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www.The-Triton.com | October 2018
Suicides, deaths spur crew mental health concerns By Dorie Cox The Triton office was closed and the staff was on its way out when the phone rang. A woman’s voice said she was crew on a yacht. She and her fellow crew were afraid. They needed help. The yacht engineer was using narcot-
ics while on the job, she explained. He had verbally and physically assaulted crew members in the past. The woman said she had talked with her captain, but the engineer would not be let go. “Can you help us?” the woman asked. “We don’t know where to turn.” When I answered that call and could
Marinas
hear fear and anxiety in her voice, I realized a call to a news office was a desperate act. This added to the list of mental health challenges I have been covering on captains and crew in yachting. Just this
See Mental health, Page 28
Lauderdale Marine Center makes room for 35 yachts. Marinas recover after Hurricane Florence slams U.S. Atlantic coast.
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Industry News
Blue-green algae concerns mariners in Fort Lauderdale.
Triton Networking, 9
Training, tools ease troubles in towing tenders From the Bridge Dorie Cox
When photos began circulating recently of a deckhand being pulled into the water behind a yacht underway, criticism was fast and strong online. Those photos were part of a video snippet to promote the new season of the reality show “Below Deck,” which begins this month. In what looks like an attempt
to retrieve a tender, the crew member is suddenly off the stern and it appears that a line on deck might be wrapped around his foot. So we decided to have a conversation about towing at this month’s From the Bridge captains lunch. The captains’ responses to the images also were critical, and mostly tipped toward how to avoid such a situation. Everyone in the room agreed that towing a tender can be dangerous if not done correctly. “If you ask the crew what makes
them the most nervous, it is towing,” a captain said. This group’s top tip for towing tenders? “Don’t do it,” said a captain with a laugh. Then came a flurry of technical ideas and each captain’s explanation for how to tow safely: “Use Spectra line.” “Have a captive winch.” “Use a hydraulic winch.” “No dead line on the aft deck.”
See BRIDGE, Page 38
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Agent’s Angle U.S. visas can be confusing. Here are basic rules to help.
24
Obituary Death of Deckhand Sinead McNamara leaves fellow crew, friends stunned.
Upcoming Events Triton Networking Yachting calendar
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44, 45 42
4 Contents
The-Triton.com October 2018
NEWS 5,6,12,40 Industry Updates 7
Obituary
10,11 Marinas / Shipyards 27
Boats / Brokers
26
Business
37
Technology
27 40
COLUMNISTS Career 14
Crew Coach
Operations
Write to Be Heard
15
Crew Compass
13
Rules of the Road
46
Guest writer
16
Taking the Helm
21
Secure @ Sea
47
Letters to the Editor
22
Sea Science
47
Crew Eye
23
Engineer’s Angle
Crew Health 17
The Yachtie Glow
24
The Agent’s Corner
Events
18
Take It In
32
All Systems Go
8,9
Networking Gallery
19
Sea Sick
42
Calendar
44,45 Triton Networking
Advertisers
32 Interior 33
Stew Cues
34
Culinary Waves
35
Top Shelf
36
Crew’s Mess
36 Contributors
Publisher / Advertising Sales Lucy Chabot Reed, lucy@the-triton.com Production Manager Patty Weinert, patty@the-triton.com Editor Dorie Cox, dorie@the-triton.com Associate Editor Susan J. Maughan, susan@the-triton.com
JD Anson, Carol Bareuther, Capt. Jake DesVergers, Paul Ferdais, Capt. Rob Gannon, Mary Beth Lawton Johnson, Alene Keenan, Lauren Loudon, Capt. Herb Magney, Chef Tim McDonald, Susan McGregor, Keith Murray, Angela Orecchio, Capt. Deb Radtke, Corey D. Ranslem, Jason Robertson, Conor Salmon, Jordanna Sheermohamed, Capt. John Wampler
www.the-triton.com
tritonnews
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48
Puzzle
50
Business Cards
54
Advertisers Directory
ON THE COVER: More than 200 captains, crew and yachting professionals enjoy food and drinks at Tarpon River Brewing in Fort Lauderdale during Triton Networking with Alexseal on Sept. 19. PHOTO/DORIE COX
Contact us at: Mailing address: 757 S.E. 17th St., #1119 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Visit us at: 1043 S.E. 17th St., Suite 201 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Call us at: (954) 525-0029 FAX (954) 525-9676 Vol. 15, No. 7
The Triton is a free, monthly newspaper owned by Triton Publishing Group Inc. Copyright 2018 Triton Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
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Career News
October 2018 The-Triton.com
Marinas in wake of Hurricane Florence clean up, await power By Dorie Cox Marina staff along the path of Hurricane Florence continued to clean up after high water levels and heavy winds from the storm in late September. The storm, which made landfall early on Sept. 14 just east of Wilmington, North Carolina as a Category 1, had been as strong as a Category 4 before weakening near the coast. Towns along the Atlantic coast continued to see flood waters from rain and rivers a week later as the system moved slowly west and north. News reports attribute more than 36 deaths to the storm, and utility companies continued to work to restore power to about 500,000 homes and businesses. The Triton was able to reach several marinas in the affected area. Port City Marina in Wilmington had minimal damage, according to property security guard Scott Bloodworth. The marina is about 24 miles from the ocean on the Northeast Cape Fear River. “We’re good,” Bloodworth said by phone on Sept. 18. “We had a little property damage. All the boats fared well. There were a few that left their sails
up; those got shredded.” The facility was waiting for electricity to be restored, but surrounding businesses had power, he said. The water level is up higher than normal on the marina’s floating docks, but Bloodworth did not expect it to overflow. Morehead City Yacht Basin in Morehead City, North Carolina, was up and running as of Sept. 20, according to Cheryl Bomar, assistant manager and staff accountant at the facility. Although her home had water damage, she said the marina was in “good shape.” The marina, which has dockage for 100 total vessels up to 120 feet in length, had a mandatory evacuation of all boats. “The floating docks look great,” Bomar said by phone after the storm. “We have a small dock that is fixed that is destroyed.” She said marine traffic was not moving much on the waterway but customers had been calling to confirm the marina would be open for trips south on the Intracoastal Waterway at the end of the month. “They’ll be coming in a couple of weeks and want to stop and get fuel,”
she said. The fuel tank had been checked by the dockmaster and was deemed safe and not contaminated, she said. The floating docks are intact at Beaufort Municipal Docks, according to Manny Albright, one of dockmasters at the marina in Beaufort, North Carolina. “We’re back in business,” he said by phone on Sept. 18. “But there’s lots of damage on older, private, fixed docks on the waterfront that runs about 2 miles to the east. Many of those docks are broken and torn up.” The marina was without electricity but expected it to be restored in the next week, he said. “We had three boats arrive from the [Intracoastal] Waterway, and they had no problems north of us, but we have no report between us and Wilmington,” he said. “All our employees are fine; some evacuated and some didn’t. We’re just sitting around with no power.” Town Creek Marina, also in Beaufort, sustained little damage, according to Carol Tulevech, marina owner. She said the marina can accommodate transient boats. The marina slips and building were awaiting power as of Sept. 19.
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Typhoon slams Philippines, Hong Kong Typhoon Mangkhut ran over the Philippines on Saturday (Sept. 15) and Hong Kong on Sunday (Sept. 16), leaving at least 80 dead in landslides and flooding. Dozens more were still reported missing as of Sept. 19. News reports are calling this storm the strongest to hit land in the area this year, packing winds of 121 mph and storm surges of about 10 feet around Hong Kong.
“Once we have electric restored we will be able to fuel boats and be fully open,” she wrote in an email. “Ship Store is operational. We have been spared the devastation that many others were not. We’ll post on FB [Facebook] when power is back on.” To the south, Harborwalk Marina in Georgetown, South Carolina, reported that the facility was not affected by the hurricane. Dorie Cox is editor of The Triton. Comment at dorie@the-triton.com.
6 News
The-Triton.com October 2018
Green algae bloom permeates inland waters of Fort Lauderdale By Dorie Cox Some seawalls in Fort Lauderdale are lined with dried green algae, and many waterways have areas that are bright with algal bloom. The green particulates are being monitored throughout the state of Florida and are primarily found in the east-west waterway from Fort Myers, through Lake Okeechobee, to Stuart, with areas in Fort Lauderdale’s Broward County also affected. The tiny living organisms were in the waters of the marinas on the New River last year and are back more prominently this year, according to David Hole, general manager of Marina Mile Yachting Center in Fort Lauderdale. “I thought it was paint dust,” Hole said during a tour of the marina’s waters in early September. “It’s not stringy and it’s not coagulated. It’s like it’s powdery, lying on the surface.” Although the algae is unsightly, he said, it does not appear to cause major problems with yachts. Because floating vessels rise with tidal changes, the algae does not seem to dry on hulls. Cable Marine is also along the New River, and manager Kasey Collins said he has not heard complaints from engi-
PHOTOS/DORIE COX
Algal blooms leave marks on marina seawalls and are in some yacht slip waters.
neers. He recommends engineers check their filters and strainers just in case algae accumulates in vessel intakes. “We’ve even had divers in the water,” Collins said in early September. The density of the tiny particulates decreases with tidal flows and increases with sunlight. Appearance varies from areas almost completely covered to thinner wisps and waves of green. When stirred up, it takes some time for the algae particulates to rise back to the surface, where they rest. “When there are excess nutrients in the water, the algae grow more rapidly and multiply quickly, creating a bloom,” according to a statement from Chaz Adams, public affairs manager with the
city of Fort Lauderdale. “Blooms are a seasonal, natural occurrence in Florida during the summer months due to the warmer water and increased nutrients.” Chief Stew Cassie Bronkie on M/Y Sugaray is concerned about the health implications of the algae and has seen dead sea life and iguanas in the water where algae blooms are present. She hopes others will report sightings of the bright green water. People can make reports to Florida Department of Environmental Protection at +1 855-305-3903 or online at floridadep.gov/AlgalBloom. Dorie Cox is editor of The Triton. Comment at dorie@the-triton.com.
October 2018 The-Triton.com
News
7
Deckhand Sinead McNamara (far right) and crew with a sailfish near Martinique on M/Y Phoenix 2 recently. Photo below shows, pictured from left, Stew Sally Bird, Norma Trease and Deckhand Sinead McNamara in July in Antibes at the start of Ms. McNamara’s yacht career. PHOTOS PROVIDED
Deckhand Sinead McNamara’s death shocks peers in yachting Deckhand Sinead McNamara of M/Y Mayan Queen IV died on Aug. 31. She was found unresponsive and hanging in ropes on an upper deck of the yacht near Port of Argostoli in Cephalonia, Greece, according to local coroner reports. She died during an airlift to hospital after being found by a captain on a neighboring yacht. She was 20. The coroner report stated that she died by hanging and additional tests are out for results. The family has hired an attorney to investigate her death. Ms. McNamara had talked with her mother and brother by phone shortly before the incident and was crying, according to attorney Charalampos Triantafyllopoulos. And Ms. McNamara’s mother and sister were traveling to visit her in Greece. Ms. McNamara, from Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia, had been a deckhand on board the 306-foot Blohm + Voss for about four months. She got her start in the yachting industry last July when she and friend Sally Bird flew to Antibes, France, after graduating high school. While at The Hop Store, a popular yacht crew gathering spot in Antibes, France, the women met several veterans in the industry including Norma Trease, editor-at-large at Yachting Matters, who helped update their resumes. Capt. Marvin Wilson guided them to a yacht clothing store for appropriate outfits. And they also met Capt. Ennes Harchevich who told them they had arrived late in the yacht season for work, but with about 30 crew onboard, he recommended they visit the 297-foot Lurssen M/Y Phoenix 2 for interviews. The Phoenix’s chief stew decided to hire both of the women, Ms. McNamara as a deckhand and Bird as a stew. “Sinead wanted to be a deckhand,”
Capt. Harchevich said by phone. “She wanted to work outside with the boys, she wanted more activity.” Ms. McNamara worked on Phoenix 2 until February. “She was happy but she decided she wanted to see different places,” Capt. Harchevich said. Although he did not spend much time with Ms. McNamara, he said he and the crew will miss seeing her. She had kept in good contact with them after she went to M/Y Mayan Queen IV. “She was sweet, the calmest, kind of quiet, and friendly,” Capt. Harchevich said. “Everyone loved her. We took to her like a little puppy. She never said stupid things, her mouth was controlled and always proper. She was full of life.” Trease kept in touch with Ms. McNamara after their initial meeting and agreed she was “so full of life and with the whole world apparently at her feet.” “I was very proud to have been able to give her advice from time to time,” Trease wrote in a message to The Triton. “She was so excited to be a deckhand ... . Her spectacular looks sometimes led her to be pigeonholed as a stew, so this was quite an accomplishment for her.” Media reports described Ms. McNamara as an Instagram model and social media influencer. The yacht and crew of M/Y Mayan Queen IV were held in port for official investigations and released after two days. Hundreds of people attended a memorial on Sept. 15 which included a large paddle-out of surfers in Port Macquarie Dorie Cox is editor of The Triton. Comment at dorie@the-triton.com.
8 Triton CareerNetworking
T
he Triton networked on the first Wednesday of September with Neptune Group Yachting. The Fort Lauderdalebased placement agency and charter marketing company hosted about 200 people in the office on 17th Street. New crew met industry veterans and old friends reconnected as the fall season ramps up. By Dorie Cox
Neptune Group
The-Triton.com October 2018
October 2018 The-Triton.com
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Triton Networking
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alexseal yacht coatings
ore than 200 yacht captains, crew and industry professionals joined us for Triton Networking on Sept. 19 with Alexseal. Our guests enjoyed snacks and beverages in the new brew pub, Tarpon River Brewing. Join us for our next Triton Networking event at Ward’s Marine Electric on the first Wednesday in October. Photos by Dorie Cox
Career 10 News
Marinas / Shipyards Barcelona yard expands
Varador 2000 shipyard is expanding its repair and refit facilities in Arenys de Mar, Barcelona. With the extension of its technical esplanade, the shipyard will soon double its operational area, according to a company press release. The facility upgrades are intended to accommodate yachts up to 164 feet (50m). Updates include the construction of a new paint unit for large boats, which is almost finished, and the incorporation of new boiler-making workshops, carpentry, electronics, electricity, lamination, composites and upholstery services. The shipyard is also developing a new winter storage plan called QuaySide1835 to include six or more months of dry storage, transport, and technical and logistical support. Mataró Marina Barcelona, the shipyard’s marina on the north coast of Barcelona, has 30 moorings for boats up to 197 feet (60m), with full facilities and a recreation area for captains and crew. For more, visit varador2000.com.
Dania Beach marina named, underway
The newest marina in Dania Beach, Florida, has a permanent name, Seahaven Superyacht Marina. The property was known as Dania Megaport and Dania Beach Megaport during planning stages. The new Loggerhead marina is on the east end of the Dania Cut-off Canal across from MarineMax, and west of Derecktor Shipyard and Harbortowne Marina. It will have 2,400 linear feet of dockage for yachts 100 to 250 feet in length. “Excavation is all but complete, parking and utilities are installed,” said Raymond Graziotto, president and COO of Seven Kings Holdings, owner of the Loggerhead marina brand and Seahaven Superyacht Marina. “And the first batch of floating docks and the clubhouse are moving along nicely. “We wanted to make sure the owners, captains, and crew have everything they need,” Graziotto said of the project in the works since 2015. “The analysis of the power system, for example, has been amazing. It is an interesting project that users will be thrilled with. The dock is 12
The-Triton.com October 2018 feet wide, and it will have wi-fi redundancy and security cameras. And it is protected on all sides, a safe harbor from outside traffic and weather. “We’re not ready to announce an opening date, but we’re looking to fourth quarter next year,” Graziotto said. Visit www.seahavenmarina.com. – Dorie Cox
Hinckley builds facility in Stuart
Hinckley Yacht Services broke ground on a new facility in Stuart, Florida, in late August. The company plans to build a 40,000-square-foot steel, hurricane-rated building for boat storage. It will be climate controlled with small shop spaces and offices. It is scheduled to open in the spring, according to Eric Hruska, general manager for the company.
Bradford Bahamas manager dies
Bradford Marine has announced the death of Thurber Withey, shipyard superintendent at Bradford Marine Bahamas, on Sept. 6. Prior to his 10 years at Bradford Marine, Mr. Withey was a project manager at Rybovich Ship- Withey yard, where he also served as electrical superintendent and foreman. His electrical knowledge was extensive, and he helped develop the Marine Electrical Technician Training Certification Program for the American Boat and Yacht Council, according to a statement announcing his death. Mr. Withey will be remembered for his kindness, friendliness and passion for the yachting industry, the company said. A celebration of his life will be held in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, this fall.
