NAUTILUS P01 OCTOBER 2010.qxd - Nautilus International

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08 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | October 2010 LARGE YACHT NEWS Annual has got bigger and better The latest edition of the Fannually produced Super Yacht Owners Guide was unveiled at the Monaco Yacht Show. The guide is now in its third year of publication and this issue is larger and even more detailed than in previous years. Fact-filled, well researched and hard-hitting articles precede each of the useful and comprehensively detailed directories, making this book both an interesting read and a handy compendium of real contacts. Richard Coles, a maritime specialist lawyer with HBJ Gateley Wareing has lent his wisdom to the thorny topic of the MLC, and Ayuk Ntuiabane of Moore Stephens has succeeded in clarifying how important VAT issues are. Other chapters written by leading figures in the industry include subjects on chartering, berthing, refitting, equipping and outfitting a superyacht. Published in hard-backed covers using an A5 format that opens in a landscape aspect, the 228-page guide is easily stored by captains on the bookshelf on the bridge. It is available from info@syog.com. Destination guidebook An inspirational guidebook Fdetailing all sailing destinations around the world has been published by Adlard Coles. World Cruising Destinations is a substantial handbook written by cruising expert Jimmy Cornell and is a must-have for all charter yacht captains seeking information before they arrives at a destination. Covering 184 countries, the information is well presented — giving captains clear and concise details of what to expect before and immediately after arrival in a foreign port and will make a useful addition to many bookshelves. IoM moves to be a ‘flag of choice’ Manx register seeks more yachts at Monaco show PThe fast-growing Isle of Man ship registry is hoping to attract more commercial yachts to its flag, following its high-visibility presence at the Monaco Yacht Show last month. The registry is a relatively small operation, but has significantly expanded over the last 12 months, with the number of superyachts rising from 85 to 97. Having seen a similar rise in other ships joining the flag, the registry now has a combined vessel tonnage of over 12m gt on its books — a 20% increase on the previous year. Registry director Dick Welsh puts the popularity of the flag PYA study is given to ILO A study of seafarers’ living and Fworking conditions in the large yacht sector has been completed for the Professional Yachtsmen’s Association and presented to the International Labour Organisation. The project was carried out by the Seafarers’ International Research Centre, in consultation with Nautilus, and is based on questionnaire responses from some 1,500 crew. Launched in response to the forthcoming Maritime Labour Convention, the study covered such issues as accommodation, food and terms and conditions of employment and comparisons between the Merchant Navy and the yacht sector. down to its ‘transparent fee structure and customer-focused approach’, which he says have appealed to owners and operators during the recent economic downturn. ‘It is difficult to quantify how much the industry is worth to the Isle of Man,’ he added. ‘The registration charge is £700, but then there is the technical management, crew management, chartering and insurance. ‘It’s a thriving industry which employs around 100 people on the Island.’ ‘The Monaco Yacht Show provides a great opportunity to highlight the benefits of doing business with the ship registry, as well as promoting the high quality professional services offered in the Isle of Man,’ added Alex Downie, a member of the island’s Legislative Council. Eleven Isle-of-Man flagged yachts were present at the 22-25 September show, which has proved a productive recruiting ground for the registry in previous years. The vessels included the Azteca, a 72m pleasure ship with a 100 sq m ‘beach club’; Onyx, a winner of the Showboats Award 2009; and Valquest, a 134ft Dubois-designed fast cruising sloop recently launched from the Dutch shipyard Bloemsma & Van Breemen. Southampton bids to take on Cannes Southampton is bidding to Acompete with superyacht destinations such as Cannes and Monaco with the launch of a new marina and refit centre. Opened last month on the site of a former US Amy base, Solent Refit is capable of accommodating up to 14 large yachts on floating berths in deep water, as well as offering mooring space for vessels of up to 100m and 1,500gt. The facility also has a horizontal boatlift slipway and a 10,000 sq m undercover working area for repairs. The berths are on vehicle-accessible pontoons, with power and water at each berth. The site also features double security gates, a helicopter landing pad, 24-hour surveillance, and a strongly reinforced crane dock for heavy lifting and workshop and office units. The centre — which forms part of the Hythe Marine Park — was launched by the South East England Development Agency, after the US decided to close its operations there in 2006. The project has so far created more than 200 jobs. ‘We hope this will become an invaluable resource for the local superyacht industry and will prove competition to the traditional yachting centres in the Mediterranean like Cannes and Monaco, said Allan Foot, managing director of Yacht Project Associates, which runs the site. ‘Origami’ craft takes design cues from stealth bomber Singer Katherine Jenkins and entrepreneur Theo Paphitis with Sunseeker founder Robert Braithwaite at the launch of the new 40m yacht in Southampton last month Picture: Frances Howorth Sunseeker 40m yacht launched by Michael Howorth The PSP Southampton Yacht AShow in September was the venue for British-based Sunseeker International to launch its latest superyacht onto the market. Despite a worldwide downturn, the British boat builder continues to enjoy global popularity