Categories
Superyachts

Welcoming the return of international superyachts

Leading Brisbane shipyard, The Yard Brisbane, has welcomed the arrival of its’ first international superyacht since Australian borders reopened to the world.

Arriving to Australian shores and hauling out in May, the 17-year-old Dutch-built Royal Huisman superyacht S/Y Antares is a long-awaited scene for the multitude of marine industry experts working onsite at the shipyard in Hemmant on the Brisbane River.

The Yard Brisbane International Development Manager Mark Phelps said that Brisbane shipyards are more frequently on the radar of international superyachts owing to ongoing development and increasing capabilities.

“The vessel wanted to have this work completed in Australia or New Zealand after encountering some challenges elsewhere. They last refit here in 2019 and it is a pleasure to have them back. This confidence in the Australian marine industry and our labour force is particularly good to witness in a post-COVID world,” said Mark.

The Yard Brisbane worked with yachting agent Carrie Carter from Carter Marine Agencies, the collaborative effort providing the best solution for Antares to return to Australia.

Captain John Van der Straaten said that they were more than happy to return to Brisbane, for the quality of work, facilities on hand, and the weather.

“We basically had, for the work that we wanted to do – especially with the rigging – only two options to get the best job done, and that was either Auckland or Brisbane.

“The crew had a good experience here last time, so we were quite happy to come back, and Brisbane is a great location because of its proximity to the Indo Pacific,” said John.

The availability of The Yard Brisbane’s large refit sheds also provides peace of mind for John, as works can continue unbeholden to the weather and with ample space to work in and set up rigging.

“Being able to get into the shed was great, that’s been a big plus, and all the major work we wanted to achieve is getting done properly and on-schedule,” he said.

The program of work involves many of The Yard Brisbane’s in-house project team, as well as onsite tenants and contractors, including GT Mac, RL Marine and Finishline Paint.

“We’re servicing the rigging, painting the mast, Lloyd’s survey, and maintenance on the shafts, sandblasting on the stern tube, anchor chains and anchors and regalvanising.”

Some major work is being done on their Caterpillar engine and generators, including a 10,000-hour service with bottom-end rebuild and cylinder removal.

The Yard Brisbane’s shipwright and fit out team are completing rudder and interior works including carpentry, varnish, and painting.

Currently, sanding is being done in preparation to paint the topsides, a decision brought about by the convenience offered by being in the shed.

“When we leave here, we’re not going to really stop for any major jobs until the end of 2024. We like to get as much done as we can in one block,” said John.

For local accommodation, the crew has taken a couple of short-term rentals in Wynnum and Manly, and after a bit of a wet start, Brisbane winter has turned it on for a great refit period.

“Other than the large amount of rain when we first arrived, the weather has cooperated, so it’s been a very nice stay.”

The crew have enjoyed being on dry land again and enjoyed the benefit of catching up with other crews from the six other superyachts that have been at The Yard Brisbane during their refit period so far.

They have been sharing the hardstand with superyachts M/Y Glaze, M/Y Mischief, M/Y Royale X, M/Y The Star, M/Y Tango, and a further 55m motoryacht undergoing a six-month long refit.

Categories
Superyachts

5 Ways to Protect Your Boat From Salt Water Corrosion

There are few experiences in life better than sailing the clear ocean waters – breathing in the salty air, experiencing the vastness of the ocean, enjoying water sports, visiting shoreline towns, and of course, taking a dive into the refreshing waters. Owning a boat gives you immediate access to the open waters and provides a thrilling experience just about every time! Despite the many joys of being a boat owner, however, the one headache we all can agree on is saltwater corrosion. 

 

Saltwater corrosion is inevitable – it’s the one consequence of owning a saltwater vessel and something all boat owners must consider when caring for their vessel. Although you can’t fight mother nature, you can take steps to protect your vessel against corrosion and prevent the damaging effects of saltwater. 

 

  1. Give your boat a thorough wash down after each trip. Keeping your boat clean and free from saltwater is the most crucial part of this process. You’ll need to remove all traces of saltwater in order to protect your vessel from corrosion. Begin by thoroughly rinsing your vessel with fresh water, and be sure to pay special attention to metal components, as they are the most susceptible to saltwater corrosion. Second, you’ll need to scrub your vessel, from bow to stern, with soap and water. We recommend a bristled brush to ensure you’re removing all traces of salt. Follow this by another wash down, ensuring all soap is washed away. If you use a boat trailer, you should also wash your trailer thoroughly to ensure it’s free from saltwater too.

  2. Flush your engine. One of the easiest yet most overlooked steps to protect against saltwater corrosion is flushing your engine with fresh water. You’ll want to do this every time your boat leaves the ocean. This action removes saltwater from the engine and prevents harmful salt deposits from contributing to corrosion.

  3. Apply grease to moving parts. Provide generous coats of grease on all sides of exposed metal parts – even the smallest parts need a coating. Not only will this lubrication help keep things moving, but it also protects your vessel against corrosion and rust. You’ll want to apply a marine grease to moving metal parts like latches, hinges, linkages, bow rollers, and the like. Essentially, anything metal should be given a hefty coat of grease. Double-check with your engine owner’s manual to ensure you aren’t missing any metal parts that need lubrication.

  4. Use salt-friendly paint. To keep your boat looking fresh and new, you’ll want to make sure you’re using an appropriate paint. When you own a saltwater vessel, though, you can’t use any old paint on your hull. You’ll have to take the time to find a salt-friendly, anti-fouling paint. This paint acts as a barrier between the saltwater and hull, and prevents weakening and corrosion of metal. Still, it’s important to keep in mind that no paint is invincible against saltwater. You’ll still need to regularly wash down and scrub your vessel after trips in saltwater.

  5. Survey your vessel. Following voyages, get in the habit of surveying your vessel after you’ve thoroughly washed and scrubbed it. Are there any blemishes? Any rust, corroded parts, blisters, or bubbling paint? Pay close attention to problem areas and don’t let them grow any larger – you’ll want to take care of these issues as soon as possible. Take your boat to a specialist and have these spots fixed to prevent further corrosion.

The Yard Brisbane is your one-stop shop when it comes to marine life. Our team provides pressure-washing to help boat owners fight against saltwater corrosion. Interested in learning more? View our services.