The Western Mediterranean is the most popular yacht charter destination in the world. Right now, escalating piracy stands between this marina in Monaco and some megayachts that want to get here from the Indian Ocean in time for the summer season.

The danger zone for boaters, according to the USCG notice, now runs from the coast of Somalia into the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, south to the Mozambique Channel, and east to the coast of India. It is a region, as The Washington Post put it, as vast as the continental United States.

It is not news to the megayacht industry that piracy is a problem in this region. Many captains and fleet managers tell the story of the 210-foot Perini Navi Felicita West, which tried to make her way from the Mediterranean to the Seychelles for last winter’s charter season, but had to turn back at the Gulf of Aden because of escalating piracy concerns. A number of captains who moved megayachts through the same waters for the current charter season sailed in convoys with specially trained security teams onboard.

Now, with piracy fears escalating, some megayacht captains in the Indian Ocean are thinking about how, or even if, they will be able to return this summer to the Mediterranean—the most popular charter location in the world. It’s the place where about 70 percent of luxury yacht charters take place each year.

Make no mistake: Big money is on the line. Megayachts that have been operating in the Indian Ocean this winter include the 211-foot Benetti Silver Angel, the 196-foot CMN Cloud 9, and the 184-foot Perini Navi Panthalassa, all of which are part of the charter fleet at Camper and Nicholsons International. Just those three yachts, when their weekly base rates are combined, bring in €965,000 a week in charter fees in the Mediterranean. That’s $1.34 million a week at current exchange rates, and charter yachts of their caliber tend to do at least three or four weeks of charter in the Mediterranean each summer.

Captains of course are not tipping their hands about specific future plans—there’s no need to let the pirates know when the yachts might try to move again—but charter managers are well aware that marketing adjustments might need to be made if piracy continues to escalate in advance of the upcoming Mediterranean season.

“I think, overall, the megayachts that are already in the Indian Ocean right now are scared to leave—period,” said Shawn Laird, charter fleet manager with Northrop and Johnson. “I was just talking to someone the other day about all the yachts that will probably get stuck down there. The increase in piracy is totally shocking.”

It’s also an unfortunate experience in irony. More and more megayachts have just begun trying to use the Indian Ocean as their winter base these past couple of years, in response to decreasing charter demand in the Caribbean and Bahamas. As a leading broker from Burgess Yachts told me in December, with the global recession continuing to weigh heavy, “For yachts over 150 feet, this is the worst Caribbean season in the history of the charter industry.”

Now, the megayachts that have been trying to offset that winter-season fiscal problem with a new location appear to be at the mercy of a security problem that could drastically affect their summer season income, as well. The continuing recession, when combined with escalating piracy, could prove an insurmountable combination for some of the largest megayachts in the world.

Editor’s Note: Shortly after publication of this story, Soundings Trade Only published an interesting report on how cruising sailors are finding a different approach to transiting this area: “Dockwise Yacht Transport Offers Plans to Avoid Piracy”

Now comes word from Camper and Nicholsons International that four of its premier charter yachts will be heading to the Indian Ocean this winter. That’s not only a noteworthy number of yachts, but the yachts are also noteworthy in and of themselves.

First is the 184-foot Benetti motoryacht Galaxy, which has earned a reputation among industry insiders as one of the finest yachts in her class, especially for gourmands. You might recall my blog post from May 2009, after I attended an impressive seven-course tasting dinner for 24 guests onboard. Galaxy will be bringing her five-star service to the Maldives during the month of November, after which she will become available for charter in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tahiti well into 2011.

Also moving to the Indian Ocean this winter are the 211-foot Benetti motoryacht Silver Angel, the 196-foot CMN motoryacht Cloud 9, and the 184-foot Perini Navi sailing yacht Panthalassa. Each of these yachts is a recent build that turns heads thanks to modern features and design. They are the types of yachts that tend to stay in the Mediterranean and Caribbean for at least a few years after launching, since their very newness makes them top options for charter even in locations that some guests have previously visited.

Newly released data show Caribbean charter bookings being down about 15 percent for 2009 versus 2008. That  same set of data show “further afield” destinations such as the Indian Ocean holding their own in terms of demand, despite the continuing global recession. It will be interesting to see whether that situation continues for the calendar year 2010, and whether we will, in fact, be able to call the Indian Ocean a seriously rising trend line in the charter industry as soon as 2011.

Editor’s Note: For more information about chartering in the Indian Ocean, visit the Yachtworldcharters.com Indian Ocean destination page.

Va Bene underway to the next excellent charter destination. Photo courtesy of Burgess Charter.

Where to go for that perfect charter getaway? It’s an all-important question and one that deserves just as much thought as deciding which yacht to book. And within each cruising area there are a multitude of itinerary options. How do you decide what is appropriate and what is feasible? Are you planning too ambitious a trip, with too much time underway? How can you balance the needs of young children (water toys and plenty of time at anchor) with teenagers (nightlife and trendy shops) and culture vultures (history, art and museums)?

