Sea Yachting Vol 17 No.4

Contents

14 Simpson Marine’s Lagoon Escapade Showcases Thailand’s Beauty

Eleven Lagoons took part in this year’s Escapade which travelled through the scenic waters and coast line of Phang Nga & Krabi provinces before returning to Ao Po Grand Marina.

The new Hanse 510

The innovative hull shape guarantees sparkling performance and ease of sailing while the huge internal volume affords unrivalled space.

The SEARA story

A look back at George Foose’s incredible life and the formation and growth of Sports Engineering and Recreation Asia Ltd (SEARA).

Captain Clive Parton’s nautical journey to Galileo Maritime Academy

Captain Clive Parton has been appointed as the Academy Director of Galileo Maritime Academy, the only dedicated superyacht crew training facility in the Asia Paci c region to be accredited by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA).

GelairTM – keeping the air you breathe clean and fresh

East Marine Asia is promoting a wonderful product made from Pure Australian Tea Tree Oil, which prevents adverse health effects such as allergies and respiratory illnesses caused by harmful micro-organisms.

The Evolution of Asia Catamarans

We look back at the amazing growth of the boatbuilding company that Alan Carwardine started with Roger Diggelman a decade ago in Phuket.

Nova Nautical making huge impression in the region

Len Lee & his company Nova Nautical are making quite a splash in the region, offering up a range of boats from the Cormorant 55 to the Rodman 890, the Evolution Flybridge & Fisher Pro 290, the Rodman Muse 74 as well as the Rodman Spirit 31 & 42 and the Rodman Ventura 680.

Thai Yachting Business Association stages Thailand Charter Week

The TYBA proudly announces the Thailand Charter Week 2022 from 16 – 19 November 2022 to be held at Phuket Yacht Haven Marina. The Thailand Charter Week (TCW) is an exclusive business-to-business event.

SeaCat launches the Reef Inspector

The SeaCat team has been busy at work on their latest custom design and construction project, the 22.3 metre (SeaCat 74’) long-range cruising catamaran called the “Reef Inspector”.

Family Friendly Yachting in the Era of Post Pandemic Travel

Kelly Willis of Silolona Sojourns highlights how yachting chartering can be a fun and safe family affair with the right yacht and yacht operator.

Raja Muda Regatta delays start

to allow competitors to vote

The Malaysian government recently announced that the next general election will be held on 19th November. This directly affects the Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta as many participants, plus staff involved in the operations, will want to vote on that day, which is when Race 1 from Port Klang to Pangkor is scheduled. Therefore, the regatta committee plans to change the schedule of racing to have the start of race one at 16:00 (moved from 12:00) Sat 19/11/2022, so that people can vote on their way to RSYC to start the regatta.

Currently there will be no other changes to the schedule, with registration on Thursday (the 17th) and Friday (the 18th), with the skippers briefing and welcome dinner on Friday as planned, although this is all subject to change. As Race one will obviously have a later cut-off time, the Pangkor dinner and prize giving will be later to allow for boats to arrive at Pangkor.

Because there may be some boats that cannot start race one, even with the delayed start time, there will be one discard given to the highest scored passage race (a new NOR will be issued amending Item 10.1). Race two onwards is still as per the current plan. We will be without the usual Marine Polis support until we get to Penang, but are currently working on alternative logistics.

The Competitors

Sailors from thirty countries will be competing for honours in Malaysia’s most prestigious regatta, including many familiar faces. Class one will see Sarab Singh’s and Nick Burns’ three-time winner Windsikher, a Welbourn 52, up against two Farr 40s: Rolf Heemskerk’s The Next Factor (2019 winner), and Gordon Ketelby’s Ramrod. Steve Manning’s Red Rum One, an Archambault A40, and the Malaysian Navy’s Uranus, a DK 46 round out the class.

Class two sees Hans Rahmann’s Yasooda at 21.5m, with its Judel Vrolijk design, the longest boat in the fleet pitted against Simon Piff’s Firstlight, a Beneteau First 50; and YP Loke’s Eagle, a Hanse 588, another Judel Vrolijk design.

Class three has two Beneteau Firsts, John Kara’s Insanity & Dominic Liddell’s Venture sailing against Max Palleschi’s Prime Factor, an IOR Farr 40.

As we went to print, class four has Pang Kim Ann Daniel’s Mystic River, a Hanse 400e, competing against Lee Yi Min’s Silhouette, a Farr 40.7, along with Thomas Reckefuss’ Born in Fire, an X-99, and Laurence Rusiecki’s Rainbow Dream, a Lavranos.

Class five has six boats competing: MJ Logaa S’s Recca, a Beneteau First 45.4: Dato Alex Nah’s Virgo, a Hunter 49; Kamil Jonathan Muhiudeen’s Sinaran, an Irwin 52; Chris Mitchell’s Lady Bubbly, a Naut 40; Rama’s VG Offshore, a Dehler 38; and Zulkifli Radzi’s Hannakin, a Moody 37.8.

While class six has five yachts racing: Sophie Rahman’s Dash, a Yamaha 36; Ken Yap’s Millennium 2, a Hunter 326; Shah Azlan’s Tofan, a Westerly Storm 33; Mustakim Ros Saidi’s Marikh, a Contessa 32 OD; and Dato Richard Curtis’ storied Eveline, a gaff-rigged cutter.

Tremendous friendships and rivalries have developed over the three decades of racing and many sailors mark their calendar with the Raja Muda being the “can’t miss event of the year”.

This will be the first full-on Raja Muda since 2019 and it promises to be a good one with the mix of passage and harbour races always a great test of nautical skill and endurance. The regatta highlights the three most well-known islands on the Malaysian west coast (Pangkor, Penang & Langkawi) and almost every regatta veteran has a tale or two to tell from these scenic hot spots.

If you have any comments or questions regarding the regatta, please email the committee at info1@rmsir.com

Photo Zanarita Nasir

Yanmar Conducts World’s First 70 MPa High-Pressure Ship Refueling with Hydrogen

OSAKA, Japan (March 24, 2021), Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd. and its subsidiary Yanmar Power Technology Co., Ltd. (YPT) conducted a field demonstration test for the maritime fuel cell system in Oita, Japan.

The International Maritime Organization has announced a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by the end of this century. With marine environmental regulations tightening worldwide, in December last year, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry formulated its "Green Growth Strategy towards 2050 Carbon Neutrality". The strategy highlights the development of energy and power sources that reduce the impact on the environment, including those for vessels powered by carbon free fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia.

A global leader in maritime powertrain technology, Yanmar was among the first companies to comply with environmental regulations with its development of dual-fuel marine engines. Looking to the future of powertrain technology, Yanmar has developed a maritime fuel cell system that incorporates hydrogen fuel cell modules from Toyota’s MIRAI automobile. The system was installed into Yanmar’s EX38A FC pleasure boat for field testing.

The boat is the first to officially comply with the safety guidelines for hydrogen fuel cell vessels formulated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan. Yanmar aims to verify specific issues and solutions in a maritime environment for deployment of the maritime fuel cell system. Looking to the future, Yanmar has plans to scale the maritime fuel cell system by connecting multiple units. The system is planned to be deployed to larger vessels by 2025.

A few months later, on October 20th, 2021, (Osaka, Japan) – Yanmar Power Technology (YPT), a Group company of Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd., again conducted the world's first 70 MPa high-pressure hydrogen refueling of a ship using a demonstration test boat equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell system. The test boat cruised on a route

around the island of the Osaka-Kansai World Exposition 2025 and famous tourist spots on the city's coast.

The 70 MPa high-pressure hydrogen refueling was carried out in cooperation with Toyota Tsusho Corporation, using a specially licensed high-pressure facility and a newly developed prototype long hydrogen refueling hose. The 70MPa high-pressure refueling resulted in more than three times longer cruising time compared to the previous refueling process. The results will be utilized for the market deployment of hydrogen fuel cell systems as well as the study of hydrogen refueling infrastructure for ships.

YPT is developing a 300kW-class maritime fuel cell system incorporating fuel cell modules supplied by Toyota Motor Corporation, addressing the potential customer demands such as ones relating to the Carbon-Neutral Port concept of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Yanmar aims to obtain a type approval from classification societies so that the system can be installed in various types of ships with global customers towards a planned launch to market in 2023.

By Scott Murray

Marine’s Lagoon Simpson

Escapade Showcases Thailand’s Beauty

Simpson Marine’s 2022 Thailand Lagoon Escapade departed from Ao Po Grand Marina, on the morning of Friday October 14th, a three-day, two-night event this time round. It started off with a skipper’s briefing from senior yacht brokers Justin Longdon, and Sten Van Aardt Simpson Marine Thailand’s Charter Base Manager, at D’ Deck at Ao Po Grand Marina.

Justin said it took a massive amount of effort to organize the Escapade and he paid tribute to Office Manager Bee Cummins and Sales Admin Senior Executive Rin Chatkasem for putting it all together.

In this Escapade there were eleven Lagoons in all, five operated by their individual owners: a Lagoon 380 (Sunkissed), a Lagoon 40 (K-35), a Lagoon 421 (Shaken not Stern), a Lagoon 450 (Blue Icon), a Lagoon 620 (Six Degrees)

The remaining six Lagoons were in Simpson Marine’s care: a Lagoon 52F (Blue Moon), a Lagoon 52 (Eclipse), three Lagoon 42s (P & B, Cloud Dancer & Maralyn), and a Lagoon 400S2 (EOS). Another catamaran, a Lagoon 500 (00SEVEN) was supposed to join the fleet as well but its owner unfortunately had to cancel at the last minute. Along for the ride was a Beneteau Flyer 8.8 (Nauti One), which is also available for day charter.

Though it was overcast as the flotilla headed out from the marina in a V formation towards Koh Roi, the sky eventually cleared and the stunning karst topography of Phang Nga Bay was a sight to behold. Many have claimed, and rightly so, that this area is home to some of the world’s most spectacular cruising grounds.

Upon reaching Koh Roi, some people jumped on other Lagoons to see what they

If you want to charter a Lagoon, Simpson Marine has many options, including numerous 7-day itineraries, all guaranteed to produce lifetime memories.

were like while others made the most of their chance to swim, snorkel, kayak, SUP and banana boat.

