By Sigrid Tornquist
As Terri Madden flew over San Juan with a member of the local Aero Club on her way to a “fly-in” event hosted by the aviation association, she gazed down at the harbor to see one of the world’s largest private yachts in port—Le Grand Bleu. Dazzled by the 341-foot vessel (which carries a 55-foot motor yacht aboard for the guests), she returned from the event and immediately “dropped by” Le Grand Bleu, with brochure in hand. Less than an hour later the chief officer of the vessel called and enlisted Sand Sea and Air Interiors (SSA) to fabricate covers for its water toys and tenders—of which there were about 20 onboard.
As the boat remained in harbor longer than expected—nearly two months—one project led to another, and SSA has now completed eight projects on Le Grand Bleu, from security covers to interior cabin drapes. “It was a thrill and a pleasure to work on a boat that size,” Madden says. “If only the owner had brought his helicopter along, I could have worked on that, too.”