iPad App for Superyacht Captains

We love the iPod and the iPad, in fact we love all the innovations from Apple and when a great new app for yachtsman, weekend pleasure boater or the professional superyacht master mariner comes along we try and bring it to your attention.

Here is one called The Captains Toolbox that no one should be without both on and off the water.  It costs just $4.99 can be downloaded by clicking here and £2.99 in the UK.

This app replaces several books, manuals, study guides and other resources in one easy to use application.

OFFLINE USE all the data is stored on your apple device. Once installed, you do not need a cellular, WiFi or Internet connection to access our resources.

Here is what the app contains:

The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS)

Published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and digitised into this application for easy access at sea or for study on land. It’s easier to use then the clumsy paper version and always at your fingertips.

Maritime Navigation Lights & Shapes

An interactive and comprehensive collection of navigation lights and shapes both the USCG twilight images and zero light graphic renderings from each prospective. This tool is designed for instant access at the helm or when studying for your COLREGS exams.

GPS Position

Quickly determine your longitude and latitude if you are running this app on your iPhone.

Navigation Chart Symbols

Every symbol the USCG uses is listed here in an easy to use wheel selector. Simply spin the symbol wheel with your thumb and the definition of the corresponding chart symbol will be displayed in the window below.

Maritime Flags

Ever wonder what that flag means over on that other boat? Just spin the flag wheel, stop on the flag in question and the definition will be displayed instantly. We have also included the description common uses for these flags in modern day etiquette.

SOLAS Symbols

SOLAS symbols, stickers and signs are listed here along with their meaning for use on-board or to prep for your IMO exams.

Marine VHF and SSB

Procedures, examples, phonetic alphabet, channels and frequencies for VHF users in the USA, Canada and internationally (MCA).

SSB users will enjoy fast access to frequencies for Marine SSB, Marine Distress R/T & DSC, HF Ship to Ship, Simplex HF, Yachtsmans Nets, HF Coastal Stations, MF & HF Global Coastguard Stations (MRCC) and Distress & Safety (SAR) communication.

Unit Converter

Every conversion you can possibly think of and a hundred more. Whether it’s a simple fuel conversion from Imperial (UK) Gallons to Litres or a complicated Flow-Mass calculation, this tool has more conversions than any superyacht master mariner or naval architect will ever need.

Glossary of Maritime and Yachting Terms

1383 terms used from ocean going ships to lake boats have been compiled in this fast and easy to use index.

Clouds

This image catalogue boasts real photos of common cloud formations along with their meteorological definitions, and what can be learned and predicted from reading these atmospheric phenomena.

Morse Code

Either search the Morse code tool by graphics or alpha numeric. Keep an eye on this tool in future updates for some fun features.

Wind Barbs

Offers quick reference to common wind charting systems. This tool boasts wind speed cross reference between Knots, MPH, direction, etc.

Sound Signals

Quickly reference and learn all the sound signals needed for manoeuvring and passing situations both on the high seas and inland waterways.

THE CAPTAIN'S TOOLBOX

Developers web page: http://www.captainsapp.com/

Download page: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-captains-toolbox/id407399812?mt=8

Superyacht Design House Rene Van der Velden Expands

With a growing number of loyal clients, repeat orders, and new yachting enthusiasts seeking their services the workload for Dutch superyacht design house Rene van der Velden has steadily grown in recent years.

A substantial part of this growth is due to a higher demand for naval architecture services. As a result, the current offices, occupied since 1997, have become too small and inefficient to match the needs and ambitions of the team.

They have acquired a splendid new space in the charming town of Amersfoort to accommodate the expanding business and prepare for future growth.

Built as a warehouse in the mid-seventeenth century's Dutch Golden Age, this historic building has been used for many purposes.

Rene says, “We are very excited to be working in such an authentic, creatively inspiring place, with all the amenities of a town centre, and just an easy ten-minute walk from the central train station.”