Compositeworks now MB92 Le Ciotat
French shipyard Compositeworks will now be known as MB92 Le Ciotat. The name change follows acquisition of the shipyard by MB92 Group in 2017 and the subsequent 100 percent takeover of the Blohm+Voss La Ciotat activities this summer. The MB92 La Ciotat logo is blue, in keeping with the legacy of Compositeworks, and the shape reflects the shape of France. The new brand will operate alongside MB92 Barcelona under the MB92 Group umbrella. The shipyard has submitted a proposal for a ship lift of 4,000 metric tons. For more, visit mb92.com.
Career News 11
October 2018 The-Triton.com
LMC renovates for 35 yachts, eatery By Dorie Cox The first of about 35 new large yacht dock spaces are installed in the west dock area at Lauderdale Marine Center (LMC). The Fort Lauderdale shipyard and marina on the New River expects to complete the floating docks for yachts between 90 and 150 feet by the end of October. The Bellingham-built docks are being installed in phases, said Doug West, president of LMC. The first three slips were complete in August and the next four opened the first week of September. “We’re moving to hold bigger yachts,” said Staci Love, marketing manager at LMC. During a tour of the construction in early September, Love walked an area that formerly housed 60- to 80-foot yachts. The nearly complete Dock C will now hold 12 yachts up to 140 feet. “Last year we had to turn yachts away,” Love said. “We don’t want to turn anyone away. After working with such demand, we decided to go with larger yachts.” The far west dock will be “tender row” and hold about 15 small vessels. The linear docks can hold two 100-foot yachts or one larger yacht, she said.
“The basin has been dredged to 12 feet,” Love said. “Boats can get through the bridges and many get towed up the river. We have had a 210-foot in here, but that was pushing it.” A restaurant and floating bar are under construction in an existing building on the waterfront. Chef Philip Darmon is leading a small partnership that is taking the lease. The former yacht chef has not announced an opening date, but the restaurant is expected to open in early November. Darmon is owner of Hardy Park Bistro in Fort Lauderdale, which will continue business as normal, he wrote in an email to The Triton. “We aim to open by boat show,” Darmon wrote. “Full bar, music, and food in the south Florida tradition but done by me.” A crew gym has been completed in the same building. To the east of the east yard at the former Riverbend Marina, all of the 32 in-water slips for smaller vessels are currently occupied, Love said. Dorie Cox is editor of The Triton. Comment at dorie@the-triton.com.
12 News
The-Triton.com October 2018
Coast Guard warns LED may interfere with VHF reception The U.S. Coast Guard has issued an alert to mariners that it has received reports of onboard LED lighting interfering with VHF reception, causing a potential safety hazard by affecting a vessel’s radio-telephone, digital selective calling (DSC) and automatic identification systems (AIS). The alert reports that ships in different ports have experienced degradation of the VHF receivers, including AIS, caused by their LED navigation lights. LED lighting installed near VHF antennas has also shown to compound the reception. In one example, a maritime rescue coordination center in port was unable to contact by VHF radio a ship involved in a traffic separation scheme incident, and the ship also experienced poor AIS reception. Strong radio interference from light-emitting diode sources – such as navigation lights, searchlights and floodlights, interior and exterior lights, and adornment – may not be immediately evident to maritime radio users, the Coast Guard warns. It advises testing for
the presence of LED interference by taking the steps in the chart below. According to manufacturer Hella Marine, all electronic devices give off some level of electro-magnetic interference (EMI). “The danger comes when this interference occurs in the frequency range between 156 MHz and 165 MHz, used by marine VHF and AIS systems,” the company stated in a news release regarding the USCG alert. Regulatory authorities have created specific maritime navigation and radio communications equipment standards for LED lighting used on boats. When refitting lights, look for lamps that meet maritime EMI standards. The USCG has asked that those experiencing this problem report it to at www.navcen.uscg.gov. Select “Maritime Telecommunications” on the subject drop-down list, then briefly describe the make and model of LED lighting and radios affected, distance from lighting to antennas and radios affected, and any other information that may help illuminate the scope of the problem.
Testing for the presence of LED interference 1. Turn off LED light(s). 2. Tune the VHF radio to a quiet channel (e.g,. Channel 13). 3. Adjust the VHF radio’s squelch control until the radio outputs audio noise. 4. Readjust the VHF radio’s squelch control until the audio noise is quiet, only slightly above the noise threshold. 5. Turn on the LED light(s). If the radio now outputs audio noise, then the LED lights have raised the noise floor. (Noise floor is generally the amount of interfering signals/static received beyond the specific signal or channel being monitored.) 6. If the radio does not output audio noise, then the LED lights have not raised the noise floor. If the noise floor is found to have been raised, then it is likely that both shipboard VHF marine radio and AIS reception are being degraded by LED lighting, according to the Coast Guard alert.
Industry Updates M/Y Kanga burns in Croatia; all safe
M/Y Kanga, below, a 131-foot custom yacht built by Cerri Cantieri Navali (CNN), caught fire on Sept. 7 and burned while at anchor near Dubrovnik,
Croatia. All nine passengers and four crew were reported to have gotten off safely. The fire was extinguished and the vessel was towed to a nearby harbor where the cause was under investigation at press time. The yacht was launched in May and was expected to show at the Monaco Yacht Show.
Yacht fire at Lurssen yard
PHOTO/Tonci Plazibat - HANZA MEDIA
A yacht under construction caught fire in Lürssen's production shed at the Bremen-Aumund shipyard in Germany See NEWS, Page 29
October 2018 The-Triton.com
Operations Career 13
NZ changes yacht safety rules in wake of fatal sailing mishap Rules of the Road Capt. Jake DesVergers
The New Zealand Maritime Safety Authority, commonly known as Maritime NZ, recently announced major changes to safety rules for domestic and international recreational vessels leaving New Zealand ports for overseas. The revisions stem from recommendations in a detailed, 60-page accident investigation report involving two crew fatalities on the yacht Platino in June, 2016. It outlines how the yacht went from sailing comfortably to being significantly damaged and effectively out of control in just seconds. Platino was a 19.78m sailing yacht launched in 1998 and refitted in 2015. It was certified to a Category 1 standard by Yachting NZ in May, 2016. Yachting NZ is an association delegated by Maritime NZ to provide specialized inspections on recreational vessels. Platino sailed from Auckland bound for Fiji on June 11, 2016, with five crew on board. The accident happened on the morning of June 13. The yacht was about 305 nautical miles (565 km) north-northeast of Cape Reinga, the northwesternmost tip of New Zealand. She was sailing in high winds with gale conditions and a confused sea. At the time of the incident, Platino was sailing on course, but turned unexpectedly and dramatically to starboard. The investigators concluded that the sudden turn was likely caused by a combination of weather and sea conditions, plus a malfunction of the autopilot. This unintentional turn set off a series of events that allowed the boom to swing uncontrollably across the yacht. One crew member was struck by the boom and fatally injured. A second crew member was thrown overboard and lost. Serious damage to the main deck caused a catastrophic failure. The entire mast, boom and rigging were lost. Sadly, the three surviving crew saw their overboard crewmate in the water, but were unable to help him because of the chaotic, dangerous situation on deck and a total lack of control over the yacht. Having lost the mast, the yacht was essentially dead at sea. The surviving crew were eventually rescued by a passing container ship a day later. The director of Maritime NZ, Keith Manch, stated in a press release that
work is underway with Yachting NZ to change the National Safety Regulations of Sailing. This compilation of regulations is used for safety inspections of all recreational vessels, sailing or powered. Maritime NZ requires foreign-bound yachts to be certified by qualified Yachting NZ inspectors before they are permitted to leave New Zealand. Vessels departing the island on long ocean voyages must obtain a Category 1 safety certificate. The revised regulations will focus on a range of new requirements, to include vessel equipment, training manuals and crew qualifications. Familiarization, emergency preparedness and captain’s competency will be stressed. In this case, Maritime NZ is using the information from the investigation to improve safety and have decided against any enforcement action. As such, Maritime NZ made a listing of 28 recommendations under seven headings: Certification of pleasure craft departing on international ocean voyages. Autopilot failure. Preventer failure (a preventer is a device used on a sailing vessel to help control swinging of a boom). Mainsheet traveler failure (a mainsheet traveler is used to keep the boom in position). Person overboard. Emergency communication. Command and control. The investigation found that a number of factors combined to cause the accident and the severity of its outcome. Many of the comments in the accident report focused on crew. While all of the crew were experienced sailors with thousands of sea miles, they had not trained together for emergencies, and none had trained on board this particular yacht. They were not sufficiently familiar with the yacht’s equipment, what was available to them, or its proper use, the report concluded. The accident may not have been preventable, but with more robust crew familiarization, the severity of the situation may have been reduced. It is with this mindset that Maritime NZ appears to be moving forward with yachting rules focused on the human element. Capt. Jake DesVergers is chief surveyor for International Yacht Bureau (yachtbureau.org). Comment at editor@ the-triton.com.
14 Career
The-Triton.com October 2018
Handling semi-listeners is one key to effective conversations hold doctorates, list nine blocks to listening. I’ll just point out four of them. Crew Coach Comparing. This is when we express Capt. Rob Gannon an experience or situation of ours and the semi-listener goes right into their own experience, usually to top ours, and Good communication – healthy does not acknowledge ours at all. communication – is so important to Judging. This is when someone relationships, both professional and thinks they know what we really mean, personal, yet it remains elusive and a when those aren’t the words we’ve struggle for many. It’s complex, this art stated. We can be labeled with an of communicating well, but let’s see if we can shine a light on a few factors that attitude here. Being right. This is when someone can hinder, and also help, the process. is so intent on being right, they don’t Let me start by saying this is face-toeven want to hear another side or point face, verbal communicating I’m talking of view. about – not communication via phone Derailing. This is when we begin a or text or any electronic means. That’s conversation and, because it makes the a whole other area that I won’t tackle semi-listener a little uncomfortable or here. This is about when two people they don’t know much about approach each other for a the subject, they just derail conversation, an exchange of The first the conversation and try to information in the course of a words, if move it to another area. working day. delivered Any of these sound A big consideration here familiar? They do to me; that many of us don’t stop poorly, can I think I’ve come across to think about is our own or rock the all four. As I said before, I the other person’s state of boat before believe we must let the nonmind going into the exchange, we’ve left or semi-listeners know that before the first word is spoken. the dock. we don’t feel like we are being When the subject is a little heard. difficult or uncomfortable, the Use a calm but firm manner to get first words, if delivered poorly, can rock the following message across: “I’m the boat before we’ve left the dock. trying to communicate with you and It can be beneficial to check in with ourselves to make sure we’re on an even you don’t appear to be listening. Can you, please, just give me full attention keel and prepared to speak and listen here? I’d really appreciate it.” without being overtaken by emotions Sometimes when someone is not or assumptions. Effective delivery of ready to listen, they will say it’s not a thoughts is a skill, and we can get better good time right now. OK, try to respect at it if we want to. that. But also get an answer as to when On the flip side, effective listening a good time would be. Once again, I – real listening – is also a skill that is believe it’s important to express that. necessary for good communication. There are always things in the Whenever we have an exchange and we professional environment or our don’t feel that the other person is even listening, it usually doesn’t feel good and personal lives that need to be dealt probably doesn’t get the results we were with, and polishing the skills to make that conversation flow is certainly a looking for. worthwhile endeavor. Let’s say someone who is working Communication can be complicated, on a yacht goes to the captain or their supervisor with an issue, and afterwards but it’s usually because it gets wrapped up in emotions and assumptions. that person feels as though they weren’t All we can do is be clear, honest, even heard. It feels bad and is totally straightforward and respectful in our unproductive. approach, and then be ready and willing One thing we can do with the nonto listen. Really listen. listener is just get them to acknowledge Enjoy the voyage. what we’ve said. Demonstrate that this conversation is meaningful, and don’t Capt. Rob Gannon is a 30-year licensed be afraid to do so. captain, and a certified life and wellness In their book, “Messages: The coach (yachtcrewcoach.com). Comment Communication Skills Book,” Matthew Mckay and Martha Davis, both of whom at editor@the-triton.com.
Career 15
October 2018 The-Triton.com
As yacht seasons shift, it’s time for a self-renewing sanity check Crew Compass Lauren Loudon
Keeping your head and spirits high throughout a busy season can be difficult. Whether it’s a charter boat that’s been back-to-back with guests all summer or a quieter owner’s season with downtime between trips, our jobs mean we rarely stop. Even being without guests can mean long project lists that require strenuous days, time to catch up on admin and perhaps even hanging out in remote or isolated locations. One important factor, no matter where we are in the season, is focusing on ourselves and taking a moment to do something to keep us grounded, sane and active. Something that will help us to identify the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s a matter of personal preference, of course, but with the finish line of a busy summer season in sight, it is time to start thinking about ways to unwind after dropping off our last guests. For some, that means setting off on the journey once again from the Med
to the Atlantic. If the summer involved glaciers and bear spotting, it’s sure that the Alaskan dream is already just that: a dream. Perhaps it’s time to wave goodbye to northern cityscapes and head toward the islands for a winter in the tropical Caribbean sun. Or perhaps it’s time to stow everything away with covers and labels, and put the boat into winter mode for a yard period. The options for winter are becoming vaster by the year, but the factor that remains constant is the need to maintain sanity between the busy seasons. Transitioning from guest trip after guest trip to crossing the Atlantic can be a strange feeling, and it can happen quite quickly. The abrupt ending to a season can bring a little downtime before preparing for boat shows, new waters, island hopping or whatever else the winter may entail, and it is important to soak up all that time while it’s available. For me, it’s a time to regroup, to resurface after being indoors and on the go for the summer. Sitting in the rain, wearing my first long pants and warm sweater of the summer, feeling run down and worn out
from constant movement and sailing from here to there, I am reminded that the vision of blue seas and accumulation of passport stamps has a price tag. An Atlantic crossing looming in my near future will mean catching up on reading, early nights and getting hold of some documentaries – the small things that get set aside during a busy season. This year, with heart rates racing, tension building and a flu oncoming, I realized that in order for me to continue providing the high standard of service expected of me, the stiffness in my shoulders needs to be addressed and my mind needs refreshing. This means turning my focus from my guests’ needs to my own for a minute. For all of us, here’s a reminder to take time for ourselves, to eat well, to exercise where we can and to make an effort to do more of the little things that we enjoy in order to not only maintain our health, but our normality.
Photo/Lauren Loudon
At the end of the day, our job is to provide for others, and if we are not the best version of ourselves, then we might struggle to meet expectations. Lauren Loudon has worked as a yacht chef and stew for more than four years. She hails from Lancashire, England. Comment at editor@the-triton.com.
16 Career
The-Triton.com October 2018
Treating co-workers like children results in childish resentment Taking the Helm Paul Ferdais
Here’s a wild idea: How about leaders and people in positions of authority treat employees and co-workers like adults instead of children? I’m working with a team in the Canadian coast guard who have hard feelings toward the boss of the crewing department – let’s call her Jill – because she has a take-it-orleave-it, mother-knows-best attitude. Like any large business organization, the crewing department of the Canadian coast guard asks its employees to submit their annual holiday and time-off requests at the beginning of the year so that schedules can be created and absences accommodated. Unfortunately, there is now conflict between crew and the crewing department because, even when the crewing department has approved requested time off well in advance, Jill often informs crew members a week before the holiday that they can’t have the time off because there’s no one to replace
them. Crew have followed the rules, yet are suddenly denied scheduled time off, even though they have made plans. This uncertainty has created a passive-aggressive situation among the crew, where it seems everyone now waits to request time off until almost the last minute, forcing Jill into a corner. This situation results from a lack of communication between the crewing department and the crew. If there were more discussion earlier on, so that schedules could be shifted around, everyone would be much happier. Instead, Jill demands the crew fall obediently into line with her requirements, no questions asked. That isn’t any way to treat adults. The same applies on yachts. Plenty of boats have a family mindset. The captain is seen as the father figure and the chief stew as the mother figure, while the deck and interior crew are like the children. To complete the analogy, the engineers are often seen as the black sheep. Unfortunately, this family attitude, or viewpoint, can lead to problems of our own making since it sets up a hierarchy where one doesn’t belong. Crew mem-
bers on a vessel have different responsibilities from one another. That doesn’t make one person smarter or wiser than another. The last time I checked, job descriptions for chief stews or captains didn’t include babysitting grown co-workers. If deck crew behave poorly or aren’t doing their job, it’s up to the department head or captain to have a job-related conversation with them. If the deck crew are treated like children because of a family hierarchy, they’ll act like children. In the workplace, childish behavior in adults is often a cover for anger toward another person. Sulking, withdrawing, getting defensive, displaying passive-aggressive behavior, acting self-righteous and other such behaviors all become the norm. This explains the behavior of the coast guard crew toward Jill – they’re angry and acting out. In order to limit childish responses from co-workers, strive to set clear expectations. Communicate early and often. Leaders or supervisors should be clear in their own minds about the expectations before they try to explain them to a co-worker.
