Cruise to Fiji
Gulf Marina Management (GMM) has been awarded the contract to activate the new Nawi Island Marina and shipyard in Savusavu, Fiji.
27 November 2019
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Nawi Island Ltd has awarded the Nawi Island Marina and shipyard contract to GMM, with Managing Director Michael Gann saying he was pleased to have GMM on board at this crucial time following the announcement that Bellingham Marine will commence construction of the marina onsite in January 2020.
Andrew Chapman CMM Chairman of GMM said he is very excited to be involved with the new Superyacht marina and has reviewed the design inline with current data on the types of vessels visiting Fiji and their expectations inline with time spent in the region and the cruising needs.
The Nawi Island Marina and Superyacht Base will host 130 vessels within the state-of-the- art marina including 19 berths to accommodate Superyachts to 85m in length. The engineering has been designed to Cyclone rate the marina to allow year-round storage of vessels in water.
Fiji is expecting a significant increase in the numbers of Superyachts visiting over the next few years because of the Americas Cup regatta in Auckland and the specifically designed facilities at Nawi Island will help to accommodate the shortfall.
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The marina design and facilities being planned onshore to support the visiting yachts will be aimed at a high level of service to meet the needs of the crews and owners whilst in port.
With a significant investment in fuelling infrastructure large volumes of fuel will now be available in Fijis northern cruising grounds at the dock when needed allowing for high flow bunkering at the Superyacht berths and International standard fuelling facilities for all visiting vessels at the dedicated floating fuel dock.
Plans to develop a resort with health spa will complement the Yacht Club and restaurant facilities that will be constructed parallel with the marina.
Chapman says they “expect to have facilities available to accommodate yachts from May 2020 and will be looking to build alliances with other yacht companies and marinas in the South Pacific to ensure that we offer an outstanding network to keep the yachts cruising in the South Pacific longer ahead of and after the Americas Cup regatta.”
“GMM are very focussed on protecting the environment and will make sure all efforts are made to implement management strategies that will minimise impact, and enhance the great initiatives that the Nawi Team are currently working on in Savusavu.”
The shipyard facility that will be built to service the visiting yachts will be constructed on a separate site nearby allowing the beautiful Nawi Island Marina to be free of the boatyard activity.
The shipyard will be serviced by a wide body 75 tonne Travelift allowing the retrieval of catamarans for repairs, servicing and long term on land storage when cruisers break their travels to return home.
The ability to lift catamarans will be enhanced with a hydraulic trailer specifically designed to support the larger cruising cats when lifting.
Chapman says he is looking to talk with contractors and business owners about the opportunities that will present at the shipyard to operate businesses to provide the services and products needed to service up to 200 yachts on the yard when at capacity.
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