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Kochi (Cochin) is now in the world cruise map with the commencement of weekly cruise itineraries from Kochi to Maldives and Colombo. This service is being provided by MV Aquamarine. Around 60,000 Indian tourists are expected to cruise during this season. The service was inaugurated by Kumari Selja, Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Tourism on December 01 at Kochi.

Some interesting information available are:

• Voyages through MV Aquamarine is available from December 2009 to April 2010.
• The first voyage from Kochi commenced on December 02 to Maldives.
• Cochin Port Trust offers host of amenities to cruise vessels like “walk in” berthing, sufficient draft, bunkering services, concessional tariff, a “single window service” for Customs, Immigration and Port Health clearance.
• MV Aquamarine:
  • Owned by Louis Cruises India, a subsidiary of Louis Cruises one of the largest cruise operators in the world.
  • Has a capacity to carry 1,200 passengers.
  • Has 525 spacious state rooms and suites, several restaurants, a swimming pool, fitness centre, massage/sauna facilities, casino including duty free shopping facility.
  • The vessel has also been modified to play cricket on the high seas.
  • Food and entertainment on board are also available to suit Indian taste.
  • Gross Tonnage: 23,149
  • Length: 193.65 metre
  • Breadth: 24 metre
  • Draught: 6.72 metre
  • Cruising speed: 17 knots
  • Passenger Decks: 7
  • Elevators: 4
  • Stabilizers: available
  • Electrical power supply: 110V AC
  • Classification Society: DNW

The round trip voyages available are:

Important Notes:

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Water Walk sports using water or aqua ball is now in Assam, India to attract locals and tourists.
Some interesting features of water or aqua ball are:

• is a transparent big ball filled with breathable air (oxygen).
• the user is free to float, walk, relax on water by remaining inside the floating ball.
• can be easily set up on any water source like a river, lake or even a swimming pool.
• ride on an average lasts about 7 minutes per single trip.
• is made up of a material called TPU (thermoplastic elastic rubber).
• can take up weight up to 150 kilograms.

It is reported that it is unsuitable for cardiac patients, asthmatics and overweight persons.

View a video clip: Water Walking A New Sport in India

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Navies of North Korea and South Korea clashed at their western sea border on November 10.

It is reported that as North Korean ship crossed the disputed western sea border, South Korean naval ship fired warning shots. North Korean ship fired back. During a two-minute exchange of fire, the North Korean ship caught fire and was heavily damaged. One North Korean officer was believed killed and three other sailors wounded. The South Korean ship was only lightly damaged and there were no South Korean causalities.

North Korea has demanded an apology from South Korea for the exchange of fire near the disputed Yellow Sea border calling it a grave armed provocation. In the past both the Navies had clashed in 1999 and 2002.

View some video clips:

• North Korea warns South that it will ‘pay’ for sea clash
• North and South Korean naval clash

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48th Barcelona International Boat Show (BIBS) is ready to start on November 07 with the slogan “a sea of opportunities”. The annual event organized by Fira de Barcelonais is open to professionals and public. The show will offer visitors a wide range of opportunities in accessories, canoes and kayaks, electronics, charter, sail and motor boats, inflatables, engines, trailers, sails, nautical tourism, windsurfing & surfing, jet skis, fishing, yachts and super yachts.

Some interesting features of BIBS are:

• To be held at: Halls 2 and 3 of the Gran Via Exhibition Centre and the La Fusta and Espanya wharves in Port Vell
• Duration: November 07 to 15, 2009
• Exhibitors:380, Spanish and foreign
• Countries represented: 35
• Surface area: 70,000 square metre net between the Gran Via and Port Vell
• Gran Via venue to have five theme area:
  • The Innovation Area – to feature design and technological projects with the aim of showing the new contributions and projects of design centres, engineering companies and shipyards.
  • The Fun Beach Area – to attract young people with the aim of providing facilities to learn to sail aboard small boats and to promote nautical sports. It has a swimming pool equipped with wind generators for light sailing.
  • Traditional Marina Area – to have Schooners, dories and wooden boats to highlight the historic memory and preservation of maritime heritage. Visitors can see how boats are crafted and can participate in workshops.
  • The Fishermen’s Area – to showcase new fishing rods, reels and equipment including virtual simulators to provide the sensations of deep-sea fishing.
  • The Espai del Mar (Sea Space) – for announcements of regattas, conferences and seminars, talks on navigation, etc.;  a space in which to keep abreast of new projects, share experiences and participate in debates.
• In Port Vell: Large vessels/mega-yachts to be on display.

