Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:36:22 +0100 A loving couple made a pact that whoever died first would somehow communicate with the other to let them know if there was life after death, in particular sex after death.After a long and happy life together, the husband was first to die, however he kept his word and made contact with his wife.'Linda...Linda...''Is that you, Andrew?''Yes, I've come back to communicate like I promised.'That's wonderful! What is it like?''Well I get up early every morning and have sex. Then I have breakfast then off to the golf course, come back and have more sex.I then bathe in the warm sunshine and have sex a couple of more times.Then I have my lunch, you would be so proud of me as I am eating lots of greens.I then have another romp around the golf course and then sex for the rest of the afternoon.After supper its back to the golf course again.Then its more sex until late into the night until I catch up on my much needed sleep, and the next day it starts all over again''Oh Andrew are you in Heaven?''No... I'm a rabbit in Arizona!' http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/JOKE-FOR-EASTER http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/JOKE-FOR-EASTER Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:35:20 +0100 After being married for 40 years Charlie is lying on his deathbed and with tears in his eyes he turns to his wife and says; Annie I am near to death, but before I die there is something I have to let you know. She replies yes my darling, what is itHe says; Well remember the first year we met, I caught Pneumonia and almost died. It was you who sat by my bed and nursed me back to health .Annie replies I remember darling Charlie continues, and when I lost most of my family in that terrible car crash, it was you by my side who kept me going. And when the children grew up and ran away from home, you sat with me and comforted me, and only last year when the fire burned down my store and I lost everything! Again you were by my side. So before I die I just want you to know, Annie youre a ******* jinx! http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/JOKE-FOR-THE-BANK-HOLIDAY http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/JOKE-FOR-THE-BANK-HOLIDAY Fri, 06 Apr 2012 07:22:06 +0100 Goacher Sails arrived at Preston marina to make and fit a new sprayhood and bimini to the Harbourguides yacht Knight Song.Steve Goacher sent two of his staff to pattern the design for the hood.The thing we found most impressive is that you can have an input into the outcome of the finished article.A Harbourguides crew member met the lads at the boat and said,'I was very impressed with Steve Goachers team. They asked me all the relevant questions regarding the finished article,things I would never have thought of,they even had me standing at the helm to make sure I would have full vision while sailing,you just can not get this sort of service from an off the peg sprayhood'Goacher Sails have now taken the pattern back to their base in Bowness on Windermere and will be back to fit the sprayhood and bimini in the near future. http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/GOACHER-SAILS-FIT-OUR-SPRAYHOOD http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/GOACHER-SAILS-FIT-OUR-SPRAYHOOD Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:05:41 +0100 A large number of Tom Tom users have been having difficulties with their devices, and Tom Tom has put it down to a leap Year Bug. According to the company the problems first started on the 31st of March 2012 and have only affected a limited number of models. When the problem arises the affected devices show a grey screen with a message stating that there is a lack of GPS signal.Tom Tom is now trying to rectify the problem and said that there will be further updates soon. There advice at the moment though is for users who are experiencing the problems to press the on off button for 20 seconds to reset it, although this is only a temporary solution to the problem. The company has also promised to inform customers on what devices are affected by the problem as soon as they know more.The problem seems to be global. Lets hope they get it sorted soon, as more and more of us now seem to rely on sat nav systems. http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/TOM-TOM-PROBLEMS http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/TOM-TOM-PROBLEMS Wed, 04 Apr 2012 08:16:38 +0100 The state of Sao Paulo in Brazil has come up with a novel idea to fight crime; they have sent a retired police officer out on the streets dressed as Batman! Andre Luiz Pinheiro who is 50 years old is helping police patrol the rough high in crime streets of Taubate dressed as the superhero.The idea isnt as crazy as it first sounds as the purpose is to connect batman with the police in order to give the children the difference between good and bad characters.The streets of Taubate have the highest crime rate in the area, drug trafficking being amongst them. The idea was thought up by the police themselves and Warley Takeo who is a Police captain reckons the long term benefits could be very beneficial.Good luck and lets hope the good guys win. http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/BATMAN-BACK-ON-STREETS http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/BATMAN-BACK-ON-STREETS Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:26:09 +0100 Spring is here and soon so will summer, and hopefully we are going to have some clear cloudless nights, because this months prize is a Name a Star Gift Box This great gift enables you to name a star after someone (or name it after yourself) you receive