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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

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The Islander #317

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The Islander
Team
CEO (Creative Enthusiastic Owner) Jens Oomes
Head of Sales Damian Raxach
Design Rex4media
Accounts & Admin Marlot Cathalina
Office Manager Natalie Tempelers
Editor Jens Oomes
Writer Roxanne Hughes
Writer Lucie Gardiner
Writer Melanie Winters
Writer Mia Naprta
With thanks to our contributors

Contact
Details
Sales

Jens@theislander.online
Damian@theislander.net
Editorial Contributions
& Press Releases

Editor@theislander.online

6

The Islander #317

Note from the CEO*
*Creative Enthusiastic Owner

This is not a magazine.
Happy New Year to all of our readers and members of our
community. In a world that is becoming ever more individualistic,
we should all do our best to reach out to each other a little more.
We would do well to self monitor our interactions with other
people, friends family and also with strangers. I am convinced that,
all of us wish for this to be a much more peaceful year than the last
couple we have experienced. We also wish for more certainty and
perhaps, predictability. Well, I am convinced that each of us can
help with that. As they say so nicely in Spanish, “add your grain of
sand” to create a more gentle and warm society. The readers of The
Islander are a community of its own and that is a privilege. Most
of us have deliberately chosen to live, or spend a lot of our time in
Mallorca. Most of us have deliberately chosen to dedicate a part,
if not all of our life to being at or near the sea. The point is that
our community exists predominantly out of people who live with
intention. People who have made deliberate choices. And people
who live with intention inspire other people. “Wow, you chose to
work on yachts?” “Wow, you work in the yachting industry so you
can do what you love?” “Wow you moved to the Mediterranean?”
These are the things that we have in common as Islanders. That’s
why The Islander has the power to be more than a magazine. We
are a community.

It includes discounts at all our favourite bars, restaurants and
activities. And members can win invitations to unique events.
For example sea-trialing the very exciting Shogun 50, a night in
Palacio San Marques and other hotel stays, VIP tickets for the ATP
Mallorca Tennis tournament, wine tasting evenings are also in the
pipeline. But this community will also be able to do good work
with charities such as Joyron Foundation, Yachting Gives Back,
Save the Med, Marine Inspirations and so on.
Even if you don’t join the membership, this year I challenge you
(and myself!) to say ‘Hi’ more often to strangers, to communicate
with an open heart and to refrain from judging others before
knowing the full story.
Enjoy our first bi-monthly issue, and hope to see you at one of our
members-only gatherings soon!

Jens Oomes

The team and I reflected on this at the end of last year and decided
that we needed to do what we can, to bring this community
together more often.
Because The Islander can bring people and businesses into our
community, we are often offered amazing experiences and gifts.
Artists have given us their works, hotels have let us stay over,
brands invite us to try and even keep their products. It feels selfish
to not share this.
So that’s why we decided to create an Islander Membership.
At 8 euros per month it is accessible for everybody. Joining the
membership is another intentional choice you make to take part in
these experiences, with other like minded people from the industry
or the Island.
The membership includes free access to our own events such as the
monthly INIPs (Islander Network and Inspiration Party).

www.theislander.online

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 Islander no se hace responsible necesariamente de todas las opinionones vertidas por sus colaboradores.

The Islander #317

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7

15

10. INIP
12. Judged by the cover

16. A very big game fishing boat

Industry Insider

First Pages

7. Note from the CEO

18. Improve your power
efficiency on board
20. Find your way around Boot
Düsseldorf 2024
24. Chase-boat, tender and generator
all in one
26. Why every superyacht can
benefit from compliance with
the ISM code
28. Technology Update
33. Persistence prevails
34. Newey picks Oyster as boat builder
38. Artificial Intelligence:
Getting rid of humans
40. Anchorage regulations in France
42. Industry Updates

8

The Islander #317

83

48. How to choose the right topcoat

84. Building biodiversity with community
50. Santi Taura

action

54. Ship to shore

88. Palma-Based Leonardo Cóndor

58. Toftevaag
62. Honouring Captain Phil Wade
66. Bringing Joy to Little Hearts
68. Coffee Break Medical Training
70. Has your interior gone vegan yet
72. You must be obsessed
76. Empowering yacht crew
78. Not long to wait Rolex Fastnet Race

Islander Life

Crew Life

47

90. Palacio San Marques
94. Dive into wellbeing and scuba with
PADI
96. Social Sailing with Ibiza Gold Cup
98. Mallorca Ladies Golf Open 2023
100. Sensational Southeast Asia
destinations
104. Brokerage

80. How to calm the nerves and stay
confident in your interviews

The Islander #317

9

INIP 1 DECEMBER 2023
ISLANDER NETWORKING AND INSPIRATION PARTY

O

n December 1st it was exactly 1 year since we
organised the first of our monthly events.
Once again Santina Harbour Club Portals
provided the cozy and classy setting. For the first time
since that first event, The Islander’s Creative Enthusiastic Owner, Jens, held a speech. This speech became
the basis of the Note of the CEO which you’ll find a
few pages back in this edition.
With this speech, Jens announced the Islander Membership which will bring like-minded Islanders closer
together. It was received with much enthusiasm and
INIP guests immediately went online to subscribe to
enjoy the benefits of the membership.
December is traditionally a time for companies to
organise parties for their employees and clients. At
least one other industry networking event took place
in Palma which meant that we were a select group of
people. The atmosphere was great, as the many smiles
on the pictures reveal, and the networking quality
was high. The audience existed predominantly out of
business owners, mixed with a few readers and at least
one yacht owner.

More than once, the striking December cover by Kurt
Arrigo, showing a humpback whale surrounded by
darkness, was a conversation starter. Many of those
conversations led to people finding out how they can
be of service to each other and work together. This is
what the Islander Network and Inspiration Parties are
all about!
We hope to see you at the next editions. They always
take place on the 1st working day of the month. Go to
www.theislander.online to subscribe to our email list
and receive INIP invitations.
Check out our membership program which includes free
access to these events. ◆

10

Industry Insider

The Islander #317

The Islander #317

Industry Insider

11

JUDGED BY
THE COVER
Written by Jens Oomes Photo credits by Nicolas Claris

F

ollowing the success of the CNB76 of which
more than 30 are currently afloat, the first
CNB78 has been launched this autumn.

CNB’s CEO Vincent Arnaud tells The Islander Magazine: “Now that we are part of the Solaris group,
we have big ambitions with the development of a new
range of sailing yachts. It's a return to its roots, with a
more artisanal approach and attention to every detail
that makes each CNB a unique yacht.”
The layout features an owner's suite that occupies all
the space forward of the mast, 2 VIP guest cabins, a
bright saloon with panoramic views and an independent galley and crew area.
Easy to manoeuvre with a reduced crew, everything
has been thought out for sailing far and comfortably.
The CNB style strikes a subtle balance between
natural woodwork and lacquered or textile-covered
surfaces, creating a modern ambience without being
clinical or cold. ◆
Photographer Nicolas Claris and his team have also
created a wonderful showreel of the pocket superyacht
which you can view on
www.theislander.online

Watch this video and experience our Jan/Feb
issue cover model in motion.

WE’RE SORRY
Perhaps you find this ad hard to read but it’s not even half as hard
as finding suitable crew for 50-100 ft Pocket Superyachts. We know,
because we have been focused on selecting and supporting crews
for these yachts for 10 years now. For help with understanding this
ad and running your Pocket Superyacht (as owner or crew) contact
jens@invisiblecrew.com or find out more at www.invisiblecrew.com.
www.invisiblecrew.com | jens@invisiblecrew.com | +34 674 83 83 68

16. A very big game fishing boat
18. Improve your power
efficiency on board
20. Find your way around Boot
Düsseldorf 2024
24. Chase-boat, tender and generator
all in one
26. Why every superyacht can
benefit from compliance with
the ISM code
28. Technology Update
33. Persistence prevails
34. Newey picks Oyster as boat builder
38. Artificial Intelligence:
Getting rid of humans
40. Anchorage regulations in France

Industry
Insider

42. Industry Updates

The Islander #317

Industry Insider

15

A VERY BIG GAME
FISHING BOAT
Photo credits by Tom van Oossanen

Royal Huisman Project 406 is ready to roll out of hall 2 of the shipyard’s newbuild facilities. Next steps
will be installation of her upper deck, sun awning hardtop and radarmast. This exceptional Alustar®
aluminum motor yacht is the largest true sportfish yacht in the world, boasting six decks. Her powerful
hull measures 52m / 171ft overall. She is fitted out without compromise for both high-end sportfishing
and luxurious living.

P

roject 406 is a unique vessel in so many respects. Vripack
Yacht designed her interior and exterior as well as her
naval architecture. With a long bow and high bulwarks
sweeping through a clear sheer to a low and uncluttered cockpit aft, her design is extremely distinctive. The high tower
offers outstanding views with a downward angle on the water
for specialized fishing. Apart from its practical function, the
tower also offers a superb viewing platform for guests, who can
follow all the action below.
Not only is she the largest but undoubtedly also the most custom-crafted and meticulously engineered true sportfish yacht
anywhere in the world - with all the amenities of a superyacht.
Over 350 individual experts and highly qualified co-makers are
working on this project as its nearing its completion. We can’t
wait to see her pull into Palma! ◆

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Industry Insider

The Islander #317

The Islander #317

Industry Insider

17

IMPROVE YOUR POWER
EFFICIENCY ON BOARD
Maybe you are looking to not having to run your generators for 24h?
Or maybe you are just looking to prolong the autonomy of your on-board battery bank?
Or would you like to propel your yacht electrically?
Invite PhoenixOne for a free onboard survey.

What will we do
We will come on board and have a talk with the captain,
engineer or ETO to get an overall idea of how the yacht
is using its available power onboard. What are you happy
with? What are you unhappy with? Where could there be
points of improvement?
We will have a look at your power distribution. What does
your AC grid look like? What does your DC grid look like?
How are they connected? How is power converted from
one to the other?
What is powering your yacht? Does your yacht rely on a
battery bank or do you constantly have to run a generator?
What are the yacht’s high-power consumers? For instance,
the galley, warm water boilers and big hydraulic pumps and
how often do they come on?
How is your energy being managed and monitored at
the moment? Is it integrated with the alarm system or
any other system? Are you happy with it, or is it horribly
outdated?
Based on our findings, we will come up with a proposal to
retrofit what you have on board to a new technologically
up to date system meeting your wishes.

shows the best compromise between energy density and
safety.
Dropping the battery bank’s weight from 1500 kg to 560
kg and at the same time increasing its storage from about
20 to 80 kWh turned out to be a massive improvement in
both weight and stored energy.
Now Acaia can enjoy silence like never before, having
dinner or a swim without generator noise nor fumes. Have
a peaceful sleep all night with the air conditioning on, not
being bothered by a generator.
The monitoring and control system can be set to top
up the battery bank during suitable hours when it is less
disturbing.

In the case of SY Galaxy
This 23m aluminium ketch from 1979 needed to be retrofitted in a way to have ZERO emissions. Two battery banks
of 16 batteries each, using the same safe LFP batteries,
were fitted. The old 800 kg Volvo Penta diesel was removed
and replaced with a more powerful 50 kg electric motor,
reduction gear and thrust bearing assembly. The yacht can
now be propelled for hours in a row at a cruising speed of
7 knots. And when under sail, the free spinning propellor
will keep the batteries topped up. ◆

For example: the case of SY Acaia
On Acaia we have replaced the traditional lead acid battery
bank for a much energy denser bank made out of 14x
LiFePO4 (or LFP) batteries. This type of Lithium battery
18

Industry Insider

The Islander #317

FIND YOUR WAY AROUND
BOOT DÜSSELDORF 2024
Written by Jens Oomes Photo credits by Messe Düsseldorf/ctillmann

B

oot Düsseldorf is the world's largest yacht and
watersports show. From 20th to 28th January 2024,
marine companies will display their products and
network with potential customers and other industry
professionals.
While all 16 halls and their 1500 exhibitors will have something on offer that is of interest for all Islander Magazine
readers, we decided to list the ones that will be most of
interest for Industry Professionals and Yacht Crew.
HALL 7a Superyachts
This is the hall where you’ll find the latest superyacht
yacht designs and shipyards that offer 33m+ luxury yachts.
Being on their home turf, Deutsche Yachten will have a big
presence and hold great social events. Pantaenius, Ocean
Independence and Drettmann -who are opening an ofÏce
in Mallorca soon- will be there as well as Reckmann, Robbe & Berking, Sevenstar Yacht Transport, Silent Yachts,
Sunreef, and many more.

20

Industry Insider

HALL 16 Sail Yachts
Sailing (Pocket) Superyacht brands such as Oyster, CNB,
Nautor Swan, Solaris, Gunboat and Contest can be found
in hall 16. Oyster will be present with their award-winning
Oyster 565, CNB will be promoting their new CNB78
which is pictured on this edition’s cover. At the time of
writing Nautor Swan has not confirmed which yachts they
will have on display. In previous years, they displayed 2 in
their smaller range.
HALL 6 Motor Yachts
Luxury motor yachts up to approx. 33 meters will drop
anchor in hall 6. Most of the big brands will be present:
Sunseeker, Azimut, Bluegame, Absolute, Sirena, Fairline,
Ferretti, Explorer, Pearl, Princess, Wally and more.
HALL 10 Blue Innovation and Technical Accessories
In partnership with Boot Düsseldorf and European Boating Industry (EBI), Palma-based Yachting Ventures invites
startups to participate in a pitching competition, taking

The Islander #317

place on Tuesday, 23rd January from 13:30. The competition aims to foster industry innovators while connecting
startups with others within the industry. During the
competition, a group of five startups will present their
products and solutions to a panel of industry experts who
are seeking to invest in innovative products and solutions.
The winning startup will receive a free stand at Boot Düsseldorf 2025 and other benefits.
Hall 5 Super Boats
This hall is filled with the finest day cruising power boats.
Brands like Boesch, Pardo, Capelli, De Antonio, Fjord,
Frauscher, Nautor Swan’s Shadow and Nerea are represented here. As a yachting industry professional these are
great products to know about. Some of them will appeal
to many superyacht owners. Others are more accessible
through the shared ownership or club programs they
offer.

Hall 9 RIB’s
International manufacturers including 3D Tender, Lomac
Nautica, Northstar, Pischel Bootsbau, Tiger Marine,
Williams Jet Tender, and Z-Nautic Zodiac Bombard, to
name but a few, can be found in hall 9.
Other halls are fun to visit for anyone passionate about
watersports. When you need a break from professional
networking. There is always something fun to go and see
in hall 7 where artists display their (maritime) art. Dream
away about your next holiday in hall 13 where tourist
centers from Mallorca, Egypt, Croatia, the Bay of Lübeck
and Turkey will showcase typical national and regional
characteristics.
Of course bratwurst and pretzels can be found outside in
the rain and cold! ◆

The Islander #317

Industry Insider

21

B LU E WAT E R

THE

YAC H T I N G

CLUB

APP

COMING SOON!

bluewater
CHARTER

CREW

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TRAINING

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SALES & PURCHASE

t:+34 971 677 154
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t:+34 971 677 154

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CREW

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TRAINING

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MANAGEMENT

recruitment@bluewateryachting.com
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palma@bluewateryachting.com

W W W. B L U E WAT E R YA C H T I N G . C O M

We are specialists in placing crews on Oyster yachts
ranging from 56ft to 125ft - the world’s finest bluewater
cruisers. We provide exciting opportunities for experienced
sailing crews, from private charters to round-the-world
cruising adventures. Join the Oyster family for the ultimate
sailing experience. A world of adventure awaits!
For vacancies, scan the QR code below or get in touch to
arrange an interview.

Mobile +34 619 147 056
Email crew@oysteryachts.com

OYS T E R YAC H T S .
T H E WO R L D I S YO U R S .

W W W.OYSTERYAC HTS.C O M

CREW THE FINEST
BLUEWATER SAILING
YACHTS

CHASE-BOAT , TENDER AND GENERATOR
ALL IN ONE!
Rendering by Sialia Yachts

24

Industry Insider

The Islander #317

I

ntroducing the Sialia 59 Loft, an innovative electric
chase vessel that represents the pinnacle of eco-luxury
yachting from Sialia Yachts. This groundbreaking vessel
seamlessly blends sustainability with unparalleled onboard
comfort.

Ivo Hagemans, Sales and Marketing Director at Sialia, highlights how the Sialia 59 Loft goes beyond a single-purpose
tender. It revolutionizes yacht operations and minimizes the
carbon footprint. The Loft's cutting-edge design integrates
three key functions into one vessel: a tender, a chase boat,
and a generator.
The Sialia 59 Loft's sustainability extends to its ability to recharge batteries using diverse sustainable sources, supplying
energy to the mothership. Hagemans emphasizes the Loft's
versatility in using various sustainable fuels for propulsion
and power generation. With onboard hydrogen storage and
a fuel cell, the Loft silently produces power and substantial
H2O. The onboard range extender is HVO diesel-ready,
enabling long-distance passages, battery recharge, and providing electricity to the mothership while maintaining low
emissions.

