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OYSTER PERPETUAL YACHT-MASTER 42

MASTERING LIGHTNESS

Light and robust, the new Yacht-Master 42, in RLX titanium, is the ally of those who revel in freedom. Especially suited to the demands and pressures of competitive sailing, it delivers exceptional performance.

Rolex is presenting a new version of the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42. This nautical watch is introduced for the first time in RLX titanium – a particularly strong but lightweight alloy – and is fitted on an Oyster bracelet. The new version stands out for its technical satin finish – a satin finish with a visible grain, a feature of Rolex watches in RLX titanium – which extends to the middle case sides, the edges of the bracelet links and the sides of the clasp cover. The chamfered top edges of the middle case lugs have a high-sheen finish, while the crown guard is polished. With its bidirectional rotatable bezel fitted with a Cerachrom insert in matt black ceramic featuring raised and polished numerals and graduations, the Yacht-Master 42 in RLX titanium remains faithful to the aesthetics of the original model, unveiled in 2019. It is graced with an intense black dial in a fine satin finish, and its Oyster bracelet is equipped with the Easylink comfort extension link. The new version of the Yacht-Master 42 is equipped with calibre 3235, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology, enabling it to display the date as well as the hours, minutes and seconds. Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist.

THE CALL OF THE OPEN SEAS Launched in 1992, the Yacht-Master was designed specifically for navigators and skippers. Embodying the rich heritage that has bound Rolex and the world of sailing since the 1950s, this Professional-category watch provides a perfect blend of functionality and nautical style, making it equally at home on and off the water. An emblematic nautical timepiece, it is easily recognized by its bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel made entirely from precious metal or fitted with a Cerachrom insert in high-technology ceramic.

RLX TITANIUM  RLX titanium is a grade 5 titanium alloy specially selected by Rolex. Like all titanium alloys, it is especially lightweight and is noted for its mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. Another characteristic of RLX titanium is the possibility of working it to give a polished or satin finish according to the brand’s specifications. Its high mechanical strength makes it complex to work with, and the decision to use it has required the introduction of special production processes.

HIGH-TECHNOLOGY CERAMIC Rolex played a pioneering role in the development of special ceramics for creating monobloc bezels and bezel inserts. Not only are these materials virtually scratchproof, their colours are also of a rare intensity and are resistant to environmental effects. In addition, thanks to its chemical composition, the high-tech ceramic is inert and cannot corrode. Rolex has developed exclusive expertise and innovative manufacturing methods that grant it complete independence in the production of these ceramic components. On the new version of the Yacht-Master 42, the bidirectional rotatable bezel is fitted with a 60-minute graduated Cerachrom insert in matt black ceramic. Its raised graduations and numerals are first moulded into the ceramic and then polished. The first 15 minutes are graduated minute-by-minute to allow time intervals to be read with great precision. The bezel can also be turned with ease thanks to its knurled edge, which offers excellent grip.

OYSTER CASE, SYMBOL OF WATERPROOFNESS  A paragon of robustness and reliability, the 42 mm Oyster case of the new Yacht-Master 42 is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). The middle case is crafted from a solid block of RLX titanium. Its case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only Rolex watchmakers to access the movement. The Triplock winding crown, fitted with a triple waterproofness system and protected by an integral crown guard, screws down securely against the case. The crystal, which features a Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock for easy reading of the date, is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire and benefits from an anti-reflective coating. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimal protection for the movement it houses. 

PERPETUAL CALIBRE 3235  The new version of the Yacht-Master 42 is equipped with calibre 3235, a movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex that was released in 2015 and has been fitted on this model since its launch in 2019. A distillation of technology, this self-winding mechanical movement delivers outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, convenience and reliability.   Calibre 3235 incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, this escapement is resistant to strong magnetic fields. The movement is fitted with a blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy. The hairspring offers great stability in the face of temperature variations as well as high resistance to shocks. It is equipped with a Rolex overcoil, ensuring the calibre’s regularity in any position. The oscillator is mounted on the Rolex-designed, patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, increasing the movement’s shock resistance. The oscillating weight is now fitted with an optimized ball bearing. Calibre 3235 is equipped with a self-winding system via a Perpetual rotor. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the power reserve of calibre 3235 extends to approximately 70 hours. 

OYSTER BRACELET AND OYSTERLOCK SAFETY CLASP  The new version of the Yacht-Master 42, made from RLX titanium, is fitted on an Oyster bracelet. Developed at the end of the 1930s, this three-piece link bracelet remains the most universal in the Oyster Perpetual collection and is known for its robustness. The Oyster bracelet of this new version of the Yacht-Master 42 features the Oysterlock folding safety clasp, which prevents accidental opening. It is also equipped with the Easylink comfort extension link, developed by Rolex, which allows the wearer to easily adjust the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm. The Oyster bracelet in RLX titanium also includes patented ceramic inserts – designed by the brand – inside the links to enhance its flexibility on the wrist and its longevity.

SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER CERTIFICATION Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015. This designation testifies that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria, following the official certification of the movements by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). The in-house certification tests apply to the fully assembled watch, after casing the movement, guaranteeing superlative performance on the wrist in terms of precision, power reserve, waterproofness and self-winding. The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is of the order of −2 /+2 seconds per day – the rate deviation tolerated by the brand for a finished watch is significantly smaller than that accepted by COSC for official certification of the movement alone. The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.

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The emblematic style and technical performance of the Cosmograph Daytona have cemented its iconic status well beyond the motor racing circuits. To mark the 60th anniversary of the watch, Rolex ensures the legend lives on by revisiting the entire range.

PERPETUAL 1908

Elegant, classic and decidedly contemporary, the 1908 immortalizes Rolex’s age-long daring spirit. Its conception is the result of the brand’s comprehensive in-house expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence.

OYSTER PERPETUAL SKY-DWELLER

With its two time zones and annual Saros calendar, the Sky-Dweller is an elegant and trusted companion for world travellers. The range has been updated with numerous enhancements illustrating the role that excellence plays even in the tiniest details.

OYSTER PERPETUAL GMT-MASTER II

The GMT-Master II is available this year in two new versions – yellow Rolesor and 18 ct yellow gold – with a Cerachrom bezel insert in grey and black ceramic, an entirely new colour combination.

OYSTER PERPETUAL EXPLORER 40

The Explorer range is expanded with the arrival of a new 40 mm model. Offering enhanced legibility, this timepiece carries all the qualities that have made the Explorer – one of the brand’s first Professional watches – a reference throughout the decades. Simple, robust and corrosion resistant, the new Explorer 40 is crafted from Oystersteel, a Rolex proprietary alloy.

OYSTER PERPETUAL

Alive with colour, vitality and positivity, the new dials of the Oyster Perpetual in 31 mm, 36 mm and 41 mm are dotted with many-coloured bubbles that joyfully reunite the five hues introduced to the range in 2020.

OYSTER PERPETUAL DAY-DATE 36

With these versions of the Day-Date 36, Rolex brings an unexpected creative twist to one of its iconic models. By displaying a new emotion each day, the watch brings an element of spontaneity into the wearers’ daily life and allows them to invest the reading of time with their changing mood.

The new Day-Date 36 welcomes dials made of decorative stone in shimmering tones that evoke the atmosphere of the Mediterranean coast. 

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

The history of the RYA Yachtmaster scheme as it turns 50

• James Stevens
• December 27, 2023

Chairman of the Yachtmaster Qualification Panel, James Stevens looks back at half a century of the Yachtmaster qualification

The RYA started examining Yachtmaster candidates in 1973 but in fact the very first Yachtmaster certificates were awarded much earlier. In 1938 at the request of the Admiralty, the Board of Trade began to hold examinations for Yachtmasters primarily for Royal Navy reservists but also for amateur yacht skippers. It was prescient of the Admiralty to consider a military need for a fleet of competent yachtsmen as that is exactly what was required two years later at Dunkirk.

In the early 1970s the RYA took over the administration of the exam after a protracted negotiation led by Commander Bill Anderson, who had recently left the Royal Navy and had been appointed RYA Cruising Secretary. It was an innovative idea for a sports governing body to run a Department for Transport test but under Bill’s leadership it became a gold standard for amateur and professional yacht skippers. The first RYA yachtmaster certificate was issued in 1973 on behalf of the RYA and the Board of Trade.

To support the training for the exam the RYA introduced a series of courses taught at recognised practical and shorebased schools, the latter mainly local authority evening classes. Prior to this, several organisations, notably the armed forces, had run their own courses and assessments but Bill convinced them they would all benefit from a national programme. For 50 years the RYA cruising scheme has provided knowledge to thousands of sailors.

In 1973 the Ssail cruising scheme and Yachtmaster qualification was introduced

History of RYA training

The Board of Trade Yachtmaster exam was an oral test only. During the 1970s RYA candidates for Yachtmaster Offshore could take a practical course followed by an oral test or be examined directly with a practical assessment.

A mileage requirement was introduced. Assessments for the lower level of Coastal Skipper (now Yachtmaster Coastal) remained as an oral test following a course until the mid 1980s. Subsequently all offshore and coastal skipper candidates had to pass a practical exam as they do now and the mileage and experience requirements were increased.

The Yachtmaster Ocean exam has remained as an oral test following an ocean passage. RYA instructors and examiners are qualified following a training and assessment course. The RYA also publishes books on every aspect of the syllabus and many other nautical subjects, and has become Europe’s largest nautical publisher.

