Joanne Fairhurst & Natasha Nel | Blue Marine Travel

andrea tagliaferro
Aug 23
3 min read

Meet the team behind Blue Marine Travel

Joanne Fairhurst is a Client Account Manager at Blue Marine Travel, where she works at the intersection of global travel logistics and the dynamic yachting industry. Based in Poole, Dorset, Jo is dedicated to helping captains, crew, and yacht management access flexible, reliable, and cost-effective marine airfare solutions that keep the industry moving smoothly. Her role goes beyond simply booking flights — she ensures seamless crew rotations, repatriations, and yacht management travel, while offering attentive, personalized service that supports the demanding and fast-paced nature of yachting life.

Jo’s professional journey has always been anchored in the sea. Her love for travel first led her to a career as Purser on cruise ships, where she honed her organizational skills and developed a deep appreciation for the complexities of managing people and logistics at sea. From there, she transitioned into the superyacht sector, first working as a chef on smaller vessels before stepping into the role of Purser on a 100m+ yacht with more than 60 crew. These experiences gave her invaluable firsthand knowledge of what life at sea demands — long hours, tight schedules, teamwork under pressure — and how essential reliable travel solutions are for crew wellbeing and vessel operations.

At Blue Marine Travel, Jo now applies that lived experience to her shoreside career, offering not just technical expertise but also empathy and understanding for the challenges her clients face. She works closely with her colleague Natasha Nel, ensuring that clients benefit from a seamless and collaborative approach to travel support, tailored specifically to the unique needs of the yachting industry.

Outside of work, Jo is as passionate about staying active and adventurous as she is about supporting her clients. She is an avid tennis player and has recently discovered a love for padel, embracing the sport’s fast pace and sense of community. She remains deeply connected to the yachting world and continues to see travel as both a passion and a profession, echoing her own words: “I always wanted to travel, and working at sea became my passport to explore the world.”

Looking ahead, Jo is focused on embracing new technologies and innovations that will continue to enhance the service she provides to her clients. With her unique combination of onboard experience, shoreside expertise, and genuine passion for the industry, she represents the best of what the yachting community has to offer — professionalism, adaptability, and a love for life at sea and beyond.

Short Bio:

Joanne Fairhurst is Client Account Manager at Blue Marine Travel, based in Poole, UK. Formerly a Purser on superyachts and cruise ships, she now provides tailored marine airfare solutions for captains, crew, and yacht management, ensuring seamless travel, crew rotations, and operational efficiency worldwide.

Natasha Nel is a Key Account Manager at Blue Marine Travel, based in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. With a rich background as Chief Stewardess on 40m motor yachts, Natasha brings extensive firsthand experience of life at sea to her shoreside role. Her time at sea exposed her to diverse cultures, languages, and cuisines, shaping her deep understanding of the unique needs of yacht crew and management.

In her current role, Natasha connects captains, crew, and yacht management with flexible, reliable, and cost-effective marine airfare solutions. She manages complex travel logistics, including crew rotations, repatriations, and charter travel, ensuring smooth operations across the globe. Working hand-in-hand with her UK-based colleague, Joanne Fairhurst, Natasha provides 24/7 support to clients, forming a dynamic team that serves yachting professionals across Europe and the Pacific.

Natasha’s focus is on strengthening client relationships, expanding her network, and adapting to the evolving needs of the superyacht industry. She remains passionate about staying connected to the yachting community, fostering meaningful professional relationships, and helping clients navigate their journeys — both in the air and at sea.

Her journey into yachting began when a friend shared insights about the industry, sparking a career path that she has pursued wholeheartedly. Natasha wishes she had started earlier but continues to immerse herself in the excitement and challenges of the industry while supporting it from a shoreside perspective.

Short Bio:

Natasha Nel, Key Account Manager at Blue Marine Travel, is based in New Zealand. Formerly a Chief Stewardess, she leverages her hands-on yachting experience to provide captains, crew, and management with flexible, reliable, and cost-effective marine airfare solutions worldwide.

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