Since the commissioning of the new Cimolai® 900 ton mobile boat hoist in November 2012, the American yard Derecktor has seen a succession of 50-metre motor yachts hauled out for work. Both long as well as short duration projects for existing and new customers have been carried out and the new lift has performed with a great success.
Derecktor's 900ton Cimolai® Mobile Hoist in action - Photo by Billy Black
“We are still finding our way – there is a learning curve when it comes to using this new equipment and utilizing the yard to its full capacity” said General Manager Ken Imondi, “but the new lift is everything we hoped it would be. We are able to service more of our customers in a given period, and operate much more efficiently.”
The yard has seen a substantial increase in the number of Lloyd’s 5 and 10-year surveys and is able to undertake additional long term projects. It provides another option for vessels transiting the area as well as those who call Fort Lauderdale home. The 50m Feadships motor yacht Aurora B, Battered Bull superyacht, Dream, Iroquois, luxury yacht Kisses, and Lady Allison yacht are all in the yard at the same time, together with a number of similar sized vessels. Major refits to The Big Blue, superyacht Elisa, Twilight yacht and Belle Aimee are all on-going, while luxury yacht Sorcha, charter yacht Keldi, superyacht Cracker Bay and My Trust Fund have recently completed.
Yacht CRACKER BAY - Image by Newzjunky
“In addition to the obvious benefit to the yard, we are hopeful that the new lift will help preserve Fort Lauderdale’s status as the heart of the marine industry in South Florida by allowing more of those vessels who want to be in the center of things a place to get their work done,” continued Ken.
Derecktor has added several trade and management positions to help accomplish the extra work, and the addition of new power and infrastructure projects is planned for the summer. “We are confident that the new lift marks the beginning of a successful collaboration of businesses on the Dania Cut-Off Canal that will benefit the global mega-yacht community as a whole by providing additional options for service and dockage in the Fort Lauderdale area,” said James Brewer, Director of Sales & Marketing.
