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We were shocked last week by the news about the fire on board the 75m sailing yacht Enigma (formerly known as Phocea). The yacht caught a fire near Langkawi, Malaysia. Seven crew members were rescued from the yacht, but the damage incurred by the fire led to the yacht sinking nearly twenty-four hours later. There is an interesting story behind the yacht. Enigma was built at Toulon, France, by DCAN in 1976 for Alain Colas, who was a French sailor. Her name was Club Méditerranée. He disappeared in 1978 in the Atlantic ocean, never to be seen again. In 1985 she was bought from Alain Colas’s wife by Bernard Tapie and renamed Phocea. Her second owner, French businessman Bernard Tapie, who is also an occasional actor, TV host and politician. He owned Adidas from 1990 to 1993; his cycling team La Vie Claire won the Tour de France twice – in 1985 and 1986 – and his football club Olympique de Marseille won the French championship four times in a row, as well as the Champions League in 1993. The documentary Who is Bernard Tapie? was filmed in 2001.From 1986 to 1999, Phocea used it as a cruising yacht. She had a major refit in 2000 in Germany. As a schooner with four masts, she was originally built for speed, and she crossed the Atlantic in 8 days and achieved speeds of 30 knots under sail. Then she was sold to Mouna Ayoub and sold again to her current owners in 2010. The Phocea was the world's largest sailing yacht before the 2004 launching of Athena, by Royal Huisman. She was loved by royalty, and, in August 2005, she crashed into the rocks off Sardinia with Prince and Princess Michael of Kent on board. Three people were seriously injured in this accident. Credits: Asian Yacht Crew/Facebook; LeHuffPost/YouTube

According to the international press, the 145m Solaris has become the eighth vessel in Roman Abramovich’s fleet. She is being built at Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven, Germany, where they’re preparing her for launch. According to some sources she’ll cost £430 million to build.Solaris has eight decks, as well as a helicopter pad, and she’ll have 48 cabins, accommodating up to thirty-six passengers and a crew of sixty. Lloyd Werft is located on a site covering more than 260,000 square metres in Bremerhaven’s Überseehafen on the German North Sea coast. Three large dry and floating docks, as well as high-performance workshops and logistics sectors, make it possible to build and convert ships more than 300m in length and with a draw up to 11m.Credits: Tom van Oossanen Instagram

Organisers of the Monaco Yacht Show have announced that in 2021 it will take place between 22–25 September. It will be upgraded and is designed to rise to the commercial and marketing challenges facing the market by promoting the superyacht lifestyle to a new set of wealthy clients.A steering committee of decision-makers from the yachting industry will play an advisory role, supporting the MYS development strategy and providing formal recognition of Informa’s commitment to working in partnership with the industry. Informa also plans to provide financial support, matching the annual amounts invested by the industry in its marketing action plan to showcase the superyacht lifestyle. Starting this year, visitors will discover new sections dedicated to innovative projects and trends in sailing, design and exploration, and the programme is set to grow over coming years, expanding the range of activities that reflect life on board a superyacht. The MYS will also rename its various exhibition areas, identifying each distinct theme to make it easier for visitors to find their way around.Monaco Yacht Show 2019 Here is a list of updates: Three categories of visitors with different badgesThere will be three categories of visitors, each with their own badge. The “Discover” badge will be reserved for yacht clients; their advisors and consultants will wear an “Advise” badge; and trade visitors, meanwhile, will be recognised thanks to their “Connect” badge.Superyacht and Tender Exhibition in the Dockside AreaOne of the advantages of the new badge system will be to enhance the flow of visitors on the quaysides; it will be easier for private visitors to board the superyachts and luxury tenders. On Wednesday 22 September, the Dockside Area will be open to “Discover” and “Advise” badges only, so that these categories of visitor can meet with shipyards, yacht brokers, designers or tender manufacturers in a more intimate and personalised environment. From Thursday onwards, the Dockside Area will be open to all participants. Premium services for VIP customersThe MYS official VIP visit programme, the Sapphire Experience, features a programme of activities in the show and in Monaco for superyacht owners, charterers and future clients. VIPs will be plunged into the world of superyachting from the moment they arrive at the Show. Two new first-class VIP entrances will be located near the Upper Deck Lounge (exhibition space for the show’s luxury partners) and close to the Yacht Club de Monaco.Monaco Yacht Show 2019 Safe experienceInforma’s main priority is obviously to safeguard the health of participants at the Show and thus provide a safe and serene experience. The 2021 MYS will therefore implement all necessary health measures, guided by its AllSecure programme and health regulations issued by Monaco’s government.The Monaco Yacht Show is an impressive and truly international fleet of superyachts available for purchase or charter. The MYS also showcases a selection of companies with ties to the yachting and luxury markets. Stands are reserved for superyacht builders and designers; yacht brokers; and providers of tenders, nautical gadgets and water toys, luxury brands, high-end cars and motorbikes, helicopters and private jets. The Monaco Yacht Show has been attracting a wealthy international clientele of yacht owners and executives from the superyacht and luxury markets since 1991. ​​​​​​It is organised under the High Patronage of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco in Monaco’s Port Hercule.Credits: Monaco Yacht Show; Anastasia Ryzhkova

