| Directions—A Quarterly Newsletter For Our New York And Florida Shipyards | Volume 2014 – Issue #3 |
Derecktor – New York: Launching Spirit of the Sound
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk officially christened its new research vessel Spirit of the Sound on September 26th. Designed by Incat Crowther and built by Derecktor – New York, this 63′ all-aluminum catamaran is the only research vessel of its kind running on hybrid-electric propulsion. The propulsion system was integrated by Amtech and built in a joint venture between BAE Systems, Corvus Energy and Northern Lights Hybrid Marine.
The boat runs on hybrid lithium electric motors with two battery banks and two generators charging the batteries” said Bob Kunkel, project manager from Amtech, “this system will reduce fuel consumption by 75%”. The vessel is a floating classroom which can accommodate 29 to 60 students per cruise. “By running on clean quiet power without emissions, The Maritime Aquarium will be practicing what we teach” said TMA President Jennifer Herring. “With our larger capacity, we expect to double the number of school children who can experience our programming out on Long Island Sound.” Spirit of the Sound will replace the Aquarium’s 40′ 34-year-old diesel powered trawler, the r/v Oceanic.
“Derecktor is proud to have been a part of this exciting project, utilizing ground-breaking technology to further the cause of maritime education in our home waters” said Micah Tucker, general manager Derecktor-New York
For information: www.maritimeaquarium.org/long-island-sound/cruises |
 Photo: Jim Rosenberg
Derecktor – Florida: Carson Commissioned
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| Dear Ken,
Thank you for the outstanding service we received on Carson from you and your team during our recent visit. As you are aware, Carson is unique given that she is still under construction and not a typical refit project. This tends to make our needs more encompassing of different contractors. I am extremely appreciative of your understanding that we had pre-existing work occurring and that we were between project phases. That being said, it was reassuring to have Derecktor on the job working with subcontractors and executing other tasks with true professionalism and a high degree of quality. From your well-orchestrated lift crew to the precise handling of our driveline, I never had the feeling that something could go wrong. That sense of exactitude with the work was very comforting to my team. Perhaps the best part of our experience at your yard was the extraordinary dedication of Jack Schneider. Every captain or owner’s representative sees his boat as the only one in the yard! Jack’s deft skills as a manager made me feel like our project mattered most, as he always seemed to provide immediate support for all our requests. He is a superlative individual and I look forward to the chance to work with him again in the future. Again, many thanks for the entire experience. We hope to return to Derecktor later in our project to complete the final chapter of our build. All the best. |
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Derecktor – Florida: Recent Retirements
The Derecktor of Florida family was sad to bid farewell to two long serving employees this quarter. Paul Lehman, a 28 year Derecktor veteran, ran the metal shop our yard in Rhode Island before joining the team in Florida as dock-master. His expertise, professionalism and can-do attitude made him a vital part of the organization, first with the synchro-lift and then with the 900ton mobile hoist. Bob Derecktor trusted Paul implicitly, often seeking his advice on matters of hauling and heavy lifting. Congratulations Paul, and good luck on the golf course! Marcella Furness ran the front office at Derecktor Florida from 1988 through 2014, professionally handling all manner of administrative functions. Marcella was the face of the organization for many customers and sub-contractors. She was diligent and detailed without seeming petty, and her steady hand during special events will be missed. Marcella and her husband have retired to central Florida and we wish her the best.
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Derecktor – Florida: Powell Brothers
Derecktor continues to innovate in an attempt to serve its customers more efficiently. The company recently entered into an informal collaboration with their neighbors at Powell Brothers Barge Terminal which has just completed an upgrade to their docks, allowing the berthing of large yachts in-water at their facility. Responding to customer demands, a transition between the two yards has been built and the mobile lift can now freely operate within the confines of Powell Brothers. This permits Derecktor to block and work on additional vessels on Powell’s property, expanding the number of vessels that can be worked on simultaneously and providing additional service options for mega-yacht customers. The new Powell entity managing these vessels is called Taylor Lane Yacht & Ship. |
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Derecktor – Florida: Employee of the Quarter
Derecktor – Florida is pleased to announce Joel Ramos-Avila as their employee of the quarter. Born in Cuba where he trained as a diesel mechanic, Joel came to America three years ago, seeking a better life for his family of three. He has been a member of the haul-out team at Derecktor for a little over a year, working under the tutelage of the recently retired Paul Lehman. Well respected by his peers, he has become a proficient forklift, Pettibone and mobile lift operator. Always willing to lend a hand, Joel has become a valued member of the Derecktor team, helping to develop some innovative ways to lift and block vessels more efficiently. Congratulations Joel. |
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Derecktor – New York: Employee of the Quarter Derecktor – New York is pleased to announce Pericles Brito as employee of the quarter. A true embodiment of the Derecktor approach, Peri is a hardworking, dedicated employee who always makes the extra effort to complete a job with perfection as his goal. Peri’s superb knowledge of electrical systems combined with his well thought out approach to each job make him a very valuable asset to any project of which he is a part. “We are very happy to have Peri in the NY Yard and congratulate him as the Employee of the Quarter” said Micah Tucker, General Manager.
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| Derecktor – Florida: Gallant Lady Refit
Derecktor – Florida is fully engaged in a major refit to the m/y Gallant Lady, a 172′ Feadship motor-yacht.
Derecktor enjoyed a long relationship with the Gallant Lady fleet until their yachts outgrew our facility. Now, with the installation of the new higher capacity mobile lift, we are pleased to welcome them back.
The vessel is undergoing a full paint job in the capable hands of Tung Luu and his team while the shipyard is supporting the updating of many systems within the yacht. Major projects include new teak decks, mast modifications, the restoration of tank tops within the vessel and a major shore power upgrade.
This project is yet another validation of our new lift, the installation of which has provided yacht owners with additional hauling options, and service providers with an additional shipyard to call home. We look forward to continuing to develop our market share within the 50m to 65m megayacht community.
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| Derecktor – New York: Work in Progress
Derecktor – New York has had a busy fall season with several significant projects in addition to the construction of the Maritime Aquarium vessel.
Starlight, a 102′ FRP motoryacht delivered in 2002 as a joint venture between Derecktor and Goetz is in the yard for a major upper deck refit and mechanical/ectrical upgrades throughout the vessel.
The sailing yacht Hawksbill, a 58′ Alden yawl built as Carrousel in 1991 by Derecktor, is back in the yard for a major Mechanical/Aux Systems update, a Nav electronics upgrade (Furuno 3D NavNet), the fabrication of new cockpit bimini and enclosure, and a new Cockpit table.
The m/y Fortis II, a 90′ Ferretti FRP motoryacht is in the yard for the replacement of the starboard engine. This is a particularly challenging project because of the lack of a soft-patch and restricted height. The engine had to be completely disassembled in place and specialized tooling developed to permit the lifting and removal of the engine without major structural removals – the sort of task for which Derecktor is famous!
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