Gucci, and Riva, in collaboration with Officina Italiana Design, the design company which created the original Aquariva in 2000, are proud to unveil the exclusive made to order “Aquariva by Gucci”, a model customized by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini. This initiative will be one of the activities marking Gucci’s 90th anniversary year in 2011.

This unique collaboration between two of Italy’s most renowned design houses celebrates the era of La Dolce Vita, when a joie de vivre, glamour and elegance defined an attitude and a lifestyle. In their respective sectors, Gucci and Riva have similar stories, each with a tradition of excellence in design and craftsmanship that has led to international notoriety.

Founded by Guccio Gucci in Florence in 1921, Gucci won ever greater attention and acclaim for the exquisite craftsmanship and eternal appeal of its products. Now, 90 years on, under the creative direction of Frida Giannini, the House continues to infuse its remarkable heritage with a contemporary fashion vision providing a unique combination of past and present.

Likewise, for Riva the values behind its almost 170-year success story were established at its birth in 1842 on Lake Iseo in northern Italy. Tradition and innovation combine to create authentic maritime gems that are an expression of pure Italian elegance and allure thanks to artisan workmanship and attention to detail, employing only the finest materials. For more than twenty years Riva’s design has been entrusted to the creative inspiration of Officina Italiana Design, which under the direction of Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta, focuses exclusively on the definition of the Riva style.

Frida Giannini, Gucci Creative Director, said, “Over the decades the iconic Riva boat has become without doubt one of the most evocative images of Italian style, sophistication and elegance.  It is a symbol of a glamorous lifestyle that sparks fond memories of La Dolce Vita – a golden age when both Gucci and Riva attracted an enthusiastic following among the international jet set.  It is therefore especially meaningful in Gucci’s 90th anniversary year to be able to recognise and celebrate the great traditions and values of both Gucci and Riva through the Aquariva by Gucci.”

Norberto Ferretti, Chairman of the Ferretti Group which Riva is part of, commented, “The Aquariva bears outstanding witness to Riva’s natural evolution from past to present in the sphere of boat styling, through an elegance and delicacy of line that in a span of 33 feet holds the same attention to detail and love of tradition inspiring the Forever Now spirit of Gucci. I can’t wait to see this Aquariva by Gucci in the water, a project that perfectly represents the balance between tradition and modernity, destined to become a symbol of Italian style and craftsmanship.”

Mauro Micheli, Chief Designer of Officina Italiana Design, added, “We had to absorb Riva history to create Aquariva, but also forget it in a certain sense, in order to propose a contemporary product which would go beyond the legendary Aquarama, the best-known nautical icon in the world. In Aquariva, cutting-edge technologies have respected and maintained the charm, softness and clean lines of the shapes which are typical to Riva. If Aquarama has always been an icon, Aquariva is perhaps, becoming one, and Frida Giannini’s enthusiasm for this model confirms this.”

Respecting the DNA of the original project created by Officina Italiana Design was paramount to Gucci’s design for Aquariva. Defining the Aquariva by Gucci is a  fiberglass hull and detailing painted in Gucci’s own hue of glossy white, while Riva’s signature use of mahogany with classic varnish finish – twenty coats in all, ten by brushing, ten by spraying – is also the signature material for the cockpit and walking decks and awning cover hatch. The waterproof fabric covering the seats and sundeck features the emblematic Guccissima print, while the bed upholstery is defined by the beauty of Gucci white cotton. The iconic touch is provided by Gucci’s green-red-green web detailing which edges the floating line, perfectly complementing the unique green crystal windshield. Completing the Gucci customization is a series of exclusive Riva by Gucci accessories.

The innovative two-speed electronic gear reveals all the power of the two 380-horsepower Yanmar engines, ensuring an exceptional performance, with a maximum speed of 41 knots and a 150-mile range at cruising speed.

The Aquariva by Gucci was unveiled at the International Cannes Boat Show on September 7th, 2010 followed by a special presentation on September 22nd 2010, the opening day of Milan Fashion Week.  A show boat will then travel the world visiting some of the world’s most prestigious boat shows and international destinations throughout 2011. The Aquariva by Gucci will be exclusively available on a made-to-order basis through Riva’s dealer network.

Gucci

Gucci, founded in Florence in 1921, Gucci is one of the world’s leading luxury fashion brands. With a renowned reputation for quality and Italian craftsmanship, Gucci designs, manufactures and distributes highly desirable products such as leather goods (handbags, small leather goods, and luggage), shoes, ready-to-wear, silks, timepieces and fine jewellery. Eyewear and fragrances are manufactured and distributed under license by global industry leaders in these two sectors. Gucci products are sold exclusively through a network of directly operated boutiques (295 as of June 2010) and a small number of selected department and specialty stores.

