captain's log

The ongoing political stalemate in Washington has pushed the Coast Guard into its worst budget crisis in more than two decades, the service’s highest-ranking officer said earlier this year during his annual State of the Coast Guard address.

On August 20, 2013, the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) came into force. It will impact owners’ ability to commercially charter their yachts and will change the way we build yachts. Devised to protect the unprotected crew, the MLC adds another burdensome layer of governance on yachting.

Take a look at what's coming from both Boston Whaler and the U.K.-based Fairline.

Expoships LLLP, owner and operator of the exhibition megayacht SeaFair, will take part in the Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach and the Palm Beach International Boat Show as part of a strategic partnership with Active Interest Media and Show Management.

The International Jury for the America’s Cup levied multiple penalties on Oracle Team USA for modifications the syndicate made to its AC45 catamarans in 2012. Three members of the American syndicate, headed by software billionaire Larry Ellison, have been excluded from the America’s Cup Finals.

Capt. Eric Knott has spent 35 years on the water. A native of England, he followed his father into commercial fishing in the North Sea, Irish Sea, English Channel and environs. He is now unofficially leading another generation into a life on or around the salt.

Hurricane Sandy might not have stopped the 2012 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, but its legacy is having an effect on the show’s scheduling starting in 2015. Show dates will be pushed back a week, starting on the first Thursday in November, in the hope that the delay will help avoid the bad weather the area is sometimes prone to in the fall.

TowBoatUS recently announced two new Florida locations and the major European shows will see two new builds with naval architecture by Hydro Tec's Sergio Cutolo.

Benetti’s Livorno shipyard saw trouble last week when a 183-foot (56-meter) motoryacht in the final stages of construction caught fire. The yard believed that the problem started with a massive electrical storm in the area that night causing a strong electrical discharge or spark on board.

Charter yachts in Destin, Florida will be helping patrol an area to be used by the Air Force for testing in September and soon the Coast Guard may be adjusting the rules and labels for personal flotation devices.

Planning a longer trip than usual? Check out Aero Tec Laboratories' custom-designed fuel bladders. From Volvo Penta, a partnership with Garmin has brought us a range of multi-function touchscreen displays.

I’m happy to announce an exciting upgrade to our digital magazine experience. In a new partnership with the highly respected digital entity Superyachts.com, Yachts International magazine will now be presented on a brand new tablet app that plays well on all smartphones and tablets.

If you're in San Francisco this month, consider attending Sail America's International Sailing Summit. This issue, we also have a an informational webinar series to help you prepare for hurricane season.

Get where you're going safer with a new update from Navionics and, once you get there, try out a new product from Nocqua that will light up your night.