Free Security Seminar of Superyacht Captains

Superyacht Captains their crews and managers are invited by IGY to update themselves on current trends and security-related issues in the super yachting community at a special seminar to be held on January 11-12, 2011 at Yacht Haven Grande in St. Thomas, USVI.

The programme includes presentations from government representatives and industry experts on the relevant security issues impacting the yachting and marina communities, and the sharing of best practices.

Attendees will receive a Certificate of Participation in an Executive Level Security Exercise conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard that meets the requirements mandated by the international ISPS Code and the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act on conducting an annual vessel security exercise.

The Maritime Security Council will also conduct a Security Awareness Briefing for those captains and crew that participated in the conference. This briefing will outline the security issues facing yacht personnel and provide situational training to security incidents.

The Maritime Security Council will conduct a vessel security audit for vessels of participating captains.  The audit will address requirements designated by international regulations and provide recommendations when appropriate.

This event is free for Captains and crew who pre-register for the event.  The way to do that is to visit www.maritimesecurity.org

Italian Superyacht Specialist Opens New Office

Top Yachting journalist Piero Ragazzi, writes as a reporter for the Italian magazine Vela e Motore but there is more to his activities besides this

He additionally runs a Technical Office offering a wide range of superyacht services in the Italian market operating worldwide in both the technical and commercial sectors of the industry

The firm has recently opened a new office inside the new Porto Mirabello Harbour, at La Spezia and is at the same time launching their all-new website www.pieroragazzi.com

La Spezia is fast becoming one of the most important superyacht centres in northern Italy, and Ragazzi is encountering an ever-increasing number of requests for locally based services from foreign customers.

From Survey work to Safety Inspections from Compass Swinging to total yacht, Ragazzi does it all and if he does it as well as he writes about boating then he is a good name to keep inside your contact book.

Superyachts Using Malta More Frequently

According to a report in the Malta Independent newspaper the number of superyachts using the marina at Grand Harbour in Valetta during the nine months ended in September 2010 has risen by 50% with 152 superyacht visits, compared to 104 in the first three quarters of 2009.

The third quarter of 2010 saw the continuation of a high level of occupancy throughout the Vittoriosa marina operated by Grand Harbour Marina plc, the company said through a directors’ interim statement.

Berthing revenues for the first nine months of this year amounted to €1,118,386, compared to €987,767 in the first nine months of 2009.

Enquiries for superyacht berth sales in Malta remain buoyant, however no agreements have been finalised in the period being reported. The board is cautiously optimistic that progress, while slow, will result in a positive outcome.

Monago the Ketch Rigged Superyacht is For Sale

New onto the market for sale at €30 million through Dubois Brokerage is the 52 metre super ketch Mondango.

Launched in late 2008 by Alloy Yachts, she was built for extensive blue-water cruising. Finished to exceptionally high standard, she has fulfilled the brief for a stylish yacht capable of fast, comfortable ocean passages.

Designed by Dubois Naval Architects, Mondango continues a progression of large flybridge yachts and displays clean lines, subtle sheer and low-profile coach roof. The aggressively raked windows of the coach roof wrap all the way around in a dramatic sweep of curved glass to accentuate the modern exterior.

The coach roof extends aft to encompass the mizzen mast and provides a long overhang protecting the aft cockpit. The port and starboard side windows of the cockpit as well as the spectacular curved rear window all open and close to create a climate-controlled single-level extension of the main saloon.

The hull is finished in flag blue with a white superstructure. A gold cove-stripe provides a handsome accent against the dark hull and establishes the theme that is repeated on both the two booms.

Superyachts Get New Caribbean Racing Event

The Voiles de Saint-Barth is become a regular fixture on the Caribbean racing calendar and setting itself up to become one of the major events of the season. 

The event was tried as a one off last year and a second is scheduled to run from the 4th to 9th April 2011, but the news from organisers confirms that this will not be the last one.

Peter Holmberg, the award winning race boat skipper based in the US Virgin Islands, an Olympic medallist and America’s Cup winner, took part in the very first Voiles de Saint-Barth sailing aboard the ketch Sojana.

He is now working within the Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) to promote the event. With 25 boats already signed up, the aim of seeing sixty taking part next April is in the process of being fulfilled.

Sportswear specialist, Gaastra, Taittinger champagnes, Rémy Cointreau and Mount Gay rum, along with the famous red cap are all signed up as sponsors as are: The Banque des Antilles Françaises, the Guanahani & Spa hotel, the St Barth Hoteliers’ Association the St Barth Tourist Board.

Multihull craft are also invited, and the organisers have opened up the event to the dynamic and international Class 40 monohulls, many of which are taking part in the famous Route du Rhum.

