super yacht party

How to throw the perfect superyacht party.

Published 20 August 2021

Looking to host an impressive party on board a superyacht? Burgess charter experts share their experience to give you inspiration and ideas to make sure your next event is an unforgettable success

The perfect superyacht party

Planning for a milestone birthday, or perhaps there's a family reunion on the horizon? Whatever the occasion, Burgess charter experts know how to help you to experience the good times that make life special. Parties are an institution in the world of yachting, with superyachts providing the ultimate platform for the most exclusive of celebrations.

Whether formal or informal, large group or intimate gathering, a superyacht is a wonderful way of bringing people together in a place where they can truly connect with one another in a relaxed and unique setting.

The Burgess charter team has scoured the world in pursuit of the best locations and yachts, and can recommend the most suitable combination to ensure your superyacht party is memorable for all the right reasons. Whether you want to throw a large cocktail party, a discreet dinner, or both, Burgess will be on hand to ensure everything runs smoothly.

From the booking of your yacht, berth, private jet, and limousine, to a variety of different entertainment options, there is a superyacht and a destination to suit every taste.

Charter yachts that welcome celebrations

MOONLIGHT II

A vast sun deck with big party speakers and lightshow. She has a casino too

Her sea-level beach club converts into a nightclub. Spa, gym, pool - she has it all

Large sun deck area with built-in speakers and karaoke. She has inside and outside cinemas as well

Expansive deck space perfect for early morning yoga on deck or late night dancing at 'Club SEANNA'

Her beach club is a cinema and nightclub in one. A legendary charter yacht

Beach club offers a sauna, shower room, day head and fully equipped bar – perfect set up for a party

MAGNA GRECIA

Under-the-stars cinema and sophisticated nightclub features on the sun deck

BATON ROUGE

Enormous sun deck converts into a disco deck with lightshow, smoke machine, DJ decks and massive speakers

Selecting the right destination

Prefer a private desert island-type setting to celebrate with your friends and family? The  Caribbean and  The Bahamas have plenty of secluded bays in which to anchor and spend quality time with your favourite people. Here is a selection of the finest destinations to host your super, superyacht party.

Spring signals the start of the yachting season on the Côte d’Azur, with the Cannes Film Festival opening the show. From May, the Riviera lights up as A-list celebrities descend to see and be seen at arguably the most glamorous film festival in the world. The best parties are, of course, on board the most exclusive superyachts, berthed in the marina right next to the red carpet at the Palais des Festivals.

Further along the coast, Monaco glitters with seven centuries of regal heritage. The iconic Port d’Hercule is within champagne-popping range of the gilded principality’s world-renowned gourmet restaurants, A-list clubs, and designer boutiques. Sport is also a favourite pastime in Monaco, and the principality hosts several popular events including the Formula 1 Grand Prix in May.

Chartering a superyacht trackside at this event provides not only the best vantage point for you and your guests to watch the action, but also puts you right in the thick of the action where you can literally smell the gasoline and burning tyre rubber from these amazing cars. Burgess has the right contacts to also get you into the pit lane, rubbing shoulders with the drivers before the race, and partying afterwards at the Amber Lounge.

Despite its reputation as the  Balearics ' party-island, Ibiza has more recently evolved to be among the Mediterranean’s most glamorous charter cruising grounds. The vibe throughout the summer season is all about lazy lunches, diving off deck in secret coves, and losing yourself in the rural countryside inland. The White Isle as Ibiza is known, also offers the waterborne visitor an almost unrivalled selection of beach clubs.

Arrive in style by tender and join the glitterati enjoying the sunshine and sunset accompanied by chilled music before heading back on board to celebrate in style. Alternatively, as the sun sets and the vibe picks up a beat or two, head to Ibiza Town’s effortlessly cool hangouts where you can dance until dawn to the world's best DJs.

St Barth is without a doubt the New Year’s Eve capital of the Caribbean. Always a haven for celebrities at any time of year, the island brings in the new year with impromptu New Year’s Eve 'boat hopping' parties and stops at the many beach bars that dot the island. As the clock ticks towards midnight, step up on deck aboard your superyacht for a front row seat to the kaleidoscope of fireworks exploding over Gustavia Harbour.

This French-speaking island is perfect for a lavish New Year’s Eve celebration. Think cocktails on deck, al fresco dinner with friends before cranking up the sound system to celebrate the passing of midnight. Expect relaxed, short-distance cruising as you island-hop through the Leeward Islands in the days following the celebrations. What better way to kick off your year than this?

Harbour Island, Bahamas

The Bahamas offers a variety of activities for parties aboard and ashore. From local restaurants, hanging out with friends at a lively beach bar, or your very own private sunset beach party, whatever you choose to do, the Bahamian culture will facilitate, with festivals, music, dancing and colourful parades continuing into the early hours. 'Fresh up' and enjoy life Bahmian-style.

Harbour Island has recently come into the limelight with the arrival of a handful of chic new places recently opening on the island. With its pink-sand beach and pretty pastel cottages, the shoreline provides a perfect backdrop to sunset cocktails on board, followed by a trip ashore to a party at the legendary Vic-Hum Club. The oldest nightclub on the island, the open-air dancefloor at this humble yet iconic destination has attracted celebrities the world over.

Choosing the right yacht

From the crew to the layout, the facilities and even the décor, there are many facets of a yacht that, when combined, will influence the success of a superyacht party. The most successful charter yachts lend themselves to any type of occasion, be it a cocktail party or formal dinner party.

No matter what the style of celebration, there is a yacht to suit every taste. Likewise the crew can make or break a celebration, whether because they can theme any party in a creative way, or simply because the six-star service and smiling faces will give the party the right vibe.

Burgess yachts with bars

Whether celebrating, drinking sunset cocktails, a pre-dinner drink or watching sports events, the bar on a yacht is generally one of the focal points on board a superyacht. They come in many forms, ranging from wet bars on the sun deck to sit-up bars in the beach club, sky lounge bars and cosy saloon bars, backlit-onyx bars, and elegant marble-top bars.

• FAITH's lower deck beach club bar is jaw-dropping 1 of 4 photos
• EXCELLENCE has a main deck aft bar that also serves those in the pool 2 of 4 photos
• SECRET has a arc of marble-topped bar right next to the entertainment space on the main deck aft 3 of 4 photos
• Of course bars can be set up anywhere, like this one on TRIPLE SEVEN's swim platform 4 of 4 photos

Have fun with a theme

Nothing says party more than people dressing up, and themed parties are almost always popular among charter guests. They create memorable experiences – even more so when the yacht is decked out in appropriately themed decorations.

From an elegant James Bond-themed evening, perhaps with poker and blackjack tables set up, to a retro-style '60s party with a dancefloor and appropriate playlist, or Pirates of the Caribbean, they can revolve around just about any concept imaginable.

For those cruising in the Caribbean, consider a pirate party involving all the family. Many crews are well known for the creativity and polish of their themed parties. While keeping the younger guests entertained with a treasure hunt on the beach, you can enjoy sundowners on the sand.

Back on board enjoy drinks on the sun deck before dining al fresco on the main deck. If you're having a larger bash in port, have your pirate outfits sent ahead and the yacht dressed with pirate paraphernalia. Canapes and rum cocktails can be served in treasure chests!

While in the Mediterranean, perhaps cruising around the  Greek islands , a toga party might involve some Greek cuisine followed by dancing, and then a movie night under the stars with Mamma Mia or My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding on the big screen. Or while in Cannes, a Bollywood party, or in Monaco why not throw a Mexican fiesta during the Grand Prix?

Poolside parties

On the larger more modern superyachts spa pools are generally a given these days, and although some may be limited to a sun deck jacuzzi, the largest of the charter yachts usually have all manner of water features, ranging from infinity pools with waterfalls, glass-bottomed pools, swim-up bars, and pools with counter currents.

And then you have the real party yachts, with swimming pools that turn into dance floors, and built-in DJ booths for the ultimate occasion aboard. The 73m  TITANIA , for example, hosts her guests around the pool deck bar with seating for up to eight guests, and another four seats inside the pool itself, all complete with a DJ set up to create a real pool party atmosphere.

• Some yachts have a pool with a bottom that rises to become a dancefloor 1 of 5 photos
• A glass-bottomed pool creating amazing natural light - and some great photos - in the beach club below 2 of 5 photos
• Pools can be hubs for activity or tranquility, however you like it 3 of 5 photos
• A glass-fronted pool is also great for fun photos 4 of 5 photos
• A great pool is a destination feature on a yacht 5 of 5 photos

Consider your guest list

Whether your party is a small and intimate affair or a large, quayside event, most yachts can accommodate up to 12 guests while cruising and hundreds more while berthed alongside, when different rules apply.

However, understated elegance is key, with fewer guests and more quality time to socialise. In fact, 100-120 guests is often considered the tipping point of human intimacy and interaction, so keep this in mind when considering a larger gathering.

Entertainment

Entertainment systems have always played an important role in the overall yacht party experience. Audio-visual technologies have changed significantly over the past decade, and the most successful charter yachts feature the most up-to-date, state-of-the-art and fully-integrated entertainment systems throughout their guest areas. 

From indoor and outdoor entertainment facilities, and the latest audio-visual equipment (including on-demand movies and music systems available throughout all guest areas and strong Wi-Fi for streaming), to private cinema rooms and outdoor cinema set-ups, almost anything available on land is also possible at sea.

Music and speakers

Music is an essential part of any party, and whether you prefer the dulcet tones of Adele during dinner or the pumping beats of a live DJ set during a dockside party, music always sets the tone. Surround sound systems for yachts with their own dedicated cinemas have become the norm, while built-in speakers on the party deck are fine tuned to deliver the best possible audio quality regardless of the musical genre.

Some yachts have a dual-purpose feature - a sun deck, for example - that transforms into a party deck after dark and music entices guests from open-air dining on the bridge deck below to party upstairs. Live bands are no longer de rigeur, instead world-famous DJs can be booked by your Burgess charter broker to come on board and play their set for your guests, with some big names keen to play private gigs.

Gourmet dining with your own personal chef is obviously one of the principal attractions of any charter vacation, but however delicious the dishes may be, how your meals are presented will have a huge impact on the overall dining experience.

An al fresco or formal dining set-up large enough to seat the number of guests invited is of course a must. For larger, cocktail events, a few different open-air dining options are better suited. The trend for celebrity chefs catering for such large events is on the rise, working hand in hand with your own superyacht chef to create the ultimate tasty menu to wow your guests.

For some, proximity to the ocean is a must, so why not dine in a yacht's beach club right by the water’s edge. The 62m  BATON ROUGE , for example, features an ocean-level beach club that incorporates lounging areas and easy access to the water by day, and transforms into the ultimate al fresco dining area by night.

Alternatively, many modern yachts feature Teppanyaki grills – perfect for guests looking to experience something a little different in a tropical climate. Plus you and your guests get the chef's table experience with wonderful dishes prepared before your very eyes and served straight from the grill.

The raised aft deck seating area aboard the 56m MY SEANNA can be converted into a dancefloor complete with state-of-the-art sound. There's also a backlit bar and lounge/dining area on the bridge deck, a 10-person spa pool that has its own bar, and a beach club at water level. 

