rob moran yachts

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Yacht Broker Sentenced to 2 Months for Tax Evasion

By The Associated Press

• Nov. 6, 2009

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida yacht broker who admitted filing a false federal tax return and concealing millions of dollars in a secret account at the Swiss bank UBS was sentenced Friday to two months in prison.

Judge James I. Cohn of Federal District Court in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., gave the broker, Robert Moran, credit for immediately confessing his crime and for assisting a broad federal investigation of tax evasion at UBS and other offshore banks. Judge Cohn also noted that Mr. Moran, a British-born United States citizen, had paid the $1.9 million in penalties and back taxes he owed.

But the judge said “the public is weary” of people trying to hide wealth from the Internal Revenue Service and rejected Mr. Moran’s request for a sentence of probation only.

Mr. Moran is scheduled to report to prison Jan. 4. The United States Bureau of Prisons has not yet determined where he will serve his sentence, but Judge Cohn recommended that he be held in southern Florida.

In April, Mr. Moran became the first UBS client in the United States to plead guilty after the bank gave federal prosecutors about 150 names of Americans suspected of tax evasion. The bank later reached a second agreement that calls for disclosure of 4,450 additional United States taxpayers to the I.R.S.

Mr. Moran is the third former UBS client to be sentenced in the last two weeks in South Florida for filing false tax returns. One of them got house arrest and the other a short prison term. Seven former clients have been charged in the latest crackdown, and dozens more are under investigation.

Mr. Moran, president of Moran Yacht and Ship, which has offices in Fort Lauderdale and Moscow, will lose his yacht broker’s license because of the felony conviction and faces an uncertain business future, Gary M. Bagliebter, his lawyer, said.

In remarks to the judge, Mr. Moran, 58, accepted full responsibility. He had about $3.5 million in his UBS accounts.

“I’m really sorry for opening this foreign bank account and not disclosing it,” Mr. Moran said. “I realize it was a mistake.”

Inside the Biden Administration

Here’s the latest news and analysis from washington..

Russian State Television Investigation:  The F.B.I. raided the homes of two prominent American commentators on Russian state television channels  as part of an effort to blunt attempts to influence November’s election.

Secret Nuclear Strategy:  In a classified document approved in March, the president ordered U.S. forces to prepare  for possible coordinated nuclear confrontations with Russia, China and North Korea.

Drug Price Limits: The Biden administration announced the results of landmark negotiations  between Medicare and pharmaceutical companies over the prices of 10 costly or common medications .

Protections for Transgender Students: The Supreme Court temporarily continued to block Education Department rules  intended to protect transgender students from discrimination in several Republican states.

Life After the White House: As he heads into his final months in office, President Biden has more publicly embraced the idea of retirement  with a jovial serenity.

By SuperyachtNews 08 Dec 2016

What is the optimum sized superyacht for the future?

Leading industry experts - kevin merrigan, rob moran, paolo casani, mark elliott and john rosatti - have their say on the industry's future.….

Many will say, with just a hint of sarcasm, that the optimum sized yacht for the future is whatever the client desires – and those people are certainly not wrong. With so few sales every year, it’s perfectly rational for the industry to capitalise wherever there is a smattering of demand. But, what do the industry experts believe to be a yacht of ‘optimum’ size moving forward?

“I think it will be a combination,” says Kevin Merrigan, CEO of Northrop & Johnson. “There are many who enjoy a 50m; it’s easier to run, easier to get around, it’s less expensive and accomplishes a lot of what you’re trying to accomplish. But, I also think that the 100m mark is one that will be reached more regularly.”

“When I started in the industry – when Noah was looking for his boat – you could have put a 70ft Hatteras on the face dock and that was unbelievable. But there will be individuals that desire a 100m+ yacht now, simply because that’s the space they’re used to having”, Merrigan adds.

Rob Moran, president of Moran Yacht & Ship, says it depends on where you intend to cruise. “If you want to go serious cruising, you need a 45–50m yacht, at least, to cross oceans. And you’ll need different types of boat for cruising in the Bahamas or the Mediterranean. You can have a great time on a 20m boat – a Pershing, a Sunseeker, or a Princess – and you can have a great time on a 100m boat.” Moran does not see a 100m+ vessel as one of optimum size, however, adding; “it’s a rarefied group of not only those who have that money, but will pay that money for a boat.”

Paolo Casani, managing director of Camper & Nicholsons, deems it to be the 45–65m sector. “They’re easier to manage and you have more berthing options. Yachts this size are the most appealing for charter, we had a 60m that did 96 days of charter in one season. The owner offset his running costs and actually made a profit. The pricing for charters becomes far less attractive for the market when you get above 65m.”

Mark Elliott, sales and charter consultant at IYC, believes there is too much of a definitive line, lumping yachts either side of the 500gt mark, for there to be an optimum size. “You’re in a different world when you get over 500gt. The rules and regulations need to soften; they should be incremental. It’s silly that if you’re going to build over 500gt, you may as well build way over. Those who may want a 170ft yacht may as well go to 200ft if they’re spending that kind of money.”

John Rosatti, the owner of 65m Double Down , says “It’s hard to tell. Everyone’s going bigger now, just look around. In 1988, I had a 34m Thunderball and it was in the top 100 largest yachts. Now I have a 65m, which may have just slipped out of the top 250. These boats get bigger and the ports get smaller. Where do you put them? It’s tough. If you look around there’s virtually nothing under 150ft now.”

But, is there a logical end point to this upsizing? “No”, they all say resoundingly. “But where are you going to go? Into commercial ports? It’s not worthwhile – and it’s far nicer getting in close to the great scenery,” adds Elliott. “The market will dictate, but if somebody wants to build a 300m yacht, or a floating town, I’m confident the industry would figure out how to deliver it,” concludes Merrigan. 

Photo credit: Thomas Joswig

Join the discussion

What is the optimum sized superyacht for the future.

To post comments please Sign in or Register

When commenting please follow our house rules

Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here .

Sign up to the SuperyachtNews Bulletin

Receive unrivalled market intelligence, weekly headlines and the most relevant and insightful journalism directly to your inbox.

