We are very excited to announce a new working partnership with shipping company Peters and May. Working together, combining resources, experience and knowledge, we hope to expand upon our end-to-end delivery service and offer clients bespoke logistical solutions.
As an approved service provider, Reliance Yacht Management the remit of services Peters and May provides, while also broadening our own international network. No longer limited to shipping routes, clients will be able to have their yachts collected from and delivered to almost anywhere in the world through our crewed transfer service. RYM captains will collect clients’ yachts, prepare them for freight delivery, and make safe crewed transfer to the ship. Once at the ship, a Reliance team will be there to continue the yacht’s onward journey. Working with Reliance Yacht Management makes the process smooth and simple with one point of contact and a safe pair of hands.
Even more than that, Reliance will be providing Peters and May clients a range of complementary services on top of crewed transfer. These include quality control and inventory checks, supply of safety equipment, and yacht handover and condition reports upon departure and arrival. This foundation of services fortifies both companies’ commitments to quality, customer service and bespoke logistical solutions.
Here at Reliance we cannot wait to begin this new chapter with Peters and May, built upon our already longstanding relationship. As the CEO of P&M, Simon Judson, says, our “first class service and can-do attitude” is something that we share with the “Peters and May philosophy”. Working in partnership will “provide full support and a comprehensive end-to-end solution” for both our clientele, expanding our businesses together.
Read Peters and May’s press release here for more information: Download
Captain Andy Mallion successfully delivered a Lagoon 46 catamaran from Les Sables d’Olonne to Athens for Istion Yachting. While experiencing some tough weather around the Bay of Biscay, with recorded wind speeds of up to 40kts, the catamaran made it safely to port by the end of January.
Istion Yachting is a charter company based in the south-east Aegean Sea. They started off in the early nineties with a small fleet based on Kos Island in the Dodecanese, before rapidly growing into one of the leading yacht charter companies in the Eastern Mediterranean. They have fleets across Greece, from Athens to Rhodes, from Lefkas to Nafplion. If you want to find out more, contact there here.
In 2021 we are starting a monthly series highlighting some of the incredible captains that work for us around the world.
Coming to the end of January, we would like to introduce you to Cpt. Karl Reed. Karl is one of our youngest skippers, but perhaps one of the most ambitious and hardworking. Not only does he have over 56,000 nautical miles under his belt, but he is also Reliance’s representative on the US East Coast and in the Caribbean. When Karl is not out on delivery himself, he is our eyes on the ground, sourcing skippers and organizing crew for delivery. With his local knowledge and extensive networks, Karl is able to provide Reliance with an unparalleled service: helping us to connect our clients with trusted, experienced captains that best serve each delivery’s unique requirements.
We asked Karl a couple of questions about how he began a career in sailing, his career highlights and any advice he might have for other prospective yacht captains:
How did you get into sailing and what has led you to continue with it as a career?
As a kid I spent my formative years going to sailing camps along the Potomac River, near Washington, DC, and eventually teaching at them as a summer job. Somewhat naturally extending to sailing in nearby Annapolis, MD, one of the premier US sailing destinations, and going on occasional trips back to the Caribbean (Haiti) where I was born. I grew to love sailing. When I was 18, I moved to Cape Town for a year to get my yachting license under legendary Offshore Sailor & Clipper Skipper, David Immelman. That led me into sailing and eventually running an Expedition Yacht in the Indian Ocean & Northern Madagascar. From there I gravitated back to the US East Coast & Caribbean, along with trans-Atlantic trips to Northern Europe. Now at 23, I have over this time garnered a great group of friends and resources in the industry who have helped me continue to be able to sail and mange vessels around the world.
What has been your career/sailing highlight so far?
Cpt. Karl Reed (far left)
While not so much a sailing highlight, I had the ability to be a part of a team to help the St. Luke Foundation In Haiti commission and build a sailboat in a coastal port near Port Au Prince, Haiti. I spent time in country managing the build and commissioning, then training the local crew to run the boat. With the boat, St. Luke can now provide much needed medical supplies, personnel, and goods to some of the most remote communities in Haiti. For me, that has been by far the most rewarding highlight of my career.
What is the job’s greatest challenge?
I think this job’s greatest challenge is being able to manage a wide range of things on at one time. In the delivery industry, especially, you may not need be perfect in every aspect of sailing and managing a vessel, but you are expected to be highly proficient in a large variety of aspects. From the technical and sailing aspect, to understanding the laws, formalities, to being able to move a vessel to that remote island in the Caribbean the Client found on a map, to being able to manage a team through bad weather or breakdowns. Add to that, the new COVID complexities and all these things can be some of the job’s greatest challenges. But, on the positive side, I find it is what keeps you aware of the fact that in finding the solutions, you will reap the many rewards of this industry.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
In the future I hope I am still working within the industry, leading a larger team of likeminded individuals who are aimed at providing the same high level of customer service Reliance expects. I believe I will be in the industry for a while and hopefully continue to assist Reliance in its endeavors.
