the superyacht life foundation

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Changing Perceptions: The Superyacht Life Foundation

Editor in chief Charlotte Thomas on how superyachts are sailing towards a greener future.

By Irenie Forshaw

When superyachts hit the headlines, it’s often for all the wrong reasons. From angry protestors threatening to pelt Jeff Bezos’ $500m new vessel with eggs, to the steadily growing list of superyachts seized from Russian oligarchs, the industry has faced its fair share of bad press in recent months.

But according to Charlotte Thomas, editor in chief at the Superyacht Life Foundation, there is another side to the sector that goes far beyond its image of excess. “I think the industry is waking up to the fact that the next generation of owners are super conscious of eco-responsibility and are trying to be more sustainable,” she says.

“Fundamentally it always comes back to the same thing: people want to go out and enjoy what a superyacht can offer and the extraordinary experiences you can have, but if you don’t look after the oceans, you’re not going to be able to enjoy them in a generations time.”

Thomas, and her colleagues at the Superyacht Life Foundation, are shining a light on the positive work the industry is undertaking, as well as the far-reaching impact these efforts have on communities across the globe.

The Superyacht Life Foundation represents voices from across the industry / ©Breed Media

The non-profit was set up five years ago as a collective marketing campaign for the superyacht sector, representing the voices of the entire industry, from the owners and crew to the shipbuilders, designers and brokerage companies.

Changing perceptions of the industry isn’t easy, but if anyone is up to the challenge it’s Thomas. The editor in chief has over two decades of experience under her belt working in the yacht industry, including a stint as a skipper and crew mate.

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Seeing the negative press can, at times, be frustrating. “The headline figures come out saying ‘so and so has just spent $500m on a superyacht, isn’t that ridiculous’,” she says. “But no one talks about how the money is spread between tens of thousands of people – everyone from your designer to your piper to your fabricator to your interior specialist. It’s the ultimate redistribution of wealth.”

Supporting these talented craftspeople is something Thomas is fiercely proud of. She tells me about a London-based designer, who creates bespoke leather details for superyacht interiors. “The only reason he can do that,” she insists, “is because of ultra-high-net-worth clients. If it wasn’t for these people, his skill would have died out entirely.”

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In recent years, Thomas has watched sustainability climb the agenda. Onboard operations have become much greener and cleaner thanks to crews coming together under initiatives like the Clear Ocean Pact which aims to eliminate all single-use plastic in yachting.

There has also been heavy investment in eco-friendly technology. Thomas points to vessels like Bill Joy’s 58-meter sailing yacht, Ethereal , powered by a groundbreaking twin hybrid electro-mechanical propulsion system that recharges her battery bank, and Oceanco’s Black Pearl which is powered largely by kinetic energy generated from her enormous sails.

In this way, Thomas likens the superyacht industry to Formula 1. “It’s this hotbed of exciting advancement where money is invested in technology that can be applied far beyond yachting,” she says.

Alice Widdows, the events and partnerships manager at Superyacht Life Foundation, adds: “You hear about owners that will go and live near the yard to really get involved in the build process. That’s how passionate they are.”

Oceanco’s Black Pearl is powered by kinetic energy from her sails / ©Tom Van Oossanen

Beyond technology, the sector is encouraging valuable scientific collaboration projects. Nekton’s ‘Yachts for Science’ program, for example, matches marine scientists with private vessels to undertake research in hard-to-reach locations.

But what does Thomas say to critics that question whether superyachts should sail to previously untouched corners of the planet, like, say Antarctica or the Galapagos Islands?

“I think the numbers are still relatively few, so the impact is minimal,” she replies. “But what it does do is raise awareness among the people who have the means to make a difference. Of course, it’s got to be done responsibly – that’s the key.”

Scientific research and eco-friendly tech aren’t the only areas where superyacht owners are making a real difference, according to Thomas. Their efforts, she explains, often extend to the local communities, providing disaster relief for those in need.

YachtAid Global, for example, was set up in 2006 to help the yachting community provide humanitarian aid for coastal communities across the planet. Since then, superyacht owners have used their vessels to provide emergency relief for those in Tonga following the 2021 volcano eruption, and those in The Philippines affected by Typhoon Rai, among other projects.

Ethereal is powered by a groundbreaking twin hybrid electro-mechanical propulsion system / ©Franco Pace

“The great thing about a superyacht is that it’s this self-contained eco bubble,” explains Thomas. “It doesn’t need power, water or food because it carries supplies and can produce its own light and power. So you can visit remote communities and not take any of their precious resources. Quite often owners will say ‘my boat is in New Zealand – it’s available if you want to deliver supplies.’”

Widdows adds: “When you’re on the dock in Palma and you’re sitting in your superyacht and you know that just behind you there are hospitals struggling and children aren’t being fed properly, there’s this huge disconnect, so the crew and owners do get very involved supporting the local communities at their home bases.”

