Monthly Archives: October 2019

(CNN) -- Back in September 1522, an 85-ton carrack barely larger than a modern leisure yacht became the first ship to successfully complete a circumnavigation of the globe.

The hazardous journey, which began with a fleet and ended with one lone vessel, saw the deaths of at least 50 crew members, including the original captain.

Juan Sebastian Elcano, who took control after the death of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, and his remaining 18 men arrived in Seville, southern Spain, three years after first setting off.

Thankfully, sailing the high seas has become much safer and more comfortable since then, while the allure of sailing around our blue planet remains a travel dream for many.

For those with time and money to spare, cruise operators have come up with a number of offerings to retrace the path of the great sailors of the Age of Discovery.

If you're ready to spend between three and eight months at sea, there have never been more options to complete your very own global circumnavigation.

Travelers now have the option to hop from one ocean to the next in the comfort of some of the most luxurious ships the cruise industry has to offer.

While shorter cruises can vary in terms of clientele, passengers on world cruises tend to be older travelers looking for destination-focused journeys and comfortable shopping at a higher price point.

The ships are decidedly smaller, which means they can make longer stops at destinations, allowing for a more in-depth exploration of some of the world's most picturesque locations.

Another advantage to their size is that they can call at some of the more remote and off-the-beaten-path ports where big ships just wouldn't be able to squeeze.

All of these factors mean that these cruises tend to be aimed at the upper end of the market.

"Many luxury lines have perfected the world cruise concept. You're not on board for the flashy water slides and Broadway-style shows -- you're likely more focused on what's happening in port," explains Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, a TripAdvisor-owned publication specializing in the cruise industry.

"That said, a few mainstream lines offer their own world cruises, although those tend to be on their smaller ships.

"Cruises on these lines are somewhat less expensive and are a great option for passengers looking to cruise the world on a smaller budget."

One of the big draws of this type of cruise is its experiential element. This is the ultimate lifetime experience for many.

"World cruises provide an incredible adventure for true travelers at heart. And while cruising is generally a very social form of travel," she adds,"it's even more so on a world cruise, as you're spending far more time with your fellow cruisers -- both on board, and in port. You make friends for life."

In fact, Joseph Chabus, a spokesperson for high-end cruise operator Regent Seven Seas, says there are many cases of passengers meeting on board and choosing to cruise together again.

"We find that guests who frequently sail on our cruises become friends and end up booking world cruises together because they enjoy each other's company and have a shared curiosity to explore our world," says Chabus.

Technology has also helped make the prospect of a long sea voyage more attractive, since it's easier than ever for travelers to stay connected to the office or family back home from virtually anywhere during this absence.

The number of operators launching new products in this space or diversifying their existing offerings has contributed to the growing popularity of this market segment.

Here are 10 of the best around-the-world cruises departing over the next two years:

Cunard

The first continuous circumnavigation cruise was completed by a Cunard ship, the Laconia, in 1922.

Since that voyage, chartered by American Express, the British-American cruise line has sent more ships around the globe than any other cruise operator.

This tradition is maintained to this day with its annual world cruise. The 2020 outing will call at 38 destinations across four continents.

And, from 2021, two Cunard ships will offer full world voyages: the Queen Mary 2 is to sail on the traditional East to West direction, while the Queen Victoria will do so on the westbound route via the Panama Canal.

The World Voyage on Queen Mary 2

Duration: 99 nights

Dates: January 10 to April 18, 2020

Cost: Prices start at around $14,800

Ship: Queen Mary 2

Port of Departure: New York (113 nights) or London (99 nights)

Port of Arrival: New York (113 nights) or London (99 nights)

Crystal Cruises

At the upper end of the market, Crystal Cruises is another veteran of this category, having offered world cruises for more than two decades.

Next up is its 105-day 2020 World Cruise, from Miami to Rome. Although technically not a full circumnavigation, it will travel a good three-quarters around the globe.

Further editions of this luxurious cruise, 2021 and 2022 -- the latter a full circumnavigation of the world starting and ending in Miami -- are already on the market.

If these journeys sounds too long, passengers can book one segment of the route and complete the other part of the itinerary by air.

Crystal Cruises 2020 World Cruise

Duration: 105 days

Dates: Jan. 6 to Apr 21, 2020

Cost: Prices start at $194,000

Ship: Crystal Serenity

Port of Departure: Miami

Port of Arrival: Civitavecchia, Rome

Silversea

Boutique cruise operator Silversea has two different offerings in this segment -- a more traditional cruise on board the Silver Whisper, a ship designed for around 500 passengers, and an active cruise aimed at more adventurous travelers.

