Naval Architect

Marco Santoro Takes Over as CEO at RMK Merrill-Stevens

Industry veteran Marco Santoro has taken the helm as chief executive officer at Miami yacht repair yard RMK Merrill-Stevens.A naval architect and marine engineer, Santoro began his career in yachting as part of the technical department at Italy's Rodriquez Yachts. In 2003, he joined Italian yacht builder the Ferretti Group as an intern in the after sales and service department, and over the course of 20 years worked his way up through a number of leadership roles, culminating as the company's vice president of refit and retail works. “My journey in this company was amazing.

Dales Marine Appoints Gray Chief Naval Architect

Dales Marine announced the appointment of David Gray as Chief Naval Architect, bringing the business a wealth of experience in ship and yacht design.Gray's areas of specialties cover the design and development of new vessels and conversions, including ships and floating structures, large yachts, and small commercial vessels such as workboats, dredgers, fast ferries, and other special service craft. In addition, Gray's has a keen interest in electric propulsion, hydrofoils, roll stability and stabilizers…

World’s Most Famous Superyacht Gets New BWTS

The world’s most famous luxury yacht is operating an advanced BIO-SEA ballast water treatment system from France’s BIO-UV Group.Christina O, the 1943-built motor yacht named after the only daughter of Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, was fitted with a low-flow BIO-SEA system last year as part of a major refurbishment at the D.K Fotinakis yard, in Greece.To fit the limited space available in the 325ft long vessel’s machinery room, the 87m3/h capacity BIO-SEA L03-0087 system was supplied on two separate skids – one housing all mechanical components…

Shipbuilding: Leadership Transition at Bay Ship & Yacht

Bay Ship & Yacht founders Bill Elliott and Alan Cameron step back, name Joel Welter CEO, Gerona Goethe General ManagerBill Elliott, who during a 45-year career catapulted Bay Ship & Yacht (BS&Y) from operating out of a single, mobile shipping container known as the “Shipyard in a Box” to becoming a premiere ship repair conglomerate in San Francisco Bay, announced a new generation of leadership for the company.Joel Welter, currently Chief Naval Architect, was named Chief Executive Officer and Gerona Goethe, currently Assistant General Manager was tapped tas General Manager.

Latest ShadowCat Wayfinder Delivered

The second vessel in the ShadowCat range, Wayfinder, has been delivered, naval architect Incat Crowther and yacht services fir YCTS Ltd announced. Wayfinder builds on the capability of Hodor, delivered in 2019.Wayfinder has a 68-meter length, 14-meter beam and a draft of 2.4 meters which permits close coastline navigation. Features include a fully certified helipad and helicopter hangar, with accommodation and storage over four decks. Wayfinder's carrying capacity includes a helicopter, five large tenders, jet skis and more.

IN THE YARD: Designing Ship Build and Transport Cradles

Transportation cradles are a key component in the build, transportation and launch of a ship and a suitable design can be fundamental in the success of these operations. Throughout their use they will support the various blocks and completed ship during construction, act as the interface between the vessel and SPMT’s (Self Propelled Modular Transporters) or barge, and ultimately support the ship during float off operations. The cradles are possibly the only item of equipment that will see the ship from very early stages of construction through until she is floating in the water.

Battery-Power Moves Ahead in the Yacht Sector

Yachts de Luxe (YdL) of Singapore placed a 10-year, $5 million contract with OXIS Energy to build the world’s first ever luxury boat to be powered by Lithium Sulfur (Li-S) cell and battery systems technology with a design range between 70 and 100 nautical miles at cruising speed.OXIS will work with YdL to design the new 40 foot luxury day boat which will carry a 400 kWh battery system comprising of Ultra Light, High-Power cells and a BMS. The design and manufacture of the cells modules…

Wärtsilä, Pastrovich Working on Sustainable Boutique Cruise Ship

Finnish marine technology company has teamed up with naval architect and yacht designer Stefano Pastrovich on the design of innovative sustainable superyachts for the boutique cruise sector."A new generation of boutique cruise ships is set to emerge, with the luxury of a superyacht, the construction techniques and passenger experience of a cruise ship, and a close focus on the environment. These cost optimized vessels will serve the charter and luxury hotel sectors in attracting and meeting the demand from millennials and cruise veterans alike…

Sichterman Adds Two Aluminum Yachts

Sichterman has launched the first Libertas 15M and Felicitatem 20M at their shipyard in Workum, The Netherlands.With these aluminum yachts, the Dutch boutique yacht builder adds two vessels to its fleet, after the launch of the Inveni 18m in May 2019.Just like the Inveni 18M, the Libertas and the Felicitatem are the result of a collaboration between designer Cor D. Rover, naval architect Van Oossanen and yacht builder Workumer Yachtservice.Due to a smart building process and a disruptive interior program…

Dynamic Platform's Role in Reducing Superyacht Engineering by Months

C-Job Naval Architects has been an innovator across many maritime sectors, and now it has targeted the superyacht market, with recently published research claiming it can shave nearly five months off the 'time to market' for new superyarchts via its 'Dynamic Platform.'C-Job said this time saving can be achieved with reduced engineering time while still offering owners a fully customized vessel.Stefan van der Harst, Junior Naval Architect at C-Job, is the man behind the research, and he proposes disconnecting the engineering of the lower part of the vessel and the upper part of the vessel.

