New Zealand

Integrated Marine Group

The 59.22 metre explorer yacht Senses is currently in the advanced stages of a refit project which began in August this year. The yacht <a href="#managed-by-application" target="_blank" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/44592">arrived</a> in Auckland in July. Built by the Fr. Schweers shipyard in Germany in 1999, Kusch Yachts and Francis Design were in charge of her naval architecture and exterior design of superycht Senses.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157400/image/large-f49fb60a1b93adf7d593149080ae0b96.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157400">Currently overseeing the refit is local Auckland company Integrated Marine Group, with Robinson Interiors also involved in the interior refurbishing of the yacht. Details surrounding the project is still unknown.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157401/image/large-fa7e9dc9b79608357cc9503aea1f9156.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157401">The 59.22m superyacht explorer has been designed to cruise the globe in style, with 6 staterooms accommodating 12 guests on board including a full-beam master suite stretching the entire 12.7m beam. Her incredible range of 6,500nm allows her to cruise remote locations for extended periods with her exploring abilities further enhanced by full helicopter capability, 3 tenders stored on deck with another 42’ Nelson tender launched from the stern.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157402/image/large-91cf024a8c17a83ed03755d8a2a42a8c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157402">Senses is being offered for charter through Y.CO this summer season, and will be available in the Indian Ocean &amp; South East Asia from USD 400,000/week.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157403/image/large-ecb1e6b8aee4413181b32a6da9afca1a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157403">By Charl van Rooy, photo by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SuperyachtsAKL/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Paul Miller / Superyachts in Auckland </a>

Superyacht Senses under refit in Auckland

Held ahead of the Singapore Yacht Show, the Asia Pacific Yachting Conference will provide unrivalled insight into the boating and superyacht sectors in this all- important region. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/147816/image/large-09d16fb8a93e3628592cfb5cd208c21f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/147816">Now in its sixth year, the Asia Pacific Yachting Conference (8 – 9 April) has evolved with a revamped format that will provide session streams tailored to both the boating and superyacht sectors. Held at the ONE°15 Marina Club just prior to the start of the Singapore Yacht Show, the two day conference will cover a wide range of topics from an expert panel of speakers. The new format has been designed specifically to cater to the different yachting sectors, with focused content and leaders in the field. Complementing the conference line up will be ample networking opportunities with key industry players.Opening sessions of the conference will include a presentation from Mark Wightman, Managing Director of New Zealand-based Integrated Marine Group, on the importance of government support in the development of the marine sector. This will be followed by the ‘Examining the economic impact of the yachting industry’ case study paper, presented jointly by YP Loke, Chairman of the Singapore Boating Association, and Andrew Chapman of the Marina Industries Association Australia. Returning once again to the conference as a speaker is Mykolas Rambus, CEO of Wealth-X, who will follow his popular 2013 presentation with a talk on ‘Understanding Asia's Ultra Wealthy: Opportunities for the Yachting Industry’.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/147817/image/large-e93cad07746db01b58c2a675af7fcdeb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/147817">Focused discussion points for boating and superyacht streams After these much anticipated group sessions, delegates will break off into boating and superyacht specific sessions. For the boating industry, topics will include ‘Into Unchartered Waters’, looking at new business initiatives in Asia, and ‘Building Boating from Grassroots’. The superyacht sessions will open with a presentation from Julian Chang, Executive Director of shipyard Raffles Class, on the ‘Reality of China as a market for superyachts’, while panel discussions on topics such as refit and repair in the Asia Pacific will then be led by panelists including Captain Barry de Kock of 67.2m Vertigo, which has spent extensive time cruising the Asia Pacific.On day two, delegates will again split into sector specific streams. For the boating stream, Jamie Boag of High Aspect International will examine the potential impact of sailing and powerboat events. For the superyacht-focused delegates, topics will include a panel discussion on the developments of the expanding charter market in Asia and sustainability in yachting.After the final networking lunch, delegates will come together for a pair of technical presentations by prominent names in superyachting: Frank Laupman and Perry Van Oossanen, the designer and naval architect from the project, will discuss multi-award-winning M/Y Galactica Star, the 65m vessel launched by Heesen Yachts last year. Perini Navi’s Burak Akgul will then take the stage to present ice-classed 50m explorer yacht M/Y Exuma (on display at the Singapore Yacht Show this year), which was the first of the Italian builder’s collaborations with Philippe Briand under the Vitruvius® Yachts brand.To conclude the conference, a final panel will come together to discuss the overarching theme of this year’s conference: the way forward and key issues affecting the industry’s development in the Asia Pacific region.Asia Pacific Yachting Conference 2014 Su Lin Cheah <a href="mailto:sulin@singaporeyachtshow.com">sulin@singaporeyachtshow.com</a> <a href="http://www.singaporeyachtshow.com/about-apyc">www.singaporeyachtshow.com/about-apyc</a>

