The South Coast deep-water superyacht facility in Southampton Water, Solent Refit, has started a busy season with the site improving continuously with the focus on superyacht refit as well as repair.
Solent Refit - a bird's view
The UK superyacht industry is benefiting from the arrival of some of the world’s finest yachts, as owners travel from around the globe to watch the Olympics, and attend the many Solent based regattas. While here, superyachts are also enjoying the UK refit industry’s healthy price advantage over Mediterranean and Caribbean competitors.
Yachts returning to Solent Refit
Solent Refit has welcomed back a number of returning owners, with one yacht returning for a third time this summer. Mediterranean refit centres are usually more expensive than similar services in the UK, although the quality of materials and workmanship are equally high in both locations. A number of large power craft – all over 130 feet – have been out of the water and under refit in 2012 already. These include the charter yacht Light Blue, the superyacht Osprey and the luxury charter yacht Sudami. Another yacht, Lunar Mist has just started a major refit at the yard, while the latest arrival is the luxury motor yacht Spada.
Motor yacht Spada be fore refit
Superyacht Spada after refit
Longer term projects are moved into the sheds using the transverse rail system. These are then scaffolded and plastic-covered to contain heat and protect from the elements The 1500 ton horizontal slipway is proving very popular and has had a number of visits, either for hull checks or for removal to the shed for long-term work. The use of the slipway is competitively priced and available to all boatyards, project managers and contractors.
Charter yacht Light Blue under refit at Solent Refit
New Appointments at Solent Refit
Phil Millard
In order to keep on top of growing demand, Solent Refit has brought in project-management expert Phil Millard. Phil has amassed over 25,000 miles as Captain of Custom Line and Ferretti Yachts over the years and has personally supervised the construction process of 12 Custom Line Yachts, as well as running his own yacht maintenance company. His pedigree in superyacht project work and shipyard management will be a fantastic asset to Solent Refit.
Phil’s remit is to supervise the development of the yard. New walkways have been fitted to the main pontoons and more installations are being programmed. The whole pontoon area is rapidly being developed as a facility for short term refit and remedial work, in addition to berthing for shows and regattas.
Johnny Byrnes
Johnny Byrnes also joins Solent Refit on a permanent basis as a Project Manager. His first task is overseeing the re-commissioning of the 38 metre luxury yacht Light Blue, a new project that had not been fully completed. The new owner requires considerable changes to the specification including new accommodation, engineering systems, and a full repaint. The yacht will be fully re-commissioned and launched as a new vessel.
