Super Yacht Operations Director Appointed

New Man at the Top

Heading the Yacht Management team for Large Yacht Solutions at offices in London,

Barcelona and soon to be opened Ft Lauderdale, Derek Smith is the company’s newly appointed Operations Director.

He brings with him a wealth of experience and 11 years of yacht management expertise specialising in statutory coding, safety and quality systems.

Smith trained as an Marine Engineer with Ellerman City Lines, and served as Chief Engineer on a number of yachts including; Beatriz Of Boliva, Orejona, Rosenkavalier, Lands End and Invader

In addition to his involvement with the Cayman Islands Shipowners’ Advisory Council - Yacht Committee (CISAC-YC) as the inaugural Chairman, Derek will continue to provide support to the MYBA Management Committee, where he has been an active member responsible for liaising with the USCG and MCA HeliDeck Training Working Group

Armani Label Super Yacht

Super Designers Super Yacht up For Sale

Mariu, the iconic yacht commissioned for and interior designed by Giorgio Armani is up for sale and has had the price reduced to €19,950,000.  The 50 metre yacht was built in Italy by Codecasa in 2003 and is reportedly well maintained and incorporating the latest technology following an extensive refit during 2008.

• Quantum Zero Speed Stabilisers     
  
• Kalediscape/AMX AV System
  
• Wireless VSAT broadband
  
• Lloyds Special Survey
  
• Guest Elevator
  
• 12 Guests in 6 cabins 
  

Sailing Super Yacht Heads for Superyacht Cup

Dardanella and Tenaz alongside each other in dry dock  

Next Stop Palma

The 40 metre Dubois sloop Tenaz has left the Pendennis yard in Falmouth and is heading to the Mediterranean for a full season of racing.  She will be in action at the Super yacht Cup crewed by a team drawn from both the yard and the owners crew a along with a few special guests. The newly refurbished yacht is also being considered for charter throughout the summer in the Mediterranean and the winter in the Caribbean.

Originally launched by the yard back in 1996 she was put to good use on the racing circuit.  Following an extensive world cruise with her new owner and his family, it was decided to bring the yacht back to Cornwall so those that built her could make her better than new again.  Taking advantage of the yards history with the yacht the original new build project manager was assigned the task of, in the words of the owner “putting the yacht back to how she was when launched”.

This involved a top to bottom, interior and exterior repaint, refurbishment of the teak decks, general interior re-touching, main engine exhaust rebuild, maintenance and updating of rigging and systems and general electrical and mechanical refurbishment.

Following the completion of the refit the owner commented “We have been very impressed with the Pendennis commitment to quality and to supporting their owners. We first started working with them when we were in Thailand and Malaysia where they flew staff out to assist us with some issues we had. Also in Singapore one of the engineers who worked on Tenaz when she was being built flew in to help with a steering issue. This focus on customer satisfaction coupled with the continuity of their staff made bringing Tenaz back home the natural choice.

Super Yacht Destination

Hilton Opens Iru Fushi Resort & Spa in the Maldives

Complementing the award-winning Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and forming part of Hilton’s strategy to become the number one hotel group in the Maldives the Iru Fushi resort is just waiting to hear its first splash from the anchor of a super yacht

Located in the pristine Noonu Atoll, a new area of development within the Maldives, the 52 acre hideaway offers guests a wealth of accommodation options. Ranging from individual beach villa hideaways with private beach cabana and pool, to water villas with private Jacuzzis, as well as exclusive retreats deep within the tropical vegetation and over the lagoon; all villas feature state-of-the art fittings including signature i-spa baths with water-jets and ipod connections!

Enhanced restaurant and private dining options, a range of new holistic spa therapies, new adults-only and family areas as well as access to new dive sites and water-sports within the Maldives, ensure it will cater for visiting super yachts

http://www.hilton.co.uk/maldivesirufushi

65 Metre Super Yacht Launched by Feadship

Traditional Feadship Motor Yacht Launched in Holland

Trident a traditional looking three decked 65 metre twin screw super yacht, steel hull and aluminium superstructure has been launched at the Van Lent Yard in Kaarg

With an interior and exterior styled by Donald Starkey and naval architecture by De Voogt, she retains all the essential design elements that have made the Feadship brand name so sought after.

