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The Legal, Logistical and Conservation Challenges of Collecting Art at Sea

Displaying a multi-million-dollar art collection on a multi-million-dollar superyacht requires a complex array of logistical oversight and preservation techniques to protect the works from salt spray, silverfish and other maritime hazards.

If you own a superyacht, apart from the essentials, such as a backlit marble wet bar, SeaBOBs, helipad and inflatable pickleball court, another must-have is a standout art collection. From timeless paintings by famous artists and commissioned contemporary works to installations and sculptural pieces, it’s natural for the nautically inclined elite to fold one passion into another, especially to enhance their voyage to the BVI or when entertaining guests in Porto Montenegro.

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Superyachts, which begin at around 24 meters and go up to around 60 meters (after which point they become megayachts), naturally reflect the values and tastes of their owners. This might take the form of restrained timelessness from manufacturers such as Benetti or the “go big or go home” gravitas of German shipbuilders Lürssen. Indeed, the nexus of superyachts, art and design is a natural one. Witness the art fairs and activities that superyacht builders have sponsored, such as Sanlorenzo’s involvement with Art Basel or Frieze, or the Floating Art Hotel—a waterborne members’ club that houses works by Marina Abramović and Tomás Saraceno.

But the sea is a harsh mistress and there’s an art to making it all look easy; choosing and installing works on one’s vessel is a complex business. From sourcing, logistics and paperwork to installation and aftercare, every stage takes careful planning and consideration. Jan Erika is a British artist and designer who has been commissioned by various superyacht owners to not only prepare interiors but also outfit them with her particular brand of abstraction. “What surprises me is how personal each yacht becomes,” she told Observer. “They’re extraordinary feats of engineering, but once the artwork goes in, they become homes. The art completely changes the atmosphere and tells the owner’s story.” Again, this feeling of personalization and the expression of sensibilities runs deep. However, it’s one........

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