Gearing up for the Asia Pacific Yachting Conference 2014

Following a successful collaboration between New Zealand and Spanish yards Integrated Marine Group (IMG) and Atollvic, expedition yacht Seawolf was relaunched. The refit took nearly 120 days, and some stages over 65 people were working on board at the same time.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/147482/image/large-068a1eca8ecb6167b56855d875d888ca.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/145865">Work included the installation of new AC system, replacement of the seawage tank, refurbishment of the aft deck crane, full rebuild of the yacht's steering systems, replacement of 26 square meters of hull plating, retrofitting the anchor windlass from DC to Ac power, installation of new AMS, and the installation of a new fire detection system.Atollvic +34 986 393170 <a href="mailto:atollvic@atollvic.com?subject=Article%20on%20SuperYachtTimes.com">atollvic@atollvic.com</a> <a href="http://www.atollvic.com" target="_blank">www.atollvic.com</a> Integrated Marine Group + 64 9 377 2142 <a href="mailto:mark@integratedmarinegroup.com?subject=Article%20on%20SuperYachtTimes.com">mark@integratedmarinegroup.com</a> <a href="http://www.integratedmarinegroup.com" target="_blank">www.integratedmarinegroup.com</a>

Seawolf looking as-new after 120 day refit

Since announcing their joint venture in 2012, the partnership between New Zealand and Spanish yards Integrated Marine Group (IMG) and Atollvic has gone from strength to strength. A successful collaboration on the well-known expedition yacht M/Y Seawolf has proven the value of the global refit network that the yards offer the superyacht fleet.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/145865/image/large-b9b00d14b9ae914c850f772734a93fa6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/145865">Vigo-based Atollvic, is currently undertaking work on Seawolf, with an extensive list of maintenance and upgrade works entrusted to its team. What makes this project special however, is that Integrated Marine Group, which had Seawolf in its Auckland yard 18 months ago, will send a team to complement Atollvic’s own skilled workforce. The team of painters are indicative of the wider approach the two yards take to delivering exemplary service to clients. Working in cohesion, they’re able to deliver a quality, consistent finish, guaranteeing a great result while working with the yacht’s schedule.In a competitive market, and with yachts travelling further and wider than ever before, this ability to work across hemispheres delivering cohesive, well-planned and effective service to a yacht wherever she happens to be, is a trait which has seen both yards increasing in strength.Marco Villar, managing director of Atollvic says the partnership has enhanced the skills of the Spanish yard and given it new forward momentum. “Being in partnership with IMG has proven of vital importance in such a competitive industry. IMG has reshaped our attitude, refined our skills and without a shade of doubt, improved our management and accounting plans and programs. We’re looking forward to a long lasting relationship.”“Working with our partners has been a very refreshing process. We have developed a new momentum and have learnt a lot from the many talented people we have met within their organisation. Our collaboration has definitely enabled us to deliver a higher standard of service to our clients,” added Mark Wightman, CEO of IMG.Integrated Marine Group have recently taken over a new workspace in Auckland’s Hobsonville to increase capacity. “Obtaining a covered shed facility is significant milestone for IMG, we look forward to some impressive results rolling out the door in the near future”The companies are united in their joint venture by a shared strong bond based on close connections to the sea, a strong maritime heritage, and the capability and resources to deliver exemplary results. Add to that an ability to deliver those results in the northern or southern hemisphere without disrupting a yacht’s cruising schedule, and it becomes clear why their partnership is proving popular with yachts.  Widely-travelled and iconic Seawolf is a great example of this. She’s recently paid a visit to her original build location in Holland for a commemorative visit with another former towing tug, Elbe. The two iconic vessels steamed together, with 58-metre Seawolf leading her sister ship, Elbe. It was a sight much anticipated by yacht watchers and the two grande dames of the sea didn’t disappoint.In the past, Seawolf achieved fame for her endurance, once towing two US Navy aircraft carriers from Boston to Japan, well and truly earning this classic ship her right to a life of adventure and exploration.Both IMG and Atollvic are proud to put their names to ensuring this 56-year-old yacht, which has had a global career stretching from Yokohama to Rotterdam, continues to delight her owners, guest and crew for years to come.Atollvic +34 986 393170 <a href="mailto:atollvic@atollvic.com?subject=Article%20on%20SuperYachtTimes.com">atollvic@atollvic.com</a> <a href="http://www.atollvic.com" target="_blank">www.atollvic.com</a> Integrated Marine Group + 64 9 377 2142 <a href="mailto:mark@integratedmarinegroup.com?subject=Article%20on%20SuperYachtTimes.com">mark@integratedmarinegroup.com</a> <a href="http://www.integratedmarinegroup.com" target="_blank">www.integratedmarinegroup.com</a>

