BOAT Briefing

What does it take to build one of the most ambitious maritime projects ever conceived? In this Big BOAT Interview, BOAT’s content director Lucy Dunn talks to Alain Gruber, CEO of Ulyssia Residences AG, about the 322-metre residential yacht Ulyssia. Designed by Espen Øino, it reimagines life at sea by combining private residences with the hyper-personalisation of a superyacht and the amenities of a world-class resort. Gruber explores the vision behind this floating community and how Ulyssia is redefining luxury living, ownership and the future of global travel - and reveals why they are moving the project to Chi...

What separates good craftsmanship from truly exceptional craftsmanship? In this episode, BOAT’s head of digital content Holly Margerrison goes behind the scenes of the BOAT Artistry & Craft Awards with judge and Parkway England CEO Jay Rushton, discussing this year's winners, the judging process and the future of artisan-led design in yachting. She also catches up with 2025 Emerging Artisan of the Year winner Poppy Pawsey to hear how the accolade helped shape her career one year on at British design studio Silverlining.

This episode of BOAT Briefing is sponsored by Amico & Co, a Genoa-based, family-owned refit yard wi...

BOAT International's editor Caroline White sits down in Milan with Benedetto Vigna, chief executive officer of Ferrari, to discuss why his engineers are designing a sailing yacht and what the carmaker stands gain by doing so. The Ferrari Hypersail project is a 30-metre flying monohull and experimental platform designed to operate at the edge of what's currently possible in energy management, aerodynamics, and control systems. Vigna discusses what the car company is bringing to offshore open ocean racing and a world that’s already defined by specialist naval architects; what Ferrari thinks it can learn from a project like th...

The founder of the Cyclades Cup Antiparos, Ilia Rigas, tells Georgia Boscawen about how she created the regatta. 

Taking place from 10–13 June 2026 on the picturesque Greek island of Antiparos, the regatta is now heading into its third edition and has already established itself as a standout fixture on the superyacht racing calendar. We find out what goes on behind the scenes and what participants can expect from the race in a few weeks’ time.

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What does it feel like to be 65-metres below sea level, holding a single breath in complete stillness? In this Big BOAT Interview, 11-time freediving record holder Hanli Prinsloo shares the extraordinary experiences that have shaped her life above and below the sea, reflecting on the transformative power of the ocean and the power of breath can play in boosting our health and wellbeing. She also recounts unforgettable encounters with bottlenose dolphins, including a remarkable moment while seven months pregnant, when the dolphins appeared to sense the life growing inside her.

Prinsloo will be special guest speaker...

The World Superyacht Awards remain the uncontested apex of the big boat world; the Oscars of the genre. 

Following a spectacular ceremony in Venice, Caroline and Risa unveil all the winners from the night, discussing the stand-out features of each boat and bringing you the judges' comments about what gave them the edge. It’s a worthy pantheon, honouring the vision, craftsmanship and ingenuity that continue to drive yachting forward.

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From sharks and sea cucumbers to turtles and seahorses, wildlife crime isn’t just an environmental crisis threatening entire species - it’s a highly lucrative criminal enterprise, worth up to USD 20 billion per year and often seen as lower risk than drug trafficking. Olivia Swaak-Goldman, executive director of the Wildlife Justice Commission, is working to change that. In this episode of the Big BOAT Interview, she explains how her team tracks and targets the kingpins behind vast international smuggling and poaching networks. As this web becomes ever more tangled and traffickers become increasingly sophisticated, the race is on to s...

What does it take to run and sell a superyacht charter in one of the most remote regions on Earth? In this episode of BOAT Briefing, we go on board the 48-metre Oceanfast yacht Big Sky in French Polynesia, where BOAT’s head of digital content Holly Margerrison speaks directly to the people behind the experience. From charter manager Cam Bray to Captain Brett Woodford and broker Halle Scott, we explore what it takes to operate in the South Pacific – from logistics and provisioning to local relationships and immersive itineraries.

Recorded in the Society Islands, this is a be...

