International Yacht News

An upcoming world speed record attempt by Nigel Hook and the crew of SilverHook will be a two-for-one as they set out to achieve the fastest crossing from the U.S. to Cuba, and then back. Captain Hook has chosen August 17 to try to set two speed records in what is considered the most technically-advanced offshore monohull race boat in the world. The first objective is a one-way speed record from a point just off the Florida Keys to Havana. If that record is established, then part two will be an equally-fast or faster return trip and a two-way record.

The Volvo Ocean Race has agreed a three-year partnership with the Yacht Racing Forum. "We are delighted to welcome the Volvo Ocean Race as a long-term partner,” said Bernard Schopfer, the event’s CEO. "We have been working hard at developing a new structure for the Forum, with a new team of dedicated people, new partners, a beautiful venue and an exciting programme. Knut Frostad, the outgoing CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race, has been an avid supporter of the Yacht Racing Forum since its debut in Monte Carlo in 2008. He will once again be a speaker at this year's conference, looking back at what he has achieved as Volvo Ocean Race CEO over nearly eight years at the helm. "The Forum is an important event for the international yacht racing community,” he said.

“Britannia rules the waves” paid a glowing tribute to the maritime past of the United Kingdom. Over the past three centuries as the sun began to set on the British power, resilient U.K. with its pioneering characteristics began its voyage of transformation to become a world-class maritime services center, with one of the largest clusters of marine insurance, ship finance, law, classification societies, ship broking, education and consultancy organizations. Significantly, two factors were responsible for this change. The first being marine transport, since it was the only point of access to the British Isles, and the second was the maritime trade and naval power that have had a great impact on the maritime sector influencing the country’s economy for several centuries.

International Yacht Collection (IYC) iannounced that Frank Grzeszczak and Barbara Stork Landeweer are the company’s  2013 Yacht Broker and Charter Brokers of Year, respectively. Representative of a banner year for IYC, both brokers played a pivotal role in promoting the superyacht lifestyle and helping their clients achieve results in the global market. “I have the privilege to again congratulate Frank and Barbara on their exceptional performance,” said Bob Saxon, IYC President.

Powered by ANSYS solutions to maximize yacht aerodynamics, 'Emirates Team New Zealand' has captured the Louis Vuitton Cup and won the right to compete in the 34th America's Cup. Faced with the challenge of making fast design improvements to its yacht to stay hyper-competitive, Emirates Team New Zealand used a 100 percent simulation-driven development process — eliminating the need for physical prototypes. Team engineers used ANSYS® computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solutions to virtually test different designs, considering up to 750 operating conditions per design.

The Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Ibiza, Minorca and Formentera, along with mainland cities such as Barcelona, Valencia and Marbella, can now be added to Europe's established 'charter' destinations, announce IYR. With the longest summer season in Europe, and reliable sunshine from April through until late Autumn, these  destinations can now add as much as 75 days to the European cruising season - this now brings a season that incorporates Easter through until the "Club closing parties of Ibiza" and the late Autumn sunshine on the southern Iberian peninsula. The Balearics and Spain now join the top cruising destinations of the Cote d'Azur, Costa Smeralda and Amalfi Coast on the charterers' calendar.

New to the regatta for 2012 is the addition of a catamaran category. The race is now divided into three classes: performance, cruising and catamaran, with a fleet of the world's fastest yachts competing to win the perpetual silver cup made by Garrard of London - the Boat International Media Trophy. Among those participating are sailing yachts Zefira, sailing yacht of the year; Hanuman, last year's regatta winner; M/Y Chanticleer, a Classic 1973 Burger and M/Y Icon, among many others.

Change in Organization’s Bylaws Specify Revised Board Tenure and Structure. The ISS (International Superyacht Society) announces its 2012-2015 Board of Directors and Past Presidents Council. ISS elections are held annually by peer selection. During 2011, ISS membership ratified changes to the Association’s Bylaws which now state that a total of 24 elected Board members will serve three-year terms. During the 2012, 2013 and 2014 election cycles, the ISS Board will be in transition. For the current year and based on a democratic voting system, ISS members have awarded eight Board positions for three years and four Board positions for one-year terms with the opportunity to re-run for the 2013-2016 term.

