RivieraLife.tv Yachting

Antibes hosts the largest leisure port in the Mediterranean, and the Med is at the heart of the yachting world. We follow yachting developments around the world, but with a focus on the legendary Riviera yachting destinations.

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Shipyard strikes delay Riviera debut mirror.co.uk 26 Jan 12 Striking shipyard workers in Genoa have forced Oceania Cruises to delay the maiden voyage of their newest ship, the 1,250-passenger Riviera. The debut, scheduled for 24 Apr 12, has been pushed back to 14 May 12. Plans for the elaborate naming ceremony, originally scheduled to take place in Monte Carlo, are still unclear. Two cruises have been cancelled. "We sincerely regret any inconvenience that this may cause our guests," said Oceania's president Kunal S. Kamlani. Shipyard CEO Guiseppe Bono added: "All of us at Fincantieri are committed to producing a superior quality ship and we will deliver a truly magnificent vessel to Oceania Cruises without further delays." John Honeywell.
	Special honour for Princess Yachts chief thisisplymouth.co.uk 25 Jan 12 The chairman and founder of Plymouth's Princess Yachts International has received the judges' special award at this year's Motor Boat of the Year dinner in London. David King picked up the honour at the Savoy Hotel from Carl Richardson, editor of Motor Boats Monthly, and Hugo Andreae , editor of Motor Boats and Yachting. The trophy was given in recognition of the innovation, passion and dedication Mr King has provided the British marine industry over 46 years. Princess Yachts began building boats in 1965 and is responsible for some of the market's most ground-breaking and iconic models.
	Contract signed to protect the bays of the Alpes Maritimes nicematin.com 24 Jan 11 The first contract to protect the bays of the Alpes-Maritimes was signed Monday morning 23 Jan 12 at the Palace Massena, Nice. This contract "Bay d'Azur" will run for five years and will pump €173 million into coastal protection and improvement of water quality through 99 actions, between Cape d'Ail and Cap d'Antibes. These actions will include: the creation or renovation of several waste water treatment plants, the largest project being the construction of a new station at Cagnes-sur-mer between 2013-2016, mapping marine life and raising public awareness of protection of the sea, with school children and recreational boaters.
	Calaf is second sale in two weeks for YPI ypigroup.com 24 Jan 12 The superbly refitted and maintained 37.79-metre Heesen ‘Calaf’ becomes the second sale in two weeks for YPI Brokerage, the Sales & New Construction Division of Yachting Partners International (YPI). The 1992 Calaf is a long standing and successful charter yacht, superbly maintained and still fresh from her major hi-spec refit in 2007. YPI broker, Matt Albert acted in both sales, this time representing both buyer and seller. “Calaf offers all the renowned finish and class of one of the world’s leading Dutch builders together with the added benefits of a yacht superbly refitted with the very latest technology,” said Matt Albert. Press Release.
	Widow of engineer killed on Ilona IV sues smh.com.au 23 Jan 12 The retractable helicopter landing pad on Frank Lowy’s $110m 74m luxury yacht Ilona IV was the envy of the world’s rich list. In 2006 the helicopter lift was re-engineered, but the new German-built hydraulic system apparently had problems from the start. These came to a head in a horrific accident in Feb 07, when the yacht’s chief engineer Christiaan Johannes Venter was crushed to death by the hatch door, as the safety switch failed to operate. The case is now headed to the NSW Supreme Court where Mr Venter’s widow is claiming damages, arguing the ship’s owners were negligent. The Ilona IV had its new €300,000 hydraulic heli-lift fitted in Marseilles. Geesche Jacobsen.

Featured Video - The 21st Monaco Yacht Show 21-24 Sep 2011 'A tale of two recessions'

The 21st Monaco Yacht Show, 21st - 24th September 2011, was a tale of two recessions. The super rich continue to commission superyachts of 50 metres and more, whilst there are fire sales for second hand smaller yachts that have flooded the market. Meanwhile, the regulators are catching up with this offshore business, with new laws regulating crew and safety conditions. RivieraLife.tv's Andrew Burroughs reports and talks to Jamie Edmiston of Edmiston and Company & Linley Furniture; William Christie of Y.CO; Thierry Boutsen of Boutsen Aviation; Sir Alan Massey of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency; Bransom Bean of the International Superyacht Society; Charlotte Easton of Moore Stephens Crew Benefits; Luca Bassani Antivari of Wally Yachts and Wally Kelm of Griffin Yacht Travel. We also visit Fraser Yachts Crew Awards and the superyachts Big Fish and Hemisphere. Click on the pics to view our video report.

Eco Crew collects from superyachts for charity

The Eco Crew organisation is collecting surplus supplies from superyachts for charities. Operated by Sheila and David Goddard of Environmental Yacht Services, Eco Crew will come to your yacht to pick up surplus or no longer required clothing, bedding, linen and dry foods. One of the charities that Eco Crew support is Seborga nel Mondo (Seborga in the World), a charity based in the Ancient Principality of Seborga. In this video report from RivieraLife.tv we visit Seborga and hear about Eco Crew activity and its work with Seborga nel Mondo.

