Could Superyachts Use Solar Energy

The Future of Super Yacht Power Could be Solar

Perhaps the world's largest solar powered boat with an LOA of 31m and beam 15m has been unveiled and could in the future pave the way for the ultimate in Green, Eco-friendly superyachts.

PlanetSolar, is a multi-hulled vessel that is powered entirely by up to 500 square metres of photovoltaic solar panels.

The 60 tonne craft has been built at a cost of 18 million euro ($24.4 million USD) at the Knierim Yacht Club in Kiel in northern Germany. She is due to be launched next month and undertake sea trials between June and September with a view to sailing around the world next year.

No one yet knows how fast the vessel might achieve during these trials with some claims suggesting 16 knots could be possible with other sources saying they will be happy with half of that.

What is known is that the solar panels are expected to capture 103.4 kW of solar energy yet the main engine is said to need just 20kW.

Solar covered flaps extend at the stern and amidships when the vessel is underway.

The PlanetSolar Web site suggests that 38,000 black photovoltaic cells with an efficiency of at least 22%, the highest efficiency solar cells commercially available, have been supplied by Sun Power. The site is at pains to make it clear that boats like this not intended to replace conventional watercraft,

She will be crewed on her around the world voyage by the two men whose brain-child she is; Raphaël Domjan, a 38 year old Swiss, and Frenchman Gérard d'Aboville, who was the first person to successfully row the Atlantic Ocean.

Stopovers on the east about circumnavigation are expected to include: Hamburg, London, Paris, New York, San Francisco, Singapore and Abu Dhabi.

Another New Flag for Superyachts

UAE seeks superyachts for new shipping registry

Quentin Bargate a senior partner at the London Law firm Bargate Murray reports on the first public unveiling of new UAE Yacht Regulations at the Abu Dhabi superyacht show.

He says, “This is a development of potentially great significance for owners, managers and everyone involved in superyachts. The UAE is setting itself up as a flag of convenience for superyachts - and is thus in my view throwing down the gauntlet to Cayman and other "Red Ensign" flag authorities.”

“These regulations have not yet been signed in to law but are expected to come in to force on 01 July 2010. Developed by DNV in cooperation with NAT, the new regulations will adopt a fundamentally different approach to the MCA LY2 regulations, being functionally based and applying to all types of private yacht.”

Abu Dhabi Superyacht Show Makes Slow Start

Super Yacht Show Will, in Time, Make the Grade

The second edition of the annual Abu Dhabi Yacht Show is this year being held at the newly-built Yas Marina and has got off to a slow start.

With 30 superyachts and about 140 exhibitors from around the world, organisers are expecting around 10,000 visitors to turn up a number significantly higher than the 7,000 visitors who visited the 2009 show.

The slow start may have been caused by the death of Shaikh Mubarak Bin Mohammad Al Nahyan a member of the UAE royal family who died on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi. The Presidential Affairs Ministry then declared three days for official mourning starting on Wednesday.

The British brokerage house Burgess already enjoys a well established track record throughout the Gulf Region where they have been providing brokerage, charter, new construction and yacht management services to a high profile clientele for 35 years. Following the inaugural success of the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show in 2009, the firm is exhibiting several yachts at the show including:

• Australis a striking and totally brand new 48 metre luxury motor yacht delivered by the Australian Oceanfast shipyard just weeks ago in January 2010.
• Bliink delivered in July 2009 by Cantieri di Pisa, at 41 metres (134.5ft) this "as new" Akhir 135 is one of the largest planing flybridge motor yachts on the market today. MCA compliant and ABS certified, the yacht is still under full warranties and her twin MTUs deliver a cruising speed of 25 knots and maximum speed of 29 knots. Designed to offer easy wheelchair access, an elevator connects the main and upper decks, and the striking Cristiani Gatto designed interior provides deluxe accommodation for 11 guests in 5 cabins.
• Alysia this 85.3 metre (280ft) vessel is one of the world’s most impressive yachts. With a global reputation, she offers a staggering 2,400 square metres of magnificent guest areas spread over 5 spacious decks: multiple saloons, a cinema, library, business centre, crèche, 18 staterooms for 36 guests and a spectacular spa complex located over the entire lower deck level. Additional special features include a guest lift connecting all decks, a fully certified helicopter landing platform and a well equipped dive centre. Built in 2005 to SOLAS passenger vessel specification and Det Norske Veritas classification, She delivers a range of 7,000 nautical miles at 14 knots. propositions on the superyacht market today.
• The 90 metre (296ft) Lauren L, one of the largest yachts available for charter in the world today will be available for charter viewings at the Abu Dhabi Show. This SOLAS classified vessel is one of the few luxury yachts with the capability to accommodate 40 guests in 20 luxurious suites and offers a vast array of on board facilities for both private and corporate groups.
• Platinum inspired by Benetti's successful Golden Bay custom-series, she is a 50 metre (163.7ft) motor yacht, suited for both private and charter cruising anywhere in the world. ABS classified, with zero speed stabilisers and twin MTU engines, she delivers a cruising speed of 15.5 knots and a maximum speed of 17 knots. Spacious accommodation for 14 guests is arranged in 6 richly appointed cabins (1 x master suite, 1 x VIP suite, 2 x double cabins and 2 x twins each with a pullman berth). Additional features include state-of-the-art audio-visual system throughout, a full range of tenders and water toys plus a vast open-plan sundeck complete with jacuzzi, sun pads and on deck dining.

