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Captains, if you’re looking for a smooth-sailing charter, you might want to enlist the services of AYSS agents.
Since 1991, AYSS has been assisting the captains and crew of the world’s Superyacht fleet. With offices spread throughout the globe’s cruising grounds, their agents’ combined knowledge and experience ensure that every port you visit, is a port you’ll want to visit again and again.
In this article, we listen to two agent members of AYSS about how they handle matters with captains. But don’t just take their word for it – there are some raving reviews from captains here!
Yachting Singapore
Yachting Singapore focuses on larger yachts and the largest yacht they have served is 119m. They have been a member of AYSS since 2016 and joined because of the vetting process which ensures great quality of service.
We hear from YH Fang, Managing Director!
Singapore is a port city with excellent infrastructure to support superyachts cruising in the region. There is no cruising ground and we are always upfront about this with any potential clients. Chartering is not permitted unless the visiting yachts have a local charter license.
Superyachts call on Singapore because it is a maintenance, logistics and supply hub.
Our first conversation with any captains is always to find out what they want to do in Singapore. From the list of tasks they want to achieve, we will suggest the programme and schedule for the yacht and help the captain navigate through all the local rules and restrictions to accomplish their goals. Hiring the right support with the experience and knowledge of the work to be done saves time and cost.
Fang’s insightful advice for captains on selecting the best agent:
When selecting an agent, make sure to ask the appropriate questions to receive the best service:
- Verify that the person or agency you plan to hire is familiar with the complexity of work expected.
- Confirm that the contact person is present where the support is needed and is accessible at all times.
- Ask for a list of at least 20 superyacht clients for whom the agency has done similar types of work in the past five years.
- Request references from at least five superyacht clients with whom the agency has worked in the last three years.
- Check that the agent prioritises the interest of the clients before anything else.
Here’s what we have done for the past 12 years:
- Sourcing of engineering parts
- Logistics for importation of ship spares and stores, customs regulations, and tax exemptions
- Repair and fabrication work
- Managing project work such as coordination of vendors and contractors to execute complex tasks
- Provisioning
- Bunkering
- Helicopter operations
What the captains say…
Capt Daniel Sutton:
As captain of the 45m Feadship Blue Sky and then the 51m Northern Sun, I visited Singapore on numerous occasions. The crew and I were always well looked after by Fang and his team. Fang is knowledgeable, professional and quick to respond to all inquiries and requests. Formalities, provisioning and all manner of services were quickly dealt with due to their comprehensive local knowledge and network of local contacts. Fang also recommended an excellent shipyard for dry-dock and maintenance work and organised additional, exterior contractors. I can not recommend Fang and his team highly enough.
Captain MY A:
we have been using Yachting Singapore’s service for few years. From Fang’s good experiences he always give us good suggestion when we were faced some difficulties, very flexible, has good humor, best part of him! Also i would like to say his employees all very professional as well, fast to deliver the service with good knowledge, accurate. i can’t wait to work with them again!
Captain MY Northern Sun:
Fang at Yachting Singapore could not have been more helpful. We brought Northern Sun 50m to drydock from Thailand and Fang helped with all clearances, supplies, marina bookings, fund transfers and shipments of equipment. His staff helped with crew transfer documents and Immigration formalities, both in and out of Singapore. I’d highly recommend Yachting Singapore to visiting superyachts.
Lighthouse Consultancy
About the services they offer
The Lighthouse Consultancy has an extensive network of local and international partners in place to offer a multitude of services across the remote regions of Indonesia. Lighthouse offers Superyacht support Indonesia wide, from Sumatra to Papua and everywhere in between. Their experienced team can assist with the following services:
- Vessel Declaration and Cruising Permit
- Customs and Temporary Importation Assistance
- International and Domestic Clearances
- Berthing
- Crew and Guest Visas Applications
- Provisioning
- Port Services
- Bunkering Arrangements
- Concierge Services
- Domestic Flight Services
- Transport Logistics & Hotels
- Security Services
- Medical Evacuations
…and much more!
What the captains say…
Review #1:
I would like to highly recommend to all Captain’s in the industry that when cruising through out Indonesia you must work with Andy Shorten and his team at Lighthouse Consultancy. They will only provide the highest standard of service meeting and exceeding all of your cruising needs.
Lighthouse Consultancy can provide the most knowledge on cruising areas, itineraries, guides, provisions and the best support network. All of this delivered at a competitive price and an attitude that nothing is too much trouble.
Andy and his team have a sense of urgency in every matter that they assist with whether it is providing local information, provisioning, bunkering, arranging helicopters or remote immigration clearance.
I hope that you also choose to work with Lighthouse Consultancy they area professional outfit located throughout Indonesia – you will not regret your choice!
Review #2:
[Our motor yacht] is a World and remote area cruising yacht. The pace of the itinerary places an enormous challenge on all those that are approached to support the operation.
Amongst many excellent support companies worldwide Andy and the support team at The Lighthouse Consultancy stand out for competence and commitment to the guest experience.
In 2019 Lighthouse assisted [us] with complicated research for a broad-ranging Indonesian itinerary. Requests included; itinerary development, physical inspection of multiple destinations, arranging all logistics in support of +100m yacht and most challenging seeking flight permits for the yacht’s own helicopter.
The Lighthouse Consultancy delivered on all points and did so with consistent good grace and good humour. It was a pleasure to work alongside the team in Bali and the Captains are only too willing to amplify further.
Review #3:
On behalf of [Motor Yacht] and her owner, I would like to thank the entire team at The Lighthouse Consultancy for their endless assistance and advice provided in Indonesian waters.
[Motor Yacht] embarked on an ambitious itinerary, venturing throughout Indonesia over the period of a year and conducting multiple trips. The joy and sights we discovered would not have been possible without the tireless assistance of Mr. Andy Shorten’s team. The Lighthouse Consultancy were able to assist with all facets of operations to ensure a successful time for [Motor Yacht]. This included but was not limited to; Immigration and Customs, port clearances, supply of emergency spare parts, booking and coordinating charter flights, itinerary/cruising technical advice and development, guide services and most importantly, provisioning! The quality of provisions and flowers that were sourced by the Lighthouse team were truly exemplary!
I could not recommend the Lighthouse Consultancy highly enough for any yacht venturing through the Indonesian archipelago. They make an impossibly challenging and remote destination as stress free as possible.
A Bit More About How AYSS Agents Will Go Above And Beyond For Captains And Crew
Vetting process = quality guaranteed
Extensive knowledge of local laws, tax systems, service providers, and fuel suppliers are essential skills Superyacht Agents must have to become an AYSS member. In today’s increasingly complex logistical world, it should be the agent, with their expert knowledge of the country they are operating in, who will help get your yacht fully prepare for either Owner, Charter, or Passage on time.
Members of the AYSS are quality checked and vetted for fairness. To become a member, they must provide references from Captains and from within the Superyacht Industry. Other member agents must also recommend them. The AYSS selection process is rigorous. Interested potential members must have been operating within the superyacht industry for a minimum of two years. Their primary business must also be as agents within the superyacht industry.
And if something doesn’t go well?
In the unlikely event of things going wrong, AYSS has an Ethics and Grievance group that will attempt to resolve any issues to the satisfaction of both parties. Becoming a valued member of AYSS gives agents an elevated advantage over unregulated yacht agents. It is an added protection for the agent and an added protection for the yacht itself.
Find Yachting Singapore on their website here: https://www.yachtingsingapore.com/index.html
Find Lighthouse Consultancy on their website here: https://thelighthouseconsultancy.com/
Check out the AYSS website here: https://www.ayss.org/
For members listed on the AYSS agents map, click here.
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