The Triton 200901

Liveras killed Mumbai attacks claim yachting entrepreneur. A5

Just say ‘yes’

At sea again

Smile back after two decades. B1 Vol. 5, No.10

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January 2009

Do you like to steer away from harbor pilots?

YEP – SHE’S STILL IN THE KEYS

The S/Y Legacy is battle-scarred but not giving in and not going anywhere.

PHOTOS/CAPT. TOM SERIO

Halmos: Legacy ‘doesn’t want to leave’

By Capt. Tom Serio S/Y Legacy, the 158-foot Perini Navi sailing yacht shipwrecked by Hurricane Wilma in October 2005 and freed from the shallows of a marine sanctuary off Key West in early 2008, remains anchored in Key West Harbor, and for an unusual reason.

Having been able to get her engines and generators running again, along with the air conditioner and thrusters, owner Peter Halmos thought she would be out of there by now.

But at some point – it isn’t clear when or how – Legacy’s retractable keel slipped down and workers can’t get it raised.

Drawing 26-feet fully extended, and weighing 40-tons, Halmos explained that it’s dangerous for workers to be under the yacht, and the internal access through the inspection hatch where the mechanism is located is deep, under water and too tight to work in. With shallow water and obstructions, it

TRITON SURVEY: INTERNET Do you have Internet onboard?

No – 9%

Yes – 91%

Kind words, praise keep crew working.

C1

The owner is resilient, too. Owner Peter Halmos is staying in this houseboat and won’t leave, either. would be dangerous to try and get her out without lifting the keel a few feet.

If and when that happens, Halmos may motor her out despite the rudder being bent and head to a yard in Tampa for keel repairs. Plans past that point

are uncertain, with no commitment yet as to where the other repairs/ refurbishment will be done.

So Legacy floats alone in the harbor

See LEGACY, page A21

Over the past few years, harbor pilots have played a bigger role for megayachts cruising the United States East Coast. For some captains and owners, that role has gotten so big that they have changed itineraries to avoid what they see as an inconvenient From the Bridge and unnecessary Lucy Chabot Reed expense.

But other captains have never taken a pilot nor do they quite believe the regulations apply to private yachts.

So we decided to ask the megayacht captains gathered for our monthly roundtable discussion how they feel about harbor pilots. As a group, they acknowledged that it’s not that they don’t like pilots, it’s just that they don’t think they should be required on yachts.

“I have a little pride in being through thousands of miles and ports,” one captain said. “And then, literally, I need a pilot to take me a hundred feet? It’s unnecessary. … A pilot, if it’s a large enough vessel and a complicated entrance, then yes, it’s necessary.”

“A lot of this [recent pilotage regulation enforcement] was surprising for people as they were moving up in tonnage” another captain said. “When it happened to me, I didn’t like it. Just the fact that I need someone to take me

See BRIDGE, page A16

CAUGHT SNACKING Sometimes we forget that megayachts – and the crew on them – are sometimes unreachable, so dependent our culture has become on the Internet and e-mail. But it wasn’t such a long time ago that Internet access onboard was an uncommon luxury. How common was it onboard in 2008? Ninety-one percent of captains said their vessels have it. Find out more with the results from this month’s survey, page C1.

– Lucy Chabot Reed Statistics and graphics

by Lawrence Hollyfield

They do it every year. No matter where they are, the ever-cheerful elves on the 110-foot Delta M/Y Intrepid spread holiday cheer and sweet Christmas cookies. This year, Stew Becky Smith, center, and Chef Sylvie Staboli brightened the holidays of fellow boaters and marina staff at Vero Beach City Marina in Florida.

PHOTO/CAPT. CHRIS BERG

A January 2009 WHAT’S INSIDE

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Stowing owner privacy

Find out what Capt. Marc Wellnitz and M/Y Rain Maker PHOTO/DORIE COX went through to go charter. Page A8.

Advertiser directory C23 Boats / Brokers B7,9-11 Business Briefs A18-19 Calendar of events B17-18 Columns: Communications C10 Fitness C19 In the Galley C1 In the Stars B16 Latitude Adjustment A3 Literary Review C16 Nutrition C6 Personal Finance C18 Onboard Emergencies B4 Photography B15 Rules of the Road B1 Security B2

Stew Cues C11 Superyacht operations A20 Crossword puzzle C20 Dockmaster Profile: St. Thomas B6 Features: How I Got My Start C4 Fuel prices B5 Marinas / Yards A10 Networking Q/A C3 Networking photos C2 News A1,5,6,13-14 Photo Galleries A22-24 Technology B1-12 Triton spotter B19 Triton survey C1 Write to Be Heard A17,27

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LATITUDE ADJUSTMENT

January 2009

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Even crystal ball won’t show future for disparate captains The crisis in the financial markets has hit home for many yacht captains.

But the funny thing is that it’s done so in lots of different ways.

Whether captains are on a boat that has reigned in some costs, or let go from a yacht that plans to sit at the dock (and keeping only a mate or deckhand to Latitude keep her clean), Adjustment Lucy Chabot Reed or taking the lemons of this economic time to make lemonade by changing course in their lives, the stories reveal anything but a trend.

Industry folks – captains, brokers and business owners – have been calling me looking for answers, wanting to know what captains are doing out there, how the boat show was (it doesn’t matter which one; and they ask about shows I didn’t even attend).

They are looking for some comfort, I guess, and I tell them the best I can.

Yes, some captains have been laid off, and as you might imagine, they don’t want their names to appear here.

I try to encourage them to tell their stories, but somehow this industry – humans in general, I guess – see people who have been laid off as having some sort of flaw.

It’s not your fault. It happens. Use this time to market yourself. Tell everyone you know you are looking for work. You never know where your next post will come from.

But captains are also getting jobs.

Capt. Gianni Brill has taken over M/Y Perle Bleue, the 124-foot Hakvoort.

Brill helped return the yacht to Holland last spring for some warranty work and has been looking for Brill a permanent post pretty much ever since. He was this close to moving back out to California to do something else with his life when Perle Bleue took him on full time this fall.

The yacht has been in Palm Beach so far this winter, waiting for charters for the Caribbean. But eventually, she plans to head back to Europe for Brill’s eighth trans-Atlantic and the summer charter season.

“We have a happy crew of seven from

New Zealand and England,” he said.

And not all captains are finding captain jobs. The smart Capt. Stan Glover went back to school this fall for an engineering ticket and has joined the happy crew of Perle Bleue as engineer. Chief Stewardess Rita Glover has also joined the yacht, so there are couples posts available, too.

There are other options, too. I’ve talked to a surprising number of captains who have been taking courses to position themselves for jobs in the commercial industry if things don’t loosen up after the holidays.

Some don’t want their names published because they believe it would taint their chances of getting a yacht job should things shake loose, but Capt. David Hare sees his shift to commercial a wise career move.

Already hired by Edison Chouest in Louisiana, Hare is a training captain on a 280-foot supply vessel. When we spoke in midDecember, he was Hare in his first tour of 28 days on, 14 days off and was, and I quote him here, “over the moon.”

“The crew is excellent, cooperative and all willing to assist me in the learning curve,” he said. “And the food is good. It’s not bad.”

Hare hopes to follow a fast track that will raise his USCG license to a 6,000 ton endorsement. Though currently on a vessel of 1,860 grt, he said he’s expecting to be on a 5,500 grt vessel next tour. After 180 days on that ship, he will have the bigger tonnage endorsement as well as the Third Mate Unlimited endorsement, putting him on the unlimited ladder.

“It is conceivable that in five years I will have earned the Unlimited Masters/Any Ship/Any Ocean rating, the PhD in the industry.”

Hare approached the job strictly out of survival mode.

“I like to eat food,” he said by phone off duty. “I am $48,000 in debt with credit cards and school loans.”

Though he was offered a few yacht jobs this fall, he said “I couldn’t get anything that made sense. The only thing was a 70- or 80-foot Azimut, babysitting that in the Bahamas. There was just nothing out there, and after literally getting on my knees, [one crew placement agent] said I should think about commercial work.”

See LATITUDE, page A4

A January 2009 LATITUDE ADJUSTMENT

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And there are those who find work off boats, out of yachting LATITUDE, from page A24

Capt. Bernard Charon has given I asked Hare if he would leave up looking for that for a yacht job, and he said, without perfect owner and hesitating, no. is working with “Now with the security I have here Thierry Voisin at his and the migration path,” he said. “And firm in the south of having 14 days off is very attractive to France. Voisin has me. I can go anywhere in the world to become an expert relax for those 14 days.” in the areas of VAT, Charon While the 12-hour shift can be customs and port physically and mentally demanding issues in Europe, as well as taking the – imagine having to watch the dynamic role of president of the Mediterranean positioning screen that is keeping Yacht Brokers Association this year. the vessel 10m from the oil platform Charon has joined the company as a for two hours at the end of the shift yacht agent and manager. Because he’s – the 12 hours off he has each day are spent many years running large yachts, relaxing. he said he knows how much of a role “When I go to my bunk at 12 hours, to play in a yacht, and how often he no one would bother me unless the should stay out of it. boat is sinking,” he said. “On yachts, “Captains do not want managers,” I was forever being roused up for the he said. “Why? Because they interfere. smallest damn thing. I’m sleeping On the other hand, I was grateful if longer and better now than I have in 20 someone helped me, especially with the years at sea. paperwork. Captains “Just wanted to ‘I’m just not going to don’t have the give you that update accept that there are no time do everything to let you know that because they have a I am happy, at peace jobs out there.’ boat to run. I know and being treated – Capt. Adam Lambert what these guys well, vastly better who recently quit a job need, what these than being on the guys want.” beach fretting,” he Like many captains, he’s leery of said. yacht managers. But he’s known Voisin For those captains with jobs, most 10 years. They met when Charon’s boat have just put their head down and kept was having an import problem. When working, even if French officials said they were going to the situation or seize the boat, he said he was going to owner wasn’t ideal. see Voisin. The officers backed down.

But Capt. Adam “Because they know Thierry would Lambert quit his sort it all out.” post this fall when And he did. So Charon is confident the demands of the this shift in careers isn’t a temporary owner got to be too move, but a long-term one that will much. only grow as the yachting industry “I’m just not continues to grow.

Lambert going to accept So for all those folks wondering that there are what’s going on “out there” in the world no jobs out there,” he said. “This one of yachting, it is everything you have wasn’t working for me anymore so I left heard, and the opposite. We’ve all it. Tell captains you know that there’s a heard it a million times, but it’s true: job out there.”

Every boat is different; every owner is Lambert was taking the holidays off different. and planned to get back in the market I don’t have a crystal ball, but if I did, this spring.

I have a feeling we would all see that Other captains who are out of work the yachting industry will be just fine. have been a bit choosy, not wanting a It can be hard to believe that, certain size or itinerary. especially when your job is the one And some captains, of course, have that’s been lost, but it just might be found land-based jobs (not always time for a latitude adjustment for the because of the economy but now industry as a whole, and will likely seemed as good a time as any). shake out some owners that never had Capt. Norm Fougere has launched the resources to own a yacht in the first Restructure Florida, a company place. that distributes several sealant and protectant products developed with Have you made an adjustment in nanotechnology. The Restructure your latitude recently? Let us know. product recently won an award at Send news of your promotion, change the Marine Aftermarket Accessories of yachts or career, or personal Trade Show (MAATS) in Las Vegas last accomplishments to Editor Lucy Chabot summer.

Reed at lucy@the-triton.com.

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NEWS

January 2009

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Andreas Liveras killed in terrorist attacks in Mumbai Andreas Liveras, founder and chairman of Liveras Yachts in Monaco, was killed by terrorists during the attacks in Mumbai in late November, Just moments before he was shot, Mr. Liveras had called the BBC news organization to offer a live report from the basement of the Taj Majal Palace hotel where he was moved with about 1,000 other people.

“The hotel is shaking every time a bomb goes off,” he told the BBC. “Everybody is just living on their nerves.”

Hours later, at 9:30 p.m. local time on Nov. 26, Mr. Liveras was pronounced

Antigua honors chefs The 9th annual Antigua Charter Yacht’s Concours de Chef competition was held in conjunction with the show in early December. The theme this year was a Caribbean dinner party.

Chefs were required to prepare a main course and a chocolate dessert.

The winners are:

On yachts of 150 feet and over:

First place to Chef Zak Phillips of Amnesia Second place to Chef Benoit Mercier of M/Y Destination Fox Harb’r Too Third place to Chef Nicole Poirier of Andromeda La Dia

On yachts from 91 to 149 feet:

First place to Chef Phillipe Le Scelleur of M/Y Arioso Second place to Chef Leslie Bore of Sedation Third place to Chef Chani Mare of Sea Shuttle

On yachts 90 feet and under:

First place to Dennis Starks of Fearless Second place to Chef Andrea Clark of Matau Third place to Chef Israel Campbell of S/Y Y Not Corey Marion of Tivoli won an honorable mention.

In the table display competition:

First place to M/Y Destination Fox Harb’r Too Second place to Sea Wolf Third place to S/Y Y Not

Carib Bean Coffee Roasters category

First place to Chef Zak Phillips of Amnesia Second place to Chef Stephan Dessimore of Axioma Third place to Chef Wendy Weller of Irishman

CORRECTION Capt. Ian van der Watt is the active skipper on M/Y Queen of Diamonds. A story on page A12 in the December issue indicated otherwise.

dead by doctors at St George’s hospital, according to a story in the Associated Press.

He died of “multiple gunshot wounds,” according to several news reports. Terrorists perpetrated the attacks on two hotels, a railway station and a restaurant and left 173 people dead.

“Not only was Andreas one of the great entrepreneurs and characters of the yachting business; he was also a much loved and respected father, grandfather and friend,” his company said in a statement.

Mr. Liveras, 73, was a self-made

millionaire who ran a successful bakery business in London before selling it in 2006 for £130million and setting up a yachting business based in Monaco.

Liveras Yachts operates the 280-foot (85m) M/Y Alysia, which can take 36 guests, and the 296-foot (90m) M/Y Lauren L, which can accommodate up to 40 guests. He was in Bombay for a trade show and went to the Taj Majal for dinner because he heard it served the best curry in town.

“Andreas was warm, loving and generous, always entertaining and happy to share his wealth with others,” charter broker Shannon Webster wrote

on her blog. “I will miss him at our charter shows and his ever present, and genuinely happy-to-see-you smile.”

Five employees from Edmiston Yachts, including Nicholas Edmiston, were hosting an event in Mumbai aboard Alysia at the time of the attacks.

None of them were hurt.

“Andreas was a close personal friend and a wonderful person with whom to do business,” Edmiston Yachts said in a statement. “Always straightforward, honest and generous, he was a bon viveur to the last. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.”

– Compiled from news reports

A January 2009 NEWS: Global Order Book

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ShowBoats’ order book exceeds 1,000 megayachts For the first time since ShowBoats International magazine has been keeping track, the number of megayacht projects on order has surpassed 1,000.

The 2009 Global Order Book, which is published in the magazine’s December/January issue, includes 1,019 power and sail yachts over 80 feet (24m) on order for the current year.

This reflects an increase of 11 percent over the number of projects on order in 2008, a slowing of the remarkable growth of 17.9 percent recorded over last year. Statistics were compiled from reports from over 120 builders worldwide.

The total length of all yachts reported in this year’s order book would extend for 24 miles (39 km) if lined up bow to stern. That’s nearly three miles longer than last year’s total.

With this year’s increases, the industry’s global order book has more than doubled since the last decline in 2003. That year, orders fell nearly 5 percent to 482 from 507 in 2002.

The majority of growth in the 2009 Global Order Book is in orders for yachts between 80 and 200 feet, with orders up over 10 percent from 2008. The magazine called that level of increase remarkable considerig markets for vessels under 80 feet showing declines. For example, U.S. recreational boating sales have shown a nearly 30 percent drop in the past three years, with more declines expected in 2009, the magazine reported.

The largest single-category increase in orders was 16 percent for yachts 150 to 199 feet. The 80- to 99-foot segment saw an almost 10 percent increase and the 100- to 119-foot group saw orders grow 6 percent.

Italy once again tops the list of countries with the most new yachts on order with 523. Although No. 2 on the list of countries, yachts built in the United States paled in comparison with just 113 orders.

The average length of vessels built in the United States were larger than those in Italy by about 15 feet (130 feet compared with 116).

Although Germany finished fourth in number of projects (32), it had the largest average project length at 270 feet, a bit smaller than last year’s firstplace finish at 294-foot average.

The Netherlands placed third on the countries list with 77 projects, but second on the list of largest average project length at 174, a bit larger than last year’s 161 feet.

As for builders, Azimut-Benetti, Feretti Group and Rodriguez Group finished in the top three positions based on total length on order, the same order as last year.

Azimut-Benetti reports 13,030 total

feet on order (3,972m) in 111 projects averaging 117 feet.

Feretti Group reports 10,148 total feet on order (3,093m) in 97 projects averaging 105 feet.

Rodriguez Group reports 7,211 total feet on order (2,198m) in 56 projects averaging 129 feet.

Lurssen and ThyssenKrupp/Blohm + Voss were tied for first with the largest average length of yachts on order at 287 feet, but Lurssen has more projects (16) for more feet (4,593) than ThyssenKrupp/Blohm + Voss (9 projects totaling 2,581 feet). They are the only two builders in the top 20 with average vessel size exceeding 200 feet.

Overall, though, the 60-meter-andup category registered 88 units this year for 5,267 meters.

And the average length of yachts over 60m is 73m (just under 240 feet).

Well over a third of the units reported are under 70 meters in length.

Amels, which did not break out information by project because of confidentiality agreements, was not included in this total. It reported 11 projects totaling 609 meters in length, giving it an average project length of 55.36 meters.

The largest single yacht on the 2009 Global Order Book is the same as it has been since 2006: Blohm + Voss’ Hull No. NB 978, reported by the shipyard to be in excess of 525 feet (160m). This yacht – that the magazine noted is rumored to be Project Eclipse in build for Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich at about $300 million – should launch in the next year or so.

“A few builders declined to release specific details about their order books, citing confidentiality agreements,” the magazine reported. “However, virtually every builder of note provided some information, making this year’s accounting perhaps the most precise ever.”

The Global Order Book was established in 1992 by the editors of ShowBoats International with the purpose of providing a body of data, compiled annually in a systematic fashion, to show the scope of economic activity within the international large luxury yacht community.

Each year, the magazine presents a list of yachts 80 feet (24.38m) and longer on order at shipyards throughout the world as of Sept. 1.

For a yacht to be included in the survey, it must be a signed contract and with a minimum 10 percent deposit received by the shipyard on or about Sept. 1; speculative construction may be listed, but only if actual construction, i.e. cutting metal, hull lay-up or tooling manufacture, is started by or about Sept. 1, 2008.

– Staff report

A January 2009 FEATURE: Converting private use to charter

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The M/Y Rain Maker has horizontal cubby holes under the doghouse to PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. MARC WELLNITZ store the owner’s wine and spirits.

Converting to charter service produces a lengthy to-do list

By Dorie Cox Capt. Marc Wellnitz never anticipated needing 50 pairs of snorkel fins. But B.C. (before charter), things were different on M/Y Rain Maker.

Since the owners decided to put the 112-foot Westport into charter service, it’s been a whirlwind of shopping trips, yard stays and phone calls with every sector of the industry to not only take the yacht through its physical transition, but to take the crew through an operational one as well.

“I can’t believe how often our maritime attorney talked with the Marshall Islands,” Wellnitz said of the flag switch from the Cayman Islands.

To learn all he could, Wellnitz consulted the owners first on what they wanted from chartering their boat, then flag state officers on what new regulations would apply, surveyors on how to make modifications, and lawyers about contracts, coverage and liability issues. He increased expenses, added crew training, filled out more log books, revised schedules and pondered crew changes. And he oversaw vessel modifications both inside and out.

“The list just kept growing,” he said.

First, Rain Maker’s two owners wanted their personal items to stay on board. This meant the yacht needed double the storage for things like clothing and alcohol. Wellnitz instructed carpenters to build a removable wall in the yacht’s deep closets to store the owner’s clothes. To a charter guest, it appears as a regular closet and the crew easily rotates clothes to the secret closet. Other clothes and personal items are stowed in drawers under the bed in the master stateroom and secured with childprooftype locks.

But Wellnitz had to get creative

when deciding how to stow the owners’ alcoholic beverages. Realizing that bottles stored standing consume valuable space on a yacht sole, he designed horizontal cubby holes under the doghouse to store wine and spirits.

Everything else on Rain Maker stays put when charterers are onboard, except family photographs are replaced with tropical pictures to maintain the owners’ privacy.

Rain Maker didn’t need too many adjustments for guest and crew quarters, but often vessels will make alterations to be more flexible to an assortment of guests. A common adaptation is to build bed frames that allow twin beds to convert to a king and vice versa. The number of heads and showers often need to be increased. It also isn’t unusual to add televisions and satellite receivers to accommodate guests in each cabin.

Wellnitz ran charters with four crew. A steward had left the yacht prior to the switch to chartering, so he intentionally chose a new stew with charter experience. The rest of the crew adapted to the change.

Rain Maker’s ship’s registry and insurance company required the crew to get their STCW (Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping) certificates. The Marshall Islands flag required the yacht to have more personal flotation devices and fire extinguishers, as well as required the crew to perform more safety drills and keep more log books.

“The local Marshall Islands registry representative came with lists and guided us through the change,” Wellnitz said. “They got us the correct logbooks and documents, also.”

Many guests charter specifically

See CHARTER, page A9

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www.the-triton.com NEWS: New electronic reporting requirement

Aircraft must file e-notice, too U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced that pilots are required to submit advance notice and manifest information via an electronic data interchange system beginning Dec. 18, 2008. A 180-day grave period makes it voluntary until May 18.

The electronic submission includes the same data elements previously provided. Notices are required no later than 60 minutes prior to departure for flights arriving in or departing from the United States.

CBP will require pilots departing from the United States to a foreign location to file notice electronically and obtain permission to depart. Departure clearance is required for commercial aircraft, and the new rule makes such

reporting consistent for all general aviation aircraft.

Private aircraft are defined as any aircraft, other than government or military, which are not engaged in carrying passengers or cargo for compensation.

The new process will standardize advance notice procedures for all CBP airports of entry, according to a government statement. Some but not all CBP locations also have requested that pilots fax information about passengers, crew and aircraft.

