NBS announces full feature boat line-up at PSP Southampton Boat
Show
Every year the feature boat line up is a huge draw for visitors,
and this year at the PSP Southampton Boat Show in association with
ITV Meridian promises to be no exception. Celebrating its
40th Show, between 12-21 September, National Boat Shows (NBS) is
proud to be showcasing some notable vessels.
Andrew Williams, Managing Director of NBS, comments: “We’re
delighted to once again be exhibiting exciting feature boats of
such high quality. These vessels form part of the remarkable line
up we have planned to celebrate our 40th Show, and will really help
generate a buzz down on the Hydropool Marina.”
Callista
The mystery of what lies beneath the ocean surface is revealed
aboard the state-of-the art scientific research vessel, Callista,
on loan from the National Oceanography Centre.
At almost 20-metres long, the twin-hulled Callista features the
latest scientific equipment in wet and dry laboratories, and has
been specifically designed to give researchers the best possible
platform to carry out marine research projects.
Show visitors will have the opportunity to take a closer look at
the animal and plant life in our coastal waters, find out about the
ecology of the seabed and the effects of global warming, as well as
the impact of humans on the oceans.
Callista will be at berth 60 from Saturday 13 to Wednesday 17
September.
Hot Socks
Show Ambassador Katie Miller, former Raymarine Young Sailor of the
Year, will be displaying her boat, Hot Socks, in which she recently
competed in, and won, the bluQube 1,000 mile race, which was her
first major solo event. The bluQube race is the official
qualifier for the 2009 OSTAR, the iconic transatlantic race
previously won by Dame Ellen MacArthur OBE.
Competing against 23 other boats and sleep deprivation, Katie
crossed the finish line in Hot Socks, her new Figaro II race boat
on 11 July, winning the Best Rookie Award, Open Class Two Overall
Winner, The ANA Overall winner of the BluQube 1000 solo, and the
Endeavour Trophy voted for by the competing skippers!
Hot Socks will be at the Show for the duration, moored at berth
59.
Hull & Humber
The Hull & Humber has just returned from the Clipper 07-08
Round the World Yacht Race where she finished in second position.
The vessel visited 14 ports on six continents during the
35,000-mile race which lasted ten months. This was the second
circumnavigation for the Ed Dubois-designed Clipper 68, which is
one of a fleet of 10 identical yachts. These yachts are
sponsored by cities around the world and raced by crews of
non-professional sailors from all walks of life who in the Clipper
07-08 race, represented 27 nationalities.
The Hull & Humber Clipper 68 will be at the Show from 18-21
September, moored at berth 60.
Jeanie Johnston
The Dublin based tall ship Jeanie Johnston will be moored alongside
Solent Park for the majority of the celebratory 40th Show.
The construction of the new Jeanie Johnston is one of the most
impressive projects in Irish maritime history and is a beautiful
copy of the 19th century tall ship, which was one of the last in
operation before the arrival of the steam ship. The entire
project spanned almost 10 years from start to finish; beginning in
1993 with extensive research into materials and construction
methods, finally culminating in the successful completion in
2002.
The replica of the Jeanie Johnston was re-built by the people of
Tralee to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Famine.
She made a return trip to North America in 2003 as a reminder to
the descendants of all the people who sailed to the US on famine
ships, calling at 20 ports in five countries along the way.
Visitors to the Show will be able to climb aboard the tall ship
and explore both above and below decks, learning more about the
voyages the original Jeanie Johnston would have taken between
Ireland and the US. In all, the original Jeanie Johnston
carried over 2,500 people on 16 voyages to North America, and
amazingly never lost a single soul on any trip.
Visit Jeanie Johnston, moored alongside Solent Park from 12-19
September
Lively Lady
The Raymarine Lively Lady project is fresh back from a two year
round-the-world trip that has not only covered over 28,000 nautical
miles, but has helped young adults turn their lives around in the
process.
