UK Brief

UK Luxury Yacht Charter & Superyacht News

Discovery Yachts a nominee for Entrepreneurship and Innovation award

November 22, 2011

Discovery Yachts, the Marchwood based world class builder of luxury blue-water cruising yachts has been chosen for the Entrepreneurship and Innovation award in the New Forest Brilliance in Business Awards 2011/2012.

Discovery 50 Catamaran yacht

Discovery 50 Catamaran yacht

The 6th annual award scheme, specifically for businesses in the New Forest area, aims to celebrate the achievements of local business and highlight good practice. Discovery Yachts is a highly successful builder of exceptionally high quality, semi-custom, blue-water cruising yachts designed for short-handed performance sailing.

The company has continued to invest significantly throughout the economic downturn and has recently taken delivery of a state-of-the-art CNC 5 Axis milling and cutting machine in addition to some highly specilised veneer press equipment which has enabled Discovery to become a centre of excellence for its bespoke joinery and interior fittings.

Blue-water cruiser the Discovery 57 sailing yacht

Blue-water cruiser the Discovery 57 sailing yacht

Recent investment in new product design was followed by the launch of their internationally award winning Discovery Cat 50 yacht in 2010 and the company has just started the build of a new Discovery 57 blue-water monohull designed by Ron Holland and Ken Freivokh which will be launched in 2012.

The company is passionate about skills and has doubled its apprenticeship scheme with 13 young people gaining a broad education in boatbuilding skills within the yard whilst also attending day release courses at local colleges.

Below is a beautiful Discovery charter yacht selection and image galleries for Ron Holland and Ken Freivokh design.

Beneteau decide not to exhibit at 2012 Tullet Prebon London Boat Show

November 22, 2011

The French boatbuilder Beneteau has announced that the company and all its UK dealers have decided not to exhibit at the 2012 Tullet Prebon London Boat Show in January, following a review of their exhibition and business strategies.

logo_beneteau

Francois Renault, Beneteau’s area sales manager for the UK, says: “The UK is a very important market to Beneteau and we feel that we can best serve our customers here by focussing our efforts into the PSP Southampton Boat Show, where we can have boats on the water and show our full range, as well as supporting our dealers in order to stimulate sales through their existing customer pipelines.”

“We had more boats at Southampton this year than ever before and enjoyed a successful show,” he adds. “We will soon be showcasing equally large exhibits at both the Paris and Düsseldorf boat shows where an extensive selection from our range will be on display along with many new models. As always we welcome people to these shows from all over the world including the UK.”

The 2012 Tullet Prebon London Boat Show runs from January 6-15 at London’s ExCel exhibition centre.

Marketing Director at Princess Yachts Andrew Williams resigns

November 21, 2011

Princess Yachts International regret to announce that Andrew Williams will be stepping down from the Board at Princess Yachts by mutual agreement and will be leaving the Company at the end of November.

Andrew Williams

Andrew Williams


His departure is an amicable one for reasons understood by all involved and Chris Gates, Managing Director of Princess, thanked Andrew for his efforts during his time with the company. “Andy has made a committed and significant contribution to the company and this is evident in his desire to complete a number of key projects prior to his departure at the end of his notice period. He has been a great asset during his time with us and we wish him well in his future career.”

Andrew Williams said “Princess has great product and I have worked with some talented people here in Plymouth and within the wider Distributor network. The company is perfectly placed to continue its growth and I will always be an admirer of its products, people and achievements. I have though always harboured a desire to strike out on my own in business and feel that now is the right time to do so.

The marketing department will continue to be led by Simon Clare and Chris Gates also stated the importance of Marketing for the future of the business “The Marketing role is essential to our continued growth and we are extremely fortunate to have considerable strength in the department” said Gates. “The next few months see the launch of a number of ground breaking products from 39 feet to 40 Metres, along with the continued development of various tools and initiatives to help our distributors communicate the strength of our products and Company”.

2011 RNLI Annual Lecture

November 21, 2011

Members of the public are welcome to take part in The RNLI Annual Lecture, held in partnership with the University of Southampton, on Wednesday 30 November 2011 at 6pm. This year’s lecture, ‘Testing Times: the role of trials and testing in marine safety’ will be introduced by eminent guest speaker Dr Ian Dand FREng.

RNLI volunteers in action

RNLI volunteers in action

The last few decades have seen major cultural and technical changes in maritime safety, and Dr Ian Dand has been at the forefront of these changes during his career as a naval architect. His lecture will focus on the reasons for the changes and the lessons learnt. He will explain how model testing has illustrated the equal importance of operational aspects alongside design in improving marine safety. The talk will include the high profile investigation of major incidents at sea such as The Herald of Free Enterprise, as well as the exploration of ship behaviour whose purpose is motivated by safety, like RNLI lifeboats. The lecture will end with a personal view of marine safety at the present time.