The aforementioned 73m  TITANIA also features a beach club, complete with sauna, which can then be converted into a nightclub to continue celebrations into the night. You could even have your make-up and hair done in the yacht's beauty salon before the evening celebrations begin.

Special touches make it memorable

Details make all the difference. Ambient lighting, an attentive crew, the quality of sound or the welcome cocktail, the most successful and memorable superyacht parties are those where the crews have gone the extra mile. The occasions will usually dictate the type of party and the style.

For example, an anniversary celebration might have a more romantic theme, with soft lighting and candles, and elegant crockery and flowers all adding to the intimate sense of occasion. A New Year’s Eve celebration or birthday might however require more of a fun or risqué theme. Whatever you want, it can be done.

Most of the yachts in the Burgess charter fleet are designed for entertaining, with guest areas outstandingly assigned to allow for all manner of occasions according to desire. The yachts in the selection above are just afew of those recommended by Burgess charter experts as welcoming celebrations.

Are you planning something extra special in the coming months? Contact a Burgess charter expert and build the perfect celebration.

To find out more about Burgess’ yachts for sale and yachts for charter , please contact a Burgess broker . Alternatively, get in touch with one of our offices directly: London , Monaco , New York , Miami , Singapore or all other locations .

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PARTY YACHTS 100-1000 GUESTS | YACHT PARTIES

Super yachts.

These party yachts are for groups of 150 to 1000 guests. Company parties or corporate events, a large yacht wedding or school event, these party yachts have room for dining, lounging, dancing, and DJs or bands. Legend party yachts are available fully catered with beverage service. We offer a full crew for hourly, daily, or weekly yacht rentals. Contact us to get an instant quote .

150' SkipperLiner 400 Seated I 400 Buffet 400 Guest Capacity

105' Super Yacht   150 Seated I 200 Buffet 250 Guest Capacity

Grand Party Yacht 300 Seated I 300 Buffet 300 Guest Capacity

140' Super Yacht 350 Seated I 450 Buffet 450 Guest Capacity

Our party yachts have elegant bows ideal for socializing, star gazing, and sightseeing, comfortable lounges, and spacious dining areas that are perfect for weddings, and special events. Each yacht features surround sound with (AM/FM/DVD/IPOD), LCD TVs, & various tender depending on the yacht but may include inflatable boats, multifunction dinghies, and Sea-Doos or Jet Skis.

145' Super Yacht 408 Seated I 497 Buffet 550 Guest Capacity

150' Super Yacht 350 Seated I 400 Buffet 550 Guest Capacity

151' Super Yacht 500 Seated I 650 Buffet 850 Guest Capacity

222' Super Yacht 1000 Seated I 1000 Buffet 1000 Guest Capacity

*All photos are actual yachts in our fleet.

PARTY YACHTS | BOATS UP TO 12 GUESTS

Party yachts | boats up to 80 guests, party yachts | boats up to 150 guests, super party yachts up to 2000 guests.

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The best party superyachts for charter

Related articles, superyacht directory.

Whether you're organising a corporate event at some of the most prestigious celebrations on the charter calendar , celebrating a big birthday party or commemorating a milestone celebration like an anniversary or even a wedding reception, these superyachts have all the space and amenities for hosting epic soirées at sea...

With expansive deck spaces, ample facilities and decadent décor including a live aquarium, Baglietto’s flagship Vicky perfectly sets the scene for celebratory festivities. Lobby spaces on this 59-metre superyacht are completed with a piano for late-night entertainment and an eye-catching aquarium, plus a toybox bursting to the brim will keep everyone on the water entertained. To continue the after-party, guests can take a dip in the sundeck swimming pool or join the primary charterers in the master suite’s private saloon for a nightcap.

Capacity at quay: 80 guests

Vicky is managed by Ocean Independence with a weekly charter rate starting from €250,000 per week.

Secret Life

Take your guests back in time on board classic 1974 Feadship Secret Life . Permanently based in the party capital of St Tropez, the ample deck spaces on this 45-metre superyacht are equipped with elegant al fresco lounges and dining areas that make her an ideal host for corporate events or scaled-up celebrations. Indoors, her versatile main saloon can be divided into two separate rooms via a discreet sliding door during events, and guests looking for a quiet spot to break away from the crowd can also retreat to a hidden library.

Capacity at quay: 150 guests

Secret Life is managed by IYC with a weekly charter rate starting from €89,000.

Once a former passenger vessel, Dream was transformed into a private superyacht after nearly a decade of refit works. And while she is now bedecked in the glamorous interiors befitting a luxury charter, her vast interior spaces allow her to accommodate many more guests than would usually be able to step on board, with 18 suites for 36 guests and room for up to 40 members of crew. Party guests can arrive or depart in style thanks to the touch-and-go helipad, while a Japanese-style dining room with a teppanyaki grill, a private cinema, a two-level pool with a swim-up bar and a fully-equipped dive centre offer all the amenities for a variety of party themes and occasions.

Capacity at quay: 36 guests

Dream is managed by Hill Robinson with a weekly charter rate starting from €2,000,000.

The bridge deck on Royal Denship superyacht Force Blue , complete with a cocktail bar, professional DJ station and disco lighting offers the perfect setup for partying the night away. There’s also a sundeck hot tub, a games table in the saloon and an impressive walk-in wine cellar next to the formal dining room to keep guests entertained. The next day, stunning spa facilities will revive the sore-of-head, while the plain exhausted can retreat to the cinema. Currently undergoing an extensive winter refit, Force Blue will be back on the charter market this summer having been extended to 70 metres with an enlarged beach club and refreshed interiors.

Capacity at quay: 60 guests

Force Blue is managed for charter by Fraser , with a charter rate starting from €330,000 per week.

Sea Breeze III

After undergoing an extensive refit in 2020, classic superyacht Sea Breeze III is back on the charter market, offering the perfect setting for an event or celebration by combining old-school charm with modern facilities. New additions include an extended swimming platform with a barbecue for al fresco celebrations, plus a hydrotherapy hot tub on the foredeck and a well-stocked toybox. As Sea Breeze III is permanently based in Auckland, New Zealand, guests stepping on board for a party can enjoy the scenic cruising grounds of the Hauraki Gulf and wider south pacific, complemented by locally-sourced seafood and speciality wines.

Capacity at quay: 99 guests

Sea Breeze III is managed by 37 south with a weekly charter rate starting from $65,000. 

Showcasing sporty lines and with a top speed of 38 knots, 50 metre  Da Vinci is one of the largest Mangustas available on the charter market. Launched in 2017, on board highlights include a large bathing platform, a spa pool on the 15 metre long foredeck, and an impressive open plan interior. The main saloon is the entertainment hub of the yacht, featuring a luxe marble bar and gilded, Gatsby-esque touches throughout.

Capacity at quay: 100 guests

Da Vinci is managed for charter by Northrop & Johnson with a weekly rate starting from €225,000.

Esmeralda's expansive decks are the ideal setting for a special anniversary, birthday or corporate event. The upper aft deck on this 62 metre superyacht has a bar, al fresco dining and optional awnings for protection from the sun. Meanwhile, guests can enjoy 360-degree views from the panoramic sun deck complete with a raised jacuzzi and sun loungers. Her striking, classic-inspired lines will turn heads in any port, while lavishly decorated interiors set the scene for a night of glamorous festivities.

Esmeralda is managed by Fraser with a weekly charter rate starting from $230,000.

After an extensive interior refit in 2018, this 73 metre  Lurssen is certainly in ship shape. There's space for 200 revellers on Titania's sun and pool decks alone, while a 3.8 metre stern extension houses a beach club with sauna, bar and sofas, which converts into a stylish nightclub for those looking to continue the party into the night. For smaller gatherings, the pool deck bar seats eight – with another four pool seats – and can be set up for a DJ. Primary charterers staying on board can get glammed up for events in the beauty salon with the help of the on board beautician before other guests arrive, then can unwind after the festivities with a treatment from the resident masseuse.

Capacity at quay: 200 guests

Titania is managed for charter by Burgess and has a weekly starting rate of €525,000.

For parties where music is a key element, 62 metre motor yacht RoMa is more than sufficiently equipped for dockside events as her impressive audio system includes a party mode that provides music to all decks. There's also a games table for playing poker if the event is casino themed, while her main saloon bar is an ideal spot for pre and post dinner cocktails. A welcoming entrance lobby from which guests can head up to the party via a glass elevator sets the mood for revellers on arrival. 

RoMa is managed by Northrop & Johnson with a weekly charter rate starting from €345,000.

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Amazing Destinations for A Luxury Superyacht Party

Jun 23, 2023

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Why settle for ordinary when you can make a great party? And what's more extraordinary than a superyacht party?

With the perfect combination of luxurious surroundings, breathtaking scenery, and unparalleled entertainment, a superyacht party is the ultimate way to celebrate any occasion.

Come joins us as we explore the world's best yacht charter destinations for a superyacht party and take our celebrations to the next level. Get ready to set sail and create memories that will last a lifetime!

For a long time, Ibiza has been known as the ultimate party destination which attracts visitors worldwide.

This golden Balearic Island is famous for its thriving nightlife, world-class DJs, and some of the best summer closing parties in the world. So, if you want an unforgettable luxury experience, book a yacht charter in Ibiza, Spain , today!

Ibiza is a place to hang out if you want to dance the night away or soak up in the Mediterranean sun. Once the sun goes down, Ibiza's party scene comes to life. The famous district of Ibiza Town is where you'll find some of the world's best nightclubs and super clubs. But Ibiza isn't just about the nightlife.

During the day, you can indulge in Bohemian shopping, sunbathe on pristine beaches, or recover from the previous night's festivities.

This place is perfect for wellness scenes such as yoga studios, wellness centers, and many healthy eating options.

Also read Exploring the World's Most Beautiful Destinations on a Yacht with Yachting & Co to know more about Yacht Charter Ibiza Spain. 

2.Croatia : Croatia is a country that offers much more than just world-class cruising grounds.

It boasts over 1,000 stunning islands home to a diverse array of marine life and natural landscapes, providing endless opportunities for exploration and adventure.

There are plenty of options to explore in this beautiful country for the entire day, which you will remember for your whole life.

Croatia's rooftop bars and pulsating club scene come to life when the sun goes down.

Whether you drop anchor off Carpe Diem on the island of Hvar or dance the night away in Split, the Dalmatian parties are where it's at.

The nightlife is full of romance, as it offers world-famous DJs with live performances to keep you high until the early morning hours.

One of the best things about Croatia is its ease of exploring it.

With so much to see and do, deciding where to head next is your only difficulty.

3.Sardinia : The location can make all the difference when hosting a party. And few places offer natural party acoustics like Sardinia's plunging cliffs, taking a yacht party to a new level of excitement and entertainment.

The island's stunning surroundings and rocky shoreline make it the ideal setting for an unforgettable celebration.

The heart of Sardinia's party scene is in the district of Costa Smeralda, where the three towns of Porto Cervo, Porto Rotondo, and Baja Sardinia offer various nighttime entertainment options.

If you're searching for a place that caters to wild partygoers and those who prefer a relaxed beach vibe, this location covers you. However, Sardinia offers more than just parties, making it an excellent choice for a superyacht charter. 

