Jean-Michel Beron, Senior Project Manager at IMM
Jean-Michel Beron, Senior Project Manager at IMM
At the core of IMM’s success is a team of highly experienced professionals committed to delivering excellence. Among them, Jean-Michel Beron plays a pivotal role. With more than three decades in the yachting industry, he brings together technical know-how, sailing experience, and the ability to manage complex projects, a winning combination for IMM’s clients.
A Career Built on Experience
Originally from Brittany, France, Jean-Michel’s passion for sailing led him naturally into the yachting world. After completing engineering studies, he joined the renowned yacht design and engineering firm Butch Design in La Ciotat, where he worked on complex yacht projects and developed a strong technical foundation.
His first collaboration with Fabrice Maitre, founder of IMM, came during the well know M/Y Octopus refit, marking the beginning of Jean-Michel’s long-standing relationship with IMM. Soon after, Jean-Michel joined IMM full-time and became instrumental in the company’s early development.
Over the years, he has contributed to projects across France, Brazil, Florida, and the Caribbean, balancing on-site technical supervision with project planning.
Expanding IMM Across the Caribbean
Jean-Michel began by managing refits in Toulon, Marseille, and La Ciotat before relocating to Guadeloupe to help establish IMM’s first shipyard. As operations expanded, he took on the challenge of helping IMM develop in Puerto Rico, overseeing not only active refit projects, but also broader site development and site planning.
Today, Jean-Michel works between Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, and St. Maarten, supporting IMM to deliver results to its clients. His in-depth understanding of yacht refit makes him a key driver in ensuring that each location meets the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and client satisfaction.
Commitment to Excellence
For Jean-Michel, excellence is not optional, it is fundamental.
“We operate with the same spirit IMM was founded on: complete dedication and service. Across different shipyards, it is rare to find a company that delivers on time and on budget. At IMM, we serve the yacht, the owner, and the owner’s representative with 100% commitment. Achieving the last 5% is always the hardest—and the final 3% even more so—but we make sure everything is delivered to perfection, whatever it takes.”
This mindset reflects IMM’s culture: service, excellence, and an unwavering focus on great results.
Lessons Learned & Advice for the Next Generation
From early projects in France to launching operations in the Caribbean, Jean-Michel’s career has been defined by adaptability and resilience. To help develop new sites in the Caribbean strengthened his ability to balance technical expertise with organizational project management and client communication.
For young professionals entering the marine industry, his advice is clear:
“Be hands-on, stay curious, and never compromise on quality. Engage fully in every project and always be willing to go the extra mile.”
Life Beyond the Shipyard
Outside of work, Jean-Michel enjoys staying active with golf, Padel, and Pickleball—sports that help him recharge and maintain balance. With courts conveniently located near IMM’s facilities, Jean-Michel makes the most of his surroundings while staying energized for the demands of his role.
Driving IMM Forward
With extensive international experience, strong technical expertise, and a deep commitment to excellence, Jean-Michel Beron continues to be a driving force behind IMM’s success. His work reflects the company’s mission: to provide top-notch technical services—delivering excellence for every yacht, every client, every time.
M/Y Eau La La Completes Technical Refit in Guadeloupe
We recently completed several weeks of scheduled maintenance for M/Y Eau La La at our IMM Guadeloupe shipyard. The work list required multiple trades and highlighted the strength of our multidisciplinary teams.
Alongside Operations: Interior & Mechanical Works
During the first phase, while the yacht was alongside the quay, our teams carried out detailed joinery and metalwork within guest areas, requiring both structural precision and high-end finishing. At the same time, the team worked on a small section of the teak decks located on the yacht’s aft beach area. A few slats had come loose and detached. They were restored and rebounded with an improved bonding process to ensure a stronger and longer-lasting adhesion.
At the same time, essential mechanical servicing was performed. Engines and generators received scheduled maintenance, and a complete thickness-measurement survey was conducted inside the engine room to assess structural integrity.
Floating Dock Phase: Structural & Underwater Works
Following completion of the alongside works, the yacht was transferred to our floating dock for more extensive structural repairs.
Our composite specialists undertook major repairs to the stabilizer fin and reconstructed a roll-damping keel that had been torn off. These composite repairs required expertise and skill to ensure the necessary structural reinforcement while also delivering yachting standard finish.
