Boat Supply Archives | Superyachts News

Polytechno Engineering: Alberto Palazzo, protagonist of safety at sea

Silvia Pretto — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 11:51:40 +0000

Safety, especially at sea, should not be underestimated, and in this area Polytechno Engineering works for prevention offering innovative fire-fighting systems that can be used in both the naval nautical and land sectors.

But let’s take a step back: for those who don’t know it, Polytechno Engineering is the result of the collaboration of a group of experts from the fields of security, safety, and the nautical and naval industries who have combined experience and expertise to develop cutting-edge firefighting and extinguishing systems.

Alberto Palazzo is the company’s sole director and in this article he will tell us about his vision of safety at sea.

Alberto, where did your passion for safety and fire alarm/extinguishing systems come from?

“I technically come from a different sector, I studied nuclear plant engineering. These were different plants, but they allowed me to learn about all the technologies existing on the market,
because to operate in an atomic power plant I had to study everything, electronics, hydraulics, mechanics, etc.
I found myself in the nautical environment because the two plants are quite similar, again the approach is “multidisciplinary.”

My very strong passion for electronics, which I have nurtured over time, also led me to develop projects at Polytechno Engineering. Our alarm and extinguishing system is of electronic type. With my mentor Dr. Azzolini, we looked for a solution to the problem we had at the beginning: we had the aerosol extinguishing agent but we did not have effective activation systems, so it was more difficult to use it. Today in Polytechno Engineering we have the simplest and most effective system on the market, both in marine and land.

From a sales point of view, we have always tried to broaden and expand into more markets: wind, nautical, industrial (for example, with machines that do complex processing and have very large volumes inside, or in which hazardous materials are stored that can have fire starts). Aerosol does not have any kind of problem with materials, does not interact with anything, is absolutely non-toxic and classified as “sprinkler equivalent,” which is why it can be used in engine rooms but also in wind towers, with photovoltaic panels, etc.

In the specific case of wind towers we also think that it is difficult to find other systems that can be installed at a height of 90 meters, because any gas-based, pressure-based system would be very difficult to install as well as very expensive. All traditional firefighting systems (except for water, which in any case would be very difficult to get to that height, and would have partial effectiveness with this type of fire) are pressure systems, and in the nautical as well as wind tower, similar environments in design,aerosol is really revolutionary and much more versatile.”

What are the factors that could trigger a fire on a boat?

“Problems with the electrical system, fuel spills, the galley, these are generally the situations to watch out for. Added to these is another factor today: lithium batteries. They suffer when they are recharged, partly because the current trend is to have a battery that is always efficient and charged in the shortest possible time.

However, when charging, the lithium battery undergoes a strong crisis moment and obviously if the charging time is shortened, both the currents involved and the temperature increase… well, the lithium battery has this problem: it reaches a certain temperature and then it explodes. Most of the time the explosions are not violent, but the fire starts, and they are not classic fires, they are not extinguished with an extinguishing agent like water, for example, because there are 2 factors to be met: one is to extinguish the fire, and the other is to lower the temperature so that it falls below the critical threshold.”

How does the aerosol system help in this case?

“The Aerosol extinguishing agent was discovered accidentally more than 60 years ago, then electronics developed everything needed for activation, there are no more hoses, canisters, nozzles, but only electrical cables, and the best thing is that installation can be done even when the boat is finished, without the need to run cables.

Most batteries have a criticality around 100/104 degrees, when the battery exceeds this temperature the fire starts: first with an explosion, and then the flame starts. When trying to put it out with a fire extinguisher or a traditional system, it maybe extinguishes the flames for a moment, but then they resume right away because the battery temperature is still over the threshold, the flames can reach up to a thousand degrees, and these are difficult conditions to handle.

In the case of boats, for example, if you use water mist, to put these kinds of fires out, it can work as long as the resource is available, but when the water runs out that’s when the fire starts again. CO2 could also be used, but it is deadly and difficult to install.

Polytechno Engineering Aerosol, on the other hand, is very useful for this: it’s normally a solid, it’s composed of two potassium salts, and when it’s activated a vapor comes out of the container, a very fine particulate, it’s the potassium that puts out the fire. When it gets to the flame, it binds to the particles and takes heat away from the fire, the temperature drops, and as long as the mist stays in the room (for three to four hours) the fire cannot start again, giving the lithium battery time to cool down. For boats, this is really a very effective and efficient system.”