Jeanneau Yachts 60 became the Philippe Briand’s 120th production yacht design. She was due to be launched at this year’s Dusseldorf Boat Show in January, but the bold new design is still making waves after a virtual launch.It took four years of hard work with Jeanneau’s in-house designers to bring the project to fruition. Measuring 60ft overall, with a modest taper towards the stern, a chine in the hull and a reverse bow, the proportions of the boat are absolutely amazing.“The JY 60 is special because it is the last in the range, and also the 120th of our series drawings,” explains Briand. “We put all our know-how into the yacht, and also a lot of personal emotion. I am used to putting myself in the shoes of the customer every time I draw a production boat. It's easy for me: I would like to own this one.”Beneath the aesthetics, the technical qualities of the hull and rig also promise agility, seakeeping and excellent balance. The chine will dig in to fight heeling, while buoyancy at the bow and stern reduce pitching. Twin rudders give a perfect balance on the helm, and the integrated bowsprit makes light work of launching a big reaching sail. In fact, the boat can be readily sailed by a couple, thanks to the option of in-mast furling for the main and a self-tacking jib. Either way, it is a fast hull, capable of an easy 8kt upwind and 12kt on a broad reach. Philippe Briand“This is a real sailor’s boat,” says Briand. “It is ideally suited to almost any brief from fast bluewater cruising to a leisurely jaunt across the bay – a boat for both the Mediterranean and the Baltic. The interior space is the owner’s home on the water, while her exterior living spaces are unmatched by the competition. She is more fun to sail, faster and more comfortable under sail and power than any catamaran available for the same budget.”The interior design of the yacht was made by Andrew Winch: sculpted surfaces with the use of real wood, fine fabrics and leathers create an atmosphere of timeless elegance below. It has the option of a full-beam owner’s cabin that is simply flooded with light, with a his-and-hers bathroom not usually seen in this size range. The open galley is positioned forward and includes the option of a full-height fridge. Meanwhile, the floor of the flexible saloon is slightly raised to give clearer sightlines out through the coachroof windows. This shipyard was founded in 1957 by Henri Jeanneau, and it has designed, produced and sold an extremely wide selection of over forty outboard, inboard, sailboat and yacht models around the world for over 60 years. Jeanneau stands out with its elegant, ingenious boats, ranging from 15 to 64 feet, with their pure, modern, timeless lines created by world-renowned architects.Credits: Jeanneau Yachts

The new 94m Feadship hybrid yacht Project 817 launched in Kaag, the Netherlands yesterday. Her advanced hybrid propulsion system allows the yacht to cruise on diesel-electric power at 12 knots. In diesel mode she’s able to reach a top speed of 20 knots. Her exterior was made by Azure and Feadship's Studio De Voogt and the interior is the work of Peter Marino Architects. Project 817 can carry a 14m tender, the largest ever installed on any Feadship. “There she is, the 94m Project 817; this groundbreaking eco-friendly Feadship has left the yard for the first time. Onlookers are admiring her special pearl-white livery, which is housing an exceptionally advanced hybrid propulsion system,” the shipyard’s Facebook page notes. Feadship was formed as a group in 1949 as a marketing partnership between six Dutch shipyards, de Vries Lentch, Van de Stadt, Witsen & Vis, Akerboom, De Vries Scheepsbouw and Van Lent Shipyard, and De Voogt Naval Architects. Feadship is well-known as one of Netherlands’ most elite yacht builders and delivers superyachts from 50–100+ meters in length.Credits: Feadship