GREENPEACE: Climate change needs basic leaders

As any respecting Sea Dweller would do, we gladly answered the call to work with GREENPEACE during their Cape Town protest. Climate Change is a serious issue and any action to raise awareness or bring about change is a step in right direction. Read the real story here.

We covertly snuck up to the Twelve Apostle Hotel and proceeded to wave lumo yellow banners. It was mostly a photo shoot, taking a few pics and completing a video documentary, but drivers on Victoria road stopped to take interest. We alsoattracted some media attention but nothing like what was expected from usual GREENPEACE protest. This is Cape Town after all.

I love the large banner in front of table mountain! So iconic

National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Training Day

As part of the FIFA 2010 World Cup build-up it is helpful to know that our national Sea Rescue and Navy services have things all sorted out should anything happen to the multitude of planes, and ships heading our way.

Forming an integral part of this training exercise I am pleased to say that things are looking pretty good. For one the skill of the helicopter pilots, and planes involved is astounding completing intricate search patterns before deploying additional life rafts is rather impressive. And the bravery of the volunteers of the NSRI who man the many boats is phenomenal.

A link to the Official press release and usual some interesting pictures.

Ashe's no good

The effects of the volcanic eruptions in Iceland have finally filtered down to Conquest Charters in the Cape Town.

We recently received these two emails regarding future bookings:

Mail 1:

Hi ghgjje,

Our client kjhjkhkre, from Switzerland has cancelled its conference on Tuesday due to the volcanic eruption and fallout.

ALL delegates are stranded in Europe and can’t get on to flights.

This is out of anyone’s control and they are extremely stressed and disappointed due to this crisis.

Please relay to the other company that we need to cancel all reservations.

They have the conference once a year, so they won’t be able to reschedule for anytime soon

They have however, guaranteed to come back next year and do these activities.

Kindly reply should you have any questions

Mail 2:

Hello

Unfortunately due to the volcanic ash scenario in Europe at the moment, Thursdays charter is postponed until later in the year because the clients are stuck in the UK!!

Many thanks

We are but one company that has only recently been affected and I wonder how the rest of the world is dealing this. Especially those cannot afford to so.

Cute and cuddly..or sleek and agile - behold the Dolphin

Dolphins Dolphins Dolphins everywhere! That is what can be said on a recent trip for Laurens Birthday Outing. The sea condition were great and the waves were few. However the the flat sea allowed us to notice the abundance of marine life in the bay. Seals, Penguins, Dolphins and Whales...all in one trip.

Enjoy some of the pics that follow:

The Cape of Storms

What really bad weather we have coming up in the next week.

Weather forecast by www.weathersa.co.za

Looks like we in for some big seas in the coming days! Take care if you have to go to sea.

Doing it on V Day

We are in Hout Bay this Sunday and what better way than to take part in our "Alternate Valentine's Day Plan" special.

(event over)

The arrival of a German U-Boat

For those of you who have been to see the new stadium, as seen from the Sea Point area, you might also have noticed the commotion in the ocean.

Namely a German U-boat (submarine), a Tug boat and many little worker boats ferrying precious resources to the mother hive.


Here are some close-up pics of a German WWII movie taking place in Cape Town. I am not sure of the details (we only had to carry the all important German Press) but it allowed us to get pretty close to the dangerous submarine, although only a replica I believe.

Also included in this post is the get-away boat! Enjoy.

More of the Volvo Ocean Race Cape Town Leg

I recently recieved some more photographs of the Volvo boats leaving Cape Town. Enjoy these photo's courtesy of Michael North!

If you need a photographer (outdoor, underwater, indoor etc.) let me know.

Sunset or Sunrise?

It is an amazing thing to watch the sun set across the vast Atlantic Ocean. And I am sure you have your favourite place in Cape Town to do just that where you can enjoy the colours that go so well with the surroundings. I recently enjoyed one from the top of Kloof Nek Road overlooking Camps Bay.
(Picture taken from Kloof Nek)
(The colours seen from home)

But putting the land lubber in me aside, to see the sun rise above the Hottentots Holland mountains aboard a boat is truly another thing altogether. Unfortunately for this experience to come true you have to be at sea 530am. It’s early, I know, but a cool experience as you ride from Table Bay to Hout Bay in the calm of the morning. The early activity of the birds and seals is always a treat.

