PREPARATION – Organize budgets and timelines for any potential yacht repair or maintenance periods, including review of survey reports on pending brokerage sales. Attribute line item pricing against a scope of work. Time spent in proper preparation well in advance directly translates into an efficient yard period. Shipyard estimators, as a rule, always prefer to deal with a captain or vessel representative that is effective in relaying detailed information in an organized fashion. Better input coming in – better result!

SPECIFICATION – The process of building a comprehensive work list, with as much specification as possible, is key to any successful refit operation. Too often this is left in the hands of the service yard who will assemble a work list according to their template. This makes an “apples to apples” evaluation nearly impossible. Through BYC, the vessel compiles a Request for Proposal (RFP) including detailed specifications allowing for a thorough analysis of bids and estimates received.

EXPERIENCE – BYC’s field experience has created an extensive network of vendors, contractors and knowledgeable parties who can expedite or problem solve and minimize downtime in a shipyard environment.

TIME MANAGEMENT – While a scope is refined, we are also creating a timeline which accounts for all tasks, how they are related, and it also determines the soonest possible timeline for re-commissioning the yacht. Linking tasks and nominating predecessors in a Microsoft Project type structure increases the success ratio for quality work to be conducted in a timely fashion. The calendar also takes into account the time the yacht is in use or underway conducting charters or owner’s personal use vs. the time allotted for maintenance work.

SHIPYARD KNOWLEDGE – At the same time that the RFP is being developed the BYC/Client team is considering best choices for the intended refit based upon where the vessel will end her cruising period as well as where she intends to travel after the refit. Cost effectiveness is a primary objective, but matching a scope of work to the best tradesmen available is key in achieving a first class result. We don’t take a large scale composite job to a facility known for metalwork and fitting.