Brisbane Brief

Brisbane Luxury Yacht Charter & Superyacht News

47m ISA superyacht Aquamarina refitted by Rivergate Marina and Shipyard

May 02, 2012

47m motor yacht Aquamarina, built by the prestigious Italian shipyard ISA in 2006, has undergone an intensive six month refit at the Brisbane-based Rivergate Marina & Shipyard. The refit of the Aquamarina superyacht was completed within budget as well as ahead of schedule, meeting all the customers´ expectations.

47m luxury motor yacht Aquamarina by ISA after her refit

47m luxury motor yacht Aquamarina by ISA after her refit

The primary focus of the refit was to complete exterior refinish which was undertaken by Rivergate´s contractor, Superyacht Solutions. Superyacht Solutions has a longstanding international reputation for large scale applications of special effect coatings on vessels.

This was no ordinary paint job, it incorporated unique colours, effects and specialised equipment and techniques. It was also the largest white boat special effect refinish to be completed in Australia!

The coatings used on the luxury yacht Aquamarina were formulated in Europe by DuPont and air freighted to Australia specially for this project. The hull was finished in a glacier metallic blue and the superstructure in a stunning pearlescent. The formulations, applications, colour and effect of the eight coats of metallic applied to the hull and the ten coats of pearlescent applied to the superstructure had to meet exacting criteria.

Aquamarina superyacht during her refit

Aquamarina superyacht during her refit

Prior to the final coatings being applied to the ISA superyacht Aquamarina, test panels underwent digital testing with Dual Wavescan and Cloud Runner technologies. This was to ensure all aspects of the design and application criteria would deliver the result required by the clients.

It is interesting that these technologies are also used by prestige automobile manufacturers (e.g. Bentley, BMW and Jaguar) to set criteria, test values and provide outcomes for their prestige vehicle coatings.

The collaboration of Rivergate and Superyacht Solutions on the 47m motor yacht Aquamarina has focused attention on the high standards this team delivers, even when the project is technically demanding, time constrained and rigorous.

Aboard the ISA superyacht Aquamarina during her refit

Aboard the ISA superyacht Aquamarina during her refit

Rivergate´s Manager, Andrew Cannon, says that DuPont Performance Coatings, have expressed their considerable satisfaction with the results, describing the finish as “fantastic”. Appointed principal contractor by the Aquamarina yacht´s Monaco-based managers, Yachting Partners International (YPI) has also been effusive in its praise of the professionalism of Rivergate and its team, the results achieved and the redelivery ahead of schedule.

Aquamarina´s new exterior paint work can only be described as ´simply the best´.

Refit of the 47m motor yacht Aquamarina by ISA completed

March 26, 2012

47m motor yacht Aquamarina is the seventh vessel in the ISA 470 series launched in 2006, featuring a bold paint colour, same as her sister-ship, luxury yacht Ellix Too. Undergoing a successful six-month refit by Rivergate Marina and Shipyard in a partnership with Superyacht Solutions, the Aquamarina superyacht now boasts a new beautiful pearlescent and blue metallic paintwork.

Yacht AQUAMARINA - Image by ISA Shipyard

Yacht AQUAMARINA - Image by ISA Shipyard

Often the pivotal decision in a successful repaint of a superyacht depends on multiple factors aligning to achieve a truly outstanding result.

Rivergate Marina and Shipyard located in Brisbane, Australia certainly has proven itself as a facility of choice within the superyacht community.

In late September 2011 the Rivergate project management team commenced the exciting task of refinishing the 47m superyacht Aquamarina.

Many of the leading Australian superyacht painters have recognised the potential in Rivergate and its facilities, among them is Superyacht Solutions.

Superyacht Solutions were approved to execute the refinish on the luxury yacht Aquamarina, based on their proven success with metallic and pearlescent products.

Superyacht Solutions has decades of experience in both new builds and refinishing of large yachts. The company is one of the world’s most prolific exponents of large scale metallic applications.

