Leaders

Colin Dawson on troubled waters for insurance

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Colin Dawson on troubled waters for insurance

October 29, 2021
12:07 am

Boat fires in Hong Kong have compounded a difficult time for both the yacht insurance market in Asia and owners, who need sound advice to navigate a complicated period for coverage, writes Colin Dawson.

The fire in the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter in Hong Kong in the middle of 2021 came at a bad time for the city’s insurers and those who provide cover for yachts. Even with the changes in the yacht insurance market over the past two to three years, premiums and deductibles have only increased a relatively small amount while we have not seen anything put towards risk reduction. Losses have continued to increase, and the market now faces a very tough decision in how to move forward.

Of course, insurance is a pool of risk and it’s fully understood that premiums from the majority contribute to cover losses from the few. This is how the industry has survived for over 300 years. The problem at present is that premiums have been too low for too long and losses have been too great for too long.

Something needs to happen to put things right, otherwise we will see a situation where yacht owners simply can’t get insurance. It needs a concerted effort from both owners and the insurance industry to effect sensible changes that allow for an increase in the premium pool while at the same time reducing the number of losses occurring to insurers.

Many insurers are taking knee-jerk reactions by pulling out of the market or imposing steep premium and deductible increases, severely reducing cover available to owners. Unfortunately, some of these changes are based on perceived risk rather than actual risk and are being applied across the board to all owners, irrespective of the situation of their yacht. This is not likely to be helpful in creating a team approach to resolving the problem.

ILLEGAL MOORINGS

What may be even harder is that insurers are now beginning to crack down on illegal moorings and use of boats. This is likely to cause significant difficulties in a city where there’s a huge shortage of Marine Department-approved moorings and many feel they have no option but to use illegal moorings.

It’s a discussion I have had time and time again. If a yacht is breaking the law, insurers can walk away from the risk or a claim. It’s an owner’s responsibility to know they are acting within the law and the manager of the yacht also bears responsibility for this, being a professional advisor to the owner.

How much Professional Indemnity insurance cover do most managers in Hong Kong carry to (ultimately) protect their clients? Professional Indemnity insurance is a cover designed to protect a professional in the event he gives bad advice to the detriment of the client.

If, for example, a claim arises and the manager has been responsible for advising on a mooring that turns out to be illegal, resulting in insurers declining the claim, the owner is likely to turn to the manager for compensation. This is where the manager’s insurance cover comes into play. Of course, it would be far easier if the manager gave proper advice all the time, but mistakes do happen.

SOUND ADVISOR

In the coming weeks and months, owners need to expect premium increases and that obtaining insurance will become harder. Underwriters need to understand that 19 out of 20 owners do not have claims and to increase their premium pool, they’re going to have to retain existing clients and attract new business in offering a high-quality product to owners who see it as a genuine tool to assist in the operation of their yacht.

At the same time, owners need to be prepared to offer an olive branch to insurers and make a significant effort to reduce the risks that lead to claims. This includes the use of a good-quality risk advisor, otherwise known as an insurance broker.

A good broker understands underwriters, risks attached to what they’re arranging insurance for and where losses stem from. The broker should therefore be capable of advising an owner how to obtain good-quality cover and with whom it should be placed. They should also be able to advise an owner on how best to minimise risks that lead to claims, down time for the yacht, along with personal and financial risk.

There are many who offer advice on insurance to an owner. However, how many of those are legally doing so, insured to do so and have the depth of insurance knowledge and relationships to recommend a cover that delivers as it should do in the event of a loss?

The yacht insurance market in Asia is about to change in a way that has not been seen in many years. It’s best for an owner to be able to handle these changes with a professional advisor, operating legally and who is experienced in giving sound advice.

COLIN DAWSON

Dawson is a specialist yacht insurance broker with Expat Marine. Based in Hong Kong since 1994, he looks after clients predominantly in Asia-Pacific and superyachts globally. A Founding Member of APSA (Asia Pacific Superyacht Association) and a Director of the San Fernando Race Foundation for underprivileged children in the Philippines, Dawson is also a passionate conservationist. In 2014, he set up The Elephant Foundation, which raises awareness through education of the plight of Africa’s iconic animals and the communities around them.
colindawson@tgg.com.hk
www.expathk.com

Yacht Style Issue 61 Out Now: The Premieres Issue
Yacht Style’s Issue 61 features New Models and World Premieres 2021, Cannes and Monaco show specials, Camper & Nicholsons CEO Paolo Casani, VP Yachts founder Vivian Chan, Galeon and Tony Castro, PMG Shipyard in Thailand, ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove, Reviews of Ferretti Yachts, Sanlorenzo, Aquila and Bali boats, and Yacht Style Awards 2021.

Interview: Paolo Casani, CEO, Camper & Nicholsons

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Interview: Paolo Casani, CEO, Camper & Nicholsons

October 28, 2021
8:54 pm

Camper & Nicholsons’ recent achievements include selling the 105m Lady Moura and adding the 126m Octopus to its charter and management fleets, but CEO Paolo Casani is most excited about the company’s focus on proprietary technology to engage clients in the new era.

Paolo Casani has been CEO of C&N since 2015

What have been the biggest changes at Camper & Nicholsons in your six years as CEO and how has the job compared to your time as CEO of Azimut-Benetti and President of Fraser?

Over the past six years, Camper & Nicholsons has evolved into one of the most important and complete luxury service companies for yachts for two main reasons. One, we’ve greatly improved the integration of all our departments, and two, we’ve been facilitated by the acquisition of a new technological platform that allows us to build new, ultra-modern tools for our sales teams.

Our technology gives us incredible strength and quality on the market and increases the value of the company assets. The technological advancements are not only one of the most important changes of the past few years but will also be increasingly important for the coming years as well.

As for my earlier roles, working for a shipyard and working for a brokerage are quite different. Probably the only common thing is that we work with the same clients, but everything inside the companies is totally different.

Why has C&N focused so much on its online presence, software and communication?

I think we are almost the leader in this area in the brokerage industry, but if you ask me if I’m satisfied, I’d tell you no. Camper & Nicholsons is growing well, thanks to the investment we’ve made, but our plans are more and more ambitious, so we plan to do much more.

C&N was founded in 1782 but is now a digital leader

The digitalisation level of our company will increase more in the coming years because we believe this is one of the most important ways to develop the company. We think the combination of technology and competencies – like experienced sales and charter brokers, experienced staff in all our different departments like yacht management and insurance, which is increasingly important for us – are of paramount importance to the success of the company in the future.

Camper & Nicholsons has an important characteristic compared to the other brokerage houses in that our technologies are proprietary technologies. We do not buy our software and services from other providers. We develop everything in-house. We have a team of engineers planning and building all our in-house software. They’ve been completely re-engineering the digital ecosystem of the company.

That’s the most important effect of acquiring a tech company, as we did in 2019. We’ve done a lot and there is a lot to do. We have quite an ambitious plan. It’s very important to stress this because we store all our data in-house, which is important because we manage very confidential information for our clients.

What are your thoughts on the changes to the Monaco Yacht Show following the 2020 cancellation and the reorganisation behind the scenes?

Firstly, let me say the Monaco Yacht Show is the most important megayacht show in the world by far and it’s a very important window for clients all over the world. It’s an occasion that everyone in this industry waits for to meet people and see megayachts.

Camper & Nicholsons is a major player at the Monaco Yacht Show

Having said that, we think the show should evolve more to attract a new generation of clients with different initiatives, with technology that’s more attractive to this new generation. The existing clients are already in touch with us, so we know how to interact with them and negotiate with them.

As such, the Monaco Yacht Show needs to attract the new, younger generation of clients with the possibility to buy or charter yachts but who don’t yet feel the need or the attraction to do so. We need to bring them, show them on board, to create the possibility to buy, show them the possibility of a different lifestyle. Connecting with the next generation of buyers is the biggest growth opportunity for the superyacht industry in the coming years.

How important is your Monaco office among your global network?

Monaco is not our headquarters, but it’s our most important operational office and has 60 staff out of our total of 140. Monaco remains the hub of megayachts, and many owners have houses or businesses there. Today, Camper & Nicholsons has offices around the world – five in Europe, three in the US and one in Asia, in Hong Kong.

The 60.5m Sarastar is among 70-plus superyachts in C&N’s charter fleet

Which departments generate the most revenue for C&N?

The two most important revenue generators are sales/brokerage and charter, which are almost at the same level. Under sales, I include our new build division, which was launched almost three years ago. After those two, we have yacht management, including the crew and crew placement divisions, and then insurance, which is increasingly important.

Camper & Nicholsons Insurance Solutions is a new 50-50 joint-venture with an insurance company. So far, it has worked with over 100 megayachts above 40m, which is an important achievement.

Do you believe new build is a sector with a lot of growth potential?

Absolutely. New build has a lot of potential growth. In the past, most new builds went through brokerage companies. Now, for various reasons, about 50 per cent don’t go through brokerage companies and go straight to the shipyards.

New build deliveries include Olokun, the 50m Tankoa

We really believe if a brokerage company is well organised and justifies the fact it’s in the middle of the transaction, it can bring great value for both the buyer and the shipyard. That’s why we created our new build division, or what we also call the project management division, composed of engineers.

Our activities in new construction have been quite intense. Just this year, we’ve delivered half-a-dozen new build projects and we’re confident of signing more deals by the end of the year.

How significant is the addition of the 126m Octopus to your charter and management fleets, and what can charter guests expect on her round-the-world tour?

We’re thrilled to have an iconic yacht such as Octopus join our yacht management and charter fleet because she is one of the most impressive explorer yachts in the world. It shows we are increasingly being recognised as an expert in megayachts, as we have other 100m-plus vessels in our fleet. It’s exciting that Octopus is preparing to charter for the first time.

The 126m Octopus will charter from January 2022

The new owner has said that she will be available for charter by very selected clients. It will be an incredible opportunity for guests to experience this sense of adventure. She will embark in January 2022 on a two-year journey around the world. Because she is ice-class, we can now take our clients anywhere they want to go in the world.

Camper & Nicholsons made headlines in the middle of the year with the sale of the 105m Lady Moura, which has long been a mainstay in Monaco. Can you talk about how this sale evolved?

It’s an important sale for Camper & Nicholsons, of course. It was the fastest sale of a 100m-plus yacht in the past decade, taking 554 days.

Lady Moura represented the fastest sale of a 100m-plus megayacht in the past decade

It was a great achievement thanks to great teamwork, starting from our senior sales brokers Fernando Nicholson and Arne Ploch to all the departments, from marketing, who put together a very detailed and refine marketing plan, to compliance and legal in the final stage of the deal, working with the buying and selling lawyers. It was a great company success. Nowadays, when selling a megayacht, it’s important to have a full team working on it.

Other brokerage houses have revealed record superyacht sales during Covid, especially in the pre-owned sector. How has your sales & purchase sector performed in the Covid era?

If we consider 2020, we can divide the year into two parts. The first part was the most difficult one. We had to face something virtually unknown to all of us.

Luckily, we had already thought about an emergency plan for the company for any sudden situation and realised we had to organise the company in a different way. We made an investment in securing the most important functions, including working with banks. It meant that when we had to close the offices in early 2020 and people had to work at home, most of our staff were already organised for this and were able to continue working the next day.

However, we were affected by the impossibility to meet with clients, to complete transactions. This included one for Lady Moura as we were waiting for the clients to come on board, but then their flight was cancelled. Much of the time, these transactions are emotional, so if you lose the momentum, you lose it forever. It was like that for many other negotiations in place.

Sea Huntress, a 55m Feadship, is among C&N’s yachts for sale

Of course, like everyone, we started to organise our video and webinar interactions, as well as improving photo and video shoots, videos with descriptions and voiceovers, all the other ways to

connect with clients and connect clients to the yachts.

The second part of 2020 was much better. Probably as a reaction to what had happened, people tried to go back to normal and the last quarter of 2020 was much better for sales. We started to experience selling yachts without welcoming clients on board – and that was an experience, honestly. If you asked me two years ago, I would have told you this was impossible.

Now, we’ve discovered nothing is impossible if you are very well organised. Covid has been negative overall, but it has taught us a lot and given us the sense that it is possible to change and do this

business in a different way.

This year has been even better. The first six months were the best we’ve had, certainly during my time. We sold a lot of yachts. In general, the industry has sold double the number of yachts it did in the first six months of 2019.

