Zhuhai yachts bound ‘round world

A JOURNEY around the world in a locally made yacht will be taken in by Jurgen Westheide, a German businessman who owns more than a dozen companies and a casino. The three-year journey will begin in April.
And it’s not the only yacht being built in Zhuhai for circumnavigation. The 70ft VOLVO 70, the lightest and fastest yacht ever manufactured in China, is to be finished in May at McConaghy Boats Zhuhai Boatyard in Pingsha Town, Jinwan District. It is the only Chinese entry in the Clipper 07-07 Round-the-World Yacht Race.

First though, Jurgen’s 66ft dark green deluxe yacht manufactured by Jet-Tern Marine Zhuhai Shipyard costs $3 million to construct, according to the manufacturer.

“It’s been a dream since long ago,” Jurgen says. It took him years to find a yacht that would help him realize his dream -- to travel around the world.

Jurgen made the acquaintance of a very experienced French captain, Therry, who had once served on a 57ft yacht manufactured by the same Zhuhai company. Upon Therry’s recommendation, a 66ft yacht was ordered. Jurgen named it “Ocean Green.” He invited two French experts to deploy electronic facilities so that the yacht could endure all conditions during the world journey. Moreover, to ensure the safety of the yacht, he has come to Zhuhai more than 10 times to supervise its construction, he said.

“I want to make it an adventure and a sightseeing as well,” Jurgen says. He hopes all the beautiful places he visits will become living memories for a lifetime.

Setting out from Zhuhai, the yacht will reach Hong Kong, pass Vietnam, Singapore to the Indian Ocean via the Strait of Malacca. His favourite country is Seychelles, an island nation of Africa, where there is the most beautiful beach in the world. He plans to stay there for some time and then head southward for the Pacific via the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. Jurgen will invite his family and friends to join him for a while each time he gets to an amazing place. His first-phase destination is his current home in France. The 32,000km phase should take a year and a half, he notes.

Therry and a female crewmember who will also serve as chef, will accompany Jurgen. The second-phase of the voyage will depart from France for the east and west coasts of America, then cross the Pacific to Australia, and finally return to Zhuhai via Hong Kong. The entire journey encompasses a distance of 80,000km, Jurgen says.

On the way to travel around the world, Jurgen will take part in various exhibitions such as the Cannes International Boat Show in France and the Seattle Boat Show in the US. It is also an important part of his schedule, Jurgen explains.

The 70.25-tonnage yacht is equipped with two global positioning systems (GPS) and two separate radars. It is also outfitted with an advanced marine sonar profiler, weather forecaster, satellite radio communications and long-distance single sideband (SSB) systems. In addition, an 11ft 30hp boat is also provided.

The yacht contains four cabins including living room, bedroom, guest room, kitchen and four washrooms.

The other yacht claiming keel-laying in Zhuhai is the $6 million VOLVO 70 which weighs 14 tonnes. It is equipped with the most-advanced global positioning system (GPS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and has a speed of 45 knots per hour. The race will be held respectively in Spain, Africa, India, Singapore, Qingdao in China, Boston in the US, Ireland and Switzerland. The US NCC will air the whole event throughout the world.

McConaghy Boats Zhuhai Boatyard is a subsidiary of McConaghy Boats Boatyard in Sydney, Australia. Coming into operation in June last year, the company has had its registration capital increased from HK$500,000 to HK$8 million, according to President Evans Mark Arthur. It will begin to build a $6 million fibre-reinforced plastic boat that is 40m long and 16m wide in March, which is to be delivered by the end of next year.

Three-hundred 20ft boats, worth $40,000 each, are manufactured annually, according to the company.

(ZD News)