Australia

Construction of World’s Largest Sailing Catamaran Superyacht Underway

Australia’s custom superyacht builder Echo Yachts has commenced construction of the ASC57 – a sailing catamaran superyacht.It will be the world’s largest such vessel and is being built in partnership with Dutch sailing yacht designers Dykstra Naval Architects and Australian aluminum multihull experts One2Three Naval Architects.Drawing inspiration from Echo Yachts' 2023 newbuild motor yacht M/Y Charley 2, the ASC57 sailing yacht will feature luxury accommodation, a vast array of water toys and helicopter landing capabilities.New is a twin-Dynarig sail system by Southern Spars.

Seakeeper Opens Dealer Training Site in Italy

Seakeeper, a developer of marine motion control systems, has launched a new training facility in San Salvatore, Italy. This European location will enhance training access for partners outside North America, helping to build a global network of skilled technicians to support Seakeeper’s expanding customer base.“Our dedication to continuous improvement goes beyond our products; it’s also about the people who support them,” said Seakeeper president and CEO Andrew Semprevivo. “Our new training facility in Italy is part of our commitment to ensuring our partners are the best in the industry.

Ocean Infinity Invests in RAD Propulsion

Marine electric product company RAD Propulsion announces that it has secured £1,000,000 investment from Ocean Infinity, a marine technology business that deploys innovative robotic and autonomous vessel solutions.The investment is part of a raise round to facilitate RAD’s rapid operational scale up as its RAD 40 electric drive goes into mass production. This year, RAD will see its products become available to OEM partners around the world, with new product development underway too.

Super Yacht Fit with Bespoke Marine Refrigeration System

Chillflow Solutions Ltd has designed and installed a bespoke R449A-based marine refrigeration system for a 65m super yacht, operating on high efficiency BITZER ECOLINE compressors.The oceangoing icebreaker required a highly reliable replacement refrigeration system to serve its onboard cold room, freezer and garbage store.Use of an off-the-shelf replacement pack was ruled out due to space restrictions, and the distance between the pack, cold rooms and condensers. The system also…

Australia Charges Two Over Yacht Cocaine Bust

Two men in Australia have been charged with importing a commercial quantity of cocaine as part of an investigation into 247 kilograms of cocaine seized from a yacht moored in Townsville. The men, both from Griffith in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and aged 55 and 44, were arrested at their apartment on July 20, 2023, and brought up on charges by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The maximum penalty for theier offences is life imprisonment.Police allege one of the men threw a backpack containing $290…

Spain Moves Yacht Linked to Russian Oligarch After Payments Stop

Spanish authorities moved a luxury yacht linked to the sanctioned head of Russian defence group Rostec after the shipyard where it was berthed stopped receiving payments for its repairs, a transport ministry source said.The multi-million-dollar Valerie was transferred to a marina last month, the source and other officials said, highlighting the logistical challenges authorities have faced managing vessels being held across Europe because of sanctions imposed over Russia's military actions in Ukraine.Spain ordered the ship "frozen" - meaning the vessel can not be used or sold - in March, saying it was acting on European Union sanctions.

Inmarsat Launches I-6 F1, Latest Tech Communication Satellite

With a rapid evolution of communication connectitivity need, Inmarsat launched I-6 F1, the first of seven new Inmarsat satellites to be launched by 2024, a key piece of the satcom giant's platform to deliver enhanced ELERA (L-band) and Global Xpress (Ka-band) for Indo-Pacific.Inmarsat confirmed the successful launch of its first Inmarsat-6 satellite (I-6 F1) by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) from the JAXA Tanegashima Space Center in Japan.The Inmarsat-6s (I-6) are Inmarsat’s first ever hybrid L- and Ka-band satellites…

Marine Coatings: Propspeed Targets Commercial Sector for Growth

Propspeed launched a new kit packaged specifically for the commercial marine trade professional. Rusty Morgan, VP of Sales & Operations, Americas, discusses with Maritime Reporter TV.New Zealand-based Propspeed, a maker of underwater foul-release coatings for 21 years, recently signaled its intention to enter full-force into the commercial maritime space with the launch of its first coatings kit packaged specifically for the commercial marine trade professional. The Propspeed Commercial Kit includes all that is needed to coat two propellers 165-203cm in size…

ePropulsion Launches Australian Presence

Marine electric propulsion systems company ePropulsion announced it has expanded its distribution network in Australia by launching ePropulsion AU. This new business unit will handle all sales, service, support and any repairs or warranty claims for the Australian market. ePropulsion AU is based in Melbourne, which is a community at the forefront of electric propulsion in Australia.Danny Tao, co-founder and CEO of ePropulsion, said,  “Electric propulsion in Australia is on the…

