March 2026 Newsletter

March 2026 Newsletter

Diane M. Byrne, editor

The Robots Aren’t Replacing Your Favorite Craftspeople

For the past two years, Megayacht News has been exploring AI’s superpowers – from enhancing and creating images and videos to improving the sound quality of our podcasts, and to digesting hundreds of pages of court documents and technical reports. It’s a fascinating ongoing journey of exploration.

Equally fascinating, in conversations with AI coders and early adopters, several of whom assist yachting companies, I’ve heard a refreshing constant refrain: AI isn’t meant to eliminate jobs. Instead, it needs a human touch the same way other tools do. Better yet, the coders and consultans want it to stay that way, so people can continue being creative – actually, even more creative.

I’m moderating a panel discussion about this very subject on March 24, as part of the U.S. Superyacht Association’s Superyacht Summit. Come listen and learn. Details here.

Superyacht Selections: Burger Boatique

Superyacht owners and enthusiasts tend to wear their hearts on their sleeves. And their favorite brands on their backs (and heads). Here’s your chance to show your pride in one of the oldest yacht builders in the United States – and the world.

Burger Boat Company has launched an online “boatique,” a shop with plenty of men’s and women’s shirts and jackets, along with hats and other accessories. The offerings include something for every season, whether you’re on the water or stuck in dreary winter weather dreaming of cruising.

Prices vary depending on the item.

Burger Online Store

People in Superyachting: Crews Supporting YachtAid Global

We’ve featured the work of YachtAid Global over the years in this newsletter and on our website. The non-profit delivers much-needed supplies to communities in need around the world with the help of superyacht crews, especially following natural disasters. It regularly helps communities where basics like school equipment and first aid are in low supply, or don’t exist, too. Recently, multiple crewmembers who wish to remain anonymous pitched in with YachtAid Global in Mexico in three significant ways.

Firstly, the crew helped deliver new mattresses and computers to an orphanage in Puerto Vallarta. While there, they also installed a new water supply, made multiple upgrades to the kitchen, and fixed the building’s exterior. Stop number two was a technical school for children that teaches electrical work, hospitality, and more – but in theory only. Thanks to donated computers, Starlink internet, kitchen appliances, and tools (above), the lessons are far more practical. Finally, an underfunded ambulance station received plenty of first-aid supplies.

YachtAid Global

Superyacht Snippets

The family-owned Italian builder Turredi Yachts has signed its second fully custom superyacht. No details are available, other than the stylinig being classic. The yard continues construction on its first custom superyacht, a 118-footer (36-meter) due for delivery in 2027. …The fifth DOM115 from Baglietto is under contract, marking the first signing of the year for the shipyard. For perspective, the first DOM115 launched just last summer (above). With a volume of 298 gross, the 115-footer (35-meter) has amenities like an aft-deck pool and large alfresco spaces more commonly found on bigger boats. …Marina Port Vell in Barcelona has a new service for visiting superyachts. It has underwater drones available for inspecting hulls. The idea is to help monitor a yacht’s condition, especially to help owners and crew plan maintenance well ahead of time. …New rules are in place for megayachts making their way to New Zealand. The trade association NZ Marine has updated the Guide to the Temporary Import of Small Craft, which also governs large yachts, with the input of New Zealand’s customs service. The details include the permitted duration of temporary entry, fees due, and whether a yacht can be offered for sale while in the country

Did You Miss These Stories?

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