Security matters and finding ways to protect their assets, crew, and guests from such dangers as pirates or paparazzi, have been in focus of the yacht owners for years. Security systems deployed onboard normally depend on the owner’s profile, the assets in question and the locations a system would be operating.
Increasingly, the owners order security systems that can automatically monitor, detect, track, classify and alert operators to approaching objects in the proximity of a yacht. There are some technical devices, normally deployed for better protection.
When it comes to paparazzi, one of the most helpful device would be anti-drone protection. Such equipment would detect and identify commercial drones within a 20+km range, providing GPS positioning of both drone & pilot together with the drone’s speed and heading.
When a real drone has been detected, the system enables creation of a 500 metre plus electronic ‘exclusion zone’ around the yacht. Once the drone approaches this zone, its control/video signals would be blocked, forcing it to land or return to operator.
One of the most popular examples of anti paparazzi protection on a superyacht, is Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich chosing to install a special shield system against paparazzi on his 162.5-metre Blohm+Voss superyacht Eclipse, built in 2010.
According to The Times, the device is capable of fixing the activity of the photosensitive elements on digital cameras, and disables them with a direct laser beam. The system works under both automatic and manual modes.
The fourth in his private fleet, Eclipse was famously built for Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich and the owner of Chelsea football club, as the largest yacht in the world (at that moment), a title that she held until the delivery of the 180-metre Azzam in 2013.
M/Y Eclipse
Eclipse also comes fitted with an underwater mini-boat and two helipads in case of emergencies. The initial price of the yacht was rumoured to amount to € 350 million, but additional equipment might have increased her value to € 800 million.
According to Forbes interview with Johannes Pinl of superyacht privacy and protection company MARSS, nowadays onboard CCTV, access control (door locking systems) and deck mounted pressure sensors likely to ‘form the basis of most standard superyacht security packages.’
These will be connected over an onboard network and managed from the bridge or a central control security room. Long-range daylight and thermal imaging cameras can have a dual function for both navigation and security use cases. Such cameras can be equivalent to military specification and are mounted on the mast to provide a long distance visual capability around a vessel.
He also stresses out that the key important thing is ensuring awareness among the crew to increase reaction time and make better decisions based on a clear assessment of a situation.
Meanwhile, one of the recent security devices installed by MARSS on a 100-metre plus superyacht, was NiDAR 360° degree surveillance system integrating multiple sensors to provide automated monitoring, detection, tracking and classification of objects in the vicinity of a vessel.
Operating autonomously at 24/7, NiDAR tracks both known and unknown surface and air objects. Smart software algorithms automatically analyse and rank threats, triggering alerts to notify crew and security personnel as required.
Messe Düsseldorf decided to cancel boot Düsseldorf for 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic and the associated worldwide lockdown measures. The next boot, as scheduled in the trade fair calendar, will open its doors from 22 to 30 January 2022. Under the given circumstances, an implementation on the planned date in April is no longer guaranteed, says Wolfram N. Diener, CEO of Messe Düsseldorf: "The continuing high level of infection and the fact that the end of the lockdown is not foreseeable for the time being make a resumption of trade fair operations at the end of April appear increasingly unrealistic. We have reassessed the situation with our partners and jointly decided to cancel boot 2021 early. Our priority is the health and planning security of our exhibitors, visitors and service providers. All activities will now be focused on the successful staging of boot 2022."The aim, he said, is to return to the concept of boot Düsseldorf both as an event for all water sports enthusiasts and as a business and networking platform for the international trade audience. For 2022, he added, work is also underway on a hybrid trade fair experience that will, among other things, enable digital participation in seminars and events at boot Düsseldorf.Credits: boot Düsseldorf