Riva

Riva, the iconic Italian boat-maker established in 1842 in Sarnico, is one of the oldest and most celebrated boat-yard in the world. In the 1950s, Carlo Riva created a celebrity persona for the brand based on the famous mahogany range of boats which became iconic. Riva’s Aquariva is the natural evolution of the Aquarama, a modern day icon which reinforced Riva’s reputation as the epitome of style and luxury. Since 2000, Riva has been part of the Ferretti Group, one of the world leaders in the design, construction and sale of luxury yachts with a unique portfolio of some of the most exclusive, prestigious brands in the nautical world.

Officina Italiana Design

Founded by Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta, Officina Italiana Design is the renowned boat design studio that for over 20 years has been officially appointed as Riva’s exclusive designers. Officina Italiana Design has given shape and perfection in every detail to the current Riva range, writing a piece of history of the international yachting design. Officina Italiana Design has won a number of international prizes and signed many important projects in the real estate and industrial design sectors, distinguishing from others by the aesthetic high impact of their works.

Source [bymnews.com]

With the stealth that perhaps only a teenage girl (or maybe international spy) can manage, 14 year old Dutch sailor Laura Dekker snuck away from dock this weekend, setting off on her attempt to become the youngest person to sail around the world alone.  As you may know, Laura has been battling for some time to attain the permission to take off on her voyage.  The bullheaded young teen even went so far as to run away from home at one point, terrifying her parents who finally found her in St Maarten, shopping for a yacht!  You would think that being labeled a teenage runaway would have ended her hopes of being found responsible enough to sail around the world alone, but Laura came home to convince her mother, and then the Dutch courts and social services, that she was a person capable of handling her boat by herself all the way around the globe.  She didn’t, however, convince the Portuguese police.

A child of two divorced parents, Laura Dekker has a lot of experience around boats, as she has been raised on yachts most of her life.  Her father (who is the custodial parent) was in support of his daughter taking the trip from the start, “encouraging” her toward the goal of becoming the youngest around the world alone.  Her mother, however, was apprehensive, thinking Laura too young for the endeavour.  The Dutch courts agreed, and for over a year the legal battle dragged on, as experts were brought before the court to attest to the physical and emotional toll such a journey would take on this little girl.  Fearing that Laura would be allowed to sail off on her own unprepared (she had been caught once before illegally piloting her boat alone), Laura’s welfare was placed in the temporary care of social services last summer.  The courts ruled that:  “The parents are going to have to negotiate all important decisions regarding Laura with the child protection services.”  This decision meant Laura’s parents were stripped of their ability to allow Laura to cast off.

Laura kept insisting that she should be allowed to sail around the world alone, saying she was ready, and she wanted to do the trip soon.  “My parents always knew it was a dream of mine to do this,” the then 13-year-old Laura Dekker told the court, “and I want to do it while I’m still young, so I can break the record.”  In December, Dekker ran away from home, launching a world-wide search.  Apparently the young girl flew by herself to the Caribbean, and was planning to buy a boat to set off on her voyage.  When she was finally found on the Dutch Antilles island of St Maarten, she was placed in police custody and put on a plane to the Netherlands.   Her lawyer told the press at the time: “She was going to buy a boat, which still needed some work done on it, and then set sail.”

One might assume that such rash behavior would end all hopes for Laura to take off on her own, but it actually helped her chances.  Her mother, Babs Mueller, miraculously seemed to now back the idea of Laura sailing around the world solo, withdrawing all legal opposition.  With this support, a larger (and more prepared) sailboat, and a bit more preparation by Laura (including some first-aid lessons), the courts finally agreed to release the young girl from the guardianship of Dutch child protection agencies that had blocked her attempts to leave when she was still 13.  The courts allowed her parents to once again make the decisions regarding the welfare of their child, and to decide themselves whether she was adequately skilled as well as physically and emotionally mature enough for sailing alone around the globe.

Laura Dekker and her father Dick Dekker wasted no time, and quickly got her 38 foot yacht named Guppy ready for sea.  The father and daughter then took a sea trial from the Netherlands to Portugal.  Laura Dekker said the boat had some glitches during that passage, including problems with a water pump, and trouble with the yacht’s GPS and radar.  Laura’s team had indicated that she would be departing on her trip from Portugal, but this appears to have only been a trick to avoid the press, any controversy, and most importantly, the Portuguese police, whom her team says “were making problems because of her age.”

