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            YachtAid Global, which works with superyachts, launched Operation Pearl to help the Philippines following Typhoon Odette
            Operation Pearl: Typhoon Disaster Relief for Philippines via YachtAid Global

            January 4, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            the Water Revolution Foundation's YETI needs more superyacht data
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            December 8, 2021 By Diane M. Byrne

            the International SeaKeepers Society attended COP26 on behalf of superyacht owners and more
            COP26 Sees SeaKeepers Contribute Its Voice to Ocean Conservation

            November 20, 2021 By Megayacht News Staff

    • Brokerage
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            a new Y.CO partnership with YachtAid Global will see superyachts step up for sustainability
            Y.CO Partnership With YachtAid Global Supports New Sustainability Efforts

            June 12, 2021 By Diane M. Byrne

            Bruce Brakenoff, Jr. and his team are now part of the Edmiston expansion in the USA
            Edmiston Expansion in America Sees Perini Navi USA Team Come Onboard

            September 5, 2020 By Marie Cullen

            Camper & Nicholsons and Nowboat are crunching data for superyacht owners, builders, and brokers in a way never before donoe
            Camper & Nicholsons and Nowboat Opening a World of Data

            June 8, 2019 By Marie Cullen

    • Motoryachts
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            Alia Yachts laid the keel for a new 60-meter megayacht in March 2022
            Alia Yachts Lays Keel for 60-Meter With Vripack Design

            May 17, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            Germany is detaining Luna; the superyacht belongs to Farkhad Akhmedov
            Germany Detaining Luna in Hamburg

            May 13, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            Seaestra is hull number one of the Benetti 34M Oasis megayacht series
            Seaesta, Benetti Oasis 34M Hull Number 1, Is Afloat

            May 13, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

    • Sailing Yachts
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            Wider-Pajot Eco Yacht 88: Enjoy the Space, Peacefully

            April 13, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            Royal Huisman Project 410 will be hybrid powered just like the superyacht Ethereal
            Royal Huisman Project 410 Intends to Set Record

            March 17, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            the arrest of Sailing Yacht A is the latest in a few superyacht issues related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
            Arrest of Sailing Yacht A, Tied to Russian Sanctions

            March 13, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

    • Superyacht 101 Series
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            Buddy Darby
            Superyacht 101 Series: Advice From Fellow Owner Buddy Darby

            November 9, 2016 By Diane M. Byrne

            Mark Robba
            Superyacht 101 Series: Advice From Fellow Owner Mark Robba

            October 31, 2016 By Diane M. Byrne

            superyacht 101 owner's representative
            Superyacht 101 Series: Selecting an Owner’s Representative

            July 29, 2016 By Diane M. Byrne

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            May 11, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            the Reverso folding sailboat is an ideal superyacht toy
            Reverso Foldable Sailboat Suits Small Superyachts

            April 30, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            Meridian Audio is working with Genesis Technologies Marine for the megayacht market
            Meridian Audio Making Megayachts More Musical

            April 23, 2022 By Megayacht News Staff

    • The Superyacht 6
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            The Superyacht 6: 6 Superb Charter-Yacht Crews

            October 23, 2011 By Diane M. Byrne

            The Superyacht 6: 6 Must-See Megayachts at the Fort Lauderdale Show

            October 9, 2011 By Diane M. Byrne

            The Superyacht 6: 6 Editor’s Picks From the Monaco Yacht Show

            September 24, 2011 By Diane M. Byrne

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          • the superyacht Galaxy refit is cosmically cool
            Galaxy Refit Is Cosmically Cool

            April 28, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            the Royal Hakvoort superyacht Top Five II
            Top Five II Taking Charters to Fun in the Sun (or Rain, if Needed)

            December 3, 2021 By Diane M. Byrne

            Tankoa Yachts' megayacht Olokun
            Olokun, by Tankoa Yachts, Is One With the Ocean: Photo Gallery

            November 16, 2021 By Diane M. Byrne

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            Nautor's Swan is hosting an open house for yacht and superyacht clients
            Nautor’s Swan Hosting Open House for Customers

            May 16, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            Nordlund Boat Company is under new ownership, still building megayachts
            Nordlund Boat Company Under New Ownership

            May 10, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            Centouno Navi is new to the megayacht market
            Centouno Navi, New Italian Yard With Fast Superyachts

            May 7, 2022 By Marie Cullen

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            Club Ki’ama Bahamas includes megayachts
            Club Ki’ama Bahamas Residences Come With Yachts