Repeat Success: Long-Range Catamaran

When word spreads of a good design well executed, the reward for the boat builder is a customer who says, “Make me one just like that other one.”That is where the discussion starts and then come the clients requests for modifications. Such was the case when a high-level surfer from the western shore of Java approached James Dewing at his yard in Thailand. James had delivered one of his Powerplay catamarans to a customer in Tahiti in December of 2019. Now, the word was spreading for a true long-range luxury power catamaran.This wasn’t Dewing’s first boat…

Riviera Reveals New Era Motor Yacht

Australia's largest luxury motor yacht builder is creating a new dimension in boating opportunities with the announcement of an exceptional new design.The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht is a new class of motor yacht from the award-winning team of designers, engineers and craftspeople at the company's headquarters and 16.8-hectare facility on Queensland’s Gold Coast. Following more than 40 years of evolution and with over 5,700 yachts in multiple styles built and now located in all corners of the world…

Peters & May Appoints Judson as CEO

Marine transport and logistics provider Peters & May has appointed Simon Judson as its new CEO with immediate effect. A 20-year veteran of the marine industry, Judson previously held the position of Global Operations Director with the company. He joined the company in 2009 when Peters & May purchased Judson’s own marine logistics and yacht transportation company, Complete Freight.Based in the U.K. head office, Judson will oversee the company’s range of services currently delivered through 10 company offices and a network of global agents.

Dongara Inks Deals to Build Two New Vessels

Dongara Marine received orders to build custom-designed vessels: a monohull commercial fishing boat and a high speed catamaran for recreational use.An experienced commercial fisherman is the client for Dongara Marine’s first new vessel for the South Australian Rock Lobster fishery.Customised to client preferences, the 17.8m long aluminium hull features the hallmark fine entry of Southerly Designs’ offshore capable monohulls, topped by a single level wheelhouse – an arrangement…

Sanctuary Cove $8m Marina Upgrade Completed

Sanctuary Cove announced the completion of stage one of its multi-million dollar marina upgrade, featuring three new piers, with one dedicated to Superyachts alone.Following an investment of over $8 million dollars, recreational vessel berth holders will experience 6-star marina facilities sand Sanctuary Cove’s premier lifestyle destination creating an unparalleled marine experience, with G and H piers now open for private berthing and I pier to follow next month.The expansion will increase marina capacity to allow an additional 66 vessels to call Sanctuary Cove’s marina home…

NZ Says COVID-19 Could Have Impact on America's Cup

Travel restrictions to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus could have “some impact” on next year’s America’s Cup but it is too early to determine to what extent, New Zealand’s government said on Thursday.With Team New Zealand set to defend the trophy next March, challenging teams are unsure when they can send advance parties to Auckland to start preparations.New infections have slowed to a trickle in New Zealand but its borders remain closed to all except returning citizens and permanent residents…

New Cat Ferry MV Tricia for Transperth Fleet

A new passenger ferry built by Dongara Marine has been introduced to the public transport system in Perth, Western Australia. MV Tricia  - named after Perth Zoo's popular 62-year-old Asian Elephant - is the third ferry in the Transperth fleet, joining two other low-wash catamarans introduced in 1997 and 2009. Operating across the Swan River between Elizabeth Quay and South Perth, the 23.7-m aluminium catamaran can carry up to 148 passengers and has a loaded top speed in excess of 16 knots.With two ferries each providing departures every 15 minutes in peak periods…

Spain Sets Sights on SailGP after China Jumps Ship

China has dropped out of the 2020 series of SailGP, its organizers said on Tuesday, with Spain stepping aboard their vacant F50 foiling catamaran to race for a $1 million prize."We were unfortunately not granted the permissions necessary to continue operating the team within our existing structure," SailGP CEO Russell Coutts said in a statement detailing the change in line-up for the 2020 circuit.SailGP said last week that Denmark would compete in its second series, bringing the total number of entries to seven.

Indonesia: Superyacht Sinking Sparks Global Search

HM Coastguard in the UK was among the agencies joining an international search operation last night (Friday 22 November) after a superyacht sank off Indonesia.At 9.08pm Friday 22nd November, HM Coastguard in the UK received a call from the Australian maritime authority, (JRCC Australia), who had in turn received a HF DSC Distress from what initially appeared to be a UK registered vessel named Asia. Investigations started by searching all relevant databases for contact details for the vessel but the vessel was not found to be on the UK Register.

Recreational Boats Market to Reach $33.6B

The global recreational boats market is estimated to grow from $26.7 billion in 2019 and projected to reach $33.6B in 2027, at a CAGR of 3.02%.According to Research And Markets report, Asia Oceania is the largest market for recreational boats, followed by North America.Chinese economic growth is stable and transition to the service led economy is supporting the rising income of the people and hence the Chinese boating segment has promising growth in the future.Other Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, and India are showcasing promising growth for the years 2017-2018 and will continue till 2027.