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March 2013 Network on March 6 & 20 in Ft. Lauderdale. See page C2-3
A12 Some crew will do anything See what 80 of them did in St. Maarten last month. A3
Networking fun We hosted two events last month.
A8-9
Going the way of Nascar David takes exception to so much advertising. A19
Rogue waves hit Sanremo Cars damaged, crew hurt in four-hour series of waves. B1
Italian police search yachts for duty-free fuel violations Foreign-flagged yachts caught up in investigations over illegal use of the Italian libretto di controllo By Lucy Chabot Reed
Yacht crew on more than 100 megayachts in the Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach, including M/Y Big City, were at their show best in midFebruary, despite some inclement weather and power problems. See photos on page A12 and read some of the news on pages A13 and A11. PHOTO/TOM SERIO Find even more online, www.the-triton.com.
In late January, one day after rogue waves pounded Portosole marina in Sanremo, about 30 agents from the Guardia di Finanza armed with search warrants boarded and searched at least six yachts in Sanremo. The officials targeted foreignflagged vessels and asked for fuel tax-related documents, including charter contracts, oil record books and bunkering agreements. Apparently, according to several captains whose yachts were searched, the officers were trying to identify foreign vessels that have bought dutyfree fuel in the past five years. Commercially registered vessels are permitted to buy duty-free fuel with a valid charter agreement, according to Italian law 504. Last year, however, some customs officers argued that non-EU-flagged vessels that do not have an Italian fiscal agent cannot pay VAT on the charter
because they aren’t registered in the Italian fiscal system and therefore are not entitled to duty-free fuel. “This is a hallucination of some custom officers,” said Silvio Rossi, owner of the Savona, Italy-based fuel bunkering company Rossmare. “Law 504 does not state that allegation. “Unfortunately, the technical government that succeeded the Berlusconi government in late 2011, while imposing VAT on charters in Italian waters, did not gave the right direction to the administration offices in order to avoid confusion, especially toward the foreign operators in the yachting industry.” Italian law on duty free fuel has not changed, he said. It’s just unclear. “Italian law 504/95 says that all the vessels sailing in EU waters, except private pleasure boats, are exempt from paying duty on fuel,” Rossi said. “The difference between a private pleasure
See SEARCH, page A4
Captains: Lots of cash, youth contribute to crew drug use Drug use among yacht crew is a complex subject. It begins with safety and liability issues and stretches to include personal freedom and crew dynamics. Preventing drugs from becoming an issue on board is doable, agreed the captains invited to have this From the Bridge conversation at The Lucy Chabot Reed Triton’s monthly captains lunch, but it’s not a given. Even masterfully announcing the zero-tolerance approach won’t prevent drug use among crew. While it will facilitate their dismissal from one yacht, it doesn’t wipe it out of an industry in which lives are at stake.
So how prevalent is it, and how do yacht captains deal with it? “Anyone who thinks they [crew] aren’t doing drugs is deluding themselves,” one captain said. “It’s prevalent in our society and it’s prevalent with crew who have disposable income.” “That’s the root of all evil in yachting: the cash to do what they want to do,” said another. 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. “Crew come back to the boat with $800 shoes, $1,200 boots,” a captain said. “Every time they go out, they’re confronted with ‘do I do this or don’t I?’”
“I hope the majority of crew are saying no,” said another captain. His colleagues didn’t think so. And every place crew gather – especially any place with an afterhours club scene such as Miami’s South Beach – drugs show up and crew get tempted. “It’s anywhere like-minded crew congregate,” a captain said. “It just takes one bad apple. They can’t say no. Sooner or later, they get caught up in it.” “It’s just rampant,” another said. “It’s going to implode in yachting very soon.” OK, hold it. Seriously? All around us, we see these magnificent vessels being managed and run by professionals,
See BRIDGE, page A15
TRITON SURVEY
Are drugs used by the captain/crew on your vessel?
Never–80.9% Sometimes –14.0% Often –5.1%
– Story, C1
A March 2013
WHAT’S INSIDE
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Is that what I think it is?
Yup. A captain recently found this little bag of cocaine in the pocket of his jacket, which he loaned to a crew member the night before. Read more about drug use PHOTO/DAVID REED among yacht crew on page C1.
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LATITUDE ADJUSTMENT
Lazy Z, IYC Crew pull off fun fundraising event for charity I love it when a plan comes together. I first learned about M/Y Lazy Z’s efforts to raise money for breast cancer research during its yacht hop at the Antigua Charter Yacht Show in early December. At the time, they knew they were heading to St. Maarten and they knew they Latitude wanted to run Adjustment 100km as a crew. Lucy Chabot Reed But they weren’t sure then how it was going to happen. Enter IYC’s crew placement division. The staff there found sponsors and organized what they called the IYC Crew and Lazy Z First Annual Limitless Marathon, held at Isle de Sol Marina on Feb. 2. A 1km route was mapped out (basically from the bar to the marina gate), which crew ran over and over, in relays and in teams. About 80 crew participated, many in pink, some in wildly fun outfits. They paid $10 entry fees (all donated to the cause) and $1 for each km completed. They ran 1,270km total and, combined with what they raised in Antigua, put $5,000 together for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Allow me to give them a little welldeserved credit. Deckhand Byron Finnerty of M/Y Odessa completed 43km – slightly more than a marathon – in 4 hours and won an Ozone Kitesurf. First Officer Mark Dorman of M/ Y Darlings Danama was right behind him, completing 42km. For second place, he won kite surfing lessons with B2 Kite school in Marigot. Deckhand Lindsay Moore of M/Y Huntress was right behind him, completing 41km to take third place
and winning a shark dive adventure with Ocean Explorers. Hannah McArdle, also from M/Y Huntress, also completed 41km to win 350 euros worth of champagne courtesy of VSF. Best costume while running went to the crew of M/Y 4You who won prizes from Trisport and a photoshoot at a location of their choice on the island. The IYC Crew Facebook page has more than 400 photos from the event. Find them at facebook.com/iycrew. Congratulations to the generous crew of Lazy Z for dreaming this up and to the folks at IYC Crew for making it happen. Ya’ll make yachting look good. (Those little pink bikinis don’t hurt, either.) Capt. Paul Preston got married on Valentine’s Day. Part of a countysponsored event, 31 couples joined in the romantic day held at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach. His bride is Marjorie Keefe from Narragansett, R.I. They followed the rather public ceremony with a private reception for friends and family. Capt. Preston said it was he and Keefe’s fourth attempt at getting married. “It’s not easy being a captain and fitting domestic events into busy schedules,” he said. Here’s wishing you a long marriage as lovely as your wedding. Capt. Paul Canavan has taken over the triple engine jet boat M/Y Diamond, a 116-foot yacht that can go 50 knots. He and his crew are cruising Alaska this summer with the American owner under a U.S. flag. It’s a corporate job, and throughout the interview process, “not one red flag went up.” “They’re a classic, elegant family,” he said last month. “I’m pretty happy.” Have you made an adjustment in your latitude recently? Let us know: lucy@the-triton.com.
March 2013 A
A March 2013
FROM THE FRONT: Italian search
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Agent: Charter yachts can still get duty-free fuel in Italy SEARCH, from page A1 boat and a yacht in commercial use is that the passengers, also called guests, pay a fee to cruise on the yacht but management of the yacht belongs to the yacht owner. Basically, there is a separation between who provides the yacht and who enjoys the yacht.” Traditionally, a charter contract has been enough to prove that distinction. What happened in Sanremo in late January has to do with a police investigation surrounding the libretto di controllo, a fuel log book, which all Italian and EU vessels from fishing craft to barges are required to carry. It is stamped by the capitanerie of the local port and permits the vessel to obtain duty-free fuel. Non-EU vessels cannot obtain one
of these book and must show a valid have been issued by Italian individuals charter agreement to purchase dutyto recipients who did not have the legal free fuel. requirements to carry them. “We do not His company know details of this recommends that The search ‘was operation, but we charter yachts in can say that it was Italy this season not aimed at raising not aimed at raising keep their logbooks, doubts on duty-free doubts on duty-free fuel invoices and gas availability for gas availability for charter agreement non-EU vessels,” said accessible so they non-EU vessels.’ Riccardo Ciani, head can prove at any time – Agent Riccardo Ciani of the ship’s agent that duty-free fuel Med Yacht Services company Med Yacht was purchased for Services in Sanremo. chartering purposes. “Police are targeting “There might Italian individuals who reportedly have been some fuel log book monkey issued phoney libretto di controllo so business going on,” Rossi said about vessels could buy tax-free gas even the search warrants and boardings in while operating for private purpose.” Sanremo in late January. “Since the law Apparently dozens of these books is clear, if someone obtained duty-free
fuel without a charter contract and a charter company owning the yacht, the supply was illegal.” Although the two captains whose yachts were searched in Sanremo are confident they acquired their fuel lawfully, being visited by Italian authorities was still unpleasant. Generally, the search and the paperwork took in excess of six hours. The officials boarded the yachts in Sanremo in groups of four or five and said they had the authority to search the boat and, if they wished, to remove computers, hard drives and smart phones that could help in their investigations. One captain said they were not in uniform. “It is quite intimidating when these people come on board,” said this captain, skipper of a yacht of less than 50m, who asked not to be identified for fear of harming his upcoming charter season. “They will not show any identification nor give you their names. I feel that they should at least be in uniform and without doubt, should properly identify themselves. “I also feel that since they are deliberately targeting non-Italian boats, they should have with them at least one person who speaks English,” this captain said, adding that they did not, for the most part, speak English. According to the chief engineer on another yacht that was searched, all contractors and workers were escorted off the vessel and the crew were told to remain below while the officers searched the yacht. One crew member was able to accompany the officers, as was the ship’s agent. Several captains and crew expressed concerned about having to relinquish their original log books and other documents. When one engineer asked when they might be returned, he was told when the case was closed. The officers could not give him a date. Both captains said their vessels were thoroughly searched, including each drawer and locker, and officers demanded to see inside any safes they found. One captain noted that the officers were persistent in their questions about the owner, whether the owner had any personal belongings or clothes onboard, and also asked if the captain lived ashore. “For any yachts heading back to the Mediterranean from the Caribbean, if they are non-EU flagged, and if at any time in the last five years they have bought fuel duty-free in Italy, I would strongly suggest that they think seriously before venturing into Italian waters until the court cases have been heard and we see what are the consequences,” one captain said. Lucy Chabot Reed is editor of The Triton. Comments on this story are welcome at lucy@the-triton.com.
A March 2013
NEWS BRIEFS
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Crew member dies in fall; Sea Shepherd stops whaling Crew dies in fall off yacht
A crew member from the 139-foot (42m) M/Y Calliope died in an accident in Sydney Harbour on Feb. 8, according to news reports. The man fell overboard and is it believed he was crushed between the yacht and pylon as it went under a bridge. He was reported to be in his late 20s or early 30s. The yacht had just left the Super Yacht Marina in Blackwattle Bay and was passing through the disused Glebe Island Bridge when the man fell overboard shortly before 2 p.m., according to the Daily Telegraph Witnesses told the newspaper that the man’s crew members frantically screamed at a passing boat to warn the driver that there was a man in the water. Two crew had to be treated by paramedics for shock, the newspaper reported.
Japanese whaling stopped
Poaching operations by the Japanese whaling fleet were shut down in midFebruary after Sea Shepherd interfered with its mother ship. Sea Shepherd’s ship the Bob Barker chased the M/V Nisshin Maru south in the Cooperation Sea, until they reached the Amery Ice Shelf, at which time the Nisshin Maru turned around, according
to a report on the Sea Shepherd Web site (seashepherd.org.au). The Bob Barker and fellow Sea Shepherd ship Steve Irwin plan to follow the factory ship for the duration of the whaling season. Cooperation Sea is off Antarctica, within the Australian Antarctic Territory, and south of India. The temperature was -9 degrees C and the sea around the ships was filled with icebergs, Sea Shepherd reported. “Back in September 2007, the upand-coming Australian government stated that it had the guts to stand up to the whalers,” said Operation Zero Tolerance co-campaign leader Bob Brown. “Well, it’s been over five years now and if it were not for Sea Shepherd, over 4,000 whales would have had their lives extinguished as a result of these cruel and barbaric poachers,” he said in a statement. “Sea Shepherd is doing the work that the Australian people want to see done.” Sea Shepherd Australian Director Jeff Hansen said, “I believe Antarctica is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, a place that gives you a taste of one of the last wild places left on our planet. “This is the whales’ summer feeding grounds,” he said. “It’s an established
whale sanctuary and it is illegal to kill whales under Australian Federal Law. Yet here we have seen these poachers from Japan rubbing all Australians’ noses in it by chasing down and harpooning an adult Minke whale in Australia’s waters.” Since Jan. 29, the Sea Shepherd fleet has chased the Japanese whaling fleet for 2,500 miles westward from the Ross Sea.
Fuel line leak caused fire
The U.S. Coast Guard released preliminary findings in mid-February that the engine room fire that crippled the Carnival Triumph in the Gulf of Mexico was caused by a leak in the fuel line. A flexible hose attached to a fuel line leaked onto a hot surface, sparking flames. Crew members quickly contained the fire, but it is not clear why the ship lost total power and why it was disabled for four days and had to be towed back to port. U.S. participation in the inquiry is expected to last six months. As the cruise ship has a Bahamas’ flag, the Bahamian government is heading the investigation.
New rules in Frisco Bay
The U.S. Coast Guard has enforced
new rules preventing outbound ships weighing more than 1,600 tons from passing under San Francisco’s Bay Bridge during heavy fog. The new restrictions aim to prevent marine casualties similar to January’s Overseas Reymar allusion, as well as the 2007 Cosco Busan disaster. Fog was a factor in both of these incidents where visibility was about a quartermile. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the USCG implemented the rules after the San Francisco Harbor Safety Committee voted unanimously to bar ships weighing more than 1,600 gross tons from sailing out of the bay when visibility is less than half a mile. Although the rules are voluntary, the Coast Guard said it expects universal compliance. Under the new rules, announced in mid-February, ships must radio their location and report any restricted weather conditions to the Vessel Traffic Service. If visibility is not severely restricted, vessels heading out to sea will be allowed to pass through the two widest gaps between towers. When visibility is less than half a mile, outbound ships will be kept in port, while inbound ships will be advised to
See NEWS BRIEFS, page A7
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NEWS BRIEFS
March 2013 A
Private pirate navy goes live; Panama PSC to inspect meds NEWS BRIEFS, from page A6 use extreme caution. The safety panel left out inbound vessels from the visibility rule because of worries that it could threaten the ships’ safety outside the Golden Gate Bridge.
Private pirate army goes live
Typhon Maritime Security Service has launched its marine convoy escort service, giving ship operators transiting the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean an alternative to ride-on guards, also known as VPDs (Vessel Protection Detachments or Details). Typhon is a private army made up of former senior Royal Navy and Royal Marines officers and backed by two major international shipping companies. It offers a naval-grade convoy service to ships at risk of piracy in these waters. With the wind-down of the EUNAFOR’s naval presence in the Gulf of Aden in 2014, piracy is likely to escalate, the company said in a news release. Typhon’s close protection vessels (CPVs) shadow client vessels using its umbrella concept, which consists of surveillance, detection and early warning capabilities to identify and assess any likely or suspected threats. Armored patrol boats are also involved.
The convoys travel in a protected “envelope,” which make it difficult for pirates to enter the protection zone to launch an attack. The use of force is a last resort and is reasonable and proportionate using the minimum amount of force necessary, the company said in the release. “Typhon was created in order address the specific threat from pirates in a number of key geographies,” said Anthony Sharp, CEO of Typhon. “The areas we will protect are too vast for current naval resources to monitor effectively and this will be an even bigger issue when Operation Atlanta comes to an end. “Our mantra is to combat the problem of maritime crime and piracy using methods that are both effective and proportionate to the threat,” he said. “With millions paid out in ransoms to pirates and much more money lost by businesses in fuel costs avoiding pirates, it is important that businesses are granted a safer passage with their cargo through dangerous waters.”
Panama PSC to inspect meds
The Panama Maritime Authority has issued a Merchant Marine Notice advising that its Flag and Port State Control Officers (FSCOs and PSCOs) are conducting inspection and
verification of medicine chests, medical equipment and guides on board ships in Panamanian jurisdictional waters. “The Flag State and Port State Control surveyors shall ensure the control of labels, expiration dates, conditions for the conservation of medicines and the corresponding prospects, as well as the proper functioning of the equipment,” the notice reads. “Personnel in charge of on board medical assistance must have satisfactorily completed a medical first aid or medical care training in accordance to the requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW, 1978); Rule VI/4; Section AVI/4, Paragraphs 1-6.” These requirements came into effect Jan. 1. The full text of the notice is available at http:// panamatravelsolution.com.
Sequoia case dismissed
The Supreme Court of the State of New York has dismissed a legal complaint against FE Partners that alleged it tried to improperly wrest control of the former presidential yacht, the U.S.S. Sequoia. The judge ruled that a complaint filed by the owner of the Sequoia “is dismissed in
its entirety.” The judge’s order came the day after FE Partners filed its response in the case, which chronicled how the Sequoia’s owner had hidden and neglected debts and had repeatedly violated the terms of its loan agreement with FE Partners. “We are pleased that the New York Supreme Court promptly dismissed this unfounded complaint, so that we can again devote our attention to preserving a treasured piece of American history that many call ‘the floating White House,’” said Richard Graf, legal counsel for FE Partners. A national historic landmark, the 104-foot yacht was built in 1925 and served every president from Herbert Hoover through Gerald Ford. President Kennedy celebrated his last birthday aboard the Sequoia, and a melancholy President Nixon played “God Bless America” on its piano upon deciding to resign from the White House. World leaders have met with U.S. presidents on the Sequoia, arguably the most important piece of American history in private hands. Though owned by an Indian businessman, FE Partners said in a statement it is committed to keeping the Sequoia in the United States and properly funding its maintenance.