Setting clear expectations begins at the hiring stage. New crew need to know everything expected of them from the beginning. If a supervisor skims over details, the details won’t be done. Every little part of a job must be clearly explained and demonstrated as necessary. Crew members should be able to demonstrate or do the task to the level expected. If they can’t, training should be immediately provided. If an employee doesn’t meet expectations, find out if they were told about all aspects of the job. This includes administrative details such as booking time off for holidays. If there’s a specific process set up, make sure all crew know it. If a co-worker is angry and displays childish behavior, a leader or supervisor might want to consider whether they have had a part in setting up poor lines of communication. A former first officer, Paul Ferdais is owner of The Marine Leadership Group (marineleadershipgroup.com), and a commanding officer in the Canadian coast guard. Comment at editor@ the-triton.com.
Crew Health 17
October 2018 The-Triton.com
When it comes to social media, it’s take control or be controlled The Yachtie Glow Angela Orecchio
There is nothing inherently wrong with social media; it can be an excellent tool for checking in with family and friends, a place to share creativity and promote small businesses. When not used consciously and with limits, however, it can rob us of productivity, creativity, time to reflect and real-life moments with the people in our lives. The more we use social media, the easier it is to let virtual connections become prominent in our lives, perhaps even more so than our real-life connections. Virtual connections require less risk and energy, but they are not as satisfying or rewarding as real-life connections. Ultimately, we remember our lives through memories of shared moments, laughter and physical closeness. We should ask ourselves how many hours we spend connecting online and how many hours we spend with people offline. Are we putting ourselves out there to create real-life memories? Here are some points to consider.
Addiction and loss of control
We keep coming back to social media because it has been designed to connect to the reward system in our brain. When we expect a reward – such as validation, “likes” and excitement – dopamine is released in the brain, and it compels us to do it again and again. We’re also hardwired to seek connection with others. This is why we find ourselves staying up late scrolling, liking and commenting. It’s why we have FOMO (fear of missing out) when we’re offline for awhile. If we instinctively turn to social media to fill every moment we’re not engaged in something else, if we find it difficult to consciously put it down until a predetermined time, then we might want to consider what control social media has over us.
Comparison and expectations
Comparing ourselves with others and fantasizing is a part of being human. Part of what drives social media is the ability to create avatars of ourselves, only sharing photos and stories that show us in the best light. It’s important to remember that we don’t know how much effort, acting, choreography, lighting, makeup and time went into someone else’s post. No one’s life, body, family and moments are perfect all the time. When we have unrealistic expecta-
tions and compare ourselves in an unhealthy way, it can affect our self-esteem and contribute to anxiety and depression. By being aware that social media is essentially only snippets of edited versions of people’s lives, we can take control of how we relate to it. We can also delete certain social media apps or “friends” if they only encourage comparison and do not contribute to enhancing our lives.
Interference with productivity
Social media may be the ultimate time waster. Hours, even days, can quickly pass as we watch YouTube videos, post perfect photos of our food and comment on our Facebook feed. Even if
we are using social media to be creative or build a business, to be truly productive we should stay aware of how much time we spend on any one area of our lives. We can limit social media time by deleting apps from our phones or designating certain times to use it.
Peace of mind and health
Being present, breathing, reflecting and daydreaming are all part of having a healthy mind and body. If we’re not careful, social media can fill the moments of our day in which we would otherwise be able to relax and reflect. We must remember that it’s the quiet moments in which we find clarity and peace. This could include meditation,
journaling, yoga or just being present by breathing in the moment. Also, staring at our screens for long periods can contribute to a multitude of health problems by affecting our eyes, our posture and our sleep patterns. By limiting our time on social media, being aware of how it affects us, and making real-time relationships our No. 1 priority, we can engage with social media in a healthy way. Instead of controlling our lives, it can be a fun and positive tool that allows us to play in a virtual world. Angela Orecchio is a chief stew, certified fitness instructor and health coach Comment at editor@the-triton.com.
18 Crew Health
The-Triton.com October 2018
For health benefits, less meat may be easier than none at all Take It In Carol Bareuther
You don’t have to become a vegetarian to enjoy the health benefits of eating less meat. This good news was the takehome message from several studies presented in May at the European Congress on Obesity in Vienna. Obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and the risk of certain cancers can all be reduced by putting less animal-based protein on your plate, and researchers say that test subjects found it much easier to cut down rather than cut out meat eating. Here are five tips on how to do it. Rethink your plate. Meat-centric, meaning a large portion of meat surrounded by a few token sides, is the typical make-up of meals in many industrialized countries. Try reversing these proportions. The American Institute for Cancer Research, for example, has come up with its “New American Plate” that features two-thirds fruits, veggies, beans and whole grains, and one-third animal protein. A good example is a topsy-turvy take on an old favorite: beef stew made with more potatoes, carrots, mushrooms and kale than beef. Consider meat a garnish. Think of Asian rice bowls topped with a few slivers of cooked beef or pork. Or Latinstyle tacos, enchiladas, empanadas and quesadillas, where meat or poultry are mixed with vegetables and tucked into pancake-like breads. Or take a baked potato, put it center plate and top it with a heaping helping of cooked veggies, seasoned with a few bite-sized pieces of sautéed chicken or beef. Extend meat with veggies. Stir chopped, cooked vegetables into ground beef to make an extended meatloaf or meatballs. Per bite, there is less meat and more veggies – or in other words, less calories, fat and saturated fat in favor of more vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. One of the most ontrend ways of doing this today is using mushrooms as an extender for ground meat. It’s an idea first promoted by The Mushroom Council and taken up enthusiastically at places such as the Culinary Institute of America. A sensory study conducted by the institute and published in a 2014 issue of the Journal of Food Science revealed that most people preferred the flavor, texture and taste of a beef taco blend with 50-80
PHOTO/Dean Barnes
Alex Seidel, chef-owner at Mercantile Dining & Provision in Denver, Colorado, presents his Colorado Blended Lamb Burger at the 2016 Walt Disney World’s Epcot Food & Wine Festival’s Rockin’ Burger Block Party. Seidel, who favors blending mushrooms and vegetables into meat, won the 2018 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest.
percent ground mushrooms over a taco made of 100 percent beef. Go meatless each week. Meat-Free Mondays, the practice of not eating meat one day a week, is a movement designed to sustain the planet as much as to attain and maintain health. Flexitarian, or semi-vegetarian, diets are those where meat isn’t eaten three days of the week. Whether one day or a couple, this practice is an excellent method to reduce overall intake of animal protein. Consider a hearty bean or lentil soup, pasta topped with a variety of roasted vegetables, or a veggie omelet. Try vegetable proteins. The lowly little soybean often sounds as unappealing as cardboard to big meat eaters. However, the beauty of soy foods like tofu is that they have an almost magical ability to take on the flavor of seasonings or other ingredients they are paired with. Try a dish at a restaurant known for this cuisine, or get tips from a friend who knows how to cook vegetarian. You don’t have to go meat-free to get health benefits. Moderation is the key. Carol Bareuther is a registered dietitian and freelance health/nutrition writer. Comment at editor@the-triton.com.
October 2018 The-Triton.com
If crew can’t pass this AED quiz, time for a first-aid refresher class Sea Sick Keith Murray
We all know what follows next when a TV doctor shouts, “Clear!” It means someone is going to get shocked by a defibrillator. But just how much of what we see on TV and in the movies about AEDs is real? Please take a few minutes and complete the quiz below. Then have the members of your crew take the same quiz and see how they do. A score of about 90 percent deserves an “A.” Scores below 75 percent indicate the need to schedule an onboard CPR AED First Aid class. According to the American Heart Association, more than 325,000 people
in the U.S. die each year from sudden cardiac arrest. It kills more people in the U.S. than breast cancer, lung cancer and AIDS combined. Without the AED, the chance of surviving sudden cardiac arrest is less than 5 percent, according to U.S. statistics. But if the AED is applied to the victim quickly, the survival odds increase to about 70-90 percent. So don’t forget to share this little test with friends and family too. Learning CPR and how to use an AED is a skill that everyone should know. EMT Keith Murray provides onboard CPR, AED and first-aid training as well as AED sales and service. His company can be found at TheCPRSchool.com. Comment at editor@ the-triton.com.
CHECK YOUR KNOW-HOW ON AEDs 1. A member of your crew suddenly collapses and you connect them to the AED. Can you accidentally hurt them with the AED?
because its beat is the proper speed for compressions?
8. Where is your heart located?
18. How often should an AED be inspected?
10. What other songs would provide the same beat/speed for 2. Where should you place the AED compressions? pads on an adult victim? 11. Can you use an AED on 3. Where should you place the AED someone who is wet? pads on a child victim under 8 12. Can you use an AED on years of age? someone with a hairy chest? 4. Is shaving the chest of a hairy 13. Can you use an AED on victim necessary when using an someone with a pacemaker? AED? 14. Can you use an AED on 5. You mistakenly connect someone who is eight months someone to an AED that is alive pregnant? and breathing, and push the shock button. Will the AED injure them? 15. Can you use an AED on a 10-month-old baby? 6. What should you do if you find that the victim is wearing a 16. Which items should be kept nicotine patch or other medicated with the AED? patch on their chest? 17. Could CPR save your life if you are in cardiac arrest? 7. What does AED stand for?
9. What song is it that both the American Heart Association and British Heart Association suggest using when performing CPR
19. Are AEDs waterproof? Answers on Page 20.
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20 Crew Health
The-Triton.com October 2018
CHECK YOUR KNOW-HOW ON AEDs Here are the answers to the quiz on Page 19
1. No. AEDs only shock people who need it. They will never shock a patient that does not need the shock.
breathing, connect them and follow the voice prompts. 14. Yes. As long as they are not breathing, connect them and 2. Adult pads are intended for follow the voice prompts. people over age 8 who weigh more than 55 pounds. The correct 15. Yes. Ideally you will use placement for adult pads is on the pediatric pads or a pediatric key to upper right chest and the lower reduce the energy. If you do not left below the breast on the ribs. have these, then place the adult pads at the center of the child’s 3. Child, or pediatric, pads are chest and the center of the child’s intended for people under age back, and follow the AED voice 8, under 55 pounds. The correct prompts. placement for children is on the center of the chest over the heart 16. Besides having a spare battery and the center of the back over and spare adult pads, you should the heart. have the following items in your ready kit: trauma shears, razor, 4. Yes. The electrode pads, like CPR mask and paper towels or adhesive bandages, must have a absorbent cloth for drying the clean, dry surface to be effective. person’s chest. All AED ready kits should have trauma shears, razor, CPR mask 17. CPR buys you time by moving and paper towels to dry the blood which carries oxygen to the victim. brain, the heart and other parts of the body, but it’s the shock 5. No. AEDs are designed to only from the AED that gets the heart shock people whose hearts have stopped working effectively. AEDs beating again. will only shock victims whose 18. Most AED manufacturers hearts need to be shocked to suggest monthly inspections of restore a healthy rhythm. the AED. 6. You must remove the medicine 19. AEDs have an IP – patch if it will be under the “international protection” or electrode pads. Wear gloves to “ingress protection” – rating that prevent yourself from accidentally indicates the level of protection coming into contact with the electrical equipment (like AEDs) medication on the patch. provide against sand, dirt or water. The IP numbers are usually 7. AED stands for automated between 1 and 6. The higher an external defibrillator. AED’s IP rating, the less likely it is 8. The heart is located between to be damaged by water. the right and left lungs, in the middle of the chest between the imaginary nipple line. 9. The song “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees is 100 beats per minute and is the proper speed for compressions. 10. “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen, “I Walk The Line” by Johnny Cash and “Crazy in Love” by Beyonce. 11. Yes. But you must dry the area where the pads go first. 12. Yes. But you must shave the area where the pads go first. 13. Yes. As long as they are not
YOUR SCORE
Zero questions wrong: You are a pro. You should have been a doctor. One to two wrong: Not bad. You still get an “A.” Three to four wrong: You get a “B” for this test, but should brush up on your skills. Five or more: You need emergency CPR training. Schedule a class “stat” – your CPR skills need first aid.
Operations 21
October 2018 The-Triton.com
Yachts are tempting targets for theft, especially in South Florida Secure@Sea Corey D. Ranslem
“I can’t believe that happened!” That’s usually the response you get when you hear about the theft of a yacht. Yachts are tempting targets for thieves. Florida, and particularly South Florida, continues to hold the top spot on the list of likely locations for vessel thefts, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. In 2017, Miami ranked first and Fort Lauderdale ranked third in boat thefts. The recovery rate of stolen vessels in South Florida is usually about 34 percent or less. There have been a few recent cases of yacht thefts here in the United States. In 2015, the M/Y Change in Latitude was taken from a marina in Dania Beach, Florida, after the thieves spent The cost of almost six hours search and on board trying recovery to get the vessel started. The is typically M/Y Mimi was expensive, almost stolen and the from the Miami success rate Beach Marina in isn’t good. October 2016. The thief managed to get the vessel started, but couldn’t navigate out of the marina and hit several vessels and piers, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. In August, a man tried to steal the M/Y New Atlantic from Seattle’s Chandler Cove Marina. Similar to the Mimi incident, he was able to get the vessel started but unable to successfully navigate the yacht out of the marina. He hit a couple other vessels and a pier before jumping in the water and eventually being caught by police. It is estimated that the incident will cost more than $400,000 in damage and will probably result in multiple lawsuits. Tens of thousands of vessels of all types are hijacked or stolen around the world each year. The National Insurance Crime Bureau statistics are the best measure of vessel thefts here in the U.S. Last year in Florida there were 1,163 reported vessel thefts; most of these thefts were of personal water craft. Outside the U.S. it is difficult to get any true statistics or breakdown of vessel thefts because many go unreported. Security and law enforcement experts believe stolen vessels are typically used for crimes, such as drug smuggling, human trafficking, illegal fishing
and piracy. Once the vessels are used a couple of times, they are generally abandoned or sunk. In several cases of drug smuggling and human trafficking that I worked on in the Coast Guard, the vessels were stolen and then abandoned in different international jurisdictions, which made it difficult, if not impossible, for recovery. There are a several practices that can help make your vessel a hard target for theft, regardless of its size. First, make sure it is moored in a marine facility with full-time security, access control, CCTV coverage and good lighting. As with anything security related, it’s best to push the border out as far as possible. Second, secure the boat and its “toys.” Lock doors and hatches, install
electronic ignition switches, and put as many barriers in place as possible to prevent someone from coming on board and starting the engine. Third, look at different electronic security systems for alerts, and make sure they can be accessed remotely. There are several cost-effective solutions available when it comes to onboard CCTV systems, intrusion detection, access control and vessel monitoring. Fourth, consider tracking devices for the boat, as well as its tenders and other high-value assets on board. Tracking device technology has improved tremendously over the past few years. These devices are much smaller and easier to conceal, and they usually work on both cellphone and satellite networks.
Most stolen vessels aren’t recovered. The cost of search and recovery is typically expensive, and the success rate isn’t good. However, there are firms in the U.S. and around the world that specialize in vessel recovery. Most employ tactics that may fall into the gray areas of domestic and international law. Before using one of these firms, conduct an extensive background check on the company and its employees to ensure they are reputable. Corey Ranslem, CEO at International Maritime Security Associates (www. imsa.global), has more than 24 years of combined U.S. Coast Guard and maritime industry experience. Comment at editor@the-triton.com.
