Issuu

Navisoul 850 Pro Cabin & Honda BF350 Meet the ambitious newcomer in the RIB world

Read the Crew Life section for Marine Conservation and Research updates

YACHTING AND LIFESTYLE FROM MALLORCA TO THE WORLD SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2026

DIESEL FUEL STATION EUROPE’S LEADING TECHNICAL AREA FOR REFIT & REPAIR

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THE ULTIMATE RENDEZ-VOUS 8-13 SEPT. 2026 cannesyachtingfestival.com

EXPLORE NEW HORIZONS AND EMBRACE A NEW LIFESTYLE ON THE FRENCH RIVIERA. Between elegance, light, and an infinite horizon, discover a world gathering more than 700 yachts, where the sea becomes an experience — and enjoy privileged access to the show, with exclusive services.

The Islander Team

Note from the CEO* *Creative Enthusiastic Owner

CEO (Creative Enthusiastic Owner) Jens Oomes Office Manager Natalie Tempelers Admin & Communications Marlot Cathalina Design CreArte Studio

Editorial Support Kjell Van Hoecke, Sarah Van Laere Client Relations & Partnerships Sara Vermeulen

AGREE TO THIS DEGREE

Contributors Marlot Cathalina

Tzarina Mace-Ralph

Karine Rayson, The Crew Coach

Save The Med

Clair Minto, Chief Stew Shop

Joves Navegants

Barry D’Arcy, Ocean Earth Chefs Bec McKeever and Dominique Smit, Virtual Pursers

Contact details

As I write this, Mallorca is baking through another Mediterranean summer. Meanwhile, I have spent much of mine at the other end of the thermometer -and rather higher up the latitude scale- attempting to complete the Northwest Passage. There is a report from the journey in this issue, with more to follow in the next, so I won’t give too much away here. But if Mallorca’s summer temperatures have you considering somewhere cooler next year, I can wholeheartedly recommend Greenland. Icebergs drifting past the anchorage provide a rather more effective form of air conditioning than anything I’ve experienced in the Med.

Admin: admin@theislander.online Accounts: accounts@theislander.online

At first glance, the two worlds could hardly be further apart.

Newsletter

But made

Editorial contributions & press releases: editor@theislander.online

Event calendar

And

perhaps

that

precisely

the

attraction.

Whether your idea of the perfect yacht is anchored beneath Greenlandic mountains with icebergs drifting past, or stern-to in Port Hercules with the champagne on ice, the common denominator is freedom; the ability to experience the world on your own terms. I can agree to that degree. ◆

As the Mediterranean slowly drops a few degrees, the yachting industry is about to turn the temperature up again. September kicks off the Riviera boat-show season with Cannes, followed by Monaco and Genoa. Here we move from expedition sailing to the highest degree of luxury: immaculate yachts, elaborate stands, beautiful parties and the annual pursuit of ever greater comfort, sophistication and innovation.

Sales: sara@theislander.online

At one extreme it allows us to travel into remote places, test ourselves and experience a degree of adventure that few other forms of travel can offer. At the other, it can deliver comfort and luxury at a level that few other forms of travel can match.

spending time in the Arctic has me think differently about luxury.

After hours on watch in freezing temperatures, a warm, dry bed feels extraordinarily luxurious. Fresh bread coming out of the oven is a luxury. So is a steaming bowl of soup, preferably served at a very high degree. A hot shower can feel every bit as indulgent as a Monaco hotel suite. Perhaps yachting has always had this split personality.

Jens Oomes

ISLANDER YACHTING MEDIA S.L. VAT / CIF B72731938 POLIGONO 19 PARCELA 60, 07620 LLUCMAJOR, BALEARES SPAIN - DEPOSITO LEGAL: PM146-1997 Whilst the publishers have taken every care to ensure that the contents are correct they cannot take any responsibility for any losses incurred by readers as a result of any editorial or advertisement. The opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers who therefore cannot take any responsibility for any opinion expressed. All rights are reserved and no part can be reproduced or stored without permission. La revista The Islander no se hace responsable necesariamente de todas las opiniones vertidas por sus colaboradores.

The Islander #333

16. Tune in Thursdays

24. Nabarro Consulting 26. Huisfit by Royal Huisman 32. E3 35. AnkorPay 40. Samar 42. B-craft 44. Grupo Baeza

52. Meet The Crew: Paula Walker 56. The Crew Coach 59. Chief Stew Shop 61. Chef Tzarina Spits it out 62. Chef’s Chat 65. Superyacht Technology Network 66. Virtual Pursers 70. Alnitak 72. Northwest Passage Expedition

Islander Life

12. Judged by The Cover: Navisoul

22. Industry updates

Crew Life

9. Note from the CEO

21 Industry Insider

First Pages

92. What's on in Mallorca 95. JoyRon Foundation 97. Aina Bauza 98. Hallie Hart 102. Asia Pacific Superyachts

78. Chief Officer Tamzin's tales of travels 82. Merk & Merk 84. Booking Manager Summit 86. Save The Med 88. Fundacion Joves Navegants

The Islander #333

JUDGED BY THE COVER BLACK BEAUTY: NAVISOUL 850 PRO CABIN & HONDA BF350 Written by Epco Ongering / boottesten.nl Photos by Laurens Koster / boottesten.nl

ew names rarely arrive in the RIB market without raising a few eyebrows, but Navisoul appears determined to make a strong first impression. The new 8.75-metre 850 Pro Cabin enters the European market with plenty of ambition. The boat tested here is the first prototype to reach the Benelux, while its outboard is equally exclusive: Honda's first factory-finished black BF350 V8. The result is a striking all-black package that looks every bit as purposeful as its performance suggests.

Refined power The BF350 impresses not only with outright performance but also with its refinement. Honda's low-friction engineering minimises internal resistance, contributing to remarkably quiet, smooth and economical running. Electrical output is another highlight. The alternator delivers 44 amps even at idle, increasing to 80 amps at cruising speeds, ensuring batteries remain fully charged while powering today's growing list of onboard electronics. The digital throttle and shift system is equally polished, offering smooth gear changes, automatic trim and an integrated trolling mode for precise low-speed handling.

Built for Europe The 850 Pro Cabin is built in Qingdao, China. While Chinese boatbuilding once attracted scepticism, today's manufacturing standards tell a different story. Producing quality is no longer the challenge; understanding the expectations of European boaters is. Thatis where the close cooperation between Navisoul.eu and its production partner becomes crucial, ensuring the finished product reflects European standards of design, practicality and finish.

Strong foundations A RIB is only as good as its hull and tubes, and Navisoul has clearly invested in both. The seven chambers are constructed from premium Orca Hypalon in an attractive carbon-effect finish. Besides offering excellent resistance to UV and abrasion, the tubes feature pressure-relief valves to prevent excessive inflation during hot weather. The GRP structure inspires similar confidence. Beneath the deck hatches, substantial structural reinforcements and a neatly finished interior demonstrate that strength has not come at the expense of presentation. The only disappointment is the use of traditional toggle hatch catches, which protrude awkwardly. Fortunately, the importer has already confirmed these will be replaced with flush-mounted fittings on production models.

Efficient hull design The hull features a modern stepped design with a wellbalanced sheerline. By introducing air beneath the hull, the step reduces drag, allowing the boat to climb onto the plane more quickly while improving efficiency across the speed range. Bolted to the transom is Honda's flagship BF350, now available in black for the first time. The naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 combines effortless torque with Honda's latest technologies, including VTEC variable valve timing, BLAST for stronger low-speed acceleration and ECOmo, which optimises fuel consumption during relaxed cruising.

Practical luxury Equipment levels are generous throughout. Standard specification includes an electric windlass with stainless-steel anchor and chain, an audio system and attractive diamondpattern upholstery. Forward, the large sunpad creates an inviting relaxation area, while gas struts support every hatch, a small but welcome detail that reflects thoughtful design. Hidden inside the console is a surprisingly spacious cabin. Rather than simply providing storage, it houses a proper marine toilet, washbasin, opening side windows and a generous 90-litre holding tank. For a RIB of this size, it offers genuine day-boating practicality.

Exceptionally rigid The helm is equally well executed. The twin-seat leaning post, angled steering wheel and well-positioned footrest create a comfortable driving position, while the dashboard provides ample space for large multifunction displays. Behind the helm are a sink, two-burner hob, refrigerator and an outdoor shower supplied by a 100-litre freshwater tank. Above it all sits a substantial stainless-steel T-top constructed from square-section tubing. Exceptionally rigid, it feels capable of handling rough-water punishment without complaint. A spacious U-shaped cockpit seating area and integrated wakeboard tower complete the social layout aft.

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Behind the wheel

Verdict

The Navisoul delivers exactly the sort of driving experience its aggressive appearance promises. The BF350 launches the boat onto the plane with impressive urgency, accompanied by the unmistakable soundtrack of a naturally aspirated V8. The stepped hull settles quickly and requires little trim adjustment before finding its optimum running angle. Steering is deliberately geared towards precision rather than speed, requiring more wheel movement than some competitors but rewarding the driver with excellent control through fast turns. Top speed reaches around 81 km/h (44 knots), but outright pace is only part of the story. In rough water, the hull displays impressive composure, cutting cleanly through chop while remaining reassuringly stable when crossing waves at an angle. Equally impressive is the solidity of the T-top, which remains entirely free from vibration even in demanding conditions.

The Navisoul 850 Pro Cabin arrives as an impressive newcomer. Build quality is reassuring, equipment levels are generous and the hull delivers the kind of confident handling expected in the premium RIB sector. Add Honda's superb BF350 V8 and the result is a capable, stylish and distinctive package. With prices starting at around €100,000 excluding VAT, and the fully equipped test boat retailing at approximately €129,900 including VAT, the Navisoul represents compelling value for buyers seeking a well-equipped performance RIB with genuine cruising credentials.◆

Premium RIBs combining exceptional craftsmanship, innovative design and uncompromising performance. From elegant leisure cruising to demanding professional use, every Navisoul is built to exceed expectations.

www.navisoul.eu E-mail: info@navisoul.eu Benoît Deckers Mobile: +32 470 02 62 48

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Model: Navisoul 850 Pro Cabin

TENDER LINE

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Built for speed & demanding use

Versatile & professional grade

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Every detail hand-finished to the highest marine standards.

Cutting-edge hull design for superior stability and performance.

Engineered to perform in all conditions, season after season.

LOA: 8.75m Beam: 2.84m Tube diameter: 540mm Air chambers: 7 Engine range: 250–350hp JOIN THE NETWORK

Displacement: 1,600kg

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Price as tested: Approx. €129,900 Information: www.navisoul.eu

C O N TA C T U S

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Become part of an exclusive network of premium marine dealers. Contact us to discover partnership opportunities in the Benelux & France.

N AV I S O U L 14

The Islander #333

—

B U I LT W I T H O U T C O M P R O M I S E

PREMIUM MARINE RIBS

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TUNE IN THURSDAYS CELEBRATING ONE YEAR OF TUNE IN THURSDAYS

hat started as our INIP (Islander Network & Inspiration Party) evolved into Tune in Thursday exactly one year ago: a fresh way to bring Islanders together with a unique networking event on the Mallorca yachting and lifestyle calendar. Every other month, on the first Thursday (excluding holidays), just days after our new issue lands, yachting professionals, crew and fellow Islanders come together to swap ideas, cut through the noise, and connect on a good frequency. But it's more than mixing and mingling. Tune in Thursday is also an opportunity for brands to get on stage: a chance to give a talk, showcase what you do, and connect directly with potential customers in the room. The Islander's CEO (Creative Enthusiastic Owner) Jens Oomes has guided our guests to make relevant and valuable connections all year long, and we're not stopping there. Tune in Thursdays continues this year, so save the date for our next one on Thursday, 3 September (Full info and signups via our website).

Thank you to our sponsors Tune in Thursdays wouldn't be what it is without the brands behind it. Over the past year, we've been proudly supported by Sevenstar Yacht Transport, U-Moke, Invisible Crew, AnkorPay and DYT Yacht Transport. Thank you for helping us bring the Islanders together.

Sponsor the next Tune in Thursday Want your brand in front of Mallorca's yachting and lifestyle network? Tune in Thursdays puts you directly in the room with the professionals and decision-makers who matter most. • Get face time: talk directly to yachting professionals, crew and Mallorca experts • Showcase your brand: take the mic, give a talk, and show the room what you do • Build real connections: meet potential customers and partners in person, over tapas and drinks

Are you sponsoring Tune In Thursday next time?

Get your tickets

Sponsorships are limited. Get in touch with Sara (sara@theislander.online)

for 3/9/26 here!

to find out how your company can get involved. 16

The Islander #333

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22. Industry updates 24. Nabarro Consulting 26. Huisfit by Royal Huisman 32. E3 35. AnkorPay

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The Islander Magazine can be found in +100 pickup points in Mallorca and in all superyacht marinas of Spain. We are also represented in strategic points in the French Riviera such as at the exclusive Billionaire's Quay in the port of Antibes. And you can also find us in all Cappuccino’s in Spain and Gstaad.

Industry Insider

44. Grupo Baeza

The Islander #333

Industry Insider

THE ISLAN D IND E RM OF A ET

Industry Updates

Zero hour: the renewablespowered 69-metre sailing yacht Zero launches in the Netherlands

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Brown's International Yachts arrives in Port Calanova

WELCOME MATS | TOWELS | AND MORE Visit our website or request a quote via email

Yacht Support Group - Mr. Paul van Westing paul@fender-design.com +34 677 814 789

fter seven years of development, engineering and construction, SY Zero has launched in Harlingen, the Netherlands. The 68.91-metre sailing yacht is the first of her size and type designed to operate purely on harvested renewable energy, without compromising comfort or cruising autonomy.

rown's International Yachts is delighted to announce the opening of its new office this summer in Port Calanova, Mallorca, further strengthening the company's presence in one of the Mediterranean's most important yachting destinations. Specialising in yacht sales, charter and new-build management, Brown's International Yachts offers a highly personal, knowledgeable and results-driven approach, supporting clients throughout their yachting journey. The new Port Calanova office brings the brand's personality to life with a modern, relaxed lounge feel. The space features beautiful artwork by Michael Sole, alongside imagery showcasing the company's listings. Playful touches include games such as backgammon, bottles of Après Provence and a bespoke Brown's surfboard, creating a welcoming environment where clients can drop in, relax and talk all things yachting.

