United Kingdom

Muza Lab 

Built in 1931 by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/192" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard (Company)">Camper &amp; Nicholsons</a>, the 58.8-metre classic motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a> is ready for the charter market following an extensive two-year restoration. The iconic superyacht has been given a new lease of life by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis Shipyard</a> and now brings opulence and exquisite detail to a whole new level.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252181/image/large-b1c4ed491448f0e76595b6ada0981d5c.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252181"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a> is one of the few surviving yachts of her era, and has lived a colourful life. Her story takes place in 1929 when Montague Stanley Napier placed an order for a new 58.8-metre steel superyacht, but sadly passed away before he could take delivery in 1931. As a result of this, she was sold to aeroplane builder Sir Richard Fairey, who named her Evadne. In the years to follow, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a> had only four owners and was given various names, such as Zapala and Gaviota IV.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252206/image/large-77105a79b3983787b748fff8120b018c.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252206"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a> was well-maintained and underwent numerous modifications in her lifetime, and during World War II she was even modified to serve as a navy vessel. In 1962, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a> was purchased by Hungarian businessman Robert de Balkany who named her after his first two daughters, Marina and Alexandra. He also decorated the interior in a bold Savoir blue in honour of his wife, Princess Maria Gabriella of the House of Savoy<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252205/image/large-44c2726770014687d153d93bd2e8d910.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252205"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a> came onto the market again in 2016 for the first time in 53 years and was sold in 2017. At the hands of her new devoted owner and the remarkably talented team at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a>, work began to restore her back to her 1930s heyday.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252180/image/large-c667269a43751120fd0afa24a4e97c07.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252180">The two-year restoration involved strengthening large parts of her steelworks, while preserving as much of her original riveted construction by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/229" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Charles E. Nicholson (Company)">Charles E. Nicholson</a>. Her powertrains were refurbished and her timber was replaced, while still retaining a great amount of her original woodwork. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a> now harnesses a modern electrical system onboard, but wherever possible <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a> sought out original materials, such as lignum vitae within her stern tube bearings.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252204/image/large-fafa7c6cb0281d04c8b862b4a7566bb3.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252204">The interior of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a> has been restored back to her original glory, with a soft Art-Deco design by London-based design house <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6360" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Muza Lab (Company)">Muza Lab</a>. The design team used the archives of the National Maritime Museum and the original plans of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a> to ensure an authentic vision and to pay homage to her spirit and heritage. The result is a wistful world of the 1930s cradled in an ambience of nostalgia. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252185/image/large-af92a67c80d787a8285bf73db449fd87.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252185"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a>’s guests will be treated like luxury onboard, much like her distinguished alumni of Frank Sinatra and Salvador Dali. Marala also featured in the 2001 film The Cat’s Meow, in which she represented William Randolph Hearst’s yacht, Oneida.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252186/image/large-3364d989bc01edee89bbb055e57bf161.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252186">The main saloon of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a> remains similar to her original design with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6360" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Muza Lab (Company)">Muza Lab</a> describing it as ‘Gatsby-esque glamour’ with a skylight and working fireplace. Her stunning dining area allows for seating for up to 12 guests, surrounded by wood panelling and period chandeliers.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252191/image/large-e8d0d8655a7894d5b605dcb602b780a3.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252191"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252193/image/large-a06856d2ef16d5a185e6cd3c6969f395.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252193"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252189/image/large-d0854e1711ddb3898dc5b2875bc5df3d.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252189">Each of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a>’s six staterooms are a work of art, with her owner’s suite situated on the main deck. The master stateroom has its own private access starboard into a delightful lounge area and includes an opulent ensuite bathroom with his-and-hers sinks.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252194/image/large-2757e98f1525b56c12a312260ecc762a.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252194"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252197/image/large-72d336d30a1f76574aca55ba8df69b24.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252197"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252198/image/large-2d9de839a03c3d3a7ccbf26db6e86d5b.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252198">The remaining five guest staterooms of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a> are located on the lower deck and include a full-beam VIP suite aft and three double staterooms, all with ensuite bathrooms. Her twin stateroom includes the original sleigh bed which has been beautifully restored and carefully lengthened.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252201/image/large-8b324020b458cd7c20a3accd1d4499ca.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252201"> <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252202/image/large-7a5327a3be70ae9c0eebd6c08677459c.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252202"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252200/image/large-b4014ec2cde0c9995d5bbf515b9deb16.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252200">The exterior spaces of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a> also live up to the expectations of her interior. She features a copper spa Jacuzzi pool and plenty of informal banquet seating. Another unique detail onboard is her teak ‘treasure chest’ that houses an outdoor cocktail bar.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252183/image/large-ae6f29f33829ee5ace9716319b5f46e3.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252183"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252182/image/large-cfa3304da729f261581eefa853bd109d.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252182">In terms of performance, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a> is able to reach a top speed of 13 knots and a comfortable cruising speed of 11 knots from her original 1931 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MAN (Company)">MAN</a> engines. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a> is ready for charter in Summer 2023, cruising the West Mediterranean, the Adriatic and possibly Greece with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/136" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Independence (Company)">Ocean Independence</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252207/image/large-383c21dc2913ba523c0dfe3a7cae9ac0.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252207">