CBP has created an online system called eAPIS (electronic Advance Passenger Information System) to help flyers meet the requirements: https:// eapis.cbp.dhs.gov. More information on how to use eAPIS, is at www.cbp.gov.

No charter meat grinder here: Crew ordered to take days off CHARTER, from page A8 for the water activities. So while Rain Maker’s owners never wanted to water ski, they had to buy water trampolines, towable tubes and boards, and kayaks.

And they had to make room to store them all.

“We now have 50 pairs of snorkel fins and 25 snorkel masks,” Wellnitz laughed. “We figured out how to organize by taking guests, one at a time, and getting them to pick their gear, stow it in a bag and keep it together for the entire week.”

Although Rain Maker chose to keep its food service and entertaining lowkey, the crew did make some changes in the galley.

“Our boat had been completely set to our owners’ likes and dislikes, and our owners never requested waffles or theme nights,” Wellnitz said.

One thing the owners did request was that the crew not overtax themselves running charters. While many yachts attempt 24-hour turnarounds on charters, Rain Maker’s owners insisted the crew take five to seven days between trips. The crew uses that time to get the carpets cleaned, make minor repairs, provision and take a bit of down time.

“The owners want us to be fresh,” Wellnitz said. “It does cut into the profit, but it is great for us.”

Marshall Islands registry allows 84 days of charter a year. Those days were carefully scheduled as Rain Maker’s owners had to decide who got the boat on desirable dates such as Christmas and Spring Break – them or paying passengers? The decision came down to the owners’ priorities and finances, considering holidays are the prime time for charter bookings.

“The owners got the first shot at

A closet behind a closet keeps the owner’s clothes proected from guests.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. MARC WELLNITZ

the schedule, and even though both families have kids, they did give up Spring Break,” Wellnitz said.

But in light of the current economic condition, the owners cancelled the trips for the winter.

“The owners knew chartering wouldn’t make money,” Wellnitz said.

“It’s expensive to go to the islands, especially if it is only for a few charters.”

Instead, the crew got the holidays off. As for what 2009 holds, Wellnitz said, “we’re just waiting to see what happens.”

Dorie Cox is a staff reporter with The Triton. Comments on this story are welcome at dorie@the-triton.com.

January 2009

A

A10 January 2009 MARINAS / YARDS

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Marina Papagayo opening in Costa Rica The first phase of Marina Papagayo in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, opened to its first megayacht in December.

Part of the 2,300-acre Peninsula Papagayo residential and recreational resort, the marina has 180 slips for vessels up to 240 feet in the ShoreMaster floating dock system. At build-out, anticipated by 2012, the $15 million marina will have 350 wet slips.

Capt. Dan Eaffaldano is general manager of the marina. An official Marina Papagayo powerboat escorted the first vessel into port as a ceremonial gesture of goodwill to all yachtsmen.

Arriving yachts included the 164-foot M/Y Seaquest, a tri-deck Westport on its maiden voyage. The average size boat that arrived at the marina was 110 feet in length.

Developer Ecodesarrollo Papagayo commissioned Brandy Marine of Sarasota, Fla., to manage and help design the marina. Eaffaldano also serves as president of Brandy’s Costa Rican operations.

The marina will have a waterfront, Italian-style village patterned after Portofino, notched into the hillside.

Shops, restaurants, night clubs, a hotel and condominiums will front the village while large hillside homes and gardens will overlook the marina and Bahia de Culebra. The developer plans

for the Alaska salmon operations of Wards Cove Packing Company. In 2002, the company exited the salmon industry, freeing up the property for development.

Jedison to build in Ft. Lauderdale

to establish a charter fleet offering deep-sea fishing, sailing, cruising and diving. Operations are expected to open early this year The main dock is wide enough for two golf carts to drive side-by-side.

Other services include 110v and 220v power, grey water and sewer hookups at each slip, hard wired and wireless Internet access, signals for handheld devices and global cellular phones, plus high-speed and high-capacity diesel fuel and gasoline pumping. A private crew facility is expected to include bath suites, a business center, cable TV, gym with Jacuzzi, movie theater, food and bar service, and swimming pool.

Peninsula Papagayo is within 30 minutes of Daniel Oduber International Airport at Liberia (LIR), which is served by four U.S. airlines and private jet aircraft. Guanacaste is a new northernmost port of entry in Costa Rica. For more information, visit www. marinapapgayo.com.

– Chris Barnett

Jedison Catamaran and Kymeera Investments have partnered to construct catamarans for a new ferry system in Nigeria. Jedison will build the 150-passenger ferries at Lauderdale Marine Center in Ft. Lauderdale.

Jedison is a partnership between Knowles Mobile Marine of Ft. Lauderdale and Bulldog Marine of Stockbridge, Ga., for the design and construction of the 70-foot power cats.

The core composite/fiberglass hull cats will be used in Lagos, Nigeria.

“We are conservatively estimating between 10-20 initial jobs, starting with laminators, fiberglassers, etc., and then adding others as production proceeds,” said Lisa Knowles, vice president of Jedison. Plans are for Jedison to build 20 ferries over the next two years.

Kymeera Investment invests in privately financed infrastructure projects from its offices in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria.

Baja to get luxury development

Megayacht marina opens in Seattle

A new megayacht marina at Wards Cove on Lake Union in Seattle opened in December. The freshwater marina features Bellingham Marine’s Unifloat system designed to cater to megayachts. The marina has 11 slips of 100 feet in length with views of downtown. Each slip is equipped with 200 amps of dedicated power, telephone, Internet and TV services, sewage pumpouts, freshwater systems, and wash-water treatment posts with a phosphate cartridge and sediment filter to prevent spotting. Nine of the slips have been leased.

Wards Cove on Lake Union is a waterfront community of 12 floating homes, the marina and 14,500 square feet of office space. Upland construction is expected to begin this spring.

The waterfront property on Lake Union served as a support facility

Cabo Riviera, a luxury residential and commercial development on the East Cape of the Baja Peninsula, has broken ground. The 900-acre development will be anchored by two luxury hotels and will include a 285-slip marina, golf course and residences.

Construction of the marina has begun, and construction of the fivestar hotel will begin in the first quarter of 2009. Residential properties are currently being sold.

Marina at Naples Bay open

The yacht club and marina at Naples Bay Resort is open. The 97-slip marina, designed and built by Bellingham Marine, offers a fuel dock, in-slip sewage pumpout services, and 50 amp, 110/220 power supply.

The nine-acre resort was built by Antaramian Development Group and contains private condominiums, a fourstar hotel and 33,000 square feet of retail space. Construction began in late October 2007 after numerous delays related to local permits and work space on site.

The Triton

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NEWS BRIEFS

Despite presence of navies, another hijack off Somalia Pirates hijacked a yacht in the Gulf of Aden on Dec. 16, the third ship to be taken within 24 hours off Somalia despite the presence of international navies.

“I know that a yacht was taken on Tuesday night,” Andrew Mwangura of the Kenyan-based East African Seafarers Assistance program told Reuters news service. “There were two people on board but we have no other information on that case.”

Pirates also hijacked an Indonesian tugboat and a Turkish cargo ship on Dec. 16. There was no other news available about the yacht or its crew by press time.

In related news, the Royal Navy’s Rear Admiral Phil Jones took charge on Dec. 8 of the European Union-led counter-piracy naval operation, which is to operate off the coast of Somalia, according to a report from Defence News. The operation, called Op Atlanta, is the EU’s first naval task force.

Days later, EU helicopters and warships intervened in the in-progress hijacking of a Chinese ship by nine pirates toting rocket launchers and machine guns. The crew of 30 on the M/V Zhenhua 4, flagged in St. Vincent, locked itself in ship’s quarters and used fire hydrants and firebombs to keep the pirates out. When EU forces showed up, the pirates fled, according to a story in Maritime Executive magazine.

Indian naval forces interrupted an attempted boarding of the Ethiopianflagged M/V Gibe. The pirates tried to flee, but were stopped. Indian commandos boarded the pirate boat and seized 12 Somalis and 11 Yemeni nationals as well as arms and equipment, Maritime Executive reported.

U.S. biometric expansion

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in midDecember that it is expanding the categories of non-U.S. citizens required to provide digital fingerprints and a photograph upon entry to the United States.

Additional non‑U.S. citizens required to provide biometrics include: l Lawful permanent residents of the United States (LPRs); l Persons entering the United States who seek admission on immigrant visas; and l Canadian citizens who are currently required to obtain a Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Document upon entry or require a waiver of inadmissibility to enter the United States.

Linking a person’s biometric information to his or her travel documents reduces the risk that a traveler’s identity or documents could

be intentionally misused by someone attempting to gain entry into the United States, DHS said in a statement.

Biometric collection requirements apply to most non-U.S. citizens, with limited exemptions, entering the United States regardless of country of origin or whether they are traveling on a visa or by air, sea or land. NonU.S. citizens under the age of 14 and over the age of 79 are exempt. The enforcement deadline was not revealed.

Loan foreclosures in DR, Pier 17

Regions Bank filed foreclosure proceedings against the $27.5 million loan it made to Pier 17 Marina and Yacht Club in Ft. Lauderdale, according to a story in the South Florida Business Journal. Pier 17 is the marina concept with plans for 26 covered in-water slips on the north bank of the New River across from Lauderdale Marine Center.

After 20 months in the government process, it obtained approval in May for its building plans and was expected to begin site work this summer. Capt. Brad Tate, who steered the project through that process, was laid off Sept. 1 and has moved to California.

Cap Cana resort in the Dominican Republic – which was to include a megayacht marina – fired 500 workers in October after Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy and a $250 million loan fell through, according to story by the Associated Press. It received a $100 million bridge loan that was to mature on Dec. 29.

New York tax

The New York Times reported in mid-December that New York Gov. David A. Paterson will propose $4 billion in taxes and fees on a range of items, including luxury items such as yachts, when he unveils his plan to close the state’s $15 billion deficit.

The budget was expected to be announced Dec. 23, after The Triton had gone to press.

No-discharge

Officials in Maine have requested the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant the state a no-discharge

See NEWS BRIEFS, page A14

January 2009

A13

A14 January 2009 NEWS BRIEFS

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Sunken treasue battle ongoing between Odyssey and Spain NEWS BRIEFS, from page A13 area for the waters of Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Wells.

Maine has certified that there are five pumpout facilities within the area available to the boating public. The majority of facilities are connected to the sewage system.

Maine told the EPA that the total vessel population is estimated to be 537 in the area. It is estimated that 195 may have a Marine Sanitation Device (MSD) of some type.

The area is identified as a High Value Wildlife Habitat by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and contains the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. The area includes 672 acres of essential habitat for the federally endangered Piping Plover and Least Tern. There are 11 beaches, three marinas, three boat launches, and four campgrounds.

Comments are due by Jan. 12. Direct comments to Docket ID No. EPA– R01–OW–2008–0875, and file through www.regulations.gov (follow the online instructions for submitting comments), rodney.ann@epa.gov, or by fax at +1617-918–0538.

Odyssey still in court

Odyssey Marine Exploration, the world’s only publicly traded company

(NasdaqCM: OMEX) dedicated to deep ocean shipwreck exploration, is still in court for the salvage rights to the $500 million worth of sunken treasure it recovered off of Portugal in 2007.

It has requested salvage rights to the 17 tons of Colonial-era coins.

But Spain has claimed sovereign immunity, claiming the treasure was carried by a Spanish warship known as the Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes and is immune from any U.S. claim.

In mid-November, Tampa-based Odyssey filed its response, which was accompanied by more than 1,000 pages of supportive documentation, asserting that sovereign immunity only applies on military ships on a noncommercial mission, according to a story in the Tampa Tribune. The Mercedes wasn’t on an exclusively military mission when it sank south of Portugal in 1804, the company said, and there were no signs or evidence of a ship at the site.

The company says the majority of the cargo was commercial cargo that was privately owned.

The admiralty case is pending in U.S. District Court in Tampa. A judge must first decide whether the U.S. court has jurisdiction over the case.

“As the public will now see, there are many facts that contradict the claims made by Spanish experts related to the site,” Odyssey Chief Executive Officer

Greg Stemm said in a public statement, noting that several descendents of the private merchants on the ship have expressed interest in their share of the salvage.

“We find them to be as puzzled as we are that Spain would seek to obtain sole rights to the coins recovered by Odyssey,” Stemm said.

Laws grant nations sovereign immunity over sunken warships in international waters. If the Mercedes is deemed to be a warship, Odyssey could be ordered to return the coins to Spain.

In related news, on Jan. 15, Discovery Channel begins an 11-part series on treasure recovery featuring Odyssey.

SXM fuel cut

After the charter show in St. Maarten in early December, the Dutch side of the island of St. Maartent/St. Marin was without electricity for much of the weekend because of a fuel shortage, prompting city officials to call for the resignation of the managing director of the its utilities company, according to news reports.

“It is unbelievable that one day into the official high tourist and megayacht season the island would be plunged into darkness because of a fuel shortage,” National Alliance parliamentarian Frans Richardson told St. Maarten’s Daily Herald newspaper.

New president of PYA

Capt. Andrew Schofield, master of M/Y White Rose of Drachs, has taken the helm as president of the Professional Yachtsmen’s Association, replacing Capt. Peter Evans who stepped down at the group’s annual meeting in November after three years as the group’s president.

Joey Meen of the crew advisory service Askjoey is the new secretary, replacing Tork Buckley, editor of The Yacht Report. Buckley will share the role of vice president with Capt. Gordon Percy who is working on a new build in the Netherlands.

Capt. Jeff Marsh of M/Y Montkaj remains as treasurer.

Discussion in the open portion of the meeting focused on issues with, and potential effects of, the MLC 2006 ILO convention, according to a news release about the event.

“There are ever more rules and regulations in the IMO pipeline,” Schofield said. “New annexes to Marpol and the MLC will significantly impact yachting. There is also talk of a 13/36 code that will allow yachts to carry up to 36 passengers. So the whole process of consultation that gave us LY1 and subsequently LY2 will be repeated to form the 13/36 rules.”

The PYA remains the only “wet feet” industry body.

A16 January 2009 FROM THE BRIDGE: Harbor pilots

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‘My problem is I can’t find comprehensive information’ BRIDGE, from page A1 in, it just grates on me.”

As always, individual comments are not attributed to any one person in particular so as to encourage frank and open discussion. The attending captains are identified in a photograph on page A16.

It was interesting to note the different experiences that were expressed in this room of eight captains. Some call the port or pilot association every time they enter a harbor; some never do. Even in the same waterway, a few captains lamented the inconvenience and cost of having to order a pilot; others say they have never bothered.

“In the Chesapeake, you have to have a pilot if you are over 300 tons, foreign flag,” one captain said. “But I asked them, ‘what if you’re on a private cruising license?’ and they said, ‘right, you don’t need one.’

“These regulations were created for commercial vessels, not yachts,” he said. “When you point out to them that it is a private, recreational vessel, they say you don’t need one.”

“That hasn’t worked for me,” one captain said. “When I call, the Coast Guard informs me I don’t need a pilot, but then the pilots association says I do. I’m 208 tons, 112 feet, and it’s caused a conflict many times.”

“That’s because it’s a profit center for the pilots,” another captain said.

“If it was up to them, they’d make it required for everyone over 12 feet. My problem is I can’t find comprehensive information. The regulations are different everywhere you go.”

“It’s the same in Canada,” another captain said. “I have a devil of a time finding out what’s needed.”

“Go through a ships agent,” one captain suggested. “They can tell you

Attendees of The Triton’s January Bridge luncheon were, from left, Zsolt Esztergomy of M/Y Copasetic, Ken Bronkie, Matt Hedrick, Chuck Hudspeth of M/Y Via Kassablanca, Adrian Loughborough (behind), Michael Parks of M/V Beauport, Jeff Neuwirth (behind), and Ned Stone.

PHOTO/LUCY REED what’s needed in every port. If you’ve got questions, ask the commercial agents in a port. They know.”

And while many captains don’t use agents in the United States, several said it’s becoming more common as regulations continue to increase.

“If I’m going into a port I’m not familiar with, I’ll use an agent,” one captain said. “You get an ally to find out all the details in each place. In the United States, start with the port authority. Ask them for people and their numbers.”

“The reason they [owners] have these yachts is because they don’t want t be on these schedules,” a captain said.

“You have to request a pilot 24 or 48 hours in advance. That cramps the style of the yacht. A good agent is key.”

That advanced notice can sometimes thwart an owner’s lastminute decision to take a trip or dinner cruise.

“As yachts get bigger and bigger,

they are getting larger than commercial vessels,” a captain said. “The pilots and the port authority say ‘wait, this is crazy. We need to pay attention to these guys.’”

“But it shouldn’t apply to personal vessels,” another said. “People have private vessels so they can move when they want to.”

“Pilots know what other vessels are doing as well,” said a third. “In most cases, they’re necessary when you’re coming in or leaving. But in an extensive area, like the Chesapeake or Alaska …” “… or Long Island Sound …” another captain interrupted. “… in those areas, it’s unreasonable that you need a pilot for every time you move.”

“Pilots are there to regulate the flow of commercial traffic,” another captain said. “Those huge cargo ships are designed to go straight. The maneuverability, the level of crew and

the level of expertise on yachts should warrant an exemption from the pilot requirements.”

“I think the issue of taking a pilot should be one of common sense.”

This started a conversation about decision making: who should make the decision to have a pilot on board and under what conditions? If the function of a harbor pilot is to ensure safety, who should be responsible for the yacht’s voyage?

“The ultimate responsibility for the vessel is on us, there’s no doubt, but the pilot is good to have,” a captain said.

“He knows all the communications and the ins and outs of the harbor. I say let him do it.”

One captain suggested raising flags that formally request a waiver to the pilotage requirement. (He thought at first it was Whiskey X-Ray, but then couldn’t be sure.)

“If you put it up, a formal request, you’re not hiding anything,” he said. “If they don’t respond, it’s not your fault.”

Several captains were skeptical of trying to circumvent the regulation.

“I can’t take that chance,” one captain said. “Especially if the owner is on board or if the owner is waiting for me, I can’t take the chance of being detained.”

There are legitimate ways to obtain a waiver or avoid having to request and wait for a pilot. One captain hired a local captain with the pilot’s endorsement on his license to join the crew for a cruise. Another hired a pilot to stay onboard during their cruise spanning several days.

So where would these captains want a pilot?

“Harbor Island,” one captain said and several agreed. “Now that’s a place where there’s a valid reason for it, not

See BRIDGE, page A17

The Triton

www.the-triton.com WRITE TO BE HEARD: Safety drills

One consultant’s view of drills Dear Editor: I read the article on safety drills with interest [“Safety drills do get done, but do they get done well?” captains roundtable, December issue, page A1].

Safety drills are a vital part of ensuring the safety of all persons, not only guests and crew but also people working on docks in marinas, fueling the boats and any number of everyday activities. Emergency response to any situation should be almost instinct and the only way it reaches that level is by having regular drills so that all crew have the appropriate training and knowledge of their surroundings.

Water’s Edge Consulting is a company that provides safety management systems, security plans and other regulatory solutions for a large fleet of yachts, mostly over 500 tons but also a few under 500.

Yachts over 500grt that charter and are commercially registered are required to have a safety management system that complies with the ISM Code and typically includes drills and exercises for all contingencies.

They are also required to have a management company ashore to ensure that all of the requirements of the system are met. These requirements, including drills, must be recorded and reviewed during annual inspections or audits.

Yachts under 500grt are still required to maintain a safety management system known as a mini ISM that has many of the same features but has less stringent annual inspections.

We had an interesting situation during a drill when the crew were required to get to their muster stations from the crew mess with all normal exits blocked. The general alarm was sounded and the crew exited through the escape hatch in an orderly manner and reached the muster station without problems.

We conducted the same drill again,

only this time, as the alarm was sounded, we extinguished all lights and introduced a great deal of noise and smoke. The difference was quite amazing. Crew that had completed the same exercise only a few minutes earlier had great difficulty escaping to the muster station.

Several of the crew wore heart rate monitors during the drill and it was apparent that during the second exercise they were under great stress.

It is difficult to create real-life emergency situations but every effort should be made so that drills attempt to simulate real events. The four modules of STCW basic training are just that – basic – and do not recreate an event the way it will happen in a real emergency.

Fire drills should involve suiting up, wearing breathing apparatus and manhandling a charged hose into a tight space, perhaps down a couple of flights of steps.

MOB (man overboard) drills should require that a person – or something that resembles a partially conscious, clothed, soaking wet 200-pound human – be dragged into a rescue boat. It is impossible for crew to be overprepared.

The situation with drills and exercises for owners and guests is a little different as it is difficult to gather the group to listen to someone explaining what to do in an event that is unimaginable to them.

We have produced an animated video, similar to those seen on some airlines, that plays on the default channel on the TVs on board. It describes what guests should do in an emergency and is short enough (about 3 minutes) that it does not put them to sleep. The videos can be supplied in a generic form or customized to suit individual yachts.

Ken Argent Water’s Edge Consulting

‘There are so many variables’ BRIDGE, from page A16 coming into Port Everglades where it’s lit up like a Christmas tree.”

“Going through Devil’s Backbone, I want one,” another said. “Even though I go through there regularly and I’m pretty comfortable, conditions change.”

“Every time I’ve been in there, someone who didn’t take a pilot was waiting for a haul to get fixed,” said a third.

“God forbid something goes wrong,” a captain said. “In this country, insurance adjustors will tear you to shreds without a local pilot. We don’t want that to happen either.”

Anywhere else?

“Turks and Caicos, the west side of

Green Turtle,” a captain said. “I went in there once without one and I’ll never do it again.”

“I tend to want them more frequently with night passages,” another captain said.

“There are so many variables out there,” a captain said. “Conditions change all the time, with the angle of the sun and approaching storms. It should be our decision to make the call.”

Comments on this story are welcome at lucy@the-triton.com. If you make your living working as a yacht captain, contact Editor Lucy Chabot Reed for an invitation to our monthly Bridge luncheon, lucy@the-triton.com.

January 2009

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A18 January 2009 BUSINESS BRIEFS

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Megayacht support groups grow, add divisions, people Super Yacht Logistics has started a shore support division called “Your 1st Mate Ashore,” which focuses on all aspects of operational assistance of megayachts including payroll, accounts assistance, full ISM and ISPS with levels of service dependant on captains’ requirements.

The new division also includes a marine parts retail division and a worldwide fueling division.

