Solent Refit, the Southampton water, UK-based refit yard has plans to develop berths for larger vessels alongside its floating pontoon. Currently the yard can berth vessels up to around 60 metres but draft limitations restrict the access for larger craft. Now they are initiating a dredging programme that will provide deeper water alongside.
Solent Refit is located in Hythe on the west side of Southampton Water and is linked by a direct ferry service to the centre of Southampton. The yard is based at an old US military base and is equipped with some of the most modern and extensive lifting and housing facilities in the UK based around a Syncrolift system. The yard has been hampered by the shallow water in the access to their pier and their Syncrolift but now they are nearing the end of a refit on a dredger that will be dedicated to clearing the waters around the pontoon and the pier.
The floating pontoon will be capable of berthing vessels up to 120 metres in length. "When we get the deeper water we need in a few months time we will have some of the best refit facilities in the region," commented Allan Foot the managing director of Solent Refit. "These berths will be available to for workboats and super yachts wanting repair or refit work but could also be available for short terms lay-ups."
In addition to having some of the best refit facilities in the region, Solent Refit has a high security yard with 24 hour security. The yard has facilities for visiting crews and can facilitate most of the requirements for visiting vessels. The refit and repair work at the yard is split between super yachts, passenger vessels and workboats.
By Dag Pike
