superyacht madame kate owner

Madame Kate delivered to owner

Dutch shipyard AMELS have delivered Madame Kate  to her owner.

The 60 metre superyacht, designed by Tim Heywood, showcases a unique pearl effect paintwork. According to Benoit Faure, the buyer’s representative from Yachting Concept, the owner wanted the boat to appear like a spotlight. The designers have thus incorporated an elaborate colour-changing lighting system, above and below the waterline.

“The owner is absolutely delighted with MADAME KATE,” said Faure. “Of course, the TIm Heywood design is very eye-catching and generates a lot of attention. But the Owner has also remarked on the level of quality on board, which is exactly the giant leap up that he wanted. For example, noise and vibrations are very low. In fact, it’s better described as an absence of noise and vibrations.”

According to AMELS, the owner had a long list of modifications to the layout and design of the 60-metre AMELS 199 concept, including tailoring outside areas and relocating the galley from the lower deck to the main deck.

Since departing the Vlissingen shipyard in May, the AMELS 199 Limited Editions yacht has been cruising the Balearics . Madame Kate ‘s owner plans to spend the summer cruising the Mediterranean in his new superyacht. Madame Kate will then debut at the Monaco Yacht Show in September.

This delivery marks the end of a busy summer for AMELS, having also delivered 55 metre Vega in June and 55 metre La Familia in May. Construction of the 83 metre AMELS 272 is also underway with delivery scheduled for late 2016.

Name: Madame Kate

Builder : AMELS Length : 60.0m / 196’10” Buyer’s advisor:  Benoit Faure, Yachting Concept

Exterior : Tim Heywood Interior : Laura Sessa Naval Architect: AMELS

Guests : 13 Crew : 16 + captain Beam (max): 10.32m / 33’10” Draught : 3.55m / 11’8″ Max speed: 16.5 knots Range : 5000 nautical miles

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MADAME KATE Yacht – Pristine $75M Superyacht

MADAME KATE yacht is incredible for many reasons. The $75 million superyacht was originally created to the owner in 2015 and has won numerous awards since. Named after his dog, Madame Kate explores spectacular designs and bold colors.

MADAME KATE yacht background

According to the most recent data, she is sailing under the Cayman Islands flag, which has around 1,230 yachts registered to it.

Although this superyacht is a sight to see, it only took 24 months for MADAME KATE to be delivered to its owner. A large feat in the world of yacht building. 

Specifications

This superyacht measures 60 meters long and can reach up to 17 knots in speed. For such a large ship, it is interesting to note that her cruising speed is above average by 0.65 knots which is thanks to its awesome Caterpillar engines.

The MADAME KATE yacht can take up to 12 guests and a 15-member crew. The superstructure of the ship was built using aluminum with a teak-laid deck, but the hull of the ship was made using steel. 

The spectacular exterior of the MADAME KATE yacht was designed by Tim Heywood who has designed over 50 superyachts.

When tasked by the owner to create a ship that stood out from the rest, Heywood designed an avant-garde Scimitar bow and added a pearl effect paint to the ship.

The pearl effect was an incredibly hard task to take on. According to the paint manager, Aerie Springvloet Dubbeld, if there was even one mistake in the paint job, they would have to start over from zero.

With a 60-meter superyacht, that is no small task. The pearl effect creates a unique visual effect where viewers see a multitude of colors reflected off the ship, even though it is actually all painted one color.

It adds a unique, but polished addition to Madame Kate’s already gorgeous design.

MADAME KATE yacht interior

The interior of the MADAME KATE yacht is just as amazing as the exterior. Designed by Laura Sessa Design , the inside of the superyacht is both sophisticated and colorful.

The owners wanted to bring in their native Brazilian style, and focus on bold colors to evoke a sense of joyfulness.

Laura Sessa Design, who has worked on over 20 superyachts, delivered just that. With a youthful vibe and usage of color, the interior would make anyone feel happy just being there.

