Moonrise: Largest Dutch superyacht ever built is launched

Moonrise, the largest yacht by waterline to be built in the Netherlands
Moonrise, the largest yacht by waterline to be built in the Netherlands

As the worldwide demand for megayachts seems undiminished, Dutch shipyard Feadship has launched the 99.95-metre (327.91-foot) Moonrise, the largest yacht by waterline to be built in the Netherlands. The vessel successfully marries sleek sensual lines with a modern masculine profile. A wide range of luxurious details, long hull windows, a glorious grey hull and striking vertical bow add to the elegance of the design by Studio De Voogt.

Moonrise has a very impressive volume thanks to a 15.50-metre beam. This has generated great interior space for 16 people across eight staterooms. There is also exceptionally high-end crew accommodation for up to 32 crew, which are bathed in Continue reading “Moonrise: Largest Dutch superyacht ever built is launched”

Netherlands Maritime Technology provides new home for Dutch yards after the collapse of HISWA

Following the collapse of HISWA, Netherlands Maritime Technology provides new home for Dutch yards
Following the collapse of HISWA, Netherlands Maritime Technology provides new home for Dutch yards

Netherlands Maritime Technology (NMT), a grouping of 400-plus expert maritime companies, showed Dutch superyacht builders and their suppliers a new home last week following the collapse of their HISWA Holland Yachting Group.

NMT has created Dutch Yachting Society (DYS), a stand-alone NMT unit to handle the global branding and export promotion of Dutch superyacht makers and their supply chain.

Around 60 companies have already registered to join DYS. Businesses have until 1st February to make up their minds. NMT officials said they expect 40 to 50 to actually join. They wooed them at a meeting this week by briefing them on NMT house rules and explaining the Continue reading “Netherlands Maritime Technology provides new home for Dutch yards after the collapse of HISWA”

European Yacht of the Year 2020 winners announced

Seventeenth "European Yacht of the Year"
Seventeenth “European Yacht of the Year”

Europe’s best sailing yachts are awarded the “Oscar of water sports” in a total of five categories every year. For the seventeenth time, the international award “European Yacht of the Year” was presented on Saturday 18th January during the Flagship Night of boot Düsseldorf and Delius Klasing Verlag.

Every year, around 60 new sailing boats are launched on the European market. But only five shipyards can celebrate the title “European Yacht of the Year 2020”. The tests took the jury members of the twelve sailing magazines from all over Europe to Port Ginesta, south of Barcelona, in October 2019. All 16 candidates were thoroughly tested and evaluated. In total, the specialised journalists covered almost Continue reading “European Yacht of the Year 2020 winners announced”

Winners of the 2020 MotorBoat Awards announced

2020 MotorBoat Awards announced
2020 MotorBoat Awards announced

The winners of Motor Boat and Yachting 2020 Motor Boat Awards were announced at boot Düsseldorf in January 2020. With 11 categories, and plenty of nominations for each, the judges’ winners were announced at a sparkling dinner.

The winners are:

Sportsboats and RIBs
The Brig Eagle 8 shows how RIBs “have been transformed from tough workhorses Continue reading “Winners of the 2020 MotorBoat Awards announced”

Pleasure craft safety equipment recommendations

Advisory safety equipment for pleasure craft
Advisory safety equipment for pleasure craft

For pleasure yachts of less than 13.7 meters in length there are no statutory requirements for safety equipment other than those required under SOLAS V. Safety equipment is an important part of preparing a boat. It is advisable that all pleasure craft skippers check that their vessel is properly equipped.

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) recommends it is essential that you properly equip your boat prior to going on the water and that you ensure that the craft is Continue reading “Pleasure craft safety equipment recommendations”

Australian Superyacht Rendezvous fourth annual in 2020 to be hosted in Whitsundays

Australian Superyacht Rendezvous fourth annual in 2020
Australian Superyacht Rendezvous fourth annual in 2020

Organisers have announced that the fourth annual Australian Superyacht Rendezvous will be hosted in the Whitsundays by Coral Sea Marina Resort from 16th to 18th October 2020.

Recognised internationally as the South Pacific’s leading superyacht event, the Australian Superyacht Rendezvous, which has been staged on the Gold Coast since its inception in 2017, will make an exciting move to the Great Barrier Reef. Invitation only events will be staged across the three days for attending Continue reading “Australian Superyacht Rendezvous fourth annual in 2020 to be hosted in Whitsundays”

The Expected Life Span of Yacht Enclosures

What is the expected life span of an enclosure? There are a lot of variances, and this article is prepared to give you the information needed to determine the life of a given enclosure.

