Sanlorenzo Wins Nautical Design Award in Miami

Massimo Perotti, President of superyacht builder Sanlorenzo, has been presented with an award for developed American market by founding Sanlorenzo of the Americas, with its three locations promoting the “Made in Italy” brand.

The award was made during the 23rd Miami Yacht & Brokerage Show 2011, by the Italian Trade Commission, in collaboration with UCINA (Italian Marine Industry Association)

The Nautical Design Awards are instituted by ADI (Association for the Industrial Design) an organization responsible for the development of industrial design.

Sanlorenzo shipyards were established in Viareggio in 1958

Today the company operates as  two divisions: the Ameglia Division, for the production of fibreglass motor yachts ranging between 62 and 108 ft., and the Viareggio Division, for the production of superyacht in composite material with semi‐displacement hull from 92 to 122 ft. and super yachts in metal (aluminium and steel), from 40 to 50 metres over.

Superyacht Reorganisation Explained

Just in Case You Were Wondering

Azimut Benetti recently announced that it was to make major internal changes to the way the group was organised and who things would in future be run.

It announced that the group would be divided into 3 main lines of business: Yachts (boats up to 30 metres), Megayachts (boats over 30 metres), and Yachtique (strategic services for the owner).

That left everyone wondering where Fraser Yachts and its subsidiary The Crew Network was going to be pigeonholed.

Would it be under Megayachts (surly as Europeans they mean Superyachts) or under Yachtique the all embracing services arm of the company?

Well I can now reveal it is the later.  Patrick Coote head of Marketing has confirmed:

• The Crew Network is part of Fraser Yachts
• Fraser Yachts is part of Yachtique.
• Paolo Casani is President of Yachtique
• He is backed up by Luca Christino as General Manager.
• Hein Velma remains CEO of Fraser Yachts

Vincenzo Poerio, long-time CEO of Benetti for the past 18 years, heads up the Megayachts division.

Clear now?  If not This may help to explain: www.yachtique.it

UK Superyacht Port Agency Created

With the expected upsurge in numbers of superyachts calling in the UK over the coming months sparked by the Olympic Games and attending superyacht racing events, new opportunities are opening up for ships agents.

First Class Nautical Ltd, already a supplier of technical services to the industry, has enlisted the support of ships agents Denholm Barwil Ltd, to provide Port Agency services across the United Kingdom.

Denholm Barwil Ltd one of the UK's leading port and marine service providers operates through a network of 22 offices at all major ports of the country.

Concentrating on ship agency services in the UK, they have in house capability to handle all vessel types, including the specialist services required by large yachts.

Ian Fenton of First Class Nautical says “Port agency is not just a 'report and clear' function of a vessel port call, but a partnership which ensures the master, owner, charterer and port are kept advised as appropriate while the vessel is supplied as efficiently as possible.”

Peter Knight, of Denholm Barwil Ltd, says, “We are ideally placed to welcome Yachts to the city, having developed close working relationship with all parties involved with the berthing and servicing of vessels. The Olympic year 2012 will undoubtedly be a busy time and we strongly encourage Yachts to contact us now.”

While UK based, the services of both companies are available worldwide via the parent and partner companies. Case in point is the recent quote of 120,000 litres of a specific grade of fuel to a 60m yacht in a remote part of the Caribbean and the management of a delicate situation for a firm of solicitors for a yacht in the Mediterranean. 

Philippine Superyacht Association Formed

The Philippine Superyacht Association, has newly formed as a non-profit organisation, with the goal of opening up the Superyacht industry in the Philippines.

Started by Captain Richard Johnson the Association has been formed to cater for the needs of the increasing numbers of superyachts visiting SE Asia.

 


Historically, the majority of the world’s privately owned superyachts have gravitated towards the Mediterranean Sea and the Islands of the Caribbean. A recent trend, however, has been for yachts to venture further afield.

Superyacht owners are now discovering many beautiful parts of the world, previously unexplored by maritime tourism.

Strong economic growth in Asia has also produced many wealthy individuals craving ownership of such luxury items as sailing and motor yachts.

