With superyacht owners searching for the latest and greatest high-end products, we love seeing when two high-quality bespoke companies join forces and work together to provide the best of the best superyacht fitness equipment in the industry.

We have recently introduced you to our latest favourite innovative gym equipment KLINK. Well, do we have news for you!

In mid-July, we introduced you to KLINK (article linked here), the latest bespoke barbells and dumbbells on the market. Klinks equipment is the touch of genius the superyacht gym industry was looking for. Their Fitlok technology has removed the inconvenience of storing multiple weights that we all know well on superyachts. They provided a solution to our storage needs and gave us the ability to personalise their equipment to the yacht.

The News

With KLINK providing a solution for superyachts that are restricted on space, it left a blank space for those with plenty of room. So recently, they have joined forces with MH Luxury Collection. Together, they offer a solution to every facility, large or small, with a truly diverse range of equipment.

Mark Healey is the designer and owner of the MH Luxury Collection. He has over 22 years of experience designing luxury gyms for the elite. Mark began his career as a PT for superyacht owners, spending five years on board the iconic 88m sailing yacht, The Maltese Falcon. He then spent seven years operating between London, Moscow and Miami, where he trained clients and designed bespoke gyms for private markets.

Klinks 8-20 kg Dumbbells are the perfect piece of home gym equipment or to store in your cabin. Ideal for training your biceps, triceps, shoulders, and legs, giving you a full-body workout. Their 8-20 dumbbell set gives you the flexibility to change between 8kg-20kg all from one compact design. Alternatively, you can create one heavy dumbbell up to 32kg. Simply twist it, click it, lift it!

Klink – Custom Storage Solutions

You may have already seen her work on Instagram. We here @superyachtcontent regularly share her beautiful settings. Chief Stewardess of 54m Motor Yacht Maraya, Shannon Thomson, runs the influencer account @thefabulousfusion, where she shares her unique, innovative style of table settings and Interior creations with us.

Shannon puts a sustainable twist on all of her creations using a unique and elegant touch of dried flowers, up-cycled glass bottles, jars, and fabrics such as linen and organic cotton. If you are looking for table inspiration, @thefabulousfusion is certainly an account you should be following.

We here at Superyacht Content were lucky enough to grab an interview with Shannon to find out how she turned her 8 years on superyachts into a role in Event Styling and Interior Design:

How Did You Get Into Yachting?

Being based in Cape Town as a makeup artist working on multiple television shows, fashion shows, commercial shoots, magazines and teaching makeup at a college–my passion for travel became too thrilling to remain in SA. I then took action by exploring the possibility of working as a makeup artist on yachts.

In 2013, I landed my first job on an 80-meter yacht as the beauty stewardess. During my time as a Beauty Stew, I quickly realised to further my position as a yacht stew. I would need to decide whether I wanted to remain in beauty or further my skills and experience and become a HOD in the superyacht industry. I decided I wanted to pursue a role as a Chief Stewardess to expand my experience in table settings and theme knowledge.

Was Interior Design an Interest You Had Before Entering the Yachting Industry?

No interior design is a passion that has developed during my time working on yachts. I have always been a creative individual, often shown through my makeup. I think designing themes, tables settings and fun events onboard has made me even more creative. So I guess this is where the passion for interior and event styling really developed and became a reality.

What Inspired You To Create Fabulous Fusion Platform?

Fabulous Fusion was inspired by ‘Fusing’ all of my passions into one:

• Floral Design
• Interior Design
• Event Styling
• Table Styling
• Service and Yachting Etiquette

On top of these being Environmentally Conscious, it is the ultimate aim for me as an artist.

Fabulous being all things that make something look and an environment/space feel Fabulous.
Fusion being fusing all my passions into one, creating a versatile platform that offers an array of experiences, inspiration, and opportunities.

I am a yogi at heart. My favourite place is to be in the ocean. I gain inspiration from nature, movement, people and being consciously connected to what brings my soul to life.
Through this, all my designs have soulful affirmations, creating from the core of passion and joy. Allowing every creation/theme/event to be fun, interesting, and enticing.

You create table settings and design interiors. You decorate for occasions such as weddings and birthdays. How does your approach vary when dealing with different projects?

The initial approach is always the same – What is it I need to Create?

With that thought in mind, I gather as much information from the client to bring to life their visions for their special occasion. It really is a matter of thinking outside the box and how you can create memorable experiences for your guests. As a stylist, one needs to acknowledge the likes and dislikes of their guests/clients and keep note of them.

I adapt to what they want to experience from each occasion and create from there, always adding your personal touch to every occasion to provide that unique experience whilst also fulfilling their needs and desires. Styling on superyachts I like to create freely and organically. I always have an idea in mind of the style I am going for, trying to work my tables around the flowers I have on board and reusing and recycling the resources we have to create and present an aspect to every evening.

I believe the yacht stewardesses should present the guests with a unique element and experience every night.

Does Fabulous Fusion have a particular aesthetic? If so, do you think it’s vital for yacht interior design teams to have a recognisable aesthetic?

Aesthetics is a core design principle that defines a design’s pleasing qualities. Fabulous Fusion’s particular aesthetic would represent Organic, Natural, and everything derived from Mother Nature’s gifts.

Aesthetic includes factors such as movement, colour, height, shape, balance and pattern. Designers use all these factors to enhance functionality with attractive layouts. Individuality is what makes you unique. Having a particular aesthetic is what makes you stand out from the rest.

