United States

Ocean Marine Yacht Center

Clear Yacht Interiors and Ocean Marine Yacht Center announce the formation of a strategic alliance to position Ocean Marine’s Portsmouth shipyard as one of the only U.S. facilities to offer complete yard and interior design/build services. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/141403/image/large-464ea5a8a54786f7b6c68e473be4bd28.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/141403">“Our goal is to offer owners and captains the expertise and convenience of comprehensive services. With Clear Yacht Interiors as part of our team, we are able to create seamless refits, ensuring a streamlined process for our clients by executing everything from technical requirements, paint and repair services to interior design and custom build-outs,” says Jim Bento, President and CEO of Ocean Marine. Joyce Clear, owner of Clear Yacht Interiors, remarks, “This is an exciting time for us. Our philosophy has always been to offer clients a full service experience. This is why we are positioned as one of the only international interior design firms with full joinery and custom woodworking capabilities in addition to our full-service offerings including everything from interior design and fabrication to installation of nearly every interior design element. Our new relationship with Ocean Marine takes this a step further by offering clients a remarkable integrated yacht refit experience.” Ocean Marine’s megayacht repair facility boasts a 1,250-ton Syncrolift capable of hauling yachts to 235' via a ground level rail transfer system to an impressive paint/repair building capable of housing two megayachts simultaneously. Both bays of the indoor paint repair facility offer a cascading water wall washdown system, smooth paneled walls, overhead and recessed surround lighting, pressurized ventilation system, and heated floors for year- round operation. Ocean Marine is committed to environmental stewardship, resulting in international recognition. Ocean Marine protects the environment through containment and responsible disposal. The green focus is an important connection with Clear Yacht Interior’s interests, as their head designer is a U.S. Green Building Council LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional). Together, Ocean Marine and Clear Yacht Interiors are focused on making a difference in this area. Clear Yacht Interiors is redesigning one of the many buildings on the 19 acre shipyard to cater to captains and crew with a lounge, computer stations, media center and conference room. They will be showcasing their design capabilities including custom furniture, cabinetry, carpeting, decorative wall finishes, upholstery, soft goods and their upcoming LED lighting line. “We have a dedicated space that reflects the talents of our integrated design and joinery team, as well as a place to demonstrate state-of-the-art technology including audio/visual, lighting and galley equipment as well as new product lines we have designed and launched,” says Clear. In addition to incorporating a comprehensive interior design studio, Clear Yacht Interiors will have a new state-of-the-art custom joinery shop, expanding upon the capabilities of the joinery shop Ocean Marine currently has on site. “We look forward to giving owners, captains and crew the opportunity to experience space in a new way. It spurs idea generation, custom design approach, and includes everything required for interior design planning as well as computer and hand-rendering capabilities,” adds Clear. Clear Group International’s Connecticut-based design and joinery shop will continue to meet the needs of the firm’s Northeast and Newport area clients. Together, Bento’s and Clear’s progressive thinking creates a new kind of business model in the yachting industry. Their business goals include comprehensive and integrated services as well as solutions to some of the greatest challenges the yachting industry faces. These include expanding the yacht owner demographic, increasing job creation, showcasing American technology and design, and improving upon how the yacht industry and yacht owners are perceived. “By creating synergy between Ocean Marine Yacht Center and Clear Yacht Interiors, we do more than think outside-of-the-box. We’re committed to addressing yachting industry challenges head on while embracing innovation. We are positioned to create something truly spectacular together. Our alliance reflects a right and left brain approach and offers solutions around our industry’s needs on so many different levels,” concludes Clear.Ocean Marine Jim Bento +1 757 399 2920 <a href="mailto:pres@oceanmarinellc.com?subject=Article%20on%20SuperYachtTimes.com">pres@oceanmarinellc.com</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.oceanmarinellc.com">www.oceanmarinellc.com</a> Clear Yacht Interiors Joyce Clear +1 203 293 4087 <a href="mailto:jclear@cleargroupintl.com?subject=Article%20on%20SuperYachtTimes.com">jclear@cleargroupintl.com</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cleargroupintl.com">www.cleargroupintl.com</a>

