On June 14, dozens of migrants and refugees on board the trawler that sank off Greece’s Peloponnese peninsula, killed at least 78 people…reports Asian Lite News
In the Greece boat tragedy, the number of missing people from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’s Kotli district has surged to 166, confirmed Mirpur Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Dr Khalid Mahmood Chauhan, according to Geo News.
On Monday, the Deputy Inspector General revealed that 88 more families of the boat case have contacted them. Earlier 50 families had contacted them. The data was compiled at the local level with the help of local residents.
Dr Khalid further stated that after the incident, the families of 28 youths had contacted them and 166 Kotli residents were reported missing in the migrant boat incident.
He feared that the number could further rise in the coming days.
“The heirs of the boat victims do not come forward due to fear of law [legal action],” observed the police officer. He urged the people to provide the details of their children onboard the ill-fated boat and assured them that the police would help them find their beloved.
“Some of the missing people are still in Greece jails and some are under investigation,” he added.
European authorities don’t have a clear idea about the number of people aboard the boat when it sank — estimates range from 400 to over 700 — but likely hundreds came from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, reported Geo News.
On June 14, dozens of migrants and refugees on board the trawler that sank off Greece’s Peloponnese peninsula, killed at least 78 people.
As many as 750 men, women and children – also from Syria, Egypt, and the Palestinian territories – were on board the vessel, trying to reach relatives in Europe. The sinking was one of the worst disasters of its kind this year. The Greek coast guard has defended its response to the tragedy, Al Jazeera reported.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Pakistan and several African nations called for more protections for migrants at the UN Human Rights Council following the shipwreck off the Greek coast.
Pakistan, which had 350 of its nationals aboard the ship that capsized and sank, said the incident was a “grim reminder of the protection gaps”.
“The human cost of such a status quo is unacceptable,” Pakistan’s deputy permanent ambassador, Zaman Mehdi, told the 47-member council in unusually frank comments, Geo News reported.
“Gaps in responsibility sharing, arrangements for the safe and timely search and rescue, the disembarkation of all people rescued at sea and accountability must be plugged in the spirit of solidarity.”
The envoy for Gambia, a country from which many migrants depart on perilous journeys toward Europe, said that the issue required “urgent attention”. (ANI)
India wearable market registers 56.4% growth, boAt leads: Report
Basic smartwatches continued to dominate with a 95.5 per cent share, growing by 158 per cent annually…reports Asian Lite News
The India wearable market saw a strong 46.9 per cent (year-over-year) growth in 2022, as shipments reached 100 million units with boAT taking the pole position, a report showed on Wednesday.
Smartwatch (inclusive of basic and advanced) shipments were 30.7 million last year, a growth of 151.3 per cent YoY. The smartwatch average selling price (ASPs) continue to decline, at $42.5 (vs $61.2 a year ago), according to an IDC report.
Basic smartwatches continued to dominate with a 95.5 per cent share, growing by 158 per cent annually. Wristbands declined for another year with negative 73.2 per cent YoY, with shipments dropping to half a million.
The holiday quarter (October-December 2022) saw 25.2 million unit shipments, registering a 16.5 per cent YoY growth.
“Vendors faced supply challenges throughout 2022, especially for smartwatches, which are not expected to ease off completely before early 2H23. Local manufacturing is expected to scale up to more than 80 per cent by exit 2023, with more players opting for local sourcing of parts/components,” said Vikas Sharma, senior market analyst, client devices, IDC India.
Earwear category, with the lowest ASP globally at $19.8, accounted for 68.7 per cent of the overall wearables category with 28 per cent YoY shipment growth. Within earwear, Truly Wireless (TWS) dominated with a 55.3 per cent share growing by 87.1 per cent.
boAt maintained the lead but its share dropped to 23.9 per cent in the fourth quarter declining by 34.3 per cent YoY.
Imagine Marketing (boAt) is planning to increase its presence in the smartwatch category in 2023, which accounted for 19.7 per cent of its overall shipments in 2022.