After lunch, the Escapade had a leisurely motorsail to the southern end of Koh Yao Noi where the cats moored for the night. The Lagoons sailed through the area made famous by the Bay Regatta, which was started by the founder of this magazine, John Everingham. There was a barbeque on a nearby beach for dinner.

The next morning saw a leisurely sail to Koh Hong in Krabi. Then on to Melina’ s Villas in Ao Thalane for the evening party with a DJ providing the evening’s musical entertainment.

For dinner, everyone dressed in white and took a dinghy beachside to eat at the cozy Melina’s, which laid out a sumptuous buffet. Simpson Marine’s Charter Sales Manager for Thailand Nick Longstaff took to the mike to detail the purpose of the Escapade and then the Lagoon Director for the Asia-Pacific Guillaume Andrebe gave out a selection of fun prizes to the participants. A spectacular fire show rounded out the day’s activities before the Escapade’s participants dinghied back to their cats for a sound night’s sleep.

Andrebe later told SEA Yachting that in this part of the world both the Philippines

Phang Nga Bay is the perfect place to experience a Lagoon with its many secluded bays and beaches and stunning karst topography.

and the Whitsundays in Australia have held Lagoon Escapades four times, and Singapore (Q3, 2023) and Hong Kong (end of 2023) are planning to stage one next year as well. There have also been Lagoon Escapades held in Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Turkey.

Rain curtailed the next morning’s activities but everyone had their fill of fun and the fleet motorsailed back to Ao Po Grand Marina.

The owners of Shaken not Stern, Brian & Penny Clarke, two Brits, who met in Singapore, brought six small dogs with them (two Chihuahuas, a mini-Pinscher, a Jack Russell & two mixed breeds). They brought them ashore to both beachside parties. It was tremendous to see the love and attention showered on the dogs

as they were lifted in and out of the dinghies to the shore and their catamaran. They were very well behaved and seemed to join the Escapade immensely.

Phang Nga Bay is the perfect place to experience a Lagoon. It has many secluded and sheltered bays and beaches, which are great places to drop anchor and use all the water sports toys that a catamaran makes so easy to transport.

And what a better way to get youngsters hooked on a nautical lifestyle than to take them out on an Escapade? It’s almost impossible for them not to have fun. And it’s not just the kids who have fun — a Lagoon with its spacious galley/deck is the perfect spot to enjoy Sun-

downers, listen to music and soak in the stunning karst topography that Phang Nga Bay is world famous for.

Nick Longstaff explained that the purpose of the Escapade was three-fold: first, to showcase Simpson Marine and Lagoon Catamarans; second, to recognize the support of Simpson’s clients and those that are active in its Yacht Management Program; and third, to introduce Phang Nga Bay and the Lagoon Catamaran to new and prospective buyers.

Or if you simply want to charter a Lagoon, Simpson has many and varied options, including multiple 7-day itineraries during high season, all guaranteed to produce lifetime memories. As the Simpson brochure says, “Turquoise waters with abundant sea life, clear blue skies and stable

Simpson has eleven boats to charter at the moment in Phuket: one Lagoon 40 (K-35) on charter in Phuket as well as two Lagoon 42s (P & B & Cloud Dancer), plus two Lagoon 52Fs (Blue Moon & Eclipse), four Lagoon 620s (Primetime, & GB Odyssey, Joyanna & Six Degrees), as well as a Lagoon 400 (EOS).

Experienced yachtsmen can charter the vessels bareboat, but for the less experienced, or those who want to be pampered, Simpson can provide a captain, deckhands, a chef and a stewardess. Simpson also has a Charter Management Program whereby you can buy a yacht and place it in the Simpson Yacht Charter fleet for five years. You keep 65% of the net income while Simpson gets 35% and you get the yacht for your own use for three months of the year. Simpson can also help you with the registration process and recommend the most suitable insurance coverage.

I can’t say enough about the organization and attention to detail that went into Simpson Marine putting this Escapade together. Everyone from Charter Sales Manager Nick Longstaff to Simpson Marine Thailand’s Office Manager Bee Cummins, did a superb job. No one felt left out or excluded. It was truly an inclusionary Escapade.

Please contact the Simpson Marine Thailand team if you have any more questions at thailand@simpsonmarine.com.

weather, rich cultural background, delicious food and friendly locals.” Life doesn’t get much better than that.

Beneteau stages the world premieres of fl agship Oceanis Yacht 60 and new First 44 at Cannes

This beautiful ocean-cruising yacht has an elegant 60ft hull profile, which echoes that of her incredibly successful 54ft sister.

She has a generous cockpit, with matching sofas, tables, and sunbathing areas, staying true to the Oceanis Yacht design. Manoeuvrability on board is made easy with the wide side-decks that run around the helm stations, giving access to the foredeck. With twin helm stations, controlling the boat’s course is easy as trimming the sails, windward or leeward, which is great on a big yacht when sailing short-handed.

The interior of the Oceanis Yacht 60 is bright and airy, with a generous full-beam galley midship. Work and storage spaces are also aplenty, great for taking those long weekend trips around Asia. She is a 60-footer that feels much larger than her size, and a true sea-worthy yacht by Beneteau.

The First 44 is the latest model to join the outstanding First range. Like its larger sister, the First 53, the Beneteau First 44 comes from the pen of designers Roberto Biscontini, responsible for naval architecture, and Lorenzo Argento who worked on the deck and interiors.

Available in the Standard or Performance versions, the First 44’s Standard has wide sidedecks converging toward a cockpit table. Four winches, a fixed centerline block for the mainsheet, and a mast set further aft are designed to maximise the potential of a modern sail plan with a slender mainsail and generous foresails.

On the First 44 performance, ergonomics were studied and developed with fully crewed regattas in mind. Equipment and systems are totally geared towards racing, among which should are the foam non-skid surfaces that replace the teak on the cockpit sole, six well-placed winches and a conventional mainsail traveller.

Based on a 43ft 2in hull with a beam of almost 14ft, the Standard and Performance versions have an overall length of 46ft 5in and 48ft 1in respectively.

For more information on new Beneteau sailing or motor models, please contact the dedicated team at beneteau@simpsonmarine.com for details and specifications.

The Oceanis Yacht 60.

The new First 44.

Hanjo Runde, CEO of HanseYachts said: "Expectations were high after the outstandingly successful Hanse 460, which has been awarded European Yacht of the Year. The new Hanse 510 is the logical and consistent further development of the new concept. With her impressive volume, tremendously dynamic lines and countless options, she is re-defining the 50ft class. It is an easy to sail and enormously spacious private retreat.”

The hull’s slender waterline provides for a high hull speed in light and heavy breezes and chines allow for a wide hull, and thus, maximum interior space. The reverse, wave-piercing bow

makes the yacht pitch less in strong winds, while the pronounced bow chines keep the foredeck as dry as possible.

Her generous sail areas of 128 m2 /1,377 ft2 upwind and 255 m2 /2,744 ft2 downwind underline the enormous performance potential of the Hanse 510. The standard bowsprit with its integrated anchor arm serves as a forward tack point for headsail and gennaker and can take a second forestay for genoa, or reacher. Optional electric furlers for main and headsails as well as electric winches are just as much a part of Hanse’s typical easy handling as the self-tacking jib. Hanse 510 can be equipped options include

105% jib and a 145% reacher from Quantum as well.

The helm position gives full control of the Hanse 510 in every situation. All information converges here, and all lines and the electric winches on the port side can be operated from here. The optional hard top, shading the entire cockpit including the steering positions, fits perfectly with the boat’s silhouette. It is available in several colours, allows for nice lighting and can be equipped with solar panels. It fits perfectly with the yacht’s big-boat silhouette. A fixed windscreen is an option.

The innovative Hanse 510 is equipped with the largest and most practical dinghy garage in its class, and the newly developed Hanse Smart Tender System guarantees unprecedented convenience when launching the dinghy. A single crew member can safely and comfortably launch the dinghy including engine in a few minutes.

Even the Hanse 510 crew cabin is much more than a sleeping space: it is a room to stay. With its enormous variety of options, the new can be customized to fulfil almost every owner’s dream and needs.

She features an easy-to-open life raft storage space in the cockpit, right in front of the companionway, perfectly accessible and providing space for usual 8-person life raft containers.

An optional wet bar with BBQ and sink with mixing tab, hinged at the stern for ideal access, maximizes luxurious, relaxed lifestyle and convenience without losing any of the cockpit’s very generous space.

The intelligent positioning of 14 opening hatches and eight opening windows and portholes offering maximum light and ventilation below deck. More than 100 layout combinations give customers every opportunity to configure their Hanse 510 to suit their

needs. Whether as an owner's yacht with the biggest master cabin in its class, including ensuite bathroom and two comfortable aft cabins; or as a charter yacht with 10 berths and three bathrooms and an additional skipper cabin – everything is possible.

The galley, in addition to various refrigerator and freezer options, has room for a wine cooler, dishwasher and a three-burner gas cooker with oven in a longitudinal or U-pantry style, which can be customized with various colours and surface materials.

The fully equipped navigation area with forward-facing seat, and an unusually large saloon table is optional. Extensive options, range from a washing machine in the utility room to flatscreens in the master cabin and saloon, to a Flagship Package, which includes exclusive fabrics and materials as well as a hidden bar behind the folding backrest in the saloon.

You can make your new Hanse 510 your own personal retreat.

SEARA

The Story

Sports Engineering and Recreation Asia Ltd (SEARA) has built its name focusing on quality Commercial and consumer fitness equipment and building international standard sports facilities and maintaining them for their customers. The company has four divisions: commercial fitness; retail fitness; sports construction; and customer service.

The company co-founder, George Foose(far right), was born in South Bend, Indiana, and was drafted into the US Navy, where he went to survival school and did SERE training (Survival, Evasion,

Chulalongkorn football stadium with SEARA surface, above. George's Tartan Dream on the water, below right.

Resistance & Escape) before completing two inland tours of duty in the Mekong Delta near Mytho, Vietnam, from 1969-72.