This is where the knowledge and experience of a quality charter team is invaluable. Experts from Burgess Charter supply the inside track on their personal recommendations and favourite destinations.

Yacht chartering in the Indian Ocean

Indian Ocean

“If you want unspoilt nature, unashamed luxury, and you’re happy to explore beyond the traditional cruising waters, the islands of the Indian Ocean are hard to beat,” says Neil Hornsby.

“For me, the islands of the Indian Ocean come closest to my idea of paradise. Chartering here is completely stress-free, and there’s something for everyone. There is plenty of space for adrenaline-inducing activities, from diving to big-game fishing and wakeboarding. And if you just want to laze in the tropical sunshine, don’t forget you are staying in your own floating palace, with every conceivable luxury at your fingertips.

“There are over 125 islands to explore in the Seychelles alone, ranging from barely touched coral atolls, fringed with perfect sands, to Mahé, the largest and most geared up for tourism. They combined majestic mountains, lush jungle and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with fantastic diving and snorkelling on hundreds of glistening reefs.

“Then there are the Amirantes, a chain of some 28 islands and islets: the perfect place to make the most of your yacht’s ‘toys’ for fishing, water-skiing and snorkelling. More secluded coves and idyllic white sand beaches can be found in the Farquhar islands.

“My personal must-see island is Aldabra, a remote uninhabited coral atoll, where human visitors are far outnumbered by 16,000 giant tortoises. The lagoon is filled with bright tropical fish at high tide and robber crabs when the tide is out, and there are green turtles and rare hawksbill turtles here too.

“Alternatively, for fine sandy beaches and spectacular coral garden, I’d recommend the Maldives. Although only six of the 26 islands in the group are open to tourism, there are more anchorages, reefs and dive sites here than you could hope to visit in a two or three week charter. My tip would be to extend your stay for a few days pampering at Soneva Fushi Resort, north of Malé Atoll: a glorious Robinson Crusoe style hideaway. Whatever our clients are looking for in yacht charter, the Indian Ocean offers endless cruising opportunities in a totally pristine environment.”

For more details, visit YWC’s Indian Ocean page.

Most of the harbors on the Turkish coastline are within easy walking distance of the local shops, restaurants, and bazaars, where you can find leather goods, exotic spices, and handcrafted rugs.

Turkey and Greece

“If I had years, I wouldn’t get tired of the wealth of history, dramatic scenery and great sailing offered by the Aegean Coastline”, says Amanda Armstrong. “The southern coast of Turkey offers a marvellous combination of small picturesque towns, quiet beautiful bays and rich archaeological sites that give the place a timeless quality I love. Depending on what your interests are, when planning a cruising itinerary, I might suggest exploring the many inlets in the Gulf of Fethiye, or venturing up the Dalyan River past the dramatic Lycian rock tombs to the site of Ancient Caunos and the hot sulphur mud baths upstream. Other highlights include the ruined city of Ancient Knidos, the imposing Castle of St Peter in Bodrum with its museum of underwater archaeology and snorkelling amongst the ruins off the spectacular island of Kekova.

“Göçek is a good starting point for a Turkish Coast cruise, while boarding in Duadasi enables a convenient visit to magnificent Ephesus and is ideal for combining Turkey with island hopping through the nearby Dodecanese Islands of Greece, such as Samos, Patmos, Leros, Kalymnos and Kos.

“If you are looking for a purely Greek experience, it is best to start in Athens to take in (amongst others) the fabled islands of Hydra, Mykonos, Paros, Ios and Santorini. I’d also recommend the Ionian islands in July and August, as they offer good shelter from the prevailing Aegean winds. Start in Corfu, with its endless sandy beaches in the south and quiet, unspoilt villages in the north. Don’t miss the islands of Paxos and Anti-Paxos, which both have lovely harbours to moor in on calm evenings, and visit Ithaca, Cephalonia and Zakinthos for a range of culture, beaches and villages, with really good seafront tavernas.
For an ideal itinerary, I’d suggest a cruise of at least ten days in order to get an abundant taste of this unique part of the world.”

Short hops between ports make it easy to put together a relaxing itinerary along the French and Italian Rivieras.

For more details, visit YWC’s Turkey and Greece pages.

French and Italian Riviera

“When you charter a superyacht you can easily combine both French and Italian Riviera in one itinerary,” says Gaye Joyeau-Bourgeois. “The Côte d’Azur has always been wonderful cruising territory. Short hops between ports make it easy to put together a relaxing itinerary, and as you head east to the Italian coastline, the only longer crossing is overnight from Monaco or San Remo to Portofino. On the other hand, every port is packed in high season, so we have to be on our toes to book berths for our clients.