Chinese Yard to build Sailing Superyacht

The first ever sailing superyacht to be built in China is due for delivery in 2012.  It will be launched by builders Shanghai Blunauta Yacht Co for delivery to an Italian owner as the first in a planned series production boats.


Italian designers are responsible for the design and construction of the steel hull and superstructure 52 metre yacht is well advanced . 


Working with this its first Chinese contract, Formula Marine has announced that it will supply a full sailing systems control package of rig and deck gear including winches, tracks, standing and running rigging together with the systems power pack. 


Formula will construct the mast at its specialist aluminium facility in Holland and work with the owners representatives to supply the most effective sail control package. A Formula team will spend a period of time in China for installation and system testing.


Formula's Head of Sales Wim Mooiweer, commented, "This is a landmark contract for Formula, China is in its early days of yacht building, and it is a totally different market to that we are used to. But our experience with European and Turkish builders has allowed us to guide and assist the yard in understanding the complexities of rigs of this size. We are looking forward to this being the first of many rigs heading to oriental yards in the future."

Testbank Yachtprojects

Great Britain is not exactly well known for its superyacht repair and refit facilities.  Save for the Pendennis Shipyard in Cornwall, others keep a very low profile and seem to attract little in the way of work.

So it is good to learn that one facility is flourishing, turning round superyacht refits and general shipyard maintenance to a superyacht standard and is currently bidding to build a 60 metre yacht

Yachtprojects, the British run project management company based near Jacksonville, Florida has entered into a joint venture with UK based Testbank Ship Repair at Porchester, to offer superyachts, services on both sides of the Atlantic.

In the USA facilities offered include 400 metres of hurricane safe dock space, 1600 ton lift capacity and trade skills all offering the best rates in Florida.  In the UK the facility offers a 1000 ton ship lift, 70,000 Cu ft of covered shed space and all trade skills at very competitive rates when compared to specialist yacht yards in Northern Europe.

The first Superyacht to use the facility was the Australian owned Senses when she called for a full bottom painting.  12 years of paint was taken back to bear steel and repainted, a full superstructure repaint was applied and an annual class survey undertaken.  The Russian owned Kiring was in the yard during the same period

Captain Geordie Nicholson the Master of Senses told me, “ I was dubious at first of a UK yard but the numbers and quality say it all, 30% cheaper than any other quote in Europe. But the yard were on time, on budget and all work was done with a smile. Dealing with invoicing was easy and the ability for us to do all the work inside a covered facility is something a good Superyacht Captain can not pass up”

Yachtprojects founder, Phil Nicholas, said, “The joint venture will benefit both companies, and their clients.  Testbank offer a superb service at an outstanding facility near Portsmouth UK . Yachtprojects will look after the project management, parts supply and technical aspect of the yacht sector work, which has been our core business for the last 6 years. “

Brian Needle of Testbank said. “ Interest is high, we are very competitive and I feel offer the ultimate service at this competitive cost.  Orders are steady, we have the capacity to look after several long term projects and still take care of our short term projects.”

Founding Father of Superyacht Chartering Dies

One of the Founding Fathers of modern day superyacht chartering has slipped his cable and sailed on into the next world.

Rodney Nicholson son of the now famous V E B  Nicholson, brother to Desmond and one time husband to Julie all famously connected to the world of superyachts and chartering died on 7th November 2010.

Born on 19th December 1927 the son of a Royal Navy officer Rodney first learned to sail in Bermuda during the war years where his Father was based.  After the war he helped restore the family yacht that had been purchased during the war so the family could legally raid her for the much needed ashore knives forks and spoons her kitchen drawers held.


Once completed they sailed to the Caribbean island of Barbados hoping to find work.


Finding the sugar industry there not as sweet as they hoped so they set sail northwards and Rodney with the rest of his family arrived in what was then a very run down English Harbour Antigua on March 9th 1949 at 1630.  Mollihawk the yacht they arrived in was to later make that her home port from where their father, the Commander used the yacht to offer short trips to sea to those very few tourists who actually arrived in Antigua on holiday.

The trips became longer lasting several days as Mollihawk moved from one idyllic anchorage to yet another and the yacht charter market in the Caribbean had begun.  Word caught on more folk sought more yachts and eventually others came and a clearing house called Nicholson Yachts was created.

It was a family affair everyone mucked in and helped and when in 1956 Rodney married Julie a young lady who had circumnavigated the globe aboard Yankee she was roped in to sell yet more charters a job she continues to this day.

