Ports of Cause (POC) is a new and innovative philanthropic superyachting enterprise that has been launched to showcase superyacht design, innovation, technology and the good will of the luxury brand community,
POC seeks to propel a newly refurbished yacht into the global marketplace as an ambassador of the superyacht community while supporting charities through events and global initiatives.
The program is a catalyst for world-class yacht refits that are, to a degree, funded through corporate sponsorships and state-of-the-art product donations. As a result, the yachts operate as global, mobile showcases for excellence in design, innovation, technology and luxury brands.
Once a participating yacht has completed a refit, the vessel travels to key locations to host events to raise funds for charitable initiatives
Currently, the charities benefiting are organizations that operate global ocean conservation and clean water programs, including:
- Ecomundi Ventures
- Models for Water
- International SeaKeepers Society
- Plant-a-Fish and others to be announced.
The first, and flagship, vessel selected to participate in the program is the classic 35 metre motor yacht The Highlander, now owned by Victor Muller, Chief Executive Officer of Spyker NV, a Dutch super car manufacturer.
The Highlander was built in 1967 at Koninklijke De Vries Feadship of Aalsmeer, Netherlands for entrepreneur, Malcolm Forbes, who used the yacht for business and pleasure, entertaining kings and queens, prime ministers, presidents, business moguls, movie stars, celebrities and visionaries around the world. She caught fire and burned to the waterline during 1980
The Highlander will be paired with Posh, a rare classic commuter boat built in 1937 and designed by naval architect John L. Hacker. She is currently owned by the collector F. Todd Warner and will serve as the official vintage tender for The Highlander at POC events.
Ports of Cause will be participating in major global boat shows and its own fundraising events in 2013, starting with the Miami International Boat Show in February, 2013.