These ships, crewed by more than 350, play a key role in a modern carrier group, providing missile attacks against targets on land, sea or even in the air.

BBC: News | In Depth | Military Fact Files

Ten years ago the only large yachts capable of such speeds were Whitbread round-the-world racers crewed by 12 burly sailors and even then only while surfing down a giant wave in a gale.

FORBES: Mine's Lighter

Its skipper Sean Langman reported that his boat -- crewed by sports stars including former cricketer Matthew Hayden, rugby players Phil Kearns and Phil Waugh plus surfing world champion Layne Beachley and swimmer Geoff Huegill -- had experienced several problems.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Beau Geste had finished 18 minutes and 16 seconds behind Denali, a 67-foot Nelson Marek 70 crewed entirely by amateurs, mostly Michiganders.

FORBES: Magazine Article

If agreed by the Treasury, search and rescue helicopters could be owned by private companies and crewed and piloted by civilians by 2013.

BBC: Ministers plan to privatise search and rescue