What attracts this elite international group and their elegant superyachts to Southeast Asia and Phuket? What is it about Phuket that is capturing the interest (and hearts) of superyacht owners and their captains and crews, bringing them back in increasing numbers… and how does this benefit Phuket?

The first attraction, of course, is the outstanding beauty of the region and the range of fantastic moorings in the seas surrounding Phuket. A second major benefit of basing a superyacht here is that owners have access to reliable agents. This makes life a lot easier for professional yacht crews. An expert on superyachts in Phuket is British expat Gordon Fernandes, general manager of the local agent for Asia Pacific Superyachts. They’re also central charter agents for the elegant 41-metre sailing yacht Queen of Andaman. The company is among the world’s top agents in the maintenance of superyachts.

Gordon defines the agent’s mission, saying, “We’re here to provide the central link between the charter broker, the yacht owner and the yacht captain and can supply all provisions and services needed for the yacht. And with needs met, many often stay throughout November’s rainy season into December.” The affable GM believes superyacht owners and crew are finding that the paradise island of Phuket has what they’re looking for – natural beauty, on-shore entertainment to match and new frontiers to explore in the surrounding seas. He notes that many have decided life is so good in Phuket that they’ve purchased a condo or villa here.

Charlie Dwyer, Gordon’s good friend and associate, believes the superyacht captains and crew appreciate the hospitable nature of Thai people. “What brings the owners and captains and crew back to Phuket is the culture and people of Thailand with their welcoming smiles and gracious nature. You won’t find this in many other internationaldestinations which superyachts visit,” he reports. Charlie is captain of the 36-metre superyacht, Yanneke Too and primary organiser, along with Gordon, of Asia Superyacht Rendezvous.

Charlie is a lifelong, ardent American sailor, who earlier in his sailing life, worked with the ‘Kennedy clan’. He now lives on Koh Samui. In the last 20 years, he’s captained some of the most prestigious yachts in the world, cruising and racing around the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas, as well as in Asia.

He adds that the Andaman Sea is an exciting alternative for major yacht owners, who want to get away from the Mediterranean and Caribbean crowds. “It’s also very safe. I’ve been through the Malacca Straits 27 times and never had an incident.”

With reference to Phuket’s facilities, he notes, “When the big yachts initially began arriving in Phuket, facilities were limited. However, that has changed and the island can now boast of three marinas for superyachts to berth - with more marinas being built, including the amazing Jumeirah Private Island. Phuket is now a major international destination for yachts visiting the Indian Ocean and from here gives access to cruising areas such as Myanmar (Burma), the Andaman Islands and later in the season, Koh Samui and the Gulf of Siam.”

He says, “Just one superyacht contributes significantly to the local economy wherever it berths. A superyacht’s monthly spend is comparable to a small hotel and can add $20,000 to $60,000 a month to the local economy! Yet, there’s little or no negative environmental impact as most superyachts produce their own water and power. Every year when the Asia Superyacht Rendezvous is held, 10 to 12 superyachts will contribute millions of baht to the island’s economy, as some superyachts stay for up to three months a year. The full potential of the industry hasn’t yet been reached, Charlie Dwyer says. “With a few slight changes in Thai laws, such as allowing chartering of foreign vessels in Thai waters and repealing the ‘spares for yachts in transit’ tax law, superyacht stays in Phuket would quadruple, yielding a high return to Phuket’s economy with a low impact on the environment,”

Superyacht owners are among the wealthiest people in the world from the MD’s of ‘Fortune 500’ companies, to music and movie stars.

During the Asia Superyacht Rendezvous held on the 17th and 18th of December and hosted by the sponsor resort, The Chedi, many famous yachts will be moored in Surin Bay. The event is a great attraction and invitation-only enclave for superyachts – an exclusive fun event bringing together the owners and crew of both motor and sailing yachts. The principle sponsor is the Dutch yachtbuilding and charter company, Feadship, a brand synonymous with class and quality. They’re best described as constructing the ‘Rolls Royce’ of private motor yachts.

For further information
Asia Pacific Superyachts
Email: gordon@asia-pacificsuperyachts.com (Gordon Fernandes),
captain@yanneketoo.com (Captain Charles Dwyer)
Website: www.asia-pacificsuperyachts.com, www.asia-superyacht-rendezvous.com.