Extended Operational and Trade Vocabulary

Yacht and Superyacht Industry glossary

The superyacht-industry vocabulary: the REG Yacht Code and ABS yacht rules, named cruising grounds (Adriatic, Aegean), yacht crew qualifications, and the charter, deck, and interior terms specific to large yachts. Grounds each term in the yacht code or the charter operation it belongs to.

287 defined terms.

Showing 250 on this page (page 1 of 2).

A

AB rating: Able-bodied seafarer qualification (STCW II/5) carried by senior yacht deckhands.
ABS Guide for Building and Classing Yachts: American Bureau of Shipping rule set for yachts 24 m and above, covering structure, machinery, and equipment.
Adriatic cruising ground: Croatian and Montenegrin coast (Dubrovnik, Hvar, Korcula, Kotor) popular for summer charter.
Aegean cruising ground: Greek-island circuit through the Cyclades (Mykonos, Santorini, Paros) and Dodecanese.
Aft deck: Open deck at the stern of a yacht used for al fresco dining and tender boarding.
Aft garage: Stern compartment with hydraulic door housing tenders and toys.
Alblasserdam: Town in South Holland, Netherlands, home to Oceanco's build hall.
Alia Yachts: Turkish builder in Antalya producing custom aluminum and steel superyachts.
Amels: Dutch superyacht builder in Vlissingen, part of the Damen group, known for its Limited Editions range.
Andrew Winch: British yacht and aviation designer, founder of Winch Design (London).
Anguilla: British Overseas Territory and member of the Red Ensign Group.
Antigua: Caribbean island and superyacht hub home to the Antigua Charter Yacht Show.
Antigua Charter Yacht Show: Annual December trade-only show at Falmouth and English Harbour for the Caribbean charter fleet.
APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance): Pre-charter cash float, typically 25 to 35 percent of the charter fee, used to pay for fuel, food, dockage, and incidentals.
Aquariva: Iconic 33-foot Riva runabout built by Riva of Sarnico, Italy.
Azimut Yachts: Italian production builder in Avigliana, founded 1969 by Paolo Vitelli.
Azimut-Benetti Group: Italian group combining Azimut Yachts (production) and Benetti (custom superyachts), one of the largest yacht builders by volume.
Azure Naval Architects: UK naval architecture studio specializing in large yacht hull and systems design.
Azzam: 180 m Lurssen-built motor yacht delivered 2013 for Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, long the world's longest private yacht.

B

Bahamas: Open registry flag administered by the Bahamas Maritime Authority, among the world's top ten flags by tonnage.
Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA): Bahamian flag-state regulator administering the Bahamian register including yachts.
Baltic Yachts: Finnish high-performance sailing-yacht builder based in Jakobstad, founded 1973.
Bannenberg & Rowell: London-based interior design studio, successor to Jon Bannenberg's pioneering yacht practice.
Bareboat Charter: Demise charter under which the charterer becomes disponent owner.
Benetti: Italian superyacht builder in Viareggio, founded 1873, part of the Azimut-Benetti Group.
Benetti Diamond: Long-running displacement series of full-custom and semi-custom motor yachts.
Bermuda: Atlantic British Overseas Territory and Red Ensign Group flag, registry based in Hamilton.
Bilgin Yachts: Turkish builder in Istanbul producing custom steel and aluminum yachts.
Blohm+Voss: Hamburg shipyard with a long history of superyacht builds including Eclipse.
Bluewater Yachting: Antibes-based charter, brokerage, crew training, and management group.
BMT Nigel Gee: UK naval architecture practice (now part of BMT) active in large yacht design.
Boot Dusseldorf: Annual January boat show in Dusseldorf, one of the largest indoor marine shows in the world.
Bosun: Boatswain, senior deck rating supervising able seafarers and ordinary seamen.
Bremen-Aumund: Lurssen's main yacht-building yard on the Weser in Germany.
Bridge: Navigation control center of a passenger ship.
British Virgin Islands (BVI): Caribbean Red Ensign jurisdiction, registry based in Road Town, Tortola.
Broker: intermediary placing risks with underwriters on behalf of the assured.
Bureau Veritas (BV): French classification society, founded 1828, IACS founding member.
Burger Boat Company: US builder of custom aluminum and steel yachts in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Burgess: Global superyacht brokerage and management firm founded 1975 by Nicholas Edmiston and Jonathan Beckett.
BVI Charter Yacht Society: Tortola-based trade body representing crewed charter yachts based in the British Virgin Islands.

