From Deckhand to Director: The Newest Addition to the Roccabella Yachts USA Team

Nick Duke, the newly-appointed Director of Roccabella Yachts USA, sat down with Superyachts.com to give us an exclusive insight into his journey within the superyacht industry and his excitement about his new position. From deckhand to Director, Duke reveals the remarkable experiences which led to him taking on this new position. 

How did you end up working within the yachting industry? 

Nick Duke: The boating and yachting lifestyle is in my blood. I grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia, but spent my childhood summers sailing and boating on the east end of Long Island, New York. After attending Elon University in North Carolina, I moved to South Florida in 2009, where I joined the yachting industry as a deckhand and worked my way up to First Officer. I served on several charter and private yachts, including 78.6m PRINCESS MARIANA and 72m AZTECA.

Tell us about your roles prior to being appointed Director of Roccabella Yachts USA?

In addition to my time as crew, I’ve worked at several yachting companies over the last decade. After working on board yachts, I worked as a Yacht Management Assistant for Burgess, where I assisted the Yacht Manager with various aspects of the department. I then worked my way up to Junior Charter Manager, before starting my role as Charter Manager at IYC where I managed twelve charter yachts out of a fleet of 85. 

I soon started as a Charter Manager at Denison Yachting, managing over twenty charter vessels. As the company grew rapidly so did our charter team; I was then hired as the US Charter Director, growing, building, and managing the US team and increasing the net annual charter revenue by 50% year over year.

My prior roles and work experience are what make me unique and ultimately are the reasons that I can bring diverse values to the Roccabella team and our future. 

So, what are you most looking forward to in your new position?

I’m excited to begin developing  Roccabella’s presence in the US and growing the team as a whole. Joining Roccabella as the US Director, I’m infusing my unique yachting experiences, high-profile relationships, and extensive knowledge of the yachting world into the business. I love what I do and aim to provide a unique yachting service to current and new clients.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start working within the yachting industry?

In this industry, it is invaluable to build, nurture and sustain all of your relationships.  I stayed in touch with one of my first Captains on PRINCESS MARIANA while I was crew, and he was the person who helped me secure my first 'land-based' position as a Yacht Management Assistant at Burgess. Perhaps the very best example of networking is the fact that Hemmo Bloemers and I first met on the docks in Monaco over ten years ago. We stayed in close communication and we are now in business together at Roccabella! Create your network early, because that will help you in the long run. Be proactive and be passionate!