However, having a particular Aesthetic does not mean your brand represents one style of design. As a designer, one has to be adaptable to the needs and visions of the client or guest when creating/styling an event.

An open mind makes an artist more approachable.

You have travelled to various places in the world. Do different destinations inspire your style?

Yes certainly. Getting to experience different cultural elements first-hand certainly brings a unique touch to one’s creative outlet.
It helps to expand your creative mind by bringing all different themes and experiences to the table or event.

What do you look for when choosing accessories/props/furniture, and do you have any go-to accessories to create your own flare?

I don’t really look for anything in particular when choosing accessories/props/furniture. I try to have categories in mind and choose items that can bring life to different styled events and themes.

Go-to accessories would be:

• Candles
• Fairy Lights
• Sheer Linen Fabric
• Fresh Flowers
• Dried Flowers
• Pampas

These accessories can create any occasion into something magical.

What are your goals for Fabulous Fusion, and do you aim to inspire yacht crew elsewhere to get creative within their workspace?

The dreams and goals for Fabulous Fusion are to be an Event Stylist within the Event and Wedding Industry. I would also like to own a school where I can host workshops for aspiring creatives and stewardesses.

The current goal for Fabulous Fusion is to host workshops and create manuals to share my knowledge and experiences to stewardesses that are looking to expand their creative mind within the industry but also to step out the ‘’Yachting Box.’’ This will include Table Etiquette, Flower Arrangements, Decorations, Table Styling, Budgeting, Recycling, being Environmentally Conscious within your working ethic.

Do you have any Interior projects in the pipeline that you’re looking forward to?

This winter in Europe, I plan to put together an online workshop for like-minded stewardesses to share my knowledge and skills with them.
I will show them how I design my flowers, how I recycle petals and props, how I dry my own flowers and foliage. I want to go through a little of everything for themes and settings! But most of all, how I make the time for my passion.

What is your favourite set-up/interior job to date and why?

Bohemian Location Wedding in South Africa.

From organising the event, planning the catering/vendors/service, designing the bridal Boquete, doing the bridal makeup and setting up the entire venue.

It was an event that poured nature and simplicity.

Do you have any tips for yachties/inspiring yacht crew on where to start if they want to go into interior designing?

 Self-Teach.

All my knowledge and experience has come from teaching myself and exploring my own creative flare. Making mistakes and learning from them. Every person has their own personal touch, it is about discovering what your unique taste is and exploring your options.

I use Pinterest and Instagram as my 2 main platforms to follow aspiring creatives like myself to gain inspiration. Watching YouTube tutorials is like going to a workshop, only you doing it online. Social Media can be your primary source of education, as it is a platform where you can build and follow like-minded people to learn from.

As a ‘yachty’ we don’t always have the time to go to workshops or do a course.
You either make the time or you work with the resources you have and explore your own creative mind.
It is always daunting initially, but the more you play and follow your inspirations online, the more you will find your confidence.

Lastly, are you able to give us your 5 top tricks for creating spaces on a budget and re-cycling accessories?

1. Dry your own Flowers – Rose Petals, Ferns, Eucalyptus, etc.
2. Recycle Beer Bottles, Wine bottles, Spirit Bottles – they can look stunning on a table as flower vases, or candle holders. One can even paint them, using Bicarb to create texture.
3. Use Dried Flowers for your table settings if your budget is not available for fresh flowers
4. Repaint or cover your old vases with ribbon/rope/glitter. Re-invent the resources you have onboard.
5. Turn Down gifts, you can make homemade body scrubs, essential oils, room fragrance all with natural resources.

For inspiration from Shannon and to view her latest creations, follow her on Instagram @thefabulousfusion.

Don’t you hate it when your provisioner delivers you a substitute item without prior warning? Or they deliver you more than you ordered and it won’t fit in your designated space. Recently we spoke with a company that is redefining the role of the superyacht provisioner.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Superyacht Chefs have one of the most challenging tasks on board. They have to deliver three top-end meals per day that will satisfy guests’ requests and well-developed pallets for the duration of their stay on board.

Creating exquisite and unique menus where no two days are the same is an art. On top of this, they often have to please an even tougher crowd, the crew. With high expectations, special requests and quick turnaround times to contend with, superyacht chefs find themselves in some of the most challenging situations on board.

For this reason, a chef must find a provisioning company that doesn’t work for them but works with them to secure those unique hard to find items. They will need to provide the freshest and finest products or deliver at the drop of a hat. Provisioners are now not only a delivery service, but they play an integral role in the smooth running of a superyacht.

We talked to Monaco-based provisioner Maison Del Gusto who are redefining the definition of Provisioner to a passionate sourcing company that offers complete transparency with their team working on board.

What actually is a superyacht provisioner?

The dictionary definition of Provisioner is the act of providing or supplying something.

The role of a yacht provisioning company is to source, prepare, and deliver food and drinks to superyachts. But, the superyacht industry is growing with boats getting bigger, requiring more products and better quality. Provisioners have to evolve to keep up with the unique requirements and the latest dietary trends of superyacht guests.

Maison Del Gusto tells us:

“The Provisioner is not just a supplier anymore. We are a partner of the chef, the chief stew and even the captains on board. We not only assist them with what they need, but we anticipate what they are going to need.”

“As provisioners, we define ourselves as a gourmet selector of unique ingredients. We strive to work with top end chefs that will transform our ingredients into something magical. Food is our passion, our culture, and we always go the extra mile to ensure we supply the best of the best. There are no limits to what we can help with. The Provisioner, in our eyes, has developed into becoming a friend and partner on land to a chef we can grow and learn with.”