The last ten years has seen the creation of several superyacht associations and yacht construction, refit and support companies in the region. Singapore, China, Hongkong, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia.

The Philippine Superyacht Association will work very closely with these organisations to attract the Superyacht sector to Asia - The Third Destination.

Speaking about superyachts in Asia Arthur Tay, Chairman, Superyacht Singapore Association said:  “Asia is expanding fast in the superyacht scene with significantly higher superyacht traffic and ownership buoyed by the economies of the region. We have seen growth of superyacht visits from 16 in 2006 to over 80 superyacht visits during 2010.”

What has 224 wheels and weighs 1282 tons

The answer is the hull of an 86 metre SuperYacht as it moves from the builders shed onto a river barge in Holland for transportation to the fitting out facility.

The occasion is the moving of the steel hull of Y708, the latest new build from Dutch SuperYacht builder Oceanco.

The place is the facility belonging to the hull construction company of   Zwijenburg located in Krimpen.

From here the hull will move up river to the Alblassendam facility of Oceanco where the aluminium superstructure sits waiting.

Tomorrow it will be lifted onto the hull and the entire assembly will be moved into the builders covered shed alongside her sistership Y707

Pirates Capture Four Crew from Yacht in Indian Ocean

Four Americans sailing aboard a yacht on passage from India to Greece have been seized by pirates some 240 nautical miles off the coast of Oman in the Indian Ocean.

Jean and Scott Adam, owners of the the sailing yacht Quest, have been sailing around the world for more than seven years.  In some news reports they have been described as Baptist Ministers.

They were only recently joined by two crew according to their Web site

All four captured crew members will join the over 815 sailors now being held hostage by pirate among them are the South African couple Bruno Pelizzari and Deborah Calitz who are are still being held in Somalia, four months after their sailing yacht Choizil, was hijacked.

Ransomes were paid to free the British couple Paul and Rachel Chandler after they were held for nearly 400 days after their yacht, Lynn Rival, was hijacked near the Seychelles in October 2009.

They fared better than did the French yacht-owner Florent Lemacon was killed  when French commandos tried to liberate him and four other people from their hijacked yacht, Tanit, off Somalia in April 2009

Can Superyachts apply for Letters of Marque

It was King Henry III of England who, in 1354, first issued Letters of Marque to privateers and allowed them to protect his nations shipping from attack by pirates.

Now ifInsurance syndicates at Lloyds of London have their way, armed parties of privately employed personnel are to be hired to protect shipping from the scourges of the Somalian based pirates that are currently wrecking havoc among today's merchant shipping as it sails the world's oceans well outside territorial waters while plying their lawful trade.

Perpetrators of the idea are keen to distance themselves from swashbuckling words the likes of Corsairs and Privateers but in all but name that is what the plans seem to amount to.

How long do you think it will be before we see a 70 metre SuperYacht take up the call to arms and enter the fray. 

Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of Rum!

Vicem to Build Superyachts

Turkish yacht builder Vicem Yachts is enlarging its horizons beyond mahogany construction into high-tech composite construction with three new sleek, fast yachts, that will be known as Vicem Vulcans

Models in the line include a 46m/151’ , 35m/118’ and 32m/105’ for its Vulcan Line.

All three superyachts will be launched and delivered between 2011 and 2012.

The Vulcan Line yachts are to built in a facility the yard has in Antalya, Turkey. Composite materials, applied with resin and sandwich techniques, have been chosen to achieve the best possible strength-to- weight ratios.

For these new yachts the Turkish yard has signed two additional agreements with two designers.

Dutch based Wetzels Brown & Partners will be involved in the interior design of the Vulcan 32 metre RPH, while the UK based Ken Freivokh team will develop the 35 metre Tri-Deck interior design. Art-Line has been involved with the 46 metre yacht since its inception.

Yacht Report Magazine to Become Superyacht Report

The Yacht Report has changed its name and as of the March issue, 121 it will be called The Superyacht Report.

How very interesting! There is Superyacht.com the Website, Superyacht Times another Website this blog called Superyacht News and of course SuperYacht World the very pretty magazine. 

