A Mega-Island?

According to a recent report on CNN.com, there's a brand new mega-model on the horizon. That's right, the floating island. Megayacht design company Wally has devised plans for a 100-meter vessel that will serve not just as a boat, but as a floating estate meant to accommodate those who want a year-round, liveaboard lifestyle but don't want to sacrifice luxury. The island-yacht, which can accommodate 24 guests and 40 crew, has what her designers refer to as a "commercial look." But that doesn't mean she can't be personalized. In fact, owners can incorporate just about any feature they want, from oversize helipads to Olympic size pools. The team at Wally drew up two possible options—the full tennis court and giant tropical garden (seen here). So what do you think? Will megayacht owners go for the year-round, floating-island lifestyle?

Tax Relief on the Horizon?

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), which represents the United States' recreational boating industry, has announced its plans to lead a 71-member coalition in petitioning Congress for the extension of the net operating loss (NOL) carryback period from two to five years. The hope, the association argues, is that in doing so, Congress will "help businesses suffering from tough economic times."

An NOL is a period of time during which a company's expenses exceed its revenues, thus resulting in a negative taxable income. According to a press release from the NMMA, a company can currently opt to use its NOL to offset the taxes it owes on profits from the previous two years. It would like to see that period extended by three years. The rationale behind providing such a carryback period is simple: Businesses are required to pay taxes when they earn money, therefore, they are also are deserving of some form of tax relief if they begin to lose it.

"Congress has used NOL carryback relief in the past to help manufacturers, retailers, and companies across all sectors," NMMA president Thom Dammrich has explained. "We encourage legislators to use this tool again to enable these companies to retain jobs and avoid going out of business."

To that end, the association states that in the coming weeks, it (and its coalition partners) will meet with leaders in Congress and members of President-elect Obama's transition team to press for the extension. An extension aimed, as the NMMA puts it, at "ensur[ing] that the appropriate tax relief is enacted in a timely manner."

Tis the Season

The holidays are upon us, if you can believe it, which means that it's that time of year again. Time for family, time for food, and time for festivities. And for many of us, its also time to reach out and give something back.

Well, it seems that the pre-holiday spirit recently took hold at the Daiwa Corporation: The tackle-manufacturing giant announced it was donating $10,000 to the FishAmerica Foundation."We wish to make this donation in support of FishAmerica's invaluable work in habitat and sport fish restoration," said vp of sales Terry Pederson. "As we and others who have been in this industry for so long realize, our hobby and livelihood could not exist without strong stewardship of our sport fishery."

Now that's a gift that promises to keep on giving...

She's Baaack! (And Open.)

For those of you who'll be in or around the Big Apple this weekend, here's something to consider: Tomorrow, after an extensive two-year renovation, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum will reopen its doors to visitors. According to the the museum's Web site, the new and improved facility will include interactive exhibits, restored aircraft, dry-docking, a paint job for the former USS Intrepid, and more. Plus, the first 1,000 visitors will get a coin commemorating the ship's return. The museum opens just in time for Veterans Day (Tuesday, November 11th) when it will host a ceremony that's slated to be attended by President George W. Bush, New York Governor David Paterson, and some 2,500 veterans.

Deadliest Ale

As I've mentioned before, I am an unabashed fan of a couple of boat-related reality shows. I loved America's Port, and I loooove the Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch. Nothing helps me get through a gym visit like tuning in on my treadmill's TV and watching those fishermen hunt down crab in the Bering Sea. And, I'm not alone. The Deadliest Catch is so popular that it has spawned a whole lotta merchandise—video games, books, t-shirts, and more. Well, here's a new one: Captain Sig Hansen, one of the show's stars, has partnered with Rogue Ales to create his very own Deadliest Ale. Designed to complement the flavors of his Alaskan King and Opelia crab, the ale will come in 22 oz bottles and will be sold in Alaska, Texas, Florida, and more. A portion of the proceeds of the ale will be given to the Fisherman's fund, a non-profit foundation established by the Hansen family.

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.

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.

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...

Save Our Reefs

The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL)—an international organization dedicated soley to saving the world's coral reefs—recently announced it will be partnering with Leisure Pro, an online purveyor of all things scuba and snorkeling related. Leisure Pro has agreed to help draw attention to the plight of coral reefs by agreeing to no longer sell fish food. You see, feeding fish can have decidedly deleterious effects on coral reefs. It alters predator-prey relationships, and thus (to put it crudely), mucks with delicate food chains and ecosystems. This can be particularly problematic when divers feed algae grazers, who in turn eat less algae, which can then smother a coral reef. To help draw attention to CORAL’s “Take a Bite out of Fish Feeding Campaign,” Leisure Pro has promised that any shoppers who donate at least $10 with their next online purchase will receive CORAL’s 2009 calendar.