Sign up to the SuperyachtNews Bulletin

The superyachtnews app.

Follow us on

Media Pack Request

Please select exactly what you would like to receive from us by ticking the boxes below:

SuperyachtNews.com

Register to comment

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

Ahpo: Behind the build of Lürssen's striking 115m superyacht

A seriously experienced team has built Ahpo , a Caribbean-inspired family superyacht with an eye for perfection, says Cecile Gauert.

"Details make perfection, and perfection is not a detail.” This quote, attributed to Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci, should be a maxim in the superyacht world, where, with each new build the bar seems to rise yet again.

Only four or five shipyards globally can get close to this perfection, says Robert Moran, whose company was involved from contract to delivery in the creation of the 115-metre Lürssen Ahpo , the brokerage firm’s 61st new build project.

The details on Ahpo are the story. “We have thousands of materials, different woods, different kinds of GRP, paint, alloy, cable trays – so many cable trays – and also in the interior, so many different kinds of stones, woods, carpets, mother-of-pearl and wallpaper, it’s unbelievable, and I guess not countable,” says Tanja Peters, the project manager for Lürssen, who worked closely with the owners’ team.

Ahpo reunited owner Michael Lee-Chin, design firm Nuvolari Lenard , the Lürssen shipyard and Moran Yacht & Ship , the same team that had worked on the creation of the 86-metre Quattroelle , delivered in 2013. Moran had previously sold the Jamaican-born Canadian businessman and philanthropist the 58.5-metre Capri in 2003, which he kept for five years before embarking on the construction of Quattroelle . The owner loved it but received an offer he could not refuse shortly after taking delivery, giving him a bit of time to think about the next step.

This new build is a big step forward in terms of size (she is 5,257 gross tonnes compared to Quattroelle ’s 2,925) and complexity. “The boat is magnificent inside and outside because it is not just an improvement on Quattroelle , but it is an entirely different world inside and outside,” says interior designer Valentina Zannier of Nuvolari Lenard. “When you step up from an 86 to 115, it may sound like 29 metres is not that much, but on a boat, it is huge.”

While conventionally powered, the yacht boasts advanced systems, such as super-efficient HUG after-treatment filters complementing the now mandatory SCR system, a dynamic positioning system, controllable-pitch propellers for precise manoeuvring at low speed and four massive Quantum fins, among others. In addition, its heat-recovery system is an efficient way of redirecting heat generated by the engines and generators’ normal operation to warm the swimming pool, spa pool and other water systems. It works exceptionally well and saves thousands of kilowatts, according to one of Ahpo ’s engineers. Finally, optimal noise insulation yields impressive library-quiet sound levels in the guest areas.

“Our new construction team, led by Sean Moran, spent a lot of time writing the specifications for the insulation. Fortunately, working with Lürssen, their background is military, so they are ahead of the game,” Robert Moran says. “The decibel levels of this yacht are incredible.” At anchor, they range from a little over 31dBA in the owners’ suite to just 40dBA in the main saloon.

The yacht’s two custom 12-metre IC Yacht guest tenders, plus rescue tenders and a suite of water toys are hidden in a forward garage to save the transom area for an exceptional beach club/spa that leaves guests wanting for nothing. “It’s the most amazing spa I’ve ever seen on a yacht,” Moran says.

And, because there is no coming back from the views it offers, glass is an ever-present feature on Ahpo as well. Glass surfaces include massive doors wrapping around an aft deck winter garden where the captain says the owners spend most of their time on board.

“You literally walk in a garden that is enjoyable outside but is also covered, so you can have a formal lunch or dinner there. It is an outstanding feature that you don’t see often,” says Zannier, who worked closely with the couple to develop an interior vision that they readily embraced.  She felt at ease with them, which gave her the freedom to unleash her creativity.

“When you already know a family, you don’t really need a brief because there is already an empathy there,” she says. “Madame is a delicious person, very feminine, so you won’t see anything straight and sharp.”

A large team is on board when I catch up with Ahpo in May, although it’s not apparent as they are scattered through the yacht’s six large decks, but Captain Nathan Mischewski is keeping a  log and an eye on the tight schedule. The goal is to bring Ahpo to tip-top shape to meet with the owners at the Monaco Grand Prix, and there are a few opened panels and sections of covered flooring. A perfectionist himself, he occasionally shakes his head as he walks me through the new yacht at the MB92 shipyard in Barcelona. “It’s a shame you can’t come when it’s all set up because it has a different vibe,” he says.

To my eye, Ahpo seems very close to perfect, from superlative guest areas to sizeable crew spaces and a gleaming engine room visible from a glass corridor leading from the beach club to the guest lobby and lift. It is no exaggeration to say you could eat off the floor in the two-level engine space. “We are always chasing perfection. This attitude permeates our entire process, from luxury areas all the way through to the engine room,” Moran says.

Project manager and engineer Robert Miller even named the two MTU 20V 4000 engines (as he previously did on Quattroelle ). I look at “Federica” closely; despite two transatlantic crossings and several months of active duty, the engine looks brand new.

There is a personal touch on board, a good vibe, you’d say. In the crew area, an informal picture collage celebrates a few special occasions on board with the entire crew and several with “the boss”, tall, fit and a bright smile on his face.

While he values his privacy, which influenced the layout, the owner is “a vastly experienced yachtsman”, according to Carlo Nuvolari, who understands that keeping the crew happy is vital to everyone’s well-being on board. Up to 53 people can share space on Ahpo , including the pilots of two helicopters. The yacht has a crew gym and a comfortable lounge that’s separate from the spacious crew mess, which could accommodate everyone in one seating.

The team of Nuvolari Lenard – with Zannier as the creative mind behind the nature-inspired, exquisitely intricate interior created with the owners – designed the yacht built under the project name Enzo. This code name was a nod to one of Lee-Chin’s passions – Ferraris.

The owner signed the contract in 2017 with one stipulation, Moran says: the yacht had to be ready for his mother’s 89th birthday on December 15, 2021. When Covid-19 hit, the shipyard had to adjust the schedule to reduce the amount  of crew working on the boat all at once, but work never stopped. In late 2021, Ahpo left Rendsburg, Germany, for the owner’s native Jamaica and got there on December 13 in time for the planned celebration.

