A fleet of 12 Riviera luxury motor yachts, worth more than A$56 million, has left Australian shores this week bound for the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in Florida, the world's largest in-water boat show.
The shipment ranks among Riviera's most significant export movements of the year and was so large it required two vessels departing from separate ports. Ten motor yachts were loaded aboard a ship in Brisbane, while a further two were loaded onto a second vessel in Sydney. Both ships are now on an 8,000-nautical-mile, 34-day voyage across the Pacific to Florida.
Six of the yachts, ranging from 43 to 58 feet, were lifted from the water and secured to specialised transport cradles before being craned aboard the ship at the Port of Brisbane. Four larger vessels, between 62 and 78 feet, were lifted directly from the water and loaded into the ship's hold.
Riviera Australia owner Rodney Longhurst said the scale of the operation demanded careful planning. "The logistics and planning involved in a shipment of this scale are considerable as shipping schedules are highly structured and our team must ensure every yacht is meticulously prepared and delivered within strict loading windows," he said.
The Fort Lauderdale show opens on 28 October and generates more than A$1.1 billion in annual sales, featuring over 1,300 boats across a 36-hectare site spanning multiple waterfront locations. It draws more than 100,000 boating enthusiasts, owners and industry professionals from across the Americas and beyond.
"The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is our largest international showcase and one of the most important events on the global boating calendar for Riviera, our dedicated team in Florida and on the Gold Coast and our dealership network throughout the United States," Longhurst said.
Riviera has exported motor yachts to the United States since 1982, and more than 2,000 of its vessels are now in use across the Americas. "Riviera owners appreciate their motor yachts for their blue-water capability, advanced engineering, refined luxury and enduring quality," Longhurst said.
Among the 14 Riviera motor yachts on display at the show will be the new 6200 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition, making its Americas debut. Longhurst described the model as "truly outstanding by any measure", reflecting Riviera's 46-year history and more than 6,300 motor yachts launched worldwide.
The 6200 features a new-generation hull design, an alfresco aft deck with outdoor galley and lounge seating, and a forward foredeck retreat. Inside, the open-plan saloon includes a gourmet galley and multiple entertaining areas, with accommodation options of three or four staterooms including a full-beam master suite and three ensuite bathrooms. The yacht also has a full-height engine room and a tender garage capable of housing a 3.6-metre tender.
"Riviera yachts are often described as the boater's boat because every motor yacht we create is designed and built for serious cruising, enduring quality and exceptional owner enjoyment," Longhurst said. "Owners around the world choose Riviera for our proven offshore capability, handcrafted excellence and our commitment to customer care."