After leaving the Navy, George went to Indiana University; he then transferred to the prestigious University of Notre Dame, where former NFL quarterback Joe Theismann was a classmate. He graduated from the Fighting Irish with a liberal arts degree majoring in international economics and politics

He then took a graduate degree (MIM) at the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Phoenix, Arizona, where everything focused on international business. Forced to learn a language, George learned Chinese. All the major multinational companies used to send teams to TBird to recruit graduates back then.

So, in 1978, after graduating from TBird, George was recruited to work with Clark Equipment Company based in Benton Harbor , Michigan, 50 miles from South Bend, where he grew up. Located on the shore of Lake Michi-

gan, that’s where he started to sail. George took to it like a fish to water.

In 1982, Clark started feeling the effect of the US recession as government policies at the time fostered the rust belt because it shipped jobs to Brazil, Japan and South Korea. George was laid off and to escape the cold Michigan winter he took a trip to Asia. While there received an offer from United Equipment Services (UES). They wanted him to work with their distributor in Singapore: he took the job, stayed in the Lion City for a few months, and then was sent to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as the company’s Branch Manager.

George eventually grew tired of working in capital equipment and wanted to get into consumer marketing, so he interviewed with Club Corp in Hong Kong. They hired him to develop the Pine Tree Club on Stevens Road in Singapore. A few years later, the company then asked him to move to Hong Kong, where he stayed for about 14 months as the Director

of Marketing. After living in Southeast Asia, the cramped quarters of Hong Kong grew thin. Threatening to quit, and join a property company in Bangkok, the company realized George’s value and quickly changed the company organization, creating a position for him in Bangkok. He would stay with them for six more years until around the onset of the Asian financial crisis in 1997. During that time, George and friend Pat Dean had set up a trading company called ALMAC, which sold fitness equipment.

After leaving Club Corp, George took a job as Director of Marketing at Sutera Harbor, a large integrated resort in Kota Kinabalu. Malaysia that was the last area of Southeast Asia to be hammered by the Asian financial crisis, so things were relatively good there while others were yelling doom and gloom in the region.

George returned to Thailand in 1999, and completed a business plan to start Sports Engineering and Recreation Asia, Ltd. He recruited another TBird grad, Ken Stevens, to

help, who along with Pat Dean started SEARA. They opened their home office on Thonglor Road in Bangkok where they stayed until February of 2022.

SEARA now has a brand-new Regional Office and showroom near the intersection of Rama IX Road and Ram Intra Road in Bangkok. SEARA built the building and by doing so kept their occupancy costs down. The three-floor retail showroom in the new facility is spectacular and features just about everything that is in the SEARA retail catalogue. It also features the largest Brunswick showroom in Asia. The new facility also has plenty of customer parking.

In Thailand, SEARA has showrooms/ offices in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Hua Hin and Samui and the company is working on their sixth Thai showroom/office in Had Yai, which will be ready at the beginning of December. The company also has regional offices and showrooms in Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, as well as Yangon and Mandalay and

Renderings & images of new showroom, far left & centre; photo of Cascade Club, above.

offices in the Maldives (Male), Bangladesh (Dhaka) and Bhutan (Thimphu)

Over time, the company has evolved its divisions to Commercial Fitness, Consumer Fitness, Sports Construction and Customer Service.

SEARA has a regional warehouse in Bang Phli, where they can consolidate their shipments sending them out by sea, air, rail, and road to customers and offices in the region.

SEARA provides high quality products and services to many market sectors including private homes, health and fitness facilities, private clubs, educational institutions, hotels and resorts, property developments, medical, and governmental clients. SEARA builds sports facilities that meet the specifications required by each sport’s governing bodies. They are also the exclusive dealers for Brunswick high end billiard and gaming tables.

SEARA’s competitors tend to be single-brand trading companies but SEARA doesn’t believe that one single brand can cover all facets of the fitness industry.

Life Fitness used to own Brunswick and they asked SEARA if they would like to be their dealer/distributor. George felt it was a natural fit, as a lot of people building tennis courts and futsal courts for their resorts or villa complexes also have a need for family and recreational games products built to heirloom furniture standard.

George says that the commercial fitness industry hasn’t recovered from COVID yet (down approx. 50 -75 percent); it did well on the consumer side with people purchasing equipment for their homes, but the commercial side (gyms, hotels) took a big hit.

SEARA is the exclusive dealer for Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Octane Fitness, Escape Fitness, Balance Body and Torque and many more high-end brands. It is also the exclusive dealer of sports surfacing materials ranging from Plexipave, ActGlobal, Rephouse, Laykold and many more.

The company now offers cutting edge equipment such as ICAROS, virtual trainers at the intersection of gaming and wellness workouts utilizing Virtual Reality cloudbased headsets to fly through virtual worlds.

Getting back to sailing: George really wanted to steer his career to Thailand because it was here that he could indulge his love for the lifelong sport. He bought his first boat Free Wind in 1994, sailing it to victory in the 2001 King’s Cup Regatta, in what was the largest Cruising Division. ever held in Asia’s top regatta. Crew included Tom Whitcraft (helm), Jens Overgaard (tactician), Peter Formals, Pat Dean, and Peter Brongers. In 2012, George sold his Ericson 38 Free Wind and purchased Dream, a Tartan 4000 with lots of carbon fiber and modern systems. He cruises with the boat annually from December – February in and around the Koh Chang National Marine Park near Cambodia.

In closing, SEARA sports systems has been planning supplying, and building Asia’s recreational infrastructure for twenty-two years. These better fitness levels have led to increased productivity and happier and healthier lives. When people feel better about themselves, they tend to make those around them feel better. Investing in quality equipment and facilities can benefit everyone in the circle in which you live and operate.

One of SEARA's weather-proof tennis courts.

Clive Parton’s

Captain nautical journey to Galileo Maritime Academy

Captain Clive Parton.

Captain Clive Parton has been appointed as the Academy Director of Galileo Maritime Academy, the only dedicated superyacht crew training facility in the Asia Pacific region to be accredited by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) of the UK Government and approved to issue 20 STCW crew qualifications on behalf of the MCA.

Galileo specializes in the training of professional seafarers and superyacht crew, ranging from new industry entrants to those advancing their careers or needing to update their existing certifications.

As a Master Mariner holding an unrestricted U.K. MCA Certificate of Competency for the past 35 years Clive has wide command experience on cruise ships and superyachts, the focus of his career for 20 years; but also, as a captain of offshore survey, construction and dive support vessels (he holds an unlimited Dynamic Positioning Operator’s certificate), cargo ships, and sailing ships. His varied career also saw him appointed as a Marine Pilot for the River Humber, the U.K.’s most extensive pilotage district, and as a Control Room Operator on a Semi-Submersible Drilling Rig. In addition to seagoing duties his appointments have given him extensive refit experience; including specification drafting, shipyard tender negotiations, supervision of work, liaison with flag and class surveyors, and liaison with shipyards. He’s even experienced in helicopter operations and ship to ship transfers (RAS).

Born and raised in Shrewsbury, England (about as far from the sea as you can get in the UK), Clive says he went to sea at the age of 16 as a cadet navigator with Scottish Ship Management Ltd. out of Glasgow, working his way up to Chief Officer whilst sailing worldwide on medium-sized geared bulk carriers. It was during this period his strong bond and

affection for Asia, first developed during many port visits throughout the region.

In the 1980s, the thriving offshore sector serving oil and gas installations in the challenging environment of the North Sea beckoned with service as Chief Officer on Offshore Supply and Anchor Handling vessels (AHTS).

A downturn in the offshore sector caused a move to P&O Ferries for a few years, with Clive appointed as 2nd and then Chief Officer on Roll-On Roll-Off ferry services in the busy waters between Dover and continental European ports.

Next up, a return to the North Sea as a Marine Control Room Operator on a Semi-Submersible Drilling Rig for Santa Fe Drilling (UK), responsible for the on-shift control of marine and cargo operations, rig positioning and stability, safety, damage control and firefighting. As interesting, and rewarding, as this appointment was a return to more adventurous seafaring beckoned…

He joined the Sail Training Association as Chief Officer serving on two three-masted topsail schooners the STS Sir Winston Churchill and its sistership, the STS Malcom Miller. Based in the UK and sailing to continental and Atlantic Island ports, the schooners delivered the sail training ethos of using the sea to educate youth for life through the medium of shared endeavour and the commitment necessary from all to sail a tall ship. Clive says: “Operating fortnightly voyages year-round with a permanent crew of five professional seafarers we would take 49 first trip trainees to sea in all weathers. It was certainly character building, for us as well as the trainees.” Within two years, Clive had been promoted to command and remembers participation in four annual Tall Ship Races as a particular highlight of his time with the schooners along with a deeper appreciation of traditional seafaring skills.

The Royal Yacht Squadron of the Sultanate of Oman operate His Majesty the Sultan’s personal fleet of Royal Yachts and support craft including the 61m three-masted baghlah (a large deep-sea dhow)

HMRB Zinat Al Bihaar, which was Clive’s next ship. Joining as Executive Officer, Clive was promoted to command shortly after: “Zinat Al Bihaar means ‘Splendour of the Seas’ in Arabic and indeed she still is” says Clive. “Whilst the lateen rig is not known for ease of handling Zinat sailed very well, but with a hull of varnished mahogany planking and ornately carved stem head, stern and quarter galleries, all highlighted in gold leaf, berthing was akin to handling a piece of fine furniture!”. “I consider myself very fortunate to have commanded Zinat Al Bihaar; surely one of the world’s finest sailing craft,” he added.

After just one year however it was time to leave the world of sail with promotion to command of the squadron flagship, His Majesty’s Royal Yacht, Al Said. “At that time HMRY Al Said was one of the world’s largest motor yachts, and as the Royal Yacht of a Head of State was representative of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos and the Omani people wherever sailed and berthed. To be entrusted with such a command was an honour and privilege hard to surpass,” Clive says.

Over the next four years of Clive’s command HMRY Al Said undertook numerous state duties in Omani, Arabian Gulf & Red Sea waters; there were also two extended Mediterranean deployments and a major refit, and regular exercises were conducted in conjunction with other Royal Yacht Squadron vessels (RAS) and Royal Flight helicopters. Notably, Clive’s duties encompassed a significant training role for Omani officers and crew.

