How did they get the Volvo boats there?

by David Pitman/Peters & May on 10 Jan 2006 Peters & May are shipping specialists for competitors in round the world yacht racing events, including Volvo Ocean Race. They have been very busy during the past year supporting planning operations for competitors in the VOLVO Ocean Race 2005/6.

Following the recent problems that some of the yachts have suffered Peters & May have been called in to solve transport problems to keep the boats racing.

Drawing on more than 21 years experience supporting this major round the world event, Peters & May went into action following urgent calls from competing yachts.

Less than 12 hours from the start, Peters & May staff in Vigo for the race start received calls from both ‘Movistar’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ requesting urgent shipping support.

For ‘Movistar’ the cradle and all support equipment were lifted and moved to Cadiz so that the yacht could be met and loaded on board a Wallenuis Wilhelmsen freighter already carrying other boats for Peters & May, bound for Cape Town.

'Pirates’ was a more complex operation requiring fast transportation so that major repair work could be completed. An Antonov heavy lift aircraft was ordered (as Peters & May arranged in past races) and the yacht, its mast, 40’ container and keel were prepared for flight.

The convoy of yacht and equipment were transported by road to Lisbon where the Antonov was waiting for the complex loading operation.

On the aircrafts arrival and unloading at Cape Town, work was started to rebuild the damage in time for the start of the inshore race and next ocean leg.

SECOND LEG

Around 24 hours after the start of the second leg from Cape Town, both ‘Ericsson’ and ‘Brazil 1’ called, requiring urgent assistance.

Again the P&M team went into overtime arranging assistance and a shipping plan for delivery of ‘Ericsson’ to Melbourne, Australia. Cradle and support container were uplifted and delivered to Port Elizabeth to meet ‘Ericsson’ as she arrived.

Within minutes the yacht was being lifted out of the water and onto the freighter, which departed shortly afterwards for Melbourne.

After repairs to ‘Brazil 1’ all her support equipment is being shipped by Peters & May to Melbourne.

Peters & May’s team around the world have worked with all the yachts in this race and will continue to ensure the best possible support to keep the race teams in the event and at full speed.

Peters & May are shipping specialists for competitors in round the world yacht racing events, including Volvo Ocean Race and the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race.





Peters & May are the only shipping Agents supporting the UK marine industry with a stand at the 2006 London Boat Show, Stand S2448

Website: http://www.petersandmay.com