Lantau Yacht Club (LYC) in Discovery Bay has appointed Marco Ku as its general manager, as the members-only club works on its marina and onshore facilities and plans for closer engagement with Hong Kong’s yachting sector and the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Over the course of more than two decades, Ku has built experience across hospitality, leisure and marine services, supported by academic training in sports management. His career has taken him through private clubs, waterfront projects and marina operations, including work on marina safety, yacht club services, dive tourism and waterfront programmes. He has also worked in marine consultancy and business development and is an active representative member of Hong Kong’s main yachting association, giving him experience within the city’s yachting sector.

In his new role, Ku is responsible for the marina and onshore facilities, service standards, member and guest experience, member activities and facility improvements. Since joining LYC on 15 June, he has also been working with industry bodies and on the club’s long-term business strategy, as it works towards its vision of strengthening Hong Kong’s position as “Asia’s Monaco”.

LYC’s marina has 148 wet berths, including 38 for superyachts, and provides space for vessels from 10-100 metres in length, with water and shore power available alongside security and dockside support, water pump-out facilities and a fuel station. For vessels requiring work on site, its service yard is equipped with a 45-tonne travel lift, plus dry stack and hardstand facilities for vessels of up to 17 metres. The 5 Gold Anchor Platinum marina sits within a typhoon-sheltered harbour, protected by breakwaters and lined by five-metre-wide concrete pontoons.

On shore, the clubhouse includes a restaurant, private dining room, entertainment room and concierge services, while members also have access to sister clubs and hospitality facilities under Auberge Hospitality, including Discovery Bay Golf Club and Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong. These facilities are now being reviewed as part of planned upgrades to the pontoons and clubhouse, along with refreshed amenities and culinary offerings. Staff training and service procedures are also being updated, and patrol robots will be introduced for routine security.

LYC benefits from Hong Kong’s position as one of Asia’s biggest boating centres, providing a base for cruising to mainland China and destinations across the Asia-Pacific region. The club also stands to benefit from the easing of cross-border yacht travel following a policy adjustment approved by the State Council in May 2026, allowing Hong Kong and Macao yachts to enter and leave designated ports in nine mainland cities in the GBA.

LYC said it plans to support this by improving transient berthing arrangements and developing dedicated concierge services for visiting yachts from Macao and mainland cities. It also plans to work with marinas, clubs and tourism boards across the GBA to develop cruising itineraries, reciprocal berthing arrangements and joint events.

To strengthen member engagement, LYC plans a refreshed calendar of on-water and onshore gatherings, including the fourth edition of its annual Festa Nautica boat show, scheduled for 6-8 November 2026.

Ku said: “LYC holds wonderful potential as a premium waterfront lifestyle destination in Hong Kong. I am excited to unlock synergies with the full Auberge Hospitality ecosystem across Discovery Bay to deliver richer end to end resort lifestyle offerings for our members. I look forward to collaborating with the whole team to enhance our marina and onshore amenities, elevate service standards, craft meaningful member experiences and strengthen LYC’s standing within Hong Kong’s yachting community.”

Images courtesy of Lantau Yacht Club.