
Robert Mac Keen
Derecktor Ft. Pierce is proud to announce Robert Mac Keen’s appointment to the Marine Industry Association of the Treasure Coast’s Board of Directors.
Mac Keen, Yard Manager at Derecktor Ft. Pierce, is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the largest mobile boat hoist in the world. With a lifting capacity of 1,500 tons, the custom engineered machine built by Cimolai Technology is capable of hauling, moving and launching megayachts up to 250 feet LOA.
Mac Keen’s marine industry career began at a very young age, where he cleaned up welding rods and nails left on the ground at his father’s shipyard in the Bahamas. Once he left university, he worked as a technical manager, project manager and purchasing agent for the Bahamian cargo fleet, high speed ferry industry and a host of private yachts. After 25 years of working in the marine industry, Mac Keen returned to his shipyard roots by joining Jones Boatyard and then Apex Marine Repair in Miami, before ultimately becoming part of the Derecktor team at the Dania Beach shipyard.
Mac Keen’s experience has given him a rare perspective in the marine industry; that of a shipowner’s representative, an intermediary between owner and shipyard, and a shipyard employee. He understands the supply chain of materials, the workflow of repairs and the importance in delivering what the customer needs when the customer wants it.
“As a member of a number of local, regional and national industry groups, I’m proud to be a new board member of the Marine Industry Association of the Treasure Coast,” Mac Keen said. “I look forward to listening to – and learning more about – the local marine industry from like-minded stakeholders.”
MIATC’s Board of Directors includes: President, John Yudin, Guy, Yudin & Foster; Vice President Tom Whittington, Manatee Pocket Yacht Sales; Secretary, Artie Olson, Vero Marine Center; Treasurer, Dan Dietz, Dietz Electric; Scott Watson, Indiantown Marina; Don Green, Don Green Electric; Sean Collins, Vero Beach City Marina; Chris Dempsey, Sailfish Point Marina; Gary Guertin, Coastal Angler Magazine; Bruce Grout, Sovereign Yacht Sales; Robert Mac Keen-Derecktor Ft. Pierce; Jill Marasa, St. Lucie County EDC, Tom O’Brien, Chapman Marine Supply; Mark Palazzo, MetCo; and Jim Truslow, Boat Owners Warehouse
The Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast, Inc. is a not-for-profit trade association comprised of members in Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties who are dedicated to the promotion of pleasure boating and its related industries through education of our members and the boating public.
Founded in 1947, Derecktor Shipyards has since become a worldwide leader for excellence in the construction, repair and refit of yachts, commercial and military vessels. Today, four Derecktor facilities span the East coast of the U.S. from Maine to South Florida, offering vessel owners and operators everything from marina space to megayacht construction. For more information about Derecktor Shipyards, visit www.derecktor.com, email jbeard@derecktor.com or call 772-595-9326.
PHOTO CREDIT: PHOTO PROVIDED
PHOTO CAPTION: Robert Mac Keen, yard manager at Derecktor Ft. Pierce, has been appointed to the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast Board of Directors.