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Yacht Sweet Waters

The Yacht Sweet Waters is a 49 ft luxury charter yacht with toilet facilities, shower, fully equipped galley, fridge, freezer, three double cabins, one single cabin, teak decks, an enclosed cockpit, large awning for protection against sun and rain, lots of deck space, a gas braai and so much more, not to mention the wonderfully graceful “olde world” atmosphere permeating it. We regularly sail on two-hour trips - a graceful sail with just the foresail through the harbour. For those wanting an adrenalin rush we can put up enough to lean her over and get the spray flying - yes even in storms in the bay.

For your interest, the vessel and its history is detailed on our website at http://www.portsail.co.za.  We seat 20 people, at present the highest capacity for any charter operation in the Bay.  We also have the only passenger vessel safety certificate rated for day and night and any weather conditions. Our vessel is licensed under the strict survey conditions applied by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) (see  http://www.samsa.org.za ). Licenses are issued by the National Port Authority http://www.npa.co.za under the International Safety Organisation regime  (ISO code). The vessel is licensed to carry 20 passengers and three crew within the port limits of Richards Bay. The Captain’s license is issued by SAMSA and also carries passenger vessel endorsements covering high levels of first aid, life raft and fire-fighting certification issued by Nova Marine, http://www.novamarine.co.za as well as radio licenses (issued by Independent   Communication Authority of South Africa  (ICASA http://www.icasa.org.za ) and pilot’s exemption certificates issued by the Port Captain’s office. Our passenger liability is in place through Glenrand MIB http://www.glenrandmib.co.za in JHB under policy No. 1128439 / SC 9895305 for R 1,5 million, underwritten by Lion of Africa http://www.lionofafrica.co.za Insurance. Details of the conditions of charter and indemnity requirements applicable can be viewed at http://www.portsail.co.za/ticketa5.pdf. Please note that the tickets have to be signed by every person boarding the vessel.

The vessel has been inspected and upgraded for unlimited voyages comprising open water cruising for 8 persons. Each of these charters is individually quoted and arrangements need to be made at least 3 months in advance.

The vessel has also been inspected by SAMSA for Boat Based Whale Watching (BBWW) and licensed for 12 passengers and three crew to 15 NM offshore in daylight hours. The BBWW permit holder is Umkhomo Whale Tours CC  operating as from the offices of the Dock Side Shack Restaurant at the Small Craft Harbour. (See https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002620518894&sk=info)

The vessel’s navigation and safety equipment in fact exceeds the South African Maritime Authority’s requirements by far. It boasts extensive navigation software backed up by 3 onboard computers connected to a host of marine instruments, Radar, Autopilot, Plotter, Digital Signal Coding for VHF and HF Marine Radiotelephone,  AIS vessel-tracking system etc. All equipment is of the highest commercial marine grade (See http://www.icom.com and http://www.furuno.com). The Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon is of the latest GPS enabled type (see http://www mcmurdo.com) . The 8 man Viking life raft is of the highest grade and quality. See http://www.viking.co.za . All of this on a vessel regarded as ‘overbuilt’ by the racing fraternity. Yet, whenever entered it comes first in cruising vessel categories.

This vessel will be now also be used by Umkhomo Whale Tours, the permit holder for Boat Based Whale Watching in Richards Bay. The operators are members of the SA Boat Based Whale watching Association See http://www.sabbwwa.org.za/index.php/Details/Dr.html .

Our staff are all professionals with highest sailing, first aid, life saving, fire-fighting and Tour Guide qualifications and experience than any similar other operator in the Harbour.  The owner / Captain is a Yacht Master who is also commercially rated for sailing vessels up to 100 tons in all conditions day and night with close to 40 years sailing experience with many thousands of sea miles logged.  The rest of the crew includes a first mate who is also a Private Pilot, ICASA certified Marine and Aeronautic Radio Telephony Operator, a PH with National Diploma in Nature Conservation and a fully qualified BBWW guide.  What is more is that our Captain, being a retired Strategic Planner registered on the Sydney Stock Exchange maintains the highest integrity regarding Confidentiality, Intellectual Property and Non-Circumvention. So you may pick his brain if you wish, and discuss your deals on board without any risk.

All of this spells for a unique and unforgettable experience which you will want to repeat again and again. From laid-back sunset cruises to storm sailing for the adrenalin junkies there are options for everyone.



Izak Labuschagne [ Yacht Sweet Waters ] 25-May-2012 {EDITOR}