The pandemic has only served to accelerate this shift towards more responsible yachting and a desire among owners to help the communities that have given them so much.

“I think everyone’s very conscious they come from a place of privilege,” concludes Thomas. “It’s almost a case of getting that message out to the next generation of owners: don’t feel guilty because it’s costing a lot of money – look at all the people that rely on it.”

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[See more : Lürssen Reveals Climate-Neutral Yacht Concept]

Irenie Forshaw

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The Superyacht Life Foundation And Monaco Yacht Show

“Behind every superyacht, lies a story”.  

The Superyacht Life Foundation has flourished in their expedition to straighten up the exposé on generation superyacht; a high-seas industry for the polished, smart-set community with a sustainable soul that has leisurely paddled into the high billion dollar tally, yet perpetually finds itself drowning in a sea of tainted headlines and a haughty reputation.

Resilient in their quest since 2017, this not-for-profit institute continues to hold the torch for the spheres poised #humansofyachting, not neglecting the habitats and countless blueprints radiating the spotlight around the superyachting good life, coupled with a compassionate soul.  

In a formidable debonair alliance, The Superyacht Life Foundation opted to join forces to present the inaugural Honours event, held on the evening of Tuesday 26 September in Monaco teaming up with none other than the esteemed, internationally heralded superyacht exhibit of The Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) .

Illustrating the immersive epitome of seven seas grandiosity and polished panache since since 1991, The Monaco Yacht Show relishes in welcoming its lucullan visitants while basking in the sacred endorsement and support of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco , as it continues to play host to a graceful assemblage of ultra-luxe superyachts and megayachts inside the aquatic resplendence of the Port Hercules, cementing its prestigious stature as the world’s number one yachting destination.

The Honours Experiential Evening 

The Honours event has been envisaged as a golden window of opportunity for the open ocean racer industry to for once, illuminate the positives of the chic everyday superyachting life and applaud those phenomenal individuals, who strive behind the camera choosing to make a invaluable difference and showcase just how nurturing and humble this alleged superficial superyacht realm can be.

Housed within Hauser & Wirth’s majestic gallery in Monaco on Place du Casino, the gala evening happenings had the pleasure of witnessing the presence of an esteemed audience of superyacht owners and select honoured luminary, all of whom had indulged in a lavish experiential dining affair elevated with captivating ballet and opera theatrics, and a tantalising sea-inspired, locally sourced menu highlighting the culinary flair of Monaco.

Upon commenting the dinner, guests were when treated to a brief yet compelling documentary film centred around the honourees, before the final laureates hand-picked from over a colossal 360 nominations were called onto the main stage to have bestowed upon them, their coveted Bowsprit award. 

It was the host environmental and ocean conservation advocate Mariasole Bianco, whom had taken the initiative to invite laureates to discuss and share their intriguing backgrounds, which highlighted their passion for the superyacht industry along with their hard graft endeavours to mark a difference to humanity through their philanthropic, charitable, environmental and community-based initiatives.

Celebrating The First Three Bowsprit Laureates

Wendy schmidt.

Wendy Schmidt; A passionate philanthropist and sailing superyacht owner ardent in her mission to raise awareness on the understanding, conservation, and restoration of our oceanic environments which in turn, prove pivotal for supporting life on Earth.

Through the Schmidt Family Foundation, the Schmidt Ocean Institute and other non-profit organisations, Wendy Schmidt has helped further ocean science and research, including by use of research vessels Falkor and Falkor (too) which are made available to scientists all over the world – more than 1,000 have been hosted on board since 2012.

Schmidt also founded 11th Hour Racing to highlight issues and solutions for sustainability in the yachting and yacht racing sectors. An accomplished helmswomen herself – she recently became the first woman and the first American to win the Barcolana 54, the world’s largest sailing yacht race – she is helping shape the next generation of yachts, drive innovation in materials and lifecycle assessment tools, and educate the general public to understand the importance of our ocean environments.

Jenny Matthews

Jenny Matthews is a professional yacht crew who at age the tender age of 18, decided that she was going to sideline the university life and become a superyacht captain. Facing the challenges of an industry where where an on deck female presence was scarce, Jenny had nonetheless persisted and hustled on her path to gain an Officer of the Watch certificate, albeit constantly plagued with comments that very few women had ever attained those credentials.

Those remarks were the driving force in leading her to reach out on social media to form She of the Sea – a fresh novel community for the working women on decks and engineering divisions that would serve not only as a networking, but also a firing table to motivational platform the next generation of talented candidates.

This initiative was then followed by the launch of Legasea, which settled on the conversation away from gender based projects and instead, drew its focus on the mentoring and genesis of the next yacht crew genesis of yacht crew dynasty, promising their support and knowledge for when the time comes for them to finally transport to the shoreside world.

