Superyacht

File:Jemima F. III 1908 Charles Henry Fletcher yacht.jpg

File:Savarona, yate de Ataturk.JPG ({{Convert|136|m|ft|abbr=}}) (built 1931) was the 20th largest yacht, as of 2018]]Image:Hacker tender and Christina O.jpg ({{Convert|99|m|ft|abbr=}}) built in 1954 for Aristotle Onassis]]

{{See also|Yacht#History}}

At the beginning of the 20th century, when wealthy individuals constructed large private yachts for personal pleasure, some manufacturers, such as Cox & King and{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nsU6AAAAMAAJ&q=%22Cox+&pg=PA252|title=The Rudder|last=Day|first=Thomas Fleming|date=1916|publisher=Fawcett Publications|pages=252|language=en}} Charles L. Seabury and Company,{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W81k1c2f7pYC&q=Consolidated+Shipbuilding%2C+Morris+Heights+NY&pg=PA79|title=The Book of Wooden Boats|last=Bray|first=Maynard|date=November 2000|publisher=W. W. Norton & Company|isbn=9780393048995|pages=78–9|language=en}} were noted for their large steam yachts. The first half of the 20th century saw the first large motor yachts, including Charles Henry Fletcher's Jemima F. III (1908) at {{Convert|111|ft|m|abbr=|order=flip}},{{Citation|last=Staff|title=Queen of Motor Yachts, The Jemima F. III., Largest in the World, Launched in the Harlem|date=17 July 1908|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1908/07/17/104739777.pdf|newspaper=The New York Times|pages=1|location=New York}} Savarona (1931) at {{Convert|136|m|ft|abbr=}},{{Cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-uses-ataturks-yacht-for-first-time-to-host-bosnian-leader-79178|title=Erdoğan uses Atatürk's yacht for first time to host Bosnian leader - Turkey News|date=March 4, 2014|website=Hürriyet Daily News|language=en|access-date=2019-04-21}} and Christina O (1947 conversion) at {{Convert|99|m|ft|abbr=}}.{{cite news |url=https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/editorial-features/christina-o-yacht-triangle-of-sadness |title=The real story behind the Triangle of Sadness superyacht |date=22 November 2022 |first1=Holly |last1=Overton |first2=Roger |last2=Lean-Vercoe |first3=Peter |last3=Boulton |journal=Boat International |access-date=11 April 2023 }}

File:Oceanco Y712.jpg, at {{convert|350.1|ft|m|order=flip}} the largest sailing yacht, as of 2018]]

The "Large Commercial Yacht Code (LY2)" of Great Britain and its dominions defines a "large yacht" as one that is {{Convert|24|m|ft|abbr=}} or more at the waterline and is in commercial use for sport or pleasure, while not carrying cargo or more than 12 passengers, and carrying a professional crew. The code regulates the equipping of such vessels, both at sea and in port—including such matters as crew duty times and the presence of a helicopter on board. The code has different levels of standard for vessels above and below 500 gross tons.{{Cite book |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/295047/msn_1792_edition_2.pdf|title=The Large Commercial Yacht Code (LY2)|last=Maritime and Coastguard Agency|publisher=Department of Transport|location=Southampton|date=September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420230523/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/295047/msn_1792_edition_2.pdf|archive-date=20 April 2019|url-status=live}} Other countries have standards similar to LY2. Whereas yachts of 24 metres and below may be constructed of fiberglass, larger yachts are more likely to be constructed of steel, aluminum or composite fiber-reinforced plastic.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NZk3AAAAQBAJ&q=%22superyacht%22+definition&pg=PA1|title=Law of Yachts & Yachting |last1=Coles |first1=Richard|last2=Lorenzon|first2=Filippo|date=2013-07-31|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=9781317995791|pages=3–4|language=en}} Such yachts may be considered "superyachts" and are more commonly at {{Convert|40|m|ft|abbr=}} or more in length.

