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By Ellie Brade and Adam Turner
Following a successful first day, Day Two of the Global Superyacht Forum was The Business and Technology Day. The first session of the day was on Improving Standards and Quality of the Bidding Process - for New Builds and Refit Contracts. The expert panel for this topic consisted of John Leonida - Clyde & Co, Nick Horton - Dorade Law, Michael Ahrens - Michael Ahrens, Ken Hickling - Awlgrip and George Whitehouse - Rybovich Superyacht Marina and Refit. The main point under discussion was the change in the way contracts are now being approached and constructed - in the past there was perhaps a lot more reliance on trust whereas now there is much more diligence and emphasis placed on ensuring that contracts are secure and watertight. Crucially, it is clear that it is apparent that this now happens from both sides with yards also ensuring far more so than in the past that their contracts with owners are much more secure - protecting themselves against owners, as well as the other way round. In the past it was often the case - unlike other sectors such as commercial shipping - that yards would trust owners much more unquestioningly. The change now is that they are now having to ensure that they are fully covered, and trust is not enough.
 Caroline Hillier / SuperyachtArt.com
The second session of the morning was on Applications of Compensated Gross Tonnage. We have had much recent discussion on Gross Tonnage and its value as an accurate measurement of what is being built by yards above and beyond other standard measurements and summarisations such as order books. On the panel were Assistant Professor Robert Hekkenberg - Delft University of Technology and Jeroen Pruyn – Delft University of Technology. Under examination was the research and findings of the Delft University team who, at the request of SYBAss, undertook investigative work on the use of the application of class of cargo carrying vessels or ferries in determining the Compensated Gross Tonnage factor of superyachts. Results of the investigation demonstrated that roughly speaking a yacht has around 500 times more value than a standard carrier due to cost, man hours and the money they put back into the economy in relation to GT etc. Demonstrably, this method would appear to be a much better method of reflecting the value of yachts than standard measurements such as the LOA. It would be interesting, however, if the measurements brackets of these methods were extended in this research to include yachts of 24metres and over, rather than focusing more on the higher end of the market (40m and above) as is currently the case.
 Caroline Hiller / SuperyachtArt.com
Caroline Hillier / SuperyachtArt.com
Following lunch came the Applications of Efficient Engineering session, which was led by a panel including Maarten Sickler - Vuyk Engineering, Per Egil Vedlog - Rolls-Royce Marine and Dr.-Ing. Jens Bodo Koch - Blohm + Voss Shipyards. The essential aim of all three was to set out how both the individual companies themselves approach the problem of increasing efficiency in engineering and what technologies might be applied to the issue. Per Egil Vedlog went into detail on the procedures and options that must be consider in the process of engineering a yacht, with problems such as ensuring the workability of technical logistics and routing highlighted as well providing the best possible system integration. Martin Sickler provided a study into the application of 3D engineering, what benefits it brings, the expense, expertise needed to use it and the ROI (return on investment). It was shown that 3D engineering has distinct, if expensive, benefits in ship design and building. It reduces the risk of errors and allows engineers to better and more quickly understand any complications. The final speaker, Dr Jens Bodo Koch, explained the engineering principals and methods of well known shipyard Blohm + Voss, pointing out the need to maintain constant input from the customer and balance inhouse and outsourcing expertise. Subsequent questions included that statement that 3D modeling remained relatively expensive for under 50m yachts, as well as will the 3D dataset be guaranteed for the lifetime of the yacht. In response Martin Sickler and Dr Koch both said that it should be, and in answer to a Captain’s question of its use for him was that if his own engineer was included in the build (and 3D modeling) from day one it would increase efficiency and customise the technical space. Other issues discussed included its use for refit and insurance with Martin Redmayne asking the final question of the session “what would you like to see in the future”, which Per Egil Vedlog replying “something we can use all the way from concept all the way through” – food for thought for software designers perhaps.