“A lot of the time, we’re helping our clients make the most of what’s available ashore – whether that’s tickets for a concert at the Salle d’Etoiles in Monaco, or the Juan les Pins Jazz Festival; a round of golf at a members only club; an afternoon of pampering at one of the world’s best spas; or a drive on the F3 circuit at St Luc near St Tropez. You’d be amazed at what we can organise, with the help of our yacht captains and crews!

“I like to ask what kind of experience a charter party is looking for, so that I can let them in on a few local secrets – like the Provençal food market of Forville in Cannes, or the flower and antique markets on the Cours Saleya in Nice. We can tell you where to get the best view of summer’s sailing regattas, where you can try paragliding or learn to scuba dive – and we can also provide multilingual guides.
For authentic simplicity, try the unspoilt Porqueroles Islands (cycling and beautiful, unspoilt beaches) with their Marine Reserve, or the Unesco world heritage site of the Cinque Terre’s five villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza (delicious local wine) and Monterosso.

“Of course, it could be that all you want to do is to bask in the sun, anchored off one of the Caps or the beach clubs in St Tropez. We can book you a table at any of the great restaurants all along the coast: from the Oasis in Cannes, to Le Moulin de Mougins; from Alain Ducasse’s celebrated Louis XV at the Hotel de Paris to La Terrazza of Portofino’s Hotel Splendido … all you have to do is ask!”

The Caribbean is a versatile and varied cruising ground.

For more details, visit YWC’s Mediterranean page.

Caribbean

“The Caribbean is my choice every time for a yachting vacation: hundreds of islands and thousands of beaches just begging to be explored …” says Tom Collins.

“The Virgin islands are one of my favourite island groups. There are about 18 mountainous islands all within about a few miles of one another, so you can cruise in calm waters with an abundance of beautiful anchorages to choose from along the way. Sunbathe in privacy, or enjoy the shade of the awning on the sundeck.

“At the Baths in Virgin Gorda, the view is picture postcards perfect with giant granite boulders surrounded by brilliant white sand and gin clear water. Meanwhile, your chef will be preparing a sumptuous lunch to be served on the aft deck. What resort can compete? You can spend a great afternoon playing on and in the water, followed by an evening at Foxy’s in Jost Van Dyke, dancing on the sand to live local bands.

“The Caribbean is such a versatile and varied cruising ground. St Martin and Anguilla are also close by the Virgin Islands. When my clients are heading for Anguilla I recommend Johnno’s in Road Bay – it’s right on the beach with live jazz on Sunday afternoons and often a local reggae band on Saturday night. Chic and trendy St Barths is also a ‘must visit’ when cruising the Northern Leeward Isles.
Many first-time Caribbean charterers are surprised by the diversity they find. Guadeloupe and Martinique mix French and Creole. Dominica offers spectacular rainforests. The Pitons of St Lucia are right out of the South Pacific. The Grenadines are mountainous one minute, and the next they are no more than low, reef-enclosed sand cays with nothing but a few palm trees. Whether you live in a cold winter climate or not, the Caribbean is calling.”

For more details, visit YWC’s Caribbean page.

According to the Synfo report, Linda Lou was en route to the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show with only crew aboard when several skiffs approached the yacht in a coordinated manner. Their approach caused enough alarm that the captain put female crew members into a “safe room” and contacted a nearby warship for assistance. The warship sent a helicopter, whose presence caused the skiffs to retreat. Nobody was hurt, and the yacht continued on course without further incident.

Whenever these types of articles appear in the media, I receive an influx of reader questions about pirates and the safety of yacht charter vacations. People thinking about charter for some reason believe that pirates attacking boats off the coast of Africa are a threat to safe boating vacations in Europe and the Caribbean.

The reality is that piracy in the part of the world where Linda Lou was traveling (a transit zone, not a popular charter destination) has only one thing to do with charter yacht vacations: It is making it harder for new destinations to develop.

Currently, the Mediterranean is the world’s premier charter locale. More yachts are typically available for charter in the Mediterranean than anyplace else. In order for these yachts to charter in new, emerging destinations during the “off season,” the yacht owners have to move the boats from the Mediterranean and through the Red Sea, following the same type of route that Linda Lou was on.

The more piracy that occurs along this transit route, the more reluctant owners become to put their yachts and crew in danger, and the fewer international-quality yachts become available for charter in the Middle East, the Indian Ocean, and Southeast Asia. You can see the problematic geography in the map above.

With all of this in mind, I hope that nobody considering a yacht charter vacation will be in any way dissuaded by the recent events involving Linda Lou. No charter clients were ever in danger, and the yacht was in a location that rarely, if ever, is offered as an actual charter destination.

I also hope that the governments of would-be charter hubs from the Seychelles to Thailand will begin to work together on this problem off the coast of Africa. The piracy is causing a disruption in the evolution of charter as a truly global industry, and it will require an international effort–as opposed to a few well-prepared yacht owners and captains–to create an ultimate solution.