Triton Vol. 2, No. 3

YOU BRAKE FOR WHALES

Right whales, collisions and proposed speed restrictions

THE GULF COAST

Marinas, destinations and where the fish are biting

The Sportfishing Issue

GEAR, TOURNAMENTS AND TIPS

YOUR PLACE IN THE SUN!

EXPERIENCE THE SUNTEX DIFFERENCE!

Suntex Marinas are so much more than a place to park a boat. We’ve got it all, including gyms, pools, waterfront restaurants, fully-stocked marine centers, captain’s lounges, a designated FTZ, and more. Enjoying first-class amenities, you’re sure to have a great time, along with a safe, comfortable and stress-free experience.

Suntex adds the valuable personal touch that is delivered by our highly-responsive staff, and through premium services and amenities that enhance the customer experience. Our rigorous standards to maintain the marinas in top condition are also why Suntex Marinas’ customer satisfaction ratings are among the highest in the hospitality industry.

To learn more about our growing network of more than 50 marinas with an unwavering commitment to world-class guest services and experiences, visit us at suntexCOASTAL.com/TRITON.

ONE SCHOOL. UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES.

MPT is the most complete full service private maritime school in the country. Training programs are internationally recognized and utilized by crew members from every facet of the maritime world. Our campus boasts over 61,000 square feet of classrooms, deck and engineering simulation and training labs, and several off-site training facilities.

OUR UP-TO-THE-MINUTE, INDUSTRY-LEADING TRAINING INCLUDES:

• Refresher and Revalidation Courses

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All licensing levels, including:

• Officer of the Watch

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FORMULA PRESENTS THE BEST MOVE in performance, styling and features for the ultimate center console experience! Offering flexibility from all-out fishing features to sporty adventures, now is the time to plan for your Formula 387 Center Console Fish and Center Console Sport! Both bring a trove of innovations in seating, storage and equipment options that are new to Center Consoles, while the cabin with 6'4" headroom brings unprecedented features where comfort is key.

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Verado V10s, triple Mercury Racing 450Rs or twin Mercury Verado 600 outboards.

The Formula 387 Center Console series builds on Formula’s rich offshore heritage and gives you the flexibility from all-out Fish to all-out Sport and all points in between!

FROM THE PUBLISHERS

IS THIS FOR REAL?

It’s been only a few months since most of us learned about ChatGPT. ChatGPT stands for “Generative Pre-trained Transformer”; for those not yet up to date on this, it’s essentially Artificial Intelligence (AI) that uses natural language to write about any topic and at any level of intelligence.

You want to write an article about the solar system written for a 10-year-old level of understanding? ChatGPT will do that in about 10 seconds. You want to write a maintenance plan for diesel engines on a superyacht? ChatGPT can do that. You want to write an article for Triton about financial well-being for crew members? ChatGPT can do that. (But no one has actually done that at Triton - yet.)

It's an insane technological advancement that has many people scratching their heads, rightfully so. Is it real or is it fake? Did someone learn something for real or did someone just type a few words into a computer and push a button? If you’re interviewing for crew and they speak all sorts of buzzwords about yachts, is that real knowledge or did they read something they had ChatGPT write for them?

The number of issues this raises is too long for this column, but the reality is this new technology is here to stay. Schoolkids could no longer write their own reports as teachers won’t be able to tell the difference. But then again, the calculator replaced multiplication tables and we seem to have gotten through that without dumbing down kids.

Nonetheless, nothing will ever replace real knowledge from real reading and real writing and real hands-on experience, but there will be an awful lot of people who will be sounding more intelligent than they are. Stay alert!

For the record, this column, and all of Triton, was written with no assistance from ChatGPT. But who knows, maybe for fun we’ll try a few Triton articles in a future issue and see if you, the reader, can tell the difference. Stay tuned.

Happy summer yachting.. and fishing!

KEVIN QUIRK Co-owner & Co-publisher

Publishers

Jim Bronstien | JimB@TritonNews.com Kevin Quirk | KQ@TritonNews.com

Editor-in-Chief

Erik Petersen | Erik@TritonNews.com

Associate Editor

Kevin Maher | Kevin@TritonNews.com

Art Director

Debbie Reznik | Production@TritonNews.com

Sales Director

Edward Ibarra | Sales@TritonNews.com

Digital Advertising & Marketing Director Carrie Bailey | Carrie@TritonNews.com

Social Media

Caitlin Kader | Caitlin@tritonnews.com

Business Controller

Katherine Urdaneta | kat@usmarinagroup.com

Contributors

JD Anson, Patricia Clark, Dorie Cox, Danny Davies, Ashley Rainer Andrews

Contact us TRITON Magazine +01 954-525-0029

1881 SE 17th Street, Hilton Marina Yacht Basin Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

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Vol. 2, No. 4

Triton is a free bimonthly magazine owned by Yatco, LLC

Copyright ©2021 Triton News Network. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Contributors Guidelines

Triton welcomes content from captains and crew to be considered for publication. Please email queries to Editor@TritonNews.com.

INDUSTRY UPDATES

Marshall Islands flag-state authorizes digital log option

To maintain compliance and increase digital ease, the Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime administrator has approved maritime electronic logbooks from LJ Yacht & Commercial Services.

The cyber-secure data recording system is designed to Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) standards and complies with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) cyber security protocol, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

"The RMI Maritime Administrator has been supportive and receptive to our system for applicable MARPOL electronic record books which we call our 'eLogbooks',” said LJ Yacht & Commercial Services founder Liz Jackson. "We have collaborated to move from a paper-based format for logging entries to a digital version."

With end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication and a high level of security, the logbooks allow for a comprehensive flag-state audit trail and full historical record checking.

The logs are available in 17 different modules for the majority of large yacht departments, including the official logbook, bridge, engine room, GMDSS, oil record, garbage and radio logs.

“The flag state is required to authorize the use of MARPOL electronic record books in accordance with International Maritime Organization requirements,” said David Wamsley, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs of the RMI Maritime Administrator. "The RMI Maritime Administrator was pleased to issue LJ Yacht Commercial Services their certificate of compliance allowing RMI flagged yachts the ability to comply with recordkeeping more easily."

MARPOL electronic record books must be authorized by flag states for compliance to ensure logs are secure and tamper-proof

to eliminate the ability to change entries. Yacht captains and crew access the yacht's logs with pin code/password protection, and logs can be customized for a yacht's needs with day, night and auto settings. Functionality is available online and offline with supporting documentation and imports, and security is enhanced with entry accountability.

The UK-based company uses its 20 years of experience to add to its production of printed logbooks with the digitized cloud-based software process.

The following electronic logs have been authorized by the RMI Maritime Administrator:

• Oil Record Book Part I (Machinery Space Operations) (MARPOL Annex I, Regulation 17.1)

• Garbage Record Book, Part I and Part II (MARPOL Annex V, Regulation 10.3)

• Record of Tier and On/Off Status of Marine Diesel Engines (MARPOL Annex VI, Regulation 13.5.3)

• Record of Fuel Oil Change Over (MARPOL Annex VI, Regulation 14.6)

• Record of Engine Parameters (NOx Technical Code, Paragraph 6.2.2.7)

• Official Log

• GMDSS Radio Log

• Bridge Log

• Daily Log

• Deck Maintenance Log

• Dive Log

• Engine Daily/Engine Room/Engine Running Log

• Interior Log

• Laundry Log

• Night Orders Log

• Visitor Log lizjackson.co.uk

Southern Cross Boat Works, a scaffolding and shrink-wrap company in Florida, now uses recycled shrinkwrap plastic in its operations, primarily in maritime applications. To reduce its environmental impact, the 20-plus-yearold company has made the switch to a product that is made of 100% postconsumer waste and is fully recyclable. This product is also designed with additives to disintegrate in the landfill in a shorter time than other plastic.

"Our plastic is going to the landfill and it takes a long time to degrade, we need to start thinking about that," said company owner and CEO Pablo Muñoz. Muñoz's son inspired the change.

"My son is a good spear fisherman and he goes all over the world; he said there are places where there is plastic on the bottom of the ocean," Muñoz said. "I want to do the things I can change now."

The company believes that every business has a responsibility to act sustainably and help protect the planet. By adopting environmentally friendly practices, the company hopes to inspire others to follow suit and contribute to a more sustainable future, Muñoz said.

The company is in discussions with marinas to initiate programs to recycle and properly dispose of waste, Muñoz said.