She is intended as both a statement and a reference for renewable energy, aiming to inspire a change in mindset across the superyacht sector and the wider maritime industry. Her solutions, from her breathing masts to her 250 kW hydrogeneration system, her innovative micro-grid, her hybrid photovoltaic-thermal panels and her custom control software, are being shared via an opensource platform so that others can adopt and refine them. Zero began as an idea in 2019, developed with Vripack (exterior and interior design), Dykstra Naval Architects (hull, sailplan and thruster design) and Vitters Shipyard (build). Her aluminium hull was crafted at Jacht- en Scheepswerf Gouwerok from 2023, then transferred to Vitters for outfitting. She emerged from her construction hall on 6 July 2026 and was moved by barge to Harlingen for her technical launch and the stepping of her Panamax-height masts.

Perfectly positioned in Calanova, Mallorca, the Brown's team looks forward to welcoming clients, friends and visitors to its new home in Port Calanova

Her Palma Blue hull and teak-alternative Tesumo decks show that embracing renewables need not mean utilitarian styling. The launch marks a beginning rather than an end: Zero now enters an extensive sea-trial period, with data, research insights and system schematics shared publicly via the non-profit, opensource Foundation° platform at foundationzero.org.

Address: Brown's International Yachts, Port Calanova, Local 4, Avda. Joan Miró, 327, Palma de Mallorca. Email: info@browns-international.com

“SY Zero has been our Perfect Storm. It challenged us in all the ways we like to be tested, and we will forever be proud to have been part of this very special team.”

◆ www.browns-international.com

fender-design.com

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Your one stop solution for all your maritime connectivity, IT and TV needs 22

Industry Insider

The Islander #333

Industry Update

+34 971 40 42 08 | info@e3s.com | e3s.com

Authorised STARLINK Reseller

HOW TO USE AI RESPONSIBLY ON BOARD: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR OWNERS AND CREW Written by David Nabarro

FOUNDER OF NABARRO CONSULTING, WHICH ADVISES BUSINESSES ON AI STRATEGY BEFORE THEY INVEST IN IT. WWW.NABARROCONSULTING.COM

ust as it has in businesses all over the world, AI has found its way into day-to-day life on board. Crew are using it for tasks like writing emails, checking charter contracts, and troubleshooting technical issues, amongst other things. On the face of it this is reasonable, using a tool to do the job faster or better, or both. However, there are some implications if a personal or free account is used, and it has a name: shadow AI. shadow AI /ˈʃadəʊ ˌeɪˈaɪ/ · noun

deliberately rather than left untouched. That one step turns the largest risk into a managed tool, and lets the crew work in the open rather than in the shadows.

What a licence does not cover Even with a secure tool in place, judgement about what goes in still matters. A company account makes it safe to handle the everyday confidential business of running a yacht, but the more sensitive the information, the more care it deserves. Some things, for example the principal's security arrangements, or a guest's identity under a confidentiality agreement, are better kept out of any external system altogether. With the tool secured, the other thing to watch is reliability. AI answers with confidence whether or not it is right, so anything that matters should be verified, particularly where safety, medical or legal questions are involved. It is a tool to be used, not the absolute authority on anything.

The use of AI tools for work without an organisation's knowledge, oversight or approval, typically on personal or free accounts. An organisation cannot protect data it does not know is leaving. e.g. "Crew are using shadow AI to check charter contracts without considering where the data is going."

When a contract is pasted into a chat it goes to the provider and is held on their servers. By default on a personal or free account that text can be used to train the model, and once it has been used in training it cannot practically be removed from the model, even if the original conversation is later deleted. It also sits in the crew member's personal account, which stays with them when they leave. A crew member who moves on at the end of the season still has access to everything they entered.

Banning it is the wrong instinct The instinct, faced with this, is to ban it outright. However, that rarely works as a ban only drives the behaviour underground. It would also be throwing away something genuinely useful. The better course is not to forbid AI but to manage how it is provided and used.

Provide an authorised tool The fix is to give the crew a tool the yacht controls. That means a company account rather than a personal or free one. The business tiers from the main providers such as ChatGPT Team, Claude for Work and Microsoft 365 Copilot carry a contractual commitment not to train on the data they are given, along with administrative controls and proper data handling.

A test before you paste anything in. Take “AI can do that” and swap it for “someone I know can do that.” Now swap it again for “someone I don't know can do that.” Still want to put it in? That's your answer.◆ nabarroconsulting.com

A QUICK GUIDE Do

•Strip the identifying details first, and use placeholders like “the guest” or “the port” •Use a business or enterprise account, not a personal free one • Agree one simple rule on board: what is fine, what is off-limits, who to ask Don't • Paste guest or owner names, itineraries, locations, financials or security details • Drop contracts or NDAs in for a quick summary • Trust AI on safety, medical, legal or navigational matters without checking AI is on board and in the hands of the crew, whether it was invited or not. Better, then, to take control of it, and provide the tools and guidance to keep its use safe and responsible.

The retention and privacy settings should still be configured 24

Industry Insider

The Islander #333

CONSIDERING A NEW INTERIOR FOR A YACHT WITH A STORY?

ome yachts are too good to let go. Others represent a rare opportunity: an existing yacht with a beautiful exterior, proven platform and strong pedigree, yet with an interior that does not fully match the owner's lifestyle, taste or future plans. Written by Royal Huisman (Huisfit) Photo by Carlo Baroncini, Cory Silken, Onne van der Wal, Tom van Oossanen

The classic interior of Feadship Broadwater was replaced by Huisfit in Amsterdam.

AWARD-WINNING ROYAL HUISMAN AND HUISFIT INTERIORS

For both situations, Huisfit by Royal Huisman offers a compelling answer. Available to all superyachts in the global fleet, Huisfit can renew, rebuild or completely replace an existing yacht interior with the craftsmanship, engineering expertise and project discipline expected from Royal Huisman.

“Huisfit allows a yacht's soul to remain, while her interior is transformed for the future.” Interior work can range from targeted upgrades to a full conversion. Services include internal repairs, modifications, refurbishment, re-upholstering, rebuilds, new layouts and complete replacement interiors. Crew areas can also be renewed with Royal Huisman's proven crew styling, combining resilience, practicality and visual appeal. A well looked after crew is a happy crew, and a happy crew helps create a better experience for the owner and guests.

A successful interior conversion is never just visual. It must consider structure, systems, access, weight, comfort, durability and serviceability. Huisfit's in-house interior engineering specialists work closely with designers, owners' teams and the shipyard's construction and systems departments to optimise accommodation areas in 2D and 3D before production begins.

Aquarius (I), nowadays Apsara: Best Interior, International Superyacht Society (ISS) Awards

Where required, full-size mockups can help owners and teams experience space, ergonomics and details before final decisions are made. This practical, physical approach supports confident choices and helps ensure the result feels right on board. Could Huisfit be the smart choice for your project too?◆ Huisfit.com

ATLANTIDE (1930), THE HISTORIC LITTLE SHIP OF DUNKIRK, HAS BEEN FULLY RENEWED AND REAWAKENED BY THE ARTISANS AT HUISFIT BY ROYAL HUISMAN:

Scan the QR-code to see the above and many more award-winning interiors

The Islander #333

Industry Insider

NAVIGATING THE FUTURE ANCHORED IN TRADITION

CHARTS

GUIDES

FLAGS

SAFETY

AMAZON LEO VS. STARLINK: THE NEXT BAT TLE FOR SUPERYACHT CONNECTIVITY

Written & photos by e3 Systems

or the past several years, SpaceX's Starlink has transformed connectivity at sea, setting a new benchmark for broadband performance aboard superyachts. High-speed, low-latency internet has evolved from a luxury into an operational necessity, supporting everything from remote working and 4K streaming to cloud-based yacht management systems and real-time vessel monitoring. Now, Amazon is preparing to challenge that dominance through Amazon Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper, signalling the beginning of a new competitive era in maritime communications. Starlink entered the market with a significant first-mover advantage. Its rapidly expanding low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation and maritime-specific service packages have been widely adopted across the superyacht sector. Compared with traditional VSAT services operating in geostationary orbit, Starlink delivers substantially lower latency and significantly higher throughput, dramatically improving the onboard digital experience. As a result, many yachts now operate hybrid communications systems, with Starlink serving as the primary broadband connection alongside conventional satellite providers for redundancy.

For the superyacht industry, the arrival of Amazon Leo is less about replacing Starlink and more about increasing competition – aside from the potential it provides in having two primary connectivity systems as opposed to one primary and one back up. The days of heavy VSAT domes with slow and expensive back up options - even on the lowest Keep Alive packages seem to be truly over. e3 Systems have certainly been busy removing them, with their afterlife mainly consisting of being repurposed as the planet´s most expensive cat-feeding stations up at the SOS Animal sanctuary in Calvia.

Amazon launch

The company has also signalled its commitment to the maritime sector by appointing specialist marine communications partners to distribute Amazon Leo services globally. These developing partnerships indicate that commercial shipping, offshore industries and the superyacht market are viewed as strategic opportunities rather than secondary markets. From redundant VSAT and TVRO domes...

...to a feeding station for SOS Animal Calvia

Connectivity – if it wasn´t already - has become ever more mission-critical, supporting navigation updates, cybersecurity, engineering diagnostics, crew welfare, guest entertainment and seamless integration with shoreside management platforms. Owners and captains increasingly expect carrier diversity rather than dependence on a single provider. Amazon Leo, however, brings formidable resources and longterm ambition to the market. Originally launched as Project Kuiper, the initiative has been rebranded while maintaining its objective of deploying a constellation of more than 3,200 LEO satellites to deliver global broadband connectivity. Following its first operational satellite launches in 2025, Amazon has accelerated deployment and expects commercial services to expand as additional satellites enter orbit. 32

Industry Insider

Amazon's broader technology ecosystem could become a significant differentiator. Integration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) has the potential to simplify cloud connectivity for fleet operators, yacht management companies and onboard IoT systems. Advanced edge computing, secure data transfer and scalable cloud services could appeal to larger yachts operating sophisticated digital infrastructures.

The Islander #333

Despite the excitement, Starlink retains a commanding lead. Its constellation numbers several thousand operational satellites, providing mature global coverage, established maritime hardware and proven performance across thousands of vessels. However, within our European cruising agenda, Starlink remains unavailable and without authorisation in Turkey – a seasonal bugbear since its launch. Amazon Leo is still building both its satellite network and customer base, so whether this will solve the Turkey issue remains to be seen, and its early services may initially offer more limited regional availability to Starlink before achieving full global coverage. For superyacht owners, this competition is ultimately good news. Increased rivalry is likely to drive innovation, improve network resilience and place downward pressure on pricing, while encouraging further investment in maritimespecific services. Much as competition reshaped terrestrial telecommunications, the emergence of Amazon Leo alongside Starlink promises to accelerate the evolution of connected yachting. Over the next five years, connectivity will increasingly become a defining feature of the onboard experience. Whether enabling autonomous vessel systems, supporting AI-powered maintenance or simply delivering uninterrupted streaming in the middle of the Pacific, the race between Amazon Leo and Starlink is set to shape the future of communications across the global superyacht fleet. In the meantime, let us know if we can assist in removing domes – including TVROs, as IPTV solutions develop alongside fast and cheap connectivity. The cats will be grateful, in their own inevitably quiet way.

Ronald Bunders joins e3 Systems We are delighted to announce that Ronald Bunders has joined e3 Systems, bringing further knowledge and experience into our incumbent team covering bridge work and Navcomms. Originally from Holland, Ronald has been an electronics specialist for close to 30 years, with his most recent time afloat as engineer on SY Leopard 3. Ronald is very well known in superyacht circles, having spent over 20 years as a Project Manager at TijssenElektro in Holland and then Palma in partnership with Alewijnse. His technical expertise covers navigation and communication (Nav/Com) system design and installation, commissioning, GMDSS systems, electrical system integration, IT support, CCTV, whilst his practical approach, combined with decades of hands-on field experience, enables him to solve complex technical challenges efficiently while maintaining close relationships with captains, engineers, owners and shipyards around the world. As we enter into a busy refit season after the roasting summer of 2026, do please be in touch!◆ https://www.e3s.com

The Islander #333

Industry Insider

THE FUTURE OF YACHT FINANCE STARTS WITH BET TER FINANCIAL CONTROL Written by Victoria Lobo& photos via AnkorPay

TRIED, TESTED, TRUSTED. POWER YOU CAN RELY ON COMPREHENSIVE BATTERY TESTING EXTENSIVE BATTERY RANGE

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WHERE TO BUY YOUR BOAT BECOMES AN EXPERIENCE IN ITSELF

www.mallorcabatteries.com

Can Valero, Palma de Mallorca

achts now operate across multiple countries, currencies and suppliers, yet many financial processes still rely on traditional banking, shared cards, spreadsheets and manual reporting. The result is often missing receipts, time-consuming reconciliations and limited visibility over vessel spending. Ultimately, the yacht owner benefits most from better financial control. Real-time clarity allows owners and their representatives to see where money is being spent, monitor budgets as expenses occur and identify unnecessary costs earlier. Captains and management companies also gain the oversight needed to operate efficiently and report with confidence. Better systems can also protect owners from hidden banking costs. Card-loading fees, inflated foreign exchange margins and international payment charges may seem small, but over a busy season they can add up to thousands of euros. Modern yacht finance should give owners real-time visibility while reducing administration and unnecessary costs. The future is not simply about easier payments. It is about giving yacht owners stronger control and ensuring more of their money is spent on the yacht, not lost through hidden fees and inefficient processes.

A platform built specifically for yachting AnkorPay was designed to modernise the way yacht finances are managed. Built specifically for the yachting industry and powered by Airwallex's global financial infrastructure, AnkorPay combines operational spending, payments and financial oversight into a single platform that reflects the way yachts actually operate. From physical and virtual Visa cards and multi-currency wallets to AI-powered receipt capture, real-time transaction visibility and integrations with leading accounting platforms, every feature has been developed to reduce administration while improving financial control. Just as importantly, AnkorPay helps reduce unnecessary banking costs. With zero card-loading fees and competitive foreign exchange rates, owners and management companies can keep more of their operational budgets onboard rather than losing funds to avoidable banking charges. For owners, this means greater transparency over operational spending, stronger financial control and lower banking costs. For captains, it means spending less time chasing receipts, managing expenses and reconciling payments, allowing them to focus on running the vessel. For yacht management companies, it provides centralised oversight across one vessel or an entire fleet, with complete visibility of operational spending, configurable card permissions and streamlined financial reporting.