A March 2013 NETWORKING LAST MONTH: AERE Docking Solutions
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ore than 150 captains, crew and industry professionals joined us as we networked with Aere Docking Solutions in Ft. Lauderdale on Feb. 6. Delicious sushi, sashimi, wings and satay kept our guests mingling and making new connections. Join us on the first Wednesday (and often the third Wednesday) of every month for Triton networking. PHOTOS/LUCY REED, SHALOM WEISS
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www.the-triton.com NETWORKING LAST MONTH: Tess Electrical
bout 200 yacht captains and crew and industry professionals joined us on the third Wednesday in February for networking with Tess Electrical. Our events are open to the industry, so make plans to join us on the first and third Wednesday of the month. See pages C2 and C3 for details. PHOTOS/DAVID REED
March 2013 A
The Triton
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CREW NEWS
March 2013 A11
Now-sober stew takes her mettle out for a 4,200-mile bike ride By Lucy Chabot Reed Stew Whitney Fair used to drink. Living in the art and entertainment scene in New York and Los Angeles, partying was a big part of her life. When she got into yachting a few years ago, she fit right in, always ready for a night out with her mates. One night camping in Utah with her best friend, they decided to ride bicycles across the United States. Never mind that neither one of them owned a bike or that her friend, Promise, had never even learned how to ride one. “It was nothing more than beers at a campfire and my friend said let’s do this,” said Fair, a tall, slender woman with bright eyes and a quick smile. “I didn’t put a whole lot of thought into it. It wasn’t ‘why?’; it was ‘why not?’.” Then in October of 2011, freshly 30 and with this adventure looming in her future, she stopped drinking. “With my free time, I was always going out,” she said. “It wasn’t fun anymore, drinking, cutting loose. I needed a lifestyle change.” In yachting just a year, she left the 88-foot Westport M/Y Seas the Moment and flew to Las Vegas the following May. Two weeks of training with Promise and they flew to Oregon to begin a summer on two wheels, riding the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail from
Astoria, Ore., to Yorktown, Va., 4,233 miles. It took them 90 days. Fair said she faced a lot of resistance from family and friends. Though her parents supported the ride, others told her she was crazy. “You’re not a cyclist,” they’d say. “You’re not an athlete. What makes you think you can do this?” “I kept thinking ‘I’m going to do this; you’re just adding fuel to the fire’,” she said. “It might take us five or six months, but we’re going to do it.” Finally, she asked a guy in her bike shop if he thought she was crazy. “Absolutely not,” he told her. “Anyone can do it. Maybe you only ride 20 miles or 40 miles a day, but you can do it.” After that, the trip was a go. “I’m an extremist,” Fair admitted. “If I’m going to ride my bike, I’m not going to do it across one state, I’m going across the country. Either I drink or I don’t drink. Sometimes I wish I had more balance, but if I did, I wouldn’t have done some amazing things.” While the extreme bike-riding adventure fits her personality, having done it has given her back much more than it cost in blisters and sores. “This trip changed my life,” she said, tears welling in her eyes. “I proved to myself that I can do anything I set my mind to. … Why waste time thinking about it? If you have a goal, put it in your mind, visualize it and make it
Stew Whitney Fair of M/Y Current Issue rode her bicycle more than 4,000 PHOTO/LUCY REED miles last summer in an adventure that changed her life. happen. It’s just that simple.” And coupled with her decision to stop drinking, it’s also powerful stuff. “I don’t think I would have done this trip if I hadn’t stopped drinking.” Fair kept a journal of her trip, complete with photos and videos. She shared her funny, often irreverent blog posts with family and friends at MyFirstSoberSummer.com. She has recently made her posts live, sharing one a day with followers of the CrazyGuyOnABike.com site, where it was the featured blog in mid-February. Back in yachting now and solo stew on the 91-foot Burger M/Y Current
Issue, she’s not sure what the future holds. She plans to visit Australia and wants to hike the Appalachian Trail. This fall, she hopes to take acting classes. Her dream in life is to work on Saturday Night Live. “Why not?” she said with a smile. “Every palm reader and psychic and fortune teller I’ve ever talked to told me I’ll probably figure it out later in life, but that’s OK because I’m really enjoying the ride.” Lucy Chabot Reed is editor of The Triton. Comments are welcome at lucy@the-triton.com.
A12 March 2013 BOAT SHOW: Yacht & Brokerage Show
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acht crew were at their best at the annual Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach in February, despite one afternoon of heavy rain and one day of chilly weather. It’s a boat show; the weather just refuses to cooperate. PHOTOS/LUCY REED, TOM SERIO
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www.the-triton.com BOAT SHOW: Yacht & Brokerage Show
March 2013 A13
Power fluctuations send some megayachts to generators By Lucy Chabot Reed At least a dozen large yachts struggled with inconsistent electrical power while docked in the Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach in mid-February, so much so that they spent some or all of the show on the yacht’s generator power. Problems ranged from too few amps to too many hertz, to brownouts and blackouts. A few yachts had electrical components destroyed from voltage spikes and surges. The engine room fire suppression system on one yacht discharged after a surge and outage about an hour before the show opened on Thursday, Feb. 14. By the next morning, the engineer switched to generator power for the rest of the fiveday show. “There’s always a problem at all shows where power is inadequate at peak times,” said Mike Prado, director of sales for Atlas Marine Supply in Ft. Lauderdale. “We run into it every year.” Several captains acknowledged that power problems are nothing new, but this year seemed worse. “We get blackouts at other shows, but this is completely off the charts,” said Capt. Ennalls Berl of the 130-foot Westport M/Y My Colors. After a series of outages in the days leading up the show, Berl gathered a petition with the names, phone numbers and outage history of six yachts near him. One 120-foot yacht had a voltage spike that destroyed a part of his radar. According to several yacht captains, Show Management’s electrical crew worked on the issues throughout the show but had not fixed them. “Although they are pleasant and responsive, the issue has not been resolved and it’s causing damage to our boat,” Berl said. A component in his Headhunter system was destroyed during a surge. Power came into the show off Collins Avenue via 11 generators provided by Aggreko, the UK-based generator rental company that supplied power to the Olympics and the Superbowl, among other global events. Those diesel-powered machines provided 9 megawatts of power to service the massive power demands of the 500 vessels in the show. That power was run to transformers throughout the show. Dane Graziano, senior vice president and COO of Show Management, said early interruptions in power were attributed to bad fuel, causing one generator to shut down so a fuel filter could be replaced. On another occasion, “someone accidently hit the emergency shut-off ” button on one of the generators. Other power hiccups are the standard problems with creating and distributing power, he said, including voltage drops, surges and outages
during peak loads. “Carrying power 500 feet, you’re going to have it,” Graziano said. “It’s not only our facility. These yachts go everywhere and these engineers are very picky. Power isn’t always as clean as they would like. It’s pretty common.” Several yachts opted to run the generators full time beginning the second day of the show rather than chance spikes and damage to electronic equipment, pumps and motors. M/Y My Colors was docked beside one of those yachts and has exhaust wafting over the aft deck for most of the show. He resisted switching to
generators and instead kept calling Show Management’s electrical team, hoping the problems would be fixed. They weren’t. By Sunday, he was hooked up to shore power after complaining for more than a week. By contrast, a neighboring yacht was able to prove through electronic readings that the power problem was shoreside and was hooked up to shore power before the show began. “But for some guy crying three times a day, they left me sobbing,” Berl said. “I think they were hoping I’d get over it, turn on my generators and shut up.” Graziano said his staff will revisit
the issues when the show breakdown had finished. And they will continue to work with FPL to get more live power hook-ups. The show already has four. “We want more FPL live power,” he said, noting that when the show began 25 years ago, there was no power or water on the dock. Since then, residency has gone up more than eight fold. “The underground power is maxed out but we’re still trying to get a couple more.” Lucy Chabot Reed is editor of The Triton. Comments on this story are welcome at lucy@the-triton.com.
A14 March 2013
CREW NEWS
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Lady Lola, YAG help kids on Panama’s Islas Secas This Valentine’s Day, the local school system in the greater Chiriqui region of northwest Panama received a gift unlike the traditional chocolates and flowers. The crew of the 63m Oceanco M/Y Lady Lola transported 38 cubic feet of notebooks, pencils and general school supplies from Panama City to the Islas Secas Resort where the many boxes were dropped off for distribution. Islas Secas is one of 16 volcanic islands about 25 miles south of mainland Panama. The supplies and about $4,000 in collected donations will help children aged 5-13 in four schools, according to Judi Tucker at YachtAid Global (YAG), who coordinated this delivery. Most of the schools have about 300 students each. “We received a wish list from the teachers and adapted the shopping list accordingly so as also to eliminate too many plastic items (like pens for the kids) as these always end up in the sea,” Tucker said. The crew of Lady Lola were excited to help the children and bought about 10 percent more supplies to donate, their captain said. “We crew are so fortunate to have these great jobs with low expenses, steady income and the benefit of traveling the world,” said Capt. Mac
McDonald, pictured above, far left. “It was so easy to give some hope to some kids out in the middle of nowhere.” YAG is a non-profit organization based in the yachting industry. It gathers donations of school and medical supplies and solicits yachts to deliver them as they pass near needy communities and villages around the world. M/Y Seawolf is signed up to transport another delivery in Panama this month. – Staff report; photos by Sandra Toporova
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www.the-triton.com FROM THE BRIDGE: Crew drug use
March 2013 A15
Captain: Create a culture onboard to curb crew drug use can spot signs of drug use, the captains said. They see it all the time, on the people who have invested thousands of yacht docked next to them that dollars and years of their lives to build doesn’t get on deck until 10 o’clock, careers. All that’s going to implode? on the yacht with the sloppy arrival “It’s mostly kids in their 20 and early procedures and on the crew who don’t 30s,” one captain noted take pride in their yachts. And like “kids” in any walk of life, “They see it all the time, and they are more want to experiment we’re not afraid to talk about it,” this with their freedom and society’s risky captain said. “Their personal time is a behavior. The difference, they agreed, is reflection on me. This is why I have a that yacht crew have a lot of cash and right to be concerned.” frequent places where access to drugs His existing crew tend to filter out is easy. the bad apples, he said. So it starts with “I have no problem with it at all,” one the culture on the yacht of not wanting captain said. “I believe it’s who I hire. I that sort of behavior onboard. don’t hire those people.” And it continues with hiring likeminded crew, another captain said. Age plays a part “In the interview, I spend most of Another captain also noted that his the time talking about what they do crew tend to be older, most often in on their personal time, their interests their 30s, and so hasn’t had much of a and hobbies,” this captain said. “That problem onboard. tells me a lot about what kind of a crew When asked if even his deckhands member they’ll be and how they’ll fit are in their 30s, he acknowledged that in.” some of his crew are younger, but that After the interview, though, how drugs aren’t permitted onboard. does the topic of drugs come up? Do There’s that easy, zero-tolerance you even talk about it? Do you have line, one which most captains will say meetings about it? they employ. And yet there is drug use “Yes, we’ll have among crew. How a meeting and talk does it happen? about it, especially ‘Every captain “We’re all strict when it’s happened captains, but we’ve develops a culture and the crew are all had to fire talking about it,” one on their yacht and someone over this,” captain said. with their crew. You one captain said, to “When we move agreement from his have to pay attention the boat, I’ll tell them peers. about where we’re to the culture “On a crew with going and remind 10-15 crew, you’re you develop or it them what to be on not going to control the lookout for.” becomes something what they do on “Any excuse you don’t like.’ their personal time,” to disseminate the first captain – Attending captain information is an admitted. “But excuse to have a I’ve had very little meeting and an problem. Every excuse to have this conversation,” captain develops a culture on their another captain said. yacht and with their crew. You have “We’ll be in a new location and the to pay attention to the culture you crew are all getting ready to go out; I develop or it becomes something you can feel the vibe,” said a third. “I’ll get don’t like.” them together for a little sit down. The crew and the yacht will develop “I tell them ‘This is a small town. It’s a culture whether the captain likes not unusual for someone to come up it or not, he said. It could be one of and start asking you what you do, and secrets kept from the captain and crew for you to start talking about the boat. covering for each other or one in which After that, everything you do reflects the crew won’t put up with behavior back on this boat and on me.” that could cost them their jobs or their life. Casual seaches help “It’s happened twice in my career,” Some captains will do the occasional this captain said about dealing with a cabin search if suspicions warrant it. crew member who was using drugs. “In “We have cleaning inspections,” one both instances, other crew flushed it captain said with a smile. “We’re polite out. They tell the first mate who comes and ask, can you open that? Or we can to me. have a look without asking. We know “We talk a lot about guilt by there’s a valve under there that needs to association on my boat,” he said. be checked.” “I tell them, in St. Maarten and Ft. One captain told of a colleague who Lauderdale, there’s an environment had the crew switch cabins every few you’ll encounter and here’s what it is. weeks. We talk about it in reference to the “In doing so, everybody finds out reputation of the boat.” what everyone else has got,” he said. Crew, perhaps better than anyone, “You’ve got to create a culture that
BRIDGE, from page A1
polices itself,” another captain said. “They can’t hide it from their crew mates.” “Crew need to know we’re looking at it,” said a third. “And newbies need to know to leave it ashore.”
Random drug tests not the answer
There was some discussion on random drug tests and if captains used them. Some have, some don’t. In one instance, a crew member went to the mate and said there was a problem. They tested the whole crew and the results were negative. “They bring urine in bags to the
test,” one captain said. “They get it from a friend and keep it in a little plastic bag. They tuck it [next to their groin] so it gets warm. That’s how they get around it.” “They can hide their drug use from you [the captain] but they can’t hide it from all their crew mates,” another captain said. “And those crew don’t want to risk what they’ve worked so hard to build.” Another captain noted that when requesting drug tests, captains have to add on the form that the results
See BRIDGE, page A16
A16 March 2013 FROM THE BRIDGE: Crew drug use
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Captains responsible for keeping users out of work BRIDGE, from page A15 go back to the captain or the boat manager. Drug tests, however, are powerful in their simple presence. In one case when a captain told one of his crew he would have to take a drug test, the crew member declined and voluntarily left the yacht.
Drugs not the only problem
Crew drug use is more recreation than addiction, these captains agreed, but it still affects job performance and reflects on the yacht. “I think [alcohol] is a much bigger problem,” another captain said. “Excessive drinking is a bigger problem to police than drug use.” But doesn’t the same conversation about reputations and reflection on the yacht work with alcohol abuse as well? “It’s tough because it’s so much more socially acceptable,” one captain said. “And they can still be functional because they are so young,” said another. “That’s the biggest problem I’ve had.” “Drinking is a social thing,” said a third. “You can tell them about your liability until you’re blue in the face, they don’t care.” When it comes to drug use, however, there’s not a lot of middle ground. Where things get murky is when it comes time to hire. How do crew with drug use issues land jobs on yachts? Can you give them a bad reference? “I say I would not rehire them,” one captain said. “I tell anyone that calls about them that they are not eligible for rehire. I don’t have to say why.” “But how many calls do we get?” another captain asked, making a circle with his forefinger and thumb. “Zero.” “I get maybe five a year, for the dozens of crew I’ve hired over the
Attendees of The Triton’s March Bridge luncheon were, from left, Rick Lenardson of M/Y Status Quo/Richmond Lady, Greg Clark (looking),Clark M. Shimeall Jr. of M/Y Joana, Tim Hull (looking), Andrew Hutchins (looking) and Chris Lewis of M/Y Ellix Too. PHOTO/LUCY REED years,” said a third. “Most captains don’t bother to call.” One captain in the room acknowledged that he was one of those captains that didn’t call on the crew member he should have, one of the crew using drugs that he recently fired. “I didn’t call references because I needed someone right away,” he said. “We can’t expect crew agencies to do our due diligence,” another said. And who polices the police? What about management companies and the owners? Do they ever drug test you? “I’ve never been drug tested by a management company,” one captain said. Just two of the six captains in attendance had. “I don’t understand how professional
yacht companies don’t make it part of their responsibilities to enforce drug testing on all the boats in their fleet,” this captain said. The U.S. captains noted that they are entered into a random drug testing pool. But it doesn’t come up often. Once in his career, one captain said. Another was in the islands when his name came up, and postponed it. It never came up again. Lucy Chabot Reed is editor of The Triton. Comments on this story are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com. If you make your living working as a yacht captain, e-mail us for an invitation to our monthly Bridge luncheon.