Located below the cyclone belt, Brisbane has a sub-tropical climate which produces perfect conditions for painting with minimal delays and creates an efficient project location. Capitalising on these conditions, Rivergate has successfully project managed complex, simultaneous refits and repaints to further reduce time in the yard.

Rivergate International Boat Show in Brisbane, October 5 – 7, 2012

March 09, 2012

Rivergate Marina and Shipyard, Murrarie are well under way with the preparations for Brisbane’s only on water boat show to be held under idilic spring skies from October 5 to October 7, 2012.

Rivergate International Boat Show in Brisbain

Rivergate International Boat Show in Brisbain

As Brisbane aims to deliver fresh experiences and fresh adventures, this event will deliver a fresh approach by offering a program that features a strong boating and marine exhibitor focus plus activities and fun for the whole family.

The show will feature boats of all sizes. There’ll be spectacular super yachts, luxury cruisers, power and sail boats, fishing boats, inflatable boats, recreational water craft, jet skis, marine accessories, chandlery and more.

There will also be a sea trial area where boat show visitors can ‘try’ before they buy.

General Manager, Tracey Toovey is thrilled to be leading the team putting together this inaugural show.

“After 18 months of planning, it is exciting to be receiving positive feedback from exhibitors who agree that participating in an ‘’on water’’ show located beside the majestic Brisbane River offers great advantages and opportunities.

“The dramatic backdrop of the Gateway Bridge and close proximity to the city centre, together with an abundance of ‘free’ parking nearby and the choice to arrive by water (allowing visitors to travel to and from the show easily) combine to offer an event like no other,” said Tracey.

Whilst the show will have a strong boating and marine exhibitor focus, organisers are keen for it to be a family friendly event and are currently working on a program that will include many other elements that traditional ‘purist ‘marine events do not offer.

Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business Minister Jan Jarratt congratulated the Rivergate International Boat Show team for getting their big idea off the ground and onto the water.

“A dynamic events calendar is what makes Brisbane such an amazing place to visit and to live,” Ms Jarratt said.

“With a jam-packed and growing events calendar, it’s a hot spot for visitors and for local residents alike and I wish the Rivergate Boat Show team every success.”

Sevenstar Yacht Transport load and discharge first yachts in Australia in 2012

February 02, 2012

In 2011 Sevenstar Yacht Transport achieved 23 sailings for loading and discharge in Australia. Sevenstar is on its way exceeding this amount in 2012, already having two sailings bound for Australia into both Newcastle and Brisbane over the past week. Other ports to be called into this year are Fremantle, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Sevenstar Yacht Transport load and discharge first yachts in Australia in 2012

Sevenstar Yacht Transport load and discharge first yachts in Australia in 2012

For 2012 – Sevenstar Yacht Transport has already had its first two sailings for the year bound for Australia calling into both Newcastle and Brisbane bringing a mix of both used and new vessels for local owners and boat brokers. “It’s an interesting time to be working within the marine transport industry” says managing director of Sevenstar Yacht Transport Australia – Mr. Dean Sharples “We’re seeing interest in both imports and exports of yachts with plenty of people taking advantage with the strength of the Australian Dollar.”

Just one and a half hours north from Sydney lies Newcastle City. Newcastle is the largest city within the Hunter Region of NSW and lies at the mouth of the mighty Hunter River. A City that is famous for its heavy industry as well as being one of the major coal export regions within Australia is now adjusting with the increasing culmination of yachts arriving on its doorstep. With the growing interest in yachts, Newcastle has become the gateway to endless possibilities for the yachting community. The region is becoming the embarkation point for those looking to cruise Australia’s shores or for those looking to ship their yacht overseas. This includes those eager to experience new cruising grounds abroad.

The ongoing arrival of Sevenstar Yacht Transport’s vessels, carrying dozens of yachts to and from the USA and Europe has seen this interest grow. Yachts, both power and sail, converge on the seaside city, bringing in work for the local marine industry. The managers at the Newcastle Yacht Club are kept busy with new customers and returning clients alike; all looking for somewhere to berth or engage one of the many local marine services in maintaining their pride and joy.