Zoran Selakovic 

Zoran Selakovic was born and raised in what is now, the enchanting Adriatic jewel of Croatia where he fell in love with the sea starting from his youthful era, leading him to concur his skippering qualifications and cruise extensively across the shores. 

It was his distressing, first-hand experience of witnessing friends in the Caribbean lose their livelihoods at the mercy of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, that proved the prime mover for him to find out how he could help – which in turn led to his encounter with the founder of YachtAid Global, Mark Drewelow.

Zoran stepped in to help coordinate aid through YachtAid Global, which received offers from more than 100 superyachts to assist in relief efforts within two weeks. Since then as YachtAid Global’s Director, he has been involved in projects as diverse as disaster relief, from building the first public library in the Galapagos and helping provide clean drinking water in Mexico, to coordinating Operation Swimway which aims to add the migratory routes of pelagics to ocean conservation areas; all with the help of over 300 yachts ,  including thousands of yacht crew and owners.

“The evening was a wonderful expression of the good that exists in the superyachting good life, highlighting that there is so much more to this industry, its owners and crew than meets the eye,” says Dilan Saraç, Executive Director of Superyacht Life Foundation. “Our three inaugural Honourees are all well deserving of the award, and they have set the high bar for future nominations, which we have no doubt the industry will meet because of the breadth of talent and heart that lies within all facets of the superyachting industry and lifestyle.”

Following the inaugural Honours event, The Superyacht Life Foundation and Monaco Yacht Show are proud to announce that nominations for the 2024 edition of the Honours will open on the 1st of December 2023 – once again honouring the work of three select individuals at an exclusive experiential gala on the eve of the 2024 Monaco Yacht Show.

Anuja Gaur is a freelance luxury restaurant and travel writer based in Hertfordshire, UK. She is also an associate at an award-winning hedge fund in Mayfair. Her passion for fine food, illustrious hotels and an all-round love for the finer things in life has sent her to the most prestigious establishments, creating high-quality writing content that is honest, detailed and enjoyable, which invites readers on her immersive luxe filled writers journey.

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The Superyacht Life Foundation

Marketing & creative agencies, thesuperyachtlife.com/.

Behind every superyacht lies a story. The Superyacht Life Foundation is on a mission to share these stories, offering a fresh take on the positive people, places and projects that surround the superyachting good life.

People and personalities lie at the heart of our content. We speak to the families who embark on pioneering adventures together by superyacht, we meet with the skilled craftsmen and women who work behind-the-scenes to enable these extraordinary voyages and we champion the inspirational individuals who are striving to improve the oceans and environment around us.

Our roots as a non-profit organisation lie within the industry. We are supported and guided by our board members, driven by our partners – and united in our mission to change the conversation about superyachting.

News summary

Bridging the age gap

As the industry grapples with a talent crisis exacerbated by an age gap, World Boating Day aims to showcase industry intricacies and attract new talent…

Inaugural World Boating Day set to launch

With intent on attracting quality talent growing, some industry leaders are spearheading an initiative to highlight the viable career prospects in yachting…

The Honours 2024 nominations now open

After its inaugural edition last year, The Honours 2024 has opened for nominations…

The necessity of time, luxury and experiences

Professor Dr Phil Klaus and Dr Annalisa Tarquini-Poli tackle the challenges that face superyacht ownership at TSF 2023…

Monaco Yacht Show Honours celebrate first three bowsprit laureates

The first three recipients of the Bowsprit award were awarded last night at the inaugural Honours event…

New members and a bullish outlook at SYBAss general assembly

SYBAss focussed on the impact of the world economy on potential superyacht ownership…

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THE HONOURS

Rewarding lives in superyachting.

Inspiring people, inspiring change.

There is so much good going on within the superyacht industry – from philanthropic ventures and intrepid exploration to unrivalled craftsmanship and sustainable innovations helping make the world a better place – but these stories are regularly overlooked.

That's why The Honours recognises the people behind the inspirational stories that make the superyachting world exceptional.

Honourees 2023

Jenny matthews.

Inspired by a conversation with a neighbour, Jenny Matthews set out to break the mould and become a superyacht captain, founding She of the Sea and Legasea on the way.

ZORAN SELAKOVIC

From passionate yacht skipper and business strategy consultant to Director at YachtAid Global, Zoran Selakovic has seen the suffering of coastal communities, and the help that the superyacht community is determined to deliver.

WENDY SCHMIDT

A latecomer to sailing, recipient of the inaugural Honours awards and yacht owner Wendy Schmidt nonetheless showed a natural talent for helming and an affinity with the sea, and as her passion grew, so did her determination to put her philanthropic weight behind ocean science and sustainability.

IT'S YOUR TURN

Nominations are now open!

Who is your nominee for The Honours 2024?

Experiential. Educational. Exceptional.

