Luxury yacht calls in Colombo for repairs

Seven star category, 90 metre-long yacht, Lauren L called in the Colombo Dockyard last month. The luxury yacht called in for her intermediate class survey and related drydocking repairs.

Colombo Dockyard had been the automatic choice for the owners and managers given the excellent repair services provided to them on two occasions in 2012.

First was the 10-year class renewal survey and soon after extensive grounding damage repairs.

France based Titan Fleet Management, a specialist yacht management company, which manages Lauren L placed the vessel in Colombo for repairs soon after completing her cruising engagements in the Maldivian waters.

Colombo Dockyard provided a drydocking slot on arrival.

The work package covered repairs in all sectors including hull, fire unit, electrical, automation and electronic sections, engine department and the deck.

The owner's interests were looked after by a team comprising Fleet Manager, Nick Sevier, Technical Superintendent Georgi Belchev and Interior Manager Antonio Dias.

The Dockyard team was headed by Ship Manager Ajith Kariyapperuma who was supported by all production departments to re-deliver the vessel on schedule.

Invoicing and specialised service arrangements were handled by Estimating and Invoicing Engineer Bathiya Senevirathna.

The repairs were carried out meeting the Class Germanischer Lloyd classification society standards. McClarens Shipping Ltd, handled the local husbandry work.

Colombo has already emerged as a marine hub for commercial container traffic. The successful completion of this super luxury yacht project and marketing of the services of this un-tapped sector looks promising with many of the yacht operators terminating their cruises close to the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, reverting to repair and maintenance soon after a charter.

The maritime industry in Sri Lanka has been rejuvenated with the government implementing infrastructure development projects catering to the leisure industry, specifically in Galle and in the longer term the Colombo port city with a yacht marina on the cards, should attract the big players.