November/December 2010 - Yacht Essentials

YACHT 

World’s Largest 

Boat Show Preview 

10 Must-See Superyachts 

Navigating 

Territorial Waters 

Outfoxing the Paparazzi 

Ports of Call: 

Santa Marta, Colombia 

Capri, Italy 

2010 • NOVEMBER / DECEMBER

www.yachtessentials.com 

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2010 

Publisher Chris Kennan 

publisher@yachtessentials.com 

Editor Brad Kovach 

editor@yachtessentials.com 

Art Director Amy Klinedinst 

amyk@allatsea.net 

Contributing Editors Andrea Bailey 

Carol Bareuther 

Sandra Chance 

Capt. Warren East 

Beverly Grant 

Louay Habib 

Jan Hein 

Blaire Kearney 

Nick Marshall 

Capt. Jan Robinson 

Steve Rosenberg 

Andy Schell 

Capt. Ted Sputh 

Anita Valium 

Advertising International: 

Richard Barker 

richard@yachtessentials.com 

Virgin Islands: 

Guy Phoenix 

guy@yachtessentials.com 

St Maarten: 

Nick Marshall 

nick@allatsea.net 

Minerva Brown 

minerva@allatsea.net 

Accounting, 

Subscriptions info@yachtessentials.com 

Yacht Essentials 

Owned and 

Published by Kennan Holdings LLC 

382 NE 191st St #32381 

Miami, Florida 33179-3899 

Phone: (443) 321-3797 

Fax: (815) 377-3831 

This spread: 

2010 Les Voiles de St. Tropez race start 

© Photo courtesy of Rolex / Carlo Borlenghi

YENovember / December 2010 

Owners 

Superyachts Make 

a Splash at FLIBS 

SPOTLIGHT 

page 18 

Magnifica Capri 

PORTS OF CALL 

page 26 

Joann “Didgie” Vrana 

WHERE ARE THEY NOW 

page 32 

Cutting a New Swath 

INDUSTRY BUZZ 

page 34 

Sizing Up Santa Marta 

page 38 

captains 

Bottoms Up, 

Caribbean Style 

page 42 

Ready, Set...Not So Fast 

page 48 

Special Delivery 

page 50 

Know Your Boundaries 

page 54 

Not Business As Usual 

page 58 

Outfoxing the Photo Hounds 

page 62 

crew 

Don’t Bother Asking 

WORKING LIFE 

page 66 

Non-Local Flow 

BOOK EXCERPT 

page 68 

Meet Dirk DeCuyper 

PROFILE OF A CHARTER CHEF 

page 72 

(Mostly) Natural 

Remedies For Yachties 

page 76 

Meet Meilan Keiser 

STEWARDESS OF THE MONTH 

page 78 

My Space, Your Space... 

ANITA VALIUM 

page 82 

Need a Valium 

ANITA VALIUM 

page 96 

Cover: 40 Meter CAMBRIA at the 

2010 Les Voiles de St. Tropez 

© Photo courtesy of Rolex / Carlo Borlenghi 

YACHT ESSENTIALS

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 

I am a deckhand on M/Y Bravado who also 

likes to take photos. I hope you can use 

this picture in a future issue. 

Giorgio Dayan 

Falling under the “giving credit where it’s due” category, we 

would like to recognize Kim Singleton for her wonderful image 

of a yacht relief captain at work, which she allowed us to use in 

our last issue. Thanks, Kim. We appreciate your contribution, as 

well as the contributions of yacht relief captains everywhere. 

The Editors 

How do you 

get into YE Mag 

Contribute! 

Email thoughts 

or images to editor@ 

yachtessentials.com 

Hello, 

Thanks in advance for posting some of 

my photos in your November/December 

issue! 

Yanir Yakabovits 

Yacht Essentials wants to hear from you! Send your correspondence by email to editor@ 

yachtessentials.com, or mail letters to: Yacht Essentials, 382 NE 191st St. #32381, Miami, FL 33179-3899 

YACHT ESSENTIALS

Yacht at Rest, Mind at Ease 

NEWPORT FREEPORT ST. THOMAS PORT EVERGLADES, OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 

MARTINIQUE PALMA DE MALLORCA, NOVEMBER 

MARTINIQUE PORT EVERGLADES, DECEMBER 

PORT EVERGLADES ST. THOMAS PAPEETE BRISBANE AUCKLAND, DECEMBER - JANUARY 

DYT USA: Tel. +1 954 525 8707 • E-mail: dyt.usa@dockwise-yt.com 

DYT Newport, RI: Tel. +1 401 439 6377 • E-mail: ann@dockwise-yt.com 

DYT Martinique: Tel. +596 596 741 507 • E-mail: nadine@dockwise-yt.com 

W W W. YA C H T- T R A N S P O R T. C O M • 1 - 8 8 8 - S H I P - D Y T

Inside the AllSeas Expedition 92 

YACHT 

NEWS 

△ AllSeas Expedition 92 Takes 

Shape in San Diego 

The Alls family has built limit seiners, crab boats and 

trawlers in Port Hueneme, California, and Seattle, Washington. 

But when they searched for a location on the 

US West Coast to satisfy their needs for sunshine and 

facilities that could accommodate the construction of 

their latest AllSeas Expedition 92, a 175-ton steel-hulled 

trawler, they settled on San Diego Bay. 

Three generations of Alls, including Tim Alls, the owner/builder 

of AllSeas Yachts, are applying their construction 

and high-tech knowledge to a luxury trawler 

YACHT ESSENTIALS

Work on the beamy 92-foot trawler is progressing nicely. 

Welding is complete on the hull and the aluminum 

pilothouse and flybridge. The two 600-hp Cummins 

engines have been installed in the engine room, and 

mock-ups of the staterooms, crews quarters and living 

areas are underway. Alls expects the fit-out work to 

continue at Knight & Carver through late spring 2011, 

when the hull will be launched using the complex’s 

330-ton travel lift. 

Yacht Brokerage Unveils iPhone App 

YCO recently announced the launch of a new superyacht 

brokerage application for the iPhone/iPad. The application, 

demonstrated at September’s Monaco Yacht Show, helps 

buyers and charterers search for, review and check the 

availability of yachts from the featured catalog, as well as 

their toys and tenders. According to YCO sales broker Will 

Christie, “While physically viewing one yacht, clients will be 

able to compare its specifications, décor, and list of toys 

and so on with another yacht on the market — instantly.” 

Jeremy Stephens Joins 

Complete Marine Freight 

Jeremy Stephens recently joined the experienced team at 

Complete Marine Freight in Palma, Spain. He brings with 

him the experience gained from working with the Perth 

team at DHL in Western Australia, where he spent many 

years learning all aspects of the air express industry. He 

then moved on to a state manager role with an international 

freight forwarding company based in Fremantle. 

designed to withstand treacherous sea states in safety 

and comfort. The Expedition 92 now fills one of the 

gargantuan sheds at Knight & Carver’s yard in National 

City. Said Alls, who truly appreciates the boatbuilding 

heritage of the Pacific Northwest, “I’m still finding my 

way around San Diego and its marine trades, but I’m 

happy to be closer to family, industrial products suppliers 

and to reasonably priced subcontractors.” 

AllSeas relocation was relatively seamless. Said Alls, “We 

brought along a small and highly talented crew, a man lift, 

forklift, welding machines and come-alongs. The hand 

tools were expendable and ready to be replaced.” 

Stephens has now relocated to Palma to join Complete 

Marine Freight and head up the racing yacht side of the 

business, ensuring that every detail is taken care of — from 

shipping race boats and their containers, to trucking by 

road, customs clearance, temporary imports and carnets. 

Marine Trade Centre Talks Turkey 

To promote its shipyard extension, Aganlar Boatyard of Bodrum, 

Turkey, has appointed Marine Trade Centre to implement 

an international public relations and marketing campaign. 

The purpose of the campaign will be to highlight the 

unique new facilities and skills that Aganlar brings to the 

superyacht refit market in the Eastern Mediterranean. 

www.YachtEssentials.com

Yacht News 

Erdem Agan, one of the owners of Aganlar, commented: 

“We have been building and refitting wooden and 

now aluminium yachts for almost 50 years, so we have 

a fantastic pool of talented boat builders, designers and 

engineers here in Bodrum. We are investing €5 million 

in our new facilities to enable us to compete with the 

best yards in Europe, but with the distinct advantage of 

a lower labour cost base.” 

“Aganlar is a first-rate boatyard with an excellent reputation, 

and I am sure the market will soon discover it to 

be a credible and cost-effective centre for refit and new 

build of yachts up to 55 metres,” added Jonathan Bowker 

of Marine Trade Centre. “We are very pleased to be 

helping Erdem and his team to spread the message.” 

Aganlar Boatyard will shortly take delivery of the largest 

travel lift in the Eastern Mediterranean, with a capacity 

of 11.5 metre beam, 52 metre length and 450 

tonnes displacement. 

What’s new in electronics 

MTN Satellite Communications (MTN), a global provider 

of communications, connectivity and content 

services to remote locations around the world, has introduced 

StreamXcel Plus, a powerful integrated hardware 

and software solution for managing shipboard 

satellite communications. 

StreamXcel Plus is designed to provide a suite of tools 

permitting vessel owners to optimize their ship’s satellite 

voice and data traffic while minimizing costs. Vessels 

operating on MTN’s extensive Ku-band satellite 

coverage already have seamless connectivity and access 

to guaranteed bandwidth. With StreamXcel Plus, 

vessels are provided with automatic switching capabilities 

to Inmarsat Fleet Broadband (FBB) whenever they 

move outside the Ku-band beams for “always on, always 

available” communications. 

StreamXcel Plus provides vessels with two separate 

on board corporate and crew communication networks. 

The corporate network includes two voice 

lines, data and Internet access over VSAT with FBB 

as a backup system. StreamXcel Plus also provides 

VSAT bandwidth data compression and optimization, 

allowing applications and networks to run optimally 

for time and cost savings. 

An engine bed for the new engine was built, along with 

cabin soles in all three heads; new electrical wiring and 

distribution enables the latest technologies; mechanical 

systems were updated; interior joinery — woodwork 

and cabinetry — in the cabins was refinished; planks 

were refastened with 5,000 custom-made fastenings; 

and renowned sailmaker Nat Wilson made three new 

jibs, a mizzen and the mainsail. 

△ Belle Aventure Wins Wooden Boat Show 

The 94-foot Fife Classic Belle Aventure, built in 1929, took 

first place at the 19th annual Wooden Boat Show held at 

Mystic Seaport. The vessel won in the Professionally Restored 

Sailboat category, following a two-year refit in the 

hands of craftsmen at Boothbay Harbor Shipyard in Maine. 

While at Boothbay Harbor, Belle underwent mechanical, 

electrical, interior joinery, and sail and rigging work. 

Albany Marina Nears Completion 

Following a year and a half of construction, Albany Marina, 

located at Providence Point in the Bahamas, is ready 

to welcome the marina resort’s first visiting vessels when 

it opens this winter. 

August marked the completion of the first phase of construction 

of Albany’s 71-slip marina, which included the 

dredging of a mile-long, 150-foot-wide channel and the 

creation of a 15-acre deepwater basin with a controlling 

10 YACHT ESSENTIALS

Welcome to San Diego... 

• Refit Center of the Western Hemisphere 

• Three Outstanding Refit Yards 

• Reliable Contractors 

• Deep Water Port 

• Year-Round Sunshine 

America’s finest city. 

Visit us online at www.sdsuperyacht.org to learn more. 

Yacht photo taken by Carlos Deza.


depth of 16 feet MSL. To date, they have installed 25 of 

the marina’s largest finger piers, ranging from 50 feet to 

240 feet in length. 

Crews are currently completing final work on the utility 

and fuel systems, including a state-of-the-art fuel dock 

featuring high-speed fuel dispensers. A unique feature 

of Albany Marina is six activities platforms located in the 

southwest and north sections of the marina. These large 

decks provide space for slip owners to use for everything 

from staging areas for provisioning their vessels to spaces 

for hosting friendly gatherings. 

The completed resort facility will boast an Ernie Els-designed 

golf course, luxury cottages, single-family homes 

and marina residences, an equestrian center, a luxurious 

beach club and more. 

Yacht Solutions Launches 

Superyacht Division 

Asia’s leading luxury yacht company, Yacht Solutions, has 

unveiled a high-end superyacht division named Ruea 

Yachts, which will design and construct vessels to satisfy 

the escalating demand among affluent individuals in 

Asia and around the world. 

Combining European marine technology and design 

with the renowned finishing skills of Thai craftsmen, Ruea 

Yachts will specialize in building Lloyds classification and 

MCA LY2 code certified custom yachts of up to 85 metres 

in size. Ruea Yachts currently operates out of two shipyards 

in Thailand, one in Phuket and another in Bangkok, where 

the construction of a 60-metre conversion was revealed in 

August. It employs a skilled team of 120 professionals and 

100 sub-contractors at any one time. 

What’s new in yacht gear 

In cooperation with the boat-building arm of longtime 

partner C. Raymond Hunt Associates, HBI Boats splashed 

a new Hunt HBI 30 at the Newport (RI) International Boat 

Show in September. It’s the first new production model 

from HBI in 15 years, capitalizing on the experience the 

firm has gain building custom yacht tenders. 

Taking advantage of the deep-V hull form, the new model 

includes a center console containing a head with sink and 

standing headroom. The boat’s wide-body stance, a key 

feature of all HBIs, eases movement forward and around 

the console. An open transom allows quick boarding and 

makes the boat an ideal swimming platform. 

Hunt Yachts has finished hull number one, an eye-catching 

boat with teak decks, carbon fiber accents and polished 

stainless steel throughout. Equipped with twin 225-hp Yamaha 

four-stroke outboards, speed is over 50 mph. Hull numbers 

two and three are under order, and HBI is beginning full 

production with delivery of new boats set for spring 2011. 

12 YACHT ESSENTIALS

P O W E R I N G T H E I N D U S T R Y F O R O V E R 6 0 Y E A R S 

L AT I T U D E : 2 8 ° 8 0 " N , LO N G I T U D E : 41° 70 " W. 

AND NOT A WORRY 

IN THE WORLD 

IT’S NOT ONE THING WE DO THAT SETS US APART, IT’S EVERYTHING WE DO. 

THAT’S WHAT MAKES US THE MOST TRUSTED NAME IN MARINE ELECTRIC. 

S E RV I C E S 

E Q U I P M E N T S A L E S 

New Installations 

Repairs 

AC Generators 

Converters/Inverters 

Modifications 

Engineering 

Transformers 

Wire/Cable/Fuses 

Custom Computerized 

Electrical & Corrosion 

Battery Charging Equipment 

Shore Cords & 

& Laser Engraving 

Custom Designed Switchboards 

In-house & Dockside Service 

Surveys 

Fire Surveys 

Panel Production 

Panel Meters & Gauges 

Switches 

Cathodic Protection Systems 

Adapters 

Lamps & Lighting 

Overcurrent Protection 

Call today or visit our website WWW.WARDSMARINE.COM for more information or to schedule an appointment. 

H E A D Q U A RT E R S 

617 S.W. Third Avenue • Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 

Phone: 954.523.2815 • Toll Free: 800.545.9273 

Toll Free Fax: 800.297.8240 

W E S T PA L M B E A C H 

999 West 17th Street • Unit #3 • Riviera Beach, FL 33404 

Phone: 561.863.7100 • Fax: 561.863.7008


The creation of Ruea Yachts is the culmination of the 

dream of two brothers, Gareth and Simon Twist, who 

form the nucleus of the management team. The British 

pair have run Yacht Solutions for 10 years and have 

more than 20 years of design, construction and management 

expertise in the marine industry. They began 

their careers in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean 

before Gareth established the pioneering Yacht Solutions 

operation in Phuket, now the most highly visited 

superyacht destination in Asia. Simon joined his brother 

six years ago. 

“Asia is a region that is increasingly the focus of the marine 

industry globally, with a lot of interest coming from 

Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand from both expatriate 

and Asian clients,” said Gareth, who is also a founding 

member of the Asia Pacific Superyacht Association. 

“Most recently we have seen a jump in interest from China 

and India. Due to our partnerships in the UK with BMT 

Nigel Gee and Design Unlimited, we are fast becoming 

an alternative choice for European buyers looking for a 

competitively priced superyacht.” 

New Baja Marine Repair Center Opens 

Marine Group Boat Works has officially opened a new 

facility at The Marina at Puerto Los Cabos in Baja, Mexico. 

The multi-million dollar repair center spans more 

than 200,000 square feet, providing a convenient alternative 

to boaters and fisherman on the West Coast. The 

facility features Mexico’s first dry-stack storage yard and 

is marketed as the most comprehensive marine repair 

center in the region. 

The Marina at Puerto Los Cabos also teamed up with 

Marine Group Boat Works to provide the capacity of 

hauling and repairing yachts measuring up to 110 feet 

with a 150-ton travel lift. Prior to the opening of this 

repair center, the only comparable facility near Baja 

was in San Diego. 

The Marina at Puerto Los Cabos is the largest private 

marina in Mexico and is located approximately 15 

miles east of Cabo San Lucas in the town of San Jose 

del Cabo. It offers full facilities and service and can 

accommodate more than 500 boats, including luxury 

megayachts. Puerto Los Cabos is also the gateway to 

the East Cape, offering easy access to the region’s 

world-class sport fishing. 

△ Costa Rican Marina Open For Business 

The first phase of Marina Pez Vela, Costa Rica’s largest fullservice 

marina, is complete and offers immediate access to 

100 floating concrete slips ranging from 35 to 200 feet, plus 

all the amenities of a first-class marina: a 700-foot-long fuel 

dock with diesel and gas tanks holding 48,000 gallons of 

fuel, marine store, WiFi, on-site Customs and Immigration, 

100,000-gallon fresh water capacity and more. 

“This is a one-of-a-kind marina that opens up all of Central 

America to more cruising and fishing opportunities,” 

said project founder Harold Lovelady, noting that the 

multi-year permit and construction process included 

dredging 425,000 cubic yards of sand, placing 350,000 

cubic yards of rock, and constructing 4,000 concrete 

barrier jacks. “Encompassing more than 55 acres of 

land and water, the marina has been built to the highest 

standards, and it features one of the most sophisticated 

breakwaters ever constructed for a recreational marina, 

providing a safe harbor at all times.” 

Preparations for the next phase of Marina Pez Vela are already 

underway and will include 200 additional wet slips, 

a dry-stack system capable of housing 120 boats up to 35 

feet, and a full-service boatyard, complete with 75- and 200- 

ton travel lifts. Future landside development is also planned 

to include a hotel, residences, restaurants and shops. 

Marine Groups Support PNW Yachting 

The Pacific Northwest Yachting Association (PNYA) and the 

Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA) have signed 

an agreement to align their efforts in supporting the superyacht 

industry and promoting boating in the region. 

14 YACHT ESSENTIALS

Lost: Retiree 

Found: Romantic 

Help your clients release the 

dreams within their hearts. 

You Unscripted 

800.372.USVI 

©2010 United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.


Charlie Crane of Platypus Marine, the current president 

of PNYA, will serve as chairman of the newly formed Ad 

Hoc Superyacht Committee. Peter Schrappen, NMTA’s 

director of government affairs, will be the NMTA contact 

for the committee. 

problems early,” said Captain Nick Murphy. “The system 

is space-saving, flexible and keeps the bilges dry. Arid 

Bilge’s Green Yacht System is a great alternative to other 

unreliable methods of keeping oil out of the discharge.” 

The two groups recognize the need for specific lobbying 

efforts, education, communication and the need to 

address concerns and to inform the yachting community 

worldwide of the services and exquisite cruising grounds 

the Pacific Northwest has to offer. 

▽ Eco-Friendly System For Megayachts 

Arid Bilge Systems’ new Green Yacht System helps keep 

oil out of yacht discharge, a far-reaching step toward protecting 

waters and staying on the right side of enviroregulation. 

The system utilizes seven basic components 

that work together to divert water from the overboard 

discharge and send it to a gray water tank. The end result 

is a dry bilge and verification of a clean discharge. 

The system has been installed on the 2010 M/Y Cortina 

from Newcastle Shipyards. “It’s instrumental to keep watch 

over the bilge and potential leaks, and it helps detect 

Rybovich Wins Riviera Beach Marina Lease 

The Riviera Beach (FL) City Council has agreed to lease 

the southern part of its city marina to Rybovich Super 

Yacht Marina & Refit. Rybovich is expected to establish 

a megayacht service yard there, if state and federal environmental 

permits can be obtained. 

Under terms of the lease, Rybovich Riviera Beach LLC 

will pay the city at least $14.5 million over the 25-year 

term of the lease. The company also is expected to pay 

$150,000 annually in property taxes. 

An economic impact study estimates the megayacht 

service yard, which would handle yachts 250 feet and 

longer, will create 4,570 new jobs in Palm Beach County 

and 457 in Riviera Beach. 

Newport Shipyard Adds 

Second Marine Travelift 

Marine Travelift has announced that Newport Shipyard 

of Newport, Rhode Island, has acquired one of its 100 

BFMII mobile boat hoists. The new machine joins another 

Marine Travelift hoist already on site. 

Located downtown on Newport Harbor, Newport Shipyard 

is the town’s oldest (and only) working boatyard and 

shipyard facility. Eli Dana, Newport Shipyard’s manager 

and dockmaster, said the yard purchased the new 100 

BFMII to replace an existing 70-ton machine. “We got 

it to handle smaller and midrange boats — race boats, 

catamarans, power and sail cruising boats up to the 90- 

and 100-foot range.” 

Free Radio Checks in Broward County 

In an effort to promote safe boating, Sea Tow Ft. Lauderdale 

is providing to the boating public a free automated 

marine radio check system on VHF marine 

channel 27 — 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 

days a year. 

16 YACHT ESSENTIALS

Captain Tim Morgan, vice president of Sea Tow Ft. Lauderdale 

says, “We’ve noticed over the years a dramatic 

increase in boaters using channel 16 for radio checks. We 

found it necessary, especially with the amount of boaters 

in Southeast Florida, that we establish a system that will 

relieve channel 16 of people doing radio checks.” 

What’s Happening 

Boat Show 

Barcelona, Spain 

11/6/2010 – 11/14/2010 

49th Barcelona 

International Boat Show 

www.salonnautico.com 

+ 34 93 233 20 00 

Goa, India 


Goa International 

Boat Show 

www.goaboatshow.biz 

cecilc@vsnl.net 

+919969017812 

Phuket, Thailand 

1/6/2011 – 1/9/2011 

8th Annual Phuket 


www.phuketboatshow.com 

celine.fenet@informayacht 

group.com 

Shenzhen, 

Guangdong, China 


Sibex - China Shenzhen 


www.sibex.net.cn 

pgarenne@grand-pavois.com 

+ 33 (0) 5 46 44 46 39 

Vancouver, BC 

2/9/2011 – 2/13/2011 

Vancouver International 

Boat Show 

www.vancouverboatshow.ca 

lwaddell@canadianboat 

shows.com 

905-951-4051 

Cruising Rally 

Palmas de Gran 

Canaria, Spain 

11/21/2010 

ARC 2010 

(Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) 

www.worldcruising.com/arc 

mail@worldcruising.com 

+ 44 (0)1983 296060 

Industry Conference 

Estoril, Cascais, 

Portugal 


World Yacht Racing 

Forum 2010 

www.worldyachtracing 

forum.com 

james.pleasance@informa 

yachtgroup.com 

+44 (0)20 7978 4433 

Fort Lauderdale, FL 


1st CrewShow 

Fort Lauderdale 

www.crewshow.com 

info@crewshow.com 

954-805-2433 

Tampa, FL 

1/26/2011 – 1/28/2011 

International Marina 

and Boatyard Conference 

www.marinaassociation. 

org/imbc 

imbc@marinaassociation.org 

401-682-7334 

Music Festival 

St. Thomas, USVI 


4th Yacht Haven Grande 

New Year’s Eve Party 

by the Sea 

www.yachthavengrande.com 

340-774-9500 

NO TIME 

TO STAND IN LINE 

ISLANDWATERWORLD.COM 

SHOP ONLINE 

Great Pricing 

Wide range of Marine Products 

Excellent Value 

www.islandwaterworld.com 

St. Maarten: + 599.544.5310 • St. Lucia: + 758.452.1222 

Grenada: + 473.435.2150 • Curacao: + 599.9.461.2144 

www.YachtEssentials.com 17

SUPERYACHTS MAKE 

A SPLASH AT FLIBS 

Spotlight 

BY STEVE ROSENBERG 

18 YACHT ESSENTIALS

Owners 

When the crowds descend on the Fort 

Lauderdale Boat Show (FLIBS) in late 

October, the Intracoastal Waterway will 

be lined from the 17th Street Bridge to 

the Bahia Mar Yachting Center with hundreds of eyecatching 

refits and breathtaking new launches. One 

new vessel, in fact, is staking its claim as possibly the 

largest yacht ever built in the United States. If you’re 

setting course for the show, here’s a preview of some 

of buzz-worthy superyachts expected be there. 

Derecktor Shipyards – Cakewalk 

At 281 feet (85.6 meters) and 2,950 tons, Cakewalk 

surpasses her four predecessors in size and is the 

largest yacht built in the US since the 1930s — and 

possibly the biggest ever built in the States when 

measured by volume. Styled by internationally acclaimed 

yacht designer Tim Heywood, Cakewalk is a 

modern classic, evoking the timeless elegance of motoryachts 

from American yachting’s golden era while 

moving the needle forward in contemporary design 

and engineering. In keeping with her dual mission as 

a private vessel and an exclusive luxury charter yacht, 

hospitality and comfort are emphasized on every 

deck. Presented by Derecktor Shipyards. 


Spotlight: Superyachts Make a Splash at FLIBS 

Lürssen – Northern Star 

Built by Lürssen of Germany, this exploration yacht boasts an exceptional 

range of 8,500 nautical miles. Coupled with generous provision storage, she 

can make long cruises to distant parts of the world, including high latitudes, 

as she is classed for operation in light sea ice. All of her engineering and 

equipment is robust, with plenty of redundancy in case something gets damaged. 

For example, she has three generators, four stabilizer fins, two sidethrusters 

and three tenders. Special equipment includes dynamic positioning 

and forward-looking sonar, while the communications outfit is the best 

available. She has six decks and spacious accommodations for 12 guests and 

22 crew. All the guest cabins are placed on the main deck and have large 

windows, while the owners’ suite on the upper deck has virtually horizon-tohorizon 

views. Presented by Moran Yacht & Ship Inc. 

Perini Navi – 

Felicita West 

Billed as the largest 

and fastest aluminum 

sailing yacht 

in the world, everything 

about this 

vessel has been 

designed to provide 

the ultimate 

sailing experience 

in the greatest possible comfort. The flybridge is so large that all 12 guests 

can sit, eat and talk in the sun or shade, surrounded by gleaming mast 

machinery. A large swim platform descends from the main deck with easy 

access into the water or onto jet tenders. The most spectacular views are 

from the bow seat or a crow’s nest lift that ascends 131 feet. Presented by 

Perini Navi. 

Trinity Yachts – Big Zip 

The sister ship of Trinity’s Big City, the 

142-foot Big Zip is an all-aluminum 

head-turner. Designed by naval architect 

Geoff Van Aller, she has a 28-foot 

beam and a draft of 7 feet. Her interior, 

which was styled by Evan Marshall, 

is built to sleep up to 10 guests 

in five staterooms. It has a main-deck 

master stateroom consisting of a king 

bed, vanity, his and hers bathrooms 

with shower and Jacuzzi tub, TV/DVD 

and a private study at the entrance 

to the cabin. There are three guest 

cabins including king berths, and the 

fifth cabin offers dual twin berths. The 

main dining salon seats 10. Heading 

topsides to the skylounge, you find a 

large bar with gaming table, Jacuzzi 

and sun pads. Big Zip will head to the 

Mediterranean in 2011. Presented by 

Trinity Yachts. 

20 YACHT ESSENTIALS

Richmond Yachts – Status Quo 

The 150-foot tri-deck Status Quo by Richmond Yachts, is the largest fiberglass-reinforced plastic composite yacht ever 

launched in Canada. A touch-and-go helipad is surrounded by a bar, a 46-inch TV, a large hot tub with sun pads and 

an air-conditioned day head, which makes up what Richmond calls the Fun Deck. The main aft deck offers seating and 

dining space out of the sun, as well as another bar and television. The yacht also carries an 18-foot tender and a dive 

compressor. Status Quo accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms, including a main-deck master with onyx-lined 

his and hers bathrooms. Space for 10 crewmembers can be found down below in five cabins. Ward Setzer styled her 

exterior, and Pavlik Yacht Design created the interior. Presented by Richmond Yachts. 



Trident – Victory Lane 

Formerly named Tajin, Victory Lane is a 147-foot Trident tri-deck 

motoryacht that was designed by Juan Carlos Espinosa. She underwent 

a complete interior and mechanical refit in 2008 to put 

her in pristine condition. Expansive social areas abound. Exterior 

highlights include a flybridge with alfresco dining for 10, gym and 

Jacuzzi. Inside, the skylounge features a full range of entertainment 

options, while the main deck offers formal dining for 12, a large 

galley and a huge saloon with bar. Accommodations are located 

on the lower deck and include a master suite and four guest cabins. 

The full-beam master suite features a king-size bed, flat-screen 

TV, large wardrobes, desks, seating, and his and hers bath rooms. 

The two guest cabins (two queen, two double) each have a full en 

suite head. Presented by International Yacht Collection (IYC). 

Northcoast Yachts – Northcoast 

This sleek 125-footer is the very definition of 

luxury on the water. With a composite hull and 

superstructure, she can cruise at 22 knots and 

has a range of 2,750 nautical miles. The interior 

was designed by Northcoast’s owner, Stephen 

Yadvish, and his wife, JoDee, and features 

beautiful white furnishings and cream carpets 

that are complimented by dark woods and 

marble. The impressive superyacht has 9-foot 

ceilings throughout and can house 11 guests 

in five staterooms consisting of a master stateroom 

with a lowered bath and skylight, three 

queen guest cabins, a twin cabin and a Pullman 

berth. Presented by Northcoast Yachts. 

Moonen – Northlander 

Founded in Holland in the 1980s to build inland steel cruisers, Moonen Shipyards has ventured into superyachts, 

emphasizing a smaller scale while focusing on luxury and comfort. Featuring a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, 

Northlander was designed by René van der Velden Yacht Design, with naval architecture by Stolk Marimecs. She has a 

spacious and impressive contemporary interior design by Art-Line Interiors. With features that are attractive to owners, 

captains and crews, this is an ideal platform for charter as well as private use. She is the first Moonen yacht with a fourdeck 

central atrium and spiral staircase. Her layout features a main-deck master suite forward. Below, two double and 

two twin guest staterooms center on the stairs, with crew quarters isolated forward. Presented by Moonen Shipyards. 

22 YACHT ESSENTIALS

Trumpy Yachts – Innisfail 

Welcome aboard history, in all its classic elegance. The 92-foot Innisfail is an impeccably restored Mathis-Trumpy yacht 

that was commissioned in the 1930s during America’s golden age of yachting. This maritime masterpiece valiantly 

served as a patrol boat in World War II and then served US presidents until 1965, wowing royalty and heads of state 

with her craftsmanship. Today, she has been meticulously restored to her original elegance. She presents a unique 

opportunity to experience a living piece of American history. Presented by Trumpy Yacht Charters. 



