Yacht news

Early on Saturday November 16th, properties at Fort Lauderdale went on fire, leading to destruction of two superyachts, the 49-metre Lohengrin and 32.6-metre Reflections. According to Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue, the estimated loss from the fire is over $20 million. The city fire marshal reported, the fire broke out at around 4.43am, with loud explosions waking up residents. Allegedly, the blaze started on-board Lohengrin and spread to a neighbouring Reflections. It is understood that the two yachts were under maintenance and refit work at the time of the fire.Reportedly, around 100 firefighters from several agencies were called out to the blaze. Many cellphone videos spread on social media witnessed flames going out, with huge plumes of smoke in the air. However, the fire brigade managed to bring it under control.At the moment, no injuries have been reported. It is known , that the four crew members of Reflections were staying at an Airbnb for the weekend.Fort Lauderdale Battalion Chief Stephen Gollan called the yachts destruction “the biggest fire loss in Fort Lauderdale history.” The cause of the fire remains unknown, with investigation to be conducted.Handout/Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue/TNSIf the fire does not appear intentional from the video materials though, it might be difficult to detect exact source of the fire due to the extent of damage, fire officials said.Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency also arrived on site on Sunday with view on environmental damage, “to control and contain contaminants into the water,” Gollan said. One of the concerns now is to prevent fuel leakage into the river. However, no active leaks were reported on Sunday evening.M/Y LohengrinLohengrin was built by Trinity Yachts in 2007. She features exteriors by Geoff van Eller and interiors by Scott Carpenter. She offers accommodation to up to 11 guests across 5 cabins. In January 2019, she was sold asking $12 million.Reflections was built by Christensen in 1997 with a GRP hull and superstructure. She can accommodate 8 guests across 4 cabins with an interior design by Merritt Knowles and an exteriors by Setzer. In 2016, she was sold asking $4,295,000.M/Y ReflectionsSun Sentinel media reports, the owner of Reflections, Chip McElroy, was present at the fire scene with his family. He has owned the yacht for over three years and has made many family trips to the Caribbean aboard. Reflections had sailed two weeks ago and was in the Fort Lauderdale marina for annual repainting.

At the recent Monaco Yacht Show, a leading British yacht builder Sunseeker has revealed new Sunseeker 133 model. It will operate on a hybrid propulsion system developed jointly with Germany-based engines manufacturer MTU. Yacht Harbour discussed the future of hybrid propulsion engines with Darren Barnett, Marine Manager with MTU UK.Sunseeker 133Where does MTU decision to focus on hybrid systems for yachts come from?MTU has been an engine supplier for many years. The company is around 110 years old. Over that time, we have specialised in manufacturing and supplying light-weight and high-speed diesel engines.Now the time has come, when we have to be more than just an engine supplier, since the power requirements on-board yachts are getting greater. Owners of yachts want to operate them in a different way. They do not want to travel fast - they want to travel comfortably, economically and efficiently.Therefore, the best solution to that is to offer the system that can power the vessel in different ways. Thus, it would provide both propulsion and supply of all the consumes on-board, such as air conditioning, stabilisers and other hotel loads.Is that right, that speed is not the major concern anymore?Yes, that is what we say. So it is not all about having the largest, most powerful engines. It is about being able to offer better experience on-board, whilst the customers spend their leisure time there.Sunseeker CEO Andrea Frabetti and Darren BarnettWhat makes hybrid propulsion different from other engine systems?Diesel engines will remain the core of propulsion systems for boats in the future. Nonetheless, what we are doing is offering systems that can power a vessel using batteries, for example. We also deploy generators to provide power for not only propulsion, but also for conventional power needs on-board.Actually, the way all of that is linked together is a clever part, because the hybrid system itself is greater than the sum of all the components. You cannot just select components and install them into the yacht. Apparently, they need to be integrated together, so that they operate seamlessly. We believe, that there is a great future in yachting for hybrid systems.Our approach is that we will deliver the whole scope of supply. It means, not just the engine, not just a part of it but the whole system. Thus, we are also taking full responsibility for it. Customers want to have the knowledge that the complete system will be taken care of, because with complicated systems such as this one it can get difficult.Currently, we are developing a hybrid system jointly with Sunseeker for the Sunseeker 133 yacht. And we are looking into a modular and serialised system, since we want to have a portfolio of components to select from, such as different diesel engines and several types of batteries and generators. Sunseeker 133Do you think the hybrid propulsion system you are working on could be installed on other yacht models?The ideas is, with Sunseeker we have the first or pilot installation. Therefore, at the moment we are working on the scope of supply for the Sunseeker 133. In the future, the basis we have developed with Sunseeker will be available for other yacht builders with different diesel engines, different batteries and different generators. It will be possible to customise the system for any particular yacht.But is the system ready for installation yet?We are still in the development phase, but we are close to finalizing the total scope of supply. Hopefully, Sunseeker soon will be able to begin construction of the 133 yacht with the hybrid system.Then in the future, what do you think could be the largest size of a yacht to operate on hybrid propulsion?The serialized system we are developing with Sunseeker is aimed more at the production yacht market. Naturally, much larger yachts have much more specific requirements. However, we have done it in the past and that is what we will continue to do in the future.Operating as a custom service, we would develop a system to meet the customer’s requirements. That could be any size of yachts, up to the very largest ones. For instance, Sailing Yacht A operates on a kind of hybrid system, where MTU have supplied gensets.Many builders now opt for more eco-friendly engines in general. Have you noticed raising environmental awareness among yachting clients?Yes, definitely. Owners of yachts have realised that they probably could do something to more environmentally friendly. All the large yachts are the big consumers of power. What they could do, is raising awareness of where they can be more efficient. And it is obvious, that vessels running on diesels create emissions.Alternatively, with a hybrid system, all those large vessels could operate in harbours using batteries. It is a great benefit, that it is emission-free and completely clean. The only problem with hybrid is that for the moment people do not understand what hybrid is. It is a long process, and we are trying to educate people, what the capabilities of that system are.What is more, when a yacht is at anchor in a small bay and the owner of the yacht wants to swim around with family, they would not want a generator running with exhaust emissions coming on to the water. The environment would much nicer if there are no diesel engines running. We see it is a great benefit.

