Passenger Yacht Code for Large Superyachts

The superyacht industry has for some time been clamouring for a code that addresses issues for those superyachts seeking to carry more than 12 but not more than 36 passengers.

The British Red Ensign Group (REG) has over the past three years been developing a Code for the technical standards to be applied to what are now being referred to as Passenger Yachts. It has come about in response to industry’s desire to have a single reference document for the construction and operation of large passenger yachts rather than the need to follow many different sets of rules and regulations

That Code has now reached an advanced stage of development and the current draft (i.e. Passenger Yacht Code - Distribution Version 3) (PYC - DV3) is now available on the REG website at (www.redensigngroup.org).

The Code has been developed to address the difficulties in applying some of the international Convention standards (in particular the Safety of Life at Sea [SOLAS] Convention and the Load Line Convention), which were designed for merchant ships, to the present day superyacht.

Regulators are insisting that the Code in no way dilutes current Convention standards but instead provides equivalent standards and arrangements, where appropriate, aimed at addressing in a pragmatic and practical way the challenges imposed by the design operation and usage of today’s large yachts.  The Code will provide standards for both privately operated and commercially operated yachts.

After further industry consultation it is expected that the Code will be published by the REG and lodged, by the UK on behalf of the REG, with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by November of this year as the "official" REG-wide equivalent for this type of vessel.

By way of comparison, the PYC may be viewed as a natural progression, although philosophically very different, from the well adopted UK "Large Yacht Code" which sets out standards for commercial yachts over 24m, less than 3000gt and carrying not more than 12 passengers – a code that is itself being revised over the next few months.

Son of a Superyacht

A Look Alike, limousine tender that will be carried aboard a 55 metre Heesen motor yacht when launched has been unveiled.  Looking very much like its mother ship, the Vripak Limo Tender 25’ faithfully follows the lines of the Heesen’s 5500 Semi Displacement yacht drawn by Frank Laupman and currently in build for clients of Nakhimov Yachts.  Fully equipped with 2 minibars, she offers enough room for 6 people inside her enclosed cabin with additional space in the bow.

SuperYacht Business Magazine Now Available

The New Edition of SuperYacht Business magazine is now available;  Subjects include:

Gibraltar
New rules and legislation are being implemented by its government to make the Rock a premier destination

The Specialists

This edition we look at Refit Yard Managers

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Superyacht Project Presents Interesting Design Challenges

The latest project from Bill Dixon at Dixon Yacht Designs is for a repeat client who has used the designers twice before.  This time he has presented the design team with some interesting challenges.

This new 30 metre sailing yacht has to be less formal than its predecessor and more orientated towards performance.  She has to be easy to handle by a smaller complement of crew. Superyacht in specification and intent she has to retain all the attributes of comfort and seaworthiness. 

The design teams previous experience with this owner has given them a clear understanding as to his likes and dislikes.  This has enabled them to integrate his key requirements into the design at an early stage. Serious cruising, places as much emphasis on the design, comfort and functionality of the exterior, as it does on the interior, and considerable care has been taken with this yacht to ensure that protection, efficient sailing functions, and comfort are all covered. The deck area offers different social areas, from the aft deck seating, through the guest cockpit itself, to the informal seating in the foredeck tender recess.

The interior layout has been planned in conjunction with interior design team of Rhoades Young, around the split level pilothouse, which is very much a focal point of the design.  It has been designed so that the aft windows and door foldaway to provide a more cohesive living space with the guest cockpit. The owner and guest cabins are located aft with the crew forward.  Dixon believes that a carefully thought out interior plan is essential for the smooth functioning of the yacht and the pilothouse configuration on this yacht lends itself to this very well. It allows the integration of a 'serious' engine room, with full standing headroom, that makes maintenance both efficient and convenient.

The owner of the yacht has decided on composite construction for its weight and maintenance advantages; this had the added advantage of allowing the designers to exploit additional interior volume in crucial areas of the accommodation.  Weight considerations have also been taken into account with the rig for this yacht. The carbon rig and rigging reduces weight aloft and increases stability; the positive effect on stability coming without excessive draught.  The yacht is already in build at Yachting Developments in New Zealand and is due to launch in late spring 2011.

Handheld Satellite Phone could be a hit with Superyacht crews

The first global handheld satellite telephone using the Inmarsat system is now available.  The Isat Phone Pro from Global Telesat Communications will perform anywhere in the world, with the exception of the Poles, supported by Inmarsat’s global network coverage.

With the IsatPhone Pro, superyacht crew can be safe in the knowledge that years of comprehensive research, development and testing has resulted in a handheld satellite phone that works in any conditions from rain storms to searing heat or sub-zero temperatures.  Being miles from nowhere is not a problem either as the battery life is the longest in the market (up to 8 hours talk time and 100 hours standby). Other features include voicemail, text and GPS location data, and in 2011, additional email, data and fax services will be available.

