SuperYachts Defending against Pirate Attacks?

[@captbill8254]

In 2003 a yacht a friend of mine worked on was sitting at anchor, per owners orders, just off of Cuba, at night. My friend was on watch when he spotted a small boat headed their way. As the boat approached, it was determined that it was a military attack vessel of some sort with no identifying numbers or markings. It's crew was ready to board them, which they quickly did. There were 6 men, in uniform, with no name tags. After boarding they demanded that money be paid immediately for anchoring in a "controlled area". The owner, his wife, and two teenage children claimed they were crew, and that the owners were on land. They also said that nobody on board had any money, and that all of the yachts expenses were paid by check. That really pissed them off! They proceeded to rob the crew of whatever they had in their cabins and not hidden at the time. When that wasn't enough, they trashed the entire yacht looking for a safe and valuables. They literally destroyed the entire interior, slashing everything with knives, kicking walls and doors in, shattering mirrors and all art on board. Sometimes the pirates are just underpaid government workers.

[@onniborg9065]

Luckily no one was hurt!

[@darthkek1953]

The trouble with Marxism is you eventually run out of other people's money.

[@garlandremingtoniii4679]

@@scottfree6479 I don’t blame you. I will and so would my wife. We are very well armed.

[@danielr7358]

@@scottfree6479 I like your philosophy and vision I too would add a whole arm militia ready to kill at command haha

[@jackmorgan1677]

Didn't they say that piracy was vey unlikely and almost negligible? Another case of denying the ugly reality.

[@JohnSmith-zv8km]

Glad that I have found you, this is a fascinating world and you present it in a knowledgeable and interesting way.

[@krmould]

Hi, for your next Q&A: Have you ever had an owner who was really interested in the working of the vessel, ie spending a lot of time on the bridge or visiting the engine room? Are there some owners who are more like regular folks who just made it rich? Thank you. Love your channel.

[@SuperYachtCaptain]

Fantastic idea on building a lookalike ships gun to stick on the deck. 👍

[@kimballscarr]

However, might get you fired up by authorities or pirates. US Coast Guard and Navy would at least give warning. Others might not. Modern ships guns can easily hit the ship!

[@CV-dl3hj]

Thanks for the info I'm scratching Somalia off the bucket list for family vacations.

[@dieseldog00]

LMAO :-D

[@WarrenPostma]

Rule of law is always a nice thing when you can manage it.

[@chuckmartin7482]

Some husbands recommend Somalia to their wives- and purchase a ticket there to meet up ‘later’.....

[@jackmorgan1677]

Actually... a Somali woman journalist got asylum in Sweden but returned to Mogadishu after a year in Sweden. Unsurprising there was more freedom in Mogadishu than in Sweden where she got persecuted for her journalistic unfavourable opinions.

[@kimward5746]

Garbage and pirates.... LOVE THOSE QUESTIONS AND LOVED THE ANSWERS. Seriously, I'm always wondering about stuff like that. THANKS! More on those topics? Fascinating.

[@kingofwake]

Love these Q&A's! Keep up the great work! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences!

[@TheAtma50]

Your delivery is so laid back and very informative !!

[@m2rookie]

Great to see another interesting video and great to see notifications from your channel again!

[@trixiepickle8779]

Love your videos, still in isolation here in France. So cheers me up. p.s. my Grandfather had a yacht - beautiful, they always had a cat - one of his crew made a hammock which was used and passed down cat to cat. Good times.

[@myroadtours6147]

Sailing isn't my thing but I find your videos very informative...and entertaining at times.

[@batotit]

13:13 -"some of the people talk like its the wild west and you gonna go out and immediately get attacked by the black pearl or something..." lol

[@jackmorgan1677]

Haha! It IS the wild west. There's no law in international waters. That is why people get murdered on the high seas without police investigating. If a vessel is registered in the Bahamas and someone is murdered on that vessel while it sails on the other side of the world, the Bahamas police needs to investigate. Needless to say... they won't.

[@whitelabrat]

Interesting. I have only been on a sailing ship for any length of time so much of the information about how more modern vessels handle all this was great. Thank you.