A lot of Ahpo , a term of endearment meaning grandmother, is about family. Although she will charter on occasion – for 2.5 million euros a week plus expenses – Ahpo was designed for family use. The family’s strong bonds are poetically represented, for example, in the chain-link motif that decorates the stairs linking the two levels of the owners’ apartment. Two identical bedrooms with different colour schemes for twin girls are close to their parents’ bedroom oasis, a supremely comfortable space in a blend of gelato colours with two private terraces and two spectacular bathrooms with handmade metal bathtubs from Catchpole & Rye, mosaics inspired by the work of Gustav Klimt and crystal chandeliers by Lasvit in the style of Baccarat. For senior members of the family, the designer created a spacious and ultra-restful lower deck cabin.

Another big part of the yacht is fitness and wellness. The owners’ private duplex includes a gym that puts to shame most luxury hotel gyms, with furniture in red lacquer, attractive synthetic flooring, TVs hidden behind mirrors, equipment by Technogym and bikes by Peloton, plus custom-made dumb-bells provided by Gym Marine. All of it is personalised for Ahpo with the Nuvolari Lenard-designed logos. Aside from input from Gym Marine, Moran says the owners had considerable say into the design as they are very active and live a healthy lifestyle. The side decks on the sky lounge deck are exceptionally wide, like a proper promenade on a cruise ship, and  100 metres all around, allowing the owners to take walks in the fresh air without returning to shore.

The owner enjoys looking up at one of the yacht’s defining features, a great mast. “That mast is huge; you can put the whole crew inside. It’s three levels, and there’s so much storage up there,” the captain says, providing a sense of scale to the yacht’s crowning feature.

About all that the owner said in terms of guidance for the exterior design was, as Nuvolari recounts, “‘You know me, you know what I like, make it more beautiful [than Quattroelle ].’ He also asked if we could make one feature that ties the two designs, and those are the semi-circular windows.” However, these are so distinctive that when the first photos appeared, it was an immediate tip-off to the small but enthusiastic group of people following the yacht industry that it had to be the “new Quattroelle ”.

So, when they created the exterior for Ahpo , the Nuvolari Lenard team, including designer Simone Feltrin, strived to make an elegant ship – because a yacht of 100 metres or more, Carlo Nuvolari says, is a ship. “Nowadays in yachting we see many extravagant things looking to architectural buildings  for inspiration.” However, he and his business partner, Dan Lenard, disagree with this trend. “A boat is a boat, a yacht is a yacht,” Nuvolari says. For the yacht’s finishing top hat, they studied the funnels of vessels of the 1950s and 1960s.

Another characteristic feature is the bow, which is quite defined with the yacht’s logo at the tip but is just long enough to give the yacht the right proportions. “Long flowing lines are a signature of our designs,” says Nuvolari, who adds that the bow is just part of the whole. “We never look at one single item, but we look at overall proportions. After a few proposals, we found that this offered the right balance, and it goes well with the concept of a serious ship.” It’s truly amazing to consider that the yacht appears lean and graceful with deck heights of 2.4 metres and 2.7 metres in some places and six decks stacked one on top of the other. No mean feat.

A contrast of black and white paint emphasises the swooping wraparound decks and creates a visual cascade from the top to the forward fully certified helipad (one of two on board), with a similar feature aft. This signature helps make Ahpo recognisable from anywhere.

On the inside, “the main theme of the boat is nature,” says Zannier, who incorporated plants beyond the winter garden. Most are excellent fakes because plants don’t do so well in salty air, but no matter, it works beautifully.

In the spa, created by interior outfitter List, the theme of nature is ever-present. “It is all about curves, leaves and waves, and the main feature of this area, including the massage room and the beauty salon, is bamboo,” Zannier says. The bamboo (fake leaves on natural stems) is encapsulated between two glass panes, and it is backlit, creating a beautiful backdrop for a bar and the massage room. “It is very relaxing and very Zen,” she says accurately. In the hair salon, the bamboo was hand-painted on wallpaper by the artists of the fine wallpaper and ceramics company de Gournay. On the spa’s ceiling, huge leaves made of walnut are lit with a border of LED lighting. “There are no spotlights in the leaves themselves because we prefer not to use them extensively, so we always try to find alternative light sources,” the designer says.  Teak stripes undulating behind a plunge pool guide the water that falls with a quiet gurgling sound. The wellness space also includes a Turkish-style hammam with vibrant mosaics by Sicis and a fountain in ivory onyx and mosaics. Fibre optics in the ceiling create myriad little stars. Azul macaubas and sodalite are two of the stones found here and repeated throughout the yacht, including on the mullions. The curvaceous sauna has Himalayan salt bricks inserted into its walls.

Another delectable space is the 12-seat cinema. Sicis created three portraits of the owners’ favourite actors and artists – Dorothy Dandridge, Sidney Poitier and Sammy Davis Jr – from photos they selected, in black and white fabric mosaics that add a touch of vintage Hollywood to the elegant space with a starlit ceiling.

The decor incorporates numerous personal references. For instance, the desk in the boardroom – unconventionally positioned aft on the main deck – is an oval table with a top done by Based Upon that incorporates an old map of Jamaica engraved in bronze among blue resin. On the walls, more mosaics represent Jamaica’s famous Blue Mountains.

Elsewhere, birds – cranes and flamingos – and feathers take flight. One of many stunning pieces on board, and one that the Lürssen project manager singled out as one of the great achievements in the interior is the spiral staircase. Vedder made the complex balustrade that represents an olive tree growing over several decks, piece by piece. On the wall is a bas-relief that runs over five decks, each with its own colour theme. The staircase wraps around an elliptical sculpture whose central column supports delicate feathers handmade of crystal that appear to fall to the floor. The steps themselves incorporate backlit calacatta marble, leather and Tai Ping silk carpeting.

There is much more to this beautiful yacht, including the grand dining room with a spectacular custom table made by List. Its glass top was created by DKT Artworks using the French technique of verre églomisé with a theme of water lilies, which is repeated in the chandelier and on the doors.