The ship is filled with planked wooden floors to give off a sense of casual sophistication.

The owners wanted to not only make guests feel joyous but also comfortable in their superyacht.

There is a fully equipped beach club and gym for guests to enjoy while visiting MADAME KATE.

The goal of the MADAME KATE yacht was to create a bold yet joyous vibe for anyone who boards her. Thanks to the hard work of multiple designers, this was definitely achieved.

It is interesting to see how well the bold choices of the designers worked, and we hope to see more of these designs in future yachts.

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MADAME KATE

MADAME KATE is a 62.4 m Motor Yacht, built in Netherlands by Amels and delivered in 2015. She is one of 3 LE 199 models.

Her top speed is 16.5 kn, her cruising speed is 15.0 kn, and she boasts a maximum cruising range of 5000.0 nm at 13.0 kn, with power coming from two Caterpillar diesel engines. She can accommodate up to 12 guests in 6 staterooms, with 13 crew members. She has a gross tonnage of 1147.0 GT and a 10.3 m beam.

She was designed by Tim Heywood , who has designed 61 other superyachts in the BOAT Pro database.

The naval architecture was developed by Amels , who has architected 71 other superyachts in the BOAT Pro database, and the interior of the yacht was designed by Laura Sessa Design , who has 26 other superyacht interiors designed in the BOAT Pro database - she is built with a Teak deck, a Steel hull, and Aluminium superstructure.

MADAME KATE is in the top 5% by LOA in the world. She is one of 207 motor yachts in the 60-70m size range, and, compared to similarly sized motor yachts, her cruising speed is 0.9 kn above the average.

MADAME KATE is currently sailing under the Cayman Islands flag, the 2nd most popular flag state for superyachts with a total of 1411 yachts registered. She is currently located at the superyacht marina Yacht Club de Monaco Marina, in Monaco, where she has been located for 2 days. For more information regarding MADAME KATE's movements, find out more about BOATPro AIS .

Specifications

• Name: MADAME KATE
• Yacht Type: Motor Yacht
• Yacht Subtype: Displacement
• Model: LE 199
• Builder: Amels
• Naval Architect: Amels
• Exterior Designer: Tim Heywood
• Interior Designer: Laura Sessa Design

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MADAME KATE

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MADAME KATE has a big, vibrant personality with standout sophistication and a very fresh influence of the owners’ native Brazil with its vibrant colours, movement and joy of life. MADAME KATE has racked up a string of awards and turns heads in every marina with her lavish pearl effect paint system and Tim Heywood’s avant-garde Scimitar bow.

Striking and eye-catching mega yacht MADAME KATE by AMELS

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Written by Zuzana Bednarova

Built by the highly respected Dutch shipyard AMELS , the striking and eye-catching 60m (199’) mega yacht MADAME KATE has attracted plenty of attention across the Mediterranean this year. Boasting a unique pearl effect paintwork, MADAME KATE bears exterior design by multi-award winning Tim Heywood and interior design by acclaimed Laura Sessa .

AMELS LE199 MADAME KATE

So far, AMELS has built two yachts of the highly successful AMELS 199 Limited Editions design. The first, EVENT , hit the water last year. MADAME KATE followed in 2015 and the shipyard is currently halfway through construction of the third AMELS 199.

MADAME KATE by AMELS – aft view

Characterized by audacity, confidence, as well as originality, the AMELS 199 boasts complex, fully curved surfaces, mixed up with long hard-edged lines. Moreover, the Owners requested that AMELS and Tim Heywood extend the large Bridge Deck aft by a further 2 metres, a space where they intended to spend much of their time.

MADAME KATE – Sun Deck

MADAME KATE Aft

“I’m very pleased with MADAME KATE’s design,” commented Mr Heywood, who has recently won the International Superyacht Society Leadership Award 2015. “The first boat, EVENT, has been very successful and MADAME KATE takes that success forward. She looks stunning, people warm to her. I think the slightly longer decks are a nice, subtle improvement and the pearl effect paintwork makes her stand out.”