"Everyone talks about recycling, but many times it is repurposing," he said. "At one point, we will have to deal with this."

southerncrossboatworks.com

Recycled shrink-wrap option available for yachts

INDUSTRY UPDATES

Charter Itinerary announces new hires, expansion

Growth continues for Charter Itinerary, a charter preparation and booking management tool company. Working with more than 80 charter companies, the team has announced increased sales, has added several new hires, and plans new strategic partnerships this year.

Co-founders Boris De Bel and Candice Christiansen announced that Charter Itinerary added Malek Amro as head of marketing and Sasha Curti as head of sales. Amro previously led marketing and growth roles with several yachting companies and Curti led sales for a venture-backed, traveltech startup in Barcelona.

“In line with our continual evolution as a software company, we are thrilled to have Malek and Sasha onboard to manage and expand their respective departments, the synergy of which has already proved incredibly successful," Christiansen said. "Their expertise, enthusiasm, and dedication round off our fantastic team, and fit perfectly with Charter Itinerary’s ethos.”

The company cites a 180% increase in revenues over the same quarter the year before and continues toward the goal of being a one-stop shop for charter preparation and execution, and expects to offer a complete booking management

SAFE Boats Becomes 100% Employee-Owned Company

SAFE Boats International (SBI) has transferred 100% of the company's ownership to its employees. The aluminum watercraft designer and manufacturer build vessels from 21 to more than 100 feet in length.

The SAFE Boats International Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) has acquired the company in a move that began in late 2022. SBI began in 1996; it now has more than 250 employeeowners in two Washington state locations, Bremerton and Tacoma.

“It has always been our dream and our vision to make SAFE Boats International

tool. The streamlined and automated solution is ideal for captains and crew to create itineraries quickly, send them for client review, and easily adjust itineraries.

The Proposal module was released in January to allow charter brokers to send clients a selection of available yachts to browse through during the initial stages of an inquiry. The proposal and yacht selections can be edited as needed and sent to the client for easy comments and updates.

The Booking manager will launch in May, as well as a preference sheet generator, APA calculator, and a contract management module. charteritinerary.com

about our team and the community we live in,” said company co-founder Scott Peterson. “Transitioning to a 100% employee-owned company creates the foundation to become a true Northwest legacy. This allows an incredibly talented and dedicated SAFE Boats team to continue supporting the men and women in uniform around the world for generations to come.”

Known for reliable and durable vessels for military, law enforcement, first responder and commercial customers, the company has delivered more than 2,500 boats to customers in more than 70 countries. SBI has been awarded contracts that include 540 boats for the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Response Boat-Small, 58 boats for USCG Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement, 52

Dubai show highlights growth, sustainability

Dubai International Boat Show recapped the top news from the March show. The event featured 2.5 billion United Arab Emirates Dirham worth of boats and yachts on display, 50 global and regional launches, about 1,000 companies, and brands from 60 countries. Show management reported several trends from sales and visitors at the fiveday event at Dubai Harbour:

• Growth in yachting continues as the global boat-building market is expected to reach more than $47 billion in 2027. The global electric boat market is projected to reach $16.6 billion by 2031 and the global luxury yacht market is projected to reach $12.8 billion by 2031.

• Customers request sustainability as customers consider the impact of their lifestyle on the environment. Clients seek quieter trips and high-tech, lighter vessels for efficiency and fuel savings, and electric and hybrid vessels.

• New boaters average 15 years younger than they were 20 years ago and are less likely to come from boat-owning families.

boatshowdubai.com

boats for U.S. Customs and Border Protection Coastal Interceptor Vessel, and 12 boats for the U.S. Navy and 8 boats for the Ukrainian Navy.

“SAFE Boats’ success reflects the dedication and commitment of its team of talented craftspeople," CEO Richard Schwarz said. "Employee ownership through an ESOP is the ultimate opportunity for the company’s employeeowners to share in that success."

An ESOP is an employee retirement plan in which employees own business shares and benefit from the shares’ growth in value. In the United States, 6,500 ESOPs cover nearly 14 million participants, according to the National Center for Employee Ownership safeboats.com

EDITOR’S LETTER

HOT WATER

Now look. I think we can all agree that t-boning a North Atlantic Right Whale is bad. Nobody wants to ram a yacht into one of the Atlantic’s largest creatures like it’s a concussion-prone American football quarterback or a rugby winger who’s been running his mouth too much. No captain ever surveyed the vast expanse of Atlantic and thought man, today’s a great day to go out and absolutely mash some right whales. I checked, and there’s not a single Jimmy Buffett song about how much fun it is to slam into a massive endangered species.

However, if mowing down North Atlantic Right Whales on the open ocean is bad, blaming yachts for things that aren’t really yacht problems is also bad. That’s the verdict we got from captains in a story in this issue on proposed new vessel speed rules meant to protect the North American Right Whale. It’s not that yacht captains don’t care about right whales. Instead, as they told my colleague Kevin Maher, it’s that they’re not the ones striking them. That’s one of two stories in this month’s issue about imperiled animals and the best, or perhaps not so great, ways to protect them. The issue’s other problem creature, the hawksbill turtle, is a little less controversial. Nobody’s looking at yachts as a major source of their troubles - although one suggestion I received while reporting the story was that yachts get away from balloons as a decor go-to, as they float away and end up looking like jellyfish, which sea turtles consume the way Bostonians consume Dunkin. Hawksbill problems, like most sea turtle problems, are broader in nature and have a lot to do with our changing, warming seas. Scientist Larry Wood has devoted much of his professional life to studying them. It was fascinating talking to him - even if, not gonna lie, it was also a bit depressing.

With all this talk of animals struggling to survive, you might be surprised to learn that this is our sportfishing issue. This magazine is also packed with info on big-money sportfishing tournaments, cool sportfishing gear and a breakdown of a region, the central Gulf of Mexico, where some of the region’s best sportfishing happens.

But the troubles of whales and turtles are also the troubles of sport fishermen. If some animals are struggling to survive in a changing ocean, that’s a concern for every animal in the ocean, including the ones we want to catch. The best fishermen I’ve ever known are the ones who are highly attuned to nature - and right now, nature is flashing some serious warning signs.

These are problems we all need to know about - even if we’re not the ones doing some Nascar-style paint trading with right whales.

Erik Petersen is our new editor. A native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and a dual US-UK citizen, he previously worked as editor of Fort Lauderdale Magazine, as a writer and columnist for the Nottingham (UK) Post, and as a reporter for The Kansas City Star.

Whether you’re buying, selling, chartering, crewing, or managing your yacht, trust Blue Oceans to fill in the pieces for the optimal yachting experience.

YOUR TRUSTED YACHT REPAIR FACILITY

YOUR TRUSTED YACHT REPAIR FACILITY

DON'T LET ELECTRICS SLIDE

By JD Anson

The harsh marine environments yachts operate in can cause significant wear and tear on electrical systems. Megger testing is an essential aspect of a yacht’s electrical maintenance. It involves using a specialized piece of equipment known as a Megger tester to apply high voltage at low amperage to test insulation resistance on AC electrical motors and equipment. This helps identify any potential faults or damage that may compromise the safety of the yacht, its crew and guests.

The primary reason for performing Megger testing is to ensure the safety of the yacht and its occupants. Faulty or damaged electrical insulation can cause electric shocks, fires and even explosions. By measuring the insulation resistance of the yacht's electrical system, it is possible to detect any potential issues before they become hazardous. The Megger test helps to identify insulation breakdowns, which can be repaired before they cause any serious harm.

Yachts, like all vessels, must comply with strict regulations to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. Megger testing is a critical part of this compliance process.

Periodic testing will be mandated by class societies, though non-class yachts should also, at a minimum, have Megger testing performed on critical motors such as generator ends, bow thrusters or steering, fire and bilge pumps. Regular testing ensures that the yacht's electrical system meets the required standards and can operate safely in all conditions. Failure to comply with electrical regulations can result in fines, legal action against the owner and crew, and even no-sail orders.

While Megger testing may seem like an unnecessary expense, it can save yacht owners a significant amount of money in the long run. By detecting and repairing insulation breakdowns early, the cost of repairs is likely to be lower than if the problem had been left to escalate. Poor electrical insulation can cause stray current leakage that can cause corrosion of the hull plating, piping and running gear. In addition, regular Megger testing can help to extend the life of electrical equipment and reduce the need for expensive replacements.

