Exclusive Q&A with Luca Mosca, Captain of the iconic 97m Carinthia VII

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Welcome to Yacht Charter Market, the weekly newsletter dedicated to the world of yacht charter.

In today’s newsletter:

• Exclusive interview with the Captain of Carinthia VII

• Charter updates: Charter fleet updates for Fraser, Hill Robinson, Arcon Yachts & Bernard Gallay

• Charter photo: New imagery of 37m M/Y Option B 📸

• Destination spotlight: Saint Tropez ☀️

• Post of the week: Dolphins swimming with M/Y Loon 🐬

TOP STORY

Exclusive Q&A with Luca Mosca, Captain of the iconic 97m Carinthia VII

Yacht Charter Market’s Jessamie Rattray sat down with Luca Mosca, Captain of the iconic 97.2-metre Lürssen motor yacht Carinthia VII, to learn all about her refit, her debut into the charter market and captaining one of the largest and most legendary superyachts on the charter market.

Carinthia VII was one of the highlights of the Monaco Yacht Show 2023, debuting her iconic transformation from a classic private vessel to a modern, charter yacht. Brand new onboard, how was that experience for you?

It wasn’t an easy start. Both the owner and Fraser shared the goal of Carinthia VII debuting her refit at the Monaco Yacht Show. It was tight; I was not yet onboard, but I was watching the journey from the shipyard in Hamburg to Gibraltar for the show intently on MarineTraffic. Will they make it in time?... Won’t they?... They were cruising down from Hamburg to Gibraltar at 17/18 knots. Of course, she made, it, and Monaco Yacht Show was a great success and an incredible but intense start for me as Captain. That’s a prime example of how it is in our jobs, there are many challenges and successes.

Thankfully, we had the chance to go back into shipyard briefly after MYS, before heading over to the Caribbean for winter.

The goal for Monaco Yacht Show was to debut both her refit and her entry into the market with Fraser. At Monaco, the boat was not as ready as she is today. Here at MYBA, we feel more prepared to exhibit her in a more finished form.

Of course, we are always striving to get better, but I am very proud of the version of Carinthia VII that we are exhibiting here at MYBA, and the show is a great opportunity to properly show her off.

How familiar were you with Carinthia VII before you became Captain, and what about her made you want to make the move?

Carinthia VII is an iconic yacht and very famous, and she has always been this way. I remember her at the very beginning: it was a real wow moment when she first hit the market all those years ago, and I have followed her with interest ever since.

There was always a very secretive energy surrounding Carinthia; there were no photos of her interior and her whole programme was strictly private. But even at the beginning, I remember thinking wow, this is a beautiful yacht, and I still think so today. She’s fantastic; she can cruise up to 25 knots, which is unique for a 100-metre yacht.

The opportunity to become her Captain came at a good time for me. I had been based in Dubai for a while, and I was keen to get cruising around again. I was also passionate about creating a very successful charter yacht, so the stars really aligned when the opportunity to be the Captain of Carinthia VII presented itself.

How does Carinthia VII compare to other superyachts you have worked with and other yachts in her size range?

We have some strong competitors in our size category, but I truly think Carinthia VII offers something different. She really combines young and old; She is a classic yacht, but she feels youthful and full of promise and potential, and her crew feel youthful too.

We are very focused on charter. We are always thinking about how we can make her even more aligned for this purpose, and planning where we could go and when. We don't just want to stop at the Caribbean, we are keen to cruise over to the Red Sea, Thailand, the Baltics… wherever the demand takes us.

She has some interesting features that work particularly well for charter, and the yacht is very adaptable to various charter groups. The success of anything depends on the time and preparation you put into it, and that is the approach we take onboard Carinthia VII.

For her first 20 years in private use, Carinthia VII racked up only 4500 engine hours and was used recreationally. How is she performing now as a busy and globe-trotting charter vessel?

We do a lot of maintenance whenever we have gaps in her programme to make sure she is always performing at her best. We like to think that there is always something more to be done and we are constantly improving. She runs to a very high standard and is constantly monitored by our dedicated crew.

Last winter, Carinthia VII was in the Caribbean for the first time. How was her crossing and how was she received over there?

