Kevin Lawrie calls himself a “Facilitator.” Some superyacht captains have a more fitting moniker for him: “Miracle Man.”
Since 2015, Lawrie has operated Mango Mango Yacht and Villas Services, on the island of St Barts in the Caribbean.
Lawrie is a yacht agent, a rather non-descriptive title. He is an integral participant in most private luxury yacht charter trips passing through the Caribbean. For example, St Barts and other nearby ports of call (e.g. Nevis, St Kitts, Anguilla, etc.) need him. A yacht agent’s services include assistance with immigration and port services. They also include banking, provisioning, and charter guest and yacht crew concierge services. Lastly, they make medical arrangements and purchase yacht parts.
Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters, explains the vital role yacht agencies like Mango Mango play in the yacht charter industry.
“Our responsibility is to deliver The Superyacht Experience™ to our clients,” says Sheeder. “The hiring of the yacht is just one component of a successful charter. Our goal is to use the yacht as the platform to deliver an unequalled and flawless vacation for our clients. While the captains of the yachts are responsible to create an itinerary for the clients, it is often the yacht agent who coordinates the logistics for the yacht before it arrives at a particular destination.”
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“A captain and his crew need to focus on the safe operation of the yacht while the charter guests are onboard,” explains Sheeder. “You don’t want a captain or the crew spending time on the phone or Internet trying to organize sighstseeing tours, arranging dockage, or making restaurant reservations.”
This is where Lawrie and Mango Mango excel. Many important details are handled by yacht agents. When performed well, it’s a seamless, professional process – invisible to the charter guests. All the charter guests see is an empty slip in a marina, ready for their arrival. As they disembark, a driver is standing by, with a car or limousine – ready to take them where they want to go. There’s no need for charter guests to stand in line at the local customs office, because Lawrie has already cleared the passengers, using passport details forwarded to him via email by the yacht’s captain. Fuel and fresh provisions will be delivered to the yacht, so when the charter guests are ready to depart for the next port of call, the yacht and crew are ready to go.
Many times, a yacht owner who normally keeps his/her yacht in the Mediterranean will decide to re-position to the Caribbean for the winter season. Often, the crews of these yachts are not familiar with the islands of the Caribbean, and are at a loss when it comes to necessary yacht services – fuel bunkering, entry requirements, foreign currency exchanges, etc. For these yachts and crew, Lawrie is truly a miracle worker. Sheeder points out, “Not only does Kevin handle the typical yacht services, he’s available 24/7 for the little things that seem to pop up out of nowhere. If a crewmember suddenly breaks a tooth, Kevin will jump right in and secure an emergency appointment with a local dentist.”
Scott Macahonic, Chief Officer of M/Y Spirit understands the value of a local yacht agency like Mango Mango:
“We have used Kevin numerous times over the last two seasons in St.Barths, and I can’t even tell you the number of ‘potential guest situations’ he has gotten us out of! New Year’s eve table reservations, 20 person taxi with no warning, coconuts immediately, fresh fish when needed. You name it…he’s helped us always in a professional, quick and friendly manner. We will definitely be using him the next time we can get back to the beautiful island of St.Barths.”
Mango Mango has expanded their services to also include villas. They provide:
While recent hurricanes Irma and Maria brought much destruction to the Caribbean including St Barts, Lawrie states the island is up and running and ready for visitors.
“St Barts is effectively open for business this winter season,” says Lawrie, “and we would love to see you down here and we can promise that it will be a memorable season offering you the same level of professionalism as usual and you will be welcomed with open arms and a warm smile wherever you go ashore.”
Well said, Miracle Man!
For up-to-date information about scheduled post-hurricane restaurant and hotel openings in St Barts, or to rent a luxury villa, contact Mango Mango Yacht and Villa Services at + 590 690 77 81 13 or email: hello@mangomangosbh.com
Hurry. Yachts for your Caribbean Yacht Charter holidays are booking quickly!
This entry was posted in Yacht Charter Caribbean Educational and tagged Facilitator, logistics planning in Caribbean, how do yachts provision in the caribbean, behind-the-scenes, villa services, villa management, Hurricane Irma, president of 1-800 Yacht Charters, Hurricane Maria, St. Barts yacht charter, Mango Mango Yacht and Villa Services, St. Barths, rent a yacht, Spirit, rent a villa, Jana L. Sheeder, charter a yacht, Kevin Lawrie, superyacht assistance
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