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F R O M T H E P I L O T H O U S E

A Global FocusBy DJ Parker

AS YOU MAY KNOW, I RECENTLY TOOK THE HELM as president of the American Charter Yacht Association (ACYA). While we are labeled “American”, the ACYA is made up of international charter experts who are recognized around the globe for their experience, professionalism, high ethical standards and sound business practices. We also hold the highest standards of any charter yacht association for membership with a requisite seven consecutive years to be accepted as a voting member.

My goal as president is to encourage our members to seek out and share more industry information. The charter industry is becoming ever more global and the world ever more complex, not only due to the challenges of a pulsating global economy, but also to changing politics that often affect our industry. By being informed, we are provided with the ammunition to focus on our business of “bringing fun down to Earth” and thus earning a better livelihood for each of us.

The luxury yacht charter industry seems to be back on an upward track year, as more and more clients are booking long-delayed, well-deserved vacations. While most clients are returning to popular cruising grounds, we are seeing a growing desire for both owners and charterers to seek out and explore exciting new locations such as the South Pacific, Southeast Asia, Chile, etc. More yachts than ever are being built to meet this demand by owners and charterers. The future of yacht charter is global!

Regatta Time in the BahamasONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SIGHTS in The Bahamas – aside from palm-fringed islands rising out of the turquoise sea – is a race between the traditional wooden sailboats handcrafted by the islanders. Originally built as workboats for the Bahamas fishing industry, these graceful sloops now are mainly used in local sailing regattas throughout the summer months. These popular community events often go hand-in-hand with pig roasts and other festivities ashore. Here are a few of the traditional Bahamas regattas scheduled for this summer:

l April 24-28, 2012: National Family Island Regatta, Georgetown, Great Exuma l June 29-July 7, 2012: 37th Annual Five Towns Regatta Time in Abacol August 6, 2012: Black Point Regatta, Exuma

For suggested charter yachts and fun itineraries in The Bahamas, contact DJ Parker at DJParker@NGYI.com

N A U T I C A L T R I V I A

Right You Arrrr!Where did the nautical terms starboard (right) and port (left) come from? While some people believe “starboard” has a romantic celestial origin, the term actually has more practical roots. Since the steering board (“st’arboard”) of most ancient sailing vessels was on the right side, the crew always had to dock the left side of the boat to the dock or pier in order take on “lard” – a term for provisions. So, the left side became known as “lar’board”. As vessels grew in length, larboard and starboard became difficult for crew on the foredeck to distinguish, even when shouted at top volume by the captain at the wheel. “Port” was the term used for an opening on the left side of a vessel where the cargo was loaded onboard. Eventually, the “larboard” side was changed to … arrrrr me hearties …the PORT side.

N E W S F R O M A L L O V E R

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News and Views from Neptune Group Yachting

FROM THE PILOTHOUSE | NAUTICAL TRIVIA | NEWS FROM THE FLEET | IN THE SPOTLIGHT | DESTINATION | YACHT ETIQUETTE

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NEWS FROM ALL OVER

Welcome KALEEN!WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE ADDITION OF KALEEN, a classic-style 110’ Broward Motor Yacht, to the Neptune Group Yachting Fleet. KALEEN comfortably accommodates up to eight guests in four staterooms and is well equipped with water toys, including a 35’ Intrepid towed tender. A crew of five will cater your every need and culinary preference.

KALEEN is being offered at the introductory rate of $35,000 per week, plus expenses and is available for charter in Florida and The Bahamas. The owner also will entertain inquiries for the summer in New England. For more details, click here.

DIAMOND GIRL ONE OF THE STARS of the 2012 Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach and Palm Beach International Boat Show, the 103’ Johnson motoryacht DIAMOND GIRL is truly a study in elegance. Her exquisite interior design, featuring natural rippled sycamore and sea-green glass, immediately puts you in a relaxing vacation frame of mind. DIAMOND GIRL accommodates eight guests in four large ensuite staterooms, including a full-beam VIP suite and a main-deck master suite with stunning sea views through 180 degrees of windows.

