FLIR thermal cameras are fast becoming ubiquitous in the marine industry, providing images for a variety of applications from footage on the TV series “Deadliest Catch” to human scanners onboard cruise ships designed to detect disease.

The T300 and T400 Series thermal navigation cameras, which will be available as of today, allow boaters to navigate safely and confidently, seeing obstructions, buoys, and other vessels in total darkness or foul weather conditions.

The cameras can be fully integrated into the navigation system at the helm for easy access to imagery alongside the chartplotter, fishfinder, and radar navigation displays. The optional remote joystick control unit allows captains to navigate with thermal imagery from the main helm, or a remote navigation station.

The T300 Series thermal navigation cameras offer a single thermal imaging sensor while the T400 Series (pictured above) features both a thermal imaging camera, and a high-performance lowlight video camera. The marine-grade enclosure provides 360°pan and 90° tilt capability for complete coverage from horizon to horizon.

Superyacht builder Kingship is set to reveal details about cutting-edge new designs at the Monaco Yacht Show. The Hong Kong shipyard is working with Donald Starkey and Azure Naval Architects in the design and development of a 156-foot megayacht. The profile reflects a striking yet subtle juxtaposition of classic and futuristic lines. While plumb bow hull design is a recent trend, it actually originated in classic commuter yacht design.

The plumb bow, circular port lights on the forward main deck and sweeping sheer line are reminiscent of the Golden Age of yachting. These elements integrated with a very futuristic dynamism of exterior styling succeed in producing what Kingship terms a “modern gentleman’s yacht”.

The general arrangement features six suites, spacious lounges and plentiful deck spaces for entertaining including a partially shaded sun deck with a bar/dining area and sizeable Jacuzzi on the forward sunning area.

Kingship also raises the bar on efficient long-range explorers, an increasingly popular alternative to the classic white yacht. The HT116’Explorer reaches a maximum speed of 13 knots with a 7,000Nm range. Two additional models in the series, a 148-footer and an 87-footer, are new versions that vary little other than in size. All three incorporate a novel stabilization system at anchor based on two non-retractable fins.

We have just launched a page on Boatbookings.com designed to help the charterer understand how to work better with the crew so that everyone is comfortable and the charter goes more smoothly.  A synopsis is included below -for full text see Tips To Get The Best From Your Crewed Charter Experience.

1. Make your desires clear before the charter

This generally involves filling out your preference sheets and telling your broker exactly what you want (and don’t want) on your charter.

2. Talk to the Captain at the beginning, and regularly throughout the trip

Captains have excellent local knowledge as well as a good sense for itineraries that appeal to different types of clients.  Talk to him regularly, and don’t let issues fester – discuss them early!

3. Treat the crew with respect

Yacht Charter Crews are not servants, and should not be treated as such. A bit of courtesy goes a long way!

4. Be flexible on your itinerary

If your captain recommends against a destination, it’s probably because he has assessed the risks and believes it is a bad idea. A bit of flexibility on your part can reduce the tension significantly.

5. Remember you’re on a boat

Safety has to come first on a yacht – please don’t ask the crew to shade the rules.

6. Treat your broker as a partner

Good yacht brokers provide you with free advice based on their experience and knowledge of yachts and crews.  If you establish a trusting relationship with the broker you will find that the process is enjoyable and you may learn about new yachts or destinations that you hadn’t heard about.

7. Don’t try to do too much on your charter

One of the greatest joys of being on a yacht is relaxing – you don’t have to hit three destinations every day like you are on a tour. Plan a day or two of slack in the itinerary, be flexible, and don’t hesitate to stay an extra day in a location if you’re enjoying it.

8. Don’t put the crew or captain in a difficult position

The most stressful position to be in for a captain and crew is when there is a conflict between what you want to do and their judgment of safety or regulations. Please listen to them and understand their reasoning.

9. Babysitting is your responsibility, not the crew’s

Most crews love taking care of kids, but it is not their responsibility to be babysitters. They will often offer to help, but bottom line the children are your responsibility.

10. Relax and enjoy!

You are on holiday and have paid for a helpful crew. Let them make some decisions for you, and enjoy the ride!

Send us yours!

We’d love your suggestions as well, please comment on this blog post or add them on our Boatbookings.com facebook page.

Channel-Port aux Basques, a quaint fishing village nestled on the extreme southwestern tip of the island of Newfoundland, Canada, is finally realizing plans for a recreational marina. According to a report in the local Gulf News, the marina will expand the existing government wharf with the addition of several floating docks and new wharves.

Channel-Port aux Basques is the gateway to Newfoundland and Labrador. To date, full advantage of the strategic location of the town has not been developed. Annually visited by half a million tourists that include many yachts from the Great Lakes and locations along the Eastern Seaboard, improvements in facilities are aimed to increase tourism and boost economic development.

