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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
            Water Revolution Foundation’s YETI Needs You

            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
          • Brokerage Recent Posts
            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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            the Moonflower 72 superyacht
            Moonflower 72 Starts Build in Italy

            May 18, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            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

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            the Wider-Pajot Eco Yacht 88 sailing superyacht
            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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            the Linx 30 superyacht tender is beachable
            Linx 30 Twin-Hulled Superyacht Tender Hosts Lots of Activity

            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
          • Crew Recent News
            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

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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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            superyacht owners can aid Mikoko Pamoja via Yacht Carbon Offset's blue carbon initiative
            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
            Operation Viti by YachtAid Global, for Fiji’s Tropical Cyclone Yasa Recovery

            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
            Superyacht Cup Palma 2022 Set to Kickstart the Summer

            April 12, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            NZ Superyacht Fishing Competition Coming in 2022
            Fish On! NZ Superyacht Fishing Competition Coming in 2022

            July 31, 2021 By Diane M. Byrne

            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

    • The Superyacht Cup
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            The Superyacht Cup Palma regulars and newcomers are excited
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            January 29, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            the Superyacht Cup Palma is exclusively for sailing superyachts
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            February 27, 2021 By Marie Cullen

            Magic Carpet 3 is racing in the Superyacht Cup Palma Performance Class, new for 2020
            Superyacht Cup Palma Performance Class Promises Plenty of Action

            February 17, 2020 By Marie Cullen

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            Mark Duncan of Fraser Yachts joins the Megayacht News Radio podcast
            Megayacht News Radio: Mark Duncan, Fraser Yachts

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            Mark Duncan of Fraser Yachts joins the Megayacht News Radio podcast
            Megayacht News Radio Transcript: Mark Duncan, Fraser Yachts

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            Italian financial police detaining Lady M as part of a superyacht and villa assets seizure; the Russian yacht seizures continue
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    • Yacht Videos
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            Sørvind Sailing in Cape Town: Sunday Superyacht Video

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            the Golden Yachts megayacht Project X launch
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  • About
Home / People / Eight Bells: Superyacht Owner & Industry Passings in 2021
Stefano Righiini was a renowned designer whose work many a superyacht owner and fan admires
PHOTO: courtesy Benetti

Eight Bells: Superyacht Owner & Industry Passings in 2021

December 29, 2021 By: Marie Cullen

When a sailor dies, the sounding of eight bells honors the crewmember, signifying that his or her watch is over. Several significant superyacht owner and industry figures ended their watches this year. These are just some of the notable individuals we lost in 2021, listed in chronological order.

David Fraser

The founder of Fraser Yachts died at the age of 99 the first week of January. He launched his eponymous company in 1947, turning it into a global powerhouse in brokerage sales, charter, and yacht management. Equally important, Fraser encouraged women to be brokers and other active industry professionals in an era when few worked outside the home. He fell in love with sailing as a child, making his own boat from wood from his father’s lumber yard. Fraser even had a role on the big screen, taking the helm of the sailing yacht White Cloud during the 1950 film Watch the Birdie.

Joe Vittoria was a well-known superyacht owner who died in 2021
PHOTO: Robin Jones/​Shutterstock

Joseph Vincent Vittoria

To the general public, Joe Vittoria (pictured immediately above) became known for being the CEO of Hertz and then Avis. To the yachting public, though, he was a superyacht owner—really, an incredibly passionate superyacht owner. Vittoria commissioned four sailing yachts that each bore the name Mirabella. His first was 131 feet (40 meters) LOA. Mirabella II was 136 feet (41.5 meters), while Mirabella III was the same LOA as his first superyacht. Mirabella V followed—he skipped using “IV” in the names—at 247 feet (75 meters). Notably, she landed in the record books for having the world’s tallest single mast. Vittoria took an active role in commissioning each and requesting certain technology and features, being an engineer. His wife Luciana, meanwhile, managed all business aspects, including charter. Vittoria died in late January at the age of 85.

Albert Hakvoort

Best known as Albert Sr., Albert Hakvoort (below) took over the shipyard his father started in 1919, helping steer it into yacht construction in the 1980s. The yachts that resulted brought Hakvoort Shipyard to the attention of Americans, Russians, and other nationals globally. Similarly, clients worldwide grew to join Albert Sr. in his love and admiration of Harley Davidson motorcycles. Though he stepped down from running the shipyard in 2014, he lived long enough to see his family shipyard receive the prestigious Royal designation. In The Netherlands, the title is bestowed only if a company has been in business for 100 consecutive years or longer, for instance, and if it holds national significance, among other requirements. Albert Sr, who died in March, was 80 years old.

Oleg Burlakov

Oleg Burlakov wasn’t just a superyacht owner. He commissioned the technologically advanced Black Pearl, which additionally has the world’s largest DynaRig. His passions for sailing and engineering are among the reasons why the yacht reportedly can cross the Atlantic while burning just 5 gph (20 lph). Russian by birth, Burlakov established multiple businesses over the years in mining, cement, and gas. He was just 72 years old when he died, of Covid-19, in June. Burlakov and Black Pearl have been back in the news recently, due to a court battle over his estate, including the yacht.

Stefano Righini

If you’ve ever admired an Azimut or a Benetti—or, for that matter, merely seen one—then you have seen the handiwork of Stefano Righini. The designer (pictured at top) was responsible for the exterior styling and naval architecture of thousands of yachts from the two Italian brands. In fact, the Azimut-Benetti group estimated he penned the looks of more than 5,500 of their deliveries. Since Righini preferred spending time in his studio over traveling to boat shows and seeking the spotlight, he was quite a private person. Therefore, it remains unknown how old he was at the time of his death on October 1. The cause is unknown, too.

Capt. Mark Howard

A longtime yacht captain, Mark Howard died suddenly at his home in Florida in October, at the age of 65. He ran a number of megayachts over the course of about 30 years in the industry. While at the helm of both privately owned and charter yachts, Howard crisscrossed the waters of the Caribbean to the South Pacific. Interestingly, Howard also pursued a passion high above the water, as a helicopter pilot. However, he may be best known for appearing in Below Deck Mediterranean for its first season, in 2016. During that season, he took the helm of Ionian Princess. Bravo, the network that airs the Below Deck shows, noted he was a mentor during his time “and will forever remain part of the Bravo family.”

Bob Healey Sr.

Earlier this month, the co-founder of Viking Yachts (above) passed away, at 92 years old. A native of New Jersey, Bob Healey Sr. and his brother Bill took over a struggling wooden boatbuilder in 1964 and transformed it into the renowned Viking brand. A staunch advocate for the yachting industry, Healey Sr. led the fight against the federal luxury tax that nearly put Viking out of business in 1991.Specifically, the national, grassroots campaign he helped organize led to bipartisan support for repealing the tax. Repeal took place in 1993. Additionally, 25 years ago, Healey Sr. and Bill Healey established the Recreational Fishing Alliance. This non-profit promotes sustainable fisheries and a healthy marine environment.

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Categories: Crew, Designers, Owners, People, Yard StaffTags: Azimut, Benetti, Fraser Yachts, Royal Hakvoort Shipyard

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  1. Margery Buck

    May 11, 2022 at 9:39 am

    Ted Brewer also passed away this year, he was the Naval Architect that produces our Ted Brewer 43’ Steel Pilothouse Cutter . Great Boats!!

    Reply

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