Kemplon Marine is sponsoring its 3rd annual Triton networking event on the first Wednesday in October from
6-8 p.m. at its offices at 3200 S. Andrews Ave., #103.
Usually, The Triton writes a question-and-answer article with the company’s founders, but this time, owner Jeff Kemp asked to do something a little different.
“Rather than talk about ourselves, we wanted to talk to our customers to find out what they think about Ft. Lauderdale service providers,” Kemp said.
Here’s what they had to say.

Q. What is your method of sourcing new contractors?
Capt. David Rutherford of
M/Y Shirley Anne (35m): A good source is always the Internet and yacht publications such as The Triton, but I think the best source would be talking with other captains, word of mouth.
Capt. Graeme Brown of
M/Y Vajoliroja (48m): 90 percent is referrals. Nothing beats word of mouth.

Q. How would you say Ft. Lauderdale service companies compare to their global competitors?
Capt. Carl Sputh of M/Y Starfire (54m): There are good vendors and bad vendors in every location. Ft. Lauderdale does offer the most complete range of services, from engineering to deck to interior; all departments have vendors available to them.
Chief Eng. John Walsh of
M/Y Linda Lou (60m): There are many comparisons to draw upon, but the main ones tend to be cost, quality and time. It is difficult, if not impossible, for European contractors to compete with their American counterparts on price.
As for quality and getting the job done on time, I believe it is important to choose contractors with a good track record and excellent customer satisfaction.
Also, observe the contractors’ employees; if they are happy and being treated/paid well, they will do excellent work.
Capt. Oskar Schonback of
M/Y Amorazur II (46m): Ft. Lauderdale has a great supply of various contractors.

Q. Where have you hired contractors to do repair work?
Chief Eng. Brian Sheridan of M/Y Turmoil (63m): Ft. Lauderdale, Newport, St. John, Newfoundland, Malta, Naples, Mallorca
Eng. John: France, Italy,
St. Maarten, but mostly Florida.

Q. Overall, do you receive excellent customer service when you come to Fort Lauderdale (as we all claim to provide as service contractors)?
Capt. Graeme: The customer service is high but still has room for improvement.
Capt. Carl: I do receive great service, however, I feel that during the busy season in Ft. Lauderdale there is such an influx of yachts and so much work available that quality can be lacking at times.
Capt. David: The yards and contractors in Fort Lauderdale always give full attention, great workmanship and excellent customer service.

Q. Are there any services that are unavailable or could be improved upon when you come to Ft. Lauderdale?
Capt. Carl: My biggest complaint is having to follow up with vendors every couple of days. It should be the other way around. Communication is my biggest thing. Check in with the captain and crew to give them an update, even if you do not plan on coming that day.
Also, companies need to deliver on their word. If you say you are going to do quality work on time, then do just that
Eng. John: In the busy winter season, it is often a challenge to find dockage or a “spot” in a shipyard to begin work.
Ft. Lauderdale needs a new, large facility to accommodate the many large yachts recently launched. 
Imagine a facility with all the great features of Rybovich (WPB) placed in Ft. Lauderdale, but twice the size.

Q. Who is Ft. Lauderdale’s biggest competitor for refit and repair?
Capt. David: Savannah and Europe.
Eng. Brian: The crew recreation area on site at Rybovich is really nice and unique in the shipyard industry. The yard also holds weekly, free dinner parties for all yacht crew.
Rybovich is clearly committed to insuring that crew have a good yard experience, both on and off work. Having a dip in the pool after work sure beats sitting in the gravel dust.
Capt. Oskar: For me, La Ciotat (the 2-year-old Monaco Marine facility in France, about 20km east of Marseilles).

Q. Scheduled for a 6-month refit, where would be your first choice, based on workmanship and crew amenities?
Eng. Brian: Rybovich in West Palm Beach, Fla., or Knight and Carver in San Diego
Eng. John: There are several facilities in South Florida, all with similar services.

Q. Has your job changed much given the global economic situation?
Capt. Carl: Only slightly. We have had fewer charters but we have been able to use that time productively to perform maintenance on the vessel.
Eng. Brian: My job has not changed one bit.
Capt. Graeme: I am fortunate enough to say no. We have, in cases, managed to achieve more work as the contractors have had more time to focus on our projects.

Q. What changes have you seen in the industry generally?
Eng. Brian: The economic downturn has made getting a job much harder for inexperienced crew.
In the long run, though, it will be a positive thing for the industry as it has cut out large numbers of bad crew or crew who don’t think of yachting as a career but just a way to travel.   
Eng. John: I have worked in the yachting industry for 23 years, so I have seen many changes. The most obvious is the increase in the number of yachts, and the increase in yacht size.
However, I think the most important change is the new level of safety awareness, training and professionalism that has been introduced in recent years.

Q. Is Ft. Lauderdale still the yachting capital of the world?
Capt. Carl: The Med offers some tough competition, and Ft. Lauderdale needs to try to accommodate the larger yachts to maintain its position.
The U.S. dollar is obviously in Ft. Lauderdale’s favor, so for right now the answer would be yes.
Capt. Graeme: For having the largest number of services in just one place, yes.
Capt. Oskar: Sure.
Capt. David: I believe it is.

Join us in Ft. lauderdale on Oct. 7 from 6-8 p.m. at Kemplon Marine Engineering Services for casual networking, great food and wonderful hosts in Jeff Kemp, Colette O’Hanlon and all the staff at Kemplon. To find its offices at 3200 S. Andrews Ave., #103,  take Andrews Avenue south past State Road 84. Look for Kemplon on the left.