Wishful Thinking in Malaysia

Datuk Wira Idris Haron, is the Chief Minister of the government of Malacca one of the States that make up Malyasia.

He has a bold plan to turn the coastal areas of Klebang and Tanjung Kling into the next 'Gold Coast'.  He plans to build marinas and make them available to visiting yachts that pass through the Straits of Malacca.

He aims to use the construction of yet more marinas to not only boost tourism but also to create an economic spin off for the local economy.  Idris told the newspaper New Straits Times that the marinas would be a private sector initiative that would be supported by government with land and other infrastructures.”   He added, “With the marinas, we would also provide services such as maintenance for their vessels, medical attention, food and beverages and also other facilities.”  

Yet marinas that have already been built along the coast lie deserted, washed away, or silted up completely.  The domestic boating market in Malaysia is non existent.  Six years ago the government set up a working group to create a local Boating License. Yet despite good intensions no license is yet available.  Without one, you cannot get boat insurance and without insurance you cannot get a bank loan to buy a boat, no matter how small.

Speaking at the launching of two catamarans built by Boat Explorer the Minister suggested that up to 3000 yachts pass through the Straits each year yet records show that numbers are far less than that.  Fewer than 100 yacht yachts over 24 metres used the Straits last year and around 750 or so much smaller yachts used the same waterway. 

J Class Ready for Superyacht Cup, Palma

Spectacularly, close racing is anticipated amongst the highly competitive J Class fleet as five of the fleet gather to battle in a J Class fleet race on the 19th June, the first time five J Class yachts have raced together in Europe for almost 70 years.

These five yachts will race against each other

• Hanuman
• Lionheart
• Rainbow
• Ranger
• Velsheda 

Then the J Class will fleet race within the main Superyacht Cup Regatta in Palma, Majorca.
 


Spectators will be able to follow the action, either on the water or around the world via the on-board live GPS tracking system, TracTrac.
 

Tracking was used on the yachts for the first time during the St Barths Bucket in March, when almost 6,500 visitors viewed the J Class fleet racing, live on the internet.  


Racing at the Superyacht Cup in Palma is organized by The Real Club Nautico de Palma (RCNP) which has immense race management experience and runs large international regattas each year.
 

Results will be calculated using the JCA handicap. and UBS are providing a commissioned trophy for the Overall Winner.  

Superyacht Industry Seminar, Malta, a Better Destination for Superyachts!

The third in the bi annual Malta super yacht seminar series, will take place in Valetta on Wednesday 11th September 2013

Content is related to super yachts in general and the Malta yachting industry in particular.

Entitled Malta, a Better Destination for Superyachts the seminar is promoted by International Superyacht Society (ISS) together with the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) and locally based Wilfred Sultana & Associates.

It features the support of Transport Malta—the regulator for all modes of transport in Malta and which has been exceptionally instrumental to promote policies in favour of the industry in the past—who, once again, is also collaborating in the Seminar's organisation.

Other sponsors include:

• Kirton & Co Ltd
• Medcomms Ltd
• Melita Marine Group
• Palumbo Malta Superyachts Ltd
• S&D Yachts Ltd.
• International Yachting Management Ltd
• Grand Hotel Excelsior

Dr. Chris Cardona, Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business—with responsibility for maritime affairs in general—will be the main speaker at the September 2013 Seminar.

A programme highlighting the topics to be presented and their respective speakers will be announced shortly. Relevant topics related to legal and fiscal incentives, refit and repair, crew training, chartering, policies shortfalls and other interrelated issues will be presented and discussed.

The seminar will now include a 30-minute open discussion by a panel of three experts who will have the opportunity to offer their topic-related points immediately following a number of presentations by guest speakers.

Classic Motor Yacht ‘Fair Lady’ completes refit in Palma

Built in 1928 by Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard, UK, the 42m Fair Lady is a classic steel hulled and teak-decked motor yacht has been a regular visitor to Pendennis over the past 20 years.

The property of a former chairman of the yard she made her initial visit in 1996 when she received a complete renovation to restore her to her former glory.

Pendennis specialises in such restorations, having worked on other classic yachts such as Adela, Shamrock V and Mariette, rejuvenating and respecting their original heritage.

Now the yards outpost in Palma has recently been completed a six month refit of Fair Lady.

This included a 5 year MCA LY1 survey which required substantial engineering work. Shipwrights carried an overhaul of the main engine and generators, accompanied by a complete maintenance schedule for all engine room equipment.

The company brought in several workers from their UK yard to work alongside local sub-contractors to complete the work. This refit was complemented by a full re-paint, for which all topside joinery was removed, refreshed and reinstalled, and overhaul of the standing rigging.

Based inside the STP facility in Palma de Mallorca, Pendennis Palma offers the complete superyacht service package, whether it be a fully project managed refit or more specific works.

Recent refit projects also include the 1992 Motor Yacht Va Bene, the 26m ketch Velacarina, with new arrivals being the small classic motor yacht Mavana and Lionheart.

Fair Lady Specifications

Built: 1928

Naval Architecture: Camper & Nicholsons

LOA: 42m

Beam (max): 6.4

Draft (loaded): 2.75m

Construction: Steel

Number of Owner/guest cabins: 8

Number of crew cabins: 7

Engines: 2 x 275 HP Deutz RAM6 428 Diesels

Flag & Class: Lloyd's Register

Asia Pacific Superyachts Phuket Expands Headquarters

They already have offices covering Andaman Islands & India, Bali & Indonesia, Borneo, Hong Kong, Koh Samui, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Singapore, Seychelles and Sri Lanka but now AsiaPacific Superyachts has moved into purpose built offices as it expands.

