February 29, 2020

Monthly News - February 2020

-pic of the month- Riviera 40th Anniversary Record Raft Up

Beneteau B-Tour 2020

The Barracuda Tour has turned into the B-TOUR, Saltwater Fishing and Motorboating Festival, in its 8th year.Packed with activities, this very social event is open to everyone and is the ideal opportunity to familiarize yourself with all the models in each of Beneteau’s outboard ranges and take them out on sea trials.It also opens the fishing competition to Antares and Flyer users, who will join the Barracuda fleet. Fans of the Barracuda Tour can set their minds at ease; the international fishing competition will take place for the 8th time this year, but it will be part of the new B-TOUR Saltwater Fishing and Motorboating Festival, organized by Beneteau at Port du Crouesty, in Arzon, from 15 to 24 May 2020. NEW in 2020, one boat design is no longer a requirement, explains Yannick Hemet, Beneteau’sSales Director for Southern Europe and founder of the event. 


Benetti Yachtmaster 2020 Attendance Record

Over 230 attendees, including 102 captains, 21 crew members, 16 surveyors, 12 owner representatives and 34 partners: these are the numbers that confirm the success of the European stage of the twentieth edition of Benetti Yachtmaster, held from February 19 to 21 at the exclusive W Hotel in Barcelona. The location of the second stage of this year’s edition was also revealed: Key Largo, Florida, from April 22 to 24. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Benetti Yachtmaster, the event that through the years has welcomed over 2,500 guests - including 1,000 yachting sector professionals and nearly 90 sponsors from all over the world -, this edition introduces a new format. As revealed by Benedetta Moreno, Benetti Global Head of Marketing and Communication, in her introductory presentation, Benetti’s aim this year was to balance networking opportunities and time for fun with structured learning sessions promoted by the Shipyard’s own talented personnel. The first stage of the 2020 edition achieved a perfect balance, alternating presentations, workshops and interviews with leisure and team building activities. The second stage will be held from April 22 to 24 in Key Largo, Florida, at Baker’s Key Resort.


Benetti Sponsors New Zealand Millennium Cup

Earlier this month Benetti was a proud sponsor of the world’s most southerly superyacht regatta, NZ Millennium Cup, a must-do race for yacht owners looking to experience the 144 islets of Northland’s Bay of Islands while also supporting ocean sustainability projects.  This year New Zealand’s only superyacht regatta joined forces with Live Ocean; the charitable trust founded by Peter Burling and Blair Tuke with a focus on ocean conservation. Donations made from New Zealand Millennium Cup participants created a collective effort, with 100 percent of donations to Live Ocean projects.  Live Ocean aims to support and invest in promising marine science, innovation, technology and marine conservation projects and right now is raising funds to help save the Antipodean albatross, which could be gone in as little as 20 years. New Zealand is the seabird capital of the world, but shockingly 90 per cent of species are threatened with, or at risk of, extinction. As an industry leader, Benetti has been dedicated to promoting sustainability activities throughout the years while staying true to high quality standard craftsmanship and performance.  “Aside from being the first shipyard in the world to deliver a diesel electric superyacht (Ambrosia), more recently, we have carried out projects that include a pioneering hybrid propulsion system (FB272 giga yacht) and yachts with SISHIP EcoProp by Siemens propulsion (B.Yond),” says Peter Mahony, General Manager at Benetti Yachts Asia. Benetti is also a long-time supporter of the Water Revolution foundation and the Blue Marine Foundation, both of which aim to protect the ocean. He continues, “As the exclusive motor yacht sponsor of the 2020 NZ Millennium cup, we are extremely proud to be a part of this year’s regatta and their mission of ocean conservation.” The NZ Millennium Cup is in its 12th edition this year, and was first raced as an adjunct to the 30th America’s Cup in Auckland. Now, with the 36th America’s Cup approaching, organisers have been excited to see an increase of interest both in the regatta and in New Zealand’s wider cruising grounds. It’ll be raced from the 29th January to the 1 February with the largest yacht taking part this year measuring 54.6 metres.