DIAMOND GIRL also offers a wealth of public spaces that are perfect for relaxing and entertaining. You can dine in the sophisticated salon, or al fresco on the aft deck. The huge flybridge incorporates several fun zones in one, including a bar and grill area sheltered by the large hardtop, and a relaxing sundeck. The Jacuzzi tub is positioned beneath an oval sunroof, so you can watch the stars as you soak. Staffed by a professional crew of four, DIAMOND GIRL is available for charter in Florida, The Bahamas and the Caribbean for a rate of $47,000 per week, plus expenses. For more details, click here.

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NEWS FROM THE FLEET

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

WHILE NO TWO LUXURY yachts are identical, there’s one thing they all have in common: a basket for shoes by the gangway or passerelle. Street shoes can track in dust, dirt, mud, chewing gum and even tar that can ruin a yacht’s custom carpets and other exotic floor coverings (some are woven from pure silk!). Dark-soled shoes and boots can make marks and dents in wood decks and floors, no matter how carefully you tread. So it’s customary for yacht owners and captains to request that guests “leave their shoes at the door”, giving the ladies a chance to show off their pedicures. This rule puts most guests in the carefree “barefoot” vacation spirit. If your feet feel naked without shoes, however, ask your charter agent in advance if it’s okay to bring a pair of clean slippers or soft sandals to wear onboard.

Y A C H T E T I Q U E T T E

What’s the Deal with the Shoe Basket?

News and Views from Neptune Group Yachting

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The 65th Annual Festival de Cannes, May 16-27, 2012

EVER SINCE ITS CREATION, the Festival de Cannes held in the port of Cannes on the French Riviera each year has remained faithful to its founding purpose: to draw attention to and raise the profile of films with the aim of contributing to the development of cinema, boosting the film industry worldwide and celebrating cinema at an international level.

The event that arguably draws the most media attention during the Festival is the “red stairs” photo call. The world’s greatest film artists and emerging talent are introduced and photographed here as they enter the Grand Théâtre Lumière; and

if warranted, honor and appreciation are bestowed on them as they walk back down the symbolic, bright red-carpeted stairs.

The Festival attracts actors, actresses and other film industry icons that literally flock to Cannes in droves. Visitors also can enjoy the glamour and glitz that surround the event as the whole town comes alive to celebrate. While many Festival events are restricted to film industry attendees, open-air film screenings called the “Cinéma de la Plage” (Cinema

on the Beach) are available to the public. There is also the opportunity to dine at the many exquisite restaurants and bars we would expect of this Riviera port…who knows, you may be seated next to one of the world’s most famous film stars.

For those seeking to be up close and personal at the Festival, yet to maintain a bit of privacy and security, private yachts offer the perfect solution. They also make a wonderful setting for your own glamorous Festival de Cannes parties. Once the Festival concludes, why not go on to cruise the spectacular Cote d’Azur! E-mail DJ Parker at DJParker@NGYI.com for suggested yachts and itineraries in this exciting area.

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

DESTINATION

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N E E D T A G H E R E

THEY MAY NOT BE AROUND any longer and were absolute terrors of their day, but the skull-and-crossbones stories of these “planksters” hold an undeniable fascination today. From Captain Hook chasing Peter Pan to the handsome Johnny Depp of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, we love pirate tales.

I’m told the difference between a Pirate and a Privateer is that the latter was licensed by a king or queen with a Letter of Marque to plunder on his or her behalf. Let’s name-drop – Captain Morgan, one and the same as the swashbuckler on the rum bottle, was a real person. This rogue started out as a 20-something captain in the mid-to-late 1600s. As to whether he was a

privateer, as some claim, or a pirate; when faced with a large swinging cutlass…who’s to argue?

Captain Morgan would ultimately be knighted by the King of England and die a rich man at 37, after serving as Governor of Jamaica ... no doubt running rum as well. Great fun can be had today by chartering a yacht and plying the near-forgotten channels of the likes of Captain Morgan and Blackbeard–who would supposedly light his tarred beard for special effect during an attack. Numerous piratical opportunities await your consideration, especially with the charter fleet based in the British

Virgin Islands. These yachts’ captains and crew love to share their command of local history and legend.

E-mail DJ Parker at DJParker@NGYI.com for suggested yachts and itineraries in fabulous islands flanking Sir Francis Drake Channel in the BVI. We’ll be sure to include Dead Chest Island, where Blackbeard supposedly cast off his mutinous crew with but one bottle of rum … tales of “Yo, ho, ho and a bottle of rum” prevail.

Pirate History

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