Then of course comes SuperYacht Business a really well written easy to read superyacht magazine with a solid B2B approach that, instead of costing £6 or so an issue as The Yacht Report does, is Free to everyone in the industry who wants it.

Could this be the real reason behind the change?

Apparently according to the Yacht Report at least the change is simple: In the past decade, the superyacht industry has grown and strengthened into a global industry in its own right that supports local and national economies. As it has evolved, so have they, creating a portfolio of products all with the name superyacht.

They say they have changed the name of their flagship product to fit into this family perfectly and reflect the industry as it stands today.

No doubt soon we will see Boat International Become Superboat International

In order that you get every issue of SuperYacht Business completely free of charge, go online and register at: http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/syb/index.htm

Superyachts Encouraged to Visit London for 2012 Olympic Games

London is only one of a handful of capital cities that can accommodate superyachts in their hearts and the River Thames with its iconic views of Tower Bridge, Greenwich, O2 Dome and Canary Wharf's financial district is the city's aquatic artery. 

As such, the river and its docklands are expected to potentially play an important role as a venue for superyacht owners seeking to watch the Olympic Games.

A legacy of London’s shipping trade of the past, there remains few docks and wharfs that can serve the purpose.  Many of these being hastily spruced up by developers eager to provide high quality stern-to mooring for 50-100 large yachts as demand warrants and the Games approach.

Canary Wharf will be one such centre with added space available in the Royal Docks next to City Airport where yachts up to 200m LOA and 30m beam can be accommodated.

Owner of the Nelson 23 metre motor yacht Rum Jungle, Hugh Agnew, is a principal of YachtsLondon a group he has founded in the hope of being of service to visiting superyachts by providing them with berths.

He said, “Many parties will be involved including dock owners, landowners, pier operators, PLA, MCA, security and suppliers.  We can help with all of these, but the key at the moment is early decisions so that sufficient dock space is put in place for 2012.”

As well as the Olympic Games many other events will take place in the UK during 2012.  These include the Superyacht Cup, J Class regattas, Westward Cup.

 If ever there was a year in which to plan the UK as a superyacht destination then 2012 could well be it with the added advantage of cruising in Ireland, Scotland and Scandinavia close by.

Good News for Superyacht Captains

Marina operators Island Global Yachting have instigated enhancements to its customer loyalty program known as the IGY Anchor Club.

The program continues to reward captains of yachts over 24 metres, but has been redeveloped to further benefit captains that choose to use a company managed marina as a destination.

A point-accruement system allows the member to redeem points for electronics, fine jewellery, home and outdoor gear, travel opportunities, and products and services for vessels.

Captains gain automatic membership when they dock at any company destination or when they register online.

The only program of its kind within the yachting industry, the IGY Anchor Club now has a custom website through which captains may register, browse a seemingly endless catalogue, and keep up with the latest captain and crew events.

The new program will see its official launch at a crew party for held during the Miami International Boat Show, on February 18th.

Alloy Yachts New Zealand Begin Another Superyacht

With Vertigo soon to leave the shed and two other yachts well underway, Alloy Yachts have begun work cutting plate for their next yacht, a 43.9m sloop scheduled to launch in late 2012.

Repeat customers, the owners have spent the last 14 years cruising the world aboard Eclipse. Their love of that 20 year old yacht and the long relationship they have had with the people at the yard convinced them that it was time to return and build another.

Designed by Dubois Naval Architects with an interior designed by the yard’s Interior Design team along with the owners, their brief was for a bigger, more modern and faster version of what they currently have.   At the same time they seek to incorporate all the best qualities they love about Eclipse into their larger yacht.

A notable feature that the new yacht will have is the same style of stepped transom featured aboard Eclipse. The steps provide a wonderful extension to the outdoor living area and provide a perfect spot for fishing or just hanging out and watching the wake while underway.

G20 Force Cannes Superyacht Show to Alter Exhibition Dates

Because of security arrangements surrounding the holding of the G20 Summit in Cannes this October, the dates of the Cannes Boat show have been altered.

Initially scheduled to run from 7th to 12th September, the 34th Festival de la Plaisance de Cannes now moves one day ahead of its schedule to run from Tuesday 6th until the following Sunday.