The Raymarine Lively Lady Project is the brainchild of British
ocean adventurer Alan Priddy, who is renowned for his
record-breaking exploits in powerboating. Built in Calcutta
in 1948, Lively Lady was Sir Alec Rose's historic yacht in which he
completed his solo circumnavigation in 1968, just before the very
first Southampton Boat Show.
For its latest circumnavigation, the Lively Lady made 27 stops
around the world, and with each stop her crew changed as two more
young adults who, for whatever reason hadn't had the best start in
life, took the brave step towards positive change by climbing
aboard for a life enhancing experience.
Lively Lady will be at berth 63 from Friday 12 to Sunday 14
September.
London Sailing Project
The Rona Trust – London Sailing Project is a sailing charity
established in 1960 by Lord Amory, with Commander Walter Scott as
the first Organiser. Its aim is to provide (through the
medium of sea training in offshore craft) opportunities for young
people and people with disabilities to acquire those attributes of
a seaman, namely: a sense of responsibility, resourcefulness and
team-work, which will help them throughout their lives. Every
year it takes around a thousand young people to sea for a week of
offshore sailing adventure and teamwork in our three purpose built
sail training yachts. Most people come with little or no
sailing experience but many return again and again.
London Sailing Project is on display from 15-16 September on
berth 63.
Ocean Pirate
Built in 1968 by Brooke Marine of Lowestoft and celebrating its
40th birthday this year, Ocean Pirate – a 40 foot offshore cruiser
– will certainly be in good company at this year’s Show! As
part of a series of cruisers built for speed, the Ocean Pirate was
fitted with two V8 300 M engines, recorded speeds of over 27 knots
in November 1968. The boat finished in 7th position overall in the
very first Round Britain Offshore Powerboat Race in 1969, taking an
impressive 48 hours and 36 minutes to cover the 1,403
miles.
This year, Ocean Pirate took part in the third ever Round
Britain Powerboat Race. Competing in the Classic class
against eight other competitors, the Ocean Pirate was the only 1969
race boat to enter that finished the race. Ocean Pirate
finished in 5th place overall and 4th in class covering 1,700 miles
in just two weeks.
Ocean Pirate is on Berth 63 from 19-21 September.
Spirit of Mystery
The Spirit of Mystery, yachtsman Pete Goss’ latest project, a
diminutive 37 foot true replica of the historic Mystery vessel will
feature at the Show on 12 September.
The original Mystery is most famous for guiding seven heroic
Cornishmen on their journey to Australia 154 years ago, in pursuit
of their dream to strike it lucky in the Australian gold rush.
Pete has equally ambitious plans for the Spirit of Mystery and
intends to sail to Australia in October this year. The Lugger
has been built as true to the original Mystery as possible, so is
completely devoid of modern electrical or navigational systems,
meaning the epic sailing journey will be without the comfort of an
engine.
Visit Spirit of Mystery on Friday 12 September at berth 60.
38ft Westerly Oceanranger
Yacht supremo Ed Dubois is also responsible for the design of the
38ft Westerly Ocenaranger series, built between 1989 and
1999. Westerly Oceanrangers have become synonymous with
serious long distance cruising and are renowned for their good turn
of speed. The model on display was built in 1996, and has
been provided by Westerly Yachts - a company that embodies four
decades of top class British yacht construction.
Westerly Oceanranger will be on Berth 63 on the Hydropool Marina
from the 17-18 September.
Cruise Ships
Some truly enormous sea faring vessels will be mooring alongside
the 40th Show this year, with three cruise ships docking at berth
101 in Solent Park. On 15 September, the Saga Ruby will be
departing at 5pm; the Astoria will be sailing at 6pm on 18
September; and the largest cruise ship in the world, the
Independence of the Sea, will be sailing at 5pm on 20
September.
Exploring the feature boats on the Hydropool Marina once you’re
inside the Show grounds is free; to book tickets to the Show simply
call the ticket hotline on 0844 209 0333 or visit the Show’s
website www.southamptonboatshow.com.
Also log on for more information about the Show to help plan your
day.