SYBAss Superyacht Builders Launch

by Sailworld on 26 Sep 2007 SYBAss, the Superyacht Builders Association, has been officially launched at the Monaco Yacht Show. Although the association has been active for over a year and already has 16 members representing the world's top builders, the meeting in the Hotel Hermitage on September 18, 2007 was the first formal general assembly as a registered association under Monegasque law. It also saw the unveiling of a brand new website, dedicated to SYBAss and its global activities.

SYBAss was formed in order to unite the world's leading superyacht builders in one association, emphasising the unique values these yards offer their business environment and enhancing cooperation between them. Its activities are primarily focused on promotion (to superyacht owners and the wider industry), influencing regulations (to ensure they reflect the specific nature of the yachting industry) and encouraging the highest possible level of professionalism.

'As an industry matures, the business environment becomes increasingly complex,' comments SYBAss Secretary General, Theo J. Hooning. 'This places ever greater demands on organisation and structure, and in the case of the superyacht industry SYBAss is a clear answer to these demands. It shows what can be achieved when the world's leading yards join forces. The establishment of SYBAss can be seen as the next stage in the evolution of an industry that has a unique character and deserves the strongest possible representation.'

Membership of SYBAss is strictly limited to yards that have built at least three motor or sailing yachts of at least 40 metres over the last 10 years. Members include Abeking & Rasmussen, Alloy Yachts, Amels, Benetti, CRN Shipyard, Delta Yachts, Feadship, Heesen Yachts, Isa Yachts, Lürssen Yachts, Oceanco, Pendennis, Perini Navi, Royal Huisman Shipyard, Trinity Yachts, Vitters Shipyard and the candidate-members Burger Boat Company, Holland Jachtbouw and Wally.



The Board
Michael Breman of Lürssen Yachts, President
Fabrizio Sgariglia of Perini Navi, Vice-President
Mark Cavendish of Benetti, Treasurer
François van Well of Feadship America, Board member
William S. Smith III of Trinity Yachts, Board member
Theo Hooning, Secretary General