271: What the superyacht industry can learn from Special Forces leadership

This week on BOAT Briefing, online editor Holly Margerrison is joined by Leo Walker, Founder and CEO of Who Dares Group and a former member of the UK’s Special Boat Service. Drawing on his experience in elite military teams, Leo discusses leadership, resilience and decision-making under pressure, and how those principles translate to life on board today’s superyachts. From crew retention and mental resilience to teamwork when things go wrong, the conversation examines what the superyacht industry can learn from Special Forces thinking – and why strong leadership and operational readiness are becoming increasingly critical as yachts grow larger, more complex and more globally mobile. BOATPro: https://boatint.com/38r Subscribe: https://boatint.com/38s Contact us: [email protected]

In this episode of The Big BOAT Interview, BOAT’s Content Director Lucy Dunn sits down with trailblazing captain and ice pilot Maiwenn Beadle - the first woman ever to take a superyacht through the legendary Northwest Passage. From navigating ice-choked waters to balancing razor-sharp safety decisions with the pull of exploration, Beadle shares her insights into what it takes to operate in some of the planet’s most demanding environments. Beadle is taking part in the panel debate Are Permits Holding Back Exploration? at next week’s Explorer Yachts Summit at the Yacht Club de Monaco. Tickets are still available on Boatinternational.com.  BOAT Pro: https://boatint.com/2m1 Subscribe: https://boatint.com/2m2 Contact us: [email protected]

This week on BOAT Briefing, we’re welcoming a new voice to the show - Dockwalk magazine’s editor, Erik Petersen. A Fort Lauderdale native, Erik joins our BOAT International US editor, Cecile Gauert, to dive into one of the biggest events in the yachting calendar - and in all of Florida - the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which kicks off on October 29. They chat about the scale and impact of this long-running spectacle, which began rather humbly back in 1959, and run through a few of the standout yachts and must-do happenings for captains. They’ll also share some of their favourite local spots, including a brewery where dropping Erik’s name might just get you in - or possibly kicked out. BOAT Pro: https://boatint.com/25z Subscribe: https://boatint.com/260 Contact us: [email protected]

This week on BOAT Briefing, we’re diving into the high-stakes world of superyacht ownership with a special episode recorded from the Monaco and London offices of international law firm HFW. Whether you’re buying, building or chartering, every step of the yachting journey comes with complex contracts, regulations and potential pitfalls - making expert advice essential. Joining us are HFW specialists Andrew Charlier, Alex Sayegh, Jessica Taylor and George Kaye, who share their insider knowledge on everything from due diligence and new-build contracts to charter agreements and guest liability. Packed with practical insights, this episode is the perfect guide for anyone navigating the intricate, high-value world of superyachts. BOAT Pro: https://boatint.com/25z Subscribe: https://boatint.com/260 Contact us: [email protected]  

In this bumper post-Monaco Yacht Show debrief, online editor Holly Margerrison and business editor Gabrielle Lazaridis unpack a whirlwind week on the docks, packed with premieres, parties and press scoops. From Benetti’s 107-metre Mar stepping in as the show’s largest yacht to standout debuts and insight into Feadship's Breakthrough, the pair relive a week of design innovation. They share insights from exclusive one-to-one announcements, including GX Superyachts’ new explorer series and Heesen’s off-site showcase in Cap d’Ail, before reflecting on broader market trends – from the impact of US tariffs to Gabe Newell’s Oceanco takeover and what it means for the future of superyachting. BOAT Pro: https://boatint.com/25z Subscribe: https://boatint.com/260 Contact us: [email protected] 

After a six-year absence from the Monaco Yacht Show, Princess Yachts returned in style with the unveiling of its new Odyssey superyacht series. Online editor Holly Margerrison steps on board the Princess Y95 during the show for an exclusive chat with CEO Will Green, exploring the British builder's turnaround to profitability, its foray into the outboard dayboat sector with the C48, and the decision to re-enter the 30-metre-plus market. Articles discussed in the episode: Monaco live blog: https://boatint.com/261 BOAT Pro: https://boatint.com/25z Subscribe: https://boatint.com/260 Contact us: [email protected]

In this week’s BOAT Briefing, online editor Holly Margerrison is joined by news editor Dea Jusufi to unpack the latest from the Cannes Yachting Festival – from the numbers behind the show to the standout yachts that captured attention – before looking ahead to the Monaco Yacht Show 2025. They preview some of the biggest debuts set to hit Port Hercule, from Amels’ Energy to Heesen’s reimagined Solemates, and discuss the market trends shaping this year’s event. Plus, Holly and Dea share their personal highs and lows from the show season so far – including the best canapés spotted dockside. BOAT Pro: https://boatint.com/1s5 Subscribe: https://boatint.com/1s6 Contact us: [email protected] Links to articles discussed in the show:  Cannes live blog: https://boatint.com/21b Monaco live blog: https://boatint.com/21c Magic yacht report: https://boatint.com/21d Energy yacht report: https://boatint.com/21e Solemates yacht report: https://boatint.com/21f 

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]