United Yacht Sales — the largest independently owned yacht brokerage group in the world, with more than 25 offices in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia and the Bahamas — recently announced the opening of its new office on Bainbridge Island.

Located in the Bainbridge Island waterfront building at Eagle Harbor Marina, the office will be operated by Rick Hoffman, a longtime resident of Kitsap County and Bainbridge Island.

Hoffman joined United Yacht Sales as an independent broker in 2011 when the firm originally expanded to the Northwest.

“We believe our new office will fill an important void for both boat buyers and sellers of not only Bainbridge Island, but the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas as well,” he said. “Our goal is to provide world-class service, premium inventory and state of the art tools to a region that has been largely underserved until now.”

United Yacht Sales has a network of more than 150 independent professional yacht brokers globally.

“This is an exciting time for boat owners in the pacific northwest,” Hoffman said. “Whether it’s a new buyer looking to purchase their first boat or an experienced boat owner looking to move up, the options have never been more plentiful. We couldn’t be more pleased to be opening our office at the beautiful Bainbridge waterfront. We look forward to a long-standing commitment and community building, in an area I love and call home.”

United Yacht Sales Bainbridge Island (330 Madison Ave. South) will have its grand opening Saturday, May 4 to coincide with the opening day of boating season.

Live music with the Ian Jones Band and refreshments are planned. For more information call 206-395-4419, email rick@unitedyacht.com or visit www.unitedyacht.com.