With the season coming to an end and shipyard periods around the corner, we know you want to be as prepared as possible. While it may not always be smooth sailing, don’t worry! We’ve gathered some expert tips to make the yard period a breeze.
The Pre-arrival yard period
Before you set sail, determine the type of refit you need, whether it’s for maintenance, repairs, or a major overhaul. Once you know what you’re looking for, it’s time to find the perfect shipyard match. Consider factors like expertise, reputation, and facilities to ensure a compatible partnership.
Once you’ve found the right shipyard, seal the deal with a contract. But before you do, define the scope of work, create a detailed work list, and visit the shipyard. It’s important to get to know each other and align your expectations.
With multiple parties involved, effective communication is key. Plan the yard period carefully, set clear expectations, and establish open lines of communication. Ensuring everyone is on the same page will help keep things running smoothly.
Understanding the main goals of your refit will help you stay on track. Schedule time for planned maintenance, prepare detailed specifications, and create a clear work schedule. Assign tasks and manage the supply chain, and try to anticipate potential challenges. Keep accurate documentation, streamline communication with the shipyard using software, and set reminders to avoid any last-minute surprises.
Regular progress meetings will help everyone stay informed and on track. And don’t forget to handle all necessary paperwork, including pre-payments and import/export requirements.
We spoke to the Genoa Superyacht Hub and Amico and Co Shipyard, for a few more fantastic tips on how to ensure a smooth refit period for your yacht. Here’s how to avoid a few common mistakes that can slow you down:
- Stay on top of your finances: Late payments can put a damper on your refit process, so make sure to pay your bills on time and manage your finances efficiently.
- Be clear with change orders: Changes to the refit plan can throw a monkey wrench into your plans, so be clear and concise with your shipyard about any changes you need.
- Keep track of incoming shipments: Parts not arriving on time can cause delays, so assign someone to manage incoming parcels, keep a logbook, and stay on top of logistics to ensure smooth operations.
- Manage human resources: Ensure you have enough crew and plan for crew holidays, time off, rotation, and training in advance to avoid delays. Pre-arrange day workers and temporary crew if needed.
- Designate decision-makers: Have designated decision-makers who can make timely and informed choices during the refit process to avoid delays and keep things moving smoothly.
- Understand the critical path: Create a calendar that outlines confirmed jobs and dependencies between tasks to prevent surprises.
- Manage the crew worklist: Clearly define job requirements, timeframes, and deadlines, and match them with the shipyard worklist. Set goals, deadlines, and contingencies.
- Communicate arrival dates: Keep track of all incoming shipments, inform your agent about their arrival, and clearly communicate cut-off arrival dates to crew and Heads of Department to avoid surprises.
- Carefully review quotes and contracts. Ensure they are all-inclusive and seek clarification on anything you are unsure of to avoid hidden costs and last-minute expenses.
- Prioritize quality, care, and maintenance: Just like a house, your yacht requires regular upkeep. Get the right contractors in to maintain critical equipment and keep it up to standard.
- Proper documentation: Use appropriate software to store timelines, quotes, contracts, calendars, and contingency plans for easy access and organization during the refit process.
Managing a yacht refit can be complex, but with proper planning, attention to detail, and following these tips, you can ensure a successful outcome. Avoid delays caused by late payments, change orders, missing shipments, human resource management issues, decision-making challenges, unexpected dependencies, and hidden costs. Prioritize quality, care, and maintenance, and keep proper documentation.