Other yachts included the new build 65m Trident, the 62m RoMa, the 73m Silver Zwei, the 60m Linda Lou, the 67m Allure Shadow, 48m Ellix Too, 43m Le Yana and 39m Red Sapphire, and 104m Al Behar.

The exhibitor line-up includes builders, charterers, brokerage houses, marine support services, yacht registries and interior designers from the US, UK, Monaco, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the Baltic states.

Names included;

• Amels
• Burger Boat Company
• Feadship
• Fincantieri
• Trinity Yachts
• Westport

Abu Dhabi Marina developer Aldar Properties, regional vessel builders Abu Dhabi MAR Group and Gulf Craft, and yacht managers and distributors Art Marine also had stands.

Like the Monaco Yacht Show the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) is the lead sponsor for the show.

Superyacht Group Issues Pre Close Trading Statement

YCO Group Breaks Even

YCO Group plc, provider of specialist services to superyachts and the only yacht broker to be listed as trading on AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange has issued a trading update.

Whilst the broader economic climate of 2009 placed considerable pressure on the superyacht industry, the Group was able to undertake a number of initiatives focused on implementing cost efficiencies across the business whilst improving the Group structure for cross selling services. The Board is confident that these changes will lead to further sale and charter revenue opportunities. Despite the much weaker marketplace and the incurred exceptional one-off costs associated with the restructuring, the Board anticipates that it will break even for the financial period to 31 December 2009.

In addition to the considerable reduction of corporate overheads, the Board reported that it is starting to see the benefits of the restructured Group in a market place that shows clear signs of recovery. Yacht Help Group, which offers provisioning and agency services to the superyacht market, has benefited from restructuring the senior management and, as a result, its operations in both France and Spain have operated profitably in the second half of the year.

The Group announced that in the final quarter of 2009 it completed important yacht sale transactions from which it will receive the revenue benefits in 2010. The Group currently has management contracts in place with more than 50 yachts and is tendering for a number of other yacht management contracts. These contracts allow the Group to cross sell a broad range of its services ranging from crew, fuel, concierge and sales and purchase functions.

Despite a very challenging market with lower fuel volumes delivered throughout the industry, the Group continued to build market share and benefited from advantageous currency exchange rates.

The Group also announced that it had reached a settlement with a former business partner over disputed fees and accordingly is set to receive £250,000 and an additional £30,000 to cover legal costs incurred by the Group.

Commenting Charlie Birkett, Chief Executive, said:

“We are pleased to have completed a restructuring programme that has reduced our corporate overheads. We believe the business now has the right structure, management and services to continue increasing its share of the superyacht services market. This position will be further strengthened if the signs of recovery in the superyacht sale and purchase market continue. We therefore approach the future with optimism.”

Body Found may be that of Superyacht Crewmember

Missing Crewman from Super Yacht may have been found off St Johns

British Virgin Islands police say a body recovered in waters off the US VI Island St. John is believed to be that of a Polish crew member missing from the YPI managed superyacht Charisma.

Police spokeswoman Diane Drayton the corpse matches descriptions of Pawel Kwiatkowski, the 32-year-old engineer from the Baltic port city of Gdansk and that a DNA test is under way to identify the body.

Kwiatkowski was last seen Jan. 29 leaving the floating bar Willy T in Norman Island on the yachts tender.

Police would not say if they are investigating the death as suspicious. Detectives are interviewing the crew of the Bahamas-flagged yacht, which remains voluntarily in the BVI is docked at Sopers Hole on Tortola having moved there from Village Cay Marina.

At no point during the entire search and recovery process or the ensuing police investigations was the impounded or any Crew members placed under arrest.The YPI Management team recommended the yacht remained voluntarily within BVI waters throughout the last nine days to assist the Police and the Justice Department with all their inquiries, something for which the yacht has been highly praised.

Franc Jansen, Head of the Management Company handling the affair said: "As yacht managers we get to know and respect the crew members of our fleet of managed yachts. We were very much saddened first by the news of the disappearance of Pawel and now by the confirmation of his death. Out of respect for him, his mother, family and friends...and the Captain and Crew of Charisma, we vow to leave no stone unturned to discover how and why this much-liked crew member came to such an untimely death.

Dutch Superyacht Builder Opens Italian Office

It was Just a Matter of Time

After hiring a team of top yachting professionals from Italy to head up their Public Relations and Media activities it was only a question of timing before the Dutch builder Heesen opened an office in Italy

The company’s Yacht’s Sales and Marketing Director Fabio Ermetto will manage the new Mediterranean office, strategically located in the port of Viareggio on the coast of Tuscany, some 20 kilometres from Pisa Airport.

