Giliev Group Marine Consulting

Superyacht Engineering • Technical Management • Project Leadership

Georgi Iliev

Miami & Fort Lauderdale, Florida · Worldwide

USA Permanent Resident · Bulgarian / EU Citizen

Chief Engineer. Precision at every stage.

25+ years leading superyacht engineering, new builds, major refits and fleet operations — from technical planning and shipyard control through sea trials, delivery and long-term operation.

Superyacht Chief Engineer · Technical Manager
New Build & Refit Project Manager

Discuss a ProjectView Case StudiesDiscuss a Position
Georgi Iliev, superyacht Chief Engineer and Technical Manager
Engineering consultant
GEORGI ILIEV
25+
Years hands-on marine engineering and project leadership
18+
Named vessels across new build, refit and fleet operations
63m
Largest new build delivered, pre-contract to handover
8
Shipyards worked, from Rossi Navi to Feadship

Why Giliev Group

The decisions that cost money are made before anyone opens a hatch.

Most technical problems on a yacht are decided long before anyone opens a hatch. They are decided in the specification, the contract, and the change order. Giliev Group exists to put an engineer in those rooms, on the owner’s side.

01

Hands-on, not hands-off.

Twenty-five years as chief engineer before a single day as a consultant. The advice comes from someone who has rebuilt the systems he is advising you to buy.

02

Independent by definition.

No yard affiliation, no brokerage, no commission on equipment. The only interest represented is the owner’s.

03

Proven at the top end.

A 63-metre Rossi Navi new build carried from pre-contract to delivery; a Trinity hull extended from 150 to 160 feet under ABS survey; thirteen years running a private fleet to a zero-downtime standard.

04

Fluent across yards and flags.

Rossi Navi, Benetti, Trinity, Feadship. ABS, RINA and Flag State. Five languages, US permanent residency and EU citizenship — deployable either side of the Atlantic without a visa conversation.

Core services

One technical partner. Every critical stage.

Independent, practical guidance for owners, family offices, captains, management companies and shipyards.

01

New Build & Owner’s Representation

Independent, owner-side oversight from first specification and contract review through construction, commissioning and delivery. Shipyard selection, technical specification, design development, equipment selection, build monitoring, change-order control and sea trials.

Utopia IV · 63m Rossi Navi

02

Refit & Yard Control

Refit scope development, tender review, budget and schedule control, contractor coordination, progress reporting and technical close-out. Structural, mechanical and electrical work, HVAC, hydraulics, stabilisation, propulsion, running gear and piping.

Project Lanida · 160ft extension

03

Survey, Class & Compliance

Planning and coordination for ABS, RINA and Flag State requirements — five- and ten-year surveys, machinery inspections, hull and thickness testing, valve and piping work, documentation and corrective-action lists.

M/Y Moca · 206ft RINA refit

04

Technical Due Diligence & Fleet Direction

Independent pre-purchase support covering machinery, hull, systems, maintenance history and likely capital expenditure — plus senior technical leadership for fleets without a permanent full-time executive.

Market America fleet · 13 years

Selected projects

Three programmes, three different problems.

Each answers a different question: can you run my build, can you control my yard period, can you get me through survey on time.

Utopia IV under construction at the Rossi Navi shipyard, Pisa M/Y Utopia IV alongside, hull name visible

M/Y Utopia IV

New build & owner’s representation · 2016–2020
Vessel
63m (205ft), Rossi Navi, Pisa, Italy
Role
Project Engineer & Chief Engineer
Propulsion
4 × MTU V16 ML96, 2,650 HP each
Drives
4 × Rolls-Royce power-steerable jets
Gensets
2 × CAT 164kW · 1 × CAT 99kW

The briefCarry a 63-metre new build from pre-contract through to delivery, with the vessel converted to US compliance standards during construction.

The workProject survey and contract management; specification of all onboard equipment; compliance conversion to US standards; management of change orders throughout. Multiple components redesigned for improved efficiency, working alongside the naval architect. Directed launch and sea trials, including commissioning of the gyroscopic stabilisation system.

The outcomeThree years from pre-contract to delivery, with the owner’s technical interest represented at every stage — specification, build monitoring, sea trials and handover.

Vessel elevated for hull access and ultrasound inspection Propulsion and running gear during overhaul

Project Lanida / No Bad Ideas

Refit & yard control · delivered May 2024
Vessel
Trinity, extended 150ft → 160ft
Role
Master Chief Engineer
Class
Five-year ABS survey

The briefA complete retrofit and ten-foot hull extension of a Trinity-built vessel, executed under five-year ABS survey requirements.

The workUltrasound testing of the aluminium hull and a 10% hull removal; all flanges, overboard valves and piping replaced to ABS requirement. Two new 150kW generators and a rebuilt CAT 3512B top end with all sensors. New AC plant, two watermakers, DELTA T ventilation. Fuel system (Alfa Laval) and Hardhunter rebuilt; bow thruster rebuilt with new VFD. New CMC zero-speed stabilisation. Full rewiring of lighting, all new exterior deck equipment, new service areas across three decks, crane and gangway rebuilt.

The outcomeDelivered May 2024 following successful full-load sea trials, with ABS requirements closed out.

Main engine opened up during major overhaul Cylinder heads exposed for inspection and measurement

M/Y Moca

Survey, class & compliance · June–December 2024
Vessel
206ft, Benetti · Jacksonville, FL
Role
Chief Engineer & Surveyor (consultant)
Class
Five-year RINA survey

The briefEngaged as consultant to carry a 206-foot Benetti through a major refit under five-year RINA survey, against a fixed owner handover date.

The workComplete service overview of all onboard systems, including borescope inspection of four MTU generators and replacement of auxiliary hydraulics. Ageing AC system and insulation replaced, stabilisation system rebuilt, running gear overhauled.