Whereas "commercial" large yachts may carry no more than 12 passengers, "private" yachts are solely for the pleasure of the owner and guests do not carry the passenger restriction. Yachts may be identified by flag—the country under which a yacht is registered.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/luxury-yacht-advice/yacht-classification-definitions--587|title=Yacht classification definitions|last=Moretti|first=Paolo|date=January 21, 2015|website=Boat International|language=en|access-date=2019-04-19}} An industry publication categorizes superyachts by size, by speed,{{Cite web|url=https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/the-register/top-20-fastest-yachts--25053|title=Top 20 Fastest yachts|date=2018|website=Boat International|language=en|access-date=2019-04-21}} as "explorer" yachts,{{Cite web|url=https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/the-register/top-20-explorer-yachts--25047|title=Top 20 largest Explorer Yachts|date=2018|website=Boat International|language=en|access-date=2019-04-21}} as sailing yachts,{{Cite web|url=https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/the-register/top-50-largest-sailing-yachts--25057?view_all=true|title=Top 50 Largest Sailing Yachts|date=2018|website=Boat International|language=en|access-date=2019-04-21}} and classic yachts.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/the-register/top-20-classic-yachts--25051?view_all=true|title=Top 20 Classic Yachts|date=2018|website=Boat International|language=en|access-date=2019-04-21}}

As of 2016, there were about 10,000 superyachts over 24 metres in length, worldwide. Of these about 80% were power yachts. The annual production rate was reported to be around 150. As of 2018, the 200 largest yachts ranged in length from {{Convert|70|m|ft|abbr=}} to {{Convert|181|m|ft|abbr=}}—the Azzam. The largest yacht by displacement was the 20,361 gross ton Fulk Al Salamah.{{Cite web |url=https://www.yachtcharterfleet.com/news/fulk-al-salamah-6484.htm |title=Meet the New World's Largest Yacht: Superyacht 'Fulk Al Salamah' |last=Pearson |first=Oliver |date=2016-07-29 |website=Yacht Charter Fleet |language=en |access-date=2020-02-11}} At {{Convert|143|m|ft|abbr=}}, the largest sail-assisted motor yacht was Sailing Yacht A.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/the-register/top-200-largest-yachts--25027/page-20|title=Top 200 largest yachts|date=December 13, 2018|website=Boat International|language=en|access-date=2019-04-21}} As of 2018, the top 50 sailing yachts ranged in size from {{Convert|53|m|ft|abbr=}} to {{Convert|107|m|ft|abbr=}}—the Black Pearl.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/the-register/top-50-largest-sailing-yachts--25057|title=Top 50 Largest Sailing Yachts|last=Staff|date=April 19, 2018|website=Boat International|language=en|access-date=2019-04-21}} The 20 fastest superyachts ranged in speed from {{Convert|50|kn|km/h|abbr=}} with {{Convert|7290|hp|MW|abbr=|adj=on}} engines to {{Convert|67|kn|km/h|abbr=}} with {{Convert|20600|hp|MW|abbr=|adj=on}} engines for the motor yacht, World is not Enough.

As superyachts have increased in size, so have the informal terms that describe their size evolved to include "megayacht", "gigayacht"{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HzpD1GhtDFsC&q=gigayacht&pg=PT71|title=Global Luxury Trends: Innovative Strategies for Emerging Markets|last1=Hoffmann|first1=J.|last2=Coste-Manière|first2=I.|date=2012-12-04|publisher=Springer|isbn=9781137287397|language=en}} and (speculatively) "terayacht".{{cite web|url=https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/2008-private-preview-tera-incognita-239065/|title=2008 Private Preview: Tera-Incognita|date=October 2007 |publisher=robbreport.com}}

File:Azimut 98 Leonardo."Enigma".Moscow (4949190412).jpg and subsidiary, Benetti, together had made over 800 superyachts, as of 2019]]