Faulty or damaged electrical insulation can result in a drop in performance,

which can affect the yacht's safety and capabilities. Periodic testing helps to identify any potential issues that could impact the yacht's performance and cause significant damage or injury. By addressing these issues early with proactive testing, engineers can ensure that their vessel is operating at its optimal level. This helps to prevent breakdowns and costly repairs that can keep the yacht out of commission for long periods.

Spending money on Megger testing is not as fun as a buying a new waterslide but the benefits far outweigh the cost. Though it may require some convincing of the decision makers who pay the bills, yacht engineers should prioritize Megger testing as part of their overall maintenance program to ensure their vessel operates safely, efficiently, and reliably. ‹

JD ANSON HAS MORE THAN 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS A CHIEF ENGINEER ON SUPERYACHTS. HE IS CURRENTLY PROJECT MANAGER AT FINE LINE MARINE ELECTRIC IN FORT LAUDERDALE.

Megger testing helps keep yacht safety high and expenses low.

By Chef Danny Davies

Vacuum-packed, pre-portioned fish, usually from provisioning agents, can be lifesaver meals, standard crew food favorites. They also might be charter program must-haves such as Chilean sea bass or some unknown mystery fish left over from the last chef. Take your chances if you dare.

Vacuum packing is actually a very good way to store fish for longer periods of time. You can even vacuum pack your own fresh fish and store it yourself. Be aware of laws in some countries about declaring this fish when docking. Watch out for ice crystal buildup inside the vac-pac bags; this will degrade the fish. Also, freezer burn can be an issue. Always rotate your freezer stock and do a regular, complete emptying of your entire freezer to ensure expiry dates are in order.

Please don’t let any salesperson tell you that there is such a thing as a “fresh-frozen” fish. Do not believe them when they say that because it was flash frozen at -30 degrees, it is fresh — it’s not. It's frozen, and frozen fish will always be just that. Fresh fish is best in almost every case. You just have to store it right to keep it at its best.

“Fresh fish should be kept on ice” Really? I remember way back in culinary school we had fish fridges and had to change the ice trays out every morning.

The trays were stainless steel drawers that would hold crushed ice, with a drip tray inside. We would store the cleaned fresh fish wrapped in greaseproof paper on top of the ice. This would be a crazy setup on a yacht. The amount of ice you would need would be ridiculous. Plus, think of the space it would take up. There is, of course, a better way.

Keeping fish cold is important, but on ice or wet is not a good idea. Instead, clean your fish and portion as required. Wrap each portion in some kitchen paper and store it in an airtight container. If space is super tight, ziplock bags work well. I like to mix a 50/50 salt/sugar blend with lemon and lime zest. Just sprinkle a little bit all over each portion and it will draw out extra water, keeping the fish tasting its best for much longer. You can also add any dry rub or seasoning at this point — a great way to add curry seasoning or spices. ‹

CHEF DANNY DAVIES, A 25-YEAR CHEF VETERAN, HAS WORKED ON YACHTS RANGING FROM 100 FEET TO 400+ FEET. CHECK OUT HIS "BEHIND THE LINE"

PODCAST INTERVIEWS WITH TOP YACHT CHEFS FROM AROUND THE WORLD AT TRITONNEWS.COM. SCAN THE QR CODE NOW TO WATCH THE LATEST EPISODE.

STEW CUES

KEEPING EVERYTHING ORGANIZED ISN’T EASY, BUT A FEW SIMPLE TRICKS AND PRODUCTS GO A LONG WAY.

By Chief Stew Julie Emmons

Having a calendar saves time. Keep a calendar of daily, weekly and monthly tasks. This way you can make sure you are getting everything done each month. If you have other stews working under you, you can easily give them tasks when needed.

Need to be more organized? Keep an interior binder on board. With an interior binder, you have everything organized when needed. It is also helpful if you leave a boat because it can be used as a supportive handover tool for the next stew on board.

Runners and covers on the interior are key.

Have as many runners and covers on the interior as possible. I have found it beneficial to have table covers, couch covers and floor runners for when no guests are on board. This keeps the yacht looking in mint condition.

Drinks expire quicker than you think. Make sure to rotate drinks in the fridges. When new drinks are purchased, make sure to put those in the back of the fridges because they will last longer. Diet drinks tend to expire a lot quicker. This will make for an easier job when going through for expired drinks.

Keep supplies in order with a stew caddy.

Need to bring several cleaning supplies with you to each cabin? A stew caddy is a great way to do this without guests noticing. I use a diaper caddy; interior cleaning supplies and rags fit perfectly.

Scheduling on a yacht can be chaotic. Keep a big calendar and white board in the crew area so that all the crew can remain on the same page. The captain or chief stew can easily add important dates, such as travel days, when contractors are coming etc., and all the crew can stay up to date.

Chefs always get asked for fish, and that means storing it on board in a number of clever ways. Let’s unpack the techniques one by one.

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•

SAUCY SAVIOR

You are heading out early in the morning to catch the biggest and most delicious fish in the sea. If you are fishing in Caribbean waters, you will likely catch mahi, wahoo, snapper, grouper, mackerel, cobia or tuna. (Be aware that any non-Bahamian fishing from a vessel in Bahamian waters must have a sportfish permit.)

You may catch a fish within the first hour, or a few hours may have passed, leaving you and your guests starving. Your smart advanced planning will make you the fishing expedition hero.

Your cooler is not only stocked up with beverages but one or two simple frozen sauces in small-portion storage bins ready to apply to fresh catch. Easy-to-prepare sauces made from simple ingredients can fit all different tastes. These sauces may be prepared ahead of time and frozen in small quantities or made fresh on board with a simple blender such as a Nutribullet, a cordless rechargeable blender such as the Cuisinart EvolutionX or an immersion blender such as the All-Clad rechargeable cordless immersion blender. It is smart to keep in your fishing trip kit the following items so you are ready for any great catch anytime:

A sharp boning knife such as the Mac 6” boning knife.

A handheld knife sharpener such as the spring-loaded version from Brod & Taylor.

Protective gloves for sharp spines and poisonous fish like lionfish, such as the Pelagic End Game Pro set.

Clean kitchen rags such as the Norwex LE Envirocloth.

Antibacterial wipes and hydrogen peroxide from your local grocery or hardware store.

Make your catch a complete meal by keeping one or more of these staples on board:

Packets of precooked noodles such as udon or ramen.

A bag of prewashed salad greens and a few fresh lemons.

By Chef Patricia Clark

Flour tortillas or tortilla chips with a premade salsa and a few fresh limes. Chopsticks or forks.

A well-made sauce can save the day when it comes to preparing a fresh catch while still on the water. And, as chef Patricia Clark explains, concocting that sauce can be less complicated than you might think.

SAUCY GEAR

Amazings sauces don't have to be complicated, and neither do the tools you need to make them. With just a few simple things that don't take up too much space, you can concoct the sauces that make the catch of the day into the meal of the year.

Some delicious recipes...

ROASTED SWEET PEPPER SAUCE

One jar of roasted red bell peppers, drained and blended with a handful of parsley or basil leaves, ½ cup of shelled walnuts or pistachios and ¼ cup of olive oil. You may add the juice of 1 lemon for a more piquant taste or add 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite hot sauce to kick up the heat.

CARIBBEAN SALSA

Flesh of 1 mango, flesh of 1 small papaya, ¼ cup finely chopped red onion, ¼ cup finely chopped red/orange or yellow bell pepper, 1 small jalapeno, ½ cup cilantro leaves, juice of 4 limes, salt to taste. You may choose to chop by hand or blend in short pulses. Store in airtight containers. Frozen this salsa will mellow in flavor and become a smoother texture than when served fresh.

SASHIMI SPLASH

½ cup umeboshi vinegar, juice of 1 small orange, juice of 1 lime, ¼ cup toasted sesame oil, 1 tablespoon of tamari or soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of sambal or sriracha. This is a very thin “cure” style sauce and is great for dipping. You may thicken it up by blending in ¼ cup each cilantro and mint. When thin, it freezes well into ice cube trays. When thicker, it freezes nicely in airtight pint size containers.

GLOBAL PESTO

If you are going to freeze this sauce, blanch your herbs in simmering water for 30 seconds then plunge into ice water before making the sauce. The blanching will help the herbs keep their bright color. There are many variations that include a general formula of 1 cup of herb leaves, ½ cup oil, 1 tablespoon of citrus zest or chili paste or reduced vinegar or wine.

THAI STYLE

½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, ¼ cup chopped scallion, ¼ cup fresh lime juice, ¼ cup toasted sesame oil, 1 tablespoon sambal.