Her accommodation offers a full beam master stateroom, five further double cabins with the twelve guests being looked after by a crew of up to eighteen.

Her Starkey interior uses exotic woods and marbles with combinations of white washed and high gloss finishes.

For fun the yacht carries two 22’ tenders, wave runner, jet-ski, kayaks, laser, and complete sets of dive gear.

Specifications

Length overall:                         65.22m

Beam max:                                 11.50m

Draught:                                     3.40m

Fuel capacity:                            148,000 litres

Fresh water capacity:               29,000 litres

External Styling                        Donald Starkey Design

Naval Architect:                        De Voogt Naval Architects

Interior Design:                        Donald Starkey Design 

Main engines:                            2x MTU 16V4000M60R

Output:                                       1400kW @ 1600 rpm

Propellers:                                  2x Wärtsilä Fixed pitch 5-bladed propellers

Reduction gears:                        ZF

Stabilisers:                                  Naiad Marine/ zero speed stabilisation

Air conditioning:                        Heinen & Hopman

Entertainment system:             Van Berge Henegouwen 

Generators:                                 3x MTU 8V2000M50A 308ekW 

Main electric system:                400/230 VAC/50 cy

Shore connection:                      400/230 VAC/50 cy/150 kVA

Max. speed:                                 16 knots

Range:                                          4700 NM

Compliancy:                                MCA

Classification:                             Lloyd’s X100 A1, SSC, Yacht (P), Mono, G6, LMC, UMS, SCM, EP

Potential Super Yacht Business Generated by Turkish yards

Outward Trade Mission to Turkey deemed successful

Sixteen British companies were last week lead on a guided tour of six Turkish superyacht yards in the Tuzla region by Superyacht UK (SYUK), one of the BMF’s flagship associations and supported by UK Trade & Investment (UKT&I),

Organised following discussions at the 2009 Meet the Buyer event at the London International Boat Show in January, the mission could reap significant benefits by exploring new export areas for the British firms

Potential business opportunities for the UK based companies were laid out at the Turkish Yards including opportunities to tender for new build projects, the chance to present new technological advances and one to one meetings with senior representatives.

The yards featured included:

• Yildiz Perini
  
• RMK Marine
  
• Dunya Yachts
  
• Proteksan Turquoise
  
• Numarine
  
• Noble Yachts
  

Caribbean Sailing Regattas

Rolex Names the Dates for Caribbean Regattas

2010 will mark the 37th running of the St. Thomas Yacht Club's International Rolex Regatta.

The regatta is the oldest uninterrupted sporting event in Rolex's global portfolio and is scheduled for three days, beginning Friday March 26, and ending Sunday, March 28th

The Regatta will again offer a blast of good racing on the water and fun ashore for local and visiting teams from the U.S. and Europe. 

The club welcome all types of boats, many of which sail under the CSA (Caribbean Sailing Association) rule.

To accommodate some of the larger IRC and CSA boats at marina facilities, the 2009 event rolled out a complimentary berthing offer at Yacht Haven Grande and American Yacht Harbor, which are managed by regatta sponsor Island Global Yachting.

The offer, along with the yacht club's concierge-like service for assisting teams with logistics, will again be available for the 2010 event.

Super Yachts and Ports of Registration

What’s in a Name?

Having posted news about the super yacht C2 reminds me that the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry has a while ago announced two new ports of registry; Bloody Bay and The Creek, as alternatives to George Town.

Both ports are located on the smaller sister islands of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, in the group but the administrative office, in Grand Cayman will continue to undertake all the administration related to the new ports.

The stated reason is so that the registry is seen to be more accommodating to the desires of yacht owners and this would include the ability to have the same name registered at each of the three ports, something that could prove useful where an owner wants to call his yacht with a name already given to a yacht registered in George Town.  

Office comedians here however where however, quick to point out that it also opens up a whole new raft of naming possibilities such as a yacht registered in Bloody Bay being called Take Me To The or the yacht named Up that could registered in the other port.

Any one else got any amusing names?

