SHIPSHAPE: Solent Refit – aerial shot of Solent Refit at Hythe
A Hampshire superyacht refit yard has joined forces with a global marine specialist to deliver new services for international customers.
Solent Refit, which is based at Hythe, on Southampton Water, has signed a ‘preferred partner’ agreement with water treatment systems specialist Cathelco and its Antibes-based subsidiary HEM.
They have teamed up for the new initiative as ocean going superyacht owners face the imminent introduction of legislation governing the discharge of ballast water.
The new service will help to save time and reduce costs for international customers.
It will involve the installation of innovative ballast water treatment systems of which Cathelco is one of a few UK manufacturers capable of producing smaller or modular systems for the superyacht industry.
Allan Foot, managing director of Solent Refit, said: “We are delighted to make it official that Cathelco is a preferred partner.
“It offers our clients peace of mind to know we can offer a smooth transitional package of works to speed up refits.
“With our recently secured 30-year lease for the shipyard, we are set to grow our preferred partner programme to offer a multitude of services and products.”
Superyacht specialists
Sam Wand, sales manager of Cathelco’s superyacht division, added: “Solent Refit have a great location on the South Coast of England and can host as many as 16 yachts up to 65 metres in length.
“The flexible nature of the yard allows us to carry out work easily and economically alongside the Solent Refit team.”
Solent Refit has built its reputation on maintaining and refitting classic and modern superyachts,
The expanding firm provides 10,000 sq m of undercover working halls and waterside working areas combined with a highly skilled workforce of marine specialists.
With a strong emphasis on British craftsmanship, the company’s aim is to attract a larger proportion of the refit work which is currently carried out in Mediterranean yards and elsewhere.
Allan said: “If refits are of a certain size then we are willing to cover relocation fuel costs from the Mediterranean and the likes and take full advantage of the price of the Euro this winter.”
Cathelco, with headquarters in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, is a world leader in water treatment systems for superyachts and commercial vessels.
SHIPSHAPE: Manuel Canadas, an HEM engineer, carries out a systems checks on a superyacht
It supplies a wide range of equipment to protect the hulls and pipework of luxury and commercial vessel – including its innovative ballast water treatment system for larger superyachts.
Its activities in the superyacht market were strengthened in 2015 by the acquisition of HEM, manufacturers of desalinators and associated equipment, who are based in the South of France and have a well established reputation in the international superyacht market.
For more details contact account director James Tourgout on 07827 806400 and james.tourgout@deepsouthmedia.co.uk