Book your dream Sardinia luxury yacht charter today and experience the ultimate Mediterranean adventure with Yachting and Co.

The island boasts breathtaking beaches, picturesque villages, historic sites, and exceptional cuisine worldwide. With so much to explore, Sardinia is the ultimate destination for those seeking luxury, entertainment, and adventure.

Read and discover more about the ultimate Mediterranean adventure by chartering a luxury yacht .

4.Monaco : Monaco is the ultimate party destination on the French Riviera, offering luxury, glamor, and entertainment like no other.

With its beautiful weather, world-class entertainment, and prestigious marinas, it's no wonder that Monaco remains a top choice for yacht parties well into late summer.

The weather in Monaco is beautiful for months, making it a thriving party destination well into late summer.

Monaco caters to diverse preferences, whether you're seeking a wild night out or a more refined and elegant affair.

When it comes to berthing your yacht in Monaco, Port Hercules is the place to be.

This prestigious marina provides a glamorous party atmosphere, with plenty of opportunities to spot celebrities and rub shoulders with the rich and famous. Experience the luxury yacht charter in the Mediterranean with Yachting and Co and explore old-world charms and beautiful white-sand beaches. 

And with numerous companies nearby to help you organize a fantastic yacht party, you will create memories that will last a lifetime.

5.Miami : Regarding yacht parties, Miami is a destination that offers diverse events and attracts a broad range of clientele.

As the only destination on our list outside the Mediterranean, this lively city is a popular choice for yacht parties, and it's easy to understand why.

This summer, Miami Beach is set to host many yacht parties, ranging from ticketed luxury events to more unconventional gatherings.

The laid-back tropical atmosphere of Miami Beach is the perfect setting for a party on board a mega yacht.

Miami Beach is the best place to explore and offers a range of activities to suit everyone's preferences. Its stunning beaches, exceptional cuisine, and lively nightlife make it a popular destination for yacht parties. It's no wonder why Miami is a top choice for those seeking an unforgettable experience.

Find out how you can enhance your summer vacation with a luxury yacht charter in the mediterranean .

Conclusion: While you don't need a reason to host an excellent superyacht party, special occasions provide the perfect excuse to celebrate in style.

The privacy, luxury, and personalized touch that come with a superyacht charter make it the ultimate party platform and the perfect way to create unforgettable memories with loved ones.

Q: What is a superyacht party?

A: A superyacht party is a luxurious and exclusive event held on a private yacht. It's an upscale gathering that provides guests with a unique and lavish experience.

Q: What makes these destinations ideal for a superyacht party?

A: These locations offer stunning natural beauty, crystal-clear waters, and scenic coastlines, providing a picturesque backdrop for a superyacht party. They also have a vibrant nightlife, top-notch restaurants, and exclusive beach clubs that cater to high-end clientele.

Q: How can I organize a luxury superyacht party?

A: You can hire a yacht charter company to organize superyacht parties. They can assist you in selecting the right yacht, creating a customized itinerary, and arranging all the necessary logistics to ensure a seamless and unforgettable experience.

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How to behave (and get invited) aboard the best superyacht party at the Monaco Grand Prix

Monaco Grand Prix is just around the corner, and while the cars are the stars of the show (obviously) the yachts are the stars of the after-party. (Don’t pretend you’re there for the wheels over the wine.) In Monaco, where there are more Ferraris per square metre than anywhere else in the world, more money per mile than your local bank and more supermodels per Skinny Prosecco bottle than the Met Gala, these parties are something to write home about.

Read more: Inside the secret world of superyachts

And there’s one party in particular. Nicholas Frankl, three-time winter Olympian and owner of luxury events company My Yacht Group , has been hosting the most exclusive Grand Prix parties aboard superyachts for the last twelve years. The first, held in 2005, was attended by none other than His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, who’s been coming back for more ever since. What better stamp of approval can you get? So we asked Frankl, the most popular man in Monaco, what makes a good party, how to blag yourself an invite, how not to gatecrash, the best yacht party etiquette as well as which A-Listers get an invite, and which ones don’t…

Read more: How to charm yourself onto a superyacht

How to throw a good party

**Get the right champagne and caviar **

You’re only as good as your last event. You have to stay humble, stay hungry, and don’t believe the PR. These are six-figure receptions. You have to make sure your Perrier-Jouët champagne is first class – cold and chilled – and that the caviar is ready upon arrival. We probably go through 200 bottles of £300 a bottle Perrier-Jouët champagne. We’ll go through Whispering Angel, and Garrus – their finest rose. We’ll go through three kilos of French organic caviar. We also have a live cooking station with caviar and truffles.

Don’t overcrowd

We rent a £40 million, 160-foot superyacht for just under a hundred thousand a night, and have a strict capacity of 100 to 120 guests and 40 staff. The tipping point of human intimacy and interaction is about 100-120 guests – that’s actually in the book, The Tipping Point . Vijay Mallya throws a party on his boat every year with 600 people – it’s pandemonium, and nobody likes it. Unless you’re getting absolutely ratted it just doesn’t work.

Get the gift-bags right

We gift £100-150 Bvlgari candles to guests, as the bathrooms are done up with Bvlgari scents.

How to behave appropriately

Don’t smoke

There’s no smoking on board, but there’s a smoking area, which isn’t a very popular area, as none of the athletes smoke. It’s mostly a couple of French guests puffing on Gitanes. However, we do have a cigar tent, offering Davidoff cigars and Martell cognac.

Take off your shoes

Everybody must take off their shoes, which are then checked and numbered. Whether it’s evening or daytime, you don’t wear shoes on a superyacht because of the very fine teak decking. Plus, it really helps to lower the ego – literally. Most people on my yacht receptions are high achievers, they’re in the public eye, and so they carry a certain gravitas. Some of the beautiful women on board are very statuesque and very tall so it can be intimidating.

Even if you’re famous

A couple of years ago, when the party was in full swing, and we had HSH Prince Albert II on board, Nigel Mansell, Lewis Hamilton, Stefan Johansson, Jean Todt, Michelle Yeoh, and a whole great group of amazing people, we had a very high profile model and fashion designer refuse to take off her Louboutin shoes. She was about six-foot three. I went up to her and politely asked her to take them off, and she said, ‘I’ll only take them off as soon as you’ve introduced me to, and I’ve had a photography with, His Serene Highness.' And so I said, ‘Excuse me Albert, can I borrow you for one moment for a photograph, then we can get this situation sorted out.’ So we had the introduction, and the photograph, and she was very happy, trotted off, and took off her shoes. Even HSH takes off his shoes!

Don’t get on the naughty list

We have a roster of plus ones who have got too drunk in the past and who we don’t want on board again. But as long as you don’t get too drunk and nick the furniture, you’re generally going to be ok. You’d be amazed how many people walk off with the ash trays and lighters!

And don’t be naughty

Generally there are no shenanigans, although there was one couple who were quite amorous in one of the rooms…

Don't be a lad

It’s a very sophisticated, civilised environment. You’re on a beautiful multi-million pound superyacht, you’re in the harbour of the Monaco Grand Prix, it’s one of the most opulent experiences in the world, the palace of Monaco is just over your shoulder, everyone’s dressed beautifully, it’s not really an environment for kicking down with some beers and wolf whistling girls. That might happen on other yachts but it doesn’t happen on mine.

How to blag yourself an invite

Don’t be bait

I’m a very popular guy in Monaco. I live there, and everybody knows what I do, so the first thing the society ladies say to me is: ‘Hi Nicholas, what time is your yacht party this year?' Or, ‘What’s the name of your yacht this year?’ They don’t even care if they get invited, as long as they know the name. I know if I go to a certain friend’s house where they’re having a dinner party for 20 or 30 people, two or three weeks before the Grand Prix, the first question will be ‘Where’s my invite?’ So I try and hide before the Monaco Grand Prix.

Don’t try and fool security

We are very, very, strict, with multiple levels of security and wrist bands. We even have the secret service because Prince Albert is there. So although it’s not foolproof it’s pretty tight. We get people using other people’s names, but we check IDs and everyone gets stamped and double checked before they get on the boat. It’s quite challenging to get on. I know people who’ve scaled the walls of Vanity Fair parties, or taken photos of IDs and had them reprinted, but on this boat, there’s only one way.

Don’t cause a scene

The troublemakers are almost always high-society women. They have this sense of entitlement, and feel that they should go straight on with their five friends who weren’t invited. Some of them have proper hissy fits. Nobody likes to be embarrassed in public, but the problem is they embarrass themselves. They think they can go to any party they like.

Get there late

You have a better chance of getting on if it’s at the end of the evening, let’s say 12 o’clock. A lot of the key guests have come, eaten and gone home. We close at one o’clock (officially), but if we have His Serene Highness on board then he doesn’t leave until three. The after-party is in the V-VIP section on the bow of the boat.

Get a recommendation

You have to have a recommendation. You can’t just be random. If someone important texts me and says, ‘So and so is going to pass by, is that ok?’ then I’ll do my best.

**Dress smart ** The dress code is cocktail attire. Women don’t tend to wear long dresses since they have to take off their shoes. Everyone brings out their best jewellery since it’s such a safe environment for those kinds of pieces. A lot of the guys wear incredible time pieces , like Richard Miele and Tourbillon. It’s a bit of a watch show sometimes.

**Roll up **

A lot of our guests are car collectors, so they’ll have 50 or 100 incredible cars that you would never drive on the street. Last year, we hosted a car made by Henrik Fisker: a one-off Mercedes Royale, which is a modern recreation of the old 600 Mercedes limousine from the Seventies. That was amazing. All the guests turn up in Rolls Royce’s, Bentleys, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, limited editions and roadsters.

** Be more like Buzz Aldrin**

Buzz Aldrin , the second man on the moon, can ring me up and say ‘Nicholas, I want to come’, and he can come anytime. He doesn’t drink anyway so he’d be a cheap guest anyway, but he’s a guy I actually want to talk to. So is Felix Baumgartner, and Olympic champion Michael Johnson. These are achievers in real life disciplines, rather than ‘I’ve got a big bottom so I’m famous.’ It’s not all about celebrities. I think these people get a lot of publicity as it is for not doing very much.

But less like the Kardashians

I’ve turned away names you’d know better than your mother’s name. For example, one is a very well-known singer and the other has a very large bottom … I don’t need to have them on board to do me a favour. And quite honestly most of the guests don’t care who they are.

And get a girlfriend like Ivanka

Ivanka Trump wanted to come a few years ago, and when I met her she couldn’t have been more charming, more polite, more courteous, and more down to earth. Compared to all the other women I meet in Los Angeles I can tell you she’s one of the more pleasant ones. Of course I’d let Donald Trump and Melania Trump on too. I might not respect their politics but I would respect the office of who they are.

My Yacht Group is partnered with charities such as Prince Albert 2 , The Blue Angel Foundation and Operation Healing Forces .

How to plan the perfect superyacht party

Our top ten tips for planning your superyacht party

Do you have an upcoming milestone event that deserves a special celebration? At TJB Super Yachts we have helped create some of the most exquisite superyacht parties for our clients. We have selected the perfect boat, crew and destination and taken all the stress of research and planning into our hands. We know which magic ingredients need to come together to create a relaxed party atmosphere that feels authentic and spontaneous but orchestrated behind the scenes to the tiniest detail. Here are some of our top tips for your first superyacht party that we’ve honed from years of experience.