The importance of the food provisioners’ supply.

Let’s be honest. Food plays a vital part in everyone’s holiday. Days often revolve around breakfast, lunch, and dinner; this is no different on a superyacht. The standard expected from owners and guests is close to Michelin. On top of your normal three meals, chefs can expect to deliver grand fresh fruit platters, tea-time delights, cocktails and canapés in some combination every day.

French, Mediterranean, Italian, Asian, Japanese or a classic American BBQ are all types of cuisine often requested by guests. If that is what a guest wants, that is what the chef will have to deliver. This is where the crucial role of the provisioner comes in. To create the most memorable meals, you need the best products. Maison Del Gusto (MDG) allows their international background to shine through their ingredients. They inspect their suppliers and ensure they a producing the very best of their product.

MDG Comments;

“As Italians, we respect our ingredients, and we know how important food is for the soul. We grow with our food and if our suppliers cannot pass our strict tests, they will not make it anywhere near our customers. We aim to remove all stress from superyacht crew when it comes to receiving their products. Yacht crew need to focus 100% of their attention on creating the best experience for their guests on board, so we take care of the logistics on land for them.”

Why a good relationship with your Superyacht Provisioner is vital:

Imagine being let down at the last minute. It is not an option in an industry like this one. The key to a successful long relationship between chefs and provisioners is trust, transparency, and communication.

Provisioning companies now have to invest considerable time in getting to know their clients and finding their special requests and preferences. They must be prepared to deal with sudden orders or unusual requests. MDG Comments:

“We pre-invest in the chefs we work with because we know they will always return to us. We pre-stock special items, so we always have stock for them throughout the season. On top of this, we keep large amounts of stock so we can always provide the best quality products even if we have little notice to deliver.”

Maison Del Gusto uniquely adopts a bible system and assigns an identity card to every chef, chief stewardess or captain it serves. They note preferences, which reduces the chances of important information being overlooked during an order. They aim to be the chef’s sight, taste, smell, and touch, accomplished through long-standing relationships and clear communication.

For more information on Maison Del Gusto, click here. Needing food inspiration in Monaco, follow them @mdg_yacht_provisioning. To find out their latest news, follow them on Facebook @maisondelgusto.

For the latest news in the superyacht industry, go here.

We’ve seen them on Social Media. We have heard about them through friends, but who really are the people behind Atlantic R2R? Superyacht Content interviewed the 5 gentlemen embarking on a unique and life-changing expedition. They will row 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

Competing in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is not just a 3000-mile row across the Atlantic. This challenge will take painstaking planning and preparation. The team will have to undergo 3 years of physical and mental preparation. It will task them with hundreds of hours of fundraising and logistical planning. They will also have to prepare the boat and all necessary safety equipment to make their crossing fast and safe!

Superyacht Content has been given the opportunity to speak with the team of Atlantic R2R and answer all the need to know questions on the buildup to their race in 2 years.

What is Atlantic R2R?

Atlantic-R2R is an Ocean Rowing Team founded to race in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in 2023. We are rowing to raise awareness for veterans’ mental health and funds for the veterans’ mental health charity Rock2Recovery.

What Are The Main Goals/Objectives for Atlantic R2R?

Our ultimate aims are twofold: winning the race and raise as much as possible for Rock2Recovery.

Who came up with the crazy idea to row across the Atlantic? And what inspired you all to sign up for this?

The idea of putting together an Ocean Rowing Team to take part in the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge was originally just a crazy idea two of our team members discussed over social media after watching teams finish the 2020 TWAC. Through mentioning it to family and a few onward chats a month later, the “Atlantic R2R” team was formed.

All the Atlantic-R2R team members have completed various endurance events and challenges over the years. They have also followed the TWAC for years and see this as the safest way to push ourselves both mentally and physically!

Gym Marine has kindly provided you with a rowing machine to prepare for this venture. You’re not currently departing for another two years. What is your current training programme, and is there someone advising you on how to prepare?

Yes, Gym Marine source a rowing machine for one of the team members currently working onboard a 75-meter motor yacht. This had allowed him to train while at work. Once they found out what he was training for, they were interested in getting involved and became one of the first members of our 500 Club.

Our training is in its early stages at the moment. Although we are all physically fit, we are trying to get into a good state of general physical preparedness before specialising. We have contacted a top ocean rowing coach and hope to sign up with him for physical training in early 2022.

We have also benefitted from the help of ex-Olympian coaching the team on the water. Although being in top condition will help the cause, rowing technique and time on the water will be of utmost importance. Natasha Howard has been taking Atlantic-R2R team members out on the waters of the Isle of Skye twice a week over the summer. The progress that has been seen in the team members technique has been excellent!

Although clearly a physical endeavour, rowing across an ocean is very much a mental challenge! We are doing as much research as possible into past ocean rowing crossings to understand the mental challenges that we may face. We regularly share books and podcasts amongst the crew and regular zoom calls with Atlantic Campaigns (who organise the race) and other teams involved in the 2021, 2022 and 2023 races.

Will you have a support vessel to follow you across?

Two support yachts shadow the race organised by Atlantic Campaigns, but their job is to assist the crews to prevent problems becoming emergencies. They are not rescue vessels. As sailing vessels, it could take up to a week for them to reach any particular boat taking part in the race. The support yachts have limited capabilities and cannot solve all problems, which is why every entry into the race must undergo strict training and meet stringent equipment checks. Our experience as professional seafarers will also be invaluable!