The family started what has now become The Antigua Charter Yacht Show which this year celebrates its 49th Year and it is during that show that Charter yacht crews, brokers and industry specialists will gather to pay their last respects at a special service of remembrance to be held inside English Harbour on 8th December at 1430 hrs.

Superyacht New Sunrise Price Reduction

The Owner of New Sunrise the 61 metre CRN is increasingly motivated to conduct a transaction and has instructed Burgess his brokers to effect an immediate price reduction to a new asking price of  €28,500,000 making this a truly unique purchase opportunity in today's market.

Built in Ancona, Italy and launched in 2000, she is in immaculate condition, presents extremely well and is currently lying in Imperia.

Spacious and luxurious accommodation for 12 guests is all located on the main deck, with oversized windows providing plenty of natural light in six beautifully crafted cabins. The Interior styling by Francois Zuretti is classic Italian with warm and elegant cherry wood panelling throughout, and an incredible range of onyx in all bathrooms.   At the heart of the yacht is a magnificent 80 square metre saloon which has a number of different seating areas and is highly suited for entertaining or relaxation.

Key features:

• Francois Zuretti classic Italian styled interior with stunning detailing throughout
• Large deck areas across the yacht  including a vast sundeck complete with spa pool
• Accommodation for 12 guests in 6 cabins (Master Suite, VIP Suite, 3 Double Suites and 1 Twin Suite)
• Lloyds Classification
• MCA LY2 Compliant
• Cruising speed of 13.5 knots and a maximum speed of 16 knots
• Range 5,500 nm
• Full range of tenders, water toys and dive compressor

Offers are apparently being encouraged!

Wireless Safety System for Superyacht Tenders

Safety products manufacturer Autotether will feature its Wireless Lanyard System at METS (Marine Equipment Trade Show) 2010, November 16-18 at the Amsterdam RAI (Sea Tech & Fun Europe Stand 4.528).

Unlike traditional lanyards that come standard with superyacht tenders and require the skipper to be tethered to the boat, the patented Autotether is an easy-to-install, unobtrusive wireless unit. No wiring or tools are required – the system clips to the boat ignition switch and is self-powered with AAA batteries. Operating via transmitter that sends radio waves to a receiver connected to a boat’s engine, Autotether shuts off the engine in the event that the tenders operator falls into the water. It also sets off an alarm in the event that others in the tender including passengers wearing the Autotether sensors fall into the water.

The passenger sensors can also shut off the boat’s engine when the red alert button is pushed in the event that you have a runaway boat.

For more information about Autotether wireless man overboard safety products, visit Stand 4.528 at METS 2010, www.autotether.com or call 1+860 526 1700.

PSV to undergo redevelopment

Petit St Vincent, a small private island and favoured superyacht anchorage in the archipelago of St. Vincent in the Grenadines, has new owners.

Better know by yacht crew as PSV, the Caribbean island, which is now the property of Freedom Resorts Ltd, is to undergo a massive luxury redevelopment project to create one of the region’s most attractive high-end five star destinations.

New plans for the resort include significantly upgrading existing accommodations, building a new relaxed beach restaurant, a spa pavilion with six treatment rooms and a children’s club. Work on the new development will commence on 1 May next year with the new look resort due to open to guests on 31 October 2011.

Opened in 1968, the island is currently home to a boutique style resort with 22 cliff side or beach front villas.

Satellite communications provides ship-to-shore emergency medical facility to superyacht

The new 43-metre tri-deck superyacht Sea Owl, from Burger Boats  has become the first private yacht to be fitted with a high-tech onboard medical treatment facility with 24/7 video conferencing capability supplied by Guardian, a company that has provided medical services for three previous presidents of the United States.

Known as Ready Room, it provides the capability to convert a standard passenger stateroom into a fully equipped and operational emergency medical center, including oxygen, defibrillator, trauma kits and a teleconferencing connection to reach qualified physicians ashore.

MTN’s DirectNet managed satellite communication service on Sea Owl provides a guaranteed committed information rate (CIR) of 512 Kbps synchronously, which means 1 megabyte of guaranteed bandwidth with the ability to burst up to 2 Mbps to support the Guardian video conferencing and other voice and data traffic to and from the vessel at sea. 

IMA Yachts designed the integration of the equipment and protocols to fit within the vessel’s physical parameters and owner’s operational requirements.

With reliable broadband, global satellite service and our advanced medical equipment and services, we can remotely allow a team of world-class physicians, including specialists, to manage life-threatening conditions, such as strokes, long before a medical response team could reach the patient, especially when the yacht is cruising in remote locations.”

In addition to the videoconferencing, MTN’s satellite communications system supports ship-to-shore telephone and Wi-Fi Internet access for the yacht’s owner and guests.