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The coveted role of Sanctuary Cove Marina Ambassador draws together Francesca Rubi’s yachting, event and presenting talents in one unique position.
WORDS RHONDA OXNAM FRANCESCA RUBI grew up on the Sydney beaches determined to live an adventurous life. For eight years she worked in the marine industry as a Purser, including stints on two superyachts above 80 metres. These experiences led to onscreen opportunities promoting enviable destinations and some of Australia’s leading yacht brands, before landing a role on Below Deck Caribbean Season 8 which brought her back to work on superyachts. She has now added the role of Sanctuary Cove Marina Ambassador to her burgeoning C.V. and is looking forward to promoting this world-class facility to the marine industry. How did you get involved in the marine industry. I grew up on Sydney’s Northern beaches. My family sailed every weekend with the local club, and my friends were always on the water, so I have always been surrounded by the yachting industry in some way. I started working in celebrity event management, but superyachts was always going to be a natural extension, given my upbringing, and love for travel. I had some friends who were already in the industry overseas, so I used my contacts which led me to my first role on an 80m new build yacht in Germany.
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What do you love about it? Working with people from all around the world. Working on yachts is something really special and incomparable, only the crew that have worked on boats know this. The industry is unique; it’s a love/hate relationship at times, with more love of course. You work very hard while guests are on, so hard you don’t have time to think, and then you have all this time off and you are in a country you may not have been able to travel to or wouldn’t have thought of traveling to if you were just going on holiday yourself. The people you work with become family, and then you have your holiday due, and you ring them and say 'hey I am coming to visit you'. And, you can actually live like a local. What are the downsides? Missing friends and family at home. A life or part life away from home, you do miss those special moments, birthdays, baby births, weddings. You sometimes don’t have control of when you are home or not. Though, when you do get home, it makes time so much more special and the appreciation and love for home increases tenfold.
How did your role at Sanctuary Cove come about? I worked with the Sanctuary Cove team on an event last year and saw there was a bigger opportunity here. I love this industry and I love Australia, so what better way to partner with a beautiful marina and share the opportunities this industry, and this marina, has. The yachting industry is luxury, and Sanctuary Cove and I represent that, so it is a perfect fit. What are you most looking forward to as the Ambassador? I am looking forward to encouraging more superyachts to come and experience Sanctuary Cove. Sanctuary Cove is such a stunning location and has everything crew and guests need. It is close to everything; you have the luxe element for guests and the fun and exploration side for crew, and even if it’s not your home, you definitely feel at home here. I have been to many marinas around the world, and this is one of the best. The East Coast of Australia might be far away for some, but the beauty is unmatched, and is truly a must visit.