Launching 'Ocean Sapphire'

Latest news on launching Ocean Sapphire – Wednesday 18 April 2012

Congrats to owners Cesar and Maria Fernandini on the launch of Ocean Sapphire. The big moment was in the early mornings of Wednesday 18 April 2012 when boat builder Kevin Fouche and his team launched the awesome KNYSNA 480 CATAMARAN gently & successfully.

The couple from Lima, Peru viewed a Knysna 480 catamaran at the 2011 Miami Boat show and was invited to the boatyard in May. After a visit to the boatyard in Knysna, South-Africa, they were introduced to Kevin’s team. Kevin also showed Cesar and Maria other Knysna 480’s with different layout options. Cesar and Maria really fancied the owner’s option and an order were placed after lots of planning and discussions. The boat building journey took 9 months to complete. Rika was taking photos of the building process and email these updates through on a weekly basis so that the couple could follow the building of their dream yacht carefully.

 Cesar and Maria will be flying to SA beginning of May to take pride ownership of this fully equipped custom yacht. Skipper Malcolm van der Merwe will be joining them for a sail to Vilankulos to explore the Bazaruto Archipelago and Benguerua Island. This area is stunningly beautiful and Malcolm has sailed here before. This trip will also be ideal as a “shake down” for the new yacht and on returning from Mozambique they can stop in Knysna to iron out any teething problems before departing to Lima, approximately 8,377 nautical miles and +/- 83 days of sailing, excluding stops en-route.

 Ocean Sapphire’s journey back home will be via Fortaleza (Brazil), Chaguaramas (Trinidad), Aruba, Cartagena (Columbia), Panama (Boat builder Kevin and Rika Fouche are keen on joining the yacht on this leg!) and then to Puerto Del Callao in Peru before finally arriving in Lima where Maria will be waiting with the Champagne!

 Good luck to Ocean Sapphire and Skipper Mal, may God keep you guys safe on your long journey to Lima!