How has safety at sea changed in recent years and how much more needs to be done in this area?

“As far as safety at sea is concerned, fortunately the perception of dangers has changed, not yet completely but it has improved a lot, on the one hand because there are more and more stringent obligations and on the other hand because more and more fire (not only in boating but also on land) is recognized as one of the biggest problems.

At sea it is perhaps the biggest problem, improvement can always be done, we should equip boats with fixed fire fighting systems, use fire resistant and/or flame retardant products, (like cables that slow down flames, eliminate construction materials that can burn easily), there is a lot to be done on materials and especially from a regulatory point of view we should put more obligations of fire fighting equipment, but also give help and support for retrofitting, since fire fighting systems can also cost so much. Resolving fire damage costs much more: according to some recent studies, a fire costs 10,000 euros per minute from when it breaks out.

Fire at sea is unfortunately terrible because it leaves no escape. In my opinion there is still a lack of proper training on board, when disasters happen people never know how to react, either they operate systems without knowing them, or they do nothing. Panic often takes over, reducing operational and organizational capacity. This is another reason why an automatic fixed system that would quickly make the correct decision in the event of a fire would be useful.”

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Synteak Group awarded Salvator Mundi prize for corporate sustainability

Alessio Molla — Sat, 05 Aug 2023 14:35:59 +0000

The Trentino-based company Synteak Group, an absolute leader in Italy and Europe in the production of synthetic teak, becomes an example of corporate sustainability.

It has in fact gained the SALVATOR MUNDI, an award inspired by the genius of Leonardo da Vinci, which aims to pay tribute to excellence, ethics and values, and encourage brilliant minds to actions of solidarity.

Established as part of the ‘Italia in un abbraccio’ project conceived and implemented by the President of IT Difesa, Katia La Rosa, the prestigious awards ceremony took place in the Sala della Regina at the Palazzo Montecitorio, seat of the Italian Chamber of Deputies.

“As a company we were called to collect the Salvator Mundi award – commented a proud Francesco Martorelli, CEO of Synteak Group – this is an important recognition that we took for the sustainability of our company, as we are the only Company that guarantees a complete recycling of waste materials. An award dedicated to sustainability and attention to the environment.

We continually improve every step of our manufacturing process to offer the market state-of-the-art products.

The customer care quality is a key element for our company and the feedback we have makes us realize that we are on the right track, in short, investing in service quality increases the company’s reputation. Receiving this award is a great satisfaction, it means we are on the right track”.

A pioneer of synthetic teak in Europe, Synteak Group traces its history back to 25 years ago when it began marketing existing products on the market. It rapidly evolved by investing in the research and development of new materials, and has now become the undisputed European leader in synthetic teak.

The range of available products is divided into three categories: Plasdeck (synthetic PVC teak); E-DEK (synthetic foam teak); and EcoDeck (synthetic resin tech), aimed at the Superyacht and luxury boat market.

With the “old” natural teak becoming increasingly rare worldwide, these innovative solutions represent the future of this industry, which gains in quality, durability and environmental respect. All this is made possible thanks to materials engineered and studied in detail to increase performance, drying time, durability and even beauty, because after all this also remains an essential aspect: all with complete recycling of waste materials.

” All of our products are recycled – continues Francesco Martorelli – we re-use our waste to make all the components, curbs, special parts, everything we need, and we are studying new equipment to be able to make other products, again with our production waste.

We have been working on this for 6/7 years already, also because ours is a very expensive material, and it is unthinkable to take it to the landfill. So we are working on this very aspect, so in addition to an environmental factor there is also a significant economic return “..

Francesco Martorelli, with his sons Simone and Daniele, awarded by Katia La Rosa

In recent years the awareness of greater environmental protection is gaining more and more prominence in every sector, including, of course, the boating sector where, fortunately, there are now many companies that choose this policy.

“ The market continues to give us confirmation that our products are on the cutting edge and requests from shipyards are constantly increasing – confirms Francesco Martorelli – Even this year we are growing a lot, there are a lot of companies that finally believe in more ecological products and are increasingly looking for sustainability and respect for the environment even with higher costs. Besides of course having a high-end material, because we use only the best ”..