MADAME KATE – Wheelhouse

MADAME KATE – Galley

MADAME KATE by AMELS – Dining

The superb interiors of MADAME KATE were created by Laura Sessa, chosen by the yacht’s Owners. “The Owners wanted the level of quality, the timeless and classic high gloss,” Laura Sessa explains, “but with a very fresh influence of their native Brazil with its vibrant colours, movement and joy of life. They were very involved in the design process, visiting my studio near Rome several times, which helped me a lot to understand how they live and their needs.

MADAME KATE – Main Deck Saloon

MADAME KATE – Bridge Deck Saloon

“I always try to translate the client’s wishes in a way that reflects their personality, so I was very pleased for them when MADAME KATE won the MYS Interior Design Award 2015 in Monaco. I joined them on board as they showed HSH Prince Albert II the yacht and you could see that they really loved being on the yacht and felt at home on board.”

MADAME KATE – Bridge Deck Corridor

The Limited Editions approach gave the Owners ample options for customising layouts. The Owners moved the galley to Main Deck right next to the dining area, ensuring fine cuisine is central to the yachting experience.

MADAME KATE – Bridge Deck Staircase

The three amazingly large Lower Deck guest suites have seamless access to the generous Beach Club and wellness centre with exercise gear, sauna, Turkish Bath steam room/shower, and bar. When the large Beach Club transom door opens, guests can access a large swimming platform. This also features a fully integrated stern staircase, ideal for children.

Luxury Yacht MADAME KATE – Main Deck Master Cabin

MADAME KATE – Master Office

The forward tender garage is very large for a 60-metre yacht, holding an 8m limo tender and a 6m MOB tender, as well as water toys, including Waverunners. The tenders can be easily deployed in under 5 minutes thanks to overhead cranes in enormous gullwing doors. Above the tender garage, the Owners opted for a touch-and-go helipad.

MADAME KATE – VIP Cabin

MADAME KATE – Guest Bathroom

The full-beam Master Stateroom provides fantastic views from generous circular windows. In addition to the three Lower Deck Suites, the AMELS 199 offers two full-size VIP Guest Suites on Bridge Deck.

AMELS LE199 MADAME KATE underway

To maintain AMELS’ high standards for exceptional comfort, stability and quiet at sea, AMELS benefited greatly from its parent company DAMEN ’s extensive R&D facilities. Moreover, the hull design of luxury yacht MADAME KATE is very efficient and, continuing that holistic design approach, AMELS installed its AMELS Heat Recovery system, using residual energy from the auxiliary engines to heat potable water and the Jacuzzi, and also make the HVAC more efficient.

AMELS 55M SUPERYACHT - Launches

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Guest Cabin - Ensuite

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Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Striking and eye-catching mega yacht MADAME KATE by AMELS".

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MADAME KATE 60m private yacht by Amels

• €50,000,000

• stefan katafai
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MADAME KATE Naval Architecture Award – Displacement Motor Yacht Above 500GT winner 2016 Showboats Awards Naval Architecture: Amels and Damen Group

Builder: Amels The Amels Limited Editions 199 Madame Kate presents such a big, bold face to the world that her efficiency numbers were run twice to make sure they were correct.

The magic, of course, resides under water and in the long waterline length that begins with Tim Heywood’s scimitar bow. This innovation from Damen’s Axe Bow commercial concept was developed and tested in partnership with Delft University and the MARIN tow-test facility to provide the owners with a dry, comfortable, stable ride and minimal vertical acceleration.

Two pairs of short bilge keels augment the beam for stability but not at the expense of excessive drag. The yacht measures 1,140 GT and has a full-load displacement of 1,145 metric tons, yet relatively modest 1500kW diesels deliver a top speed of 16 knots. Together with one genset, she consumes 320 litres per hour at 13 knots. Of equal interest is that putting that much volume forward brought about new crew pathways and technical spaces that enhance owner privacy.

