The Boat Works’ new $100 million facility at Coomera on Gold Coast to draw world-class superyachts
An international charter vessel captain has compared a snazzy new superyacht facility to world-class installations in Fort Lauderdale and Barcelona.
Gold Coast
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RIVALLING world-class superyacht shipyards in Fort Lauderdale and Barcelona, The Boat Works’ new $100 million facility at Coomera has “blown away” international charter vessel captain Glenn Woodbridge.
“This is next level. Compared to the rest of the world, there is nothing close to it here or overseas. I’ve been to most yards in the world and this is unique,” said Mr Woodbridge, at the helm of the 35-metre Sunseeker MY Settlement.
“The attention to detail throughout the facility is unlike any other. The staff here have bent over backwards for us. We will be return customers for sure.”
Constructed by Gold Coast-based marina specialist Superior Jetties, the shipyard has a $2 million, 300-tonne boat hoist that is capable of hauling superyachts up to 50-metres in length out of the water.
It also has berthing for 15 superyachts up to 50 metres, berthing for vessels up to 70 metres, an extra 50 work berths and a world-class captains and owners lounge.
With more than 60 marine trade professionals and businesses onsite, visiting captains and crew can also renew and upskill commercial licensing at the training institute Paradigm Maritime.
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Located at the Gold Coast Marine Precinct, Coomera, The Boat Works now boasts two facilities across 22ha (55 acres) and is set to become a magnet for international superyachts, potentially injecting millions into the local economy.
Owner Tony Longhurt said a “cast of thousands” worked on the world-class superyacht facility to ensure a fast build time of nine months, with the yard having already welcomed some of the region’s premium vessels over 30 metres for refit, repairs and maintenance.
He said international captains who had already experienced the amenity could attest to it being a “five-star resort for your vessel”, with the captain of the 35-metre Sunseeker MY Settlement “blown away by the new superyacht facility”.
“The new superyacht yard occupies more than 50,000 sqm of hardstand and superyacht refit sheds, accommodating 1km of boats within, from wide-bodied catamarans, motor yachts and sailboats to superyachts, with as many as 40 vessels within state-of-the-art refit sheds and hardstand,” he said.
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“More boats means more jobs, not just in the marine and boating industries but in hospitality, tourism, provisioning – all the things visitors to our region want to see and experience, as well as works they carry out on their boats.
“The whole marine precinct is energised and there’s a surge of positivity in response to the new superyacht legislation (allowing foreign-flagged vessels to charter in Australian waters), the Queensland Government’s superyacht strategy and commitment to ongoing dredging of the Coomera River and Gold Coast waterways.”
Superior Jetties chief executive John Hogan said the clean, green marina preserved up to 200-metres of land along the one-kilometre waterfrontage, resulting in a revival of plant and marine life.
“Bio-gardens are planted along the yard’s perimeter as the final stage of the self-cleaning function of tier-level yard. All water on-site is treated via the latest hi-tech filtration system and rainwater harvesting captured from each super shed structure can be used for vessel washdowns,” he said.
“A second solar array will add to the 100kw solar panel system southern yard, with the aim of the entire facility becoming self-sufficient.”
The Longhurst family, who built Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld, took over ownership of the original boat yard in 2000 and have owned Riviera Motor Yachts since 2012.