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We were shocked last week by the news about the fire on board the 75m sailing yacht Enigma (formerly known as Phocea). The yacht caught a fire near Langkawi, Malaysia. Seven crew members were rescued from the yacht, but the damage incurred by the fire led to the yacht sinking nearly twenty-four hours later. There is an interesting story behind the yacht. Enigma was built at Toulon, France, by DCAN in 1976 for Alain Colas, who was a French sailor. Her name was Club Méditerranée. He disappeared in 1978 in the Atlantic ocean, never to be seen again. In 1985 she was bought from Alain Colas’s wife by Bernard Tapie and renamed Phocea. Her second owner, French businessman Bernard Tapie, who is also an occasional actor, TV host and politician. He owned Adidas from 1990 to 1993; his cycling team La Vie Claire won the Tour de France twice – in 1985 and 1986 – and his football club Olympique de Marseille won the French championship four times in a row, as well as the Champions League in 1993. The documentary Who is Bernard Tapie? was filmed in 2001.From 1986 to 1999, Phocea used it as a cruising yacht. She had a major refit in 2000 in Germany. As a schooner with four masts, she was originally built for speed, and she crossed the Atlantic in 8 days and achieved speeds of 30 knots under sail. Then she was sold to Mouna Ayoub and sold again to her current owners in 2010. The Phocea was the world's largest sailing yacht before the 2004 launching of Athena, by Royal Huisman. She was loved by royalty, and, in August 2005, she crashed into the rocks off Sardinia with Prince and Princess Michael of Kent on board. Three people were seriously injured in this accident. Credits: Asian Yacht Crew/Facebook; LeHuffPost/YouTube

According to the international press, the 145m Solaris has become the eighth vessel in Roman Abramovich’s fleet. She is being built at Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven, Germany, where they’re preparing her for launch. According to some sources she’ll cost £430 million to build.Solaris has eight decks, as well as a helicopter pad, and she’ll have 48 cabins, accommodating up to thirty-six passengers and a crew of sixty. Lloyd Werft is located on a site covering more than 260,000 square metres in Bremerhaven’s Überseehafen on the German North Sea coast. Three large dry and floating docks, as well as high-performance workshops and logistics sectors, make it possible to build and convert ships more than 300m in length and with a draw up to 11m.Credits: Tom van Oossanen Instagram

Organisers of the Monaco Yacht Show have announced that in 2021 it will take place between 22–25 September. It will be upgraded and is designed to rise to the commercial and marketing challenges facing the market by promoting the superyacht lifestyle to a new set of wealthy clients.A steering committee of decision-makers from the yachting industry will play an advisory role, supporting the MYS development strategy and providing formal recognition of Informa’s commitment to working in partnership with the industry. Informa also plans to provide financial support, matching the annual amounts invested by the industry in its marketing action plan to showcase the superyacht lifestyle. Starting this year, visitors will discover new sections dedicated to innovative projects and trends in sailing, design and exploration, and the programme is set to grow over coming years, expanding the range of activities that reflect life on board a superyacht. The MYS will also rename its various exhibition areas, identifying each distinct theme to make it easier for visitors to find their way around.Monaco Yacht Show 2019 Here is a list of updates: Three categories of visitors with different badgesThere will be three categories of visitors, each with their own badge. The “Discover” badge will be reserved for yacht clients; their advisors and consultants will wear an “Advise” badge; and trade visitors, meanwhile, will be recognised thanks to their “Connect” badge.Superyacht and Tender Exhibition in the Dockside AreaOne of the advantages of the new badge system will be to enhance the flow of visitors on the quaysides; it will be easier for private visitors to board the superyachts and luxury tenders. On Wednesday 22 September, the Dockside Area will be open to “Discover” and “Advise” badges only, so that these categories of visitor can meet with shipyards, yacht brokers, designers or tender manufacturers in a more intimate and personalised environment. From Thursday onwards, the Dockside Area will be open to all participants. Premium services for VIP customersThe MYS official VIP visit programme, the Sapphire Experience, features a programme of activities in the show and in Monaco for superyacht owners, charterers and future clients. VIPs will be plunged into the world of superyachting from the moment they arrive at the Show. Two new first-class VIP entrances will be located near the Upper Deck Lounge (exhibition space for the show’s luxury partners) and close to the Yacht Club de Monaco.Monaco Yacht Show 2019 Safe experienceInforma’s main priority is obviously to safeguard the health of participants at the Show and thus provide a safe and serene experience. The 2021 MYS will therefore implement all necessary health measures, guided by its AllSecure programme and health regulations issued by Monaco’s government.The Monaco Yacht Show is an impressive and truly international fleet of superyachts available for purchase or charter. The MYS also showcases a selection of companies with ties to the yachting and luxury markets. Stands are reserved for superyacht builders and designers; yacht brokers; and providers of tenders, nautical gadgets and water toys, luxury brands, high-end cars and motorbikes, helicopters and private jets. The Monaco Yacht Show has been attracting a wealthy international clientele of yacht owners and executives from the superyacht and luxury markets since 1991. ​​​​​​It is organised under the High Patronage of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco in Monaco’s Port Hercule.Credits: Monaco Yacht Show; Anastasia Ryzhkova

