Gun check
Rules summary for transporting firearms in U.S. B1
Lux tax dies 1,200 islands And lots more fish, in the Maldives. B1 Vol.6, No. 9
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Give busy captains what they need first, and what they should know later. By Capt. Laura Tritch Do not make a captain hunt for information that should be easy to find on any résumé. A résumé needs to have categories and be clear, clean and crisp in each category – like you look in your résumé photo.
Personal Information
TRITON SURVEY: ONBOARD POLICIES
The best résumés – the ones captains don’t immediately toss in the trash PHOTO/DORIE COX – are clear, clean and crisp in several key categories. Format your personal information to the left of your photo.
Objective
If you have a clear and well-written objective, put it next. “I want to work on a yacht” is not an objective. That is a goal and the captain will toss your résumé after reading this. An objective can be an opportunity for a little personal history such as “I have been in the industry for three years…” or “I have been around food production since I was a child…” or “I am looking for a yacht that will give me the passage days I need to complete
my next level of licensing…”. A captain who sits at the dock would now realize you are not the crew member for him. Do you want a charter yacht or not? Your objective should be no more than three to four sentences, and not compound sentences.
Certifications
The next category should be “Certifications.” This is where you list all of your maritime certifications, classes/courses that have been completed, STCWs, culinary training,
See RÉSUMÉS, page A14
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If you have onboard policies, how did you create them? Select all the answers that apply. – Story, C1
22 Trial/error
Other
21 Owner
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A6
December 2009
Keep your résumé out of the trash
Start with “Personal Information,” which must include your nationality, birth date or age, marital status, languages spoken, whether you smoke and/or have tattoos, your This story e-mail address was actually a and phone presentation at number, your the Triton Expo height and on Nov. 11 in weight (because Ft. Lauderdale. we want to For the next six months, we know if you will print the will fit into the presentations, all uniforms that given by captains are aboard) and and veteran crew. your current We begin with location (many a presentation captains have about résumés limited budgets from Capt. Laura for moving crew Tritch. to/from the yacht; a train ride is cheaper than an airline ticket). A photo is a must. Make it a professional photo in uniform or chef jacket. Be aware of the background. Do not use a photo that looks like it was taken at a party and you look intoxicated. I have seen such photos.
EU court rules Sardinia’s luxury tax illegal.
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9 5 Previous Research Mgmt. Previous captain company owner
Captains can help industry as it rebounds There was a lot of talk at the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show about repeat showings, qualified buyers and even offers (lowball as they were). So it almost feels like – dare I write it – the tide is turning for yachting. With captains From the Bridge and crew Lucy Chabot Reed optimistic in the days after FLIBS, we thought it the perfect time to talk to megayacht captains about what role they play as the yachting industry rebounds. The answer wasn’t as complex as we thought. “Yachts are the boss’s toys,” one captain said simply. “If they aren’t enjoying them, they will let them go. We have to make them the most enjoyable part of their lives.” “We have to go the extra mile,” another said. 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 A12. Owners stop using their boats for all sorts of reasons, and they did it before the economy took a nosedive. It was those reasons – the ones that had less to do with money and more to do with fun – that these captains felt they could control. “When I took over this boat, it had been sitting at the dock,” one captain said. “I called the owner one day and said, just come down and use the boat. We’ll go to Bimini for the weekend. He did, and he had a great time. He said, ‘why did I ever stop using my boat?’ “It sparked his interest again and he started using his boat nonstop.” “You’ve got to find out what they love,” another captain said. “And what they don’t like,” said a third. “If they love to shop, they’re going to hate sitting at Staniel Cay.” “But sometimes it’s not about
See BRIDGE, page A12
A December 2009 WHAT’S INSIDE
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Lots of crew did; you should too. See page A16 PHOTO/DORIE COX
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December 2009 A
Captains’ stories warn crew of working illegally in the U.S. Most yacht crew know it’s difficult to figure out what to do when it comes to U.S. immigration issues. You do everything you think you should – even things you hear customs and immigration officers tell you to do, or things you read in your trusted newspaper – and then when you get to the point Latitude of entry into the Adjustment U.S., everything Lucy Chabot Reed goes wrong. I have heard two disturbing tales from captains that fly in the face of several standard practices in the yachting industry. I could verify these with neither the crew members involved nor with the customs officers, but I trust the captains who told me these stories. Scene 1: A captain is standing on the aft deck talking to two officers from Customs and Border Protection. A young man comes aboard and hands the captain a résumé. The CBP officer says, “Can I see that?” and the captain hands it to him. (“What am I going to say, no?” he said.) The CBP officer then turns to the young man and asks how he is here and
the young man explains he has a B1/B2. “Have a seat, we’ll be right with you.” The CBP officer detained him, and the young man was eventually deported. It is illegal to look for work if you have been admitted to the United States on the B1 portion of a B1/B2 visa. CBP officers don’t usually go looking for this sort of infraction – they have bigger fish to fry – but when it walks up to them and hands them a résumé, they have to respond. “They told me it was the lack of manpower that prevents them from going further with this,” the captain said. The captain who told me this story worried about all the crew who include on their résumés, on their Web sites, and in online classified ad listings that they have a B1/B2 visa and are looking for work. “Couldn’t they all get in trouble?” he asked. The short answer is yes, but the reality is that CBP officers haven’t paid all that much attention to yacht crew. That may be changing. Scene 2: At Bahia Mar the week before the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show, a captain reported that CBP officers walked the docks, asking captains for their passports. This captain is American and his wife has
a green card, so the officers continued down the dock. When they went outside to wash down the yacht, they saw the officers leading two groups of what appeared to be yacht crew in handcuffs to a van. “I asked one of the guys what happened and he said they were working illegally,” the captain said. Just what that means is unclear. The crew may have overstayed a visa, or they may have been temporary or day workers on a B1/B2 visa. In either case, it appears the industry standard of using the B1/B2 visa to come to Ft. Lauderdale and look for work is becoming harder to do, at least during the obvious times such as during the boat show. And perhaps it’s time for captains to stop requiring crew to include their visa information on their résumés. I’m not suggesting that foreign yacht crew do anything clandestine to work on yachts, but if that small shift means some otherwise well-meaning young crew member isn’t banished from the U.S., perhaps it’s worth it. The U.S. Superyacht Association has been working tirelessly making connections with high-ranking CBP officials to try to sort through all this. But it’s going to take time. Officer Paul Minton, program manager in the office of field operations
at headquarters for CBP, spoke at the captains briefing during FLIBS. He was surprised to learn that yacht crew have trouble entering the U.S. sometimes, and he vowed to immediately get started on solving the problem. When I spoke with him three weeks later, his efforts were still under way. He’s hoping to be able to send guidelines early this month to all field agents at points of entry around the country. They would stipulate that people working on private yachts are to be admitted on a B1 visa. We’ll continue to follow this story. In other, less stressful news, Capt. Allison Thompson and Scott Fratcher have taken over a luxury Catana 582 chartering in the South Pacific. This year they started in New Zealand and have visited Tonga, Samoa, Suvarow, Nuie, Tahiti, and spent three months fishing the Tuamotus before returning to Vava’u, Tonga, where they are based. “It’s great to be sailing this awesome catamaran with speeds that make the long South Pacific passages fly by,” Fratcher wrote in an e-mail last month. “Thanks to The Triton’s motivation, we have been laying geocaches in Tonga. Follow our progress at www. tongacharter.com.”
A December 2009 TRITON TODAY Ft. Lauderdale
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Captains, crew, speakers sense optimism at 2009 FLIBS Lots of shoes on the dock meant lots of feet on the yacht. PHOTO/TOM SERIO
The 50th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show brought assorted news, product releases, and business announcements. The Triton published a daily edition each morning of the five-day show, complete with photographs and news from the previous day’s events. For issues of Triton Today, visit our newly redesigned Web site (www.thetriton.com). Here are the highlights: Nov. 2 – Crew reported at the end of the show that although attendance was light, they showed the vessels to qualified buyers, often two or three times. l An impromptu survey on the docks showed that two thirds of yachts were headed straight from the show to a South Florida shipyard or marina. A full 20 percent didn’t know where they were going and 12.5 percent were headed directly to their winter destination. The remaining 4 percent were headed to a shipyard outside of South Florida. Nov. 1 – Two megayachts on display with Woods & Associates were arrested Saturday morning over unpaid bills to Derecktor Shipyards and several subcontractors. Within days, the vessels – the 120-foot M/Y Lady Broward and the 106-foot Soulmate were seized – were released. l H. Wayne Huizenga Jr., chairman of the board of Rybovich, offered encouragement for the yachting industry during a keynote address, saying the economic downturn should be seen as an opportunity for businesses to regroup and emerge stronger. Huizenga, Huizenga who spoke at the U.S. Superyacht Association’s annual general meeting, suggested that each sector of the
industry do more to make yachting invaluable and keep owners engaged. Oct. 31 – A high-ranking U.S. Customs and Border Protection official vowed to write a letter outlining entry guidelines for foreign crew working aboard private yachts. During the captains briefing organized by the U.S. Superyacht Association, Officer Paul Minton was surprised to learn that yacht crew receive different treatment when entering the U.S. at various ports. His letter is still in the works. l The stews on six yachts were awarded for their displays in the 2nd annual Perfect Setting Tabletop Challenge, by YachtNext. Stew Lani Erediano of M/Y Beeliever took a first place for the second time in a row. Oct. 30 – With hundreds of crew in Ft. Lauderdale for the boat show, Triton Today gathered a variety of reports on how the summer was for yachts. Crew said many owners used their boats this summer, with some cruising New England instead of going to the Med. Word on the dock was that the Caribbean charter season was already getting busy. l Dockwise Yacht Transport signed its first round-trip customer for its new route to the eastern Med. Capt. Pierre Ausset and the owners of M/Y To-Kalon attended the contract signing and stayed to sip champagne. l The International Superyacht Society honored five yachts in its annual design awards. The crews of yachts that have helped YachtAid Global this year were honored with the Distinguished Crew award. YachtAid Global is a charitable organization that delivers school and other supplies to needy communities in the areas where yachts travel. Triton Today also included captain profiles, dockmaster profiles and scores of photos from the litany of events held before, during and after the show. For more, visit www.the-triton.com. – Staff report
The stews on M/Y Lady Zelda were just one of 15 yachts competing in the Perfect Setting Tabletop Challenge during FLIBS. They won second place in PHOTO/DORIE COX the informal category.
A December 2009 NEWS BRIEFS
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Sardinia’s lux tax struck down, US to track I-94 electronically EU Court: Island luxury tax illegal
The luxury tax that the Italian island of Sardinia imposed on visiting yachts and aircraft in 2006 has been ruled unfair in the European Court of Justice, according to news reports. An Italian court requested an opinion on the tax’s legality from the European Union after the local marine industry objected that the tax unfairly gave Italian vessels an economic advantage over fellow EU-registered vessels. The EU court ruled that because the tax only applied to visiting boats and planes, it was protectionist and therefore illegal. The tax was charged on yachts over 14m, private planes and second homes within 3km of the sea. Yachts with annual contracts at Sardinia marinas were exempt from the tax. The tax was in effect from June 1 to Sept. 30 with rates charged on a graduated scale. The captain of a 131foot yacht interviewed in 2006 paid 10,000 euros.
CBP automates I-94
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has launched a pilot program to automate the I-94 arrival/departure form for travelers from Auckland, New Zealand to Los Angeles International Airport. The pilot program began on Nov. 12 and will last 30 days. It only applies to travelers arriving to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program with an approved travel authorization via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. The U.S. Congress has required through legislation that the Department of Homeland Security develop and implement an automated system to determine, in advance of travel, the eligibility of visitors to travel to the U.S. under the VWP, and whether such travel poses a law enforcement or security risk. ESTA became mandatory Jan. 12 for all nationals of VWP countries prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the United States under the VWP. VWP travelers need to receive an ESTA approval prior to departing for the United States. This requirement does not affect U.S. citizens returning from overseas or citizens of VWP countries traveling on a valid U.S. visa.
Bahamas working on yacht registry The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) plans to launch a megayacht registry “by the end of the year,” according to a story in The Tribune in early November. “We want to do it, the government
wants to do it, and all are very supportive of the idea,” BMA chairman Ian Fair told the newspaper. “It’s just a matter of putting it all together. “There’s great progress being made, and we’re hopeful of being able to launch it by the end of the year,” Fair said. The megayacht registry would extend the Bahamas’ existing ship registry, which has about 1,700 ships, making it the world’s third largest registry, the newspaper reported.
Broker gets two months in prison
Broker Rob Moran, 58, was sentenced in November to two months in prison after pleading guilty to filing a false tax return to avoid taxes on $3.4 million in assets at UBS AG. Moran, owner of Moran Yacht & Ship in Ft. Lauderdale, cooperated with prosecutors who were investigating offshore tax evasion. The judge did not fine Moran, though he paid a $1.89 million civil penalty, according to news reports. Moran will be on probation for one year after his sentence. “I am really very sorry for opening this account and not reporting it,” said Moran, a married father of four, at the hearing, according to a story from the Associated Press. “I apologize to my family and my friends for causing lots of pain and unhappiness.”
SXM show adds brokerage boats; SXM, Antigua offset carbon
The Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association (MYBA) has opened its winter charter show up to brokerage yachts. For more details, visit www. mybacaribbeanshow.com. Both the Antigua Charter Yacht Meeting and the MYBA St. Maarten Charter Show are offsetting greenhouse gas emissions from their December boat shows through Yacht Carbon Offset. The equivalent carbon emissions reductions are achieved by independently verified green energy projects, and the effectiveness of the action is underpinned by Yacht Carbon Offset’s Lloyds Register Quality Assurance Certification. Attending yachts are also invited to offset their estimated fuel used for the shows, which run from Dec. 4-7 in St. Maarten and Dec. 7-11 in Antigua. For details, visit www.yachtcarbon offset.com.
US gives Lloyd’s OK to issue IAPPs The U.S. Coast Guard has authorized Lloyd’s Register to issue anti-pollution certificates to U.S.-
See NEWS BRIEFS, page A8
A December 2009 NEWS BRIEFS
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Bridge, mooring fees spur group to take over lagoon authority for the past seven years, will relocate to Louisville, Ky., in 2010. flagged vessels. The International Air Attendance was down 18 percent Pollution Prevention certificates are last year and 31 percent this year, issued under MARPOL Annex VI. organizers said. Added to the expense for exhibitors were the periphery Group taking over lagoon authority elements of a trade show, such as hotel rooms and meals. In answer to increased bridge and “Over the years, our attendees and mooring fees imposed on the yachting exhibitors have community in St. expressed increasing Maarten’s Simpson concerns about the Bay, the St. Maarten A consulting costs in South Harbour Group company founded by high Florida,” said Carl of Companies is Jeff Boyd has been Cramer, IBEX show preparing to takeover co-director. “Our hired to prepare Simpson Bay Lagoon primary duty as show Authority Corp. “an overview of producers is to keep (SLAC), according the challenges and our constituents to a story in The opportunities for the happy, and to Netherlands Antilles Daily Herald on megayacht industry” produce a highquality trade show. Nov. 10. in Simpson Bay. We are confident our A consulting location in Louisville company founded by will prove to be Jeff Boyd has been a successful new hired to prepare beginning.” “an overview of the challenges and IBEX 2010 will be held Sept. 28-30 in opportunities for the megayacht Louisville, Ky. industry, and to create an updated business plan for SLAC that includes marketing to vessels and advising the Mobile radiation monitor in Wash. harbour on new business opportunities U.S. Customs and Border Protection with the megayacht industry,” the has deployed a mobile Radiation Portal newspaper reported. Monitor at the Friday Harbor port of The take over of SLAC, which entry, located on San Juan Island in collects bridge fees and operates the Washington state. bridge, was approved earlier this year. The truck-mounted RPM is a self contained, passive monitoring device that permits screening for dangerous eBay-type site for wealthy opens BillionaireXchange.com launched in radiological devices or materials that might be smuggled into the United mid-November, an eBay-type auction States in vehicles arriving aboard the site for luxury goods. Items listed in international ferry. its opening days were a bottle of Remy CBP employs mobile RPMs as part Martin cognac for $25,000 and the 143foot M/Y Leight Star, a megayacht built of its strategy to prevent terrorists and their weapons from entering by Sun Coast Marine, with a starting the country. CBP has permanent bid of $49 million. RPMs located along the land border Dutch teen prohibited from quest environment and in various seaports. A Dutch court in late October barred The mobile RPM enables this technology to be moved from port to 14-year-old Laura Dekker from setting port. off on a round-the-world solo yacht trip for at least eight months, citing safety concerns and placing her in care, 180-day slowdown for right whales The U.S. Coast Guard issued a according to AFP news service. reminder to operators of vessels 65 Dekker is seeking to become the youngest person ever to sail around the feet or greater that the Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Rule took effect world alone on a yacht. Nov. 1, requiring those vessels to slow She has been placed under the care of child care services until July 1. It was down while operating in the U.S. MidAtlantic waters where North Atlantic unclear what would happen after that. right whales are known to migrate, In mid-October, Australian Jessica calve and nurse. The whales are among Watson, 16, set off on her own bid to the world’s rarest animals. Only 400 of become the youngest solo round-thethem are estimated to remain. world sailor. The speed restrictions will be in effect in coastal waters from Rhode IBEX to move to Louisville Island to Georgia beginning through The International Boatbuilders April 30. Maps of the areas and a Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), compliance guide are available at www. which has been held in Miami Beach nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike.