Seawolf undergoes a cross-hemisphere refit

Integrated Marine Group, the New Zealand based specialist superyacht reﬁt company, has completed the major reﬁt of 61.4m trimaran <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3575" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="White Rabbit61.4m (201'5&quot;)North West Bay Yachts Pty Ltd2005">White Rabbit </a>Echo, which included their biggest paint job to date. The completion of the project crowned a busy and successful year of reﬁt for IMG, who also completed projects on 33m S/Y Shamoun, 58m M/Y  Seawolf and 60m M/Y Elandess, accumulating over 210m of reﬁtted vessels during 2012. Complementing their reﬁt books, IMG’s yacht support division also enjoyed a strong 2012, with the busy summer season currently in mid-swing.It is IMG’s strong reputation for reﬁt, and experience on a wide range of large reﬁt projects, that ﬁrst attracted the management team of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3575" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="White Rabbit61.4m (201'5&quot;)North West Bay Yachts Pty Ltd2005">White Rabbit</a> Echo and their decision to travel the distance to New Zealand, over local reﬁt options in Asia, is a real testament to the full package that IMG offered this project as a reﬁt facility. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/143014/image/large-85b62bf51450e2b6050380dff542cab9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/140353"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3575" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="White Rabbit61.4m (201'5&quot;)North West Bay Yachts Pty Ltd2005">White Rabbit </a>Echo arrived in Auckland in January 2012 where she enjoyed two cruises of New Zealand’s North Island before settling down to her reﬁt which began in March and ﬁnished in October. This time cruising allowed guests to experience the best of New Zealand’s coast lines, ably assisted by IMG’s concierge team which is led by support agent Rachel Harrison.Work done on the yacht included an interior reﬁt and an extensive paint job with a top quality ﬁnish. The brief was for a modern, clean interior that alleviated the former angular lines of the main salon and dining area, and an exemplary new exterior ﬁnish across 3,600m2 of surface area.The reﬁt team, project managed by Dave Low, coordinated different aspects of the project to get the work done on time and as efﬁciently as possible. Low describes a multi-pronged approach: “The initial 10 weeks was spent alongside at the Silo Wharf work berth where the superstructure was closed in. This allowed us to work on and complete all the inner superstructure, bulwarks and scuppers. On completion of that stage the vessel was hauled and spent a further 12 weeks on the hard, painting the outer superstructure, combings and hull, with extensive fairing and painting of the tunnels. All of the underwater engineering and survey works were carried out concurrently during this time.”The interior brief was to almost completely refurbish the main salon and dining area, working from concept design sketches. “Our team had to ﬁgure out how to physically dismantle the existing interior and build to the new design. In addition to this, there were four or ﬁve pieces of custom furniture that were built from scratch in the same way and it was up to the joinery team to make the ﬁnished product functional and practical.” <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/143015/image/large-c2742dc2526414f87eb6d3046b9025a3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/140355"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/143016/image/large-212ff7a89b13410d21967a4a5350b575.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/140356">Mark Wightman, Managing Director of IMG says that while he is always proud of the quality work carried out with the IMG reﬁt team, this project in particular resonates. “The ﬁnal ﬁnish of both the interior and exterior of the yacht was exceptional. And all who viewed the ﬁnished product, including some of our competitors, agreed.” “This was a particularly satisfying and enjoyable reﬁt, working with a great crew and management team to achieve overall, a very satisfying result.”

White Rabbit Echo undergoes an extensive refit at NZ's IMG

Integrated Marine Group has been selected by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3575" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="White Rabbit61.4m (201'5&quot;)North West Bay Yachts Pty Ltd2005">White Rabbit</a> Echo as the Refit Company of choice to undertake their exterior repaint and interiors works period. The company has become renowned for its skills and experience on the larger yacht projects but this project will become their largest paint project when completed.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/140353/image/large-f4f8de33968d85e7cfdbd7560dd19317.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/140353">White Rabbit Echo left her home port of Singapore, where she spends the majority of her time, specifically to conduct this work and arrived in Auckland in early January 2012. She first completed two cruises in the North Island of New Zealand with owners and guests, both of which were ably managed by Integrated Marine Group’s very own Concierge team who ensured the guests truly enjoyed the spectacular sights and sounds New Zealand has to offer. Then, in late March, the refit got underway including the full repaint, interior refit, survey and underwater works.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/140354/image/large-7dfe504691eb2f11d8a1c2501d33188f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/140354">The White Rabbit Echo refit is now at the half way stage right on schedule. The first half of the project was conducted in the water, completing the painting of the superstructure and topsides under an impressive tent at Silo Park Marina. Two weeks ago White Rabbit Echo was slipped at Titan Marine Shipyard to begin the second phase of paintworks. The vessel is now completely tented so that she can undergo not only a hull paint but also survey and underwater works. The interior is also having a detailed refit, remodelling and updating the guest areas with a significant amount of joinery, upholstery and furnishings in the Main Saloon and Dining area. This work has continued at full pace throughout the project and the teams were not hindered by the transition onto the slipway.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/140355/image/large-d925a7591f511572f2278106a40e287b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/140355"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/140356/image/large-314b3a71bab016d4b0815c6938113494.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/140356">The tent is due to come off the re-junvenated White Rabbit Echo later in September and will reveal the largest refit paint job completed in New Zealand to date with a painted area of over 3400m2. This however is not a daunting prospect for the talented team at Integrated Marine Group who have really taken this project in their stride, having completed many similar projects not too much smaller. “We are so proud of the team we have developed over many years of refinement who rise to the challenge every time” says Mark Wightman, Managing Director. ”It is an honour to be chosen for this project and I have every confidence that the end result will prove their choice was a very wise one”.