Keeping superyachts afloat in a sea of rules and regulations is a hard task for today`s captains. At one time yachting was a pure escapism – a carefree pastime with which aficionados could break free from the mundane restrictions of life ashore. There were no rules and no licences, so you could do pretty much what you liked without fear of some inspector descending to tell you that your actions were illegal or unduly dangerous. Now every captain faces toward very complete legal codes.

The most recent addition to the CRN family, 54-meter displacement megayacht in steel and aluminum called Ability, slipped into the water on December 17, 2005. The event was attended by over 2,000 guests, by the Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ferretti Group, Norberto Ferretti and Gabriele Del Torchio, as well as the citizens of Ancona. It was a magnificent occasion for the Shipyard and for all the Ferretti Group in the wake of their recent commercial success with 17 megayacht sales from 30 to 72 meters in the past 6 months. This exceptional figure confirms the extraordinary production capability of the shipyard where 25 yachts from 30 to 60 meters are currently under construction.

OCEA Shipyard, located in Les Sables d’Olonne on the French Atlantic Coast, and builder of the OCEA Commuter Yacht Series, has signed contracts for two OCEA Commuter 108 yachts to be delivered for the summer 2007.

On October 8, 2005, Benetti launched the 65-meter Amborsia III. This uniquely innovative yacht has been designed for her owners to cruise around the world. By volume and tonnage, Ambrosia III is the largest yacht launched to date at the Benetti Shipyard, as well as being the most technologically advanced yacht in the company’s history.

The 55-meter (180-foot) WallyPower developed by the WallyDesign department of Wally Yachts for an European prospect, is a megayacht characterized by a displacement hull that derives from navy hydrodynamic technology. The hull shape is the result of an extensive R & D program that included tank testing and CFD computer design, and is characterized by high efficiency and more reduced pitching than traditional hulls. The exceptionally high free board enhances safety in rough seas, without contaminating the sleek lines of the yacht.

Among the numerous events at Seatec 2006, the international exhibition for shipbuilding technology being held February 2-4, 2006 in Marina di Carrara, are the lecture days and prize giving for both design and technology, both of which have key roles in Seatec. The event, featuring naval architects and engineers, has Febuary 2nd entirely dedicated to the competitors for the Millennium Yacht Design Award (MYDA), an international shipbuilding design competition, and to the lecture series on new hybrid technology.

Bannenberg Designs has recently completed the re-fit of the guest areas on 51-meter motor yacht Feadship Illusion. The project consisted of the interior re-fit of the yacht, originally built in the 1980's.

Hurricane Wilma wasn't enough to cancel the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, but the 46th annual event will be delayed a week and shortened by a day. The show is now scheduled to start Nov. 3 and end Nov. 6, said Kaye Pearson, president of Yachting Promotions Inc., which manages and produces the event. Typically, the show would end on a Monday rather than a Sunday, Pearson said.

Just how many yachts does a Russian billionaire need? Answer: as many as he wants. That seems to be the case with Roman Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea football club, who is planning to build the biggest private yacht in the world — even though he owns three of the largest already afloat. According to well informed sources in marine circles, Abramovich has placed an order for a yacht more than 550 feet long. He already has "Pelorus" and "Le Grand Bleu", with length 377 and 370 feet accordingly.

Holland Jachtbouw has announced the launch of the 141-ft schooner Skylge. The carbon mast and sophisticated rigging for this lightweight, high-performance yacht are currently being fitted, after which Skylge will make a shakedown cruise to Spain before heading to the Caribbean.