Portuguese law does not allow a minor to sail alone.  In order to avoid the chance of anyone stopping her from starting her voyage, the teenager snuck out (as teenagers often do) and secretly sailed from the southern Portuguese port of Portimao on Wednesday, moving her boat to Gibraltar for the solo departure.  Although the wind was light, she took off from Gibraltar on Saturday, sailing the first leg of her journey, which should see her in the Canary Islands or Madeira (depending on conditions) in about eight days.

Laura hopes to complete sailing around the world alone by the age of 16, well before her 17th birthday on September 20 of 2012.  If she does complete the journey by that time, however, she will hold no official record.  Instead, the teen will only earn bragging rights, as all respected records-keeping organizations have agreed to stop recognizing the “youngest” world sailing records for fear of encouraging children from attempting the dangerous feat.  Such a danger was made evident only a few months ago, when 16 year old sailor Abby Sunderland had to be rescued after being dismasted during her own around the world attempt.

Laura Dekker does not plan on sailing around the world non-stop.  Instead, she will attempt to circle the globe in a series of jumps, most lasting less than a few weeks.  Laura’s expected course will make a cruiser’s circle of the world, avoiding the Southern Oceans completely.  To accomplish this, she plans to cross the Atlantic to enter the Pacific via the Panama Canal, and then sail the South Pacific to Australia.  From there, she plans to skirt the Indian Ocean, sailing back toward Europe through the Suez Canal.  This route will take her through the Gulf of Aden, commonly referred to as ‘Pirate Alley.’  When asked if this idea bothered the teenager, particularly in light of the fact that there are still yachties being held by pirates in Somalia for ransom, the teen quipped: “They don’t attack yachts so much.”

Laura’s support team, as well as the television production company which has bought exclusive rights to her story, will be meeting the 14 year old as she arrives in each port.  The team will record her arrival, and presumably take care of the necessary paperwork for the child.  Although some feel that the young Laura Dekker may be old enough to sail a yacht solo, she is far too young in most countries to be considered legally responsible for herself on land, and therefore must be accompanied by an adult.

Source [yahoo]

On August 6th 2010 NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) announced that it is still expecting an active hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin.

The seasons peak, from August to October, is just around the corner and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Centre says climate factors that point to an active season are present. La Nina, which favours lower wind shear over the Atlantic Basin allowing storm clouds to gather and organise, has formed in the Pacific Ocean. Other factors pointiong to an active hurricane season are warmer than usual water tempratures in the Atlantic and Carribbean and the tropical multi-decadal signal (a naturally occurring cycle in tropical climate patterns) which, since 1995 has produced hurricane-favouring atmospheric and oceanic conditions in unison, leading to more active seasons.

“August heralds the start of the most active phase of the Atlantic hurricane season and with the meteorological factors in place, now is the time for everyone living in hurricane prone areas to be prepared” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D, undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

NOAA’s updated outlook for the season now sits at 14 to 20 named storms with winds of 38 mph or more, eight to 12 may be hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or more and four to six could be major hurricanes with winds of at least 113 mph.

The outlook still reflects and active season, but the number of storms predicted have been reduced since the initial outlook in May.  NOAA’s updated 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook calls for a 90% chance of an above normal season. There is only a 10% chance of a near-normal season, and no expectation the season will be below normal. Therefore, 2010 is expected to become the eleventh above-normal season since 1995.

An important measure of the total seasonal activity is NOAA’s Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) index, which accounts for the combined intensity and duration of all named storms and hurricanes during the season. According toNOAA’s hurricane season classifications, an ACE value at or above 175% of the median reflects a very active (or hyperactive) season. For 2010, we estimate a 70% chance that the seasonal ACE range will be 170%-260% of the median. This range indicates a high likelihood of a hyperactive season. If the activity reaches the upper end of our predicted ranges, the season will be one of the more active on record.

These ranges include the two tropical storms and one hurricane seen to date. During June – July 2010, two named storms (Hurricane Alex and Tropical Storm Bonnie) formed in the Atlantic basin. The pre-season outlook issued in late May reflected the possibility of even more early-season activity. As a result, the upper ends of the predicted ranges have been reduced.

You can find an Article about preparing your yacht or boat for hurricane season here: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/prepairing-a-yacht-or-boat-for-hurricane-season-2871269.html

Source [NOAA]