ONBOARD Magazine summer 2019

Ask the experts
Advice and knowledge from the leading experts in their fields
JOHN LEONIDA
Partner
Clyde & Co
ALEXANDER MCDIARMID
Alexander
McDiarmidPDesign
JODY JAMES
Director
I-Cap Marine Ltd
PETER BROOKE
Partner
The Spectrum IFA Group
CAN I FLY A DRONE OVER
NEARBY SUPERYACHTS OR
IN A MARINA?
CAN YACHTING EASILY
REDUCE ITS CARBON
FOOTPRINT?
WHAT’S THE MOST
IMPORTANT PART OF YACHT
MANAGEMENT?
WHAT SHOULD JUNIOR
CREW DO WITH THEIR
SALARIES?
The location of the
superyacht (international
waters or territorial
waters) as well as the flag
of the yacht determines
the laws and regulations
a drone operator should
comply with. Within
the EU, it is governed
by the national aviation
authorities of each
member state unless you
have permission from the
relevant authorities. The
law prohibits flying smallunmanned
surveillance
aircraft (i.e. a drone fitted
with a camera) within 50
metres of any vehicle,
structure or person not
under the control of the
person in charge of the
aircraft. If your superyacht
is flagged under the
British Red Ensign, you
may fly a drone to capture
photos and video footage
over your own yacht and
the surrounding area as
long as you comply with
the afore mentioned
restrictions. In the
territorial waters of
other jurisdictions, local
laws must be followed.
Proven hybrid electric
power is certainly the
immediate way forward
for superyachts and the
clean fuel alternatives
being investigated by
various superyacht
shipyards is a positive
step. The Norwegians
have introduced tough
environmental legislation
and are driving towards
electric hybrid and batterypowered
vessels, with
several innovative new
build projects aiming for
zero emissions by 2030.
The various small boat
OEMs starting to produce
100% electric solutions
are a positive step for a
cleaner marine environment
too. Yet to power an
80m yacht by battery
alone is still many, many
years away. You cannot
hurry chemistry and the
chemical process needed
for battery manufacture
on the scale and output
required to power and run
all systems onboard by
current battery/lithium-ion
energy storage systems. A
superyacht is required to
do so much more than just
ferry her owner and VIPs.
As we all know, effective
communication is always
of great benefit. Whilst
at sea, however, it’s also
of paramount importance.
Whether it’s the Captain,
the Crew or the Support
Services Partners ashore,
the smooth, efficient and
indeed safe running of a
boat at sea involves the
co-operation of many
key stakeholders, each
of whom have their own
important and unique
part to play. Effective
communication is always
a two-way cycle with its
delivery and understanding
being critical to its
success, regardless of
whether it’s face-toface,
by telephone or
via online messaging.
Pivotal in this effective
communications cycle is
the Yacht Management
Services Provider who, fully
understanding the roles
and responsibilities of the
different stakeholders,
can effectively liaise with
and bring together all the
parties, thus ensuring the
provision of clear and rapid
information, actions and
solutions.
First and foremost,
pay off any existing debts.
These cost a ridiculous
amount in interest. Then
build an Emergency Pot.
At least three months’
salary available at all times
in case you find yourself
looking for a job. Thirdly,
save for education in order
to progress your career,
consider the costs of
education. Plan for the
next course and how much
it will cost (including travel
and accommodation), divide
this by the number of
months before the course,
and save every month.
Fourth is the longer term
‘Exit Pot’. What might
you do when you leave
yachting? A land based job,
start your own business,
retire? Save at least 25%
of your remaining income
every month. Penultimately,
what about a ‘Property
Pot’ If you want to invest
in property, then start
planning early. Last but not
least the very necessary
‘Fun Pot’. Set an amount
each month for having fun
and travelling. Saying no
to another night out is the
hardest part!
ONBOARD | SUMMER 2019 | 147