22 Operations
The-Triton.com October 2018
Water, water everywhere – and yet there is not a drop to spare Sea Science Jordanna Sheermohamed
It covers 70 percent of our planet. We play in it, clean with it, cook with it and essentially use it to simplify our everyday lives. Human survival is bounded by the “3-3-3” rule, meaning we can survive 3 minutes without oxygen to the brain, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food. Unless we somehow evolve into a species with salt-water gills, fresh water is key for human survival. But many of us often don’t stop to think about where the water we use originates, where it goes once we dispose of it and, most
importantly, how much of it is available? The harsh truth is there is a finite amount of water moving through the Earth’s biospheres. The water cycle expertly illustrates several reservoirs where the earth’s water is located, in various phases: As liquids in rivers, oceans, streams, lakes and aquafers. In solid form, such as glaciers, snow and ice. In gas form as water vapor, cycling through the Earth’s atmosphere. So when water is moved from one reservoir to the next via a transport mechanism – such as evaporation, condensation, melting or freezing – it essentially moves through some part of the hydrological process. Its
We often think of water as being infinitely available, but the harsh truth is there is a finite amount of water moving through the Earth’s biospheres. “residence time” in each reservoir can be determined by the size of the reservoir (think puddle versus ocean) and exposure to elements (winds that can enhance evaporation or humidity that reduces evaporation). Theoretically, a single drop of water will move through the water cycle an infinite number of times. For instance, water evaporating from the
oceans could move inland via onshore winds, sometimes condensing into a precipitation producing cloud along the coast, or sometimes moving far enough inland to become snow over a mountain top. A single snowflake could melt during the spring, flow downstream during a raging thunderstorm and infiltrate the soil of a farm, eventually producing the orange that gets squeezed into your Sunday brunch mimosa. In fact, ice core samples extracted from the depths of arctic glaciers can be analyzed to indicate the water vapor content of the atmosphere during the time the sample was created. Water that infiltrates the ground slowly trickles through combinations of soil, rocks, clay and sand, which extract impurities from the water. The “filtered” water generally finds its way into aquafers and other underground water systems before eventually making its way back into the ocean. This natural filtration process provides water that is ideal for human consumption, barring any additional impurities as a result of human activity. Sensible and respectful water use should be something everyone considers, because it takes time to recharge the aquafer and wells many people have come to depend on for their everyday water use. We often think of water as being infinitely available, but the truth is human consumption should take a more “limited availability” approach. For example, if you had five gallons of water to spend, how would you spend it – a single cup of coffee, a toilet flush, an extra minute in the morning shower? Keep in mind, once a “purchase” has been elected for the five gallons, it’s no longer available to “spend.” As mentioned above, there is a finite amount of water within earth’s biospheres, and taking it from one source means removing it another. When examining the current distribution of water sources within the Earth’s biospheres, 97 percent is salt water, 2 percent is frozen, and the remaining 1 percent is accessible as fresh water. If we applied the same budgeting thought process to water as we did our finances, we’d become a lot more conscious of preserving that precious 1 percent. Jordanna Sheermohamed is president and lead meteorologist of Weather Forecast Solutions, a weather-forecasting firm (WeatherForecastSolutions.com). Comment at editor@the-triton.com.
October 2018 The-Triton.com
Energy efficiency may damage generator; load banks can help Engineer’s Angle JD Anson
As climate change has a growing effect on our planet, we try to do the right thing by becoming more energy conscious. The most popular move is to change incandescent halogen and xenon lighting to LED. Along with the benefit of much longer bulb life, power consumption drops significantly. Now each bulb uses about a 10th of the power for the same light output. This may seem small, but if you multiply that decrease by the hundreds of bulbs on board a typical yacht, it adds up quickly. An average tri-deck has about 400 fixtures on board. At 50W each, they would consume 20kW. The way that LEDs are more efficient is that they lose less power to generated heat. This reduction of heat generation will also require less air conditioning to keep the interior cool. Newer motors and other equipment are also now more efficient than ever. This is great, right? Not so fast. Now there is less power required, so the generators originally specified to accommodate less efficient equipment are now oversized for their typical loads. Some builders may also install oversized generators as a marketing ploy, thus compounding the problem. While they are burning less fuel by running at lighter than designed loads, they now have lower exhaust temperatures. This leads to several problems for the prime mover. The most common issue is wet stacking. This is a black, oily liquid that can leak from exhaust joints or pass through and produce an oily sheen on the water’s surface, leading to black scum lines on the hull, a hefty fine or even banning from more stringent ports. Long periods of light load can also cause deposits on turbocharger blades, behind piston rings and exhaust valves, as well as cylinder polishing. All these lead to worse economy and costly repair. For best efficiency and longest life, a generator should run at a load near its designed rating. Though some debate exists as to how much is enough, most recommendations fall in the 75-80 percent range. With most generators sized for full guest load using hot tubs, showers, zero speed stabilizers and a full bore galley, this load represents a very
small fraction of the overall hours put on a generator. Most hours are during repositionings and alongside with only crew on board. These hours usually are running at well under 50 percent load, and in cool weather, under 20 percent. This is when the damage is done. So what to do? The addition of a load bank can alleviate much of the damage being done to the generator’s engine. Though there are several designs, at their most basic they are water-cooled heating elements. A tank filled with coolant has several water heating elements installed in it. This tank is cooled by a heat exchanger, much like the one on a generator that is cooled with raw water pumped through it. The elements are activated at the level required by a control system that monitors the load on the main bus bar and, comparing that with the programmed set points, decides how many elements to turn on to create the needed load. These resistive loads are the least efficient use of electricity, thus the best for creating a load. They also are the smoothest form of consumption, thus keeping stress on the electrical system to a minimum. Installation of a load bank is a straightforward process. After an onboard survey of the requirements, a properly sized load bank is installed. Newer ones have become much smaller, thus easier to fit. A raw water supply from the seachest or dedicated thru hull is connected to the bank, as well as an overboard discharge. Once the proper electrical connections are made, commissioning is performed and the programming of parameters is done. LED lights are initially more expensive to purchase, but over their lifetimes much cheaper to own and operate. Similarly, the initial cost of purchase and installation of a load bank will be offset by reduced engine wear, thus paying for itself by extended periods between rebuilding. Best of all, not having to listen to the deck crew gripe about having to scrub the waterline again or having the port police knock on the door to kick the boat out of the harbor is well worth the price of admission. JD Anson has more than 20 years of experience as a chief engineer on megayachts. He is currently project manager at Fine Line Marine Electric (finelinemarineelectric.com) in Fort Lauderdale. Comment at editor@the-triton.com.
Operations 23
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The-Triton.com October 2018
B1/B2, C1/D, ESTA: Navigate the alphabet soup of US visas The Agent’s Corner Capt. Deb Radtke
It’s the time of year when many large yachts are heading to the United States and we are getting a lot of inquiries regarding U.S. visas. Here are the basics to navigate the process: B1: nonimmigrant visa for business up to six months. This is the best and most acceptable visa for yacht crew. B2: nonimmigrant visa for tourism
up to six months. If crew are coming here on vacation, this is the visa you want. You can not accept a job or start a job on a vessel in the U.S. while traveling on a B2 visa. Proper protocol is to depart the U.S., finalize your employment contract, then return to join the vessel. So what is the B1/B2? This is two visas in one, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer who stamps you in has the option to stamp you in either as a tourist or for business. Most crew get this combination.
C1: transit visa for crew on vessels and airlines. This is for crew who arrive on one vessel and possibly travel to another port to depart on another vessel. It is limited to 29 days. On rare occasions, crew can get it extended. D: Crew member D visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons working on board commercial sea vessels or international airlines in the U.S., providing services required for normal operation and intending to depart the U.S. on the same vessel or any other vessel within 29 days.
C1/D is a combination of the above and is the visa used by commercial mariners. If crew apply for a visa and the vessel is listed for charter, officials may say this is the visa crew must get. ESTA: visa waiver for business or tourism 90 days. This is becoming an increasingly popular visa for rotational crew or crew joining a vessel that will depart within 90 days. Crew can also go to and from the Bahamas on the vessel with an ESTA as long as the original entry into the U.S. is on a signatory carrier. Although a few yachts do have signatory carrier status, typically this refers to commercial airlines. Crew are restricted to the 90 days stamped on the original entry. Benefits of the ESTA include that no appointment with an embassy is necessary. It is applied for online and can be completed quickly. Crew members must be a national of one of the 38 countries or territories that are part of the Visa Waiver Program. What visa should a crew member get? It depends on his or her timeline, whether they are from a visa waiver country, and whether they will be flying in to meet a vessel. Consider using the ESTA, but keep in mind that you will need to have a significant departure within 90 days. A significant departure does not include Canada, Mexico or the Bahamas. What is important to remember during a visa appointment? The directive that the embassy officials have when determining each visa application is to assume that everyone who applies intends to permanently immigrate to the U.S., no matter what visa they are applying for. So the onus is on the applicant to prove otherwise. Provide evidence of strong ties to your home country. In the case of a denial, one of the common reasons is that the boat can be found online for charter. In this case, crew can apply for the C1/D visa and ask if it is possible to get a B1/B2 visa also. This is standard practice in the aviation industry, for work on both commercial and private planes. Attitude is also a key factor during the interview. Be professional and confident. Do not cross the line into arrogance. Remember, a U.S. visa is not a right, it is a privilege. Capt. Deb Radtke owns American Yacht Agents (www.americanyachtagents.net). After 16 years working on yachts, she assists vessels visiting the United States. Comment at editor@the-triton.com.
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business briefs BWA relocates FLL office
BWA Yachting relocated its Fort Lauderdale office from The Quay on 17th Street to Lauderdale Marine Center (LMC) this summer. The office is staffed by Mary Visser, managing director of Florida and Bahamas, and Betsy Messenger, who is in charge of customer service for the region. Although the company first opened its Fort Lauderdale office in 2007, the LMC location offers convenience for yachts in the area, said Visser, who worked onboard as a stew. The Fort Lauderdale office works closely with offices in West Palm Beach and Miami for vessels traveling to South Florida. Last October, BWA Yachting opened an office in Nassau, Visser said. In related news, BWA Yachting expanded into North Africa with a new office in Tunisia. According to a company statement, the office will be able to help clients clear customs in less than one hour at Sidi Bou Said anchorage, and arrange bunkering either at Bizerte marina or Marina Gammarth. BWA has offices across the Mediterranean and Caribbean. For more information, visit bwayachting.com. – Dorie Cox
Fox joins N&J in crew services
Northrop & Johnson has hired Lucie Fox as a crew services associate. According to a company statement, Fox is from the U.K. and worked as an executive assistant before pursuing a career in yachting. She worked as a deckhand and dive instructor on yachts in Southeast Asia from 2005 to 2007. She most recently worked as a crew consultant for Fraser’s The Crew Network in Fort
Lauderdale. She will be based in Northrop & Johnson’s Fort Lauderdale office.
Informa appoints VP of marketing
Yacht show organizer Informa Exhibitions has named Lana F. Bernstein as vice president of marketing for the company's U.S. boat shows. Bernstein will lead global marketing initiatives for Florida shows, Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Miami Yacht Show and Palm Beach International Boat Show, as well as the St. Petersburg Boat Show and the Suncoast Boat Show in Sarasota.
P&M appoints SE Asia manager
Charles Hazet has been appointed business development manager for Asia operations for the UK-based yacht transport logistics company Peters & May. Hazet’s appointment marks the first stage of a restructuring and building phase for the company’s team in Asia, according to a company statement. Peter & May recently acquired Worldwide Yacht Transport and Transport Partners.
Benetti names new CEO
Italian boatbuilders Azimut-Benetti Group has announced an internal reorganization in the top management at Benetti. Franco Fusignani, who previously handled new product development and managed the Livorno and Viareggio sites, has joined the board as CEO of Benetti Business Line. Christos Ramnialis was appointed the Bennetti Business Line vice president of development. He will report directly to
the CEO and will work on opening new markets, launching new products and strengthening the brand. According to a company statement, Vincenzo Poerio has stepped down as CEO after 25 years, having decided to dedicate his energy to a new entrepreneurial challenge: his family farm.
Viking Maritime unveils new logo
Viking Maritime Group, a U.K.based crew services provider, has unveiled a new brand identity for its portfolio of businesses: Viking Crew (formerly Viking Recruitment); Maritime Skills Academy; and Chiltern Maritime, which provides U.K. merchant navy cadet training. The rebranding coincides with the company’s 30th anniversary.Viking Maritime has offices in the U.K., New Zealand, the U.S. and the Philippines.
Ross joins Luxury Law Group
Christopher R. Ross has been hired by Luxury Law Group to lead its New York office in Hampton Bays and Patchogue on Long Island. Luxury Law Group is a full-service law firm focusing on transaction and litigation matters related to luxury assets, including yachts.
MarineMax Vacations opens BVI base
MarineMax Vacations has opened a base at Nanny Cay on the island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. According to the company, the base was specifically built for MarineMax Vacations and the location at Nanny Cay Marina was chosen for its proximity to the ferry docks in Road Town, and the amenities and shops in Nanny Cay.
October 2018 The-Triton.com
Yachts sold
M/Y Matrix Rose, a 147-foot (45m) Sterling launched in 1986, sold by Merle Wood & Associates in an in-house deal. Asking price was $6.95 million. M/Y Gladiator, above, a 146.5-foot (44.6m) Feadship launched in 2010, sold by Camper & Nicholsons broker Alex Lees-Buckley and Edmiston broker Cornelius Gerling, who shared the listing, and Y.CO brokers Gary Wright and Will Christie, who brought the buyer. Asking price was €19.8 million. M/Y Cyclone, 143-foot (43.7m) Tansu built in 2017, sold by Fraser broker David Legrand, who represented the seller, and Onboard Yachting broker Alain Auvare, who brought the buyer. Asking price was €12.5 million. M/Y Chagos, a 95-foot (29m) Ocean Voyager built in 2009, sold by Fraser brokers Josh Gulbranson and Trevor Carroll, who represented the seller, and Denison broker Alex Clarke, who brought the buyer. Asking price was $950,000.
New in the sales fleet
M/Y Areti, an 279-foot (85m) Lürssen launched in 2017, listed jointly with Burgess and Fraser for €175 million. M/Y Adamas II (originally Azzam), a 200-foot (61m) boat built by Dauphin Yachts in 1987, listed with Camper & Nicholsons for €14 million. M/Y Podium, a 197-foot (60m) Lürssen launched in 2006, listed with Fraser broker Stuart Larsen for $42.5 million. M/Y Maybe, a 194-foot (59m) full-displacement yacht launched by Metalships & Docks in 2016, listed with Northrop & Johnson broker Joshua Lee for €34.9 million. M/Y Victory, a 170-foot (51.8m) yacht built by Golden Yachts in 2007, listed with Fraser broker Vassilis Fotilas for €12.5 million. M/Y Olmida, a 163-foot (50m) Codecasa built in 2004, listed with Fraser broker Antoine Larricq for just under €11.5 million. M/Y Herculina, a 163-foot (49.7m) Feadship launched in 1998, listed with Cecil Wright & Partners for €17 million. M/Y Excellence, a 150-foot (45.7m) Richmond launched in 2010, listed with Denison broker Alex Clarke for $15.6 million. M/Y Moon Sand, a 144-foot (44m) Feadship delivered in 2015, listed with Camper & Nicholsons brokers Alex Lees-Buckley and Bart Kimman for €32.8 million. M/Y Aquarella, a 138-foot (42m) Devonport launched in 1994, listed with YPI broker Matt Albert for €3.95 million. M/Y Tanvas, a 131-foot (40m)
boats / brokers Sunseeker built in 2010, listed with Northrop & Johnson broker Jim Poulsen for $11 million. M/Y Plan A, below, a 130-foot (39.6m) Westport launched in 2007, listed with Reel Deal Yacht broker Marcos Morjain for $10.5 million.
M/Y ME, a 127-foot (38.7m) semidisplacement yacht built by IAG as part of the Primadonna127 series in 2014, listed with Atlantic Yacht & Ship for just under $9 million. M/Y Ocean Club, a 120-foot (36.6m) Sovereign launched in 2002 and sold in May 2016 as Aspen Alternative, listed with Bradford Marine Yacht Sales broker Whit Kirtland for just under $4.5 million. M/Y Preference, a 119-foot (36.4m) explorer yacht launched by Tansu in 2011 and sold in January 2016 as Bartender, listed with Thompson, Westwood and White broker David Westwood for €7.8 million. M/Y Seychelle, a 111-foot (33.8m) Northcoast launched in 1993, listed with Fraser broker Neal Esterly for $2.95 million. M/Y Mirabilis, a 108-foot (33m) Ferretti launched in 2018 as a custom line Navetta 33 model, listed with IYC broker Frank Grzeszczak Jr. for just under $12.5 million. M/Y Andiamo, below a 105-foot (32m) Azimut launched in 2012, listed with Denison broker Scott Lacroix for $5.95 million.
M/Y Force Blue, a 207-foot (63m) Royal Denship launched in 2002, available for winter charter in the western Med through Frasier agent Daniela De Marco. M/Y Nassima, a 161-foot (49m) Acico built in 2012, available for winter charter in the western Med through Fraser agent Alexia Eude. M/Y Mirragio, a 134-foot (41m) Siar Moschini launched in 1988, available for charter in the Caribbean and BVIs through Fraser agent Vicky Homes.
Tankoa launches Solo project
Tankoa Yachts’ S701 Solo was launched in August in Genoa, Italy. The 236-foot (72m) project, sold in September 2016, is expected to be delivered in November. It’s the second yacht built on Tankoa’s 70/72-meter technical platform. Reminiscent of the 226-foot (69m) Suerte (project S693), Solo is 9.8 feet (3m) longer and has a volume of about 1,600 GT.
Benetti launches third of ‘007’ trio
Benetti recently launched its FB269 project, christened M/Y Spectre by owner John Staluppi, a New York businessman who has a penchant for James Bond movies. Spectre, a 226-foot (69m) custom yacht is the third yacht Benetti has built for Staluppi, following Quantum of Solace and Diamonds Are Forever.