[@jasongold708]

When this was published, Heidi Horton owned Carinthia VII. As of this year it was sold. Two of the Walton heiresses own superyachts to my knowledge again at the time this was published; Secret, which sold this year and Aquila that is still owned by her. Outside of support vessels and 1 vessel under 300 feet(Planet 9), several of the really large superyachts are equipped with hangars for the helicopters. Some of those include Faith, Madame Gu, Andromeda, Ulysses, Octopus, Serene, Crescent, Ocean Victory, Nord, and Eclipse.

[@wangz1ggy]

You should do a video on what’s the best countries register your super yacht

[@sjgreene785]

Thank you. I don't have a yacht but when I do this is great to know. 😉🌿💚🌿

[@johnlong384]

Man, I am impressed and certain that you have seen a lot of this world and been in a lot of interesting situations - thanks a lot and take care!

[@paulogrinke7020]

Enjoyed it alot. Lots of information that you hadn't covered before. Good job. Do you have a preference in a yacht size to work on. Ex. 40 - 80 or 100 meter and over? I think you said once that you only worked on yachts of 100 meters or more. Stay safe and thanks for this unexpected video. Brightened up my day.

[@Donald_Shaw]

Another very informative video... thanks so much for answering so many questions. Great job!!

[@larryl212]

One of the best YT channels going. THX!!!

[@michaelsterling8501]

Very informative. Thank you for taking the time to make the video.

[@YachtReport]

My pleasure!

[@ToreHansen]

This is for me a new channel, very cool to see the inside of large yachts! Biggest boat I have been behind is a 17"fot...

[@kellingtonlink956]

Great answers. I appreciate you taking the time to make these videos. Thanks.

[@ptcaulfield]

Thanks for answering my question on flight operations.

[@YachtReport]

Welcome

[@denniswheatley8201]

Great job. The high seas have always had their risks. I wonder how many pirate's. Don't live to Tell. The ocean keeps her secrets.

[@jasonh8043]

Very interesting and informative video posts. The VAST majority of people (me for sure) have no idea about the day-to-day on a yacht, super yacht, or mega yacht. Spent many summers on boats at the Jersey shore in the 90's (35-50 ft) but those were dinghy's compared to the subjects here.

[@CadohaAdventures]

This is certainly one of there concerning aspects of sailing around the world, especially going from the Med to Cape Verde and then possible around south America. Although on some level, part of. the adventure is an element of danger, too.

[@LockportDan]

Enjoy your work. Very interesting post. Answered some questions I've had.

[@mikeroerig2499]

Thanks for the info. Now all I need is a Winning lottery ticket... and a big one at that.

[@kathleenaustin327]

I'm the daughter of a merchant marine. He was the west coast patrolman in his years as I grew up. I've been on a lot of ships growing up. They eat like kings! Definitely not a luxury liner! Met so many nationalitys growing up!! When the ships were unloading my dad had so many party's with some!!! Truly a great experience!

[@revoltingpeasant7227]

Landlubber here. Never been on a yacht far less a super yacht, but thanks very much for the fascinating insights into your world. Possibly tag your videos for young people looking for career info. Quality content, Liked and Subbed. Cheers.

[@jeremykothe2847]

The Queen owns a land-yacht the size of england. :)

[@barnabydinosaurroadsafetyp3457]

thanks for that funny - there has been talk of a new Royal Yacht ... but if it were donated, unlikely that UK taxpayers would accept it. Royal Yacht was one of Queens favourite places and it is now docked in Edinburgh so visitors.

[@roshandmatabick6676]

Boy, do i love this channel.

[@elizabethrogers1152]

I second that🙋‍♀️

[@ArnoSchmidt70]

From what I know the wife of the late Steve Jobs owns a Superyacht.

[@goldboyjr]

that's always how it is

[@twimine]

sh is worth close to 50 billion dollars - I think she can afford one

[@zaptor1514]

twimine She inherited it which is certainly different than earning it or affording it.