Sunseeker – 34 Meter 

This 112-foot yacht features three decks: a lower, main and upper flybridge. Starting below, the lower deck hides the 

two VIP suites. These suites are generously proportioned and feature the latest in entertainment system. The spacious 

master suite is located to the fore of the main deck with large windows providing a near 180-degree view of the outside 

world. The master possesses different interesting levels such as a walk-in closet on one level to a secluded toilet 

area descending to double sinks and shower region. Aft of the master is the large saloon with an abundance of seating 

and entertainment space. There is also a dining area just forward of the saloon on the main deck. The flybridge 

deck is open to the elements and offers plenty of alfresco seating. Nearby is a small bar off to the starboard side and 

a centrally placed Jacuzzi. Presented by Sunseeker Florida. 

The world’s largest boat show 

Held in the “Yachting Capital of the World” the Fort Lauderdale 

International Boat Show (FLIBS) encompasses 

more than 3 million square feet of space, both on land 

and in water. The show’s transportation network of bus 

shuttles, water taxis, and riverboats makes it easy to navigate 

the city and its expansive waterways system. 

The show spans five sites this year with exhibits ranging 

from yacht builders and designers to exotic cars and brokerage 

yachts. FLIBS also will feature electronics, engines 

and thousands of marine products such as fishing equipment, 

dive gear, financing and insurance options, yachting 

accessories, nautical clothing, jewelry and more. 

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show takes 

place this year at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center, the 

Hall of Fame Marina, the Las Olas Municipal Marina, 

the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, and the Broward 

County Convention Center. 

To purchase tickets to the 2010 Fort Lauderdale International 

Boat Show, please visit www.showmanagement. 

com. To make travel arrangements, please contact the 

boat show’s official travel partner, Identity Travel, at (866) 

877-3083, or visit www.identitytravel.com. 

2010 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Schedule 

and Ticket Info: 

Show Hours 

• Thursday, Oct. 28 (Prime Time Preview), 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. 

• Friday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. 

• Saturday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. 

• Sunday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. 

• Monday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Admission 

• Prime Time Preview (Thurs., Oct. 28) – 

$30 online, $32 at show site 

• General Admission (Adults) – $16 online, $18 at show site 

• Children (Ages 6-15) – $3 online, $5 at show site 

• Children (Under age 6) – FREE 

• Two-Day Ticket – $32 online, $34 at show site 

Onsite Box Office Locations 

• Bahia Mar Yachting Center 

• Las Olas Marina 

• Broward County Convention Center 

Additional Box Office Location 

• Las Olas Riverfront 

24 YACHT ESSENTIALS

MAGNIFICA 

CAPRI 

Ports of Call 

BY LOUAY HABIB 

The isle of Capri is part of ancient mythology 

and has been an important Roman retreat 

since the time of Emperor Tiberius. It was a 

haven for artists during the 19th century, and 

its bohemian lifestyle attracted the jet set of the 1950s 

and ’60s. Stars of the stage and screen are still frequent 

guests, as are many citizens of the Italian capital, which is 

less than two hours away. Saturday night in La Piazzetta is 

like a never-ending fashion show. In short, modern Capri 

is a place of glamour, grace and splendor that is sure to 

take your breath away. 

But on arrival, little island seems to be quite the opposite. 

The ferry port is an almost ramshackle place with 

tourist shops and espresso bars aplenty. The marina is 

bustling, but the majority of visitors are day-trippers 

and by early evening they leave Capri. This is the time 

when those who are out and about can enjoy the ocean 

breeze, the sight of boats rocking on the waves and the 

sound of the occasional scooter toot as the sun slowly 

drops. This is the real Capri. 

The isle is divided into four parts: Marina Grande, Marina 

Piccola, and the towns of Capri and Anacapri. Each of these 

areas has something different to offer, and together they allow 

Capri’s natural wonders, luxury boutiques, and old city 

centers to become a single and unique experience. 

The town of Capri is up high but can be accessed by a 

funicular railway that takes you to the main square — La 

Piazzetta — with its striking clock and cobbled alfresco 

cafes. Perched high above Marina Grande, the town offers 

many excellent restaurants with spectacular vistas. 

Ristorante da Gemma is a wonderfully intimate eatery, 

located in the back streets of Capri. It has an excellent 

antipasti buffet, homemade pasta and local fresh fish, 

complimented by an extensive wine menu. Also near La 

Piazzetta is Da Giorgio’s, which has stunning views of the 

Once the location of a small 

fort and thought to be the 

spot where the Sirens would 

sit and sing to lure sailors to 

their paradise, Canzone del 

Mare is among Capri’s 

most elegant places. 

26 YACHT ESSENTIALS


Ports of Call: Magnifica Capri 

In a quiet part of the town of Capri is La Luna Hotel, accessed through 

the grounds of Certosa di San Giacomo, a medieval monastery 

set behind a lemon grove. 

Bay of Naples. This restaurant has been around since 

1948 and is especially well known for superb shellfish 

and, of course, pasta and pizza. 

In a quiet part of the town of Capri is La Luna Hotel, accessed 

through the grounds of Certosa di San Giacomo, 

a medieval monastery set behind a lemon grove. The 

hotel’s pool and bar area has a sun deck breathtaking 

sea views, and there is an enchanted garden with a traditional 

wooden pergola covered with flowering wisteria. 

Intense colors, sweet aromas and an exceptional sense 

of tranquility pervade the garden here. 

Capri has many hidden delights: Via Vittorio Emanuele 

houses many of the designer boutiques that are a 

large part of the island’s renown, but step off this beaten 

path for even three minutes in any direction and 

you are surrounded by distinctive villas and gardens, a 

different and more hidden side of this remarkable isle. 

The Gardens of Augustus offer a nearly aerial view of 

the Marina Piccola, the Certosa di San Giacomo and 

Capri’s famous limestone Faraglioni. One of the Faraglioni 

has a 56-meter-long tunnel running through it, 

and the rocks serve as a beautiful Caprese landmark, 

often depicted on postcards. 

The drive to Anacapri is an amazing experience; it is a 

rapid climb of 600 meters, with the road often built out 

from the rock face. You feel more like the gulls that circle 

the cliffs than a passenger in one of Capri’s quaint, softtop 

taxis. The town’s 18th century Capri Palace Hotel has 

elevated views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and wonderful artistic 

features, including modern sculpture and an underwater 

viewing area for the mosaic swimming pool. This 

28 YACHT ESSENTIALS

Ports of Call: Magnifica Capri 

Rolex Capri Sailing Week also illuminates yet another highlight of the social 

calendar: the Rolex Gala Dinner, held at Capri’s famous Canzone del Mare. 

is a lavish resort in every sense of the word, including 

world-class spa facilities and a chic ambience. 

Another incredible journey leading outside of Capri 

town is along Via Le Botteghe. This road passes many 

authentic restaurants and ultimately leads to one of 

Capri’s most impressive wonders, the Natural Arch. This 

incredible rock window is a stunning reminder of nature’s 

powers, an awe-inspiring view that is both humbling and 

inspirational. The Natural Arch and many of Capri’s famous 

grottos can also be enjoyed from the water via a 

boat tour around the island. The unique Grotta Azure 

is one of Capri’s most famous attractions. The Grotta’s 

crystal clear water is illuminated from below, giving off a 

celestial blue glow that is the main source of light inside 

the cave and a source of delight for all visitors. 

Capri has even more to offer when explored in step with 

the many local and international festivities that are organized 

throughout the year. One major event that takes 

place annually is the Rolex Capri Sailing Week, the regatta 

that marks the mid-May beginning of the Mediterranean 

sailing season. The regatta attracts Mini-Maxi Class 

yachts from all over the world. These yachts are state-ofthe-art, 

carbon fiber, high performance boats — crewed 

by stars from the America’s Cup and the Olympics. Rolex 

Capri Sailing Week also illuminates yet another highlight 

of the social calendar: the Rolex Gala Dinner, held at 

Capri’s famous Canzone del Mare. 

Once the location of a small fort and thought to be the 

spot where the Sirens would sit and sing to lure sailors 

to their paradise, Canzone del Mare is among Capri’s 

most elegant places. The land has passed through quite 

a few hands and undergone many transformations in its 

long history: It first became a vacation home in the late 

19th century for Emil von Behring, a well-known German 

physician. The blockhouse was then purchased by the 

famous singer Gracie Fields, who transformed it into her 

permanent home on the island. Following the war, Gracie 

decided to turn the property into the Canzone del 

Mare bathing establishment, installing cabanas, a terrace 

30 YACHT ESSENTIALS

estaurant and the establishment’s first swimming pool. 

Here, Gracie could continue to perform as she pleased, 

and in 1950 Emilio Pucci opened his Capri boutique at 

Canzone del Mare, attracting women from all over the 

world who came for his exclusive fashions. 

MHG - your friends 

with benefits! 

With a fantastic view of the sea and as the closest place 

to swim near Capri’s Faraglioni, the beach club was 

destined for glamour from the beginning. During the 

’50s and ’60s, it became one of the many hotspots of 

the international glitterati coming to Capri. Frequenters 

included Clara Agnelli, Liliana Cavani, Elsa Martinelli, 

Sofia Loren, Lucia Bosé, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy 

and Aristotle Onassis, Gianni Versace, the Royal 

Family of Spain, Dino de Laurentiis, Princess Caroline 

and Princess Grace of Monaco, Eduardo de Filippo, Liz 

Taylor and Brigitte Bardot. Noël Coward’s “A Bar on the 

Piccola Marina” was inspired by this very lido on the 

edge of the sea. 

Today, the club’s fame continues. People come from 

around the world to eat lunch on the thatched pavilion or 

to use the club’s many facilities. The lido is now home to 

multiple seawater swimming pools, a private white pebble 

beach directly below the club, wooden huts and private 

stone cabanas with air conditioning and internet, a 

solarium, hydro-massage treatments and, of course, one 

of the greatest views in the world. It is picture perfect in 

every way, and the food in excellent to boot. In addition, 

the club is known for hosting various private events and 

can support up to 1,100 visitors. 

Whether it is the glamour, the beauty or the charm of 

Capri that entices you to visit, the ultimate pleasures and 

delights of this little island go far beyond what one could 

ever expect. And in spite of the many changes the isle 

has undergone throughout the years, Capri’s fame is in 

no danger of extinction. 

Medical Insurance 

Disability Income 

Personal Accident Insurance 

Life Insurance 

Retirement Plans 

Property & Liability Insurance 

Fort Lauderdale 

Mark Bononi 

+1 954 548 3576 

markb@mhgmarine.com 

Cote d’Azur 

Steve Jackson 

+33 6 27 96 81 80 

stevej@mhgmarine.eu 

Fort Lauderdale Cote d’Azur Isle of Man Hamburg 

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www.mhgmarine.com 


JOANN “DIDGIE” VRANA 

Where Are They Now 

BY CAPTAIN JAN ROBINSON 

In a world of nicknames, JoAnn Vrana is rather unique. 

Her dad gave her the moniker “Didgie” because, 

when she could first talk, she would continuously say 

“did ja,” as in “did ja get me this, or did ja bring me 

that” Now, with long honey-colored hair and intelligent 

blue eyes, the name Didgie seems to fit perfectly as she 

gives a hint of smile that oftentimes heralds a witty remark 

or interesting tale. 

Didgie was born on Long Island in 1950 to wonderful 

and adventurous parents, Albert and Johanna Vrana. 

They introduced her to sailing when she was less than 4 

years old on their first yacht, Argo, a 30-foot John Hanna 

Tahiti ketch. Albert wanted to check out some artists in 

Coconut Grove before the word “hippie” existed. So, 

off they sailed with Didgie and her younger sister. They 

had sold their horticulture nursery, and Albert made a career 

change. The family lived in the Coconut Grove area, 

where Albert eventually became a well-known sculptor. 

Didgie’s wanderlust was further stimulated when the 

family brought a second vessel, Survive, a 45-foot Hilliard 

ketch, from Ireland to the US. 

A brother joined the Vranas in 1959, and his bunk was 

actually a bookshelf in Didgie’s parents’ cabin. At that 

time, living aboard a boat and traveling with kids was a 

rare lifestyle, and they were written up in the New York 

Times. Didgie says the bay was a fantastic playground, 

and she and her siblings spent time with their Dad in 

his studio, seeing sketches turn into works of art. Albert 

had a tremendous impact on Didgie, teaching her how 

to sail, build and fix things, and passing along his artistic 

talent. The family lived aboard Survive, cruising to the 

Bahamas and other areas, for the next 14 years. At age 

17, Didgie had her own boat while still in high school. 

Didgie’s education was not overlooked. She attended 

formal schools in Florida, punctuated by long intervals of 

cruising in Europe, where she attended schools in various 

countries — one in Spain, where the class was held 

in the teacher’s backyard under a fig tree. After graduating 

from Ponce de Leon and Coral Gables High School, 

she took two years of university classes. But her real 

education began when she built her own 40-foot Raymond 

Creekmore-designed sloop, which took four years 

to complete. Her masterpiece was christened Tequila, 

and she lived aboard while chartering the boat in the 

Bahamas and running a varnish business. Didgie moved 

32 YACHT ESSENTIALS

to larger vessels and ran power and sailing boats, both 

charter and private, in the Caribbean. She now holds a 

USCG license (500 ton) and has two Atlantic crossings on 

a sailing yacht under the belt. 

Didgie met Bob Belschner at Lower Matecombe Key 

in the fall of 1982. She had charter guests on board 

and pulled into a small marina for the night. At dinner 

ashore, there was Bob on his Blackwatch, Good Life. Two 

weeks later the two of them sailed Good Life down to St. 

Thomas, flew back to Miami and sailed Tequila down the 

same route. Each trip took eight days straight, back-toback! 

They had only self-steering vanes and used their 

sextants for navigation. After six months of chartering, 

which seemed a good test of their relationship, they took 

a break and flew to North Carolina to be married at a 

waterfall near Didge’s parents’ home. Didge says, “We 

started broke, with nothing but our two boats and ourselves, 

and have been married 27 years.” 

For the next four years, Bob and Didgie ran a 63-foot 

Little Harbor for its owner. They loved the boat and became 

brand ambassadors, showing the Little Harbor to 

prospective clients. Didgie was talented and enthusiastic 

and quickly convinced the yard that they needed her on 

their design team. The position of customer liaison was 

created, and for two years she was at Ted Hood’s Little 

Harbor Yachts in Newport, Rhode Island, as coordinator 

of yacht interiors. Here, she maintained the specifications 

for all new build yachts — sometimes as many as 12 

boats at a time. Due to the luxury tax’s impact on yachts, 

Didgie got laid off and took a job with Bob, running three 

motoryachts over the next four years until they bought a 

house in Ft. Lauderdale and moved ashore. 

In 1998, Didgie opened Argonautica Yacht Interiors in 

Ft. Lauderdale. The business was named after the yacht 

on which she first fell in love with sailing with her family. 

Small upgrade projects turned into larger projects, 

and eventually Didgie was doing new builds for Grand 

Alaskan, then Cheoy Lee and now Outer Reef. She says, 

“From Bennettis to Swans, I love quality workmanship, 

and our clients come from all over the world.” Bob officially 

joined the business in 2000, although he still does 

coaching and yacht deliveries for Outer Reef. They have 

a small, multitalented and creative staff that coordinates 

the entire process, working with yacht owners and ship 

builders on both new builds and refits. 

Their studio in Ft. Lauderdale emits an atmosphere of warm, 

relaxed, clean tropical splendor. “With new construction, it’s 

almost like being an artist with a blank canvas — the range 

of décor possibilities is endless,” says Didgie. “With refits, 

the challenge is to coordinate the existing interior with the 

new, with a focus on function, comfort and detail.” 