CRN the First Italian Shipyard to Achieve IMO Tier III

CRN, part of Ferretti Group, is the first shipyard in Italy to receive IMO Tier III certification for the CRN M/Y 137, a soon-to-be-delivered fully custom steel and aluminium 62-metre megayacht. This success is a well-earned reward for an industrial strategy firmly centred on environmental stewardship and sustainable development.  IMO Tier III is the International Maritime Organization standard that enshrines the naval industry’s commitment to safeguarding the environment; CRN has attained certification right from its first pleasure vessel to be delivered in early 2020.  As a result, and in accordance with the regulation, a certified reduction of 70% in harmful emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in engine exhaust gases is now guaranteed for all CRN motor yachts. This reduction is mandatory for any pleasure yachts with a gross tonnage of more than 500 GT that are permitted to cruise in all geographical areas and whose keel was laid after 1 January 2016.  The project was coordinated and completed by the team of engineers at the CRN Technical Office. Compliance was achieved by fitting the engine exhausts with the SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) auxiliary system, which uses a chemical process to slash harmful emissions.  The new 62-metre CRN 137, launched last November, is therefore the first IMO TIER III–compliant megayacht built in Italy, to be followed by the other 3 fully custom CRN yachts currently under construction: the 62-metre CRN M/Y 138, 70-metre CRN M/Y 139 and 60-metre CRN M/Y 141.  Besides being compliant with the regulation, CRN’s environmentally friendly solutions meet yacht owners’ increasing expectations about ecological safeguards.


Dominator Wins Boat International Design and Innovation Award 2020

During the Superyacht Design Festival held in Cortina d’Ampezzo (Italy), WIDER’s President Marcello Maggi proudly announced a revolutionary technology: the Thermionic Converters (TCs).  Responding to ever more demanding environmental requirements, this technology is developed by the Fintel Energia Group SpA and it will be the sole right of the WIDER shipyard where the nautical industry is concerned. “The entries represent the breadth of the market and from year to year the quality just goes from strength to strength,” said co-chair of the panel Marilyn Mower, who is editor-at-large for BOAT International. “It’s a showcase of the recent development of the superyacht industry in microcosm.”  This well-respected Award is considered to be the most difficult distinction to achieve in the superyacht industry. The Boat International Award recognised Dominator Yachts for the very first time in its 20 year company history for the Ilumen naval architecture and design: a motor yacht that combines efficient hydrodynamics with elegance in a hull that properly meets its intended purpose, particularly in respect of performance, seaworthiness, range and economy.


Ferretti Custom Line Art Experience at Contini Galley

The partnership between Custom Line and the Contini Gallery is under way again in 2020. The Contini Gallery is an internationally renowned art venue in the top ski destination of Cortina d’Ampezzo that shares Custom Line’s brand values and vision. From January 30th Custom Line will be present at the Contini Gallery with a creative exhibition featuring also superb models of the Custom Line 120' and Navetta 48 project.  This new art experience underlines once again this yacht builder links with art: the art of being different, the art of going beyond, because cruising is an art. Custom Line is an outstanding brand with unmistakable designs that combine cutting-edge technology and supremely innovative aesthetic and stylistic solutions to offer an extraordinary experience to every owner.

Ferretti Group Conquers Asia with Five Prestigious Awards

Ferretti Group starts the new year with five glittering trophies, a symbol of the great success of the Ferretti Yachts and Riva brands in the Asian market.  Ferretti Yachts 720 and Riva 90’ Argo triumphed at the Oceanway China Yacht Annual Awards, winning the “Innovation Yacht Award” and “Best Motor Yacht over 80ft”, respectively. The gala evening, haracter by the Asian yachting magazine Oceanway, was held on 3 January in Shenzhen, China, attended by over 200 renowned industry experts.  The Robb Report China “Best of the Best” award, presented on 27 December to the Riva 50 Metri in the “Yacht of the Year 2019” category, closed a year haracterized by many successes, opening the door to a promising 2020. This award, promoted by the Chinese edition of the exclusive lifestyle magazine, proponent of the finest in international luxury, selects and identifies the best products every year in 12 different categories of the luxury sector.  These exciting new achievements go hand in hand with two important acknowledgements. On 11 January, for the second year running, the prominent Chinese platform YAOK presented Ferretti Yachts with the “Best Commercial Performance of The Year in the Luxury Yacht Category” award during the eleventh edition of the YAOK Awards, a testament to the shipyard’s sales performance in Asia.  And lastly, for the seventh consecutive year, Ferretti Yachts received the award for “The Best Yacht Brand in 2020”, presented at the prize giving ceremony of the sixteenth edition of the Hurun Best of the Best Awards, held on 13 January in Shanghai. The award is the result of the Best of the Best Luxury Consumer Preference survey conducted by the renowned Chinese business and lifestyle magazine Hurun Report, which since 1999 has been ranking China’s wealthiest individuals. Conducted in twenty different cities and involving over four hundred leading personalities, the survey is an essential tool for finding out the most successful and popular brands and the consumption habits and lifestyle trends of the most influential Chinese citizens.  These successes herald yet another triumph for Ferretti Group, which once again is confirmed as sector leader in an increasingly competitive and strategic market such as Asia.