your star co-ordinates with a certificate among the pack which also includes, Sleek Steel Presentation Box, Name a Star Introduction Letter, Personalised certificate with star name, Star co-ordinates certificate, A Stellar Star Fact Sheet, Guide to star astronomy starter pack, Night sky book and Star Chart.A great unusual gift.Once again we were impressed by how many of you got last months question right,and we think this months is really difficult, again you wont find the answer on Google, you will have to visit our website www.harbourguides.com to get the answer, or follow us on Twitter or Facebook.Good luck everyone!THIS IS A TOUGH ONE! (Hint: Try some old Tweets)Head over to the competitions page to take partFollow us on TwitterFollow us on FacebookFollow us on Youtube http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/APRIL-2012-COMPETITION http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/APRIL-2012-COMPETITION Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:11:18 +0100 Four crew members were injured, two of them seriously, when a huge wave broke over their stern while competing in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race. The yacht Geraldton Western Australia is one of a fleet of ten 68 foot yachts that are taking part in the legendry round the world race.Two of the crew members 50 year old Jane Hitchens who is from Kent, and 29-year-old Nik Brbora, who resides in London have been airlifted off the yacht and transferred to San Fransisco hospital. Jane who is a doctor has suspected broken ribs (probably 4), and Nik who is a software engineer has problems with his pelvis. Geraldton Western Australia was a few hundred miles off the Californian coast when the wave that caused the damage struck. The skipper of the yacht said the yacht had been making good speed when, just before sunrise, 'a monstrous foaming swell broke over our stern'. Two other crew members were also injured in the incident, they are Max Wilson who is a farmer from Queensland Australia, and Mark Burkes from Worcester England. Max has suspected broken ribs and Mark has a back injury, both have been assessed well enough to stay on the yacht until it reaches land. Joff Bailey, who is the Clipper Race Director said We are naturally concerned at the recent incident on Geraldton Western Australia and are in close contact with the skipper, UK Maritime and Coastguard at Falmouth and the US Coast Guard. The safety of all Clipper Race crew is extremely important to us. Our skippers are highly experienced and several crew members on board have medical training. A deep depression hit the fleet earlier today with winds gusting over 60 knots. First reports described the yacht being caught by a large wave. We will issue more details as soon as we have them. http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/CLIPPER-ROUND-THE-WORLD-INJURIES http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/CLIPPER-ROUND-THE-WORLD-INJURIES Sat, 31 Mar 2012 20:11:58 +0100 Gold Coast Australia crossed the finish line first under the Golden Gate Bridge and into Jack London Square, Oakland at the end of a gruelling leg in the ten strong fleet in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race.Gold Coast Australia crossed the line at 0126 on the 31/3/2012 and was their seventh victory from the nine races. Richard Hewson the Tasmanian skipper said; What a proud moment. We won the race across the North Pacific Ocean, the roughest sea in the world. What a relief to get here. Its been a really tough race and Im really proud of my guys, theyve worked so hard. Weve had a lot of people that got injured and five of the crew especially worked hard to keep the crew motivated and keep the boat performing. To get in here in first place, despite what happened, and have such a good lead over to Singapore is just fantastic. To get here safely after 27 days of storms is just amazing.Singapore are favourites to finish next and with less than 50 miles between them skipper Ben Bowley said; This is likely to be my last report for a couple of weeks as at this rate we shall be passing under the Golden Gate Bridge whilst enjoying a hearty scrambled eggs breakfast at around 0700 local time! We had our race debrief at our 1700 meeting today and reflected on what has been a truly epic race and, for all of us, the hardest challenge we have faced to date. Sighting land in the next few hours will see many people, myself included, realise a dream that formed many years ago when first looking at a chart of the Pacific and wondering what it would be like traverse the worlds largest body of water. The harsh reality of this leg has truly lived up to its reputation and I for one shall not want to be returning to this part of the world (well, not in winter anyway) for quite some time! I have been continually impressed with my small crew's relentless, dogged determination to just grunt up and get the job done. I thank them for making my job all that much easier to bear this leg by being consistently willing to pit themselves against Mother Nature in her foulest of moods; this has enabled us to acquire and maintain a fantastic race position which should set us up well for the remaining few races. And with a footnote to those who want to take on this adventure of a lifetime Ben also said; , To those who are considering this leg I say you have been warned, it's a tough one, but the sense of achievement felt at the end is quite unlike any I have experienced before.Watch out Oakland, there are some thirsty sailors heading your way! http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/CLIPPER-ROUND-THE-WORLD-OAKLAND