Wally Yachts sold Tunisian-controlled yard WMagic (exclusive producer of the WallyTender and 47 WallyPower) to Camuzzi Nautica. The facility in Biserte, Tunisia, also built the hulls and decks of the Wally 80 sailing yacht. The agreement with Gruppo Camuzzi Nautica should help promote motor yacht projects developed by WallyDesign that could be built by Cantieri Baglietto, a subsidiary of Camuzzi Nautica. Visit www.wally.com.

Private equity specialists Candover and Permira announced the acquisition by Candover of a majority stake (60 percent) in the Ferretti Group from Permira. This is the fifth investment to be made by the €3.5 billion Candover 2005 Fund and the first investment by its Italian office. Norberto Ferretti and his management team remain at the helm, retaining 40 percent of the company along with Permira. Founded in 1968, the Ferretti Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-performance luxury motor yachts (Ferretti, Pershing, Itama, Riva, Apreamare, CRN, Custom Line, Mochi Craft and Bertram). Permira acquired the group in 1998, brought the company public in 2000 and took it private again in 2002. Visit www.ferrettigroup.com.

The Marine Group of San Diego announced two additions to its management team: Fred Larsson as director of superyacht operations and Bill Waite as director of business development. The company is preparing to unveil a new state-of-the-art facility complete with a 660-ton travel lift. Larsson brings more than 20 years’ experience to the job. He spent the last five years as captain and project manager for the refit of the motor yacht Attessa, which earned the award of Best Refit/Reconfiguration at last year’s ShowBoats International Rendezvous in Monaco. Bill Waite was director of hospitality for the Stars & Stripes campaign when his team brought home the 1987 America’s Cup. Visit www.marinegroupbw.com.

At the recent Fraser Yachts Worldwide 2006 Best Charter Captain Competition, Patrick Cowley of the motor yacht Paraffin was named best charter captain of the year. As an award he received Blancpain’s limited-series Léman Chronographe Flyback steel watch. With more than 80 captains attending, Fraser Yachts welcomed the chance to toast each one of them for their continued hard work. This year, Fraser announced a new prize saluting outstanding efforts of a captain over the course of several years. Gino Battaglio of the motor yacht Lady Lola received the award. The crew of the motor yacht Passion received the award for the best charter crew on a yacht over 40 meters. It was a tie for the best charter crew on a yacht under 40 meters; motor yachts La Dolce Vita and Freemont received the award. Visit www.fraseryachts.com.

Betsy Millson-Anderson joined The Sacks Group Yachting Professionals as a charter marketing manager. This job follows a successful career as a yacht chef and a career in the fields of event coordination, public relations, promotions and advertising. Visit www.sacksyachts.com.

The De Vries shipyard, a founding member of the Feadship organization, was awarded the rare "royal" designation by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. This recognition of 100 years of yachtbuilding excellence was presented by the mayor of Aalsmeer, home of the De Vries yard since 1906. Now both Feadship yards carry the "royal" title; Van Lent received the accolade in 2001. The right to be called royal (koninklijke) is granted to companies that have been active in the same business segment and within the same family for 100 or more years. Visit www.feadship.nl.