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“Customer service has been very attentive and impressive. Our owners have also saved money compared with the other solutions we previously used.”

Because modern yachts deserve financial technology that works as hard as the people running them.◆ www.ankorpay.io Instagram @AnkorPay.

The future of yacht finance Whether managing a private yacht, overseeing a charter programme or operating an entire fleet, the financial challenges are remarkably similar. Owners want confidence that every expense is visible and controlled. Captains need financial tools that simplify operations rather than create additional work. Yacht management companies require scalable solutions that provide oversight while reducing administration. Rather than adapting financial products originally designed for businesses ashore, the industry is increasingly embracing technology built specifically for the realities of yachting.

Putting financial control into practice Invisible Crew is a yacht management company that manages up to eight yachts between 50 and 100 feet, providing owners with worry-free ownership through experienced crew, professional support and a structured management approach. Today, managing financial operations across multiple yachts has become increasingly complex. Before implementing AnkorPay, the team relied on traditional financial solutions that were expensive, fragmented and not designed for the unique demands of yacht operations. Manual reconciliations, limited financial visibility and time-consuming expense management created unnecessary administrative work.

Physical and virtual payment cards have improved accountability across each vessel, while configurable spending controls and real-time transaction visibility provide greater oversight of operational expenditure. AI-powered receipt capture has also streamlined expense reporting, reducing the time spent chasing paperwork and reconciling transactions. “Our crews have bank cards, both virtual and physical, and we can easily follow and execute transactions. Our clients, the owners, can also monitor and approve transactions with ease.”

By bringing operational spending, payments, financial controls and reporting together in one connected platform, AnkorPay helps owners, captains and yacht management companies simplify financial operations, reduce unnecessary banking costs and maintain complete visibility over every transaction. As expectations continue to evolve across the superyacht industry, financial management is no longer simply about processing payments. It is about giving owners, captains and yacht management companies greater visibility, stronger financial control and the confidence that more of every operational budget stays where it belongs.

The business and owners have also reduced banking costs through zero card-loading fees and competitive foreign exchange rates, helping captains keep more of their operational budget where it belongs.

“Most solutions were built for larger operations with more than four crew. They offered a convoluted user experience and unnecessary features, resulting in excessive pricing.” Since adopting AnkorPay, Invisible Crew has centralised its financial operations into a single, easy-to-use platform. Owners now have greater visibility over vessel spending, while the team benefits from a significant reduction in administration and faster day-to-day financial management.

“It offers a simple, user-friendly solution at a transparent and efficient cost. Our favourite feature is how we can go between the vessel accounts seamlessly.”

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A QUIETER WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE MEDITERRANEAN Written by Franz Böse & photos by TwinMediaHouse

or decades, innovation in yachting has often been associated with more power, more speed and increasingly complex technology. Yet around the Mediterranean, another trend is quietly emerging. More owners are beginning to value something different: unhurried days at anchor, effortless cruising between secluded coves and a closer connection with the sea itself. It is this philosophy that led to the creation of SAMAR Yachts, a new Mallorcan brand whose first model, the SAMAR 50, has been designed specifically for the way the Mediterranean is meant to be enjoyed.

Anyone who has spent time cruising around Mallorca knows that some of the most memorable moments are often the quietest. A swim in a secluded cala, lunch at anchor or simply watching the coastline drift by. This is where the Balearic Islands reveal their true character, and where a different approach to boating feels completely at home. The SAMAR 50 reflects this mindset throughout its design. Spacious social areas, generous outdoor living spaces and a shallow draft make it well suited to exploring hidden coves and spending relaxed days with family and friends. Sustainability has also been approached in a practical way. The yacht combines solar energy, electric propulsion and durable aluminium construction, not as statements in themselves, but as sensible choices that support a quieter, lower-impact experience on the water.

“Perhaps the greatest luxury the Mediterranean Following its debut earlier this year in Palma, still offers is simply SAMAR Yachts will continue introducing its Mediterranean philosophy to an the chance to slow international audience at the Cannes Yachting down.” Festival this September. Visitors will have the

Founded on Mallorca and inspired by the island's rich maritime heritage, SAMAR takes its name from the local expression "Sa Mar" – "The Sea". Rather than creating another high-performance dayboat, the team chose to reinterpret the traditional Mediterranean llaut for a new generation. The result is a contemporary yacht that respects local craftsmanship while embracing modern design and alternative propulsion.

opportunity to discover not only a new yacht, but also a different perspective on modern boating. Perhaps the greatest luxury the Mediterranean still offers is simply the chance to slow down. ◆ www.samaryachts.com Instgram: @samar_yachts

At the heart of the project lies a simple idea: technology should enhance time on the water, not dominate it. Solar panels integrated into the roof, electric propulsion and carefully engineered onboard systems work quietly in the background. The technology never tries to take centre stage. Instead, it allows guests to focus on what brought them to the sea in the first place.

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THE BOAT THAT DIDN'T EXIST Written by Roeland and Joris Van Aelst & photos by B-craft

Boards and wet gear go into two large aft compartments, next to the shower. Two minutes after the last run, the Akoya is a tidy day cruiser.

very summer of our family life has been organised around water. We would wake early and take turns behind the boat: waterskiing, wakeboarding, arguing about who got the flattest set. By midday the ropes were away and the afternoon belonged to swimming, lunch and aperitif on board. In the evening we tied up at a restaurant on the quay. We went looking for a boat that could do all of that with grace. None ever did.

There was always a compromise; we simply chose which one to live with. The boats that were good for watersports were, frankly, ugly: mouldable shapes covered in cushions, with a wakeboard tower looming over everything, boards and vests strapped to it like laundry. The beautiful ones, with real Riviera character, could not handle a chop and had nowhere to attach a rope at height. Joris, by then studying Naval Architecture and Transportation Design, went looking properly. The boat we wanted did not exist. So we stopped shopping and started drawing, and the design drew enough interest that we built a company around it. B-Craft is Belgian by ownership and Dutch by construction, and both matter to us. Joris was by then working as a designer in the superyacht industry, and it was immediately obvious that the boat we were drawing was exactly what a tender garage was missing. Nobody had properly solved the wakeboard tower's height, so those 42

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The rest of the boat follows the same logic: everything hidden until it is wanted. The anchor, the dining table, the bimini, the swim platform, the sunbeds, the engine hatch, all of it moves, all of it controlled from the helm or a phone. There is a cocktail bar, underwater lighting, hot water, magnetic crockery, multiple charging ports and a chessboard in the table. What we could not do was mould our way there. Intricate detail cannot be pressed out of a tool; it has to be made by people who know what they are doing. So we went to Dutch partners with genuine pedigree. Utilitas, venustas, firmitas, in harmony, or not at all.

The hardest part was never the engineering. It was being taken seriously: a young designer and his father, in rooms full of established names. Some told us it could not be done. We built it anyway. The prototype is our showboat.We invite anyone on board to witness her brilliance, or simply to have the very best of times. That was always the point. B-Craft also offers the Akoya Cabin, Tahiti 12m, or the Akoya Custom Limousine.◆ www.bcraftboats.com Instagram: @bcraft_boats

boats do not fit, and even when a tower folds down, loading becomes a time-consuming puzzle for the crew, which often leaves a sports tender unused. A family holiday problem turned out to answer an industry one. We adjusted measurements and weights specifically for tender garages and trailer transport. Six years followed: research, design, testing and long conversations with partners across Europe. The result is the 'Akoya', 8.6m long, 2.55m wide, with a 430 hp Volvo Penta Forward Drive, and the first boat built in Europe with a forward-facing propeller, which transformed how she handles. The heart of it is the 'Rig', our patented, automated ski pole, and the answer to the contradiction we lived with for years. A wakeboarder needs height for the rope; a skier wants a lower point, further toward the centre. A beautiful boat needs a clean silhouette, and a tender needs to fit under a low ceiling. The Rig gives full height or depth when you want it and retracts completely underneath the deck when you don't.

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MORE THAN JUST AN INSURANCE POLICY THE PEACE OF MIND THAT COMES WITH A MARINE INSURANCE SPECIALIST Written by Víctor Baeza Giner & photos by Grupo Baeza

hen the unexpected happens at sea, what truly makes the difference is not just the insurance policy, it is the expertise and commitment of the team behind it..

The Balearic Islands are one of the Mediterranean's premier boating destinations. Every season, thousands of vessels cruise their coastline, enjoying an exceptional maritime environment while facing a reality every boat owner understands: a mechanical failure, a collision, or a sudden storm can quickly turn a perfect day at sea into a challenging situation that demands swift action and expert guidance. It was with this vision that Grupo Baeza developed its specialist marine insurance division. In 1997, its founder, Pepe Baeza, recognised the tremendous potential of the maritime industry in the Balearic Islands and set out to build an agency offering far more than insurance policies: dedicated, specialist advice for those whose lives and businesses revolve around the sea. Nearly three decades later, that same philosophy remains at the heart of the agency. Today, Grupo Baeza protects around 700 vessels and assists dozens of clients every year with the management of claims, providing responsive, personal 44

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support precisely when it matters most. Every vessel tells a different story. A leisure motorboat has very different insurance requirements from a cruising yacht, a superyacht, a charter company or a shipyard. Understanding those differences makes it possible to design tailored insurance solutions and identify potential risks long before they become costly problems. Over the years, Grupo Baeza has also become a trusted name in insurance for businesses operating within the maritime sector, particularly in Marine Repairers' Liability Insurance, an essential cover for shipyards, repair facilities, marinas and specialist marine professionals whose activities demand highly technical insurance expertise. Yet the true value of an insurance policy is never measured on the day it is purchased. It is measured when a claim arises. Because boating should be about enjoying the freedom of the sea with complete peace of mind. And that confidence begins long before leaving the harbour, it starts with the reassurance of having a specialist by your side who understands the marine world as well as the people who live it every day.◆ www.grupobaeza.net

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52. Meet The Crew: Paula Walker 56. The Crew Coach 59. Chief Stew Shop 61. Chef Tzarina Stirs The Pot 62. Chef’s Chat 65. Superyacht Technology Network 66. Virtual Pursers 70. Alnitak 72. Northwest Passage Expedition 78. Chief Officer Tamzin's tales of travels 82. Merk & Merk 84. Booking Manager Summit 86. Save The Med

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88. Fundacion Joves Navegants

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MEET THE CREW MEET CREW PAULA WALKER ON BUILDING A YACHTING CAREER ON HER OWN MERITS

Is it correct that you have just graduated from university? What did you study? Yes, I graduated one month ago. I did a double degree in Software Engineering and Cybersecurity.

Written by Jens Oomes - Photos by Paula Walker

How do you see a yachting career fit in your longterm professional plans? Right now, I'm focused on building my career in yachting and making the most of every opportunity to learn and grow. With a background in Software Engineering, I think there are some exciting possibilities to combine my knowledge of IT with the yachting industry in the future. As technology continues to become an even bigger part of everyday operations, I believe there will be plenty of opportunities where both skill sets can complement each other

onboard is equally important, and mutual respect is essential because everyone depends on each other. I believe those qualities are valuable in any profession, not just yachting. Growing up, I also saw how much attention to detail goes into creating a great experience for guests. The amount of planning, teamwork and professionalism that happens behind the scenes is something most people never see, and it gave me a real appreciation for the work that every crew member puts in. It's taught me never to underestimate any role onboard and to always be willing to help wherever I'm needed.

ou grew up in a sailing family and you have quite the track record in dinghy sailing. Tell us all about that.

Sailing has never been just a hobby for our family; it is a very important part of our lives. Since I can remember, I've been on the water, either having fun or training for competitions. It's a good thing my brother and I ended up loving sailing because, with a father who has spent most of his life on the water, I'm not sure we had much chance of escaping it! I actually consider myself more of a windsurfer than a dinghy sailor.

What would be your dream yachting position right now? My dream position would be a deck/stew role. I love the interior side of yachting, the little details that often go unnoticed but make all the difference to the guest experience. At the same time, thanks to my sailing background and everything my dad taught me growing up, I'm also confident and comfortable helping out on deck whenever needed. I enjoy being hands-on, so the opportunity to contribute to both departments and become a well-rounded crew member is what really appeals to me. ◆

We have to talk about your most important connection in the yachting industry. Your father is the one and only Clive Walker, a very experienced and respected Super Sailyacht captain. I saw your CV and noticed you didn't mention him as a reference. What is the reason for that? Even though I owe a lot of my knowledge about the industry to my father, I want to build my career on my own merits. I don't want to be known simply as Clive Walker's daughter, I want to be known as Paula Walker.

“I don't want to be known simply as When I was younger, I had a Clive Walker's daughter, I want to be judged on my own work capsize that put me off boats for attitude and abilities, and earn I want to be known as ethic, the respect of my colleagues through a while, but shortly afterwards I tried windsurfing and completely my own efforts. If people eventually Paula Walker.” forgot about the incident. Looking back, I'm grateful for all of it. Whether racing, coaching or simply spending time on the water, sailing has shaped who I am and taught me lessons that I carry into every part of my life.

Crew Life

make that connection, I'd like it to be because I've already proven myself.

How much did you learn from being a superyacht captain's daughter?

I've learnt that one of the most important qualities a crew can have for everything to run smoothly on a yacht is a positive, fun, but also hardworking environment. Every role The Islander #333

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THE CREW COACH THE PROTECTION CREW MAY NOT BE PRIVY TO

The main change is straightforward: agencies must tell crew about their System of Protection during recruitment and before, or while, they are formally engaged.

Written by Karine Rayson

THE CREW COACH KARINE@THECREWCOACH.COM I WWW.THECREWCOACH.COM

hen a crew member reaches the point of leaving a vessel under difficult circumstances, insurance is not necessarily what is on their mind. They are likely to be thinking about their next job, their references, whether walking away means being quietly blacklisted in an industry where most opportunities still travel through word of mouth.

What most do not know is that a financial safety net may have existed from the moment they were placed on board. Agencies operating under the Maritime Labour Convention are required by law to have it. For many crew, that protection has existed throughout their career. They were simply never told. That gap between what exists and what crew are told is one of the quieter failures of the yachting recruitment sector.

