More Monster Marinas

Back in our May issue, we told you about a few of the new megayacht marinas that are currently cropping up (or are at least slated to crop up) around the world. Well, here's another one to add to your list. In late 2009, Island Global Yachting (IGY) will reportedly open a massive, dedicated megayacht marina in Dubai. And not just anywhere in the UAE, but on both the west and east sides of the Palm Jumeirah's trunk. (The Palm Jumeirah one of the government-owned, artificial islands that's shaped as a massive palm tree. It has 17 fronds.) When completed, IGY's Anchor Marina should feature some 700 berths, concrete pontoons to ensure stability (and thus guests' comfort), and a 24-hour concierge service.

Rising to the Occasion

Here is a series of neat images capturing Vango rising in the Ballard locks transiting from Puget Sound to Lake Washington in Seattle. Thanks to Dave Genisman for the images. To find out more about Vango, check out America's 100 Largest Yachts in our November issue. She comes in at no. 81.

Making Her Debut

The boating scene has a new member—a 101'6" enclosed bridge motoryacht custom built by Burger Boat Company. Fully ABS certified, the Tò-Kalòn sports strong, lightweight materials and carefully calculated design and engineering parameters. Her interior features Sapele paneling with accents of Sapele Pomele, which flows throughout the main deck saloon and guest accommodations. A hard-to-miss feature is the centrally located open spiral staircase. Suspended in front of three full-length windows, the staircase was built from select Sapele veneers and hardwoods accented by custom brass balustrade with antique bronze finish supporting the Sapele hardwood handrail.

Rivaling the spiral staircase, which ascends from the owner’s accommodations to the skylounge and pilothouse, Tò-Kalòn’s skylounge showcases leather Chesterfield sofas and a domed ceiling, which was painted by a New York artist win a motif embracing the yacht’s name.

And not to worry, this American beauty is staying true her roots—she was built for a U.S. yachting family.

Driver Survives Wicked Crash

The Associated Press offered up this footage of a driver losing control of his boat last week in San Diego while preparing for a race in Mission Bay.

To the Rescue

“Prepare for docking.” Those three words were music to my clogged ears. Because of a cold accompanied by flu-like symptoms I found myself on the 11:30 a.m. Sen. John J. Marchi ferry boat leaving Manhattan for Staten Island (and my bed) on Tuesday. With the dock in sight, I rose from my seat and joined my fellow midday riders at the front of the boat. Looking out the window with dreams of my cold-remedy-filled medicine cabinet dancing through my head I noticed something odd. Was the boat going in reverse or was my mind playing tricks on me? When the ferry started turning in a circle I knew it was no trick...at least not one I found amusing.

Within seconds a voice came over the public address system informing us that the ferry was being delayed. A mile from the dock...so close yet so far. Before long chatter arose about a woman in the water. Coast guard boats and an NYPD helicopter converged on the area. Did the woman jump from the ferry? Was she pushed? Is she OK? So many questions swirled among the passengers. Less than ten minutes later (eight, to be exact), the voice from above came over the public address system to let us know the ferry was involved in a successful rescue operation. Applause rose from the crowd and we continued on our way to the Staten Island ferry terminal in St. George.

Later that day the rescue mission was recounted on the five o’clock news. It goes like this: As the Sen. John J. Marchi ferry boat was a mile from the Staten Island terminal the captain, through his binoculars, spotted a woman in the water. He immediately alerted authorities and dispatched two deckhands in a ferry rescue craft. The two deckhands reached the woman, pulled her into their boat—as she gasped for air—and brought her to land. Emergency officials met the rescue craft at the ferry terminal and transported the woman to a local hospital. Surveillance cameras later revealed the woman jumped into the New York Harbor from a Staten Island pier as the ferry was closing in on shore. The eagle eyes of the captain and the quick response of the ferry employees saved this woman’s life.

According to the two deckhands, ferry employees practice rescue drills once a week. And practice makes perfect...eight minutes perfect.

Photo courtesy of New York City Department of Transportation Web site.

Newport: Vicem V52 Video

The Turkish builder Vicem had its new V52 on display at Newport. This hull doesn’t have the flying bridge (see below) but it does come with the optional twin 800-hp Cummins diesel inboards (640-hp power plants are standard). The company states that her WOT speed is around 30 knots, while she should cruise at 25 knots.

As with the Sabre video I posted earlier, the camera work is rough, but it gives you a feel for the interior layout. For better videos, check out Vicem’s Web site.

