The Triton Vol.,8, No.11

Telling it like it is

Yacht crew share their sage wisdom with others.

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Pretty is painful Not much left Shark joins crew while river fishing. A6 Vol.8, No. 11

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Lionfish packs a powerful sting on unsuspecting.

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February 2012

Medical rules can be a hurdle to a mariner license

By Dorie Cox Last May, Capt. Renee Hobart sent in her Merchant Mariner Credential Medical Evaluation Report to renew her U.S. license. In her application, she missed something.

“I had accidentally left a blank, a square on the medical condition list,” she said.

The application came back with

a cover letter requesting more information. It was the beginning of a six-month process.

Hobart started her career 26 years ago with a 100-ton ticket. Now on her sixth issue, she decided to start her renewal in May, seven months early, to be sure to have her new license in time for a scheduled yacht delivery.

“It used to be much easier,” Hobart said of her previous renewals. “There

were about 33 items on the list last time.”

Now the list includes 88 medical conditions that must be attested to.

That increase, in effect since September 2009, gives mariners at least 50 more items to clarify about their health status.

Hobart identified that she takes blood pressure medications, previously had a small heart murmur and has had

neck pain due to mild migraines. She said she manages her blood pressure and minor headaches and it was questioned if she even had a heart issue.

“I wrote a letter explaining everything and the migraines I’ve managed since I was 10,” she said.

In August came a letter from the Coast Guard requesting “amplifying

See MEDICAL, page A15

You’re fired!

WON’T BACK DOWN FROM HIS CHALLENGE

Why and how yacht captains fire crew

Capt. Jody Hill, paralyzed from the chest down in a 2006 car accident in Tortola, was competing in the OCR Miami regatta in late January, hoping to qualify for the U.S. paralympics team. Read more about his attempts thus far on page A8.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Titanic, no, but a night to remember nonetheless

By Capt. Bruce Gregory Before I begin, let me first say that in spite of the odds against it, I suffered only a few bruises, some sore muscles and a fractured ego.

On a Friday night in early September, I nearly died in a boating accident.

That night was like a hundred

others at the club. Sometime between 9 and 10 p.m., I loaded gear into a tin boat and brought it to Morning Star. I tied the painter to the boat, loaded items into the cockpit, climbed aboard, unlocked the cabin, put my gear below, locked the companionway and climbed into the tin boat, so far without a hitch.

My usual procedure is to start the

tin boat motor and then and only then, untie the painter. This trip was no different. The night sky was cloudy with little or no moon. (Had it been visible, its crescent shape would have offered little light.)

The seas were nonexistent so there was little noise heard between

See LESSON, page A18

Drug use, fist fights and insubordination will get a crew member quickly fired from a megayacht. But so can an accumulation of small infractions or an owner’s whim, said captains at this month’s Triton From the Bridge luncheon.

“If it’s major, there is no question,” a captain said of the reasons crew are fired. “If it’s minor, From the Bridge that’s when it’s more difficult.”

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

When asked if they had ever fired a crew member, several of the captains enthusiastically began to recall their most extreme stories.

“I had a fight between several crew, one guy broke another’s jaw,” a captain said. “I fired all three on the spot.”

“I had one that had to go,” another captain said. “He was totally drunk.”

“Unfortunately, you find yourself getting good at it,” a captain said. “It gets to be repetitive.”

Illegal and dangerous acts are cause for dismissal in most sectors of employment, but in yachting, a captain said such situations must be addressed immediately.

“Things like sleeping on the job are easy to write up; other things seem small,”

See BRIDGE, page A16

A February 2012 WHAT’S INSIDE

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I’m feeling a bit queasy

Something makes me think this is not going to be a picnic. Read how to ride it out on page B1.

PHOTO/CAPT. MICHAEL PIGNEGUY

Advertiser directory C16 Business Briefs B12 Boats / Brokers B9 Calendar of events B17 Columns: Crew Coach A12 Fitness B14 In the Galley C1,9 Interior C7 Latitude Adjustment A2 Nutrition C6 Personal Finance B15 Photography B16 Onboard Emergencies B2

Rules of the Road B1 Crew news A8 Cruising grounds A6,B3 Fuel prices B5 Marinas / Shipyards B8 Networking Q and A C5 Networking photos C3,4 News briefs A4 Tech Briefs B5 Tech News B6 Travel B1 Triton Spotter B19 Triton Survey C1 Write to Be Heard A19

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LATITUDE ADJUSTMENT

Sometimes they come, sometimes they go, then there’s coffee Sometimes, these tidbits center around captains and crew joining new yachts. This month, however, it’s about captains and crew leaving yachts, and about looking for new ones.

After a year with M/Y Highlander, the 116-foot classic Feadship originally owned and made famous by Malcolm Forbes, Latitude Capt. Craig Adjustment Lucy Chabot Reed Cannon has left. (This is not the green-hulled Feadship of the same name that the Forbes family still owns.)

Keeping busy with deliveries, he’s actively looking for something between 120 feet and 160 feet.

Long-time Capt. Jeff Huffman is off the 153-foot Burger M/Y Ingot.

Huffman has worked on Burgers for more than 16 years, about half that time with the owners of Ingot. He’s taking a few months off and said he hopes to find another great Burger to take care of.

“After 8 1/2 years, I can only hope to find another yacht owner as special as Ingot’s owners have been to me,” he said. “I hope to continue commanding such great vessels.”

Capt. Hope Fiene has found a new passion.

After more than 30 years in the yachting industry, she has gone to the dogs. Dog grooming, that is.

“It is part art form and makes me very happy,” she said She graduating from dog-grooming school this fall and now does in-home dog grooming of all breeds. She also works with a veterinary clinic in Davie, just west of Ft. Lauderdale.

Find her at Red Leash Dog Grooming on Facebook. She’s even done a couple of nail clinics at the dog parks and green markets.

You can reach her at indigo2@ bellsouth.net or 954-817-6526.

It’s always interesting to me when yachties leave the fold. There’s almost always fascinating adventures – estate managers on a private island, bed-andbreakfast owners on a tropical beach, ski instructors on a mountainside.

A lot of times, though, it doesn’t pan out.

Last year’s road trip to Colorado found Capt. Brad and Stew Jennifer Tate falling in love with Telluride.

They stayed that winter and all year. Brad Tate

Brad even volunteered at the local radio station and even won Rookie of the Year at KOTO-FM. (His radio name was Bradlicious, if you can believe it.)

But volunteer work doesn’t pay the bills, and I’m willing to bet they got a little cold (they did come back to Lauderdale in January), so they are back in South Florida looking for a yacht job. Their last one, aboard M/Y El Jefe, was based in St. Maarten year round.

Too much of a good thing – be in tropical beaches or snow-ladden mountains – gets boring, I guess. Here’s to finding a little variety, you two.

Want to know the best part about leaving Telluride? Now when they go back, they have plenty of places to stay.

And one last, shameless plug. David and I have opened the Newsworthy Cafe on 17th Street in Ft. Lauderdale.

It’s a groovy little place, really colorful (if you have you ever seen my office or living room, you know what I mean) and cozy.

We serve European-style coffee, simple breakfasts and delicious lunches. Soups and sandwiches, everything fresh, different every day.

Like it would in your own home.

And that’s our goal, to make our diners feel like they are guests in our home. The tables and dishes are modest, mostly recycled, and the service is casual. It’s not silver service, but it is yacht quality.

And The Triton offices are right upstairs and we hope to host morning coffee or afternoon tea, just to chat.

So if you are on 17th Street, stop by.

We’re in the heart of it, behind Waxy’s and beside Crew Unlimited. It’s the two-story Bahama green building with the sunny yellow awning. Big surprise.

CORRECTIONS Wylie Dufresne is the owner and head chef of WD-50. The Culinary Waves column indicated otherwise last month.

The photo of Eng. Dave Hammond on page B1 of the January issue was taken by Triton freelance photographer Tom Serio. The photo was incorrectly credited to Hammond.

February 2012 A

A February 2012 NEWS BRIEFS

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Former stew sues owner over death; guest dies in fall Heli-lift crushes engineer

The widow of a yacht engineer who was crushed by a retractable helicopter pad has sued the yacht’s owner, according to a story in the Sydney Morning Herald.

At issue is the operation of the pad on the 244-foot (74m) M/Y Ilona IV, which won an award in 2004 from Showboats International magazine as that year’s most innovative yacht.

Two years later, however, the helicopter lift that operates the pad was re-engineered and had problems, the newspaper reported.

In February 2007, Chief Eng. Christiaan Johannes Venter was crushed by the hatch door when the safety switch failed to operate.

His widow, former Ilona Stew Rachel Morrison Venter, is claiming negligence. The owner denies the claims, and has filed suit against the lift’s manufacturers, MD Engineering GmbH. The lawsuit is headed to the New South Wales Supreme Court.

Guest falls off yacht, dies

A guest on a yacht has died after falling into the water while attempting to step off the vessel, according to a story in the Tampa Bay Times (formerly the St. Petersburg Times).

The yacht, the 110-foot Broward M/Y Pure Knight Life, was docked near the Renaissance Vinoy hotel in the early morning of Jan. 18 when the accident occurred.

The man may have hit his head as he fell.

Sunreef yard suffers fire

A fire at the Sunreef Yachts shipyard in Gdansk, Poland, destroyed several yachts under construction, according to news reports and a company statement. No injuries were reported.

The fire began in one of the production halls on Thursday evening, Jan. 19. But the molds were saved and by Monday morning, another production hall had been prepared and work had resumed.

“We will even need to increase our production capacity to rebuild the lost units and start works for the recently signed contracts,” said Francis Lapp, president of Sunreef Yachts, who added that delays in delivery will not exceed three months.

Sunreef Yachts builds power catamarans and yachts 60-200 feet.

Teen finishes circumnavigation Sixteen-year-old Laura Dekker of Holland completed her solo circumnavigation Jan. 21 in St.

Maarten’s Simpson Bay, making her arguably the youngest sailor ever to sail around the world.

Passing through the bridge to megayacht horns of salute, Dekker and her 38-foot sailboat Guppy finished the voyage that took her one year and one day.

Unlike Australian Jessica Watson, who was a few months older when she finished her non-stop circumnavigation in 2010, Dekker stopped in ports along the way.

But Guinness World Records, the people who track such records, will not authenticate this one. It no longer recognizes records for “youngest” sailors, according to a story in the Daily Telegraph.

Derecktor files bankruptcy

Derecktor Shipyards Conn. LLC, based in Bridgeport, Conn., has filed for protection under Chapter 11 bankruptcy laws, under which companies can reorganize and reemerge.

Robert E. Derecktor Inc. in Mamaroneck, New York, and Derecktor of Florida in Dania Beach are unaffected by the filing, the company said in a statement.

“A depressed economy, the cash drain of investment made in building

out the Bridgeport facility, and a recent lack of new construction opportunities, have put a tremendous strain on the company’s finances,” according to the statement. “The shipyard is seeking strategic alternatives, including an investor or buyer of the yard.”

The Bridgeport yard closed in October, a year after it launched the 281-foot (85m) M/Y Cakewalk V, the largest private yacht built in the United States since 1930. When it closed, it indicated it planned to reorganize.

Part of its financial troubles stem from a $12 million lawsuit filed by the owners of Cakewalk.

Filing under Chapter 11 is different from filing under Chapter 7, when a companies assets are dissolved and companies usually go out of business.

Chapter 11 protects a company from the threat of creditor lawsuits while it reorganizes its finances.

– Lucy Reed

BBC: Captains pressured to sail

In an investigative report published in mid-January, the BBC reported that a yacht delivery company based in the UK pressured captains to sail in severe weather against their judgment, resulting in the deaths of five captains

See NEWS BRIEFS, page A10

A February 2012 CRUISING GROUNDS: Ft. Lauderdale

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Sharks in the New River are a real eye-opener

By Lucy Chabot Reed Each year, DJ Sexton gives his key employees the day off and sends them fishing in Ft. Lauderdale. On this year’s trip up the New River in January, a good run of landing jack ended when a sixfoot bull shark helped himself.

“We were up past Cable [Marine], almost to 441,” said Jeff Maggio, charter captain with Lunkerdog Charters. “We were fishing a big school of jack. We’d caught a half dozen already. He could feel the jack getting reeled in and came and got one.”

Fish in distress give off electrical

pulses, which opportunistic sharks respond to, said Sexton, who is also vice president of the Sportfishermen of Broward and has lived and fished on the New River for years.

“They don’t go around actively hunting fish,” said Sexton, manager at Certified Metal Finishing in Pompano Beach. “Sharks respond to a fish in distress. … The shark picks up on it [the electrical pulses] and it’s game over.”

He knows sharks are in the river, but he’s never actually seen one. He thinks they might be more prevalent now perhaps because it’s the dry season and the water is a little less brackish, leading the sharks farther up river.

Maggio sees them in the New River and Intracoastal Waterway all the time. He also spends more than 200 days a year on Ft. Lauderdale’s waters.

“It’s not rare, but you wouldn’t think they’re back there,” he said.

Maggio’s photos have made the rounds with South Florida fishing enthusiasts, and at least one business manager along the New River has ordered his employees to stay out of the water “during business hours.”

“It’s no different than being on the beach here when the mullet run in winter,” Sexton said. “In a helicopter, you can see the sharks right off shore.

“They don’t post a threat, but it’s sure an eye opener.”

Lucy Chabot Reed is editor of The Triton. Comments are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.

DJ Sexton’s employees had an adventure fishing in the New River in Ft. Lauderdale in January. A six-foot bull shark (top left) helped himself to one of their jack (top right). That’s fishing guide Jeff Maggio, above left.

PHOTOS FROM DJ SEXTON

A February 2012

CREW NEWS

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Former yacht captain racing for spot in Paralympic games

By Tom Gilchrist Former yacht Capt. Jody Hill is still working toward racing in the 2012 Paralympics.

The months since the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, when Hill announced his plans to represent the United States in the 2012 Paralympics, have been filled with ups and downs.

Whether he succeeds for London this year or begins training for a bid in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 comes down to two regattas in Florida in January.

In mid-January, the United States hosted the 2012 IFDS World Championships, the first test for those wanting to represent the U.S. as the team still must select its sailor athletes.

Close on its heels was the OCR Miami regatta Jan. 22-28.

Going into the IFDS Worlds, Hill was to practice competitive racing for the upbeat.

January qualifiers. He was still getting “It’s going to be extremely used to his refitted boat and new sails, competitive but I’m feeling positive both supplied by lead sponsor Moore about my chances Stephens Crew and ready for my Benefits Limited.

Whether Capt. Jody biggest challenge to A couple of date,” he said. tactical decisions Hill succeeds for It was not to found Jody finishing London this year or be. On the second in the low to mid begins training for a day of racing he teens consistently retired with extreme but he was satisfied bid in Rio de Janeiro pain, something that Positive would in 2016 comes down not unusual in his sail even better once to two regattas in condition. Hill was the final glitches paralyzed from the were worked out.

Florida in January. chest down after On the second a car accident in day of the Americas Tortola when he was regatta in St. skipper of S/Y Flicka in 2006.

Petersburg, however, he was jockeying Hill is no stranger to adversity. In competitively for a fast start, sailing November, he competed in two regattas fast downwind with his jib winged out

for maximum speed, when he was Tboned by a rival on his starboard bow.

The 14-foot Positive immediately began taking on water.

But the committee boat was focused on starting the races so his call for help on the VHF wsn’t answered for almost 5 minutes, by which time he was sitting in a swamped cockpit.

He was slightly panicking at this stage, he said, and more than relieved when the British coaches in their coach boat showed up to pull him out of the water.

The damage was so substantial that Hill missed the next race but was back on course the following morning.

Hill then flew home to Houston to spend the holidays with family and to replace stints inside his upper body.

His pain is eased by drugs within the stints and it was time for the six-month operation to replace them.

Christmas day was spent with family and he found a dry suit under the tree.

As of press time, Hill was competing in the OCR Miami regatta. Visit www. jodyhill2012.com for an update.

Tom Gilchrist is working with Moore Stephens Crew Benefits Limited as project manager for Hill’s Paralympics attempt. Comments on this story are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.

Capt. Jody Hill has sailed his 14foot sailboat Positive in several regattas since October. As of press time, he was competing in Miami for a chance to qualify for the 2012 Paralympic games in London this summer. His boat and training has been sponsored by Moore Stephens PHOTO PROVIDED Crew Benefits.

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NEWS

Italian yacht groups want review of luxury yacht tax

By Staff Report A new Italian yacht tax was signed into law on Dec. 22 that would collect a surtax on yachts based on length, beginning with 5 euros a day for vessels of 12m to 703 euros a day for vessels larger than 64m.

The tax hits newer yachts hardest, offering a graduated scale for older vessels. Sailing yachts are charged half the established daily rate.

Several yachting organizations, including Federagenti, have called for an immediate review. Federagenti is an Italian organization that represents more than 50 companies in the megayacht industry, including yacht agents and service providers. In a statement, it said the industry has asked Italian officials to consider the economic impact the tax will have on yachting and, in turn, how that might impact the Italian economy.

The law is scheduled to go into effect on May 1.

According to the law, the daily surtax is as follows:

5 euros/day, vessels 10.01 to 12m; 8 euros/day, vessels 12.01 to 14m; 10 euros/day, vessels 4.01 to 17m; 30 euros/day, vessels 17.01 to 24m; 90 euros/day, vessels 24.01 to 34m; 207 euros/day, vessels 34.01 to 44m; 372 euros/day, vessels 44.01 to 54m; 521 euros/day, vessels 54.01 to 64m; 703 euros/day, vessels 64m and up.

There are several exceptions.

1. Vessels in dry dock or hauled out are exempt from the daily fee; 2. For vessels older than 5, 10 or 15 years, the tax is reduced by 15 percent, 30 percent and 45 percent, respectively.

3. Sailing yachts’ fees are reduced by 50 percent.

Several yachting associations have suggested the following modifications: 1. To apply the tax based on ownership and not on days in Italian waters; 2. To limit the tax to Italian-flagged vessels only; and 3. To exclude charter vessels.

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

PYA reaches out with new offices

By Lucy Chabot Reed The Professional Yachtsmen’s Association has added seven regional offices in an attempt to reach out to mariners around the world and put an end to the stigma that the group is only interested in mariners who live and work in the Mediterranean.

The new offices are in the UK (near Liverpool), Ft. Lauderdale, Palma, Sydney, Auckland, Durban, and Gibraltar. The PYA is based in Antibes.

Regional offices can attest members’ documents for service record books and process new member applications.

The PYA is able to sign off on sea time for the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Capt. Michael French is the PYA representative for the Ft. Lauderdale regional office. He is president of International Yacht Training-Fort Lauderdale and was recently elected to the PYA council.

“There is nobody else to talk to about crew issues but the PYA,” he said.

“The only problem is that they have no knowledge outside their sphere.

You can’t represent an international industry without representation from around the world.”

French is adamant that the U.S. office not represent American mariners, but rather the yachting industry in America.

“I want to avoid a nationality thing,” said French, who is British by birth but who has worked in the marine industry

around the world. “We’re looking after our regional interests.”

What started his efforts to get a U.S. regional office was hearing Med-based captains in Monaco talk about how they would never take a yacht to the United States. That misperception, as he called it, that entering and cruising in the United States is difficult, hurts not only U.S.-based businesses like his, but the entire U.S. yachting industry.

“It can’t be Mike French whining about entry problems,” he said. “A few of us with bigger mouths got the ball rolling, and good crew will come up to take over.”

French said he hopes the regional office will have meetings to collect feedback from U.S.-based captains and crew, discuss issues important to the U.S.-based yachting industry and bring those concerns to the full PYA board.