and exceptional success — having sold 33 yachts over 30m so far. This success is down to a number of factors — not least the firm’s constant drive for innovation and the latest vessel, a 40m yacht which became the largest vessel to go on display at the Southampton show, is a motoryacht of exceptional grace. Capable of 24 knots and a range of up to 1,500nm, the £12.5m yacht can accommodate up to 12 guests and nine crew over three decks. The company chose the singer Katherine Jenkins to perform at the official launch. She joined Sunseeker founder Robert Braithwaite onboard the new yacht before Ryman chairman and BBC TV Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis carried out the ribbon cutting ceremony. The yacht will be shipped to Thailand for Russian owners, who will make her available for charter there. The 40m yacht launched at Southampton was developed following the popularity of Sunseeker’s 37m yacht, of which nine have been delivered to date, and the subsequent success of the 34m yacht. The most noticeable development is that, compared with the 37m yacht, the stern of the 40m yacht has an increased rake which gives an impressive streamlined profile and features a sharp, ocean-going bow. The main deck cockpit is also significantly larger with an extended aft deck, allowing for a number of customised layouts to suit each client’s requirements. & Son Ltd. Est 1934 • All sea-going uniforms and cadets college wear, braids from stock Superyacht design has taken Fanother step into the exotic, with the ‘origami yacht’ concept, pictured above, unveiled last month by the Italian designer Fabio Federici. Taking its cue from the Japanese art form of paper folding, the yacht features a multi-functional bridge and folding ‘wings’ that allow it to be transformed from a ‘lavish play pad into a sleek speed machine’. Mr Federici — who won the Millennium Yacht Design Awards in 2009 — told CNN that the yacht had also been inspired by the lines of the ‘stealth’ bomber. If built the vessel would cost in excess of $7.6m. • Full knowledge of uniform requirements • Very competitive prices • Fast and friendly service 443 Endyke Lane, Hull, HU6 8AG lenbeck@lenbeck.karoo.co.uk T: 01482 852131 F: 01482 805850 www.lenbeck.co.uk
October 2010 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 09 Slow steaming is here to stay, Aaccording to a new study which found that more than half of the world containership fleet is now running slower than before the economic downturn. The report, published by the Dutch firm Dynamar, says that adoption of ‘go-slow’ steaming has helped to prevent more of the fleet from going into lay-up and has also offered some substantial savings in fuel costs. With the cost of bunkers set to increase in the years ahead, the study argues that operators are likely to stick with slower speeds. However, the report says the practice has not served to improve schedule reliability. PNautilus has voiced disappointment at the failure of an important International Maritime Organisation sub-committee to agree on proposals to tighten up safety rules governing entry into enclosed spaces. Last month’s dangerous goods sub-committee meeting was presented with proposals drawn up by a working group in response to continuing seafarer deaths and injuries in enclosed spaces. The working group had proposed amendments to the SOLAS Convention aimed at making enclosed space entry and rescue drills mandatory to ensure that by Denzil Stuart AShip insurers have voiced concerns over the growing problem of trading sanctions — an issue that could affect seafarers as insurers increasingly have to grapple with the impact of action against countries such as Iran. The annual conference of the International Union of Marine Insurers heard that the proposed European Union sanctions against Iran — due to take effect by the end MARINE TAX SERVICES (CARDIFF) LTD complete service for mariners run by certificated ex-officer qualified accountants always available computerised 100% claims and forecast projection will writing service available 26 High Street, Barry CF62 7EB, South Glamorgan, UK Tel. Barry (01446) 739953 MARINETAX@YAHOO.COM Established 1974 CMA CGM Pegasus is the 17th new containership to call at Southampton this year Picture: Gary Davies Sold short on SOLAS ‘Blockers and stoppers’ obstruct plans to cut deaths in enclosed spaces seafarers are familiar with the precautions they need to take before entering such spaces, and with the most appropriate actions to be taken in the event of an accident. The working group had also called for new mandatory provisions on the fitting of low pressure audible alarms on breathing apparatus. At the start of the meeting, IMO secretary-general Efthimios Mitropoulos expressed concern at the continued loss of life in enclosed spaces, despite the risks being well known. ‘In this, the Year of the Seafarer, I look forward to significant progress being made by the subcommittee on an issue as important as this, if we are serious about enhancing the protection of seafarers against accidents onboard ships,’ he added. However, the sub-committee failed to reach consensus on the proposals to amend SOLAS and — speaking on behalf of the International Federation of Ship Masters’ Associations — Nautilus senior national secretary Allan Graveson said he was extremely disappointed at the lack of action. ‘IFSMA would like to see a change in SOLAS for mandatory pre-entry drills and a change in STCW to improve education and training,’ he added. ‘There is a real need for a step change — a cultural change — on this important issue.’ Mr Graveson said IFSMA would be making further submissions to the IMO in a bid to secure action. ‘It is sad to see that the blockers and stoppers have been out in force and have turned what should be something quite simple into an uphill struggle,’ he told the Telegraph. ‘In the Year of the Seafarer, they are failing the seafarer, and we have to ask how many deaths it will take before the necessary action is taken to stop the slaughter.’ Insurers warned over sanctions of September — will come on top of action being taken by the US and the United Nations, and will have a big effect on the insurance market. Peter Crowther, a partner in the international law firm Dewey & LeBoeuf, said underwriters must prepare themselves for a world in which sanctions are the norm, rather than the exception. ‘Sanctions are not going to go away,’ he warned the meeting, ‘but this isn’t just about Iran — this is about increased enforcement generally throughout the EU of the sanctions’ rules.’ Another concern for insurers, he said, is that there is no apparent harmonisation between laws on sanctions. As a result, insurers must check the position of member states rather than the overriding regulation. IUMI delegates heard that port state control has played a significant part in a continued fall in ship losses. But Lloyd’s hull underwriter Peter McIntosh, chairman of the union’s ocean hull committee, told the conference that while the 90 total losses of vessels (500gt and over) in 2008 had reduced to 73 last year, gross tonnage lost was up. As to the causes of losses, weather, grounding, and fire or explosion continued to head the table. It was noticeable that human error was given much less emphasis this year in the various presentations and workshops, and underwriters are fervently hoping that the improved loss record is not a temporary aberration. SS Robin returns to the Thames Pictured left is the historic Dcoaster ss Robin, which arrived at the Port of Tilbury in the Thames estuary last month following two years of conservation work in Lowestoft. The 1890-built vessel now sits on a special pontoon large enough to walk around inside, and the two structures together form a floating maritime museum. While in Tilbury, the Robin will be available for viewings by invitation, and the eventual aim is to find a permanent mooring in London so that the new museum can be fully open to the public. ‘The ambitious, world-first concept which has been created for SS Robin displays the entire ship to the world for the first time,’ commented project director David Kampfner. ‘We’re very excited to finally bring this important historic vessel back to the Thames.’ Shipowners could face Funlimited liability for future major disasters in US waters, the industry was warned last month. This is one of the measures the US Congress is considering in reaction to the Deepwater Horizon oil rig disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, delegates at an International Chamber of Shipping conference in London were told. Joe Cox, president of the Chamber of Shipping of America, briefed them on the implications for shipping of the rig explosion in April. The accident killed 11 workers on the installation and caused what is the worst marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry. Although it is the oil sector that is under fire in the ensuing political and public outcry, shipping is implicated in bills passed by the House of Representatives and now before the Senate, Mr Cox explained. Among the bills being contemplated by US politicians are those affecting the Limitation of Liability Act and the Death on the High Seas Act. Mr Cox said shipping had been NEWS Rig disaster ‘could open up liability for shipowners’ Signing up with a bargain- flag can cost owners Fbasement more in the long run, the head of the Liberian ship registry warned last month. Speaking at the International Chamber of Shipping conference in London, chief operating officer Scott Bergeron said that too many shipowners look at price rather than cost when choosing a registry. Some owners, he explained, are attracted by the idea of joining a cheap flag state known for looking the other way when it comes to compliance with international regulations. But this simply leads to more expenses down the line. ‘What is the cost, for example, of one day of detention; of a nonresponsive maritime administration; of repatriating stowaways; of accidents or claims caused by crew incompetence; or of an act of caught up in the liability legislation because deepwater drillers are covered by the same oil pollution regulations. He said he had had ‘an extraordinary time’ working with colleagues from other associations to try and convince the legislators that if they changed the line that had been agreed following the Exxon Valdez disaster, it would be impossible for owners to operate. ‘We were successful, I think, in convincing them of that,’ he added. But the lobbyists were less successful, Mr Cox believed, over the trial orders concerning limitations on compensation for workers killed in tragedies such as Deepwater Horizon. He said changes under consideration to the Death on the High Seas Act could usher in jury trial for any case under the legislation — including for survivors. Were these changes to become law, Mr Cox reflected, ‘If I were injured at sea, and my vessel was calling into the US, I would be doing everything possible to try and get into the US judicial system.’ Cheap flags can cost more, Liberia warns piracy’ asked Mr Bergeron. In contrast, he wondered, ‘What expenses can be saved if the flag state is forward-thinking, actively involved, always available and regularly examining initiatives to reduce operational expenses’ Mr Bergeron pointed out that the price of registering with a flag state is typically less than one-half of 1% of the vessel’s operating expenses, so it seems particularly pointless to try and cut corners in this area. In his speech to industry leaders, the Liberian registry chief also called for standards of flag state performance to be raised across the board. ‘There needs to be greater emphasis on truly effective measurement points,’ he stressed, ‘[with] mandatory participation in the IMO’s “voluntary” member state audit and an attitude of continuous improvement.’
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