Steve Austen, RNLI Head of Engineering Support, explains: ‘We are delighted that Ian Dand will be speaking at the 2011 RNLI Annual Lecture, as well as being at the forefront of his field, he has been involved with the RNLI for many years, including a period of time when he was a member of the RNLI Technical Committee.´

‘The RNLI charity’s lifeboats are crewed by volunteers who go to sea, sometimes in extreme conditions, to save lives. Therefore we do our best to ensure they have the right lifeboats and equipment to operate as safely as possible in the most hostile sea environment – and some of the engineering achievements behind this will be highlighted during Ian’s talk.’

The lecture will be delivered in the University at 6.00pm. Tea and biscuits will be served in the Turner Sims foyer at 5.30pm, and all members of the public with an interest in marine safety and the RNLI are welcome to attend.

C A Clase rewarded by KVH for their 2011 performance

November 21, 2011

C A Clase, the UK’s leading distributor of marine electronics for the leisure and commercial marine markets, received three prominent awards from the leading manufacturer – KVH, during METS 2011 . On Monday 14th November, C A Clase received the ‘Biggest Total Turnover in 2011’ accolade at the company’s annual distributor awards, for the third year in a row. The company was also awarded ‘The Most TracVision Products Sold’ and ‘The Largest Airtime Revenue.’

C A Classe team with KVH awards

C A Classe team with KVH awards

Andrew Bush, Managing Director at C A Clase, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to have received three awards and to be recognised as KVH’s biggest leisure marine distributor outside the US. 2011 has been a challenging year for the industry, but our ongoing customer support and service has seen us through another good year.”

David Tropp Hag, Regional Sales Manager at KVH, said: “C A Clase has been the exclusive UK distributor for KVH for many years. To achieve the Biggest Total Turnover award for three years in a row is a fantastic achievement and we are delighted with their continued support and commitment. 2011 has been an exciting year, with a number of new product launches, and we are looking forward to continued success for 2012.”

Recognition from KVH further strengthens C A Clase’s firmly-established position as a leading distributor of marine electronics for professional and leisure vessels in Europe, with class-leading satellite communication systems from KVH, including the new HD11 and V3.

Princess Yachts ready for the 2012 London Boat Show

November 18, 2011

Princess Yachts are ready for another important London Boat Show, which will take place in January 2012. The even will be an appropriate start to what will be a landmark year for the brand. In 2012, Princess yachts will launch their smallest vessel as well as the largest ever built by the company – a 40M Princess Yacht, which is scheduled for launch in spring 2012. The company will also display their 32M Princess superyacht at the London Boat Show, amongst other beautiful yachts.

32M Princess Yacht - exterior

32M Princess Yacht - exterior

The Plymouth boat builder will also have the largest boat on display inside London’s Excel once again as the 32M Princess Motor Yacht takes pride of place in the boardwalk to provide a magnificent centre piece for the whole show.  However, it is expected that it will be a much smaller model that will grab the attention as the highly anticipated Princess V39 yacht receives her world premier and marks a stunning return to the sub-40 foot sector for the brand.

The new Princess V39 yacht provides a very welcome proposition for those who prefer smaller craft yet still demand the very best in style, performance and quality.  A unique hull design and powerful Volvo D6-330 engines ensure she is both exhilarating and economical with quick transition to plane and highly efficient cruising speeds.

32M Princess Yacht - Master cabin

32M Princess Yacht - Master cabin

Her interior is light and spacious and, as with every Princess, she is finished with the finest materials, craftsmanship and detailing throughout.  The large saloon and well equipped galley combine for a highly sociable entertaining space and both cabins are generously proportioned and contemporarily styled.

She has also been designed to be as practical as she is elegant with an expansive teak-laid cockpit complete with large wetbar and generous seating and a transom platform large enough to accommodate a tender.

With a list price of £235,000 (ex tax) the new V39 is set to redefine the standard for her class and in keeping with the rest of the Princess V Class range, truly is a sports cruiser without compromise.

Motor Yacht Princess 32M - Saloon

Motor Yacht Princess 32M - Saloon

Also making her international debut at the London show is the Princess V57, another superb addition to the ever popular Princess V Class range, she is elegant, exhilarating and incredibly spacious.

