Looking yards ahead
Refit season is on the horizon, but how does one choose the right yard for their yacht and the works to be carried out? ONBOARD looks at some of the best yards around the world.
If ever there were proof of the old adage “Proper Preparation Prevents a Pretty Poor Performance” then the tasks undertaken before arrival at a refit yard is it. In short get it right before you arrive, and the refit will have a much better chance of producing a successful outcome. Many of the better shipyards produce a useful check list for captains to use before they arrive. But captains and chief engineers who are old hands at the refit game, will remind you that these are yard specific and yacht generic when what the yacht needs; is “yacht specific and yard generic”. They do however provide a good starting point.
There are of course some important priorities to get sorted first and these may be dictated by the owner, however, to propose a shipyard visit correctly, you must offer two or three on a short list and underline the pros and cons for each. But remember, price is not always the main reason to book your refit slot.
Location
Choosing the right yard for the job is essential. Many captains have seen their refit fail because they chose a holiday destination believing that they and their crew will be able to enjoy down time in the sunshine. Face facts! Refits are hard work and down time is as rare during refit as it is during charter. It would be better to schedule in crew R&R as a reward for a successful refit rather than compromise the job. Different yards are better equipped to deal with types of works, than others so chose the yard because of their capability rather than personal preference.
Good communication
It is often said that effective communication ensures that the information is provided in the right format, at the right time, to the right audience, and with the right impact. Never is that more true than in a shipyard especially one in a country where the local language is different to that spoken by the crew. Effective communication is often the foundation of successful projects. Good communication can unite crew and shipyard staff in striving for strategy objectives and budget.
References
One final consideration captains need to take before booking a maintenance slot in a shipyard and that is references. In much the same way one would check the bona fides of an aspiring stewardess so too should a good captain ask around. Do not believe a yard representative or website. Captains should check and check again with colleagues who have recent first hand experience of a yard. Get it wrong and it will be the captain who gets to ship out.
NCA REFIT
ITALY
NCA boasts absolute high skills in the activities of refitting and repair of superyachts, megayachts and sailing yachts and it combines a range of exclusive services reserved for crews on a highly qualified team of engineers, architects and technicians. At the moment, the 100,000 square metres of operative space includes: a 200 X 35 metre dry dock, a floating dock for yachts of up to 3,300 tons, 2000 metres of pier, 8000 sqm of hard standing space, 2000 sqm shed of storage area, personal offices for surveyors, captains and yacht managers, internal upholstery department, crew member village with a reception, lounge bar, spa, private gym and beautician, on- board fuel and electricity supply, on-site ship chandler. The site’s facilities of NCA REFIT are being expanded in order to increase their on-site hospitality and production capacity. The following areas of the project TISG 4.0 are already operative: new subcontractors workshops, outfitting area, new build shed 3220 sqm approx, new external area for hard standing 5000 sqm approx. And in progress within the expansion is a new drydock 146 x 46 x 7.7 mt, covering with shed of old dock 196 x 36 x 6 mt, new build shed 5440 sqm approx.
Among the most recent and outstanding refitted yachts at NCA REFIT there are: S/Y ZEFIRA 50mt, M/Y VISION 60mt, M/Y ANNA I 67mt, M/Y ASTRA 55mt, M/Y 140 mt and many more.
For more details Tel: +39 0585 5062 or visit www.ncarefit.com
MONACO MARINE
Monaco/France
Monaco Marine is a network of refit and maintenance shipyards for yachts up to 160m+. Their expertise, know- how and ability to manage huge refit projects allow them to reach the highest quality standards available on the market. Over 3,000 yachts undergo refit, repair or wintering at Monaco Marine shipyards every year. Thanks to eight yacht facilities and one marina located from Monaco to Marseille, with 132’500 sqm of dry land including 13’500 sqm of covered areas, and 220 employees, Monaco Marine Group offers a large range of possibilities to its clients. With hauling out capacity up to 2000 tons and unlimited size afloat, each Monaco Marine shipyard has its own unique approach for each segment of yachts. The shipyards are equipped to carry out standard maintenance but also offer a much wider brief encompassing extensive works requiring specialists in engineering, carpentry, paint work, electrics and electronics. After more than 25 years’ experience, Monaco Marine provides the best support for owners, captains and crew along the year. Respectful of the environment their network of shipyards maintain the equal standards.
So clients can be sure that their yacht will be maintained with respect to all environmental regulations in order to preserve the fauna and flora of the oceans, as attested by the regulation ISO 14001 with which their yards are certified.