An exclusive, high-end, experiential evening celebrating the stories of three honourees takes place in Monaco on the eve of the iconic Monaco Yacht Show.

Meet with an esteemed panel of judges and 

criteria employed in the judging process

The exquisite and finely crafted Bowsprit award represents the guiding spirits of the superyachting world. Like the inspirational people it honours, the award symbolises those at the leading edge, pointing the way forward and charting a new course, while the waves express the gathering momentum that follows our honourees. 

The Bowsprit

Read our stories

Behind every superyacht lies a story. The Superyacht Life Foundation is on a mission to share these stories, offering a fresh take on the positive impacts, people, places and projects that surround the superyachting good life.  

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The Superyacht Life Foundation announces The Honours awards

• October 11, 2022

The Superyacht Life Foundation and Monaco Yacht Show have created The Honours, an annual event starting in September 2023 that recognises ‘the people, not the yachts’.

The Honours was announced at Yacht Club de Monaco

The Superyacht Life Foundation and the Monaco Yacht Show have invited nominations for the first edition of The Honours, which aims to celebrate the people of the superyacht industry rather than the yachts. The inaugural Honours evening be held in Monaco on September 26, 2023, on the eve of the Monaco Yacht Show, with three honourees receiving a Bowsprit, an avant-garde design in carbon and crystal glass crafted by Preciosa.

Dilan Sarac, Marketing Manager of The Superyacht Life Foundation, said: “Behind the glitz, the glamour and the attention-grabbing headlines, superyachting has a deep and generous soul that is reflected both in the philanthropic endeavours of its owners and in the ideals of its professionals. The Honours is a chance for us to recognise and celebrate the endeavours of the extraordinary people this exceptional sector encapsulates.”

The Honours invites is inviting nominations

Gaëlle Tallarida, Managing Director of Monaco Yacht Show, said: “We believe The Honours will be a new milestone in superyachting’s history as this will be the very first award ceremony that distinguishes people behind the scenes of yachting.”

Sponsored by Feadship, BWA Yachting, RINA and Preciosa, The Honours seeks to highlight and recognise people within superyachting, presenting positive stories and actions to a wider audience.

Examples include owners, crew and industry people leading humanitarian and disaster relief efforts, citizen scientists performing groundbreaking research aboard a superyacht, business leaders preserving artisan skills, and pioneering designers and engineers developing sustainable innovations. It could also be a deckhand who goes above and beyond, or a submarine pilot who has helped guests achieve their dreams and fight their fears.

Three honourees will each receive a Bowsprit

Farouk Nefzi, Chief Marketing Officer at Feadship, said: “Our industry is a people’s industry, and there are so many stories to be told about the amazing achievements of engineering, design, philanthropic ventures and sustainable innovations. They all make our industry and the world a little better. We have chosen to support The Honours because of the inspiring people, captivating stories, and great content.”

Nominations can be made by visiting the Nominate page on https://www.thehonours.org/ . Nominees will be considered by an independent judging panel comprising leaders from varied sectors of the superyacht industry, who will select three laureates each year to receive a Bowsprit.

www.thehonours.org

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THE HONOURS IN PRESS

The Superyacht Life Foundation and IUM Partnership

The Superyacht Life Foundation and the International University of Monaco offer the superyacht industry key insights into the behavior and perceptions of Ultra High Net Worth Individuals at The Superyacht Forum 2023. 

Research undertaken by the Superyacht Life Foundation and the International University of Monaco (IUM) into ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWI) attitudes towards superyachts took center stage on the first day of The Superyacht Forum 2023, as the annual conference kicked off on 14 November in Amsterdam. 

Presented by Dr. Phil Klaus and Dr. Annalisa Tarquini-Poli and incorporated in a wider on-stage discussion as part of the conference’s opening keynote session before an auditorium packed with key figures from the global superyacht industry, the research highlighted not only the recent movements of global wealth and the motivations behind luxury spending but also offered insights into the perceptions of superyachting and the superyacht industry by potential superyacht owners and charterers. 

The presentation and ensuing discussion – which included on-stage contributions from SYBAss market analyst Erik Floor and The Superyacht Group ’s founder and chairman Martin Redmayne – helped illuminate why superyacht ownership is falling behind the increase in the number of global UHNWIs and showed how the superyacht industry could potentially attract more clients through a shift in marketing and customer strategies. 

Finding focus

Among the surprising findings, derived from interviews with a panel of potential superyacht owners, were that UHNWIs consider luxury elements as necessities in their lives, with yachts, helicopters, and private planes seen as utilitarian . This leads to two other insights into the priorities of UHNWIs: that they value time – the thing they lack most of, and which those ‘utilitarian’ assets can help them enjoy most efficiently – above almost everything else, and that they most appreciate priceless experiences , which is especially true for the younger generations. 