C

Camper & Nicholsons International (CNI): One of the oldest yacht brokerage and management houses, founded in 1782.
Camper & Nicholsons Marinas: Marina operator developing and managing superyacht berths globally.
Cannes Yachting Festival: Annual September show in the Vieux Port and Port Canto, Cannes.
Cap d'Antibes: French Riviera headland and yachting anchorage adjacent to Antibes.
Captain: Master of a passenger ship, holding overall command and SOLAS responsibility.
Caribbean season: Winter charter season running roughly from December to April in the West Indies.
Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (CISR): Cayman flag-state registry based in George Town, leading registry for large yachts.
CCS (China Classification Society): Member of IACS.
Charter agreement: Contract between yacht owner and charterer governing the hire of a crewed yacht.
Charter broker: Specialist intermediary placing clients on charter yachts and receiving commission from the owner.
Charter Yacht Brokers Association (CYBA): US-based trade association for charter brokers.
Chef: Yacht crew member responsible for guest and crew galley operations.
Chief engineer (Y1): Senior engineer on yachts of 9,000 kW propulsion power and above, MCA-certified.
Chief Mate: Senior deck officer next in command to Master, certificated under STCW II/2 for ships of 3000 GT or more.
Chief Stewardess: Head of interior service overseeing housekeeping, service, and guest experience.
Christensen Shipyards: US composite-superyacht builder in Vancouver, Washington.
CIA (Culinary Institute of America): US culinary school producing many superyacht chefs.
Class society: Recognized Organization issuing IEE, IAPP, and DCS-related certificates on behalf of flag states.
ClassNK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai): Japanese classification society.
CMM (Crew Mess): Onboard mess area for crew meals.
Codecasa: Italian builder in Viareggio specializing in displacement steel and aluminum motor yachts, founded 1825.
Commercial yacht: Yacht registered for commercial use and compliant with a flag-state large yacht code.
Cor D Rover Design: Dutch yacht-design studio in Hardinxveld-Giessendam.
Cordon Bleu: International culinary school whose diploma is widely held by yacht chefs.
Costa Smeralda: Northeast Sardinia stretch including Porto Cervo, summer hub for Mediterranean superyachts.
CRN: Italian builder in Ancona founded 1963, part of the Ferretti Group, specializing in steel and aluminum custom yachts.
Cruise permit: Authorization issued by a coastal state allowing a foreign-flag yacht to navigate its waters.
Custom Line: Ferretti Group brand based in Ancona producing semi-custom planing and displacement motor yachts.

D

Damen Yachting: Dutch yacht arm of the Damen Group operating from Vlissingen, encompassing Amels and SeaXplorer.
Deckhand: Junior deck crew member handling cleaning, lines, tenders, and watchkeeping.
Delivery captain: Freelance master engaged to move a yacht between locations on a one-off basis.
Delivery trip: Repositioning passage of a yacht between cruising grounds, often with a reduced crew.
Delta Marine: US custom yacht builder in Seattle, Washington.
Denison Yachting: US brokerage headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, founded by the Denison family.
Diana Yacht Design: Dutch naval architecture studio based in Hardinxveld.
Dilbar: 156 m Lurssen-built motor yacht delivered 2016 for Alisher Usmanov, largest by gross tonnage at her delivery.
Displacement yacht: Yacht with a hull form that moves through the water rather than planing on top of it.
DNV: Det Norske Veritas (DNV); IACS member classification society.
Donald Starkey Designs: UK yacht interior design studio.
Douglas: Isle of Man capital and seat of the Isle of Man Ship Registry.
Dubai International Boat Show: Annual yacht show held at Dubai Harbour.
Dykstra Naval Architects: Dutch sailing-yacht specialist studio based in Amsterdam, known for classic and modern sailing superyachts.

E

Eclipse: 162.5 m Blohm+Voss-built motor yacht delivered 2010 for Roman Abramovich.
Edmiston: London-headquartered superyacht brokerage and management firm founded 1996 by Nicholas Edmiston.
Eleuthera: Bahamian island in the charter circuit.
Endorsement: written amendment to the policy.
English Harbour: Historic naval harbor in Antigua at the heart of the Caribbean superyacht season.
Espen Oeino International: Monaco-based exterior-design studio responsible for many of the largest motor yachts afloat.
ETO (Electro-Technical Officer): STCW-certified yacht crew responsible for electrical and electronic systems.
Exumas: Bahamian island chain favored by superyachts for shallow-draft cruising.