For more details Tel: +37797970220 email [email protected]
or visit www.monacomarine.com
SUBBASE DRY DOCK
St. Thomas, USVI
Subbase Drydock is located in St. Thomas, USVI, and is the largest yacht repair facility in the Caribbean. They provide comprehensive services and specialise in preforming highly technical projects for the largest superyachts in the Caribbean. Their clients fill the spectrum from local yacht owners to Mediterranean bound superyachts just passing though. The customers range in size from sailing yachts of 220’ with 16’ drafts to 220’ motor yachts and 1000 long tones. The stellar reputation has developed as a result of their long-lasting partnerships with their clients. Their depth of experience in technical machining, mechanical engineering, design and construction, marine installation procedures, unparalleled project management, and personal involvement throughout the boating and yachting community is extraordinary. Your crew has the option to remain onboard while the vessel is drydocked or stay at your choice of two hotels or a lovely guesthouse all within a five minute drive. Their talented crew of 35 are ready to assist you in a professional and friendly manner.
But don’t just take their word, a recent captain commented, “For any captains that need to get hauled out during the Caribbean season, I can highly recommend Subbase as a convenient option that can provide high quality work and solve complex problems fast in a friendly manner.”
For more details Tel: + 1 (340) 776 2078 or visit www.subbasedrydock.com
RMK MARINE
Turkey
Founded originally on the banks of the Golden Horn, RMK Marine was established in Tuzla in 1997 as part of the Koç Group, Turkey’s largest industrial and services conglomerate. Apart from commercial and naval ships, the facility is known for building world-class yachts such as Twilight, Caressa K, the S&S-designed 52m Nazenin V and the 45m Ron Holland-designed Karia. Refit, repair and restoration represent another segment of activity. By relying on its resources, dedicated workshops, skilled staff and project planning done through a complex ERP system, RMK Marine delivers on average 10 to 20 large refit projects every year. Among the most successful ones are those involving the 75m Meserret III, the 73m Planet Nine, the 45m Keyla and the 33m Vera IV. Currently, the shipyard is increasing its overall lifting capacity from 855 to 3,000 tons. In 2021 RMK Marine announced partnerships with Vripack and Hot Lab studios for the design of two exploring yachts, the RMK 120 Seven Seas and the 50m Aries, respectively. A Yacht Project (New Built Number 122) for a north American client has been signed and become effective.
The ‘steel cutting’ ceremony of NB122 took place in RMK MARINE in December 2020 and as such it marks the start of the construction phase of the project. The 36,8 m yacht will be an ocean going explorer motor yacht emphasising strong construction yet luxurious and comfortable navigation. The Vripack designed steel and aluminium yacht will be engineered by RMK MARINE and with her 5 luxurious en-suite cabins, will allow her guests to enjoy seven seas of the world.
For more details Tel: +90 5495623559 or visit www.rmkyachts.com
ORAMS MARINE
New Zealand
Orams Marine sets a new standard for superyacht refit in the South Pacific. A major new development in Orams Marine is now in operation. It marks the completion of the first stage in the large-scale development, which has included a new 820 tonne travel lift, 85 tonne travel lift, expanded hardstand, and sustainable water treatment plant, all now in use. The central- Auckland yard is a full-service refit destination, which combines a central location, excellent facilities and quality on-site trades, with over 35 years’ experience. The high-quality work, by specialised on-site trades is overseen by experienced, dedicated project managers who bring a hands-on approach. They’ll be joined by crew services, further adding to the enjoyment and ease yachts experience while refitting in New Zealand. The new 820 tonne and 85 tonne travel lifts add to existing capabilities including a 75 tonne travel lift, 600 tonne slipway, ten 92 metre work berths, on-site tender storage,
50 metre covered shed, and over 60 marine trades on the 32,000 square metre site. Sitting in the heart of Auckland, it’s close to crew houses, gyms, and Auckland’s most-popular dining precinct in a safe, friendly neighbourhood. The marina can berth superyachts up to 90 metres. The adjacent Orams Marine Village Boat Park is Auckland City’s largest purpose built dry stack facility and is the easiest place to store and access a boat in Auckland.
For more details Tel: +64 9 308 4806 or visit www.orams.co.nz
BALK SHIPYARD
The Netherlands
Family business Balk Shipyard opened her doors in 1798, building wooden vessels on a small slipway in Elburg. Now seven generations of the Balk family tree later and Balk Shipyard has evolved into a word-leading yard for refits and rebuilds of superyachts. Now located in Urk, they have two refit halls with room for three yachts up to 45 and 65 metres and a construction hall, dedicated to aluminium. Next to that there is a syncrolift which enables them to haul out and launch yachts horizontally up to 1000 tons dead weight. The yachts can be moved from the lift to one of three outside tracks or to one of the designated halls. Next to the facilities on the hard, they also have some mooring spaces within the protected borders of their premises. These mooring spaces are of course equipped with proper shore power and running water. Separate from the yard facilities, they have the availability of a crew house as of late 2020.