Family commitments meant a return to the U.K. in 2001 and training as a marine pilot on the Humber River and its ports. “I loved the variety of being a pilot in such a large and varied pilotage area, you never knew what ship, berth or even port you would be assigned to each day.” However, barely a month after obtaining his Pilot’s Authorisation an opportunity just too good to miss came up…

The award-winning boutique cruise ship MV Hebridean Princess based out of Oban, Scotland, and principally cruising the western isles of Scotland, cares for 49 guests in considerable comfort. Clive was to be her Captain for the next four years. Hebridean Princess was chartered by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2006 and 2010 for family holidays cruising the Scottish Islands. By then Clive had moved to command the larger MV Hebridean Spirit a cruise ship of the same line, and with a similar reputation for excellence, operating worldwide itineraries in which Clive had a leading hand. “I had just completed planning the 2009/2010 winter itinerary featuring cruises around S.E. Asia, when it became apparent the effects of the 2008 financial crisis meant the sale of Hebridean Spirit was needed.” Clive was by this time based in Thailand, living in a home he had bought as a holiday retreat during his time in Oman, and decided against a return to U.K. waters, opting instead for the variety of a contract-to-contract work schedule allowing more leisure time.

The first such contract certainly provided variety. Delivering a 30,000GRT container ship from Turkey to China for conversion to the world’s largest livestock carrier, the ship was set upon by Somali pirates after leaving the Red Sea. “The first of three RPGs that hit exploded under the starboard

Capt. Clive with some of his crew.

bridge wing, punching through the bulkhead into my bedroom before continuing through the deckhead onto the bridge wing and in through the wheelhouse bulkhead. Most of the force had dissipated by that time but the shrapnel would still have caused significant injury to those of us inside had it not been absorbed by the tightly rolled flags in the locker behind the point of entry”, recalled Clive. “Fortunately, through a combination of high freeboard, plenty of water going over the side and some desperate ma-

caught his interest. “I was fascinated by the advances in ship design and technology that had developed since I had left the sector, particularly in the fields of Dynamic Positioning and offshore windfarms.” Some relevant experience and courses followed, resulting in an unlimited Dynamic Positioning Operators Certificate being added to his list of achievements. Command of several specialist offshore vessels ensued with projects including sub-sea survey work, windfarm construction, submarine cable recovery, salvage, and “walk to work” operations involving positioning and holding the ship within 10m of a structure to enable transfer of personnel via a heave compensated gangway in up to Force 6 winds. “The offshore sector really does remain the cutting edge of marine technology,” says Clive.

Throughout the last decade Clive has also regularly revisited the superyacht sector as a “trusted hand” for relief work and short appointments by yacht management companies and other Captains. “A number of current superyacht captains sailed with me as cadets and junior officers in their early days at sea and have remained in touch,” reflects Clive. “I enjoy hearing of their success and am particularly pleased when asked, or recommended by them, to consider a post.” Yachts such as the 72m Kogo, 61m Saluzi and 115m Pelorus amongst others have been commanded by Captain Clive during this time.

noeuvring I was able to prevent being boarded. The pirates were captured the following morning by a British warship I had been in contact with during the incident and I was called as a witness at their trial in Mombasa a year later. Meeting the captain of the warship who was also there, he told me in his experience ships that were captured were those who gave in to the intimidation of being fired upon and allowed the pirates to gain access. I could certainly appreciate how, in those days before armed response personnel were permitted to be carried, that could occur.”

Despite the damage to their ship, the owners were somewhat pleased that the hijack attempt had failed, and Captain Clive was asked to stay on as relief owner’s representative and a project manager during the two-year conversion project in China. “A fascinating project that saw MV Nada emerge as the world’s largest livestock carrier.”

“I was asked to stay on as Master; the first cargo, manifested as 26,000 sheep and 6,000 head of cattle, decided me otherwise,” admitted Clive.

Instead, the offshore sector had again

Why is all this important? Because it points to the wide range of experience Clive has in almost every seafaring situation. There are very few scenarios he can’t prepare a student for as they set out to embark on a career in the maritime industry.

Clive first came to Galileo in June of 2021 to update his Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) certificates, which must be renewed every five years. He was impressed by Galileo’s modern purpose-built facilities and high training standards, which first gained MCA approval in 2016. So, he approached Anthony Gould, Galileo’s chairman and visionary CEO, to enquire if there were plans for the development of further and more advanced courses. Anthony was quick to see how Clive’s maritime experience and enthusiasm for professional crew-training could spearhead the next stage in his plan for expansion of the Academy into advanced professional courses for Officer of the Watch and all levels of professional seafarers.

“I’ve had an interest in maritime training dating back to my days with the Sail Training Association” Clive says. “Part of the reason I’m here is to further develop the range of courses we

Survival Craft and Rescue Boat Training.

offer. We have many graduates who have done their basic training with us and have entered the Superyacht industry, they now wish to advance their career, particularly with courses leading to Officer of the Watch on superyachts. The first steps are Electronic Chart Display Information System (ECDIS) and Human Element Leadership Management (HELM) courses; both are essential for Officer of the Watch MCA certification. We have these prepared and are just waiting for MCA approval. At the same time our Head of Engineering, Garrod Hutchison has been busy developing the next stage of advancement in professional engineering courses which are now also entered into the approval process.” The restrictions on international travel during the pandemic were, of course, a challenge to Galileo with their worldwide student base (students from 26 different countries have taken courses at Galileo). “But throughout most of this period Galileo was able to provide a service for the many seafarers and offshore workers who live, or take their leave, in Thailand and S.E. Asia and required MCA approved STCW refresher courses. As such GMA has become better known amongst the region’s seafarers as a valued resource; indeed, I first came to the academy to update my STCW certification last year through a colleague’s recommendation” explains Clive. “We are now once more seeing robust interest for our entry level courses from prospective seafarers worldwide and anticipate a busy year ahead with good prospects for our graduates as demand for ab initio seafarers

recovers. In anticipation Galileo has continued to invest in personnel and facilities to upgrade the academy and widen the scope of courses available to students who wish to progress their careers by undertaking advancement courses with us. My appointment as Academy Director and the development of an MCA approved bridge simulator training facility together with ECDIS, HELM and additional engineering courses are evident of the confidence we have for the need of quality maritime training within the region.”

Galileo can run three courses simultaneously: a deckhand/stewardess course, an engineering course and an STCW course. The full range of MCA Approved Medical courses are also available throughout the year. Clive keeps a watchful eye on all courses to ensure

Galileo students practicing re ghting.

content is updated and relevant in line with industry standards. “Obtaining, and maintaining, U.K. MCA accreditation and course approval is a detailed and expensive process” he explains, “but it is an assurance of quality maritime training and qualification accepted worldwide. We have a duty to our students to ensure they receive the best possible training.”

“Our regular courses are limited to 12 people with students coming from all over the world,” says Clive. “For the superyacht

entry-level deckhand and stewardess training programs we also see strong demand from Thai students, and for these courses student’s accommodation and meals are provided on campus for the duration of their course. We replicate a yacht-like environment, where they are learning and living with the same crew in close quarters to best help prepare them for their first position onboard.”

Why is the work that Galileo does, so important? “There is a worldwide shortage of qualified crew for superyachts, and with a record number of new build projects underway as the Superyacht industry booms, an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 new crew roles are expected to be created in the next few years,” Clive says, “As the first, and still the only, MCA accredited training provider in the region with dedicated superyacht courses Galileo Maritime Academy is a trusted resource for superyacht career entrants, existing crew, superyacht Captains and Management.”

Water survival skills.

East Marine Asia

Ian tells us that East Marine Asia’s Gelair™’s are environmentally friendly, natural products that help prevent adverse health effects such as allergies and respiratory illnesses caused by harmful micro-organisms.

Gelair™ is a patented system, which uses a specially formulated gel matrix for the controlled and sustained release of top quality Australian Tea Tree Oil vapour, a 100% natural essential oil. And East Marine Asia is the distributor for Gelair™ in this part of the world. A majority of its customers are in the oil and gas business (rigs) but more and more home and boat owners are starting to discover the wonders of Gelair™.

Gelair™ improves air quality by killing mold, bacteria (including Legionella pneumonophila which is responsible for Legionnaire’s disease), and viruses. Studies have also

keeps the air your breathe clean and fresh with GelairTM

SEA Yachting recently caught up with Ian Lok, East Marine Asia’s Sales & Marketing Manager, to nd out about the bene ts of GelairTM.

shown Tea Tree Oil to be effective stopping the replication cycle of the H1N1 flu virus.

The specific concentrations of Tea Tree Oil released by the gel matrix system act as a broad spectrum anti-microbial and anti-fungal; killing mold and bacteria wherever the Tea Tree Oil vapour penetrates. Gelair™is also available in specially formulated liquids to help you keep your environment mold and bacteria free.

Moisture build up is inevitable wherever humidity and condensation exists.

When left untreated your air conditioner spreads invisible bacteria and viruses; grows mold on its moist surfaces; and generates strong musty odours. This can lead to “sick building syndrome”, used to describe situations in which “building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. A

1984 World Health Organization report suggested up to 30% of new and remodeled buildings worldwide may be subject of complaints related to poor indoor air quality. Sick

building causes are frequently pinned down to flaws in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.”

Though there isn’t a “sick boat syndrome” per se but neglect of the air-conditioning unit on your vessel can lead to the same problems associated with sick building syndrome. So be pro-active and prevent that from happening.

There is a Gelair™ product solution for each refrigerated air conditioner. For AIR HANDLING UNITS, you can choose from one of four sizes of Gelair™ air conditioning blocks (ABs), which are placed in the internal unit or duct. For SPLIT systems, a convenient sachet is available for easy, fussfree placement in your SPLIT system. An initial burst of Tea Tree fragrance assures you the treatment has begun.

Gelair™ is simple to install and needs no additional energy to operate and it lasts up to three months, treating the air, the ducts and the room - called 360 degree treatment.

The processing and refining of Tea Tree Oil is an exact science and due to the complexities, not all Tea Tree Oil is the same nor smells the same. Gelair™ was developed in Australia, with oil sourced from certified Australian Tea Tree farmers. To ensure efficacy, every batch of Tea Tree Oil used in GelairTM products is chemically analysed to confirm it meets the highest standards.

