About KEY Marine Advisors
Independent Yacht Project Management and Owner Representation
KEY Marine Advisors is an independent marine consulting firm specializing in owner representation, yacht project management, refit oversight, repair coordination, and new-build advisory.
We work alongside yacht owners, captains, managers, builders, and shipyards to bring structure, clarity, and disciplined execution to technically demanding marine projects.
Our role is simple: protect the owner’s interests at every stage of the project lifecycle.
Who We Are
KEY Marine Advisors provides independent oversight for complex marine projects where clear communication, technical understanding, and disciplined project control matter.
From early planning and shipyard selection to execution, reporting, quality oversight, and delivery, we help clients reduce risk, improve accountability, and move projects forward with confidence.
With more than 30 years of marine industry experience behind the firm, our focus remains the same: clear decisions, controlled execution, and successful outcomes.
Ken Youngchild - Founder | Principal Consultant
Meet The Founder
Mr. Youngchild is a marine project manager with over 30 years of experience leading yacht builds, refits, repairs, and complex shipyard projects. He has supported over 1,400 projects, from routine maintenance drydockings to major refits, repairs, and construction of large custom yachts. His expertise covers all project phases: planning, coordination, budgeting, quality, regulation, and delivery. Starting in shipyard operations, he advanced to executive project leadership, gaining hands-on knowledge of yard work, trades, common issues, and owner goals. He routinely works with naval architects, engineers, U.S. Coast Guard personnel, class inspectors, and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance and high delivery standards. His leadership experience encompasses managing and overseeing work at premier U.S. yacht facilities such as Basin Marine, Thunderbolt Marine, Bridgeport Boatworks, and Lauderdale Marine Center, providing insights into shipyard processes, trade management, and vessel-owner relations priorities.
Ken holds multiple ABYC® certifications and previously served as a U.S. Coast Guard Master. He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®), an Agile Certified Practitioner (PMP-ACP®), and a Certified Professional in Management (AMA-CPM®). This blend of marine expertise, vessel command experience, and formal project governance training allows him to approach project delivery in a disciplined, transparent, and accountable manner.
Who We Serve
Clients Navigating New-Build, Refit, Warranty, or Repair Decisions
Individuals Coordinating Refit & Repair Periods
Teams Requiring Strong Shipyard Accountability
Buyers Evaluating Technical Project Risk
Stakeholders Seeking An Advocate Committed To Execution, Value Delivery, and Results
Yacht Owners Seeking Trusted Owner Representation
Why Clients Engage Us
Owner-First Representation
We represent the owner’s interests and only the owner’s interests. Every recommendation, review, and decision is approached with independence, discretion, and a commitment to protecting the client’s position.
Technical and Operational Experience
Marine projects demand more than just coordination; they require a thorough understanding of shipyard operations, marine systems, sequencing, skilled trades, regulatory standards, and execution risks.
We help bridge the gap between owners, captains, managers, designers, builders, and shipyards through direct communication, structured reporting, and decisive follow-through.
Clear Communication
Disciplined Project Control
Successful outcomes depend on consistently managing scope, schedule, budget, documentation, and quality. We bring structure to the process to help identify issues early and sustain project velocity.
A yacht is both a major asset and a personal investment. Our role is to help protect that value by reducing avoidable surprises, improving accountability, and supporting better decisions throughout the project lifecycle.
Protection of Value
Typical Engagements
Owner representation for refit, repair, and shipyard periods
New-build advisory and project oversight
Scope development, planning, and yard coordination
Budget, schedule, and progress reporting support
QA/QC and milestone oversight
Technical stakeholder coordination
Managing change control and resolving issues/blockers
Independent and communication-driven project governance for complex projects