            May 14, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            Marina di Portisco is now IGY Portisco Marina, still servicing superyachts; IGY Trident members can access it
            IGY Trident, Superyacht Owner Program With Exclusive Benefits

            May 4, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            the superyacht Octopus is chartering in Antarctica in 2022
            Octopus Is Chartering in Antarctica—and You Can Join Her

            April 21, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

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            Port Angeles is perfect for superyachts to stop and explore
            Destination Guide: Welcome to Port Angeles, Washington

            February 5, 2022 By Mary Brelsford

            Colombier Beach in St. Barths is a favorite of the megayacht Gladiator for charter guests
            Gladiator Captain’s Top 3 Caribbean Hot Spots

            November 26, 2021 By Megayacht News Staff

            Indonesia is reopening again to foreign-flagged megayachts
            Indonesia Is Reopening Again to Foreign-Flagged Yachts

            October 16, 2021 By Marie Cullen

    • Marinas News
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            Vieux Port de Cannes is now in the IGY Marinas superyacht network
            Vieux Port de Cannes: New Operations and Amenities

            February 24, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            Málaga San Andres Marina will accommodate superyachts to 197 feet
            Málaga San Andres Marina Opening in Spain

            February 14, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            Suntex Is Merging With Westrec Marinas to change the megayacht landscape
            Suntex and Westrec Marinas Are Merging

            February 2, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

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            Peter Hürzeler says The Role of the Sales Broker Has Changed a Lot
            “The Role of the Sales Broker Has Changed a Lot”

            April 25, 2022 By Megayacht News Staff

            Forty Pints interviewed Diane Byrne of Megayacht News
            Forty Pints Interviews Diane M. Byrne: Sunday Superyacht Video

            April 10, 2022 By Megayacht News Staff

            Victor Vescovo will receive the SeaKeeper of the Year award amid superyacht owners and conservationists
            Victor Vescovo Receiving SeaKeeper of the Year Honors

            January 10, 2022 By Marie Cullen

    • Crew
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            yacht crew salaries can range depending on the superyacht size
            Yacht Crew Salaries: Are You Paying Appropriately?

            April 8, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            Tim Clark is the director of the superyacht crew recruitment company Quay Crew
            Megayacht News Radio: Quay Crew on Superyacht Crew Mental Health Crisis

            January 20, 2022 By Megayacht News Staff

            Stefano Righiini was a renowned designer whose work many a superyacht owner and fan admires
            Eight Bells: Superyacht Owner & Industry Passings in 2021

            December 29, 2021 By Marie Cullen

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            the Marco Casali Freedom Collection includes 500 superyacht NFTs
            Marco Casali Freedom Collection NFTs Minting Now

            April 15, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            Justin Olesinski says AI is supercharging superyacht design
            Justin Olesinski on How AI Is Supercharging Superyacht Design

            April 6, 2022 By Georgia Tindale

            the Hargrave 120 is the first Facheris Design megayacht for Hargrave
            Facheris Design Propelling Hargrave Into the Future

            April 5, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

    • Leadership Series
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            Alexander Dreyfoos
            Megayacht News Leadership Series: Alexander Dreyfoos, Silver Cloud Owner

            September 6, 2016 By Diane M. Byrne

            Roberto Zambrini
            Megayacht News Leadership Series: Roberto Zambrini, Mondomarine

            August 1, 2016 By Michael Verdon

            Antonio Romano Hot Lab Yacht & Design
            Megayacht News Leadership Series: Antonio Romano, Hot Lab

            July 1, 2016 By Frances and Michael Howorth

    • Owners
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            the owner of Lady May is offering the superyacht to creditors
            Owner of Lady May Paying Fine in Lieu of Jail Time

            April 20, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            Vagit Alekperov, the president and CEO of Lukoil and the Heesen Yachts UBO (ultimate beneficial owner), is under sanctions related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
            Heesen Yachts UBO Lands on UK Sanctions List

            April 14, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            the arrest of Sailing Yacht A is the latest in a few superyacht issues related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
            Arrest of Sailing Yacht A, Tied to Russian Sanctions

            March 13, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

    • Yard Staff
          • Yard Staff Recent Posts
            Vagit Alekperov, the president and CEO of Lukoil and the Heesen Yachts UBO (ultimate beneficial owner), is under sanctions related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
            Heesen Yachts UBO Lands on UK Sanctions List

