Author: Sentini Marine
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Rotation Without Risk: Maintaining institutional memory in an era of high turnover
Crew rotation has become a defining feature of modern yachting. In many departments it’s no longer a “nice to have,” it’s the baseline expectation, and the market has shifted accordingly. Industry voices have linked the rise in rotational requests to the current crew shortage and retention pressures. At the same time, turnover (especially in junior…
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Paris MoU Annual Report: Why fire safety remains the industry’s number one stumbling block
If you want a single, high signal indicator of where Port State Control continues to bite, it is fire safety. The most recent Paris MoU annual report is the Paris MoU Annual Report 2024, published on 30 June 2025 to 1 July 2025. It is blunt on the trend: fire safety remains a prominent concern,…
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The “Operator Error” Loophole: How Superyachts Can Protect Warranty Claims with Better Documentation and Crew Familiarisation
When equipment fails on a superyacht during the warranty period, what should be a straightforward claim can quickly become a costly dispute. The yard or OEM cites incorrect operation. The crew cite inadequate training. And suddenly, the issue is no longer just about the machinery. It’s about who had the right information, and whether they…
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Know what your crew don’t (before the auditor does). Why continuous familiarisation is vital.
Management companies sit in an uncomfortable middle ground. Owners expect assurance (not just paperwork). Captains expect practical support (not more admin). Flag and Class expect evidence. Yet the typical familiarisation cycle on many yachts still looks like this: That pattern doesn’t fail because people don’t care. It fails because it’s reactive by design and reactive…
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Lithium-ion learnings: what the Flagship yacht fire teaches about battery safety onboard.
When lithium-ion systems work as designed, they’re quiet, clean and efficient powerhouses. When they don’t, the consequences can be catastrophic. In April 2024, the 24.9m catamaran Flagship was destroyed by an explosion and fire while alongside in a Miami shipyard. The yacht was uncrewed at the time, but the incident is a clear warning for…
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Are you safe, or just compliant? An owner’s office checklist for peace of mind.
When you own a yacht, you don’t just buy the vessel, but the assumption that, if something goes wrong at sea, your crew will know exactly what to do. Most of the paperwork around safety is designed to prove compliance: that the right manuals exist, that the drills have been logged, that the audits have…
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From compliant to confident: evidencing ISM 1.2.2.3.
Most yachts prepare well for inspections. The real question is whether the same calm competence appears at 02:10 on a Tuesday when something unexpected happens. A lithium battery begins thermal runaway. The watch keeper knows there’s a procedure, they completed the checklist six weeks ago, but can’t recall the exact isolation sequence. Seconds matter. That…