A closer look at the YARE aftersales and refit event in Tuscany

The twelfth edition of the YARE (Yachting Aftersales and Refit Experience) Networking event, dedicated to superyacht Captains and companies operating at the uppermost levels of the yachting sector, was held in and around Viareggio in Tuscany from March 16th to 18th. Organized by Navigo, the event featured forums mediated by Martin Redmayne, Chairman and Editor in Chief of the Superyacht Group, and RINA. There were also many “Business to Captains” networking opportunities where companies and shipyards such as Sanlorenzo, Overmarine, Rossinavi, Tankoa Yachts, Adriatic42 and Lürssen could pitch their products and services and industry professionals could pitch their skills and knowledge directly to one another. As well as focusing on refit operations, there were be leisure and recreational activities for Captains and companies including a gala dinner, a Captains’ night and a tour of the Tuscan coast from Livorno to La Spezia. The event concluded on a light note with a Captains vs Companies soccer match held on Saturday morning.

During his keynote forum Redmayne and a panel of industry experts including Rolls Royce Marine’s Tobias Kohl, Lurssen’s Albert Perrone da Zara, The WOY’s Thierry Voisin, Sherps63’s Ken Hickling and Underwriting Limited’s Paul Miller discussed the ins and outs of refit projects highlighting the different roles that yards, project managers and crew play during these works. The panel suggested charting out a plan of action and a specification of works before starting a refit. A tendering process can then lead to negotiations and yard selection where refit work can be undertaken.  

The panel also discussed the differing roles and responsibilities represented during refit works. They stressed the importance of a clear project roadmap and suggested that yards follow security and safety guidelines closely while keeping adequate insurance coverage. The content of meetings and relevant verbal instructions should be recorded in writing then distributed to all relevant parties promptly. All costs should be easily identifiable and invoicing should be extensive and detailed.

The panel underlined how the Project Manager’s main responsibility is to oversee the yard’s team while ensuring that budget and timeline are respected. Any variations in orders should be managed and progress reports should be compiled for the owner’s team. Subcontractors and other specialists appointed by the yard should be managed by the yard while third-party surveyors and specialists appointed by client are his or her own responsibility.

Crew can bring the added value of their own familiarity with the yacht and their knowledge of owner’s taste and lifestyle preferences. All parties agreed that bureaucracy and other red tape situations complicate any job and slow down the completion of refit works.

The event ended on Saturday with a Captains vs Companies soccer match held at the Marco Polo Sport Center in Viareggio. Marcello Lippi, the head coach that brought the Italian National Team to victory at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, came by to inaugurate the 1st Derby Yare, which was won by the Companies team with a final score of 9 to 7.

We are all looking forward to the 2023 edition of YARE for more networking occasions and industry insight in a relaxed and convivial setting.

Clare Mahon

The graphs below were compiled by The Superyacht Group: