The Route, Part 2: the Maldives to Djibouti

The Global Ocean Challenge rages on as the Ocean Gladiator continues its voyage from the Maldives to check in at Djibouti a race leg of approximately 2172 nautical miles. On this second race leg, the crew is about to face one of the most challenging phases in their journey.

Cities in the Maldives like Male recently went through political unrest, making the archipelago a tricky choice of a checkpoint. Fortunately, the crew has to face the waters of Maldives more than its locals.

The waters between Maldives and Djibouti are known all over the world for their pirate population. As the crew travels west across the Arabian Sea, they have to welcome the possibility of encountering pirates from Somalia to the Gulf of Aden.

The Naval presence has increased in the area, this will give the crew more confidence in taking on these treacherous waters. The crew, however, will still keep a close eye of what's coming their way. Speed is the essence and Ocean Gladiator will be at low fuel levels for the final run to Djibouti so her light weight will allow for wide open throttles. Pirates cannot hope to match her impressive top end speed.

Recently, the entire coast border north and south of Djibouti has been labeled as a high-risk area. Not only should the crew be watchful of the threats from Somalia, but they also need to watch out for unpleasant surprises from the risks of being hijacked near the border of Eritrea.
Nevertheless, the crew will come prepared. Armed with a more than adequate defence system, the Ocean Gladiator is not just fast enough to shake off the threats, it is equipped with the right amount of defences to face them.

The threats and challenges are nothing compared to the glory of holding the prestigious Dupree Cup. Be a partner of the Ocean Gladiator and join in the historic glory together with the crew.  You can contact Captain Mark Smith through his phone number  0439 430 171 (+61 439 430 171) or check out the Global Ocean Challenge website to know more about how you could be a partner of the team.

Port of Airlie blooms this spring for boat show 2011

Port of Airlie awaits the arrival of the Whitsunday Boat and Lifestyle Show 2011. To be held on the 10th and 11th of September 2011, the show will be put on display the lifestyle that Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays is famous for.

Meanwhile the Port of Airlie complex is coming into full bloom, the Boathouse Apartments by Outrigger are an absolute beautifully appointed and a credit to the developers. The adjacent retail space already boasts a Coffee Club which now bustles with the coffee set keen to make use of the fantastic outlook over the new harbour. June and July will also see leading fashion retail from Calypso Resort and Swimwear and Billabong open at the waterfront. The other announcement is Hayman Fine Spirits who will add a new dimension to Airlie Beach with their fine beverages shop.

During a recent planning meeting for the boat show, the plans have all but been confirmed as being at the southern end of the Port of Airlie complex as depicted on the site plans shown on the www.whitsundayboatshow.com web site.

The other major news is that parking will be available for about 1000 vehicles ON SITE, as Port of Airlie have gone out of their way to make space available at the Northern of the marina for exhibitors and show attendees to park.

These various features from the Port of Airlie complex will make the logistics of the Whitsunday Boat and Lifestyle Show far simpler than previous years and another reason for exhibitors and attendees to set aside the 10th and 11th of September for a great weekend at the Port of Airlie.

For further information:
John Nayler
0407 15 13 11