Celebrating a super new era
by Charmaine Webb 4 May 22:41 PDT
Galeon Launch as part of the festivities at The Boat Works © John Curnow
Superyachts, pyrotechnics, superbikes, the Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate and various dignitaries, VIPS, marine industry, customers and media combined in a heady mix to commemorate the unveiling of Stage 1 of Australia's newest, and largest superyacht marina and shipyard, Friday 3 May.
$100 million in private investment in Gold Coast infrastructure is shaping a world-class superyacht facility that will be a lifestyle destination and a state-of-the-art shipyard when it opens in early 2020.
Just seven months after turning the first sod on The Boat Works' north precinct, which effectively doubles the facility to 52 acres in total, works are well under way to create the largest marina and shipyard in the southern hemisphere.
Not content to impress with scale, owner and CEO, Tony Longhurst is aiming to build the "greenest and cleanest" shipyard and marina in the world. Plans include landscaped bio gardens, a solar panel array and sophisticated water recycling systems that will ensure no air or waterborne pollution into the Coomera River or surrounding soil.
Stage 1 is complete and operating. The "Dry Marina" storage for vessels 25 to 65-feet is close to capacity with 80 boats of all types and sizes.
On water, the new marina by Superior Jetties will welcome boats from 1 May, adding 77 more berths.
Included in this are purpose-built multihull berths to accommodate wide-bodied catamarans up to 18m in length and is already at capacity, with a large number of brokerage stock on-site boat dealerships.
There is also a 35m side shoot to accommodate superyachts up to 45m.
Then there are an additional 20 berths to accommodate superyachts up to 35m, all with deep water location and access to the full services and amenities at The Boat Works, including undercover work sheds, 60 specialist tenants, mega-chandlery and a variety of boat dealerships.
The new berths benefit the array of boat brands, dealers and brokers based at The Boat Works, among them Alexander Marine Australia, Multihull Solutions, Clipper, Cobalt and Yachtsmen International.
Stages 2 & 3 are now under way, including casual work berths for superyachts adjacent to the 300 tonne Travel Lift, which is due to arrive in July 2019.
The new 300 Tonne Travel Lift will be the largest in the Gold Coast marine precinct and will be used to haul out superyachts up to 45m.
On land, the new northern facility will comprise 20 superyacht sheds, the largest 41m in length and 19m in height, working hardstand yard for up to 20 superyachts, wash bays and ample parking for customers and visitors.
The architect-designed waterfront premises are destined to become a local landmark, occupied by professional offices, restaurants, bars, swimming pool, boutique shopping and mixed retail businesses. Plans comprise a function centre for events such as seminars, conferences and weddings.
This superb venue will be a lifestyle destination for locals and visitors to the Gold Coast, lured by the sublime river views and overlooking the splendour of sizeable superyachts on the marina.
Superyachts are known to bring considerable benefits to regions they visit, injecting revenue from owner and crew spend, provisions and yacht service, maintenance and repairs.
The northern superyacht precinct will be a magnet and haven for the region's charter fleet and privately-owned superyachts as well as foreign-flagged yachts visiting our waters. It will be a convenient pitstop for migrating yachts cruising the east coast from southern states to the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef.
The new premises complement the existing yard that is operating at capacity, with a current haul out rate of 50 vessels per week using three specialist lifts, the 70 and 100 tonne travel lifts and the 45-tonne submersible hydraulic Sealift for wide-bodied multihulls.
The Boat Works is ideally situated on the Coomera River, which the Gold Coast Waterways Authority is committed to "dredging in perpetuity" to ensure optimal water depth, and by the end of 2019, The Boat Works will be equipped to welcome superyachts from around the region and around the world.
Owner and driving force behind The Boat Works, Tony Longhurst anticipates an official opening of the entire superyacht complex in early 2020, complete with a large line-up of superyachts in for storage, service and specialist refits.
"This is an exciting time for the marine industry, particularly in the Coomera Marine Precinct," said Tony.
"The Boat Works' new superyacht precinct will create up to 2,000 jobs along with the flow on effect of increased work for trades in the region.
"Our vision is to attract more of these high-yielding superyachts to the Gold Coast and 'grow the pie' for everybody at every level of the marine industry, tourism, hospitality and the broader community."