Sleek fleet sails into Bay
The 'house full' signs are up as a billion rand's worth of boats fill the moorings at the Zululand Yacht Club and Tuzi Gazi Waterfront
New Zealand yachties John-Lee Diamond and Annette Johns are thoroughly enjoying their stay at the Zululand Yacht Club where their boat ‘Rhombus’, brightly painted with colourful designs, is attracting plenty of attention alongside local yacht ‘Sangoma’
PHOTO: Dave Savides
FOREIGN yachts have taken up every available mooring space in Richards Bay, bringing with them an economic injection for the City of uMhlathuze as the summer sailing season gets into full swing.
Total value of overseas boats that will occupy local facilities over the next few weeks is estimated at well over R1-billion.
This includes the impressive fleet of more than 20 luxury Oyster-design yachts, currently on a world cruise.
Almost all the sleek Oyster yachts are between 50ft and 100ft in length and a number have already berthed.
The impressive sight of beautiful boats at the Zululand Yacht Club (ZYC), as well as at the Tuzi Gazi Waterfront moorings, adds to the thrill of the region hosting these world travellers.
Skippers and crews will spend plenty of forex on sight-seeing, replenishment of provisions, repairs, dining and general purchases.
The sounds of many tongues have made the chock-a-block yacht club (ZYC) a veritable mini United Nations, with over a dozen different nationalities already present at evening braais.
Among them are Swiss, German, French, Canadian, Dutch, British, Finnish, American, New Zealand and Israeli crews, enjoying the local hospitality, weather and tourism opportunities.
Richards Bay is now the South African port of call of choice for many international sailors, and the value of the yacht club and waterfront mooring facilities to the city’s economy and prestige is immense.
‘We are thrilled at hosting these seasoned world travellers,’ said ZYC Commodore Rod Banwell.
‘We want them to enjoy Zululand hospitality as they become the city’s ambassadors when they move on.’
The words were echoed by Rob Hughes, owner of Tuzi Gazi Waterfront, ‘We assist in every way to make theirs the most memorable stopover, with as few hassles as possible.’
