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NZ Herald
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Sunshine Coast: Whale watching in Mooloolaba
But my next few days are scheduled entirely around the great mammals. I'm told it's early in the season as we jump aboard Sunreef's Whale One ship to get a preview of the Tallo-Billa, meaning humpback whale, show. After cruising into the open ocean, we are brought into an immersive sea experience by artist Lyndon Davis. The performance includes humpback whale sounds captured with hydrophones and Davis playing the didgeridoo. While I don't spot any whales on this voyage, when Tallo-Billa actually launches, a visualisation of Davis's Tallo-Billa painting will be projected too. Artist Lyndon Davis plays the didgeridoo on the Whale One boat during a preview of the the pioneering event, Tallo Billa. Photo / Katie Harris If you don't have the stomach for open-ocean venturing, the Saltwater Eco Tours Bushtucker Cruise could be more your tempo. Slinking around the canals of Mooloolaba, captain and founder Simon Thornalley guides guests through a history of the area, and its kaimoana. On our arrival day, it's a balmy 22C, cocktails are flowing and there are a dozen or so passengers, including a few groups of other Kiwis here to learn the local specialties. Throughout the voyage, seafood, drinks and bush tucker are served – and the chef is very accommodating, especially to non-meat eaters like myself. Kai offered onboard the Bushtucker Cruise, by Saltwater Eco Tours. Photo / Katie Harris Thornalley started the business in 2019 and says the Bushtucker Cruise highlights the history of the food and where it comes from. 'It's all sustainably sourced, so we're really passionate about supporting local businesses and indigenous businesses in particular. So all our food comes from bush tucker farms and other local suppliers within 100km radius. A lot of the food we grow ourselves or forage for. 'Seeing the people's connection to what we're doing, and for a lot of locals, learning about the culture that we have in Australia. I think that's the most rewarding part.' Dining I didn't visit Sunshine Coast for the food, but the culinary scene quickly became a strong reason to return, including the restaurant Casa. Inside the Casa restaurant by Kate and Hosea Gear. Photo / Katie Harris Established by Kate Gear and her husband, former All Black Hosea Gear, Casa serves Mediterranean fare right on the seaside and is a must-visit spot for Kiwis. It sits alongside the pair's Casita wine bar, located next door for easy pre-dinner drinks. Burratta served at Kate and Hosea Gear's Casa restaurant in Mooloolaba. Photo / Supplied I had a classic mix of pasta, burrata and focaccia paired with red wine and prosecco, which went down a treat. After a night of indulgent food and alcohol, there's nothing better than a morning acai bowl. While it's too cold to justify eating one in Auckland right now, the sun gods were smiling on the Sunshine Coast and I stepped into Pavilion Mooloolaba for some fruit-filled salvation. Acai from Pavillion Mooloolaba. Photo / Katie Harris The beachfront view also helped ease the pain of an early wake-up. To retox, I rounded off the weekend with salty, crispy, sweet and saucy asian street food at Rice Boi, a place recommended several times during my short visit. Arriving after cocktails at WAT bar, the restaurant was buzzing under the multi-coloured lights. Having our final dinner here really felt like we had saved the best for last as we shared a feast of bao, deep-fried eggplant and beer. Weeks later, I'm still thinking about that eggplant. The famous eggplant from Rice Boi, Mooloolaba. Photo / Katie Harris Let's get physical With years of yoga under my belt, it takes a lot to surprise me during a stretching session. But while doing breath work and yoga ahead of our whale swimming trip, freediver and guide Eloise Power introduced me to a breathing technique that worked instantly to quiet my angst about getting in the open sea. The breath work element was important ahead of our swim so we could be grounded when swimming with the whales, bringing a positive energy to the experience, you can't be panicked. Or they'll run away! Power instructed us to imagine we were breathing through our nose to the back of our heads, instead of the default of upward, a technique that helped me breathe diaphragmatically, without overanalysing it. The Pressure Project's Eloise Power. Photo / Katie Harris The Pressure Project's boat was smaller than Whale One, and on choppier days, perhaps not one for those with a sensitive stomach, but the team managed the waves with care. Our trip out was a preview of the organisation's Whale Week 7-day retreat, which runs in July, August and September and includes