Palma's loss was my gain this week! Hannah Mills, MBE, British Olympic Sailor and 470 World Champion is just back from the 470 Worlds in Palma, postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Making training and preparation for the recently postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics more challenging than ever. Team GB were reluctantly sent home from Palma and home on the south coast of England was where I caught up with Hannah to find out more about https://bigplasticpledge.com, the athlete-driven initiative - actually more like a movement - launched with fellow 470 crew-mate Eilidh McIntyre, with the full backing and support of the IOC. (The International Olympic Committee). With medals and international acclaim, Hannah is no stranger to focus, determination and hard work.  ...

Whilst event organisers worldwide do all they can to slow the spread of COVID-19, cancelling, changing and postponing planned events and travel plans, we're obliged to take the necessary precautions to look after and protect one another as we see how things unfold in the coming months.  With regard to the Superyacht calendar, obviously things are changing on a daily, if not hourly, basis so we advise you check individual events, travel, transfer and country policies directly with the relevant websites and helplines. In the meantime, here's an indicator of what's been postponed and cancelled due to COVID-19 for now:  Events MARCHDubai International Boat ShowOriginally set for 10–14 March, postponed until later this year, 24–28 Nov 2020, takin...

Before we look at coronavirus in the superyacht industry here's a quick round-up of the facts: The World Health Organization (WHO) has named the Coronavirus, COVID-19 Coronavirus (COVID-19) was first reported towards the end of 2019 in central China Originated in Wuhan Estimated that most healthy people who contract COVID-19 will recover uneventfully with mild to moderate symptoms, but for those with underlying health issues there is increased severity It's most likely transmitted through infected respiratory droplets, transmitted by coughing, sneezing or naturally airborne, so can be contracted simply by talking to one another It's possible to contract COVID-19 either by having contact (directly or indirectly) with infectious droplets or touching the face Ris...

Teak can be tricky to keep spotless. Whether it's the deck or furnishings, it can be difficult to keep the teak looking pristine, especially if it's a table and your guests unintentionally spill food or drinks during dinner.  Even if the teak gets thoroughly wiped down afterwards, oily food will leave it's oily calling card!  However delicious, any food that's either cooked in oil or contains oil and then lands on the deck is susceptible to mark. Teak is notorious for retaining oil stains, so here's a little run down of how to get rid of those tiresome blotches: 1) Grab yourself a box of washing powder (doesn't matter which brand) and vinegar (again, doesn't matter which brand) - they're great for the job, gentle but with a touch of acidity to remove marks left by water,...

B-1/B-2 visas are a mandatory requirement of the US authorities enabling visitors to enter the United States, either temporarily for business (B-1), tourism, pleasure or visiting (B-2) or a combination of both (B-1/B-2). When applying for one, you must provide the date you first arrive in the US, the name of the yacht's owner and confirmation that it is operated privately. If the Embassy believe you're a crew member from a commercial yacht, they can refuse your B-1/B-2 application and request you reapply for a C1/D. The Embassy also require that you supply a full crew list and certificate of registry, confirming the vessel as a pleasure yacht.  So here's a few pointers for your letter of application: Ideally set it out on letter headed paper Address it to ...

  In Collaboration with Nick Bubb. When you're spending days, weeks, months on the open sea, out in the elements, you can't fail to feel connected to the natural world.  Or at least that was ex Ocean Racer Nick Bubb's experience. As Business Development Director for the world-renowned innovators and conservation charity Fauna & Flora International and recent UK Green Party candidate Nick told me "my interest in the natural world stemmed from a love of sailing." The son of former QE2 navigator and Operations Director at the Port of Felixstowe, John Bubb, 6-year-old Nick started sailing Mirrors at the Deben Yacht Club in Woodbridge. Obsessed with sailing and boats from an early age, Nick would sometimes get to help out on...

What would Pablo Picasso have thought?  A painting he completed when he was just 24, in 1906, tucked away and hidden from view in the cabin of a 212-foot 3-mast classic superyacht "Adix".   That was until it was seized by the Guardia Civil off Corsica's coast nearly five years ago.  Jaime Botin, spanish billionaire, art collector and heir to Spain's largest bank, Santander, received a fine of €52m  ($58 million) and an 18 month prison sentence this month, for attempting to smuggle this Picasso painting "Head of a Young Woman" out of Spain. Although Botin is recorded to have purchased the painting in 1977, Spanish heritage laws are really strict and clearly state that any piece over 100 years old, and deemed by the state to be a national treasure beca...

With all the excitement of a new year, a new decade, there's always a great buzz around new entrants to the already glamorous and elite international fleet of superyachts. A case in point is German shipyard, Lurssen where there's already been much excitement this month, when they revealed their first superyacht for 2020.  Measuring in at 87-metre, Project Hawaii is a beautiful example of Lurssen naval architecture combined with exceptional exterior lines and interior superyacht design from the world-renowned, UK-based Bannenberg & Rowell. This talented and experienced studio, descendants from the internationally acclaimed godfather of modern yacht design from the '60s, Jon Bannenberg, nurtures an innovative and ground-breaking team of yacht designers,...

  Whilst experience placing men and women in marine related shore-based roles tells us a lot about what is going on in the industry, including; how trends for specific roles are changing, what the reality of the gender pay gap is and how good the prospects for marine industry career progression are, we are driven to investigate the industry further. There's nothing quite like irrefutable facts and feedback from all those guys and gals out in the field to give us the full picture - so, when new recruits ask us:  What am I likely to earn?  How long can a career in the marine sector last?  Will my skills be transferable within the sector?  We can provide them with the best advice, backed up by latest industry findings. So, when we had the opportunity to he...

Welcome to The Ward Room.   Yacht life is hard enough, working long hours and being away from home, but it doesn't take long to settle into your position on board and call the yacht "home". As longevity is gained and you want to start looking at career progression by taking on some courses, you find yourself looking for accommodation ashore. In many of the main yachting hubs in Europe you can find plenty of reasonably priced short term lettings, Airbnb's and hotels that are perfect for this, but when it comes to studying in larger cities or in the UK, it's not so easy.   Hotel rates fluctuate with events that are going on and rarely offer discounts for longer stays. So what do you do when the course runs for a month or even 6? Now that Warsash...