The second Convergence Navi, a meeting for the captains of megayachts organised by the Ferretti Group, was held in the splendid setting of Barcelona: 32 captains of vessels measuring more than 24 metres and manufactured by CRN, Custom Line, Ferretti Yachts, Pershing and Riva gathered in the Catalan city from March 19th to the 21st for the customary in-depth presentations on technical and managerial advances, together with interludes of fun and entertainment. The companions of the captains, also in attendance, were able to take advantage of a program especially designed for the ladies.
The conference got underway on the 19th, with an intensive classroom session that included presentations by DuPont and Chomarat on the latest technological developments in paints and constructions materials. Concluding the afternoon session was a close-up look at computerised systems for the management of large yachts, offered by the IDEA company, which, for some time now, has been implementing yacht-management software for mega-vessels.
The evening came to a close with a gala dinner, offered this year, as in the past, by a major partner in the event, the engine manufacturer MTU, with the added support of Davidoff Cigars and Grappa Nonino, which, for the second year running, wanted to confirm their participation. Up in the panoramic Altamar tower, at a height of 70 metres, a breathtaking view of Barcellona by night provided the backdrop for an evening made magical by the gentle Brazilian music of the group Bossa Nova. Not wanting to miss the event for anything in the world, Lamberto Tacoli, President of CRN, was on hand to greet and thanks the guests, as well as their lovely ladies. Joining Mr. Tacoli was the President of Pershing and Itama, Mr. Tilli Antonelli, together with Domenico Pirazzoli, Vice President of Public Relations for the Ferretti Group.
On the second day, the ladies enjoyed splendid sunshine as they visited enchanting Barcelona, taking in the modernist art and Gothic influences, while the more athletic of the women treated themselves to a private training session with a personal trainer from Technogym, the sponsor of all the activities organised for the ladies. Meanwhile the captains attended an interesting, high-level classroom session featuring presentations by MTU on engines, Rina (new classification codes) and Radiomarine (Internet at sea), all of whom were returning to take part for the second year.
The surveyors of Burness Corlett – Three Quays analysed themes regarding the onboard surveying of mega-yachts, while Bang&Olufsen and Swarovski Optik offered updates on new products ad applications in the fields of luxury entertainment and precision optics applied to binoculars. At the end of a day as challenging as it was satisfying came an evening of Spanish atmosphere that ended with the most typical of Spanish dances, the seductive Flamenco!
A visit to the Pinmar shipyard, specialised in the painting and refitting of mega-yachts, wound up the “three-day” training session, which concluded with a drawing for 10 refined Swarosvki Optik binoculars offered by the Viennese manufacturer. At the presentation of the certificates of attendance and the taking of the obligatory group photo, everyone agreed to meet again at next year’s Convergence Navi 2008.
Photo Credit: Maurizio Paradisi