JTA Yacht Delivery Successfully Delivers Yachts—in Bulk!
Published: Wednesday, October 20, 2021
The core business model of JTA Yacht Delivery & Consulting has always been the delivery of boats via water, on their own bottom safely and efficiently. With the ongoing Canada Border closure and the temporary closures of the Erie Canal due to mechanical issues and high water, the work I’ve put in this summer has been especially rewarding as I’ve ensured multiple yacht owners the ability to enjoy this Great Lakes summer, as well as the upcoming Florida, Bahamas, and Caribbean winters.
Last year, I shared an article about JTA’s efforts to bring a 62’ Pershing to the Great Lakes from Florida for Executive Yacht and the boat’s owner. As word traveled about the option this boat took—to be transported to the Great Lakes via a cargo ship—the incoming inquiries multiplied and I decided to propose putting together a Spring 2021 shipment into Sarnia from Ft. Lauderdale. Having successfully completed a similar shipment in November 2020, Florida Marine Trade Group and JTA Yacht Delivery partnered again to bring up a load of yachts.
The spring 2021 shipment grew in size as fears of continued border closures took hold and I ended up booking 14 vessels onboard the M/V Sedna Desgagnes. Ranging in size from 55’ to 94’, 12 of the 14 yachts were to continue their way to the US while the other two stayed in Canada. I worked alongside the owners to ensure that their yachts were prepared for the two-week journey onboard the ship, and began planning almost immediately after Christmas 2020. 
Among other things, this planning consisted of ensuring that the yachts were strategically staged in Ft. Lauderdale a few days prior to the loading date. I personally oversaw the loading of each yacht alongside Florida Marine Trade Group and the assigned Loadmaster. We were able to get the yachts loaded in two days and the ship sailed from Ft. Lauderdale in the early AM hours of May 20. It arrived in Sarnia on June 2 where we immediately began the offload process which lasted two and a half days. Upon offloading, JTA was contracted to clear Customs and deliver 10 of the 12 yachts due for the U.S. This included two on their way to the Great Lakes: one to Chicago and another to Marblehead, OH.
In October 2021, there will be another ship loading in Sarnia that will be bound for Ft. Lauderdale. Aboard this cargo shipment, we will welcome repeat clients onboard and JTA Yacht Delivery will be on site to oversee and assist.
Contact JTA Yacht Delivery & Consulting to arrange the movement of your vessel today! Call Jordan Tilton at 614-306-0539 or email [email protected].
Jordan Tilton owns and operates JTA Yacht Delivery & Consulting, and his staff of Captains and crew are experienced in all types of Yacht Delivery and Relocations. He currently holds his 5th Issue USCG 200T Master Near Coastal License and specializes in Great Lakes to East Coast (and beyond) yacht delivery.
A version of this article appeared in the Fall Issue (September/October) 2021 of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine.
tags: Canada, COVID-19, Hauling
