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...

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.

We all know that too much plastic ends up in our oceans, it's damaging wildlife and if we continue will adversely affect our entire ecosystem.  Something has to be done. Behaviour change is obviously key, removing single-use plastic from our everyday lives and ensuring we all dispose of plastics responsibly, every time.  Meanwhile, extensive clean up operations are being conducted, coordinated by action groups along beaches, rivers, in forests and now in the Pacific Ocean. The team over at The Ocean Cleanup are making great strides in doing something positive to make a difference. Their mission?  To develop advanced technology to rid the world of the ocean's plastic, ultimately reducing the concentration of plastics in the oceans by 90% in 2040. Having unde...

For over four generations the Lurssen family have operated the floating dock in Bremen-Aumund, Germany. The shipyard is one of the global leaders in the megayacht industry and was established by Friedrich Lurssen back in 1875. The companies origin was smaller motor yachts but around 1962 they expanded to larger vessels after delivering the 55m Pegasus. Since then they've cataloged some of the worlds largest yachts such as Dilbar, Pelorus, Rising Sun and Azzam. Lurssen have also dipped their toes in the military waters and built frigates, mine warfare vessels, and patrol boats.   In the news this week you may have seen reports about an early morning fire breaking out on the floating dock and spreading across the vessel that was housed inside. Emergency services attended ...

Last week a deal was finally reached to bring peace between the two sides of the British channel. Hostile French fisherman attacked British boats with insults, rocks, smoke pellets, and petrol bombs at the end of August just twelve nautical miles off the coastal stretch of Normandy. A tense two weeks later and all has been resolved. Although boat captains have vowed to fight back should they find themselves in the same treacherous waters. Although an agreement has been drawn up it has yet to be signed. Captain Anthony Quesnel, returned to land after a night at sea with almost a tonne of Sole, Plaice, and Mackerel. But alas, abiding by the French rules and regulations, there wasn't a scallop in site. This is due to their breeding season which will last until the beginning of O...

There's been a buzz in Bristol harbor this week, with the surprise arrival of the 68m superyacht Archimedes, named after the most-famous mathematician and inventor in ancient Greece. Quite a surprise for local residents who spotted her glossy (and ice-strengthened to withstand any weather conditions!) Corinthian blue hull gliding up the 10k river Avon last Sunday. The towering yacht reported to be worth £75million and weighing in at 1,100 tonnes has been sitting in stark contrast to the city's docks.  With crowds gathering ever since she docked, some angry at the extravagance it represents, bearing placards in protest and some in awe of its beauty. Owned by 80-year-old US billionaire, philanthropist, and supporter of young people's health and e...

    Yotspot caught up with GB triathlete and veteran superyacht captain Paul Edmonds to find out how he successfully juggled keeping fit with demanding superyacht shifts.   Yotspot: How long were you working on superyachts? I spent 9 years onboard five of the world's most beautiful superyachts (from 75ft to 220ft). Traveling from Europe to the Caribbean, crossing the Atlantic several times, working my way up from Junior Deckhand to First Officer and then Captain. Yotspot: Were you always interested in exercise? Yes, but to a lesser extent whilst on yachts, it's difficult maintaining regular training when you're working a long shift and juggling haphazard working patterns. As I progressed through the ranks and gained more experience I realised I ...