PORTOFINO STYLE

½ cup fresh parsley leaves, ¼ cup fresh fennel fronds, ¼ cup fresh dill leaves, ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, zest of 1 lemon, ¼ cup olive oil, salt to taste.

PROVENCE STYLE

¼ cup fresh chopped chives, ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves, ½ cup fresh basil leaves, 2 tablespoons dijon, 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar, ¼ cup olive oil.

Fishing Gloves pelagicgear.com

FROM STEW TO SUSTAINABILITY

By Kevin Maher

Entrepreneur Lauren Wardley left Sydney for a career as a stew. She then left that to found Ethical Yacht Wear - but those are just two of the changes she’s made by always being willing to try something new.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU GET INTO YACHTING?

I got into yachting about seven years ago. I was managing a hotel back in Sydney, Australia, and a friend of mine had told me that I could combine my love for the ocean and my passion for hospitality and quite literally work on top of the ocean. I was in Sydney, and I’d been at the hotel for a while. I loved it, but I was ready for a change. Within a matter of weeks of him telling me that there’s this industry called yachting, I flew over to Fort Lauderdale, quickly did my STCW, and before I even finished my STCW I was already applying to jobs. On the Wednesday before I finished on the Friday, a boat contacted me and said, “We leave for New York on Saturday.” I hadn’t even finished my STCW keep in mind, but I said, “Yeah, that sounds amazing.” I finished the STCW and a day later I was on my way up to New York on my first boat, which was a 38-meter Benetti to start with, so a smaller crew.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE ETHICAL YACHT WEAR?

It’s essentially a sustainable crew uniform company. We supply sustainable crew uniforms to yachts with a giveback business model. We provide a percentage of our profits back to ocean cleanup and research, through two main ways. Through a company called The Plastic Bank we give a percentage of the profits back which pays people in poor coastal communities to pick up plastic as jobs, so we help reduce poverty and we prevent plastic from entering into the oceans. The second way we help save plastic is by incorporating oceanbound

Lauren Wardley’s love for the ocean took her from working on it to helping save it.

plastic bottles into our polos; we use a hat company that incorporates plastic bottles into the hats; and shorts and skorts are made from a recycled polyester incorporating fishing lines and different contents of plastic. Essentially, we provide organic cotton and recycled material crew uniforms and then we go the extra mile and make sure we just do a huge part in preventing plastic from entering the ocean as well.

HOW DID YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE YACHTING INDUSTRY HELP YOU START ETHICAL YACHT WEAR AND MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL?

I’ve worked for a lot of amazing humans in the sense of, they've all done something well enough to have enough money to own very expensive boats. Whatever they've done, whether it's something that is of interest to me or not, they're successful people. I think being around such successful people and almost emulating them in a way and understanding how these people operate, it's been really helpful. With that being said, I acknowledge that it's an environmentally adverse industry and it's also put me very directly in contact with the ocean, so it's just about acknowledging different industries on the planet and how adverse they are. The industry has resources like no other, so it's a cool industry to create a business within and see how successful people conduct themselves, what they've done, hear their stories and learn about them.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE SO FAR WITH STARTING ETHICAL YACHT WEAR?

When you have your own business, especially when you don't have a team or a crew, you're kind of on your own a lot. You're dedicated to this business you want to create, but you're not waking up with a team and a crew who you can connect with, and I think it's quite isolating. You have to say no to so many things because you don't just get a paycheck anymore from somewhere and you don't just have to show up and do your day's work and go home again. If you put your head down and work hard, it always prevails, but it's not so easy to do when your hours are your own and your time is your own.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE TO YACHTIES WHO WANT TO MAKE A TRANSITION FROM WORKING ON YACHTS TO EITHER STARTING A BUSINESS OR WORKING ASHORE?

I think if somebody's business-orientated, if they have an idea, just start it. Give it a shot. I had a cold-pressed juice business in Sydney, like seven years ago, and now I have a clothing company. I never expected to have a clothing company, but that's what worked. I tried a bunch of different things, and I ended up with this and it became something really amazing. My suggestion is don't worry about creating the thing you think that you're going to do for the rest of your life, just do it. I learned so much from my juice company that I've been able to put it into Ethical Yacht Wear that I never would have known unless I just started something. It's never going to be perfect and it's probably never going to be what you end up doing, but if you start something you're going to learn so much.

DO YOU MISS WORKING ON YACHTS?

Yes, I love the industry. I love the camaraderie and the crew, it’s super awesome. As I said, having your own business is very isolating, it's a lot of hard work, it's a lot of time on your own, so I miss the crew the most. I also miss the adrenaline of charter, it's kind of like being on a show. It’s hard work but it's pretty rewarding at the end of the day, so I miss all those things for sure.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR ETHICAL YACHT WEAR?

We're expanding into other industries, but we’re going to continue to do our work within the yachting industry. We are a uniform company, but we are also a huge sustainability advocate. We're not just about selling you shorts and skorts, we’re about educating you on better decision making, consciousness around the ocean and what you can do. We run sustainability seminars, we partner with boat shows, we just do a whole massive campaign on sustainability. We’re also branching into other industries like hotels, resorts, and marinas management companies, so just starting to grow outside of boats as well.

OFFBOARDING IS A TRITON SERIES THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE MANY WAYS CREW USE THEIR YACHTING EXPERIENCES TO BUILD NEW CAREERS ASHORE. GOT A STORY TO SHARE? LET US KNOW AT CREW@TRITONNEWS.COM

Rights and Wrongs

The North Atlantic Right Whale is in trouble. But with proposed regulations to help the species potentially impacting the sportfishing industry, captains and others are pushing back about who's really to blame.

By Kevin Maher

Capt. Harry Garrecht captains M/Y Sea Deuce, a 64-foot custom Carolina. Garrecht depends on the speed of M/Y Sea Deuce to get him to his fishing grounds, canyons at least 80 miles offshore. Proposed speed restrictions aimed at protecting North Atlantic Right Whales by capping speeds at 10 knots would change his fishing trips and charters to 24-to-36-hour journeys.

“Your boat could do 24 or 25 knots and your customers are paying for that; if you have to do 10 knots, that’s going to cut down their fishing time and it’s coming out of their pocket,” Garrecht said. “Now that’s not fair to the captain, that’s not fair to the charter company, and that’s not fair to the charter guests.”

In August, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposed those speed regulations for vessels greater than or equal to 35 feet in length for certain areas to help the North Atlantic Right Whale population grow. A final decision has yet to be made, and many in the sportfishing world are making their opinions known. Captains and others in the sportfishing industry say that sportfishing boats striking whales is rarely heard of, and that the restrictions could make the situation worse by forcing boats to travel more at night.

Even though many captains and crew are against the proposed regulations, it isn’t because of a lack of empathy towards right whales, said Capt. Vinny Delgado of M/Y Game Time

“As sport fishermen, as recreational anglers and recreational boaters, nobody is against any type of conservation when it comes to marine life, but we all agree that we’d like to have some sensible laws,” Delgado said. “I think this is just a big blanket instead of trying to talk about it and figure out what the best way to handle this is.”

Struggling Whales in Changing Seas

North Atlantic Right Whales are one of the world’s most endangered large whale species, with fewer than 350 whales remaining, according to the latest preliminary estimate by NOAA. Commercial whalers nearly hunted the right whale to extinction by the early 1890s; even with whaling no longer a threat, the species never rebounded to its pre-whaling numbers. Right whales have been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act since 1970, with human interaction presenting the species’ greatest danger. Vessel strikes and entanglements in fishing gear are the leading causes of death to right whales.

To help protect the species, NMFS and NOAA established regulations in 2008 that implemented speed restrictions of no more than 10 knots to all vessels 65 feet or greater. Right whale populations grew from 1990 to 2010, but then the species began to decline due to a combination of increased humancaused mortality and a decline in reproduction. In 2017, NMFS declared an ongoing Unusual Mortality Event (UME) for the species; there have been 36 confirmed mortalities, 33 serious injuries, and 29 sublethal injuries or illnesses from 2017 to today, according to NOAA. Vessel strikes made up 12 of the

36 mortalities, 2 of the 33 serious injuries, and 2 of the 29 sublethal injuries. Entanglements made up 9 of the 36 deaths, 30 of the 33 serious injuries, and 21 of the 29 sublethal injuries. This UME led NMFS and NOAA to propose changes to the 2008 speed restriction regulations.

