Superyacht News

Mental health struggles amongst yacht crew highlighted in ISWAN YachtCrewHelp 2023 Annual Review

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The ISWAN YachtCrewHelp 2023 Annual Review highlights growing mental health issues for yacht crew
The ISWAN YachtCrewHelp 2023 Annual Review highlights growing mental health issues for yacht crew

Data from the ISWAN YachtCrewHelp 2023 Annual Review indicates that yacht crew were more likely to contact ISWAN in relation to mental health concerns or experiences of abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence (ABHDV) than seafarers working in other maritime industries, particularly merchant shipping.

In 2023, the proportion of contacts relating to ABHDV on YachtCrewHelp was more than double the level received by SeafarerHelp, accounting for 7.3% of all issues raised compared to 3.1% on SeafarerHelp. Women were more than five times more likely to report an Continue reading “Mental health struggles amongst yacht crew highlighted in ISWAN YachtCrewHelp 2023 Annual Review”

World Boating Day initiative unveiled by The Superyacht Life Foundation

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World Boating Day initiative unveiled by The Superyacht Life Foundation
World Boating Day initiative unveiled by The Superyacht Life Foundation

World Boating Day, an initiative from The Superyacht Life Foundation, has unveiled further details of the project following its launch at the Monaco Yacht Show 2023.

With the aim of opening the doors of introducing and educating the wider public on what boating is, The Superyacht Life Foundation says World Boating Day is a unique, global experience which will bring industry professionals and the public together on an unprecedented scale in a celebration of everything boating and everything that the industry behind it offers.

To date 15 superyacht builders and one marina have pre-registered for the inaugural event, which will take place on the weekend of 25-26 May 2024. Continue reading “World Boating Day initiative unveiled by The Superyacht Life Foundation”

ICOMIA launches essential new Paint Colour Guide: Yacht Coating Technical Guidelines

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New from ICOMIA - the Paint Colour Guide: Yacht Coating Technical Guidelines
New from ICOMIA – the Paint Colour Guide: Yacht Coating Technical Guidelines

The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) has produced a Paint Colour Guide: Yacht Coating Technical Guidelines as a result of their work with leading yacht coating manufacturers including Akzo Nobel, Hempel, Boero, CMP Chugoku and specialist coating consultants the Safinah Group.

The guide has been produced by ICOMIA members, for their members and the wider marine sector, in conjunction with industry technical experts including yacht paint surveyors, inspectors, chemists and formulators. It aims to provide clear, objective industry guidance on the use of paint colours and yacht coatings.

The days of yachts being painted only with the typical blue hulls and white superstructures are long gone. Continue reading “ICOMIA launches essential new Paint Colour Guide: Yacht Coating Technical Guidelines”

Superyacht industry flying a little blind with insufficient data on sustainability

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MB92 Group, the world’s leading superyacht refit, repair and maintenance company with facilities in Spain and France, published today its third report that highlights the need for greater regulation and concertation across the superyacht industry and its vast supply chain.

For this new report, MB92 Group surveyed its supply network and consulted key stakeholders from the industry and environmental NGOs for a broad discussion on the path ahead for the luxury yacht sector and its suppliers. Among the topics discussed were the challenges for refit shipyards and suppliers to propose sustainable solutions to clients, considerations when looking at the whole of the superyacht lifecycle such as material sourcing and sustainable manufacturing processes, research and development and innovation from the supply chain. Continue reading “Superyacht industry flying a little blind with insufficient data on sustainability”

Are lithium-ion batteries safe on yachts – and other vessels?

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Image credit: Stevie-Iona Vaughan/Facebook
Image credit: Stevie-Iona Vaughan/Facebook

Authored by Mike Schwarz, IIMS Chief Executive Officer

“Mike’s suffering from mild hysteria”, they said. Well, perhaps I have been, yes. The cause of my hysteria? Lithium-ion batteries and fires caused by them! There are believed to have been nearly 70 fires last year alone involving large and superyachts. As more new information on this subject comes to light on a regular basis, I simply have to come back to it time and time again and share what we know. It is a massive and worrying subject and one that is consuming the finest technical minds in the marine world right now. We all need to be aware of the phenomenon for it will not resolve any time soon. As always, I say I understand fully the need to decarbonize and embrace this Continue reading “Are lithium-ion batteries safe on yachts – and other vessels?”

Azimut Benetti tops megayacht order book

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Photo credit: Azimut Benetti Group
Photo credit: Azimut Benetti Group

Azimut Benetti Group leads the annual ranking of the largest yacht builders. With 168 projects under construction, totalling 5,991 metres in length, Azimut Benetti Group leads the annual ranking of the largest yacht builders known as the Global Order Book by Boat International.

