On Line Crew Agency Reveals Secrets For Success In Online Networking

Every day we use our inbuilt secret weapon called 'Gut Instinct' when meeting new people, approaching new situations and making many decisions.

As our online interactions continue to increase in both our professional and recreational worlds, it is possible to replace Gut Instinct with Mr Overconfident, or Miss Looks-like-a-good -idea.

Taking things back to basics can make all the difference says on line crew recruitment firm findacrew.net.

They give the following advice when meeting new people online. 

• Remember that meeting someone online should be no different than meeting in the workplace, in a bar, through a friend - let Gut Instinct work for you.
• Communication is the key. With email, Skype and cheaper international phone calling, there is no excuse not to communicate to a level you are comfortable with before you meet someone in person
• Get references - it is a normal part of job recruitment to ask for or provide references. No different if you are employing or seeking work online. 
• When you do meet, make it in a public place - restaurant, airport, shopping centre - somewhere that you not only feel safe, but you can see how the other person deals with other people as well.
• Ask questions! There is no reason to think it is polite not to ask some questions.

It is much better to sort these things out before you commit than to encounter problems along the way which could have been avoided.

Online marine crew and boat network, findacrew.net has seen trends change over the last 7 years.

"When we launched in 2004, many people were still hesitant about meeting people online.

From the beginning, we focussed on providing a safe online environment with many tools to protect your identity and privacy" explains Kylie from their head office in Mooloolaba, Australia.

"While many people didn't really understand the behind the scenes complexity of these features, we find now that it is more of an expectation by the serious job and adventure seekers in our industry. As well as many smaller recreational sailing and motor yachts, we have hundreds of super and mega yachts using our site to find their crew and privacy is extremely important for many of them. The tools we have in place mean they can keep their anonymity, and all boat and crew members are in full control of who sees their details at all times".

This can also be the difference between a paid subscription based and free online network. Always check to see what security and privacy controls are in place before you splash you details all over the internet.

Exploring the Deep Ocean and Setting Priorities for Ocean Preservation

The International Sea Keepers Society is to host a seminar on the first day of the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show.  Entitled; Exploring the Deep Ocean and Setting Priorities for Ocean Preservation, it will feature Dr Sylvia Earle and guest presenter Kevin Hardy of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography

The Library of Congress has recognised Dr. Earle as a Living Legend.  She is an Explorer in Residence at the National Geographic Society and former Chief  Scientist of NOAA.  She has spent more than 7000 hours underwater researching the oceans.  She was awarded the 2009 TED prize for her work to establish” hope spots”– a network of marine protected areas in the oceans. 

Dr. Earle’s presentation on her team’s plan for a manned Deep Ocean exploration will be followed by a panel discussion with top leaders in the ocean community who will share their priorities for ocean preservation. 

Kevin Hardy, Senior Development Engineer of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography–Marine Biology Division, will discuss his recent scientific expedition to the Sirenas Trench and his robotic Deep Ocean Vehicles (DOV’s) that he invented which have been featured on PBS and National Geographic Society.  His current work focuses on small free fall landers capable of reaching the most extreme depths of the world's oceans with cameras and sensors.

Dr. Mark Luther, Chair of SeaKeepers Scientific Advisory Council and Associate Professor and director of the Ocean Monitoring and Prediction Lab in the University of South Florida College of Marine Science, where he co-directs the Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System.

Dr. James Morris, the Director of the Belle Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences, Professor of Biological Sciences, Distinguished Professor of Marine Studies at the University of South Carolina, and a AAAS Fellow.

The seminar takes place at

Bahia Mar Hotel

State Room A

801 Seabreeze Boulevard

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

+1 954 764-2233

From 3 until 5PM

To Book seats email: info@seakeepers.org 

Buy It Before it Even Gets Wet

The super yacht M has still yet to be delivered by the shipyard but already with delivery 2 months away she is aggressively priced at €9.5 million with her Owner described as an extremely keen seller.

This somewhat radically designed (some would say ugly) 40m yacht will be delivered from the increasingly successful Bilgin shipyard based in Istanbul.

H2 Yacht Design created both the exterior and interior designs for an experienced yacht Owner who was looking for a more distinctive yacht.

With her reverse X-bow the exterior is a combination of sharp creases and clean flowing shapes, maximising the interior accommodation without sacrificing its aggressive style.

The interior is described as fresh and modern without looking minimalistic and combines the rich Maccasser and Zebrano woods with warm leathers and fabrics.

With her zero speed stabilisers, she is available for inspection in Istanbul, Turkey through Gregory Gheraia at YPI.

See Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from the Deck of a Superyacht

With a Formula 1 race track that wraps itself around a super yacht marina there really isn't a better spot to watch the race than the deck of a Superyacht

Edmiston have announced that thay have the 37 metre Couach  Sheleila available in the UAE and whose owners are keen to charter for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The yacht boasts great comfort, great deck spaces and state of the art technology enabling guests to enjoy the best of the race.  While alongside, the yacht  can welcome up to 35 guests on board.

Her weekly rate during this event is USD 145,000 (including berth).

Commercial Contract for Superyacht Builder Comes with Added Advantages

Superyacht Builder Trinity Yachts, LLC is to capitalise on its experiences gained in building superyachts by taking up additional work in the commercial and military maritime industry.

Trinity Offshore, a separate set up by the directors of Trinity Yachts has been awarded a contract to build two 92 metre Dual Fuel Offshore Supply Vessels.

The contract from Harvey Gulf International Marine calls for the craft to be capable of operating exclusively on natural gas.

The inaugural U.S. flagged LNG-powered vessels will achieve ENVIRO+, Green Passport Certification by the American Bureau of Shipping, the first OSVs to achieve this certification in the United States.

The requirements for ENVIRO+, Green Passport dictate that the vessels be continuously manned by a certified Environmental Officer. More, the vessels will be completely constructed with certified environmental materials including advanced alarms for fuel tanks and containment systems.

The project will employ 300 for the next 30 months and is a significant step for Trinity Offshore’s re-entry into the Deep Water Support Vessel sector.

The implications of the contract for Trinity Yachts and its custom built superyachts are numerous.

By engineering technologies for natural gas powered vessels, incorporating specific design features superyachts of the future could benefit from Trinity Offshore’s experiences with:

• LNG
• Diesel electric
• Steerable z-pellers
• Fire fighting and more

Trinity could as a result, become the first custom yacht builder to be able to transfer this level of environmental technology to the world’s superyacht fleet.

Shipwrights Lecture Packs in Apprentices and Admirals

Left to right: Sir John Parker, Ian Benning, Rob Humphreys, Tom Humphreys, Sir Jock Slater, Michael Derrick

The first Shipwrights Lectures held recently attracted a full house audience from Apprentices to Admirals

Apprentices, students and young shipwrights were inspired, motivated and enlightened about the world of opportunities open to them in both the British and Global marine industry, at the first in a series of Shipwright’s Lectures, held in one of the world’s leading maritime cities.

The Turner Sims lecture theatre at the University of Southampton saw a packed audience for the lecture.

The event drew over 120 apprentices, from all over the UK, together with 100 graduates, university and college students aspiring to careers in the marine sector.

They heard introductions and welcome addresses from leading industry figures, including Admiral Sir Jock Slater and closing remarks from Sir John Parker, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering and himself a former apprentice.  

The audience heard how the British marine industry, which encompasses numerous skills from boat builders to naval architects, marine engineers to interior designers, currently employs over 32,500 people in the UK, with £3billion annual revenue of which around 40% is exported.

The UK has developed some of the world’s leading talents in this sector, and the Shipwrights Lectures have been designed to give young students an insight into the opportunities and developments in this exciting industry.

The event attracted attendees from the UK’s largest marine companies with boat builders

• Sunseeker
• Pendennis
• Princess
• SYS
• Discovery Yachts

as well as specialist engineering companies such as Halyard, through to organisations including the RNLI and National Waterways Museum.

The designers of Ellen MacArthur’s round the world yacht Kingfisher, father and son team Rob and Tom Humphreys presented the first lecture, which gave a fascinating insight into the past, present and future of yacht design and technology.

Recalling how early designs were manually produced using pencil, wooden set curves, splines and weights drawings and shapes, purchasing his first calculator he required hire purchase finance, Rob illustrated to the audience how traditional skills have now evolved. 

Was Apple CEO Steve Jobs Designing His Own Superyacht

Credit: Jonathan Mak Long

According to Leander Kahney writing in Cult of Mac Steve Jobs was, before his untimely passing, was designing his own Superyacht.

He reports from a snippet in the New York Times discussing Walter Isaacson’s new biography of Jobs, due out next Monday.

The book offers some tidbits about Mr. Jobs’s legendary attention to detail, which, according to Mr. Isaacson, extended to a luxury yacht that he began designing in 2009.

The design is sleek and minimalist, with 40-foot-long glass walls. It is says the book, being built in the Netherlands by Feadship.

When asked for a comment Feadship responded by saying, "Sometimes, word gets out about one of our yachts. We often build for captains of industry, royalty and other leading individuals. Understandably, our clients value their privacy greatly and consequently we never discuss our owners' identity. We choose not to comment."