What the law actually requires Under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, recruitment and placement services operating in MLC-ratified states must hold a System of Protection. This is typically an insurance arrangement, or an equivalent, that compensates a seafarer for specific financial losses if a placement falls apart. The losses covered include unpaid wages, repatriation costs, holiday pay, sickness pay and other contractual entitlements set out in a seafarer's employment agreement or applicable collective bargaining agreement.

The requirement is not new. It has been part of the MLC framework since the Convention was adopted. What has changed, through recent MCA guidance, is the explicit requirement that seafarers must be informed about that protection before or at the point of placement. Not buried in documentation. Actually told.

The gap between policy and practice A number of crew have reported never once being told that a System of Protection existed on their behalf. Never told what it covered, never given a contact number, never shown the certificate. They completed placements, signed contracts, joined vessels and built careers, all without knowing that a financial backstop had been in place the entire time. The protection existed. The disclosure did not. That is not a minor administrative oversight. For a crew member in crisis, it is the difference between knowing they have somewhere to turn and believing they have nothing. There are commercial reasons for that silence. The insurance is costly, and its cost increases with utilisation. The business incentive to hold the policy for compliance purposes while not actively advertising its existence is not difficult to understand, even if it is difficult to defend. What is harder to justify is the position this leaves crew in when they most need to know.

This protection may compensate crew for financial losses if the agency fails or if the shipowner does not meet certain obligations in the employment agreement. It is not enough for the agency simply to have this protection in place, crew must be told what it covers, what their rights are and how they can access it. This responsibility is not limited to UK-based recruiters. Under French law, private seafarer recruitment and placement agencies established in France must hold insurance covering certain financial losses experienced by crew. Compass Rose Crew provides a good example of what this looks like in practice. The agency informs placed crew about its insurance protection, explains how to use it and offers direct support if they experience difficulties making a claim. Founder Shannon Walker-Nel says that, although recruiters may have the required insurance, crew are not always told about it: “Recruiters should have the insurance, but in my entire career I was never told I had their support. I have placed senior crew on board yachts who have said we are the only agency that has ever shared the insurance with them.” This demonstrates the difference between simply holding the required protection and ensuring crew know it exists, understand how to access it and have support available if they encounter difficulties.

What this means for due diligence What the new guidance clarifies

Two MCA notices published in June 2026 clarify the responsibilities of UK recruitment and placement agencies under the Maritime Labour Convention.

The new guidance does not make recruitment agencies responsible for what happens on board once a crew member is placed. That responsibility remains with the Owner, the Management Company, the Captain and the DPA. What it does make clearer is that the recruiter's obligation does not end at the point of placement. The question now in circulation across the industry is sharper than it used to be: what protection was in place, was the crew member informed about it, and were there visible warning signs about the vessel or employer before the placement was made?

Mikhail Nilov

Crew Life

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Some agencies have been meeting this standard for years. French-registered agencies, for example, cannot legally launch and place crew without demonstrating that a System of Protection is in place. Some go further, sharing the insurance certificate directly with each crew member at placement, together with contact details for how to access it if needed. Senior crew placed by these agencies have noted that it was the first time, across multiple placements and years in the industry, that any agency had done so.

Laura Paredis

The information gap has a cost A crew member who leaves a vessel without serving notice may find that the System of Protection does not cover their situation. The terms matter. The circumstances matter. Those are the details that can make the difference between receiving compensation and receiving nothing. If that crew member had been told, at placement, what the protection covered and what it did not, they could have made a more informed decision about how to handle a deteriorating situation on board. For a person in a difficult position at sea, knowing what recourse is available is itself a meaningful form of protection. The MLC exists to create a floor of standards below which the treatment of seafarers should not fall. The question the recent guidance raises is whether the recruitment sector has been treating that floor as a genuine obligation or as an administrative threshold to clear quietly. The answer, based on crew experience, is not consistent. The gap between what exists on paper and what crew are actually told remains wide.

The question worth asking at placement

If a crew member is placed by an MLC-compliant agency, these are reasonable questions to raise before joining a vessel: Does the agency hold a System of Protection, and what does it cover? What financial losses are included, and under what circumstances can it be accessed? Are there conditions, such as serving a notice period, that affect eligibility? Who is the contact if the protection needs to be used?

These are not adversarial questions. They are the questions a crew member is entitled to ask. An agency operating to the standard the MLC requires should be able to answer them without hesitation.◆ www.thecrewcoach.com

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CHIEF STEW SHOP ARRIVAL DAY! Written by Clair Minto

INFO@CHIEFSTEWSHOP.COM I WWW.CHIEFSTEWSHOP.COM (+44) 781 667 8634 I IG: @CHIEF_STEW_SHOP

uests step on board to chilled champagne, immaculate cabins, fresh flowers and smiling crew who somehow appear as though they've been waiting all day just for them. It's effortless, elegant and calm.

Or at least that's the illusion and whether you've had a few weeks, a few days or a matter of hours to get ready, the final moments leading up to arrival often resemble more organised chaos than effortless luxury. While every department works flat out, the interior crew become florists, organisers, laundry specialists, mind readers and occasionally amateur magicians. The countdown begins the moment the previous guests leave. Cabins are stripped almost before the tender departs. Laundry starts multiplying at an alarming rate, somehow producing more towels than you knew you had. Every wardrobe, drawer and cupboard is checked and reset, bathrooms scrubbed until every chrome fitting sparkles and every mirror is inspected from every possible angle. It's amazing how one tiny water spot can suddenly become the only thing you can see. Meanwhile, flowers are arriving, provisioning is being loaded, 'lost' uniforms are being located and now need washing, and there is inevitably a guest request that has just been sent. Perhaps it's a birthday cake, maybe it's sourcing a very specific tequila, or the preference sheet has just been updated to inform you that one guest now follows a gluten-free, dairyfree, sugar-free diet but still loves dessert. No pressure! The funny thing about charter turnarounds is that they follow Murphy's Law remarkably well. If something can happen, it probably will, and usually twenty minutes before guests arrive. One of my most memorable turnarounds happened in the US Virgin Islands. We had a 24-hour turnaround on Christmas day, so while most people were settling down to turkey dinners, exchanging presents and watching festive films with their families, we were preparing for the next guests on Boxing day, talk about a provisioning nightmare! Our day consisted of stripping cabins, endless laundry cycles, polishing glass and resetting the yacht from top to bottom. Our Christmas lunch was squeezed in whenever someone remembered there was food in the galley, and we finally had our actual crew Christmas in February! Of course, a successful turnaround isn't just about cleaning. It's about creating the feeling that nobody has ever stayed on board before.

Flowers look as though they've just been picked. The cabins smell crisp but never overpowering. The toiletries are aligned. The towels are folded with military precision. The hospital corners are on point. The final walkthrough is always my favourite moment. The frantic pace slows, everyone takes a breath and begins looking at the yacht through a guest's eyes rather than a crew member's. A cushion is moved an inch (and then back!). A fingerprint seems to appear out of nowhere on polished chrome. A flower arrangement is adjusted. Tiny details that, on their own, seem insignificant. Together, they create luxury. Guests often compliment beautiful interiors, thoughtful touches and seamless service, but what they're really noticing is the result of hundreds of invisible decisions made by a crew working together under pressure. The greatest compliment any interior crew can receive isn't necessarily hearing “this yacht is beautiful.” It's hearing, “Everything just felt so easy.” Because behind every effortless charter is a crew who have worked incredibly hard to make sure nobody ever notices just how much effort it took.◆ www.chiefstewshop.com

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CHEF TZARINA STIRS THE POT:

Dream destinations Desired timings

LET'S TALK INDUSTRY SALARIES

With our fixed sailing schedules and dedicated

Written by Tzarina Mace-Ralph

float-on/float-off yacht transport vessels, you can rest

YACHT CHEF IN "BELOW DECK", HEALTH CRUSADER & STIRRING THE POT HERE ON ALL THINGS YACHTING, CREW & WHAT HAPPENS BENEATH THE SURFACE IG: @CHEFTZARINA

assured that your yacht is on time where it needs to be, which gives you the time to relax, enjoy, or reunite.

ver the last year, I've taken a step back from the yachting industry. Recently, I've been thinking about dipping my toe back in, but every job that's been sent my way has left me asking the same question:

We offer dedicated sailings to the most sought-after destinations and events.

What has happened to our salaries?

Not only have they failed to keep up with inflation, but in many cases they've actually gone backwards. I genuinely want someone to explain why. The yachting industry asks for an extraordinary level of commitment from its crew. We dedicate our lives to people who are, in most cases, complete strangers. Our job is to make every moment of their holiday effortless, luxurious and unforgettable. We anticipate their needs before they've even thought of them. We are on call from the moment we wake up until the moment we finally collapse into bed. So why doesn't that level of dedication seem to be reflected in our pay? One of the arguments I've heard over the years is that accommodation and food are included. But let's be honest, that isn't the luxury perk people outside the industry imagine it to be.

"3rd time using DYT. They took great care of the yacht. Arrived safely in Palma from

Schedule 2026 - 2027

Ft Lauderdale. Would definitely use again.

SEPT | OCT | MARCH Palma

back and forth across the ocean."

OCTOBER | MARCH Palma OCTOBER Palma

Port Everglades St. Thomas

Palma

JANUARY Papeete

Auckland

FEBRUARY Ensenada

Palma

DECEMBER Golfito

Michael Hole - Captain M/Y Omnia

Le Marin

SEPT | OCT | MARCH | MAY Port Everglades MAY St. Thomas

By far the best way to send your yacht

Brisbane

Palma

Most crew aren't living in spacious cabins. We're living in tiny shared quarters with beds that can feel barely bigger than a coffin, often sharing with another crew member, and sometimes more depending on the vessel. Privacy barely exists. And while meals are technically provided, how often do we actually get to sit down and enjoy them? During busy charters, skipped meals become normal. Cold food becomes normal. Eating in five minutes between jobs becomes normal. Then there are the hours. Nineteen-hour days are not unusual. Your “break” often consists of passing out from exhaustion while your radio is still crackling beside you. It's hardly rest when you're mentally preparing for the next call. We don't work Monday to Friday. We don't get guaranteed weekends.

Palma

We miss birthdays. E dyt.spain@yacht-transport.com T +34 871 201 696 WWW.YACHT-TRANSPORT.COM

We miss Christmas. Explore all our sailings

We miss weddings. We miss funerals. We miss watching our nieces and nephews grow up. We put our own lives on hold so that somebody else's holiday can be perfect. Some liveaboard yachts have crew working for months without a proper day off. That level of commitment would be extraordinary in almost any other profession, yet somehow it has become accepted as normal in ours. So why am I seeing salaries advertised at around $3,000 a month? Why are experienced professionals being offered $100 day rates? I don't believe that reflects the skill, sacrifice or professionalism this industry demands. This isn't just about chefs. It's about every department, interior, deck, engineers and bridge crew. Every single person on board contributes to creating an experience that owners and charter guests are paying hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions, to enjoy. So where is the value being placed on the people delivering it? I'd genuinely love to hear from recruiters, captains, management companies and yacht owners. Has the market changed? Is there an oversupply of crew? Have budgets tightened? Or have we simply reached a point where the people keeping this industry running are expected to accept less while giving more? Because from where I'm standing, something doesn't add up. The yachting industry has given me incredible experiences, lifelong friendships and opportunities I will always be grateful for. This isn't about attacking an industry I love. It's about asking whether the people who dedicate years of their lives to it are finally being valued fairly. So, I'll ask again: Why are yacht crew salaries going backwards?◆ Instagram: @ cheftzarina

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Crew Life

CHEF´S CHAT

HOW CAN CHEFS BET TER PREPARE AND

HANDLE STRESS DURING THE SUMMER SEASON by Barry D'Arcy from Ocean Earth Chefs. Photos by Pexels

here was a time when the end of August was technically the end of the summer yachting season in the Mediterranean, with captains and crew making plans for time off and the winter schedule ahead. Times have changed a great deal, with private and charter yachts being used more for extended periods by owners and guests; the season seems to get slightly longer each year.

It's probably an understatement to say that the season can take a lot out of you. Long hours for weeks, months on end, with relentless schedules that don't care that you have been doing 12–15-hour days since it all started. It's what we sign up for when we join this incredible industry, and if you are a newcomer, nothing can really prepare you for it. It can be a trial by fire. I once shared a cabin with an engineer who, at the end of each season, would return home for holidays and spend the first week lying on the sofa and watching TV. His wife would return from work each day and ask him what he had done

Crew Life

today. He would reply, 'nothing.' Even as a chef, you are always constantly watching the clock. You have a feeling for where you are in relation to what you need to do in the time allowed. You know if you are running 10 minutes behind and need to find another gear. It's a sinking feeling when you know you're in the weeds with no chance to make up for the lost time and now need a Plan B. Hearing the words that the guests are eating off for lunch or dinner is like an answered prayer with the valued commodity of time off. Chefs can do things to better cope with the pressures of a non-stop schedule and long hours working constantly to deadlines. Some of these things may seem easier said than done. It would be true to say that as plans change, the guests who were eating off for dinner have now suddenly changed plans and decided to eat onboard. Or worse, they return to the boat after dinner only to say that the dinner in the restaurant was rubbish. They would like dinner on board, and your night off has now turned into a frantic rush to have it ready on their return.

Make a 7-day crew menu each week. When you're under pressure, it's one thing less that you have to think about at the end of a long day. It's not set in stone, and if you need to adjust it in any way due to circumstances, that's fine. It's always good to have a clear direction and plan for the day when you step into the galley first thing in the morning.

Give yourself time deadlines about when tasks need to be completed. An example could be: 7.00 go to the market 7.45 to 10.30 prepare guest breakfast and crew lunch 10.30 prepare guest lunch 11.30 finish crew lunch and serve 12.00 continue with guest lunch preparations 13.30 guest lunch served One thing you don't hear much about from chefs is how much time is spent just waiting around. You have cracked on with the morning, and are on top of it; crew lunch is done, and now it's time for guest lunch, which they have said will be at 13.30. It's now 13.30, and no one is to be seen;

in fact, the guests aren't onboard; they are out shopping. 14.30, they return to the boat and say they want to swim before lunch. Lunch will now be at 15.00. It's these situations where the waiting around can be just as stressful as being busy, and it's important for mental health to find ways to deal with the pressure of the unknown. Pay attention to where you put your mental energy. Are you resolving problem situations or making them worse and building them up in your mind? Try to spend 10-15 minutes outside each day. I always found first thing in the morning before work was good for me to put things in perspective. It's a unique industry, and you will look back one day and realise how lucky you were to be a part of it. Enjoy the ride.◆ www.oceanearthchefs.com

Always have a backup plan or menu that can easily be put together on those occasions when surprises happen. It takes a lot of the stress out of things when you can say with confidence that if the guests decide to stay for lunch or dinner, this is what I propose as a menu. Always have a variety of thawed meats in the fridge that can be used for guests if they suddenly spring a meal on you. If they don't get used for guests, you can incorporate them into the crew food.