In 1984 the British barque Marques sank off Bermuda during a Tall Ships Race with the loss of 19 lives. In response, the Board of Trade’s successor, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) introduced a code of practice for equipment and stability for sail training vessels and sailing school yachts. Later this was extended to all small commercial vessels.

In 1976 the powerboat training scheme was introduced

Mandatory qualification

Commercial Yachtmaster qualifications, which were suggested by the RYA, were incorporated into the Code. Before this time there was no legal requirement for skippers to be qualified for carrying up to 12 paying passengers on yachts under 24m. In the yachting sector the Code made little difference to the accident rate, as most professionals already held a Yachtmaster certificate, but it did have an impact on sea angling and other commercial activities.

Professional skippers take the same practical Yachtmaster test as amateurs but in addition attend a sea survival course, have a medical fitness examination and must pass an online test on the rules and regulations.

In spite of the RYA’s position as the provider of compulsory certificates for commercial skippers, it has successfully campaigned against the introduction of mandatory licensing for recreational boat users.

In 202 Princess Anne presented the first ‘Yachtmaster of the Year’ award

Before 2002 exams were almost always held in the UK but in response to demand, the RYA expanded the scheme worldwide, recognising training centres and examining Yachtmasters in the Mediterranean, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Caribbean and USA. Currently there are 336 centres offering courses in 37 countries.

The word Yachtmaster, for training and exams, was trademarked by the RYA throughout the world and the certificates, which looked similar to those of the Merchant Navy were redesigned to include anti-fraud features.

RYA Yachtmaster rapidly became the world leader for yachting qualifications. Currently just over half the 3,500 candidates examined annually are non-British citizens. The MCA introduced manning regulations for yachts over 200 tons, the Large Yacht Code and RYA Yachtmaster was chosen as a pre-entry qualification. About 20% of Yachtmaster candidates progress to these MCA certificates.

In 2003 the Yachtmaster name trademarked internationally

Revisions underway

From the RYA’s point of view, the challenge of administering the Yachtmaster exam is to ensure the standard is the same all over the world. Examiners and instructors are updated regularly and reassessed at sea every five years. An independent quality assurance company, The Leadership Factor, calls 50 candidates a month and asks them about their experience of the exam. Examiners and the RYA receive these reports, which record exactly what the candidate said about their exam and examiner. A summary of the results is published on the RYA website and shows a high level of satisfaction, even from the fails.

A young James Stevens runs a Yachtmaster Instructor course

A joint RYA MCA committee, the Yachtmaster Qualification Panel, oversees standards and the syllabus and can, after a hearing, withdraw qualifications for a period of time, usually between six months and 10 years after which the exam may be retaken. There are usually no more than two hearings a year and they often follow a serious accident such as loss of a vessel or a fatality.

In 2023 a Yachtmaster offshore candidate would recognise many of the subjects in the 1970s syllabus. Navigation, tides, pilotage, weather, boat handling and passage making are all still there, but today’s candidate is, of course, expected to be proficient with GPS and modern techniques.

The syllabus is regularly updated and there is a major revision underway. Yachts and navigation have changed dramatically, so it is important the RYA is not teaching the history of yachting.

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WATCH REVIEW

Swanky sailor: reviewing the rolex oyster perpetual yacht-master.

In this feature from the WatchTime archives, we take a close look at the modern version of Rolex ’s Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master , with black Cerachrom bezel and Oysterflex bracelet. Original photos are by Nik Schölzel.

A water-resistant Oyster case, large hour markers and bold hands are essential elements of Rolex’s Submariner , introduced in 1953 and made for use underwater. In contrast, Rolex’s Yacht-Master, launched in 1992, is a luxury liner – equally at home on board a yacht on the high seas or on land at a ritzy yacht club. But to enjoy this luxury you’ll need to pay almost $25,000 for the 40-mm Everose gold and Cerachrom ceramic version shown here. Stainless-steel versions of the Yacht-Master are priced about $13,000 less.

The Yacht-Master was the first watch in Rolex’s Professional Oyster Collection to come in three different case sizes: 29, 35 and 40 mm. The model we tested, launched last year, is offered in two sizes: 37 and 40 mm. We chose the larger version, which we measured at precisely 40.19 mm in diameter and 11.49 mm in height (excluding the magnifying “Cyclops” lens for the date).

The well-known Cyclops date lens was patented by Rolex in 1953 and introduced in 1954 on the Datejust. This magnifying device is made of sapphire, like the watch’s crystal, and has nonreflective coating on both sides. The jumping date advances exactly at midnight.

The watch is powered by a seasoned caliber, the Rolex 3135, used in the very first Yacht-Master in 1992. The 3135 debuted in 1988 in the Submariner. The blue Parachrom balance spring was added to the movement in 2005, five years after it was first introduced in the Cosmograph Daytona. Its paramagnetic alloy resists changes caused by temperature variations and magnetic fields.

The Parachrom balance spring is thinner than a human hair and up to 10 times more resistant to shocks than a conventional balance spring. Provided with an overcoil, it is attached to a large balance wheel with a variable moment of inertia. Fine adjustments are made using four gold Microstella regulating screws. The balance wheel is supported by a height-adjustable bridge. The entire construction ensures rate results that bring the Yacht-Master (as well as the other watches in the Oyster collection) to the rank of “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified.” These words on the Yacht-Master’s dial mean that the watch has endured 15 days and nights of testing by COSC in addition to a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratory. Acceptable rate results for a Superlative Chronometer allow deviations of less than +/-2 seconds per day, while COSC’s test permits average deviations between -4 and +6 seconds per day. In addition, Rolex’s tests are carried out under conditions that correspond more closely to real-life situations than COSC’s tests and are conducted on fully assembled watches, while COSC tests just the movements.

We, too, tested the finished watch – fully wound and after running for 24 hours – first in five positions on the timing machine and then with a two-week wearing test on the wrist (or simulated on a winding machine). In our tests, the Yacht-Master remained within the standards specified by Rolex for a Superlative Chronometer. On the wrist it showed virtually no deviations over the two-week period. On the timing machine it showed a gain of about 1 second per day with minimal variations among the positions.

The tests performed by Rolex include a water-resistance check. Unlike the Submariner, the Yacht-Master’s water resistance is “only” 100 meters. This means that the Yacht-Master is not designed to be a professional dive watch , which requires water resistance of at least 200 meters.

The Yacht-Master’s bidirectional bezel also keeps it from being a dive watch. The bezel on a dive watch usually rotates in only one direction so it won’t show a shorter dive time if it’s repositioned inadvertently. But the Yacht-Master’s bezel is impressive: it has 120 ratchets and shows graduations in 5-minute increments using both Arabic numerals and line markers. The first quarter has well-defined minutes markers. Polished, raised graduations on the ceramic inlay stand in relief against a sandblasted, matte black background. The bezel is made of Cerachrom, Rolex’s ceramic material. The Ceramic inlay is set in a deeply grooved ring made of Everose gold, Rolex’s rose-gold alloy. A grooved caseback seals the case hermetically and can only be opened using a special tool. Three dots on the screw-down crown indicate that this watch has been sealed with the Triplock sealing system, a triple water- resistance system developed by Rolex.

The screw-down crown sits securely inside the case between two crown guards. Releasing the crown allows it to spring away from the midsection, which makes it easy to use for manual winding, rapid date change and setting the hands.

The dial has a characteristic Rolex look. The applied markers and elongated triangle at 12 o’clock are filled with Rolex’s luminous substance, Chromalight, and are displayed on a matte black background. The hour hand has a “Mercedes” circle filled with Chromalight and the seconds hand has a luminous Chromalight dot. The stark contrast of black and white ensures excellent legibility during the day; at night the Chromalight emits a blue glow for easy reading in the dark.

This watch is the first Rolex with an Oysterflex bracelet. (We use the term “bracelet” rather than “strap” because the Oysterflex, unlike standard rubber straps, has metal on the inside.) Combining a rubber strap with a gold case is nothing new, but at Rolex, known for its conservative approach to design, it’s a major innovation. The patented bracelet has a core made of nickel-titanium alloy blades, which provide excellent flexibility and are coated with a black elastomer, a synthetic type of rubber. When the material is subjected to tension and pressure, it returns to its original shape quickly. It resists environmental changes and is long lasting, waterproof and hypoallergenic – a good alternative to a metal bracelet. The bracelet’s black color goes well with the ceramic bezel and with the Everose gold case, presenting a modern, two-tone look.

Inside the bracelet is a patented cushioning system that increases wearing comfort. The bracelet accommodates changes in wrist size. The single-sided Oysterlock folding clasp made of Everose gold offers additional flexibility; it allows for three length adjustments. Screws attach the clasp securely to the bracelet. A safety bar makes opening the clasp more difficult but prevents it from opening accidentally.

SPECS: Manufacturer: Rolex SA, Rue François-Dussaud 3-7, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland Reference number: 116655 Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date, bidirectional rotating bezel Movement: In-house Caliber 3135, automatic, “Superlative Chronometer” certified, 28,800 vph, 31 jewels, Kif shock absorbers, Glucydur balance with Microstella regulating screws, Parachrom balance spring with overcoil, 48-hour power reserve, diameter = 28.5 mm, height = 6.0 mm Case: Everose-gold Oyster case with black Cerachrom ceramic graduated bezel, sapphire crystal with Cyclops magnifying lens, water resistant to 100 m Bracelet and clasp: Oysterflex bracelet with Everose-gold, single-sided Oysterlock folding clasp Rate results: Deviations in seconds per 24 hours (Fully wound / after 24 hours) Dial up +3.1 / +2.9 Dial down +2.1 / +3.2 Crown up -0.7 / -1.6 Crown down -0.8 / -2.6 Crown left +2.5 / +2.6 Greatest deviation of rate 3.9 / 5.8 Average deviation +1.2 / +0.9 Average amplitude: Flat positions 292° / 265° Hanging positions 247° / 233° Dimensions: Diameter = 40 mm, height = 11 mm, weight = 154 g Variations: 37-mm case (Ref. 268655, with Caliber 2236, $22,000) Price: $24,950