1 – plan ahead

The more time you give us, the more choice of yachts, destinations and berths we have to play with. Are you planning to host a superyacht party during the festive season such as St Barths for New Year or a global event such as the Monaco Grand Prix, Cannes Film Festival or Miami Art Basel? We advise booking your superyacht charter no less than 18 months in advance. Planning ahead gives you time to ask your favourite people to save the date – after all,  you want to be surrounded by your A-list on the night.

2 – the yacht

Some of the superyachts have been custom-designed with luxury entertainment in mind. If you want to create a wild party atmosphere with space for everyone to dance together, there are superyachts with decks that transform into nightclubs and purpose-built spaces for live entertainment or DJs. If you want to create a pool-party vibe we can recommend some excellent superyachts with large pools and al-fresco decks with plenty of space for bigger groups. You might be looking for a more intimate space for the ultimate dinner party, in which case we will have the perfect superyacht in mind.

3 – the destination

Although the yacht is often the first big decision when planning a superyacht party, the destination plays a big part. We will discuss your vision and advise on a location that will enhance the event. Do you plan to sail your guests into the sunset and give them an Instagram-worthy backdrop of the coastline? Or are you looking to remain in your berth surrounded by twinkling city lights?

If you want to keep the party atmosphere going at VIP beach clubs on land, islands such as Ibiza in the Balearic Islands, Mykonos in Greece or Montenegro are known for their VIP nightclubs and exclusive beach bars. Finally, consider the location. If you are planning an event for New Year’s Eve in the Caribbean, book ahead for the best views of the fireworks. We always advise that the destination becomes part of the experience – you never want your guests to lose a sense of place.

4 – the dream team

The next critical decision that will dictate the success of your superyacht party is your crew. The good news is that we handpick our superyachts with the best crew to look after you so you can relax and enjoy the event. We never underestimate the importance of the crew on a superyacht, and we are in direct contact with everyone on board, from the experienced captain to your private chefs and 24/7 personal concierge. We only work with a team that matches the same high standards and welcoming approach we insist on at our own offices at TJB Super Yachts. 

5 – THE TINY DETAILS

We have excellent relationships with the crew and captains of the superyachts we charter for our clients. Our commitment to service means you can trust us with your vision and leave your celebration safe in our hands. We will ensure nothing is lost in translation and take care of all the logistics and admin. From managing your guest list to planning the timings, music, entertainment, food and beverage, we pride ourselves on meticulous attention to detail.

6 – CONSIDER THE TECH

Superyacht technology is growing faster than ever. When selecting the right yacht charter for your party, it’s important to think about what tech you need to perfect the experience. Some of the yachts we work with have been custom-designed with lighting that reflects the mood of each space. Superyachts equipped with emotional technology (E.T.) are improving every year, creating a truly immersive experience on board. Some yachts have an LED-sensitive dancefloor and video wall that reveal themselves after dark and change colour tone according to the style of the music. The inbuilt audio specification in the yachting industry is also improving, allowing DJs or live bands to plug in with just a laptop and deliver a concert-quality experience of your favourite music.  

7 – THINK OF A THEME

Giving your superyacht party a theme (even if it’s something as simple as an elegant colour scheme) can be a great way to tie the event together and make the evening feel unique and personal. From the moment the bespoke party invitation arrives, a theme will connect your guests to the adventure ahead. We are masters in experiential travel, and we have years of expertise when it comes to planning the intricate details of a superyacht party.

8 – MAXIMISE YOUR SPACE

Whether you are planning the ultimate dinner party or a wedding reception, we know which yachts will work best for the scale of your superyacht party so that your guests never feel cramped. Do you want a pool in the daytime that can turn into a dance floor at night? No problem!

9 – YOUR GUESTS

Making sure your guests feel special from the very beginning is part of our TJB Super Yachts service. From bespoke packing lists sent before they arrive to beautiful luxury gift bags when they leave, we will take care of the little touches that make a big difference. We can arrange onboard beauticians and wellness facilities to keep guests feeling fresh and a host of entertainment options to surprise and delight them throughout the event. We will manage the personal requests of your guest list, including dietary requirements to ensure everyone feels relaxed and at home.

10 – THE AFTER PARTY

If your party continues into the next day, we will find a superyacht that includes everything you and your guests need to enjoy the water and sunshine. We’ll make sure you have space for sunbathing based on the number of guests, and a variety of superyacht water toys to enjoy the ocean. Most of our superyachts have spa-quality wellness rooms for deep relaxation after a night of dancing.

Are you thinking of planning a superyacht party? Get in touch with our experienced team of yacht brokers, and we will take care of all the details.

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Privacy Overview

How to Host a Yacht Party

Last Updated on September 29, 2023 by Boatsetter Team

A yacht party is a fantastic change of pace from dinner at a restaurant or a backyard cookout. Yachting isn’t a common thing for a lot of people, so there’s a natural excitement built into the event, even if the boat never leaves the dock. All you have to do as the host is play into that vibe, and you’ve got yourself a successful event.

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One of the best things you can do when inviting guests to a yacht party is to inform them in advance about general etiquette aboard a boat. Friends who are landlubbers will not know, for instance, that it’s customary to leave your shoes in a dock box before boarding a boat.

Tell them ahead of time that their feet will be on display so they can get a pedicure, buy a cool pair of socks or invest in a little toe jewelry to feel comfortable throughout the party. They’ll also appreciate the pro tip of wearing shoes that are easy to slide on and off without having to sit down and deal with laces or straps.

And, for yacht parties during the day, encourage your guests to dress for the sun. Have sunscreen on board to use, and offer helpful suggestions like bringing a hat, a light shirt to cover easy-burn spots like shoulders and the back of the neck, and perhaps linen pants or a sarong for legs that don’t see the sun too often. Polarized sunglasses also help stay comfortable throughout the day on board.

Think bigger-picture about how people should dress: if your yacht party is during the day, then your guests might bring a small bag of clothes for later; you’ll need a place on the yacht to put those bags. Your yacht party may extend into the night, which means there could be a big swing in the temperature, so encourage guests to bring clothing that can be layered on and off.

READ MORE: 5 Secrets Boat Clubs Don’t Want You to Know

If the party will include the boat leaving the dock, then advise your guests about the golden rule of remaining upright: one hand for you, one hand for the boat. Yes, you can carry a plate of hors d’oeuvres or a cocktail in one hand, but whenever the boat moves, you always want one hand free to grab a rail, a handhold, or anything else you might need to steady yourself. Helping new boaters stay safe underway should be priority one!

In terms of hosting, think about serving a steady array of finger foods instead of a big, sit-down meal. The little stuff is easier to store and cook quickly, and it’s a better option to offer people a variety of foods if the boat is moving since some people may be a bit more sensitive than others.

Skip the things that come on skewers (those little sticks never end up in the trash, and they can poke bare feet if they end up on deck ). Instead, think about crudites, bruschetta bites, and boneless wings that leave no refuse behind.

Also, have soft drinks such as ginger ale and lemon-lime soda on hand to help soothe any bouts of seasickness . Ginger is another well-regarded remedy and can be served as a chewable or in a cup of iced tea.

Sometimes, yacht parties are themed, with everything from steel-drum players to belly dancers aboard for entertainment. Swim parties are, of course, a go-to favorite, as are “Under the Sea” parties with a seafood spread. You can go with a color, or a lack thereof, such as an all-white party, or encourage people to wear Hawaiian shirts for a Polynesian night .

Music is a must. So don’t forget to create a playlist to go with your theme. It’s hard to go wrong with boating standbys such as Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley, and the Beach Boys. More than a few great singalongs have started with “Rock the Boat” by the Hues Corporation or “Banana Boat (Day-O)” by Harry Belafonte.

Yes, that last suggestion is about as polar opposite as you can get from “Under the Sea,” but that’s the beauty of a yacht party. It can be anything you want it to be.

Best of all: you don’t need to own a yacht to throw a party on one. You can rent a yacht for a half-day or full-day and host your party on the rental instead! If you happen to be one of the lucky few who own a yacht, you can list it and rent it out to the large market made up of people daydreaming about their day out on a yacht or hosting their own yacht party.

Boatsetter is a unique boat-sharing platform that gives everyone— whether you own a boat or you’re just renting — the chance to experience life on the water. You can list a boat , book a boat , or make money as a captain .

List your yacht & start earning an extra income renting it out

Kim Kavin has been on boats in more than 50 countries and islands, including in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, South Pacific, Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. She grew up learning to steer a ski boat and Hobie Holder at her grandfather’s lake house in New Jersey, and went on to spend time aboard everything from America’s Cup racing sailboats to submarines. 

Kim is a PADI-certified scuba diver and animal lover who always enjoys a good, long look around a coral reef. Her award-winning writing and editing regularly appears in national marine magazines and on leading websites. In her early years, she was a Dow Jones editing intern and a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism. When she’s not writing, Kim can usually be found hiking northwest New Jersey’s beautiful park trails with her adopted shelter mutt, Ginger.

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This is YOT Club

Gold coast & brisbane’s iconic entertainment vessel, the yot club, enjoy a gold coast or brisbane river cruise.

Custom designed from the water up, the YOT Club is a luxury entertainment oasis and the ultimate venue to celebrate your next special occasion. With ticketed events every weekend and full venue hire available, come join us for a cruise on the Gold Coast Broadwater or Brisbane River!

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Upcoming events for Gold Coast & Brisbane river cruises.

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Halloween | gold coast, melbourne cup | gold coast, r&b fridays | gold coast, yot 2.0 launch | gold coast, celebrate with yot.

Grab your crew and come celebrate your next special occasion on a luxury superyacht. Designed as the ultimate entertainment venue we’ve got options for every occasion from general admission to reserved seating and VIP Booth packages. If you’re looking to take your private event to the next level enquire about exclusive hire.

Indulge With Us

It’s smooth sailing for a brisbane & gold coast cruise.

With capacity for 399 guests spread over two luxurious levels, YOT Club has been designed as the ultimate floating event space. Featuring two full service cocktail bars, a commercial kitchen, DJ booth and a top of the line AV system, we can cater for your every indulgence.

Browse our private charter options to hire YOT Club or one of our other luxury boats, YOT Blue, YOT 75 or YOT Vice for your next birthday, corporate event or special occasion. Enquire today and talk to our team about a bespoke cruise on the Gold Coast, Sanctuary Cove or Brisbane.

Come check out our latest offering ‘YOT Deck’ a Summer pop-up venue located on the water at Mariners Cove. With the largest deck on the Gold Coast, daily specials, happy hour and the ultimate Sunday Session.