[@xorbitman]

Steve Jobs commissioned a yacht called Venus but sadly and unfortunately never got to see it once completed which his wife inherited and was designed by famed designer Philippe Starck. It was completed a year after his death in 2011 at a cost of over $100 million and was impounded in 2012 during a dispute by Mr. Starck who claimed that the estate owed him an additional $3.5 million and was released after both sides came to an out of court settlement. The yacht has unusual windows and has IMHO too way too much exposure. I prefer privacy in a yacht. I don't even like the design of the yacht too...looks like someone tried to replicate a modern mansion and put it on a hull. But that's just me.

[@patrycjaszewczyk9419]

Thank you for your interesting videos. I was wondering: Is it difficult to find a job as a female deckhand or (male) steward on superyacht? What can be a reason for owner/captain to choose opposite gender for a role (is it really only ''due to cabin arrangement''?)

[@YachtReport]

I’ve worked with female deckhands and deck officers. The main problem is the cabin arrangements. Deckhands are two per cabin so a female would cause issues.

[@kevinludolph9172]

What is the most scared you’ve been on a yacht because of weather conditions?

[@mikewilliams4947]

Hi thank you for your work! I am researching bring in a sailing cat back from Vietnam to the Med. Doesn't look like there are many pirate attacks in the Red Sea. Last one according to your graphic was in 2009. Would love any resources you may have like that graphic. All the best!

[@paulgerrard9227]

In hindsight in 2024 nobody would attempt this. Even cruiseships are bypassing the gulf to avoid hoothi rebels. Despite warship patrols its uninsurable

[@robc1952]

how about a look at the black pearl?

[@Cdr_Mansfield_Cumming]

No woman will own a Yacht or Ship that's as big as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her ships are all called "Her Majesty's Ship", she's got two 1,000 meter Aircraft Carriers. I understand she's not too worried about Pirates, the 3 Air wings of F35's deal with any trouble.

[@rocketsciencemusic5398]

2 Carrier strike groups, a number a nuclear subs, frigates and destroyers. I'd say she has the biggest fleet of ships held by any woman. lol

[@grgygantz6760]

I could work for her . As long as the pay checks don’t bounce.

[@hithummah]

she's not too worried about Pirates because her country is accepting them as refugees in hoards every year

[@dierkrieger]

I've joked a few times online saying that the superyacht Mizu probably could trick pirates.

[@fisherh9111]

Question: can crew bring guests (partner perhaps) on board when the owner is away? Question: are crew ever allowed to attend parties onboard? Thanks Esyman.

[@skiingfast1]

@@liamgrech1 Maybe, just maybe Fisher H was hoping this question be answered by Esysman in a video and not by you.

[@jamieohare2428]

Panzer shreck I appreciate the answer rather than waiting who knows how long. Would still like Eastman to answer, but appreciate Panzer’s insight

[@YachtReport]

Sorry for the delay. Generally no you can’t have guests on if you’re crew. Maybe the captain might get away with it if he keeps it quiet. Crew will only be at a guest party serving drinks!

[@jamieohare2428]

eSysman thanks, that makes sense.

[@captainrick9379]

Have you ever worked on a yacht that you hated so much you just quit or walked off?

[@YachtReport]

Yes!

[@captainrick9379]

@@YachtReport Bring it up in the next Q&A!

[@littleboatcaptain6962]

Cheers for putting the videos out It helping a lot with this boredom we are all in 🙏👍

[@davidstock642]

I really enjoy your channel thanks for the great content. I was wondering how yachts manage to get by the customs restrictions regarding things like cigarettes, alcohol (I notice many yachts have lots of full wine coolers and fully stocked bars etc) and other import restricted goods?

[@ABonRMS]

Someone asked about cats on SuperYachts: We had a cat sneak on our tug in NY Harbor back in the late 60's. We went out to Ambrose Light Ship that night and the cat was in trouble as soon as we went through the Narrows. Ambrose Light is gone but I did run across the tug down in Savanah maybe 15 years ago. We threw it in the into generator room until we returned to harbor the next day. A seasick cat is something you dont want to see or hear. What a mistake, what a mess. That is, one cat that will never go to sea again.

[@trivera78]

Is there free time for the crew when the owner is on board? How do they spend it? Any partying or crazyness in the lower decks?

