Our Mission
At HAML, our approach is simple. We help clients understand their coverage, what they need, and how it is structured, while staying involved when it matters.
Insurance can be difficult to navigate, especially when it is unclear what is actually covered. We work directly with our clients to make that clear from the start and ensure coverage aligns with how they actually operate.
We are not just present at placement. We remain present throughout the life of the policy, with direct communication and support when changes or claims arise.
Who We Are
HAML is an independent insurance brokerage focused on yachts, crew medical, marine contractors, trucking, and specialty commercial risks.
The name HAML is derived from Hamal, the brightest star in the constellation of Aries, a reference point used in celestial navigation.
The purpose is to provide direction and clarity in an industry that can often feel complex.
Our work spans yacht and marine insurance, crew medical programs, trucking and logistics coverage, and broader commercial risks across specialty and E&S markets.
Experience Behind HAML
HAML is built on a dual foundation of insurance brokerage expertise and real-world maritime experience.
Mervyn Duffield, founder of HAML, has over 16 years of experience owning and operating insurance brokerages, having founded Sceptre Insurance Brokerage in 2010, which remains active today. This background includes a strong focus on commercial risks, heavy commercial vehicles, and complex placements, providing a solid operational foundation across a range of industries.
Alongside this, he has spent over two decades in the yachting industry, including the past 12 years as captain of a 215ft Lürssen, operating globally with a crew complement of up to 30.
This includes extensive cruising throughout the Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Patagonia, Alaska and Canada, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the United States.
During this time, he has worked closely with vessel owners, management companies, crew, and insurance providers, gaining first-hand experience in how policies perform in real situations, particularly in crew medical and claims management.
HAML was established with a clear focus on yacht insurance and crew medical, bringing together both insurance and maritime experience to better serve vessel owners, managers, captains, and crew.
This combined experience shapes HAML’s focus on vessel-related insurance, including:
- Crew Medical (individual and group plans)
- Hull & Machinery (H&M)
- Protection & Indemnity (P&I)
- Water Pollution for NTVRP compliance
The HAML Team
Mervyn Duffield
Founder & Agency Principal
Devan Bedenbender
Client Services & Operations