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Yacht Goes Missing in the Red Sea with Five Aboard

A private yacht with three Russians and two Egyptians on board has been reported missing in the Red Sea near the coast of Yemen for several days by its owner and the Russian embassy in Saudi Arabia.It was not immediately clear what had happened to the pleasure yacht named 30 Minutes which its owner said was heading to Djibouti to be sent onwards by ship to Dubai.The ship, which its owner said was registered in Panama, was not fitted with the standard AIS ship tracking system which…

(Photo: Sanlorenzo)

First UK-based Sanlorenzo SX88 Sold

Sanlorenzo Yachts UK & Ireland announced the sale of the first Sanlorenzo SX88 to be based in the United Kingdom.First launched in 2017, the 26.70m SX88 is an extremely popular model for the Sanlorenzo shipyard, with over 30 of the yachts already sold.Nick Hatfield, sales manager for Sanlorenzo UK, said, “The first U.K.-based Sanlorenzo SX88 has now arrived here where she will undergo her pre-delivery inspection before being handed over to her new owners, ready for a summer of cruising the south coast of the U.K.

(Image: Torqeedo)

Torqeedo Sets Up Direct Distribution in Norway

Electric propulsion and hybrid drives manufacturer Torqeedo said it ha established direct distribution in Norway to address the growing market for its systems in the region.Norway has a long tradition of seafaring and is a world maritime center for shipping, shipyards and maritime infrastructure, commercial fishing, offshore oil/gas, ferries, pleasure boats and a rapidly growing offshore wind industry.“Norway is a world leader in the movement toward electrification of land and water transportation…

(Photo: Evergreen Forest Products)

The Benefits of Sustainable Marine Lumber

Today’s marinas are held to a higher standard of environmental stewardship than in the past. No longer are they just responsible for the environmental impacts of their day-to-day operations, but also of their infrastructure and how it affects both the oceans, waterways and their delicate marine ecosystems. For these reasons, many marinas are being far more selective as to construction materials being specified for their expansion and/or restoration projects.One material that is rising to the top for its eco-friendly and performance attributes is sustainable marine lumber.

Photo by Ken Cage, IRG

Captains, Crew Recoup Lost Wages by Arresting Megayacht

Most yacht crew are compensated every payday, via wire transfer or check. But for some yachties, the only way to get paid is the hard way: by filing a lawsuit in federal court and literally arresting the megayacht for back pay owed.While many captains and crew are reluctant to initiate expensive litigation to arrest the boat they’ve served on, pursuing their seaman’s lien is the best route for compensation. If the legitimate amount due is well over $10,000, crew should stand on their rights and act on their valid claim immediately.

Photo: BoatWarden

New System Protects & Tracks Outboard Engines

BoatWarden has launched a new system, Outboard Warden, to secure and protect outboard engines, to be introduced at the London Boat Show in London, United Kingdom, January 8, 2016. Outboard Warden is the latest product to come from Engineer, Inventor and Founder of BoatWarden, Kevin Hennessey, and he has been perfecting his system for a number of years: "Police, marine insurers and boat owners confirm engine thefts are on the increase and thieves are getting bolder, but Outboard Warden will put a serious dent in their criminal activities," according to Hennessey.

KVH Upgrades IP-MobileCast Service

KVH Industries has updated its unique IP-MobileCastTM content delivery service for additional viewing flexibility and expanded content offerings. The new features are being rolled out in stages, with the first round of upgrades automatically delivered via over-the-air software updates for current subscribers. IP-MobileCast was developed by KVH and launched in 2014 as the first and only service to multicast movies, TV shows, daily news and sports, as well as operational data via satellite to vessels at sea.

PONANT’s ‘Le Boréal’ will be seen at ports around the UK and Ireland under GAC UK’s agency in May & June 2016

French Cruise Company PONANT Signs GAC UK

PONANT Yacht Cruises & Expeditions has appointed GAC UK as its agent for all United Kingdom and Ireland port calls in 2016. PONANT’s 142m and 132 cabin megayachts Le Boréal and L’Austral will cruise around the British Isles and Ireland, including the Scilly Isles, Shetlands, Dublin, Liverpool and Scottish Highlands in May and June next year. Fergus Poole, GAC UK’s newly appointed Cruise Manager, said the high prestige business is a boost to GAC’s growing cruise operations in and around the UK and Ireland.

New Qualifications for Commercial Yacht Crews

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) informs that four new certificates of competency for seafarers working on commercial motor yachts will be introduced in Australia from early 2016. After consultation between AMSA the commercial yachting Industry, Yachting Australia, the Australian Maritime College and the Transport Logistics Industry Skills Council, these new qualifications will see Australian motor yacht worker’s skills recognized with an official AMSA certificate of competency. The four new qualifications include Watchkeeper Deck <3000GT Yachts with deck rating endorsement…

‘Row around Singapore Island’ Takes off today

The epic endurance challenge that will see 32 volunteers rowing 140km non-stop around Singapore is starting in less than 24 hours. The project has raised a staggering $450,000 with more donations flooding in daily for global maritime charity The Mission to Seafarers. In Singapore’s 50th Golden Anniversary year, the project proudly carries the SG50 logo of support along with official endorsement by President Tony Tan Keng Yam of the Republic of Singapore and Mission to Seafarers’ President, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal of the United Kingdom.