gold on rubber = cool if one can afford it. I still prefer my S/S Y-M with PT dial & bezel = an understated goes everywhere quite comfortable piece. By the way… hardly mentioned BUT the curved lugs on all Yacht-Master models make for a wonderfully contoured fit + way better than straight lugs on most Rolex’

You’ll have to sell it to pay for the repairs for your yacht… but you’ll sure look good wearing it!

Buy rolex oys

An interesting piece, shame about the poor out of focus photo’s !!!

May I request for an article or review regarding swiss made SELECTRON chronograph / computer watches made possibly during the 60s-70s?

That patent on the Cyclops would have expired over 40 years ago, meaning whatever it covered now can be freely-used by the public, I’m not sure it’s a bragging point (and, no, patents cannot be renewed).

This was a very nice watch. Is it automatic or manual? Do you know a good place to buy it?

Just aquired the YM 40 in Everose, stylish a touch sporty with a different look from my other Rolex’s.

Hey GW? Was wondering, since the article didn’t mention it, how is the rubber bracelet sized?

It actually comes with three different sizes, so you just pick the pair that works best for your wrist.

Sizing is a bit of a problem, I bought mine 2nd hand but never worn. AD will have various sizes in combination to make it fit. So if i were to sell it on that person may have a heck of a time getting it to fit.

Love the watch but I was told I had to wait a year to purchase the 40mm size in Canada. So, off I went and purchased a watch from a different manufacturerer!

Why make the consumer with cash in hand wait?

There are certainly other options available these days!

Old Caliber, a braclet which cannot be changed. What else can you expect from Rolex for a price about 24k Euro?

Yes, I agree. I don’t understand why they didn’t use the 3235 caliber.

Since spring 2019 they do use the 3235 movement.

Superb review of a superb Rolex. Thank you!

Hi, So does this mean that they have dumped the YM2 with its funny 10 second / minute countdown dial? I never liked the look of the YM2.

If they did it would explain why they are now available at Costco.

Truly lavishly stylish

Oh my goodness! Another lust object from Rolex (the origin of my watch, sorry chronometer, fetish). Faultless style and flash balanced with flawless functionality (OK, you can’t go all the way down). Opening my savings account now.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master is truly a fabulous watch and though it cost me a lot of money, I must say it is worth the money that I had to pay for it.

Over the years it has been quite accurate and did not cause me any difficulty till date.

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Trending topics, sister ship of sunken russian cruiser moskva departs mediterranean, u.s. destroyers follow behind.

The sister ship of the Russian guided-missile cruiser sunk by the Ukrainian Navy has left its position in the Mediterranean Sea after six months, USNI News has learned.

RTS Marshal Ustinov (055), sister ship to the former RTS Moskva (121), passed through the Strait of Gibraltar on Thursday after operating in the Mediterranean Sea since early February, according to ship spotters. Shortly after it passed into the Atlantic two U.S. guided-missile destroyers assigned to the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, USS Cole (DDG-67) and USS Bainbridge (DDG-96), followed the Russian cruiser two hours after it passed the Rock of Gibraltar, according to photos published by ship spotters. The cruiser was one of Russia’s primary naval assets in the region and reduces Moscow’s presence closer to Ukraine.

Ustinov , along with the Russian Navy’s two other Slava-class cruisers – the sunken Moskva and RTS Varyag (011) – were sortied from their homeports earlier this year in conjunction with the Russian ground invasion of Ukraine.

Ustinov , part of the Russian Navy’s Northern Fleet, entered the Mediterranean in early February as the head of a surface action group and took up station off the southern coast of Crete while the Pacific-based Varyag operated closer to Syria and the Russian logistics base in Tartus, USNI News reported at the time .

The deployments ran in parallel to the NATO and U.S. presence operations centered on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), its escorts and embarked air wing. Truman has been in the Mediterranean since December and its air wing has flown up to 90 sorties a day.

Designed in the 1970s to take on U.S. carriers with 16 telephone pole-sized SS-N-12 Sandbox anti-ship cruise missiles, the Slava-class ships have endured as part of the Russian fleet following the end of the Cold War.

Two Ukrainian Neptune anti-ship guided-missiles attacked and sank Moskva in April. USNI News reported in May that the cruiser likely sank because its point defense radars were not operational .

While the U.S. has an extensive logistics footprint in the region, Russian resupply and refueling has been harder, according to USNI News contributor H I Sutton.