NEWS BRIEFS, from page A6
A10 December 2009 NEWS BRIEFS
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St. Thomas builds charter show to attract more megayachts By Carol Bareuther The number of megayachts in the St. Thomas Fall Yacht Show in November tripled this year over last. While the three megayachts in attendance – versus one last year – have a while to go before stealing the
thunder from Antigua, St. Maarten or Ft. Lauderdale, show organizers have big plans. M/Y Insatiable, a 100-foot Broward brokered by Camper & Nicholsons, was one of the megayachts on show. “This is our first time showing in St. Thomas,” said Nick Spaner, manager and engineer. “We had a number of brokers who were going to be here who wanted to see the boat. “We do a lot of business out of the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, so it made sense.” The season looks bright for bookings, he said. “It was slow last year, so we started doing our own marketing and going after charters rather than waiting for a call,” he said. “For example, we have a new Web site. We’ve also called clients who have chartered with us before and added that extra touch. We’ve also been working closely with the brokers.”
‘This is our first time showing in St. Thomas. We do a lot of business out of the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, so it made sense.’
— Eng. Nick Spaner M/Y Insatiable
It hasn’t been an easy task, however. Charter bookings “were down 40 to 60 percent in volume last year,” said Kathy Mullen, owner of Regency Yacht Charters and a director for Northrop and Johnson Yacht Sales in Tortola. “Right now, we’re feeling the effects of the planners, those clients who
Megayachts are the future for the St. Thomas Fall Yacht Show. PHOTO/DEAN BARNES book six months to a year or more in advance,” she said. “The good news is that the planners are booking again and we expect to see a rebound in 2011. That’s hard to tell the boats now, but we are seeing bookings come in from the clients who book on impulse.” Overall, the show, hosted by the Virgin Islands Charteryacht League (VICL) at Yacht Haven Grande from Nov. 10-12, was the largest show in recent years. “We were delighted to have 75 brokers attend from the U.S., UK, Canada and Caribbean,” said Erik Ackerson, VICL executive director. “Over a dozen new brokers attended the New Broker Seminar. These new brokers represented a mix of travel agents and former charter yacht crew who decided to go into the brokerage end of the business. “As for yachts, 52 registered and 49 actually showed,” he said. “The three yachts that weren’t able to attend
picked up a last minute charter, which is actually a positive.” The fleet included a mix of monohulls, multihulls and megayachts. “The demand is definitely for larger yachts,” Mullen said. “A 50-footer used to be the norm. Not now.” Over the next three to five years, Ackerson intends to re-build a firm platform for chartering in the U.S. Virgin Islands and grow the St. Thomas Fall Yacht Show into a destination show. “Yes, we’re after the Fort Lauderdale market,” Ackerson said. “We have a big advantage in that the yachts can go from the show out directly on charter and get a jump on the season. The timing, early November, also gives them a chance to fill in a Thanksgiving charter, if they hadn’t already.” Carol Bareuther is a freelance writer in St. Thomas. Comments on this story are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.
Dudley, former director at Crown Bay, dies of cancer Carole Dudley, a part of St. Thomas’ Crown Bay Marina for the past 24 years, died on Oct. 26 after a battle with stomach cancer. She was 63. Ms. Dudley retired in April as the marina’s director of operations, a position she held since 1998. A private service was held last month. A ceremony to dedicate the Carole Ms. Dudley Dudley Memorial Courtyard, is planned for January. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Ms. Dudley’s hospice provider, Continuum Care, 50 Estate Thomas, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 00802.
A12 December 2009 FROM THE BRIDGE: Industry recovery
Attendees of The Triton’s December Bridge luncheon were, from left, Tim Silva of M/Y Tenacity, Fred Hammond (freelance), Robb Shannon of M/Y Quan Yin, Jillian Silva of M/Y Tenacity, Kelly Esser of M/Y Harvest Moon, Glenn Pitassi of M/Y Waterford, Paul Stengel of M/Y Griff, and Marcel Leger of M/Y Mela. PHOTO/LUCY REED
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Manage ‘funto-headache ratio’ to keep owners happy BRIDGE, from page A1 the money, it’s the hassle of having it,” a captain said about owners and their yachts. “They buy it thinking they are going to have the best time of their life but it turns into another company they have to manage.” “We have to manage the fun-toheadache ratio,” another said. Several captains agreed that it was important to keep the business side of the yacht hidden when the owner is aboard. No talk of budgets or crew issues or things that need repair. “When the owners are down, don’t ask for stuff,” one captain said. “Things breaking when they aren’t being used, they hate that. We’ve got to keep the shock factor down and get them to enjoy the experience.” And keep costs down, even if that means cutting the No. 1 expense: crew salaries. “The boat just got mothballed and I’m starting to get thin on “A lot of spares, but I’m going to hold off owners as long as I can don’t have and just ride this money out,” a captain said. problems, But the but they recent economic see Forbes situation has thrown a wrinkle put his in that keep-itboat away light philosophy: and they some owners are think, simply staying away from their maybe I yachts. It’s hard better do to show them the same.” a good time if there isn’t a crew and if they don’t step aboard. “We aren’t going to see a huge recovery until Steve Forbes puts his boat [M/Y Highlander] back on the circuit,” one captain bluntly said. “A lot of owners don’t have money problems, but they see Forbes put his boat away and they think, maybe I better do the same.” There was a bit of discussion about this tendency for the wealthy to hide their wealth, or at least not to flaunt it. And to many, that has meant parking their yacht for the short term. “How much of what’s going on with yachting now is perception?” a captain
See BRIDGE, page A13
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www.the-triton.com FROM THE BRIDGE: Industry recovery
December 2009 A13
With fewer owners, ‘the freewheeling money is gone’ BRIDGE, from page A12 asked rhetorically. “It’s not because they can’t afford it. They don’t like the perception of extravagance.” “He can afford to use the boat,” another captain said. “I can afford it, but let’s keep it at the dock. He’s laying off people at work, so part of this is him punishing himself.” “If Forbes, the dad, was still alive, the boat would be out there,” another captain said. “The perception he wanted to portray was I’m doing well; everyone else doing well. Junior takes it the other way. “Perception is all it is,” said a third. “They’re wondering, will the president send 100,000 more troops to Afghanistan. That’s what’s driving the market at the moment, not for you and me (we’ve got no money), but the big guys spend $4-5 million in a market day. They’re waiting.” Can you – should you – convince the boss not to sell? “I’d love him not to sell it,” said one captain who recently laid off the crew. “It brings a lot of money to the communities we visit, supports a crew, and 6-10 subcontractors rely on his business. Some of these subcontractors are really struggling.” “It’s tough for them right now,” another captain said of owners. “The biggest thing we can do is make them want to use their boat, enjoy it and keep it.” And that responsibility extends beyond the skipper to anyone who comes in contact with a yacht owner. “It’s not about us, it’s about the new owner and his new boat,” a captain said. “My guy met one good person, then another, he met good contractors and a good captain. He’s having a great experience, and he’s keeping his boat.” One thing captains shouldn’t do is make it inconvenient for the boss to use his boat. “I hate it when crew treat the boat as their own and they tell the owner he can’t use it,” one captain said. “A lot of people get soured off that. There are fewer owners than there were five years ago and the freewheeling money is gone.” Beyond keeping the boss happy with his yacht, which arguably should happen any time, these captains also expressed that this time of recovery (if indeed that’s where we are) is a good time to find the job that is right for them. “Don’t look for a boat; look for an owner,” one captain advised. “Look for an owner you are going to get along with and one that gets along with you.” And more than the owner, several captains said now is the time to work with crew to mold the team you want moving forward. “Your obligation as the master
“I’d love him not to sell it,” said one captain who recently laid off the crew. “It brings a lot of money to the communities we visit, supports a crew, and 6-10 subcontractors rely on his business. Some of these subcontractors are really struggling.” of the vessel is to counsel them in every aspect of life,” one captain said. “They’re teenagers and young adults. I don’t eat with the crew; I want to give them time to say bad things about me.” This captain told the story of sitting in the galley as a young stew prepared to leave for an evening out, wearing what he thought was a too-short skirt. “I asked her, ‘you going out like that.’” She was.
“No you’re not,” the captain told her. “Go back to your cabin and change, or quit.” She couldn’t believe the captain would confront her that way. “What if you don’t come back?” the captain told her. She changed, and ended up staying with the boat a long time. “You have to direct them,” this captain said. “You have to ask them, ‘why are you here working for me?
Are you on vacation or do you want to make a profession out of it?’ “There are a lot of rules on my boat,” this captain continued. “There are no drugs, no smoking, you show up drunk, you’re fired. There are a lot of people who can’t work on my boat or who won’t work with me. “But once you instruct them and show them how it is, they wake up. You have to give them responsibility, then they take pride in their job and stick around.” Lucy Chabot Reed is editor of The Triton. Comments on this story are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com. If you make your living working as a yacht captain, e-mail lucy@the-triton.com for an invitation to our monthly Bridge luncheon.
A14 December 2009 TRITON EXPO PRESENTATION: Résumés
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If you have a reason for leaving a yacht, state it on your résumé RÉSUMÉS, from page A1 silver service, flower arrangement, deckhand courses, Yachtmasters, ARPA, GMDSS, mechanic courses, medical care provider, etc. If you are a nurse getting into the industry, state it here. If you are starting as a deckhand and you have training as a rock climber and know knots, list it here. If you are a computer geek and know your way around electronics, programs, the Internet and more, list it here. Previous certifications that have anything to do with yacht work, list them. It shows you are skilled with more than a TV remote. If you have classes that you are registered for and will not be able to start a job next week, I suggest getting this on your résumé and list them as “Pending Certifications.” I have wasted time calling a mate or deckhand to find out they start class next week and cannot start a job. Once you put something in writing, stick with it.
Maritime experience, references
The next category should be “Maritime Experience” and please call it that. For those new in the industry, clearly list dates of day work, name and size of vessel, and who you reported to.
I like to see what experience you got from day work. Did you do wash downs or did you wash bilges? Did you wax the hull or topsides? (Hulls are where the bottom paint is; the topsides are what you wax.) Did you organize crew uniforms or organize a main salon or china storage? Did you provision a yacht for three or 30? How long were you on that yacht: 2 hours, 2 days, 2 weeks or 2 months? Were you a watch stander on a delivery? Did you do any trip planning, chart corrections, engine room checks, general maintenance or anything other than show up for watch with coffee in your hand? If you do not state it on your résumé, the captain will assume that you did minimal. For those who have real experience, Maritime Experience will list the dates, the name and size of the yacht (S/V or M/Y), waters navigated, and if you managed any other crew. For chefs, list the average number of guests and crew you fed and how long the guests were aboard. If the owner had you cook at his house, state so. If you have skills with special diets, children’s food, diabetics, etc., list it. For mates, list if you assisted in any passage planning or chart corrections other than being captain of the chamois. List if you know line splicing or end whipping (a dying art form that
the old captains still do). Deckhands should list all knots they can tie. Don’t list what you were taught once or hope to learn, but only what you can quickly and confidently tie. Also, list the crew position you were hired for and note promotions. If you started as 2nd stew and left as 1st stew, say so. If you started as deckhand and left as bosun, note it. If you have a reason for leaving a yacht, state it on your résumé, such as: economic downsizing, hired for season, yacht went to yard and I did not want to go, freelance for 2 weeks or 2 months. Tell it in your résumé or it will be assumed you got fired. Make it easy for the captain to find your references for the three most recent jobs. Put the reference right at the end of the yacht’s experience. Give the name of the captain, e-mail address (a must) and phone numbers. Any yacht listed without a reference needs an explanation.
Other Experience
After all maritime experience is completely listed, if you are new to yachting, list your most recent shoreside position to go into yachting. Give a reference for each job with complete contact info. Every résumé needs at least three references. (And no, your mother is not
a reference.) Previous jobs show work ethic and the ability to be responsible.
Hobbies
Lastly, list “Hobbies.” A captain needs to know what you do with leisure time other than 12-ounce curls. If you do list none, you likely will get passed over for more interesting candidates. I advise this order because captains look for qualifications first. If you have qualifications, we review experience. If the experience is interesting and relevant, we compare and contrast candidates based on other skills they bring to the vessel (outside experience and hobbies). Don’t make us dig for information; we are much too busy. Four years ago I took the time to tell a new stewardess how to lay out her résumé, give me more information and send it back. She did this and upon review of her new résumé, I decided she was the right crew member. When I called back to offer a job, she had accepted another. This is the power of a clear, clean and crisp résumé. Capt. Laura Tritch holds a U.S. Coast Guard 1,600-ton Master/Oceans license and is in command of the 140-foot Trinity M/Y Marlena. Comments on her presentation are welcome at editorial@ the-triton.com.
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TRITON EXPO
December 2009 A15
Nov. 11 Triton Expo draws hundreds of attendees to Bahia Mar
T
he third Triton Expo was held Nov. 11 in Ft. Lauderdale. Nearly 300 captains and crew gathered on an overcast day at Bahia Mar for an afternoon of meeting, greeting and learning. Yachties had the opportunity to talk with 50 exhibitors, listen to seven speakers and get their resumes critiqued by 25 captains. Exhibitors included agents, schools, financial experts, health services providers, provisioners, interior experts, flag states, and a variety of yacht services presenting an opportunity for crew to do get ahead in their jobs. Speakers offered advice on a range of issues from surviving the 24/7 lifestyle to creating the trashproof résumé. Throughout the Expo, volunteer captains critiqued crew résumés. And it wrapped up with casual networking, wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres.
Photos by Capt. Tom Serio and Dorie Cox
A16 December 2009 FORT YACHTIE-DA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
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‘Stars’ come out for Fort Yachtie-Da International Film Festival Story and photos by Dorie Cox Stew Darcy Hopwood took the top prize of $5,000 and an “Oscar” for best picture overall out of 30 entries in the second annual Fort Yachtie-Da International Film Festival. Yachties from around the world submitted their best works for prizes in three categories. With laughs, winces and gasps, about 300 people in the industry viewed 5-minute films depicting the yachting lifestyle at the red carpet event at Cinema Paradiso in Ft. Lauderdale. Hopwood’s big winner, “Unemployed in Israel,” was chosen by the most online votes. The comedy, filmed on location with an upbeat soundtrack, follows clueless crew, described as three idiots in Jerusalem as they realize “how stupid they really are” and then “accidentally learn what it takes to become good crew.” A panel of judges chose the top three winners in the categories of drama/ talent, extreme and comedy. Winners won an Oscar, a stainless steel oscar fish mounted on a Harken winch. This year’s winners, whose films are all archived at www.crewunlimited. com, are:
Drama/Talent 1st Place: Sea Dreams by Laura Parent 2nd Place: Dans Do Dockwise by Dan McGrath 3rd Place: 365 in 5 by Gareth Sheppard Comedy 1st Place: Channel Yachtie by James Woods 2nd Place: Guests at 1 o’clock by Mario Scutifero
3rd Place: Days of Our Lives by Sarah Amos Extreme 1st Place: Having Fun at Work by Lennie Mathiesen 2nd Place: That’s Yachting for Ya! By Gareth Sheppard 3rd Place: Delivery North by Jenna McCrory In the spirit of thriftiness, crew dressed in their best Goodwill glamorous and Salvation Army sexy to
screen the winners on the big screen and in the courtyard. The Academy Award-themed event, sponsored by the placement agency Crew Unlimited, is already being planned for next year after the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show. Dorie Cox is a staff reporter and associate editor with The Triton. Comments on this story are welcome at dorie@the-triton.com.
A18 December 2009 WRITE TO BE HEARD
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Yachties can learn from aviation’s growing pains By Bob Howie As the yachting industry deliberates a growing expectation of crew licensing, lessons from the world of aviation, which faced similar demands more than 20 years ago, may provide guidance. At one time, all one needed to be a captain in aviation was a commercial pilot’s license and an airplane that could get off the ground. A little marketing and one was in business; earning a living flying hither and yon. No more. As equipment became more complicated – not to mention more expensive – and airspace more congested, the insurance companies, like they are beginning to do in yachting, got involved in the whole process and laid down the rules operators had to meet in order to be insured. As the airline industry matured following World War II, the Federal Aviation Administration set regulations governing airline operations and later, charter operations as that industry also grew. New classifications of pilots’ certificates evolved, the top one being the Airline Transport Pilot’s certificate which, at first, was solely required only
of airline pilots, but eventually charter pilots as well. No pilot today may serve as captain of turbojet-powered aircraft unless he or she holds the ATP. Both airlines and charter operators are required to develop operations specifications, general operations manuals, general maintenance manuals, and training programs both internal and aircraft-type specific, generally provided at third-party training facilities that charge between $6,000 and $60,000 for their services, depending on aircraft model.