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The 49th Genoa International Boat Show is ready to start on October 03.
Some interesting features of 49th Genoa International Boat Show are:

• To be held from October 03 to 11 at Genoa.
• Over 1,450 exhibitors.
• 2,400 boats – from small rowing boats to maxi-yachts.
• Organized by Fiera di Genova and UCINA-Confindustria Nautica.
• Conferences and other events:
  • Boating Industry General Assembly with a goal to identify practical, effective solutions to some of the main issues involving the boating sector, including taxation, protected marine areas, the creation of a widespread boating culture, and the organisation of nautical tourism.
  • Round Tables with specific themes: The boating industry – a new geography of “Made in Italy”; Nautical tourism as a driving force for coastal areas: from ports to inland areas; EU boating policies for the Mediterranean; The Boating Sector meets the Environment; When the sea washes schools: from playing to building a career.
• 300,000 square metre exhibition surface both ashore and in the sea.

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Lifeguards and Swimming coaches of Sports Department Authority of Tamil Nadu’s (SDAT) swimming pools across Tamil Nadu are being assessed at the Aquatic Complex at Velachery, Chennai for endurance and agility. They are further trained to rescue a person from drowning and to provide first aid till medical help arrives.This is necessary as competent Lifeguards can only save lives from drowning. Pump operators of swimming pools are also given training to provide first aid.

During the test conducted by Rashtriya Life Saving Society India (RLSS-I), it was found that out of 126 participants, only 38 passed. Remaining failed due to lack of swimming skills, stamina and technique.

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A Paris swimming pool refused entry to a Muslim woman on August 12, for wearing a ‘Burqini’ citing swimming pool rules that swimming is not permitted while clothed. Very valid reason. Swimming pool rules can not be defied and people who want to swim with Burquini may do so in their own private swimming pools.

Some interesting features of Burquini are:

• Burqa + Bikini = Burquini.
• An Islamic swim suit in three pieces for females who don’t want to expose their skin.
• Designed to cover the whole body except face, hands and feet.
• Looks like a track suit used by athletes than a swimming suit.
• Available in beautiful vibrant colors as Slim-fit, Modest-fit, Active-fit and for children also.
• Chlorine resistant, comfortable stretch, SP 50,UV protected.
• Light Weight, quick dry, does not cling to skin even when wet to avoid revealing body contour.

View Burquini in details, from Bodikini.

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Medals are presented ceremoniously in the parade ground. But for Petty Officer Andy Coulson, a Royal Navy diver it was something different. He received his medal underwater.

Some interesting features of this medal presentation are:

• Petty Officer Andy Coulson of Southern Diving Unit 2 (SDU2), received his 15 year Long Service and Good Conduct Medal underwater.
• The citation and medal was presented by his Officer in Charge SDU2, Lieutenant Simon Leightley at the bottom of a military outdoor swimming pool.
• Petty Officer Andy Coulson joined the Royal Navy at the age of 16 as an Air Engineer Mechanic and he was transferred to the diving branch 11 years ago.

Here is the amazing photograph from the Royal Navy.

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Fitness freak Mr Motivator and GMTV are offering Bikini Diet at cruise ship Ruby Princess from June 15 to remain healthy and fit. Some interesting features of this Bikini Diet and Ruby Princess are:

• Mr Motivator and GMTV fitness expert Deanne Berry are onboard Ruby Princess to host on-deck workouts to members on Bikini Diet.
• GMTV has selected three Bikini Ladies of apple shape, pear shape and tofi (thin on the outside, fat inside) to be part of this Bikini Diet plan in the cruise ship for a week.
• The 28 day Bikini Diet plan encourages members to
  • try at least one of Mr Motivator’s daily dozen exercises (videos are available at GMTV)
  • prepare at least one of Amanda’s delicious and nutritious healthy recipes (available at GMTV)
  • have a piece of fruit everyday to keep the doctor away
  • drink at least two glasses of water everyday
  • resist at least once a day allure of unhealthy temptations
• Members of Bikini Diet plan will be
  • put through exercises at the ship’s gym
  • learn to prepare recipes and follow a Mediterranean diet onboard
  • on ship’s organized shore excursions to remain active
• You can view everyday during the cruise, GMTV’s live broadcast from a different port onboard Ruby Princess, as she sails through a 12 night Greek Isles and Mediterranean cruise.
• Cruise Ship Ruby Princess of Princess Cruises
  • can accommodate around 3000 plus passengers
  • is 952 feet in length
  • has nearly 900 balcony staterooms

View some interesting video clips from GMTV:

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Model Cruises is offering one hour Fun in the Sun cruises with Bikini Models.

