United States

Moore & Co. P.A.

A Florida jury has awarded more than $2.8 million in damages to three former crew members of the 63-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1080" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rossinavi (Company)">Rossinavi</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Utopia IV63.0m (206'8&quot;)Rossinavi2018">Utopia IV</a>, following a high-profile lawsuit against the yacht’s ownership company, Utopia Yachting LLC. The case, which centred on the 2021 collision between <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Utopia IV63.0m (206'8&quot;)Rossinavi2018">Utopia IV</a> and the tanker Tropic Breeze, concluded on 17 April after a three-week trial.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/199024/image/large-92f05e9311967c4049a9ff909f869506.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/199024">The plaintiffs: Samuel Parrott (deckhand), Eric Ward (electro-technical officer), and Fred Wennberg (chief engineer) filed suit under the Jones Act for negligence, unseaworthiness and the failure to provide maintenance, cure and wages. The court awarded Parrott $591,000, Ward $805,000, and Wennberg $1,492,300 in total damages.According to plaintiff counsel Kavan Vartak of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3584" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moore & Co. P.A. (Company)">Moore &amp; Co</a>, the jury found that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Utopia IV63.0m (206'8&quot;)Rossinavi2018">Utopia IV</a> willfully failed and/or delayed paying maintenance, cure and wages to all three plaintiffs. However, defence counsel later clarified that no such findings were made for Mr Ward or Mr Parrott regarding maintenance or cure.Mr Vartak stated that the jury found the owners had failed to pay any medical expenses in Mr Wennberg’s case. However, during the trial, Mr Wennberg testified that Utopia had paid for medical costs in relation to three of the five incidents, and that he sought no treatment for a fourth.Punitive damages were also awarded in response to delays in payment experienced by Ward and Parrott. Defence counsel disputes the characterisation of these delays and maintains that no unpaid cure or maintenance was found in either case. During the trial, Utopia Yachting LLC admitted liability for the 2021 collision and conceded that Captain Matthew Inglis was negligent in leaving the bridge while the yacht was underway at full speed at night, placing an untrained crew member in charge of navigation.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/199028/image/large-b5f3b28603aeb74c0388d24ec2770445.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/199028">In a notable mid-trial admission, the ownership company acknowledged that Parrott had not been paid his wages for a period of eleven months. Defence counsel further stated that Mr Parrott received an overpayment of maintenance totalling $17,100 during this time, which he retained after returning to paid employment.The collision between <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Utopia IV63.0m (206'8&quot;)Rossinavi2018">Utopia IV</a> and the gasoline tanker Tropic Breeze occurred on 23 December 2021, off the coast of the Bahamas. A report by the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), published in 2023, concluded that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Utopia IV63.0m (206'8&quot;)Rossinavi2018">Utopia IV</a> failed to maintain an effective bridge watch and did not use available navigation systems appropriately, with the captain absent from the bridge at the time of impact.The NTSB investigation identified multiple deficiencies in bridge management and communication on board Utopia IV, placing primary fault for the accident with the superyacht’s crew.Read:&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/56745" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Full details of the 63m superyacht Utopia IV tanker collision revealed (2023-01-13 15:00:00 +0100)">Full details of the 63m superyacht Utopia IV tanker collision revealed</a><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/199027/image/large-396e9ef1b544c8cd7f653943163e214b.