SEVENSTAR - GIANT YACHT CARRIERS

Sevenstar Yacht Transport has announced that it will be adding an impressive new type of carrier to its fleet in 2009. The mother company of Sevenstar – Dutch shipowner Spliethoff Amsterdam – has recently ordered a series of eight D-type vessels and these will be made accessible to yacht owners on Sevenstar’s transatlantic sailings.
The new D-type vessels are 156 metres (512 ft) in length and will have a beam of 22.80 metres (75 ft). Each vessel will carry three cranes with a lifting capacity of 120 metric tons, with the option to combine two cranes and lift up to 240 metric tons.
Sevenstar intends to use this new type of vessel for its monthly Atlantic sailings between Fort Lauderdale and ports in the western Mediterranean. It will be the first carrier of its kind to be especially designed to accommodate 100 ft-plus yachts on and under deck.
Each carrier will be able to accommodate up to 12 superyachts plus a variety of smaller yachts. The journey time to cross the Atlantic will be just ten days. To facilitate safe loading and stowage, the vessel will be equipped with lifting gear that is custom made for use with yachts.
With the first new vessel due for delivery in the first quarter of 2009, Sevenstar is already actively expanding its operational and commercial manpower in both Fort Lauderdale and Europe.
“We are already seeing a shortage of quality transportation for large yachts on the most popular routes,” comments Sevenstar managing director, Richard Klabbers. “As the superyacht fleet continues to increase in number and sophistication, these new vessels will be perfectly timed to meet demands.”

CALA DO´R NEWS

The recent opening of the new terraces and event rooms of Yacht Club Cala d´Or was attended by over 150 members of the international press, local government, event management companies and television crew.
The new room is called "Proa"  which will seat up to 200 for gala dinners, and the beautiful marina side terrace named "Cubierta" will accommodate a further 200 persons.
Situated alongside the world class marina and providing photographic backdrops which are second to none - Yacht Club Cala d´Or is recognised as a unique venue, with experienced and helpful staff, the highest quality service and catering for every event..

SUPERYACHT FORUM & METS

From 12th to 15th November delegates and speakers from all sectors of the large yacht industry will attend the Superyacht Forum at the RAI centre in Amsterdam.
Running alongside from 13th to 15th with it´s own expanded Superyacht Pavilion as part of a huge exhibitor list featuring over 1100 companies, will be the Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS)  More details online at:

OS SAFETY OPEN DAY

Oscar Sierra ( O.S. Safety Equipment S.L. ) as part of their 10th birthday celebrations, held an open day at their re-vamped premises in Cami Fondo.  Clients old and new, suppliers from various parts of Europe, friends, boat owners, brokers, captains , wives & families.........all were welcome.
Unfortunately the celebrations were held on the day following THE BIG STORM. Many of those invited were therefore unable to attend as their priorities lay, understandably,  elsewhere.
At O.S. the only damage was that an 80 sq mtr marquee, destined to be the bar and catering facility, disappeared into the night, and there was some vehicle damage, but importantly, no injuries.
The catering facilities were quickly re-located inside, and in spite of all, more than half of the 200 or so invited guests managed to attend, although the free bar was not attacked with the great gusto that might otherwise have been expected.

OVER 18 YEARS OF SERVICE FROM DANBRIT

Its not every company in the Marine Service sector that can claim to have been steadily serving the market from the same management base for over 18 years, but Danbrit Marine Technologies, is indeed such a business.
From their HQ in Portals Nous, Danbrit´s team of experienced Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineers are offering a total sales, installation and service package on a diverse range of marine systems including: Communications and Navigation Equipment, Generators, Watermakers, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.
Co Directors Patricia Halsey and Jens Hollesen came to Mallorca in 1989 with their respective spouses and started the business, initially concentrating on the generator, watermaker and electronic products, which they were already very familiar with.
Since then of course the number of yachts in The Balearics and the average size of them has increased tremendously, the level of sophistication of the systems on board has become more complex and technical, and thus Danbrits product offering has also expanded.
Jens is an Electronics Engineer and is still very involved with the technical management and development of the business, which these days is also specialising in Integrated Entertainment Systems. Jens told us; “With top quality audio/visual system access throughout the yacht being fairly close to the top of the “wish list” for most owners, it was very logical for Danbrit to add this speciality to their the supply, installation and service portfolio.”
Pat and her assistant Sandra are the friendly voices on the phone who make sure that customers needs are co-ordinated by providing products and manpower at the right place and time, and they are backed up by Ali who manages the time critical spares logistics in co-ordination with the Engineers requirements.
We asked Pat; “What in your opinion is the most important thing that has kept your clients coming back for 18 years?”
She replied; “Undoubtedly its because they know, that whatever we install, service or  sell, we will look after for its useable life by providing our customers with back up and spares whenever needed.”
Finally we should add, that as Jens is Danish and Pat is British, it is not too difficult to work out how the name “DANBRIT” was arrived at!

