offshore yacht brokers guernsey

- David Carratt, Owner X46 'Blue Vortex'

_______________

'’Many thanks again for all your guidance, helpful tips (and actual boat maintenance!) and cheery demeanour.  Yesterday out on The Solent for the start of The Fastnet was a particular treat.’’

- Owner Hanse 455, Hamble

"John skippered our new yacht from Hamble to Guernsey.  Highly professional and with a reassuring sense of calm, John was a pleasure to sail with.  He also gave plenty of practical tips and invaluable tuition along the way.  I would strongly recommend him."

- Stephen Ozanne, Owner Hanse 315, Guernsey

"Having had a new Moody AC41 built in Germany we wanted to sail her home ourselves, but lacked the experience needed to navigate through the Baltic and North Sea.  John proved to be a proficient skipper with considerable local knowledge of the area.  Our confidence in his ability was strengthened as we had to deal with two Atlantic storms and a fouled prop before reaching our home port.  He was easy company on board and our sailing knowledge improved no end under his expert guidance.''

- Diana Acland, Owner Moody AC41 'Kraken'

“John helped us become familiar with a Hanse 458 we had to bring to the UK from Greifswald in Germany.  He is a fountain of knowledge and excellent company.  We gleaned an enormous amount of information from him in the six day and night voyage.  A meticulous organiser that I would recommend to anyone wishing to relocate their boat or to introduce them to a new boat.”

- George Wright, Owner Hanse 458 'Hoo Ha'

Recent long distance deliveries include:

• Hanse Factory, Greifswald, Germany to UK - Moody AC41, Hanse 458, Hanse 508 (x2), Hanse 548 and Hanse 588
• UK to Greece - Hanse 508
• UK to Southern France - Hanse 57
• Holland to UK - Grand Soleil 50 
• Northern Spain to Southern Portugal - X49

I have also undertaken numerous shorter deliveries such as South and East Coast UK and cross-Channel trips.

Having learnt to sail dinghies at a very young age by being pushed off the beach by my father at West Wittering, I have followed my passion for the sea and boats throughout my life. 

Professionally I started work in the  mid-70's as a yacht broker with Castlemain Marine and whilst continuing my career as a yacht broker, I have also  over the years sold new boats for Sigma Yachts, X-Yachts, J-Boats and Grand Soleil.

Having successfully raced at a high level, including the Admirals Cup, Commodores Cup and three Fastnets, I have won both Cowes Week and Cork Week overall, plus numerous  club and national championships. 

I am a qualified RYA Yachtmaster Offshore and have skippered countless local and long distance yacht deliveries, including multiple trans-Atlantic crossings, UK to Med, Baltic to UK, Irish Sea, North Sea and more Channel crossings than I care to remember!  I have extensively cruised Worldwide with family and friends.

John Lawrence

+ 44 7850 167 287

[email protected]

Chichester Harbour, West Sussex

Copyright @ All Rights Reserved

Bachmann Group Yacht Agency: Welcome to Guernsey!

Bachmann Group was founded in Guernsey in 1974 and remain based on the beautiful Channel Island to this day. For more than four decades, we have been offering services and assistance to the owners and crews of yachts that visit Guernsey and the nearby islands on Herm, Sark and Alderney.

The Channel Islands have much to offer to visiting yachts. Guernsey is a Crown Dependency which is not part of the UK or EU: this provides the island with an independent status that allows us to provide many advantages. These include freedom from VAT and government service taxes, the provision of helpful and understanding customs services and the ability to sell marine gas oil without the inclusion of tax duty.

Guernsey lies a mere 20 miles off the Normandy coast of France, just a stone's throw from the English Channel's major shipping lanes. The island is the most northerly that is able to receive superyachts into its harbours. Extremely well connected when it comes to transport links, Guernsey has daily flights to major airports and regular ferry services, allowing for fast, efficient changes of crew.

Lying just 20 miles off France's Normandy coast, the island is an extremely short distance from the major shipping lanes that run through the English Channel. Guernsey is in fact the most northerly island that has the capability to accept superyachts into its harbours. The island boasts superlative transport links, with daily flights to Manchester, Gatwick and Heathrow airports as well as regular ferry services to France and the UK: these amenities allow for the most rapid and efficient crew changes.