198.82ft | Amels | 2015

The 198.82ft Amels 199 motor yacht motor yacht ‘Madame Kate’ was built by Amels in Netherlands at their Vlissingen shipyard , she was delivered to her owner in 2015. The yacht’s interior has been designed by Laura Sessa Romboli.

Accommodation

Madame Kate’s interior configuration has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to 12 guests overnight in 6 cabins, comprising a master suite, 1 VIP stateroom, 2 double cabins and 2 twin cabins. She is also capable of carrying up to 17 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.

Construction & Dimensions

Madame Kate features a full displacement steel hull and aluminium superstructure, with teak decks. She was built to Lloyds Register classification society rules, and is MCA Compliant.

Performance

Powered by 2 Caterpillar (3512C) 2,012hp diesel engines and propelled by her twin screw propellers Motor yacht Madame Kate is capable of a top speed of 16.5 knots, and comfortably cruises at 15 knots. With her 139,000 fuel tanks she has a maximum range of 5,000 nautical miles at 13 knots. Her water tanks store around 37,600 of fresh water.

Gym, Jacuzzi (on deck), Helicopter Landing Pad, Beach Club, Tender Garage, Air Conditioning

The superb interiors of MADAME KATE were created by Laura Sessa, chosen by the yacht’s Owners. “The Owners wanted the level of quality, the timeless and classic high gloss,” Laura Sessa explains, “but with a very fresh influence of their native Brazil with its vibrant colours, movement and joy of life. They were very involved in the design process, visiting my studio near Rome several times, which helped me a lot to understand how they live and their needs.

AMELS 199 EVENT WINS WORLD SUPERYACHT AWARD! The AMELS 199 EVENT is overall winner of the World Superyacht Award Displacement Motor Yacht 500GT to 1,299GT category! Her radically modern design by Tim Heywood and outstanding build quality convinced the jury at a very exciting awards evening in the Scheepsvaartmuseum in Amsterdam (May 2014). This is the latest accolade for the 60-meter yacht since her world premiere in Monaco last September. From her signature curved Scimitar bow to a fully customized interior by designer Laura Sessa, EVENT’s journey from conception to delivery has been extraordinarily memorable. AMELS CEO Rob Luijendijk: “After receiving the first very positive responses on EVENT, we realized that the AMELS 199 is a true benchmark for our company.” The second AMELS 199 is due for delivery in Spring 2015 – a beautiful confirmation of the radical concept created on the boards of Tim Heywood and delivered by the craftsmen at AMELS.

LE199 superacht MADAME KATE provides deluxe accommodation to up to 12 guests and a crew of 15 members. She is powered by twin Caterpillar 3512C diesel engines, expected to reach a top speed of 16,5 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots.

The owners of Madame Kate changed the yacht’s exterior areas, and also decided to move the galley from the lower deck, to the main deck. As gourmet lovers, the wanted to be closer to the action in the galley.

Billionaire Alexandre Grendene Bartelle, owner of Grendene.

Super yacht “Madame Kate” is a tribute to his puppy Kate. Ballroom, helipad and swimming pool are some of the attractions of the yacht, which should be anchored in Monaco.

The other yacht  “Lady Kate” build by CRN shipyard, is for sale.

Grendene also has successful licensing partnerships with celebrities like Colombian singer Shakira and Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen. Bundchen partnered with Grendene S.A. in 2002 to launch her own line of affordable flip-flops, Ipanema Gisele Bundchen, a roaring success. Bundchen’s flip-flops, which retail for about $30 a pair internationally, sell millions of pairs annually and accounted for a big part of Grendene’s $1.2 billion in sales last year.

Alexandre Grendene stepped down as director of Grendene in May 2013 as part of a process of greater professionalization of the company.

