By the time this article comes out, the winners of the World Superyacht Awards, one of the most esteemed awards in yachting, will have been announced and local company BMComposites, nominated as part of the team who worked on the extensive refit of SY M5 will know whether they have won the coveted Refit category award.
The team at BM Composites recently completed and installed three new hard-top Biminis and a complete re-design and build of the fly-bridge including consoles, wheels and adjustable helm seating for the 78 metre Ron Holland designed SY M5.
BMC Commercial Director Luke Hendy worked closely throughout the project with M5 Co-Captains Ryan Bergman and Don Anderson to ensure their expectations were met and what was delivered was exactly what the owner envisaged.
All the structures were commissioned by Luke to be designed by Adriana Monk of Monk Design, Monaco and her experience and vision became a fundamental part of the project success. Once built all the parts were transported to NCA Refit in Carrera, Italy for installation. As the yachts leading Naval architect, the project was overseen and fully endorsed by Rob Doyle Design. Installation was completed by the BMC team in Italy.
The build in progress
One of the hard tops departing BMC´s manufacturing facility in Palma on its journey to NCA Refit, Italy.
Plug and play installation due to precise 3D scanning technology.
SY M5 before and after shots
Beautifully finished helm console designed in harmony with the hard tops and the rest of the yacht.
Adriana Monk from Monk design says, “When making such bold design changes to such an iconic yacht, it is essential to maintain the design harmony with seamless integration using new technology and modern flow language”.
The finishing quality and attention to detail really shows once the yacht is ready for guests.
One of the biggest goals with this refit was to create a whole new experience for the owner and guests on the flybridge. In replacing the tubular stainless steel and canvas structures for state-of-the-art carbon fibre hard tops, not only were BMC modernizing the yacht, but they were able to give a more covered and secure feel to the space, adding warmth with modern adjustable lighting combined with subtle design aspects on the undersides, as well as some exciting additional features. All this resulted in a completely new set of options in terms of guest entertainment, as well as the incredible sailing experience of M5.
The structures were manufactured without ever having the boat in Palma, as all measurements were taken from incredibly accurate 3D scans of the flybridge and radar arch. The final installation on board in NCA Refit Italy went without a hitch with all parts matching up with millimetre precision.
“This was an amazing project for BMComposites, says Commercial Director Luke Hendy, and whether or not we win the award at the online ceremony on 13th November, this has really cemented our reputation as an industry leader when it comes to design and manufacture of large composite structures”.
The majestic M5 sailing showing the new two-tone silver superstructure.
BMComposites Going Forward
BMComposites are currently building two large Biminis with initial meetings and commissioning completed this Spring.
Project One Bimini
An 85m2 Bimini for a 40m Delta Marine Motor Yacht. The project is a collaboration with A2B Marine Projects, designed by naval architect Tia Simon with the installation scheduled for December 2020.
The mould in progress for Project One Bimini in BMComposites’ Palma manufacturing facility.
MY Coral Ocean Sky Lounge:
This project involves big changes to the 73m Lurssen, MY Coral Ocean. BMC are currently manufacturing a new hard top canopy, complete with automated sunroofs, a completely new Radar mast and supporting structure totalling more than 175m2 of modern composite construction.
With naval architects Laurent Giles and designer H2 Yacht Design, the project is scheduled for delivery and installation in February 2021. Project Manager Ian Heseltine said “BMComposites were up against some tough competition to win this build, but our track record in delivering such projects and the experience of our team won the confidence of the client and sealed the contract.”
Render of the new Sky Lounge for MY Coral Ocean
2020 has presented some operational challenges but BMC are looking forward to 2021 with confidence. Managing Director Mark Branagh commented “Apart from the obvious restrictions we are all having to deal with in these current times, the general demand for refit work seems to be increasing. We were fortunate enough to sign two significant refits in the Spring, one of which is a new SKY LOUNGE structure on MY Coral Ocean designed by H2 Design UK. This is part of a large-scale refit here in STP involving the very best local contractors. One of which, 3D Tech are leading design support for modelling and systems layout. We have also just signed a major new refit project in La Ciotat, France and are in the design phase of a potential new build which is very exciting for the team. This is shaping up to be a great season and we are excited about the future of BMC.”