Soft Enclosures

The least expensive of boats will typically have roll vinyl curtains. These are made from a clear pvc material that typically comes 51” wide on a roll and can be .015, .020 or .030 in thickness. It is soft and the life span is very short and unremarkable.

Better boats may have pressed polished sheets. These are made using the roll vinyl Continue reading “The Expected Life Span of Yacht Enclosures”

Sunseeker launches a dedicated superyacht division

Sunseeker has announced its intention of moving into metal-built yachts
Sunseeker has announced its intention of moving into metal-built yachts

Sunseeker has announced its intention of moving into metal-built yachts with the launch of a dedicated superyacht division.

Announcing the new direction, chief executive Andrea Frabetti also spoke of the company’s ambitions to double the yard’s range to 26 models from 38ft to 50m by 2022. Since 2000 Sunseeker has delivered 137 yachts over 100ft and has now set its sights on a distinctive range of superyachts from 101ft to 161ft.

The expansion of its superyacht line has in part been motivated by the loss of customers as the market moves into larger, metal-built vessels. It has been a long-term ambition of Sunseeker’s to move into metal-hulled designs and the company Continue reading “Sunseeker launches a dedicated superyacht division”

US Navy develops corrosion Topside Drone detection system

Topside Drone
Topside Drone

The US Navy’s Office of Naval Research has recently worked with the operator of the retired WWII-era carrier USS Midway to test a drone-based corrosion detection system.

ONR’s fast-prototyping division, TechSolutions, has developed a sensor package and processing system called Topside Drone that can detect corrosion and anomalies on hull surfaces automatically, saving time in surveys. The technology will be used to inspect and detect material defects, corrosion, warping and other forms of deterioration.

In a manner broadly similar to technology under development by ABS, Topside Continue reading “US Navy develops corrosion Topside Drone detection system”

Lithium-ion batteries linked to fire in superyacht’s garage says new report

Lithium-ion batteries linked to fire of 'MY Kanga'
Lithium-ion batteries linked to fire of ‘MY Kanga’

Transport Malta’s Marine Safety Investigation Unit (MSIU) has published an investigation report on a garage fire onboard the supertyacht ‘MY Kanga’ while at anchor off Croatia, in September 2018. The investigation concluded that in all probability, the seat of the fire was the Lithium-ion batteries. Transport Malta recommended a review of the Commercial Yacht Code of 2015 on the storage of Li-ion batteries, as well as closed ventilation systems.

MY Kanga was at anchor in the coastal area of Dubrovnik, Croatia, on the morning of 7 September 2018. While the first officer was on the bridge, the fire panel gave off an alarm, indicating a fire in the garage. He immediately went down to inspect and was overwhelmed by the presence of heat and smoke in the garage. The main fire Continue reading “Lithium-ion batteries linked to fire in superyacht’s garage says new report”

New UK marine industry figures by British Marine make gloomy reading

British Marine
British Marine

New figures published by British Marine, the trade association for the UK leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry, highlight the number of British marine businesses reporting an increase in revenue sinking to 22%, 10% less than November 2018. The new figures also show static profit margins for marine businesses, with just 6% of companies enjoying an increase in profits, 6% less than November 2018. Business confidence within the sector is at its lowest level since autumn 2016.

Domestically focused UK businesses, especially marine services, continue to experience flat markets with 7% of companies experiencing an increase in revenue over the last six months. The domestic market has previously benefited from Continue reading “New UK marine industry figures by British Marine make gloomy reading”

Bankrupt Moonen Yachts acquired by Australian couple

Matthew and Louise Baxter - new owners of Moonen Yachts
Matthew and Louise Baxter – new owners of Moonen Yachts

Dutch superyacht builder Moonen Yachts is under new ownership. An Australian couple, Matthew and Louise Baxter are the new owners of the shipyard. Matthew, of Scottish origin, is a successful Australian businessman and entrepreneur, who in 1972 established the A M Group, a privately owned worldwide group of manufacturing companies of which he is executive chairman.
Louise and Matthew first discovered Moonen Yachts whilst sailing on Pittwater harbour in Sydney where they came across the Moonen yacht, Aurora (Moonen 84). This lead to their involvement with Moonen, a midsized Dutch pedigree shipyard with a dedicated and highly skilled team.

In Matthew’s words, “It is a privilege to own a yard like Moonen. The brand has an impeccable pedigree, the yachts are true Dutch quality and the team is young, reliable, talented, and very loyal to the company. These characteristics are fundamental for success. I realise that the yard has to re-energise, but we are well Continue reading “Bankrupt Moonen Yachts acquired by Australian couple”

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