North America’s yacht-building power once dominated the world — so what happened, and can it rise...

In this high-impact episode of Yachting USA from Yachting International Radio (YIR), host Rick Thomas sits down with world-renowned maritime attorney Michael Moore, Founding Partner of Moore & Company, to dissect the real state of the U.S. and Canadian yachting industry — legally, historically, economically, and environmentally.

Together, they unpack why North America lost more than 75–80% of its yacht-building infrastructure, how global competition reshaped the market, and why shipyards like Westport, Delta Marine, Burger Boat Company, and Crescent Custom Yachts remain crucial to the continent’s maritime future.

They dive into the big questions driving searches worldwide:
• Can North American yacht building rebound?
• How does the Jones Act impact superyacht ownership and construction?
• What role do owners, crew, brokers, and shipyards really play in a healthy industry?
• Why are class rules, surveys, and maritime law more important than ever?
• How will American and Canadian yards compete with Turkey, Italy, the Netherlands, and Taiwan?

Michael also gives rare insight into his decades-long career — from maritime cases in New York and Saudi Arabia to major work on the Exxon Valdez litigation. His perspective connects global shipping, commercial maritime law, yacht building, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the real-world economics behind superyachts.

You’ll also discover how yachts are becoming powerful tools for ocean science through organizations like the International SeaKeepers Society, Project Baseline, and Seabed 2030 — with actionable ways owners, captains, and crew can contribute to ocean data, conservation, and citizen science.

KEY TOPICS COVERED
• Decline of U.S. shipyards (Christensen, Trinity, Palmer Johnson, Northern Marine & more)
• The resurgence of American builders and refit yards
• Jones Act realities for large yachts
• The risks of poor brokerage, bad surveys & misrepresented vessels
• How maritime law, class, and flag states shape yacht value
• Why Fort Lauderdale remains the true capital of global yachting
• How SeaKeepers & Project Baseline are changing ocean science
• U.S. & Canadian yachting trends in 2025 and beyond

ABOUT THE GUEST
Michael Moore
Founding Partner, Moore & Company Maritime Law
Advisor to yacht owners, captains & shipyards worldwide
SeaKeepers Board Member • Maritime Industry Leader

ABOUT THE HOST
Rick Thomas
Host of Yachting USA
Veteran of 37+ years in North American yacht building, equipment manufacturing & maritime innovation

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#Yachting #Superyachts #YachtIndustry #MaritimeLaw #YachtBuilders #NorthAmericanYachting #Shipyards #OceanConservation #SeaKeepers #ProjectBaseline