Heesen Expands with New Interior Facility

On Saturday 15th February, the newly expanded facility in Winterswijk, province of Gelderland the home of Heesen's renowned interior workshop was officially inaugurated. Located just over an hour’s drive from Oss, the facility was acquired in 2000, under the name ‘Oortgiese’.  In addition to the ongoing developments at the facility, and in direct response to a growing demand from Heesen owners for yachts of greater size and volume, Heesen is hiring 30 new workshop employees. Once completed, this recruitment drive will bring the total workforce in Winterswijk to 130 highly skilled artisans.  Dedicated to the relentless pursuit of perfection, Heesen is one of the few shipbuilders in the world to have an entire in-house department of interior specialists. From draftsmen to cabinet-makers, and upholsterers to joiners, French polishers, painters, and project managers, the level of in-house experience and craftsmanship is unsurpassed. Whole generations of specialist artisans pass a wealth of knowledge down through the generations, resulting in custom creations unique to Heesen.  Alongside an unsurpassed level of Dutch craftsmanship and continuous innovation, having an entire in-house department of interior specialists enables Heesen to guarantee consistent quality and level of service that has become a signature of the yard for both clients and their designers. At Heesen, there is no such thing as mission impossible. Heavily investing in the acquisition and the training of young talent is the secret behind Heesen’s award-winning interior creations.  Today’s expansion at the facility in Winterswijk consists of 2,240 square meters of new production space, which brings the total production area to 8,100 square meters. The office space increases by 332 square meters reaching almost 1,000 square meters. The investment will ensure that Heesen Interiors continues to create the most luxurious, award-winning interior furniture exclusively for Heesen yachts, just as it has done for the past 35 years.


Gulf Craft Trains Sales and Service for Samaco Marine

Gulf Craft has recently appointed a new dealer in Saudi Arabia, Samaco Marine. Having offices and showrooms across the Kingdom, they will be representing the shipyard’s Oryx brand. As a part of Gulf Craft dealer development and empowerment program, a team of ten persons from Samaco has undergone extensive sales and service training at our Umm Al Quwain facility. By doing so, Gulf Craft ensures that every dealer represents the brand in the same level of excellence that the shipyard would do. Gulf Craft expansion in new territories requires us to be well versed with different types of markets and at the same time, our representatives must have thorough knowledge about Gulf Craft. Therefore the training Gulf Craft conducts is crucial to elevate the growth of the dealer and create a consistent approach in other business relations.


Jarrett Bay with East Carteret High School Students

Dozens of students in one high school in the east spent the day outside of their classroom and out in the community shadowing different career fields.  More than 30 students from East Carteret High School had the chance to pick what career field they were interested in and then spent the day seeing a day in the life of those different jobs.  Two students spent their day at Jarrett Bay Boatworks learning about how a boat goes from an idea to a real boat.  Some students spent the day shadowing WITN’s Stacia Strong.  Anna Foster said, “It was different than what I thought, the editing process was a lot more and there was a lot more to it than I thought, but all in all, I really enjoyed it.”  Another student spent her day at Beaufort Elementary School shadowing teachers.  This experience is one that educators say is critical to helping students determine what they may want to do after high school.  Karen Wood, Beaufort Elementary School Principal says, “When you think about students being 17 or 18-years-old going off to college and in many cases having to declare a major right away, it’s good when they’ve had the opportunity to experience some different fields of work because teaching might not be for them.”  This is the second year tenth grade students at East Carteret High School have had the opportunity to spend the day job shadowing.