Feadship Helix to Make US Debut at FIBS

Having enjoyed a successful Monaco yacht show, the management and directors of Feadship are gearing up for the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show next week.

Two unsold Feadships will be on display the 45-metre Helix and the 39-metre Go.  Ready to go theses two yachts truly offer turn key opportunities.

The Fort Lauderdale Show is an important show for the Dutch superyacht builder.  While Feadships are enjoyed by owners the world over, the United States remains the number one single market for the company and enjoys the support of its own dedicated Feadship America office.

The brand-new Helix is the latest in the successful F45 custom-series and the first to feature a superb Nautical interior.

Feadship will also again be displaying the sixth in their Future Concept

At 56 metres, Qi (pronounced chee) is designed to generate a fresh sense of energy among owners and their family and friends as they reconnect with nature in the most inspiring surroundings.

Philippe Briand - New Design for Carbon Composite Sloop

Green Marine in Southampton is currently building a 33.4 metre carbon composite hull, to a Philppe Brian design.  Once complete, it will be shipped to Vitters in Holland who now own Green Marine.  Vitters will fit the yacht out and her launch is expected in May 2013.

Designer Philippe Briand has devoted a large amount of his attention to the design of this boat which is both well proportioned and balanced.  He did so to fulfil the requirements of her owner who wanted a high performance yet ‘timeless’ sailboat.

The yacht is based on a high-tech carbon structure. The keel lifts to from a maximum draught of 5.35 m. The high aspect ratio sail plan is directly based on the latest monohulls used for the America's Cup.

The design of the hull features a moderate beam, a sloped transom, a low freeboard and accentuated sheerline.

With her striking green hull she is likely to be very distinctive and instantly recognisable, ensuring she stands out from the crowd.

Due for launching in 2013, she is expected to participate in superyacht races which traditionally see both the most efficient and elegant yachts competing.

Technical specifications

• Overall Length                      33.44m
• Waterline Length                  30.57m
• Beam                                     6.89m
• Waterline Beam                     6.32m
• Draught                                 3.75/5.35m
• Unloaded Displacement        85.0t
• Loaded Displacement            93.5t
• Sail Area Upwind                  571m²
• Sail Area Reaching                919m²
• Sail Area Downwind             1069m²

Arcadia Transits The Northwest Passage

Arcadia the 36 metre explorer yacht designed by Tony Castro and built by Royal Huisman has completed the east-west transit of the Northwest Passage

In doing so she became the 159th vessel to do so in the 108 years since records began.

Yet Arcadia is not steel-hulled ice breaker but is instead a superyacht constructed in aluminium, with some components fabricated in carbon composite.

Her epic 24 day voyage began with a departure from Christianshab, Greenland in early September for a crossing of the Baffin Sea to Pond Inlet

Three days later she began her transit on the 5th of September. Under the command of Captain James Pizzaruso, she carried the yacht’s owner and guests who reported that they had a stunning passage that included numerous polar bear sightings, fine and challenging weather and some exhilarating shore-side hiking.

Arcadia’s voyage covered a total of 3,278 nautical miles, of which 1,587 were completed between Ilulissat and Cambridge Bay, and a further 1,691 between Cambridge Bay and Nome, Alaska.

The route from Pond Inlet took in:

• Bylot Island
• Devon Island
• Prince Leopold Island
• Fort Ross on Somerset Island
• Bellot Strait
• Jenny Lind Island
• Cambridge Bay on Victoria Island

From there she sailed on to Nome Island via Banks Island, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea and the Bering Sea.

Simpson Marine expands in South China

Founded in Hong Kong by yacht broker Mike Simpson in 1984 Simpson Marine is rapidly strengthening its presence into South China.

The opening of a new flagship office at the Serenity Coast Marina in Sanya (Hainan) will complement Simpson's offices in Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

The company additionally has offices in:

• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Thailand
• Taiwan
• Indonesia
• Philippines.

They representing yacht brands that include:

• Azimut
• Nautor’s Swan
• Beneteau
• Lagoon
• Sea Ray.

Simpson Marine provides a wide range of essential services to the yachting industry including;

• New production yacht sales
• New superyacht construction
• Second-hand yacht brokerage sales
• International and Asian chartering
• Servicing, maintenance and management

Mike Simpson commented "We are the only dealer with a coherent approach to the luxury yacht market in China - and the wider region - to cater to the growing number of high net worth individuals. Simpson Marine is ready to serve the fast expanding Chinese market, and specifically its southern part, which is transforming itself into the yachting hub of China. Azimut, Beneteau and Lagoon are regarded as leaders in their field and we want our yacht owners to get the best service and support. This is our strong commitment to China's vibrant yachting scene".