Some interesting features of Model Cruises are:

• You can cruise in the company of Bikini Models and dance if you behave like a gentleman and treat the models with respect.
• You are required to purchase at least two $20 tipping tokens for the models per hour.
• Operates from Newport, Rhode Island.
• Offered 7 days a week at: 12PM, 1PM, 2PM, 3PM, 4PM, 5PM.
• Reservation includes: 1 hour on boat, free snacks, water, soda and beer.
• Swimming.
• Updates on Model Cruises is available on Twitter.

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Good news for swimmers. Quick dry swimsuits “Sun Dry Swim” are now available using nanotechnology swim wear fabric.

Some of the interesting features of nanotechnology treated Sun Dry Swim are:

• innovative water resistant swim wear that dries itself in seconds.
• repels water from the surface, while still allowing the fabric to become wet through when fully immersed in water for swimming or washing.
• uses water based non-toxic nanotechnology treatment and is environment friendly.
• completely harmless to skin.
• chlorine, sand and salt resistant.
• gives sun protection: SPF 50 UV.
• resistant fading from UV rays.
• washing: quick hand rinse in cold or lukewarm water, then hang or lay flat to dry in the shade.
• do not: bleach, iron, dry clean or machine wash.
• available at Solestrom.

View an interesting video clip: Sun Dry Technologies Water Resistant Sports Wear

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What the marine species at Giant Ocean Tank (GOT) of New England Aquarium are doing now ?

To find out, have a webcam view here or click the image on right.

Some of the interesting features of GOT and New England Aquarium are:

• The Aquarium was founded in 1969 and is a global leader in ocean exploration and marine conservation.
• Located at Boston.
• Attracts over 1.3 million visitors a year and is a major public education resource.
• Four storeys tall and holds 200,000 gallons of salt water.
• Holds more than 630 individual animals representing more than 130 species, including three sand tiger sharks and several rays.
• Divers spend hours swimming with the animals in the GOT to feed the animals, help provide medical treatment and clean the exhibit.

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The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, inaugurated the Naval Academy (NAVAC) in Ezhimala, Kerala on January 08. The Naval Academy was planned as a full-fledged permanent Naval Academy to replace the present Naval Academy, INS Mandovi at Goa.  Surprisingly it has taken almost 22 years to inaugurate the Academy for which the foundation stone was laid by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on January 17, 1987.

This Academy will prove to be the premier officer-training establishment of the Indian Navy and is the largest Naval Academy in Asia. From June this year, all officers inducted into the Indian Navy, under various schemes, will undergo basic training at this Academy.

Some of the interesting features of Naval Academy, Ezhimala are:

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Seafarers of Chinese Ship Zhenhua 4, used all resources available on board to fight back when the vessel was attacked by Somali pirates. The seafaring community appreciates the brave fight put up by Chinese seafarers.

Some of the interesting features are:

• Nine Somali pirates armed with rocket launchers and heavy machine guns attacked Zhenhua 4 owned by China Communications Construction Co. on December 17.
• For almost four hours, the 30 crew members used all resources available onboard like water cannon, homemade incendiary bombs, beer bottles and other missiles to prevent the pirates from boarding the vessel.
• Despite tough resistance from the crew, the pirates managed to board the vessel. The crew members locked themselves in their accommodation area to avoid themselves to be taken as hostages and also radioed for help.
• Immediately the Royal Malaysian Navy’s warship and her armed helicopter from the multi national coalition force came for rescue. On seeing the helicopter firing warning shots, the pirates disembarked from the vessel and went back in their speed boats.
• The operation came to an end after five hours with no injury or death to ships crew.

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About two million seafarers, are the invisible workforce responsible to transport over 95% of traded goods around the world through sea. They remain at sea longer than at shore.

The Sailors’ Society operates around the clock in 30 countries and 100 ports worldwide to assist seafarers by providing:

• Communication
• Transport
• Rest and recreation
• Welfare assistance
• Faith support
• Financial aid

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