Griffin Yacht Club, Le Saint Benoit Restaurant, MYS 2011

Griffin Marine Travel debuted the Griffin Yacht Club (GYC) at the 21st Monaco Yacht Show 21st-24th September 2011. Located in the Le Saint Benoit Restaurant overlooking Port Hercules, the GYC was an instant hit with Captains, Crew and Yachting Professionals. Free hospitality included breakfast, lunch and an open bar. In this video report, RivieraLife.tv correspondent Andrew Burroughs profiles the GYC and speaks with Griffin Yacht Travel VP Wally Kelm and sponsors of the GYC.

Fraser Yachts superyacht partner of the 34th America's Cup

Fraser Yachts is the official partner for the 34th America's Cup superyachts programme. Fraser Yachts will be responsible for all chartering arrangements. The America's Cup World Series begins August 2011 in Portugal with a series of regattas leading up to the Louis Vuitton Cup, the winners of which will be the challenger for the 34th America's Cup hosted by the last winners, the Golden Gate Yacht Club in San Francisco in 2013. In this video report we interview Fraser Yachts Marketing Director Patrick Coote.

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Les Voiles de Saint-Barth 2012 promises best-ever edition superyachttimes.com 23 Jan 12 The Les Voiles de Saint-Barth is just three years young and scheduled for its third annual running 02-07 Apr 12. Held on the fashionable French island in the northeastern Caribbean, the regatta continues to show signs of healthy growth and popularity with a roster that promises not only to expand by almost a third over last year’s 47 entrants but also to showcase top sailing talent as well as some of sailings most phenomenal racing machines. With more entries, we are able to have more classes, making the racing tighter in each, said LVSB Competition Manager Annelisa Gee.

Video of Kim Dotcom's Monaco GP charter uploaded RLTV 23 Jan 12 A German video documentary on Kim Dotcom's 2008 Monaco Grand Prix yacht charter has been uploaded on the Internet. The charter was onboard Golden Fleet's 80.5m Golden Odyssey and the video shows the hedonistic lifestyle of the German founder of file sharing site Megaupload.com. Kim Schmitz, aka Kim Dotcom was arrested at his rented mansion in New Zealand last week at the behest of US authorities who are seeking his extradition for piracy of copyrighted videos and music. The film called 'Kim Goes Monaco' shows Dotcom, surrounded by topless women and men spraying champagne on board the super yacht during a “crazy weekend” in Monaco reported to have cost $10 million. MD.

Business leaders discuss yacht industry trends at Monaco Yacht Club voilesnews.fr 23 Jan 12 Fifty yachting industry leaders met at the Monaco Yacht Club last week for the 4th Belle Classe Economic Symposium to discuss industry trends. 2011 was up and down, with an apparent revival before conditions became tough again, making predictions for 2012 difficult. There is a twin trend of market consolidation amongst the major players with higher overheads, but also a growing sector of independent operators who are able to offer lower prices. If the crisis continues, there could be further market fragmentation. The market for larger yachts 70m+ remains stable but there has been a decline in business for smaller boats less than 40m. Second hand prices have declined 30-40% since 2008. Russia, Brazil and China are growth regions in the market. The next Belle Classe Symposium to be held 28 Mar 2012 will focus on environmental issues in the yachting industry.

European Yachts of the Year yachtingworld.com 22 Jan 12 The winners of the 2011/12 European Yacht of the Year were announced on Saturday night, with their trophies presented by America's Cup winner Jimmy Spithill (pic). During a formal reception of over 400 guests at the Dusseldorf Boatshow in January, this year's European Yacht of the Year winners were announced. The four catergory winners were awarded their trophies by the youngest ever America's Cup winner, Oracle's Jimmy Spithill, who had flown from Australia especially for the event. The winners are: Oyster 625 - Luxury Cruiser; Pogo 1250 - Performance Cruiser; Beneteau Oceanis 45 - Family Cruiser; Esse 750 - Special Yacht. Toby Hodges.

Gstaad victory at Monaco Yacht Club Team Racing event adonnante.com 22 Jan 12 For the third year, the Monaco Optimist Team Racing event was hosted by the Monaco Yacht Club. It brought together 12 teams of four young racers, representing eight nations. "The Team Racing discipline encourages team spirit and is the first step toward racing crews," said Bernard d'Alessandri, Secretary General of the Monaco Yacht Club, who awarded Gstaad Yacht Club, with the winner’s trophy. 42 rounds were needed throughout the weekend to decide between the 48 young sailors aged between 12 and 15 years. Gstaad beat the Italian Lake Garda team in the final with the Fédération Tunisienne de Voile in third place.

Debate over superyacht berth rates at La Seyne varmatin.com 19 Jan 12 There was heated debate in La Seyne town council Tuesday over berthing rates for superyachts. PCF councilor Philippe Mignoni proposed maintaining daily berthing rates for large yachts at €4 per linear metre, discounted to €3.23 for a nine month contract. “We are already expensive with the same rate as Toulon,” said Mignoni. Another PCF councilor Christine Sampere argued for a rate increase. “Our citizens cannot afford to discount billionaires,” adding that annual revenues of €500,000 did not justify further investment in the berths. Councilor Raphaëlle Leguen commented, “"We are a winter port that welcomes wealthy owners to come here to repair their boat." Marielle Valmalette.

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