A large main deck saloon with large opening sunroof and triple sliding doors connects beautifully to the aft cockpit to provide a truly exhilarating ‘open boating’ experience.  Yet, with doors and roof closed, also offers the perfect haven to escape from the heat of the day without sacrificing the wonderful views.

Princess Yacht V39 yacht

Princess Yacht V39 yacht

A submersible bathing platform and large garage for a tender or jet-ski make enjoying watersports from the V57 a real pleasure and the large sun bed and generous seating in the cockpit make this the perfect place to relax or soak up the sun.

Down below, the intelligent use of space makes the V57 feel like a much larger craft. The galley is stylishly equipped and finished, and the three light-filled cabins all have spacious en-suite bathrooms. The owner’s stateroom is positioned aft where it enjoys the full beam, while the forward double cabin can be fitted with optional scissor berths for greater flexibility.

Spring 2012 will see the most significant product launch for the Company to date as the first tri-deck 40M Princess yacht, is revealed.  As well as having an incredible 12 models on display, Princess will also have the very latest information regarding this impressive new flagship available at the show.

V57 Princess Yacht

V57 Princess Yacht

Boats displayed at London:

In the Boardwalk (Stand M029) – Princess 32M

On the Main Stand (K125) – Princess 42, 60, and 64 flybridge models.  Princess 78 and 85 Motor Yachts and V Class models – V39, V42, V52, V57, V62, V72,

Ocean Signal shipment of SafeSea V100 hand-held radio

November 16, 2011

At this year’s METS, Ocean Signal reports the full availability of its SafeSea® V100 GMDSS hand-held radio, which has allowed the company to start the shipment of the product all over the world.

Ocean Signal SafeSea V100 hand-held radio

Ocean Signal SafeSea V100 hand-held radio

The announcement follows Marine Equipment Directive (MED) certification from the British Approvals Board for Telecommunications (BABT) which approves the V100’s use globally.

“Having received full certification of our V100 hand-held radio, we have now commenced shipment of the products to our global distribution and customer base. The V100 completes our existing SafeSea portfolio which offers a range of highly reliable and easy-to-use safety products, each with unique industry leading features,” comments Alan Wrigley, Managing Director, Ocean Signal.

The new Ocean Signal, SafeSea V100 is a rugged, fully featured hand-portable GMDSS radiotelephone which exceeds GMDSS environmental requirements. With ergonomic design, durable laser etched keypad, high contrast backlit LCD and backlit keys the radio is supplied with all the 21 international simplex channels required.

As with all Ocean Signal products, improving battery life has been a primary consideration in the development of the SafeSea V100. A unique feature of the emergency Lithium primary battery is the battery protection tab which avoids inadvertent use. Only when the tab is broken off will the battery operate the radio, ensuring the pack is at full capacity when needed. The tab is not replaceable and the battery is clearly marked ‘Used’ underneath the tab. The battery is classified as non-hazardous for shipment and can be user replaced.

In addition, a highly efficient transmitter helps to maximise the battery life giving significant improvement over other products on the market, providing typically 16 hours operation even at -20C. In addition, a Lithium Polymer rechargeable battery pack is available with rapid charger that can be desk or wall mounted, for day to day on-board use. An accessory socket option is also available for users requiring helmets or headsets.

Communications and safety at sea specialist Ocean Signal is showcasing its full range of SafeSea products at this year’s METS, which includes the E100 and E100G EPIRBS, S100 SART and the V100 GMDSS hand-held radio, on the stand 03.121.

Index Marine Ltd with extended product lines at METS

November 16, 2011

Index Marine Ltd, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of marine electrical installation equipment is present at this year’s METS, where it presents its series of DG deck glands as well as its recently extended Bulgin range of products.

Index Marine Deck gland range

Index Marine Deck gland range

The Index Marine Ltd DG range is available in UV stable nylon, marine grade anodised aluminium and in response to customer requests for a high polish fitting for luxury yachts, a polished 316 stainless steel range has also been developed. Index Marine Ltd deck glands are available in an aperture range of 8mm to 50mm, they are easy to fit and do not require the removal of fitted connectors to complete the installation.

The deck glands have passed the British standard BS EN 60529:1992, with the highest level of ingress protection certification at IP68. This confirms their complete protection against water, dust, sand etc.

The recent extension to the Bulgin products, which are intended to improve standards of on-board connectivity, now includes the Mini Buccaneer series of circular sealed plugs and sockets which have numerous applications for external or internal use where protection against water ingress is paramount.

In addition to the Buccaneer Power connectors the range also includes connectors specifically designed for data with USB and Cat 5 Ethernet IP68 plugs and sockets manufactured to the same high quality to ensure trouble free connections for data sources. Additional new Bulgin products which are now available from Index Marine Ltd include panel mount and IP66 inline fuse holders and toggle switch boots.