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WRITE TO BE HEARD
It takes a captain to educate Lauderdale about yachts Like many yacht captains, Capt. Keith Moore of the 190-foot M/Y Lady Sheridan lives in Ft. Lauderdale. Whenever he can, he docks the yacht here. Last month, he told the city’s marine advisory board why. “I live locally,” he said. “I prefer to spend my money Editor’s Notebook here, and to have my crew here.” Lucy Chabot Reed A peek at what the yacht spends here: $1,400 a night for dockage (not including electricity); $140,000$160,000 for fuel, twice over the winter; $55,000 in catering for a weekend event onboard for more than 100 guests, more than the chef can handle solo; $1,700 a month for a rental car, times three (two Toyota Corollas and a minivan); provisions for his crew of 15, including three meals a day, every day, not to mention all the other things they need to live -- from shampoo to toilet paper. His crew are, as he says, paid very well, and with no living expenses they tend to shop and frequent nice restaurants, hotels, and clubs. “Yachties spend money foolishly,” he said simply. “They eat out, they buy nice clothes, fancy purses.” He likes the idea of all that money staying in Ft. Lauderdale. He can’t haul out in Ft. Lauderdale but prefers to support a Ft. Lauderdale company, so he sails to Bradford Marine’s facility in Freeport and where he’ll spend $40,000 for a bottom job. At the end of the month, he’ll head there again to drop his stabilizers. Ft. Lauderdale’s Quantum Marine will fly over to do the work. Between September and early February, the yacht has spent more than $300,000 on shipyard work, most if not all to Ft. Lauderdale companies. He said he’s got a little more to spend, about $50,000. And all the yacht’s supplies come from Ft. Lauderdale-based provisioning companies. All told, he’ll spend more than a million dollars in the six months Lady Sheridan is here. Why does he do it? We certainly don’t make it easy for him. The slip where he docks is so badly silted in that he needs a tow boat to pull him off. Power is so inadequate that the yacht runs its generators when it’s here. And still, he comes. He’s been in yachting since 1986, when Ft. Lauderdale was one of the few places to find everything yachts needed. The yachts came here for the craftsmen and labor who knew how to
take care of yachts. And they still do. What’s been lagging is a city with the vision to keep up, and with officials who understand the value of this industry here. “Ft. Lauderdale wants to proclaim ourselves the yachting capital of the world but we’re falling way behind,” Moore told the members of the marine advisory board. “I drive a 190-footer, and I’m small when I go to the Med. I tie up in the Med and I only see the sun at noon because of the huge yachts on either side of me.” And then you look at Simpson Bay. “There’s a ton of hardware sitting there because they can’t dock here,” he said. A captain called him and offered him money to leave his Ft. Lauderdale slip a day early so he wouldn’t have to anchor out. Without some major changes in the regions political power players, there’s only so much the city can offer. The water under the 17th Street Causeway bridge can’t get much deeper because of power lines and such buried there. The ICW is on a schedule to be dredged to 17 feet all the way up to Sunrise Harbor, a depth that thrills local officials but didn’t impress Moore at all. The easy solution is to get some stern-to dockage out in front of the Convention Center on the southwest part of the ICW at the bridge. That might accommodate five yachts, sternto. “In the Med, I pay 2,000 euros a night and I have a 35-foot beam,” Moore said. “I’m charged for 190 feet but I’m only using 35 feet of real estate.” Moore would like to see more of the Dania Cut-off Canal developed for megayachts. “I don’t think people realize the resources that are here for us,” he said. “When I’m not here, every time I want a part, I have got to fly it in, pay customs, pay the agent, and it’s not easy. “There are so many talented people in this area and they spend money on the technology to keep up, but unfortunately we don’t have the real estate to park [the yachts] here.” So Frank Herhold, former executive director of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida and current member of the Marine Advisory Board, made a motion to recommend the city meet with Broward County officials to begin feasibility studies on stern-to dockage in front of the port, and ensure that that sort of dockage is part of any hotel built on the site. Let’s see if they listen. Lucy Chabot Reed is editor of The Triton. Comments on this column are welcome at lucy@the-triton.com.
March 2013 A17
A18 March 2013 WRITE TO BE HEARD
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Telling us to lie to Mexican authorities not the best idea In your story “Cruising in Mexico may surprise yachts,” [page B1, February issue], I take exception to this paragraph: “If they ask, ‘do you have guns, drugs,’ say no and let them look around,” said Dick Markie, a long-time area cruiser and harbor master at Paradise Village Marina. “They take for granted that you have guns and that they are locked up. If you say yes, they have to write it up in the paperwork.” Really? I cruised western Caribbean quite a bit, though it has been some time since I boated in Mexico. Even so, there was always the understanding that lying to federal officers was not really the right thing to do. I always told them about the guns, all the guns. Sometimes we were able to keep them on-board securely locked up and sometimes the navy (in Isla Mujeres) kept them until departure. It appears that Mr. Markie is
advising us to commit a crime, or am I wrong? Regardless, notwithstanding his intimate knowledge of Mexico, this would most certainly set one up for serious bribes with officers of questionable character, something of which Mexico has an abundance. The rest of the article was well written and interesting. Capt. James St. Julien Owner, Caribbean Aero Nautical Ft. Lauderdale Editor’s note: We ran that sentence past Dick Markie, who wanted to clarify. “I did not mean for yacht captains to lie. What I meant to say was that on megayachts, officers very seldom ask about guns. They almost take for granted that yacht crew have a way of defending their vessels. “If they do ask, the answer should be ‘none that are coming ashore, and they are locked in a safe.’”
Turnout at valuable captains briefing was embarrassing I was one of the lucky few who attended the U.S. Superyacht Association’s Captain’s Briefing at Isle de Sol in Sint Maarten on Jan. 16-17. Topics covered included weapons on board, hired security teams and support, new technology and ISPS regulations. On the second day, STCW, LYC3 and Port State Control/Paris MOU were discussed. (We’ve all heard the acronyms; this was the way to find out how they directly affect us, our crew and our vessels.) Lastly, we were briefed on the North American west coast as a cruising ground and, specifically, the America’s Cup events in San Francisco this fall. A quick look at Google showed me about 155 slips in Simpson Bay Lagoon and Marina Fort Louis for vessels larger than 35m. Let’s add at least 10 more that were likely anchored in Simpson Bay or off Marigot, and a few yachts in Philipsburg. That’s roughly 165 yachts with a crew of more than four. Out of 35 slips in Isle de Sol, three vessels appeared to have guests, about 10 percent. So excluding those, that still left about 150 yachts or about 600 captains and crew potentially available for the briefings. On the first day of the briefing, 20 crew showed up. On the second day, 30 of us attended. Now, to my way of thinking, that’s a ridiculous showing for an event that is presented to and for those crew.
Perhaps some crew weren’t interested in the topics. OK. Perhaps some were picking up guests the following day. Fine. Maybe some were in the middle of some much-needed repairs in preparation for departure. I get it. But where was everyone else? The sponsors spent a great deal of money providing this event and frankly, if I were them, I’d think very hard indeed on whether to commit to this sort of thing again. Yes, they were there to advertise, but they were also making information available that we might not find elsewhere. I mean, where else do you get to hear the prime minister of a country and her security chief discuss how yachting and their economy go hand-in-hand? Where else do you get to ask questions of a company that can provide the services we might need in a hurry when the boss changes his mind at the last second and wants to travel in pirateinfested waters? When is the next time you’ll find Marshall and Cayman Island registries in the same room stating the same facts? Oh, and did I mention free drinks in the bar afterwards? That was a sad, sad turn-out. Those captains and crew in Sint Maarten who could have attended but didn’t should be ashamed of themselves. Capt. Mac McDonald M/Y Lady Lola
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March 2013 A19
Nascar-style advertising has no place in yachting In Miami Beach last month, I was struck by a subtle change happening at boat shows. Yachts that have been for sale for a while are starting to get a NASCAR feel to them. One yacht – a new launch, no less – had banners around the satcom dome promoting its provider. Another hawked sports My Turn drinks from the David Reed gangway, its crew not in yacht uniforms but in matching polos promoting the beverage. On the surface, this might seem benign, but I believe these actions do not help sell the lifestyle that is yachting and will eventually hurt the long-term success of our industry. Almost all satcom domes are shipped from the factory with a logo on it and the first thing the largest, most private yachts do is repaint them to give the yacht a sense of prestige. We did this back in the 1980s and I can’t remember that last time I saw a logo on a large satcom dome. So why is it OK to put on logos that don’t even belong there for a boat show? I would think a yacht would want to dress itself in a more prestigious manor while trying to be bought. Is that not why we paint, scrub and polish the yachts for weeks before a show and daily during the show? The industry needs to watch the creep of marketing that is not about the owner’s enjoyment and instead about the bottom line. Brokers sell and market a lifestyle. That lifestyle is supposed to give one the sense of getting away from the advertising-ladden TImes Squares of the world and off to a more relaxed and special place. A place, incidentally, without advertising.
Owners get ‘cheap’ when expectations not met In your From the Bridge captains lunch story [“Define cheap: Captains on yachts and their owners,” page A1, February issue], two things jumped out at me: First, a yacht does not need to have commercial registration to do a few charters a year in the Caribbean. (Those are Cayman flag rules, anyway.) Second, the key phrase that I have been recently taught when dealing with expenses is to manage expectations. I have regularly filled out time cards for the stews to protect them from being laid off when we’re not on charter, but equally the stews I have on board are very supportive. If there is little to do inside, then we happily have them working outside. When we have a choice to make, I regularly have to demonstrate where two paths will take us and have the owner/ manager make their executive decision. It is then up to me to present my case, just as in all other businesses that the boss is into. Needless to say, I am getting better at presenting things so that I get the answer I am looking for. Capt. Chris Lewis M/Y Ellix Too
It’s important to look past yachting
[“Your yacht career may have a shelf life; watch for transition,” page B12, February issue]. This is a concept that I have been working hard to instill in my kids as well as my crew. I will be posting a copy on my fridge at home and in the crew mess. Thank you for the well-articulated message. Capt. Chas W Donahoe Jr. M/Y Giga-Byte
Triton reach impressive
I just wanted to take a minute and say a big thanks for the great article. [“Cruising in Mexico may surprise
yachts,” page B1, February issue]. I have never had such a response from anything I have ever done. You must be proud of the influence you command in our industry. I have had phone calls and e-mails from yacht owners, captains, maritime attorneys, other magazines and lots of personal friends. Your article made my trip to Antigua a success. Thank you again. Dick Markie Harbormaster Paradise Village Marina Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico
You have a ‘write’ to be heard. Yacht captains, crew and industry professionals are encouraged to send us your thoughts on anything that bothers you. Write to us at editorial@the-triton.com
Brilliant article by Rob Gannon
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
The Triton Directory Mike Price, mike@the-triton.com
Contributors Carol Bareuther, Capt. Mark A. Cline, Capt. Jake DesVergers, Capt. Rob Gannon, Capt. Steve Hill, Chef Mary Beth Lawton Johnson, Chief Stew Alene Keenan, Capt. David Marks, Capt. Mac McDonald, Keith Murray, David Rogers, Rossmare Intl., Tom Serio, Capt. John Wampler,
Vol. 9, No. 12
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March 2013
B Section
Triton networking. March 6 and 20. See B14.
B15 Steer clear of germs Staying healthy takes more than a ‘bless you’. B2
Joining the network Resolve Maritime Academy joins the ECDIS network. B8
Massive power Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina gets 1,000-amp power. B10
Write, think, feel, go Making decisions can be tough, but doable.
B13
More human training will cut accidents
weather services,” said First Mate Sue Mitchell of M/Y Aquilibrium, a 131-foot (40m) CRN that was in the Cantiere Navale Riviera shipyard beside the marina. “There was no wind. It had been raining and it was overcast, but nothing to signify that we’d get that kind of weather.” Swells picked up about 3:30 in the afternoon on that Wednesday with the first wave crashing over the seawall about 4 p.m. Bad weather and waves continued until after 9 p.m., she said. The weather event was the result of a low pressure system colliding with a growing wave. According to Mark Neiswender, director of yacht operations and senior meteorologist with Weather Routing, yachts and marinas exposed to the south and southeast most likely encountered damaging conditions. “The low developed near the
Choosing a career at sea imposes many images of worldwide travel, unlimited adventure, and a neverboring day at work. While those positives are what drew many of us to her calling, the sea also provides an equally dangerous working environment. Rules of the Road Ironically, the Jake DesVergers majority of these hazardous situations are a result of the weakest link in the safety chain, us humans. Based upon investigations completed by the world’s major maritime agencies, most accidents are due to noncompliance with regulations and procedures. Some examples include: 1. Ships and yachts going to sea without properly securing their hatches or doors; 2. Hatch covers and openings so poorly maintained and deteriorated as to cause their failure; 3. Ships and yachts being loaded in such an unsafe manner as to cause them to damage their structures or capsize due to lack of stability; and 4. Ships and yachts being navigated too close to shoals or submerged rocks such that a slight deviation will result in grounding. These examples also point to a lack of proficiency and training. They emphasize a need for intensified efforts to address the human element in our industry. While various conventions and requirements have addressed the hardware aspect of marine safety, we must continue to develop the tools to address the software aspect of it, including that of the human element. Fortunately, we have a sound starting point with the implementation of the STCW Code and the ISM Code.
See ROGUE, page B7
See RULES, page B6
Swells began coming ashore at Portosole marina in Sanremo, Italy, about 4 p.m. on Jan. 23, breaching the seawall PHOTO PROVIDED and washing aside anything in their way – cars, people and emergency vehicles included.
Rogue waves pound marina for hours By Lucy Chabot Reed A series of rogue waves breached the seawall at Portosole in Sanremo, Italy, on Jan. 23, crushing cars and washing vehicles and people across the docks and into the marina. The notorious southerly swells mixed with a building gale offshore, generating onshore waves that reached 8 feet (2.5m) for more than four hours. While rogue waves were reported as far south as Cannes, it is believed the brunt of the waves hit Sanremo. The waves pounded several cars parked on the dock, crushing some of them and washing at least two into the marina. One crew member was taken to the hospital when his leg was pinned between one yacht’s swim platform and a car getting washed off the dock. He returned to the marina a few hours later with minor injuries. Another man was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after he was washed off the
dock while atop his motorcycle. “Everyone was OK, shaken but OK,” said Capt. David Finnigan of M/Y Australis, a 48m Oceanfast docked stern-to on the seawall. His yacht’s closed circuit security cameras captured the scene of the motorcyclist being washed off the dock, as well as waves dumping his agent’s car in the marina and pushing the yacht’s rental car into its passerelle. The roof of his engineer’s new BMW was crushed by waves and they both suffered cuts to their hands from broken glass as they rushed to move the cars between waves. Emergency vehicles responding to the scene were also pushed around by waves, Finnigan said. Several videos of the incident have have been posted online. On YouTube, search for “Tsunami wave runners” and “Rogue wave in Italy.” The latter is from Australis. “We had no warning on any of our
B March 2013 ONBOARD EMERGENCIES: Sea Sick
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Contagious flu spreads quickly onboard, precautions available It is hard to listen to the news or read the newspaper and not hear or read something about the flu. This year, the flu has been more severe than in recent years. The flu, also called influenza, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the influenza viruses. These viruses generally Sea Sick enter the Keith Murray body through the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose or eyes. Mucous membranes are tissues that line the body cavities or passages in the throat, nose, mouth, urethra, rectum and vagina. They produce their namesake thick, slippery liquid that protects them and keeps them moist. The flu virus is usually most active from October through May, what we usually call flu season. Older adults, young children and people with compromised immune systems and other health conditions are at higher risk for serious complications from the flue. Each year in the United States, between 5 and 20 percent of the population gets the flu. More than 200,000 people are
hospitalized from flu complications, actually measure their temperature it is and about 23,600 people die from flu100° F (37.8° C) or greater. related causes. If a passenger or crew member has Generally, when a person who has Influenza-Like Illness (ILI), before the flu coughs or leaving port they sneezes, the virus should be advised becomes airborne. against traveling If the sick individual This live virus can for at least 24 shares a cabin with then be inhaled hours after by anyone in the the fever ends someone else, that area. You can (without the use person should sleep also get the flu if of fever-reducing elsewhere to lessen the you’ve touched medications). This a contaminated is not only best for chance of becoming surface such as a the individual, it is infected. telephone or a door best for everyone knob, and then else onboard. touch your nose or Passengers and mouth. Of course, the risk of infection crew already onboard when symptoms is greater in highly populated areas begin should be separated from such as schools, buses and crowded other passengers and crew as much urban settings. as possible. They should also wear The U.S. Centers for Disease Control a facemask to prevent the airborne and Prevention lists the symptoms spread of the virus. of influenza as follows: fever, cough, When possible, assign one person to sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body deliver meals, medication and all other aches, headache, chills, and sometimes deliveries. This person delivering care diarrhea or vomiting. should wear a disposable mask and It is important to note that not gloves. everyone with influenza will have a If the sick individual shares a cabin fever (a temperature of 100° F [37.8° C] with someone else, that person should or greater). Yacht crew should consider sleep elsewhere to lessen the chance of someone to have a fever if the patient becoming infected. feels warm to the touch, indicates If you are sending a passenger or they feel hot or feverish, or when you crew member with ILI to a medical
facility, notify the facility in advance. Also, use care in transporting the sick person, trying not to infect others along the way. If someone onboard is feeling flulike symptoms, proper hygiene is very important. Remind that person to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. And remind everyone else to wash their hands often with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. And believe it or not, there’s an app for the flu. The free Fight the Flu mobile app for your smartphone (www.flufacts. com/iphone-app.jsp) offers powerful tools to help protect yourself and your family against the flu. You can track flu activity in your area, receive free e-mail alerts, check the symptoms of flu, get flu prevention tips and learn what to do if you’ve been exposed to flu. If you get it (the app, that is), please send me an e-mail and let me know if you find it helpful. 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 877-623-3277 or through www. TheCPRSchool.com. Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@thetriton.com.
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TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS
Firm debuts central command; Volvo rebuilds gasoline engines Lantic offers central power control
Denmark-based Lantic Entertainment Systems has introduced a new Central Command feature to its cabin control software that allows the control of air conditioning and lighting in one or more cabins and locations across the yacht from a single point. Local systems can be switched on and off, lighting schemes initiated and varied, and temperature and fan speeds adjusted on air-con units. Across the board settings can be implemented for multiple locations with a single command, or just one zone affected if required. For more information, visit www. lantic-systems.com.
