Where It All Began...
The Boatyard Vava’u was founded by Joe Caesar and Alan Morey, lifelong sailors and shipwrights who cut their teeth sailing the Atlantic and working throughout the Caribbean.
In 2012, as the Caribbean became increasingly crowded, Joe and Alan set their sights on the South Pacific. Packing up their own boats, they headed west — Joe aboard his Westsail 32 Shackles, and Alan on his Raider 35 Magic. After a year of Pacific cruising, they arrived in Vava’u, Tonga.
At the time, there were very limited services available for visiting yachts anywhere in the Kingdom. With cruising funds running low, they established a small shipwrights’ workshop on the waterfront to support the growing number of yachts passing through. It quickly became clear that what visiting sailors needed most was a reliable place to haul out their boats for maintenance and storage.
In 2015, after plenty of discussion and planning, that idea became a reality and The Boatyard Vava’u officially opened. Since then, the yard has grown steadily year by year, driven by a dedicated team and a clear commitment to providing practical, reliable services for both the international cruising community and our local clients.
The Team
Alan Morey
Alan Morey has worked across all areas of the marine yachting industry for more than three decades. He began his career in the South Atlantic before moving on to the Caribbean, where he spent many years developing a broad and practical skill set.
His experience includes charter boat skippering, high-end marine woodworking, and a strong focus on marine electrical systems. In 2012, after a decade of working in the Caribbean yachting industry, Alan and his wife, Bo, set sail west in search of new opportunities and experiences.
In 2013, Alan co-founded Vava’u Shipwrights in the Kingdom of Tonga with Joe Caesar, helping establish the foundations of Vava’u’s professional yacht service and repair industry.
Joe Caesar
Joe Caesar has a background in yacht delivery, vessel refits, and marine trades, with experience gained across the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Pacific. He began sailing at a young age and went on to work professionally in the marine industry, including as a shipwright at Marine Solutions Ltd in St. Martin.
After refitting his own vessel and sailing across the Pacific, Joe settled in the Kingdom of Tonga, where he co-founded Vava’u Shipwrights. He is now based between Tonga, New Zealand & Fiji, overseeing marine operations and supporting both local and international vessels with practical, reliable service.
Bodine Morey
Bo has lived and worked on yachts since the age of 18, when she first set sail from her home port of Cape Town. Through many years in the charter industry, she has gained extensive experience aboard both sailing yachts and superyachts, developing a strong, practical understanding of yacht systems and onboard operations.
As Manager of The Yacht Shop Tonga, Bo draws on this hands-on background to support yacht owners and crew with informed, practical advice. Her experience gives her a clear understanding of the equipment and products required to keep yachts operating safely, efficiently, and reliably.
Dora Mead
Dora comes from a well-known maritime family, with strong connections to the Pacific marine community. Her father, Paul Meads, is widely respected for his fishing achievements in Tonga and throughout the Pacific, a background that helped shape Dora’s lifelong connection to the sea.
Before joining The Boatyard, Dora spent several years in customer-facing roles within the banking industry, where she developed a strong skill set in administration, organisation, and client service. She now brings that experience to her role as Office Manager at Tonga’s first and only yacht haul-out facility.
Efficient, approachable, and highly organised, Dora keeps the administrative side of The Boatyard running smoothly while providing a friendly and professional point of contact for clients and staff alike.