Why Private Yachting Is on the Rise

While plenty of boats spend winter in the Caribbean, then cross to the Mediterranean in early summer, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed these longstanding traditions drastically.

According to Scott Macahonic, captain of the 178-foot motoryacht, private yachting is booming despite all the challenges the maritime industry faces.

His vessel was crossing the Atlantic when the pandemic started to intensity, leaving himself and his crew members essentially isolated at sea. Once they reached France, they were to remain on the boat at all times, allowing them to overhauling the whole interior from mid-March to mid-May.

Despite new quarantine requirements for vessels and international travel bans, Macahonic is not worried about the charter industry facing any serious or long-term issues.

He claims that charter clientele, oftentimes the 1 percent of the 1 percent, often seek out a charter to get away from everyone and spend their holiday in a safe space.

Rather than spending holiday on a cruise ship with 3,000 other guests, chartering allows guests to create their own “bubble” with close friends, family, and the smaller crew. On Macahonic’s boat, guests often become very close with his 13 fellow crew members.

To Macahonic, chartering a yacht creates one big family with the guests and the crew.

While the on-board experience allows guests to feel safe and secluded, Macahonic notes that the main issue facing the industry is where the guests are coming from.

He claims that many clients come from the US, Russia, and Asia, meaning they can’t get into the Med for their charter. Only people who were already in the EU are currently allowed to travel throughout the Med.

While his vessel is currently testing the crew and undergoing numerous temperature and symptom checks, he notes that guests aren’t required to be tested.

He plans to remain in the Med for winter, taking advantage of the down time and using it to do an extended refit.

While things seem good now for Macahonic and his crew, he remains hopeful for the 2021 charter season and the new experiences it will bring along with it.