What made you choose December 2023 as your departure date?

It is a simple fact that when we decided to sign up for the race (February 2021), both the 2021 TWAC and the 2022 TWAC were fully booked. It was perhaps naivety that we believed we would be ready for any race earlier than 2023, as we quickly realised what a mammoth task just getting the boat and the team ready at the start line will be!

How quickly do you think Atlantic R2R get across the Atlantic?

I would love to say that we will break the 5 man world record and cross in 34 days, or even 28 and take the overall record. Truth be told, no matter how much preparation we do, we will be at the mercy of the ocean and the weather.

As a 5 man team, we hope to cross somewhere between 30-50 days (we will carry enough rations for a 55-day crossing). We should be able to push through a little more of a headwind than teams with fewer people than ours, but there may still be days where we sit on a para-anchor, as rowing into the wind is not worth it.

On the flip side, we could be lucky and encounter a steady tailwind the entire way – we will not know until December 2023.

Where are you departing from? And where do you plan on arriving? Who is in charge of navigation?

The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge departs from San Sebastian, La Gomera, Canary Islands, and arrives in Nelsons Dockyard, English Harbour, Antigua.

Navigation will be the responsibility of every crew member. As we will row 24hrs a day in shifts of roughly 2 hours on and 2 hours off, team members will always be sleeping. All crew members have to undergo navigation training before the race. We are lucky to have 2 professional yacht crew members on board who will use their experience wisely. One of the team members is also  currently studying for his Master <3000gt (Yachts) ticket, which he plans on finishing before the race.

Who designed the vessel you are rowing across, and what amenities do you have onboard?

We are currently talking with Rannoch about purchasing a new build boat from them and a new design. Once confirmed, we will give a lot more information – However, there are few ‘amenities’ onboard.

The Rannoch R45 has 3 rowing positions and 2 small cabins. We will have a range of navigation equipment, including a chart plotter, AIS, VHF, paper charts and emergency items such as EPIRBs, SARTS, flares and a life raft, but it will be very basic. Compared to what is carried onboard a superyacht!

One of the most important pieces of equipment is the water maker! If that breaks, emergency water is stored as ballast, but you start to receive time penalties once that is broken into, meaning it could be the end of the race for you!

In terms of amenities–there will be a basic mattress each and a bucket–for you know what!

Below are some basic details of the vessel:

• No. of Rowing Positions – Three
• No. of Berths – Three/Four/Five
• Length Overall – 28.35ft
• Load Waterline Length – 25.43ft
• Beam (canoe body) – 5.71ft
• Load Waterline Breadth – 5.02ft
• Hull Draught – 1.05ft
• Displacement (loaded) – 2072.34lb
• Overall Height (keel to cabin roof of canoe body) – 5.12ft
• Construction – Carbon or Fiberglass

Can you tell us what R2R is?

Rock2Recovery is a veterans’ mental health charity founded by Jamie Sanderson RM and Jason Fox RM following long careers as senior ranking Royal Marines, which resulted in medical discharges after diagnoses of stress illness and brain injury. R2R provides support for veterans and their families that are affected by things such as PTSD.

R2R strive to create positive change when it is needed most. They recognize the need for rapid preventative interventions, specific coaching and assistance, including the provision of short and long-term refocusing support for veterans leaving the service with brain injuries and mental health issues because of their period of service. R2R provide coaching sessions, events and workshops, a helpline and peer support.

What made you choose Rock2Recovery as your charity?

The name Atlantic-R2R was born out of the link we developed early on with the charity Rock2Recovery. Mental health is a subject close to many members of the team. Still, veteran’s mental health, in particular, is close to those that are from the army after the death of a friend and former British Army colleague because of mental health issues.

Atlantic-R2R crewmember Paul comments:

“Unfortunately, I have seen people I know well and others I have not known on a personal level, struggle and ultimately take their own life. 5 people I knew or knew of in 18 years. Some had long since left the military while others were still serving. Some had been the life and sole of the group and the last person you would have thought was struggling to cope. If help had been available to them things might have turned out very differently. Rock2Recovery seeks to provide emergency support to the individual and his family. They make a fantastic difference to those that need it. I could not think of a better charity more worthy of support and it is a privilege to take on this epic adventure in their name and raise some money to help them carry on their work.”

How much would you like to raise for this charity, and how much have you raised so far?

We initially need to raise around £ 75,000 to purchase the boat. We plan to donate the boat to the charity after the race.  This will allow them to enter teams in future races and generate money in the coming years.

We also have an initial target to raise £100,000 for the charity. This will be on top of what it will take us to participate in TWAC 2023.

We have currently raised around £12,000.  This has enabled us to pay the deposits and secure our position in the race. We will shortly put the deposit down for the boat itself! Exciting times!

Where can people go to donate to Atlantic R2R?

We have recently set up a crowdfunding page: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/atlanticr2r.

How are you all feeling about the challenge that lies ahead?

Everyone is feeling very positive. Recently having a good period of sponsorship backing, we are very keen to keep up the momentum! Training is going well both on the water and in the gym!

Can you recommend ways in which the veterans, and their family members who are suffering can seek help?

