The Moorings will open a new base in Phuket, Thailand for the 2009 sailing season. The Moorings base will offer three different ways to sail from bareboat (captain yourself) sailing and power yacht charters, to their luxury crewed yacht product which is an all-inclusive vacation with a professional captain and chef.

The fleet will consist of the award-winning Moorings 4600 catamaran, and new generation powercats The Moorings 474PC and 372PC.

The new base in Phuket is located on the west coast of the Thailand peninsula and provides immediate access to some of the most beautiful cruising grounds in the world. There are over 50 islands and countless anchorages to choose from in this diverse cruising ground. It's a short cruise to Phang Nga Bay, a marine national park featuring the towering limestone islands of Koh Phanak and Koh Hong with their many caves to explore. South are the Phi Phi islands which offer undersea life with opportunities for snorkeling or diving among the numerous reefs and limestone islands.

According to Cheryl Powell, chief operating officer of The Moorings, the base is easily accessible with flights connecting from Bangkok or direct flights to Phuket from Singapore and Hong Kong. The base is located 20 minutes from the Phuket airport at the new Ao Po Grand Marina. The marina offers state-of-the-art floating docks with water and electricity available at all slips. The marina is located within 5 minutes of several resort hotels which can provide customers with a range of options for pre or post charter accommodations. The master plan for the marina village includes additional services such as restaurants, bars, retail and luxury villas to be completed over the next two years.

The Moorings will also offer the option of one-way charters from Phuket to Langkawi, Malaysia for an additional fee. This will open up a cruising ground extending 140 miles south of Phuket and will include the 104 islands that make up the Langkawi group. Arrangements must be made in advance to allow this itinerary. For more information, call 800-535-7289 or visit www.moorings.com.