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/199027">Commenting on the verdict, Vartak said, “It was a good result, and we are glad we were able to obtain a recovery for our clients. The amount of penalty damages awarded against <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Utopia IV63.0m (206'8&quot;)Rossinavi2018">Utopia IV</a> is a reminder that the law protects injured seamen not only against an outright failure to pay maintenance, cure and wages, but also protects against delays in payment.”Editor's Note (24 April 2025):&nbsp;This article has been updated to reflect clarifications from defence counsel for Utopia Yachting LLC regarding the jury verdict and related findings. These include corrections to statements concerning maintenance and cure entitlements, the duration of unpaid wages, and the scope of jury conclusions.&nbsp;SuperYacht Times strives to maintain fair and accurate reporting and welcomes feedback from all parties involved in legal proceedings.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/199025/image/large-f7d5851932e33c58b2af59e6b3591896.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/199025">(17/04/2025)&nbsp;63m Utopia IV crew sue yacht following 2021 Bahamas collision with tankerThree former crew members of the 63-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1080" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rossinavi (Company)">Rossinavi</a> superyacht Utopia IV are suing the yacht’s ownership company, Utopia Yachting LLC, citing negligence under the Jones Act, unseaworthiness and failure to provide maintenance, cure and wages following the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/56745" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Full details of the 63m superyacht Utopia IV tanker collision revealed (2023-01-13 15:00:00 +0100)">collision with a tanker in 2021</a>. The lawsuit, filed on 22 November 2022, has now reached its trial phase, more than two years after the incident in question. The trial stems from an incident that took place on the night of 23 December 2021, when <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Utopia IV63.0m (206'8&quot;)Rossinavi2018">Utopia IV&nbsp;</a> collided with Tropic Breeze, a gasoline tanker, off the coast of the Bahamas.&nbsp;The impact caused the tanker to sink and its crew were rescued with the assistance of a nearby vessel, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/918" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amara57.3m (187'12&quot;)Feadship1986">Amara</a>. According to the plaintiffs' complaint, the accident was the result of navigational negligence by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Utopia IV63.0m (206'8&quot;)Rossinavi2018">Utopia IV</a>’s captain.The lawsuit follows the release of a 12-page report by the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in January 2023, which concluded that the collision was caused by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Utopia IV63.0m (206'8&quot;)Rossinavi2018">Utopia IV&nbsp;</a>’s failure to maintain an adequate lookout.The NTSB attributed the primary fault to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Utopia IV63.0m (206'8&quot;)Rossinavi2018">Utopia IV&nbsp;</a>’s crew, citing inadequate use of navigation systems and bridge management. At the time of the incident, the superyacht’s captain had left the bridge to check on guests and the bosun, who was simultaneously navigating and maintaining the bridge log, did not attempt to manoeuvre the vessel due to confusion over command protocol.Read: <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/56745" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Full details of the 63m superyacht Utopia IV tanker collision revealed (2023-01-13 15:00:00 +0100)">Full details of the 63m superyacht Utopia IV tanker collision revealed</a><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/254016/image/large-e659d6cc5d16b1ebbb491510b9051c02.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/254016">The three plaintiffs, which include the electro-technical officer (ETO), chief engineer and deckhand have chosen to remain unnamed, but allege that negligence onboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Utopia IV63.0m (206'8&quot;)Rossinavi2018">Utopia IV&nbsp;</a>caused them lasting physical and psychological harm. They are represented by the maritime law firm <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3584" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moore & Co. P.A. (Company)">Moore &amp; Co</a>, based in Coral Gables, Florida.The Jones Act, officially known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, is a United States federal law that provides key protections to seafarers who are injured while working onboard vessels. Under the Act, crew members are entitled to compensation if they are hurt due to negligence by their employer or unsafe conditions onboard.