The latter will be operated by the Silver Cloud, a relatively small ship with a 250-passenger capacity and a strengthened hull allowing it to venture into polar waters that are off limits to most other ships.

This cruise travels from Antarctica all the way to the Arctic Circle by way of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

The Finest World Tour

Duration: 150 days

Dates: Jan. 7 to June 6, 2021

Cost: Prices start at 51,000 ($61,700)

Ship: Silver Whisper

Port of Departure: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Port of Arrival: New York

The Uncharted World Tour

Duration: 167 days

Dates: Jan. 30 to July 16, 2021

Cost: Prices start at 77,000 ($93,000)

Ship: Silver Cloud

Port of Departure: Ushuaia, Argentina

Port of Arrival: Tromso, Norway

Seabourn

Another boutique operator at the high end of the market, Seabourn has brought back its world cruise after a six-year hiatus.

Although this isn't a full circumnavigation, it gets very close.

Passengers depart Miami in an eastward direction and cross the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Red Sea, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean before disembarking in San Francisco, California.

In a way, it's a US coast-to-coast sailing, but with a bit of a detour.

2020 World Cruise

Duration: 146 nights

Dates: Jan. 4 to May 28, 2020

Cost: From $66,999 per person (rates are based on double occupancy and are subject to change)

Ship: Seabourn Sojourn

Port of Departure: Miami

Port of Arrival: San Francisco

Viking Cruises

Also at the high end of the market, Viking has brought its signature Scandinavian-chic to longdistance cruising.

This is the longest world cruise currently offered, taking a total of 245 nights, or about eight months at sea.

Viking Ultimate World Cruise

Duration: 245 nights

Dates: Aug. 31, 2019 to May 2, 2020

Cost: Prices start at 82,990 ($99,350)

Ship: Viking Sun

Port of Departure: London

Port of Arrival: London

The 2019 trip is already underway, but there are still variants of the cruise available.

For example, the 161-night Miami to London segment (setting off December 14) and the 119-night Los Angeles to London (departs January 4) portion of the itinerary are marketed separately.

If nothing less than the full experience will do, contact Viking directly if you want a spot on the next epic sailing.

Regent Cruises

Regent has been offering luxury world cruises for quite a few years.

Its next one is the 131-night 2020 cruise. It starts in Miami, then goes west across the Panama Canal and the Pacific, up the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean, then returns to Miami.

At 117 nights, the 2021 edition is a little shorter. It follows a similar route, but stops in Barcelona instead of going all the way to Miami.

The 2022 edition will be focusing on the Pacific, with a 120-night circumnavigation, not of the whole globe, but of its largest ocean.

This choice has proven popular, though. The day it was launched, in July 2019, this four-month Pacific cruise beat the Regent's same-day sales record for this type of product by no less than 39%.

A World of Luxury

Duration: 131 nights

Dates: Jan. 6, 2020 (or January 24 if boarding in San Francisco) to May 17, 2020

Cost: Prices start at around $66,700

Ship: Seven Seas Mariner

Port of Departure: Miami

Read more:

Water Cooler Here are the best around-the-world cruises for 2020 Miquel Ros, CNN 7 - WPTV.com

Summer is over (in the northern hemisphere, at least), and Im mentally kicking myself for not going to the beach while they were still open. Thankfully, there are tons of books set on or around oceans, both literal and abstract. While not all of these books about the sea are exactly lighthearted beach reads, theyll certainly have you yearning for a calm day by the shore. If youve already devoured 50 of the best books to read this summer, here are a few more reads for you as we say goodbye to summer 2019.

Nix has spent her life traveling through time and space on her fathers ship, The Temptation.Whether its mythical lands or modern day wonders, Nix and her father can set sail to any place or time, as long as they have a map to guide them. But when her father steers their course towards Nixs deceased mother, Nixs very existence is in danger.

Kahu is part of Whangara, a Mori tribe in New Zealand descended from the legendary whale rider Kahutia Te Rangi. When the chiefKahus great-grandfatherstruggles to find a male heir, Kahu must prove herself worthy of taking on a role reserved for men. Things come to a head when hundreds of whales beach themselves, and Kahu must save them and her people as time runs out.