Formula Earns 2019 NMMA Customer Satisfaction Awards

Formula is pleased to announce it has once again been recognized for excellence in customer satisfaction in NMMA’s 2019 Customer Satisfaction Index program in the categories of: Fiberglass Outboard Boats, Sterndrive Bowrider Boats and Sterndrive Cuddy & Express Boats. Congratulations to the Formula Team for building a superior product and providing excellent customer service!  The Marine Industry CSI Awards program honors participating manufacturers that actively measure customer satisfaction and pursue continuous improvement to better serve the customer. Award recipients have achieved and maintained an independently-measured standard of excellence of 90 percent or higher in customer satisfaction over the past year, based on information provided by customers purchasing a new boat or engine.  Pictured receiving the Awards, left to right, are Formula CAD Engineer Josh Porter, Formula Marketing Promotions Director Sarah Porter Bolinger, NMMA President Frank Hugelmeyer and Formula President Scott Porter.


Maritimo Working to Defend World Championship

Current UIM XCAT world champions Maritimo Racing are in the process of off-season testing and development in readiness for the start of the 2020 season with the goal to defend national and international championship titles.  Driver and Maritimo lead designer, Tom Barry-Cotter said the 2020 season starts in May and this year's competition promises to be more exciting than ever with a new championship promoter in the final stages of a deal set to grow the profile and expand the global reach of the XCAT brand.  Races during 2020 will be held in the Middle East, Europe, and East Asia.
"Teams are preparing for the announcement of the new promoter by the world governing body UIM next month," he said. "The new highly experienced promoter will work toward a long term strategy of building the XCAT brand and expanding its global reach.  "We were the best powerboat team in the world last year, but in keeping with our corporate culture, ethos and drive we are focused on the future, and working to ensure we achieve even greater performance and reliability in 2020.  "Maritimo Racing is committed to showcasing the technological excellence of our brand to the world, and demonstrating what inherently makes Maritimo the world’s best luxury motor yachts.  "The knowledge we gain from racing technology is integral in the design and manufacturing of our motor yachts, transferring into all our production models and there is not another luxury motor yacht manufacturer in the world that can do that."  Barry-Cotter said Maritimo Racing is in the process of constructing the second R30 XCAT which will be the team’s research and development hull, which can alternate with the existing world championship winning R30 entered in the XCAT World Championship at the end of each season.  "By having an identical boat here in Australia we can rapidly increase the rate of development, and enable specific upgrades to be fine tuned before installing or applying to the boat in the championship." he said.  The remaining weeks of off-season testing and development will be critical in order to gain the early advantage in the 2020 season.  “We are excited with the upgrades we have developed this off-season to date, and at the prospect of defending our world championship, but it is as exciting to continue to apply this knowledge to our motor yacht range for the latest release 2020 models and future developments," he said.  “It’s an exciting time for our brand.”


Moonen Sponsors Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race

Dutch superyacht builder Moonen Yachts are excited to announce their sponsorship of the Moonen Yachts Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2021. The 1,250-nm ocean regatta will take place on 30th January 2021, with the Moonen team and owners in attendance. At the finish in Auckland, which will coincide with the Americas Cup 2021, Moonen Yachts will present their latest 36m award winning superyacht the Martinique. This yacht will be on display in the marina to welcome the competitors and will also be available for prescheduled client visits.  This new collaboration aims to support and promote continuous competitive sailing in the south pacific and to promote Moonen Yachts to superyacht clients around the world whilst widening Moonen’s reach within the expanding regional market. The Moonen Yachts Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race will be the centerpiece of a summer of major yachting events. The season opens with the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in December followed by the Moonen Yachts Sydney to Auckland Ocean race which finishes in Auckland Harbour to coincide with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron’s (RNZYS) 150th Anniversary celebrations and the prestigious 36th America's Cup racing.  The Moonen Yachts Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race is a Category 1 race, open to J class, maxi yachts and multihulls with the first leg of a rally for cruisers. The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club promises a diverse program for the 2021 Australian regatta, with participating yachts including the Prada Cup series and more.  “Australia is a growing market,” says Johan Dubbelman CEO of Moonen Yachts. “We believe our yachts are a perfect fit for the Asia/Pacific region and so this market is increasingly significant for Moonen. We are happy to support the 2021 series of this fantastic ocean race with the Moonen race team and look forward to expanding the iconic Moonen brand in Australia and beyond”.  The Moonen owners, together with the Moonen team, will attend the Moonen Yachts Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race on 30th January 2021, beginning in Sydney Harbour, Australia. More information on the event as well as the latest Moonen Yachts updates will follow on the Moonen website and social media channels in the coming months.


