CharterWave eNews
Spetember 2008

Shipping Firm BRS Acquires
Yachting Partners International
On September 2, the French-based ship broker BRS Group announced that it has acquired Yachting Partners International, thus enhancing its attempts to move into the superyacht and charter industries.
      Both parties described the deal as the first major expansion for BRS, which will provide increased investment capacity to YPI as it works to grow within the global superyacht market. BRS has more than 160 employees operating in 11 offices around the world. It launched a yachting subsidiary, BRS Yachting, in 2007. YPI has about 30 employees operating in offices in France, Great Britain, and Fort Lauderdale.
     “The support and expertise of the group’s worldwide network, and its longstanding experience in the maritime sector, will considerably enhance the services YPI offers,” said Alex Braden, who founded YPI in 1972. “We look forward to developing the business going forward. We are all in this for the long term.”
     According to a joint news release, the current management team at YPI, including Braden, will remain in place and manage the company together with Bertrand Vogèle, managing director and shareholder of BRS Yachting, under a newly formed Board of Directors. The combined group will be known as Yachting Partners International, Member of BRS Group.

Tropical Storm Hanna Lashes Bahamas; Ike and Josephine
Gain Strength
The big news in the United States as this edition of CharterWave eNews went online was that Hurricane Gustav had spared the city of New Orleans a direct hit, thus erasing fears of millions more people being displaced as the Gulf Coast continues its cleanup from Hurricane Katrina three years ago.
     In the charter industry, though, all eyes were on several storms gathering intensity to the east. Tropical Storm Hanna (as we’ve been reporting in the Editor’s Blog) was poised to make a direct hit, possibly as a Category 1 hurricane, on some of the most popular cruising areas in the Bahamas. To Hanna’s east was Ike, gathering speed and strength as he barreled toward the northern Caribbean islands. And to Ike’s east was Josephine, which, while still too far away for experts to predict a path with any certainty, looked to be on the road to becoming big, strong, and nasty.
    As of this posting, damage from Hanna in the Bahamas was still minimal, but there were reports from Haiti that the storm was toppling trees and power lines as well as tearing the shingles off rooftops. Bahamian marinas were hunkering down for the worst, while hoping for the best.
     Stay tuned to the daily Editor’s Blog for updates as these storms pass through the cruising destinations we regularly cover here on CharterWave.

Masked Gunmen Rob Sailing Yacht Tiara During Charter off Corsica
About 20 minutes before midnight on Sunday, August, 24,four masked men carrying pistols and revolvers dinghied up to the 178-foot sailing yacht Tiara while she was at anchor off the French island Corsica during a charter. The men did not physically harm the crew or guests, but demanded that the crew open the yacht’s safe. They then escaped with 138,000 euro, or the equivalent of about $200,000 at the current exchange rate.
      As of this posting, officials were still searching for the men, and no motive for the robbery had been released. The only information released about the men is that they spoke French with Corsican accents.
     The robbery was a shocking occurrence to the superyacht and charter industries, as yachts of Tiara’s size and caliber regularly cruise in the Western Mediterranean. In fact, more than half the world’s charters onboard yachts larger than 80 feet were performed there in 2007, according to the Camper & Nicholsons International Super Yachting Index. The region is known not only to be safe for superyachts, but to welcome them as a regular form of tourism. French officials said the robbery was the first time any such breach has occurred in their waters, ever.
      Multiple reports say the charter party was a group of German financiers, but it is unknown whether the 138,000 euro in Tiara’s safe belonged to them or to the yacht’s owner. It is also unknown whether the charter party or the yacht itself were the robbers’ primary target.
     Tiara charters for a lowest weekly base rate of 180,000 euro, making her one of the dozen most expensive sailing yachts in the worldwide market. She is part of the charter fleet at Edmiston & Company, and is under yacht operational management with YCO.

Sacks Group Announces Strategic Partnership with Ultimate Escapes Destination Clubs
The Sacks Group Yachting Professionals announced on August 15 that it has formed a strategic partnership with Ultimate Escapes, an Orlando-based family of luxury destination clubs. The companies will share customer profiles and cross-market to one another’s client lists.
     “Many of our clients will want to combine a luxury yacht vacation with a high-end private residence to make it a truly ultimate vacation experience,” said Jennifer Saia, president of The Sacks Group Yachting Professionals.
     Ultimate Escapes members have access to more than 140 private residences and more than130 affiliated properties in more than 150 locations worldwide.
    The announcement was made in Sag Harbor, New York, onboard the 100-foot Hargrave motoryacht Seafarer, which will be available for charter this winter in Florida and the Bahamas at a lowest weekly base rate of $42,500.

Fraser Yachts Worldwide Re-Launches Website
Fraser Yachts Worldwide has gone online with an updated version of its website.
     The new site’s charter section includes far more information about yachts available for charter than Fraser’s previous site did. Each yacht’s profile page includes multiple photographs and extensive specifications, whereas the old site typically included one exterior photo and limited additional information.
     Also in the new site’s charter section is an interactive destinations tool that lets you zoom in on any cruising grounds to find sample itineraries. Most charter companies publish these kinds of itineraries in printed catalogs, but not online.

