Captain Patrick Cowley is Named the Best Charter Captain for 2006

2006 Best Charter Captain Competition

Captain Patrick Cowley of the luxury motor yacht M/Y Paraffin wins the 2006 Best Charter Captain Competition. Now in its fifth year, the event was held at the Monaco Yacht Club during the Monaco yacht show. With over 80 charter captains in attendance, Fraser Yachts welcomed the opportunity to toast them for their hard work throughout the season.

“I am pleased to be able to publicly recognize the efforts of the captains in our fleet,” stated David Legrand, director of charter for Fraser Yachts Worldwide. “Our captains work so hard day in and day out and it is wonderful to be able to get together at the end of the season and say thanks,” he said.

In addition to announcing the winner of the Best Charter Captain Competition, Fraser Yachts and Blancpain introduced a new prize saluting the outstanding efforts of a captain over the course of several years. This award of excellence was presented to Captain Gino Battaglio of the luxury motor yacht Lady Lola.

eBay Megayacht Auction Fails

Rockford Register Star | No bidders on megayacht

An interesting idea: sell a megayacht online through an eBay auction. While the idea certainly got plenty of media attention, when the eBay auction closed, no buyers had put in a bid for the 123-foot long megayacht owned by Rockford businessman John Martin.

Was anyone surprised that no one put in the starting $5 million bid? No, most megayacht brokers will tell you that this high-ticket, luxury item requires the expertise of an experienced megayacht broker, like Fraser Yachts Worldwide. Even Mr. Martin wasn't surprised, "It would be unrealistic to think anyone would decide to want it and come up with the money in the 10 day life of the listing."

However, Mr. Martin does believe that there was one benefit to the eBay megayacht auction, "The notoriety could help us to sell it through more normal channels."

Superyacht Design Awards for 2006

The ISS (International Superyacht Society) has released its lists of finalists for the 2006 International Design Awards. These yachts represent the very finest naval architecture, design, interiors, engineering and builds in the luxury mega yacht industry from the preceding calendar year. The five categories are “Best Sail” 23m to 36m, “Best Sail 36m+, “Best Power” 43m+, “Best Power” 23m to 32m, and “Best Power” 32m to 43m. A list of finalists for each category may be found at www.superyachtsociety.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=finalists.list

The winning yachts for each category will be announced at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in October during the ISS’s annual design awards gala.