Nexxbase (Noise) stood second at 11.2 per cent in 4Q22, with 2.8 million shipments and registered 39.6 per cent growth. It strengthened its smartwatch leadership with a 27.2 per cent share.
OnePlus climbed to third place in the overall wearable category, growing by 83 per cent YoY and 10.2 per cent share.
Fire-Boltt dropped to fourth place, but with a strong 250 YoY growth, shipping 2.2 million units. Boult Audio at fifth place witnessed gain with 1.9 million shipments.
“To maintain similar growth in 2023, smartwatch vendors would need to remain focused on the entry-level price segment with essentials like Bluetooth calling, higher display brightness (1000+Nits), etc. fresh designs and new segments, enhanced app integration and collaboration with fashion brands with wider presence across large format stores,” said Upasana Joshi, Research Manager, Client Devices, IDC India.
India wearable market registers 56.4% growth, boAt leads: Report
boAt continues to lead with a 32.1 per cent of market share in Q3 growing 19.5 per cent (year-over-year)…reports Asian Lite News
India’s wearable market registered another record quarter, shipping 37.2 million units in Q3 2022 (July-Sep), a growth of 56.4 per cent (year-over-year) with boAt leading in the market, a report showed on Friday.
According to the IDC, smartwatches (inclusive of basic and advanced) remained the fastest-growing category crossing the 12 million shipments mark in a single quarter, a growth of 178.8 per cent (year-over-year).
Basic smartwatches continue to dominate the market, with a 95.5 per cent share that increased by 187.1 per cent annually in Q3. With a shipment drop of 80.8 per cent (year over year), wristbands experienced yet another quarterly decline.
“As smartwatches continue to be in high demand across varied customer segments, the need for better specifications/accurate monitoring will be key. We will see bigger screen size (1.8/1.99 inch), AMOLED display, physical or e-Sim connectivity in the affordable segment,” said Vikas Sharma, Senior Market Analyst, Client Devices, IDC India.
boAt continues to lead with a 32.1 per cent of market share in Q3 growing 19.5 per cent (year-over-year), according to the report.
With a 13.8 per cent market share, Noise stood second. It cemented its smartwatch leadership with a 29.5 per cent share, growing 216.5 per cent annually.
Fire-Boltt climbed to third place with a healthy 395 per cent (year-over-year) growth and 8.9 per cent share.
OnePlus dropped to fourth place in the overall wearable category growing by 107.6 per cent (year-over-year) and 8.2 per cent share, while Realme stood at fifth place and was the only vendor amongst the top 5, with declining shipments at -18.5 per cent (year-over-year) in Q3, the report added.
The state government has ordered a high alert in Mumbai, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Pune and other places as a precaution in view of the festivities on Friday…reports Asian Lite News
A crew-less Australian-couple owned speed-boat with some sophisticated weapons — adrift in the Arabian Sea for 52 days — washed ashore at Harihareshwar Beach in Raigad coastal district, sounding alarm bells on Thursday, a day ahead of the crowded ‘dahi-handi’ celebrations.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde promptly ordered a probe into the incident while Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has tentatively ruled out any terror angle, though questions of maritime and coastal security are being raised.
The incident suddenly revived the chilling memories of the 1993 Mumbai serial terror strikes when huge quantities of arms, ammunitions and explosives had been surreptitiously offloaded at certain small ports or beaches on the Raigad coast.
The UAE-based Neptune P2P Group said on Thursday evening that it had provided private security to the vessel ‘MY Ladyhan’ in June, which was damaged during monsoon in the Arabian Sea and the Captain declared an emergency.
The suspicious speed-boat was first noticed by some local fisherfolk on Thursday morning leading to a flutter in the sleepy coastal village and they alerted the local police who rushed there.
A quick initial search and later detailed investigations cleared the mystery of the speedboat which is stated to belong to an Australian couple, the government said subsequently in the evening.
Fadnavis informed the legislature that the speedboat, named ‘Ladyhaan’ is owned by an Australian woman Hannah Laundergun and her husband James Horbert was sailing it.
He added that the Raigad Police have recovered 3 AK-47 guns and some quantities of ammunition from the speedboat.
