International Superyacht Society News

At a special press event held at the Palm Beach International Boat Show, MarineMax announced today that they are expanding into yacht management, crew placement and charter of luxury megayachts. Bob Saxon Associates, has joined MarineMax as part of the new endeavor that will be headquartered at the MarineMax Yacht Center in Pompano Beach, Florida. “We are excited to announce this strategic initiative,” offered Bill McGill, MarineMax President and CEO. “Bob Saxon Associates is a natural fit for MarineMax, expanding the breadth of our offerings into the rarefied sector of yacht management. With over 35 years of experience, Bob is well known and highly respected as an early innovator and is considered by many to be the patriarch of the yacht management industry.

The Malta Maritime Careers Day will see the participation of three eminent international entities in its first year of staging. These will be ICOMIA - the International Council of Marine Industry Associations, SNAME - The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers - based in Virginia, U.S. and the IMO International Maritime Law Institute. The objective of the Malta Maritime Careers Day is to bring together professionals, educators and leading industry players to discuss and encourage the improvement in academic and practical training for the common benefit of interested students, the industry in general and Malta’s economic sustainability. Another primary aim of the event is to increase visibility among students and parents of the career opportunities in this industry.

Standards set by yacht owners for stylish decking that is also environmentally responsible are being matched in the yacht support vessel market. Dutch flooring and decking specialist Bolidt has secured a new contract to supply and install Bolideck Future Teak for the deck onboard a Fast Yacht Support Vessel under construction at Damen Shipyards Group company Amels, of Vlissingen. The durable, lightweight synthetic decking system with the look and feel of real teak will be fitted on the Sea Axe 6711 Fast Yacht Support Vessel (FYSV), a 67m length vessel due delivery in early 2014. The new vessel is able to accommodate 21 personnel comfortably, and has been designed for relief crews needed for superyacht operations.

The 67m Fast Yacht Support vessel, GARÇON, built by Damen, has won the ISS Awards of Distinction for Innovation at the International Superyacht Society Awards Gala in Fort Lauderdale. GARÇON came out top of an industry-led voting process that assessed five shortlisted entries in the competitive and broad-ranging Innovation category. GARÇON was designed and customized according to the requirements of the client, the owner of an 87m luxury superyacht. The vessel’s innovative ‘axe bow’ and underwater body shape enable her to reach speeds between 18-25 knots in all sea states…

Marcel Onkenhout, CEO of Oceanco wins the 'International Superyacht Society's Excellence in Innovation Award' 2012. The award, open to every aspect of the marine industry, is given to an individual or business that has demonstrated innovation in their endeavours within the previous year. In making the award SSE cited Onkenhout as having been highly original in his team development and business management, taking the company forward with innovative thinking. The ISS acknowledged that…

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.

ISS Perennial Gold Sponsor, Viking Recruitment, Sets “Green Standard” in the U.K. by Designing and Building “Viking House,” a Passivhaus Certified Building, for its Expanding Workforce. The International Superyacht Society (ISS) is pleased to acknowledge the groundbreaking “green” efforts of perennial Gold Supporter, Viking Recruitment. Viking’s steadfast commitment to the superyacht industry is apparent in their continuing support of ISS’s efforts on behalf of crew worldwide.

The International Superyacht Society (ISS) is pleased to announce the appointment of its 2012 Officers and Executive Committee. The Officers include the President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary who are distinguished superyacht industry leaders elected by the organization’s Board of Directors and who will serve a one-year term at which time they may be re-elected to the same post for not more than three consecutive years. The ISS Executive Committee is comprised of the Officers, a Board Representative—who is appointed by the incoming President—and the Past President. The Board of Directors election is held annually in January. The new Board is seated on 1 February with eight directors elected to serve three-year terms.

The International Superyacht Society (ISS) has relaunched its website, www.superyachtsociety.org. •    Latest news and a full archive of press releases.

The International Superyacht Society (ISS) announced its collaboration with Wilfred Sultana & Associates in presenting the Superyacht Industry Seminar, The Way Forward, being conducted in Malta, Friday 29 April 2011. Similar to the seminar presented in 2009, foreign and local speakers will again take the podium. While two years ago the theme was ‘The Superyacht Industry’, this year the forum focuses more on the Malta yachting scenario while underlining the demanding requisites of superyachts.

The International Superyacht Society (ISS) received the following communication from CDR David G. McClellan, Chief, Prevention Operations Department, USCG Sector Miami. He has that this message be distributed to all mariners. This is critical information for persons either planning or knowing parties planning to sail in the area that transverses the seas off the Coast of Somalia in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea South to the Mozambique Channel and East to the coast of India. Per CDR McClellan, Internet release is authorized. 1. ON 18 FEB 11, A U.S. REGISTERED SAILING VESSEL WITH 4 US CITIZENS ON BOARD WAS HIJACKED BY SOMALI PIRATES IN THE ARABIAN SEA, 282NM SE OF SUR, OMAN. DURING NEGOTIATIONS FOR RELEASE OF THE VESSEL, THE 4 US CITIZENS ONBOARD WERE KILLED.

Ergonomic seating from STIDD Systems is installed on the Miss Lisa and Sycara IV, finalists for International Superyacht Society (ISS) 2010 International Design Awards. The annual awards, based on peer review, celebrate the very finest in superyacht design, architecture, engineering and interiors. The 92-ft Miss Lisa from Citadel Yachts is a finalist for an ISS award in the “Best Power” category for superyachts from 24 to 40 meters and 46-meter (151 ft) Sycara IV from the Burger Boat Company is a finalist in the “Best Power” category for superyachts from 40 to 60 meters. www.stidd.com

Burger Boat Company announced that Sycara IV, 151-ft Fantail Motor Yacht has been selected by the International Superyacht Society membership as a finalist for the 2010 International Superyacht Society Design Awards in the Power: 40-65m category. Each year the International Superyacht Society recognizes yacht owners, builders, designers, interior designers, naval architects and stylists at its annual awards gala. This year’s awards ceremony will be held Thursday October 28, 2010 during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

The International Superyacht Society (ISS) is partnering with Informa Yacht Group’s Asia Superyacht Conference (ASC) slated for 12-14 October 2010 at ONEº15 Marina Club in Singapore. Now in its second year, ASC will focus on superyacht design and construction, superyacht ownership and sales strategies in Asia as well as discussing Asia as a truly world-class cruising and chartering destination. “In 2009, then ISS President, Lance Cushion, both attended and presented at the Conference. For 2010, he brought the idea of a partnership between ISS and the conference and its organizers, IYG, before ISS’s executive leadership. We unanimously and wholeheartedly endorse the undertaking and are proud to be a partner in the endeavour,” said Bob Saxon, current ISS President.

The International Superyacht Society (ISS) announced its 2010-2012 Board of Directors and Past Presidents Council. ISS elections are held annually by peer selection. Sylke auf dem Graben, Lürssen Werft GmbH & Co. John D. Dieter Jaenicke, Viking Recruitment Ltd.

Burger Boat Company announced that Tò-Kalòn, a 2008 101.5-ft Enclosed Bridge Motor Yacht  and INGOT, a 2008 153-ft Tri-Deck Motor Yacht have been selected by the International Superyacht Society membership as finalists for the 2009 International Superyacht Society Design Awards in their respective categories. Each year the International Superyacht Society recognizes yacht owners, builders, designers, interior designers, naval architects and stylists at its annual awards gala. This year’s awards ceremony will be held Thursday October 29, 2009 during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.