A Singapore welcome greeted the international fleet of 10 in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race as they sailed into Marina at Keppel Bay over the weekend to rousing cheers from Singaporeans, families and residents of Keppel Bay. Dr Lee Boon Yang, Chairman of Keppel Corporation, ignited the ‘Torch of Passion', starting the welcome celebrations for the fleet which had just completed Race 7, a 4,600-mile race from Gold Coast, Australia, to Singapore. At the ceremony, Guest-of-Honor Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, presented the Keppel-sponsored Singapore Cup to the winning team from Gold Coast Australia…

Roy Sea Joins IYC as Florida and California Licensed Yacht Broker. International Yacht Collection (IYC) has announced that, effective immediately, Roy Sea joins the global yachting firm as a Florida and California Licensed Yacht Broker. With a yachting background that spans forty years, Roy Sea has expertise in many of the world’s leading yacht brands and brokerages: Broward, Burger Boat Company, Christensen, Feadship, Jarrett Bay Yacht Sales (Hatteras, Grand Banks and Albemarle), Merrill Stevens, Ocean Alexander, Palmer Johnson, Vicem USA and Viking to name but a few.

International Yacht Collection (IYC) is pleased to announce that, effective immediately, Captain Andre Peens takes on the critical role of Director of Yacht Management. His extensive experience includes piloting and managing some of the most recognizable superyachts in the world for both private use and charter: 286’ Oceanco, Seven Seas; 280’ Royal Denship Princess Mariana; 245’ Blohm+Voss, Katana; 165’ Feadship, Iroquois; and, the 145’ Heesen, Artful Dodger. “I look forward to…

Curtis Stokes & Associates has announced the addition of a new sales associate, Bill Nelson, which brings the international yacht brokerage company to a team of six professionals who represent the company’s brokerage inventory and customer relations worldwide. Bill Nelson has over 35 years of experience in the marine industry and has most recently managed his own marine consultants company which provides consultants in the areas of yacht brokerage, new construction and marine surveyors. He is joining Curtis Stokes & Associates because of the opportunity to reach a broader client base where he can apply his expertise in all facets of brokerage, management and cruising.

Northeast Maritime Institute (NMI) announced the introduction of their newest program, Level 1 and 2 MCA approved Master of Yachts courses for those that wish to work on the worlds Superyachts . NMI has partnered with International Yacht Training Worldwide (“IYT Worldwide”), the world’s leading provider of yacht training services who are an MCA issuing authority. Northeast Maritime Institute’s accreditation now provides an additional 25 MCA approved courses. Major courses include Master of Yachts Unlimited, Limited, and Coastal/Mate 200 Gross Tons. “This relationship between NMI and IYT will enhance NMI’s capacity to provide the highest standards of maritime education for both the professional and recreational mariner.

Burger Boat Company’s Syara IV, a 2010 151.2 ft Fantail Motor Yacht, was awarded the Best Design Trophy for Custom Yachts Under 50m at the prestigious 2009 World Yachts Trophies organized by LuxMedia Group and held in conjunction with the Cannes International Yacht and Boat Show September 12, 2009. Sycara IV won the award thanks in part to her unique design, reflective of her owner’s desire to build a family yacht true to the Golden Age of yachting. Sycara IV recaptures the grace…

Trinity Yachts, LLC (Trinity) and International Yacht Collection (IYC) have announced today that they have signed a Letter of Intent for Trinity to acquire IYC. This acquisition will expand Trinity's capabilities and enable it to offer its clients the entire range of yachting services: new construction, repairs, brokerage, charter management, retail charter, yacht management, and crew placement. It is expected that the purchase should be completed by July 1, 2007.