An Award Winning Expedition to The Great Barrier Reef, aboard Superyacht ‘Spirit’
The 10-day charter trip around the Great Barrier Reef revealed the extent to which the world’s largest living organism is recovering from environmental and man-made damage.
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The M/Y Spirit has been awarded the coveted 2019 Superyacht Australia Voyager Award for her 10-day, 285-nautical-mile journey around the Great Barrier Reef.
The extensive exploration of the world’s largest coral reef was led by Captain Martin DeBanks, at the request of an experienced charterer making their seventh trip to the reef in 15 years. The captain said: “My crew and I on board Spirit are passionate about the reef; this is where we live and this is where we are lucky enough to work. This voyage took in all that the reef has to say, the good and the bad.”
The 35-metre custom-designed catamaran sailed from Port Douglas and stopped at St Crispin Reef, Rachel Carson Reef, then Ribbon Reefs #3, #5, #9 and #10. She finally reached Lizard Island on the ninth day of the journey. Here, the charter guests asked to go beyond the snorkeling they had been enjoying up to this point and took their first scuba dives, seeing amazing underwater life of the Great Barrier Reef up close. Finally, Spirit sailed the 120 nautical miles back to Port Douglas on Day 10.
“What did the Reef have to say to me this last 10 days?” said Captain DeBanks, “Well, she has had some knocks that’s for sure but that just gives her personality. She is still there providing a living for thousands of people bringing tourists from all over the world to Australia. I have been truly impressed with what I have seen this last 10 days and I will not hesitate to bring my future clients back.”
On receiving the Voyager Award, he added: “I feel privileged to receive such a fantastic award and to win it for a local voyage is a proud moment. It’s our local region and so many people’s bread and butter – such as marlin fishing operations and dive boats – who do a brilliant job protecting the reef and showcasing it to the world. It is a fantastic way to counter some of the sensational media coverage around the health of the reef.”
Destinations: Australasia, Australia
Footnote:
Contact Seal Superyachts Australia for detailed information about cruising around Australia, superyacht charter regulations and about how we can support your visit.
Principle agent Andrew Chapman is proud to have worked with many of the World’s largest Superyachts and has extensive knowledge of Australia and the surrounding area.
Andrew Chapman
Phone: +61 402 484 888
Email: australia@seal-superyachts.com