Princess Bentley Collaboration

Following the conclusion of boot Düsseldorf 2020, Princess Yachts marks a successful partnership with the Bentley Dealer Network, which saw customers of the UK’s largest yacht manufacturer transported to and from this year’s show by the luxury car brand.  The exclusive collaboration with Bentley saw guests treated to a luxury chauffeur service in co-branded Bentley Bentayga Hybrids supplied by Bentley Frankfurt and Bentley Düsseldorf dealerships.


Riva Wins Boat International Design and Innovation Award 2020

Riva rises above the competition at Cortina d’Ampezzo, home to the Superyacht Design Festival, during the awards ceremony at the Boat International Design and Innovation Awards 2020 on Sunday 2nd February.  Riva 50 Metri M/Y Race, the first flagship in steel and aluminium by Riva Superyachts Division of Ancona, has won the prestigious award in the “Outstanding Exterior Motor Yacht” category. The jury appreciated its architecture and naval style as well as its fine engineering features, the design of its exteriors, and the innovative technological solutions.  Designed by the Riva Superyachts Division engineering team in Ancona, Riva 50 Metri was built in collaboration with the Ferretti Group’s Strategic Product Committee and Officina Italiana Design, the firm run by Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta that exclusively designs the entire Riva fleet.  Named Race by its owner, it fulfilled the dream of Carlo Riva, a man driven by his ambition to go beyond limits, leading to the celebrated Caravelle and Atlantic motor yachts as far back as the '60s and '70s: grand craft made of steel, of which the new flagship is a worthy heir with its unrivalled standards of aesthetics, style, and innovation.  "This award demonstrates that dreams do become reality and challenges always give you satisfaction” - Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti Group declared. “The dream we inherited from Carlo Riva is the biggest steel Riva yacht ever made. Our challenge was to bring the legend of the most famous shipyard in the world into 50 meters of beauty and technology. Judging by the success of this yacht, we made it."  Riva 50 Metri respects and underscores the brand’s unmistakable features, from its meticulous attention to detail to its unrivalled beauty, as well as its superior standards in terms of comfort and safety. All of the design choices offer a perfect blend of practical features and aesthetics, with a focus on the comfort of the on-board exterior areas while guaranteeing an excellent sailing experience.  Once again, this award is proof of Riva’s expertise in combining an ultra-contemporary vision of sailing with its legendary and lustrous 178 years of history.

Riva Sparkles in Beauty in St.Maarten

Riva Yachts in cooperation with the world’s largest international superyacht company, Island Global Yachting (IGY), is excited to showcase at Yacht Club Isle de Sol in St. Maarten her iconic Riva Iseo.  In preparation to the 2020 Caribbean season, Riva’s Iseo will be the crowning jewel of the St. Maarten Superyacht Destination Showcase and the center piece display during exclusive local events and activities for superyacht owners, charters guests and VIPs at Yacht Club Isle de Sol, St. Maarten.  Yacht Club Isle de Sol welcomes hundreds of the world’s largest superyachts to its docks in St. Maarten each year. For the upcoming season, Riva and IGY set up a stunning display for the Iseo at the main entrance of Yacht Club Isle de Sol in order to create a lifestyle focused, destination experience in direct alignment with its superyacht owner and charter guest clientele, establishing the perfect environment to showcase the Riva Iseo.  Noble heir to a history of excellence and craftsmanship, Iseo is the ideal motorboat for those who love sweet sailing on lakes. Its size (open 8 metres) and ease of handling also make it the perfect tender for the yacht: to be used to transport guests and to reach areas with even very shallow waters.  While the lines and the design of this runabout are as smooth and seductive as always, in emblematic Riva style, Iseo can also boast some of the very latest technology. The result is a marriage of tradition and innovation that cannot fail to beguile all who experience her.  The official reveal of the Riva will be held during a private St. Maarten Superyacht Destination Showcase event taking place in February 2020 with IGY and Riva sending out invites to an exclusive local function at Yacht Club Isle de Sol.