The design book is as thick as a phone book and, incredibly, the finished product is very close to the original renderings. For the owners, the result was love at first sight, and they spent 65 days on board after delivery. Such level of details, and perfect combination of technology and craftsmanship – nay, art – can only be seen in the superyacht world these days.

“Anybody can build a plane, anybody can build a house, but a yacht of such detail and such quality, I think is the pinnacle of achievement,” Moran says. And as the story goes, details make perfection.

First published in the August 2022 issue of BOAT International. Get this magazine sent straight to your door, or subscribe and never miss an issue.

Sign up to BOAT Briefing email

Latest news, brokerage headlines and yacht exclusives, every weekday

By signing up for BOAT newsletters, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy .

More about this yacht

Similar yachts for sale, more stories, most popular, from our partners, sponsored listings.

The world’s best 50 yacht brokers

Home > LUXURY/UHNW Trends > The world’s best 50 yacht brokers

Posted by Joanna Lewis , 21 Apr 2023

The world’s best yacht brokers are relied upon for their expertise, market intelligence, and vast network of industry contacts by the most discerning yachting enthusiasts. The leading brokers work for global yacht brokerages facilitating transactions across yacht sales, yacht charter, yacht management, yacht refit, and new builds, including for the most luxurious motor boats and sailing yachts on the planet.

Relevance Yacht is the go-to digital marketing agency for the yachting industry and has helped the world’s leading brokers market their yachts and services to a qualified global audience. 

Here are the world’s 50 top yacht brokers,  in no particular order , that the world’s richest trust when it is time to buy, sell, charter, or build a boat. 

The world’s top 50 yacht brokers

David seal – northrop & johnson – yacht broker & head of video production .

David Seal is a veteran yacht broker and YouTube star based in Monaco with more than 226,000 subscribers on his Yachts For Sale channel, making it one of the most watched yacht channels on the internet. He broke into the industry following a move to Italy, where he started teaching English to yacht builder Norberto Ferretti. He later became sales manager for the CRN shipyard, part of the Ferretti group. Seal quickly differentiated himself by doing walk-through videos of yachts for sale before digital marketing became mainstream. He now works for Northrop & Johnson through an exclusive licensing agreement. 

Rosanna Arcamone  – Silver Star Yachting  – Yacht Charter Broker

Rosanna Arcamone’s career has been rooted in yachting, first as crew on the world’s finest superyachts, including as a chief stewardess, and then as a charter broker and co-founder of Silver Star Yachting. Arcamone boasts a wealth of industry contacts and a keen understanding of the demands of the world’s wealthiest travellers, regularly arranging charters on the world’s most lavish superyachts, including the award-winning 93-metre LADY S and the 85-metre O’PTASIA.

Ann Avery – Northrop & Johnson – Yacht Broker

Ann ‘Annie’ Avery is a sales broker with Northrop & Johnson , specialising in luxury sailboats. Her passion and success in this field led her to be awarded the IYBA Sailboat Broker of the Year in 2020, 2021, and 2022. She is also deeply passionate about conservation, producing audio interviews related to the health of the ocean. US-born and raised, Annie has over 30 years of experience in the industry, including 20 years with Northrop & Johnson. She is based in Northrop & Johnson’s Fort Lauderdale office. 

MATT PALMER – Northrop & Johnson – Yacht Sales Broker

Matt Palmer is a broker with Northrop & Johnson. He has been sailing since his youth, navigating the waters of the Channel Islands, where he grew up. Following a degree in law, Palmer joined a firm specialising in the structure and management of superyachts, enabling him to hone his skills regarding yacht ownership. Having begun his sales career in one of the largest brands in yachting, it didn’t take long before he transacted over 100 million Euros in sales. He champions professionalism and proactivity with strong traditional values and thrives on the true independence that Northrop & Johnson provides.

Nigel Beatty – YACHTZOO – Yacht Broker 

British-born Nigel Beatty is a yacht broker with YACHTZOO. He started his maritime career in the Royal Navy. In 1995 Beatty became a captain on private and charter superyachts around the world, giving him a unique insight into global yachting. He came ashore in 2005, starting six separate companies over a decade, all of which are still operating today. In 2015 he joined the YACHTZOO team in Florida and set up YACHTZOO’s Japan base shortly after. Nigel is the Chairman of APSA (Asia Pacific Superyacht Association) and lives in Monaco and Japan.

Charlie Birkett – Y.CO – Yacht Broker 

Charlie Birkett is a leading yacht broker and co-founder and CEO of Y.CO , based in Monaco. He started his career aged 16 when he left school to follow his passion for sailing. It took him all over the world in several positions, both shoreside and on board, supporting some of the world’s largest, most complex yacht operations, including M/Y CALIXE and M/Y TATOOSH. He founded Y.CO in 2004, along with his friend and business partner Gary Wright, growing the business into one of the world’s leading full-service yacht companies. With the company 100% founder-owned and founder-led, Birkett is known for his dedication to client relationships and treats every Y.CO client as the only client.

Alex Lees-Buckley – Camper & Nicholsons – Sales and New Build Yacht Broker 

Alex Lees-Buckly is a leading superyacht broker with Camper & Nicholsons .  A British native, he is a lifelong yachter with in-depth industry knowledge gleaned from 30 years of experience. Superyacht Times describes him as one of the “world’s most accomplished brokers” and, as such, boasts a loyal clientele with many multi-repeat clients. He has managed some of the biggest new build projects, including the 140-metre Fincanetieri OCEAN VICTORY, and is a leading sales broker for pedigree shipyards, including Benetti, Feadship, and Perini Navi. In 2016, Lees-Buckly was awarded the first Richard Earp Award from Fraser. 

Melanie Burke – Fraser – Yacht Charter Broker 

Melanie Burke is an award-winning charter broker and a recipient of the IYBA Charter Professional of the Year 2020. Based in Fraser’s Fort Lauderdale offices, Burke has been immersed in the yachting industry for over 30 years. She has worked as crew on charter yachts, sailed competitively, and managed yachts and marinas. She is now one of the world’s most recognised charter brokers, helping plan bespoke yacht charter experiences for the world’s wealthiest audiences.  