New contact details:

Rene van der Velden Yacht Design

Breestraat 59-61
3811 BH

Amersfoort

The Netherlands

Tel +31(0)33 455 44 08

E mail: 
mail@renevandervelden.com


Web: www.renevandervelden.com

Social Networking Offers Superyacht Crews an Alternative Recruitment Route

Following a year of serious turmoil in 2009, Superyacht crewing agents; The Crew Network suggest the market for professional crew placement stabilising throughout the course of 2010.

However, it is still at a much lower level than in the previous, pre-crisis years. The turnover of crew has greatly decreased and captains and crew now seem to be finding each other via social networks such as Facebook and LinkedIn.

These new media certainly facilitate greater communication between the employers and the employees but they cannot yet replace the personal side of conducting face to face interviews and checking references.

There still remains a good number of professional captains who prefer a trusted professional crew placement agency that conducts thorough interviews and reference checks from previous employers.

Trinity Yachts Release Details of Latest Superyacht

The latest launch from Trinity Yachts is the 57.6 metre tri-deck Carpe Diem built mostly of aluminium. Contrary to early renderings she is finished in all white paint. and With Naval Architecture in-house by Trinity, the interior styling has been completed by Carol Williamson.

Four roomy staterooms plus one alternative that doubles as the gym provide guest accommodation for 10 guests with room for two more in the large master suite located forward on the main deck.

The master stateroom has its own ensuite bathroom. On the starboard side of the space there is an office for the owner. Below decks, there is accommodation to sleep ten crew members in the forward part of the hull; ahead and out-of-sight of the guest accommodations. A separate stairs on the port side allows crew to pass around the guest’s rooms and onto the main deck.

The captain’s quarters is located directly aft of the bridge on the Carpe Diem and has its own private bathroom ensuite. One deck up and you reach the open-air sun deck. The aft part of the deck is dedicated to storing tenders and main PWC/toys. Forward of this area is a circular seating region serviced by a small bathroom (toilet and sink) on the port side. There is a bar to seat six on the port side as well and enough space on the other side to place lounge chairs.


On the forward most part of the deck is the Jacuzzi, situated along the yacht’s centreline. It is flanked by a large sun padded area.

If the sun deck did not seem to have enough space for every one, the upper and main decks are cut out to entertain and relax guests. Aft on the upper/bridge deck there is a large round table to seat twelve at a time in a slightly less formal manner.

Moving forward through the sliding doors is the sky lounge. It is outfitted with seating in a defined and squared setting. Formal bar to seat five is located on the port side corner.

One deck below on the main, a similar pattern has been made. There is also the formal dining area where the long rectangular table seats twelve (like the round al-fresco table on the above deck).

Carpe Diem, hull number T047, is fully MCA compliant and built to class with ABS Powered by twin CAT 3516B marine diesels delivering 3,384 horse power each she can achieve speeds of 17 knots.

There are deals to be done if you want a new Superyacht

Superyacht shipyards around the world have been announcing a flurry of new contracts and there appears to be demand in every size range of yachts.

According to Fraser Yachts there is also demand for very large yachts, 80 metres and above, but since buyers are shopping at every yard the signals from the market might only represent a very small number of real clients.

Although the demand is recovering, the capacity is still at least three times the demand. This means that in the years ahead, shipyards and suppliers will continue to face some difficult times.

Shipyards are willing to take on challenging and even risky projects to fill up their build sheds. Potential buyers can benefit from some great deals, but they need to proceed with caution and must ensure they seek professional advice before committing to a particular yard.

The financial aspect of any contract must be structured in such a way as to protect the client in the event of any future financial difficulties the yard may face.

New UK built Superyacht Features Sea-Fire Systems

Fire suppression technology, experts Sea-Fire provide FM-200 engineered and pre-engineered marine fire suppression systems and accessories. 

The system has recently been fitted to DB9 one of the largest aluminium sport yachts ever launched.  Built in the UK at the now dormant PJ plant at Hythe near Southampton, the new PJ 170 from Palmer Johnson Yachts is 52.2 metres overall and combines strong lines with sleek sophistication.