Located just 100m away from St Peter Port Harbour, the Bachmann Group headquarters is ideally placed to help visitors enjoy their stay here in a variety of ways. We offer a comprehensive suite of services to the owners, crews and guests of visiting yachts, including:  

• Customs and Immigration. We can help you deal with things like navigational laws, clearances, imports/­exports, charter regulations and temporary importation. Anyone joining a vessel through Guernsey will enjoy a fast and seamless experience.
• Provisioning. Often referred to as a 'gourmet's paradise', Guernsey has some of the finest restaurants in the world. We can source products of the very best quality from our network of local vendors and deliver them straight to your yacht. 
• Bunkers. We have built strong working relationships with Guernsey-based fuel providers and can arrange to supply competitively-priced fuel to your vessel at your convenience.
• Concierge. We are passionate about providing you with the very best possible experience during your stay. Whether you need an experienced, knowledgeable guide around the island, guaranteed bookings at the best restaurants or simply transport to the airport, our team will work tirelessly to ensure your requirements are met and exceeded.

To find out more details about our yacht agency services , please contact our dedicated customer service team.

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Fairline targa 29, featured boats.

Botnia Targa 31

Boat Ref: #334157

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Jeanneau Cap Camarat 7.5 WA Serie 3

Boat Ref: #334512

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Rodman 1170 Flybridge Adv

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Princess 30DS

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Boat Ref: #334424

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7.50m, 2004, Alderney

Princess 286 Riviera

Boat Ref: #334561

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8.70m, 1991, Guernsey

Highfield 760 Sport

Boat Ref: #335364

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7.77m, 2020, Guernsey

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About us: New Horizon Yachts Limited

New Horizon yachts was established over 25 years ago and became part of the South Pier Marine group in 2015.

As the Guernsey dealer for the Beneteau range of sailing and motor yachts and outboard boats, we offer an unrivalled range of new boats from 5 – 19 meters. Beneteau have been building boats for more than 135 years and are leaders in quality and innovation.

We are the first choice for brokerage boats in Guernsey and with our office in Jersey we can market your boat to a wider audience at very competitive rates,  Please pop into our office or call us to talk about selling your boat.

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All Aquastar Boats For Sale

Aquastar Motor Yachts are based in St Sampsons, Guernsey, designing and building the Aquastar range of motor yachts for over 4 decades. The current Aquastar range comprises 7 aft cabin & flybridge cruiser models from 48 to 85 feet renowned for their robust build quality and classic styling. However, many of the earlier smaller models are still popular, including the AquaStar 27, Oceanranger 33 & Oceanranger 38. Aquastar boats are seen as true small ships, capable of extended cruising ranges and favouring stable, practical design features that reassure crew & skipper. Aquastar also produces small commercial vessels, particularly popular as pilot boats, such as the Aquastar Nelson 42, which authenticates their reputation for building solid, seaworthy hulls.

Aquastar Motor Yachts

Company Based

St Sampson, Guernsey, Channel Islands

Boats Primary Market

Offshore/long-range cruiser.

Manufacturers Website Aquastar

Info updated by Network Yacht Brokers Barcelona Feb 2021

Aquastar News

Aquastar 2021.

New Cruiser for 2021 - The Aquastar 430 Aft Cockpit is Following the success of the popular Aquastar 430 Aft Cabin Motor Yacht. The company have released details of the Aquastar 430 Aft Cockpit. This new design continues the tradition of the brand with modernity and is carefully balanced to incorporate the Company's philosophy of product evolution. The new 430 Cockpit, by ‘Design Unlimited’ bulging with elegance, strength and design integrity. Aquastar offers a choice of layouts, and each boat is bespoke and semi-custom built.

Visit the news section of Aquastar to see more on the builder's website.

Aquastar boats previously for sale

Aquastar 48-S 48' 0"

Aquastar O... 48' 0"

Aquastar 45 47' 3"

Ranger 38 ... 38' 0"

Aquastar O... 33' 0"

Aquastar P... 27' "

Ocean Rang... 35' 3"

Oceanrange... 37' 4"

Ocean Star 38 38' 0"

Sea Ranger 32 32' 1"

Aquastar 33 32' 10"

Aquastar 2... 26' 10"

Aquastar O... 38' 0"

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Guernsey Marine Services

Below you will find a selection of marine services in the area which are recommended by the HarbourGuides.com team.

Address: Fastcraft Marine Services, The Chartroom Boatworks+ Building, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 1AU

Address: Boatworks Guernsey, Castle Emplacement, St.Peter Port,Guernsey, GY1 1AU

Address: White Rock, St.Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2ll

Address: Rubis St Peter Port

Address: Lovell Yachts Ltd, Guernsey GY1 1AU

Address: Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club, 45-47 North Plantation, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2LH

Address: Offshore Power, Mercury House South Quay, St Sampsons Marina Guernsey.

