Laura Shaughnessy is the former managing editor at Dockwalk.
MGMT Yacht, which provides yacht agency services to superyachts visiting the UK and Ireland, launched a new shoreside purser service for superyacht captains and HODs. It became available in summer 2022 to yachts all over the world.
Their shoreside purser service “is perfectly suited to busy yachts with limited crew numbers. We have seen this a lot in the 45- to 70-meter range as the yachts can be very busy and the planning and logistics usually [are] left to the captain or chief stew, who normally have too much to do already. Yachts can use us as much or [as] little as they like and can stipulate exactly what areas they need help with,” explains Lucy Johnson, head of marketing at MGMT Group, adding that this can be as simple as berth bookings and immigration formalities to managing crew travel and producing detailed refit Gantt charts.
“Over the past year, we have seen a significant increase in yachts visiting the UK, all year round, and the growth is continuing,” says Mark Upton, CEO of MGMT Group Ltd. “During their visits, our team builds strong working relationships with the captains and the HODs on board and aims to make vessel visits to the UK a stress-free and seamless experience,” he says, adding that their relationships often continue after departure.
Created By and For Crew
MGMT’s team has more than 30 years of experience in the superyacht industry, and they know the inner workings of superyacht crew. Their current employees have worked in superyacht roles ranging from captain, purser, chief stewardess, yacht manager, as well as in related roles like accountants and bookkeepers.
“Because we do this [service] already for yachts visiting the UK as agents, since 2011, it was a natural step for us to continue to offer this service when our clients leave the UK,” says Johnson, emphasizing that “this does not replace or conflict with management companies but complements them and what the crew on board already do.”
The Cost
Their services are priced according to the number of hours they work on a weekly or monthly basis. They offer a rolling monthly contract (annual at a discounted rate) so there’s no long-term commitment required either.