19 June 2007
MUSCAT -- The impressive, French-built, Ocean Voyager 74' day-charter catamaran of the Chantier CIM Shipyard was open for display at the Marina Bandar Al Rowdha, Muscat, on Sunday. Guests, including the French Ambassador to the Sultanate, Marc Barety, officials from the Ministry of Tourism and local tour operators had the chance of viewing the luxuriously grand 22.5 metre catamaran moored at the marina. The President Director General of Chantier CIM, Olivier Mesnier, spoke to the Observer about their visit and the catamaran.
He said their shipyard, based in Rochefort, on France's Atlantic coast, is specialised in the construction of big sailing boats. In this regard, they have two departments, one for the production of luxury sailing boats and the other for commercial-use sailing boats. Over the past decade, the company has been conscientiously developing these types of boat, which are of a totally new concept that focuses mainly on tourism, he noted. For tourists wishing to spend a day sailing, or for specific-type cruises such as at sunset, then this type of boat is ideal.
He said this is the first boat of its kind to come to the Arabian Gulf and that they had sailed for over six weeks from France in order to be able to make a port of call here. It is a good opportunity to show The Ocean Voyager 74' to potential clients in Oman and other GCC states, said Mesnier. He added that an important point here is the care given to the environment and the natural ecological state. With this in mind, he pointed out that not only is the boat aesthetically pleasing, but it is also very environmentally friendly and non-polluting.
The president said the catamaran styling of the boat allows it to reach sailing speeds of up to 25 knots per hour, although the average speed is around 15 knots per hour. Further, he said the design is specialised and has been improved over the years. The Ocean Voyager 74', manned by her captain and two crewmembers, arrived here hours after Cyclone Gonu had blasted its way through. On June 8, in a true spirit of bon homie, they participated in relief operations, in co-operation with the Royal Navy of Oman and other volunteers departing from Bandar Al Rowdha and sending essential supplies to the stranded villagers of Quriayat. In all they made three trips delivering some two-tonnes of urgently needed supplies and material.
MUSCAT -- The impressive, French-built, Ocean Voyager 74' day-charter catamaran of the Chantier CIM Shipyard was open for display at the Marina Bandar Al Rowdha, Muscat, on Sunday. Guests, including the French Ambassador to the Sultanate, Marc Barety, officials from the Ministry of Tourism and local tour operators had the chance of viewing the luxuriously grand 22.5 metre catamaran moored at the marina. The President Director General of Chantier CIM, Olivier Mesnier, spoke to the Observer about their visit and the catamaran.
He said their shipyard, based in Rochefort, on France's Atlantic coast, is specialised in the construction of big sailing boats. In this regard, they have two departments, one for the production of luxury sailing boats and the other for commercial-use sailing boats. Over the past decade, the company has been conscientiously developing these types of boat, which are of a totally new concept that focuses mainly on tourism, he noted. For tourists wishing to spend a day sailing, or for specific-type cruises such as at sunset, then this type of boat is ideal.
He said this is the first boat of its kind to come to the Arabian Gulf and that they had sailed for over six weeks from France in order to be able to make a port of call here. It is a good opportunity to show The Ocean Voyager 74' to potential clients in Oman and other GCC states, said Mesnier. He added that an important point here is the care given to the environment and the natural ecological state. With this in mind, he pointed out that not only is the boat aesthetically pleasing, but it is also very environmentally friendly and non-polluting.
The president said the catamaran styling of the boat allows it to reach sailing speeds of up to 25 knots per hour, although the average speed is around 15 knots per hour. Further, he said the design is specialised and has been improved over the years. The Ocean Voyager 74', manned by her captain and two crewmembers, arrived here hours after Cyclone Gonu had blasted its way through. On June 8, in a true spirit of bon homie, they participated in relief operations, in co-operation with the Royal Navy of Oman and other volunteers departing from Bandar Al Rowdha and sending essential supplies to the stranded villagers of Quriayat. In all they made three trips delivering some two-tonnes of urgently needed supplies and material.
By Ali Ahmed al Riyami
© Oman Daily Observer 2007