Especially noteworthy is the Loft's exceptional performance
during nighttime operations. Its advanced technology ensures silent and emission-free functioning, providing electric
power for peaceful nights at anchor. Key features include
Tranquil Nights, ensuring noise-free and emission-free
stays.
Exploring the Sialia 59 Loft, 'The Nest' stands out as the
heart of the vessel. This enchanting space offers panoramic
views, immersing passengers in the Loft's serene performance. The bow area seamlessly connects with the main cockpit,
revealing a radiant lounge, a well-appointed day head, and a
guest-serving bar.
Transforming the aft deck into a versatile beach club, the
Sialia 59 Loft provides an ideal setting for watersports, leisure, or provisioning trips for the crew.
The yacht boasts state-of-the-art green technology, featuring Sialia's proprietary battery solutions, a sophisticated
Ship Management System (SMS), and the powerful Ampros
electric propulsion system. Owners can monitor and command operations globally, ensuring a seamless experience. ◆

The Islander #317

Industry Insider

25

WHY EVERY SUPERYACHT CAN
BENEFIT FROM COMPLIANCE WITH

THE ISM CODE

Whether a superyacht is commercially or privately operated, applying the standards of the ISM
code enhances operational safety and minimises risk.
Written by Bryony McCabe

O

ver the last few decades, superyachts have been
subject to an increasing amount of maritime
safety, security, environmental, and employment regulations. Depending on a yacht’s size and
whether it’s privately or commercially operated, various
maritime codes and conventions may be applicable.

Hill Robinson’s compliance team will encourage and
support any yacht owner and captain who wish to
achieve voluntary compliance with the ISM Code. “Regardless of its size and operational profile, a yacht is a
yacht, and the risks are the same for the owner, crew
and management company,” explains Egil Nordstrom,
Head of Fleet Compliance at Hill Robinson. “Compliance with the ISM Code helps reduce these risks.”
As well as the obvious benefits in terms of safety, there are further advantages for owners to consider. “If a
private yacht maintains voluntary compliance, it will
have all the certification in place to easily switch to
commercial registration and start chartering,” adds
Nordstrom. “As well as protecting the yacht’s resale
value, insurers tend to be more agreeable to a voluntarily compliant yacht because of the reduced risk.”

Providing an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships and for pollution
prevention, the International Safety Management
(ISM) Code is one of the most important regulations
for reducing the risk of accidents at sea. The code mandates that commercial yachts over 500gt implement a
Safety Management System (SMS), and commercial
yachts under 500gt implement a mini-ISM SMS.
While the regulations may only be compulsory for
commercial yachts, many privately registered yachts opt
to be certified in compliance with the ISM Code on a
voluntary basis. Those that do reap the benefits of implementing clear and formal safety procedures and guidance,
upholding a high standard of maintenance and operation,
and improving the overall safety culture on board.

26

Industry Insider

Hill Robinson has extensive experience navigating
the maritime regulatory landscape. Whether a yacht is commercially or privately registered, the compliance department will advise on the best way to
achieve an owner’s operational and safety goal. ◆

The Islander #317

TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
ROGER HORNER SHARES HIS TECHNOLOGY
PREDICTIONS FOR 2024
Written by Roger Horner

I

hope you had a good break and are rested, relaxed,
refueled and ready for 2024.

Was Santa good to you? Did you actually give or receive
Crocs with headlights, as per my suggestion last month?
So, we are in another new year. Last year was busy, to
say the least, in the satellite communications world. Elon
Musk’s launch of Starlink in 2019 followed by the launch
of Starlink Maritime in 2022 really gathered pace in 2023,
and Starlink increased all their subscribers to over 2 million
by the end of the year!
However, not only has Mr Musk disrupted the legacy satellite and 4G/5G communications world, from integrators
to operators, as well as the third-party antenna and equipment manufacturers, but he has also rocked the satellite
launch industry with the success of his Falcon 9 re-usable
rocket launch system. This has now successfully delivered
hundreds of satellites to orbit.

We can see the tempo going up another gear this year as one
of Starlink’s rivals becomes commercially available globally.
Also one of his most serious competitors is set to start beta
testing by the end of the year alongside two smaller LEO
services.
There are many other new connection technologies
surfacing and set to change the dynamics in the communications industry. However, because of the logarithmic
growth in the number of connections a vessel can use, it is
widening the IT perimeter and as such it is essential these
connections are managed and implemented securely. A
simple new solution launched at the very end of 2023 is a
unique Connectivity Management solution called eHUB.
This handles all that is required under one umbrella and
can be used with connections from any supplier. Read
on…
Technology Predictions for 2024
A unique Connectivity Management service is available
now in 2024.
The eHUB solution is considerably more than another
trafÏc routing box. It does manage all these new connections as well as all the vessel’s existing connections. It also
enables trafÏc routing from WANs to VLANs, as do most
28

Industry Insider

other trafÏc routing boxes. However, the eHub does so
much more, and it´s driven from a simple user interface
with beautiful and detailed graphics enabling it to be used
and understood by everyone from ETO to owner.
In addition, as standard, it includes 24/7 support for all the
communications and IT tech on-board from a permanently manned helpdesk. It also includes an automated, remote
24/7 service that conducts a remote health check on every
IP device on-board every ten seconds.
One of the many advantages of the eHUB solution is that
you will be notified by the eHUB Support Operations
Centre (SOC) of any communications equipment failure,
often before you know about it on-board.
Another service provided by the eHUB solution is protection against cyber security threats. It provides a cyber
incident response to enhance your comfort in the knowledge that, if you are suspicious of anything on your network,
you can call the eHUB Cyber Security triage at the eHUB
SOC to ask for help and advice. If needed, the triage will
escalate the issue to the experts at Templar Executives, the
award-winning cyber security consultancy and they will
take it from there.

Finally, the eHUB solution provides a native connection
to the internet in the UK or the USA as standard, so the
yacht can effectively be in the UK or USA wherever it is in
the world. In fact, eHUB can be connected to many other
countries on request.
What does this mean? It means that all UK or USA services
will work on-line as if you are in that country, and you can
use apps and web services from that country as if you were
there.

The Islander #317

COMMUNICATION SATELLITE INFRASTRUCTURE
DEVELOPMENT IN 2024
Rocket Launches

high-speed and low-latency connectivity to remote areas,
underserved communities and maritime. By combining
the strengths of Eutelsat and OneWeb, this joint venture
endeavours to bridge the digital divide between GEO and
LEO satellites and enable reliable internet access worldwide. Flat panel terminals are already available from Kymeta
using their Peregrin antenna and in early 2024 the Intellian
panels will become available for land and maritime use. The
twin Intellian dome antenna’s are already available. The
airtime offering will be available from Distribution Partners
such as e3.

New LEO Service set to Launch in 2024

Starship, SpaceX’s giant rocket is getting closer to space
and should make it this year as it made significant progress
in 2023. The company has conducted multiple prototype
tests, with each iteration pushing the boundaries of technological advancement. The recent successes include high-altitude flight tests, controlled landings, and improved test
vehicle designs. SpaceX has demonstrated the feasibility of
the vehicle's reusability, which is crucial for reducing the
cost of space travel. Additionally, the company has actively
pursued advancements in manufacturing techniques, such
as utilising stainless steel construction and developing innovative production processes. This commitment to continuous iteration and improvement has positioned SpaceX's
Starship as a promising candidate for the launch of many
more and larger satellites and for future interplanetary
missions, including human exploration on Mars.

New LEO service that will be commercialised in 2024

Amazon's Kuiper LEO project is an ambitious initiative
aimed at deploying a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation to provide global broadband internet coverage. It’s
the same business model employed by Starlink.
The SpaceX Starlink constellation has been growing
rapidly since 2019 and already has more than 4,500 active
Starlink satellites in orbit, so Kuiper must play catch-up.
The Kuiper vision includes plans to launch 3,236 satellites
into space starting this year. These satellites will form a
network that enables high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity to underserved communities, connecting people
in remote areas, and improving access worldwide. The
project's goal is to deliver affordable and reliable internet
services, fostering economic growth, expanding educational
opportunities, and facilitating communication on a global
scale.

Eutelsat OneWeb LEO is a satellite broadband service that
aims to provide global internet coverage in 2024. It utilises
a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver

The first two prototype satellites for Amazon’s Project
Kuiper, launched aboard a United Launch Alliance rocket
from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Friday, 6th October
2023. In mid-November 2023 Amazon announced they
had validated all systems and subsystems on board these

The Islander #317

Industry Insider

29

satellites by demonstrating the first two-way video call.
Amazon have contracted Arianespace, Blue Origin and
United Launch Alliance for up to 83 launches of the Ariane 6, New Glenn and Vulcan Centaur rockets to deploy
the 3,236-satellite constellation over the next couple of
years. The contracts combined represent the largest single
commercial launch order to date.
However, SpaceX has plans to launch 144 times this year,
so will be setting the pace.

necting, the cost is likely to go down, and data speed will
go up. With speeds increasing, it’s going to be very easy to
use too much data and go into expensive overage. Also,
due to the increased bandwidth and number of websites,
M2M connections and Apps, general use will increase
considerably, and hackers will see this as an open invitation,
especially if looking at an expensive yacht. So, management
of data, control of the multitude of connections and cyber
safety are ALL essential parts of your onboard systems. ◆

Kuiper has already developed and launched their flat panel
terminals last year at the Satellite 2023 Show in Washington DC. They chose to lay down the gauntlet to Starlink
by suggesting a much lower price and better performance
than the Starlink terminals. It’s going to be an interesting
space to watch!
A new Satellite Cell Service will be launched in 2024

Roger Horner

Starlink’s highly anticipated satellite cellular service will
launch this year.
Starlink now has a separate website dedicated to Direct-to-Cell which explains that the SpaceX-engineered
cellular service will begin rolling out SMS capabilities in
2024.We will have to wait until 2025 when voice and data
becomes available. Likewise, IoT connectivity will also roll
out in 2025.
Starlink is partnering with T-Mobile on the project in the
U.S., with Rogers in Canada, with Optus in Australia
and with other mobile carriers in Japan, Australia, New
Zealand and Switzerland. However, once Direct-to-Cell
launches, we’ll likely see similar partnerships with other
carriers in even more countries.
As a Starlink Authorised Reseller we’ll keep you informed
of new developments as the year progresses.
In conclusion, this year there will be more ways of con-

Roger Horner is the founder and CEO of e3
Systems since 1996. He has been a contributor
for The Islander Magazine since 1997.

The Islander #317

Industry Insider

31

PERSISTENCE PREVAILS!
Retro Fit Case Study: SY Prevail’s swim platform.
Written by Jens Oomes Photo by i3composites

32

Industry Insider

The Islander #317

T

his story, like so many great stories, started with an
idea. Captain Paul Middelberg and the owner of
the Tripp designed and custom build YYacht 90
‘Prevail’ had an idea. The sleek and sexy 90ft racer cruiser
had been meeting all expectations in terms of performance and comfort. On slow summer days though, when
all the action was at the stern of the yacht, the original
swimming platform quickly became crowded. So the idea
was simple: “Let’s extend the swimming platform.” It’s
probably one of those ‘easier said than done’ scenarios but
the owner found that his yacht was worth the investment
of bringing in the best team possible to get the job done.
“I3 Composites were given the task of extending the hull
by 200mm to create the required space for a large structural
swim platform. We set about with the plan of adding an
overlay to the transom without compromising the integrity
of the base laminates.” Middelberg explains. Obviously,
the platform had to be operated with hydraulic rams.
As a first step, i3 used CNC technology to create a
polystyren dummy swim platform. This was used to
ensure a prefect fit. So when the real platform was
mounted, it perfectly matched the first time around.
The second stage of the project was carried out at
the facility in Poligono Can Valero. Female tooling was processed and CNC machined, i3 are ex-

perts at designing and manufacturing molds and
tooling for complex composite components.
The final part of the project and by far the most technical and challenging was installing the platform door.
This, of course, also involved installing the tracks that
guide the hydraulic rams to open and close the door. So
several different tradesmen required access to the same
area. At this point the deadlines were fast approaching.
Cpt Middelberg and his crew had their work cut out
organising the various contractors and schedules.
Leo Kilmartin from i3 comments: “In the end we succesfully finished this very ambitious project in the
time frame allocated. But not without blood sweat
and tears from all the contractors and crew who were
involved in delivering the client with this project.
We would like to say a massive thanks to our team and congratulate the captain, crew and of course the owner for deciding to take on this challenge. The result is a much more
functional and fabulous looking swim platform and stern.”
Captain Paul Middelberg concludes: “I3 Composites relied on their strong foundation in boat building
skills, pragmatic thinking, and good old fashion elbow
grease. The days were long and hard, but step by step
they set to each task at hand and did not give up.” ◆

Where your visions meet our innovation

REFITS / REPAIRS / PRODUCTS / NEWBUILDS
www.i3composites.com

mike@i3composites.com

(+34) 693 724 020

RED BULL RACING'S CHIEF
TECHNICAL OFFICER PICKS
OYSTER AS BOAT BUILDER
Photo by Oyster Yachts

drian Newey, the Chief Technical OfÏcer of Red
Bull Racing F1 Team, has made an exciting decision. He has chosen Oyster Yachts to bring his
dream ocean-sailing boat to life, with the ultimate goal of
circumnavigating the globe. The construction of Newey's
885 yacht is currently underway at Oyster's Southampton
headquarters. This move echoes that of his close friend,
Eddie Jordan, who also owns a luxurious bluewater sailing
yacht built by Oyster Yachts.

A

Swapping the intensity of horsepower for the tranquility of
sail power, Newey is drawn to the purity of sailing and the
ability to harness nature. The collaboration between Newey
and Oyster, led by Project Manager Matthew Townsend,
has allowed the renowned engineer to exercise his creativity and incorporate personal touches to the Oyster 885.
Notable modifications include reimagining the interior to
fit Newey's needs and the addition of a foldable extension
on the aft swim platform, providing space for an outdoor
dining area.

not only retains the elegance and aerodynamic efÏciency of
the Oyster 885 but also incorporates solar panels for clean
energy generation. Designing a yacht has proven to be a different experience for Newey, as he shares in Oyster's upcoming documentary "Adrian Newey, Building my Oyster."
Here, he shares his insights and experiences to guide future
Oyster owners through their own boat-building journey.
Anticipating its completion in 2024, Newey looks forward
to witnessing the splash as his yacht emerges from the construction shed. Building a boat from scratch allows for a highly personal and gratifying experience. For a glimpse into
the captivating documentary chronicling Adrian Newey's
adventure in building his Oyster 885, visit Oyster's website.
◆

Trailer documentary ‘Building my Oyster’

Drawing on his design expertise and racing background,
Newey has developed a hard top bimini for his yacht that

34

Industry Insider

The Islander #317

WHAT’S YOUR
NEXT DESTINATION?
Whatever your preferred destination, you can rely on our high safety standards
and the most experienced team to handle your yacht with the utmost care.

Explore our
upcoming
sailing
schedules
PLEASE CONTACT US FOR ANY INFORMATION ABOUT LIFT-ON
LIFT-OFF TRANSPORT OR TO REQUEST A QUOTE DIRECTLY
T + 34 628 910 623 E l.ubbink@sevenstar-yacht-transport.com
www.sevenstar-yacht-transport.com

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Europe: +34 971 40 42 08 | USA: +1 954 368 9980 | info@e3s.com | e3s.com
systems

36

Owners World

The Islander #317

RESTAURANTE XORIGUER

The Islander supports

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE:
GETTING RID OF HUMANS?
Written by Oscar Siches

M

y mother made me an avid reader from the early
age of nine. It was 1963, the missile crisis had
everybody afraid of the failing nuclear détente
USA-URSS and the start of WW3, last of such wars
and the end of the human race. Science fiction was in its
heyday, and few of the writers had visions making them a
modern Jules Verne…

George Orwell published ‘1984’ in 1949, and people
looked at that date with awe, thinking nobody was
going to make it that far anyway... Robert Heinlein’s
1957 ‘Door into Summer’ places the protagonist and
his ginger ale loving cat ‘Petronius’ in 1970, while he
designs an intelligent Vacuum cleaner almost identical
to today’s Roomba. Ray Bradbury imagined the end of
books as a tool for totalitarian governments to manipulate
information to the masses, and Isaac Asimov, Russian-born
American, stated his ‘three laws of robotics’ - which remain
a valid element of evaluation today, 71 years after they were
published, because we are worried about the same subject:
Artificial Intelligence (AI). What happens if AI takes over?
Let’s go back. Azimov three laws of robotics:
First: A robot may not injure a human being or, through
inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
Second: A robot must obey the orders given it by human
beings except where such orders would conflict with the
First Law.
Third: A robot must protect its own existence as long as
such protection does not conflict with the First or Second
Law.
Many governments could learn from creating such simple
laws with few words and huge meaning.