The ultimate in handheld satellite phone performance also comes at an affordable price.  There are three post-paid airtime contracts available: the Standard Plan, the Allowance 20 and Allowance 60.  The Allowance Plans come with inclusive minutes to use, whereas the Standard Plan is billed depending on usage. There are no activation fees to any of the contracts, and the Standard Plan and Allowance 20 Plan have no minimum contract duration, making them unique within the satellite phone market.

A simpler alternative for many users may be the pre-paid option, where airtime can be purchased and the units stay active for an impressive two years from the chosen date of activation, unlike other networks that require more regular top ups with un-used airtime becoming void. Pre-paid call charges on the Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro start as low as £0.60 per minute – compared to prices of over £2.00 a few years ago.

Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro Specification:

Weight: 279g

Measurements: 170mm x 54mm x 39mm

Price: £500.00 ex VAT

Enhanced Security for Superyachts Against Cyber Attack

An in house merger sees two companies come together to bring an enhanced global security offering to the Monaco Yacht Show where it will be brought to the market

Selex Communications Yacht Technologies has joined forces with its sister companies within the Finmeccanica Group, who provide security, communication and defence services.  This combination of knowledge and more than a century of experience will now offer superyacht owners the same levels of security currently provided to the highest levels of Government, specialist agencies, military users and professional clients.

Speaking on behalf of the company, John Hodder, commented: “Yacht Technologies is an expert in the sourcing, implementation and integration of the most innovative superyacht technologies available in the world. This spans navigation, communication, security and entertainment systems but at this year’s show we want to showcase our enhanced security capabilities.

“Our heritage, experience and sheer buying power as a group guarantees our clients an unrivalled service. Put simply, we create the world’s most secure superyachts. Our approach is holistic, we take each client individually and identify how we can protect them and their environment. This isn’t just about technology selection but an integrated approach to detect, defend and recover.

“Due to the piracy attacks of late, most superyacht owners are very aware of the physical threats to their yacht but what they don’t seem to be quite so aware of is the very real and more likely threat of cyber attack. Many superyachts effectively act as floating offices and hold vast amounts of highly confidential data, which can be remotely hacked in a second if the infrastructure isn’t there to protect them. Unfortunately most don’t realise this until it’s too late. We want to use the show as a platform to help yacht designers, owners, captains and project managers understand the importance of security to protect assets as well as life onboard

Yacht Technologies will be officially launching this new security service on its stand in the Darse Sud tent on the first day of the show (Wednesday 22nd September 2010).

Tel Aviv to Have Superyacht Marina

The Tel Aviv district in Israel currently has two active marinas, one at the Jaffa Port and the other in Herzliya and now a third is planned.  The port of Tel Aviv was officially opened in 1938 but closed to commercial shipping some 45 years ago following the opening of the Ashdod Port in southern Israel.


About 10 years ago, the port was converted into a recreation and culture area and today it is home to more than 60 businesses in the food, fashion, health and communication industries, as well as banquet halls and clubs. A large hotel and supermarket are also planned in the area.

The plan for the port includes extending its depth, laying wharfs and rebuilding the entrance to accommodate 100 large yachts measuring up to 32 metres. Larger yachts will be able to dock outside the port.  Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz has instructed his office to have the port open within two years.

Super Yacht Phoenix 2 in Isle of Man

The 87 metre superyacht Phoenix 2 has been spotted at Douglas on the Isle of Man where she has been reported as refuelling and completing paperwork. Once these tasks have been completed the yacht will leave on passage for Gibraltar.


Yesterday she was photographed by Perrenlady a Cornish blogger who saw the yacht sailing off the Cornish coast

It's not currently known if she's a new entry on the Island's Super yacht registry, but her appearance in Manx waters only a couple of months after being launched by her German manufacturers suggests this could well be the case. Says Manx radio.

Her interior has been designed to reflect the 1930s in New York, while on deck her facilities include an outdoor cinema on the sundeck, a Jacuzzi and a heated pool.

This is the second yacht ordered by this owner from Lurssen the original Phonenix now Aurora was built in 2004 and was just 61 metres overall.  She was sold earlier this year by joint agents Edmiston and Moran who had her listed at €55 million.

Russian Superyacht Seekers Get New Website

Russian clients seeking superyachts to buy have been increasingly active in recent years and it’s essential that they are able to access current and comprehensive information on the luxury yacht market.   Now Fraser Yachts announced the launch of a comprehensive new web site, www.fraseryachts.ru, developed exclusively for their Russian clients around the world. The site constitutes the first Russian web portal in the world to be developed by a major, international luxury yacht brokerage company.