Company products compatible
Navico, parent company to the Lowrance, Simrad Yachting and B&G brands, and Jeppesen have teamed up to provide consumers with a new charting option. C-MAP MAX-N now offers CMAP by Jeppesen cartography for Lowrance, Simrad Yachting and B&G brand chartplotters and multifunction displays. C-MAP MAX-N will be compatible at launch with Lowrance Elite-7, HDS Gen1, Gen 2 and Gen2 Touch; Simrad NSS, NSE and NSO; as well as B&G Zeus Touch multifunction displays. For more information, visit www. navico.com and www.jeppesen.com.
New amphibian Quadski debuts
Michigan-based Gibbs Sports Amphibians has launched what it calls the world’s first high-speed sports amphibian, the GIBBS Quadski. The high-speed amphibian (HSA) has a composite hull, uses water-jet technology, and is powered by a BMW Motorrad engine and transmission. It weighs 1,300 pounds, is equipped with a 15-gallon fuel tank and retails for about $40,000. It was on display in the National Marine Super Yacht Toy Store at the Yacht and Brokerage Show in February. “Quadski represents an entirely new form of transportation,” said Alan Gibbs, founder of Gibbs Technologies and Gibbs Sports Amphibians. “It is the only sports amphibian in the world capable of reaching speeds of 45 miles per hour on both land and water and can transition between both in less than five seconds.” For more information, visit www. gibbssports.com.
Volvo offers rebuilt engines
Volvo Penta announced at the Miami International Boat Show a new expanded line of factory direct, remanufactured blocks for marine gasoline engines.
The Volvo Penta 5.0-, 5.7- and 8.1liter V8 remanufactured long blocks are produced to factory specifications using state-of-the-art computercontrolled robotic manufacturing systems, providing original equipment durability and performance. They are built with new parts from the original equipment manufacturer. The valves, pistons, bearings, timing chain, head gaskets, brass freeze plugs and oil pump, for instance, are replaced with new pieces that are equivalent to or better than a new marine engine. They come with a one-year factory warranty. “These factory remanufactured systems will give our dealers and customers a lower-cost alternative to new engines for repowering applications with no sacrifice in quality and performance,” said Ed Monacchio, vice president of aftermarket and customer support of Volvo Penta Region Americas. “We intend to expand our line of remanufactured products for other popular Volvo Penta engine models during the coming year.”
Furuno adds chirp to fishfinder
Washington-based Furuno has introduced its first Chirp-enabled Fish Finder, the DFF1-UHD.
The DFF1-UHD features TruEcho Chirp, Furuno’s professional-grade broadband fish finding technology. Designed to operate across a range of frequencies using a Chirp transducer, the DFF1-UHD delivers improvements in signal clarity, resolution and target definition. This helps anglers find more of their target species, game fish and bait fish, even when tightly schooled together or near the sea floor. Two new features of the DFF1UHD are Bottom Discrimination and Accu-Fish technologies. Bottom Discrimination Mode provides detailed graphical information about the makeup of the bottom. Accu-Fish is a fish size assessment function that can tell the approximate size of the fish below the vessel. It can detect fish from 4 inches to about 6 feet long, in depths of 7 feet to well over 300 feet of water. The DFF1-UHD transmits and receives pulses across a range of 90 frequencies (50kHz +/- 20kHz, 200kHz +/- 25kHz) within each transmission. The equivalent sound energy transmitted into the water can be up to 1,000 times greater than a conventional Fish Finder, resulting in more energy on target which provides
See TECH BRIEFS, page B4
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TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS
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Hull coating ‘wrinkles’ to shed bacteria; radar demos for feds TECH BRIEFS, from page B3 greater resolution and depth capability than a comparably powered standard Fish Finder. The Furuno DFF1-UHD connects directly to any NavNet TZtouch and NavNet 3D MFD, or it can be connected to a NavNet-supported Ethernet network. A software upgrade may be required. For more information, visit www. FurunoUSA.com.
New hull coating shakes bacteria
Duke University engineers have developed a hull coating that dislodges bacteria when an electrical current is applied, according to a story in Maritime Reporter magazine. The material works by physically moving at the microscopic level,
knocking the bacteria away. This avoids the use of bacteria-killing paints, which can contain heavy metals or other toxic chemicals that might accumulate in the environment and unintentionally harm fish or other marine organisms. “We have developed a material that wrinkles, or changes its surface, in response to a stimulus, such as stretching or pressure or electricity,” said Duke engineer Xuanhe Zhao, assistant professor in Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering. “This deformation can effectively detach biofilms and other organisms that have accumulated on the surface.” The researchers tested their approach in the laboratory with simulated seawater, as well as on barnacles. These experiments were conducted in collaboration with Daniel Rittschof the Duke University Marine
Lab in Beaufort, N.C. The project is funded by the U.S. Office of Naval Research and the MRSEC.
SpotterRF gives military a demo
Utah-based SpotterRF was one of 15 industry partners selected to participate in a Department of Defense demonstration seeking cutting-edge technologies with high potential of improving the warfighter’s mission effectiveness and survivability. The Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program conducted its first capability demonstration Jan. 1427 for the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) off the coast of Virginia Beach, Va. During the course of the demonstration several scenarios were run in which vessels ranging from
a jet ski to an 11m RHIB traveled different paths into and around the harbor. The Spotter M600C was set up remotely on a tripod at the mouth of the harbor and communicated back to the Stiletto vessel one mile away via Silvias Radio. There, participants could view detections in real time on a map displaying the location, distance and speed of the target. “The M600C was very effective at detecting all vessels coming in and out of the harbor,” said Brock Josephson, SpotterRF’s team leader for the demonstration. “The system even detected and tracked a drifting jet ski.” The radar units come in four sizes, weigh 1.5 pounds each, use 8W of energy, and can communicate with Google Earth, RaptorX, Vidsys and other situational awareness software. They can be mounted on a yacht as easily as in a harbor, though for the best results, the yacht should be stationary. Training takes less than 30 minutes in the field. It can be managed by a PC, smart phone or tablet via Internet. For a data sheet, visit http:// spotterrf.com/rbk.html.
Bristol debuts carbon fiber ladder
Connecticut-based Bristol Yacht Components has introduced the new Bristol Swim Ladder, which features a streamlined design, all-carbon fiber construction and a UV-resistant, clear-
coat gloss finish. Light enough to be deployed by one person, the ladders employ a single, center beam design that supports five platform steps and three hand rails. The center beam features a pentagonal cross-section that increases rigidity without adding material and weight. The steps are shaped for comfort on bare feet and feature specially angled sides to prevent slipping. The top three steps incorporate additional hand-hold cut outs making it easier to reach the ladder and pull oneself out of the water. “Like our boarding stairs, the swim ladder blends state-of-the-art engineering and modern industrial design into an handsome, dependable system that is can be quickly deployed, or stowed, with minimal effort,” BYC President Todd Schenk said in a statement. For more information, visit www. bristolyachtcomponents.com.
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BOATS / BROKERS
40m, 60m megayachts sell as central listings keep growing Merle Wood & Associates has sold the 200-foot (61m) Feadship M/Y April Fool, the 145-foot (44m) Cheoy Lee M/Y Summerwind, and the 124-foot (38m) Hakvoort M/Y Perle Bleue. Fraser Yachts has recently sold the 116-foot (35.5m) M/Y Ester, the 112-foot (34m) Hakvoort M/Y Ace of Diamonds, the 108-foot (33m) San Lorenzo M/Y Ronda, and the 84-foot (26m) Moonen M/Y La Dolce Vita. New central agency listings for sale include the 165-foot (50m) Oceanfast M/Y Mystique for $10.9 million with Jody O’Brien in Ft. Lauderdale, the 105-foot (32m) CBI Navi M/Y Indigo for $5.5 million with Josh Gulbranson in Ft. Lauderdale and James Munn in Monaco, and the 85-foot (26m) Riva M/Y Monokini for 2.95 million euros with Richard Earp in Monaco New to the Fraser charter fleet include the 139-foot (42.5m) Feadship M/Y Andiamo in the Med this summer, the 137-foot (42m) Palmer Johnson M/Y Syrenka in New England this summer, the 114-foot (35m) Benetti M/Y Latiko in the Med this summer and the 103-foot (31m) Broward M/Y Trilogy in Florida and the Bahamas this summer. IYC has sold the 113-foot (34.5m) Burger M/Y Top Times. The firm has added to its central agency listings for sale the 130-foot Westport M/Y My Colors for $9.5 million, and the 80-foot Hatteras M/Y Life of Reilley for $3.9 million. Camper & Nicholsons has sold the 92-foot (28m) M/Y Kathleen M built by Rayburn. The firm has added to its new central agency listings for sale the 165foot (50m) Perini Navi S/Y Silencio, the 121-foot (37m) Perini Navi S/Y Northern Spirit, and the 97-foot (29.6m) S/Y Lamadine, the 97-foot (29.6m) Hargrave M/Y HP4, the 92-foot (28m) Argos M/Y Dancing Milly III and the 87-foot (26.5m) M/Y Whisper IV by Johnson Yachts. New to its charter fleet is S/Y Silencio and the 131-foot (40m) S/Y Philanderer. Broker Barbara Dawson was honored as Broker of the Year by the Florida Yacht Brokers Association. A charter broker for more than 20 years, most of that time with Camper & Nicholsons, Dawson is also on the board of the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association, chairs its charter committee, and serves on the board of the American Yacht Charter Association. The brokerage has opened an office in Michigan. Two new brokers – David Bourbeau and Randy Kluge, will manage operations.
Northrop & Johnson has sold the 92-foot sloop S/Y Desirade. The brokerage has added to its new central agency listings for sale the 120-foot (36.6m) Crescent M/Y Encore for $6.9 million, and the 108-foot S/Y Avalon for $3.5 million. New to its charter fleet is the 88-foot (27m) S/Y PK Boo II in the Med this summer. Feadship has launched the 146foot (44.7m) M/Y Blue Sky, the first superyacht built by a Western shipyard for a client in mainland China, the builder said in a news release. The yacht includes a helicopter deck and dedicated karaoke and Mah-jong rooms. Blue Sky has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, with an exterior styling developed by Feadship and Sinot Yacht Design. Sanlorenzo Yachts has launched M/Y Alchemist Too, the seventh in its 38m SD122 line. The 125-foot yacht, built for a Mexican owner, is built of composite material and has a semi-displacement hull and three decks. The swim platform slides out to create a terrace of more than 7 feet (2.2m). It is designed to run with six crew. The builder’s SL 94 was honored with the 2012 Environmental Award given by the UIM, the international governing body of power boating. UIM created the award to recognize excellence in innovation, development and application of environmentally friendly technologies. The honors were given at the annual UIM awards gala in late February in Monaco. Y.CO has added to its new central agency listings for sale the 168-foot (51m) M/Y Alibi built by CBI Navi for 15.75 million euros, a new build 164foot (50m) Christensen, project name 2GES, due to be launched January 2016, and the 124-foot (37.5m) M/Y Endless Summer built by Lloyd’s Ships for $3.38 million. New to its charter fleet is the 62m M/Y Sealyon (ex-Candyscape II) in the Med this summer and the Caribbean and the Bahamas next winter, the 181-foot (55m) Benetti M/Y Ocean Paradise, due to be delivered in time for the Genoa charter show in late April or early May, and M/Y Alibi. YPI Brokerage has added to its new central agency listings for sale the 40m Bilgin M/Y M for 9.5 million euros, and the 32m S/Y Ocean’s Seven 2. Ocean’s Seven 2 also joins the firm’s charter fleet in the eastern Med this summer.
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Today’s fuel prices
One year ago
Prices for low-sulfur gasoil expressed in US$ per cubic meter (1,000 liters) as of Feb. 15.
Prices for low-sulfur gasoil expressed in US$ per cubic meter (1,000 liters) as of Feb. 15. 2012
Region Duty-free*/duty paid U.S. East Coast Ft. Lauderdale 790/830 Savannah, Ga. 710/NA Newport, R.I. 705/NA Caribbean St. Thomas, USVI 1,040/NA St. Maarten 1,140/NA Antigua 1,075/NA Valparaiso 1,009/1,325 North Atlantic Bermuda (Ireland Island) 1,070/NA Cape Verde 935/NA Azores 975/1,820 Canary Islands 1,015/1,850 Mediterranean Gibraltar 945/NA Barcelona, Spain 1,005/1,785 Palma de Mallorca, Spain NA/1965 Antibes, France 1,085/2,295 San Remo, Italy 1,090/2,330 Naples, Italy 1,120/2,360 Venice, Italy 1100/2,255 Corfu, Greece NA/2,055 Piraeus, Greece 1,130/1,990 Istanbul, Turkey 1,020/NA Malta 965/1,710 Tunis, Tunisia 940/NA Bizerte, Tunisia 940/NA Oceania Auckland, New Zealand 905/NA Sydney, Australia 910/NA Fiji 930/NA
Region Duty-free*/duty paid U.S. East Coast Ft. Lauderdale 910/980 Savannah, Ga. 892/NA Newport, R.I. 871/NA Caribbean St. Thomas, USVI 1,034/NA St. Maarten 1,097/NA Antigua 1,105/NA Valparaiso 1,230/NA North Atlantic Bermuda (Ireland Island) 1,040/NA Cape Verde 962/NA Azores 964/NA Canary Islands 954/1,085 Mediterranean Gibraltar 945/NA Barcelona, Spain 1,022/1,776 Palma de Mallorca, Spain 1,868/NA Antibes, France 971/1,895 San Remo, Italy 1,130/2,327 Naples, Italy 1,125/2,319 Venice, Italy 1,118/2,315 Corfu, Greece 1,040/2,170 Piraeus, Greece 1,080/1,990 Istanbul, Turkey 980/NA Malta 950/1,735 Tunis, Tunisia 948/NA Bizerte, Tunisia 959/NA Oceania Auckland, New Zealand 995/NA Sydney, Australia 990/NA Fiji 998/NA
*When available according to local customs.
B March 2013 FROM THE TECH FRONT: Rules of the Road
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Solely having an STCW does not mean qualified RULES, from page B1 While these two codes are minimum standards, through the establishment of a comprehensive system to ensure competence and a process to ensure safe practices, safety of operations and navigation can be enhanced. We know that operating a yacht is not just about knowing the equipment and systems, but also, we must execute this knowledge properly. The operator must demonstrate his competence before he is licensed to operate. With STCW, we expect there to be sufficient training, proficient trainers, and certification processes to make sure seafarers are competent to serve. Moreover, while onboard, we expect the seafarer to acquire the appropriate on-the-job training experience before he can assume responsible positions. It provides the owner with a tool to guarantee that his operators have achieved the minimum level of competence to operate his yacht safely. However, solely being certified to STCW is not a guarantee of being qualified. That comes with experience. We all know, too, that shipboard and shoreside management are complex operations that cover a range of factors from manning to operating machinery and systems. The operator must know what procedures to follow to ensure the safety of his yacht. The ISM Code was established to promote a safety culture in the shipping and yachting community, both among the seafarers and at the shoreside office. It requires the promulgation of documented instructions and procedures for the safe operation of a yacht. It defines levels of authority and lines of communication between the yacht and the office ashore. And it provides for the reporting of nonconformities and
hazardous occurrences. Similar to management systems in other industries such as aerospace and manufacturing, the ISM Code requires the completion of internal and external safety audits to verify compliance. In essence, the ISM Code ensures that procedures are in place and practiced on board and ashore. With the ISM Code, we expect every yacht to have the procedures and documentation to operate safely, and that someone on board is in charge and responsible for the implementation of these safety practices. It gives the owner a second tool to enhance operations. It ensures that processes are in place and implemented. In the course of our company’s work as flag-state inspectors, International Yacht Bureau has come across yacht managers, for instance, who were only interested in maintaining the ship’s certificates for the purpose of marketing, while the equipment and standards were below that required. What is more worrying is that some of this equipment is essential, such as navigational charts, nautical publications, life saving appliances, and firefighting equipment. We have also come across individuals who have obtained seagoing jobs, having obtained their CoCs, without going through proper training or appropriate sea time. These seafarers are dangerous, not only to others but also to themselves, the yacht, and the environment. When they cannot complete their responsibilities to the minimum standards, they are perpetrating a false sense of safety. There are many practices on board that require compliance with certain procedures; and these operational procedures are there for a purpose. When reviewing the investigation reports from various flag states, we
see particular trends that affect both merchant ships and yachts: 1. Shipboard operations had not been planned, and if planned, were not executed according to the plans. 2. In grounding incidents, captains had not prepared comprehensive passage plans and their charts had not been corrected to date. In some cases, the captains had not referred to charts and instead navigated by memory. 3. In cases related to machinery, there had been a poorly planned maintenance schedule. In most cases, the maintenance had not been completed according to the planned schedule or at the required intervals. There have been many lessons learned and conclusions from inquiries and investigations of maritime accidents relating to onboard practices. As an industry, it is critical that each of us shows a commitment to safety – not just rhetoric but demonstrated and real. Furthermore, there must be a proper implementation of the rules and regulations. Simply placing copies of the rules on board or referring to a set of notebooks buried somewhere on the shelf will not do. Yachting cannot leave safety to chance. If we do not regulate ourselves, someone else will do it for us. Capt. Jake DesVergers serves as chief surveyor for the International Yacht Bureau (IYB), which provides flag-state inspection services to yachts on behalf of several flag-state 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 954-596-2728 or www. yachtbureau.org.
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www.the-triton.com FROM THE TECH FRONT: Rogue waves
One wave crushed the top of the BMW, right, pushed the white car across the dock and washed the black one (in the water, under the passerelle) into PHOTO PROVIDED the marina. A motorcyclist was also washed off the dock.
