Jenny Newbery was 27 when she landed her first job stew'ing on superyachts.  Fresh faced from a season managing chalets in the French Alps at the end of the 90's, she'd done massage, bar work and waitressing but stewardessing was something she'd only heard friends talk about.  Applying for jobs on board superyachts was very different 20 years ago, with the internet having only just arrived (1990) it still felt quite novel having the ability to get "online" but you had to find an internet café to do it! Once in, you paid for your coffee and your allocated time slot, found a free computer and logged on, listening for that shrill whistle to announce your imminent connection with the outside world.  Jenny told me "back then m...

Catering for crew on board superyachts gets trickier and trickier with growing trends for different dietary tastes and requirements. It can sometimes be challenging enough for chefs to keep serving up healthy, tasty and varied meals for the crew, especially from the confines of a cramped below deck yachting environment when the primary focus is on pleasing owners and guests with their culinary prowess. Some chefs make a point of requesting that crew refrain from making specific dietary requests whilst they're on charter, regattas or during boss trips. However, if crew are vegetarian, vegan, lactose or gluten intolerant they will genuinely need a more creative diet which can be challenging for a chef to constantly cater for.  Whilst some chefs might ignore crew needs a...

Superyacht Charities have just announced their 'Talking Tech' dinner will be held at the Southampton Harbour Hotel in Hampshire on the 22ndMarch 2019, the night before their annual Superyacht Charities Ball.  Working with Pure Technology News' Superyacht Technology, the charity's board members have orchestrated an evening of dynamic and interactive TedTalk style talks, each lasting no more than 15 minutes giving guests the opportunity to meet thought provoking experts and the latest innovators in the field of superyacht technology. Guests will get to mingle with key influencers and representatives from across the industry, areas like; digital media, sailing technology, ambient interior designers, communication technology experts, control system architects a...

If you were wondering where you could store your four helicopters, submarine and a couple of lifeboats then look no further than the planned and recently unveiled Kosatka. A 295-foot (90m), high-spec expedition vessel proposed by yacht designer Steve Kozloff, designed to house a 736-square-metre aircraft hangar as well as storage for those two lifeboats and that submarine. Described as 'one of the most formidable yachts of her size" with aluminium superstructure and steel, ice-classed hull, Kosatka is set to "endure the intensity of driving through moderate multi-year ice conditions." With six decks, large forwards swimming pool with retractable cover and accommodation to suit 14 guests, Kosatka will also be built for ultimate comfort.  Gues...

For those of you working private yachts you should find yourself with a healthy bank balance at the end of the season, but if you've been working charter yachts you may have collected a substantial bundle of cash tips. So, what do you do with that cash?  If you've been saving the cash rather than spending it through the season, you'll need to check whether you need to report that income (including tips) to the jurisdiction within which you're residing, as you'll need to pay tax on it. It's worth checking modern Common Reporting Standards and the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) because it's more than likely you reside in one country or another, so you'll be liable to pay tax in that country. It's risky carr...

2019 brings the 11th Superyacht Design Symposium, due to take place in Cortina d'Ampezzo in Italy from 27 – 29 January, with a line-up of speakers from across the industry delivering on the theme 'Defining Innovation.' Superyacht owners and representatives will join hundreds of leading superyacht designers, key industry figures and shipyard CEOs from across the globe to discuss and debate what innovation really means, how and who is delivering it, design concepts, latest trends and challenge traditional thinking. This key event in the Superyacht industry calendar offers plenty of networking opportunities, with guests mingling with contacts old and new in a collaborative, positive and informative environment, coming together to influence the future of super...

Superyachts are traditionally built for their elegance and style, designed to the owner's specification for their personal comfort and enjoyment, not for the high-octane ocean racetrack. But when an owner experiences the exhilaration of seeing their superyacht perform at speed, adrenaline kicks in.  They can get hooked on the thrill and excitement and many want to see what the superyacht racing calendar has to offer globally. The superyacht race circuit typically starts with cruising yachts up to 40ft doing the Annual Ark Race from Gran Canaria to St Lucia as a taster for the big races.  Then Antigua Superyacht for 115ft superyachts, St Barth's Bucket for invited yachts over 100ft and a small percentage racing Palma Superyacht.  But superyachts have to be ra...

Just as with any staff uniform, crew on board superyachts have to look the part, whatever their role, whatever the hour.  They're expected to deliver a consistently high-quality of service, so the quality and sustainability of their workwear is paramount. We caught up with Ed Taylor from Taylor Made Designs (TMD) based on the UK's south coast who explained that getting crew kit right is so much more than flicking through catalogues and printing logos on garments.  It's about uniform management.  A process which often starts right back at the beginning of the boat build, or subsequent refit.  Ed told me "we're often called in to work with interior consultants on superyacht builds and refits to ensure crew uniform is an extension of the s...

The PYA Christmas Ball is one of the most iconic social events in the Superyacht industry. Book tickets online here. Don't miss out - last year's event was fully subscribed! Are you new to yachting?  Not yet a PYA member? If you book a ticket to the PYA Ball and join PYA you can receive a 20% discount on your first year of membership (Code BALL18).   The Carlton is offering guests of the PYA special rates for accommodation the night of the Christmas Ball. To benefit from this, please download and complete this form and return it directly to the Carlton. To see details of previous Christmas Balls, you can check out our past social events. For sponsorship opportunities, contact us in Antibes.

Gemma Zannoni has kindly helped us put together some tips to help you build beautiful floral displays on board superyachts: Behind the Scenes When ordering, select the correct types of flowers to order based on seasons and guest preferences. You will need to calculate how many flowers in total you will need for a guest trip and assess when you will need to top up your order bearing in mind your location. Agree to use a crew area (if there is no Florist studio or Florist Fridge) to store flowers in and ensure the cabin temperature is cool enough. Ensure you have plenty of buckets of water ready when the flowers arrive on board. STERILIZE your buckets. This also applies for vases. When it comes to flowers, cleanliness matters. "A clean vase filled with fresh water is the best...