The firm has offered Russian versions of it’s brochures for a number of years and has recruited a number of Russian-speaking brokers and staff to look after the growing business from the region.

The company said, ”Whilst clients are international by nature and often multi-lingual, it’s entirely appropriate to offer our services and information in Russian”.

They added, “A company that puts its clients first should at least be able to speak to them in their own language.  Our clients from Russia have yachts under construction, under management and for sale and charter; we’re now in an even better position to meet their needs”.

Amels Sells Superyacht Fast Yacht Support Vessel

The superyacht building arm of the commercial ship builder Damen has sold the first Sea Axe 6711, a 67-metre that will be used as a fast yacht support vessel.

The as at present, unnamed vessel will be build by the groups shipyards outside Holland and is the largest vessel in their Sea Axe range, she boasts 360 square metres of exterior deck space and 140 square metres of interior deck space, and will comfortably accommodate up to 21 crew and staff.

Proving that superyacht owners are looking for higher quality, high-speed support ships is the sale by Amels of this vessel for delivery in Spring 2012.  Before that she will be customised to the requirements of the owner of the large luxury superyacht she will support.

The after end will be fitted with a helipad fully certified to MCA LY2 and be capable of supporting a large helicopter with maximum take-off weight of 5000kg.  The deck will also be finished in Bolidt the brand name for an artificial teak product.

The strangely un yacht like bow makes the vessel much less prone to slamming in big waves, and makes it possible to drive the boat fast in even the most adverse sea conditions.  Different engine configurations are available, it is not yet known what engines this yacht will be fitted with but if speed is of the essence, then this model is capable of delivering up to 25 knots of boat speed.

As owners become ever more adventurous and inventive with the way they use their superyachts, so the need for a reliable Fast Yacht Support vessel increases. Yachts like these are not only large, but versatile in there capacity to serve the mother ship. They can operate as a scout vessel for anchorages finding suitable sites for fishing and diving expeditions.  The sea-keeping qualities of the design contribute to a stable platform for safe helicopter take-off and landing.

Other options in the range are the smaller 3707 and 5009 models, all available in customised configurations.

56 Metre Superyacht Launched by Perini Navi

It has been a busy first half of the year for Italian superyacht builder Perini Navi and now they have just announced the launch of the 56 metre Melek the fourth new launching this year.

In January it was Panthalassa, the 56m ketch, design created by the collaboration of Ron Holland with Foster and Partners.  In June Fivea the 45 metre cutter took to the water and earlier this month it was Exuma their first motor yacht to be built in the series by Vitruvius Yachts that stole the limelight.

Melek whose aluminium hull and superstructure was completed at Perini Navi Group's Turkish yard in Istanbul, is the ninth 56m sailing yacht to be launched by them

The first was Burrasca, launched in 2003, and she was followed by Santa Maria (now Zenji), Rosehearty, Selene, Salute Silvana, Riela and Panthalassa.

The 56 m ketch rigged yacht is equipped with two aluminium masts and carbon fibre booms for a sail plan of approx 1.500 square metres. The hull and sail plan are the work of Perini Navi naval architects working closely with Ron Holland.  The beamy and versatile interior design is by the yard.

Superyacht Nahlin Bound for the UK

The beautifully restored super yacht Nahlin is underway and has left the shipyard, in Germany, were she was rebuilt.  Now owned by a prominent British businessman she is expected to call into the port of Dartmouth on the south coast of Devon and her ETA is estimated at 1800hrs on Saturday 17th July.

Built as a steamship by the John Brown shipyard on the Clyde the 91.5 metre vessel was launched in 1930 and at that time carried a crew of 58. 

Famously she was the yacht on which King Edward VIII conducted his affair with American divorcee Wallis Simpson - a love that ultimately cost him the British throne.

The Romanian Royal family then owned her and when that monarchy crumbled she fell to the State.  She served in various roles and was sold to UK business interests during 1999 and brought back to the UK where she was docked in Liverpool.

Subsequently sold she was taken to Germany for refitting.

Burger Boat Company Launches 43m Superyacht

Sea Owl designed and built for an experienced American yachting family and is the result of the collaboration between the Builders Design Team at Burger Boats, Vripack Engineering and Andrew Winch Designs.  The 43.3 metre yacht has been launched at Manitowoc, Wisconsin in the USA.

She features a nautical and traditional interior personalised to her owner’s taste and requirements.  Multiple varieties of teak have been used throughout the vessel to create her traditional wall panelling, flooring and furniture.  Additionally, various hand carved wildlife motifs surround doorways throughout the vessel creating a sense of the owner’s appreciation for nature.

