With five major shipyards accounting for the bulk of the private yacht construction in North America, new yachts over 100 feet in length continue to hit the water — albeit at a more leisurely pace than the boom years a decade ago.
While the production of spec boats from Westport continues at a healthy clip (see the profile on page 36), these four yacht builders report that business on the custom side also is trending upward.
Delta Marine
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Seattle based shipyard continues to see its bays filled with newbuild and refit projects in composite, aluminum and steel, the details of which are few and far between.
News only recently came out about the 236-foot Albatross, which slipped quietly into the water in early 2016 and claimed a position as one of the 50 largest yacht builds in the U.S. Among the exceptions to the taciturnity is the 161-foot Endless Summer, a project that began at Christensen Shipyard in Vancouver, Wash., and was completed at Delta in late spring.
Among the refit projects completed this year at Delta was the 151-foot After Eight, built in 2007 by Northern Marine and designed by Jonathan Quinn Barnett (JQB), who was on hand to incorporate a new design into the six-month refit. JQB is also the designer for a 174foot newbuild at the yard that is scheduled to launch in 2018.
Christensen Shipyard
Two all-composite builds are currently in progress at Christensen’s Vancouver yard, both sister boats to the recently launched Silver Lining and Chasseur.
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Mariner's role still unknown as autonomous shipping gains speed
Mariners’ role still unknown as autonomous shipping gains speed
Piracy edges closer to home with wave of raids in southern Gulf
In the brief cellphone video recorded by a crewmember on the offshore supply vessel (OSV) Remas, the pirates walk back and forth on the deck of the ship, clenching their guns and using them to point as they order around the crew. Their faces are draped in clothing and bandanas.
Casualties
NTSB: Dredge hit Texas gas pipeline, causing fire that killed four
IMO emissions report raises new concerns about methane slip
A recent report from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reveals that global shipping emissions increased nearly 10 percent from 2012 to 2018, with the industry facing a growing challenge concerning methane slip.
Bay State brothers find industry niche by making old into new
Zero non-conformities is what you want to hear when the U.S. Coast Guard inspects your tugboat. Once you’ve prepared your vessel, the inspectors come aboard to peruse your paperwork. They ask you pointed questions, to which they expect straightforward answers. Perusal completed, they then scrutinize all of the related safety systems, from bilge to antennas — even the ship’s bell.
Signals
A year into the pandemic, thousands ‘essentially indentured’ on ships
Analysis points to faulty loading, low ballast in Golden Ray rollover
While the salvage of the sunken vehicle carrier Golden Ray has been delayed for months due to COVID-19 and the hurricane season, analysis by the U.S. Coast Guard has determined a possible cause for the rollover: a combination of vehicles placed too high on the ship’s decks, and not enough ballast water gave the placement of the cargo.
Seastreak newcomer pushing through dip in demand
Two years ago, Seastreak LLC took delivery of Seastreak Commodore, a 600-passenger fast ferry, from Gulf Craft of Franklin, La. Designed by Australia-based Incat Crowther, the vessel is the largest of its kind in the United States and was built to meet the burgeoning demand for service in the New York-New Jersey market.
New year in a new world: Navigating COVID's maritime realities
In a matter of days, the decorative time balls will drop, “Auld Lang Syne” will fill the air, and ships at anchor will sound their horns as the world welcomes in the new year.
Advanced props, rudders provide new efficiencies below the waterline
It took a decade or two from the invention of the marine propeller in the 19th century for the technology to become widely accepted. Thereafter, adoption has been nearly universal, but progress toward improved efficiencies has come in fits and starts.