ACO Marine, Clarimar Sign Equipment Order

ACO Marine has secured an order from Turkish naval architect Soyaslan Design to design and manufacture a Clarimar MF-3 biological wastewater management system for installation to the luxury yacht Nirvana.With capacity for 24 passengers and 13 crew, the 40m long newbuild is under construction at the Tuzla-based Torlak Shipyard for an undisclosed foreign owner.ACO Marine, a division of Germany’s ACO Group, has established a solid reputation in the European super- and mega-yacht markets. However, Nirvana marks the first reference for a Turkish designed and built yacht.

Kahl to Leave Nobiskrug

Holger Kahl will cease his involvement as Managing Director of the German part of the Privinvest group with effect from July 31, 2019. He will, however, continue to remain involved with Holding Company in an advisory capacity.Following a meeting of the Privinvest Board of Directors, Holger Kahl will be stepping down from the Nobiskrug,  German Naval Yards Kiel and Lindenau Werft Managing Board to follow specific projects of the Holding Company for various subsidiaries.Holger Kahl – lawyer and naval architect by profession – joined the Nobiskrug shipyard in 2005, when it was still part of tkMS.

Gulf Craft Unveils Majesty 175

UAE builder Gulf Craft announced that the 54-metre concept Majesty 175 is currently being constructed by UAE builder Gulf Craft at the company’s Umm Al Quwain facility, with her delivery scheduled to the end of 2019.The completion process of the largest yacht “Made in UAE”, is going at a fast pace, said the manufacturer of luxury yachts and fiberglass boats."Originally introduced to the public during the Monaco Yacht Show in 2016, the 54 metres flagship is being built completely at the advanced facility in Umm Al Quwain. Scheduled for delivery by the end of 2019…

Whirlwind of change: Where’s Trinity Yachts' crew today?

Four key players of the disbanded Trinity Yachts, once the world’s sixth largest custom yacht builder, are working in new roles in yachting since the company’s break-up about four years ago.Billy Smith, Geoffrey van Aller, Jim Berulis and Phil Nuss rolled with the punches, just as they did when this author interviewed them at Trinity’s Cinco de Mayo crayfish boil celebrating their new Gulfport facility in Mississippi in May, 2006. In a region suffering after Hurricane Katrina toppled the Gulf Coast and sank New Orleans on August 29…

Interview: John Canada, President, Ocean5 Naval Architects

John Canada founded Ocean 5 Naval Architects in 2007, arguably the worst time in history to start a maritime company as the industry was just entering the worst downturn in a generation. But more than 10 years later, and with the industry still in recover mode, Canada and his company are still standing. Ocean5 has become synonymous with sportfish, luxury, performance and composite high speed small craft naval architecture, and the company’s international presence is founded on patrol craft…

Thordon Keeps M5 Yacht Sailing

One of the projects Canada’s Thordon Bearings is most proud to be associated with is that of the Mirabella V, which has been operating the company’s SXL and COMPAC bearings continually for more than 15 years.The M5, formerly named Mirabella V, designed by Ron Holland Designs, was built by VT Shipbuilding of Woolston, UK in 2003. The 77m flybridge sloop, with a beam of 14.8m (48.5 ft) and a height of 88.5m (290.3 ft) to the top of the carbon mast, is the largest single-masted sailing ship ever built.The single-mast sloop sail design was chosen in order to maximize the accommodation space…

Pioneering Innovative Electric Propulsion

A Cornish company is planning a completely new development in electric marine vessels, with the help of a Rapid Innovation Grant from Marine-i.Whiskerstay Ltd is based in Falmouth and was set up three years ago by Dr. Rachel Nicholls-Lee, who is a naval architect with a background in yacht design and marine renewables. She is currently one of the leading experts in electric vessel design working in the South West.“There is huge interest in the marine sector for electric and hybrid propulsion systems that can deliver good performance whilst also being quiet and environmentally friendly.

Setzer Joins Hatteras Yachts

Hatteras Yachts has announced that well-known designer and naval architect Ward Setzer of Setzer Yacht Architects has joined its executive staff as Chief Product Officer.In this role, Setzer will be responsible for establishing new product direction and lead the Hatteras Yachts design and engineering teams in the development of new yacht models and the refinement of existing products while enriching the entire design/build process for customers and dealers alike.Setzer began his career in 1984 in Palm Beach…

11' Jet-Powered Tender to Debut in Ft. Lauderdale

Amid the grandeur of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show will be an 11' jewel glistening in the South Florida sun. The Argos Nautic 330 Jet is a bespoke five-passenger RIB tender powered by an intercooled turbo engine coupled to a waterjet. Marrying unbridled adrenaline with lavish opulence, its FLIBS debut is at Orange Zone Land 1001.A Boating Industry Top Product, the Argos Nautic 330 Jet was designed to solve the space issues common in many 50'–70' yachts. With an innovative center console that folds down and no bulky outboard, its storage size is a mere 129" L x 68" W x 40"" H.