William

HamiltonJet Breaks Ground on New Production Facility

Works began today on a new state-of-the-art production facility for capacity expansion for HamiltonJet, the New Zealand manufacturer of marine propulsion technology. This morning’s groundbreaking ceremony was held on site in Lunns Road, Christchurch.HamiltonJet has over 70 years of experience designing and manufacturing waterjet propulsion systems. It was founded in the 1950s by Sir William Hamilton - who pioneered the first commercial waterjet - and the company remains a market leader of waterjets and vessel controls.The new plant…

Alewijnse Completes Electrical Install for New Superyacht

Maritime electrical and automation solutions integrator Alewijnse said it has completed the electrical installations on board the first two Amels 60s from the new 60-meter Amels Limited Editions design.Its role involved supplying and installing the entire electrical scope for the first Amels 60 COME TOGETHER and part of the electrical scope for the second Amels 60 ENTOURAGE - with the exception of the supply of the AV/IT system on the second yacht. This included the yachts’ state-of-the-art hybrid propulsion systems with peak shaving capability together with their energy storage systems…

Saddam's Rusting Yacht Serves as Picnic Spot for Iraqi Fishermen

Capsized in a river in southern Iraq, the rusting wreck of a yacht that belonged to Saddam Hussein serves as a stark reminder of his iron-fisted rule that ended with the U.S.-led invasion two decades ago.The 121-metre (396 ft) "al-Mansur", a symbol of Saddam's wealth and power when it was built in the 1980s, is today a destination for sightseers and fisherman who clamber aboard the wreck to picnic and drink tea."When it was owned by the former president, no one could come close to it…

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.

UK Tightens Sanctions Targeting Russian Oligarchs' Yachts

Britain put in place new legal powers on Wednesday to prohibit maintenance on aircraft and ships belonging to specific sanctioned Russian oligarchs or their businesses.The government is acting in concert with Western allies to try to cripple the Russian economy as punishment for Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. It has targeted Russia's access to the international financial system, industries like shipping and defense, and wealthy elites close to President Vladimir Putin.Britain said…

Miami Shipyard RMK Merrill-Stevens to Hire 75 Staff

Miami shipyard RMK Merrill-Stevens says it is hiring 75 new employees over the next two months to staff its newly renovated North Yard and South Yard. The hiring campaign follows years full of updates after Rahmi M. Koç, a Turkish philanthropist, purchased the shipyard in 2013 while committing to restore the yard to its former glory. RMK Merrill-Stevens is known as the first shipyard in Florida and is now one of the most updated and capable shipyards in the region.RMK Merrill-Stevens provides yacht service…

New CEO Takes the Helm at RMK Merrill-Stevens Shipyard

Industry veteran William Clewes has been appointed CEO of Miami yacht repair yard RMK Merrill-Stevens, charged with leading Florida's oldest shipyard through a period or redevelopment, reopening and beyond.“I am excited about building a team and a new facility to bring the RMK Merrill-Stevens facility back to its former glory and beyond,” said Clewes in January after accepting the position. Clewes will lead the North and South yards, which straddle the Miami River, the ongoing redevelopment of both…

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.

UK Marina Operator Opens First Luxury Hotel

Yacht Havens Group, one of the UK’s leading marina owners, operators and developers, will make an ambitious move into luxury hotel accommodation with the opening of the Salt House Hotel at Troon Yacht Haven, Ayrshire, Scotland, in early 2020.With the Salt House Hotel, the Yacht Havens Group aims to capitalize on a growing niche for ‘relaxed luxury’ accommodation with an exciting ‘Scandi-Scot’ influenced collection of suites overlooking the stunning coastal setting of Troon Yacht Haven.Externally…

Mission Boat Gear Names New CEO

Mission Boat Gear, designer and developer of innovative boat accessories, announced that it appointed Corey Uchtman as CEO.The announcement coincides with Mission's larger strategy to expand beyond the boating market and tap into the much larger outdoor recreation industry, a goal that Uchtman will support by taking over the daily governance of the company's business activities and financial operations.Uchtman's diverse background will serve him well at the growing design and technology company. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Cincinnati and a JD from William Mitchell College of Law…

Coast Guard Assists Ailing Man Aboard Sailboat

The U.S. Coast Guard assisted an ailing 77-year-old man aboard a sailboat anchored just off Chesapeake Beach Inlet Sunday evening.Two reporting sources notified watchstanders at Sector Maryland-National Capital Region’s command center that a 26-foot sailboat with two people aboard appeared to be floundering just outside the inlet.One of the two people aboard the sailboat called Coast Guard Station Oxford and reported that her friend, a 77-year-old diabetic man, was weak, disoriented, and in need of medical assistance.A 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew from Station Oxford launched to assist the man.