What Our Guests Say

” Such a great time on board! The DJ was awesome, food and cocktails were fabulous and over all great vibe! I had a super fun time with my group of friends in our own private booth and dancing the day away! Aleisha Busstra

” Went on the yot last night was such a good time really enjoyed it and the whole experience was amazing wanna shout out earl for hooking it up made my birthday a night to remember Tyler Moss

” Best day out on the water with the YOT Club team, the team were exceptional! Would definitely recommend this to everyone that lives or visits the Gold Coast. Toby Smith

” First class experience, fabulous staff, beautiful location, amazing food and service. Can't wait to go again! Tracey Oakford

” If you are thinking about doing a YoT cruise “Do it” book now. We can’t thank the manager enough for a fabulous day and night so Patricio we love you. We did a day cruise today and came back tonight to do it all over again. This experience caters to all ages so get your cocktail dresses and dancing shoes on and get on board. Ahoy Leisa Baker

” Fantastic Day out on the Broadwater. Sensational food and fantastic atmosphere and fantastic service. A Team who knows what there doing Dave Thompson

” Can highly recommend a trip on YOT I’ve been on 5 times and it never disappoints. Service is great, food is delicious and the tunes are banging! Nicola Wilcock

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Check out our socials @theyotclub and be sure to tag us in your pictures for your chance to be featured on our feed

Girls weekend?! We got you covered!🥂🍾 . . . . #luxuryyacht #yacht #party #partyboat #fun

Summer is around the corner! Come and spend it with us at the YOT Club! ☀️🙌🏽 . . . . #luxury #yachtlife #luxurylifestyle #partyboat

When a day out on the YOT makes it out of the group chat. 💃🏽 . . . . #luxury #luxurylifestyle #yachtlife #partyboat

Need a reason to get dressed to the nines? Look no further! Celebrate your weekend with us! 🥂 . . . . #weekendvibes #party #partyboat #luxury #dressup

Holiday Season is on the way! Why not start celebrating early with us! 🎉🎄 . . . . #holiday #holidayseason #yachtlife #partyboat

Sailing into the sunset with a @rider.beers in hand! What a night to remember! Thanks to everyone who joined us for the Rider Lite Beers Launch! 🍻 . . . . #riderbeers #beers #cocktailhour #launch #party

Vampires, witches and pirates took over the yacht — and we loved it! 🧛 🏴‍☠️ . . . . #halloween #costumes #dressup #goldcoast

Cheers to long summer nights and more weekends on the YOT Club! ☀️🍹 . . . . #luxuryyacht #yachtlife #partyboat #goldcoastlifestyle

Thanks for making our Halloween yacht party unBOOlievable! The tide brought in good spirits and spooky vibes — until next Halloween! 👻 🎃 . . . . #halloweencostume #halloween #dressup #yachtparty

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Crystal Blue Yacht Charters

Luxury private yacht charter specialists.

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BOOKINGS NOW OPEN

Explore our exclusive selection of private charters: YOT Blue, YOT Capri, YOT 75, YOT Vice, YOT Xpress & our premium YOT Club for your upcoming special occasion between the Gold Coast Broadwater & up to the Brisbane River.

YOT Blue is 80ft of pure super yacht luxury, offering a versatile layout for overnight escapes or unforgettable parties – the ultimate entertainer.

YOT Capri as our newest and biggest luxury motor yacht in the fleet. 92 feet with three distinct entertaining areas – Aft deck, Main Saloon and Forward deck.

YOT 75 is the pinnacle of yacht entertainment, licensed for up to 68 guests across 2 luxurious levels with full-service bars in the main saloon and upper deck.

YOT Vice is Brisbane’s premier super yacht venue, licensed for up to 76 guests across 2 luxurious levels with a full service bar located in the main saloon.

YOT Club was designed to create the ultimate entertainment venue. A luxury floating oasis that takes the true meaning of “hospitality” to another level.

Cruise along the idyllic Gold Coast Broadwater at high speed to drop anchor for a swim. The opportunities for a sunset charter or a destination transfer are endless.

Sunset charter

Located in the Mediterranean, cruise to iconic locations including the French Riviera, the Italian Amalfi Coast, Sardinia, Greek Islands and Croatia.

Browse our private charter options to hire the YOT Blue,  YOT Capri, YOT 75, YOT Vice or our other boat YOT Club for your next Birthday, corporate event, or any celebration in the Gold Coast, Sanctuary Cove or Brisbane.

YOT Capri as our newest and biggest luxury motor yacht in the fleet. 92 feet with three distinct entertaining areas – Aft deck, Main Saloon and Forward deck.

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From our luxury yacht charter events team to our dedicated onboard crew providing full service, we specialise in creating unique and memorable experiences on the water.

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Six Tips For Planning Your Yacht Party

Planning a yacht party is no easy feat, but it can be with these six simple tips (and our FantaSea Yachts team to guide you along the way). Since 1980, we’ve had Southern California covered with our Marina del Rey party yacht rentals — from the ever-popular yacht wedding and celebratory yacht rentals to the premier Los Angeles yacht party . Ready to start planning? It’s smooth sailing (pun intended) from here on out!

Build your guest list

Big bash or intimate affair? Determining a headcount right from the beginning will help ease the headache of unaccounted for space issues and expenses. This will also help determine the best yacht rental for your soiree — not to mention your budget!

Here are some suggestions for putting together your guest list. 

Initial planning for your guest list could include everyone that comes to mind. Basically, you start big and pare down depending on the yacht size, budget, and event. A retirement party might include employees as well as their significant others. On the other hand, a corporate team-building event would limit guests to employees only. 

For weddings, you could start with an A list and a B list where the A list consists of close family and friends. The B list consists of everyone else like extended family or business associates. The A list gets the first round of invitations.

Envision your space

Take time to think about the layout of your space. Popular requests include a dance floor, lounge area, formal seating, bar station and dessert table. And, of course, if you have something else in mind, we’d love to hear your ideas! It’s important to envision how your space will be used. This allows you to envision how certain areas might affect the flow of your event and where you might want to avoid bottlenecking and excessive crowding. There are many ways to customize space when you rent a yacht in the Marina.

To theme or not to theme?

Yacht party themes can be general or ultra-specific – both types have their advantages. Mardi Gras or the roaring 20s? Dora the Explorer or Frozen? Refined elegance or 70s disco party? Or do you prefer to keep it simple and focus on certain colors and hues? 

The advantage of having a detailed and specific theme is that it eliminates possible confusion for your guests. Everything from dress, food, formality can be included under the umbrella of a theme. Think of it as a party blueprint. 

On the other hand, a less restrictive theme creates an ambiance that complements your event – under the stars with twinkle lights for an evening yacht birthday party or shimmery silver colors for a wedding anniversary. 

Whatever you decide, the theme will set the tone for your event. And a theme will help build your accents, decor, and other creative touches. Once you set the course, the fun is in the details.

Customize with details

Speaking of details…don’t shy away from them. Whether it’s using an inside joke as the name of your signature cocktail , a customized dessert table or incorporating family heirlooms and photos at your celebration, the magic…as they say…is in the details. This is your chance to wow your guests with personalized efforts that will leave a lasting impression. Your Los Angeles yacht party can show your personal touch. Embrace it!

Delight with entertainment

Do your guests like to swarm a dance floor? Book a DJ that will get your crowd moving. Or do you like to move to live beats? From large big bands to smaller trios, live entertainment can seamlessly take your event from dinner to dancing. Planning a kids party? Welcome a magician or your child’s favorite character aboard.

Other ideas include cigar rolling, spirit tasting, poker tables and lawn games like cornhole (we’ve held games on our FantaSea One skydeck!), all of which are popular ways to keep your guests smiling and buzzing with energy. The possibilities with a yacht party are endless.

Consider your guests

There are a multitude of ways to make your guests feel special. From gluten-free to vegetarian to vegan, there is no shortage of ways to accommodate your guests with a delicious meal that meets their dietary restrictions. Collect those requests with your RSVPs. Accessibility needs? Address those from the start to ensure a comfortable environment. Hosting an open bar? Consider partnering up with a rideshare company to offer a promo code to your guests. These are different ways to make your guests feel valued, important and truly connected to your celebration.

Ok, sign me up! What’s next?

Ready to rent a yacht for a party? There is nothing quite as unique as a Los Angeles yacht charter and we’re the team to help bring your unique vision to life. We invite you to give us a call at 310-827-2220 or click here to submit an event query form to get you one step closer to hosting your dream bash.

People Also Ask:

What do you bring to a yacht party? We take care of everything, but, depending on the occasion, guests could bring items like sunscreen or a light jacket for cooler weather. Our expert planners will ensure your guests know what to expect well in advance of your yacht party.

How much does a yacht party cost? Depending on the number of guests, the day of the week, and catering selections, an event could be anywhere from $150 – $200 per person.

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Both yachts have 5 en suite guest cabins. Lady Tatiana's party deck has full panoramic views either enclosed or fully open with 6 huge skylights exposing the deck to over 90% of the sky and surrounding views. She now has a covered entertainment area of the aft deck, saloon and party deck totalling over 80 square meters. Furthermore when coupled with Lady Alhena (her sister ship), there is accommodation for up to 20 guests sleeping on board in the 10 en suite guest cabins. The party deck as well as being huge, luxurious and comfortable, is very unique in that it has been bespoke designed by an ex-DJ and a sound engineer. The phenomenal surround sound system is driven by over 20,000 Watts of power. There is a spectacular light show on and off the party deck with lasers, mirror balls, led rope lights, spotlights, smoke machine... There is a DJ booth with a Pioneer DJ console, an Alfresco bar with luxury seating and bartender/cocktail makers enclosure. 

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Bayesian superyacht party was a celebration of Mike Lynch’s U.S. lawsuit victory against HP when waterspout storm struck

Mike Lynch, the British tech tycoon  missing after his luxury yacht  sank off the coast of Sicily, had only recently fended off a US criminal fraud case over the sale of his software company to Hewlett Packard Co.

Lynch, 59, and his wife were aboard the yacht, named Bayesian after a British mathematician, with a small group of his financial and legal advisers when the violent storm hit. They were celebrating Lynch’s tumultuous acquittal just over two months earlier, when a San Francisco jury found him not guilty of charges that he duped HP into overpaying for his software firm, Autonomy Corp. 

Hailed at times as “Britain’s Bill Gates,” Lynch has been seeking to restore his reputation as one of Europe’s most successful entrepreneurs. For years, he’d argued that he had been scapegoated over the acquisition. HP paid $11 billion for Autonomy in 2011, only to write down $8.8 billion of the purchase price a year later.

But even after his acquittal on criminal charges, Lynch was  still fighting  the Silicon Valley giant in a civil case in London, where a British judge held him responsible for creating the illusion of a company much larger and more successful than it really was. 

Autonomy’s success — its software could extract useful information from unstructured sources including phone calls, emails and video — made Lynch one of the best-known British technology executives. He was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Confederation of British Industry in 1999. In 2000, Time magazine named him one of the 25 most influential technology leaders in Europe. 

Advised Prime Ministers

He was awarded an Order of the British Empire for services to enterprise in 2006. The same year, he was appointed as non-executive director to the board of the British Broadcasting Corp., the world’s biggest public broadcaster. He advised two British prime ministers, David Cameron and Theresa May. 

Lynch made at least $500 million from the HP deal. He then set up venture capital firm Invoke Capital, founding a series of tech companies run by former employees. The most successful was Darktrace Plc, a cybersecurity business that uses AI to detect suspicious activity in a company’s IT network. Forbes magazine  estimated  his net worth to be $1 billion in 2015, the sole year he was named to its list of global billionaires. 

HP, along with US prosecutors, alleged that Lynch and Autonomy’s former finance chief used accounting tricks to inflate the company’s revenue ahead of the 2011 sale.