Mystery Super Yacht

First Shots of Super Yacht C2

Spotted for the first time is the 78 metre motor yacht whose stern is adorned with the name C2.  She was photographed off the island of Ile St Honorat the smaller of the two Iles de Lerins that lie off the coast of Cannes.  Her Captain acknowledged a radio call from the French authorities stating his yachts name was C2 rather than C squared.  Other than that very is little is known of the blue hulled motor yacht that was built as Project Blue Sky at Abeking & Rasmussen in Lemwerder, Germany and launched in November of last year.

Her American owners have clamped down on all information and have prohibited the yard and the yachts designers from issuing any information to the public.  Reymond Langton Design is acknowledged as the designers of this and her part sister yacht Eminence who is also on the Riviera and was seen yesterday inside Port Vauban Antibes.  Andrew Langton of the designers confirmed his firm was the stylists responsible for the exterior of the yacht for the shipyard, but said, “The interior was designed by the owner's personal designer whom we do not know. We were not involved with the build andI know from the yard that this is an extremely confidential project.”

The yacht is registered in The Creek one of two new ports of registration issued as alternatives to George Town permitted under a new ordinance from the government of the Cayman Islands.

If you can shed any light on this mystery yacht do please leave a comment

Sparkman & Stephens Super Yacht for Sale

Top Ocean Racer For Sale

Tempest the historically special ocean racing super yacht designed by Sparkman & Stephens has been placed on the market and is for sale.

One of the largest and fastest sailing yachts of her time, Tempest was built in 1974 by Palmer Johnson and became a legendary ocean racer.

After an extensive life of ocean racing, she was completely rebuilt by Holland Jachtbouw B.V. in the Netherlands in 2000 after which she retained all the beauty and added the comforts of a new modern performance cruiser.

She remains a very fast and seaworthy yacht, proven in several crossings and the winning of the last Transatlantic race in 2005.

The pictures show Tempest with a blue hull. In 2009 an extensive maintenance upgrade was executed in the Netherlands, and the hull colour returned to the original Oyster white with red boot top and antifouling.

Available through Hoek Brokerage the yacht is lying in Amsterdam

• Year: 1974
  
• Current Price: €1,950,000 Tax Not Paid
  
• Located In Zaandam, Netherlands
  
• Hull Material: Aluminum
  
• Engine/Fuel Type: Single Diesel
  

Super Yachts Visiting Montserrat

62 % Increase in number of visiting yachts

Following a specifically targeted marketing campaign, the Montserrat Tourist Board has released figures indicating that the yachting sector has seen a 62 percent increase in yacht arrivals since 2005.

In real terms this means that calls by yachts are up from 219 yacht arrivals in 2005, where in 2008 they reached 354 yachts, bringing a total of 1,840 passengers to the island.

Despite a decline in stay over and day trip arrivals that are a result of limited air and sea access to the island, the board continues to actively pursue niche tourism markets specifically super yachts in order to solidify Montserrat as a viable port of call and eco tourism destination.

Efforts to promote the island as a yachting destination include advertisements in the annual Antigua Marina Guide and a strong presence during the annual Antigua Boat Show and Sailing Week.

Yachtsman and small craft owners can call at the Port of Little Bay, an area where a full service marina is planned in conjunction with the development of a new town center.

Immigration information and downloadable customs forms are available on the tourist boards website.

Captains seeking to use these forms can get them by visiting: http://www.visitmontserrat.com/admin/file-manager/Yachting-Information-and-Customs-Clearance-form.doc

Super Yacht Builder delivers Special Operations Craft

Builder Launches New 25 Metre Special Operations Craft

The first of two MKV Special Operations Craft has been launched for United States Marine, Inc. (USMI) of Gulfport, Mississippi, USA for Naval Sea Systems Command, (NAVSEA).

The first craft will undergo dock and sea trials leading to a July delivery. The second is to be launched and completed in August 2009 and delivered later to NAVSEA in September. The two craft will eventually be used by the Bahrain Navy through a US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.

The aluminium hull, deck and cabin top are built by a sub-contractor Trinity Yachts at their New Orleans facility. These sections are then transported to USMI's facility in Gulfport for final assembly, outfitting, painting, sea trials and delivery.

The design is owned jointly by USMI and VT Halter and is part of an original contract awarded in 1990's for USSOCOM.  With an overall length of 25 metres and a beam of 5.3 metres the 57 ton displacement vessel draws just 1.5 metres. Propulsion is provided by two MTU 12V396TE94 engines each driving Rolls Royce 50SII Waterjets, providing a cruise speed of 25 - 35 knots and a maximum speed of 45 plus knots.

