MDL Marinas, one of Europe's largest marina groups, has announced a £2.2 million investment in upgrades at its Ocean Village Marina in Southampton. This investment has facilitated the complete replacement of all pontoons on the marina's south side and the implementation of new smart electric technology.
The upgrade project began in mid-October 2023 and involved installing new pontoons from sections F through L. This included removing some of the piles, dredging, reinstating the piles, and then installing the new pontoons, while keeping most of the original configuration. The project was completed in phases during May and June, with F and G pontoons opening on May 10.
In addition to the new pontoons, smart meters have been installed throughout the marina. These meters give customers control over their electricity accounts, enabling 24/7 online payments and providing automatic notifications of power interruptions.
Five superyacht berths, accommodating boats from 25m to 50m, have also been upgraded with new concrete pontoons, decking, and smart meters supplying 3-phase electricity. Enhanced wave attenuation at the marina entrance has been introduced to create a calmer and more comfortable environment for users.
Concrete pontoon sections were transported from Ireland to MDL’s Saxon Wharf and then towed to Ocean Village. The old pontoons and floats were removed for reuse or recycling, reflecting MDL Marinas' commitment to sustainability.
“Our commitment to investing in our marinas is crucial to ensure we are always delivering the highest level of excellence that our berth holders, visitors, and tenants have come to expect,” says Lauren McCann, Manager of Ocean Village Marina. “We also want to thank all our berth holders and staff who have been incredibly patient and accommodating throughout the project. The team has done an amazing job managing logistics during the works, including hosting a successful South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show.”
With the upgrades, Ocean Village Marina can now accommodate boats from 8m to 80m, offering a luxury marina experience year-round.
To celebrate the completion of the new pontoons, Ocean Village hosted a Summer Celebration on its brand-new south side pontoons. The event featured live music, a free barbecue, and complimentary hospitality aboard a selection of boats. Attendees enjoyed boat demonstrations of the latest Fairline Yachts models and other new and used boats. Approved Boats offered a free annual berth at Ocean Village Marina for any Fairline purchased at the event, extending this offer until the end of July for those unable to attend.
Ocean Village Marina, a 362-berth facility, is the UK's first and only 5-star marina. Located near the Solent, the marina features a £50 million spa hotel complex and is surrounded by shops, bars, restaurants, and a cinema. Ocean Village Marina was voted ‘Marina of the Year’ at the British Yachting Awards in November for its exemplary customer service.
Credits: MDL Marinas
Alia Yachts has launched the Sea Club 53, a 53-meter full custom superyacht designed for ultimate toy and tender carrying capabilities. This new vessel, launched in Antalya, Turkey, is set for final outfitting and sea trials before its delivery in August.The Sea Club 53 is designed to be highly capable and flexible within the sub-500GT size range. It includes a fully certified H-145 helicopter deck and offers extensive storage for a submersible, a 13m tender, an 8m crew tender, two sailing catamarans, two dinghies, two Waverunners, and various other water sports equipment and toys. The yacht accommodates six guests in three cabins, including a master cabin, with additional luxurious amenities.“The Sea Club 53 showcases the very best of our capabilities here at Alia Yachts,” said president Gökhan Çelik. “We’re thrilled to see her in the water demonstrating her full potential for operating in great comfort at speeds up to 15 knots. It is a testament to our expert technical, engineering, and boatbuilding teams here at Alia, as well as the close collaboration we have enjoyed with Azure Yacht Design for the exterior design and layout development, and with Diana Yacht Design for the naval architecture underpinning the hull. The Sea Club 53 has been an ambitiously rapid build. Thanks to an excellent relationship with the owner’s team at Technical Marine UK and quick thinking at our end, we have brought the project from dream to floating reality in a little over two years.”Built entirely in-house, the yacht was constructed for an owner seeking a combination of a chaseboat's fun and a superyacht's finish and styling. The Sea Club 53 is designed for water sports, undersea exploration, and helicopter operations, while maintaining the luxury expected of a modern superyacht. The yacht offers top-notch overnight accommodation and large exterior deck areas suitable for social gatherings.Constructed in three parts—hull, superstructure, and heli deck—the yacht was joined together in late 2022. It features 50 square meters of toy storage on the lower deck and a dedicated water sports center, which includes more than 20 modular water park elements for varied daily setups.