The nautical activities and business, having become an
important hospitality driven sector, is extremely vulnerable
to that. In the Netherlands and Germany, full automated
marinas featuring charge systems like those of caravan
camping have existed for more than 10 years. Parking places
like those we, the industry, insist a marina should not be.
Such berthing places cover the necessity of power, water
and sometimes Wi-Fi, but lack the ambience the nautical
enthusiast enjoys as part of the boating journey. They are
only good for that specific service task.
With the recent proliferation of marina-acquiring groups
both in the USA and Europe, there is a risk of digitizing
operations beyond the bare necessities (more digitized,
more data known, more possible book value), favouring
automatic data gathering, and often personnel reductions,
including those on the front line who are the face of the
marina, the first face the arriving clients see.
There are too many things I still prefer to deal with in
the old, analogic way as following tradition, probably the
strongest pillar of yachting. Fine to have automated lights
that switch as needed for sunrise and sunset, but if I want
to have them on during a dark-sky winter day, or off at night
when fireworks commemorate a special occasion, that’s
at my say-so. Great to read meters remotely, but I want
my guys to check the pedestals visually, to confirm, check
leaks, overheated cables or elements. I want to take clients
for a drink now and then and remind them that the marina
is safe, efÏcient and hospitality driven, and remember the
topics they like to chat about: soccer, sailing, politics, cars, or
family. That is a type of light therapy that makes everybody
comfortable, and a marina should be always comfortable
for users. The conclusions and decisions AI develop are
technology wonders and certainly will help running the
business… but we humans must have the last word. ◆

The scientific/philosophical concern arising from the
future existence of those man-made smart mechanical
creatures that ‘could think’, was that robots could evolve to
the point of dominating humans. It is quite clear that the
first Asimov law is the one stating that humans must stay
the masters, no matter what.
But robots were not AI. They were machines programmed
to carry out certain limited tasks, triggered by voice, digital
instructions, or images acquired. Robots, being the symbol
of AI in the middle of 20th century.

Oscar Siches
Mallorca - Spain

Today we let AI englobe far more uses and interfacing with
human beings, not needing the human-looking shell for it,
but that old danger about inanimate intelligence is still valid.

+34 667 494 858

oscar@siches.com
Oscar Siches

38

Industry Insider

The Islander #317

ANCHORAGE REGULATIONS
IN FRANCE
Fine issued by Maritime Court in Marseille
Written by Tim Schommer

I

n October 2023 a yacht captain has been convicted for
disregarding the applicable anchorage guidelines in the
South of France. The Maritime Court of Marseille has
fined the captain in the amount of EUR 20,000. The captain is also prohibited from navigating in French Mediterranean waters for a year.

The captain of a 26m Yacht had disregarded the applicable
anchoring regulations twice in Cannes in 2021 and a third
time in Saint Tropez in 2022. The court is currently assessing the economic value of the ecological damage that was
done to the environment.
Anchorage Regulations
To protect the marine seagrass called Posidonia oceanica
found in the Mediterranean Sea, France has started to implement regulations in order to protect its Posidonia meadows
in 2016. Posidonia oceanica has a very high carbon absorption capacity and is vital for the ecosystem in the Mediterranean. Posidonia, however, grows very slowly. Once Posidonia meadows are damaged, they take hundreds of years to
recover.

The Prefecture Maritime de Méditerranée estimates that
the impact on the Posidonia meadows will decrease by two
thirds through the regulations. However, this sounds optimistic bearing in mind that over 475 violations of the regulations were registered in 2021 alone.
What captains and Yachtowners should know
Captains and yachtowners should be aware of the regulations. Current and updated nautical charts are a must. New
charts are for instance published by SHOM (Service Hydrographique et Océanographique de la Marine Françaises). Various Apps offer assistance when choosing a mooring place.
The French government is also increasing its efforts to offer
more eco-friendly options for yachts such as buoys along the
coast which can be booked by the yachts.
While this has been the first time that courts have issued a
fine in connection with the regulations protecting Posidonia, it is to be expected that the French Government will
continue to enforce these regulations. ◆

The anchoring of large yachts in Posidonia meadows causes damages to the plants – not only when the anchor is lifted, but also when the anchor or the anchor chain is pulled
across the seafloor. France has therefore decided to restrict
the areas where large yachts over 24m may anchor.
Fines may go up to EUR 150,000. Also, imprisonment as
well as a ban to navigate in French Mediterranean waters are
the possible legal consequences.
Tim Schommer

France has issued various decrees applicable for different
bays along the French Riviera and Corsica.
The regulations apply to yachts over 24m length. The bigger a yacht, the heavier the anchor and the longer the chain
which results in more damage to the Posidonia meadows.
French authorities hope nonetheless that also smaller vessels, who are currently not addressed by the regulations, will
be more vigilant when it comes to mooring in areas where
there are Posidonia meadows.

40

Industry Insider

Tim Schommer advises on all matters relating to shipping,
aviation and trade law, contentious and non-contentious.
He has significant experience of commercial litigation and
arbitration, and represents for more than 15 years clients in
relation to all aspects of the yachting industry

The Islander #317

DREAM DESTINATIONS
DESIRED TIMINGS
Enjoy exploring the most desired global yachting
destinations, without the hassle of sailing your
precious yacht across the oceans. This Spring we
offer fixed scheduled departures from Fort Lauderdale
and the Caribbean to the Mediterranean and back.
Contact us to start a conversation about your
planning or ask for a quote!

SPRING SCHEDULE 2024
MARCH
Port Everglades
Port Everglades

St. Thomas
Martinique

APRIL
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Genoa

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Lavrion

Ask for our Fall Sailings!

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

INDUSTRY UPDATES

62m ketch "Simena" in build
ARES YACHTS is on the brink of an exciting milestone with the outfitting phase
of their flagship project, the 62m ketch Simena. This awe-inspiring sailing vessel has
entered the final stages of completion, poised to grace the seas in December 2024.
Crafted with a blend of classical inspiration and modern technology, Simena’s
silhouette, designed by Taka Yacht Design, harks back to the era of clipper ships
while embodying cutting-edge innovation. The yacht's exterior lines pay homage
to the graceful giants that once dominated the seas, featuring a steel and carbon
composite build for both efÏciency and elegance.
Boasting a spacious interior envisioned by Design Unlimited, Simena combines
classic elements with contemporary design, creating a tranquil sanctuary for its
future guests. The luxurious amenities onboard include a Jacuzzi, sunpads, a
flybridge, foredeck lounge, and a splendid deckhouse saloon, ensuring comfort and
luxury.
ARES YACHTS is the new superyacht brand unveiled by ARES Shipyard at
the 2023 Monaco Yacht Show. Originally founded in 2006, they build on a long
tradition of shipbuilding and sailing. ARES Shipyard has already built a solid
reputation for its military and commercial vessels. ◆

PROPULSION & THRUSTERS
HYDRAULICS & STEERING
FLUIDS & AIR
ENERGY & ELECTRICITY
ALARM & MONITORING
NAVIGATION & COMMUNICATION

Carrer Gremi de Corredors 22 - Local 10
Polígono Son Rossinyol
07009 Palma de Mallorca

+34 971 694537
info@jspalma.com
www.jspalma.com

42

Industry Insider

The Islander #317

Exposure RA Series – cute-looking yet powerful
external vessel lights
Exposure Marine are launching a comprehensive range of
power-packed exterior vessel lights, ranging from 1000 to
an impressive 9000 lumens.
The RA-S linear and RA-R circular designs are based
on classic, nautical lines, yet provide a truly modern,
minimalistic look for customers seeking a sleek, clean
appearance. Defying their discreet size, these lightweight,
fully waterproof lights have an unmatched power-toweight ratio and include wide angle beams for cockpit
and transom illumination and spotlights with narrow lens
patterns for mast top, search and spot lighting. ◆

Olas M3K smart protection MOB hub
Exposure Marine debuts the OLAS N2K MOB alert and
protection hub at METS 2023, revolutionizing OLAS
Smart protection technology.
The compact yet powerful OLAS N2K serves as a smart
hub and tracker, ensuring safety for skippers and crew.
NMEA 2000 compatibility enables instant alerts to
skippers in man overboard (MOB) situations, allowing
immediate boat halt and remote locking/unlocking.
Wearable OLAS transmitters connect with the N2K unit,
linking it to the chart plotter and onboard power supply
via the NEMA 2000 network. When an OLAS transmitter
exceeds the N2K's range, triggering an MOB alarm, it
activates internal alarms, emergency lights, and transmits
warnings on the NMEA 200 network.
Designed for vessels up to 125 feet long, the N2K proves
crucial, especially in areas like foredecks or aft platforms
where MOB incidents could easily go unnoticed. This
cost-effective safety tool saves life-saving minutes,
compatible with most chart plotters for precise GPS MOB
alerts.
Its adaptability to inboard and outboard engines,
integration with engine cut-off systems, and the innovative
OLAS Smart Lock for outboards ensure swift responses to
MOB incidents, enhancing vessel security. ◆

The Islander #317

Industry Insider

43

INDUSTRY UPDATES

Wescom launched its Dame nominated sMRT
ALERT at METSTRADE
The New DSC AIS Man Overboard device enhances
localised recovery with simplified fitting, faster
activation and wearer acknowledgments

HVO compatibility propels VETUS towards
zero emission propulsion
VETUS, creator of complete onboard boat systems,
has announced that approval has now been granted to
use Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) on its D and
M-Line series of marine diesel engines. The approval and
certification follow an intense period of bench and field
tests.
This lower-carbon fuel is a more sustainable alternative
to diesel and contains low sulphur and aromatics. HVO
substantially decreases exhaust emissions by up to 90%
in CO2, CO, HC, NOx, and PM. HVO burns more
cleanly than first generation biodiesel or mineral diesel. In
addition, due to its good oxidation stability, it is not prone
to bacterial growth.
HVO can be used as a direct replacement for fossil diesel
in any certified VETUS engine, either pure (EN 15940) or
blended in any proportion with diesel (EN 590). The use
of HVO requires no engine modifications which brings
big benefits to existing customers who can switch over to
HVO with no additional costs.
“VETUS has already made big inroads into zero-emission
propulsion with the development of its E-Drive electric
propulsion series. The approval of HVO for our D and
M-Line engines is another significant advancement for our
customers who wish to cut their emissions while enjoying
time on the water.” - Sander Gesink, VETUS Marketing
Director. ◆

44

Industry Insider

The sMRT ALERT represents the digitisation of Man
Overboard (MOB) beacons, with two-way signalling, realtime location tracking via AIS (Automatic Identification
System) and using DSC (Digital Selective Calling) to alert
nearby vessels to the call for help. The sMRT ALERT’s
user focused safety innovations have been recognised at this
year’s METSTRADE exhibition by being nominated for a
coveted DAME Award.
The sMRT ALERT’s water activation feature means it can
be attached to any lifejacket via its rugged clip mechanism,
without specialist fitting. By being easily carried or worn,
combined with confidence that the device will call for help
even if the user is incapacitated, this ensures convenient
MOB solution for all users.
Offering the latest technology for wearable personal safety
devices and providing a new level of reassurance for the
user, the sMRT ALERT includes a beacon management
app to connect the beacon to your smart phone. This
simplifies device use and makes it convenient to check on
activation status and the power reserves in the five-year
battery.
The sMRT ALERT can be activated manually or in armed
mode will automatically send an alert after total water
immersion for more than two seconds. Once activated,
the sMRT ALERT emits an audible alarm and powerful
strobe to confirm activation and improve detection in low
light. Most significantly, the sMRT ALERT internal DSC
receiver allows a confirmation when its DSC distress signal
has been acknowledged.
The sMRT ALERT costs from £270 RRP and is
manufactured in the UK by Wescom Group. ◆

The Islander #317

THE ONLY
TRENDS ARE
THE ONES
YOU DRAW.
I’m innovative, surprising, smart. I required a lot of effort from the design team
because I’m used to exceed all expectations, inside and outside.
Together we will experience the infinite blue, discover a profound closeness
with the sea. With me the unexpected at sea becomes a collection.

Marivent Yachts | Port Adriano, Mallorca, Spain | +34 673 454 616 | oliver@mariventyachts.com
Bluegame S.r.l. | Ameglia (SP), Italy | +39 0187 618490 | info@bluegame.it | bluegame.it

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48. How to choose the right topcoat
50. Santi Taura
54. Ship to shore
58. Toftevaag
62. Honouring Captain Phil Wade
66. Bringing Joy to Little Hearts
68. Coffee Break Medical Training
70. Has your interior gone vegan yet
72. You must be obsessed
76. Empowering yacht crew
78. Not long to wait Rolex Fastnet Race
80. How to calm the nerves and stay confident in your

Crew Life

interviews

The Islander #317

Crew Life

47

HOW TO CHOOSE THE
RIGHT TOPCOAT
Designing the surface of a yacht perfectly means bringing together the owner's demands with the craft
of the yacht builder in the best possible way. Sometimes the applicator and owner are in close communication - for example, on small yachts – or sometimes, an entire team of painters works to implement
the owner's wishes for his superyacht. But one point is always a requirement for the perfect result:
selecting the right paint system.

he manufacturers of professional yacht coatings
offer various solutions for the "final finish." Which
choice is ideal – PU (polyurethane) topcoats, acrylic
systems, or a polyurethane high-solid base coat/clear coat layer structure? It's time to get to the bottom of this issue and
compare the performance of the three systems.

T

But how can one tell which coating solution suits their project? In a nutshell, the specific properties of the respective
paint system provide a good guide when choosing the suitable coating. This guide can be divided into two categories:
"properties during the application process" and "long-term
properties" after the actual coating.

The Requirement Leads to the Solution
To begin, it must be said that there is no ONE paint system.
PU, Acrylic, and BaseCoat/ClearCoat systems have unique
strengths and advantages that give each of them a clear reason for being in the yacht market.

Let's start with the final result. Paint always has an essential primary function - to protect and preserve the value of
goods. Given the cost of a yacht, this is, of course, a crucial
point. Functionalities such as stability to UV light and color, the degree of gloss, its preservation over time, and easy

48

Crew Life

The Islander #317

care and maintenance of the surface, are essential. Experience shows that all owners have the highest expectations for
these characteristics.
A good finish starts with the first technical thoughts of how
to apply it. Meeting these expectations largely depends on
the level of effort invested in the painting process. Time and
cost play an essential role in the outcome as well as the painting conditions under which the new finish is created. The
coating environment's requirements and the coating system's processing properties must always match each other as
well as possible to produce outstanding surfaces.
In summary, it can be said that the owner's requirements
must be balanced against the time available, the costs, and
the general conditions of the coating process. From this, one
obtains an indicator for the paint system to be chosen.
Let's look at the three systems together with Thomas
Schultz, Sales Director of Alexseal Yacht Coatings, and where they lead to the best result based on his many years of market experience.
Polyurethane Topcoat - A high-performing evergreen
for every yacht size
"This type of topcoat has consistently been state-of-the-art
on numerous projects in the yacht market," according to
the experienced yacht market expert who helped build the
Alexseal brand globally. "Two outstanding features of the
paint are always why this system is chosen – the impressive gloss level of the finish on the result side and the good
overspray uptake on the application side." If one also looks
at the maintenance and servicing side, there is also the aspect
of good repairability. Polyurethane topcoats are thus a safe
choice for both small and large yachts and have established
themselves in the market for decades. At Alexseal Yacht Coatings, this is the case with the Premium Topcoat 501 product line, which is available in a wide range of solid colors
and individual "custom colors." With numerous auxiliary
products, the Premium Topcoat can ideally adjust to the
desired processing conditions. The system can be applied
with the spray gun and is also rollable.
Acrylic Topcoat - Fast and shiny finish for smaller
and medium-sized yachts
"Nevertheless, an acrylic topcoat is also highly important in
the market. Compared to the other two systems, it is much
more workable when the painting conditions are not quite
optimal," Thomas elaborates. "Two functionalities of the
acrylic shine above all. Firstly, it dries faster, reducing the
surface for dirt particles to adhere to the still-wet paint film.
In addition, the dried coating has very good polishability as
it is slightly softer than a PU topcoat or a BC/CC system.
With Acrylic Topcoat X, we have a product on the market
for a good two years that plays on the level of the other two

systems in terms of gloss level – even surpassing them in
some cases," the Head of Sales refers to the product range of
the global coatings supplier. "In the US, where we have many
end users who design their smaller yachts themselves as DIY
users, Acrylic Topcoat X has gained an excellent foothold.
Acrylic Topcoat X is frequently used in Europe as well, specifically Italy, Greece, and Turkey." In these locations, the
painting and refit conditions are not necessarily cleanroom
quality, and sea winds create particles in the air that could
harm the wet paint. Another extra benefit of Acrylic Topcoat X for fast drying is its excellent hiding power, which
often requires fewer coats even in direct comparison with
other Acrylic yacht paints.
Base Coat/Clear Coat System - With one extra layer to
high-gloss durability
The situation is reversed with the Base Coat/Clear Coat
(BC/CC) system layers because with this polyurethane system, the crucial advantage lies in the last, extra layer – the
clear coat. "The application of this system is clearly in the
hands of experienced painters and is suitable for special requirements," Thomas explains. But the effort of the extra
layer and the craftsmanship required to achieve it pays off
especially well. The BC/CC build has the greatest Hiding
Power and exceptional Depth of Image (DOI) of all three
systems. Excellent results are also achieved in terms of gloss
level and gloss stability. In addition, the clearcoat provides
excellent protection and outstanding durability. This package of properties is not just appealing to the owners of
mega yachts. "Our Base Coat/Clear Coat is also frequently
used in the professional sailing yacht sector. In addition to
a high-gloss appearance, massive durability is particularly in
demand because the hulls and decks of Imocas competing
in the Vendée Globe, Route du Rhum, and other top-class
sailing events are exposed to unspeakably harsh weather conditions and mechanical stresses," says Thomas.
Performance requirements vary greatly depending on the
yacht and its intended use. However, carefully selecting the
right paint system can more than meet these complex requirements. So there is no ONE paint system. But three technologies always have the right solution. ◆

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CHEF'S CHAT

SANTI
TAURA
Rediscovering historical Mallorcan recipes
and bringing them into 21st century
Written by Mia Naprta Photos by Tarek Serraj

I

things like a dentist or a lawyer, and looked at me like I was
“un bicho raro” (a strange bug) when I said that I wanted to
be a chef. In that moment, I knew that this would become
my calling.