Between 1998 and 2008, European production of superyachts grew by 228%, ending the period with a total production of 916 units and $10 billion in orders.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bmezDSjqDWoC&q=mega+yacht+industry&pg=PA211|title=European Union Shipbuilding Industry Investment and Business Guide|last=European Central Bank|date=2007-02-07|publisher=Int'l Business Publications|isbn=9781433015106|volume=3|location=Washington, DC|pages=211|language=en}} In January 2020, Boat International listed 4,621 professionals connected to the superyacht industry since 1856,{{Cite web |url=https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/the-superyacht-directory/search?sort_field=year_of_build&sort_direction=asc |title=Search for Yachts on Boat International |website=Boat International |language=en |access-date=2020-01-21}} including 1,806 builders.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boatinternational.com/profiles/role-builder?sort_direction=desc&sort_field=yachts_count|title=Yacht Builders|date=January 2020|website=Boat International|language=en|access-date=2020-01-20}}

Superyacht builders and yacht charter companies are predominantly based in Western Europe and the United States but are also found in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Eastern Europe.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2WQTAAAAQBAJ&q=superyacht|title=Sailing in Paradise: Yacht Charters Around the World|last=Heikell|first=Rod|date=2013-08-05|publisher=A&C Black|isbn=9781408109533|language=en}}

File:Three luxury yachts - Lady Anne, Lady Moura and Pelorus.jpg, Sardinia]]

Each superyacht has a flag state where it is registered, but may have never visited. Common flag state registrars for large yachts are Cayman Islands, Marshall Islands, Isle of Man, and the British Virgin Islands, among others.{{Cite web|url=https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1125024/Top-10-flag-states-2018|title=Top 10 flag states 2018|date=2018-12-10|website=Lloyd's List|access-date=2019-04-22}}

Superyachts typically frequent the Mediterranean Sea in summer and the Caribbean Sea in winter. Typical destinations in Spain and the French, Italian and Portuguese Rivieras include Cannes, Antibes, St. Tropez, Monte Carlo, Portofino, Porto Cervo, Cascais, Puerto Banús, Puerto Portals, and Palma, Mallorca; explorer superyachts may cruise in remote areas worldwide.{{Cite web |date=April 19, 2019 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/countries-with-most-superyachts-world-usa-spain-italy-yachts-2019-4|title=The 10 countries with the most superyachts in the world: Ranked|last=Warren|first=Katie|website=Business Insider|access-date=2019-04-22}}

File:Taransay Dining room.jpg in 2015]]

Some yachts are used exclusively by their private owners, others are operated all year round as charter businesses, and a large number are privately owned but available for charter part-time. As of 2018, superyacht charter costs were {{euro|link=yes}}70–550 thousand per week.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2019/04/21/burgess-boss-jonathan-beckett-going-living-rice-selling-superyachts/|title=Burgess boss Jonathan Beckett on going from 'living on rice' to selling superyachts|last=Tovey|first=Alan|date=2019-04-21|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2019-04-23|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}} Charter contracts usually include an advance provisioning allowance—a deposit to cover such operating expenses as food, fuel, and berthing. The unspent balance of the allowance is returned to the customer at the end of the charter.{{Cite web|date=2018-06-11|title=What is APA? Advance Provisioning Allowance|url=https://www.marinareservation.com/articles/what-is-apa-advance-provisioning-allowance/|access-date=2021-03-19|website=The MarinaReservation.com Blog - Online Marina Reservations|language=en-US}}{{Cite book|last1=Coles|first1=Richard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5Z03AAAAQBAJ&dq=Advance+provisioning+allowance&pg=PT348|title=Law of Yachts & Yachting|last2=Lorenzon|first2=Filippo|date=2013-07-31|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-1-317-99578-4|language=en}}