The lightweight craft provides seating for 5 crew and up to 16 passengers, all in shock mitigating seats.  The boat will carry tactical radio, Navigation, Communications and Ship Control in an Integrated Console. There is a stern ramp for rapid deployment and recovery of AVON F470 boats. Armament includes a MK38 25mm Weapon System aft with 4 additional Gun Stations that can accommodate M2HB .50 Cal or M60/M240 Machine Guns.

USMI, which employs over 200, specialises in the construction of high-performance, special mission capable boats for military and other agency use.  The company also produces the Special Operations Craft Riverine (SOC-R) and the Naval Special Warfare Rigid Inflatable Boats (NSWRIB's) that have seen extensive use by the U.S. special operations forces in the fight against terrorism.

Could this be the ultimate Super Yacht

What maybe one of the worlds most unusual passenger carrying craft is about to be sold.  Described as being in mint condition the 4 year old catamaran hulled vessel is powered by twin 125 hp Cummings diesels and her vendors plan to show her to would be buyers at an open day on 30^th May in St Petersburg Florida.

Those in the market to buy Americas only floating church for around US$625,000 should not miss the occasion.  Floating Chapel as the boat is called is for sale with or without the business it serves because the current owner is retiring.

The sales particulars list a Cathedral ceiling and stained glassed windows as being among the vessels attributes.

The Floating Chapel on the Bay offers multiple services including:

• Weddings
  
• Renewal of Vows
  
• Commitment Ceremonies
  
• Baby Dedication Ceremonies
  
• Christenings and Baptisms
  
• Memorial Services
  
• Church Group Gatherings Anniversaries and Celebrations
  

Dealing with Piracy the Russian View

Maritime News Clippings e-zine reports that:-

Russia to hand over captured pirates to 3rd party

Pirates seized by the Russian Navy will be transferred to a third party, the first deputy defense minister said according to RIA Novosti. "In accordance with existing law, pirates seized by Russian naval forces during patrols will be transferred to a third party," Col. Gen. Alexander Kolmakov said, without specifying which country might accept the pirates.

Twenty-nine suspected pirates were taken on board a Russian warship last month after carrying out an unsuccessful hijack attempt on a Liberian-flagged and Russian-crewed tanker. Russia has found it difficult to find a country willing to take the detainees, and a deputy to the prosecutor general said last Tuesday that Somali pirates could be prosecuted under Russian laws.

Alexander Zvyagintsev said that since Somalia did not have an effective government "it is senseless" to hand pirates over to Somali authorities. He said that pirates operating off Somalia were holding 17 ships and about 300 hostages.  Zvyagintsev added that pirates received $120-150 million in ransom in 2008, which enabled them to buy more sophisticated facilities for attacking merchant ships. President Dmitry Medvedev earlier urged Russian prosecutors to discuss with their foreign colleagues the possibility of creating an international piracy court.

Somali pirates have stepped up attacks on merchant ships in the Gulf of Aden, seizing vessels and kidnapping crews, receiving millions of dollars in ransom. Naval forces from at least a dozen countries have been involved in anti-piracy operations off Somalia. Media reports earlier said Russia had no agreements with regional nations that would allow it to hand over the suspects. Russia has no diplomatic mission in Somalia, where most of the detainees come from. Moscow is entitled under a United Nations Security Council resolution to take the suspects to Russia for trial. The United States has already taken legal action to prosecute a suspected Somali pirate in New York. Piracy is punishable under Russian law by a prison term of between five and 15 years, and a fine of 500,000 roubles (US$15,000). Experts say, however, that establishing pirates' identity and proving the attempted attack in a court of law could be difficult.

Storms Delay Australia Super Yachts Show Opening

Delayed Boat Show Declared Successful

The 21st Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show has closed after a successful weekend in Australia on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

The Show attracted 406 exhibitors with at least 105 world and Australian marine product releases.

The Show opening was postponed from Thursday when unexpected strong winds and heavy rains developed on Wednesday evening. Wind gusts of up to 117km per hour were recorded on the Gold Coast. A state of emergency was declared in the region on Wednesday evening. Exhibitor setting up and construction of the event was as a result delayed.

