Graham Dalton’s ‘A Southern Man- AGD’ has lost her lead keel bulb. Dalton discovered the bulb was missing shortly after leaving Fortaleza Harbour. With his re-entry into the Velux 5 Oceans, solo around the world yachting race, 2nd Leg frustrated Dalton has returned to find the lead keel bulb. While lesser men would have given up after all the disasters he has recently faced this man strives on.

Dalton is convinced the keel bulb became detached at his mooring. Divers have been recruited to find it. If successful the keel bulb will have to be raised and replaced. A local superyacht builder (Yes!Fortaleza has one) will be contracted to re-attach it. If you doubt this man then look in his eye’s in this portrait.

I have been sent an e-mail from coffee mug producers Brugo claiming they have the perfect coffeee mug for the boating community. One reason for the claim is that the while open the mug will not spill! This is due to a separate patented cooling chamber. It doesn’t even sink if you drop the mug overboard.

And get this- your coffee stays at a perfect temperature. For the technos that’s hot not scalding, between 150-170 degrees F. So they claim that you won’t drop scalding coffee down your top while cruising and your coffeee stays warmer longer. Avid coffee drinkers like yours truly welcome this. They retail at US $ 19.95 and look really funky with stylish stainless steel accents. Check the website out and let me know the results if you buy one. www.brugomug.com

Lazy Bones beanbags speak for themselves & are making themselves known on yachts in Antigua  as the ultimate deck accessory. Being 100 % man-made & covered in Sunbrela, they are tough as hell : tie to your car roof or throw in the tender for beach trips, they only weigh 12 lbs & come in custom sizes & colours…….

Join the Horizontal club & get Laaaaaaaaazy!

The official launch party for IMAGES Antigua & Barbuda, a coffee table photography book by Alexis Andrews took place on Saturday 17th March at the Copper & Lumber Store Hotel in Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua. The event attracted a cross section of Antiguan society, local artists, visiting yachtsmen, publishers, writers and celebraties and many people from the advertising industry.

The first day of the International Rolex Regatta in St. Thomas got off to a windy start with winds of 15-18 knots. 87 Yachts have entered the Rolex which is now in it’s 34th year. There are seven classes and yesterday, Friday 23rd March, five of the six handicap classes completed three around-the buoy races. The weekend schedule is for three distance races. Conditions were tough and there were a few injuries. ‘Windrider II’, the J/30 owned by Marston Winkles of St. Thomas, was dismasted. ‘Intac’ a IC-24 was holed in the hull during a collision.