Pure Australian Tea Tree Oil is a natural essential oil distilled from plantations of Melaleuca alternifolia. The therapeutic properties of Melaleuca alternifolia have been recognized by Australia’s indigenous people. As a natural antiseptic Australian Tea Tree Oil has demonstrated antibacte-

rial, antifungal and antiviral capabilities which Gelair™ uses to combat and prevent a range of mold, bacteria, virus and fungus types. Australian Tea Tree Oil has proven efficacy in the control of Golden Staph (Staphylococcus aureus) for both Methicillin (MRSA) and Vancomycin (VRSA) resistant strains.

Other Gelair™ products that East Marine Asia sells include the Gelair™ All Purpose Steriliser and Cleaner, which provides the powerful anti-microbial and anti-fungal action of Tea Tree Oil in an all purpose cleaner.

Then there’s the Gelair™ Coil and Duct Cleaner, specifically designed for use in air conditioning systems to clean and sterilize air conditioning cooling coils. East Marine Asia also sells Gelair™ Fogging Solution, which is used when there is extensive mold or bacteria requiring rapid and effective treatment and control. Then Gelair™ Tub consists of a gel matrix in a Tub to suit low volume, low flow areas such as bathrooms, toilets and wardrobes. And there’s the Health E-Car for car cabin filters, where a small sachet is installed directly on top of the cabin air filter system, preventing further fishy or musty smells.

Gelair™ Hand Sanitiser is very popular with East Marine Asia customers as instead of alcohol it uses the power of Tea Tree Oil combined with a gentle moisturizer to effectively kill bacteria while protecting and moisturizing your hands.

Check out Gelair™’s products and price list on the East Marine Asia website at https://www.eastmarineasia.com/.

Gelair™ products are the simplest way to stop mold and bacteria from infesting your air conditioner and the room or cabins it services.

The Evolution of

Asia Catamarans

Asia Catamarans, Phuket’s most successful boatbuilding company, was officially launched in 2013. Today it has built 25 sail and power catamarans.

The company’s manager Alan Carwardine designed and built his first stealth catamaran in Brisbane, a Stealth 12c called, As mad as a cut snake, which he launched on 2007 while he was the Manager of Allyacht Spars (that boat is still doing well on the Australian race course winning a Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race not too long ago). Prior to this period Alan designed and built many of Australia’s fast monohull sports boats and trailer-sailers

At that time, there wasn’t a designer out there who could design a cat Alan liked that focused on performance, ergonomics and was suited for tropical climate conditions so he designed one himself. But he soon realized that catamarans couldn’t be built profitably in Australia because of the costs associated with labour, sheds, service, and insurance – Alan always knew he had to go to Asia if he wanted to build boats for a business. Alas, many designers can’t sell their designs because they can’t get their boats built.

Alan moved to Thailand in 2009, working as the Asia-area manager for the UK deck hardware company Lewmar. During that time, he met Roger Diggelman of Composite Yacht Constructions, having helped consult on the Andaman Cabriolet catamarans Roger was building for Grenville Fordham and Bob Mott.

Alan’s second Stealth cat was Sidewinder, a Stealth 12.6c, which he built in Brisbane, but cut up and shipped to Phuket in a 40-foot container where Roger assembled it at his yard in Phuket. It was launched in 2010 just prior to Phuket Raceweek, and sold to John and Libby Punch in 2012. They renamed it Nautilus and is now based in Darwin. It won the Darwin to Ambon Race a few years back and has been continually cruising thru Indonesian waters since bought.

Alan thought that joining forces with Roger would tick all the boxes for a future boat building and design business. Roger had a small company with

By Scott Murray

eight employees that Alan believed needed funding to expand the business, to build a new shed, and purchase some new tools, consequently the idea of Asia Catamarans was born. Most boat designers would kill to have the situation Alan has now, whereby he has his own facility to build his own designed boats but Alan is also much more multi-faceted than most designers given his boat-building and managerial background.

Realizing that an alliance with Roger would work, he informed Lewmar at the start of 2013 that he would be following his dream of being a full-time designer and builder of catamarans. With Roger and Alan as 50/50 partners Asia Catamarans was formed and immediately started production.

Alan then started with a brand-new page of Autocad and re-designed the Stealth hull and deck for a better look and better performance. The earlier two Stealths were a little “nose-divey” and pitchy. A new hull and deck mold was made and modern building techniques adapted. The first boat under this new design was Hurricane, a Stealth 11.8s, built for Alan and his wife June, launched in January, 2012.

“We made a big effort with Hurricane to win as many regattas as possible,”: Alan says. “That caused a lot of interest in Australia and elsewhere with people following performance catamaran designs.

5 Kings Cup wins and 6 Phuket Race Week wins resulted in great marketing. The ability for the Stealth’s to sail at ‘faster than wind speed’ while cruising in the dominantly lighter airs of the tropics and the excellent air flow of the design had great appeal for cruising people. The design was aimed at people that weren’t necessarily racers but liked performance cats and the enjoyment of sailing a nicely balance and responsive catamaran. (Hurricane was sold in 2017 and is now based in San Diego)

The second boat out of the new mold and the fourth Stealth was Afterburner, a Stealth 12.6s. It was launched in January 2013 for Daniel Reno and then sold to Guy Scott from Singapore in 2016. It was later sold again to Bob Engel and is now based in Phuket and re-named Lady Luck.

The fifth Stealth was Java, a Stealth 11.8s, a sistership to Hurricane. Launched in June 2013 for John Coffin and Java Yachting.

Alan knew he couldn’t compete with European production boats and Australian designers were not adapting to the Queensland tropical conditions so the focus on the new design was all about light weight performance cruising/racing and being very livable in the tropics, a niche market for sure but none the less, an unfulfilled market.

John then proposed that Alan design and Asia Catamarans build a Stealth power cat, feeling that you didn’t need a mast and sails for Asian charter work so Rendezvous, was launched in Sept 2014.

Roger, Alan and friend Marc Chapus then started Asia Catamarans Sailing, a charter company, which would lease the power cats the company

built. The 43ft 3.6-ton Rendezvous, was the seventh Stealth and could carry 22 guests and 3 crew with a maximum speed of 19 knots and a cruising speed of 15. After great charter success it was sold to a Russian charter company based in Phuket in 2017.

The sixth build was a Stealth 13c, Gale Force for Gokova Yacht Charters. It was launched in Dec 2013 and after years of solid charter work was sold in 2018. It is now based in San Francisco.

The eighth Stealth was the 14GT Wow, the first liveaboard, for David Liddell, which is currently doing a circumnavigation of the globe. It was stuck in Tahiti during the height of COVID, but previous to that won the Heineken Regatta in Antigua 2018.

Next up was Allegro a Stealth 13c liveaboard which was launched in September of 2015. The owner Bob McInytre lives on the boat at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club Marina.

The next boat completed, the largest to date was a Stealth 47ft day charter powercat called Infinity, which was put into the Asia Catamarans Sailing fleet, managed by Marc Chapus, whose idea it was to build the 47ft power cats. They were fast, light, and had low fuel consumption and low maintenance.

From the end of 2014 Asia Catamarans would only build to customer requests, with their order book filling up quickly 8 months ahead. Next up, were the sisterships Top Cat and Phantom V, two Stealth 13s. Top Cat was launched in March 2016 for Peter Wood. It was later sold to Mike Hoskins, re-named LeVi, and is now based in New Caledonia. Phantom V was launched in Nov 2016 for Andrew and Gaela Hurford. After years of good regatta results, it was sold to John Spencer in 2021 and re-named Zero.

Then came Twister 2 a Stealth 12s,

launched in May 2017 for Glywn and Karen Rowlands. The boat is a regular on the local regatta scene.

Integos, a Stealth 12, their first motor-sailer, a very interesting design with a carbon mast you could drop/raise in three minutes to navigate canals in the Mediterranean. It was built for Austrian Franz Rathkolb who took possession of the boat in Turkey and has now cruised thru much of the Mediterranean, including the canals of Venice.

Next to be launched was Maserati, Infinity’s sister ship. These two were the largest boats the company had designed and built and could carry 37 guests and 3 crew with a max speed of 23 knots and a cruising speed of 18. After servicing Asia Catamarans Sailing, both were eventually sold to a Singapore charter company.

The company then received its first order for a full-on carbon Stealth from Peter Wilcox. The 12m Cosmo (most Stealths up to that time were 20 percent carbon), was fitted with removeable foils on its rudders and daggerboards. It was shipped to Sydney in late 2018 and now has new owners, the 18ft skiff legend Trevor and wife Gail Barnabas.

The seventeenth build was Sea Explorer, another Stealth 47 powercat. Launched for Torben Busk Jensen’s charter company in Phuket, it is equipped with all the mod-cons for high-end diving charters or a live-aboard for up to seven passengers and two crew for periods of up to 10 days.

For its eighteenth boat, Asia Catamarans proceeded to build their smallest power cat Hot Chilli a Stealth 36e, which was ordered thru the brokerage Multihull Solutions for local charter company Far-away Yachting. This small powercat, launched in November of 2019 is packed with space and ideal for economical charter work carrying 16 guests and 2 crew. Hot Chilli can cruise at 15 knots with a full payload with a pair of 60hp outboards fitted.

Asia Catamarans then received a new order (boat #19) for a 12.6c Stealth called Fez from John Coffin, making him the first repeat customer. Launched in September of 2020, it was designed for live-aboard charter use and teaching sailing courses for Java Yachting. By this time, Dan Fidock had bought Java and renamed it Saffron.

Coconuts, a very fast 12.2 Stealth, came next and was originally built for the Carwardine’s to sail through Indonesia, but this idea failed due to COVID. Fully fitted out for serious cruising, the boat has a set of cruising and racing sails. Though the Carwardine’s couldn’t fulfil their cruising dreams, the upside of the pandemic was it increased their orders dramatically. The

company only shut down for ten days in early 202I for COVID. Coconuts was launched in September 2020 but to make way for a radical new design whizzing around in Alan’s head it was sold in 2021 to Bob Engwirda and shipped into Brisbane.

Build 21 was Vela, a Stealth 13.2, which was built for a Brisbane couple Emma and Nick Lyons, and launched in 2021. The boat has been designed and built for circumnavigation but still has all the gear ready for doing the odd regatta.