She loves working in interior design and spending time on 

the couple’s 25-foot Parker Cruiser, Nautilus, which they 

have set up for trips of short duration. Nautilus and Argonautica 

Yacht Interiors keep her close to boat building and, 

of primary importance, interesting people. Didgie enthusiastically 

declares, “The favorite part of my business is 

connecting with the clients’ needs, researching and finding 

just the right thing early in the building process, usually 

on the visit after the installation of the interior when 

the boat is staged. I enjoy hearing from clients after their 

first trip and keeping them as friends. The problem-solving 

aspect of decorating appeals to me, and I am tickled 

with the journey that has taken me to where I am today.” 

Leaving behind her seafaring days, Didgie had the desire 

to have her own business. “I was keen to do something 

that I loved and would utilize our talents. Bob was super 

at paperwork and shipping, and I have always been 

comfortable talking boats, practical ideas and taking on 

problem solving challenges,” she says. 

Examples of Didgie’s interiors 


34 YACHT ESSENTIALS 

Silver Cloud outside (above) and in (opposite)

CUTTING A 

NEW SWATH 

Industry Buzz 

BY JEANNE CRAIG 

When the 60-meter pilot station ship 

Weser built by Abeking & Rasmussen 

was christened recently, the 

event got curious yachtsmen thinking 

about the vessel’s unusual hull form: SWATH, or 

small waterplane area twin hull. Weser is one of a 

number of SWATH commercial craft to come out of 

the German yard, yet its arrival is also a reminder 

of the award-winning A&R SWATH design that captured 

the imagination of the recreational sector when 

it was launched in 2008. That yacht is Silver Cloud, a 

41-meter multihull conceived as an expedition boat 

for a man who is deeply concerned with the comfort 

of his wife, who suffers from severe seasickness. 


Industry Buzz: Cutting a New Swath 

Upon its launch, some wondered if Silver Cloud would 

transform the superyacht industry, since SWATH technology 

delivered the naval architect’s Holy Grail — stability, 

seakindliness and efficiency. To date, this unusual concept 

hasn’t revolutionized recreational cruising, but SWATH 

yachts continue to be built, although in small numbers 

and for owners with specific requirements. “Silver Cloud’s 

owners are still extremely excited about the boat’s performance, 

and seasickness is now history for them,” says Till 

von Krause, sales director at Abeking & Rasmussen. “The 

story about this boat is spreading slowly, and there are 

other potential customers interested in this hull form.” 

On one of Silver Cloud’s early sea 

trials, the owners — Alex and Renate 

Dreyfoos — were astonished to find 

that tall wine glasses could be left 

standing on a table in six-foot seas. 

So, what is SWATH At the heart of its concept is the 

observation that waves only exist on the surface of the 

water. Just below the surface there is calm water, as any 

diver can confirm. Thus, if a vessel is designed with most 

of its displacement permanently below the surface, it 

won’t be affected by waves. This can be achieved when 

the craft is supported on a pair of cylindrical hulls that are 

connected by struts to a platform supporting the superstructure. 

There are two struts per side, and each is very 

slender so waves will affect them minimally. Because the 

struts contribute so little to a SWATH yacht’s buoyancy, 

weight control is crucial, so it’s kept in check by water 

ballast tanks in the hulls. 

To enhance the ride on Silver Cloud, gyro-referenced active 

fins were fitted forward and aft on each hull. The 

fins act like the suspension on a car and also fine-tune 

the yacht’s response to waves, thus preventing pitching, 

slamming and heaving. To what extent On one of Silver 

Cloud’s early sea trials, the owners — Alex and Renate 

Dreyfoos — were astonished to find that tall wine glasses 

could be left standing on a table in six-foot seas. 

SWATH technology is efficient, too. On Silver Cloud, for 

instance, top speed with a pair of Caterpilar C32 diesels 

(installed in the hulls, along with the generators and fuel 

tanks) is more than 14 knots; cruising speed is 10 knots 

with a range of 3,900 nautical miles. 

As with any hull form, there are disadvantages associated 

with SWATH technology. “These vessels are far more 

complex than a monohull, both in their structure and the 

practical fit of their machinery and systems,” says James 

36 YACHT ESSENTIALS

Stability’s new 66 (above) and 60 (right) 

Roy, Yacht Design Director of BMT Nigel Gee, a naval architecture 

and marine design consultancy firm in Southampton 

that was recently awarded a contract to begin 

work on an 85-meter SWATH yacht. “They also have far 

higher propulsive powering requirements, and the styling 

can be a difficult challenge.” 

Add to all of this the fact that in order to be effective, the 

draft of a SWATH, relative to a monohull, is substantially 

higher (13’5” on Silver Cloud); that’s a critical factor for 

those who want get into confined anchorages. For these 

reasons, there are few SWATH superyachts today. 

Even so, SWATH technology continues to be employed, 

sometimes in new and unusual ways. Stability Yachts in 

Cape Coral, Florida, has a 60-footer and recently showed 

drawings for a new 66, only these cruisers are not pure 

SWATH designs. Rather, each is a hybrid. In essence, 

when seas are calm and SWATH mode is not necessary, 

the captain can push a series of buttons to raise the hulls 

out of water, turning the boat into a wave-piercing power 

catamaran. “The vessel changes its operating characteristics 

to accommodate your needs and the existing conditions,” 

says Richard Guglielmi of Stability. 

Like a conventional SWATH, the Stability hybrid has the 

potential to eliminate the motion that causes seasickness, 

but Guglielmi says his design is also a good choice 

for senior yachtsmen who no longer want to get beat 

up on a boat in rough seas. “Anyone with bad knees or 

shoulders knows that constant rocking causes discomfort, 

and it can take a few days for a body to recover,” he 

says. “You won’t get that on a SWATH.” 

BMT’s new SWATH yacht 

Indeed, a SWATH is one of the most stable platforms out 

there, and it’s been in service for over a century. The first 

patent for the SWATH principal was recorded in 1880, 

followed by numerous variations up until 1967, when Litton 

Industries patented a SWATH intended for the US 

Navy. A 40-meter ship was launched in The Netherlands 

in 1968, followed rapidly by numerous commercial and 

naval vessels. “SWATHs are now accepted mature technology,” 

says Roy. 

In the end, this is good news for those who love to travel 

but can’t bear the motion of a ship. On this incredibly 

seakindly platform, they can see the world while cruising. 


SIZING UP 

SANTA MARTA 

BY CAROL BAREUTHER 

38 YACHT ESSENTIALS

Santa Marta, located on Colombia’s Caribbean 

Coast, has been an important maritime port 

since the city was founded in 1525. Today, this 

location offers megayacht owners and crews an 

ideal mix of historic sights and architectural treasures, 

as well as contemporary pleasures such as fine dining 

and recreational opportunities on numerous white sand 

beaches and in natural parks all set against the beautiful 

backdrop of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada de Santa 

Marta mountains. Of course, what makes this destination 

perfect for yachtsmen is Island Global Yachting’s 

(IGY) newly built Marina Santa Marta, which opened in 

October. This 256-slip, full-service marina boasts five 

dedicated slips for yachts up to 132 feet and a host of 

on-site services and amenities. 

“Marina Santa Marta is a haven from which yachtsmen 

can explore the waters of Panama, Venezuela and 

nearby Aruba,” says Juan Carlos Romero, administrative 

and financial director for Marina Santa Marta. “Although 

we officially opened the in-water phase of the 

marina this October, there have been many boaters 

who have already stayed with us. We currently have 

water, fuel and electricity and welcome all who wish 

to stay with us.” 

The Spanish originally founded, named and colonized 

the city of Santa Marta and also built the port, La Casa 

de la Aduana (the oldest Customs House in the Americas) 

and San Fernando Fort to prevent against pirate 

raids. The city lost a bit of its maritime luster to the 

southerly port of Cartagena during the 17th and 18th 

centuries, but regained it again two decades later 

when the city served as a key export port for banana 

and coal shipments. 

The real attraction for visiting yachtsmen is Santa Marta, 

and especially Marina Santa Marta’s strategic location. 

Colombian port cities of Barranquilla and Cartagena 

are only 43 and 113 miles away. To the east, Venezuela, 

Aruba and Trinidad & Tobago are only 177, 300 and 860 

miles, respectively, and the Panama Canal is 400 miles 

away to the west. 

“Marina Santa Marta is a haven 

from which yachtsmen can explore 

the waters of Panama, Venezuela 

and nearby Aruba.” 

The entrance to Marina Santa Marta leads into a sheltered 

sandy bay. The local port authority, immigration 

and customs all have on-site offices here to make clearing 

in and out easy. Slips, which are built on state-ofthe-art 

floating docks, have a maximum draft of 11 feet 

and maximum beam of 29 feet. In-slip services also include 

electricity, WiFi, phone, water, television and 24- 

hour security. There are dedicated facilities for captains 

and crew equipped with TV and WiFi, as well as modern 

bathrooms and showers. Pump-out and fuel services are 

on site. There’s a helicopter landing pad, and for those 

who fly commercial, Colombia-based Avianca offers direct 

flights from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Barranquilla, 

which is about an hour drive by car or taxi. 

As part of IGY’s collection of global luxury marinas, 

the staff at Marina Santa Marta has been well trained 

via the company’s unique IGY University in everything 

from mooring and maintenance needs to procedures 

and professionalism. 

In recent years, more and more 

cruise ships have included 

Santa Marta among their tourist 

destinations. This comes 

on the heels of a government 

cleanup of illegal drug and 

paramilitary activities as well 

as deep-pocketed expenditures 

by the public and private 

sectors to revamp the city’s 

parks and create pedestrian 

zones on picturesque streets 

lined with quaint shops, restaurants 

and nightlife. 


Sizing Up Santa Marta 

Slips, which are built on state-of-the-art floating docks, have a maximum 

draft of 11 feet and maximum beam of 29 feet. In-slip services also include 

electricity, WiFi, phone, water, television and 24-hour security. 

Outside Marina Santa Marta, yachtsmen can take time 

to explore the old city of Santa Marta. There are many 

museums, cathedrals and other ancient landmarks. 

The Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, for example, 

was the 17th century home where military and political 

leader, Simon Bolivar, died in 1830. This villa houses a 

museum in tribute to Bolivar. The majestic Cathedral 

is a national monument, built in 1766, and it was the 

resting site for Bolivar’s remains until the mid-1800s 

when they were transferred to Caracas. Yachtsmen 

don’t need to visit the old Customs House on official 

business, but it’s worth a trip to see the Tayrona Museum 

inside, where there is extensive information about 

the region. 

Some of the best restaurants are located in the center 

of Santa Marta. Here, there’s more to enjoy than just 

Colombia’s fantastic local coffees. Cuisines are multicultural 

and range from local Latin American to Caribbean, 

African and Continental. There’s also some great 

informal dining at the food stalls along the beachfront 

boardwalk, where the best bets are steaks and seafood 

dishes. 

Twenty-one miles to the north of Santa Marta is Tayrona 

National Park. This was the second-most-visited 

park in the country last year, and the reason is 37 

pristine and ecologically rich acres in which to camp, 

swim, bird watch, horseback ride, hike, and revel in 

the natural surroundings and archaeological sites. You 

won’t be alone. There are more than 100 species of 

mammals, 300 species of birds and 70 species of bats 

here. Throw in a menagerie of reptiles, sponges, mollusks, 

and plants enough to fill the Garden of Eden 

and you get the idea that this is a pretty spectacular 

natural place. 

With an average temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit 

and location out of the hurricane zone, anytime 

is perfect to pull into a slip at Marina Santa Marta. 

For more information, visit www.marinasantamarta. 

com.co 

40 YACHT ESSENTIALS

Get It Done 

& 

Have Some 

Fun! 

on 7 islands 

St. Vincent & the GrenadineS 

Direct USA #: (703) 738-6461 

St. Vincent: (784) 456-4338 

Bequia: (784) 458-3686 

Union Island: (784) 456-4338 

Canouan: (784) 456-4338 

Mustique: (784) 456-4338 

 

sam-taxi-tours@vincysurf.com 

Grenada 

Direct USA #: 347 721 9271 

Phone: (473) 444-5313 

Mobile: (473) 407-0522 

Fax: (473) 444-4460 

VHF channel 68 

Email: safari@spiceisle.com 

Soufriere, St. Lucia 

Direct USA #: (347) 634 3037 

Tel: (758) 459 5457 

Cell: (758) 484 0708 

Office Cell: (758) 714 8217 

Magic Jack: 951 582 6147 

Magic Jack: 321 220 8961 

VHF channel 16 

Email: saltibusb@slucia.com 

SerViceS incLude: 

 

 

 


Bottoms up, 

caribbean 

style 

story and photos BY Captain Warren J. East 

42 YACHT ESSENTIALS

captains 

As I sat at the helm of S/Y Wonderful, racing 

a southbound commuter train as we charged 

down through the Messina Straights at 13 

knots, I pondered over the Caribbean and 

thought about how quickly I had begun to miss it. The 

pace of life, the color of the water, the beaches and the 

atmosphere and, well, everything about it really. 

You don’t find trains, power stations and highways 

there. Instead, you see man living as close as he can 

to what nature provided. I, for one, have been in love 

with the Caribbean for well over a decade and have 

explored its hidden secrets from north to south. I have 

become friends with locals of every island and can’t begin 

to tell you how great it feels to see their glowing 

white smiles when I pull in to anchor. For this reason, 

I thought I might make a list of places that I strongly 

recommend for cruisers, charterers and crews alike. An 

itinerary, if you like, of places that I go to with guests 

on board or when I’m delivering S/Y Wonderful up and 

down the Caribbean. 

In the evening, I usually organize dinner at Shark Attacks 

beach bistro. “Shark” (I never did find out his real name) 

has been serving fabulous barbecued lobster and conch 

dinners to the famous and infamous alike for more than 

19 years. It’s a great experience and one that I have been 

a part of many times. The food is awesome, and the atmosphere 

is priceless. Let him know around lunch time 

that you want to eat with him, and he will go and catch 

fresh lobster for the evening. I often ask a local Rasta by 

the name of Pleasure, who lives a little way down the 

beach, to come and sit with us and play his guitar. I met 

Shark and Pleasure 16 years ago, and they are still the 

ingredients for a truly memorable experience. 

I have become friends with locals 

of every island and can’t begin to 

tell you how great it feels to see 

their glowing white smiles when 

I pull in to anchor. 

Now, it would make this article way too long to do the 

entire Caribbean in one go, so I thought I would start 

at the bottom and work my way up. The first stop, and 

probably my favorite in all the Caribbean, is Chatham 

Bay in Union Island. There is no Internet, no cell phone 

network and, until recently, no electricity. The bay is open 

to the west and offers great protection all year round 

from heavy weather. I have often pulled in here for refuge 

because the sheer cliffs that wrap around the entire 

bay create a void in the wind. 

Once the hook is down, there are dozens of things to do 

here. The first thing that stands out is the magnificent 

beach that seems so long it vanishes into the distance. 

Many of my guests love taking long walks in the morning 

under the palm trees that drape over the sand that’s 

awash with shells and bits of oddly shaped driftwood. A 

handful of locals have set up bars along the beach, and a 

couple of fishermen live in rustic shacks among the trees. 

Late afternoon is a great time to go ashore and sit in 

Jerry’s Palm Leaf Bar (aka The Corner Bar, which you will 

find in...yes, you guessed it...in the corner of the bay). 

He doesn’t have a huge selection of drinks, but what 

he has is always cold and he can mix a really good rum 

punch. He also plays smoooooooth reggae all afternoon 

and into the evening, and it all adds up to a wonderfully 

soothing afternoon and a great break from bouncing 

around on the boat. 


Bottoms Up, Caribbean Style 

To top all that, Chatham Bay offers superior diving, snorkeling, 

hiking and enough space to water ski, wakeboard and 

tube without disturbing the tranquility. If you visit, and you 

should, make sure you avoid the grass and drop the hook in 

a sandy patch so that you hold in the gusts that sometimes 

come down the hill on the windiest days. Also, when the 

wind stops, a light current can spin the boat around, and if 

you are too close to the beach, you know what’s going to 

happen. I always anchor in 7 feet of water off the sand in 

the northeast corner of the beach, so my guests can swim 

to and from the boat, and then re-anchor 100 yards back for 

the night. It’s worth the effort for a good night’s sleep. 

