Anyone with “just” a Wave Runner to his or her name is familiar with West Marine, the boating supplies and retail outlet. Well, now those of you with Wave Runners as just some of the toys onboard your yacht have a division for your particular needs: The new Professional Captain’s Services Division was created to supply megayachts around the world with specialty items.
Wisely, West Marine turned to someone with experience in the megayacht business to serve as the new division’s general manager: Thomas “Charlie” Petosa, who was formerly with Northrop & Johnson. Petosa’s no stranger to West Marine, either; prior to his work in the brokerage world, he was a regional vice president for the retail firm.
The division will be based in Fort Lauderdale, at the superstore at 2300 South Federal Highway. The location makes a lot of sense, given that the general Broward-Dade-Palm Beach region is reportedly home to 1,500 megayachts. Of course, the Professional Captain’s Services team will assist captains, crew, and owners no matter where they’re located. (It’s interesting to note that the announcement of the new division came around the same time that West Marine revealed it was opening its first-ever franchise in Turkey.)
“We have tremendous confidence in the staff and leadership of our new Professional Captain’s Services division, designed to meet the needs of a High-growth segment of the marine industry,” says Christopher Bolling, West Marine’s senior vice president for business development. “This stellar team of Associates is ready to assist and equip the international yacht and megayacht community.”
I, too, have confidence: I had the pleasure of meeting Petosa about a year ago and enjoyed exchanging ideas on what was happening in the megayacht business and how I could convey some of those goings-on to people like you.
For more information about the division and its services, call (954) 527-0874.
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