The yacht has been fitted with a Sea-Fire H Series engineered marine fire suppression system featuring FM-200 fire extinguishing capability covers the engine room, protecting the heavy-duty MTU 16V 4000 ADEC M93L marine diesel sand an advanced Sea-Fire pre-engineered FM-200 system has been fitted inside the Jet Ski locker.

If You Cannot Use Your Superyacht Refit it!

While some superyachts will be heading to places like the Caribbean and the Maldives this winter, and a few even to Asia, most yacht owners are still choosing to stay in the Mediterranean in order to minimise their operational costs.

Even more remarkable is that more and more yacht owners are bringing superyachts to major refit shipyards and planning to keep them out of the water for the whole winter period.

By leaving their yachts on hard stands, they save money on both crew and maintenance.

Refit yards are facilitating this because it gives them more flexibility to plan and undertake the general maintenance work onboard.

Mediterranean yards such as Lusben in Viareggio and Livorno have even started arranging activity programs for the skeleton crews through the winter period.

Options include courses in various languages, safety and customer service as well as trips to watch the Six Nations rugby matches.

Superyacht Charter Market Sets Fair for 2011

It is now clear that the superyacht charter market in 2010 did not bounce back in line with most people’s expectations. Hein Velema 
CEO of Fraser Yachts reports a substantial drop in demand from US clients, while the European market remained more or less on par with the previous 12 months.

At the same time the global charter fleet has grown, resulting in a large over-supply of charter yachts. For the winter season however, Fraser are already starting to see some changes.

The signs are that bookings are coming in earlier than normal and the American charterers are returning to the market. There were still some superyachts standing idle over Christmas and New Year bookings but, as has been seen repeatedly over the last two years, clients will quite regularly sign up for a charter with just 72 hours notice.

There are also signs that the 2011 summer season may be busier than in 2010, but it is still too early to say with any certainty.

Specifications of 47 Metre Superyacht From Heesen

Main Characteristics

• Length overall:                         46.7 metres
• Beam:                                        8.83 metres
• Draught:                                    2.92 metres
• Displacement (50% load):      389 tons
• Hull type:                                  Round bilge displacement hull
• Naval Architect:                       Heesen Yachts
• Exterior Designer:                   Heesen Yachts / Omega Architects
• Interior Designer:                    Omega Architects
• Hull material:                           Steel
• Superstructure material:        Aluminium
• Gross tonnage:                         Less then 500GT
• Speed maximum:                     15.5 knots
• Range at 12 knots:                   4,000 Nm
• Main engines:                           2 x MTU 20V4000M93L
• Power Output:                         4.170 kW at 2100
• Lloyds Classification:              100A1, SSC Yacht, Mono G6 LMC
• Compliancy:                              Large Commercial Yacht Code MCA

Cinema aboard the superyacht Air

Perhaps the most striking feature of the interior of the superyacht Air is the theatre room located on the upper deck.
This incorporates a Panasonic 103" (262 cm) HD Plasma Screen (one of the biggest currently available on the market) complemented by a full 7.1 Steinway Lyngdorf Audio System. This unique audio installation, designed specifically for Air, includes two flagship Model D speakers standing nearly 7 feet tall on either side of the plasma screen.
These speakers, together with the center and four surround speakers, are hand-finished in the same high-gloss black piano finish famously used on Steinway & Sons pianos and accented with 24k gold.
To complete the system, are five Dual Woofers, three located below the plasma screen and two custom-built woofers in the deckhead to the rear.
The system uses 6.400 Watts of power to provide flawless reproduction of music and movie sound tracks. A Custom iPad controls the whole system with both Crestron and Cisco

The Interior of the Superyacht Air is by Frank Laupman

The interior of the motor yacht Air has been designed by Frank Laupman from Omega Architects, who created a classic contemporary style that makes use of ultra-modern loose furniture to create a cosy environment. The décor incorporates details in leather, brushed stainless steel and burl to make the atmosphere even warmer.

