Due to its sheer size, the 686-foot (209-meter) Yacht Express demands an audience, but when the flagship of Dockwise Yacht Transport’s (DYT) fleet of semi-submersible ships pulled into Ft. Lauderdale October 24 with a record breaking cargo of yachts valued collectively at $270,341,000, it was nothing short of a show stopper. The signature gray and orange super ship claimed its berth at Port Everglades and began an hours-long de-ballasting process that allowed sea water to flood its dock bay and 19 state-of-the-art luxury yachts to safely motor out the back and on to new adventures.
The largest of the vessels was the 190’ (57.91 meter) super yacht Mi Sueno, which loaded on Yacht Express in Genoa, Italy on October 6. It had just returned from the Monaco Yacht Show and will be attending the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which starts Thursday, October 27.
“The reason that Mi Sueno is shipped must be credited to the yacht’s owner who really knows how to look after his crew and boat,” said Mi Sueno’s Captain Glynn Smith. “The crew needs time off after such a busy charter season in the Med, and shipping with DYT gives us that option. The other consideration is the wear and tear on the yacht during the Atlantic crossing. The average crossing adds 400 to 500 hours on the engines and generators, not to mention unforeseen incidents that can occur in the middle of the ocean.”
Several of the yachts on Yacht Express have shipped with DYT multiple times, including the 163’ (49.70 meter) Casino Royale, the 160’ (48.78 meter) Odessa (four times each), the 161’ (49.09 meter) Zoom Zoom Zoom (seven times), and the 132 foot (40.24 meter) motor yacht Miss Rose.
“I have made four trips with Dockwise Yacht Transport and will continue to use DYT’s services for all future travels,” said Miss Rose’s Captain Charles Hazouri. “Once again the Captain and Crew of Yacht Express were very accommodating, friendly and courteous. They have truly made our summerseason complete!”
Captain Hazouri was a “rider” on the Yacht Express, which provides yacht owners with complimentary cabins for crew who accompany their yachts on the voyage. Among the ship’s other amenities are an atrium with 180-degree views and lounge bar, a swimming pool, a restaurant, and conference, media and fitness facilities.
DYT has three more float-on/float-off voyages coming from the Mediterraneanbefore year’s end, including one aboard the DYT ship Super Servant 4, which will arrive in Ft. Lauderdale October 28 from Palma de Mallorca, Spain, fully loaded with 24 super yachts totaling a value $190,000,000. Some of the yachts will offload in Port Everglades; then the ship will proceed to Newport, R.I., where it will once again fully load with 43 sailing and motor yachts bound for St. Thomas, USVI in time for the Caribbean sailing season. The total value of that cargo is approximately $70,000,000.
Dockwise Yacht Transport
Catalina Bujor
+1 954 525 8707
[email protected]
www.yacht-transport.com