When the Ramsay family visits their summer home on the Isle of Skye, little James is eager to see the nearby lighthouse. However, Mr Ramsay postpones the excursion due to the weather. Tensions rise amidst the family and their guests, and as time goes on, the Ramsays must learn to live with the inevitability of change.

Ayaana lives on Pate, an island off the coast of Kenya, spending her days walking along the sea alone. Her quiet life is upended when she finds out shes the descendant of a sailor from Chinese admiral Zheng Hes fleet. Setting sail for China, Ayaana digs deeps for her roots, discovering her place on Pate and in the world at large.

The first novel in the Earthsea Cycle, the book follows a Ged, a young boy born on the island of Gont. He has immense magical talent, and before long, he attends a school for wizards to complete his studies. However, his power feeds his pride and arrogance, and he unleashes a shadow upon the world. In order to restore equilibrium, Ged must embark on a journey across the world of Earthsea.

Women Who Kept the Lightschronicles the stories of 30 female lighthouse keepers along American shores. From lighting the lamps to rescuing shipwrecked sailors, these women helped guide countless souls to safety and solid ground.

Schoolteacher Jumpei Niki misses the last bus home after a trip to a fishing village. The locals allow him to stay overnight, leading him via a rope ladder to a house at the bottom of a sand pit. But Jumpei finds himself trapped when the ladder has disappeared the next morning, stuck with a woman and forced to shovel back the never-ending sand that encroaches on the village.

Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia from the Western Front and becomes the lighthouse keeper on the island of Janus Rock. He and his wife Isabel yearn for a child, and after two miscarriages and a stillbirth, the pair adopt a baby girl they find in a boat. Years later, the couple visit the mainland with their baby Lucy, a choice that plunges their simple island life into chaos.

Sign up to receiveCheck Your Shelf, theLibrarian's One-Stop Shop For News, Book Lists, And More.

Thank you for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox.

See the original post:

8 Books Set on the High Seas - Book Riot

While literature and cinema might romanticize pirates on the high seas, in the world of superyachts the threat of pirate attacks is all too real. And in some areas, such as along the coast of Africa, in the Gulf of Aden, and in the Indian Ocean, its now expected, shockingly enough. Even Latin America and the Caribbean experienced a 163 percent increase in recorded attacks in 2017.

But boat owners can arm themselves with a new raft of nonlethal anti-piracy tools, most designed for early detection and preventing pirates from boarding. For experienced yacht captain Michael Schueler, at the top of that list is the Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), a sonic weapon that delivers earsplitting, high-volume acoustics via a tight beam (so neither the LRADs operators nor others nearby are affected) over long distances. It did a good job, he says, when the 197-foot Linda Lou came under attack from pirates in multiple skiffs in 2010 while en route to the Abu Dhabi Boat Show. Schueler says the LRAD ended up being one of their most effective (and most expensive, at about $20,000) methods of deterring the pirates before help came from the Royal Navy. In the same vein, an anti-piracy laser device, such as a dazzle gun, uses a nonlethal laser beam to temporarily blind or distract pirates. Both devices are easily operated by crew and can be used day and night.

More advanced defensive weapons include the Active Denial Systema.k.a. the pain ray ($5 million)which transmits a narrow beam of electromagnetic energy to heat the skin and causes an unbearable burning sensation, and spy-worthy security smoke, which fills the yacht with a cloud of dense, white fog that reduces visibility to less than a foot.

Disable thieves with the LRADs sonic beam.Illustration by Mark Nerys

Onboard CCTV, door-locking systems and deck-mounted pressure sensors that detect movement and weight on the deck floor are more common in standard security packages, along with armed security personnel on 24/7 watch in high-risk zones. Collapsible electric fencingand underwater sonar detection systems can also keep pirates away and those on board safe.

The most important thing we did was develop a plan, and then drill, drill, drill with the crew, says Schueler. That helped us more than anything. We also deployed barbed wire on our swim platform, had flare guns to shoot flares into their boats and had line launchers to shoot in front of the approaching skiffs to ensnare the propellers and disable their vessels. While it may not be the prettiest solution, barbed wire is an effective one: It is rolled out across the beach-club deck and kept there the entire time the yacht remains in dangerous waters. Ideally, no guests are on board during such risky crossings, so no one is swimming.