Sevenstar is currently planning for the next shipment of yachts for the end of February, loading in the USA and a March loading in the Mediterranean. As well as these sailings, the upcoming export loading of yachts from Australia across to New Zealand and back to the USA and Europe is closing in fast. The first of these shipments for the year will see a range of yachts loaded in Newcastle; local Australian builders taking advantage of selling on the international market; charter yachts looking for new opportunities of work in other regions and those looking for a new holiday experiences aboard on their own privately owned vessel. “The strength of the Australian dollar against the Euro and US Dollar is making holidaying on your own yacht in either the Caribbean or Mediterranean much more appealing.” says Dean. “And with the broad range of sailings that Sevenstar offers worldwide, now is a great time to see the world.”

Sevenstar Yacht Transport is the world’s leading provider of yacht transportation services on a lift-on-lift-off basis. A global network of destinations ranging from the familiar to the exotic, and its own fleet of around 125 independent carriers have propelled Sevenstar to the peak of its sector in just more than 25 years. Innovation, flexibility and competitive pricing have been the key to Sevenstar’s success. The companies’ customized approach and unique package of services is only set to increase as nobody else offers such a comprehensive service.

DYT´s Super Servant 4 in Brisbane to unload $35 million worth of yachts

January 18, 2012

The city of Brisbane, capital of Queensland and Australia’s third most populous city, will host Dockwise Yacht Transport’s (DYT) 556´ ship Super Servant 4 with open arms this month when this 169.49m electric orange semi-submersible vessel berths at Fisherman’s Island Terminal to unload a cargo of yachts totaling approximately US $35 million.

Dockwise Yacht Transport’s (DYT) bright orange semi-submersible ship, Super Servant 4, picks up yachts in Golfito, Costa Rica before heading to Brisbane, Australia. (Photo credit Onne van der Wal)

DYT´s bright orange semi-submersible ship, Super Servant 4, picks up yachts in Golfito, Costa Rica before heading to Brisbane, Australia. Photo credit: Onne van der Wal

It has been more than a year since the ship’s last trip here was diverted to Sydney due to extreme flooding that devastated Brisbane and many other Queensland locations. Jason Roberts, President of Aurora Global Logistics and DYT’s exclusive commercial agent for Australia, sees the ship’s return as proof positive of the rebounding yacht manufacturing and boat transport industries as well as the cruising market that Brisbane so well serves in the South Pacific.

“Brisbane is in the process of rebuilding,” said Roberts, explaining that when the Brisbane River’s riverbanks broke last January, an overflow level of 4.45 meters (14.6 feet) was reached, and approximately 20,000 houses were flooded.

“At the same time, the Australian economy has survived the global downturn to be quite strong, and this DYT voyage adds momentum to both of those things. We are excited for this voyage as well as many more to come in the future.”

Super Servant 4 coasts through the Panama Canal after a stopover in Golfito, Costa Rica before beginning its voyage to Brisbane, Australia. (Photo credit: Onne van der Wal)

Super Servant 4 coasts through the Panama Canal after a stopover in Golfito, Costa Rica before beginning its voyage to Brisbane, Australia. Photo credit: Onne van der Wal

Roberts added that Brisbane’s location halfway between Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef make it a perfect drop point for DYT, which operates on a regular schedule to deliver private yachts and charter boats to prime cruising destinations around the world.

Looking something like a giant moving marina when it comes to town, the Super Servant 4, once docked will submerge itself by pumping nine million gallons of water into its ballast tanks. After scuba divers remove sea-fasteners from each yacht, captains, owners and/or crews will be free to disembark under their own power and be off to new adventures.

Super Servant 4 departed Palma de Mallorca (Spain) in December 2011 and will have made stops in Martinique (France), Port Everglades (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida), and Golfito (Costa Rica) before arriving in Brisbane. From Brisbane, it will head to Auckland (New Zealand) and return to Port Everglades before heading to Toulon (France) in early April.