The luxury yacht charter industry functions effectively because private yacht owners mitigate their running costs with charter income as well as keeping their yachts and crew in top running order. Conversely, private charterers charter yachts (rather than owning them) because it is generally considered to be less expensive, and less hassle, than owning a yacht and it also provides them with extra choice related to yacht type, location and crew.{{cite news

| last = Bestic

| first = Ralph

| title = 5 superyachts to charter

| newspaper = Australian Financial Review

| location = Melbourne

| publisher = Fairfax Media

| date = May 22, 2017

| url = http://www.afr.com/brand/afr-magazine/5-superyachts-to-charter-20170403-gvcfmc

| access-date = 2019-04-21}} The vessels may do short cruises with the owners and/or guests aboard. Antigua is one of the main ports in the Windward Islands of the Caribbean and hosts a Charter Show at the beginning of the winter season.{{Cite book|last=Murray|first=Elizabeth J.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d5lRvsjiVjkC&dq=Advance+provisioning+allowance&pg=PA44|title=Four Stars Afloat|date=October 1998|publisher=Yachting|pages=44|language=en}}

File:Eclipse docked in Nassau Jan 12, 2011.JPG showing its decks, including a stern boat garage, a swimming pool, and a helipad]]

File:Le Grand Bleu 31July010.jpg carries a sailboat, a power boat and a helicopter on her afterdecks]]

The size and types of accommodations, amenities and number of water toys increases with boat size.

A {{convert|40|m|ft|adj=on}} superyacht may have cabins for 10–12 guests and for a crew of a similar size. This type of yacht may be configured, as follows:{{Cite web|url=https://www.yachting-pages.com/content/the-best-superyacht-design-features-guide.html|title=Best Superyacht Design Features|last=Williams|first=Michelle|date=October 25, 2016|website=Yachting Pages|language=en|access-date=2019-04-22}}

• Lower deck: exterior swimming platform at the stern; four (sometimes five) guest cabins with en-suite bath aft; engine room amidships; crew quarters forward.
• Main deck: sheltered exterior deck aft leading into the saloon; dining room and galley; entrance amidships; owner's suite forward, usually includes a study, and sometimes a second stateroom for a personal assistant/bodyguard.
• Upper deck: exterior deck aft, often used for outdoor dining; second saloon (often called the sky lounge); sixth stateroom will be amidships if it is not on the lower deck or part of the owner's suite; captain's cabin; bridge.
• Sun deck: the uppermost deck, often features a hot tub and sometimes a glass-enclosed gym (which can also be below decks or even part of the owner's suite).

A {{convert|50|m|ft|adj=on}} yacht may have one or more yacht tenders for reaching shore and other water toys which may include a speed boat or sailing boat, personal water craft, windsurfing and diving equipment and a banana boat. Such yachts have multiple screen displays and satellite communications.

Yachts above {{convert|60|m|ft}} are typically built to individual specifications, cost tens of millions of dollars, and typically have four decks above the waterline and one or two below. There is likely to be a helicopter landing platform. Apart from additional guest cabins, which are likely to include one or more "VIP suites" besides the owner's suite, such a yacht will have some or all of the following amenities: indoor hot tubs, sauna and steam rooms, a beauty salon, massage and other treatment rooms, a medical centre, a disco (usually the same space as the sky lounge or saloon, transformed into a dance area when furnishings are moved aside and special lighting activated), a cinema, plunge pool (possibly with a wave-maker), a playroom, and additional living areas such as a separate bar, secondary dining room, private sitting rooms or a library.

File:Superyacht support vessel at Gibraltar 2017-11-08.jpg

Superyachts may be accompanied by a support (or shadow) vessel that carries such items as watercraft, helicopters or other large items that the yacht itself cannot readily accommodate. Such vessels range in length from {{Convert|20|to|100|m|ft}}. There are at least four manufacturers that specialize in building such vessels.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/editorial-features/me-and-my-shadow-the-rise-and-rise-of-superyacht-support-vessels--35395|title=Me and my shadow: The rise and rise of superyacht support vessels|last=Lardy|first=Kate|date=November 27, 2017|website=Boat International|language=en|access-date=2019-04-25}} One {{Convert|67|m|ft|abbr=|adj=on}} example included the following amenities: a helicopter deck, six guest rooms, two-story helicopter hangar with sound system, movie theater, freshwater pool, a landing craft, four each of: jet skis, kayaks, sailboats, diving and fishing gear, and water skis. For use ashore, there were reportedly a two-seater automobile, two motor scooters and two bicycles. The vessel also featured a {{Convert|35|t|kg|adj=on}} crane.{{Cite web|url=https://www.superyachts.com/luxury-yacht-for-sale/global-887/|title=Global Yacht for Sale Shadow Marine Motor Yacht Yacht|last=Staff|date=2009|website=Superyachts.com|access-date=2019-04-27}}

