captain's log
Coast Guard Balances Budget Crisis
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.
Maritime Labor Convention 2006 and Its Effects on Yachting
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.
New Lines and Launches
Take a look at what's coming from both Boston Whaler and the U.K.-based Fairline.
Group Signs Boat-Show Deal With Active Interest Media
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.
America’s Cup defender hit with ‘unprecedented penalties’
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.
Cheap, cheerful and expendable: a winning formula for a youngster’s boat
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.
Fort Lauderdale show will move to later date in 2015
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.
Industry News
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.
A Fire Strikes Benetti
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.
News
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.
Abovedecks and Below
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.
Events and Education
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.
Technology and Toys
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.
Industry News
A submersible barge once used during the cold war will now serve as the largest enclosed dry dock on the West Coast while the East Coast welcomes a new yacht transport company.