St Mary's Stadium in Southampton swapped the high drama of premier league football for the glamour of the Superyacht Industry last weekend, playing host to the Superyacht Charity's 5th annual ball. With a champagne reception to welcome some of the industry's leading yacht designers, suppliers, supporters together with their families and friends with one common aim.  To raise as much money as possible for their chosen 2019 charities; Sail4Cancer, Turn to Starboard and Oceans of Hope. Over 500 superyacht industry movers and shakers were welcomed by a champagne reception and cheered as Derek Munro, Chairman of the Superyacht Charity, outlined the charity's ambitions for the coming year and plans to launch additional fundraising events in other yachting v...

(A kind note for whoever reads this article: please read it as if I am talking as a friend and yes I am very humurous.) Travelling has been almost everybody's dream but as for seafarers, it has been a dream and an obligation.  Life at sea is such a bliss but sometimes when circumstances don't play fair, we may also say it is also a burden. Especially when we have to work and smile even though physically, emotionally and mentally we are drained. (Oh wait, also financially) I have been in my seafaring career for almost only four years. Starting from when I finished my University, until now. And well honestly I am still looking for another Yacht right now with the right and nice team and family in which would let me stay for the rest of my life until my hair grows white...

Any team is so much more than just the sum of its parts. But a successful team thrives on team work, each member putting their best foot forward, putting the hours and focus into training, all pulling in the same direction, with a shared goal or purpose.  It's exactly the same when it comes to the crew team on board a sailing or motor yacht.  The efficiency and smooth running of any yacht is a measure of the skill and harmony of its crew members. With up to date training, experience and thorough knowledge of their individual roles and what's expected of them, crew are better placed to deliver a safe, efficient and accomplished service for owners and guests.    However, the unexpected does occur and being an expert in your particular field sometimes isn...

My two biggest confesable passions in life are technology and sailing (not necessary in this order). I am on the tech business industry for the last more than twenty years and at sea for nearly forty. Over the years, I've noticed that the skills that every good salesmen acquires at high seas are extremely helpful and provided me with some business crucial lessons I apply daily. My passion for technology was innate due to - because of family traditions - my professional career should be spent in other sectors but my first job, back in 1993, was already related with telecoms and telcos. Since then, it has been a long and amazing trip deep into all types of customer projects, ITC Companies (as an employee, customer, provider or partner), sales ...

HEIGHTENED SENSES As a superyacht engineer all your senses need to be totally in tune with your boat.  Constantly watching out for vital signs on every dial and screen, listening for the reassuring hum of the pumps and picking up the scent of anything amiss below deck! Imagine the scene, the sun's just up, you're anchored in Monaco Port. You're one of the first to rise from your bunk and as you grab the first coffee of the day you tune in to the continuous sounds of the boat.  Water pumps running as crew take their morning showers, toilet pumps starting, air conditioning and refrigeration compressors stop and start.  As the vessel's engineer it's Mel's job to know the boat so well she can tell as soon as something's wrong. ...

ROBERT Braithwaite, the man who co-founded Dorset's world-beating luxury boat builder Sunseeker has died at the age of 75. Mr Braithwaite, joined by his brother John, set up the business as a distributor of imported boats but turned it into one of the largest superyacht makers in the world. Sunseeker's chief executive Christian Marti said in a statement today: "Sadly, in the early hours of this morning, Sunseeker's founder Robert Braithwaite passed away. "Robert was an inspiration to everyone at Sunseeker and to the wider marine industry, recognised as a boating pioneer, a true visionary and someone who changed the face of boating forever. "Robert was not only the company's founder but the father of the 'Sunseeker family' here in Dorset, and world...

With a name like "Mel Thunderbolt" you could really only expect great things.  As a superyacht engineer, travelling the globe on amazing vessels, we asked Mel what advice she would give budding female engineers?  "It's great, do it! I'm a freelance, relief engineer and adventurer and I love it!" How long have you been in the industry? 18 years working superyachts, 11 as an engineer. When did you realise engineering was the dream? I did my first season as a Stewardess and found it wasn't for me, I went on to be a Deck/Stew and worked with a great Captain who taught me how to drive. I was then a Captain of a 20m Sunseeker but wanted to learn more about engines so turned to engineering. That's where I found my passion. What di...

The Dubai International Boat Show is just around the corner, set to be bigger and better than ever.  Showcasing over 400 of the most amazing seacraft, leading manufacturers will be exhibiting all manner of vessels and accessories from superyachts, sailing boats, fishing boats, even amphibious vessels and catamarans.  You don't even need to be an expert to appreciate innovative engineering and beautiful design. As the largest boat show in the Middle East, the Dubai International Boat Show is the perfect platform for leading manufacturers, designers, owners and innovators from every corner of the industry to come together and celebrate excellence; from sailing, kayaking and kite surfing, to boat accessories, toys, luxury interiors, boat engines and navigati...

Superyacht crew often go to huge expense and travel across the globe to specifically to take a training courses at an accredited training centre. finding training dates is not always convenient available especially at short notice prior to boarding their superyacht / megayacht.   Online training could be the ideal solution with the first of its kind Superyacht Proficiency in Designated Security Duties course approved by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency specifically for superyacht crew.    Virtual Training Centre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5InBNZOJsQ   So what are the benfits.......... Saves time and money associated with traveling costs to test centres Flexible learning, available 247 - anytime, anywhere (r...

When we interviewed ex Superyacht stewardess and cook Jenny Newbery, we asked what advice she would give to her 27-year-old self.  Save money – don't get sucked into the Gucci, Pucci and Prada rat race, you'll be working in an environment where people have beautiful things. It's very easy to get swept away with that and you'll get big tips so you can easily fall into the trap of blowing big bucks on designer names.  My advice - think to the future and save those tips! Take advantage of the amazing places you'll visit.Whenever you're in port, take advantage of any opportunity to get your feet on dry land, get off the boat and look around. Go and help with the shopping, carry stuff.  I remember volunteering to carry water; luggi...