The first woman to sail solo non-stop both ways around the World celebrated in style on the River Thames on the 2nd March. With the high seas behind her Dee Caffari sailed her yacht Aviva into London to celebrate her new World Record. Livett’s Launches worked with Aviva Ocean Racing to organise the home coming employing some of the UK’s most World famous locations.
“We were delighted to be able to assist the team at Aviva organise a spectacular home coming celebration for Dee. We are fortunate to be surrounded by some of the World’s most famous landmarks,” commented Chris Livett, Managing Director of Livett’s Launches.
Livett’s Launches have coordinated the majority of London’s most spectacular and complex water based filming stunt sequences. So far Livett’s have been busy in 2009 providing Marine Coordination services to Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes in Liverpool, Selsey and Chatham, as well as many smaller promo and filming productions on the River Thames in London.
The coverage of Aviva commenced at the Thames Barrier with Livett’s camera boats and hospitality boats escorting the yacht up the River Thames into London. The main locations for the celebrations were centred around the spectacular Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, New City Hall and the Tower of London.
Chris provided the ultimate location for the champagne and canapés in the form of the chic and contemporary motor vessel Erasmus. The boat remained moored at Butler’s Wharf Pier throughout, a mere 100m from Tower Bridge! The boat and pier were alive with media. Meanwhile the yacht Aviva sat illuminated majestically just across the river.
Livett’s hosted the yacht between 26th February and 5th March.
For 2009 Livett’s Launches are supporting The Ellen MacArthur Trust, helping children with cancer, leukaemia and other serious illnesses through sailing. Please see www.livettslaunches.co.uk for more information.
Dee Caffari celebrates on the River Thames in London Chris Livett ensures the safe navigation of the Yacht Aviva
Aviva sails into London Later in the evening Aviva illuminated for the party
Select the following link to watch the National TV News Feature filmed from the boat 'Lima Lima II' navigating ahead of Aviva in the above image: History Making Yachts Women...
Read Dee's diary entry and see her pics: Dee Caffari - Home at Last!
From: Anne Marie Wood
Sent: 04 March 2009 13:46
To: Chris Livett
Cc: Andrew Roberts
Subject: Thank you from Aviva Ocean Racing!
Chris,
On behalf of the whole team we would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ for all your help ensuring Monday’s event ran smoothly. The logistics were far from straightforward and, without your experience and advice, we might well have come - in technical terms - ‘a cropper’! Our sponsor, Aviva, were delighted to see their yacht come up the Thames (thanks for organising a bit of sunshine at the right time too!), and pass under Tower Bridge for their staff and supporters to see. The evening on Erasmus was also a great success – and we have had some wonderful words of feedback from our guests.
Please can you pass on our gratitude to your team.
With kindest regards,
Anne Marie
Anne-Marie Wood
www.avivaoceanracing.com
On 16th February 2009, Dee Caffari completed the gruelling 2008/2009 Vendee Globe, finishing in a fantastic 6th position. In completing this race Dee set her second world record, by becoming the first woman to sail single-handed, non-stop around the world in both directions.