How was your charter business affected during Covid?

Charter had a different evolution to sales. In early 2020, we entered an almost worldwide lockdown, so we had to cancel or postpone almost all charters. This was financially a difficult period because we had to give up our income from charter, which is an important part of Camper & Nicholsons’ revenue and cash flow.

The 58m Benetti Illusion V is for charter

We were able to postpone 50 per cent of the charters already booked, but all in all, it was obviously not a positive year for charter. Then in the last quarter, we almost lost the Caribbean season as well,

so that was a double negative impact.

In 2021, we didn’t start very well, but from March, even charter started to change. April, May, June and July have been incredible months for charter. It was difficult to find a 40-50m yacht available for charter unless there was a late cancellation. We almost recovered our budget by the end of July.

In charter management, we are above the yearly budget and in charter retail, we’re just short of the yearly budget, so all in all, we’re extremely satisfied with charter as well, although the curve has been

different to sales.

We’ve also improved the quality of our charter fleet. Octopus is just a recent example. We have an incredible range of 70-plus yachts in our charter fleet, based in all the major charter locations around the world, such as Europe, the Caribbean, Florida in the US and Southeast Asia. Some have 100, 110 days, 140 days of charter a year, which is incredible. In these cases, the owners can offset their running costs.

How do you think the charter industry will evolve in the coming years?

Charter is one division that can be more positively affected than others by technology and we do it a little bit differently from other companies because of the tools we have in place. For example, the way we propose itineraries to our clients is unique and can be done very quickly and easily because of our technological platform.

La Pellegrina 1, a 49.5m Couach, is for charter

Our new website launched in late 2019 has also helped us receive more enquiries than before and we’ve also improved the team of charter brokers, which now number over 20 around the world. Honestly, our charter brokers include some of the best in the industry.

How important is Asia for Camper & Nicholsons in the long term?

Firstly, the company’s majority shareholder (Lai Sun) is based in Asia. For a long time, Asia has been the continent with the most growth potential. There’s still a lot to do, but there are a growing number of investors approaching the yachting business.

The number of tycoons investing in and buying yachts is increasing every month. If you look at the order books of some of the most important shipyards in Europe, there are many, many owners from

Asia. Some very important yachts have been delivered to Asian owners and there will be more in the coming months and years.

The number of multi-billionaires in Asia is growing, mainly but not only in China, which will eventually become more important than the US. If the trend continues as it does today, we think the Asia market

will be the most important market in the industry in the next 10 years.

The 65m Lamima is for charter in Indonesia

This is something we said 10 years ago and maybe 20 years ago, and it has evolved partially, but now there is an acceleration. The delay is because people in the north part of Asia are not that familiar with the sea. Yachts are used in a different way, as the owners are less passionate about spending time in the sea and more passionate about the asset.

Another obstacle in Asia to the growth of yachting is the infrastructure, which is quite poor in some of the countries. For example, in Hong Kong, there’s an important number of yacht owners but it’s difficult to moor a yacht above 40m for many reasons.

For some automotive and fashion companies, the Asian markets are some of the most important in the world. Yachting is part of the luxury industry, so just as it happened for cars and fashion, it will happen for yachting. However, due to the nature of the assets, it will take longer.

We only opened our office in Hong Kong in 2017, so we are still young there, but with an important strength – our owner is based in Hong Kong, so we’re in touch with some of the most important clients there. We very much count on Asia.
www.camperandnicholsons.com

Camper & Nicholsons agent for CLX96
The global brokerage house has been appointed as an agent for the sale of CLX96, the CL Yachts flagship set to debut at the Miami Yacht Show in February 2022.

Yunzhu Jin: Buying superyachts for Asia-Pacific passages

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Yunzhu Jin: Buying superyachts for Asia-Pacific passages

October 27, 2021
1:52 pm

Yunzhu Jin, Asia Director for Amels and Damen Yachting, explains what makes the brands’ superyachts so suitable for travelling the region.

Yunzhu Jin is Asia Director for Amels and Damen Yachting

Amels and Damen Yachting now have the largest number of superyachts cruising Indian Ocean, Asia and Pacific waters. The upsurge is due to many factors.

First and foremost, the range is unique. Amels offers Full Custom superyachts and ultra-popular Limited Editions. The yard, established in 1918, became a member of Damen Shipyards Group in 1991. Damen Yachting Company was then formed in 2019 to handle Amels, as well as Damen Yacht Support vessels, Damen SeaXplorers and Yacht Refits.

Private yacht engineering and outfitting is focused at Vlissingen in the Netherlands, near the Belgian border, and is backed by the enormous Damen Shipyards Group, which has 35 shipyards worldwide including in China, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia and Australia, delivering nearly 200 commercial and naval vessels a year.

The Group’s sheer experience, quality standards and financial strength are thus very reassuring for buyers. They are hallmarks also of Damen Yachting, whose state-of-the-art innovations are developed with some of the world’s leading designers, including Tim Heywood, who has been closely associated with Limited Editions since the early 2000s, and the equally-renowned Espen Øino.

The 58m Amels Limited Editions Volpini 2

Limited Editions allows buyers to drastically reduce build times by choosing from pre-built and pre-engineered proven hull platforms, and then customising the fitouts of their yachts.

As Asia Director for Amels and Damen Yachting, I find that many Asian clients today just want to “get away from it all”. Their usual access to luxury hotels and resorts has been restricted by the pandemic,

so why not re-create their own floating resort to entertain family, friends and business associates?

Superyachts can be used as a floating office too. During meetings to complete contracts and select personal preferences, clients can see I have been with Damen Shipyards Group for many years and have long-term loyalty to the Group. I’m not likely to be here one day and gone somewhere else tomorrow.

Satisfying the curiosity of children during a recent cruise

I didn’t originally have a shipbuilding background, though. I was born in Changzhou, in the Yangtze Delta between Shanghai and Nanjing, and my first job was as a host and journalist for Changzhou City Radio Station. I covered the Athens Olympics for a Changzhou paper in 2004, became involved with the China National Youth Writers Association, and did some TV marketing, modelling and advertising.

Then I had the chance to study at the HZ University of Applied Sciences in Vlissingen, which is better known in English as Flushing. Flushing Meadows in New York, where the US Open Tennis takes place, is incidentally named after this Dutch port, stretching back to when Manhattan Island was known as New Amsterdam. It’s a long story.

My degree was a Masters in Business Administration. As part of that process, I did an internship at Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in 2005. I passed with distinction, using the Damen experience for

my dissertation, and the Group offered me a role at their head office in Gorinchem, South Holland, where many Dutch East Indiamen sailing ships used to berth after passages from Indonesia in centuries past.

My focus was on sales support for the Asia-Pacific region. Damen sent me to their yard at Changde, on the Yuan River in Hunan, Central China, for training in 2006, and for the next nine years I was their Gorinchem-based Greater China Manager, and the first Asian in the Group’s HQ staff.

Yunzhu accompanies Annelies Damen (far left) to help select art works for an Amels owner in Hong Kong

For the last six years I have been Asia Director for Amels and Damen Yachting. This has kept me very busy, and it involves a lot of travelling in Asia. At the same time, our vessels have become a more formidable fleet in Asia-Pacific, as shown in the annual feature Top 100 Superyachts of Asia-Pacific in Yacht Style.

This regional impetus began back in the early 2000s, when two Australian businessmen bought large custom Amels yachts, Ilona and Boadicea, and around the same time the Limited Editions concept was launched at a press conference in Monaco.

The first vessel in that series, the 52m Deniki, cruised Asia-Pacific extensively last year and was lately in the Balearics for the Med summer season. She still has the same owner and captain, which is something of a testament to both Amels and Limited Editions.

The Indian Ocean, Asia’s exotic seas and straits, and the vast Pacific offer so much more than the relatively tiny and crowded Med and Caribbean, but longer passages are involved, as well as island-hopping. Owners want to feel safe, which is why so many have chosen to customise vessels from the tried-and-tested Amels and Damen Yachting ranges.

Damen Yachting 77m SeaXplorer La Datcha

La Datcha, the 77m Luxury SeaXplorer reviewed in Yacht Style Issue 58, was at 53°N in the Bering Sea when this column was written in mid-2021, visiting Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. The Limited Editions 55m Papa was in Kaohsiung, 61m Event in Hong Kong, and the 63m Stardust in Phuket.

The 75m Lady E had been on a charter to Lizard Island in Australia’s Coral Sea, 58m Dancing Hare was in Auckland, the 51m Damen Yacht Support Vessel Umbra in Fremantle after a refit for ocean research projects, and 67m Maria and 55 m Driftwood moved on from the South Pacific to San Diego and Mexico. That is only a brief snapshot of our Asia-Pacific story.

Ilona spends most of her time in the Med, and other regionally-owned Amels vessels like the 58m Volpini 2 and 55 m Lili were at Golfe Juan and Cannes respectively, the latter we’re told with some charter timeslots available.

Event, the Hong Kong-based Amels 61m Limited Editions

Chartering is a good way to find out if super yachting is for you. Amels yachts are much in demand. New and potential owners can opt to charter a Limited Editions, like Lili for example, and really experience the size, layout, and sea-keeping ability for themselves before buying. Many of our owners have enjoyed a charter on board an Amels before purchasing.

Chinese and other Asian owners are much more comfortable and assured in what they want out of super yachting now, compared with decades ago when the industry was in its infancy.

These days I work closely with Rose Damen, a shareholder and third generation of the Damen family, to support clients in many Asian countries, and speak Chinese Mandarin, and some other Chinese dialects, as well as English, Dutch and Japanese.

The whole process, from initial drawings to final delivery, can be a beautiful journey even before passages begin, and we aim to make it as smooth as possible.

http://www.damenyachting.com

Yunzhu Jin

Yunzhu Jin is Asia Director for Amels and Damen Yachting. Born in Changzhou in the Yangtze Delta, she obtained an MBA in the Netherlands and has worked for Damen Shipyards Group companies for 16 years. Responsible for sales and marketing in Asia-Pacific, she is based in the Netherlands and regularly commutes to Asian countries to develop business.
yunzhu.jin@damenyachting.com

Custom Amels 78 unveiled ahead of sea trials
The Custom Amels 78 has been unveiled for the first time since arriving at the Amels and Damen Yachting facilities in Vlissingen in 2020.

Ocean Purpose Project: From purpose to project

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Ocean Purpose Project: From purpose to project

October 26, 2021
5:15 pm

Former Singapore Idol finalist and TV producer Mathilda D’silva explains how the Ocean Purpose Project evolved from what she saw on and around her hometown beach in Pasir Ris.

A kelong belonging to ‘Uncle Heng’

I’m floating in a small patch of ocean between Malaysia and Singapore, and all is quiet

except for the sound of water lapping against the side of the boat. Uncle Heng’s kelong (offshore fish farm) lies a distance away from me, backlit by the early morning sunlight.

When I look down, however, a less beautiful sight greets me: fragments of Styrofoam, bottle caps and bits of plastic packaging float in clusters, bobbing here and there with the waves. This comes as no surprise. I’ve grown up seeing rubbish on the shores of Pasir Ris, the beachfront neighbourhood I’ve lived in my whole life. Plastic has always been here, and it has always been a problem.

Rubbish gathers on the coast at Paris Ris

Globally, it has been found that about 8 million tonnes of plastic waste flows into the oceans every year, making up about 60-95 per cent of water pollutants. Plastic pollution is the most widespread problem affecting the marine environment today, as many marine animals die from ingesting or getting entangled in plastic debris. It also threatens food safety, human health and coastal tourism, and contributes greatly to climate change.

PLASTIC TO FUEL

I’ve experienced the devastating impacts of ocean pollution first-hand after one fateful dragon boat race in the Philippines in 2015. While paddling in the idyllic waters surrounding Boracay’s pristine white beaches, it was impossible to tell it was polluted with untreated wastewater from the sewage pipes of hotels and restaurants.

This triggered an intense autoimmune response in my body, which left me severely sick after the trip. My hair and skin turned white, and I had problems speaking and walking. I was shocked.

In 2015, D’silva fell ill after swimming in Boracay in sea contaminated by raw sewage

Until then, I’d depended on my voice as a former Singapore Idol contestant and fast-talking community manager in the media industry. Was my life about to be totally derailed because of just three days of exposure to polluted water?