How did you become a chef?
I became a chef “by accident”. At the age of 14, when it was
time to choose a career, I had no idea where to turn. My dad
was a blacksmith and my mom was a housewife. I heard that
my dad's friend's son was studying to become a chef and this
piqued my interest. One day, a teacher asked everyone what
they wanted to study further. My classmates were saying

I wondered where your classmates are now, while you
turned out to be one of the most successful chefs – if not
The One - on the island?! How did you get there?
It began in my hometown of Lloseta, where I transformed
a century-old family blacksmith shop into my flagship
restaurant. Here, I combined modern techniques with ageold recipes, breathing new life into forgotten dishes. My
interest in locally sourced ingredients and age-old cooking
methods led to a revival of traditional Mallorcan flavours
that might have otherwise faded away. The success of "DINS
Santi Taura" led to opening of three other restaurants over
time, while the original moved to Palma as well, leaving
the space in Lloseta for what is now known as our “central
kitchen”.

f you have ever been to Palma and looked for great
restaurant recommendations, the name of Santi Taura
must have come to mind! Chef Santi Taura is celebrated
for his innovative approach to traditional Mallorcan cuisine.
With an unswerving dedication to preserving the island's
historical recipes, Santi's restaurants have become emblematic
of his commitment to redefining culinary experiences. Santi’s
restaurants follow his culinary philosophy, where each dish
becomes a narrative, narrating the story of Mallorca's past
and present, heavily inspired by his surroundings. We met at
his Michelin star restaurant DINS to find out more…

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What else that you do is different from other chefs on
the island?
My former professor, Joan Abrines, was the first on the
island to offer a tasting menu, and I decided to do something
similar, but in my own way. As Lloseta is very small and
people talk, I used this gossip as feedback and a way to
improve my menu (changing it weekly), my service, and
my space. I was conducting my own market research before
anyone else around me and reinvented tasting menus in the
process, all the while improving and modernising traditional
Mallorcan cuisine. Over time, more and more restaurants
began offering tasting menus, essentially copying my ideas.
Like Tesla, “I don’t care that they are copying my ideas. I care
that they don’t have any of their own.” On a serious note,
these copycats pushed me to keep reinventing myself, to
always do something different from the others, to keep being
“un bicho raro”.

You were always into history of dishes. Tell us your
favourite example of that…
We have a dish with plum sauce whose history goes back to
Roman times. If you did not know that, Romans founded
Palma, in the 5th century BC. Another example is our
centuries old empanada de pescado de roca (fish empanada).
You just have to try it!
If you wanted to really impress someone special, say a
date, what would you cook for them?
I would not go with any elaborate, fancy dishes. I would seek
the best, freshest possible ingredients, prepared simply to
preserve their flavour.
Who would you invite to your perfect dinner table?
I would invite people whose company I enjoy, for example
some chefs from Menorca; amongst others: Miquel Sànchez
from Smoix, Daniel Mora from Sa Pedrera des Pujol, David
de Coca from Sa Llagosta…

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51

Plans for 2024?
I am thinking about developing the “private chef” aspect of
my work a bit more, working with the highest end villas and
yachts. Let’s see …
Santi’s legacy, amongst other things, is that he taught people
in Mallorca and the rest of the Balearics that we can “cook
history” and “taste history” and, at the same time, receive
the highest possible accolade in the world of gastronomy - a
Michelin star. Talking about that, another way that Santi is
different to his contemporaries is that he does not display
or mention his Michelin star anywhere in the hotel or the
restaurant. If you know – you know! ◆

SANTI TAURA´S RESTAURANTS:
•
•
•
•

Dins Santi Taura, Palma
Restaurant Urbà, Palma
Restaurant El Vicenç, Cala Vicenç
Restaurant U Mayol, Cala Vicenç

Instagram: @santitaura

Over 80 years of tradition
It’s always a good time to eat well
The kitchen is open from 1pm to 10pm (Monday’s closed)
eG
BOOKING: 971 721 182 | info@caneduardo.com | caneduardo.com

A N

SHIP TO SHORE

BL E U

LAMB R EGH TS

If there is something like a Jill-of-all-trades, An Bleu Lambreghts would be that. She grew up in Antwerp,
Belgium, where her passion for modern dance and ballet steered her towards obtaining a Bachelor in
Dance. She was on her way to sign a contract as the choreographer for a Parisian fashion brand. That’s
when she made the first of several career pivots, into yachting.

It sounds like you were onto a career breakthrough.
How did yachting suddenly cross your path?
An: Well, I wouldn’t consider it a career breakthrough. I
had already worked as a dancer and choreographer in different productions in theaters and national tv shows. As a
choreographer I had also worked in Spain and the Canary
Islands. When I returned to Belgium, my travel itch was bigger than my drive to continue my dance career. It’s quite a
harsh world where you continuously have to prove yourself
again and again with every audition. At that point my boyfriend, Jens Oomes, who had recently left Belgium to work
on yachts, started sending me emails. These were love letters
sent from the Atlantic Ocean. He invited me to come and
join him on an Island called Bequia. I had never heard of it,
didn’t even know how to pronounce it and had to look it
up on the map. It sounded like a great adventure I wanted
to pursue.
Did you see it as a potentially new career, or did you
think of it as a gap year experience.
An: I had only been on a boat once. Jens’s family owns an
37ft sailing yacht and I thoroughly enjoyed the one or two
days we sailed on it prior to all of this. I also had a passion
for cooking and Jens had explained that we could earn some
money while sailing and traveling as captain and cook / stew.
But we soon got hired by a catamaran charter company and
got to see most of the Caribbean Islands that way. We only
discovered that the yachting industry offers serious employment, by the time we were already surrounded by it. After
a year of back to back charters, we wanted to go back to the
Mediterranean for the summer season. I did my first Ocean
crossing on the Swan 77 Varsovie. From there on we got several jobs on sail yachts. My favourite position was on board
the Oyster 655 Flying Duckman, owned by a lovely English
family.
What made you want to go back to terra firma?
An: It had been an incredible experience. I learned a great
deal and met so many interesting people. But in 5 years we
never stayed in one place for more than 3 months. Not ha54

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ving the freedom to see friends and family when I wanted
to, weighed on me. But also, thinking about wanting to start
a family, I did not want to walk off the passarelle pregnant.
After a lot of thought we decided to go back to Belgium to
live a land-based life.
Surely this dictated the next career pivot?
An: I think that, after all the travelling and constantly experiencing new impressions of the world around me, I wanted
a ‘normal life’ for a while. I looked for a part-time job that I
could easily combine with studying interior design. However, I tricked myself, because I can’t do things half heartedly. So, one of the interviews as a sales person for a interior
design and furniture company turned into me becoming
the manager of their three stores in Belgium. I was passionate about interior design but becoming a mother changed
everything!
Having children does change everything for people.
Your latest career now revolves around people who are
expecting children. Did having children lead you to
what you are doing now?
An: Yes! It absolutely did! When pregnant from my first
child, I discovered a passion for birth and wanted to know
everything about it. I also discovered that there was very little support for mothers and new families at this important
time in their lives. You basically have your doctor’s appointments but there is hardly any emotional support.
We moved to Mallorca when our son was 6 months old. The
young families in the Mallorca expat community, which we
then became part of, all experience similar issues. They generally have no close family around, oftentimes experience
a language barrier and have to quickly acquaint themselves
with the local medical support systems. Top that off with
dads working on yachts and being away for long periods,
many pregnant women and young mothers are longing for
support and community. Wanting to help these women, I
studied to become a certified doula or birth coach. A doula
is a birth professional offering emotional, physical, logistical
and spiritual support for mothers and their families during

The Islander #317

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55

pregnancy, birth and post-partum. Research has proven
that having a doula decreases the risk of complications and
medical interventions, achieves beter outcomes for mothers and babies and decreases the risk of birth trauma and
dissatisfying birth experiences.
My true passion is really to help women take birth back
into their own hands. I help them achieve a positive birthing experience by empowering them with knowledge
and awareness. In Mallorca, many of my clients are consciously deciding to achieve a beautiful start of parenthood.
So what can expecting parents expect when working
with you?
An: Usually my first contact with local clients is through the Pregnancy Circle. This is a get-together I organise
twice a month for pregnant women and new moms. It’s a
great way to inform themselves about pregnancy. It’s a safe
place to ask questions and share experiences. It’s also great
to witness the many friendships that have been forged

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here. When they sign up with me they can expect me to
prepare them physically, emotionally and rationally. This
happens through exercises, understanding the mind-body
connection, learning how they can help their own natural
birth process. Perhaps the most important part is unlearning the preconceptions and false beliefs that surround
birthing.
Would you say that after your careers in dancing,
yachting and interior design, you have now found
your true calling? Or are you preparing for the next
career already?!
An: At this point I believe my true calling is in guiding and
supporting women. Perhaps not only pregnant women.
Perhaps in the future I will expand this to womenhood in
all stages of life. But right now, besides supporting women
here on the island, I am focused on launching my online
prenatal course. A 6 week transformational program for
everyone who wants to have a natural birth. ◆

The Islander #317

Experience inspired interiors since 1996
covers, awnings, carpets, bedlinen, exterior & interior upholstery
(+34) 971 692 919

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TOFTEVAAG
A FLAGSHIP OF THE CONSERVATION OF WHALES,
DOLPHINS, SEABIRDS, AND TURTLES OF THE
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
Written by Alnitak

Toftevaag sailed into the Mediterranean on June 5, 1990, surfing the waves at Gibraltar with all her
sails up in a force 6 westerly. Leaving behind the Atlantic she steered East to Cap Bon in Tunisia,
where she was to conduct her first scientific survey on sea turtle nesting. This study that would
provide data for the design of a marine protected area (MPA) for turtle nesting, was sponsored by
Greenpeace. Skippered by Ana Cañadas and Ric Sagarminaga under the flag of Alnitak, the Toftevaag would soon become a flagship of marine biodiversity conservation in the Mediterranean,
pioneering with a new formula of citizen science developed by the Earthwatch Institute.
In April of 2024, after 24 years working to protect the Mediterranean, the Toftevaag will initiate
her “Journey to Ithaca”, travelling up the coast of Portugal and Galicia, Biscay, the Netherlands,
Denmark and finally the Island of Halsnöy in Norway, where she was born in 1907. Islander will
follow this amazing journey and dig into some of the secrets of Toftevaag along the way.

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The Islander #317

T

oftevaag is known mainly from her work with the
Cultural Association ALNITAK, developing the
MEDTOP, Europe’s largest data base for the conservation of top pelagics of the Mediterranean. MEDTOP
in the last years has counted on the collaboration of the
Balearic Islands’ Oceanographic Observation System ICTS
SOCIB, Fundación Reina Sofía and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. But since 1990, Toftevaag has been the working
platform of many of the World’s top oceanographic research
institutions (Stanford University Hopkins Marine Station,
Duke University Marine Lab, St. Andrews University
SMRU, Woodshole Oceanographic Institution, NOAA,
NATO ONR, etc.) and wildlife documentary enterprises as
BBC, National Geographic or ARTE TV.
In contrast with the technological revolution of the sciences
of the atmosphere and oceans, Toftevaag’s job is to slowly
explore the open sea ecosystem, zooming in on the ecology
of amazing animals as whales, dolphins, seabirds, turtles, or
great pelagic fish.
This zooming-in, validates and calibrates the information
from satellites, gliders, buoys, and other telemetry data
sources that integrate SOCIB, as for instance satellite tags
deployed on marine turtles.

The final purpose is not exploration but applied science.
Alnitak works on providing data and maps for establishing
management measures to mitigate the negative effects of
human activities on the marine environment. Some of the
main achievements of Alnitak in the last 34 years have been
the designing of 18 MPAs, the reconfiguration of maritime
trafÏc under the IMO in Gibraltar and Alboran, the finding
of mitigation measures to reduce sea turtle bycatch by over
95% in the Mediterranean longlining fishery, or the mapping of high-risk zones for the use of SONAR for the US
Navy and NATO.
But before the Mediterranean, Toftevaag had already proven to be a good working boat in a whole other sector.
The story starts on the beautiful Island of Halsnöy in the
Hardangerfjord of Norway. Over time there was not just
one shipyard on this island, but around thirty coves where Viking boats and fishing boats were built. Toftevaag was
built in the same cove as the famous “Halsnöy boat”, one of
the most famous Viking treasures found in Norway.

Toftevaag was built from Norwegian pine. Now, still
around 70% of her hull is the original planking bound together by wooden pins. In fact, if you took a picture of her
in black and white, you could sell it as a picture taken in the
early 20th Century, when Toftevaag was fishing the North
Atlantic.
In our next articles we will give details of the “Journey back
home” of Toftevaag (Men and women wanted April – May
2024) and talk about some of Toftevaag’s adventures, starting with “the story of Ants Lepson” during WWII, and the
exodus of 70 Estonian refugees on their way to America.

A small local Maritime Museum has just been opened on
the islands where one can see the richness of Norwegian maritime culture.

This zooming-in, validates and calibrates the information
from satellites, gliders, buoys, and other telemetry data
sources that integrate SOCIB, as for instance satellite tags
deployed on marine turtles.

Toftevaag was build by Johaness Sylsteth in 2007. His
grandson, who is still in the ship building & repair business
keeps the chest of tools used for her construction, and he has
promised to hand them over to Toftevaag when she arrives
home again.

The final purpose is not exploration but applied science.
Alnitak works on providing data and maps for establishing
management measures to mitigate the negative effects of
human activities on the marine environment. Some of the
main achievements of Alnitak in the last 34 years have been

The Islander #317

Crew Life

59

the designing of 18 MPAs, the reconfiguration of maritime trafÏc under the IMO in Gibraltar and Alboran, the
finding of mitigation measures to reduce sea turtle bycatch
by over 95% in the Mediterranean longlining fishery, or the
mapping of high-risk zones for the use of SONAR for the
US Navy and NATO.
But before the Mediterranean, Toftevaag had already proven to be a good working boat in a whole other sector.
The story starts on the beautiful Island of Halsnöy in the
Hardangerfjord of Norway. Over time there was not just
one shipyard on this island, but around thirty coves where
Viking boats and fishing boats were built. Toftevaag was
built in the same cove as the famous “Halsnöy boat”, one
of the most famous Viking treasures found in Norway.
A small local Maritime Museum has just been opened on
the islands where one can see the richness of Norwegian
maritime culture.

Toftevaag was build by Johaness Sylsteth in 2007. His
grandson, who is still in the ship building & repair business keeps the chest of tools used for her construction, and
he has promised to hand them over to Toftevaag when she
arrives home again.
Toftevaag was built from Norwegian pine. Now, still
around 70% of her hull is the original planking bound together by wooden pins. In fact, if you took a picture of
her in black and white, you could sell it as a picture taken
in the early 20th Century, when Toftevaag was fishing the
North Atlantic.
In our next articles we will give details of the “Journey back
home” of Toftevaag (Men and women wanted April – May
2024) and talk about some of Toftevaag’s adventures, starting with “the story of Ants Lepson” during WWII, and
the exodus of 70 Estonian refugees on their way to America. ◆

HONOURING CAPTAIN PHIL WADE
Introduction by Jens Oomes.