The research also highlights that superyachting belongs not so much in an asset class but rather as part of experienced-based goods . Experience-based goods is a sector that was growing pre-pandemic and has only accelerated post-pandemic, meaning that there is considerable potential for growth in the superyacht sector. However, it is worth noting that there is considerably more appetite for charter-based experiences rather than ownership , which suggests that the superyacht industry has work to do in order to attract a greater number of potential clients to take the plunge into ownership. 

By focusing on and promoting the experiential aspect of superyachting, they argue, the superyacht industry can therefore tap into the core driver for a potential owner to make the commitment to purchasing a yacht. Consequently, the experiences offered by ownership and chartering mean that the superyacht industry is effectively operating in the tourism sector rather than the luxury goods sector.  

Three for all 

The research shows that the primary deterrents to clients not buying yachts are the negative experiences of other yacht owners, the high costs associated with ownership, the potential for 24/7 headaches, and the unfavorable reputation of the industry in terms of perception, sustainability, complexity of its service eco-system, and perceived lack of professionalism. 

It is here that the superyacht industry has the greatest opportunity to grow by improving aspects of its service offering and professionalism, both of which were perceived as lacking by potential clients interviewed for the research project compared to other industry sectors they engage with in their everyday lives. In particular, they cite the complex service eco-system (SES) as not always seeming professional and mismanaging their expectations. 

As well as spotlighting the essence of experience over the asset and showcasing that the superyacht sector is really competing in the tourism industry , the authors of the research pulled out three other key facets to consider. First is that one-stop shopping is a big new trend . Creating a centralized experience with greater collaboration between industry parties to combine products and services could potentially pay dividends.  This synergy would first reduce the complexity of the SES in the eyes of the client and also improve the service economy system by bringing it more in line with customer experiences in other industries.

Second, there is a trend from conspicuous to conscious purchasing , which means that aspects such as sustainability are playing a bigger role day by day. Last, the concept of ‘slow yachting’ is important , manifested through creating a slower pace for clients to experience better yachting during key phases such as the purchase of a yacht. 

The insights offered by the unique research of the Superyacht Life Foundation and IUM’s researchers  confirmed some aspects that the industry has long guessed – that the experiential nature of yachting is one of the most critical aspects . The research also highlighted critical gaps that the industry can address to improve its appeal , particularly with regard to customer journey mapping and customer experience management . 

Moreover, the results highlight the importance of industry collaboration , not only in its service offering to clients but also in its approach to promoting the positive aspects of the superyacht lifestyle to the wider world and, in particular, to potential customers. In particular, this ties in with the Superyacht Life Foundation’s own mission to change the perceptions of superyachts and draw attention to the unique and exceptional experiences they offer. 

“We are delighted to be chosen by the industry leaders to provide insights on the future of superyachting. Our groundbreaking research exploring and quantifying what drives UHNWI’s purchasing behaviors highlights that the challenges can indeed be converted into opportunities. But for this, the entire industry needs to embrace a collaborative and supportive spirit. Based upon our interesting interaction with many attendees, we are hopeful that this can achieved!.”

Dr. Annalisa Tarquini-Poli

“During the plenary session and our workshop, we realized that the industry is, in its majority, still inside-out driven. By embracing client-centric tools successfully implemented by our clients in other industries serving the UHNWI, such as client journey mapping and client experience management, the industry will immediately turn the challenge into an opportunity.”

Dr. Philip Klaus

The Superyacht Forum 2023

About The Superyacht Life Foundation 

The Superyacht Life Foundation is a non-profit, commercially agnostic industry body that champions the positive people, places, and projects surrounding the superyachting good life. The Foundation, together with its 27 partners from different sectors within the industry, uses its unbiased status to educate, inform, and engage – opening up the world of superyachts to new audiences and securing the long-term health of our superyacht industry.

The Monaco Yacht Show is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

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Three honourees for the honours 2024 judged and set!

Press release - May 17, 2024 Written by the Superyacht Life Foundation

Amsterdam, 17 May 2024 – As anticipation builds for the upcoming 2024 Honours ceremony on September 24th, preceding the Monaco Yacht Show, the evaluation process has drawn to a close and three Honourees have been selected.

Envisioned as a tribute to the individuals who exemplify the character of the superyachting world, The Honours, presented by The Superyacht Life Foundation in collaboration with the Monaco Yacht Show, aims to spotlight those who have significantly influenced or propelled the industry and society towards a more conscientious, sustainable, and compassionate future. Following an extensive review of over 289 nominations from various stakeholders within and beyond the superyacht realm, prospective candidates underwent rigorous scrutiny, ultimately resulting in a shortlist of 15 individuals for evaluation by an esteemed panel of industry insiders.

