Cannes Film Festival, Day 6 – Shield of Straw – Our Yacht Nominee: Ferretti 680!

Day 6 of the world famous Cannes Film Festival sees the premiere of Takashi Miike’s ‘Wara No Tate,’ ‘Shield of Straw.’ The film is set in Tokyo and evidently lives up to Takashi Miike’s dark and sadistic nature with plenty of violence and gore throughout. It begins with a convicted child rapist and murderer who has recently been released from prison committing a cruel murder of an innocent young girl. Consequently the girl’s wealthy and powerful grandfather, Tsutomu Yamazaki seeks immediate revenge by offering a sum of 1 billion Yen to anyone who manages to kill the prime suspect. Realising he is a dead man walking, the child killer, Kunihide Kiyomaru turns himself in to the police. As the plot thickens, five elite cops are assigned by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department to escort Kiyomaru back to Tokyo for his trial. A dilemma unfolds; whom can they trust, can they trust themselves? Will human nature take its course and who will reap the reward? This film by Takashi Miike pushes varying boundaries of physical and mental emotions. Many questions are asked and as the body count of the innocent rises, it becomes more and more difficult to justify the suspects’ protection. This highly anticipated film will be showcased on Monday 20th at 8:30 and 22:30, 2013.

In keeping with the authentic oriental theme, why not charter the luxurious and elegant Ferretti 680 with 6 berths and an impressive 24 cruising capacity for day charters. Her design is faultless and her interior is seductive, she is a true jewel of the Andaman Sea.

This Ferretti 680 is a top of the range luxury motor yacht that boasts enormous power and maneuverability. The 3 cabins are comprised of a VIP double cabin, 1 double cabin and 1 cabin with 2 single beds. The cabins are spacious and beautifully decorated with finely polished oak furniture and silk upholstery placed neatly around the room.

The adjoining bathrooms are classic, tasteful and kept immaculately clean. Enter the main salon to be greeted by the sprawling leather couches and plasma screen TV’s. Everything on board this Ferretti luxury charter yacht is conceived to make your sailing vacation in Phuket extremely enjoyable. Charter this Ferretti 680 today!

At www.boatbookings.com, we are here to help you plan your perfect luxury yachting holiday. We have a team of highly skilled professionals who are extremely knowledgeable in their destinations and will be able to help you bring together the yacht, the crew and all the other aspects that make your charter special.

Posted on May 20, 2013 by admin

Experience The Golden Vibrancy Of Skiathos: A Picturesque Chartering Destination

Skiathos is an idyllic, sun-drenched island nestled in the northwest Aegean Sea. Skiathos makes up the cluster of islands known as the Sporades, famed for their pristine sandy beaches and crystal blue seas. Charter a luxury yacht to this exotic destination. The pine-fringed coastline is blessed with golden beaches in the south and a mountainous terrain in the north.

The curious travelers amongst you will explore the sprawling hills of the north. Visit the Monastery of Evangalistra, a magnificently built monastery that is steeped rich in Greek tradition. Marvel at the impressive oil paintings and extraordinary glass paneling. The monastery was the first settlement to raise the Greek flag to signify their freedom from the Turkish invaders. Following on from the monastery is the church of Prophet Illias, famed for its spectacular panoramic views across the bay and towards the neighboring island of Skopelos.

Skiathos is lined with more than 60 golden beaches totaling an impressive 19 square miles. Lalaria beach is located on the northern most tip of the island and is only accessible by boat. Characterized by its beautiful rock formations and turquoise waters, enjoy a light alfresco lunch on board your luxury yacht charter in this secluded and picturesque bay. Venture down to the south coast and explore the cobbled streets of Skiathos town. Here you will find sumptuous Greek delicacies at one of the many tavernas and finely crafted artwork at one of the many boutique stalls. Explore Troulos beach, a secluded sandy bay that is kept in immaculate condition all year round. The beach is perfect for families, thanks to its excellent sun lounging facilities and water sports school. Charter a luxury yacht to Skiathos and experience the golden vibrancy of the south and the quaintness of the north.

OCEANOS is a luxurious super yacht that oozes elegance and style. Berthed on the magnificent Greek coastline, she has 7 grand cabins that can accommodate up too 14 guests. Lavish interior, large deck space and a state of the art Jacuzzi are just a few of the on board luxuries that you can expect. Charter this super yacht today!

Posted on May 2, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

The Beginner’s Guide to Chartering Your Yacht (from Guest Blogger Jamie King)

There are many different types of chartering; these include by voyage and time as well as bareboat or skippered. However, whatever type you choose, chartering can expose you to some fairly significant risks if you don’t plan carefully or fail to take the necessary precautions.

If you don’t know what chartering is, this is bound to have gone completely over your head, so allow us to explain:

What Is Chartering?

Basically, chartering just means “hiring out”, but specifically when used in the context of a boat. Some owners might charter their boat on the odd occasional to help allay the running costs. Others may start a business where they regularly charter their boat to turn a profit from their investment.

No matter which course of action you’re thinking of taking, you have to know the rules before dipping your feet into the water. If you don’t want to end up lost at sea (no more water puns, we promise), keep the following things in mind. (Please note: some of the following information may be relevant specifically to those living in the United Kingdom. Please be sure to double check the information below before chartering your yacht.)

Register

Make sure to register your boat on the UK Ship Registry. You’ll need either a part 1 or a part 3 registration; choose the former if you’re going to be chartering overseas at all.

If you’ve already registered it as a boat used for personal pleasure, you’ll have to inform the Ship Registry that this will be changing to commercial use.

Insure

As soon as you’re registered, you should tell your insurance company about your plans to charter. Most standard (read: pleasure) insurance companies will be happy to cover skippered chartering, but if you want bareboat the charterer will have to get it themselves.