Engage the electromagnetic pain ray if pirates get too close.Illustration by Mark Nerys

Other possibilities include metal weather plating putting over windows and turning off both the Automatic Identification System (AIS) and the navigation lights at night to hide the ships presence. If you do leave the AIS on (some pirates use it as well), its a good idea to broadcast an Armed Security Detail on Board status message as a deterrent.

At the first sign of threat, before any shots are fired, all crew apart from the captain gather in the citadel, says another captain, in Hampton Bays, N.Y., about protecting passengers. The citadel is chosen for its ability to be isolated and secured from the rest of the vessel and to resist any efforts made to gain entry from outside. For him, this is usually the crew mess; for Schueler, the engine room.

Confuse interlopers with a cloud of security smoke.Illustration by Mark Nerys

And if thats not enough, there are always water cannons, which deliver a powerful and impenetrable stream of water that blows away pirates trying to board the shipthink the ultimate water gun. The cannon can also quickly fill the pirates boats to slow them down while your yacht makes its getaway.

See original here:

How to Protect Your Superyacht From the Real-Life Pirates of the Caribbean - Robb Report

Watch the terrifying moment Mexican pirates rob boat passengers off the coast of Tabasco.

TOURISTS on board a boat off the shores of Tabasco, Mexico faced terror as it was stormed by armed pirates.

The horrifying footage captures the moment the five men climbed aboard the riverboat to threaten holidaymakers at gunpoint. The incident took place in Tabasco, the homeland of President Andrs Manuel Lpez Obrador, who keeps saying that everything is fine in Mexico, and that people is feliz, feliz, feliz (happy, happy happy).

A birthday celebration onboard a tourist vessel in the southern Mexican state of Tabasco was cut short when the gang of heavily armed pirates made their way onboard to rob passengers.

A group of 34 holidaymakers onboard the Bucanero del Sur boat were sent into a state of panic when the five men interrupted the popular Second Rivercruise, pointing guns at those on board and demanding them to hand over their personal belongings, including of course womens purses, goldchains, wallets and cellphones.

In the video the voice of the pirate can be heard with the typical Tabasco accent (that reminds us of course of Lpez Obrador), saying: Todos al suelo, cabezas abajo (lie down on the floor, heads down) dame todo el dinero, dame la bolsa, no se muevan (Give all the money, give me the bag, dont move).

The Yucatan Times Newsroom with information from larazon.com.mx

comments

Link:

Modern pirates rob passengers in high seas off the coast of Tabasco (VIDEO) - The Yucatan Times

The British flagged oil tanker the Stena Impero seems to have at last been released and heading back to sea.

The ship was detained by Iran after the UN impounded an Iranian tanker just off Gibraltar.

This morning ship tracker shows the Stena Impero heading out of Iranian Bandar Abbas port.

-- Advertisement --

What must have been a very worrying time for the families of the captured seamen we at the Euro Weekly News wish them Bon Voyage!

LikeLoveHahaWowSadAngry

1

2 October 2019 @ 14:21

Peter Sissons former ITN and BBC broadcaster has died aged 77.A statement from his agents said"We are sad to announce that Peter Sissons, the...

1 October 2019 @ 13:04

MALAGA Universitys campusisatthe forefrontthein trials for a world-leading electric bus system.Buseson the2.5 kilometre, 12 minute, route, which carries 150,000 passengers a year, can now...

1 October 2019 @ 20:04

ROSA VILA was one of 17 local mayors who met recently in Pedreguer.It was the first meeting of the Xarxa dAlcaldies de la Marina...

1 October 2019 @ 19:01

TEULADA-MORAIRA town hall insisted that it was legally obliged to close a local supermarket.This was carried out only and exclusively in compliance with a...

1 October 2019 @ 18:00

THE accompanied walking routes have resumed after the summer break.The next walk on Sunday October 13 explores the Vall de les Sorts and with...

1 October 2019 @ 13:12

TEULADA-MORAIRA plans to spend 784,331 on buying three new rubbish collection lorries.The lorries that are currently in use have been rented since March 2018...

2 October 2019 @ 12:06

YOUNGSTERS fromBenijofarhave benefited from scholarships to help them with living costs at Alicante University.The Aid Plan includes accommodation, meals and a financial contribution towards...

2 October 2019 @ 11:01

FIVE families have been left homeless when the roof of an apartment block fell in.Elche City Council engineers are surveying to find the cause...