Brett McGill Named CEO of MarineMax

Recreational boat and yacht retailer MarineMax announced that the company’s Board of Directors has promoted W. Brett McGill to Chief Executive Officer and he will continue to serve as President.William H. McGill, Jr., the company’s prior Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, has been named Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors.Brett McGill served as MarineMax’s President and Chief Operating Officer beginning in October 2017 after serving as Chief Operating Officer from October 2016 and as Executive Vice President Operations from October 2015.

Volvo Penta Grooms Future of Technical Talent

When Aleric Sanders returns to Old Dominion University this month, the rising senior will know a thing or two about customer service, skill development and how to install a marine engine, thanks to his summer internship at Volvo Penta of the Americas. Sanders is one of 14 students who reported to the company’s Chesapeake, Va., headquarters in May to gain hands-on experience working for a global business that designs, builds and sells engines for leisure boats, commercial vessels and industrial applications.

Post-Brexit, Lawmakers Call for Royal Yacht's Return

As Britain sets sail in uncharted waters on the lookout for post-Brexit trade deals, lawmakers and a former diplomat have earmarked two key weapons: the Duchess of Cambridge and a new royal yacht. Following the vote in June for Britain to leave the European Union, and with the government facing the tricky task of securing new trade agreements, some 100 lawmakers from Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party have called for ministers to back the commissioning of a new royal yacht. "I think we have to ask ourselves what sort of Britain we want to live in and what we can do ...

'I Built It Myself' Boatbuilding Competition

AkzoNobel’s Interlux is once again the sponsor of the “I Built It Myself” trailerable wooden boat competition at the WoodenBoat Show. This year’s event will be held June 26-28 on the village green at Mystic Seaport in Mystic, Connecticut. “I Built It Myself” annually attracts as many as 50 beautifully crafted boats and proud owners/builders. In previous years, the collection has included kayaks, skiffs, daysailers, canoes and much more by a variety of designers such as Iain Oughtred, Joel White, Chesapeake Light Craft, Arch Davis and William & John Atkin.

OceanLED Names Ambrose Account Manager

OceanLED U.S. OceanLED, a manufacturer of LED marine lighting technology, announced that Katelyn Ambrose has joined the U.S. Superyacht Division in the role of Account Manager for projects in the Southeast, Alabama and Gulf Coast. Based in Deerfield Beach, Fla., Ambrose will have core responsibility for strengthening sales as well as supporting existing customers in her regions. In Katelyn’s new role she will work alongside William Banning, U.S. Superyacht Division Manager. A business management graduate, Katelyn joins OceanLED with 10 years of project management and customer service experience in the hospitality industry.

Eastern's Columbia on Display in Fort Lauderdale

Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s reengineered Columbia, built from the original design plans of the classic 1923 Essex-built schooner, will be on display at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, October 30-November 3, 2014. The original Columbia, a 141’ classic Gloucester Fishing Schooner designed by William Starling Burgess, built at the historic A.D. Story shipyard of Essex, Massachusetts and launched April 17, 1923, was bred for speed, challenging – and nearly defeating – Canada’s legendary Bluenose schooner in the International Fishermen’s Cup Races in Halifax.

1923 Schooner Replica Completes Sailing Trials

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) announced that the Columbia (ESG Hull 981) a steel hull exact replica of the historic Gloucester Fishing Schooner, has completed her sailing trials. The sailing trials were held on September 18, 2014 directly offshore of the beaches of Panama City, Florida. Ninety-one years earlier, the original Columbia was officially measured on October 27, 1923 just before her race with the Bluenose by Raymond J. Milgate, a marine surveyor of Halifax, N.S. The original Columbia was a 141’ classic wooden hull Gloucester Fishing Schooner built at the historic A.D.

ESG Replicates Historic Schooner 'Columbia'

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) informs that a steel hull replica of the historic Gloucester Fishing Schooner COLUMBA has been launched at its Panama City, Florida, shipyard with employees, dignitaries and guests in attendance. The original COLUMBIA was a 141’ classic Gloucester Fishing Schooner built at the historic A.D. Story shipyard of Essex, Massachusetts, which was the center for North American Fishing Schooner construction. At the christening ceremony, Brian D’Isernia, owner of Eastern Shipbuilding Group spoke about the journey of bringing the COLUMBIA back to life…