Superyacht Refit in the United States: Trends & Challenges
The growth and changing profile of superyacht ownership in USA has led to this conversation about refit in the region. Captains and managers are facing critical challenges when it comes to refit and repair. Increasing costs, pressures on yard availability, and difficulty in securing contractors are all contributing factors. How can the USA’s refit sector develop to meet the growing demand and expectations of today’s captains and owners? Why do we see such different ways of working in Europe compared to the USA? Now, more than ever, imagining the future for refit in the region seems imperative for the healthy growth of our industry. In this interactive panel discussion, moderated by Captain Rafael Cervantes of Lady Moura, leading figures in superyacht refit industry will address the future for US and international refit yards.
Our Moderator: Captain Rafael Cervantes
Rafael Cervantes Mataix has been running motor and sailing yachts professionally as captain for the last 23 years. Currently captains Lady Moura
Panellists:
- Alberto Perrone Da Zara, Director Sales Yacht Refit, Lürssen
Alberto Perrone Da Zara is Sales Director for Yacht Refit at Lürssen and is responsible for the sale of extensive refit projects carried out at the three Lürssen shipyards in Bremen and Hamburg. The German yacht builder Lürssen has earned a leading international reputation as the specialist for exclusive, bespoke yachts of outstanding engineering mastery. The development of sustainable technologies and innovations in yacht building are firmly anchored in Lürssen’s DNA. Refit has become a core business for Lürssen for many years. The Lürssen Group has unique facilities and unparalleled potential to carry out multiple refits simultaneously whether a yacht is a Lürssen yacht or one built by another shipyard.
Before joining Lürssen in 2014, Alberto Perrone Da Zara, who holds a degree in naval architecture, spent two years as sales director megayachts at Benetti shipyard in Italy and before that worked for large companies such as the Ferretti Group, Vicem in Turkey and Magnum Marine. In his 30 years in the yachting industry, he gained extensive experience in engineering, design, construction, sales, marketing and customer service.
- Norina Edelman, CEO, International Marine Management (IMM)
Norina is the CEO of IMM and sister company Dockside. Before entering the yachting world, Norina was an attorney; an acumen that honed her fiscal, analytical and management skills. Norina is an entrepreneur at heart. Back in 2010 she founded IMM in Guadeloupe with her business partner and they have since expanded in to Sint Maarten and Puerto Rico as well as global projects.
- Chris Wright, Senior Technical Manager, Hill Robinson
Chris is responsible for technical and project management at Hill Robinson for USA. Chris offers 35 years’ experience in the marine and superyacht industries. In addition to roles as captain and chief officer, Chris has worked on new builds, refits and service management. Prior to working at Hill Robinson he spent 6 years at Rybovich a Project Manager where he coordinated major refits. Chris specializes in quality control, team management, commercial management, procurement and contracts.
- Colin Kiley, Chief Revenue Officer, Bradford Marine
Colin Kiley, Chief Revenue Officer at Bradford Maine, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role with Bradford. Directly before joining Bradford, Colin led sales, marketing, business development, and logistics, driving growth and profitability as COO and Executive Vice President at Lauderdale Marine Center for The Carlyle Group, eventually concluding in the sale to Safe Harbor Marinas.
Colin’s marine industry experience has developed over 50 years of being on the water. The years of experience have included racing sailing yachts on the world stage, founding and leading international businesses in the service and manufacturing sector of the yachting industry, and eventually to the growth and development of some of the leading shipyards in the United States.
Recent Comments