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P.A.E to host first transatlantic
rally for powerboats;
Nordhavn Atlantic Rally begins May 2004
Dana Point, Calif.-(February 14, 2003)- For powerboat owners who
dream of crossing the Atlantic to cruise the Mediterranean, Pacific
Asian Enterprises offers the opportunity of a lifetime next summer
as it hosts the Nordhavn Atlantic Rally 2004-a three leg, 3500-mile
cruising adventure from Newport, R.I. to Gibraltar. P.A.E., the
designer and developer of the Nordhavn line of oceangoing power
vessels, recently demonstrated the long-range cruising capabilities
of even small full-displacement powerboats with the successful completion
of a global circumnavigation in less than six months aboard a production
Nordhavn 40.
"Advancements in naval architecture and boat building technology
have created a class of full-displacement vessels with remarkable
sea-keeping abilities and incredible cruising ranges," said
Jim Leishman, vice president of P.A.E. and veteran circumnavigator.
"We build Nordhavns to make adventures possible and this event
will help to introduce a whole new group of people to the thrills
of trans-oceanic passage making."
The Nordhavn Atlantic Rally 2004 is an invitational event open
to the owners of qualified oceangoing powerboats. The event will
take the fleet from Newport R.I. to Gibraltar via Bermuda and the
Azores. For those that don't wish to return on their own bottoms,
P.A.E. will arrange for special discount rates to have boats shipped
back to the United States once the rally is completed.
The rally will begin with outfitting and inspections in Rhode Island.
On May 20 (weather-permitting) the fleet will make the 600-mile
voyage to the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club in Hamilton, Bermuda. P.A.E.
staff will await arrival of the fleet and provide assistance with
government formalities, provisioning and refueling. The fleet will
travel in two groups dictated by the vessels' speed and capability
and owner preference.
After provisioning and time to enjoy Bermuda, the fleet will depart
about June 3 to make the 1800-mile passage to Horta within the Azores
Island group. This passage will be completed by the larger vessels
in as little as 8 1/2 days while the smaller boats will take as
long as 11 days. As in Bermuda, P.A.E. shore-side staff will be
on hand to assist and welcome our fleet into port and to arrange
for activities and fleet parties.
On June 26 (weather permitting) the fleet will leave Horta for
the last leg across the Atlantic into the Mediterranean and on to
Gibraltar, a distance of 1100 miles. After completing the rally,
each vessel will be in position to enjoy the Mediterranean individually
or within groups.
A key facet of this event will be support not only at the stopovers,
but also during every mile of the trip. P.A.E. will staff specially
selected Nordhavns that will serve as escort vessels to lead and
follow the groups and will provide assistance to the fleet including:
- Mechanical and technical support with mechanics on lead and
chase
vessels for en-route repair;
- Emergency fuel reserves with boat-to-boat transfer capabilities;
- Limited towing capability;
- Diver for underwater repairs;
- Daily roll calls;
- 24-hour monitoring of designated VHF and SSB frequencies;
- Daily weather briefings;
- Physician for medical emergencies;
- Shoreside staff in Hamilton, Bermuda; Horta, Azores; and Gibraltar
to assist owners with government formalities, provisioning, fuel
and shoreside group activities;
- Special group rates for transatlantic return aboard Specialty
Yacht Carriers.
While P.A.E. is eager to provide all the support possible, Leishman
reminds all participants that the safety of the vessels and crews
is the responsibility of each captain. "Crossing the Atlantic
Ocean in a small yacht is serious business, and it is not without
risk," Leishman said. "We aim to reduce the risk in many
ways, including traveling in convoy with escorts, using professional
weather routing advice, and having doctors and mechanics onboard
escort vessels. While we can reduce the risk of an ocean crossing
significantly, we cannot eliminate it. All participants must be
prepared for rough weather or other circumstances that would limit
or even prevent assistance from P.A.E. escort vessels in the event
of a mechanical failure or injury. If multiple boats require assistance
simultaneously, PAE escort support could be overwhelmed. Ultimately,
each captain bears the responsibility for the safety and well-being
of his yacht and crew; each and every participant must understand
the limits of PAE's support."
In order to assure a successful event for all, P.A.E. will limit
the number of participating vessels and require that each meet strict
and rigorous qualifications.
Renowned circumnavigating yachtsman and TV/film director Bruce
Kessler will accompany the fleet to create a documentary film of
the voyage. Kessler and TV producer Jo Swerling, Jr. hope to generate
network interest in the documentary. The film will cover not only
the transatlantic voyage, but also individual experiences of the
participants. In addition, a group of journalists will be invited
to participate in the event.
"We are still in the planning phase of this event and some
of what we envision may change," said Leishman. "But we
expect to produce an exciting and rewarding experience for all who
participate."
Those interested in learning more about the Nordhavn Atlantic Rally
2004 should contact Pacific Asian Enterprises at 949/496-4848. Updates
and additional information will be made available in the coming
months.
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