Do you have any advice for those looking to become a delivery captain?
While RYA Courses and Qualifications are ideal, learning and gaining real world experience in a large range of aspects (for both the sailing and the delivery industry) will help you immensely. There is no one trick pony here – you need to be flexible and knowledgeable in many different arenas.
What is your favorite knot?
I have to go with the classic and timeless bowline, I believe simplicity is key here, while there may be a time and a place for more complex knots, I find myself time and again in the real-world making bowlines. Everyone has their way, as long as the end result is the same, you are good to go!
Finding new people to buy your product or service is an important part of the entire sales process. It may be tough for some people, but if your goal is to increase sales then you need to figure out which sales strategy will be effective for your target customer. Whether it is for boat sales or charter, it is generally accepted that social media is an essential part of the marketing mix.
There are so many more ways to get your product seen by customers than ever before. What’s the best part? They’re all free. You can use social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and your blog to your advantage. By building relationships with your customers through these channels you can access more people than ever.
Benefits of content marketing include:
More access to qualified leads.
More channels to sell your product.
Lower costs to acquire customers.
It is important to remember that using social media depends on having good quality and relevant content. You will lose potential leads if your subject matter is irrelevant.
Our clients are now beginning to realise that our delivery services and the steady flow of updates, photographs and videos that we supply is a rich source of news that can be used to engage with clients.
Any of our deliveries whether by crewed delivery of ship provide a rich source of news that can engage customers and bring them back to your Facebook page or Twitter feed again and again.
As a corporate client, by using Reliance Yacht Management for your deliveries you will receive free:
Among the many services Reliance offers, owner assisted passages are perhaps the most popular. Clients can take part in the delivery of their yacht, alongside a professional Captain and crew.
An owner assisted passage could be the perfect answer if you are enthusiastic to start sailing, but not quite ready to complete a passage alone. If you feel qualified and confident however, it is also the ideal way to get to know a new boat or visit a new cruising area.
Fountaine Pajot 60 delivery, the captain (far left) and owner (far right), along with his two sons
If you are a newbie boat owner who needs help relocating your vessel to another destination, Reliance Yacht Management can help you
An owner assisted passage can be a fantastic opportunity and experience: the perfect way to learn more about a new purchase and benefit from the skill and experiences of a professional yachtsman. As passionate sailors, we are always keen to help our clients get the best from their yachts and maximize their enjoyment. We can help you get the experience and confidence to carry on without us.
There are many reasons why an owner assisted passage can help you. Whether you have upgraded to a larger yacht or from a monohull to a catamaran, having an experienced captain on board can be invaluable. For your first overnight passage or maybe you want to sail across the Atlantic, a captain with thousands of miles of experience can give you that essential peace of mind.
If you are studying towards sailing qualifications, our captains can sign off your passage, adding to your logbook.
Check out the video below taken by one of our clients while assisting a Reliance captain deliver his boat from Les Sable d’Olonne to Lisbon.
Contact us about owner assisted passages. Tell us about what you want to achieve. If your schedule is limited, and you are unable to complete a whole delivery, then consider joining for part of the passage. We are flexible and committed to helping clients enjoy their boats.
Last month we posted a video, shot by Reliance Yacht Management crew member Andy Barnes, of the launch of the new Lagoon catamaran, the ‘Lagoon Sixty 5’. Reliance delivered the new yacht straight from the Lagoon factories in Bordeaux to its official debut in Barcelona. From there, Reliance delivered the boat to its final destination in Split, Croatia. Check out the video below, also created by the talented Andy Barnes, documenting that journey.
The 65 foot catamaran is now available for charter with Nautika Centar NAVA in Croatia. Check out our interview with the NAVA team to get an insight into their work and longstanding relationship with Reliance Yacht Management.
While many of us will be enjoying Christmas this year (hopefully) spending time with our families and loved ones at home, there are many people who keep the world turning in our absence. Doctors, nurses, retail workers, delivery drivers – and delivery skippers!
Spending the Holidays working at sea is a unique experience, away from family, without gifts and no guarantee of an extravagant meal. But that does not mean its not one worth having!
We spoke to delivery skipper Captain Hanna Golebiewska about her experiences sailing on delivery during Christmas, and how much she loves it.
Have you ever sailed at Christmas before? If so, when and where?
I have sailed at Christmas at least 5 times:
2013 crossing the Atlantic with Zvi Dor-Ner
2014 preparing the boat for charter just after ARC (St.Marteen)
2015 crossing for Reliance from La Rochelle to Fort Lauderdale on the Lagoon 450 s.v. Freedom
2016 crossing for Reliance – L450 s.v.Solicitude from LSdO to Tortola
2018 crossing for Halcyon from Tenerife to Trinidad Lagoon 40
How do you prepare for Christmas at sea?