The Passing of Olin Stephens

The legendary naval architect, whose designs changed the face of yachting, passed away this past Saturday in Hanover, NH. Stephens celebrated his 100 birthday on April 13th, and was the senior member of the New York Yacht Club.

His work in the yachting community (both in sail and in power) was beyond exceptional; he designed eight America’s Cup winners including the famous Dorade, which lit off the success of the Sparkman & Stephens design firm (see our article “Engineering Tradition“). He retired from the firm in 1978 and moved to Hanover, NH, where he continued his studies of fluid dynamics, and occasional guest lectured in Dartmouth College’s engineering department.

He is survived by his sons, Olin Stephens III and Samuel R. Stephens; his sister, Marite Sheridan; and his grandson, Olin J. Stephens IV. He will be missed by the entire yachting community.

Newport: Sabre 38 Hardtop Express Video

Here's a video of the Sabre 38 Hardtop Express that I shot it Newport. The camera work is shaky, but you should get a good feel for the boat—enjoy:

Newport: Sabre 38 Hardtop Express

The 21,500-pound vessel was launched in Maine earlier this year, and made her public debut in Newport. She sports two standard 380-hp Yanmar 6LY3A-UTP diesels, a ZF 220-A transmission, and four-blade nibral wheels to help propel her through the water. Teleflex hydraulic steering and Bennett trim tabs comprise her steering and trim systems, respectively. A deep-V planning hull with shallow prop pockets combined with a 16-degree deadrise should help her performance, and her 38’6” LOA means you probably won’t have trouble finding room for her at your local marina. You can learn more at Sabre's Web site, and while you're there, check out the new 42 Express—another head-turning Downeast boat.

Newport: Hinckley 37T Picnic Boat

The United States boat-show season is underway. Our first stop: Newport. Here are some first looks at some of the newest boats coming your way:

Hinckley 37T Picnic Boat
The Maine-based builder has updated its trademarked Picnic Boat with the new 37T, giving buyers another fine way to take wicker baskets and tables clothes to their favorite coastal islands. The vessel has a 38’7” LOA, 11’3” beam, and a 2’11” draft thanks to her twin HJ274 Hamilton jet drives. Hinckley estimates that she has a 32-knot top speed and cruises around 28 knots. She holds 220 gallons of fuel and 35 gallons of fresh water.

When Fish Fly

"The fish are jumping, but not in a good way." So explains a fascinating—and frightening—article by Dan Barry in The New York Times. It seems that Asian carp—a highly invasive species of fish—are wreaking havoc on the Illinois River. The local carp population has grown exponentially, which is bad news for the area's native species and for commercial and recreational boaters. You see, the carp perceive boats as predators and respond by flinging their bodies into the air. The result is a terrifying popcorn-effect: scads of carp hurling themselves out of the water and regularly smacking boat operators in the torso and face.

Because the Illinois is part of a series of waterways that connect Lake Michigan to the Gulf of Mexico, there are serious concerns that these dangerous jumpers will invade the Great Lakes. So much so that according to The Times, the Army Corps of Engineers is expanding an underwater electrical barrier it previously built in Romeoville, Illinois. The barrier sends out currents intended to keep the carp (and other species) from making their way to Lake Michigan.

TWIC at FLIBS

The Transportation Workers Identification Card (TWIC) deadline is approaching (April 15th, 2009), and it’s time to get registered. If you’re attending this year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, it should be easy.

The not-for-profit MIASF (Marine Industries Association of South Florida) is registering licensed captains for their TWIC cards at this year's show. The cost is $132.50 per person (same as the government price), and should only take a few minutes if you pre-register. You can do that here or by calling 1-866-347-TWIC (8942).

If you’ve got a license, you need to get a TWIC card. To make sure there is no confusion about what MIASF is offering, I’ve pasted their press release below.

Fort Lauderdale, FL (September 15, 2008) - During this year's 49th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF) will host a Transportation Workers Identification Card (TWIC) Enrollment Center. The purpose of the Center is to facilitate registration of United States Coast Guard (USCG) licensed mariners and others who are required by recent changes in USCG regulations to have a TWIC and to also serve as a source of information and outreach for the program.

Marine Industries Association of South Florida, owners of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, recognized the important opportunity the world's largest boat show offers and is working in collaboration with the USCG to organize the enrollment center that will be located in the Marine Professionals, Inc. (MPI) headquarters in the South West corner of the Seabreeze building at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center. The EnrollmentCenter will open on Wednesday, October 29th through Sunday November 2nd from 10 am to 6 pm and on Monday November 3rd from 10 am to 4 pm.