There are several contact points, and they must always remember that utilising any of them is better than suffering alone! If anyone is in crisis, they should contact their GP, Samaritans or the emergency services on 999 (UK). There are also many support networks such as, but not limited to:

• https://rock2recovery.co.uk
• https://combatstress.org.uk
• https://www.ssafa.org.uk/get-help/mental-wellbeing/dealing-with-mental-health-challenges-and-stress
• https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk/mental-wellbeing-advice-for-veterans/

Our Superyacht cruising itineraries have become so much more diverse and adventurous. Superyachts are now travelling far and wide, keeping the captains and crew on their toes when planning their trips. Creating exciting itineraries in unvisited countries, organising compliance documents, and on top of this, an extensive list of COVID procedures to comply with before entering the country. It is all a lot to do for superyacht crew which is why the Superyacht agent has become more valuable than ever before.

With special thanks to the Association of Yacht Support Services (AYSS), we have put together a list of 10 Superyacht Agents from around the world that will be an invaluable asset when planning your next trip to a new destination.

Our List of Ten Superyacht Agents from Around the Globe:

1 – Denmark

TR Shipping, Denmark – Denmark is the gateway to the Baltic Sea. With plenty of coastlines to explore, the country is ideal for superyacht cruising. TR Shipping Denmark is a superyacht agent dedicated to the yachting industry. They have a small, devoted and professional team with a fantastic working relationship with port authorities and suppliers to the maritime industry.

Their Services Include:

• Superyacht support
• Yachting customs and immigration clearance
• Yacht supply services
• Bunkers and lubrication oil supplies
• Technical assistance arrangements
• Freight forwarding & warehousing
• Crew changes
• Shore excursions
• Travel arrangements & ticketing
• Harbour services
• 24 hours duty services

2 – Egypt

Felix Maritime Agency, Egypt –  Operating out of Port Said, declared a free zone in 1976; Felix is one of the largest Suez canal yacht transit Maritime Agencies. They have a small, passionate team representing ship owners and captains to ensure smooth operations during their Suez Canal transit.

Services Include:

• Suez Canal Transit
• Crew Changes
• Bunkering Suppliers
• Provision Supplies
• Spare Parts Supply
• Shipyards and Docking
• 24 hours Support

3 – Caribbean

Dockside Management, Caribbean – Established in 1990, Dockside Management is conveniently located in St. Maarten and serves the Caribbean through its network of local agents. They provide logistic support for private and charter yachts and a first-class level of service to every client, maintaining high standards and tight budget control.

Services Include:

• Port Services
• Banking Services
• Guest and Crew Services
• Medical Services
• Interior Provisioning Services
• Shipping Services

4 – New England

BWA Yachting, New England USA – Newport, Rhode Island, in the heart of New England, is considered the yachting hub of the Northeast Seaboard.  Close to the outlying Islands of Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and Block Island, it is an appealing port of call for crew and their owners/guests. BWA Yachting provides concierge and marine agency services to the superyacht industry in Rhode Island and New England. BWA aims to support the increasingly complex and demanding role of the captain and crew. Their ethos is to be there from start to finish, from planning to implementing every aspect of your trip to New England.

Services Include:

• Accommodation
• Banking/APA
• Berth Reservations
• Clearance in/out- customs, immigration and visa assistance
• Interior Services
• Executive Transportation/Private charters
• Freight forwarding and Import ship spares
• Part sourcing
• Pilotage
• Provisioning
• Shoreside support

5 – Australia

Carter Marine, Australia – Located in Cairns, this is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and offers an ideal base for superyachts, Owners, Guests and Crew. Carter Marine Agencies offer an independent, professional and confidential service to luxury yachts of all sizes. Their team is extremely experienced in all facets of luxury yacht agency and concierge services. They also have a good support network across the Papua New Guinea, Asia and South Pacific regions.

Services Include:

• Australian Customs and Quarantine clearances
• Berthing reservations and requirements
• Port service requirements including Vessel Traffic Management & Pilotage
• Crew visas, crew clearances
• Cruising permits
• Australian tax requirements & chartering information
• Freight forwarding and Customs clearances of incoming freight
• Ship and engine repairs
• Ship provisioning
• Medical assistance
• Agency assistance in other Australian ports
• Local knowledge and professional, personalised smiling service

6 – New Zealand

Integrated Marine Group, New Zealand – New Zealand is a bucket-list destination for almost everyone. If you have the ambition to travel there and have a passion for yachting, you will feel right at home in this beautiful destination. Integrated Marine Group is a highly experienced team of marine professionals, providing support for every facet of your superyacht operational cruising program through to the most complex of refit or repair programs.

7 – South Africa

Del Shipping & Trading, South Africa – There aren’t an enormous amount of Superyachts that are brave enough to venture down to South Africa, but those who do will be in for a treat. The city of Cape Town was voted “best city in the world” by the readers of the Telegraph Awards again in 2019. Del Shipping & Trading act as agents in all major ports of South Africa. Their experienced personnel offer a dedicated and professional 24-hour service to superyacht visiting this unique destination.

Services Include:

• Port agency, Immigration clearance
• Crew transfers
• Specialised tours, travel and hotel arrangements
• VIP protection & Transport
• Provisioning
• Repair services
• Docking & Bunkering
• Freight forwarding

8 – Maldives

Maldives Yacht Support, Maldives – The Maldives are a beautiful array of islands randomly scattered in the Indian Ocean. These beautiful waters have many superyachts stopping in. Maldives Yacht Support deliver a range of quality assured services from the initial stages of planning the yacht’s stay until departure. They tailor each service to the client’s individual needs, handling a single port call or a last-minute request to a concierge specialist.