daily swims with humpback whales, meditation and breathwork sessions and ice baths. During our breathwork session, Power got us to visualise swimming with a whale and the whale speaking to us. Sadly, this visualised whale was the closest I got to the gentle giants this time. While others glimpsed tails or water spurts, I wasn't lucky enough to spot one myself. At least there were plenty of turtles. There were many turtles present during the snorkelling session. Photo / Supplied Back with Sunreef, we headed to Mudjimba Island decked out in flippers, a wetsuit and snorkel, ready for my date with the turtles. Once there, the instructors took us round the island's shallows and guided us on how to safely swim with the turtles without disrupting their environment. Swimming alongside a turtle is ethereal. You feel a bit like an alien intruder, floating next to these little creatures. This isn't my first rodeo with turtles, but every time it feels just as special. Details Checklist Australia GETTING THERE Fly direct from Auckland to Maroochydore on Air New Zealand, Jetstar or Qantas. DETAILS The journalist travelled courtesy of Visit Sunshine Coast.
Newsweek
29-04-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
AI-Controlled, Solar-Powered Yachts a Reality That Came From a Dream
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new era of sustainable yachting is on the horizon. Sunreef Yachts introduced Solar Skin 3.0 this month, an upgrade over previous versions, with added durability and efficiency, reducing the carbon footprint of each catamaran it is on. "The latest generation of our solar skin technology offers top efficiency—currently the highest attainable for silicon cells—marking a major milestone in marine solar innovation," Sunreef Yachts CTO Nicolas Lapp said. Solar Skin 2.0, the predecessor to the system launched this month, lead the industry in efficiency, thanks in no small part to its high thermal stability. Notably, Solar Skin can operate at high temperatures (above 100 degrees) and is compatible with dark paint finishes. Sunreef Yachts also touts Solar Skin's resistance to microcracking. The cells were durability tested through 20,000 yield cycles. RFID chips are embedded in every panel, a move designed to deliver better precision for after-sales service and diagnostics. The next-generation solar system is optimized by artificial intelligence (AI) and utilizes the most efficient solar cells currently available. AI uses machine learning and real-time data from Sunreef vessels operating in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Dubai, to adjust the output of the cells, mitigating sail and superstructure shading. In addition to the Solar Skin, each catamaran's bimini area, the zone where shade is provided to the captain of the ship, comes equipped with photovoltaic cells that have been honed for shaded environments, pulling in the sun's energy. Francis Lapp, founder and president of Sunreef Yachts, came up with the idea for an AI-enabled, solar-powered yacht in an unexpected way. He told Newsweek: "It's hard to believe, but the whole idea came to me in my sleep. One day I just woke up with the somewhat eccentric idea of putting cells into a mast on a sail yacht. This was the spark. Afterwards, a lot of research and development work followed. We purchased cells and started experimenting in our own research lab. Today we have a patented solution for the mast, and we integrate solar cells everywhere on our yachts." Sunreef Yachts has fully developed and produced each panel in house.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Manufacturer: Electric powered superyachts drawing significant interest across US
WEST PALM BEACH — The irony was impossible to overlook as Alex Reisch gleefully showed off his solar-powered superyacht moored just a few nautical miles from the home of the U.S. president who just a year ago ridiculed electric boats in one campaign rally after another. Reisch, a retired Philip Morris International executive, this week is displaying his 60-foot Sunreef Power Eco ultra-luxe catamaran at the 2025 Palm Beach International Boat Show. It's a promotional appearance hosted by Sunreef Yachts, a company with shipyards in Poland and the Arab Emirates. Because Sunreef's yachts are custom-made, the company showboats the vessels it has built for owners at events from Cannes to Monaco to South Florida. The manufacturer has moved into the superyacht class in recent years, and marketing spokesman Artur Połoczański said the migration to Palm Beach County of one-percenters was exposure too good to pass up. "That's why Palm Beach is important to us as we're slowly shifting toward the super yacht end of the industry," he said. Reisch was only too happy to guide visitors, prospective buyers and