Like PYA headquarters in Antibes, French said he hopes the U.S. regional office will host a fundraiser around Christmas and work to add members, even if it means membership is free.

“The failure of the PYA is that a small number of members pay a lot of money,” he said. “That’s off-putting for people outside. I’d rather have 10,000 people pay nothing than have 500 people paying $1,000 each.”

French plans to have a meeting in Ft. Lauderdale in the coming months.

Lucy Chabot Reed is editor of The Triton. Comments welcome: lucy@thetriton.com

February 2012 A

A10 February 2012 NEWS BRIEFS

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USCG eases TWIC rules; N&J president gets Goofy NEWS BRIEFS, from page A4 and crew members since 2003.

The family of Capt. John Anstess successfully sued Reliance Yacht Management for negligence in connection with Anstess’ death in December 2006.

Captain fined for not helping

completing both the half marathon (a foot race of 13.1 miles) on Saturday, Jan. 7, and the full marathon (26.2 miles) the day after.

He did it in honor of renowned yacht naval architect Bill Langan who died of leukemia at the end of 2010.

Merrigan hoped to raise $10,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, but as of mid January had raised only $2,000.

“The pain of running is nothing compared to what Bill went through,” Merrigan said. “Bill was a wonderful person, never complaining and enduring two years of treatments.”

To donate, visit Merrigan’s fundraising page: http://pages. teamintraining.org/sfl/wdw12/kevin merrigannorthropandjohnsoncom

The captain of a vessel that passed by a sinking Bulgaria cruise ship without stopping to help rescue drowning passengers was fined $4,200, but avoided jail time, according to a story in Maritime Professional magazine, citing a report in The Moscow Times.

A district court in Tatarstan ruled that Yury Tuchin failed to provide help to victims of the July incident on the Volga River, in which 122 people Italians sail AC boat died when the 55-year-old Bulgaria The America’s Cup Italian team, foundered in a storm.

Luna Rossa Challenge 2013, launched Tuchin, skipper and sailed its AC45 of the dry cargo for the first time in ship, pleaded Auckland in midThe USCG now guilty, but claimed January. exempts from the TWIC his actions were Luna Rossa won rooted in the those mariners who the Louis Vuitton fear that his ship Cup in its first operate vessels that would crush the challenge in 2000, are not required to lifeboats. and reaching the have a vessel security The semi finals in 2003 prosecution and the finals in plan and those not reportedly sought actively sailing on their 2007. a jail sentence of The team started merchant mariner 14 months and a planning for the ban from working Cup several months credential. on ships for three ago, announcing its years. challenge late last year. Its first racing will come in the next America’s Cup USCG eases TWIC rules World Series event in Naples, Italy, in The Coast Guard has published a April. policy letter that exempts from the “Our plan is to sail the AC45 alone requirement to obtain a TWIC card for about the first 10 days and then mariners who operate vessels that are we’ll join Emirates Team New Zealand not required to have a vessel security for some racing to have some real plan or who are not actively sailing on competition,” said Max Sirena, skipper their merchant mariner credential. of the team. “We have to use this time Prior to the Coast Guard as well as possible. We’re starting from Authorization Act of 2010 becoming zero in the AC45 so we have to close the law, all mariners holding a Coast gap.”

Guard-issued merchant mariner Luna Rossa has nearly half its credential were also required to obtain and hold a valid Transportation Worker sailing team in place, and introduced Chris Draper (previously with Team Identification Credential.

Korea), Francesco Bruni (a Luna Rossa Section 809 of the Act, however, stalwart), Matteo Plazzi (with Luna permits the Coast Guard to exempt Rossa for three campaigns as well as any mariner not requiring unescorted with BMW ORACLE Racing for the last access to a secure area of a vessel Cup on the giant trimaran) and Paul from the requirement to hold a valid Campbell-James who has been with the TWIC as a precondition of receiving a team during its winning season on the merchant mariner credential.

Extreme Sailing Series.

The team’s 72-foot cataman for the N&J chief runs Goofy for Langan America’s Cup is under construction Northrop & Johnson President Kevin Merrigan completed the Disney See NEWS BRIEFS, page A11 Goofy event in January, successfully

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NEWS BRIEFS

February 2012 A11

Men chisel coral off reef, get arrested in Florida Keys NEWS BRIEFS, from page A10 in Italy and will be shipped to New Zealand to be assembled.

The team plans to be in New Zealand through March for training.

For more information, visit www. americascupengine.tv

Father, son chisel coral off reef

Two men from Tennessee were arrested for chiseling coral from a protected reef off Islamorada, Fla. The men, a father and son, were found in possession of corals near the Alligator Reef Light, according to a story in the Key West Citizen.

Reefs around the light are a Sanctuary Protected Area within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Crew aboard a snorkel boat reported the incident. State and federal officers found chisels and coral in the men’s boat.

They later confessed, saying they wanted it for their aquarium, the newspaper reported.

Disease hits Hawaii reef

Scientists have discovered an outbreak of coral disease called Montipora White Syndrome in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, according to a

story on SeaDiscovery.com.

The affected coral are known as rice coral, which provide habitat, shelter, and foraging grounds for a tropical fish and invertebrates and provide the fundamental structure of coral reefs.

Rice corals are one of the more abundant reef species in the region.

While the outbreak seems limited to south Kaneohe Bay, coral diseases have the potential to be widespread, affecting large geographic regions.

An example is the Western Atlantic and Caribbean where large tracts of coral reefs have either declined or disappeared due to diseases.

Scientists are investigating possible causes, including host immunity, host physiology, potential infectious agents such as bacteria or parasites, and environmental variables such as increased seawater temperatures associated with climate change or landbased sources of pollution.

Montipora White Syndrome involves loss of tissues from the coral until the underlying white skeleton is exposed.

It has historically been documented in coral reefs in Kaneohe Bay. Large-scale outbreaks have only been documented since March. The reasons for this outbreak is unknown.

Hillsboro Light need in question

The U.S. Coast Guard is evaluating the continued operation of the Hillsboro Inlet Entrance Light (LLNR 775). At issue are the potential impacts to endangered sea turtles.

In response, the USCG is considering three options: discontinuing the light, obscuring portions of it, or leaving it alone.

In Notice to Mariners, the USCG is asking mariners for comments “to determine if mariners still utilize the light for navigational purposes.”

Mail comments to Commander, USCG Seventh District, Brickell Plaza Federal Building, 909 S.E. 1st Ave., Miami, FL 33131, Attn: LTJG Andrew Haley.

Comments can also be left by telephone at +1 305-415-6748 and email at andrew.s.haley@uscg.mil.

The comment period is open until April 20.

Cuba invites sailors to party

On May 21, the Hemingway International Yacht Club of Cuba is having a 20th anniversary party and all sailors are invited, according to an invitation by Commodore Diaz Escrich circulating in sailing and fishing circles.

Several events have been planned to attract the international sailing community, including a conference on

climate change and its impact on the migration of billfish (to be held May 28, the beginning of the 62nd annual Ernest Hemingway International Billfish tournament).

For more information, visit www. hemingwayyachtclub.org.

To view the invitation, visit that site and click on “news”.

Sailing charity revamps leaders

Shake-A-Leg Miami, a non-profit organization that takes disabled children and adults sailing, has added new board members, formed a new management team, and restructured the organization. All existing programs will continue, according to an organization statement.

New board members include Laura Sherrod, senior vice president of Atlass Insurance Group. Long-time board member Kerry Gruson was named vice chairman. Board chairman is Jamie Sweeting.

Kathy Andersen, an expert in organizational leadership and transformation, and Shake-A-Leg founder Harry Horgan will co-manage the restructured organization, Andersen as executive director and Horgan as chief executive officer.

The 20-year-old group serves about 8,000 children and adults each year.

A12 February 2012 YACHT CAREERS: Crew Coach

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The Triton

Some resolution solutions for crew ready to bail on new year OK yachties, here we are heading attic, make some space and let some into February. Did you make any things go. resolutions this year? If so, how’s it Another thing that happens with going? resolutions and goals is that we make If you’re them too big or too vague. Maybe “I’m struggling or going to quit drinking” or “I’m going to have already quit smoking” is too big to get a handle given up, hang on. You might need to break it down on. I might have into smaller pieces, one day at a time. some strategies Never and forever are really big; here to help you today may be easier to deal with. along. Also, if you Remember, that’s all you have anyway. had a resolution We’re not guaranteed next week or next in mind and year, but we do have today.

Crew Coach haven’t been A wise old teacher once told Rob Gannon able to even get me, “yesterday’s a cancelled check, started on it yet, tomorrow’s a promissory note, today’s this is for you as well. all you have. Spend it wisely.”

Let’s look at this word resolution, Also, sometimes we just kind of which gets tossed around every make a statement of a resolution and January. Here’s a quick look at some have no idea about the doing part. The synonyms: determination, purpose, clarity of the mission needs work. You decidedness, persistence. They all know, “I have to get in better shape” or suggest a firm commitment or promise “I have to stop procrastinating.” OK, to oneself. so what’s the plan?

These words Can you break that Try not to take on a could sound a down into exactly bit daunting how you can achieve resolution too big or to some. You that? too vague. might start off One more rationalizing interesting from the get-go with “I’ve got too much factor that may be overlooked with going on” or “I just don’t have the resolutions and goals is whether you energy for this right now”. These kinds are being pushed or pulled by your of excuses will stop any resolution, goal resolution. Are you doing this because or plan in its tracks. of outside pressure or is it coming So to avoid this brake system from from within, pulling you from within? engaging, sometimes it’s important to Is your intuition drawn to the pull? If focus on your present before taking on so, you’re definitely on the right track. the resolution. In other words, what is Being pulled will always flow easier going on in your life, your daily routines than being pushed. You will resist much and habits that you feel is stopping you more if feeling pushed, whereas the pull from moving ahead on something that is sometimes irresistible. could be of great benefit to you?

So, for assistance with staying It could be that the thought of the with or just getting started on your resolution conjures up that scary resolutions: thought for some: change. I deal with 1. Look at where you are and what this issue of change all the time in my you’re doing. Will your routines and coaching. One of the things I remind present habits even allow you to pursue my clients of is that change is the one your resolution? constant, in the universe, in nature and 2. Try to get more comfortable in ourselves. with change. The resolution is change Inside you, on a cellular level, you’re calling you. not even the same as last week, let 3. Try not to take on a resolution too alone last year. So change should be big or too vague. You may need to break your friend. Stop fighting with your it down and work on the clarity. friend.

4. Try to feel whether this resolution But here is the catch: We want is coming from you and you are being to change something (hence the pulled or drawn to it, not pushed or resolution) but many of us are not driven by guilt or pressure. comfortable changing. We like our One last thing, try to relax with all comfort zones, and let’s face it, some this. Don’t beat yourself up over any habits are just hard to break. setbacks. Just do your best, have fun However, with your resolution you and enjoy this voyage we are all on, this already have picked out a habit or area process of becoming. of your life you desire to change. It has surfaced for a reason. Honor that and Rob Gannon is a 25-year licensed trust yourself on this one. Sometimes captain and certified life and wellness we hang on to habits like a hoarder coach (yachtcrewcoach.com). holds on to stuff they don’t need. Every Comments on this column are welcome now and then we’ve got to clean out the at editorial@the-triton.com.

A14 February 2012 BUSINESS BRIEFS

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The Triton

Bellingham GM dies, Overtemp expands; school adds courses Bellingham GM dies

John D. Colonel, general manager of Bellingham Marine in Washington, passed away Jan. 10 in his home in Pennsylvania. He was 62.

Mr. Colonel participated in the design and construction of more than 300 marinas during his 18 years at Bellingham Marine, including E.R. Strait Marina, Mr. Colonel

Norfolk Yacht Club, Port Covington, Philadelphia Marine Center and, most recently, Glen Cove Ferry Terminal.

Mr. Colonel retired from the U.S. Navy as a Master Chief Petty Officer, and in 1993, went to work for Bellingham Marine. In 2001, he was promoted to general manager.

Services were held in York and Jacksonville, where he was laid to rest.

Overtemp expands

Overtemp Marine Dockside Heat Exchanger Cleaning has expanded to Palma de Mallorca to service its

European clientele. The company also has offices in South Florida, Newport, and Sag Harbor.

Overtemp Marine will also offer heat exchanger service on Dockwise Yacht Transport.

“Our clients are mobile; that is the nature of the business,” said Capt.

James Heise, president of Overtemp Marine. “We have to be just as mobile.

Some have a heavy schedule and little down time so by offering heat exchanger service on the 14-day trip over to Europe, yachts will arrive with freshly cleaned sea chest-crossover, AC chillers, engine, generator, bow thruster and stabilizer heat exchangers ready for the summer in the Med.” The company’s Palma location will offer a one-day dockside heat exchanger service.

School adds courses

International Yacht Training-Ft. Lauderdale has added several new courses this year, including ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display Information Systems), crowd management, crisis management, and food safety and hygiene.

Carmen Foy, a former yacht chef, is the instructor for the food safety course, which is offered Tuesdays from 2-4 p.m. the same weeks as the

Megayacht Interior/Silver Service course is offered. She has her own business in South Florida teaching food safety to area restaurants and businesses.

IYT-Ft. Lauderdale also has recorded a 97 percent pass rate for masters and 92 percent for officers of the watch (OOW) in MCA training courses. For students who took IYT’s prep course in October and their MCA orals shortly after, the pass rate was 100 percent.

The MCA orals will again be held in Ft. Lauderdale in April.

Derecktor hires Morrison

Derecktor Shipyards in Dania Beach has hired Doug Morrison as sales development and client relations manager.

Morrison was most recently with Drum Cussac, a maritime security company. Before that, he spent seven years with Med-Aire, the tele-medical service provider.

Morrison will be Morrison based in Florida. He fills the position vacated in October when Patty Lengel left to join MTN Satellite Communications.

The Triton

www.the-triton.com FROM THE FRONT: Medical requirements

February 2012 A15

Arthritis, back pain, hearing loss can prevent license approval MEDICAL, from page A1

said of the current procedures.

Anderson got her first license in information” to complete the evaluation 1982 in St. Thomas, USVI. Back then, process. she said, the doctor basically asked Hobart set out to fulfill the request if she could see and hear. Now on her by revisiting her doctor. By now her seventh renewal, she said the process is personal insurance co-payments had definitely more complicated. increased from $40 to $75 for each visit.

The USCG Web site explains that the “I am happy to know about my current levels of specificity of medical health, but it adds up,” Hobart said. conditions are necessary to reduce The Coast Guard requested she take subjectivity. The intention is to promote a $1,200 cardiac test. Her doctor said more consistent evaluations across the it was unnecessary and requested she board. wear a monitor for 24 hours to prove The Coast Guard expects the process she had no heart concerns. Her doctor to be fairer and less subjective, and its addressed the other requests.

Web site states that officers “anticipate In late October, another letter arrived application processing time to be with four more “amplification” requests. reduced because all parties will know This time the list referenced a drug she precisely what information is needed at was prescribed but was not taking. the outset of the application process.”

So, Hobart wrote another letter At 70 years old, Capt. Bill Tinker has explaining she does not take the drug seen the process change as he’s renewed and supplied a history of prescriptions his license through the years. It used to from her pharmacist. Next, the Coast be that the report from the mariner’s Guard requested doctor defined the doctor the applicant’s The USCG recognizes correct the error, medical status. which entailed a “service on vessels may “Now when five-page fax for you give it to the be arduous and impose correct medical Coast Guard, it unique physical and records, and goes before their medical demands on a copy of his doctors,” Tinker correction letter. said by phone mariners.” And in an With barely from Vancouver. emergency, the vessel’s a month to go The actual crew may be the only help, before her license review is expired, Hobart conducted by a so crew must be medically finally received team of doctors and physically fit. notice that her and medical application personnel had cleared the employed by the medical screening/evaluation process.

USCG at the National Maritime Center.

To hold a mariner’s license, every “Now, doctors that specialize in each captain and crew must fulfill the area are the ones that say yes or no,” medical requirements. Occasionally, Tinker said. a condition such as arthritis, high Those with physical limitations blood pressure, back pain, hearing loss, who do not meet the guidelines may diabetes or heart disease can prevent, be issued a credential with waivers or delay or restrict their approval for a restrictions. This renewal, Tinker wears license. a hearing aid so he had to pass a speech The process is regulated by more recognition test. than 75 pages detailing hundreds of “This time I got a waiver on my medical conditions that may require license,” he said. Now he’s required to review. They are found in the document carry spare batteries when he works on titled Navigation and Vessel Inspection off-shore supply vessels.

NVIC No. 04-08 on the USCG Web site.

Applicants don’t automatically get This is where applicants with heart their new credentials when they clear conditions can find how many beats their medical requirements. their heart should beat per minute, learn “That just means you can go on with if they are classified as overweight and the next steps,” Hobart said. “It has to clarify how big a space they must be able go in this order. You have to get medical to crawl through (24 by 24 inches). clearance before they evaluate your sea This increase in scrutiny is to ensure time.” mariners are fit to perform their duties.

This has caused some mariners to The USCG recognizes “service on vessels be pressed for time to complete all may be arduous and impose unique their requirements before their licenses physical and medical demands on expire. Occasionally, it’s only after the mariners.” And in an emergency, the medical clearance that crew find out vessel’s crew may be the only help, so they must show more sea time, re-certify crew must be medically and physically STCW or take another course. fit.

“The Coast Guard does one line at a “Today there are a lot of conditions time,” Hobart said. “I told them I need to that previously would have gone know it all now.” through,” First Officer Karen Anderson The USCG Web site states that recent

revisions to the requirements should reduce the time required to process credential applications by helping eliminate the uncertainty that mariners may encounter as to the specific physical and medical information needed to be submitted to process their applications.

Extra work aside, several captains said they are now in better health because of increased awareness.

Capt. Randy Boatright learned of his tonsil cancer right before renewal time two years ago. He resigned his position to undergo radiation treatments and to

recover.

“Then I got the OK from the doctor,” Boatright said. “I’m healthy to run boats.”

Boatright now submits an annual health report for the USCG. “I think I’m even better,” he said. “I have learned the value of health. You do see guys who can’t even get up the stairs.

Bad health doesn’t set a good example, anyway.”

Dorie Cox is associate editor of The Triton. Comments on this story are welcome at dorie@the-triton.com.

A16 February 2012 FROM THE BRIDGE: Firing crew

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The Triton

Attendees of The Triton’s February Bridge luncheon were, from left, Chris Day, Kirk Swingley (freelance), Steve Steinberg of M/Y Illiquid, Stephen Pepe of M/Y Dreams, Tony LeaMond, Shawn Bragg of M/Y Charisma, Paula Sonnenberg of M/Y Marlena and Scott Campbell of M/Y Kingfisher.

PHOTO/DORIE COX

‘You need a witness; it keeps things calmer’ BRIDGE, from page A1 another captain said. “But, for safety issues, it’s easy.”

Captains continued with a variety of tales of less severe cases of firings, stories of crew not fulfilling obligations of their post.

“She brought the rental car back a day and a half later,” a captain said of a crew who was fired for not reporting for duty.

“And I had an engineer who couldn’t get up for work,” he added.

Not taking instruction was cited as another reason for dismissal.

Safety concerns, disruption to living and working conditions, personality incompatibility and relationship issues ranked as other top reasons.

Often incompetence is enough, or as a captain described it, “doing more harm than good.”

“He didn’t do anything wrong, he just didn’t do anything right,” this captain said.

“A ‘you’re not impressing me’ scenario,” another captain said.

How does the deed actually go down on a yacht?

“When you decide, fire them right away or there will be trouble,” a captain said. “Don’t try to be too nice.