Turkish yard plans mini-series on build
Turkish shipyard Alia Yachts has delivered the 102-foot (31m) Virgen del Mar VI. Although Alia Yachts has focused on custom production to date, its president, Gökhan Çelik, stated that enthusiastic reception of the Virgen del Mar VI by owners and brokers has persuaded the yard to expand the technical platform into a mini-series.
Apex adds Monte Carlo Yachts to lineup SV103, a new build 103-foot (31.3m) carbon catamaran built by Magic Yachts and scheduled to launch in 2021, listed with Northrop & Johnson broker James Munn for €12 million.
News in the charter fleet
M/Y Christina O, a 325-foot (99m) passenger vessel originally launched in 1943 by Canadian Vickers Limited as a frigate in the Royal Canadian Navy and later converted by Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis into a private yacht, now available for charter in 2019 through Mediterranean-based Morley Yachts.
Apex Marine, a South Florida yacht sales and service provider, has added Monte Carlo Yachts to its lineup of luxury yachts. Monte Carlo Yachts, based in Monfalcone, Italy, builds custom luxury flybridge yachts from 65 feet to 105 feet. Apex Marine has operations in Stuart, Pompano, Miami and Key Largo, Florida.
N&J has new broker in Monaco
Northrop & Johnson has hired Sébastien Clavé as a broker with its Monaco team. Born and raised in Normandy, France, Clavé brings more than 10 years experience as a yacht broker. He previously worked at ABYS Yachting.
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Yacht crew suicides trigger conversations to foster awareness, help MENTAL HEALTH, from Page 1 year I have written about several crew suicides and suspected suicides, as well as deaths from drug and alcohol abuse. I have met yacht crew who have been assaulted and raped. And I’ve talked with the captains and crew – and family – most affected. The effects of an unbalanced mental state show up in world news often. From 17 people killed by a troubled man at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in South Florida last spring to the suicides of celebrities such as actor Robin Williams, chef Anthony Bourdain, and designer Kate Spade, the conversation is playing out on TV shows and podcasts, in newspaper and magazine articles, and in seminars around the world. “I’m Listening,” a global event that took place on Sept. 9, aimed to end the stigma of talking about mental health (imlistening.org). Yachting is not immune, but it’s not clear how far-reaching the issue is. Some say the lack of hard data should be the least of our concern.
exacerbated by the yachting lifestyle. “I’m aware of four cases of people “Yachting is such a hard life, much taking their own life in the last 18 more than people realize,” Norma months,” said Tony Nicholson, projects Trease said. As a former crew, crew team leader with MedAire, a medical agent and editor-at-large at Yachting support company. “For a small indusMatters, she has seen mental health try, that’s terrible. I don’t think we need concerns from all sides. statistics. Other industries with world travel take mental health very seriously. Behind the scenes ‘I’m aware of four cases Whatever we can do The goal with of people taking their to help can only be mental health is just beneficial.” own life in the last 18 that: health. We asked yachtmonths. For a small Dictionaries ing veterans and industry, that’s terrible. describe it as a state mental health experts of emotional and I don’t think we need how the lifestyle psychological wellstatistics.’ of yachting affects being in which an crew’s mental health, individual is able to – Tony Nicholson what help is available use his or her cogniprojects team leader when they feel overtive and emotional MedAire whelmed, and how capabilities, functhey can overcome tion in society, and those challenges to meet the ordinary staying healthy. demands of everyday life. Many crew and professionals say they Problems arise when this healthy see signs of concern – depression, anxistate is disrupted. And just one crew ety, aggression, fear, eating disorders, member can affect everyone on board, and addictive behaviors – that may be
said Chief Stew Jodi Samuel Aves. Aves is an author and actively involved in education on mental health issues. For the past decade in the industry, she has seen common concerns on different yachts that personally affected her. Sometimes situations occur, such as a death in the family, that trigger mental health problems, and in other instances, crew come into the industry with problems, she said. Coupled with that are unpredictable work schedules and challenging demands, long working hours, difficulty adapting to unfamiliar environments and cultures, feelings of isolation, unrealized expectations, and confined living and working conditions. “It’s so different from life on land – you’re not even in charge of what you’re eating,” Aves said. “A lot of jobs require working long hours, but they go home at night. We’re away from our support, our people. All this makes it hard.” Often captains and crew are not aware of how situations surrounding mental health can affect crew. “The problem is that so many are
Career News 29
October 2018 The-Triton.com taken by surprise, they had no idea,” Rebecca Castellano said of the mental health issues that arise. As a registered nurse and sales manager with Medical Support Offshore, she said, “I’ve got horror stories.” Often the person themself may not know something is wrong, she said. “Mental illness is difficult to diagnose; everyone gets happy and depressed,” Castellano said. “Get them on board, away from home, nothing is familiar, no family, crammed in with people they don’t know, clashes with language and culture, a boyfriend breaks up and the next thing you know, they break. If they are not rock solid, mentally stable, it is an equation for disaster.” There is no way to know how crew will respond to anxiety and stress – “even when the interview goes well, they’re full of smiles and they look great on paper” – so crew have to be astute, listen to each other, notice if he’s sleeping too much or she’s eating too little, recognize if someone seems nervous or cries easily. These are all symptoms of mental stress, Castellano said. And it isn’t just crew who are susceptible, it’s captains too, she added.
Help is available
Whether a mental health concern is from a pre-existing condition or develops while on the job, education can help. Crew can learn to be aware of their own actions, and senior crew can be alert to symptoms and guide fellow crew to help. Mental issues should be treated like any other illness, Castellano said. “If you saw crew who was physically sick and not getting the job done, you would say, ‘You need to stop and go to the doctor.’ Why would mental illness be treated any different?” Medical Support Offshore’s call service offers guidance for mental health concerns. A call activates telemedical support and a doctor will get involved, she said. An example of a concern would be a depressed crew member who has locked himself in a cabin, Castellano said. A call to the hotline connects doctors who can offer advice on transportation, possible medication, advice for a suicide watch, or whatever is needed. Karine Rayson, director of The Crew Coach, believes psychological education should be part of mandatory crew training. Rayson moderates a blog and hosts webinars to help crew because of things,
such as bullying, that she saw as chief stew on superyachts. “I have heard of accounts of some crew being targeted and having their belongings thrown into the toilet and their personal belongings being purposefully ruined,” she wrote to The Triton. “I have heard of crew being mistreated due to not consenting to ‘sexual favours.’” She saw how such behaviors led to problems. “Sexual harassment, verbal abuse and bullying trigger mental health conditions,” she said. “Psychological safety is as paramount as physical safety.” Some first steps should include focus on the importance of good mental health, management of burnout, and increased awareness of the potential signs of problems, Rayson said. When crew reach out for help, they should be assured that they will be treated with sympathy, respect and discretion. She also wants to address the fact that crew do not feel safe in terms of reaching out for support. “Namely, fear of losing their jobs, their fellow crew members could be triggering their mental health issues, lack of information, or they are unsure of which governing body to turn to for
support,” Rayson said. “There is a lot of work that needs to be done to change the existing culture and stigma attached to mental health within the industry.” MedAire is working toward offering that support, Nicholson said. To use remote medical services, the captain or officer historically needed to be informed of the request for help to authorize monetary approval before any treatment, Nicholson said. This appeared to be a roadblock to crew asking for help. “With anxiety, bullying and isolation, crew may not want to take it further up the chain because of what they perceive they will have to do,” he said. “It can be tough to go through attitudes and stigma.” MedAire now offers assistance that eliminates the need for advanced authorization. Even so, there has been some concern from captains. “The feedback is that captains are not comfortable because they want to know what’s going on,” Nicholson said. “We respond that if crew are not reaching out to you, they’re not reaching out. “What this does is it puts multiple
See Mental health, Page 30
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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 Sept. 15, 2018
Prices for low-sulfur gasoil expressed in US$ per cubic meter (1,000 liters) as of Sept. 15, 2017
Region Duty-free*/duty paid U.S. East Coast Ft. Lauderdale 652/696 Savannah, Ga. 665/NA Caribbean St. Thomas, USVI 1000/NA St. Maarten 820/NA Antigua 800/NA Valparaiso 734/NA North Atlantic Bermuda (Ireland Island) 707/NA Cape Verde 641/NA Azores 728/1,447 Canary Islands NA/938 Mediterranean Gibraltar 660/NA Barcelona, Spain 700/1,181 Palma de Mallorca, Spain NA/1,195 Antibes, France 1,769/1,798 San Remo, Italy 837/1,755 Naples, Italy 1050/1851 Venice, Italy 851/2,140 Corfu, Greece 781/1,681 Piraeus, Greece 722/1,611 Istanbul, Turkey 803/NA Malta 745/1,447 Tunis, Tunisia 607/NA Bizerte, Tunisia 596/NA Oceania Auckland, New Zealand 717/NA Sydney, Australia 743/NA Fiji 760/NA Algiers, Algeria 622/NA Saranda, Albania 692/NA
Region Duty-free*/duty paid U.S. East Coast Ft. Lauderdale 572/612 Savannah, Ga. 540/NA Newport, R.I. 530/NA Caribbean St. Thomas, USVI 871/NA St. Maarten 740/NA Antigua 670/NA Valparaiso 683/NA North Atlantic Bermuda (Ireland Island) 531/NA Cape Verde 445/NA Azores 548/1311 Canary Islands NA/884 Mediterranean Gibraltar 499/NA Barcelona, Spain NA/1,196 Palma de Mallorca, Spain NA/1,416 Antibes, France 460/1,220 San Remo, Italy 744/1,752 Naples, Italy 668/1,724 Venice, Italy 800/2,180 Corfu, Greece 632/1,496 Piraeus, Greece 584/1,436 Istanbul, Turkey 564/NA Malta 764/1,352 Tunis, Tunisia 437/NA Bizerte, Tunisia 439/NA Oceania Auckland, New Zealand 585/NA Sydney, Australia 547/NA Fiji 640/NA
*When available according to local customs.
Help lines, doctors, other crew build support to increase conversation MENTAL HEALTH, from Page 29
Awareness is growing, said Tom Holmer. He is project manager with levels of safety with the medical team International Seafarers’ Welfare and first,” he said. “This is confidential Assistance Network (ISWAN), which unless someone is a dangerous risk to offers a help line to provide emotional themselves or others. Legally and morsupport and counseling services, as well ally, we have to alert [the captains] for as seafarers centers and welfare workers. legal or medical help then. Multiple Much of the group’s work has been with layers of safety are still there if somemerchant seafarers, but Holmer said one needs support outside of standard yacht crew face similar issues. Because counseling.” of that, ISWAN is compiling a survey to assess yacht crews’ mental health condition and needs. The results will be Hope for health available in December. Fortunately, support industries are “To put this in perspective, we know working to foster communication and resources. The recent perceived increase that seafarers can love their work,” he wrote in an email in mental health-reto The Triton. lated incidents has Mariners ‘are professionals, “They are procreated a sense of fessionals, most urgency, said Frank most employers are well employers are well Brand, instructor meaning, and good careers meaning, and good and course developare available. But there can careers are availer at the Star Center be cases of abuse.’ able. But there can in Dania Beach, be cases of abuse, Florida. – Tom Holmer or other areas of Earlier this year projects manager need that might during the SuISWAN not be related to peryacht Summit, anything untoward Brand was moderaon board, where tor of the seminar, independent support is sought.” “Health and Wellness on Deck: Making I have tried without success to reach a Happy and Healthy Crew, Plus Recout to that young woman so troubled by ognizing Warning Signs for Mental and the unstable engineer. I don’t know the Physical Issues.” outcome for them. I do know that I was “Recent research by IMO [International Maritime Organization] indicates unprepared to help. I’m not a mental health professional, and neither are that seafarers may be more likely than yacht captains and fellow crewmates. their shore counterparts to experience But people are talking about it. And mental health problems,” Brand said. that is a start. “Health care has historically focused on physical health. There is little or no Dorie Cox is editor of The Triton. Commental health assessment to determine ment at dorie@the-triton.com. suitability.”
There are few yachting industryrelated resources for captains and crew seeking assistance or support of mental health issues. Here are a few general resources to help:
U. S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline suicidepreventionlifeline.org +1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line text HOME to 741741
Crisis Services Canada www.crisisservicescanada.ca, 1-833-456-4566
UK Samaritans 116 123 (UK and Ireland) www.samaritans.org
Australia Lifeline www.lifeline.org.au, 13 11 14
SeafarerHelp
www.seafarerhelp.org +44 20 7323 2737
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Keep onboard computers safe from hacks ETO: All Systems Go Jason Robertson
IT administrators swear by this motto: “Always ensure your software is fully updated.” If we never download updates and patch our products, the system will be vulnerable, and those vulnerabilities are easily exploited by hackers. And it’s not just updating the computer that’s important – we must also update Java and Flash. About a year ago, there was a hacking competition for the Mac OS, which is very secure. On Day 1, they had just the Mac with the base operating system, and no one could hack it. On Day 2, they installed all the approved Mac OS apps, and no one could hack it. On Day 3, they installed all other apps that you would normally find on a Mac, and one of them was Adobe Flash. A hacker was able to gain full access to the computer based on a Flash vulnerability. Adobe has since released patches and updates, but their software consistently gets hacked and makes computers vulnerable. If we don’t use Flash or need it, it’s best to remove it.
install an anti-malware program, such as Microsoft Defender, Spybot Search and Destroy, or Adware (Malwarebytes). Defender and Spybot Search and Destroy are both free. In my experience, the free versions are generally better than the versions that are paid for.
Build a wall
Firewalls can be software or hardware. They keep hackers from getting into your network from the internet. A firewall can be installed on the computer as software, or a hardware firewall can be built into the modem/router. But remember, just because it’s built in doesn’t mean it’s turned on. All apps/programs that access the internet use ports to communicate to the internet; the firewall blocks that port from outside access. Firewalls are great because they keep hackers from getting into our network, but be a little careful as they also could keep us from doing what we need to do.
My advice is to not to use Internet Explorer – it allows a computer to connect to other computers in a way that other browsers do not.
Kill and remove viruses
Updates are nice, but we also want something to kill and remove viruses This is where anti-virus software comes in. There are two main types: residential and commercial. With commercial, there is a licensing period for updates; after the license expires, the commercial anti-virus software will still work but will not get any new updates. With residential anti-virus software, when the license runs out, the software stops working. Most people favor free versions of software, but when it comes to free antivirus software, be sure to download the free version– and not a virus.
Block data theft
Besides viruses, there is malware, or spyware, to watch out for. What is the difference between malware and a virus? Viruses are usually self-replicating and try to damage to your computer – kill the operating system, corrupt files and cause data loss. Spyware does not cause harm. It collects usernames, credit card info and passwords, harvesting as much sensitive information as it can, then upload that data to its server. Anti-virus companies don’t usually include anti-spyware products. Always
MacAfee SiteAdvisor, or WebAdvisor, is a free tool to make sure we don’t go to websites that host viruses and spyware. It works by having a database of all the bad websites, and preventing or warning us from going to them.
‘Suites’ not a good idea
In order to sell us more products, the major manufacturers of anti-virus software have created “internet security suites,” which are packages with everything included: anti-virus, anti-malware, firewall and SiteAdvisor. It sounds like a good idea, but it’s generally not. Most companies do one thing well, but not everything well. With internet security suites, they try to do too much and end up hurting the end user, locking down the computer so much that it can cause more headaches than it’s worth. Security suite software can block users from legitimately accessing the internet, and
often users will have no idea how to gain access to the internet from their computers again. Let each vendor do what it does well, and avoid the suites.
Privileges and permissions
Proper use of privileges and permissions is important. Every operating system ever built has login options with different permission levels. A “root user” in Linux can do anything. In Windows, there is the “user,” who cannot install software and change programs, and the “administrator,” who has full control. It’s always a good practice to create a user account with only user permissions, rather than letting everyone log in as administrator. Why? When a virus comes into a computer and the virus activates, it will have the permission level of whichever login is active. If the user is logged in as admin, the virus will be able to do anything it wants – self-replicating, installing itself into auto startup and login, editing our registry – and it can be a real nightmare for those not experienced with removing and killing processors and cleaning the registry.
Browsers are not born equal
The main internet browsers are Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and Safari. My advice is to not to use Internet Explorer, as it allows a computer to connect to other computers in a way that other browsers do not. Internet Explorer offers a lot of functionality – we can use active X programs to create little programs within Internet Explorer, and it allows us to remotely control a computer from other computers – but this functionality also offers a lot of security holes. With Internet Explorer, a hacker could go straight into the computer. In contrast, there is not a lot a hacker can do with Firefox, Chrome or Safari. Since they mainly browse the web, the worst that can happen is that the user will be sent to a different website. Vigilantly tending to the basics will help keep all computers on board safe from attack. Make sure all updates are done; use a reliable anti-virus, anti-malware and firewall; set user-only permissions; surf the internet using SiteAdvisor; and try not to use Internet Explorer. Jason Robertson, director of technical crew placement agency Robertson ETOS (www.robertsonetos.com), has more than 17 years of combined AV/IT and ETO experience on board megayachts. Comment at editor@the-triton.com.