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Crew Life

BESPOKE BEDDING, MATTRESSES & LUXURY LINEN FOR YACHTS

SUPERYACHT SEASON FINALE 2026: NEW FRENCH RIVIERA EVENT UNITES CREW AND INDUSTRY LEADERS

EXCELLENCE IN EVERY DETAIL.

THE ART OF COMFORT ON BOARD

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Emilie Bounthong

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anne@victoria-yachting.com

victoria-yachting.com

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victoria@victoria-yachting.com

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+33(0) 328 339 060

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ANZEIGENWERBUNG 102,5 x 146 mm

he Superyacht Season Finale is a new superyacht industry event taking place on Friday 23 October 2026, marking a major step in the expansion of the group behind the Superyacht Technology Show. Created to bring together superyacht crew, maritime companies and marine technology professionals, the event spans two locations on the French Riviera, combining endurance karting, business networking and an evening celebration into one memorable day. The day begins at a professional karting circuit in Bar-sur-Loup, close to Antibes, where company teams and yacht crew compete in a Le Mans-style endurance karting championship. After the racing, guests return to Port Vauban, Antibes, for a gala dinner before the Atlantis Crew Party at Bastion SaintJaume, celebrating the close of the Mediterranean yachting season.

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Confirmed teams for the Superyacht Season Finale The first confirmed teams include:

Atlantis Crew Party welcomes the wider superyacht crew community

The Atlantis Crew Party is open to the wider superyacht crew community and has been created as a way of giving something back to the industry. It offers crew the opportunity to reconnect with friends, meet industry professionals and celebrate the end of another successful Mediterranean season at the iconic yachting hub of Antibes.

HOW TO TAKE PART IN THE SUPERYACHT SEASON FINALE For crew:

Applications are now open for complimentary places for captains and senior heads of department. All superyacht crew are welcome to attend the Atlantis Crew Party.

• Bond Support Services • Burgess • Crestron • Global Services • Hill Robinson (2 teams) • NAUTECH Group Shipyard • Qualtron GmbH • Riviera Yacht Support • Savage Lighting • VIDEOWORKS • YPI Crew Additional teams will be announced as the event approaches

Application link: https://preview.mailerlite.io/for ms/2319291/186722498997388946/share For yachting companies:

Companies can take part by: • Entering a company team • Sharing a team with another company • Exploring sponsorship opportunities • Purchasing individual tickets • Purchasing a karting-only ticket

Complimentary crew programme Captains and senior heads of department can apply for complimentary places. Applications are open to: • Captains • Chief Engineers • ETOs

Further information is available through the Superyacht Technology Network website:

www.superyachttechnologynetwork.com/superyacht-seasonfinale ◆

www.superyachttechnologynetwork.com

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Crew Life

TIPS FOR BUDGET AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FOR SENIOR YACHT CREW

5. 6.

Written by Bec McKeever and Dominique Smit

CO-FOUNDERS OF VIRTUAL PURSERS, PROVIDING YACHT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE TO ALL VESSELS, NO MATTER THE SIZE OF THE YACHT OR THE EXTENT OF THE NEED INFO@VIRTUALPURSERS.COM

Maintain financial transparency

Conclusion

Clear financial communication is essential to keeping all parties on the same page. Captains and senior crew members should ensure that financial information is readily available and transparent to everyone involved in the yacht's operations. Regular updates on the budget's performance should be shared, highlighting any areas where spending is exceeding expectations or where savings have been achieved.

Managing a yacht's budget and finances is no small task, but with careful planning, regular tracking, and clear communication, senior crew members can ensure smooth financial operations. Creating a realistic budget, prioritising cost management, and planning for future expenses are all essential steps in maintaining financial control. With the support of the purser and the involvement of the entire crew, senior yacht crew members can effectively navigate the complexities of budgeting and financial management, ensuring the yacht's long-term success and financial health.◆ www.virtualpursers.com

Transparency ensures trust between the yacht owner, captain, and crew, making it easier to address any financial concerns or make necessary adjustments. It also helps in preparing for any audits or inspections that might take place.

Involve the crew in cost management While senior crew members and the purser are responsible for financial oversight, it's important to involve the entire crew in cost management. Encouraging a culture of awareness and responsibility can help minimise waste and reduce unnecessary spending. For example, crew members can be trained to manage resources efficiently, such as conserving water and energy, minimising waste, and being mindful of supplies.

Photo via Pexels.com

ffective budget and financial management are crucial to the smooth operation of any yacht. Senior crew members, especially captains and pursers, are responsible for ensuring that operational costs are kept under control while maintaining a high level of service for guests. With fluctuating expenses and the constant need for financial oversight, it's important to have a solid plan in place. Here are some practical tips for senior yacht crew to navigate the complexities of budgeting and financial management.

1. 2.

Create a detailed and realistic budget

3. 4.

The first step in financial management is developing a clear and realistic budget. This budget should account for all the major expenses that a yacht will incur, including fuel, provisioning, maintenance, crew salaries, port fees, and other operational costs. Senior crew members, particularly the captain, should work closely with the purser to identify and forecast all expected costs. When building a budget, it's important to be thorough and include a buffer for unexpected costs. Expenses like emergency repairs, unanticipated fuel costs, or last-minute guest requests can arise at any time, and a buffer helps absorb these fluctuations without disrupting the yacht's financial stability.

Track expenses regularly

Once the budget is in place, keeping track of expenses is key to staying within financial limits. A purser plays a vital role in this by tracking every expenditure, from small provisioning purchases to major maintenance costs. Regular monitoring allows for the identification of any spending discrepancies early, providing an opportunity to adjust as needed. Using digital tools or accounting software can streamline this process, providing real-time updates and detailed breakdowns of spending across different categories. This way, senior crew members can make informed decisions and avoid overspending in any particular area.

Crew Life

Prioritise cost management without sacrificing quality While it's essential to keep an eye on costs, senior crew members should aim to reduce expenses without compromising the quality of service or guest experience. For example, when it comes to provisioning, a purser might look for ways to buy in bulk or negotiate with suppliers for better pricing, without affecting the quality of food and beverages served onboard.

By promoting a team-based approach to financial management, everyone on board becomes invested in keeping costs down and maintaining the yacht's financial health.

Similarly, fuel costs are a significant operational expense. Senior crew members can manage fuel consumption by optimising travel routes and cruising speeds, which can help reduce fuel consumption without affecting the yacht's performance.

Plan for future financial needs

SE BECAUOAT B YOUR RVES DESE EST THE B TION C PROTE

Budgeting isn't just about managing current expenses; it also involves preparing for future financial needs. Senior crew members should work with the purser to plan for longterm costs, such as refits, major repairs, or upgrades. Capital expenses like these can be costly, so having a plan in place to save for them is essential. This may involve setting aside a percentage of the monthly budget into a “capital expenditure” fund, ensuring that when a large-scale project or unexpected expense arises, the yacht's finances are ready to cover it. Being proactive in this way can prevent financial strain and ensure the yacht remains in excellent condition.

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Roman Odintsov

Photo via Kindel media

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LIFE OASIS “SMART GEAR CONTEST”

Written & photos by Alnitak - Ric Sagarminaga Van Buiten

ngaging fishers in the conservation of the Mediterranean is one of the goals of LIFE OASIS. Artisanal fishers from the archipelagos of Malta & Gozo, Balearics and Sicily are working hand in hand with scientists, economists and policy makers to develop technological measures for the prevention and mitigation of the risk of marine litter adrift and more specifically abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG). Combining the science of generations of work at sea and academia is one of the most fascinating aspects of LIFE OASIS. In order to enhance the engagement of fishers in the project, during the 2026 mahi mahi fishing season, from August to November, LIFE OASIS is running the “Smart Gear Contest”, with nearly 20.000 euros in rewards for the best ideas to improve the sustainability of the anchored fish aggregating device fishery. The idea is not new. In 2006, WWF launched a first smart gear contest to engage the surface longlining industry worldwide to come up with solutions to the problem of bycatch on endangered species on hooks targeting swordfish and tuna. The outcome was a great success that has enhanced cooperation between scientists, policy makers and fishers to address this issue. In 2026 project LIFE OASIS will be launching the first “smart gear contest” for the improvement of the Coryphaena anchored FAD fsihery of the Mediterranean. LIFE OASIS is putting fishermen, not just scientists, in the driving seat. If you spend enough time at sea, you quickly learn that the best solutions are often the simplest ones.

There is another side to the story, too. For a fisherman, losing gear isn't good news. The gear costs money. It takes time to put out. And if it disappears, the fisherman has lost a working tool - as well as potentially leaving something behind that can continue catching fish. A bit of extra line here. A better knot there. Moving something half a metre because you know what the sea does in that particular spot. Experience counts for a lot on the water, and nobody knows that better than the people who actually make their living at sea. That is the thinking behind the Smart Gear Contest, an initiative currently under way as part of the EU-funded LIFE OASIS project. And despite the rather technical-sounding name, this isn't really a competition for engineers in white coats. Quite the opposite. LIFE OASIS is asking professional fishermen from the Mediterranean to come forward with practical ideas for improving one of the most familiar bits of fishing equipment around here: the anchored Fish Aggregating Device, or aFAD. In plain English, these are the floats and associated gear used to attract fish such as mahi-mahi - our familiar llampuga - so that fishermen know where to find them. The challenge is to make them safer, more sustainable, more efficient and, crucially, harder to lose. For anyone who spends time cruising, fishing, diving or simply looking over the side of a boat in the Mediterranean, that last point is worth paying attention to. Lost, abandoned or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) adrift is a threat to marine wildlife, sustainable fishing and also safety at sea. Most sailors have probably seen fishing gear floating around the Mediterranean. Sometimes it's a harmless-looking float. Sometimes it's a length of rope or line. Occasionally, it's something much bigger. The less technical term is "ghost gear". And ghost gear can be surprisingly persistent on the sea surface when composed of floating plastic materials. A net doesn't know that its owner has lost it. A line doesn't know that nobody is checking it anymore. If it remains in the water and is capable of catching something, it can continue doing exactly that.

Crew Life

Sea turtles are particularly vulnerable. Loggerhead turtles, or Caretta caretta, spend much of their lives travelling through the Mediterranean and can become entangled in lost fishing gear. LIFE OASIS says that this type of gear represents a significant threat to the species, while research associated with the project has highlighted the importance of aFAD fisheries in this problem.

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So this isn't really a case of fishermen versus conservationists. The problem is one that both sides have an interest in solving. And that is where LIFE OASIS gets interesting. The Smart Gear Contest, launched this summer, invites professional fishers from the Balearic Islands, Malta and Sicily to propose and test ideas for improving the traditional aFAD system used in the Mediterranean mahi-mahi fishery. That matters because a device can look fantastic on a computer screen and still be completely useless after three days of wind, waves, salt and hard practical use. The Smart Gear Contest focuses on innovation but also looking at the acquired knowledge of generations of fishers at sea, moving away from the “single used aFAD” made of dangerous materials and recovering the intelligence and pride of long lasting aFADs made with materials as cork, vegetable fibres and components that are better in attracting the target fish without harming the marine ecosystem and safety at sea. The smart gear contest looks at improving the efficiency of aFADs, but also at ensuring that FADs will not be lost or discarded after the fishing season. Additionally, LIFE Oasis is searching for ideas to integrate electronic monitoring systems in aFADs, not only for the benefit of the fisher, but also as a positive added value of aFADs as opportunistic ocean monitoring platforms. The contest starts now with the opening of the fishing season end of August and will end in November when the winning prototypes will be presented at the 8th Mediterranean Sea Turtle conference in Marathon, Greece.

So, when sailing in waters of Malta, Sicily and Mallorca this summer look out for aFADs, and remember also to keep a sharp look out for ALDFG adrift. And if you come across and entangled turtle, CALL 112 (Spain), or 9999 9505 (Malta). ◆ www.alnitak.org

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Crew Life

GREENLAND TO THE EDGE OF EVERYWHERE IN THE WAKE OF AMUNDSEN -SAILING THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE (PART 2) Written & pictures by Jens Oomes

CEO OF INVISIBLE CREW & THE ISLANDER MAGAZINE FULLTIME ADVENTURER IG: @INVISIBLECREW

Looking down at the countless icebergs drifting through the Icefjord, I wondered how we would ever find our way through them by boat. That question was answered the following day. Our first task after joining Alma af Frøya, the replica of Roald Amundsen's Gjøa, was leaving the commercial harbour to make fresh water with the watermaker. It became my first experience navigating between Greenland's famous icebergs. It wasn't intimidating as much as it was hypnotically beautiful. We simply stopped the boat and drifted among white and aquamarine sculptures, each one shaped by nature into a unique work of art. For visiting yachts, Ilulissat and Disko Bay offer one of the world's most spectacular anchorages and cruising grounds. The challenge, of course, lies in the constantly moving ice. Every route requires patience, good visibility and a careful lookout. Yet with calm weather the reward is extraordinary. Silence dominates everything until suddenly broken by the crack of an iceberg calving. In the distance it sounds like thunder. Nearby it resembles a shotgun blast. The wildlife completes the experience. A humpback whale surfaced close alongside the rocks, its powerful blow echoing across the bay. One of the crew suggested to go for a swim between the icebergs, three of us dipped into the freezing water. Anyone who has tried cold plunging knows the sensation afterwards: every sense suddenly feels heightened. Floating among towering icebergs beside a beautiful wooden sailing ship, it felt unreal.