[@crazyfroggie6546]

Surely maintenance and polishing the steel rails etc all the time

[@aidfrombosna]

@@StephenKershaw1 how is it a dumb question? i think its pretty interesting to know if the crew members work in shifts, or all day long without any real free time. and how would u know, maybe there are some cool billionaires who like to throw parties and have fun with their crew? I definetly would...

[@paulthing]

TY for the Q&A videos! What is currently and was your job(s) on board? If you already talked about this, sorry I have search through a lot of your videos looking for the info. I was a nuclear machinist mate on a US submarine. take care

[@michynature]

paulthing wow that’s cool!!!

[@pops9190]

There are a lot more armed vessels out that you report to, especially the 100' and under sailing crowd. It's primarily ONLY we sailors without vital fuel restraints that sail off into the remote parts of the world; not the coastwise motor yacht folks that have very short umbilical cords - that they are not able to detach from, thank goodness, and are usually tied up or anchored up in and amongst lots of other boats and 'busy' areas. We are a completely different crowd of oceanic people. Quite often we are very remote and completely 'alone'. Things are not quite as 'mellow yellow' as they were 35 + years ago, unfortunately. Twice in the last 25 years have we been attacked - attacked - by armed pirates, fully boarded once. Twice did we win the day due to our own currency training and weapons familiarity, and showing no mercy, especially after seeing the death, physical abuse, and carnage - 2nd hand -from the hands of these pariahs. Have you got females on board? Mini14, 8 shot 12ga semi-auto, various handheld semi-automatics speaks louder than words brother. Want to hear some hair-raising stories? Forget about it. Customs? Cash still greases a lot of wheels, sometimes it's discard and re-arm. The world is flush with weapons, not just the Good Ol' US of A. Don't get into fights; end any fight immediately so you always walk away... Words from my old man.

[@Emerson-px5lp]

I never really cared much about yachting before watching your channel. Now I find myself being interested in all of it. Keep up the good work

[@jensaloland]

Carinthia VII (now docked in Antibes) was owned by Heidi Horten. Beautiful yacht, 319ft.

[@Spacey7]

Hi loving the videos. Found your channel recently so still catching up on older ones. Question - What is your job on a yacht & when did you last work onboard one? Thank you ✌️

[@tophan5146]

Q&A: Tell us some spicy crew drama that you witnessed or been part of while onboard 😁

[@bowlock9901]

A gentleman of this class and quality would never kiss and tell sir.

[@andrewchristopher7138]

Australia and New Zealand have very strict rules about food you can bring into the country. Super high fines if you fail to declare items

[@YachtReport]

They all do. But the yachts are not bringing it in unless they try to land it.

[@nigelsailing]

You nailed the answer to the last question.

[@dallasbaiton3234]

Have you had when on tour a string of bad luck mechanically speaking were your crew needed outside assistance or parts . Were as you could not wait for and do when in port .

[@ismiles85]

Say theres an issue among staff or underperforming staff. Who handles it? Is it the captain? Also who chooses staff?

[@amaranthinecomics3974]

This was a most informative video. Thanks!

[@QOSQualityofSpeed]

Could you please tell me about your free time when you're crewing a yacht. What's it like to live aboard what's it like when you go to Islands? Are there any things on board that you can take advantage of like Recreation areas?

[@christopherjohnson3520]

Hello There! Nice To See You Again! Thnx, CJ

[@mikestanden7247]

Are you allowed to take pictures of the view (not the boat) when on board, or is it a not proper action.

[@athrunzala6919]

In a previous Q and A you said that some catch use ballast to make up for the weight of used fuel, wouldn't it make more sense for those ballast tanks to just be fuel tanks as well adding to the weight for balance. And, are there different designs for ballast tanks, are they cylinders in ship or are they thin square tanks in the hull between the bulkheads to save space?

[@weebeastie7885]

Fuel is a variable ballast. It is figured into the design operations while ballast tanks take in sea water in many configurations to manage the vessel in various sea conditions. Consistency is everything.

[@PamelaLaurenDavid]

Thanks for all the details.