USS COLE DDG67 & USS BAINBRIDGE DDG96 heading west through the Strait of Gibraltar this afternoon #shipsinpics #ships #shipping #shipspotting @air_intel @The_Lookout_N @YorukIsik @WarshipCam @seawaves_mag @NavyLookout @arleighburke511 #USNavy pic.twitter.com/pXKAxiuhVL — Daniel Ferro (@Gibdan1) August 24, 2022

“The Russian navy does not have meaningful maintenance facilities in the Med. We can speculate that crew fatigue from longer periods of heightened readiness may be a factor,” in their departure, he wrote .

Sutton published satellite photos showing Ustinov refueling on Tuesday ahead of its departure from the region.

Meanwhile, the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group has entered U.S. 6th Fleet. USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) departed Naval Station Norfolk, Va., on Aug. 10 and is expected to relieve Truman in the coming days.

Truman has been deployed for eight and half months.

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone is the editor of USNI News. He has covered legislation, acquisition and operations for the Sea Services since 2009 and spent time underway with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Canadian Navy. Follow @samlagrone

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The Moskva, sunk off Ukraine, served in wars hot and cold

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows cruiser Moskva in port Sevastopol in Crimea on April 7, 2022. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies via AP)

FILE - A Russian sailor salutes on the bow of Missile Cruiser Moskva, left, as crew of Russian patrol ship Pitliviy, right, prepare to moor the vessel, in Sevastopol, Crimea, March 30, 2014. The Moskva was built in Ukraine during the Soviet era and now is the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea fleet in its war with Ukraine. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin, File)

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The missile cruiser Moskva, named in honor of the Russian capital, was launched during the Cold War, saw service during conflicts in Georgia, Syria and Ukraine, and helped conduct peacetime scientific research with the United States.

Now the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea fleet has sunk in those waters off Ukraine while being towed to port after a fire onboard, the Defense Ministry in Moscow said.

It was an inglorious demise for the vessel initially christened the Slava, or “glory.”

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE WARSHIP?

The Russian Defense Ministry said the heavily damaged Moskva sank in a storm Thursday under tow after being gutted by fire. It previously said the blaze set off some of its weapons and forced the crew to evacuate. It denied there had been an attack by Ukraine on the ship, which would normally have about 500 sailors aboard.

Maksym Marchenko, the governor of the Odesa region, said Ukraine struck the ship late Wednesday with two Neptune missiles and caused “serious damage.” Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraine’s defense minister, later said he was unable to confirm its fate or if it even had been hit by Ukrainian forces.

It was not immediately possible to reconcile the different accounts, and cloud cover made it impossible to locate the ship or determine its condition from satellite photos. The U.S. was unable to confirm Ukraine’s claims.

The Moskva was about 69 miles (100 to 104 kilometers) due south of Odesa when the fire occurred, according to a senior U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal U.S. military assessments.

WHAT WAS THE WARSHIP’S CAPABILITY?

The Moskva could carry 16 long-range cruise missiles, and its loss will greatly reduce Russia’s firepower in the Black Sea.

Its sinking represents a major blow to Russian prestige seven weeks into a war that already is widely seen as a historic blunder.

WHAT WAS ITS HISTORY?

The warship was launched as the Slava from a shipyard in Mykolaiv in what was then the Soviet republic of Ukraine in July 1979, according to open-source intelligence firm Janes. Commissioned in late December 1982, it was 611.5 feet (186 meters) long. It was designed to carry a crew of 476 with an additional 62 officers.

The Slava served as the flagship of the Soviet fleet in the Black Sea. It carried both surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, deck guns, torpedoes and mortars. It also had a helicopter deck.

During the Cold War, it also carried nuclear weapons. In 1989, under Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, U.S. and Soviet scientists took part in a joint test abroad the Slava in the Black Sea to measure the emission of neutrons and gamma rays from a nuclear warhead on a cruise missile.

In late 1989, the Slava was supposed to host a meeting off Malta between Gorbachev and then-President George H.W. Bush, but gale force winds prompted the Soviet-hosted side of the talks to be held instead on the docked cruiser Maxim Gorky.

FROM SLAVA TO MOSKVA

The Slava underwent repairs from 1990-1999. During that time, the Soviet Union collapsed, an independent Ukraine emerged and Russia’s economy foundered. Finally overhauled and rechristened the Moskva, the ship hosted both President Vladimir Putin and then-Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi during a 2003 visit to Sardinia.

“Thank God, our cruisers can still go on their own, our planes and missiles can fly,” Putin said at the time.

Putin’s later comments at the La Maddalena naval base show how much has changed. He described the Moskva’s presence as a sign that “the level of trust between Russia and the NATO countries is rising.” NATO’s eastward expansion and Russian security were among the reasons Putin cited for sending troops to Ukraine.