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Name: MADAME KATE Year: 2015 Exterior: Tim Heywood Interior Laura Sessa Country: Brazil Top speed: 16.5 Cruise speed: 15 Listing ID: 2065

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AMELS' Madame Kate: Revolutionary Illumination

By Ben Roberts

The recently launched 60m Madame Kate is the first AMELS superyacht to be completely finished in a stunning pearl effect paint system. In sunlight, the lustrous coating on this Amels 199 yacht will bring the Tim Heywood design to life with each and every radical line and contour brilliantly illuminated.

The idea originated from the owner’s passion for automobiles, such as the Bianco Isis of Lamborghini. “The owner had in mind a yacht which would be very special to him, he also wanted a yacht that would be different from all other yachts in terms of design,” says Owner representative Benoit Faure. “This factor of recognition was very important to him.”

The first stages of the brief presented paint options which have been introduced to yachts already on the water, until another, more ambitious, option arose to use a custom pearl paint with a lavish finish. Created by the in-house AMELS paint experts, this paint is nothing short of striking. “This is a pure pearl - not metallic - effect,” explains AMELS Paint Manager Arie Springvloet Dubbeld. “The pearlescent optical effect works like Isaac Newton’s prism, you have different colours in one colour. Pearlescent is basically the next step after metallic paints. You get a very elegant and refined effect.

Spraying the pearl on such a large surface area is a job for real experts, particularly on curvaceous and flowing Tim Heywood lines that require continuous sprays. “If you make a mistake in the pearl, like a runner, or fish eyes or dust inclusion or whatever, you have to go right back to the base system - in this case a snow white top coat - and then start all over again. So any mistake, you’ll have to redo the entire job.”

Not satisfied with a ground-breaking paint finish on top of pedigree design, the owner also worked with AMELS to install a complex lighting system. According to Faure, the owner wanted the boat to be in the spotlight, like a star at the Cannes Film Festival, thanks to sophisticated lighting - above and below the waterline - with the ability to change colours.

“The lighting in general was part of the quest for the boat. And on top of that, the paint finish of the boat became even more important. When you illuminate your boat at night, if it has a special colour, it’s even more beautiful. So we wanted special underwater lights, but also the biggest modification was to change the superstructure lighting.”

Due for delivery summer 2015, the effects of AMELS unparalleled attention to detail unfortunately can not be seen via online photos; however once this yacht is traversing the seas it will undoubtedly turn heads in the warm light of day with specialist lights making sure Madame Kate doesn’t go unnoticed once the sun goes down.

Commissioning and sea trials for Madame Kate are underway as scheduled, adding to the prolific builder’s impressive roster as AMELS has 10 new builds and one refit all on schedule as promised.

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By SuperyachtNews 11 Apr 2019

Salty sea dogs

What are the main considerations around having these furry friends on board.

When an owner decides they want to take their dog on board for the season, captains can find themselves inundated with questions ranging from import regulations to medical vaccinations, not to mention interior crew biting their nails thinking about the mess the dog will make to those just-cleaned carpets. But it’s not all bad, and it’s certainly a morale-booster for the crew. With advice from Superyacht Veterinary Service and stories from captains who have done round-the-world trips with canine companions, we take a look at what it’s really like to have pets on board superyachts.

Meet Victor. Victor is a miniature Teddy Bear Poodle, and might just be the luckiest dog in the world. He lives on board Delta Marine’s 66m Invictus and, according to the superyacht’s captain, is the ultimate sea dog. “Victor loves the yacht. He’s a true boat dog,” admits Captain Mauro Barletta. “He’s never been seasick and he actually sleeps better when the boat is moving.”

Victor is one of many dogs that either live on board permanently or spend significant time on board with their owners. Take The Big Blue ’s Labrador Retriever Levi and Madame Kate ’s eponymously named Bichon Frises Kate and Princess. Having pets – most commonly dogs – on board is a viable option for today’s owners. Yet while it’s the owners who make the decision, it’s the crew, and largely the captains, who are left to consider the logistics.