“The launch of project Sea Club marks the start of a whole new concept in the yachting industry,” said Onne Logger of Azure Yacht Design. “A unique combination of luxurious guest accommodation, enormous storage for tenders and toys, and an unparalleled number of entertainment possibilities. The owner’s goal was to fit the storage and the entertainment amenities which would be usually found on an 80m+ vessel, while keeping the rich and elegant look of a superyacht.”The successful realization of the Sea Club 53 is attributed to the collaboration between the owner, Alia Yachts, Azure Yacht Design, Diana Yacht Design, and Technical Marine UK.Alia Yachts was founded in 2008 by Gokhan Çelik and Omer Koray. Located in the port of Antalya on the beautiful Turkish Riviera, Alia Yachts shipyard currently occupies approximately 8,000 m2, including three construction halls with their suites of specialist workshops and a dedicated interiors facility. With an additional 16,000 sq. m under development for 2019, Alia Yachts will rank among the top facilities in the region.Credits: Alia Yachts
July 2, 2024
Summer is in full swing, but the yachting industry gears up for the major September boat shows. Nautor Swan will showcase its latest launches, including the much-anticipated worldwide premieres Swan 88 and Swan Arrow.Swan 88 DreamCatcher with hybrid propulsionFrom September 10th to 15th, Nautor Swan will be a key exhibitor at the Cannes Yachting Festival. The event will feature five of their yachts, with the highlight being the premiere of three models: the Swan 88 and ClubSwan 43 in Port Canto, and the Swan Arrow in Port Vieux.Swan 88 DreamCatcher with hybrid propulsionIn Port Canto, the Swan 88 will debut in its electric version, powered by a fully integrated Deep Blue system by Torqeedo. This model, designed in collaboration with German Frers, Misa Poggi, and Lucio Micheletti, represents an evolution of the brand's previous yachts. It combines elegant design with an efficient and easy-to-maintain platform, aimed at providing a superyacht experience.ClubSwan 43The ClubSwan 43, also premiering in Port Canto, is positioned as a versatile racer. Designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian with interiors by Micheletti + Partners, it is intended for competitive racing while also offering options for a sporty-cruising experience. Additionally, Nautor Swan will display the Swan 55 and Swan 58, models known for their suitability for family cruising and long-distance sailing.Swan ArrowIn Port Vieux, the Swan Arrow will make its international debut. This 75-foot model is the largest in the Nautor Swan motor yacht range, designed to embody the iconic Swan DNA. It features a 23-meter ‘walkaround’ design and a sustainable approach to fuel consumption. One notable innovation is the opening platform that creates a 50 sqm beach area, elevated above the water thanks to powered side openings, creating a terrace on the sea. The Swan Arrow will be accompanied by Swan Shadow, the first motoryacht launched by Nautor and designed by Jarkko Jamsen.From September 13th to 22nd, the latest evolution of the Swan 48 series, the Swan 48MKII, will be displayed at the Southampton International Boat Show, Britain's largest boating festival.Swan 48MKIIFollowing the Cannes Yachting Festival, Nautor Swan will present the Swan 88 at the Monaco Yacht Show from September 25th to 28th. This prestigious event provides an ideal platform to showcase the Swan 88's design and performance to an international audience of yachting enthusiasts and industry professionals.Nautor Swan was founded in 1966 in Pietarsaari, Finland. The builder entered the superyacht market in 1999. Since then, the yard has continued building high-performance sailing yachts in three different lines; ClubSwan, Swan Yachts and Maxi Swan Yachts. Credits: Sara Torrini/Nautor Swan
July 2, 2024
The 2024 SATEC Convention, organized by the Italian Marine Industry Association Confindustria Nautica, concluded its first day with the 33rd Boating Pioneer Awards ceremony. Held at the Stibbert Museum in Florence, the event honored individuals and professionals for their significant contributions to the boating industry.Established in 1988 and supported by the Italian Ministry for Business and Made in Italy Industry since 2007, the Boating Pioneer Award recognizes entrepreneurs, managers, industry professionals, journalists, and designers who advance the Made in Italy brand with professionalism and dedication. These awards celebrate creativity, innovation, and commitment to maintaining industry traditions.Award RecipientsGiovanni Ricci received the Boating Pioneer Award in the Manager category. Ricci, with over 60 years in the industry, has transformed the Olcese Ricci family business into an internationally recognized