I would take some traditional Polish ingredients to cook that day like dried mushrooms with sauerkraut, a poppyseed cake, beetroot borsch with little pierogi.
How do you make the day different from the rest of your time spent at sea?
Weather depending… Except for a meal the day is not much different – everyday is Sunday in the middle of the ocean. Some decided to make laundry, the main halyard decided to chafe on Xmas day, etc.
How does your family feel about you working during this time?
They think I am crazy anyway so my absence for this occasion is only one of the symptoms. I think they preferred I would stay at home.
Are you looking forward to it, how do you feel about it? [Hanna was supposed to be on delivery this Christmas but the delivery has been delayed]
I am very unhappy NOT being on the sea this year. I thing all of contemporary Xmas is far too commercialized and I’d like to keep far from it.
Last week Captain Nic Boutteloup and his crew safely delivered the Privilege 64 catamaran “Allure” from Les Sables d’Olonne, Frnace to St. Thomas, USVI.
The yacht is now available for charter in the Caribbean, complete with a onboard captain, steward and a luxurious menu! Check out Allure’s website here. For charter enquiries and the charter captain, check out his website here.
The owner commended our services and says that she will use them again next year when the boat will hopefully be available for charter in the Mediterranean.
Check out photos taken by the captain and crew while on delivery.
It’s that time of year again where the Great Wrapping Debates dominate discussion. Are you a traditionalist, wrapping indiscriminately regardless of edge or lack thereof? Do you prefer a sleek gift bag option? Or maybe like a shopping centre Santa’s grotto, you wrap perfect square boxes with gifts nestled inside.
For a delivery skipper, these are not just seasonal questions but daily questions. Our skippers work day in day out to deliver boats to clients in such immaculate condition you would never know they had just sailed 5000nm. Now ’tis the season, they can show off their skills to their loved ones.
Check out some of the brilliant wrapping and the extreme lengths our captains go to to make sure your boat is delivered safe and sound.
2020 has been an interesting year, not least for Reliance Yacht Management. But despite all the travel restrictions, despite the hairpin changes to policy, despite working through a global pandemic, Reliance has continued to deliver.
While owners have been unable to travel to their boats due to travel restrictions, Reliance has delivered their boats to them, creating innovative solutions to new challenges. Also, global yacht sales have continued to thrive this year, as we continue to deliver new boats from factories all over the world.
In arts and culture news, one of our skippers published a book this year! Captain Robin Kenny tells tales from his life on the high seas and all the people he met along the way. Check out our review here and purchase the book here.
Continuing Success
We have delivered an unprecedented amount of vessels this year in the Mediterranean, but we’ve also seen an increase in the number of deliveries around the North Sea and the British Isles. Some have been rather more exciting than others, check out our article on Captain Clive Lonsdale‘s daring rescue in the Solent, also covered by the Yacht Brokers here.
Speaking of the Mediterranean, Reliance skippers were involved in a very exciting news story about the increased presence of orcas in the Med. Journalist Susan Smillie spoke to marine activists and scientists, who speculated that the increased presence of fishing and marine traffic triggered the abnormal orca behavior. Read more about the story here and here.
We also saw an increase in demand for owner assisted passages and training this year, with assisted passages from France to Ireland, Portugal and across the South French Coast. One of our clients made a video of his experience on an owner assisted passage, which you can check out here. If you would like to find out more about assisted passages, check out our articles here and here.
One of our specialisms is transatlantic crossings, and we have continued to deliver this year. We have relocated yachts from Europe to Florida, Texas, California, Maine, USVI and BVI, amongst others. Check out our article on the launching of a new Privilege 64, which safely arrived in St. Martin last month, thanks to Captain Nic Boutteloup. One of the most exciting transatlantic crossings this year was with Captain Dylan La Roux, who delivered a Balance 526, straight from the factory in St. Francis, South Africa, to Grenada. Check out our article on the delivery here, and Dylan’s achievements in speed and efficiency. We also delivered one of the first models of the new Lagoon 65, check out the video below made by one of our brilliant crew members.
Overall, Reliance has had another great year, relocating and managing yachts all over the world. Reliance has always valued safety above all else, and this year has been no exception. We have ensured that every one of our crew has had a Covid-19 test before delivery. Our captains are renowned for their level of professionalism, cleaning yachts from head to hull, port to starboard, aft to foredeck, and this year has been no exception. We have made sure to go above and beyond with exceptionally thorough cleaning, safety protocol and checks. Check out our clients’ testimonials here on our new About Us page.
From all of us here at Reliance Yacht Management, captains, crew and us here in the office, we wish you a Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! We look forward to working with our valued clients and meeting new ones in the year to come.