Frank Laupman comments: “The aim of the design was to create a high-contrast modern interior, while avoiding a cold minimalistic theme. We used beige and warm accents throughout, blending these with a black-and-white overall mood and incorporating a few elements of intrigue, such as the frosted gemstone lights set into the leather column that strikes down through the central atrium.”

For strategic wood finishes, Laupman chose Japanese elm veneer, an exotic pale timber whose strong veins have been brushed and lacquered in satin gloss, and skilfully positioned these adjacent to a darker American walnut to create a sophisticated and at the same time natural atmosphere.

Air accommodates the owner and ten guests in five cabins, four of these on the lower deck, and an owner’s suite traditionally located on the forward part of the main deck.

Like the owner’s suite, one of the two VIP cabins that extend across the yacht’s full-beam offers a full bathroom, while all the other guests cabins have en suite shower rooms.

The remaining two guest cabins are located on either side of a central passageway, with the cabin on the port side being a double, while to starboard is a twin cabin fitted with additional pullman beds that descend from the deckhead. For added versatility, the two single beds in this latter cabin can be easily transformed into a double.

The yacht’s eight crew members are accommodated in four cabins, all provided with ensuite shower rooms, while the captain’s cabin is located on the upper deck with direct access to the bridge.

The main saloon is divided into three areas, a lobby, lounge, and a formal dining area where all twelve guests are able to be seated around a rectangular table finished in matt wengé.

Heesen Launch #6 in the 47M Superyacht Series

Photograph: Dick Holthuis

The motor yacht Air is the sixth in a line of 47-Metre displacement class superyachts has been launched by Heesen.

The design of the series is a result of close collaboration between the Heesen Yachts in house naval architects and Frank Laupman from Omega Architects, who conceived her stream-lined exterior design with its pelican beak bow.

This is a style that has now become a very recognisable trademark of the Dutch yard.

The 47-Metre displacement class has a fine entry at the bow, which incorporates an efficient bulb, its notable top speed of 15.5 Knots and an excellent range of 4,000 nautical miles at 12 knots.

The line of the yacht’s superstructure combined with the sloped wheelhouse windows give Air her particularly sleek appearance.

Earlier yachts in the series include:

• Yalla (2004),
• Let it Be (2006),
• Mon Plaisir (2007),
• Elandess (2008)
• Blind Date (2009).

Three further 47-metre yachts are currently in build: YN 15347 scheduled for delivery in 2011, YN 15747 and YN 16347 for delivery in 2012.

Superyacht Sales Market Cautiously Optimistic

While looking back over the last twelve months Hein Velema
CEO of Fraser Yachts has used a phrase that has been used time and time again throughout the course of 2010.

He is he says still “cautiously optimistic” words he used last year but now he says, “That prediction has certainly been borne out in the luxury yacht industry. The static market in 2009 was a difficult period for pretty much everyone connected to the large yacht market.

Buyers, sellers, builders, owners, Captains and service providers all suffered from the lack of activity in the market. 2010 saw a slow but marked improvement.

The last 12 months has seen a notable rise in brokerage sales compared to 2009. Velma says, “This has been a good year for the brokerage market following a dismal period through ’08 and ’09 where the second-hand market for yachts over 30m literally ground to a halt. Latterly, the brokerage market has mainly been active in Europe, Russia and the Middle East while the US market has stayed slow.”

Superyacht sales figures are generally still as low as they were one year ago and there is no expectation of any significant global price recovery before the American market recovers. Buyers in the USA seem to be waiting to see the consequences of the new balance in political power. The early indications are that in spring 2011 prices might well start to head up again.

Submersible Limousine Tender for Superyachts

Described as the “world’s first underwater limousine,” the C-Explorer 5 is designed to give guests sailing aboard superyachts the opportunity to explore the ocean depths in air-conditioned comfort.

Submarine maker U-Boat Worx has started development work on the C-Explorer 5 private submarine. Designed to send four passengers and one pilot to depths of up to 100 metres (328 ft.), the latest of the company’s C-Explorer line of submersibles features a full 360-degree acrylic pressure hull to give all on board an uninterrupted view of the world underwater.

