'Umbra' refit completed

Diverse Projects, New Zealand, has recently completely the extensive refit of 51-metre support vessel Umbra. Work undertaken included the addition of a removable helipad and an additional 2 metres added to the stern. An exterior repaint and a full survey were also carried out in quick succession.

The Damen Sea Axe vessel was designed to move easily through water and despite the major modifications in terms of size, the pre-refit calculations were proven to be correct, “The vessel performed to its newly engineered specifications during seatrials, achieving the pre-refit expectations for speed,” John Vitali of Diverse Projects explained.

The specialist management company makes use of its own in house software; Predict. The software uses a multi-level approach for users to easily view all current stages of the refit, as well as what’s to come. Each component of the refit is broken into its micro-components, which gives the refit and the owner’s management team the ability to visualise where each team is through each stage of the refit.



A total of six specialists were involved in the project with Predict coordinating each team’s projects to prevent any overlap or downtime.

The refit provided a boost to the Whangerei area in New Zealand’s Northland where it was carried out at Oceania Marine in association with neighbouring yard, Ship Repair.

“Whangarei is the main maintenance stop in the South Pacific for the international cruising fraternity," said marketing manager at the Port Whangerei Marine Centre (PWMC). He adds that "The number of visiting yachts is increasing and so too is the number of sailing catamarans, consequently, we have optimised the travelift to service this market. We plan to finish construction and installation in time to open by at least October this year. Between now and then I will be busy marketing the marine centre and informing everyone of what we will have on offer.”

As part of Oceania Marine's development plan, they have purchased two travelift machines and work has commenced on the new PWMC at South Shipyard, which will incorporate the new travelift haulout services. Beginning with a 100 tonne Cimolai mobile hauler, physically, the largest in New Zealand, the total work being done will take approximately six months.

“The initiative has been some years in the planning and it is exciting for our whole team to finally be starting on the real thing. This first stage not only targets a market that Oceania Marine currently does not cater for but in addition will ease pressure on the slipping schedule of the 800 tonne railway slipway at North Shipyard, located close by, for more large vessel haul outs,” explained managing director Martin Gleeson.

Provision for a 450 tonne Cimolai mobile boat hauler has been made and initial designs of a unique 4000 tonne Syncrolift for installation at the site have also been in discussion. The next stage of development is expected to be completed in time for the 2016 summer season.

Gleeson adds that "experience in the market along with our research, and that of others is telling us we need to be able to service vessels up to 100 metres in length with displacements of us to 4000 tonnes."

Efforts have been directed to Port Whangerei Marine Centre and getting both travelifts operational as soon as possible.

Profile links

Oceania Marine Limited

Diverse Projects

---

Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here.