DYT’s second “float-on/float-off” voyage to the South Pacific this year will begin in Palma de Mallorca in November, with stops in Martinique, Port Everglades, Golfito, Brisbane, and Auckland, and return to Port Everglades and the Mediterranean in spring 2013.

TÛRANOR PlanetSolar in Brisbane Australia

May 30, 2011

Official ceremony for the PlanetSolar Relay for Hope – Australian young people launch project in Brisbane Australia – Largest solar boat in the world crosses the Pacific – antipodal line and equator crossed: important criteria for circumnavigating the world With their visit to the TÛRANOR PlanetSolar, today, Monday, 175 young people aged between 6 and 25 are launching the «PlanetSolar Relay For Hope», a relay from one landing stage to the next, in which resident young people present their visions and hopes for a solar energy driven world through essays, videos, music, drawing and models. The PlanetSolar Project round-the-world expedition aims to sensitise future decision-makers to the use of sustained energy sources and seeks direct contact to schools, families and students. Discussions with the crew and visits to the ship allow the young people to experience the unusual adventure of the biggest solar boat in the world at first hand and to directly participate in the project with their visions of a solar world.

Planet Solar in Brisbane

Planet Solar in Brisbane

In an official ceremony students from Brisbane schools will join the captain and crew to hand out their banners. The Solar Relay for Hope will continue on from Brisbane around the world, with the TÛRANOR’s global expedition providing the chance for collecting children’s thoughts on solar at each stopover as a symbolic act to capture the vision of the next generation. Young people all over the world can join the project via internet.

Brisbane has been selected to officially launch the Solar Relay for Hope because of the massive natural disasters at the beginning of 2011. On the conclusion of the voyage, all works that were created and provided to the Solar Relay for Hope will be given to politicians and representatives from the United Nations to signify the children of the world’s vision for a solar planet.

“With our expedition around the world, we want to demonstrate that the change for renewable energies is already taking place,” Cordula Ströher, initiator of the PlanetSolar Relay for Hope, explains. “We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and passion the youth of Brisbane has displayed in sharing our vision for a solar world.”

“It is initiatives like the PlanetSolar Relay for Hope that ensure the next generation grow up environmentally conscious and understand the importance of striving for a solar world”, says Raphaël Domjan, project founder of PlanetSolar.
Despite the most challenging of weather conditions up to now, the MS TÛRANOR PlanetSolar continues on its round-the-world expedition and, with Brisbane, has now reached the Austrian continent.

The last part of the Pacific crossing was marked by high sea swell, squalls and extremely difficult conditions, which the biggest boat in the world passed with flying colours, however.

The TÛRANOR PlanetSolar has made its goal the circumnavigation of the world while meeting the most stringent criteria – the so-called English conditions. To this end, the following criteria need to be met: starting point and destination of the expedition are identical, all lines of longitude will be crossed, the equator will be crossed twice and the antipodal line will be negotiated. The antipodal line circumscribes the exact point on the opposite half of the earth and is determined by continuing the line starting at the starting point through the geocentre to the other side of the globe. On its journey from New Caledonia to Australia the MS TÛRANOR has already twice met the required criteria, by passing the antipodal point
and crossing the equator.

In addition, the solar boat has already achieved two records: the fastest Atlantic crossing in a solar boat and the longest stretch ever travelled in a solar-driven vehicle.

On 27 September 2010, the TÛRANOR PlanetSolar set out from Monaca to circumnavigate the world using the power of the sun alone. The mission of the biggest solar boat in the world, which also sails under the Swiss flag, is to show that technologies in the renewable energy sector are already very reliable today and can be used very effectively for solar mobility at sea. The PlanetSolar Project was founded by the Swiss Raphaël Domjan and is based in Yverdon-les-Bains (Canton of Waadt). Today, it has already rendered technological progress possible, in the manufacture of composite materials and the storage of solar energy, for instance.