the just curious through the various decks of the tailored catamaran, called "Double Happiness," on a sun-splashed morning just after the boat show's gates opened to patrons on Thursday, March 20. The boat show opened Wednesday and continues through Sunday. Reisch beamed at the two, 120-kilowatt electric engines and the 330-kilowatt main battery pack he said is equal to those of six Teslas. He singled out the array of solar panels that are built into the yacht's sides so they are indistinguishable unless pointed out. Reisch, an Austrian, and his wife, who is from Switzerland, spent three days with a team from Sunreef explaining they wanted a sleek, alpine chalet-type look to the interior design. Previous story: While promoting luxury yachts, Lech Walesa talks global politics, capitalism, Trump "Everything was chosen," he said. The couple selected two different types of teak wood flooring and ordered different AC units in the vessel. They also got all the comforts of a luxury getaway in the Alps — a washer and dryer, a kitchen with a range plus a freezer and refrigerator, dishwasher, a grill on the top deck, a 45-bottle wine cellar and a cocktail bar. The sound system is segmented, too, allowing for TV watching in the living room, playing rap on the lounge deck and classical music in the staterooms, Reisch said. The yacht was built in Gdansk, Poland, in shipyards made famous by the 1980s anti-communist Solidarity labor movement led by Lech Walesa. Walesa has done promotional appearances for Sunreef, saying in a 2020 interview with The Palm Beach Post that in a post-Cold War world, he learned the value of helping private enterprises succeed. 'We had to start from scratch. We had to look for job opportunities and look for markets,' Walesa said recalling the scramble for markets and sales to sustain employment after the Berlin Wall fell and the Soviet Union imploded. And he added this prescient observation. "I've said this a million times," Walesa offered. "Either the U.S. wants to lead, or they don't.' 2025 Palm Beach International Boat Show: Mega-yachts descend on West Palm Beach waterfront Not-so-subtle reminders of Palm Beach County's changing political hue were spotted here and there at the show along Flagler Street and the waterfront marinas in the West Palm Beach downtown. One yacht moored not far from Reisch's was named "Second Amendment" with two machine guns crossed. A merch stand in a market area stocked "Gulf of America: No Woke Zone" caps. Reisch recalled cruising by President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club and residence and said it looked grand. Trump, however, made clear on the campaign trail that he was no fan of the kind of transportation Reisch has invested seven figures in. Trump mocked people who bought electric cars saying they would have to recharge every few miles. He heaped scorn on what he said were plans to use electric engines in everything from long-haul trucks to military tanks on the battlefield. In one particular stump soliloquy, he mused about having to choose between being electrocuted or eaten by a shark if he were on a sinking electric boat. Reisch suggested skeptics just go for a ride. "Once you charter an electric, you will never go back," he said. In addition to saving thousands of dollars on fuel per trip, the big-ticket maintenance costs, so often rued by boat owners, are practically nil. The only major mechanical overhaul — at 50,000 hours — involves changing out the engines' eight bearings. The components, which are critical to power transmission and shaft alignment, run $100 apiece. "I said to myself, 'That sounds really reasonable,'" Reisch said. "It's not just good for the environment. It's good for your wallet." As for distance, Reisch's captain, Josh Hillary, said since the family took possession of the catamaran last June, they have sailed across the western Mediterranean with stops in Sardinia, Spain, France and Portugal. They also toured the Caribbean. "We've gone pretty far," he said. "And with a lot of ease." Połoczański shrugged off the president's critique, noting that 50% of the demand for Sunreef boats is now for either pure electric or some form of hybrid. "Yeah, well, OK, but he is teaming up with a producer of electric cars, so ...," he said of Trump, who has assigned Tesla chief Elon Musk to slash the federal budget. Trump and his administration seem to have had a change of heart, for that matter. On March 11, Trump held a photo-op with Musk and several Tesla electric vehicles outside the White House to bolster the automaker amid a stock collapse and reports of plummeting sales. On Wednesday, March 19 Trump's commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, encouraged Americas to buy Tesla shares. Połoczański pointed out another favorable