&nbsp;It also ensures that injured seafarers receive “maintenance and cure,” which means the employer must cover medical treatment and basic living expenses until the individual has recovered or reached maximum medical improvement.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/254014/image/large-a74bb6abba1f99f1b26549fbf77beb3c.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/254014">Electro Technical Officer According to court documents, the ETO was thrown across the vessel upon impact and sustained injuries after colliding with a wall and the floor. They later descended to the engine room to check for water ingress and passed the captain ascending the staircase. This detail has been emphasised in the complaint, which asserts that the captain should have been on the bridge at the time.The complaint also states that the yacht’s stabilisers had not been adjusted from underway to zero-speed mode, causing increased rolling and contributing to further injury. While attempting to aid rescue operations, the ETO reportedly injured their left foot and ankle.&nbsp;The ETO alleges they later intervened when the captain was steering the yacht dangerously close to rocks upon arrival in the Bahamas, prompting the first officer to take emergency control to avert a second incident.&nbsp;As a result of the incident, the ETO was diagnosed with multiple fractures, a severe hip injury, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and is also undergoing treatment for PTSD.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/254019/image/large-3c72853c9c57ed9917b8ff2b27cc754a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/254019">Chief EngineerThe chief engineer is also suing for multiple incidents of injury sustained between October 2021 and February 2022, including the period surrounding the Bahamas collision. The earliest injury occurred in Newport, Rhode Island, when they fell through a missing floor plate in the engine room. As well as this, a separate incident in the tender garage allegedly resulted in facial and head injuries due to a dislodged metal plate.During the December 2021 collision, the engineer was in their cabin and suffered whiplash and back injuries. The complaint notes that the yacht’s second mast light and radar were not operational at the time of the incident.&nbsp;Following the collision, the chief engineer reportedly suffered further injuries due to damaged onboard fixtures and in a later incident, a lithium ECR battery explosion that occurred while docked in Miami. That explosion caused temporary hearing loss and smoke inhalation injuries, according to the complaint.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/254018/image/large-eca1e009c1b18a5b007e48c95e2e5d9c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/254018">Deckhand&nbsp;The third plaintiff, a deckhand, was working in the yacht’s galley during the collision and was thrown backward into a wall. A sliding wall section containing two commercial ovens and kitchen equipment collapsed onto the deckhand’s leg, causing crushing injuries to their foot, ankle and lower leg. Diagnosed with multiple fractures and PTSD, the deckhand claims that their wages were abruptly terminated during medical leave and that medical payments were repeatedly delayed.The three plaintiffs have filed suit on three primary counts: failure to provide adequate maintenance and wages, Jones Act negligence and unseaworthiness. The defendants, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Utopia IV63.0m (206'8&quot;)Rossinavi2018">Utopia IV&nbsp;</a> and Utopia Yachting LLC, have not publicly commented on the case at this time.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/215051/image/large-4cc8d8fb69962d74a781ed68d2c72d8b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/215051">According to the NTSB report in 2023, damage to<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Utopia IV63.0m (206'8&quot;)Rossinavi2018">Utopia IV&nbsp;</a> included ruptured hull plating both above and below the waterline, compromised structural frames, a damaged ballast tank, broken bridge windows, and various dislodged fittings and equipment. The damage was valued at $2.4 million.Tropic Breeze and her cargo were declared total losses. The vessel was valued at $5.1 million, with an additional $343,881 in unrecoverable petroleum cargo. The tanker sank in waters approximately 2,834 metres deep.SuperYacht Times has reached out to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3584" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moore & Co. P.A. (Company)">Moore &amp; Co</a> for comment and will continue to follow developments in this case as it proceeds through the court.