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October 2018 The-Triton.com
Common mistakes in carpet care that can drive owners crazy Stew Cues Alene Keenan
The interior spaces of yachts are designed to be as comfortable as an owner’s or guest’s home. The furniture, textiles and materials chosen for the flooring define the space and enhance the overall elegance of the vessel. Whether marble, stone, tile, wood or carpet is chosen, proper care is essential. Carpet is a popular choice for flooring in interior guest areas, including salons, staterooms, hallways, stairways, foyers and crew areas. In addition to providing a design focus for the interior, it provides a safe nonslip surface and helps to improve air quality inside by absorbing airborne dust and pollutants. Carpet also helps reduce engine noise, rather than enhance it like hard flooring. Proper cleaning, care, and preventive maintenance are the key to prolonging the life of carpet on board. Carpets may be very luxurious and improper treatment could result in costly damage. In some cases, treating stains and spills has
never been easier. Even expensive wools and delicate silks are often blended with nylon and treated for stain resistance to add strength and protection. Shannon Kelleher of Ronnie’s Custom Carpet Cleaning shared some tips on handling the most common damage-causing mistakes he sees on yachts. Whether carpet is stain-resistant or not, the key to properly treating spills is to act quickly and follow two simple steps. First, absorb the spill. Blot it with a dry, white absorbent cloth or plain white paper towel to avoid transferring ink or dye to the carpet. Semi-solids, such as food, may need to be scooped up with a spoon. Continue blotting until the area is barely damp. To avoid fraying and texture damage, do not scrub or use a brush. Next, treat the stain or spot. Shannon recommends plain water to dilute the stain, continuing to blot up what is coming out. Use a clean wet-vac to draw out liquid. Using commercial cleaners incorrectly is a common mistake, as these may cause damage to fibers and dyes. Follow package directions carefully and
always pretest in an inconspicuous spot for color-fastness. Another source of damage is adhesive carpet-protection film, or mask, used to provide temporary protection during delivery or construction. It may not be safe to use on wool or other natural fibers at all, but in general, if it is left on too long, sits in direct sunlight, or if the vessel goes without air conditioning for any length of time, the adhesive can transfer to the carpet. The colorless adhesive may be unnoticeable, but feel sticky to the touch. Over time it collects soil and spots will appear. The key is to carefully follow all manufacturer’s instructions and know the maximum amount of time that is safe for the carpet. Removing adhesive can be costly and damaging. Failure to pull up carpet and padding that has been flooded is another source of damage. Of course, any flooding containing sewage from black water creates a major health risk, and carpet and padding should be discarded. Carpet padding absorbs like a sponge and creates the perfect environment for mold, which grows quickly and destroys carpet
as well as air quality. Mold can lead to serious respiratory and other health problems. Proper cleaning and disinfecting may be needed. Finally, scented carpet powders can damage the backing and padding of the carpet, and they also cause significant damage to our beloved vacuum cleaners. The fine powder builds up inside, especially in bagless type vacuums. Air flow is restricted and can damage the motor. The engineer and the captain are not going to be happy about replacing the vacuum. Again. Follow manufacturer’s instructions and develop a relationship with a professional cleaning team to care for upholstery and draperies as well as carpet. A clean yacht is a happy yacht. And the owners will be too. Alene Keenan is former lead instructor of interior courses at Maritime Professional Training in Fort Lauderdale. She shares more than 20 years experience as a stew in her book, “The Yacht Guru’s Bible: The Service Manual for Every Yacht,” available at yachtstewsolutions.com. Comment at editor@the-triton.com.
34 Interior
The-Triton.com October 2018
For the best gluten-free baking, stock up on flour-starch blends Culinary Waves Mary Beth Lawton Johnson
Gluten-free baking is not a oneflour-fits-all endeavor. But do we really have to keep all those different flours on board? Well, it really does help to have at least a few on hand. They are not available in every port, so I try to keep a variety of specialty flours in the freezer or refrigerator – most GF flours can go rancid in a short period of time because they are not bleached or had chemicals added to extended their shelf life. There is no need to keep all of the GF flours on board – maybe just three. What works for me is a blend of rice flour and two starches (potato and and tapioca flours), but others might find the flavor profile and texture of the finished products too gritty. See what I am getting at? Some experiment is called for in order to have a great baking product. Not all of the flours on the market that are GF are good. Generally speaking, a lot of them are gritty. It’s easy now to grab a bag or box of ready-
made, all-purpose GF flour and go, but what if it doesn’t work? What if that brand still produces the gaseous, bloating effect of gluten? This indicates cross contamination of the product. As someone who is gluten intolerant, I have found that Udi’s, for example, always has cross contamination. I suggest buying several flours and making several test batches of cookies, breads and cakes to find the perfect flour combo for your baking needs. That way when a store, say, in the Maldives doesn’t have your particular brand of GF flour, you know cup-for-cup what to use to produce the same results. Rice (white and brown), sweet white sorghum, teff, amaranth, potato, tapioca, bean, millet and coconut are several of the flours I have on hand at all times. Sounds like a lot, but the bags are small and each one produces a different taste and texture in the final product. Look for all-purpose GF flour that is made in a facility that is certified glutenfree because it is easy for machinery that processes others items, such as wheat, to contaminate the flour. Store GF products in the freezer or refrigerator to
keep them separate from regular flour products and to prevent spoilage. When baking with GF flours, remember you will need a glue. Just as gluten is the binder that provides stability and texture in regular flour, gums provide the texture, shape and binding power in GF products. Xantham gum and guar gum are a couple I keep on board. The boxed all-purpose GF flours already have this added in. It takes only a pinch or about 1/4 teaspoon of gum in a recipe. Too much and the product will be too thick and gummy. One charter guest had listed thin, crispy GF oatmeal raisin cookies on his preference sheet. Traditional GF baking mixes in the store are full and fluffy, and they produce a more cakey cookie. He didn’t want that. He wanted crispy and super thin, almost see-through. It took more than 10 batches of trial cookies, but I finally achieved the perfect GF ultra-thin and crispy cookie. Had I not experimented with different flours and starches, I would not have found the combination that truly worked to produce the results he wanted.
These are the boxed flours that I keep on board for breads and cakes: King Arthurs GF flour, Bob’s Red Mill all-purpose GF flour, and Cup for Cup, which can be used cup-for-cup as a substitute for regular all-purpose flour and is found on Amazon. When baking for a severe-allergy diet, go with Haylie Pomroy’s baking mixes. Be sure to look for GF baking powder as well, because some are not. Always have on hand two starches, such as potato, tapioca or arrowroot. These add thickness to the final product. Keep ready-made almond meal or almond flour on hand for making delicious muffins and morning breads, or make your own by grinding almonds. Gluten-free baking has come a long way over the past few decades, and experimenting a bit with GF flour blends will result in baked goods that don’t have to taste like cardboard. Mary Beth Lawton Johnson is a certified executive pastry chef and Chef de Cuisine, and has worked on yachts for more than 25 years. Comment at editor@ the-triton.com.
Interior 35
October 2018 The-Triton.com
PHOTOS/TIM MACDONALD
Going macro? Go for masalas Top Shelf Chef Tim MacDonald
“Tell him to study macrobiotic,” shouted the boss down the line to the captain while giving food preferences. On hearing the instructions, I immediately had a vision of what was coming, a vision of an early James Bond movie fat farm with green power shakes, classic English sports cars, and the ubiquitous secret suitcase hiding treats from Harrods in the master because, let’s face it, health food is boring. To my horror, research showed going macro meant, for me, going “places unknown.” So, using a previous assign-
ment with an Indian vegetarian family, I combined all elements and created what was to become the “So Fran” macro salad that the crew was forced to eat every second day in some shape or form. There are many variations using power grains – quinoa, barley, wheatberry, etc. – but the theme remains the same: Health food can be tasty. The secret? Indian masalas. Tim MacDonald (timothymacdonald. weebly.com) has more than 20 years experience as a chef. He was named Concours de Chefs winner for Yachts over 160 feet at the 2011 Antigua Charter Yacht Show. His recipes are designed for the owner and guests. Comments are welcome at editor@the-triton.com.
SO FRAN MACROBIOTIC SALAD Ingredients Roasted vegetables sprinkled with biryani masala (sweet potato, parsnip, eggplant, celeriac, turnip, carrot, peppers, artichoke, beans, cabbage, etc.) Cooked power grains (red quinoa, wheatberry, barley) “Anna’s Birdseed mix” (sunflower, chia, pumpkin, sesame, goji berry) Pulses (canned chickpeas, red kidney beans, lentils) Salad (chopped raw spinach, kale and rocket)
Method There are no exact quantities other than
to say mix all ingredients together until you have what you are happy with. The preference is to have a vegetabledominant salad. What’s more important is to season with lemon, olive oil, salt and biryani masala until you cross the border of “veggie food is boring.”
36 Interior
The-Triton.com October 2018
Ancient Chinese technique is more modern than you think Crew’s Mess Capt. John Wampler
One would think that stir-fry cooking dates back to China’s earliest history, but that’s not the case. Historians think that during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.) a bronze vessel was used for “stir-drying” grain and roasting tea leaves, but the wok did not obtain its current shape until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and it was used mostly for boiling and steaming because only the wealthy could afford cooking oil. It wasn’t until the late Ming period, when wood and charcoal was very costly in the cities, that quick cooking became a necessity. The stir-fry technique was brought to the West by early Chinese immigrants and has been used in non-Asian cuisine, like the Lomo Saltado recipe from Peru that I wrote about two years ago. The actual term “stir-fry,” however, did not even enter the lexicon of cooking until the 1945 release of How to Cook and Eat in Chinese, by Chao Yang Buwei. This is a very simple and tasty recipe. I use either flank or flap for best results. The important thing to remember is to cut your thin strips of meat across the grain.
PHOTOS/JOHN WAMPLER
If you made the ponzu recipe from last month, use it to marinate the meat and for cooking. If not, use the recipe below for excellent results. Make sure your wok and oil are hot. Capt. John Wampler (yachtaide.com) has worked on yachts for more than 30 years. His recipes are casual enough for anyone to prepare. Comment at editor@ the-triton.com.
SESAME GINGER BEEF STIR-FRY Ingredients 12-ounce package of stir-fry noodles 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar 3 tablespoons soy sauce, divided 1 teaspoon sugar 1 pound beef flank steak, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons sesame oil 2 cup snow pea pods 2 tablespoons fresh ginger root, grated
with marinade. Cover and set aside for 15 minutes.
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds, optional
In a large wok or skillet, heat sesame oil over high heat.
Preparation
Add snow peas and ginger. Stir-fry for 3 minutes.
Prepare noodles according to package directions. In a large bowl, combine cornstarch, vinegar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce and sugar. Add thinly sliced beef and stir to coat
Add beef and stir-fry for 5 minutes.
Add cooked noodles and remaining soy sauce, then continue to stir-fry for 2 more minutes. Plate and serve with a white wine, such as a Riesling. Enjoy.
October 2018 The-Triton.com
Intellian makes ‘future-proof’ antenna
Intellian, a Korean maker of satellite communication antenna systems with offices worldwide, has launched an 85cm, Ku-to-Ka band, convertible maritime VSAT antenna, called the Intellian v85NX, that the company says is the first to be developed based on the NX platform. Intellian promotes the v85NX as a future-proof system that supports GEO constellations and ensures compatibility with future networks. For more, visit intelliantech.com.
VMAG adds marine fire detection
Fort Lauderdale-based Voyager Maritime Alliance Group (VMAG) now sells a full line of marine fire detection products manufactured by FireboyXintex. “What brought it home was the recent disaster in the Bahamas and how easy a boat can go up in smoke so quickly,” stated David Leone, president of VMAG, in reference to a fatal tour boat explosion and fire in July that killed one passenger and wounded nine. VMAG decided to become a distributor of Fireboy-Xintex products because of its ability to provide pre-engineered and custom-engineered fire safety systems, Leone stated. For more, visit www.vmag.cc.
Furuno calls new VHF radio a ‘multi-tool’
The Furuno FM4800 is a new all-inone marine VHF radiotelephone with built-in Class D DSC, GPS receiver, AIS receiver, and loud hailer with intercom. According to Furuno, the unit is waterproof to an IP68 standard, which means it can withstand the IP's laboratory testing of full immersion for over 30 minutes, for use on vessels with an exposed bridge. The FM4800 has high safety and reliability ratings and a number of built-in features that make it versatile, according to a Furuno press release. With the unit’s built-in GPS receiver, it does not require an external GPS source to enable its DSC functionality, and it can be used as a backup source of GPS positioning. For more, visit furuno.com.
Smart lock system redesigned
The Remotekey Intelligent Locking System made by Smart Locks for Yachts is now available in an edition tailored to smaller yachts. According to Smart Locks for Yachts, the web-based system can mechanically open locks from the inside, remotely lock and unlock doors using a mobile device or computer, and produce intelligent time scheduling and up-to-the-
TECHNOLOGY bRIEFS minute access logs. Contractors and visitors can be granted access to customizable routes via a free app-based key that can be monitored from anywhere in the world, according to the company. The locks themselves hold all data, so they continue to function if power is lost and can be altered or backed up using closeproximity technology. For more, visit locksforyachts.com.
ACR Electronics upgrades production
South Florida-based ACR Electronics, which designs and manufactures distress beacons and survival equipment, has upgraded its manufacturing
facilities with a new Surface Mount Technology line at its Florida headquarters, the company recently announced. “By using the new high-performance SMT equipment to build our own circuit boards, we will be able to offer high levels of flexibility and accuracy, control a fast and agile supply chain with low production lead times, and respond dynamically and quickly at all times,” John Nguyen, president of ACR Electronics, stated in a press release. The new SMT line at ACR Electronics includes the surface mount i-Pulse M20 with multi-conveyor system to provide the highest large board handling capability and high feeder capacity, plus
Career News 37 solder paste printer YCP10. For more, visit acrartex.com.
Bell 525 passes test with flying colors
The Bell 525 helicopter recently completed hot-weather testing in Yuma, Arizona, at temperatures up to 120 degrees F, as well as high altitude operations to density altitudes of 14,000 feet, according to a project update from the manufacturer. Earlier this year, the Bell 525 completed cold-weather testing at temperatures down to minus 37 degrees F in North Manitoba, Canada. The Bell 525 certification is expected in 2019. For more, visit bellflight.com.
38 From the Bridge
The-Triton.com October 2018
PHOTO/DORIE COX
Individual comments are not attributed to encourage candid discussion; attending captains are identified in the accompanying photograph.
Captains who make their living running someone else’s yacht are welcome to join in the conversation. Email to editor@ the-triton.com for an invitation to our monthly From the Bridge discussion.
Attendees of The Triton’s From the Bridge discussion for this issue are, back row from left, Capt. Danielle Harangody, Capt. Harold Moyer, Capt. John Wampler (freelance), and Capt. Michael Mullen of M/Y Relentless; front row from left, Capt. Jason Brashears of M/Y Happy Hour, Capt. Henning Heinemann, Capt. Butch Kemp, and Capt. Norm Treu of S/Y La Perla.