Services Include:

• Port agency and immigration clearance
• Crew transfers
• Specialised tours, travel and hotel arrangements
• VIP protection & Transport
• Provisioning
• Repair services
• Docking & Bunkering
• Freight forwarding

9 – Seychelles

Hunt, Deltel & Co. Ltd, Seychelles – Seychelles covers over 100 islands spread over a sea area of half a million square miles. Hunt, Deltel & Co was formed in 1937 and is a Seychelles registered and owned company. They have been at the forefront of promoting Seychelles as a superyacht destination and have handled most vessels visiting in recent years.

Services Include:

• Arrival and Departure Clearance
• Charter Licence
• Bunkering
• Berthing and Anchorages
• Spares and Delivery
• Flag Registration

10 – Costa Rica

Marina Papagayo, Costa Rica – Marina Papagayo is on the North Pacific coast of Costa Rica in Bahia Culebra. It is one of the largest and most sheltered bodies of water in the province of Guanacaste. Marina Papagayo offers a convenient location for yachts staging voyages to World Heritage site Isla del Coco, the Galapagos Islands and destinations to and from the South Pacific. This fully operational deep-water marina is part of Peninsula Papagayo, offering a selection of amenities for travelling yachts, including slips to accommodate superyachts up to 280′ in length.

Services Include:

• Dockage
• Fuel
• Concierge Services
• Crew Amenities – including pool, gym, crew lounge, bar & restaurant, bath suites & wifi+

For the latest news on the Superyacht Industry, click here.

Exciting new location for Global Services!

After a long-awaited count down, Global Services have officially announced the grand opening of their amazing new site in Europe, their EU Hub. Watch Sales & Procurement Director, Matt Redstone, announce the news below:

The Details

The new EU Hub is located just outside the largest seaport in Europe which is in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. It boasts 16,000 sq ft. of warehouse space and will be their core facility for all business logistics going forward. This now means that Global can support you from two warehouse locations depending on where you are in the world.

So, why the Netherlands?

It brings them closer to their customers. The Netherlands is not the largest country in the European Union. But, it is one of the EU’s most well-connected. Global Services’ new location benefits from having access to 95% of the EU. The port of Rotterdam has the best infrastructure of any port in Europe, which means Global Services will be able to deliver your goods quicker and more efficiently than ever before.

The Benefits of Global Services having a EU Hub

What does opening the EU Hub mean for you?

• It will considerably cut transit times on deliveries
• Goods and shipments will be able to move far more quickly and freely
• It removes the headache of Brexit
• More flexible storage solutions
• All in all, it will be far more convenient

Equally important, the EU Hub is equipped there is far more space. More space means better storage solutions for all the yachts out there. We all know superyachts need more space. So Global Services has put together a storage plan menu based on area, time, and cost. Warehouse to dock deliveries and dock to warehouse collections will be quicker and more accessible than ever to take the pressure off you during busy season.

Matt Redstone, comments:

“As we have grown over the last few years, additional space was something we were going to need. Getting even closer to our customers in Europe was a goal also and Brexit just forced our hand a little on the timing. We cannot just say we want to make life simple we have to make it simple, and removing red tape and hassle helps us deliver on our promise to you to do just that.

I’d like to genuinely thank the team at Global for making this goal become a reality, and to thank all our customers for continuing to choose us to support you, we’re looking forward to doing even more with you.”

If you would like to get in touch with Global services, contact their sales team at sales@globalservicesltd.co.uk. Stay up to date on their website and all Facebook and Instagram channels for more updates throughout the week.

For the latest news in the superyacht industry, click here.

Throughout her last 3 years in the industry, Megs has come across many of the challenges women often have to face when choosing to work out on deck. From struggling to get a position at all to men making inappropriate remarks today, we talk to Meg about the challenges she has faced so far and how she has handled them.

How and when did you get into the superyacht industry?

My family is the owner of SY Shakti, and they charter in the Indian Ocean. During our holidays, I would be extremely excited to get on board and learn as much as possible about sailing and working on deck. I absolutely loved learning new knots, driving tenders, general maintenance and interacting with guests. My mum mentioned I should not settle down for a desk job, as I hate being indoors. That was the moment I decided I want to be a deckhand. I also decided there and then,  one day,  I wanted to have my own sailing yacht and run surf charters.

What made you choose a career on deck instead of an interior role?

Being inside has never interested me. I did my first PADI qualification in 2013 and had been diving ever since. My biggest passion is being in the ocean, whether I am surfing, scuba diving or swimming. Being on deck allows me to do what I love the most, and my favourite part of being outside is getting to drive big tenders. There is also nothing quite like being out in the sun doing maintenance. Although, I do love bridge watch and doing chart work as a bit of verity.

What courses did you complete before entering the industry as a deckhand?

After finishing my first degree, I dedicated 2 months to complete as many deck courses as possible. I knew to even have a chance of entering such a male dominant position, I would need to make my CV look attractive. The course’s I completed were:

• STCW
• PDSD
• PWC Instructor
• PB2
• SSO
• RYA
• VHF Radio
• SYSA Deckhand course

I also had my PADI license and completed the SYSA stew course to increase my knowledge of the superyacht industry. During my courses, I learnt how detailed you needed to be to succeed in this industry and the need to work efficiently under pressure and with the limited time you have.

How did you land your first deckhand position? And what was the boat?