January 21, 2021
Mangusta GranSport 45 is a fast displacement yacht that combines technical features such as speed, greater range and limited consumption with elegant lines and a sophisticated interior. The model has zero speed and underway stabilizers for ultimate guest comfort. Her top speed is 26 knots and cruising speed is 20 knots. At an economical speed of 12 knots, her range is 4,200 nautical miles. Her shallow draft means she is perfect for visiting destinations like the Bahamas. Yesterday, the shipyard announced the launch of the new Mangusta GranSport 45. ‘This is where beauty and speed meet their habitat,’ Mangusta Yachts said in an Instagram post. 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
January 21, 2021
Azimut S6 won the title Best Sportscruiser over 40 Feet at the coveted Motor Boat Awards organised by top UK magazine Motor Boat & Yachting during a virtual ceremony on January 19, 2021.The sporty coupe, designed by Stefano Righini and Francesco Guida, scored points with the jury for the balance it achieves between adrenaline-pumping performance, excellent handling and a comfortable, spacious lower deck. Also, Azimut Yachts won another important award – Azimut S6 is the best Sportscruiser over 40 feet according to the jury of the Motor Boat Awards, presented annually by leading UK magazine Motor Boat & Yachting based on ability, design and value for money in their chosen marketplace.Azimut S6 was launched at the Cannes Boat Show in 2018. The sporty pure coupe features an exterior by Stefano Righini. The bow shield, combined with the trapezoidal bow and large rectangular windows in the hull, ensures that the interiors are flooded with light, while the deckhouse’s diamond-shaped glazed surfaces give the yacht an even more distinctive profile. The interiors by Francesco Guida are decorated and furnished with a discreet, modern elegance that is both fresh and refined.This model in the Azimut Yachts sports range features an extensive use of Carbon Tech and a triple Volvo Penta IPS propulsion system, which translates into excellent consumption efficiency and a significant reduction in vibration and noise. The triple propulsion system not only delivers better acceleration, but also superior handling and responsiveness.Azimut Yachts is an Azimut Benetti Group brand. With its Atlantis, Magellano Flybridge, S, Verve and Grande collections, it offers the widest range of 34- to 125-foot yachts.Credits: Azimut Yachts
January 21, 2021
‘A true gentleman’s yacht,’ Sultana has been sold after being on the market for more than a year and a half. The deal was closed by Northrop & Johnson with the final price of €2,995,000. Sultana, a striking example of a classic canoe stern, was built by Feadship in 1969. In 2012, the motor yacht completed a substantial refit to bring her back to her former glory. Accomplished by Feadship’s Makkum yard, the owner and this team worked closely with Feadship’s refit department to ensure the yacht was restored to the high-quality and preservation of the Feadship brand. The 25.8m Sultana can accommodate eight guests in four cabins.Sultana has a full-beam master suite with a centerline queen bed, vanity, sofa, walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom with a large hot tub and separate shower. The yacht’s additional staterooms include a full-beam VIP and two staterooms with twin-size beds, which can be converted into doubles. The yacht offers a generous sundeck, which is perfect for relaxing and entertaining. The space showcases sunpads, comfortable loungers and a barbecue. Her aft deck showcases alfresco dining surrounded by a built-in sofa.Her cruising speed is 10 knots. 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: Northrop & Johnson
January 21, 2021
The 54m Bow Sprit is Vittoria Yachts’ first motor yacht, and it’s now under construction. The keel laying ceremony took place at the yard’s facility in Adria. Bow Sprit is designed to maximise the hull length while keeping her below 500GT. She can be customized to have five or six cabins and space for eight crew members. There will be one swimming pool at the aft deck and another at the top deck with a panoramic view. Another interesting feature is the winter garden located behind the glass sliding doors. She is powered by MTU 16V2000M61 engines and can reach a top speed of 16 knots. Her cruising speed will be 14 knots. At the economical speed of 10 knots, her range will be more than 6,500 nautical miles.The 54m vessel will be completed in 2023. Vittoria Yachts was established in 1927 and has a long history of producing military and commercial vessels. With their first motor yacht, Bow Sprit, a new brand is born.Credits: Vittoria Yachts
January 20, 2021