More importantly, I couldn’t understand the reason behind the pollution itself. How could anyone allow sewage pipes to run directly into beaches that account for 20 per cent of the Philippines’ tourism industry?

This sickness afflicted me after just one weekend, so what about my Filipino friends who work as lifeguards and dive instructors, or the children who play in the waters every day? What health problems are lurking round the corner, waiting to strike?

A beach clean-up with Ocean Purpose Project

There’s no cure to the autoimmune issues I have; they will inevitably get worse and worse. And my days of paddling are over. But I kept asking myself: Could there be another purpose arising from all this? Could I rethink what I know about myself? Could I start doing something today to save tomorrow’s child?

This is why I started the Ocean Purpose Project. I love sitting in rooms with PHDs and ‘industry experts’ who question why a former Singapore Idol finalist is working on converting plastic to fuel. One asked me repeatedly: “Who do you think you are?” The doubters and belittlers are fantastic motivation for me. After all, I am a rebel at heart.

In the last year, Ocean Purpose Project has achieved the near impossible. We have brought together the best-in-class industry and research partners to create the world’s first Plastic to Fuel (PTF) unit that can remove tonnes of waste plastic pollution at a profit, even if oil drops to $0.

A Plastic To Fuel (PTF) unit by Ocean Purpose Project

Each unit can convert one tonne of plastic a day into pyrolyzed oil, carbon black and carbon nanotubes, which is the stuff inside your smartphones and computers. We aim to deploy the PTF units to landfills, polluted coastal communities, eco-resorts, vessels and numerous other locations to help clean up plastic waste.

FROM SEAWEED AND MUSSELS

Beyond transforming trash into treasure, Ocean Purpose Project is working to create a single-use plastic alternative from seaweed and mussels, which we grow in partnership with the kelong uncles and aunties of Pasir Ris.

These seaweed and mussel lines will also act as natural biofilters that help improve water quality and prevent algal blooms, a huge economic pain point for the kelongs because it wipes out fish stocks in an instant.

‘Uncle Heng’ holding a mussel line that acts as a natural biofilter

We complement these projects with educational programmes, where we galvanise the community to take action and ownership over their coastal environments through organising monthly beach clean-ups at Pasir Ris Beach.

On a broader level, however, Ocean Purpose Project goes beyond just converting plastic to fuel, creating bioplastics or organising beach clean-ups. It’s the purpose I’ve found to emerge from the lowest point in my life and it drives me to wake up every day to do what needs to be done for a cleaner, healthier and brighter tomorrow.

Sustainability as we know it needs to be disrupted. It’s not just the domain of tree-huggers or corporates trying to make themselves look good on the ESG spreadsheet. It’s about creating a Blue Ocean of possibility, rewriting what ‘business as usual’ is all about. Ocean Purpose Project’s goal is to bring about disruptive change in the way we manage the problems of marine pollution through test-bedding innovative projects.

Seaweed plastic (left) and normal plastic (right)

Everyone can find their own ways to connect with the environment, whether you’re a musician, a diver or an engineer, so don’t be afraid to just go out and try your own ideas. Organise your own beach clean-up, do the research, start your own movement. When people come together, great things can happen.

I’m proof that you don’t need an Environmental Science degree or years of experience in sustainability to change the way we live. Now is the time to ‘Start Today to Save Tomorrow’.

http://www.oceanpurposeproject.com

MATHILDA D’SILVA

Although now a professional environmentalist, D’silva wears many hats. In her career and personal life, she has been a singer, actress, TV producer, radio DJ, social media manager and athlete. Today she is the Chief Purpose Officer of the Ocean Purpose Project, driving change in the sustainability sector, beginning with the ocean in her backyard of Pasir Ris, Singapore.
mathilda@oceanpurposeproject.com / www.oceanpurposeproject.com

Yacht Style Issue 61 Out Now: The Premieres Issue
Yacht Style’s Issue 61 features New Models and World Premieres 2021, Cannes and Monaco show specials, Camper & Nicholsons CEO Paolo Casani, VP Yachts founder Vivian Chan, Galeon and Tony Castro, PMG Shipyard in Thailand, ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove, Reviews of Ferretti Yachts, Sanlorenzo, Aquila and Bali boats, and Yacht Style Awards 2021.

Leopard 50 owner TC Wong shows wandering spirit

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Leopard 50 owner TC Wong shows wandering spirit

September 17, 2021
2:46 pm

TC Wong made global headlines when the rapid spread of Covid left him stranded at sea in his Leopard 50 for months until he was eventually allowed into Fiji, where he has remained since. Now, the Singaporean is waiting for borders to open so he can continue his journey around the South Pacific on his beloved Ximula III.

Wong has owned his Leopard 50, Ximula III, since 2018

Wong Tet Choong, better known as ‘TC’, became one of Singapore’s most famous sailors last year. Having explored much of Southeast Asia in the past decade, he set off in early February 2020 for his biggest trip yet, sailing his Leopard 50 Ximula III through Indonesia on his way to the South Pacific.

However, as Covid rapidly spread around the world, borders quickly closed around him. His family back in Singapore were among those worried about him alone at sea, with nowhere to berth. Turned away in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Tuvalu – where he was able to buy and receive fuel and food from a distance – he was eventually allowed into Fiji in late April.

The episode generated news in Fiji, Singapore, Australia and elsewhere, even making international headlines through the likes of the BBC and The Guardian. However, if his situation seemed dramatic then, Wong couldn’t be more relaxed now.

Wong with his wife and children, who live in Singapore

Living on his Leopard, often at Port Denarau Marina, he has been away from his family in Singapore for over 20 months and appears in no rush to return home.

“I’ve been sailing around the islands in Fiji and I video call my family almost every day. There are so many beautiful islands to explore here,” says Wong, who had been in the country for just over a year when he turned 60 this May.

“Once the borders reopen, I’ll resume my journey towards Tahiti, visiting as many islands and atolls as I can. I believe this will take two to three more years. I’ve received many messages and well wishes from people telling me they’d love to embark on a similar lifestyle. Actually, there are many people already living the life I do.”

THE CALL OF THE SEA

Wong began boating three decades ago, picking up a small second-hand powerboat in 1992. At the same time, he picked up an interest in sailing and rented boats to cruise around Singapore with the staff of his company, Zhaplin Work.

Wong (top) started sailing in the 1990s

“That was when I started to learn more about the boating lifestyle and community,” recalls Wong, who also enjoys rock and mountain climbing. “When I was sailing, I really enjoyed being able to play with the elements, harnessing the power of the wind and adapting as it changes.”

Still, his next purchase was another powerboat, a 34ft Riviera he had from 1996-97 when he often cruised south to the nearby Indonesian island of Batam with his young family. However, as money was tight, he was unable to sustain upkeep of the boat and had to let it go, vowing to return to sea when his finances were more stable.

“When I sold off the Riviera, I promised myself I’d get a sailing boat once I had the money and time. I wanted to sail further, as there were so many beautiful islands I wanted to visit and explore.”

Wong owned a couple of powerboats

Wong’s company started to grow on the back of the innovative Ximula wardrobe system, an award-winning product still used throughout condominiums and other residences today. In 2013, after almost two decades of “working hard and saving up”, he was able to buy his first sailing catamaran, Ximula, a Lagoon 400 S2.

Wong used the boat regularly, sailing almost every week during the first year with family, friends or staff – “whoever was available and keen”. He typically sailed in Singapore and Indonesia, although early trips included a one-month expedition from Singapore to Phuket with his family.

He also joined several convoy trips organised by Nongsa Point Marina, where he learned from other sailors about Indonesia’s waters. Trips opened his eyes to the amazing islands around Singapore including the Anambas to the northeast and Tambelan and Badas to the east, off the west coast of Borneo.

Wong’s Leopard 50 Ximula III (left) and Darren Lim’s Lagoon 400 S2 (right)

“We discovered so many amazing islands in Indonesia. They’re so beautiful and the islanders were very welcoming towards us, so after these trips, I revisited these places to explore them at my own time and pace. I sailed everywhere around Southeast Asia.”

In 2014, Wong started a charter business, Ximula Sail, skippering and taking care of the yacht as his daughter Minqi ran the business and worked as crew during trips. When possible, the family still used the boat for personal trips including taking two months off in 2016 to sail to Koh Samui together with Darren Lim and his family, who were then living aboard Gracefully, Ximula’s sister boat.

Wong’s daughter Minqi on the Leopard 50

As Wong wanted more time to explore the region, he stopped skippering Ximula and Lim joined forces with Ximula Sail, which now has two catamarans and 10 staff, and is among Singapore’s most respected charter companies.

LEAPING TO LEOPARD

With Ximula occupied by charter business, Wong briefly owned a Beneteau monohull in 2017, frequently sailing to Phuket with his staff and participating in regattas. However, it was only a stop-gap measure as he resumed his search for a catamaran, a design he liked because of the comfort and space but also because the saloon and galley are much higher above the water than on a monohull.

“My wife gets seasick easily, so this allows us to have a view of the horizon even while we’re indoors, relaxing or preparing meals. I only sail for leisure from island to island, and don’t intend to cross long distances across oceans, so I prefer a catamaran for comfort compared to a monohull for performance.”

Wong’s search ended when he met Kit Chotithamaporn, Leopard’s Yacht Sales Manager – Asia, at the Singapore Yacht Show in 2017. Wong originally showed interest in the Leopard 48 on display, but when he visited Kit again on the last day, he found out it had been sold just hours earlier. Kit then informed Wong about the new Leopard 50 and Wong ordered a unit that arrived the following year, which he named Ximula III.

Wong and Lim cruised together to Indonesia’s Anambas Islands

“I really like the layout and design of the Leopard 50. Firstly, I love the door at the front which enables me to easily access the foredeck from the saloon and allows smooth airflow through the interior. The forward cockpit is a nice area to chill at while we’re at anchor, as it faces the breeze and is sheltered from the sun,” Wong says.

“Secondly, the galley and furniture are forward-facing, which is especially important for me when I sail alone for long distances, as I can keep a lookout while preparing my meals. The panoramic view also helps reduce my wife’s seasickness.

“Thirdly, I like the helm at the side so I can have visibility of both the flybridge and the aft cockpit and saloon. It also makes berthing much easier for me, as I can have a clear view of the berth without running between port and starboard.”

Wong’s family and friends on his Leopard 50, his second sailing cat

Wong sailed his Leopard 50 up and down both the west and east coast of Peninsular Malaysia during multiple trips to both Phuket in the Andaman Sea and Krabi in the Gulf of Thailand, spending between one and three months there each time and exploring the area.

He also revisited his favourite cruising grounds in Indonesia while becoming increasingly attracted to exploring remote areas and engaging with people not typically used to visitors.

“My favourite part about sailing is the opportunity to visit remote islands not normally accessible by plane or other forms of transport. I’ve learnt a lot about life through the eyes of islanders, who always show us amazing hospitality. Some even brought us on a tour around their islands or invited us to their homes and treated us to delicacies like freshly caught lobsters,” he says.

Wong has become an experienced all-weather sailor

“I used to think about what I can give back as a gift of appreciation for their warm welcome but learnt that material items were not meaningful to them since they lived very simply. Eventually, I decided to bring along an instant printer on board so I could take and print photos of them so they could keep them as memories. I felt this was more meaningful.”

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

Having visited much of Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia’s Riau Archipelago, Wong started to expand his horizons. “I realised I still had so many more destinations I wished to explore so started to set my sights on the South Pacific, which I’d heard so much about.”

Wong painstakingly planned and mapped out a three-year journey that would take in Tahiti and other islands in French Polynesia, researching online and consulting friends who had sailed in the area. Finally, on February 2, 2020, he embarked on his journey from Singapore with two friends, although he was soon sailing alone after they disembarked in Indonesia at the end of the month.

Wong can live for months alone at sea

“I had the opportunity to spend time at many remote islands that were over 100nm away from the mainland, islands with no electricity or Wi-Fi, islands I don’t even know the names of. As always, I met many amazing islanders who never hesitated to show me around.”

Wong was heading towards Papua New Guinea, where he planned to stock up on fuel and food, but his Raymarine auto-pilot broke while still in Indonesian waters. Seeking a harbour, he was sent away as lockdown had just begun.

As he neared PNG, his family informed him that it had also closed its borders. Soon, all the South Pacific islands were in lockdown. He continued east to remote Tuvalu, where he couldn’t land but was

allowed to buy food and fuel, using his rubber dinghy on a line to make the exchange at sea.