Phuket is growing”, reports General Manager GordonFernandes: “We have moved in preparation of the exciting times ahead as more yachts discover the amazing cruising available here in South East Asia.”

The new Asia Pacific Superyachts Phuket headquarters will support the growing number of visiting yachts and new marinas being built to meet the increased interest from the yachting industry.  Phuket, is a great year-round destination with amazing cruising and sailing opportunities.

While the new offices offer increased facilities and staff to service their clients, Gordon notes the company will continue to keep their APS office at the Yacht Haven Marina, central to all the yachting activities in Phuket, Thailand.

Recently relocated from Patong to the new larger premises, the purpose-built main office provides extra facilities and the finest of services to visiting and resident Superyachts. “Our brand new expanded offices will allow the company to grow; we were running out of space in the old Patong office and we need to expand our charter and crew placement services. New staff are being recruited to support our new office which has been designed to feature extra conference, meeting and video conference facilities – all of which will make it easier for our clients to communicate to us and for our company to support our clients’ needs”, comments Gordon.

The Phuket office has over 20 years combined experience in the superyacht industry led by the highly experienced GM Gordon with Thai owner, JoJo, providing a special relationship link with Phuket Customs, Immigration and Harbour departments.

Superyachts of various sizes have been coming to Phuket for over 15 years, a major destination for yachts visiting the Indian Ocean. Basing their yacht in Phuket for the season, APS Phuket sets forth an itinerary with provisioning and all arrangements for Superyachts cruising to areas such as Myanmar (Burma), the Andaman Islands and beyond.

While in Phuket, the island now boasts three marinas where superyachts can berth along with numerous anchorages while owners and their guests, captains and crew hugely enjoy the paradise island of crystal clear blue waters, stunning beaches, lush tropical ambience and world class onshore entertainment.

Super Yacht Crews Can Learn from Cargo Ship Foundering

Captain Adrian McCourt is a super yacht manager and is the man who heads up Watkins Superyachts.  He is an old fashioned sailor the type who believe in learning from the mistakes of others and from time to time he issues memorandum that the Captains of the yachts he manages can learn from.

The latest is the MAIB investigation report that has been published following the structural failure and foundering of the general cargo ship Swanland in the Irish Sea on 27 November 2011 with the loss of six crew.

Swanland was a typical small, hard-working general cargo ship working in the scrag end of the bulk cargo market where financial margins are tight. The events leading up to her loss arguably accumulated over the 34 years of her service life, as well as her original design and construction.

Her revenues were low and had been further diminished by the recent downturn in the shipping industry. Indeed, Swanland had been making a financial loss for some time and her owner had only continued to operate her in the hope that the market would eventually improve.

Nevertheless, Swanland was subjected to the standard regulatory framework laid down by the IMO and, at the time of the accident, she was certified as complying with all applicable statutory requirements.

The vessel had recently been inspected by her flag state, her classification society and her managers, and had undergone numerous PSC inspections; no significant concerns had been raised about her condition or operation.

Despite this, she was structurally unsound and the survey process has let this crew down badly.  It is unlikely that there are too many owners of large yachts chasing non-IACS classification societies for an easy survey regime, and the construction of large yachts would not normally result in such rapid loss of structure and subsequent rapid loss.

McCourt suggests "The Master and crew cannot be criticised too heavily for their actions on abandonment, but some lessons can be learned by the super yacht crew. Seagoing vessels rarely founder in fine weather and drills will generally lack the harsh reality of abandonment in filthy weather in winter.  Understanding the correct donning and fastening of immersion suits and lifejackets is essential."

The Pomorskie Rendez-Vous in Gdansk

Inspired by this year's edition of the, Hainan Rendez-Vous, held in Sanya, China Francis Lapp, President of Sunreef Yachts, decided to create a similar event in Gdansk on a local scale gathering the best of the luxury available on the Polish market.

The result was named the Pomorskie Rendez-Vous and it was held at the Hilton Hotel Gdańsk located in the charming old town of Gdansk just a ten minute drive from the Sunreef shipyard.

Held under the patronage of the President of Gdańsk, Mr. Paweł Adamowicz, and the Marshal of Pomerania, Mr. Mieczyslaw Struk, the event began with the official christening of the new Sunreef 70 Roleeno, and she became the centre of attention throughout the evening.

The event brought together some of the most powerful local and foreign business, people, along with well-known Polish personalities and media although we were not invited!

This first edition is said to be just the beginning of a series of Pomorskie Rendez-Vous that will be held in Gdańsk every year. It is expected to grow as intensely as the luxury market in Poland is clearly doing.

The program also included the presentation of:

• Sunreef Yachts with its luxury catamarans
• Galeon with its range of sport and cruising power boats
• Delphia Yachts with its range or sailing boats.

In addition, the event displayed luxury car brands like Ferrari and Mercedes Benz and hosted a fashion show with the latest Autumn/Winter 2013-14 collection from the most fashionable Polish fashion house La Mania.

Additional attractions were provided by the other event sponsors and partners presenting their best products such as:

• Luxury bags
• Champagne
• Cigars
• Helicopters

Hilton Hotel Gdansk provided its best of molecular fine dining accompanied by live music from the trendiest artists. The evening concluded with a spectacular fireworks display on the Vistula River.