The hull team simultaneously carried out a full cleaning and preparation of the underwater area, applied fresh antifouling, and treated all propulsion components with Propspeed.
Finishing Touches
In the forward section, our welding team straightened and re-welded the bow protection plates before completing a mirror-polished finish to restore the original shine, combining functionality with refined aesthetics.
A Coordinated Technical Stop
IMM, through its internal technical expertise, handled the full scope of works for M/Y Eau La La: mechanical, composite works, teak and joinery and metalworks. Careful planning and cross-department coordination ensured that the project progressed efficiently and was completed to the highest standards.
Another successful refit delivered in Guadeloupe, highlighting once again our ability to deliver the highest quality on budget. And do not take our word for it…
Let’s see what the Captain has to say about the experience:
“As captain of Eau La La, a 37XP, I want to express how impressed I was with our recent experience at IMM Guadeloupe shipyard. Arnaud leads a team of highly skilled professionals who approach every task with remarkable efficiency and dedication. When we hauled out for service, we encountered an unexpected issue-something that would have easily stretched into a month-long ordeal at many South Florida yards. Here, however, the process was refreshingly direct-no unnecessary layers of management to complicate matters or slow down progress.
Arnaud and their team resolved everything within just ten days. Their hands-on approach meant that every aspect of the project was handled seamlessly, without delays or waiting for various teams to coordinate. The work was completed on schedule and remained within the agreed budget. It’s rare to see such reliability and commitment to quality.
Based on this experience, I am pleased to recommend IMM Guadeloupe to the yachting community as an outstanding choice for hull maintenance or repairs in the Caribbean.
Best regards,
Captain Guy McClave
MY Eau La La”
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Stephen De Vooght, Project Manager – IMM Sint Maarten
Team Spotlight, Stephen De Vooght
Stephen De Vooght brings a powerful blend of technical expertise and onboard experience as an engineer. Based at IMM’s office in Dock Maarten, Stephen plays a central role in supporting some of the largest and most complex yachts arriving in St. Maarten.
In this month’s Team Spotlight, we sat down with Stephen to learn more about his background, his daily life as a Project Manager, and what makes Dock Maarten, and IMM, such a unique part of the Caribbean’s yachting landscape.
A Career Built on Engines, Independence, and Global Experience
Stephen’s professional journey began far from the Caribbean. Trained in Canada as a heavy-duty mechanic through a classic apprenticeship system, he specialized early in diesel engines. His career quickly evolved into field service work, solving problems on-site, and working hands-on with complex machinery.
After several years in management, Stephen felt the pull back to a more hands-on role. An unexpected opportunity in the Cayman Islands gave him the chance to return to a more independent, technical role working on small vessels. That move eventually led him to pursue engineering school in the UK, where he trained to become a yacht Chief Engineer.
“For the last 25 years, I was a Chief Engineer on yachts,” he explains. “It took nearly two decades to reach the highest certification level, working on the large vessels you see out here,” he adds, gesturing toward the superyachts just outside IMM’s Dock Maarten office.”
After completing an expedition-focused program in the South Pacific, Stephen stepped back from yachting—only to be encouraged by a former colleague to consider project management shoreside. That introduction led him to IMM.
He joined the team on December 1st 2024, just as IMM opened a new on-site office at Dock Maarten in St. Maarten.
Dock Maarten: A Superyacht Hub in the Caribbean
While St. Maarten is well-known as one of the Caribbean’s superyacht hubs, Stephen notes that Dock Maarten plays a special role within that ecosystem.
The marina can host vessels up to 100 meters, thanks to its deep dredged channel and lack of height restrictions. That alone makes it a strategic location for large yachts in the region.
“These are the big boys,” Stephen says. “There may be fewer boats here than in Simpson Bay, but they are generally larger and thus so are often the technical projects.”
Working with the yachts in Dock Maarten means coordinating not just with captains and chief engineers, but often with multiple officers, interior teams, onboard pursers, and shore-based management, owners’ representatives or technical managers. It’s a more complex environment.
A Day in the Life of a Project Manager at IMM SXM
Stephen’s days begin early “You wake up, and the first thing waiting for you is correspondence from the vessels: emails, WhatsApp, always something.”
From there, his schedule is a mix of planned onboard appointments, visits to various sites and contractors, last-minute and urgent requests and office work.
“Time management becomes everything,” Stephen laughs. “All project managers work differently, but I found a rhythm, and it works well.”