The rest of the Grenadines are superb in their own 

right, and there are hundreds of places to visit. But 

my next recommendation is Cumberland Bay in St. 

Vincent. I have written about this place in a previous 

issue, which you can find on the Yacht Essentials website 

or my photography website www.digitalillussions. 

com. There is so much to do here, from diving to hikes 

in the rain forest to giant waterfalls and the volcano. 

The locals are great and will help in any way they can 

to make your stay a great one. You can get fresh fruit 

and vegetables from the local farmers, and you can 

even get some work done on your boat with the help 

44 YACHT ESSENTIALS

of my two great friends Brother and Yellow, who you 

can also ask to keep an eye on your boat while you are 

ashore. Joseph is another chap I recommend for that. 

The three of them come with my complete commendation 

regarding security issues. 

I strongly recommend at least one full day here. The 

holding is good, but you have to run a line ashore. It’s a 

small price to pay to be anchored here at the foot of an 

emerald valley in the shadows of a rain forest. As the sun 

sets, you will smile as the words “paradise” and “perfection” 

spring to mind. 

If stores are running low or you just fancy dining ashore, 

Mojito’s at the top of the bay offers good food. The chef 

has worked in Mustique and aboard cruise ships and 

is constantly swapping his secrets with the chef on S/Y 

Wonderful. A police station and lighting has been implemented 

in the bay and has improved security. 

Heading North to St. Lucia, you’ll find Marigot Bay. This 

is a historic place tucked into the coastline, which offers 

good protection from almost all weather. Deep inside 

the bay is a marina that I would have to say is one of the 

best in the Caribbean (along with St. Georges in Gre- 


Bottoms Up, Caribbean Style 

nada). Here you’ll find most things you need to restock 

the galley, as well as several great restaurants scattered 

around the bay. The service in the marina is impeccable, 

and from here you can take trips all over the island, which 

I strongly recommend as well. 

If you arrive in Marigot expecting to anchor and it’s full of 

boats, you can go to Rodney Bay or down to the Pitons. Otherwise, 

drive into the lagoon and see if you can find a mooring 

or a spot on the dock. There are usually some free spots. 

Wherever you end up in Marigot, be ready for a squall; these 

seem to pop out from over the hills and take many by surprise. 

They can bring wind shifts of up to 180 degrees, which 

can put you on the ground. It happened to me once during 

an afternoon nap after a long sail up from Grenada. 

The last place on the list for this issue is St. Pierre in Martinique. 

You’d think from the chart that it would not offer 

very much protection, but I am a regular visitor and have 

never seen anything but glassy, calm water. It’s a great 

place to stop whether you’re heading north or south, and 

waking up there in the morning at the foot of the volcano 

is inspiring. It is also a great spot to watch the sunset. I 

don’t know why, but it always seems better here. There 

are plenty of places to go and eat, but tourism has not 

taken over the place. It’s a medium-sized coastal town 

with a lot of history revolving around the volcano, and 

it’s a good place to leave the boat for a trip to the northern 

tip of the island, where boats should not attempt to 

go unless the weather is settled or the wind is from the 

south or southeast. I have waited a long time to explore 

here, so can’t tell you what’s there from my own experiences, 

but from the sea it looks amazing. 

In the next issue, I’ll start in Dominica and finish in Antigua. 

Until then, safe sailing! 

As the sun sets, you will smile as the words “paradise” 

and “perfection” spring to mind. 

46 YACHT ESSENTIALS

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Ready, set... 

not so fast 

BY Blaire Kearney 

For three of the 18 months since she had been 

splashed, the 100-foot aluminum ketch had sat 

untended at a marina in St. Martin. As the height 

of the Atlantic hurricane season approached, 

moving the vessel out of harm’s way became imperative. 

Fly into St. Martin with friends, spend a few days 

enjoying the island and provisioning the boat, and then 

meander south through the Leeward and the Windward 

Islands and eventually tuck into Curacao, where 

she would be safe through the fall. The plan seemed so 

simple and carefree. 

By the time I arrived, the owner had unsealed the aluminum 

girl and had been living aboard for a few days. She 

smelled a little ripe, but she just needed some airing out, 

he assured me. “Almost everything works, and it only 

takes a couple of days to make her ready to sail again,” 

he said confidently. 

But I wondered, did she just need an “airing out” or was 

there more to this tale 

“You should have seen the amount of growth on her 

hull,” the owner continued. “The diver insisted on taking 

photos before he started the job. Had he not shown me 

the film, I would never have believed that algae could 

grow that long.” He held his hands shoulder width apart 

and then separated them further as if he were telling a 

fishing story. 

It stood to reason, because the dock lines were draped 

with sheets of green slime where they had been bathed 

in the Caribbean’s warm waters for three months. 

The conversation naturally turned to when we were going 

to dock out and explore the Caribbean. “Oh, I need 

to find an electrician for the instruments. We should be 

ready to go in a couple of days,” was the response. 

I’ll cut to the punch line: A couple of days stretched into a 

couple of weeks, and I began to feel as if I was living out 

the marine version of Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence. 

Our electrical issues had to do with the boat being built 

in France. Everything was initially installed to run on 

220 volts, yet as the boat ventured out of French waters, 

120-volt items were added and shorts and surges 

occurred. We were able to find decent electronics specialists 

by asking around, and they put systems back in 

order. Using the systems when at sea was a bit difficult, 

even with programs we knew, because English is our 

primary language and many the manuals and computer 

program displays were in French. 

48 YACHT ESSENTIALS

delivery crew didn’t clean it out properly and the drains 

and the pumps got clogged with hair and soap,” he rationalized 

aloud. 

Well, maybe. When everything was sorted out, the automatic 

bilge pumps were set low in the bilge, but not 

so low that everything was pumped dry. Dank water sat 

there for months, and the smell permeated everything. 

The shower and sink pumps were undersized and, yes, 

hair and soap scum does have to be cleaned out of 

drains. Finally, a hose clamp had never been installed, 

or it had fatigued, and when a fatigued clamp lets go, 

it’s a nasty mess. 

Guess what creatures are attracted to moisture in the bilge, 

open boxes of cereal and crackers and also find hair and 

soap scum attractive Before we left port, roaches large 

and small met their death in all of the roach hotels that we 

hid out of sight the moment we spotted the first one. 

The inflatable dinghy had endured the transatlantic passage 

and three months in the garage without any attention. 

Needless to say, it didn’t start with the turn of a key. 

Treat your outboard motors kindly and don’t give gunk 

the opportunity to heat up, turn into a resin and then get 

shaken around. 

“You should have seen the 

amount of growth on her hull... 

I would never have believed that 

algae could grow that long.” 

The grey water and black water systems proved to be 

the most maddening. The longer we were on the boat, 

the less convinced we were that the ripeness would disappear. 

One day, I returned to the boat and found all of 

the floor panels pulled up in the aft living quarters and 

the forward crew quarters. The owner was busy tracing 

hoses and flushing systems with fresh water and “product” 

as he referred to it. (I’d like to say that it was ecofriendly 

“product,” but...) 

Once convinced that he had one set of pumps and hoses 

working, he continued with the others. There were four 

working heads and showers, a clothes washer, a kitchen 

sink and a bath on board, so he was busy for days. “The 

Eventually, we reached that late afternoon when everyone 

converged on the boat to finish his or her work. It 

was comical. The cushion maker, her infant and friend 

were doing the final fitting of the cockpit cushions; the 

instrument specialist was finishing his programming; 

the delivery captain was still fixing grey and black water 

pumps; and the riggers were up the mast. All of this, just 

as showered and perfumed friends came by to join our 

sweaty selves for sunset cocktails. 

The bottom line: Boats need attention. Large boats need 

a lot of attention, and most can’t be sealed up quickly 

following a transatlantic passage and left to sit for three 

months in the warm water, heat, humidity and storms of 

the Caribbean summer. 

Though I think the owner found humor in the exercise 

and made a lot of friends during his extended stay in St. 

Martin, it would have been well worth his time, effort and 

expense to have a knowledgeable person routinely check 

all of the systems on the boat and report back to him. As is 

a popular saying among owners of boats large and small: 

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 


special 

delivery 

BY andy schell 

50 YACHT ESSENTIALS

“If anything’s gonna happen, it’s gonna happen out there…” 

—Captain Ron 

One of my all-time favorite movies is Top Gun, 

but that has nothing to do with this story. Another 

of my all-time favorites is Captain Ron, 

and that has a lot to do with this story. For 

whatever reason (perhaps the movie being one of them), 

delivery skippers have earned a less-than-stellar reputation 

as beer-swilling, fun-loving dudes with long hair and 

eye-patches. Ironically, my example of “good professionalism” 

from the last issue of Yacht Essentials referred to 

my friend Moxie Marlinspike, who, minus the beer swilling 

and eye patch, fit that description pretty well yet was the 

best and most professional skipper I’ve ever met. 

For freelance professionals like Moxie and myself, the 

yacht delivery business is a seat-of-the-pants sort of gig. 

It’s often feast or famine — I’ve gone months without so 

much as an inquiry, then suddenly the phone won’t stop 

ringing and it’s back-to-back-to-back offshore trips without 

so much as a day of rest. 

But that’s why we do it. There are companies that specialize 

in yacht delivery, like PYD out of the UK, but us 

freelancers are different. We work for ourselves and we 

work for adventure. We work because, when we’re doing 

a job, like sailing a Cherubini schooner offshore from 

Tortola to Bermuda, it just doesn’t seem like work. 

We found the easterly Trades almost immediately, which 

was unfortunate for us, for our course was just south of east. 

And close-hauled, the vent in the forward berth, where my 

stuff happened to be, leaked like a sieve. For 11 full days 

we sailed like this, hard on it in 20 to 25 knots of breeze, 

making for an incredibly uncomfortable, wet and tiring passage. 

But I was on watch when we first sighted land, the 

lights of Tortola looming beyond the horizon in the darkness 

before the dawn, and all at once it was worth it. 

My first delivery as skipper was in the Caribbean. I 

sailed a Lagoon catamaran from St. Martin to Dominica, 

a passage of only a few hundred miles. We departed 

Anse Marcel on the northernmost French side of St. 

Martin and sailed east, again into the Trades, making 

for Tintemarre before we could tack south and try to lay 

our course. From the comfort of the cat’s flybridge helm 

station we enjoyed the opposite of that Tortola trip 

With three of us on board, the 

watches were three hours on, 

six hours off, which for the first 

few days were exhausting. 

My first delivery was as crew on a yacht sailing from 

Charleston, South Carolina, to Tortola, a fall trip south in 

November, after hurricane season and before the winter 

gales began off the US East Coast. I got the call the night 

before departure and had to drive nine hours from Annapolis 

to Charleston to make it on time. We spent the majority 

of a day surveying the boat, fixing odds and ends, 

and making about 15 trips to the local West Marine for 

spare parts and supplies. I took the owner’s truck to Sam’s 

Club and spent $400 on food, which we piled aboard. We 

stocked 80 gallons of water in one-gallon jugs, just in case 

our onboard fresh water tanks failed (they did). After 12 

hours of scrambling, we left the dock, dropped the owner 

off at the last marina in Charleston before the open ocean, 

set sail and didn’t look back. With three of us on board, 

the watches were three hours on, six hours off, which for 

the first few days were exhausting. 


Special Delivery 

— smooth sailing on a fast boat, making 9 knots and 

more, with a warm trade-wind breeze and clear nights. 

We made Roseau on the southwest side of Dominica 

only 40 or so hours after departing St. Martin. It was 

around 4 AM, and we sailed close enough along the 

shore to watch the headlights of cars driving by. It was 

a moonless night, and our only instructions for finding 

our mooring were to sail south of the cruise ship dock 

and look for three bright white lights — the Chinese 

restaurant — where our mooring would be. We found 

it, albeit after a bit of stress, and Shanon (my only crew) 

and I sat on the foredeck drinking a well-deserved beer 

as we watched the sky high above the mountainous island 

grow brighter with the coming daylight. 

For some reason, I get the feeling that the proper yacht 

industry has a “different” opinion of us freelancers. The 

image of a captain in his dress uniform, sporting epaulets 

and a white beard, is what comes to my mind when I try to 

conjure the yachting world. Yet myself and the few friends 

that share my lifestyle are equally qualified if not equally 

attired, often holding multiple licenses in multiple countries, 

from US Coast Guard Master Mariner to RYA Yachtmaster 

Oceans, with the accompanying insurance record 

to legitimize them. We’ve paid our dues at the yachting 

schools (literally) and at the helm (figuratively). We must 

be jacks-of-all-trades, simultaneously engineers, stewards 

and chefs, and we must keep our often less-experienced 

crew running smoothly. We frequently have varied experience 

in other fields, from Wilderness First Aid (which has 

come in handy offshore) to leading adventure travel programs 

around the world. We sail different boats, ranging 

from a 32-foot sailboat my friend Matt Rutherford sailed 

solo across the North Atlantic, to multi-million dollar 

schooners like the Kauri, on which my good friend Peter 

Horner sailed nearly around the world. 

The yacht delivery business is but a niche in the greater 

yachting industry, and the good yacht delivery captain is 

devoted to filling that need, however small, in search of 

the adventurous lifestyle. Capt. Epaulet, you can have 

your fancy uniform, white beard and monthly paycheck. 

I’ll take my foul-weather jacket, three-day-old scruff and 

a Force 8 on the nose anytime. I’ll choose adventure. 

52 YACHT ESSENTIALS

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YE_french_131109.indd 1 13/11/09 13:56:20 


KNOW YOUR BOUNDARIES 

BY CAPTAIN TED SPUTH 

Coastal nations are powerful; 

behave yourself in territorial seas. 

“People asking questions lost in confusion. 

Well I tell them there’s no problem, only solutions.” 

—John Lennon, “Watching the Wheels” 

There’s been some palaver (idle chatter) circulating 

in the yachting industry about a group of 

yacht guests that wanted to go jet skiing off the 

coast of Italy. All the guests were accomplished 

in water sports. However, Italy has very strict laws regarding 

the use of personal watercraft. These laws stipulate 

the need for an Italian boating license or a Certificate of 

Competency for anyone that is driving a jet ski in Italian 

waters. The Certificate of Competency course takes at 

least two days for those who already have some boating 

experience, and the yacht’s guests were only going to be 

on board for seven days. 

The problem was whether to please the guests or please 

the government. The solution: Go beyond the Italian 12- 

nautical-mile territorial limit for a day of fun in the sun. 

“Freedom of the seas” is a fundamental principal of the 

law. The concept originated in the early 17th century when 

the Dutch wanted a part of the East Indies trade. Spain 

and Portugal, along with other smaller nations, claimed 

control over all the seas, so the Dutch were prevented 

from reaching foreign ports. The theory that a country 

could claim control of the sea was called “closed sea.” 

This premise held true until Hugo Grotius, a pioneer in in- 

54 YACHT ESSENTIALS

ternational law, argued for the right of “innocent passage” 

on the high seas. He believed “the sea is the property of 

no one.” He derived this concept from early Roman law 

and the maritime customs of Asia and Africa. 

The idea of “freedom of the seas” that would extend 

to the edge of the beach didn’t work out in practice. 

Countries were fearful of armed attack and smuggling. 

Subsequently, they claimed control of the water immediately 

off their shores. 

from 

bordeaux 

to bottom 

paint… 

In the 18th century, coastal states had jurisdiction over 

coastal waters for 3 nautical miles (3.45 miles, or 5.55 kilometers) 

from their shores. This measurement originated 

from the “swath,” or the average length that a cannon 

could be shot from shore; hence, the portion of an ocean 

that a sovereign state could defend from shore. 