If you plan on chartering a lot (like running a business out of it) then you’ll have to change your policy to accommodate commercial use; this will likely run up a higher premium.

Comply

Your vessel must be MCA compliant. Since 1993, all UK-based chartered boats have to comply to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s code of practice, which includes construction, equipment and operation regulations.

If your boat doesn’t comply with the code, you’ll have to shell out for new equipment, otherwise you’ll be breaking the law. One example regulation: boats over 13.7 metres long have additional fire safety and lifesaving appliance rules.

Survey

A marine surveyor should be hired to inspect your vessel. If the surveyor finds your boat to be suitable for commercial chartering, you will be eligible for your MCA SCV2 commercial licence.

Check Restrictions

If you’re berthing your vessel in a marina, you should check to see if they hold any restrictions on chartering. Sometimes, chartering will incur higher mooring fees, so you will want to make sure to find out their stance. The marina’s business terms and conditions should give you all the information you need.

International Protection

If you are using bareboat chartering and doing so in international waters, the British Red Ensign protection will not always be applicable to your vessel. The charterer must be either a UK national or a member of the British Red Ensign for this protection to be afforded, so do your research.

Tax

Chartering a yacht in the EU is classed as a supply of services; this means that, for VAT purposes at least, it is a taxable supply. You will have to account to the HMRC for any charter hire inside the waters of the European Union.

Sometimes, depending on the value of your vessel and how much chartering you’re doing, you may be able to take advantage of some tax reliefs via corporate structuring.

Get Licenced

A final, somewhat obvious tip – anyone in charge of the navigation of a chartered boat must be licenced. Make sure you make a copy of the skipper’s licence.

Jamie King is a UK-based freelance blogger. This article was written on behalf of Shipserv, online providers of marine supplies.

Posted on May 1, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

Similan Islands; a Snorkeler’s Paradise and a Perfect Yacht Chartering Destination

The final part to the top snorkeling destinations blog; brings us to the Similan Islands off the coast of Thailand, a truly remarkable chartering destination. Similan translates as the number 9 in the local Yawi (Thai) dialect. The Similan Islands are a collection of 9 islands scattered 70 kilometers off the coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. They are often described as paradise, thanks to their idyllic and secluded location, engulfing turquoise seas and rich marine life. The Thai government declared the group of islands a national park in 1982 and are kept in pristine condition all year round.

The vast and impressive array of marine life that can be spotted in the shallow and clear shores along the Similan coastline is truly breathtaking. Marvel at the black tip, white tip and leopard sharks gliding elegantly through the clear waters. Admire the colorful trigger and unicorn fish darting in and out of the sprawling coral reef. The variation of table and stag horn coral host an amazing selection of crustaceans, sea horses and conger eels. If you’re lucky, try and catch sight of the magnificent manta rays that occasionally visit these inviting shores.

The whole archipelago is generally off limits to tourists as a result of the monsoon season from the latter part of May until the end of November. We recommend visiting the national park during the drier months of December to April when the winds are gentle, waters are calm and the tourists are few.

ASIA is a 100ft luxury sailing yacht based in Southeast Asia. She boasts 5 well-designed cabins, suitable for 10 guests. The very spacious cockpit is lavishly furnished with teak decking and plush leather couches. The twin dining tables at the rear of this luxury yacht provide the perfect setting for light alfresco lunches or sunset cocktails. The on board PC and fully functioning internet connection is ideal for travelers who want to stay in touch with the outside world. Each cabin has been fitted with state of the art entertainment systems, air conditioning and en suite facilities. Experience the ultimate in luxury.

Posted on April 29, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

Experience The Glitz and Glamour of the Cannes Film Festival On Your Luxury Charter

Glitzy, glamorous and extravagant are three words that come to mind when describing the International Film Festival in Cannes. Chartering a luxury yacht during the festival period will be a very memorable experience. Mingle amongst film stars; entertain prospective clients or just soak up the vibrant atmosphere of Cannes at this glorious time of year.

The Cannes Film Festival was founded in 1946 and takes place at the ‘Palais des Festivals,’ a grand conference center situated in the heart of Cannes. This year’s festival will take place between the 15th and the 26th of May. It is a 12 day cinematic extravagance where 25,000 directors, producers, distributors, publicists and film stars come together to celebrate the most prestigious film festival in the world. The Jury and the President of the film industry will award the highly coveted Palme d’Or to the film that best ‘serves the evolution of cinematic art.’ This year the President of the Jury is the award-winning American director, Steven Spielberg.

Cannes’ great blood sport is celebrity spotting. Marvel at the famous film stars and producers making their way up the red carpet at the entrance to the Palais des Festivals. It is known for crowds to build up soon after lunchtime, so stake out a place early! The Palais des Festivals is directly adjacent to the Old Port and provides the perfect opportunity to charter a luxury yacht of your choice. Chartering a yacht so close to the Palais provides on site accommodation, a chance to entertain clients and promote your brand or the possibility for a relaxing cruise along the gorgeous French Riviera.

ALIBI is a magnificent and luxurious super yacht berthed on the French Riviera. She boasts 6 beautifully designed cabins that can accommodate up to 12 guests. ALIBI is extremely spacious and is perfect for corporate events and entertaining prospective clients. Furthermore, there is an on board gymnasium, Jacuzzi and grand sun deck.

At Boatbookings,we organise luxury yacht charters all around the world with our highly qualified team. We leave no stone unturned in matching not just the yacht and the destination to your requirements but also the crew, itineraries and all other subtle aspects that comes together to create a charter of a life time!

Posted on April 24, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