In Tuvalu, Wong was able to buy food from local authorities

As if things weren’t tough enough for Wong, strong winds from Cyclone Harold a full 500nm away led to Ximula III hitting coral and damaging a propeller. Back home, his family contacted Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which tried to secure a place for him to dock in Fiji.

“My family were very worried when borders started closing and I was facing trouble, being chased out of islands where I was trying to seek shelter,” he says. “I constantly kept them updated on my location and status whenever I had some data connection, but it was still a scary situation when things were breaking down and I could not find shelter to fix these issues.”

FINDING FRIENDS IN FIJI

Good news finally arrived when he was informed that he would be allowed into Fiji if he passed a Covid test, which he was confident of passing after spending three months at sea and two months completely alone.

Wong, who has been in Fiji since the end of April 2020, wants to continue exploring the Asia-Pacific

“We’re still very thankful to our Singapore Government for responding to our call for help and reaching out to various countries to allow me entry. The wait was stressful, but we managed to get special approval from Fiji, considering the good relationship both countries have and the desperate condition I was in,” Wong says.

“We’re also immensely grateful to the Fiji Rescue Coordination Center for taking over the whole situation. They monitored my location, communicated with my family and provided them with updates, and eventually towed me out of the strong winds and currents to safe harbour. They were super professional and helpful.”

Due to the media coverage, Wong was contacted by and met many international sailors and fellow Singaporeans based in Fiji, where he has made himself at home, living on Ximula III.

“On my journey, I’ve met and been inspired by many Singaporean couples or families who live on the water and many international sailors who have sailed around the world,” he says. “There’s an amazing sailing community here in Fiji and I’ve made many friends from many different countries.”

Wong will continue his South Pacific journey on Ximula III once borders open

Wong has also had ongoing support from Leopard, which continues to advise on repairs and offer help on his travels, having also assisted with parts and spares before he set off.

Once borders open, Wong still plans to use Fiji as his base as he resumes his journey around the South Pacific before eventually sailing back to Singapore and stopping at islands he visited on his outward leg. As of now, Wong doesn’t harbour any dreams of crossing the Pacific or travelling around the world.

“I have not even covered the Philippines, which has over 7,000 islands, so I believe Southeast Asia and the South Pacific are enough to keep me excited for at least 10 more years.”
www.leopardcatamarans.com
www.facebook.com/tc.wong.98

Leopard adds new spot on 42
One of seven models reviewed in Issue 60 that will appear at the Cannes Yachting Festival, the new Leopard 42 has evolved from a proven design and added a new hangout spot with its upper lounge to offer a practical, seaworthy and spacious entry-level model. By Kevin Green.

Farfalla Marine: Majesty and more in Asia

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Farfalla Marine: Majesty and more in Asia

August 25, 2021
1:27 am

Farfalla Marine represents the Majesty, Nomad, Oryx and Silvercraft brands as Gulf Craft’s Brand Ambassador in Hong Kong and four Southeast Asian countries. As it bids to raise the UAE builder’s presence in this region, offering models from 31-175ft, the well-connected dealership is offering special packages including yacht management, crew training and even marina berthing.

The Majesty 100, one of Gulf Craft’s most popular superyachts

When Gulf Craft announced the delivery of the 10th hull of its Majesty 100, one of the best-selling models of its flagship brand, the builder’s management team were proud that the yacht would be spending time in Turkey before exploring the Mediterranean.

Mohammed Alshaali, the shipyard’s co-founder and Chairman, said the new delivery would “take Gulf Craft’s flag to more exotic destinations”. Meanwhile, CEO Talal Nasralla outlined the wide spread of markets the Majesty 100 had been delivered to since the 104ft, 199GT superyacht made her debut at the 2017 Dubai International Boat Show in the UAE, where Gulf Craft was founded in 1982.

“The Majesty 100 has become one of Gulf Craft’s best-selling superyachts,” Nasralla said. “With deliveries made to Europe, Australia, Russia, Middle East, Africa and America, we continue to build our geographic footprint with this amazing vessel.”

Beach club on the Majesty 120

One notable area missing from the list was Asia. However, Farfalla Marine is looking to raise the profile of Gulf Craft in this region following its appointment as a dealer for Majesty and three of the builder’s other brands: Nomad long-range yachts, Oryx sport cruisers and Silvercraft fishing and day boats.

ASIA NETWORK

Co-founded by Managing Director Mark Denny-Fairchilde and the late David Neish, Farfalla Marine represents Gulf Craft in Hong Kong as well as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

Jason Hawkes, Group General Manager, explains that since Farfalla Marine was founded, the company has been working hard and fast to set up an expansive network of offices and partners as it prepares to help Gulf Craft and its yacht brands gain market share in Asia.

Jason Hawkes, Farfalla Marine’s Group General Manager

“Farfalla Marine is a bespoke yacht services company and unique in the region in terms of the breadth of services and partnerships we offer our clients,” says Hawkes, who has been based in Hong Kong since 1994, also working in Shanghai for three years.

“The company was founded on the principles of providing an exceptional level of customer service, offering bespoke luxury yacht hospitality management and advanced crew training services to satisfy the needs of yacht owners seeking the ultimate luxury lifestyle experience.”

In Hong Kong, where Michael Shaun Poon is a Partner and Executive Director, the company plans to open a new office and showroom later this year. In Thailand, the dealer has a base in Bangkok, a new office in Phuket Boat Lagoon and is set to open a location in Ocean Marina Yacht Club near Pattaya in the Gulf of Thailand.

Farfalla Marine has opened an office in Phuket Boat Lagoon

In Vietnam, Farfalla Marine has offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Halong Bay, while in neighbouring Cambodia it operates in the capital of Phnom Penh. Brett Matthews, Michael Aumock and Caroline Le oversee operations in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.

The company even has a European presence in the UK, where Simon Toombs works as Group Customer Relationship Director in London, while there are plans to add a new office in Southampton, at Ocean Village Marina.

MAJESTIC RANGE

Farfalla Marine is among a global network of dealers representing Gulf Craft, which is well established as one of the world’s leading yacht builders. North of Dubai, its 4.3-hectare facility in Umm Al Quwain is supported by a service centre in nearby Ajman, while it also has a one-hectare production facility in the Maldives.

Gulf Craft’s Majesty 140

Initially manufacturing small pleasure craft from 1982, Gulf Craft moved up to building yachts about a decade later and since 2000 has been a leading builder of superyachts. Having built over 10,000 boats over almost four decades, the company today builds models across a remarkable range from 31-175ft and has stated its ambition to be among the world’s top-five superyacht builders by 2025.

Internationally, Gulf Craft is best-known for its Majesty Yachts brand and in late May it staged the world premiere of its flagship Majesty 175, the world’s largest composite production superyacht.

Earlier this year, the brand delivered the first hull of the Majesty 120, while other recent models from its superyacht range include the Majesty 140, which exhibited at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in 2019 as part of the company’s strategy to grow in the US market.

The Majesty 120 is a new model

However, Farfalla Marine is currently excited about a yacht at the other end of the brand’s size scale, the new Majesty 49, part of the brand’s yacht line that also includes the Majesty 62 and the new Majesty 62 Maldives, which has been designed for tropical resort environments so is ideal for Farfalla Marine’s Southeast Asian markets.

Hull one of the Majesty 49, fitted with twin Volvo Penta IPS650 engines, is ready for immediate delivery, having been launched over the summer. Hull two of the new 48ft model is expected in November and will feature three or four Mercury Verado V8 400hp outboards.

Farfalla Marine is offering a special deal for the Majesty 49 in two of its key markets in Asia. In Hong Kong, the purchase price includes a three-year membership at the new Lantau Yacht Club, a 12 month management package, advanced crew training and AGlaze hull treatment.

Gulf Craft’s new Majesty 49

In Phuket, the offer includes 12 months of berthing at Boat Lagoon, as well as the 12-month management package, crew training and AGlaze hull treatment that Farfalla Marine offers as standard on all yachts it sells.

MORE BRANDS

While Majesty is Gulf Craft’s flagship brand, Farfalla Marine sells several other yacht brands, products and services. Both Gulf Craft and Farfalla Marine have high hopes in Asia for Nomad Yachts.

Nomad’s collection of long-range models from 55-95ft include the explorer-style 65 SUV, 75 SUV and 95 SUV, which each feature vertical windshields on both the main deck and enclosed skylounge, as well as a main-deck master suite.

Gulf Craft’s Nomad 65 Fly with solar power

Nomad also produces the 55, 65 and 75 Fly models, which have open flybridges and a more conventional superstructure. Farfalla Marine is a strong supporter of the new Nomad 65 Fly with a solar-power system, three guest cabins, two crew cabins and a grand range of 2,500nm at eight knots.

In terms of smaller models, the dealer believes the Oryx 379 sports cruiser and Silvercraft’s brand-new SilverCat Lux 40 with solar power – hull one was recently launched – could prove popular in Asia.

“Gulf Craft models are perfect for Farfalla Marine’s Asian regions because of their specs,” Hawkes says. “With the extreme heat in the UAE, Gulf Craft produces yachts particularly well suited to hot and humid climates, just like in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. On all its models, it provides superior air-conditioning units that are often 30-40 per cent more powerful than those supplied by typical European shipyards.”

The Nomad 75 SUV from the line of long-range yachts

Farfalla Marine is also a Brand Ambassador for Dominator Yachts and enjoys a close relationship with the European builder’s principals. Models include the Ilumen 28M, other Ilumen yachts and the new Mini-Ilumen bespoke luxury tenders.

“Bespoke services are the main strength of Farfalla Marine Group, so Dominator Yachts is an ideal partner,” Hawkes says. “Dominator is a renowned international shipyard that creates fully-customised superyachts, and the Farfalla Marine ethos is to establish a bond with its clients that goes beyond the simple shipyard-owner relationship.”

Silent-Yachts appoints Farfalla Marine
Silent-Yachts, a global leader in solar-electric catamarans, has appointed Farfalla Marine as its official dealer in three Southeast Asian countries.

In August, Silent-Yachts, a pioneer in sustainable yachting, appointed Farfalla Marine as its official dealer in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. Silent-Yachts is currently building a new generation of models starting with the Silent 60, which is being built by the brand’s own shipyard in Italy and PMG Shipyard in Thailand, and will premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival from September 7-12.

“Silent-Yachts is a perfect, modern brand to add to Farfalla Marine’s portfolio,” Hawkes said. “They produce the most ‘silent’ yachts out there with their superb, beautiful and fully solar-powered catamarans.”

TOYS & PARTNERS

Along with its emphasis on yacht management and service, the dealership has also secured representation of several electric water toys that can easily be carried on most of the yachts it sells.

Farfalla Marine’s toy portfolio includes Sublue underwater scooters

Farfalla Marine’s toy store includes Sublue underwater scooters and Wave Jam jet boards, both of which are hand-held and can operate for about an hour on a single charge. The company also sells Waydoo hydrofoils, which allow users to ‘surf’ above the water at up to 42kmh.

Partners are another of the dealer’s strengths and include AGlaze and MMaximus Yacht Hospitality Academy, which supplies silver-service crew training and can train crew to the highest level in any of their territories.

Farfalla Marine believes it’s essential to offer customers a global network of partners that unite the luxury yachting sector and the luxury product and luxury lifestyle industries. Already, it has collaborated with 30-plus high-end brands, which provide added benefits for yacht owners and shared branding.

Interior of the Gulf Craft Majesty 120

In the luxury yachting sector, the company’s extensive partner network covers services such as naval architecture and yacht design, charter, superyacht fuel, superyacht accessories, insurance, financing, registration, administration, customs support, marine consultation, management, marina development and even yacht scents.

Other partners represent private jets, chauffeur services, travel, hospitality, lifestyle management and legal advisory through to shopping, fashion, linens, chandeliers, sculptures and bespoke corporate gifts.

Majesty is Gulf craft’s flagship range

“Our clients are our friends and they’re taken care of through personalised customer-care programmes such as our exclusive Farfalla Marine Club,” Hawkes says.

“This is available worldwide to both existing and future yacht owners and to our partners, offering special benefits from exclusive dining events to private jet charter offers and bespoke VIP shopping. A client once, a friend forever!”

www.farfallamarinegroup.com

www.gulfcraftinc.com

www.silent-yachts.com

Gulf Craft orders soar in 2021
The Middle East builder announced that orders in the first half of 2021 are already well above its total for all of 2020, as it looks ahead to the world premiere of its flagship Majesty 175 at the Monaco Yacht Show.

