About Tiger Marine Charter

Phuket Yacht Charter with an African Dream

About Tiger Marine Charter

Our Shangani Yacht History & Others

We are a Thai-registered company that has been operating in Phuket since 2008.

The Yacht SHANGANI is a 70 ft ( 21.3 m), three-decked Luxurious Catamaran. Being one of the few boats in Phuket that can take large numbers for day charter (up to 60 passengers) and can take 16 passengers for overnight charters, we have enjoyed great success.

Our Tripadvisor ratings are very high because we have such a wonderful crew, who really know how to give you a memorable day.
Our speciality is large groups – particularly in the high season ( Nov-April ) when we can use our Secret Beaches Cruise

Our specialities include weddings, as well as pre- and post-wedding cruises, birthday celebrations, corporate events, and stag and hen parties.

There is also a service offering our SECRET BEACH PARTIES for large groups.

Overnight charters are also popular, as we are one of the few boats in Phuket that can accommodate 16 guests.
We work with other large yachts which can accompany us for huge groups of over 60, and we cruise in tandem.

- Since 2008 -

Knowing very little of boats, Richard and a friend built a 50ft Ferro – cement yacht in the garden, slowly, bit by bit, while they were both starting their new flying careers. With great perseverance and enormous difficulty – as Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) was suffering from world sanctions at the time – they finished building it over five years, and called it NYAMINYAMI, after the Zambezi River God

In 1980 they moved it by road to Durban in South Africa, from where they set sail on a three month voyage, first to Cape Town, then via St. Helena, Ascension islands and the Azores, to England, and finally Mallorca, where NYAMINYAMI stayed for three years, before Richard moved to Hong Kong in 1983 to fly for Cathay Pacific. The sextant he used to navigate on that long voyage, is now on the mast base in Shangani’s saloon.

Richard, now a senior, retired Captain with Cathay Pacific, has since owned and lived on many different boats over the years. He completed the design and building of Shangani 15 years ago. The hull was built in Australia but was fitted out by Thai craftsmen in Phuket, where Richard is now living with his wife and two children. Shangani was finally finished in December 2008.

The name SHANGANI is taken from a famous river in Richard’s homeland, now Zimbabwe. The names of the cabins also reflect SHANGANI’S African roots, and many of the fixtures and fittings are from Zimbabwe. The bar on the Pool Deck, for instance, is made from 100-year-old Rhodesian railway sleepers and, before being shipped over from Zimbabwe, was part of Richard’s last home there

Tiger Marine Charter has been growing quickly over the last few years. We now have several new vessels in the fleet:

A power & spacious catamaran 53ft, Zambezia
A Leopard 51ft speed catamaran, Sanyati
A Leopard 43ft power catamaran, Shashani
A Leopard 40ft power catamaran, Shibuli

Next in line is our private speedboat charter, Limpopo, the only one of its kind in Phuket. As well as offering speed, comfort and shade she is the only speedboat here carrying her toys, inflatables, snorkeling gear and SNUBA plus fishing gear. She carries up to 8 passengers for day charter and a choice of cruising routes. Registered for up to 8 passengers.

All these boats are also named after rivers in Zimbabwe.
The name of Richard’s company – Tiger Marine Charter, is taken from the name of Richard’s first son, Tiger.

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