Don’t say ‘this isn’t working out.’ Tell them why and get them off before they do something else.”

When firing a crew member, most captains said they pull the person aside, and bring along another crew member, just to be safe.

“Always take another person,” one captain said. “You need a witness; it keeps things calmer.”

“I have never taken another person, but will consider it now,” another captain said after most of the others at

the table said they include a witness in the firing conversation.

Emotions can run high, a captain said, but firing someone doesn’t have to be confrontational.

“You can say, ‘you’re better than the job and you can do something else’,” this captain said.

“Sometimes you can get them to quit, if you continue to pick at them,” another captain said. “But that also hurts you.”

Most of the captains said they do not consult the owner.

“My boss is never involved,” one captain said. “You don’t bring the owner in. That’s why you’re paid to handle it.”

Timing is a factor for firing on a yacht. For serious incidents, captains will fire a crew member right away, but usually they will make sure the crew member can get home and be safe if discharged from the boat.

There are too many possibilities for problems if the crew member is fired and still onboard, a captain said.

“You can’t fire in the middle of the Atlantic, you just can’t do it,” another captain said. “In that case, you just hold it and hide it.”

In close quarters, the remaining crew need to know right away.

“When you fire someone, you hold a meeting to tell everyone,” one captain said.

This captain used to feel bad telling crew a co-worker was being fired, but not anymore.

“Usually, they’re relieved, and say, ‘why did it take so long, can I have his room?’” the captain said.

Employee dismissal is sometimes different in the yachting industry.

Incidents that might slide for an office worker could ruin the career of a yacht

crew.

“I had a Negative Nellie come onboard,” a captain said. “She was bringing us, the entire crew, down.

Sometimes very small actions add up.”

Another captain had a crew member who didn’t get along well with others.

“It seems petty, but it eats on the crew,” this captain said. “My crew worked 144 days. It gnaws on them.”

The group agreed that many aspects of yachting do not follow the same rules as other industries, including scenarios that do not adhere to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s guidelines that make it illegal to discriminate.

“I had an owner who wanted the females fired; he didn’t want a female on deck,” a captain said.

Occasionally, crew are fired through no fault of their own.

“With owners, it’s usually appearance or personality,” a captain said. “Or a relationship.”

Sometimes, the owner or the owner’s spouse do not personally relate well with a crew member, or maybe they relate too well, a captain said.

“If my owner wants someone fired, it’s done,” another captain said.

The protocol for firing crew has changed through the years, several of the captains said.

“It was easier a long time ago,” one captain said. “Now there are contracts.”

Many crew today sign an employment contract, which typically lists fireable offenses. A captain said they are mandatory on commercial vessels and since more yachts are

See BRIDGE, page A17

The Triton

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FROM THE BRIDGE: Firing crew

Contracts can clarify obligations, help get rid of problem crew BRIDGE, from page A16

“The owner said, ‘why get rid of him, he’s a good guy?’ I told him the crew being built for charter, more require member had to go.” contracts.

Occasionally, getting rid of the This clarifies the rules for both problem crew doesn’t get rid of the captains and crew, often making problem. discharge easier. The firing is then “In the U.S., you have to watch; they usually after an accumulation of try to get unemployment,” one captain several less serious offenses, as the said. unsatisfactory behavior is documented “The kid [I fired] sued us for his and crew are fired only after actions do shoulder,” another captain said. not improve.

“He said he needed surgery, and the “Always write and document ‘you management company took over did this’,” a captain said of a crew’s negotiations.” behavior before getting fired. “You Sometimes, the problem comes in read the rules, you didn’t follow the form of another crew. procedures.”

“Other industries probably don’t The system doesn’t always work, fire as often, but people aren’t living one captain laughed. The captain together,” a captain said. started writing a list of concerns about “If it’s a couple, they both have to a new crew member and said, “when I go,” another captain said. “You have got to the second page on the second to prevent [the remaining crew from] day, I crumpled it up and got rid of robbing, damaging or beating up the him.” boat.”

Contracts can And sometimes Sometimes an angry help get rid of an angry crew crew member causes problem crew, but member causes they also clarify another set of another set of issues. “I obligations of issues. had a guy who wouldn’t the captain or “I had a guy leave and eventually yacht. That’s why who wouldn’t most of the group leave and I said I would call the said they call the eventually I said police,” a captain said. management I would call the The crew gave in when company before police,” a captain firing someone. said. the captain began to “You can fire The crew call the authorities. them, but you have gave in when Another captain, half in to pay,” a captain the captain said. jest, wondered what to began to call “Before you the authorities. do with someone who fire them you call Another captain, needed to be removed payroll and get half in jest, immediately. “Should their balance,” he wondered what to said. “It goes more do with someone we design a brig? smoothly when who needed they know they’ll to be removed be paid what immediately. they’re owed.”

“Should we design a brig? Should As an example, a captain said, “Say they be shackled?” this captain asked.

I want my engineer gone. I have to pay “Should it be part of the Large Yacht 2 him first and last.

Code, with emergency procedures and “It will be $30,000, because you training in brig management?” have to repatriate, pay for airfare,” this No matter what type of firing, captain said. “It’s not a lot, but it adds documented or immediate, with up.” owner/management company “By law, you have to pay them approval or not, the captains all agreed within 48 hours,” another captain said. that having to fire a crew member is “The money causes them stress. I’ll unfortunate event. But it is common give them cash. That way it’s clean and and usually foreseen. done.”

“No one who is fired is surprised,” A captain said sometimes the a captain said. “They usually feel, ‘I owner or management may interfere. expected it’.”

“The management company was unhappy,” this captain said. “They said Dorie Cox is associate editor of I had to give two weeks notice.”

The Triton. Comments on this story And sometimes the owner is not are welcome at editorial@the-triton. told all of the details. com. If you make your living working “I had the owner onboard and he as a yacht captain, e-mail us for an wanted to talk to the guy because he invitation to our monthly Bridge felt bad I fired him,” a captain said. luncheon.

February 2012 A17

A18 February 2012 LESSON LEARNED: Night safety

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The Triton

‘I was going to drown with my head attached to the prop’ LESSON, from page A1

Capt. Bruce Gregory’s shirt after it was removed from the prop the next day.

“The hole below the collar is no doubt where my fingers penetrated the shirt while I tried to stretch it off my head,” he said.“You can’t make this shirt PHOTO/Capt. Bruce Gregory up.”

the boats joined together, and the only movement was that of the southerly outgoing ebb. As I walked toward the tin boat’s stern, the bow was hit with a wake that seemed of 1 or 2 feet. I lost my balance and was propelled forcefully toward the motor as another wave hit.

Before I knew it my body, being forced aft, was propelled and catapulted over the motor and into the sea.

This in itself would not have been so bad except that as I passed over the engine I attempted to grab at the tiller but instead hit the shift paddle putting the prop in reverse.

So here I am, in the water (and here is the first and most important lesson that anyone can learn) without a vest, facing the rear end of a tin boat bearing down on me. I moved quickly to the right and my head was met with the starboard quarter of the boat. I reached up and was able to grab the aluminum loop molded into the rear gunnel.

As I hung there, I realized that although the motor was in reverse it was at idle and almost not a match for the ebb current unless I followed it. The brake wasn’t set on the steering as the motor was sloppily moving from side to side so I attempted to hold myself up with my left arm and pushed and pulled the motor to and fro with my feet so I could get a shoreward track.

I called out a few times but was probably too far out for anyone to hear.

(At 7 the next morning, I found out that two friends did in fact hear me and set out with the launch but were unable to locate me out in the mooring field.)

About 15 or 20 minutes after traveling in endless circles, my back was pressed against a boat’s pendants causing the prop to get close enough to grab my shirt. This was the real terror as the prop brought me closer and closer to its blades as it wrapped my shirt in such a way as to almost strangle me.

The shirt, as my good luck would have it, was a lightweight polo, so as the motor stalled I was able to remove the noose from my neck, which, including my head, were below the water line. This was probably the most scary moment as I thought, if only for seconds, I was going to drown with my head attached to the prop, a real terrifying thought.

As I tried to hold one of the pendants that had captured me and the tin boat at the same time I could see I soon would be leaving the mooring field. I tried to swim with one arm back in, but the current was doing everything it could to steer me toward the main channel. All I could think of was that if I couldn’t get to shore I was going to end up by one of the bridge pilings, a lonely place indeed, so I kicked harder and pulled water with my left arm as hard a I could to counter

the pull.

Eventually, I heard loud music on the shore. I started yelling again as I got closer and then was totally elated when I heard someone call back. After a brief dialog I made it clear that I was holding my own (and the tin boat) and would be able to stay afloat until help arrived but was exhausted and would need to be pulled out of the water.

Within minutes, there was what seemed like an entire police force along the shore, but no rescue boat. There were many searchlights on me and I could hear the crowd that had gathered giving me all kinds of verbal support.

Eventually, maybe 15 minutes after I had made first contact and with me only about 20 feet from the shore headwall, a fire-rescue boat pulled alongside and quickly got me aboard and then to a awaiting ambulance.

So, before you get into a little boat solo on a dark night without donning an inflatable or conventional life jacket, consider what may be required. You may have to hang from the stern quarter for an hour or more (in my case it was nearly an hour and a half). If you lose your handhold, are you strong enough to swim ashore, fully clothed? Could you swim right angle against the current with one arm pulling a boat along for more than an hour? Could you remove an ever-tightening strangling noose from your neck while under water with the prop just inches from your face as the noose gets tighter and tighter?

How well would you fare after consuming a quart or more of nasty sewage-tainted river water?

Most of these questions are rhetorical but are ones you need to ask yourself.

I am not superman but because of an incredible amount of luck will now be able to celebrate my next birthday at age 70. What I experienced that night – a lot of life-threatening bad luck joined with an incredible amount of good luck – had little to do with my ability.

My lessons learned: 1. If you are going out to your boat alone, wear a vest. Make sure, at the minimum, the vest sports a whistle.

2. Tell someone you are going and when you expect to return. File a mini float plan as it were, enough information so someone can set a search in motion if needed.

3. Get someone to go along when making nighttime visits to your boat.

I didn’t mean to get so winded but winded I did get. I can only hope my experience will prevent just one sailor from killing himself.

Capt. Bruce Gregory is a life-long sailor and a member of the Nyack (NY) Boat Club, about 30 miles up the Hudson River from New York City. He also owns S/V Morning Star, an Island Packet 32.

The Triton

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WRITE TO BE HEARD

February 2012 A19

Young engineer’s logbook is not the only good one I read the article about the Engine Room Logbook [“Engine room logbook is better by design,” page B1, January 2012) with interest. The article would indicate that our product is one that “isn’t very good” but I would like to note that yachts have been using our logbooks for 10 years without complaint.

Crown and Anchor Publishing Company, a division of Water’s Edge Consulting Ltd., has been supplying approved logbooks designed especially for use on large yachts in the bridge and engine room since 2002.

The logs meet all ISM requirements and provide all of the information needed by the company office.

Each page has a carbonless copy that is sent to the company so that there is always a copy in the event of the on-board log being lost or damaged.

Crown and Anchor Publishing products are designed by yacht captains and yacht engineers who are fully aware of the special needs of yachts that are required to – or wish

Abuse article needed more specifics About abuse in the yachting industry [“Domestic abuse among yacht crew a reality; know the signs,” page A4, December 2011], I hope that in the future when writing such a disturbing article about abuse that it could be followed up with outlets and help centers or something listed for crew.

I am American and I happen to know resources. But every state and every country have different resources that no one would know how to get. Can we please supply suggestions to these crew? Where to go? Plus the signs of abuse.

Here is a link that will give your readers all the info they need to know if they are being abused: helpguide.org. Then click on “abuse & bullying” and click on “domestic violence & abuse”.

For help in Ft. Lauderdale, women can turn to Women in Distress, www. womenindistress.org darleneadale on thetriton.com to voluntarily – comply with the new regulations.

We also supply approved check lists, ID cards, procedure placards and safety manuals.

The Master’s Log and the Engineer’s Log are available from Bluewater Books and Charts or directly from

Water’s Edge Consulting Ltd. Our price is $99.95.

Capt. Ken Argent Waters Edge Consulting

Triton found far and wide

We just found the December issue of The Triton here at Paradise Village

Marina in Banderas Bay, Mexico, and wanted to compliment you on the publication.

It’s got a ton of good information.

We’re reading it cover to cover with our morning cup of coffee in the cockpit.

Nice job.

David and Rebecca Kilmer S/V Liberte

Q-and-A sounds just like him

Great write up with Uncle Don [“Networking with The Triton and survey company Patton Marine,” page C4, January 2012].

You could actually hear him chuckle in a few of

Patton

those answers.

Nice job.

Signed from a long-time captain and “one of Don’s numerous nephews”

You have a ‘write’ to be heard. Send us your thoughts on anything that bothers you.

Write to us at editorial@ the-triton.com Editor Lucy Chabot Reed, lucy@the-triton.com Associate Editor Dorie Cox, dorie@the-triton.com Publisher David Reed, david@the-triton.com

Production Manager Patty Weinert, patty@the-triton.com

Advertising Sales Mike Price, mike@the-triton.com Becky Gunter, becky@the-triton.com

The Triton Directory Mike Price, mike@the-triton.com

Contributors Capt. Ken Argent, Carol Bareuther, Capt. Mark A. Cline, Capt. Jake DesVergers, Carmen Foy, Rob Gannon, Tom Gilchrist, Beth Greenwald, Capt. Bruce Gregory, Chef Mary Beth Lawton Johnson, Chief Stew Alene Keenan, Keith Murray, Steve Pica, Capt. Michael Pignéguy, Rossmare Intl., Eng. Lee Schoenmeyer, James Schot, Tom Serio, Capt. Matthew Splane

Vol. 8, No.11

The Triton is a free, monthly newspaper owned

by Triton Publishing Group Inc. Copyright 2012 Triton Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.

Contact us at: Mailing address: 757 S.E. 17th St., #1119 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 Visit us at: 1075 S.E. 17th St. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 525-0029; FAX (954) 525-9676 www.the-triton.com

Heart attacks are top killer

Jog, run or walk to health

From Florida to Dubai

The Triton seen in a Triton sub

Subtle symptoms can be loud warnings.

Treadmill works for everyone.

It’s the season for boat shows.

Spotted underwater and around the globe

B2

Section B

B14

B17

www.the-triton.com

February 2012

2012 brings some new regulations

MAL-DE-MER

report the same information.

This sensory conflict, apart from upsetting your sense of balance, somehow gets to also upset your digestive system, sometimes with spectacularly visible results.

Along with those sensory conflicts come a multitude of other outside influences that can differ wildly from person to person, including catching a whiff of someone smoking or someone cooking, the sight of someone eating, the smell of diesel, and of course the sight and smell of someone showing the ultimate sign of being seasick.

As we get comfortable in the New Year, we are troubled by the news of yet another major maritime incident. This one involves the grounding with tragic loss of life on the cruise ship Costa Concordia.

The coming months will shed light on this catastrophic event.

Most certainly Rules of the Road we can expect to see new rules Jake DesVergers be developed to prevent such an incident. While yachties may feel disconnected from this event, one must remember that all of the regulations currently in force in the yachting industry cascaded their way from merchant ships.

Many of my previous columns have addressed the numerous safety, environmental, and security regulations that affect our day-to-day lives on board.

Did you ever think how they came about? In the maritime industry, most regulations were developed in response to a specific accident or incident. Very few requirements were proactive.

In the early 1900s, dozens of ships were lost at sea due to overloading of cargo. From this, the International Convention of Load Lines was enacted.

Does your yacht have a symbol on the hull that looks like a circle with a horizontal line through it? That’s your Load Line mark.

Following the sinking of several large ships in the 1960s and their subsequent oil spills, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) was adopted. Do you follow certain procedures for oil collection or garbage disposal? That originates in MARPOL. And probably the most important and famous maritime regulation stems

See SEASICK, page B12

See RULES, page B11

Mal-de-mer occurs when there’s a conflict between the sense of balance and the sense of sight. And that happens often in rough seas, such as this 50m motoryacht endured tackling a head sea between the Seychelles PHOTO/CAPT. MICHAEL PIGNEGUY and Mauritius.

With neither rhyme nor reason, even real seamen get seasick

By Capt. Michael Pignéguy

L

ord Nelson, one of Britain’s greatest sea-going heroes, discovered that mal-de-mer does not recognize any rank aboard any vessel.

Even though he went to sea the tender age of 12, he endured a lifelong affliction.

If your seagoing career includes giving your colleagues a view of what you last ate every time the boat starts moving, you had better do some serious research in order to make your life, and theirs, more enjoyable when at sea.

What causes seasickness?

B19

The primary cause is a conflict between your sense of balance and your sense of sight. The fluid-filled canals in your inner ear control your sense of balance and when you move your head, the fluid relays the message to your brain via the fine hairy receptors.

While this is happening, your eyes are also confirming the movement and relaying the message to your brain. The two “moving sensors” would be acting in agreement.

But on a moving boat, especially if you are below decks, these senses come into conflict with your inner ear telling your brain that your body is moving, but your eyes are unable to

B February 2012 ONBOARD EMERGENCIES: Sea Sick

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The Triton

Is this the big one? Know the symptoms of heart attacks February is American Heart Month but it is not because of Valentine’s Day. It was designated heart month by the U.S. Congress in 1963 to raise awareness of heart disease.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control Sea Sick and Prevention, Keith Murray in 2006, 631,636 people died of heart disease. Heart disease caused 26 percent of all deaths in the United States.

The CDC indicates that every year about 785,000 Americans have their first heart attack. About 470,000 more have another one.

A heart attack or myocardial infarction is usually caused by a blood clot that stops the flow of blood in the artery of the heart. Blockage of a coronary artery deprives the heart of oxygen-carrying blood.

Waiting for treatment can be fatal.

The more time that passes without treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart. If blood is not restored quickly, the heart muscle typically dies, resulting in acute

heart failure or death.

Not all heart attacks are like the movies or on TV. The “big one” that the character Fred Sanford talked about, clutching his chest and staggering about, does not always happen.

Sometimes the symptoms are subtle.

They may include pain or discomfort in the center of your chest, sometimes like the weight of an elephant. This pain may come and go for minutes at a time.

Other symptoms include discomfort in the upper body, including the arms, left shoulder, back, neck, jaw or stomach; difficulty breathing, shortness of breath; sweating; a feeling of fullness or indigestion; nausea or vomiting; light-headedness or dizziness; extreme weakness or anxiety; and rapid or irregular heartbeats.

Women are more likely than men to experience the more subtle symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, and back or jaw pain. This may not be accompanied by chest pain.

Women are also more likely to report unexplained fatigue.

Many people think this only affects men but cardiovascular disease including heart disease, hypertension, and stroke affects a large number of women. Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States. It is estimated that one in two women will die of heart disease

or stroke, compared with one in 25 women who will die of breast cancer.

If someone onboard appears to be having a heart attack, call for help.

When a heart attack strikes, time is critical. Time equals muscle; the longer it takes the victim to get to the hospital, the greater the amount of damage will occur to the heart muscle.

The doctors only have a few short hours to restore the blood supply to the heart muscle by unblocking the affected heart artery. Clot-busting drugs to dissolve the clot, heart catheterization and angioplasty must be done in a hospital.

If you have a medical service or telemedicine device, call it. The doctors can talk you through treatment.

Until we get our victim to the hospital, we can help by putting them in a comfortable position. If the victim is alert, able to swallow and not allergic to aspirin, give him/her aspirin. If the patient has prescribed medication, such as nitroglycerin, help them take it.

