New Chair for U.S. Superyacht Association

Megayacht News is pleased to share that our editor, Diane M. Byrne, is the newly elected chair of the U.S. Superyacht Association (USSA) Board of Directors.

The USSA was established in 2006 in direct response to the lack of a unified voice in the United States addressing the needs of the large-yacht industry. What started as an initiative of 12 South Florida-based professionals has grown to an organization of nearly 400 members. Additionally, those members are in more than 26 states and about two dozen foreign countries, including Australia, the Bahamas, Costa Rica, The Netherlands, and Panama.

“The USSA has accomplished so much in what really is a short amount of time by most organizations’ standards,” Byrne says. For example, she continues, the association played a role in making it possible for U.S.-flagged superyachts exceeding 300 gross tons to be considered private vessels, not commercial craft.

“I became a member shortly after the association started because I was impressed by the goals and by who was onboard,” Byrne adds. “Seeing what the USSA has accomplished over the years has been incredible. I’m privileged to help lead a powerful board and membership base as we continue to achieve bigger and better things.”