Common swell mixed with gale to create ‘freak of nature’ ROGUE, from page B1 Balearics along a cold front the night of Jan. 22 and moved northeastward through the southern Gulf of Lion by morning of the 23rd, while rapidly deepening into a gale,” Neiswender said, noting that the low reached about 990mb, not the 900mb (tropical storm status) as some crew onsite thought. “The track and strength of this system generated a south-tosoutheast fetch of swell to impact the Cote d’Azur, and then as the system continued to strengthen and turn east-southeastward toward the Strait of Bonifacio later on the 23rd, the seas became confused with a mixing northeasterly wave for offshore waters of the Italian and French rivieras. “A buoy observation early that afternoon on the 23rd reported 4.8m seas in the southern Gulf of Lion with winds near gale force. At the same time, another buoy offshore the Cote d’Azur reported seas at 2.5m. “Generally, when the seas become mixed and confused like this, they can generate a wave spike that results in a building rogue wave, which was likely the case in this situation,” Neiswender said. “For this time of year, these southerly swells are common, as cold fronts are stronger and farther south in the Western Mediterranean, allowing for secondary (Genoa) lows / gales to develop, which produce this fetch.” During the winter season, it is ordinary to have one-to-three stronger storms track per season. “The most abnormal thing about this event,” he said, “was that this was a slower moving gale then usual, which allowed more time for the north-to-northeasterly winds offshore northwestern Italy to generate a northeast fetch, to then mix in with the southerly swells.” Capt. Finnigan wrote the experience off as an anomaly, though it underscored the reality of how
dangerous yachting can be, even at the dock. “On the yacht, sitting here, we were OK, but things moving on the dock and getting pushed around was dangerous,” he said. “If one of my crew was walking on the dock or when I was moving the car, in that time, who’s to say another wave wouldn’t come? “It was a freak of nature sort of thing; I don’t expect it to happen again,” he said. “But who can tell what the weather is going to do these days?” Mitchell, who has spent the past three years in the area, said she’s not seen the swells that bad before. “Everyone should know, be aware, be forewarned and prepare for bad weather events in safe havens like marinas,” she said. “Speaking with other captains that have been here over the years and have experienced similar weather events tell me that the southwesterly swells caused by weather conditions near Corsica are by far the most dangerous and should be carefully monitored. “We all know about the fury of a mistral; everyone should also be aware of the fury of the south-westerly swells,” she said. “We’re just fortunate we didn’t have much damage.” Lucy Chabot Reed is editor of The Triton. Comments on this story are welcome at lucy@the-triton.com.
Correction In the story “Cruising in Mexico may surprise yachts,” [page B1, February issue], we incorrectly placed Paradise Village Marina near Mazatlan in Mexico. The marina is in Nuevo Vallarta, in the center of Banderas Bay and just north of Puerto Vallarta. Mazatlan is about 250 miles farther north. We regret the error.
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BUSINESS BRIEFS
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Hacker opens showroom; Resolve adds ECDIS Hacker-Craft opens in South Florida New York-based builder The Hacker Boat Company, builders of the HackerCraft all-mahogany boats, has opened a showroom in Dania Beach, Fla., for up to six boats, including, initially, the first Tommy Bahama edition and a Neiman Marcus edition. “Having a showroom in the Yachting Capital of the World will make it easy for potential customers, from individuals to those seeking yacht tenders, to see our gorgeous boats up close,” said Bob Sheer, regional manager of Florida operations for the company. President and CEO George Badcock said, “In the past two years we have sold more boats in Florida than in any other single market, so we decided to capitalize on that trend with the hopes of tapping into existing and future demand.” For more information, visit www. hackerboat.com.
Resolve joins ECDIS network
Ft. Lauderdale-based Resolve Maritime Academy has joined the Transas Global ECDIS Training Network, GET-Net. A subsidiary of Resolve Marine Group, an emergency response and vessel salvage company, the academy has recently expanded its courses and implemented full mission and classroom simulators.
Although offering specific capabilities aimed at the cruise industry, the simulators are designed for training applications across a wide spectrum of maritime users, including yachts. The academy has ECDIS and multifunctional navigational displays at all levels of simulation, from their classrooms with 21 ECDIS workplaces, to mini-bridges with visualization, full mission systems, and bridge wing simulation. It provides generic and Transas type-specific ECDIS training and certification in full compliance with Flag State, Port State Control, and Classification Society requirements. “The Transas GET-Net program is a great way for us to access markets we otherwise would find difficult to reach,” said David Boldt, simulator group manager. According to the STCW 2010 Code, ECDIS training is mandatory for all deck officers serving on board ships fitted with ECDIS equipment.
Euro Marine hires sales staff
Euro Marine Trading has hired Herman Blanke to its sales team. Blanke has more than 25 years of experience in the marine industry and has managed a variety of businesses catering to the superyacht industry,
including the expansion of Mastervolt Southeast. Herman started sailing/racing as a teenager in the Netherlands, and during his studies in the United States he raced Star boats and Etchells in Miami. More recently, he raced J109s and Farr 40s. His experience with these boats will aid him in developing new business for Euro Marine Trading’s primary hardware lines, Antal, Karver and Reckmann.
Marsh hires two managers
New York-based risk management adviser Marsh has expanded its Private Client Services’ Yacht Practice with the appointment of two senior executives. Jennifer DuBois, who will be based in Ft. Lauderdale, will develope new business for the practice, which provides asset protection and insurance consultation for yacht owners globally. She has spent the past 12 years as a yacht broker, manager, and marketing professional. In Newport, Miles David joins Marsh from The Hinckley Company, where he held sales, marketing, and broker positions over the past 10 years. He most recently served as a sales director with a focus on new yacht construction. Prior to Hinckley, David
See BUSINESS BRIEFS, page B9
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Staff promoted; trainers merge; reefs protected BUSINESS BRIEFS, from page B8 held finance positions at Salomon Smith Barney and Morgan Stanley in Boston.
New members to AYSS
The Association of Yacht Support Services (AYSS) has accepted ship’s agents Jakera in Venezuela and Ultrayachts Premium Services in Santiago, Chile, as full members. Jakera (www.jakerax.com) offers a range of services to superyachts including cruise itineraries, clearances and aviation services. As part of the Ultramar Group, founded in 1952, Ultrayachts (www. u-yachts.com) can help with itineraries in Chile and embarkation for trips to Antarctica.
Voyager’s Freeland promoted
David Leone, owner of Voyager Maritime Alliance Group, has promoted David Freeland to vice president. “Since joining Voyager, Dave has demonstrated the ability to fully manage all company operations and the competence to navigate Voyager into the future, so it was a natural progression for Dave to assume this position,” Leone said in a statement announcing the news. “It is both an
honor and a privilege to have such an honest and devoted employee lead our team into the future.” For more, visit www.vmag.cc.
Interior trainers partner
Bogarts Butlers of Russia and Interior Yacht Services B.V. of the Netherlands have partnered to expand into Russia. Consultants and luxury hospitality trainers to high net worth individuals, the companies work with clients onboard yachts and in their homes. “With the ever growing amount of Russian yacht owners, we feel that through this partnership we are truly able to assist our current and new clients with an overall service package covering a variety of their assets,” said Peter Vogel, managing director of IYS. For more information, visit www.iysnl.com and www.bogarts.ru.
YPI parent buys all shares
Shipbroking house Barry Rogliano Salles (BRS), parent company of Yachting Partners International (YPI), has purchased all remaining YPI shares to become outright owner of the luxury yachting group. BRS director and shareholder Philippe Hetland Brault has been named YPI CEO. Bertrand Vogèle, who was CEO the past four years, has
stepped down. BRS has offices in 12 countries with a shipbroking presence in China since 1998. “We firmly believe in the potential of that region, which is why we launched YPI Asia, Brault said. “We intend to reinforce the synergies between BRS and YPI.”
EPA to protect coral reefs
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has begun an inter-agency effort to protect coral reefs off the shores of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, called The Caribbean Coral Reef Protection Group. “By working with our fellow governmental agencies, the EPA will help make sure coral reefs continue to contribute to the region’s economy and ecology for generations to come,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. Coral reef ecosystems throughout the Caribbean are being damaged by a number of problems such as overfishing, sediment runoff, pollution, disease and climate change, which causes the water to become warmer and more acidic. By implementing measures to reduce those stresses that can be controlled locally, coral health can be improved and reefs can become more resilient.
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Marinas upgrade, expand, open for megayachts globally Nanny Cay gets berths
Walcon Marine has installed five superyacht berths at Nanny Cay Marina in Tortola, each able to take yachts up to 40m. The slips are aluminum, 3m wide and designed to withstand high loads. The original marina was built by Walcon in the UK and transported to Tortola in 1980.
Abu Dhabi gets most power
Spencer Boat Co. still ‘here’, 3 years later About 100 people helped Spencer Boat Company celebrate three years in business on Feb. 1 with a Cuban-style pig roast. “Nobody more than me can believe it’s been three years,” said owner John Spencer far right.“Most people thought we wouldn’t last six months, but here we are.” Spencer leased part of the Merrill Stevens shipyard after it ceased operations at Christmas 2009. Spencer, a former Merrill Stevens superintendent, hired about 15 of his old crew and got back to work.
Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi, UAE, is set to install five 1,000-amp (per phase) supply pedestals, the largest ever manufactured, to answer the growing power demands of the biggest vessels in the superyacht fleet. Camper & Nicholsons Marinas has worked with Rolec Services Ltd. to develop this ultra-high capacity facility, which exceeds the already high offering of 600-amp supplies that previously represented the upper limit for yacht shore power. These new pedestals will enable vessels to draw up to 3,000 amps from each of the five units. Yas Marina has berthing available up to 150m. It charges 4 US cents per kilowatt for power and 3.6 US cents per imp gallon for water. The marina is undergoing an expansion and refurbishment project, which will provide more and better shore-side facilities for owners, guests, captains and crew. For more information, visit www. cnmarinas.com/yas.
Harvey to build lodge in Galapagos
Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts plans to build a 30-unit eco-lodge on San Cristobal, the easternmost island in the Galapagos archipelago, located 600 miles off Ecuador. The Guy Harvey Outpost Lodge, Galapagos Islands is expected to open in early 2016. “My lifelong dream to create a truly special tourism project in the Galapagos is becoming a reality with the involvement of Guy Harvey,” said Arturo Hidalgo Keyser, co-developer of the project with Jose Antonio Juez Jairala, both of whom are from Ecuador and Miami. While the lodge is under construction, Guy Harvey Outpost has raised its flag above the recently opened Iguana Crossing hotel on Isabella Island, about 100 miles west. The 14-unit hotel sits beachside in the shadow of the Wolf Volcano in the settlement of Puerto Villamil,
STORY AND PHOTO/LUCY REED
with a population of 2,200. As the westernmost settlement in the Galapagos, its harbor is a popular stop for private yachts traveling to the southern Pacific. Strictly regulated and limited by the Ecuadorian government, development is restricted to four islands. Cruise and dive live-aboard ships are limited to 100 passengers and visitation is restricted to 116 visitor sites, of which 54 are land and 62 are scuba/snorkel sites. In keeping with its mission of supporting sustainable tourism, Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts is working with the Galapagos parks department to improve sustainable fishing skills of the island’s artisanal fisherman, while working with tourism officials to develop hospitality service training programs for aspiring recreational sportfishing and diving operators.
Marina opens in Gulf of Thailand
Siam Royal View has added marina facilities to its Koh Chang resort, opening the eastern part of Thailand’s gulf. One of two professional marinas in the Gulf of Thailand, it is behind a bend in the Klong Son River, which provides natural protection from weather. Facilities include 75 slips for yachts up to 30m, access to a 110m private pier, maintenance services, electricity and water, dry berth storage for smaller boats and personal watercraft, 24-hour security, bar and restaurant, swimming pools and beaches, and access to Siam Royal View Beach Club & Restaurant, Golf Club and other facilities. A fuel dock and suction station are in development.
See MARINAS, page B11
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Crew get perks in Barcelona; yards managers MARINAS, from page B10
Spain marina offers perks
Vilanova Grand Marina – Barcelona has launched a new mooring package for yachts larger than 35m visiting this spring. “My Mooring Package” combines discounts on berth rates and several onshore services and facilities free of charge such as a private storeroom, parking spaces opposite the berth, Internet access and satellite TV. Captains and crew members will also have several leisure proposals including dinner for two at a fine seafood restaurants, two tickets to a Barcelona football match, international newspapers, and a gym membership discount, amongst other things. The marina has 49 berths for vessels up to 120m in the inner basin of the port of Vilanova i la Geltrú. For more information, visit www. mymooringpackage.com or www. vilanovagrandmarina.com.
River Bend gets new owners
Ft. Lauderdale-based Quality Power and Sail Marine (QPSM) has acquired River Bend Marine Center on Southwest 20th Street, just east of Lauderdale Marine Center. QPSM is a brokerage firm owned by Roger Moore and Jeff Garcia. The yard has an 80-ton travel lift and offers services in pressure washing, bottom painting, running gear repair, fiberglass and gel coat restoration, paint, polish and general system maintenance and repair. Complete refitting services will be available, QPSM said in the release. Currently, QPSM is located on the northeast corner of Griffin Road and I-95 behind the Hilton Hotel, sharing a property with its sister company Nautical Ventures, a retail watersports store.
New staff at New River
Capt. Herb Ressing has been hired as director of business development at New River Yacht Sales and Trawler Center at New River Marina in Ft. Lauderdale. “We plan to implement a free dockage and discount haul-out and repairs program for new listings,” he said. “We are actively recruiting brokers with customer service backgrounds who value the benefits of these new client services.” In addition he will begin to reach out to organizations such as the American Great Loop Cruisers Assoc. and trawler manufacturers to promote the New River Marina and Ft. Lauderdale as a destination for cruiser gatherings.
