Month: September 2020

Categories
Events

58th Annual Antigua Yacht Show

superyacht in the 58th annual yacht show
superyacht in the 58th annual yacht show

If there’s one thing that’s true, it’s that our team loves attending industry events. Not only is it a great way to network and meet fellow marine-focused companies, we also have the opportunity to strengthen past and present relationships. Our team actively scouts global superyacht events to help grow our company and to provide resources for the event attendees. After all, boat owners need trusted marine technicians and facilities they can rely on. Our team highly values this face-to-face communication. Why? Because it fosters longer-lasting relationships, encourages trust, and therefore strengthens the mission of The Yard Brisbane. 

Recently we traveled to the West Indies to attend the 58th Annual Antigua Yacht Show. Over the course of the event, we enjoyed educating spectators on our services and facilities, connecting with colleagues, and of course, enjoying the stunning Caribbean waters. By traveling to these global events, we keep our skills sharp, harbor relationships, and stay in the loop of the latest industry trends and updates. The Antigua Yacht Show was especially crucial this year due to Australia’s latest bill. 

The Special Recreational Vessels Bill permits foreign and flagged superyachts to charter in Australian waters. Before the law was put into place, there were more limited area where foreign vessels could set sail and charter to. We were excited to share this update with superyacht owners at this year’s event, and to mention our convenient location near the Port of Brisbane. With heightened travel to the South Pacific region due to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2021 America’s Cup in Auckland, more boat owners will be traveling to the Australasia area. The new bill makes it even easier for boat goers to stop in Australia without facing exorbitant fees or mountains of paperwork. Our team is looking forward to this change, and the opportunity to work with worldwide boaters.

This year’s event took place across four locations: Nelson’s Dockyard Marina, UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Falmouth Harbour Marina, and the Antigua Yacht Club Marina. There was about 90 world-class charter yachts, which attendees were given exclusive access to tour. The event attendees also were given the opportunity to meet the captains and crews of the charter vessels, who serve as key components of any luxury superyacht charter. 

The Antigua Yacht Show is a favorite of many, and for good reason: cocktail parties, dinners, social events, and an overall relaxed atmosphere. Over the six-day event, participants enjoyed the viewing portions of the show, as well as an emergency preparedness session, wine tastings, information hours covering a variety of topics, and finally, a chef’s competition! 

Our team left the Antigua Yacht Show feeling energized for the next superyacht show. With each event we travel to, we build upon our experience and expertise, grow relationships, and stay on top of trends and industry updates. By attending these events, we are strengthening The Yard Brisbane to ultimately better serve our customers and provide the utmost levels of care. We are looking forward to seeing what 2020 brings, and the years beyond. 

Interested in what event we’ll be attending next? Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated!

Categories
Superyachts

5 Ways to Protect Your Boat From Salt Water Corrosion

superyacht at boatyard for marina berthing
superyacht at boatyard for marina berthing

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.

Categories
Our Team

Strengthening Emergency Response Capabilities at The Yard Brisbane

 

Strengthening Emergency Response Capabilities at The Yard Brisbane

Investing in specialist rescue equipment, advanced training and emergency preparedness to support safer high-risk work across our shipyard.

At The Yard Brisbane, safety remains a fundamental part of our operations. As the scope and complexity of projects undertaken at our facility continue to evolve, so too does our commitment to ensuring our people have the equipment, training and procedures required to work safely.

As part of this ongoing commitment, we are developing a purpose-built Emergency Response Team (ERT) Rescue Trailer, designed to strengthen our emergency preparedness and provide a dedicated, mobile rescue resource for high-risk work activities.

A Purpose-Built Mobile Rescue Resource

The ERT Rescue Trailer is being developed to provide a centralised, organised and readily deployable resource containing specialist rescue and emergency response equipment.

Across a busy shipyard environment, work can involve confined spaces, working at heights, complex machinery and other activities requiring carefully considered safety procedures. Having appropriate rescue equipment readily accessible is an important part of preparing for these potential risks.

The trailer will support rescue planning and emergency response activities by ensuring essential equipment is properly maintained, organised and available where it is needed.

Its mobile design will also allow equipment to be positioned closer to high-risk work areas, supporting more efficient preparation and deployment when required.

Investing in Our People

Specialist equipment is only one component of an effective emergency response capability. Equally important is ensuring personnel have the qualifications, practical experience and confidence to respond appropriately.

Members of The Yard Brisbane’s team have recently completed specialist qualifications across several emergency response disciplines, including:

  • Confined Space Rescue
  • Breathing Apparatus
  • Vertical Rescue
  • Firefighting
  • Emergency Response

These qualifications provide our personnel with valuable technical knowledge and practical skills relevant to the diverse operational risks encountered within a marine industrial environment.

By continuing to invest in professional development and competency maintenance, we are strengthening our internal emergency response capabilities and supporting a proactive safety culture throughout the facility.

Planning Before the Work Begins

Effective emergency response starts well before an incident occurs.

At The Yard Brisbane, rescue planning and permit issuing form an essential part of our approach to managing high-risk work.

Before relevant activities commence, potential emergency scenarios are assessed and appropriate rescue arrangements are established. This process includes identifying task-specific risks, determining equipment requirements, confirming rescue procedures and clearly defining personnel responsibilities.

This structured approach helps ensure that emergency arrangements are considered as part of the work planning process, rather than being addressed only when an incident occurs.

It also reinforces the importance of communication, coordination and preparedness between our operational teams, contractors and other personnel involved in high-risk activities.

Maintaining Readiness Through Ongoing Training

Emergency preparedness requires continuous development.

Alongside the introduction of the ERT Rescue Trailer, The Yard Brisbane remains focused on maintaining personnel competency through ongoing training, practical exercises and regular reviews of emergency response procedures.

These activities help reinforce technical skills, identify opportunities for improvement and ensure our emergency response arrangements remain appropriate for the work being undertaken.

The combination of specialist qualifications, practical preparation and dedicated rescue equipment represents an important investment in the long-term safety capabilities of our facility.

Raising the Standard of Shipyard Safety

The continued development of our emergency response capabilities reflects The Yard Brisbane’s commitment to meeting and, wherever practicable, exceeding applicable industry safety requirements and standards.

By investing in our people, equipment and planning processes, we are building a stronger foundation for the safe delivery of complex marine maintenance, repair and refit projects.

Our objective is straightforward: to ensure high-risk work is undertaken with appropriate safeguards in place, supported by trained personnel and a capable emergency response team prepared to act when required.

At The Yard Brisbane, safety is more than a requirement. It is an ongoing investment in our people, our customers and the future of our facility.