Late November 2005 saw one of the largest single transportation of yachts ever when the Sevenstar carrierStadiongracht left Southampton and headed across the Atlantic. Carrying no fewer than 60 yachts, ranging in length up to 90ft, the remarkable schedule combined different voyages in order to offer customers maximum flexibility. Meanwhile, the growth of Sevenstar continues apace with the appointment of Navigator Brokers in Auckland as a Sevenstar agent. It joins a network that includes Southampton, Finland, Florida, Monaco and Amsterdam, with a Middle East representative expected to be announced very soon.
The carrierMV Stadiongracht measures some 168m in length and has a deadweight of 21,400 metric tons and an intake capacity of 17,500 tons. For this record-breaking transatlantic crossing, the 60 yachts were spread across all three decks of the vessel. The sailing is part of a remarkable trip from Rhodes (Greece) to Tortola (British Virgin Islands) via La Spezia (Italy), Palma (Spain) IJmuiden (Holland), Southampton (UK), Newport (Rhode Island) and Ft Lauderdale (Florida).
‘This is the largest shipment we have ever organised in terms of numbers and one of the largest of all time attempted by any yacht transportation company,’ comments Sevenstar managing director, Richard Klabbers. ‘This transportation combines six different routes into one sailing, heading from the Mediterranean to Northern Europe, then going across the Atlantic to various destinations. It shows the continuing success of our mission to offer maximum flexibility to Sevenstar customers.’
The comprehensive selection of sailing and motoryachts onboardStadiongracht ranged between 21ft and 90ft in length. It included new builds from England, such as Fairline and Sunseeker, a small charter fleet from Sunsail, and pedigree racing yachts such as Swan 45s and TP 52s. ‘Nine owners took the opportunity to move their yacht back to northern Europe,’ continues Klabbers, emphasising the variety of uses for which this unique transportation catered. ‘Other people moved their boat across the Atlantic ready for immediate sailing in the regattas or the Caribbean, and a number of customers laid up on the east coast ready for the new spring season.’
Sevenstar is no stranger to large-scale one-off transportations, in addition to its extensive range of scheduled services around the world. Recent examples have involved moving charter fleets and smaller sailing yachts out of the Caribbean and events such as the America’s Cup. Such has been the success of this new combined route approach that a similar operation is expected to be set up throughout 2006
About Sevenstar
Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Sevenstar is a leading transporter of yachts via both scheduled services and customised transportations. It has a fleet of 100 state-of-the-art ships at its disposal, upon which the yachts are placed by experienced loading masters. Each carrier is fitted with specially designed cradles for optimal safety. Sailing yachts are lifted and transported on deck with the mast and the complete rig kept upright. Motoryachts arrive at destinations without a single mile being added to the engine clock. Throughout the transportation, the yachts are cared for by Sevenstar staff, well-versed in the needs of today’s superyachts. A range of other yachting-related services are available from the company’s offices and its global agency network. |
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