Work continues at Devonport shipyard
By IBI Magazine/Michael Howorth
Work continues unabated at Plymouth-based superyacht builder Devonport, despite the recent announcement made by the yard's owners that the builder is to withdraw from the superyacht industry.
The 96m (315ft) hull of Project 55, designed by Redman Whitely Dixon, arrived in Plymouth three months behind her original build programme during the closing days of 2008 under tow from the Appledore shipyard where it was built. Steel was first cut during July 2007 and a keel laying ceremony was held in October the same year.
Fifteen months later the hull was taken bow first to the secure complex within the Royal Devonport Dockyard normally reserved for the refitting of Royal Navy frigates. It is here that the aluminium superstructure will be lifted into place and the yacht fitted out to the designs of interior designer Remi Tessier under the owner's chief technical representation provided by Burgess. Completion is due during the later part of 2010.
Having delivered the superyachts Samar and Sarafsa, the completion of this yacht is expected to be the last yacht to be built by Devonport following the announcement made after the takeover of DML in Plymouth during 2007 that it will not bid for future yacht contracts beyond those that are currently being carried out.
Then, a spokesman for the builder's parent company said: "Babcock Marine has completed a review of its planned naval workload over the next 3-4 years, taking into account its overall capacity and physical facilities. This review, including design and assembly activities on the UK's future carrier project in addition to its naval support work, has led to the decision."
(7 January 2009)
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