To reduce your chances of heart disease, limit your intake of fat, sugars and salt. Eat more whole grains, legumes, fresh produce and low-fat dairy products. Eat lean meat, poultry and fish. And watch how much you eat.

Another way to help is exercising for 30 to 60 minutes each day.

The American Heart Association

recommends this for healthy people: “For health benefits to the heart, lungs and circulation, perform any moderate-to-vigorous-intensity aerobic activity for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week at 50–85 percent of your maximum heart rate.”

Activities like brisk walking, hiking, stair-climbing, aerobics, jogging, running, bicycling, rowing or sports.

And limit your intake of alcohol.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “moderate alcohol use seems to offer some health benefits, particularly for the heart. But too much alcohol raises the stakes, putting you at risk of adverse health consequences.”

Moderate drinking is defined as two drinks a day if you’re a male 65 and younger, or one drink a day if you’re a female or for a male 66 and older. A drink is defined as 12 ounces (355 milliliters) of beer, 5 ounces (148 milliliters) of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80proof distilled spirits.

Keith Murray, a former firefighter EMT, owns The CPR School, a first-aid training company. He provides onboard training for yacht captains and crew and sells and services AEDs. Contact him at +1-561-762-0500 or keith@ theCPRschool.com. Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@thetriton.com.

The Triton

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CRUISING GROUNDS: Bahamas

February 2012 B

Lionfish sting hurts more than you think; be prepared

By Capt. Matthew Splane As a Florida native and boat captain who visits the Bahamas often, I overindulge in the bounty of fresh seafood our waters are famous for. Who among us doesn’t enjoy a fresh seafood dinner, perhaps a lovely New York Strip and grilled lobster tail or a bacon wrapped Filet Mignon with grouper or yellowtail snapper and cracked conch?

I’m drooling as I write this.

I always try to catch a few fresh lobsters to serve guests during our Bahamas trips, something that has earned me high praises over the years.

During a recent trip to one of the smaller islands, things were going right on schedule and I managed to put a few lobsters in the bag in a short amount of time. I was imagining the happiness of the boss and his guests enjoying their feast, singing my praises when I saw yet another nice bug and decided to take one last tail.

It was too easy, as there was only one rock to hide in and I was overly aggressive trying to pull him out.

Immediately, I felt the most incredible burning sensation throughout my entire forearm.

I first thought it was fire coral, but having brushed up against it a few times, I knew what it felt like, and I had never felt pain like this.

I went back down to get that last lobster and saw the small but proud lionfish guarding his tiny rock, with fins flared out to show he meant business.

I knew these beautiful but poisonous newcomers to our oceans were around, but I had no idea just how many. This highly invasive species has no known enemies and can breed and grow quickly, often occupying the same shallow water holes lobsters hide in. My favorite small Bahamian island is now infested with them.

As I quickly ran back to the boat, many things ran through my mind.

I knew lionfish were poisonous, but how poisonous? How long would this burning sting last? Was I in danger?

Did I need emergency room help?

Not only was I in extensive pain, but I was pretty panicked, too. Once onboard, I pulled out my heavily stocked medical kit and consulted the

Lionfish are abundant in the Bahamas and hang out where FILE PHOTO lobsters do.

Internet. I needed to shave the injured area to make sure there were not any broken tips of the poisonous spines left in my skin.

Lionfish have many rows of hollow spines, sharp as needles, and when disturbed they inject a powerful neurotoxin that has incredibly painful effects. I have a lot more respect for them now and have a few inexpensive items you may want to add to your first aid bag, just in case you or a guest encounters one while diving up dinner.

The lionfish’s poison will break down with heat, but this also makes the blood

flow faster and is incredibly painful, so I took turns icing my arm to get it numb and soaking it in hot water to break down the poison. I was in pain for 28 sleepless hours. Nothing helped, not pain killers, Lidocane cream, ammonia or vinegar.

Because heat is supposed to break up the toxin, I have purchased a box of the glove warmer packets you can find at most outdoor stores and a heating pad. I have also picked up a few extra vials of Novacain and Benzacain as a local injection might alleviate the electric burning sensation.

I am no doctor, and every case needs to be examined on an independent basis, but my best advise is to completely investigate wherever you may stick your exposed body parts.

Prevention is the only way to avoid an extremely painful experience that can ruin the best of days.

Remember, an ounce of prevention saves a pound of cure. Stay safe and have fun.

Capt. Matthew Splane runs a megayacht. Comments are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.

The Triton

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TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS

New deal means never losing VSAT again Iridium, KVH broadband seamless

Virginia-based Iridium Communications and Rhode Island-based KVH Industries have reached an agreement to offer fully global, seamless broadband satellite communications service for the maritime market.

Under the agreement, KVH will offer an integrated service package that combines its mini-VSAT Broadband service and the Iridium OpenPort broadband service.

“We are enthusiastic that KVH is our first distribution partner to launch Iridium’s new VSAT companion service offering,” said Greg Ewert, executive vice president of global distribution channels for Iridium. “We have optimized the Iridium OpenPort system to seamlessly integrate with a vessel’s VSAT platform. The VSAT/ Iridium solution eliminates the coverage gaps, data-rate limitations and comparatively high prices of other L-band mobile satellite service providers.”

The integrated shipboard system will use common below-deck user interface equipment for voice and data connections, combining the Iridium OpenPort and KVH TracPhone V3 or V7 terminals. If mini-VSAT Broadband service is ever unavailable, the system immediately switches to the Iridium OpenPort service without operator intervention.

Ewert noted that the service will be fully supported by Iridium’s nextgeneration satellite constellation, which is scheduled to be deployed starting in early 2015.

For more information, visit www. iridium.com or www.kvh.com.

GOST launches new items

Ft. Lauderdale-based Global Ocean

Security Technologies (GOST) planned to launch two new products at the Seattle Boat Show beginning in late January. Formerly Paradox Marine, GOST is a boat security, monitoring, tracking and surveillance systems supplier.

The next generation GOST Phantom Wireless Security and Monitoring System with built-in quad band GPRS/GSM Module replaces the GOST Marine Magellan head unit but will maintain compatibility with the full line of GOST wireless security and monitoring sensors, GOST Inmarsat Satellite GPS Tracking & GOST Watch Surveillance systems.

The system has a revamped sleek black design, a crisp blue LCD screen, and the ability to report simultaneously via text message and two-way voice.

The unit can support up to 64 wireless sensors for security and monitoring and eight wireless relays to control AC/DC functions on board, including high water in the bilge, battery bank low voltage, loss of shore power, temperatures in freezers, smoke and intrusion.

The GOST Strobe Light, a selfcontained, semi-hemispheric LED white light, is designed for surface mounting on the exterior of a vessel to draw attention to a boat in distress.

A scan-lock flash pattern includes a feature for alternating and synchronous flashing of multiple lamps. New lens technology enhances light distribution for optimum dispersion and intensity of the warning signal at critical angles.

The omnidirectional light head mounts in any position and is

compatible with any GOST security and monitoring system. It can be triggered to come on for intrusion alarms, utility alarms, and/or panic scenarios.

For more information, visit www. gostglobal.com.

Trend launches sunlight filter

UK-based Trend Marine Products Limited, yacht and superyacht glass producers, has developed chemically toughened, laminated screens incorporating an interlayer that filters out 98 percent of ultra-violet rays, according to a news release.

The company can produce doublecurvature screens of up to 10.5 feet by 8.2 feet in size. It is working with yacht manufacturer Sealine International.

Trend Marine, a subsidiary of New York-based Taylor Made Group, manufactures marine glazing systems and door systems.

ER light now has on/off switch

DuraLed Engine Room & Utility Lighting from Hella marine now offers an optional on/off switch. The lights are sealed and the lenses are made of UV- and impact-resistant acrylic with a heavy-duty nylon shroud. Their durable construction and bright, 12-LED white or warm white output are suitable for interior or exterior applications.

Power consumption is 2.5W and Hella marine’s multivolt circuitry provides uniform illumination across inputs from 12-24V DC, even under voltage fluctuations. DuraLed lamps are reverse polarity and spike protected and won’t blink or flicker, the company said in a news release.

Each light is pre-wired with 20 inches of twin core marine cable.

Suggested retail prices start at $104.44.

For more information, visit www. hellamarine.com.

February 2012 B

Today’s fuel prices Prices for low-sulfur gasoil expressed in US$ per cubic meter (1,000 liters) as of Jan. 15.

Region Duty-free*/duty paid U.S. East Coast Ft. Lauderdale 875/939 Savannah, Ga. 852/NA Newport, R.I. 847/NA Caribbean St. Thomas, USVI 1036/NA St. Maarten 1,124/NA Antigua 1,140/NA Valparaiso 1,218/NA North Atlantic Bermuda (Ireland Island) 990/NA Cape Verde 924/NA Azores 950/NA Canary Islands 910/1,060 Mediterranean Gibraltar 920/NA Barcelona, Spain 910/NA Palma de Mallorca, Spain NA/1,720 Antibes, France 966/1,832 San Remo, Italy 1,041/2,192 Naples, Italy 1,130/2,203 Venice, Italy 1,022/2,097 Corfu, Greece 1,023/2,039 Piraeus, Greece 934/1,874 Istanbul, Turkey 935/NA Malta 870/1,600 Tunis, Tunisia 881/NA Bizerte, Tunisia 896/NA Oceania Auckland, New Zealand 957/NA Sydney, Australia 948/NA Fiji 962/NA *When available according to local customs.

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

Region Duty-free*/duty paid U.S. East Coast Ft. Lauderdale 765/820 Savannah, Ga. 730/NA Newport, R.I. 750/NA Caribbean St. Thomas, USVI 865/NA St. Maarten 965/NA Antigua 970/NA Valparaiso 770/NA North Atlantic Bermuda (Ireland Island) 830/NA Cape Verde 790/NA Azores 855/NA Canary Islands 775/955 Mediterranean Gibraltar 760/NA Barcelona, Spain 840/1,590 Palma de Mallorca, Spain NA/1,695 Antibes, France 810/1,610 San Remo, Italy 850/1,750 Naples, Italy 820/1,690 Venice, Italy 935/1,655 Corfu, Greece 900/1,630 Piraeus, Greece 850/1,590 Istanbul, Turkey 820/NA Malta 860/1,630 Tunis, Tunisia 745/NA Bizerte, Tunisia 750/NA Oceania Auckland, New Zealand 795/NA Sydney, Australia 815/NA Fiji 875/NA *When available according to local customs.

B February 2012 TECHNOLOGY NEWS

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The Triton

GPS interference halts plan for national 4G-LTE network

By Dorie Cox

last month.

At issue was the concern that The proposed national broadband although LightSquared had its own network, planned by LightSquared, was radio band, that band was considered rejected by a U.S. federal committee in so close to the GPS signals that most January due to “harmful interference” GPS devices would pick up the stronger to some GPS-based systems.

LightSquared signal and become The 4G-LTE network would cause overloaded or jammed. Aeronautical interference to many GPS receivers tests from last year showed that and create incompatibility with GPSreceivers on transport-category aircraft dependent aircraft safety systems, would be unable to track GPS satellites according to the National Space-Based in certain regions near land-based Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) towers. LightSquared’s plan included executive committee. PNT is a group 400,000 towers. established for matters concerning GPS Several megayacht industry sources and related systems. noted that less than 1 percent of GPS The committee stated that tests devices would have been impacted, showed the network didn’t interfere predominantly older units without with cellular phones, which are filters that protect from interference equipped to block the specific GPS and high precision level GPS use. signals, but did cause significant “Precision frequencies are different interference to other general than the ones most maritime purpose GPS receivers and aircraft operations use,” said Peter Prowant, safety systems that warn pilots of SE regional manager of Furuno USA, approaching terrain. which sells marine navigational The committee unanimously equipment. concluded that the proposed Navigation along the coastal United network did not mitigate the harmful States and its inland waterways interference would probably caused to the have been more GPS bandwidth, affected by signal At issue was the according to interference concern that although several news than high seas LightSquared had its reports. The operations, committee worked Prowant said. own radio band, that with LightSquared The band was considered so to test possible committee’s close to the GPS signals solutions to the rejection of the that most GPS devices interference, proposed plan in but none of the January is being would pick up the proposed methods contested by stronger LightSquared were accepted LightSquared, signal. by the group. which claims The committee the committee reported that there is biased. The would be no further testing. company filed the complaint with the The proposed network was to be the NASA Investigator General’s office basis of the U.S. National Broadband regarding “potential conflicts of Plan, which was mandated by Congress interest in the advisory board.” in 2009 and directed by the Federal Postings on LightSquared’s Web site Communications Commission (FCC) in January stated that the government’s to ensure every American has access to testing included obsolete and offbroadband capability, especially in rural market GPS receivers that were more and under-served areas. likely to fail. The company also said The government gave Virginia-based that the mass market device that LightSquared conditional approval reportedly failed the government’s tests a year ago and the private company, in fact “performed flawlessly during using $14 billion of private capital, Technical Working Group” testing. proposed the plan to expand its And its press release asserts that the nationwide 4G-LTE wireless broadband failure was ensured with tests that network integrated with satellite were performed at a power level 32 coverage. times greater than the level at which Concerns that the proximity and LightSquared’s network would operate. strengths of LightSquared’s signals At press time, LightSquared would overpower the relatively weak had posted a video on its Web site GPS satellite signals were presented demonstrating a solution for the high last summer by several groups precision GPS interference. representing GPS consumers, including those in maritime, aviation, military Dorie Cox is associate editor of The and smart phone applications. Those Triton. Comments on this story are fears were upheld by the committee welcome at dorie@the-triton.com.

B February 2012 MARINAS / SHIPYARDS

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Ferretti sold; Caribbean gets two new marinas Chinese firm buys Ferretti

Machinery maker Shandong Heavy Industry Group-Weichai Group of Jinan, China, reached agreements in early January with the major creditors of the Italy-based Ferretti Group to acquire a controlling interest as the builder goes through debt restructuring.

Through an investment of 374 million euros, including equity investment of 178 million euros and provision of debt financing of 196 million euros, SHIG-Weichai Group will acquire a 75 percent interest in the yacht maker, the company said in a news release.

The Royal Bank of Scotland and funds under the management of Strategic Value Partners will invest alongside SHIG-Weichai and both become 12.5% shareholders.

RBS is one of Ferretti’s main creditors.

Through the acquisition, Ferretti’s capital structure will be fully restructured with equity capital increase by 100 million euros and total debts reduce to a reasonable level at around 100 million euros.

“Developing the yacht business is one of the Group’s strategic goals for the next five years,” said Tan Xuguang, chairman of SHIG-Weichai Group, in the statement.

“Through the acquisition, the Group will ... provide Ferretti with new channels to market and capital support as well as other resources with which it can expand more effectively into emerging markets, a key area of potential growth for Ferretti,” Xuguang said.

After the acquisition, the group will retain Ferretti’s key management team, headquarters and production bases in Italy. Ferretti owns the Pershing, Riva and Ferretti Yachts brands.

YCCS, Virgin Gorda opens

Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Virgin Gorda (pictured below) opened its clubhouse in the North Sound on Jan. 3,

marking the completion and launch of the Caribbean club. Its home base is in Porto Cervo, Italy.

Michigan-based Victor International developed the club, which will be the base for international sailing events such as the 2nd annual Caribbean Superyacht Regatta and Rendezvous on March 14-17.

YCCS is twinned with the Yacht Club de Monaco and the New York Yacht Club, and has a reciprocal agreement with the Royal Yacht Squadron of Cowes.

The marina has 38 slips for yachts up to 328 feet (100m) with a maximum draft of 30 feet (9m).

The central T-shaped dock measures 867 feet (267m) and is accessible from both sides.

“We are genuinely excited with our partnership with the government of the British Virgin Islands,” remarked His Highness the Aga Kahn, president of YCCS, during his opening speech.

“We have many years of experience in quality tourism and understand that if we are to attract quality tourism, we need to offer a quality product,” he said.

“It is encouraging to know that the government is an enabling one that will support our endeavours.”

The club and marina used construction resources and skills that were sourced locally, according to a club statement.

The interior was designed by Countess Beatrice von der Schulenburg with the collaboration of Dan Lonergan of Studio Gotham.

Clubhouse amenities include an infinity edge pool with locker and shower facilities, an outdoor teak bar overlooking the marina and North Sound, and a fine dining restaurant for

lunch and dinner.

The marina has 38 slips for yachts up to 328 feet (100m) with a maximum draft of 30 feet (9m). The central Tshaped dock measures 867 feet (267m) and is accessible from both sides.

The marina also offers on-board provisioning services as well as crew facilities and on-site customs clearance. Coordinates: 18º 29’ 30.40” N 64º 21’ 31.48” W. It can be hailed on VHF channel 08.

YCCS was established in 1967 by His Highness the Aga Khan. It has more than 500 members.

For more information, visit www. yccs.com or www.victorintl.com.

St. Kitts builds megyacht marina

Government officials from St. Kitts and Nevis recently announced that construction of a megayacht marina and private jet terminal will be finished this year, according to a story on TaxNews.com.

The marina is located at the southeast peninsula, and a golf club resort is being built at Kittitian Hill.

The projects are designed to attract more high net-worth individuals to the islands, according to a statement.

Hinckley to service Outer Reefs

Outer Reef Yachts of Ft. Lauderdale has named Hinckley Yacht Services to provide its owners with commissioning, warranty and service work at Hinckley’s eight facilities along the U.S. East Coast from Maine to South Florida.

Each Hinckley location will have a designated Outer Reef representative to assist vessel owners with service needs, the builder said in a statement.

Bristol Marine buys Mass. marina

Bristol Marine in Rhode Island has bought J&J Marine of Somerset, Mass., according to a story on eastbayri.com.

The Somerset facility enables Bristol Marine to handle larger vessels, up to 90 feet. It has been renamed Bristol Marine.

At the new marina, “we’re able to haul boats up to 85 tons and 90 feet, and provide in-water service for boats over 100 feet with 20-foot draft, which puts us into the large yacht service market,” Andrew Tyska, founder and president of Bristol Marine, told the newspaper.

Reservations up in 2011

Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Virgin Gorda opened its clubhouse in the PHOTO/ TODD VANSICKLE/YCCS North Sound on Jan. 3.

Portbooker.com, an online marina guide and computerized reservation system for marine berths, increased bookings by 10 percent in 2011 over the previous year, surpassing 7,200 bookings.

A new integrated feature now allows marina managers to update their information any time. Users can search and book a berth pre-season in preferred marinas.

The Triton

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BOATS / BROKERS

February 2012 B

Lurssen, Feadship, Heesen launch new builds; more sell Lurssen recently launched the 285-foot (87m) M/Y Ace at its facility in Germany. Built under the name Rocky, the vessel is the first of six new construction projects to be launched this year with Moran Yacht & Ship of Ft. Lauderdale.

CharterWorld.com has photos of the steel and aluminum yacht, designed by Andrew Winch.

Feadship has launched the 220-foot (67m) M/Y Drizzle at the Koninklijke De Vries Scheepsbouw yard in Aalsmeer, the Netherlands. She was built for clients who were inspired by the 2005 Feadship Twizzle, of which they were the second owners and had renamed Drizzle, shown below. according to a company statement.

Drizzle’s exterior offers blends of classic and modern lines with a low profile and contemporary feel.

“Taking Twizzle as the design template, it was a major challenge to retain her classic light lines while extending the vessel by more than 20 percent,” said Ruud Bakker from Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects.

“We also added further refinements in terms of functionality, such as the central staircase that facilitates both guest and crew access to the sun deck.”

Project manager was Steve Jacover, who has built several other Feadships over the past two decades. Redman Whiteley Dixon created the interior, which includes the owner’s suite and guest cabins for eight. She will run with a crew of 18, with double bunks in the captain, first officer and engineer cabins.

