management team

Mike has served as Chairman of Watercraft Marine since July 2023, bringing over three decades of executive leadership experience across three continents in the commercial bulk shipping sector. His strategic insight and commercial acumen continue to guide Watercraft Marine’s mission to raise industry standards and deliver sustainable, safety-led solutions in lifeboat servicing.

As Chief Commercial Officer of Thoresen Thai Agencies (TTA), Mike played a pivotal role in transforming the company from a relatively unknown regional player into a globally recognised shipowner. Under his leadership, Thoresen achieved consistent TCE outperformance and established a strong international commercial presence.

Following his tenure at TTA, Mike led Eagle Shipping Singapore Pte Ltd—the Asia-Pacific commercial and technical hub of Eagle Bulk Shipping (NYSE-listed). At the time, Eagle was emerging from Chapter 11 and faced considerable market skepticism. Mike rebuilt its commercial capabilities, restored market confidence, and once again drove sustained TCE over-performance, establishing Eagle as a credible and competitive counterpart in the region.

Mike is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Durban University of Technology as well as an MBA in Finance from the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) at UNSW, Sydney.

As Chairman, Mike provides strategic oversight and governance while actively supporting the leadership team’s vision to revolutionise lifeboat servicing through innovation, digitisation, and sustainable practices. His deep commercial experience ensures that Watercraft Marine continues to grow responsibly, remain operationally agile, and set new industry benchmarks in safety and service delivery.

Andrew has been the CEO of Watercraft Marine since January 2024, driving the company’s global growth and redefining industry expectations for lifeboat servicing. With nearly 40 years of experience in the maritime sector, Andrew is widely recognised as a subject matter expert in lifeboat systems and maritime safety.

His career began in the UK with Schat-Watercraft, where he was involved in lifeboat manufacturing and early developments of on-load release gear and freefall systems. He later rose to senior executive roles at Schat-Harding, the leading Norwegian lifeboat manufacturer, culminating in his appointment as Vice-President Asia, where he oversaw all service operations across the region.

In a bold shift from service and manufacturing to ship management, Andrew joined Wallem Group in Hong Kong, where he spent a decade as Global Service Director and Managing Director of SeaSafe Marine. There, he pioneered the creation of an in-house specialist lifeboat service and asset management division, an industry-first initiative that challenged traditional models and delivered measurable safety and cost benefits.

Andrew’s expertise is sought globally. He regularly delivers technical presentations and safety seminars to leading shipping companies and associations. He authored Lloyd’s Register’s lifeboat inspection guidebook for surveyors in China and served as a technical advisor to Videotel in updating their lifeboat training modules. He is also a certified trainer for lifeboat systems maintenance under ISO 23678 and accredited by Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education (ITE).

In 2024, Andrew earned his MBA with Distinction in Maritime Business Management from Middlesex University, London. His thesis, "Reviving Maritime Safety: A Critical Assessment of Lifeboat Maintenance Practices and Reforming Industry Regulations," underscores his commitment to regulatory reform and raising industry standards.

Under Andrew’s leadership, Watercraft Marine has expanded its global footprint, built a reputation for hands-on technical integrity, and secured fleet-wide service agreements with major shipowners. The company has introduced innovations such as predictive maintenance reporting, lifecycle service planning, and instant digital reporting—setting a new benchmark for transparency, consistency, and safety in lifeboat system management..

Vasanth has served as the Technical Director of Watercraft Marine since November 2023. A qualified marine engineer with nearly three decades of dedicated experience in the lifeboat industry, he brings deep technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and practical insight to the company’s global operations.

Prior to joining Watercraft Marine, Vasanth held senior technical positions with some of the most prominent names in the industry. He was Principal Engineer at Schat-Harding China, based in Shanghai, where he supported service teams across Asia and led major engineering projects. Most recently, he was Technical Manager of SeaSafe Marine under Hong Kong-based ship manager Wallem, where he managed the technical oversight of lifeboat systems across a fleet of over 500 vessels.

Over the course of his career, Vasanth has completed extensive manufacturer training across nearly all major lifeboat, davit, and release gear systems. He has overseen numerous re-hooking projects, led complex equipment retrofits, and participated in accident investigations and root cause analysis across the merchant, offshore, cruise, and naval sectors.

At Watercraft Marine, Vasanth leads the company’s technical and regulatory functions, supporting both office teams and field engineers worldwide. He conducts internal training, audits, and competence assessments to uphold Watercraft’s rigorous quality standards, while also guiding compliance with evolving IMO, Flag, and Class requirements. His role is central to maintaining technical excellence, service consistency, and customer trust.

Kelly has served as the Customer Relationship Manager at Watercraft Marine since July 2023. With her team, she ensures that every client interaction is seamless—no matter the service scope or global location. Her strong operational background and deep understanding of client expectations make her an integral link between customers and our service teams.

Kelly began her maritime career in 2002, overseeing business development for a Singapore-based lifeboat service company, where she played a key role in supporting their Shanghai branch operations. In 2006, she joined Schat-Harding, the renowned Norwegian lifeboat and davit manufacturer, where she was instrumental in establishing and scaling their China-based after-sales and service division in Qingdao.

Amid rapid growth, Kelly successfully project-managed the relocation of Schat-Harding’s China service headquarters to Shanghai. She rose to the role of Service Manager, leading a team of 20 engineers and 10 support staff across four locations.

In 2012, Kelly relocated to Hong Kong and held senior roles in the technical procurement departments of major Hong Kong-based ship management companies, gaining a strong appreciation for both supplier and owner perspectives. She joined Watercraft Marine in 2023, bringing with her over two decades of experience across service, operations, and procurement within the maritime industry.