With 18 years of experience, Bering Yachts is committed to crafting premium explorer yachts. Prioritising safety, comfort and reliability, the company gives clients the opportunity to explore the world with ultimate comfort. CEO and Founder Alexei Mikhailov discussed the company’s capabilities and commitment to quality. Report by Antonia Cole.
Bering Yachts was founded out of a passion for shipbuilding, CEO and Founder Alexei Mikhailov said: “For me, it is a pleasure to work here at Bering Yachts. I am always looking at new model designs and creating new concepts to fit the growing yacht market. Last year, we began construction on our new facilities in Bulgaria. Measuring at 12,000m2, this expansion will upgrade our capabilities so that we can continue to offer the best boats in the industry.”
The company was established in 2007, when Mr Mikhailov decided to build a boat for himself after not being able to find anything suitable already existing on the market. All the boats of this size were fibreglass, and such boats are not sufficient to sail on rough seas, as Alexi wanted. This boat was 50ft long and was sold very quickly, before she was even completed. Bering Yachts received more and more orders and was building each boat one at a time at a third-party shipyard in China.
Now, all of the company’s boats are still built to order and are fully customisable. Bering Yachts started its own shipyard in Turkey in 2014, which has enabled the company to control the building process and ensure strict quality standards. After continuing operations in China until 2017, Bering Yachts then fully moved production to Turkey before now expanding to Bulgaria.
“I enjoy shipbuilding more than anything else, so Bering Yachts naturally became a priority in my life,” added Mr Mikhailov. “Even though there have been some challenges, life becomes easy when you are doing something you are passionate about. We are dedicated to creating explorer yachts that transform our clients’ lives. With our boats, clients can navigate the world’s most remote corners in confidence, making the world a playground for exploration.”
Ensuring comfort
Whether it is a 65ft explorer or a 265ft expedition yacht, Bering Yachts ensures that each vessel is crafted to uphold the highest standards of safety and comfort. Guest experience is a priority for the company, so each vessel is designed to deliver the smoothest and easiest journeys possible. Clients can explore exotic coasts with access to every necessity they need, making the yachts truly self-sufficient.
“Every single one of our boats is constructed with high-grade steel, as quality is really important to us,” explained Mr Mikhailov. “Other materials, such as fibreglass, can make the boat noisy with high vibration levels. This makes the journey very uncomfortable, especially when travelling for long periods of time. In our boats, clients can enjoy a peaceful journey without off-putting noises or sensations.”
Bering Yachts’ vessels are also designed to act as a home for the client, emphasising comfort. Not only do the boats look beautiful from the outside, but the interiors are also created to be both aesthetically pleasing and functional. The company designs its boats to include a significant amount of storage, allowing the client to include more household amenities and create a space tailored to their needs. Additionally, advanced temperature control systems are fitted to ensure comfortability in every climate.
No matter the size, all the company’s yachts are structured to feel open and stable. Small rooms and corridors can cause sea sickness, so Bering Yachts optimises space to make the boat feel as unrestricted as possible. Guests can be travelling for weeks at a time, so it is essential the boat doesn’t impact their health.
“Another aspect that effects sea sickness is the acceleration and movement of the boat,” continued Mr Mikhailov. “Our boats stand out because we specifically design them to minimise uncomfortable motion. Made with steel, our yachts are heavier and therefore reduce the amount of movement guests feel on the water. With less vertical movement, the journey is smoother, more predictable and much more enjoyable for the client.”
Reliable journeys
In order to guarantee comfort, Bering Yachts has to make sure its boats are very safe. As many of the company’s yachts are designed to reach remote destinations, it is essential that clients are able to rely on the boat’s safety systems in case of any issues. The yachts are created with redundant systems. Therefore, if there are difficulties with propulsion, steering, water heating or any other features, a secondary system will come into effect and continue the safe running of the boat.
“We adhere to very strict codes from a variety of class societies,” commented Mr Mikhailov. “The documentation is constantly evolving, which means that we can stay ahead of the latest safety standards. Even on smaller boats, where we don’t have to meet all the requirements, we make sure to include those safety features for our clients. From piping to interior materials, all our resources are fully certified.”
The safety of a journey is heavily dependent upon weather conditions, which are often unpredictable. That is why Bering Yachts designs its boats to withstand even the harshest environments. The company’s vessels are insured for up to force five wind speeds, setting them apart from most of the market.
“We believe in creating vessels that our clients can rely on,” added Mr Mikhailov. “The safety of their lives and that of their friends and family is of upmost importance to us. Whether the water is clear or there is a storm, we make reliable boats that our customers can trust.”
Creating freedom
Bering Yachts makes adventures possible for its clients, from weekend getaways to extended expeditions. The company’s yachts enable clients to travel across the ocean and explore destinations that are usually unreachable. In comparison to the market standard, Bering Yachts designs its vessels with significantly larger fuel tanks. This gives clients the freedom to travel further and for longer.
“What is important for me is that our boats are versatile and dependable,” said Mr Mikhailov. “Currently, we have 16 boats under construction at our site. This number will increase with the completion of our Bulgarian facility this year. The market for exploration boats is constantly growing and we are excited to lead the way. As we saw during the pandemic, people need a sense of freedom. Our boats provide this combined with the comfort of home.”
The company also offers after-sales support to clients, including maintenance and hospitality support. Bering Yachts is able to help clients plan journeys and give advice on what equipment to bring, such as spare parts. Additionally, the company can organise crew members to deliver a full management service.
“To effectively maintain a boat, it needs to be used for around two to four months of the year,” continued Mr Mikhailov, in conclusion. “Unfortunately, many of our clients don’t have that much time spare. Therefore, we have created an innovative solution where we offer shared ownership of the yachts. This means that clients can enjoy the yachts when it suits them, without having to worry about upkeep throughout the year. We started this in Europe this year and we will be expanding the initiative to Fiji and the Caribbean soon.”