This summer I am joining an expedition through the Northwest Passage aboard Alma af Frøya, a replica of the Gjøa, the wooden, gaff-rigged vessel Roald Amundsen sailed during the first successful transit of the Northwest Passage between 1903 and 1906. The flight to Ilulissat immediately felt like the beginning of an expedition. Reykjavik Airport was busy, but as I walked towards the gate the crowds disappeared. About thirty of us boarded a Dash 8 turboprop. It's the largest aircraft capable of landing on Ilulissat's short runway. Four hours later, after crossing the Arctic Ocean and Greenland's vast icecap, the first icebergs appeared beneath the wings. As we approached the coast, floating white mountains filled the bays below. Ilulissat quite literally means "Icebergs", and they mostly originate from the Sermeq Kujalleq (Jakobshavn Glacier), one of the fastest-moving glaciers on Earth. 72

Crew Life

From Ilulissat we carefully threaded our way north through the iceberg maze, passing between Disko Island and the mainland. Thirty miles later the concentration of ice decreased. We had flat seas, little wind and endless daylight. The landscape became the entertainment. Mountains disappeared into low cloud while glaciers reached down into the sea. There was no traffic at all. Only, before leaving Disko Bay, we saw Inuit hunters pursuing seals from a small speedboat. Crew preparation remained a constant priority. We conducted repeated man-overboard drills, rotating everyone's responsibilities each time before discussing what could realistically be improved. In these waters, however, every exercise reinforced the same conclusion: rules one, two and three are all identical, don't fall overboard. We reached Upernavik, a settlement of just over one thousand inhabitants. Two more giant icebergs guarded the entrance before we could moor alongside a research vessel.

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For yachts cruising Greenland's northwest coast, Upernavik offers an important staging point before crossing Melville Bay or heading towards Baffin Bay. It is not a marina in any conventional sense, but it provides fuel, shelter and the opportunity to wait for favourable weather. That patience is often essential in the Arctic.

Time feels different here. The only bar, restaurant and nightclub occupies what resembles a school cafeteria. The windows are blacked out for the Friday night party to simulate darkness despite the midnight sun. Only two

Danish police officers cover an area stretching across numerous settlements. Boats are not recreational toys but vital transport links. Locals own boats, not for fun but to hunt and get to the next town. Leaving Upernavik, dense fog forced us to proceed at glacial speeds. Even after the visibility improved we continued weaving through drifting ice. There was no reason to hurry. Spotting a particularly beautiful iceberg pierced by a natural arch, Captain Terje stopped the engine so we could drift beside it while eating dinner. Later that evening we encountered two humpback whales. Once again the engine fell silent. One whale surfaced fifty metres away to inspect us while the second passed directly beneath the bowsprit. It was one of the finest whale encounters I have experienced. North of Upernavik the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic. Icebergs seventy metres high drift silently through golden evening light while veils of mist wrap around their peaks. They rumble, crack and occasionally roll over without warning. Combined with the distant cries of seabirds and the gentle beat of our diesel engine, the atmosphere feels almost otherworldly. Crossing Melville Bay towards Cape York brought another navigational challenge. Although there was virtually no sea ice, countless glacier fragments collected around the headland. Unlike Amundsen, who encountered dense fog and pack ice here in 1903, we sailed under full canvas. Closer to land the wind accelerated. The Islander #333

Crew Life

We were extra vigilant as we discovered black ice. Icebergs that carry mountain sediment before rolling upside down are more difficult to spot among the waves.

We weren't in the middle of nowhere. We were standing at the edge of everywhere!

For captains considering this route, the coastline between Cape York and Qaanaaq deserves to rank among the world's great cruising destinations. One has to be as lucky with the weather window as we were. I have never felt such remoteness. There are no villages, no planes in the sky, no ships on AIS and often no sign whatsoever of another human presence for days. Vast glaciers descend directly into the sea while enormous flocks of little auks fill the sky. To me they look like miniature penguins. But these can actually fly. We anchored off Qaanaaq, Greenland's northernmost town. Just two weeks earlier our anchorage was still completely frozen up. Colourful wooden houses overlook a landscape still deeply connected to traditional hunting. Shortly after arriving, local hunters approached carrying a kayak and harpoon destined for a narwhal hunt. Later we sampled Maqtaaq, narwhal skin and blubber, which surprisingly reminded me of Japanese otoro tuna belly, rich and delicious, although the skin itself is very chewy.

Qaanaaq felt noticeably happier than Upernavik. Children played with puppies. The sled dogs looked healthier. Before departure four of us hiked to the edge of the Greenland Ice Cap itself. A friend later asked me what it felt like being in the middle of nowhere. I replied that we weren't in the middle of nowhere. We were standing at the edge of everywhere! ◆

Missed part 1? Read it in our July/August 2026 issue:

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www.mallorcaclothing.com Calle de ses Rafaletes 1, Palma 605 444 555

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CHIEF OFFICER TAMZIN'S TALES OF TRAVELS AMONG GIANTS Written by Tamzin Genissen- Photos by Tamzin Genissen & Bianke Eldridge

Bianke Eldridge

f you are fortunate enough to sail around South Africa en route to Cape Town and weather makes you pull into Port Elizabeth, make sure to get a day off and drive into Addo Elephant National Park where the bush falls silent, the dust settles, and grey shapes emerge from behind the bush, enormous, unhurried, and utterly indifferent to your presence. It is, quite simply, a wonderful experience to have such an encounter with such majestic creatures.

But it's the elephants that define the experience. Unlike parks where sightings are fleeting, Addo's herds gather in the open, often metres from your vehicle, allowing for the kind of unhurried observation that turns a snapshot into a genuine memory, a matriarch shepherding her calf to the waterhole, or a bull testing the air with his trunk.

Tucked into the Eastern Cape, roughly 45 minutes from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Addo is South Africa's thirdlargest national park and home to one of the densest elephant populations on the continent. What began in 1931 as a lastditch effort to save just eleven surviving elephants has grown into a sanctuary for over 600, a genuine conservation success story, and one you can witness first-hand. Elephants are the only mammals that can't jump, not that it matters much when they can flatten a fence without breaking stride. Their trunks carry roughly 40,000 muscles (compare that to the 600-odd in the entire human body), sensitive enough to pick up a single blade of grass yet strong enough to uproot a tree. Like sailors keeping watch, elephants sleep remarkably little, often just a few hours a night, frequently standing. Addo is one of the few reserves on Earth where you can spot the Big Five and the "Marine Big Seven" within a single itinerary, thanks to its coastal section along Algoa Bay. 78

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Addo offers the inverse: wide open space, silence, and a pace of life set by something far older and larger than a watch system.

Self-drive routes are well maintained and accessible in an ordinary car, so a safari here doesn't demand a specialist vehicle or guide, though guided night drives reveal a different park entirely, aardvark, caracal, and the secretive black rhino among them. Crossings ask a lot from crew: broken sleep, close quarters, weather that doesn't care about your schedule. Addo offers the inverse, wide open space, silence, and a pace of life set by something far older and larger than a watch system. For crew used to reading instruments in the dark for a sense of direction, a few hours reading the bush instead is its own kind of reset.◆

Crew Life

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WHERE ROUTES CONVERGE: FROM THE ADRIATIC TO MALLORCA Written & photos by Yvonne Wiest, Merk & Merk Yachting Boutique

t was late April 2025, just before the start of the yachting season. In Palma, preparations for the annual boat show were already underway. Amid the final adjustments along the docks, a new presence quietly took shape. For Merk & Merk Yachting Boutique, this marked the first time operating on the island as an established location.

For those familiar with the company, this moment was the result of many years of development. Merk & Merk was founded in 2004 on the Croatian coast. At the time, the Adriatic was still emerging as a recognised yachting region.

Motorworld: where automotive, lifestyle and luxury sectors connect naturally

The move to Mallorca in 2025 followed a similar pattern. Rather than entering a new market, the company positioned itself within an already familiar network. Mallorca holds a central role in Mediterranean yachting. Routes, charters, and ownership structures regularly intersect on the island.

The Merk & Merk office in Croatia

Over the years, the company grew alongside this environment, shaped by close contact with yacht owners, brokers, and professional crews.

ISA120

Only weeks earlier, the company had opened its third base at Motorworld Mallorca. The Palma International Boat Show became its first public setting in this new context. Among crews, brokers, and visitors moving through the harbour, the company's participation appeared as part of the wider scene. A 36-metre ISA 120 was included in its listing during the event.

Crew Life

Julian, CEO of Merk & Merk

The location at Motorworld Mallorca opened a new chapter for the company on the island. The combination of automotive, lifestyle, and luxury sectors creates an environment where different industries naturally connect.

For Julian Merk, CEO of Merk & Merk Yachting Boutique, the opening of the Mallorca location represents an important milestone for the company. Regularly present on the island, he remains closely connected to the local yachting community and its international network. The first appearance in Palma marked an important moment in a development that began more than two decades earlier on the Croatian coast. Today, the three locations in Croatia, Germany, and Spain are connected by a shared network. Mallorca has become an important meeting point where different parts of the yachting world come together.◆ Julian Merk, CEO: office@merkandmerk.com Yvonne Wiest, Marketing Manager: yvonne@merkandmerk.com www.merkandmerk.com Instagram: @merkandmerk_yachtingboutique

As operations expanded, so did its geographical reach. In the summer of 2024, a second location was opened in Germany at Lake Constance. Over time, Merk & Merk expanded beyond yacht brokerage. Today, the company supports clients throughout the different stages of yacht ownership, from the purchase and sale of new and pre-owned yachts to yacht management and service coordination. In the Adriatic, Merk & Merk also acts as an official dealer for Princess Yachts and Sanlorenzo. With three locations in Croatia, Germany, and Spain, and German-speaking teams at each base, Merk & Merk connects different regions of the yachting world. In Croatia, a dry marina was acquired, combining dry berths with on-site service. It marked a step towards offering year-round support beyond the main season.

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ONE MARKET. DIFFERENT DESTINATIONS. COMMON CHALLENGES. IN TODAY'S CHARTER INDUSTRY, SUCCESS IS NO LONGER ABOUT WHERE YOU OPERATE. IT'S ABOUT HOW YOU OPERATE. Written by Lorena Franjić, MMK Systems - Booking Manager & photos by Booking Manager Summit

Marko Gnjidić, founder and CEO of Booking Manager

It is a space where experts don't just lecture, they engage. Whether it's a focused workshop, a provocative panel, or an insightful lecture, the goal is always the same: to give attendees clear, actionable takeaways they can implement as soon as they're back at their base. That international exchange has become increasingly valuable, as sharing different approaches often leads to better solutions. Networking break

he Mediterranean may be divided by coastlines, but today's charter industry is becoming increasingly connected. Guests compare destinations more easily than ever before, technology is reshaping the customer journey, and businesses across the region are adapting to many of the same commercial realities. Across the region, charter businesses are asking remarkably similar questions. How can profitability be protected without relying on deeper discounts? How can businesses attract and retain qualified staff? Where should marketing budgets be invested? And perhaps most importantly, what will tomorrow's charter client expect from the companies they choose? Looking at the data provided by the yacht charter booking platform Booking Manager, Spain records the lowest average weekly charter price at €5,840, while Croatia averages €6,411, with Greece (€6,281) and Italy (€6,213)

close behind. Discounting varies even more dramatically, from 11% in Spain to 36% in Croatia. Models such as the Lagoon 42, Lagoon 46, and Bavaria Cruiser 46 continue to rank among the most sought-after yachts across Mediterranean charter destinations. Different regions. Similar demand. The real challenge lies in balancing occupancy, profitability, and long-term growth. As fleets continue to expand across both the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, competition is becoming increasingly international. A company based in Mallorca is no longer competing only with its neighbours. The same customer may also be considering Croatia, Greece, Italy or Türkiye before making a booking. The result is an industry that has become more connected than ever before.

“Every single year I visit the event, because this market is changing every day. If there is a change in the market, this is the place you will find out about it first. You can adapt your business to new trends and be the first among the charter companies to do it and stand out.” Alexandr Rudoi, Chief of B2B Charter Sales at Five Seasons Yachting The conversations extend well beyond the lecture rooms, continuing during networking sessions, informal discussions, and collaborative workshops throughout the three-day programme. As the yacht charter industry continues to adapt to new challenges, one thing remains clear: the businesses that continue to grow are often those willing to learn from outside their own markets.

From 9–11 December 2026, charter professionals will once again gather in Zagreb for the 8th edition of the Booking Manager Summit. The Summit is expected to welcome more than 300 industry professionals for three days of 60+ workshops, panel discussions and networking focused on helping charter businesses prepare for the seasons ahead. The Booking Manager Summit is designed for companies who want to think differently, move smarter, and stay ahead.◆◆ www.bookingmanagersummit.com Instagram: @bookingmanagersummit

“Why not bring in world-class experts to help the industry tackle the challenges ahead? That's how the Summit was born, a space where global industry leaders could share insights, strategies, and solutions that would benefit the entire Charter panel charter community.” Martina Hršak, COO at MMK Systems, Organiser at Booking Manager Summit Booking Manager launched an initiative that was new not only for the company, but for the yacht charter industry. Rather than focusing on destinations or tourism promotion, Booking Manager Summit brings together charter professionals to discuss the operational and commercial decisions shaping the industry's future. The programme explores subjects such as revenue optimisation, digital marketing, artificial intelligence, customer behaviour, leadership, branding, sales strategy and operational efficiency, topics that affect charter businesses regardless of where they operate.

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Keynote speaker: Josie Tucci, Righboat

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IT'S A WRAP! Nearly 400 young nursehounds returned to Balearic waters: a small step for each shark, but a major step towards restoring the Mediterranean’s marine ecosystem.

ACCIÓ STELLARIS, A STELLAR SHARK CONSERVATION PROJECT, COMES TO A CLOSE Written by Save The Med & photos by Save The Med / Agustí Torres

n a Thursday morning in the port of Colònia de Sant Jordi, representatives from local authorities and marine conservation groups gathered on the docks to board a Cabrera National Park service vessel. Surrounded by the commotion of park rangers, aquarists, and technicians loading equipment onto the boat, excitement was in the air. On deck in two special water tanks swam 30 juvenile nursehound sharks (Scyliorhinus stellaris), known locally as Gatvaire. Their destination: the protected waters of the Cabrera Archipelago, where they were to be released as the final milestone of the Acció Stellaris project.

