[Sun.] - Palm Beach Int'l Boat Show 2024

ONE SCHOOL. UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES.

Two-thirds of the Earth is covered in water...maybe it’s time you took command of your future with a marine career. Whether you dream of overlooking the world from your window office as a Captain or Engineer, Deckhand or Cabin Steward(ess), consider MPT your passport to a world of job opportunities and the training they require. As the most complete full-service, private maritime school in the country, our success-driven instructors, equipment and programs have helped thousands of aspiring yacht and merchant crew launch rewarding careers

Get your future in shipshape, ENROLL AT MPT NOW! Call Toll-Free: 1.888.839.5025 or Visit MPTusa.com

954.525.1014 | 1915 South Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 | mptusa.com

Capt. Kelly Gordon Discusses Mental Health

BY LAUREN BECK

Capt. Kelly Gordon has made a name for herself with her open discussion of crew mental health, both what she has witnessed and her personal experiences. She has presented on the topic many times and recently spoke at the U.S. Embassy in London in February 2024.

Gordon was invited by Vikand’s CEO Peter Hult and The Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs of the Embassy of the United States of America Laurie Farris to represent the yachting industry at an executive round table discussion on seafarer sustainability, specifically about mental health.

Gordon joined Hult, Farris, and Aon CCO Chris Bhatt to discuss OneHealth, a program that combines the latest tech with the most current healthcare practices. It’s a new approach from Aon and Vikand to address the maritime health crisis and

the roundtable aimed to facilitate an open dialogue about the challenges and solutions across the maritime industry.

“I spoke very frankly and honestly about the state of the mental health crisis,” Gordon said. “We have an issue with drug and alcohol abuse, bullying, harassment, and discrimination, which are direct causes of decline in the mental health of crewmembers.”

“I left the meeting knowing that Aon and Vikand will and are working relentlessly, along with myself, on making the industry a better place,” Gordon said. “I left knowing that we WILL see change.”

Gordon also spoke at the 2024 Palm Beach International Boat Show and discussed the current mental health climate in yachting, what improvements have been made, and what’s on the horizon. She also hosted a leadership seminar to discuss the need for better leadership. «

PHOTO: COURTESY OF CAPT. KELLY GORDON

Details, details, details! All in a day’s work.

Showtime is over — captains and crew take center stage one last time.

PHOTOS BY LINDSEY HANRAHAN AND KEVIN MAHER

Malta Lowers VAT for Short-Term Yacht Charters

BY LAUREN BECK

In an effort to attract more yachts to its shores, Malta is sweetening its appeal by lowering its VAT rate to 12% in certain instances. The standard VAT in Malta is 18%. The new ruling applies to short-term yacht charters that start in Malta. The new rate took effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

This amendment to the Eighth Schedule of the VAT Act (Chapter 406, Laws of Malta) was introduced via Legal Notice 231 of 2023, and it has specific provisions to fulfill.

The BWA Yachting office in Malta issued guidance: “This reduced VAT rate applies where the yacht is put at the disposal of the customer in Malta and has come into effect in respect of services which becamechargeable for

VAT on or after 1st January 2024.”

To qualify for the reduced VAT rate, the vessel must have a formal charter agreement with the owner and charterer (or lessor and lessee), the charter must not exceed 35 charter days or five weeks with the same person (lessee) within the previous 12 months, and the charterer must physically take possession of the charter yacht in Malta.

“I think it will be a good benefit as instead of 18% VAT, there will be a 6% reduction if the charter starts in Malta, especially for high-value charters,” said Keith Spiteri, operations manager, BWA Yachting in Malta.

The Tax and Customs Administration of Malta issued guidelines on the VAT application,

laying out several hypothetical scenarios explaining how the VAT rate would be applied. Examples show that the reduced 12% VAT rate would increase to the default 18% VAT rate as soon as the charter exceeds 35 days and for the remaining period within the previous 12 months.

You can check out all the guidelines at cfr.gov.mt «

With over 30 years of yacht fueling experience around the globe, the team at Tango Sierra has a lot to offer. Whether you’re cruising the familiar areas of yachting like the Caribbean, U.S. and Mediterranean, or blazing new trails to more remote parts of the world, we have the specialized knowledge and experience to keep you moving.

Gail Vanstone 954.806.3884 gail@tangosierra.us

Marianne Vanstone 954.646.8388 marianne@tangosierra.us

Tango Sierra works with a straightforward, back to basics philosophy of a business run honestly and simply with good communication, fair prices and great service to bring you the highest quality fuels and lubricants around the world.