EXPANSION FOR MARITIME NETWORK SYSTEMS

ONA MOVIES YACHT PROMOTION

Ona Movies based in Andratx, are offering a unique concept for promoting the image of a yacht, be it for sale, charter or simply for  those special private or personal memories.
The Promotional Yacht Movie (PYM) is a concept developed by Eugeni Torrens, who apart from being a specialist film producer also owns a classic sailing yacht, and enjoys life at sea which gives him a practical empathy with his chosen subject matter.
“All yachts have a spirit” says Eugeni, “some special and unique qualities which if perfectly exhibited will provoke in the viewer an impulsive desire to own or sail that specific vessel. The purchase or charter of a Superyacht is highly emotional, it is the fulfilment of a dream. Far better than brochures, movies generate emotions and sell dreams!”
A PYM runs from 5 to 15 minutes, is recorded in Ultra High Definition Video, and is produced following the best standards of the theatrical  movie industry employing state-of-the-art professional filming techniques.
Using smooth stabilised cameras , crane or helicopter shots when necessary, full synchronised sound effects and licensed music  where appropriate, the finished movie will present the yacht at all levels of performance and comfort in the most attractive and appealing way.
Average time for production of a PYM is around 4 weeks including scriptwriting, preparations, shooting and post production editing and proofing.
Ona Movies also offer a direct remuneration to yacht captains who initiate a PYM  contract, in return for their co-operation and assistance during the filming process.

E3 CONNECT "ELITE" MILESTONE

Stratos Global, the world’s largest Inmarsat operator, has just announced that E3 Connect will have the status of Stratos ‘Elite’ customer, recognising their leading position in the Super Yacht market.
E3 Connect already has ‘Platinum’ customer status with Vodafone Spain where the company has a yacht customer base second only to the government. In France they have achieved the highest level of Grande Entreprise for the number of lines they operate on yachts with SFR.
Market leading VSAT supplier MTN also chose E3 recently as its European distribution partner after gaining the largest number of MTN Super Yacht satellite broadband sales world-wide over the last two years.
In addition, E3 Connect supplied a record number of satellite TV contracts for an ever wider range of viewing audiences, making them the largest supplier of satellite TV solutions to the yachting market.
The Stratos announcement caps a year of outstanding achievement for E3 Connect confirming its status as the leading maritime communications and TV supplier in the Mediterranean for the fifth year in a row.

YCP INTRODUCE A NEW RIB

MALLORCA SEA SCHOOL - LIKE IT HOT!

PALM WATCH MAN & VAN

ILONA PHOTOS - BY ED HOLT PHOTOGRAPHY

ILONA OF KYLESKU - MOTOR SCHOONER - BUILT 1907 

PHOTO GALLERY COURTESY OF: ED HOLT PHOTOGRAPHY

www.edholtphoto.com     Email:info@edholtphoto.com 

SOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW 2007

Did you know that 2007 was the 39th Southampton boat show, attendances increased by 8% roughly equating to 9,500 extra bodies milling around the place, (lets hope deodorant sales were up too).   Around 600 exhibitors plied their wares and with over 370 boats afloat at the hydra marina there was plenty to choose from including the Tri-deck Sunseeker Yacht.   SBS (Southampton Boat Show) teamed up with the Chinese Association of Southampton to launch a new attraction giving a taste of Qingdao, Southampton's 'Sister City', in celebration of the 2008 games in Beijing, visitors were treated to a myriad of Chinese activities and were also given the opportunity of sampling authentic Chinese cuisine.
And if you don’t have 11 million quid to chuck at a boat, and if you’re on one and identify where you are by calling it the pointy end then you will also have had stacks of fun enjoying the numerous events on offer, including the zany hydrazorbing which is literally walking on water in what appears to be a huge plastic bubble created by Goodyear.  The lovely Gipsy Moth IV was there back after her second round the world voyage where she (and UKSA of course) gave 90 children the opportunity to go on a journey and voyage of a lifetime.    
Finally, every boat persons “must have” The Boaties Fry Pan; its rectangular instead of round, has near vertical sides, the handle is raised to clear a rail, is much easier to use and apparently the eggs come out... er um… square to fit your….toast.