Aquila’s Lex Raas: Driving the Cat Pack (Part 2)

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Aquila’s Lex Raas: Driving the Cat Pack (Part 2)

August 23, 2021
9:37 pm

Part two of Yacht Style’s interview with Lex Raas of MarineMax, who has spent the past decade driving the global popularity of powercats with Aquila. It’s the South African’s latest industry-shaking move, having helped create Leopard Catamarans and led the rapid growth of charter multihulls with The Moorings.

Lex Raas, President of Aquila, at his home in Hawaii

What has been the feedback to the underwater Hydro Glide Foil System developed by Morrelli & Melvin, first made available on the Aquila 36 Sport?

It’s amazing how much take-up we’ve had. It has been chosen on about a third of the orders since it has been available. It works amazingly well and improves efficiency and ride. It’s more foil assist than really foiling. To get the same speed as twin 300hp engines and the foil, you’d put on twin 400hps and no foil.

Both would reach the upper 40s in mph, but the 300s offer better economy because most of the time people are running the boats at 35-37mph (30-32 knots). With the foil, you’ve got 35 per cent more range or efficiency at those speeds. That’s massive. The foil has less depth than the props so you can beach the boat – they’re strong. We’re putting them on the 44, where the efficiency or range improves by about 18 per cent and the ride is notably better because the foil lifts the boat so there’s more tunnel clearance.

Aquila’s Lex Raas: Driving the Cat Pack (Part 1)
Lex Raas of US-based MarineMax has spent the past decade driving the global popularity of powercats with Aquila. It’s the South African’s latest industry-shaking move, having also helped create Leopard Catamarans and led the rapid growth of charter multihulls with The Moorings during a 50-year career in building boats.

The challenge is that the 32 may often have the same engines as the 36 and many people simply choose to pay the extra money to get an extra cabin, extra toilet, more space. Most times we lose a 32 sale to a 36, not to another brand, which is fine for us. Sales are not as strong as the 36, but I’m confident the 32 will do well as there’s now more separation on price – we needed to keep the price ‘lanes’ further apart.

Moving to the other end of your range, why did you launch the first units of the 54 Yacht and the new flagship 70 Luxury at the same time?

By accident! The 70 was designed and developed a long time before the 54. We did a lot of surveys because we had to see how to differentiate the 70 from the competitors out there. A lot of motor yacht owners and buyers were interested in large powercats but didn’t like the ‘squared-off’ look and wanted something sleeker and sexier.

The Aquila 54 features a cockpit bar connected to the open aft galley

They also wanted speed more like a monohull motor yacht of that size, so the 70 is a relatively narrow powercat. It was also intended to be semi-production, maybe a couple of units a year, with a flexible interior, high-end furniture and equipment, carbon-fibre bulkheads and so on.

Our 48 had not been as successful in the private market as the 44, so we had a big gap between the 44 and 70, and the 54 fits right in. The 54 is a production boat and the beam-to length ratio is more like the 44 and cats by other traditional catamaran builders.

The Aquila 54’s optional full-beam master suite is forward of the saloon

We started developing the 54 much later than the 70 but we got so interested in the 54 that we fast-tracked its development. The 70’s launch was slowed down because of this and it just so happened the first units came out at the same time.

Have you been surprised by sales of the 54? They’re astonishing for a big new boat. It’s crazy. I’ve never known a boat sell so well even before it has been shown. The 54 follows the looks of the 70 even though it’s almost as wide (it has a 25ft 2in beam compared to 26ft 11in on the 70). It’s a very high-volume boat with the option of three, four or five cabins, so there’s flexibility in the design. The forward full-beam master suite is a massive thing. J&J did a magnificent job.

The Aquila 54 features an innovative crane concealed in the flybridge overhang

It also has a cool crane system that I designed with J&J and uses Harken sailboat equipment. The crane slides aft out of the flybridge to attach to the dinghy, extends to put the dinghy in the water, then retracts. It keeps the boat looking clean. The 70 has a central platform that tilts like a slipway, which is quicker but uses up length, which we can afford on the 70 but not the 54.

How has Aquila grown since 2017 from being a US-centric brand to becoming genuinely global including growing sales in Asia, where Simpson Marine is among dealers?

Yvan Eymieu has done a really good job since becoming International Sales and Distribution Manager in 2017. Business is about people. I knew Yvan from The Moorings, managed to convince him to join us and he’s been stellar. I’ve been asking him what he’s eating because we need to share it!

Aquila’s new flagship 70 Luxury

He has pushed us hard in certain areas to consider his markets. On the 54, we have a full Asian layout, on the 70 we have a full Asian layout which is also somewhat European with the galley below, so there’s a much more open saloon. There are now a range of layouts ready to go.

Interestingly, when he was first setting up the international network, he was looking at catamaran dealers, then we all realised we should be working with motor yacht dealers and positioning ourselves differently. Look at MarineMax itself, for starters, which is selling Azimut, Galeon and Aquila. As well as catamaran lovers, we’re also appealing to monohull motor yacht owners.

The Aquila 70 has a purpose-built 14ft tender stored in the central platform

Some people were worried about a new catamaran brand, but if I hear of someone else building catamarans, I’m like, ‘bring it on’, because I believe there’s room for all of us. Catamarans are just starting. The more people marketing catamarans, the better for all of us and it’ll drive all of us to keep building better boats.

Your son Jean is CEO of Sino Eagle’s US office, while Alain was appointed Aquila’s Brand Manager last year. How is it working with your sons – and do you have any other family working with you?

Ha ha – we have another son, David, and a daughter who’s a doctor. Jean and David used to work at The Moorings with me, then David moved into marketing and has his own company. Last year, we were looking for a Brand Manager and Alain said he was interested, so I suggested he speak to Dave Bigge, our VP of International Sales. He said, wow, he’ll be perfect. I didn’t hire Alain, but I’m proud he’s onboard. Working with family can be a double-edged sword, but people know I’m tougher on family than others.

The platform and aft steps on the Aquila 70 create ‘stadium seating’

Alain reports to Dave Bigge, while Jean is part of Sino Eagle, so he reports to Frank Xiong. It’s cool to be able to work with two of my sons. I don’t know how many more years I’ll keep doing this, so hopefully they can take over some of my work!

How do you feel looking back at what you’ve achieved, particularly in the catamaran sector?

The true success of Leopard and now Aquila have been due to the management executives at the various times to support my vision, even though it seemed ‘right field’ to most industry folk at those times. Right from racing rowing boats at school, racing sailboats later and the 50 years I’ve spent developing boats and in executive positions at marine companies, I’ve recognised you need the right people around you to get to the top.

The roomy aft cockpit on the Aquila 70 Luxury

While my vision may seem related to the product, that’s only a third of what I focus on with a new brand. As mentioned, the other two are distribution and manufacturing, and they’re more difficult to establish. You need all three to succeed.

For Aquila, we now have one of the best boat factories in the world with the Xiong family, MarineMax as distributors in the US led by Brett McGill, and the amazing work that Yvan [Eymieu] has done in setting up an international dealer network that represents the best in their markets. It has been truly a remarkable result in the few years that Aquila has existed.

The Aquila 70 interior features Natuzzi furniture from Italy

It has taken a village of amazing folk to get to where we are today, building 14ft to 70ft pure power catamarans. And the cool thing is, we’re only getting started.

http://www.aquilaboats.com

http://www.simpsonmarine.com

LEX RAAS, PRESIDENT, AQUILA

Raas is co-founder and President of Aquila Power Catamarans, a collaboration between MarineMax and Sino Eagle (Aquila is Latin for eagle). Born in South Africa, he owned a sailboat manufacturing facility before becoming a local dealer for Beneteau. From 1986-1994, Raas worked for Beneteau, firstly as Technical Commercial Manager in France, then in the US heading Customer Service and Engineering before becoming CEO of Beneteau USA, and again in France as Director of Design. In 1994, Raas began 16 years with The Moorings charter company in the US, instigating the production of Leopard catamarans at Robertson & Caine in South Africa. Initially Director of Logistics, he was promoted to VP of Operations in 1997 and CEO in 2001 and oversaw the company’s merger with Sunsail. In January 2012, Raas joined MarineMax as President of Charter and Special Initiatives.

Aquila’s Lex Raas: Driving the Cat Pack (Part 1)
Lex Raas of US-based MarineMax has spent the past decade driving the global popularity of powercats with Aquila. It’s the South African’s latest industry-shaking move, having also helped create Leopard Catamarans and led the rapid growth of charter multihulls with The Moorings during a 50-year career in building boats.

Aquila’s Lex Raas: Driving the Cat Pack (Part 1)

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Aquila’s Lex Raas: Driving the Cat Pack (Part 1)

August 16, 2021
10:34 pm

Lex Raas of US-based MarineMax has spent the past decade driving the global popularity of powercats with Aquila. It’s the South African’s latest industry-shaking move, having also helped create Leopard Catamarans and led the rapid growth of charter multihulls with The Moorings during a 50-year career in building boats.

Raas at his home in Maui, where he regularly paddles and races in the Pacific Ocean on his multihull outrigger canoe

How did your boating journey around the world begin?

I grew up in South Africa, moved to France, then moved to the US, France and US again, and spend much of the year in Hawaii. We’ve dragged our kids through three continents, which has been fun and good for everybody, I believe.

I’ve been in the boating game all my life, really. My dad was very much into sailing and racing, so I grew up sailing and skiff rowing in South Africa. I dropped out of school and started building boats, building my first trimaran when I was 15. I’m now 65, so I’ve spent the last 50 years in the industry!

I went to college for a while and sort of finished up school, but didn’t enjoy it, so went back to building boats. My wife and I had a factory with about 80 staff. We were building small production sailboats, based on Quarter Ton Cup and Half Ton Cup, and I was also racing. In the early 1980s, we became the South Africa importer for Beneteau and that went so well that we shut down our own factory.

The 44 is among Aquila’s Yacht flybridge range featuring inboard engines; Aquila 44 photos by Nicolas Claris

In 1984, sanctions were taking effect, there was a recession and by 1985 the exchange rates divided by three, so it was ‘game over’ for importing boats. One of my kids had finished high school, one was close and the other two were young, so it was time to think what we should do as a family. I saw the challenges in the future in South Africa for my kids.

I reached out to Beneteau and they said I’d have a job with them as soon as I got to France. I didn’t even have it in writing, but we took the kids over to France.

Tell us about your time at Beneteau, which involved more big moves.

At that time, Beneteau was setting up its operation in the US (in Marion, South Carolina). I was about nine months into my job in France when they asked if I wanted to move to the States and I said, let’s go. A lot of my job was almost Americanising the brand, so I was able to learn a lot about the American market. There were significant differences, although there are less today.

The 44 Yacht has been Aquila’s best-selling model

I was CEO of Beneteau USA for a short while, then they asked me to take charge of the entire development office in France, so I went back and spent the last year-and-a-half of my eight years with Beneteau in this role. In those days, Beneteau was the trend-setter by a long shot, so it was a cool role.

What led to the move to The Moorings?

I was selling Beneteau boats to The Moorings, so got to know them well. Because my kids were in high school and university, we wanted to go back to the US and The Moorings offered me a job in 1994. It was a more junior position, Logistics Director, which I’ve done a couple of times when moving companies – take a step down but look up at where we can go. I eventually became CEO and later oversaw the merger with Sunsail. I was with them until 2010, just after the global economic meltdown.

What led to the production of Leopard catamarans at Robertson & Caine in South Africa?

When I joined The Moorings, I oversaw purchasing the boats, specs and customer service. The Moorings had six or seven French-built catamarans. I had always been a bit of a multihull guy and thought catamarans was the way to go.

As shown on the Aquila 44, the high platform steps double as seats

At that point, there was only a handful of catamarans in the Caribbean and I surveyed people who used them. Fundamentally, they loved catamarans, but they didn’t like certain aspects like the galley being below deck, the traveller in the cockpit and engines too small for when they wanted to motor upwind.

I realised catamarans were the future of charter, made a presentation to build some new designs and got the go-ahead from the Executive Committee. Then they asked who was going to build them. I needed to find a builder, but nobody was interested. I approached the big catamaran builders in France, but they wouldn’t make the changes I wanted, which included a big platform at the back, traveller on the top and a lot of other things that are normal on catamarans today.

