Great Britain is not exactly well known for its superyacht repair and refit facilities. Save for the Pendennis Shipyard in Cornwall, others keep a very low profile and seem to attract little in the way of work.
So it is good to learn that one facility is flourishing, turning round superyacht refits and general shipyard maintenance to a superyacht standard and is currently bidding to build a 60 metre yacht
Yachtprojects, the British run project management company based near Jacksonville, Florida has entered into a joint venture with UK based Testbank Ship Repair at Porchester, to offer superyachts, services on both sides of the Atlantic.
In the USA facilities offered include 400 metres of hurricane safe dock space, 1600 ton lift capacity and trade skills all offering the best rates in Florida. In the UK the facility offers a 1000 ton ship lift, 70,000 Cu ft of covered shed space and all trade skills at very competitive rates when compared to specialist yacht yards in Northern Europe.
The first Superyacht to use the facility was the Australian owned Senses when she called for a full bottom painting. 12 years of paint was taken back to bear steel and repainted, a full superstructure repaint was applied and an annual class survey undertaken. The Russian owned Kiring was in the yard during the same period
Captain Geordie Nicholson the Master of Senses told me, “ I was dubious at first of a UK yard but the numbers and quality say it all, 30% cheaper than any other quote in Europe. But the yard were on time, on budget and all work was done with a smile. Dealing with invoicing was easy and the ability for us to do all the work inside a covered facility is something a good Superyacht Captain can not pass up”
Yachtprojects founder, Phil Nicholas, said, “The joint venture will benefit both companies, and their clients. Testbank offer a superb service at an outstanding facility near Portsmouth UK . Yachtprojects will look after the project management, parts supply and technical aspect of the yacht sector work, which has been our core business for the last 6 years. “
Brian Needle of Testbank said. “ Interest is high, we are very competitive and I feel offer the ultimate service at this competitive cost. Orders are steady, we have the capacity to look after several long term projects and still take care of our short term projects.”