Clear Yacht Interiors and Ocean Marine form strategic alliance

James River Ventures, a New England investment consortium, today announced the acquisition of Ocean Marine in Portsmouth, Va. from Marine Hydraulics International (MHI). The new owners simultaneously reported a collaborative effort with Colonna Yachts to further expand the capabilities and opportunities in the repair and refit of megayachts. Originally the home of a Hampton Roads Coast Guard station, MHI acquired the 19.5-acre site from the City of Portsmouth in 2001. At that time, MHI installed a 1250-ton NAVSEA-certified Synchrolift capable of hauling yachts up to 240 feet in length. In addition, MHI constructed twin 275-foot climate-controlled buildings to accommodate year-round repairs, refits and paint work. These buildings have an OSHA-approved ventilation system that pressurizes the interior to eliminate dust and assure consistent quality work. “Ocean Marine is the best facility of its kind on the East Coast,” said Johnson. “I’ve been in the yacht yard business for 45 years, and this facility is the finest I have ever experienced. The marina has deep water access located at mile marker 0.5 on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). Our association with Colonna Yachts will allow us to become a major player in refits, repairs and paint application for the megayacht market.” Colonna Yachts, a division of Colonna’s Shipyard, specializes in hull and machinery refits, main engine and generator re-power, engineering, class surveys, shafts and bearings, and repair and installation of all ship board systems. The company’s workforce consists of machinists, welders, shipfitters, pipefitters, electricians, riggers and project managers. “By marrying Ocean Marine’s modern facility with Colonna, a five-generation family-owned shipyard, our skilled workforce will give rise to one of the largest full-service megayacht facilities in North America,” said Tom Godfrey, president of Colonna’s Shipyard. “The existing workforce is critical to the success of Ocean Marine,” stated new owners, John S. Johnson and Jim Mattingly, James River Ventures. “The present employees are highly skilled and have had incredible loyalty to Ocean Marine since its inception in 2001.” “We owe a debt of thanks to our financial advisors, The Westbury Group of Southport, Conn., and to our bankers at BB&amp;T in Chesapeake, Va. who have both made the extra effort to realize our goal and close this deal,” said Mattingly. About Ocean Marine Ocean Marine Yacht Center, a 19.5 acre site in Portsmouth, Va., is located just a half-mile south of mile-marker zero on the ICW. The new complex features a modern marina with all amenities, an indoor dry storage building, a complete parts department and an unparalleled service and repair facility for boats of all sizes. About Colonna’s Shipyard Founded in 1875, Colonna’s Shipyard is the oldest family-owned, full-service private shipyard in the United States. The company’s reputation is built on a long tradition of quality workmanship, on-time deliveries, cost-effectiveness and solid business management. Colonna’s dry docks over 225 vessels a year on average and is one of the leading propulsion conversion yards on the East Coast. Colonna Yachts began service to the megayacht industry in 1992, and soon after established a distinct yacht yard facility for servicing yachts up to 58 meters. In 2003, Colonna’s also established a service designed for the special needs of large sailing yachts. Colonna’s full service team includes Colonna’s Shipyard, Colonna Yachts, Steel America, Colonna Down River, Norfolk Barge and Trade Team. About James River Ventures James River Ventures is an investment group headed by John S. Johnson and Jim Mattingly. Johnson has been active in the marine and maritime industries since 1964. He is a founding partner of Brewer Yacht Yards in New England and has extensive experience in property development and management. Johnson holds seats on several civic-based organizations. He is the past chairman and co-founder of the International Yacht Restoration School in Newport, R.I., the Coast Guard Foundation, Connecticut Marine Trades Association and the New London Development Corporation. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Tufts University. Mattingly has over 40 years of experience in the marine industry and has held key positions with Palmer Johnson and Derecktor Shipyard. A University of Wisconsin graduate, Mattingly currently serves as president of Reflex Advance Marine (RAM) USA, Inc. A recognized world class racer, Mattingly was part of Ted Turner’s victorious effort in the 1977 America’s Cup. He also served as the crew boss and watch captain for Tenacious and other sailing yachts owned by Turner. <noscript></noscript>