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Team Italia Marine: a new beginning in the Rolls-Royce group

Silvia Pretto — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 07:45:44 +0000

The Team Italia and Onyx Marine group, leader in solutions for the integration of bridges and naval automation , is now ready to open the national borders and aim to conquer the entire international yachting segment thanks to the entry of the Rolls-Royce technology group.

Already strong and well present in the Italian market, Team Italia Marine , the new name chosen for the company expansion, now has the power to bring its products outside Italy , thanks to the collaboration already experienced with the Rolls-Royce Power System Business Unit starting from 2019. This union has brought excellent results of joint developments , such as to agree that the best way to realize further great growth was to join forces , where Rolls-Royce will be able to dedicate itself to NavCom integration and full automation of dashboards.

“The acquisition is a logical step on our journey to become an integrated solutions provider to the yacht industry.” says Denise Kurtulus, Vice President Marine of Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems business unit. ”Our products complement each other perfectly and with this step we significantly expand our portfolio of solutions to enhance our market position and create further benefits for our customers.”

The offer of Rolls-Royce is now able to offer state-of-the-art integrated bridges , as well as an mtu propulsion system, regulation, control, automation and navigation systems for yachts, which goes well with the values and the goals of Team Italia , as he also points out Daniele Ceccanti, Team Italia Technical Director : “By joining forces with Rolls-Royce Power Systems, our company takes another step forward in making the increasingly complex systems that will equip the yachts of the future simpler and safer.”

There is also a lot of enthusiasm on the part of the German giant leader in engine construction and avant-garde engineering for the start of this collaboration: “The Team Italia Group has demonstrated its outstanding capabilities, not only in system design and integration, but also in software programming and in the successful and continuous development of its dashboards and integrated platforms,” said Clemens Berger, President Mobile Power Solutions at Rolls-Royce Power Systems . “These cutting-edge technologies and capabilities fit perfectly into our vision for the mtu NautIQ marine automation portfolio. Together with Team Italia we extend our systems expertise to serve our marine customers with a holistic portfolio. Additionally, we strengthen our leadership positions, diversify our offerings, explore new markets and achieve profitable growth.”

Team Italia , so far known and highly appreciated on the national market, has created since its foundation in 2000 a solid foundation to prepare for internationalization and the next phase of growth that awaits them. Team Italia now benefits from Rolls-Royce Power System ‘s worldwide distribution network which allows access to global markets and yacht builders globally.

Denise Kurtulus, Clemens Berger, Massimo Minnella and Daniele Ceccanti.

“We are proud and happy to join the Rolls-Royce group” says Massimo Minnella, Managing Director of Team Italia . “We strongly believe that to implement a structured expansion and maintain the high level of continuity and growth that will secure the future of our company, we need an excellent partner and marine industry expert like Rolls-Royce Power Systems at our side and we are excited about this as we see excellent prospects for reaping the benefits together in the global luxury yacht market.”

The company will continue to operate in the cities of Fano, Livorno and Forlì , remaining the trusted partner of its customers by continuing to follow them in Italy under the name of Team Italia Marine, and instead, in markets outside the national borders, Rolls-Royce will market the systems under the name of mtu NautIQ . With a share of more than 300 yachts worldwide, the systems have been fitted to boats in Italy and abroad, regardless of the propulsion engine supplied, and “this will also happen for the future” reported Nicola Camuffo, Head of Rolls-Royce’s mtu Yacht Competence Center.

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On-board safety: Alberto Palazzo talks about firefighting systems and Aerosol AerPro

Alessio Molla — Mon, 01 May 2023 20:50:19 +0000

During the latest conference organized by ItalianYachtMasters and the Associazione Marittimi Argentario, we met with Alberto Palazzo, Sole Director of Polytechno Engineering, and took the opportunity to address a crucial aspect as far as safety at sea is concerned: the extinguishing of fires on board, through the most innovative technologies, such as Aerosol AerPro.

In fact, on a boat, as well as on land, multiple possible triggers for a fire can develop in an unexpected and uncontrollable manner, unless effective extinguishing and containment systems are on board.

“The most complex points and situations in a boat where fires can happen are the engine rooms, the galley, and the electrical and battery systems Alberto Palazzo tells us – In the galley a concrete example is the galley hood, which fills with grease and it only takes a little to have a point of fuel that reaches the outside through a pipe and comes into contact with oxygen, igniting.

