Northrop & Johnson is proud to be affiliated with the yachting industry’s most influential and important associations. These groups bring together yacht brokers and industry professionals from all different sectors of the industry in order to discuss, deliberate and decide on legislation, business practices, ethics and contractual documents that define how our business is conducted. Many of Northrop & Johnson’s sales and charter brokers are members of the local, regional, national and international groups that play significant roles within the industry. Some of our brokers also sit on the boards of these prestigious associations, playing integral roles in helping to drive the industry forward.
Leading Yacht Brokers Association
LYBRA is a trade association for superyacht brokerage companies that have a fleet of Central Agency yachts with an LOA greater than 30 meters. It aims to bring the biggest companies together to discuss current issues and to address the future concerns of the superyacht industry, which are common throughout each individual company, regardless of the industry competition they may face day-to-day.
The Worldwide Yachting Association
An internationally renowned professional organization whose members are active in the fields of brokerage, charter, technical management and construction of superyachts. Member companies are required to meet strict entry requirements, hold professional indemnity insurance and have a proven track record of professional excellence in the superyacht industry. Northrop & Johnson has been a proud member of MYBA since the association was founded in 1984. Several Northrop & Johnson brokers have served on the board and held significant positions.
Yacht Brokerage Association of America
YBAA (formerly the Yacht Architects and Brokers Association, YABA) was the original yacht brokerage association in the United States. Past Presidents include Jim Northrop (1961 to 63), Skip Mansfield (1968 to 70), Bob Leslie, Northrop & Johnson Boston (1991 to 93), Hank Halsted, Northrop & Johnson Newport (1993 to 95), Brian Commette, Northrop & Johnson Newport (2001 to 03). In addition, Northrop & Johnson brokers have populated the Association’s Board of Directors consistently since the 1980s and at many times in previous years.
During his tenure as President, Brian Commette launched the Certified Professional Yacht Broker Program (CPYB), which culminated in an exacting examination on all aspects of yacht brokerage, from ethics to international law, contracts, registration and documentation requirements and all other aspects of the profession.
Yacht Brokerage Association of America
Created in 1987 IYBA, formerly known as the Florida Yacht Brokers Association (FYBA), is the largest organization of professional yacht brokers worldwide. The association promotes professionalism and a high standard of conduct throughout the yacht brokerage business. Each IYBA member is required to abide by a code of ethics to safeguard the public and protect against unethical practices.
Kevin Merrigan served on the Board of Directors of FYBA from 1996 to 2005. He was a driving force behind the fiscal responsibility of the organization as it experienced rapid growth during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Kristen Klein is an IYBA board member, 2019 to 2021. She is the first woman in the industry to hold a position on the board.
Asia Pacific Superyacht Association
The Asia Pacific Superyacht Association was formed in 2011 to promote the Asia-Pacific region as the world’s next great superyacht cruising destination. APSA has members, both industry players and superyacht owners, from all over the world and is working hard to promote the region to visiting yachts and to improve infrastructure and regulations within the region. APSA is a one-stop-shop for superyachts wishing to visit the Asia-Pacific. apsuperyacht.org
