Kicking off the year in style, we hosted our annual Sydney Ocean Club Owners’ Soirée at the stunning Sala Dining on Jones Bay Wharf in February with a breathtaking performance from award-winning Australian soprano Phoebe-Celeste Humphreys. Her rendition of Verdi’s La Traviata filled the harbourfront venue with soaring melodies, leaving everyone spellbound, while an exquisite menu of Beluga Caviar, freshly shucked oysters and delectable canapés was enjoyed by all. Our heartfelt thanks go to Danny Rosso, Con Dede and their team for curating another incredible evening.
The celebrations continued as the Ocean Club brought together friends and clients for two exhilarating days of racing at the 2025 KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix | Sydney aboard Shore Thing, a beautifully refitted Lloyds 113-foot charter yacht. Special thanks to our gracious host, the vessel’s proud owner, for making the experience truly exceptional.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our valued partners and sponsors, who continue to elevate the Ocean Club experience year after year – Benetti Yachts, Grand Seiko, Range Rover, Princess Yachts Australia, Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard, Palm Beach Motor Yachts, Analu Interiors, Lallier Champagne, Beluga Caviar, BM Yachts, Shore Thing Charters, Campari and Sofitel Darling Harbour. For a full round-up of events, turn to Scene.
Our cover star this issue is Fountaine Pajot’s Thíra 80, their flagship catamaran that blends signature French flair with luxurious design and exceptional sailing performance. Other reviews include the Numarine 30XP, the latest addition to the Turkish builder’s celebrated explorer range, and the high-performance Delta 48 Coupé. Crafted in Sweden with full carbon-fibre construction, this sleek vessel delivers exceptional speed, fuel efficiency and agility.
For Power Play, I had the pleasure of catching up with Peter Mahoney, General Manager of Benetti Asia-Pacific, along with Asia-Pacific team members Natalie Ye and Matthew Walford, Benetti’s Area Manager for Australia and New Zealand. Having known Peter for over 20 years, it was fantastic to spend time with him and his colleagues for an in-depth yet relaxed conversation about Benetti’s vision for the region.
Meanwhile, at boot Düsseldorf I sat down with Nada Serafini, Head of Sales at Pershing, for our Company Profile. With over three decades at the brand and unrivalled knowledge, she was the perfect person to reflect on Pershing’s remarkable 40-year journey. From its origins in the 1980s to its position today as a leader in high-performance yachting, Pershing has consistently pushed the boundaries.
For Ocean Keepers, we shine a spotlight on Amos Nachoum, one of the world’s most celebrated underwater photographers and influential ocean ambassadors. We delve into his decades-long career capturing marine creatures in their natural habitats.
Finally, we pay tribute to an industry icon, Paolo Vitelli, the visionary founder of Azimut and former president of the Azimut|Benetti Group. Our European Editor Charlotte Thomas reflects on his extraordinary journey from launching a yacht charter business in 1969 to building one of the world’s largest and most successful yacht-building empires. His influence and passion have left an indelible mark on the industry, and his legacy will be remembered for generations to come.
As this issue hits the press, we’ll be setting off for the Auckland Boat Show from 6 to 9 March before heading to the Singapore Yachting Festival in early April. Already filled with overseas travel, stellar events and exciting preparations for Ocean magazine’s milestone 20th anniversary – set to be celebrated during this year’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in May – 2025 is off to a busy start!
Hillary Buckman
Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief
Ocean Media Pty Ltd
PS. Don’t wait any longer to subscribe to Ocean magazine – with an incredible 30 percent off the cover price, it’s time to get on board! ⚓️
