About Us
Our Story
A Passion for boat engines.
What began as a young boy’s passion for boat engines grew into the first Volvo Power Center in the United States.
When Helmut was a child in Germany, his parents started a marina. Helmut quickly discovered that not only did he love boats, he had an innate fascination with boat engines. He would even skip school to spend more time with the mechanics who worked at the marina. Most kids who skip school do so to avoid learning, but Helmut skipped to learn everything he could about marine engines.
His passion continued to grow, and he eventually became a master technician through Mercedes, and then trained with Volvo Penta Europe in Kiel, Germany, as well as Sweden, before taking over the family business.
Bringing Volvo Penta To The Bay Area.
Then, what began in Germany crossed the Atlantic and found a home in San Rafael, California.
When he was a young adult, Helmut’s parents moved to the Golden State to enter the wine industry. He emigrated shortly after that, relocating to the Bay Area to open up his own boat shop, which he aptly named Helmut’s Marine. The company initially operated out of an old building. But Helmut built up his parts inventory, focusing on one brand—Volvo Penta— expanding the business and adding more people to the Helmut’s Marine team before eventually moving operations.
The Passion is Rediscovered.
It’s rare for someone’s passion to continue on to the next generation. But, in Helmut’s case, that’s exactly what happened.
Nadine, Helmut’s daughter, had followed in her grandparents’ footsteps and was working in the wine industry when her then-boyfriend (now husband) Nate got an offer to join the family business. Nate had been working in the manufacturing engineering industry, and after initially joining the parts department, he applied his technical skills to lead Helmut’s Marine’s engine sales and applications department.
Helmut’s Marine Today.
Nadine decided to make a career switch, too, joining the team as the service writer. Then she made a surprising discovery—she has a passion for boat engines, too. And, just like her father, she started learning everything she could from the experts. She began working in the service department and now manages the business as Vice President of Operations.
As a family-owned and operated business, Nate, Nadine, and Helmut have continued to expand Helmut’s Marine, doubling our facility size, increasing inventory, and adding more passionate team members who continually serve our customers, including yachters, sailboaters, families, hobbyists, and commercial fisherman.
Our Mission
Helmut’s Marine Service is committed to delivering high-quality marine services and products, prioritizing customer satisfaction, environmental responsibility, and community involvement. We provide top-notch equipment, knowledgeable assistance from our factory trained staff, and outstanding service to ensure a reliable, enjoyable, and sustainable experience on the water.
Our goal is to be a leading choice for marine enthusiasts and commercial operators alike, specializing in exclusively Volvo Penta products.
Customer
Satisfaction
Environmental Responsibility
Community Involvement
Our Team
At Helmut’s Marine Service, Inc., Helmut is not just the founder but the heart and soul of our company. His passion for marine engineering and commitment to exceptional service have shaped our business into what it is today. However, we are fortunate to boast an exceptional team that forms the backbone of our operations. Many team members have been with us for over a decade, embodying our expertise, dedication, and customer satisfaction values. Each member brings unique skills and experiences to our workshop, ensuring every project is handled precisely and carefully. From our seasoned technicians who bring years of industry knowledge to our friendly customer service representatives who ensure a smooth experience, our team is committed to exceeding your expectations. Together, we uphold Helmut’s vision of providing unparalleled marine maintenance and repair service.
Family Leadership Team
Founder
Helmut
Vice President Of Operations
Nadine Urciuoli
Vice President Of Sales
Nate Urciuoli
Admin
Operations Manager
Chip Jones
Executive Assistant
Ethel Figueroa
Admin Assistant
Jessica Godinez
Parts Department
Key Accounts Manager
Dan Hutchinson
Senior Parts Specialist
Jake Jardin
Senior Parts Advisor
David Mace
Parts Advisor, Assistant Shipper
Marko Tornero
Shipper
Josue Cupul
Service Department
Service Manager
Giancarlo Schiano
Service Parts Advisor
Eduardo Orellana
Service Assistant
Julian Olson
Foreman
Larry Stanley
Senior Technician
Jared Francis
Technician
Cayland Stanley
Technician
Charlie Meyer
Junior Technician
Diego Aguilar
Apprentice Technician
Ocean Macedo
Shipwright
David Blanchard
Customer Service Pup
Penny Urciuoli
Our commitment to growth
Education is at the heart of our company culture, where our commitment to training is wholehearted and deeply ingrained. Our staff undergoes rigorous training, including webinars, online courses, and hands-on sessions, ensuring they remain at the forefront of Volvo Penta’s latest advancements. We cultivate a learning culture that supports career advancement for our employees, providing onsite tutoring and other opportunities.
Helmut’s Marine Service is now an official Volvo Penta factory training location, exclusively offered for authorized Volvo Penta dealers.
Our dedication to training is a priority and a deeply rooted part of who we are. Proud sponsors of the Spaulding Apprenticeship Program – Boatworks 101, we actively seek new partnerships to expand and develop talent within our industry.
Environmental And Community Commitment
We take pride in the community we call home and are dedicated to preserving its beauty, ecological health, and vibrant spirit. Our advocacy efforts successfully lobbied for the dredging of the San Rafael Canal, safeguarding its ecological balance for years to come. At our facility, we uphold the highest standards of environmental compliance and efficiency, investing continuously in maintaining our operations to minimize our ecological footprint while rigorously adhering to Best Management Practices.
A modest 5% Safety, Health, and Environment Fee on parts for repair orders, embraced by our clients, directly contributes to our ongoing environmental initiatives and workplace safety programs. This fee underscores our genuine commitment to preserving natural resources, promoting sustainability, and maintaining the well-being of our employees and customers. We work in collaboration with key agencies, including the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA), California Environmental Reporting System, Department of Toxic Substances Control, Marin Municipal Water District, Central Marin Sanitation Agency (CMSA), and the Department of Public Works.
As active members of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce’s East San Rafael Working Group, we join with other local businesses to promote the importance of East San Rafael to the community’s overall health, foster prosperity, and address shared concerns. This collaborative effort aligns with our dedication to supporting our neighbors and ensuring the long-term vitality of our local area.
Our commitment extends beyond environmental stewardship to creating opportunities for our neighbors. Through initiatives like Waves of Opportunity, we partner with the San Rafael Channel Association and Big C Charters to give children from the San Rafael Canal Alliance their first experiences on the water, fostering a love for the ocean while breaking down barriers for families in need. This program not only inspires the next generation but also supports the charter fishing industry, which faces challenges from environmental changes.
Additionally, we support programs like Spaulding Boatworks’ 101 program to nurture marine industry careers, reflecting our dedication to preserving the local environment, fostering industry growth, and uplifting our community.
This multifaceted commitment reflects our passion for giving back—not just to East San Rafael, but to the broader community we serve. By investing in sustainability, opportunity, and collaboration, we aim to create a dynamic, inclusive, and thriving future for all.
Our Facility
Helmut’s Marine Service is committed to delivering high-quality marine services and products, prioritizing customer satisfaction, environmental responsibility, and community involvement. We provide top-notch equipment, knowledgeable assistance from our factory trained staff, and outstanding service to ensure a reliable, enjoyable, and sustainable experience on the water.