            April 14, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            Sunseeker clients are important to Andrea Frabetti as both yacht and superyacht buyers
            Sunseeker Clients Want “the Complete Family Wellness Environment”

            March 4, 2022 By Megayacht News Staff

            Stefano Righiini was a renowned designer whose work many a superyacht owner and fan admires
            Eight Bells: Superyacht Owner & Industry Passings in 2021

            December 29, 2021 By Marie Cullen

  • Events
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            SeaKeepers honors went to Victor Vescovo, in front of yacht and megayacht owners
            SeaKeepers Honors Ocean Advocates

            March 5, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            Victor Vescovo will receive the SeaKeeper of the Year award amid superyacht owners and conservationists
            Victor Vescovo Receiving SeaKeeper of the Year Honors

            January 10, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            the Denison family left an indelible mark on yachting and megayachts in the USA
            Denison Family Fetted as History Fort Lauderdale’s History Makers

            September 6, 2021 By Marie Cullen

    • Boat Shows & Seminars
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            Emocean is among the superyachts set to debut at the Palm Beach show in 2022
            Superyachts Set to Debut at Palm Beach Show

            March 15, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            the Palm Beach Superyacht Finance Forum will discuss crypto
            Palm Beach Superyacht Finance Forum: Challenges & Opportunities

            March 12, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            Gene Machine and Gene Chaser will be at SuperYacht Miami 2022
            Stage Set for SuperYacht Miami: Yachts to See

            February 4, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

    • Fundraisers
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            Yacht Carbon Offset’s First Blue Carbon Project

            March 27, 2021 By Marie Cullen

            YacvhtAid Global launched Operation Viti for superyacht owners and crew to aid Fiji
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            January 1, 2021 By Marie Cullen

            Operation Nasama, YachtAid Global Relief Fund for Vanuatu, is soliciting donations from megayacht owners, crew, and more
            Operation Nasama: YachtAid Global Relief Fund for Vanuatu

            April 18, 2020 By Marie Cullen

    • Rendezvous & Events
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            the Superyacht Cup Palma 2022 has high interest
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            NZ Superyacht Fishing Competition Coming in 2022
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            the Feadship Siran; she's among the megayachts in Port Hercule as the Monaco Grand Prix returns in 2021
            Monaco Grand Prix Returns, as Do the Megayachts

            May 22, 2021 By Diane M. Byrne

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  • About
Home / People / The Birthday Cake: Superyacht Short Story Winner
The Birthday Cake superyacht short-story competition winner
PHOTO: diapicard/Pixabay

The Birthday Cake: Superyacht Short Story Winner

November 1, 2020 By: Megayacht News Staff

Editor’s note: The Crew Network and Fraser Yachts recently held a superyacht short-story competition, encouraging crewmembers to share true and fictional accounts of life onboard. Entries came from around the world, telling tales of romance, drama, and comedy. One such story, “The Birthday Cake,” earned second place. Written by Capt. Stephen Crosthwaite, a build captain and project manager, “The Birthday Cake” is, as you’ll read below, an amusing account of an unfortunately misstep, an angry yacht chef, and a group of reveling guests.

The Owner beckoned me over, and as I leant down, he shouted in my ear, over the very loud music, the screaming and laughter: “OK, Steward, we’ll have the cake now, please.” Walking swiftly off the aft deck and down the port side deck, I wondered again how at 63 years old he and his guests could all still out-party me and most of my crew with absolute ease. They had started his latest wife’s birthday lunch at 3pm as we anchored in the calm, deserted and secluded bay (thank God!). It was now well after seven, and they were still going strong! But then that’s Aussie owners for you.

As I moved forward, I noticed that it was still a little breezy in the anchorage and on the side deck, and we would have to deliver the birthday cake through the dining salon and the main salon to the aft deck, so that the candles didn’t blow out and, damn, that freshly cleaned white wool carpet if we dropped it! I got on the radio and let everyone know about the changed plan and to gather immediately in the aft main deck salon, as it was now show time for the cake and time our crew to sing “Happy Birthday.” We would always all be out of tune, but whatever…

As I reached the galley window, I paused, then stopped and looked in and saw the Head Chef nervously watching the Chief Stew just picking up the huge, elaborate cake by herself from the worktop next to the same window and, as she looked up and directly at me, turn to move into the pantry. I don’t know whether it was me looking in the window and the light shining on my face startling her, or that she really did trip, but all I saw was the massive shock and silent scream on her face as she went over backwards and then disappeared from view, and the cake, its stand, and unlit candles scribe the perfect arc over her head across the pass and go splat into the galley fridge. Looking on in further horror, I saw the whole truly spectacular mess slide slowly down the stainless steel door and land on the floor in a big, gooey pile. Frozen with shock myself for a few seconds on the unholy and disastrous scene, it was only when I saw the Chef out of the corner of my eye, eyes blazing, reach out for the large wooden rolling pin sitting on the bench that I knew that I had better do something. And quickly!

