Directions—A Quarterly Newsletter For Our New York And Florida Shipyards | Volume 2013 – Issue #1 |
Derecktor – Florida: New Lift Highly Successful
![]() Aerial photo of the Derecktor Florida yard-12/2012 |
![]() Derecktor’s 900ton Cimolai® Mobile Hoist in action |
Since the commissioning of the new Cimolai® 900 ton mobile boat hoist in November, 2012 the yard has seen a succession of 50m motor yachts hauled out for work. Both long and short duration projects for existing and new customers have been undertaken and the new lift has performed flawlessly. “We are still finding our way – there is a learning curve when it comes to using this new equipment and utilizing the yard to its full capacity” said General Manager Ken Imondi, “but the new lift is everything we hoped it would be. We are able to service more of our customers in a given period, and operate much more efficiently”.
The yard has seen a substantial increase in the number of Lloyd’s 5 and 10-year surveys and is able to undertake additional long term projects. It provides another option for vessels transiting the area as well as those who call Fort Lauderdale home. The 50m Feadships Aurora B, Battered Bull, Dream, Iroquois, Kisses, and Lady Allison are all in the yard at the same time, together with a number of similar sized vessels. Major refits to The Big Blue, Elisa, Twilight and Belle Aimee are all on-going, while Sorcha, Keldi, Cracker Bay and My Trust Fund have recently completed. “In addition to the obvious benefit to the yard, we are hopeful that the new lift will help preserve Fort Lauderdale’s status as the heart of the marine industry in South Florida by allowing more of those vessels who want to be in the center of things a place to get their work done” continued Ken.
Derecktor has added several trade and management positions to help accomplish the extra work, and the addition of new power and infrastructure projects is planned for the summer. “We are confident that the new lift marks the beginning of a successful collaboration of businesses on the Dania Cut-Off Canal that will benefit the global mega-yacht community as a whole by providing additional options for service and dockage in the Fort Lauderdale area” said James Brewer, Director of Sales & Marketing.
Why Derecktor? Passion, Dedication, Quality and Integrity. |
Derecktor – New York Signs New Construction

The Maritime Aquarium 19.2m research vessel
Robert E. Derecktor, Inc., is pleased to announce its selection to build a new 19.2-meter catamaran research and classroom vessel for The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk (CT).
The Maritime Aquarium has been providing student and public research voyages in the protected waters of Long Island Sound since 1988. The new Incat Crowther-designed all-aluminum vessel will carry up to 65 students with a crew of 5. The safety of the students is of paramount importance to the vessel’s design and construction. The vessel will be fully ADA compliant and meet all current USCG Subchapter T requirements.
“We are happy to have this opportunity to build an unusual and sophisticated vessel for The Maritime Aquarium,” said Paul Derecktor, President. “This vessel’s requirements match our fundamental competencies: high-quality custom aluminum construction with complex machinery installations. She will be another in a long line of outstanding technical achievements for the shipyard.”
Engineering will start immediately and delivery is anticipated in May 2014.
For further details, please contact Micah Tucker at micaht@derecktor.com.
Derecktor – New York: Gilbert Melo Retires

Gilbert Melo
Derecktor Shipyards bid farewell to one of its longest serving and most talented employees on February 5th – Gilbert Melo retired after a career with Derecktor that has spanned twenty six years. Gilbert joined Derecktor in February 1986 at the Rhode Island yard as the joinery/outfitting supervisor under Bob Derecktor, building nine 270′ cutters for the USCG. He was also responsible for outfitting two 207′ Staten Island Ferries for the NYDOT.
In 1994 Gilbert was asked to take the role of joinery supervisor in the New York yard where he oversaw the construction of many vessels, including two 124′ fast ferries for the government of Bermuda. He was also heavily involved in all the construction of Cakewalk V at the Bridgeport yard where he was an integral part of the build team. Most recently Gilbert has been serving as general manager of the New York yard, responsible for re-establishing the yard as the pre-eminent new construction and repair facility in New York for vessels up to 150′. He leaves behind a legacy of dedication and quality that will be hard to live up to. Every member of the Derecktor family wishes Gilbert a long and happy retirement – he has certainly earned it and he will be sorely missed.
Derecktor – Florida Opens “The Shipyard Café”

The Shipyard Cafe at Derecktor – Florida
Derecktor Florida has long recognized the need for better food service. Now, through the efforts and considerable investment of Sam and Joyce Frusterio, and Master Chef Bill Fahey, we have a state-of-the-art kitchen serving healthy food options to our customers, neighbors and employees for breakfast and lunch between 6:30am and 3:30pm each day. “The Derecktor family is committed to a first class service experience at the shipyard, as evidenced by the new lift, a consistent quality of work and now, outstanding food choices” said James Brewer at the grand opening on March 12th.
We welcome Sam, Joyce and Bill in their new venture and look forward to a long, fruitful and tasty relationship. First reviews indicate that the Shipyard Café will be a big success!
Derecktor – Florida: Bob Philhower Retires