The show featured three large pavilions including an expanded and enhanced Super Yacht pavilion plus marina displays and hardstand exhibits from:

New Zealand

USA

Taiwan

Italy

With many Australian companies showcasing boats and products from:

USA

Canada

Europe

Asia.

Cruise Ship Becomes Private Yacht

Yacht Broker Sells Cruise Ship

The Super Yacht world is becoming used to crossover encounters with the commercial world of shipping with many merchant navy crews taking up appointments as Captains and Engineers serving aboard superyachts but perhaps the commercial world is not yet ready to learn that a yacht broker has sold a cruise ship to a client and that it is about to become a Royal Yacht for a prominent Middle Eastern family.

The ship in question is the Hebridean Spirit former flagship of the troubled Hebridean Cruise line, which has been placed into receivership with Ernst Young.  Ship brokers realising that this small passenger ship, number six of eight built for and operated by Renaissance might be of interest to yacht owners contacted Michael White of Ocean Independence to see if he might know of where they could sell a ship in what was to be effectively a Fire Sale.  Michael had between 15 and 20 clients who could if they wanted to buy the ship and had at some stage expressed an interest in acquiring such a vessel.  Of those he contacted, one immediately showed interest within 24 hours.  This was followed up by ship visits with surveyors in Capetown and by the time the ship finished what was to become her final cruise into the Seychelles she had been all but sold. Three days after the last passenger had walked down the gangway and less than four weeks after first hearing of the potential, Michael White had sold the ship into private yachting.

Changing to the Red Ensign and registered in Bermuda the yacht was then renamed Sunrise and remained under the command of her British Captain Brian Larcombe a life time sailor who gained his initial pre sea training at HMS Conway in the nineteen sixties.  The ship remains commercially registered and will be managed from now on by the yacht management division of Ocean Independence from their management offices in Zurich. 

Super Yacht Industry Supplier provides Positive Spin

Plenty to be Positive about says Fastmount fixings boss

In New Zealand company director Gregg Kelly with the fixings manufacturer Fastmount says there’s still plenty to be positive about in the current economic climate. “In these challenging economic times, we have had our best year to date, with turnover up markedly on the prior year,” he said adding “We’ve achieved this by developing new products for superyachts along with the aviation and recreational vehicle markets, focusing on prompt servicing of customers, introducing new products last year with more to come this year, and bringing these rapidly to market by having in-house R&D and testing. “Having a strong marketing plan and an excellent team of agents and distributors in key countries to roll these products out rapidly has also paid dividends.” Fastmount’s presence is growing in 40 countries and Kelly says this gives them an immediate feel for the status of the marine industry in each of these areas. “As a business we have the unique advantage of gaining sales in the harder times, finding that while there may be less new builds of superyachts, there are far more getting refit work done – and this normally involves using Fastmount panel mounting systems!” Fastmount has managed to prosper by maintaining very low overheads, says Kelly.

The company has continued to manufacture in New Zealand, despite temptations to move into a cheaper and more mechanised construction bases.  It has done so in order to maintain efficient stock control, build on its strong website and effective B2B online ordering system.  The company believes that by maintaining a strong presence in its core customer areas (namely Europe) with directors spending 3 or 4 months each year based there is also important.  They use that time for the training of agents and distributors and use the opportunity to introduce new products to key companies. Kelly says, “This gives us great feedback and allows an understanding of our customers’ needs clearly. While we have no illusions that the next 12 month “If your company can take a three- year perspective, if you have your fundamentals under control and you can look beyond the current crisis, you’re far more likely to be among the businesses that prosper and succeed when your competitors may falter.” 

Additional Routes for Transporting Yachts

Latest new route from North America to the Eastern Mediterranean

With the increasing number of yacht exports from the U.S. to other regions across the globe, Yacht Path Marine Group have added additional routes to satisfy the need for transporting yachts to the cruising destinations. The latest is a new route from North America to the Eastern Mediterranean.

The company’s first sailing to the Eastern Mediterranean took place in early April 2009, departing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. to Saint Thomas, USVI; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Genoa, Italy; and then onto Marmaris in Turkey.”

