HBC Captain Bobby Groves on leadership, crew dynamics, and changing guest expectations

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Welcome to Yacht Charter Market, the weekly newsletter dedicated to the world of yacht charter.

In today’s newsletter:

• Top story: 85m HBC Captain Bobby Groves shares his perspective on leadership, crew dynamics, and evolving charter expectations

• Charter updates: The 49.99m Sanlorenzo 50 Steel Almax joins the charter market, 126.2m Octopus heads to French Polynesia, and more…

• Post of the week: Discover every detail of 82m Alfa Nero in this new video

TOP STORY

Wheelhouse Wisdom: Insights from 85m HBC Captain Bobby Groves

“I joined the world of yachting later than most, at the age of 27, and spent my first winter season right here in Antigua, which has since become one of my favourite places,” shared Bobby Groves, captain of the 85.65-metre Abeking & Rasmussen HBC. Available for charter with Hill Robinson, this iconic superyacht boasts an exterior design by Reymond Langton Design, while her interior is a collaboration between Reymond Langton Design and Winch Design. Her naval architecture was crafted by her German builder.

Captain Bobby’s career, spanning roles on 13 superyachts, began on the decks of the 53.4-metre Turquoise motor yacht Tales. “I worked my way up, and 8 years later, I became captain, chartering throughout my career,” he explained, speaking from Pigeon Point Beach during the Antigua Charter Yacht Show 2024. Joining the 85.65-metre HBC as captain 15 months ago, Captain Bobby now leads a “young, hardworking, and very diverse crew” of 27.

‘Taking on responsibility for a significant asset’

“The role of a captain is incredibly challenging and often misunderstood. We take on responsibility for a significant asset, managing pressure from the owner, management, crew, and guests, all while keeping everything running,” he said. “It’s a balancing act, and you have to stay cool-headed and confident under pressure. Managing the vessel, crew, and charter expectations requires strong organisation and communication,” he added.

Captain Bobby’s somewhat unconventional background has prepared him well. “Before becoming a captain, I worked in London and studied business management and economics at Oxford Brookes University. While my parents were initially confused by this path, those transferable skills—especially in management and marketing—are incredibly useful in my role today,” Captain Bobby explained.

“As the face of the vessel, marketing is becoming more important than ever,” he noted. “But management remains the most crucial skill for a captain. I oversee the entire operation, ensuring everything runs smoothly while letting each team focus on what they do best. This holistic approach ensures every detail is covered, from engineering to guest experience. It’s all interconnected,” he stressed.

As captain, he believes in empowering his crew to work autonomously. “My management style is to allow people to do their job. No one likes to be micromanaged,” he said. “I stand back, let them handle things, and offer guidance when needed. I’ve built a team of highly competent, experienced crew and trust them to do their work and use their creativity.”

‘Crew well-being is critical’

With crew hailing from Scandinavia, Italy, Croatia, England, Germany, South Africa, and beyond, “they speak a multitude of languages, which is so important for connecting with guests,” highlights Captain Bobby, who is originally from Bath, England. “We’ve got quite a young crew, so there’s a really dynamic and fun vibe onboard. They’re athletic, they love the water, and that energy really shines,” he added. “Everyone is full of energy and joy, and they spend a lot of time together as a team. They gel really well, and that translates into the charter experience.”

“Crew well-being is critical for maintaining a high level of service throughout the charter season,” Captain Bobby stressed. While committed to the charter programme for the full Caribbean season and into the summer, he ensures that heads of department rotate to give the team adequate rest. “The crew works incredibly hard, so we ensure they have time to decompress through events or structured leave. The key is creating an environment where they can thrive,” he added.

‘Genuine passion for service—it’s innate’

This approach has proven effective: “Last summer the yacht was sold, and within three weeks, went straight into back-to-back charters—six weeks over three different clients. We quickly pulled together a crew, increasing from 10 to 30 in just two weeks. The majority of that crew is still with us now,” Captain Bobby said. 

“You can’t teach things like attention to detail and a genuine passion for service—it’s innate. We’ve been fortunate to find crew who embody these qualities. It’s that kind of proactive, service-oriented attitude that sets them apart. You can see it in the way they carry themselves, not just at work but in every interaction,” said Captain Bobby proudly. “It’s a competitive world, but what sets us apart is our commitment to excellence in every aspect, from the service to the cruising experience. We love what we do, and that’s evident in the care we take.”