Utopia IV crew awarded over $2.8m following 2021 Bahamas collision with tanker

Three former crew members of Utopia IV are suing the yacht following the 2021 collision with the tanker Tropic Breeze in the Bahamas. 

home-hotpics#1

Update: 63m Utopia IV crew awarded over $2.8m following 2021 Bahamas collision with tanker

Although yacht donation programs are not entirely new, the Intelligence team at SuperYacht Times has noticed an increase in donations in recent years. Curious to discover more, we pick the brains of Mike Thornton, President and CEO at AMIkids, Inc., and Michael T. Moore, Chairman Emeritus and active Board Member of The International SeaKeepers Society and Founder &amp; President of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3584" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moore & Co. P.A. (Company)">Moore &amp; Company</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/103841/image/large-38d57e17fdf938cfc7bfdf4fdc53990d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/103841">About the charitiesAMIkids (amikids.org) was founded in 1969 as a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping young people develop into responsible and productive citizens. AMIkids' mission is to protect public safety and positively impact as many young people as possible through the efforts of their diverse and forward-thinking staff. The organisation works in partnership with youth agencies, local communities and families.The International SeaKeepers Society (seakeepers.org) was founded in 1998 as a yacht-centric charity which focuses on preserving the world’s oceans through scientific research, education and conservation. Besides raising money for the charity, the members themselves also actively participate in efforts to clean up the world’s oceans.Defining a ‘good’ yacht donation charity&nbsp;Both Thornton and Moore point out that it is important that a charity active in yacht donation meets all legal requirements, has an established track record, is able to handle donated yachts properly and, most importantly, pursues a cause that the yacht donor sympathises with. As Mike Thornton summarises, the charity must have “integrity, capacity, and purpose”.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/177732/image/large-4b8ae9f188aa97294abf3f115c4711f1.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/177732">The benefits to the donor&nbsp;While a yacht donor might be able to deduct the fair market value of the donated yacht from his or her taxes, Michael Moore explains that this is not the main driver for clients donating their yacht to SeaKeepers. In fact, many people who donate their yacht to his charity do not even apply for a tax deduction. The main motivation for most benefactors to SeaKeepers, he finds, is doing good by helping to raise money for the charity.Mike Thornton also mentions a practical advantage of yacht donation: it is convenient. Upon donating the yacht, the client is instantly relieved of both the vessel and the costs related to ownership. Keeping a yacht listed for sale can mean that costs drag on, with the outcome in terms of the final sales price always uncertain, and the selling broker also needing to be paid. And, as a further benefit, there is also the possibility of a charitable deduction on income tax for the owner donating the yacht.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/55881/image/large-a75353a4551c1e3ee1cf8b058ff1ec2d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/55881">The benefits to the owner&nbsp;Clients taking a yacht from AMIkids or SeaKeepers receive a vessel that’s been well looked after and may have even been upgraded while the charity has been looking after it.&nbsp;The structure of the agreement with the client is usually a three-year operating lease which is interest-free. SeaKeepers prefers to use the term ‘end-user agreement’ rather than ‘lease’ as the setup is similar to what is known as a ‘bareboat charter’ in the commercial shipping world. The charity holds the ownership title of the yacht, while the client is responsible for everything else.&nbsp;After three years, clients can exercise a purchase option, which they usually do in Moore’s experience. At AMIkids, clients place a deposit of 35% of the lease amount, then pay 1% per month for 36 months, after which they have the option to pay the remaining 29% to obtain ownership of the yacht.&nbsp;Mike Thornton also finds that clients usually exercise the purchase option, although he has also seen clients who return the yacht to AMIkids or even exercise the purchase option and then donate the yacht to AMIkids again!<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/176984/image/large-29de98682ad32575a2c805f74f6b8347.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/176984">Superyacht donations in numbers&nbsp;Since the founding of AMIkids’ Yacht Donation Program in 1969, 6,000 yachts have been donated. Although Mike Thornton is not sure of the figures for the earlier years, 41 yachts over 24 metres have been donated to AMIkids since 1995. The International SeaKeepers Society’s yacht donation program commenced around a decade ago. Since 2016, the charity has received eight yachts over 24 metres. AMIkids deals with many different sizes of yachts and boats, while SeaKeepers focuses more on “yachts rather than boats” as Michael Moore puts it. A global habitBoth owners donating a yacht and those taking up a yacht from the donation programs tend to come from the United States, but on both ends, clients from other countries have also been noted at both AMIkids and SeaKeepers.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/197322/image/large-f90a134afb8dd01a47d46f5d2d4c885e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/197322">A growing trendAlthough the majority of superyachts over 24 metres donated to AMIkids since 1995 were between 24 and 30 metres, during the past decade six yachts between 30 and 36 metres were also donated. In general, the number of donations of yachts over 24 metres to AMIkids has risen over the past five years and this has now become a common occurrence at the charity, whereas in the past there was only the occasional donation of a 24-metre-plus yacht.Michael Moore notes a steady influx of yachts at Seakeepers of four to six yachts a year of all lengths, with no immediate indication of a rise in those numbers. The size of superyachts donated to SeaKeepers tends to be within a similar range to that of AMIkids (24 metres up to mid-30 metres), with a notable outlier being the recent donation and placement of a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a> yacht support vessel.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/176985/image/large-7349fe25527b4a862bcdf58857db8851.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/176985">Future outlook: steady&nbsp;Mike Thornton sees a bright future ahead for yacht donation: “I think convenience and immediacy as product attributes have gained a great deal of value. You see this trend everywhere... yacht donation is an immediate, convenient, safe, and rewarding alternative for unsold vessels.”&nbsp;Michael Moore notes that donations have remained steady despite the Covid-19 pandemic. He is pleased with the success of the program as a tool which helps to raise the funds that the International SeaKeepers Society needs to reach its goals: “We try to capitalise on the under-utilised capacity in yachting. There are a lot of boats out there that are just simply going from point A to point B. It helps a lot if we can have a scientist on board a yacht who can do some sampling underway or if we have owners who make their yachts available for educational purposes or fundraisers from time to time. All of these things work together to achieve the overall mission of The International SeaKeepers Society”.This article was originally published in the&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/51983" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tenders and toys edition of The SuperYacht Times newspaper out now (2020-11-03 14:00:00 +0100)">November/December&nbsp;2020 issue of The SuperYacht Times newspaper</a>. To receive all future issues straight to your door, <a href="https://shop.superyachttimes.com/" target="_blank">subscribe to the newspaper here</a>.

