Q&A: ‘Superyachts are more about jobs than joyrides’

African Boating Conference director Veda Pretorius speaks to us on the eve of inaugural event which will showcase the South African building sector. Boatbuilding – now worth around R3-billion a year – and superyacht visits are a big part of the sector’s success.


CAPE CHAMBER: The ABC has finally arrived!  Are you relieved?  

VEDA: I probably am a little relieved. I have spent over a year planning the event. It feels quite special when the moment arrives. It is definitely a kind of nervous euphoria. 

It is always different when it is a first conference, because we have nothing to measure against. I am sure after this event we’ll get a good picture of the kind of topics and the kind of focus areas that are of interest to the industry. 

CAPE CHAMBER:  It seems to have generated a lot of interest in the boating sector. As expected?  

VEDA: I have found great support in unexpected places. Some of the first companies and people who wanted to be part of the conference just kind of fizzled out. But on other hand I have been blown away by fantastic support of some sponsors that came on board early, and people sharing news on their networks. 

We thought it would have to be a miracle to have 150 people, but we now have nearly 200 people registered for the event.  

CAPE CHAMBER: You are very involved with superyachts. Do you expect the ABC to raise CT's profile as a superyacht destination?  

VEDA: I’m definitely hoping that the conference will be the beginning of more regional cooperation, and more strategic planning and execution of a proper regulatory growth strategy for the superyacht sector. One must understand that superyachts follow a route – it's a whole journey not just a destination. If we are not able to bring the journey together for superyacht stakeholders, then we will not be able to drive the growth in superyacht visits that we would like.  

One of our key goals for this conference is not only to highlight the opportunities for superyachts to visit the region, but to engage with the right stakeholders – to get their buy-in and commitment.  

CAPE CHAMBER: There appear to be willing partners in the superyacht space, notably the V&A and the City. Is this a big help?  

VEDA: There are great local stakeholders and role players in the superyacht industry with the V &A being the key stakeholder.  Without the (V&A) marina it would be very difficult to drive large scale superyacht tourism. Yes, anchorage is great, but a marina really plays a pivotal role in developing the industry and ensuring longer stays and a broader spectrum of visitors to the region. 

We are very happy to partner with the V&A who are committed to making this conference a success. We are also working with great superyacht agents -- Dell shipping and Pesto Marine SA, who are both very professional and have fantastic reps. They are both invested in promoting the region and getting more yachts to visit. 

CAPE CHAMBER: People think superyachts are all about the super-rich, but the jobs they create impacts all strata of society. Would you agree?  

VEDA: Our conference theme is, ‘Boating as a Catalyst for Economic Growth . It is an enormous priority for us and fundamental to why we started this event in the first place. People are very quick to look at a superyacht and focus on the wealthy owner, but it takes an army to build that vessel, and it takes an army to maintain it and keep the hospitality side of it running the way it should.  

There are good examples from developed superyacht markets, ie Australia and Italy. They have done so many economic impact reports on their superyacht industries. 

It’s not just about the owner of the vessel – it is about how it impacts on jobs. 

Look at the safari industry. A safari lodge might only accommodate ten or 20 guests at a time, but it maintains and supports 20 or 30 households throughout the year.  

CAPE CHAMBER: Did you ever think you would be heading up an initiative of this sort? Have you always been interested in boating?   

VEDA: When I was in school, I had aunts and uncles that were at that stage in their late 20s and 30s, working as superyacht crew. In 1989 i went to the BVI for the first time. My aunt and uncle were running a 58ft charter monohull and we visited them and I just thought it was such a great lifestyle. After university I went to work and starting in the Caribbean _-- I just loved it. It is such a great opportunity and a great career for young people, especially if you are into the hospitality and service industry. 

That said, it is not for everyone. And I think more should be done to be clear on expectations for crew before they embark on this journey. But I really loved it. I loved doing long deliveries -- being out on the water and not having guests and not seeing a person for days was for me one of the best parts ever. 

The industry just kind of sucked me in when i came from the UK in 2005. I started an industry association with Bruce (Tedder) and then I think I just loved the industry. Once you get to see the kind of people you can work with, it makes all the difference. I love the boating industry.