Talking about the engine room, it is obvious it is very risky; keep in mind that the bilge, which is not well controlled, can be a big problem; therefore, my first advice is to keep it clean. Electrical systems and batteries are another very sensitive point; there are several ignitable elements that are at risk obviously, one of them being the transformer “.

In the face of so many risks, what is important to do?

“Prevention first and foremost – continues the Sole Administrator of Polytechno Engineering – Take the galley for example. Keeping fire blankets at hand is essential; moreover, anyone new on the boat needs to know all the devices so as not to be a weak link; then maintenance, onboard systems need to be serviced, and then of course extinguishing.

We have created Secure 4 Sea, a portal where different companies are represented, a reference point where you can find answers on all kinds of issues for safety on board: firefighting devices, personal protection, counseling. Another important aspect to consider is that when dealing with a fire extinguishing mechanism there are rules to follow that lead to the classification of vessels, in terms of the use of extinguishing elements

Another important aspect to consider is that when dealing with a fire extinguishing mechanism there are rules to follow that lead to the classification of vessels, in terms of the use of extinguishing elements”.

Prevention is always better than cure, isn’t it?

“Absolutely. It has been studied that a fire costs about 10 thousand euros per minute. Another study says that it takes an average of 20/25 min before firefighters are able to be at the scene of the fire. In short, a fire really costs a lot of money. So, when we think about a fire suppression system, we don’t just think about economics, we think about its effectiveness. It is the most important system we have on board “.

Speaking of systems, there are many options available, but times change and so do the proposals; what are your most cutting-edge ones?

“There can be gas systems of course, many of which however are going out of use for different reasons, or the ones we are proposing lately: Water Mist and Aerosol AERPRO.

With the water mist systems – explains Alberto Palazzo – we have a product related to smaller volumes: microscopic droplets of water get between the material and the flame causing a very effective extinguishing.

Aerosol AerPro is the most innovative system, based on a special chemical reaction. Where a fire exists, in fact, many complex particles develop. Aerosol AerPro has condensed potassium salts that develop a chemical reaction and extinguish the fire through potassium that changes state, at a certain temperature that is obtained electrically, becomes a vapor, and triggers a chemical reaction that leads to more effective extinguishing than any other type of system.

It has important features: it is small (30x30x12, 30x30x30) and is easy to install. We also have smaller systems, for example for the electrical panel, which can be dangerous: with these systems they can be protected with minimal cost and zero maintenance.

Last but not least, this system is the only certified one that puts out fires on lithium batteries. These batteries reach a certain temperature, which if it is exceeded (around 100 degrees) leads to the explosion of the battery, with a release of hydrogen from which the flame starts. Every other type of agent works only on extinguishing the flame, but our Aerosol also promotes the cooling of the battery, and as long as it remains in a gaseous state, it is impossible for the fire to resume.

AerPro Aerosol is totally non-toxic, so it is recommended in spaces frequented by humans, even remaining inside the discharge does not cause problems. As for the residue most of it is consumed in the fire, if the fire is extinguished immediately we get the biggest part out with some aeration”.

In conclusion, what can we recommend to those who could potentially face a fire on board?

“Fire equals panic – concludes Alberto Palazzo, Sole Director of Polytechno Engineering – Firefighting systems and courses are crucial to be ready in the moment of an emergency, in those first few minutes of turmoil is the most important aspect, besides, of course, being prepared with the right technology, for its extinguishment. So don’t underestimate this problem and be prepared for it”.

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How to take care of the wetted surface of the hull? We asked STOPPANI

Silvia Pretto — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 05:10:02 +0000

Keeping a boat in excellent condition is one of the main concerns for most boat owners, and perhaps, the most difficult to put into practice. To ensure a healthy wetted surface of the hull for your boat, you need to check it, clean it and treat it regularly with appropriate products that prevent the formation of fouling on the hull.

Choosing the right paint is another difficult task, but a helping hand in this is provided by Stoppani, Lechler’s brand for the yachting industry and excellence in the production of paint products since 1883. Stoppani will explain all the secrets for properly maintaining a boat.

Fouling and antifouling: what they are

What is fouling? For the beginner as well as the more experienced boating enthusiast, fouling is a colonization of algae or other marine organisms on the surface of the hull which creates fouling.