Insight into yacht donation at the industries top charities

Each year, a number of superyachts are donated to charity. SYT’s Ralph Dazert, interviews the two biggest charities to find out how it all works.

Insight: Unpacking Yacht Donation

The state of the market has been a hot topic within the superyacht industry, especially in the midst of a global pandemic. There has been plenty of talk surrounding the superyacht market as a whole and so, for the 12th episode of the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/superyacht-times-webinar-programme" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">SuperYacht Times Webinar series</a>, the topic was narrowed down to focus on the USA and <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/yacht-market-in-the-americas" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">what has been occurring in the region’s sizable part of the industry</a>. Forming the discussion panel alongside co-host <a href="https://iyba.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">IYBA</a>’s Executive Director, Paul Flannery, was Michael T. Moore, Founding Partner of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3584" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moore & Co. P.A. (Company)">Moore &amp; Co</a>, President of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/217" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Westport Yachts (Company)">Westport Yachts</a> Daryl Wakefield, Chuck Cashman, Chief Revenue Officer of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1312" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MarineMax (Company)">MarineMax</a> and Thom Conboy speaking as both Director of Sales for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen Yachts</a> in North America and Managing Director USA, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/136" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Independence (Company)">Ocean Independence</a>. <iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/422419011" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe>Despite around 30% of the webinar attendees being situated in the USA and the remaining majority in Europe, the webinar found that 83% agreed that the US market will recover faster than the European market following the COVID-19 pandemic. This optimistic result led to a positive discussion amongst the panel, where many opportunities and only a few threats for the US superyacht market were identified. Here, is a short conclusion:<img src="https://d3w3pid64ak8v.cloudfront.net/photo/30599/image/large-b6384700fe59e945d095ef367ccded9f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/30599">What are the potential threats to the US market as a result of the coronavirus pandemic?&nbsp;<ul><li>As identified by the <a href="https://iyba.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">IYBA</a>, there has been a spike in cybersecurity and cyber threats - particularly as the digital working environment has been relied on more during the corona-crisis.&nbsp;</li><li>Despite the US Government taking action to support companies in the superyacht industry that have suffered financially, there are some firms who “weren't prepared with reserves for a downturn.” However, as a result, this could lead to some consolidation - with independent companies starting to work with other “more resourceful” companies.&nbsp;</li><li>The lack of travel and the logistics in order to do so has been a detriment to the industry's business, and not only for those in the US. The panel questioned ‘how soon will clients feel comfortable enough to travel?’</li></ul><img src="https://d3w3pid64ak8v.cloudfront.net/photo/30607/image/large-b469be3f6ae0877b171a7232f8f3d7f5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/30607">What are the opportunities that the US market is experiencing at the moment?&nbsp;<ul><li>Where distractions and entertainment have been limited, many companies have taken advantage to find ways to work smarter, including USA boat shows, <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/withdraw-monaco-yacht-show-2020" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">whose organisers are being questioned</a> as to how to make their platforms work better for the industry. <a href="#managed-by-system" title="MarineMax (Company)" data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1312" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a></li><li><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1312" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MarineMax (Company)">MarineMax</a> shared that sales amounting to under $1,000,000 have been “unbelievable” and better than expected. It is predicted that this is due to boating having remained a source of sanctuary for superyacht owners and their families. The panel consolidated in the fact that sales and market activity has remained good where possible.&nbsp;</li><li>For charter clients in the US, there are many options to go yachting and a surge in travel is predicted once restrictions are lifted. For those foreign flag vessels that are currently not able to charter to US residents while in US waters, a collection of industry organisations are lobbying for a new legislation to “put some temporary measures in place to alleviate some of the restrictions.” </li></ul>This article was extracted from the 12th SuperYacht Times Webinar. All past and future SuperYacht Times Webinars can be found in the programme <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/superyacht-times-webinar-programme">here</a>.

