The good that yachting does do and can do
Ports Of Cause (POC), the brainchild of Joyce Clear of Clear Group International, is an innovative superyacht initiative designed to promote yachting and to “give back.”
At the heart of the concept is a newly refurbished yacht, the 116-foot classic yacht Highlander, which will serves as an ambassador of the superyacht community and support worthwhile charities through events and other initiatives.
The challenges that the yachting industry has faced in the past few years—from a dwindling market resulting in job losses to a lackluster image in a now luxury-shy world—is part of what inspired this initiative.
“This program offers solutions to market expansion, job creation and image enhancement while highlighting American design and innovation, education and urgent global issues,” Clear explains. “I share a strong passion with many in the industry about the positive impact yachting has on the world. The time has come to create a vehicle through which the world is educated about the positive influence of our industry and our owners, captains and crew. Moreover, as a community, we have the opportunity to address some of the most critical issues facing our planet, today and in the future.”
When Clear first broached the subject with us at the Monaco Yacht Show a couple of years ago, she made the analogy between her idea and Esquire magazine’s “Signature Space” program, which transforms a house or bachelor pad into a design showcase able to host prestigious invitation-only charity events. A yacht seemed like the perfect venue.
Since coming up with the idea, Clear has worked tirelessly to find a flagship and make Ports of Cause a reality. Her hard work paid off. POC’s flagship is the renowned Highlander, a 1967-built Feadship motoryacht now owned by Victor Muller, CEO of Dutch super car manufacturer Spyker NV. Highlander was built for Malcolm Forbes, who used the yacht for business and pleasure. The yacht traveled the world, entertaining kings and queens, presidents, business moguls, movie stars and celebrities. Now Highlander is undergoing a multi-year, keel-up refit and restoration at Ocean Marine Yacht Center in Virginia, and Muller is offering his full support. “I look forward to welcoming hundreds of like-minded guests aboard to lend their support to Ports of Cause while they attend one of the many exclusive events planned that will raise the level of awareness of ocean advocacy,” Muller says. Posh, a 52-foot foot classic commuter boat built in 1937 and designed by John L. Hacker, will be the Highlander’s official vintage tender at POC events.
POC’s launch party is slated during the Palm Beach International Boat Show.
For more information, contact Joyce Clear at [email protected]
