Captain of 85m Aquila on charter, crew shortages & life on the sea

presented by

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 85m motor yacht Aquila

• Charter updates: Charter fleet updates for Fraser and special offers from Ocean Independence, Worth Avenue, Yachting Partners International and Edmiston, Northrop & Johnson.

• Charter photo: Take a look at the beach club on Seven Sins

• Destination spotlight: The Maddalena Archipelago ☀️

• Post of the week: 86m Abeking & Rasmussen M/Y HBC 📸

TOP STORY

Q&A with Stewart Richardson, Captain of the 85m Derecktor motor yacht Aquila 

Jessamie Rattray sat down with Stewart Richardson, Captain of the 85.6-metre Derecktor motor yacht Aquila, to talk about changes to what charter clients want, crew shortages, and life on the sea.

You have spent your life on the water. Can you tell me a bit about it?

Sailing is where my journey first started. I began as a sailing instructor in the Solent, UK, before moving to Australia – I would mainly teach people how to sail and instruct yacht masters. Although I thoroughly enjoyed my time, in the early 2000s, it became apparent that the sailing and yachting market in Australia was pretty small and I believed if I wanted to make a solid career out of sailing, I needed to return to Europe.

I made the move and began working with a company called Challenge Business. It was a yacht racing business that trained amateurs to sail big boats across oceans. It was brilliant and challenging all in one; you’re a sole captain, with a group of 18 amateurs racing massive distances.

That experience, I believe, was the catalyst to where I am now. I then met my partner, who was very focused on racing. We shared that passion and would eventually spend our time travelling whilst sailing and racing. It was a very transient and nomadic life, following sailing regattas. It’s not the most conventional way to live but we loved it.

I remember I was racing from the United States to the UK when I got an email from a gentleman called Skip Novak who was hugely prominent in the sailboat game. He asked if we wanted to come and captain his boat in the Antarctic. We thought it sounded cool, so we did it.

My partner and I spent nearly four years running what was basically a charter boat in Antarctica together. We supported a lot of filmmakers producing research documentaries about wildlife and nature, including National Geographic. We cruised all over the south Atlantic. It was real ‘Wild West kind-of-stuff’, and I loved that. It was both incredibly interesting and incredibly hard, a completely different end of the industry to where I am today. After that we spent some time in the Arctic – exploring Greenland and the east coast of Canada – on another boat, a 38-metre explorer motorboat, and that was the first time that I thought beyond sailboats to the other side of this industry.

When my partner was offered the supreme last sailing hurrah — the opportunity to work on board the J Class Endeavor, a beautiful and iconic sailing yacht fresh out of her refit in New Zealand — I was left with the opportunity to think about what I wanted to do. I went back to school, got my tickets and was lucky to join a 52-metre ketch as the mate. That got me into this side of the industry. In my case, I very much used my sailing background to cross over into the superyacht industry. I had a lot of experience captaining boats up until then, but I was now faced with a whole new side to things. It was no longer just pure sailing, now it was customer focussed too.

And how did you end up as the Captain of Aquila?

Having worked on my fair share of large sail boats, I am well aware of the conditions involved. While there are rules and regulations in place of course, there is always risk involved, particularly on sailboats. I came to a point in my career where I knew I had to ask the question, ‘What’s next?’.

I started on a 56-metre motor yacht before getting involved in a new build. Sadly, a cancelled contract meant that the new build never materialised. Fortunately, I was in shipyard with the sistership of Aquila, undergoing her four-year paintwork, and I got to know some of the crew. I got in contact with the owner’s rep, who conveniently informed me that they were hiring. I started as a mate, and then became rotational captain in 2016. I was captain until 2021 when the family asked me to move across to Aquila.

What are your priorities as Captain?

It is my responsibility to make sure we have a good team on board: that is paramount. I build trust with owners, reps, and with the management company. I am skill-focussed; I make sure the crew is highly skilled and highly trained.

The longevity we have is impressive, with multiple crew members who have been with us for over a decade. It’s a testament to how the boat is run, and it’s a testament to her owners. They are fantastic and so supportive.

Why does Aquila standout in the charter market?

Aquila has a strong reputation. She’s an older boat but has been at the receiving end of incredible investment from the owner, including investment in time, in crew and in training. Her reputation carries her, and that is seen with our repeat clients and strong interest. She’s a classic beauty and we have a very high end offering. Our focus on training, reviewing, and building gives us a real quality feel that is evident when our guests step onboard.

