Yacht Company News

Miami-based shiplift supplier Pearlson Shiplift Corporation reports it has secured four contracts within the past nine months, boosting its order backlog to more than $200 million.A privately held company with a global presence, Pearlson Shiplift Corporation engineers and delivers complex shiplift and transfer systems for both military and commercial shipyards.Recent orders include shiplift systems for BAE Systems – Jacksonville Ship Repair, the Korean Coast Guard and Horizon Yacht Company, as well as one undisclosed project to be announced in the coming months.

Wesley D. Wheeler passed away on April 18 in Stamford, Connecticut. He was 80 years old. He was laid to rest in Cyprus Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn, N.Y. Wheeler was an active member of the marine community for 60 years. He lived and worked in many countries and for some of the largest naval architects, consultants and shipbuilding companies in the world including JJ. Henry & Co., J. J. McMullen Associates, H.M. Tiedemann & Co, American Bulk Carriers, Sparkman & Stephens Inc., Astilleros Espanoles and M. Rosenblatt & Son. He founded his own firm, Wheeler Associates Ltd.

During the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s markup of H.R. 4005, the Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill, Subcommittee Ranking Member Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA) spoke up for American jobs, a revival of the maritime industry, and a Cruise Ship Passenger Bill of Rights. Because the Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill modernizes maritime policy, provides budget stability, and adds needed resources to support Coast Guard operations, Garamendi voted in favor of the legislation. The bill was unanimously reported out of Committee.

The Dalian Wanda Group, one of the largest Chinese property and cinema groups, will acquire almost 92 percent stake in the leading global luxury yacht company, Sunseeker International Limited, for about GBPDS 320-million. Although the private yachting market is in its early stages in China, this industry is growing rapidly. Wanda's Chairman Wang Jianling states that "China's consumption is growing, especially in the market for high-end luxury products. We have noticed the growth in consumption of luxury yachts…

W-Class Yacht Company is expanding its family of yachts to include 100’, 123’ and 135’ models. The first of the new designs, the W.123', was developed by Bruce Johnson (formerly of Sparkman & Stephens) in collaboration with Rockport Marine Yacht Design. The new racer/cruiser yachts will retain the ‘Spirit of Tradition’ and performance attributes of the existing W-Class Yacht Company’s W.37’, W.46’ and W.76’ models. The W-Class yachts will be built at Front Street Shipyard in Belfast…

Cutwater Marine Sales recently announced the formation of Pocket Yacht Company – A full service marine dealer located in the Annapolis, MD area serving the entire Mid Atlantic Region. Cutwater Marine Sales recently acquired Chesapeake Ranger Tug. This acquisition helped form the new full service Pocket Yacht Company dealer for the Chesapeake Region. Mark Schulstad and Tony Schulstad, partners in the venture are excited with this expansion. “We have seen our customers’ approach to boating change over the past few years and we want to make it easier for them to enjoy the water.” said Mark Schulstad. “People use their boats differently…

ZF Marine has taken delivery of a new 50 foot Viking Sportfishing yacht. The purpose of this vessel will be to demonstrate the ZF POD 4000 propulsion system. The vessel is equipped with two Caterpillar C18 engines each producing 1150 bhp. These engines are mated to ZF 500 series transmissions, which are connected to the POD units via Centa carbon fiber driveshafts. The ZF POD 4000 drives are the highest rated propulsion pods in the market today, rated to 1200 bhp. Control for the ZF POD 4000 comes from ZF Marine’s well established SmartCommand control system…

Viking Yacht Company is the first in North America to take delivery of MTU 16V 2000 M94 engines. The first of the 16V configurations, which has a standard setting 2,600 bhp at 2,450 rpm, has been delivered to Viking Yacht Company for installation in a new 82-ft Sportfishing vessel. MTU distributor Johnson and Towers delivered a pair of the engines to Viking’s New Gretna, N.J. facility, where the vessel is being built. According to Johnson and Towers senior vice president Bob Shomo, Viking has been a longtime supporter of MTU’s Series 2000 engines.

The leader in internal stabilization technology, Seakeeper recently appointed Andrew Semprevivo to international insides sales manager. In his new position, Semprevivo will be responsible for handling day-to-day worldwide sales, service and technical support inquiries. He will also work to expand Seakeeper's global distribution and service network, develop OEM relationships and manage boat shows. With global marine industry experience, Semprevivo has traveled around the world and has key contacts with boatbuilders, dealers and end users.

On Dec. 12, the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) christened the first of its fleet of ferries, Gemini, to enhance the region’s emergency response capability and water transit network. Representative Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) and WETA Board Chair Charlene Haught Johnson performed the christening ceremony. Ms. Haught Johnson applauded the Bay Area for coming together to forge strong partnerships to enable WETA to build a fleet of ferries that are revolutionizing the ferry industry.

Like most of the tourism business, the excursion/dinner boat market took a big "hit" right after 9/11. Markets that were geared for conventions and depended on fly-in business were especially hard hit since airline bookings went into a steep nosedive right after the terrorist attack and customers could not reach the destinations that offered riverboat entertainment. Most directly impacted by the World Trade Center attack was VIP Yacht Charters, a New York City dining yacht company located a few blocks from the WTC. Minutes after the attack the company immediately began a rescue effort shuttling 40,000-50,000 people across the river to New Jersey and opened their commissary to rescue workers feeding hundreds of workers at no charge.