Brokerage company SuperYachtsMonaco has presented a new futuristic superyacht concept Project L by French designer Thierry Gaugain. Known for collaborations with Philippe Starck on several yachts including M/Y A, S/Y A and Venus, he is now presenting his solo 120-metre project. Project L will accommodate an indoor and outdoor cinema, nemo room, beach club, spa, gym, live performance area, dive centre, polar gear room, pools and a tender drive-in garage. Designer Thierry Gaugain, working on this project, did not limit himself to established frameworks. For example, it seems that the ship is generally devoid of windows, but this is not so. The area of ​​glazing is actually large, just glass with one-sided visibility.Project L has a focus on sustainable yachting and will be powered by a diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system with azimuthing thrusters fore and aft. She will have an impressive 10,000 nm range at 12 knots and a high capacity waste management system to support her autonomy.She is also designed to be silent on the water. Her original naval architecture allows stable gliding through the water. Her low drag and seamless lines are to ensure best levels of low noise and vibration.Furthermore, Project L will feature a retractable ballast – like a sailboat keel – to adjust stiffness, roll time, feel and stability according to conditions, swell and wind direction when at anchor.Guest capacity of Project L is flexible, depending on her owner's needs. She can accommodate 12 guests with 40 crew plus staff, but it’s possible to expand this up to a maximum of 36 guests and 50 crew.The yacht's interiors will be well-lit, as lots of natural light can flood in. Her lighting system will mirror the hue of natural light as the day passes, promoting wellness and calm on board.The exteriors of Project L will be linked to the interiors by one-way glass which reflects the seascape. Her only exterior light will run the length of the yacht, which can change colour to transform the reflections or her nighttime silhouette. A futuristic concept is now exclusively for sale with SuperYachtsMonaco.

Delivered this summer, the 90-metre Oceanco superyacht DreAMBoat made a splash at the Monaco Yacht Show 2019 with her international debut. Yesterday, the famous vessel was photographed at the shores of Gibraltar.Photo: @DannyWheelz on Instagram via Dutch YachtingAccording to social media sources, DreAMBoat was built for US billionaire and owner of the Atlanta Falcons NFL team Arthur Blank, who is valued at $5.5 billion by Forbes. Meanwhile, Forbes valued the team at $2.6 billion as of September, 2018.DreAMBoat at the MYS 2019. Photo via Dutch YachtingThe yacht of aluminium superstructure on a steel hull features a 14.2-metre beam. Sleek exteriors by Espen Oeino come trademarked with generous overhangs from the superstructure and cut outs in the bulwarks lending her classic and strong appearance.DreAMBoat at the MYS 2019. Photo via Dutch YachtingThe vessel’s exterior also features numerous large windows offering panoramic views. Swimming pool aft at the main deck, a partially closed sundeck with Jacuzzi and plenty of seating and entertainment zones and a private Jacuzzi at the owner’s deck.DreAMBoat at the MYS 2019. Photo via Dutch YachtingDreAMBoat's interior carries bespoke surfaces and limestone floors, all decorated with sophisticated natural materials including wood, semi-precious stone, leather and mother-of-pearl all designed by Terence Disdale. Her impressive interior volume of 2,950 GT allows accommodation for 23 guests on-board, along with up to 33 crew members.Her propulsion package consists of two MTU 4,828 HP engines, with reported top speed of 18.5 knots.DreAMBoat at the MYS 2019. Photo via Dutch YachtingThe superyacht belongs on the list of the largest superyachts, ever built for sports teams owners.

Mischief, the 54-meter Baglietto, is now available for charter in Sydney through Ahoy Club. This follows the yacht being transported from the Mediterranean earlier this week. Mischief becomes the largest commercial yacht ever imported into Australia.Photo by @sxmlukeNews of her transport to Australia follows Ian Malouf, her Australian owner, purchasing a 73-meter yacht in 72 hours at the Monaco Yacht Show. His new Lurssen, Coral Ocean is set to continue its charming history and charter excellence through Ahoy Club in the Med after a new refit."It will be the largest commercial superyacht ever brought into the country" commented Ian Malouf. "Mischief will show what seven-star service is all about. It's a good addition to Sydney Harbour."54-metre superyacht was launched in 2006 by Italian shipyard Baglietto and was regularly refitted, with the latest in 2018. With newly painted French Navy hull and white boot stripes, her racy lines cuts a sleek form on the water. Her interiors are just as special - the dramatic use of white reflective surfaces accented with blues and blacks gives her a real sense of identity.Malouf’s interest in yachting goes beyond yacht ownership. Last year, together with his daughter Ellie, after four years of preparation they launched Ahoy Club, a digital marketplace of yachts for charter allowing users to book any yacht, anywhere in the world, for the best possible price by reducing commissions through an improved tech stack, that instantly presents users with the choice of over 3,300 yachts available for charter worldwide. Ahoy also handles yacht sales with reduced fees.Earlier this year, Malouf took his vision for simpler charters and more affordable prices to private aviation, co-founding Central Jets The web platform lets users book flights at direct pricing from owners through a simple €199/month subscription. This has allowed users to save up to 50% per flight. The company guarantees the lowest priced jets in the market.