Andrew Grego was born and raised in the South Island of New Zealand and developed a love for boats at an early age. He purchased his first boat at age 15 and began racing jet sprint boats at 17. His early career as a chef took him to the adrenalin capital of the world, Queenstown New Zealand. As a side job, he did two seasons driving the world-famous Shotover jet boats.
After working in hotels and restaurants in Europe and Australia learning silver service by catering to Royalty and celebrities, Andrew went back to New Zealand in 2000 during the first Americas cup. It was then that he was finally able to combine his two passions and was back on the water. The first position on a yacht was on a 53m Perini Navi sailing vessel doing a circumnavigation. Keen to learn, Andrew was on the deck or in the engine room as often as possible.
Andrew completed the U.S.C.G 100 ton license in 2002 and was employed as a Captain a week later. Now a U.S citizen, he's run vessels up to 210', he's done a refit and reconfiguration of several 112' Westports as well as the extension on a 100' Palmer Johnson. Andrew now holds 3000-ton licenses in 4 countries and has extensive knowledge of design and systems.
Andrew has also built a boat. He fulfilled a dream by designing and building a handicap accessible 37' center console he named "Warrior". He used this purpose built boat for the nonprofit he founded in 2014 to enable access to boating and water activities for wounded U.S veterans and other special interest groups.
Andrew can be found helping clients find the right yacht or taking them fishing and snorkeling from his boat "Southern Son".
"If I'm not working on the water, I'm playing on it."