“This reflects the owner’s concern for crew welfare and a wish that their facilities should be finished to the highest possible standard,” said Drizzle Capt. James Duggan in the statement.

“Such attention to detail will be greatly appreciated and respected by the crew.”

Heesen Yachts has launched the 147-foot (44m) YN 15944 (formerly Project Zentric), due for delivery later this year. This all-aluminium yacht, pictured at left, was christened M/Y Lady L. This vessel is the eighth in the 44m all-aluminium class; the first was M/Y Sedation launched in 2007.

M/Y Lady L was begun as a project by the shipyard and marks the third of four contracts Heesen signed in 2011. It can reach 25 knots.

Frank Laupman from Omega Architects designed the interiors

where pale woods emphasize light and space. The Deco design keeps the areas elegant and clutter-free. It can accommodate 10 guests in five cabins.

Fraser Yachts has recently sold the 169-foot (52m) Alloy S/Y Konkordia, the 142-foot (43m) Alloy S/Y Ohana, the 131-foot (40m) Benetti M/Y Desamis B, the 100-foot (30m) S/Y Sindonemo built by Yachting Development, and the 115-foot (35m) M/Y Surprise built by Mc Mullen &

See BOATS, page B10

B10 February 2012 BOATS / BROKERS

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The Triton

Brokers sell Heritage, Jemasa, Elettra; new builds ordered BOATS, from page B9 Wing.

The brokerage’s new central agency listings for sale include the 149-foot (45m) Perini Navi S/Y Heritage for 17.5 million euros, the 91-foot (28m) Baglietto M/Y Spago for 2.75 million euros, the 86-foot (26m) Azimut M/Y Menura M for 1 million euros (VAT paid), and the 85-foot (26m) Azimut M/Y Stella Mia for 1.8 million euros (VAT paid).

Fraser added several new yachts to its charter fleet recently, including the 144-foot (44m) Oceanco M/Y Deep Blue II available this winter in the Bahamas and this summer in the western Med, and the 88-foot (27m) Ferretti M/Y Aurora Dignitatis available in the Caribbean this winter and the western Med this summer.

Merle Wood & Associates has recently sold the 164-foot Hakvoort M/Y Jemasa.

New to the brokerage’s central agency listings for sale include the 174-foot Oceanfast M/Y Sea Bowld (in a joint listing with Fraser Yachts), and the 75-foot Hatteras M/Y Victory.

YPI Brokerage, the sales division of Yachting Partners International, has sold the 124-foot (38m) Heesen M/Y Calaf, pictured above. Broker Matt Albert represented both the buyer and seller.

With a Frank Mulder design Calaf sleeps up to 10 people in five cabins, and can accommodate seven crew.

Camper & Nicholsons has sold the 80-foot (24m) S/Y Elettra. Originally built for Fabio Perini, founder of the shipyard, the yacht’s asking price at the time of sale was 1.95 euros.

The brokerage starts 2012 by adding to its sales fleet the 105-foot (32m) M/Y Mileanna K for $1.35 million.

Other recent listings include the 121-foot (37m) Sunseeker M/Y The Snapper for 6.7 million pounds; the 116-foot (35m) M/Y Mistral 55 for 7.95 million euros; the 108-foot (33m) M/Y Perla Nero from Cyrus Yachts 4.9 million euros; and the 103-foot (31m) Overmarine M/Y Negara for 4.2 million euros.

New to the firm’s charter listings include: the new 197-foot (60m) CRN M/Y Darlings Danama in the Med this summer under the command of Capt.

Ian Carter, recently of M/Y Emerald Star, the 196-foot (60m) Benetti M/Y Lyana in the Caribbean this winter; the 164-foot (50m) M/Y Mary Jean in Southeast Asia and Australia this summer; the 132-foot (40m) M/Y Sea Dreams in the Bahamas this winter; and the 112-foot (34m) M/Y Highland Breeze in the Caribbean this winter.

Sunreef Yachts has sold a new 80foot (24m) catamaran to a European owner.

It will be made of an advanced composite sandwich combining vinylester, PVC foam and carbon/glass fiber, with a carbon mast and boom, standing rigging with Kevlar and total sail area of 340 square meters, according to a news release.

It will weigh 45 tons, 60 tons fully loaded and was designed to reduce windage and water resistance.

The yacht can accommodate nine guests and four crew. It will draw 1.8m.

The mold is under construction, and the yacht is due to be launched in March 2013.

Holland-based Mulder Shipyard has received orders for two new yachts.

In addition, the yard expects to deliver several yachts this year and open a second facility, construction of which is under way.

The new orders are for a Mulder 75 Wheelhouse and a Mulder Favorite 1300 Convertible, both to be built in aluminium. The latter will represent the first convertible version in the Favorite range, which Mulder reintroduced in early 2011.

The Mulder 75 Wheelhouse is the prototype for a new model in the Wheelhouse range. It will be delivered in 2013 and measures 23m. It will include an owner’s stateroom, VIP suite and two guest cabins.

The Mulder Favorite 1300 Convertible will measure 13.5m and have a top speed of 15 knots. It is scheduled for delivery this summer.

Late this year, new Mulder Shipyard facilities will open.

Washington-based Fluid Motion, designers and builders of Ranger Tugs, planned to introduce its new Ranger 31 at the Seattle Boat Show in late January.

Hull No. 2 is expected to make its East Coast debut at the Miami International Boat Show in midFebruary.

With swim platform and pulpit, the

See BOATS, page B14

The Triton

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

February 2012 B11

Towing, smoke detection among areas touched by new regulations RULES, from page B1 from the loss of the Titanic in 1914.

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, more commonly known as SOLAS, was born after that tragic accident. Nearly every piece of safety equipment on board has a corresponding SOLAS directive.

In 2012, a number of new regulations kick in. Here is a summary of those that will affect new and existing yachts.

Emergency Towing Procedures Jan. 1: All yachts of 500 GT and greater must be provided with a documented emergency towing procedure, as outlined in SOLAS II1, Regulations 3-4. Such a procedure should be carried aboard the yacht for use in emergency situations and be based on existing arrangements and equipment available on board.

Each flag-state has determined the minimum number of copies that should be kept on board and at what specified locations. The IMO has published a guideline for the development of this document titled, Emergency Towing Procedures MSC.1/Circ.1255.

Smoke Detection Systems Jan. 1: For yachts constructed after this date, smoke detection systems shall be functionally tested with smoke-generating machines. Response times for the alarm panel are modified depending on the contents of the designated space.

New Life Raft Capacity Jan. 1: This is an embarrassing one for our generation. The average design mass of persons in inflatable and rigid life rafts must be increased from 75kg (165 lbs) to 82.5kg (182 lbs). Yes, you read that correctly. International rules were revised to account for the increased amount of space the average person now uses.

This will have a significant effect.

For example, if a life raft was previously designed to carry 12 people, the new design mass may only allow for a capacity of 10. This rule will not affect existing life rafts, but must be considered when installing a new unit.

A yacht may need a larger raft to carry the same number of people.

Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS) July 1: For those larger yachts that are actually certified as passenger ships, you will be the first to see implementation of this rule. The purpose of a bridge navigational watch alarm system is to monitor bridge activity and detect operator disability, which could lead to marine accidents.

The system monitors awareness of the Officer of the Watch (OOW) and automatically alerts the master or another qualified person if the OOW becomes incapable of performing his/ her duties. This purpose is achieved by a series of indications and alarm to alert first the OOW and, if not responding,

then to alert the master or another qualified person.

Additionally, the BNWAS provides the OOW with a means of calling for immediate assistance if required. For the majority of yachts, specifically those certified to carry less than 12 passengers, you are considered a cargo ship for regulatory purposes. This regulation will not begin to affect you until 2013, but be prepared.

Electronic Chart Display and Information System July 1: This affects larger yachts that are certified as passenger ships. All new constructions over 500 GT must be fitted with ECDIS. Existing passenger ships have until 2014. For most yachts, the ECDIS installation requirement does not affect anyone under 3000 GT. Automatic Identification System July 1: The Automatic Identification

System (AIS) shall be tested annually by an approved surveyor or an approved testing or servicing facility verifying the functionality of the unit. A copy of the test report shall be retained on board.

The AIS is required on all yachts, private and commercial, above 300 GT. Sideshell Doors July 1: Any yacht fitted with sideshell doors used for the transfer of a pilot must be modified to not open outward.

Air Pollution Restriction Zone Aug. 1: The North American Emission Control Area (ECA) begins enforcement.

It includes waters adjacent to the Pacific coast, the Atlantic/Gulf coast, and the eight main Hawaiian Islands. It extends up to 200 nautical miles from the coasts of the United States, Canada, and the French territories in northeast Canada.

The new standard of 0.1 percent fuel sulfur (1,000 ppm) should reduce

airborne particulate matter and sulfur dioxide emissions by more than 85 percent. The Caribbean ECA for Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands begin enforcement in 2013. This applies to any vessel on the water with an engine.

Capt. Jake DesVergers is chief surveyor for International Yacht Bureau (IYB), an organization that provides flag-state inspection services to yachts on behalf of several administrations. A deck officer graduate of the U.S. 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 +1 954-596-2728 or www.yachtbureau.org.

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

B12 February 2012 TRAVEL: Seasickness

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Practical tips, medicines can help you get through SEASICK, from page B1

Prevention

Some people can psyche themselves up into being seasick even before the boat leaves the dock, so having a positive outlook should be your first line of defense.

Be well rested before the lines get cast off. Partying the night before and consuming large amounts of alcohol with junk food is a definite no-no.

Don’t go to sea on an empty stomach. Eat well and drink plenty of water.

If you are already on medication of some kind, check that it will be compatible with what you intend to take to help combat seasickness. Some seasickness medications have to be taken prior to going to sea to have a chance of being effective.

If you work in the galley, prepare some meals that will require minimal time spent on them prior to serving.

Chart work and navigational work that can be done prior to departure should be completed as the effects of seasickness and preventative medication can lead to drowsiness and impaired thinking.

The engine room is definitely a place to keep clear of if you are not feeling good, so make sure all those little jobs are done so you can avoid spending unnecessary time below.

Some medications are not to be taken while using machinery.

When possible, stay in fresh air, taking deep breaths and keeping your eyes on the horizon. Seeing a level horizon will send good balance signals to your brain.

If in a cold climate, keep warm.

Avoid stress, but keep busy and try to avoid reading.

Avoid acidic and greasy foods, replacing them with less acidic (alkaline) foods such as most fruits and vegetables.

Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and high-caffeine drinks. Coke and Pepsi are actually exceptions to the rule as they contain phosphoric acid that can reduce the feeling of seasickness and vomiting. Drink alternatives are milk and apple juice.

If you can, look forward as looking behind can apparently cause problems.

If all else fails, lie down and go to sleep.

Build a clean-up kit It’s a good idea to have a “cleanup” kit handy in the event a crew member or guest gets seasick.

Its contents will vary, depending on the chief stew’s preferences in cleaning products. I prefer biodegradable, non-toxic cleaners on board. In any event, a good kit should at least have: l A plastic bucket that can hold

warm water. You can also add drops of lavender, or manuka or eucalyptus oil, which not only smell nice but are also anti-bacterial. l A squeegee and a flat plastic

scoop (like one made from a plastic milk bottle) l A carpet cleaner, especially one

that also gets rid of the smell l A general cleaner l An air cleaner to kill the smell l A sponge l Rags that will easily absorb

and wring dry. If using sprays, remember to spray into a rag first. l A couple of pairs of disposable

medical gloves l A face mask for when the mess

is really bad. (Having a strong stomach will definitely help.)

Medication

Because our individual metabolism is as unique as our personalities, there is no medication that will work exactly the same for everybody. There are basically two things to consider when trying a remedy for seasickness: if it actually stops you feeling queasy and, just as important, what the side effects are. Side effects differ from person to person, so don’t take other people’s recommendations for a particular product.

If you are wary about putting chemicals into your body then consider trying some non-toxic herbal and natural products.

Wrist bands with a small ball sewn into the fabric that apply pressure are reportedly effective. They have to be positioned so that the ball is about three fingers above the wrist

See SEASICK, page B13

Some recommended Web sites l www.red-spirit-energy-healing.com/acidic-foods.html l www.essense-of-life.com/moreinfo/foodcharts.htm l www.ehow.com/list_6980414_wrist-bands-seasickness.html

The Triton

www.the-triton.com

TRAVEL: Seasickness

February 2012 B13

Fennel is a natural remedy; taped little fingers is an odd one SEASICK, from page B12 on the inside of the arm. This is an acupressure point that sends a message to the brain telling the stomach to stop contracting and dispels feelings of nausea and vertigo.

There are also wrist bands that look like a wristwatch and are electronic.

From an electrode plate positioned in the same place as the acupressure point, it will send an electric impulse that will stimulate the median nerve, sending a stronger message than pressure from the little ball.

Ginger is probably the best known natural seasickness aid and can be taken in a number of forms. Try the tea by slicing fresh ginger root and boiling it in water for a few minutes. Ginger cookies and even a good ginger ale is an easy way to get ginger, as are ginger capsules available from a health food store.

The herb fennel has great healing powers. Use the seeds whole or ground to make a hot drink (an infusion). You can also munch on the seeds or take a fennel capsule. They are all good for calming an upset stomach and aiding digestion.

Peppermint is also an old favorite natural remedy for seasickness and easily taken as a tea. Sniffing

peppermint oil can also help in the recommended dosage, even if you clearing your head and preventing think that it will reduce your seasick nausea. symptoms. It could, in fact, make you Here are a couple suggestions I have seriously ill. heard work but haven’t tried: Put an Some regular activities may ear plug or scrunched up tissue in the contribute to seasickness. Reading ear opposite your generally doesn’t dominant hand; put help as your eyes are If you are taking tape around your telling your brain little fingers. Don’t that the book is medications, check knock it til you try it. stationary, but the first to make sure Trip Ease is sensory hairs in your the two medications inner ear are telling a New Zealand homeopathic product the brain a different are compatible. that’s effective in story. countering the effects Avoid using of motion sickness. perfumes and Dosage is one tablet at the beginning aftershave lotions as the smell of them of a trip and then every hour while may have an adverse effect. the problem persists. Side effects Do not even think about consuming are reportedly minimal and usually alcohol while on these medications. nothing at all.

Do not dive while on medication There are a host of medications and check how soon after the last for seasickness, many that will more dosage it is safe to dive. than likely have some side effects. If Avoid using any machinery and do you are taking medications, check not drive any vehicles. first to make sure the two medications are compatible. Some seasickness Making it stop medications include the scopolamine The reason that crew are employed, patch, scopace tablets, antihistamines of course, is to ensure the complete such as Bonine/Antivert/Postafen/ safety and comfort of the owners and Dramamine ll, Marezine/Marzine, their guests. It is not usual practice to Stugeron, Dramamine/Driminate, and set off into bad weather and a captain Phenergan. Do not take more than will do all he/she can to keep the vessel

in calm water.

But it doesn’t always take a vessel rolling to bring on feelings of nausea, so do be prepared for when guests start to show signs that all is not well with their digestive system.

Stock a good variety of seasick medications. Natural remedies are in vogue so keep a fresh stock of those, as well as various wrist bands.

Don’t forget to include a stock of sick bags that can be discreetly stowed in their cabins.

Have a clean-up-the-mess kit that can be easily and effectively used should the need arise in rough weather.

(See box on previous page.)

The least movement is generally experienced in the middle of the vessel and low down.

There are two major stages with a bout of seasickness: the first is you are afraid that you are going to die, and then you become afraid that you are not. The good thing is that as soon as the vessel stops moving, life becomes agreeable again.

Capt. Michael Pignéguy is a relief captain on charter boats and superyachts around the world. He is an RYA instructor and examiner in Auckland, NZ, and the author of three boating books (www.boatingfun.co.nz).

B14 February 2012 FITNESS: Keep It Up

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The Triton

Hit the ground running with treadmill workout One of the most common fitness questions is how intensely someone should exercise in order to reap all of the benefits of a cardiovascular workout. One of the easiest ways to monitor your exercise intensity, no equipment required, is using your rate of perceived exertion (RPE). When you use a scale such as this, you take into account both Keep It Up the physical and Beth Greenwald mental perception of how the exercise is making your body feel.

The American College of Sports Medicine, the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world, redesigned the original RPE scale, to a scale from 0-10, with zero being no effort at all and 10 being very, very stong (maximum effort). Between 5 and 7 the efforts are strong and very strong. This is a good range to aim to be in throughout the majority of the following treadmill workout.

Please note that in the following workout, the speeds are simply guidelines (if you are not comfortable jogging/running, ensure you are

Minutes

Incline

Speed

Rate of perceived exertion

1:00-5:00 5:00-10:00 Alternate the following every 2 min for 12 min

1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

3-4 5-6 6-7 7-8

22:00-27:00 27:00-30:00

5.0 1.0

3.5 6.5 2 min 6.0 2 min 7.0 4.0 3.5

walking at a fast pace). The first five minutes should serve as a warm up.

Then use your perceived exertion to guide you through the workout, increasing or decreasing the speed accordingly. Gauging your personal perceived exertion level should be completely independent of the given pace at which you are walking/running; it all depends on how you are feeling as you are working at a given intensity.

Your goal for the workout is to achieve the recommended perceived exertion levels.

Perform the following workout 23 times each week for the next four weeks. You will begin to notice that you will need to increase your speed to be able to reach the suggested

6-7 3-4

perceived exertion level. I encourage and recommend that you increase your speed as you improve - this helps your body to obtain the maximum benefits of the exercise session. This indicates that your cardiovascular system is improving and your body is becoming more efficient at the exercise.

Beth Greenwald received her masters degree in exercise physiology from Florida Atlantic University and is a certified personal trainer. She conducts both private and small group training sessions in the Ft. Lauderdale area.

Contact her at +1 716-908-9836 or bethgreenwald@hotmail.com.

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

Two veteran brokers join new firms in Florida, Rhode Island BOATS, from page B10 R31 trailerable trawler is actually 35 feet in length. For details, visit www. rangertugs.com.

Veteran South Florida broker Roy Sea has joined International Yacht Collection as a Florida- and California-licensed yacht broker.

With a background that spans 40 years, Sea has bought and sold many of the industry’s most well-known brands, including Feadship, Burger, Hatteras, Palmer Johnson and Viking.

He holds bachelor’s degrees in industrial engineering and economics and has his MBA. He worked for the U.S. Navy’s Diving and Ocean Engineering Department testing Sea and operating equipment.

He has sailed the Atlantic, dived to 290 feet, worked as a project manager of the Exxon Valdez oil spill and held a U.S. Coast Guard license since 1972.

Seaton Yachts of Newport, R.I., has hired Annie Lannigan as a sales representative of new builds and brokerage sales.

A long-time sailor, Lannigan raced competitively and worked as crew on deliveries. After earning her MBA, she worked with manufacturers at Quickstep Lannigan Sailboats, Dyer Boats, and C. Raymond Hunt Associates as sales/marketing manager, and as a consultant for numerous other designers and builders.

Recently relocated back to New England after a decade in Florida, Lannigan brings more than 25 years of knowledge and experience in boat construction and design to Seaton Yachts. She continues to captain her boat, S/Y TeMana, a custom Paine/ Kanter 65-foot aluminum sloop that she commissioned in 2005 and has cruised more than 30,000nm.

Contact her at +1 941-374-3742 or alannigan@seatonyachts.com.

The Triton

www.the-triton.com PERSONAL FINANCE: Yachting Capital

We’re into the new year but you can still fix your finances It was recently the season for many crew members to change boats or just come into Ft. Lauderdale for refits, repairs, provisioning and more. All of our schedules were filled with parties, events and getting the yacht ready for the next trip or that new boat job, not to mention the holidays.

