Our second guest writer is Chris Derry, plant and machinery valuation consultant and a member of RICS, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. I met Chris during a recent inspection in Antwerp. During our conversation Chris spoke passionately about a project he was involved in, the conversion of a patrol vessel into a luxury superyacht. Chris kindly agreed to share his story with our readers. Enjoy!

After a fourteen year absence from yacht construction, Brooke Marine is back in business in Lowestoft. The first project of the relaunched business is an innovative multi-million euro total conversion of the 74 metre former Scottish fisheries protection vessel Sulisker into a twenty-six guest superyacht, which company owner Michael Fenton believes will fill a gap in the market for SOLAS compliant luxury charter mini cruisers. Most of the world superyacht fleet – even some of the largest vessels – do not meet SOLAS regulations and are, therefore, limited to just twelve guests and charterers have complained that the choice of vessels for private and corporate parties of between twenty and thirty guests is seriously limited.

Before

Brief specs mv SULISKER:
built by Ferguson Shipbuilders Port Glasgow,
Yard No 483
Engines by Ruston Diesels. Newton-le-Willows
Propulsion: 2 x M12cy 4SA 4148kW 5640bhp 2sc 18kn Ruston 12RKCM
Launched: Friday, 27/06/1980
Built: 1981
Ship Type: Fisheries Protection Vessel
Tonnage: 1366gt 409nt
Length: 234 feet
Breadth: 38 feet
Owner History:
Scottish Fisheries Protection Service, Leith
2006 Whistlejacket Marine Ltd (Michael Fenton), Skipton

Sulisker’s hullform, which is of a pretty robust construction to take on all that the North Atlantic in winter can throw at it, surprisingly is not too different from today’s luxury megayachts, but clearly, the superstructure is completely inappropriate, so Brooke has cut off almost all of the original steelwork above main deck level and removed the deck machinery. In its place will be fitted a brand new aluminium superstructure.

Superstructure removed - © Ian G Hardie

On completion, the external appearance, guest accommodation and crew areas will be indistinguishable from a new build luxury ship and Sulisker (the name won’t be retained) will not look out of place amongst the world’s best known yachts. The furnishings and fittings will be to world class standards and the hull will be completely faired utilising the Fagerdala system which involves a PET fairing that is GRP sheathed and then high gloss painted. The external decks are to be teak laid.

The stern will be remodelled to incorporate a bathing platform, passerelle and plunge pool and there will be a ten-person jacuzzi on the sun deck. The ship will be completely recabled, repiped and equipped with water makers, sewage treatment plant, climate control installation and all the other safety and entertainment systems expected in a yacht of this calibre.

An interesting design feature is a pair of VIP cabins that can be converted into an owner’s master suite when required. This can be accomplished easily within the normal turnround period between cruises. There is accommodation for a crew of twenty-four.

The only area where the origins of Sulisker will be visible is in the machinery spaces, as the original engines, gearboxes, propellers, steering system, stabilisers, bowthruster and main generators are all perfectly suitable for her new life as a luxury cruiser and will be fully overhauled and retained. Compared with the average superyacht, the machinery spaces are huge and allow just about any repair to be undertaken in situ.

After - © Brooke Marine Yachts

Cruise speed will be 14kts with a range of about 5,500nm. Classification will be Lloyds +100A1 LMC. At 74 metres, Sulisker will rank at no.44 by length in the current world superyacht league table.

The Brooke Marine team has particular expertise in converting commercial ships into luxury mini cruisers, as has naval architect McFarlane Shipdesign of Monaco. Interior design is by Bannenberg Designs of London.

The transformation from a “grey funnel” quasi-military patrol vessel into a world class luxury cruise yacht is quite something and certainly will be a challenge for Brooke, but the end result will be a ship delivered at least three years before a new build could be completed and with a huge cost saving.

Delivery is due in late 2009.

For more information visit www.brookemarineyachts.com.

Written by Chris Derry.