brand. Mario Peserico, CEO of Eberhard Italia, presented Ricci with a 'Contograf' timepiece.Andrea Vallicelli was honored in the Designers category. Vallicelli, an architect and designer, was the first to hold a university chair in Industrial Design for boating in Italy. Known for designing Azzurra, the first Italian boat in the America's Cup, Vallicelli has significantly influenced yacht and racing boat design.Donatella Bianchi received the Boating Pioneer Award in the Italian Journalists category. As President of WWF Italy and the Cinque Terre National Park, Bianchi has promoted marine conservation and sustainability. She is well-known for hosting the TV program Linea Blu on Rai 1 since 1994.Ricard Bracons, a Spanish journalist with 40 years of experience in international boating publications, was awarded in the Foreign Journalists category. Bracons is recognized for his deep knowledge and promotion of international boating.Massimo Tardelli was honored in the Industry Professionals category for his role in the success of the Versilmarina Shipyard. Over his forty-year career, Tardelli's problem-solving skills and professionalism have inspired new generations in the industry.A Special Prize was awarded to Luca Bassani Antivari, founder and Chief Designer at Wally, marking thirty years since the company's inception. Known for his innovative and revolutionary yacht designs, Bassani's work has significantly influenced nautical design trends globally.Event HighlightsThe event was moderated by Fabio Petrone, editor of the online magazine Pressmare and a 2023 Boating Pioneer Award recipient in the Italian Journalists category.The Boating Pioneer Awards highlight the essential contributions of individuals in the boating industry, recognizing their efforts in promoting excellence and innovation while maintaining the sector’s traditions.Credits: Italian Marine Industry Association
July 2, 2024
Mangusta Yachts has announced the launch of the seventh Mangusta 104REV, just three months after the previous unit in the series. This model is the entry level of the iconic Mangusta Maxi Open line.The Mangusta 104REV, designed by the shipyard's Engineering Department in collaboration with Lobanov Design, maintains Mangusta's traditional style while offering a modern interpretation. Constructed from composite materials at the company's Viareggio site, the yacht features a propulsion system with two Kamewa water jets and two MTU 2600 hp engines, enabling it to reach a top speed of 35 knots with minimal vibrations. At a cruising speed of 30 knots, it has a range of 320 nautical miles.The Mangusta 104REV is designed for versatility, making it suitable for both the Mediterranean and US markets. Its shallow draft is ideal for navigating waters like those in the Bahamas or the Hamptons.“This unit is the fifth built for the American market, bearing witness to the great success of this model," says Mangusta Americas' President Stefano Arlunno.The next unit in this line is scheduled for delivery in Spring 2025.Overmarine Group was founded in 1985 by the Balducci family. The shipyard builds open and displacement power superyachts under the Mangusta and Mangusta Oceanco brand names. Credits: Overmarine Group
July 1, 2024
U-Boat Worx has announced enhancements to its Super Yacht Sub 3, a compact and luxurious private submarine designed for superyachts. The new version of the submersible sets a benchmark in submersible technology, focusing on performance and comfort.The Super Yacht Sub 3 continues to broaden the scope of underwater adventures for superyacht owners. Known for its reliability, it has been delivered to numerous iconic superyachts globally.The latest model introduces several key enhancements. Among the most significant is a new in-house developed thruster, which offers higher thrust for smoother and more precise maneuverability while maintaining a high level of silence for a relaxing diving experience.Additionally, the submersible now features an upgraded USBL system with two new functions. First, it enables seamless communication between the submersible and the surface by automatically relaying essential readings such as oxygen levels and battery life, reducing communication intervals and improving operational efficiency. Second, the USBL system serves as a positioning tool, providing real-time GPS information overlaid with Navionics maps, ensuring precise navigation and hazard avoidance, similar to Google Maps for underwater use.Enhancements have also been made to the pilot seat, providing better support and ergonomics for extended missions. These upgrades reflect U-Boat Worx's commitment to continuous improvement."The Super Yacht Sub 3 represents the culmination of our relentless pursuit of excellence," said Roy Heijdra, Marketing Manager of U-Boat Worx. "With its performance, luxurious amenities, and cutting-edge technology, it redefines the possibilities of underwater exploration for superyacht owners."Credits: U-Boat Worx
July 1, 2024