With sales of new and used boats to U.S.-based owners down because of the struggling economy, causing an increase in inventory and a reduction in prices, more US built yachts are being shipped are going to buyers in Europe, where a currency exchange rate in favour of the euro has boosted their buying power of American yachts.  This buying trend, along with those bound for seasonal cruising grounds, is what initiated the additional routes.

Yacht Crew Hours of Work Clampdown

MCA to get Tough on Hours of Work Regulations

As part of their work towards tackling seafarer fatigue MCA surveyors will be taking a critical look at the hours-of-work/rest records during surveys and inspections to ensure legislation is being adhered to. Anyone found failing to meet safety standards can expect the Agency to take prompt and tough action

As part of their work with the industry and seafarer unions to develop a coherent strategy to reduce seafarer fatigue, the MCA will:

• Emphasise enforcement of working time regulations;
  
• Seek international recognition of the problem of fatigue at sea; and
  
• Seek a cultural shift over the longer term so that excessive working hours are no longer acceptable.
  

Peter Cardy, Chief Executive of the MCA said

"Our targets are challenging but practical, and reflect my wish to work with the shipping and fishing industries to improve standards of safety. Seafarer fatigue is well known to be the root of many accidents at sea, and fishing still represents one of the most dangerous occupations within the UK. MCA staff are dedicated to improving safety standards and the high level of professionalism that exists through the Agency is envied world wide. My role is to lead the Agency as we work in partnership to deliver measurable and substantive improvements to these industries that we care so passionately about.  Our inspections will check safety standards and we will not hesitate to take enforcement action where necessary."

Fort Lauderdale brokers sell Super Yacht Aghassi

Christensen Super Yacht Sold

Proving again that the super yacht sales market remains buoyant comes news that brokers Gregg Morton and Steve Doyle at Northrop and Johnson have sold Aghassi a tri-deck motor yacht with notable cruising abilities. A tribute to the Christensen legacy, her 5 staterooms accommodate 10 guests and crew. She is fully MCA compliant and well maintained yacht.

Vitruvius 50m super yacht

First Views of Picchiotti-Vitruvius 50m super yacht

The hull of the new Picchiotti-Vitruvius 50m super yacht was spotted as it was moved from the main square of Cantieri Navali Beconcini to one of the three fitting out sheds situated in front of the Gulf of La Spezia

The transfer was made by the yards new 820 Ton travel-lift for very large yachts.

This is the first motor yacht sold by the Perini Navi Group, and is currently under construction with deliverery scheduled for next spring.

A second Picchiotti has been recently sold: The Vitruvius Explorer 55m, will be built in compliance with ice-class standards, in order to complete the North-West passage, the sea route through the Arctic Ocean, via the waterways of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.  Once again Philippe Briand is to be the naval architect for the project

This second unit will be delivered to her Owners in Summer 2011

Italian Super Yacht Launched in Viareggio

Italian super yacht builder Perini Navi has launched the 56m aluminium ketch Riela their 46th unit to be launched.

Designed by in-house naval architects together with Ron Holland, Riela, boasts an ultra-light aluminium hull with maximum displacement optimized at 545 tons.

Both masts, the 58.8m main mast and the 48.26m mizzen, are also in aluminium, while the furling boom is in carbon fibre. Total sail area is expected to reach 1,500 m².

The interiors, designed by Remi Tessier, are in a contemporary style, and uses woods such as macassar, ebony, wengè, and teak together with leather.

Riela is the seventh of the 56m sailing yachts to be launched by the yard launched. The first 56m, in 2003 was Burrasca, followed by:

• Santa Maria (now Zenji)
  
• Rosehearty
  
• Selene
  
• Salute
  
• Silvana
  

Main Features and Characteristics

Length overall 56.00 m

LWL 46.71 m

Beam (max) 11.52 m

Draught (Keel up) 3.95 m

Draught (Keel down) 9.73 m

Displacement 545 T

Speed Power 15.6 kt

Range at 13 kt 3,600 nm

Main Mast 58.80 m

Mizzen Mast 48.26 m

Class ABS: X A1 AMS Yachting Service

Compliance MCA

Naval Architecture Perini Navi / Ron Holland

Interior Design Rémi Tessier

Super Yacht Passes Through City at Night

Proof if you needed it that super yacht builder Sanlorenzo never stops work not even the night!