Number 22 was Luna, a Stealth 12c. Launched in Jan 2022 for Roberto Prever, it was shipped into Italy and now based in Trieste. It was the 1st CE approved Stealth.

Payu, a Stealth 13s and the 2nd CE approved Stealth, was next launched in January 2022 for Joachim and Christina Fietz.

Number 24 was Earthling, a Stealth/ Earthling 12, full electric powercat, launched in April 2022 for the Earthling company and shipped into Auckland. This state-of-the-art boat has really been turning heads with a top speed of 20 knots and a “battery only” range of 150 nm.

Stealth number 25, Arriba is the latest, brand new and very radical design called the Stealth X Series 43, which was launched in August 2022 for Alan and June. “The X Series 43 is a totally different design and my attempt to design the perfect cruising boat for a couple in the tropics, not too powerful, has an inside helm for motoring (will motor at 18knots) and outside tillers when sailing. It looks like a trimaran without the middle hull in the water,” says Alan. It’s really quite remarkable to think the majority of these builds were completed in less than a decade in a shed in Ao Chalong, not too far away from the Phuket Yacht Club.

To what does Alan contribute the company success to?

“We didn’t want veteran boat builders with closed minds. We needed young builders who weren’t set in their ways. So, we asked our staff, who were all from Isaan, if they had any young relatives in northeast Thailand who would like to apprentice with the company. We trained our staff up, as the processes we use are very high-tech for Phuket.

“Traditionally, in the workplace in Thailand, it’s been very difficult for a younger person to tell an older person what to do because of the dreaded loss of face,” Alan says. “But now, our three team leaders can tell the older guys what to do, in a respectful manner, of course. I think it works because they are all friends, they know each other and they know each other’s families.”

Today Asia Catamarans has 25 staff, including folks from five extended families, so to say the company is close knit would be an understatement.

To date Stealth cats have won six King’s Cup regattas and seven Phuket Race Weeks. Indeed, the Stealth designs have been dominating the Asian regattas in recent years and there seems no reason why this will not continue into the future with more new Stealth designs to hit the water soon.

(Btw, Alan’s son Ben is a qualified superyacht captain and has worked on, Addix, Kokomo 5 and Red Dragon. He is based out of Palma, Spain, and now working as first officer on the 88-metre sailing ketch Aquijo. Alan’s daughter Mia is the Operations Manager of the Australian Marine Conservation Society, having previously served with Conservation International in East Timor.)

http://www.asiacatamarans.com/

ASIA’S SPONSORSHIP INDUSTRY REBOUNDS Sponsorship market intelligence fi rm relocates to Phuket

Asia’s sponsorship industry is experiencing a resurgence post-pandemic, and nobody is better placed to capitalise on that trend than The Sponsorship Experts, Paul Poole (South East Asia) Co., Ltd. (PP(SEA)CL).

Paul and his team connect events with sponsors and brands with events – and steer them through the whole process of sponsorship towards a successful outcome for both.

A key PP(SEA)CL objective is to increase the commercial value of the properties they represent by developing professional sponsorship packages, by sourcing ‘best brand name/fit’ commercial sponsors and by ensuring ROI and ROO for their clients, sponsors and partners.

Furthermore, Paul strongly believes that – by effectively leveraging the power of sponsorship – rights holders and brands can organise and host better quality and more sustainable events, and engage with the local community in a more meaningful way.

Fundamental to PP(SEA)CL’s ability to offer expert advice is Paul’s commitment to evidence-based decision-making, proper evaluation of sponsorship ‘assets’, media and sponsorship benchmarking and use of market intelligence on the latest trends shaping the industry. PP(SEA)CL is a member of the Asian Sponsorship Association and includes PerforMind® – a scientific approach to selecting sponsorship criteria and sourcing a sponsorship that is best for each client’s needs – in its professional ‘tool kit’.

As a measure of its impact, PP(SEA)CL delivers over one billion Thai baht in sponsorship across, on average, 58 properties each year. Clients include luxury water-based lifestyle events such as Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous, Kata Rocks Poker Run and Thailand International Boat Show – events that bring valuable revenue to Thai tourism, support local communities and promote a healthier, more active, lifestyle.

For individual athletes, they use Sportskred to create unique sponsorship and influencer marketing campaigns. Sportskred combines social media accounts of athletes and brand ambassadors to create a highly valuable private network for marketing and sponsorship needs. By tapping into several social media accounts at once, the network aggregates following and engagement and has the potential to reach far more people in an engaging manner.

At government level, PP(SEA)CL are special advisors to – and have developed

benchmarking tools and conducted bespoke training workshops for – the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT).

On the future, Paul says, “We intend to continue our pre-pandemic trajectory to double in size through acquisition and our own growth.”

True to his word, September saw PP(SEA)CL acquire Singapore-based Asia Sponsorship News (ASN) – the leading market intelligence service for Asia’s sponsorship industry – and relocate its base to Phuket.

Although a subsidiary of PP(SEA)CL, ASN will be run independently under the direction of Managing Director (former Business Development Director) James Hamshire, who said, “This acquisition comes at a time when the sponsorship industry is resurging in Asia. We are confident of the continued success of ASN as an utterly independent provider of intelligence for those in the sports, media, and entertainment space in Asia.”

Founded in Singapore in 2007 by Ben Heyhoe Flint, ASN operates on a subscription-based model where subscribers gain access to the latest news, analytics, and insights from the biggest players in the sponsorship industry. Over the years ASN has worked with the leading names in sports, media and entertainment across the buy-side, agency, and sell-side.

“ASN has been a monumental force in the sponsorship industry in Asia in the past 15 years, providing invaluable insights to all of us working in this space. We are committed to continuing that important work and to remaining an important

independent player in an ever-changing industry,” said Paul.

According to Ben, ASN was created by media professionals with collectively decades of experience who were frustrated that there was a black hole of data and insight relating to this poorly understood but fast-growing $10 billion channel. “We are extremely excited to start this new chapter under the ownership of PP(SEA)CL. Paul has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the sponsorship industry and we could not have found a better path forward,” he said.

www.paulpoole.co.th info@paulpoole.co.th www.asiasponsorshipnews.com info@asiasponsorshipnews.com

COR555

LIKE A SWISS ARMY KNIFE

The main goal for the naval architect and designer was to co-create a yacht for the comfortable and safe at sea and coastal passages. The hull was designed with seaworthiness and having in mind comfort during navigation. Low center of gravity makes the yacht stable. The high raised bow prevents excessive ooding of the deck on the stormy sea. The Cor555 is built under CE certi cation A class.

This 59ft yacht is an offer for couples and families who would like to spend many days or weeks at sea and be surrounded by the comfort they had in their own homes. The arrangement of the space provides excellent opportunities for living and entertainment. A flybridge with a place for tender is a very practical space with a second helm, there can also be a dining corner and a sunbathing area.

Different expectations will meet alternative layout. The main deck has been designed to create a practical and cozy space for each person on the yacht. There is a big fully equipped galley, spacious dining area and cozy corner with armchairs. The helm station on this yacht can be a separate space with an armchair for the captain and a navigator and a practical desk. A sufficiently large overhang of the roof provides shade to ensure the captain’s comfort while navigating. The sofas are a place for guests who want to admire the horizon. Doors leading to the deck on both

Speci cations

sides of the wheelhouse make it easier to move around the deck. To make this yacht as comfortable as possible there is a day head on the main deck.

On the lower deck there are three comfortable bedrooms with bathrooms and a very practical office space. The crew cabin can be used as an additional guest’s cabin depending on the needs. Day head and a very spacious utility space are very useful and provide comfort during long voyages. In the standard version there will be high class finishing materials like natural veneer, leather, durable fabrics.

The engine room was designed to be accessible and easy to maintain. The equipment will largely depend on the future owner and how the yacht will be used. It is possible to duplicate some of the systems to ensure safety during further journeys.

Cormorant does its best to create a stylish yacht that will be reliable and easy to use even for a couple.

LOA Length with short swimming platform 19,69 64.60

BOA Beam overall 6,25 20.50

LWL Loaded waterline length 18.93 62.1

T draft 1,78 5.84

DA draft air 7.95 26.08

D(T) Loaded displacment 69.5 t 153.221 lbs

CE APPROVAL CATEGORY A

Crew limit 12

Hull type Semi-displacment with ETE (Extended Trailing Edge)

Hull Meterial GRP

Superstucuters / Deck GRP

NOVA NAUTICAL

Len

Sleeping Cabin / Places 5 for 9 People + 1

Sleeping places up tp 11

Enigne Horse Power form 2x250 up to 2x1400

Speed 5-23kts

Averange range at 7kts approx. up tp 2800 NM 15%reserv

Rodman will be launching at the forthcoming international boat shows a new range of outboard boats, with lengths ranging from 6 to 8 metres, which will be available in different deck versions: Open with Central Console, Open with forward cabin and Hard Top versions.

From the very beginning of this project, Rodman has set its goal to design and build a new range that meets the needs and expectations of all those who seek when sailing a new leisure alternative, a new way to enjoy the sea in the company of family and friends, a new way to live unique moments and experiences.

This new range has been conceived to suit all target customer segments, from a younger customer looking for sportiness and functionality to more experienced or traditional customers who prioritise comfort and safety.

Rodman Ventura satisfies the desire of enjoying the sea in the open air, the sun, family and friends, to experience unique moments on board

Rodman is about to celebrate its 50th Anniversary and for the first-time ventures into this segment of the pleasure boat market, with the aim of bringing the sea and its enjoyment to a greater number of people on all the world’s seas.

The first model of this range to be introduced will be the new Rodman 690 Ventura CC. A boat of 6.5 m in hull length and 7.7 m in overall length, 2.55 m in beam and ready for the installation of an outboard engine of up to 200 HP in power, reaching a maximum speed of almost 40 knots.

Her deck configuration offers two exterior spaces, completely different, to enjoy the sun and moments of relaxation on board. In the aft cockpit, there is the possibility of having a rear seat, which can

New Range Rodman Ventura

be completed with a side module and a table. There is also the option of covering this area with an extendable Bimini type sun canopy. Forward, this new model also offers a seating area, which can be equipped with cushions and seats, another table and the possibility of turning the entire surface into a solarium. This area can also be covered with a fixed sun canopy.