Her distinctive green hull and off white superstructure make her highly recognisable. Exterior spaces provide alfresco dining on two separate decks with custom designed round tables.  A hot tub and outdoor wicker sun lounges provided with their own individual sun canopies, built-in seating and sun pads create inviting spaces for relaxing on the upper deck along with several areas of for lounging, reading or watching movies.

The Main Deck Salon, Dining Room and Sky Lounge flow from one area to the other by way of a curved staircase fitted with a handrail covered in woven leather and brushed nickel fittings all crowned by a skylight which allows sunlight to reflect on the centre spaces of the vessel. The texture of the leather provides contrast to the satin finish of the Teak wall panels in these areas. The stairway ends with an etched glass balustrade at the top of the stairs.

The Master Stateroom Suite is located forward on the Main Deck and opens off a circular foyer into a private office area, then into the stateroom, en suite bath with skylight above and large walk-in his and her closets. The room is finished in teak recessed wall panelling, distressed teak flooring and custom area rugs designed especially for this space.

The lower accommodations include four large guest staterooms, each with walls of Honey Teak recessed wall panelling and featuring over sized port lights, which allow for expansive views as well as letting the sunlight fill the rooms. Each stateroom has an en suite bath, which has been individualised through the colour of the exotic stone materials selected. The floors have been accented with custom borders of intricately inlaid patterns of contrasting stone.

The spacious crew accommodations are accented in the same naturally finished Honey Teak used throughout the lower deck of the vessel. The area includes a large lounge area and separate laundry facilities. Each of the four double crew staterooms include an en suite bath. A Captain’s stateroom, finished in Teak, is situated aft of the wheelhouse and also includes an en suite bath.

This full-displacement yacht has been configured with a transom garage for the tender and water toys freeing up deck space for other leisure activities.  She is powered by Caterpillar engines rated for maximum continuous operation and equipped with zero-speed stabilization to help ensure an enjoyable yachting experience during extended cruises underway and at anchor. Desalination, fuel oil purification, waste treatment, and oil water separation systems allow the vessel to operate independently and responsibly.  Mechanical and electrical systems provide for comfort and safety throughout the vessel.  A fog-mist sprinkler system and the high level of redundancy in mechanical equipment provide peace of mind for world travelling.

Superyacht to be built for completion in Poland

The combining the draftsmanship of Vripack with Polish shipbuilding will produce a new-build 40-metre Conrad-Vripack 132 whose sale is to be handled by Yachting Partners International (YPI Group), who now have the exclusive rights to sell her for an asking price of 14,500,000 Euros with completion expected 24-months from signing.

“She is a long range expedition cruiser,” explains her YPI Broker, Mike Rich. “There is a lot of renewed interest in this type of discovery yacht today. They are a great way of properly experiencing the world beyond the usual yachting channels like the Caribbean and the Med. This design is one of the finest of its kind using a lot of the Vripack experience and flair for award-winning design.”

Accommodating up to 10 guests in 4 cabins and with a sleek and contemporary interior finished in pear wood and wengé with suede and white leather, the yacht has a range of over 5,000 nautical miles, is designed for easy handling and operates perfectly with a crew of just six.

The new owner can add their own touches to the interior look and feel and can bring their own designers or use the existing specialists that already work with the yard.”

Superyacht owners may not be as familiar with the Conrad Shipyard as they are with other yards, but rather like Poland’s renowned shipbuilding, the Conrad yard comes with a very strong track record.

YPI describe it saying, “They specialise in building quality bespoke private yachts,” On site they have some of the finest craftsmen and designers in Europe. All the joinery, steel-work and welding is carried out in-house and when it comes to yacht furniture and cabinet making their woodwork is impeccable.”

Specifications

Builder:                   Conrad Shipyard

Year:                       24-months from signing

Length:                   40.29 Mtr (132 Feet)

Beam:                     8.58 Mtr (28 Feet)

Draft:                      2.52 Mtr (8 Feet)

Guests:                   10

Cabins:                   4

Crew:                      6

Engines:                 2 x Caterpillar C32 ACERT

Speed, Max:            13.80 Knots

Classification:          Lloyds 100 A1 SSC Yacht Mono G6, MCA

Location:                 Gdansk, Poland

The Impact of the ILO MLC will have on Superyachts

The international Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) will have a huge impact for seafarers, managers and owners involved with Superyachts.

Last April Organisers of the Antibes Yacht Show reported that the most popular seminar was the one organised by Nautilus International and D&B Services, where almost 100 people turned up to hear how the MLC regulations, scheduled to come into effect in 2011 will affect issues such as superyacht accommodation and employment standards.

A promise was made that a follow-up workshop would occur when further consultation had taken place with the authorities in particular on accommodation specifications.

