Superyacht: Difference between revisions

Characterized as symbols "of great wealth and excessive consumption",<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mallet |first=Victor |date=2022-09-01 |title=Superyachts aim to go green — but at what cost? |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/e72cf7c8-cfbe-47df-9d79-27edbda74c37}}</ref> superyachts have been controversial due to their adverse environmental impact. According to one estimate, a superyacht is the single most polluting object a person can own, more so than [[Private jet|private jets]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Niranjan |first=Ajit |date=2023-11-21 |title='I cannot stress too much about it': Monaco yacht buyers shrug off climate concerns |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/21/i-cannot-stress-too-much-about-it-monaco-yacht-buyers-shrug-off-climate-concerns |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Barros |first1=Beatriz |last2=Wilk |first2=Richard |date=2021 |title=The outsized carbon footprints of the super-rich |journal=Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy |language=en |volume=17 |issue=1 |pages=316–322 |doi=10.1080/15487733.2021.1949847 |bibcode=2021SSPP...17..316B |issn=1548-7733|doi-access=free }}</ref> A superyacht, large enough for a helicopter pad, submarine and a permanent crew, emits 1,500 times more carbon in a year than a typical family car.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ungoed-Thomas |first=Jon |date=2022-01-29 |title=Superyacht sales surge prompts fresh calls for curbs on their emissions |language=en-GB |work=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/29/superyacht-sales-surge-prompts-fresh-calls-for-curbs-on-their-emissions |issn=0029-7712}}</ref>

The "Large Commercial Yacht Code (LY2)" of Great Britain and its dominions defines a "large yacht" as one that is {{Convert|24|m|ft|abbr=}} or more at the waterline and is in commercial use for sport or pleasure, while not carrying cargo or more than 12 passengers, and carrying a professional crew. The code regulates the equipping of such vessels, both at sea and in port—including such matters as crew duty times and the presence of a helicopter on board. The code has different levels of standard for vessels above and below 500 [[Gross tonnage|gross tons]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/295047/msn_1792_edition_2.pdf|title=The Large Commercial Yacht Code (LY2)|last=Maritime and Coastguard Agency|publisher=Department of Transport|location=Southampton|date=September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420230523/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/295047/msn_1792_edition_2.pdf|archive-date=20 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Other countries have standards similar to LY2.<ref name=":5" /> Whereas yachts of 24 metres and below may be constructed of [[fiberglass]], larger yachts are more likely to be constructed of steel, aluminum or composite [[Fibre-reinforced plastic|fiber-reinforced plastic]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NZk3AAAAQBAJ&q=%22superyacht%22+definition&pg=PA1|title=Law of Yachts & Yachting |last1=Coles |first1=Richard|last2=Lorenzon|first2=Filippo|date=2013-07-31|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=9781317995791|pages=3–4|language=en}}</ref> Such yachts may be considered "superyachts" and are more commonly at {{Convert|40|m|ft|abbr=}} or more in length.<ref name=":1"/>

Superyachts have significant environmental impacts, primarily due to their substantial [[greenhouse gas emissions]] and other forms of pollution. A report by SuperYacht Times indicates that the global fleet of nearly 6,000 superyachts has expanded fourfold over the past three decades, reflecting a broader trend of wealth concentration. These vessels are predominantly powered by [[Diesel engine|diesel engines]]. Notably, the annual [[Greenhouse gas emissions|{{CO2}} emissions]] from just the top 300 superyachts are estimated to be nearly 285,000 tons, which surpasses the total national emissions of countries like [[Tonga]]. Beyond carbon emissions, superyachts also contribute to [[marine pollution]] through the discharge of [[wastewater]], and by generating considerable noise and light pollution. These activities have raised significant concerns regarding their [[ecological footprint]]. Moreover,These theyachts environmentaltypically impactspend isless heightenedthan by20% of their usageyear patternsunder way; theywhen oftenin functionport asmany 'floatingcontinue hotels,'to relyingemit on{{CO2}} generatorsfrom fordiesel-powered extendedgenerators periodsthat whichsupport furtherany increasesguests theiror energycrew consumptionon and emissionsboard.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nix |first=Jessica |date=June 4, 2024 |title=As Superyachts’Superyachts' Popularity Grows, So Is Their Supersized Climate Impact |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/tosv2.html?vid=&uuid=57878a2enews/articles/2024-229406-11ef04/superyachts-82d8have-2cb3f8e6ceee&url=L25ld3MvYXJ0aWNsZXMvMjAyNC0wNi0wNC9zdXBlcnlhY2h0cy1oYXZlLWFuLW91dHNpemVkLWNsaW1hdGUtaW1wYWN0LWFzLXRoZXktZ3Jvdy1pbi1wb3B1bGFyaXR5P3V0bV9tZWRpdW09c29jaWFsJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PWVuZXJneSZ1dG1fc291cmNlPXR3aXR0ZXImY21waWQ9PXNvY2lhbGZsb3ctdHdpdHRlci1lbmVyZ3kmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNvY2lhbGZsb3ctb3JnYW5pYw==an-outsized-climate-impact-as-they-grow-in-popularity |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=www.bloomberg.com}}</ref>