The wetted surface of the hull, being the submerged surface of the boat, is subject to the settlement of these microorganisms, which vary depending on temperature, water salinity, wave motion and many other factors.

Antifouling is a layer of paint that is applied over the entire wetted surface of the hull to protect it from fouling, the accumulation of algae and small marine organisms that routinely settle on submerged parts. In addition to reducing a boat’s performance, sometimes and in the long run, it can also damage the hull’s drive components. If this protection is absent, these fouling would slow down the boat in navigation, increasing its consumption, weighing down the hull and changing its profile.

All antifouling paints, being products whose active ingredient is released into the sea, must pass strict controls before being marketed since they must comply with all environmental regulations.

As a result of stringent regulations, the toxicity of the products and the great difficulties in application, DIY is not recommended; for the removal and application of antifouling it is always best to rely on professionals. More than 90% of boat owners, in fact, prefer to entrust this delicate work to a shipyard, which, being equipped for this type of work, has the ability to dispose of this toxic waste properly, without harming the environment.

Stoppani antifouling paints

Antifouling paints are crucial for the hull maintenance; thanks to “biocides,” the additives that inhibit the rooting of marine organisms, they prevent the formation of fouling on the hull.

An antifouling paint is always composed of: resins (the paint film that releases the biocides), solvents (allow the uniform application of the product), pigments (give the color) and active principles (components with biocidal action that counteract the formation of fouling).

There are two main types of antifouling paints on the market, which differ in the way the active ingredients are released: Hard Matrix are those paints that release the biocidal substances slowly over time, independently of the boat’s motion, and at the end of the action leave the spent product skeleton on the hull.

Soft-Matrix (or self-polishing) paints, on the other hand, release the paint, not just the biocides, during navigation by contact with water, wear off with continued use, avoiding the buildup of thickness, as hard-matrix antifoulings do, and if the initial thickness on the hull is increased, they can extend their protection time.

Choosing the right antifouling generally depends on the type of use of a boat. As a guideline we can say that if the boat is very fast the hard matrix is a must, as the self-polishing matrix would last very little.

Similarly, also in the case of boats that do not spend much time at sea, or spend long periods of time in port, the hard matrix is definitely the most suitable product because it offers greater resistance with longer durability. In the case, on the other hand, of long sailings, the self-sanding matrix is the most suitable solution because as it wears out gradually, it guarantees optimal protection.

Antifouling: when and how

As a general rule, it is advisable to do the cleaning and antifouling application once a year, during the downtime period, before putting the boat back in the water for the new boating season. Beyond antifouling, it would be best to haul the boat out before the new season, so that it can dry out and you can thoroughly check the wetted surface of the hull, bulb, shaft, propeller, stern drive, sea intakes, and anything else that is normally submerged and could show damage.

In order to apply antifouling properly, there are definite rules so that it can perform its protective function well:

Never use a hard antifouling over a previously laid soft one. In fact, it is necessary to respect the rules of application in the quantities indicated and it is advisable to always apply two coats of product, a third coat then, should be given only in the points of greatest consumption such as waterline, profiles and drift.
Dust from sanding can be dangerous and harmful, so to carry out this operation it is advisable to protect yourself with special dust masks and use wet sanding papers.
For the axle, propellers and stern drives it is necessary to apply a ‘hard matrix antifouling, specific and suitable for these areas. The best methods for spreading it are by roller and brush, but with professional tools it can also be applied by spray.

Special attention should be paid to aluminum-made boats: please check product data sheets carefully to avoid running into galvanic current risks. To choose the right antifouling, therefore, it is necessary to take into account a number of factors such as: the type of boat, speed, pre-existing products, water quality and environmental factors, etc… Precisely for this reason, Stoppani expresses in its catalogue the suitability of its products in relation to different substrates, and the different needs of boat owners.

Wetted surface of the hull: key steps

To proceed to the application of antifouling, the maintenance of the wetted surface of the hull requires additional steps that Stoppani believes are essential to the proper care of the boat, avoiding hull damage and nasty surprises when underway.

After washing the boat with a pressure washer, it is necessary to let it dry and check for pre-existing paint, stripping them and proceed with sanding.
Check the condition of the antifouling: if it is in good condition you can renew it with a new coat of compatible product, if it is not in good condition or you are not sure of compatibility, remove it by sanding and apply a coat of Tie Coat, then, apply the new antifouling.
Apply two coats of antifouling, and a third reinforcing coat, to the most sensitive areas. The second coat should be given just before launching to prevent sun, water or air from affecting its protection.

