Caribbean

Marine Electrification Companies Vita and Evoy Merge

Electric marine technology companies Vita and Evoy announced they are merging to consolidate their positions in high-power electric marine propulsion in both commercial and recreational markets.In coming together, the companies said they plan to leverage scale to drive down prices for the end user, fast tracking development, and providing immediate access to territories across Europe and North America with active operations in the U.K., Norway, France, Italy, Monaco and California.Evoy’s high-output inboard and outboard systems are currently in operation in 19 countries…

Cox Marine Expands North American Dealer Network

Ring Power, a distributor of Cox Marine diesel outboards, announced the continued expansion of its North American and Caribbean dealer network. In the past few months, it's welcomed an array of new partners, including: United States Dealers: ● Heavy Duty Systems, New York, N.Y. ● Legasea Marine, Yorktown, Va. ● All Star Marine, Baltimore, Md. ● JetSki Miami, Miami Fla. Puerto Rico Dealer: ● Dalco Power Dominican Republic: ● NautimarPat Bucci, Vice President and General Manager of the Cox Marine division of Ring Power…

Caribbean Officials Search for Missing Couple After Yacht Hijacking

Police from two countries in the eastern Caribbean are investigating the possible murder of two people believed to be U.S. citizens who owned a catamaran that was hijacked by three fugitives in the waters off the island of Grenada.The yacht's alleged owners, Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry, were last seen Sunday night, when three men escaped from the custody of Grenadian authorities. Police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines captured the men on Wednesday.The Royal Grenada Police…

New Product: Robust, Stylish Marine Luminaires

Glamox launched new range of energy-efficient indoor lighting for vessels and offshore installations, with an eye on style.The AL40 LED range of indoor luminaires is specially designed to light the interior of vessels and offshore installations. The luminaires are designed to provide comfortable and glare-free lighting for locations where crew and passengers spend a lot of time. This includes offices, cabin corridors, staircases, crew cabins, control rooms, and the bridge. On an offshore rig…

Cox Marine Expands Distributor Deal With Ring Power

Cox Marine, the manufacturer of the CXO300 diesel outboard engine, announced an expanded contract with U.S.-based distributor and Cox investor, Ring Power, to cover additional regions as the exclusive distributor. The Florida-based company is increasing its territories beyond the state of Florida and the Caribbean to include Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, as well as Bermuda.Appointed by Cox Marine in 2019, Ring Power has a growing order book and is also hiring a team of qualified technicians and a skilled sales team to support the Cox Marine operation in the region…

Highfield Named Oyster Yachts CEO

Ashley Highfield has been appointed as the new CEO of Oyster Yachts. Highfield, who was previously Executive Chairman of the British-based luxury boat builder, has been fulfilling the interim CEO role since September 2022 following a reorganization, and was formally offered the role last month.“I have known Ashley for literally decades, and been hugely impressed by his energy, experience, and vision across a number of businesses. In more recent years, Ashley and I have been closely working together on the successful turnaround of Oyster and growth of its topline revenues and brand.

Godfrey Marine Breaks Ground on Expanded Manufacturing Facility

Godfrey Marine, manufacturer of Godfrey pontoon boats and Hurricane deck boats, innovator in versatile deck boat designs, announced it has expanded its manufacturing facility in Elkhart, Indiana. Members of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce joined in the celebration on May 10 with ceremonial shovels to break ground.The new facilities include a 27,000 square foot warehouse and an automation wing. The warehouse will enable 30% growth in production, while the automation wing creates space to add innovative technology for pontoon tube production.

Russian Billionaire's Yacht Detained in Gibraltar

A luxurious super-yacht linked to the owner of Russia's largest steel pipe maker, who is currently under British and European Union sanctions, docked in Gibraltar on Monday and was then detained by the authorities.Western sanctions on Russian oligarchs over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine have triggered an exodus of luxury yachts from Europe in recent weeks, with several heading towards the Maldives, which has no extradition treaty with the United States.Reuters TV footage showed the "Axioma", believed to be owned by Dmitrievich Pumpyansky…

Yacht Linked to Russian Oligarch Leaves Barcelona

A superyacht linked to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich left Barcelona on Tuesday where it had been undergoing repairs in a local shipyard, ship-tracking data showed.The 140-meter (460-foot) My Solaris, which sails under a Bermuda flag according to monitoring site Marine Traffic, left Spanish company MB92's Barcelona shipyard just after 5 p.m. (1600 GMT) on Tuesday, according to the same site. MB92 declined to comment.The superyacht, which was built in a German shipyard and first took to the sea early last year, is one of a string of yachts owned by Abramovich…