NMFS and NOAA proposed changes to the North Atlantic Right Whale vessel speed regulations in August 2022. The proposal looks to implement a speed restriction of 10 knots to vessels greater than 35 feet in speed restriction areas referred to as Seasonal Management Areas (SMA), modify the boundaries of current SMAs, create a “Dynamic Speed Zone framework” that applies mandatory speed restrictions to areas outside SMAs when right whales are present, and update the rule’s safety deviation program. Current SMAs are scattered along the east coast of the United States at different times of the year, some extending up to 90 miles from shore and others lasting for as long as seven months a year.

Amy C. Hirons, a professor of oceanography at Nova Southeastern University in Florida, said the idea of the proposal is meant to help right whales locate the sound of oncoming vessels.

“Sound travels far greater distances underwater than in air, but the ocean is a noisy place,” Hirons said. “Cetaceans are far more adapted to being able to differentiate where the sounds are coming from, and that’s where the 10knot proposed rule comes into play, is to establish

where a boat is going to go, particularly a small vessel.”

A right whale has an easier time avoiding a large container ship that is traveling at 10 knots due to its lack of maneuverability, but a smaller vessel, even at the same speed, can pose a more difficult challenge to the species, Hirons said.

Another threat to the species is entanglement, but Hirons believes that recreational and sportfishing is not the predominant cause of these injuries to right whales.

“Based on my own experience with the fishing industry, meaning the recreational, it’s much smaller gear and much smaller lines than what we’re predominantly talking about with commercial fishing,” Hirons said. Although smaller lines may not harm right whales to the extent that commercial lines can, they’re not completely harmless, according to Hirons.

“Even with a calf of a species that size, it’s probably going to break the line itself, but just like with any organism that doesn’t mean that it’s not potentially causing a problem,” Hirons said.

Impact on the Industry

“I don’t know where it’s coming from or where they’re finding the people that support this, but it obviously isn’t from around here,” said Capt. James Breen of the 65 foot M/Y Outnumbered about the proposed regulations. He sees fishing tournaments being impacted by the regulations the most.

“These tournaments are based around a time where everybody’s allowed to put their lines in the water, so we’re going to have to leave a lot earlier, and who’s to say you can’t hit one of these whales at 10 knots,” Breen said.

According to Breen, waking up earlier to arrive at a fishing location due to the proposed speed restrictions creates a safety issue as well.

The earlier fishermen will have to wake up

“I don’t know where it’s coming from or where they’re finding the people that support this, but it obviously isn’t from around here.”

–Capt. James Breen

to arrive at their desired fishing location at a slower speed, the more time they spend traveling in the dark.

“We have good electronics and night vision to help us, but there’s no replacement for your own two eyes and daylight to see what’s in front of you,” Breen said.

John DePersenaire, the director of government affairs and sustainability at Viking Yachts, echoed similar safety concerns.

“The 10-knot restriction would make many of our most important fishing grounds inaccessible due to the time it would take to transit to and from those areas in a timely and safe fashion,” DePersenaire said in an email. “Our boats are designed to operate when on plane, when they have optimal visibility and maneuverability.”

DePersenaire also said that Viking has built and delivered more than 5,000 yachts since the company began in 1964, and they have never had a report of a vessel striking a right whale. Viking builds more than 20 models of vessels, and all but one is over 35 feet in length.

Capt. Anthony Pino captains a 64-foot custom sportfish vessel based out of Ocean City, Maryland. His fishing ventures along the East Coast have allowed him to visit different cities along the coast, and he believes a consequence of the proposed regulations would be sportfishing vessels outright leaving the country due to the proposed regulations.

“It’s not unheard of for a higher-level sportfish operation to take their boat somewhere else, so if you force people’s hands like this they’ll just leave and communities will dry up,” Pino said.

Economic hardships to coastal businesses are an unintended consequence of the proposed regulations, according to Pino. Some of the diners and lunch spots Pino frequents while sailing with his crew have a glaring sign that brands it as a local sportfishing eatery — yacht stickers. Certain locations allow yacht crew to stick their vessel’s sticker on a window or wall, showing future yachties and anglers that they’ve passed through. Pino sees hundreds of different stickers stuck around restaurants every season - one small sign of how much of an economic injection the sport fishing industry gives coastal businesses like these.

“It’s hard to understand the amount of money spent in fishing and what the economic impact of that can be, it’s hard for people that don’t fish or work in the industry to wrap their mind around,” Pino said. “When 40 sportfish boats show up for a tournament, it’s a lot.”

Hirons encourages captains and others to view a broader picture of ocean life. Although the proposed regulations would impact the sportfishing industry if they become law, so would the decline of the North Atlantic Right Whale.

“It’s very short-sighted to only consider what’s going on in the industry,” Hirons said. “Every organism fills a part in the food web, and while we’re talking about one of the largest animals on the planet, it eats some of the smallest animals on the planet. If those whales go away, or their population becomes so constricted, that is going to change the entire food web.”

“It’s not unheard of for a higher-level sportfish operation to take their boat somewhere else, so if you force people’s hands like this they’ll just leave and communities will dry up.”

–Capt. Anthony Pino

New Rules or New Tech?

In December 2022, ocean conservation nonprofit Oceana announced that they filed an emergency rulemaking petition with Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Assistant Administrator of NMFS Janet Coit, demanding the government implement the proposed regulations immediately as the right whale’s calving season was beginning with no changes to the regulations. The Biden Administration rejected that emergency petition. However, the denial of

the immediate implementation of the proposed regulations does not mean that the change in regulations is now dead.

“The Fisheries Service proposed nearly identical protections to those requested by Oceana in 2022 and the White House has published its intent to finalize these changes by June 2023,” Oceana stated in a press release.

While all sides wait for a ruling to be announced, Viking has created the Whale and Vessel Safety (WAVS)

Taskforce with hopes of developing and implementing technology to mitigate the risk of vessel strikes on marine mammals, with special attention to North Atlantic right whales. NOAA is aware of the WAVS Taskforce and has expressed interest in its work, according to DePersenaire.

“We will work diligently with NOAA on this issue and strongly believe that we can collectively protect the right whale through science and technology,” DePersenaire said. ‹

FRIEND OF THE HAWKSBILL

Hawksbill sea turtles face the same threats as their more well-known sea turtle cousins, but less is known about them. We spoke to the Florida scientist who for two decades has led a project looking to correct that.

By Erik Petersen

If you want to know what a hawksbill turtle looks like, it’s not hard to find good pictures. They’re a friendly, not-particularlyaggressive sea turtle that likes to live around coral reefs. In terms of diet, they love a good sponge. If you come across a hawksbill chowing down on one while you’re diving, you’ll likely be able to get some good shots because it won’t swim away.

Another fact about the hawksbill: like many other kinds of sea turtles, this endangered species list member is in trouble.

Larry Wood has been studying hawksbill turtles for years; for nearly two decades, he’s led the Florida Hawksbill Project, a research and conservation program done by the National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation. Wood works on the research side; he studies hawksbill populations off the Florida coast from Jupiter to Key West.

And what he finds is in keeping with what you’ve likely heard about other kinds of sea turtles in other places. The perils it faces include everything from boat strikes to fishing nets and lines to rogue balloons to climate change-fuelled habitat loss and warming ocean waters. Wood has devoted much of his professional life to studying these animals. By helping them, he said, people can also help the entire habitat they call home.

“Sea turtles are very popular animals,” Wood said. “They manage to grab the attention of the public. They garner sympathy for their well being, which can be hard to find for other marine animals. If we can protect these animals and their habitat, that helps so many more animals.”

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation

Commission, hawksbills are the rarest sea turtle that regularly occurs in Florida. You’ll find more of them off places like the Yucatan peninsula, Belize or various Caribbean islands. There are fewer of them here because of one simple reason. “Florida doesn’t offer as much habitat as the rest of the Caribbean does,” Wood said. In particular, hawksbills like coral reefs, and there are fewer of those in Florida.

But if Florida’s not the main hawksbill residence, it’s still a good place to study them.

“It may not be a larger piece of the puzzle,” Wood said of hawksbills off Florida, “but it is a piece of the puzzle.”

And compared to other kinds of sea turtle, it’s not a puzzle many researchers have attempted to solve.

“Comparatively speaking, hawksbills have had less research than other species,” he said. “I’m pretty much the only person in Florida documenting this.”

In almost 20 years, Wood and his team have tagged nearly 300 hawksbills. His work has also been published in science journals five times, including one that was award-winning.