The San Francisco trial placed huge pressures on the tech founder, who was forced to wear an ankle monitor and confined to 24-hour supervision by private security guards he had to pay for. On the stand, Lynch claimed ignorance of some of the wrongdoing attributed to him, saying he delegated key decisions to underlings.

Autonomy “wasn’t perfect,” Lynch testified at the trial. “The reality of life is that it’s nuanced and it’s messy and sometimes you do your best to get through it. And companies are just like that.” When the verdict came, following two days of deliberations, Lynch hugged his lawyer and wiped his eyes.

HP’s acquisition of the company was initially seen as a validation of UK technology and the Cambridge “Silicon Fen” tech cluster where Autonomy was based. But in 2012, HP  publicly accused  Autonomy and its executives of accounting failures. The lawsuit followed. Lynch chose to fight the civil trial with HP in London before facing a US jury in the hope that a ruling on home soil would help his case. 

In 20 days of testimony in the UK civil case, he served up a litany of anecdotes aiming to illustrate that HP was riven with executive turmoil and infighting as the company replaced its chief executive officer and pivoted on strategy shortly after the disastrous Autonomy deal.

He largely succeeded. Documents showed HP executives turning on each other — with HP CEO Meg Whitman, the onetime candidate for governor of California and current US ambassador to Kenya, saying she’d be prepared to throw her predecessor Leo Apotheker “under the bus in a tit for tat.” Taking over just as HP closed the Autonomy deal, Whitman sought to focus the firm back on its core PC unit to better manage the sprawling business.

But after one of the longest and most expensive trials in British history, Judge Robert Hildyard ruled in 2022 that Lynch and Autonomy had fraudulently boosted the value of the company. “One of the tragedies of the case is clear: an innovative and ground-breaking product, its architect and the company will probably always be associated with fraud,” the judge said in the ruling.

Damages Pending

The judge was still to decide the damages Lynch would have to pay. HP was seeking $4 billion from him and his finance chief, but the judge had cautioned that it was likely to get substantially less than that.

Those looming penalties from the civil suit did not dent Lynch’s ambitions once he was released from house arrest in the US.

“I am looking forward to returning to the UK and getting back to what I love most: my family and innovating in my field,” Lynch said in a statement after the California jury cleared him of criminal wrongdoing.

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Lynch Yacht Sinking Off Sicily Proves as Baffling as It Is Tragic

As bodies were recovered, the authorities and experts wondered how a $40 million, stable and secure vessel could have sunk so quickly.

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By Emma Bubola and Michael J. de la Merced

Emma Bubola reported from Porticello, Italy, and Michael J. de la Merced from London.

Two months after being cleared in a bruising legal battle over fraud charges, the British tech mogul Mike Lynch celebrated his freedom with a cruise. He invited his family, friends and part of his legal team on board his luxury sailing yacht, a majestic 180-foot vessel named Bayesian after the mathematical theorem around which he had built his empire.

On Sunday night, after a tour of the Gulf of Naples, including Capri, and volcanic islands in the Eolian archipelago, the boat anchored half a mile off the Sicilian coast in Porticello, Italy. It chose a stretch of water favored by the Phoenicians thousands of years ago for its protection from the mistral wind and, in more recent times, by the yachts of tech billionaires. The boat was lit “like a Christmas tree,” local residents said, standing out against the full moon.

But about 4 a.m., calamity unfolded. A violent and fast storm hit the area with some of the strongest winds locals said they had ever felt. Fabio Cefalù, a fisherman, said he saw a flare pierce the darkness shortly after 4.

Minutes later, the yacht was underwater. Only dozens of cushions from the boat’s deck and a gigantic radar from its mast floated on the surface of the sea, fishermen said.

In all, 22 people were on board, 15 of whom were rescued. Six bodies — five passengers and the ship’s cook — had been recovered by Thursday afternoon, including that of Mr. Lynch, an Italian government official said, adding that the search was continuing for his daughter.

It was a tragic and mystifying turn of events for Mr. Lynch, 59, who had spent years seeking to clear his name and was finally inaugurating a new chapter in his life. Experts wondered how a $40 million yacht, so robust and stable could have been sunk by a storm near a port within minutes.

“It drives me insane,” said Giovanni Costantino, the chief executive of the Italian Sea Group, which in 2022 bought the company, Perini, that made the Bayesian. “Following all the proper procedures, that boat is unsinkable.”

The aura of misfortune only deepened when it emerged that Stephen Chamberlain, 52, a former vice president of finance for Mr. Lynch’s former company and a co-defendant in the fraud case, was killed two days earlier, when he was hit by a car while jogging near his house in England.

Since June, the two men had been in a jubilant mood. A jury in San Francisco had acquitted both on fraud charges that could have sent them to prison for two decades. There were hugs and tears, and they and their legal teams went for a celebratory dinner party at a restaurant in the city, said Gary S. Lincenberg, a lawyer for Mr. Chamberlain.

The sea excursion was meant as a thank-you by Mr. Lynch to those who had helped him in his legal travails. Among the guests was Christopher J. Morvillo, 59, a scion of a prominent New York family of lawyers who had represented Mr. Lynch for 12 years. He and his wife, Neda, 57, were among the missing.

So, too, was Jonathan Bloomer, 70, a veteran British insurance executive who chaired Morgan Stanley International and the insurer Hiscox.

The body of the ship’s cook, Recaldo Thomas, was recovered. All the other crew members survived. Among them was Leo Eppel, 19, of South Africa, who was on his first yacht voyage working as a deck steward, said a friend, who asked not to be identified.

Since the sinking, the recovery effort and investigation have turned the tiny port town of Porticello, a quiet enclave where older men sit bare-chested on balconies, into what feels like the set of a movie.

Helicopters have flown overhead. Ambulances have sped by with the sirens blaring. The Coast Guard has patrolled the waters off shore, within sight of a cordoned-off dock that had been turned into an emergency headquarters.

On Wednesday afternoon, a church bell tolled after the first body bag was loaded into an ambulance, a crowd watching in silence.

The survivors were sheltering in a sprawling resort near Porticello, with a view of the shipwreck spot, and had so far declined to comment.

Attilio Di Diodato, director of the Italian Air Force’s Center for Aerospace Meteorology and Climatology, said that the yacht had most likely been hit by a fierce “down burst” — when air generated within a thunderstorm descends rapidly — or by a waterspout , similar to a tornado over water.

He added that his agency had put out rough-sea warnings the previous evening, alerting sailors about storms and strong winds. Locals said the winds “felt like an earthquake.”

Mr. Costantino, the boat executive, said the yacht had been specifically designed for having a tall mast — the second-tallest aluminum mast in the world. He said the Bayesian was an extremely safe and secure boat that could list even to 75 degrees without capsizing.

But he said that if some of the hatches on the side and in the stern, or some of the deck doors, had been open, the boat could have taken on water and sunk. Standard procedure in such storms, he said, is to switch on the engine, lift the anchor and turn the boat into the wind, lowering the keel for extra stability, closing doors and gathering the guests in the main hall inside the deck.

12 guests occupied the yacht’s six cabins. There were also 10 crew members.

Open hatches, doors and cabin windows could have let in water during a storm, according to the manufacturer.

Open hatches, doors and

cabin windows could

have let in water

during a storm,

according to the

manufacturer.

Source: Superyacht Times, YachtCharterFleet, MarineTraffic

By Veronica Penney

The New York Times attempted to reach the captain, James Cutfield, who had survived, for comment through social media, his brother and the management company of the yacht (which did not hire the crew), but did not make contact.

So far none of the surviving crew members have made a public statement about what happened that night.

Fabio Genco, the director of Palermo’s emergency services, who treated some of the survivors, said that the victims had recounted feeling as if the boat was being lifted, then suddenly dropped, with objects from the cabins falling on them.

The Italian Coast Guard said it had deployed a remotely operated vehicle that can prowl underwater for up to seven hours at a depth of more than 980 feet and record videos and images that they hoped would help them reconstruct the dynamics of the sinking. Such devices were used during the search and rescue operations of the Titan vessel that is believed to have imploded last summer near the wreckage of the Titanic.

After rescuers broke inside the yacht, they struggled to navigate the ropes and many pieces of furniture cluttering the vessel, said Luca Cari, a spokesman for Italy’s national firefighter corps.

Finally, as of Thursday morning, they had managed to retrieve all but one of the missing bodies, and hopes of finding the missing person alive were thin. “Can a human being be underwater for two days?” Mr. Cari asked.

What was certain was that Mr. Lynch’s death was yet another cruel twist of fate for a man who had spent years seeking to clear his name.

He earned a fortune in technology and was nicknamed Britain’s Bill Gates. But for more than a decade, he had been treated as anything but a respected tech leader.

He was accused by Hewlett-Packard, the American technological pioneer that had bought his software company, Autonomy, for $11 billion, of misleading it about his company’s worth. (Hewlett-Packard wrote down the value of the transaction by about $8.8 billion, and critics called it one of the worst deals of all time .) He had been increasingly shunned by the British establishment that he sought to break into after growing up working-class outside London.

He was extradited to San Francisco to face criminal charges, and confined to house arrest and 24-hour surveillance on his dime. In a townhouse in the Pacific Heights neighborhood — with security people he jokingly told associates were his “roommates” — he spent his mornings talking with researchers whom he funded personally on new applications for artificial intelligence. Afterward, he devoted hours to discussing legal strategy with his team.

Despite his persistent claims of innocence, even those close to Mr. Lynch had believed his odds of victory were slim. Autonomy’s chief financial officer, Sushovan Hussain, was convicted in 2018 of similar fraud charges and spent five years in prison.

During Mr. Lynch’s house arrest, his brother and mother died. His wife, Angela Bacares, frequently flew over from England, and she became a constant presence in the San Francisco courtroom during the trial.

After he was finally acquitted, Mr. Lynch had his eye on the future. “I am looking forward to returning to the U.K. and getting back to what I love most: my family and innovating in my field,” he said.

Elisabetta Povoledo contributed reporting from Pallanza, Italy.

Emma Bubola is a Times reporter based in Rome. More about Emma Bubola

Michael J. de la Merced has covered global business and finance news for The Times since 2006. More about Michael J. de la Merced

Sunrise Yachts Sponsor 2011 Moscow International Boat Show (MIBS)

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Written by Mike Smith

Sunrise Yachts, a luxury yacht building company which is based in Turkey, has been made a main sponsor of next year’s 2011 Moscow International Boat Show (MIBS). The four-day Russian yacht show event is currently scheduled to run from April 14-17 at the Moscow’s Crocus exhibition centre.

moscow boat show

MIBS is organised by the ITE Group and it is one of Russia’s leading boat shows and is an internationally recognised superyacht event. The show covering everything from small parts and accessories to large superyacht with over 9,000 people and 178 exhibitors attended the last year show.

The Paolo Scanu-designed Sunrise 45 yacht is an ocean-going cruising yacht that was released in 2009 to much acclaim at this was the group’s first-ever model.

Sunrise Yachts was founded in 2007 by the German entrepreneur Herbert P Baum along with the French-British yacht builder Guillaume Roché. The luxury yacht group is based in Antalya, Turkey and utilises a 10,000sq m shipyard facility. Sunrise has two sheds measuring 100m (328ft) x 16m (53ft), as well as a 70m (230ft) x 16m (53ft) fully acclimatized paint shed that can accommodate new-build and refit projects up to 65m (213ft) in length and 1,200 tonnes displacement.

