Reflections from the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit 2025 The Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit 2025, held at the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel in the heart of Hong Kong, brought together some of the most influential voices shaping the global yachting landscape. As someone fortunate enough to attend this dynamic two-day event, I found it to be a powerful convergence of innovation, insight, and…
By Marcel Vaarzon-Morel and Troy Martin Lately our firm has been seeing an increase in the number of clients seeking legal advice on importing their vessels into Australia temporarily. The advice generally sought covers what to expect when importing a vessel into Australian waters in respect to customs, taxes, visas, importations and registration you may find yourself liable for. The…
It is not easy being an international seafarer, nevertheless Australian authorities seem to want to make it even more difficult when it comes to recognising their credentials. The latest changes made by AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) appear in stark contrast when compared to the British MCA (Maritime & Coastguard Agency) regulations. Changing Vessel Codes Although, both agencies historically had…
On 26 May 2019 the superyacht ‘My Song’ fell from the deck of the cargo ship Brattinsborg into the Mediterranean Sea, while on transit from the Caribbean to the Balearics, thus becoming the type of statistic any owner wants to avoid. According to media sources the transport company Peters and May, on learning of the incident, immediately employed salvage procedures…
By Marcel Vaarzon-Morel & Troy Martin International Boat Shows provide a one-stop-shop for the boating enthusiasts and an entry point for new comers with the Sydney Show being the biggest in the southern hemisphere. Boat lovers will no doubt be salivating at the possibility of an up-grade, with new comers considering their dream purchase that may become a reality either…
China Yacht Build Considerations Over time the options to build superyachts in Australia have become limited, with many factors favouring an international build. Where European countries such as Italy or the Netherlands have been preferred in the past; Asian nations are showing their prowess in producing high quality vessels. Given Asia’s geographical positioning to Australia it also makes sense to…
It is not easy being an International Seaman, nevertheless Australian Authorities seem to want to make it even harder. The latest changes made by AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) seem to create quite an egregious contrast when compared to the British MCA (Maritime & Coastguard Agency) regulations. Although both agencies had prior regulations of their own when it came to…
Sharing your yacht with friends, family or trusted business partners can prove to be a cost effective way of ‘having your cake and eating it to’. It’s fair to say that generally your purchase will be emotional and involve a dream. However, every purchase has a cost point where your wishes and reality intersect and this should be considered. Depending…
Marcel, Principal Lawyer and Consultant of Vaarzon-Morel Lawyers shares some of his experiences while assisting in boat transactions both in Australia and Overseas alerting the reader to both the practical and legal realities. Early Advice Early contact with your lawyer is in itself an important point, as so often clients contact us after the horse has bolted or should I…
From armed conflicts to delivering pizza it is undeniable that drones are becoming part of our everyday living. And like the smart phone soon we will wonder how people got along without this technology, of course, there will be those who feel it’s all gone too far. But like it or hate it drones are increasing in numbers and like…