[@christopherjohnson3520]

My 80 Year Old Friend retired as a Homicide Detective. He went overseas to work for Blackwater Security Company. He Did Some work on the Ships. He Told me about taking out the motor on a boat trying to get to his vessel. They Slowly Drifted away. Nice. He was 101st Airborne in the early days of Vietnam. Thnx, CJ

[@jimlahey7364]

I am curious if it is common to have owners/ charters party and or engaging in all types of debauchery jordan belfort style while on board, and how much say, im assuming none for owners, the crew would have over this behavior. Also are meals/ service on schedules or are some members of the crew on call24-7?? Cheers !! Well done sir

[@PhilJonesIII]

I suspect that even attempting to answer that question would not be a career-enhancing move.

[@glennlittle1580]

Love your videos. Question.... I notice Damen Support Vessels are starting to become a new trend with Super Yacht owners. Are the Operating, Building costs similar? Do you think it's worth the cost to have 1 for your Super Yacht? I hear there is a Vessel that will have 2 Helicopter Hangar's and a car garage. Take care

[@sethbarnes7608]

I lived on my boat at the loan Kai marina in point Loma San Diego. I was just a short distance from Joan krock's boat the "impromptu" it was A beautiful 150 footer

[@dallasbaiton3234]

My apologies, I now know you are a technical engineer for some reason I assumed you were a mechanical engineer . My mistake, you do a very well informed video when you explain the topic you are on that day of release . You are in the upper most interesting videos out there on yachting as far as this flat lander has run across, keep up the good work and respect the time you take to do your videos 😎.

[@DE-xt7jv]

Was wondering about all of the super yachts heading for Vladivostok through the Indian Ocean.

[@jetlag135]

Delta Marine's Scorpio, now for sail on Yachtworld, has a photo of what appears to be a ship's cat on it. Looks pretty cool!

[@MrCellissimo]

Your Q&A-videos are excellent!

[@JamesBrown-qb3pz]

YOU ARE EXCELLENT! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

[@captainmorgan979]

very interesting love watching your videos

[@macscotsman51]

Well done. Very well done. Interesting information and insights. Question then. What is the difference between a commercial yacht and a non-commercial yacht?

[@888kingster]

Nice question. However I doubt he can tell it, because there most likely be a non- disclosure clause in his contract. Confidentiality is a big thing in the super yacht sphere.

[@youtubeaccount69420]

Aye! I've got the same espresso machine. Found your videos very entertaining and fun to watch. Cheers!

[@ohyeahwhat5387]

A friend, very wealthy bought a 55 foot sailboat. He loved to sail the Caribbean. He knew drug runners would hijack boats. His solution an M60 and he had mounts installed at all 4 corners. His ammo mix was ball, AP and tracers. Would have made quite the fireworks display if he ever had to light up the pirates. Never had to.

[@paulayanbowale5445]

When someone charters a yacht are they allowed to use the owners cabin?

[@setafavn]

Do you see the Alfa Nero often or ever had a chance to be aboard it? I think that yacht is now more than 10 years old... how does it stack up against the latest yachts being made today?

[@dobermanpac1064]

Fabulous Q&A My question is multi faceted. As a paid sailor/crewmen without discussion of actual income, how many months do you need on duty to make ends meet.

[@twimine]

a couple of 50 cal turrets or gatling gun turrets will do the trick - also a mini sub that can be quickly deployed from a strategic spot for the owner

[@racysheep]

Apologies if these have already been asked, but I skimmed through the other Q&A videos and didn't find the answers. 1. Currently, AFAIK, the most advanced propulsion systems are using diesel-electric setups w/ no physical connection to the props. Where do you see propulsion technology for superyachts headed? 1a. Do you think superyachts will eventually go 100% electric? I'm talking about 'real' superyachts that are at least 50 meters LOA. 1b. What about hydrogen? You've probably seen the Aqua concept by Sinot Design. Seems like a good replacement for diesel, but there's no infrastructure. 2. I'm curious about the rotation pay schedule. Am I correct in assuming some positions will pay you year round even if you're NOT working on the yacht? If so, that sounds like the pretty good deal. 3. I understand it can be a nightmare to deal with firearms in various countries. Have you heard of any yachts that keep less lethal solutions on board, e.g., firearms that shoot rubber bullets, tasers, etc.? Thanks. Love the channel. And the 'GT2.'