Arriving into the galley in a nanosecond, I stood in front of the Chef and held up my hands, palms out to him, and said, quietly and calmly, “Now Chef, put the pin down please,” as he screamed like a banshee unrepeatable words (at least in this story!) and tried to get past me to her. It didn’t help that she had just burst into hysterical laughter as she slipped on the chocolate and cream mess as she tried to get up and had fallen over again and onto what was left of the truly spectacular, 10-layer, triple-chocolate and cherry gateau sponge cream cake the owner had requested for his latest and darling chocoholic wife’s 38th (I think that’s what he told us?) birthday. I still remembered his words the day before, “the more chocolate she gets, the better, mate,” ringing in my ears, and my reply to him that “you will have seen nothing like it before, sir” as a foolishly made promise.

superyacht short story The Birthday Cake
PHOTO: Abhinav Goswami from Pexels

Grappling with Chef and uttering more soothing words over his constant barrage of expletives and his threats to kill her, I finally managed to get him to drop the pin in the sink, and telling the stew to get her act together and stop laughing like a hyena, I told them both to get it sorted by “effing making another one or something.” I quickly checked my shoes for chocolate and went out the side door, getting halfway back to the aft deck to give the boss the bad news, before I spotted “sir” coming the other way. “Where’s her bloody cake, mate?” were the first slurred words he said to me as he reached me halfway. Thinking on my feet, I replied to him with a pure BS answer: “Unfortunately, the cake’s off, sir,” to which he said nothing, just gave me a filthy look, and muttered under his breath to himself: “I’ll sort that lazy pommie cook out,” and he barged past me and headed towards the galley door. Hurrying after him, I saw him look through the galley window as he got to it and come to a screeching halt, and his jaw drop onto his chest in pure astonishment. Thinking, “it can’t be that bad, can it?” I caught up to him and then looked over his shoulder into the galley.

The sight that greeted the both of us was one that had struck him dumb at first, and now me, speechless. Obviously my soothing words and pleas to both of them to get your act together and do something had done nothing to defuse the major “situation abnormal” between the Chef and Chief Stew after I had left, as I interestedly watched the Chef grapple with the Stew on the floor, clearly intent on plastering another handful of chocolate cake all over her face and hair as she tried to knee him firmly in the family jewels. Tearing my eyes away from that spectacle, it also looked as though there had some kind of food fight in the brief minute that I had been absent, with the whole galley now covered in cake, cherries, chocolate, and cream. Not one inch of the normally beautiful and immaculate space, including the ceiling, had seemed to escape from the short but intense battle. The owner stood watching for few moments longer, turned to me, and, giving me good hard “what the ****.?” look and a grim smile, then pointed a finger at me and said, “This is all your fault, so you fix it,” and walked quickly away and back up to the aft deck to the party. Looking into the galley, I wondered what next, as just then the captain rushed into the galley from the pantry to find out what all the noise was about and where the cake was.

Now, it wasn’t my fault that I hadn’t called him on the radio to explain the delay, as I had been pretty busy trying to calm the merry owner and the lunatic crew down, and again it wasn’t my fault when he slid across the floor on the melted chocolate and cream, arms windmilling, tripped over the still-wrestling Chef and Stew, went flying, and head-butted the dishwasher. But in my defense, I did leap into action and get to the galley, skirting the by-now-exhausted dessert-covered crew, and try to pick him up to see if he was OK.

Question: Have you ever tried to carry out first aid whilst skating on a dessert? My advice to you is: Don’t! I can tell you, it was a big, big, mistake, as I lifted the by-now dazed commander, got him nearly vertical, then lost my balance, and, my feet flying, we both went over backwards and landed on top of the Chef and Stew to screams of agony and further swear words.

But not as much as looking up and seeing the owner, the birthday wife, and some guests absolutely roaring with laughter… looking in the galley window….

You can read the rest of the winners of the superyacht short-story competition here. 

Fraser Yachts fraseryachts.com

The Crew Network crewnetwork.com

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Categories: Crew, PeopleTags: Fraser Yachts, The Crew Network

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