The sunrise 45m superyacht by Sunrise Yachts

Along each side of the yacht-building facility, space is available for long-term sub-contractors with the latest equipment and logistics capabilities, along with air-conditioned storage, ventilation and extraction plants. The shipyard is organized as an “assembler,” based loosely on the car industry’s model, with a small, yet powerful project management team charged with running all the in-house long-term sub-contractors.

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Sunrise Yachts Sponsor 2011 Moscow International Boat Show (MIBS)".

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Bayesian yacht sinking latest: Diver speaks of ‘unbearable’ search for Mike Lynch’s daughter Hannah

Captain james cutfield, ship engineer tim parker eaton and sailor matthew griffith all now under investigation for manslaughter, article bookmarked.

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A diver who led the search for the missing bodies on Bayesian wreck said that finding Mike Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter Hannah was the hardest.

Giuseppe Petrone, chief of the Italian Firefighters Dive Team, said: “It was such a relief to have found her after almost five days. The tension had been unbearable until then.”

Mike Lynch’s wife did not want to leave the scene of the Bayesian wreck without her family, the captain of a boat near the sinking has said.

Karsten Borner, the captain of the Sir Robert Baden Powell, which helped to rescue the 15 survivors of the disaster in Sicily , told People that Angela Bacares “didn’t want to leave because her husband and her daughter were still down”.

British technology tycoon Mr Lynch and one of the daughters he has with Ms Bacares, Hannah, were among the seven people who were killed after his superyacht capsized and went down on 19 August within minutes of being hit by a pre-dawn storm.

The captain’s comments come as three crew members of the British-flagged vessel – captain James Cutfield, ship engineer Tim Parker Eaton and sailor Matthew Griffith – are now all under investigation for manslaughter and shipwreck .

Captain of Mike Lynch's yacht leaves Sicily on private jet

The captain of Mike Lynch’s yacht flew out of Palermo on Thursday, 10 days after the vessel sank off the coast of Sicily.

James Cutfield left the Sicilian capital on a private jet, an investigative source told Reuters, adding the destination of the flight was unknown.

Mr Cutfield, a New Zealander, lives with his wife in Palma on the Spanish island of Mallorca.

Mr Cutfield was put under investigation for manslaughter and shipwreck earlier this week and declined to answer questions from prosecutors on Tuesday.

Two other crew members were placed under investigation on Wednesday.

Mike Lynch had concerns over Lucy Letby conviction, says former minister

Mike Lynch had questions over Lucy Letby conviction, says former minister

The British tech mogul who died when his yacht sank off the coast of Sicily wanted to examine the murder conviction of the former nurse, according to ex-cabinet minister David Davis

Ex-court appointed guard says Mike Lynch ‘became more like a family’

A court-appointed armed guard, tasked with ensuring Mike Lynch did not abscond while facing fraud charges, has paid tribute to the tech mogul, saying the security team “became less of a detail and more like a family”.

Rolo Igno also described “the memory of a beautiful soul” in Mr Lynch’s daughter Hannah, 18.

Mr Igno said he had the “privilege” of spending “almost every waking moment” with Mr Lynch while he was in custody in San Francisco, describing the detail as unlike any other he had ever worked and one that was “life changing”.

“As an executive protection agent, the number one rule is simple, don’t ever get close to the principal,” he said.

“They aren’t your friends, they’re a client and the relationship is strictly professional. But with Mike, that didn’t fly with him and for me that rule quickly dissolved.”

Giant masts, moon pools and pole explorer pods: How the world of yachts got supersized

Last week’s sinking of the 56-metre yacht Bayesian and the tragic deaths of British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his guests and boat staff have given the public a glimpse into the rarefied world of superyachts.

From the sheer size of the mast (74 metres, roughly the size of seven two-storey houses stacked on top of each other) to the expense ( Bayesian was put up for sale in 2014 with an asking price of $30m, which is around £23m), to the sheer luxury (the interiors were by Remi Tessier, the designer behind Claridge’s new penthouse), it’s a world few people normally get to see.

Read the full article here:

Giant masts, moon pools and explorer pods: How the world of yachts got supersized

The sinking of Mike Lynch’s ‘unsinkable’ sailing vessel was not only a heartbreaking tragedy, but also gave us a rare glimpse into the superyachting fraternity. Here, Boat International’s Lucy Dunn looks at a group that is both secretive and innovative, and asks how such a high-spec sailing yacht could have sunk at all...

Blackbox sheds light on tragic final minutes of billionaire’s superyacht trip

It was supposed to be a summer celebration.

British tech tycoon Mike Lynch had gathered his tried and trusted lawyers who had been with him every step of the way helping him emerge unscathed from a gruelling 13-year legal battle. Twelve guests had flown into the picturesque Italian port of Porticello, near Palermo from the UK, the US, Canada , New Zealand and Ireland, to mark the end of the fraud trial that had consumed much of their lives.

Mike Lynch had gathered his nearest and dearest to toast walking away a free man from a HP fraud trial

Mike Lynch net worth: How the billionaire made his money

British tech tycoon Mike Lynch was among seven people who died after the luxury superyacht Bayesian sank off the coast of Sicily early on Monday morning

The 59-year-old is known for founding Invoke Capital and Autonomy Corporation and had been in the headlines after he was cleared of charges in a high-profile fraud case.

He was on the boat, named Bayesian, which sank in bad weather in the early hours of Monday near the Sicilian capital Palermo .

Mike Lynch was frequently described as the Bill Gates of Britain for founding Autonomy – one of the biggest software firms on the planet

No tornado alert in place at the time of sinking

Maritime director of western Sicily Rear Admiral Raffaele Macauda said there was nothing to suggest such an extreme situation would arise.

He told a press conference that there was no tornado alert in place at the time.

Mr Cammarano added that the yacht had been hit by a downburst, which are powerful winds that descend from a thunderstorm and spread out quickly once they hit the ground.

Officials said they would be looking at how it could so badly affect the Bayesian, and not other nearby vessels.

Bayesian’s huge mast may have contributed to its demise

Hatches and doors left open overnight on the superyacht Bayesian may have caused it to sink in Italy, a sailing expert has said.

Sam Jefferson, editor of magazine Sailing Today , believes the vessel’s huge mast – the tallest in the world, at 72 metres – is also likely to have contributed to the deadly event.

Mr Jefferson told the PA news agency: “I would have said that the boat got hit very hard by the wind, it was pinned over on its side.

“I imagine all the doors were open because it was hot, so there were enough hatches and doors open that it filled with water very quickly and sank like that.

“The reason it got pinned over so hard was because the mast is huge. It acted almost like a sail. [It] pushed the boat hard over on its side.

“[The boat] filled with water before it could right. This is all speculation, but that’s the only logical explanation.”

Diver who led search recalls ‘unbearable’ tension in search for Hannah

A diver who led the search for Mike Lynch and his guests onboard the yacht Bayesian said that his 18-year-old daughter Hannah was the hardest to find, as he recalled the “unbearable” tension facing his team.

“The yacht was on its right hand side. All of the cabins had been invaded with floating debris, mattresses, sheets, wardrobes,” he told MailOnline.

“It was due to this large amount of floating debris that the operation progressed with difficulty.

“The cabins were dark and there was barely any visibility, so as a result the environment was hostile and the situation was getting more difficult.

“She [Hannah] was the furthest away, we are talking about a situation where to advance just a metre took four or five dives.

“It was such a relief to have found her after almost five days. The tension had been unbearable until then.”

Asylum rescue charities hit out at ‘double standard’ in media and official resources

Charities dedicated to rescuing asylum-seekers in the Mediterranean have hit out at the “double standard” highlighted by the media coverage and resources given to the Bayesian search effort.

“For us, every death in the Mediterranean is one too many, no matter where they come from or how much money they make,” the organisation Sea-Eye, who recently rescued 262 people in the Mediterranean, said in a statement to The Guardian .

They added: “Sadly, it makes a difference in the media, in our society and in politics, who is drowning. We have noticed that the coverage of the situation in the Mediterranean, of tragedies or of our rescues in recent months has not been nearly as extensive as in the case of the Sicilian shipwreck in recent days.”

Days after the Bayesian sank, distress calls relating to a dinghy carrying 43 people in the Mediterranean were ignored and the vessel was left in peril for more than 24 hours until the charity Sea-Watch got there “just in time” to rescue those onboard and in the surrounding waters, the organisation alleged.

“For the Italian and European authorities, there are Shipwrecks and then there are shipwrecks, one capitalised and the other lowercase, one immediately rescued and the other abandoned to its fate,” Sea-Watch said, adding: “There was no rescue effort by the authorities. That’s no coincidence; it’s the EU’s double standard.”

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Five bodies found inside superyacht that sank off Sicily

PORTICELLO, Sicily — Divers recovered four bodies Wednesday from inside a superyacht that sank in a sudden storm off Sicily , Salvatore Cocina, director of the island's Civil Protection Agency, confirmed to NBC News.

Cocina later confirmed to Sky News that a fifth body had been found and was being brought to shore. One passenger remains missing.

The identities of the bodies were not immediately released. Their recovery follows a dayslong search in the deep waters off Italy where British tech tycoon Mike Lynch  and several others were believed to be trapped in the hull. Fifteen of the 22 people aboard survived.

The rest had been missing since early Monday, when the Bayesian was caught in the storm anchored off the coast of Porticello, a village near the Sicilian capital city, Palermo.

The body of the ship’s cook, identified as Recaldo Thomas, a Canadian Antiguan national, was recovered Monday. 

On Wednesday, NBC News witnessed what appeared to be at least three body bags being lifted from fire department boats after they pulled into port at Porticello. It was unclear whose bodies they were. Some were later transferred to ambulances and driven away from the dock.

Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter, Hannah; Morgan Stanley International Chairman Jonathan Bloomer and his wife, Judy; and Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife, Neda, are also missing. 

The Bayesian is owned by a firm linked to Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, who was among the survivors rescued by a nearby vessel after they got into a lifeboat.

Built by the Italian shipbuilder Perini Navi in 2008, the U.K.-registered yacht could carry 12 guests and a crew of up to 10, according to online specialist boating sites. Its nearly 250-foot mast is the tallest aluminum sailing mast in the world, according to CharterWorld Luxury Yacht Charters.  

Regularly described in U.K. media as “Britain’s Bill Gates,” Lynch was  acquitted of fraud by a San Francisco jury this year, stemming from the sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion in 2011.

The Mediterranean sailing vacation was designed to be a celebration for Lynch, who brought Bloomer, who testified in his defense, and Morvillo, one of his U.S. lawyers, on the trip.

Lynch's co-defendant Stephen Chamberlain was not aboard the Bayesian, but in what appears to be a tragic coincidence, a  car struck and killed  him Saturday as he was jogging in a village about 68 miles north of London, local police said.

Claudio Lavanga and Claudia Rizzo reported from Porticello. Henry Austin reported from London.

Claudio Lavanga is Rome-based foreign correspondent for NBC News.

Claudia Rizzo is an Italy based journalist.