[@ejwatcher5643]

Hi there, thank you for your excellent content, i have a question, what qualifications are required to operate a 75 ft Motor Yacht?

[@charlesstewart5045]

my brother in law and his wife have a sailing yacht and they have trained their cat to use the toilet

[@craigrobertson7938]

At end already been asked but how do the contracts work. How long are they for and can you end up working on a boat for a long time. Also, what do you do on the boat (apologies of already covered). I think that it is telecoms etc but interested. Last question, when you are away for long periods do you need someone to keep your Porsche turning over to maintain the battery etc.......

[@jeffreymeeder372]

I really like your videos. I have a question. What was your most challenging repair as an engineer? A leak? Engine breakdown? Generator? Or a busted jet ski?

[@chrismuldutch]

Just stumbled across this video and found it very interesting. Good work look forward to more content.

[@mwrcrft]

I like the gun with the trash can lid for armor.

[@767dag]

thankyou for sharing this world to me .

[@talalal-doulye2612]

when a yacht do a tour of different port back to back who pay for the birthing, fuel and food ? and how do you inform the ports that your yacht is coming ?

[@thomaszabel1521]

New to the channel, so sorry if this has been addressed previously, but excluding the purchase cost of the yacht, how much does it cost to operate it? Crew, food, fuel, maintenance etc? I realize that there are so many variables such as size of the yacht, if it's mainly stationary or moving from place to place, etc. But can you give some approximate estimations for different types or sizes of yachts or some examples that you know of? Thanks!

[@YachtReport]

About 10% of the cost to build the vessel per year is a good average.

[@eron17]

How does physical access control work on large boats? Are there still physical keys? Who has access to what?

[@powskier]

Brazil too. There are still pirates.

[@expressivepets1]

Ha, im sailing with 5 dogs!!!!! 😂😂😂

[@RaphBuzz]

Do owners get involved with crew members often?

[@jwenting]

depends on the owner no doubt, and the crewmember in question. A valet or cook would have more interaction with the owners than the guy servicing the engines for example.

[@josemfernandez1961]

Funny yesterday Jared told a story of piracy at captains vblog and today you realease this video. Looking forward to the security video

[@billblackledge2679]

A couple of thoughts on this episode: 1) I can’t imagine how bad that husband’s screw-up must have been that a super yacht, versus a dozen roses, was required! 🤔 2) Seeing the image of the guy throwing perfectly good weapons overboard! Noooooo...! 😩 Sent from my iPad

[@charliebaker4765]

I've seen videos of commercial vessels converted to personal yachts. Who is best suited to captain such a vessel? A commercial captain who knows the capabilities of the vessel and is used to only having a professional crew on board, or a pleasure yacht captain who will never test the capabilities of the vessel and is only concerned about providing a smooth uneventful ride for the passengers? I was thinking a commercial captain with a pleasure yacht first officer because an inexperienced owner might think he wants to experience all the vessel can handle but the first officer will have experience managing expectations.

[@MrEddiekessler]

Great show. A lot of interesting info

[@zapfanzapfan]

Have you worked on or visited a yacht where the owner is a fan of some TV-series or movie and has had the yacht designed accordingly? Hallways looking like those on a space ship, bridge looking like Enterprise or a speedometer saying warp-factor or something like that? I know I would if I had a yacht designed for me :-)

[@ThatRascalMerlin]

Oh, so many questions! (I'll cap it to two) Pardon my being silly (in a Monty Python-sorta way), but aren't you still out working as a Yacht Captain? For some reason, I was under the impression that you still were, and did this amazing channel on the side. In this viddy, it sounded as if you weren't doing it any longer. Or, at least not as a Captain. As for the "military-looking" vessel you once worked on, by chance was it either "Skat" or "Azumi"? Those are the two that come to mind. I once saw "Skat" parked in NYC for a few weeks, right at the end of 16th street where I was working. I walked down several times just to ogle her ... and dream. Not really my cuppa ... but still, a beautiful yacht in her own way.

[@barrygoffe]

yet another awesome video! thanks!!!