A first look at the interiors of the 59m superyacht Marala

A first look onboard the 50m Camper and Nicholsons superyacht Marala following her two year restoration. 

Onboard the 59m superyacht Marala following her two-year restoration

The 58.83-metre classic motor yacht by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/192" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard (Company)">Camper &amp; Nicholsons</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a> is once again cruising, after completing a massive two-year refit and restoration project at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis Shipyard</a>. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a> described watching Marala complete her sea trials as a “thrilling moment for the whole project team.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/228646/image/large-a5d909de1cf8c2e4a7d9b098e8a274a3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/228646">A large task for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a> during the two-year appointment was to strengthen large parts of the steelworks of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a>’s 1930s hull, while preserving as much of her original riveted construction. The team sought to emulate this process for both her timber and engines – and are happy to confirm that she still wears a great amount of her original woodwork. The powertrains were refurbished, and whenever possible, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a> sought out original materials, such as lignum vitae within the stern tube bearings. The domestic and electrical systems onboard now harness modern engineering methods. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/228707/image/large-978b78c40a894a365fe77d99fc036a8e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/228707"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/228704/image/large-cae7c9358f19dccb283a09be462e16e2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/228704"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a> now dons a new interior design, which was conceived by London-based design house <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6360" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Muza Lab (Company)">Muza Lab</a>. The design team paid homage to the spirit and heritage of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a> by creating a true Art Deco-styled interior. The work has brought her former beauty and elegance back to life. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/211140/image/large-4467e883bf63325d6ff2fca4057fa66c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/211140">Read:&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/52929" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Restoring 59m Marala: Everything you need to know about the Pendennis project (2021-05-17 11:30:00 +0200)">Restoring 59m Marala: Everything you need to know about the Pendennis project</a>After successfully completing her sea trials off the coast of Falmouth, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a> has proved that she is ready to cruise once again. It was reported that “ all of her machinery has performed exactly as expected when monitored closely under test conditions.” The results were signed off by Lloyd’s surveyors.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/211139/image/large-7adf86342adb965e1c65c3af5863777e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/211139">Read:&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/54106" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons' Marala enters final stages of her restoration (2021-11-17 16:15:00 +0100)">Camper &amp; Nicholsons' Marala enters final stages of her restoration</a><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a> noted that its in-house Class and Flag team liaised closely with both Cook Islands and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1452" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lloyd's Register (Company)">Lloyd’s</a> to ensure a successful result in an extremely technical historic restoration.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/228705/image/large-be0111479703afb58066813384b5560e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/228705">

Camper and Nicholsons 59m Marala completes sea trials

Camper & Nicholsons Marala is once again cruising, after completing a two-year refit and restoration project at Pendennis Shipyard. 

