Port Elizabeth welcomes the Phoenician Ship

Yesterday 24 February 2010 I had the privilege to join the Rescue 6 Team from the NSRI Port Elizabeth and escort the Phoenician Ship into the Port Elizabeth harbor. The aim of the Ship builder Khalid Hammoud and the Phoenician crew; Attempt to re-create the Phoenicians’ epic voyage around the continent of Africa in a traditionally built replica Phoenician / Mediterranean vessel.

I found myself drooling at the authenticity of the ship and how it was built. From the rigging right through to the rudder, everything was done the old fashion way.

Phoenicia is a bold and ambitious expedition which seeks to rediscover and document the secrets of ancient Phoenician mariners. It will re-create one of mankind’s greatest exploratory voyages in the history of seafaring by bravely attempting to sail the reconstructed Phoenician/Mediterranean vessel around Africa and ultimately back to the United Kingdom.

The project aims in brief:

• To build the first reconstruction of a large Phoenician/Mediterranean vessel and attempt to re-create the first circumnavigation of ancient Africa.
• To publicise the maritime skills and achievements of the Phoenicians through a wide range of media and to assist in the preservation of an ancient cultural heritage.
• To test, from an exercise in experimental archaeology, the performance characteristics of the Phoenician/Mediterranean ship under sail.
• To document the practical issues experienced in building and sailing a ship of this type.
• To provide a number of young adults with the opportunity to participate in a once in a lifetime adventure and international community project.
• To conclude the expedition by sailing the ship to the UK and exhibiting the vessel in one of the country’s leading museums.

For more information on the ship and it’s epic voyage visit: The Phoenician Ship Expedition

A big thank you:

• To Alan from MyPE for th photographs.
• To Barnacle Bay Rides for taking everyone out on their boat.
• And last but not least NSRI Rescue 6 for taking myself and Sandy McCowen (eTV) out.

Port Elizabeth Sky filled with clouds.

For some time now Port Elizabeth, or rather, the Eastern Cape has been plagued by dry dead weather and for the pale souls out there, pink burned skin. However it seems that mother nature has given us a small break. Rummaging through the weather reports this morning it seems like we will be having a “wet” week…at last.

I do however doubt that the 4 days of forecasted rain will resolve our alarmingly low dam levels, so don’t go filling up those pools yet, but it is a start. With the 2010 FIFA World Cup around the corner water will definitely be a problem given the current state of our core supply so we will still have to watch our usage VERY closely.

Port Elizabeth: Missing Child in Pari Park

Update:

Firstly thank you for all who helped spread the word about Nikky. She has been found and is safely back at home. I spoke to Nikky’s mother Liz yesturday and is extrememly relieved and also thanked all who helped.

Liz & Jim Carpy’s 17 year old daughter Nikky from 8 Mendelson Ave left home yesterday Sunday 17th for a walk to the park at 16h45 saying she would be obout 10 minutes, Nikky did not return from her walk.She was wearing a turquoise T shirt, turquoise short jersey & navy blue shorts when she left home.

If you or anyone you know has any information at all, please contact me at: 082 782 8856 or mail me. The family has asked that I relay information recieved to them.

P.S. Missing person has been reported to police.

01/19/2010—-02:06:03 PM

Port Elizabeth: Dam Levels Alarmingly Low

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is urging all to step their efforts to conserve water. Currently the major caption areas are at a very worrying 45%, and if no major rains fall soon our reserves will be depleted within the next 10 months.

Major Storage Dam Levels suppling Nelson Mandela Bay (as at 11 January 2010):

• Kouga – 44,8%
• Churchill – 25,9%
• Impofu – 52,7%
• Loerie – 40,1%
• Groendal – 48,5%
• Combined Average – 45,3%

Residents can also assist with water consurvation by reporting water leaks to a 24 hour toll free line: 0800 20 5050 or by email : waterleaks[at]mandelametro.gov.za

Even though numerose efforts have been made to make residents aware of the water  shortage, some are still not LISTENING. Here is a note from the Editor of MyPe

Eds Note: Those guys who are still filling their pools up at 1:30 in the morning and watering their gardens will soon find themselves being added to the MyPE Rogues Gallery. Send your images of water miscreant wasters to alan[at]mype.co.za. You can also email your pics to edward[at]pe-blog.co.za.

