Tom Ford

Where it all began

I grew up in Menorca, one of those places where the sea isn't a backdrop — it's part of daily life. My family always had boats. Summers meant sailing. The smell of salt water and the sound of rigging were just... normal. Looking back, I think the sea was always going to be part of my story. It just took a few years to make it official.

An unexpected first chapter

Before boats became my profession, I spent eleven years as a professional chef. I trained as a culinary director and worked in kitchens that taught me everything about pressure, precision, and taking care of people. Skills I still use every day on the water — just with a different kind of heat.

The door that opened everything

My first step into the maritime world came as dock manager at Marina Mô Llevant in Menorca. It wasn't glamorous, but it was exactly what I needed — hands-on, operational, real. That role introduced me to Buccara Nautic, and after four years working my way up as a deckhand, they offered me something I hadn't expected: Fleet Manager in the Bahamas.

The Bahamas chapter

Buccara was building a charter operation from scratch — ten 52-foot motor yachts. I was involved from the very beginning. We moved the entire fleet from Menorca to Palma, loaded them onto a cargo ship to Fort Lauderdale, flew over, and delivered every single vessel across the Gulf of Mexico to Nassau. That crossing alone changed how I think about this work.

Once there, I handled the full flag change process to comply with Bahamas Maritime Authority regulations, recruited and coordinated crew, managed CAPEX and OPEX budgets, oversaw all vessel maintenance — from routine checks to sourcing parts for major repairs — and ran several crossings between Nassau and Fort Lauderdale for dry dock work and equipment. It was relentless. And I loved every minute of it.

Becoming a captain

Somewhere in the middle of all that, I realised I needed to push further. Managing a fleet from the dock wasn't enough — I wanted to be the one at the helm. I flew to Fort Lauderdale, studied and sat my RYA Yachtmaster Offshore 200GT exam, and passed. That certificate changed everything.

I moved to Mallorca, joined Perfect Charter, and took command of a Sunseeker Superhawk 57 and a Princess S62 — vessels between 17 and 19 metres — delivering premium charter experiences across the Mediterranean. I currently hold a permanent position as captain of the Princess S62.

What's next

My goal is simple and clear: move up to vessels between 25 and 30 metres, whether charter or private. I'm not in a hurry — I believe in building the right experience before stepping up. But I know exactly where I'm headed.