RefitPlanner: Web Based App for Superyacht Refits

In response to growing demand in the superyacht industry around the management of refits and the need for greater precision in cost estimates, Marine Management Limited (MML) has launched a new web-based app tool to improve planning and cost analysis.

Recent reports in the yachting media have highlighted an industry-wide problem with convergence of late refit planning and growing refit work, with limited yard availability as a result. 

“The problem is that 70 per cent of (refit) work is planned too late,” says Eric Robert-Peillard, site director, Monaco Marine, La Ciota. “Preparation is everything and the superyacht industry will have to think more logistically in the future – not just the captains and owners, but also the management companies and boat builders.” 

“The market has grown enormously and there is no doubt whatsoever that the demand is exceeding supply,” says Ben Mennem, co-founder of Compositeworks in La Ciotat. “A few years ago it was only an issue in the high season, but now we’re completely full out of the water most of the time.” 

MML's solution to this problem is RefitPlanner.com, a tool that enables users to collect relevant data and images as they walk through the yacht, serving as a shared portal for all refit planning information. There is also an integrated messaging function that connects crew directly to MML for any queries in relation to prospective work. 

“MML’s extensive refit experience and anecdotal evidence highlighted to us the requirement for a product such as this,” says MML’s business development manager Matt Liddell.

“The RefitPlanner.com App is not a stand-alone tool. It syncs with the RefitPlanner.com website and supports real-time dynamic development of a yacht’s work package both on board and in partnership with MML’s project managers. There will always be a requirement for contingency in any refit. The unknown will always be unknown, but we believe this product will go a considerable way to reducing that unknown and assisting both the yacht’s crew and the shipyard in their resource, budget and schedule management. This will serve to maximise the asset (yacht or shipyard) and minimise any cost accrued.” 

Positive response from the superyacht industry

Captain Jonathan Edgar comments, “I can see huge potential in the development of Refitplanner.com as it addresses a key need in the industry for better planning around refit. As a current charter yacht captain experienced in refit, I see tremendous value in using a tool that allows you to start planning early, acts as a single depository for information and, by the nature of the interface, encourages you in a user-friendly way to consider every aspect of the vessel in terms of refit."

Others have noted the potential for the refit app to save time. Bay of Islands Marina’s general manager Jason Chubb says, “I can see a real place for RefitPlanner.com in the medium to megayacht end of the market. Having worked on large-scale refits like Seawolf and White Rabbit, I’m confident that using the app would significantly cut down the man hours required to estimate a job.” 

The chief engineer of a 46m sailing yacht says “I really like the layout of the app, I think it’s easy to use. If I was going into a refit that required an extended yard period, I would definitely consider going for MML.”

Based in Auckland, MML is a full service project management and consultancy company in the superyacht, commercial and naval sectors.

WATCH A DEMO VIDEO OF THE WEB BASED APP:

 

For more information please contact: enquiries@mml.org.nz

Or call Matt Liddell (BDM) on: +64 21 908104