Super Yacht Provisioning: Navigating Local Markets

Super Yacht Provisioning: From local market to Sailing Schooner.

A few short weeks ago I was creating interactive science notebooks and reflecting on different grading procedures. Now I find myself on a super yacht provisioning mission at a local Thai food market.

I spent the morning people watching on a busy jetty in small town Thailand awaiting the arrival of the Captain and Chef of a 38 meter Schooner – a super yacht. I would be accompanying them on a provisioning trip. Once greetings and introductions were exchanged, no time was wasted. I had trouble keeping up with the Thai chef named Ta – a lady who barely reached my shoulder!

There is a lot to think about when provisioning for a super yacht. How long is the expedition? How many crew? Are there any dietary needs to consider? Will there be any provisioning stops along the way? What items can be bought at the local market and what items are more likely to be found in a more “western” supermarket? Once the boat leaves the anchorage unless a fish are caught or we buy or trade with fishermen, there will be no opportunity to buy more food! I quickly saw the importance bringing a list and taking stock of what the boat currently has on board before setting out on a shopping trip.

The local market was fascinating – despite being unable to understand many the interactions taking place. Ta, the chef would hand pick each portion of meat and toss it into a basket to be weighed and priced. At each stall the captain would follow along behind and settle the bill. I most enjoyed helping her choose the greens! So many different vegetables – some I had never even seen before! Ta worked quietly, but I imagine her mind was buzzing with menu ideas – what to cook and when and planning ingredients according to their best before dates.

Following the market experience we loaded up the truck and moved on to the next shopping destination, Macro, similar to North America’s Costco. Here two massive carts were filled with imported fruits and vegetables, dairy products, eggs, bulk bags of rice, packaged sauces and spices, soft drinks and bottled water, frozen meats and housewares like kitchen roll, napkins and cleaning supplies.

Finally the provisioning for a super yacht was complete. It was quite a sight to watch the back of the truck be unloaded onto a long tail – the boats used for transport in the area between Thailand and Myanmar. From a large wharf onto a unstable boat, rocking with every wave, the goods were carefully lowered down. Exposed to the salty ocean spray the boat made its way across the sea to the vessel and completed my first of many experiences in super yacht provisioning.

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