Safe Harbor is leading a coordinated effort to position St. Kitts and Nevis as a premier Caribbean destination for the global superyacht industry. The effort advanced through the first Nautical Kickstart on June 10–11 in Frigate Bay, where more than 120 participants attended panels, workshops, and live pitch sessions designed to connect the island’s local economy with the operational needs of the superyacht industry.
The effort aims to bring together infrastructure, local enterprise, and international expertise to build a fully integrated maritime ecosystem on the island. Entrepreneurs, business owners, and service providers from St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, Antigua, and Trinidad and Tobago joined government officials, panelists, and industry speakers to align on the development of St Kitts and Nevis’ superyacht sector.
“This sector provides jobs — meaningful jobs, opportunities for skilled tradesmen. We are not here to view an industry from the shoreline; we are here to participate,” said Dr. Terrance Michael Drew, prime minister of St. Kitts and Nevis. “Our ambition should be that it is indispensable to participate in the global yachting industry. This sector offers opportunities not only for jobs but for ownership, not just for now but for decades to come.”
The forum emphasized the near-term opportunity for the island to capture increased superyacht traffic, with demand for technical services, vessel provisioning, hospitality, crew experiences, and digital solutions. A pitch competition turned these insights into action, highlighting new business concepts. A roster of international experts with decades of experience across the Caribbean and yachting sectors were present, including Joe Dargavage, chairman of the United States Superyacht Association, Russell Harrigan, former chairman of the BVI Tourism Board and part owner of Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour, Christian Denhard, senior vice president of Safe Harbor, Thomas McGowan, president of Engineered Yacht Solutions, and more.
The Nautical Kickstart event is part of Safe Harbor’s broader efforts to support the development of St. Kitts and Nevis as a service hub for the superyacht industry. Organizers said the initiative aims to foster long-term economic opportunities for local businesses while helping the destination expand its role within the Caribbean yachting market.