W

hether you have or haven’t had the honour to
meet Cpt. Phil Wade, these contributions of
three of his friends will inspire anyone. Inspiring
people has always been Phil’s superpower.

On 18 November ‘23, the Palma yachting scene lost a father figure with the sudden passing of Captain Phil Wade.
Known in the professional yachting industry mostly as the
captain of S/Y Timoneer and as the co-founder of Marine
Inspirations. A charity organisation that introduces less-advantaged youngsters to the marine and yachting industry.
It was founded when Phil met Anthony Just, an industry
colleague, and they decided to pursue and develop a vision
they shared in common. Theo Jack is a South African alumnus and beneficiary of the Marine Inspirations initiative. He
is a first-hand witness of the gift that this organisation gives.
But Phil was larger than life. You could write a book about
him. Colin Squire had already published an extensive article
about Phil as soon as he had met him. So has The Islander
Magazine.
Phil’s passing was very sudden, perhaps in line with his motto: ‘Live in the fast lane rather than die in the slow lane.’ It
must have been mere hours before he passed that he sent me
an email titled ‘Un-greening the greenies’. He was cooking
up a new plan to help superyacht captains in his close circle
guide new talent into our industry. I will do my bit to make
sure this plan will be one of the many things about Phil that
will live on.
Theo Jack: Alumnus of Marine Inspiration
Phil Wade's legacy is a testament to his boundless generosity
and impact on countless lives, including mine. His dedication through Marine Inspirations revolutionized the destinies of disadvantaged youth in South Africa. In 2017, Phil,
alongside Anthony Just, granted me an incredible opportunity when I was sailing at the Royal Cape Yacht Club Sailing
Accademy in Cape Town. This sparked a transformational
journey for me. Phil's charity, Marine Inspirations, empowered underprivileged students mostly from Cape Town and
Durban by funding educational trips to Mallorca, paying
for School bursaries and so much more. This was an unimaginable dream for kids accustomed to limited horizons. I
was fortunate to be part of this life-altering experience when
Phil and Anthony assisted me in getting my first Atlantic
crossing aboard MY Mirage.
As a township kid, boarding an airplane to the Caribbean
and consequently sail across the Atlantic Ocean seemed hi62

Crew Life

ghly improbable. Yet it happened for me. After that crossing
I found myself in Phil's home in Mallorca, shaping my future. With unwavering support and mentorship, he tirelessly
assisted me with my CV and introduced me to industry connections, treating me like family. Phil's vision transcended
colour. He believed in universal joy, impacting countless
lives in the yachting industry.
Phil Wade's transformative impact on the world and unwavering kindness will forever be remembered. Rest peacefully,
Phil Wade; your legacy endures in the hearts and futures of
those you touched.”
Colin Squire: Friend and publisher of Yachting Matters
The loss of a great friend is a tough subject to write about...
Phil was one of those. Phil and I were forever exchanging
emails or talking on the phone.
I met Phil back in 2007. His wife Anne presented him to
me at my stand at the Monaco Yacht Show,. ‘Meet Phil, you
need to put his life story in your next edition of Yachting
Matters’ she said. Little did I know just what that story
would entail. We sat and we talked for hours, somewhere
I am sure I still have it on a tape. But what a story! At the
time he was the Captain of Timoneer, a yacht he would
often allow me to race onboard. He was the Captain and
you would not argue with Phil! But afterwards you partied
with him. He had an on-off switch. Both to be respected. Of
course you would see him the next day: ‘How are you Phil?’
He’d reply: ‘Damn fine, splendid’ surely meaning quite the
opposite! But that was Phil.
Even when he was retired his mind would be turning over
the next project which would inevitably embrace more sea
time and aim to bring more lads and ladies over from Cape
Town where he grew up, or some small township in South
Africa. He never stopped promoting Marine Inspirations,
until the day he passed away.
Phil is responsible for a great many other young people coming into the industry, many now running some of the largest power and sail yachts around. They all owe him a massive debt, something that could never be repaid, but they all
stand proud and are without doubt, each in there own way,
great members of an industry that Phil loved and spent his
life enjoying. He was their mentor at the beginning of their
own personal journeys, and I have no doubt all aspire to his
professionalism and honesty. (continues on p65)

The Islander #317

2 December 1944 - 18 November 2023

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He would never stay still... until now... Rest in peace
my friend. You lived your life to the fullest. Your legacy and our memories will live on. You will not be
forgotten.
Anthony Just: Friend and co-founder of Marine
Inspirations.
Friends and colleagues will miss Phil dearly after his
sad and sudden passing. Especially his dynamic and
driven enthusiasm for 'getting things done'. He was
tirelessly open to creating and supporting networking
opportunities that could lead to proactive results - and
promoting new projects.
With his long and experienced career as a seasoned
yacht captain and adventurer, and with dear Anne assisting at his side, Phil uniquely created so often the
required catalyst for fun and engaging gatherings, life-changing events, and impactful initiatives. Even
when his health was at times failing him. A big man
with a big and engaging smile and personality, sharing
his wealth of experience and enthusiasm.
From all of us at the Marine Inspirations initiative and
from all of the youngsters who we assisted and mentored during our many projects, with the immeasurable
help of our friends and industry colleagues, our warm
gratitude and salutes reach out to speed-and-spirit Phil
gently and happily on his next voyage.
We share both this wish, and our deepest sympathies,
with Anne and all of Phil's family and long-standing
friends. Phil Wade's life was certainly one that was actively embraced and demonstrated by the man himself,
and his friendship, largesse, teaching, and instructive
guidance were an inspiration to so many. ◆

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65

BRINGING JOY TO LIT TLE HEARTS
THE INSPIRING INITIATIVES OF
JOYRON FOUNDATION

For those of you who are not familiar with the JoyRon Foundation, they are a wonderful feel good charity aimed towards
Helping Children in Need in the Balearic Islands to bring them joy, comfort and essential support.

Project: The JoyRon Children’s Cinema.
The Children’s Palliative Care unit located within Son
Espases, accommodates children who are in a condition
that requires them to stay long-term. Many of them are
suffering from a life-threatening illness and are under
palliative care. JoyRon identified the possibility for a fully
equipped small Cinema. The cinema shows films for the
children in the hospital, whilst they are receiving their
medical treatment. Within the limitations of the children's
situation, abilities and the environment of the hospital, the
cinema has proven to be an effective way to improve the
quality of life of these young patients.
The children´s cinema has a capacity for up to twenty
children, who are seated on tiered seating with bright
coloured cushions. For the very small children there are fun
mobile seats. Children confined to wheelchairs and/or with
intravenous stands also have access to the cinema. The films
are shown on a regular basis free of charge.
Project: The JoyRon Psychmotricity Room
JoyRon financed, constructed and installed all the required equipment within a Children’s Home and Protection
Centre in Palma. The facility provides for free movement
and spontaneous play, creativity, plus security and trust.
Thereby assisting a child who has lived in a traumatised
environment, to openly express their emotions, moods and
concerns to a therapist, who can assist the child to overcome the traumatic aspects of the life they have experienced.

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JoyRon has achieved these two and many other initiatives
with the help of private and corporate donations, (for
which Spanish tax deductible donation certificates are
available). These initiatives, of course, also require the support and enthusiasm of their volunteers assisting in their
fundraising events and projects. JoyRon seeks additional
volunteers.
The latest JoyRon fund raising event held, in collaboration
with E-Touch Systems on 15th October was their Family Fun Day & Go-Karting at the race track in Magaluf.
Several people from the yachting community were present
to race against each other in teams. While these adults
were horsing around on the track, face painted kids were
jumping up and down on a bouncy castle and challenging
each other to stay on top of the mechanical bull. The result
of all this fun, was the event raised some 15.000€ plus.
This will help JoyRon achieve more projects to help the
Children in Need in the future.
If you are curious about what you can do for JoyRon, (Sponsor, Donate, or Volunteer feel free to contact them via
info@joyronfoundation.org or call Ronald on
608531211 and/or visit www.joyronfoundation.org
and also watch this space in The Islander Magazine for
more updates.
Upcoming JoyRon events are their Arts and Innovation
Expo, plus their Annual Gala Dinner with it’s charity auction. A unique event in Mallorca! ◆

The Islander #317

BOOK YOUR TABLE
Book
now !!

BREAK FAST LUNCH WELL DINE FANCY
Santina Harbour Club - Puerto Portals Boulevard, Local 71-73 - +34 971 401, 373 - reservas@santina-palma.com
santina_brunch

santinapalmademallorca

COFFEE BREAK MEDICAL TRAINING
Coffee break training is a monthly, easy read during a cup of tea/coffee or a break during the
day. It should never be stressful but should spark a conversation and more research between
crew, along with adding knowledge to your medical tool kit.

Written by John Heiser

O

ur Initial Assessment: Not always glamorous, but
vital

of “do I see, smell or hear anything that could be hazardous
to me or my co-responders”. Then we can move onto our
initial assessment.

When we, as the first responders, arrive at an emergency,
every second counts. We need to act fast to help the person
in need. One of the primary things we do is check the person’s vital signs and conduct a hands-on assessment. This
involves measuring heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen
and sugar levels, temperature, and respirations, as well as
looking at and touching the person to see if anything seems
amiss. Let’s discuss why this is so important.

Assessment:
I often recall the four-year-old girl who was involved in an
auto accident. She was riding with her grandmother when
their car struck a tree. She wore a little yellow sundress,
which I hesitated to cut off to check for injuries. With my
crew beside me, I employed a practiced, organized hands-on
assessment method I had learned during my training. Upon
examining her lower abdomen, she mentioned a slight pain.
As I gently palpated the area, she pulled away and winced.
This prompted further investigation. After visually inspecting the area, we observed a purple line across her stomach
– a result of the lap seatbelt causing internal trauma, as the
shoulder strap had been tucked behind her.

The very first thing we learn in our training is not to become another patient by putting ourselves into a hazardous
situation. It needs to be without hesitation to make sure the
scene is safe before we take any actions. The thought process

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Crew Life

The Islander #317

Understanding Vital Signs:
Vital signs are like the body’s clues about what’s happening
internally. They include heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature. These signs provide first responders with insights into the person's cardiac, pulmonary, and
general health status. For instance, an abnormal heart rate
could signify cardiac distress. Aberrant breathing patterns
might indicate respiratory difÏculties.
Quickly checking these signs enables us as primary responders to gauge the seriousness of the situation and determine
the kind of assistance required, including whether immediate advanced care is necessary.
The Role of Hands-On Assessment:
Although vital signs offer substantial information, the first
responders also rely on visual inspection and palpation to
understand the full extent of the situation. This hands-on
assessment can uncover injuries or conditions that vital signs
alone might not reveal.
For example, palpating a person's abdomen can help detect
internal bleeding or trauma. Observing how a person reacts
can signal a possible stroke or a deteriorating condition.
These tactile assessments complement the vital signs to form
a complete picture of the patient's health.

Why Speed Matters:
In emergencies, time is of the essence. The concept of the
‘golden hour’ in emergency medicine refers to the crucial
first hour after an injury or health event. The actions taken
during this period can significantly influence the patient's
recovery prospects.
Inadequate practice of medical drills can lead to hesitation
in asking critical questions. It's imperative to call for additional responders upon recognizing an incident that requires a
more comprehensive assessment. One of my go-to questions
is, “Has this ever happened before?” If so, “What was the
diagnosis, and what treatment was provided?” Answers to
these can guide our initial treatment approach.
Conclusion:
Ultimately, checking vital signs and performing a hands-on
assessment are essential at every incident. Mastery of these
skills is crucial for every team member and requires continuous training. It's often said that under stress, you will revert to your most basic training. Therefore, ingraining these
skills through lifelong practice is essential. ◆

Medical Training Courses
Medical Kits
Specialist Training

MCA Proficiency in Medical Care
MCA Proficiency in Medical First Aid
MCA Update Proficiency in Medical Care
MCA Proficiency in Elementary First Aid

Telemedical support

Palma: +34 666 289 298 UK: +44 2381 787 059

www.msos.org.uk

The Islander #317

Palma Classroom Dates:
18th September
9th October
23rd October
6th November
11th December

Email: training@msos.org.uk

Crew Life

69

HAS YOUR INTERIOR GONE
VEGAN YET?
Veganism is on the rise – and it’s not just the chef that needs to worry
about it! An increase in awareness and new production techniques mean a
downturn in sales of items derived from animals.
Written by Clair Minto

F

or many, veganism is more than just a diet; it is a lifestyle that avoids animal-derived products. Furnishings
and homeware made from materials taken from (or
tested on) animals’ or insects’ bodies are to be avoided on
cruelty and exploitation grounds
So with this in mind let’s look at some of the ways that we
are moving towards a more animal friendly interior:

· Toiletries: Do you know if your toiletries are vegan certified or do you have a backup vegan option if needed. More
and more companies are making the move to produce fully
vegan products, which is different to just being cruelty free
in that as well as not testing on animals there are no ingredients that have come from any animals used to produce the
toiletries. A recent study showed that non-vegans are also
switching their beauty products, due to a rise in conscientious consumerism and an interest in caring for the environment.
· Leather and animal hide: The rise in the use of Apple
leather has been given extra exposure. Thanks to top designer Phillipe Starke’s latest range of furniture made from

70

Crew Life

Apple ten lork, derived from the skin and other waste products of the apple industry, it has the look and feel of real
leather. Piñatex (A pineapple based leather) is also on the
rise and is used heavily in the worlds first vegan hotel suite in
the Hilton London bankside hotel

· Bone china: The traditional technique used to make bone
china dinnerware is made by adding bone ash (normally
from cows) to the clay mixture giving an almost translucent,
milky appearance. The good news is that Porcelain is a great
alternative and can be made to such a high standard that it
is considered a luxury material without the need for animal
derived ingredients.
· Silk: When we think of silk clothing or accessories, they
are synonymous with luxury but the process of making silk
is to extract long fibres from silkworms by boiling, roasting
or freezing them alive making it decidedly un-vegan! Alternatives that mimic the feeling of real silk are bamboo silk
which is known for its softness and sheen as well as eucalyptus and pine based materials which also mimic the qualities
of the traditional fabric.

The Islander #315

· Wool carpet. Woolen carpets are soft underfoot and have
long been the choice of flooring for the luxury market. As
well as carpet, blankets and throws made from wool are a
common feature. A new technique uses ocean plastic waste
to recreate the feel of wool and hopefully will be more widely available soon.

Many vegans will gradually change the non-vegan items in
their home as needed, rather than contributing to waste by
discarding perfectly good items because there may be animal
derived. And, as you can see, it will become easier and easier
to do so as new and innovative designers come up with alternatives. ◆

· Beeswax candles. Whilst creating your mood lighting for
the evening you may not realise that the candles you’re using
contain beeswax, but this is one area that is very easy to make
a change, the rise in brands using soy or plant based waxes
to manufacture candles is steadily growing and you’ll never
know the difference.
· Paint. Staunch vegans avoid using traditional paint to
decorate their homes because the binder used in the manufacture contains animal products (usually casein, a milk
protein), and the paints may have been tested on animals.
Vegan paints are available though and as we become more
aware of manufacturing processes; the larger brands are sure
to take note.
· Down. It’s widely known that the most luxurious duvets
and pillows contain goose and duck feathers to give softness
and warmth. However once again great strides have been
made to accurately imitate this with non-animal derived materials. These materials include kapok and buckwheat and
synthetics that are strategically placed to make you feel as
comfortable and warm as if it were down.

Clair Minto
info@chiefstewshop.com
(+44) 781 667 8634
www.chiefstewshop.com
I: @chief_stew_shop

YOU MUST BE OBSESSED
AN INTERVIEW WITH CAPTAIN DAN POLJŠAK OF MARISKA 1908 AND
THE YACHT’S MANAGER, MANON BA JART

The 15 Meter Class is legendary, and Mariska 1908 is the oldest of the
fleet. Anja Eckart explores the significance of this famous class and the
exceptional vessels for The Islander magazine.
Written by Anja Eckart

F

irst, some general information about Mariska
1908 and William Fife:

Mariska is a stunning William Fife Design. A wooden gaff
cutter, and the second ever built, she was launched in 1908
in Scotland. Cutting-edge at the time of her construction,
Mariska was owned by AK Stothert, recognized as one of
the best yachtsmen of the Edwardian era. A total 20 of these
magnificent 15m Class yachts were built to the International Rule between 1908 and 1917, representing the peak of
racing yachts highly favoured by the aristocracy.
These remarkable ships of supreme beauty participated in
grand regattas in the most charismatic ports of their time.
Mariska’s initial racing career lasted from 1908 to 1939.
Later, she spent nearly 80 years in Sweden under the ownership of the Swedish Royal Yacht Club. Eventually, she
was discovered abandoned in Holland after being used as a
restaurant and floating home.