Now Nautilus has organised a further MLC workshop at which a presentation will be made by Neil Atkinson, Marine Surveyor, Maritime & Coastguard Agency, explaining the MCA’s proposals for MLC compliant large yachts.

DATE: Tuesday, 27 July 2010

TIME: 14:00

PLACE: Hotel Ambassadeur, 50-52 Chemin des sables, 06160 Juan-les-Pins, France

Nautilus International and their strategic partners believe they are best placed to represent members, owners and authorities that align themselves with the UK, as we are the representative body for seafarers within this domain.

They deal with authorities locally, across Europe and internationally on all our members’ and partners’ interests and we have direct access to the likes of the ILO where policy is determined.

New Explorer Style Superyacht from Alloy

Alloy Yachts in New Zealand are cutting plate on AY44, a 39-metre Explorer Yacht designed by Rene Van der Velden.

The specification is for a 39-metre, twin screw, steel hull and aluminium superstructure motor yacht.

AY44 will venture to the far reaches of our oceans without compromise to comfort and safety. She will be completed in 2012.

Her interior will be designed by Redman Whiteley Dixon.  The owner’s representative will be Peter Wilson of MCM, a regular around the Alloy Yachts yard and well qualified to oversee this new project.

AY44 will be built to Lloyds 100 A1 SSC YACHT MONO G6 MCH, UMS and Compliance with LY2.

LOA                       39.16m

LWL                      36.03m

Beam                     8.8m

Draught                2.7m

Engines                 2 x Caterpillar C32 ACERT “C” rated

Palmer Johnson Launches First UK Built Super yacht

The Palmer Johnson shipyard in Hythe near Southampton has launched the first 170 Sportsyachts for a repeat client who currently owns the Palmer Jonson 120 called DB9.   “This significant launch certainly cements Palmer Johnson’s Sportyacht concept by passing the 50 meter benchmark and further confirms the appeal of the genre,” said company President Mike Kelsey.

The 52 metre yacht with its gold coloured hull will shortly undertake sea trials in the Solent before being handed over to her owners who will cruise the Mediterranean over the coming months.

The sleek profile and aggressive stance of the instantly recognizable series designed by Nuvolari-Lenard is even more emphasied on this the largest in the range because of the yachts increased length.  The 170 also enjoys technical advancements over her smaller sisters among which is the use of dual Gyro stabilisers that negate the need for external fins under the waterline.

This is the first time PJ have employed this technology, which is said to be particularly effective when the yacht is at anchor.  Two further yachts in the 170 series are on order and the company is also building two 64 metre Sportyachts 210 for delivery next year along with a 41 metre Sportyacht 135 and the 82 metre PJ World under construction in Norway.

Heesen Deliver 37 metre Superyacht Willpower

Photo Credits: photo left René Keuvelaar photo right Dick Holthuis

Heesen Yachts have delivered the superyacht Willpower to her owners. Hull number 14537, is the ninth in the 3700 series, the first of which was delivered in 2004.  The tenth is due for delivery in the summer of 2011.

The yacht is an all-aluminium hard chine vessel with the ability to reach a maximum speed of 31 Knots powered by two MTU 16V 4000 M90 diesel engines.  Styled by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects, her sleek and elegant lines are particularly attractive in this Super Jet black hull.

Her interior designer, Gabriel Bernardi of London Interior, conceived a timeless and elegant décor explains: “My inspiration for this interior and most of my interiors in general, is this incredibly sophisticated era between the two world wars, where style and entertainment took position over outward displays of wealth. Craftsmanship, style, beauty and above all charm were important ingredients to life and people had an aesthetic appreciation and were rarely vulgar."

The boat has been built and fitted out with the family’s comfort in mind, and as such every effort has been made to achieve a finish and level of comfort way above standard boat-building specifications. In place of the standard, fixed joinery, handmade, free-standing furniture has been used, all made by British cabinet makers, using traditional techniques.”

Ten guests can be accommodated in five cabins. The owner’s suite is located forward on the main and the four guests cabins – three large doubles and a twin-bunked children’s cabin all with private ensuite shower rooms – are positioned on the lower deck.

The wheelhouse is located on the mezzanine deck and features a convertible corner sofa, which can be transformed into a bed, ideal for long passages.

Guests can enjoy life at sea in three exterior social areas: the partially sheltered aft cockpit; the vast sundeck with its comfortable sitting area and a convivial bar adjacent to the spa pool at its forward end. Guests can take the sun on the large mattresses located in front of the wheel house.

Willpower will be on display at the Cannes Festival de la Plaisance from the 8th until the 13th of September 2010.