Riviera Sign Record Number of Apprentices

Australia’s luxury motor yacht builder, Riviera, has welcomed 33 new apprentices this week to its highly respected apprenticeship program, growing this talented group of future craftspeople to more than 80 for 2020.  This is the largest intake of Riviera apprentices since the program’s establishment in 1992.  The apprentices will undertake their training at Riviera’s world-class 14-hectare manufacturing facility at Coomera, the largest in the southern hemisphere. Here they will be mentored by the 600-strong Riviera team who create and innovate motor yachts of distinction. Yachts from 39 to 72 feet in length that are acclaimed internationally for their sea keeping qualities and high calibre of construction as much as they are for their fine and luxurious finishes.  The specialist trades offered in the four-year program include boatbuilding, engineering, electrical, cabinet making, timber and composite machinists, upholstery, and composite technicians. They are facilitated through Technical and Further Education (TAFE), Skillstech and Plastic and Rubber Technical Education Centre (PARTEC).  Riviera’s owner Rodney Longhurst who is also a TAFE qualified carpenter and joiner, said the training program fosters life-long skills in craftsmanship excellence, qualities for which Riviera is world renown.  “Our philosophy is that to build world class luxury motor yachts, we need to create world class craftsmen and women. We welcome the next generation of master boat builders to our industry and are proud that they will receive high quality training from our exceptional team. At Riviera we offer so much more than a standard apprenticeship.  “The success of our apprenticeship program over the past 24 years and our excellent retention rates affirm Riviera as an employer of choice on both the local and global stage. Indeed, our apprentices are consistently the recipients of industry awards and recognized as leaders in their trades.  “More than 90 per cent of our apprentices in the past four years have continued their careers at Riviera and are today all vital members of our team helping to meet the growing demand for our luxury motor yachts,” Mr Longhurst said.  Apprentices are rotated through all areas of the business relevant to their trade to become specialists in their chosen field and ensure all trade qualifications are met.  Riviera’s Safety and Training Manager, Adam Houlahan, said the program is designed to optimize their potential.  “In addition to apprentice training, we have developed the Propel Program, which covers both workplace and life skills and is a pathway to personal excellence. This aspect of their apprenticeship training is about developing fine young Australians equally as fine tradespeople. We build confidence, people skills, financial maturity and goal-setting under the mentorship of key Riviera staff including Rodney Longhurst and CEO Wes Moxey.  “Outstanding apprentices are recognized with opportunities to travel nationally and internationally to work on our motor yachts and represent the company at major boat shows. We coach these young people to take advantage of all of the opportunities that Riviera has to offer,” Mr Houlahan said.  Rivera’s apprenticeship program invites students, teachers, schools and families to an evening information session and site tour in July each year. Those who express interest are offered work experience in Year 11, which may be followed by a school-based apprenticeship in Year 12.