The C-Explorer 5 uses much of the same technology used in U-Boat Worx’s C-Quester range. Powered by a 42 kWh lithium ion battery its four 5 kW electric motors, two for horizontal propulsion and two for vertical, it can propel the sub to speeds of up to 4 knots on the surface and 2.5 knots underwater. With a maximum payload of 550 kg it can remain beneath the surface for up to eight hours.

Costing around 966,000 euro the Dutch company recently teamed up with Fort Lauderdale-based Brownies Yacht Diver to market both the C-Quester and C-Explorer in the USA

Superyacht Yard Signs Two New Orders

Things are looking up in the superyacht market and the market place is beginning to show the signs the industry has been waiting for.  Build slots are being filled and some yards are reporting that they are operating to 100% of the capacity.

One such is the Dutch superyacht builder Amels that has sold two more yachts from their LIMITED EDITIONS range.

Both orders are for the semi custom 177 designed by Tim Heywood.

The sales came off the back of a very successful Monaco Yacht Show for the Vlissingen-based yard, already operating at 100% capacity.

Both new yachts are to have their interiors styled by Laura Sessa from Italy, although she has been commissioned to produce very distinct and individual styles for each yacht.

The sales were orchestrated by Moran Yacht & Ship and conclude a busy and productive year for the yard,

Currently there are twelve projects under way, and the next delivery will be the first 212, the design collaboration by Tim Heywood and Andrew Winch. The keel has been laid for Hull No.1 of the 199, and not far over the horizon is the launch of the 242, the largest yet conceived in the range. (Video’s of models can viewed on www.amels-holland.com)

New President for Superyacht Brokerage House

Having recently absorbed The Sacks Group into the fold Felix Sabates, Chairman of International Yacht Collection (IYC), has announced the appointment of Bob Saxon, as President.  He will take office on 1 January 2011.

Saxon is an industry veteran having created Bob Saxon Associates a yacht management and crewing agency, a brand he sold to Camper & Nicholson USA.  He went on to become President of that group and subsequently set up his own superyacht consultancy service in January 2009. Most recently he was President of the Florida Yacht Brokers Association (FYBA).

2011 sees not only his return to mainstream brokerage but also sees him return to head up The Sacks Group a position he has held once before in his chequered career

Sabates whose holdings also include Trinity Yachts said, "There is no one better suited to expand IYC's worldwide brand: a strategic model that incorporates all aspects of the yachting lifestyle.”

He continued, “IYC's current active fleet of 150 yachts represents three-quarters of a billion dollars in Central Listings, new builds from Trinity Yachts, charter management, yacht charter vacations having incorporated The Sacks Group into our family, yacht brokerage and yacht management. Bob Saxon's reputation, his understanding of the yachting business and his ability to understand owners and their needs are critical to our expansion."

IYC currently has approximately three quarters of a billion dollars in Central Listings, and over ninety superyachts within their central charter fleet. 

Superyacht Delivers Aid to Tsunami Ravaged Islanders

Crew and school children & headmaster gather on the foredeck of Big Fish

When a Tsunami ravaged Robinson Crusoe Island following the earthquake that hit Chile early this year 629 residents of the coastal village of Juan Bautista on Robinson Crusoe Island were affected when a tsunami estimated to have been five meters in height, hit the island without warning of the onrushing wave that virtually flattened the town, destroying houses, government offices, church, businesses and the village’s only school.

While the islanders await governmental assistance, some aid is trickling in from private donations. The 45 metre superyacht Big Fish, on her way from Fort Lauderdale to the Antarctic Peninsula for charter operations, stopped in Robinson Crusoe Island after learning of the villager’s plight.

The Captain of Big Fish, Capt. Winston Joyce-Clarke, , agreed to carry and distribute a variety of needed goods to the school on Robinson Crusoe Island. The gifts, totaling more than US$8,400, included laptop computers, printer, numerous school supplies, and sports equipment for the 150 children left without a school in the tsunami’s wake.

