SINGAPORE, May 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Renowned Chinese Navigator and China's Ocean Ambassador, Zhai Mo, and six of his crew members, arrived at ONE15 Marina Club on 11 May 2015 (Monday) for the Singapore leg of the highly-publicised expedition and TV show, "2015 Retrace Maritime Silk Road". Zhai's team of three mono-hull sailboats will be berthed at ONE15 Marina Club's marina for five days before setting sail towards their next destination, Sri Lanka, on 15 May 2015 (Friday).
The TV show, produced by Southeast TV in Fujian, China, pays tribute to China's history of maritime culture as it charts Zhai Mo's travels along the old Maritime Silk Road, one of the earliest ancient trade routes which connect the Eastern and Western world. Covering over 10,000 nautical miles and stopping by countries such as Singapore, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Greece and completing in Milan, Italy, Zhai, 46, and his team of about seven sailors from all around the world started their journey on 20 April 2015 (Monday) onboard three unpowered sailboats.
"It was a humbling experience meeting Zhai Mo, a man with so much ambition and dedication," recalled Brian E. Werner, General Manager at ONE15 Marina Club. "The Club is truly honoured to be able to host Zhai and his crew on this remarkable journey through one of the ancient world's most important trade routes."
This will be Zhai's second circumnavigation across the globe; his first was a solo trip in 2009. This time, the crew will be focusing on promoting the ancient trade and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world. The crew will also be bringing along cultural symbols such as Chinese porcelain, tea and other agriculture goods and to exhibit them in their various stopovers. Zhai hopes to "let the world see [through this trip] that China has been a country of rites and peace since ancient times, and now it's embracing the world and future with an equally open mind."
"Being a part of this sailing expedition is in keeping with the Club's vision to establish Singapore as an international hub for sailing," commented Werner. "We also hope that our involvement will boost Singapore's and the Club's standing as a premium destination for sailing and other lifestyle activities." Since its opening in 2007, ONE15 Marina Club has proven to be a prominent presence in the sailing scene as it housed many international and regional sailing fleets during events such as the Clipper 2013/2014 Round the World Yacht Race and the Volvo Ocean Race 2008/2009. The Club was also the venue host of the Singapore Straits Regatta from 2012 to 2015.
The journey will span two to three months, during which the crew will have to brave through both physical and mental challenges including seasickness, malnutrition and isolation. In light of this, ONE15 Marina Club strives to be a suitable haven for the crew, during their stay here, to rejuvenate and recharge themselves for the remainder of their journey.
Werner also added that this stopover has strengthened the Club's relationship with its reciprocal club, Visun Royal Yacht Club in Sanya, Hainan, which the owner of one of the three sailboats is a member of. The two clubs had shared good relations since the start of their reciprocal agreements; with ONE15 Marina Club recently hosting about 50 members of Visun Royal Yacht Club, on 24 February 2015, when they visited Singapore.
"During our recent trip, we were introduced to ONE15 Marina Club's world-class facilities and exceptional services; thus, we were confident that the Club was the right venue to host Zhai Mo and his crew," said Stuart Ho, Deputy General Manager of Visun Royal Yacht Club. "Following this event, we hope that our bonds will continue to strengthen in tandem with our commitment to provide the best privileges for our Members."
During the visit, the members were brought on a tour, enjoyed a yacht trip onboard one of the fleet under the Club's chartering arm (ONE15 Luxury Yachting) before ending the day with a special dinner reception at its ballroom. The Clubs' reciprocal agreement also allows members from both clubs to visit the clubs and enjoy their facilities.
About ONE15 Marina Club
Since its inauguration in 2007, ONE15 Marina Club has won several international accolades including the Outstanding Hospitality Award at the Helm Magazine Singapore Yacht Show Awards 2013, Asian Marina of the Year at the Asia Boating Awards consecutively from 2012 to 2014, Best Asian Marina/Best Yachting Club 2009 and the prestigious FIVE Gold Anchor Award. It is the first marina in the region to achieve ISO 14001, a prestigious and internationally-recognised certification for Environmental Management. The Club's environmentally-friendly practices and efforts were also recognised when it was named Green Maritime Company of the Year at the Asia Boating Awards 2015. ONE15 Marina Club is honoured to be the host of upscale international yachting events including the Clipper 2013/14 Round the World Yacht Race, the Volvo Ocean Race 2008/2009, Asia Pacific Yachting Conference 2014-2015 and the Singapore Yacht Show 2011-2015. Located in Sentosa Cove, the prime leisure district of Singapore, ONE15 Marina Club features a beautiful marina of 270 berths with facilities to accommodate megayachts of up to 200 feet. The well-appointed clubhouse encompasses world-class facilities including fine restaurants and bars, luxurious suite rooms, a modern spa, a well-equipped gymnasium, members' and kids' lounges as well as conference and meeting rooms. Evoking the glamour and elegance of Monte Carlo, ONE15 Marina Club is Asia's most desired waterfront leisure destination.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Pamela Tan
Assistant Manager, Marketing and Communications
ONE15 Marina Club
pamelatan@one15marina.com
+65-6305-9671
Hannah Lee
Corporate Communications Executive
ONE15 Marina Club
hannahlee@one15marina.com
+65-6309-3482