http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/CLIPPER-ROUND-THE-WORLD-OAKLAND Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:00:30 +0100 Here is some good news for the yachting, boating and watersports fraternity; the number of people taking part in these activities has increased again in 2011 according to a survey by 2011 Watersports and Leisure Participation. The report surveyed 12000 people and it showed that among the increases, small boat racing was up by 0.13% and canal boating up by 0.21%.Jon White manager of the RYA Sport Development said; It is very encouraging to see an increase in participation levels in boating. We hope to see this figure increase even further in 2012, a year where the profile of the sport has never been so high. We will be working hard to inspire even more people to get out on the water and to do so regularly.So there you go, not everything is doom and gloom, the yachting, boating and watersport business seems to be fairing pretty well in this difficult economic climate. http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/MORE-PEOPLE-CHOOSING-BOATING http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/MORE-PEOPLE-CHOOSING-BOATING Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:27:16 +0100 Paddy Irishman, Paddy Englishman and Paddy Scotsman were doing construction work on scaffolding on the 20th floor of a building.They were eating lunch and Paddy Irishman said, 'Corned beef and cabbage! If I get corned beef and cabbage one more time for lunch I'm going to jump off this building.'Paddy Englishman opened his lunch box and exclaimed, 'Ham and English mustard again! If I get ham and mustard one more time I'm going to jump off, too.'Paddy Scotsman opened his lunch and said, 'Haggis again. If I get a haggis sandwich one more time I'm jumping too.'Next day Paddy Irishman opens his lunch box, sees corned beef and cabbage and jumps to his death.Paddy Englishman opens his lunch, sees ham and English mustard and jumps too.Paddy Scotsman opens his lunch, sees the haggis and jumps to his death also.At the funeral Paddy Englishmans wife is weeping. She says, 'If I'd known how really tired he was of ham and mustard I never would have given it to him again!Paddy Scotsmans wife also weeps and says, 'I could have given him cheese! I didn't realise he hated haggis so much.'Everyone turned and stared at Paddy Irishmans wife. 'Hey, don't look at me' she said. 'He makes his own lunch'. http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/JOKE-FOR-THE-WEEKEND http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/JOKE-FOR-THE-WEEKEND Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:02:09 +0100 Barclays Jersey Boat Show The Barclays 2012 Jersey Boat Show starts on Saturday the 5th of May and runs to Monday the 7th, which is a Bank Holiday weekend. Now in its fifth year the organisers reckon this years going to be the best yet. The show focuses on a fun filled family atmosphere with a maritime festival theme with lots of have go activities. People attending can visit the Fishermans Village listen to live music, visit the various stall from both local and non local traders, or of course view the large selection of boats on display. Both power and sail will be present and amongst the confirmed exhibitors are Sunseeker, Princess and Sealine.The Star attraction at this years show will be HMS Mersey, a 79 metre (260 Feet) River Class Offshore Patrol Vessel that weighs an incredible 1700 tonnes. HMS Merseys main job is fisheries protection and maritime security; she will be arriving on Friday the 4th May and visitors to are welcome aboard throughout the show.So if you are looking to buy a boat or equipment, or just curious or just want a good entertaining weekend, Go and visit the show, it promises to be a great event.Follow the link below to find out more about the Barclays Jersey Boat Show for more information. Jersey Boat ShowFollow Harbourguides on TwitterFollow Harbourguides on FacebookFollow Harbourguides on Youtube Comment on Harbourguides services http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/JERSEY-BOAT-SHOW-2012 http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/JERSEY-BOAT-SHOW-2012 Tue, 27 Mar 2012 09:21:47 +0100 A recent study by US researchers claim to have found evidence that eating chocolate can actually help to lose weight.Researchers found that despite increasing the calorie intake people who regularly eat chocolate had a lower BMI (body mass index) than those who didnt.The scientists screened a group of men and women with an average age of 57 for a study of cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins). A variety of dietary and lifestile questions were put to the group and amongst the questions were How many times a week do you eat chocolate and the study revealed that people who ate chocolate more times a week were more likely to have a lower BMI than the people who didnt. Chocolate contains polyphenols plant chemicals that fight heart disease and some scientists claim can aid metabolism. Study leader Dr Beatrice Golomb, from the University of California at San Diego, said: 'Our findings appear to add to a body of information suggesting that the composition of calories, not just the number of them, matters for determining their ultimate impact on weight.'In the case of chocolate, this is good news - both for those who have a regular chocolate habit, and those who may wish to start one.'Follow Harbourguides on TwitterFollow Harbourguides on FacebookFollow Harbourguides on Youtube Comment on Harbourguides services http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/CHOCOLATE-CAN-HELP-LOSE-WEIGHT http://www.harbourguides.com/news.php/CHOCOLATE-CAN-HELP-LOSE-WEIGHT