F

Falkland Islands: South Atlantic British Overseas Territory in the Red Ensign Group.
Feadship: Dutch superyacht cooperation between Royal Van Lent (Aalsmeer/Kaag) and Royal De Vries (Makkum) with De Voogt Naval Architects.
Ferretti Group: Italian group encompassing Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, Custom Line, CRN, Itama, and Wally.
First Officer: Same as Chief Mate on larger yachts; second in command of the deck department.
Flag of convenience: Flag of a state with open registration policy.
Flag State: State of the ship's nationality, with jurisdiction under UNCLOS Article 94.
FLIBS (Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show): Annual October in-water and on-land yacht show in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Foster + Partners: UK architectural practice with a yacht-design division.
Fraser Yachts: Global brokerage and management firm with offices in Monaco, Fort Lauderdale, and other yachting hubs.
French Riviera: Mediterranean coast from Cassis to the Italian border, central to summer superyacht activity.

G

Galapagos: Ecuadorian archipelago and protected cruising ground requiring special permits and licensed naturalist guides.
Garage: Compartment housing tenders, jet skis, and water toys, often accessed via a hydraulic transom or side door.
Genoa International Boat Show (Salone Nautico): Italy's largest boat show, held in Genoa each September or October.
George Town: Cayman Islands capital and seat of the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry.
Gibraltar: British Overseas Territory in the Red Ensign Group with a yacht registry.
Gigayacht: Informal term for a yacht over 100 m in length.
Glade Johnson Design: US yacht interior design studio in Seattle.
GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System): SOLAS communications framework.
GT (Gross Tonnage): Universal yacht size measure under the 1969 International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships.
Guest cabin: Stateroom configured for owner's guests, typically with en-suite head.
Gulf Craft: UAE builder in Umm Al Quwain producing the Majesty and Nomad series.

H

Hamilton: Bermuda capital and seat of the Bermuda Shipping and Maritime Authority.
Hatteras Yachts: US sportfishing and motor-yacht builder in New Bern, North Carolina.
Heesen Yachts: Dutch builder in Oss specializing in fast aluminum and steel superyachts.
Helideck: Flight deck on surface combatant sized for embarked helicopter.
Helistop / Touch-and-Go pad: Helicopter landing area used only for boarding and disembarkation without refueling or shutdown.
Hill Robinson: Antibes and Monaco-based yacht management firm founded 1999.
Hong Kong Gold Coast Boat Show: Annual yacht show on Hong Kong's Gold Coast.
Hostess / Stewardess: Interior crew responsible for service, housekeeping, and guest experience.

I

ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations): Global federation of national marine industry associations.
IGY Marinas: Operator of a global network of superyacht marinas including Yacht Haven Grande and Rodney Bay.
IMO MSC.1/Circ.1380: IMO Maritime Safety Committee guidance for the use of liferafts for general operations.
IMO MSC.1/Circ.1456: IMO guidance on lifeboat safety inspections.
In-water show: Boat show staged with floating exhibits at a marina rather than indoors.
Interior: Department covering housekeeping, laundry, service, provisioning, and guest experience.
International Yacht Brokers Association (IYBA): US-based trade association for yacht brokers, formerly FYBA.
Isle of Man Ship Registry: IOMSR, British Red Ensign register based in Douglas.
Italian Riviera: Northwest Italian coast including Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, and Camogli.
IYC (International Yacht Company): Global brokerage, charter, and management firm headquartered in Fort Lauderdale.

J

Jakobstad: Finnish port and home of Baltic Yachts.
JFA Yachts: French custom builder in Concarneau producing aluminum sail and motor yachts.
Jongert: Dutch sailing-yacht builder historically based in Wieringerwerf.

K

Kaag: Dutch village near Lisse where Royal Van Lent operates a Feadship facility.
Keel: Principal longitudinal member at the bottom of the hull.
Knot: One nautical mile per hour.
Korean Register (KR): IACS member since 1988, headquartered Busan.
Koru: 127 m Oceanco-built three-masted schooner delivered 2023 for Jeff Bezos.

L

Lateral Naval Architects: UK naval architecture studio (Bath, London) specializing in large yachts and explorers.
Lazarette: Below-deck stern compartment used for stowage and machinery.
LE (Limited Editions): Amels semi-custom series sold as Damen Yachting Limited Editions.
Le Grand Bleu: 112 m yacht built by Bremer Vulkan in 2000.
Length on Load Line (LH): Length measured at the loaded waterline; basis for "superyacht" 24 m threshold.
Length overall (LOA): Maximum length including overhangs.
Liberia: Open registry administered by the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry, LISCR, second largest flag by tonnage.
Lloyd's Register (LR): classification society founded 1760, IACS founding member, headquartered London.
LR Rules for Special Service Craft (SSC): Lloyd's Register rule set covering high-speed and special craft, including yachts.
Lurssen: German shipbuilder, FAC and corvettes for export.
LY3 (Large Yacht Code, Edition 3): 2013 UK MCA code for commercial yachts 24 m and above, superseded in Red Ensign jurisdictions by REG Y in 2017.