Here one of two hulls is brought through the town of Viareggio as it makes its way from the company’s build facility to the fitting out basin in the port.

Passing just inches away from the balconies of the houses, is the Sanlorenzo 40 Alloy close by the sixteenth-century Matilde tower, in Viareggio, on the banks of the Burlamacca canal. 

The two superyachts will be delivered to their owners in the Spring 2010.

More Pictures below

More Pictures of San Lorenzo Night Move

Vibrant Curiosity Delivered

Vibrant Curiosity the yacht that was project  Y704 at Oceanco has been delivered

On schedule, the fourth in the series of Y700-coded super yachts has been delivered to her new German owners.  The 85.47m yacht Continues the sequence of deliveries that has seen the 80m Amevi and the 82m Alfa Nero, delivered in 2007, with Anastasia in 2008,

The full-displacement superyacht has a flared bow and a 14.20m beam with exterior and interior design by the Italian team of Nuvolari & Lenard. She has a contemporary exterior look and a modern interior design which can best be described as a mixture of luxury and sobriety.

Vibrant Curiosity can reach a maximum speed of 20 knots and a cruising range exceeding 5,500 nautical miles at 14 knots. Her accommodation provisions include a master stateroom with its own office and private exterior deck area with whirlpool, one VIP suite with his & her bathroom, five double suites 2 of which occupy the uppermost deck and two further double guest cabins.

Guests are attended to by a 26-member crew.

Main Specifications

·      Length overall              85.47m

·      Beam overall                14.20m

·      Maximum speed          20 knots

·      Engine                            2 x 3,492kW MTU 16V 595 TE 70

·      Output                           2 x 4,680hp /

·      Fuel capacity                284,500 litres

·      Material                        Steel hull & aluminium superstructure

·      Classification                X100 A1 SSC Yacht (P) MONO G6 XLMC UMS

·      Compliancy                   MCA

·      Naval architect             Oceanco / Azure 

·      Exterior designer         Nuvolari & Lenard

·      Interior designer         Nuvolari & Lenard

Design Firm Creates New Identity

Super Yacht Designers Bannenberg Evolve

The superyacht design firm started by the late John Bannenberg in the 1960s is to undergo a name change to reflect the way it is evolving within the superyachts industry.

Now headed by Dickie, son of the legendry designer, the firm has recently found new form with designs for the Feadship Predator and most recently the Camper and Nicholson managed Natori build by Baglietto.

As part of the process Bannenberg has changed to the name of the firm to incorporate that of Simon Rowell his business partner.  From Monday 18^th May the firm will be known as Bannenberg & Rowell Design and will continue to work from their design studios in Fulham.

Rowell, the firms creative director since 2003.  Described as fiercely creative he designed the interiors of planes, trains and automobiles before becoming involved in superyachts

Fixings Firm Fastmount Goes from Strength to Strength

In New Zealand company director Gregg Kelly with the fixings manufacturer Fastmount says there’s still plenty to be positive about in the current economic climate. “In these challenging economic times, we have had our best year to date, with turnover up markedly on the prior year,” he said adding “We’ve achieved this by developing new products for superyachts along with the aviation and recreational vehicle markets, focusing on prompt servicing of customers, introducing new products last year with more to come this year, and bringing these rapidly to market by having in-house R&D and testing. “Having a strong marketing plan and an excellent team of agents and distributors in key countries to roll these products out rapidly has also paid dividends.” Fastmount’s presence is growing in 40 countries and Kelly says this gives them an immediate feel for the status of the marine industry in each of these areas. “As a business we have the unique advantage of gaining sales in the harder times, finding that while there may be less new builds of superyachts, there are far more getting refit work done – and this normally involves using Fastmount panel mounting systems!” Fastmount has managed to prosper by maintaining very low overheads, says Kelly.

The company has continued to manufacture in New Zealand, despite temptations to move into a cheaper and more mechanised construction bases.  It has done so in order to maintain efficient stock control, build on its strong website and effective B2B online ordering system.  The company believes that by maintaining a strong presence in its core customer areas (namely Europe) with directors spending 3 or 4 months each year based there is also important.  They use that time for the training of agents and distributors and use the opportunity to introduce new products to key companies. Kelly says, “This gives us great feedback and allows an understanding of our customers’ needs clearly. While we have no illusions that the next 12 month “If your company can take a three- year perspective, if you have your fundamentals under control and you can look beyond the current crisis, you’re far more likely to be among the businesses that prosper and succeed when your competitors may falter.” 