On May 13th, the judging panel convened at the Royale Industrieele Groote Club in Amsterdam. Led by Tony Harris, Superyacht Industry Ambassador at Informa Markets, the committee comprises a distinguished cohort representing diverse sectors within the industry. Notable figures include yacht designer Espen Øino, Jonathan Beckett (CEO of Burgess), Farouk Nefzi (CMO at Feadship), Merijn de Waard (Founder of Superyacht Times), Jeroen Sirag (Marketing Director at Royal Huisman), and Francesca Fenucci (CCO at BWA Yachting), all lending their expertise to the deliberation process for the second year in a row.

Candidates were evaluated across a spectrum of criteria encompassing their professional achievements, community engagement, philanthropic endeavours, leadership prowess, innovative contributions, and personal integrity.

Following extensive discourse, the panel reached a unanimous decision and identified three individuals whose impactful contributions have transcended the confines of the superyacht industry. The selected honourees underscore the profound influence made by the yachting community on a global scale,and will be publicly revealed this upcoming September at Monaco's illustrious Salle des Etoiles.

For more information, please contact: [email protected]

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In memoriam: investment pioneer and owner of 68m Archimedes James Simons dies

Award-winning mathematician, investor and owner of the 67.8-metre Archimedes James (Jim) Simons has died aged 86 (10 May 2024). 

Simons donated billions of dollars to philanthropic causes during his lifetime, particularly those supporting math and science research and education. He previously chaired the math department at Stony Brook University in New York and his breakthroughs during that time are now instrumental to fields such as string theory, topology and condensed matter physics.

In 1978, Jim founded what would become Renaissance Technologies, a hedge fund that pioneered quantitative trading and became one of the most profitable investment firms in history. He then turned his attention to philanthropic pursuits, launching the Simons Foundation alongside his wife Marilyn in 1994. The foundation's work has since "led to breakthroughs in our understanding of autism, the origins of the universe, cellular biology and computational science."

He also famously donated his superyacht to the charity SeaKeeper and was said to engage with ongoing missions himself, including beach clean-ups and accommodating scientists on board.

Delivered by Feadship in 2008, Archimedes is named after the Ancient Greek mathematician and physicist who discovered the law of buoyancy, also known as Archimedes' principle. She has since visited more than 80 countries, including an expedition through the Northwest Passage and a record-breaking 54 days in the High Arctic.

Her John Munford -designed interiors are also indicative of Simons' appreciation for antiquity, featuring mosaics of mythical and historical figures and artwork in the Ancient Greek, Egyptian and Roman style.

"Jim was an exceptional leader who did transformative work in mathematics and developed a world-leading investment company," said Simons Foundation president David Spergel. "Together with Marilyn Simons, the current Simons Foundation board chair, Jim created an organisation that has already had enormous impact in mathematics, basic science and our understanding of autism. The Simons Foundation, an in-perpetuity foundation, will carry their vision for philanthropy into the future."

James Simons is survived by his wife, three children, five grandchildren, a great-grandchild, and countless other family, friends and colleagues.

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‘The Bachelor’ Promises True Love. So Why Does It Rarely Work Out?

Of the 40 combined seasons of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” only eight couples have stayed together. We spoke to former contestants and leads about roadblocks to a happy ending.

By Shivani Gonzalez

The season premiere of any installment in “The Bachelor” franchise always starts the same: with the host talking directly to camera about the lead’s almost-certain path to finding lasting love. Unlike other popular reality dating shows, the franchise markets itself as a genuine chance to find love without any other incentives like cash prizes.

But it’s actually not all that probable: Of the 40 combined seasons of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” only eight couples have stayed together — not great betting odds.

Morale in the franchise was low going into 2023, with no recently minted couples still together, until ABC announced a hopeful new twist. “The Golden Bachelor” pledged to aid then-72 year-old Gerry Turner make the most of a second chance at love following the death of his wife. At season’s end, he proposed to Theresa Nist in a teary finale. In January their wedding was televised on ABC. By April, they’d announced plans to divorce.

That breakup felt like the last straw in believing this franchise could foster lasting love, so to look into why “The Bachelor” rarely makes good on its premise, we spoke to the former Bachelorettes Kaitlyn Bristowe and Tayshia Adams, as well as the former contestants Tyler Cameron and Melissa Rycroft about the flaws that doom the reality franchises’ lovebirds.

The main prize might not be the catch you thought.

Many love-related reality television shows that are on the air today — think “Love Island,” “Are You the One?” or even “Bachelor in Paradise” — allow for participants to intermingle in environments specifically designed to mimic some version of real life.

On “The Bachelor” circumstances are purposely anti-real-world dating scenarios, the better to “focus” on finding real love. The lead dates 25 or more people at once while the contestants have their sights set on that one person. Prospective love interests don’t have access to any outside distractions like cellphones, books or television.

“When you’re in that ‘Bachelor’ bubble, all you do is focus on and be brainwashed toward that person,” Tyler Cameron, the runner-up on Hannah Brown’s “Bachelorette” season, said.