“We are delighted to be participating in this important effort,” said the yachts owner Richard Beattie. “Big Fish was built to visit the most remote and pristine places of earth in safety and comfort,” he said. We want to leave all the places we visit in our travels as good – if not better – than before our arrival. Yachts are conspicuous for their size and beauty, and we must also help make them equally conspicuous for the benefit they can provide to the remote populations they visit. Just as we experience joy from yachting, we must also leave joy in our wakes.”

Big Fish, the flagship of Aquos Yachts, is currently in Ushuia, at the southern tip of Patagonia, waiting for a weather window to cross the infamous Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula. There, she will continue her extraordinarily successful maiden voyage charter career, offering the only fly-in, fly-out luxury yacht charters offered in Antarctica. In February, she will continue her planned circumnavigation up the South American east coast to Rio de Janeiro (in time for Carnival!), then to the Amazon, on the the Caribbean and next to Northern Europe and Scandinavia. In August, she will conclude her circumnavigation by cruising the fabled and never-before-attempted-by-a-yacht Northeast Passage over the top of Russia, visiting places never seen before from the deck of a yacht or cruise ship

ISA Signs up 3rd New Build Superyacht

ISA the Italian based shipyard have signed another order for a new build in their 500 series.

Due for delivery in July 2012, the new custom built yacht joins now the two further projects of 50 metre under construction at Ancona

The full displacement motor yacht in steel hull and aluminium superstructure sold last November 2010 and is the result of the long-established collaboration between the yard’s in-house design, technical teams and Vallicelli Studio.

Like the yards 63mt and 60mt delivered during summer 2010, the design of this new 50 metre follows familiar clean and smooth lines of the ISA range and breaks  tradition by abandoning the builders trademark of the aft staircase that linked each deck together from stern to flybridge  that was so typically seen in their 47/48 metre range.

Based on the existing 50 metre platform this yacht is a three deck superyacht with a 9 metre beam featuring a traditional but dynamic look with the bulwark profile following an ideal reverse curve and an elegant, smooth outline strengthened by the forward sloping windows in the full beam area which grant a sense of movement even when the yacht is at rest.  

Superyacht Refit Engineer Moves Yards

Phil Rose already well known to the Superyacht industry as an engineer who has gone ashore to manage shore side refitting operations has joined Sud Marine Shipyard.

He does so as Operation and Production Manager and will play a leading role in the development of the shipyard, a subsidiary of Sud Moteurs and located in the Bassins de Radoub in Marseille.

The shipyard has enjoyed substantial growth with many contracts for maintenance, repair and refit of superyachts in 50m+ category.

Yachts such as:

• Lady Lola
• Phocea
• Apoise

are among those that have contracted work with the shipyard which offers an impressive on-site mechanical workshop.

The sales team headed by Jacques Conzales and Emma Henry have been hard at work promoting the shipyard for just over a year now and the shipyard is a serious contender for projects relating to larger yachts.

Cornish Shipyard Sea Trials Superyacht

Akalam, the 32m sloop designed by Barracuda Yacht Design created a spectacular sight against the Cornish cliffs and castles of Pendennis and St Mawes when on sea trials this week.

During her trials she achieved 14knots under power and over 11knots sailing, with a wind of 20-25knots in the Bay.

Built by Pendennis Shipyards Akalam is a technically advanced yacht. The elevated pilot house with a large glass area provides the yacht with her with a distinctive profile with plenty of glass along her sides as the huge windows form an almost unbroken vista from the interior of the vessel, enhancing the cruising experience by allowing as much natural light in as possible.

The design presented challenges, as Iñigo Toledo, of Barracuda Yacht Design, explained, "Bearing in mind the larger than normal window area in the hull sides, Barracuda has successfully alleviated any potential concerns about the integrity of the rig by ensuring rig tension is focused on the double-bottom rigid structure, thereby diverting most of the stress away from the hull".

