September sees the start of the Boat Show Season: Beginning with the Southampton Boat Show 10 - 19 September. If you're intending to visit, and would like to take the opportunity to see us - we would love to see you. Please call to arrange a meeting at the show, or pop-in to our offices here in Shamrock Quay for a chat. Later in the month, the Monaco Yacht Show takes place 22 - 25 September in Port Hercule. Fastnet director Richard Power, will be attending - so please call our office or Richard, on his mobile +44 (0)7767 822500, to arrange a meeting.
Be a Cowes Week 2010 WINNER: Fastnet are again supporting the 184th Cowes week being held this year from 31st July to 7th August with sponsorship of the main news and results screen in Cowes Yacht Haven.
Managing Director John Goodacre explains that with Fastnet’s strong involvement in Yacht Racing Insurance, this is a great opportunity to confirm our commitment to existing clients and promote new enquiries from those owners who look for the highly personalised and knowledgeable services that we provide for boats based not only in the UK but also worldwide.
Fastnet directors and staff will be around most days during the event and any new enquiries will be entered into a FREE DRAW with a prize of a Magnum of Champagne to the lucky winner (It's not necessary to take out a policy to qualify). Be sure to quote 'Cowes Week Sponsorship' when contacting us either by phone or online. The competition will be open for the month of August and the lucky winner and runner up will also enjoy a memorable lunch with us at a prestigious yacht club..
FastnetMarine congratulates Niklas Zennstrom and his crew on their spectacular overall win of the 2009 Rolex Fastnet race. We are proud to have arranged a comprehensive package of insurance for the yacht and crew, for the extensive programme of racing she is undertaking, and we wish them all the very best of luck in the Maxi Worlds and subsequent events. The ‘Mini-Maxi’ fleet is an exciting and active class that is attracting much interest. If you are thinking of joining the fun – we would be delighted to advise and assist you with insurance arrangements.
Fastnet Marine are pleased to announce a new partnership with Clipper Ventures PLC for the 2010-11 Velux 5 Oceans Race. Clipper Ventures, the race organiser, has appointed Fastnet Marine to look after the insurance requirements of competitors in the race, including during their working up programmes before the start. learn more
Fastnet Skippers’ Liability Insurance Scheme: Interest in this policy has been extensive, especially since the publication of the latest issue of the RYA’s Wavelength magazine. Inquiries have been coming in from overseas, but at the moment, we have to point out that the policy is only available to Skippers who are UK residents, for tax and licensing reasons. We are working on addressing these issues, and hope to announce that the policy is available on a wider basis soon.
Fastnet Yacht Crew Personal Accident, Medical & Emergency Repatriation Expenses Insurance: This is a policy which is designed mainly for professional yacht crews who work overseas on yachts, and provides ‘lumpsum’ benefits in the event of death or serious injury, as well as up to two years weekly payments in the event that you are unable to work as a result of an injury. Expenses incurred for treatment overseas, including transport costs and costs of returning home for treatment, are also covered. Please contact us for details.
Insurance for medical treatment in the Channel Islands: From 1st April 2009, the reciprocity agreement that allowed UK travellers to enjoy medical treatment in the Channel Islands free of charge comes to an end. We strongly recommend, therefore, that yachtsmen visiting the Channel Islands this Summer should take out travel insurance including medical cover before leaving the UK. Fastnet Marine Insurance offers a range of travel policies suitable for weekend and long distance cruising sailors alike. Please contact us for details.
Fastnet Marine supports OSTAR entries. The Royal Western Yacht Club has revived the first and the original singlehanded transatlantic race from Plymouth to Newport R.I., which starts in May this year. Fastnet Marine have received inquiries from several entries, for whom full cover for the race and return passage has been arranged, and we welcome interest from others planning to take part in the race.
Fastnet Marine is proud to support Class 40s in the Portimao Global Ocean Race. On 18th March, DESAFIO CABO DE HORNOS led the Portimao Global Ocean Race fleet around Cape Horn, with Felipe Cubillos & Jose Munez becoming the first Chileans to race around the Horn under sail, and the yacht becoming the first modern 40 footer to pass the great Cape in a race. 24 hours or so later, MOWGLI (with Jeremy Salvesen and David Thompson on board) successfully rounded the Cape in third place, after battling through 50-60 knot squalls in the approach. Insurance for both yachts for the race was arranged by Fastnet Marine, and we congratulate our Clients’ achievements. We recognise the Class 40’s coming of age as a reliable and dependable offshore racer, and would be pleased to assist other Owners of these exciting yachts with their insurance requirements.
Fastnet Marine director takes part in RORC Caribbean 600 race. In February 2009, Richard Power, one of Fastnet’s directors, took part in the RORC’s new Caribbean race on board “NIMROD” (Marten 80 owned by Simon Lambert.) This is a new race in the RORC calendar, which is destined to become a classic alongside the Sydney-Hobart and Fastnet races. A challenging course of over 600 miles, with numerous legs, around Antigua, Nevis, St Kitts, Saba, St Barts, St Maarten and Guadeloupe combined with steady 20-25 knot tradewinds is a fantastic recipe for a great race. Richard sailed as navigator for the race, a job made a great deal easier in the absence of any fog or tides, but still testing, with plenty of unlit rocks and reefs, and even an unlit mark of the course to find and round in the dark. Having gained valuable experience of this race, Fastnet would be pleased to help and advise any yacht owners thinking of taking part in this unmissable event in the future.
Fastnet Marine announce further increase in overseas business – Oct 2008.  Latest figures for the company show an increase in overseas business of 46%. Foreign currency business now accounts for over 35% of the total 2007/08 turnover. Managing Director John Goodacre says "this wider spread of business leaves the company extremely well placed even with the economic down turn."
Fastnet Marine launch new product – Sept 2008.  An exciting new initiative was introduced at the Southampton International Boat Show offering Public Liability cover for professional skippers. Much interest was received from Yacht Charter Companies, Sea Schools and Delivery Companies and the RYA for the product which fills a large gap in the market place and provides generous limits up to £3 million at affordable premiums. learn more