When the World’s Largest Superyacht Isn’t a Superyacht–and It Doesn’t Matter

August 27, 2019 By Diane M. Byrne Leave a Comment

Over the past several days, yachting media from around the world have chronicled an important milestone. REV Ocean, the impressive 600-footer (nearly 183-meter) pictured above, floated on her lines for the first time. Headline after headline touted her as the world’s largest superyacht.

One problem. A big problem (no pun intended). REV Ocean isn’t a superyacht. Regardless, she is a fantastic story we couldn’t wait to share. No doubt that after reading this, you’ll understand why.

First, if she’s not a superyacht, what is she? REV Ocean is a research vessel. She’s being equipped with laboratories and specialized equipment to support scientists while traveling the globe, including polar waters. She’s the brainchild of Norwegian businessman Kjell Inge Røkke. He is passionate about not just understanding what’s impacting our oceans, but also finding solutions to protect them. Plastics, climate change, overfishing; you name it, he wants to tackle it.

So, where does the superyacht confusion come from? Well, Røkke is an experienced yachtsman. In addition, he hired one of the most talented yacht designers, Espen Øino, to pen REV Ocean’s lines as well as design and outfit some areas. When the vessel isn’t on scientific expeditions, she’ll be available for private individuals, corporations, and institutions to charter, to learn more about the oceans’ health. In this capacity, REV Ocean will carry 28 guests, plus have lounges, dining areas, staterooms, and more luxury spaces.

At the end of the day, we’re fascinated by REV Ocean regardless of her formal vessel category. Her story is one of extraordinary hope, and promise. She will enable scientists to research the entire marine ecosystem. The technology she features comes straight from leading minds in engineering, science, and the environment. And, a team of scientists anxiously awaits her delivery day, a year from now, so that she can start pursuing projects that they recommend. They are specially tapped to recommend these projects, too, so that REV Ocean upholds proper scientific and research standards.

All because one person, Røkke, cares so much.

You can learn more about REV Ocean, including an incredible first-of-its kind ocean-data platform that she’ll contribute to, here.

3 Ways Superyacht Storytellers Is Like Superyacht Design

August 2, 2017 By Superyacht Storytellers staff Leave a Comment

Nearly two years ago, our copywriting director, Diane M. Byrne, played yacht owner for a day. Well, to be more accurate, she played soon-to-be yacht owner. Thanks to an invitation extended by a naval architecture and design studio, she learned first-hand what it’s like to commission a yacht. Interestingly, the experience was a lot like what you’ll have in working with us at Superyacht Storytellers on a book.

In fact, here are 3 ways that Superyacht Storytellers is similar to the superyacht design process:

It all starts with a vision—your vision. The first question a naval architect or designer asks you is, “What do you want to do?” They ask this many times, in many forms: “Where do you want to travel?” “How do you like to live?” “Are you planning private cruising or some charter?” All of these help the designers get to the heart of your vision. We ask that same initial question many times, in many forms, too. “What kind of books do you like?” “What do you want your book to be about?” “Do you want more of a photography book, or do you want to retell the wonderful and wacky adventures you’ve had?”
If you don’t know, don’t worry. No design team expects you to say, “I want a 161-foot yacht with a beam of 28 feet and a gross tonnage of 475.” In fact, they know you don’t have all the answers. Their job is to find the right technical solutions for you, to support the creative vision. Similarly, we don’t expect you to say, “I want a cover with an image wrap and a large-landscape format, with 100-pound paper stock.” Through our initial conversations with you, we’ll match your tastes with the right materials to make it come to life.
You get what you want. Sure, you can go to a production boatbuilder and take delivery of a yacht in less than a year. But it won’t be your boat, fully reflective of your ideas. That’s why you turned to a superyacht designer in the first place, right? By that same argument, you can tap the power of countless self-publishing companies and e-book publishers. But they have fixed formats and offer little flexibility. Superyacht Storytellers tailors the entire book, from cover to cover and from first word to last, around you.

Ultimately, your yacht is your personal expression. Shouldn’t your book be the same? We think so.

The Conductor and the Orchestra

July 5, 2017 By Diane M. Byrne Leave a Comment

“We’ve all pulled together to produce something which I think is a credit to us all. It’s kind of like the client is the grand conductor, and we’re all members of the orchestra. And we’ve…created a beautiful piece of music.”

That statement, by the renowned designer Tim Heywood, comes about four minutes into this five-minute video. It’s worth the wait.

The music analogy is certainly appropriate for this superyacht, Here Comes the Sun. (One of the owners is a big Beatles fan.) But it’s even more appropriate considering the way Heywood talks about the yacht. Or rather, the way he doesn’t talk about the yacht.

Heywood does mention the yacht’s operations, the robust construction, and even how he penned the lines. But, he makes an equal point of speaking about the owner, and how important it was for Here Comes the Sun to meet that owner’s personal needs. “Personal” is key. Heywood doesn’t talk about precious pillows, or lovely linens, or other materials. He hardly talks about the yacht as a product—the problem with so many yacht builders and designers! Heywood beautifully, and subtly, tells the overall story behind Here Comes the Sun. He understands that yachts are an experience.

Just as you don’t simply hear music, you don’t simply step aboard a yacht.

“I hope the client gets as much enjoyment out of the project, of owning the boat, as we have in building it,” Heywood concludes. We couldn’t agree with him more.

Storytelling: a Brand Essential

April 17, 2017 By Diane M. Byrne Leave a Comment

Each year for the past decade, I’ve been chairing and presenting seminars for yachting-industry professionals. Lately, I’ve talked a good deal about improving brand awareness. I find companies are really good at describing what they do. But, they fall short at communicating why: why they do what they do. After reading a recent article penned by Sir Richard Branson of Virgin, I knew I’d found a kindred spirit.

Virgin is one of the most successful businesses across the globe. Interestingly, it’s not just focused on promoting its own offerings. In fact, every day—sometimes a few times a day—it posts articles for entrepreneurs, tech-trend followers, and more on its website. Related to this, each article adheres to a theme, with each month dedicated to a different theme. For all of March, and partly into April, Virgin featured a series on storytelling. The posts commanded attention with call-to-action headlines like, “Tell a Different Story to Get the Edge Over Competitors.”

My favorite, though, was one by Branson, titled, “Storytelling Is as Old as the Campfire.” Here’s an excerpt:

We’ve spent a fair few nights around the beautiful campfire on Necker Island swapping stories recently. Every time we’re sat down by the flames, I am reminded of a line I scribbled down in my notebook a few years ago: Storytelling is as old as the campfire, and as young as a tweet. Regardless of the medium – in person, on social media, through old fashioned letters, on the phone or via email – there is nothing more effective and affecting than storytelling.

Spot on. Storytelling captivates an audience. Simultaneously, it engages that audience. And, that audience is as much a thousand-person-strong client list as it is a three-person family. You, as the storyteller, invite your audience to become part of the tale you’re telling. They imagine in their mind’s eye the scenes you describe. They delight in the triumphs, and, if they’re the right target, identify and connect with you emotionally, and intellectually.

So, what’s your story? Are you ready to share it? You should be. You have powerful connections to make.

When the World’s Largest Superyacht Isn’t a Superyacht–and It Doesn’t Matter

3 Ways Superyacht Storytellers Is Like Superyacht Design

The Conductor and the Orchestra

Storytelling: a Brand Essential

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