Superyacht: more tax to come...

According to the Triton website "Seven megayachts docked more than half the year in Charleston, S.C., have been sent property tax bills for their vessels, according to a story yesterday in The Post and Courier newspaper."

To read the whole story, click here.

Superyacht MINE GAMES docking on a windy day

Superyacht MINE GAMES docking on a windy day

Italy seizes another superyacht

According to IBINews :" Italy's financial police, the Guardia di Finanzia, has seized another superyacht as part of an investigation into suspected tax evasion.

Blue Eyes, (Yacht Market Editor: she is a 2009 CRN yacht) a 60m (197ft) motoryacht belonging to the boss of an Italian optician chain, is being held as officials look into suspected unpaid duty on fuel. Reports in the Italian press suggest that the suspected tax evasion could be worth millions of euros.
The story recalls the high profile seizure of Flavio Briatore's yacht Force Blue, which has since been returned.
The seizures concern suspected private use of yachts registered as commercial concerns and therefore entitled to reductions in fuel duty. The rise of investigations into yachts is part of an ongoing tax evasion crackdown being carried out in Italy."

Eric

RIP Eric Establie - French cave diver

Superyacht accident: Amels La Masquerade Vs Super tanker

2010 Regates Royales Cannes

Enjoy the pictures of the Regates Royales de Cannes
Click the pictures to enlarge

2010 Awards: Best Yacht Design

Yacht on display at the 2010 Cannes Boat Show


click to enlarge

Florida fishing boat captain tossed from yacht in fatal ocean horror

A 61-year-old charter boat captain was tossed from his yacht in rough seas.


credit: Stuart Browning

RIP Captain Thomas Henry
Read more here

2010 Awards: Best Hull Polish

Click to enlarge - credit DR



What Did They Drink ?

Riva 68 EGO Video at 30 knots

Check out this cool video aboard the stylish Riva 68 EGO


Credit: http://www.charterminute.com

Maltese Falcon sailing

A windy day for the 88m Perini Navi Maltese Falcon.


Click to enlarge

Credit: B. Sertier

Amels Ilona docking Antibes IYCA

Just a short video featuring the Amels Ilona docking at Antibes IYCA


Copyrights: http://www.charterminute.com

Leopard 43m hull N°1 - first pictures...

First pictures of the new Leopard 43m lying in Golfe Juan - Hull N°1


The yacht features a massive deck salon bathed in natural light.


The Leopard 43m is powered by twin Kamewa 71SII jet and a central booster.


The flybridge features a jacuzzi located forward and an aft sunbathing area.

Year: 2010
LOA: 141.47ft - 43.12m
Beam: 27.40ft - 8.35m
Draft: 4.43ft - 1.35m
Intrerior design: Cristiano Gatto
Naval architect: Bacigalupo
Engines: 3 x MTU 16V2000 M93 - 2,400hp each
Top speed: 35 knots approx.
Cruising speed: 30 knots aopprox.
Guests: 8/9 guests staterooms
Price: upon request

Her Cristiano Gatto interior includes a massive Master cabin with bathroom, a VIP cabin and two additional guest cabins plus a breathtaking deck salon. There is also a relaxing area located on the foredeck.

Although her white/ebony Makassar interior is bathed in natural light, the Leopard 43m does not have the big side windows that one can see on the Leopard 46m.

A Census of Marine Biodiversity Knowledge, Resources, and Future Challenges

Threats to biodiversity

The Census of Marine Life (2000–2010) was the largest global research programme on marine biodiversity. This paper integrated the findings of reviews of major world regions by the Census and provides a global perspective on what is known and what are the major scientific gaps.

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0012110

Copyright: © 2010 Costello et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Edmiston Company Vs Boris Berezovsky: 1-0

Credit Charterminute.com

A euro 240,000,000 deal...
According to Boat International, "Edmiston & Company had won its High Court legal case against Boris Berezovsky, the Russian businessman. Edmiston had been forced to challenge Mr Berezovsky over a commission they were owed following their sale of his 110m motor yacht Darius in 2008..."

Read the article here

Greek Yacht Industry in Distress

Published by http://www.mpa.gr
Reposted on Charterminute.com

The Hellenic Yacht Owners Association on Tuesday warned that the sector was facing extinction, suffering the worst year in its history because of the economic crisis.

Speaking to ANA-MPA, Antonis Steliatos, president of the Association, said reservations for professional yachts with crew were down more than 80 pct this year, compared with 2009, with 11 vessels taken out of commission because of reduced demand.

Reservations for sail ships are also down, with revenues suffering a sharp fall this year, although no specific figures could be provided since there is no single charter policy in the sector.