Mission ‘Row Around Singapore Island’ 2015

With only 7 days to go to the big Singapore charity row, Row Around Singapore Island (RASI) the intrepid volunteer rowers from the maritime community of Singapore have been undertaking their final practice weekend at the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club. The original concept for this ground-breaking non-stop endurance challenge was conceived and organised by three friends Iain Anderson of RPC, Lewis Hart of Willis and Ian Teare of Norton Rose Fulbright. It will take around 24 hours and the rowing teams will face busy seaways, strong currents and choppy offshore waters as they tackle the 140 km distance around Singapore.

Coastal Interceptors for Kuwait Coast Guard

Following an extensive evaluation protocol, the Kuwaiti Ministry of the interior has placed an order with Tampa Yacht Manufacturing LLC based in Florida – U.S.A, parent company of Tampa Defence UK and Tampa Defense USA, for 29 Fast Coastal Interceptor craft for the Kuwaiti Coast Guard. The 14.42M craft are powered by Man R6-800 diesels rated at 1600hp. The Tampa Yacht 44 FCI has a top speed of 55+ knots at full load and a range of over 300 nautical miles at 38 knots. With a crew capacity of up to six Coast Guard personnel the craft is equipped with NIJ111A ballistic armour…

Commanding Officer of STS Young Endeavour, Lieutenant Commander Gavin Dawe OAM RAN (front, centre), and World Voyage Passage One Youth Crew celebrate rounding Cape Horn on Australia Day 2015.

Australian Tall Ship Rounds Cape Horn

The Royal Australian Navy operated Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour rounded Cape Horn on Australia Day, 36 days into a 12-month circumnavigation of the world. Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett AO, CSC, RAN congratulated the 36 seafarers on board the square-rigged tall ship, including 12 Royal Australian Navy crew and 24 alumni crew specially selected for the passage. Vice Admiral Barrett said the passage around the southernmost tip of South America remained one of the most challenging nautical routes on the planet, and was a significant achievement for the crew of Young Endeavour.

Record Breaking Cruise Liner Season Ahead for Orkney

Orkney is set for a multimillion pound tourism bonanza with a record-breaking year of cruise liners due to visit. The number of cruise ships visiting Orkney will top the 80 mark for the first time this year, says a Orkney Islands Council press release. So far, 83 port calls by liners are expected in the islands – four more than in 2014. In total, the ships have the capacity to carry more than 80,000 passengers and 25,000 crew. More bookings are still expected for 2015. Michael Morrison, business development manager for Council's marine services, said that they all set for a record-breaking year for cruise ship visits.

Photo courtesy of The Landing School

The Landing School to Graduate 78 Students

Founder and President of Michael Peters Yacht Design to Give Keynote Address. On June 21 The Landing School will celebrate its 35th annual commencement, graduating 78 diploma students, a record high. Graduates in the Marine Systems, Yacht Design, Composite Boat Building and Wooden Boat Building programs will hear speaker Michael Peters, Founder and President of Michael Peters Yacht Design. Students and their families will also enjoy the christening of the boats built this year. The Wooden Boat Building program will christen three Flyfisher 22s and three Joel White Pea Pods.

Garmin to Acquire NZ’s Fusions Electronics

Satellite navigation systems provider Garmin says it has entered into an agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of Fusion Electronics Limited and its subsidiaries. Fusion is a privately-held provider of integrated marine audio equipment, headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand. The completion of the acquisition, which is subject to customary conditions, is expected to occur on June 30, 2014. “Fusion has pioneered a number of innovations in marine audio. Their ability to integrate their products with networked marine multifunction displays has been recognized across the industry,” said Cliff Pemble, Garmin’s president and CEO.

Image courtesy of Fusion

Fusion Marine Grade Stereos Now Fitted to Mastercraft Boats

Fusion Electronics, a leader in marine audio, have announced its partnership with MasterCraft, builders of luxury high performance boats. Consequently all 2014 MasterCraft boats feature Fusion’s MS-RA205 compact marine-grade stereo as standard equipment with the MS-iP700i available as an upgrade option. Fusion explains that the feature-rich MS-RA205 is easy to operate and delivers AM/FM radio, receives Marine VHF, is SiriusXM ready and can play MP3s stored on a USB, while the Fusion MS-P700i adds iPod and iPhone secure internal docking.

International Council of Yacht Clubs Commodores’ Forum

Last hosted by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club in 2006, the forthcoming 8th ICOYC Commodores’ Forum will features a week of activities packed with six business sessions and socials events as well as a partner program. As John McNeill, President of the ICOYC describes, “These forums are an opportunity to engage in discussions with peer clubs on issues and opportunities of mutual interest and discover how others may deal with the same challenges from time to time. “The importance of this event cannot be underestimated and the Club is very proud to again be playing host.” adds RHKYC Commodore, Joachim Isler.

Oracle Team Racing Yachts: Photo CCL WPPilot

Boeing Participate in Racing Yacht Recyling Project

Boeing and Oracle Team USA (winner of the 34th America's Cup) are collaborating to recycle 7,000 pounds (about 3,175 kilograms) of carbon fiber of USA-71, a yacht built for the America's Cup campaign in 2003. The hull and mast of the racing yacht will be processed and repurposed, a first-of-its-kind effort for what will likely be the largest carbon structure ever recycled. Boeing and Oracle Team USA, working with research partners, will utilize a technique developed to recycle composite materials from Boeing's 787 Dreamliner…