The work is mostly “in water” research as opposed to beach work. In summer in particular, when conditions are best, they’ll book a few days and head to a reef somewhere in South Florida between Jupiter and Key West. It’s a fairly analog operation on the boat.

“It’s a group effort, the more eyes the better,” Wood said. Once a turtle is spotted, they approach and attempt to hand capture it. “There’s no fancy things like nets or other fancy equipment.”

By nature, the hawksbill is a turtle that lends itself to this kind of work.

“The behavior of the hawksbill turtle is different in that they allow close approach in water,” Wood said. In fact, that behavior was what first gave him the idea that studying hawksbills might work. He was diving and noticed how people were getting good pictures of hawksbills. The turtle would see humans nearby and seemingly not mind at all.

“It dawned on me that 90 percent of turtle research is getting the turtle into your hands,” he said. “It was a distinct possibility that we could catch these turtles by hand.”

After nearly two decades of effective capturing, tagging, studying and releasing, he and his team have proven that true. Although, he said, “team” is perhaps too strong a word.

“It’s a loosely connected group of scientists and dive enthusiasts who happen to be available and on hand.”

He has two professional biologists on his permit.

Some of the research he’s doing now involves studying the effects climate change-fuelled warming has on sex. Sea turtles don’t have male or female chromosomes; their sex is determined by the temperature of their nests. He first studied this in 2008 and found fairly normal gender distribution. If his current research is like other research carried out more recently, it will show significantly more females, which are created by warmer nests.

Other problems the team encounters are easier to see. Fishing line, balloons and boat strikes are major hawksbill dangers. As the climate changes more rapidly and unpredictably, other problems are less known. Hawksbills spend time around reefs, but for food they rely on sponges, which may not be as affected by warming oceans as increasingly imperiled coral reefs. One of ocean research’s great current challenges is figuring out the specific effects of rapidly changing habitats and systems.

“There’s a change of connectivity out there,” Wood said, “and it’s largely unpredictable.” ‹

Team Hawksbill

Want to help hawksbills and other sea turtles from the deck of a yacht? Scientist and Florida Hawksbill Project founder Larry Wood has some suggestions.

• First, leave them alone and encourage others to do so as well, particularly if a group is diving. “The last thing they need is to be harassed,” Wood says.

• If diving, remove debris. “Fishing line is a horrible one,” Wood says. When people fish on reefs and cut the line, it lands on the reef.

• Balloons look a lot like jellyfish in the water, and eating them is a major hazard for hawksbills and other sea turtles. Make sure they’re tied down securely if being used for on-board party or event decor - or better yet, don’t use them at all.

• Boat strikes remain a deadly threat for hawksbills and other sea turtles. When going over or near reefs, either slow down or go around.

PHOTOS FLORIDA HAWKSBILL PROJECT

DOLLARBILLS

Summer’s here, and that means big bucks for billfish.

By Kevin Maher

Hundreds of captains and crew will grab fishing poles instead of shammys this summer, all looking to catch big fish and even bigger cash prizes. The United States offers a variety of fishing tournaments for anglers of any skill level, but the following competitions give sport fishermen a chance at some of the largest prize purses in the world.

MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST BILLFISH CLASSIC

Biloxi, Mississippi

June 5-11, 2023

This tournament has hosted anglers from around the world for more than 25 years, with 2022’s tournament hosting 73 boats and 360 anglers, with a total prize purse of $1.36 million. Blue and white marlin, sailfish, spearfish, tuna, dolphin and wahoo are the target species, with a limit of one blue marlin per day. Heaviest fish, catch and release, top lady and junior angler, and other optional entry awards comprise the award categories. Barry Carr, the angler who caught the Mississippi and Gulf of Mexico record-setting 1,054.6 pound blue marlin, was participating in this tournament when he caught the fish. mgcbc.com

BIG ROCK BLUE MARLIN TOURNAMENT

Morehead City, North Carolina

June 9-18, 2023

The 65th annual Big Rock tournament hopes to continue its history of blue marlin appearances and record-breaking prizes. Blue marlin, tuna, wahoo and dolphin are Big Rock’s target fish. The 2022 tournament hosted 266 boats with a recordbreaking purse of more than $5.8 million. Last year’s tournament also saw an industry record of $3.4 million in prizes claimed by M/Y Mercenaria thebigrock.com

EMERALD COAST BLUE MARLIN CLASSIC

Miramar Beach, Florida

June 22-26, 2023

The 2022 iteration of this tournament saw 84 boats and 559 anglers compete, with $1.9 million in cash prizes handed out. ECBC’s target species are blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, spearfish, dolphin, wahoo, and yellowfin and bigeye tuna. ECBC is a “modified release” tournament, making blue marlin the only billfish that may be weighed after meeting the required 110” minimum length to be boated. More than 27 optional entry levels are available, giving plenty of options for anglers to win big.

fishecbc.com

WHITE MARLIN OPEN

Ocean City, Maryland

August 7-11, 2023

Known to anglers around the world as the “World’s Largest and Richest Billfishing Tournament,” this 50-year-old annual tournament sees thousands of anglers test their skills to win big money prizes. White and blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, dolphin and swordfish are the tournament’s target species. More than 3,500 anglers attended 2022’s tournament, which paid out more than $8.6 million in prizes. A significant reason for the tournament’s popularity stems from its format, which allows each boat to enter the competition based on their pocketbook, perceived skill level and targeted species. Anglers can register for as little as $1,600 to compete for $50,000, and as much as $100,000 with a chance to win more than $10 million.

whitemarlinopen.com

MID-ATLANTIC

Cape May, New Jersey and Ocean City, Maryland

August 20-25, 2023

This tournament is uniquely staged out of two renowned locations, the tournament’s home base Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May and the Sunset Marina in Ocean City. Both locations have fully run weighins, with a livestream feed always available for competitors to stay informed. Blue and white marlin, tuna, dolphin and wahoo are the targeted species. In 2022, 178 boats and 410 anglers participated, with $5.2 million in prizes paid out.

themidatlantic.com

PHOTO PAUL DABILL

Reeling in the Gear

Whether its bait delivered to your doorstep or fishing tech to help you catch the big one, these are must-haves for billfish-hunting anglers.

By Kevin Maher

RIPCHARTS

RipCharts provides real time satellite imagery that includes sea surface temperature, true color, chlorophyll and altimetry, letting offshore anglers scout promising fishing grounds. Maps for the United States, Baja and Australia are available to download on their website or mobile app.

ripcharts.com

SIMRAD SY50

This omnidirectional sonar is small and compact, fitting on all types of fishing vessels. The Simrad SY50 gives anglers an operating range of up to 2,000 meters to track schools of fish around the vessel, depending on acoustic conditions. kongsberg.com

BAITMASTERS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Baitmasters delivers rigged and unrigged baits, chum, pre-made rigs, rigging materials and other accessories to more than 30 states. Their bait has helped anglers win big at tournaments like The White Marlin Open, The Mid-Atlantic and more.

baitmasters.com

FUJIFILM TECHNO-STABI BINOCULARS

These binoculars are compact and lightweight but offer a gyro-stabilized system that gives fishermen a stabilized image even when their boat is rocking. Giving anglers the ability to look for even the faintest sign of a marlin miles away, gyro-stabilized binoculars are a must-have for big money tournaments.

fujifilm.com

EZ BAIT RIGGING SWIVEL

EZ’s swivels are designed to snap on easily, letting you use multiple styles and sizes of hooks with the same swivel. Their patentpending coating keeps your bait from swimming off your hooks, while preventing damage to them. Their swivels promise less foul hooked baits and saves time since no tools are necessary.

ezbaitrigging.com

SHIMANO SALTWATER SPINNING REELS

Focusing on durability, power and reliability, Shimano’s saltwater reels are designed for fishermen looking to catch a prize-winning fish. Shimano offers 13 different saltwater reels that include different specifications to fit your fishing style.

fish.shimano.com

Central Gulf Coast

Mississippi, Alabama & THE Florida Panhandle

By Ashley Rainer Andrews

The Central Gulf Coast – stretching across the coastlines of Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle – is nearly 200 miles of paradise awash in southern hospitality. With abundant waterways, rich culture, some of the best seafood in the U.S. and miles and miles of pristine beaches, the Central Gulf offers a slower-paced sanctuary for travelers from all over the world.

Each of these coasts boasts similar features – access to warm Gulf waters, sugar-sand beaches, and a variety of boating and fishing opportunities – but unique attributes distinguish one from the other.

