Superyacht refit New Zealand
Article by ONBOARD Magazine
An expanded facility in the heart of the South Pacific has changed the way yachts
can expect to refit in one of the world’s most-beautiful cruising grounds
Auckland, and Orams Marine, have long been fixtures for
yachts cruising the South Pacific, journeying towards
Asia, or onward to South America. Pausing in New Zealand
allows for bunkering and provisioning, a safe destination for crew
to enjoy time off, plus refit and maintenance in a well-established
refit destination.
The refit element of that well-trodden path has now been expanded.
Orams has added an 820 tonne travel lift, 85 tonne travel lift,
six new large marina berths allowing for more work to be carried
out alongside on vessels up to 92 metres in length, an industryleading
water treatment plant, expanded hardstand, and further
covered worksheds, in addition to its existing facilities, to ensure
even the largest cruising superyachts can extend their stay in
the Pacific without being limited by their refit needs.
“With greater numbers of explorer yachts, and larger vessels than
ever being launched, and the adventurous southern hemisphere
cruising grounds presenting some of the safest regions on earth
over the last two years, we’re looking forward to working with
more yachts than ever before,” says Orams Marine’s Craig Park.
As a region, the destination has taken strides to remain safe, with
a number of Pacific nations reaching enviable vaccine coverage
- Palau has 99 per cent of its adult population vaccinated and
Fiji has reached 90 per cent - while Auckland’s population has
reached 95 per cent fully-vaccinated in just nine months. New
Zealand will relax its border restrictions in the coming months,
with quarantine-free travel on entry from April 2022 for fullyvaccinated
foreign nationals, and no managed isolation on entry
for fully-vaccinated New Zealand citizens from January 2022.
Yachts which venture south will often spend time in the Galapagos, before moving through the warm waters of the Marquesas, Tahiti, Fiji, and onward to New Zealand. New Zealand acts as a hub for high quality workmanship in the region, allowing complex refit projects to be undertaken which enables yachts to explore the wider Pacific cruising grounds for successive seasons.
Auckland has also become a favourite with crew. Straddling an isthmus between New Zealand’s east and west coasts, it’s a safe destination with its marine services concentrated in the central city – Orams Marine sits a five minute walk from the city’s most-popular dining and entertainment precinct – and surrounded by surf beaches, bush walks, golf courses, and less than a day’s drive or flight from ski slopes.
Plenty of crew houses and accommodation close to the refit yard ease longer yard periods, as does in-house assistance with the clearance process and logistics. With on-site agency services due to be operational soon, Orams is able to operate as a one stop shop for yachts enabling them to undertake unfettered exploration of the wild places of the Pacific, with world-class service at their fingertips.
With the Orams Marine team at the forefront of New Zealand’s superyacht industry, they’re able to advise on your passage through the Pacific as well as apply for clearance to New Zealand on your behalf, and plan a comprehensive refit project. For more details
email: richard@oramsmarine.co.nz
or visit www.oramsmarineservices.co.nz