During Russia’s war in its former republic of Georgia in 2008, the Moskva took part in operations in the Black Sea, and Georgia said it was involved in an attack on the country.

In 2014, as Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula, the Moskva blocked Ukrainian naval vessels from leaving Lake Donuzlav.

In 2015-16, it was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea to provide support for the Russian military campaign backing Syrian President Bashar Assad in his country’s civil war. Its sailors were decorated for their service there and in the war on Georgia.

The Moskva underwent repairs and modernization from 2018 to July 2020, according to Janes.

After Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, the Moskva took part in an attack on Zmiinyi — or Snake — Island, which sits about 35 kilometers (21 miles) off the coast. In an audio widely circulated online, a Ukrainian soldier responds: “Russian warship, go (expletive) yourself.”

The Associated Press cannot independently verify the incident, but Ukraine and its supporters consider it an iconic moment of defiance.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Instagram account posted a photo of him holding commemorative stamps marking the purported moment. They show a lone Ukrainian soldier on a beach, rifle in one hand, the other giving the middle finger to the passing Moskva, its “121” ship number visible on it.

Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at https://twitter.com/jongambrellAP

Powerboat training and private boat coaching

You have questions,  we have answers

What are your qualifications and experience in teaching boat handling and docking skills to new boat owners?

I am a former British Royal Navy Warship Driving Officer, Yacht Captain and Trainer.  My credentials include:  Ocean Navigation, Specialist Navigation - Qualified, Senior Bridge Watch-keeping Officer, Blind (Radar) Pilotage - Qualified, Docking/Undocking Instructor - Britannia Royal Naval College (UK), Royal Yachting Association - International Yachtmaster - Offshore (power and sail) Captain's License.

I  train clients how to drive their boats all over the United States with a special emphasis on docking and undocking. I have a proven record of success with my clients obtaining the RESULT of having more confidence & safety on their boat so they go out and have MORE FUN!

Can you provide references or test imonials from previous clients who have successfully completed your coaching program?

Yes, I have worked with many clients around the country including Los Angeles, S an Diego, Miami, Boston, Virginia and Rhode Island. Pl ease refer to the “testimonials” tab on our home page. 

What is your payment and cancellation policy?

Thank you for choosing our private boat training services! We are excited to help enhance your boating skills. As a small business, we strive to provide a transparent and convenient payment process. Please review our payment and cancellation policy below:

A 50% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your private boat training session. We will send you a secure, encrypted digital invoice via email, which can be conveniently paid using any major credit card or bank account.

The remaining balance is due upon your arrival at the boat. Please ensure that the final payment is made before the coaching session begins. We accept all major debit/credit cards, cashiers checks, and cash. Unfortunately, personal checks are not accepted.

Cancellation:

To reschedule your training session for any reason, we kindly request a minimum of 48 hours' notice. With proper notice, our team will make every effort to find a mutually agreed upon date and time for the rescheduled session.

Cancellations made within 48 hours of the scheduled session will result in the loss of your deposit. However, we understand that unexpected circumstances can arise, such as unsafe weather conditions, mechanical issues and just, life!

PLEASE NOTE:  any additional expenses for flights and hotels incurred by a reschedule for circumstances other than weather will be passed to the client. Every fair effort will be made to take advantage of refunds and promotions to minimize additional cost.

If unsafe weather conditions (forecasting 18 knots or higher) are anticipated within 48 hours of your coaching date, our team will proactively reach out to you. We will work together to reschedule the session to a future date with safer conditions, at no additional cost.

We value your commitment to our services and appreciate your understanding of our payment and cancellation policy. By adhering to these terms, we can ensure a fair and organized process for all our clients.

If you have any questions or need further clarification regarding our policy, please feel free to contact us. We are here to assist you and make your private boat training experience enjoyable and safe.

Thank you for choosing our services, and we look forward to providing you with exceptional boat training!

What is your coaching approach and how do you customize the lessons to meet the specific needs and goals of each student?

My coaching approach is based on years of proven experience and results in the Royal Navy and with private coaching clients. Your success is my success. Twin engine or single engine, I take you through a series of skill builders-away from your dock and marina which will progr ess you to the point where I will take you back to your marina dock to put it all into practice. 

What is the duration and frequency of the coaching sessions, and how many sessions are typically required to achieve proficiency?

The session is one full 8-hour day. You will get your RESULT in one session. Many clients get the result in 5-6 hours and may use the remaining time for practice or to cover additional subjects. If you choose the two day course, day two will cover anchoring, collision avoidance, navigation, VHF Radio, Man-overboard, line-handling, operations, resource management and safety.  

What is the cost of the coaching program, and what is included in the price, such as boat rental, fuel costs, or instructional materials?