Aquila’s signature features include the cockpit bar connected to the aft galley

In the end, I called up my buddy John Robertson in South Africa, where we had built some racing boats together and asked him if he was interested in building some cats. We talked and that’s how it started. The Moorings placed an order for 18 Leopards.

We launched the Moorings 4500 (Leopard 45) in 1997 and it won Boat of the Year straight out of the block and the huge growth in catamarans in The Moorings began. We went from cats making up a few per cent of our fleet to 60 per cent by the time I left in 2010. Sailing cats had been super niche, but now they’re mainstream.

So, what led to the power catamarans?

That’s a fun story as well. At The Moorings, we started a power charter business called Nautic Blue. We bought some monohull motor yachts because we thought powerboat owners wouldn’t even think of power catamarans – there were no powercats back then. However, we had a lot of issues with reliability, props, shafts, because they just weren’t built for charter.

The forward stairs from the flybridge to the cockpit are another signature Aquila feature

The interesting thing is that the boat would break down and we’d tell the customers they could use a sailing cat, but don’t put up the sails – just drive it. Then guys were coming back, saying, ‘Wow, we’re back next year! This is the best vacation we’ve had.’ And that was all because they’d been on a catamaran. So, then we just converted the sailboat hulls, added to a flybridge, and that’s how Leopard powercats started in 2005.

We changed the name Nautic Blue to Moorings Power. We originally chose Nautic Blue, a different brand, because we thought powerboaters and sailors don’t really mix, but that was rubbish. They do mix because they all just want to have a good time in the Caribbean. By the end of 2010, after 16 years, I left on a one-year non-compete clause and then started working for MarineMax.

A cabin on the Aquila 44 Yacht

How did joining MarineMax lead so quickly to Aquila?

We started MarineMax Vacations and Aquila at pretty much the same time. As MarineMax is a powerboat company, we decided to focus on building powercats because there were already a lot of sailing cats in the Caribbean and Leopard were the only real powercats. I was lucky to have the support of Bill McGill, co-founder and then-CEO and the father of current CEO Brett McGill.

We asked quite a few builders, but each said they didn’t see a future for powercats, so there I was again, looking for a builder. This time, we approached Sino Eagle because they had built some Leopards, so there was a relationship. I called Frank Xiong of Sino Eagle and put him together with Bill McGill and we started Aquila, with MarineMax placing some orders.

The Aquila 36 Sport became one of the best-selling motor yachts in the US of its size

On both occasions (starting Leopard and Aquila), if I hadn’t really believed in what I was doing, it could easily have not happened. However, I’ve been very fortunate in having great support each time. I’ve worked for the world’s biggest sailboat builder, the biggest charter boat business, now I work for the biggest boat retail business and all of them had incredible people to work with.

I could never have done what I’ve done without these people and CEOs like Bill McGill, who supported me even when there was a lot of opposition in the industry and sometimes internally. They’ve all changed their minds now. And I’m still here at MarineMax, heading development at Aquila and keeping the relationship with Sino Eagle on a strong footing.

How did Aquila grow from building powercats for MarineMax Vacations?

I need to emphasise that the charter business is such a small piece of Aquila. We’ve probably only got about 20 or so boats in the MarineMax Vacations fleet, so charter is a tiny piece of our business compared to other catamaran builders.

The hugely popular Aquila 36 is available in multiple versions

The Aquila boats were really developed as private boats and adapted a bit for charter, the opposite to some other brands. What I quickly realised when I joined MarineMax is there is no better company to sell boats. They are amazing, ultra-professional. They have everything covered for a boat owner.

I always say, no stool stands on one leg. To have a successful business model in the boating industry, you need three legs: innovation, distribution and manufacturing. If any of those aren’t working, it’s not a long-term play. We’ve used J&J Design from the beginning and now we’ve expanded to other designers because we’re moving into different segments of the industry.

Aft view of two versions of the Aquila 36 Sport

Which models and features have established Aquila’s reputation?

The 44 Yacht was the first boat of that size with a full-beam master cabin, so that was a real breakthrough. The forward stairs from the flybridge to the foredeck became part of our DNA for the inboard boats and it’s so practical, so you see it on the new 54 Yacht and 70 Luxury.

Innovation is sometimes taking two good ideas and making them into a great idea. Quite often, a lot of the things I did, I wouldn’t say it was completely my idea. Probably someone has already done it, but they didn’t do the other three things that connected to it and brought it all together.

The 32 is currently Aquila’s entry-level Sport model

The aft bar connecting the cockpit and the galley was new when we started but is common now. Because you have so much room on cats, you need to create different places to hang out. Another feature I like is our steps from the swim platform. They’re high but if you turn around, you’ll see they’re big enough to use as seats and face the water. We have almost stadium seating at the back of the boat.

For our bigger boats, we have bulbs at the front of the hulls. Cats have quite narrow bows and carry a lot of weight due to the flybridge and hardtop. For example, the 44 is a relatively short boat with a lot of height. If you’re going into chop, the bulb creates an enormous amount of additional buoyancy, which dampens the motion, so all our inboard yachts have bulbs.

The Aquila 32 Sport was relaunched in 2021 with an extended hull, fixed swim platform plus new seating configuration and hardtop

Our next most popular boat was the 36, a fast outboard with two cabins; it’s like a crossover with motor yachts. It created a completely new position in the market and took a lot of market share against established monohull yacht brands in the US. We can’t build them fast enough.

We recently created the Cruiser version by adding aft sliding doors, so you can enclose the saloon. We now have three versions: the real sporty version with the low windscreen; the full-height windscreen with the back open, which I call ‘semi-sport’; and now the full windscreen with sliding door, like a proper cabin cruiser.

Note: Part 2 of the Lex Raas ‘Leader’ interview from Yacht Style Issue 60 will follow soon

Multihulls Special 2021: Aquila joins ‘big league’
Yacht Style’s annual Multihulls Special highlights how Aquila has joined the big league of catamaran builders with the releases of its fast-selling 54 and flagship 70 models.

GMBA’s Oscar Siches on superyacht rules and regulations

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

GMBA’s Oscar Siches on superyacht rules and regulations

August 16, 2021
10:19 pm

Oscar Siches of Global Marine Business Advisors (GMBA) sheds light on large yacht certifications, the main classification organisations and other yachting bodies.

When we see ‘Lloyd’s’ in any boat or ship documentation, images arise of engineers wearing helmets and contorting themselves in cramped places within ship’s bilges or a yacht’s engine room – and this association is fair. Lloyd’s is the oldest marine classification society, assuring quality in the design, construction and maintenance of a vessel.

To confirm, Lloyd’s Register does not have any connections with Lloyd’s insurance and Lloyds Bank, although it does share some history with Lloyd’s List shipping intelligence. In London almost 300 years ago, Edward Lloyd was the owner of Lloyd’s coffee house on Lombard Street, where ship owners and insurers got together to exchange news about their ships. In 1734, Lloyd circulated a sheet with all the shipping news he had, which would become the Lloyd’s List.

In 1760, he and his customers created the Register of Shipping, where all events of each ship were recorded to evaluate risk and provide information about the condition of the vessel. Through various changes of protocol and of the organisation itself, it became the Lloyd’s Register of Shipping (LR) in 1914. Ships were qualified by quality of hull (with a letter) and quality of mast, rigging and other equipment (with a number).

As an example, a ship or boat qualified as Lloyd’s

✠ 100 A1 LMC today means:

✠ New ship built under special survey in compliance with LR rules

100 Suitable for sea-going service

A Hull built or accepted into class by LR rules and maintained in good and efficient condition

1 Good and efficient condition of anchoring and mooring equipment as per LR rules

LMC Propelling and auxiliary machinery constructed, installed and tested under LR rules

CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES

Most other classification societies started in the 19th century, copied the concept, and the protocols are similar. Lloyd’s is the toughest, which often means it can be more expensive to fulfil their requirements, and some users prefer their yachts to be qualified by other societies that are ‘softer’ in their conditioning, while always respecting safety and quality.

Examples of this can be the time between full inspections or the wear allowed for the links in an anchor chain. But Lloyd’s is still Lloyd’s, recognised everywhere and the one calling the shots. IACS (International Association of Classification Societies) is constantly trying to harmonise the classification terms.

The 12 current members are American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Bureau Veritas (France), China Classification Society (CCS), ClassNK (Japan), Croatian Register of Shipping (CRS), DNV (Norway), Indian Register of Shipping, Korean Register, Lloyd’s Register (UK), PRS (Poland),

RINA (Italy) and Russian Maritime Register of Shipping.

Most classification societies created a special yacht department to deal with the recreational marine sector, where UK-based Lloyd’s and US-based ABS together share more than 60 per cent of the international large yacht fleet.

Lloyd’s Register class has been issued to boats (ships) larger than 24m or 100GT since the 1970s. GT is a cargo (space) volume calculation and should not be mistaken for displacement, which is the weight (mass) of the boat. For example, a rectangular barge with a length of 50m, a 10m beam and a height of 4m would have a volume of 2,000 cubic metres.

Allowing for 100 cubic metres of machinery and crew space, its remaining volume would measure 1,900GT, the space dedicated to ‘cargo’. The exact formula is a little more complicated, but this should explain the basic concept.

SUPERYACHTS AND MEGAYACHTS

Over a decade ago, the aim of an ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations) meeting in Fort Lauderdale was to establish an international agreement on what was a ‘superyacht’ and what was a ‘megayacht’.

A load-line length of 24m was the agreed size to establish the start of the superyacht category. It was easy as some countries already used that measurement to define skipper licensing or areas

of navigation.

Building a yacht above 24m affects various issues including using certified welders for constructing the hull, stability requirements, shaft material and diameter, fuel tanks, feeding pipes and vents. There is little room to ‘cut corners’ on technical design quality and building standards, which affects design and construction costs. The actual classification process is a small cost when embedded from the outset of the project.

However, defining a megayacht was a bit more difficult, with 60m (200ft) viewed as a reasonable starting point. However, in the USA, it’s still common to call a yacht of over 60m a superyacht, while across whole of Europe, 24m is viewed as the starting point for such yachts.

To complicate things further, The Superyacht Report, as the leading source for large-yacht news, published their large yacht fleet data starting from 30m (100ft). Due to the list’s popularity, lots of people associate superyachts as starting from 30m. The inconsistency of the definition remains to this day. No global body has managed to make a standard prevail and be globally accepted.

KEY ORGANISATIONS

Aside from classification societies, I’d like to highlight some other organisations relevant to yachts. MARPOL (‘Maritime Pollution’) is The International Convention for the prevention of Pollution from Ships and is under the IMO (International Maritime Organization), a body formed by 174 countries, 80 NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and 74 GOs (governmental organizations).

MARPOL started in 1973 and entered into force in 1983. It is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes. MARPOL covers possible pollution under six annexes: oil, noxious liquid substances in bulk, packaged harmful substances, sewage from ships, garbage from ships, and air pollution from ships.

A misconception is that MARPOL only applies to big ships or large yachts. This is not the case. MARPOL applies to every ship or craft on the water, whether it’s a small rowing boat or a supertanker. Pollution is pollution.

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) is an international maritime treaty which sets minimum safety standards in the construction, equipment and operation of merchant ships. The convention requires signatory flag states to ensure that ships flagged by them comply with these standards.

The first version of SOLAS Treaty was passed in 1914 in response to the sinking of the Titanic passenger liner. Yachts must comply with SOLAS chapter V independent of size or tonnage.

SOLAS Chapter V: Safety of Navigation:

This chapter requires governments to ensure that all vessels are sufficiently and efficiently manned from a safety point of view. It places requirements on all vessels regarding voyage and passage planning, expecting a careful assessment of any proposed voyages by all who put to sea. Every mariner must take account of all potential dangers to navigation, weather forecasts, tidal predictions, the competence of the crew and all other relevant factors. It also adds an obligation for all vessels’ masters to offer assistance to those in distress and controls the use of lifesaving signals with specific requirements regarding danger and distress messages. It is different from the other chapters, which apply to certain classes of commercial shipping, in that these requirements apply to all vessels and their crews, including yachts and private craft, on all voyages and trips including local ones.