Safe and comfortable movement between the two areas is guaranteed by wide, identical lateral passageways on both sides, one of the hallmarks of all Rodman boats.

This new model is completed by a comfortable console interior, with comfortable access and wide stowage space with the possibility of fitting a chemical toilet.

The new Rodman 690 Ventura CC is the perfect option to enjoy an affordable day boat, with the maximum comfort, best features and excellent navigation, characteristics of all Rodman boats.

After the launch of this new model at the forthcoming international boat shows in Southampton, La Rochelle and Barcelona, Rodman is already working on the presentation of new models and versions of this new range, which will be exhibited at the Paris and Düsseldorf shows.

NOVA NAUTICAL (53446888L)

info@novanautical.com

Len Lee +6582880082

RODMAN 890

Ventura

Design category B/C

Max. number of persons onboard 8/10

Length Overall 8,90 m

Hull Length 7,99 m

Beam 2,98 m

Draft 0,51 m

Displacement 5.150 kg

Water Tank capacity 117 L Engines from 1X300 CV a 2X200 CV

Rodman 1290 Evolution

The new Rodman 1290 Evolution, available in Hard Top or Flybridge versions, is the total renewal of one of the most emblematic models in our history, the Rodman 1250.

It represents the perfect balance between past and present, being completely renewed, maintaining the key attributes with more contemporary aspects in terms of design and functionality.

After the presentation of the new Rodman 1090 Evolution, which marked the beginning of the Rodman Fisher-cruiser range revolution, now it is the turn of the new Rodman 1290 Evolution, which will replace one of the shipyard’s iconic models, the Rodman 1250.

Following the design line of the new Rodman 1090 Evolution but maintaining the performance, robustness and elegance of the Rodman 1250 hull, the new Rodman 1290 Evolution will be, no doubt, the turning point for the development of the new range.

Speci cations

Introducing the new version of the Rodman 890 Ventura with a new style and renewed personality.

The new version of the Rodman 890 VENTURA: quality, prestige, innovation and excellent seaworthiness.

The addition of new design elements such as large windows in the hull provide this new version with a new style and renewed personality.

Outboard engines provide multiple options, both in power to be installed and also by making it single or double configuration, to obtain the maximum benefits.

The Rodman 890 Ventura is a comprehensive and balanced boat. A versatile boat aimed at a wide range of owners, either to enjoy fishing or cruising with family or friends.

Design category B

Max. number of persons onboard 12

Hull Length 11,90 m Beam 4,33 m Draft 0,82 m

Displacement 12,70 ton Capacidad Combustible 1220 L Capacidad Agua Dulce 400 L Engine desde 2X380 CV a 2X440 CV

NOVA NAUTICAL (53446888L)

info@novanautical.com

Len Lee +6582880082

RODMAN MUSE 74

The RODMAN MUSE 74 is the flagship of the Muse range. This yacht, a reference in the market, offers the best of the Muse range: style and sophistication combined with robustness, quality and seaworthiness.

The Rodman Muse 74 will match perfectly the expectations of the most demanding owners.

Plenitude and authenticity as insignias of luxury are the two pillars underlying the philosophy behind the Rodman Muse 74, a philosophy focused on the value of personal achievement and shared moments of pleasure.

Fulvio de Simoni has demonstrated his skill in designing the sophisticated comfortable interior of the RODMAN MUSE 74.

The result is a predominance of pure, clean lines, spaciousness and light. A space that is unique in its style and unbeatable in terms of quality.

Speci cations

Design category - B

Max. number of persons onboard - 16

Length Overall - 23.16 m

Hull Length - 22.89 m Beam - 5.67 m Draft - 1.78 m

Displacement - 44.79 toneladas

Fuel Tank capacity - 5412 L

Water Tank capacity - 1308 L

Black water capacity - 360 L

Max. Speed - 30 nudos*

Cruising speed (70% pot) 25 nudos*

Fuel-economic speed range - 410 millas* Engine - 2 x MAN V12 1150CV

Rodman 1290 Fisher Pro

Designed and built for

sport

and with a completely renovated interior, which improves the comfort and convenience of the living on board.

Speci cations

Design category

Rodman SPIRIT 31 OUTBOARD

Speci cations

Design category B/C

Max. number of persons onboard 8/10

Length Overall 9.48 m

Hull Length 7.95 m Beam 3.36 m

Draft 0.70 m

Fuel Tank capacity 600 L

Water Tank capacity 110 L Black water capacity 61 L

Engine

From 1×300 CV to1x350 HP, from 2×150 CV to 2×250 HP

NOVA NAUTICAL (53446888L)

info@novanautical.com

Len Lee +6582880082

Rodman Spirit 42

Banner of the Rodman Spirit range, the Rodman 42 in its Fly Bridge version is shown as a boat which highlights the rationality and functionality of its spaces compared to other similar ships in this segment of length.

This is a unique boat that is innovative, functional and comfortable, as well as robust, powerful and with excellent seaworthiness.

She has the same personality and style as the rest of the range, strongly characterized by a boat which invites you to live and enjoy life aboard in a truly unique and affordable way. The interior will surprise you for its spaciousness and brightness.

Also, at both sides of the hull, wide fixed windows with integrated portholes have been fitted, also providing additional brightness inside and in the cabin area.

Wide spaces which will make you enjoy the onboard life.

NOVA

Len

This new version of the model Rodman Spirit 31' incorporates outboard engines, one or two engines, and thus providing more sporting features.

The new Rodman SPIRIT 31 OUTBOARD Series, a new model based on the traditional shaft line version, incorporating outboard engines, one or two engines, and thus providing more sporting features.

The cockpit design, with two circular seats is one the most remarkable features of this new Rodman SPIRIT 31 model. In this Outboard version, both aspects, e.g. engine and unique design have been perfectly combined. The seats are divided into three modules.

One of the main innovations in this new version is a second cabin inside, at full beam extent. This second cabin makes this model, within her range, one of the best accommodated inside.

Specifications

Design category B

Max. number of persons onboard 12

Length Overall 12.35 m

Hull Length 11.97 m Beam 4.24 m

Draft 0.71 m

Displacement 12.30 toneladas

Fuel Tank capacity 1150 L Water Tank capacity 390 L Black water capacity 110 L

Engine

2xVolvo IPS 400 (2×340 CV) 2xVolvo IPS 500 (2×380 CV)

Thai Yachting Business Association stages Thailand Charter Week

The TYBA proudly announces the Thailand Charter Week 2022 from 16 – 19 November 2022 to be held at Phuket Yacht Haven Marina. The Thailand Charter Week (TCW) is a business-to-business event offered exclusively to professional charter brokers, charter agents, luxury travel and hotel operators and concierges. International industry professionals are invited to come and inspect some of Southeast Asia's nest charter yachts and learn about the region’s best cruising grounds.

The program includes an opening party at the Deck Restaurant of the prestigious Phuket Yacht Haven Marina, the host venue. The 2nd and 3rd day include "yacht hops" to view the yachts, and presentations and destination seminars by local companies, which will help to sell Phuket yacht charters to the visitors’ international clients. On the nal day, a selection of charter yachts will offer visiting brokers a spectacular day-cruise through stunning Phang Nga Bay.

During the charter show, participants will be entertained with a variety of Thai cultural activities, fun parties, and leisurely lifestyle events, for a unique introduction to a truly Thai experience.

name

in Thailand

LOA (m)

Xanadu Moonen 34.0

Dallinghoo Pritchard 30.4

Mia Kai Bilgin 30.0

Maha Bhetra Custom 27.4

Sanook Princess 23.0

So Hoo Princess 22.3

Kati Princess Yachts 20.0

Happy Ours Riviera 18.0

Stay on board Leopard 51 15.5

Harmony Marquis 15.0

Princess Defever 14.9

Estrella Leopard 43 13.1

eld Princess V39 12.4

Mija 2 Nimbus T11 12.1

Siva Bali Catspace 12.0

Lily Nuova Joly 11.6

Winns H310 10.0

Estelle Crownline 275x 8.2

more information www.thaiyachtingbusinessassociation.com,

info@thailandcharterweek.com

the Reef Inspector SeaCat launches

The SeaCat team has been busy at work on their latest custom design and construction project, the 22.3 metre (SeaCat 74’) longrange cruising catamaran called the “Reef Inspector”. Launched by Sea Cat Ships Co Ltd at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club on the eastern seaboard of Thailand the builders are proud to present this state-of-the-art high-performance catamaran.

This expedition catamaran is ideal for luxury offshore cruising and is also suited for VIP day and overnight charter operations. She is fitted out for scuba and snorkeling trips out to the Great Barrier Reef with a dive compressor and scuba gear thus the name ‘Reef Inspector’.

This version features three levels of comfort: the main deck has three VIP cabins all with king double beds and ensuites, a lounge

area, which converts to a four-berth cabin, plus a large custom built aluminium galley and a dining area. The aft’ main dive deck has a large outdoor entertainment and dining area with dive bottle storage, a davit and dive tender.

On the upper deck there are walk-around sides with large forward area, featuring a Jacuzzi pool, which converts to a large day bed and aft’ decks that have a seating area for alfresco dining. The helm position is situated forward with a lounge area and two double berths aft of this. The sunroof has an outdoor control station and an area for both deck chairs and solar panels. All internal spaces are fully air-conditioned. The exterior finish is fully faired and painted professionally to give that sleek “motor yacht” look.

Powered by twin Volvo diesel marine engines (2 x 800hp) and IPS 1050 drives her sprint speed is around 30 knots with an economical long range cruising speed of 10 knots with total fuel consumption of only 46 litres per hour. Her large fuel capacity matched with fuel efficient hulls gives extended range of over 3000 nautical miles. This slightly raked bow (to maximize the waterline length) sea speed design is based on a proven hull and high-performance vessel. She is very fuel efficient, cutting though the water with a great seakeeping ability and low wake motion. The Sea Cat designed slightly raked bow (to maximize the waterline length) ensures a high-performance hull and vessel.

The vessel is being built in accordance with Australian commercial vessel standards 1C (80 passengers plus 5 crew) and Class 2B for 12 Passengers plus 4 crew (overnight) criteria with hull and deckhouse to Lloyds Register SSC standard for offshore operations.

