Building a new mega yacht

So Jen has been writing all of our blog-spots while I have been the back-ground editor. For sure, she has been providing the details, insights and updates while I just pointed out if she had a comma out of place or a run-on sentence. She said it was my turn to update our friends with some new information.

Since our last post, the past few weeks have been mainly spent performing paperwork, planning and organizing emergency and safety protocol and testing the yachts technical systems with the Captains and the Benetti build team.

Benetti has been building boats for over 140 years (they just had a huge party to celebrate this big event) and have an excellent organization in how they manage and communicate with the Captain and crew throughout this process.

We have several Benetti supervisors in charge of various areas on our boat. There is the Benetti Captain (Commandante) who ensures all systems meet Benetti and RINA (Royal Italian Naval Association) expectations. He and our Captain are connected at the hip as you would expect. He's on the ship all day, everyday.

There is an electrical, a mechanical and a deck supervisor who each have the responsibility for specific ship systems. They not only ensure the system is built and installed properly but they must also teach the new crew on how to use and maintain the numerous systems.

Jen has been with the supervisors regarding all of the galley equipment, dumb waiter (yes, dumb waiter, there are four decks and all have a table for eating), refrigeration system, garbage disposal, fine China protection, etc. One of Jen's emergency jobs (among others) is to muster at the electronic control panel at the bridge in the event of a fire. Jen had to learn how to turn the fire pump on and off (off is just as important as on on a boat so you don't sink yourself while putting out a fire) and how to turn the different valves to provide water to the pumps.

As the bosun of the boat, I've been learning the ship's anchoring system, passerellle (for boarding from the stern), external lighting (deck, search, emergency lights, etc.) , antennas, electronic awnings, Jacuzzi (my fave), emergency fast-rescue boat launching procedures, fire system (I am on the fire team and will go into a blaze if we are on fire) and fire protection equipment. I am also responsible for the yachts tender that is stowed in the garage. Of course, I have been also prepping to begin cleaning, buffing and waxing the mother ship which will, undoubtedly, take most of my time.

Throughout all of this, the Benetti supervisors have been hand-in-hand with each of us. It has been a real treat to learn directly from them. Though they are Italian, each of them speak pretty good English. They are endless in their efforts of ensuring we understand and are comfortable with the equipment and systems. You hear things like, "I am happy to review again", or "I am happy if you are happy". They are fantastic people and we will miss their knowledge and their friendship when we eventually depart.

Oh yeah, they are all bald. Well...not all of them...one of them has enough hair for all the other supervisors but otherwise they have no hair. Even other Benetti supervisors who come aboard our boat to help from time to time have no hair. Needless to say, I feel a kindred spirit with them....;) And, three of them have the same name!

Our Benetti build captains looking on as Matt and Mary test the new tender.

Time is winding down, already, on our land-base here in Viareggio. The current schedule for the boat and the Benetti yacht-build team is to hand over the ship's keys to the captain and owner on about October 30th. This means we must move out of our little apartments and into our, even smaller, crew quarters.

Though Jen and I have both lived in very small quarters previously when living on a boat (our 33 foot sailboat was quite comfortable but would only be considered big to a midget or maybe a Pygmy) we are both very much looking forward to moving aboard the boat. We've cut-out, down-sized and reduced our clothing, shoes and personal items so we can fit everything into our new living space and we still have no idea how we will fit everything. Nonetheless, this is truly not an issue and has been an age-old seafaring problem of how and where to stow all of your gear. Its amazing how you find a place for everything. It might take you an hour to back to it once its stowed and it might be wrinkled, but at least it's on the boat.

We will cruise the southern Med over early November getting to know the boat. We will update everyone once we know our schedules as we get deeper into the fall.

We love and miss everyone and hope everything is going great.