Our approach is proactive so we’ll anticipate potential problems and deal with them before they can develop. From master mariners, to marine engineers, naval architects and chartered accountants, our extensive yachting and commercial shipping expertise means that you receive a platinum management service which provides total peace of mind. Our current management fleet ranges from a 40m motor yacht to 150m new build.
Operational Management
The Burgess Management team have considerable experience in managing a variety of yachts worldwide. Our service provides cruise and voyage planning, the provision of weather routing services, arranging canal transits and berths and the supply of fuel oil, lubricating oil, provisions and stores in all regions. We are on call around the clock and have an extensive database of port information and local agents to deal with customs and immigration formalities.
Safety Management & ISM
ISM is now a legal requirement for all charter yachts of over 500 Gross Tons. The Burgess ISM Safety Management System (SMS) was the first in the industry to be approved and issued with a "Document of Compliance" by the British Marine Administration, the MCA. Our SMS is now in use on our yachts and is approved by a variety of flag states in addition to the UK. At Burgess we are committed to the highest safety standards.
Security Management & ISPS
Our "in house" ISPS service provides everything a yacht needs from a shore based organisation in full compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. We survey the yacht and then submit an assessment and plan to the flag state. We obtain the necessary certifications for the yacht and arrange the training for the on board "Ship Security Officer", liaise with the flag state and carry out the various procedures and audits to maintain the system on board. Whereas the threat to a yacht from terrorism may be considered to be slight, compliance with ISPS does offer benefits to the owner in providing enhanced protection against the threat of pilferage, the presence of unauthorised persons on board and the protection of guests cruising on board.
Emergency Response Service
Burgess offer a 24 hour Emergency Response service to all our managed vessels. One call to a dedicated number triggers this service and activates our response team. This system has proved to be of great assistance to yachts in difficult situations and includes emergency technical support, medical advice, liaison with rescue services, coastguards, towage companies and next of kin, legal advice, liaison with insurers, class and flag state, PR and media response.
Large Yacht Code Compliance
The Large Commercial Yacht Code, also known as LY2, has become the worldwide standard for commercial yachts. This Code, developed mainly by the MCA, assisted by other flag administrations, allows yachts to comply with international regulations whilst being sympathetic to their particular needs. The Code covers the vessel's construction, stability, equipment and crew and applies to yachts that charter. Many private owners now insist on Code compliance as a minimum safety standard.
Burgess has worked with the MCA and other parties involved in the creation of this code and we were members of the working group which developed the second edition of these regulations, which were published in April, 2003. Our knowledge of the workings of the Code, together with good contacts at the MCA and other major Marine Administrations, most notably the Cayman Island Shipping Registry, as well as the various Classification Societies, has proved beneficial to owners of our managed yachts. Our technical team can assist with any aspect of MCA Code compliance from stability and structure to crew qualifications and manning levels.
Mini ISM
The same LY2 Code now requires a Safety Management System to be in place on commercial yachts under the 500 Gross Tons limit. The yachting industry commonly has taken to referring to this management system as 'Mini-ISM'. For these yachts especially, Burgess has developed a bespoke, less onerous, more practical management system, catering to yachts with fewer crew aboard. Burgess advocates the use of the Mini ISM system on board every yacht in our fleet, even if not operating commercially, as it provides owners with a minimum safety standard.
Technical Consultancy
The Burgess technical team includes experienced engineers, naval architects and master mariners with many years experience of major refit and new build project planning and supervision. We are currently involved in providing technical consultancy to a number of significant projects.