M ississippi Gulf Coast

From Waveland to Pascagoula, the Secret Coast, as this area is affectionately known, welcomes guests with mouth-watering seafood and outdoor adventures galore. Hop on a charter for a day of nearshore fishing among the barrier islands or anchor out and soak up the sun. Retail therapy can be found in many of the small towns along the Mississippi coast, particularly in downtown Ocean Springs, a charming spot filled with boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and nightlife. A museum in Ocean Springs is dedicated to Walter Inglis Anderson, a renowned artist and naturalist who lived and worked on the coast.

One of the most popular destinations on the Mississippi Coast is Biloxi. Cheer on the Biloxi Shuckers minor league baseball team at MGM Park, visit the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art and the Biloxi Lighthouse or roll the dice at one of a dozen gaming facilities. Just behind the Golden Nugget Casino & Resort sits Biloxi’s Point Cadet Marina, a yacht-friendly marina with 246 boat slips, fuel dock, laundry, shower and other amenities. The marina is also the site of one of the largest sportfishing tournaments in the Gulf – the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic.

MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST BILLFISH CLASSIC COURTESY OF ASHLEY ANDREWS

A labama Gulf Coast

Heading east, you’ll find coastal Alabama with her sugar-white sand beaches and the largest deep-sea fishing charter fleet on the Gulf Coast. Mobile – the oldest city in Alabama and the birthplace of Mardi Gras –is home to the ninth largest shipping port in the nation. Mobile Bay sits at the mouth of the Mobile River and provides the southern entry point to the river system leading all the way north to the Great Lakes.

Dotting the eastern banks of Mobile Bay are several small towns referred to as the Eastern Shore. The Eastern Shore includes the city of Fairhope, which was named one of “America’s Most Romantic Towns” by Travel + Leisure magazine. Founded in 1908 as a single-tax colony, Fairhope is known for its breathtaking sunsets, quaint downtown and robust artistic community. The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa in Point Clear is a luxury historic resort that served as a hospital during the Civil War and military training ground in World War II. The resort offers stunning views, exquisite accommodations and meticulously maintained championship golf courses along the Robert Trent Jones Trail.

South of Fairhope, you’ll encounter 32 miles of pristine

beaches bordering the twin cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Visitors to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, also known as “Pleasure Island,” can spend the day relaxing on the beach, playing in the warm Gulf waters or enjoying a variety of water activities like boating and kayaking. The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail inside the Gulf State Park was recently named the best recreational trail in the country by USA Today and offers guests more than 28 miles of paved trail system to explore the 6,150-acre park.

Foodies can enjoy a range of dining experiences, from casual beachside eateries to find dining restaurants serving up gourmet dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. The Wharf Marina, located along the Intracoastal Waterway in Orange Beach, is a state-of-the-art facility with 200 slips, fuel, pump out, and close proximity to restaurants, bars, and other amenities inside The Wharf Entertainment Complex. The Wharf Marina hosts two major sportfishing tournaments each summer – the Orange Beach Billfish Classic and the Blue Marlin Grand Championship, which has been dubbed “The Greatest Show in Sportfishing.”

Florida Panhandle

With its warm weather, emerald waters and relaxed atmosphere, the Florida Panhandle – also known as the Emerald Coast - is the perfect place to sit back, relax and enjoy some of the best food, culture and scenery that the Sunshine State has to offer. Straddling the Florida-Alabama state line in Perdido Key, is the world-famous Flora-Bama Lounge, a beachfront dive bar built in 1964 that attracts thousands of visitors each year.

In Pensacola, you’ll find a wonderful mix of cityscape and powder-soft beaches. Pensacola’s vibrant downtown area is bustling with restaurants, bars, music venues and shops that cater to a variety of tastes and preferences. Like Biloxi, Pensacola has its own minor league baseball team, the Blue Wahoos, whose stadium overlooks Pensacola Bay. Located at Pensacola Bay’s east channel, Palafox Pier Yacht Harbor can accommodate yachts up to 175’ in length and offers onsite fuel, restaurants, pump-out and other amenities. It is also home to the Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club’s International Billfish Tournament. Pensacola Beach has multiple public beach access points and an array of casual dining and entertainment options for a day in the sun. Beachgoers often have the opportunity to watch as the Blue Angels appear in perfectly symmetrical formation and buzz the beach during a practice session for one of their airshows.

The last stop on the Central Gulf Coast

is the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” Destin. With its own white-sandy beaches and crystal-clear, emerald waters, Destin is one of the most popular beach vacation destinations in the region. Spend the day anchored out in the shallow waters at Crab Island or relax on the beach at one of Destin’s five beachfront parks with public access. For those who love to fish, king mackerel, blackfin tuna and grouper can be found a short distance offshore. HarborWalk Village and Destin Commons provide entertainment off the beach with a multitude of shopping options, a movie theater and a range of restaurants. Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort not only serves up an extensive menu of luxury vacation amenities, it’s also the location of Baytowne Marina, a 210-slip full-service marina that can host vessels up to 140 feet. Each summer, Baytowne brings in sportfishing enthusiasts from all over the Gulf Coast for the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic.

Navigating from one stop to the next along the Central Gulf Coast via superyacht is best done by cruising inland along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The Gulf ICW runs for more than 1,000 miles from Carrabelle, Florida to Brownsville, Texas. It accommodates vessels with a deeper draft, while providing access to the Gulf of Mexico at various points along the way. Bridges along the Gulf ICW are fixed with most having a height of 65’.

A IRPORTS & MARINAS

AIRPORTS

Gulf Shores International Airport Gulf Shores, AL flyjka.com

Mobile Regional Airport Mobile, AL mobairport.com

Pensacola International Airport Pensacola, FL flypensacola.com

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport Gulfport, MS flygpt.com

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport Eglin Air Force Base, FL flyvps.com

Destin Executive Airport Destin, FL flydts.com

MARINAS

The Wharf Marina Orange Beach, AL alwharf.com/marina

Palafox Pier Yacht Harbor Pensacola, FL marinamgmt.com

Baytowne Marina Sandestin, FL

Point Cadet Marina Biloxi, MI

Boatyards Pensacola Shipyard Pensacola, FL pensacolashipyard.com

Saunders Yachtworks Gulf Shores, AL saundersyacht.com

Steiner Shipyard Bayou La Batre, AL steinershipyard.com

Barber Marina Orange Beach, AL barbermarina.com

GULF ICW GULF SHORES COURTESY OF SAUNDERS YACHTWORKS

ALABAMA GULF COAST COURTESY OF GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH TOURISM

Largest yachts* sold in March and April

FLAGSHIP MARINE IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE WE ARE NOW A STOCKING DISTRIBUTOR FOR ALL WEBASTO MARINE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS THAT WE BELIEVE PERFECTLY COMPLIMENTS FLAGSHIP MARINE’S PRODUCT LINE OF DOMESTIC SYSTEMS.

EVENTS

June 4

Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix

BARCELONA, SPAIN

66 laps of the 4.657 km Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya track will decide the winner of the Spanish

June 5–11

Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic

BILOX, MISSISSIPPI

Widely known as the premier billfish tournament event in the Gulf of Mexico, this tournament offers millions in prizes, fantastic offshore bite, and gambling and entertainment at the Golden Nugget Casino and Hotel. mgcbc.com

June 9-18

Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament

MOREHEAD CITY, NORTH CAROLINA

One of the largest and oldest sport fishing events in the country is back for its 64th year. Last year saw 266 boats producing a record-breaking purse of $5,858,875. thebigrock.com

June 10-25

Richard Mille Cup

FALMOUTH BAY, ENGLAND

The inaugural Richard Mille Cup offers a series of inshore and offshore races for classic yachts. Racing through Falmouth, Dartmouth, Cowes, and Le Havre, the cup creates a series of competitive races and stunning social events through the English and French sides of the English Channel.

richardmillecup.com

June 15-18

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

MANCHESTER, TENNESSEE

Headlined by Kendrick Lamar, Odesza, and Foo Fighters, this annual festival is back for another weekend of music.

bonnaroo.com

June 15-18

June 16-July 31

The Ashes

ENGLAND

England and Australia renew Test cricket's oldest rivalry, with Tests in Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds as well as the traditional two in London. ecb.co.uk

June 19-22

Newport Charter Yacht Show

NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND

Celebrating more than 35 years in existence, this four-day event showcases luxury yachts alongside goods and services for the charter industry.