The Association said that Greek lacked the necessary numbers in marinas, while existing infrastructure was not competitive. "Our country has almost 5,000 islands and islets and a coastline stretching for thousands of kilometres. It is unacceptable that Croatia with 1/10th of the Greek coastline has 108 modern marinas and Turkey has a better network of marinas than Greece," Steliatos said.

According to official figures, Greece has 19 organised marinas and another 12 under construction, with an overall capacity of 6,661 vessels.

Picture of the day: Baglietto Chato

No this is not a French customs vessel !
Built in 1988, the Baglietto Chato was one of the fastest yacht built by the Italian shipyard Baglietto.



Cutting-edge solutions were used along with aluminium in the quest for breathtaking performance, such as the hydrojet propulsion of the Chato, allowing to 25 metre motor yacht to reach speeds of 62.5 knots...

Bye bye Monaco, Hello Porto Montenegro ?

Check out this film about the newly open Porto Montenegro superyacht marina

Foreign yachts will be able to enter Russian waters soon

According to Xeniosworld.com: "The yachts which fly the flags of foreign countries will possibly be able to enter the Russian waters in autumn.

Such law has been already endorsed by the Ministries and Agencies and most likely will be adopted during the autumn session, said the Head of the Department of the Ministry of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy of the Russian Federation Nadezhda Nazina in the framework of the 2nd International Conference “Maritime Tourism” in St. Petersburg.

However with the adoption of the law the problem of entering Russian waters won’t be completely solved. The major parts of the bodies of water of Russia don’t have necessary infrastructure and are not ready for receiving the yachts of foreign tourists. It’s also necessary to make a schedule of shipping locks and install signs in English."

Source: www.atorus.ru

"

Amels Ilona at anchor

Click to enlarge _ copyright Charterminute.com

Rare picture of the Feadship Sussuro

Click to enlarge - copyright Charterminute.com

Enjoy this rare picture of the Feadship Sussuro spotted near Antibes Port Vauban...at low speed :-(
The stunning 50-meter Feadship “Sussuro” has a double TF40 center boost Verico turbines and two Paxman diesel giving her a top speed of 46 knots.

Mangusta 108 cruising in the Med

Click to enlarge - copyright Charterminute.com

Check out the pictures of the Mangusta 108 O' interior here

Superyacht Axioma Detained by Italian Authorities

Just weeks after Force Blue was detained by Italian authorities, another charter yacht has been boarded, with guests required to disembark and be accompanied to police headquarters.

More information on Megayacht News here

Check out the amateur video

Monaco Grand Tour on the Azimut 55 George of London

Monaco Grand Tour all inclusive yacht charter package
First pictures of the baby yacht available for day charter on charterminute.com very soon.


Azimut 55 George of London in Monaco Port Hercule


Azimut 55 at anchor near Villefranche


Guests relax near Paloma Beach St Jean Cap Ferrat


Satellite TV, air-con, jet ski, sun beds


Full beam Master cabin on the Azimut 55 George of London

Monaco Grand Tour on Azimut 55

Click to enlarge

First pictures of the Azimut 55 George of London.

This baby yacht will soon be available on exclusive day-charter package: Monaco Grand Tour on Charterminute.com

Airco, jet ski, satellite TV, 3 cabins, flybridge with wetbar...

Check out the FLICK HD picture gallery here

Chasing the Luna !

It takes a lot of time to get a good picture but it is possible...

Yacht commercial - Axe Boat the Love Boat

Roman Abramovich’s £300m super-yacht delayed

According to the Daily Mail online, the  German shipyard Blom & Voss have been unable to meet the standards sets by Roman Abramovich and the superyacht Eclipse is still on dry six months after it was due to be delivered.The wolrd's larget private yacht Eclipse was due to be handed over to Roman Abramovich last Christmas.

But according to the Daily Mail "...a list of problems has led to disagreements between Mr Abramovich, the world’s 11th richest man with a fortune estimated at £7.6 billion, and the company, which now faces a bill of tens of millions of pounds to rectify the faults.

The problems are said to include a giant mirror on one of the nine decks being smashed during tests in the North Sea. And Austrian crystal glasses purchased for Mr Abramovich’s dinner guests are said to have ‘rattled’ when the electro-diesel engines vibrated. It is claimed the vibrations have also spread to Mr Abramovich’s personal deck."

Read the article here

115 metre explorer Luna at anchor

The massive super yacht was spotted at anchor near Golfe Juan.
At 115 metres, she was the second largest yacht launched in 2009.