Camper & Nicholsons' 59m Marala completes sea trials after 2 year refit at Pendennis

It would be fair to say that I was excited for my visit to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis Shipyard</a>, the first since 2017, in no small part due to the presence of the 58.83-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/192" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard (Company)">Camper and Nicholsons</a> 1931 motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a>, now in an advanced state of spectacular restoration. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/211141/image/large-a0c54f0d2e9950bbb46c75ac9f5b3d0f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/211141"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis Shipyard</a> is nestled between cliffs, the sea and a major commercial shipyard, looking out into Falmouth Harbour in south-west Cornwall. Though in an unassuming location, the yard has evolved over the decades to establish an international reputation, particularly famed for the refit and restoration of some of the world’s best known sailing and motor yachts. Among those yachts stamped with the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a> seal are the 65-metre schooner <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1613" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Adix64.85m (212'9&quot;)Astilleros de Mallorca S.A.1984">Adix</a>, refit in 1991, the 45.6-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/671" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moatize45.6m (149'7&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd1999">Moatize</a>, the famous <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/548" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="A247.0m (154'2&quot;)Feadship1983">A2</a> which underwent an expansive refit in 2012 and the 1933 J-Class sloop <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/251" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Velsheda39.4m (129'3&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1933">Velsheda</a>. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/5863/image/large-86aaffeeddc021bbd522974b697943fc.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/5863">In 2004 the yard made a commitment to continuing the growth of their refit sector, which now accounts for around 80 percent of the work conducted, with the construction of The Terry Vernon Refit Complex, a 150-metre split dry dock. In 2014 the yard went through another phase of expansion and in 2019 they acquired a 800 tonne travel lift, further extending their capabilities. Just before the Covid-19 pandemic, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a> also established a new technical service shipyard in Vilanova, just outside of Barcelona, which serves the global fleet in the Mediterranean. The initial works on the yard were completed in Autumn of 2019, resulting in a yard which spans 30,000 square-meters and is equipped with a 200 tonne and 620 travel hoist for performing repair and maintenance works.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/211135/image/large-fa04e3015de52281630abe0cf94b1f9c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/211135">Joint Managing Director, Toby Allies commented “For the last 33 years the main focus of the management team at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a> has been to consistently deliver world class projects and outstanding customer service to our clients. This has been achieved through a combination of strategies including nurturing and developing the talent within the business, as well as consistent investment into our infrastructure and the expansion of our oversea’s offering through <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a> Vilanova.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/211134/image/large-8add551b3bbdace2bece9ad4f3beb8f8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/211134">During my morning at the yard I was fortunate enough to receive an exclusive tour of the current projects, which aside from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a>’s restoration include the construction of two new motor yachts. These two hulls, which began their life at the now-closed Turkish shipyard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1756" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tansu Yachts (Company)">Tansu</a>, are exploiting every scratch of the knowledge and expertise here at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a>, with one vessel made of steel, the 35-metre Project Fox and the other made of timber, the 38-metre sistership of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1756" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tansu Yachts (Company)">Tansu</a>’s <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3414" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Preference 1936.4m (119'5&quot;)Tansu Yachts2011">Preference 19</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/211140/image/large-4467e883bf63325d6ff2fca4057fa66c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/211140">When asked about why the owner chose <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a> for the construction of these two unusual explorer yachts, Owners Representative Dave Powys commented, “I have worked with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a> in the past, for me when we knew the yachts had to move there was no other yard in my mind. We came here for the exceptional level of expertise in traditional British yacht construction, the track record and for the people who ensure that what we want is completed to a very high standard.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/211139/image/large-7adf86342adb965e1c65c3af5863777e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/211139">The 35-metre Project Fox may have started life as a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1756" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tansu Yachts (Company)">Tansu</a>, but the team in Falmouth have worked hard to convert the vessel into a transatlantic explorer with a truly commercial draw. Raising the bulwarks and exploiting her impressive aft deck, the yacht has undergone a form of conversion to bring her up to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a>’ world-class standard. When launched in early 2023 she will sit more than comfortably alongside explorer superyachts of a much greater length.