Caroline Hillier / SuperyachtArt.com
The second paper of the afternoon was made up of The High Technology Sessions with 20 minute snapshots papers being presented the panel, the members of which were David Hallam - Quest International (UK) Limited, Will Faimatea - Bond Technical Management, Zeb Robin - Bond Technical Management and Jim Maclean - Proform Marine.
The session began with a presentation by David Hallam, who set out the problem of airborne pollutants, both biological and man-made. The obvious priority in this case is to use the best air cleaning system to safeguard the health all of the yacht’s users. While standard filters, ultra violet methods and ionization have a role, Quest have developed a new system that is designed to remove almost all damaging particles and resolve this problem. Following questions from the floor, Hallam explained the effect of ozone on the boat and how the system broke down bonds in particles to make them non damaging. Will Faimatea and Zeb Robin then presented a discussion of the Jetstream internet live video streaming product, discussing issues such as reliability, performance and actual technical details on how the system operates. Following issues raised by delegates it was explained that multiple channels can be watch concurrently and that the bandwidth usage is minimal, in relation to other similar services. The final discussion was led by Jim Maclean, on the need and application of non lethal anti piracy measures. Specifically, this centered on the use of the Lasersec device, which can be mounted or hand held and produces a non lethal laser beam to any attack’s view. The ship mounted, and larger version, was said to have an effective range of up to 4km, and would thus deter all but the most determined pirates – who would then find themselves increasingly unsettled and ultimately sick from the application of the product. Following questions from one interested party it was said that it could be retro fitted and will be available to see in development on the Discovery channel in the near future. The effect on innocent parties was said to be minimal as at the extended range the effect would only be enough to make any water users turn away, anyone not doing so would then increasingly feel its effect the closer they got.
 Caroline Hillier / SuperyachtArt.com
The final session of the day - and one of the most hotly anticipated - Building a Better Superyacht Business looked set to provided some stimulating, and times heated debate, and it very much proved to be the case. It provided a platform for three of the ultimate consumers in the industry, owners, - Lord Laidlaw of Rothiemay - MY Lady Christine, Mr Roger Smee - MY Leonora / Real Office Group, Mr Murat Vargi - MY Jasmin and MY Jasmin 2 / MV Holding - to present their views and experiences on how the industry operates and what they would like to see from it and us in the future. One of the issues up for discussion was the formation of an owners association - and its use as a means of providing standards for the industry that should be univerally adhered to - as proposed by Roger Smee. Initially this proposal was not well received, with some members of the audience doubting that such a formation would work. After discussion from the floor, and reflecting on experiences of the panel, it became apparent that for the industry, hearing what the owners were thinking and wanting could only be more beneficial than not. It was clear that there are frustrations from the owners perspective about the corrupt aspects of the superyachting industry - backhanders and the like - and the lack of industry standards and a means of policing this. One problem, pointed out from the audience however, was that no matter what standards you set whilst the good guys of the industry will follow guidelines, the bad guys will continue not to and so no problems will really be solved. Here Roger Smee then suggested the idea of publicly blacklising companies that are known to be behaving badly, and pulling the reputation of the rest of the industry down. In addition to this hot discussion topic the point was also raised that the industry is lamentable at marketing itself to potential new clients, and this is something that we should examine going on. We were thrilled to have three owners giving up their valuable time to share their thoughts with us on the industry and their experiences, both good and bad whilst examining the ways in which the industry needs to and must improve in order to both retain existing owners and attract potential new owners as well. No doubt the delegates in attendance came away with much to discuss and think about.
Sally Williams / SuperyachtArt.com
The day concluded with a delegate dinner hosted at Jamie Oliver's Fifteen restaurant - very apt as Global Superyacht Forum is in its fifteenth year. Delegates enjoyed a number of delicious courses and made the most of the chance to network with each other in delightful surroundings.
Sally Williams / SuperyachtArt.com
Transcripts of all the sessions that took place will be available online at SuperyachtEvents.com over the coming weeks, so do check in for these vital and crucial debates.
Superyacht Events - website
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