Other departments within Super Yacht Logistics include yacht deliveries and relief captains (with up to unlimited commercial licenses); project management of new builds and refits; parts and equipment supply; worldwide bunkering; and Japanese yacht and ship agents.

Shore support representatives include Paul Sendles, Marcus VanOort and Nigel Beatty, all of whom have commanded large private and charter yachts. Super Yacht Logistics maintains an office in Ft. Lauderdale, another in England, and two offices in Japan.

For more information, visit www. superyachtlogistics.com.

Octopus launches new services

James Roidis, formerly with Island Global Yachting at Port de Plaisance, has joined Octopus Yacht Services in St. Maarten as special projects/dockage and fuel coordination specialist.

Octopus has also introduced Connect packages, its latest service that lets customers choose from a variety of guest and crew transportation packages designed to offer clients one-company handling and supervision of guest and crew transportation. All vehicles and vessels used are owned by OYS or its partners, which eliminates the need to outsource.

Octopus Yacht Services has partner agencies on Anguilla, Antigua, Curacao, Saba, St. Barths, St. Eustatius, St. Lucia, St. Thomas and Tortola. For more info visit www.octopusdirect.com.

Handset wins Dame Award

Cobra Marine, a division of Cobra Electronics, recently won a DAME award at the Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) in Amsterdam, Netherlands, for its MR F300 BT waterproof handset with Bluetooth wireless technology for cellular phones.

Featuring MicroBlue technology that enables the user to use existing Bluetooth wireless technology while the phone is stowed, the MR F300 includes a noise-canceling microphone and is designed to be easy to program with auto redial, call log and a phone book.

For more information, visit www. cobra.com.

Divers help disabled soldiers

Divers Discount Florida of Ft. Lauderdale, in cooperation with volunteers from South Florida Divers, is sponsoring the Ft. Lauderdale Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba (S.U.D.S.) on March 14 and 15.

The event will include auctions and a flea market to raise money for disabled soldiers. Prizes will be auctioned to the highest bidder via silent auction.

S.U.D.S. at Walter Reed Army Medical Center is designed to help improve the lives of injured soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan by training soldiers in a challenging activity.

Diving helps facilitate the rehabilitation process and promotes mobility impossible on land. The program is also intended to provide soldiers with a sport they can enjoy throughout their life.

SUDS is a non-profit organization and relies on the diving community for support. For more information, visit www.sudsfleamarket.com or www.

DiversDiscountFlorida.com.

Haberli joins Bay Ship & Yacht

Eric Haberli, who spent much of his career at shipyards in Savannah, has joined Bay Ship & Yacht Co. on San Francisco Bay. “The day before the Ft.Lauderdale show we came to an agreement and I walked the show promoting Bay Ship,” Haberli said on a recent visit to Ft. Lauderdale.

Haberli’s key role will be to bring new yacht business to the mostly commercial yard.

Haberli Even though the shipyard has worked on yachts since the 1970s, it isn’t a large part of corporate revenues.

Haberli has also been working with yachting industry companies, including carpenters and painters, to work with the yard to bring more yacht experience to the interior part of the refit business.

The shipyard has a floating dry dock that can handle 2,800 tons for vessels up to 390 feet (90m), and it has recently installed a 1,200-ton Synchrolift able to take yachts up to 200 feet (61m).

Haberli has been working as a consultant since he left Savannah’s Global Ship Systems at the end of 2006.

For more information, visit www.bayship.com.

See BUSINESS BRIEFS, page A19

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BUSINESS BRIEFS

Nautic Crew International hosted a crew party in St. Maarten to introduce crew to the relatively new placement agency. From left, Michaela Frickel, Abby Sheppard, Linda Frickel, Kimberley Hogan. PHOTO COURTESY OF NAUTIC CREW

Seasoned corporate pros take top spots at marine companies BUSINESS BRIEFS, from page A18

Nautic Crew spreads word

Nautic Crew International hosted a crew party at Buccaneer Beach bar after the St. Maarten charter show in early December. (See photo above.)

Principals Linda Frickel and Darryl Leathart attended the shows in Antigua and St. Maarten, handing out T-shirts and baseball caps to promote the placement agency’s philosophy of placing “Not Just Another Warm Body.”

The relatively new placement agency has moved into new offices at American Yacht Institute at 777 S.E. 20th St. in Ft. Lauderdale.

For more information, visit www. nauticcrewintl.com.

New GM at ACR Electronics

Joseph A. Mentz has replaced Paul M. Frank as general manager at Ft. Lauderdale-based ACR Electronics, bringing experience as a senior consultant with Simpler Consulting, Mentz which provides Lean transformation executive consulting to clients in commercial, military and the health care markets.

Mentz also held executive management positions that included full profit and loss responsibility with Troxler Electronics Laboratories, a manufacturer of precision analytical instruments, and Columbus Machining, a Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier of machined castings to the automotive industry.

ACR Electronics designs and manufactures safety and survival products including EPIRBs, PLBs, AIS,

SARTs, strobe lights, life jacket lights, search lights and safety accessories.

For more information, visit www. acrelectronics.com.

Black to head Navionics sales team Don Black has joined Navionics as senior vice president of sales and marketing, leading the teams for sales, marketing, product management and business development, working across all divisions at the company’s headquarters in Wareham, Mass.

Black was most recently CEO/ president at SeaWave in Portsmouth, R.I., a company that develops shipto-shore wireless communications.

Prior to that, he worked in leadership positions at Drew Scientific and Instrumentation Labs.

Black is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan and studied at the Goethe Institut in Vienna as well as the Instituto Panamericano de Alta Direccion in Mexico City. He holds an MBA from Instituto de Estudios Superiores de las Empresa (IESE) in Barcelona.

More information about Navionics, a developer and manufacturer of electronic navigation charts and systems, can be obtained at www. navionics.com.

Fairline opens in Bahia Mar

Fairline Florida, the authorized dealership of Fairline Boats for the Florida and mid-Atlantic regions, has relocated to a new sales office at Bahia Mar Resort and Yachting Center in Ft. Lauderdale.

Jim Renfrow remains as vice president of sales.

Fairline Florida will continue to provide customer service and support through its service department at Lauderdale Marine Center.

For more information, call +1-954832-9191 or +1 954-653-0767.

January 2009

A19

A20 January 2009 SUPERYACHT OPERATIONS: Up and Running

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Chartering can cover costs, but only with tight oversight This part of MPI’s distance-learning course targets chartering on yachts.

By Chris Fairgrieve

Proudly Serving the Marine Community Since 1997

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ACCOMMODATIONS • Active Job Networking • Nicely Renovated • Tastefully Furnished • Ideally located near Maritime Schools, Downtown Fort Lauderdale, Crew Agencies, Marinas, Restaurants, and Nightlife

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TheNeptuneGroup.com 954.763.1050

A successful charter depends on a strong team.

The owner must be enthusiastic for the vessel to be chartered. He must fully support the other parties, particularly the captain and the central agent to fulfill their roles in the business relationship with the client.

The captain is critical to the success of the charter. He must be totally focused on providing a great experience to the charter guests while at the same time safeguarding the yacht, his crew and the owner’s interests.

The central agent and the broker(s) involved in negotiation of the charter must recognize the interests and agendas of the owner, captain, crew and client.

The client needs to recognize that chartering a superyacht is not the same as renting a staffed holiday chalet.

There are many different restrictions and legal constraints involved with an ocean-going vessel.

The crew’s professionalism and enthusiasm will be infectious to the client and his guests. The crew performance will be critical to the success of the charter.

It is important that each part of the team is aware of what others are doing as part of their role. If they think a particular thing should have been done by someone else, it is their responsibility to flag this up to the relevant parties including, in almost all circumstances, the captain.

Commercial transactions involve payment in exchange for goods or services. It is a normal assumption in any business that the price obtained exceeds the cost for provision.

Ironically, in the charter of superyachts, the cost for provision of the service is almost always greater than the revenue resulting from the transaction.

It is generally accepted in the market that a superyacht requires about 20 percent of its purchase price per year to be spent on the running costs.

These include captain and crew wages; management company overhead; maintenance, running repairs, painting and yacht consumables; insurance; charts and other periodic replacement items; laundry; crew food and other requirements; and fuel to reach maintenance base.

These costs are required before the owner (or charterer) steps on board.

For a 45-50m yacht, it would be necessary to charter for roughly 21 weeks at the standard published rate to pay the 20 percent yacht running cost.

The number of weeks to cover running

MPI Group of Surrey, England, offers a distance-learning course designed to bridge the gap between master certification and the reality of running a large yacht.

The course is sponsored by the Professional Yachtsmen’s Association and Middlesex University. Course material was created by Ian Biles, with contributions from other industry professionals, including Chris Fairgrieve. For more information, call +44(0)1252-732220 or e-mail et@mpigroup.co.uk.

costs averages 20 weeks for all vessels.

Unfortunately, the published charter rate is the price paid to the broker, not the payment received by the owner. In the industry, the broker will charge a commission. Being realistic, only about 75 percent of the charter fee paid by the client will reach the owner.

Considering that figure, the total number of weeks that a yacht will need to be chartered to cover its total running costs now averages 27 weeks, with some vessels needing 36 weeks chartering a year to cover costs.

So is it realistic to achieve a genuine commercial business model chartering a yacht? A superyacht would theoretically need to be chartered for more than half the year if it is to have any chance of breaking even on its running costs. It is unlikely that any annual increase in value of the vessel will compensate for these costs.

However some yacht owners work hard to reduce costs, including strong control of crew salaries; cost effective maintenance; use of managing agents as brokers; and introducing additional unique selling points to enable premium charter rates to be charged.

With these actions it is possible to reduce the break-even charter week figure to less than 20 weeks.

It may just be possible to charter a superyacht and to cover the annual costs. This will require very tight control of costs and aggressive selling of the charter weeks.

Most importantly, it will probably force the owner to recognize that the times he would like to use the vessel for personal pleasure will be precisely the weeks for charter.

Chris Fairgrieve is a consultant with Maritime Services International in Gosport, England, where he carries out surveys. He was in the Royal Navy for 13 years working as an electrical engineer and ran a business developing a power monitoring system for yachts.

Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.

The Triton

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FROM THE FRONT: S/Y Legacy

The same bit used to pull her free is now used for additional anchors to keep Legacy still in Key West.

PHOTO/CAPT. TOM SERIO

Perini Navi representatives could not find a way to help LEGACY, from page A1 with no boom surrounding her hull or workers buzzing about. She’s secured in place by a number of anchors, as evident by the five chains on either side of the bow reaching deep into the waters, attached to the same bit that runs through the hull that was used to pull her free. Battle-scarred but not giving in, Legacy won’t budge.

“She’s put her foot down and doesn’t want to leave” Halmos said, chuckling but with a bit of disgust.

Specialists have been out to determine repairs, including marine salvors from Jones Boat Yard and Byrd Marine, the folks that pulled Legacy out of the shallows.

Perini Navi sent reps on site to assist, but the teams have yet to find a solution. Halmos did mention that Jones came out on its own, sending a team of mechanics and engineers.

“They were really good, and continue to try and resolve,” he said. “They also warned of the storms, really went out of their way, as did the Byrd guys. A-1 teams at both companies.”

It has not been a quiet summer, either. Several storms and hurricanes impacted the Keys and Gulf areas, forcing Halmos to disassemble and bring ashore his Aqua Village, which once consisted of eight houseboats of varying sizes rafted together. Living in Aqua Village allowed Halmos and the Legacy crew to keep an eye on her during the recovery.

Now, Aqua Village is a fraction of what was. Halmos’ big houseboat is on one end of a floating dock, with two smaller cottages about 70 feet away on

the other end. With a few skiffs for local transit and Halmos’ 46-foot Merritt sportfish tied up around back for longer excursions, Aqua Village is quite a bit simpler.

Halmos remains out there, living in his village now for about three years.

Asked about the rumors of him treasure hunting, Halmos replied that’s what brought him to the area in the first place back in 2005.

“We used Legacy as our mother ship, a base for our operations” he said. “We are into a new treasure now, microbes.”

He didn’t – or couldn’t – elaborate much, but he is working with others involved with looking for new medicines. A developer by recent profession, he has his undergraduate degree in biology.

Capt. Ed, skipper of Legacy for years and during her fateful journey through Wilma, is back helping Halmos at Aqua Village.

Asked if he would clean up the area and replant the sea grass that was damaged by Legacy, Halmos said he was harassed by NOAA and other agencies. He acknowledged that he is obligated to replace the grass where Legacy sat, but not the grass along Legacy’s path to her resting spot.

“I wanted to replant it all,” he said, “but I was kicked around like a dog, so they can kiss my hull.”

Capt. Tom Serio is a freelance captain, writer and photographer in South Florida. He is a frequent contributor to The Triton and has written extensively about Legacy and her recovery.

Comments on this story are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.

January 2009

A21

A22 January 2009 PHOTO GALLERY

The U.S. Superyacht Association hosted two canal barges full of captains, crew and business professionals attending this year’s Marine Equipment Trade Show in Amsterdam in November. From left, Capt. Denise Fox of M/Y Mariah II, Eng. James Kuiack, Gary Wright from Nauticomp, and Trina and Dan Kelly of Yacht Link.

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The Triton

Capt. Jerry Samuelson and First Mate Delcio Silver on the 28m Moonen M/Y Commercial Break await their turn to float off the Dockwise transport ship Yacht Express.

PHOTO/TOM SERIO

PHOTO/KAREN DUDDEN-BLAKE

Capt. Craig Keefe on the triple jet drive, 31m Leopard Veloce is becoming a regular with Dockwise as this was his third time crossing from the Med. Look for this private yacht around Miami this winter.

PHOTO/TOM SERIO

Second Mate Jennifer Pilon performed a balancing act as she uncovered the main boom on S/Y P2.

PHOTO/TOM SERIO

Building muscle while building up a sweat, Mate Noel Jaramillo was on buffer duty on the 92-foot Cheoy Lee M/Y Viaggio. Seen around the Great Lakes in summer, the yacht and her crew are headed to the Bahamas for winter. PHOTO/TOM SERIO

Neither fog nor traffic nor broken bridge could keep eco-friendly crew from picking up trash on Ft. Lauderdale beach, including from left, Capt. Alan Montgomery, Eng. Todd Stafford of M/Y Sis W and Jason Broadhurst of Green Clean Machine, Capt. Steve, and Nate Benbow. This was The Triton’s second quarterly beach clean-up, and we’re doing it again Saturday, March 7. Check our calendar of events as the date draws near. PHOTO/LUCY REED

Onboard M/Y Rasa, Deckhand Danny Cudnik was busy wiping down this 131-foot Palmer Johnson.

With a new owner, this private yacht will be seen around Florida and the PHOTO/TOM SERIO Bahamas.

The Triton

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PHOTO GALLERY

January 2009

A23

The crew was abuzz on the elegant Vajoliroja, a 156-foot Protekson Turquoise yacht. Getting things ship shape were, from left, Capt. Graeme Brown, First Mate Kirsty Smith, Chef Rebecca Henderson, Stew Nikky Doualle, Bosun Dave Stewart and Deckhand Dayne Goldenbogen. This PHOTO/TOM SERIO stately yacht, with her fine woodwork and sophisticated styling, can be seen around the Caribbean this season.

Anyone up for an impromptu picnic? Just off the transport ship Yacht Express, here’s Capt. Jonathan Kline (third from left), wife Alanna (second from left) and the crew from the newly launched Perini Navi S/Y P2, grabbing a PHOTO/TOM SERIO quick lunch on terra firma at Pier 66.

One-man crew Capt. Matt Kraskiewicz was busy getting M/Y Dawn, a 78-foot Marlow, ready for her next expedition to the Bahamas.

With help from an active owner, Kraskiewicz has no problem running the yacht, and even tows a tender.

PHOTO/TOM SERIO

Day worker Phil Montierre was busy covering the boarding ladder steps as M/Y Fortunate Sun was ready for some maintenance work PHOTO/TOM SERIO while at Bahia Mar. Deckhand Lonnie Tarr was all about wax-on, wax-off as he shined the 115foot Benetti M/Y Paradigm. The yacht and her crew were leaving Ft. Lauderdale for a holiday stop in the Caribbean before heading to the Galapagos for the season.

PHOTO/TOM SERIO

A24 January 2009 CREW EVENT: Fort Yachtie-Da Film Festival

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The Triton

Film festival brings out comics, characters and thousands in cash

By Dorie Cox Winners walked away with an “oscar” at the first annual Ft. YachtieDa International Film Festival in November. The Academy Awardthemed event was sponsored by Crew Unlimited and held in Ft. Lauderdale.

Yacht captains and crew submitted films “depicting the true flavor of the yachting lifestyle” online in three categories: Drama/Talent, Extreme and Comedy. Then viewers voted on the 45 submissions with top votes taking the prizes ranging from $250 to $5,000.

About 350 formally attired people (although a few yachties struggled to comply with the dress code of closedtoe shoes and ties) watched winning entries on the big screen at the red carpet event, while stainless steel oscar fish-shaped trophies and oversized checks were presented on stage.

No more than five minutes in length, the films ranged from animation to reality. The variety included footage of crew at work and play to yachts on location. Soundtracks featured sailormouthed crew, contemporary music and narrated stories.

The winner of the Best Overall film, received by an acrobatic fellow crew member, was a look at how “captains can demand more from their crew”

on a humorous take-off of the “60 Minutes” television news program.

All entries at archived at www. crewunlimited.com. Crew Unlimited and CU Yacht Charters plan to hold the event next year after the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show.

Best Overall award 60 Minutes at Sea by James Woods Drama/Talent awards 1st: Float On by Gareth Shephard

2nd: Wairua by Alexandra Theron 3rd: XIII vs SeaBowld by Mervyn Duffield Extreme awards 1st: Rush! by Brendon Held 2nd: BaseJumper by Bolten Perry 3rd: That’s Sport by Sara Beugniot Comedy awards 1st: The Sun is Setting by Nick McInnis 2nd: Shark Wrangler by Zachariah James Rath 3rd: Radar Calibration by Gareth Shephard

The Triton

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WRITE TO BE HEARD

January 2009

A27

Use stew and take a little sexism out of our industry Editor’s Note: In the December issue, we asked women who work on yachts if they think the term stewardess is sexist.

We are considering calling an interior crew steward or stew regardless of gender. Do you have an opinion? Here is a female captain who does.

It is the tiniest of terms that can affect people’s mindsets and socialize an expectation. For instance, someone saying “you throw like a girl” or “be a man” brings up a connotation that women are the weaker sex and are used as insults when talking to a man. It may not mean anything to you when you say it or hear it, but we use those phrases often without thinking because the role of the sexes has been subconsciously ingrained into our society since birth.

While stewardess is not sexist in itself, it certainly implies a female role. We hear the term often enough that we get an image of a female and are shocked when we meet a man who stews.

So it is not so much that referring to a female who stews as a stewardess is sexist, but it does diminish our capability to open our minds to the idea that not only women can fulfill that particular job.

As a female captain, I am prone to hearing all kinds of sexist remarks when I drive a boat or repair engines. I constantly ask people to open their minds to the idea that a woman can be just as skillful as her male colleague, with the same amount of training.

However, I am still surprised when a man hands me a resume and says he is looking for stew work. Even me – who feels like I am fighting stereotypes about female deck officers daily – is still somewhat taken aback.

Repeated and practiced sexism in yachting gives us all preconceived notions about who should fill what roles. So to stop using stewardess and start using the more gender-neutral stew would not end a sexist industry, but it may slowly open people’s minds to the idea that men can fill that role with as much enthusiasm and experience as a female candidate.

Capt. Nicole Lawrence

Lax attitude on safety drills is alarming This article opened my eyes. [“Safety drills do get done, but do they get done well?” captains roundtable, December issue, page A1] I’ve only cruised on big lines and it was a given that a mandatory safety drill would be conducted. As a safety professional (my husband calls me a safety nut), I followed up by asking the crew what additional safety training they were given, and was impressed with their answers, even though I couldn’t be sure they actually took all the training they said they did.

I’ve always thought it would be great to charter a yacht, but now I’m not so sure. It seems strange that insurance companies don’t require safety equipment, training, or drills, and it also seems yachts fall through the cracks with government regulations as well.

To me, that’s pretty scary.

Melanie Mornard Global trainer, Sanimax

Thank you, Capt. Wampler

I’m writing in response to that job offer from Capt. Johnson Smith. [“Captain warns of a job scam that came to him by Internet,” by Capt. John Wampler, December issue, page A27.]

Editor Lucy Chabot Reed, lucy@the-triton.com

Publisher David Reed, david@the-triton.com Advertising Sales Peg Soffen, peg@the-triton.com Mike Price, mike@the-triton.com

News staff Dori Cox Lawrence Hollyfield Production Manager Patty Weinert, patty@the-triton.com Billing Donna Myers, donna@the-triton.com

Thank heaven for Triton’s astronomy column This e-mail is in response to your article about the full moon being extremely visible on the 12th of this month. Thank you for informing us readers of that!

I was able to get outside on my yacht’s swim platform and capture some nice pics of it.

I call them my “Moon over Miami” shots as we are docked here in Aventura.

Thanks again for the heads up!

Danielle Luke M/Y Missy B II Editor’s note: You are most welcome. Read our “In the Stars” column by Jack Horkheimer every month in the B section.

I want to thank Capt. Wampler for checking that e-mail all the way through to the end. I received the same invitation, but I stopped when I saw the photographs of the vessel bearing “Stamford, CT” as its homeport printed Contributors Carol M. Bareuther, Chris Barnett, Capt. Chris Berg, Mark A. Cline, Jake DesVergers, Capt. Oliver Dissman, Karen Dudden-Blake, Chris Fairgrieve, Beth Greenwald, Don Grimme, Chef/Mate Julianne L. Hammond, Jack Horkheimer, Chef Mary Beth Lawton Johnson, Alene Keenan, Jim Kelleher, Donna Mergenhagen, Capt. Rocky Miller, Keith Murray, Steve Pica, Kenna Reed, Rossmare Intl., Ellen Sanpere, James Schot, Capt. Tom Serio, Rachel Shapiro, Capt. Ian Walsh

on the transom. It did not make any sense.

We can only help and protect each other via proper acknowledgments.

Good job indeed.

Capt. Paolo Crepaldi Vol. 5, No. 10.

The Triton is a free, monthly newspaper owned

by Triton Publishing Group Inc. Copyright 2008 Triton Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.