As a measure of its commitment to its Chinese clientele the company will participate at SIBEX this month, the leading yacht show in Guangdong province, and will display on water the latest range of Azimut yachts, Beneteau and Lagoon sailing boats.

Simpson Marine will also be one of the China Cup's main sponsors, China's leading regatta and a great showcase for Beneteau's sailing boats. 

Ocean Exploration & Educational Trust Work Aboard Superyacht Fortaleza

Fortaleza the 26 metre Inace is currently based in Malta.  She is owned by the Aurora Trust and is involved in the exploration of the oceans.

The Trust has assembled a world class team of marine archaeologists and ocean scientists to undertake exploration of the seafloor in search of the lost remains of our maritime past.

The Aurora team, utilising state of the art tools to explore the ocean depths has made numerous magnificent discoveries in the marginal waters of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

To help disseminate its discoveries and publicise those of other similar groups exploring the words oceans, the Aurora Institute for Marine Studies (AIMS) has been established to serve its educational objectives.

AIMS provides educational forums; sponsors academic research and related publications to broaden the spread of knowledge

In 2006, Aurora Trust signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Heritage Malta, Malta’s national agency for the management of the islands’ heritage sites.

After a series of discussions with archaeologists from Heritage Malta and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage it was decided that the Malta project would focus on an offshore area where local partners had reports of cultural deposits present in deep waters.

The work has continued year on year and many interesting finds have been discovered.

Fortaleza is available for charter through Ocean Independence the yachts Central Agents

The yacht is for sale through Luke Brown Associates  Sales Specification here

Mobile Phone App for Fort Lauderdale Boat Show Visitors

Show Management the organisers behind the annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show have announced MyBoatShow, a new smart phone app that will aid visitors as they tour this year’s show.

The free app, available on iPhone and Android platforms, is designed to help navigate the show’s docks, land areas and tents. Attendees will be able to access show maps and search for exhibitors, manufacturers, product categories and boats by specifications and size.

The app, which will be available for all Show Management produced boat shows, will also provide:

• Show schedules
• Seminar information
• Show transportation schedules
• Maps
• Food and drink locations
• Restroom locations
• Emergency services

The MyBoatShow app is said to be fast and user friendly and will say the organisers revolutionise boat show navigation.

How well it works for those foreign visitors who need to set their phones on roaming remains to be seen

The show spans six sites this year and will feature more than $3 billion worth of boats, yachts, super yachts, electronics, engines and thousands of boating accessories from every major marine manufacturer and boat builder across the globe, as well as exotic cars, clothing and jewelry.

Other activities at the boat show include marine seminars, fishing clinics, live musical entertainment and an International Food Garden.

Back again is the Drop N’ Go dock where boats up to 40 feet may drop off or pick up guests at the Atlas Dock located at the Hall of Fame Marina on the Intracoastal Waterway.

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show takes place this year at six locations:

• The Bahia Mar Yachting Center
• The Hall of Fame Marina
• The Las Olas Municipal Marina
• The Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina
• The Broward County Convention Center
• The Sails Marina.

Do Not Call it Treasure Hunting

We are off to Malta to write about a superyacht that is involved in what we thought was Treasure Hunting.

It turns out however that in the world she is involved in, those two words are an absolute No-No!

The 26 metre Inace Fortaleza is in fact engaged in underwater or marine archaeology and that is, we are told, a very long long way from plundering from the depths.

The herself yacht is operated by the Aurora Trust and they use her to undertake Marine archaeological surveys mostly for governments who charter her to undertake the research.

Available through Ocean Independence who are the yachts Central Agents, Fortaleza offers the opportunity for guests to partake in historical charters.  They get to watch and be involved in all that goes on around them and that includes the sending of robot cameras down onto wrecks

The Aurora Trust was formed by Craig Mullen and Ian Koblick to advance the world’s understanding of the ocean environment, most particularly its marine cultural heritage hidden for thousands of years on the seafloor and to educate the public concerning the historic role the oceans have played in connecting different cultures; its commerce and conflicts.

Fortaleza is available for charter through Ocean Independence the yachts Central Agents
The yacht is for sale through Luke Brown Associates  Sales Specification here

See in Adverse Weather Conditions

The greatest fear of many Captains is having to navigate in Adverse Weather conditions such as rain, snow, fog or smog.

With the development of a new device in Canada there may well be an answer

Of course every superyacht has radar but even the best of radars rely on the operator to interpret the picture correctly.

