Gold standard refit
Gold Coast City Marina has welcomed the 50-metre JeMaSa (ex-Plan B) for a major refit project.
28 July 2024
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The JeMaSa refit project, which involves a full rebuild of interiors, is being overseen and run by Juan Koegelenberg, Director of Liquid Yacht Support and relies on the combined skills of the on-site marine trades.
Ensconced on Superyacht berth #1 covered in scaffold and protective sheeting, 50-metre JeMaSa arrived in March 2024 and work has already begun on the complex overhaul.
“It will involve a repaint from top to bottom and complete interior rebuild, as well as modifications over three decks,” Juan states. “The interior has already been stripped back to bare metal.”
The 700-tonne vessel was built for the Australian Navy and launched in 1973 as HMAS Matthew Flinders as a Survey boat.
At 50 metres, it was sturdily built in steel with a 10-metre beam, capacious decks and helipad, and many features common to contemporary explorer yachts.
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“It’s well-built and well-maintained,” says Juan, who has worked with the owner on previous projects. “The steel hull was tested and it’s in very good condition – 10 millimetres throughout and no corrosion.”
Misha Merzliakov was chosen to handle interior and exterior design and is working directly with the owner’s in-house design department.
Shaun Phelps from Periscope Marine is in charge of all the naval architecture, and compliance to Class and Flag.
The total transformation to the owner’s brief will involve a thorough redesign and fabrication of interior spaces, new fitout and furnishings, flooring, glazing and lighting to convert it to a five-star luxury global cruising motor yacht. The owners plan to divide their time between cruising the South Pacific and the Mediterranean.
GCCM was chosen as the suitable location for a refit of this stature, because “It can accommodate superyachts of this size, and it’s a very convenient place surrounded by on-site marine experts and local trades,” Juan explains.
“I had experience with maintenance and refit aboard luxury explorer yacht, 63-metre MY SuRi which has visited many times over the years. For a huge rebuild project like this one, GCCM has everything required at our fingertips.”
The multi-million-dollar refit will take 12 months and employ dozens of skilled trades and marine professionals at GCCM, providing a windfall for the local marine businesses.
GCCM trades who will be involved on the JeMaSa project include: Asone luxury interiors for interior fit out and cabinetry services; Lumark stainless steel, aluminium and steel fabrication; paint by International Paint/Awlgrip; Marine Scaffolding; Pacific Trim marine upholstery; Southern Seas Marine electronics; South Pacific Marine Group for electrical, electronics, plumbing, engineering, stainless/steel fabrication; Timber Tides stripped the vessel down to and will work on the furniture; Workshop28, who are experts in timber and composite materials; and Wrap It Marine.
Andrew Chapman, Chief Operating Officer at Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard says, “Our on-site trades people and contractors will benefit from a massive, next-level refit project on a vessel of this size.
“It’s a real economic boon. There are 90 trades on-site and over 5,000 people in the Coomera Marine Precinct, so there is a large talent pool to draw from.”
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