Antonella Scarfiello is a Yacht Exterior Engineer at Tankoa Yachts. Born in a small village in the south of Italy, Antonella grew up in a family that defied traditional expectations for women. Her parents worked multiple jobs to support her and her sister’s education, and she moved to Rome at 19 to pursue higher studies. After earning a degree in Architecture in 2014, she realized that specializing in a niche field was the key to independence.
Inspired by her mentor, Bernardo Zuccon, Antonella pursued a Master’s in Yacht Design at Politecnico in Milan, where she won a full scholarship. She then began her career with a trainee position at Tony Castro in England, followed by a role at Marco Casali in Rome. Seeking a deeper understanding of yacht construction, Antonella joined Feadship as an Exterior Engineer, where she contributed to major projects such as YN 706, 708, 710, 816, 821, and 822.
After three years at Feadship, personal circumstances led her to return to Italy, where she worked as an Exterior Engineer Manager at The Italian Sea Group. However, after facing discrimination regarding maternity leave, Antonella decided to leave and search for a company that valued her skills. She found that company at Tankoa Yachts, where she has been thriving for the past six months.
Fluent in Italian and English, with basic knowledge of Dutch and Greek, Antonella is based in La Spezia, Liguria, and hails from Cancellara, in the Basilicata region of Italy.
What do you do in Yachting?
In yachting, I work as a yacht exterior engineer. My role involves reviewing design projects to ensure they are buildable. I manage the engineered 3D model of the yacht, which integrates all the engineering departments, including basic design, construction, exterior, mechanics, piping, and interior. I also collaborate with suppliers to develop custom items, such as weathertight sliding doors, gangways, pools, hull doors, masts, and hull windows.
Additionally, I incorporate requests from the production department into the engineering drawings and closely follow the building process on board. I ensure that all requirements for flag and class regulations, particularly regarding water, weather, and fire safety, are met.
What was your field of study, and where did you pursue your education?
I hold a Master's degree in Architecture from "La Sapienza" University in Rome, and a Master's degree in Yacht Design from POLIMI - Politecnico di Milano in Milan.
How did your career in yachting begin?
My career in yachting began when I realized I needed to specialize in a niche field to achieve independence. Luckily, I met a teacher with vast experience in yachting who played a pivotal role in shaping my path. I completed my degree project with his guidance, and he believed in me, helping me stay on the right track. This year marks my 10th year in the yacht industry, and I continue to work every day on understanding the best way to build a yacht.
Can you share a memorable experience or significant achievement in your yachting career?
One of my greatest achievements in yachting was the delivery of the Feadship 708 (Shinkai), my first project as leading Exterior Engineer. The project management team was highly experienced and closely monitored my work. Every day, there was a mistake to discuss, which offered valuable learning opportunities on how to improve efficiency and speed up the process. It wasn’t easy, and I often felt like I was facing setbacks, but when I saw the yacht hit the water, I realized that every challenge we overcame led to the best result, making me a better engineer.
Another memorable experience was being part of the team for Feadship 821. I gained a deep understanding of clean technology research and learned how to deliver a perfectly detailed yacht to meet the high standards of a perfectionist owner. Seeing the yacht sailing proudly fills me with pride.
Currently, I’m focused on improving engineering efficiency. I’m contributing to the transition from NURBS to parametric modeling software at my company. I still enjoy working on board, solving "small" daily issues with the carpenters and production team, because a yacht is built through the resolution of hundreds of challenges each day.
What current projects or goals are you focused on?
I’m currently working on the engineering of eight boats under construction at my company. In addition to my daily tasks to ensure the yachts are delivered on time, my managers and I are focused on creating more efficient workflows and teaching my colleagues how to use parametric engineering software. Our goal is to integrate AI tools into the engineering process for improved efficiency.
Additionally, after my experiences at my previous company, I’ve become closely involved with women in yachting associations. I want to be an active part of these organizations, as I believe it’s unacceptable that women are still faced with the difficult choice between career and family. I’m passionate about guiding young women entering the yacht industry, sharing experiences with colleagues, and learning from women who have been in the industry for decades. These are powerful opportunities that we must embrace and contribute to.
Get in touch with Antonella Scarfiello
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