The ranking puts the global yacht builder as the top manufacturer among 189 shipyards, both in number of projects and total length. The gap between first and second place grew sharply over the past year, as the Italian company founded by Paolo Vitelli extended its order portfolio into 2027, recording a production value of more than €1.2 billion for the current year. Continue reading “Azimut Benetti tops megayacht order book”

Registered Marine Coatings Inspector standard and qualification set for major relaunch

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The past couple of years have presented challenges for the resilient global superyacht industry, not least for those whose role it is to inspect and report on the complex coatings systems. The pandemic and other factors beyond the Registered Marine Coatings Inspector (RMCI) team’s control brought the successful programme to a temporary halt.

The RMCI standard, introduced in late 2014, was set up in response to pressure from the industry because there was no standard and no specific qualifications for marine coatings inspectors in the superyacht sector. Since launch, nearly 150 industry professionals have achieved the qualification. The RMCI certification of suitably experienced coatings inspectors has been welcomed and supported by many Continue reading “Registered Marine Coatings Inspector standard and qualification set for major relaunch”

Carnage at sea in August. What’s happened and why?

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Superyacht Hooligan pictured. Photo credit - Nomme Rescue Unit, Tallin
Superyacht Hooligan pictured. Photo credit – Nomme Rescue Unit, Tallin

We hear all the time about exciting breakthroughs in new technology and enhanced safety management systems designed to keep lives and assets safe at sea. We read in various reports that, in general, the number of serious incidents and accidents is falling year on year. So, what on earth went wrong in August? If you can help me to make sense of it all, please do so!

The number of incidents, mishaps, and accidents last month all over the world at sea and in ports is eyewatering – beyond belief – and frankly, more than anyone would agree is acceptable. In many instances, the cause and recommendations that come from the incidents, Continue reading “Carnage at sea in August. What’s happened and why?”

Serious violations led to boatyard fire that destroyed superyacht says report

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Boatyard fire destroyed superyacht says report

The company operating Hinckley Yacht Services (Portsmouth, US) has been fined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after a massive fire in December that destroyed a superyacht and a second boat on the property. The initial fines totalled more than $56,000, but these have since been reduced to around $31,000.

OSHA says employees were exposed to fire hazards while working in an enclosed work area. That enclosed area was under the hull of a boat surrounded by hay bales stacked three-high, and the employees had not been provided with effective information and training on the hazardous chemicals they were using (flammable liquids, which ultimately ignited). Continue reading “Serious violations led to boatyard fire that destroyed superyacht says report”

World-leading Brisbane Shipyard expansion wins council approval

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Photo credit: Rivergate Marina and Shipyard
Photo credit: Rivergate Marina and Shipyard

A Brisbane Shipyard is a major step closer to becoming the Asia Pacific region’s premier superyacht destination and a more strategic location for defence and commercial vessels after Rivergate Marina and Shipyard gained approval for a $200 million expansion.

Brisbane City Council has approved Rivergate’s Development Application for an expanded maintenance and refit hub based on the Brisbane River, which would be the catalyst for a jobs and economic bonanza for Queensland’s marine and tourism industries. Continue reading “World-leading Brisbane Shipyard expansion wins council approval”

Marine surveyors Van Ameyde McAuslands warn seized yachts must be decommissioned to mitigate safety and environmental risks

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Albert Weatherill, MD of Van Ameyde McAuslands and IIMS member
Albert Weatherill, MD of Van Ameyde McAuslands and IIMS member

Seized maritime assets could pose a “significant risk” to ports, harbours and marinas if there is no requirement to ensure mega yachts detained under sanction rules are properly maintained, made safe, or deactivated, according to experienced marine surveyor, Albert Weatherill, managing director of Van Ameyde McAuslands and a long-standing IIMS member.

Safety concerns have been raised by Van Ameyde McAuslands, a global firm of marine surveyors and engineering consultants, following the seizure of a number of high-profile mega yachts thought to be owned by Russian oligarchs, Continue reading “Marine surveyors Van Ameyde McAuslands warn seized yachts must be decommissioned to mitigate safety and environmental risks”

Report by MB92 looks at challenges for the superyacht industry to become sustainable

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The superyacht industry is running out of time to course-correct on sustainability if it and its playground – the oceans – are to survive the century, a new report finds.

“The cost of inaction is evident and will be extremely dire for our oceans and industry,” said Pepe García-Aubert, president and CEO of the MB92 Group. “However, I am convinced that through a collaborative approach, our industry can rise to the challenge and achieve our goal of a sustainable future for superyachting.” Continue reading “Report by MB92 looks at challenges for the superyacht industry to become sustainable”

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