Mariska was rescued in 2007, relocated to France and underwent an incredibly comprehensive two-and-a-half-year
restoration, involving 25,000 man-hours. During this period, the yacht was completely stripped back to bare frames
and restored from the keel up, adhering closely to the 15m
Class regulations and the original design.
Finally re-launched in September 2009, Mariska won the
15m Class Trophy in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017,
also winning the Grand Slam in 2016 and 2017. In 2020,
the current owner acquired Mariska, and amde Barcelona
her home base. This year, Mariska began racing successfully with her new team, triumphing in the most prestigious
regattas.
About William Fife yachts:
In the yachting world, the name “Fife” embodies grandeur,
and finest qualities one would expect in a classic yacht, from
sheer elegance to superb craftsmanship to top-notch performance. These Fife Yachts are jewels of historical value whose
lines are pure poetry still today.
Fun fact: Each yacht has its own emblem, its own iconic gol72

Crew Life

den dragon, carved into the bow of the yacht and extended
along the hull as a cove line to the stern, usually terminating
in a wheat sheaf. No two dragons are identical, and each is
overlaid with real gold leaf.
Presently, only four 15m Class yachts remain:
Mariska 1908
Hispania 1909
Tuiga 1909
Lady Anne 1912

with sail no. D1
with sail no. D5
with sail no. D3
with sail no. D10

To sustain the racing tradition, Manon and Dan chose to
reintroduce Mariska 1908 to the classic racing circuit alongside her sister ships.
You are sailing and managing one of the most beautiful classics. How did you find her?
Dan: Actually, the owner found me while searching for a
classic yacht! After extensive research, we found Mariska at
an auction, bundled with some sports cars. The current owner won the bidding in 2020.
We’ve been running Mariska since then, keeping her in perfect racing condition. It was sad to see her mostly docked
in port, unused. She is a racing yacht. That is what she was
built for. Manon suggested the idea of re-entering her into
classic regattas, and to keep the 15 Meter Class alive.
Manon: We proposed to the owner that we take over the
management of Mariska. The 15 Meter Class currently consists of only three yachts for racing, until Hispania returns
to the circuit. Preserving this tradition is worthwhile, and
we aim to offer other sailors the experience of sailing in this
class. Hence, we conceived the idea of conducting training
sessions aboard Mariska, allowing sailors to learn and race
in the most prestigious regattas. The owner approved our
proposal.
What does it take to sail a yacht like Mariska?
Dan: Sailing on Mariska is the purest form of the sailing
experience. And she is a pretty complex machine. It's akin to

The Islander #317

sailing as it was a century ago - no winches, solely manpower.
We maintain a permanent crew of four on board. During races, we have a minimum of 18 and up to 24 sailors.
In match racing against the other 15 meters, Lady
Anne and Tuiga, one might expect you to helm. Why
does someone else steer during the regattas?
Dan: Steering the boat is pretty simple, but Mariska is a demanding boat, she requires 100% of my concentration. I’m
responsible for ensuring everything works perfectly, consistently monitoring wind conditions, sails, other boats, and
the best course of action. It needs perfect timing and preparedness from everyone for manoeuvres, crucial in winning
match races.
And the guests sailing with you - do they need to be
experienced classic sailors?
Manon: No, absolutely not. During the races, we have a
minimum of six skilled sailors on board, allowing a ratio of
one experienced sailor per two or three guests. We conduct

training sessions before the race, assigning tasks according
to each person's knowledge and skills. Dan divides the boat
into sections and roles, and either Dan or I assist whenever
needed. This is how guests learn, improve, and enjoy themselves.
Dan: Once you get the concept of sailing Mariska and the
commands for each task, it becomes relatively easy.
Manon: Additionally, we encourage female sailors to come
sailing with us. I personally prefer a balanced mixed crew
onboard; the energy is so much better.
How do you maintain Mariska?
Manon: We handle all the work ourselves. Dan is a highly
skilled carpenter who designed and built his first boat,
Schkrga, at the age of 12. Without a workshop or tools, he
started building the wooden schooner Cassiopeia at 16, and
even designed the sail plan. By the age of 21, he owned his
own 8m schooner.

The Islander #317

Crew Life

73

• The 15 Meter Class is a construction class, meaning that the boats are not identical.
• Meter does not refer to the length of the boat, but to her rating; the overall length of 15m boats measuring almost 30
meters (98 ft).
• The 15mR formula used in the First International Rule from 1907 to 1920 was:

74

Crew Life

The Islander #317

Dan: It runs in the family. I grew up with boats. My sister Lara
and I began sailing in wooden optimists in Slovenia. Every
weekend, we would drive to the coast for sailing. As I wanted
to take friends sailing, I needed a bigger boat. The building
process of Cassiopeia was a valuable experience.
Manon: As the project manager, I handle all the logistics. To
cover the costs of Mariska's maintenance, we offer sail training
on a daily basis or for an entire regatta. Besides the classic regattas like Menorca, Saint Tropez, or Imperia, we'll also offer
trips during the America's Cup in Barcelona next year. So, join
us for a good cause and come sailing for a once-in-a-lifetime
event!
Would you recommend a company team event onboard?
Manon: Yes, absolutely. Communication and teamwork are
vital for successfully racing the boat. Onboard, the team is
compelled to work together, unlike their usual daily work life
where everyone is often occupied with their own tasks. We
frequently witness a change in dynamics after a few days of
sailing. People support and encourage each other, developing
stronger relationships and growing as a team. We've received
overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Which were your favourite regattas this year?
Manon: It's difÏcult to choose, but I'd say my favourite regatta was in Mahon, Menorca. It was a spectacular event with a
stunning fjord and an interesting sailing course that required
tactical decisions based on the mountainous terrain and a finish line in port. Additionally, Les Voiles de Saint Tropez is
exceptional. It's the largest regatta of the year and the closing
one. We have some impressive boats in our category like Elena of London, Naema, and Puritan, alongside our class sister
ships Lady Anne and Tuiga. Sailing next to these beautiful
classics is a pleasure, and the atmosphere in the port, with all
the events and having both sister ships nearby, is lovely.
What’s next?
Manon: Dan and I are currently preparing Mariska for the
winter. We plan to start varnishing in spring, depending on
the weather, and then return her to racing mode. Next year's
most significant event will be the America’s Cup in Barcelona.
We'll be involved as a spectator boat, organizing day trips and
events for our guests, including match racing with Halloween.
Which translates to:
• L = load waterline length in metres
• B = beam in metres
• G = chain girth in metres

Next year's regatta schedule is intense, and we're eagerly looking forward to it. We'll begin with Les Dames de Saint Tropez
in April, intending to participate in ten to eleven classic regattas, culminating in Les Voiles de Saint Tropez.
This year was a training year for us. Next year will demonstrate
whether Mariska and our project will achieve success! ◆

• d = difference between girth and chain in metres
• S = sail area in square metres
• F = freeboard in metres

The Islander #317

Crew Life

75

EMPOWERING YACHT CREW
NAVIGATING SUCCESS IN LUXURY YACHTING
Written by Virtual Purses.

I

n the realm of luxury yachting, where the every whim
of owners and guests is meticulously attended to, yacht
crew members often discover that their own needs and
desires are also attended to by Captains, Senior Crew, and
Pursers. While the primary responsibility of crew members
lies with these leadership roles, there exist strategies to empower the crew to cultivate independent thinking and action. This not only serves to lighten the burden on Senior
Crew but also equips individual members with valuable
skills, fostering a sense of confidence that extends beyond
their maritime careers, whether they choose to remain in the
industry or explore other paths. There are many benefits the
crew member and yachts can experience through empowerment.
1.Enhanced Guest Experience:
When crew members feel confident and empowered in their
roles, they are more likely to engage with guests on a deeper
level, anticipating their needs and exceeding expectations.

2.EfÏcient Operations:
An empowered crew is a motivated and proactive crew.
They contribute to more efÏcient and streamlined operations. Empowerment fosters a sense of responsibility and
accountability, reducing the need for constant supervision.
3.Innovation and Problem-Solving:
Empowered crews are more likely to think creatively and
contribute innovative solutions. When crew members feel
valued and trusted, they are more inclined to share ideas and
take initiative in addressing challenges, leading to a more dynamic and adaptable working environment.
4.Cohesive Team Dynamics:
Yachting is a collaborative effort, and an empowered crew
promotes strong team dynamics. When each team member feels empowered to contribute their unique skills and
insights, it creates a positive and supportive atmosphere on
board, fostering effective communication and collaboration.

tions, goals, and feedback creates a supportive environment
where crew members feel heard and understood.
2.Training and Skill Development:
Invest in training programs that focus on skill development
and career advancement. When crew members feel that they
are continually improving their abilities, they are more likely
to feel empowered in their roles.
3.Recognition and Appreciation:
Acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of the
crew. Regularly recognizing and appreciating the hard work
and dedication of individual team members fosters a positive atmosphere and reinforces the value each member brings
to the team.
4.Delegate Responsibility:
Empowerment involves trusting crew members with responsibilities. Delegating tasks and allowing crew members
to take ownership of specific roles fosters a sense of accountability and autonomy.
5.Promote a Positive Work Culture:
Create a positive work culture where collaboration, respect,
and support are fundamental. A positive environment encourages open communication and builds strong relationships among crew members, contributing to a sense of empowerment.
Yacht crew empowerment is not just a buzzword; it is a key
element in achieving excellence in luxury yachting. Fostering a culture of clear communication, continuous learning,
recognition, and delegation of responsibilities empowers
yacht crews to not only meet but exceed guest expectations,
ensuring smooth sailing for the entire industry. As the saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats, and in yachting, an empowered crew elevates the entire yachting experience to new
heights. ◆

5.Professional Development:
Empowerment is a catalyst for professional growth. Crew
members who feel supported in their roles are more likely to
seek out opportunities for training and skill development.
This commitment to ongoing learning not only benefits individuals but also contributes to the overall competence of
the crew and the quality of service provided.

Bec McKeever

Dominique Smit

Co-founder of Virtual Pursers.
Lover of the oceans, avid
diver and explorer.

Co-founder of Virtual Pursers.
Apsiring triathlete and
dedicated to growth.

HOW TO ACHIEVE YACHT CREW EMPOWERMENT:
1 .Clear Communication:
Establish open lines of communication between crew members and leadership. Clear communication about expecta76

Crew Life

The Islander #317

Photo: Van der Valk Shipyard
The Netherlands

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ROLEX FASTNET RACE
NOT LONG TO WAIT
Next year's Rolex Fastnet Race will be the last edition before the 'big one'... when the 100th-anniversary event starts off Cowes in 2025, so a good time to look back at the journey to date

n Saturday, 25th August 1925 seven yachts set off
from Ryde, exiting the Solent to the east, past the
Forts, rounding the Isle of Wight bound for the
Fastnet Rock off southwest Ireland, where they turned on
their heels for Plymouth to be finished by the Royal Western
YC. First home and overall winner, Jolie Brise finished in six
days, two hours and 45 minutes. This was the first Fastnet

O

78

Crew Life

Race, known at the time as the Ocean Race, and it would
strongly speed up its evolution from being merely a fresh
challenge for more adventurous cruising folk into becoming today's highly refined sport. Famously, at a dinner in
Plymouth at the race's conclusion, the Ocean Racing Club
was created, with Jolie Brise's owner Cdr EG Martin its first
commodore. ◆

The Islander #317

WELCOME TO MARINA PORT MAHÓN.
A MARINA SURROUNDED BY HISTORY AND NATURE,
IN THE HEART OF MENORCA.

Nestled within the Mediterranean’s largest natural harbour,
this superyacht marina is
surrounded by an extraordinary
historical, artistic, culinary and
cultural heritage, all set in a
haven of peace.

30 berths for yachts from 25m to 60m LOA
24/7 security
24/7 dockhand service
Berthside assistance
Concierge service and customised attention
Extraordinary location
10 minutes from the airport
Dining
Boutiques
Entertainment

BERTH
BOOKING
S
+34 971 36
6 787

C/ Moll de Llevant, 297 | 07701 Maó, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain.
+34 971 366 787 | recepcion@marinaportmahon.com | www.marinaportmahon.com

HOW TO CALM THE NERVES AND STAY
CONFIDENT IN YOUR INTERVIEWS
Written by Karine Rayson

Do you ever feel anxious before an interview or think
you could have done better post-interview?
A common statement I hear from Crew is, “I think I rambled too much!”
I personally suffered from performance anxiety when it
came to interviews. It was until I changed my mindset that
the pressure to perform was alleviated.
Job interviews can be nerve-wracking experiences, but they
also present opportunities to showcase your skills, qualifications, and personality to potential employers. One of the
key ingredients for interview success is confidence. Confident candidates leave a lasting impression and are more likely to make a positive impact on interviewers. In this blog,
we'll explore strategies and techniques to help you boost
your confidence and excel in job interviews.
Here are some strategic tips on what you can do to build
your confidence in interviews.
Prepare and Practice: Before the interview, prepare
answers to common questions. Write down key points you
want to cover and practice delivering your responses succinctly. This will help you stay on track and avoid going off
on tangents. If you are unsure of what the common questions may be, reach out to Heads of Departments or if
you are a Captain, contact other Captains who have been
interviewed by Owners or their Reps.
Focus on the Question: Listen carefully to the question
being asked. Make sure you understand it before you start
answering. If you're unsure, don't hesitate to ask for clarification. Addressing the specific question will prevent you
from going off-topic. It also demonstrates to your interviewer that you are unafraid to ask for help. This is a key
factor in reducing accidents from occurring on board.
Use the STAR Method: For behavioural questions about
specific situations, use the STAR method (Situation, Task,
Action, Result) to structure your response; this is an effective way to stay on topic and not ramble. This framework encourages you to provide a concise overview of the situation,
the task, your actions, and the results you achieved.

80

Crew Life

Practice Active Listening: Pay attention to the interviewer's body language and cues. If you notice them starting
to lose interest or if they're trying to move on, wrap up your
response. Active listening will help you gauge their level of
engagement.
Breathe and Pause: When you feel yourself starting to
ramble, take a deep breath and pause. This brief pause will
allow you to collect your thoughts and re-focus your response.
Stay Concise: Aim to answer each question within 1-2 minutes. This timeframe is generally sufÏcient to provide relevant information without straying off-topic.
Avoid Over-Sharing: While it's good to provide context,
avoid sharing excessive personal details or anecdotes that
don't directly relate to the question. Stick to the relevant
points.
Practice with Mock Interviews: Conduct mock interviews with a friend, family member, or career advisor. This
will allow you to practice your responses and receive feedback on your delivery.
Be Mindful of Nervousness: Nervousness can sometimes
lead to rambling. Practice relaxation techniques before the
interview, such as deep breathing or visualization, to help
manage your nerves.
Think Before You Speak: Before you start answering a
question, take a moment to gather your thoughts. This will
help you deliver a more organized and concise response.
Focus on What You Can Control: It's natural to feel nervous, but focusing on factors you can control—like your
preparation, demeanour, and responses—can redirect your
energy away from anxiety and toward confidence.
Embrace Imperfection: This technique is what helped
me! Remember that no one is perfect, and interviewers understand that. It's okay if you stumble over a word or need
a moment to collect your thoughts. Don't let small errors
undermine your confidence.

The Islander #317

And lastly, Learn from Rejections: Not every interview
will result in an offer. Instead of dwelling on rejection, view
it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Every interview experience can contribute to building your confidence for future
opportunities
Confidence is a skill that can be developed and honed over
time. You can boost your confidence and shine during job
interviews by preparing thoroughly, practising, and adopting a positive mindset. Remember, your unique experiences and skills make you a valuable candidate.
Embrace your strengths, stay composed, and let your confidence guide you toward interview success. ◆
To unlock more great tips, workshops and mentors, head to
our exclusive membership waitlist TCC Tribe.

Karine Rayson
The Crew Coach

https://thecrewcoach.com/the-crew-coach-tribe-membership/

The Islander #316

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84. Building biodiversity with community action
88. Palma-Based Leonardo Cóndor
90. Palacio San Marques
94. Dive into wellbeing and scuba with PADI
96. Social Sailing with Ibiza Gold Cup
98. Mallorca Ladies Golf Open 2023
100. Sensational Southeast Asia destinations

Islander Life

104. Brokerage

The Islander #317

Islander Life

83

BUILDING BIODIVERSITY
WITH COMMUNITY ACTION
Written by Jasmine Spavieri & Estela M. Fernández

84

Islander Life

The Islander #317

G

ive the sea space to breathe, and you’d be surprised how
wonderfully life can recover. Marine Protected Areas
are a proven, efÏcient way to achieve successful marine
regeneration – a crucial path for restoring biodiversity. And the
proof is in the pudding: since the declaration of Sa Dragonera
Island Marine Reserve (external waters) in 2020, the fish biomass has tripled in species of commercial interest.
The reserve was established by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA). The data showing the increase in
demersal species (fish that live near the bottom) was published
in March by the General Directorate of Fisheries and Marine
Environment of the Balearic
Government.
The waters of the island of
Sa Dragonera, which include
the coastline of Sant Elm, are
protected by several legal frameworks (terrestrial and marine) thanks, in large part, to
the efforts and commitment
of the local community and
NGOs. The area has a great
variety of habitats in good
condition, such seagrass meadows, coves and rocky shores.
These form an ideal habitat
for the regeneration of a multitude of species: fish (groupers, scorpion fish, red drum,
conger eels, forkbeards, gypsies, thrushes, bream and dentex), crustaceans and other
invertebrates such as slipper
lobsters and octopuses.