Under sail she has been designed for ease of handling and will carry a self-tacking jib and no running backstays. A retractable dagger board increases her draught from 3.6m to 5.5m allowing a wide range of cruising and anchoring opportunities.

The social areas and master cabin are both of a substantial size and comparable with yachts of a much bigger scale and are complemented with an impressive 60 m2 covered aft deck space. This was achieved on the aft deck by positioning the coamings and seating positions right out to almost the full beam width.

The interior by Javier Muñoz consists of contemporary styling, with neutral cream leather and upholstery balanced by hand crafted features in a mixture of mixture of sycamore, grey tinted zebrano with further accents of olive and panga woods.

The yacht is now in the finishing stages at Pendennis prior to handover to the owner.

• Construction: Aluminium
• LOA: 32m (105.6ft)
• Draught: 3.6m (11.88ft keel up)
• Beam: 7.6m (25.3ft)
• Builder: Pendennis
• Naval Architects: Barracuda Yacht Design
• Interior Design: Javier Muñoz
• Owner's Representative: Iñigo Toledo 

Superyacht Builder Sets up Face Book Page

The marketing Department at Feadship admit they are supposed to be building boats and not spending time on social web pages. But they reason: "If the founder of Facebook is Time Magazine’s person
of the year, we figured the time must be right for Feadship to launch its own official Facebook page!"
So that is what they have done and they are now inviting superyacht business professionals to  take a look at www.facebook.com: Feadship Royal Dutch Shipyards.
They intend to add lots of images and stories to the page in the weeks and months ahead and ask, "Please join us by clicking ‘Like’ as we embark on a virtual cruise together."

Superyacht Training Centre Re-opens After Fire

Following a serious fire in May 2010 which destroyed approximately 25 per cent of their training centre and caused serious smoke damage to the remainder of the building, Hoylake Sailing School Ltd and John Percival Marine Associates have reopened their facilities.

Refurbishment of the building has seen the school increase its training rooms to eight, to allow for the surge in business over the past 12 months.

The boom in business is due mainly to the introduction of the modules for OOW (Yachts), Master (Yachts) and also Chief Engineer (Yachts).

Over the past 12 months the company has employed a further three instructors and also an Accounts and Personnel Manager. Captain John Percival added: “We are recruiting again for both Deck and Engineering Instructors especially those that hold, or have held, an STCW 95 Certificate of Competence.”

For more information on Hoylake Sailing School go to: www.hss.ac.uk, or contact John Percival on +44 (0)151 632 4000. Email: captain@hss.ac.uk.

Superyacht Services Group YCO Expands

There seems to be no stopping the superyacht services group YCO.  Having scooped up top charter brokers Hume Jones, Nick Heming and Tamsin Priestley, after many years working at Camper & Nicholsons International they have now topped that by announcing that one of the most well known sales brokers in the industry is also to join them. 

Neil Cheston also formally at CNI Monaco is to join the firm and brings not only his expertise, but also the advantage of his experience as former President of MYBA and his current position as Chairman of the MYBA Sales Committee.

At YCO, Neil will be working to raise the profile of the brokerage division and build up the expanding sales and charter team. In doing so he will divide his time between the Monaco and London offices.

Established by three superyacht captains in 2004, YCO is rapidly being recognised as one of the superyacht industry’s leading firms and is somewhat an innovator in the market.

YCO was the first company to introduce its own online yacht management software (YCO LIVE) as well as a prepayment debit card (YCO VISA) and the specialised luxury sailing division, YCO Sail.

Most recently, YCO has introduced the world’s first superyacht brokerage iPad application, Yachtbox.

Boat International Editor to Stand Down

After 15 years at the helm of Boat International magazine, Amanda McCracken is to step down from her position as editor so she can spend more time, writing and sailing.

Amanda joined Boat International from The Lady magazine in 1996, but she will not leave the publisher completely.

In future, she will take on writing assignments for group publications in a new role as Special Assignments Editor and will remain editor of the annual magazine, Best of the Best.