newportchartershow.com

June 20

Bryan Adams: So Happy It Hurts Tour

HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA

At the Hard Rock Live at 7:30 p.m., featuring Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

livenation.com

June 21-25

Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic

MIRAMAR BEACH, FLORIDA

The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic is back for its 21st year, with the previous year’s tournament awarding $1,987,100 in cash prizes.

fishecbc.com

June 21-24

Carolina Billfish Classic MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina’s premier billfishing tournament offers more than $200,000 in cash awards.

fishbcbc.com

June 23-25

West Palm Beach Boat Show Summer Edition

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA

Showcasing powerboats up to 40’ the summer edition of the West Palm Beach Boat Show is located at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center. southflaboatshow.com

June 28

Drake: It’s All A Blur Tour

MIAMI, FLORIDA

At the Kaseya Center, formerly known as Miami-Dade Arena, at 7 p.m. livenation.com

June 7–11

Top Marques

MONACO

This international supercar show is back, showcasing automobiles from the biggest names in the supercar and hypercar industry. topmarquesmonaco.com

Art Basel BASEL, SWITZERLAND

More than 200 galleries and 4,000 artists come together to create high-quality exhibitions, bringing the international art world together.

artbasel.com

PHOTO THE DESTIN LOG

PHOTO ROLLING STONE

July 1-23

Tour de France

FRANCE

The 110th iteration of the legendary race consists of 21 stages taking place over 23 days.

letour.fr

July 12-16

Blue Marlin Grand Championship

ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA

The finale of the acclaimed Gulf Coast Triple Crown Series is set to take place at the Wharf Marina, creating a sportfishing event that is known as the “Greatest Show in Sportfishing.” bluemarlingrandchampionship.com

July 13

Louis Tomlinson: Faith In The Future World Tour

HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA

At the Hard Rock Live at 8 p.m. livenation.com

July 13-17

Bermuda Big Game Classic

HAMILTON PRINCESS & BEACH CLUB, BERMUDA

July 3-16

Wimbledon Championships

LONDON, ENGLAND

Since the first tournament started in 1877, Wimbledon is the oldest and arguably most prestigious tennis tournament in the world. wimbledon.com

July 4

Blue Marlin World Cup Championship Tournament

WORLDWIDE

The World Cup Championship lets anglers from around the world fish for the largest blue marlin from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in their respective time zone on July 4, with one winner from around the world being crowned champion. bluemarlinworldcup.com

Sportfishing vessels from around the Atlantic, Gulf, and Caribbean flock to Bermuda for this tournament, in pursuit of world record size blue and white marlin. bermudatriplecrown.com

July 19-22

Key West Marlin Tournament

KEY WEST, FLORIDA

Celebrating its 41st year in existence, the tournament draws anglers from around the world to test their skills against others. Entries are limited to the first 75 boats. keywestmarlin.com

July 20 - Aug 20

FIFA Women’s World Cup

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

32 nations will compete in the tournament for the first time, all looking to become world champions. fifa.com

July 21

ZZ Top & Lynyrd Skynyrd: The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA

At the iTHINK Financial Amphitheater at 6:30 p.m. livenation.com

July 21-23

Rolling Loud

MIAMI, FLORIDA

The biggest names in hip-hop and rap return to the festival’s home turf of Miami for its eighth year. rollingloud.com

July 22

Rolex Fastnet Race

COWES, ENGLAND

The 50th edition of the biennial, 690 nautical mile race is set for 2023. The 2021 race included more than 400 boats. rolexfastnetrace.com

July 25

Sam Smith: GLORIA the tour

MIAMI, FLORIDA

At the Kaseya Center at 8 p.m. livenation.com

July 28 & 29

Dave Matthews Band

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA

At the iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre, with doors opening at 6 p.m. livenation.com

PHOTO MIAMI NEW TIMES

PHOTO WEAR-TV

PHOTO SKY SPORTS

PHOTO THE TELEGRAPH

EXPO 2023 1st PLACE Red Team

More than 1,500 people attended the Triton Expo on May 17 at the Superyacht Village in Fort Lauderdale. With 58 sponsors onsite, the evening included networking, food, drinks, giveaways and prizes. The "Yachtie Games" themed expo pitted crew against each other in a line throwing contest, hose coiling race, squid toss, and tablescaping competition. Daisy Klop, Rhett Henry, Johnny Vazquez, and Ziomara Valentin of the Red Team came out on top of the competition, winning $2,500 worth in prizes and Triton's Top Team Trophy. To see more photos from the event go to the-triton.com/photo-galleries

Photos by Dorie Cox

CREW, CAPTAINS & COCKTAILS

Crew, Captains & Cocktails with Triton welcomed yacht industry professionals to Boat Owners Warehouse on State Road 84 in Fort Lauderdale on April 27. The weather was great for a night of networking, rope toss, cocktails, light bites, and giveaways as aircraft with the Fort Lauderdale Air Show practiced flights overhead.

Photos by Dorie Cox

• Full-service resort & spa, unparalleled luxury

• Multiple restaurants, bars, pools, & tness center

• The island’s most protected, no-swell yacht basin

• 24-Hour security, & adjacent to the police station

• 21 moorings, 42 slips

• On-site customs clearance

• Fuel dock

• Dock-side pumpout

• Superyacht docking up to 280’

those who crave

This is where they come.

BAY, SAINT LUCIA

2023 YACHTY NATIONALS INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

Captains and crew brought their A-game to the 2023 Yachty Nationals Invitational Golf Tournament hosted by National Marine Suppliers. Three dozen teams played a round of 18 holes at the Woodmont Country Club in a 4-man scramble format, with proceeds benefiting the Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center.

TRITON’S YACHT CHEF & STEW MIXOLOGY COMPETITION

Two teams of yacht chefs and stews gathered at Fuse Specialty Appliances in Miami to compete to create the best Caribbean-inspired canapés and cocktails for members of the yachting industry to taste. Chef Danny Davies was the competition’s host; he oversaw the blue and gold teams, each comprised of three yacht chefs and one yacht stew.

The gold team, led by chef Ruthie Kallai, included chefs Andrew Lichaa and Alex Nogueras, and stew Laura Ashley Francis. The blue team, led by chef Christian Russo, included chefs Joshua Cameron and Andrew Menter, and stew Erika Crispino.

The blue team’s “Sexy Snapper Crudo” and “Jamaican Me Happy Patty” canapés and “Inside Out” piña colada secured them the victory, making them Triton’s Top Team.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Fuse Specialty Appliances

YachtChefs.com

Nautilus Yachtwear

The Yacht Provisioners

Bluewater

Premier Cellars

Sip Channé

Crown Wine & Spirits

Brod & Taylor

Alec Bradley

Cape Fear Distillery

Anita Warwick

Tel: +1 954 763 9787

M/WhatsApp: +1 954 294 2078

Skype: ozanita

Anita@SevenSeasHealth.com

SevenSeasHealth.com

Crew • Expats Travel & Trip Cancellation

APPLICABLE WITH GAS/WATER SEPARATOR MUFFLERS

Process: Clean-Exhaust’s dosing pump injects the specifically formulated ecoBrew into the generator/engine raw water cooling system before the spray ring. The ecoBrew emulsifies the diesel particulate matter and soot as it passes through the piping and muffler, much like the agitation action in a washing machine. No back pressure is created in the process.

Result: The exhaust gas is expelled with little or no particulate, facilitating cleaner air, cleaner harbors, cleaner oceans, cleaner hulls and boot stripes with no floating sheen or sludge.

One Captain, One Engineer, One Great Idea!... clean-exhaust

Captain Ted Sputh

Tel: +1 317-445-3873

Email: info@clean-exhaust.com

Rodger Stone

Tel: +1 518-378-6546

Email: res2itrmarine@gmail.com

www.clean-exhaust.com

Yacht-Mate Products Tel: +1 954-527-0112

Email: sales@yachtmate.com

Yacht Management, LLC

Complete Yacht Management

R. Todd McFerren 954.706.9406

yachtmanagementtodd@gmail.com

R. Todd McFerren 954.706.9406

Facebook: YachtmanagementLLC

COMPLETE YACHT MANAGEMENT

Technical/Mechanical Cosmetic/Waxing/Detailing

yachtmanagementtodd@gmail.com

Facebook: YachtmanagementLLC

Captain and Crew Services Trip Planning/Chartering

Weekly/Monthly/Annual Management Regulatory/Accounting/ Administration