A unique collaborative effort

Acció Stellaris is a collaborative project, part of the broader 'Petits Taurons' (Small Sharks) initiative, bringing together no fewer than eight entities, ranging from NGOs and research institutions to private companies and public authorities: the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment, Palma Aquarium Foundation, Mallorca Preservation Foundation, PIM Initiative, Save the Med, Shark Med, Marilles Foundation, the Marine Research and Aquaculture Laboratory (LIMIA), the Cabrera Archipelago Maritime-Terrestrial National Park and the Balearic Federation of Fishermen's Guilds. The project was launched in 2021 with the aim of obtaining more information and data on the Gatvaire and attempting to recover its population in the Balearic Sea, as it is assessed as an Endangered species in the Red Book of Fishes of the Balearic Islands. Each organisation brought vital assets to the table, from funding and scientific knowledge to hands-on operational support. Thanks to their joint efforts, a total of 389 juvenile nursehounds, hatched and raised across the Cabrera National Park Visitor Centre, LIMIA, and Palma Aquarium, have now been released into protected waters such as the Cabrera National Park and the marine reserves of El Toro, Palma Bay, and Sa Dragonera.

Small sharks, big purpose

Though adults reach up to 130 cm in length, nursehounds are striking creatures at any size, characterised by leopardlike spots, slit pupils, and long, sweeping tails. Even the juveniles on board, just a year old and under 50 cm, were a captivating sight. Reared by humans from eggs, 86

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these little sharks appeared almost curious and confident. The staff from the Cabrera National Park who raised them displayed unwavering dedication throughout the journey, carefully stabilising the water tanks and monitoring conditions as the vessel charted toward the release site. Yet their charm and distinctive demeanour are secondary to their ecological value. Nursehounds play a crucial role in the marine food web of the Balearics. As mid-tier predators, their presence is a key indicator of a balanced ecosystem. In contrast to the rest of the Mediterranean, where this species is not considered, endangered, local populations have declined significantly due to habitat alteration, accidental capture, and historical exploitation, including the harvesting of their rough skin for use as sandpaper.

operational hurdles now, rather than waiting until other shark species are on the brink of extinction.

Beyond the numbers

The achievements of the Acció Stellaris project extend far beyond the numbers. While successfully reintroducing nearly 400 juvenile nursehound sharks into protected Balearic waters is a monumental conservation milestone, the project has also closed critical gaps in scientific understanding, shedding light on a species whose ecology was largely unknown when work began. But the true impact reaches well beyond biological recovery. By actively engaging local fishermen in sustainable practices and keeping the public informed, the initiative has reshaped community perceptions, turning a once-overlooked shark into a symbol of marine stewardship and proving that lasting conservation relies as much on societal awareness as it does on science. Building on the project's success, the partners behind the Petits Taurons initiative can now apply these key learnings and experience to future shark conservation projects.

Returning home

Given the alarming number of threatened shark species across the region, passive conservation in the Mediterranean is no longer enough. Active restoration, such as reintroducing captive-bred individuals, is essential for bringing these populations back. Programmes like Acció Stellaris also generate crucial, transferable knowledge. They allow researchers to refine breeding techniques for oviparous, or egg-laying, shark species and overcome Marine Conservation & Research

Upon reaching the Cabrera National Park, everyone on board gathered at the deck to witness the final stop of the journey. Below the hull, a special cage holding the young nursehounds was gently lowered into the water, closely guided by a team of divers. At a depth of 30 metres, the cage doors swung open. Though these little sharks were encountering the open sea for the very first time, they were finally home and free, a quiet triumph for the species, and a vital step forward for the health of the entire Mediterranean marine ecosystem. ◆ www.savethemed.org Instgram: @savethemedfoundation

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WHEN THE SEA IS NO LONGER A PRIVILEGE

More than just sailing We can easily think of sailing as simply a day out on the water, but for someone stepping aboard for the first time, it can offer much more. For first-timers, it brings discovery; for older generations, renewed curiosity; and for younger participants, confidence through helping on board. Everyone experiences it differently, regardless of age, background or circumstances.

Written & photos by Fundació Joves Navegants

This is the purpose of the inclusion programme we run in partnership with Club Nàutic Portocolom. Throughout the year, organisations from across Mallorca take part in outings that give local communities the opportunity to experience the Mediterranean in a way that may not otherwise be available to them. Each group arrives with different needs and expectations, but the aim remains the same: to make access to the sea more inclusive and meaningful.

Protecting comes from belonging

or those of us who live in Mallorca, the Mediterranean is part of everyday life. It shapes our landscape, our culture and much of our economy. We are surrounded by it, seeing it from our homes, our harbours and our beaches, yet for many it remains something to admire from a distance rather than something they are able to experience for themselves.. It may seem surprising, but even in Mallorca there are children, teenagers and even grown-ups who have never had the opportunity to go out on the water or experience sailing. Not because of a lack of interest, but because personal, social or economic circumstances can place the sea beyond their reach. The mission of Fundació Joves Navegants is to bridge that gap, with a particular focus on local foundations and communities that may otherwise be unable to access the sea. We see it as a place of learning, connection and discovery, an experience we aim to share with everyone, regardless of age or background. Over the past few weeks, two very different experiences have brought that mission to life.

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Two generations, one experience Back in June, we welcomed a group from a local retirement home through the Associació de Veïnats Son Dameto–Son Pisà. Some had not been out at sea for decades, while others had never experienced sailing aboard a yacht before. Once on board, everyday routines and personal circumstances momentarily faded into the background. There was no rush and no schedule to follow, just the salty air, the sea breeze and the gentle movement of the hull through the waves.

Environmental education, conservation and scientific research are central to our work, but protecting the Mediterranean begins with something simpler: connection. “We protect what we connect with.” People are more likely to care for the sea once they have experienced it for themselves, whether by taking the helm, returning to the water after many years or simply seeing the island from a different perspective.

Although the sea surrounds us as Mediterraneans, our aim is to make it more than something admired from afar: something people can experience, connect with and ultimately feel responsible for protecting. If you would like to discover more about Fundació Joves Navegants or support our mission, visit www.jovesnavegants. org. Together, we can help ensure that the Mediterranean is no longer a privilege, but a place that belongs to everyone.◆ www.jovesnavegants.org

A few days later, a group of children from Fundació Hadas Kids arrived full of excitement, ready to discover something entirely new and create memories of their own. They took turns at the helm of Galaxie and experienced first-hand the power of the wind moving a 22-metre sailing vessel. They also learned about Galaxie's electric propulsion, the extraordinary biodiversity found around our islands and some of the conservation initiatives working to protect it. Between silent sailing, swimming and plenty of laughter, the aim was not simply to teach them about the sea, but to give them a reason to feel connected to it and care for it. Although the two groups were separated by decades and very different life circumstances, sailing offered them the same thing: a chance to slow down, reconnect with nature and create memories that would stay with them long after returning home.

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92. What's on in Mallorca 95. JoyRon Foundation 97. Aina Bauza 98. Hallie Hart

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102. Asia Pacific Superyachts

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WHAT'S ON IN MALLORCA

UPCOMING EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER

Written by Marlot Cathalina

VIRTUAL ASSISTANT SUPPORTING COMPANIES ON MALLORCA & BEYOND WITH THEIR ONLINE CONTENT AND COMMUNICATION IG: @MARLOTCATHALINA

17–20 September Ibiza JoySail, Ibiza and Mallorca

17–23 October Yates Mallorca Cup, Palma de Mallorca

18 October Mallorca Marathon, Palma de Mallorca

25–27 September, Multihull Cup Mediterranean Regatta, Port Adriano

Photo: via ibizajoysail.com

Launched in 2021, Ibiza JoySail has grown popular enough to become an invitation-only affair. Guests race in a relaxed, fun-first regatta along the coastlines of Ibiza and Formentera, combined with social events on land. There's an optional record to chase: with the right wind forecast, competitors can attempt the crossing between Mallorca and Ibiza, timed between the iconic lighthouses of Punta Cala Figuera and Tagomago. Joy and sail it is! ◆

www.ibizajoysail.com

The Multihull Cup Regatta returns to Port Adriano from 25–27 September, bringing together an exceptional fleet of performance cruising multihulls for three days of competitive racing off Mallorca’s southwest coast. This year’s edition is set to be the largest in the event’s history, welcoming both loyal returners and excited newcomers to the fleet, reflecting the growing momentum behind this unique regatta. Combining competitive racing with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere ashore, just how The Islander likes it. ◆

8–10 October 550 Challenge Mallorca, Port Adriano

10–18 October Mallorca Car Week, Andratx

Photo: yates-mallorca-charter.de

Photo:www.palmademallorcamarathon.com

A week-long regatta based at La Lonja in Palma, the Yates Mallorca Cup this year carries extra significance as it marks the 75th birthday of Albi Sutter, the event's founder and long-time director. Open to monohull sailing yachts, the Yates Mallorca Cup places as much emphasis on friendly competition as on camaraderie, against the Bay of Palma's unmistakable backdrop that we can't get enough of. ◆

Maybe one of Europe's most scenic marathons, this 22nd edition starts and finishes at Parc de la Mar in Palma. As usual, runners can choose between the full 42.2 kilometres, a half marathon or a 10K, with the course tracing the Paseo Marítimo and winding through Palma's historic centre. Expect upwards of ten thousand runners from dozens of countries, a lively pasta party and expo beforehand, and a finish line atmosphere that turns the town into one big sporty celebration (sore legs optional). ◆

www.yates-mallorca-charter.de

www.palmademallorcamarathon.com

www.multihullcup.com

This closed-road rally returns for its sixth edition, sending competitors across at least 550 kilometres of Mallorca's scenic roads. Three categories, Competition, Regularity and Show Car, mean there's a place for modern supercars, classics and electric vehicles. With Port Adriano as its base, the event closes off some of the island's roads to ordinary traffic (you are warned!), giving spectators a rare chance to watch the fun rally cars race by from the roadside. ◆

www.550challengemallorca.com 92

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This exclusive automotive gathering returns for another edition this October with the partnership of Steigenberger Hotel and Resort Camp de Mar. Organised as a non-profit affair, admission is limited: twenty classic cars and ten modern exotics make the cut for the International Concours d'Elegance, alongside fifty more for the accompanying drives along Mallorca's scenic roads. A public visitors' day at Golf de Andratx lets visitors get close to these classic beauties.◆

www.mallorcacarweek.com

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B LU E WAT E R YAC H T I N G

THREE UPCOMING JOYRON CHARITY FUND RAISING EVENTS JOYRON FOUNDATION Written by Ronald M. Hawes, JoyRon Foundation & Photos by JoyRon Foundation

We are limited to 140 persons, do not miss a fab Halloween Night, Tickets are euro 110.00 per person. Book your own table of 10 or share with others. For more details, menu and bookings contact Ronald Hawes at JoyRon 608-531-211 e-mail ronaldmhawes@gmail.com

AUTUMN COURSES ENGINEERING OFFICERS AEC 1&2 S V C H I E F E N G I N E E R S TAT U T O R Y & O P E R AT I O N A L R E Q U I R E M E N T S SV APPLIED MARINE ENGINEERING

DECK OFFICERS ECDIS GENERAL SHIP KNOWLEDGE (GSK) EFFICIENT DECK HAND (EDH)

TR AIN WITH EXP ERIENCED INSTRU CTORS, GAIN INDU STRY R ECOGNISED QUALIFICATIONS, AND GE T R EADY FOR YOU R NEXT OPP ORTUNITY ON BOARD

Sunday 11th October 10.00 to 18.00.

JoyRon Foundation and E-Touch Systems located within STP, are in collaboration together, organising our fifth annual Family Fun Day and Go-Karting Charity Championship at the Magaluf Go-Kart Race Track. With 18 teams of 6 drivers per team that will practice/race throughout the day. Many of the teams are from the Yachting Fraternity. All are welcome to join us for our 2026 event. This competitive day, incorporates plenty of fun and family social activity, and is all there for the taking, with entry to the venue being FREE ADMISSION. Where else can you experience, Go-Kart Racing, Food, Bar Service, A selection of DJ’s lead by Diablo V, Raffle Prizes, Children’s Entertainment, Children’s Market, All for the benefit of a charitable local cause. Bring your Family and Friends, Arrive when you want and leave when you want. To enter a six person team (aged 18 or over), the entry fee is euro 1,000 per team (euro 167 per person), if you do not have a team, register your name and we will find you a team. In addition we seek corporate event sponsorship. Packages of euro 1,000, euro 1,500, and euro 2,000. are available please ask for full details. Contact either Jamie Brown at E-Touch Systems 649-277463, e-mail jamie@etsys.eu or Ronald Hawes at JoyRon 608-531-211 e-mail ronaldmhawes@gmail.com For previous short videos of this event in past years, please go to https:// joyronfoundation.org/joyron-foundation-go-kartingevent-archive/

Net proceeds from these two events will ensure that some 500 children in the 38 different Children’s Homes in Mallorca, will receive a personalised Christmas Gift on Christmas Day. The remaining net proceeds, will be placed in the JoyRon Children’s Fund to support other under-privileged Children in the Baleares.

Thursday 11th February 18.30 to 22.30.

JoyRon Foundation is in the initial stages of planning to organise an Inter-Schools Talent Contest. Trui Theatre Son Rapinya is provisional booked and we are now seeking some corporate sponsorship to support the cost of the event and volunteer individuals who would like to help us interface with the schools to finalise the procedure up to the night and also administer/organise the show on the night. Anybody interested in being involved please contact Ronald at JoyRon see the above contact details. The event was held a few years ago and was very successful see joyronfoundation. org/inter-schools-talent-contest/ for photographs. The objective of the event, being to raise funds for the underprivileged children in the Balearic Islands, through the student performance. Thereby giving the more privileged children in Mallorca the opportunity to compete and gain confidence within their own development, whilst at the same time recognising the need of others and thereby creating and enhancing the concept of "Children Helping Children in Need". ◆

Saturday 31st October 19.00 to 01.00 (Sunday).

bluewater CHARTER I SALES & PURCHASE I CREW

Training & Crew I

t:+34 971 677 154

I TRAINING I MANAGEMENT

palma@bluewateryachting.com

recruitment@bluewateryachting.com

JoyRon Foundation presents a Halloween Dinner & Party Night at Can Eduardo Restaurant Palma. Dress Code Halloween Fancy Dress or optional Smart Casual. Commencing with a Cava/Wine Reception, with the Devil himself, DJ Diablo V. Followed by a (Three Course Dinner with wine, Main Course pre event selection Meat or Fish or Vegan, menu available on request).There will be prizes for best dressed Fancy Dress, plus Charity Raffle and Auction. Dinner will be followed by the opportunity to Dance the night away with Glamorous, Unique and Entertaining Jitka Lackova (Classic, Pop and Rock), plus DJ Diablo V.

www.joyronfoundation.org. E-mail info@joyronfoundation.org Phone: +34 608 531 211.