Join BOAT Group Editorial Director Ed Slack as he sits down with Henry Hawkins, EVP of Baltic Yachts, to uncover the magic of the St Barths Bucket Regatta. This invitation-only superyacht event blends thrilling pursuit racing with a gentlemanly atmosphere, prioritizing camaraderie and social connections over competition. Ed and Henry share their firsthand experiences of this extraordinary gathering, offering a fresh perspective on one of the sailing calendar’s most prestigious events.

This episode of BOAT Briefing is sponsored by Amico & Co, a Genoa-based, family-owned refit yard with more than 200 years of maritime heritage, renowned for its fu...

Chartering a yacht is often framed as a way to offset costs. For John Caudwell, it’s a business. With years of experience running his 73m yacht Titania  for charter, he tells Caroline White what owners should understand before entering the market. Read more about the charter experience from every angle in BOAT International’s April charter issue.

This episode of BOAT Briefing is sponsored by Amico & Co, a Genoa-based, family-owned refit yard with more than 200 years of maritime heritage, renowned for its full-service refit expertise on large yachts, delivered through highly specialised in-house teams.

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It's Show time in Palm Beach! In this week’s BOAT Briefing podcast, US Editor Cecile Gauert and Business Editor Gabrielle Lazaridis discuss the upcoming Palm Beach International Boat show, revealing insider tips and the some of the must-sees at the show, as well as BOAT International’s first Introduction to Superyacht Ownership event. They go over some of the history and the market trends in the United States, currently the world’s biggest yacht market, which are shaping this show and morphing it into one of the must-attend events of the year for big boat lovers.

This e...

In this business-focused episode of BOAT Briefing, online editor Holly Margerrison is joined by BOAT’s business editor Gabrielle Lazaridis to unpack a week of unusually intense industry news. The pair discuss the operational and insurance implications of escalating tensions in the Middle East and what they mean for yacht movements. They also examine the latest ownership changes at Sunseeker, leadership restructuring at The Italian Sea Group and the escalating takeover battle surrounding US giant MarineMax. The conversation also turns to the sailing calendar, with a look at the history and enduring appeal of the St Barths Bucket as it...

In this episode of BOAT Briefing, online editor Holly Margerrison is joined by travel and charter editor Georgia Boscawen to explore two very different sides of the superyacht world. After cruising the Society Islands on board 48-metre Oceanfast yacht Big Sky, Holly shares a first-hand account of navigating French Polynesia by yacht – from the dramatic peaks of Moorea and encounters with humpback whales to the practical realities of reaching and chartering in one of the most remote destinations on earth. The pair discuss how it compares to expedition hotspots such as Antarctica and the Galápagos, and whether the Sou...

This week on BOAT Briefing, travel and charter editor Georgia Boscawen sits down with Anna Nash, president of Explora Journeys, to discuss how the brand is reshaping perceptions of ocean travel. Ahead of the delivery of Explora III, Nash reveals how Explora Journeys is redefining modern cruising and carving out its place in the ultra-luxury market. A relative newcomer that launched its first vessel in 2023, the brand is pursuing an ambitious expansion plan, with six ships on track for delivery by the end of 2028.

This episode of BOAT Briefing is sponsored by Amico & Co, a Genoa-based, family-owned...

This week on BOAT Briefing, travel and charter editor Georgia Boscawen sits down with Anna Nash, president of Explora Journeys, to discuss how the brand is reshaping perceptions of ocean travel. Ahead of the delivery of Explora III, Nash reveals how Explora Journeys is redefining modern cruising and carving out its place in the ultra-luxury market. A relative newcomer that launched its first vessel in 2023, the brand is pursuing an ambitious expansion plan, with six ships on track for delivery by the end of 2028.

This episode of BOAT Briefing is sponsored by Amico & Co, a Genoa-based, family-owned...

In this special edition of BOAT Briefing Caroline White and Cecile Gauert project themselves to a cool evening in Kitzbühel, Austria, when the winners collected their beautiful Minervas at the 2026 BOAT Design & Innovation Awards ceremony. The two go through all the winners and categories, and reveal some of the thought process involved in the judges' choices to select winners among a strong field of finalists.

This episode of BOAT Briefing is sponsored by Amico & Co, a Genoa-based, family-owned refit yard with more than 200 years of maritime heritage, renowned for its full-service refit expertise on large yachts, d...

