Our Company
John Vitali
The time John Vitali has spent covering thousands of ocean miles racing maxi yachts has well equipped him in two key areas; managing people, and understanding the ocean in all its guises. John has an excellent technical understanding of the operation of yachts. He also has an enviable grasp on what’s needed for a build team, a charter crew, or a refit yard to get the job done. With his oversight they pull together and deliver desired outcomes on time and within budget.
jv@diverseprojects.com
Lars Bjorklund
After 40 years in the yachting industry Lars Bjorklund certainly knows a thing or two about yachts. In 1980 Lars hitched a ride on a sailing yacht from Ibiza to the Caribbean, and from there his passion for yachting was well and truly fuelled. Becoming a professional captain a few years later, he ran a number of successful charter yachts in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, building firm relationships with brokers worldwide.
Heading ashore, Lars founded his own brokerage company, BCR Yachts in Antibes, France. Handling all aspects of charter, management and yacht support, he gained extensive experience and established an excellent reputation. A MYBA board member, Lars was responsible for the creation and development of Yachtfolio, which has today become a valued industry tool, used by brokerage companies worldwide. After 20 years at BCR he sold the business and moved to New Zealand and travels regularly to the Mediterranean.
Utilising his extensive experience as a captain, broker and manager, Lars is very well placed to offer his clients a blend of diverse knowledge, industry insight, and trusted advice.
John Vitali and Lars Bjorklund joined forces to create Diverse Projects. It is predominantly responsible for yacht build projects whilst also managing large refit ventures across New Zealand, USA and Europe. In 2011 Diverse Projects became the Ocean Independence office for Australasia and the South Pacific.
S/Y ANAKENA Royal Huisman 40mtr Auckland refit 1998M/V ADAGIO Diverse Projects 24mtr Chuck Paine. Complete build 2005-2007 Palmeston North / WhangareiM/V ADVANTAGE Damen 50mtr Sea Axe. Conversion from fast support to superyacht support. Whangarei NZ 2015M/Y ADYTUM Hakvoort 34mtr. Purchase, management, 20 year survey full repaint. Auckland 2021M/V ALUCIA Auroux 56mtr. Full refits, 2013,2014 & 2016. Auckland, Whangarei & San FranciscoM/Y ANTARCTICA Feadship 45mtr. Refit 1998 AucklandM/Y AQUABELLA Benetti Classic 35mtr. Comprehensive refit 2022. AucklandM/Y BATTERED BULL Feadship 50mtr. Refit 1998 AucklandM/Y BE MINE Lurssen 40mtr. Refit 2015. WhangareiM/Y BIG FISH McMullen and Wing 45mtr. Comprehensive 2 year warranty refit. AucklandM/Y BLACK PEARL Diverse Projects 31mtr Lomocean. Complete build 2007-2009 Palmeston North / WhangareiBOONOOROO II Mulder 24mtr. 2mtr transom extension 2022. AucklandM/Y BULLISH Feadship 38mtr. Refit 1998 AucklandM/Y CRAZY HORSE Lloyd Stevenson 11.5mtr. Owners Rep through construction. Auckland 2001EYOS TENDERS 1 & 2 Yachting Developments 6mtrs. Owners Rep through construction. Auckland 2005GEORGE BASS Kingfisher 13.5mtr. Owners representative through construction. Tauranga 2022HUNTRESS Dittmar 30.5mtr. Refit 1997 Devonport MAHALO Mulder 30mtr. Management and 10 year survey 2021- Present AucklandMARIA CATTIVA Royal Huisman 40mtr. Refit Auckland 2005NORTHERN LIGHT Southern Ocean 22mtr. Owners Represnetative for complete build program. 2000-2002 Whangarei / TaurangaOCEAN DREAMWALKER San Lorenzo 48mtr. Refit & 10 year survey 2022 AucklandM/V OCEAN EXPLORER / OCEANX Freire/Damen 87mtr. Owners representative team through conversion period.2018-2019 NetherlandsPANGEA Halter Marine 58mtr. Refit 2017 WhangareiPURSUIT TYB 17.5mtr. Owners Rep through construction 2021-23 BrisbaneTIFFANY Astendoa 27mtr. Owners rep through purchaseUMBRA Damen 50mtr. Owner rep through complete conversion period 2014 WhangareiMOUSETRAP x 2 JFA 33.5mtr. Refits Auckland & WhangareiVIVIERAE Nordhaven 29.5mtr. Refit and 5 year survey 2022 Auckland M/Y WILLOW Moonen 27mtrs. Owners rep through purchase and transom extension 2016 La CiotatWW Johnson 26mtr. Management 2020-Present Auckland YOUNG AMERICA Geotz 25mtrs. NZ operation management NYYC for the AC 30 regatta. Auckland