The eight companies who occupy the North Dock Marine Services building in STP Palma becoming known as ‘the North Dockers,’ is probably a sign that their joint reputation is getting well established and taking on its own brand identity!

 

The word ‘versatility’ sums up the willingness to think creatively and ‘go the extra mile,’ in order to meet their client’s needs, and this is a strong feature throughout, even though each company is independently owned and managed.

 

For instance, Palmawatch are well known for haul out works engineering repairs and refits, and in the last few weeks have risen to the challenge as usual, when some clients have contacted them with requests that needed a fast and flexible response.

 

The PW engineering team led by Pete Firth the workshop operations director, stretched their imagination and creativity when asked to fit a tender launch system on the aft swim platform of M/Y Jade, a Jeanneau Leader 8 based in Palma. Whilst about it, they also designed, constructed and installed a bespoke bow step to allow alternative access. The marine stainless and teak construction was specially configured to allow deployment of the anchor without the need for dismounting the step.

 

The same team came to the prompt rescue of S/Y Karibu, an Oyster 885, when she had to be hauled out at short notice in Port Adriano, after her Lewmar bow thruster forced out one of its shaft seals. This in turn had overloaded the vertical motor rendering the thruster inoperable.

 

Pete Firth explained, “we removed the thruster, cleaned and polished the shaft, sourced and replaced the seals, and then we refitted the thruster in the shortest possible time. We thus ensured that the boat could be relaunched, and start her season with the minimum of disruption.

 

Another North Dock company, Servicios Náuticos Integrados Palma, (SNIP) specialises in painting yachts, whether it be high performance coatings, quality finishes or antifouling application. They also specialise in applying lacquers to composites components, and treating propellers or stern gear with special antifouling compounds such as Propspeed.

 

Still owned and managed by its founder José Bauzá, SNIP has been reliably carrying out a wide variety of painting and coating projects for over four decades since 1965. During this time, they have developed a highly qualified and experienced workforce utilising the latest and most reliable products and materials in the nautical market, and offering a one year warranty on its work.

 

This long-standing reputation has earned SNIP the respect of many boat builders, including Nautors Swan who they are official painting partners for. This has sometimes taken the team well away from Palma where they have been deployed at Nautor’s yard in Finland. Here they have undertaken the application of the complete paint system from bare carbon fibre, through to final finish on several of newly built hulls.

 

SNIP have also painted a Swan 115, the well-known racing maxi superyacht SY Highland Fling in Finland, and more recently have travelled as far as Hong Kong where they were commissioned to repaint the starboard side of SY Windward after an incident which had caused some accidental damage.

 

Back in Palma, the SNIP team have also been kept busy on some well-known large yachts. As an example, the following work has received positive commendations from captains and owners:

* S/Y Suadade – topsides, superstructure, new waterline, under-surface treatment, mast & bulb, and various other work.

* S/Y Dolphin – hull and stern, lacquers in main cabin, port & starboard bulwarks, and various other works.

*SY Lady Duvera – topsides & transom, bulwarks, superstructure, antifouling & Propspeed, and various other works.

* M/Y Nomad – topsides & transom and superstructure.

 

Other companies at the North Dock who make up this group of specialists with its wide range of skills, products and services are:

 

Undercover Solutions: Yacht Containment / Covers / Shrink-Wrap / Fixtures & Fittings.

 

Trappmann Consulting: Interiors / Design / Upholstery / Bespoke Joinery / Interior Equipment.

 

IBS: Electrics / Electronics specialists.

 

De Cabo: Painting/Polishing/Antifouling

 

Munditubo: scaffoldings and detachable metallic structures.

 

Anicla: Providers of Paint and Coating Supplies.

 

 

More details at: www.thenorthdock.com