The work and identity of Balk Shipyard rests entirely on the expertise of its skilled employees. Every rebuild and refit is customised to suit the wishes of each client. Working closely with naval architects, exterior designers, interior designers and subcontractors they give you the opportunity to carefully craft your own fully customised yacht. Many disciplines need to be deployed in a very careful and efficient way. This can only be done properly by the best of the best, which is why they have many disciplines in-house.
For more details Tel: +31 527 681 741 or visit www.balkshipyard.com
KRM RREFIT & REPAIR
Turkey
KRM Yacht Refit & Repair was established in 2010 for the sole purpose of specialising in superyacht refit and has, since then been investing in that area and has become the leader of the refit industry in Turkey by virtue of its improved standards and capacity increasing each and every year with great achievements. KRM Yacht refit & repair facility is located in Istanbul / Tuzla which hosts one of the biggest marine industry of the world together with all its infrastructure capabilities meeting all requirements and needs of superyacht refit. The facility is just 15 minutes’ drive from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and is also surrounded by restaurants, apart hotels, bars, shopping malls and cinemas. All of these activities are in walking distance to their facility for guests and crew members. KRM yacht team is composed of project managers, engineers, architects, surveyors, technicians and craftsmen, more than 80 marine professionals with only refit dedication. This number reaches to more than 300 with their meticulously hand-picked subcontractors who have become trustworthy partners after several years of collaboration.
KRM offers high quality in-house services for project management & development, painting, carpentry, interior, engineering & design, metal works, plumbing& piping, test & classification, and all other services are given by the most professional subcontractors of the region, under the supervision of their project managers for ensuring the highest standard in every aspect of superyacht refit.
For more details Tel: +90 212 26 26 726 or visit www.krmyacht.com
NAVANTIA SHIPYARD
Spain
Navantia shipyard is strategically located on the Mediterranean coast in the millennial tourist city of Cartagena. A shipyard with over 300 years of history specialised in the repair and refit of large yachts. Its large and modern facilities and services allow the performance and completion of any type of work, from yacht extensions, interior renovations, full painting, rigging, technical services to upgrades or full overhauls of engines. The centre, in addition to its 3000 m2 multipurpose workshop, has its own team of highly qualified personnel to meet the luxury megayacht market’s highly demanding standards and provides all required works: steelworks, aluminium, machining, caulking, electricity and carpentry, etc. In addition, it has collaboration agreements with the most prestigious local and international auxiliary companies that share their long tradition and expertise. The shipyard boast its own engine factory that manufactures and overhauls Caterpillar, MAN or MTU engines, as well as a fully comprehensive after sales service including the supply of spare parts, block casting, machining and its own onsite engine test benches.
For more details Tel: +34 968 12 83 40 – 629 64 24 08 or visit www.yacht.navantia.es
PORTS OF TOULON
France
When you look for a call that works for the yacht and for the crew, you should consider Toulon Bay and its ports,
quays and shipyards. In the heart of the French Mediterranean, dominated by 1900-feet-high Mount Faron and its red cable car, having mixed for years civilian and military activities, Toulon Bay offers a comfortable shelter for yachts of all sizes. A dynamic urban area of half a million inhabitants houses naval industry, marine research, international passenger transport…and some nice beaches and pocket beaches. Serious about attracting the superyacht industry, The Ports of Toulon organisation continues to invest in new infrastructure, including an extra 1.4 kilometre of quayside, under ISPS Compliance, i.e restricted access and 24/24 video surveillance. Several top 10 megayachts have already picked up the spot, known for its deep water quays and alongside berthing. Easy refuelling and winter lay-up are other key arguments for Toulon Bay, a yacht port to be considered. The port authority is an active participant in the « Contrat de Baie de la Rade de Toulon » group whose goal is the improvement of the water quality and is also taking the necessary steps to obtain the Clea Port European certification of its ports.
Since its creation in 2009, Ports Toulon Provence has initiated a sustainable development programme. Based on the 5 fundamentals, it will include a section concerning environmental and habitat protection and preservation.
For more details Tel: +33 (0)6 46 69 77 27 or visit www.ports-tpm.fr