Yachting Capital We have just finished off the Mark A. Cline end of another calendar year.

Say welcome to 2012.

As I began to review my topic for this month, I thought about what my friends and clients usually ask me about this time of year. How to get organized is a common concern and I actually get a lot of comments and feedback on this topic.

For some, the new year is a kick in the pants for them to get their act together and do something.

This is also a time to reflect and take a serious look at the balance on your investment statements and evaluate your success. Are you on tract to retire?

There are calculators that will tell you if you are on track or not. The question is, will you take the initiative to put your information in to see your results?

Over the years I have learned that this seems to be the best time for crew to take care of their personal finances while they are in town. Finding the time to do this can be difficult. So it is up to you to find that time for your review or to start planning your own retirement trip.

Sit down and evaluate your portfolio.

There still is a lot of uncertainty in the market. Regardless, this may still be a good time to diversify your portfolio – if you haven’t already – into some investments outside the stock market.

I have written on many of them in past articles. (Visit www.the-triton.com and click on “columns”, then scroll down to Yachting Capital.)

There are many types of alternative investments. Many that I recommend are ones that pay monthly dividends with no market fluctuations. This may be something to look into if you do not have the stomach for market volatility.

Make sure you do your homework and ask a lot of questions. I know this is a busy time but you need to look after yourself as not too many owners will take care of you after you leave their yacht.

Here are some helpful hints and ideas to help you get organized before sitting down with an accountant or financial adviser. Find all your

statements from every financial source, especially after traveling all over the world. File them in a folder, not in their envelopes. If you are self-employed, organize all your expenses for the year.

With investment companies such as those that manage your mutual funds, you’ll get two types of statements throughout the year: a confirmation statement every time you have any type of transaction on your investment (whether it is a dividend disbursement or new money going in), and a quarterly statement that recaps your activities for the previous three months.

Look over your quarterly statement.

If all the transactions from your confirmation statements are on your quarterly statement, shred all those confirmations.

When you get the year-end statement, check to make sure all the quarterly statement transactions are on it, and then shred all the quarterly statements.

This is a good time to begin the process and map out your financial plan. Think about it: All the forms you are gathering for your taxes are the same ones you’ll need for you own financial plan.

Look back at prior years’ tax returns. Did you overpay and get a refund? Some people see that extra money as a forced savings account, but that is no-interest savings. Consider instead adjusting your tax payments and investing the difference.

You still have a couple of months to make an adjustment for this year’s finances.

If you choose not to take this task on yourself, determine what specifically you need help with. When talking to people who can help, find out how many hats he/she wears. Is he/she a generalist or a specialist? Talk to several people and ask a lot of questions.

Don’t divulge specifics until you feel comfortable with the person. You must get that feeling of trust before you do anything. This is so important and why I tell everyone that comes through my office that privacy is a priority in my practice as I understand how information travels in the yachting industry.

Information in this column is not intended to be specific advice for anyone. You should use the information to help you work with a professional regarding your specific financial objectives.

Capt. Mark A. Cline is a chartered senior financial planner. He is a partner in Capital Marine Alliance in Ft. Lauderdale. Reach him through www. capitalmarinealliance.net. Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.

February 2012 B15

B16 February 2012 PHOTOGRAPHY: Photo Exposé

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Understanding your camera’s mountainous-looking display Welcome aboard photo enthusiasts.

Expanding from the discussion of using camera meter readings to set the correct exposure, remember the correct meter reading is always “0” (or slightly + above), and that every meter reads (approximately) 18percent gray.

Now, let me introduce another method of Photo Exposé determining the James Schot correct exposure, something made available with the advent of digital photography, the histogram.

First, to find the histogram you may have to be in the review mode looking at a photograph you have taken if you

Clipping on the right means the whites and clipping on the left means the blacks have lost all detail in the histogram of your photo in your digital GRAPHIC FROM JAMES SCHOT camera. do not have an LCD live mode. Pressing the camera display button will cycle you through two or three options for the LCD display. One will show the

photo only, another may show the photo with various data, and another will show the photo with data and the histogram.

At the bottom of the histogram graph, you will see the linear tonal range from white (right) to black (left). A mountainous-looking graph covers nearly a full range of tones. Not all photos have a full range, so do not be alarmed if your histograms follow different patterns. And, the height of the graph’s levels (or bars) should not be of great concern, as it shows the contrast range, which can be adjusted.

Keep in mind it is easier to raise the levels of contrast than to lower them.

What can be of concern is clipping.

Clipping is shown by the dark lines at the far right and(/or) far left of the histogram. Clipping on the right means the whites and clipping on the left means the blacks have lost all detail, which is non-recoverable by means of software. For example, clouds to our vision are white, yet we see them with subtle, yet extensive detail. If we overexpose clouds in a photo, they may be clipped, meaning they will have no detail and be pure blank, flat white.

The same can happen when exposing something dark. Black, if clipped, will be flat black without subtle tonal details. When we see this clipping by viewing the histogram, we may want to adjust the exposure. Normally the clipping will either occur on the bright or the shadow (right or left) side, so we can adjust our exposure one way or another to compensate to regain tonal details.

There are occasions where clipping is of less importance. I often photograph portraits of people using a black background. In this case, I care about the subject, and less about the black background. Actually, I would prefer it to show no details whatsoever, therefore when camera histogram shows clipping on the right for this scenario, I will not be adjusting my exposure to compensate.

Occasionally there is no clipping on the one side or the other.

In summation, the histogram is another method that you can effectively learn to use to analyze your exposures for optimum results. In some cameras histograms come in color, showing the red-blue-green patterns of the photo taken (or in live view, being taken). Where all three overlap you will see white, and where just two overlap you will see your secondary colors of cyan (no red), magenta (no green), or yellow (no blue). It’s essentially the same as the black and white version, except for the color details.

While you are having fun exploring your new found exposure meter, your camera histogram, I will take permission to come ashore.

James Schot has been a professional photographer for more than 35 years and has a studio/gallery in Ft. Lauderdale. Send questions to james@ bestschot.com.

The Triton

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

February 2012 B17

Let the shows begin! Add them to your winter schedule Feb. - March Major League baseball’s

spring training in Florida. Atlanta Braves in Lake Buena Vista, Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota, Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers, Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, Houston Astros in Kissimmee, Miami Marlins in Jupiter, Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers, New York Mets in Port St. Lucie, New York Yankees in Tampa, Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter, Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte, Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, Washington Nationals in Viera. www.floridagrapefruitleague. com

Feb. 1 The Triton’s monthly networking event (the first Wednesday of every month from 6-8 p.m.) with RPM Diesel in Ft. Lauderdale. Join us for casual networking. www.the-triton.com

Feb. 1–3 10th International Marina

& Boatyard Conference (IMBC), Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Geared toward marina and boatyard owners, operators, and managers, dockmasters, harbormasters, boat builders and repairers and industry consultants.

Produced by the Association of Marina Industries with 125 exhibits, 15 educational seminars, product demonstrations, field trip to local marinas, and networking. www. marinaassociation.org

Feb. 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 Associate Editor Dorie Cox at dorie@the-triton. com or 954-525-0029. Space is limited.

Feb. 4 23rd annual Women’s Sailing

Convention, Southern California Yachting Association, Corona del Mar, Calif. Open to all women, from novice to expert, with workshops presented by top women sailors. www.scya.org

Feb. 7-10 Electrical Certification

Course, Annapolis, Md. For the experienced technician with 3-5 years experience working with marine electricity. Call +1 410-990-4460 or visit www.abycinc.org.

Feb. 7-10 Marine Corrosion

Certification, Rockland, Maine. Covers general theory to properties of marine building materials, corrosion control, and more. Call +1 410-990-4460 or visit www.abycinc.org.

Feb. 8-10 Seatec 10th International

exhibition of technologies, subcontracting and design for boats, megayachts and ships, Marina di Carrara, Italy. Also the 4th edition of

EVENT OF MONTH Feb. 16–20 The Yacht and Brokerage Show, Miami Beach The megayacht part of Miami’s boat shows, not to be confused with the Miami International Boat Show, showcases hundreds of millions of dollars worth of yachts in-water along a one-mile stretch of the Indian Creek Waterway. Free, www. showmanagement.com.

Running concurrently is the Miami International Boat Show at the Miami Beach Convention Center and Sea Isle Marina and Yachting Center.

Strictly Sail will be at the Miamarina at Bayside, featuring more than 200 exhibitors. Free shuttle bus, www. miamiboatshow.com.

Compotec, the international exhibition of composites and related technologies. www.sea-tec.it

Feb. 10-12 Delray Beach Garlic Fest,

Feb. 10-12 Palm Beach Marine Flea

Market & Seafood Festival, West Palm Beach, Fla. flnauticalfleamarket.com

Delray Beach, Fla. A premier food and entertainment event in South Florida.

“The Best Stinkin’ Party in Town” is a fund-raiser for non-profit organizations serving education and the arts for youth. www.dbgarlicfest.com

Feb. 11 Sailorman 3rd annual Chili

Cook-off, Ft. Lauderdale. Free chili and drinks while shopping new and used marine supply specials. Call 1 866-7293758 or visit www.sailorman.com.

Feb. 14-17 Electrical Certification

Course, Jacksonville, Fla. For the experienced technician with 3-5 years experience working with marine electricity and familiar with ABYC electrical standards. Call +1 410-9904460 or visit www.abycinc.org.

Feb. 18-20 49th Coconut Grove

Arts Festival, Miami. The works of over 360 artists and craftsmen. www. coconutgroveartsfest.com

Feb. 19 3rd annual Westrec Fun Walk See CALENDAR, page B18

B18 February 2012 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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Good time to upgrade, train and recertify your credentials CALENDAR, from page B17 and Run, Ft. Lauderdale. Hall of Fame Marina event to benefit students from the Marine Magnet Program at New River Middle School. Includes a half marathon (13.1 miles). Find details on the link at newriver.browardschools. com.

Feb. 21 Mardi Gras, New Orleans. One

of the world’s most famous celebrations for this holiday of excess before the limits of Lent. www.mardigras.com

Feb. 21-24 ABYC Marine Systems

certification, Baltimore, Md. Call +1 410-990-4460 or visit www.abycinc.org.

Feb. 26 - Mar. 1 Intermediate

Marina Management course by the International Marina Institute, Charleston, S.C. www. marinaassociation.org, +1 401–247–0314.

March 2-11 17th annual Miami

International Film Festival. 100 films, 40 countries, 10 days. www. miamifilmfestival.com

March 6-8 Marine Corrosion

Certification, Costa Mesa, Calif. Covers general theory to properties of marine building materials, corrosion control, and more. Call +1 410-990-4460 or visit www.abycinc.org.

March 7 The Triton’s monthly

networking event (the first Wednesday of every month from 6-8 p.m.) with Elite Marine in Ft. Lauderdale. www. the-triton.com

March 8-9 Vessel Tracking and

Monitoring Conference, London, UK. Understand the latest data management strategies and tracking technologies. Informa Maritime Events, www.informaglobalevents.com.

March 9 The Triton’s Bridge luncheon, noon, Ft. Lauderdale. A roundtable discussion of the issues of the day for active yacht captains only. RSVP to Associate editor Dorie Cox at dorie@ the-triton.com or 954-525-0029. Space is limited.

March 10 35th annual Waterway

Cleanup, organized and sponsored

by MIASF. Broward county’s largest environmental event with 1,180 volunteers and 60 boats gathering debris from the waterways, rivers and canals. Visit www.miasf.org and www. waterwaycleanup.org.

March 13-17 20th Dubai International Boat Show, Dubai International Marine

MAKING PLANS March 22-25 27th Annual Palm Beach International Boat Show West Palm Beach See $350 million worth of boats, megayachts and accessories. Inwater portion of the show is on the Intracoastal Waterway along Flagler Drive. Free shuttle buses, tickets are $14 at the gate. www. showmanagement.com Club, United Arab Emirates. www. boatshowdubai.com

March 16-18 Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!

Saltwater Seminar, Naples, Fla. The ‘Womens’ Fishing University’ series encourages women to enter the sports of fishing and boating by providing a fun, non-intimidating atmosphere.

Held in conjunction with support from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Prices start at $99. Visit www.ladiesletsgofishing. com or call 1-888-321-LLGF (5543).

March 20-23 ABYC Standards

Certification course, Las Vegas, Nev. Class discussion for compliance issues relevant to engineers, installers, compliance inspectors and marine surveyors. Call +1 410-990-4460 or visit www.abycinc.org.

March 22-25 27th Annual Palm

Beach International Boat Show, Palm Beach, Fla. Featuring $350 million worth of boats and accessories. www. showmanagement.com.

March 31 Westrec annual Sunrise

Harbor Marina Captain and Crew Appreciation Party, Ft. Lauderdale.

This year’s theme is Toga! www. sunriseharbormarina.net

March 31 Seafarers’ House Port

Everglades 5K Run/Walk, Port Everglades, Ft. Lauderdale. 6:30 pm start for a Twilight 5K Run/Walk through Port Everglades past some of the largest cruise ships in the world.

For information contact Seafarers’ House at portrun@seafarershouse.org or visit seafarershouse.org.

March 31-Apr. 1 Sarasota Nautical

Flea Market and Seafood Festival, Sarasota, Fla. flnauticalfleamarket.com

April 20-22 Suncoast Boat Show of

Downtown Sarasota, at Marina Jack’s, Sarasota, Fla. www.showmanagement. com

The Triton

www.the-triton.com SPOTTED: Bahamas, Hong Kong

February 2012 B19

Triton Spotters

Eng. Lee Schoenmeyer took The Triton to new depths in the Bahamas recently. Schoenmeyer, working on the R/V Atlantis II, sent a photo of himself reading The Triton in a 3300/3 Triton submarine in late December.

“We were off Freeport most of the time,” Schoenmeyer wrote in an e-mail.

“The submarines were being shown to news and magazine media, as well PHOTO PROVIDED as to perspective clients.”

Visit our new store for state of the art snorkeling & diving gear.

Save money on new gear in the US! Beginner sets to professional.

Authorized dealer for Mares, Zeagle, Oceanic, Sherwood, Aeris, Tusa, AB Biller & Omer Spearfishing, Princeton Tec, UK, Akona, Bare and more. Modern showroom - huge inventory.

PADI Training Facility & SDI 5 Star Training Facility.

DIVERS DISCOUNT FLORIDA Capt. Ken Argent of Water’s Edge Consulting in Nova Scotia brought his Triton to the Royal Yacht Club in Hong Kong in January. He was taking a few days of R&R en route to the Phillipines to conduct annual surveys and ISM PHOTO PROVIDED audits on one of the yachts under management.

Where have you taken your Triton recently?

Send photos to editorial@the-triton.com.

2071 S. Federal Highway Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 800.PLAN.FUN (800.752.6386) 954.761.1H20 (954.761.1426)

Store Hours:

10am - 6pm Mon. - Sat.

January networking

February networking

It’s time to train interior crew

Food safety is for entire boat

Patton, Mega Yacht Mart

Join RPM Diesel and Shake-a-Leg

Proposed standard is making real headway.

The galley has standards as well.

C3-4

C5

C7

February 2012

www.the-triton.com

Section C

Canapes are flexible, flavorful

TRITON SURVEY: HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START IN YACHTING, PART II

Carlton Morris (far right) took his first steps into yachting after a trip that put him on board with band members from Deep Purple. Roger Glover (bass player), Ian Gillan (singer) and a friend were there in Sydney Harbour, Australia that day. Read more on Morris, page C12.

PHOTO from CARLTON MORRIS

Experienced hands share career advice

By Lucy Chabot Reed We received such a great response to last month’s survey about how Triton readers got their start in yachting that we ran out of room before we could print it all. Included among the questions was an open-ended request for advice for new crew.

The responses were overwhelming and we couldn’t bring ourselves to whittle the answers down to just a few.

So here is that advice from yachties young and old, active and retired, near and far. And just like their starts, these yachties’ bits of advice are as varied as yachts themselves.

What advice would you give a person thinking of getting a job on a yacht?

Hard work, be ready to listen and learn quick. That’s the way to earn

respect and go up the ladder.

life.

Treat it like a real job and not a hobby. It is only a hobby to the guy paying your salary.

It’s a great way to see a little of the world, meet a lot of great (and not so great) people, make good connections and get ahead, whether you’ll stick with it for many years or just a couple.

You’ll learn many useful things that will benefit you for the rest of your life.

Start young and have a long-term plan.

Try to have a good understanding of the industry so you know what to expect. Also try to find the happy medium between the fantasy and the reality of the business. Be discreet at all times and learn how to be reasonable.

This is not a business for selfish people.

Enjoy every moment; you will miss it when you leave the yacht life. Other than your responsibilities, don’t take it too seriously; it is only a rich person’s toy. When you are not having fun, leave.

Don’t count on having a normal life ... or much of a meaningful personal

C9

Listen, and be humble, no matter how much you know or think you know. Nobody likes a know-it-all. That’s what teenagers are for.

Go do it, no matter what it takes. It is worth it just to get away.

Be patient, be flexible, learn to listen and follow directions, and add your opinions only after many months on the job, especially if you have no boat

See SURVEY, page C10

Canapes can be a great way to start a great meal, or even just something served at cocktail hour.

Although small, they make a big impact if done right. They can be a little salty, even spicy. The choices are limitless and not difficult really.

If you have an idea what your Culinary Waves guests might like to taste in Mary Beth Lawton Johnson some kind of combination, then you’ve got it. A canape can be as simple as a cracker, or a piece of stale bread toasted, with a slice of savory meat on it, or cheese, caviar, relish, purees, or even foie gras. That’s the traditional combination.

And although I don’t usually follow the traditional, what I like to do can be just as simple. I don’t mean to suggest treating this lightly, though. Canapes are the opening act to the meal you will be serving so they should be fabulous.

My advice is to use your creative side to pull in complimenting flavors and maybe even contrasting colors to make your canapes more enticing.

Good food is just sustenance; great food is a joy for the diner. Canapes aren’t meant to be sustenance. They are supposed to excite the appetite, not satisfy it. That’s done with the following courses.

So make your canapes a joy the best way you can. If you can get your guests excited about the meal they are about to eat, then you’ve put them on the road to a heck of a

See WAVES, page C8

The Triton

M

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NETWORKING LAST MONTH: Patton Marine

ore than 250 yacht captains, crew and industry pros joined us to network with the folks at Patton Marine at Lauderdale Marine Center in Ft. Lauderdale. Donald Patton, founder of one of the oldest surveying companies in South Florida, was handing out PHOTOS/TOM SERIO $2 bills, true to form.

February 2012 C

C February 2012 NETWORKING LAST MONTH: Mega Yacht Mart

M

ore than 200 industry folks gathered on the third Wednesday of January to network with Mega Yacht Mart in Ft. Lauderdale.

Chef Eric Glass cooked up tasty dry-rub ribs with a little help from Bush Brothers, and the YES boys kept our guests entertained with music as they perused Mega Yacht Mart’s warehouse of parts and equipment for yachts, all on consignment. Mate/eng. Jorgen Andersen won the raffle for $100 toward dinner and a flight to Key PHOTOS/DORIE COX West with Mega Yacht Mart’s Stewart Donaldson.

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NETWORKING THIS MONTH: RPM Diesel Engine Company

Get your engines running at networking with RPM Diesel Keep your engines running in this new year with The Triton and networking sponsor RPM Diesel Engine Company, on the first Wednesday of February (Feb. 1).

Bring your business cards to catch up with captains, crew and industry professionals from 6-8 p.m. at 2555 State Road 84 in Ft. Lauderdale.