Specifications

Length overall:                        37,30 metres

Beam over all:                         7,50 metres

Draught                                    2,20 metres

Displacement                          150 tons

Maximum speed:                    31,0 knots

Range at 12 knots:                  2.000 Nm

Type                                          Twin screw, hard chine, semi-displacement motor yacht

Naval Architect:                      Heesen Yachts

Exterior Designer:                  Omega Architects

Interior Designer:                  Gabriel Bernardi & Omega Architects

Classification:                          ABS  A1 Yachting Service,  AMS.

Compliancy                              Large Yacht Code LY2 / MCA

Hull material:                          Aluminium

Superstructure material:       Aluminium

Fuel capacity:                           33,0 m3

Fresh water:                             8,0 m3

Main engines:                           2x MTU 16V 4000 M90 diesel engines

Stabilisers:                                VT Naiad, Active trim tab stabilisation

Superyacht Crew Tap into Reliable, Low-Cost Contact Worldwide

Likely to become a hit with superyacht crews, Global Telesat Communications (GTC), the UK-based satellite solutions has launched its new SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger on to the market. Crews working anywhere in the world can use this palm-sized device to quickly send an update of progress, or call for help.

Retailing at just £159 including VAT, it uses low-orbit satellites to relay a simple, pre-programmed message to specified recipients in near real time. The inbuilt GPS attaches a position to the message, so family and friends can keep a track of the user on Google maps via the Internet.

If there is a serious problem, a dedicated SOS button can be pressed and held for two seconds, which will automatically alert the nearest rescue services, and send them an accurate fix. This literally takes the ‘search’ out of ‘search and rescue.’

For non life-threatening emergencies, a ‘help’ button is provided, which will alert a network of pre-selected contacts that the user has been inconvenienced, and needs assistance. SPOT will send the message every 5 minutes until cancelled, or the batteries are depleted.

Other functions include the ‘Check In/OK’ function, which updates the position and lets the user’s contacts know that all is well. These waypoints can be stored for later use, such as building a record of a voyage. The Custom Message function allows the user to expand the simple ‘OK’ with a pre-written message, placed on the system prior to departure.

The new device is a smaller and lighter version of one launched just over a year ago. Both units make full use of satellite technology, yet without the costs associated with more sophisticated satellite phones.  Instead, a simple annual call-time plan is purchased on line, which gives unlimited messages.  The annual fee costs just €99, with complete access to all of the SPOT Messenger’s main functions. Users can log on to their account at any time to modify the list of contacts, retrieve their waypoints, or rewrite their custom messages.

Two New Drawings from Superyacht Designer in Canada

Ivan Erdevicki the Naval Architecture & Yacht Designer based in Canada has come up with two new concept designs

The first a 56 metre motor yacht that combines smooth and simple styling, with elegant and dynamic lines that enhance her proportions. The layout is spread out on four decks with the accent on a comfortable outdoor living and an open deck feel throughout the boat.  The goal set by the owner was to create a design with minimalistic look, but trying to avoid a military styling usually associated with minimalism, and instead to enhance a Yacht-extravagant feel to it. For interior decoration on this design, Standby/Marijanaradovic the Milan based studio in Italy was used.

The second sees a 27 metre sailing catamaran yacht designed for Seattle based Client from USA.  The Client intends to sail the boat around the world with his family. The boat accommodates 14 people in 7 separate cabins. It has a large open salon with big galley. There is a walk-through access to mast area cockpit through full size access watertight door at the forward windshield area of the salon.  The flybridge steering station in addition to pilot house steering, ensures comfortable and safe handling of the boat in all weather conditions.

Superyacht Marina Signs agreement with Ships Agency

Just one year after its opening Vilanova Grand Marina in Barcelona has signed a service agreement with the ships agency chain BWA Yachting. The collaboration provides the opportunity for captains, crew and guests to experience the facilities of the Marina, designed specifically to accommodate the needs of superyachts, along with a full set of agency and concierge services provided by the agency.

State of the Superyacht Market

With the Mediterranean superyacht summer season in full swing there is sense of a slow but steady return to something resembling normality in the luxury yacht market.  Whilst it may be a long way off from the heady days of 2008, there has been a gradual increase in yacht sales, yacht management and crew placements.  Charter yachts and construction yards are still feeling the pinch with demand slower to recover for these sectors of the market.  It is not great news for everyone but there are certainly still some significant deals to be had on summer charters and new build projects, provided you’re prepared to act quickly.  Hein Velema,
CEO of Fraser Yachts in Monaco said, “The world of superyachts moves fast and you need to have your finger on the pulse in order to spot the good opportunities before they pass you by.”

