Team Spotlight, Arnaud Rambaud
Arnaud Rambaud, 29, joined IMM Guadeloupe’s team nine months ago. Originally from mainland France, Arnaud’s path to the Caribbean was unconventional but rooted in his love for the sea. He started his career at Marc Lombard Yacht Design in La Rochelle, designing Class40 racing yachts, and he later contributed to the development of Sodebo Ultim hydrofoil trimaran in Lorient. His personal passion for offshore racing led him to participate in the Mini Transat, a solo transatlantic sailing race, which brought him to Guadeloupe — a place he and his family fell in love with and decided to call home.
Project Management at IMM
Today, Arnaud serves as Project Manager for vessel repairs, working primarily on motor and sailing yachts. His day-to-day involves diagnosing issues, proposing solutions, preparing budgets, and overseeing the team to ensure each project exceeds expectations.
“The problems are always different, and there are many possible solutions. It’s challenging, exciting, and constantly pushes me to think creatively” he says.
A Project That Stands Out
One of Arnaud’s most challenging projects was the haul-out of a Baltic 111 sailing yacht. With limited space and strict load limitations imposed by the Port, the team orchestrated the operation down to millimeters:
“We only had 500mm between the boat’s transom and the crane. When the Vessel was placed in its cradle, it was an incredible moment of satisfaction for myself, the team as well as the client!” he recalls.
What Makes IMM Unique
According to Arnaud, IMM’s strength lies in its versatile workforce.
“A painter can handle carbon fiber laminates; a mechanic can manage electronics. This ability to cover multiple technical fields with a small, specialized team is rare in the Caribbean and allows us to tackle nearly every technical challenge on a vessel”
Advice for Young Professionals
Arnaud emphasizes that experience is everything. If you want to work in this industry, you need to spend time on boats—whether through sailing, offshore racing, or maritime transport. You also need to be versatile and curious about many technical fields because yachts are complicated and bring together a wide variety of disciplines.
Life Beyond the Dock
Passionate about the ocean, Arnaud spends his free time sailing, surfing, and spearfishing with family and friends.
“I feel at home on the water, whether it’s for work or leisure. Sharing that passion with others is one of my favorite things.”
Arnaud’s story is a testament to IMM’s culture of versatility, technical excellence, and love for the sea — a blend that sets the company apart in the world of superyacht refit and project management.