Radar is an effective eye in the dark and fog but rain can affect it badly so it pays to have a back up.

The Night Navigator SOS is a new device from the Current Corporation that uses four sensors to produce one image:

• Image-Intensified Night Vision
• Infrared Active Gated Laser
• High-Resolution Thermal Imager
• High-Definition day camera

The fusing of these combines to produce one image and it is mightily effective when used at sea.

Additional features include:

• 3-Axis Gyro
• Electronic stabilization
• Weather presets
• Automatic object detection
• Object tracking
• Self diagnostics

No other camera system on the market combines these sensors and provides this high level of quality in one system.

The result is unprecedented detail and clarity.

Main Features:

• High-Resolution Uncooled Thermal Imager (640×480)
• Image-Intensified Night Vision with Infrared Laser
• High-Definition Day Camera (1080p or 720p selectable)
• 3-Axis Gyro Stabilisation
• Hardware and IP-Based Controls
• Touchscreen control via iNightNav App for iPod/iPad
• Digital cameras, digital fusion
• Matching optical and digital zoom
• Depth of field, edge and dynamic range enhancement
• Multi-patented embedded algorithms

Submarine for Superyachts at Ft Lauderdale Boat Show

Making its world debut at The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is a three-seat, air-conditioned submarine from Triton Submarines that can dive to 1000 metres

At around $2.59 million the sub is among the many toys that superyacht owners can buy for their yachts at the show.

The new Triton 3300/3 Submarine has an acrylic dome on top that is 2 metres in diameter and offers 180-degree views of the open water.

An increasing number of yachts are carrying submarines.  The 50 metre Trinity Mine Games, available for charter through IYC Yachts, has an enlarged aft deck to accommodate her Triton submarine.

Other yachts include Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Belle and Tom Perkins newly converted Dr No

The Triton 3300/3 will be on display inside the Bahia Mar Yachting Centre at booth No. 1417 near the exotic car display behind the berths traditionally used by Moran Yacht and Ship.  

Show-goers will be able to view the submarine from there but will not be able to climb inside.

Temptation Awaits You at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show

The 37.5 metre composite built Temptation from Palmer Johnson will be at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show with Jim Wallace of Edmiston exhibiting her.

With low hours on her main engines, immaculate condition in both engineering and interiors, Temptation is worth catching a glimpse of.  She is keenly priced at US$ 6.95

A great yacht to take to the Caribbean for the winter season, Temptation has a large amount of deck space for her size.

A spacious sun deck features a large Jacuzzi surrounded by decking and sunpads, a full-service bar, grill and dining. There is an additional 10-person dining table on the main aft deck.

The aft deck is air-conditioned for humidity control and has transparent curtains to protect diners from inclement weather without compromising the view. A 15 foot Novurania and two Seadoo RXP wave runners are stored aft of the guest area on the sundeck.

Interiors have been finished and maintained at the highest level, with marble and onyx featuring predominantly throughout. A full-beam, main deck master cabin includes his and hers bathrooms and walk-in wardrobes.

The full beam lower deck VIP cabin is larger than master suites on many comparable yachts and has a marble bathroom, shoji screen detail and full entertainment system.

An additional two double guest cabins are also situated on the lower deck.

To see her at the show, visit the Edmiston stand on the FG dock, slips 1 and 2 or contact Jim Wallace.

Wally Introduce the Villa on Water Concept

Trust Wally to make things radical.  Here is spacious, stylish and highly innovative new idea from them.

Not just a new Wally yacht but new way of Wally thinking. 

To be known as WallyAce she boasts three outside areas, the most astonishing of which is a roof terrace (effectively a sun deck) over the entire length of the superstructure.

At 59 square metres it is an incredibly large amount of space on a 26 metre yacht.

Both foredeck and aft provide a choice of where to dine, entertain or relax, either partly shaded or open to the sun.

The main saloon has 2.2 metre ceiling height and windows that provide 360 degree views.

Glass, polished steel, teak panelling and floor boards create an incredibly bright, inspiring atmosphere.

An important part of the conceptual design has been to minimise the barriers between inside and outdoor living. 

Opening to a private sea-level terrace, the lower deck owner’s suite is positioned facing aft, providing panoramic infinity views. 

With a huge beam of 7.8 metres, gyro stabilisers and low revving Caterpillar engines, the WallyAce hopes to deliver pleasing sea-keeping and economic running costs with a fuel consumption of 52 litres per hour at 10 knots.

Edmiston has hull # 2, the four cabin WallyAce for sale, while under construction.

The yacht is due for delivery in Spring 2012.