In both industries, core competence and years of experience are required. Recently added to these requirements are formal safety management systems training. An industry has also emerged that “audits” an operator, issuing quality-control/ quality-assurance ratings based on regulatory, advisory and training compliance. Captains must return to training every six months, undergoing classroom- and simulator-based sessions and check rides to assure their competency. First officers and flight attendants return only once annually, but return to training they do. Crew members must, in order to hold their certificates, submit to medical examinations as frequently as every six months and which, after a certain age, require an annual electrocardiogram. Random drug- and alcohol-testing is standard, especially if there is an incident or accident. Aspiring pilots typically fund their initial training, which can come at high cost. Kenny Cole of Vero Beach, Fla., has so far spent $75,000 to get his commercial pilot’s certificate with instructor endorsements. “I went into this with my eyes wide open knowing how long it was going to take, how expensive it was going to be and how hard it was going to be,” Cole said. Cole’s days are spent as an instructor while also getting in some jet time as a contract pilot. “It’s going to take me another two years or so to get the time I need to take this to the next level,” Cole said, who, at 1,000 hours total time, is 500 hours away from earning his ATP and is currently spending $800 a month out of his $25,000-before-taxes-salary to repay student loans. While all this may sound complicated, bureaucratic and expensive to any industry unfamiliar with such official requirements,
consider how much yachting and charter aviation have in common. Both industries are driven by and exist because of high-net-worth individuals. Both industries use highvalue craft costing millions of dollars, and in both industries, incompetence can be fatal. In both industries, core competence and years of experience are required if risks are to be mitigated and lives and property protected. In aviation, the rise to captain of jet aircraft can take as much as five years providing one has the prerequisite experience and credentials. In the airlines, it’s not uncommon for it to take as long as 10 years to make captain. While the licensing and regulatory process in aviation may seem onerous, time-consuming, costly and overly bureaucratic, the process ensures only the most competent, tested and timeproven individuals are entrusted with commanding aircraft. “The responsibilities and the liabilities we embrace and the risks we manage can only be done successfully if we put the right people in positions of high accountability,” said Chuck Simmons, director of operations for Houston-based Wing Aviation Charter Services whose minimum hiring requirements demand pilots hold the ATP and possess no less than 2,500 total flight hours. “We fail our customers, ourselves and the industry as a whole if we do anything less. “Yes, the procedures we abide by, the policies we make and regulations to which we adhere are both complicated and, at times, cumbersome, but the safety records we achieve, the successes we enjoy and the confidence our customers place in us by that adherence demonstrates their necessity,” Simmons said. Despite all the apparent red tape, Simmons said the benefits are clear. “Overall, it’s the better-educated, higher-qualified applicants who are serious about their careers and committed to safety and professionalism who are sending us résumés. “A lot of this has been brought about by insurance and FAA requirements and what our industry demands today in terms of licensing and experience,” Simmons said. “Pilots wishing to make aviation their livelihood know they are going to have to meet stringent certification and experience requirements, and upperlevel licensing is just part of that.” Bob Howie is assistant chief pilot with Wing Aviation Charter Services in Houston. He spent 13 years as a writer with the Houston Chronicle, and is a lifelong boat owner. Comments on this story are welcome at editorial@thetriton.com.
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WRITE TO BE HEARD
December 2009 A19
Contact Switlik at +1-609-587-3300 or visit www.switlik.com
Faulty valves prompt recall of Switlik rafts Switlik has had a recall on its rafts due to faulty valves. I found this out by chance when our rafts were due for service. Its service station in Panama was not responding so I called the company, to then be informed the rafts had a recall on them. Another service company in Panama, Panamax, was efficient and did their side of things well through our agent, Associated Shipping. (By the way, Alessandro Risi from this company is highly recommended for the larger yachts. He gets a 10 out of 10 from us.) We started the process while still in Costa Rica on the 28th September. Still, it took many weeks of e-mails and phone calls, finally getting the rafts returned on the 4th November. So I wanted to let other yachts out there know about this recall. If you have a Switlik life raft, get the recall process started. Capt. Ian Foster M/Y Shine Editor’s Note: The recall was announced in June 2008 after two service stations reported that, during performance of annual service, the inflation valves failed to discharge the gas from the CO2 cylinder into the life raft. Inspection of the valves indicated clear signs of changes in the consistency of the lubricant and a degradation of the piston O-ring material. This resulted in the O-rings adhering to the pistons and valve bodies, causing the inflation valves to malfunction. Switlik will replace at no charge the existing S-2630 inflation valve/s on its life rafts. Product owners are asked to contact Switlik Parachute Company at +1-609-587-3300 or visit www.switlik. com to find a service station and schedule replacement of the inflation valve.
Story was as great as Elmer Strauss really is Great story on Elmer Strauss, one of the nicest and smartest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. [“He’s everywhere, but hard to find: Elmer Strauss built his businesses behind the scenes,” page A1, November 2009] He and George [Cable] have done an amazing job and helped a lot of people along the way, with much of it really behind the scenes. Unfortunately, I don’t get to see them these days, but it was nice to see the story. Mike Miller Neatfleet Marine Services
A geocaching difficulty
I saw your question on geocaching from a yacht and it got me motivated. [“Geocaching: What it is and why we’re doing this,” page 2, Triton Today Ft. Lauderdale, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009] I have just posted the first caches in Tonga and plan on laying out a grid for sailors around the Vava’u group that will bring sailors to the most scenic locations. One note, the geocaching site [www. geocaching.com] first refused my caches, thinking I was a tourist. They said someone must remain in the area that will maintain the caches. This 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 Dorie Cox Lawrence Hollyfield Production Manager Patty Weinert, patty@the-triton.com The Captain’s Mate Mike Price, mike@the-triton.com
You have a ‘write’ to be heard. Send us your thoughts on anything that bothers you. Write to us at editorial@ the-triton.com may make it difficult to sail across the Pacific and lay out caches at each new island. It would only post my caches once I told them I plan to stay for a year and will maintain the caches. Capt. Scott Fratcher S/V Mariah
Italy story misses VSAT signal
While in flight from Nice to Bodrum, I read the November Triton that I picked up at LaCiotat Monaco Marine. The article on Northwest Italy [“Liguria is king of the coast if you’re talking Northwest Italy,” page B15] was great, with some of the ports I have been to and others I hope to see. What Capt. John Campbell did Contributors Carol M. Bareuther, Jenny Bickel, Mark A. Cline, Jake DesVergers, Beth Greenwald, Sue Hacking, Bob Howie, Chef Mary Beth Lawton Johnson, Alene Keenan, Keith Murray, Steve Pica, Rossmare Intl., James Schot, Capt. Tom Serio, Capt. Laura Tritch, Marian Walker
not mention is that if you are a large yacht and take a berth at Marina Molo Vecchio in Genoa you will not have VSAT reception due to the many antennas on the roof of the four-storyplus building off your stern. This happened to me while there in early August and after a week we relocated to M.A.R.I.N.A. Service, the site of the Genoa boat show (a marina not mentioned in Capt. Campbell’s article). We stayed there for six weeks at a better rate than Marina Molo Vecchio. It is not downtown like Molo Vecchio, but we had Internet. Capt. Laura Tritch M/Y Marlena
www.thankyouverymuch.com
Beautiful new Web site. This is very helpful to us out on the “other” coast. Great job, and please keep up the excellent work. You keep us as informed as if we were there. Capt. Jeffrey Hoerr M/Y Vita Bella Editor’s Note: The Triton has relaunched its Web site and added some new features. Same old address – www.the-triton.com – great new look. Vol. 6, No. 9.
The Triton is a free, monthly newspaper owned by Triton Publishing Group Inc. Copyright 2009 Triton Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
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A20 December 2009 WRITE TO BE HEARD
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Vital skills in emergencies
Boats do rot at the dock
Crews get noticed
Finding pulse, spotting details
Systems need regular care.
Fraser honors charter crews.
B2
B3
Section B
B4
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B11
Updates on VGP, sewage and weapons
Juvenile Indian Dascyllus and Blackside Hawkfish PHOTOS/SUE HACKING over a coral garden.
Hithadoo is the second-largest town, showing sandy streets and quiet life of the Maldives.
Little land, but a captivating nation The Equatorial Indian Ocean spreads endlessly blue before us, hiding Addu Atoll just over the horizon. With landfall just hours away, we stared ahead, searching for a sign of land. Finally, we made out a few buildings, coconut palms and the white crest of waves breaking on the fringing reef. But land? The Maldives is
Camera’s shutter, aperture work together.
December 2009
MALDIVES
By Sue Hacking
It takes two
a country quite bereft of land. Stretching 470 miles north and south on the Lakshadweep-Chagos Plateau south of India, the Maldives has no single piece of land more than 5 square miles or 2 meters high. It is comprised of about 1,200 islands situated in 26 atolls. Not surprisingly, the ancient Maldivian word “atolu” gave rise to our modernday word “atoll.” That the Maldives exists at all is due to its location on
the volcanic plateau and the sacrifice of an incalculable number of coral polyps. These same coral polyps have made the Maldives one of the world’s top dive destinations. And given that 99.9 percent of the county’s territory is Indian Ocean, it could be a boater’s paradise. But restrictions make it an awkward place to visit.
See Maldives, page B14
A mast-high view of the anchorage at Gan (Addu Atoll). The British military leased Addu Atoll during the Cold War and built the causeway, making Addu the only atoll in the country where you can travel by land from one island to the next.
During the past year, several of our columns have posed numerous followup questions. The subjects have ranged from the carriage of weapons to new environmental laws. Here is an update on the progress of some of those subjects: l U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Rules of the Road Vessel General Permit Jake DesVergers The Vessel General Permit (VGP) regulates discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels operating in a capacity as a means of transportation. The VGP includes general effluent limits applicable to all discharges; general effluent limits applicable to 26 specific discharge streams; narrative water quality-based effluent limits; inspection, monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements; and additional requirements applicable to certain vessel types. The law requiring a VGP took effect on Feb. 6. Vessels to which this applied were required to submit a Notice of Intent by Sept. 19. An amendment to the Clean Boating Act of 2008 exempted most yachts for at least two years. This law provided that recreational vessels shall not be subject to the requirement to obtain a VGP for discharges incidental to normal operation. Recreational vessels as defined in section 502(25) of the Clean Water Act are any vessel “manufactured or used primarily for pleasure; or leased, rented, or chartered to a person for the pleasure of that person.” Exclusions include a vessel subject to Coast Guard inspection and that “is engaged in commercial use; or carries paying passengers.” Vessels of 300 gross tons or more
See RULES, page B12
B December 2009 ONBOARD EMERGENCIES: Taking vitals
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Know enough first aid to help the doctor diagnose; it’s vital One of your crew is sick or injured and you are several hours from port. You contact your medical service provider and the doctor instructs you to get the patient’s baseline vitals and “sample history.” What are baseline vitals and sample history, and why are they important? Sea Sick Think of Keith Murray the doctor as a detective solving a mystery. He needs you to provide the clues to help figure out what is wrong with our patient.
Baseline vitals
The doctor may first instruct you to check the patient’s pulse. The pulse is the beat you feel against the wall of an artery when the heart beats. The pulse is the same as your heart rate. In a normal adult, the pulse will be between 60 and 100 beats a minute. On an adult, check either the carotid or radial pulse. The carotid is the artery between the wind pipe and neck muscle located just under the jaw bone. The radial pulse is the artery on the inside of the wrist. Place your index and middle finger on the thumb side of the victim’s wrist and feel for the radial pulse. You should practice this on yourself. If you are able to count your own pulse then finding and counting the pulse on someone else will be easier. On a small child or infant, check the brachial pulse. This is located inside of the upper arm using your index and middle finger. You may next be asked about the patient’s respirations. Is the person breathing and if so describe the breathing to the doctor. Does the breathing seem normal, fast or slow? What about the quality? Look at the chest rise and fall. Does it appear normal, shallow, labored or noisy? If it’s noisy, describe the noise. Is it snoring, wheezing, gurgling or does it sound harsh (crowing)? Now look at skin color. Does the skin look normal or is it flushed (red), cyanotic (blue), are they pale, jaundiced (yellow), or mottling (blotchy)? The doctor will also want to know about skin temperature. Does the skin feel hot, cold or normal? If it’s cold, is it cold and moist or cold and dry? If it’s hot, is it moist or dry? Does the patient have goose pimples, is he shivering, does he have chattering teeth, blue lips and pale skin? Look into their eyes and describe what the pupils look like. Is the pupil size large or small? Are they equal in size, do they react to light when you
shine a small flashlight in the eyes? Blood pressure is the pressure in the blood due to the beating heart. There are two types of blood pressure: systolic and diastolic. The systolic blood pressure is the maximum pressure when the heart is pushing the blood throughout the body. The diastolic blood pressure is the pressure when the heart is relaxing. Blood pressure is measured at the brachial artery, which is the upper arm’s major blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart. It is expressed in terms of the systolic pressure and diastolic pressure, for example if you see 120/80 you would say 120 over 80. If you have a manual blood pressure cuff, get used to it. Try taking a fellow crew member’s blood pressure. Learn during down time instead of during a medical emergency. I suggest getting a good electronic blood pressure cuff. I prefer these for people not in the healthcare field as they are so easy to use.
Sample History
“Sample History” is actually an acronym for Signs, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent History, Last oral intake and Events. Signs/Symptoms: This is what’s wrong. What do you see? Allergies: Is the person allergic to any medications, foods, bees, chemicals or anything that they may have come into contact with. Do they have a medical ID tag? Medications: What medications did they take? This is everything, including prescription drugs, over the counter medications and illegal drugs. Past pertinent history: Is there anything medically relevant about this person such as recent surgery, injury or illness? Last oral intake: What and when did they eat last? Events leading to the injury or illness: What did they do just before they began feeling bad? Being able to quickly provide the patient’s vitals and “sample history” to the doctors will greatly assist them in properly diagnosing and treating your patient. As with many medical emergencies, we can’t waste time. The faster we can deliver quality care, the greater our patient’s chance for making a full recovery. Keith Murray, a former Florida firefighter EMT, is the owner of The CPR School, a CPR, AED and first-aid training company that provides onboard training for yacht captains and crew. Contact him at +1-561-762-0500 or keith@theCPRschool.com. Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@ the-triton.com.
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SYSTEMS MAINTENANCE
In regular use or sitting idle, yachts need to be maintained By Dorie Cox Capt. Paul Stengel is sole crew in charge of M/Y Griff as it sits at the dock in Ft. Lauderdale. Monitoring the 143foot megayacht is more than a full-time job because a minor failed system can cause major damage. And as yachts sit with minimal crew, decreased care and bare-bones budgets, systems onboard begin to show wear. Stengel does his best to examine every hose, seal and seam on a regular basis. He starts each day off with a “critter check” to make sure the raccoon has not returned, tugs on all the lines, looks at the fenders to make sure nothing is chafing, and clears the scuppers of leaves. He rotates the dock lines periodically to create more even wear and to prevent them getting dry, hard or rotted. “There is always something to do,” said Stengel of his daily maintenance plan. An active boat is watched by many eyes, but problems on a sitting boat can be overlooked. A megayacht should be rinsed daily, but Stengel can only make time for the two-day washing job once a week. He would like the bottom to be cleaned more often because it sits in brackish water. The yacht’s interior temperature is kept at 65 degrees and dehumidifiers are running. But for many yachts, the budget prohibits such expenditures. “Air conditioning should never be switched off,” said Rob Price of Rob Price Services, a marine A/C and refrigeration company. Water must be kept flowing through an A/C system because stagnant water leads to mold, mildew and water damage, he said. With the A/C turned off, the humidity buildup inside can damage upholstery, wall coverings and other finishings. “If it gets too hot, even glues holding the headliner can fail,” Price said. To prevent sun and rain damage, everything that could be pulled from on deck of M/Y Griff has been moved inside or shrink-wrapped, including the wave-runner. But yachts that still have potential buyers and charterers visiting often have to keep the furnishings on display. Grommets and snaps on covers need to be opened and greased or they will wear out in the weather. “The Florida sun and salt beat the heck out of everything,” Stengel said. “It really takes a toll.” Stengel runs the engine once a week, but without leaving the dock, other parts of the engine aren’t moving. “At dock, an engine can get to about 160 degrees, but it should get to 180200,” said Scott Porter of Diesel Services of America. “The transmission and the
shaft are still in neutral, so they don’t move. … Ideally you should run it up at least once a month.” M/Y Griff is a jet boat, so Stengel moves the nozzles to different positions to promote more even wear as exposed sections can tarnish. “Just sitting is the worst thing that can be done with a yacht,” Stengel said. Any system with hydraulics must be run to keep seals moist. If there is
See MAINTENANCE, page B4
December 2009
B
An air conditioner coil left unattended can quickly lead to damage, both to the equipment and to other systems onboard.
PHOTO FROM ROB PRICE SERVICES
B December 2009 SYSTEMS MAINTENANCE
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FRASER YACHTS AWARD DINNER
Fraser Yachts honored Capt. Ronald Woods of M/Y Paramour as charter captain of the year during its annual charter captains award dinner at the Monaco Yacht Show. Woods was awarded a Hublot watch, sponsored by Hublot. Fraser’s annual black-tie gala, held at the Yacht Club de Monaco on Sept. 24, also honored the best charter crews in its fleet. For best crew on vessels over 40m, the award was given to Capt. Don Anderson of M/Y Newvida. For best crew on vessels less than 40m, the award was given to Capt. Ashley Benns, above, of M/Y Coco Loco. PHOTO FROM FRASER YACHTS
Never leave empty fridge running MAINTENANCE, from page B3 corrosion, a seal can tear and hydraulic fluid can leak onboard or into the water, creating damage to teaks or the environment. Stengel flushes toilets to keep water from stagnating in the lines and checks for leaks or crusty build-up. He runs water in the sinks and showers to keep those lines clear, too. One refrigerator is running but the others have been dried out, doors propped open with boxes of sodium bicarbonate inside. The icemaker has to be run once a week. “A refrigerator should never be left running and empty,” Price said. “The cycling of the compressor is quicker if the unit is empty and that causes more strain on the motor.” The three electrical systems on M/Y Griff all need to be checked. Even the radar occasionally needs to be rotated. “Yachts are susceptible to power failure, surges and humidity,” said Kevin Maquire, an owner of Avalon Marine Electronics in Ft. Lauderdale. “Sometimes the problem can be a boat next to you with a polarity problem.” Voltage in the water can cause damage to yachts nearby, starting with zinc corrosion then progressing to thru hulls and other metals, he said. “One of the biggest worries is the bilge pump not working because of low battery power,” Maquire said.