The easternmost Canadian province comprises the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador. Newfoundland and the surrounding smaller islands offer an intriguing destination to adventuresome yachtsmen. Small communities sprinkled along the coast maintain French, English and Irish dialects and cultural traditions. In Labrador, Innu-aimun and Inuktit dialects are also spoken due to a significant presence of founding Algonquin and Inuit cultures.

For a dramatically beautiful and culturally rewarding charter itinerary, consider Newfoundland, Labrador, the  Great Lakes and amazing destinations along the Eastern Seaboard on your next charter.  We’d be happy to help!

Feadship anticipates making a big splash at their debut at the Cannes International Yacht and Boat Show this September 8-13, with plans to reveal the newest build in the SL39 modular series, the 128-foot luxury charter yacht GO.

GO is a superb Feadship charter yacht featuring stylish interiors, a variety of outdoor living areas and an extremely attentive crew. The pre-determined hull construction, technical systems and equipment of the series insure extraordinary seaworthy capability synonymous with the brand. Completely customized above the waterline, modern interiors are characterized by bright spaces and a relaxing earth-tone palette.

Among the notable features that contribute to make GO an exquisite charter yacht is the clever flexibility of space. The modular sofa in the main salon rotates to enjoy panoramic ocean views aft or a flick on the state-of-the-art entertainment system. On the lower deck, two of the four guest suites can be reconfigured as full-beam VIP suites. The bridge deck features adaptable seating and a quadruple sliding door that joins interior and exterior areas.

After debuting in Cannes, GO will join larger Feadship yachts on display at the Monaco show. Currently for sale, GO is available for summer charter in the Mediterranean and winter in the Caribbean. This exciting luxury yacht promises to be extremely popular on the charter circuit, especially over the holidays. Contact a Boatbookings professional now to reserve this splendid yacht for an incomparable yachting experience.

LOA: 128’

Beam: 30’

Draft: 9’

Fuel: 10,568 GAL.

Water: 3,170 Gal.

Engines: MTU 12V 2000 M70

Maximum speed: 14 knots

Guests: 10 in 5 cabins

Crew: 7

Just launched from Feadship Royal Van Lent, SIRIUS is destined to make a serious splash on the superyacht charter circuit. SIRIUS, the fourth in the F45 Vantage custom series, incorporates impressive styling and features that make it an optimal choice for the discriminating charter client.

Interior design by Sinot Design Associates features classic art deco styling in a modern context. Clean lines and contrasting woods define spaces and create a stylish beach house ambiance that is elegant yet understated.

Innovative architecture by De Voogt Naval Architects positions five spacious suites with on the main deck. The full-beam master suite has an unusual 10’6” central ceiling capped by a skylight. Four ensuite staterooms are equipped with queen size beds that can be converted to twins. Over-size windows provide superb views and flood these private areas, including bathrooms, with natural light. The main-deck office features a full-size Murphy bed for additional accommodation.

Charters guests will especially enjoy many outdoor options on SIRIUS, from dining al fresco on the decks to a plethora of watersports activities from the boathouse platform. The Jacuzzi forward on the sundeck offers a perfect place for sun worshippers to relax and enjoy panoramic views.

This beautifully engineered and executed yacht is just one example of the many extraordinary luxury yachts available from Boatbookings.com. Please contact a Boatbookings charter professional to reserve the perfect yacht for you and your guests. Prepare to experience the ultimate vacation.

LOA: 146’6”

Beam: 30’2”

Draft: 8’10”

Fuel: 10,500 GAL.

Water: 2,600 GAL.

Engines: 2 x MTU 12V2000M70

Maximum speed: 14.5 knots

Range: Transatlantic

Stabilizers: VT Naiad Marine zero-speed

Sri Lanka’s English newspaper, the Sunday Observer, highlighted plans to promote yacht chartering from the island’s cities of Galle and Colombo. In a brief interview with the country’s Deputy Minister of Ports and Aviation, Dayasritha Tissera, it appears that the government is enthusiastic about immediate investment in the marine sector.

The South Asian island country, located about 20 miles off the southern coast of India, is a destination of primal forests, pristine beaches, breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural traditions. The Ministry hopes to entice both local and foreign tourists to depart from hotel stays and embark on “luxury boat safaris” to destinations around the exotic island. To this end, Tissera outlined plans to purchase four luxury yachts with four to six cabins, suitable for up to 20 guests.

The Ministry also wants to launch a luxury passenger liner yacht service to connect the harbors of Colombo, Trincomalee, Kankesanturai and Galle, with extended service to neighboring India. Plans also include construction of a first-class yachting center and marina in the old port area of Galle.

