Claire Griffiths is Dockwalk’s contributing editor in the Mediterranean. She fled to the sunny south of France from Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. Claire has a background in journalism for national and regional UK press and a career in political and corporate PR prior to that. Claire’s hobbies include eating, sleeping and dancing at inopportune times. She tries to avoid sheer drops and Olympic bobsled runs. Email Claire at claire@dockwalk.com
Sheltered in Narragansett Bay, and slotted neatly in the Boston to New York corridor of power, Newport is hotspot for the world’s wealthiest in-crowd that love messing about on boats. Naturally, it's the start and finishing point for many New England charters and that's why it's the host port for the annual charter show, which returns next week from 23 to 26 June 2024.
The Newport Charter Show is a fan favourite among crew, captains and brokers, favoured for its size, its balmy weather, and of course the four crew competitions that take place across the show's three days. And there is still time to sign up!
The Chef Competition, Monday June 22nd, (ingredients supplied by Shoreside Support), will invite chefs to create and present their interpretation of Fine Dining. Judging is on Monday in the main tent. Spaces still available.
The Captain & Deck Challenge, organized by Aere Marine Group, Dockwalk magazine, Young Designs Floral Studio and Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard will take place on Monday, June 24 starting at 5:30pm in the main show tent. The guys (& gals) will flower arrange, fender inflate and relay-race against the clock.
The Tablescaping Competition (June 25, 10-4pm) is open to all attending interior crew, either solo or as a team. The challenge: artistically decorate a dining table onboard with the yacht’s own linen, china, tableware and decorative items including candles and flowers using any theme, outside or inside.
The Signature Cocktail Competition (June 25, 10am-4pm) invites competitors to create a mocktail and a rum-fuelled cocktail using Goslings Rum. All winners will be announced on Wednesday evening.
Sixteen luxury yachts of 70’-200’ LOA in the water are expected, with the industry’s key product and service players exhibiting land-side. This year's lineup includes Feadship’s 51m M/Y Acta , 46m M/Y Chasseur, neoclassical cruiser M/Y Nadan and M/Y Namastay.
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM - Captain & Crew Happy Hour & Show Briefing. Beer, wine, and appetizers served. Sponsored by Akzonobel and Bridge Liquors.
Wired and weary, crew can take the weight off their feet at the AYCA Seminar on June 26 for talks by the experts on Arbitration, Banking Security and Cyber Security, and Captain Jenna Ginsberg (M/Y Timeless) will give a talk on cruising in Maine.
The Newport Charter Show, in partnership with the American Yacht Charter Association (AYCA), runs from 23 to 26 June 2024 at Safe Harbour Newport Shipyard in Rhode Island.