Contact us at: Mailing address: 757 S.E. 17th St., #1119 Visit us at: 111B S. W. 23rd St. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33315 (954) 525-0029; FAX (954) 525-9676 www.the-triton.com

Loose lips can sink crew, too

New year for first aid

On the dock

Ship-related gossip can ruin careers.

Refresh kits to be ready.

In St. Thomas

B2

B4

Section B

Keeping green

B6

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St. Vincent changes rules before accident

This 18-year-old photo shows Capt. Ian Walsh on the fly bridge of M/Y Sea & H on her original sea trial. Back aboard PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. IAN WALSH her at sea this fall, Walsh said: “My face hurt from smiling.”

Heart flutters as old Sea & H has sea run

By Capt. Ian Walsh We headed for the boat and fired her up, let go the lines and John backed her

B8

January 2009

‘IT WAS LIKE TIME STOOD STILL’

Capt. Ian Walsh was the build captain on M/Y Sea & H, a 90-foot Burger launched in 1990. Fourteen years later and renamed Argus V, the yacht caught fire in Lyford Cay and was thought destroyed. John Patnovic, owner of Worton Creek Marina and Boatyard in Maryland, bought what was left of the aluminum-hulled yacht in the fall of 2004 and set to work rebuilding her, with a little help from Walsh’s memory, video tapes and photographs of the build.

Walsh visits the yacht every spring on his way north and every fall on his way back to Ft. Lauderdale and has written several stories about his visits. Here now is his next installment:

Crew clean waterways.

Underway again, at last. out. We were barely clear of the dock when he handed her over and there I was, 18 years later, standing in the same place, listening to those 3412s, feeling the rumble through the deck plates.

It was like time stood still.

When I first saw M/Y Sea & H /

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN PATNOVIC

Argus V in the spring of 2005 after her devastating fire, my gut churned. This wasn’t the happy ship I remembered, the ship whose build I oversaw in Lantana, Fla.. But every spring and fall,

See REBUILD, page B13

Historically, the maritime industry reacts impulsively to implementing safety measures. In simpler terms, whenever there was an accident, we, as an industry, investigated it and eventually created a new regulation to prevent its reoccurrence.

In a proactive initiative to Rules of the Road improve safety for commercial and Jake DesVergers private yachts, two new Yacht Codes were issued by the Monaco-based maritime administrator for the St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) registry. Released in July with a compliance date of Aug. 1, the codes were the culmination of technical committees by members of the administration, in consultation with industry.

The first of the two codes applies to privately registered yachts. The Safety Code of Practice for Pleasure Yachts sets the required standards of safety and pollution prevention, according to the size and type of yacht.

The contents provide information on desired construction standards, watertight integrity, machinery, lifesaving appliances, firefighting equipment and associated items. While most items listed are common, there are a few pieces of equipment that may be difficult for a yacht to comply with.

The most glaring example is the installation of a fire pump for yachts longer than 49 feet. Most yachts, especially production vessels, do not possess this type of equipment.

Retrofitting may be difficult and costly.

Yachts are subject to an initial survey and subsequent renewal survey every five years. A Pleasure Yacht Document of Compliance shall be issued to signify compliance. In lieu of

See RULES, page B5

B January 2009 SECURITY: Confidentiality

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The Triton

It’s not just ships in danger – loose lips also can sink the crew In 1942, the phrase “loose lips might sink ships” became the cornerstone of the U.S. Office of War’s campaign to limit unintentional civilian leaks of useful information to enemy spies. The same World War II era campaign also included an equally important slogan: “Defense on the sea begins All Secure on shore.”

Jim Kelleher Even after

almost seven decades, these messages should be part of every crew’s mantra – yet they are too often forgotten.

A primary attraction to yachting is the privacy it affords. The unique refuge must be continually safeguarded by a crew that understands all outside threats and their implications.

A comprehensive on-board security program must have at its core a training system that guides the crew in maintaining the strictest discretion when dealing with matters pertaining to ownership, itineraries, guests and general activities. This training must

demonstrate to the crew the why and the what of discussing information with those who are not on board.

The what is the easy part. A security professional will work with the owner and captain to develop a checklist of information that should not ever be shared with any other individuals.

The why is more complicated, but it is equally critical. Beyond risking their jobs, crew need to thoroughly understand the reasons they must not share sensitive information, and these reasons must be graphically reinforced with real-life scenarios, such as:

Once ashore after days under way, the crew visits a familiar bar. They arrive via tender bearing the yacht’s name. Locals easily obtain information about the itinerary/background and identity of owners and guests due to arrive the following morning.

As luck would have it, the following evening the owners and guests arrive at the same bar via the same tender and are warmly welcomed by bar patrons.

What ensues is not pleasant for the owners and guests, and is careerending for a couple of crew members.

The opportunity to divulge sensitive information that may impact yacht operation or embarrass the owner and guests rises when dealing with those outside of the yachting community. It is the casual boating community, tourist and service providers that present the highest risk of repeating tales told or, for that matter, making stories up from half-heard truths.

In most instances the local crew watering hole presents the highest risk for visiting crews. Off-duty crews when visiting these spots are either already known or easily identified by uniforms, bar tabs under the yacht name, or various other ways. These locations often prove to be fertile fields of opportunity for purveyors of information such as paparazzi.

Owners and guests often rely on the captain and crew for information as to locations to visit when on shore.

When there are only a handful of establishments from which to choose, it is inevitable both crew and owners will visit the same locations. This presents what I refer to as the Danger Zone. It can be a special career moment for the captain and crew when the owner and guests learn details of their routines, habits, likes and dislikes from the friendly server.

The best course of action for a captain is to include pre-trip briefings specific instructions as to expected onshore demeanor, including the owner’s and captain’s expectation of personal privacy and real-life reasons for it.

If the crew understands the impact from sharing information, they will be more inclined to comply. Emphasis should be given to junior crew who may not have experienced the dangers.

If owner, captain, crew and guests work together to be meticulous about confidentiality, there will be no danger of slipping lips sinking your crew.

Jim Kelleher is president of Securaccess, a global security consultancy based in South Florida. He is a retired U.S. Secret Service agent, a licensed U.S. Coast Guard captain, and the former vice president of security for the world’s largest fleet of private Feadships and Gulfstream jets. Contact him through www.securaccessinc.com. Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@ the-triton.com.

B January 2009 ONBOARD EMERGENCIES: Drill

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The Triton

January is the right month to freshen up your first aid kit Holiday guests are enjoying themselves, talking, laughing, drinking champagne when suddenly, someone collapses on deck.

You rush to their side, check for responsiveness and get no response.

You send someone to call for help and another Sea Sick person to grab Keith Murray your automated external defibrillator (AED). You look at the victim’s chest, listen for breathing and you do not hear, see or feel any breathing sounds. You pinch the victim’s nose, tilt their head to open the airway, give two full breaths and begin 30 compressions just like you were taught in CPR class.

Finally the AED arrives. You continue performing CPR while another person removes the victim’s shirt, applies the AED electrode pads, and presses the green start button.

But nothing happens.

That person presses the green button again, and again nothing happens. The unit will not turn on; the

battery is dead and you do not have a spare.

The above story is fictional, but it can and does happen. Don’t let it happen to you. Start this new year with a check up for your first aid kit.

Look for expired medications. If anything is expired, order replacements and get rid of old medications properly.

Look at your medical oxygen. Is it full? When was the last time the oxygen tank itself was inspected? What about the oxygen mask, nasal cannula and tubing? Are these in good condition? If they look old, warn or yellow, it might be time to replace them.

Your medical oxygen (quantity of air) should be inspected regularly. The tank itself generally requires inspection every five years and should only be filled with “medical” oxygen, which is highly filtered.

Most AED manufacturers recommend a monthly inspection of your AED. Create a log book or use an AED inspection tag and visually inspect your AED each month. AEDs have two major parts that must be replaced periodically – the battery and the electrode pads.

The battery and electrode pad life will vary depending on the make and model you own.

Most electrode pads have a two-

year life; the expiration dates should be clearly marked. The battery, once installed, has a life span from two to seven years. Write the install date on the battery or on a sticker on the back of the AED as a reminder of when it was last installed. Don’t wait until the AED gives you the low-battery beep.

Be proactive and order a new battery before this happens.

When inspecting your AED verify that you have a spare set of electrode pads as well as pediatric electrodes if you have children on board. Also check that your AED has been updated to the new American Heart Association guidelines. It may also be worthwhile to check if your model has been recalled or requires a software update. Check with the manufacturer or contact a vendor that services AEDs for help with this.

When inspecting your medical kit and AED check to see if anything is missing. If you are not sure what something is or what it is used for, ask.

If you have medications or medical equipment that no one can identify, find out why you have it, what its purpose is, if you really need it and if you need training to use it.

“It is vital that the medical kit be checked every six months to ensure medicines and supplies are in date,”

said Rebecca Castellano at Ocean Medical International. “Medicines past their expiration dates can rapidly lose potency, making them ineffective.”

Castellano recommends that the medical kit be stored away from temperature extremes, which can contribute to the degradation of medicines and supplies.

“I have found kits stored in the engine room,” she said. “The latex gloves had hardened into a rubber ball, rolls of tape transformed to a gooey glob. The medicines were all expired, powders were crystallized and liquids were solid.”

Much like a car or boat, the cost of a total replacement is significantly more than the cost of proper maintenance.

Inspect and maintain your medical kit so that it is there when you need it.

Being prepared for emergencies is the key to saving lives.

Keith Murray, a former Florida firefighter EMT, is the owner of The CPR School, a mobile training company that provides CPR, AED and first aid training. He also sells and services automated external defibrillators.

Contact him at +1-561-762-0500 or keith@theCPRschool.com. Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@ the-triton.com.

The Triton

www.the-triton.com FROM THE TECH FRONT: Rules of the Road

January 2009

B

Grace period runs through May 31

Today’s fuel prices

One year ago

RULES, from page B1

Prices for low-sulfur gasoil expressed in US$ per cubic meter (1,000 liters) as of Dec. 15.

Prices for low-sulfur gasoil expressed in US$ per cubic meter (1,000 liters) as of Dec. 14, 2007

Region Duty-free*/duty paid U.S. East Coast Ft. Lauderdale 455/487 Savannah, Ga. 443/NA Newport, R.I. 528/NA Caribbean St. Thomas, USVI 845/NA St. Maarten 740/NA Antigua 774/NA Valparaiso 666/NA North Atlantic Bermuda (Ireland Island) 745/NA Cape Verde 1,124/NA Azores 578/NA Canary Islands 435/586 Mediterranean Gibraltar 481/NA Barcelona, Spain 486/1,362 Palma de Mallorca, Spain NA/1,351 Antibes, France 513/1,402 San Remo, Italy 591/1,513 Naples, Italy 575/1,487 Venice, Italy 668/1,448 Corfu, Greece 553/1,251 Piraeus, Greece 530/1,229 Istanbul, Turkey 597/NA Malta 432/510 Bizerte, Tunisia 626/NA Tunis, Tunisia 622/NA Oceania Auckland, New Zealand 527/NA Sydney, Australia 551/NA Fiji 695/NA

Region Duty-free*/duty paid U.S. East Coast Ft. Lauderdale 802/817 Savannah, Ga. 776/NA Newport, R.I. 887/NA Caribbean St. Thomas, USVI 863/NA St. Maarten 902/NA Antigua 953/NA North Atlantic Bermuda (Ireland Island) 879/NA Cape Verde 799/NA Azores 706/NA Canary Islands 759/910 Mediterranean Gibraltar 733/NA Barcelona, Spain 830/1,493 Palma de Mallorca, Spain NA/1,512 Antibes, France 830/1,745 San Remo, Italy 926/1,899 Naples, Italy 825/1,708 Venice, Italy 894/1,816 Corfu, Greece 838/1,617 Piraeus, Greece 820/1,597 Istanbul, Turkey 818/NA Malta 730/859 Bizerte, Tunisia 791/NA Tunis, Tunisia 774/NA Oceania Auckland, New Zealand 780/NA Sydney, Australia 831/NA Fiji 924/NA

an annual inspection, the yacht’s owner must file a Declaration of the Owner attesting that her condition remains the same as when noted at last survey.

The second of the codes applies to commercial yachts. The Safety Code of Practice for Pleasure Yachts Engaged in Commercial Trade requires specific safety standards to be followed for the registration, survey and certification of these types of yachts. The rules applied are either set by an applicable international regulation or an equivalent standard where it is not reasonable or practicable to comply.

Code contents are structured similarly to those seen in the codes published by the world’s largest yacht registries, including the United Kingdom (LY2) and the Marshall Islands (CYC). While written in more generic terms, many regulations will be left to the discretion of the attending surveyor. A Commercial Yacht Document of Compliance shall be issued to signify code compliance.

In both codes, SVG administration clearly outlines certain responsibilities to the owner. The owner must present the yacht for survey in accordance with requirements; maintain condition after inspection; ensure the yacht is properly operated; and inform SVG administration without delay about

anything that may affect her condition.

In a recently issued circular, No. YAT 002, the SVG administration reiterated the entry-into-force deadline (Aug. 1), but also provided a period of grace until May 31, 2009. This will be the last day that private and commercial yachts will have to comply with the applicable code.

Surveys for issue of the respective Document of Compliance may only be conducted by an approved classification society or authorized SVG flag state inspector. A list of approved inspectors is available on the SVG administration’s Web site (www.svgmarad.com). Copies of both codes are also available for download there.

Capt. Jake DesVergers is chief surveyor for International Yacht Bureau, an organization that provides inspection services to Marshall Islands-registered private yachts of any size and commercial yachts up to 500 gross tons. A deck officer graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, he previously sailed as master on merchant ships, was designated person ashore for a shipping company, and was regional manager for an international classification society. Contact him at +1-954-596-2728 or through www. yachtbureau.org. Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@thetriton.com.

*When available according to customs.

*When available according to customs.

B January 2009 DOCKMASTER SPOTLIGHT: St. Thomas, USVI

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The Triton

Kaut gets maritime feet wet at St. Thomas’ Crown Bay Marina

By Dorie Cox Casey Kaut is harbormaster at Crown Bay Marina in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, the facility within the Sub Base, west of Charlotte Amalie.

Brand new to the maritime industry, Kaut was trained by Marina Management Services to bring him up to par after his career with PGA’s Tournament Players Club network.

Hired for his years of high-end hospitality experience as food and beverage director, Kaut’s service experience is proving invaluable. With 99 wet slips for yachts from 25 feet and 16 megayachts slips to 200 feet, service is a considerable part of the job.

Between his hospitality and marina careers, Kaut has ventured around the globe to write a novel. Literally poking his finger on a map, he ended up in Croatia to pen his fiction. With the work still in progress, he headed back to California and realized the atmosphere on the west coast would not be conducive to completing his book. Eventually, scanning online classified ads, he found his Caribbean setting and has been with Crown Bay Marina for about six months.

“This is the only marina I have worked with, so I am biased,” Kaut said, “but Crown Bay is legendary for their service.”

A 10-minute drive to one of the busiest airports in the Eastern Caribbean, the marina also offers customs clearing for visiting yachts.

Crown Bay offers vessels a 315-foot fuel dock with high-speed dispensers and a pump-out station as well as a pub, restaurant and ship’s chandlery.

“Everyone is super cool,” Kaut said.

“So many people here have boats that I do get out on the water.” In reference to his burgeoning nautical expertise, he jokes, “the pointy end is up front, right?”

Although continuing to work on his novel after hours, Kaut said he “digs this as a career.”

On the other end of the spectrum, Mitch Bickraj has been in the marine industry since his early 20s. Using his years of nautical experience, he is now dockmaster at Island Global Yachting’s new Yacht Haven Grande marina, located alongside the Charlotte Amalie Harbor in St. Thomas, USVI. Bickraj Beginning with a scholarship as a marine cadet in the Merchant Navy in Trinidad, Bickraj worked on vessels transporting materials including steel and food.

Casey Kaut brings hospitality experience to a place he describes as “legendary for their service.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF CASEY KAUT

He earned his captain’s license following 10 years of training, and then worked as first mate and relief captain aboard Windjammer Barefoot Cruises.

“I will never regret that experience,” Bickraj said of the now-defunct cruise line. “I learned so much.”

After cruising with Windjammer in the Virgin Islands, Bickraj decided to get married and began searching for a new position off boats. Now landbound, he maintains his connections with the sea through visiting yachts, while at the same time he is able to be with his wife, newborn child and his four-and-a-half-year-old.

Yacht Haven Grande, a 48-slip megayacht marina, was rebuilt in 2003 to accommodate larger vessels and provides in-slip services such as fueling and pump-out. Crew and guests are offered amenities including shopping, restaurants, on-site swimming pool and volleyball facilities. Yacht Haven Grande has easy access for incoming vessels and more facilities within walking distance.

IGY has also acquired American Yacht Harbor, a full-service marina in St. Thomas’ Red Hook area, overseen by dockmaster Mike Falk. This full-service marina features 105 fixed slips and accommodates vessels up to 110 feet with a maximum 10Falk foot draft. The marina is home to several charter companies, including powerboat rentals, fishing boats, and sailing vessels. On property there are eight restaurants along with shops, stores and businesses.

Dorie Cox is a Triton staff reporter. We’re looking for suggestions for future profiles of yachting industry dockmasters worldwide. Contact us at editorial@thetriton.com.

The Triton

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BOATS / BROKERS

January 2009

Burger, Feadship building out of the box five cabins below, each with oversized port lights to increase the view. The owner’s suite will include recessed hull-side balconies for additional living space. It will accommodate a crew of 12 forward.

Burger also recently won first place in Custom Woodworking Business Magazine’s annual woodworking competition for craftsmanship for its work aboard the custom 153-foot (47m) M/Y Ingot. Burger received perfect score, the highest score ever awarded by any entry in the 20-year history of the competition, according to a company release.

Burger Boat Company has begun construction of Hull 508, a 140-foot (42.7m) tri-deck motoryacht, being built using modular construction processes. Each module is built to increase access to the various components while providing the ability to start outfitting each module earlier in the construction process, the company stated in a news release.

Scheduled for a spring 2010 launch, Hull 508 features accommodations for 10 in the owner’s party, a glass enclosed circular elevator, full beam master suite, an owner’s office aft of the wheel

house, a butler’s pantry and an air conditioned all glass exercise room.

In other company news, Setzer Design Group of Cary, N.C., has joined with Burger to design a futuristic vessel, above, based on the Setzer “Vision Line.” The design offers amenities such as a theater, gym with spa, observation rooms and two galley areas. A large helicopter deck can be incorporated to extend above the sun deck while a cabana can be located aft with dockage doors that deploy port and starboard.

The 185-foot Specter offers up to

Launched by Koninklijke De Vries Scheepsbouw, M/Y Ocean Mercury is the first of a modular custom series concept from Feadship called the SL39.

Designed by De Voogt Naval Architects with an interior by Terence Disdale, Ocean Mercury has a classic Feadship look and will be primarily used in the Mediterranean.

The 128-foot (39m) hull design is based on a grid pattern with dedicated zones for the engine room, bridge, crew quarters and stairways. The owner chose dedicated traffic flow on the port side for crew, ensuring enhanced

See BOATS, page B11

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B January 2009 FEATURE: Green Cleen Machine

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Eng. Todd Stafford of M/Y Sis W, aft, and crew cook Jason Broadhurst ply South Florida waters to pick up what the PHOTO/DORIE COX rest of us leave behind, leaving a cleaner industry in their wake.

Men are a machine when it comes to clean

By Dorie Cox Jason Broadhurst clears the table before the waitress arrives, gathering four empty beer bottles and crumpled napkins off the restaurant table and taking them to the trash.

“It’s just a reflex,” he said, trying to explain what it is about garbage that has him giving up evenings and weekends to clean South Florida’s waterways.

Broadhurst Broadhurst and business partner Todd Stafford are Green Cleen Machine, a non-profit organization in Ft. Lauderdale dedicated to picking slimy garbage out of the water.

Broadhurst was most recently crew chef on M/Y Allure Shadow, and Stafford is engineer on M/Y Sis W. Several times a week and up to eight hours a day on weekends, the duo ply the Intracoastal Waterway and New River on their own time and on their own dollar. Just because they must.

“How can you see this crap and not take it out of the water unless you are just cold and shallow?” Broadhurst said.

Broadhurst joined Stafford’s effort when they discovered they shared the same passion for not letting litter rest, and that each had an easier time with help; one maneuvering their 16-foot canoe while the other nets plastic beverage bottles, plastic foam, beer bottles, cigarette butts, bottle caps and the infinite supply of shopping bags.

“I like nature the way it is, but when people come to visit, it looks like a**,” Broadhurst said. “If I go to your house, is there trash on your floor?”

“If we threw everyone out of Florida

for a month, we might be able to clean up,” Stafford said. Then he paused. “Well, maybe.”

Initially canoeing for exercise and a tan, Stafford they now take clean-up seriously.

Paddling into hard-to-reach water, they back down from no challenge, pulling lawn chairs, 10-foot 2x4s, water-laden cushions or condoms from the water.

Accumulating buckets of guck, the Green Cleen Machine has found support from waterfront businesses to dispose of the trash, including Bahia Mar Resort and Yachting Center, Sunrise Harbor Marina, Bahia Cabana Beach Resort and Marina, Southport Raw Bar and the Boathouse of Ft. Lauderdale, along with a growing faction of citizens and boaters.

Several Ft. Lauderdale water transportation services poked fun at the paddlers, but after Stafford explained their mission, crew of water taxis and other attractions encourage passengers to wave and show support.

“They’re like our military,” said engineer friend and supporter Matt Laughlin. “We should be thanking them because they are doing something the rest of us are not doing. It’s retarded how often these two are out on the water. There’s just nothing bad to say about what they are doing.”

Waves and thumbs up suggest that support is growing every time they hit the water, whether resting at “the triangle” sandbar north of the 17th Street Causeway Bridge or under way with volunteers in tow.

Although support has been growing, especially since organizing

and becoming non-profit this year, the men have invested about $6,000 of their own money to pay lawyers, for canoe registration, and to create the organization. With long-term goals of education and more community outreach – including figuring out how to make it possible for people to fulfill their community service sentences with Green Cleen – the organization is counting on donations to help with the growth.

Rounding out their green impact on the environment, they recently purchased a battery-powered trolling motor.

“We’re getting old,” Broadhurst said.

“We needed a motor.”

Considering themselves handy, they have made a sail and a removable keel for when conditions demand.