File:Taransay Wheelhouse.jpg

The crew of a superyacht comprises five elements, each with its own staff: the captain, who has overall responsibility for the yacht; the chef, who is responsible for the cuisine; the interior staff, who create a hotel-like environment; the deck crew, which operates and maintains the vessel; and the engineers, who ensure the proper functioning of the vessel's many systems.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boatinternational.com/charter/luxury-yacht-charter-advice/the-importance-of-the-crew--1785|title=Who's who in a superyacht charter crew|last=Caswell|first=Chris|date=January 29, 2015|website=Boat International|language=en|access-date=2019-04-19}} A superyacht may be maintained by its crew, which may be reduced in size during the periods that the owners are not on board and no charters are booked. Most crew members live on board and are paid a monthly salary, with most living expenses covered by the owner. Live-on-board crews do not pay rent, food, electricity or water bills.{{Cite book|last=Perry, Julie|title=Insiders' guide to becoming a yacht stewardess : confessions from my years afloat with the rich and famous|date=August 2013|isbn=978-1-61448-786-9|edition=Second|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MRcIOQxVDM0C&q=%22Insiders%27+guide+to+becoming+a+yacht+stewardess+:+confessions+from+my+years+afloat+with+the+rich+and+famous%22|location=New York|oclc=859781233}}

All superyachts have crew areas below deck, which consist of a crew mess, crew cabins and laundry. While most crew cabins contain bunk beds, there are captains and chief engineers who, on the larger yachts, have their own cabins. There are no set hours that crew members work each week. The hours depend greatly on how often the owners are on board, how often it is chartered and on what hours the captain sets when there are no guests on board. Crew members may be hired through crew agencies or various websites.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tcCkAwAAQBAJ&q=superyacht+crew+accommodations&pg=PA364|title=Reeds Superyacht Manual|last=Clarke|first=James|date=2013-07-13|publisher=Adlard Coles Nautical|isbn=9781408123034|location=London|language=en}}

Superyachts have significant environmental impacts, primarily due to their substantial greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution. A report by SuperYacht Times indicates that the global fleet of nearly 6,000 superyachts has expanded fourfold over the past three decades, reflecting a broader trend of wealth concentration. These vessels are predominantly powered by diesel engines. Notably, the annual {{CO2}} emissions from just the top 300 superyachts are estimated to be nearly 285,000 tons, which surpasses the total national emissions of countries like Tonga. Beyond carbon emissions, superyachts also contribute to marine pollution through the discharge of wastewater, and by generating considerable noise and light pollution. These activities have raised significant concerns regarding their ecological footprint. These yachts typically spend less than 20% of their year under way; when in port many continue to emit {{CO2}} from diesel-powered generators that support any guests or crew on board.{{Cite web |last=Nix |first=Jessica |date=June 4, 2024 |title=As Superyachts' Popularity Grows, So Is Their Supersized Climate Impact |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-04/superyachts-have-an-outsized-climate-impact-as-they-grow-in-popularity |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=www.bloomberg.com}}

{{portal|Oceans}}

• List of motor yachts by length
• List of large sailing yachts
• List of sailboat designers and manufacturers

{{-}}

{{Reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book |last1=O'Shannassy |first1=Brendan |title=Superyacht Captain |date=2022 |publisher=Adlard Coles |location=London |isbn=9781472992666 |url={{GBurl|FiVBEAAAQBAJ}}}}

{{refend}}

Category:Boat types

Category:Yachts

Category:Luxury