Tim Goodman, Sales Director of Index Marine Ltd commented on the exhibition: “METS is the perfect opportunity for us to meet with other industry experts as well as current and potential clients. As Index Marine continues to develop and extend its range of equipment, it is imperative to attend shows such as this one to ensure that our products are reaching all the right people in the marine industry.”

Index Marine Ltd.’s wide range of electrical installation equipment is supplied through its network of distributors in Europe and in the USA and is on display at stand number 03.118 at METS.

Oceanair´s Windowshade Precision blind

November 16, 2011

Oceanair, leading supplier of blinds, shades, screens, and soft furnishings in the marine market, is happy to present the new Windowshade Precision blind – a blackout roller blind that slides and holds at any position. The unique roller blind brings a soft window treatment option that provides yacht owners with a perfect combination of privacy, security and optimum control of heat and light.

Windowshade Precision provided by Oceanair

Windowshade Precision blind provided by Oceanair

As part of the existing Roller Collection, the Windowshade Precision is a cassette roller blind mounted in its own framework, providing the ideal shading solution for larger windows. With the edge of the fabric retained inside the side tracks for reduced light seepage and privacy is ensured when the blind is closed. The Windowshade Precision also features Insulation and noise reduction properties due to the air trapped between window pane and the roller fabric.

The manually operated Windowshade Precision has a unique friction lock system with decelerator that replaces the need for a traditional chain or cord control mechanism. This allows the blind to effortlessly slide and hold in any desired position and when the blind is unlatched the blind rolls up slowly. This sleek design is also safer as it eliminates the need for cords and chains onboard which could be in the way especially at sea.

A discrete and robust head rail houses the roller blind fabric and operating mechanisms. The Windowshade Precision can be concealed within the cabin’s soft lining, as this gives a seamless appearance as part of the window fabrication. However, Oceanair can advise and install the roller head rail in any aperture if required. A broad range of sheer to blackout fabrics from the Oceanair Fabric Collection means each Windowshade Precision blind is custom built and can be personalised to suit yacht and owner.

Oceanair new Roller Collection

November 16, 2011

Oceanair’s Roller Collection provides yacht owners with blind and shading solutions to exceed their expectations of comfort and style combined with technology. Already used widely in luxury yachts and superyachts worldwide, roller blinds are becoming more famous on smaller yachts due to their compact, discrete and practical design, marvelous shading qualities and easy functionality when space is at a premium.

Ocenair new Roller Collection

Ocenair new Roller Collection

The Oceanair Roller Collection brings a soft window treatment option that provides yacht owners with a perfect combination of privacy, security and optimum control of heat and light, without obscuring the view.

Fast becoming the standard choice due to efficiency and ease, Oceanair’s range of Roller blinds, with the exception of the Windowshade Precision, can be operated with a powered system. This ensures latest technologies and trends are used to give a personalized atmosphere as the systems can synchronize and control multiple powered blinds throughout any boat. Manual alternatives offer simple control through chain drives, including friction locks and decelerators so when the blind is unlatched the blind rolls up slowly and can be positioned at any chosen level.

Oceanair offers four designs in the Roller Collection. The Openshade is a classic roller blind solution providing an excellent cost-effective option. Easy to install and operate, the Openshade can include guide wires to stabilize the fabric whilst in motion or at sea. The Windowshade 1 is a functional and stylish roller blind with a unique zip system welded along the length of the roller blind fabric, ensuring wind resistance and minimum light seepage. It is available with curved dual tracks for combining a day and night blind in one as well as curved apertures.

The Windowshade 2 and the newly launched Windowshade Precision are cassette roller blinds mounted into their own framework with the edging of the fabric retained in the side tracks ensuring reduced light seepage, blackout and complete privacy when closed.

The manually controlled Windowshade Precision blind sees the addition of a friction lock – replacing the need for a traditional chain or cord control mechanism, thus meaning the blind can slide and hold and be left in any desired position.

Choice and possibility is further enhanced through the Oceanair Fabric Collection which has been specially selected so there is something to suit every interior. Fabrics ranging from sheer, which take away the glare of the sun, to blackout fabric that will completely block out the light, in a vast range of textures and colours are available.

Oceanair’s Roller Collection is built to personal specifications to suit every onboard aperture. No matter the challenge or window size, Oceanair’s 20 years of experience and award winning team will find a solution. The valued ‘Turnkey’ solution service means each client and project will receive dedicated expert attention from concept and creation to installation and completion.