Never at a loss for work, Broadhurst and Stafford have found several “sweet spots” of nastiness, such as under marina docks and near the Las Olas bridge where eternal amounts of trash accumulate.

“Marinas try to clean their slips with nets, but they can’t reach all of it,” Broadhurst said, telling about the time he was talking to a marina employee and a 5-gallon bucket filled with 3gallons of oil floated by, just out of the employee’s reach.

People who work and play on South Florida’s waterways can expect to see more from Broadhurst and Stafford as Green Cleen Machine grows its fleet.

“We hope to ride scooters to boats stationed up and down the Intracoastal Waterway,” Broadhurst said, “because we like nature the way it is supposed to be.”

Dorie Cox is a staff reporter with The Triton. Comments on this story are welcome at dorie@the-triton.com.

The Triton

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ISS announces leadership and design winners The International Superyacht Society (ISS) announced the winners of its annual International Superyacht Design Awards as well as the recipients of its Award for Leadership, ISS Person of the Year and ISS Excellence in Innovation.

The winner for Best Power (65m+) is M/Y Alfa Nero, the 269-foot (82m) yacht built by Oceanco and designed by Nuvolari & Lenard.

The winner for Best Power (40m65m) is M/Y Harle, the 148-foot (45m) Feadship built by Royal Van Lent and designed by De Voogt NA. The winner for Best Power (24m40m) is M/Y Ermis 2, the 122-foot (37m) yacht built by McMullen & Wing and designed by Rob Humphreys.

The winner for Best Sail (40m+) is S/Y Nirvana, a 175-foot (53,6m) yacht built by Vitters Shipyard and designed

by Dubois NA. The winner for Best Sail (24m-40m) is S/Y Kealoha, the 90-foot (27m) yacht built by Claasen Jachtbouw and designed by Hoek Design NA. The winner for Best Interior is S/Y Salute, the 184-foot (56m) yacht built

by Perini Navi with an interior designed

by Remi Tessier.

The ISS Person of the Year went to John Dane of Trinity Yachts.

The ISS Excellence in Innovation award went to Agrimond’s Dragonfly Water Treatment System.

The Leadership Award was presented to Alice Huisman of Royal Huisman Shipyard.

Huisman was born into a shipbuilding family founded by her great grandfather in 1884. The eldest of Wolter Huisman’s three daughters, Alice Huisman first worked, at her father’s suggestion, at sister company Rondal before becoming his personal assistant at Royal Huisman Shipyard.

With an educational background in public relations and management, she spearheaded the need for funds for consistent marketing efforts that yielded accolades for Whitbread Round the World race winners, Admirals Cup teams and awards and nominations from the marine media.

At age 43, and just one year short of the death of her father in 2004, she was appointed managing director of the yard, the fourth consecutive generation to be at the helm of the family business.

She has overseen 1,454 feet/443 meters of new construction contracts spread over nine projects in four years. She has focused her attention on the financial, marketing and administrative aspects of the business, leading Royal Huisman to an annual turnover in excess of 50 million euros, a 25 percent increase in production capacity.

BOATS / BROKERS

January 2009

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BOATS / BROKERS

Debuts from Sunreef, Platinum as more yachts enter charter BOATS, from page B7 privacy for the owners and guests, and a lengthened hull that freed up deck space by shifting the tender from the aft deck down within the hull.

Ocean Mercury is a full displacement world cruiser with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure. She can carry a crew of eight in four double cabins.

Sunreef Yachts has launched a new 70-foot model in two interior designs, classic and modern with a Japanese flair. The modern-styled yacht, Seazen II, pictured below, will premiere at the Miami Boat Show in February.

She will be available for charter in the Caribbean with a crew of three and later in the Mediterranean.

Platinum Marine Services in Vancouver, British Columbia, has launched its new 125-foot (38m) Ocean Explorer series, pictured below. The new yacht series is a collaboration with Bray Yacht Design and Research.

The 125 will be the workhorse of the two new designs, having a large open aft deck with the ability to carry a helicopter, submarine, or large fishing tenders, the company said in a news release.

The second in the series, the Explorer Yacht, has a larger interior living area and a full-beam owner’s

stateroom. Both vessels have the master suite on the main deck with four full guest staterooms below. The semi-displacement hull has a draft of 7 feet and can carry six crew.

Fraser Yachts announced the following new central agency listings for sale: M/Y Kimberly II, a 139-foot (42.7m) Mondomarine by broker Antoine Larricq of Monaco; M/Y Alla, a 131foot (40m) Broward by brokers Dennis Frederiksen and John Solomon of Monaco; M/Y Whitefin, a 90-foot (27m) yacht by Renaissance Yachts by broker Luca Sbisa of Milan; and S/Y Blade, a 73-foot (22m) Maxi Dolphin, also by Sbisa.

The firm also added these new central agency listings for charter: M/Y My Trust, a 147-foot (45m) Codecasa, and M/Y Il Odyssey, a 107foot (33m) Benetti.

The company closed its office in Newport Beach, Calif., merging the staff with the San Diego staff in a new office on North Harbor Drive, incorporating not only brokers, but the staff with The Crew Network, the firm’s crew placement division.

Merle Wood & Associates announced it has added these new central agency listings for sale: M/Y Lady Joy, below, the 157-foot Christensen, and M/Y Sedrop, the 73foot Ferretti.

Luxury Yacht Group recently added the newly refurbished M/Y Perseverance II, the 123-foot Oceanfast, to its charter fleet. She is under the command of Capt. David Gies and a new crew. The yacht is available in the Caribbean this winter and in the Mediterranean next summer.

January 2009

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B12 January 2009 TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS

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ACR issues limited recall of GlobalFix iPRO emergency beacon ACR Electronics of Ft. Lauderdale is notifying dealers, distributors and customers that a small percentage of GlobalFix iPRO EPIRBs may not activate manually and is voluntarily issuing a limited recall notice.

ACR had discovered that some of the witness seal tabs used in the manual activation required the application of excessive force to put the switch into its correct position. The water activation feature works separately and is not affected by the manual switch.

According to ACR, the manual switch assembly will require re-working on a very limited range of units. No other

ACR EPIRB units are affected.

This condition, according to ACR Electronics, could exist in a maximum of 400 units built within serial number range of 1,000 to 1,699. The 400 units could be either the P/N #2846 Category I (automatic deploy) or P/N #2848 Category II (manual deploy) model. Serial numbers outside of this recall range are not affected by this notice. Anyone owning a GlobalFix iPRO falling within the suspect serial number range contact ACR¹s Customer Service Department immediately at +1-954-862-2110 or e-mail nbuckle@ acrelectronics.com.

Firm repairs props underwater

The Subsea Solutions Alliance has developed specialized tooling capable of providing permanent repair solutions for damaged propellers underwater.

Their portable equipment and certified propeller experts are capable of providing class approved permanent repairs on site. Certified propeller service engineers perform shop quality underwater propeller repairs, including straightening large bends, precision cropping and design modifications.

Technicians have completed training on site and at propeller manufacturing

facilities and are qualified to assess and determine repair solution. The solutions are classification society approved usually as permanent repairs, previously possible only after prop removal.

Large bends can be straightened underwater in hours; dockside or at anchor, through an underwater straightening process of cycles of cold static loading applied in sequence throughout the bend.

For more details see www. subseasolutions.com.

Skinny mini handles bandwidth

Automatic Identification System (AIS) transceivers can be a lifesaver when it comes to monitoring busy shipping lanes, but adding another antenna to a crowded electronics array can be challenging.

Shakespeare’s new 5250-AIS “Skinny Mini” antenna reliably handles broader AIS bandwidth requirements in a low-profile design that’s easy to mount.

The 5250-AIS is a 36-inch halfwave, end-fed stainless steel whip antenna. Its tin-plated, copper wire coil is housed in a sealed, chromeplated brass canister that minimizes troublesome de-tuning associated with plastic canisters.

This one-piece antenna attaches to standard thread mounts and includes 15 feet of RG-58 cable. The 5250-AIS retails for $74.95.

For masthead mounting, Shakespeare offers the low-profile 5215AIS Squatty Body. The 36-inch stainless steel whip mounts with a supplied stainless steel “L” bracket and SO-239 connector. Retails for $75.95.

For more information visit www. shakespeare-marine.com.

Admiral launches version 5

Admiral Maritime Electronics of Norway has launched Version 5.0 of its professional Electronic Chart System.

The software includes several major changes including improvements to weather forecast integration, automatic route planning, 3D topographical data and background charts.

Now offering the export of route waypoint coordinates to GPS or DGPS, version 5.0 includes tide tables and dynamic tidal stream in vector presentation.

Microsoft Vista compatible, the software interface has been more than two years in development and has been tested on supertankers, chemical

See TECH BRIEFS, page B14

The Triton

www.the-triton.com FROM THE TECH FRONT: M/Y Elizabth H rebuild

January 2009

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Rebuild after destruction by fire has been a painstaking one REBUILD, from page B1

Once under way, my hands on the wheel, everything felt the same. She I return to see her progress, and gladly handled as positively as ever and, with watch her return to the form I knew the Glendinning electronic controls, her. even easier.

This summer I found a Web site We ran out into the Chesapeake for British Merchant Navy sailors and ran south for a while at different (Merchant-Navy.net) and spent a lot speeds. My face hurt from smiling. Too of time there, even connecting with soon it was time to head back in and I an old shipmate from 1966. But what remembered feeling the same way after came across most obviously were the the first sea trial on Sea & H. strong feelings of camaraderie for our As we approached the dock John shipmates and the affection we still pointed out the differences on the have for our old ships.

Glendinning remote compared to Is the same true in the yacht the Micro commander that I have on industry today? I asked some friends Trim-It, then headed down to get the and shipmates and it seems that it lines ready. I took this as an incredible does exist, but a yachtsman’s feeling compliment because even though I was for his ship can often be colored by his her original captain that was a long relationship with the owner. time ago and she is his baby now.

I have always felt that I have left a It was nice to stand on the side deck piece of my heart on every boat I have and control her rather than from the ever worked on, be it commercial or fly bridge or wheelhouse, and we slid in private, which is why the project on the one foot off the pilings.

Elizabeth H – as she is now – means far We took her out again that more to me than just a rebuild. afternoon with John and Libby’s John Patnovic rescued the charred daughter, Martha, and her husband hull and has been painstakingly Patrick. Martha was one of the crew rebuilding her. He called me this who brought the ship north from summer to tell me that I would not see Miami and well a big change in her remembers since my spring climbing over and He told me he hoped to visit, as he had around the piles take me out for a run spent much of his of debris. To have time constructing the Elizabeth H when I came through a large building, on hand to take in the fall. That was all I big enough for two guests out during needed.

90-foot yachts, and her recent wedding wanted to get it was a huge step closed up before from four years winter. ago, especially as her father has – for He had taken her out a few times the most part – done the work himself. over the summer, even doing a couple When we went out again, we ran her of charity events. He ran some vacuum up to full speed but the batteries in the lines to the guest staterooms for the handheld GPS failed so we never got a heads and apparently a good time was reading. When John followed me out had by all. He told me he hoped to take the next morning so I could get some me out for a run when I came through running shots, he came by me at a good in the fall.

20 knots.

That was all I needed.

She looked incredible and I realized I left Norwalk, Conn., in late October that this was the first time I had ever and arrived in Worton Creek on a seen her at anything over idle speed Saturday afternoon. It was blowing without being aboard. stink and I figured I would not be going As I turned Trim-It south and John anywhere, either on Trim-It or Elizabeth turned Elizabeth H back to Worton H for a couple of days.

Creek, I thought back to the day I first When I arrived at the dock, I was saw her after the fire and how badly I greeted by John and Libby with cold felt. Now, watching her run through the beers, which seems to be becoming water, her paint gleaming and the sun a routine (a good one, I might add). reflecting off her windows, I was proud, We promptly retired to the aft deck of and happy again.

Elizabeth H and watched the sun go I couldn’t help but think how happy down. Already, the pleasant memories the owners and all the crew who ever were coming back. worked on her would be to see this. I John said we would head out in the believe there are many of us who leave a morning for a run, weather permitting. little bit of our hearts onboard.

Sunday dawned absolutely perfect, And for the crews of Sea & H and no wind, no clouds, John appeared Argus V, we’re all about to get that little at 0830 and he gave me a tour of the bit back. new building, which was well on its way to being done. He has radiant Capt. Ian Walsh runs the 58-foot heating in the floor so it should be very Hatteras M/Y Trim-It. Comments on comfortable working on the Burger this this story are welcome at editorial@thewinter. triton.com.

Capt. Walsh and the wheelhouse as they looked on a recent visit.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. IAN WALSH

B14 January 2009 TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS

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Navionics launches free electronic chart viewer for iPhone TECH BRIEFS, from page B12 tankers, bulk carriers, high speed and RoRo ferries, tugs, military ships and superyachts.

Norway’s Admiral ECS uses CMAP Pro+ vector chart databases.

By accessing the Real Time Update service (RTU), the Pro charts can be updated automatically by the Admiral ECS software. For large areas C-MAP charts cost less than ENCs and can be updated remotely at no extra cost.

For more details, visit www. admiralchart.no.

Navionics free viewer for iPhone

Navionics, a manufacturer of electronic cartography and navigation data supply, announced the availability of Navionics Viewer, its free application for iPhone, including fully-functional marine navigation charts for southeastern Florida, as well as marine and outdoor cartography for Genoa, Italy, until the full folio is available.

Navionics Viewer allows users to see a GPS position, tap and pinch the screen to zoom in and out, scroll the

chart seamlessly, query chart objects, find locations, adjust depth units, view in day or night mode, and more. The maps are stored “on board” the iPhone memory for faster performance and no data transmission fees, as well as service in the absence of cell coverage.

It also offers viewing of Navionics Gold XL9 Charts, HotMaps Premium Lake Maps, and Discovery Charts.

Navionics expects the full portfolio of Mobile Charts to be available soon.

Navionics Viewer will soon be available for additional smart phones.

For more information visit www. navionics.com/Mobile.asp.

Solar bags can charge laptop

Global Satellite USA announces the release of the new solar bag, the Generator. The bag produces enough solar power to fully charge a laptop from less than a day in the sun with high-efficiency 15-watt solar panels.

With about five hours of full sunshine, the panel recharges a custom-designed battery pack, capturing and storing solar power. The battery holds the equivalent of a full

laptop charge and can also be charged from a wall outlet. An hour in the sun also generates enough power to fully charge most phones, MP3 players and small cameras.

The bag is constructed from fabrics made with recycled soda bottles (PET), which are tough, waterproof and UV resistant. It includes a protective frame and padded laptop sleeve with storage room for other electronics, notebooks, etc. The solar panels come in five colors.

The company also invented the Voltaic Solar Backpack, a 4-watt solarpowered weekend storage bag, ideal for charging PDAs, cameras, cell phones, satellite phones and iPods. One hour in direct sun will power over 3 hours of iPod play time or 1.5 hours of cell phone talk time.

For information on both bags visit www.globalsatellite.us.

Paint honored in San Diego

The Port of San Diego successfully completed the panel testing phase of the Safer Alternatives to Copper Antifouling Paints project. The study’s first phase evaluated 46 coatings on fiberglass panels over a four-month period. Of the 18 zinc-based, four organic-biocide and 24 non-biocide paints, Vivid Free from Pettit Marine Paint was selected as one of the topperforming.

Employing biocide technology and a controlled erosion process, Vivid Free is EPA-approved and free of copper. Safely used on fiberglass, aluminum and wood hulls to protect against slime, algae, barnacles and other marine fouling, it comes in 24 colors. Boats can be hauled and re-launched without recoating and it is effective in all water types. Retails price is $199 a gallon and is available at boatyards and West Marine stores nationwide.

For more information, visit www. pettitpaint.com.

Keypad customizable

Digital Switching Systems has introduced its new Pi-Pad Relegendable Keypad. Pads serve as a stand-alone equipment controller or a power management system controller, with its multi-button configuration reprogrammed to offer versatility of electrical control functions.

The Pi Series controls are plug-andplay compatible with any RS-485 or CAN-based systems.

The IP67-rated Pi-Pad is siliconesealed and waterproof. Round button design allows for versatile mounting.

The keypad sends messages directly to a graphical user interface display or to the Pi Series multiplex power distribution module.

Available in four- or eight-button formats, with single-hole panel installation, it has interface board compatible wiring. Buttons are backlit and with three colors of LED rings to allow for multiple status displays. They feature toggle, momentary and scroll functions as well as snap-dome positive tactile feedback. Keys and indicator LEDs are assigned through a PC-based user interface.

For more information, visit www. digitalswitchingsystems.com.

Mini-Ku service launched

Globe Wireless and Intelsat have launched the GlobeSwift Mini-Ku VSAT service. Using a small, efficient 60cm Ku antenna, the service provides Internet service to yachts and commercial ships sailing in coastal U.S. and Caribbean waters.

“We can now offer customers a 2.4M C-Band, 1M Ku band, and now a 60cm Mini-Ku VSAT services,” said Frank Coles, president and CEO of Globe Wireless. “Combine this with the Globe i4, which uses traditional Inmarsat or Iridium as a backup for VSAT, and we now have the best and most complete maritime VSAT solution in the market today.”

The Mini-Ku service uses Intelsat satellites and earth stations. The service was beta testing aboard two Nekton dive charter vessels. For details see www.globewireless.com and www. intelsat.com.

The Triton

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PHOTOGRAPHY: Photo Exposé

We wrap up 2008 with lag time before shooting fresh into 2009 Welcome aboard photo enthusiasts, and Happy New Year. Out with the old, in with the new.

To finish the old from last month, I was last talking about shutter lag, making the point that in some compact digital cameras it can be a half second or longer.

What’s the big deal? Well, in Photo Exposé photography, a half James Schot second can seem like an eternity.

If your subject is your child or a boat race, that much time between when you press the shutter button and when the camera actually snaps the photo is critical, and that special expression or the neck-and-neck finish will certainly be missed.

Therefore, lag time is something you need to check on. It isn’t easy. The sales clerk will have no idea about it and shutter lag is seldom mentioned in a camera’s “specifications” list.

Manufacturers only note it if it’s good news. Try sourcing various Web sites such as www.dpreview.com or contact the manufacturer for an answer.

I buy a lot over the Internet, but at last resort you may have to find some way to try out the camera and see how it performs in this regard.

It is important to note one other factor that causes lag time. It’s one that is possible for you to control and it has to do with focusing. As you press the shutter of any camera there are two levels, a half-way press and the full shutter press.

When you zero in on your subject and press the shutter button half way, the lens will auto focus on the subject.

However long this takes will affect the time it takes to snap the shot.

The camera will not expose (take) the photograph until the electronics of the camera gives an “all clear” to the shutter release.

If it is dawn or dusk when the light is low, or if, for instance, you are shooting through glass where it might be harder for the camera to determine the focus, it will add a lot of lag time.

In such cases – and frankly any time you can – pre-focus will eliminate the extra split second or more of time it takes to release the shutter. So if only the expressions change or there is only parallel movement, in both cases where the depth of field remains the same, you can pre-focus.

To take advantage of this tip you need a camera that has the ability to manual focus in addition to auto focus.

This will allow you to turn a focusing ring on the lens for a specific depth of field.

Otherwise you can let the camera auto focus and then you switch to manual focus so it stays focused to a certain depth of field, and will not somehow re-focus. This will eliminate any extra focusing time to get your shots.

Don’t confuse shutter lag (speed) with specifications such as shutter speed, frames per second (fps), or ISO (speed) settings.

Shutter speeds for expensive and professional digital cameras can range from 30 seconds to 1/8000 of a second and bulb. Bulb means the shutter stays open as long as you press the shutter.

Small compact cameras do not have such a range or bulb. Generally they may range from 3 seconds to 1/2000 of a second or less. This has nothing to do with lag time, and has everything to do with controlling light that’s needed to expose a photograph and stopping (or freezing) action.

A professional digital camera may allow you to take 40 jpgs in a row at a rate (burst speed) of 8 per second.

Small compact cameras never reach such specifications, with most seldom achieving rates better then 1.5 a second. This is due to two factors: first, the electronic processing of the photo taken within the camera and second, the time it takes to store it to the memory card.

ISO speed settings are synonymous with speed, that is, light sensitivity. An ISO setting of 200 is twice the speed or sensitive as 100. This means many things, such as you can use it in lower light conditions or allow for faster shutter speeds to stop action. These all seem like good things, and small compacts usually allow for ISO settings of 100, 200, 400, and 800, so why not just go for the 800 setting?

Wouldn’t you know it, there’s a yin and yang to everything. High ISO settings add one very unpleasant element to photographs. In the film days it was grain, and in the digital age it translates to noise.

That’s about it on the old speed topic. So what’s new? I have just been reading about face, smile and blink detection built into new digital cameras. So what’s this new technology all about and what’s next?

It may be a good topic to explore next time, but for now I need permission to go ashore.

James Schot has been a professional photographer for 30 years and owns James Schot Gallery and Photo Studio.

Comments on this column are welcome at james@bestschot.com.

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B16 January 2009 IN THE STARS

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Star light, star bright, first star I see this year

By Jack Horkheimer Every year I celebrate New Year’s Eve and New Year’s week with something I have long called “the New Year’s star” because it is the brightest star we can see with the naked eye and every year it reaches its highest position at midnight during New Year’s week.

Any night the first week of 2009, just after sunset, face southwest where the brightest planet we can ever see in the night sky will be absolutely dazzling. It is planet No. 2, Venus, which is almost the same size as our 8,000-mile-wide Earth. It is the most reflective planet in the solar system because it is covered with a brilliant layer of clouds that act like a giant mirror.

If you were lucky enough to go out just after sunset on New Year’s Eve you would have seen that it was joined by an exquisite crescent Moon. But, of course, the Moon has since gone merrily on its way and will reach full on Jan. 10, the closest full Moon of 2009.

We can also see the New Year’s star at its highest point during the first week of 2009. Simply go out at midnight any night the first week of January, look due south, and smack dab in front of you at its highest point above the horizon you will see the brightest star we can see with the naked eye, the star that marks the eye of Canis Major, Orion’s bigger dog, the star we call Sirius.

It’s one of the closest stars to Earth, only 8.6 light years away. If you look toward the east at midnight, just below the bright stars that make up the constellation Leo the Lion, you’ll see another planet, not as bright as Venus but (in my estimation) the most beautiful planet of them all, 75,000mile-wide, ringed Saturn.