Expat...Fish?

With summer in full swing, the waters in and around the Northeast are awash with recreational anglers in search of their next big catch. Well, according to an interesting article in The New York Times, said fishermen—particularly those who fish off the coast of Long Island—might come upon more unusual species than they'd anticipated. According to the article, small tropical fish are being carried by the Gulf Stream from the Florida Keys and the Bahamas and deposited in coves and eelgrass beds off the Northeast coast. Many of these so-called "expatriate" species—which are not well-suited to the area's cold winter temperatures—are being collected by local aquariums and used in exhibits. The reason for this recent surge in tropical fish is not known but, the article explains, scientists suspect it has something to do with the general increase in water temperatures.

Bloom Over

A massive algal bloom in Qingdao, China, that threatened the sailing events in the upcoming Beijing Olympics has been successfully cleaned up, reports The New York Times. According to a Chinese official, barriers were installed in order to keep additional algae from infiltrating the waters that are slated for competition. The algae first appeared in late June and quickly spread, at its peak covering one third of the waters in the area. But by Monday, volunteers and workers had cleared over 700,000 tons of algae from the water and surrounding seashore.

Harmful algal blooms (often referred to as red tides) can occur due to an excess of nutrients in an aquatic system, which often results in a significant reduction of oxygen. Other blooms are natural, seasonal occurrences. Still others can be attributed to factors such as influxes in iron-rich dust and climate changes. The cause of the Qingdao bloom has yet to be determined.

Grounded!

According to a report from the Associated Press, a 63-meter (approximately 205-foot) cruise ship ran aground in Tarr Inlet near Glacier Bay, Alaska on Monday. Fortunately, no injuries were reported nor did the ship's hull suffer any serious damage. The vessel, which is owned by Cruise West, was carrying 51 passengers when she ran aground. She was stuck for nearly nine hours before being successfully towed to safety. The Coast Guard has yet to determine whether the accident was caused by human error or because of an electronic/mechanical malfunction.

Antique and Classic Boats

Sure it's a cliche, but it's also true: Some things do improve with age. Wine, cheese and—in the mind of antique vessel enthusiasts—boats, too. If you subscribe to that school of thought (or if you just like to gawk at all things vintage and boaty) then I offer up the following event for your consideration: The 26th Annual Antique and Classic Boat Festival in Salem, Massachusetts.

This weekend-long affair kicks off on Saturday, August 23rd (though there will be a reception the previous night), and will feature a display of antique (pre-1946) and classic (pre-1968) boats. If you're interested in registering a yacht, prices start at $80 (depending on size) and include dockage. In addition to the all-important boat display, the festival will also feature a crafts market, musical interludes, and an awards presentation. Prizes will be given for categories such as best powerboat, best reproduction, and finest interior.

An Elegant Affair

British papers have been buzzing with the news that Manchester United soccer star Wayne Rooney chartered the 237-foot RM Elegant as part of the week-long celebration surrounding his wedding to childhood sweetheart, Coleen McLaughlin. According to the Daily Mail, the 22-year old lovebirds invited 60-something guests to help celebrate their upcoming nuptials. The pair entertained friends and family by throwing numerous parties and dinners onboard, including an elegant masked ball (pictured here).

Papers are hailing it as a real Cinderella story: The young couple from humble Croxeth, Liverpool, treating themselves to a wedding-extravaganza onboard a luxurious yacht. And luxurious she is: RM Elegant accommodates 30 guests and includes features such as a massage room, sauna, gym, and a deck jacuzzi. To check out other celebrities and dignitaries who've been spending time relaxing onboard the world's biggest yachts, look for our August issue's Power and Motoryacht 100.

Stern Shot Stumper!

As we told you in our June issue, no one correctly guessed April's "Stern Shot" location, which means that Raymarine VHF is still yours to win!

You can view the photo here, in your old April issue, or in the contests section on PMY's Web site. Once you've figured out the correct waypoint and boat location e-mail your answer to sternshot@powerandmotoryacht.com by June 15, 2008. Can we stump you again?

Cruise Evacuation

Tug boats are capable of some highly impressive feats. Push this, tow that—no problem! But earlier this week, four tugs were unable to pull the 660-foot cruise ship Mona Lisa from a sand bank in the Baltic Sea where she had run aground around 10 miles off Latvia's northwest coast.