Stoppani: yachting quality

Backed by great expertise, care and research in paint products, Stoppani offers a wide range of products that allows boat owners to decide on the most suitable solution according to their needs and the hull of their boat. You can choose the product you prefer, and even the color that best suits your boat thanks to the wide range of Stoppani’s proposals.

STOPPANI YACHTING CATALOGUE

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How Quick Gyro stabilizers are born: the video

Giorgio Ranucci — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 08:56:00 +0000

Quick Gyro: the video tells how gyroscopic stabilizers are born

How Quick stabilizers are born? The Italian company, global leader in the production of nautical equipment, discloses the production of MC² Quick Gyro stabilizers – the most popular on the market – with a brand-new behind the scenes video.

The video* “How it’s Made: Quick Gyro” illustrates some of the most important steps of the Quick Gyro production, starting from the components manufacturing. This process takes place inside the company’s in-house mechanical workshop, where the precision mechanical manufacturing and modelling of every single component of the gyro stabilizer are realized, thanks to the technologically advanced machinery.

The second step reveals how every single component is assembled by the team in the Quick Gyro department and how the final result of all the steps, that is the “finished” gyroscopic stabilizer, is tested for at least twelve hours, with the support of a platform that simulates maximum stress and roll conditions.

*Most of the the video shooting have been conducted before the Sars-Covid 19 emergency.

After watching the video about Quick Gyro stabilisers, here are the reasons why you should choose and install one on board your boat: click here.

Quick Spa, international leader in the production of nautical equipment, designs, produces and engineers all its products in the Italian Headquarter in Ravenna.

Its portfolio offers a full range of products: gyroscopic stabilizers, technical and decorative marine lighting solutions, windlasses, anchoring systems, battery chargers, thrusters, docking systems and water heaters.

Since 2006, Quick Spa has been in the United States as Quick USA, which develops commercial and technical assistance activities for the USA. Quick Spa is also present in the UK with Quick UK, founded in 2018.

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CMC Marine at the Superyachts Technology Show

Silvia Pretto — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 03:26:00 +0000

CMC Marine was invited to the event dedicated to superyachts, industry figures and innovative technologies, with market demands and forecasts.

Special debut in Barcelona for CMC Marine, invited to take part in the Superyachts Technology Show & Conference 2022, a two-day event dedicated to Superyachts and all aspects of boating..

Many activities and workshops were organized to present the sector’s innovations, including the conference attended by Pietro Cappiello, CMC Marine’s Vice President and speaker of ‘Innovation: matching market needs and technology offers. Innovating the marine sector and discussing superyacht stabilization’. The conference addressed the theme of innovation, combining market needs with emerging technologies, focusing in particular on the issue of superyacht stabilization. It was no coincidence that CMC Marine, which revolutionized the yachting world with its introduction of electric stabilization systems, especially in the superyachts category, was invited to take part in these talks.

This meeting, which took place during the exclusive event dedicated to a carefully selected audience, included sponsors, exhibitors and over 150 celebrity guests, including captains, owners, yacht designers, etc.

There were two exhibition areas – the Innovation Lab and the Engineering Room- with a large outdoor area dedicated to sustainable technologies. This event aimed to disseminate information through discussions and workshops on the main innovations in the industry to give a more complete and prestigious picture of the world of superyachts, while also providing a unique perspective on the future of the boating industry.

It was why CMC Marine, invited to participate in the event, also decided to display its technologies to deepen the topics covered in the talk at its booth and to immerse interested parties in a unique virtual reality. Equipped with a VR visor, they were able to give an immersive experience to all those who wanted to better understand the superyacht stabilization by catapulting them to the helm of a virtual bridge, from which they could thoroughly understand the benefits of perfect stabilization.