You may recall that back in October I alerted you to the fact that Saturn would be losing its rings soon, and that they would actually disappear from all but Earth’s best telescopes on Labor Day weekend 2009.

What I didn’t tell you was when Saturn does finally lose its rings, it will be so close to the Sun that we won’t be able to see it from Earth. So the second best thing to Labor Day’s non-event is that you look at Saturn any night this month because the rings are now almost at their skinniest.

Any night through the end of January between 10 and 11 p.m. face east where you’ll see the brilliant stars of Leo the Lion just rising.

Several stars, if connected by lines, trace out a sickle shape or a backward question mark and make up the front part of Leo, and a triangle of less bright stars marks his rear. With a bit of

imagination we can picture a nice lion here.

The bright blue star Regulus marks his heart, but there is a slightly brighter object off to the right of his hind quarters and it looks a bit yellowish.

That, dear friends, is Saturn.

If you look at it through a telescope, its rings will appear very skinny and much different than they usually look because they are almost edge on to us.

We see more or less of Saturn’s rings depending on where it is in its orbit.

It takes Saturn 29 1/2 Earth years to make one orbit about the Sun and as it does so its rings constantly appear to change position as seen from Earth. In April of 2003 they appeared wide open, as astronomers say. Ever since then they have been slowly closing, slowly tilting downward.

By Labor Day weekend, they will disappear from sight through all of but Earth’s biggest telescopes. Then they will slowly open once again and in eight years, in October of 2017, they will be wide open once again. So get thee out to see Saturn’s rings at their skinniest right now because they won’t look this skinny again until March of 2025.

By the end of the month, we will have four nights to watch an ever growing crescent Moon play tag with the queen of the planets, Venus.

Beginning Jan. 27, face southwest an hour after sunset and, if you have a clear flat horizon, you will see an exquisite one-day-old slender sliver of a crescent Moon snuggled close to the horizon right beside Venus.

On Jan. 29, an even more wonderful crescent Moon will be parked just down and to the right of Venus. And the two of them together will absolutely blow you away.

For those of you who aren’t into planets and the Moon, just turn around and face southeast and you’ll easily be able to spot seven bright stars, which make up Orion the hunter.

Simply shoot an arrow down through them and that arrow will land almost smack dab on Sirius, the star which marks the eye of Orion’s big dog Canis Major, which means big dog in Latin.

Sirius is one of my favorites because whenever we see it close to the horizon it always sparkles like a diamond, often flashing blues, greens, reds and yellows.

Jack Horkheimer is executive director of the Miami Museum of Science. This is the script for his weekly television show co-produced by the museum and WPBT Channel 2 in Miami. It is seen on public television stations around the world.

For more information about stars, visit www.jackstargazer.com.

The Triton

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Boat shows: 4 nations, 2 weeks Jan. 3-4 21st annual Las Olas Art

Festival-Part I, Ft. Lauderdale. More than 300 regional and national artists exhibit on Las Olas Boulevard between 6th and 11th avenues. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Free. www.ArtFestival.com

Show and Trawler Expo, Stuart, Fla. In three marinas: HMY’s Waterway Marina, Allied Richard Bertram Marine Group Marina, and Stuart Harbor Marina, northwest of the Roosevelt Bridge. www.miatc.com

Jan. 4 SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch

Jan. 9-18 55th London Boat Show,

(first Sunday of every month) at Riverwalk from 11 to 2, Ft. Lauderdale.

Free. www.fortlauderdale.gov

Jan. 7 The Triton’s monthly networking event (the first Wednesday of every month from 6-8 p.m.) with Claire’s Marine Outfitters in Ft. Lauderdale.

Join us for casual networking in and around the offices of Claire’s at 2921 S.W. 2nd Ave., which is behind Lester’s Diner south of SR 84. www.the-triton.com.

Jan. 8 The Triton captains luncheon,

EVENT OF MONTH

Jan. 10-18 51st Toronto International

Boat Show. Toronto, Ontario. Canada’s premier boat show with 1,500 boats and 100s of booths including demonstrations on the world’s largest indoor lake. www.torontoboatshow. com

Jan. 17-25 40th annual Boot 2009,

Boat Show, San Diego Convention Center and Marriott Marina, www. sandiegoboatshow.com

Jan. 9-11 35th annual Stuart Boat

Jan. 21-25 37th Minneapolis Boat

Jan. 8-11 21st annual San Diego

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London, England. 500 exhibitors showcasing power and sail boats, dinghies, deck equipment, charter holidays, sailing courses and more. www.londonboatshow.com

Düsseldorf, Germany. More than 1,700 exhibitors from 55 countries have registered to showcase boats, yachts and maritime products and services.

Held in conjunction with Super Yacht Show, Diving Show boot Düsseldorf, Sport Fishing Center. More than 280,000 visitors are expected and 2,500 journalists are expected to cover it. www.mdna.com

noon, Ft. Lauderdale. A roundtable discussion of the issues of the day.

Active captains only. RSVP to Editor Lucy Reed at lucy@the-triton.com or 954-525-0029. Space is limited.

January 2009

This year’s topics are piracy, refits in the United States, and visa and FILE PHOTO immigration issues.

Jan. 27-29 4th annual Captains Briefing & Reception Port de Plaisance Marina (near the casino), St. Maarten

This year’s three-day event features two receptions and three panel discussions: “Piracy at Sea, What’s the Real Story?”; “Bring Those Refits Back to the USA” and “Visas and Immigration – Let’s Clear the Air.” Produced by the U.S. Superyacht Association and will include company exhibits and networking open to senior officers of large yachts. www.ussuperyacht.com Show. Upper Midwest’s best selection of new boats and hundreds of booths.

See vessels used in the James Bond 007 films “The World is Not Enough” and “Diamonds are Forever”. www.

minneapolisboatshow.com

Jan. 22-25 St.Maarten-St.Martin See CALENDAR, page B18

B18 January 2009 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

www.the-triton.com

The Triton

Marina & Boatyard Conference in Ft. Lauderdale Jan. 25-28 CALENDAR, from page B17 Classic Yacht Regatta. Fourth invitational is the first classic regatta of the Caribbean season. www.classicregatta.com

Jan. 23-Feb. 1 Seattle Boat ShowIndoors and Afloat, Seattle, Wash., Qwest Field Event Center. www. seattleboatshow.com.

Jan. 24-25 19th annual Nautical Flea Market, Pompano Community Park, 830 N.E. 18th Ave., Pompano Beach.

954-786-4111 $4, parking is free. www.nauticalfleamarket.com

Jan. 25-28 International Marina &

Boatyard Conference, Ft. Lauderdale.

Conference for marina owners, operators and personnel and boat building and repair facilities. Sponsored

by AMI and ABBRA. Seminars and 130 exhibitors. www.marinaassociation.org.

Jan. 25-31 20th annual Rolex Miami

OCR, the world’s top Olympic and Paralympic class sailors compete on the waters of Biscayne Bay. The event is part of the ISAF Sailing World Cup, a new world-class annual series for Olympic sailing. One of the world’s top competitions that help sailors prepare for 2012 Olympic competition.

MAKING PLANS April 15 Triton Expo and Job Fair Bahia Mar, Ft. Lauderdale

For everyone working and soonto-be-working in the yachting industry and for all companies that offer services to them and their yachts. Networking, education, crew agencies, brokers along with services and supplies for yachts and crew. Booths, speakers, resume services, raffles and more in the planning. Stay tuned to www.thetriton.com for more details. www.RolexMiamiOCR.org

Feb. 1 SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch

(first Sunday of every month) at Riverwalk from 11 to 2, Ft. Lauderdale.

Free. www.fortlauderdale.gov

Feb. 4 The Triton’s monthly networking event (the first Wednesday of every month from 6-8 p.m.) with TowBoat U.S. in Ft. Lauderdale. Join us for casual networking. Location to be announced. www.the-triton.com.

Feb. 4-8 29th Atlantic City

International Power Boat Show, Atlantic City, NJ. 700 new boats and 440

booths. www.acboatshow.com

Feb. 5 The Triton captains luncheon, noon, Ft. Lauderdale. A roundtable discussion of the issues of the day.

Active captains only. RSVP to Editor Lucy Reed at lucy@the-triton.com or 954-525-0029. Space is limited.

Feb. 5-6 3rd annual Yacht Engineering Forum, Italy, specifically for engineers, architects and designers on issues such as classification (yacht or ship), ergonomics, filling and paint, design of large yachts and nautical automation. www.sea-tec.it

Feb. 5-7 Seatec, the 7th Exhibition

of Technologies, Subcontracting and Design for Boats, Megayachts and Ships, Marina di Carrara, Italy.

More than 1000 exhibitors expected from Europe and 24 other countries.

Organized by CarraraFiere. +39 0585 787963, www.sea-tec.it

Feb. 5-8 44th annual Fort Lauderdale

Billfish Tournament and SeaFest. Las Olas Marina. Event includes two day offshore tournaments, family-friendly festival, music, silent auction and raffle. www.lauderdalebillfish.com

Feb. 6 29th The Pineapple Cup -

Montego Bay Race, an 811 nautical mile

run from Ft. Lauderdale to Montego Bay, Jamaica. Classes eligble are PHRF, multihull, IRC and One Design boats. www.montegobayrace.com

Feb. 7 20th annual Women’s Sailing

Convention, Southern California Yachting Association, Corona del Mar, CA. Open to all women with 26 workshops by top sailors. Limited to 350, registration is $165. www.scya.org

Feb. 12-16 21st annual Yacht and

Brokerage Show, Miami. The inwater show held in tandem with the Miami International Boat Show in the Intracoastal Waterway. Free. www. showmanagement.com

March 12-14 Abu Dhabi Yacht Show,

Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre organized by Informa Yacht Group (owners of Monaco Yacht Show). Show to target elite power and sail buyers in the market for megayachts 30-100m. www.abudhabiyachtshow.com

March 26-29 24th annual Palm Beach

International Boat Show, Palm Beach.

More than 1,000 boats from inflatables, power boats, fishing boats, personal watercraft to superyachts over 150’.

Features kids’ fishing clinics and extreme sport fishing seminars. www.showmanagement.com

The Triton

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SPOTTED

Triton Spotter

Kobe, a rescue dog that’s sure to have some doberman in his blood, shares coffee with Capt. Oliver Dissman in his favorite Triton coffee mug in Ft. Lauderdale. Dog’s got good taste, eh?

Capt. Rob High takes a break at our latest networking event to catch up on the news. Reading at a party; now that’s loyal.

Capt. Rocky Miller sent this photo in St. Thomas as he oversaw the unloading of the yacht from Dockwise Yacht Transport after being shipped from Newport. Capt. Miller and the crew will be buzzing around the Caribbean this winter with a base in St. John, USVI.

Where have you and your Triton been lately? Send photos to lucy@the-triton.com. If we print yours, you get a T-shirt.

January 2009

B19

December networking

January networking

Did you hear that?

Photos from the YES boys.

At Claire’s on Jan. 7.

Conversation goes two ways.

C2

Section C

C3

www.the-triton.com

service?)

Perhaps the surprising part is in that short amount of time, not only has Internet access become an important tool in a captain’s effective performance, but a full third of respondents consider 24/7 access critical to their jobs. Seventy-five percent considered it at least very important; and 92 percent proclaimed the Internet at least somewhat important in their ability to function effectively as a captain.

“Just like GPS, captains are becoming more dependent on e-

communications,” one captain said. “It’s great when available and likely to become more ubiquitous and affordable. But, just as with navigation, the skills for traditional methods of communication and acquiring weather should not be lost.”

“One truism on any boat: It’s always better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it,” another captain noted.

So what kind of systems do yachts carry, what are captains’ minimum

See SURVEY, page C12

Praise works: Give it when it’s earned What is feedback?

It’s simply information given to and received by people regarding their behavior. Note I said behavior, not character.

Feedback is a continuous and interactive process, best given as close to the time of the behavior as possible.

Don’t wait until an annual performance review to tell a crew member they did something well or poorly. Have two-way communication with crew frequently regarding their performance and interactions with others.

Feedback can be positive or Manager’s Time constructive. Many people think Don Grimme constructive is a euphemism for negative, but it’s much more than that, as readers will see in next month’s column. This month, we’re focusing on positive feedback.

Why is feedback needed?

It’s difficult for us to see ourselves objectively, especially the impact our behavior has on other people or on complex systems, such as the operations of a yacht. And it’s impossible to see ourselves as others see us.

Impossible, that is, without feedback.

Think of feedback as a mirror that another person holds up for us to look into. The best mirrors, of course, are those without distortion (in other words, the biases or hidden agendas of the person providing the feedback), untarnished by either animosity or fondness.

So why should we give positive feedback?

Among other reasons, more than anything else, employees want to be appreciated for their work.

Unfortunately, most of us are criticized four times more

C17

January 2009

Yachts rely on Web dockside and at sea It really shouldn’t surprise many readers of The Triton that a strong majority of yachts operating today have some sort of Internet connection onboard; 91 percent of the 144 captains who took this month’s survey.

Not much farther behind was the all-desirable wireless connection, which 79 percent of vessels in our survey offer their owner, crew and guests. (Was it really only a decade ago when it was unusual to have such

New edition has nautical Spanish.

C10

TRITON SURVEY: INTERNET USE

By Lucy Chabot Reed

Que pasa?

Substitutions for spices and condiments on board You probably know by now that if any one given place doesn’t have what you are looking for, and you are in the middle of nowhere with no hopes of finding what you wanted, then you will have to find a suitable substitution for it.

This list is for when you find yourself out of something and need to know how Culinary Waves to either make it Mary Beth or what to use in Lawton Johnson place of it. It is for the staple items we find we can’t live without.

You might find that with these substitutions, you have created a wonderful new menu item (or you might find that the original item worked better).

Baking

COPYRIGHT PATRICK HERMANS; IMAGE FROM BIGSTOCKPHOTO.COM

than we’re praised. We need to reverse that.

How do you do it?

1. Start by describing the behavior (not the person) using

See MANAGEMENT, page C15

Baking onboard this holiday season and can’t find allspice but you need a teaspoon for a recipe? Substitute one teaspoon of allspice with a half teaspoon each of cinnamon and ground cloves. l If you run out of apple pie spice, make your own with cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom. l If you are out of baking powder, use baking soda and cream of tartar.

There are a lot of substitutions you can make for specific flours. l If you need a tablespoon of allpurpose flour for thickening but don’t have any, try 1 ½ teaspoons of cornstarch or arrow root starch, or 1½ teaspoons of whole wheat flour, or 1 tablespoon of granular tapioca.

See WAVES, page C8

C January 2009 NETWORKING LAST MONTH: Yacht Entertainment Systems

M

ore than 250 captains, crew and industry professionals joined us on the first Wednesday in December to network with the boys from YES (Yacht Entertainment Systems). Joey Ricciardelli and Darren Coleman were charming sponsors and kept everyone having fun with karaoke and holiday cheer all evening. We heard from several crew in the days afterward that they found jobs. Of course, you have to work it, like one daring deckie with the advertisement on his shirt. (Not sure if he was hired or not.) We network on the first Wednesday of every month, though not always with karaoke. See the next page for details of our January event Photos by Capt. Tom Serio and Kenna Reed

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The Triton

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NETWORKING THIS MONTH: Claire’s Marine Outfitters

January 2009

C

Claire’s offers complete outfitting and a block party to boot The Triton hosts networking events on the first Wednesday of every month.

This month, that’s Jan. 7 and we’re networking at Claire’s Marine Outfitters, a Ft. Lauderdale chandlery and long-time Triton advertiser.

All Triton readers are welcome to come between 6 and 8 p.m. for casual networking in and around the offices of Claire’s at 2921 S.W. Second Ave., which is behind Lester’s on the east side.

Until then, learn a little more about Claire’s in this conversation with company owner Marc Burton.

Q. Welcome back, Marc. Your company hosted our networking event in July and we had a wonderful time. What’s on the agenda for the event on Jan. 7?

We are having a block party.

Like before, we’ll put up a tent in the outdoor area adjacent to our store where we’ll Burton overspill into the street.

We’ll celebrate the warmth of the season with refreshments and food, and Joey and Darren from Yacht

Entertainment Systems will do the music.

We’re looking forward to introducing our company to any new people in town and, of course, networking with captains and crew to let them know what kind of benefits Claire’s can offer them.

Q. Tell us about Claire’s Marine Outfitters. What does your company do?

We are a yacht support company and chandlery providing supplies, support, equipment, machinery and the full range of outfitting for new builds and refits.

We specialize in operational supplies, including ground tackle (fenders, lines, protective gear), care products (soap, waxes, polishes), and engine room supplies, including rebuild kits and parts and liquids for maintenance.

We also supply all the water toys, dinghies and motors. And we can supply interior departments with things like linens, lighting, medical supplies, plumbing, bathroom fixtures and galley equipment.

Q. Is there anything you can’t get?

We don’t supply food. Other than that, there’s really not anything we can’t

supply.

Q. Why is your company called Claire’s?

The business was founded in 1988

by Claire Miller, who has been in the marine industry for many years.

I acquired the store from Claire in 2006. This month marks my third year as owner, so the networking event will be sort of an anniversary celebration for us, too.

Q. Congratulations on three years in business. What were you doing before 2006?

I was in charge of purchasing and logistics for a small Caribbean cruise line. I did all the managerial support, purchasing and logistical supply, and shipping for our operation of six ships, from ordering supplies to finding resources and the best price for goods.

Our shipping knowledge of the Mediterranean and Caribbean helps us let captains purchase at the right price and get their goods delivered at the right price.

Q. With yachts tightening their budgets in light of the downturn in the economy, how do you help captains be more cost effective?

Because we are a one-stop supply

and chandlery, there is very low overhead in our company. With our expertise in mechanical and technical areas, we are able to source and deliver goods cost effectively.

We’re the local chandlery where the old timers come. And we’re the alternative to the big brand names.

A lot of people get lost in the shuffle with the big names. But our personal service is really sticky. We’re like duct tape.

We’re good people doing good work and we really stick with our customers to make sure they get their supplies on the boat’s schedule. When they deal with us, they deal with the people on the front end.

Q. What’s the hardest part about what you do?

The most challenging part is the logistical support, getting shipments (small packages or palettes or even containers) to boats in yards on time, sometimes in the middle of the night so a yacht can meet its schedule.

Some Caribbean islands are really difficult, especially getting packages to small islands like Bequia and even Antigua sometimes. But we’re always helping captains with our resources to get things done on time and on the boat’s schedule.

C January 2009 HOW I GOT MY START IN YACHTING

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The Triton

Trip to St. Thomas leads to yachts, naturally

By Julianne Hammond The saga of Leslie Hudson is a classic sea tale of a female protagonist who suffers the indignities of misfortune, the vicissitudes of fateful decisions, and the perseverance of a true heroine. (I have already sent my script to Hollywood.)

Our story begins in 1975, in Kennebunk, Maine, a challenging life tempered by the coastal marine climate. Our heroine has just graduated from high school, a rite of passage marking the beginning of adult life (at least it did in those times, no live-athome 30-year-olds in that era.)

Our girl is a hardworking, horseloving teenager, earning money to care for her Arabian through tedious hours at the Exxon gas station. The first domino teeters and falls in slow motion as an industrial accident at work injures her eyes, and she is forced to spend the entire summer indoors, avoiding the sun at all costs. Think back to that first liberated summer and its heady antics and frivolity.

In the fall, Hudson flees the hometown restrictions and thoughts of lost opportunities to visit an older sister working in “The Shipwreck Shop” in St. Thomas, USVI. Hudson joins her in the same souvenir shop and the next chapter begins.

The Practical Exam

For recreation, Hudson walks the docks, like any restive young woman, making small talk with sailing captains and affable ruffians (crew), in the simmering kettle of adventure and romance of early Caribbean boating.

Predictably, the young woman is offered a temporary deck/stew job on a 42-foot sailboat helping the captain move the boat to sheltered harbors for a few days, avoiding a storm.

Drawing upon on her session of sailing lessons as a child, she accepts.

Predictably, again, the captain drinks himself into a stupor in two days,

rendering himself useless to the safe travel of our new crewmember and boat.

Undaunted, and with no working knowledge of the vessel at hand, Hudson bravely assumes her new post – captain – and heads back to St Thomas harbor solo. She is successful in her navigation and maneuvering, narrowly avoiding the crests of the local reefs, and I quote her, “What reefs?” She then rouses the derelict captain because she does not know how to lower the sails. Applauded by the locals for her obvious Leslie Hudson fell into yachting with an offer, then natural skill, Hudson fell in love with a sailor. She remains in the industry leaves the retail aisle and as a career counselor at Maritime Professional pursues crew life.

PHOTO/LUCY REED Training.

She next takes a job on the 68-foot livePerhaps not. aboard dive boat Eros as stew/deck, a After a few months she accepts an position she enjoys for nine months. unsolicited delivery offer bringing a She described her scuba diving training sailboat to Bermuda, and from this this way: “They put a tank on my back, point the ocean is her life. Yes, she does a regulator in my mouth, mask and fins fall in love, they marry, they work on on my body, and told me to clear my sailboats as a team, they come home ears on the way down. So I did.” to raise a child.

The longer story has a Inspired and ambitious, Hudson happy ending. next signs on to the beautiful Sirocco, Hudson’s extended resume contains a 75-foot Alden sloop once owned by stints at Showboats International Errol Flynn. A consummate multimagazine, crew placement agencies, tasker she finds she is the sous chef, and her current position at Maritime stew and deckhand, while the rest of Professional Training as a career the team idles nearby. This short-lived counselor.

She has been at MPT for position ends when sharing a bed eight years and enjoys her work and her with the captain is added to the job contact with crew.

She knows the issues description. She declines and finds her and the rewards.

She’s got great stories. presence is no longer required.

The Falling Action

After a year in St. Bart’s doing freelance work, Hudson returned to the States to work on a horse farm in Virginia. Perhaps she has come to her senses.

Julianne L. Hammond is a chef/mate on megayachts. Comments on this story are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.

How did you get your start in yachting?

Share your story with Triton readers.

Who knows? You might inspire someone.

Crew win photo competition just doing their jobs Second engineer Max Lettner of M/Y Noa VII won first place in a recent photo competition by Luxury Yacht Group with a photo (below) of himself, Bosun James and First Mate

Mike cleaning the waterline and taking photos of the running gear for routine inspections. The prize carried a $1,500 check Luxury Yacht Group, a Ft. Lauderdale-based management company, brokerage and crew placement company, announced the winners in early December after a twomonth contest.

