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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 French national sailing school, then 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. This is the only activity where one’s principal focus is on the service for the Vessel with a defined delivery, as at sea.

Moving ashore, Fabrice was part of the establishment of the 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 execution under pressure began to take shape.

In 2007, after having successfully delivered MY Tatoosh following a 6-month refit in La Rochelle, Fabrice was chosen to lead the ambitious refit of MY Octopus in St. Nazaire, France. It was at this moment that IMM (International Marine Management) was found. And it was this project that set the foundation for IMM’s philosophy and operating model: financial transparency, technical competence and rigorous project management.

Soon after IMM’s creation, an opportunity to develop yacht refit in the Caribbean presented itself: the same Port Director Fabrice had worked with in La Rochelle had moved to Guadeloupe and wanted to develop this industry in the Caribbean. And who better to call than Fabrice, who he had witnessed undertake the Tatoosh project a short time ago.

Given Fabrice’s belief that the industry must serve owners, and given that many yachts were cruising this area of the world without technical support, he, along with Norina Edelman, decided to take the gamble and open a facility in Guadeloupe. Fabrice’s commitment to provide service where it is needed has remained at the heart of IMM’s continued growth and expansion.

Nearly twenty years later, with more than 160 employees and four locations thefounding vision remains at the heart of IMM: serving vessels, serving Captains, serving crew.Over more than four decades in the industry, Fabrice has been involved in the management of many important superyacht refits.  His leadership approach is defined by a rigorous and hands-on style, with a strong focus on precise planning to deliver appropriate technical solutions in the time allotted, leaving no room for excuses or uncertainty.  Perhaps not always soft, Fabrice’s singular goal is delivery.  

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.

Dominique Delafoy: Project Manager at IMM

Project management at IMM is built on technical decisions, not assumptions. 

With more than three decades of experience in yacht new builds and complex refit environments, Dominique Delafoy brings deep technical and operational expertise to IMM. His career spans shipyards across Italy, Turkey, Latvia, Norway, Denmark, Germany, France, and the United States, covering everything from high-end refits and new builds to shipyard development and operational setup. 

One of his most formative experiences was helping establish a shipyard in North Carolina, where his role went far beyond project management. He was directly involved in recruiting teams, structuring operations, and training technicians in advanced composite processes. 

“I’ve always been involved in more than just project management. Building teams and shipyard capability is just as critical as managing the project itself.” 

Joining IMM and working across the Caribbean

Dominique joined IMM in November 2024 and is now based between Puerto Rico and Sint Maarten, supporting multiple active refit and maintenance projects across the region.

His role combines senior project management with hands-on technical oversight and team leadership across sites, ensuring continuity and alignment between operations.

“IMM felt like a natural fit. The structure is very hands-on, and decisions are made close to the operation, where they should be.”

A role driven by technical decisions and coordination

At IMM, project management is not limited to scheduling and coordination. Dominique’s daily work involves technical troubleshooting, repair strategy development, subcontractor management, and direct communication with yacht owners, captains, and onboard teams.

He also supports and guides other project managers while managing his own portfolio of complex projects.

“Every day is different. You’re constantly switching between technical analysis, planning, and real-time problem solving.”

A recent example highlights the intensity of this work: ahead of the St. Barths Bucket, Dominique was involved in the fast-track preparation of a 65-meter Royal Huisman sailing yacht. The scope included fabrication of custom stainless steel rigging components, high-load pulley repairs using hydraulic press processes, and multiple critical rigging parts, all delivered within five days under strict race deadlines.

The reality of refits in the Caribbean

Working in island environments adds a layer of operational complexity that differs significantly from traditional shipyards. Logistics, shipping delays, and customs processes require precise planning and constant adaptability.

At the same time, modern yachts integrate highly complex systems where mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and digital components are deeply interconnected.

“The biggest challenge is not just fixing the problem, it’s diagnosing it correctly when everything is interconnected and time is limited.”

Electrical and hydraulic systems remain among the most common technical challenges encountered on arriving yachts, particularly in high-usage or long-voyage vessels.

To manage uncertainty in supply chains, Dominique builds buffers into planning from the outset.

“I always work with a conservative delivery timeline. Everyone onboard understands the realities of sourcing parts in the islands, delays in shipping or customs clearance are part of the equation.”

What makes IMM different

Unlike traditional shipyards, IMM operates as a project management-led organisation with integrated operational capabilities across multiple Caribbean locations.

This structure enables mobility, flexibility, and direct control over execution, allowing decisions to be made close to the work rather than through layered processes.

“IMM is built around project management first. That changes everything, especially how quickly decisions can be made and executed.”

Technical judgement comes from real experience

For Dominique, technical competence in yachting is not theoretical — it is built through exposure to real systems under real operational load.

He strongly believes that time onboard is essential for understanding how yachts truly function.

“You only really understand yacht systems when you see them working at sea, not in a dock.”

Advice for the next generation

For those entering the marine industry, his advice is direct: prioritize experience onboard.

“Spend time at sea. That experience will shape how you understand every decision you make later in your career.”

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. 

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.