Planet Solar Brisbane Australia

Planet Solar Brisbane Australia

PlanetSolar falls back on technical data from Metéo France for circumnavigating the world. In addition, a special routing technology has been developed for the project. For its 31-metre length and 15-metre width, the TÛRANOR PlanetSolar has a 537m2 solar generator. The latter uses photovoltaic cells manufactured the Californian company SunPower, which – in contrast to conventional photovoltaic cells – are approx. 50 percent more efficient. Within the scope of sponsoring agreements, the Swiss watch company Candino as well as the energy management company Immosolar are the main partners of PlanetSolar. The project is also supported by many other companies and institutions.

Superyacht Brisbane Flood Update

January 22, 2011

A week on from the floods that decimated parts of Brisbane, “The River City, and its residents are courageously emerging from the disaster. Though vast parts of the northern and western areas of Brisbane were inundated by flood waters, the river broke its banks and flowed with debris, including vessels still atop pontoons swept away from the riverside homes. However the larger vessel and marine infrastructure and businesses situated on the eastern reaches of the river towards Moreton Bay sustained relatively little or no damage.

Brisbane City before the Floods

Brisbane City before the Floods

Superyacht Brisbane members were among those who heeded the warnings taking pre-emptive measures to ensure the safety of vessels, staff, equipment and premises. Battening down the hatches in preparation for the river flooding paid off with no reports of major damage.

The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron provided a safe haven in their new marina at Manly Harbour. Manly is situated to the south of the Brisbane River in Moreton Bay and was a perfect alternative shelter to vessels normally berthed in the River.

BSE Maritime Solution’s dockyard at Colmslie remained high and dry throughout the flood crisis, and work on the vessels docked on the 2500 tonne slipway continued with little interruption. Rivergate Marina and Shipyard General Manager Steve Fisher commented, “Although luck may have played part in the fact that the marina only suffered minor fender damage on the outer berths, there is no doubt that prior preparation and planning was pivotal in making sure that Rivergate’s customers and vessels were kept safe.”

Ultimately the Brisbane Superyachting facilities located along the River, and which house many of Superyacht Brisbane businesses, remained open throughout the disaster with staff, fellow business owners and employees taking to the river to assist with diverting debris and saving what they could that swept past, including an international vessel that broke loose from its moorings near the CBD at the Brisbane City Botanical Gardens. The vessel was reunited with its Dutch owners who flew back from Holland fearing their vessel was all but lost.

Now it’s “business as usual” as the Port of Brisbane can re‐open following a prompt cleanup of hazardous debris by the Royal Australian Navy minesweepers clearing the river and Moreton Bay, making it safe for Navigation. Superyacht Brisbane members their business’s and infrastructure is again ready to provide services offering Australia’s premier Superyacht servicing and support facilities “Come Dock with us”. We have weathered the storm well and now it’s back to business.

For more information contact
Vanessa Freebairn
Superyacht Brisbane.
Mobile +61 402 184 537
E‐mail info@superyachtbrisbane.com.au
Superyacht Brisbane
www.superyachtbrisbane.com.au

Demand for Yacht Transport Grows in South Pacific

January 15, 2011

Dockwise Ship Set for Arrival in Brisbane Late January
           
Dockwise Yacht Transport’s (DYT) trademark bright orange semi-submersible ship, Super Servant 3, will arrive in Brisbane on or around January 25, 2011, and Jason Roberts, President of Aurora Global Logistics and DYT’s exclusive commercial agent for Australia says that’s good news for his business and the economy.

Superyacht Triton & Ulysses on Dockwise Ship

Superyacht Triton & Ulysses on Dockwise Ship

“The Australian yacht market is very buoyant at present due to the strong Australian dollar,” said Roberts.  “Being market leaders, DYT and Aurora are working hard to service the South Pacific market for yacht transportation in relation to this large influx of yacht movements.” 

Super Servant 3, at 456 feet (139 meters) in length and operating on a regular schedule to deliver yachts around the world, will look something like a giant moving marina when it comes to town.  By “sinking” its dock bay, it will safely float off its cargo of yachts.  Captains, owners and crew will be aboard the vessels during disembarkment, ready to take them by their own power on to new adventures.