Address: DLC Marine Services, Top Floor, No 19 - 21, Smiths Street,, St. Peter Port, Guernsey

Address: Rubis St Sampsons Fuel Pontoon

Address: Katy Barrett, Seaward Reach, Guernsey

Address: Sunsport Marine, Guernsey, United Kingdom, GY2 4QJ

Address: Marine Fabrications, Castle Road, Vale, Gyernsey GY3 5TU

Address: Castle Emplacement, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 1AU

Address: Network House, 3 Jubilee Terrace, South Esplanade, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 1AH

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Why work with YachtsUnlimited™ when there are others with much bigger names? Because we are not brokers, we are a network of specialists made up of qualified Engineers, Captains, Designers, Surveyors, Shipwrights and other experts... 

We stay in the middle if you buy or sell a yacht. We listen to you first and analyze  your preferences. We have access to anything brokers have to offer - but also to our vast knowledge base that has been built  by our members over decades operating large yachts! Our speciality are Yacht Conversions and Expeditionary Cruisers. We can also take care of your new building at our preferred yards to save you money and time...

We love to think out of the box too! The Designers we work with are the most creative in the industry and often come up with solutions never seen before...

Great place to discuss your projects with a fantastic 360° view...

From our rooftop you can enjoy the view down to your yacht during her refit...

Our company background in the offshore vessel markets gives you another advantage when it comes to complex technical solutions...

...or come to see us in Trieste, Italy to plan your Adriatic cruising...

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Since Vladimir Putin rose to power in 2000, his oligarch allies have found few barriers to luxury, snapping up yachts, jets, villas and other assets, with plenty of professional help along the way.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine changed all that.

Governments have sanctioned members of President Putin’s inner circle, alleging their wealth came on the back of insider deals for sovereign assets. Authorities have seized yachts in docks and planes in hangars.

But targeting owners is one thing. Identifying the enablers – the elite professionals who help oligarchs buy, conceal and maintain the assets – is another.

Leaked records show for each luxury plaything they bought, Russians now under sanctions relied on the services of a small army of professionals in Europe, Asia and North America: attorneys to write contracts, brokers to sell insurance, bankers to move the money, accountants, ship builders to hand over the keys – all without asking too many questions about where the money came from.

The Western enablers say they broke no laws in helping oligarchs. Yet, experts say, they do have a choice and every opportunity to identify their customer and decline the business.

“Without Wall St, London, Zurich bankers, lawyers, property dealers, yacht brokers, and other financial consultants, the oligarchs could not have secretly and safely moved vast funds into Western markets,” Frank Vogl, a co-founder of Transparency International, told ICIJ in an email. “Everyone in business has a choice — to do the right thing, serve the core public interest and act with integrity, or act in the shadows to secure more and more cash.”

In 2011, billionaire Arkady Rotenberg, Putin’s judo partner, bought a jet.

He bought it through a secretive shell company in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) set up by Appleby, the offshore law firm at the center of ICIJ’s 2017 Paradise Papers investigation.

Arkady’s brother, Boris, also scooped up a jet through a similar arrangement.

Bombardier in Canada sold the jet to Rotenberg’s offshore company. Ernst & Young, also known as EY, advised on taxes. Swiss attorneys, Meyer Avocats, offered legal advice, and Avcon Jet in Austria managed the jet’s upkeep.

Avcon Jet and EY didn’t reply to our questions. Appleby didn’t comment when we first reported on the jet.

Meyer Avocats, in Switzerland, sent us this reply when we asked what due diligence they performed before working for Rotenberg.

Royal Bank of Scotland’s Isle of Man branch opened an account for Rotenberg’s company. The bank said it couldn’t comment on customers.

Rotenberg used a leasing arrangement that helped him avoid taxes on the Isle of Man.

Public records show Rotenberg’s shell company owned the jet until 2016. Records show that a church in Fort Worth, Texas, bought the jet in 2017.

Last month, the U.S. sanctioned Arkady and Boris Rotenberg, alleging that they are among “Putin’s cronies.” The brothers have denied benefiting financially from their friendship with Russia’s president.

Many sanctioned Russian billionaires came from humble beginnings. One sold used rugs and resold theater tickets. Others, like Gennady Timchenko, reportedly studied espionage alongside Vladimir Putin decades ago at KGB training school. All have since gone on to amass eye-watering wealth.

In 2009, Timchenko, a Russian gas and petrochemical billionaire, used a secretive offshore company to buy the Lena yacht for more than $18 million.

Timchenko’s wife, daughter and son-in-law, Gleb Frank, were all authorized to use the yacht, records show. All three were sanctioned last month by the U.S. Treasury.