Marcel Busse – YACHTZOO – Yacht Charter & Sales Broker 

Marcel Busse has over 28 years of experience in the yachting industry as a captain with extensive knowledge of key cruising areas across the globe and superior expertise in vessels ranging from sport fishers to large superyachts. Born in South Africa, Busse has a stellar reputation for return clients and an excellent charter record. He is part of the global yacht brokerage YACHTZOO, where he works as a charter and sales broker specialising in high-end movie charters and yachts in excess of 60-metres.

Chris Callahan – Moran Yacht & Ship – Yacht Sales & Charter Broker 

Chris Callahan is a top yacht sales and charter broker and marketing director at Moran Yacht & Ship . Based in Fort Lauderdale, Callahan has over a decade of experience in the yachting industry and has facilitated yacht sales, charters, and new build projects. 

Tim Carbury – Moravia Yachting – Yacht Sales Broker 

Tim Carbury is a leading sales broker with Moravia Yachting . He was born and raised on the south coast of England, where he developed his passion for yachting, completing his first of many Fastnet races at just 15 years of age. He started his career in yachting at age 18 and has since covered many yachting industry touchpoints, including working as a yacht captain and marine engineer. Carbury is a versatile and adept broker and has successfully represented both buyers and sellers. He is based in Palma. 

Kent Chamberlain – Chamberlain Yachts – Yacht Broker 

Having owned and operated multiple successful yacht sales organisations in California and Florida, including San Diego Yacht Sales, Bradford Yacht Sales, Westship World Yachts, and Merle Wood & Associates  – where he previously served as Interim CEO – Chamberlain is a well-established and accomplished broker with extensive experience in sales, management, and charter. He has been instrumental in the creation of PartnerShips, the fractional yacht sales concept. Additionally, he is the founder and chairman of the Superyacht Network, a private group of top-tier superyacht brokers who regularly share industry information. Chamberlain is respected by his peers as a broker with an unwavering work ethic and high integrity. 

Jeremy Comport – Ocean Independence – Yacht Sales Broker 

Jeremy Comport is a leading yacht sales broker and group director with the brokerage Ocean Independence . He boasts decades of experience managing complex brokerage deals and new builds. Yachting is in Comport’s blood, having grown up around boats, notably sailboats. He kick-started his career in the yachting industry, working on yachts on the French Riviera. He later forged a career as a yacht broker and hasn’t looked back. Notable sales include the 56-metre Feadship built BROADWATER, which sold just three months following its listing, and the 44-metre Burger motor yacht PURE BLISS.  

Liz Cox – Cecil Wright – Yacht Management Broker 

Liz Cox is a senior partner highly specialised in management at Cecil Wright based in the Monaco office. She fell in love with yachting and the French Riviera some 30 years ago and helps owners enjoy worry-free yacht ownership that exceeds expectations. Throughout her career, Cox has helped manage and build some of the world’s finest superyachts, including overseeing the build of the 58-metre Amels, GU, the 68-metre Abeking and Rassmussen AVIVA II and SHERPA, a 73.6-metre Feadship, delivered in 2018. She currently heads up the charter management side of the business, including the management of one of the most successful charter yachts in the global fleet, the 60.9-metre Abeking and Rassmussen, ARIENCE .  

Robert Cury – RJC Yacht Sales and Charter – Yacht Sales Broker 

Robert ‘Bob’ Cury heads up RJC Yacht Sales and Charter , which he founded in 1997. He brings over 30 years of yacht expertise spanning design, brokerage, and new construction. He specialises in the sale of larger, late-mode pedigree motorboats and sport fishing vessels. RJC has represented some of the world’s most prestigious boats, including the 50-metre Trinity M/Y IMPROMPTU. 

Ed Dickinson – Northrop & Johnson – Yacht Sales Broker 

Ed Dickinson is a Monaco-based sales broker with Northrop & Johnson. He represents a wide variety of clients and yachts and has negotiated transactions on vessels from 24 to 70-metres plus. Many of his transactions are from repeat clients or through referrals. Hailing from Guernsey in the Channel Islands, he kick-started his passion for yachting as crew on a superyacht based in the Mediterranean. Dickinson is known for his industry insights and for always going the extra mile for his clients.

Mat Emerson – Camper & Nicholson – Yacht Sales & Charter Broker  

Mat Emerson is a senior partner and director of Americas with Burgess and was previously president of Camper & Nicholsons US. He has over 29 years of experience in the superyacht industry and is focused on sales and charter. He recently sold the 92-metre superyacht TATOOSH, acting as a co-central agent with Fraser’s Stuart Larsen. 

Richard Gray – IYC – Yacht Sales Broker 

Richard Gray is an accomplished yacht broker with a wealth of experience and expertise in the industry. As a broker at the prestigious yacht brokerage firm, IYC , Richard has established himself as a leader in the field, thanks to his extensive knowledge of the global yacht market and exceptional sales skills. Throughout his career, Gray has maintained a strong dedication to his clients, providing them with exceptional service and guidance through every step of the buying or selling process. He has a keen eye for detail, extensive knowledge of the technical aspects of yachts, and a deep appreciation for the beauty and artistry of yacht design. Richard has a sterling reputation in the industry and is respected by his peers and clients for his professionalism, honesty, and integrity. 

Darrell Hall – YACHTZOO – Yacht Sales Broker 

Darrell Hall is a leading yacht broker and the founder of YACHTZOO . He left his native South Africa to become a captain, navigating the world for over a decade until he settled down as a broker in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Hall’s experience as a captain of both private and charter yachts has provided a solid client base and invaluable knowledge of yachts. Since his arrival in Monaco, he has established himself as a well-known and respected sales broker in the capital of yachting for all matters across motor yachts, sailing yachts, and new constructions of all sizes.

Richard Higgins – Northrop & Johnson – Yacht Sales Broker 

Richard Higgins is one of the world’s top 50 yacht brokers with Northrop & Johnson, based in their Monaco brokerage. He specialises in a wide range of vessels, both motor yachts and sailboats, drawing on over a decade of experience. Higgins is known for his technical acumen, exemplary service, and dedication to supporting his clients at every stage of their yachting journey. 

