
Photo: www.vanderwal.comThis is big business, but how did it start? As motor-yachts got bigger in the 1980s, owners used the increased range for a double-season mode: summer in the Mediterranean and then winter in the West Indies – a big change from the short summer use and long winter hibernation that Riviera crews were used to, and with new regulations requiring generous leave periods, life became hard on a yacht constantly on the move. Rotating crews was one solution, but millionaire owners prefer their loyal captains and sea persons to be always there onboard their expensive vessels. A tradition grew up of relief captains taking over for the long trans-Atlantic passages when the owner’s party is unlikely to be onboard, giving two weeks leave twice a year to the permanent master.
Meanwhile the Dutch company Dockwise had developed expertise in heavy marine transport, mainly for moving oil rigs around by ballasting down, sliding them under the rig and then rising so the rig was clear of the water and could be transported swiftly to its destination. The company now operates the largest fleet of specialized vessels in the world, some transporting loads of up to 117,000 deadweight tons. The new market for yacht transport inspired Dockwise to develop real dock ships (yacht-transport.com) so that the precious white yachts could have protection from heavy seas, and these ships are now getting bigger and faster, with several new destinations worldwide. Since its maiden voyage in 1987, the company has transported over 12,000 motor and sailing yachts to destinations around the globe. Float-on/float-off is expensive, but offers a big saving in engine hours and the alarming cost of fuel, not to mention the Admiralty Charts needed for these long voyages. An amazing new nautical industry, worth investing in – on the Oslo Stock Exchange.