Blue II (Project Lombok) is a 56m ice-class explorer yacht. Her 1960s inspired exterior was designed by Andre Hoek and her interior by Hoek Design & Vickers Studio. Blue II style might be described as classical with a modern twist. The inside volume is 785 GT. She can accommodate 12 guest in six spacious cabins and has a spa with a sauna, a steam room, a Turkish bath and massage room, and a gym. She can travel in the Northwest Passage and polar regions. Blue II has a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system and satellite communications dome, which is integrated into the composite funnel. She can reach a top speed of 13 knots.Turquoise was established in 1997 by two leaders of the Turkish boat building industry: Proteksan Yachts Inc. and Turquoise Yacht Construction. After launching the 50m M/Y Turquoise (now called Double Trouble), 20 other megayachts ranging from 40m to 77m in length have since been delivered to an international roster of clients from the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Russia. Credits: Hoek Design Naval Architects

Morgana, the new 100-foot custom sloop by Southern Wind, has arrived in La Spezia, Italy, after a maiden voyage of more than 7,000 nautical miles from the southern tip of Africa to the Mediterranean. With general design, exterior and interior design by Nauta Design and naval architecture by Reichel/Pugh, the R/P-NAUTA 100 is a hi-tech lifting keel custom sailing yacht that draws on lightweight carbon fibre/Corecell, Nomex and prepreg construction for optimal racing performance and cruising comfort.“Morgana completed her delivery voyage from the Southern Wind shipyard in South Africa with flying colours,” says Mario Pedol, president of Nauta Design, who went aboard the boat in La Spezia together with her owner. “The demanding owner is a friend of mine and this is the culmination of an idea that started in 2017 when he approached us to design his new dream yacht.” Morgana’s exterior profile, from the spacious flush deck to the sleek and sporty lines of the coachroof, is typical of the uncluttered style that Nauta Design brings to its projects. Thanks also to the tender garage, ample foredeck locker, hidden mooring arrangement and an underwater anchor system, the 100 footer’s clean and essential looks are the result of years of experience in designing ocean-going sailing yachts. Nauta Design is also responsible for the fresh and contemporary, yet understated, interior styling. Morgana has three en-suite guest cabins, including a large owner’s suite forward and a dedicated TV area in the forward part of the salon. The aft crew area includes a captain’s cabin with a double bed portside and a crew cabin with two bunks to starboard. The R/P-NAUTA 100 has a powerful hull form when heeled and a narrow upright waterplane for stability while reaching and sailing upwind, as well as good performance in light airs. The design and construction benefited from efficient cooperation between the designers and the shipyard, who were focused on finding the best balance between innovative solutions and well-proven technologies.Credits: Rob Kamhoot