He said, “The opening of the Italian office is the first step in our development plan. In the near future we plan to open further Public Relations offices in strategic locations”.

He added, “The Mediterranean Sea is a favourite destination for the majority of our yachts and Viareggio is at the very heart of our business. A location in Via Coppino, the so-called ‘5th Avenue of the yachting industry’, is the right place to meet press, designers and brokers.” 




Super Yachts Can Rent a Private Submarine

Three Man Submarine for Rent in Aruba

Captains of superyachts cruising the waters of Aruba can now arrange to rent a submarine and pilot capable of reaching depths of 100 metres.

U-Boat Worx B.V., the Dutch manufacturer of exclusive private submersibles, has opened a new submarine center on the Caribbean island. The company hopes to build on the strong interest shown by superyacht charter guests seeking to explore the underwater world in a safe and comfortable way.

Peter de Hoop, U-Boat Worx Aruba's managing director, has this to say: "This is a wonderful opportunity to discover the underwater world in an exclusive way. You do not need a diving license and our guests can chat with each other, while enjoying a glass of champagne."

The rental price depends on what the customer wants, each dive is geared completely to personal wishes of the charter yacht guest

The submarine builder from Breda, The Netherlands, expects that the Aruba operation will open the eyes of many businessmen, wanting to apply this idea elsewhere in the world. "The business on Aruba was set up to break open the luxury tourist submarine market. By catering to tourism ourselves, we are showing third parties, such as luxury resorts, hotels and cruise companies, what the opportunities are", says Bert Houtman, founder of U-Boat Worx BV.

Taking a trip in a submersible has many advantages over regular deep-sea diving. The guests are in a dry, 1 atmosphere environment.

This means that, no matter how deep you go, there are no changes in air pressure. In this way, possible medical disorders resulting from decompression sickness that can be caused by SCUBA diving are eliminated.

The electrically powered submersible for 3 people is equipped with Lithium-Ion batteries for longer sailing times. So-called scrubbers remove Carbon Dioxide (CO2) produced by the passengers in the pressure vessel, and the oxygen used is also added automatically.

The C-Quester-3, as this submersible is called, can stay underwater for over 96 hours, in case of emergency. There are numerous accessories, such as a safety buoy, a lead weight that can be dropped off, underwater communication, an air-conditioning system, a depth sounder, sonar and optionally video and tracking systems.

Safety is guaranteed by a separate classification by Germanischer Lloyd.

Don’t Drink and Drive

Could the loss of a superyacht crew member have been averted?

The loss of a crewmember, reported missing from the superyacht Charisma, followed an evening of drinking aboard a bar floating in the Bight of Norman Island a well known anchorage in the idyllic cruising grounds of the British Virgin Islands.

As the authorities continue the search for his body the subject of drinking in bars and then leaping into small boats to get back to the yacht has once again been thrown into the spotlight.
Should local laws be tightened? Should hostelries with water access take on a more responsible role

Should crews appoint a designated driver of a tender on evenings when crews of super yachts go out for a heavy night of off duty fun ashore?

We would welcome views and comments here on this blog

Missing Superyacht Crewmember now a Police matter

Police have taken over the search for a 32-year-old missing crewman who failed to rejoin the super yacht Charisma on which he was employed as 2nd Engineer.

Pawel Kwiatkowski reportedly was last seen leaving the Willy-T in the Bight off Norman Island by tender and was reported missing to Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) the following day

A VISAR team responded to the scene, where initial queries with witnesses who last saw the man proved to be “suspicious,” said VISAR President Phil Aspinall.

“Our enquiries made it all seem a bit suspicious, so we put in a call to the police,” he said. “It’s now a police matter.”

VISAR, Marine Police and a Blue Water Divers team joined forces to comb the area above and below water, for two days of intensive searching.

Mr. Aspinall said teams have searched as far as the nearby island of St. John, including several other surrounding islands and rocky outposts.

Currently, a police investigation is underway, said Police Spokeswoman Diane Drayton.

Police are continuing to interview crewmembers aboard the mega-yacht, is currently docked at IGY Village Cay Marina.

Charisma was scheduled to leave this weekend, but likely will remain in the territory while the investigation ensues, she said.

Super Yacht Crew Member Missing

Underwater Search for Superyacht Crew Member begins

Rescuers in the BVI searching for the 2nd Engineer from the Bahamian flagged superyacht Charisma have changed from searching for a missing person and have gone into body recovery mode.

This disclosure was made by the head of the Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) Phil Aspinall.

“We will continue to dive today in the area that he went missing, but at this point in time we are just looking for recovery. My opinion is based solely on the intense searches we have done over the past few days on land and in the water,” Aspinall explained.

The missing crew member Pawel Kwiatowske from Poland has been missing since Saturday, January 30.

A police press release stated that, Charisma anchored off Norman Island, and Kwiatowske was last seen leaving the Willy Ts Bar and Restaurant at Norman Island at around 11:30 pm January 28 on a boat tender. He was discovered missing by his crew members the following morning.

VISAR along with the Police Marine Unit and a Blue Water Dive team have been searching for the 32 year-old engineer in the area of the Bight in Norman Island