OnBoard Magazine - Summer 2014

ON A STEAMY NIGHT in the Port of Newark, New Jersey, personnel were standing by to assist in the off-load of the latest shipment of vessels originating from Princess Yachts in the United Kingdom. On this particular evening, Bluewater Sales Professional John McDevitt helped oversee the unloading of a V52 Express and a 60 Motoryacht from the imposing container ship that had transported them safely over the North Atlantic. For nearly 15 years, McDevitt has been part of the small group of yachtsmen involved with launching, inspecting and running new Princess Yachts. This night the team was charged with running the 100+ nautical miles from Newark to New Gretna – home of the Viking Yachts facility. As McDevitt summarizes it, “these pre- deliveries are both challenging and interesting.” How the boats are prepared for shipping, loaded, secured, transported, launched and run to the Viking docks for quality control is an undertaking that not many boaters have likely thought or heard about. With a staff of approximately 20 people, Princess Yachts America (formerly known as Viking Sport Cruisers) performs an array of logistical preparation in the design, delivery and support of these luxury motoryachts. During this process, the role of Captain is greatly expanded as members of the transport team are made responsible for checking the boats’ condition prior to launch from the container ship, as well as creating a punch list of action items during the trip to the Viking facility. Power systems and battery conditions must be checked and confirmed before launching so that the boat can be safely started as soon as she’s lowered into the water by the sling crane. Onboard fuel is usually minimal as many of the container ships are not rated or approved to carry flammable and combustible liquids. In the past, much of the vessel’s gear was not installed in order to protect it during shipping or reduce clearances. On this off-load the boats were scheduled to run to the Viking facility the next morning and despite tornado warning conditions, the new arrivals performed Curtsy * How to greet a Princes * 22 BLUEWATER