Territorial water or territorial sea was defined by the 

1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 

as waters that extend, at the most, 12 nautical miles from 

the baseline of a coastal state as it measures at the low 

mean water line. Territorial waters are then regarded as 

the sovereign territory of the state. Since the late 20th 

century, the “12 (nautical) mile limit” has become almost 

universally accepted. However, the word “almost” 

should not be taken lightly. Benin, the Republic of the 

Congo, Ecuador, El Salvador, Liberia, Peru, Somalia and 

some parts of Estonia all claim a 200-nautical-mile limit 

of territorial waters. 

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Know Your Boundaries 

Areas outside of territorial waters are referred to as international 

waters unless a state’s territorial waters include 

a contiguous zone. This zone can extend from the outer 

edge of the territorial sea for up to 24 nautical miles including 

the territorial waters. 

The state can then exert limited control in punishing and 

preventing the infringement of its customs, immigration 

laws, sanitary laws and regulations within its territorial 

sea and designated contiguous zone. However, in the 

contiguous zone, there is no standard rule for resolving 

conflicts. The state with the question or problem must 

decide on a solution. 

The rules that govern the use of 

the sea are a mixture of treaties, 

customary law that has developed 

over centuries and continually developing 

international law. 

The rules that govern the use of the sea are a mixture 

of treaties, customary law that has developed over 

centuries and continually developing international 

law. During Prohibition, the United States agreed by 

treaty to arrests within a one-hour sailing distance from 

shore. In 1996, the US Congress extended the nation’s 

territorial jurisdiction to 12 nautical miles offshore as 

a part of the anti-crime and terrorism bill. However, 

in 1997, a court case in Brooklyn regarding gambling 

said that the government’s interpretation of what constituted 

territorial jurisdiction was too broad and the 

ambiguity of the law gave gambling boats the right to 

a 3-nautical-mile limit. The US set a contiguous zone in 

1999 of a 24-nautical-mile limit. 

Changes to territorial waters seem to fluctuate like the 

waves of the sea for which the laws are placed. The original 

premise that “the sea is the property of no one” is still 

being argued today. 

Battles for the freedom of navigation have been fought as 

recently as 1981 and in 1989, when Libya claimed the entire 

Gulf of Sidra as its territorial waters. The complication of territorial 

and contiguous zones is as daunting as the number 

of coastlines that line the seas. To further exacerbate the 

confusion, the continental shelf and the economic zone can 

extend the outer limits of a territorial sea to a maximum of 

200 nautical miles (230 miles, or 370.4 kilometers). 

Given the unique characteristics of the sea and its use for 

trade, for pleasure and for discovery, it has long been recognized 

that ships of all states have the “right of innocent 

passage” through any state’s territorial sea. “Innocent 

passage” must be continuous and expeditious. If a vessel 

stops or anchors, it must be for honorable reasons such 

as rendering assistance to persons, ships, or aircrafts that 

are in distress or danger. Force majeure or acts of nature 

are also considered reasons for interrupting innocent passage. 

In essence, if your intent is just to cruise the coast in 

a vessel that flies a flag that is foreign to the area in which 

you are cruising, behave yourself, don’t disrupt the peace 

and power on through when you are in territorial waters. 

It’s important to remember that: 

• A coastal nation has maximum control over internal 

waters, economic resources within its exclusive economic 

zone and under its continental shelf, average 

control over territorial waters and minimal control over 

contiguous zones. 

• A coastal nation offers the right of innocent passage 

through their territorial sea only if the vessel is continuous, 

expeditious and peaceful. 

• A coastal nation is powerful. Visiting their internal and 

territorial sea is a right as long as you follow “innocent 

passage rules.” 

• A coastal nation expects you to study your charts and 

become familiar with the Rules of the Road for the 

country that you are visiting. 

All mariners are familiar with the lines of demarcation on 

charts for COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing 

Collisions at Sea) or Collisions Regulations. Inshore of 

the COLREG lines, inland water rules are in effect; outside 

of the demarcation line denotes international waters and 

international rules. COLREGs are documents that are suitable 

for guiding vessels. Navigational rules are set through 

COLREGS and International Rules. However, there are often 

multiple rules that are simultaneously in effect for internal, 

territorial, contiguous, economic and continental shelf 

zones that operate outside of the auspice of COLREGS. 

Ignorantia legis neminem excusat. Ignorance of the law excuses 

no one, and I’ll bet Illiud latine dici non protest! 

The story of the yacht guests that wanted to ride personal 

watercraft ends with clear blue Italian skies, ½-foot 

seas and 1 to 2 knots of wind, 12 nautical miles out in the 

ocean for nine hours of the most glorious jet ski adventure 

that anyone could hope to experience. It was “a trip 

of a lifetime.” No problems, only solutions. 

56 YACHT ESSENTIALS


NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL 

BY BLAIRE KEARNEY 

Happy Professional Captain’s 

Services clients aboard Innisfail 

Credit card companies, banks, airlines and other 

establishments have been offering platinum 

service to their top-tier customers for years. In 

June 2008, West Marine, the world’s largest 

retailer of boat supplies, rolled out the red carpet for the 

megayacht set with its Professional Captain’s Services division. 

And the result has been nothing but growth. 

Starting a new business line at the height of a recession 

may not be the norm, but timing worked in West 

Marine’s favor as yacht owners and managers started 

tightening their belts and paying closer attention to 

their operating budgets. By offering transparency, 

favorable pricing on yacht-related products and services, 

and a dedication to customer support, Professional 

Captain’s Services has secured the loyalty of an 

elite clientele. 

The division’s team of eight megayacht sales specialists 

works out of West Marine’s Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, 

Newport (RI), San Diego and Seattle yachting hubs, and 

the world is their oyster when it comes to purchasing. 

Their job is to make megayacht operators’ lives easier, 

and their purchasing network extends well beyond the 

200,000-plus items available through West Marine and 

its wholesale division, Port Supply. 

If a customer needs it, Professional Captain’s Services 

finds it, consolidates it, delivers it or ships it anywhere 

in the world. “We can make anything happen, and we 

58 YACHT ESSENTIALS

Not Business as Usual 

If a customer needs it, Professional Captain’s Services finds it, consolidates it, 

delivers it or ships it anywhere in the world. 

don’t ever say, ‘No. We can’t get that,’” says West Coast 

Megayacht Sales Specialist Shelley Hanson. 

The megayacht specialists are neither wizards nor magicians, 

but they do combine the tremendous resources 

of West Marine — its buying power and retail network 

— with first-class customer service to provide their clients 

with discounts and personalized attention as the added 

bonus. What busy professional yacht captain wouldn’t 

sign up for such service 

Indeed, the group’s clients now number more than 1,000. 

On any given day, clients can shop in West Marine’s 340 

retail stores and work with any of West Marine’s thousands 

of retail associates, or they can call on the megayacht sales 

specialists for their product needs, especially for items that 

may not be available in West Marine’s retail stores. 

Charlie Petosa, AVP and general manager of the Megayacht 

Division of West Marine, claims, “It’s a team effort, and we 

are fortunate to have the resources of a large company that 

has a 40-year reputation as a leading marine retailer in the 

world. It’s good that an established company is now providing 

transparency, good pricing and great service to this 

particular segment of customers. I hope that we continue to 

raise the bar for the industry in these and other areas.” 

Pam Wall, outfitting manager, is careful to differentiate 

Professional Captain’s Services from provisioning services. 

“We are only working with professional megayacht 

captains and crew to procure whatever they need for the 

running of their vessels. That means anything needed to 

keep it in shipshape fashion.” 

The group also distinguishes itself from Port Supply, which 

caters to marine businesses, and the West Advantage program 

for retail customers. To qualify for Professional Captain’s 

Services, you must be a captain, engineer or senior 

officer of an active yacht that is larger than 20 meters and 

spend an average of more than $1,000 per month with the 

program. Larger discounts are available to captains making 

larger purchases. A captain’s license or merchant marine 

or engineering certificate must be presented as part 

of the application process, and the account is owned by 

the individual, not the yacht or owner, so they can use the 

account toward purchases for any yacht they command. 

“Building a client relationship is the best thing we can 

do. We take great care of our clients, and they get discounts 

on products,” explains Hanson. 

Captains Don and Natalie Hannon have been Professional 

Captain’s Services clients from the get go. The 

Hannon’s now run Innisfail, a 92-foot Mathis-Trumphy 

motoryacht, which was built in 1939 and is available for 

charter. Says Natalie, who refers to her megayacht sales 

specialists by their first names, “It’s a very personal relationship. 

They’re very good at what they do, and they 

take care of you. If they can’t do it, you know that no one 

else could have done it.” 

Nodding in agreement, Don gives an example, “I lost 

my favorite handheld GPS last year during a delivery. 

They found the replacement for me, even though it was 

a discontinued model.” 

The megayacht sales specialists keep an eye on the whereabouts 

of their clients as they move from port to port around 

the world, and Hanson works closely with her Seattle colleague, 

tag-teaming their West Coast customers moving 

north and south. Transient captains and crew appreciate 

their greetings and send offs, and, says West Marine, they 

remember those who take good care of them. 

When megayachts travel beyond North America and 

West Marine’s retail borders, they often become more 

dependent on Professional Captain’s Services. The megayacht 

sales specialists commonly rush parts to their 

stores and ship them internationally through their vast 

distribution network, which is intimately familiar with 

shipping documentation. They regularly consolidate and 

ship orders off to exotic places such as Tahiti, New Caledonia, 

Greece, Oman and other areas by using FedEx 

and other worldwide shipping partners. 

All of West Marine’s megayacht sales specialists can tell 

stories of captains moving to larger yachts and Professional 

Captain’s Services not only retaining the captain 

but also gaining the replacement captain as a customer. 

Likewise, they have seen captain’s responsibilities mushroom 

to being responsible for fleets rather than a single 

yacht. And that is when having a trusted purchasing ally 

truly pays off. 

60 YACHT ESSENTIALS

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OUTFOXING 

THE PHOTO HOUNDS 

BY SUZANNA CHAMBERS 

Fortunately, the European silly season has long 

since passed and our newspapers and magazines 

are full of real news once again. For over the summer 

months, barely a day goes by without photographs 

of so-and-so celebrity on such-a-such superyacht 

being splashed all over the press. 

This year was no different. Thanks to the pack of paparazzi 

that hide out in the cruising destinations of Saint Tropez, 

Cannes and Sardinia all summer long, we learned a great 

deal about the vacations of various rich and famous. 

A quick trawl through the papers will reveal that Beyoncé 

and Jay-Z spent their summer “hols” on a luxury 

yacht off the French Riviera, along with X-Factor judge 

Simon Cowell. Madonna was there too, on Roman 

Abramovich’s superyacht Luna, whilst Paris Hilton and 

her sister Nicky allegedly spent the “best summer” of 

their lives on what Paris is said to have described as 

“the biggest and best yacht everywhere we go.” 

Meanwhile, Leonardo DiCaprio was hanging out in 

Sardinia, where he was spotted working out on the 

62 YACHT ESSENTIALS

deck of another superyacht with his friend Vladimir 

Doronin, the billionaire boyfriend of supermodel 

Naomi Campbell. 

The articles might make a titillating read — especially 

if the newspaper article features Britain’s fourth heir to 

the throne getting friendly with a stunning young model 

on board a yacht moored off the Sardinia coast. 

But how difficult does dodging the paparazzi make a 

captain’s work, and what advice can be sought on outsailing 

their lenses Yacht Essentials spoke to a number 

of captain and crew to hear their stories and ask their 

advice. Most spoke freely, but like their owners and 

guests, preferred to remain anonymous. 

“I’ve been working on yachts for 

the best part of 30 years, and I 

now come to expect the odd 

battle with prying lenses. It’s just 

part and parcel of the job. The 

thing that is interesting is how much 

more devious, and sophisticated, 

the paparazzi has become.” 

One crewmember of a larger superyacht cruising the 

Med this year with famous guests said the sight of 

photographers trying — by whatever means possible 

— to get a photo of the couple on board was just another 

day at sea. 

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“I’ve been working on yachts for the best part of 30 

years, and I now come to expect the odd battle with prying 

lenses. It’s just part and parcel of the job. The thing 

that is interesting is how much more devious, and sophisticated, 

the paparazzi has become.” 

He said that many now had at their disposal helicopters 

and speed boats to get those priceless snaps, which 

they know they will be able to sell on for a lot of money. 

“They hang around all the bars and clubs in Saint Tropez 

and listen to the gossip, speak to people, and then they 

stalk you out from first thing in the morning to last thing 

at night. And they think we can’t see them. Don’t they 

know that their lenses reflect the sunlight, so we can see 

them a mile off We can even see them in the trees. Yes, I 

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Outfoxing the Photo Hounds 

“They hang around all the bars and clubs in Saint Tropez and listen to 

the gossip, speak to people, and then they stalk you out from first thing 

in the morning to last thing at night.” 

promise you, I have more than once seen photographers 

hanging like monkeys in the trees!” 

A captain from another vessel had this to add: “My most 

vivid memory of the paparazzi was in Puerto Portas in 

Mallorca, when I saw the owner of a yacht being smuggled 

off his boat under a blanket to try to dodge a load 

of photographers who had gathered on the dock. It was 

the first time I thought about what it must feel like to 

be a celebrity and to be always hounded by the press, 

even on your own boat. It must feel like you can never 

get away.” 

Another captain, based out of Antibes, had yet more 

accounts on how to outfox the lens. “In the early days 

of my career, I once saw a famous guest wearing crew 

uniform to get on and off the yacht. That same boat 

also once used two tenders, which departed and headed 

off to different places at the same time to confuse 

the paparazzi.” 

He also said it was not uncommon for famous guests to 

use two superyachts, so that the photographers follow 

one and not the other, a reason perhaps for why Chelsea 

boss Abramovich chooses to have more than one 

to his name. At the last count, he is understood to have 

four superyachts. 

In fact, not content with having multiple superyachts to 

choose between when heading for a private, press-free 

How to dodge the paparazzi 

1. Stay as far away from land as possible, preventing 

any whispering staff or contacts from letting it be 

known that you are carrying celebrity cargo. 

2. Dress all guests in crew uniform when approaching 

land. 

3. Hire two yachts and regularly move famous guests 

from one to the other. 

4. Never moor near tall buildings, scaffolding or a tree 

— yes, photographers sometimes hide in trees. 

5. Use two tenders, so that when famous guests want 

to go ashore the second tender speeds off in the 

opposite direction and confuses the cameras. 

6. Install infrared lasers that momentarily 

blind photographers and make them 

feel sick. 

7. Keep a large supply of blankets to throw 

over guests when approaching shore. 

8. Sail very, very fast. 

The SeaLase multi-colored laser can warn off unwelcome 

photographers with a blinding light. 

64 YACHT ESSENTIALS

holiday, Abramovich is also believed to have had a special 

anti-paparazzi device fitted to his latest vessel. The 

Russian is said to have installed hi-tech infrared lasers on 

his new superyacht Eclipse that detect the electronic light 

sensors in nearby cameras. When the system detects the 

sensors, it fires a beam of light at the camera, which in turn 

disrupts the camera’s ability to record a digital image. 

The beams can also be activated manually by security 

guards and crew if they see any photographers lurking 

near the yacht. The anti-paparazzi device has reportedly 

doubled the cost of the yacht, which was commissioned 

three years ago, to £724 million, according to the British 

newspaper The Sunday Times. 

“My most vivid memory of the 

paparazzi was in Puerto Portas in 

Mallorca, when I saw the owner 

of a yacht being smuggled off his 

boat under a blanket to try to 

dodge a load of photographers 

who had gathered on the dock. 

A similar laser device, called the SeaLase, has recently 

come on the market to warn off potential pirate attacks 

(and unwelcome photographers). The piece of equipment, 

made by Finnish firm Lasersec Systems, is a multicolored 

laser that affects the vision of its victims, making 

them feel nauseous and disorientated. 

Scott Butcher, director of Lasersec Systems, said his 

company has been indundated by requests for the 

SeaLase device. “We’ve taken 100 orders in exactly 

one year. Around 30 percent of those are for superyachts.” 