Security plans for the summit, involves the requisitioning of the city’s entire sea front, from the Vieux Port to Port Pierre Canto, starting the beginning of October.

The superyacht show traditionally extends along the quays of the Vieux Port and Port Pierre Canto, and inside the Espace Riviera exhibition hall.

G20 is having an impact on other events including both MIPCOM and Tax Free. 

Lets Do it Again Superyacht Gets Stern Extension

Having refitted the Feadship Illusion and adding a 5m extension to the stern in 2010, the Pendennis Shipyard is about to undertake a repeat performance.

The 46.5m Feadship Audacia has just arrived at Falmouth Cornwall for similar structural enhancement.

The two metre extension and remodeling of the swim platform with 2 curving stairways and one stern access door will supply substantially more space providing a more accessible and useable recreational area on board.

Restyling of the stern, removal of the forward fashion plates and the addition of underwater lighting will also give the vessel a more contemporary finish.

The shipyard has developed the new structural designs in close collaboration with Joanne de Guardiola Design, Inc. who provided the overall concepts and design styling.

Alongside the structural enhancements the yard will improve performance through the replacement of the existing stabilisers with Quantum zero speed stabilizers.

Work has commenced swiftly with a 3 month programme scheduled – the yacht is due for re-delivery in the middle of April 2011.

Once completed this distinctive yacht hopes to make an impact upon her arrival at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Antibes Superyacht Show Teams up With MYBA

The Antibes Yacht, Show, now planning its 5th outing from the 7th to 10th April this year, has teamed up with MYBA  to partner the event.

For the first time this years show will focus on refit as well as brokerage and charter.

Held early in the year, in Port Vauban Antibes the show is positioned, both in time and location for buyers looking for yachts this summer.

This year organisers promise greater comfort and quality for exhibitors and visitors by using spacious marquees in the Bastion St Jaume and on the IYCA

They plan a Captains’ Lounge, located on the Terrace of the Bastion Saint Jaume, where Captains and their guests will be served free drinks, breakfast and lunch.

A brand new Crew Lounge is to be set up in 3 arches of the Bastion St Jaume, a space dedicated only to Crew with free drinks and many different educational and fun activities.

In a Champagne Lounge, exhibitors and visitors can enjoy a glass of Champagne whilst contemplating the yachts moored on the IYCA.

Free visitor parking areas will be available upon your arrival in town (Fort Carré, Parking Bouygues), look for the signs and get the free bus or boat shuttles to bring you to the entrance of the show

Too Late for Carrier to Superyacht Conversion

We did at one stage ask if there was the possibility of converting the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible into the ultimate superyacht. 

But now it seems, you are all far too late because the aircraft carrier has been sold at auction and the highest bidder has been identified as a Turkish ship breaker.

Leyal Ship Recycling, based near Izmir, was chosen ahead of a bid by a UK-based Chinese businessman.



Lam Kin-Bong had offered £5m for the ship and had come up with the idea of turning the former warship into an international school in China.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “After 25 years of service HMS Invincible was decommissioned nearly six years ago and having reached the end of her distinguished career, it is right that we secure a good financial return for the taxpayer.

He added, “The bid from Leyal Ship Recycling does this and also ensures she is disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.”

Superyacht Australia to Organise Conference

Superyacht Australia is to organise the first ever Superyacht and Marine Export Conference immediately prior to the 2011 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in Australia.

The event (ASMEX) will run over 17 and 18 May, to bring together, service providers and marine industry manufacturers.

A key focus of the conference will be promoting Australia as a key cruising destination plus looking at the excellent refit and repair services and facilities available.

The conference will address key issues facing the Australian Superyacht and Export industry and explore current and future opportunities.

SYBA CEO MaryAnne Edwards said: “This is an exciting initiative SYBA have been working on for some months. It is designed to profile the Australian Superyacht Industry and provide an excellent platform for the industry both in Australia and globally to network, share ideas, understand issues and work with key industry stakeholders to look at ways to grow the Australian Superyacht sector. The conference will also provide an overview of key global markets and in particular how Australia, NZ, Asia and the Pacific can work together to drive more business for the region.”

