Meet Our Team

  • Graham - Owner / Maintenance Technician / Captain

    For the past 13 years, Graham has built Aussie Yacht Services into a trusted name for yacht owners who want expert care without the hassle. With a deep background in marine maintenance, project management, and yacht operations, he’s spent his career ensuring that owners can step aboard knowing their vessels are in top shape.

    Originally from Australia, Graham has called San Diego home for years, building a reputation for hands-on, client-focused service. Whether overseeing major refits, troubleshooting complex systems, or creating tailored maintenance programs, his approach is always the same—keep it straightforward, transparent, and built around what the owner actually needs.

    Beyond yachts, Graham is a dedicated dad to his daughter Kirra, balancing family life with his passion for keeping boats running at their best.

    If you’re looking for a team that treats your yacht like their own, Graham and the Aussie Yacht Services crew are here to make ownership simple, stress-free, and enjoyable.

  • Luke - General Manager / Maintenance Technician / Captain and Instructor

    As General Manager of Aussie Yacht Services, Luke Ludemann brings decades of hands-on maritime experience, ensuring yacht owners have a reliable, knowledgeable partner in their vessel’s care.

    Originally from Perth, Western Australia, Luke’s career began in the deep—first as a pearl diver, then as a luxury resort dive instructor. His journey took him from ferry operations and cargo logistics to an extensive 15-year tenure aboard Superyachts, where he mastered the intricacies of yacht maintenance and operations. Rising to Chief Officer on vessels over 3000GT and earning his 200-tonne captain’s license, Luke understands yachts inside and out—from the bridge to the engine room.

    For the past seven years, Luke has called San Diego home, and since 2021, he has been at the helm of Aussie Yacht Services, leading the team in service writing, project management, and day-to-day operations. Beyond yachts, he’s a proud dad to two young boys with his wife, Molly, balancing family life with his passion for delivering world-class yacht care.

    More than just managing maintenance, Luke’s focus is on creating seamless, stress-free ownership experiences for his clients. Whether it's executing a tailored maintenance plan, troubleshooting an issue before it becomes a problem, or helping owners better understand and operate their vessels, Luke is committed to ensuring every yacht under his watch is ready to perform when it matters most

  • Josh - Operations Manager / Marine Technician

    From the athletic fields of SDSU, where he trained as an athletic trainer, to the deep blue oceans that sparked his passion for diving, Joshua Ruiz has always thrived in hands-on, high-performance environments. It was during his divemaster certification in Honduras that he was first introduced to the world of yachting—a path that quickly became his career.

    For the since 2022, Joshua has been a core part of Aussie Yacht Services, ensuring that every yacht under our care stays on schedule and that all specialists and vendors are utilized efficiently and cost-effectively. Whether it’s coordinating maintenance, troubleshooting issues, or making sure the right experts are handling the right jobs, Joshua is dedicated to delivering seamless service and keeping things running at the highest standard.

    A Los Angeles native, Joshua still finds time to fuel his love for the water through diving, and when he’s not on the docks, he’s busy planning his future with his fiancée, Natalie.

    With Joshua on board, you can trust that your yacht’s maintenance is well-coordinated, efficient, and handled with the same level of care and commitment that you have for your vessel.

  • Kyle McKracken - Marine Technician / Mechanic

    A San Diego local, Kyle brings a unique blend of technical expertise and creativity to Aussie Yacht Services. His career started in the biotech industry, where he gained invaluable experience in planned maintenance and quality assurance—skills that translate seamlessly into the precision required for yacht care.

    With a background as a marine mechanic apprentice, Kyle now plays a key role in handling mechanical repairs and ongoing maintenance for our clients. Whether he’s troubleshooting an issue, fine-tuning an engine, or keeping critical systems running smoothly, his attention to detail and problem-solving mindset ensure that every job is done right.

    Outside of work, Kyle’s creativity extends beyond the engine room—he previously ran his own business making surf movies and still finds time to enjoy the water. When he’s not working on boats, he’s spending time in Ocean Beach with his partner, Amelia, embracing the coastal lifestyle.

    With Kyle on the team, you can trust that your yacht’s mechanical systems are in expert hands, with a technician who values both performance and longevity.

  • Graeme or "GP" - Yacht Technician / Captain

    We’re proud to welcome Graeme “GP” Palmer to the Aussie Yacht Services team. With over 12 years of hands-on yachting experience, GP brings a calm, capable presence—and the kind of give-a-shit factor we actively look for when trusting someone to represent us on your boat.

    Originally from South Africa, he’s worked his way up from deckhand to 200-ton licensed captain, running private and charter yachts around the Med, Caribbean, Pacific, and Southeast Asia. He was also part of the navigational team on a full circumnavigation—building the kind of real-world knowledge that only time on the water can teach.

    GP’s equally confident on deck, in the engine room, or at the helm. He’s got a strong technical base and a real knack for preventative maintenance, with a particular expertise in the aesthetic side—paint, varnish, gel coat—the stuff that not only makes a vessel look sharp but protects it long-term. His eye for ingress points and ability to sort them properly is a big asset for owners who want things done right.

    He also understands the full cycle of ownership—from helping new owners build confidence at the helm, to staying ahead of needs throughout the years, and getting the boat properly prepped when it’s time to sell.

    Now based in San Diego with his wife Jules and their dog Benny, GP’s a natural fit for our team culture. He loves to surf, get outdoors, and enjoy life with his young family—and we’re confident he’ll fit just as well into your boat family too.

    Once you meet GP (and yep, we go with the nickname to avoid confusion with our Aussie Graham), you’ll see the care, experience, and professionalism he brings to every job. We're lucky to have him on board.

  • Naomi - Office and Administrative Coordinator

    Naomi has over a decade of experience in financial operations, compliance, and client relations within the maritime industry.

    Known for her precision, organization, and positive energy, she has built a reputation for keeping complex operations running smoothly and ensuring every client interaction is handled with care.

    Before returning to her hometown of San Diego, she spent more than ten years in Seattle working in the maritime industry. Experienced in vessel safety certification and trusted by the U.S. Coast Guard and maritime clients across the Pacific Northwest and Alaska — including the Deadliest Catch fleet and the Washington State Ferries. She worked closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, who relied on the accuracy and consistency of her work. Her experience demanded a meticulous understanding of safety regulations, detailed record-keeping, and a calm, professional approach under pressure.

    Now back in San Diego with her 5 year old son and partner, she continues to bring her maritime experience and administrative expertise to every role — blending financial precision, regulatory insight, and genuine care in everything she does.

    “Noam’s” as we call her (because us aussies always try to abbreviate) is the one making sure behind the scenes runs smoothly from the moment you make a request to scheduling to billing, she’s ensuring our family and fleet are taken care of.

Contact us.

Luke
858-230-5079

Graham

858-740-1987