Jonathan Hind – Burgess – Yacht Sales Broker 

Jonathan Hind is a top yacht broker with Burgess and managing director for the brokerage’s Dubai office. He has over 16 years of industry experience spanning four continents and boasts a strong track record of project management, equally at home on small or large yachts. He most recently sold the 72-metre Delta Marine superyacht ALBATROSS just 11 weeks after she entered the brokerage market. Other notable yacht sales include the 50-metre Benetti motor boat BLUE NIGHT, with Hind representing the seller. 

Kyle van Huizen – YACHTZOO – Yacht Sales Broker 

Kyle van Huizen is a sales broker with YACHTZOO after moving ashore to be based in Monaco. He has many years of experience as a captain on modern and classic sailing yachts. He is highly professional and well-respected in the yachting industry. Since starting as a broker, van Huizen has proved an invaluable and prolific member of the YACHTZOO team, able to handle all types of sales, new and pre-owned, motor and sailing yachts as well as berth sales and some charters for select clients. Originally from South Africa, he is highly proactive and in the know for all yachting matters and new technologies.

Nicola Iacono – Silver Star Yachting – Yacht Charter Broker

Italian-born Nicola Iacono is a leading yacht charter broker and co-founder of Silver Star Yachting . Iacono has unique knowledge of the yachting industry and the needs of the world’s richest individuals, having worked as a consultant for luxury brands and leading shipyards before establishing Silver Star Yachting. He regularly arranges charters on the world’s most luxurious superyachts, including the 85-metre Oceanco yacht SUNRAYS and the 59-metre motor yacht IDYLLIC, built by Benetti.  

Peter Insull – Peter Insull’s Yacht Marketing – Superyacht Broker

Recipient of the prestigious Richard Earp Award, Peter Insull is a leading superyacht broker and principal of Peter Insull’s Yacht Marketing , headquartered in France. Insull is acknowledged as a leading broker for large yachts with an impressive track record of success, representing the interests of buyers and sellers. 

Tim Johnson – TJB Superyachts – Superyacht Broker 

Tim Johnson is the founder and CEO of TJB Superyachts and a leading yacht broker known for his boutique, modern approach. His career has been a varied one, including in management consultancy, tours in Afghanistan as part of the British Army Reserve, and private aviation. He discovered his passion for the yachting industry and has become a recognised force within the charter and sales market. He is based in TJB Superyachts’ London headquarters.

Carol Kent – Carol Kent Yacht Charters International – Yacht Charter Broker 

Carol Kent is the CEO of Carol Kent Yacht Charters International . She is a globally recognised yacht charter broker and recipient of the IYBA Charter Professional of the Year 2017, in recognition of her outstanding deduction and contribution to the yachting industry. Kent specialises in crafting vacations of a lifetime aboard some of the world’s finest vessels, partnering with all the major yacht brokerages, including Northrop & Johnson, Burgess, Fraser, and Camper & Nicholson. 

Brandon Kummer – Kitson Yachts – Superyacht Sales Broker 

Brandon Kummer, a co-founder of Kitson Yachts, began his yachting career at the early age of 18. In 2019, he became the recipient of the coveted IYBA Outstanding Young Professional in Yachting award. His astronomical sales record precedes him, and he is the first superyacht broker under the age of 30 to sell two Feadships. Based out of Miami, Brandon’s professional network and A-list clientele are built upon – and nurtured through – a reputation of impeccable trust and discretion, spanning the world over. In his decade-plus of industry experience, he has positioned himself as one of the most succe ssful yacht brokers in the world. 

Stuart Larsen – Fraser – Yacht Sales Broker 

Stuart Larsen is an internationally recognised yacht broker with Fraser. Based in Fraser’s Fort Lauderdale offices, Larsen has a remarkable sales record spanning three decades, representing buyers and sellers. He recently sold the iconic 92-metre Nobiskrug-built M/Y TATOOSH, which was showcased at the 2022 Monaco Yacht Show. Other notable yachts include the 126-metre explorer vessel OCTOPUS. Larsen also has extensive experience across new build projects, boasting a network of contacts with the world’s leading shipyards.  

Sean McCarter – Northrop & Johnson – Sailing Yacht Broker 

Sean McCarter has a long-held passion for the sea, growing up around boats in the UK. As an experienced sailor, he specialises in sailing yachts, offering expert advice drawn from firsthand experience. He joined the yachting industry during the America’s Cup in Valencia, 2005 to 2077, and progressed to skipper of power and sailing yachts up to 2000GT, including a round-the-world race and cruise. He has sailed 12 Atlantic crossings in varying directions. McCarter is based in Northrop & Johnson’s Palma office. 

Kevin Merrigan – Northrop & Johnson – Yacht Sales Broker 

Kevin Merrigan is the chairman, former owner, and a leading yacht broker with Northrop & Johnson, having negotiated purchase and sales agreements for more than 300 of the world’s finest boats, closing deals in over 15 countries. He oversaw the firm’s growth from an American-based brokerage with seven offices to an international powerhouse with offices in every global yachting hub. Kevin is the founder of the International Yacht Council and has served on the Board of Directors of the Florida Yacht Brokers Association and the International Yacht Council.

Robert Moran – Moran Yacht & Ship – Yacht Sales & New Build Yacht Broker 

Robert Moran is president of Moran Yacht & Ship and a top yacht broker based in Fort Lauderdale. He started his career as a deckhand working his way up the ranks to captain. On dry land, he founded Moran Yacht & Ship in 1988, establishing the company as a leading yacht brokerage. Amongst its most notable yachts is AHPO, which Moran oversaw the build of. It is listed for sale with Moran and is the world’s most expensive yacht currently on the market.

Sean Moran – Moran Yacht & Ship – New Construction Yacht Broker 

Sean Moran is a yacht broker and managing director of Moran Yacht & Ship in Fort Lauderdale. He grew up in the world of yachting as a son of a yacht captain and yacht chef. Moran started his career as a deckhand, working his way up through the ranks to First Officer. Over the years, he has developed in-depth technical and operational management expertise, helping him to guide his clients through the more technical aspects of yacht ownership. He specialises in new yacht construction projects and has worked on some of the world’s most luxurious new build projects.  