Many were the reasons for pride CMC Marine was able to collect during the days in Barcelona, first and foremost the growing interest in electric stabilization, which linked to the theme of sustainability is one of the values the company has been promoting for many years, as Vice President Pietro Cappiello also claimed:

“In recent years, the subject of excellent marine stabilization has been attracting ever greater interest on boats of various sizes and types. In the field of superyachts in particular, research is underway into innovative new solutions that can deliver the same results in a more compact form factor and above all with reduced consumption. That is why an event like the Superyachts Technology Show & Conference is one our company cannot afford to miss, because it can not only contribute to a constantly evolving debate, but also identify new insights for the development of new products. This type of event, with a programme involving not only speakers but also numerous opportunities for networking, encourages direct contact and an exchange of ideas with captains, crews, shipyards, designers and other professional figures.”

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Synteak Group launches EcoDeck, the decking evolution for yachts and superyachts

Alessio Molla — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 15:15:28 +0000

EcoDeck and it has been launched by the Italian Synteak Group, a leading company in the sector that, thanks to research and the evolution of materials, aims to make the ‘old’ natural teak forgotten in the decking of yachts and superyachts.

The need is, of course, to make up for the lack of natural resources that make classic teak increasingly difficult to find. With EcoDeck, 8mm thick and composed of high-tech engineered materials, Synteak Group aims to take deck performance and aesthetics to a new level.

Stronger, more durable, aesthetically perfect and with fewer design constraints, this material provides a beautiful and elegant surface that enhances the boat’s magnificence through a truly luxurious look & feel. Furthermore, EcoDeck is also suitable for interior and wall-mounted use, as well as being an excellent solution for entirely replacing all wooden parts of the boat, even the most complexly shaped solid wood ones.

“Very soon all owners of the best yachts will want only EcoDeck; wood will be just a memory. – says Synteak CEO Francesco Martorelli – Many boat owners and shipyards have already embraced this change, especially in Northern Europe (where the product was born and has already been present for several years) and it is now also available from us, throughout Italy, thanks to Synteak’s already present and consolidated network of professionals“.

The product will also be viewable during the famous ‘METS TRADE 2022‘ in Amsterdam from 15 to 17 November 2022, in the ‘Superyacht Pavilion SYP’ at booth 10.502.

“With this material we place ourselves at a very high level of the market, but this does not prohibit owners and manufacturers of smaller yachts from opting for this product,” concludes Mr. Martorelli, “as already demonstrated by the adoption of EcoDeck by leading manufacturers such as Hallberg-Rassy for the sailing world”.

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See more of the sea with SEA.AI’s product range

Gemma Harris — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 14:19:48 +0000

The capabilities of camera technology are ever-increasing, and as the leading company in marine vision at sea, SEA.AI is facilitating this with its high-technological product range for maritime vessels. Their latest technology is the SEA.AI award-winning products (previously known as OSCAR: Optical System for Cognition and Ranging) .

SEA.AI products have optical and thermal sensors, detecting temperature differences of up to 0.05 °C, and the powerful processing allows for precise day and night vision. This onboard processing recognises objects by matching a combination of filters and comparing anomalies with a neural network, characterising millions of objects through the database. The SEA.AI database has more than five million annotated marine objects with over 300,000 nautical miles of on-water experience worldwide. The regular over-the-air updates ensure that it is constantly developing and learning more.

SEA.AI combines this camera technology with artificial intelligence, and the system uses machine learning via IBM supercomputers to aid safe navigation at sea. The algorithms have been created to spot the patterns of visible and invisible light associated with hazards.

The SEA.AI product range is utilised by maritime vessels such as recreational sailing and motor yachts, commercial ships, government vessels and Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV). The Offshore ONE is the all-in-one design perfect for offshore sailing and Bluewater cruising.

The detection ranges from a small object or person at 100m to a motorboat or sailboat at 1,000m. For commercial vessels, government craft, first responders and motor yachts, the flagship Sentry offers the most extended detection range (up to 7,500m), the widest detection angle and the fastest detection frequency to improve performance. The key functions of the Sentry are collision avoidance, object tracking, manual controls with 16 times electronic zoom and 360-degree perimeter surveillance. For competitive solutions, the Competition 320 and the Competition 640 offer ultra-lightweight units for rotating masts, with up to 2,000m detection range (Competition 640) .

The products are simple and intuitive to use, with an intelligent alarming system for collision avoidance and perimeter surveillance. They can be controlled by using the SEA.AI app on a smartphone, tablet or chart platter on an onboard computer. This enables the watchkeeper to reliably identify and recognise small objects not detected by radar or AIS.