Coming into this season, he says, feels entirely different from last year when he was new.
“I know the job now. And that makes a world of difference.”
A Project That Stands Out: 100m M/Y
While Stephen manages multiple vessels throughout the season, one project clearly stands out from his first year at IMM, a 100m M/Y located in Dock Maarten.
“By far and away, the M/Y was one of the largest projects last year,” he reflects. “It ran from the end of January through early March and had layers of complexity.”
It was a project that used a large variety of project management skills —organization, communication, technical understanding, and the ability to stay steady under pressure.
Even now, it remains a benchmark project for him.
What Sets IMM Apart
After decades working on the vessel side of the industry, Stephen has a unique appreciation for what makes IMM different.
“I was always the person coming to a company like IMM for help,” he says. “Now I’m on the other side, and I can see just how much coordination, responsiveness, and problem-solving goes into managing these projects.”
For Stephen, IMM stands out in three ways:
- Technical depth – IMM understands the engineering realities on board.
- Responsiveness – support is immediate, especially during peak season.
- Flexibility – the ability to adapt quickly to each vessel’s needs, crew structure, and timelines.
“It’s a big job, but IMM does it exceptionally well,” he adds.
IMM St. Maarten Expands with shipyard in Cole Bay
IMM St. Maarten Expands Operations with Shipyard in Cole Bay
As the Caribbean yachting sector continues to grow in scale and sophistication, the ability to deliver reliable, high-quality technical support has never been more important. At IMM St. Maarten, staying ahead of that demand means strengthening the infrastructure that supports our clients.
We are thus pleased to announce that, on January 1st, 2026, IMM officially began operating the 20,000 m² IMM SXM Shipyard in Cole Bay. The facility is equipped with 150- and 75-ton Travelifts and is capable of handling vessels with up to a 12-foot draft and a 33-foot beam.
The Facility
The Cole Bay facility enhances our haul-out and technical capacity with:
- 150– and 75–ton Travelifts
- The ability to handle vessels with up to a 12-foot draft and 33-foot beam
This expansion strengthens the range of solutions we can offer on island. It also reinforces St. Maarten’s position as one of the Caribbean’s best-located hubs for yachts and superyachts crossing the Atlantic or cruising the region. With the ability to provide all flag and radio surveys, LSA services, lifting equipment inspections, and a full suite of technical support, St. Maarten naturally serves as a reliable maintenance base for vessels in the Caribbean.
Three Sites, One Integrated Technical Network
With the addition of Cole Bay, IMM St. Maarten now operates across three strategic locations:
- Isle de Sol Marina
- Dock Maarten
- IMM SXM Shipyard in Cole Bay
This tri-site structure allows us to support vessels both afloat and on the hard with seamless coordination between departments, an approach that saves time and keeps projects on schedule.
24/7 Technical Support
In addition, from January 1st, IMM St. Maarten has introduced a dedicated emergency response service, offering 24/7 technical support throughout the season. This ensures immediate assistance when it matters most, with direct access via our emergency contact number: +1 202 255 7488
Powered by a 50+ Person Team of Caribbean Specialists
The new yard also brings IMM and our sister company FKG Marine even closer together in day-to-day operations. With a combined team of 60+ technicians, we can provide expertise across:
- General protection
- Certified welding of all metals: aluminium, steel, stainless steel, cupronickel etc
- General mechanics, including propulsion
- Tank cleaning and painting
- Valve overhaul
- Full machining
- Hydraulics, PLC, piping & hosing
- Teak decking & Interior carpentry
- Composite work, including carbon
- Paint work
- Class‑survey support, full project management team & drawing office
In addition, IMM has already established a highly competent team of outboard and inboard specialists, capable of supporting all types of mechanical work. The facility also offers an ideal environment for chase boats, providing dedicated support for maintenance, repairs, and summer storage.
For captains and fleet managers, this means one island, one team, and one coordinated workflow—whether on the hard or in the water.
A Milestone for IMM—and for St. Maarten
Taking over the Shipyard in Cole Bay is more than an operational expansion; it is a step toward strengthening the region’s technical capabilities. As more vessels choose the Caribbean for refit, repairs, and maintenance, we’re committed to ensuring that the infrastructure grows with that demand.
We look forward to welcoming clients to the yard and continuing to invest in the long-term future of yachting in St. Maarten and the Caribbean.