And there is the list of things that need recertification or face expiration, such as life rafts, fire extinguishers, EPIRBs and radio equipment. Beyond the systems, simple upkeep is a never-ending task. Ideally, every surface should be wiped down regularly, inside and out. Stengel tries to get the stainless polished on schedule, but when he can’t, he keeps an eye out for signs of pitting. “And a small issue can cause a domino effect of problems,” he said. A fire or leak can damage or destroy hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of equipment, structure and interiors. Alternatively, each part of a yacht that is properly maintained can help when it becomes time for it to sell. Aboard M/Y Griff, Stengel estimated it could cost up to $10,000 to bring everything up to speed before it can leave the dock. “These yachts are an investment, but when they are not being used, it’s ‘out of sight, out of mind’,” he said, “In the back of their mind, the owners know what’s going on. “I don’t think there is a solution. All we can do as captains is train new owners to understand their investment.” Dorie Cox is a staff reporter and associate editor with The Triton. Comments on this story are welcome at dorie@the-triton.com.
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ON THE DOCK: In Antigua
Antigua offers dockage options before, during, after the show By Dorie Cox The 48th Annual Antigua Charter Yacht show begins Dec. 7 and will be held at Nelson’s Dockyard Marina in English Harbour, and Falmouth Harbour Marina and the Antigua Yacht Club Marina, both in Falmouth Harbour. Falmouth Harbour Marina can take yachts up to 330 feet with a draft of up to 20 feet both stern-to and alongside, said Janice Adamson. She’s been working at the marina for 11 years and said the 16-foot-wide dock is a big draw. “You can drive provisions, the guests, anything right to the yacht,” she said, “even a limo.” Nelson’s Dockyard Marina is a historical location located in a national park. The restored Georgian yard is named after English admiral Horatio Nelson. Dockmasters Marius Smith and Sherwin Mascall guide yachts to the 790-foot wall for stern-to dockage. The park includes a fort built in 1704, and other historical buildings, with a museum, shops, a restaurant and an inn. Antigua Yacht Club Marina and Resort’s largest dock is 290 feet for yachts drawing to 25 feet stern-to and alongside, said owner Carlo Falcone. It
has welcomed such megayachts as S/Y Maltese Falcon and S/Y Athena at the marina. “The facility has come a long way since the wooden docks of 1987,” Falcone said. Catamaran Marina on the north side of Falmouth Harbour can take yachts up to 200 feet with 15-foot draft. Although there is not an official dockmaster, there are five staff on hand to assist with 60 berths, said Maxine Browne, a 14-year employee. Its Web site gives succinct directions: ‘If you are sailing from Europe, go south to the bulgy bit of Africa, turn right for 3,000 miles and we are at the bottom of the second island on the right. If you are sailing from the USA, just sail south till you get to paradise.” The other marina on the island for large yachts is Jolly Harbour Marina. Its superyacht dock can accommodate nine yachts up to 200 feet, said marina manager Festus Isaac. Isaac managed the chandlery on property for 11 years before jumping ship to work at the marina for the past 20 years. Dorie Cox is a staff reporter and associate editor with The Triton. Comments on this story are welcome at dorie@the-triton.com.
Nine products get innovation awards at IBEX conference in Miami Beach Following are the products honored by the National Marine Manufacturers Association at the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) in Miami Beach in mid-October. In the Boatbuilding Methods & Materials category, the winner was the Prisma “TA” System by Structural Composites/Compsys. Prisma “TA” are structural building blocks for boat repair, restoration and new construction with a wide footprint for easy installation, hull stress reduction, and fiberglass cap for easy infusion. In the Electrical Systems category, the winner was the lithium ion battery by Mastervolt, the first highcapacity battery designed for marine applications with three times the lifespan of a conventional battery. In the Hardware Fittings category, the winner was the The Intelli-Hinge by Taco Metals. Intelli-Hinge offers manufacturers design flexibility with an integrated ball-and-socket pivot point permitting pivoting on concave, convex and multiple plane surfaces, allowing it to hinge from any two sides. In the Inboard Engines category, the winner was OceanX by Volvo Penta, a new sterndrive with a titanium-ceramic
coating that improves corrosion resistance and sensor technology. In the Mechanical Systems category, the winner was the SSA Series Raw Water Systems Monitor by Groco (Gross Mechanical Labs). SSA provides visual and audible alarms within 7 seconds of a dangerous raw water flow reduction to as many as seven engines, generators, air conditioners or pumps (before damage occurs) faster than gauges and traditional sensors. The Environmental Award was given to Morbern for its Boreal product, which is free of heavy metals and uses recycled polyester yarn, agri-based plasticizers, and a water-based topcoat system for a proven vinyl performance for marine environments while reducing our environmental impact. “Given the state of the marine economy, it is remarkable that we have more than 40 quality entrants in the Innovation Awards this year,” Roger Marshall, IBEX Innovation Awards chair and past president of BWI, said in a news release about the awards. “I think that when the market comes back there will be some truly innovative boats out on the water using many of the products we see here today.”
December 2009
Today’s fuel prices
One year ago
Prices for low-sulfur gasoil expressed in US$ per cubic meter (1,000 liters) as of Nov. 15.
Prices for low-sulfur gasoil expressed in US$ per cubic meter (1,000 liters) as of Nov. 15, 2008
Region Duty-free*/duty paid U.S. East Coast Ft. Lauderdale 591/631 Savannah, Ga. 568/NA Newport, R.I. 643/NA Caribbean St. Thomas, USVI 689/NA St. Maarten 868/NA Antigua 715/NA Valparaiso 823/NA North Atlantic Bermuda (Ireland Island) 716/NA Cape Verde 661/NA Azores 625/NA Canary Islands 623/985 Mediterranean Gibraltar 590/NA Barcelona, Spain 683/1,397 Palma de Mallorca, Spain NA/1,405 Antibes, France 650/1,570 San Remo, Italy 765/1,620 Naples, Italy 778/1,570 Venice, Italy 762/1,543 Corfu, Greece 718/1,555 Piraeus, Greece 688/1,491 Istanbul, Turkey 673/NA Malta 643/1390 Tunis, Tunisia 567/NA Bizerte, Tunisia 571/NA
Region Duty-free*/duty paid U.S. East Coast Ft. Lauderdale 627/669 Savannah, Ga. 602/NA Newport, R.I. 667/NA Caribbean St. Thomas, USVI 1,034/NA St. Maarten 938/NA Antigua 1,018/NA Valparaiso 1,059/NA North Atlantic Bermuda (Ireland Island) 922/NA Cape Verde 1,120/NA Azores 606/NA Canary Islands 598/753 Mediterranean Gibraltar 636/NA Barcelona, Spain 600/1,275 Palma de Mallorca, Spain NA/1,264 Antibes, France 654/1,467 San Remo, Italy 725/1,596 Naples, Italy 712/1,547 Venice, Italy 738/1,515 Corfu, Greece 650/1,331 Piraeus, Greece 625/1,309 Istanbul, Turkey 674/NA Malta 582/683 Bizerte, Tunisia 681/NA Tunis, Tunisia 674/NA Oceania Auckland, New Zealand 632/NA Sydney, Australia 665/NA Fiji 721/NA
Oceania Auckland, New Zealand 680/NA Sydney, Australia 672/NA Fiji 694/NA *When available according to local customs.
*When available according to customs.
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B December 2009 TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS
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Companies launch new products for fuel, satellite, more New exhaust eliminates sheen
Centek Industries, a manufacturer of exhaust systems, has introduced GenKleen Wet Exhaust Filtration System at the Marine Equipment Trade Show. Gen-Kleen eliminates the sheen that appears in the water around a boat when the diesel generator is running on board. The patented system binds hydrocarbons to a filter system and discharges clean water. Visit www.centekindustries.com for more details.
Hum-bugs kill hydrocarbons in fuel
The Hammonds Companies of Houston introduced Biobor products to kill hydrocarbon by using microorganisms (HUM-Bugs) in marine, diesel and aviation fuels. Biobor MD is designed to enhance fuel performance and economy, aid in lubricity for low-sulfur diesel, clean engines and prevent gelling. Biobor products are available through the Hammonds Fuel Additives international sales distributor network, or at West Marine. For more details, visit www.hammondscos.com.
New locator beacon from ACR
ACR Electronics has introduced GlobalFix PRO. It has integrated signal technology GPS positioning, a 406
MHZ signal and 121.5 MHz homing capacity. GlobalFix PRO relays a position to a worldwide network of search and rescue satellites (COSPASSARSAT). Retail price for the category I GlobalFix PRO is $1,360 and $1,160 for the category II. For details, visit www. acrelectronics.com.
New control reduces current spike
Dometic Marine has introduced the SmartStart, a compressor motor startup control to reduce current spike by up to 65 percent. The SmartStart control is available with Dometic’s Cruisair and marine air conditioning systems for boatbuilders and aftermarket retrofits. Visit www.dometic.com for more.
Iridium spreads to Mexico
Iridium Communications announced that its subsidiary received authorization to operate in Mexico. Iridium’s low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellite constellation provides mobile voice and data communications worldwide. Iridium partnered with Spacenet, a Mexican telecommunications company, to provide integrated communication solutions to Mexico. The company has also signed three
additional distribution partners in Mexico. For details, visit www.iridium.com.
KVH tracks signal automatically
KVH has introduced TracVision HD7, a marine HDTV antenna with simultaneous tracking of three satellites using TriAD technology that eliminates the need to switch satellites. Also KVH introduced the Master Receiver Selector for TracVision antennas. The multiswitch allows users the ability to choose which receiver will be the ‘master’. To read more, visit www.kvh.com.
Intellian dish takes global signal
Intellian announced a marine satellite TV antenna compatible with programming signals in all world markets, the w-series featuring a multiband WorldView Low Noise Block (LNB) module. It receives circular polarized signals used in the Americas and linear polarized signals standard in the rest of the world. This allows boaters to avoid reconfiguring the unit when the vessel crosses into a different region. For details, visit www. intelliantech.com.
NZ firm launches new passerelle Black Magic Composite of New
Zealand has launched its GP 700 passerelle series. The new passerelle is 700mm wide and with a modular construction. It is based on a structure recently provided to Blohm and Voss Shipyards. Options include lengths of 2-9m, flat panel and single stage telescopic, supported or unsupported, vertical and horizontal slew, manual or automated. For details visit www. blackmagcigroup.com.
New gyro lighter, faster
Seakeeper introduced the M21000, new internal gyro stabilization technology. The M21000 provides three times the righting force of the M7000 model. It weighs less, has simpler installation, and consumes 60 percent less power. The gyro spins a forged, high-strength steel flywheel at 5,000 rpm to generate 21,000 Newton meter seconds of angular momentum. It can be retrofitted or installed in a new build. For more details, visit www. seakeeper.com.
Simrad has new display
Simrad-Yachting announced the NSE series of multifunction marine electronic displays. The integrated, networkable NSE is a GPS chartplotter with embedded cartography. NSE series See TECH BRIEFS, page B7
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MARINAS / SHIPYARDS
Vancouver yard has Olympics deal, IGY opens in Mideast Cradles, work available for games
Vancouver Shipyards is hosting a “Cruise to the Olympics” sales promotion that offers one of its four sets of yacht cradles to dock and service vessels that are visiting Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics in February. Owners, crew and guests could stay aboard during the games if they wish while shipyard crews conduct hull maintenance, mechanical repairs, and inspections. The yard will provide shore power, water manifolds, safe access to the vessels, 24-hour manned security, use of the on-site gym facilities and parking. Prior to accepting vessels, the yard needs to know vessel particulars, including docking plan, lightship displacement, etc., to determine SyncroLift suitability. The SyncroLift can handle vessels up to 260 feet, depending on those weight elements. The yard also must confirm scope of work planned and the number of guests. The shipyard is located on the north shore of Vancouver harbor, nearby to event venues on the local mountains and in downtown Vancouver. The commute to Whistler is direct (no
bridges) and normally takes about 90 minutes from the yard. For more information, contact Jim McNeill at +1-604-990-3218 or jmcneill@vanship.com.
IGY partners with G-Marin
Island Global Yachting (IGY), an owner, developer and manager of luxury marinas, has started a strategic relationship with G-Marin of Malta. G-Marin is forming a new company to oversee all marina development and operations in the Middle East and North Africa. The newly created entity, Mourjan Marinas-IGY, will be based in Dubai and is actively seeking new marina development, investment and management opportunities. For more information, visit www. igymarinas.com.
systems purchased in North America are loaded with Nautic Insight HD vector cartography. NSE units are also compatible with Nautic Path charts and Navionics Platinum, Platinum+ and HotMaps Platinum cartography. Simrad-Yachting also announced the high-speed GS15 5Hz GPS antenna, which has an update rate of 5 times per second. The GS15’s 16-channel receiver provides locking capability for faster start position location and consistent position accuracy. For details, visit www.simrad-yachting.com.
New power inlets from Furrion
Furrion, a shore power products manufacturer, has introduced new 16 and 32-amp stainless steel power inlets to the European marine market. Designed and built for use in harsh marine environments, the inlets have a quick-lock cap for a waterproof locking seal. For details, visit www.furrion.com.
New weather service coming
Baron Services has introduced Baron QuikLink, a subscription-based global weather data service to be available in early 2010 for products such as global lightning and rainfall rate.
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Bermuda to add megayacht berths
A new marina still in development could add about 200 slips – some of them dedicated for megayachts – in Bermuda’s West End. The Corporation of St. George’s last year hired Mark Soares of Bermuda Yacht Services to offer suggestions on how to attract more megayachts. The new marina, to be developed See MARINAS, page B10
Power, products improve, grow TECH BRIEFS, from page B6
December 2009
Subscriptions are $99.99 a month and software is $550. For details, visit www. baronservices.com/quiklink.
Xantrex investing in R&D
The marine division of Xantrex Technology, a subsidiary of Schneider Electric, has invested in the research and development of state-of-the-art sine-wave power solutions. Xantrex is consolidating its line of inverters and inverter/chargers and strengthening its line-up of compact battery chargers with the addition of a new 60-amp model in January. Existing inverter/charger products such as the Freedom Marine and MS Series will be phased out in 2010, replaced by the company’s new products. For details see www.xantrex. com.
New lights brighter, stronger
Aqualuma Underwater Lighting has introduced Gen II 3 Series lights with more than double the light output, a one-piece, non-corrosive housing, and a new tint for clarity and resistance to chemicals. The housing enables it to be fitted with any sealant approved for belowwater applications. For information, visit www.aqualuma.com.
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B December 2009 BOATS / BROKERS
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Megayachts sell, join charter fleets, get listed for sale RJC Yacht has added M/Y Cocoa Bean, a 142-foot Broward, to its central listings, marking the first time the 10year-old yacht will be shown for sale, according to a news release. International Yacht Collection has added two megayachts to its U.S. central charter listings. The 27-year-old M/Y Golden Compass, a 151-foot Picchiotti, emerged from refit this year. She sleeps 12 in six staterooms. The yacht intends to transit around the world, starting in the Caribbean, down to South America and to the Med by summer, then through the Middle East and southeast Asia next winter. M/Y Four Aces, a 183-foot (56m) Benetti, has also joined IYC charter fleet. She sleeps 12 guests in six staterooms. She will be based in St.
Maarten this winter and the Med in summer. Merle Wood & Associates announced the following recent sales: M/Y Azzurra II, a 156-foot CRN; and M/Y Useless, a 100-foot Mangusta. The brokerage has added these new central agency listings for sale: M/Y Outback, a 193-foot Austal (a joint CA); M/Y Thirteen, a 157-foot Christensen; M/Y My Iris, a 150-foot Trinity; M/Y Emerald Isle, a 126-foot Christensen; M/Y La Iguana, a 112foot Leopard; S/Y Irishman, a 92-foot Palmer Johnson; and M/Y Happy, an 80-foot Mangusta (joint CA).
Lauderdale and Jose Arana Sr. in Mexico; and M/Y Happy Four, a 104foot (32m) yacht built by Alloy. The brokerage added the following new central agency listings for sale: M/Y Perla Nero, a 109-foot (33m) Cyrus yacht, by Jan-Jaap Minnema of Monaco; M/Y Savannah, a 101-foot (31m) Alloy by Dennis Frederiksen and David Legrand of Monaco; M/Y Little Sarah, a 100-foot (30.5m) Debirs Yachts by Jürgen Koch of Palma de Mallorca; and M/Y Peleu K, an 80-foot (24m) Mangusta by Koch. The brokerage also added M/Y Kai (ex-Allegro), a 120-foot (36.5m) Benetti, to its charter fleet.
Fraser Yachts announced the following recent sales: M/Y Allegro, a 120-foot (36.5m) Benetti, by Jose Arana Jr. in Ft.
Northrop and Johnson announced the following new central listings: S/Y Independence, the 174-foot Perini Navi, joint with Ann Avery;
S/Y Meteor, the 169-foot Royal Huisman, which won overall first prize in the 2009 St. Barth’s Bucket, joint with Avery; M/Y Gallant Lady, the 168-foot Feadship with Kevin Merrigan; M/Y Seven C’s, the 124-foot Delta, joint with Merrigan; and M/Y Olga, the 121foot Crescent with Merrigan. The brokerage also added M/Y Blue Moon, a 198-foot (60m) Feadship, to its charter fleet. The brokerage also hired charter broker Liz Drugach in the Ft. Lauderdale office and sales broker Robert Jarrett to its Newport office.