Length: 115m
Shipyard: Lloyd werft and Stahlbau Nord
Exterior design by Newcruise
Interior design: Don Starkey
Owner: R. Abramovich

2010 Voiles d'Antibes, Trophee Panerai

Cambria and Moonbeam in Port Vauban


Click to enlarge

Picture of the day: Oceanco Sunrays

Click to enlarge

The brand new 85m Oceanco Sunray was spotted yesterday near Antibes.Built 2010Project name: Y705Naval Architect: Azure Naval Architects, Oceanco Exterior Designer: Bjorn Johansson Design Interior Designer: Terence Disdale Design Ltd.

Princess Caroline Pacha III at anchor near Antibes

Click to enlarge

This gentleman motor yacht was built in 1936 by Camper & Nicholson shipyard in 1936.
Her current owner is Princess Caroline of Monaco.
Pacha III = Pierre + Andrea + Charlotte (first name of the Princess's children)

Length: 36.25m
Beam: 5.6m
Steel hull
Powered by two Caterpillar engines

Formerly: Briseis - Cardigrae - Priamar - Arlette II

High-end repo men snag planes, yachts...

CNN's Carol Costello reports on two men who repossess high-end items like planes for a living.
See the short video here

Freak Waves before the 2010 Cannes Film Festival

Freak waves caused millions of Euros of damage to waterfront cafes and restaurants in Cannes Vieux Port and La Croisette.

Captain Patrice Cerdan - MY Princess V65 Ali - sent us this short video showing Cannes Vieux Port partly flooded as sea level rose suddenly.

Credit: Patrice Cerdan
www.charterminute.com

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport : 100% carbon...

Check out the pictures of the beast...

Petites observations automobiles: Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport : 100% carbone

Blohm + Voss shipyard sold !

Abu Dhabi MAR, a leading shipbuilding group, has signed a strategic agreement with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems for the acquisition of its Blohm + Voss businesses in Germany.  

Gruppo Baglietto moves into liquidation

According to sources, the Baglietto Group, encompassing Cantieri Navali Baglietto Varazze, Cantieri Navali Baglietto La Spezia and Cantieri di Pisa, moved into voluntary liquidation last week.

Baglietto recently launched the new 42m Wide Body Lucky Me.

Spain to increase VAT rate

According to IBINews "Spanish trade body ANEN has expressed deep concern over government plans to increase the standard value added tax tariff to 18 per cent from the current 16 per cent. The measure, announced last September, will take effect on July 1, 2010."

Last week, an increase took effect for VAT rates in Greece that is expected to affect yacht charter vacations.

Who's next ?

Read the article

How to become a Certified Yacht Broker...for a little more than US$69

Place a bid !

Do it yourself !

Following unsuccessful tentative by brokerage companies to build (and sell) superyacht in China, China Communications and Transportation Association (CCTA) President Qian Yongchang said that "now is the time for China to develop the yachting industry, even though at the beginning, the high-end recreational boats may be accessible only to high earners."

However, industrial insiders said that during the beginning stage, it is unrealistic to expect the Chinese to purchase yachts with the same passion as they pursue cars or houses.

Yacht renting will therefore be a major way that people can enjoy the luxury.

Cantieri di Pisa Lazy Me - Akhir 135

Built in 2008, the 41m Akhir 135 was spotted near the Lerins island.

This Italian motor yacht is powered by twin 16V4000M90 - 3,650hp diesel engines and can reach a top speed of 29knots.

It's all about yacht tax....

Looking to boost marine industry sales, lawmakers plan to cap sales taxes on high-end boats sold in Florida...but the yacht tax break is hard to justify.

Read the article on the Miami Herald here

Ranking Political Candidates By Their Yachts

Article posted on The Wealth Report by By Robert Frank

Sarafsa in Nice

The 82m Andrew Winch designed Sarafsa was spotted in Nice yesterday.

Shipyard: Devonport YachtsYear: 2008
Naval Architect: Burness Corlett - Three Quays Limited
Exterior Designer: Andrew Winch Designs Ltd.
Interior Designer: Andrew Winch Designs Ltd.

Sunseeker: Good and Bad News

Good news: Sunseeker 38m sold !
The Sunseeker 38 Metre Special Edition superyacht was purchased by a buyer from the GCC on the very first day of this year’s Dubai International Boat Show for Dh72 million ($19.6 million). 

Bad news: John Braithwaite has resigned as a director from the board of Sunseeker International Ltd.
The chief of design and development at the UK boatbuilder, and brother of former. According to IBInews, "Both Robert and John Braithwaite left the board of the parent company Sunseeker Holdings Ltd on December 23, 2009. A week prior to their departure John Darlingon, head of corporate restructuring KPMG, was appointed as the new chairman of the Sunseeker Holdings board."

Superyacht captain: It's a bit like being a 'glorified chauffeur'

According to CNN : "Superyacht captains earn up to $22,000 a month"
Not to bad for "glorified chauffeur" !