TWIC is an identification credential for all personnel requiring unescorted access to secure areas of Maritime Transportation Security Administration (MTSA)-regulated facilities and vessels, and all United States mariners holding Coast Guard-issued credentials. "All U.S. Licensed merchant mariners need to get a TWIC regardless if they access a port or a secure facility," says Steve Krivdo, Port Security Specialist with the U.S. Coast Guard. "Many licensed mariners don't realize they need to get the TWIC." The TWIC compliance date for mariners and facilities located within the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port Zone of Miami, which encompasses the Northern Keys to Fort Pierce, is January 13, 2009.

The cost of the TWIC is $132.50 and is payable by Credit Card, Money Order or Certified Check. Pre-registration is encouraged as it will reduce the enrollment process to approximately 10 minutes when the applicant is prepared with approved identification.

Those mariners planning to utilize the FLIBS TWIC Enrollment Center are encouraged to visit
Transportation Worker Identification Credential or call 1-866-347-TWIC (8942) and take advantage of the pre-enrollment opportunity.

The MIASF is a not-for-profit marine trade organization created in 1961 to promote and protect the sound growth of the marine industry in South Florida for the benefit and education of its members, the community and the environment. The Association has 850 members in Broward, Dade and Palm Beach Counties and is the owner of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

Viking's Latest and Largest

Viking Yachts has launched its largest sportfisherman to date, an 82-footer destined to prowl the deep.

This battlewagon sports more than 21 feet of beam and 235 square feet of cockpit space, which includes mezzanine seating. Her girth enables the builder to provide a wide-open saloon with teak joinery throughout the interior. There's an L-shape here with stowage below as well as a 52-inch plasma TV, which rises from cabinetry on the starboard side. In addition, galley countertops are all done in granite. The 82 features four staterooms, plus a private crew quarters.

Other features include cockpit misters, built-in under-mount freezers, tackle and gear stowage, insulated fiberglass livewells, fish wells, and stowage, all of which are equipped with stainless steel gas strut supports.

The flying bridge has a center helm console, which is outfitted with three Murray Products ladderback helm chairs. Steering is power-assisted hydraulic with electronic engine controls and trolling valves.

The Viking 82 Convertible is powered with MTU Series 2000 diesels and should cruise around 30 knots (34.5 mph) and a top end around the mid-30-knot range (40 mph).

Sunreef 70 Powercat

Sunreef Yachts in Gdansk, Poland, recently launched its first powercat, a resin-infused 70-footer.

According to the builder, this catamaran can be powered by twin 870-hp diesels engines, which should help the vessel top out at 30 knots (34.5 mph). However, if you're into long-range cruising, the 70 can also be outfitted with smaller 370-hp diesels, which provide a cruise speed of 12 knots(13.8 mph). Her range at 15 knots is said to be 4,000 NM.

This cruiser sports more than 500 square feet of living space as well as a sizable flying bridge, which, in addition to an upper helm (there's a lower helm, too), offers areas for lounging and dining. The cockpit is the centerpiece of the 70's entertaining space with 320 square feet of party platform.

There's also a lounge with a bar, and a staircase leads to the galley and guest cabins within the hulls.

Shark Gives Surfer Free Ride

An Australian surfer working the waves accidentally hitched a ride with a shark. Somehow, the ten-foot-long sharp-toothed sea creature (species unknown) got caught up in the line that attached the surfer's ankle to his board. As a result, the toothy critter, now turned tow boat, started dragging the surprised man out to sea, rapidly.

According to a report from the Associated Press, "John Morgan, a 51-year-old surf shop owner from the east coast tourist town of Byron Bay, compared his terrifying 170-foot ride off a local beach to being towed by a jet ski."

Shortly after the unexpected thrill ride started, the shark was freed from the line and disappeared into the depths, the report states.

Guilty (?!)

There are many adjectives that can—and no doubt will—be used to describe Guilty, the 114-foot megayacht of Greek billionaire and art collector, Dakis Joannou. Inconspicuous is not one of them.

Jonnaou commissioned American artist Jeff Koons, he of the towering balloon animal sculptures and basketballs suspended in plexiglass, to design the exterior of his yacht. Though her name comes from a Sarah Morris text painting that hangs in one of her staterooms, Guilty's pattern is, according to Koons, inspired by WWI camouflage patterns. No matter what your opinion of her looks, I'm confident we can all agree that this take takes onboard art to a whole new level...