Potential injury, boat damage cause concern for captains BRIDGE, from Page 1 But even with crew training, proper procedures and good equipment, pulling a tender behind a large yacht is still not something they prefer to do. This group has experience with tows, including several captains who have worked commercially, but during this short lunch we aimed the focus on the human aspect of towing: how it impacts yacht crew and procedures on board. Even with that aim, several captains clarified that proper equipment is critical for safe towing. Most of today’s yachts are not designed to tow and don’t have proper lines and capstans or windlass systems, one said. “To properly tow, it needs to be on the center line, aft of the rudder, and yachts aren’t built for that,” one captain said. “We’ll have a 2,000-pound capstan and we need a 10,000.” The tender must be in good shape with outboards properly lifted and locked. “They [outboards] can tip over and change the weight on the boat,” a
captain said. He recommended backing plates be installed for support on hardware or fittings that will take the load. This is often a modification, he said. “And thru-hulls need to be checked,” he said. “A hose can pop and fill the vessel. I had one turn over.” Fortunately, no one in the group had a crew member injured during a towing scenario, but most had a tale of a damaged or lost tender. These incidents were due to a variety of factors. Equipment had failed and lines had snapped even on well-maintained boats because of the mechanical stress. Ideally, captains would not tow during rough weather, but set itineraries may call for them to tow when they would rather not. And a towed tender faces the force of waves and swells. Tenders need to be towed at the proper distance to stay on the same position on a wave as the yacht to avoid being propelled down into a trough or gaining momentum toward the towing yacht. Although the potential financial loss of a damaged tender can be large, captains continued to focus on personal
From the Bridge 39
October 2018 The-Triton.com safety. “Safety of the crew and then safety of the yacht,” one captain said. “Our job is to explain that.” “It’s all about what level of safety you can sell to the owner,” another captain said. Owners don’t complain when the yacht requires fire-safety equipment, but towing equipment can be questioned, the first captain said. Occasionally, yacht owners may not recognize unsafe towing practices and think their captains should be able to run faster, even at night or in bad weather. Like when they see a boat blazing through the Bahamas with a tow behind at 24 knots on plane, one captain said. And captains face unrealistic expectations on the size of tender to tow. “Some people think you can tow 50 percent of the overall length of the vessel,” a captain said. “Insurance says you can, but that is not true. That would mean a 75-foot tender behind a 150-foot vessel.” Ideally, a yacht will carry less than that, but a captain said, “Tenders keep getting bigger and bigger all the time.” To which another captain replied, “If you want a bigger tender get a bigger yacht. A 60-foot tow on a 120-foot yacht is crazy.” A larger tender may require more line, heftier equipment and more crew, a captain said. “Ideally, you will have two crew on the aft deck and one with a radio out of the working operation,” he said. “And it’s better with one extra person.” “Now you need a new crew,” another captain said. “And now your current crew cabin configuration can’t hold a new crew.” “You really need an extra crew, but probably can’t have one,” a third captain said. Dedicating four crew to a tow is difficult on a yacht with limited staff such as on a 120-foot, the first captain said. And these crew need a lot of training. “It’s so important to have crew awareness,” a captain said. “You need all crew to realize how dangerous this can be. “Anyone working on the aft deck needs to be in a life jacket,” another captain said. “With shoes on,” another added. During a difficult tender retrieval, one captain said, a crew member had to swim out to the boat to drive it in. “He was all set with PFD and safety equipment,” he said. “That was the safest way.” “I agree,” another captain said. “A smart move.” There are other concerns. Towing
can increase fuel consumption by up to 4 or 5 percent, a captain said. And a trip may often include towing at night. Many tenders are damaged or lost during a night tow when a symptom of a problem might not be noticed. “Insurance guides this,” a captain said. “They will let a large yacht tow, but you can’t do it at night. So you have a trip and can’t tow at night?” One yacht owner wanted to tow the tender on a long trip, to which the captain responded, “Not if you want to see it when we get there.” A captain said that happened to him. “The crew says, ‘The lights have gone off on the tender,’” he said. It wasn’t that the lights were off. “It was gone.” A crew member is usually assigned watch duty for the towed tender, and many yachts have a camera on the operation. But one captain said the boat should be following further away from the yacht. “If you can see the tow, it is not out far enough,” he said. And vessel traffic can cause a problem with nearby, unmarked tows. “You know one thing I never see is an updated AIS when people tow,” a captain said. “And often there is no GPS on the tender.” To travel with a tender often requires an insurance rider and for a yacht to file a tow plan. That plan includes details of equipment and procedures: certification on shackles, hardware ratings, description of battery or solar lights, type of tow line, line weight and line length. “It can be a 10-page document with two hours of preparation,” a captain said. “And then there are weather events that can change all plans.” “A big danger is to be overzealous on the tow plan,” another captain said.
“You have to remember that we think insurance is good, but they look for every way possible not to pay,” a third captain said. If the tender can be sent ahead on a trailer, that is faster and safer than towing, a captain said. Even if it needs to go to the Bahamas or the Caribbean, it can be shipped. Another option is to have several crew drive the boat to the next destination. “Sometimes it’s better to run it on its own bottom,” a captain said. “But then you need another salary for a licensed captain. It’s costly all the way around.” Doing so, however, can be a great opportunity for several crew to get sea time, another captain added. The discussion came back to how to maintain safety, and everyone agreed on training. “Training is the most overlooked thing,” a captain said. “Take the boat out without the owner, and train and train.” “Make all crew aware to never touch a line under load and tension,” another captain said. “Do not be around loose lines. Nothing between a line and a hard surface.” Several captains said that crew with sailboat experience often have better line-handling skills. “You learn lines and the techniques of how to handle and respect lines,” a captain said. “You learn how to use them properly and use them the same way every time.” A challenge to training is when a captain wants to train but needs to be at the helm during maneuvers at the same time. “What hits me hard is that it’s virtually impossible to work one-on-one with the first mate on towing,” he said.
“We’re trusting them to pay out and retrieve properly, but we really don’t always know what they don’t know.” “One hundred percent of the operation is on the back of the mate,” another captain said. “We as captains can’t be there.” And that makes some captains concerned. Several of them have seen too many towing incidents during their careers, and that brings up these concerns, even after training sessions. Crew often want to pay out the tender’s tow line, which can be dangerous, a captain said. To combat such crew member’s habit to release the line by hand, he teaches correct procedures with repetition and stories of what can go wrong. “We will train as much as possible,” he said. “They will do launch and recover 10 times if it’s necessary, and I’ll put the fear of God in them as to how risky it can be.” Each of the captains said procedures for towing are in the yacht’s standard operating procedures and in its International Safety Management (ISM) or mini-ISM code. But one captain said the best tool that he has is experience. He said he occasionally pulls out his phone and shows crew photos of a tender that broke free and beached upside-down on shore. The images bring to life how towing can unexpectedly go wrong. “Do you want to call the owner and tell him that the tender is gone?” the captain asks crew. “But the reality is, none of this matters when you lose a finger, a foot or your life,” another captain said. “Towing is just dangerous.” Dorie Cox is editor of The Triton. Comment at editor@the-triton.com.
40 News
The-Triton.com October 2018
Lauderdale looks a little different from last year Many yachting professionals who have been gone awhile may notice a few buildings and companies aren’t where they left them. Here’s a little update to things around town:
Whole Foods coming to 17th Street
The old Denny’s restaurant on the northwest corner of U.S. 1 and Southeast 17th Street is cordoned off as developers await permits to demolish it and build a Whole Foods grocery store and apartment complex. Dubbed the 501 Seventeen project, the development is slated to include about 240 apartments ranging from 1/1s of 750 square feet to 3/2s of 1,600 square feet as well as a parking garage and the Whole Foods. It is projected to open in the winter of 2020.
Waxy’s renovation underway
After 20 years, Waxy O’Connor’s Irish Pub on Southeast 17th Street is expanding into the building it owns to the north, creating a new kitchen and bathrooms, and allowing for a larger seating area and bar. Waxy’s planned to reopen in time for the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which begins Oct. 31, but by midSeptember, the roof was still missing.
Marando Farms has relocated
Marando Farms, the family-run farmer’s market tucked behind Andrews Avenue and 17th Street, has closed after nearly 10 years, but Chelsea and Fred Marando have moved the downtown operations to another location, Marando Ranch out west in Davie (5151 SW 64th Ave., 33314).
PHOTO/DORIE COX
Construction on the new Quarterdeck restaurant and bar is underway off 17th Street in Fort Lauderdale, as pictured here in September.
Quarterdeck to open in new spot
The Quarterdeck restaurant and bar on Cordova Road is relocating a couple of hundred feet west to the 17th Street Annex plaza (behind Smallwood’s and directly across from The Triton offices). Construction on the shell of the new building, site of the old Holland Garden Nursery, was nearly complete in mid September. It was unsure when it is scheduled to open.
Treasure Trove is closed
The popular yacht bar on Fort Lauderdale beach in front of the entrance to Hall of Fame Marina was scheduled to close on Sept. 22 after 23 years. The building is being razed to make way for a boutique hotel.
Southport has new decks
Southport Raw Bar on Cordova closed its exterior seating to renovate the deck. The interior is still open. The new deck was expected to be open in time for the boat show.
Elite Crew moved off 17th Street
Elite Crew International, the crew placement agency previously on 17th Street, has relocated to 112 Rose Drive (33316).
Crew4Yachts moved back
Crew4Yachts crew placement agency has returned to the 17th Street Annex complex behind Waxy’s bar. It had moved from the plaza to Miami Road a few years ago, but returned just a few doors to the north in September.
NMS toy service center open
National Marine Suppliers’ 12,000-square-foot ToyShop Service Center is fully operational. Located just west of its headquarters on Southwest Second Avenue, the facility offers a showroom for yacht toys; service on PWCs, Seabobs, tenders, scooters and more; storage; and consignment. Max Rash is the director of the ToyShop; Sam Powell is sales manager.
October 2018 The-Triton.com
NEWS, from Page 12 on Sept. 14. The company issued this statement: “In the early morning at approximately 02:00 a fire broke out in the floating dock of the Fr. Lürssen Shipyard in Bremen-Aumund and onboard the yacht within it. The emergency procedures commenced immediately, in the course of which the persons still working on board were evacuated and examined with respect to possible smoke intoxication, and the firefighting department and emergency response teams were alarmed. “Additionally, the whole premises were evacuated. Currently, no casualties are known. At the moment, 110 firefighters and rescuers are onsite, also supported by a team of the Jos. L. Meyer shipyard. Further buildings or other ships were not affected. No statement can be made so far towards the cause of the fire or the extent of the damage.”
USCG stops illegal charters in Miami
Officers from a Coast Guard Station Miami vessel terminated the charter trip of M/Y Golden Touch II, a 147-foot Sensation, on Aug. 19 near Nixon Beach at Key Biscayne, Miami, for violation of several safety issues. A boarding by officers found the yacht carried more paying passengers than the vessel is certified to have, a total of 47 people on board. Other violations include the lack of a valid certificate of inspection, failure to have a drug and alcohol program, and the lack of a valid stability letter. The owner and operator of M/Y Golden Touch II faces maximum civil penalties up to $41,456 for the violations. The charter of Blessed, a 48-foot pleasure craft, was also stopped for safety issues and carrying too many passengers while for hire on the Miami River on Aug. 10.
BLU3 launches dive system
BLU3, a subsidiary of Brownie’s Marine Group, has launched what it calls the next generation of diving on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. Nemo is a compact, surface-supplied air (SSA) dive system that supports one diver to 10 feet – bridging the gap between snorkeling and scuba diving, according to BLU3. Inside Nemo's buoyant foam and tube is a custom battery-powered air compressor. The compressor pumps air to the diver through the 10-foot hose and out through Nemo's patented smart regulator, all powered by a battery. The lithium ion battery pack has a three-
Industry Updates hour charge time and can be replaced for all-day diving. According to the company, fans of the product have expressed anticipation of Nemo for use in various ways – from treasure hunting and pool entertainment to aquatic therapy and boat maintenance. For more, visit diveblu3.com.
Contest seeks water rescue ideas
The U.S. Coast Guard has created a competition to find safety solutions that will make it easier to find and rescue people in the water. The Ready for Rescue Challenge, a three-phase competition with a prize of $255,000, is the result of a collaborative effort between the Science and Technology Directorate of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard Research and Develop-
ment Center. Phase I is a call for concepts, which could include a new or updated life jacket or PFD, an attachment to a life jacket or PFD, or an additional device for boaters. The best concepts will be effective, affordable and hold the potential for wide adoption by recreational boaters. Those interested in participating in the challenge should submit their concept by 4:59 p.m. EDT on Oct. 15. The judges will select up to five monetary prize winners of $25,000 each and up to five non-monetary honorable mention award winners. In Phase II, selected participants will pitch their solution and compete for a prize pool of $120,000. This phase is intended to help winners develop their concepts into working prototypes. In Phase III, the Coast Guard will
Career News 41 field test prototypes alongside standard USCG-approved safety equipment and award up to $110,000 more. For more, visit readyforrescuechallenge.com.
Steep berth discounts at USVI show
IGY Marinas is offering berthing rates of $1 per foot per day Nov. 3-18 to those who book in advance for the USVI Charter Yacht Show. There also will be a reduced rate on fuel during those dates for registered show vessels. This year’s charter show takes place Nov. 10-13 at IGY Marinas’ Yacht Haven Grande in St. Thomas. Afterward, show vessels can also get reduced berthing rates until Dec. 18 at IGY’s American Yacht Harbor in St. Thomas, Simpson Bay Marina and The Yacht Club at Isle de Sol in St. Maarten, and IGY’s Rodney Bay Marina in St. Lucia.
42 Calendar
upcoming events
The-Triton.com October 2018
PICK OF THE MONTH Oct. 10 Triton Expo Fort Lauderdale
Make plans to join us at The Triton’s biggest event of the year. More than 50 exhibitors for yacht captains and crew are expected, complete with raffle prizes, food, music and adult beverages. All in the industry are welcome; no RSVP. www.the-triton.com/triton-expo
Oct. 2-4 2018 International Naval Engineering Conference and Exhibition, Glasgow, UK. For naval engineering, designers, shipbuilders, classification societies, machinery and equipment manufacturers and others. www.imarest.org
Oct. 2-4 International BoatBuild-
ers' Exhibition & Conference (IBEX), Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, Fla. ibexshow.com
Oct. 3 Triton Networking, 6-8 p.m.
the first Wednesday of every month at rotating locations. This time we meet at Ward’s Marine Electric in Fort Lauderdale. Join us for casual networking; no RSVP required. www.the-triton.com
Oct. 4 The Triton “From the Bridge”
captains lunch, noon, Fort Lauderdale. A roundtable discussion of the issues of the day for captains who earn their livings running someone else’s yacht. Request an invite from Editor Dorie Cox at dorie@the-triton.com or 954-525-0029. Space is limited.
Oct. 4-8 United States Sailboat Show,
City Dock, Annapolis. Oct. 4 is VIP day. www.annapolisboatshows.com
Oct. 17-20 Abu Dhabi International Boat Show, United Arab Emirates. In the marina at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center. www.adibs.ae Oct. 18-20 30th annual Pinmar golf tournament, Palma de Mallorca. Golf tournament for yacht crew and the superyacht industry. www.pinmargolf.es Oct. 20 National Marine Suppliers’ 11th annual Yacht Bikers Poker Run, Fort Lauderdale. Annual charity event to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research. www.nationalmarine.com
Oct. 20 14th annual Awlgrip Captains
Golf Invitational, Jacaranda Golf Club, Plantation, Fla. Captain's license required, golf skills optional. www.captainsgolfinvitational.com
Oct. 29 IMI Hurricane Preparedness
and Recovery Conference, Miami. Taking a look at the impacts of Hurricane Irma to plan ahead. www.marinaassociation.org
MONTHLY EVENT
Oct. 10 Triton Expo, Fort Lauderdale.
50 exhibitors, music, raffles prizes and more. Designed for captains and crew. www.the-triton.com/triton-expo
Oct. 10-14 Barcelona International Boat Show, Port Vell, Spain. www.salonnautico.com/en Oct. 11-14 United States Powerboat Show, City Dock, Annapolis. Oct. 11 is VIP day. www.annapolisboatshows.com Oct. 17-18 Commercial Marine Expo
(CME), Providence, R.I. A commercial marine trade show for military, tugs, repair, construction and fishing, showcasing the latest equipment and gear. www.comarexpo.com
Oct. 4, noon The Triton From the Bridge captains discussion Fort Lauderdale
A roundtable lunchtime conversation on issues of the day. Yacht captains only. Request an invite from Editor Dorie Cox at dorie@the-triton.com or 954-525-0029. Space is limited.
Calendar 43
October 2018 The-Triton.com
upcoming events Oct. 29 Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club annual Golf Tournament, Jacaranda Golf Club, Plantation, Florida. $150
MAKING PLANS
Oct. 30 Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club
Oct. 31-Nov. 4 59th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
29th annual Marine Seminar, Fort Lauderdale. Full-day seminar for insurance agents, brokers and underwriters; marine surveyors; admiralty attorneys; and other marine professionals. Offers continuing education credits for applicable industries. Organized by the Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club. www. ftlmc.org
Oct. 31-Nov. 4 59th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. flibs.org
The world's largest in-water boat show with an audience of 100,000 at seven locations with 3 million square feet of display from megayachts to accessories. This year includes nearly 1,000 boats and about 900 exhibitors with goods valued at more than $4 billion. flibs.com
Oct. 31 International Superyacht Society
(ISS) 28th Gala for Design & Leadership Awards Gala. Event includes announcement of Leadership Award and Awards of Distinction, Distinguished Crew Award, Excellence in Innovation, Business (Person) of the Year and ISS Fabien Cousteau Blue Award. www.superyachtsociety.org
noon, on site at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Join us for this roundtable discussion of the issues of the day. RSVP to Editor Dorie Cox at dorie@the-triton.com or 954-525-0029. Space is limited.
Nov. 1 Founders Dinner, International
Nov. 11-18 Miami Book Fair, Miami.
