August-September
08/01/2005

Benetti has announced a restructure of its Service Division based in Livorno, Italy. Francesco Pisciotta heads the division, which comprises three sections serving the Benetti fleet. The Refit Service, headed by Giorgio Campini, will be available for vessels of unlimited size and will be the largest facility of this type in Europe. The Spare Parts Assistance Service, headed by Marco Nuovo, will provide on-line and telephone assistance to yachts at any location. The Interior Supplies Service, managed by Pisciotta with assistance from Annarita Limoncetti, will offer owners and captains a full range of luxury items.
Visit www.benettiyachts.it.

A weeklong grand reception marked the opening of Burger Boat Company’s new office in Monaco. Guy Marchal, Burger’s European business manager, along with David Ross, Burger’s president and CEO, welcomed the majority of the European brokerage community as their guests. The Monaco office will provide a regional center for worldwide service and information.
Visit www.burgerboat.com.

Nautor’s Swan’s Paola Ciribilli accepts her company’s award. (Click image to enlarge)

The inaugural Christofle Asia Boating Awards presented Nautor’s Swan with the "Best Sailing Yacht Brand" award at its black-tie gala dinner during the 10th China International Boat Show in Shanghai. More than 300 VIP guests attended what has been described as the Oscars of the Asian sailing world. The Nautor Group had a significant presence at the show, exhibiting its full portfolio of products and services. The company looks to place itself at the forefront of the Chinese yachting industry and establish a firm presence in Asia.
Visit www.nautorgroup.com/yachts.htm.

Auckland, New Zealand, proved to be a successful location for the Superyacht Society’s membership meeting and cocktail party, drawing more than 100 to the international membership mixer. The event’s success was partly attributed to global communication, as a flurry of e-mails from New Zealand, Europe and North America promoted the gathering. Doug Sharp, the society president, noted that "representatives of the world’s superyacht community from every major boatbuilding nation" were in attendance.
Visit www.superyachtsociety.com.

Linda Vernon attends the official opening ceremony with Pendennis Chairman Sir Timothy Sainsbury and Managing Director Henk Wiekens. (Click image to enlarge)

Global Marine Travel is now handling flight arrangements for clients of Dockwise Yacht Transport, the Fort Lauderdale-based yacht transport specialist. Due to high volume seat purchases, GMT is able to offer their clients competitive fares and flexible terms, including no change fees or cancellation penalties.
Visit www.globalmarinetravel.com and www.yacht-transport.com.

Pendennis Shipyard celebrated the official opening of the Terry Vernon Refit Complex, named in honor of the company’s late chairman. The new facility offers two 75-meter dry docks, one of which is equipped with an environmental control system regulating temperature and airflow, to provide the optimal painting environment. The dry docks are supported by workshops, offices and storage facilities all under one roof. Several superyachts, such as Illusion, Saga and Anakena, have already passed through the gates.
Visit www.pendennis.com.

Maurizio Magri was named new sales manager for the CNL Group. Drawing on his 10 years experience, Magri will focus on strategies for international markets. The CNL Group plans to open a new division in the domestic Italian market to strengthen the Admiral brand of boats.
Visit www.cnl.it.
Seventy-five captains of yachts over 70 feet from all over the world attended Convergence 2005 hosted by the Ferretti Group in La Spezia, Italy. Participants learned about the latest technologies and were introduced to projects developed by main suppliers. Captains also performed sea trials on board Ferretti Yachts, Pershing, Riva and Custom Line boats. In other Ferretti news, the Italian group has signed dealership agreements for the distribution of its yachts in China and India. In China, Antek Co. Ltd. and Bahrfuss Yachting joined the network of Ferretti dealers, while in India, a partnership with Marine Solutions in Bombay now exists. Futhermore, Giancarlo Galeone, CEO of Ferretti, was appointed deputy chairman of the board of directors, while Lamberto Tacoli, CEO of CRN and Custom Line, became a director of the board.
Visit www.ferrettigroup.com.

Captains from all over the world gathered for four educational days in Italy at Ferretti’s Convergence 2005. (Click image to enlarge)

The 2005 Interior Design Excellence Awards presented its first ever award for the interior of a yacht. Anita and Bill Unger of Anita’s Interiors were honored for their refit work on the interior of the 132-foot Oceanfast Christine. The Design Center of the Americas in Dania Beach, Florida, hosted the ceremony. The competition was open to all Florida professional and licensed interior designers and architects.
Visit www.anitasinteriors.com.

MedAire and Drum Cussac announced an alliance that will provide maritime companies with corporate health and security assistance through either company. MedAire, based in Tempe, Arizona, offers medical assistance services such as hotline medical advice. Security firm Drum Cussac, based in St. Helier, Jersey, (Channel Islands), helps businesses mitigate risks through services such as security assessments.
Visit www.medaire.com and www.drum-cussac.com.

Send Marine Service news to Kimberly Springer, ShowBoats International, Marine Service News, 910 SE 17th Street, Suite 400, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33316, fax: 954-525-7954, kimberlys@showboats.com.