Super Yacht Sales Average One a Day

June 2010 saw a very active market with an average of one yacht (over 24m) being sold each day of the month.  This is a continuation of the steady sales that we experienced in the previous months too.  They are selling, but only at the right price but this is seen by many as positive news; however the market is still dominated by buyers who are keen to seek out great deals, spoilt for choice and unwilling to pay anything more than is absolutely necessary.  The yachts sold recently were competitively priced but the owners still had to accept much lower offers than they hoped for.  Against earlier expectations the price level is still very low. It is clearly still a good time to find a yacht for a great price.  Current expectations are that the superyacht brokerage market will see a dip in the summer and will rebound when the boat show season starts in September.  With yachts changing hands things are looking up for crew seeking jobs.

Superyacht Crew Placements are Rising

After a two year period of very high fluctuations in crew placement there are now signs of more stability in this sector of the industry. Crew Placements are rising and Captains are hiring again as their budgets stabilize.  These fluctuations have greatly impacted the CVs of huge numbers of crew candidates.  When we send details of candidates to Captains and owners we’re advising them not to pay too much attention to what the applicants have (or more to the point, have not) undertaken during 2009. Last year was a tough time, even for some of the most qualified and experienced crew members.  Great people were being laid off around the world; yet more victims of the financial crisis.  Gaps in their CVs and short periods of unemployment should not necessarily be viewed in a negative light. Crew Agents The Crew Network which is part of the Fraser Yachts Group believe that the employment record over the last 18 months should be seen to be indicative of their abilities, competence or dedication

Super Yachts Seek Last Minute Charter Bookings

Brokers selling superyacht charters that can be taken in July and August this year are offering attractive deals.  As expected, bookings for summer charters have been coming in very late this year.  A good number of yachts are now offering very attractive packages to try and attract some last minute clients.  Most superyacht owners started off by adding value to the charter price, including relocation fees or other on-board services.  In recent weeks, as the season marches on, this has switched to the offering of straight discounts being, sometimes up to 35% off the standard rates.  A large proportion of the charter bookings this year have only been signed a few weeks prior to the start date when the guests board the yacht.  To have a complete picture of this summer’s charter season brokers will have to wait until the end of July when direct comparisons between 2009 and 2010 will be available.

Yacht Management Companies Continue To Grow

There is an increasing demand from superyacht owners for yacht management companies to look after their yachts.  This upward trend started around 6 months ago and shows the yacht owners’ increasing appreciation of the complex variables associated with ownership.  The additional costs of using a professional yacht management service is justified by owners who are seeing significant savings in operational expenses.  It is expected that the demand for more professionalism and transparency will soon have an impact on other yacht services like charter, crew placement and brokerage.  The yacht industry has changed dramatically in recent years with ever-more complex legal, financial, safety, recruitment and employment regulations covering all areas.  Regulatory bodies and flag state requirements have spurred superyacht owners to seek advice and assistance from specialist yacht managers who can offer accurate advice covering the myriad technical and legal complexities.

Superyacht Build Yards Still Operating Well Below Capacity

Shipyards are still suffering from a distinct lack of demand. New yacht projects are being sold but nowhere near the maximum capacity level that the yards would like. Interestingly, there is evidence that speculators are stepping in, predicting better times ahead.  Some shipyards have managed to find investors who want to build yachts on a speculative basis. Their reasoning for these investments is that, in three years time, when these yachts are finished and ready to be launched, the market will have recovered to such an extent that the value will have risen in line with the renewed demand. Only time will tell. One thing that is particularly interesting to note is that the majority of these speculative projects are based on very conservative designs. Conversely, new construction projects commissioned directly by the owners tend to be much more innovative and customised builds.

Book Review Superyacht X - Rated

Book Review

Superyacht X - Rated

By Marc Wilder

Paperback, 307 pages, £7:99, ISBN: 978 1 84454 970 2

Published by John Blake Publishing Ltd.

There is, they say, a best selling book in every one of us who has served as crew aboard superyachts, lets just hope that they are all a great deal better than Marc Wilder’s Superyacht X - Rated biographical exposé recently published by John Blake.

Never, have I read a book with quite so many expletives.  Where the foul language used simply as part of the sequence of dialogue, that may be acceptable, but as descriptive adjectives and adverbs, liberally littering the text, their use makes the book almost utterly unreadable.

Wilder, the author, claims to have served as the First Officer aboard an unnamed 50-metre superyacht home ported in Nice but it is not one that would be recognisable to anyone else in the industry.  He proves his complete and total ignorance of superyachting by referring to a Barbeque Deck and a Jacuzzi Deck, terms simply not used in the superyacht world to describe a sundeck.  His characters are somewhat shallow and totally lack credibility.  The hapless Captain is portrayed by Wilder as a money grabbing, louse, the chief stewardess; a corrupt, deceitful tart, the debauched crew; a bunch of ill-mannered, bad mouthed, dishonest, drunken gits and their first officer is someone who surely could never have been really employed aboard a superyacht.