"Recently, a captain told me how a member of his crew was very ill at sea, and the dog scratched at her door for hours until he was allowed in, then stayed by her side until she was better." - Siobhan Brade, director, Superyacht Veterinary Service

The actual costs of import permits and veterinary inspections are minimal, particularly in the context of superyacht ownership. Where the costs come into play is through mistakes in documentation, highlighting the importance of being confident all paperwork is correct – just take a look at what happened to Johnny Depp.

“The financial penalties for mistakes in a pet’s documentation can be high, and could come either in the form of collateral costs, for example as a result of a change in cruising schedule or route, the use of aircraft to transport an animal out of the country, or costs in the form of fines for breaking import rules,” reveals Brade.

Dog overboard! 

Aside from the legal requirements surrounding taking an animal on board, there are non-mandatory facets that should still be considered. It is worth getting advice on optional treatments and vaccinations that will keep the animal safe from disease and give the owners peace of mind.

Considerations could go so far as the actual design of the superyacht. Amels’ 60m Madame Kate is a good example. The superyacht, with its signage being a clear testament to the value the owners have placed on having their animals on board, has had some slight modifications from the 199 platform we see on Event. Designer Tim Heywood added rails to the lower part of the deck-edge rails and around the stair openings, while the yacht’s sensors have been set not to open the doors when the dogs approach. “Because the dogs are small we need to ensure there isn’t space for them to fall,” explains the yacht’s captain, Daniel Sola, who was with the owners during the build. “We also have to protect the dogs from the technical areas such as in the bow or the places where the crew are working so we have included mini-gates to block off the areas.”

Designer Tim Heywood added rails to the lower part of the deck-edge rails and around the stair openings, while the yacht’s sensors have been set not to open the doors when the dogs approach.

Animal life-jackets should be purchased and a plan should be made for rough weather, while it’s advised crew undertake animal first-aid training and are briefed on plans for pet emergencies. Quite simply, to cover all bases, Brade advises, “It is important to inform owners and crew of potential risks and what can be put in place to prevent them.”

Dogs get seasick: fact or fiction?

Fact. Not all dogs get seasick – Victor, once again, is a case in point of a dog perfectly suited to life at sea, as are Princess and Kate, who spend 120 days of the year on board Madame Kate . But Levi, the four-year- old Labrador Retriever, has, unfortunately, had a different experience. “Levi was part of the family. They just couldn’t leave him behind while they spent a year cruising the Pacific. They thought he would be miserable not being with the family,” explains Captain Gareth Sheppard, the then-captain of The Big Blue . Levi spent approximately six months on board, during which he became arguably one of the most well travelled pets. Levi completed 16,000nm from Florida to Panama, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, Samoa and New Zealand, from where he was deported back to the United States due to a complication with his rabies vaccinations not being within the required time frame.

But going back to the United States might not have been the worst result for Levi. “We made several rough crossings, all of which Levi was on board for while the family travelled by plane. Not only did he miss the family, as they had feared, but he could not handle the motion,” explains Captain Sheppard. “He would not eat, he could barely walk as the floors were hardwood and he would slide around, and then there were stairs he needed to negotiate which didn’t always work out too well. Towards the end, he would not go down the interior stairs at all, and when underway and rough, the crew would carry him to his toilet. And, to top it off, it was often difficult to get him ashore at the destination.”

It is for these reasons that Brade offers one crucial piece of advice. “Ultimately, it should be considered whether a dog or cat is suited to life on board,” she says. “The answer is almost always yes, but the welfare of the animal should always come first.”