feature, the silence on the high seas from quiet engines. He related how one Sunreef customer, Formula I race car driver, Fernando Alonso, said he enjoyed the sound and smells of a gas-powered, high-performance motor while on the track when racing, but not while vacationing. "This is something that completely changes your point of view," Połoczański said. "Because when you want to relax the last thing you want to hear is the noise of the engine, the generators, the fumes, the vibrations that come from the engine. You don't want all that." More telling, Połoczański said, is the burgeoning market for Sunreef's electric catamarans, especially in the United States. The manufacturer's director of U.S. sales, Liza Kharoubi-Echenique, said she is seeing a surge in buyers from the 35-to-50 age group. She said the growing attention is not just owing to concern about the environment but also the family-friendly roominess of the catamaran, which is steadier on the high seas. And that interest includes people in locales in red Florida. "I am seeing more and more demand across the United States," she said. "And in Miami." Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@ Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump mocked electric boats, makers cruise in to Palm Beach boat show
Mid East Info
25-02-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Dubai International Boat Show Celebrates Successful 31st Edition Following Five-Days of Sales and Networking
Dubai International Boat Show draws to a close with a host of sales and negotiations Notable sales were highlighted by top yacht-builders including Sunreef, SanLorenzo and Gulf Craft while the new-for-2025 brokerage section also enjoyed success Dubai, UAE – February 2025: Dubai International Boat Show, the global luxury yacht and lifestyle show has drawn to a close following an impressive five-days of maritime sales, crucial discussions, knowledge sharing and partnership developments making a significant impact on the yachting industry. With visitors and exhibitors drawn in from more 60 countries, DIBS, which just concluded its 31 st edition, demonstrates why Dubai is one of the most desirable destinations for nautical leisure tourism and business. The show underpins an already booming sector in the city, providing a valuable platform for the community to present first-class yacht craftmanship, brokering services, real estate developments, the latest in seafaring technology and much more. Demonstrating DIBS' positioning as major player in connecting luxury yacht businesses with the ultra-wealthy, notable sales were conducted by Sunreef who presented a first look at the interiors of its luxury vessel and 36.25m ultramodern catamaran, ULTIMA 111 following its recent debut. Sunreef sold five of its fleet including the ULTIMA 55 and Sunreef 60. Artur Poloczanski, Public Relations Director at Sunreef Yachts, said: 'We're very happy with the DIBS showcase this year and the sales we have concluded. We used this event to present the ULTIMA 55 which is our first UAE built yacht, it was a very emotional moment for us – it was a new model and new challenge for us all at the business but we received great feedback from others in the industry as well as visitors, providing us with positivity to keep building here in the UAE.' SanLorenzo, Italian shipbuilders with more than 60 years' experience in the industry acknowledged the importance of attending Dubai International Boat Show to forge lasting relationships with people from across the sector including new and existing customers. Gabriele Stella, Head of Sales at SanLorenzo said: 'Sales have been great, the Dubai International Boat show has been a great success, with good quality buyers and prospects. Alongside the sales, we have several negotiations on the table which we expect to sign contracts for in the coming weeks with mainly Dubai based customers.' Elsewhere, UAE based yacht manufacturers Gulf Craft who have been participating in DIBS since its inception 31 years ago unveiled a series of global and regional launches at the event. The brand showcased a collection of its award-winning line of Majesty Yachts and Nomad Yachts, with Mohammed Al Shaali, Chairman Gulf Craft highlighting participation and sales: 'Gulf Craft has been a defining presence at the Dubai International Boat Show for over 30 years, driven by innovation, craftsmanship, and a commitment to excellence. This year, we showcased 18 vessels, including eight global debuts, reaffirming our role in shaping the future of yacht design. A highlight was the sale of the inaugural Majesty 145, reflecting strong market demand for our forward-thinking superyacht concepts. We also unveiled our Superyacht Service Centre in Ajman, a cutting-edge facility capable of servicing yachts