That Wilder has been to sea, is not in doubt.  In fact he proudly boasts in the book’s opening pages of having served on commercial ships with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary even though, I suspect, they would wish he had not.  His so called, true life explanation of life working on board a luxury superyacht bears little resemblance of real life onboard and suggest that most of his tales come from his having served in the lower decks as a cabin boy on some rusty Greek tramp freighter.  Most of the jokes and pranks he describes have been doing the rounds since Noah first went to sea and savvy superyacht deck crew are highly unlikely to have fallen for them.  He ignorantly talks of a newly joined deckhand being referred to as a Cadet, the crew mess as a crew room and suggests that a new to the industry crewmember takes a navigation watch in charge of the bridge over night on his very first trip!

He talks about a Captain that does nothing to stop the heavy and public use of drugs on board and who, in thick fog, does not even turn up onto the bridge, he speaks of coke snorting, whoring, Russian charter guests leaving a yacht part way through their charter only to be replaced by the yacht’s philandering owner who, when he then leaves, allows the charter guests to return, a quite absurd scenario that would have any reputable charter broker or marine lawyer turning in his grave.

He talks of evacuating hookers over the bow in a tender that is loaded with personnel while still on deck, something possible on a merchant ship but certainly not on a 50 metre superyacht.  He talks of drunken crew, guilty of insubordination, bribery, corruption, drug and alcohol abuse and of superyacht owners calling him Mate, yet he never once accurately describes the yacht itself not even in the most general of terms.  Clearly the author is a fraud.

X Rated? Yes, but only because the book cannot produce a single sentence without employing a string of crude profanities but, Superyacht?  Definitely NO.  This author has clearly never set foot on one and if he has, he did not last very long on board as a real superyacht first officer.  Superyacht X Rated is a disgusting book that does the superyacht industry no good at all and I implore you to leave the publication in the gutter where it belongs.  Lets just hope a superyacht owner never stoops so low as to pick it up.  If he does, we are all sunk.

MJH

Classic Yacht Regatta Introduces Challenge Day

Competitors at the British Classic Yacht Club Panerai Cowes Regatta 2010 will for the first time be given the opportunity to pair off against each other in head to head match race battles. In a new addition to the regatta schedule for this year, Wednesday 21st July has been designated 'Challenge Day', offering competing owners the chance to challenge any other yacht bigger than their own to a boat-on-boat race. Whilst the results from Challenge Day will not count towards the overall series points and the crews will be racing primarily for individual bragging rights, the organisers believe this new initiative will generate plenty of good-natured competition.

With many of the fleet of around fifty classic yachts expected to gather at Cowes Yacht Haven on the eve of the regatta on Sunday 18th July, having undergone many hours of meticulous restoration work, the regatta is as much as anything a celebration of classic yachting. Certain to turn heads will be Richard Matthews's authentically restored 1898 William Fife designed 14.6m Kismet, which will be making her first appearance at the British Classic Yacht Club Regatta. Matthews dragged her from a fifty-year sojourn in the Essex mud and after four years of painstaking work led by Adrian Wombwell, she was finally re-launched in 2009.

This year's regatta also boasts two other nineteenth century entries, in the form of David Sherriff's wonderful 1897 Cork Harbour One-Design gaff-cutter Jap and the oldest entry in the event, Lance Rowell's 1894 Thames Rater, Dorothy.

Amongst the larger yachts at this year's regatta will be Olivier Pecoux's mighty Sparkman and Stephens Amazon, a steel auxiliary yawl, originally built by Camper and Nicholson in 1971 for Greek shipping magnate, John Goulandris.

Whilst the regatta is very much about the rare spectacle of so many marvellous classic yachts gathering in Cowes, a venue itself steeped in the history of traditional British yachting, rest assured the racing will also be highly competitive. Based on previous BCYC regattas, hard fought on the water battles are likely to be waged in all classes throughout the week.

Amongst several others, Gildas Rostain's 1963 Olin Stephens designed yawl Stiren certainly has an enviable racing pedigree, having won both legs of the 2008 Transat Classique and has strong potential to be a contender for the silverware.

As in previous years, the 2010 regatta will also include a clutch of modern built boats designed and built in the spirit of classic yachting. Four Sean MacMillan designed Spirit yachts, Dr Sandy Fielding & Professor Martin Whittle's Strega, Tom Hill's Dido, Stephen O'Flaherty's Soufriere and McMillan's own Flight of Ufford will be joined by Stephen Jones's self-designed Meteor in the Modern Classic Division.

The British Classic Yacht Club Panerai Cowes Regatta 2010 will run from Sunday 18th July to Saturday 24th July. Competing yachts will be berthed at Cowes Yacht Haven.