Churchill Yacht Partners has added S/Y Jewel, a 67-foot sloop (above) built by Alloy Yachts, to its charter fleet. Watch for her in English Harbour for the Antigua Show. Derecktor announced a new yacht project designed by the Vripack studio of The Netherlands. The Vripack 60M expedition motor yacht is a steel-andaluminum vessel with a range of 8,000 nautical miles at 12.5 knots. The vessel is designed for unrestricted, long-term transoceanic voyaging with the owner and guests on board. Vripack’s naval architects gave her a round-bilge displacement hull with a flared blow, transom stern and straight, even keel for optimal seakeeping, speed and fuel efficiency. Measuring 200 feet (61m), she has a beam of 39 feet (12m) and a draft at half load of 10.5 feet (3.2m). She has seven levels of living space, including a private owner’s deck, and can accommodate up to 14 guests and 16 crew. Aquos Yachts had its first U.S. showing of the 45m M/Y Big Fish, an expedition-style yacht due to splash this spring and built for global travel. Her maiden voyage is scheduled for this summer when she crosses the Arctic Sea and takes on the Northeast Passage. The National Geographic Society has been invited along to do a documentary of the area, which turns into a major shipping channel in summer. See BOATS, page B9
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BOATS / BROKERS
December 2009
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Builders continue to introduce new models, garner awards BOATS, from page B8 Built in New Zealand by McMullen & Wing, the yacht will have marble decks instead of teak to make maintenance easier and several other technological advances. For more information, visit aquosyaachts.com. The company has ordered steel for the second long-range cruising vessel. M/V Starfish, based on the same Greg Marshall-designed hull plans as Big Fish except 5m longer, is expected to launch in late 2011. Donzi Yachts premiered its latest R-73 open fly-bridge model at the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show. Built on Florida’s southwest coast and finished at Roscioli Yachting Center in Ft. Lauderdale, the yacht includes the latest infusion technology, making the hull and superstructure both lighter and stronger than before. Donzi has developed an R-92 model that will become the largest custombuilt American sportfish available. The R-92 is available with a 24-month build schedule. For more information, visit www. donziyachts.com. Trumpy, in collaboration with Ynot Yachts, has introduced three models of Trumpy Tenders: the Gentleman’s Racer (below), the Center Console and the Capri (bottom).
The 20-foot tenders, standard equipment on new Trumpys over 100 feet, are now available to all. They are built by Vicem to the Trumpy design. Base price is $135,000 with a Yanmar 160 diesel standard. First deliveries are expected in March and Trumpy plans to have a display model at the Miami International Boat Show in February. For more information, visit www. trumpyyachts.net. Pure Yachting has introduced its new line of inflatable yacht tenders. Created by entrepreneur Peter Johnstone and built by the same South
African team that constructs the highperformance Gunboat catamarans, the Pure Yachting rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) use carbon fiber and Kevlar vacuum-bagged construction. Pure Yachting is producing four models – Pure 4.50, 5.20, 5.75, 7.30 – ranging in size from 4.50 to 7.30 meters, with plans in the future for one smaller model as well as a larger, flagship RIB of 9 meters. The Pure 4.50 weighs 215 pounds, without the engine. Pure Yachting will be at Key West Race Week, Jan. 18-22, and the Miami International Boat Show, Feb. 11-15. For more, visit www.pureyachting.com.
Burger Boat Company has been awarded first place in Custom Woodworking Business Magazine’s 2010 Design Portfolio Award competition in the Architectural Millwork category. For the second year in a row Burger has also been recognized as the Overall Winner of the annual competition. Both these awards recognize work done aboard M/Y Sycara IV, a 151-foot (46m) Burger. The magazine will feature the winners in its December issue. Denison Yacht Sales has hired brokers Bob Offer and Mike Kiely in its
Ft. Lauderdale office. Offer has 30 years of marine industry experience. Notable sales include the 145-foot Octopussy, and the 177-foot Ambrosia/Starfire. He began his career in the early 1970s as a chief officer and foreman on a 250-foot schooner for Windjammer, which he also helped to rebuild, operate and manage. By 1976, he became a yacht broker, and by 1988 had formed his own brokerage firm. Kiely has more than 20 years as a sales representative, yacht broker and business development manager. For more information, visit www. denisonyachtsales.com.
B10 December 2009 MARINAS: St. Maarten
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Marina to open on west end of SXM lagoon By Carol Bareuther St. Maarten’s newest megayacht marina is scheduled to open this month. Porto Cupecoy, an upscale residential community with a Mediterranean-inspired harborside village and marina for yachts up to 250 feet, is on the far western end of Simpson Bay Lagoon. Developed by Orient-Express for $150 million, the property is geared to owners looking for a second or vacation home and place to park their yachts. “The advantages of a marina in this location are many,” said James Roidis, marina manager and owner of Sailfish Marina Management & Consultancy. He was most recently with Island Global Yachting. “There is virtually no traffic. It’s 5 to 10 minutes by car to either the Princess Juliana Airport or to Marigot on the French side. “The water clarity here on the west side of the lagoon is better than the east side where there can be runoff from the hills after a rain,” he said.
“In addition, there is a fully marked channel dredged to 14 1/2 feet that leads to the marina. We offer pilot and tender services for every yacht.” Nine of the 54 marina slips are dedicated to megayachts up to 250 feet. Dockage, along concrete-constructed docks, is all side-to. Megayacht slips offer up to 480 watts and 100 amps of electricity as well as double water connections. For crew, there is water shuttle service to the airport and other parts of the lagoon, free wi-fi, and a nearby crew bar. A fitness facility, pool and tennis courts are available for owners and crew as are full concierge services. There are also on-site restaurants, laundry services and provisioning as well as a gourmet grocery, pharmacy, boutique shops, watersports rentals and onsite car and tender rentals. “Our goal is to strike the perfect balance between a crew-friendly and guest-friendly marina,” Roidis said. The residential community features 182 one- to four-bedroom residences. St. Maarten offers a variety of financial
benefits for residence buyers, including no property taxes, no capital gains taxes, and lower than average closing costs for purchase. In addition, until Porto Cupecoy’s official opening on Jan. 29, yacht owners who buy a megayacht slip can get a free residence valued at up to $500,000. Megayacht slips vary in price from $1.5 million to $3 million. Fourteen of the 54 slips were sold as of mid-November. All nine megayacht slips are still available. The marina also offers a program for slip owners who’d like to enjoy extended cruising. “We will facilitate the rental of unoccupied slips on behalf of the owners and split dockage 50/50,” Roidis said. “This allows us to accommodate transient vessels and allows owners to earn residual revenue from the rental process when they are at sea to help offset operational costs.” Carol Bareuther is a freelance writer in St. Thomas. Comments on this story are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.
Quepos marina set to open in February MARINAS, from page B7 under a private-public partnership between the West End Development Company (Wedco) and South Basin Development Ltd, has sparked interest in the town of St. George’s, which has considered renovating the existing cruise ship docks to support megayachts, according to a story in The Royal Gazette.
Costa Rica marina to open
Marina Pez Vela in Quepos, Costa Rica is on track to open its first 100 slips to customers in February. The Pacific Coast marina has “the
most massive breakwater ever built for a pleasure marina,” according to a news release, keeping the marina basin “surge-free.” Bellingham Marine is building its signature floating concrete docks to handle vessels up to 200 feet with pressurized fresh water, septic pump outs, high-speed fuel pumps, full electrical hookups, on-site Customs and Immigration, and 24-hour security. For more details, visit www. marinapezvela.com.
Vicem Yachts hires new U.S. CEO
Vicem Yachts, Turkish builders of
luxury motoryachts, has appointed Dirk Boehmer as the new president of Vicem Yachts USA, the company’s U.S. sales and service operations. Boehmer has more than 15 years of managerial and sales experience in the global consumer retail and marine industries. Prior to joining Vicem, he was sales director for Bertram Yachts, a division of Ferretti S.p.A. based in Miami. He will be based at Vicem’s main U.S. sales and service facility in Ft. Lauderdale and oversee the sales operations in New York, Rhode Island and California.
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PHOTOGRAPHY: Photo Exposé
Control of shutter powerful, but it moves with aperture Welcome aboard photo enthusiasts. This month, we continue on with the ninth installment of clarifying the list of camera specifications, using the (randomly chosen) Lumix DMCFX150 camera, manufactured by Panasonic, viewable with many other fine cameras on such Web sites as dpreview.com. The last article Photo Exposé was completely James Schot devoted to discussing aperture priority and we move on to: Shutter priority: No Controlling the shutter means having the ability to control actionmovement. The movement could be a speeding boat, a waterfall, friends dancing, or an unsteady hand. For effect, there are times when showing movement adds creatively to a photograph. At other times the slightest movement of the hand can spoil a shot with a blur. Before getting into shutter details let me first emphasize that the shutter and aperture always work together. If you change the shutter for creative effect, you must also change the aperture, and vice-versa. For example, let’s say (and hope for the more creative photographers) you take a light reading in the Manual setting. It tells you that with the shutter set at 1/60 of a second and the aperture set at f/5.6 you will get a perfect exposure of a boat. But what if this is a cigarette going full speed? Immediately, you realize that 1/60 second shutter speed is too slow and this setting would result in a complete blur. To make sure you get a completely sharp shot you need a faster shutter speed, possibly 1/250 of a second will do. So you change the setting. Now, without changing the aperture if you then snap, your photograph will be two (2) stops too dark. Why? Because the shutter and aperture always work together to insure the proper amount of light reaches the image sensor. When you change the shutter speed from 1/60 (past 1/125) to 1/250 to stop the action, you also decrease the amount of light by two stops. To compensate for this loss, opening up the aperture from f/5.6 (past f/4) to f/2.8 puts the proper exposure back in play by increasing the amount of light by two stops. You realize you have stopped action by speeding up the shutter, but at the same time reduced the depth of field by opening up (lowering) the aperture.
If this was a boat race, where a number of boats would be at different depths of field, you would have decisions to make, such as which boat to focus on, or how to avoid losing the depth of field. Unless you are in a controlled light situation with the ability to use a flash, you are left with the light you’re given. This can depend on the time of day, or the weather. Therefore, if the light reading is 1/60 and f/5.6, then this is what you have. Besides artificial light, which will be of no use for this boat race, you have only one other option left as an adjustment, and this is to change the ISO, or sensor sensitivity setting. If, when you took the 1/60-f/5.6 reading, your camera was set at ISO 100, you can change this to a more sensitive 200, 400 or higher. Moving from 100 to 400 is two stops, so now the proper setting could either be 1/60 at f/11, or 1/125 at f/8, or 1/250 at f/5.6. All are equal in exposure, but the f/11 would allow more depth of field, and the 1/250 would better freeze action.
The photographs are of a blue propeller I took with my pocket camera, which has an aperture range from f/2.8 to f/8. Using the same intensity of light, I took the image on the left with a shutter speed of 1/1000 at f/2.8, nearly freezing the propeller’s motion. The other at 1/60 at f/8 is a motion blur that could give you the creative effect you are looking for. If an object is traveling directly to or away from you, the effect of motion decreases, and therefore is less critical. Also keep in mind that below 1/60, unless you have IS (image stabilizing), even hand movement can give you blurry results. This camera has a NO after both aperture and shutter priority, meaning this useful and creative control is not specifically available on this camera, except possibly through an indirect approach. Without these controls you truly have a point and shoot, and you may possibly be the pointless shooter. All that being said, I ask for permission to come 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.
December 2009
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FROM THE TECH FRONT: Rules of the Road B12 December 2009
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USCG issues Port Security Advisory RULES, from page B1 or that have the ability to hold or discharge more than eight cubic meters of ballast must submit a Notice of Intent to receive permit coverage. Enforcement is the responsibility of the EPA, but currently is done primarily through self-regulation. l Weapons onboard Following the very high-profile act of piracy on board the M/V Maersk Alabama last spring, the U.S. Coast Guard began to receive calls from ship owners, ship managers, yacht owners, and captains. As we reported in the April edition, there is a plethora of regulations at the international, national, state, and local level. In an effort to promulgate that information, the U.S. Coast Guard issued a Port Security Advisory. Its second revision was released at the beginning of November. A summary: If a yacht plans to leave the United States with firearms, a DSP-73 temporary export license must be obtained. This permit is valid for up to four years and may be used for multiple entries and exits of the firearms. It would require the operator to identify and list on the application the firearms to be temporarily exported for use aboard the yacht. The license application must also list each foreign country for each port of call that will be visited within those four years. Prior to exportation, an Electronic Export Information (EEI) must be filed U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). Such a license would allow the operator to stow firearms on board the yacht in a U.S. port and keep them stored until required for use within high-risk waters by the crew or contracted security. A temporary export license wouldn’t allow firearms transfers to other vessels, but crew could be changed. To apply, operators must register with the Department of State, Office of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC). In addition to International Traffic in Arms Regulation restrictions, U.S. law places additional restrictions on the purchase, possession, transfer, and transport of firearms within the United States and across state lines. The federal laws governing firearms are the Gun Control Act (18 USC § 921 et seq.) and the National Firearms Act (26 USC § 5801 et seq.) and their implementing regulations at 27 CFR Parts 478-479. For example, firearms regulated by the National Firearms Act must be registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and transferred only with ATF approval. These include machine guns, short-barrel rifles, short-barrel shotguns, silencers, and destructive devices. The Gun Control Act sets out classes of persons forbidden from possessing or transporting firearms or ammunition in or affecting commerce. Another question involved the
purchase of weapons outside the U.S. Surely that would be easier. If a person purchases weapons in a foreign country for their use and stows them aboard the yacht in a foreign port, there would be no U.S. licensing requirements while abroad (although firearms brokering prohibitions would still apply). Prior to bringing the firearms into the United States, however, the owner of the firearms would have to ascertain whether a legal exception applied to the general restrictions on importation. The Gun Control Act generally bars importation of firearms, subject to certain exceptions, and the National Firearms Act forbids importation of certain firearms, including machine guns, short-barrel rifles, short-barrel shotguns, silencers, and destructive devices. There are also restrictions on importing surplus military firearms, non-sporting firearms, and firearms from proscribed countries. While the Port Security Advisory focuses on compliance with U.S. law, yacht owners, captains and security companies are reminded that they must still comply with foreign Port State requirements. Prior to entering a foreign port with firearms aboard, and also when security teams are using a personal exemption and flying into a port state with their weapons, yachts should contact the local embassy for help in determining the individual port state’s requirements for transporting firearms within that country. l New sewage regulations The revised effluent standards and performance tests, as adopted in IMO Resolution MEPC.159 (55), are applicable to sewage treatment plants for yachts with a keel laid date on or after Jan. 1, 2010, and for yachts having a sewage treatment plant installed or delivered on or after Jan. 1, 2010. Yachts with a keel laid date prior to Jan. 1, 2010, or yachts having a sewage treatment plant installed or delivered prior to that date, may use equipment certified to 1976 international effluent standards contained in resolution MEPC.2 (VI) or an applicable national specification. For equipment manufactured or approved in the United States, the applicable national specification is 33 CFR Part 159. Capt. Jake DesVergers currently serves as Chief Surveyor for the International Yacht Bureau (IYB), an organization that provides inspection services to private and commercial yachts on behalf of several flag administrations, including the Marshall Islands. A deck officer graduate of the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, he previously sailed as Master on merchant ships, acted as Designated Person for a shipping company, and served as regional manager for an international classification society. Contact him at 954-596-2728 or www.yachtbureau.org
B14 December 2009 CRUISING GROUNDS: Maldives
www.the-triton.com
The prow of a fishing boat.
The Triton
PHOTO/SUE HACKING
There are scores of high-end resorts Maldives, from page B1 We negotiated a pass into the southern-most atoll where the scent of frangipani sat richly over the briny scent of low tide. Sailing past a Gauguin-esque scene of white sand, coconut palms and pastel-painted concrete houses we paralleled a causeway that divided the deep blue of the inner lagoon from the pale aqua and brown of the fringing reef. And over the causeway, like colorful wraiths, women in bright robes and flowing headscarves rode motorbikes to and from their jobs on the resort island of Gan. Arab traders arrived in these islands about 900 years ago, bringing with them their Muslim faith. As legend tells it, at the site of a virgin sacrifice (a practice of the local inhabitants probably of Sri Lankan/Indian descent) one brave Arab stood in place of that month’s virgin and read from the Quran to drive away the demons. The king ordered a wholesale conversion to Islam, and the edict remains. Today, with almost 100 high-end, exclusive resorts, the Maldives is not unknown to jet-setting leisure seekers and divers. But one hears almost nothing of the Maldivian culture or people. The recently ousted ex-President Gayoom (who ruled for
more than 30 years) forged a policy promoting high-end tourism at dozens of resorts situated carefully on uninhabited islands to minimize the contact between his Muslim citizens and the decadent, heretical Western visitors. Forty years ago there was not one hotel on the islands. In contrast to fly-in tourists, yachtsmen have many opportunities to interact with the local people. There are three ports of entry: the island of Uligamu in the far north, the island of Gan (Addu Atoll) in the far south, and the capital of Male, in central Maldives.