Riviera 40th Anniversary Record Raft Up

R Marine Flagship of Auckland in partnership with Australia’s premium luxury motor yacht builder, Riviera, has organised a spectacular event which is the first in a series of global celebrations marking Riviera’s 40th anniversary and setting a new record for New Zealand in the process. A flotilla of 106 Riviera luxury motor yachts, ranging in size from 33 to 72 feet, were rafted together at Awaawaroa Bay on the southern side of Waiheke Island to create a massive circle measuring 234m in diameter.  The mega raft-up exceeds the previous Riviera raft-up record of 48 luxury motor yachts set in Perth in 2017.  Over 600 Riviera enthusiasts were treated to a highly memorable day and evening on the water with a host of local stars performing on a purpose-built floating stage in the centre of the circle.  This unique amphitheatre, the likes of which the Hauraki Gulf has never seen before, hosted live performances headlined by one of New Zealand’s premier female vocal ensembles, The Lady Killers featuring Jackie Clarke, Tina Cross and Suzanne Lynch. The R&B legend Midge Marsden with Chet O’Connell also featured in the impressive musical line-up.  Dean Horgan the Managing Director of New Zealand’s Rivera representative, R Marine Flagship, said the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of New Zealand’s most popular motor yachts along with the sense of rivalry to surpass an Australian raft-up record, motivated so many New Zealand Riviera owners to come from afar.  “The largest Riviera raft-up to date was held in Perth in 2017 with 48 Riviera yachts. So, our New Zealand owners have really wanted to take the title from our Australian friends. People traveled from as far south as Gisborne and Whangaroain the north to take part,” Mr Horgan said.  A team of 30 from R Marine Flagship and Riviera were on hand to help the boats safely raft together, which included three Riviera 72 Sports Motor Yachts and a 63 Enclosed Flybridge dropping their anchors at each of the four points of the compass.  “Fun for the whole family was the theme for the weekend, and it was a fantastic opportunity to reunite the New Zealand Riviera Family of motor yacht owners. Over the years, these motor yachts travel far and wide and it’s wonderful to have everyone together to share this incredibly unique experience”.  Founded in 1980, Riviera is Australia’s premier luxury motor yacht builder that operates the largest luxury boat building facility in the Southern Hemisphere on Queensland’s Gold Coast. In this, the company’s 40th year, they will celebrate the launching of over 5,600 motor yachts that can be seen cruising all over the world.  Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst said the record-breaking raft-up showcased the popularity of the Rivera brand and the great friendships within the Riviera Family.  “It’s been my dream to build a world-class company that builds world-class boats,” Mr Longhurst said. “But for it all to come together, we have to have world-class distribution and world-class customers who can come together and put on an impressive spectacle like this. This is a bucket list moment for me.”  Riviera has a particularly strong following in New Zealand with more than 600 motor yachts now cruising in local waters since the arrival of the first Riviera in 1984.  “Riviera is a trusted brand in New Zealand and is the luxury motor yacht of choice. In a country of such experienced boaters, I am proud that the New Zealanders respect and value Riviera’s craftsmanship, quality, style, innovation and especially our blue water performance. “We are very happy to begin our 40th-anniversary year celebrations with the largest New Zealand and Riviera Raft-Up ever to be held.  “Bringing together 106 Riviera motor yachts is an immense undertaking and I congratulate the exceptional team at R Marine Flagship for creating and organising what was truly a spectacular event in the City of Sails.”  The New Zealand raft-up marks the first in a series of galas planned globally by Riviera and its representatives to celebrate its milestone 40th anniversary in 2020.


Tankoa New Chief Executive Officer

Following a company board meeting held on 25th February, Tankoa Yachts is happy to announce that it has strengthened its managerial structure with the appointment of Vincenzo Poerio as Chief Executive Officer, who will work alongside the current CEO, Euro Contenti.  The new Board of Directors thanked the outgoing directors Michel Karsenti and Renzo Chelazzi for their fruitful collaboration that has helped raised the profile of Tankoa in recent years.  The entry of Vincenzo Poerio highlights the shipyard's mission to rank among the top players in the superyacht sector.  “It is difficult to stay away from our industry, so I decided to start over in Genoa, the city where I started my career about 38 years ago,”says Poerio. “I chose Tankoa because it is a boutique shipyard with a strong focus on customer satisfaction. It is also very ambitious with a skilled, united and passionate team that builds high-quality products. By bringing my own experience, I’m confident we can grow together to become a point of reference in the superyacht segment.”


Viking She's the Champ

Congratulations to Jill Yates for not only taking the Top Lady Angler title at the recent Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Tournament but also claiming the Top Angler award. This is the first time in the Buc's 57-year history that a lady has claimed the Top Angler trophy. Captain Mark Pagano, at the wheel of Jill and Scott Yates' Viking 72 Eight Eights, put Jill on eight sailfish for her win. Two additional sails clinched the team's 2nd Place Live Bait accolade.  Gerry McGraw's Viking 56 Gypsea landed nine sailfish to take 3rd Place Live Bait honors. Martha D, Deborah Dayton's Viking 52, claimed 3rd Place in the Dead Bait category. Top Meatfish went to the Viking 60 De-Bait-Able with a 31.8-pound cobia.


Wider Future Getting Closer

During the Superyacht Design Festival held in Cortina d’Ampezzo (Italy), Wider’s President Marcello Maggi proudly announced a revolutionary technology: the Thermionic Converters (TCs).  Responding to ever more demanding environmental requirements, this technology is developed by the Fintel Energia Group SpA and it will be the sole right of the Wider shipyard where the nautical industry is concerned.

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