The conference will be the key Superyacht and Export specific event in Australia for 2011 and will bring together the main players in the industry value chain. It is envisaged the conference will attract a strong number of industry from both Australia and overseas

Superyacht Australia will be distributing further information in regards to programme content and guest speakers over the next two weeks.

The Mystery Super Yacht is Revealed

In our last posting we published the picture shown left depicting what we thought was a new and previously unknown superyacht.  The picture was taken while we were sailing in the Damaniyat Islands off the coast of Oman as guests of Oman Charter.


It was not until our own yacht got a great deal closer that we realised that rather than it being yet another oligarchs superyacht plaything it was in fact a natural formation.

Unnamed on the charts we have now called it Superyacht Rock.  Please amend your charts accordingly

Can you Identify This Superyacht?

Sailing in the Damaniyat Islands off the coast of Oman as guests of Oman Charter we saw this strange looking yacht on the horizon.
Very definitely not one that we could identify and one that needed closer attention.
If you have any ideas on what it was do please post a comment and in our very next posting we will publish the picture taken when we got close up.

Superyacht Crews Need Specific Training for ECDIS

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have published in Marine Information Note 405 (M + F), details of what they deem acceptable training for Masters and Deck Officers of UK Flagged vessels who wish navigate primarily by electronic means with the Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS).

As such vessels wishing to proceed down this route or who already have, are advised to check the requirements and be certain they hold the necessary certification as proof especially prior to a port state inspection.

Although not guaranteed, it is likely other members of the Red Ensign Group may follow suit with similar requirements.

Da Gama Navigation Management a company specialist in electronic navigation aboard superyachts recommends that yacht management companies should ensure crew qualification records are up-to-date to be certain un-qualified crew are not sent to ECDIS accredited vessels as this negates their ability to officially navigate primarily by electronic means. 

Steve Monk MD at Da Gama warns that everyone involved should take note of what the notice refers to as the non-acceptable type specific 'trickle training' of crew by other members of crew (Para 3.1).

For further information on crew training, equipment requirements and means to achieve them, check this link.

For further information on the situation regarding the implementation of ECDIS and to read MIN 405(M+F), click here.

YPI Hosts Second Superyacht Builders Seminar

YPI the brokerage house hosted a yacht builders seminar with FIPA Italiana Yachts at an event in Monaco to which many in the superyacht community were invited.  This was the 2nd such Seminar to take place and followed on from the success of the Feadship reunion the company hosted in June last year

One broker said of the event,  “It is so refreshing to be able to meet face-to-face the top people and decision makers from the quality shipyards…this is the new face of yachting.”

FIPA Head of Sales, Luca Guidetti said “People are always pleasantly surprised when they come to visit our sites in Viareggio.  For 30 years we have been building yachts based on a solid reputation communicated by word-of-mouth. That says a lot for our work.”

Founded in the 1970s, FIPA Italiana Yachts is a family-run business and is made up of no less than four major Italian yachting brands – AB Yachts, MAIORA, CBI Navi and Intermare - FIPA now builds custom yachts in GRP, steel and aluminium, Kevlar and carbon from 20 – 80 metres in length.

Attendees at the seminar also benefitted from an insightful look into the state of yacht building today and some of the battles the industry now faces courtesy of Theo Hooning, Secretary General of the superyacht builders association, SYBAss.

“SYBAss is a body that is genuinely working hard to make a difference for yacht builders and the industry as a whole,” says Head of YPI Management Franc Jansen. “This whole area of yachting is going through some monumental changes today; focusing on these changes and ensuring the industry is protected has to be top priority for all of us.”

Work Begins on 65 Metre Superyacht at Heesen

At a special party inside superyacht building shed number six at the Heesen yard in Oss, crowds of journalists, yard workers and top industry figures gathered to watch a ceremonial welding of a memorial plate to the structure of the yards first 65 metre superyacht project.

This revolutionary concept uses the Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF), the result of studies and tank tests carried out over 20 years by the Dutch Naval Architects Van Oossanen and Associates.