In conversation with BOAT International’s online editor Holly Margerrison, Fraser's CEO Anders Kurtén reflects on nearly three years at the helm of one of the superyacht industry’s most established brokerages. The discussion spans brokerage and charter performance, shifting client demographics, the rise of far-flung destinations, sustainability and transparency – and what the data is revealing about where the market is heading next.

This episode of BOAT Briefing is sponsored by Amico & Co, a Genoa-based, family-owned refit yard with more than 200 years of maritime heritage, renowned for its full-service refit expertise on large yachts, delivered through highly...

In the first BOAT Briefing podcast of the year, online editor Holly Margerrison and business editor Gabrielle Lazaridis kick off 2026 by taking stock of the market’s early signals. From counting the superyachts spotted in St Barths and what that activity reveals about the charter landscape, to looking ahead at the most anticipated yacht deliveries due to hit the water in 2026, the duo unpack what’s coming next. They also reflect on the biggest business stories of 2025, revisit BOAT International’s most-read yacht reports of the year and share their personal new year’s resolutions for the months ahead.

Thi...

This week on The Big BOAT Interview, online editor Holly Margerrison is joined by Leo Walker, Founder and CEO of Who Dares Group and a former member of the UK’s Special Boat Service. Drawing on his experience in elite military teams, Leo discusses leadership, resilience and decision-making under pressure, and how those principles translate to life on board today’s superyachts. From crew retention and mental resilience to teamwork when things go wrong, the conversation examines what the superyacht industry can learn from Special Forces thinking – and why strong leadership and operational readiness are becoming increasingly critical as yachts grow l...

In this episode of The Big BOAT Interview, BOAT’s Content Director Lucy Dunn sits down with trailblazing captain and ice pilot Maiwenn Beadle - the first woman ever to take a superyacht through the legendary Northwest Passage. From navigating ice-choked waters to balancing razor-sharp safety decisions with the pull of exploration, Beadle shares her insights into what it takes to operate in some of the planet’s most demanding environments. Beadle is taking part in the panel debate Are Permits Holding Back Exploration? at next week’s Explorer Yachts Summit at the Yacht Club de Monaco. Tickets are still availa...

This week on BOAT Briefing, we’re welcoming a new voice to the show - Dockwalk magazine’s editor, Erik Petersen. A Fort Lauderdale native, Erik joins our BOAT International US editor, Cecile Gauert, to dive into one of the biggest events in the yachting calendar - and in all of Florida - the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which kicks off on October 29. They chat about the scale and impact of this long-running spectacle, which began rather humbly back in 1959, and run through a few of the standout yachts and must-do happenings for captains. They’ll also share some of the...

This week on BOAT Briefing, we’re diving into the high-stakes world of superyacht ownership with a special episode recorded from the Monaco and London offices of international law firm HFW. Whether you’re buying, building or chartering, every step of the yachting journey comes with complex contracts, regulations and potential pitfalls - making expert advice essential.

Joining us are HFW specialists Andrew Charlier, Alex Sayegh, Jessica Taylor and George Kaye, who share their insider knowledge on everything from due diligence and new-build contracts to charter agreements and guest liability. Packed with practical insights, this episode is the perf...

In this bumper post-Monaco Yacht Show debrief, online editor Holly Margerrison and business editor Gabrielle Lazaridis unpack a whirlwind week on the docks, packed with premieres, parties and press scoops. From Benetti’s 107-metre Mar stepping in as the show’s largest yacht to standout debuts and insight into Feadship's Breakthrough, the pair relive a week of design innovation. They share insights from exclusive one-to-one announcements, including GX Superyachts’ new explorer series and Heesen’s off-site showcase in Cap d’Ail, before reflecting on broader market trends – from the impact of US tariffs to Gabe Newell’s Oceanco takeover and what it means...

After a six-year absence from the Monaco Yacht Show, Princess Yachts returned in style with the unveiling of its new Odyssey superyacht series. Online editor Holly Margerrison steps on board the Princess Y95 during the show for an exclusive chat with CEO Will Green, exploring the British builder's turnaround to profitability, its foray into the outboard dayboat sector with the C48, and the decision to re-enter the 30-metre-plus market.

