The Diary of Thami and Archie – Tuesday 23rd June

The Diary of Thami and Archie – Tuesday 23rd June

THE DIARY OF THAMI AND ARCHIE - TUESDAY 23RD JUNE

Astilleros de Mallorca

Astilleros de Mallorca

Today the boys were shown ‘Astilleros de Mallorca’ main shipyard, where they had an extended introduction into how a traditional boat-building shipyard had been turned into a specialized ‘Superyacht Refit and Repair’ centre that provides an experienced management team – all managers and workers having a cross-section of backgrounds – including naval architects and technical experts. With more than 30 years of yard experience, and after having carried out refits and repairs on approximately 120 yachts each year, the Astilleros de Mallorca shipyard is honoured with a long list of loyal clients.

The boys also had a close look into several workshops such as Metal, Mechanical Engineering, Carpentry, and Stainless-steel fabricators.

Project Manager Enrique took them onboard “Coco Veinte”, which is undergoing a complex refit after suffering an electrical fire onboard that gutted and destroyed the wheelhouse.

Thami and Archie asked many questions during an orientation chat with Project Manager Riccardo – a former Chief Engineer with the Navy and coming from a Superyachting background – and with Jenny, who also has 20 years of experience in the Yachting Industry and is herself an ex-captain.

They reported back that they found this very interesting and are keen to learn more.

Lunch at “Monolisto” restaurant was followed by a visit to the offices of South African yacht-designer Shaun Carkeek, head of Carkeek Design Partners, who spent an hour explaining what he does, and describing how the system and design-process works right from the moment an owner decides he wants to build a boat or yacht. We also visited the offices of Richard Masters, another Capetonian who has his own business project-managing refits, and providing complete yacht management services. ‘Master Yachts’ pays over 300 crew-members aboard yachts that Richard controls on behalf of the owners..!

Dinner at Sa Premsa

Dinner at Sa Premsa

After the boys packed their bags in preparation for an early start on Wednesday morning, we all went for a farewell dinner at ‘Sa Premsa’, a very typical old Mallorquin Restaurant. Thami order the biggest steak he has ever seen (quote: “bigger than my whole head”) which ultimately defeated him, so we had to take more than half of it home in a ‘doggy-box’..! – good snacks to take on the journey home to South Africa the next day..!

 

The Diary of Thami and Archie – Monday 22nd June

THE DIARY OF THAMI AND ARCHIE - MONDAY 22ND JUNE

An early start for an 08:00 arrival at the ‘Astilleros de Mallorca Branch-facilities’ within STP Shipyard for work-orientation presented by Rob van Wierengen and Alex, as well as various other project managers, who took the boys under their wing on their rounds of the numerous projects underway in the shipyard. They were taken on board yacht “Aquarius”, which is having an almost total rebuild, and has already been in the shipyard for almost a year. This was the project that the boys found most interesting of all the boats that they saw – which included “Espiritu de Xarey” and “Golden Eagle”. They also visited the workshops and rigging facility. Palma is the biggest refit and repair destination in the world and STP is filled with many very big yachts in various stages of work. One system that has been pioneered here is the assembly of scaffolding to frame the whole of (or part of) a yacht and then covering the frame with ‘heat-shrink’ plastic, thus making a ‘cocoon’ serving as a temporary-shed protected against the outside environment – usually for painting operations. They also got to see the 700 ton travel-lift lifting mechanism in operation, lifting boats out of the water and ‘chocking’ them up ashore for ongoing shore-side work.

After lunch in the workmens’ café “Pototeo”, Phil took the boys on a walk around the old town of Palma, visiting the Cathedral, various other interesting buildings and tourist attractions, and touring the working Santa Catalina produce Market.

A quiet dinner at the Wade’s house and then back to ‘Aloha-J’ for an early night.