That’s why Save the Med has been working on a process to
reach participatory governance in the Municipality of Andratx,
through a project known as Sa Dragonera Blava. This project
aims to transform the way the Andratx coastline is managed
and driven towards a more environmentally conscious, active
and inclusive participation model. A community that takes
pride in their unique natural and cultural heritage while also
accompanying economical local sectors towards better environmental practices.
Over the years, Sa Dragonera Blava has organised dozens of
initiatives, including best practice campaigns, participatory
forums and educational activities at sea and on land. It has
published videos about the marine environment and the local
community as well as underwater photography exhibitions.
One of the pillars of the project is “Xarxa Dragonera Blava”
(Blue Dragonera Network) a group that represents the community of Andratx (people connected to the area, professionally or
recreationally) and that has a unique bond with Sa Dragonera
and its waters. The Xarxa meets quarterly in open participative
forums, discussing issues that are a priority to the community,
and implementing plans of action to protect the municipality
coastline and waters.
To find out more about this community minded approach, we
interviewed Yaiza Santana from Save the Med, the project coordinator, who has been working with the Andratx community
for three years.
What is participatory governance and why is it important?
Participatory governance is a governance system that includes
the active participation of inhabitants, professionals and other
stakeholders in the decision making processes of a specific area.
It takes into account their perspectives and harnesses their local
knowledge.

This successful protection
and restoration of nature comes at a time where the loss
of biodiversity has become a
global environmental crisis.
However, efÏciently implementing marine reserve is not
as simple as signing a piece
of paper and sending out a
press release. Lots of work,
management and monitoring
contributes to the successful
protection of an area. Save the
Med strongly supports the
involvement of local communities in the decision making
and care of their own territory
is an essential step towards an
efÏcient regeneration of the
natural environment and a
more balanced relationship
with it.

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85

This process is essential for the effective management of natural areas and reserves. It is adapted to the reality of the specific place, and can only be achieved by including the voices
of the people who live there. These are the people who are
knowledgeable about the dynamics, problems and resources
of a particular area. It is also essential to make these people,
the stakeholders, feel that they are part of the decision-making
process. That they have therefore been co-creators of the regulations. This avoids much discontent and non-compliance
with any regulations that are created or applied. In the process
of participatory governance, citizens are empowered, and this
is vital for a more caring and closer relationship with the environment in the long term.

What are the main challenges the marine reserve
still faces?
Although the area is protected, it still faces lots of stressors
from human activity. The fish population, marine habitats
and their biodiversity are still threatened. Some examples of
stressors are the high speeds of boats in the Freu de Sa Drago86

Islander Life

nera which damage wildlife and also interfere with people's
access to Dragonera and its sea by more respectful means (kayaks, SUPs, etc.). Other factors are the quality of the water
(pollution from sewage and other waste) and anchorages on
fragile habitats like the Posidonia meadows.
What have you learnt during this process of community
involvement?
I have learned to listen, and not to have a preconceived notion
of what people want and what needs to be done. I have also
learned that things take time and sometimes taking things a
step at a time is the way to be able to deal with more complex
problems.
Are there any examples of successful actions you would like
to share?
For me, the most successful thing is to have people involved in
the participatory process and that more and more people are
joining in. We must also include the management personnel
of the natural reserve as an important part of this process. ◆

The Islander #317

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PALMA-BASED LEONARDO CÓNDOR
EXPLORING LIGHT, SHADOW, AND
ELEGANCE IN ARTISTIC PHOTOGRAPHY
Credits photo by Leonardo Cóndor

L

eonardo Cóndor, a talented self-taught photographer,
has travelled a fascinating artistic journey since his
childhood, where his passion for art manifested
itself in drawing and poetry. Today, he channels this intense
devotion into photography, transforming his experiences
and emotions into visual compositions that reflect his deep
understanding of light, shadows, and the grace of naked
female bodies.
Leonardo’s distinctive signature lies in her minimalist
approach, where each image is an expression of elegant
simplicity. His ability to highlight the essential not only
reveals a refined technique, but also an intrinsic connection
to the minimalist aesthetic, where less is more, and each
element tells a story on its own.
Strategically located in the old town of Palma de Mallorca,
Leonardo’s studio is his creative sanctuary. Surrounded
by the city's rich history and culture, and breathtaking
landscapes of Mallorca, he finds inspiration in every corner.
This influence translates into the palpable authenticity of his
works, where the connection with the environment merges
with his unique vision.

exclusive event, visitors had the opportunity to immerse
themselves in the atmosphere that inspires his creations. The
studio walls resonated with visual impact, each photograph
telling a unique story and revealing the artist's ability to fuse
technique with emotion.
At this event, Leonardo shared his reflections on art and
creativity, providing a deeper insight into the mind behind
the captivating images. Attendees witnessed the palpable
passion that drives every click of his camera and the tireless
dedication to perfecting his craft.
In conclusion, Leonardo Condor's artistic journey goes
beyond photography. With the publication of his book and
the opening of his studio to the public, he has opened the
doors to a world where light, shadows and elegance converge
in a visual symphony. Through his distinctive approach
to minimalism and his fearless exploration of the human
form, Leonardo continues to challenge the boundaries of
contemporary art while leaving a lasting mark on the world
of photography. ◆

Although based in Palma de Mallorca, Condor's artistic
influence transcends borders. Represented by a prominent
art gallery in Palma, Gallery Red, and backed by a
representative in Dubai, his works have reached international
audiences, resonating with those seeking a fresh and evocative
perspective on the world of photography.
Recently, Leonardo has taken his art to new heights by
publishing a monumental 200-page, oversized book. This
masterpiece allows art lovers to immerse themselves in his
extensive body of work, offering a complete overview of
his artistic evolution over the years. This book is not only a
testament to his technical skill, but also a window into the
narratives and emotions that lie behind each captivating
image. His meticulous approach to photography has
captured the attention of art critics and enthusiasts alike.
Through his lens, the artist not only documents reality, but
also creates a dialogue between light and shadows, between
form and space.
The opening of his studio to the public in November marked
a significant milestone in Leonardo’s career. During this
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89

PALACIO CAN MARQUES
A PALACE FOR PRIVATEERS,
YACHTSMEN, KINGS AND QUEENS.
Written by Jens Oomes Pictures by Puro Hotel Group

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here’s a very special place hidden in the old town,
near La Lonja. The outside walls are somewhat
inconspicuous. When you walk through the alley
where its gate is located, you would almost miss it. The gate
is the only clue.

T

Antonio Massa, who built the palace, was a privateer captain
who had sailed the world and settled with his family in Mallorca. A story that will resonate with many of our readers.
He was also a consul of Merchants, priest, guardian of the
cathedral and a senior ofÏcial of Palma.

When you are lucky enough to stay at the Palacio San Marques, the gate is opened for you by the courteous staff, and
you enter the majestic entry hall. You immediately know
you are in a special and very unique place.

The Marques family bought the property in 1860. Antonio
Marques was the first mayor of the city of Palma.

The 300-year-old building and the 3 families that have owned it make for its own interesting story.

The Schindelhauer family bought it from the Marques family some 20 years ago and made it their home. Kim Schindelhauer also owns the supersailyacht ‘WinWin’. The 33m
Baltic from the drawing board of Majorcan designer Javier
Jaudenes.

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91

The word ‘hotel’ doesn’t do it justice. The current owners
originally didn’t intend to exploit it as a hotel. The renovation was a passion project where every detail has been
handled with the utmost care and pride. Every artifact has
its story and practically every piece of furniture is unique.
Kim Schindelhauer’s partner Aline Matsika is a renowned
interior designer who recreated the soul of the building resulting in a unique hotel. However, she imagined it as a private home with Kim as the host, welcoming friends, with
every room having its own distinct personality.
The Puro Hotel group is in charge of the hotel management.
Palacio Can Marques is a recent edition to their Urban Oasis
hotel and Puro House just around the corner. The Beatnik
bar and restaurant are also located there. The Merchants restaurant is integrated in the Palacio San Marques and offers
both indoor and outdoor dining options for breakfast and
dinner. A wonderfully grilled surf and turf can be enjoyed
here.
We were guided up the stone staircase and lad to the tall
wooden doors of our room. As the large metal key opened
the lock, the doors swung open and revealed the superior
suite where we would stay. The 6 meter high ceilings, mantlepiece, king size bed, spacious bathroom and two salons
makes one feel like royalty.
But the Palacio Can Marques also houses the largest hotel
suite in Mallorca. The nearly 400 square meter Riad suite
sits on the top floor and offers stunning views over Palma
harbour and bay, as well as the cathedral. With its own kit-

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chen and capacity to sleep 6 adults it is ideal for families and
long stays. A dull moment can be fixed by playing a game of
pool. The pool table can almost be overlooked in the vastness of this presidential suite.
The Secret Garden courtyard is filled with tropical plants
and trees and truly feels like a peaceful sanctuary in the middle of the old town. We enjoyed a wonderful and relaxing
breakfast there with impeccable service. Unfortunately, we
didn’t have the time to book a massage, but we did enjoy
an invigorating sauna session in the gym and wellness area.
In conclusion, this is definitely a hotel that yachting professionals should be aware of. It offers a great opportunity to
spoil yourself but it’s also a hotel you can confidently recommend to owners and guests. ◆
More info can be found at www.palaciocanmarques.com

Islander Members Giveaway!
We are giving away one night
for 2 in Palacio Can Marques
to one of our Islander
Members!

Are you not a member yet?
Sign up now using this QR code!

The Islander #317

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DIVE INTO WELLBEING
AND SCUBA WITH PADI
Written by Becky Roberts

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M

indfulness and meditation are buzzwords of the
moment as it’s widely recognised that taking time-out from demanding lives is beneficial when
it comes to looking after our mental health and wellbeing.
For those seeking alternative ways of alleviating stress and
anxiety, calming a busy mind and being present in the moment or for those simply looking for a new challenge - scuba
diving is an unexpected option promoting a fit and healthy
body and mind.

According to PADI®, the world’s largest recreational diver
training organisation, scuba diving has myriad benefits with
many divers testifying to its healing power, while benefiting
from exploring the ocean and interacting with marine life,
experiencing new cultures and meeting like-minded people.
No longer the domain of those interested in extreme sport
- more and more people are taking to the underwater world
to relax and experience tranquillity while keeping physically
fit and mentally healthy.
It’s quiet underwater and diving gives you a break from your
normal routine. Phones and laptops won’t work underwater, so you can enjoy a digital-detox while you leave your worries on the surface.
Similar to yoga and meditation, scuba diving focuses on
breathing, which is calming for the mind and body. Scuba
diving requires controlled, rhythmic breathing which can
significantly increase our ability to cope with emotional
feelings, improve sleep and increase general wellbeing and
happiness.
Clinical Psychologist Dr Laura Walton comments: “There
are so many aspects of scuba diving that may be beneficial
in directing our minds away from worries, stresses and daily
demands. In modern life, we are constantly pulled into the
past and present, through our ability to think, but when we
dive beneath the water our attention is captivated by absorbing experiences of entering another world. To an extent,
we leave our ordinary selves on the surface and wholly fill
our mind with focusing on a new environment, leaving no
room to think about unnecessary concerns, so we connect
with ourselves in a different way and become present in the
moment.”

Flexibility and strength are increased as muscles tend to
work harder in the water due to resistance of the water and
swimming against the current, helping to maintain and increase fitness and endurance levels. Scuba diving and swimming not only strengthens your legs, but it can also build
up your core.
Cortisol levels decrease in the water, reducing blood pressure and heart rate and aiding relaxation. Before and after
a dive, the body is often exposed to sunlight increasing vitamin D levels to help keep bones healthy and strong, and
exposure to the sun also increases endorphin production
within the brain.
No two dives are ever the same and once you’ve taken the
plunge below the surface an entirely new underwater world
with an abundance of marine life awaits. From stunning
coral reefs, brightly coloured fish and wrecks to swimming
with dolphins, manta rays and sea turtles - each dive is
bound to be an experience you’ll never forget.
Diving provides opportunities to meet others with common
interests. If you are not already diving with a partner, you
will be paired up with a dive ‘buddy’; and whether you’re
on a dive boat or diving from shore, it’s always an easy way
to make friends and meet new people whom you can share
your experience with.
While there are plenty of opportunities to scuba dive in Europe diving often leads to travel to other parts of the world,
brining holiday, adventure, new experiences and great social benefits. For those looking for travel recommendation,
PADI Travel offers expert insight for local and international
dive destinations to help you find the perfect holiday for
your particular interests.
Whether you’re a novice and want to ‘test the waters’,
you’ve tried an introductory dive on your travels and want
to explore more, or you’re an experienced scuba diver seeking advanced certifications, you can enjoy this exhilarating
sport at more than 6,600 PADI Dive Centres and Resorts
around the world. ◆

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SOCIAL SAILING WITH
IBIZA GOLD CUP
Ibiza Gold Cup offers world class sailing by day and a high-end social program
by night from 27-28 May 2024.

A

s registrations are starting to pour in, new and old
friends are looking forward to the upcoming rendezvous in Ibiza. They will be sailing from bay to
bay through the turquoise Balearic waters, and then gather
in the hidden spots of the Island. We’ll enjoy happy hours
and sunset cocktails, followed by dinners from locations
overlooking the competing yachts. Surprising entertainment will create perfect moments in perfect venues. The
days bring friendly competitive sailing when joyful memories are created.
Friendly and thorough organisation is exactly what the Ibiza
Gold Cup has become known for over the last twelve years.
The all-inclusive formula unburdens the participants. From
moorings to tender services and breakfasts to highly entertaining drinks & dinners, everything is taken care of.
Above all, this is an event to enjoy and relax.
This unique lifestyle sailing event will be held for the 7th
time on Ibiza and Formentera. Entries are limited to 20 yachts. The regatta is open to performance cruisers, cruisers,
classic yachts and multihulls over 50ft. The focus is on Corinthian-style competition as opposed to world championship racing. Prizes from TNG Swiss Watches, AIX Rosé,
Vandyck spirits, Sinner sunwear and more, are awarded daily!
It is a great way to start the Mediterranean regatta calendar.
It’s also the time to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Ibiza
during the opening season of the Clubs at the same time.
The first edition of the Ibiza Gold Cup took place in 2015
and has been evolving ever since, attracting prestigious
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yachts above 50 feet. The Dutch team of organisers has
amazed the competitors by passionately offering a surprising social sailing experience. They result of their experience
in yachting, regatta’s and organizing unforgettable events.
They are enthusiastic to also guide you through the beautiful surroundings and cala’s of Ibiza and Formentera from
bay to bay. The event is co-organized with the help of their
local friend; ‘Ibicenco’ Enrique Mas of Es Nautic. The race
leader on duty is Enrique Moner from Valencia; a yachting
professional with more than 25 years of experience. He was
involved in the 32nd & 33rd America’s Cup in Valencia, a
member of the Med Cup race committee for many years and
race ofÏcer for the Real Federacion Española de Vela.
The Ibiza Gold Cup starts with a warm welcoming opening
night kicking off the three day event. Each morning a fresh
breakfast is served at your yacht or nearby venue. Each afternoon upon mooring in another bay you are met by one of
the team members who guides you to the evening´s entertainment. Happy hour is where the day´s stories are shared,
followed by barefoot-chic dining accompanied by chilled
Ibiza tunes and other entertainment. The Ibiza Vibe and
chilled atmosphere allow participants to feel completely relaxed and well looked after.
Registration is open for the 7th edition of the Ibiza Gold
Cup 2024 from May 27th - 30th. Limited entries allow for a
bespoke experience, so only tell your friends! ◆
Contact Jens@theislander.online to register your yacht.

The Islander #317

MALLORCA LADIES
GOLF OPEN 2023
A WEEKEND OF SPORT AND HOSPITALITY IN
STUNNING SURROUNDINGS
Written by : Mia Naprta Credit photos by: Tristan Jones.

Alexandra Armas, CEO of the LET:

"GOLF SON MUNTANER IS ONE OF THE MOST
BEAUTIFUL COURSES ON THE ISLAND AND WE
ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A WORLD-CLASS
DISPLAY IN OUR PENULTIMATE EVENT OF THE
SEASON.”