up to 600 tons, strengthening Dubai's position as a superyacht hub. Our commitment to the maritime industry continues with new initiatives designed to nurture the next generation of yacht innovators.' As a first for the 2025 edition of DIBS, a dedicated brokerage area on the harbour housed a number of leading luxury yacht brokerages including Bush & Noble, BehneMar and Burgess. Anastazja Kociokowska, Business Development & ESG Manager at Burgess discussed the firm's participation this year as well as the success of the event for them as a business: ' We've had a presence at the show for several years and this edition has been brilliant – each year it gets bigger and better. As a market-leading full-service superyacht provider, ranging from sale & purchase, charter, management as well as new build, procurement and crew services, we've enjoyed great conversations at the show which we're sure will develop into some great business. We're already making our plans for next year and the brokerage section has been a great addition – we've enjoyed being positioned in the marina within the show.' A popular topic of discussion on the show is how leading yacht builders and manufacturers are now introducing the use of AI to expand their offerings at sea with the vertical potentially shaping the future of the industry. Farouk Nefzi – Chief Marketing Officer at Feadship, the royal Dutch shipyard said: 'We are in the first stages of AI reaching our platforms. At this stage it is more of a design exercise and more related to creating visuals – it has an impact on the shop window part of the business. The real build process is the next step – we don't know how that will look exactly but it is exciting.' The 32 nd edition of Dubai International Boat Show will take place at Dubai Harbour in April 2025 from 8-12, further details will be announced in due course. About Dubai International Boat Show: Dubai International Boat Show, the most trusted and established marine industry exhibition in the Middle East, is a showcase of yachts and boats from both local and international builders, together with the latest innovations in marine equipment and accessories. The multi-award-winning show showcases the latest leisure boats, equipment, and associated services in the Middle East. Exhibitors include both local and international boat manufacturers, as well as the latest innovations in marine equipment and supplies. DWTC: A global business facilitator since 1979, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is home to the region's leading purpose-built convention and exhibition centre. DWTC provides a platform for connecting people, products, innovation and ideas from around the world through a dynamic calendar of international trade exhibitions and its own roster of sector leading mega events. As a designated free zone, complemented by award-winning commercial real estate, DWTC plays an integral role in Dubai and the region's growth story with an estimated total economic output of AED 200 Billion, attracting over 30 Million business visitors to Dubai over the past four decades.
Zawya
24-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Dubai International Boat Show celebrates successful 31st edition following five-days of sales and networking
Notable sales were highlighted by top yacht-builders including Sunreef, SanLorenzo and Gulf Craft while the new-for-2025 brokerage section also enjoyed success Dubai, UAE – Dubai International Boat Show, the global luxury yacht and lifestyle show has drawn to a close following an impressive five-days of maritime sales, crucial discussions, knowledge sharing and partnership developments making a significant impact on the yachting industry. With visitors and exhibitors drawn in from more 60 countries, DIBS, which just concluded its 31st edition, demonstrates why Dubai is one of the most desirable destinations for nautical leisure tourism and business. The show underpins an already booming sector in the city, providing a valuable platform for the community to present first-class yacht craftmanship, brokering services, real estate developments, the latest in seafaring technology and much more. Demonstrating DIBS' positioning as major player in connecting luxury yacht businesses with the ultra-wealthy, notable sales were conducted by Sunreef who presented a first look at the interiors of its luxury vessel and 36.25m ultramodern catamaran, ULTIMA 111 following its recent debut. Sunreef sold five of its fleet including the ULTIMA 55 and Sunreef 60. Artur Poloczanski, Public Relations Director at Sunreef Yachts, said: 'We're very happy with the DIBS showcase this year and the sales we have concluded. We used this event to present the ULTIMA 55 which is our first UAE built yacht, it was a very emotional moment for us – it was a new model and new challenge for us all at the business but we received great feedback from others in the industry as well as visitors, providing us with positivity to keep building here in the UAE.' SanLorenzo, Italian shipbuilders with more than 60 years' experience in the industry acknowledged the importance of attending Dubai International Boat Show to forge lasting relationships with people from across the sector including new and existing customers. Gabriele Stella, Head of Sales at SanLorenzo said: 'Sales have been great, the Dubai International Boat show has been a great success, with good quality buyers and prospects. Alongside the sales, we have several negotiations on the table which we expect to sign contracts for in the coming weeks with mainly Dubai based customers.' Elsewhere, UAE based yacht manufacturers Gulf Craft who have been participating in DIBS since its inception 31 years ago unveiled a series of global and regional launches at the event. The brand showcased a collection of its award-winning line of Majesty Yachts and Nomad Yachts, with Mohammed Al Shaali, Chairman Gulf Craft highlighting participation and sales: 'Gulf Craft has been a defining presence at the Dubai International Boat Show for over 30 years, driven by innovation, craftsmanship, and a commitment to excellence. This year, we showcased 18 vessels, including eight global debuts, reaffirming our role in shaping the future of yacht design. A highlight was the sale of the inaugural Majesty 145, reflecting strong market demand for our forward-thinking superyacht concepts. We also unveiled our Superyacht Service Centre in Ajman, a cutting-edge facility capable of servicing yachts up to 600 tons, strengthening Dubai's position as a superyacht hub. Our commitment to the maritime industry continues with new initiatives designed to nurture the next generation of yacht innovators.' As a first for the 2025 edition of DIBS, a dedicated brokerage area on the harbour housed a number of leading luxury yacht brokerages including Bush & Noble, BehneMar and Burgess. Anastazja Kociokowska, Business Development & ESG Manager at Burgess discussed the firm's participation this year as well as the success of the event for them as a business: " We've had a presence at the show for several years and this edition has been brilliant - each year it gets bigger and better. As a market-leading full-service superyacht provider, ranging from sale & purchase, charter, management as well as new build, procurement and crew services, we've enjoyed great conversations at the show which we're sure will develop into some great business. We're already making our plans for next year and the brokerage section has been a great addition - we've enjoyed being positioned in the marina within the show." A popular topic of discussion on the show is how leading yacht builders and manufacturers are now introducing the use of AI to expand their offerings at sea with the vertical potentially shaping the future of the industry. Farouk Nefzi - Chief Marketing Officer at Feadship, the royal Dutch shipyard said: 'We are in the first stages of AI reaching our platforms. At this stage it is more of a design exercise and more related to creating visuals – it has an impact on the shop window part of the business. The real build process is the next step – we don't know how that will look exactly but it is exciting.' The 32nd edition of Dubai International Boat Show will take place at Dubai Harbour in April 2025 from 8-12, further details will be announced in due course. -Ends- About Dubai International Boat Show Dubai International Boat Show, the most trusted and established marine industry exhibition in the Middle East, is a showcase of yachts and boats from both local and international builders, together with the latest innovations in marine equipment and accessories. The multi-award-winning show showcases the latest leisure boats, equipment, and associated services in the Middle East. Exhibitors include both local and international boat manufacturers, as well as the latest innovations in marine equipment and supplies. DWTC A global business facilitator since 1979, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is home to the region's leading purpose-built convention and exhibition centre. DWTC provides a platform for connecting people, products, innovation and ideas from around the world through a dynamic calendar of international trade exhibitions and its own roster of sector leading mega events. As a designated free zone, complemented by award-winning commercial real estate, DWTC plays an integral role in Dubai and the region's growth story with an estimated total economic output of AED 200 Billion, attracting over 30 Million business visitors to Dubai over the past four decades.