All other SOLAS regulations apply to commercial yachts over 12 passengers and yachts over 500GT (+/-50m/180ft). The 500GT SOLAS compliance is like a classification but concentrates on safety issues of human life at sea. A yacht over 500GT can’t use wood over a certain thickness within the guest or crew accommodation.

Fire prevention and fighting systems are specified, and GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) must be implemented, with increased provisions and regulations for radio systems, electronic emergency call devices, liferafts, life jackets, other safety floating devices and so on. SOLAS-approved equipment can be easily identified with a small rudder wheel mark.

International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) is part of SOLAS and compulsory for any yacht over 500GT and its flag. ISPS is a safety protocol both for the yacht and for the harbour, which should adjust the security levels accordingly. A yacht with a lower security level should increase it (eg. by posting more crew on watch).

A harbour with a lower security level should act accordingly (eg. by creating a fenced perimeter around the quay where the yacht is tied up). Each ISPS harbour and yacht must have a security officer within their crew or personnel who is responsible for the adequate set-up of the security measures.

The International Safety Management (ISM) Code was triggered by the sinking of the Herald of Free Enterprise ferry in 1987. The accident was the result of a sum of onboard actions that were neglected or incorrectly executed.

ISM takes care of procedures for conducting both internal and external audits to ensure the ship is doing what is documented in the procedure’s manual. That includes but is not limited to crew training, periods of watches, maintenance, certification of safety equipment or regular management reviews.

Finally, if you’d like a compact summary of such regulations, download Manta Maritime’s ‘The rules and regulations applicable to yachts over 24m in length + engaged on international voyages’: www.mantamaritime.com/downloads/compliance_chart.pdf

OSCAR SICHES, CMP

With a background in navy school, offshore racing and cruising, Siches has broad experience in the boating industry, having skippered sail and power yachts in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean for private and charter clients. Born in Argentina and based in Spain, he was a partner and manager of two marinas in Palma de Mallorca. He’s now a consultant for the design and operation of marina projects and a designer of customised marina elements, and has been a speaker at more than 30 marina conferences in 12 countries.

A Certified Marina Manager and Certified Marina Professional, he is also a member of ICOMIA’s Marinas Committee and the PIANC Recreational Navigation Commission, Convenor of ISO/TC 228 Working Group 8 – Yacht Harbours and a founding member of the Asia Pacific Superyacht Association (APSA) and the Global Marina Institute, where he was Director for six years. He’s also one of the founding members of the Global Marine Business Advisors (GMBA), a network of 18 industry senior experts located in 17 countries across five continents available individually or in teams to help expand marine-related businesses.
www.gmba.blue
oscar.siches@gmba.blue

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Profile: Hong Seh Marine shining in Singapore

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Profile: Hong Seh Marine shining in Singapore

August 4, 2021
3:05 pm

Singapore’s Hong Seh Marine represents Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing and Custom Line, plus Boston Whaler, with new yacht sales balanced by thriving brokerage and yacht management divisions.

Hong Seh Marine’s Edward Tan and Della Rugdee on a Ferretti Yachts 780

When Edward Tan and his Hong Seh Marine team settled down for a photo shoot on a Ferretti Yachts 780 in ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove, it was a fitting setting. That’s because two units of the newly styled 780 – both sold by Hong Seh Marine last year – are scheduled to arrive in Singapore in August and September, one for an owner upgrading to his third Ferretti Yachts model.

“It’s just a perfect boat for Singapore,” says Tan, who founded Hong Seh Marine in 2008 as a division of the Hong Seh Group, his family’s business that dates back over eight decades in Singapore. “The number of Ferrettis have definitely increased in Singapore in recent years. It’s really become a player in the market – and the size of the yachts have been increasing.”

Hong Seh Marine at the Singapore Yacht Show

Quickly entrenched as one of Singapore’s leading yacht dealers, Hong Seh Marine recently expanded its office at ONE°15 Marina, where the company and Ferretti Group exhibited an impressive display of models during the annual Singapore Yacht Show in the years prior to Covid.

Even before Hong Seh Marine was founded, the Hong Seh Group had a partnership with Riva from the 1990s. But the Tan family’s boating business origins started long before that, in 1936, when Tan’s great-grandfather and grandfather started a ship chandlery on Beach Road.

That company evolved to trade in chemicals, paints and plastics, with Tan’s father Alfred – currently Managing Director of Hong Seh Group – joining in 1966.

Hong Seh Marine’s Riva sales in recent years include a 110’ Dolcevita (above) and a 100’ Corsaro

The luxury lifestyle focus soon emerged after Alfred Tan created Hong Seh Motors in 1982. Initially focused on car rentals and leasing, he soon acquired the Ferrari dealership and added Maserati in 1999, although Hong Seh Motors is now focused on electric vehicles, importing Tesla into Singapore.

Edward joined the family business in 1997, having graduated from the University of Denver. He recalls being sent to learn the trade at the Ferrari dealership in Mill Valley outside San Francisco.

“I went to understand what it’s like to work at a dealership, to get a different perspective away from the family business, and bring that type of operation back to Singapore,” Tan recalls.

In the meantime, Hong Seh had begun a partnership with Riva and famously sold a 70ft Corsaro 20 to the King of Malaysia in the late 1990s. Tan remembers the sale, having joined His Majesty on a trip soon after the boat was delivered.

The balcony of Hong Seh Marine’s office at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove

“It was a fantastic yacht,” Tan says. “I went on the Riva with His Majesty when he was delivering supplies to villagers up a long river. We were fortunate enough to join his entourage on this yacht, deliver the supplies and then head back to Kuala Lumpur.”

MOVING INTO MARINE

After a decade working in the automobile industry, Tan saw an opportunity to add another arm to the family business and founded Hong Seh Marine in 2008 when it became the official dealer for Riva, which had been part of the fast-expanding Ferretti Group since 2000.

“My father always had a passion for cars – performance cars and specialty cars, and I had always thought about what else I could bring into the business,” Tan says. “We’d been used to seeing the luxury lifestyle and large sums of money transacted while selling Ferrari and Maserati. We saw people enjoying the better things in life and being able to afford it.

Hong Seh Marine sold two units of the newly styled Ferretti Yachts 780 last year

“So, after a few years working in the automotive industry, I realised yachting might be interesting to look into because the clientele is similar and we’re always looking for ways for people to enjoy life.”

For Tan, it was a natural move as he’d always been comfortable in water – “I could swim better than I could run” – and had grown up enjoying the sea and watersports.

“Since I was a kid, I’d always liked being in the water, whether swimming, diving, yachting. That led to me wanting to bring that type of lifestyle to our existing customers and a new group of people that could enjoy it.”

Due to his family’s business ties, Tan says Hong Seh Marine has benefited from “a regular bank of clients”, but says he had to learn the yachting industry from scratch to understand what boat owners require and what it takes to retain them as clients.

Edward Tan founded Hong Seh Marine in 2008

“Our thought has always been to provide our customers with the best possible service at any time. No matter where or when, if you need us, we’ll be there,” he says.

“When we started the marine business, I had to learn how to pilot the boat, maintain a boat, get crew, washing, anti-fouling, ship chandling and so on. At that time, we were cleaning our own boats; now, we provide captain and crew. We started from zero, so I know what first-time boaters go through.

“We want people to enjoy yachting, so we see things from the perspective of an end user, which we also are. We want owners to enjoy yachting as an experience. We provide the full infrastructure, so they don’t have to lift a finger.”

EXPANDING RANGE

Hong Seh Marine made a major move by adding the Ferretti Yachts and Pershing brands to its portfolio in 2013, as Ferretti Group was expanding its presence in the region by opening an Asia Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong.

Pershing sales have included a 74 and the 9X (above), the 92ft X line flagship

“We had been selling Riva for four or five years and felt we wanted to do a little bit more. With Riva, your clients are limited, so we asked Ferretti Group if they’d consider letting us handle other brands,” Tan says.

“Each one has its own characteristic. Riva is the Rolls-Royce of production yachts. Pershing is the ultimate sports car of the seas – high speed, luxurious, a little bit zen. Ferretti Yachts is perfect for bringing friends and family on board to spend quality time. And almost all Ferretti Group boats are Class A certified so we’re not worried when clients travel offshore.”

Hong Seh Marine then underlined its new ambition by opening an office at ONE°15 Marina in 2014. Sales included the Riva 88’ Domino in 2016, while the following year’s sales included Riva’s then flagship 110’ Dolcevita as well as Ferretti Yachts 850, 700, 550 and 450 models.

Hong Seh Marine has expanded its team in recent years

With several of the new owners wanting full-time captains and crew, Hong Seh Marine created a yacht management division in 2017. Crew receive STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) training, and superyacht crew are certified at the Galileo Maritime Academy in Phuket.

GROUP BENEFITS

The yacht-management department has continued to grow over the years as sales rise, with Tan now defining models between 65-100ft as the stable core of the new-yacht sales division. At the same time, brokerage became increasingly significant as owners frequently looked to upgrade, typically within the Ferretti Group portfolio, explains Della Rugdee, Senior Yacht Broker.

“Owners who buy a Ferretti, for example, will typically upgrade within the brand or even within the Group, such as to a Riva or a Custom Line. This is the power of the Group and what they can provide to our clients,” says Rugdee, who joined Hong Seh Marine in 2016.

Senior Yacht Broker Della Rugdee joined Hong Seh Marine in 2016

“It helps a lot having a Ferretti Group office in Asia because we get real-time responses, so we’re not waiting seven-eight hours for Europe. Many have been with Ferretti Group for many years and based in Asia for a long time. Several speak Mandarin, which helps with a lot of our local clients. Overall, our clients feel they’re being well taken care of not just by the dealer but by the shipyard itself, which is why we have so many repeat clients.”

Tan says the Ferretti Group’s international presence is also key for clients, who may have business interests or residences around the globe.

“Our clients are often Singaporean, residing here or with links to Singapore, although some may be in Malaysia, around Asia or in Europe,” he says.

Custom Line sales have included a Navetta 28, a model succeeded by the new Navetta 30 (pictured)

“They might want to keep a boat in Singapore, the south of France, South Africa, Taiwan or Hong Kong, for example, and because we have a relationship, we assist them. And because we’re a representative of the Ferretti Group, we’re able to link our clients with a wide network as the Group has offices all around the globe.”

Hong Seh Marine’s clients also enjoy attending the Ferretti Group’s famously lavish parties including the annual Private Preview in Monaco, where Elton John, Duran Duran, Sting and Lionel Richie have led the entertainment in recent years.

Along with new model launches and premieres around the world, several clients also attended Ferretti Yachts’ spectacular 50^th anniversary in Venice in 2018, featuring an air show by the Italian Air Force.

Hong Seh Marine clients have attended the Ferretti Group Private Preview in Monaco where Lionel Richie performed in 2019

Hong Seh Marine also regularly entertained clients by organising convoy trips to the likes of Indonesia or Malaysia every few months, although that has been curtailed during Covid.

NEW MARKET

The company even expanded its ONE°15 Marina office in 2019, an overall reflection of the steady growth in staff, crew, business divisions and yacht sales. Even during Covid, demand for new yachts has been solid, although sales in Singapore have been limited by stock, with Hong Seh Marine already ordering units for 2022.

However, with residents confined to Singapore, a new generation of boat buyers has emerged, which has bolstered the brokerage market and introduced more clients to the dealer. Before Covid, the revenue split between new and pre-owned sales was 50/50, but now brokerage is dominant, Rugdee says, with the company even selling boats to other parts of Asia and Europe.

Hong Seh Marine has represented Ferretti Yachts since 2013 and last year sold a new 670

“Brokerage is big-volume sales for us. People want to buy a boat and use it right now,” she says. “A lot of new local owners have just got their licence while repeat clients are upgrading with us and some have even expanded their fleet. People buying 30-40-footers are buying from the existing market and the sellers are moving up to 40-50ft.

“We’ve seen younger-generation parents wanting to bring boating and the watersports culture to their kids at a young age and families engage with us because we can take them out on small 20-30ft boats.”

It has been 13 years since Tan founded Hong Seh Marine and Covid has seen his clientele further diversify from solely the owners of the ‘Rolls-Royce of production yachts’, while the recent acquisition of a charter boat, Partybus (see below), is further evidence of a company prepared to evolve.