Clearance
A few dozen boats stop each year in Uligamu as they transit between Asia and the Red Sea. Clearance is straightforward and free, and once the officials leave your boat you are free to swim and walk ashore, but you are not allowed to move your boat. You may have the chance to interact with a few local fishermen or families. Facilities for yachts are non-existent in Uligamu. In Male, where you are required to have an agent to assist with clearance, bureaucracy has been honed to a fine art. Costs are higher than most other international ports: about $300 for
See MALDIVES, page B15
The Triton
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CRUISING GROUNDS: Maldives
December 2009
B15
Great yacht value in Maldives: diesel $1 a liter; clearance $4 MALDIVES, from page B14 agent and clearance papers, plus $250 for a cruising permit for one month. This Department of Tourism permit defines your right to visit only a few atolls and islands in the designated Tourism Zone. For about $1,000 you can cruise the entire Maldives chain (with the same island restrictions) for three months. Permission to anchor off a resort must be obtained from the resort itself. These fees may vary depending on the tonnage of the yacht. In Male, you can buy a variety of goods. Workshops can facilitate simple repairs or arrange air freighting of needed parts from overseas. All produce, with the exception of bananas, breadfruit, pineapples and papayas, is imported from India, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Diesel, available in Male and Addu Atoll, is less than $1 a liter, a bargain in the Indian Ocean. Clearance into and out of Addu Atoll, in the far south, can be done without an agent, and for only about $4, unless one stays more than 72 hours, in which case an agent must be employed for a fee of $50. No cruising permit is issued, but with customs’ permission you are allowed to sail to the other islands in the atoll. Boats wishing to traverse the length of the Maldives, from south to north, can request an “Inter Atoll Permit,” which is free, but which allows no stops en route, not even in Male. Diesel and a few basic provisions are available. Both Male and Addu Atoll are convenient ports for changing crew. There are numerous international flights into Male daily, and flights join the capital with Gan, on Addu Atoll, five times a day.
Capital of tranquility
No matter where you make your entry to the Maldives, the tranquility of life is striking. Male, the capital, is home to 80,000 of the country’s 360,000 citizens. From the anchorage near the airport, you can access the town (it’s hardly a city) by an inexpensive ferry ride. In the bright, narrow streets you can find local restaurants serving Maldivian curry dishes, fish, and cool drinks. Muezzins call the faithful to prayer five times a day. Most everything is closed on Friday. You won’t find many other tourists in Male; those who are there are likely awaiting pre-arranged transport to their resort or a flight out of the country. Many Maldivians speak excellent English, which they learn from first grade, and are eager to interact and help you find needed
services. The second largest town, Hithadoo, is located on Addu Atoll where 13,000 people make their homes of concrete and coral rock under the shade of coconut palms. Arriving by boat in Addu, we anchored over the clear waters of a tiny inner harbor, cleared in, and switched gears from ocean passage-makers to, well, a more Maldivian lifestyle. When the British military leased Addu Atoll during the Cold War, it built the airport, established schools (which served the locals as well as British children) and created a unique feature in the Maldives: causeways between
See MALDIVES, page B16
A Muslim woman swims with her children in the Gan lagoon, Addu Atoll. PHOTO/SUE HACKING
B16 December 2009 CRUISING GROUNDS: Maldives
www.the-triton.com
A mast-high view of the anchorage at Gan (Addu Atoll).
The Triton
PHOTO/SUE HACKING
No alcohol is served or sold anywhere outside of resorts MALDIVES, from page B15 islands. Addu is the only atoll in the country where you can travel by land from one island to the next. Both on foot and by motorbike we explored the ex-military buildings on Addu Atoll, the coconut plantations of Feydoo, and the town of Hithadoo with its sandy streets and curved coral walls. Local fishing boats with high, curved prows, called dhonis arrived at the quay with the day’s catch of tuna. Along the waterfront road, under the shade of takamaka trees, men lounged two or four abreast in their joli, homemade seats formed by tying nets over a frame of PVC pipes. We found a few small, open-air restaurants, each with a surprisingly similar menu: curried fish, chicken or vegetables, noodle dishes, plus pizza and burgers. Main courses cost $3‑5. Being a Muslim country, no alcohol is served or sold anywhere outside of resorts but fresh fruit juices and sodas abound. These small establishments and a pocketful of “guest houses” now found on both Addu and Male herald a change in tourism from exclusive resorts only to catering to a minority of independent travelers. Ten miles of land travel is about the extent of land-based entertainment in Addu. For many, the primary allure of the Maldives lies in the clear, calm waters of the lagoons, and the challenge of the surf on the outer reefs. With a cruising permit you can visit dozens of world-class dive sites, or
drop the surfers on some of the Indian Ocean’s best breaks. Yachts visiting only Addu Atoll can access some of the country’s best dive sites. In 1998, an El Nino event bleached much of the coral of the northern and central Maldives. Addu Atoll, miraculously, was spared. Here, you’ll find hundreds of species of reef fish gliding amongst spectacular coral gardens. Just off the commercial port of Hithadoo in 110 feet of water lies an oil tanker that was torpedoed in 1944. Exploring the British Loyalty wreck is one of the highlights of diving the Maldives. As we sailed away, the islands faded from view long before the after-images left our minds. There was a lingering scent of jasmine and frangipani, curry and wood smoke; the bright flashes of women in colorful clothing, flowing along sandy streets; the ululating song of the muezzins pre-dawn; the sight of men with embroidered hats intent on their chess or dominoes under the shade of coconut palms. And below it all, on the silent side of the Maldives, the world of coral reefs, turtles, spinner dolphins and schools of bright fish darting in and out of the dancing anemones. Sue Hacking and her husband, Jon, have been sailing their 45-foot Wauquiez catamaran, Ocelot, around the world’s oceans since 2001. To read more about their travels, visit http://hackingfamily. com. Comments on this story are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.
The Triton
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CALENDAR
December 2009
B17
Triton Beach Clean Up & Play Day: Good deeds and lots of fun Dec. 6 Dec. 2 Networking Triton style (the first
Wednesday of every month), 6-8 p.m., this month with the YES boys, Joey and Darren of Yacht Entertainment Systems at the Pirate’s Republic, the former Shirttail Charlie’s on the New River in Ft. Lauderdale. For more details, see page C4.
EVENTS OF MONTH
Dec. 2-4 International WorkBoat Show,
New Orleans. 1,000 exhibitors targeting the people and businesses who work on the coastal, inland and offshore waters. www.workboatshow.com
Dec. 2-6 Costa Rican Cock and Sail
Challenge, Golfito, Costa Rica. Catch and release for Pacific sailfish and roosterfish sponsored by Casa Roland Marina Resort. www.cockandsail.com
Dec. 3 The Triton Bridge luncheon, Ft.
Lauderdale, noon. This is our monthly captains’ roundtable where we discuss the issues and trends of the industry. For people who earn their livings as yacht captains. RSVP to Editor Lucy Reed at lucy@the-triton.com or 954525-0029. Space is limited.
Dec. 3-5 Cayman Jazz Fest, Pageant
Beach, Grand Cayman. Alicia Keys, Peabo Bryson and Oleta Adams slated to perform. www.caymanislands.ky/ jazzfest
Dec. 3-6 St. Petersburg Power &
Sailboat Show, St. Petersburg, Fla. Formerly known as the St. Petersburg Boat Show and Strictly Sail will feature more than 400 new and pre-owned powerboats and sailboats. www. showmanagement.com
Dec. 3-6 Marine Service Management (MSM) course, Ft. Lauderdale. Course offered through a partnership with the International Marina Institute (IMI), the training subsidiary of the Association of Marina Industries (AMI). www.abbra.org/servicemanagement, +1 401-247-0318.
Dec. 5 Charleston Parade of Boats,
Charleston, S.C. Low-country holiday tradition of lighted and festive boats through Charleston Harbor. www. megadock.us
Dec. 5 Martin County Holiday Boat
Parade, produced by Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast. www.miatc.com, +1-772-692-7599
Dec. 6 The Triton’s Beach Clean Up
& Play Day, John U. Lloyd State Park, Dania Beach. Join us just after sunrise (about 7 a.m.) at the first parking lot inside the park for a half-hour trash clean up and then stay to play in the water, with paddle boards and water toys, enjoy coffee and, yes, network.
Charter shows mean yacht hops. Make sure King Triton (aka Capt. Gui Garcia at last year’s St. Maarten show) finds you at your best. PHOTO/PEG SOFFEN
Dec. 4-7, 5th annual St. Maarten Charter Show in Simpson Bay Dec. 7-11, 48th annual Antigua Charter Yacht Show in Falmouth and English Harbors
The back-to-back shows feature some of the largest charter vessels available in the Caribbean. Antigua had more than 100 boats registered as of midNovember. MYBA opened the St. Maarten show to brokerage boats as well. www.mybacaribbeanshow.com, www.antiguayachtshow.com It’s what we do. No need to RSVP. Just watch your e-mail, visit www.the-triton. com or call us for more information. +1-954-525-0029.
Dec. 6 Sunday Jazz Brunch, Ft.
Lauderdale, along the New River downtown, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., free. Noreena Downey & Dizzy Blue, Blues Therapy and Jazz, Peter Betan & Marc Berner, Jazz Survivors. www. fortlauderdale.gov
Dec. 8-10 International Business
Training Workshops for the Marine Industry. jbalzano@eflorida.com, +1305-808-3660
Dec. 11 Indian River County Holiday
Boat Parade, produced by the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure
See CALENDAR, page B18
B
B18 December 2009
CALENDAR
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The Triton
Jan. 2-3: Kick off 2010 with Las Olas Art Festival in Ft. Lauderdale CALENDAR, from page B19 Coast. www.miatc.com, +1-772-6927599
Dec. 12 Seminole Hard Rock
Winterfest Boat Parade, Ft. Lauderdale. The 38th annual boat parade will stage on the New River. This year’s theme, “That’s Entertainment.” Highlights include the SmartLife Grand Marshal Showboat (Grand Floridian), Patron Showboat, Florida Panther’s Ice Skating Rink, and the Santa Showboat. Private boat entry, $35. www.winterfestparade.com
Dec. 18 Professional Yachtsmen
Association annual Christmas dinner, Intercontinental Carlton Hotel, Cannes. Tickets are 125 euros for members, 135 euros for non-members. pya.org
Jan. 2-3 22nd annual Las Olas Art
officers of large yachts and USSA members. www.ussuperyacht.com
MAKING PLANS Feb. 11-15 Yacht and Brokerage Show Miami Beach
Not to be confused with the Miami International Boat Show, this is the megayacht part of Miami’s boat shows, showcasing hundreds of millions of dollars worth of yachts in-water along a one-mile stretch of the Indian Creek Waterway. Free. www. showmanagement.com For product displays and exhibitors, catch a free shuttle bus over to the Miami Beach Convention Center for the 69th annual Miami International Boat Show. Strictly Sail 2010 will be at the Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center, featuring more than 300 boats in water. www. MiamiBoatShow.com
Jan. 27 International Marina
& Boatyard Conference, Tampa. Conference for marina owners, operators and personnel and boat building and repair facilities. Sponsored by AMI. Seminars and 120 exhibitors. www.marinaassociation.org.
Jan. 30 Port Salerno Seafood Festival,
on the waterfront in Port Salerno, Fla., just north of the St. Lucie Inlet. www.PortSalernoSeafoodFestival.org
Feb. 10-12 Seatec, 8th Exhibition
Stay tuned for details about The Triton’s annual party on the docks at PHOTO/TOM SERIO the show.
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
annual Cruiser Expo. www.cruiserexpo.com
courses and more. www.londonboatshow.com
Jan. 15-17 36th Stuart Boat Show at
Jan 8-17 The Tullett Prebon London
Jan. 27-28 5th annual Captains
four locations in Stuart, Fla. Over $100 million in products with 500 boats both in-water and on land. Admission is $10. allsportsproductions.net. Also the 2nd
International Boat Show, London, England. 500 exhibitors showcasing power and sail boats, dinghies, deck equipment, charter holidays, sailing
Briefing & Reception, St. Maarten. To highlight member products and services, advocacy for issues affecting large yachts and networking for senior
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. 16 Mardi Gras, New Orleans. One
of the world’s most famous celebrations for this holiday of excess before the limits of Lent. 1-800-672-6124, www.mardigras.com
March 25-28 25th annual Palm Beach International Boat Show, www.showmanagement.com
The Triton
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SPOTTED
December 2009
B19
Triton Spotters
Jenny Bickel took a break testing air quality onboard yachts to show off her Triton by the Jupiter Lighthouse. Bickel has been working with Applied Energy Solutions to test air, moisture and mold.
Charter Manager Marian Walker of The Marine Group brought her Triton along on a fam trip around the Galapagos in October. Just in case seeing all the wildlife and the famous Pinnacle Rock at Bartolome Island wasn’t enough stimulation‌.
Where have you and your Triton been lately? Send photos to lucy@the-triton.com. If we print yours, you get a T-shirt.
November networking
December networking
Grab partner to stay fit
With AdBit’s and Mary’s
With the YES boys
Exercises for two heart rates.
Section C
C2-3
C4
C5
December 2009
www.the-triton.com
Investing in Policies most often informal, verbal yourself is Most respondents investing in keep rules casual; most respondents your future TRITON SURVEY: ONBOARD POLICIES
also on smaller boats. By Lucy Chabot Reed A following breeze from last month’s survey about captains’ management styles brought several e-mails from captains and crew who wanted to know if there was an industry standard for onboard policies. After three years of monthly surveys, the one thing that is clear is that there is rarely an industry standard. Still, we were curious to see just what sort of trend we might see. As you can imagine, there are as many versions of onboard policies as there are styles of boats. And since yachting is pretty much a custom industry, we expected too many variables when it came to what is actually in the policies. “Of course, the size of your crew changes everything,” one captain reported. “Small, informally functioning yachts – and there are many more of these than the megayachts – have rules that are often verbalized and situations are handled if and when they arise. The bigger one gets, the more rules seem to be necessary so communication is understood.” This captain seemed to know a bit about our survey, because 75 percent of respondents were most recently on vessels of less than 140 feet. That must be remembered as results are revealed. So in an effort to gather some sort of statistical information in such a murky area, we asked the most basic questions we could think of. We asked about seven onboard policies: alcohol, illegal drugs, legal drugs, use of the yacht, time-off, crew dating and on-watch. First, simply whether they had one, and whether
The on-watch policy was the only one on our survey that was more often formal and written. A majority of respondents had informal versions of the FILE PHOTO six other policies we asked about. it was formal (written) or informal (verbal); what it said, in essence; and who instigated it. For the most part, the captain (not the owner or management company) instigated the policies. In most cases, a majority of yachts took an informal, unwritten approach to their policies. The only exception to that was on-watch rules, which were most often written and formal and part of standard operating procedures. “Be professional at all times with all guests,” one captain wrote, outlining his onboard informal policies. “Guest’s needs first, other duties second (except for safety duties). Address guests by last names only. No fraternizing with guests off watch. It’s a pretty extensive list, but informal at the same time.” Q. Do you have an alcohol policy? More than 90 percent of respondents in this month’s survey answered this question in the affirmative, with most (63.9 percent) saying their policy is informal and verbal. Just 9.7 percent have no alcohol
policy. Nearly all respondents indicated that their alcohol policy prohibits drinking while on duty or while under way. A large group prohibit alcohol onboard at all, but just as many permit drinking in moderation while tied to the dock and with no guests onboard. The captain determines “moderation.” Several captains specifically noted that there be eight hours between “bottle and throttle”; one captain requires 12 hours. And several informal policy captains noted that the privilege is “subject to revocation if abused.” “With privilege comes responsibility,” a captain said. “I always prefer to hire responsible adults who possess common sensibility and do not require lots of rules. However, most of our guidelines have evolved over time from the abuse of privilege.” A few captains noted that the yacht does not provide alcohol for the crew. At the same time, a few noted that a
See SURVEY, page C10
This is all about you, the yacht chef. This is about taking the time to invest not only in yourself but also in your future, and this can be in real estate, a new hobby that takes you out of the arena of yachting for the long haul, education or perhaps, quite possibly, the stock market. Yacht chefs can Culinary Waves pull in the money. Mary Beth Don’t just stash it Lawton Johnson for a rainy day but take the money and invest in your future. What exactly are you going to do with your future that you have in the palm of your hand like that apple you peel? Have you given it any thought? If you haven’t, now is the time. You aren’t getting any younger.
Gain more experience
If you plan on staying in the “yachting for dollars” arena and make it your profession as I have done, then take the time to invest in your education to further your endeavor. Do you want to work on a much larger yacht but have never cooked for a lot of people? Work in your spare time for a catering company to gain experience in cooking for large crowds. Offer to work for free if they can’t pay you, just to get experience. You will immediately see where you lack the education and finesse in dealing with larger crowds, budgets, and preparation of extreme amounts of food.