I landed my first position because I had 7 tickets as a greenie, and I also come from a sailing background. My first superyacht was 35m SY Sea Wave. I did about 6000NM whilst sailing through the Mediterranean. I had a lovely Captain who encouraged me to become a Chief Officer one day.

What challenges were you faced with when you were trying to get your first job?

The biggest challenge was the crew agencies. They had no interest in helping me find my first deck gig because I had no experience. I found this extremely frustrating at the time, but I have learnt a lot from this experience, and it has inspired me to create my own crew agency that will never turn down a greenie. It also encouraged me to create the Instagram page @girls.ondeck. I wanted to create more awareness that females can also be successful deckhands, bosuns, and officers. On top of this, I would like it to become a platform that will help protect women and encourage them to talk about tricky situations they have dealt with when working out on deck.

Currently, I am focused on building my website, which is called “Aloha Yachties”. This site will cater to all genders, and I aim to help and advise green crew on everything they need to know, from designing their resumes, getting their seaman’s discharge book or just helping them lad their first position. It will display a subsection of girls on deck to show the achievements of other women in the industry and hopefully inspire others to do the same.

What has been the most challenging part of your career in yachting so far?

I accepted a gig for 1 year in Dubai and worked for Sheik Mohammed with a fleet with over 500 crew. I was the only female deckhand in the entire fleet, which resulted in unwanted behaviour from my bosun. A few months after this happened, I made the WhatsApp group for girls. I felt like I had to protect the other girls in the industry. Through this, I sadly learnt that several other people had been through a similar experience.

Are you continuing with your training? Would you like to be a yacht officer or captain?

I recently accepted a new position where I can fully commit to finishing all my tasks in the training record book, gain more sea time and complete the rest of my OOW modules. I want to be a Chief Officer within the next 3 years. Overall, my dream is to be captain of my own 84ft Sunreef Catamaran running surf charters.

What has been your biggest lesson during your career on superyachts?

Listen to your HOD and do exactly what they say. No matter how terrible the situation is, you have to do it. I soon mastered the art of patience. Working on a 134M vessel with different cultures and religions, I quickly learnt to adapt and interact differently to what comes naturally to me. Most importantly, I learnt to stand up for myself!

What are you looking to achieve with the girls on deck community?

My goal is to create a community where women can openly discuss their experiences of working on deck and feel they have a place to go if times a getting tough onboard and they want someone to share it with. On top of this, I would like to create a crew agency that provides opportunities for green crew to get their first deck role. In 2019, when I was new to the industry, I got turned down by over 3 agencies because I had no experience.

If you could give one bit of advice to all the girls looking for their position as a deckhand, what would it be?

My advice for those looking to be a deckhand or transitioning from being a stew to working on deck is to know what position you want and go for it. As a female, do not be afraid to be a deckhand and ask plenty of questions during your interview. Be brave enough to demand more and be disciplined enough to work hard to show you are capable.

If you are looking for general advice, get in touch with Meg on her Instagram @the.saffa.deckhandor join her community @girls.ondeck for inspiration from other female deck crew throughout the industry.

We have all heard the word Ethical, and we all know the term, but all the different information often leaves us wondering how ethical can it actually be? So we asked the question. How ethical is Ethical Yacht Wear?

For some of us, the challenge of working in the superyacht industry is enough, but others need more. Today we speak with Lauren Wardley. Lauren has only recently left her full-time stewardess position onboard (60m) M/Y Samadhi after 2.5 years on board. During this, she launched Ethical Yacht Wear because she noticed a gap in the uniform market. We interviewed Lauren today to find out more about her brand and just how ethical it is.

Lauren, tell us about your background and how you got into the industry?

Before working in the yachting industry, I worked in various hospitality jobs, from bartending to hotel management. I have always had a passion for customer service, so it only seemed fitting to combine my love for hospitality and the ocean and enter the yachting industry.

My first position was a deck/stew role on a 108ft Benetti. I started applying for jobs before I completed my STCW. I was due to finish my course on Friday and got a call on Wednesday asking if I could leave for New York on Saturday. That’s right; I was on my way to New York on Saturday! I couldn’t believe it when I landed my first job so quickly.

How did you manage your time between being a stewardess whilst starting your own business?

I had a fantastic crew! They wanted nothing more than to watch me achieve my goals and dreams. It was because of them I could establish and work on Ethical Yacht Wear. However, it also took a lot of self-discipline, sacrifice and time management!

When and where did the journey begin? What inspired you to create Ethical Yacht Wear?

Ethical Yacht Wear is now two years old, and I can’t believe what it has achieved in that time! The idea stemmed from another ocean giving back brand I owned. I sold my branded organic cotton t-shirts to sponsor ocean clean up, which has now developed into Ethical Yacht Wear.

My inspiration for Ethical Yacht Wear came from wanting to provide a not so environmentally friendly industry with an environmentally friendly solution to a global issue (the garment industry). It has also always been my dream to create a circular, giving back business.

We give back by providing a sustainable solution that does not affect our oceans adversely (like regular clothing), and through a percentage of profits, Ethical Yacht Wear sponsors ocean clean up and research, as well as aids in reducing poverty in coastal communities.

So who helps you run Ethical Yacht Wear? Surely you can’t do this all on your own?

I am the sole person running Ethical Yacht Wear! I employ the help of freelancers online regarding things like web development and SEO, as this is not an area of my expertise. However, leaving my last position on M/Y Samadhi, I have taken the leap to focus on Ethical Yacht Wear full time, and there are big plans on the horizon!