The Deputy Chief Minister further said that the speedboat was reportedly slated to sail from Oman to Europe, but on June 26, around 10 a.m., it suffered an engine failure at an unknown location in the sea.
The vessel crew called for help, and after 3 hours that day, a Korean warship in the vicinity had picked them up and dropped them off to Oman.
Owing to the rough seas, the Australian couple reportedly could not arrange to tow the vessel and after remaining adrift over seven weeks in the choppy Arabian Sea waters, it finally landed up Harihareshwar Beach on Thursday.
“The issue is being probed by the Raigad Police and Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad, and in view of past incidents, the police are put on high alert,” said Fadnavis.
A nagging question is how the sophisticated arms and ammunition landed on the vessel, whether they belonged to the owner/crew, the purpose of sailing with such weapons, especially since there are vital Indian offshore installations like the Mumbai High Fields, or if the weapons were dumped on board the speed-boat later after it was adrift and lost on the high seas.
It is also not clear whether the purported Australian owners, plus another person whose identity or nationality is not known, had informed the Indian maritime, coast guard or naval authorities of their speedboat which remained adrift in the Arabian Sea for at least 52 days, posing a potential maritime hazard.
Meanwhile, the state government has ordered a high alert in Mumbai, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Pune and other places as a precaution in view of the festivities on Friday.
The Neptune P2P Group said while the crew was rescued, the yacht could not be salvaged due to the extreme weather conditions, and the vessel was presumed sunk till this morning the company learnt that it had washed ashore in India (Raigad).
“Neptune P2P Group are working with the owner of the vessel and the Indian and UK authorities to determine the official recovery procedures of the vessel and controlled items,” said the company.
At least 8 killed, 45 rescued after boat sunk off Lebanon
The Lebanese Army has rescued 45 people and recovered eight bodies after a migrant boat sunk in the waters off the northern city of Tripoli…reports Asian Lite News
The Lebanese Army on Sunday said at a press conference that high waves submerged the overloaded boat, which carried more than 50 people.
Some of the rescued people were treated on the ground, while others were transferred to nearby hospitals to receive emergency medical care, Xinhua news agency reported.
Boat carrying 60 people sinks off Lebanon's Tripoli
The Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) announced in a tweet that a boat carrying 60 people has capsized in the waters off the northern city of Tripoli…reports Asian Lite News
The organisation on Saturday evening said it has sent seven ambulances to the port of Tripoli to help in the rescue process, Xinhua news agency reported.
There is no report of casualties yet, and LRC did not identify the victims nor their destination, or the purpose of the trip.
Held at Dubai Harbour for the first time, the 28th edition of the Dubai International Boat Show features a new Dive Talks section…reports Asian Lite News
The Dubai International Boat Show treated visitors to a host of motivating and inspiring talks this weekend, with two Guinness Book of Record holders and the first Arab women to dive at the North Pole taking to the stage at the Middle East’s largest and most popular leisure marine event.
Held at Dubai Harbour for the first time, the 28th edition of the Dubai International Boat Show features a new Dive Talks section, where on Saturday Ahmed Gabr and Faisal Jawad Hashim provided insights into their respective journeys to becoming Guinness World Record holders.
Ahmed Gabr – 3x guiness world record breaker for the deepest dive
Gabr, a former officer in the Egyptian army, holds the record for both the Deepest Scuba Dive and the Deepest Sea Dive after descending to 332 metres in 2014. The 42-year-old remains one of only three people in the world to have dived deeper than 300m, meaning – as he candidly put it – “more people have been to the moon than to where I went”.
“To speak here at the Dubai International Boat Show is beautiful,” said Gabr, who also held the record until recently for the Largest Underwater Cleanup. “There’s a lot of people here from all over the world and to get the chance to speak with them and spread the message is great. I hope to come again next year and start talking about my new focus: restoring corals.”
Gabr said he will soon be looking for volunteers for a new coral restoration project, which he says could even take place in the UAE because of the country’s growing eco-tourism. “Doing it here is something we need to look at because corals are an important part of the economy of any country: fishing, tourism, preventing tides and water disasters, producing oxygen… they really are of vital importance.”
