Washington

US Spending $7 Million a Year to Maintain Yacht Seized from Russian Oligarch

The U.S. government said it is spending more than $7 million a year to maintain a superyacht it seized from a sanctioned Russian oligarch, and urged a judge to let it auction the vessel before a dispute over its ownership is resolved.Authorities in Fiji seized the 348-foot (106-meter), $300 million Amadea in May 2022, pursuant to a U.S. warrant alleging it was owned by Suleiman Kerimov, a multibillionaire sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2014 and 2018 in response to Russia's activities in Syria and Ukraine.Efforts to auction the yacht are being challenged by Eduard Khudainatov…

New Zealand: A Leader in Boat Design and Production

With its diverse marine environments, from protected harbors to rugged ocean waters, New Zealand has made an exceptional impact on the global market. By focusing on the design and build of recreational products, New Zealand marine companies emphasize the use of materials that can withstand a diverse range of conditions, have a long lifespan, and can be used year-round. The kiwi boatbuilding expertise and equipment hardware capabilities have grown out of a thriving and ever-expanding recreational marine culture.

Fiji Seizes Russian Oligarch Kerimov's $300M Yacht

Authorities in Fiji have seized a $300 million yacht of Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov at the request of the United States, the U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday, as Washington and its allies press Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.A Fiji court had ruled on Tuesday that the United States can seize a Russian-owned superyacht, weeks after it arrived and was impounded by police. Authorities in various countries have seized luxury vessels and villas owned by Russian billionaires in response to sanctions imposed on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine…

Russian Oligarch Vekselberg's Superyacht Seized in Spain

Spanish police on Monday impounded a superyacht belonging to Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg on behalf of U.S. authorities, the first time the United States has seized property belonging to a Russian oligarch since its invasion of Ukraine in February.Valued at more than 90 million euros ($99 million), the 78-metre-long "Tango" (255 ft) was seized in a shipyard on the Mediterranean island of Mallorca, the Guardia Civil police and the U.S. Justice Department said in parallel…

Cummins B4.5 Marine Genset and Engine Make European Debut

Cummins Inc. announced the European launch of its new B4.5 marine generator set and propulsion engine, expanding the hybrid compatible packages beyond the current QSB6.7 and QSL9. The pairing was debut in late 2021 at the Pacific Marine Expo, a commercial fishing event in Washington U.S, with an anticipated mid-to-late 2022 production release.Available separately or as a hybrid package, the B4.5 engine and genset are two of Cummins’ smallest, but mightiest marine offerings. Based on the proven industrial engine…

Rolls-Royce to Deliver 'Cleanest' mtu Series 2000 Engines for US-built Yacht

Rolls-Royce said Wednesday it would deliver its new generation mtu Series 2000 engines which comply with the strict emissions regulations IMO III and EPA Tier 3 Recreational for the first time for a yacht to be built in the US. Rolls-Royce will provide two 16V 2000 M97L engines with an integrated SCR system and a power output of 1939 KW (2600 bhp) each.The engines will be installed in a Westport 125 yacht. Rolls-Royce is also delivering its automation solution mtu NautIQ Blue Vision NG for monitoring and control of the yacht’s propulsion system.

Pure Watercraft Unveils Battery Pack

Pure Watercraft, manufacturer of the Pure Outboard electric motor, says it has launched "the most energy dense battery pack available in marine propulsion".The Seattle-based company says its new battery pack has a capacity of 8.85 kWh (47 percent more capacity than the previous model) and active thermal management, enabling faster planing, longer range, and extended operation at top speed.The new battery pack, which matches that of the best electric cars, was designed in-house, using lithium-ion cells from Panasonic.

MarineMax Names Langbehn as VP Operations

MarineMax has announced that Kyle Langbehn will now be their national Vice President of Operations.Langbehn  has served several positions within MarineMax of increasing responsibility since originally joining the company in 2002. After receiving his undergraduate from the United States Naval Academy and his MBA from George Washington University, Kyle began his professional career with KPMG Consulting before pursuing his boating passion.MarineMax strives to provide an array of opportunities for their team members to truly become the best of the best.

Cachet Covers & a Boy's Fascination with Ships

Like many boys, Charles. F. “Bud” Kirby, Jr. loved ships. He had drawings, models, pictures, newspaper clippings, and scrapbooks. And, as his son, Don, recently learned, he had cachet covers of submarines.Bud would send stamped envelopes to the Electric Boat Company that he had addressed to himself in Watertown, Mass. These envelopes would be stamped with a commemorative cachet and then appropriately cancelled at Groton, Connecticut, where the EB shipyard was located, or on the ship if it had been commissioned.Each ship has its own post office, and its own cancellation stamp.

