All Seas Yacht Management are the latest tenant to take up residence at The Boat Works, offering a full range of project management for refits and construction, as well as support services, logistics and crewing.
Director, Jesse Pearson has close to 26 years’ industry experience and qualifications few could rival. His depth of experience encompasses many years as a Captain on some of the world’s most high-tech superyachts, as well as time as an owner’s representative supervising complex refits in Italy, Denmark, Spain, the Caribbean and Mediterranean, a period at the helm of container ships and a stint as skipper of a massive tug tending to oil rigs.
Jesse holds his Master Mariners Certification and his Marine Engine Driver grade 2 which allows him to drive any vessel at sea.
His road to acquiring expertise in refit projects started in 1999, when Jesse was working for a boat importer. “A 20m motor yacht was big in those days,” he explains. “We took it to Sanctuary Cove Boat Show in 1997 and 1999. Then my boss bought a 105ft Lloyds motor yacht and I led the planning and oversaw the major refit at Norman Wright’s in Brisbane, which was a $2.5 million project and a great learning experience.”
Next up was carrying out the feasibility and detailed costing to rebuild MY Galaxy 1 after she suffered significant damage from a fire. Jesse brokered a deal with the visionary developer, Keith Williams who had the intention of bringing the wreck back to life.
From there, Jesse and his wife Roxanne went overseas and worked on the superb superyachts in the Perini Navi fleet, managing major refits in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
Needing additional commercial activity aboard merchant ships to attain his Master Class 1, they returned to live in Cairns in 2003 and Jesse took up a role as Captain aboard container ships.
With his unlimited license in hand, Jesse went back to the superyacht realm, working with high-profile owners on the maintenance and refit work of their exceptional craft, including the 92m ‘Tatoosh’, owned by Paul Allen, the multi-billionaire co-founder of Microsoft.
Then followed three years aboard one of the world’s most successful luxury charter yachts, the sublime 54m Perini Navi ketch, Parsifal III, renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and use of exotic timbers throughout. Jesse oversaw the refits of this iconic vessel in many of Europe’s major yards and was her Captain, alongside Roxanne as Chief Stewardess, throughout the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Atlantic for the owner’s private use and charter.
“That calibre of yacht requires a thorough understanding of the systems and intricacies,” says Jesse, admitting managing such immense refit projects is not for the faint-hearted. “Owners the worldover, whether they own a superyacht or a dayboat, demand top quality work, on time and to budget, with no excuses.”
From one pressure-filled arena to another, the couple moved back to Australia in 2010 with the aim of settling down and starting a family. Jesse worked ‘FIFO’ up until mid-2017, in the offshore oil industry at the helm of a 5000 Tonne anchor handler, among the biggest tugs in the world.
Missing the challenge and satisfaction of project management, Jesse was running his own refit and repair consultancy as a sideline business, planning to expand operations and focus on it full-time once the oil rig contract expired.
“I managed six refits in Singapore for ships working in the oil and gas industries, which involved replacement of steel, paint jobs, repairs, and working with Survey and Classification societies.”
As well as management services and refit coordination, running projects, All Seas Yacht Management acts as yacht support for vessels in the Asia Pacific region.
“This involves sourcing and supplying the odd and difficult things superyachts skippers can’t locate while they’re cruising the Pacific. That can be something as simple as provisions or white cotton rags, to anchor chain and rowing machines! If they want parts, people or products, we can find it and get it to them.”
Jesse first became acquainted with The Boat Works after he called in to undertake a refit for a Sydney client.
The restoration of a 45-year old Halvorsen flybridge cruiser aimed to bring the esteemed vessel up to the present day. Jesse sandblasted the decks, undertook serious fibreglassing, refaired and resprayed the boat over two months.
“It’s a labour of love with iconic vessels. The owner was impressed with our levels of craftsmanship. He said there was no other facility that could provide a shed that was financially viable for completing the project, and that the prices quoted in the Sydney metropolitan and wider region were completely cost prohibitive for this type of refit.”
To quote the client directly: “At The Boat Works the high level of service was just unbelievable. The Boat Works staff arrived on the dock unannounced, sincerely welcoming, they assisted us to moor the vessel.
“I made a quick visit to The Boat Works office, staffed by very competent and friendly people, the paperwork was completed and the vessel was lifted, blasted and put on the stand as scheduled.
“Once the yard induction was completed I was offered the courtesy cars that can be booked to pick up shopping if needed and I was shown the onsite restaurant.
“All Seas Yacht Management had all relevant trades organised and briefed prior to the vessels arrival this meant the work could start immediately. Amazingly, this level of efficiency it is unheard of elsewhere.
I am already planning another trip back to The Boat Works this coming winter.”
Continues Jesse: “As a result, we have more work from that job and the owner will soon book it in for internal fitout work, esthec decking and other upgrades”
Jesse himself was so bowled over by his first experience at The Boat Works, he decided to make it his home base. “There’s nowhere else on the east coast that compares. The level of service, staff, facilities, variety of trades on site, and everybody is efficient, professional and relaxed. They’re a hard-working team, and full of energy and professional.”
Part of All Seas Yacht Management is a range of products Jesse’s family has been involved with since 1989. Manufactured in Australia for over 30 years and known as Comcork, it’s a durable, flooring solution for vessels, marinas, wharves, schools and other facilities which endure heavy traffic and where safety is a concern.
Comcork’s unique composition and design encompasses all the natural benefits of cork, while simultaneously offering a flexible and creative solution for any indoor or outdoor surfacing application.
“Comcork is an extremely high-quality, Australian made, resilient product made of 70% recycled cork,” asserts Jesse. “There’s a low-profile version and a smooth finish that Architects regularly use in their own homes and Aquadeck for use on oceangoing vessels, including in the cockpit of the The Boat Works Extreme 40, which delivers a slip-proof surface for grip.”
All Seas Yacht Management will be championing Comcork in Queensland and have the material on display onsite at The Boat Works Boatyard
To contact Jesse and his team at All Seas Yacht Management
Mobile: 0400 120 104 or email admin@allseasyachtmanagement.com.au