The outcomeDelivered to the owner on schedule in December.

Shipyards, systems & class

Proven across yards, systems and class.

For a technical reader these lists answer the question a paragraph cannot: has this engineer touched my kit before?

Shipyards
Rossi Navi · Pisa Benetti Trinity Yachts Feadship Christiansen Stevenson Lauderdale Marine Center West Palm Beach Yard
Systems worked with
MTU mains & gensets CAT mains & gensets John Deere gensets Kamewa Rolls-Royce jet drives Quantum stabilisation CMC zero-speed Alfa Laval separators Atlas electrical management SeaTel satellite & AV Hamann treatment plants DELTA T ventilation Marine HVAC
Class, compliance & ticket
ABS RINA Flag State STCW III/2 Management Level, 3000kW+ Five- & ten-year surveys Machinery & thickness testing

Further record

Eighteen vessels, from 36 to 68 metres.

Selected additional programmes across new build, refit, fleet operations and relief engineering.

2009–2019

M/Y Utopia III

47m (150ft), Trinity · Fleet Chief Engineer

Major overhaul and shipyard maintenance. 6,000-hour main engine service, Quantum hydraulic stabilisation rebuild, new fire-main piping and AV system. ABS annual, five- and ten-year certifications.

2007–2018

M/Y Utopia II

36m (116ft), Feadship · Chief Engineer

Two-year complete retrofit from engine room to decks. Full engine room rebuild covering plumbing, electrical, Atlas management system, AC, watermakers, fuel, fire protection, hydraulic mast and cranes, AV and navigation.

2022–2023

M/Y Allora 122

Benetti · Master Chief Engineer

Scheduled five-year ABS survey, managing all engineering across structural, mechanical and electrical systems. Multiple sea trials to confirm performance before delivery.

2021

M/Y Audaces

46m (150ft) · Chief Engineer

Brought a newly acquired Turkish-built yacht out of mothballs to a challenging deadline. Engine room ducting and alarm monitoring redesigned. Six back-to-back Bahamas charters completed before a West Palm Beach yard period.

2020

M/Y Archimedes

68m (223ft) · Relief Engineer, shipyard

Full rebuild of the CAT 3516A main engine, with AC and watermakers overhauled in the same yard period and all remaining systems returned to full operational standard.

2007–2020

Market America fleet

Project Manager / Master Chief Engineer

Thirteen years across a private fleet under a zero-downtime mandate outside scheduled maintenance. Full responsibility for engineering, retrofits, design and crew. Vetted all engineering crew, managing up to four engineers directly.

Selected representative experience. Further project detail available on request.

From the project archive

Engineering in the real world.

Shipyard work, propulsion systems, design development and vessel delivery.

Superyacht alongside during a fleet programme
Georgi Iliev at the Rossi Navi shipyard during the Utopia IV programme
Propeller and running gear works with the vessel hauled out
Propellers and rudder protected during a yard period
Utopia III at the shipyard
Marine engineering component installation
Design and specification review
On board during an operational programme
Georgi Iliev on the aft deck during a Mediterranean programme
Vessel team and technical documentation
Detailed superyacht design model under review
M/Y Utopia IV full profile under construction at Rossi Navi

Qualifications & standing

Formal competence behind practical experience.

Academic, management-level, safety and operational credentials.

Professional & academic

  • Master’s Degree, Marine EngineerTechnical University, Varna, Bulgaria
  • Bachelor’s Degree, Industrial Design & Marine TechnologyTechnical University, Varna, Bulgaria
  • Naval Architecture & DesignArrabito, Italy
  • Management Level Competency for Marine Engineers3000kW+ propulsion · STCW Ch. III, Reg. III/2, Table A-III/2
  • Certificate of Competency — SkipperSeagoing vessel up to 20 GT

Safety & operational

  • STCW 95 CertificationInternational maritime safety and competency framework
  • ENG 1 CertificateSeafarer medical fitness certification
  • MCA Advanced Fire FightingAdvanced onboard firefighting response and command
  • Proficiency in Medical First AidSTCW Chapter VI, Regulation VI/4
  • MCA Survival Craft & Rescue BoatsEmergency survival craft and rescue boat operations
  • MCA Vessel Personnel with Designated Security DutiesShipboard security responsibilities and procedures
Class & survey

ABS · RINA · Flag State

Work authorisation

USA Permanent Resident · Bulgarian / EU Citizen

Languages

English · Bulgarian · Russian · German · Polish

Professional references

Trusted by owners, captains and project stakeholders.

Available for direct verification.

01

John McCaughey

Project Lanida

+1 954 762 1977
john@johnfrancisinternational.com
02

Ennalls Berl

Fleet Captain — Audaces, Utopia III & Utopia IV

+1 917 446 3524
ennalls@gmail.com
03

Michael Holmes

Fleet Captain — Utopia II, Utopia III & Project Lanida

+1 954 802 3333
mholmes.rcbcg@gmail.com
04

Captain Matt

M/Y Daydream

+1 954 495 9435
05

Victor Mosher

M/Y Archimedes

voctorm@myarchimedes.com

Standing

25+ years. 18+ vessels. One technical standard.

Available in South Florida and worldwide.

Discuss a Project Discuss a Position

Request a consultation

Before the yard meeting. Before the contract.

Independent technical advice is cheapest at the beginning. Tell us the vessel, the stage and what you need — every enquiry is treated in confidence.

Enquiries are treated in confidence.

Documents

Company presentation ↓Curriculum vitae ↓
Georgi Iliev working on a refit project
Project control · Georgi in practice
Direct phone+1 954 326 5807
Office phone+1 323 309 0804
OfficeMiami & Fort Lauderdale, Florida
AvailabilityUSA · Europe · Worldwide
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