Industry News

On September 8, 2022, at the Balmoral Castle, United Kingdom, Britain's longest-reigning monarch passed away at the age of 95. Queen Elizabeth II was a much-beloved figurehead who served her country with distinction for more than seven decades. She symbolized strength and stability during some of the most turbulent times in recent history.

The Queen was a tireless worker who undertook thousands of engagements yearly at home and abroad. She was a staunch defender of the Commonwealth and an advocate for diplomacy and international cooperation.

Elizabeth II was also a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a role model to many, and her legacy will live on for generations to come.

Dutch submersible manufacturer U-Boat Worx has begun the volume production of its innovative one and two-seater NEMO submersibles, resulting in a 40% reduction in price. The NEMO 1 and 2, which have a depth rating of 100 meters (330 ft), now have the highly affordable price point of € 545,000 and € 590,000, respectively. These prices are 80% lower than what is currently available in the submersible market.

The NEMOs are the only private mass-produced submarines in the world. By embarking on its new scalability model, U-Boat Worx can deliver even shorter build times, competitive pricing, and an unrivaled owner experience supported by global customer service. The NEMO will be available from stock in 2023. Commenting on NEMO's affordability compared to other private submersibles on the market, U-Boat Worx Founder and Chairman Bert Houtman said: “We set out on a mission to introduce safe and effortless access to the underwater world to as many people as possible. With the NEMO pricing revolution, we’re now taking the next step in this journey to have 1,000 submarines in operation by 2030.”

Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Zhik is releasing a limited edition range of pink technical apparel. The one-off special pink range for women includes new Eco Spandex and UV Active tops, sports caps, and a hooded beach towel. For each item purchased, Zhik will donate 10% of the retail price to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). All funds raised will support life-changing research to help the foundation achieve its vision of zero deaths from breast cancer.

It's wonderful that brands like Zhik are supporting and promoting Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” says Cleola Anderiesz, CEO of NBCF. “Our life-saving research to end deaths from breast cancer is entirely funded by public donations, so campaigns like this from Zhik help spread the word about the importance of breast cancer research to the sailing community.”

Soneva, a luxury hospitality pioneer, has commenced a global recruitment drive to look for new Barefoot Guardians for its island resorts in the Maldives and Thailand. Soneva's Barefoot Guardians provide a much more comprehensive service than traditional 'butlers', acting as a crucial point of contact for guests from all corners of the globe. They anticipate guests' needs, curate rare and unforgettable experiences, and personify Soneva's Slow Life ethos.

Barefoot Guardian's are responsible for providing Soneva's world-class personalized service to guests, ensuring that every moment of their stay surpasses their expectations. With no two days being the same, the role is based full-time at Soneva's award-winning resorts – Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in the Maldives and Soneva Kiri in Thailand – where sustainability is at the heart of daily life, and the barefoot commute takes you past lush jungles, white sandy beaches, and shimmering seas.

The long-awaited trailer for Top Gun: Maverick was released this week, giving fans a first look at the long-awaited sequel to the beloved 1980s blockbuster. One of the most highly anticipated scenes in the trailer is the sailing yacht scene, which features Tom Cruise and Jennifer Connolly.

It's no surprise that the scene was filmed on a J/125 sailing yacht, as the J/Boats shipyard is known for its high-performance racing yachts. The J/125 is a popular model among racing sailors and has been featured in several major films and TV shows.

This article takes a closer look at the Top Gun: Maverick sailing yacht scene and the J/125 yacht that was used in the filming.

The ClubSwan 80 is set to make a big splash in the world of high-performance one-design racing when it makes its competitive debut at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo, Sardinia. Designed to be competitive at the top level of professional regatta racing, the ClubSwan 80 clearly has the Swan racing DNA, with features like twin rudders, canting keel, rotating canard, and retractable bowsprit. Plus, the interior can be repurposed for fast sports cruising, making this yacht a true all-rounder.

The ClubSwan 80 is a momentous achievement in developing the Nautor Swan range, and it rounds out the ClubSwan Yachts one-design range, which consists of the hi-tech ClubSwan 36, the innovative ClubSwan 50, and the super-Maxi ClubSwan 125. As a key component of the ClubSwan Racing concept that Nautor Group President Leonardo Ferragamo originally envisioned, the ClubSwan 80 was brought to life by the combined effort, talent, and imagination of Giovanni Pomati and Enrico Chieffi, Nautor Group's CEO and Senior Advisor respectively, yacht designer Juan Kouyoumdjian, yacht builder Marcello Persico, the CEO of Persico Marine, and interior designer Mario Pedol of Nauta Design.