BARCELONA WORLD RACE

The countdown to the Barcelona World Race has started and on the 11th November 2007 the boat racing fraternity will see the latest edition to the racing world a two handed non-stop around the world yacht race in monohulls start and finish line Barcelona and planned to be held every four years.   This race will see the best of professional sailors competing against each other in teams of two.   They will race over three months, around 26,000 through some of the world’s most challenging seas.  
The launch of the Hugo Boss was a glittering affair with a thousand guests who could not fail to be mesmerized by the spectacular launch of the boat which culminated in an amazing light and pyrotechnic show during which the sixty foot yacht was suspended above the river Elbe from a thirty meter high crane where she appeared out of the mist to accompanying music.
Hugo Boss is skippered by Alex Thomson who was last year rescued by Mike Golding OBE during the Velux 5 Oceans Race.   Alex and his co skipper, Andy Cape will be spending their final weeks training and preparing in the Solent.

NEW MARINA PROPOSAL FOR MENORCA

An ambitious plan which has been  tentatively proposed before by the  concessionaires of Deportiva Cala en Bosch Marina near Ciutadella, and rejected by the last government, is to be  presented again to the Balearics Port Authority including some renewed arguments for its viability.
(The suggested location is near the lighthouse at Cap d´Artrutx pictured above)

ILONA OF KYLESKU

Its not every day that you get invited to 100th birthday party, even more rare if its for a yacht, and definitely a memorable occasion when the yacht in question is such a fine example of workmanship and classical grace as the Motor Schooner “Ilona of Kylesku"
(To see a complete photo gallery of this beautiful yacht - courtesy of specialist yacht photographer Ed Holt, please click on "News" in the  menu on the left of this page, and then on "Ilona Photos".)

A cocktail party to mark the yachts 100th anniversary was organised by Captain Dave Hayman and his wife Kerry who have lovingly looked after Ilona of Kylescu for her owner  (His Highness, The Duke of Westminster) during the last 6 years, including the 3 year period when she was undergoing an extensive refit programme. This finished in the UK at Southampton Yacht Services (the former Camper & Nicholson yard) during the winter of 2003- 2004.
Since then she has completed 37,000 sea miles and has recently returned to her berth at Pantalan Mediterraneo Marina in Palma, after winning the “Prix de lélegance race, in the La Belle classe , during Monaco Classic Week.
Ilona of Kylesku´s history started back in 1903, when a Lancashire mill owner named Henry Calvert commissioned William Stoba of Camper & Nicholsons to design a gentlemens yacht. After agreeing the plans the building work was commenced in 1905 by James Armour and Son of Fleetwood.The boat was completed and launched on 2nd Oct.1907, originaly named “Muana Loa”, after the Hawaiian volcano which erupted that year.

Incredibly as well as surviving 100 years, and now being presented in pristine condition Ilona has never been out of commission or laid up, although she has had 11 owners including the present one who purchased her in 2001, when Dave Hayman took over as Captain.
She also saw active service during both the World Wars, when Mr Calvert offered her to the Navy, and she was employed towing barges, minesweeping and even converted into an “armed yacht” during the 2nd World War with a large machine gun mounted on her foredeck.
Originally steam powered but fitted with BMC 6 cylinder petrol engines in 1931, she is still running smoothly today on a pair of Gardner 94 hp diesel engines, which have served her well since they were installed in 1947, and are now maintained in perfect working order by Dave Hayman.
The original hull construction materials were pitch pine over oak frames, which have stood the test of time and been skillfully replaced by Shipwrights using the same combination wherever it has been required during her refits. Her accommodation for 5 -7 guests and 4 crew is a joy to behold with exquisite teak woodwork throughout, all finished with a deep gloss varnish and solid brass fittings.
Camper and Nicholson in Palma in keeping with their “lifelong” association with Ilona of Kylesku, are presently offering her for sale through their brokerage division, and of course the invaluable experience and dedication of Dave and Kerry Hayman can also be acquired by a new owner, to ensure that she  continues into her second century in great shape!

NEW MARINA PROPOSAL FOR MENORCA

 
An ambitious plan which has been  tentatively proposed before by the  concessionaires of Deportiva Cala en Bosch Marina near Ciutadella, and rejected by the last government, is to be  presented again to the Balearics Port Authority including some renewed arguments for its viability.
(The suggested location is near the lighthouse at Cap d´Artrutx pictured above)

YY

THIS MONTHS SPECIAL FEATURES

** Motoryacht news from the Netherlands  - courtesy of HISWA, The Dutch Watersports Association.

** Technology at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show - By Roger Horner of E3 Systems.

Please click on "Features" in the menu on the left of this page to access the above articles.

** News & Photo Gallery of the Pinmar Charity Golf Tournament

** News & Photo Gallery of the Barcelona World Race

** News & Photo Gallery of the Barcelona Boat Show 

Please click on "News" in the menu on the left of this page to access the above News Items.