Until then, Desderio learn a little more about RPM Diesel from Mike Desderio, service manager.

Q: What should everyone know about RPM Diesel Engine Company?

In 1956, RPM Diesel Engine Co. opened its doors with a total of three employees. Today RPM is complemented by a staff of more than 50. We are an authorized dealer for MTU-Detroit Diesel, Kohler, Northern Lights and Westerbeke diesel engines and generator sets.

RPM has its own fuel injection and turbocharger facility onsite. We are also an authorized dealer for all major diesel fuel injection systems, including Bosch, Delphi, Stanadyne, Denso, Zexel, Yanmar and Delphi.

In 2010, we invested in electronic unit and common rail injector test benches, widening our service capability. In 2012, we will be upgrading our fuel injection equipment, further widening our service capability.

RPM Diesel Engine Co. is a onestop location for all your diesel needs.

We stock more than 68,000 parts in our parts department. We are one of the few dealers that have a complete fuel injection and turbocharger repair facility to complement our state-of-theart engine overhaul and repair facility.

We offer dependable, fully equipped service trucks for on-site service. Our craftsmen are among the finest in the business.

RPM Diesel has been serving yacht owners, captains and crew in South Florida, the Caribbean and Europe for more than 55 years. Our goal is optimal engine room performance.

Q: Why is it called RPM?

Originally three partners started the business. Those partners were: George Reynolds, Ed Pauly and Spiro Mulligan.

George and Ed left the partnership. The business continued under Spiro and his wife, Marie Mulligan.

In 1960, Joe Rubano, Marie’s brother, joined the company and, as they say, the rest is history.

Q: Tell us about your background and what you do at RPM Diesel?

My career started at Johnson & Towers in Mount Laurel, N.J. in 1983. I spent seven years with J&T in engine sales, moving to the dyno-room and finally as a mechanic in the field.

In 1990 I relocated with my wife, Margie, to Ft. Lauderdale to find work in the boating capital of the world. My search led me to RPM Diesel and an interview with Joe Rubano. I was hired on as a service technician, promoted to service coordinator and then to my present position for the past 18 years as service manager.

Q: RPM has its finger on the pulse of everything diesel. What’s new?

The big news for the past several years has been common rail fuel systems and electronic engine control.

With ever-increasing restrictions on engine emissions, the need for greater engine control is required.

We have seen the changes in the on-highway segment now coming to the marine industry, from propulsion to generators. We are constantly training our technicians and acquiring necessary special tools to service the new generation of engines.

Q: RPM recently received the Captains Award for sales and service as dealer of the year. What’s that all about?

RPM was the leading dealer in the southeast for sales and service for Kohler Generators. We are proud of the recognition due to the fact that we work hard to ensure our customers get the service they demand and this award proves that.

For more information, visit RPM Diesel online at www.rpmdiesel.com or call +1 954-587-1620. We’ll see you on Feb. 1 at RPM, just west of I-95 on the north side of State Road 84.

Feb. 15 Boat Show Kickoff Party benefitng Shake-A-Leg Miami Mojitos, macarena and mambo with the Ft. Lauderdale Mariners Club, Florida Yacht Brokers and The Triton at the annual Boat Show Kickoff Party benefiting Shake-A-Leg Miami.

To be held just prior to the start of the Miami Yacht & Brokerage Show and Miami International Boat Show at the concession tent in the 4700 block of Collins Ave. from 6-9 p.m.

Cost is $30 per person with all proceeds for The Shake-A-Leg Foundation.

Two drink tickets and food provide. For registration visit fyba.org.

February 2012 C

C February 2012 NUTRITION: Take It In

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The Triton

For beauty and health, have your flowers, eat them, too Fresh flowers brighten up our lives with their beautiful appearance and breath-taking aroma. Some can also liven up the flavor of our favorite dishes and even offer a boost of essential nutrients. The key is to know which flowers are edible and how to best use them in culinary preparations.

Eating flowers is nothing new. The Romans noshed Take It In Carol Bareuther on roses, violets and marigolds on a regular basis.

Dandelions were one of the bitter herbs mentioned in the Bible’s Old Testament, while daylilies and chrysanthemums were centuries-old ingredients used by

the Greeks and Chinese. into teas, syrups and jellies.

Early Native Americans ate cattails Some flowers such as violets can and American colonists made syrup be crystallized with egg white and from roses and jelly and wine from confectioner’s sugar and used to dandelions. decorate cakes.

Candied flowers Squash blossoms Today, flowers such as violets can be stuffed, continue to be tossed were used in batter dipped and Victorian England fried. into salads just like for decorating Nutritionally, fruits and vegetables. cakes and pastries flowers act like while violets, vegetables in borage, primroses our diets. Most and nasturtiums were enjoyed in contain about 95 percent water weight salads. so they provide few calories. However, Today, flowers continue to be many are rich in vital nutrients. tossed into salads just like fruits and Don’t rush right out and raid the vegetables. flower bed if this information whets The best ways to enjoy edible flowers your appetite. Choose only edible, nonare raw in salads; cooked into soups, poisonous flowers. And don’t snack on stews and side dishes; served as a those from the florist or grocery that garnish; stirred into spreads; and made might be sprayed with pesticides or

insecticides.

Instead, buy flowers specially marketed as edible or grow them yourself. Once ready to eat, remove the pistil and stamen, leaving just the petals. Wash the petals in warm running water. You can dip them in ice water afterward to make them perk up for a beautiful plate presentation.

Here are a few edible flowers to try, their nutrient worth and some culinary suggestions: Roses: The flavor is decidedly floral and perfumed with a slightly crunchy texture. Rose petals provide vitamin C. Use them in sorbets, desserts and fruit salads. Roses even go well with fine chocolate.

Squash Blossoms: These flowers grow off the end of zucchini and other squash. One cup of these sweet nutty-flavored flowers provides only 5 calories. They can be eaten plain, a quick pop in the mouth when piping fresh, sautéed or fried. Another popular preparation technique is stuffed with cheese and breadcrumbs.

Daylilies: Aromatic and sweet in flavor, lilies, especially tiger lilies, have long been a staple in Chinese cooking.

One cup of dried lilies contains only 35 calories and a healthful 7 grams of dietary fiber.

Fresh lilies eaten raw have a pleasant crunchy texture that are great in salads or stuffed with soft cheeses as an appetizer. Some varieties of daylilies eaten in quantity can have a laxative effect.

Chive Blossoms: These purple flowers that blossom off the tip of the chive offer a peppery flavor to salads, soups and casseroles. They can also be used as a garnish atop baked potatoes.

Chive blossoms have been used in folk medicine to lower blood pressure, but shouldn’t be used for this purpose in place of prescription medicines for those who have high blood pressure.

Vitamin C and iron are essential nutrients provided by these flowers.

Hibiscus: Few Caribbean travel brochures fail to picture these beautiful red blooms. A popular recipe in the islands is to steep hibiscus blossoms in hot water to make tea. The acidic flavor is easily balanced with sugar or honey. These flowers can also be used to make sorbets, added to chicken or fish for a citrus flavor, and made into a syrup perfect over breakfast pancakes.

Hibiscus can act like a diuretic if eaten or drunk in quantity.

Lavender: The cakes, ice creams and candies these flowers flavor might not offer much nutrition, but lavender contains calcium, vitamin A, iron and only a few calories.

Carol Bareuther is a registered dietitian and a regular contributor to The Triton.

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

The Triton

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INTERIOR: Stew Cues

Interior training is needed, but will captains, owners respect it?

A while back I wrote an article about the proposed industry standard for interior crew training and certification that the Professional Yachtsmen’s Association has been working on. There is not much formal training available worldwide, and what is available varies greatly in scope and objective. The goal Stew Cues of this standard Alene Keenan will be to provide and record a balance of formal training and work experience.

There would be four levels: 1. The Introductory Level would provide the basics of food and wine service and other basic elements, and would require no sea time.

2. The Operational Level would build on this knowledge with more indepth training in food, wine, service, and housekeeping. Powerboat Level 2/ Tender license and MCA Medical First Aid would be required, along with 12 months service onboard, which would include at least 60 days of guest service.

3. The Head of Department/ Chief Stew Level for vessels under 500T would require an additional 12 months/plus 60 days as senior stew, plus advanced service and management skills. In addition, Advanced Sea Survival and Advanced Fire Fighting and MCA Medical Care would be required.

4. The Head of Department/Chief Stew/Purser Level for vessels over 500T would require an additional MCA STCW Management Course, Yacht Accounting and Budget Course, and Intro to International Safety Management Course.

Wow, that’s a lot of information.

I have to wonder how many stews and captains are aware that this certification process is being put into place. And I wonder what people think of it. I have asked several stews how they feel about it, and the most common questions I get from them are: How much recognition will this program be given?

Will captains be educated about the program?

And even though it is not mandatory, will hiring preference be given to stews with this certification over those without it?

Good questions, I have to agree. It helps to know that these guidelines were created by a workgroup made up of a cross-section of captains, chief stews, sommeliers, charter agents, training providers, and the PYA’s Continuous Professional Development

Workgroup.

Most of us trainers are looking out for the stews’ best interests, but we have to think about how this is going to affect our careers, too. I think all of us agree that it would be good to have some standardized curriculum for interior crew. Stews with some experience that have taken some training will be able to apply for equivalence certificates.

As for relevance of the training, this will not be required by any higher authority. By the same token, even though there is no management training required for captains, many would benefit by becoming better leaders and better managers. The only classes needed for deck licenses have to do with safety and navigation.

Often, it seems that management responsibilities fall on the chief stew.

Wouldn’t it be a good idea to provide that crew member some training?

Any stew who has enough motivation and discipline to take formal training classes will present themselves better and be better prepared for the complexities of the job.

Many captains would welcome some insight into what information and experience is considered valuable by the industry. This could certainly help as a baseline in determining pay scales, and eliminate the issue of the green stew with one season’s experience being called a chief stew and being awarded the pay and status of those who actually have the appropriate knowledge and experience.

Will captains be educated about the program? Again, since it is not mandatory, it’s hard to say who will take the initiative to learn about the program and who won’t. Some captains know the value of interior training, some don’t. Stews serious about their careers will seek out the former.

Whether preference will be given to stews with this training remains to be seen. It is no secret that there is a lot of discrimination in this industry based on age, size, and looks. Unfortunately, that’s not going away anytime soon. But a stew presenting with this training should provide valuable information for captains on the type of crew member they are considering hiring.

The majority of stews I have taught are very pleased to have had the opportunity to take training, and I am proud of them all. But many times, it is difficult for stews to decide whether they want or can afford to invest in training. (Yachts rarely have a training budget for interior staff.) In addition, it can be hard for stews to get time off to get the training they need.

Many stews are eager to learn all

See STEW CUES, page C9

February 2012 C

C February 2012 IN THE GALLEY: Canapes

Portion size matters for elegance

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The Triton

Goat cheese timbal with baby beets

WAVES, from page C1 dining experience.

I like to keep my canapes about the size of the distance between the tip of my thumb and the first knuckle. That way they won’t mess up a woman’s lipstick when she eats them.

I’m not above serving simple things such as tasty melon balls with a strip of prosciutto wrapped around them. But you can easily top it with a smear of English Stilton to give it a bang.

Another morsel I like to make is a cucumber spring role. Start by hollowing out a small section of a small cucumber. Keep in mind that size thing I told you about. Insert a few matchstick pieces of carrot, julienned white radish and fresh chives. Cream it up with goat cheese and then add some fresh squeezed lemon juice onto it.

Now you have color for the eye, a little bite to Mostly, I the taste buds, and an overall like to give satisfying my diners experience that a different leaves the diner experience, wanting more.

Here’s a so I do variation on the like to pinwheel. Start incorporate by layering over phyllo dough different some spinach. savory Slice on some meats such brie, then a thin slice of as duck or smoked salmon venison, for or lox, and add example. small bits of red and green bell pepper. Then simply roll it up and cut it into pinwheels.

Make your roll long enough so each guest has a couple of servings when it’s sliced into the pinwheels. I cut them to one-quarter-inch thicknesses. So you have to do a little math.

Mostly, I like to give my diners a different experience, so I do like to incorporate different savory meats such as duck or venison, for example.

There’s really a lot to choose from if you’re bold enough and your guests are up to something new.

It’s not wrong to be a culinary inventor and even a bit of a performer with canapes. Like I said, they are your opening act. And first impressions stick.

Mary Beth Lawton Johnson is a certified executive pastry chef and Chef de Cuisine and has worked on yachts for 20 years.

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

PHOTO/MARY BETH LAWTON JOHNSON

This dish can be used either as a first course on a larger scale or used as a canape on a tinier scale.

When prepared as a canape, the final dish is no larger than half of my thumb.

1 bunch fresh basil, divided 2 sheets gelatin Cold water 2 mangoes, peeled, diced and pureed, separated 5 baby beets, roasted 1 log goat cheese Peanut oil for frying Olive oil Baby rocket Chiffonade half the basil, soak the gelatin sheets in cold water and heat one portion of the mango puree in a saucepan over medium heat.

Remove the gelatin sheets and combine with the mango pulp. Stir in basil chiffonade.

Pour into tiny mold for a gelee and refrigerate.

Roast the baby beets until brown. When cool, remove skins and slice into rounds

of equal thickness and season with salt and pepper.

Slice the goat cheese into rounds and season with salt and pepper.

On a plate, place one baby beet, topped with one goat cheese round, followed by another baby beet. When finished, the stack should have 2 goat cheese rounds and 3 thinly sliced beet slices.

Fry up a basil leaf for each plate.

Using the remaining mango pulp, drizzle around the beet goat cheese stack on a plate.

Arrange some baby rocket scattered, and place a gelee of mango basil oil beside it.

Serve

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IN THE GALLEY: Food safety

February 2012 C

Safety matters in the galley as much as it does on the bridge

By Carmen Foy Safety is a key issue aboard a vessel of any size. Captains, mates and engineers spend huge amounts of time and money to be certified in the safe running of a vessel. Safety does not end with the wheelhouse or the engine room.

The galley is one of the most prominent areas of a yacht as far as safety is concerned, Foy and it often goes overlooked.

So if the deck crew is trained in safe running of the vessel, why is the chef not required to have food safety training?

Stews want to learn, but it must pay off STEW CUES, from page C7 they can about service, and it is great that a standard has been outlined. In the near future, teachers and trainers will be able to get certification so that stews know they will get their money’s worth when they do take classes.

This entire PYA project has been a sort of meeting of the minds, so to speak. For the most part, we are all moving in the same direction of not just teaching and training, but mentoring our stews. This may not be a long-term career for some, but even if it is only 4 or 5 years on yachts, wouldn’t you want to be the best you could be?

We trainers are protective of our students and will help them create more value in their work and, by extension, in their self-concept.

Yachting is a unique industry.

The life skills we gain onboard are phenomenal. Discipline, desire, motivation and goal-setting are the foundations of a good life. It is tough and demanding work that requires a lot of personal sacrifice.

We can enhance the experience greatly by providing more support within the ranks. The standardization of training will only help.

Alene Keenan has been a megayacht stewardess for 20 years. She offers interior crew training classes, workshops, seminars, and onboard training through her company, Yacht Stew Solutions (www. yachtstewsolutions.com). Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@ the-triton.com.

All food handlers – whether the head chef, cook or stew serving a meal – should understand all the core safety issues involving food and have the proper training. If the galley is not properly cleaned or staff does not wash their hands regularly, cross contamination and food-borne illness can and will occur.

As well as preventing food-borne illness, having the proper training will help crew detect if there is an issue. If a crew member begins to complain of upset stomach, diarrhea or cramping, it could be the galley that has made them sick.

On land, only two people have to be affected by a food-borne illness in an establishment for it to be considered an outbreak. This must be reported to local health officials and may be escalated to a national level, depending

on severity.

An inspector will review the issue and decide how to proceed, which may lead to temporary closure or being closed for good.

There are standards and regulations for vessels as well. The MCA set out its requirements and recommendations with regard to provisions and water.

Standards of storage, hygiene and safety are part of MGN 397. It remains the responsibility of the captain to adhere to the requirements and report the required weekly inspections in the official log.

In addition, Article 8 of the ILO Convention No. 68 and the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 allow for a special inspection of a ship following a complaint by at least three of the crew members about the food and provisions or water on board.

Such a complaint or complaints should be recorded in the official log and is a statutory right of a seaman.

It’s important that crew understand their rights to a safe work environment in all areas of the vessel. If they believe they are becoming sick from food served on the vessel, their concerns should be addressed.

The standards are in place for the galley, and now it’s the responsibility of the captain to ensure that these standards are taken seriously with the correct training and practices. Safety comes first.

Carmen Foy is a former yacht chef and the owner of CMF Food Safety Training.

She recently joined IYT-Fort Lauderdale to teach its Food Safety and Hygiene Course. Comments are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.

TRITON SURVEY: Career advice C10 February 2012

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What advice would you give a person thinking of getting a job on a yacht?

SURVEY, from page C1

changing fuel filters. Volunteer to help the captain when he/she is doing chart work, or programming the plotter for the next leg of your journey. Volunteer to help the chef when he/she is making up a menu or provisioning list. It’s too easy to be lazy and do only your job.

(Just make sure your work is done, and the captain gives you the OK.) Not only will you learn a lot and make yourself a more valuable member of the crew, but the other members of your crew will appreciate the help. Working on a well-run yacht is like being paid to go to school.

experience.

Don’t be afraid to ask lifestyle questions during the interview process.

The right lifestyle fit is the most important thing for a permanent job.

Start at the bottom. Get a job at a West Marine, or for a management firm.

Learn the rules, learn the products and applications, and always be professional.

You never know who or when you’ll meet your next boss.

Treat your new career as a profession, and not a dalliance.

Have a departure plan from the industry and save for it.

Go for it. It’s one of the greatest ways to experience the world.

Be old enough to know better, but young enough not to be too salty. You don’t know it all, and neither does the guy standing next to you.

Be smart and learn as much as possible from senior crew.

Get used to living and working in very small areas with very little privacy.

Do it when you are young as it can be long days. Make sure you spend some time with the crew and the boat before you voyage too far for too long.

Everything in life is a cycle. The people who are hiring are once again looking for longevity on one’s CV. Don’t be too hasty to jump ship. Be prepared to commit to your first job if you want to be taken more seriously. Don’t be a flash in the pan; that’s going to waste someone’s time and effort in the training you would receive on the job.

Be prepared for the toughest demands owners can want and then exceed those demands, as hard as it may be. Move up, never down, and longevity is irreplaceable. Never forget you are always a lady or a gentleman to

Growing up in South Florida, it’s hard to tell when Ned Stone’s yachting career began. He’s been on the water his whole life, playing, working and learning. In this photo from 1996, Stone was working with Capt.

Mel Strahorsky, who was skipper of the legendary Predator. They spent five weeks that season targeting giant bluefin tuna and weighed this 724 pounder. “I learned a lot of new techniques fishing with Mel,” Stone said. “The opportunity to work outside my comfort zone was a great learning experience. Freelancing has really given me some great PHOTO FROM NED STONE opportunities.” everyone on and off the vessel, no matter how tough. Always stand on your own two feet and go forward. Respect and experience will follow.

If you’re still young, don’t enter yachting with a partner. It’s too hard. Go it alone. See the world and have some fun.

Make sure that you have a fallback skill. Do not become a professional deckhand.

Only go in if you plan to stay for the long run. Yachting skills and experience do not translate to shore-side work.

Don’t get caught up in pretending to emulate the owner’s lavish lifestyle.

Don’t blow your money on toys. Save, save, save, till it hurts. Invest the money.