Superyachts Enjoy Pandemic Tailwind as Rich Seek Zen at Sea

When Chinese billionaire Jack Ma took a trip to Spain's Mallorca island last month, much was made of it being his first foreign foray since a 2020 fallout with regulators had clipped his wings.However, Ma's sunny sojourn on his newly-built 88-metre (289 ft) cruise boat Zen - estimated to be worth $200 million - also put a spotlight on a global trend: the return of the superyacht.As the number of billionaires grows and COVID-19 has added to incentives for avoiding crowds, the multi…

Ferretti, Rolls-Royce Power ink pact on Hybrid, IMO III Propulsion Systems for Yachts

Rolls-Royce Power Systems and Ferretti Group are deepening their cooperation and jointly developing sustainable solutions for future yachts. A first milestone is a cooperation to install a mtu hybrid propulsion system of Rolls-Royce in a new Ferretti yacht. Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti Group and Andreas Schell, CEO from Rolls-Royce Group's Power Systems Division, signed the agreement earlier this month in Cannes during the Yachting Festival. “In recent years, Ferretti Group has reported rapid growth and development, bringing beauty and innovation to the marine industry.

AkzoNobel Acquires New Nautical Coatings

AkzoNobel N.V. is set to increase its presence in the North American yacht coatings market after agreeing to acquire New Nautical Coatings, owner of the premium Sea Hawk brand. Financial details are not disclosed.The privately-owned company is one of the top players in yacht coatings in North America. Operating a specialized production facility out of Clearwater Beach, Fla., the business is mainly active in North America, with sales also being generated in the Caribbean and Australasia.“North…

Peters & May Announces Senior Management Appointments

Following the announcement of Simon Judson’s appointment as Peters & May’s new CEO, the global marine transport and logistics provider has revealed further changes to its senior management team as part of internal structural changes within the company and the strengthening of its business operations in response to changing industry demands.Based at the company’s UK head office, Simon Judson will head up the new senior management team and oversee the company’s wide range of services…

New Luxury Yacht Charter Concept Emerging in Croatia

These 40-plus-meter yachts available for charter in Croatia present unbeatable price performance, says Mitja Mirtič, CEO of Goolets, who heralds the "new age of yachting".As the luxury yacht business booms in many parts of the world, Croatia has become one of the hottest destinations to charter a yacht.Croatia as a charter destination is by itself already the place to go. With more than 1,200 islands to explore, beautiful medieval towns and jet set places such as Island Hvar or Dubrovnik…

Abandoned Fiberglas Boats are Harming the Marine Environment

Where do old boats go to die? The cynical answer is they are put on eBay for a few pennies in the hope they become some other ignorant dreamer’s problem.As a marine biologist, I am increasingly aware that the casual disposal of boats made out of fiberglass is harming our coastal marine life. The problem of end-of-life boat management and disposal has gone global, and some island nations are even worried about their already overstretched landfill.The strength and durability of…

KVH Elite Adds Mediterranean Region for Yachts

KVH Industries, Inc., announced that beginning June 1, it will add the Mediterranean region, a premier super yacht destination, to its KVH Elite service for unlimited HD-quality streaming onboard yachts. The dedicated service, which includes no overages or data limits, was initially launched last October in the Caribbean, where it was well-received by both private and charter yachts.KVH will continue to offer KVH Elite in the Caribbean—including Florida, the Caribbean, and the islands of the eastern Caribbean—in addition to beginning service in the Mediterranean…

Dutch Students Sail Home Across the Atlantic Due to Coronavirus

A group of 25 Dutch high school students arrived back in the Netherlands in a two-mast schooner on Sunday, after airline restrictions left them with little choice but to help sail it home from the Caribbean.The group, aged 14-17, had been halfway through a six week sail-study program in the region on board the "Wylde Swan", which was built in 1920. But by mid-March, it appeared they could no longer fly home from Cuba as planned.Organizers decided the ship, including 12 experienced sailors and three teachers…

Southern Marinas Acquires Premier Properties

Southern Marinas Holdings, LLC, a partnership between a New York-based private investment firm and Southern Marinas, has announced the purchase of Hi-Lift Marina in Aventura; Hidden Harbor in Pompano Beach; and Palm Harbor in Cape Haze. These premier Florida locations were acquired from Aqua Marine Partners, LLC in a deal that brings the growing Southern Marinas portfolio to ten properties.While the timing of the acquisition comes as people are practicing social distancing, boating provides a fun activity to get outside in a healthy, recreational setting with family and friends.

KVH Introduces TracVision UHD7

KVH Industries has introduced the TracVision UHD7, a high-performance 60 cm (24 inch) marine satellite TV antenna designed to provide boat owners, charter yacht guests, and commercial vessel crews with access to ultra high-definition (UHD) and 4K programming from DIRECTV as well as regular HD programming from other leading satellite TV providers. The system is on display at the Fort Lauderdale (FL) International Boat Show, October 30-November 3, in Booth 328.Designed for ease of installation and use…