Team

Captain Raffaele Rognoni, master IMO 3000GT, has been at sea for almost 40 years. Since attending sailing institutes from the age of eight in Italy (his country of origin) he developed a passion for sailing which would determine his career path. He spent his life on
boats – gaining experience on both sail and motorboats of various sizes, including vessels over 40 meters.
By collaborating with and consulting for important shipyards and brands he developed skills in project management and consultation as well as technical expertise in engineering. After moving to Dubai he established Portofino Marine Services which provides assistance, including installation of marine accessories, for leading nautical brands and also boat servicing.

Paolo has been in all aspects of the nautical environment since his youth including regattas, jobs in shipyards, captain/skipper roles for pleasure crafts and charters in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. He has also been team manager for underwater installations, removals and salvage interventions in the Mediterranean, West Africa and South America – most recently for the recovery of the Costa Concordia in Italy.

At Portofino he is the Project manager – bringing projects to life by planning, monitoring and co-ordinating the technical and production teams and adopting project assurance roles within reporting structures. He ensures the catamarans’ production is as smooth and efficient throughout the production process.

Paolo has been passionate about sailing since his father’s purchase of a sailing boat in Tuscany in the early 1970’s. This nautical passion continued over the years, work commitments permitting, through participation in Italian sailing regattas, international boat transfers and offshore navigations.

This nautical interest subsequently focused on the technical aspects of sailing – primarily sail design, material, and production.

Alex Barone, Portofino’s ambassador & marketing director, has thirty years marine experience plus an in-born ability to innovate – both in the nautical and the maritime sectors. He followed in his father’s footsteps becoming at age 24 Captain of the Italian merchant navy. He subsequently managed his family’s construction company and then began consulting for Rodriquez Cantieri Navali in Messina, Italy that in the 1990s was a worldwide leader in the production of hydrofoils, ferries and defence boats. He also took part in several large projects, between Miami and Dubai, focused on innovative technologies.

As a sea enthusiast and successful sportsman he has the title of Italian, European and World offshore motorboat champion. He was awarded the Gold medal for sporting merit and in his career has received several titles, two of which at a world-wide level.

After graduating in Nautical Engineering at the University of Genoa with the thesis “Project and Design of a Nordic-style aluminum sailing boat – Whitefin60”, in January 2022 Martina started working for Portofino Marine Service as Marine Engineer, developing new designs, directing field work, and working to create the perfect catamaran under the supervision of Captain Rognoni.

Growing up in a lakeside town under the guidance of his carpenter grandfather Francesco graduated with a degree in Ambience and interior design. He proceeded to work as a designer for customised furniture companies and later collaborated with Italian luxury brands in Dubai. Francesco now works for Portofino marine service as designer for the creation of bespoke interiors for Portofino catamarans.