The yacht industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace and technical innovation toward alternative energies and energy optimization is pushing the boundaries of the industry. This period of rapid innovation requires a pragmatic approach from both Classification Societies and flag States to carefully review and assess these developments within the regulatory framework. “In the past, the yachting industry had been slow to adapt to new technologies, but that has shifted in the last few years. The concepts we’re bringing to market today – hybrid or dual-fueled yachts, yachts capable of exploring polar regions – these concepts just weren’t previously possible,” said International Registries, Inc.’s (IRI’s) Marc Verburg, Director, Yacht Operations. IRI provides administrative and technical support to the RMI Registry, including the RMI Yacht Program. “Today we’re looking at unprecedented innovation, design, and a seemingly limitless use of yachts,” he continued.
Patrick Bachofner, Worldwide Director, Yachts based in IRI’s Geneva office agrees. He’s seen the yacht market undergo a remarkable transformation, with owners and captains looking for vessels without size, geographic, design, or technical limits. “We’re constantly fielding inquiries from captains, owners, and shipyards eager to explore unchartered territory,” said Patrick. “Fortunately, the RMI’s Yacht Program applies a pragmatic approach to meet the regulatory framework, and we have a specialized yacht team that carefully evaluates the requirements of each vessel. The technical yacht team consistently innovates and adapts to realize solutions that can make our clients’ dreams possible,” he continued.
As the yachting industry continues to evolve and push the boundaries of yachting, IRI’s Yacht Team has proactively strengthened its global support for RMI flagged yachts through strategic hiring and expansion of yacht team resources.
“We recently welcomed Jo Assael as Yachts Commercial Director in London and added a second Senior Technical Manager, Yachts, Cem Çakmak, based in Istanbul to help us enhance our global footprint,” said Patrick.
Jo Assael joins IRI with extensive experience in the yacht industry. A naval architect by trade, Jo has served in a variety of technical and leadership roles with design firms, flag States and yacht managers. Jo’s experience and knowledge of the yachting sector will support the team and assist in developing new strategies to further grow the RMI yacht fleet.
Cem Çakmak, Senior Technical Manager, Yachts, comes to IRI with experience in both yacht building and from the Classification Society, RINA. He will focus on technical, inspections, statutory, and new construction inquiries.
Specialized support from yacht team members in the Fort Lauderdale, Geneva, Istanbul, London and Roosendaal offices, coupled with the capabilities, resources, and technical expertise and experience in IRI’s network of 28 worldwide offices gives clients access to services in a wide variety of innovative and cutting-edge fields within the yacht industry.
“The industry continues to develop and grow. Naturally, we want to evolve, adapt, and stay one step ahead of what our clients need,” concluded Marc.