The U.S. sanctioned Timchenko in 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

Aleman, Cordero, Galindo & Lee, an offshore law firm with operations in the BVI, helped Timchenko set up a shell company in the Caribbean.

Italian shipbuilder Sanlorenzo SPA built the 130-foot yacht, signing a contract with the oligarch’s offshore company.

Sanlorenzo told ICIJ it applies strict due diligence and the BVI company and its owner were not sanctioned at the time of purchase.

Representing Timchenko’s offshore company were two law firms: London’s Clyde & Co. and Monaco-based Moores Rowland.

Clyde & Co told us it complies with its obligations. Moores Rowland previously said it follows all laws and regulations and accepts clients after “rigorous” checks.

Timchenko also set up his offshore company with a bank account at BNP Paribas in Monaco.

Last month, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned the yacht Lena, adding it to a list of official sanctions.

Timchenko has denied that President Putin is connected to his businesses. He previously said he has always acted lawfully. In March, the Italian government seized the Lena, one of at least nine luxury yachts impounded around the world since Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine.

“The enablers are not just those dealing in finance,” Vogl said, adding that others “used their influence in return for handsome fees, to try to polish the reputations of oligarchs who in so many cases have utterly failed to disclose how they made their fortunes and how they continue to acquire massive wealth.”

In 2011, the Moscow office of accounting firm EY helped now-sanctioned billionaire Alexander Ponomarenko set up an offshore company with a business partner and former politician, Alexander Skorobogatko, to buy a $44.5 million Gulfstream jet.

Ponomarenko’s offshore company, Tarona Ltd., hired Appleby in the Isle of Man. The purchase of the jet was “funded through… business profits,” Appleby wrote.

The Moscow office of American law firm Latham & Watkins provided a personal reference for Ponomarenko.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., based in Savannah, Georgia, signed a sales contract with Tarona Ltd.

Government agencies on the Isle of Man helped Ponomarenko’s company, including providing certificates of registration.

Increasing the secrecy, Ponomarenko’s company was owned by a trust and on paper controlled from St. Kitts and Nevis, a tax haven. Ponomarenko and Skorobogatko’s families were trust beneficiaries.

The BVI company, Tarona Ltd., opened an account with Barclays Bank on the Isle of Man.

A London-based company, United Insurance Brokers, insured Ponomarenko’s company and jet.

In this case, records show at least 10 Western enablers helped Ponomarenko acquire and enjoy his luxury asset. None replied to ICIJ’s requests for comment.

Ponomarenko has previously rejected reports of financial ties to President Putin.

The United Kingdom, Switzerland and Singapore are among countries that have condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and sanctioned state-owned companies, including Russia’s largest gas company, Gazprom. For years, leaked records show, those same governments were home to Gazprom investments and shell companies and pit stops for suspicious transactions.

In 2010, Russian gas company Gazprom bought a 157-foot yacht, Alexandar V, for more than $25 million.

The yacht, with a jacuzzi, was for Gazprom guests and staff, records show.

In 2016, Gazprom added “extra asset protection of the vessel.” It complicated the ownership structure with three new shell companies in infamous tax havens-- Singapore, the BVI and Liechtenstein.

Enablers, including Asiaciti, knew Gazprom was under sanctions when providing services for the yacht, records show.

The auditors of one shell company that owned the yacht was Robert Yam & Co. in Singapore, which signed a non-disclosure agreement about its work. A major law firm, KhattarWong LLP, provided advice to the shell company. It told ICIJ its “professional duties” prevented it from answering questions.

One Singaporean company behind the yacht, Winable Investments Pte Ltd. opened a bank account in Switzerland with CIM Bank.

In 2018, Asiaciti reported to Singaporean authorities that it was suspicious about Gazprom’s company paying invoices that “did not seem to be commercially sound” to a shell company in Scotland.

The Scottish company, which shared an office with dozens of other companies, sits opposite a pub in a small town 30 miles from Glasgow. The company had a bank account in Bulgaria.

Pandora Papers records show Gazprom paid the company to install an elliptical trainer and massage chair, among other things.

The yacht was last seen earlier this year docked in Italy.

ICIJ asked Gazprom and its other enablers to comment on but received no reply.

Leaked records show, however, that the Russian company’s enablers had questions of their own. “Additional information provided did not assuage…concerns,” AsiaCiti’s employees wrote in 2018.

“Reasonable suspicions maintained.”

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Sanctioned Russian oligarch’s megayacht hides in a UAE creek

The 387ft Motor Yacht A’s presence in a Ras al-Khaimah creek shows the UAE’s neutrality during Russia’s war on Ukraine.

One of the world’s largest yachts has been seen sitting in a quiet port in the northern most sheikhdom of the United Arab Emirates – so far avoiding the fate of other luxury vessels linked to sanctioned Russian oligarchs.

The 387ft Motor Yacht A’s presence in a Ras al-Khaimah creek shows the UAE’s neutrality during Russia’s war on Ukraine as the Gulf country remains a target for Russian money and its oil-rich capital sees Moscow as a crucial OPEC partner.

Since Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine on February 24, the seven sheikhdoms of the Emirates have offered a refuge for Russians, both those despairing of their country’s future as well as the mega-rich concerned about western sanctions.

While much of the world has piled sanctions on Russian institutions and allies of President Vladimir Putin, the Emirates has not.

The Motor Yacht A belongs to Andrey Melnichenko, an oligarch worth some 23.5 billion US dollars (£18.7 million), according to Forbes.

He once ran the fertiliser producer Eurochem and SUEK, one of the world’s largest coal companies.

The European Union in March included Mr Melnichenko in a mass list of sanctions on business leaders and others described as close to Mr Putin.

The EU sanctions noted he attended a meeting Mr Putin held on the day of his invasion.

“The fact that he was invited to attend this meeting shows that he is a member of the closest circle of Vladimir Putin and that he is supporting or implementing actions or policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, as well as stability and security in Ukraine,” the EU said at the time.

Mr Melnichenko resigned from the corporate positions he held in the two major firms, according to statements from the companies.

However, he has criticised western sanctions and denied being close to Mr Putin.

Already, authorities in Italy have seized one of his ships — the 600 million dollar (£476 million) Sailing Yacht A.

France, Spain and Britain as well have sought to target superyachts tied to Russian oligarchs as part of a wider global effort to put pressure on Mr Putin and those close to him.

But the 300 million dollar (£238 million) Motor Yacht A so far appears untouched.

It flew an Emirati flag on Tuesday when Associated Press journalists observed the ship.

Two crew members milled around the deck.

The boat’s last recorded position on March 10 put it off the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, just over 1,860 miles from Ras al-Khaimah.

Satellite images from Planet Labs PBC analysed by the AP show the vessel in Ras al-Khaimah’s creek from March 17, a week later.

The Financial Times first reported on the ship’s presence in the UAE.

Authorities in Ras al-Khaimah did not respond to a request for comment on the yacht’s presence.

But so far, the UAE has taken no such public action targeting Russia.

The country abstained on a UN Security Council vote in February condemning Russia’s invasion, angering Washington.

The neutral response may stem from “the financial gain we’re seeing in Dubai in terms of new tourist arrivals and Russian efforts to move assets and buy property”, said Karen Young, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute.

The flow of Russian money — both legitimate and shady — is now an open secret in Dubai, where lavish hotels and beaches increasingly bustle with Russian speakers.

State-run radio hosts cheerily describe a massive influx.

The UAE became one of the few remaining flight corridors out of Moscow.

The Emirati government offered three-month multiple-entry visas upon arrival to all Russians, allowing major companies to easily transfer their employees from Moscow to Dubai.

The private jet terminal at Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central has seen a 400% spike in traffic, the airport’s CEO recently told the AP.

For those who want to move to the UAE, buying high-end property also helps secure a visa.

“Business is booming right now,” said Thiago Caldas, CEO of the Dubai-based property firm Modern Living, which now accepts cryptocurrency to facilitate sales with new Russian clients.

“They have a normal life and don’t face restrictions.”

Mr Caldas said inquiries from Russian clients in Dubai have multiplied by over 10 since the war, forcing his firm to hire three Russian-speaking agents to deal with the deluge.

With sanctions on Russian banks and businesses thwarting many citizens’ access to foreign capital, Russians are increasingly trying to bypass bank transfers through digital currencies in Dubai, said two cryptocurrency traders in the city, where they are able to liquidate large sums of cash.

“It’s a safe haven. … The inflow from Russian accounts skyrocketed 300% days after the war in Ukraine began,” said a Russian crypto trader in Dubai, who spoke like the other on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala state investment company remains among the most active sovereign wealth funds in Russia, along with those of China and Qatar, according to calculations by Javier Capapé of IE University in Spain for the AP.

But pressure is growing.

Late on Tuesday, the US embassy in Abu Dhabi posted a strongly worded video message in solidarity with Ukraine featuring local ambassadors from the world’s leading democracies as Russia’s foreign minister visits the region.

“We are united against Russia’s unjustifiable, unprovoked and illegal aggression,” said Ernst Peter Fischer, Germany’s ambassador to the UAE.

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