The sailing yacht Fraternidade was built in Salvador, Brazil, by the experienced sailor Aleixo Belov, 75 years old, who was the first brazilian making a circumnavigation around the word solo.

After that trip in 1981 he did 2 more turns around the word solo in his small yacht Tres Marias, a 36 feet Bruce Roberts that he built at his  house.

So, after 3 times around the globe he decided to make a polar sailing boat big enough to carry students in order to show them what is sail around the word.

After Fraternidade became ready, Aleixo Belov made his fourth trip with 26 students, divided in four groups, in a new turn around the word.

For this educational program Aleixo Belov received two medals from the president of Brazil, and a title of Sir.

3 years ago the S/Y Fraternidade went to Antartica and Sir. Aleixo Belov wrote his seventh book.

Last year, Aleixo Belov went to Alaska to see the ice in the north hemisphere and now together with his crew he is taking Fraternidade back to home trying to finish his 5th circumnavigation.

So we start in Brazil last december 2016 across de Panama Chanel, go to Galapagos – French Polinesia – Hawaii – Alaska – Mexico – Majuro – Micronesia – Timor Leste – Indonesia – Durban.

In Durban Marina we have a very good friend Gilbert Goor from the S/Y Zazu, who was in Salvador Brazil visiting us when Fraternidade was in construction.

From Durban Fraternidade go to Cape Town and after cross the Atlantic ocean back home to Salvador.

Captains name is Aleixo Belov

First mate is me, Leonardo Papini

Mecanic is Hermann

And Deck hander is Paco

We are together since we left Brazil. Other join us in a few legs. Our You tube channel is youtube.com/leonardopapiniyoutube.com/leonardopapini

Photographs by : Leonardo Papini – www.leonardopapini.com.br

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The Durban Marina is in the process of doing a yearly “clean up” of the security disk system, which will entail the purging of all entries on the current system and updating it with only the current lessee and renter information. It has become a necessary exercise as the system has been overloaded with old and incorrect information.

This will enable the Marina to have a greater control of who enters the walk-ons and thus tighten the security.
All disks will require reprogramming as of the 3rd April 2018,  only two disks/fingerprints will be programmed.
Please note that our Security Guards have been given strict instructions not to allow you onto the Walk-ons. The reason for this is that we want you to come into the office to have your disk re-activated.  Your co-operation is appreciated

Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you have any queries.

STORM DAMAGE:

As you all know the storm that hit KZN last Tuesday, has caused immense damage to the Marina, there is extensive damage to our walk-ons.

The Marina has since subcontracted “Subtech” to assist with repairs. We have also outsourced more divers and skilled workers to assist. All of Durban Marina staff  are working tirelessly to get your Marina back in order.

This is not going to happen overnight and it will take a few weeks to repair. Please be patience and please be reassured that the Marina is doing the best we can and will continue doing so.

We also advise you to examine your boat and if there are any damages, you should contact your Insurance Company timeously to inform them of your pending claim.

THANK YOU

It was heartfelt to know that we have such amazing support from our lessees, members and the Yacht Clubs.

We were inundated with lessees and members offering assistance, to the point where we felt almost overwhelmed.

We would like to say a “BIG THANK YOU” to Trade Winds coffee shop for the continual hot coffee and to RNYC for the hot soup, which gave our staff the extra warmth they needed whilst working in the storm.

Thank you to Graham Rose, Rob Bowman, Steve Coxen, our Marina Directors and everyone that assisted.

LASTLY, REMEMBER IT IS YOUR MARINA –

HELP US TO MAKE IT A GREAT MARINA!

Kind Regards

Malcolm

FISHING IN THE MARINA

The rule of no fishing in the Marina was relaxed on a trial basis. The rule is to be reintroduced due to the danger of the Marina diver being caught up on hooks while underwater.

Some boats have been hit by “flying missiles” namely sinkers and spark plugs. Therefore as of  1 June 2017 the no-fishing rule in the Marina has been reinstated.

