What makes a great superyacht berth?

In recent years there has been increased demand for superyacht berths in marinas across the world. With millionaires, royalty, VIPs and other UHNWIs on board, ensuring berths are of the highest possible standard with the best equipment and facilities is very important when considering a marina. So, what are the most important requirements captains, crews and owners look for when determining a homeport or destination marina for berthing superyachts?

Slip access

The slips at superyacht marinas can vary, though most commonly you will find single- or double-berth set ups.

Single berths

Single-berth slips can be advantageous as they provide dock access on both sides of the vessel, which leads to easier maintenance, easier access on and off the yacht, as well as more privacy by having a gap between each vessel.

Double berths

The main advantage of this berth is that marinas can accommodate more yachts in the watered area, as it eliminates the pontoon between each yacht. Double berths also allow greater flexibility for marinas, letting wider yachts be moored next to narrower yachts to ensure all yachts fit in well.

Fuel delivery

Fuel can be available at berths in marinas, though this is not always preferred by superyachts and they may require road tankers for fuel to be delivered to marinas.

The fuel capacity of a typical superyacht can be around 200,000 litres and so the use of high-speed pumps that can deliver up to 9.5 litres per second are required. These pumps are extremely large and will require a separate dock for fuelling so many superyacht facilities use tankers or barges to deliver fuel under strict environmental and safety conditions.

This can only take place by the slips if there is a large enough area for the equipment and tanker to be placed; otherwise a separate “fuel dock” will need to be used.

Water

Portable water usage for the largest superyachts can be as much as 20,000 litres a day. In comparison, a typical household in Europe can use roughly just 400 litres a day. Marinas must prepare for such boats and the water levels required to accommodate them. Superyacht marinas should also provide dedicated sewage pump-out at such berths.

Shore-based power

A PIANC report looking at both the required and desired marina and dockside facilities necessary to attract and maintain superyacht clientele to marinas—RecCom WG 134: Design and Operational Guidelines for Superyacht Facilities—identifies insufficient electrical power at the berth as the number one complaint from superyacht owners and crew, and there are numerous other facilities that a modern superyacht and its crew require in order to be perceived as a superyacht-ready marina.

Even the smaller superyachts require a lot of power—some rival the levels used in small tower blocks of apartments on land. Marinas will need to make any required preparations to deal with the high consumption from multiple superyachts.

Specialist companies are available to provide power services to marinas, offering a range of solutions to suit superyachts and yachts of all sizes.

Provisioning of supplies

Marinas catering to a regular superyacht clientele often offer in-house provisioning and concierge services, with a key USP of such services being proximity to the boat. When there is a competent supplier of provisions and goods available at a yacht’s doorstep, this can offer huge financial and commercial benefits for the marina hosting the boat.

Transport and airport access

Parking and access to vehicles can be a huge factor in a marina’s success with larger yachts, as owners look for convenience and ease of travel from the marina. This often expands to include helicopter access, another common mode of travel to and from a superyacht that owners and guests will wish to utilise.

Safety and security

Crew and owners will be looking for privacy and personal safety at a marina, which will need to at least provide 24/7 on-site security to be considered. Privacy is also a common concern, particularly for guests wishing to sunbathe on deck or otherwise make use of the yacht at dock.

Shopping, entertainment and other leisure facilities

When spending a sustained period of time at a marina, the local amenities can make or break a stay. With proper shopping, entertainment, and relaxation facilities, guests and crew will begin to perceive a marina more as a resort — an accreditation very appealing to superyachts and their guests.

Find companies that provide marina equipment and services

Using our industry search, you can find the best marina equipment suppliers to help you prepare your marina for hosting superyachts or upgrade existing facilities and equipment to attract bigger, larger yachts.