About Captain Dietmar Petutschnig
Captain Dietmar Petutschnig is the founder of the Ocean Posse, a global yachting network linking over 300 active cruising yachts with more than 130 partner marinas across the Americas, Caribbean, Pacific, Atlantic, and beyond.
Originally from Austria, Dietmarโs career and life at sea have taken him from the Andes of Chile to the harbors of Panama and the conference halls of New York City, where in 2006 he spoke at the United Nations Latin Economic Forum on entrepreneurship. His work bridges continents and industries, blending maritime expertise with a global business perspective.
Dietmar developed a rally model that combines independence with infrastructure โ allowing vessels to navigate on their own schedules while benefiting from shared intelligence, negotiated discounts, safety coordination, and access to vetted maritime services.
Under his leadership, the Ocean Posse has evolved into a recognized platform for connecting marinas, service providers, and yacht owners, driving measurable increases in transient traffic and regional maritime tourism. The programโs value to partners is built on real results: increased visibility to a targeted fleet, direct captain-to-marina engagement, and integration into a trusted cruising network that spans thousands of nautical miles.
His approach is pragmatic and data-driven โ yet firmly rooted in the traditions of seamanship. By combining modern digital tools, strategic partnerships, and on-the-water experience, Dietmar delivers a rally model that is as beneficial for industry stakeholders as it is inspiring for the yachtsmen and women who join it.
BIO
Captain Dietmar Petutschnig
founder of the Ocean Posse
Born and raised in Austria, moved to the Americas and spent seven years in Chile prior to immigrating to New York City in 1987. Dual citizen of the USA & Austria. Fluent in English, German and Spanish, with a working knowledge of Portuguese & Italian – learned a bit of French while in the South Pacific. Married to Suzanne ( Army-brat ) from Texas and our dog Maximilian. Since 2008 have sailed across the Pacific and to several island nations logging over 53,000 nm with multiple media articles in the yachting press.
Maritime Qualifications
USCG MASTER 100 TONS (MARITM-281)
OCEAN YACHTMASTERย RYA NZย (QN 0778)
AUXILIARY SAIL (MARITM-45)
MZ MROC (RRTOC) Royal New Zealand Coast Guard
ASSISTANCE TOWING (MARITM-42)
P.A.D.I. (Open Water)
RED CROSS (Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED)
Education
Royal New Zealand Coast Guard โ Auckland, NZ
Maritime Institute – San Diego, USA
Universidad Technica Federico Santa Maria โ Valparaiso, Chile
NYU SCE – Unix Systems โ NYC, USA
Prior
CEO of AG Nunet in NYC, USA 1996-2006, led large interactive programming teams that conceived, developed and launched over 250 websites, mobile platforms and interactive systems for mid-size and international fortune 500 companies including Vodaphone, FujiFilm, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and Verizon. Successful exit via private equity deal to IMG.
Director of Internet Technologies Image Info Inc 1994 โ 1996
Spearheaded the first online digital and networked digital b2b databases and libraries for soft good clients