He said the extremely bright light, which can 

be meters in diameter depending on the location of 

the unwanted vessel, can be very affective in deterring 

paparazzi. “It won’t stop the camera taking pictures, 

but it will definitely put the people off coming 

any nearer.” 

Just remember, should you run into a megastar on your 

next charter cruise or vacation to an A-list locale, play it 

cool. Frantically snapped cell-phone photos are so pedestrian 

— and you don’t want to get zapped in the eyes 

with a ray gun. 


Copyright Sue Blundell 2010 

DON’T BOTHER ASKING 

Working Life 

BY SANDRA CHANCE 

After five years in the yachting industry, my 

friends and family are still unclear on what 

kind of work I do for a living. Some of them 

are convinced I smuggle drugs, while others 

think a tad bit more highly of me and tell people I work 

on a cruise ship. 

My mother, in her older years, has gotten into a Valley 

of the Dolls habit by popping Ambien and drinking 

a bottle of wine every night while glued to the television 

watching The Deadliest Catch. She has delusions 

that I’m some kind of burly, 250-pound fisherman who 

comes back to port after six weeks at sea and sleeps 

with prostitutes. 

“Please mother,” I say to ease her mind, “it’s not so easy 

to find male hookers.” I suppose it would be more diplomatic 

to assure her that I’ve never been to the Bering 

Sea and that I don’t even know how to rig a fishing rod, 

but it’s much more amusing to take a swill of her cheap 

Pinot Noir and inform her that I’m syphilis free even after 

Rodrigo and Julian in Ecuador. 

66 YACHT ESSENTIALS

CREW 

That’s typically how I respond when people ask me 

what I do for a living. Depending on my mood, my day 

and my amount of cynicism it the time, I’ll give them a 

half-assed horror story or fairytale because I don’t know 

what they don’t get about this industry after I’ve tried 

my best to explain. 

“Wow, the Caribbean,” someone says with innocent excitement, 

“that must be so amazing!” 

I’ll follow up with either: “Really, it’s impossible to get 

anything done there. Some locals on different islands 

think we’re the devil, but after the brutal colonization 

we’ve inflicted, it’s no wonder.” Or, “Yes, indeed 

it is beautiful. There are miles and miles of unexploited 

beaches, women bask nude, mangoes are plentiful and 

sometimes you can have a fish named after you just like 

the stars in the sky.” 

She has delusions that I’m some kind 

of burly, 250-pound fisherman who 

comes back to port after six weeks at 

sea and sleeps with prostitutes. 

The most difficult part (well, second, after trying to describe 

where Croatia is) is attempting to explain my actual 

job duties and the living quarters. I usually equate 

myself to being a glorified waitress at sea, and the word 

“waitress” does compute with most; others want to know 

where the restaurant is and then I have to explain about 

the chef, the galley and provisioning. 

“There’s a chef that cooks for you every day” 

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’ve worked with some 

amazing chefs on boats, but others have tried to poison 

me with hot dogs and casseroles. “Unless the chef 

is hung-over or drunk, we’re mostly guaranteed two 

meals a day. Sometimes you have to beg for vegetables. 

It’s kind of like Darwin’s survival of the fittest on 

the high seas.” 

Next, they want to know where the chef lives. 

“In the captain’s quarters if she’s smart. Sleeping with the 

deckhand gets one absolutely no clout.” 

An inquisition begins over living on the boat. 

“You get to live on the yacht” 

I find the word “live” to be relative. If not being able to 

walk around naked in privacy, or having to pick up after 

myself all the bloody time (who doesn’t like to live in 

sloth from time to time) and sleeping in a bed the size 

of a coffin like I’m at boot camp, then yeah, I guess I 

“live” on the boat. 

People are also interested in the crew and crew dynamics. 

I’ve made some incredibly brilliant friends along the 

way, but I’ve also been surrounded by complete idiots. 

There always seems to be one dolt with a Napoleon 

complex who is determined to make your life a living hell 

in the international shoebox that you reside in. Maybe 

he has a “holier than thou” attitude, or maybe she can’t 

carry her weight, but there’s always one who throws the 

balance off. “It’s similar to the hierarchy of the animal 

kingdom,” I say and leave it at that. 

Finally, people just can’t understand watch duty and how 

we can make a passage straight through without pulling 

over to the side and taking a break. “So you’ve actually 

sailed across the entire Atlantic Ocean Why can’t you 

anchor somewhere When do you sleep” 

We motored, really. The Trade Winds failed to cooperate 

on that two-week journey. “Contrary to, uh, popular 

belief, the Atlantic Ocean is deeper than 30 feet. It’s not 

conducive to just drop the anchor anywhere and take a 

nap. Stick to flying. If you’re not a terrorist, it’s way less 

hassle free.” 

I can’t be bothered with giving a free sailing lesson to explain 

how boats actually float and work. It took me years to 

understand it myself, and I’m not about to elaborate on the 

concept without some kind of monetary compensation. 

In the end, it’s easier to lie about my line of work rather 

than have to go through this painfully trite conversation 

every time. Take my advice: It’s much simpler to say that 

we’re unemployed, because we do spend a lot of time 

looking for our next boat, a nicer captain, a cooler crew, 

a better pay and a more exotic itinerary (please, the Caribbean 

again). 

I’m so mentally exhausted that I’ve almost reached the 

point that I allow them to believe their own conclusions. 

“Yes, mother. I’m a drug-smuggling mule on the Carnival 

Cruise Line. You can thank me for that Ambien.” 


NON-LOCAL FLOW 

Book Excerpt 

BY TANYA KIMBERLY ORME 

68 YACHT ESSENTIALS

The heart of Mary Orme Ellis was “mercilessly shattered” when a car crash took the 

life of her 24-year-old daughter, Tanya Kimberly Orme, in June 2009. An artist, world 

traveler and humanitarian, Tanya had worked with The Moorings, enjoying frequent 

voyages in the British Virgin Islands, and was a deckhand on the replica of the tall 

ship HMS Bounty. Those who knew her described her as a “vibrant personality” who was “accomplished 

in deed, love and thought.” 

Rather than seek healing for her shattered heart “in a cushy chair beside a mental health 

counselor,” Mary chose, “in somewhat of an obsessive necessity, to vicariously ride the 

waves of Tanya’s many adventures by thoughtfully reading her many journals.” The result is 

Non-Local Flow: Good Chi, the Sea and Me, a compilation of poetry, prose, sketches and 

compelling storytelling that reflect the final years of Tanya’s life, told in her own words. 

Reprinted with the permission of Mary Orme Ellis. Excerpt from Non-Local Flow: Good Chi, the 

Sea and Me by Tanya Kimberly Orme. The book can be purchased for $59.95 at the website 

www.nonlocalflow.com. Proceeds from sales of the book will be donated to causes that Tanya 

was committed to supporting 


Book Excerpt: Non-Local Flow 

70 YACHT ESSENTIALS


MEET DIRK DeCUYPER 

Profile of a Charter Chef 

BY BEVERLY GRANT 

One could say that Dirk DeCuyper and his partner 

Allison Morgan have perfected the charter 

chef career. They have worked hard and with 

longevity, individually and together, and have 

created a very satisfying life and business for themselves. 

When I walked into their new Eten Food Company in 

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, I saw their European culture 

and pursuit of excellence shine through. The clean, organized 

lines and beautiful food reflected the purity of 

the word “eten” (meaning “to eat” in Dutch) and the 

region’s simple philosophy about food — use fresh, quality 

ingredients to create the ideal end results. 

Born and raised in Belgium, Dirk has 20 years of experience 

working as a chef in a diverse range of kitchens 

around the world. He earned his apprenticeship at the Antwerp 

Piva Hotel School, where he spent six years training 

(starting at age 13) in classic French and Nouvelle cuisine, 

with additional training in butchery and bakery. “This time 

(in school) was like ‘playing chef,’” he said, and it was not 

until he did his apprenticeship that he “really got it.” 

Dirk gained a great appreciation of the organization of 

how each department in a restaurant prepared separately 

to come together. He spent seven years working in Belgium, 

in Michelin-star restaurants and in a high-end traiteur 

shop and catering. At the time, his big dilemma was 

which direction to pursue. He loved working with pastries, 

so Dirk approached a top pastry shop in Antwerp and offered 

to work for free during the night. He would work all 

day in the restaurant and then start his shift in the bakery 

72 YACHT ESSENTIALS

at midnight — something he did for over a year. (Maybe 

this is why he was so well suited to chartering!) 

Since the mid-1990s, Dirk has worked as head chef on 

board private and charter yachts cooking for high-profile 

guests and developing his own kitchen style. He was 

head chef on M/Y Cakewalk for eight years, during which 

time he also wrote the cookbook Charting Culinary 

Courses. Dirk said he strives to continually reinvent his 

food, and while on Cakewalk he never served the guests 

the same meal twice. Most recently, he was head chef 

on board M/Y Polar Star, a position that included time 

spent training with chefs in Russia. He loved when guests 

would come to the galley and cook with him, teaching 

him their regional cuisine, and he said he learned many 

techniques that he now uses in other foods. 

It was also at this time that Dirk and Allison began to 

work together, and thusly formed a symbiotic relationship 

that continues to grow. When asked the best and 

worst things about working together, Dirk said the best 

thing is being with someone who has the same highend 

approach toward food and service; the worst is that 

someone is always watching that that level never drops, 

“which is also a good thing,” he added. 

When asked what dish he remembers the most in his 

life, Dirk replied, “The dish that really stands out…I was 

21 and working in Belgium with a great, well-respected 

chef. The chef cooked Civet de Lièvre, a classic French 

hare stew. There’s only one method of cooking this, and 

you instantly know when you eat it if it’s been cooked 

right. That’s the great thing about the classic French cuisine. 

The methodology of the cooking — there’s only 

one way to make certain dishes — this is probably why I 

enjoy pastry so much, too. It’s the step-by-step process 

you need to go through.” 

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Profile of a Charter Chef: Dirk DeCuyper 

Dirk said that he feels the key to creating something special 

is loving what you do and staying interested, by using 

it as an art form, knowing that colors create flavors 

and flavors create taste. Being a chef is being proud of 

what you do and respecting the principles, he added, 

even when it takes the guests only half an hour to eat 

what you spent hours to prepare. 

We all have stories about yachting, and when I asked Dirk 

for his, he told a tale about how on Cakewalk they were 

planning a special dinner. The charter principal and his 

translator were sitting with him to discuss the menu and 

the festivities to come. The energy was high, and they 

were being very animated in their different languages 

while they spoke. Dirk knew he was going to make a great 

meal and got so excited that he high-fived Soviet Union 

President Mikhail Gorbachev — maybe not protocol, but 

the President high-fived him back and all was well. 

Dirk said that he feels the most creative aspect to any job 

is being able to constantly create something new. “Now, 

with my own kitchen, I can really be creative. This is why 

we choose to do this type of business. We’re not restricted 

to a restaurant menu. I can get in the store and cook 

something different each day in the chef’s case, create 

new menus for catering parties, and we’re developing a 

food line, which is a constant creative process,” he said. 

Eten’s provisioning service offers an excellent selection 

of foods prepared in-house by Dirk to help busy 

yacht chefs. These include pates, cured salmon, sauces, 

stocks, desserts, pre-packed crew meals, Russian foods 

and many more items. Everything is made-to-order on 

location at Eten. “We’re specializing in a pastry line for 

yacht chefs, as we know this is an area that can take up 

a lot of time for chefs who already have so much to do 

when guests are on board.” 

Breakfast danish pastries 

butter onto the butter and then folding the remaining 

third on top. Place in the fridge for 20 minutes. Repeat 

the roll out, folding and resting process three times. 

Allow folded dough to rest overnight. 

CUSTARD INGREDIENTS: 

1 liter milk 

90 g cornstarch 

6 egg yolks 

500 g sugar 

Makes 12 Portions 

Dough Ingredients: 

1 kg high gluten or 

bread flour 

120 g sugar 

17 g salt 

20 g dried yeast 

550 g cold water 

550 g butter (room temp) 

PREPARATION: 

Combine flour, sugar, salt and yeast. Add water and 

knead shortly until dough forms. Turn into a ball. Place 

in a mixing bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place in 

fridge for minimum of four hours or overnight. 

Roll out dough into a rectangle. Pat butter over 2/3 of 

the dough. Fold the dough into three, first folding the 

PREPARATION: 

Bring half of the milk to a boil. Combine remaining 

half of the milk with egg yolks, sugar and corn starch. 

Combine this mixture with the boiling milk. Bring back 

to a boil to thicken. Cool custard mixture, placing plastic 

wrap on top during cooling process. 

PREPARING THE DANISH: 

Roll out 1/3 of the dough into a 28cm high x 30cm 

wide rectangle. Spread the cold custard onto the 

dough and sprinkle with raisins and cinnamon. Roll up 

the rectangle and cut to individual portion size. Place 

pastries on a tray and proof for one hour. 

Brush with egg wash and bake in at 200C for about 

18 minutes until golden brown. Once cooled, finish 

with apricot glaze and fondant. Remaining two 

thirds of dough can be kept in the fridge for up to 

one week. 

74 YACHT ESSENTIALS

(MOSTLY) NATURAL 

REMEDIES FOR YACHTIES 

BY JENNIFER GOFF 

The chef is donning a surgeon’s mask and gloves 

while prepping dinner as Strep turns his throat 

into an irritated battleground. The engineer is icing 

the finger he smashed in the engine room. 

The deckie is sniffling and rubbing his eyes while wiping the 

blanket of pollen from the wheelhouse windows. The chief 

stew is having a breakdown because the owner brought 20 

guests for cocktails instead of two, and the second is running 

down to the head with a bout of seasickness. 

You’ve done the drills and know how to twist a tourniquet 

into place, but what about the day-to-day hazards of living 

on a boat Considering how many chemicals we inhale and 

absorb — think of household sprays that make your eyes 

burn and almost every substance in little metal containers 

adorned with skull and crossbones used on deck — why 

not try to go natural when caring for your ailing body 

and a scholar of homeopathic medicine. She is also a captain, 

boat owner and Harbormaster on Chebeague Island, 

Maine. Fine is a physician’s assistant at Green Street Urgent 

Care in Annapolis, Maryland. In addition to caring for patients, 

he works with cruisers and yacht crew to customize 

emergency medical kits for everyday and offshore use. 

Here’s what we came up with for common boatrelated 

blahs: 

Colds and the flu 

Unfortunately, by the time symptoms appear, the person 

has been contagious for a couple days. In a confined 

space, hygiene is especially important: disinfect common 

areas often, cover your mouth when coughing or 

sneezing, and wash those hands! 

Natural methods may include homeopathy, vitamins, herbs, 

everyday foods and traditional remedies. I consulted with 

Claire Ross and Jeffrey Fine to find out more about various 

methods for basic ailments. Ross is a registered nurse 

Oscillococcinum is a well-known homeopathic remedy 

you can take when you start feeling off-kilter, and it may 

cut the duration of the illness. Garlic cloves, vitamin C, 

Echinacea and Goldenseal herbal tablets, as well as vari- 

76 YACHT ESSENTIALS

ous immune support tablets, are thought to boost the 

immune system and mitigate the severity of the illness. 

Fine says to avoid OTCs with multiple drugs — like the 

combination of antihistamines and decongestants found 

in Nyquil — that make you drowsy, interfere with sleep, 

create a sore throat due to post nasal drip and clog up 

sinuses instead of letting them drain. (There is a reason 

your body is trying to cough and sneeze out the nastiness!) 

Instead, do saltwater nasal rinses and gargle with 

saltwater. If you have to, use plain cough syrup. Finally, 

get lots of sleep and fluids, eat lightly, take Tylenol or 

Ibuprofen for a slight fever, and perhaps follow your 

Granny’s advice with her “hot toddy” cure. 

