Morris Yachts will christen its newest M52 sailing yacht in Newport, R.I., to celebrate the opening of its new sales office there.

With sales offices and service yards in Bass Harbor and Northeast Harbor, Maine, Morris sees its new presence in Newport as a natural extension to the company.

“Our geographic footprint is expanding, and in order to continue our high-touch sales approach, for which we are renowned, a sales office in a prominent global sailing hub like Newport was a logical next step,” Morris Yachts CEO Doug Metchick said in a statement.

Morris added three new sales professionals to its team and will keep the M52, along with an M36 and M29, in Newport waters this summer for test sails and demonstrations.

Scott Dyer joins Morris with an impressive marine industry background, most recently serving as sales manager for the North American operations of Sealegs amphibious boats. He previously held leadership positions at Protector Boats and Hinckley yachts, where he managed more than 50 custom-built yachts ranging from Maine to the Caribbean.

With a lifetime on the water and exceptional boat production and sales experience, Gregg Weatherby brings a passion for sailing to his new sales position at Morris. His expertise as an independent business owner, Coast Guard captain and national sales manager for True North Yachts will be an asset for Morris. His most recent position in the marine industry was managing Northeast Atlantic regional business development for Pursuit Boats and Tiara Yachts.

Chad Thieken has been at the helm of the some of the world’s finest sailing superyachts, including the J-Class Hanuman, Ethereal, Hyperion, Athena, and Marie for more than 15 years. Just returning from an apprenticeship with Dykstra Naval Architects in Amsterdam, he continues his design studies and was named a semifinalist for Showboats Young Designer of the Year 2011. As an MCA Class IV/3000 GT captain with a degree in maritime business, he brings hands-on knowledge with global experience working with owners, designers and shipyards to Morris Yachts. He lives in Southwest Harbor, Maine.