Vasco da Gama Yacht Rally
2009-2010 Fourth Edition
STAY ON THE NEWS!

Thrue this website we'll keep you informed on whats happening in the rally. But since the rally is at sea a lot of the time, news comes with irregular intervals. So checking the website often gives no new information.
The Vasco Da Gama Rally therefor intruduces a new service:
the Vasco Da Gama Newsletter.

The organisation intension is to spread short newsletters when there is interresting news about the rally. The advantage is that you can check the website less frequently to see if there is news: if there is, you'll be notified.
The newsletter is aimed mainly at the followers of the rally, not so much at the participants. (They know what's going on). But we'll keep the newsletter "text-only" and short, since we know that the rally is followed by several people who use Sailmail or other mobile e-mail systems.

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NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
Vasco Da Gama Rally Fourth Edition
- Newsletter No. 3 - November 26, 2009
* Vasco Da Gama Rally in the Red Sea
Today 25 Nov. all 14 yachts left Port Suez and are now sailing in the Gulf of Suez. The passage trough the Suez Canal was without problems. The yachts were split in two groups of seven yachts and did the passage divided over two days. On the other hand it was an unpleasant surprised to hear at the checkout in Ismailia, that the Suez Canal Authorities starting June 1, 2009 have increased the price with 40%. It is always difficult for the organization because when we're not informed, we give wrong info to the members and participants. Aspecialy as a bill is presented with the old prices still mentioned! Yachts up to 10 Meter LOA now pay USD 16 per day, Yachts up to 15 Meter LOA USD 21 and over 15 Meter LOA USD 30. For every month 25 days are charged. The yacht club in Port Said is now restored and can host 20 yachts using their own anchors and lines to the quay. It can be very turbulent, but a stop in case of bad weather in the med, is a good option. The staff of Felix Agency assisted in the marina. The Ismailia yacht club has also place for 20 yachts on the quay, but they only have a few moorings so most yachts have to use their own anchor. Felix Agency have no facilities here. Anchoring is possible and no charge.Port Suez Yacht Club has now a floating dock for approx. 20 yachts and Karkar the bosun of the club helps with his boat to the yachts mooring, also people of Felix Agency led by Mr Magdy the manager in Suez give good lap. All 3 clubs provide free water and electricity and in the Suez yacht club also free wireless internet (WLAN).

* Piracy
The rally organization was contacted by authorities, as you cabn see in the following email:
Dear Mr Brust.
I understand that your organisation will shortly be arranging a yachtrally in and around the Gulf of Aden.
I would very much appreciate the opportunity to speak with you about this, and draw your attention to the serious risks associated with these waters, and explain the limits of the assistance we would be able to provide in case of an incident. I would also ask that your draw any participants' attention to the travel advice on our website
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/staying-safe/river-safety which explains why the threat in the area is currently at a high level.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Ailsa Latham
Head of Section | Country Casework Team for Africa and the Middle East | Consular Directorate | Foreign and Commonwealth Office |WH4.8 |King Charles Street| London SW1A 2AH| More information on the safety-subject: www.yachtpiracy.org * New photo's on the Fourth-rally website
There are serveral new phtographs in the fotogallery on the Fourth Rally.

Vasco Da Gama Rally Fourth Edition
- Newsletter No. 2 - October 27, 2009
Vasco Da Gama Rally on it's way to Cyprus
Wednesday October 28 the rally will leave Libanon and set sail for Cyprus. They expect to arrive there the next day.

Bad news
Paul and Rachel Chandler of sailingyacht Lynn Rival, who joined the second rally in 2007-2008 to India, are hyjacked by pirats in the Indian Ocean. After finishing the rally in Cochin they decided to sail in January 2008 to the African East Coast together with the Canadian rally yacht Alero. In May I received a mail from Rachel, she wrote that they would fly back to the UK because Paul’s fathers health problems. She also stated that the Alero has left the Seychelles with some other yachts to the far East. They planed to sail later in the year to Thailand/Maylaisia. For more information see the information on the Noonsite- and The Sun-websites. If any one has any news please mail to Lo@vascodagamarally.nl. As the Indian Ocean is now the most dangerous place for piracy, I advise sailors who sail from the far East, to sail after passing Sri Lanka along the Indian West Coast to Goa and cross the Arabian Sea to Salalah and close under the Coast of Yemen to the Red Sea.
More info about the Lynn Rivel:
The Associated Press
African Press Organization
Noonsite
The Sun
Algemeen Dagblad (Dutch/Nederlands)

If the links above don't work, please copy/paste the following URL's to yor browsers addressline:
The Associated Press:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gB7YMEDuCwwY9ncDOtPAkEI4-H2wD9BJG6D00
African Press Organization:
http://appablog.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/seychelles-coast-guard-continues-search-operation/
Noonsite:
http://www.noonsite.com/Members/sue/R2009-10-24-1
The Sun:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2701202/Fears-for-Brit-pair-who-are-said-to-have-been-kidnapped-by-Somali-pirates-who-hijacked-their-boat.html
Algemeen Dagblad (Dutch):
http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/1013/Buitenland/article/detail/440112/2009/10/27/Somalische-piraten-gijzelen-Brits-echtpaar.dhtml

Vasco Da Gama Rally Fourth Edition
- Newsletter No. 1 - September 23, 2009
17 days to go!
Still 17 days to go before the start of the 4th rally from Alanya Marina. The new marina is not finished, but progress is made. The hardstand is ready and there are now approximately 40 yachts on land. Hasan Kazmac, the General Coordinator, has asked to move the start one day in relation to the availability of the live band during the diner the marina offers the participants the night before starting on 11 October.
All participants have a free berth in the marina on October 8, 9 and 10, 2009.

* I have just learned today that several yachts plan to take part in rally from Port Said. In relation to the available places in Lebanon and Larnaca I ask all yachts to let me know as soon as possible whether or not they will visit these places. Also please state in your mail the LOA and beamsize!
* According to the latest information, the new marina in Cochin (India) will be opened later this year.
* All shirts and caps are now ready and the rallynumbers are expected any day now.
* Recently I received several mails from people who where interested to sail with one of our yachts to India. If there are boats who would like extra crew, please contact me.
Lo Brust