When you started Ethical Yacht Wear, did you see it expanding as much as it has?

I had no idea! I didn’t know how it would develop, and I am so proud of how it turned out. It is incredible to see that so many people in the superyacht industry embrace sustainability as part of life and want to make changes to reduce their impact on the planet.

Has the COVID-19 Pandemic affected Ethical Yacht Wear?

It has, although this has given me a great opportunity to work on a lot of back of house projects, and since taking the leap to work on the company full time, I am so very excited to see what the future has in store for us!

What is the most significant milestone for Ethical Yacht Wear so far?

There are several I can think of, but the one I am most proud of is that we have sponsored the removal of 4 tonnes (the equivalent to 200,000 500ml plastic bottles) out of the ocean to date. We have done this by helping pay people in poorer nations to collect this plastic as jobs; this, in turn, increases their livelihood and helps reduce poverty.

I am also so proud that Ethical Yacht wear provides an easily accessible, sustainable solution to a global pollution issue (the garment industry).

Do you design the clothes yourself?

Yes! As we know, there is not a lot of room to move with a uniform. However, I have just designed our first line of eco shorts and skorts just about to launch!

We offer all of our clients a bespoke service where you can design elements of your yacht uniform – if you need a custom design, style or colour that you cannot find, this service comes in perfectly.

Where are your clothes sourced? Do you know they are coming from an ethical factory? 

I have spent a lot of time researching this, and it is scary how many clothes produced are made as cheaply as possible for the western world. All Ethical Yacht Wears Clothes are from sustainable, fair trade factories!

At the moment, Europe and India are the two places I am sourcing from.

So, what makes your clothes so ethical?

First of all, every item we supply is made from organic cotton. Regular cotton farms are sprayed with large amounts of toxic pesticides and fertilisers, which run off into the ocean, creating large dead zones (areas of the ocean where sea life has died out and can no longer exist). We make sure we do not contribute to this by only using organic cotton.

If we use any other material, it is also a sustainable material or recycled material, so we are not introducing any new material into an already saturated garment industry.

Finally, every person making the uniform is paid a fair wage and provided proper, safe, and clean working conditions, which is rare to come by in the garment industry.

If all yachts turned to Ethical Yacht Wear, will Organic Cotton remain a sustainable way to supply the industry?

Absolutely! Organic cotton reduces toxic ocean runoff and helps protect aquatic life: the more people that use organic cotton, the better.

What are your goals for the next year?

To continue refining and growing Ethical Yacht Wear into a uniform company that every boat buys their uniform from, with a mind to make changes for the better.

We don’t charge a premium, so we can make this sustainable uniform available to everyone! We will also hold clean-ups, events, and other excellent ocean awareness and ocean saving initiatives.

Crew often get stuck with a lot of old and damaged uniforms. What is your advice for those looking to get rid of it? What is the most environmentally friendly way to deal with old clothing?

I always believe in giving clothing to people in need. However, if crew are worried about printed logos, the best solution I have recently come across is this fantastic company called TerraCycle which provides a solution to recycling anything! Regarding clothing, they either reuse, upcycle or recycle. Or get in touch with us directly, and we will help provide a solution!

Where do you see Ethical yacht wear in 5 years? 

As not just a company, but a yachting community that provides sustainable uniform and brings people and yachties alike together to meet up, exchange ideas and make sustainable changes within the industry for the better!

You can also check out their fantastic ambassador club – www.seaambassadors.com that brings all those in the industry that would like to come together to help create change for the better! Check it out for more about how we do this!

For more articles on sustainability click here

The Feadship yard in Makkum has launched project 1009 Pure Bliss. 

Pure Bliss is the new 95m Hybrid Feadship Superyacht. She has been described as a “timeless family yacht” benefitting from the very latest hybrid propulsion and is set to be a world traveller.

The owner’s involvement has been essential to the success of both the exterior and interior design. With incredible attention to detail. The exterior is designed by Jan Schaffers of Studio De Voogt complimented perfectly by the elegant interior design courtesy of Rémi Tessier.

Key features

The high ceilings onboard give this Superyacht a spacious feel with nine luxurious guest cabins. Large lounges, and an extensive gym and wellness area. Combined with expansive exterior deck areas, and large pool. Plus a commercially certified helideck which converts into a full sports and games deck. Bliss is prepared for endless family fun. Leisure facilities aside, this is a Feadship built for serious exploration. She is fully equipped and certified to cruise Polar regions, anchor in deep water, or keep position with her dynamic positioning system. Bliss sails with a top speed of 17 knots and has a range of 6000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots.

What the Project Manager says

Project Manager Alber Abama has said: “Feadship is renowned for offering a unique experience to owners who wish to become personally involved and, in this case, the client embraced every opportunity to play a role. He also thoroughly enjoyed meeting the craftspeople and learning about our processes at the yard. Bliss really is a Feadship built with as well as for her owner.”

The Tech

This Hybrid Feadship has state-of-the-art technology and engineering covering all onboard systems. Advanced security and life-safety systems have been discretely incorporated. De Voogt Naval Architects has been heavily involved in the design and engineering of the hybrid propulsion system to enable the yacht to sail in diesel-electric mode. Exceptionally flexible in terms of its ultra-efficient energy consumption and offering major fuel savings. This package helps to protect the environment and provides premium comfort for all who step aboard.

To learn more about new builds, yards or tech have a look at some of out other news articles here.