Yacht Solutions ramps up for superyachts

PHUKET: Renowned marine services provider Yacht Solutions opened its second office in Phuket on May 1, anticipating a surge in the number of high end yachts and superyachts seeking to call Phuket home, or to use the island as a base for charter operations.

Interest in Phuket from yacht owners around the world is increasing year on year and in Thailand the government is actively supporting this industry, notes Yacht Solutions managing director Gareth Twist.

“Phuket is strategically and geographically well-positioned in Asia, and has the scenery and infrastructure to attract yachts of all sizes,” he says. “In addition to being home to some of the best cruising grounds in the world, the marine infrastructure in Phuket is being constantly improved.

“All of the Phuket marinas have been upgraded and expanded, and this is helping to firmly establish Phuket on the superyacht cruising map, and will also help to attract more and larger vessels to the region.”

With Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul supporting the marine industry and working toward easing restrictions on a number of marine-related issues (story here), Yacht Solutions has created teams of in-house yachting experts to help serve the anticipated increase in yachts and superyachts in Phuket.

“We have expanded our workforce and now have our own in-house teams, offering servicing for yachts of all sizes,” says Rob ‘Doc’ Taylor, head of technical services. “We have dedicated departments for air conditioning, electrics, carpentry, finishing, paint, engineering and shore support.”

“Bringing all the departments under one roof ensures we can offer a complete yacht service to our clients at competitive prices and at the specific time required. With in-house teams, we can react more quickly to our customers’ needs and ensure that work is always of the highest standard.”

The second office will be based in the new Phuket Yacht Haven office development, located in the north of the island.

“In addition to this, any work which needs to be completed out of the marina, such as fabrication, painting and engineering, can be undertaken in the new 540-square-meter Yacht Solutions’ workshop located in central Phuket,” adds Rob. “This dedicated work space ensures that all teams can be mobilized quickly and service yachts in all marinas.”

Yacht Solutions is also looking to further expand their local yacht servicing teams, adds Gareth.

“We are looking for many more craftsman, especially engineers, and we will be speaking with some universities and technical colleges about taking on some engineering interns to train them in marine engineering,” he explains.

“By employing more in-house teams, we are strengthening our commitment towards the marine industry in Thailand and hoping to attract more yachts to Phuket for servicing and work.”

Master carpenter and shipwright Nick Adam will be joining Yacht Solutions in July and will be bringing with him professional tooling and machinery to set up a full carpentry workshop here.

“Nick will head up the carpentry and finishing division. He is an expert in his field and has worked in the US, Caribbean, South America and the Mediterranean, and he is a superyacht interiors specialist,” Gareth notes.

“It is fantastic what is happening in all of the Phuket marinas. All of them are developing and expanding as a result of the buoyant yachting industry here,” he adds.

“Yacht Solutions will be actively promoting Phuket as a marine service center to yachts around the region, and highlighting the work we can do here and the expert teams we can offer,” he continues. “With the government, local businesses and the marine industry working together, we can further develop Phuket into Asia’s premier yachting destination and bring more quality business to our island.”