Happy Birthday OCI!

02 June 2006 | By Peter Hürzeler, CEO. Dear all, there is reason for a modest but very happy celebration today! Exactly one year ago today, a “Memorandum of Understanding” was signed that sealed the merger of Ocean Cruise and Sea Independence.

On the 2nd of June 2005 after only very few days of discussions and meetings between the major shareholders, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed, sealing the merger of Ocean Cruise and Sea Independence. Thus within less than two weeks of a phone call from Adelheid Circo to Peter Hürzeler, a new yachting company was formed that can now already be counted amongst the major competitors of our industry.And a lot has happened since!

Following some initial teething problems, especially in the Palma office where the heavily loss-making service department of Sea Independence had to be wound up, the new company really took off at the 2005 Monaco Yacht Show, where we had a truly grand appearance.

Since then we have picked up even more momentum. Not everything is perfect yet of course, but we are now looking at central agency lists that show 56 yachts for sale and 58 for charter! We have sold more than 8 yachts over the last 8 months, plus a new build of 52 metres! As projected, the management department has consequently increased in size and importance.

At the same time the addition of our Marketing Director is enabling us to produce a regular newsletter as well as seeing our press releases being picked up by more magazines. Our websiite has been driven ahead with new features and an exciting intranet system is up and running for the exchange of in-house information between our ten offices. This list of improvements and achievements could be continued. It is impressive from any point of view, but even more so if considering that other companies usually “disappear” for a year or so after a merger.

Well, not OCEAN Independence!

Thanks to everyone who has helped us reach this important milestone, and we look forward to reaching many many more!

Peter