Hashim, a paraplegic since losing the use of his legs following a car accident aged 20 and Saturday’s other headline speaker, holds the world record for Fastest 10km Scuba Diving after completing the distance in five hours and 24 minutes in 2018. The Kuwaiti’s time was almost an hour quicker than the previous record holder. His message to the crowd at Dive Talks was simple: “We must improve the way we treat people with disabilities in society.”
Faisal Jawad Hashim – Paraplegic diver with Guinness World Record holder for the fastest 10km Scuba Dive
Hashim is also the organiser of the “Move To Improve” youth forum, which he says is the Middle East’s biggest show for People of Determination to demonstrate their talents. Held annually in Kuwait, Hashim – who enjoyed a strong turnout for his 45-minute presentation – revealed he hopes to bring next year’s show to Dubai or Sharjah.
“We want to show the world that people with a disability can do anything they wish,” he added. “Before my accident I had a phobia of water; now I am a rescue diver. After my accident, I was once called ‘the slowest man in the world’. Now I am the fastest man in the world underwater.”
The Dubai International Boat Show treated visitors to a host of motivating and inspiring talks this weekend
Sunday’s Dive Talks agenda features Mariam Fardous, the Saudi who became the first Arab female to dive at the geographical North Pole, as well as Yuriy Rakhmatullin, a Ukraine-born World Freediving Championships judge who has lived in the UAE since childhood.
Dubai International Boat Show ran from 9th-13th March at Dubai Harbour, the event’s Venue Host and VIP Registration Partner. For more information, visit www.boatshowdubai.com
De Antonio Yachts unveil its D50 at the 28th Dubai International Boat Show
De Antonio Yachts unveil its D50 Open and D46 Cruiser, while EVO Yachts debuted its EVO R4 unit, the newest version of the brand’s popular Evo 43…reports Asian Lite News
Three luxury yachts debuted this weekend at Dubai Harbour as part of the ongoing Dubai International Boat Show 2022 as the world’s leading brands and exhibitors raced to present their nautical handiwork to this year’s crowds at the Middle East’s largest and most-popular leisure marine event.
The 28th edition of the five-day event, which finishes on Sunday, saw De Antonio Yachts, a Barcelona-based boat manufacturer, and EVO Yachts, a brand from Blu Emme Yachts, reveal their latest vessels to the public for the first time at Dubai Harbour, the Middle East’s largest marina.
Global brands launch yachts at Dubai International Boat Show 2022
EVO Yachts, following the recent partnership announcement with regional dealer EVO Yachts Dubai, debuted its EVO R4 unit with unique interiors over the weekend. ‘Like something from a Transformers movie’, the Evo R4 is the newest version of the extensible yacht Evo 43, a fast 13m day-cruiser with sleek, sculpted contours and two Volvo IPS 650 engines.
Speaking from the show, Marcus Giltay, Managing Director, EVO Yachts Dubai, said, “The quality of visitors to our stand has been excellent and as of now we already have three to four potential buyers, which is fantastic. Dubai is the perfect platform to launch our boats as the clientele here love technology and gadgets, but also super high quality, which describes our vessels to a tee.”
Since its launch, EVO 43’s revolutionary ‘XTension’ bulwarks have sparked wide attention, opening hydraulically in less than 30 seconds to increase usable deck space by 40% and turn the cockpit into a 25sqm terrace.
Meanwhile, De Antonio Yachts launched its D50 Open, a 50ft yacht with two, three, or four hidden outboard engines and built on the award-winning D46 Open hull. With a top speed of 50 knots and a maximum power of 1800hp, the exclusive yacht provides what De Antonio Yachts claims to be unrivalled navigation efficiency.
EVO Yachts debuted its EVO R4 unit, the newest version of the brand’s popular Evo 43
The yacht can be ordered with two or three rooms, one of which can be converted into a skipper cabin and has a customisable interior layout. Similarly, the interior can include two or three bathrooms, making it a great match for each owner’s needs. A 2.5-metre saltwater jacuzzi in the bow will be the envy of all.