The crossing went well and she was received really well in the Caribbean. The previous owner didn’t go to the Caribbean often, so it will be nice to spend more time over there in the coming years.

We had a very successful first charter over there, the very first charter on Carinthia VII, straight off the Atlantic crossing. It went well and the clients were very happy.

How is Carinthia VII’s heritage honoured post-refit? Are your charter clients aware of her heritage, is that one of her selling points?

Her refit was very well done. She has been completely refreshed, but a lot of care went into ensuring that despite these updates, her nature was preserved. You can't change the nature of a yacht as iconic as Carinthia. She’s not a yacht like the others: Carinthia is Carinthia.

When she was first built, she was painted in a special shade of blue which became known as Carinthia Blue. When you are dealing with a superyacht as special and legendary as that, you cannot play too much. You must take every care to uphold her legacy.

Carinthia VII has a new Windy chase boat. How important is it to your charter clients that your tenders and water toys are the best of the best, and does this increase charter interest?

Our new chase boat — named T2 — is a game changer. Yachts of this size spend most of their time at anchor, so having a chase boat like we do is a real selling point. It's easy to take the guests to shore, and they enjoy the luxury of the chase boat. We have a dedicated crew for T2, led by T2’s captain, Captain Nicola.

I have learned over time that the chase boat is of high value to the client, as this is what they arrive and leave in, and people want to arrive in port in style. I think this is why chase boats are a game changer as opposed to tenders.

For more information about chartering Carinthia VII, get in touch with Fraser.

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The Sapphire Experience is the official visit program of the Monaco Yacht Show for yacht clients.

Contact us now to qualify your clients for the Sapphire Experience and make their Monaco Yacht Show visit unforgettable.

Monaco Yacht Show: 25-28 September 2024

Visit monacoyachtshow.com or contact the MYS Concierge service [email protected].

LATEST CHARTER UPDATES

Fraser welcomed the 41-metre Benetti motor yacht Lexsea to its charter fleet.

Fraser also welcomed the 33-metre Burger motor yacht Silver Seas to its charter fleet.

Arcon Yachts is the new charter central agency for the 28.5-metre Benetti motor yacht Ocean Drive.

Edmiston announced that the 56-metre Benetti motor yacht Jaguar is available with a 20% discount from 23rd to 29th July in Naples.

Superyacht Sales and Charter announced a 15% discount to fill the last remaining availability onboard the 53-metre Feadship motor yacht Mirage.

Superyacht Sales and Charter also announced that the 40.2-metre Benetti motor yacht Patience has just finished up a refreshing refit, and will be available for charter from 5 September in the Bahamas.

Northrop & Johnson shared a special offer: 10 days for the price of 7 for charters onboard the 44.5-metre Christensen motor yacht Milestone.

Hill Robinson welcomed the 45.5-metre Astondoa motor yacht Panakeia to its charter fleet.

Bernard Gallay welcomed the 31.9-metre Swan 105RS sailing yacht Selena to its charter fleet.

Yacht Charter Market: Presented by YachtEye

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Seamlessly connect your yacht, crew and guests on one platform to share the fun! Visit yachteye.com or contact [email protected] to learn more.

CHARTER PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Check out this brand new imagery of the 37-metre Benetti motor yacht Option B.

DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT

Travel Inspiration: Saint Tropez

Since its days as a prosperous port city, Saint Tropez has ripened into a world-famous seaside resort. Many holiday makers jet set to sunny Saint Tropez during the summer months to indulge in its relaxed but luxurious atmosphere, bustling beaches, and famous parties. 

On the western edge of the French Riviera sits the beachy Saint Tropez. The town is a popular holiday destination, known for its seasonal, seaside energy which radiates from its bustling beaches and lively summery atmosphere. The town is famous for its lively nightlife and celebrity clientele, but maintains a peaceful French charm difficult to find in other bustling locations on the Riviera.

Described by Matisse himself as France’s “little nook of paradise,” Saint Tropez is full of natural charms, boasting coastal hikes, golden sand beaches, and stunning views of the Côte d’Azur.

POST OF THE WEEK

@motoryachtloon shared this fantastic reel of dolphins swimming alongside motor yacht Loon.

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