&nbsp;Powys’ impression of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a> is certainly one that is shared by the team on the ground. A major cause of the aforementioned sense of heritage comes from the fact that the 400-strong workforce are all employed by the company, there are few contractors meaning that everyone on site has ties to the work conducted, helping to forge a sense of pride in the business. Another part has been nurtured by the shipyards apprenticeship programme, established in 1998, which pulls young talent from the local community into structured education and employment. Today, 30 percent of the company’s workforce is made up of current or ex-apprentices, a statistic that speaks volumes about the soul of the shipyard. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/211138/image/large-8cd6fe8b26b37d5516025d1c748ea4da.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/211138">Speaking to Nick Kearton, Project Manager for the restoration of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a> you really get a sense of how the cogs turn here at the shipyard. Having arrived in Falmouth in early 2019, the vessel is following in the footsteps of other impressive <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a> refits, such as that of another golden age beauty, the 1937 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2291" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Malahne50.29m (164'12&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1937">Malahne</a> in 2017, which is seeing the yacht returned to bristol condition. Over the decades <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a> has been converted, added to and modernised. It has been the task of Kearton and his team to return her to her original form, a celebration of Art Deco design and one of the last surviving vessels of her lineage. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/41797/image/large-52a78b623d2f675d7c6c07a484361000.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/41797"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/23816/image/large-58b664fc87bce4a78a115716d6cbb9e0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/23816">A major element of a project such as this has been the research and rediscovery of her history, with the team unearthing 800 documents pertaining to her original design, archived at the Greenwich Maritime Library. London-based <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6360" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Muza Lab (Company)">Muza Lab</a> design studio have been instrumental in the interior finishing, which as I toured the yacht was beginning to take shape as bathroom tiles were laid under my feet. As their first yacht interior design the team at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6360" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Muza Lab (Company)">Muza</a> has pulled out all of the stops to adhere to the Deco originality, while employing as many artisans and craftspeople as possible to complement the interior arrangement. One exceptional example comes in the form of straw marquetry panels in the lower deck saloon, which look like finely inlaid strips of heavily varnished wood but are actually carefully selected individual blades of straw, painstakingly arranged into a pattern and sealed with varnish.&nbsp;For Kearton, it is the culture of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a> that has enabled the team to come together to create a restoration on this scale. The work has been challenging at times, not least in the form of Covid-19. When the vessel was stripped down to steel more than 80 tonnes of material had to be removed, far more than anyone had predicted. The resounding success of this work however, Kearton believes, is born from the fact that the yard employs skilled professionals from every department they could need, many of whom have been at the shipyard for decades.In fact, even on <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a>’s refit, there are two sets of father and son/daughter teams as well as individuals who have been at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a> since the yard was founded 33 years ago. Having the work and skills in-house may be one of the reasons that the shipyard has fared the adversity of 2020 and onwards so well.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/211145/image/large-80c54b17cbfe3f8802ae4ad6bf630594.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/211145"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/211143/image/large-0f335b4aab1021758838e5b1acca85a1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/211143">The longevity of the employees at the shipyard is also something you hear time and time again when speaking to people about <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a>. For many owners and captains, particularly of older vessels, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a> is the very best place to have a vessel refit because often there are people there who have worked on the vessel before. This fosters a great retention of clients and many come to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a> for the skillsets of particular members of the team. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/211144/image/large-539856d2572aedb21fb8f71e07d57578.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/211144">As the morning on the site drew to a close, my guide Paul Griffiths showed me the areas that the shipyard will be looking to expand in coming years and even as we stood there vessels were arriving from all over the world to begin refits of various levels. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a> is a hive of activity, apprentices learn how to strip and varnish great spars like those of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/534" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marala58.83m (193'0&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1931">Marala</a>, while steel and aluminium experts set to work on the construction of Project Fox's interior arrangement. It is exciting to see the tradition of British yacht construction, which was once such a major player in the world stage, surviving strongly here in Falmouth. I very much look forward to returning to the shipyard in the Spring to see these projects come to their conclusion and I expect to see many more exciting vessels pass through here in years to come.&nbsp;This article was originally published in&nbsp;<a href="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/news/superyacht-times-newspaper-issue-39" target="_blank">Issue 39 of SuperYacht Times newspaper</a>. To read more stories like this one and to never again miss another issue of the SuperYacht Times newspaper, <a href="https://shop.superyachttimes.com/report/the-superyacht-times-subscription" target="_blank">subscribe here</a>.

SYT visits Pendennis to find out more about the business

SYT takes a visit to sunny Falmouth to discover some of the exciting projects currently underway and to find out what makes this historic yard tick.