Elsewhere, De Antonio Yachts’ D46 Cruiser, another nautical marvel, was also launched this weekend and is aimed at the most sophisticated and demanding shipowners. The D46 Cruiser is a motorboat with a spacious deck, large aft sundecks, and a large central lounge area, all of which are sheltered by a sleek retractable roof cabin that comfortably seats up to 12 people.
The yacht has a spacious interior with one, two, or three cabins and is fuelled by powerful hidden outboard engine configurations that deliver unrivalled performance with minimal maintenance.
“The Dubai International Boat Show attracts the perfect clientele for our target market,” said Ali Batterjee, Marine Division Manager at Samaco Marine & Power Sports – regional distributor for De Antonio Yachts. “We are consecutively launching the brand in three markets, Australia, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, so being here at the central point of the three is fantastic.”
Dubai International Boat Show 2022 took place from 9th-13th March at Dubai Harbour. For more information, please visit www.boatshowdubai.com
From 100% solar-powered boats to emission-free e-foil, DIBS 2022 will present a forward-thinking, green-focused maritime and leisure future…reports Asian Lite News
Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS) is set to return from Wednesday 9th March, uniting the global maritime and leisure industry and underlining the importance of sustainability with a range of interactive features and 34 exciting launches throughout the five-day show.
Running from 9th–13th March at its new Dubai Harbour home, the 28th edition of the nautical showcase is the MENA yachting industry’s first international in-person event since the COVID-19 pandemic and will feature a high-profile, diverse collection of global marine attractions from more than 800 brands.
The official press conference for the 28th Dubai International Boat Show took place on 3rd March 2022
The show will solidify Dubai’s position as a global maritime hub with exhibitors from more than 54 countries coming together to showcase the latest maritime milestones in a region that is home to 12.6 per cent of global superyachts, the world’s second-highest fleet-to-billionaire ratio. Visitors will be able to witness global product launches from brands including Gulf Craft, Sunreef Yachts, Al Daen, Blue Gulf Boats and Al Fajer, as well as regional launches from Princess Yachts, Cranchi, Sanlorenzo and Azimut Yachts among others.
“There is no better place in the Middle East to launch our Princess X95 and Cranchi 78 than at the Dubai International Boat Show,” said Salim Tayssoun, Managing Director, Princess Yachts Gulf. “We’re bringing with us our key luxury brands: Seabob and William Tenders, in addition to welcoming Al Dhaen leisure boats in the UAE, and look forward to providing our Middle East audience with an exceptional luxury experience, and furthering our position as one of the leading luxury yacht dealers.”
DIBS 2022 will set the industry on course for a sustainable future thanks to a focus on eco-conscious product launches, as well as driving important discussions on how the industry can give back to the environment. The mega five-day event aims to align with the UAE’s zero emission targets by shining a spotlight on solutions that consider eco-conscious trends as part of its make-up.
Princess Yatchs will also have the CRANCHI 78 on display at the 28th edition of the Dubai International Boat Show
“Dubai has proven itself as a future-focused incubator of innovation and the 28th edition of the Dubai International Boat Show, a firm favourite for exhibitors, will reinforce the Emirate’s status as a driving force of the maritime and leisure industry, with many of our key exhibitors eager to enhance sustainability across the maritime industry,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President, Events Management, Dubai World Trade Centre, organisers of the event. “Dubai International Boat Show will leverage its popular influence and ongoing collaboration with local and global industry stakeholders to develop the allure of the recreational boating lifestyle and to boost marine tourism in the UAE and the region.”
DIBS 2022 gathers super yacht builders
The show’s Superyacht Avenue is set to attract the world’s most luxurious and technologically advanced vessels. Numerous superyacht builders are set to showcase their latest craft and products – including SuperYacht Builders Association members Lurssen and Oceanco, who lead a cast that also features mainstream superyacht brands such as Azimut, Cranchi, Feretti, Gulf Craft, and Princess Yachts.