See WAVES, page C8
C December 2009 NETWORKING LAST MONTH: AdBit’s
M
ore than 200 captains, crew and yachting folks braved a serious rainstorm to network with The Triton and Adbit’s Advertising and PR the first Wednesday in November at King’s Head Pub in Dania Beach. On hand was Broward College to accept The Triton’s $2,500 check from our Poker Run for our scholarship to its marine trade program. So the rain didn’t seem to deter too many people. Besides, what’s a little water amongst yachties. PHOTOS/CAPT. TOM SERIO
www.the-triton.com
The Triton
The Triton
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NETWORKING LAST MONTH: Mary’s Crew House
A
bout 175 yacht captains, crew and industry folks networked with The Triton at Mary’s Crew House on the third Wednesday in November. It was nice to skip the bar scene and mingle casually around the pool with enough of a nip in the air for Florida types to don long sleeves. Four yacht chefs offered delicious food. And the parking issues were interestingly addressed, in part by Capt. Kelly Dobbs and Mate Sheila O’Neil, who offered people rides in their rickshaw. PHOTOS/DAVID REED
December 2009
C
C December 2009 NETWORKING THIS MONTH: Yacht Entertainment Systems
www.the-triton.com
The Triton
Need A/V information? Yes. Do you know who to ask? YES By Dorie Cox Yacht Entertainment Systems, also known as YES, is the team of Joey Ricciardelli and Darren Coleman in Ft. Lauderdale. They install and maintain audio-visual systems on yachts and can help with most things that plug in. On the first Wednesday of the month (Dec. 2), they sponsor our networking event from 6-8 p.m. at Pirate’s Republic on the New River in Ft. Lauderdale (it’s the old Shirttail Charlie’s at 400 S.W. Third Ave.). Until then, learn a little more about Joey and Darren. Q. What is a day in the life of the YES boys like? Joey: We usually plan to do something and wind up doing something completely different. Darren: It can be high drama, or not. Q. What’s your most common call? Darren: Primarily we do refits, upgrades and replace equipment like speakers and outdated machines. And we do surveys. Q. What’s a survey? Darren: We create a pictorial manual of the A/V systems onboard a yacht. It comes with color photos with arrows and descriptions to make it easy for everyone to use everything. It’s not a lot of text, because people don’t read that; they just need to hit the right button. Let’s say you have five keypads that manage the CD changer, satellite, wi-fi and the AM/FM tuner. You’ll see a photo of the pads with arrows describing how to hit feature selection, IR remote control pickup eye, disc skip, preset stations, all on one page. Joey: We’ll get the drawer full of remote controls down to one and get everything working. We take a big load off the captain and crew because it is so important. When the owner or guests get onboard they expect working toilets, A/C, food and drink, and entertainment. Crew can be in a hard spot if they don’t know how to get the speakers to work on the aft deck and the owner wants CNN or wi-fi now. Q. How do you start a survey? Joey: We go to the yacht and start a list of everything onboard, a roomby-room description. We root around like rats taking tons of notes. Then we figure out what works, what doesn’t. It’s very common to find features the captain didn’t even know about. Q. Don’t you have to tear yachts apart to find wiring? Joey: We don’t hurt anything, but we have to get into cabinets and drawers to find stuff. With our years of experience, we pretty much know where to look. Q. Why cater to yachts? Darren: The marine environment is really the only one that integrates everything. I mean everything, from RF,
A/V work is the main job of Joey Ricciardelli and Darren Coleman. PHOTO/DORIE COX analog, digital, satellite, sonar, radar, different voltages. Buildings don’t have all that. It’s challenging. Q. What’s the future of A/V on yachts? Darren: Everything will work from your phone, like iPhones. This technology is available now, but I predict more of this. Integration. The owner will be able to run shows, music, the A/C, even window shades. I think scene setting will be the big thing; wake up on a cloudy day, hit one button and the entire atmosphere onboard will adjust. Blinds will go up, lights will come on and temperature will change. We have been key in working with Crestron, a manufacturer of automated systems onboard Westports. Soon there won’t be anymore CDs or DVDs, everything will be online or on some future 10 terabyte storage. This will also free up more space that used to be for storage. Q. How do you keep up with new technology? Joey: We go to trade shows, seminars and we take a lot of training courses with vendors. Q. What are your favorite Web sites? Darren: Pandora.com. You put in “Bob Seger” and you get a day’s worth of music. Sick isn’t it? Q. What do readers need to know about you? Joey: That we DJ at Triton events for fun; it’s not our main job. People don’t realize we do A/V systems. There’s a feeling we’re always dressing up in clown suits to do kids’ birthday parties, but the music is for everyone to enjoy the events. You have to have music. We do a lot of charity work that way. Last year we did the Shake-A-Leg boat in the boat parade and we’ll be back this year with soldiers injured in Afghanistan. Contact YES in Ft. Lauderdale by calling Darren at +1 954-663-DUDE (3833) or Joey at +1 954-242-5368. Email yachtav@bellsouth.net, or visit www.yachtentertainmentsystems.com.
The Triton
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FITNESS
December 2009
C
Variety is the spice of life: Exercise with a partner Working out alone can seem monotonous, and it’s easy to talk yourself into skipping your exercise routine. Having a friend to exercise with can be fun, competitive and motivating for both of you as you push yourself to the next level. Here are some exercises that you can do with a partner. You will Keep It Up need two resistance Beth Greenwald bands, a jumprope and a medicine ball or another small ball. Try to complete the circuit three times through. Have water handy to take a sip when you need to hydrate.
the band taut. Your arms should be extended in front of you. Step back with one foot and bend your knee so that you are in a lunge position (your back knee should not touch the ground and your front knee should not extend past the toe). As you lunge, bend elbows and pull both arms back, bringing shoulder blades together. Reverse the movement, slowly returning to your starting position. Alternate your leading leg and repeat 20- 30 times.
Jumping jacks: 90 seconds Row with reverse lunge
Face your partner, interlocking the bands again. Standing erect, start with
Side-to-side shuffle with optional ball pass: 90 seconds
One partner uses their hands to walk forward for as long as they can while the other person holds securely onto their ankles. Then switch partners.
Partner abdominal leg toss
Jog in place: 90 seconds High plank with alternating hand to shoulder
Chest press with front lunge
Cross your band over your partner’s as each of you hold your own handles. Turn so your backs face each other with handles in front. Hold the handles, so that the band is below your arms. Now raise your arms so that your elbow is bent at 90 degrees and is about at the same height as your shoulders. In sync with your partner, step forward, each leading with opposite feet, into a lunge position. Do not let the knee of your leading leg cross over your toe. Simultaneously, extend your arms, relax your shoulders, and press the band forward until your arms are almost straight. Then reverse the movement slowly and return to your starting position. Alternate your leading leg and repeat 20 to 30 times.
same position. Repeat 20-30 times.
Facing your partner, simultaneously shuffle step from side to side. If you have a medicine ball, chest pass the ball to one another.
Partner single, double jump rope
Face your partner and get into a high plank position. You will want to be an arm’s length from each other. Simultaneously lift your right arms and place your hand on each other’s left shoulder for a second. Put your hands back onto the ground and repeat this movement with the other arm. Repeat 20-30 times.
Start jumping rope simultaneously. One person does a double jump before the rope comes around while the other person jumps as fast as they can until they get 20 jumps. Then switch your jumping routine with your partner. Keep switching until you each complete 100 fast jumps.
Wheelbarrow
Triceps kickbacks
Face your partner, interlocking the bands. Hold a handle in each hand. Slowly bend forward at the hip, keeping your back straight. Keep your elbows high, behind you and bent as you hold onto the band. Extend your arms behind you but keep your elbows in the
Just like the elementary school races, this is a great upper body workout.
One partner lays supine on the ground. The other partner stands above their partner’s head. The partner that is on the ground holds onto the standing partners ankles. The partner that is supine will keep both legs together and lift them straight up in the air, pressing the lower back into the floor. The standing partner will attempt to “toss” their partners raised legs out front, while the supine partner tries to keep their legs raised up by using their abdominals. Repeat 10-20 times and switch partners. Beth Greenwald is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and conducts personal training sessions as well as group fitness boot camp classes. Contact her at +1 716-9089836 or bethgreenwald@hotmail.com. Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.
C December 2009 INTERIOR: Stew Cues
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A philosophical look at lives of stews and others Even though we yacht stews are the need people sometimes have to similar in many ways, we are also very be alone, and knows how to take life’s diverse. This is never more apparent bumps and bruises and allow the sea to than during boat shows when so many carry him on to the next job. people are thrown Next is the chef, passing on his love together in crew of food and the pleasure he gets from houses, on the adding the proper wine and music to docks, day-working accompany each meal presented to and at the many the crew (and on whose ears it falls events throughout dismally flat). a show. There is a random African national Listening to who I’m sure has his own story to tell, stories during this but for now is content to dance to the time, it is clear music in his heart. Stew Cues that for some there There is almost always an outsider, Alene Keenan is a tendency to an environmentalist, who is certain lead insular lives that his attempts to categorize, count, and be unaware of what is going on in and love the sea will save the creatures the world. In yachting some of us are that our technologies put at risk every overindulged, egocentric, and have day. no need to look outside of our own And, last but not least, are the server existence. and the recipient of service. But at some point, the calling for The movie reminds me of the vast a deeper interpretation of life comes mixture of cultures, backgrounds, and knocking. stories about people in yachting. (I We stews are all drawn to service won’t say more about the film, except for some reason. One thing we have that if you choose to watch it, you had in common is that along with the better have a big box of tissues close at techniques, training hand.) and terminology we If you liked I’ve always believed “The Shawshank are responsible for, we also have to deal with Redemption,” you travel is the best relationships among will love “The Secret education. By crew members. Life of Words”. And experiencing Typically, there is if you are looking not much time for for a volunteer other cultures we training for anything organization to work experience deeper as intangible as this. with, read the credits levels of ourselves. I have always felt as at the end of the film. passionate about the I’ve always “relationship” side of believed travel is the yachting as I have about the technical best education. By experiencing other side. I love watching the interaction cultures we experience deeper levels of between crew members – which ourselves. It has been said that from the ultimately affects the guests, of course moment you have an inner life, you are – and I have always wanted to help already leading a double life. Which you crew learn to be as kind to each other is the real you? and ourselves as we are to the guests. The challenge lies in going beyond I can’t help but make a comparison the media and other channels of to the movie “The Secret Life of information and seeing the bigger Words” and the yachting industry. The picture, for it affects everyone on some film is about a young woman living level. If delivering service is the greatest in Northern Ireland who, while on good one person can do, then maybe vacation in Dubrovnik, learns about once we master our own world we can a man who has been burned in an reach out to others. Our own good accident on an oil rig in the North Sea. deeds may be enough to change the She is inspired to go there and help this world one day, one step at a time. man for some reason. In the process Thank you all for sharing new ways she ends up helping herself. Funny how to see your world. And as I like to say, service works that way, isn’t it? just remember, it’s only a movie. What was remarkable to me when I saw this film was how much the Alene Keenan has been a megayacht society on board this oil rig resembled stewardess for 19 years. She has recently the little societies on our boats. We begun teaching a 10-day intensive silver are in our own intriguing, enclosed service course at Maritime Professional world onboard. Even though all boats Training in Ft. Lauderdale. She also are different, there is a central cast of offers onboard training through her characters that may include a group company, Stewardess Solutions (www. something like this: stewardesssolutions.com). Comments on First, there is the captain: wise, this column are welcome at editorial@ deep, and insightful, who understands the-triton.com.
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NUTRITION: Take It In
December 2009
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Is there any better gift than something healthy? ’Tis the season of gift-giving. It’s also the time of year when we scratch our heads and try to think of the perfect present for friends, family and loved ones. This year, go with a sure winner. Choose a gift that gives good health. Here are a few ideas:
To eat
rating as a half cup of blueberries or 1 cup of pomegranate juice. Black tea, as well as green, contains antioxidants called flavonoids that can block the DNA damage associated with tobacco and other toxic chemicals. Bundle some cinnamon sticks and tea bags in a tea cup along with this recipe for a nice gift. Cinnamon Tea: Place one cinnamon stick and a tea bag in a tea cup. Add 1 cup of boiling water and let steep for 2-3 minutes. Remove the tea bag and let the cinnamon stick steep longer to taste. The longer the steep, the stronger the flavor. Sweeten, if desired.
Oranges. These sweet fruit have Carol Bareuther long been savored as stocking stuffers. In the days before virtually any To read piece of produce was available 365 Healthy diet books. Forget Atkins, days a year, citrus was one of the only your Blood Type, the Cabbage Soup fresh fruits available in December. or other unhealthful fad diets touted The practice of stuffing Christmas in popular books. A reliable resource stockings with an orange took root for good nutrition information is during the Depression when money something that’s a true gift. was limited. A good overall choice is the Yet today, American Dietetic citrus can still Association’s be a coveted gift “Complete Food A really fun book to those who are and Nutrition is Brian Wansink’s health conscious. Guide,” written “Mindless Eating: Why An especially good by Roberta pick is a Cara Cara Larson Duyff and We Eat More Than We Navel, also called published in 2006. Think,” published in a Red Navel. This This is a book you 2006. Wansink is a type of orange, like can quickly leaf all citrus, is packed through to find professor at Cornell with vitamin C. sound advice on University who has One fruit provides a variety of topics conducted dozens of 150 percent of the from healthy Recommended weight and fitness experiments about how Daily Allowance to vegetarianism. people respond to food for vitamin C. Bob Green, cues – portion sizes, It’s just the Oprah’s diet guru, aroma, the time on a thing to keep H1N1 published his “The (swine flu) at bay. Best Life Diet” clock – and points out Cara Caras are last year and it how to deal with these also an excellent remains a hit. It rationally. source of vitamin offers a number of A and dietary fiber, practical weight a good source of loss strategies and potassium and folic acid, a B vitamin tips about how to change eating habits that can help prevent anemia. (It’s best to maintain that weight loss. known for preventing defects in babies A really fun book is Brian Wansink’s of women who don’t eat enough folate.) “Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Cara Caras also are a natural source Than We Think,” published in 2006. of the disease-fighting antioxidant If you’ve got someone on your gift list lycopene. Lycopene it especially good who laments their membership in the for the guys on your gift list (think Clean Plate Club, this is the gift for prostate cancer prevention). The best them. part is that the Cara Cara has few seeds Wansink is a professor at Cornell and its richly colored pink pulp is really University who has conducted dozens sweet. It’s definitely a present with good of simple experiments about how taste. people respond to food cues – portion sizes, aroma, the time on a clock – and To drink points out how to deal with these Cinnamon, tea and a nice new tea rationally for healthier eating habits cup. Combine two healthful foods with and weight. a cute cup and wrap it up with a recipe for a gift that’s quick to prepare and To indulge (conscience included) long to savor. Socially responsible goodies. Give Researchers have discovered that the gift of gourmet goodies and keep one teaspoon of cinnamon has the Mother Earth healthy at the same same health-promoting antioxidant time. For example, farmstead cheeses
Take It In
that are animal welfare approved, organic fair trade coffees, and save the rainforest nuts. Just visit a grocery store such as Whole Foods and walk the aisles to find an assortment of these items. Read labels to make sure you’re getting the real deal rather than bogus hype. Manufacturers will usually print their stories on the product’s packaging and/or a symbol that denotes what organization has recognized their holistic sourcing or production practices. If there’s not a store nearby with these items handy, visit Web sites such as the Organic Trade Association (www. ota.com) or Green America (www. greenamericatoday.org) to find links to companies that sell their foods and other “green” products online.
To exercise
A yoga mat. If you’ve got a friend who wants to get fit in a small space, buy them a yoga mat and turn them on to this physical and mental discipline. There are several forms of yoga, but ones that emphasis the physical such as Hatha offer health benefits that include flexibility, balance and strength. You can purchase a simple yoga mat for as little as $20 or less in a discount store. But nicer as a gift is to spend about twice this amount of money and purchase a jute mat. These come in a variety of colors. Carol Bareuther is a registered dietitian and a regular contributor to The Triton. Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.
C December 2009 IN THE GALLEY: Recipe
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Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
To welcome the owner or charter guests on casual trips, look for a homemade fruit dessert. After all, how many times has a grandma steered us wrong when it comes to sweets?
PHOTO/Mary Beth Lawton Johnson
The pineapple is historically known as a welcome sign. This is a great dessert to serve on casual trips with the owner or charter guests. Nothing says welcome like a homemade fruit dessert. This recipe comes from my grandmother and it never has steered me wrong. 1 stick butter ½ cups brown sugar 1 small fresh pineapple, cut into rings Maraschino cherries Batter: 1 3/4 cups flour 1 1/4 cups sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup butter 3/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon vanilla 1 egg Pinch of nutmeg, finely grated (use a microplaner) Preheat oven to 350 F. For the base/top, melt the stick of butter in cake pan. Add the brown sugar and pineapple rings. Arrange in a single layer in the bottom of a cake pan. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together. Add butter, milk, vanilla, egg and nutmeg and beat until smooth. Pour batter over the pineapples and bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Flip the cake onto a platter. Cut and plate so the rings are on top. Top each slice with a Maraschino cherry.
Get smart by traveling, studying WAVES, from page C1
Education
Take that course on sanitation or that refresher nutrition course you have your eye on. Maybe go to Italy to learn to cook the Italian way and make pasta from scratch, or go to France to learn about pastries firsthand. Attend the Culinary Institute of America for a week to learn the art of bread baking. It offers continuing education courses. It certainly cannot hurt you to learn more. Whatever you decide to do to embrace continuing education, make
sure it is something that you will enjoy and that it will enhance what you already know. Don’t take that sugar or chocolate course from Disney World if you don’t intend to invest in the tools and equipment to learn the trade. That is a waste of time. Instead, find what it is you enjoy and explore the options that are available. I specialize in food styling and media relations so investing in another seminar on food styling and media is well worth it for me. Are you up to date on your licenses and certifications? If you lack
See WAVES, page C9
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IN THE GALLEY: Culinary Waves
Update appearance both on paper and in person WAVES, from page C8 educational hours, then make the time to take the courses, otherwise, that great job that wants to see your credentials just flew out the door.
Organizations
Join an organization that offers what you want. There are plenty out there for chefs. But don’t spend the money if you aren’t going to take full advantage of what it offers. Most offer networking, educational seminars, and culinary courses so explore what is available out there. The International Association of Culinary Professionals, Women Chefs and Restaurateurs, and the James Beard Foundation are just a few available.
Update yourself
Are you hunting for that special yacht owner but find yourself looking like every other yacht chef out there? What does your résumé look like? It probably needs updating and probably so do you. Make an appointment to get that new hair cut, that new picture wearing conservative clothing, and a new résumé. If you don’t know how to do your own résumé, find a service that can do it for you. Some of the crew agencies are very skilled at this. You need to make yourself a presentable winner so someone else sees it and notices it. Do not wear a T-shirt to get your picture taken. Don’t have brochures made up with cloudy pictures on a beach somewhere. Instead, get simple business cards, simple résumé, and wear a collared shirt, and make sure you don’t have accessories that stand out such as large hoop earrings or that you are overly made up. You are going to work on the yacht, not own it or date the owner. There is a big difference.