2 October 2019 @ 10:22

RESIDENTS ofBenijofarare amongst the total of 2,588 requests for emergency aid of 1,500 so far processed by the Valencian government.The cash is to help...

2 October 2019 @ 10:11

THETorreviejaPipes and representatives of the Royal British Legion from all across the Costa Blanca will attend the launch of this years Poppy Appeal.It will...

2 October 2019 @ 13:38

TREMORS could be felt by Axarquia residents in the early hours of Wednesday morning.Two separate vibrations were recorded by the National Geographical Centre to...

2 October 2019 @ 13:29

BEER will be the flavour of the weekend as the Bavarian gastronomy festival comes to Torre del MarFrom 11 to 12 October, the streets...

2 October 2019 @ 13:15

VELEZ-MALAGA Local Council has received recognition for its commitment to workplace health.The councillor for Social Rights and Equality, Victor Gonzalez accepted the award at...

2 October 2019 @ 13:31

A TEENAGE would-be thief is under arrest after Huercal-Overa Local Police caught him trying to break into a property.A call to the police station...

2 October 2019 @ 13:18

ALMERIA council has taken emergency action to get rid of plagues of mosquitos.The city authority agreed as an exceptional measure to contract a pest...

2 October 2019 @ 13:11

A TEENAGER suspected of a violent robbery from a British pensioner at her Purchena home is under arrest.Guardia Civil detained 19-year old J.A.G.M. from...

2 October 2019 @ 13:06

ALMERIA is keen to keep up the momentum of this years national gastronomy capital status.In a bid to ensure the city becomes further established...

1 October 2019 @ 14:04

MOJACAR has had another bumper summer.The municipalitys main hotels said the peak holiday months were as good as or even better than last years...

25 September 2019 @ 12:00

TENpeoplesuffered smoke inhalation and one hassustainedmild injuries in afireat two warehouses on the industrial estate inMarratx.The fire started at around 8.15 amon Monday morningin...

23 September 2019 @ 09:00

A 59-year-old German woman died on Sunday morning after being stabbed in the chest and abdomen by her partner, a Spaniard, also 59.Ika Hoffmann,...

19 September 2019 @ 17:11

A BOGUS lifeguard has been arrested in Cala Millor.The man was allegedly pretending to be a lifeguard even though he had no paperwork or...

19 September 2019 @ 16:55

IT has been announced that Pollensa in the north of the island will become the first port in Spain where it will be possible...

19 September 2019 @ 16:43

POLICE in Calvia can breathe a sigh of relief now that the tourist season is coming to an end and can take the time...

24 September 2019 @ 13:20

A MAN, aged 44, has been arrested for an alleged murder of a woman who disappeared in 2009.The arrested man is at present serving...

17 September 2019 @ 20:55

Caption.Credit FlickrBen Stokes one of England's greatest all round cricketers of all time has gone to twitter to slam articles written about his family...

30 September 2019 @ 21:47

Albert Isola, Minister for Financefor Gibraltar has attended the Conservative party conference asFabian PicardoGibraltar PM couldn't attend as tonight he appearson TV programme question...

25 September 2019 @ 13:18

THE history of Gibraltar goes back to Neanderthal man and new discoveries coupled with new techniques are allowing for even more to be known...

21 September 2019 @ 13:37

A STATEMENT issued by the National Police has confirmed that a 51 year old man has been arrested on charges of terrorism glorification and...

Link:

Iranian Captured Tanker Heads To The High Seas - Euro Weekly News

Tony Award winner Laura Benanti will perform in a gala concert at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center October 19.

The performance will mark the New Jersey native's Shore debut, hot on th heels of her Broadway return as Eliza Doolittle in Lincoln Center Theater's revival of My Fair Lady.

She will perform an 80-minute set, reinterpreting songs from The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady and other musicals she has performed on stage and screen.

As a native Jersey girl, I am thrilled to be performing at the Axelrod in October, Benanti says. Jersey people are my favorite people. Outspoken, funny, warm and approachable. I always do my best to embody those qualities and do my home state proud."

Benanti won a Tony Award in 2008 for her portrayal as Louise in the Patti LuPone-led revival of Gypsy; she also earned nominations for Swing, Into the Woods, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, and She Loves Me.