Juan Morillo – United Yacht Sales – Sales Yacht Broker 

Juan Morillo is a top-performing Florida yacht broker with United Yacht Sales , known for his level of service and passion for yachting. He is focused on new builds and pre-owned yachts and boasts vast experience in sales and consulting on complex acquisitions. Morillo introduced the buyer for the 62-metre M/Y CLOUD 9 in 2022. 

William Molloy – Moravia Yachting – Yacht Charter Broker 

William Molloy is head of charter and a senior charter broker at Moravia Yachting, with over 200 charters completed, including on some of the world’s most iconic superyachts. His passion for yachting stems from his early career as professional yacht crew and a degree in maritime studies. He represents both families looking for quiet getaways to corporate hospitality at major global events. He is known for his bespoke approach and his ability to cater to clients’ individual needs.  

Tim Morley – Morley Yachts – Yacht Sales Broker 

Tim Morley is an experienced and knowledgeable yacht broker with Morley Yachts . He has extensive knowledge of the international yacht market, allowing him to quickly identify market trends and changing values. With over a decade of experience working in sales, Morley is well-versed in both the technical and practical aspects of selling and buying yachts. He takes great pride in helping his clients find the perfect boat at the right price, offering years of experience and expertise to ensure a successful transaction. He is committed to providing first-class customer service, working hard to ensure that the entire process goes smoothly from start to finish. 

Adam Papadakis – Moravia Yachting – Yacht Sales Broker 

Adam Papdakis is head of sales and a senior broker with Moravia Yachting. As one of the world’s leading top 50 yacht brokers, he brings over two decades of expertise and has been involved with several iconic new-build commissions and high-profile superyacht sales. He boasts an impressive network of contacts and is respected for his eye for detail and genuine care of his clients. 

Todd Rittenhouse – Northrop & Johnson – Yacht Sales Broker 

Todd Rittenhouse brings close to two decades of experience as a yacht sales broker. He specialises in high-end power and sail transactions, both new and used. His career has been spent ‘at sea’ starting in the merchant marines working aboard tankers, drill ships, and ocean-going tugs, logging over 150,000 sea miles. His experience working on yachts and large commercial vessels enables Rittenhouse to provide his clients with unique insights to help them make informed decisions. He works for Northrop & Johnson, based in their Newport Beach office. 

Glen Runyan – Seattle Yachts – Superyacht Sales Broker 

Glen Runyan of Seattle Yachts is an accomplished top 50 yacht broker with a comprehensive background in the boating industry. Based in Fort Lauderdale, he has negotiated sales on some of the world’s largest superyachts, including the 74-metre M/Y ELANDESS, where he represented the buyer. 

Wes Sanford – Northrop & Johnson – Yacht Sales Broker 

Wes Sanford is a yacht broker with Northrop & Johnson, working out of their Fort Lauderdale office. He specialises in new deliveries, including large yachts from 70-metres plus. He takes a holistic approach, having been immersed in the yachting world from a young age. He worked as a mate, engineer, and then charter captain on some of the world’s most luxurious yachts for some 12 years. Following the birth of his daughter, he decided to retire from the bridge and instead forge a career on dry land as a yacht broker. He is known for his confidentiality, integrity, and dedication to his clients.

Henry Smith – Cecil Wright – Yacht Sales Broker 

Henry Smith is a highly regarded yacht broker, partner and director of the Monaco office of yacht brokerage Cecil Wright . Smith has a life-long passion for yachting, having sail ed competitively since childhood. A career in the industry was, therefore, a natural fit. With in-depth knowledge of mechanics and engineering gleaned during his time at university, he can advise on more than simply the cosmetics of a boat. He is known for his in-depth knowledge and trusted expertise, especially on northern European pedigree yachts. His most notable sales include the 62-metre Feadship NEW HAMPSHIRE, the 56- metre Feadship HAMPSHIRE I, and the 55-metre Amels LA MASQUERADE. His most notable new build is the 80-metre Nobiskrug Project BULLSEYE which is currently under construction.

Jeffrey Stanley – Gilman Yachts – Yacht Sales Broker 

Jeffrey ‘Jeff’ Stanley is a broker with Gilman Yachts and recipient of the 2021 IYBA Lifetime Achievement Award. A career yacht broker with 40 years of expertise and over 900 closings under his belt, he represents both buyers and sellers of yachts from 30-metres plus. Stanley also has experience with new build projects, his most notable being the 36-metre Crescent built M/Y IMPETUOUS. He previously served on the IYBA board from 1998-1999. 

Matthew Stone – IYC Yachts – Yacht Sales Broker & New Construction Specialist 

Matthew Stone is a multi-award-winning yacht broker and managing partner for IYC Yachts’ California-based brokerage, who has devoted more than half his lifetime to the yachting industry. In 2018 and 2019, he was named Broker of the Year, and then in 2020, he was nominated for the coveted IYBA Outstanding Young Professional in Yachting award. Stone has a passion for new construction builds and has spent time touring the world’s most prestigious shipyards. He is a regular on AWE’s network television series, Selling Yachts, and is regularly featured in industry publications. 

Lukas Stratmann  – Ocean Independence – Pre-Owned & New Construction Superyacht Broker 

Lukas Stratmann is a top yacht broker based in Dusseldorf with Ocean Independence. His completion of German National Naval Service, degree in yacht manufacturing and servicing, and 18-month tenure at Abeking –  where he gained in-depth insights on the above 100-metre range – ensures he brings incredible acumen and outstanding management services to his clients. He provides expert advice for pre-owned and new construction projects, as well as legal, financial, and administrative matters. Stratmann holds his Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate and has worked on superyachts in the North Sea, Mediterranean, and North Atlantic. Notable recent sales include the 34-metre Baltic sailing yacht NILAYA, and the 32-metre HARMONY 1 motor yacht.