Bob Philhower
Bob Philhower has enjoyed a career in South Florida that spanned more than fifty-two years. He started with the Denison family at Broward Marine on the New River in 1960 and worked there in all facets of their new construction and service business until 1991.
Bob was a trusted member of Frank Denison’s team and he instituted programs and procedures there that were still in place when the business was finally sold. In 1992 the time was right and Bob finally joined Derecktor to start his second career, initially in the role of Mechanical Supervisor.
Over the next several years Bob was promoted to the position of Assistant General Manager and he was a stable presence in the management team for twenty-one years. Over his long career Bob built a tremendous following of loyal customers, some of whom were able to attend the retirement party held at the yard on January 14th. Customers and co-workers all feel the same emotions: respect for Bob’s technical ability and integrity, and gratitude for the opportunity to work with one of the truly good guys in our industry.
Everyone at Derecktor’s wishes Bob the best in his retirement. His presence at the Florida yard will certainly be missed, but our loss is Sebring’s gain!
Derecktor – Florida: Waterway Cleanup 2013
![]() Happy Volunteers |
![]() Flotsam and jetsam |
As part of it’s commitment to the maintenance of the Dania Cut-Off Canal Derecktor Florida was pleased to supply logistics and support to the MIASF WaterWay CleanUp event on Saturday, March 16th. A lively group of volunteers, including shipyard workers, vendors and concerned citizens gathered at the yard for a day of camaraderie and hard work on the banks of the canal, gathering debris and flotsam.
A substantial amount of material was gathered for proper disposal but, in general, the banks looked better than last year which means we are doing some good! Thanks to all who came out and to the MIASF for coordinating this important event.
Derecktor – Florida Hires New Project Managers: Jack Schneider and Rob Hastie
![]() Jack Schneider |
![]() Rob Hastie |
Jack Schneider has more than 20 years experience managing projects and work crews in composite boat building. He spent five years on site in the Florida yard as part of Consolidated Yacht before joining Magnum Marine. Most recently he led the construction team building the composite superstructure of a 463′ super-yacht in Abu Dhabi.
Rob Hastie is a Kiwi who has spent the last ten years as Chief Engineer on a number of 50m mega-yachts. Originally trained by the New Zealand Navy, Rob holds his class III chief’s certificate and has considerable experience supervising new construction and refits in shipyards.
We welcome Jack and Rob to the Derecktor team and look forward to working with them.
Derecktor – New York Winter Report

Vendetta in Mamaroneck
After the onslaught of Superstorm Sandy in late October, from which the yard emerged largely unscathed, Derecktor New York has enjoyed a successful winter season. The storm brought us several significant jobs, including major hull repair and Awlgrip paint work and a multitude of stainless steel rail repairs. The yard has also completed the construction of several steel floating docks for local agencies to replace those destroyed in the storm.
The yard was also contracted to build a number of innovative aluminum and wood docks for local residences – this creates a strong and attractive outcome that will hopefully yield additional work during the spring and summer months. The mechanical and fabrication departments performed re-powers on three USCG T-boats, projects that were completed to a very high standard, on time and on budget. The carpentry department has developed an alternative teak decking system that is stronger and lighter than convention teak-over-plywood installations – contact Micah Tucker micaht@derecktor.com for more details.
The yard has also enjoyed a strong winter storage season with a full house including Billy Joel’s 57′ Vendetta which was completed in Mamaroneck in 2005. Spring is just around the corner and we will soon be in the midst of launching and commissioning.
The yard has also been working with Oakcliffe Sailing on a number of their race boats and we look forward to continuing this relationship during the upcoming racing season.
44m Concept Sailboat Update

44m Concept Sailboat
Following the successful introduction of our 44m concept at the FLIBS in 2012 Paul Derecktor has decided to fully develop the design and continue our efforts to market this boat as a “bucket-buster” racing boat with all the amenities of a luxury cruiser.
Naval Architects Carl Persak and Jeremy Wurmfeld are hard at work in Brooklyn, NY optimizing the systems and developing performance data of existing designs in comparison with our concept. Initial analysis reveals the 44m boat to be exciting, fast, responsive and comfortable, with all the performance of the leading boats in the “Bucket” fleet. There is a lot of interest in an American builder who is capable of constructing a high performance mega sail boat in multiple mediums.
For more details contact Erin Shakespeare at P&W ess@persakwurmfeld.com or James Brewer at Derecktor jamesb@derecktor.com.