Set realistic goals
Don’t expect to be hired on the largest, most prestigious yacht there is as a yacht chef. Everyone else is hoping for the same thing. Instead, set realistic goals. If you have never worked on a yacht, start with a smaller yacht, such as a 75- or 90-footer and get experience on it before you hang your toque on a larger one. Otherwise you are doomed to fail. The stress is much greater on a larger yacht and so is the amount of people and food you have to deal with.
Give some loyalty
The more longevity you have on one yacht, the better you look to other captains and owners thinking of hiring you. It might be unbearable, but you can stand it for one year. I have 12 years on the yacht I am on now. How do you
think that looks to prospective captains and owners? The yacht spends considerable amounts of money to invest in you as a crew member and you should reciprocate the gesture. Show some loyalty. Recently, I talked to one chef who wanted the big bucks, the big super yacht and would not accept anything less. He has less time in the industry and less experience than me, and he’s hopped around from yacht to yacht every few months. Do you think he will be considered? Probably not.
Skip the ego
There is a label floating around yachting for some of us in the galley: prima donna chefs. Wherever you go, don’t let yourself fall into this category. Adopt humility to invest in your future. A prima donna chef won’t be tolerated anymore. Perhaps this was a feature of years past when yachting was booming, but not anymore. We yachties have to be team players to achieve the same goal and that is to ensure safety, comfort and happiness of the yacht owner and guests, as well as other crew. Practice this principle day in and day out and you will find you are a much happier person and other crew members will be willing to work with you.
Outside investing
So you make a decent salary. What are you doing with it? Are you going to bars and clubs every night? If so, you won’t have much of a future set aside. Do you shop a lot? Pull in the reins. Take the money you would have spent on that frozen mocha latte frappaccino and cute outfit and put it aside to explore options in investing outside of the stock markets. Contact a financial adviser and see what he/she suggests. The adviser might suggest real estate, oil companies, and even other options that yield a decent return. You won’t know that you are missing the money if you don’t have it sitting in front of you. Get the money out of your hands and put it to work for you. Every dollar you earn, you should earn a return on it. It’s easy to see in the markets or real estate, but every dollar you invest in yourself brings returns, too. 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.
December 2009
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C10 December 2009 TRITON SURVEY: ONBOARD POLICIES
Do you have an illegal drug policy?
Do you have an alcohol policy?
No – 4.2% Yes: formal, written and signed – 43.1%
Yes: informal/verbal – 52.8%
Yes: informal/verbal – 63.9%
Who instigated it? (All that apply) 54
13 Owner
8 Mgmt Co./ regulations
Do you require drug testing?
Captain
Owner
No – 47.2%
Yes, for hire – 1.4% Statistics/graphics by Lawrence Hollyfield
No – 54.9%
Yes: informal/verbal – 26.9%
Yes, it’s an in verbal polic
Who instigated it? (All that apply)
Mgmt Co./ regulations
Captain
Who instigated it? 48
1
6
Owner
3 Mgmt Co./ regulations
14 Captain
Owne
‘Officers and department heads are expec SURVEY, from page C1
Yes, for hire and when circumstances dictate – 36.1%
Do you have a yach Yes: formal, written and signed – 18.1%
30
12
The Triton
Yes: formal, written and signed – 15.5%
Yes: formal, written and signed – 26.4%
55
Yes, for hire, regularly after – 15.3%
Do you have a prescription drug policy?
No – 9.7%
Who instigated it? (All that apply)
Captain
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crew member’s time off is theirs to do what they like with it, as long as it doesn’t interfere with their work the next day. “Drunk or disorderly conduct is prohibited at all times,” said one captain who permits crew members to drink off duty. “Officers and department heads are expected to set a superior example for junior crew members.” Q. Do you have an illegal drug policy? Nearly 96 percent of respondents answered this question in the affirmative, leaving just 4.2
percent without a policy about illegal drugs. And again, most (52.8 percent) had an informal, verbal policy. Slightly more than 43 percent had a formal written policy, the largest formal policy group other than the on-watch policy. The policy tends toward zero tolerance for crew, on or off the boat. In many instances, illegal drug use is grounds for termination. In this category, we asked one additional question: Do you require drug testing? The largest group, 47.2 percent of respondents, does not. Slightly more than 36 percent requires a test for hire and then when
necessary. More than 15 for hire and then regular Just 1.4 percent requires then not again. “The USCG-mandated program is a joke,” one c testing. It is very scary o of these crew members.” Q. Do you have a polic (prescription) drugs? This was one of two p a majority in the negativ dating.) Nearly 55 percen
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ht use policy? No – 15.3%
Do you have a time off policy? Yes: formal, written and signed – 31.0%
No – 18.3%
(All that apply)
Yes: formal, written and signed – 9.7%
53
Mgmt Co./ regulations
Captain
Owner
Yes: informal/verbal – 39.4%
No – 65.3%
Who instigated it? (All that apply)
3 Mgmt Co./ regulations
Do you have a crew-on-watch policy?
Yes: formal, written and signed – 43.7%
25
11
Who instigated it? (All that apply) 53
6 Captain
C11
No – 16.9%
Yes: informal/ verbal – 25.0%
Who instigated it? (All that apply)
3
December 2009
Do you have a crew-dating policy?
Yes: informal/verbal – 50.7%
nformal, cy – 66.7%
er
TRITON SURVEY: ONBOARD POLICIES
Owner
2 Mgmt Co./ regulations
3 Captain
Owner
3 Mgmt Co./ regulations
cted to set a superior example for junior crew members’
percent requires a test rly during employment. s a drug test for hire and
d random drug testing captain said. “Let’s start out there knowing some ” cy about legal
policies that received ve. (The other is crew nt of respondents do
not have a policy about legal drugs. Of the 45 percent who have one, most are informal, verbal policies instead of formal written ones. For the most part, the policy requires full disclosure by the crew member of any medication they are taking and what it is treating. In several instances, the captain requires proof that the crew member is under the care of a doctor, and insists that the medication not interfere with job performance. Q. Do you have a policy about crew dating? Most respondents for this question replied that they had no policy, informal or otherwise,
about crew members dating one another. Almost 35 percent, however, do have a policy that either prohibits it outright or prohibits its effect on crew morale or job performance. The most common part of a crew dating policy prohibited crew pairing up after being employed. “If I wanted a team, I’d have hired a team,” one captain noted. Based on survey results, the informal policies about crew dating seem to discourage it. “I ask the crew not to get involved with each other on a sexual basis,” one captain said. “99.9
percent of the time it turns out poorly and it always effects the rest of the crew. I never want to interfere in people’s personal lives, but I am hiring personnel to put together and build a team. A sexual relationship always drives a wedge in the crew relationship.” Q. Do you have a policy about use of the yacht and its equipment when the owners or guests are not on board? Again, a majority (nearly 85 percent) answered this question in the affirmative, with
See SURVEY, page C12
C12 December 2009 TRITON SURVEY: ONBOARD POLICIES
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Yacht use influenced by location SURVEY, from page C11 the largest group (66.7 percent) having an informal, verbal policy outlining what’s permissible. Just 18.1 percent have a formal policy. “We all know the rules and respect the owner’s part of the vessel, toys, etc.,” one captain said. “We 100 percent do not abuse toys or the offer of their use. (Basically, we don’t have time.)” As for what the policy says, the most common response is that it is permissible with the captain’s advance approval, provided the equipment and gear is meticulously maintained afterward, as though guests had used it. “I try to be flexible,” one captain said. “We are high profile in our industry and everyone is watching. When the vessel is in port, crew can find many things to amuse themselves. We are paid very well and can afford to pry open our pocketbooks and spend a little on ourselves if we wish. “Having said that, when we are off at anchor, sometimes for weeks at a time, I will allow the crew to use some of the owner’s toys, i.e. tenders, water skis, diving equipment, snorkeling gear,” this captain said. “If we are left in some remote anchorage waiting, diversions have to be made to keep the crew entertained and happy.” “Use of the toys by the crew is one of the perks of working in this industry,” another captain said, “but only with the permission of the owners.” Still, several captains noted that use of the guest areas or equipment is not permitted by crew. Q. Do you have a time-off policy? Though this policy seemed more in the neighborhood of employment contracts and benefits, we added it to our policy survey at the suggestion of several crew who wanted to know if time-off was monitored and tracked. Almost 82 percent of respondents have a policy about time off, but again, most (50.7 percent) have an informal, verbal policy. Still, 31 percent have their time-off policy in writing. What goes into this policy brought about the most diverse answers, ranging from two weeks a year to eight weeks a year, from “four hard days/four soft days off per month” to “as possible, according to the owner’s use.” “We try to get some time off as and when we can,” one captain wrote. “I want the crew to get off duty, go ashore for a walk, sit on the beach or take a break. We each know what has to be done and so schedule as possible.” “Ashore, crew are free to do whatever, sans restriction, but be back for your watch straight, sober and on time,” another captain wrote. “If you get in a jam and may not make your watch, call me. A no-show is grounds for dismissal.” Some captains have very specific time-off policies that track hours and time.
More insight from the survey l “I work hard to hire the right people in the first place in an attempt to avoid drug/alcohol issues.” l “Onboard policies are usually created by experiences and observations of other boat’s policies. That is why networking is so important and helpful.” l “It is totally boat dependent, each one is different, so adapt to each owner type, formal or informal.” l “Contracts and policies are beautiful things. They spell out, on paper, exactly what is expected from the crew and the company. I do not believe in making policies and contracts all encompassing. (Ours is six pages.) The crew understand before they take the position if they want to be a part of the program or whether they should look elsewhere.” l “Clarity is very important. Policies can be part of the onboard culture and thus not always written. “Written policy” is sometimes for the insurance companies. You don’t want to break the unwritten rules either. l “All policies are the result of years of refinement and response to situations that have arisen. I have adopted ideas from many sources as they seem appropriate to my situation.” l While my policies may seem “lax” the reality is they are consistent, needed for the safe operation of the yacht and promote longevity of crew.”
“Working hours in harbor without guests embarked will generally be as below: Monday through Friday, 0800 All crew on deck; 1000-1015 Tea break; 1200-1300 Lunch; 1500-1515 Tea Break; 1700 Work finished. Saturday and Sunday will be working days only when the vessel’s program makes this unavoidable. “Working hours with guests embarked will, of necessity, be flexible but based on the above. Saturdays and Sundays when guests are embarked will be normal working days.” Some captains track days, not hours. “Two days off for every five days of working eight hours + is allotted and accumulates. After six months, 10 days paid holiday. After one year, additional 20 days paid holiday.” Others are more flexible, often in benefit to the yacht. “Generally weekends off while in shipyard periods.” “After 12 months aboard, one month paid leave will be given at the vessel’s convenience. Leave may be in increments, and may be granted prior to the 12 month period at the vessel’s
See SURVEY, page C14
C14 December 2009 TRITON SURVEY: ONBOARD POLICIES
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‘I’m very careful about what each crew member is capable of’ SURVEY, from page C12 convenience. (These would generally be after a long charter or delivery.) Lost weekends off due to charters, etc., are not accrued. Weekends count in the month off, if away on leave.” “If within 5 miles of yacht, subject to recall.” “Weekends off, if not on charter.” “When guests are on board, it’s 24/7. When they are not on board, it’s pretty much 9-5 with scheduled watches.” “The boat comes first. After that, ask the captain and time off will be granted on basis of yacht schedule and need for crew to man the yacht.”
Q. Do you have a policy for crew on watch? Slightly more than 83 percent of respondents have an on-watch policy, but this was the only policy that was more often formal and written, with 43.7 percent of respondents having it in writing. Less than 40 percent have an informal watch policy, and 16.9 percent of respondents have no policy at all. “Each senior watch keeper sets the tone for their particular watch,” one captain on a “smaller vessel, smaller crew” wrote in. “Our system tends to work for us. We all tend to arrive as wiped out as the next person.”
Again, the variety of responses rivals the time-off policy. Everything from “three hours on, six hours off ” to “we are pros; conduct yourself as such.” “We set a schedule and they wake me for any reason,” a captain noted. “I’m very careful about what each crew member is capable of. This has worked for the last 200,000 miles. Hope it keeps on working. Fingers crossed.” Several captains noted that they have 24-hour watches with checklists of duties for crew members, including checking the vessel’s mooring lines, perform periodic checks of engine room and interior, clean up crew
lounge, take out trash, etc. “Watch duties at dock are different from watch duties at anchor are different from watch duties under way. And thus all are different when guests or owner are onboard as well.” One captain shared this: “When on duty, responsibility for the security and safety of the vessel and the souls on board is passed to you. Do not take this lightly. Know who is and is not on board at all times, and how to summon the crew in case of an emergency. “This requires all team members to be accountable to the watch keeper for comings and goings. Communicate with the watch keeper your intended destinations and your expected returns so we may know if you are overdue and have a clue where to begin looking for you. This is not intended to infringe upon your independence, rather it is a recognition that communal living requires a higher degree of responsibility and accountability to each other and is in the interest of our mutual safety and well being.” Q. As suspected, onboard policies are mostly instigated by the captain. So we wanted to know how they created them. A majority of captains noted their policies came about through trial and error, with many relying on conversations with the owner or learning them from a previous captain. “Source of onboard policies: Grey hair, common sense and 35+ years of experience,” one captain wrote in. “The owner is aware and concurs, but did not instigate the policies. ‘That’s part of what I pay you for.’” “It takes many years in the business going through situations to fully understand the proper management criteria necessary to effectively manage a yacht,” another captain reported. “Every size yacht is different and a good captain has learned from many years of experience on many different sizes of yachts, working up the ladder rather than from deckhand on a larger yacht to a captain on a larger yacht with little to no engineering and valuable multi-tasking experience, which is so necessary on the smaller yachts. “It has been proven that this type of experience is more likely to create a more well-rounded and knowledgeable captain with confidence in their abilities and maturity in their demeanor with a better understanding of what all the other crew jobs are, thus creating good leadership.” Lucy Chabot Reed is editor of The Triton. Lawrence Hollyfield is an associate editor. Comments on this survey are welcome at lucy@the-triton. com. We conduct our monthly surveys online. All captains and crew members are welcome to participate. If you haven’t been invited to take our surveys and would like to be, register for our emails online at www.the-triton.com.
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PERSONAL FINANCE: Yachting Capital
Attitude, fear will play big part as industry begins to recover The 50th anniversary of the Fort Another common question from Lauderdale International Boat Show captains at the show was that they are is past. Comments from numerous afraid of the stock market, especially attendees indicate that there seem to now. And then they would ask me be mixed feelings what I thought about gold or other regarding the currencies. success of the Although gold and currency trading show. is an option for investment, I tend to Statistically shy away from it. People have been there were buying gold heavily over the past few fewer attendees years, hence the price of gold is high and most felt today. it was due to But just as we have seen in the stock the economy. market and in the real estate market, Yachting Capital Several said that what goes up will also come down. meant there were Buying at the high point expecting it Mark A. Cline just fewer tire to go higher is not a good investment kickers. Others strategy. As far as currency goes, there thought that was a bunch of hooey. are too many political issues going on No matter how you look at it, it around the world that directly affect comes down to attitude. When people those values. I consider currency a have a better and more positive very high-risk investment. If you have attitude, things look better. Some money you can lose in a high-risk people call it the law of attraction. investment, then this may be an option Positive brings for you. positive; negative In this economy, This economy seems brings more I keep going back negative. to alternative to have the makings During the investments. In of a longer and slower boat show I was general, these recovery compared to fortunate to hear are investments cycles in the past. This Wayne Huizenga outside the typical Jr., chairman of stocks and bonds is largely because this Rybovich, speak or mutual funds. is a global economy about his thoughts These are real problem, not just a on the status estate or what of the yachting I recommend, problem with the U.S industry. To private REITs (real economy. summarize his estate investment remarks: It’s all trusts). If you feel about attitude and that real estate is image. down, then this is the time to get ahead One thing he said that has stuck and buy in before it begins to move in my mind was that this was going high again. to be a slow and long process for There are also investment our economy to truly come back up. alternatives in such things as movies, When you talk to the owners of these structured notes, oil and gas, and more. megayachts, they’re afraid of their I can’t say this enough: Diversification image being tarnished. is key. If they are cruising on their yacht, Also, you must have a plan and stick even though financially they have the with it. Most of all, if it is important money to do it, the timing is wrong if to you that you are doing the right they just had to lay off 50 employees thing, then get that second opinion. in their company. This is not the type You would get a second opinion if you of publicity they would want to get had a major decision regarding your around. Unfortunately many in the health. Your financial health is just as general public do not see a difference important. between personal spending versus the Information in this column is not ability to have work for employees for intended to be specific advice for profitable business operations. anyone. You should use the information This economy seems to have to help you work with a professional the makings of a longer and slower regarding your specific financial recovery compared to cycles in the objectives. past. This is largely because this is a global economy problem, not just a Capt. Mark A. Cline is a chartered problem with the U.S economy. senior financial planner and mortgage In short, his message was to keep broker. He is a partner in Capital that positive attitude, which in turn will Marine Alliance in Ft. Lauderdale. help spur our industry and economy. Comments on this column are welcome Keep that in mind when talking with at +1-954-764-2929 or through www. owners and people in general. capitalmarinealliance.net.
December 2009
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