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In this week’s BOAT Briefing, online editor Holly Margerrison is joined by news editor Dea Jusufi to unpack the latest from the Cannes Yachting Festival – from the numbers behind the show to the standout yachts that captured attention – before looking ahead to the Monaco Yacht Show 2025. They preview some of the biggest debuts set to hit Port Hercule, from Amels’ Energy to Heesen’s reimagined Solemates, and discuss the market trends shaping this year’s event. Plus, Holly and Dea share their personal highs and lows from the show season so far – including the best canapés spotted dockside.

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What happens when a superyacht owner opens his vessel to marine researchers on the wild coast of Iceland? In this Big BOAT Interview, online editor Holly Margerrison sits down with Scintilla Maris owner Erik Vonk, who transformed a 1989 fishing trawler into a go-anywhere expedition yacht – and then welcomed scientists on board through the Yachts for Science initiative. Speaking shortly the voyage, Erik shares the 17-year story of converting Scintilla Maris, what it was like hosting Dr. Paige Maroni and her team, and why he believes more owners should consider science collaborations at sea. Alongside BOAT International’s live blog, his cand...

In this week’s BOAT Briefing, Online Editor Holly Margerrison and Travel & Charter Editor Georgia Boscawen preview the standout yachts expected to make an appearance at the Cannes Yachting Festival, where the 50-metre-plus segment makes its long-awaited return. They unpack the latest boat show data, before Holly quizzes Georgia on her top travel tips for Cannes. The conversation then turns to the brokerage market, with last-minute September charters and the biggest price drops of August, before wrapping up with a look at the new Below Deck Med yacht and what fans can expect from the show’s latest season... BOAT Pro...

As autumn and the boat show season approach, we examine some of the big superyacht stories that have been making headlines this summer, from Oceanco's sale to Gabe Newell and the new America's Cup protocol to Phi's continuing incarceration in London and the US Coast Guard report into the Titan submersible disaster. Georgia also looks ahead to winter season, after interrogating the charter community about the destinations that are popping up on their radars.

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What happens when a seasoned sailor with Parkinson’s, his daughter and a plucky 24-metre yacht set off across the Atlantic? In this Big BOAT Interview, we follow Joe and Amy Leitch aboard On Liberty - the first Outer Reef to cross the Atlantic on its own bottom - as they journey from the U.S. to Sweden via ice fields, open seas and long stretches of remote coastline. But this isn’t just a story of exploration. Partnering with Yachts for Science, the duo welcomed two researchers aboard, turning part of their voyage into a mobile lab for ocean expl...

Laurens Last bought Heesen Yachts with his eyes wide open to the challenges ahead. As the owner of a superyacht built by another Dutch brand, he understands the ins and outs of an industry that can leave many outsiders scratching their heads – for instance, how most shipyards can survive only making a sliver of profit on each build. Last wants to change that and secure Heesen's future by introducing new manufacturing techniques and innovations learned in his hugely successful packaging business. In this interview, Last talks about his personal journey to superyacht ownership and why we all might be a li...

Two hours from LA, down the legendary Highway 1, there's a place where the mountains kiss the turquoise sea where property developer Owen Perry says “Palm Springs meets the Pacific.” A Rhode Island native turned real estate maven, Perry stumbled onto a piece of huge tract of uninhabited land on the Sea of Cortez during a cruise on his yacht around 16 years ago and saw something no one else did. And now? Villa del Palmar at the Island of Loreto by Danzante Bay is multi-purpose resort with the only TPC course in Mexico, a master-planned community and an all-inclusive resort with fine...

Two hours from LA, down the legendary Highway 1, there's a place where the mountains kiss the turquoise sea where property developer Owen Perry says “Palm Springs meets the Pacific.” A Rhode Island native turned real estate maven, Perry stumbled onto a piece of huge tract of uninhabited land on the Sea of Cortez during a cruise on his yacht around 16 years ago and saw something no one else did. And now? Villa del Palmar at the Island of Loreto by Danzante Bay is multi-purpose resort with the only TPC course in Mexico, a master-planned community and an all-inclusive resort with fine...