Hong Seh Marine is Singapore’s leading home-grown yacht dealer

“The Covid period has been good for the yachting industry overall,” he says. “Previously, yachting was seen as more exclusive. Now, you have everybody trying a boat, with people seeing if this lifestyle interests them. I think it has been an eye-opening experience for the people who have never tried it before. They’ve dipped their toes in the water, so in that sense it has been good.”

http://www.hongsehmarine.com.sg

Note: Hong Seh Marine recently acquired its first charter boat, Partybus. For details, see Issue 60’s special feature on charter – the Singapore chapter will soon be published online.

New Ferretti Yachts 780 for Singapore
Two units of the restyled Ferretti Yachts 780 are scheduled to arrive in Singapore through Hong Seh Marine.

Water Revolution Foundation: Driving Superyacht Sustainability

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Water Revolution Foundation: Driving Superyacht Sustainability

June 29, 2021
7:01 pm

Robert Van Tol, Executive Director of Water Revolution Foundation, speaks to Yacht Style about the organisation’s efforts to neutralise the superyacht industry’s ecological footprint.

Louis van Beurden (Treasurer), Dr Vienna Eleuteri (Vice Chair), Robert Van Tol (Executive Director), Henk De Vries (Chair), Martin Redmayne (Board Member) and Philippe Briand (Board Member)

What led to the creation of the Water Revolution Foundation?

The founders wanted to get like-minded yachting companies together to work on tackling the industry’s environmental impact and reducing the use of valuable natural resources. With its affluent clientele, yachting is in a very strategic position to drive change and be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.

Being innovative, often even custom building, and with a strong passion for the water and exploring the beauty of nature, yachting has all ingredients to become a force for positive change and a steward of our beloved oceans. The realisation and utilisation of this position was missing, so Water Revolution Foundation was founded to provide a collaborative platform to drive sustainability.

How does the organisation collaborate with other yachting bodies also working towards setting standards on environmental and operational issues?

We naturally seek collaboration where it fits. We work closely with SYBAss (Superyacht Builders Association), which has permanent consultancy status to represent the interest of the superyacht industry at IMO (International Maritime Organization).

We are in contact with ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations), PYA (Professional Yachting Association), LYBRA (Leading Yacht Brokers Association), Yacht Club de Monaco and other organisations. Wherever we see fit, we look for and welcome collaboration.

How is the Foundation appealing to superyacht builders and owners?

Yachting is a specific niche within the maritime sector. Where commercial shipping mostly looks at the economic ROI, yachting has different drivers for its clients to purchase a yacht and how to approach the reduction of environmental impact. We believe rewarding those who invest in more environmentally friendly technology is more effective and a positive approach that we need as an emotionally driven, niche sector.

It all starts with measuring, which is why we launched our Yacht Assessment Tool, a software tool customised for large yachts that’s able to assess the entire environmental impact of these complex products. It’s based on life-cycle assessment (LCA), so it not only assesses the impact when it operates but includes the build, maintenance and refit stages a yacht goes through in its life cycle.

By comparing and rating yachts on their environmental credentials, we expect the incentives to be worth the investments and that clients will want to go far beyond only fuel savings. It will hopefully lead to a new summum of luxury, sustainable luxury.

Damen Yachting (SeaXplorer 77 La Datcha pictured) is an Anchor Partner

We’re working on expanding the list of benefits for yachts with a better rating. However, we also take care of the existing fleet by providing the tools to scientifically assess and improve the yachts, to be upgraded on the rating index.

With our newly launched Database of Sustainable Solutions, we also aim to collect, verify and promote existing sustainable solutions that everyone should be aware of and should implement, and where new R&D budgets can further build upon. These solutions are expected to provide concrete ways to upgrade the yachts, showing how all our tools are interlinked.

What has been the feedback on the Yacht Assessment Tool?

Assessing provides insights to what the impact factually is and where most of this impact comes from. This provides the basic information on how to improve with the quickest and most significant reduction. It also provides for a re-thinking process of choices, such as in build materials, onboard systems, interior materials and energy load.

The first success lies in the conversations and reconsiderations that are coming from the assessment and the data collection that’s required, which wasn’t a topic two years ago. This will lead to more conscious and better-informed decisions, both for the industry, such as designers and builders, and for clients and their teams.

How was the Foundation’s superyacht designers roundtable earlier this year?

Yacht designers are major influencers of any new project because they’re involved so early on, when a lot is still possible. Recognising this shared responsibility and especially opportunity strengthens the group to make forward-thinking proposals to their clients. Yet they also recognised what support they need to take on this role. Sharing knowledge and solutions is the way forward, so we’re looking for regular editions of this roundtable, which started spontaneously.

Sanlorenzo (62Steel pictured) is another Anchor Partner

How is the Yacht Environmental Transparency Index progressing?

We have been working on YETI since March 2019. It was initiated to better showcase effects of new technology proposed for new projects and to reward the choice of these solutions. This index became our first joint industry project, with 11 leading shipyards, four naval architecture companies and three knowledge institutes collaborating to develop a very sophisticated rating system for large yachts.

Yachts are very complex and we again need to take the life-cycle assessment approach. We are making good progress and will start testing the beta calculator with a peer-review group. It’s crucial for the sector to make and be able to show significant progress. The yachting sector is under public scrutiny all the time, so any effort in sustainability needs to be real, effective and scientifically sound, as well as supported by the industry. We expect to present YETI 1.0 in November.

What else are you working on?

We’re launching our first ocean conservation project. Yachting is intrinsically connected with the oceans and directly depends on their well-being. The oceans should become major stakeholders of the yachting industry and be looked after. It’s the most crucial natural resource, for humanity but also for yachting. The yachting community can take their passion for the seas to a whole new level and become true ocean stewards and an example for sustainable ocean use.

Has the Foundation had to ‘change the goalposts’ for any reasons since it was founded?

The support for our mission and work has only grown since our founding, despite the Covid-19 challenges. We have not adjusted our course; we have only reconfirmed our commitment to it. It’s a collective journey and a steep learning curve for all involved. The success lies in the fact we started within the yachting sector, so we have its best interests at heart, while being ambitious and strict on what needs to happen to become much more sustainable and future proof. We were founded to help the industry become more sustainable and that has been appreciated as well as effective.

We remain a lean organisation and challenge new partners to formulate a project within their field of expertise and where they see the need for improvement. We can dedicate 100 per cent of their contribution to that project if it meets the criteria and is in line with our mission. In the end, we are a collaborative platform, and initiatives for improvements are most effective when they come bottom up.

Does Water Revolution Foundation have any plans to expand its guidance outside the superyacht sector, to builders and owners of smaller yachts?

Plans, yes. Ultimately, we would like to see yachting becoming what Formula One is for the automotive sector – an arena for prototypes, hubs for innovation, pushing for technological solutions and leading the way towards a sustainable maritime sector, in harmony with the oceans it sails on. Size does not define that; ambition and vision does.

http://www.waterrevolutionfoundation.org

WATER REVOLUTION FOUNDATION

Robert Van Tol, Executive Director

Founded in 2018, Water Revolution Foundation is an independent, international, science-driven, non-profit organisation started from within the superyacht industry that’s taking the lead to neutralise the sector’s ecological footprint and preserve the world’s precious oceans. The Board and the Foundation’s partners see an urgent need to accelerate the implementation of sustainable and innovative technology in the superyacht industry to lower its impact and save the world’s oceans. Water Revolution Foundation’s mission is to drive sustainability in the superyacht industry through collaboration and innovation.

Anchor Partners: Abeking & Rasmussen, AkzoNobel, Benetti, La Ciotat Shipyards, Damen Yachting, Feadship, Heesen, De Koninggroep, Lürssen, MB92, Oceanco, Rybovich, Sanlorenzo

Note: The original article appeared in Yacht Style issue 59

YACHT STYLE Issue 59 Out Now
Yacht Style’s annual Multihulls Issue highlights new models from the world’s leading cruising catamaran builders and features reviews of the Aquila 70, Lagoon 55 and Bali 4.8, as well as MCY 76 Skylounge and Ferretti Yachts 500, while Gulf Craft Chairman Mohammed Alshaali, Lee Marine and Water Revolution Foundation are also in the spotlight.

Frankie Chau on NextWave’s ‘Ultimate Lifestyle’ yacht management

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Frankie Chau on NextWave’s ‘Ultimate Lifestyle’ yacht management

June 14, 2021
4:48 pm

NextWave has expanded its yacht-management services to include Ultimate Lifestyle, a luxury-hotel level of service matching the high standards owners expect in other aspects of their life.

As some companies find when creating a yacht-management department, there’s often an underlying belief from some owners that a captain and boat boy can “do the job”. Indeed, regular cleaning and upkeep such as maintenance and basic mechanical check-ups have long been the standard request to yacht-management companies.

Unfortunately, many yacht owners come to believe this is the norm and the only level of service that can be provided in Hong Kong. However, this can result in a low-level experience when owners are onboard their yacht, one that’s different to their day-to-day lifestyle whether they’re at home, the office or in high-end dining venues.

From our perspective at NextWave, an owner’s lifestyle on their yacht should be no different to life in their opulent residence or when they’re on holiday in a luxury resort. Their lifestyle standards should not drop when they go to sea in their own multi-million-dollar yacht.

Yacht owners’ lifestyles can be maintained from their home or office to their yacht, ensuring they enjoy life aboard to the full. At NextWave, we pride ourselves on being able to provide yacht owners with a continuation of their day-to-day standards by delivering a superior level of care throughout their use of the yacht, offering professional services and experiences while they’re onboard.

For example, when you stay in a six-star luxury hotel, you would be treated to the best hospitality by professionals. You would dine in a Michelin-star restaurant, be presented with luxurious tableware and silver cutlery, experience fresh food made by the best chefs and enjoy service by professionally trained service staff.

Fine wine would be recommended and decanted into refined crystal glasses by an in-house sommelier. Satisfying desserts provided by the patisserie and quality coffee by an experience barista would follow your meal. Meanwhile, your room would have been carefully prepared by meticulous housekeepers. So, why would you settle for an inferior quality of services when aboard your yacht?

After realising there’s no need to settle for less, many owners request the same standards or an even higher level of luxury on their yacht, and you can too. All such services and more are now available via the professionals within the NextWave Ultimate Lifestyle service offered by our yacht management team.

This realisation is completely changing the mindset of current yacht owners in Hong Kong. NextWave is going above and beyond to help yacht owners see that their life onboard has no limits. The luxuries available in life are also available at sea for the owners, their family, their friends and their special guests, ensuring unforgettable experiences on every trip.

With the trend of yacht owners moving up to larger superyachts, we have already been inundated with a growing demand for the higher standards offered by our Ultimate Lifestyle option. In addition to our crew training in maintenance, service and seamanship, our yacht-management managers and crew attend professional courses on hospitality, bartending and wine-pairing.

With experience of yachting around the world, we deem such services to be normal and crucial to yacht ownership. We understand some yacht owners may be new to this and a little reluctant to commit at first, so we’re offering a free trial day for selected customers and superyacht owners.

Once experiencing the difference you can enjoy onboard, we have no doubt this will become the norm for you and your guests, being the envy of all your friends. Walk onboard to expertly chosen scents and fresh bouquets of flowers straight from the florists. Be greeted by your personal service staff trained in fine dining, serving your favourite dishes. Enjoy a cocktail by your private bartender, while you relax and admire the beauty of your pristine yacht with attention to detail provided throughout.

Our professional Ultimate Lifestyle team is ready to cater to your preferred preferences. Whether you use your boat every day or just want to create a special day or stayover weekend, we have packages available.

FRANKIE CHAU

Chau is a co-founder and Managing Director of NextWave Yachting, a dealership formed in 2012 by a group of friends in Hong Kong who turned their love of life on the water into a business. As well as being a dealer for the likes of Sunseeker, Sealine, Fjord, Chris-Craft, Vanquish and Heyday, NextWave has strong brokerage and yacht-management divisions, which both had their best year in 2020. The company also has a charter division and represents water-toy brands like JetSurf, Lift Foils, Seabob, Aquaglide, Yachtbeach, Belassi, JetXTender, Oxoon and Scubajet.
www.nextwaveyachting.com / frankie.chau@nextwaveyachting.com

NextWave flying Sunseeker flag in Hong Kong
NextWave was already one of Hong Kong’s largest yachting companies, but its recent appointment as the city’s Sunseeker dealer has raised the profile of a dealer now developing a ‘Seek More’ showroom in Repulse Bay and bringing a special Manhattan 68 to the city.

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