When removal efforts failed (ballast water and fuel were pumped-out in an attempt to lessen Mona Lisa's weight), Latvia's coast guard spent nearly five hours removing some 650 passengers and taking them to shore in two naval ships. Fortunately, the evacuation was a success: guests descended the ship in ladders sans incident and the ship went unharmed. On Monday, the AP reported that over 330 crew members were also slated to be removed from the ship.

According to the Baltic News Service, Mona Lisa's owner has not lost faith in the awesome abilities of tugs: he's asked a Swedish company with a powerful boat to help free the 30,000-ton cruise ship from her current sandy resting spot.

America's Port, Reality Show

This morning, I woke to a panicked call from my boyfriend, Ben. He's been out of town for a few days, and won't be back until tomorrow. "Will you please, please tape 'America's Port' for me?" he practically squealed. (Sorry, Ben.) Well, there was no need for his consternation: My DVR was already set to record. Because...Hello my name is Catherine, and I'm an "America's Port" addict.

"America's Port" is a reality show that airs on the National Geographic Channel on Monday nights at 10 ET. This eight-episode series provides a behind-the-scenes look at the enormous Port of Los Angeles, the nation's leading seaport in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value. From loading and unloading cargo hundreds of feet in the air to the grim task of searching for bodies underwater, there's certainly a lot that goes on at this center for trade, and most of it is pretty interesting to watch.

Moms on the Water

On May 11, 2008 people everywhere will wax lyrical about how much they appreciate their moms. Why the well-deserved outpouring? Because that second Sunday in May is Mother's Day; a day for praise, cards, and breakfast in bed. And—in the eyes of MarineMax—it's also a great time for moms to hit the water.

Participants in MarineMax's Mother's Day Celebration (held on May 4, 2008) can attend one of the company's Women on Water boating classes. These sessions will be held at 60 MarineMax dealership locations nationwide and will introduce women to boating-basics such as maneuvering, line handling, and docking. I attended a WOW class back in July and was very happy to go toolin' around in a Sea Ray 44 while learning how to back in and use a marine radio.

If you are a mom, have a mom, or know a mom who has any inclination to learn more about boat handling, the Mother's Day event promises to be a good introduction to boating and a great way to spend a spring Sunday. Classes are open to the public but registration is required. For more information, check out MarineMax's web site.

Wooden Boat Couture

Boaters tend to don decidedly, well, “boaty” garb. I mean, you’ve got custom t-shirts, navy blazers, boat shoes—even foul weather gear. Here’s a more unusual “boaty” accessory to throw into the mix: the wooden hull handbag. That’s right, you heard me. A wooden boat purse.

Cristi Silvester and Steve Thomas, an award-winning boat restorer, are the brains behind Cristi-Craft, a California-based company that creates handcrafted bow and stern handbags. Customers can select from several eras and styles, though the transom purse is the company's most popular offering. Each wooden "bag" can be finished with a custom stain, upholstery, waterline, number, and bottom paint to match a full-size boat. And each purse is finished with either a handle or a shoulder strap, depending on what the customer prefers.

Cristi-Craft says the purses, which start at around $500, make great gifts for wooden-boat enthusiasts and/or the wives of said devotees. I say they certainly rank as one of the more striking "boaty" accessories I've seen as of late.

Women's Boating, Part Deux

In July, I was lucky to attend an afternoon-long, Women on Water class hosted by MarineMax. Well, my good fortune has continued: last Monday I traveled to Sarasota, Florida to spend a week attending powerboat handling classes through SeaSense, the women's sailing and powerboating school.

Mine was a five day long beginner/intermediate powerboat handling course that was held on a 42-food Grand Banks called Paper Moon(see photo above). In addition to our fantastic instructor, Captain Patty, I had two other classmates. One was studying for her captain's license and the other was eagerly readying herself to spend several months cruising in the Bahamas with her fiance. The fact that we were a small group meant there was a significant amount of individualized attention, which was certainly a good thing: We were fed a lot of information in just a few short days.

Lessons covered everything from basic line handling to understanding tide charts. Captain Patty talked us through engine troubleshooting, led us through man overboard drills, taught us proper radio etiquette, and we practiced (and practiced) chart plotting. Of course we also dedicated much of our time to docking, both at fuel docks and backing into slips.

Though less-than-ideal conditions kept us off the water at times, we each got significant hands-on experience. What I found most surprising was that for someone with relatively little experience, I really wasn't nervous about the prospect of trying my hand at docking a 40-foot boat. It wasn't arrogance. It was a testament to the fact that my fellow SeaSensers, led by Captain Patty, were kind, enthusiastic, and above all, very supportive. I don't know if that's the nature of all boating classes or my course in particular. But I do know that the class left me feeling very fortunate indeed.