Perry Van Oossanen told us that the idea behind the FDHF design comes about from the knowledge that the typical load profile of a motor yacht often consists of long range cruising at low speeds and only short periods of time at higher and maximum speeds.

“This.” he says, “indicates the need to focus hull design over the entire speed range rather than on maximum speed only.   We have made sure that the FDHF incorporates design features that have a large effect on hydrodynamic resistance over the whole speed range, such as the area of the immersed transom, bulbous bow, trim control and spray rails.”

Officiating at the ceremony, Fabio Ermetto, Sales and Marketing Director at Heesen Yachts says: “We are well known in the superyacht business for being a shipyard that likes challenges. We are proud to be the first shipyard to build a yacht featuring this innovative hull configuration using aluminium for both hull and superstructure. The Fast Displacement hull configuration is the perfect platform for creating a new luxury yacht in which increased performance and reduced environmental impact begin with a radically different hull design.”

Built for unnamed Russian owners for who this will be their third Heesen, the exterior lines have been drawn by Frank Laupman from Omega Architects.  At the ceremony Dickie Bannenberg and Simon Rowell of the design firm Bannenberg & Rowell stepped forward and identified them selves as the chosen interior designers for the as yet unnamed yacht.  This new project becomes the fourth such inside the current Heesen building programme.

Burgess to Exhibit Le Yana at Abu Dhabi Yacht Show

At the third Abu Dhabi Yacht Show (24 - 26 March 2011), Burgess will be exhibiting the 42.8 metre Baglietto, Le Yana, as Central Agents for sale and charter.

Delivered in 2008, this striking motor yacht features an unusual blue hull and sleek exterior lines designed by Francesco Pazowski, while her light, contemporary interior houses designer furniture by Pedro Pena. 

ABS certified and MCA compliant, Le Yana represents a superb opportunity to purchase an extremely well maintained yacht in ‘turnkey’ condition. 

Accommodation is for 10 guests in 5 cabins configured as a master suite, two doubles and two twin guest cabins each with pullmans. 

Twin 1950hp Caterpillar engines deliver a cruising speed of 14.5 knots, a maximum speed of 16.5 knots and her range is 4,500 nautical miles at 12 knots. 

Le Yana can be chartered in the Indian Ocean this winter from EUR 126,000 per week and she comes with an asking price of EUR 18,500,000.

Visit her during the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show at Yas Marina, Pontoon 2, Berth no 44.

Superyachts Could be used by Pirates to Attack Cargo Ships

Navies responsible for the patrolling of pirate infested waters off the coast of Somalia are bracing themselves for what may happen now that they have captured a cargo ship carrying fast yachts.

“They fear that pirates will somehow figure out how to offload these boats once back to Somalia and use them as fast mother ships to approach other vessels undetected.” Says Michael G Frodl who heads up C-LEVEL, a maritime risks consultancy based in the USA.

Nine motor yachts on board the German-owned Beluga Nomination, which was attacked by pirates on 22 January while on passage from Malta to the Seychelles.

Five of the yachts were part of an on deck cargo shipped by the specialist Yacht Logistics company Peters and May a company based in Southampton and specialist in such shipments.

The company’s MD, Angus Bruce Jones told Motorboat & Yachting Magazine: "Peters & May's primary concern is for the safety of the ship's crew. We understand that Beluga Shipping are doing everything in their powers to negotiate for their speedy return.

"The five boats we are transporting are all fully insured and we are keeping our clients informed as much as possible about the status of this unfortunate situation."

He added: "We transport yachts every week through this area and have never encountered pirates before. The yachts that are destined for the Far East and Australia are normally carried on very large container vessels travelling at speed with high inaccessible decks. 

Superyacht Show Book

With the 50^th anniversary of the Antigua Charter Yacht Show due to take place this December, show organiser Sarah Sebastian of Nicholson Charters has set out on a quest to publish a Coffee Table book outlining the history of the show telling the story through photographs and recollections of those who have attended over the years.

Now she is appealing for photographs that may be suitable for inclusion.

If you have images that are pre 1985 and are prepared to loan them to Sarah then please do get in touch with her at.

She promises to give photographers a credit

Contact her Sarah at - Nicholson Yacht Charters