Coronavirus + the US superyacht market: Threats and opportunities

Many opportunities and only a few threats were identified following the SYT Webinar on coronavirus + the US market.

Coronavirus vs the US market: Identifying threats and opportunities

IYC has announced the sale of the 60-metre Benetti motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1932" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Osho60.0m (196'10&quot;)Benetti SpA2011">Osho</a>, with Frank Grzeszczak from IYC Fort Lauderdale office representing the seller and Tim Devaney of United Yacht Sales introducing the buyer. Michael Moore from Moore &amp; Co. PA facilitated a smooth transaction. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/54899/image/large-5f4c00d04569b5555653bcb6dd9b15dd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/54899">Built by Benetti in 2011, the custom motor yacht was delivered under the name&nbsp;Lyana. Her name was then changed to Swan and she was refitted in 2014, with upgrade work done in 2016. Featuring an exterior design by Stefano Natucci and interiors by Pierre Yves Rochon she was renamed <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1932" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Osho60.0m (196'10&quot;)Benetti SpA2011">Osho</a> earlier this year. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/20563/image/large-9dcde4dd0072664b98b785c0dbbf14c3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/20563"><img src="/uploads/store/photo/20565/image/large-d6fe6c51afa46da321ab6061de47423f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/20565">On board, her model interior consists of dark wood paired with cream furnishings to create a refined appeal. Able to accommodate 12 guests in six cabins, she features one master, one VIP, two double and two twin cabins The two-level master suite with a study is located forward on the main deck and offers the owners total privacy. The VIP cabin, located on the sky lounge, can easily be converted into a massage/spa room, with a sauna incorporated into the head. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/20569/image/large-23005a1d9c0454eace93b8fccf3e3e36.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/20569">The main salon houses an expansive seating area, complete with entertainment hub, bar and formal dining space, while the aft deck with al fresco dining room leads directly down to the beach club. The spacious sundeck accommodates a touch and go helipad, outdoor bar, gym and jacuzzi. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1932" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Osho60.0m (196'10&quot;)Benetti SpA2011">Osho</a> is powered by twin MTU 12V4000 M60 engines and has a top speed of 16 knots.She was listed with an asking price of $27,500,000 at the time of sale.