Ocean Independence Opens New London office
Ocean Independence opened a new office in London in August. The location is the Cavendish Square section of Westminster, a prestigious neighborhood that includes, among other things, the Sotheby’s auction house.
     The new office reportedly will allow lots of space for conference room meetings and discussions about new build projects. Several sales brokers will be based there, along with senior charter broker Rebecca Pattinson, whose time is now being divided between the new office and Ocean Independence’s office in Monaco.

Best of the Editor’s Blog
It’s All About Expectations: I received a phone call yesterday from a friend who wanted me to help a friend of hers book a three-month yacht charter. “These folks are really rich,” she told me. “They spend about $30,000 a month on a vacation home during the winter. They figure they’d rather spend that money on a yacht. You know, something nice. Maybe a 100- or 120-footer.” .,. Read more …

Best of the Sponsored Blogs
From the Regency Yacht Vacations blog: When should you book your charter?
A number of repeat guests have called over the long weekend, and have been disappointed to find that yachts that can accommodate 8 to 12 guests have been booked already for their December holidays. … Read more …

Motoryacht of the Month: Taipan III
Our editor got onboard this 172-foot motoryacht as it became the first-ever Western-owned megayacht to make the emerging charter grounds in Thailand its permanent base. Now, the yacht is fresh off a three-month refit and heading into her second winter season at a reduced rate. We take you onboard for a look at the food, crew, area, and more in our exclusive written and video reports.

Sailing Yacht of the Month: Eliza
At 80 feet long, this sailing yacht used to be one of the largest available for charter in New England and the Caribbean. She may no longer be the biggest, but she’s still one of the most popular, especially for racing and regatta events. Check out our exclusive First Impression review.

Captain of the Month: Palmer Cole
Before he joined the 112-foot Westport motoryacht Kelly Sea, Capt. Palmer Cole spent many a day cruising in the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River, and the U.S. Eastern Seaboard on boats of all sizes with his dad. Learn what he thinks about running a charter yacht in our exclusive interview.

Chef of the Month: Menemenios Stavros
Having once been the private onboard chef for a Saudi Arabian prince, Menemenios Stavros knows a thing or two about standards. He now brings them to his job as a charter chef onboard the 193-foot motoryacht Magna Grecia. Learn more about Stavros in our exclusive one-on-one interview.

Broker of the Month: Barbara Dawson
As the senior charter broker for Camper & Nicholsons International, Barbara Dawson has forgotten more about charter contracts and legal issues than some new brokers have even begun to learn. She’s a top expert in the field, and she shared her history and working style with us for this exclusive interview.

Fleet and Management Company News
Absolute Yachting in Greece has four motoryachts offering a 5-percent discount for any summer 2009 bookings that are completed by October. The yachts are the 101-foot Obsession, the 101-foot Monte Carlo, the 101-foot A.K., and the 128-foot Monaco…

BCR  Yachts welcomes the 64-foot Oyster sailing yacht Blue Destiny to the fleet. She takes six guests at a weekly base rate of 18,000 euro … The 78-foot motoryacht Where the Dreams Have No End and the 118-foot motoryacht Sunliner X are available for last-minute September charters in the Western Mediterranean. Dreams takes six guests at a lowest weekly base rate of 30,000 euro, while Sunliner X takes eight guests at a lowest weekly base rate of 42,000 euro … The 85-foot motoryacht Indulgence of Poole has a new base rate: 28,000 euro low season, and 30,000 euro high season…

Camper & Nicholsons International has published its 2009 Charter Annual, a book-length brochure of yachts and destinations. A new section is tailored to charter yachts from 164 to 197 feet, and the destination sections have been organized by themes including “Explore Ashore,” “Pure Hedonism,” “Family Fun,” and “Energy Zone” … New to the fleet are the 141-foot CRN motoryacht Hana, which will take 11 guests in the Caribbean this winter; the 98-foot Benetti motoryacht Salu, which will be available for charters in the Western Mediterranean throughout the winter; the 88-foot Leopard motoryacht Caramia, which will remain on the Cote d’Azur this winter; and the 111-foot motoryacht Resilience, which will be in the Caribbean this winter… New launches entering the CNI fleet in time for Caribbean charters this winter include the 197-foot motoryacht Xanadu and the 161-foot Trinity motoryacht Anjilis…

Churchill Yacht Partners has five motoryachts and one sailing yacht that still show availability for Christmas/New Year’s charters in the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Virgin Islands. The motoryachts are the 110-foot Kaleen, 107-foot Silver Seas, 95-foot Zazu, 90-foot Trilogy, and the 88-foot Lady Victoria. Also available for Christmas/New Year’s is the 154-foot sailing yacht Andromeda la Dea… Lady Victoria also is offering charters from mid-September through early October between Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia, on the U.S. East Coast… Kaleen is also available for a Thanksgiving charter in and around Sint Maarten…

Edmiston & Company welcomes the 130-foot river expedition vessel Aqua to its fleet. She will offer charters for as many as 24 guests in the Amazon...
 