The Diary of Thami and Archie – Sunday 21st June

The Diary of Thami and Archie – Sunday 21st June

THE DIARY OF THAMI AND ARCHIE - SUNDAY 21ST JUNE

Day out lunch

Day out lunch

Phil and Anne drove the boys out to the north side of Mallorca in stunning weather conditions to do a bit of tourist adventuring. Out of Palma city and near to Esporles village we visited an ancient farm-compound dating back to the 14th century “Sa Granja”, which is fitted-out much like a working museum. After tasting some local Mallorquin food specialities there, we moved on to the ‘Port of Valdemossa’, which is reached by driving down a very steep winding road on the north-shore with spectacular views, until one arrives at the water’s edge in the tiny port-village with a superb seafood lunch awaiting. We met up there with Anthony, Mike, and our friend Anne-Marie, who joined us for our feast. Archie gave stone-skipping lessons on the beach and then even went for a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear Mediterranean water.

From Valdemossa we drove north along the scenic coast-road and stopped for refreshments at ‘Sa Foradada’, looking down at the ocean way and impressive ‘hole-in-the-rock’ outcrop below us. Winding along the narrow mountain road with twisted old olive trees on both sides, we eventually arrived in the ‘Port of Soller’, filled and bustling with yachts and fishing boats. A pleasant evening sitting near the marina watching the tourists and the antique ‘Soller Tram’ that links the port with the town 5 kilometers higher up the valley, while the boys went shopping for souvenirs.

From Soller back to Palma is a half hour drive on a good road, but with a long, long tunnel linking Soller with Palma through the grand Tramuntana mountain range which we had been exploring.

The boys said that the highlight of the day was the fantastic views available in every direction one looks!

The Diary of Thami and Archie – Saturday 20th June – Race Day 3

The Diary of Thami and Archie – Saturday 20th June – Race Day 3

THE DIARY OF THAMI AND ARCHIE - SATURDAY 20TH JUNE – Race Day 3

Superyacht Cup 2015 Prize-Giving

Superyacht Cup 2015 Prize-Giving

Although the sailing day started well, it ended in disaster for “P2”, when there was a miscommunication between the foredeck and the after-guard, resulting in a fouled spinnaker take-down. The sail fell and was dragged into the water and wrapped itself around the keel despite huge efforts by all onboard to drag it clear of the water. Eventually one of the crew had to dive in with SCUBA gear to cut it free, but by then “P2” were out of the race, and so came in last on this final day, destroying any chance of a podium-finish for “P2” in the regatta over-all. Though there was an air of disappointment onboard, both Thami and Archie were exposed to a valuable lesson – in yacht racing and sailing in general, a good day can become a bad day in very short order, even with attentive preparation and practice.

The ‘Superyacht Cup 2015 Prize-Giving’ took place in the events-tent at the Regatta Village and the yacht “Marie” took the coveted first place. See the regatta website for full details of all the prize-winners.

Rafnar Fast Open Boat

Rafnar Fast Open Boat

After this we jumped into the 12 meter ‘Rafnar Fast Open Boat’ for a short demonstration of its high-speed capabilities and sea handling – which was very impressive. We then all adjourned to the ‘Boat House’ restaurant for a burger and fries.

The Diary of Thami and Archie – Friday 19th June – Race Day 2

The Diary of Thami and Archie – Friday 19th June – Race Day 2

THE DIARY OF THAMI AND ARCHIE - FRIDAY 19TH JUNE – Race Day 2

Again the crew had to report onboard “P2” at 10:00, but on this day the wind was a bit lighter – although still providing good sailing as the sea breeze kicked-in after midday. Performance was getting better and “P2” achieved a 2nd-place finish…!

Phil and Anne hosted a ‘Marine Inspirations Party’ at the Wade home for sponsors and other potential ‘friends of’ Marine Inspirations, so that everyone could meet Archie and Thami for some in-depth getting-to-know-each-other conversation. Our two guys engaged brilliantly and were a huge credit to Lawhill Centre, their families, and South Africa.

Pin It on Pinterest