Seakeepers Society, Fort Lauderdale. Honoring the 2018 Discovery Yacht Fleet. Seakeepers.org
Nov. 2-18 33rd annual Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival. www.fliff. com Nov. 4 Daylight savings time ends at 2
a.m. Set clocks back one hour in most of the United States (it is not observed in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands). The European Union (EU) standardized Daylight Saving Time ended on the last Sunday in October. www.timetemperature.com
Nov. 4 The Triton captains luncheon,
The 35th anniversary of this eight-day literary event with speakers, authors, panels and events in and around MiamiDade College. The Street Fair runs Nov. 16-18. www.miamibookfair.com
Dec. 4-10 57th annual Antigua Charter Yacht Show, Antigua. One of the industry’s largest charter shows, showcasing more than 50 yachts at three marinas: Nelson's Dockyard Marina in English Harbour, and Falmouth Harbour Marina and Antigua Yacht Club Marina in Falmouth Harbour. Other events include Concours de Chef and stew competitions, CYBA Hall of Fame presentation, seminars and yacht viewings, cocktail parties and yacht hops. antiguacharteryachtmeeting.com
44 Triton CareerNetworking
Ward’s marine Electric Triton Networking, our monthly gathering of yacht industry professionals, continues on the first Wednesday in October at Ward’s Marine Electric, the South Floridabased, family run electrical company. Ward’s has hosted Triton Networking in the past, and always puts on a great event. Make plans to join us on Oct. 3 from 6-8 Hebert p.m. at their Fort Lauderdale compound just south of the New River and west of downtown. Until then, learn more about Ward’s from COO Kristina Hebert, granddaughter of company founder Ward Eshleman Sr. Q. Tell us about Ward’s. One of the things that makes Ward’s Marine Electric so special is the family of services and expertise we provide. Our strength is in power management, automation, electrical engineering services, battery distribution systems, lighting, and classification society testing. We have a 10,000-square-foot parts warehouse, and we sell and distribute more than 15,000 marine electrical components. Our staff of 20 ABYC-certified marine electrical technicians diagnose, repair and upgrade electrical systems. The Inside Services department is responsible for manufacturing, painting and engraving panelboards and switchboards. The Engineering department analyzes a vessel’s entire system, from load, arc flash, and harmonic distortion calculations to trip curve coordination studies and every class requirement in between. We service a vessel’s electrical needs providing clean, reliable power. We see safety and reliability as the highest priority for any seagoing vessel. Q. Ward’s has a few departments crew may not of be aware of. What is one you might want to highlight? Sales, Service, and Engineering. These departments are the foundation of our business, and it was our motto for many years. . In order to provide the WME quality standard in the heart of a yacht’s electrical system, we started designing and producing power distribution equipment in-house. Our panel production department is responsible for all the engineering, assembly, painting, engraving and wiring that goes into each project. Q. Have you seen an increase in high-tech refits? Most of our large-scale projects are
The-Triton.com October 2018 exactly this. Yachts planning a major refit are seeing tremendous benefits from upgrading to current technology. For example, switching a lighting system from incandescent to LED can often allow a reduction in generator capacity. Most of our refits include a detailed analysis of the impact of the changes being considered, which helps make sure the power distribution is scaled correctly. We also help reduce the complexity of technology. Our DEIF and Kohler PGen-based automation systems can be installed in existing switchboard cabinetry and eliminate the complex and difficult-to-maintain PLC-based automation systems found in many of the yachts entering their first refit years. Q. What can yachts do to have more effectively maintain systems? When a yacht’s electrical systems are maintained from inventory carried on board, it’s important to have the work reviewed and perhaps “touched up” by a full-service company like Ward’s. Field-expedient parts can be replaced with original equipment, wiring color codes can be re-matched, and blue tape “engraving” can be replaced. Also, make sure to develop and use a formal Preventative Maintenance Inspection (PMI) program. Periodic maintenance savings can easily outweigh the cost of an unforeseen equipment failure. Q. What are signs that an engineer is putting off maintenance too long? A careful visual inspection is the best tool in the box. If the wiring for a system is starting to look messy, or if there are splices and junction boxes where there used to be neat cable runs, it’s probably a good time to have the system gone through and restored. Q. As yachts get bigger, how do you see business changing? In addition to the increase in size, today’s large yacht has a much larger corporate structure behind it. Management companies, charter companies, and brokers have been added to the traditional owner/captain relationship. With that, there is a growing need for formal project management practices. Ward’s Marine Electric is the industry leader in the adoption of firm, fixedprice proposals and has raised the bar in delivering exactly what we propose to do, and how much it will cost. Triton Networking with Ward’s Marine Electric takes place Oct. 3 from 6-8 p.m. at 617 S.W. Third Ave. in Fort Lauderdale (33315). For more information about the event, visit www.the-triton.com and click on “Next Triton Event” in the black bar. For more information about Ward’s, visit www.wardsmarine.com or call +1 954-523-2815.
October 2018 The-Triton.com
It’s time for The Triton’s biggest event of the year, the fall edition of the Triton Expo, this year held on the second Wednesday of October from 5-8 p.m. at ISS GMT in Fort Lauderdale. We’ll gather about 50 businesses to showcase their goods and services for yacht captains and crew, we’ll Reed add a little music and some casual nibbles, and we’ll have some great networking. This low-key, free trade show typically attracts about 1,000 captains, crew and industry professionals. It’s one of the strongest networking events in the industry. Until then, learn a little more about The Triton from Publisher Lucy Reed, including how to get the most out of the Triton Expo. Q. What is The Triton? The Triton is a monthly news magazine produced for the professional captains and crew who run luxury yachts. I’m a journalist by training and experience, with about 16 years at daily and weekly newspapers around South Florida before starting The Triton in 2004. We cover the men and women who run luxury yachts as the group of professionals they are, and we have worked to focus on their issues both as professionals and as employees. Q. How does the Triton Expo fit into that? We started the Triton Expo in the spring of 2008 as a job fair to bring together crew looking for work and the companies that were looking to hire. But those two pieces don’t fit together nicely in yachting like they do in other industries; yacht owners or captains don’t set up a booth at a job fair to hire crew. So the Triton Expo quickly evolved into a more casual trade show. A boat show for crew, only without the boats. Q. How can captains and crew get the most out of the event? While it is casual, the Triton Expo is
triton expo
a professional networking event. Dress appropriately; come ready to meet new people; bring business cards. Prepare a little. Visit www.the-triton. com, hover over “events” and click on “Triton Expo”. Scroll through the list of exhibitors to see if there are any you want to learn more about, and make a point of visiting them during the evening. Walk around, introduce yourself and learn about the vendors. You may not need their services today, but next month when you get that promotion or next year when you join a new boat, you might want to contact them. Have a goal for new contacts. A captain might make a point of meeting three new business owners, or collecting info from five new crew candidates. A new deckhand might seek out and introduce himself to three captains. Ask a successful contact to introduce you to someone else. When making an introduction, find something that the two people have in common so they can more easily begin talking. You’ll be a rock star to both people if a new connection is the result. Collect business cards. Begin or expand your network of resources that will make you invaluable to your boss. Jot a note on the back of the card so you remember something about the person. Follow up. Do what you say you are going to do. If you said you’d forward a resume or share a link, do it. Placement agents will be there, both exhibiting and walking around. Stop and talk to them. Update them on your career. Bring a few copies of your resume. This is a business event. Be professional. Consider this work for a couple hours, then maybe invite someone new out for dinner to reinforce a new relationship. All our readers are welcome to join us at the Triton Expo on Oct. 10 from 5-8 p.m. at ISS GMT, 1800 S.E. 10th Ave in Fort Lauderdale (33316). No need to RSVP; just bring business cards and a smile so you can meet some new people and companies.
Triton Networking Career 45
46 Write to Be Heard
from our readers
The-Triton.com October 2018
No food, rent, electric bills equals savings by the boatload By Conor Salmon
I am a former yachtie who still has saltwater running through his veins. As many of you know, it’s been a few years since I worked on boats, but I’d like to share with you some of my most impactful experiences. One of these is the time we were docked in the South of France and I found myself at Jimmy’z in Monaco on the night before the Grand Prix. Mixed drinks there at the time were normally €35, but the night before the Grand Prix, the biggest party night of the year in Monaco, they were adjusted upwards in their version of “surge pricing” to €86. I had one – and then I had another, just to make sure that I really knew what an €86 drink tasted like. It turns out that it tastes the same as a $2 drink at the Soggy Dollar Bar in St. Maarten. When I initially joined the yachting industry in 2007, I joined for essentially two reasons: I wanted to travel and I wanted to save money. I did really well at one of them, and I could have done a
lot better at the other. I’ll let you guess which one is which. The opportunity for making, and saving, money that is presented to crew in the yachting industry is absolutely amazing. What is also amazing is that this opportunity is denoted as “amazing” so often that it loses its meaning. It becomes so diluted that after a few years, you end up saying to yourself: “Tell me again, what was so amazing about this opportunity?” In yachting, generally speaking, if you are employed full time on a boat and living on board, then you do not have to spend a lot of money on things that the majority of the general population has to spend money on, such as food, water, electricity, cable TV and rent. In other words, you have the ability to save every penny you make and still have a roof over your head and basically unlimited food, water, electricity – you are free from the economic burdens “normal” people face. That being said, you can also spend every single penny that you make and still have a roof over
your head, unlimited food, water, electricity, etc. So, no matter what you do with your money, the essentials required for existing on this planet are taken care of for you. That, my friends, is the clearest definition of what “disposable income” is that I can think of. You are able to literally throw that money overboard and still be able to live a healthy life, and as long as you’re still employed and your boss still has money, you will have more money coming to you in your next paycheck, should you run out. This is not unique to yachting. There are other sectors of the marine industry that offer a similar opportunity, such as oil rigs, cruise ships, crab fishing boats, etc., but no one does it quite like yachties. The stories of financial irresponsibility reach far and wide, and everyone has their own favorite examples of largess that they’ve heard along the way. The excuses are endless: “You only live once,” “I do what I want,” “There’s more where that came from,” “Live for today,
as there may not be a tomorrow,” “What else am I supposed to do with it?” “I had a good time though.” Having been around the industry for more than a decade now, the most common thing I hear when it comes to personal finances is, “I’ve been doing this for 10 years, and I’ve got nothing to show for it.” That’s not the rule by any means, but I hear it frequently. If your younger self could hear you now, what behavior change would you suggest? How would you impress on the younger generation to not make the same mistakes that you did? I suggest that as long as you are trading your time for money, pay yourself first. Before you pay the bartender, before you pay Rolex, before you pay Louis Vuitton, before you pay the airlines and hotels, before you pay Maui Jim, before you pay anyone else, pay yourself first. If you pay everyone else but yourself first you are far more likely to run out of money than if you take that money and pay yourself first. People who want to build wealth pay themselves first, not last. We all start off with dreams of financial independence when we finally step off of boats onto dry land again. The opportunity presented to make that happen through employment in the yachting industry is amazing; it just takes a bit of self-discipline to ensure that you will have what you need when that last trip is over. One of my favorite sayings is that foresight is the ability to learn from other people’s hindsight. Learn from my hindsight and feel free to contact me if you’d like to learn more. Conor Salmon worked as first mate and deckhand on yachts up to 257 feet for almost a decade. He moved to shore and now works as a financial advisor to the yachting industry, based in Florida. Comment at editor@the-triton.com.
from our readers
October 2018 The-Triton.com
From guns to guests, Triton readers share their views
Write to Be Heard 47
Crew Eye
NY cops serious about guns
Transiting vessels have been stopped in New York Harbor by N.Y. Police Department and operators arrested for having an unregistered handgun onboard [Secure at Sea: “Before bringing guns aboard, weigh these factors”, Sept. 6]. New York rules and punishment on hand guns are severe. It does not matter that you are flagged U.S., foreign flag or registered in another state. Capt. John Wampler via www.the-triton.com
Captain says no to extra guests
News report on the Jaguar accident showed there were 15 guests on board. Being an uninspected vessel, that makes it an illegal charter [“USCG stops illegal charter in Miami”. Aug. 21]. Just like the Golden Touch II. We’ve been doing day and term charters for over 10 years now and have turned down a number of charters because it is just not worth the risk. We’ve had guests showing up with one extra passenger despite being told in advance they couldn’t and that extra person stayed on the dock. Bareboat charters are often considered a grey area but many captains and brokers don’t even know the rules. We were boarded once on a bareboat charter, and the first thing the USCG boarding team asked for was to see both charter contracts, vessel and crew. You can bet that without them they would have considered the charter illegal. In either case, the point is moot since they had more than even a bareboat charter allows. Capt. Pascal Gademer Charter boat captain via www.the-triton.com
Spotting drowning vital to prevention
Thanks for the excellent article [“Drowning doesn’t look like drowning,” Aug. 18]. Being a dad to two young children who love the water as much as I do has made me much more aware of the warning signs in the water.
C
hief Officer Quinton Snyman, left, checks the harness of Deckhand Nichole Monroe before she works over the side of M/Y Ocean Club, a 164-foot Trinity, in Bonafacio, Corsica, this summer. Capt. Herb Magney said the entire job undergoes a thorough safety review of Monroe’s rig and tools and other details of the job, including who will spot her. Once checked, the two crew assess all risks with the captain before the job begins.
This article is one I will be reading again and again. Capt. Storm Higgo via www.the-triton.com
our business, especially Peters & May. Capt. Stephen Thomas Manager and DPA, M/Y Fadlallah via www.the-triton.com
Great article on the signs of early/ near drowning, thank you. We live in Destin, Florida, where a local water attraction plus current has resulted in four recent drownings that might have been avoided with your information. By the way, a thank you also to the author for his USCG service. I am former medical corps, U.S. Air Force. Dr. Jim Moody Destin Surgery Clinic via www.the-triton.com
Friend recollects lost chief stew
Tax on imports to EU has negative effect
Excellent piece – informative and authoritative [“Shipping U.S. boats raises EU tariff questions”, Aug. 21]. Sorry to hear the effect this is having on some of the most respected names in
Carrie was my friend in Africa, in Congo, in 1993 [Former chief stew, instructor Carrie Lynn Kurka dies”, Dec. 20, 2016]. Her dad worked over there. Carrie was so kind. I am very sad. Stéphane Molinié via www.the-triton.com
Roscioli more than painter, an artist
I first met Bob in 1969 in Fort Lauderdale [“Roscioli paints a career path of innovation, inspiration”, Sept. 4]. He is an artist, not just a painter. He painted my mother-in-law’s 45-foot Mathews. Jon Lind Power and Motoryacht magazine via www.the-triton.com
From galley to anchor locker, yacht crew are continually on the job. Please share behind-thescenes photos of your crew in action to editor@the-triton.com.
More than traffic changing at FLIBS
Regarding your story about changes to the Fort Lauderdale show [“Expect changes at Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show”, Aug. 18], you don’t even mention the 400 percent increase in trade credentials. Capt. Stephen Thomas Manager and DPA, M/Y Fadlallah via www.the-triton.com
Reader wants more on Jones Act
I always enjoy Capt. Jake DesVergers’ articles. Have you heard that Cato Institute is talking of doing away with the Jones Act [Rules of the Road: “Obtaining DoS not always clear-cut for yachts,” Aug. 25]? Anyone can read their article at www.cato.org. If he is aware, I would be interested in his thoughts. Thanks and hope to keep reading more of your articles. Capt. Claude Strickland via www.the-triton.com
48 PUZZLE
The-Triton.com October 2018
Suduko Try this puzzle based on numbers. There is only one rule: Every row, every column and every 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 only once. You don’t need arithmetic. Nothing has to add up to anything else. All you need is reasoning and logic.
October 2018 The-Triton.com
Triton Spotter
First Mate Michael Sekiya takes in his Triton in New York Harbor on a Florida-to-Connecticut delivery with Capt. John Wampler in August. Sekiya served with Capt. Wampler in the U.S. Coast Guard 43 years ago in Hawaii. They recently reconnected on Facebook.
We love to see The Triton all over the world, and we love to see our readers as they travel. Share a photo of you and your Triton, wherever and however you read it. Send to editor@the-triton.com.
Where in the World 49
50 Business cards
Search hundreds of companies in the Triton Directory.
The-Triton.com October 2018
Save the date for the fall Triton Expo: Wednesday, Oct. 10 Fort Lauderdale We expect: 60 vendors, 1,000+ captains, crew and industry guests Unlimited connections For updates, check www.the-triton.com/triton-expo
October 2018 The-Triton.com
Find the Directory online at www.The-Triton.com.
Business cards 51
52 Business cards
Search hundreds of companies in the Triton Directory.
The-Triton.com October 2018
October 2018 The-Triton.com
Find the Directory online at www.The-Triton.com.
Business cards 53
54 Business cards
Search hundreds of companies in the Triton Directory.
The-Triton.com October 2018
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