  WATER RESTRICTIONS

The water restrictions on the Marina have been slightly relaxed and water is available from 8am – 4pm daily. We would like to ask for your assistance on this as boats that are not being used are being washed 3 to 4 times a week. It has been noticed that some cleaners just stand and hose the boat down without using any soap or a broom to actually clean.

We would like to request that all owners fit the pistol grip fitting to the hosepipes, as the cleaners’ just leave the spray nozzle fittings open. As we are still under instructions from the Municipality regarding water usage and ask for co-operation in assisting to save water.                   

CAMERAS

Currently we have installed 10 cameras on the Marina, this is an ongoing project and will continue to expand the network once finances are available.

VASCO

With a successful Vasco being completed and well done to members and visitors who took part in the race. We look forward to a successful sailing season with the MSC being beginning of July and the Boat Show towards the end of July.

FOUND

A handheld VHF radio was found on the walk-on. To claim, contact me with the make and model and details of where this was lost.

Kind Regards

Malcolm

Unfortunately due to the water restrictions put on the Marina by the Municipality, at this stage it is not possible for the Marina to relax the restrictions and the water to be available permanently 24/7.

However due to the large fire in the Rossburgh area at the end of last week, a lot of the boats on the Marina are covered in black fall out.

For the next few days the Marina will be leaving the water open from 8h00 to 16h00, to allow for the washing of the boats to get rid of the black fall out.

Kindly note that the Port Authority office – Transnet will be closing at 10:00 on Friday, 23rd December 2016.
Their office will re-open again on Wednesday, 28th December 2016 at 08:00.
Please do your clearing out at 08:00 on Friday morning should you wish to leave over the Christmas weekend.

The Durban Marina office will also close earlier on Friday, 23rd December 2016 and remain closed until Wednesday morning, 28th December 2016 at 08:00.

Have a blessed Festive Season and safe sailing!

International Visitors
It’s always a pleasure to be able to accommodate International yachtsmen who call into Port on their circumnavigation sail. The popular yacht “Delos” is in the Marina, it was a pleasure to meet the crew.
The Marina is somewhat full with the visitors. We do our best to make their stay a pleasure and the Marina ladies are always willing to assist wherever they are needed.

Levy Increase
As announced at the Open Forum held on 5 November 2016, the levies and rentals will be increased by 5% with effect from 1st January 2017. The new levies/rental will be reflected on the January statements.

FESTIVE WISHES
Wishing all a blessed and cheerful Festive season and
all the best for 2017.
Please be responsible over the Festive season, be it on the water or road…..

Kind Regards
Malcolm

NEW YEAR

Now that the silly season is over we hope all had a good Christmas and New Year. As we settle into the New Year, I hope that 2016 be a fantastic year for all.

WATER RESTRICTIONS

We apologise for water restrictions being implemented, however the times have doubled from 2 hours per day to 4 hours. Thank you to the majority of members that have been understanding and assisted us with the restrictions.
Times are as follows: 9 – 11 am 2 – 4pm
Hopefully we will receive more of the much needed rain in the catchment areas and water levels will rise in the dams and enable the water restrictions to be lifted.

INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

It appears that the mad year end traffic of International visitors has eased off drastically. The weather conditions have been favorable for sailing, allowing to sail from Richard’s Bay – Mossel Bay – Cape Town on one weather window, therefor bypassing the Port of Durban.

GUESTS

As of 1st March 2016 we will be enforcing the rules regarding access to the Marina. All guests will only be permitted access to the Marina if accompanied by an owner. Owning or renting a mooring will not automatically allow relatives or friends 24/7 access to the Marina whilst unaccompanied by the owner or renter.

CONTACT DETAILS

Please notify the ladies in the office of any change of contact details – we need to keep our records updated with all your contact details: telephone numbers – mobile, work and home, email addresses. We will also require contact details of a relative or friend whom we can contact in the case of any emergency in your absence.

Kind Regards

Malcolm