Sales of Super Yachts Stay Bouyant

Plenty to be Positive About

The present economic conditions maybe casting shadows over the fortunes of some in the superyacht world but many in the superyacht business fraternity are brushing aside thoughts of doom and gloom along with their economy-induced woes, and are point blank refusing to let the economy slow them down.

In recent weeks Silver, the 74m, Espen Oeino designed, motor yacht built by Hansiatic Marine in Australia, has been sold by brokers working for the sales division of Yachting Partners International. The brokerage deal, believed to be the largest the yachting industry has seen since September 2008, was pulled together in record time and with minimum fuss contradicting rumours of falling sales in luxury goods and of large yacht builders filing for creditor protection. There are plenty of opportunities to be found. The 90 metre cruise liner Hebridean Spirit was on the market for less than four weeks before she was snapped up by a middle eastern buyer and converted into a private yacht. Five weeks after she went on the market he was aboard his renamed Moonrise enjoying a cruise in the Seychelles Islands.

Huisman Yard Confirms Order Book Loss

Dutch Yard Confirms Loss of Two Projects

Commenting on rumours that abound, Alice Huisman, managing director of the Royal Huisman yard has given Super Yacht News a personal update on recent developments within the yards order book saying, “Like other International companies, we have also felt the effects of the current recession by way of the cancellation of two of our new build projects, Gitana and the Windjammer Project.”

Whilst naturally disappointed, the yard is fortunate in the underlying strength of their current order book.  The 58 metre Ethereal having left the yard some months ago is now followed by the new J class yacht Hanuman which has just completed successful sea trials.

Twizzle the 58 metre sailing yacht owned by long time motor yacht owners continues to take dramatic shape whilst the 49 metre Spirit of Tradition Ketch is well advanced in her design engineering phase.  The 36.6 metre Classic Cutter Rigged Sloop follows that.

Cosmetic facelifts on both Juliet and Surama now renamed William Tai reward the yard demonstrating their endurance to the test of time.

Speaking to us Alice Huisman said, “Whilst we are naturally sympathetic toward the difficult personal and business decisions our clients have had to face a positive aspect of these changes to our order book is that we are pleased to be able to re-engage with owners, naval architects and project managers about new project opportunities with deliveries in 2012.”

Build Order Book

Hanuman

42.10m/138.11’ modern recreation of Endeavour II

Naval Architect: Dykstra & Partners   Interior:  Pieter Beeldsnijder

Twizzle

57.49m/188.62’ flybridge ketch

Designer:  Redman Whiteley Dixon  Naval Architect: Dubois Naval Architects

Interior Décor: Todhunter Earle Interiors

Unnamed Spirit of Tradition Ketch

53.75m/176’ (inc bowsprit) ketch

Naval architect: Dykstra & Partners  Interior:  Rhoades Young

Unnamed Classic Cutter Rigged Sloop

36.58m/120’ classic sloop

Naval architect: Dykstra & Partners Interior:  Rhoades Young

Refit Order Book

Juliet

43.58m/142.98’ ketch

Naval architect:  Ron Holland Designer:  Pieter Beeldsnijder

William Tai

40.68m/133.46’ ketch

Naval architect: Ted Hood Design Group

Interior:  Andrew Winch 

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East Coast Broker opens West Coat Office

Denison Yacht Sales Expands to California

USA based Denison Yacht Sales, a yacht brokerage and charter firm based on the east coast in Florida have expanded to the west coast.

Originally only in Fort Lauderdale, Florida the firm has added a waterfront office in California.  It is in the scenic Fisherman’s Village section of Marina del Rey in Los Angeles.

Bob Denison, President and owner of Denison Yacht Sales says “We have a very strong team in place, with extensive experience and contacts throughout the West Coast”

Five licensed and bonded brokers form the core of the new offices: 

·      Nereus Dastur

·      Bob Leslie

·      Gordon Passey

·      Bill Peterson

·      Paul Swanlund 

Denison sees the expansion as part of the company’s overall strategy.  He wants to position the firm for a greater market share as the economy starts to recover.