AMERICAN YACHT AGENTS

Debora Radtke

AMERICAN YACHT AGENTS LAUNCH TO LUXURY

By Whitney Thompson

American Yacht Agents is a full-service yachting agency based at the prestigious Berth One at the Port of Palm

Beach. I recently had the opportunity to talk with owner Debora Radtke about her company and her experience in the yacht industry.

Growing up in Wisconsin, Debora spent her childhood summers sailing on Lake Superior. “My family owned a series of sailboats, and my parents had a built-in crew of seven children,” she told me. She inherited a great love for boats, and she even had a small boat services business during high school. After exploring other career options in Minneapolis and St. Paul, she moved back home and got her captain’s license. “My friends asked me, ‘why are you wasting nine months out of the year in the snow and cold?’” she told me with a laugh. She took their advice and moved to Florida, where she worked on board yachts for 16 years, starting as a cook and stewardess, and later working as first mate to a very hands-on captain. “He did his own engineering, so I spent a lot of time in the engine room and learned a lot about that side of the business.” She then worked as a captain herself. In 2011, deciding she didn’t want to be at sea all the time, she moved her career shoreside. “I floundered for a couple of years, then eventually, I was fortunate to be in a position to start my own company.” Her various experience from the three major departments of the interior, engine room, and bridge of yachts equipped her well for founding American Yacht Agents. “This April is the seven-year anniversary of the launch of American Yacht Agents.”

Photography by Callie Jones

American Yacht Agent’s tagline is “Simplifying your life.” They do this with their host of services including ensuring port state compliance of incoming vessels to concierge services upon arrival. “We work with a really great team of vendors to provide everything from dockage arrangement to black car services,” Debora told me. They also have a beautiful lounge for the crews. “We provide support for vessels all the way from Fort Pierce to Miami, occasionally Key West, and it’s expanding. This summer, we’re even providing assistance to Viking Ocean Cruises up on the Great Lakes.”

Debora credits the success of American Yacht Agents to the relationships she has been able to build throughout her career. When I asked Debora what sets her company apart, she replied, “I think it’s because I’ve been a captain. I really understand what captains go through, and I try to do everything I can to make things easier for them.” She added that with vessels growing in size and the increased regulations that captains need to follow, her company has built strong relationships with Customs and Border Patrol and the US Coast Guard to help stay on top of changing rules and effectively guide their clients. Debora also shared, “One of my primary philosophies in business is that it’s a collaborative effort. This is a small industry, and I firmly believe that if we all work together, we all grow.” Her team approach helps American Yacht Agents to best serve their clients’ needs.

When Debora isn’t working, she rescues dogs, most recently bringing home Lily, a lab-beagle mix. She’s loved animals from the time she was a child. “I think everyone thought I’d become a veterinarian, but I didn’t have the patience to go through the schooling,” she laughed.

You can reach American Yacht Agents at 954-684-7559 and captdeb@ americanyachtagents.com.