MARINAS / SHIPYARDS
March 2013 B11
B12 March 2013 AWARDS: World Superyacht
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Motor, sailing finalists named for World Superyacht Awards Boat International named the finalists for its 2013 World Superyacht Awards. Winners will be announced at a gala in Istanbul on May 4. Finalists include: Among displacement motor yachts, 1,300GT and above: Excellence V, 60m Abeking & Rasmussen, interior by Reymond Langton Design Hampshire II, 78.5m Feadship, interior by Redman Whiteley Dixon Mogambo, 73.5m Nobiskrug, interior by Reymond Langton Design Nirvana, 88.5m Oceanco, interior by Sam Sorgiovanni Designs Rocky, 85m Lürssen, interior by Andrew Winch Design Stella Maris, 72.1m built by Viareggio Superyachts VSY, interior by Michela Reverberi Vicky, 72.6m built by ProteksanTurquoise Yachts, interior by H2 Yacht Design Among displacement motor yachts of 500-1,299GT: Arianna, 50m Delta, also interior Garçon, 67.15m built by Damen Shipyards, also interior Rahil, 53.8m built by Mariotti Yachts, interior by Luca Dini Smeralda, 77m built by Hanseatic Marine, interior by Vain Interiors Step One, 55m Amels, interior by Laura Sessa Among displacement motor yachts of below 500GT: 2Ladies, 46.35m Rossinavi, interior by Mulder Design / Design Studio Spadolini Achilles, 46m Sanlorenzo, interior by Francesco Paszkowski Design Adastra, 42.5m built by McConaghy Boats, interior by Jepsen Design Aslec 4, 45m Rossinavi, interior by Rémi Tessier Belle Anna, 49.95m built by ISA Group, interior by François Zuretti Lady Petra, 47m Heesen, interior by Bannenberg & Rowell Design Among two-deck semi-displacement or planing motor yachts: Cerri 102, 31.1m built by Cerri Cantieri Navali, also interior Koji, 34.11m Leopard, interior by Luxury Projects Misunderstood, 49.9m built by Overmarine Group, also interior Moni, 32.49m Vicem, also interior Only Now, 33.9m built by Tansu Yachts, also interior Among raised pilothouse semidisplacement or planing motor yachts: Alloya 40, 40.8m Sanlorenzo, also interior Galactica Plus, 34.8m Heesen, interior by Omega Architects Loretta Anne, 47m built by Alloy Yachts, interior Donald Starkey Design Among three-deck semi-dis-
placement or planing motor yachts: Imperial Princess, 40m built by Princess Yachts International, interior by Bannenberg & Rowell Design / Princess Yachts Lady Linda, 57m Trinity, interior by Evan K Marshall Legacy, 49.99m Westport, also interior M, 40m built by Bilgin Yachts, interior by H2 Yacht Design Ocean Alexander 120, 36.93m Ocean Alexander/Christensen, interior by Evan K Marshall Okko, 40.8m built by Mondo Marine, interior by Giorgio Vafiadis & Associates Tsumat, 49.9m Trinity, interior by Loguer Design / JC Espinosa Among sailing yachts larger than 40m: 60 Years, 41.8m built by Royal Holding AS, interior by Dara Kirmizitoprak Better Place, 50.5m built by WallyEurope, interior by Wetzels Brown Partners Kamaxitha, 51.3m Royal Huisman, interior by Rhoades Young Design Mikhail S Vorontsov, 64m built by DSV Yachts, interior by Ken Freivokh Design Ohana, 49.7m built by Fitzroy Yachts, interior by the owner Among sailing yachts 30m-40m: Almagores II, 31.42m built by Southern Wind Shipyard, interior by Nauta Design Hamilton, 30.38m built by Green Marine, interior by Design Unlimited Penelope, 30.8m built by RMK Marine/Oyster Yachts, also interior Pumula, 37.33m Royal Huisman, interior by Rhoades Young Design Rainbow, 39.95m Holland Jachtbouw, interior by Dykstra Naval Architects / deVosdeVries Design Simba, 32.89m built by ProteksanTurquoise Yachts, interior by Hoek Design Naval Architects X Noi, 30.65m built by Perini Navi Group (Picchiotti), interior by Nauta Design Among sailing multihulls: Mousetrap, 33.5m built by JFA Yachts, interior by Cittollin & Polli Quintessential, 30.49m built by Yachting Developments, interior by Redman Whiteley Dixon There will also be an award for refitted yacht. Finalists include: A2, 47m Feadship, refit at Pendennis Elysium, 52m Benetti, refit at Lusben Endeavour, 39.6m Camper & Nicholsons, refit at Yachting Developments Faith, 62.3m Feadship, refit at Composite Works Ilona, 73.69m Amels Paramour, 43.7m CMN, refit at Pure Superyacht Refit Titania, 70.8m Lürssen
The Triton
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YACHT CAREERS: Crew Coach
Can’t decide? Write it down, listen to your gut, and commit We have all been there, stuck in indecision, not sure which way to go. This could involve your career, a relationship, or sometimes just what is right or wrong. Sometimes it can be all three. Let me offer some insights and reminders for when you’re floundering in the swampland of indecision. Crew Coach A couple of Rob Gannon years ago a crew member came to me for some coaching. She had the trifecta going on: She didn’t know if she wanted to stay with the yacht she was working on. Her boyfriend was pressuring her to leave the industry and join him shore side. And she thought the captain of her vessel was unprofessional and dishonest, so much so that she felt she needed to say something to the owners. I’ll get to her decisions in a moment, but first allow me to share some thoughts on the process that helped guide her there. A coaching colleague of mine shared this exchange between her and a former client. Coach: I think you may have an issue with making decisions. Client: No, I don’t. Well, maybe I do. I don’t know; do I? Reminds me of the line from that great American philosopher Jimmy Buffett: “indecision may or may not be my problem.” So first things first. Some awareness and clarity is needed regarding your abilities in the area of decision making. Once that is understood and an intended goal can be stated, the process can proceed. With big, possible life-changing decisions, the process can get pretty involved. There is not the space here to go too deeply into that process, so I’ll share a condensed version of some key points. I’m a fan of writing things down. Putting thoughts down on paper about the situation –even random free thoughts – can be a good start. This can then be refined. A popular and effective next step can be the old method of writing down pros and cons. You know, you make two columns and compare the pros and cons of your possible decision. You can take that a step further and break down each pro and con into how empowering or weakening a choice may be. The key here is not to get too bogged down along the way. You don’t want to suffer paralysis from over analysis,
which can happen when your two columns kind of cancel each other out and it seems there is no clear winner. This is the time to get out of your head and get in touch with how these choices make you feel. Science has shown us overwhelming evidence regarding the connection between the mind and the body. Most of us are familiar with the basic gut feelings in certain situations but there are other energy centers in the body as well. The problem is many people have shut them down, disengaged from them, so they work everything out in their head. Part of the reason for that is most of our early education is spent strengthening the brain. We figure out equations and memorize lots of facts, names and dates. We get used to solving everything with our heads but sometimes don’t get the full picture if we leave out how things feel. I encourage a combination approach with thinking things through, writing thoughts out and getting in touch with how it all feels. But then, of course, you must eventually decide. Decide with conviction and put the power of intention and inspiration to work for you. Incredible things can begin to show up when you commit fully. The brilliant German scholar, writer and philosopher Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (is that a great name or what?) states this beautifully: “The moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. … Unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.” I have seen this occur in my own life. I have seen those things, those people show up. Consider that some events are not just some crazy coincidence. Decide what you want, commit to your intentions, pay attention and be amazed with what unfolds. Be bold, raise your sails, and head out to the open sea. Your ship was made to sail, not to remain forever in safe harbors. As for my former client, she ended up leaving the industry, broke up with the boyfriend, fell in love and married someone else and did not blow the whistle on her former captain. She is quite content with all her decisions. Isn’t life interesting? Rob Gannon is a 25-year licensed captain and certified life and wellness coach (yachtcrewcoach.com). Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.
March 2013 B13
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS B14 March 2013
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Spring warms up with events, shows, parties, races, more EVENT OF MONTH March 21-24 Palm Beach International Boat Show, Palm Beach, Fl.
More than $350 million worth of boats, yachts and accessories from eight-foot inflatables, power boats, fishing boats, center consoles, bow-riders, personal watercraft to superyachts more than 150-foot. In-water portion of the show is on the Intracoastal Waterway along Flagler Drive. Show entrances are at Evernia St./Flagler Dr. and North Clematis St./Flagler Dr. Free shuttle buses and tickets are $14 at the gate. www.showmanagement.com
March 1-10 30th Miami International Film Festival, various locations in Miami. www.miamifilmfestival.com
March 5-8 ABYC Basic marine
electrical and corrosion protection course, San Diego. www.abycinc.org
March 5-9 20th Dubai International Boat Show, United Arab Emirates. www.boatshowdubai.com
March 6 Networking Triton style (the
first Wednesday of every month), with Mega Yacht Mart from 6-8 p.m. in Ft. Lauderdale. See page C2 for details.
Day, organized by National Marine to benefit the Marine Industry Cares Foundation. www.nationalmarine.com
March 7 The Triton From the
March 18-31 Sony Ericsson Open, Key
Bridge captains luncheon, noon, Ft. Lauderdale. A roundtable discussion of the issues of the day for active yacht captains only. RSVP to Editor Lucy Reed at lucy@the-triton.com or 954525-0029. Space is limited.
Biscayne, Miami. Tennis tournament featuring the top male and female tennis players in the world. www.sonyericssonopen.com
March 20 More networking Triton
Thomas, USVI. Fun competitions for yacht crew. ywww.igymarinas.com.
style (the third Wednesday of every month) with Marina Bay from 6-8 p.m. in Ft. Lauderdale. Join us for casual networking. See page C3 for details.
March 9-10 Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!
March 22-24 Honda Grand Prix of St.
March 9 IGY Crew Olympics, St.
Saltwater Seminar, Ft. Myers, Fla. Provides a fun, non-intimidating atmosphere for women to learn fishing. www.ladiesletsgofishing.com
Petersburg, Fla. Yachts can reserve a stern-to slip on the race track. www.gpstpete.com.
March 14-17 35th Dania Beach
Day at International Yacht Restoration School in Newport. Free. www.iyrs.org
Marine Flea Market, Dania Beach, Fla. www.thedaniamarinefleamarket.com
March 16 36th annual Waterway
Cleanup, Ft. Lauderdale area. www. miasf.org; www.waterwaycleanup.org.
March 17 Yachty Nationals Invitational annual golf tournament on St. Patrick’s
March 23 Marine Industry Career
March 24 IGY Crew Olympics, Rodney Bay, St Lucia. www.igymarinas.com.
March 28-31 St. Barths Bucket
Regatta, open to yachts over 100 feet (31m). www.bucketregattas.com/ stbarths
March 29-31 St.Maarten-St.Martin Classic Yacht Regatta. www. classicregatta.com
April 6 Westrec annual Sunrise
Harbor Marina Captain and Crew Appreciation Party, Ft. Lauderdale. www.sunriseharbormarina.net
April 16-21 America’s Cup World Series, Venice, Italy. www.americascup.com
April 18-21 Antibes Yacht Show, Port Vauban. Vessels more than 20m with expanded refit and services section. antibesyachtshow.com.
MAKING PLANS April 10 Triton Expo Lauderdale Marine Center Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.
Join The Triton and colleagues for valuable networking with exhibitors. Enjoy food and drink, make new connections, find old friends and enhance your career. No RSVP required. www.the-triton.com.
The Triton
www.the-triton.com SPOTTED: Costa Rica, MIami Beach
Triton Spotters
While in the middle of their slow season at The Charleston City Marina this winter, Harbormaster David Rogers and his wife, Helen, decided to relax and enjoy warm surf and sunny days at Playa Guiones, Costa Rica. Down time in the shade was spent catching up on industry news in The Triton.
Capt. David Marks of M/Y Cassiopeia, a 105-foot HJB, enjoyed his morning coffee from his new Triton mug during the Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach in mid-February.
Where have you taken your Triton lately? Send photos to editorial@the-triton.com.
March 2013 B15
C Section
Networking this month Join us at the new home of Mega Yacht Mart March 6. C2
March 2013
More networking in March On the third Wedensday, we network at Marina Bay. C3
Keeping costs straight How stews provision depends C4 on the size of the yacht.
Check your galley first for ‘medicines’ to cure you
TRITON SURVEY: Drugs
Many yachts have zero-tolerance policies and let crew and guests know it from the moment they step aboard. But PHOTO/LUCY REED not all follow that up with random drug tests.
Crew see drugs in industry; not onboard By Lucy Chabot Reed We’ve resisted writing about drugs in yachting for years now. Yacht crew know better than anyone about drug use among their peers; writing about it always seemed a little like preaching to the choir. But drug use among crew has been an issue for several captains and crew members we talked to in the past month, so much so that they urged us to talk about it and write about it. So we asked Have you ever worked on a vessel where a crew member or the captain used drugs? By drugs we refer to illegals such as marijuana and cocaine but also the abuse of prescription drugs or over-thecounter medications. For the purposes of this survey, we did not include alcohol; that’s a difference discussion. We have good news and bad news. First, the bad news: Nearly threequarters of the 181 captains and crew who took our survey this month said that yes, they have worked on a vessel in their career where the captain or someone on the crew used drugs. Most of those – 40.7 percent – said
A little of the green stuff Avocado may just help your body handle that burger. C7
the drug use was obvious, and 31.3 percent noted that the drug use did not interfere with the operation of the yacht. Most of the rest admitted that, though they didn’t see drug use first hand, it was possible that drugs were used by their crew mates. Just 9.3 percent said they never worked on a yacht where crew used drugs. The good news, perhaps confusingly when considering the answers to the previous question, came in when we asked Are drugs used by the captain/ crew on your current vessel? More than 80.9 percent of respondents said there is never drug use on their current vessel. About 14 percent said sometimes drugs are used onboard their current vessels, and 5.1 percent said drugs are used often. More important than the fact of drug use, perhaps, comes in the results of this question: Have you ever seen drug use interfere with a yacht crew member’s job? These responses were more balanced, with the largest group of 39 percent noting that if a crew member was using
drugs, they kept their impairment off the yacht. But that left 61 percent admitting that yes, drugs interfered with the yacht, mostly (34.1 percent) because the effects of the previous night’s use was still evident. About 26.9 percent said a member of the crew had been impaired during working hours. Nearly everyone who took our survey answered this open-ended question: In your opinion, do you think drug use among captains/crew is a problem? We left it open and vague on purpose, to let captains and crew interpret it how they chose and to respond how they chose. While we meant to ask if crew are using drugs, many respondents took it to mean “is drug use in yachting a bad thing.” Slightly more than half said yes, drug use among crew is a problem, or would be a problem given the liability and safety issues involved; many of them emphatically so. “Yes,” said the captain of a yacht 80100 feet. “We are responsible for the
See SURVEY, page C8
Do you know where the ship’s medical kit is? It’s not where you might think. The next time you don’t quite feel yourself, might I redirect you to the new medical kit onboard? The galley. That is where you will find most of the natural Culinary Waves cures for what Mary Beth ails you. Lawton Johnson People are always looking for natural cures, trying to heal themselves instead of waiting for a doctor to diagnose them or prescribe them a pill. And this is the best sort of medicine for yachties, who are often miles from their doctors. If you feel a cold coming on or a stomach upset seems set to ruin your morning, you can find a cure in the cupboards of the galley. Your treatment begins with the basic building blocks of food, and that is the vitamins and minerals they inherently contain. For example, if you suffer from hormonal imbalance, poor immune system, depression, anemia, or eczema, try eating a little more whole grains, beans, seeds and nuts. They all have good amounts of vitamin B6, which can even help with cracking of the lips or tongue. Vitamin B6 is important to the human body because it is involved in the formation of proteins as well as forming chemical transmitters in the nervous system. The body needs this vitamin for more than 60 enzymes plus the multiplication of all cells and immunity for the body.
See WAVES, page C6
C March 2013 NETWORKING THIS MONTH: Mega Yacht Mart
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Network with Triton, Mega Yacht Mart at its new location The sponsors of The Triton’s first-Wednesday-of-the-month networking event is Mega Yacht Mart, a consignment business dedicated exclusively to the yachting industry. Now 18 months old, the company – started by two yachties – has just moved into a bigger and more visible location in Ft. Lauderdale. Join us on Wednesday, March 6, from 6-8 p.m., at 1918 S. Andrews Ave. (across the street from MPT) for casual yacht industry networking. Everyone is welcome; no RSVP required. Until then, learn a little more about Mega Yacht Mart from owner Stewart Donaldson. Q: So tell us about your business. Stewart Mega Yacht Mart works with large yachts to help them clear out their warehouses, yacht storage on board and refit leftovers by selling the items on a consignment basis. After many years in the yachting industry, we have seen all the excess that gets collected in warehouses, and just discarded during refits.
Our goal is to help put some of that very usable inventory back in the marketplace and in the hands of people who can still use it so we can keep it out of landfills. It’s the ultimate in recycling. One man’s trash is another’s treasure. Q: How does the consigning part of it work? What’s the financial agreement? And do you reject items for any reason? Since we work mostly with large quantities, i.e. full storage lockers, we will come out and assess what a yacht has to sell, and we’ll take it away. We then catalog and photograph the items, price them, publish the items on 15 different Web sites including www.megayachtmart.com. Coupled with direct sales (we get on the phone to potential buyers we know), our retail store gives the product excellent exposure for sale. When an item sells, we split the proceeds 50/50 with the yacht. If there are items that aren’t salable or that just don’t sell, we let the customer know. Some items may be discarded or sent for scrap, which we also handle and split. We have not yet established a 90-day return policy. Specialty items such as those monogrammed with the yacht’s
name do sell, but they take the “right” buyer. It happens, just not in a specific amount of time. Q: What kinds of stuff do you have? Our inventory ranges from engines and engine parts to designer furniture and high-end galley equipment to table décor. We currently have a full suite of Miele kitchen appliances that were barely used before a chef decided they needed to be replaced. [This was as of early February.] As the inventory changes daily, giving us a call is the best way to know if we have what a yacht or yacht crew might need. Or shoppers can always click on the “search” tab on our Web site. Q: It seems like your business has changed since you opened 18 months ago. Tell us a little more about that. Initially, the structure was to be strictly Web-based. But within three months, we realized people wanted to see and touch the items we had listed for sale, so we opened in a warehouse in the marine district in Ft. Lauderdale in January 2012.
Now, a year later, Mega Yacht Mart is moving to a larger, more visible location. The industry as a whole, and particularly in Ft. Lauderdale, has been tremendously supportive of the business. Establishing a new business in a difficult economy has required a lot of help, sweat, tears, encouragement, and support from landlords, vendors, customers and the industry. Words are not enough to show how much that support is appreciated. Our new location is the old J.T. Reese Taxidermy building at 1918 S. Andrews Ave., which will give us the exposure to help us grow. We are still in the “marine zone” and close to other marine businesses, so in case we don’t have what a shopper is looking for, they won’t have to go far to find it. At the end of the day, it is about ensuring the customer is taken care of, which means even if the purchase is made from another store. Find Mega Yacht Mart at 1918 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, 33316, halfway between 17th Street and State Road 84 on the east side, in the old Reese Taxidermy building. For more information about the company, visit www.megayachtmart.com.
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NETWORKING THIS MONTH: Marina Bay Marina Resort
March 2013 C
Networking on the third Wednesday with Triton, Marina Bay The Triton is hosting a second networking event this month, on the third Wednesday of the month, March 20, with Marina Bay in Ft. Lauderdale. Join us as we enjoy the lovely clubhouse and pool deck of the marina and apartment complex on the northwest corner of State Road 84 and I-95. Networking is from 6-8 p.m. Everyone is welcome; no RSVP required. Until then, learn a little more about Marina Bay from Manager Jason Taplin Taplin, son of the developer. Q: Tell us about Marina Bay. In the 1970s and 80s, Marina Bay was the playground of the rich and famous. Back then it was a private club with a roster of 6,000 names including such famous members as Bob Hope, Ronald Reagan, Burt Reynolds, Paul Newman, Kenny Rogers, and Evil Knievel. It had 40 exotic floating houseboat hotel rooms, which were still around until 2006. Today Marina Bay is comprised of 168 slips and can accommodate vessels
up to 150 feet. The docks are 10-foot-wide floating docks and the east side of the marina has six rows of floating finger docks. The slips are 24 feet wide with a row of side-to dockage. The west side of the marina has two rows of finger docks (also with slips that are 24 feet wide) and 18 side-to floating docks up to 168 feet long. Power in the marina is 50 amp and 100 amp, 3-phase service. Q. What happened to the houseboats? Many of the houseboats were privately owned and sold. Some are still in the Florida Keys and a couple went to Miami. Hurricane Wilma took out the rest. Q: Is the marina and the upland development all part of the same property? Can marina guests use the pool and other amenities? Yes, Marina Bay and Fall at Marina Bay are part of the same development. All marina guests, captains and crew have access to all of the resortlike amenities, including the pool, gym, sauna, tennis and racquetball courts, computer cafe, and complimentary coffee bar. And who can forget Rendezvous, the legendary waterfront restaurant overlooking the marina.
