Trafalgar opens to independent refit teams
Based South Coast UK, Trafalgar Shipyard, formerly known as Trafalgar Wharf Shipyard and part of The Trafalgar Group formerly known as Trafalgar Wharf Group – group of companies underwent a comprehensive corporate rebranding. Now operational as a Shipyard, Drystack, Marina & Storage, Boat Sales, Boat Club and Properties.
The Rebranding consisted of: a new name corporate brand name, a new slogan, and a new focus for the company. Completing the execution, the company revealed its new name as The Trafalgar Group and its new slogan: ‘More Time Out’ meaning; spend more time out on the water having fun, which the group is all about.
The rebranding reflects both the evolution of the company as well as its vision for the future. Jonny Boys, MD at The Trafalgar Group, has launched a new model for Trafalgar Shipyard, where owners can bring in their own repair and refit teams (at no additional costs or mark-up), rather than being tied into the shipyard operator.
“I’ve taken the shipyard back in house,” said Jonny. “Owners want to get the best price and quality from subcontractors. The best way to do that is competitive tendering. There are not many shipyards where you can bring in your own independent teams, but owners want choice and the control that brings and unrivalled flexibility through the project.”
Boys continues “Once a yacht is in dock, you can’t just move it if things aren’t going well. But when you hire the shipyard only, it’s easy to make changes if a contractor isn’t performing. That’s unrivalled flexibility.”
Jonny’s brought in one of the most experienced Dockmasters in the country to ensure owners get the best service possible and can dock within circa 90mins and start work on their yachts. Chris Hems has carried out more than 300 lift outs and dockings for the US Army, Testbank Ship Repair and Burgess Marine, as well as working in partnerships with Wightlink car ferries, and Brittany Ferries Normandie Express at the 4000t Syncrolift in Cherbourg.
“We’ve got all the facilities owners need,” said Chris. “We’re a 24hr, safe, secure, working facility, with on-site workshops, mess rooms and office space available to hire. We’re also very clear in our pricing structure so owners know what they are getting.”
The shipyard has had a successful period of growth with several Superyachts. The yard has seen MY Shemara, MY Lady A, MY Bystander, MY Force India, MY Tacanua, MY Coi-Koy, MY Senses and MY Spada to name a few. In addition, they have welcomed TS Royalist, TS John Jerwood and TS Jack Petchy to the Shipyard as well as a regular client base of Wightlink, Gosport Ferries and Serco who dock many of the Portsmouth Naval Dockyard support ships.
Chris, together with his dedicated and experienced team can handle a huge range of vessels. The only limiting factors are the overall length up to 60m, the beam up to 14m, the draft up to 4.5m. The permissible limit using the docking cradle is 877 tons, although the facility says it can take more depending on the vessel’s configuration.