You have to love the ocean.

Relationships don’t last if you work on a yacht and your spouse does not.

Get used to working a lot of long hours, but it is well worth it when you get time off. Take lots of pictures.

Learn as much as you can about every phase of yachting from experienced crew members. Volunteer to help the engineer when he/she is

It’s not all about you. Aptitude is critical; attitude wins the day. Bring both. Oh, and I’d be remiss not to mention: if you didn’t eat it first or it didn’t start its life as a tree and end up on a roll, it has no business being put in a marine toilet.

Be persistent.

Be realistic, work hard and don’t burn your bridges.

Be humble.

Save your hard-earned salary. Invest in your health, career and future landbased life.

Like anything else, make sure you start for the right reasons, i.e. having some sort of affinity for the sea and the nomadic lifestyle. In this day of government oversight and licences, get qualified as soon as possible if you’re serious.

Understand that crewing is a profession, not a summer job. Learn as much as you can as you climb the ranks, update your qualifications and read everything the owner of the yacht you

See SURVEY, page C11

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TRITON SURVEY:Career advice

Women: How did you get your start in yachting?

Someone I met in yachting opened a door for me – 47.9%

Recruited from shore-based life – 13.8% Friend recruited/hired me – 17.0%

Crew agent – 8.5% Replied to a job posting – 7.4% Walked docks until I was hired – 5.3%

Men: How did you get your start in yachting?

Someone I met in yachting opened a door for me – 33.6% Recruited from Friend shore-based recruited/hired life – me – 23.8% 13.9%

Walked docks until I was hired – 12.3% Replied to a job posting – 8.6% Crew agent – 7.8%

February 2012 C11

How long did you work on yachts (respondents by percentage)?

21.9%

19.6%

11.1% 10.2% 4.8%

6.3%

Less than 1-2 1 year years

8.2%

3-4 years

8.2%

5-9 years

10-14 years

15-19 years

20-24 years

25-29 years

9.7%

30 or more

Decide to work on yachts ‘because you love boats/yachts and the water’ SURVEY, from page C10 work on reads.

Don’t have kids.

Don’t take a job with unsavory crew.

Always remember that your behavior is a part of your resume. You will essentially be an independent contractor, and how you are perceived and promoted will depend on that more than in most 9-5 positions.

Do it young and keep learning. When you have your first child get a landbased yachting job and temp at high fees.

It doesn’t matter what you know, it matters who you know. Everything you need to know about yachting can be learned; you need connections to get your foot in the door.

Don’t be concerned about where the yacht is traveling to. Do be concerned about the longevity of the rest of the crew and the condition of the yacht.

Make your decision to work on yachts

because you love boats/yachts and the water. Everything else will become amazing memories.

Learn to pack light.

Study the craft. Study other professionals and do what they do. Find good mentors and follow their orders.

Learn how to manage yourself, time, crew, jobs, emergencies.

Go for it. You don’t know if you’re going to like it until you try. It is a difficult career with times of long days and huge demands. Some people thrive in those surroundings; some don’t. Give it a try and if you’re good at it and enjoy it, you’ll succeed.

I have seen a lot of crew come and go. Everyone who has stood out was completely committed to a career in yachting and it showed through the way they handled themselves onboard, the questions they asked, and the way they worked with fellow crew. I really enjoy working with people who love what they do. If you can’t get out of bed in the morning and don’t look forward to

going to work, then you are in the wrong career.

Make sure you understand what it is all about.

When working on a yacht, your time is not your own. Your life is not your own. The space you live in is not your own. Even the clothes you wear are not your own. Much will be demanded of you physically, mentally and emotionally. More than you can imagine. If you can deal with that, there are many benefits.

Go sailing – and no, one year is not a good run on a vessel.

Take any classes you can and get as much experience as you can, even from the bilge up.

Make friends with as many crew as possible. I got my current job because a friend was day working on the boat next door and told me they were looking for a chief stew. None of the agents had put me forward for the job. I phoned the captain myself. I am still here, eight years later.

Be prepared to work hard and the rewards are all there. Stay with one yacht and do not flit from yacht to yacht. And most of all, have an enjoyable time. There are few people in the world who have the chance to do this business, so do not get big headed about it.

Don’t give up. Someone will hire you if you portray yourself as clean cut and a hard worker.

Hang in there for the job you really want. Start on big yachts and then go small if you want to change.

No matter what your personal style is on your own time remember that you are supposed to blend into the background while you are working.

Listen to the people who are careeroriented, even if you are only planning to stay in the industry for a short time. It is a very small world and a good referral will get you work in no time. If you get a reputation as a party guy/girl you will not be offered as many jobs. That does not mean don’t party; it means work

See SURVEY, page C12

C12 February 2012 TRITON SURVEY:Career advice

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‘Hang in there for the job you really want’ SURVEY, from page C11 hard and listen so your work is what gets remembered, not what you do after work.

Working on ships is about service to the owner, being a good shipmate, caring about the vessel. It’s not about you. Whatever rank you serve in, you strive to make your mark by having made a positive impact, some improvement, something, somewhere.

There are always good owners, shipmates and yachts for people with that attitude.

Have no expectations about the industry.

Ask yourself why you want the job, what you want out of the job and what you are willing to give toward the job.

Don’t get impressed by the outward glitz of the yacht. It’s a really demanding job at times.

First, get your sea legs. Learn line handling, anchoring techniques, watchkeeping, basic navigation, maintenance, etc.

Make sure the captain is to be trusted. Check around for information on the captain, owner and vessel.

Spend some quality time in a shipyard.

Do it for the love of being at sea and making guests’ dreams come true.

Money is just a bonus.

A rocking way to start a career Carlton Morris’ start in yachting was accidental and steeped in fame.

It was 1990, and his then wife was tour manager for the rock band Deep Purple. On this particular tour, the band planned an extended stop in Sydney to recharge their batteries.

The promoter invited the band and spouses out on his yacht, a 55-foot Princess Yacht. In this photo, from left, are Roger Glover (bass player), Ian Gillan (singer), a friend and Morris in Sydney Harbour, Australia.

“I still remember walking onto the yacht and seeing his logo on walk-off

Spend time on small boats; find out if you get seasick and learn how to handle lines. The more skills you can offer the better: IT, cooking, engineering, languages, accounts.

Be prepared to sacrifice your loved ones and your time. Remember, this is a lifestyle, not a job.

Make sure that you have another career to go back to.

Find out as much as you can about yachting before joining.

Study, apply yourself, listen to superiors and do what you are told.

If the person is willing to work hard and learn, this is the perfect time to enter into this field. We’re at the bottom of an economic cycle, and there will be nowhere to go but up.

Make sure it is what you want. Talk to someone who has worked in the industry. If you are sure about it then give it a six-month trial. Remember, there are good captains and crews and bad captains and crews. If you get a bad one, move on. Don’t let them put you off.

When needed, just suck it up to gain the experience. Stop the trend of jumping ship for the slightest of grievances. Be respectful of the officers who can teach you. When you are qualified, it is important to teach your skills to others.

Think carefully, explore your options, look at building a career and save most of what you earn rather than spend every penny. If you are a woman, consider the longevity of your career on board and save/invest/study to enable you to be able to do something else after yachting and have another career.

Never throw away a business card.

Take a hard job and learn from it.

Always wear a nice shirt and smile.

Don’t get caught up in living like a millionaire; save at least 50 percent of your earnings.

Don’t do it for the money. Do it because you will never stop learning something every day, about boats, the sea, respect and people.

If it is not your passion, find something else.

Forget about having a normal life.

If you can’t be away from your family and friends for months at a time, work all holidays, not be able to schedule vacations and live in a cupboard, seriously reconsider this industry.

Travel as much as you can as you won’t get the chance once you leave.

Don’t give up a good job because you want to be around your partner.

Don’t work on a boat that the owners use constantly. Find a boat that has a schedule and some longevity of the captain and some crew.

If you are serious about getting into the yachting industry, make sure you always put forward a great reputation, be diligent, and don’t let people forget about you.

Get the experience and obtain a 100ton near-coastal license. Better yet, go to a marine academy and graduate with a bachelor’s degree. That will result in a 100-ton license. Join the Navy or Coast Guard if you can. Start out as a mate on a small yacht and gradually work your way up to the big ones. Increase the

mats, embroidered on towels, etched in stemware and even photos of him and other acts he previously invited on the water (Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, etc...),” Morris recalled.

The skipper was Mark Cairney, founder of The Cruising Club, a fractional boat ownership company that started operation in Sydney in 1998. He explained the concept to Morris, who was hooked. At last year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Morris launched the brand “over on this side of the world.”

– Lucy Chabot Reed

tonnage on your license as you go.

Don’t think working on a yacht is all fun and parties. It’s not. It’s hard work and people put their lives in your hands.

Don’t expect to know everything in the first 18 months.

Stay positive when job hunting. You have to do at least one thing every day toward finding the right job, then be patient. Do as much research about the vessel you are joining before you commit, as it’s not professional to quit mid-season.

Be prepared to start at the bottom and work up, even if you are older when you start.

Develop electrical, mechanical, and IT skills.

A good owner and a good captain are the key to happiness.

Sacrifice everything for a while to obtain training. Get as much training as possible, work at day jobs, do anything on a boat that is required, and just get out there. It will all pay off.

Choose the type of yacht you want to work on and offer to work for very little on that type of yacht so that you can gain the needed basic experiences to be valuable to any captain and crew.

Don’t be picky. Take the first job offered to you and work harder than everybody else. Somebody is paying attention and it will eventually pay off.

Pocket your emotion and do your job as fast as you can. Be flexible at all times.

Remember you are “the help.” How you act at the pub will affect your job chances. Senior crew members know who you are when you get trashed or speak trash. Bring some real skills with you, and don’t forget there are hundreds of other marine employment directions besides yacht crew that may be a better

See SURVEY, page C13

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TRITON SURVEY:Career advice

‘How you act at the pub will affect your job chances’ SURVEY, from page C12 match for you.

Did you leave yachting for another industry and return?

Be darn good at something and not half informed about everything.

You have to love the sea, and it’s a service industry.

No matter what happens, never burn a bridge that you might have to cross again. Remain true to yourself but be professional at all costs. And above all, please remember that loose lips sink ships; that ship just might be yours if you get swept up into industry gossip.

Be realistic. Willingness to give up privacy is essential; you now live at your job. Although you may be traveling, you may not get the downtime necessary to explore and enjoy the destinations.

Owners do not need yachts, so they must enjoy them to keep them. Take your job serious and be professional.

I never left – 62.4%

Yes, back to new position – 15.8% Yes, back to same position – 15.8% No, I left and stayed out – 5.9% a unlicensed deckhand or a stew with no savings because all you did was party and live the yachtie-rich lifestyle.

Stay single.

Be ready to work harder than you ever imagined you could and forget having a personal life. The boat owns you.

Steer clear of the bottom feeders.

Take the cell phone out of your ear and learn your trade. Be the best.

Put your head down and keep going.

Don’t pull up until you’ve finished a season.

Learn about the sea and weather.

Show the captain you know more than just how to clean.

Don’t be too good for a job. Be willing to put in your time, keep your ears open, your mouth shut, and it will all pay off in the long run. Salary isn’t the most important thing. Your experiences are far more valuable.

Don’t be a baby. Professional yacht crew work hard and rarely take a full day off.

Find a great teacher/mentor and learn all that you can.

Question seriously why you want to enter the industry, and where you want to be in 10 years.

Be sure that your interpersonal skills are as strong as your nautical skills.

Compliment the yacht before asking for the position.

Try it out for a year or so and see if you enjoy it. Hopefully you will be on a good boat with a good owner and captain/crew.

Always be willing to work without question and you will be a very popular person with your officers. Be a good shipmate and you will be a friend of everyone on board.

Keep your nose clean. Choose your company wisely. You are always on stage. Keep your head down, keep your mouth shut, and work like there’s no tomorrow. Save your money. Don’t be a jerk. Be sober and vigilant. Maintain eye contact and smile. Be serious.

Be mindful about the time you spend in the industry; the longer you spend in yachting, the less relevant you become in “the real world”. If you are going to spend any time yachting, keep climbing and saving. You don’t want to find yourself after 10 years in the industry as

Don’t come here with nothing to offer. Get some skills and employ them on board.

Behind the glamour is a lot of hard work, a lot of waiting and an element of the unknown.

Bigger is not always better.

See the world when it is offered to you until family circumstances require your attention to be land based.

Listen and learn from owners and guests. You may never get such opportunities as this ever again, at least without paying a lot of money for it.

Do not feel that you are entitled to anything more than you have earned.

Learn how to go to sea first, then ask for the mate’s job.

If you have something to offer, try working for free for, say, two months.

After graduating from a merchant academy in the midst of the worst postwar shipping recession, I worked for free on a tanker for one month. I never had to look for work again, eventually becoming a partner in a shipping company, executive VP and recently

See SURVEY, page C14

February 2012 C13

C14 February 2012 TRITON SURVEY:Career advice

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‘Don’t be dejected if you get turned down occasionally’ SURVEY, from page C13 retiring to a busy charter yacht, the easiest, most enjoyable job I’ve ever had.

If you want a career on the water, you have to know what to do an any emergency. If you don’t, you shouldn’t be out there. You can learn in classes, but the best learning, of course, is on the water.

About seven years ago, Capt. Roy Conklin started a new life as a yacht captain, taking command of the original Savannah Ann, a Fleming 55. He and the owner now enjoy the water from the decks of a 78foot Marlow Explorer, still called M/Y Savannah Ann. PHOTO FROM Capt. Roy Conklin

Don’t expect to be rich overnight.

Plan on making it a career. If you do, you will be adequately rewarded. Don’t be dejected if you get turned down occasionally. Build a reputation for dependability and you will find that the jobs will come looking for you. Get qualifications, either deck or engine room, as soon as you qualify for sea time. Sea time is very valuable; don’t waste it.

If you are consistently having bad vibes about a boat, you are probably right.

Take related courses to improve your CV – wine research, housekeeping, food and beverage service, etc.

Do more than is required of you.

Make yourself indispensable.

The No. 1 yacht crew skill is sociability. You’ve got to be able to get along with the people you’re cooped up with day after day, often under strenuous conditions. Some people are going to have characteristics that annoy you, but short of abuse and gross incompetence (including alcoholism), you’ve got to get along.

In addition to advice, many of our respondents offered their own

stories of how they got their starts.

Here are the ones with lessons to teach: I’m glad I started out young and learned quickly. It has proven to be a great line of work for me.

I walked into a small yacht club in Mallorca, walked up to a couple, and said I’d like to get onto yachts. They introduced me to a captain the very next day. I was Irish, he was Irish. I got trained up for a month, then was the stew/cook/deck. He has been like a father to me throughout my whole career. Now I just want to give that start back to others.

I had been running sailboats and watched the power yachts come and go with half the work, twice the staff and 10 times the salary. I was sold. I went over to the dark side only after taking advice from a couple of super guys: Go work in the Gulf of Mexico driving crew boats and work boats for a year or two. Best advice ever.

I had high hopes, many smashed by overbearing, God-complex captains throughout my career. Its the camaraderie and exploration of the world that intrigues me to continue despite some really awful people in yachting. For the most part, I have had incredible experiences that will last a lifetime.

I started my career at the best time.

Now, with all the rules and regulations, I am glad I am coming to the end of my career as I doubt I would want to get into yachting in this day and age.

I grew up on the coast of North Carolina. I worked in boatyards as a teenager, then was a commercial fisherman, then on sportfishing boats, and then on to yachts. A love of boats and the sea is how I got my start in the industry.

I signed on for free to a 60-footer crossing the Atlantic from Antigua to gain experience. After 17 days at sea, I jumped ship in the Azores to get a paid delivery position and later my first job as second stew. I’ve sailed and motored around the world on boats from 34 feet to 220 feet, working deck, chef, chief stew, relief mate and purser.

Don’t do it for the money. Do it because you have a passion for something else about the business, whether it is true love of the sea and wanting to learn more about navigation, that you love to learn about different cultures, or that you want to improve your hospitality management skills.

The money will come. If you do it for the money you basically become a drug addict.

Your integrity and reputation mean more than anything else in this industry.

Do not tarnish either. Mistakes will

See SURVEY, page C15

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TRITON SURVEY:Career advice

‘It’s OK to be green. Entrylevel more about diligence’ SURVEY, from page C14 happen; we are human. Apologize and take whatever action you can to make up for your stupidity, and never repeat it. Owning up for a fault, and taking action that it will never happen again, will mean more than the fault itself, most times.

It’s OK to be green. Entry-level jobs are more about diligence than skill. Having a can-do attitude and performing all tasks to a high level is important. You have to earn responsibility and this comes when you show you can take pride in any job.

Stay with an owner or captain or mentor who treats you well. The most successful, happiest captains I have met have been with one owner for many years.

The grass isn’t always greener. Don’t jump from job to job unless there are good reasons. You may look back and realize you left something great for no reason.

If you try it and like it, you best be ready to dedicate yourself. Otherwise, you will never make it to a top position.

Practice and education are your most valuable assets. Take time to really understand your working environment.

Ask questions and get the correct answers before you move ahead. If you don’t have the correct understanding of what your intended job is, and you do it wrong, then you will have to do all over again the correct way. Go that extra step and you will advance to a higher level in a shorter time.

Nobody wanted to know me due to my commercial fishing background.

Now I always have time for wellpresented individuals looking to make a start in the industry.

I got my first paying job after several years of going from boat to boat, learning what I could, before I felt I could ask to be paid for working. (Big difference from today’s kids who want big bucks with no experience.) Word-ofmouth speaks volumes in this business, even today.

There are many bumps along the road to the perfect boat. It took us 2½ years to find the right boat and we are planning on being here for 10 years.

Don’t give up hope.

Cooking on the schooner Shearwater led to deliveries and jobs on other charter yachts, which led to working with Chris Doyle on his early Caribbean guides, which led to meeting my husband, which led to our own boat, which led to doing daysails out of Bequia, which led to a six-year circumnavigation, which

led to establishment of the Caribbean Compass yachting magazine (www. caribbeancompass.com) where I am the editor. Whew. I’ve never regretted any of it.

I have been very fortunate to have met and aligned myself with some of the best people in the business. People who share a passion for yachting, fishing, sailing and perhaps most importantly, doing the right thing. Some, but not all, will be lifelong friends. After 14 years, the last eight of which I’ve spent leading a significant global operation, I still learn something new every day.

I just wanted to be at sea and travel and see places. It was not about a career at all in the beginning. But looking back, the time on my first yacht as a deckhand was the best time I had in yachting.

I was so blessed to have been introduced to the yachting industry. I had a solid 13 years in it before I stepped off yachts to raise my children. I started in the early 1990s where cell phones and Internet were not common on board.

We spent long amounts of time in the islands, anchored out while sourcing out local foods and wares. The people I met along the way were among the best I have ever been acquainted with.

Yachties have this special knack of being sincere and resourceful and reliable and making strong genuine friendships quickly. That’s very special. Once I stepped onto land, it was much harder to make good friends quickly. I am so grateful to have been introduced to this wonderful career.

I absolutely loved the French language and working on a big yacht on the French Riviera intrigued me. I got my first job in an agency in Leicester Square in London from an advert in the London Evening Standard. Had the best three years of my 20s on that 62m yacht in Golfe Juan. I went back as 2nd officer in 2002, and met and married an Australian stewardess on the same yacht in 2003. Pretty much sorted my life out. Il vagabondo again.

I began as a sailing instructor and worked Florida and the Caribbean.

It opened all the doors I needed to advance as a captain on the type of sail and motor yachts that I enjoy working on.

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 e-mails online at www.the-triton. com.

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