The Newport Harbor Corporation who are new owners of the Newport Charter Yacht Show want to give back to the marine community and has announced the humanitarian organization YachtAid Global © (YAG) as its official charitable partner of 2012. The Newport Charter Yacht Show, now in its 30th year, is the only one of its kind in the U.S. and will be held June 18-21 at the Newport Yachting Center in historic downtown Newport, R.I. The four-day event will host industry professionals and consumers (attending with brokers) and showcase world-class charter yachts ranging from 50 to 200 feet, as well as ancillary boating goods, services and educational information.
Founder of Yacht Aid Global Mark Drewelow (photo credit Brent Haywood)
YachtAid Global, a non-profit organization that coordinates the delivery of humanitarian aid aboard superyachts cruising to isolated regions, consists of a network of over a 500 yachting industry professionals including superyacht owners, captains, crew, agents and brokers.
“For the Newport Harbor Corporation, this is a very simple equation,” said event chair and Director of the Newport Exhibition Group Tom DeLotto. “If, through our support of YachtAid Global, the organization is able to make connections with owners and yacht captains who are willing to provide help, then everyone wins.”
Since its inception in 2006, YachtAid Global has successfully delivered aid to over 45 beneficiary locations in 13 countries; 38 luxury yachts have been involved with 385 crew volunteering their time and expertise to move aid to over 1800 children. Beneficiary locations span from 52 degrees south to 57 degrees north.
While the organization continues to orchestrate the delivery of aid to new regions, founder Mark Drewelow has new goals for this year, which he plans to release at the Newport show.
“YachtAid Global is growing pretty rapidly, and we are looking at ways to harness our growth for maximum impact. Our primary internal focus is building a Founding Members Board that will provide enhanced leadership and help us develop consistent funding to take our charity to the next level,” said Drewelow.
As the Newport Charter Yacht Show charitable partner, YachtAid Global will have a consistent presence at the event. A brief presentation will be featured at the Captain’s Briefing on June 17 and the Welcome Reception on June 18 to educate the audience on how superyacht owners and crews are increasingly cruising with a charitable cause and provide more information on the Founding Members Board.
“I met Mark at the Antigua Yacht Charter Show in December and was impressed with his vision and passion for executing that vision,” said DeLotto. “Supporting a worthy cause with the sole mission of providing aid to communities that lack resources-even in remote areas and those experiencing natural disasters-is the best and most direct way we can think of to make a difference in the world today.”
Motor yacht Slojo crew with Yacht Aid Global beneficiaries just after a delivery (photo by Captain Bruno Herregods)
Newport Harbor Corporation is a leader in hospitality services and event production and owns and operates the Newport Yachting Center & Marina, Newport Charter Yacht Show, Newport International Boat Show and the Newport Restaurant Group.
Newport Yachting Center Marina & Events venue is located on four acres in the heart of scenic downtown Newport. The space is able to accommodate large yachts and is equipped with long, side tie berthing, high volume fueling, single and multi-phase power, WIFI, water and access to a wide range of technical repair and support services along with easy access to adjacent downtown Newport.
YachtAid Global is dedicated to coordinating the deliveries of humanitarian, developmental and conservation aid onboard superyachts to isolated coastal communities worldwide. In times of natural disasters, YachtAid Global has the ability to mobilize and shift resources quickly to provide disaster relief in ways that others have not explored.