Port Elizabeth ABYC scars healing slowly

On Monday night 26 October 2009 Mother Nature through her toys out the cot and for lack of better words completely wrecked the marina. The moorings were bent and broken, a total of 5 yachts sank and just about every other boat and yacht suffered some form of damage.

Yesturday 03 December 2009 I was invited down to the Algoa bay Yacht club to have a look at how things have progressed since the windy tantrum. The marina is looking allot better then it did thanks to some good old fashion hard work and planning. The first step was to clear the water of floating debris and establishing which yachts sank and where. Then came the retrieval of broken marine sections and divers sweeping the marine floor, marking equipment and sunken Yachts with buoys.

Twenty three yachts were identified to be taken out of the water, by the ABYC Disaster Management Committee under the guidance of Vice Commodore, Sean Wiseman. Protec made their 100 ton crane and staff available for the lifting of the yachts and Stu Davidson’s Load Bed assisted in taking the Yachts to land provided by the NPA.

The cost to repair the marine… R4.2 million, coupled with yacht owners now also having to contend with repairs, insurance excesses and increased insurance premiums.

The scars of this incident will still take a long time to heal, but, they will heal.

Port Elizabeth – The very last MK1 City Golf…SOLD!

I got an interesting mail from a friend today about the last MK1 VW City Golf that was sold for…wait for it… R300.100.00. Personally I think the oak that baught it is completely “mal”, but at the same time I must admit that if I had the cash I would have baught it to.

The MK1 was and always will be one of the best… In my eys at least. It is sad to see such a great legacy hit the end of it’s road, but as they say, “Life goes on”.

Click on the image to view a large version.

The final Winning bid on the VW MK1 Citi

Miss World 2009 Sport Event – Port Elizabeth

Every now and again something really cool happens in Port Elizabeth. Now being of male genetic form I find this event very cool indeed. The Miss World 2009 Sport Event is taking place today at the Nelson Mandela Bay 2010 Football Stadium.

Sadly the event is closed to the general puplic (shrugs) but the good man from, MyPe is going to cover it via a live blog. Simply visit the MyPe website and watch. You can also log and comment using your facebook or twitter details.

The Poetry Project

Yesterday 27 October 2009 I attended the 27 Dinner down at the ABYC where we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter etc. A really great upside to the 27 Dinners is that you meet some really interesting people and it also serves as a very good social tool to connect with other business owners.

One of the interesting people I met was a young lady that started a very interesting project called “The Poetry Project“. Personally I think it’s great initiative and a very effective way for new and unknown writers and photographers to get their work seen.

Here is a short excerpt from the site:

The Poetry Project is simple in concept. Tucked somewhere in boxes under our beds lie pages and pages of prose unshared with our fellow man; they remain forever hidden away under headings of falsely believed pointlessness. For some reason they don’t matter, simply because it is assumed so. The Poetry Project is asking you to share those pages. We would like to hear your voice and we would like to see through your eyes as you interpret your own words and the words of others from behind the camera. In a nutshell we’re all about forging an understanding and creating a louder voice for poetry by representing and interpreting it through the medium of photography. So far it seems to be working, but for it to continue to work I will need your help.

Port Elizabeth Gale winds

I was down at the ABYC today with Alan and saw how mother nature can show us whose boss.

Yesterday 26 October 2009 the winds clocked a confirmed 164 km/h and caused some major damage down at the yacht club. Almost every boat and yacht in the marina had some form of damage and it was also announced that 3 yachts sank. The moorings were so damaged that yacht owners could not even get to them today by foot.

The damage is estimated at millions and will take some time to repair. Mooring will be allowed alongside spare jetties in the harbour and at Coega Harbour.

For more images on damages caused by this tropical storm Visit this MyPe Gallery.

The Jonas Brothers for Port Elizabeth Petition

Now firstly I have to say that I am personally not a fan of the Jonas Brothers, I’m more into the whole metal and post grunge sceen, but it would be good to see more international music artists do shows in Port Elizabeth. A good friend of mine has a daughter that is a major fan of Jonas and has started a Petition to get the Jonas Brothers to perform in Port Elizabeth.

Sadly only a few people have signed so I have decided to help spread the word. So if you are a Jonas fan and you live in Port Elizabeth head over to Brittany’s site and sign the Petition.