Read the interview of the Captain Cook on CNN here

Yacht Broker Advice...

Will Purchasing an LLC Avoid Sales Tax on a Yacht?

I am considering the purchase of a fairly expensive yacht that happens to be owned by a Delaware LLC. 

My yacht broker has advised that I can avoid paying sales tax on the purchase if I buy the LLC itself rather than the yacht. He also indicated that this could be done without spending the time outside of California that would otherwise be required to avoid sales tax.
Is this true?
If so, what are the issues that I should look out for when purchasing an LLC?

Read the answer on http://www.thelog.com

The Rogue Wave and The Cruise Ship

Your fantasy has come true!

The Examiner.com
A business group says a four-deck, 100-foot yacht is ruining the view of the St. Croix River in downtown Stillwater.
The Main Street Stillwater Alliance Business Association wants the Majestic Star to dock somewhere else.

read the post here

According to the charter company "MY Majestic Star is perfect for a wedding, birthday party, corporate event, or other function..."

Microburst blamed for sinking of tall ship Concordia, all 64 rescued

Sail The World.com - 48 students and the 16 professional crew and teachers from the Concordia, which sank 300 miles off the coast of Brazil, have been rescued successfully. The story of their rescue could be worthy of a scene in a novel, but it's also a good example of well-trained sailors.

Read the post on Sail The World here

Riding the shaft...

Bronze Leopard 34m picture

This brand new Leopard 34m was spotted today in Golfe Juan: she is one of the rare Leopard 34m to boast such custom metallic hull.

Credit: charterminute

Picture of the day: Superyacht and Snow

2010 - Snow in Antibes

MY Montkaj - click to enlarge

MY Virginian and MY Montkaj

First super yacht auction...

The new Dutch firm Super Yacht Auction has started to do business and the first auction will be open for bids until 1 March next.

"Super Yacht Auction, the new auction platform for super yachts (> 24 metres), presents its first global auction: a new Schooner of 100 ft (32,80 metres).

The auction, held at www.superyachtauction.com will be open for bids until 1 March next, 14:00 h. (UTC+1).  The owner of the ship has chosen Super Yacht Auction in order to conclude a fast sale."

Fractional ownership, fix brokerage fee, optimized yacht management program and now super yacht auction...2010 will be a challenging year for super yacht service companies.

Have a look at the yacht here

>> read the official press release in English (PDF file)

Feadship Pestifer in Cannes Port Canto

Check out the photo of the 2009 - 65m Feadship Pestifer currently lying in Cannes Port Canto near the "old" Pestifer, a 49.77 metre 1998 CRN.

Yesterday, one could see the crew working hard to move things form one yacht to another...

Crew at work...

The Feadship Pestifer features an interior by Zuretti Interior Design and Naval Architecture is by De Voogt Naval Architects.

The massive superyacht boasts a superb sun deck and an enormous volume for her length. 

Sunseeker undergoes restructuring

Sunseeker 52m project

Robert Braithwaite set to step aside as UK boatbuilder undergoes restructuring.Did Sunseeker bit off more than it could chew with the Zeus project ?

IBI News

To cruise or not to cruise...

Photograph: Daniel Morel/AP

Cruise ships still find a Haitian berth 

Luxury liners are still docking at private beaches near Haiti's devastated earthquake zone for holidaymakers to enjoy the water...

Guardian

Feadship F45 TV in Golfe Juan

Spotted in Camille Rayon port yesterday, the Feadship TV was launched in 2008.
This massive displacement motor yacht is the third in the series of F45 Vantage semi-custom yachts following MY Space and MY Harle.
Credit: www.charterminute.com

Price tag: around 35M€


Click to enlarge


Click to enlarge

2009: Boat repo firm breaking sales records

April 200 - FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – For boat repo and auction firm National Liquidators, 2008 was a record breaking year. Sales were up 86 percent, compared to 2007, to nearly $82 million and orders were taken to repossess 3,066 boats, the highest number of vessels in its 21 years of business, according to an article yesterday in the Sun Sentinel.

So far, 2009 looks even better. The company is repossessing about 380 boats a month, and the company’s president, Robert Toney, told the newspaper that number may increase to more than 400.
Advertisement

In addition, the average size of the vessels continues to climb. While Toney told the newspaper that most boats the company seizes range from 30 to 50 feet in length, an increasing number of repossession orders for 55- to 75-foot boats and larger have been taken.

The company was in the news earlier this week for repossessing jailed financier Bernard Madoff's 55-foot, $2.2-million, custom-built fishing boat for federal authorities.

National Liquidator’s subsidiary, National Maritime Services, impounded the boat, which is expected to be sold at auction to help repay investors Madoff defrauded, the newspaper reported.

Credit: Boating Industry