“We’ve all seen such disasters in recent times, and I have struggled with a way to help. This made perfect sense – combining my passion for yachting and helping others less fortunate at the same time. It is the least I could do. I’m delighted to be part of this effort and hope that the charter guests will also want to contribute.”
Thus says Cindy Brown, owner of Ultra Marine Yacht Charters, in an exclusive interview in reference to booking the first charter for Big Fish. The 45-meter (148-foot) megayacht is just a few weeks away from delivery from McMullen & Wing. (In fact, as you can see in the photos here, she just had her mast and observation pod installed earlier this week.) That, plus the hard hit the charter industry took last year due to the weak global economy, makes this big news.
But it’s even bigger news due to the charitable reason referenced by Brown. She’s donating 2.5 percent of her commission for the 10-day charter, in Tahiti in August, to Cruise for Change. The charity was started by Big Fish’s owner, 10-person crew, and project-management team, which includes Aquos Yachts. Cruise for Change is focused on providing medical supplies, educational materials, and other necessities to the remote regions that Big Fish will visit. Considering this fall she’s embarking on a polar circumnavigation that includes transiting the Northeast Passage, there will certainly be several opportunities to do some good.
Brown booked the trip through Big Fish’s listing agent, Allan Jouning of 37 South. She says she’s long enjoyed working with him, as the South Pacific has a finite number of charter yachts. “Allan has been involved with the yacht and the owner since the beginning of the build, and his enthusiasm for the project and the newly formed crew rubbed off on me,” she explains. “As part of the yacht’s program, he described the crew charity to me as ‘leaving something behind that will make a difference.’ I was very impressed with this ethos – the concept of bringing aid and assistance along the way while sometimes visiting remote and underdeveloped countries.”
Brown says she was also impressed with another aspect of Big Fish: “Along with the innovative ideas, Big Fish will be energy-conscious, appealing to a lot of clients these days.” Indeed, as I explained when Big Fish was launched in March, she’s the first featuring stone decking – epoxy-impregnated granite, which resists heat absorption better than teak, requires less maintenance, and does not require the use of chemicals or otherwise harsh treatments to keep it looking like new. Speaking of maintenance, far less stainless steel is used aboard in comparison to other yachts, so that the crew doesn’t have to use polishing agents repeatedly and risk the chemicals entering the water. Throughout the yacht, there is extensive use of LED lighting, which draws less of a power load. Systems-wise, Big Fish can create hot water from the waste heat emitted by the gensets and engines. Furthermore, Big Fish will be fitted with ocean-monitoring equipment on behalf of the International SeaKeepers Society. The “green” sensibility even extends to guests: They will be given their own reusable water bottles to use while onboard; no plastic bottles permitted.
In the meantime, sea trials are wrapping up at McMullen & Wing. So far the project-management team is pleased, reporting that her first day out, Big Fish achieved a 14-knot speed with her twin Caterpillar 3508B DI-TAs at a full-throttle 1625 rpm. If you’ll be in the South Pacific over the next few months, keep an eye out for the five-stateroom yacht. You can’t miss her expedition styling or her floor-to-ceiling windows spanning the saloon to the master suite.
If you’re interested in booking Big Fish, contact your preferred charter broker. For a certain-to-be memorable experience, consider becoming one of the first to book her on her leg in Antarctica. Starting in December, Big Fish will not only be there, but also offer what is said to be the world’s first luxury fly-in, fly-out charters of the frozen continent.
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