Benanti has been a special guest performer on Playbill Travels Broadway on the High Seas cruises. Cabins are now on sale for Broadway in the Great Northwest, Playbill Travels first domestic cruise featuring Kate Baldwin, Tedd Firth, Christopher Fitzgerald, Aaron Lazar, and Faith Prince (April 26May 4, 2020), and for Broadway on the Mediterranean (August 31September 7, 2020), featuring Audra McDonald, Will Swenson, Gavin Creel, Caissie Levy and Lindsay Mendez, and for Broadway on the Nile (December 27, 2020January 7, 2021), with performers soon to be announced. To book a suite or stateroom, call Playbill Travel at 866-455-6789 or visit PlaybillTravel.com.

Link:

Tony Winner Laura Benanti to Perform in Concert at the Axelrod - Playbill.com

An injured seal pup which washed up on Llandudno promenade has been rescued.

The baby seal, which had injuries to its flipper, is believed to have been thrown on to the shore by strong waves.

It is thought the pup came ashore at around 1pm before being rescued by the RSPCA at 4pm.

The seal will now be transferred to RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre to be treated.

Paul Board, 61, who volunteers for North Wales Wildlife Trust, spotted Facebook posts about the seal and went to the prom to see if he could be of any assistance.

He said: "I came along after seeing various posts on Facebook about the seal, so I thought I better take a look.

"It's a common seal - also known as a harbour seal - but it's not all that common for round here.

"It didn't look too distressed. I think it's just washed up with it being high seas.

"I didn't see any injury myself, but others said that, when it rolled over, they saw an injury to its flipper.

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

Play now

"I didn't want to touch it to check as I didn't want to distress it any further, but from what I saw it didn't appear badly injured."

Mr Board said that members of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) were called to assist but were stood down.

Following phone calls from the public regarding the seal, the Coastguard said they were unable to rescue it as they are "not equipped or trained to deal with wildlife", and will not attend incidents involving wildlife unless human life is at risk.

The advice usually given by the BDMLR when a seal washes up is to monitor it from a distance and avoid approaching the animal.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: RSPCA Cymru would like to thank those who alerted us to this seal.

The seal has been collected by an RSPCA officer and is due to be transferred to RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre.

"The seal has a couple of injuries to its flippers but appears to be in a good condition.

The officer was aware that well-meaning members of the public had wanted to move the seal.

"However, the RSPCA urges members of the public not to chase or move seals found on the beach into the water as this often does more harm than good.

Ideally, lone seal pups looking fit and healthy should be monitored from a safe distance for 24 hours.

Please always stay at a safe distance and keep dogs well away - seals can have a very nasty bite."

If you see a seal that may be abandoned, thin or ill, call the BDMLR for advice and assistance on 01825 765546 or 07787 433412.

Alternatively, get in touch with the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.

See original here:

Rescue launched after rough sea leads to rare appearance by seal on Llandudno prom - Daily Post

The all-weather lifeboat The Barry and Peggy High Foundation was launched at around 3.50pm on Sunday, September 29 after a Mayday call was made from the cruiser.

The vessel was reported to be at Foreland Point near Lynmouth, and the Ilfracombe lifeboat made its way through waves of up to four metres and gale force north-westerly winds.

The cruiser had been travelling from Bath to Appledore when the weather worsened. It continued to try to make passage, but in the heavy seas and strong tides it suffered engine problems, forcing the distress call.

The lifeboat escorted the cruiser as it made way, but as it reached Combe Martin Bay an engine failed, prompting the decision to tow the vessel to safety.

The cruiser was towed back to Ilfracombe harbour, arriving at 7.30pm, the spring tide meant the lifeboat could not return to station until 10pm.

Volunteer RNLI Coxswain Andrew Bengey said: "The motor cruiser crew were experienced sailors and were well equipped for the passage. Although they were caught out by the weather they were wearing life jackets and did the right thing to raise the alarm when their engine began to fail.

"The RNLI would urge anyone to always wear their life jackets and look at the weather forecast when heading out to sea."

The cruiser had been seen earlier that day near Minehead by a member of the public who believed the vessel to be in difficulties in the heavy sea conditions.

Watchet Coastguard sent their team to search the coastline for the vessel, but no sightings were made, and no distress calls were reported.

The RNLI Minehead lifeboat was launched and attempted to proceed westwards towards Porlock Bay, however it could only get as far as Selworthy Sands due to the extreme sea conditions.

Read the original:

Ilfracombe RNLI recover cruiser caught in heavy seas and gale force winds - North Devon Gazette