Winner Alexandra Försterling with Bastian Schweinsteiger
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Alexandra Armas, CEO of the LET:

Hospitality: Restaurant and Bar

"WE ARE DELIGHTED TO BRING EUROPE'S BEST
FEMALE GOLFERS TO MALLORCA FOR THE FIRST
TIME. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EMOTION
SPORTS AND THE LOCAL TOURISM AUTHORITIES
FOR THEIR VISION IN MAKING THIS HAPPEN
AND HELPING TO ELEVATE WHICH IS ALREADY A
RECORD SCHEDULE ON THE LADIES EUROPEAN
TOUR (LET).”

A weekend of sport and hospitality in stunning
surroundings
The Mallorca Open Golf Championship, a prestigious
event on the Ladies European Tour, was held from the
16th to 18th of November 2023, at the Son Muntaner Golf
Course in Palma, Mallorca. This tournament marked the
first edition of the Ladies European Tour at this location,
following the success of the first two editions under the DP
World Edition. The Islander team was there to cheer on the
ladies and enjoy the VIP hospitality…

The golf course and the tournament
Son Muntaner Golf Course is a prime example of excellent
golf course design and maintenance. Opened in May 2000
and designed by architect Kurt Rossknecht, the course
spans a distance of 6305 meters with a par of 72. Its extraordinary design includes challenging greens and meticulous attention to detail, making it a must-play destination
for golfers visiting Mallorca. It's the only course in the
Balearic Islands featured on the prestigious European Tour
Destinations network, highlighting its exceptional quality
and standards. The Mallorca Open Golf Championship at
Son Muntaner is an event that offers unique experiences to
attendees, combining top-class golf with excellent hospitality and a beautiful setting in Palma, Mallorca. With its
stunning course and exceptional organization, the Mallorca
Open attracted top talent from around the world, making
it a highlight on the golfing calendar.

Alexandra Armas, CEO of the LET:

"SPAIN'S COMMITMENT TO WOMEN'S GOLF
CONTINUES TO BE SECOND TO NONE IN
EUROPE AND OUR PLAYERS LOVE COMING TO
THIS VERY HOSPITABLE COUNTRY.”

In addition to the excellent golfing facilities, Son Muntaner
offers outstanding hospitality options. The on-site restaurant and bar provide a welcoming environment for golfers
and visitors to relax and enjoy fine dining and refreshments.
We were sat at a table for ten in their VIP area and enjoyed
a welcome drink and an extensive buffet spread including
typical Mallorca and international cold cuts and salads, a
choice of several meat and fish based hot meals and at least a
dozen of delicious deserts, some of which were provided by
the Castillo Son Vida hotel nearby. The food was absolutely
delicious and the service impeccable, making this areally special weekend on the island´s social calendar.There was also
an extensive terrace overlooking the golf course, where we
could take our food and drinks while enjoying the action.
Further out, on the course, there was another bar and several food trucks, for those who preferred to watch things
close up, providing that they were disciplined enough to
stay completely silent during the shots. We were blessed by
a glorious sunny weekend, without a cloud in the sky, which
further added to this fantastic experience of sport and hospitality.
I particularly enjoyed a glass of a cold, refreshing St. Germain Spritz cocktail, served by St. Germain Drinks Company at their stunningly romantic drink stand on the terrace
of the restaurant.

Winner and Players
The 2023 Mallorca Open was won by Alexandra Försterling
from Germany, who delivered an impressive performance
with scores of 69-67-67, totaling 203, finishing at 13 under
par. Her victory margin was five strokes over the runner-up,
Trichat Cheenglab from Thailand, showcasing Försterling's
remarkable skill and consistency throughout the tournament. She earned a winner's share of €60,000 for her outstanding achievement.
Overall, it was a fantastic day out and I am already looking
forward to Mallorca Open 2024! ◆

November 16 to 18
Son Muntaner Golf Course, Mallorca, Spain
54-hole stroke play with no cut
72 players consisting of 64 Ladies European Tour (LET)
players and eight guests

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SENSATIONAL SOUTHEAST ASIA DESTINATIONS
A YEAR OF MEMORABLE CRUISING & EXPLORATION
Write by Linda Cartlidge

T

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 and more yacht/ superyacht owners and
captains discover the unique adventures, experiences and
pristine islands of Southeast Asia, along with the friendly
people and full-service marinas.

islands eighteen million strong population provides an
intoxicating mix of cultures and diverse ethnic groups.
Sri Lanka is also a useful stop for yachts journeying to the
Red Sea, as well as a good point of departure for cruising
the Maldives, Chagos Archipelago and Seychelles. Entering
the Port of Galle , within the 65,610-kilometer area in Sri
Lanka are eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 1,330
kilometres of coastline - much of it pristine beach. An island
of magical proportions, Sri Lanka is known as the ‘Pearl of
the Indian Ocean’.

One of the last remaining frontiers for those seeking
beautiful and exotic holidays, the Asia Pacific region &
Indian Ocean are among the best cruising grounds in the
world. The abundance of stunning cruising possibilities
and the excellent shore-based support now available make
a journey truly a joy to cruise through Southeast Asia’s
waterways.

SEYCHELLES
4°40'49.46" S
55°27'52.12" E

Following are destinations with a sampling of the allure for
those considering voyages around South East Asia. Sharing
destination tips is leading services provider, Asia Pacific
Superyachts owner-agents, long time experts in the service
and care of visiting yachts/ superyachts and a with a wide
knowledge of the following SE Asia countries/ regions.

Berthing is available at Eden Island Marina once vessels
complete formalities. From imposing boulders to secluded,
award-winning beaches, the Seychelles dot the Indian
Ocean's world map, representing one of the very few
luxurious, untouched frontiers for vessels seeking tranquil
cruises.

SOUTHEAST ASIA A ONE-YEAR
ITINERARY VOYAGE

The Seychelles archipelago is comprised of 115 Granitic
and Coralline islands dispersed over 1.3 million square
kilometers of the Indian Ocean. Enlightened conservation
measures have ensured that almost half of the limited
landmass has been set-aside as a “living natural history
museum”, boasting some of the rarest species of flora and
fauna on earth.

MALDIVES
4°11'9.36" N
73°30'6.99" E
The Maldives continues to grow in popularity among
luxury yacht visitors, lured to the exotic atolls stretching
across the equator, her shores dotted with exclusive and
elegant resorts. Made up of 26 atolls and lying in a north/
south chain in the Arabian Sea in the Indian Ocean the
North Malé Atoll is often the first port of call and the
gateway to the entire archipelago.

LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA
6°18'2.00" N
99°51'0.00" E

For picture-perfect idylls, follow the chain north to the
UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll to seek out underwater
experiences. Characterized by its unique underwater life
and ecology, the warm waters are home to a diverse array of
exotic marine life in their underwater world.

Langkawi is the largest island in an archipelago of 100
islands in the Andaman Sea, located off the mainland coast
of Malaysia. This is the region's only 'Duty Free' port,
located only 98 NM from Phuket, conveniently located
just off the cruising waters of Langkawi. Langkawi offers
plenty of protected anchorages and the area has become an
established sailing destination, attracting boats from all over
the world.

SRI LANKA
7°33'55.08" N
80°25'49.08" E

PHUKET, THAILAND
7°53'24.00" N
98°23'53.88" E

A very short 450NM passage from the Maldives takes you
up to Sri Lanka – a good option for a fueling point. The

Just a few hours North of Langkawi is the popular Island
Phuket, ‘Superyacht Hub of Southeast Asia’, also known as
the 'Monaco of Southeast Asia’. Phuket offers the most in

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high-end superyacht marinas, a vibrant nightlife, numerous
cultural attractions and 32 smaller islands off its coast,
perfect for cruising and exploration.
The resort island’s marinas can handle all of a superyacht’s
needs and berths with excellent docking facilities and a
growing yacht/ superyacht labor force. Starting out and
staying close to Phuket is Phang Nga Bay with its limestone
monoliths rising up out of the sea and with caves to paddle
through.
MYANMAR
22°0'0.00" N
98°0'0.00" E
Traveling further North from Phuket, it’s an easy cruise
to Myanmar and the Mergui Archipelago. These stunning
islands offer a true ‘Robinson Crusoe’ experience with
hundreds of small islands, each offering crystal clear water
and pure white sandy beaches stretching out as far as the eye
can see. After years of isolation, the wildlife on sea and land
is particularly rich.
ANDAMAN ISLANDS
11°41'9.68" N
92°44'4.48" E
Moving from Myanmar, you will soon encounter the
vast spread of the Andaman Islands in India. Inland,
lush vegetation and towering cliffs with unusual bird and

flora/fauna and active volcanoes are on display during the
journey.
This remote island group offers some of the region’s most
peaceful cruising from pristine reefs to primeval rainforest
and the Barren Island volcano, the only confirmed active
volcano in South Asia, estimated to be 1.8 million years old.
SINGAPORE
1°22'0.12" N
103°45'0.00" E
Heading back south along the Malay Peninsular you will
arrive at the island city of Singapore, one of the financial
shining stars of South East Asia with all the trappings of a
modern city packaged together on a tropical Island.
Superyacht repair and refit facilities in Singapore is well
served by several shipyards and it’s a short hop to the major
domestic seaport for the Riau Islands, Bintan, and to Nikoi
Island off Bintan.
BALI, INDONESIA
8°44'26.87" S
115°12'46.15" E
Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world, consisting
of five major islands and about 30 smaller groups with a total
of 17,508 islands, of which about 6000 inhabited.

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Bali, the heart of Indonesia, continues to attract yachts
from all over the world and the list of adventures and
activities in Indonesia is literally endless. Yachts are treated
to a magnificent sight when rounding the north eastern tip
of Bali, the classic volcano cone-shaped Mt. Agung - every
sailor’s welcome to the Island of the Gods.”
RAJA AMPAT, INDONESIA
0°52'55.20" S
131°17'43.74" E
Raja Ampat translated means “The Four Kings”, a name
derived from the four major islands in the group nestled on
the tip of Papua’s Birds Head peninsula. It’s an archipelago
comprising over 1,500 small islands, cays, and shoals
surrounding the four main islands of Raja Ampat – Misool,
Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo along with the smaller island
of Kofiau. Raja Ampat Regency is a new regency, separated
from Sorong Regency in 2004 and home of the largest marine
national park in Indonesia, Cenderawasih Bay.
KOH SAMUI
9°30'0.00" N
100°0'0.00" E
Koh Samui is a lovely white sand-kissed island, offering
Eastern Thailand’s legendary hospitality and known as the
‘Jewel of Thailand’. There are many anchorages along the
coast and numerous attractions on Samui and surrounding
Islands. The island is famous for some of the finest high-end
restaurants, hotels, spas and wellness retreats in Asia and a
perfect base for cruising the eastern Gulf of Thailand.

a spectacular group of 42 uninhabited uniquely different
islands and to the north is famed Koh Tao, the ‘Diving Mecca
of the Gulf’.
CAMBODIA
11°33'0.00" N
104°55'0.00" E
Cambodia, located in the southern portion of the Indochina
Peninsula in Southeast Asia, has had a rich and varied history
dating back many centuries and heavily influenced by India.
In turn, Cambodia greatly influenced Thailand, Laos and vice
versa. Angkor Wat is a reason onto itself to visit Cambodia,
listed in ‘World Wonder List’ for its grandeur, history, beauty
and state of preservation. It is the largest monument of the
Angkor group and best preserved.
BORNEO
5°58'2.02" N
116°3'21.44" E
Heading south is the Island of Borneo with the best cruising
in the state of Sabah, with cruising waters from Labuan to
Sipadan offering amazing wildlife along the river, beautiful
islands and mainland attractions. A journey around the tip
of Borneo is also worthwhile and the East Coast is renowned
for diving, such as world-famous Sipadan. Tropical islands
and mainland coastal bays offer diverse mainland beauty,
including Mt. Kinabalu, the highest mountain in South East
Asia.
An extraordinary year of incredible adventure and exploration
awaits yachts in a voyage around Southeast Asia. ◆

Just 20 NM from Samui is Anthong National Marine Park,

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BROKERAGE
(+34) 971 402 911

palma@devalk.nl
www.devalk .nl
De Valk Palma Port Cala Nova, Avda. Joan Miró, 327 07015 Palma de Mallorca

Scorpion 50,
model 2023
Dimensions:
14,50 x 4,00 x 0,91 (m)
799.000 EUR
VAT Paid

This Scorpion Yacht is handcrafted and has a modern open design with a large lounge area. The outboard engines are
hidden beneath the sunbed, allowing the boat to be beached. Each Scorpion Yacht is built with aluminum making it
50% lighter, so less petrol is needed, not flammable and it lasts twice as long compared to fibre glass. Scorpion built
yachts with low cost of ownership and simple technique and very easy to maintain. The engines run 100 hours with
still one year warranty and service costs are just 2.000 EUR every 12 months. Special winter price for 799.000 EUR
(regular price 850.000 EUR)

C/Benito J. Feijóo, Local 7, Puerto Portals
Calvia, 07181 Mallorca, Spain
Tel. +34 971 676 845 | +34 609 609 520
info@med-yachts.com | www.med-yachts.com

2020 Sanlorenzo
SD126 “KIA ORA"
14,500,000 EUR
VAT Not Paid
Mallorca, Spain

M/Y “KIA ORA” was built in GRP by Sanlorenzo SpA and delivered in 2020 as hull number 20 of the
legendary SD126 semi-displacement series. Built to the exacting demands of an experienced yacht owner, she
has enjoyed light, private use by one careful owner and maintains low engine hours as a result. This is a unique
opportunity to purchase a high specification, “turn-key” Sanlorenzo SD126 complete with a bespoke CitterioViel designed interior.
“KIA ORA” boasts a luxurious 5 cabin layout sleeping up to 10 guests in absolute comfort. Additional
accommodation for up to 7 crew members is also distributed across 4 crew cabins. Built with a high level of
optional extras with extensive Mediterranean cruising in mind, she is perfectly equipped for your cruising needs
and includes a Zero Speed stabilisation system for additional comfort when at anchor or underway.
Registered in Switzerland with EU VAT Not Paid.

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Beneteau Gran
Turismo 46
2017
329,950 Pound
Sterling
VAT Paid

Beneteau Gran Turismo 46 built in 2017 to a 2018 model specification with low hours for her age. LATEST WORKS/
UPGRADES MAY 2023: (Antifoul, Anodes, Engine, Leg and Generator Service, 3 New Domestic Batteries). Ancasta
supplied and in her first ownership, this two cabin, two head Beneteau Gran Turismo 46 is powered by twin Volvo
370hp engines with the joystick option for ease of close quarter handling. The Beneteau Gran Turismo 46 features
the patented and innovative Air Step hull technology. This not only gives better performance and handling overall but
also allows for improved fuel economy when compared to similar vessels. Fully equipped with a comprehensive suite
of Simrad navigation electronics, bowthruster, 7.5 Kw generator, reverse cycle air conditioning, hi/lo hydraulic bathing
platform plus more, this Gran Turismo 46 is ready to go

yachting@hamilton-marine.com

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

The Islander #317

Jonathan Syrett is a yachting and brokerage consultant who can accompany you on the ownership journey - and beyond. You can rely on his
expertise, integrity and dedication to help you
make the right decisions when buying, using and
enjoying or selling a yacht. Please call, email or
visit his website to find out how.

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Outstanding condition - CNB 95 ‘Lady
8’ for sale is new to the market having
completed a very comprehensive refit.
Designed by internationally acclaimed
naval architect Phillipe Briand, Lady 8
has excellent performance credentials
and an especially spacious four cabin
guest accommodation. During the refit
every conceivable system was checked,
renewed or overhauled. The finished
result is spectacular. Bureau Veritas 5yr
class surveys were completed June 2023.
Model: CNB 95
Guest cabins: 8 guests in 4 x ensuite
cabins
Built: 2008
Lying: Palma, Mallorca Spain
Built by CNB, Bordeaux. France

LADY 8

€3,950,000 VAT PAID

SAVANNAH’s all carbon kevlar construction
ensures thrilling performance & impeccable
balance thanks to her deep fin keel. In truth
this Modern Classic Legend has never really
been matched since her launch in 1997.
Achieving a particularly good rating, it is no
wonder SAVANNAH continues to turn heads
on the racecourse where she has achieved
podium results in Antigua, Newport RI,
St Tropez and Cowes.
Model: 90ft (27.43m) Fast Carbon
composite sloop
Guest cabins: Sleeps 4 guests in two cabins
Built: 1997
Lying: St. Tropez, France
Built by Concordia Custom Yachts,
Massachusetts USA

SAVANNAH

€2,950,000 VAT PAID

I T ’ S P E R S O N A L . E X C L U S I V E , TA R G E T E D M A R K E T I N G , F O R T H E F I N E S T YA C H T S .
+44 (0)7476 888639

|

brokerage@carrswoodyachts.com

|

www.carrswoodyachts.com

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