Palma SYC 2016 Days  12-14 (+Gallery)

Palma SYC 2016 Days 12-14 (+Gallery)

Palma SYC 2016 Race Days 12-14 (+Gallery)

Day 12. 0900 – after a quick breakfast and a shower, the day started with a fascinating visit to ObjectPrint, a 3D object-printing company which manufactures spare parts for yachts and yacht models using 3D printing machines.

This was followed by a visit to “Shaun Carkeek Naval Architecture”, and Shaun – a fellow South African – shared much of his knowledge of yacht design and construction, as well as very valuable ‘life coaching’ advice.

After this the boys were welcomed at the ‘Pinmar’ offices nearby. Pinmar is the leading yacht painting and supply company in the world, and their expertise in painting is to be seen on most of the largest super and mega yachts today. Pinmar are great supporters of the Marine Inspirations initiative and many other charity projects.

With a quick lunch at the ‘Pesquera’ restaurant near the fishing nets and boats on the water-front, the team visited Nick Stael von Holstein at ‘MSOS’ in Santa Catalina, a company that supplies and maintains onboard medical readiness and ‘kits’ to support the medical needs and training of yachtsmen. Nick gave a fascinating speech and demonstration, and the boys asked many questions.
Following the invitation of Captain Harry Molenaar, the boys had the opportunity to tour the very special 47 metre Feadship “Mary A”. Feadship build the most exclusive motor-yachts in the world, and the boys were suitably impressed by the quality, and finish, and attention to detail evident in this special 15 year-old yacht. Captain Harry gave a most comprehensive and informative tour.

After a busy day the boys relaxed aboard “Aloha-J” and cooked dinner for themselves.

Day 13. 0900 – the day started with a tour of the “Astilleros de Mallorca” shipyard with Jennifer Maul. This traditional shipyard is a centre-piece of the Palma waterfront and has built a number of prominent yachts and ships in the past. They now focus on all aspects of yacht refit and repair. This was a very broadly informative and valuable tour of all aspects of shipyard work.
The boys were then taken to visit the 42m luxury escort explorer motor-yacht “Bystander”. A remarkable purpose-designed vessel, this visit made a very good comparative experience with the previous day’s visit to “Mary A”.
After a short lunch, the team were taken to North Sails headquarters in the industrial zone, where they were given a tour by South African Mark Sadler of the intricacies and magnitude of sail-making, sail maintenance, and sail design. Having sailed aboard formidable yachts during the Superyacht Cup, it was very interesting for the boys to see how sails are built and maintained.
The day concluded with a visit to the brand-new just launched super racing yacht from Nautor Swan, the Swan 115, “Highland Fling”. Captain X provided a most engaging tour for the boys and they were extremely impressed by the lightness of the materials that have been used aboard this impressive performance yacht.
Another extremely busy day under their belt, the team cooked dinner aboard ” Aloha-J” and turned in early.
Day 14. – 1100 – after packing their travel bags for the long trip back to South Africa, the boys had one more special visit to attend, and were most warmly welcomed by Erik Hansen at Echo Marine Services, a Reverse Osmosis Technology (Water-maker) specialist company. Erik is the noted leader in this field of supplying and servicing the machinery, pumps, membranes and peripheral equipment that allow yachts to process salt water aboard the yachts to produce the vast amount of fresh and drinking water that is required for yacht and ship operation. The boys found this highly technical brief most interesting, and asked many pertinent questions.
Collecting their bags, the boys bid farewell to “Aloha-J of Cariba” and, stopping for some sandwiches and last-minute trinket-shopping, they headed for the airport with Anthony, and started their journey back to Johannesburg and onward to their respective homes in Welkom, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town – for the remainder of their school holidays with their families before returning to Lawhill Maritime Centre for the new school term.
A huge thanks to all of the generous and kind supporters of this action-packed two-week Marine Inspirations initiative for the boys.
To all of the yacht owners, captains, crew, service company management, and the Palma Superyacht Cup organisers, a very big THANK YOU indeed…!


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