What is the status with the demand for crew?

For a long time, we struggled as a growing industry to find enough crew. It's not just a case of having enough crew, but of having the right crew. I think a lot of people, and potentially a lot of the right people, don’t know this industry exists. The market we’re in is a very private one, and one that seems far too unattainable for a lot of people to ever consider getting involved in.

Certain media moments have spotlighted the industry and have in turn exposed more young people to yachting. Whether this is a good thing or not, what we need is numbers, and I think that this helps to encourage young people to get involved in the industry, or to show them it’s there at all.

How have you seen charter, and what clients want, change?

There’s definitely a big focus these days on equipping the yacht with as many offerings as possible. For crew today, there’s more to it than just having the necessary skills and qualifications. You have to come with other selling points too, like being a divemaster, a yoga instructor, or a beauty therapist. Yachts used to be all about parties, and while many still are, wellness has become more important and a focus of guests.

LATEST CHARTER UPDATES

Fraser welcomed the 44-metre Oceanco motor yacht Deep Blue II to its charter fleet.

Fill the gap: Yachting Partners International announced an opportunity to fill the gap onboard the 52-metre Sanlorenzo motor yacht Seven Sins.

• 13 to 18 August

• Ibiza to Ibiza or Ibiza to Bonifacio

Edmiston announced that the 43-metre Mondomarine motor yacht Bina is available from the 5 to 12 August in Amalfi without delivery fees.

Ocean Independence announced that the 28-metre Mangusta motor yacht Smile is offering 10 days for the price of 7 in August.

Northrop & Johnson shared a special offer: charter Mrs Grey with a 20% discount for her remaining dates in the Balearics.

Northrop & Johnson also shared an offer for charters onboard the 62-metre VSY motor yacht Roma. She is available at a special rate of €340,000, plus €71,400 VAT and €132,000 APA from 9 to 14 August, starting and ending in Port Adriano, Mallorca..

Worth Avenue Yachts shared that the 35.4-metre Hatteras Yacht motor yacht Summertime II is available for charter for charter in Alaska and British Columbia at a 35% discounted rate - only $60,000 p/week + expenses.

Yacht Charter Market: Presented by YachtEye

From onboard menus, to water toys, crew profiles and the trip itinerary, find out how essential trip information can be made digital with YachtEye. 👀📲

• YachtEye is software for superyachts that digitises essential information for the owner, guests and crew.

• Our software means that key information for everyone onboard can be made digital and accessible via the web, the YachtEye iPad or mobile app.

• Make communications before and during the trip or charter run smoothly, as everyone onboard has access to the most up-to-date information.

yachteyesyt

View more on Instagram

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

Take a look at the beach club onboard the 52-metre Sanlorenzo motor yacht Seven Sins.🐬

DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT

Travel Inspiration: The Maddalena Archipelago

Visiting the Maddalena Archipelago is a journey into a Mediterranean paradise, renowned for its crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and unique landscapes. Located off the northeastern coast of Sardinia, Italy, this group of islands offers an idyllic escape for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

The main island, La Maddalena, serves as the gateway to the archipelago. Here, visitors can explore charming streets, savor delicious local cuisine, and visit the Giuseppe Garibaldi museum on the nearby island of Caprera. Garibaldi, a key figure in Italian unification, spent his last years here, and his legacy is deeply ingrained in the area's culture.

The archipelago's real allure, however, lies in its natural beauty. The islands are part of a national park, ensuring their conservation and the preservation of their stunning beaches, such as Spiaggia Rosa on Budelli, famous for its pink sand. Boat tours provide an excellent way to explore hidden coves and snorkel in the azure waters teeming with marine life.

Hiking trails offer breathtaking views and the chance to discover secluded spots away from the more frequented beaches. Visiting the Maddalena Archipelago is a serene escape into one of the Mediterranean's most beautiful and unspoiled regions, offering a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural discovery.

POST OF THE WEEK

@hbcyacht shared this reel of the 86-metre Abeking & Rasmussen motor yacht HBC.

hbcyacht

View more on Instagram

SHARE YACHT CHARTER MARKET

Share this newsletter with friends, colleagues and other interested parties.