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Anchorage for Megayachts

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Daveylynn, May 30, 2009.

  1. Daveylynn, May 30, 2009
    #1
    Daveylynn

    Daveylynn New Member

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    Can anyone explain how a superyacht or megayacht like the Octopus can sail for months without going to port? Since their size keeps them from anchoring in smaller harbours for protection from rough seas, what do they do? For example, lets say they are sailing on the east african coast, checking out marine sanctuary areas for diving. Do they have to come into a large harbor every night or can they stay out at sea? Do they come in closer to shore and anchor or do they stay out in deep water and use static positioning systems?
  2. K1W1, May 30, 2009
    #2
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    Any large vessel will have sufficient fuel to be on slow speed or short hops, at anchor for a few months.

    It is the provision of fresh supplies that will need addressing more often rather than the fuel.

    I went around the world on a new 55m yacht a few years ago.

    Between leaving the Med in September we only entered port to re fuel and re provision ( provisioning was sometimes done by tender) until July the following year.

    I am currently dealing with a 70m one that has 150 days endurance on gensets alone.

    In normal operations when on the coast if the weather is really rough then shelter would normally be sought be it in port or hiding behind something, if your at sea a course to avoid the worst should be taken.

    I am not sure if Octopus has DP but seeing as it seems to have everything else it would not surprise me if she were so equipped.

    If you are in deepwater and clear of obstructions there is no need to have DP in order to stop where you are without anchoring as long as you have room to drift around a bit it can be done by a non DP Vessel quite well. Take older stand by vessels and Pilot Tenders as an example.
  3. Yacht News, May 30, 2009
    #3
    Yacht News

    Yacht News YF News Editor

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    I know "Rising Sun" has DP, I remember seeing some photos from above with her sitting of Cannes or someplace with the water kicking up from her bow thrusters and stern and she was not moving. So some of the larger yachts have dynamic positioning.
  4. K1W1, May 30, 2009
    #4
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    Yes, some of then do have DP Capability but very few are actually certified as DP Vessels and even then there aren't any I know of where the rating is above DP 1 due to the onerous redundancy requirements of the higher classes.

    There is also this little nut that many yacht crew could not comply with if they tried owing to non recognition of yacht tickets by the Commercial side of life.

    DP Operator

    The DP operator judges whether there is enough redundancy available at any given moment of the operation. IMO issued MSC/Circ.738 (Guidelines for dynamic positioning system (DP) operator training) on 24-06-1996. This refers to IMCA (International Marine Contractors Association) M 117[8] as acceptable standard.

    To qualify as a DP operator the following path should be followed:

    1. a DP Induction course
    2. a minimum of 30 days seagoing DP familiarisation
    3. a DP Advanced course
    4. a minimum of 6 months watchkeeping on a DP ship
    5. a statement of suitability by the master of a DP ship

    When the watchkeeping is done on a Class 1 DP ship, a limited certificate will be issued; otherwise a full certificate will be issued.