Heesen Yachts CEO Niels Vaasen and US sales director Thom Conboy share candid stories and behind-the-scenes insights — from the legendary founder Frans Heesen to the company’s exciting new Dutch shareholder.

Thom vividly recalls the electric moment 30 years ago when the 35-meter Tropic Sea (now Sea Axis) stole the spotlight at Bahia Mar — a defining memory for Frans, who felt “like King Kong.” That iconic yacht is still cruising today, part of Heesen’s ever-growing and evolving fleet.

From navigating the sales process (“sometimes you have to kiss a few frogs”) to celebrating with chocolate cake at launches, the...

After four decades, Henk de Vries has stepped down from his day-to-day duties as a director of Feadship and CEO of De Vries. In this interview, he charts his rise to the top of the world of superyachting, and how and why he has decided now to take on a more supporting role at the company. Henk has seen some extreme highs and lows in his 40-year boatbuilding career, many of which he discusses in this interview, delivered with his usual charm and candour. Don't miss this opportunity to sit down with one of the biggest names in the superyacht...

In the third of our three-part series celebrating Ocean Talks 2025 on 12 June, Lucy Dunn sits down with speaker Dr Camilla Floros, a marine scientist with over 20 years of experience in marine conservation across the Western Indian Ocean. In a case of her career coming full circle, Floros is now working in the same place she visited as a child  - which means she is in the best place to understand the effects of climate change and the need for local people to safeguard and protect marine resources. Floros talks about the importance of mixing generations-old Indigenous knowledge with next-gen methods s...

To kick off our three-part series celebrating Ocean Talks 2025 on 12 June, Lucy Dunn sits down with keynote speaker, conservationist and producer Colin Butfield to discuss his latest film project, Ocean with David Attenborough and companion book, Ocean: Earth’s Last Wilderness. The two discuss Attenborough's handwritten archives, octopus gardens and the ocean’s remarkable propensity to bounce back. If the ocean is allowed to recover, Butfield concludes, it will do a huge part of fighting climate change for us.

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Contact us: podcast@boatinternationalmedia.com

In the third of our three-part series celebrating Ocean Talks 2025 on 12 June, Lucy Dunn sits down with speaker Dr Camilla Floros, a marine scientist with over 20 years of experience in marine conservation across the Western Indian Ocean. In a case of her career coming full circle, Floros is now working in the same place she visited as a child  - which means she is in the best place to understand the effects of climate change and the need for local people to safeguard and protect marine resources. Floros talks about the importance of mixing generations-old Indigenous knowledge with next-gen methods s...

Continuing our three-part series celebrating Ocean Talks 2025 on 12 June, Caroline White sits down with Nicolas Rochat, CEO of Mover, the world’s first one hundred per cent plastic free sportswear brand. The pair discuss the environmental problems caused by synthetic apparel, the company’s high-tech approach to natural fabrics that is changing the game, plus a recent collaboration with Sail GP, as well as Mover’s very own sailing collection.

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Contact us: podcast@boatinternationalmedia.com

To kick off our three-part series celebrating Ocean Talks 2025 on 12 June, Lucy Dunn sits down with keynote speaker, conservationist and producer Colin Butfield to discuss his latest film project, Ocean with David Attenborough and companion book, Ocean: Earth’s Last Wilderness. The two discuss Attenborough's handwritten archives, octopus gardens and the ocean’s remarkable propensity to bounce back. If the ocean is allowed to recover, Butfield concludes, it will do a huge part of fighting climate change for us.

BOAT Pro: https://boatint.com/zg
Subscribe: https://boatint.com/zh
Contact us: podcast@boatinternationalmedia.com

In this week's episode, we dig into the recently published Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) interim report into the sinking of the 56-metre superyacht Bayesian in August last year, resulting in the loss of seven lives. For the first time, the narrative of what happened that night can be disclosed, and we also review the MAIB's comments on the weather conditions that fateful evening and Bayesian's stability vulnerabilities. Georgia, meanwhile, is newly returned from the Galapagos and tells us why these very special islands should be on every superyacht itinerary. 

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