Enjoy some of the early morning photographs and my favourite, Lions Head shielding the sun from view…for just a bit.

(Lions Head Sun Rise)
(Making the most of great morning...coffee in Hout Bay next)

The Atlantic Experience

Recently we have been undertaking the True Atlantic Experience by going from Hout Bay to Oceana and vica versa. This route takes in all the great sites along the Atlantic seaboard: Table Bay, Clifton, Camps Bay, Sandy Bay, Maori Bay (named of the sunken ship in 1909), Seal Island and Hout Bay. Some pictures from our latest trips are posted!

VOLVO OCEAN RACE 2008/2009

We were lucky enough to work on the start of the second leg of the Volvo Ocean Race. In a strong South Easter many boats joined in to wish the brave sailors on their way. Its funny how the Volvo Circus captured many peoples hearts and it was evident in the support shown on the day of their departure.

Eight awesome machines arrived in Cape Town some three weeks after leaving the port of Alicante in Spain. After roughly two weeks at the V&A Waterfront and transforming the harbour area into a giant workshop as well a hive of product showcases (thanks to PUMA, VOLVO, ERICSSON), action and well positioned branding, the show was about to hit the road.

I’ll skip the history section about the event and cut straight to our adventure at sea. Joined by two crew and passengers from Cape Classic Charters we headed for the start line. I must stress that had i had eyes in the back of my head, it still would not have been enough to prepare me for maelstrom I had entered.

(Pic courtesy of Michael North)

Buzzing every which way the Volvo boats tacking for position, private yachts, boats jet skis and paddle boarders all made it there mission to be part of the action.

We followed Ericsson three for a bit then tagged the Puma boat and just before they left the Cape we said our goodbyes to the rest of the boats.

It was really a great experience and unlike last year we did not have to follow the boats miles off shore! A great day had by all!

Charters on the GO

Conquest Charters is gearing up for a bumper season should the wind and weather decide that Cape Town deserves Summer for all her hard work this year past.


But even though the 'good' weather has yet to come, it hasn't stopped the adventure seeking spirit in our clients from going to sea!





Our popular runs, a) Millers Point to Cape Point, b) Hout Bay, c) Atlantic seaboard (Table Bay - Clifton) always guarantees some action and amazing scenery. The sea life is great, Whales, Seals, Sun fish sea birds, penguins and more.



Posted are a few photos of some recent charter trips.

Red Bull Big Wave Competition

The Red Bull Big Wave Competition celebrated it tenth anniversary at Dungeons in Hout Bay South Africa. The waves were big, the sound of crashing waves thunderous but the skill of “special” kind of people out there (those doing the surfing) was amazing.

It was the first time being out there with the waves that big! Normally on our seal island runs you wouldn't think twice about the wave but that day! OMG! They were truly impressive. Even more so with so much action going on, in and under the waves.

We were tasked with pleasing some photographers, which allowed us to get up close and personal to the surfers and the waves. Also VIP access to the after party....Schweet. and did i mention there was loads of RedBull?..Nice.

Luckily a fellow skipper (Rod Smith..thanks for pics) managed to get some pics of us doing our thing and more. Enjoy some pictures and our feeble attempt to get some big wave air of our own.

Yip that is us in the far righ corner of the picture...oh what a drop!

A Rainy Day in Cape Town

With a weather report indicating a maximum of 20 degrees with a 30% chance of rain one tends to look on the bright side and overlook that small chance of rain. Today in Hout Bay "Conquest" was one of five RIB's preparing to take tourists to Chapman Peak and Seal Island. Normally a beautiful run, but today the weather added to the adventure by providing a decent swell and some rain. Unfortunately the passengers got a bit wet but much fun was had by all. Since we took it "easy" the trip was gentle and even the slighlty faint hearted could relax and enjoy braving the seas of the Cape of Storms. Highlights included the dramatic mountainside views of Chapmans Peak, The Sentinal and Seal Island, home to numerous Cape Fur Seals.

For Now...

For now i'll be posting some pictures of previous trips! Bearing in mind we've been in action since 1999, there are few pics to put up. However these will be mostly to convey the feel of the Cape Town area and the potential fun to be had. I hope you enjoy these!

The next big planned event will be the Robben Island to Blaauberg Swim. A truelly amazing feat we will be taking part in! More on this to follow. But until then i'll be trying to catch a fish in this big big sea of ours.