Emerald Yacht Ship says the 172-foot motoryacht Taipan III has just completed a four-month refit and is available for charters in Thailand at a weekly base rate of $100,000 before November 1. If you book, but don’t cruise, by Nov. 1, the rate will be $120,000…

Fraser Yachts Worldwide, in conjunction with New Zealand-based 37 South, says the 100-foot motoryacht Huntress is available for charters in the exotic location Tasmania during the upcoming South Pacific summer season…

International Yacht Collection welcomes the 84-foot Lazzara motoryacht Reeges-Dream to the fleet. She will take eight guests at a lowest weekly base rate of 42,000 euro and is expected to remain in the Western Mediterranean this winter…

Moran Yacht & Ship welcomed the news that German shipyard Lurssen has launched the 260-foot motoryacht Mad Summer, which will cruise to the Caribbean in time to offer charters this winter…

Neptune Group Yachting welcomes the 70-foot Azimut motoryacht Postobello to the fleet. She takes six or seven guests at a lowest weekly base rate of $19,000 and will be in Florida and the Bahamas this winter. … A dozen yachts in the fleet are still available for Christmas/New Year’s charters in the Bahamas and Caribbean , ranging from the 170-foot expedition motoryacht Latitude to the 55-foot Fleming motoryacht Fabiola II…

Nicholson Yachts welcomes the 70-foot Hatteras motoryacht Magic Carpet to the fleet. Her lowest weekly base rate is $15,000, and she’ll be in Florida and the Bahamas this winter. … Also new to the fleet is the 72-foot sailing yacht Pacific Wave. She takes six guests at a weekly base rate of $18,000 and will be in the Caribbean this winter. … The 74-foot sailing catamaran Matau is offering a 10-percent discount for September charters in Croatia, Italy, or France… the 52-foot sailing yacht Ashlana is available for charter the last two weeks of September in New England… the 76-foot Nautor Swan sailing yacht Wild Tigris is available for charters this month in Croatia…

Northrop and Johnson tells us that seven of its motoryachts, plus one sailing yacht from its fleet, are still available for Christmas/New Year’s holiday bookings in the Virgin Islands, Caribbean, and western coast of Mexico. The motoryachts are the 153-foot Argyll, the 145-foot Aghassi, the 122-foot Shogun, the 120-foot Sovereign, the 116-foot Kipany, the 115-foot Watercolours, and the 100-foot Ar-De. The sailing yacht that’s available is the 87-foot Jess-Sea…

Primo Yacht says the 114-foot Benetti motoryacht Dry Spirit is available for immediate charters in and around Venice, Italy, with no delivery fees…

Robert J. Cury and Associates has the 80-foot Azimut motoryacht Joe Cool available for immediate charters out of Nassau, Bahamas. The weekly base rate of $26,000 for six guests includes three crew and use of a 34-foot Donzi powerboat as an extra tender… Available for Christmas/New Year’s charters are the 124-foot Delta motoryacht Murphy’s Law and the 116-foot Lazzara motoryacht Serenity. ... New to the fleet are the 100-foot Hatteras motoryacht Triple Attraction and the 111-foot Broward motoryacht Strait Jacket, both of which are expected to be in the Bahamas this winter…

Seascape Yachts says the 110-foot motoryacht Pollux is available for charters out of Athens, Greece, after September 22… Currently available for charters out of Athens is the 90-foot motoryacht Erato…

Sunreef Yachts Charter tells us the 56-foot sailing catamaran Blue Note is available for charters through September 30 in Spain’s Balearic Isles…

Sunsail has added a 44-foot performance cruiser as the new flagship of its fleet, which is available for skippered charters. The new 44i is built by Jeanneau is available in three- or four-cabin layouts in the following Sunsail destinations: British Virgin Islands, Sint Maarten, Guadeloupe, St. Vincent, Martinique, Turkey, Croatia, and Greece … Sunsail recently added new charter bases in Thailand, Italy, and Turkey…

Sunseeker Charters has more than a dozen motoryachts from 52 to 121 feet long with availability left for late-season Mediterranean charters between now and October. Most are in classic ports such as Italy and the South of France, while others, like the 60-foot Nero, are based in exotic destinations such as Egypt…

The Shipyard Group welcomes the 107-foot motoryacht Caribbean Sparkle to its fleet. She’s based in Florida and the Bahamas.

New First Impressions Posted on CharterWave This Month:
Allegria, 151-foot motoryacht
Kelly Sea, 112-foot motoryacht
Lucky Me, 75-foot motoryacht
Mystique, 165-foot motoryacht
Shamrock V, 119-foot sailing yacht

New Crew Interviews Posted on CharterWave This Month:
Palmer Cole, motoryacht Kelly Sea
Menemenios Stavros, motoryacht Magna Grecia

New Broker Interviews Posted on CharterWave This Month:
Barbara Dawson, Camper & Nicholsons International

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Broker Agnes Howard

Broker Gail Hartman