M

Maldives: Indian Ocean cruising ground popular with explorer yachts.
Mallorca: Balearic island; Palma is a major superyacht refit and charter base.
Marina Port Vell: Superyacht marina in Barcelona's old port.
Marshall Islands: Open registry administered by International Registries, Inc., among the world's top three flags by tonnage.
Master Yachts <200 GT: MCA STCW Code of Competency for command of yachts up to 200 GT.
Master Yachts <3000 GT: MCA STCW Code of Competency for command of yachts up to 3,000 GT.
Master Yachts <500 GT: MCA STCW Code of Competency for command of yachts up to 500 GT.
MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency): UK maritime regulator that originated the Large Yacht Code framework.
MCA Engineer Y1/Y2/Y3/Y4: Tiered MCA Marine Engineer Officer (Yacht) certificates of competency.
Mediterranean season: Summer charter period running roughly from May to September from the Balearics to the Aegean.
Megayacht: Informal term for a yacht over roughly 50 m.
Miami International Boat Show: Annual February boat show in Miami.
MIYI (Marshall Islands Yacht Initiative): Marshall Islands registry program for commercial and private yachts.
Monaco Yacht Show (MYS): Annual September superyacht show in Port Hercules, Monaco, launched 1991.
Moonen Yachts: Dutch builder in Den Bosch specializing in steel displacement superyachts.
MTU (Rolls-Royce Power Systems): German engine maker whose Series 2000 and 4000 engines power many superyachts.
MY (Motor Yacht): Prefix denoting a powered private yacht.
MYBA (Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association): Industry association for yacht brokers and managers headquartered in Monaco.
MYBA Charter Agreement: Industry-standard Mediterranean crewed-yacht charter contract issued by MYBA.

N

Nassau: Bahamian capital and gateway to Exumas cruising.
Nautor's Swan: Finnish high-performance sailing-yacht builder in Pietarsaari, founded 1966.
Naval Architect: Engineer specializing in ship design, often RINA-qualified.
New York Yacht Club: Founded 1844, holder of the America's Cup until 1983.
Newcruise Yacht Projects & Design: German yacht design studio in Hamburg.
Newport International Boat Show: Annual September show in Newport, Rhode Island.
Nobiskrug: German shipyard in Rendsburg that built A (Sailing Yacht A).
Northrop & Johnson: US brokerage and charter firm founded 1949 in Fort Lauderdale.
Norwegian Fjords: Western Norway cruising ground popular with explorer yachts in summer.

O

Ocean Independence: Swiss-headquartered brokerage and charter management group.
Oceanco: Dutch superyacht builder in Alblasserdam owned by Mohammed Al Barwani.
Octopus: Cephalopod of the order Octopoda with eight arms.
Olesinski Limited: UK naval architecture studio long associated with Sunseeker and Princess.
OOW Yachts <3000 GT: MCA Officer of the Watch certificate for yachts up to 3,000 GT.
Owner's deck: Deck level dedicated to owner accommodation and private terrace.
Owner's suite: Master cabin layout including bedroom, bathrooms, study, and often a private deck.

P

Palm Beach International Boat Show: Annual March in-water show in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Palma de Mallorca: Balearic capital and major Mediterranean superyacht refit, charter, and management hub.
Palmer Johnson: US yacht builder formerly in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, later building sportyachts in Italy.
Panama Maritime Authority: Autoridad Maritima de Panama, AMP, headquartered in Panama City.
Passenger Yacht Code (PYC): International code for yachts carrying 13 to 36 passengers, first issued 2010 and subsequently amended.
Pastrovich Studio: Monaco-based yacht-design studio led by Stefano Pastrovich.
Patrick Knowles Designs: US yacht interior design studio in Fort Lauderdale.
Pelorus: Sighting device with compass rose for taking relative bearings.
Perini Navi: Italian sailing-yacht builder in Viareggio, with assets acquired by The Italian Sea Group.
Pershing: Italian planing-sportyacht brand in Mondolfo, part of the Ferretti Group.
Philippe Starck: French designer of yachts including Steve Jobs's Venus and Andrey Melnichenko's A and Sailing Yacht A.
Pieter Beeldsnijder Design: Dutch yacht interior design studio.
Plymouth: Devon port and home of Princess Yachts.
Poole: Dorset town and home of Sunseeker International.
Port Hercules: Monaco's main harbor and venue of the Monaco Yacht Show.
Porto Cervo: Marina village in Sardinia's Costa Smeralda, summer hub for Mediterranean superyachts.
Preliminary contract: Pre-charter agreement setting the framework before signature of the full MYBA charter agreement.
Princess Yachts: UK production yacht builder in Plymouth.
Private yacht: Yacht used exclusively for the owner's pleasure, not engaged in trade or charter.
PWC (Personal Watercraft): Jet-propelled stand-up or sit-down craft used as superyacht toys.