The Ministry is undertaking these initiatives with confidence that the now peaceful country’s lighter security restrictions will enable passenger travel unencumbered by red tape. The Ministry has set a November goal for the luxury yacht launch, however exact dates remain uncertain. Perhaps this is because, according to Tissera, the Ministry is presently seeking investors for the projects.

If you are planning to dive or snorkel the reefs on your next charter voyage to the Caribbean, Bahamas or Florida Keys you may encounter the astonishingly beautiful lionfish. Beware, the graceful profusion of colorful fins belies venomous spines that, although not known to be fatal, are extremely painful and can (rarely) come with severe complications. In addition, some scientists consider them as one of the top 15 threats to biodiversity worldwide.

Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific region but in recent decades have invaded the waters of the Caribbean, the Bahamas, the east coast of the Americas as far north as Rhode Island, and as far south as Columbia. Their infiltration is likely the result of releases from tanks of saltwater hobbyists. With few known natural enemies, lionfish present a major threat to coral reef ecosystems as predators and competitors for food.

Humans are becoming the most lethal threat to date, as the fish emerges as a gourmet delicacy. Facebook groups promoting lionfish consumption include “I Spear Lionfish,” “Lionfish Derby” and “Eat the Lionfish.” According to an article published by the Washington Post, July 7, 2010, chefs, spear fisherman and seafood distributors are plotting to eat the fish out of non-native existence. The REEF Environmental Education Foundation, a leading organization in the research and development of lionfish control programs, is preparing to publish a cookbook this fall on how to prepare the lionfish, described with a flavor between snapper and grouper.

What you should you do if you see the foot-long lionfish? They are glamorous and peaceful creatures, so use the photo opportunity. Otherwise, unless you are a savvy fisherman, or have the proper training and equipment, leave it alone but report the sighting location to the local island authorities and/or REEF when you surface.

Photo credit: REEF

Visit REEF Environmental Education Foundation: www.reef.org/lionfish

Lionfish Recipes: www.lionfishhunter.com/Lionfish%20Recipes.html

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/06/AR2010070601003.htm

Peter Island is traditionally a very popular destination on every BVI charter itinerary. This season Peter Island Resort features two exceptional opportunities; photo documentation of your snorkel or dive adventure and professional cooking classes. Both will let you cherish a bit of the island color and flavor long after your return home.

Peter Island has some of the most awe-inspiring reefs in the BVI. Hundreds of brilliantly colored species of fish, coral and numerous shipwrecks set the stage for an extraordinary underwater quest. Armando Jenik is available to escort charterers undersea and professionally photograph their experience.

Armando is a highly acclaimed underwater photographer and cinematographer, with published images in Geo Magazine, GQ and others. His work has appeared in commercials, documentaries and feature films and he was honored with the Mobius award for best commercial in 1990. He will organize the optimum snorkel or dive adventure and create a personalized photo document that captures your experience as a work of art.

October 24-31 is the resort’s first Guest Chef Program of the season, with Corporate Executive Chef Jason Drysdale of the Norwegian Caribbean Line. Jason is the Culinary Trainer for NCL America and a genius at preparing trendy gourmet cuisine. Jason, along with the resort’s executive chef, Lisa Sellers, offer this creative, intimate cooking class limited to ten couples. The class will ferry to a working farm on Tortola to select produce, then return to the kitchen at Falcon’s Nest to create signature items that will be featured on the restaurant’s menu. This is an ongoing program so if you are interested please inquire as to future dates.

To participate in either the underwater photography experience or the Guest Chef Program at Peter Island Resort charter guests are not required to be guests of the resort but should consider program registration in advance, especially during peak periods, due to very limited space. Please read more about Peter Island in our Peter Island Yacht Charter Guide.

Catamaran yachts are rapidly gaining popularity for their inherent stability, expansive exterior space and roomy interior layout. They are also notable for superior energy efficiency. One of the newest models to emerge from the drawing board is 81’ KHARIMA, designed by Antonio Luxardo of Pro Ship and under construction at a boatyard in Qingdao, China.
Innovative architectural features on the yacht include a main deck salon that encompasses 1,184 square feet and a foredeck owner’s suite with 180-degree panoramic views. Two VIP ensuite staterooms and two crew cabins are positioned on the lower deck. The spacious flybridge is the perfect spot for guests to enjoy magnificent views in sun or shade, or cocktails and dinner al fresco.

KHARIMA 81 incorporates significant new trends in catamaran construction beyond the apparent. To further enhance exterior space two concealed side platforms open out when desired to generously expand options for sun and fun. Ample storage space for tenders and toys is equipped with an interior crane for launching. The high performance hull is designed for greater speed, stability and energy efficiency. All things considered, KHARIMA 81 is shaping up as a very competitive build in an aggressively expanding sector.

Boatbookings.com has a superior selection of luxury catamaran motor yachts available for charter – feel free to visit our Catamaran Yacht Charter and Sailing Vacation Guide.