The future sees a rapid portfolio expansion through SEA.AI technology in the coming years. Perhaps, soon with the improvements in autonomous technology and artificial technology, SEA.AI will replace the watchkeeper altogether.

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One 15 Brooklyn Marina : new High-Tech Wave Attenuator

DinaRella — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 05:12:00 +0000

New High-Tech Wave Attenuator Signals Smooth Sailing for NY’s Top-Tier One 15 Brooklyn Marina .

For the nautical set not familiar with boating on New York waters – the East River is as bustling as Times Square – but exhibiting traits consistent with that of a tidal strait, it’s not always in a nice and welcoming way.

The new One 15 Brooklyn Marina found this out less than a year after its 2016 grand opening.

The deluge of colliding currents building up multi-directional momentum from the crossroads of the rivers and the Atlantic Ocean were wreaking havoc on the facility and the watercrafts moored along the quays.

Consequently, the writing was on the (sea)wall for an overhaul!

Lamentably, the marina’s initial protective shield was only deflecting a portion of wave energy back into the river and failed to reduce the tidal impact hammering through the aperture under the piers. A restructuring with extensive sustainable design elements was in order to prevent further irremediable damage.

One 15 Brooklyn Marina: Tide and Traffic Troubles

But the tides don’t tell the whole story. The river is a melting pot of moving crafts cutting their own courses with distinct “coming and going turning points.” For example, the daily cavalcade consists of: commercial freighters and tug boats; Jet-skiers chasing the transom chop from the many recreational vessels and sightseeing cruises crammed with selfie-snappers; the FDNY and PDNY 911-style dashing between destinations; and not to forget the non-stop (and I mean non-stop) low-hovering helicopters shuffling the suited CEOs back and forth to their Manhattan meetings.

However, as hectic as the above sounds, the true “turning point” came in 2017 when the high-speed ferries increased the frequency of their services, further heightening the persistent rolling wave action. LITERALLY!

An engineering team was brought in and their high-tech analysis and testing on how best to combat the volatile condition resulted in steel wave attenuators set on deep draft steel barges as the solution.

This combination cushions the marina basin with a gentler undulation by reducing the size and energy of incoming swells and eliminating unnecessary wave movement.

Saved by Steel

One 15 Brooklyn Marina CEO Estelle Lau tells me, “The marina was initially designed using all Seaflex anchoring but we found that the increased boats and ferries on the waterfront were too powerful for the system. So we built the new attenuators using the same concept as the New York ferry landings, putting piles in to further strengthen the system – doubling the width and tripling the depth of the attenuator.”

Singapore-based SUTL Group, noted for its stunning marinas across Asia, and the consulting firm TMS Waterfront, were responsible for reconstructing the eight-acre facility which today features 102 slips accommodating boats up to 300 feet including deep draft ocean-going superyachts. Since re-opening in May of 2019, the $28 million dollar multi-phase design project has yielded continual praise and positive results; nonetheless, it was met with a series of challenges along the way which were to be expected:

1- Addressing environmental concerns and securing all necessary permits became a lengthy process entailing SBS, Army Corp, Environmental Agency and MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority) involvement.

2- The position of the R subway train running under the facility required a reduction in piles near the tunnels and prevented the use of anchoring and cables.

3- Taking all precautions, a sophisticated monitoring system had to be installed to avoid the impact area of the tunnels during the pile driving along the attenuator.

4- Disruptions to the summer operations at the marina needed to be minimized.

The engineering crew was resilient in complying with the compulsory rules and restrictions mandated during the course of the daunting infrastructure refurbishment. First, the large concrete blocks initially installed to anchor the docks were repurposed to the inside dock on the marina’s south side. Next, two 185-foot steel barges dubbed as Little Bear One and Little Bear Two, and Polaris the third goliath-in-size 300-footer with a 30-foot beam and 10-foot draft, were secured to the seabed floor, followed by ballasting down the attenuators on piles and driving them into the bay.

A Cheerful Pier

Preserving the panorama projected from the backdrop of the Big Apple’s south side thanks to careful placement of the pilings was another defining achievement of the high-profile project. Yet, there was more to cheer about than the view.

Given that the marina is home to the Community Dock, it offers a selection of low-cost programs and activities allowing locals to interact one-on-one with the harbor, making it accessible for all to navigate whether you’re a boat owner or not.

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