The best things in life are free – except in the case of a superyacht boat show.
The 18th Monaco Yacht Show will be held from Sept. 24-27 in Monaco’s Port Hercules, and will once again be the focal point for business in the luxury yachting sector.
All the top-level professionals will be there, including ship builders and designers, naval architects, yacht equipment suppliers, brokers and service providers; showcasing a whole range of the luxury yachting activities.
With 500 exhibitors coming from 38 different countries, the show was sold out back in March of this year. Even so, around 24,000 visitors are expected to be there.
The MYS considers itself to be “representative” of the luxury yachting sector: Shipyards, brokers, designers, equipment manufacturers and luxury goods firms…but from this list, there seems to be one aspect of the yachting industry that’s not represented – the superyacht crew!
So I decided to put together my own personal wish list for the 2008 Monaco Yacht Show and head down to the show to represent the hardworking crew of our great industry.
Dixon Yacht Design
One of my favorite yacht designers is Bill Dixon, who has been designing yachts for 27 years.
Dixon is part of the Redman Whiteley Dixon design group, which is largely responsible for Benetti’s shift away from traditional yacht design toward more innovative projects that push both design and build technology to the limit.
Through the use of 3D modeling technology that is usually reserved for the automotive industry (think Bugatti Veyron), one is able to fully appreciate the quantum leaps they are taking within the realm of yacht design.
At last year’s Monaco Yacht Show, Benetti secured orders for four superyachts over 45 meters through 3D modeling alone and it is my wish to see the designs of their forthcoming yachts being modeled once again at the show.
The Tender of All Tenders
One can't help but be excited about any new Wally launch. At this year’s exhibit, Wally will be showcasing its 47 WallyPower and the WallyTender, and best of all, both will be available for a test drive!
One of the best aspects of working as a deckhand in the megayacht industry is that you’re able to drive tenders of this nature and I personally will be booking my place at the front of the queue to get my hands on the WallyTender!
Flag States Exhibit
There has been a new trend recently for superyachts to register with the flag state of the Marshall Islands instead of the more common MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) of the UK.
The Marshall Islands, which has been lauded in the yachting industry for its effective registration process (and considerably more relaxed commercial regulations), is also in the process of bringing out a Yachtmaster 350gt qualification.
Rumor has it that the Marshall Islands registry is in discussions with the MCA to endorse this qualification for its registered yachts. If this were to be endorsed by the MCA, it would provide crew with an additional qualification that effectively sits between the Yachtmaster 200gt and the Yachtmaster 500gt.
The MCA is exhibiting at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show and I would love to know its official comment on this subject.
Why Walk When You Can Drive…
But then again, why drive when you can fly? This year I’ll be arriving at the Monaco Yacht Show by helicopter.
Heli Air Monaco provides departures from Nice airport and Monaco heliport every 30 minutes. The journey time is around seven minutes and with the fares as low as €80 how can you say no?
When one considers that a taxi ride will set you back in the region of €100 or more from Nice airport to Monaco, it’s not so much a wish as it is a no brainer!
Dock Party
The Antibes boat show had a respectable amount of free dock parties for crew and yacht enthusiasts alike.
Naturally, rubbing shoulders with the super wealthy can be a unique experience in itself and in such an exclusive environment it would be a shame not to enjoy it with a glass of Verve Clicquot champagne!
My final wish for the 2008 Monaco Yacht Show is to leave it in style – and who wouldn’t when one is surrounded with such opulence?
Are you going to be at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show? If so, what are you keen to see and experience?
Matt Brown is a dedicated and reliable British deckhand working within the megayacht industry. Contact Matt Brown directly by email with your questions, comments and career offers at flefant@gmail.com [or visit www.mattbrownblog.com]