Of course, the nature of the cruise will come into play, something Captain Sheppard believes is a deciding factor in having an animal on board. “I think dogs are fine on board yachts that are doing short cruises where the pet can come and go with the owners,” he suggests. “But making it a responsibility of the crew to care for the owners’ pet when they are gone is putting more than enough risk of failure on a crew. Having a pet complete long passages where they are barely able to move, cannot run and are away from their owners is not fair on the pet.” It is for this reason the Kate and Princess only set paws on board Madame Kate during appropriate voyages. “We don’t sail with the guests [and dogs] on board when the winds are too bad, so we’ve never had a problem. But because they’re on board for long periods they get used to it,” Captain Sola explains.

Happy crew, happy boat

But when the animal is happy, the chances are the crew will be happy too. Studies have shown the significant impact animals – dogs in particular – have on a person’s happiness. Research has proved that canine companions lower blood pressure and decompress in high-stress environments – a UK university even introduced a ‘puppy room’ to combat exam anxiety. So, when we consider the additional pressure and stress placed on superyacht crew, in the context of the niche demands of this industry, and providing the owner is happy, having an animal on board actually makes sense.

But when the animal is happy, the chances are the crew will be happy too. Studies have shown the significant impact animals – dogs in particular – have on a person’s happiness. Research has proved that canine companions lower blood pressure and decompress in high-stress environments – a UK university even introduced a ‘puppy room’ to combat exam anxiety.

“Having a dog on board can have a huge impact on crew morale. Of almost all of the boats I know with a dog on board, all the crew absolutely love them as if they’re their own dogs, with arguments, albeit lighthearted, about whose cabin the dog sleeps in at night,” recalls Brade. “Recently, a captain told me how a member of his crew was very ill at sea, and the dog scratched at her door for hours until he was allowed in, then stayed by her side until she was better. The captain said the crewmember couldn’t even describe how much of a difference the dog being there made to her.

It is this effect that Victor has on his crew. “Having a dog on board really does affect the crew in a positive way. The crew just love having him on board,” explains Invictus’s captain, Mauro Barletta. “He brings a calming factor to the yacht and is a neutraliser on a stressful day. He helps the crew relax and feel slightly normal in this crazy life that we live by offering the crew the chance to do something simple such as taking him for a walk.”

Even Levi, who was certainly a challenge for the crew of The Big Blue, made a great impression on his crew. “The crew loved Levi,” recalls Captain Sheppard. “He was an important member of the team who always brought up morale and gave lots of licks when wanted. The girls even loved him after he shed shortly after the cleaning was done.” 

A man with a plan

Despite all the benefits for animal lovers of having their pets on board, it is complicated, and this is where the help of dedicated logistics support really plays its part. “It’s about long-term planning of the movement of the animal,” says Captain Andy Smith, who regularly hosts the owner’s small dog on board and uses the support of Superyacht Veterinary Service. “From Brade’s experience as a vet, there are things that can be amended, because rules become outdated and she can push for people to modernise these rules. And if that facilitates more people to modernise their rules, then all the better.”

During Captain Smith’s most recent voyage with the dog on board, every single aspect of the trip was planned 12 months in advance. “It was all to make sure the dog’s paperwork was up-to-date and it could travel. If the dog couldn’t go, we didn’t go,” he recalls.

It’s all about the owner

If an owner wants to travel with his or her pet on board but they don’t take them, due to complications with regulatory paperwork or perhaps simply lack of research, we as an industry are not giving these owners the best experience possible. And for Brade, a true dog lover, this is what it’s all about. “If you can have your pet with you, why would you choose to leave them at home? They bring so many positives with them. They provide a sense of comfort and familiarity that is so often lost with constant travel. Pets can turn something ordinary, such as a walk or a meal, into something unforgettable just by being there, so imagine what they can do for an owner’s overall experience on board a superyacht. Every single activity will be enhanced by the fact that their pet is there with them.”

Images in slider: Victor. Credit: 'Invictus' deckhand Jonathan Zaugh,

Siobhan Brade of Superyacht Veterinary Service 

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