en.Wedoany.com Reported - AkzoNobel is prioritizing education over traditional product marketing through a new global ambassador program that tracks the complete refit of renowned Captain Glenn Shephard's private sailboat. The initiative aims to demonstrate how professional application, surface preparation, and product selection combine to enhance long-term performance for yacht owners and the maritime industry, rather than simply promoting coatings.
Shephard is best known for his role as captain of the 54-meter Perini Navi superyacht Parsifal III on the show Below Deck, bringing over 25 years of industry experience and more than 200,000 nautical miles of sailing.
Earlier reports indicated that in early June, AkzoNobel's stock plummeted after Nippon Paint Holdings and Sherwin-Williams issued a joint statement confirming they would not proceed with a €13 billion acquisition offer for the company.
By undertaking a complete coatings refit of Shephard's Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42DS yacht Avalon, AkzoNobel is documenting the application process and real-world performance of its product range to emphasize the importance of surface preparation, application techniques, and expertise in achieving superior coating results. Shephard noted that yachts like Avalon become part of one's life, and proper maintenance is crucial. For him, this refit is not just about making the boat look good, but about protecting it for years to come and ensuring it is ready for the challenges of the next voyage.
During the refit, Avalon will undergo a complete underwater and topside transformation using these brands' coatings. The underwater section will be protected with International Micron 99, a high-performance, multi-season self-polishing copolymer antifouling system, while the topsides will use the Awlgrip system.
The application project will be managed by superyacht coatings specialist Nautipaints at the STP shipyard in Palma de Mallorca. Eve Lenez, AkzoNobel's Global Yacht Business Manager, stated that behind every beautiful yacht or boat is a collaboration between skilled applicators, the right products, and owners who value both. Through this campaign, they are bringing these groups closer together, giving owners deep insight into the craft, supporting the professionals who deliver it, and demonstrating yacht coatings' performance in real-world environments rather than just in theory.
The campaign's philosophy is that the refit of Avalon will generate a series of educational and inspiring content, providing insights for professional applicators as well as superyacht and yacht owners. Shephard expressed excitement about sharing this journey and the lessons learned along the way, as many owners and crew face the same decisions when caring for their vessels. He will join AkzoNobel this year at the Monaco Yacht Show and Metstrade. The campaign has already launched on Instagram.
The coatings company also collaborates with other on-water lifestyle brand ambassadors, including Stella.Overboard, Luc Milam, Odd Life Crafting, and When.Sailing, to showcase solutions from the Awlgrip, International, Interlux, and Sea Hawk brands across different application environments, vessel types, and usage patterns. This strategy aims to deliver practical, experience-driven content that demonstrates the complete application process from surface preparation to final coating. By documenting the entire refit from preparation to final finish, AkzoNobel seeks to position its brands not merely as coating suppliers, but as technical partners for shipyards, applicators, and owners.
Shephard is one of the most recognized captains in the superyacht industry, combining over 25 years of professional sailing experience with mainstream television exposure. A Canadian, he has sailed over 200,000 nautical miles, including 22 transatlantic crossings, and served as captain of the 54-meter Parsifal III for over a decade. Before becoming a lead figure on Below Deck Sailing Yacht, he served as first mate and rescue shipyard captain on the 75-meter Mirabella V and competed in top superyacht regattas including the Perini Navi Cup and St Barths Bucket. He also holds an MCA 3000-ton Master's Certificate of Competency (CoC), one of the highest professional qualifications available to superyacht captains. Compared to some influencer sailors, Shephard is relatively selective about brand partnerships. His commercial value lies in being a professional superyacht captain with mainstream television recognition, rather than a full-time influencer. In 2025, The Moorings appointed him as its first brand ambassador. The company stated that his combination of professional sailing credentials and television audience reach makes him suitable for introducing new clients to yacht chartering. He has appeared at major industry events such as the Southampton International Boat Show and will attend the Monaco Yacht Show and Metstrade this year.