It’s an amazing process,” said Roberts, “and no other shipping company has this ability to deliver boats in such a manner.”  Nevertheless, Roberts says DYT often orchestrates lift-on/lift-off arrangements with third-party carriers for clients wanting a more flexible shipping schedule or to explore destinations where the float-on/float-off ships aren’t scheduled to go.

“With both services combined, we have created a very strong DYT yacht logistics product that is being utilized by many yacht owners and manufacturers and continues to be a leader in the market,” said Roberts.

Super Servant 3 departed Port Everglades in early December, 2010, and will have made stops in St. Thomas (USVI), Golfito (Costa Rica) and Papeete (French Polynesia) before arriving in Brisbane.  From Brisbane, it will head to Auckland and return to Port Everglades (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) in late February, via Ensenada (Mexico).

DYT’s second “float-on/float-off” voyage to the South Pacific this year will begin in Port Everglades in early July, with stops in Golfito (early/mid July), Brisbane (early August), Auckland (mid August), and head back via Ensenada (mid September) to Port Everglades (early October) in time for the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.  This particular voyage is ideal for those who want to attend the Rugby World Cup which takes place in Wellington, New Zealand, in August, 2011. 

In addition, DYT has scheduled these new voyages via the lift-on, lift-off method:

Loading in March and April, 2011:  Antwerp (Belgium) or Rotterdam (The Netherlands) to Genoa (Italy), then to Brisbane (Australia) and Wellington (New Zealand)

Loading in May and June, 2011:
North Adriatic to Augusta and Brisbane (Australia) and Wellington (New Zealand)

Loading in May, 2011:
Phuket (Thailand) to Genoa (Italy)

More about DYT
Dockwise Yacht Transport (DYT), headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, specializes in the maritime transport of private luxury yachts and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dockwise Ltd., a Bermuda incorporated company that is the leading marine contractor providing total transport services to the offshore, onshore and yachting industries as well as installation services of extremely heavy offshore platforms.

Dockwise owns a total of four yacht carriers including the 686-foot (209 meter) super ship Yacht Express. The ships use the unique float-on/float-off loading method that allows yachts of any size to be safely floated on and off as cargo. The carriers submerge themselves by pumping nine million gallons of water into their ballast tanks; the vessels are floated into place one-by-one, then sea-fastened before the ship pumps dry to prepare for boat transport.  The process is reversed to allow the yachts to safely disembark once they reach their final destinations.

DYT’s global yacht transport routes for its semi-submersibles include the U.S. East Coast (Newport, Rhode Island and Port Everglades, Florida), the Mediterranean (Toulon, France; Genoa and Taranto, Italy; Marmaris, Turkey; Palma de Mallorca, Spain), the Bahamas (Freeport), the Caribbean (St. Thomas and Martinique), the Pacific West Coast (Golfito, Costa Rica; La Paz and Ensenada, Mexico; and Vancouver, B.C., Canada) and the South Pacific (Papeete, Tahiti; Auckland, New Zealand; and Brisbane, Australia).

Even though its schedule with the semi-submersible yacht carriers regularly covers main harbors around the world, as well as more unique destinations, DYT recognizes that it can’t meet every demand for location or timing with its own ships. Therefore, the company is also active in the lift-on/lift-off market, offering the same professionalism and attention to detail in servicing this alternative method of yacht transportation to clients who need additional scheduling flexibility or the ability to get to destinations not normally serviced by DYT’s semi-submersible ships.

Since its maiden voyage in 1987, the company has transported over 11,000 motor and sailing yachts to various destinations around the globe, offering owners and charterers safe and easy access to many of the world’s premier cruising grounds. Along with area representatives around the globe, DYT has additional operating offices in Italy, Martinique and Newport (R.I.).

Dockwise Yacht Transport at Brisbane Port

Dockwise Yacht Transport at Brisbane Port