UK's Oldest Dry Dock Given Boost by Joint Venture with YachtProjects International

The European yachting market now has a cost-effective UK-based dry dock in which to embark on survey work thanks to a joint venture between Penzance Dry Dock, and YachtProjects International Llc.

Penzance Dry Dock, located in Cornwall, UK and part of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, is Europe’s oldest dry dock and is one of the biggest employers in the area. The team at the dry dock not only look after and maintain ships on behalf of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, but provide engineering services for both marine and landbased projects throughout the UK. The facility boasts a wet berth as well as modern and functional fabrication and workshop space. Penzance Dry Dock can take vessels up to 75m.

Joining Penzance Dry Dock in this venture is Florida-based YachtProjects International Llc, who also have offices in Hampshire. The company undertakes refit and repair project management and offer servicing work globally, The sister company, Procom365 Llc, designs, supplies, installs and manages onboard ship communication systems including satellite hardware and airtime, onboard networks and remote management of all services and mandatory communication needs. Additionally they are the European agents for Headhunter Incorporated a leading supplier of marine black water treatment and on board water management systems.

Pippa Nicholas, Owner and Technical Director of YachtProjects International, said: “We see this joint venture as an opportunity to give the yachting community in Europe something that has been missing in the past – a cost-effective place to undertake annual, five and 10-year survey work. Our niche client owns a slightly older classic, motor or sail yacht. These vessels are where the Penzance Dry Dock skills in steel repair, propellers, shafts, rudders, stabilisers, underwater valve service and replacement come into play. Thus we can fix price work simply because the haul out cost does not have to cover overhead not associated directly with the task at hand.”

Yacht Projects International has completed work totaling more than $250 million in remote commercial shipyards globally, including, Australia, Singapore and South Africa. Both teams have proven records for producing the highest quality work – on time and on budget.

Kevin Ayres, Marine Superintendent at Penzance Dry Dock for Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, said: “Working with YachtProjects International is a natural progression for us at Penzance Dry Dock. The company has worked within commercial ship circles as well as the modern day yacht, and have a full understanding of what both a captain and the crew require from their yard time.

“We are looking forward to welcoming new customers to the dry dock and continuing to develop our relationship with YachtProjects International.”

Pippa Nicholas, from YachtProjects International, continued: “It’s a project that will benefit all concerned, from vessel owners, by way of a cost-effective solution to the time spent out of water, ourselves at YachtProjects International and our new partners, Penzance Dry Dock, as well as bringing new investment and jobs to the local area.”

For more information, contact Yacht Projects International at office@yachtprojects.net or Penzance Dry Dock at info@penzancedrydock.com