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Hecate and Astarte Pahi 53 catamarans maiden voyage
12 months apart, 2 Pahi 53’ catamarans are launched at Seascape boatyard on Phuket Island (Thailand) and sail from there to Paros Island (Greece). It’s February 2005 & 2006 and in spite of the murderous 2005 Tsunami and the scorching heat in 2006, both boats and crews were ready to face the Ocean on this race against time.  Other teams are expecting them in Greece, in April, in order to take the boats over and ready them for the charter season.

A travelogue in pictures and words

Astarte's delivery:
 
Catamaran Astarte delivery
Hulls and superstructure prior painting at Seascape shipyard in Phuket. The crew is working overtime in order to avoid delays and miss the favorable monsoon.  Launching takes place on the beach, thanks to the tide and the Wharram’s modular structure.
Catamaran Astarte delivery
Astarte’s crew from left to right : Chris Edwards (captain & offshore sailor), Annemarie Biedermann (offshore sailor), Marieke Derks and Bert van Muylenwijk (in charge of a charter catamaran in Phuket)
Catamaran Astarte delivery
The engines are installed in Langkawi, Malaysia, and the 48 hour voyage allows a good shake down for testing the boat and its gear. Back in Phuket to finalize preparations and provisionning. At long last Astarte leaves Phuket on the 14th of February.
Catamaran Astarte delivery
Once the large catamaran is on her Ocean tracks, her crew enter the watch routine. The spinnaker contributes to boat speed and a sun downer to crew’s happiness.

During a calm, Bert is hoisted aloft to inspect the rigging. This voyage is Annemarie’s 21st ocean crossing. Refueling (with a hand pump) in the Maldives. Thanks to her shallow draft, Astarte could go alongside the island wharf.
Catamaran Astarte delivery
The monsoon did not turn up in the Arabian Sea. Aden will be reached mainly under engine power. Military situation being unfavourable to pirates, most of them seem to have gone fishing!
Catamaran Astarte delivery
Marieke takes her engineer’s job seriously, as she maintains her engines for the next tough leg. The Red Sea unleashes her violent northerlies from the start. The contrary winds force Astarte to shelter in Saudi waters where she’s paid a visit by the local coast guard.
Catamaran Astarte delivery
Sometimes the winds did abate, allowing Hecate to make for Suez without further delays. Gone are the sultry tropical temperatures, the Mediterranean approaches.
Catamaran Astarte delivery
After a bad blow offshore from Cyprus, the wind backed for Astarte. Good omen a bird drops by (!). For sailors it’s a visit from another world. Pushed by a fresh southerly breeze, on the 20th of April, Astarte anchors in Naoussa bay, Paros. Her crew can finally rest.