Michael Tabor – Kitson Yachts – Yacht Sales Broker 

Michael Tabor, a co-founder of Kitson Yachts , brings a strategic vision and a sophisticated approach to a business built upon leisure. Supremely dedicated to his craft, Michael has a background and award-winning track record in capital markets, but his family heritage – three generations of shipbuilders – has brought him back to his passion for the sea. Michael quickly rose to the #1 producing broker at his previous firm before co-founding Kitson Yachts. Tabor now stands as one of the top global leading superyacht brokers, with a speciality in new construction and over 1,400 Linear feet of yachts presently under construction. 

Ross Tannock – Moran Yacht & Ship – Yacht Sales & Charter Broker 

Scottish-born Ross Tannock is a sales and charter broker with Moran Yacht & Ship with over a decade of experience. Based in Fort Lauderdale, he started his career in professional sports and sports marketing, building a network of contacts with global business leaders. Notable sales include the 75.4-metre Lurssen M/Y NORTHERN STAR, the 50-metre Mangusta M/Y INCOGNITO, and the 58.5-metre Lurssen CAPRI.  

Peter Thompson – Thompson of Monaco – Yacht Sales Broker 

Peter Thompson is an experienced yacht broker and industry expert with decades of experience. Having worked for some of the most prestigious yacht brokers and shipyards worldwide, including Worth Avenue Yachts, TWW Yachts, and Yachting Partners International, Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Throughout his career, he has established himself as a respected and trusted broker, thanks to his industry experience, sales skills, and exemplary customer service. He is knowledgeable about all aspects of yacht sales, from market trends and valuation to negotiations and contract management. 

Simon Ting – SuperYachtsMonaco – Yacht Charter & Sales Broker 

Simon Ting boasts 20 years of yacht industry experience, focusing on large yacht charters and sales. He is based in Monaco with the yacht brokerage SuperYachtsMonaco . He recently represented the seller for the 72-metre superyacht STELLA MARIS, built by Viareggio Superyachts. She was one of the largest and most luxurious vessels to sell in 2022. 

Edouard Vignal – Ocean Independence – Yacht Sales Broker 

Edouard Vignal is an experienced yacht sales broker specialising in pedigree yachts, including Custom Line, Benetti, Sunseeker, Princess, and Azimut. His global background and previous career in asset management consultancy enable him to provide highly astute advice based on the latest market analysis. Recent sales include hull no.07 from the celebrated Custom Line 120’ and the 32-metre M/Y HARMONY 1. Vignal is based in Ocean Independence’s Monaco brokerage. 

Chris Cecil-Wright – Cecil Wright – Yacht Broker 

Chris Cecil-Wright is the founder of Cecil Wright and has been a leading yacht broker in the industry for nearly 30 years. His passion for yachting comes from his love of all things nautical, sparked by sailing dinghies on the Solent in the UK and later as a skipper on luxury yacht charters. He started his career at Camper & Nicholsons and later set up Edmiston with Nick Edmiston before creating his own brokerage, Cecil Wright, in 2013. Chris has worked across every touchpoint of the yachting industry and is known for his trustworthiness, integrity, and market intelligence. Career highlights include the builds of the 99-metre Feadship MADAME GU, the 77.7-metre Feadship TANGO, and the 78.5-metre Feadship HAMPSHIRE II and the sale of the 81-metre Abeking and Rassmussen KIBO, the 72-metre Feadship UTOPIA (twice), and the 70-metre AMADEUS.  

We are expanding our top broker list to 100. If you are a yacht broker, then let us know why you should be included. Please email marketing@relevance.digital with your biography.

Relevance Yacht is the go-to yacht marketing agency. For over a decade, our team of yacht marketing experts has worked with the world’s best yacht brokers, helping them reach the world’s most affluent yachting enthusiasts. If you need help marketing your yachting brand, contact our team. 

Read more articles by this author

Accessibility Links

Yacht broker Robert Moran pleads guilty in UBS tax case

The US Justice Department claimed its first scalp in a long-running battle with UBS when an American client of the Swiss bank today pled guilty to tax evasion.

Robert Moran, the president of Moran Yacht & Ship, a Florida yacht broker, entered the plea at a Fort Lauderdale court this morning. He faces up to three years in prison and $250,000 in fines when he is sentenced on June 26.

UBS admitted in February that it had helped US clients conceal assets from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), America’s tax authority, by placing them in offshore bank accounts.

The Swiss bank paid a $780 million fine and disgorgement set by the Justice Department and turned over the names of about 280 of its clients.

Learn more about our company, including our history and founding principles.

Learn About Yacht Brokerage Moran Yacht & Ship

Luxury yacht brokerage Moran Yacht and Ship is a world leader in yacht construction , yacht management , sales, and charter. Driven by innovation and a team of dedicated professionals, we are the preferred choice of more owners and charterers than any of our competitors. The basis for our success is simple – We Do What We Say. We honor our promises and commitments to clients and fellow brokers – Our Word Is Our Bond.

Each and every member of our executive team has an extensive amount of experience working aboard the world’s finest luxury motor yachts. This enables us to offer our clients honest, unbiased advice culled from years of first-hand knowledge . This invaluable perspective is what makes Moran Yacht and Ship a luxury yacht broker unlike any other in the world.

Download our latest company brochure

Luxury Yacht Brokerage Experience

With over 36 years of yacht brokerage experience, Moran Yacht and Ship continues to prosper as an independent, financially sound organization. We are committed to providing the highest level of customer service possible. Whether you are looking to sell or buy a yacht , whether you want superyacht builders or luxury yacht charter , you can be certain that the professionals at Moran Yacht and Ship will provide the finest, most informed, and confidential yacht services available anywhere in the world today.

Want to find out more about us? Speak to a member of our Moran team today.

Our History

History and tradition are the foundation of who we are as an organization. We pride ourselves on our knowledge, experience, and passion for yachting.

Team & Locations

Learn more about our team of experienced yacht brokers and yacht managers. With brokerage offices in the USA, Monaco, and UK, our team is positioned to offer our clients the highest level of service possible across the globe.

Contact our team of professional yacht brokers and managers today. We are here to help you with all of your yachting needs.

Morgan Starratt & Jenks 45 Just Listed

Used yachts for sale, sail monohulls 40ft > 50ft,        morgan boats for sale.