Q: What kind of clients do you have in the marina? We cater to a wide range of boaters and to yacht brokers. Captains and crew love it because of our amenity package and Rendezvous. We also have quite a few brokers who keep listings with us because of the location and security. Q. How are the slips managed? The marina has several options including transient, one month, threeplus months and annual rates. We do allow live aboard and pets. Contact Marina Bay at +1 954-2400605 for the dock master or the marina office at +1 954-791-7600 for slip reservations. Q: Tell us about the staff. Marina Bay prides itself on customer satisfaction. Our dockmaster, John Workman, has been in the industry 40 years. Our marina manager is Connie Schoen who wears many hats and is a favorite among marina guests. Q: Is there anything tricky that captains need to know about getting to your marina? We are located about 4 miles from Port Everglades up the New River. Before getting to Marina Bay, there are four bridges, the lowest being Third Avenue that has a 16-foot clearance.
All bridges do open upon request, except during rush-hour traffic unless under tow. Q: I understand that you are the son of the developer. Can you share something you learned from him about waterfront property or about real estate in general? My father developed Marina Bay and has been in real estate his whole life. He received his real estate education from my grandfather, who developed one of Miami Beach’s first luxury apartment buildings, the Harbor House in Bal Harbor. I am extremely fortunate to have my father as my teacher. He has taught me so much about life and business. One of the most important lessons is to be persistent in everything you do. Q: I also heard that you may be developing another Marina Bay-like project. Is that true? We have no plans on the horizon. For more details, visit www.marinabayfl.com. To arrive by land, take State Road 84 west of I-95, turn at the first right at the base of the overpass and head to the clubhouse near the end. If you get to Rendezvous Bar and Grill, you’ve gone one driveway too far.
C March 2013 INTERIOR: Stew Cues
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The best ways for stews to handle money starts with size There are several factors to take into account when choosing the best method for stews to handle money onboard, and the size of the yacht is one of them. The smaller the boat, the simpler the system. Some boats have a very basic system where receipts are handed in on a regular basis, entered on a spreadsheet, Stew Cues and then sent on Alene Keenan to the owner’s accountant. Even if there are only one or two departments on the boat, it is always helpful to keep track of spending in different areas. For instance, food, cleaning supplies, toiletries and amenities can all be broken down into crew and guest categories, and receipts should be separated. With a bit of practice, it becomes second nature to keep items organized in your grocery cart and then rung up by the cashier in a specific order. This can save a lot of time later when you are sorting receipts. Organizing and unloading the cart in a specific order also helps save time when you get back to the boat and start putting everything away. On bigger boats that have more departments and more crew, the accounting becomes a bit more complex. Most boats use some sort of accounting software. Very large yachts may have pursers onboard who handle all funds for purchases and provisioning according to the accounting software they have. Many of the captains I know who have 5-12 crew use Quickbooks or Quicken. These systems are two of the most popular accounting software programs. They are pretty similar, except that Quickbooks has more features and allows you to do double-entry accounting, keep track of inventories, do payroll, and use different codes to track different departments. Quickbooks is popular with most accounting firms, because it has more options and allows you to keep an inventory of purchases by department. Quicken, on the other hand, is the simpler of these programs. It is called “check-book accounting” because it works very much like a checkbook to provide single-entry accounting. For example, when a single boat credit card is used by all crew, Quicken works very well. Receipts are handed in daily, and entered into the captain’s accounting program. This way, the captain keeps tabs on the budget, and the accounting
can be reviewed easily at any time. When you have to account for your purchases on a daily basis, you tend to scrutinize spending more carefully, purchase only what is needed, and be more aware of total costs. Inevitably, there will be times when everyone needs the card at the same time, especially when you are getting close to the end of a yard period or preparing to get under way. When you have several people doing a lot of provisioning at the same time, you reach the spending limit on the card pretty quickly. By tracking your spending daily, you can help eliminate the dreaded “your card has been declined” comment by letting you know that you are close to the limit on the card. As a side note, when the crew shares one American Express credit card, there can be problems with signatures and identification when you go to pay for items. American Express is pretty strict and it will usually ask for identification to verify the signature. If the captain is a male and his name is on the card, female stews are likely to have a problem convincing anyone that they are John B. Smith, for example. Some merchants will let it pass because they are used to dealing with this situation and do not want to lose the business, but they are required to ask for identification to protect the cardholder from unauthorized spending. It helps to carry a letter from the captain stating who has permission to use the card. Many times, that will suffice. At other times, the captain will just have to come to the store and sign the card. This almost always happens when you are under pressure to provision and get under way as quickly as possible. More than likely, it is just one more thing that the captain has to squeeze into the day, and it probably drives him or her crazy. I can’t tell you how many times I have waited patiently with a dozen carts full of merchandise at Costco or Bed, Bath and Beyond until the captain could get there to sign the card. Sometimes, I would plan my provisioning to shop at night, put everything on hold, and come back the next day with the captain in tow. (Costco is great, because they will just put all of your carts into a big walk-in cooler.) Visa and MasterCard debit cards do not usually have the same issues. When you swipe the card through the machine and it asks for your pin number, you can hit ‘cancel’ and it will ring up as a charge. You just sign the receipt and away you go.
See STEW, pageC5
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IN THE GALLEY: The Crew’s Mess
THE CREW’S MESS – BY CAPT. JOHN WAMPLER
An attractive, simple and healthy snack for everyone onboard. PHOTO/Capt. John Wampler
Black bean hummus Ingredients: 2 cans (15 ounce each) of black beans, drained ½ small sweet onion ½ jalapeño chili pepper, seeds removed Dash of salt Juice of 3 or 4 limes ¼ cup olive oil 1 avocado, pitted and diced ¼ tomato, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped Tortilla chips In a food processor blend until smooth beans, onion, jalapeño, salt, lime juice and olive oil.
Garnish with avocado, tomato and cilantro. Serve with warmed tortilla chips. Capt. John Wampler has worked on yachts big and small for more than 25 years. He’s created a repertoire of quick, tasty meals for crew to prepare for themselves to give the chef a break. Contact him through www.yachtaide.com. Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@thetriton.com.
Credit cards can be tracked by department or by individual STEW, from page C4 Another method that works well with Quicken or Quickbooks software, is where each department head has their own credit card, and they turn receipts in monthly. Most of the time, there will be a set spending limit on each card, so crew cannot overspend. If a card is shared with several members of a department, the head of the department keeps track of everything and reports to the captain, who enters the information into the accounting program. One drawback to this system is that spending can get out of control. It is easy to get carried away and not really pay attention to your total spending until the day you turn in receipts. A good middle ground arrangement is where each department has its own card, and the department heads turn in receipts and report to the captain weekly. This gives them the opportunity to review their budget frequently and take more time to plan
and discuss purchases. The other factor in choosing the best way to handle money is whether the yacht has a management company. Each management company will have an accounting systems of its own set up, and captains and crew will follow instructions on how to handle money. Every captain I spoke to agreed that it is not a good idea to use a personal credit card or personal cash to make boat purchases. It may not be as easy as you think it is to get reimbursed. Also, no matter what method of accounting you use on your boat, remember to be responsible, keep the boat credit card safe and use it wisely. Alene Keenan has been a megayacht stewardess for more than 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.
March 2013 C
C March 2013 IN THE GALLEY: Culinary Waves
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Everyday foods, fruits, herbs heal ills from asthma to bruises of my favorite herbs, lowers blood pressure and cleanses the body. Other sources of B6 are bananas, Speaking of detox, lemon can wash potatoes, Brussels sprouts and a host of impurities out of your system. cauliflower. Drink of glass of lemon water when If you suffer from low energy, slow you wake up and before you go to bed. metabolism or if your blood sugar is all Infuse thyme leaf for the added benefit. over the place, maybe your body just Here are some other helpful needs a little more vitamin B3. Find healthful ways to take your medicine: this vitamin in legumes, whole grains, Adzuki beans are loaded with eggs, and peanuts. antioxidants, and may lower your risk Vitamin B3 is also vital to your of developing heart disease, cancer and body’s detoxification processes, helps stroke. Other attributes include the B with high cholesterol, heals cracking vitamins and minerals such as iron and skin and dermatitis, even dementia. zinc. Other foods with B3 include milk, Aloe actually increases the avocados, liver and other organ meats, absorption of other items that you eat. and fish. All are rich with tryptophans, The juice helps aid in digestion and which the body converts into niacin. with Type 2 diabetes. It also contains If you have asthma or allergies, focus powerful amounts of antioxidants on vitamin C, which has been shown to such as vitamin C, and a superoxide reduce histamine levels. Vitamin C also dismutase. helps heal wounds The old slogan “An and bruises and gives apple a day keeps Most herbs have your immune system the doctor away” a boost. is still true. When some special facet Get vitamin C you eat an apple, to them. Sage will in all your citrus your body gets a help your memory. fruits as well as boost of vitamin C, canteloupe, kiwis and which amps up your Peppermint relaxes strawberries, plus immune system and the muscle of the red and green bell wards off all sorts of peppers, and those nasty germs. digestive tract, in powerful Brussels Buckwheat is an case you have an sprouts again. herb related to the upset stomach. Want to correct rhubarb plant. Use it the imbalances to help curb hunger Thyme, one of my that have wreaked pains and lose favorite herbs, havoc on your body weight. Also, it has while onboard? magnesium for your lowers blood Think herbal tonics. muscle and nervous pressure and These tonics are system functions. It’s cleanses the body. adaptogenic herbs, also a super choice if which are derived you are monitoring from plant parts. All your blood sugar. offer different cures. Have arthritis or l Ashwagandha or Indian Ginseng, inflammation? Cure it with hot chili or winter cherry as it is known peppers. The capsicum in the peppers throughout Africa, is used for fatigue or not only helps with inflammation but insomnia and to treat lower back pain, can help prevent blood clots. arthritis, and stomach upset. Red grapefruit has lycopene, which l Asian Ginseng can boost a not only gives the fruit its color but depleted immune system along with has also been shown to have prostateimproving cognitive functions fighting capabilities. l Siberian Ginseng is used to treat Finally for women, throw some sea swelling and spasms, and boosts the vegetables into your soups, broths, or immune system. buy it already sold as flavor enhancers l Traditional Chinese medicine use to replace salt in your diet. It actually the reishi mushroom for emotional contains lignans, which help fight balance and the calming effect it against breast cancer and tumors. bestows. It also has the ability to reduce So next time you aren’t feeling your fatigue and contains polysaccharides best, take a stroll into your galley to see along with carbohydrates. what might help before you call the first Most herbs have some special aid clinic. facet to them. Sage, great for turkey and chicken stuffings, actually will Mary Beth Lawton Johnson is a certified help your memory and it’s a great executive pastry chef and Chef de antibacterial. Peppermint relaxes the Cuisine and has worked on yachts for smooth muscle of the digestive tract, more than 20 years. Comments on this in case you have an upset stomach, column are welcome at editorial@theindigestion and/or gas. Thyme, one triton.com.
WAVES, from page C1
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NUTRITION: Take It In
Make that burger healthier with a little something green Now you can feel better about eating a burger. If, that is, you top it with a couple slices of avocado. This tropical fruit is chock-full of nutrients that can make eating red meat a bit less unhealthy for your heart. Scientists at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) just released this ground-breaking research. Take It In Eleven healthy Carol Bareuther men were fed either an 8-ounce hamburger patty or samesize burger in combination with half a medium-sized Hass variety avocado on two separate occasions. Three hours after this meal, the UCLA researchers found there was a significant reduction in the potentially harmful after-meal effects of eating a burger -- namely inflammation and narrowing of the blood vessels -- in the men who ate the beef-avocado combination. Inflammation is a risk factor associated with heart disease. Over time, inflammation can play a role in the development of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. The maintenance of normal blood vessels ensures there is sufficient flow of blood throughout the body and that there is enough oxygen and nutrients delivered to all of the body’s organs, tissues and cells. What’s more, the UCLA researchers also discovered that the extra calories and fat in the beef-avocado meal wasn’t necessarily bad. The plain burger meal used in this study supplied 436 calories and 25 grams of fat, while the burgeravocado combination provided 550 calories and 36 grams of fat. The addition of avocado didn’t increase triglyceride levels beyond what was seen when just the burger was eaten. High triglycerides, especially in combination with low HDL (good) cholesterol and high LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, are a potent risk factor for heart disease. One of the avocado’s magic ingredients responsible for the hearthealthy effects seen in this study is, ironically, fat. Like extra virgin
olive oil, avocados contain healthful monounsaturated fats. When eaten in moderation and used to replace saturated or trans fats in the diet, monounsaturated fats can help reduce blood cholesterol levels and lower other risk factors for heart disease. That’s not all. Hass avocados, which are smaller than the smooth green-skinned varieties and have a bumpy skin that turns black when ripe, provides nearly 20 vitamins and minerals. They also contain a host of beneficial plant compounds. These include 81 micrograms of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin per serving, which can help protect eyesight as we age. Avocados are also cholesterol and sodium free. Perhaps the best part of all is that an avocado-topped burger is not only good healthwise, it tastes good, too. The better-foryou burger trend, which includes everything from pineapple, mushroom and sweet onion to avocado and guacamole as toppings, is found on menus from fast-food to celebrity chefs. The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) funded the UCLA nutrition research. As a result of the findings, HAB has devised a list of three-minute burger toppers, including: l Substitute avocado for toppings that contain saturated fat, such as cheese. l Use avocado in place of mayonnaise or other condiments high in saturated fat such as butter and cheese spreads. l Mash fresh avocado and mix with a squeeze of lemon and a dash of pepper. Top burgers with this mixture. l Simply layer slices of avocado atop a burger or inside a wrap. l Dice avocado and tomato. Toss with fresh cilantro, mint or basil and a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce and spoon this on top a burger. l Cube avocado and add it to fresh or store-bought salsa. Use this mixture as a condiment on burgers, sandwiches or wraps. Carol Bareuther is a registered dietitian and a regular contributor to The Triton. Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.
March 2013 C
C March 2013 TRITON SURVEY: Crew drug use
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Ever work on a vessel where crew or captain used drugs?
Have you ever had a random drug test?
Yes, but it didn’t interfere –31.3%
Yes, it was obvious – 40.7%
Not that I saw, –18.7%
Ever see drug use interfere with the job? Yes, last night’s use was still evident –34.1%
Never – 9.3%
No –39%
Yes, impaired on the job –26.9%
Should crew intercede when a co-worker is using drugs?
Yes – 83.1%
The Triton
Yes –58.6%
No – 16.9%
No – 41.4%
Bigger problem is that crew using drugs are ‘getting a SURVEY, from page C1 safety of crew and vessel at all times. As professional mariners, operating multimillion-dollar vessels, we are accountable for our actions on and off the vessel. Just because we work long hours and charter tirelessly, we still need to be at the top of our game. Those who want to let off a little steam once in awhile, well, that’s their prerogative. Once you bring it back to the vessel, that’s when everyone is in jeopardy. Cocaine is found anywhere, especially in the islands, and I’ve seen more and more crew using it as a pickme-up in the last five years.” “I think captains and the industry as a whole would be in for a big shock if we started drug testing,” said the chief stew on a yacht 100-120 feet. “I have only known crew to take drugs and not the captain,” said a stew in the industry less than three years. “If I did find out a captain was taking drugs, I would be looking around for another job on a different vessel.” “Yes, it’s a problem, but the big problem is that they’re getting away with it; they are cheating on their urine tests,” said the captain on a yacht 80-100 feet. “There needs to be a witness present during the urine test.” “Yes, absolutely,” said the captain of a yacht 140160 feet in yachting more than 15 years. “You only
have to go to St. Maarten and Antigua and open your eyes and it is everywhere. I am sure it is more prevalent in Lauderdale and Antibes though, but less obvious.” “Yes, captains and management companies are very lenient about the subject,” said the captain of a yacht 140-160 feet. About a third said it is not a problem, many of those noting specifically that it’s not a problem on their vessel. “For some, yes, but it would not be accurate or fair to generalize industrywide on this question,” said the first officer of a yacht 120-140 feet. “There are a good many hard-working, effective crew who either do not use drugs at all or, if they do, do so on their own time and do not let it interfere with their job performance. This can, however, be a slippery slope for those who lack self-discipline (you know who you are).” “Yes, I’m aware it is a problem in some yachts, but is not a general problem in the industry,” said the captain of a yacht 120-140 feet in the industry more than 10 years. “I know of yachts were it is a problem, but I was fortunate enough not to ever have to work on such a yacht,” said a first officer in yachting more than 10 years. “Crew use is minimal and restricted to the occasional joint,” said a stew in yachting more than
25 years. “Owner and guest use is much higher.” “Call me naive, but I don’t think so for career crew as it could be the end their career,” said a captain in the industry more than 30 years. “Not if it’s kept off the yacht,” another veteran captain said. “I would prefer crew smoked marijuana and not drink whiskey.” “Not that I can see,” said a captain in yachting more than 10 years. “Now that I’m older I don’t ever see drugs on board or in a social scene.” “Not on this boat,” said the captain of a yacht 120140 feet. “I am fortunate in that I have long tenure crew, all over the age of 35.” The remaining 12 percent of respondents admitted they either hadn’t been in the industry long enough or worked on enough boats to have a fair opinion. And that brought us to a more productive part of our survey. Have you ever confronted a co-worker about his/her drug use? The largest group of respondents – 41.3 percent – confronted their co-worker to fire them. “As I have worked very hard to obtain my credential, I will not tolerate a crew member, or when obvious, an owner or guest use of illegal substance,” said the captain of a yacht 140-160 feet in yachting more than 20 years. “The safety of lives and property are of utmost importance and [drugs] cannot have a place aboard a professionally run yacht.”
“Tw of a ya were i “Ab yachti use on “If be sitt purser But confro their p “W busine years. drugs Abo interv “It the ca “Ye him aw the fir We forgot was tr
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TRITON SURVEY: Crew drug use
If you had a random test, when was the last time? Within the past couple years –24.3%
3-5 years ago –22.4%
Within the past year –38.3%
More than 5 years ago –15%
away with it’
wo last month after a drug test,” said the captain acht 160-180 feet. “It was very evident that they into drugs.” bsolutely no second chances,” said a captain in ing more than 25 years who has never seen drug n the yachts he’s worked. I suspected drug use, the crew member would ting on the dock waiting for his bags,” said the r on a yacht 140-160 feet. t the next largest group said they never have onted a crew mate because what they do on personal time is their own business. What you do on your time off the boat is your ess,” said a captain in yachting more than 25 “If that interferes with your duties or you bring on board, you’re fired. Period.” out a third of our respondents said they vene to help. was well received and they understood,” said aptain of a yacht 100-120 feet. es, a former co-worker, to help him and make ware how stupid and dangerous it is to do,” said rst officer of a yacht 140-160 feet. e asked for other reasons and realized we had tten the biggest one: it’s never come up, which rue for 5.5 percent of our respondents.
See SURVEY, page C10
March 2013 C
Change begins with more random testing Captains and crew had a lot to say about drugs and yachting. l l l This issue should never be the “elephant in the room.” Drugs are illegal on any vessel and if someone is beginning to show signs of abuse, they should be made aware of it and a plan put in place to get some help. We take so many courses like PSSR, Crisis Management and all that nonsense. What we don’t see is a way to deal with someone whose drinking or drug use is affecting them and those around them. I know I’m complicit in many ways, but have found that, as captain, I should find a way to assist anyone who needs/wants it. There are no employee assistance programs in yachting. l l l More yachts should drug test and do it often, but it all comes from the top. If the captain condones the behavior, nothing will ever change. l l l Drugs are a reality in yachting, just as in life. Understanding why the individual takes drugs will determine how to deal with it. I have an open policy to discuss anything with my crew without reprimand unless it does continually happen and influence work. l l l As a start, all crew whether licensed or not should be subject to random testing. This, in conjunction with the new regulations regarding crew rest, accommodations, benefits, etc., would be a huge help to our industry. l l l Drug use may be a sign of a crew member needing an outlet from the long work hours (or a much more deeper issue), stress and a form of escapism when being confined to a relatively small space for an extended period of time with the same people.
This could be where senior crew/ management need to look for ways to reward crew, such as providing a balance to their working lives with local healthy entertainment when in port. l l l Yacht crew, especially on charter boats, work hard and long hours. When they get free time, they generally go off the deep end. My policy is that they will not return to the boat if they are impaired due to drugs or alcohol. l l l Yacht crew get a bad rap on the use of drugs that is not consistent with reality. I don’t think drug use is any different in the yachting industry as compared to any other industry. l l l More drug tests should be done. It’s too accepted in the industry, but it’s hard when owners bring them onboard and the captain looks the other way. l l l I’m not moralizing and believe in free will and responsible action, but illegal activities that impinge on the livelihood of others must not be condoned. If you want to booze, get high or generally act irresponsibly, stay away from my source of income. l l l The only place I have personally witnessed drug use was in a crew house among new crew trying to get their first break in the industry. l l l It’s more prominent than you think. Alarming, really. I hope the maritime consortium will provide more random testing and penalties so it will give the industry a professional image again. l l l Smoking pot is now legal in many states. I believe that random drug tests and drug policies on most yachts should be revisited considering the new laws decriminalizing the use of pot.
l l l Owners need to support captains in getting rid of drug users or alcohol abusers. l l l There’s never space for drug use in this industry. I make this clear at hiring and reinforce it with a drug test on their first day back after vacation. l l l Random hair tests should be standard. l l l We in the industry need to cooperate and report to keep this problem to a minimum. It hurts the reputation of crew as a whole. l l l Crew doing drugs off duty may keep their heads on their shoulders and you could never tell. To me that’s not much of an issue. Problem is with others who bring drugs onboard and do it on duty. If you can’t wait for a charter to trip to be over to do drugs then you have an addiction problem, which becomes an issue on a lot of different levels l l l I believe more people are abusing drugs in this industry than are clean. It is a disgrace. l l l When I was younger I used drugs and alcohol excessively. I wish someone would have stepped in to help me. I know how difficult the yachting lifestyle is, but there are healthy ways to cope. One of the healthiest things we can do as an industry is to be more reasonable with hours. The industry is out of control, in the work load and the travel schedule and the turn-around time for charters. l l l It is unfair that people who use drugs are allowed to work in yachting. There are plenty of people who don’t use drugs who deserve those jobs.
C10 March 2013 TRITON SURVEY: Crew drug use
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Most would step in to help fellow crew using drugs SURVEY, from page C9 But there were other reasons not to confront a mate about their drug use. “It causes too many problems, especially when the person using is in a higher position (i.e., captain, chief stew, captain’s wife/purser, etc.),” said the stew of a yacht 120-140 feet. “It should go through the chain of command,” said the mate on a yacht 80-100 feet. “The captain should be the one to deal with it.” “What’s the point?” said the chief stew on a yacht 160-180 feet. “They won’t listen.” Despite the likelihood of either leaving a crew member alone with their drug use or firing them, when we asked Should a crew member intercede when one of their co-workers is thought to be using drugs? the answer was overwhelmingly “yes” (83.1 percent), and mostly because the safety of the crew and vessel are at risk. “It can affect not only the performance and reputation of the crew, but also their safety,” said the captain of a yacht 180-200 feet. “They should notify their department head or the captain of their suspicions and observations.” “We need to look out for each other,” said the captain of a yacht 80-100 feet. “We work on vessels that have ‘notolerance’ rules, yet random testing falls by the wayside. If a crew member starts showing signs of fatigue and can’t keep it together, we should at least approach that person and give him/her the option to get some help.” “Sometimes just bringing it to their attention and letting them know that you know, and that you disapprove, may help them stop,” said the chief stew on a yacht 160-180 feet. “I worked on a yacht where a crew member was killed in an alcohol- and cocainerelated accident while off the boat. This person had just returned from company-paid rehab. We all discussed it openly and it was something that made the rest of the crew really think. Most people who use drugs seem to think that the bad things – the overdoses, the accidents – won’t happen to them.” “Every crew member’s livelihood is affected by the one or group using,” said the captain of a yacht 140-160 feet. “A responsible crew member will speak up.” “Yes, because the user may not be aware their habit may be interfering with their work or attitude and affecting the dynamic within the crew,” said a stew on a yacht 100-120 feet. “They should be given a chance to fix their situation before they are fired.” “Signs of drug use are not often obvious for captains, who are not
familiar with this phenomenon,” said the engineer on a yacht 180-200 feet. “If the drug use is severe (as it was on my boat), then crew members should try to help their captain to recognize it, and to help the person who is (perhaps) addicted to drugs.” A few crew noted that, beyond safety issues, drug use interfered with how a cohesive crew operates. “The use of drugs by a crew member can make other crew feel uncomfortable and can seriously affect the dynamics of the team,” said the captain of a yacht 100-120 feet. “Drug use affects the entire crew and boat, even when the people using just go out on their own and do it,” said a stew on a yacht 120-140 feet. “It creates an unfair separation between users and non-users onboard, and there is also sometimes unfair pressure to conform if everyone else is doing it, but you don’t want to.” And there was still 16.9 percent of respondents who said no, that fellow crew should not interfere. “I think it will just start fights,” said a dayworker on a yacht larger than 220 feet. “When the drug user starts to steal or not perform his or her duties, then they should be fired.” “It’s not my place, unless it is affecting my work,” said a stew onboard a yacht 120-140 feet. “Chain of command,” said the mate on a yacht 80-100 feet. “It’s the captain’s place to intervene, not mine.” “Only by the captain to fire them or punish them,” said a stew in yachting 1-3 years. “I personally wouldn’t get involved; it’s their life/career.” Some noted that whether they intervene with a crew member using drugs isn’t as black and white as yes and no. “It’s a difficult decision, depending on the circumstances,” said a stew on a yacht 160-180 feet. “That greatly depends on the crew member’s position on the yacht and/or the relationship (professional/ personal) between the offending crew member,” said the first officer on a yacht 140-160 feet. “Yes, but unfortunately, in my situation, I am keeping quiet as nobody will listen to me that a crew member has a coke problem,” said the chief stew on a yacht 160-180 feet. “Case by case,” said a first officer in yachting more than 10 years. “It depends too much on variables like the severity of the problem (is safety at issue?) or the culture on the boat. Safe operation should be where the baseline is set. Work up from there, based on what is acceptable under the program
See SURVEY, page C11
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TRITON SURVEY: Crew drug use
March 2013 C11
Crew drug use may increase when the yacht sits idle SURVEY, from page C10 in question. If what is acceptable doesn’t work for you, or is not likely to change, don’t torture yourself. Consider a change in environment.” There was some disagreement about whether crew should intervene or tell the captain. Many respondents agreed that it was the captain’s responsibility to confront the crew member, but they didn’t agree if a crew member should alert their superior. “We must have a clean boat,” said the captain of a yacht 120-140 feet. “I count on other crew to report as I’m often the last to know.” “Mind your own business,” said the captain on a yacht 80-100 feet. “The captain will intercede as he/she sees fit.” “It’s management’s responsibility,” said the captain of a yacht larger than 220 feet in yachting more than 25 years. “If they are in your department, yes,” said the engineer on a yacht 140160 feet. “If not, a quiet word with the captain. After all, in an emergency, your life could depend on them.” “If a fellow crew member wants to approach another regarding this issue, that is up to them,” said the captain of a yacht 140-160 feet. “I hope they are trained and understand the possible outcomes. The best thing to do is use systems in place to check. Tell the captain it is time for a random test of all crew. If he does not think there is reason, take it as a sign and leave.” “It is the captain’s responsibility,” said a captain on a yacht 100-120 feet. “They should inform the captain immediately.” Some of the responses from captains and crew who would not interfere were a little surprising. “Not unless they are high while on duty,” said the captain of a yacht less than 80 feet in yachting more than 20 years. “If a crew member can handle their drugs, then no interceding is required,” said the captain of a yacht 100-120 feet. “If they can’t, then someone needs to intercede.” “Anything other than the occasional joint off shift is a mandatory termination,” said a stew in yachting more than 25 years. One thing that might curb drug use is the random drug test, so we asked In your yachting career, have you ever had a random drug test? Most have, but not by much. About 58.6 percent have had a random drug test; 41.4 percent have not. Among those who have, we asked When was the last time? The largest group – 38.3 percent – had a random test within the past year. The number of captains and crew who have had random tests steadily declines as time passes. Fewer than a quarter of our respondents have had
one in the past couple of years. For about 22.4 percent, it’s been 3-5 years. Fifteen percent said it’s been longer than five years since they’ve had a random drug test. We were curious if owners, brokers or managers address this issue so we asked Have you had a conversation with the owner/captain about drugs? The largest group – 39 percent – said it came up during the interview. The next largest group – 32.2 percent – said it came up but only to point out that illegal drugs are not permitted onboard. For 28.2 percent of respondents, however, the conversation arose after there was an issue on board. Just 13 percent said they have never discussed drugs with the owner or the captain. There were other situations in which the topic came up, including casual conversation between the captain and the owner, and during orientation or crew policy review between the crew and the captain. “Our yacht was in Amsterdam and there was a meeting to discuss the fact that drug use was not permitted,” said a stew in the industry less than three years. “Also, on many occasions before big parties, we were reminded to inform the captain immediately if drug use is suspected.” A few captains noted that they initiated the conversation with the owner to ask for approval to have the crew tested or to insist on testing before a new crew member is hired. “As a captain of 40 years and from the merchant marine, I insist that all crew are drug tested and I make this firm with the owner/ management team,” said the captain of a yacht 140160 feet. A few crew noted that some captains say one thing and do another. “I brought it to a captain’s attention that a crew member was using and what did the captain do? Fired me as I was being controversial and stirring things up on the boat,” said a purser in the industry more than 20 years. Is there any time in which drug use among captains and/or crew becomes more of a problem? (For example, on charter, in the shipyard, while sitting at the dock.) The largest group by far – 63 percent of the respondents who answered this question – said drug use increased during down time between trips or charters and while sitting at the dock. “The more time a boat sits idle amongst other boats, shipyard or marina, the more opportunity there is for the crew to succumb to temptations,” said the captain of a yacht 180-200 feet. “A busy boat is a happy boat.” “Ships and crew rot in port,” said the captain of a yacht 80-100 feet. “Most of the problem we had
onboard was during shipyard period, but sometimes it happened even on charter,” said the engineer of a yacht 180-200 feet. “Normally about half of the crew members used drugs often but in moderation, and a few crew members had serious problems.” “Anytime the crew are bored, the risk of misbehavior increases,” said the captain of a yacht 80-100 feet. About 20 percent of respondents said it didn’t matter what the yacht was doing; crew who do drugs were likely to do them at any time. About 15 percent of respondents said drug use was worst when the yacht was too busy. “More so on charter,” said a captain in yachting more than 15 years. “The hours are crazy and a little cocaine can go a long way when doing back-to-back charters. I’ve seen, first hand, captains and crew get out of hand doing this.” “The most common drug abuse I hear about is cocaine use by crew who feel they need it in order to cope with the long hours,” said the captain of a yacht 100-120 feet. “I suppose it would depend on the drug itself,” said the first officer of a yacht 120-140 feet. “I have seen cocaine get used more during or between busy charter seasons while you may see others such as marijuana used more
freely at the dock or in shipyard.” Is there any place in which drug use among captains and/or crew becomes more of a problem? Most respondents noted that it’s not the place; someone who uses drugs can find them anywhere they go. Accepting that as a given, the single place most noted was St. Maarten. “In St. Maarten, it is easier to order cocaine than to order a pizza,” said the captain of a yacht 140-160 feet. Almost as many respondents said drug use is prevalent in all major yachting hubs. “Everywhere with a large yachtie contingent and urban environments with well-established nightlife,” said the captain of a yacht 140-160 feet. “Down island,” said the captain of a yacht 80-100 feet. “It’s always around and the locals know yachties are prime targets.” “Anywhere crew are sitting around idly with time on their side and money burning a hole in their pocket,” said the chief stew on a yacht 100-120 feet. Lucy Chabot Reed is editor of The Triton. Comments on this survey are welcome at lucy@the-triton.com. All captains and crew are welcome to participate. Simply create a login at www.the-triton.com.
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Know social security benefits, but always have a back up plan I find it interesting to read through past articles as sometimes I find the topic needs to be touched on again and sometimes the information needs to be updated. I wrote on the topic of social security back in 2006. Unfortunately, some of the government statistics and forecasts are Yachting Capital now worse than Mark A. Cline projected. For many years, most Americans have traditionally seen social security benefits as the foundation for their retirement in the United States. The social security contributions deducted from their paycheck have, in fact, served as a government-enforced retirement savings plan. But how many people in the yachting industry have a consistent salary? Between moving from boat to boat and getting paid by 1099 and then going to a W2 and then back to a 1099, how much social security will American captains and crew have when it comes time to retire? Estimating future social security benefits used to be difficult, but that is not true today. The Social Security Administration now provides an estimate of all future social security benefits to any taxpayer who requests it. To set up a personal social security account, visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount. The resulting report will contain a year-by-year statement of earnings that were subject to social security withholding. Carefully check these numbers against your records; occasionally the Social Security Administration will make mistakes. It’s best to resolve any discrepancies long before you need the retirement benefits. The social security system is also under increasing strain. We now have Obamacare (President Obama’s healthcare reform) being implemented and the fact that we have longer life spans have resulted in an increasing number of people drawing on social security benefits. As the baby boomer generation (those born between 1946 and 1964) approaches retirement, even greater demands will be placed on the social security system. Statistics from the Social Security Administration report that in 1945, there were 41.9 active workers to support each person receiving social security benefits. In 2010, there were only 2.9 workers supporting each social
security pensioner. It is projected that by 2030, there will be less than one active workers to support each social security pensioner. The combination of fewer working people coming behind the baby boomers and our average life span continuing to increase, the federal government has had to make some benefit changes to the social security system. Pensioners used to be able to receive full benefits after reaching age 65. But in 2003, the age to qualify for full benefits began to increase on a graduated scale. Today, the age to receive 100 percent of your full monthly benefits is 66. If you choose to take retirement early at age 62, you will only get 75 percent of your benefits. The drawback to this is that it will never increase once you choose to take it out, except for a costof-living adjustment (COLA). If you can hold on until age 70, you get 135 percent of your benefit. This is calculated by delayed retirement credits (DRCs). There is more information on the Web site, www.ssa. gov. These numbers have changed from my article in 2006. As I always mention, have a backup plan and then plan for the worst. Who knows how things will change again in the next six years. You should factor this when mapping out your investments with an adviser. Your long-term retirement planning program should recognize social security benefits as being a smaller part of your income calculations for your retirement. Indeed, some financial professionals suggest ignoring social security altogether when developing a retirement income plan, obviously the safer route. Non-U.S. citizens should contact their governments to find out exactly what to expect in retirement, if anything. If you think you will get some type of assistance, confirm that now. Don’t wait until you are no longer earning an income to make adjustments to your retirement plans. I have witnessed this many times through the years with clients. Sometimes there are things you can do while you are still working to help get benefits. Remember, social security is just one factor in putting together a financial plan. Just like gathering information about a new port, get all the facts to ensure a successful trip. Capt. Mark A. Cline is a chartered senior financial planner. Contact him at +1 954-764-2929 or through www. clinefinancial.net. Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@thetriton.com.
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