The majority of photos in the competition were submitted by crew, the company said.

Second prize went to Chris Sutherland for a nighttime photo from Venice.

Using time exposure, he blurred the docked gondolas in Piazza de San Marco, while the lights from the island of San Giorgio stood still in the background. Second place carried a prize of $1,000.

Third place went to Mark O’Connell for a colorful sunset shot while anchored off the island of Capri.

The sunset is reflected in a round window on M/Y Maridome. Third place carries a $500 prize.

To see all three photos in color, visit Luxury Yacht Group’s Web site at www. luxyachts.com.

The company plans to hold the photo competition again next year.

C January 2009 NUTRITION: Take It In

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The Triton

Adults need double vitamin D as in years past. Getting yours?

Mother always told you to drink milk Vitamin D is also produced in the for strong bones, right? Now, she may body on exposure to sunlight, but add eating a handful of mushrooms, increasing vitamin D levels via sunlight too. has been a source of ongoing debate.

Nutrition This is because of the use of sunscreen and medical and high risk of skin cancer, especially professionals are in fair-skinned people. learning more Dark skinned people aren’t immune. about vitamin D, In fact, dark skinned people require including what more time in the sun in order to foods contain this produce needed vitamin D. According vital nutrient, what to the Centers for Disease Control, benefits it provides, African-Americans are more likely to and why we might have insufficient amounts of vitamin D Take It In not be getting than whites, and this makes them more Carol Bareuther enough. likely to get certain types of diseases Last fall, the such as diabetes and cancer.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Given that vitamin D is somewhat advised that children should consume hard to find in foods, it will take some twice the currently recommended diligence to be sure you get a natural amount of vitamin D, or 400 and/or fortified source of vitamin D International Units (IUs) rather than in your diet regularly, as well as some 200 IU. limited, healthful On the heels sun time. of the AAP’s Interestingly, Vitamin D isn’t found announcement, we may soon in many foods. Fish oils the National see mushrooms such as cod liver oil are Academy of in our markets Sciences’ Institute that contain a potent source. So are of Medicine (IOM) fatty species of fish such natural vitamin is set to review its D. Research by as ... salmon. One whole recommendations the USDA has egg has a small amount for adults. discovered that Currently, adults ultraviolet light of vitamin D. up to age 50 can boost levels should consume of vitamin D in 200 IUs per day, mushrooms. adults aged between 51 and 70 should This natural process of “enriching” have an intake of 400 IUs, and adults mushrooms by briefly exposing aged 71 and over should consume 600 mushrooms grown in the dark to IUs. light for 5 minutes can boost existing This recommendation comes after vitamin D levels to 400 IU in a 3-ounce research revealed vitamin D may not serving. only be beneficial to bones and teeth, Dole-brand mushrooms offers but also be protective against chronic two portabella products with this ills such as diabetes, heart disease and enrichment. Monterey-brand cancer. mushrooms offer white button Vitamin D is a key nutrient in the mushrooms and portabella mushrooms formation of bones and teeth. It also that have this vitamin D enrichment. aids in the absorption and utilization Mushrooms that have undergone this of calcium. Vitamin D deficiency in light treatment will have this listed on children shows itself as stunted bone their label. growth, bone malformations and While you’re unlikely to get too malformed teeth. In adults, vitamin D much vitamin D from the food, and deficiency, called osteomalacia, may prolonged sun exposure doesn’t lead to bone fractures and muscle cause vitamin D toxicity, megadose spasms. supplements of this vitamin can cause Vitamin D isn’t found in many foods. symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, Fish oils such as cod liver oil are a poor appetite, constipation, weakness potent source. So are fatty species of and weight loss. fish such as herring, catfish, salmon, More seriously, excessive doses mackerel, sardines in oil and tuna in of vitamin D can raise the level of oil. One whole egg has a small amount calcium in the blood, which can of vitamin D. cause confusion and changes in heart This nutrient is also found in rhythm. The recommended upper limit fortified milk and dairy products, for vitamin D is 2,000 IU a day. fortified orange juice and fortified

cereals. The package label will list this Carol Bareuther is a registered vitamin D fortification. If this listing dietitian and a regular contributor to doesn’t exist, a particular product The Triton. Comments on this column doesn’t contain the fortification. are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.

C January 2009 IN THE GALLEY: Culinary Waves

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The Triton

Concours de Chefs winners The theme for the fifth annual Concours de Chefs at the St. Maarten Charter Show in December was the Spanish influence upon Caribbean cuisine. Yacht chefs were asked to prepare a two-course luncheon that reflects the Spanish influence and culinary contribution to the region.

The winners are:

Division 1

First place to Chef Guy Barrett of M/Y Va Bene.

Second place to Chef Nicholas Richert of M/Y Lady Joy. Third place to Chef Christina Jones of M/Y Tuscan Sun.

Division 2

First place to Chef Amanda Hutchins of M/Y Namoh.

Second place to Chef John Chamberlain of M/Y Lucky Seven.

Third place to Chef Jeff Ciucevich of M/Y Golden Times.

Best Dessert

Chef Matthew Banducci of M/Y Chevy Toy, who prepared Soursop Icicle with sugar cane juice in a sweet milk and coconut tart with a mango and bitter orange gazpacho, drizzled with a rum reduction.

Best Crew Service, Ambiance and Table Setting

First place to M/Y Namoh.

Second place (tie) to M/Y Tuscan Sun

Capt. Gui Garcia of M/Y Tuscan Sun plays the part of King Neptune on the yacht’s Under the Sea themed party. Tuscan Sun’s crew won second place for Best Crew Service, Ambiance and Table Setting.

PHOTO/PEG SOFFEN

and M/Y Paramour.

Third place to M/Y Lady Joy. The event was sponsored, as it is every year, by ShowBoats International magazine and Moet & Chandon.

Need a cup of self-rising flour?

That is a simple substitution WAVES, from page C1 (If you need cornstarch, try allpurpose flour or granular tapioca.) l You can substitute a cup of allpurpose flour with 1 cup plus two tablespoons of cake flour. l If you need cake flour, simply use a bit less all-purpose flour. (1 cup cake flour = 7/8 cup thoroughly sifted allpurpose flour). Your baked item will be somewhat denser, so be sure to sift several times in the dry stage. l Making a cup of self-rising flour is easy. Start with 1 cup of all-purpose flour and subtract 2 tablespoons. Then add 1½ teaspoons of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of salt. l Arrow root can be substituted with flour and cornstarch. l You can replace a tablespoon of fresh herbs with a half teaspoon of dried herbs, a fresh garlic clove with an eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder, and fresh ginger with candied ginger that’s been rinsed of its sugar.

Condiments

More often than not, we run out of condiments. Here’s a quick guide for making common recipe items

in a pinch. These are adapted from the Minnesota Department of Home Economics and are tried and true. l Buttermilk = 1 cup of whole milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. This really works. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before using. l Self Rising Cornmeal= 1 cup of regular cornmeal plus 1½ tablespoons of baking powder plus ½ teaspoon of baking soda l Corn Syrup = honey or sugar and water (which is a simple syrup) cooked l Ketchup = tomato sauce, brown sugar and vinegar, cooked. Use amounts equal to what you like to taste in a ketchup. l Chives = green onion tops, chopped or minced or split. l Butter = margarine or fat and salt.

There is no substitute for real creamy butter, but this will do in a pinch. l Shortening, 1 cup = 1½ cups of butter. Both are great for pie shells. l Chili Sauce = brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, tomato sauce, allspice. l Mayo = cottage cheese pureed in blender, yogurt or sour cream. I have

See WAVES, page C9

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IN THE GALLEY: Recipe

January 2009

Andrea Walker’s Celery and Fennel Salad

By Mary Beth Lawton Johnson This recipe has been around for a long time. My friend Andrea Walker made it for me and I loved it. So I had to share it.

It has had many variations but this is the best combination I have tasted.

(Serves 4)

There are many recipes for celery and fennel salad, but this one stands PHOTO/MARY BETH LAWTON JOHNSON out for flavor and appearance.

Substitute rice wine for sake; add in peach juice for cognac WAVES, from page C8 found a product that I love called Vegenaise, found in health food stores and specialty markets. l Skim Milk = ½ cup of evaporated milk and ½ cup of water l Heavy Cream = equal parts of milk with butter melted (use this only when you plan to use it in cooking or baking) l Light Cream = evaporated milk l Cocoa = 1 square ounce of semisweet chocolate l Unsweetened Chocolate = 3 tablespoons of cocoa plus fat, such as butter l Whipped Cream = freeze a can of evaporated milk. Just when it is icy, add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and whip. l Cream of Coconut = heavy cream with coconut extract added in l Coconut Milk = regular milk with a hint of coconut extract added in l Sweetened Chocolate = unsweetened chocolate and 4 teaspoons of sugar l Lemon Juice, 1 tablespoon = ½ tablespoon of vinegar l Honey = sugar and water, heated in equal parts to form a simple syrup It’s not the best case scenario, but yacht chefs have to be able to improvise. Be sure to have plenty of backups on hand to make what you need in a jiffy, should it come to that.

Alcohol

Maybe a guest doesn’t drink onboard or the owner requests no alcohol in his food. Here are some substitutions for alcohol in a recipe: l Red wine = non alcoholic wine, hearty beef stock, grape juice with a little red wine vinegar l White wine = non alcoholic wine,

chicken broth l Amaretto = almond extract l Grand Marnier = orange juice l Brandy = specific fruit-flavored juices such as cherry brandy, use cherry juice l Cognac = peach juice l Rum = rum extract flavorings l Sherry = orange juice l Frangelico = almond extract l Sake = a little rice wine vinegar

Meat

If you have a vegetarian or vegan onboard, trying to find a meat substitute in the middle of nowhere is tough. Tofu is found worldwide and so are a lot of soy and nut-based products.

Here are some substitutions adapted from Vegetarian Times magazine. l For meat use tofu, tempeh, seitan, textured vegetable protein (TVP), or Tofurky, a meatless blend of gluten and tofu. And don’t forget, simple beans paired with rice offers a complete protein meal. l For dairy, use soy milks, nut milks, and rice milks. l For cheese, use vegan cheese which is soy or nut based such as cashew cheese that you can make using a food processor. l For eggs, use an egg substitute. l For mayonnaise, use a grape seed oil or soy-based mayo spread called Vegenaise.

Mary Beth Lawton Johnson is a certified executive pastry chef and Chef de Cuisine. A professional yacht chef since 1991, she has been chef aboard M/Y Rebecca since 1998. (www. themegayachtchef.com) Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@ the-triton.com.

2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons vinegar 3/4 cup olive oil 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 bunch celery, cleaned, leaves and small stems removed 1 cup coarsely grated parmesan cheese 1 cup fennel tops (feathery part only) 4 shaved pieces parmesan cheese for garnish

(You’ll need 3-inch ring molds) To make dressing, put lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, sea salt, pepper and Dijon mustard in blender and puree for 1 min. Set aside.

Using a mandolin or knife, slice celery on the bias, paper thin.

Place shaved celery, grated cheese and fennel tops in large mixing bowl. Toss, adding dressing little by little. Set aside.

To assemble: Place a 3-inch ring mold in the center of a plate and fill almost to the top with the celery-fennel mixture.

Top with the shaved pieces of parmesan cheese.

Remove ring molds.

C

C10 January 2009 ONBOARD COMMUNICATIONS: SitComm

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Communicating isn’t all about what comes out of your mouth I recently participated in a training course in communication and on the first day I learned something that stunned me.

Communication is 50 percent speaking and 50 percent listening.

Makes sense, but on this day when I heard it, a light bulb went on in my head. I’ve always thought of myself as an excellent SitComm communicator, able Rachel Shapiro to speak clearly and succinctly, get my point across, and make people understand me.

What surprised me is that I realized I was so busy making sure that I got my point across that I often completely discounted actually listening to what the other person was saying to me.

In yachting, it is vital that we communicate clearly and easily.

The proximity in which we work and live means that a breakdown in communication can rapidly deteriorate into an unworkable situation. The first step in creating an environment that is easy and pleasant to be in is getting clear on what communication is and what it is not.

Here are a few realizations that have made a difference for me in my communication with others.

What communication is not: l It is not yelling, shouting, or demanding. l It is not forcing a point, insisting that one is right, or being unwilling to listen to another person’s point of view. l It is not self-justification, being defensive, or attacking another. l It is not occurring when two people are more involved with their own thoughts about what the other person is saying rather than what the other person is actually saying. l It is not necessarily agreeing with another’s opinion. l It is not reacting to what you think another person meant.

What communication is: l It is listening to another person and hearing what is being said, both in the words and in the spaces between the words. l It is exchanging ideas with no agenda or expectations. l It is granting another the opportunity to say what is there for them, being generous and patient. l It is sharing one’s own experience in a way that others learn from and are inspired by.

One of the most valuable lessons I

have learned on boats is that there is more than one way to do things. One captain may swear by tying the boat up in a certain way and another will swear that his way is the only way.

At first this confused me. I couldn’t understand how, if there was “a right way” to do something, that everyone wasn’t doing it that way. What I gradually understood is that there are many ways to skin a cat and my way is definitely not the only way, and it may not even be the best way (shock, horror).

When speaking and listening to others, we all operate from our individual life experience and so hear and understand things with our own set of filters. In an industry as culturally diverse as yachting, it is common that our varied backgrounds can lead to situations where what we hear is not what is being said.

On a recent freelance trip I found myself repeatedly having the same conversation with another stew. She would say what she was frustrated about in her job and I would instantly respond with something positive and uplifting, wanting only to encourage her in seeing the bright side of life. Yet no matter how positive I was, it didn’t alter her desire to gripe.

I looked at the conversation from different angles. What I saw was that rather than just allowing her to say what she was dissatisfied with and get it off her chest, I wasn’t hearing her, and instead insisted on getting my point across.

Once I allowed her statements to exist without my thoughts about them getting in the way and I repeated her concerns back to her, she felt heard and was able to naturally start to see the benefits of her job.

The opportunity to simply be heard is one of the most precious gifts one person can give another. Listening to what people actually say to us, free of our interpretations and with no response necessary, is a gift of grace and ease.

Working in an industry where we are in constant communication with the people in our world, experiencing grace and ease in our interactions is vital for satisfaction and peace of mind. God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason.

Rachel Shapiro has worked on yachts more than 10 years. She now works to bring a more holistic approach to yachting with the Integrous line of allnatural cleaning products, and crew placement and seminars through Hands Om Crew. Contact her at +1-954-4656320. Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.

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INTERIOR: Stew Cues

New year is the perfect time to consider change in life, job Each year as the holiday season draws to a close, many people start to think about the new year. We inevitably grow and change all through the year, but there is something definitive about the beginning of a brand new year.

Some of us have a standing resolution we make every year, but then lose Stew Cues momentum Alene Keenan along the way.

Diminished resolve and loss of motivation are common for everyone, but let’s resolve to make this the year we actually do follow through.

We are not yet sure how much the yachting industry will be affected by the troubled world economy. There could be big changes coming, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. Now is the perfect time to think about your career and earning potential, and all the facets of your life.

Career/education. Think about any classes or seminars you could take to help you do your job better. You could benefit greatly from certifications you acquire if you happen not to be working. Owners will be looking for the best value they can get for their money.

What training or certification could you resolve to complete this year that would enhance your career marketability?

Financial. We are all affected by the economy in some way. If you have not already done so, it is time to take responsibility for your finances. Now is not the time to be living without any savings. The yachting industry provides a unique opportunity to create and attain financial goals.

What is one financial habit you can resolve to start this year?

Health/fitness. This has to be the most common topic addressed every year. It is doubly important now to ensure that we do all we can to develop healthy habits. We stews live under enormous stress as it is, but economic woes filter down from the top, so department heads feel extra stress. To do our jobs well, it is important that we do everything in our power to maintain our health and immune systems.

What health or nutrition habits can you resolve to begin doing regularly?

What fitness goals would you like to achieve?

Spiritual. I have always noticed how difficult it is to maintain any semblance of a spiritual or religious practice when we work on a yacht. There never seems to be an opportunity to attend regular services, and how can you possibly establish a daily meditation practice

when you live in a 3- by 5-foot cubicle with six other crew members breathing down your neck?

Well, it can be done. We just have to modify our expectations and be flexible with our goals.

What spiritual habit could you resolve to start doing regularly? If that seems unattainable, what spiritual topic can you resolve to study?

Family. This is a biggie. Finding a way to spend time with members of your family can be challenging.

We stews have at least two, possibly three or more families to consider. We have our biological families, our crew families, our owner families, and even our charter guest families.

One thing I’ve noticed is that sometimes our biological families get put on the back burner. The little bit of time we have off is often spent taking amazing vacations that we are so fortunate to be able to afford, while our parents and siblings remain at home, awaiting every precious postcard we send. There are not many industries that provide the perks that we have in yachting.

What is one thing you could resolve to do to show your family how much you miss them?

As for our shipboard families, or even our owners or charter guests, what is one thing we can resolve to do to demonstrate how much we value their role in our lives?

Attitude. It can be difficult to maintain our sanity at times, let alone keep a smile on our faces and gratitude in our hearts, but it can be done. What is one thing you can resolve to do this year to help you keep things in perspective? It can be as simple as a phrase or mantra that you repeat to yourself during trying times, or as complex as a yoga or meditation schedule that you adhere to religiously or the resolve to get up early and exercise every day. Whatever you choose, remember in your heart of hearts that it is all about you.

It’s never too early – or too late, for that matter – to plan and initiate positive change in your life. An official New Year’s resolution gives you an opportunity to look at your life from a broader perspective.

So what are you waiting for? As the clock strikes midnight this year, what new life-changing journey will you begin?

Alene Keenan has been a megayacht stewardess for 16 years. She is founder of Stewardess Solutions, which offers stews training and consulting to improve their jobs and careers. Contact her through www.stewardesssolutions. com. Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.

January 2009

C11

TRITON SURVEY: Internet Use C12 January 2009

Some owners want multiple Web systems SURVEY, from page C1 onboard requirements in 2009, and what equipment – if time and money were no object – would captains most like to have onboard?

Current systems strongly leaned toward land, with the top two systems of our respondents either cellular networks or marina wi-fi kits, giving a majority of vessels Internet access at the dock or as they traveled within sight of land.

The teenager in the mix – the VSAT – finished a strong third on about 23 percent of vessels, followed by the granddaddy of them all, the Inmarsat.

Respondents’ remaining systems were mostly the newest systems available, including the 1-year-old miniVSAT, the even newer B-GAN, and the newest kid on the block, long-range wifi WiMax (on just one vessel).

More than a few captains used the open comment area to let us know that their vessels have more than one system aboard, which we didn’t ask for specifically. Considering those responses, 28 percent of megayachts today have more than one type of system, either providing stronger and faster service in certain areas or serving as redundancy to ensure backup where access is critical.

“We have multiple systems on board,” one captain wrote. “It is critical for the owners. It is their requirement.”

Speaking of critical, we asked how important 24/7 access to the Internet was for captains in performing their jobs efficiently. A full third said it was

See SURVEY, page C13

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How important is having Internet access 24/7 to Avg. vessel length in feet (and # of responses) by your performance as a captain? Not at all important how importantly 24/7 Internet access was rated: – 0.7%

Not that important – 7.7%

135 (1)

131 (44) 112 (58)

Critical – 33.1%

Somewhat important – 16.2%

90 (21)

Very important – 42.3%

Critical

78 (10)

Very Somewhat Not that Not at all important important important

What sort of system do you have?

Do you have internal

No – 21%

51 45 33 27

8 Cellular Marina VSAT Inmarsat Mini (3G) wi-fi VSAT

8

8

5

2

1

1

1

Iridium Syrens B-GAN DSL at Wave WiMax Erickson dock W25

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TRITON SURVEY: Internet Use

Are you satisfied with the system you have?

January 2009

If you aren’t completely satisfied, what’s the primary reason?

Not at all satisfied – 0.7%

69

Very satisfied – 11.8%

‘We rely on it too much’ SURVEY, from page C12

Mostly dissatisfied – 19.9% 45 Mostly satisfied – 67.6%

20 4

3

7 Too Too slow Customer sporadic svc. poor

wi-fi on the yacht?

C13

Cost

Too Equipment difficult issue

Average length of vessel by Internet system:

155

118 106

102

99

92 78

Yes – 79%

VSAT

Inmarsat

Mini VSAT

Marina wi-fi

B-GAN

Cellular (3G)

Iridium

critical and 42 percent more said it was very important. Only 0.7 percent of respondents (1 of 144 captains) said it was not important at all, and 7.7 percent (11 of the 144) said it was not that important.

“I carry my own personal laptop, and wireless is shaky when I can find it,” noted a captain. “When I purchase it, it helps to stay connected to friends and family and is great to eye weather. I’d rather have it than be without.”

“For a busy charter boat it is invaluable,” another captain said.

“Weather reports are critical, e-NOAs, business, etc.”

“For ISM- and ISPS-regulated yachts, a reasonable speed is a must for sending reports and info to the DPA [designated person ashore],” said a third.

We were surprised to find that of the 47 captains who noted that 24/7 access was critical, only 16 – just more than a third – noted that they had multiple systems. That isn’t much higher than the 28 percent of respondents as a whole who said they had multiple systems. We expected a higher percentage there, given the importance to these captains.

“Internet is a pain,” one captain said.

“We all rely on it too much and feel our throats are cut when the service is down. We got on fine before, if you remember back. People often ask me ‘didn’t you read the e-mail I sent to you?’ It is now taken for granted that we all sit for endless hours on the Net behind our computers; not something I am proud of but the computer and

See SURVEY, page C14

C14 January 2009 TRITON SURVEY: Internet Use

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Sporadic availability was the No. 1 Internet complaint SURVEY, from page C13 Internet now have a huge control over our everyday lives.”

“The most important reason for having Internet access onboard is for weather forecasts and all weather data,” a captain noted. “All other Internet needs are secondary and really not needed until we arrive at a port.”

We also weren’t prepared for the level of satisfaction captains have with their service. Almost 80 percent were either mostly satisfied (67.6 percent) or very satisfied (11.8 percent) with the Internet system onboard.

“The Internet is great onboard, when it works,” one captain noted. “You just can’t rely on it 100 percent of the time.”

