Specialists Team Up for International BWTS Refit

Solent Refit, at Hythe, on Southampton Water, has built its reputation on maintaining and refitting classic and modern superyachts. Now it has entered into a ‘preferred partner’ agreement with water treatment systems specialists Cathelco and its Antibes based subsidiary HEM. 

The move comes as owners of ocean going superyachts face the imminent introduction of International Maritime Organization (IMO) legislation governing the discharge of ballast water. The IMO expects its convention covering discharges to enter force worldwide in November 2016 following ratification by 30 of its member states and achieving 35 percent of the global tonnage. However, some industry experts expect implementation to be pushed back to early or mid-2017.

Cathelco supplies a wide range of equipment including Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) systems and Marine Growth Prevention Systems (MGPS) to protect the hulls and pipework of luxury and commercial vessels.  It has also developed an innovative ballast water treatment system for larger superyachts.

The introduction of the new regulations will involve the installation of ballast water treatment systems. With its new treatment system, Cathelco is one of a few U.K. manufacturers capable of producing smaller or modular systems for the superyacht industry.

Allan Foot, managing director of Solent Refit, said: “We are delighted to make it official that Cathelco is a preferred partner.

“It offers our clients peace of mind to know we can offer a smooth transitional package of works to speed up refits. 

“With our recently secured 30 year lease for the shipyard, we are set to grow our preferred partner program to offer a multitude of services and products.”

Sam Wand, sales manager of Cathelco’s superyacht division, added, “Solent Refit have a great location on the South Coast of England and can host as many as 16 yachts up to 65 meters in length. 

“The flexible nature of the yard allows us to carry out work easily and economically alongside the Solent Refit team.”

Solent Refit provides 10,000 sqm of undercover working halls and waterside working areas combined with a highly skilled workforce of marine specialists. 

With a strong emphasis on British craftsmanship, the company’s aim is to attract a larger proportion of the refit work which is currently carried out in Mediterranean yards and elsewhere.

Foot said, “If refits are of a certain size then we are willing to cover deviation fuel costs from the Mediterranean and the likes and take full advantage of the price of the Euro this winter.” 

Cathelco, with headquarters in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, performs in water treatment systems for superyachts and commercial vessels. Its activities in the superyacht market were strengthened in 2015 by the acquisition of HEM, manufacturers of desalinators and associated equipment, who are based in the South of France and have a well established reputation in the international superyacht market.