The world of superyachts is still for the privileged few, let there be no doubt. But the SIZE and NUMBERS of yachts on the water have risen sharply.

According to BOAT International Media, always a good source for reliable numbers, there is a higher concentration of projects and deliveries in the 46m+, 70m+ and 80m+ brackets than there were about 5 years ago. Additionally, the global fleet has grown from 9,534 yachts in 2015 to 13’313 last year which is more or less a 40% hike in seafarers vying for the best anchorages.

One captain of a 74m yacht recently shared his frustration with us, “Some of the anchorages are [now] heavily congested. You know, we might come in early in the morning and, by lunchtime on a Saturday, there are 30 small boats anchored right around us, sometimes on top of us, even over our anchor chain and that sort of thing.”

This same captain highlighted another risk now on his mind when sailing the MED, “let’s say, for example, we’re going into a small congested bay in Ibiza. First thing on my mind are the Posidonia regulations.” Environmental awareness has become a core part of the anchoring decision. The stakes are high for captains, both in terms of safety and in protecting sensitive marine habitats but also for their personal reputations. 

Modern risk management is knowing what the anchor is doing, in real time – so you can react proactively. 

AnchorGuardian makes the invisible visible and supports you in your decision-making.