We thought we’d learn something from those 16 respondents who were very satisfied with their systems – that maybe all of them had one kind of system, for example, or on the largest vessels with presumably better budgets – but when we looked closer, we found no consistencies. Nearly half had the VSAT system, but four had cellular, three used marina wi-fi kits, one had B-GAN and one Inmarsat.

Those respondents also weren’t on the biggest vessels, but a mix of sizes.

Of the respondents who were not completely satisfied, a majority cited sporadic availability as the primary reason, followed by slow service and by poor customer service.

“I get more complaints from guests that the service is too slow or sporadic,” another captain reported. “We typically will use the wi-fi available at the marinas where we dock. Personally, I have an iPhone, which is a wonderful tool for getting weather updates and e-mails.”

Many captains wrote in that maintaining the systems were the worst part, complaining of complicated

set-up and time-consuming troubleshooting.

“Sometimes I need to be an IT to figure things out.”

Only a few chose cost as a cause for dissatisfaction in the survey, but in the comments section, many more wrote that service, especially cellular service, was too expensive.

“It doesn’t matter how much money the owner has, the price of Internet can’t be justified,” one captain noted.

Of the 26 respondents who were dissatisfied most of the time with their connection (and identified a system), more than half (14 respondents) used a marina wi-fi kit. The remaining 12 captains are sprinkled between six types of service.

We also wanted to know if a vessel’s use played much of a part in a) what kind of system the vessel had and b) how important Internet was to the captain. So we asked captains which of these 10 regions they regularly took the vessels: U.S. East Coast, Bahamas, Caribbean, Mediterranean, U.S. West Coast / Alaska, Mexico, Central America, South America, Australia / New Zealand, South Pacific / Southeast Asia.

All 39 vessels that traveled in four or more of those regions had Internet service onboard. Half of them carried the VSAT (20), followed by marina wi-fi kits and/or Inmarsat (six each), cellular and/or the mini VSAT (three each) and one has the Iridium system.

These captains who traveled the farthest placed a higher degree of importance on their Internet access.

More than half (51.2 percent) called it critical versus the 33 percent of all respondents; 38.5 percent called it very important, and the remaining 10.3 percent called it somewhat important in enabling them to work effectively.

None of them considered it “not

that important” or “not important at all,” compared with 8.4 percent of all respondents.

Again, though these captains said access was more important to them than the overall respondent, just 12 of the 39 (31 percent) noted they had multiple systems onboard, only a tick above the 28 percent of all respondents who did.

It may say something that 12 of the 13 captains who have no Internet onboard traveled the U.S. East Coast.

The other traveled the U.S. West Coast.

Does size make a difference in a captain’s need of access or type of system? A little. It was interesting to see the average size of the vessel increase as the importance of 24/7 access increased. The average size of the vessel of captains who said 24/7 access was not that important was 78 feet, critical was 131 feet.

But the type of system didn’t really break along new vs. old technology lines, nor did it break with purported stronger vs. weaker service. Vessels with the sought-after VSAT averaged 155 feet, followed by those with the tried-and-true Inmarsat system, which averaged 118 feet. Vessels with the newest technology averaged 106 feet (with the mini-VSAT system) and 99 feet (with the B-GAN system).

Vessels that relied on marina wi-fi kits averaged 102 feet, and those with cellular averaged 92 feet. Does that mean smaller vessels stay closer to shore?

So, what would captains have onboard if time and money were not an issue?

Most who responded to this question chose satellite systems, VSATs or mini-VSATs. A few simply said they

See SURVEY, page C15

Survey comments

l If you are staying in the United States or Puerto Rico with the yacht, the Ericsson W25 is a very good, inexpensive option that works with a regular SIM card. It has great speed and a fixed unlimited rate of $70 a month with AT&T. The Ericsson was provided by Alan Spicer (www. marinetelecom.net). l Syerns is a good, cheap way if you are in marinas a lot. l Make sure several users can access at the same time. Charter guests don’t like it if they have no Internet access while under way. l AT&T 3G (laptop card) is vastly overrated and overhyped. It has lousy signal consistency and slow down and up speeds, despite perhaps having an otherwise excellent signal on my cell phone.

(Have tried several card versions to no avail.) Many marinas that do have wi-fi do not maintain their systems well and do not have consistent coverage on all docks.

Curiously, the ones that are “free” are generally better than the ones that charge outrageous daily fees. l Buy a package that will allow unlimited usage on a monthly basis. Having to pay per megabyte can become extremely expensive with charter guests spending long periods of time surfing the Net. l We have a junction box that toggles between any data card or our high-gain wi fi antenna.

The data card costs $50 a month and the wi-fi varies on what is available within range. Yesterday we upgraded our Verizon data card to international for $80 extra a month. This allows 100Kb per month when you don’t have a wifi connection. When there is no other option we use the satellite.

It was installed by Alan Spicer telecom of Ft. Lauderdale. l There is a new deal on the market that allows you to use any wireless carrier’s USB (such as Sierra Wireless’ affiliation with AT&T). The product is made by CradlePoint and can be found at any Best Buy. The one I have is the size of a checkbook and allows up to 16 users on a secure network for the vessel with only the one USB antenna. The only thing that has to be paid is the wireless carrier’s Internet service. My plan is $59.99 a month, unlimited. The cost of the CradlePoint product is $295, a huge savings compared to satcom/ Iridium/other systems. l The cell system works great; buy a SIM card for each country.

The satellite system is too expensive.

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TRITON SURVEY: Internet Use

Some captains want redundancy SURVEY, from page C14 wanted more bandwidth for faster, more reliable service and didn’t identify a preferred system for it.

“Money is not the problem,” one captain said. “I just need to know what is better and available.”

“The same system the cruise ships have,” another captain said.

Several captains thought outside of the box and said they wanted a fulltime Internet technician as part of the crew. One jokingly said he wanted his very own satellite.

Surprisingly, more than a few captains said they were happy with what they had and needed nothing else – even though money and time were not an issue and they could have any system they wanted.

“Exactly what I have now,” said a captain with an Inmarsat system, “except I would invest in Wi-Max to extend it to the Caribbean and the remainder of the Mediterranean.”

“Nothing different,” said a captain with a twin-system VSAT. “However, we’re always looking to upgrade to better technology.”

“What we have is perfect,” reported a captain with a cellular (3G) system and a DSL connection.

When time and money are an issue, minimum requirements include reliable access, better than average download speed, access at the dock, and the simple desire “to be able to

check e-mails at least once a week.”

“I would settle for anything that actually worked consistently with decent usable signal strength,” one captain said.

A few captains who viewed Internet as more important in their jobs suggested satellite and at least one redundancy for minimum needs.

One thing we didn’t ask about was how Internet access played into the work environment on a vessel. We’ve heard anecdotes from captains who say that, when asked if they have any questions, job candidates only want to know if they have Internet in their cabin. It’s becoming that common.

“It’s been both positive and negative,” one captain noted.

“Positive in crew morale being able to communicate with family and friends inexpensively; negative in abuse of privilege during work hours.”

“Get whatever you can,” another said. “Crew will base a decision of whether to stay with a boat that travels a lot on the Internet facility on board.

I was brought up in the days of letters and the post office, but this is the new reality so I may as well get used to it.”

We conduct our monthly surveys online.

All captains and crew members are welcome to participate. If you haven’t been asked to take our surveys and would like to be, log in to www.thetriton.com and you will automatically be added to our database.

Praise: Be sincere, not manipulative MANAGEMENT, from page C1 specific language and examples.

2. Then describe the impact of the behavior and the positive consequences it has. This is why you are praising the person for it, so let them know the impact their behavior has.

3. Show appreciation for the person’s effort. This can be as simple as saying thanks.

4. And for goodness sake, be sincere, not manipulative. A manager’s goal is to catch people doing something right and make them aware of it, not to get them to work harder (although they probably will, simply by feeling better about their job and knowing their boss has noticed).

Positive feedback doesn’t have to be a drawn-out, official affair. In fact, it’s most effective on the spot, and doesn’t take much time (just some thought on your part). Here’s a simple example: The boss: I appreciate your working late last night to finish cleaning the tender. (The boss is complimenting specific behavior.)

You helped us to meet our turnaround and that helps keep our guests satisfied. (This is the impact the crew member’s behavior had, both

in the short term and in a broader context.) Thanks for the extra effort.

(Simple and concise appreciation.)

That takes all of about a minute, and leaves your crew member feeling appreciated, the effects of which can linger for hours, if not days.

Use positive feedback to reinforce appropriate, productive, desirable behavior and to show appreciation.

Now it’s your turn. Identify someone who is doing a good job, right now, and who deserves positive feedback.

Write down some notes using the behavior-impact-appreciation guidelines on what you would actually say to this person. Now say it. Give that person positive feedback.

Don’t worry if you feel a bit awkward the first couple times you do this. Just like when learning any new skill, it gets easier and feels more comfortable the more you do it. And watch the results in your crew, both in morale and in productivity.

Don Grimme is co-founder of GHR Training Solutions in Coral Springs, Fla. He specializes in helping managers reduce turnover and attract excellent job candidates. Comments on this story are welcome at dgrimme@comcast.net.

January 2009

C15

C16 January 2009 LITERARY REVIEW: Well Read

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Literary world loses significant authors The year 2008 was costly in the deaths of significant authors.

Tony Hillerman defined the niche in which he wrote. His classically crafted mysteries based in the Southwest feature protagonists who are Navajo tribal police officers.

The insight with which he describes traditional tribal beliefs and interface Well Read with Anglo society is Donna so on target he was Mergenhagen awarded a Navajo Tribal Council commendation.

He began with two separate series but in 1990 he combined his characters with the release of Skinwalker. A number of the combined character story lines have been made into public television movies. Hillerman was a regular contributor to The Nation. He also wrote an insightful memoir titled “Seldom Disappointed.”

A student in medical school when he first picked up his pen, the science in Michael Crichton’s writing is plausible if not practiced. Genetic engineering was a favorite topic.

From “The Andromeda Strain” (the first book he published under his own name) to his last published novel, “Next,” both the promise and potential horrors of gene manipulation were the basis of his thrillers.

He also made forays into sexual harassment with “Disclosure,” international business with “Rising Sun” and historical fiction with “The Great Train Robbery.” His success was not limited to writing. He was the creator of the television series “ER,” producer of the “Jurassic Park” movie franchise, and director of “The Great Train Robbery” movie.

It is the outlier of Crichton’s work that is my favorite. “Travels” (Harper Collins, $14.95) is his journal of adventure to escape what he perceived as routine. He traveled to Rwanda

jungles to track wildlife, to Tahiti to swim with sharks, to the Yucatan to explore the Mayan pyramids, to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro. There is a surprising amount of self-discovery and appreciation for the mysticism of some of the locales in the book.

The essays of David Foster Wallace are cultural commentary. Many collections of essays were published, but either “Consider the Lobster” or “Brief Interviews with Hideous Men” would be great introductions if you have not read him. His novel, “Infinite Jest,” is based on the premise that a movie might be so entertaining that it actually endangers its viewers. His observations of culture are morphed into pointed humor.

“The Last Good Kiss” is the most often cited detective story by James Crumley. He actually wrote two series with recurring characters – C.W. Sughrue and Milo Milodragovitch.

A number of other contemporary authors including Neal Stephenson cite Crumley’s novels as their inspiration.

He is the master of transforming the routine into the memorable.

In one novel, the main character sees a man wearing the overcoat donated to charity from his deceased father’s possessions. The description of his reaction to the situation is great training ground for aspiring novelists.

Thomas M. Disch wrote poetry and horror in addition to science fiction, the genre in which he won nearly every award. His first novel, “The Genocides,” was released in 1965. “The Dreams Our Stuff Is Made Of ” was his cynical take on writing for a living. It won him a Nonfiction Hugo in 1999.

It will be interesting to observe what new or yet unrecognized authors fill the gap left by those lost in 2008.

Have a happy reading new year.

Donna Mergenhagen owns Well Read, a used book store on Southeast 17th Street in Ft. Lauderdale. Contact her at 954467-8878. Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.

Must-have for travels to Spanish ports

By Ellen Sanpere Eight years ago, Kathy Parsons published “Spanish for Cruisers” and made communication history amongst the charter captains, cruisers, marina and boatyard workers, marine technicians, mechanics and others who work on, live on, repair, maintain or have anything else to do with boats – and who speak only English or only Spanish.

The first edition of the book offered words, phrases, diagrams and pronunciation guides to facilitate boat repair and maintenance for English speakers in Venezuela, Mexico,

Guatemala and every other Spanishspeaking place their boat demanded outside attention.

Needless to say, it was a big hit, but limited in scope. Now, she has brought the Spanish version up to speed.

This second edition has been greatly expanded and covers all the vocabulary necessary to cruise the Spanish-speaking countries of the Caribbean, the Americas and Europe.

It provides yacht crew as well as cruisers and marine interests with the practical, specialized phrases needed to communicate with port captains, dock attendants, marina and boatyard staff, mechanics, technicians, rescuers, See SPANISH, page C17

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LITERARY REVIEW: Spanish for Cruisers

Nautical translations help in tough times SPANISH, from page C16 fishermen and divers.

“Spanish for Cruisers” is just as useful ashore for provisioning, shopping, dining, medical care, banking, phone, internet, transportation and directions.

Beyond listing thousands of words in easily understood categories, Parsons teaches the reader to construct useful sentences, with Sentence-starters and +Actions. She shows how to describe anything (“I’m anchored near the breakwater.”), to give orders (“Cleat it, quick!”) and to ask questions (“Can I clear out in Salinas?”), and includes tips and tools for understanding the answers (“The hardware store is two blocks east.”).

Slow-learners/fast-forgetters like this reviewer can resort to the many useful diagrams and point to a fuel filter or a seacock and add a courtesy phrase. Parsons encourages us to do whatever works.

Using her book greatly improves the odds for success. The spiral binding allows the reader to lay the book flat for easy use, and many local names for things are included. Indexing in English and Spanish, a navigator inside the back cover, a pronunciation guide for every word, plus illustrations and diagrams of systems, boat parts and even body parts, make the new “Spanish for Cruisers” an essential carry-along companion in every Spanish-speaking country.

As for that well-worn copy of the first edition, it’s a great thank-you gift for a helpful mechanic, marina or boatyard employee. ¡Buen viento y buena mar!

Ellen B. Sanpere is a friend of Kathy Parsons and helped with the editing of “Spanish for Cruisers.” She lives aboard S/V Cayenne III, a Beneteau Idylle 15.5, with her husband, Tony. She is based in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela. Comments on this story are welcome at editorial@ the-triton.com.

Spanish For Cruisers: The Boater’s Complete Language Guide for Spanish-speaking Destinations, 2nd Edition,

by Kathy Parsons. (Aventuras Publishing Co., 2008, $31.95).

The Triton has one copy of this book. The first yacht crew member who requests it and can pick it up at our offices in Ft. Lauderdale can have it.

Send an e-mail to editorial@ the-triton.com. Or visit www. spanishforcruisers.com

January 2009

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C18 January 2009 PERSONAL FINANCE: Yachting Capital

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Re-quote on home insurance can save lots with same firm

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Many years ago I made the decision to be an independent adviser. This decision allowed me the option to branch out into different areas of the financial and insurance industries that I feel to be in the best interest of my clients.

As an independent, I like to network Yachting Capital with other professionals Mark A. Cline when it fits my clients’ needs. Having said that, recently one of my associates that has a property and casualty business along with his financial services firm encouraged me to re-quote my homeowner’s insurance. I did not feel the need to as I had just done that a year ago when I had a mitigation inspection done on my home.

Not until I gave in to the simple and no cost process of getting a quote myself did I realize how much insurance premiums can change, especially in Florida.

About 15 months ago I was encouraged to have a mitigation inspection done on my house by my now-former insurance rep. This was soon after Florida’s hurricane season had run up the premiums to a ridiculous amount for everyone.

I was proud that I had installed hurricane shutters and saved about $1,100 dollars a year by having the mitigation inspection done and shutters installed. So, as I mentioned, I did not feel anyone could do much better.

I originally had two policies with the same company. One was a homeowner’s policy and the other was a wind-only policy. Then, of course, I had a flood policy as well, for a total of three separate policies to adequately insure my home in the event of a storm or incident.

I was shocked when this agent came back replacing the same policy with the same insurance company and also reducing my deductible from 5 percent to 2 percent. The agent did this in my case by combining my homeowner and windstorm policies into one policy.

This saved me $2,400 for the year.

Needless to say I was not happy with my agent for not notifying me of these possibilities.

I have come to realize that some agents have no financial incentive to encourage their clients to review their policies. So I encourage you to add this to your list of things to do when you sit down and review your retirement plan.

Having gone through this experience as a client I have now chosen to bring property and casualty into my practice.

With this affiliation, my clients get the convenience of having their review done at the same time we review their financial goals, if warranted.

I am now in the process of encouraging each and every one of my clients to follow in my foot steps and do the same to make sure they are getting the best deal. So far, I have seen savings from just a couple of hundred dollars to a couple of thousand of dollars a year.

Obviously, the amount of savings depends on the home and location, but reviewing insurance policies has, for the most part, saved everyone real cash.

With today’s economy this has been a welcome phone call to my clients.

No matter what company or agent you use, keep on top of frequent reviews of your cost of coverage to make the best use of your money. You should always be able to get no cost no obligation, multiple company quotes to ensure you get the best coverage.

Capt. Mark A. Cline is a chartered senior financial planner and mortgage broker. He is a partner in Capital Marine Alliance in Ft. Lauderdale.

Comments on this story are welcome at +1-954-764-2929 or through www. clinefinancial.net.

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PERSONAL FITNESS: Keep It Up

January 2009

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New fitness columnist aims to keep that heart rate up Editor’s note: Beth Greenwald is an adjunct professor in exercise sciences at Florida Atlantic University and a certified strength and conditioning specialist. She conducts personal training sessions as well as group fitness boot camp classes, which have been known to attract yachties. As 2009 begins with new-found resolution, it’s the perfect time to get fit and Keep It Up.

knee into a lunge until your left thigh is parallel with the floor. Make sure your right knee does not touch the floor and that your left knee does not

By Beth Greenwald Exercise is essential to a healthy lifestyle. It decreases risk of chronic diseases, helps to lose/maintain a certain weight, manages stress levels, improves mood, and reduces the effects of aging. Need I say more?

Each month I will offer a cuttingedge circuit routine that will help you get back in shape or get to the next fitness level. Circuit training consists of a series of exercises performed rapidly with no rest in between. Instead, rest is taken after completing the circuit.

Each circuit includes cardiovascular and resistance exercises to build lean muscle and improve cardio fitness. This keeps your heart rate elevated, burning more calories during your workout and boosting your metabolism for up to 24 hours after your workout.

The best part about circuit training is that it is easy to follow and requires limited materials. You use your own body weight, exercise bands, a jump rope and moderate weight (5-10 lb.) dumbbells. Each circuit is a total body workout incorporating strength, power, flexibility, balance and core training.

Having a strong core stabilizes the spine and pelvis, which in turn controls movement, prevents back injury, improves posture, and provides a stable center of gravity.

Many of the exercises in the circuit are combination movements, allowing you to work several muscle groups at the same time. You must always remember that it is the quality of the exercises and not the quantity of them, that are most important.

Here’s your first circuit workout.

Even the most seasoned athlete is just about breathless halfway through this circuit. To increase the difficulty, try the added challenges.

Jog in place - 3 minutes as warm up.

Circuit

1. Jump Rope - 1 minute This is what starts to get your blood flowing and heart pumping. Challenge - 30 seconds on each leg.

2. Squat with Overhead Press using resistance band- 1 minute Stand on band, feet hip-width apart, your weight on your heels, holding handles in both hands. Begin with arms bent in a “goal post,” wrists straight and abdominal muscles in. Squat back as if you were sitting in a chair, keep your back straight, and make sure that

your knees do not cross over the front of the toes. Reverse the direction to stand up straight again, contracting the shoulders to straighten arms overhead.

Repeat. Challenge - Use a thicker band.

3. Bicycle Abs- 1 minute Lie on your back, with lower back pressed into floor. Place both hands behind your head. Extend your right leg

out straight while lifting both shoulders off the floor, elbows stay open away from head. Bring right armpit and left knee toward each other. Keep slow, controlled movements. Repeat on opposite side.

4. Push-ups- 1 minute Ensure that your body maintains proper alignment (butt down… no cheating). Modification- on your knees.

Challenge- clap after each push up.

Quickly, up on your feet for the next segment.

5. Bicep Curl with band- 1 minute Stand on the resistance band with either one foot (less resistance) or both feet (more resistance). Hold the handles at your sides, arms straight down, palms facing forward. Keeping elbows tight to your sides, curl the resistance band to your shoulders without twisting your wrists. Bring your arms back down to your sides and repeat.

Challenge- Use a thicker band.

Keep going … you are halfway through.

6. Jumping Jacks- 1 minute Challenge- put a light dumbbell in each hand.

7. Alternating Front Lunge with Lateral Raise- 1 minute With a dumbbell in each hand, stand with your feet hip-width apart, arms at your sides. Step forward with your left foot, keeping your weight evenly distributed while you drop your right

go over the toes. At the same time, raise both arms to shoulder height (palms facing the ground). Step back to starting position and repeat with the other leg. Challenge- Use a heavier set of dumbbells 8. Squat Jumps- 1 minute Get into a squat position. Really power up and jump as explosively as you can, throwing your hands up overhead. Lower yourself back into squat position and repeat. ChallengeHold a weight in your hands 9. Mountain Climbers- 1 minute Start in a push-up position with hands under shoulders. Drive one knee up to your chest fast. Repeat,

alternating legs. Keep your butt down.

Almost there … dig deeply.

10. Plank Hold- 1 minute One last challenge for the core muscles. From the starting position of the mountain climber, lower yourself onto your forearms. Butt down with your body in a straight line so you are balanced between your toes and your elbows. Hold it there. If you fall out of position, get back up and try again.

Modification- perform exercise on your knees. Challenge- Lift one leg.

Rest 2 minutes, be sure to hydrate, wipe off the sweat. Repeat the circuit 2 more times, resting between each circuit. Jog in place for 3 minutes at the end of the third circuit and be sure to stretch when you are all done.

Great job. I’m looking forward to our next workout.

Contact Beth at +1 716-908-9836 or bethgreenwald@hotmail.com.

Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.

C20 January 2009 BUSINESS CARD ADVERTISERS

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January 2009

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