Throwback Refit: M/Y Tatoosh
Some projects leave a lasting impression, not only because of their scale, but because they redefine what is possible.
Long before International Marine Management (IMM) established its presence in La Rochelle, our COO and Founder, Fabrice Maitre, contributed to an importatn project in that location. In 2006, the 92-metre M/Y Tatoosh underwent what was described at the time by Jean-Christophe Lenoir, “the first full yacht-quality repaint of a gigayacht. “ The project took place in La Rochelle, transforming an unused dry dock into a fully operational temporary superyacht refit facility, an ambitious concept that would later influence how large-scale refits could be delivered.
The project was featured in The Yacht Report (published by Superyacht Times), which highlighted not only the engineering challenge, but also the innovative project management approach behind it.
Building a Shipyard Around a Yacht
Following little more than a handshake agreement after the Monaco Yacht Show, the team lead by Jean-Christophe Lenoir of ITM, had just weeks to transform an inactive dry dock into a world-class refit environment.
A complete temporary infrastructure was created around the yacht, including:
- A fully enclosed climate-controlled paint shed
- Dedicated electrical infrastructure
- Project offices and subcontractor facilities
- Health & Safety systems meeting the highest standards
- Space for specialists arriving from across Europe
Rather than bringing the yacht to an existing shipyard, the shipyard was effectively built around the yacht.
Fabrice Maitre at the Centre of the Operation
While the physical transformation was extraordinary, the real challenge was coordinating hundreds of contractors, suppliers and specialists under an extremely demanding schedule.
The Yacht Report recognised Fabrice Maitre as one of the key people driving the project from day one.
Following the initial agreement, Fabrice spent weeks establishing the entire operation—coordinating teams, organising the infrastructure and ensuring every discipline worked towards a single delivery date. The article even refers to his “sleepless month” spent setting up the project after that first handshake.
Daily coordination meetings became the backbone of the project. Fabrice believed every minute invested in planning and communication was essential to keeping such a complex refit on schedule.
A New Way of Managing Refit Projects
Perhaps the most revolutionary aspect of the project was not the repaint itself, but the way it was managed.
Instead of following the traditional fixed-price shipyard model, the project adopted a transparent cost-plus approach. Owners, managers and contractors worked together, openly reviewing quotations and selecting the best technical solutions rather than competing against hidden margins.
The result was a collaborative environment built on trust, transparency and shared responsibility—an approach that has since become increasingly common within the superyacht refit industry.
A Legacy That Lives On
Nearly two decades later, IMM has returned to La Rochelle with the launch of IMM La Rochelle
For Fabrice Maitre, this is more than an expansion into Europe—it is a return to a place where he helped deliver one of the industry’s landmark refit projects.
Today’s facilities, technical capabilities and long-term vision are very different from the temporary shipyard built in 2007, but the philosophy remains unchanged: bringing together the right people, the right expertise and the right infrastructure to deliver exceptional refit projects.
As IMM begins this new chapter on the French Atlantic coast, the story of Tatoosh serves as a reminder that innovation, collaboration and technical excellence have always been part of our DNA.
Sometimes, the journey forward begins by returning to where it all started.
Fabrice Maitre: Founder & COO
Fabrice Maitre, Founder & COO
IMM’s founder and COO, Fabrice Maitre, has loved the sea, sailing and boats since he was a young boy. And in fact, his entire life has developed around that love. Although he grew up in Dijon, Fabrice’s family always had a sailing vessel, and sailing quickly became a passion for him. Ever an adventurer, Fabrice was a mere 18 for his first trans-oceanic deliveries. Fabrice’s commitment to the sea marked his formative years – attending the national sailing school, teaching, and skipping. He became a captain and spent many years working on a variety of both sailing and motor yachts. By the early 1990s, Fabrice was ready to transition ashore.
Looking for the path to a world on land, he quickly discovered yacht refit. Until this day, Fabrice swears that yacht refit is the only thing he has found that provided a substitute for life at sea.
Moving ashore, Fabrice helped establish the yacht refit department of a major shipyard in La Ciotat, contributing to the development of one of the Mediterranean’s most active and respected technical hubs. It was here that his reputation for operational clarity, technical precision, and calm execution under pressure began to take shape.
In 2007, following years of experience managing complex superyacht projects, Fabrice founded IMM (International Marine Management) with a clear purpose: to deliver a new approach to yacht refit management built around flexibility, transparency, and technical excellence.
The company was established to manage the ambitious refit of M/Y Octopus, a project that would set the foundation for IMM’s philosophy and operating model.
Working on projects of this scale demonstrated the importance of adapting to each vessel’s unique requirements—bringing together the right expertise, resources, and solutions wherever and whenever they were needed. It also reinforced Fabrice’s belief that owners and management teams needed a trusted partner who could provide clear communication, financial transparency, and full accountability throughout the entire refit process.
As IMM grew, this approach evolved into a global operational model designed around supporting vessels closer to their cruising regions while maintaining the highest European technical standards.
Together with partners Jean-Michel Beron and Norina Edelman, Fabrice expanded IMM’s presence into the Caribbean, establishing permanent technical capabilities in locations including Guadeloupe and Martinique to better serve clients where their vessels operate.
Today, that founding vision remains at the heart of IMM: combining international expertise with local presence, delivering tailored solutions, and providing owners, captains, and management teams with the confidence that every project is executed with transparency, precision, and accountability.
Over more than four decades in the industry, Fabrice has been involved in the management of some of the world’s most recognized superyacht projects, including M/Y Octopus, M/Y Skat, M/Y Kogo, and many others. His leadership approach is defined by a structured and hands-on style, with a strong focus on trust, collaboration, and delivering results for every stakeholder involved.
Reflecting on IMM’s continued evolution, Fabrice often frames the company’s expansion in personal terms:
“In many ways, this expansion has brought me full circle. France is where my career began, and the Tatoosh refit in La Rochelle was a significant step in both my career and superyacht refit generally. Establishing IMM’s presence here, with such a capable facility, allows us to bring our experience, standards, and approach back to a market we know deeply.”
At its core, IMM remains driven by the same ethos Fabrice established from the beginning: serving a vessel.
Refit is not simply about completing a scope of work, but about supporting the vessel, the crew, and the people who depend on it. Excellence comes from understanding the vessel’s needs, anticipating challenges, and delivering solutions with the care, accountability, and commitment expected from sailors, people who truly understand the sea.
IMM/YATCO Business Lounge at Monaco Yacht Show 2026
We are delighted to welcome our clients and partners to the IMM/YATCO Business Lounge during the Monaco Yacht Show, from 23rd – 26th September 2026.
Located at La Rascasse, the lounge offers a refined and comfortable setting for meetings, networking, and reconnecting during the show.
IMM’s VIP table awaits you on the exclusive top terrace, where you can enjoy complimentary lunch, refreshments, and uninterrupted conversations away from the crowds. Whether you’d like to arrange a dedicated meeting or simply stop by for a coffee, we look forward to hosting you.
– Private Terrace: La Rascasse
– 23rd–26th of September 2025
– 08:30 AM to 5:30 PM
To schedule a meeting with a member of the IMM team, please RSVP via the link below or email lpetersson@imm-yachting.com
We look forward to seeing you in Monaco!