I charge a flat-rate daily fee for my coaching.  You cover your own costs of fuel, boat rental and any other external costs. The cost of the program is customized to suit each individual person’s training needs. Has anything scary happened yet while docking your boat? Are you anxious knowing that docking is waiting for you at the end of your day?  Let’s get this fixed. Please call (619) 757-4497 for a free consultation. 

What is your cancellation policy, and how do you handle rescheduling lessons due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances?

Mechanical issues (72-hours notice required), family emergency/illness (24-hours notice required) are grounds for rescheduling to a mutually agreed upon date. Unsafe weather conditions with wind forecasts 18-knots or above, a 48-hours notice prior to the coaching date gives the right to reschedule to a mutually agreed upon date. Rain does not constitute a reason to reschedule. 

What is your availability for coaching sessions, and how far in advance should I book lessons to ensure availability?

Coaching sessions are scheduled to accommodate your needs!   Coaching sessions should be booked about 2-weeks in advance and book up fast in the summer months. To ensure your spot please give us a call at (619) 757-4497 . 

What type of boat will be used for the coaching sessions, and is it similar to the type of boat that I own or plan to purchase?

Each coaching session will take place on your own boat. If for any reason you don’t have one, you may charter a day boat in which the lessons will take place. 

What type of equipment or gear should I bring to the coaching sessions, such as life jackets, communication devices, or weather-appropriate clothing?

Please bring weather appropriate clothing, sunscreen, and your own lunch and snack items to last for the day. 

Can I bring my family member(s)/crew member(s) to the coaching sessions?

Yes, your crewmember is encouraged to participate to set you up for success.  Safe boating involves everyone on the boat although the ultimate responsibility falls on you, the skipper!

What are some common mistakes or challenges that new boat owners face when learning to handle and dock their boats, and how do you help students overcome these?

Many of my clients need help managing multiple tasks at once during a stressful situation like docking their boat. These include- steering, adjusting speed/stopping, dealing with fear, managing crewmembers, wanting to avoid disaster. They often feel additional stress with people watching from the dock or other nearby boats. I train you gradually, yet intensively at your own pace. We practice many skill builders throughout the day until you no longer feel stress handling and docking your boat and look cool!

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Discover in 360°

Staying on course

The Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 37 in Oystersteel and platinum with an Oyster bracelet.

Bidirectional rotatable bezel, timing the distance.

The Yacht-Master’s bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel is made entirely from precious metals or fitted with a Cerachrom insert in high-tech ceramic. The raised polished numerals and graduations stand out clearly against a matt, sand-blasted background.

This functional bezel – which allows the wearer to calculate, for example, the sailing time between two buoys – is also a key component in the model’s distinctive visual identity.

Exceptional legibility

Like all Rolex Professional watches, the Yacht-Master 37 offers exceptional legibility in all circumstances, and especially in the dark, thanks to its Chromalight display.

The broad hands and hour markers in simple shapes – triangles, circles, rectangles – are filled with a luminescent material emitting a long-lasting glow.

A legendary combination

Many Rolex watches are available with the now-legendary combination of yellow, white or Everose gold and steel known as Rolesor, but Rolesium is a creation specific to the Yacht-Master.

While the case and bracelet are in rugged Oystersteel, the bezel of the Rolesium versions is made of platinum, imparting a silvery whiteness and vibrant luminosity for an unmistakable sense of luxury.

The Oyster bracelet

Alchemy of form and function.

The Oyster bracelet is a perfect alchemy of form and function, aesthetics and technology, designed to be both robust and comfortable. It is equipped with an Oysterlock folding clasp, which prevents accidental opening and the Easylink comfort extension link, also exclusive to Rolex.

This ingenious system allows the wearer to increase the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm, providing additional comfort in any circumstance.

More Yacht-Master technical details

Reference   268622

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Oyster, 37 mm, Oystersteel and platinum

Oyster architecture

Monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown

Rolesium - combination of Oystersteel and platinum

Platinum bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated with raised numerals

Winding crown

Screw-down, Triplock triple waterproofness system

Scratch-resistant sapphire, Cyclops lens over the date

Water resistance

Waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet

Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding

2236, Manufacture Rolex

-2/+2 sec/day, after casing

Centre hour, minute and seconds hands. Instantaneous date with rapid setting. Stop-seconds for precise time setting

Syloxi hairspring in silicon with patented geometry. High-performance Paraflex shock absorbers

Bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor

Power reserve

Approximately 55 hours

Oyster, three-piece solid links

Oystersteel

Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Easylink 5 mm comfort extension link

Highly legible Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence

Certification

Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing)

Learn how to set the time and other functions of your Rolex watch by consulting our user guides.

Yacht-Master 37

Contact an Official Rolex Retailer

Only official Rolex retailers are allowed to sell and maintain a Rolex watch. With the necessary skills, technical know-how and special equipment, they guarantee the authenticity of each and every part of your Rolex and help you make the choice that will last a lifetime.

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