261: Science in your saloon: How one family turned their yacht into a floating lab

What happens when a superyacht owner opens his vessel to marine researchers on the wild coast of Iceland? In this Big BOAT Interview, online editor Holly Margerrison sits down with Scintilla Maris owner Erik Vonk, who transformed a 1989 fishing trawler into a go-anywhere expedition yacht – and then welcomed scientists on board through the Yachts for Science initiative. Speaking shortly the voyage, Erik shares the 17-year story of converting Scintilla Maris, what it was like hosting Dr. Paige Maroni and her team, and why he believes more owners should consider science collaborations at sea. Alongside BOAT International’s live blog, his candid reflections bring to life a pioneering project that proves yachting and groundbreaking research can go hand in hand. Links to articles discussed in the show:  The live blog: https://boatint.com/1zt Scintilla Maris yacht report: https://boatint.com/1zs BOAT Pro: https://boatint.com/1zq Subscribe: https://boatint.com/1zr  Contact us: [email protected]

In this week’s BOAT Briefing, Online Editor Holly Margerrison and Travel & Charter Editor Georgia Boscawen preview the standout yachts expected to make an appearance at the Cannes Yachting Festival, where the 50-metre-plus segment makes its long-awaited return. They unpack the latest boat show data, before Holly quizzes Georgia on her top travel tips for Cannes. The conversation then turns to the brokerage market, with last-minute September charters and the biggest price drops of August, before wrapping up with a look at the new Below Deck Med yacht and what fans can expect from the show’s latest season... BOAT Pro: https://boatint.com/1s5 Subscribe: https://boatint.com/1s6 Contact us: [email protected]

As autumn and the boat show season approach, we examine some of the big superyacht stories that have been making headlines this summer, from Oceanco's sale to Gabe Newell and the new America's Cup protocol to Phi's continuing incarceration in London and the US Coast Guard report into the Titan submersible disaster. Georgia also looks ahead to winter season, after interrogating the charter community about the destinations that are popping up on their radars. BOAT Pro: https://boatint.com/1s5 Subscribe: https://boatint.com/1s6 Contact us: [email protected] 

What happens when a seasoned sailor with Parkinson’s, his daughter and a plucky 24-metre yacht set off across the Atlantic? In this Big BOAT Interview, we follow Joe and Amy Leitch aboard On Liberty - the first Outer Reef to cross the Atlantic on its own bottom - as they journey from the U.S. to Sweden via ice fields, open seas and long stretches of remote coastline. But this isn’t just a story of exploration. Partnering with Yachts for Science, the duo welcomed two researchers aboard, turning part of their voyage into a mobile lab for ocean exploration. Their journey proves that groundbreaking science doesn’t require a megayacht or your own private submersible - just commitment, curiosity and a spot on deck. BOAT Pro: https://boatint.com/1p5 Subscribe: https://boatint.com/1p6 Contact us: [email protected]

Laurens Last bought Heesen Yachts with his eyes wide open to the challenges ahead. As the owner of a superyacht built by another Dutch brand, he understands the ins and outs of an industry that can leave many outsiders scratching their heads – for instance, how most shipyards can survive only making a sliver of profit on each build. Last wants to change that and secure Heesen's future by introducing new manufacturing techniques and innovations learned in his hugely successful packaging business. In this interview, Last talks about his personal journey to superyacht ownership and why we all might be a little too obsessed with "price per gross tonne". BOATPro: https://boatint.com/19q Subscribe: https://boatint.com/19r Contact us: [email protected]

Two hours from LA, down the legendary Highway 1, there's a place where the mountains kiss the turquoise sea where property developer Owen Perry says “Palm Springs meets the Pacific.” A Rhode Island native turned real estate maven, Perry stumbled onto a piece of huge tract of uninhabited land on the Sea of Cortez during a cruise on his yacht around 16 years ago and saw something no one else did. And now? Villa del Palmar at the Island of Loreto by Danzante Bay is multi-purpose resort with the only TPC course in Mexico, a master-planned community and an all-inclusive resort with fine cuisine, a spa and service with a smile. Today on the Big Boat Interview, you will hear how this yacht owner turned a forgotten coastline near the "magical village" of Loreto into a global destination — and why it might just be the future of luxury travel in Mexico. BOATPro: https://boatint.com/17r Subscribe: https://boatint.com/17s Contact us: [email protected]

Two hours from LA, down the legendary Highway 1, there's a place where the mountains kiss the turquoise sea where property developer Owen Perry says “Palm Springs meets the Pacific.” A Rhode Island native turned real estate maven, Perry stumbled onto a piece of huge tract of uninhabited land on the Sea of Cortez during a cruise on his yacht around 16 years ago and saw something no one else did. And now? Villa del Palmar at the Island of Loreto by Danzante Bay is multi-purpose resort with the only TPC course in Mexico, a master-planned community and an all-inclusive resort with fine cuisine, a spa and service with a smile. Today on the Big Boat Interview, you will hear how this yacht owner turned a forgotten coastline near the "magical village" of Loreto into a global destination — and why it might just be the future of luxury travel in Mexico.

Heesen Yachts CEO Niels Vaasen and US sales director Thom Conboy share candid stories and behind-the-scenes insights — from the legendary founder Frans Heesen to the company’s exciting new Dutch shareholder. Thom vividly recalls the electric moment 30 years ago when the 35-meter Tropic Sea (now Sea Axis) stole the spotlight at Bahia Mar — a defining memory for Frans, who felt “like King Kong.” That iconic yacht is still cruising today, part of Heesen’s ever-growing and evolving fleet. From navigating the sales process (“sometimes you have to kiss a few frogs”) to celebrating with chocolate cake at launches, they dive into how the company has evolved — from sleek interiors to groundbreaking construction. They touch on Ultra G, one of the fastest large yachts in recent history, and why today’s clients increasingly favour steel builds over speed, valuing time as their ultimate luxury. BOATPro: https://boatint.com/16k Subscribe: https://boatint.com/16m Contact us: [email protected]

After four decades, Henk de Vries has stepped down from his day-to-day duties as a director of Feadship and CEO of De Vries. In this interview, he charts his rise to the top of the world of superyachting, and how and why he has decided now to take on a more supporting role at the company. Henk has seen some extreme highs and lows in his 40-year boatbuilding career, many of which he discusses in this interview, delivered with his usual charm and candour. Don't miss this opportunity to sit down with one of the biggest names in the superyacht industry. BOAT Pro: https://boatint.com/zg Subscribe: https://boatint.com/zh Contact us: [email protected]

In the third of our three-part series celebrating Ocean Talks 2025 on 12 June, Lucy Dunn sits down with speaker Dr Camilla Floros, a marine scientist with over 20 years of experience in marine conservation across the Western Indian Ocean. In a case of her career coming full circle, Floros is now working in the same place she visited as a child  - which means she is in the best place to understand the effects of climate change and the need for local people to safeguard and protect marine resources. Floros talks about the importance of mixing generations-old Indigenous knowledge with next-gen methods such as ‘super coral’, a resistant coral which won’t die or bleach in warmer ocean temperatures.    BOAT Pro: https://boatint.com/zg Subscribe: https://boatint.com/zh Contact us: [email protected]