‘Expectations are definitely higher now’

Looking ahead, Captain Bobby is eager to explore new destinations. “In the future, we’d love to venture to places like Norway,” he said. “Charter guests today want something more unique, off the beaten track. They want to be surprised. There’s definitely more pressure on the captain and purser to create distinctive itineraries. It really depends on who’s onboard, and their vibe, but expectations are definitely higher now. They want the bar raised every time they come onboard,” he added.

HBC and her crew are looking forward to a busy period with charters throughout the Caribbean season and into the Mediterranean. “We recently visited Saint-Tropez this summer—a real highlight, as it’s not common for a boat of this size. In fact I think it’s the record holder now. It took a lot of mediating with the harbour authorities, so it was quite an achievement,” Captain Bobby shared. “We’ll likely head into the shipyard at the end of the Summer Mediterranean season for some maintenance and upgrades. HBC is 16 years old, but she’s in great shape,” he concluded.

His dedication to both his crew’s well-being and delivering an exceptional guest experience highlights his holistic approach to leadership. It’s this commitment that keeps him motivated as a captain, ensuring that both the vessel and the people onboard are prepared to meet challenges with confidence and passion.

• Learn more about chartering HBC at this website, or email the central agent Nicolas Fry at [email protected].

LATEST CHARTER UPDATES

New for Charter: 49.99m Almax

The Sanlorenzo 50 Steel Almax has entered the charter market with Equinox Yachts as central agent. Delivered last year, she can accommodate up to 10 guests in 5 staterooms, with a crew of 9.

• Weekly Charter Rates for July & August start at EUR 350,000 p/w + expenses, and at EUR 320,000 p/w + expenses the rest of the year.

• Learn more at this website or download the brochure here

• Read more in this SuperYacht Times article or watch this video.

Destination: 126.2m Octopus

Octopus is heading to French Polynesia, with stops at Robinson Crusoe Island, Easter Island, and the Pitcairn Islands along the way. Available for charter from April to July 2025 with Big Blue Expeditions, she can accommodate up to 12 guests in 13 staterooms with a crew of 45.

• Weekly Charter Rates for high season start at USD2,200,000 p/w + expenses (MYBA), and at USD 2,200,000 p/w + expenses (MYBA) for the low season.

• Find out more at this website or in this brochure

New CA: 47m Amika

Amika is now for charter with Ocean Independence in the West Mediterranean and Greece. She can accommodate up to 11 guests in 5 staterooms, with a crew of 9.

• Weekly Charter Rates for high season start at EUR 280,000 p/w + expenses (MYBA), and at EUR 270,000 p/w + expenses (MYBA) for the low season.

• Learn more at this website

Fill the Gap: 32.2m Golden Yacht

Dates remain for Greek charters onboard the 2014 Sanlorenzo 106 Golden Yacht. She accommodates up to 10 guests with flexible staterooms options and 5 crew.

• Weekly Charter Rates for high season start at EUR 92,000 p/w + expenses, and at EUR 82,000 p/w + expenses for the low season.

• Find out more in the brochure

• Get in touch with Ekka Yachts to enquire

New CA: 63.4m Athos

Fraser has welcomed the two-masted Schooner Athos to their charter fleet. Last refit in 2022, the yacht accommodates up to 12 cruising guests, 10 sleeping guests in 5 staterooms with a crew of 10.

• Weekly charter rates for high season start at USD 235,000 p/w + expenses, and at USD 220,000 p/w + expenses for the low season.

• Currently in Palma, she heads to Antigua in March, cruises the Caribbean & Bahamas in spring, then Bermuda in May and Greenland for summer.

• Read the brochure here

New CA: 35.05m Wicked Play

IYC has welcomed 35.05m Wicked Play to its global charter fleet, managed by Silvija Babajko. Last Refit in 2022 the yacht can accommodate up to 9 guests in 4 staterooms with a crew of 6.

• Weekly Charter Rates start at EUR 100,000 p/w + expenses.

• Available for charter in Croatia, Montenegro, and Slovenia

• Learn more and inquire at this website

New CA: 32.5m La Stella Dei Mari

IYC has welcomed 32.5m Stella Dei Mari to its global charter fleet, managed by Bozena Buskovic Kascelan. Last refit in 2021, the yacht can accommodate up to 8 guests in 4 staterooms with a crew of 6.

• Weekly Charter Rates start at EUR 52,000 p/w + expenses.

• Available for charter in Croatia, Montenegro, and Slovenia

• Learn more and inquire at this website

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