UK

16/05/2007 -- Avon Inflatables, the UK’s leading RIB and inflatables manufacturer and a technical partner for the Gipsy Moth IV project will be joining in the welcome celebrations for the Gipsy Moth IV when she returns to Queen Anne’s Battery Marina, Plymouth on 28th May 2007 – 40 years to the day since Sir Francis Chichester returned from his record breaking voyage.

Avon’s luxurious four-stroke 490 Seasport De Luxe RIB has been selected to meet the Gipsy Moth IV and return the skipper to shore at 1500 hrs to be officially welcomed back by Giles Chichester MEP, son of Sir Francis Chichester, and the Lord Mayor of Plymouth. Avon’s inboard RIB will also be utilised as a spectator vessel for anyone wishing to view Gipsy Moth’s arrival from the water.

Avon 490 Inboard

MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY News Release (077/07) issued by The Government News Network on 19 March 2007 -- On Thursday 22 March, at Greenock Fire Station Strathclyde, Peter Dymond, Chief Coastguard, will officially close the Sea of Change Project. The Sea of Change Project was officially launched in 2003 by the then Secretary of State, Department for Transport, Alistair Darling. The Project was set up and funded by the MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) in a partnership with the Chief Fire Officers' Association to establish a Maritime Incident Response Group (MIRG) which would, for the first time in the UK, provide specialised fire and rescue teams for dealing with firefighting, chemical hazards and industrial accident incidents at sea.

The event has been organized in partnership with Strathclyde Fire and Rescue who are celebrating formally declaring as a resource to the MCA.

The new MIRG is a powerful addition to the United Kingdom's integrated search and rescue response capability. It will also be developed to have the capacity to react by air to incidents anywhere in the country, not just at sea.

MARINE FISHERIES AGENCY News Release (03/07) issued by The Government News Network on 21 March 2007 -- Four Fishery Protection ships from three European member states arrived in Chatham today (March 21st) after joint operations at sea which began on Monday March 19th.

For the joint operations Royal Navy Fishery Protection vessel HMS Tyne was joined by Protection Vessel Barend Biesheubel from Holland. They were in the North Sea and the eastern English Channel.

Royal Navy Fishery Protection vessel HMS Severn was partnered by French protection vessel P.A.M Themis for a joint operation in the eastern English Channel.

The ships were coordinated by the Marine Fisheries Agency Operations London HQ which uses satellite tracking to monitor the position of European fishing boats every two hours.

The Fishery Protection Vessels swapped fisheries officers and observers. However, hampered by bad weather, only one boarding was carried out to check logbook, catches and fishing gear.

Berthing at Chatham will be followed by a conference organised by the UK's Marine Fisheries Agency in conjunction with the Community Fisheries Control Agency, attended by the European Commission and 50 delegates from nine member states.

Marine Fisheries Agency operations director David Holliday said:

POOLE, England, March 14/PRNewswire/ -- Sunseeker International Limited has agreed outline terms with US-based Luhrs Marine for the purchase of its Legend Yacht manufacturing facilities at Osprey Quay, Portland on the UK's South Coast. The site will be acquired to accommodate Sunseeker International's planned expansion with a licence to use the facilities immediately, and production starting as soon as the purchase is complete.

With demand for Sunseeker motoryachts growing year on year, specifically for the larger models, the need for more waterside production space has been an important issue for Sunseeker. With further investments being made at the company's shipyard headquarters in Poole these new facilities will allow Sunseeker to meet future demand.

Sunseeker's largest model to date, the 37 metre tri-deck yacht, launched at the London International Boat Show in January 2007.

London, 13 March/GNN/ -- MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY News Release (073-07) issued by The Government News Network on 13 March 2007 -- The Dubai International Boat Show is organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre and will take place from 13 - 17 March 2007 at the Dubai International Marine Club, Mina Seyahi.

The Dubai International Boat Show is the region's leading marine event because it brings together so many different exhibitors from across the world. MCA Executives will be on hand at the show to discuss construction, manning and safety issues relating to luxury yachts on the MCA stand. Yacht crews who will be in the area and who may be uncertain of correct certification are being encouraged to visit the Stand and discuss their concerns with an MCA Examiner who will be on hand.

Mike Sanderson, Head of Ensign, said before setting out for Dubai: "We are very keen to continue working in the Middle East region, where many interesting developments are taking place in Large Yacht activity. We will be inviting key players within the industry to a Reception being held during the Show. We are aware that many more charter vessels are moving into Middle Eastern waters from their traditional bases in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

MCA: Maritime and Coastguard Agency (British)