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MALLORCA

ERICEIRA

LISBON

LONDON

MILAN

MONTEROSA SARAGANO

SARDINIA

FROM MALLORCA TO THE ROUTE DU RHUM Written by The Islander & Aina Bauza & photos by Aina Bauza

Jean-Marie Liot

his autumn, Aina Bauza Roig will line up in Saint-Malo for the Route du Rhum, a solo transatlantic race. Aboard Class40 MAAT, she will become the first Spanish woman to race solo on a boat this size, sailing 3,542 nautical miles to Guadeloupe

Her journey began in Mallorca, where the sea taught her that resilience grows through every decision. Reaching the start has been an adventure. After years in the Mini 6.50 circuit, three Atlantic crossings as skipper and a solo world record from Cádiz to San Salvador, she spent 2025 racing a Class40 with Axelle Pillain. They finished third in the Armen Race, seventh in the Fastnet and completed the Transat Café L’OR. Step by step, each race prepares her to sail solo around the world aboard an IMOCA in the Vendée Globe.

She must complete a 1,200 nautical mile solo qualification starting on 19 August, prepare Class40 161 for the Atlantic crossing and secure funding for the campaign. Every sponsor and supporter is helping transform this project into a start line. This project sets out from Mallorca with the support of individuals, companies and institutions. She is especially grateful to the companies accompanying her this year, including AFTRANS International and Balearic Helicopters, as well as the Club de Vela Puerto de Andratx. On 1 November, she will carry that collective support from Saint-Malo across the Atlantic, racing to Guadeloupe and opening the way for the next generation. ◆ Follow her journey on her Instagram page @ainasailing

For 2026, she has joined forces with the Alice Milliat Foundation to create a sailing team that uses offshore racing to promote women’s sport, visibility and equal opportunity. The campaign is about much more than one race. Through school visits, conferences, partner events and digital storytelling, the team wants young people, especially girls, to see that ambitious paths are possible, even when no one like them has gone first. Georgia Schofield

Aethos | Carrer | +34 871 00 09 39 | aethos.com/mallorca 96 Mallorca Islander Life Mareselva 2, 07160 Peguera, Illes Balears The Islander #333

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THE FLOATING GALLERY HALLIE HART ON ART, ARCHITECTURE, AND LIFE AT SEA Written by Lucia Gillot & photos by Hallie Hart

nown for her large-scale abstract paintings, artist Hallie Hart begins every commission by studying the space it will inhabit. The first thing she notices when she steps aboard a yacht isn't the view, it's the light. Morning sun gliding across lacquered wood. Reflections moving across polished surfaces. The changing atmosphere from sunrise to dusk. Unlike any other living space, a yacht exists in constant dialogue with the sea, transformed by every shift of light and every new horizon. Only after taking in the space does Hallie Hart begin to imagine the artwork. She moves quietly through the yacht, returning at different times of day to observe how changing light and reflections from the sea continually reshape the interior. Before a single idea takes shape, she studies the architecture, the curve of a staircase, the grain of the wood, and the negative space between furnishings.

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For yacht commissions, this intuitive process becomes a conversation with the vessel. Hart spends days aboard, absorbing the rhythm of life at sea before returning to her studio. “A yacht is never still,” she explains. “The light changes. The horizon shifts. The artwork has to breathe with that movement, not fight against it.”

A gallery is a destination. A yacht is a way of life.

When she throws paint boldly across the surface, it produces explosive, crashing movement. When she pushes it gently, it stains the canvas with something more ethereal; a soft, dreamlike glow from within.

This distinction shapes everything about how Hart approaches her art. In a gallery, a viewer stands before a painting for a moment, perhaps two, then moves on.

“Water is my collaborator,” she explains. “I can guide it, but I can't control it entirely. That tension between intention and chance is where the painting comes alive.”

On a yacht, the artwork becomes part of daily existence. It greets you at breakfast. It catches the last light of evening. It witnesses quiet conversations and celebrations alike.

For Hart, placing work aboard a yacht feels like a natural homecoming. Art born from water finds its way back to the sea.

“I think about how a painting will age with its owner,” Hart says. “Not physically, I mean emotionally. The piece you fall in love with on day one should still surprise you a year later. It should reveal something new every time the light changes or the sea shifts colour outside your window.”

Perhaps that is the true meaning of a floating gallery: art that becomes inseparable from the place it inhabits and the memories it quietly witnesses. Not a collection hung on walls, but a living presence, one that shifts with the hour, deepens with time, and holds the unspoken moments of a life lived at sea. It is art that doesn't ask to be admired from a distance. It asks only to belong. ◆

Hart's fascination with water extends beyond her subject matter into her very process. She is drawn to the unpredictability of water on unprimed canvas, the way it carries pigment into the fibres, creating depth that feels luminous and alive.

Website: www.houseofhart.com Instagram: @houseofhartart

Her commissions range from single statement pieces for main salons to full collections spanning every cabin and shared living space. Some embrace metallic reflections, teals, deep blues, and flashes of coral, while others draw their quieter palettes from the ports along a vessel's route. “When you can no longer imagine it anywhere else, you know it belongs. Not just to the yacht, but to the life unfolding within it. That's a successful painting.”

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The artist working from one of her custom-built catwalks during Miami Art Basel 2019.

Hart working directly on the floor in her studio at Mana Contemporary Fine Arts in New Jersey.

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EXTRAORDINARY CRUISING IN THE INDIAN OCEAN Written by The Islander & photos by Asia Pacific Superyachts

he Mediterranean and the Caribbean have been the two biggest yachting destinations for superyachts from northern Europe for decades. However, this is changing as more luxury and charter vessels discover adventure and extraordinary experiences in the uncrowded seas of Asia Pacific's friendly Indian Ocean tropical islands. One of the last remaining frontiers for those seeking beautiful and exotic voyages, the Asia Pacific region is among the finest cruising grounds in the world, with the Indian Ocean offering elite luxury and adventure havens exemplified by Maldives, Seychelles and Phuket. These three destinations are a sampling of the allure of the Asia Pacific area, also highlighted by the exotic destinations of Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Andaman Islands of India and Malaysia. Each of the following three island countries offer a special appeal to superyacht owners, captains and charterers in considering a South East Asia Indian Ocean cruising voyage.

Exploring the Maldives by superyacht means you can easily flit from one resort to the other en route your journey exploring the islands and remote dive sites and game fishing grounds. The Maldives lends itself to a variety of activities, from relaxing and sunbathing on the beach to diving, surfing, and fishing. The archipelago is home to rare underwater beauty, making this one of the most popular dive destinations in the world. Along with the ocean's bounty, you can also anchor in lagoons or alongside uninhabited islands to snorkel and dive. Fishing has been the lifeblood of the Maldivians since time immemorial. From the decks of your yacht, you can fish at sunrise when sailfish, dogtooth tuna, wahoo and red snapper are milling beneath the surface. The Maldivian waters are also among the top five places in the world for spotting whales and dolphins. With over 20 different species, ranging from the mighty blue whale to the diminutive Spinner Dolphin, you can watch on deck as they go about their regular routine, feeding offshore at night and coming into the atolls in the early morning before leaving late afternoon for the open ocean.

Magnificent Maldives The Maldives, often dubbed the 'pearls of the Indian Ocean,' is famous for the gorgeous atolls and rich marine life. With only 200 inhabited islands, the Maldives offer the ultimate luxury escape in complete privacy. Lured to the exotic atolls stretching across the equator, her shores are dotted with exclusive and elegant resorts and services. Made up of 26 atolls, the Maldives lies in a north/south chain in the Arabian Sea in the Indian Ocean. 102

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The North Malé Atoll is often the first port of call and the gateway to the entire archipelago. For picture-perfect idylls, follow the chain north to the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll to seek out a once in a lifetime underwater experience where the Hulhangu monsoon brings an abundance of plankton to the atolls between June and November, creating a feeding frenzy of underwater life. Characterised by its splendidly unique underwater life and ecology, the warm waters are home to a diverse array of exotic marine life, and visit Hanhushi's coral reef, showcasing 1000 species of fish and 20 species of whales and dolphins. Set amongst the exotic Kaafu Atoll and Emboodhoo Lagoon, the Yacht Marina @ CROSSROADS offers an impressive 30-berth quay, complete with world-class facilities and exclusive concierge services, catering to vessels from 10 to 60 metres.

zone of the Indian Ocean and provides secluded whitesand beaches, exceptional diving, and exclusive lush forestal excursions. Cruising the pristine waters surrounding the Seychelles' 115 islands, yachting guests can discover idyllic anchorages at every turn, with unforgettable experiences awaiting both on the water and ashore. Motor and sailing guests can choose to enjoy tranquil cruising grounds or immerse themselves in the thriving island life found on the islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. Renowned for its rich vibrant culture and colourful festivals, the Seychelles is a captivating destination where music, dance, and cuisine come to life. With a diverse calendar of events held throughout the year, visitors have every opportunity to encounter and experience authentic local celebrations as they explore the islands.

The ideal times for cruising the Maldives are the shoulder months of April-May and October-November for calm, clear waters and diving. May-September offers excellent sailing with the southeast trade winds and despite some rougher seas; November-March brings lush green landscapes and whale sharks but with more rain, though showers are short.

Sensational Seychelles The Seychelles welcomes superyachts with its awe-inspiring beauty. Home to a collection of picture-perfect islands, irresistible mainland attractions and the Eden Island Marina, Seychelles offers a range of unique experiences to those visiting this prized superyacht destination. The Eden Island Marina is a deepwater marina on the western side of Eden Island with state-of-the-art facilities, capable of handling superyachts of up to 120 metres. The largest of the marinas, Eden Island links to the main island of Mahe by a short bridge, a luxury destination off the coast of Mahé in the heart of the Seychelles archipelago. A premier Indian Ocean destination for superyachts, Seychelles offers year-round cruising outside the cyclonic The Islander #333

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enthused Asia Pacific Superyachts (APS) co-founder Located in the Outer Islands, the Farquhar Atoll and & director Gordon Fernandes. “When in the Cosmoledo Atoll offer perhaps the most colourful Asia Pacific region, superyachts can have an dive sites, with a vast array of marine life found “Superyachts can entire beach, sometimes a whole island to at a relatively shallow depth. Similarly, St. have an entire beach, themselves, unlike the crowded Caribbean. Francois Atoll, being designated as a Special sometimes a whole island Crew also love it here and feel safe on Reserve, enjoys environmental protection to themselves, shore.” From the diverse range of 5-star that allows visitors to get up close and unlike the crowded accommodations to the beauty of white personal to a vibrant range of underwater sand beaches, vibrant nightlife and wide species. It hosts major seabird populations Caribbean” choice of fine dining, culture and warmth of (including red-footed boobies, terns, and the Thai people, the island offers an unparalleled shearwaters) and serves as an important nesting paradise for international superyacht guests along ground for hawksbill and green turtles. with nearby islands' amazing adventures.

'The Monaco of Southeast Asia' It is a new era for Thailand and Phuket. Sitting on the Andaman Sea on the coastline of the Indian Ocean and known as the 'Superyacht Hub of Asia Pacific', Phuket is the luxury yachting destination attracting an increasing number of superyachts. This is especially true now thanks to landmark updates to the country's charter licensing and changes/ streamlining of visa application and easing of regulations. Thailand's yachting industry has undergone significant expansion and the Thai government is working with the country's yacht/superyacht services providers in easing restrictions to welcome more superyachts to Thailand. The infrastructure for superyachts is in place with 4 modern and well-equipped marinas and a new Private Jet Terminal along with international airports. “We have been working with government to reduce red tape to ensure it is much easier for superyachts to visit the region. There have been major changes, with more changes expected. “Owners are discovering the area and a quote heard often is, 'Why didn't we come here sooner! This really is paradise',”

Some of the country's unique highlights are around Phang Nga Bay, site of filming 'The Man with the Golden Gun' and the Similan Islands, where limestone karsts rise vertically out of the sea and hidden lagoons are only accessible by tender along with anchorages with no visible development. Another adventure awaits in Phi Phi Islands, famous as the location of 'The Beach' and home for whale sharks, manta rays and leopard sharks. “Thailand isn't trying to copy the Med or Caribbean. Our cruising season is opposite to the Med, and it also stands out because it delivers a completely different experience profile, especially for clients who've 'done' the traditional circuits”, explains Tanyuta 'Jojo' Singhmanee, co-founder of APS Phuket and board member of the Thai Yachting Business Association. Thailand's hospitality culture is also a major, often underestimated edge. Superyacht visitors will find these three destinations and other Asia Pacific cruising destinations the quintessence of island beauty, adventure, exotic culture and sea voyaging.◆ www.asia-pacific-superyachts.com

BROKERAGE SUNSEEKER PREDATOR 47

Built: 2007 - Asking price: € 219.950 Euro VAT paid

This Sunseeker Portofino 47 is presented in excellent condition and has enjoyed relatively light private use throughout her life. Consistently maintained and thoughtfully upgraded by her owners, she is ready to be enjoyed from day one. One owner, UK flagged and VAT paid, she benefits from a comprehensive specification including reverse-cycle air conditioning, generator, hydraulic passarelle, teak cockpit and bathing platform. One of Sunseeker's most popular sports cruisers, the Portofino 47 combines timeless styling with exhilarating performance, generous outdoor living spaces and comfortable accommodation for up to four guests. A beautifully maintained and extensively upgraded example, offering an outstanding opportunity to acquire a VAT-paid Portofino 47 ready for immediate cruising.

Jonathan Syrett is a yachting and brokerage consultant ready to guide you through the ownership journey and beyond. You can count on his expertise, integrity, and dedication to assist you in making informed decisions when buying or selling a yacht. In 2026, we are excited to celebrate our 30th anniversary in business. A heartfelt thank you to our clients, colleagues, family, and friends. Feel free to call, email, or visit our website to learn more.

M. (+34) 609 43 33 33 T. (+34) 971 40 44 66 www.hamilton-marine.com yachting@hamilton-marine.com

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The Islander #333

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