This model can be custom designed to suit a broad range of customer requirements. Sea Cat is also looking at diversifying into the motor yacht market building aluminium catamarans based on their range of proven hulls up to 42 metres (135 ft).

www.seacatships.com

Speci cations

Hull Deep Vee Catamaran (Marine grade aluminium)

Length Overall 22.24m

Beam Overall 8.00m

Draft 1.50m

Bottom Plate 6 & 8m

Frames 5mm

Cabin, Sides, Deck 4mm

Main Engines 2 x Volvo D13 Marine Diesel ( 2 x 800 h.p.)

Propulsion 2 x Volvo IPS 1050 DRIVES

Genset 1 X Kohlar 35 KVA

Fuel Tank 2 x 5000 Ltr & 2 x 1500 ltr

Fresh Water 1 x 600 LTR with Watermaker

Sullage Tank 1 x 600 LTR

Overnight 12 Passengers plus 6 Crew

Day Passengers 80 Persons

Classi cation Australian NSCV Class 2B/1C

Cruise Speed 25 knots (high) and 10 knots (long range)

" CRAFTING HIGHPERFORMANCE ALUMINUM BOATS IN THE HEART OF ASIA"

Immersive Family Experiences

Family Friendly Yachting in the Era of Post Pandemic Travel

By Kelly Willis for Silolona Sojourns

Charter yachting is often viewed as an adult only environment. A place where grown-ups come to indulge, explore and engage in a luxury lifestyle far removed from everyday travel experiences. Yet with few travel companies or yachting and travel media, highlight how yachting chartering can be a fun and safe family affair with the right yacht and yacht operator – and be a world away from the champagne-soaked hedonistic parties assumed to make up the yachting ‘lifestyle.’

The global pandemic forced many into a period of stillness. Lockdowns stopped travel in its tracks, and society was faced with an extended period of uncertainty for nearly 2 years after the pandemic first appeared at our shores. As we entered mid2022, the world’s borders started to open again and travel albeit in a more disorganized manner began

once more. This great rift of change forced people into rethinking what travel meant to them, as they looked to explore again with friends and loved ones in a new kind of normal. Unsurprisingly, people are now looking to get away from the crowds where the possibility of covid infections remains lurking – with this brought a revived interest from travel segments especially families, who may not previously have through yacht chartering would be possible for them. In fact, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Private yacht chartering is answering many of the new covid era traveler’s requests. Offering enhanced levels of seclusion and privacy away from crowded spaces, high levels of cleanliness and personalized onboard service by crews that are fully vaccinated and PCR tested, and the ability truly get away from it all is something that charter yacht bro-

kers and charter yacht operators are seeing more and more requests for. A new generation of younger yacht charter traveler is emerging – those traveling with young families. Looking for authentic interactions and transformational experiences that go beyond the destination itself. With this is the opportunity for the travel and yachting industry to appeal to a wider demographic than before.

The new post pandemic generation of yacht charter traveler, wants something more than just a vessel to sail on. They want to immerse themselves in rejuvenating aspects of health and wellness that has become a growing importance across the wider travel and hospitality industry. People are looking for more sustainable and responsible activities on land and at sea but they also want to ensure that these experiences go beyond a visit to a rural village or a school – the traditional sustainability travel initiatives s of the past. More conscious of what they put into their bodies; food and beverage is more important than ever. Whilst some may want to indulge and immerse themselves in local authentic foods, others want to ensure they can stick to their macrobiotic diets or detox shakes, whilst those travelling with multigenerational members, want to be sure that there is something suitable for everyone. With all of these points being never more so important when travelling as part of a family, how do yacht charter operators ensure these expectations are met by families looking to experience yacht chartering perhaps for the first time?

Operating for more than 20 years, luxury owner managed charter yacht operator Silolona Sojourns, knows all about delivering exceptional family yacht charter experiences. A family-owned company

whose roots and connections to the destinations in which they operate have always been ‘family focused’ Silolona Sojourns Founder and then CEO Patti Seery, often explored by a variety of sailing vessels throughout South East Asia with her young family. Believing that yachting was a safe, fun and the perfect way to educate young minds. Patti’s infectious love of the ocean was passed to her guests many of whom experienced their first family yacht charter vacation with Patti at the helm. Since Patti’s death her son and now CEO of Silolona Sojourns Tresno Seery, with his own young family have taken to the ocean, creating a new generation of seafarers and ocean loving guests. When considering any yacht charter with a family the yacht’s design plays an important part in the decision-making process. Not all charter yachts are built with family travelers in mind, those that are will come with a variety of built in or add on essentials for young travelers. From baby gates on doors, to

Phinisi’s Side by Side

Tribal Experiences in Alor.

pocket doors to protect children from stairwells, family friendly ensuite cabins, and interconnecting suites, as well as opportunities to add safety netting around decks for protection, or onboard baby monitors for onboard use. On board entertainment facilities are also key essentials when considering charter yachting to keep young minds engaged and entertained, whilst allowing parents to relax and unwind. Both of Silolona Sojourns phinisi ships offering extensive family friendly design elements and are fully Wi-Fi enabled, an important element for many contemporary travelers of any age, but in particular if travelling with young family, the ability to stay connected can be important. For those looking to get away from the home routine, Silolona Sojourns offer a variety of engaging experiences and activities onboard and on shore, that will keep guests of all ages engaged.

The crew of a charter yacht play a leading role in delivering the perfect family guest charter experience. Using a yacht charter broker who

guests, and this makes a great difference in the level of fun, entertainment and interaction they have with guests on board. Many of the Silolona team have their own families and often bring their children onboard the phinisi’s, as part of the company’s regular team building events and inter-family gatherings which makes for a great extended family work environment which is a big part of the Silolona Sojourns culture.

Another key essence where Silolona Sojourns differentiates itself, is the total immersion of all ages of Silolona guest in the vast array of experiences and activities that the team curate, ensuring that no matter what the age of the guest, the level of wow and immersion remains unmatched. Curating each Silolona Sojourn is no easy affair, which is why the company set limited trips each year. With each charter taking an average 3-6 months to plan, it is very much ‘all hands-on deck’ and a very special moment when families embark on a charter.

Caroline Payen Silolona Sojourns Charter Manager with more than 25 years of yacht charter broker experience explains; ‘’ If there is one thing that differentiates a Silolona Sojourns family charter, it is ‘cultural essence’. Every single guest that boards finds that they develop a very emotional and physical connection to the crew and destination that they visit.’’ Curating each trip and the high level of hands-on personalization for guests, combined with that intense level of connection and relationship with communities visited, delivers a wow factor that has to be seen to be believed, and enables guests to be part of something much bigger and meaningful that just another vacation or yacht experience.

understands the needs of families and has worked with a wide variety of family friendly charter yachts is an essential in ensuring the yacht chosen by families is not only designed with families in mind, but also has the expertise of working with guests of various ages.

Many of the team and crew of Silolona Sojourns, have been with the company since its very first charter in Indonesia. With highly experience yacht charter broker Caroline Payen managing the guest and onsite team planning processes, Caroline laments on how the crew ‘’are one of the very best in the yacht charter industry in South East Asia in the planning and understanding of what is needed for a successful family charter.’’. Personally trained by Patti Seery, in all aspects of delivering wow factor experiences, and the delivery of high levels of personalized service, the crew are ‘exceptional caretakers’ when it comes to young

In destinations such as Alor, Indonesia guests are welcomed by villagers as if long lost family, exactly how the villagers great blood relatives. Visiting local families, they will be fully immersed into local cultures and activities that form part of their everyday lives. From horse riding with tribal warriors in search of farm to table food to be eaten at dinner, to interacting through local story telling, music, dance performances with villagers. Guests often feedback that these immersive events for years later have such a profound impact on them, that it changes their lives. Make no mistake, these activities are not a show put on for foreign guests, they are real authentic experiences that has young guests grow up Caroline mentions, they often return years later as adults with their own families –such is the impact of the interactions in their lives.

Silolona Sojourns are one of few charter operators with onboard PADI Dive Centre certification – South East Asia is home to some of the rarest marine life and biodiverse habitats

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Village Interactions

on our planet, making it a great region for inquisitive young minds and to explore as a family. From learning to dive or snorkeling amongst colorful coral reefs, and underground ‘gardens of the sea’, to responsible animal spotting and tracking with certified local guides, the meeting of indigenous tribes that bring local cultures and traditions alive.

When it comes to travel, food can be a tricky subject for those travelling with family. Working with guests long before they arrive in the destination, the Silolona Sojourns team ensure that no matter what the guests food requirements are, even the most challenging of diets and needs are catered for. Caroline says; ‘‘whilst we always encourage guests to eat locally sourced ingredients, and try local cuisine, we understand that this is not always possible with younger guests, and some guests have special dietary needs which can affect their health, so attention to the smallest of details is what sets us apart.’’ The onboard chefs of Silolona cool fresh authentic local cuisine to international dishes and special diets. With vast experience in food and beverage being able to cater to varied needs is an essential part of being an onboard chef with the company. Taking food into the guest experience, young guests can also take part in special ‘sous chef’ experiences with the chef team, learning how to prepare, make and serve dishes that will be eaten by the family – a great inter-

active and fun way to encourage children to try new things, and to learn the importance of cooking techniques as well as where our food comes from.

South East Asia where Silolona Sojourns sail is a great region for family yachting adventures. Safe, English speaking in many parts, and with a good all-round infrastructure, international hotels and access to world-class health and tourism facilities, making it a good choice for families who may be hesitant about long-haul travel and then sailing for extended periods of time. The Silolona Sojourns team have built excellent relationships with many of the region’s hotels and airline providers, ensuring from the moment guests step off the plane until the depart all of their needs are taken care of.

There is no better way to connect with family and spend time together again, as the world begins to open up than through a private yacht experience. Whilst there may still be some country or region-specific travel restrictions in place, Silolona Sojourns work with guests to ensure both a seamless booking and travel experience.

Silolona Sojourns can be contacted through Caroline Payen (caroline@silolona. com) who represents the company as their dedicated yacht charter manager.

Papuan Kids Welcoming Guests