Since the show is marketed as an opportunity to find love and have the lead establish separate connections with different contestants, Melissa Rycroft, from Season 13, said the competitive feel among the contestants is orchestrated by producers and not necessarily inherent to the environment.

Contestants are isolated and singularly focused on gaining the affections of one target. The competition makes it hard for contestants to know if they even like the lead. Rycroft got engaged to the bachelor Jason Mesnick at the end of his season before he broke it off to instead be with the season’s runner-up.

“They have built him up as this amazing bachelor,” Rycroft said, adding, “I finished this process not knowing a lot about him because I was more interested in making sure he wanted me and didn’t want to reject me than going through the process going, ‘Are you the one that I want to be?’”

Cameron agreed. “You kind of look past the red flags and the signs that it won’t work,” he said, “because you want to work for what you think it could be because of how great or fun the show makes it seem on the other side.”

The fairy-tale dates eventually stop.

Kaitlyn Bristowe, the Bachelorette from Season 11, got engaged at the end of her run but broke off the relationship four years later (“In Bachelor years, that’s like 40 years,” she joked.) Bristowe’s season, like many others, featured elaborate dates including multiple helicopter and yacht rides and a private fireworks display, not exactly a window into what a real-world future would look like.

Bristowe has discussed the troubles with “Bachelor” dating on her podcast, “Off the Vine.” “I always talk about the foundation of a relationship and when the foundation is that it’s built off an edited TV show, a TV show where you’re doing all these dream dates,” she said, “you don’t actually get to spend a lot of time with the person.”

So “the relationship is so built up and put on a pedestal,” she said, “and it’s manufactured, and that’s a tricky foundation to start a life on.”

There’s a letdown after the show wraps.

Tayshia Adams became the lead on Season 16 of “The Bachelorette” after Clare Crawley bowed out a few episodes in to leave with a contestant from the season. Adams got engaged to that season’s winner but that relationship ended just under a year later.

“Where there is a logistical hiccup, it’s the fact that it is a television show and you and your partner essentially have to go into hiding for months on end before the show airs,” Adams said.

“It’s not normal for people to get engaged and then be like, ‘Bye, gotta go, I’ll see you later. Oh, I don’t even have your cellphone number yet,’” she said.

Real-world logistics are hard.

When Turner and Nist announced their divorce, they cited the fact that neither of them wanted to move away from their families.

Bristowe also noted that this type of coordination can be a part of the problem.

“Logistically to live in two different cities, when you have built your foundation for who you are in a certain city, I feel like that all makes it kind of a recipe for a failed relationship,” she said.

Adams said it was important to manage expectations. The leads sign up because they’re ready to get engaged. But the real questions are, “‘Are you ready to uproot your life in order to make a relationship work if you end up in one? Are you ready to leave your job? Are you ready to leave your family? Are you ready to move? Are you ready to start over?’ That’s reality, it’s not just being in a relationship, we can all be in relationships.”

Stable relationships aren’t good TV.

“If you just look at dating shows across the board,” Bristowe said, they’re “not a perfect recipe for happiness.”

Rycroft agreed, adding: “I think what you need to create a lasting relationship is just not really good TV.”

And perhaps, it’s about changing perception — it isn’t a show about love; instead the drama is what reels people in.

“I started watching back way back when you were rooting for these people like you wanted love,” Rycroft said. “And now I’m not even sure that the audience wants a love story.”

Shivani Gonzalez is a news assistant at The Times who writes a weekly TV column and contributes to a variety of sections. More about Shivani Gonzalez

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Orcas sink another yacht off the Strait of Gibraltar

Orcas have been sinking human vessels for the last four years, with the new incident occurring in moroccan waters, by matthew rozsa.

A pod of orcas sunk yet another boat, according to a recent report , this time a sailing yacht within Moroccan waters in the Strait of Gibraltar. Two people riding a 49-foot vessel known as Alboran Cognac were attacked by an unknown number of the cetaceans around 9 AM local time on Sunday.

It's the latest in a series of dozens of such incidents, including a yacht that was sunk last November after orcas, also known as killer whales, rammed the yacht's rudder. Although some scientists speculate the animals may be displaying "playful" and "copycat" behavior, the experience was certainly not enjoyable for the two humans from the recent incident, who reported feeling strikes to their hulls and rudders before water began leaking into the vessel. They were rescued by a nearby oil tanker that transported them to Gibraltar while their yacht was left to sink.

One popular theory for the attacks is that they were perpetrated by Gladis, a pod of about 15 orcas named after a killer whale (White Gladis) supposedly rammed to death by a boat. Gladis and other orca subpopulations have been documented targeting boats off the Atlantic coast of Portugal and north-western Spain since May 2020, and experts believe Gladdis may be behind this attack as well.

