IMM Guadeloupe 2024-2025 Season
IMM Guadeloupe: 2024–2025 Season Highlights
As the Caribbean yachting season winds down, IMM Guadeloupe reflects on a season of challenges met, deadlines delivered, and strong partnerships forged on the docks. From emergency repairs to planned maintenance, our team demonstrated why IMM is trusted by captains, crew, and owners for complex, technical superyacht support in the region.
“This season was a clear example of how dynamic and adaptive our team has become,” says Olivier Vigoureux, Site Director of IMM Guadeloupe. “We managed a wide range of projects, often under pressure, and managed to meet expectations, delivery timelines and budgets.”
Technical Expertise in Action
The season kicked off with an emergency rigging job. Our team responded quickly, conducting a full mast repair and addressing critical systems including anchor replacement, tender lift mechanisms, winch leakage, and onboard generator issues — all within a tight window.
Throughout the year, our team took on advanced daggerboard and carbon boom repairs, foil restoration work in collaboration with a vessels team, and extensive cosmetic finishes including mirror polishing and metallic work on an 80-meter luxury vessel.
“We’re not just reacting — we’re anticipating what a vessel needs to keep moving,” Olivier adds. “Whether it’s structural work or fine finishing, we bring in the right skills at the right time.
Large-Scale Projects and Custom Builds
The season also included several heavy industrial tasks. IMM Guadeloupe carried out complex steelwork over a five-week period, deployed a dedicated barge for hull-side access, and completed an internal sandblasting job supported by a team of five certified welders.
Our top quality painters created a visual transformation as well, rebranding a commercial ferry, which involved a full repaint, changing colours to mark a change in ownership. The job was completed on schedule.
Reliability That Brings Yachts Back
Several projects this season involved returning clients — a testament to trust built over time. Annual maintenance visits and collaborative repair plans ensure yachts continue to choose IMM Guadeloupe as their refit destination year after year.
“We value every return visit — it tells us we’re doing something right,” says Olivier. “We’re here to make sure boats leave safer, and better, than when they arrived.”
Looking Ahead
As we move into the slightly quieter summer month, the IMM Guadeloupe team is already planning ahead for the 2025–2026 season — fine-tuning operations, exploring improvements, and staying ready for what’s next.
Things never really slow down in the Guadeloupe facility; and, as always, if you need us, we’re just a call away.
In the meantime, we salute the dedicated crew, technicians, and partners who made this winter and spring season a success. And we thank the vessels who trusted us to keep them running at their best.
See you at the yard soon again!
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IMM SXM 2024–2025 Project Highlights
Behind the Scenes in St. Maarten: IMM SXM 2024–2025 Project Highlights
The 2024–2025 Caribbean yachting season is winding down, and what a season it has been for the St. Maarten-based IMM team! Operating across marinas including Isle de Sol, Dock Maarten, Palapa, Skyport, Port De Plaisance, Simpson Bay Marina & Fort Louis, the IMM SXM team tackled dozens of projects—some time-sensitive, some instrumental in allowing guest trips to start with no delay, and some involving planned maintenance works.
From full generator rebuilds to shaft alignments, from structural composite repairs to yacht-quality paintwork, the scope, diversity and complexity of this season’s work highlights IMM’s value: our expert, local project managers allow you to undertake any project with confidence as they deliver top-quality results by any standard.
A Season of Engineering and Execution
Several multi-week projects stood out for several reasons. These were planned maintenance stops with technical complexity and delivered on time. One project involved a full rebuild of twin generators on a 100+-meter vessel. IMM collaborated with the visiting MTU technical team providing all logistics support, including designing lifting frames so effective that the yacht chose to keep an extra set onboard for future use.
“These works had been done before, and the vessel discarded those old frames to keep the new ones. It was a feather in our cap to create something superior to a European shipyard here in Sint Maarten.” says Stephen De Vooght, IMM Project Manager.
The project also included over 800 square meters of protection, covering interior floors, bulkheads, and staircases to preserve the vessel’s condition throughout.
“This was a huge job, and the result left a lasting impression.” – Stephen De Vooght
Rapid Response & Technicity
Some of the most rewarding work came from tackling unplanned emergencies between charters. One vessel came in with a list of 28 work requests. IMM delivered 20 of those on a tight schedule, including HVAC, carpentry, speaker installation, electronics repairs, and main engine alignment.
When traditional alignment methods didn’t solve the vibration issues, IMM encouraged FKG Marine, our sister Company, to invest in laser shaft alignment technology, which proved to be the key.
“This was a turning point. We saw an opportunity not only to solve the vessel’s problem but to introduce a service that would benefit the whole island. It was the right call— the vessel’s port engine required extensive realignment that likely prevented another failure.” says Stephen.
In another urgent case, the entire steering system of a vessel failed electronically while in Antigua. IMM coordinated repairs and sent a technician to restore full function in time for departure.
“Our subcontractor tested, diagnosed, and solved the issue under pressure. We left them with a working system and a spare circuit board onboard—exactly what they needed to feel secure continuing their program.” – Stephen
Precision Under Pressure
Throughout the season, IMM led heavy-lift technical operations requiring mechanical dismantling, crane coordination, and tight turnaround times.
One yacht required removal and replacement of a 450kg alternator, a project that required the dismantling of fire insulation, engine exhausts, and then reassembly of all components.
“The biggest challenge was the coordination. We had to plan every step around crane movements and internal systems to avoid delay. We delivered on time and to the full satisfaction of the client.” says Dominique.
Another vessel, known for its hybrid propulsion, needed a 400kg generator replaced in partnership with a renowned European shipyard.
“The collaboration with the shipyard and crew was exceptional, we took care of protection, crane work, and overall logistics, and everyone was pleased with how smoothly it went.” – Dominique adds.
Even collision damage didn’t stop IMM from meeting deadlines. A chase boat required structural composite repair and repainting within 10 days to meet its next charter obligation. This project demanded full focus—tight timing, project management, and hands-on execution. But the IMM Team delivered, and the vessel was ready on time.
Looking Ahead to 2025–2026
With growing demand for high-skill services in the Caribbean, IMM is expanding both its technical offerings and strategic partnerships.
As we close the season, we extend a heartfelt thank you to every captain, engineer, and crew member who trusted IMM this season.
We look forward to welcoming you back next season—stronger, faster, and even better equipped to support you.
A Word from Our Leadership
“We are extremely happy to see the continued development of IMM in St. Maarten. This development proves the importance of having a professional, reliable option in the Caribbean for both planned and emergency works. We see IMM as a partner to the vessel and crew – working together to plan works where and when it makes sense for the vessel schedule. We look forward to continuing our development in St. Maarten, and elsewhere, to provide efficient and effective solutions for our clients.” says Norina Edelman, CEO of IMM.
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Emergency Rigging - Guadeloupe
On December 24th, our team in Guadeloupe showcased their expertise and dedication during an emergency rigging operation. Following a rig failure on a 28-meter mast, we were called in to resolve the issue swiftly.
Thanks to the exceptional skill and quick action of Olivier Vigoureux, our site director, the salvage operation went smoothly, and the rig was safely back in place before Christmas dinner.
This moment highlights our commitment to safety, reliability, and professionalism—even under the tightest deadlines. Whether it’s planned maintenance or an emergency repair, our team is always ready to deliver outstanding results.
At International Marine Management, we understand the importance of reliable rigging, whether during planned maintenance or unexpected emergencies. With a presence across the Caribbean, including Guadeloupe, St. Barths, and Sint Maarten, our experienced team is always ready to assist.