Q

Quay: Solid berthing structure parallel to the shore.
Quayside concierge: Shoreside crew service handling provisioning, transfers, and berth coordination.

R

Race Week: Sailing regatta series; in superyachting, includes Antigua Sailing Week and Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta.
Red Ensign Group (REG): Group of UK, Crown Dependency, and Overseas Territory registries flying the Red Ensign.
Refit yard: Shipyard specializing in refurbishment, retrofit, and class renewals for existing yachts.
REG Yacht Code (REG Y): Red Ensign Group Yacht Code first issued November 2017, with Part A for commercial yachts and Part B for passenger yachts up to 36 passengers, superseding LY3 in REG jurisdictions.
Rendsburg: German town on the Kiel Canal with Lurssen and Nobiskrug facilities.
REV Ocean: 182.9 m Vard-built research expedition yacht for Kjell Inge Rokke.
Reymond Langton Design: UK yacht interior and exterior design studio.
Rina (Registro Italiano Navale): IACS member classification society.
Riva: Italian builder in Sarnico, founded 1842, famed for runabouts including the Aquarama and Aquariva; part of the Ferretti Group.
Riviera Yachting Network: French Riviera cluster of yacht services and yards.
Road Town: Capital of the BVI and seat of the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry.
Roll-stabilizer: Active fin or gyro system reducing yacht roll at anchor and underway.
Rossinavi: Italian aluminum-superyacht builder in Viareggio.
Royal Cork Yacht Club: Yacht club in Crosshaven, Ireland, founded 1720, claiming the title of world's oldest yacht club.
Royal De Vries: Dutch Feadship yard in Makkum and Aalsmeer.
Royal Huisman: Dutch sailing-superyacht builder in Vollenhove.
Royal Van Lent: Dutch Feadship yard in Aalsmeer and Kaag.
Royal Yacht Britannia: Preserved at Edinburgh's Port of Leith since 1998.
Royal Yacht Squadron: Historic UK yacht club at Cowes, Isle of Wight, founded 1815.

S

Sailing Yacht A: 142.81 m Nobiskrug-built sailing yacht delivered 2017 for Andrey Melnichenko.
Saint Barths (St Barthelemy): French Caribbean island and luxury charter destination, especially around the New Year.
Saint-Tropez: French Riviera town and superyacht anchorage in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.
Salone Nautico Genova: Italian name of the Genoa International Boat Show.
Sam Sorgiovanni Designs: Australian yacht interior and exterior design studio.
Sanlorenzo: Italian builder in Ameglia, La Spezia, and Viareggio specializing in semi-custom motor yachts.
Sardinia: Italian island whose northeast coast (Costa Smeralda) is a Mediterranean superyacht hub.
Second Officer: Deck officer typically responsible for navigation equipment and charts.
Seychelles: Flag administered by the Seychelles Maritime Safety Administration.
Sheikh Khalifa: Late President of the UAE and owner of Azzam.
Sky lounge: Upper-deck guest lounge with panoramic glazing.
SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea): IMO convention applied in modified form to commercial yachts via flag-state yacht codes.
Spazio Custom: Italian custom builder; one of several Italian niche yards.
St Helena: South Atlantic British Overseas Territory in the Red Ensign Group.
St Vincent and the Grenadines: Open registry administered by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration.
STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping): IMO convention setting minimum training and certification for yacht crew.
Stefano Pastrovich: Founder of Pastrovich Studio in Monaco.
Stewardess: Interior crew member responsible for service and housekeeping.
Studio Liaigre: Parisian interior design house with a marine practice.
Sunreef Yachts: Polish-based builder in Gdansk producing luxury sailing and power catamarans.
Sunrise Yachts: Turkish builder in Antalya producing custom steel and aluminum yachts.
Sunseeker International: UK production builder in Poole, Dorset.
Superyacht: Yacht generally exceeding 24 m load-line length and built to a recognized large yacht code.
SY (Sailing Yacht): Prefix denoting a sailing yacht.
Sydney International Boat Show: Annual August boat show in Sydney, Australia.