Although it is tempting to attribute the orcas' activities to revenge for climate change, underwater noise caused by ships or some conspiracy, animal behavior experts say that orcas possess complex cultures and enjoy sharing rituals with each other. If the orcas wanted to harm the humans on these boats, they could easily do so, but instead the behaviors involve interfering with the vessel's operations seemingly out of curiosity, or perhaps for enjoyment.

"This is a kind of cultural revolution," Lance Barrett-Lennard, PhD, senior research scientist at the  Raincoast Conservation Foundation , told Salon in June . "In the short timespan, sometimes this kind of behavior, if it's directly related to food or some survival value, it may very well fade away fairly quickly. We'll see whether that happens or not."

about orcas and whales

• An expert explains why killer whales keep attacking boats
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Al Onorato, Casting Society Co-Founder, Dies at 88

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Al Onorato, co-founder of the Casting Society of America and a casting director on such series as “ Bewitched ,” “Police Story,” “Fame” and “The Patridge Family,” has died. He was 88.

Onorato died April 21 in Los Angeles, his nephew Chris Onorato announced.

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As a talent manager, Onorato was influential in launching the careers of Kristin Chenoweth, Katie Holmes, Mark Harmon, Sean Murray and Elijah Wood. He was also instrumental in reviving Gwen Verdon’s career.

Born Alfred Louis Onorato on Nov. 10, 1935, in Jersey City, N.J., he graduated from Hackensack High School and Fairleigh Dickinson University. After college, Onorato started his career in entertainment by working as a page for NBC Studios in New York City.

Onorato’s other credits as a casting supervisor and/or casting director include “ The Fall Guy ,” “Fantasy Island,” “Hawaii Five-O,” “The Wild Wild West,” “Bridget Loves Bernie,” “Police Woman,” “The Silence at Bethany,” “CHiPs,” “David Cassidy — Man Undercover,” “Capitol,” “Mr. Merlin” and “Freddy’s Nightmares” and the daytime soap operas “General Hospital,” “Days of Our Lives” and “The Young and the Restless.”

He is survived by his siblings Edward, Ronald and Veronica; sisters-in-law Helen and Susan; brother-in-law Jack; and several nephews and a niece.

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Board of Trustees Holds the Line on Tuition

The St. Mary’s College Board of Trustees held tuition flat for the fifth consecutive year at its May 10 meeting, while approving a modest increase in room & board rates for the 2024-25 school year.

“Despite the uncertainty in fall enrollments nationwide caused by the flawed rollout of the revised Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the Department of Education, overall the College is in a very good position financially,” said St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) President Tuajuanda C. Jordan, PhD.

“Fortunately, the long-term tuition strategy we put in place several years ago allows us to continue to hold the line on tuition increases.”

All 11 of the College’s peer institutions raised tuition and mandatory fees last year by an average of 3.3%. In absolute terms, SMCM charges lower tuition than it did in the 2013-2014 academic year—a difference magnified significantly by inflation over that period of more than 30%. The board-approved increase of 3.9% for room and board reflects the increased costs of goods and services as well as an increase in the Maryland minimum wage.

The meeting was led for the final time by outgoing Chair Susan L. Dyer, who completed the maximum three-year term. A commercial real estate developer and managing partner in a successful upscale restaurant in Leonardtown, Maryland, Dyer has more than 30 years of experience as a recognized leader and expert in information technology strategy, design, development and delivery of large-scale business and scientific systems.

“It has been my absolute pleasure to serve as chair of this outstanding Board of Trustees and our equally amazing faculty and exceptional staff,” said Dyer. “Under the tremendous vision and leadership of President Jordan, we have consistently focused on determining the best outcomes for our students, which truly reflects the heart of this institution.”

Under Dyer’s leadership, the Board of Trustees oversaw significant positive changes, including maintaining the aforementioned tuition freeze and long-range tuition strategy, the approval of new academic majors, the approval of the three-year  Rising Tide  strategic plan and an upgrade of the College’s credit rating. 

Dyer will be replaced as chair by John Bell, a 1995 graduate of SMCM and managing director for Wells Fargo Corporate & Investment Bank. Bell is the first alumnus to chair the Board of Trustees. Other board officers—Vice Chair Paula Collins, Treasurer John C. Wobensmith SMCM ’93 and Secretary Nicolas Abrams SMCM ’99—will continue in their roles.

In other news, the Board was informed by President Jordan of her  decision to retire in June of 2025 , and of the transition of the College’s Taking the LEAD fundraising campaign to a How High Can We Fly phase for its final year after  eclipsing its initial goal of $20 million  a year ahead of schedule.

The Board also approved the 2024-25 meeting calendar, the awarding of degrees to the Class of 2024, a new attendance policy, diversity report, FY26-FY30 state capital budget proposal and its authority and responsibility matrix. In addition, the board received updates on the Middle States Reaffirmation of Accreditation self-study.

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