FRAGRANT HARBOUR HK Magazine Vol XII No. 135 March 1997

FRAGRANT HARBOUR

VOLUME XII NUMBER 135 MARCH 1997

CONTENTS:

ASIAN PIRACY UPDATE - The Royal Malaysian Navy appears to have tamed the notorious Malacca Strait but elsewhere in Southeast Asian waters piracy continues...

HONG KONG MARINA - Modern Docks by Pacific Marina Developments, the cosy clubhouse retained and other plans for expansion.

PRECIOUS DRAGON ON ITS WAY - The voyage begins. Adventurer Marc Cuthbert and his crew sail off in their Chinese junk to sail up the River Thames at the time of the handover of Hong Kong to China.

ARE YOU COVERED? - FH interviews Andy Brooks of M G Geraghty on the ins and outs of insurance coverage for pleasure craft.

CROCS. CROCODILE FEARS - Croc, "salty", crocodylus porous, call them what you like. They're still bloody dangerous!

HONG KONG'S ABERDEEN MARINA CLUB - The AMC has, over the years, matured to become a clubof quiet elegance that sets it apart from other marine establishments in Hong Kong.

HONG KONG TALL SHIP SPECTACULAR - A full programme is planned for the week preceding the start of Sail Osaka '97. The ships leave for Naha (Okinawa) at 1400 on the 28th of March.

STRAIGHT DELIVERY. PART 2 TEETHING TROUBLES - Spitali shows it is not to be trifled with and challenges the FH cruising duo (and owner) to a match of skill and experience.

OSMOSIS, BRIEFLY - Although a complex and difficult subject, FH has summarised the main points and has one cure to offer.

THE ART OF SOMMELIER - The closest description of sommelier is wine butler. But the sommelier's artistry doesn't end at wine.

NEW SWATH VESSELS - Hong Kong owned FBM Marine is building two advanced multihulls for Britain's Royal Navy.

BT GLOBAL CHALLENGE 1996-97 - Leg 3 was from Wellington to Sydney and FH correspondent Richard Rowe describes a new enthusiasm to win in the crew of Courtaulds Coatings.

VENDEE GLOBE RECORD - Christophe Augin has set a new record for a non-stop solo circumnavigation - 105 days, 20 hours, 31 minutes and 23 seconds - in his yacht Geodis, beating the previous record by three and a half days.

BRUNEI CHALLENGE - The inaugural challenge, held after the Straits Regatta, ran between Singapore and Brunei. Although only five boats took part, the organisers anticipate a bigger fleet next year... and substantial (prize) sponsorship money.

MACAU TWO-LEGGED RACE - Good winds across the Pearl River estuary and the Chinese New Year celebrations in Macau make this traditionally a popular event. This year there was a noticeable increase in the number of local crews taking part.

DOUBLE REVIEW. BOSTON WHALER - FH tests the fast pursuit boats being readied for the Royal Hong Kong Police - the Vigilant 27 and Guardian 25 series.

49er: AN OLYMPIC CONTENDER? - A skiff being considered for inclusion in the Sydney Olympics, this 16-footer is the culmination of six years, concentrated design work

SKIPJACK 26 - A flybridge motorcruiser makes a comeback

BOAT ASIA '97 - An introduction and list of exhibitors for the region's premier boat show.

SHANGHAI SHOW - Floor plan and introduction to the 2nd China International Boat Show.