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Monster Moves, a hit show on the Discovery Channel, TLC and National Geographic, depending on what part of the world you are in, follows construction crew teams as they take on massive structures and move them from one location to another.

Dockwise uses this yacht transporter to carry million dollar yachts across the world

I got the privilege to work on the filming of a show, a year ago, when I was a production assistant in Iowa. The job was moving a historic and quite old brick building four blocks away to save it from impending demolition. The process that goes into securing the giant pile of bricks, inserting the beams and lifting the massive building off its structure gave me a new respect for moving crews and the engineering that goes into such a task.

Tonight Monster Moves will be premiering an episode in the UK called “Millionaire’s Mega Yachts.” The actual move took place last year, but you can watch for the first time tonight (if you live in the UK) as a team races against time and tide to transport a fleet of mega-yachts worth over $160 million from Genoa, Italy to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The 20 bespoke yachts are too precious to sail across the Atlantic, so, a Dutch team creates a customized ‘submersible’ yacht transporter-ship, called the ‘Yacht Express’ to ferry the luxurious pleasure boats around the world.

The mission’s success lies in the hands of loading master, Tieke Springer. She must load, balance and secure the yachts on the transporter ships flat deck precisely so they can survive the rough sea crossing. To prevent damage to the boats, the Yacht Express is submerged by blasting out water from the ballast tanks. The crew must then build hull cradles for each yacht before the deck is flooded. Trouble is, as the ship submerges, the volume of sea water poses a threat to the vessel’s stability. “The ship should be upright all the time,” says the captain. Half way through the 8,000 km voyage, the ship runs into a hurricane. Will the precious cargo survive the deadly encounter? Obviously, they do. But it’s still a wonderfully entertaining and informational show.

One of the yachts among those being transported is owned by millionaire heart surgeon, Jack Sternlieb. He channeled 7 million of his fortune into his yacht, the Star Sapphire. His pride and job, the boat boasts two bars, a gym a Jacuzzi and even a garage.

“Some sailors like harrowing experiences – I like it smooth!” Jack laughs.

After sailing around the Mediterranean, Jack has decided to go home to Florida, but weighing in at 200 tons, this floating palace is going to be one tough move.

Although it is feasible to move yachts by plane or freighter, the size of the Sapphire makes both of these options risky.

Transporting yachts around the world is big business. Dockwise, The Fort Lauderdale based company which owns the Yacht Express, traveled back to Genoa in May with 17 yachts 31 feet to 164 feet long, valued at nearly $192 million. In high season, April through June, it costs about $250,000 to transport a 164 foot yacht one way from Fort Lauderdale to the Mediterranean.

Yacht Path Marine Group of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, contracts with shipping operators worldwide to ferry people's boats and yachts to their destinations on ships like Marissa Green. The company has shipped about 170 yachts worldwide this year.

"Time is money to mega yacht owners and charter brokers and this type of specialized transport is an innovative way of moving vessels quickly and efficiently," said Frank Herhold, executive director of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida.

South Florida yacht transportation companies are faring better than expected in the recession, but they haven't been immune to its sting. With yacht charters and boat sales down, they've had to offer rate concessions and special packages to boat owners to boost business.

This year, Yacht Path is offering advance booking options and round-trip discounts, with savings as much as 30 percent off standard rates on some routes.

Dockwise’s business slid about 20 percent in the first three months of 2009. By mid-April, the market was showing signs of recover. Since then, inquiries and bookings for the fall season have been strong.

“We think we’ve seen the bottom,” President Clemens van der Werf said. In April Dockwise pulled one ship to carry other cargo to compensate for the softer spring season. Since then its other ships have been filling up, but not always at the same prices because more people are asking for discounts, van der Werf said.

Monster Moves UK Premeire: July 7, 2009 8PM on Channel 5

www.windfallfilms.com