A jaw-dropping line up of more than 50 floating mansions from some of the world’s leading marques, such as Feadship, Majesty and Nomad will also be on show.
Abeer AlShaali, Deputy Managing Director, Gulf Craft, said, “Gulf Craft has been present at every edition of the Dubai International Boat Show since its very first event in 1992. As our ‘home show’ we are always keen to support the event and this year is no different as we will showcase 14 boats and yachts from our Majesty, Nomad, Oryx and Silvercraft brands, as well as two exciting world debuts and the reveal of the first design concepts of a very special new superyacht. The show is an important event, not only for us as a brand but also for the global yachting industry as a whole. It puts a spotlight on the UAE – showcasing not only what the country offers in terms of marine lifestyle, but also the Government’s efforts to position Dubai as a global yachting tourism destination – something which Gulf Craft has worked closely with the local authorities to achieve. Cementing the value we see in the Dubai International Boat Show, we have chosen this year’s event as the platform to launch a year-long celebration to mark Gulf Craft’s 40th anniversary. Dubai International Boat Show will be the first of many international events this year where we will proudly display our celebratory 40th anniversary logo and mark this significant occasion.”
Middle East Yachting Conference
On 8th March as a prelude to DIBS 2022, the Middle East Yachting Conference will gather more than 100 leaders from the maritime industry who will dissect how the boating industry is working together to advance the region as a yachting hub. MEYC will discuss topics including the empowerment of women in the yachting industry, the threat of cyber-attacks to superyachts and opportunities around cryptocurrency, and will hear from experts including Chloe Zaied, CEO, Hynova and Saqr Ereiqat, Co-Founder, Crypto Oasis Sentio.
The 28th edition of the nautical showcase will run from 9-13 March at its new Dubai Harbour home
Charting a sustainable course
France-based start-up SeaBubbles will use DIBS 2022 to introduce its new-generation, urban hydrogen flying boat, the SeaBubble H2, the sustainable transport alternative in waterways, marine zones, and protected areas. Meanwhile, Sunreef Yachts, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of luxury sailing and power multihulls, is showcasing its Sunreef80 Eco, which combines electric propulsion, superyacht living spaces, reliable sailing performance, and the industry’s latest green technologies to create a luxurious yet wholly eco-responsible craft.
“We always look to the Dubai International Boat Show as a key calendar date for our business and an opportunity to connect with both regional and international visitors to further our standing in the region. We also look to the show as a platform to discover what advances the industry has made, with this edition being a return to the norm and we are expecting some fantastic launches. As a world leader in the industry and a driver of eco-friendly vessels, we’re excited to announce that our Sunreef80 Eco will be on display at the event this month,” said Francis Lapp, Founder & CEO, Sunreef Yachts.
Visiting from Italy, both Faro Boats and Azimut Yachts will also present eco-conscious offerings. The Faro 5 Solar Set is the first maritime set in the world to integrate a 100% sustainable electric boat and a solar-charging dock, while the Azimut 78 uses carbon fibre throughout, significantly reducing fuel consumption. On display in the Superyacht Zone, it is the first of the Flybridge collection and boasts a triple IPS Volvo Penta propulsion.
Also exhibiting at DIBS 2022 are SiFly, the innovative e-foil developer led by Alexander Bachev, a professional kitesurf hydrofoil racer campaigning for inclusion at the 2024 Olympic Games. SiFly has produced the world’s most user-friendly and emission-free e-foil, enabling riders to travel above the water without waves or wind. Riders can travel at up to 45kph for up to 120 minutes and leave zero wake.
Dubai International Boat Show 2022 runs from March 9th-13th at Dubai Harbour, located between Palm Jumeirah and Bluewaters Island. With 700 berths and the ability to house yachts of up to 160m in length, the Host Venue and VIP Registration Partner offers panoramic views of both the Dubai coastline and skyline, cementing the city as an international hub for the maritime sector by reuniting everyone from yachting heavyweights to diving start-ups.
On-site registration will not be available at Dubai International Boat Show 2022. Registration must be completed in advance via www.boatshowdubai.com