EcoSpeed Enters Yacht Market

Subsea Industries said it has begun actively marketing its Ecospeed coating in the luxury yacht market following the introduction of stringent regulations aimed at reducing the impact of leisure craft operations on the marine environment. The Antwerp-based sustainable coatings specialist will market its non-toxic hard coating initially in the United States, where there is increasing scrutiny of copper-based antifouling systems on the hulls of all types of pleasure boats. “There…

Bay Ship and Yacht to Perform Maintenance on Balclutha

Bay Ship and Yacht Co. has announced it has once again been honored with the contract to perform maintenance on the historic sailing ship Balclutha. This is the third time the reputable ship yard has been chosen to perform much-needed detailed maintenance on the 131-year-old ship. A three-mast, steel-hulled square-rigged sailing ship, the Balclutha is one of the last of her kind. “The Balclutha is truly a gem of American history. It is a rare day that you are able to see one of these grand old ladies high and dry in dock,” said Richard Maguire, Business Development Manager, Bay Ship & Yacht.

IMTRA Adds Two Account Reps

J. Mark Barrett and Eric MacDonald have joined the outside sales team of IMTRA, a manufacturer and importer of marine and commercial products. “After 35 years with the company, Jerry Truax has retired from IMTRA,” said Eric Braitmeyer, CEO, IMTRA. “He has been a tremendous technical resource, a valued advocate for his customers, a dedicated representative for IMTRA and just a great person. With such big shoes to fill, we have decided to do so with two people. Barrett joins IMTRA on January 26 as recreational Pacific Northwest account representative.

IGY Marinas to Manage National Harbor Marina

IGY Marinas announced that it has expanded its collection of luxury destinations with the addition of National Harbor Marina. This new northeast location marks a milestone, allowing the company to offer travelers access to its service in the Washington, D.C. area for the first time. “IGY continues to execute on its targeted expansion strategy. National Harbor has become a major tourism destination and hot bed for new development projects, making it the perfect location for IGY Marinas to expand its presence in the area,” said Tom Mukamal, CEO of IGY Marinas.

Boaterz 'N Bikerz Pacific Coast Rush

Boating industry bikers from across the country are throttling up this weekend for the official launch of "Pacific Coast Rush," a week-long escorted motorcycle tour from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA, including a two-day swing down to Big Sur and Monterey. As part of the "Boaterz 'n Bikerz of America Hull of a Tour" series originally launched in 2011, this summer's cruise kicks off Saturday, July 23 and features a full week of scenic mountain and waterway riding including stretches along the famed Pacific Coast Highway.

ABC Draws 35 Industry Organizations as Co-hosts

The 2016 American Boating Congress (ABC) will be co-hosted by 35 industry organizations, working together to create a dynamic and engaging program that meets the needs of the entire recreational boating industry. Now in its fourth year, the ABC co-host program brings together organizations across all industry segments to strengthen recreational boating’s collective advocacy impact. These organizations have committed their time and resources in order to develop an event that will create a louder voice for recreational boating on Capitol Hill. ABC will be held in Washington, DC on May 9-11, 2016.

Kadey-Krogen Yachts Expands to Rhode Island

Kadey-Krogen Yachts has expanded and planted roots this month in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Headquartered in Stuart, Florida with additional offices in Annapolis, Maryland and Seattle, Washington, Kadey-Krogen Yachts partner and vice president of sales Tucker West leads the company’s expansion into New England. A Rhode Island native, West entered the marine industry after graduating from Plymouth State College in New Hampshire with a degree in business management. His primary focus throughout the last 20 years has been in yacht sales…

WaPo: Two German CEOs Launching Own Mediterranean Rescue

The Washington Post has a story today about two German men who are launching their own rescue mission to save migrants crossing the Mediterranean. Harald Höppner and Matthias Kuhnt are two CEOs of a mid-size company in eastern Germany. According to the Post, the two have invested $162,000 since October into a 21-meter vessel that they are going to use to conduct a three-month mission patrolling the area between Libya and Italy, where the dangerous migration that has cost thousands of lives in recent years is concentrated.

Atteridge Retires from Furuno USA

After 30 years of service to Furuno USA, Inc., Jim Atteridge is retiring as President and assuming a new role, as Director and Corporate Advisor. Effective December 1, 2014, Brad Reents will assume the role of President and CFO of Furuno USA, Inc. Reents has been with Furuno USA for 15 years in the role of Treasurer and Board Member. Reents is a licensed CPA and brings with him years of experience as a financial officer. Prior to Furuno USA, Reents worked at accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. In addition to the presidential change, Furuno USA, Inc.

Westport Shipyard sold, no changes anticipated

Representatives of Westport Shipyard, Inc. (Westport, WA), the largest yacht builder in North America, announced today that the company’s assets have been acquired by Westport, LLC, an ownership group that includes members of the Louisiana-based Chouest family. Celebrating 50 years of business in 2014, Westport maintains three locations in Washington state, as well as a marina and sales office in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Employing over 400 skilled employees, Westport has completed more than 120 yachts since 2000. And one of those customers was Gary Chouest.