Henry Austin is a senior editor for NBC News Digital based in London.

Superyacht sinks: Italian authorities expected to announce manslaughter investigation

Tributes have been paid to Hannah Lynch - the last remaining passenger recovered from the shipwreck - described as "endlessly caring" and "passionately mad".

Saturday 24 August 2024 11:59, UK

Prosecutors in Italy are reportedly planning to launch a manslaughter investigation after a luxury yacht sank, claiming seven lives.

Sky News understands this is standard procedure in complex cases, but more details are expected to be revealed at a news conference in Sicily this morning.

Among those killed were Hannah Lynch who became the last passenger to be recovered from Bayesian superyacht on Friday.

Tributes have been paid to the 18-year-old who was travelling on the boat with her father Mike Lynch, a British tech tycoon who also died, and mother Angela Bacares who survived the disaster.

Esme Lynch described her younger sister as "endlessly caring, passionately mad, unintentionally hilarious".

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Lynch family said they were "devastated... in shock... and being comforted and supported by family and friends".

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The vessel had arrived off the coast of Sicily on Sunday, remaining at anchor 500m from the port of Porticello overnight.

The yacht sank at around 5am local time on Monday during a violent storm.

Fifteen passengers and crew members made it on to a life raft and were picked up by a nearby boat.

The bodies of the remaining seven people were recovered from the sunken vessel over several days, but that operation had been plagued with difficulties.

Vincenzo Zagarola, of the Italian coastguard, said the dives were not "easy or quick", comparing the yacht to an "18-storey building full of water".

Mr Zagarola previously said a decision on whether to raise the sunken boat from the seabed is "not on the agenda", but will be in the future.

Conditions underwater were described as "complex", and while the British-flagged superyacht was still largely intact 50m (164ft) below the surface, the depth is far deeper than most recreational divers are qualified to reach and requires special precautions.

Prosecutors, led by Ambrogio Cartosio, will provide an update on Saturday morning in the town of Termini Imerese near where the Bayesian superyacht went down.

Read more: Key areas of the superyacht investigation Tributes paid to superyacht's owner Captain says yacht sank in two minutes

Investigations into what happened are already getting under way although there are already questions about the speed at which the Bayesian sank.

Dr Jean-Baptise Souppez, an expert in mechanical, biomedical and design engineering, told Sky News: "For a ship that size to go down in a matter of minutes is particularly puzzling.

"I think it's important to remember that all these vessels are built to very strong rules and regulations. And one of the reasons this is so puzzling is because those rules should ensure that this doesn't happen."

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, owns a firm which makes and sells vessels like Mike Lynch's superyacht.

He insists they " are absolutely safe ", suggesting human error could be a factor, although no official cause has been given for why the boat sank.

But maritime investigator James Wilkes has warned against speculation.

He told Sky News: "It's not uncommon to blame seafarers and the crew when a vessel has suffered a casualty of this magnitude.

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"I don't think it's fair right now to jump to the conclusion that the crew must have done something wrong."

Related Topics

• Superyacht sinking

Mike Lynch won a dramatic 12-year legal battle over his tech company. Weeks later, he and his top lawyer are dead.

• Mike Lynch won an unexpected jury acquittal after a dramatic 12-year legal saga.
• HP accused him of cooking the books of his company Autonomy to make it seem worth billions more.
• He finally won — and then he, his lawyer, and his codefendant all died within days.

In 2011, Mike Lynch was the toast of the tech world.

Hailed as Britain's Bill Gates, Lynch sold Autonomy, his groundbreaking data-management company, to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion.

Shareholders and business commentators were puzzled about what HP, a hardware company, would do with Autonomy, a software company — and why the latter was worth $11 billion. HP's executives said at the time that Autonomy had the potential to transform HP and usher the Silicon Valley titan into a new generation.

None of that happened. A year after the acquisition, HP wrote down $8.8 billion of the purchase value and accused Lynch of lying about Autonomy's finances.

The claim led to a vicious decadelong series of legal disputes.

Another Autonomy executive, Sushovan Hussain, was convicted of fraud in 2018 and sentenced to five years in prison. Federal prosecutors brought criminal charges against Lynch and Stephen Chamberlain, the company's former vice president of finance.

Lynch's court battles concluded with a three-month criminal trial in San Francisco. After just two days of deliberation, jurors found Lynch and Chamberlain not guilty on all counts.

"The truth has finally prevailed," his lawyer Chris Morvillo said.

Within months, Lynch, Chamberlain, and Morvillo were all dead.

A takeover doomed from the start

Lynch, who studied neural networks for his Ph.D. at Cambridge University, spun off Autonomy from a previous company, Cambridge Neurodynamics, in 1996.

Using sophisticated algorithms, Autonomy allowed users to organize and search through large amounts of unstructured data. It was a bright spot in Britain's tech industry and was listed on the country's stock-market index.

Autonomy's clients included Oracle, Adobe, Cisco, AT&T, and HP itself. But HP's purchase of Autonomy was controversial.

The hardware company's CEO, Léo Apotheker , who had been in the position for less than a year, tried to shift the company's direction. HP had struggled to sell printers and servers as part of its traditional hardware business. Apotheker wanted to spin off HP's personal-computing division and make a big bet on moving the company into software, which had higher margins.

Analysts hated the idea. Shareholders sued. HP's value dropped by more than half. The company's board fired Apotheker within weeks of the decision to buy Autonomy, before the deal even closed.

Related stories

His successor, Meg Whitman, fired Lynch and wrote down the value of Autonomy by $8.8 billion, which indicated HP paid nearly four times what it should have. The New York Times columnist James B. Stewart floated the case that it was the worst acquisition in corporate history — even worse than AOL's ill-fated purchase of Time Warner.

In a stunning move, HP accused Lynch of fraud the following year. The company alleged he and Hussain, a former CFO, inflated Autonomy's sales figures. The FBI and the UK's Serious Fraud Office both opened investigations.

Lynch fervently denied accusations of wrongdoing. He pointed out that Autonomy was audited by Deloitte, which hadn't found issues. Lynch said HP stifled Autonomy with mismanagement and bureaucracy that pushed out employees and stymied sales.

The culture at HP, he said, was poisonous.

"It was like boarding a plane, realizing the engine is on fire, and then going up to the cockpit only to find that the pilots are having a fight," he told The Telegraph at the time .

According to The New York Times, lawyers representing shareholders in the lawsuit against HP obtained a copy of the company's own KPMG-prepared due-diligence report. The report said that Autonomy wasn't transparent enough with its finances, but Apotheker moved forward with the takeover anyway, deciding that Autonomy's potential was worth it.

A legal morass

The UK's Serious Fraud Office announced in January 2015 that it closed its investigation into Autonomy, finding insufficient evidence for legal action, though it referred some issues to the US Justice Department.

In the subsequent months, HP and Lynch sued each other in the UK. As those cases wound their way through the British court system, US prosecutors continued investigating HP's purchase of Autonomy. In 2016, they brought fraud charges against Hussain, who was found guilty in a 2018 jury trial. British regulators formally barred him from the financial industry earlier this year after he completed a five-year sentence in the US.

HP unloaded Autonomy altogether, selling parts of it in 2016 and 2017.

In November 2018, Justice Department prosecutors went directly after Lynch and Chamberlain.

Their indictment accused Lynch and Chamberlain of falsifying financial documents, lying to auditors and regulators, and suppressing the voices of people who criticized Autonomy's financial practices.

Lynch was no longer looking at civil fights over money. He was facing the prospect of up to 20 years in prison.

For years, Lynch fought extradition to the US. Powerful in British political circles — he had advised David Cameron when Cameron was prime minister and served on the boards of the BBC and the British Museum — he and his lawyers argued that his legal issues should play out in the UK, not the US. American criminal laws were unfairly stacked against him, his lawyers said.

HP's lawsuit against Lynch — still churning in the background — finally went to trial in 2019. Apotheker testified he would have abandoned the Autonomy acquisition if he had a better understanding of its finances. Lynch argued that the whole morass was orchestrated by Whitman, Apotheker's successor, who harbored political ambitions (she ran for governor in California and is currently the US ambassador to Kenya) and wanted to shift the blame for Autonomy's failures to someone else.

Robert Hildyard, the judge who oversaw the case, ruled mostly in HP's favor. In a 2022 decision that ran over 1,700 pages, he wrote that HP overpaid for Autonomy because of deceit from Lynch and Hussain. Hildyard hadn't yet decided how much they would owe in damages, but he wrote it would be "substantially less" than the $5 billion HP asked for.

When he wasn't fighting legal battles, Lynch continued to be an entrepreneur. He founded a venture-capital firm, Invoke Capital, and invested in and helped run the cybersecurity firm Darktrace, which,  Politico reported, has deep ties  to Britain's intelligence agencies.

Financial disclosures Lynch filed last year as part of his criminal case indicated he was worth about $450 million.

The criminal trial

The UK finally extradited Lynch to the US in May 2023 , where he prepared for his trial — alongside Chamberlain as a codefendant — while under house arrest in San Francisco.

Lynch had a top-shelf legal team, but after the British court loss and Hussain's conviction, the chances of an acquittal seemed bleak.

Lynch testified at the end of his three-month trial, which began in March, telling jurors he wasn't involved in day-to-day financial oversight of the company. Misunderstandings, he said, could be chalked up to the differences between British and American accounting practices.

"A lot of what we've been looking at is like peering through the door of a kitchen and seeing the sausage-making machine, and that's how it really works," he told jurors, according to The Times of London . "If you take the microscope into even the most spotless kitchen, you'd find bacteria. If it wasn't there, that'd be something very abnormal. I don't think Autonomy was any different."

Jurors believed him. In June, they declared Lynch not guilty of the 15 charges against him, clearing Chamberlain as well.

Morvillo, one of Lynch's lawyers in the trial — as well as in the preceding decade of legal disputes — praised the jury, saying it had rejected "the government's profound overreach in this case."

"This verdict closes the book on a relentless 13-year effort to pin HP's well-documented ineptitude on Dr. Lynch," Morvillo said in a joint statement with his attorney colleague Brian Heberlig. "Thankfully, the truth has finally prevailed."

In an interview with The Times of London after the trial , Lynch reflected on how, with a great burden lifted off him at the age of 59, he could remake his life.

He mourned the deaths of his brother and mother, who both died ahead of the criminal trial. He mused about using his fortune to start a British version of the Innocence Project, which prevents wrongful convictions in the US.

"Now you have a second life," he told The Times. "The question is, what do you want to do with it?"

But first, a celebration. Lynch; his wife, Angela Bacares; one of his two daughters; Morvillo and his wife, Neda; and several others went on a superyacht, the Bayesian , which was anchored outside Sicily and owned by Bacares.

Chamberlain moved back to the UK. While running near his home, a driver hit him with a car . He died in a hospital on Saturday.

On Monday, a sudden storm struck the Bayesian. The yacht capsized.

Of its 22 passengers, 15, including Bacares, were rescued.

But rescuers have pulled five bodies from the wreckage, including Morvillo's and Lynch's . A sixth remains trapped inside the boat. Lynch's daughter Hannah remains missing.

Correction: August 22, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misnamed Lynch's lawyer. His name was Chris Morvillo, not Charles Morvillo.

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