Boatbuilding News 05.07.24 Feat. Boat International, Informa, Uber, Omaya Yachts, British Marine & Savvy Navvy

📰 This weeks Boatbuilding News 📰

😮Boat International Media (BIM) has been taken over by Informa Group. 

In terms of management at BIM, Stewart Campbell will remain editor-in-chief and BIM will have the same team, including Toby Moore as chief executive and Tony Euden as chief operating officer. John Paton will also continue as chair of the board.

“We are excited to start working with Informa. We share a vision and enormous optimism about Boat International Media’s future, which will benefit from Informa’s experience and investment in specialist media brands and platforms. BIM also owns Boat Pro, and organises events like the World Superyacht Awards and Superyacht Design Festival as well as producing books such as The Superyachts and Superyacht Interiors. Informa has been an admirer of Boat International’s products and events for some years and is a big supporter of the company’s growth strategy. Boat will stay Boat and, with the full support of the Informa Group expertise and resources behind it, the future is very bright indeed,”

says Toby Moore.

A statement says that BIM and its subsidiaries, including IBI and Dockwalk, will retain their brands and full editorial independence.

🚕 Uber is rolling out new Uber Boat services across six European tourist hotspots this summer.

Uber Yacht will arrive on the shores of Ibiza this August. This service will allow holidaymakers to pre-book a private yacht for the day directly via the Uber app. Departing from Ibiza Town Marina every day at 12pm, Uber Yacht will offer groups of up to 8 people the opportunity to sail around the white isle in a Sunseeker Yacht for €1,600.

Uber Yacht will be available to pre-book via Uber Reserve in Ibiza starting on July 26 and at least 24 hours in advance, with the product available during August.

Starting in July, Uber is launching a ‘Limo Boat’ on-demand in Venice to get around the Venetian Lagoon at the tap of a button. Priced from €120 per trip, the boat service can accommodate up to six people per trip and will be available to book on demand between 8am and 8pmeach day.

Later in July, Uber Boat in Greece will expand from Mykonos to Athens, Corfu and Santorini. Available to book in the Uber app, the product will allow visitors to travel in style to beach clubs, visit scenic coves and reach remote areas.

This summer, Uber is also launching a new Uber Cruise service in Paris. The service offers a free one-hour private tour down the River Seine, with views of Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower.

Uber says these new travel products are being launched in response to the rising demand for Uber’s services in European tourist hotspots. Uber’s data from the summer of 2023 shows demand from international customers for the firm’s mobility services increased last year by up to 55 per cent in places like Greece and Spain.

Uber currently operates a fleet of hybrid high-speed passenger ferries on the Thames in London, UK.

🇺🇸 Power catamaran brand Omaya Yachts has appointed The Multihull Company to represent its yachts in the US markets.

The Multihull Company (TMC) will offer Omaya Yachts through its locations across the Eastern seaboard and Caribbean islands, starting with the yard’s first model, the Omaya 50.

TMC is helmed by its chief executive, Captain Will Miller. Miller joined the firm in 2008 as a yacht broker in its Charleston, SC offices, where he worked for over a decade before taking over as president and CEO in 2021.

Omaya Yachts are built in Bulgaria at the Elica Yard, situated on the banks of the Danube.

“Omaya brings to market the exact types of catamarans that appeal to the clients that we have traditionally worked with” 

says Multihull Company COO Andrew Holland.

 “A purposefully built catamaran, using the best materials available, that offers quality craftsmanship and an innovative design that has been built from the ground up to suit a highly specific segment of the market. We are looking forward to representing Omaya in the US market and introducing a new class of luxury power catamarans that are built to the highest level of craftsmanship offered by very few yards today. We are excited to welcome The Multihull Company as our exclusive dealer for the US. The team shares our passion for delivering exceptional customer service alongside an exceptional yacht. We’re confident that together we can bring Omaya yachts to US waters and turn heads, starting with the Omaya 50"

says Kaloyan Radulov, co-founder and CEO of Omaya

The Omaya 50 is a 50-foot luxury catamaran with an 8.4-metre beam. Its lower and main decks and flybridge provide liveable space exceeding 150 sq.m. The yard says the yacht’s living spaces are designed to create comfortable social areas, with the potential for longer-term living, not just holidays.

The lower deck is available in two configurations. The owner’s version provides a large master cabin covering the entire port side, complete with a double bed, sofa, desk, vanity area, integrated wardrobe, and large ensuite offering double basins and a full-standing shower. Two further double guest cabins are on the starboard side with ensuite bathrooms and an additional crew cabin.

🇬🇧 British Marine, the trade association for the UK leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry, has appointed Robert Parton as its new president, effective from 18 July 2024.

Parton, who has served as president-elect for the past two years, takes on the presidency with an agenda aimed at advancing the sector’s understanding of sustainability legislation requirements and enhancing training opportunities.

Parton is owner and managing director of Aqueduct Marina, an inland marina and boat yard in Cheshire that opened in 2009. An active member of British Marine for over a decade, Parton is also a Marina and Boatyard Operative, End Point Assessor; part of the team of independent end point assessors and quality assurers at British Marine.

Parton says he is a passionate advocate for training and skills development, believing that people are the cornerstone of the industry. His leadership style is marked by his commitment to environmental sustainability and practical, sensible approaches to industry challenges.

“I am honoured and more than a little surprised to find myself assuming the role of president at such a pivotal time for our industry,” he says. “My focus will be on driving environmental sustainability and enhancing training opportunities across our membership. Together, we can foster a more innovative and responsible marine industry.”

Says Robert Parton

 “Robert’s leadership comes at a crucial time when our industry is navigating significant changes. His proven dedication and innovative approach will be invaluable in steering our collective efforts. I am looking forward to working closely with Robert to ensure our members receive the best support and opportunities for growth.”

says British Marine CEO, Lesley Robinson

Under Parton’s presidency, British Marine says it will intensify its efforts towards environmental initiatives, supporting members in adopting greener practices and alternative fuels. He is also committed to addressing the challenges in training access for remotely located businesses, aiming to expand British Marine’s educational programmes to better serve all regions.

📱 Marine navigation app Savvy Navvy has appointed Jacco Willemsen as its new global sales manager.

In his new role, Willemsen is responsible for creating a global distributor network and increasing app sales.

Willemsen previously worked as EMEA sales manager at Navionics for a decade.

“I have kept an eye on Savvy Navvy closely the past few years, and now feels like the right time for a new challenge,” he says. “Savvy Navvy is really challenging the bigger navigation apps on the market. The idea is to create a global distributor network, allowing dealers to earn from the app, which is a unique advantage compared to other products in the market,” 

says Jacco Willemsen.

Willemsen is based in the Netherlands and has spent most of his career in the marine industry. He has spent the last decade leading sales for Navionics (Garmin), especially in the USA, Europe, and the Middle East.

“We’re super excited to welcome Jacco on board as we continue to scale up Savvy Navvy. His wealth of experience and innovative ideas to get us into dealers as the first navigation application is very much in line with our vision to support the industry and get more people to enjoy the water through safer and simpler navigation.”

 says Jelte Liebrand, the firm’s founder and CEO.

Willemsen’s appointment comes just a few weeks after Savvy Navvy reached more than 1.8 million downloads and launched its latest feature. ‘Importing Markers’ allows users to import their favourite locations and markers from various navigational tools using a GPX file upload.

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