Bruises and wounds 

Ross recommends the use of Arnica to reduce the pain 

and longevity of a bruise or around a cut (do not put 

cream in a wound); it’s available in both cream and pellet 

forms. Use Hypericum to reduce nerve pain and shock 

with a cut or smashed hand or foot. 

For bruises, Fine recommends applying a cold pack and 

elevating the injury above the heart. For minor cuts, do 

what you learned in First Aid 101: clean the wound with 

mild soap and water, apply an antibacterial like Bacitracin 

(many people are allergic to the ingredients in Neosporin) 

and bandage with sterile dressing. Change the 

dressing several times a day and keep it dry. Hang up 

the swim trunks for a while to reduce the chance of bacterial 

infection from polluted water (think of all the boats 

pumping out in that crystal blue Caribbean anchorage). 

Do not use aspirin, as it increases bruising and bleeding. 

Allergies 

Honey has always been a natural folk remedy for acclimating 

your body to local allergens. There are many 

hay fever, pollen and mold homeopathic tinctures on 

the health food store shelves. Some are specific to region, 

so check the label. 

Stress 

As crew well know, working on yachts is not all margaritas 

and steel drum bands at sunset. Feeling a panic attack 

coming on Ross suggests Rescue Remedy, a homeopathic 

formula that can be taken as sweet pastilles or as 

a tincture added to water. 

On a daily basis, make sure you are taking care of yourself 

as well as the guests. Try to get as much sleep as 

you can, eat healthy food, cut down on caffeine, and do 

more exercising than the Stairmaster workout of delivering 

drinks to the sundeck or polishing-the-hull yoga. 

Seasickness 

I like the acupressure wristbands for combating the 

nastiness of rough seas, even if they may clash with 

my uniform. 

Also try ginger candies, tea or gum to sooth an angry 

stomach, avoid acidic food (including coffee) and my favorite 

remedy — sleep. It may take some time, but most 

people usually acclimate to the motion. 

Dramamine and prescription Scopolamine patches are the 

old standbys, but which is the lesser evil on watch: vomiting 

or being uncontrollably drowsy to the point of inattention 

Fine notes non-prescription Cinnarizine (brand name 

Stugeron) as a favorite among his boating clients, but it’s not 

sold in the US, so stock up in the Caribbean or Europe. 

Hangover 

The aptly named homeopathic remedy Nux Vomica can 

be used to settle the stomach and combat drowsiness 

the day after. 

Next to wolfing down a huge plate of greasy French fries, 

my personal favorite cure is exercise. Ignore that headache 

and revive that oxygen-starved blood with a long run. Or 

just stay in bed and sleep. Either way, be sure to hydrate 

and replace lost electrolytes with diluted juice or bullion. 

Air purifiers may help combat the air conditioning-induced, 

blocked sinus blues. 

Fine is an advocate of using saltwater nasal rinses (a popular 

tool is a Netti pot) to help rid the nose of allergens 

and secretions. He also recommends taking long-lasting, 

non-sedating antihistamines such as Zyrtec well before 

exposure to the allergen. 

In general, when natural remedies just won’t cure what 

ails you — like when you’re peeing fire or your tonsils look 

like Twinkie filling — there’s nothing wrong with digging 

into the first aid locker or making an emergency clinic run 

for antibiotics. If you need to go to a doctor to make your 

body well, whether homeopathic or traditional, do it. It 

only takes one sick person to throw off that whole delicate 

balance in the giant Petri dishes we call yachts! 


MEET 

MEILAN 

KEISER 

Stewardess of the Month 

BY ANDREA BAILEY 

Meilan Keiser has circumnavigated the 

globe working as a chief stew, most recently 

aboard a 60-meter yacht owned 

by a high profile New Zealand businessman. 

Interestingly, her latest boat also happened to 

be her first. Years after Meilan left the yacht, the captain 

and owners asked her to come back aboard, and 

while it was a difficult decision to leave the job she 

had, she said the opportunity to finish her round-theworld 

tour on the boat where she started was too 

much to pass up. Clearly, this sought-after New Zealander 

has a gift, which is why she is Yacht Essential’s 

Stewardess of the Month. 

78 YACHT ESSENTIALS

Meilan grew up on the water, spending much of her 

youth sailing around Asia on a catamaran. “I have a soft 

spot for sailing,” she says. “But being on the ocean in 

general is what I love. As long as I get to swim, dive and 

catch some sun, I am happy. My childhood opened my 

eyes to what the world has to offer, and it made me want 

more. And now, working on boats has allowed me to 

enjoy what I love in life.” 

Her first boating job wasn’t exactly on a yacht. In 2003, 

Meilan was living in Holland, but through a crew agency 

she found on the Internet, she was able to get a 

summer job aboard a 17-meter cruising sailboat that 

did day and weekend charters in Malta. Once she was 

back on the water, she was hooked. “After the winter 

in Holland, the intense heat of Malta was more my 

style,” she said. From there she got a position assisting 

the then-chief stew aboard the 60-meter motoryacht 

she works on today. 

Of course, between 2003 and now Meilan has had many 

other opportunities. She has worked on larger sailing 

vessels and has even participated on a build, which she 

loved. “I really enjoyed being able to arrange the boat 

as I wanted it, and knowing every nook and cranny of the 

interior. I’m extremely versatile and can work with any 


Stewardess of the Month: Meilan Keiser 

system that’s already operational, but if it doesn’t work, 

then by all means I will make adjustments accordingly.” 

Meilan’s experience is complemented by the extensive 

training she has received in service and first aid. She has 

a Yacht Rating Certificate, plus several medical certificates 

and qualifications; she is an advanced open water 

diver; and she has attended formal English butler 

school. As she explains, “I have been fortunate enough 

that the yachts I have worked on have allowed me the 

time to complete my courses. And because I have an 

incredible first mate on my current boat, he helped me 

work toward my Yacht Rating while we were on long 

ocean passages.” 

We asked Meilan about some of her other skills, experiences 

and work preferences, starting with: 

What do you love most about your job 

“The satisfaction I get in knowing that the guests have 

all that they desire while on board. Getting the smile and 

pat on the back from the big boss makes all the hard 

work worth it.” 

What is your favorite place in the world 

“Although I have seen some of the world’s most talkedabout 

destinations. I cannot pass up the natural beauty 

of my home country, New Zealand. We have it all: 

white sandy beaches, clear water, mountains for hiking 

or skiing, surf beaches and weather that is generally 

not extreme.” 

Which do you prefer, charters or having 

the owners on board 

“This is a hard one to choose. There is the great side of 

knowing everything about the owner and their habits so 

that the trips are flawless, but the excitement of new and 

interesting people who keep you on your toes and challenge 

you at all times is also a great thing. Where you get 

to have both is a perfect mix for me.” 

What makes your life a living hell 

“Negative atmospheres and people who say ‘yes’ 

but really are not listening to you! Or crew who are 

only on board because their partner is, but they actually 

hate working on boats and want to go home and 

settle down.” 

Any advice for newbies 

“Stick at it. The grass may appear to be greener, but 

the truth is it is a demanding job and all situations have 

their bumps along the way. Ask lots of questions and be 

sure to get it right — there’s nothing worse than being 

told off!” 

80 YACHT ESSENTIALS

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My Space, Your Space... 

Anita Valium 

BY ANITA VALIUM 

82 YACHT ESSENTIALS

I 

arrived at the offices early that balmy, late summer 

morning because, quite frankly, that’s how I roll. I like 

to set up early before the minions arrive: have a cup 

of coffee, wait for my computer to cough and splutter 

to life (not unlike myself whilst enjoying aforementioned 

first cup of rocket fuel) and generally ease myself into another 

day of phones ringing incessantly, crew dropping 

by unexpectedly and, of course, emails arriving by the 

thousands from crew and clients alike. 

So, back to that morning in question. I’d been sipping on 

my cafe au lait for only a moment before I heard a noise 

that made my nostrils flare and my upper lip rise into an 

unpleasant and unflattering sneer. You know the sort; the 

one that looks like someone’s smeared dog shit on your 

top lip. The small and very much shared toilet was flushing. 

Someone else had infiltrated my quiet time. Worse 

than that came the awful realization that this infiltrator 

had been parked in said bathroom for upwards of 15 

minutes — the time lapsed between me arriving, making 

coffee and parking my fat office butt in my fat office 

butt-shaped chair. 

2900 Main Street, #2100 • Alameda, CA 94501 

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On Historic 

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Surely, she could have done her 

daily dirty work at home 

The door opened, and the accountant emerged. She left 

the door slightly ajar, then smiled and gaily said hello. I 

said hello back. A difficult feat when one’s upper lip is 

holding the dog-shit sneer. 

Moments later, a rancid stench, not dissimilar to that 

left behind by a garbage truck that has just come fresh 

from the hospital route and dumped out a big bin full of 

babies’ nappies on a hot summer’s day, permeated the 

air and penetrated my delicate early morning nostrils. 

Fighting the urge to vomit into my coffee cup (I admit 

to being sick in my mouth, but just a little bit), I got to 

thinking about how inconsiderate this woman was; that 

is, after my mind had wondered what the hell she had 

eaten the day before to back out such an unholy mother 

load. People Road kill People who’d eaten road kill 

The mind boggled. 

Anyway, I digress. I pondered why she’d come in early 

to befoul our communal toilet with such an all-embracing 

vileness that the revolting odor would no doubt 

linger the entire day, taking poor unsuspecting fellow 

office workers by surprise when popping in to relieve 

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ConTaCT: EriC HabErli 

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Anita Valium 

socially unacceptable conduct to become, well, more 

socially acceptable. 

When you’re working and living in such close proximity to 

various other people who are also often strangers, it’s hard 

to get into a routine and adjust to other people’s foibles. 

I, for one, am renowned for leaving my shoes all over the 

place. Fine in my own apartment; if I fall over them, I have 

nobody to yell at. If I fall over yours, however, all hell will 

break loose. I will kill you. Fact. Some people are incredibly 

and naturally untidy. But when sharing that tiny cabin with 

another person, you have to reign in those bad habits. 

Snoring has to be the worst 

problem with sharing cabins. 

themselves, not to mention stripping them of their 

teeth enamel. Surely, she could have done her daily 

dirty work at home 

Which led me to start thinking about how personal space, 

and consideration for other people’s personal space, is so 

very important. And if it’s this critically essential in a big 

office, then it’s downright fundamental in a small confined 

space like, say, crew accommodation in a yacht. 

How many crew have been lumbered with the world’s 

most inconsiderate bunkmate for a whole season 

I’ve written previously about the two-man crew (captain 

and stew cook) where the captain used to piss 

his own mattress every night and she had to hose it 

down on deck each morning, so I won’t go down that 

path again. But, come on guys, how hard is it to think, 

“Blimey, I had a lot of curry last night. I’d best use the 

head with the porthole I can leave open to air it out a 

bit, so my colleagues don’t throw up at the sheer evilness 

of my depravity” 

OK, so it’s not just about how bad your roomy’s dump 

smells. There’s a whole heap of other things to consider 

when trying to make your fellow crewmembers’ lives 

more bearable. I’ve illustrated quite possibly the worst 

example because that’s what happened to me the other 

morning. However, being crew, you must try to be considerate 

to your compadres in various ways and adapt 

I can’t help myself. I have to return to the theme of the 

toilet. Boys, if you’re sharing a head with the ladies, stop 

leaving the seat up. Yes, we CAN put it down. That’s not 

the issue. The issue is, when we stumble into the toilet 

late at night, dog tired or half cut, we see the lid is 

up, sit down and, if the seat is also up, fall in and get 

stuck. That’s really not great. It’s no fun to be calling out 

for margarine to oil up one’s hips to get out of the john 

in the middle of the night, and it also leaves unsightly 

bruises. Ladies, are you with me 

Snoring has to be the worst problem with sharing cabins. 

I know of people who have had to use earplugs 

in order to get their much-needed shuteye and who 

then get a fierce bollocking from the captain after they 

sleep through the fire drill in the morning. How do you 

combat that And when you get tall guys sleeping in 

bunks built for pygmies, people get all bunched up and 

snoring seems inevitable. Should we put the snorers in 

together Or perhaps exile them to the engine room 

But, loathe as I am to say it, girls do seem to be some of 

the worst contenders in the cabin sharing stakes: makeup 

and dirty knickers everywhere, phone chargers left 

on the floor (just perfect for bare feet to step on in the 

dark) or just plain old barging in without knocking on 

male cabin mates. Just because he’s a guy doesn’t mean 

he’s happy for you to see his todger, so please, knock 

and wait. It’s called manners. 

How you all do it, I have no idea. Being a miserable old 

spinster with lots of cats (well, that’s what you all think 

anyway), I enjoy having my own space to breathe. I like 

to leave my shoes / jeans / knickers on the floor / banister 

/ kitten, so how you manage to cram your whole lives 

into a cabin the size of a snail’s fart…I have no idea. Hats 

off to you all. I salute you! 

84 YACHT ESSENTIALS

For Crew. By Crew. 

PHOTO CONTEST 

Send in your favorite images 

from your working lives! 

Email your images to 

contest@yachtessentials.com 

Please include your name, position, 

yacht name and photo captions. 

Names and information can be 

withheld upon request. 

WiN a DigiTal SlR CaNON CamERa! 


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Need some 

valium 

Ask Anita 

Please email 

valium@ 

yachtessentials.com 

with any thoughts 

or questions. 

Dear Anita, 

I’m what some people might refer to as a late starter to 

yachting. I decided to quit the rat race at age 35 after my 

miserable wife divorced me and left me for broke. However, 

despite a real passion for sailing, I soon discovered I 

was too old to find a job as a deckhand. So, in order to gain 

assistance from agents and contacts, I started lying about 

my age — and significantly, too. Now I’m in a quandary, I 

feel I’ve proven myself and am well on my way to becoming 

a mate (or at least a bosun). How do I tell the agents that 

have represented me, and the captains who’ve employed 

me, that I’m actually 10 years older than I said I was 

Old Man, St. Maarten 

Well, well, well, Old Man. You’re a shrewd old fox, aren’t 

you I can’t believe that in the past few years of work on 

yachts not one captain (or agent) has ever looked at your 

tickets or passport to see your real date of birth. You, 

sweetheart, can only be described as being really bloody 

lucky. How you’ve slipped through the net is beyond me 

completely. I have to take my hat off, but at the same 

time…you’re a twat. You can’t come clean now. It’s too 

late. So, enjoy your status as a youngster because you 

can’t ever tell the truth. You dug your grave, now you’ve 

got to lie in it. 

Dear Anita, 

Just before the end of the season, the captain told us 

the owner has decided to change the yacht’s home port 

from Fort Lauderdale to St. Maarten. We don’t think this 

is fair. We signed up to work on this yacht because of its 

base being where our friends and family live. We want 

to tell the captain this, as the owner should change his 

mind and consider our feelings too! What do you think 

Deckhand, Fort Lauderdale 

Really Let’s see...I’m loaded. I own a million-dollar yacht. 

I do what I like, when I like, with whom I like. I want to 

put my little water toy in another part of the world because: 

a) it’s cheaper b) it’s my yacht and c) I can. Oh, 

what’s that Some completely replaceable deck guy on 

two grand a month doesn’t like it because he’ll miss his 

mum And I’m bothered because Need I go on 

Need some Valium Send your questions to valium@yachtessentials.com and we’ll answer you in 

a future issue. Names will be withheld upon request. 

96 YACHT ESSENTIALS

full MEgayacht sErvIcEs 

JacksonvIllE, florIDa 

Dry Docks I EnclosurEs | MaIntEnancE | rEpaIr | rEfIt | ovErhaul & convErsIon | nEw constructIon I custoMEr support 

BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards Florida LLC 

able to haul and service the largest megayacht in the world 

Megayacht Services Contact: Tel 904.251.1545 

yacht.services@baesystems.com 

8500 Heckscher Drive | Jacksonville, FL 32226 | USA

November/December 2010 - Yacht Essentials

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