When megayachts head for refits, the owners and crew are accustomed to removing breakables and valuables before the yard period starts. The same is true when the megayacht changes hands. But with hurricane season starting soon, time is short. RoboVault, a Fort Lauderdale-based storage facility specializing in high-value items, is accustomed to working with yachting clients in all of these scenarios. It has climate-controlled storage as well to ensure sensitive items are protected. We interviewed Bruce Tang, the director of fine art and antique services at RoboVault, for details.
Q: In the case of a refit, I’m sure clients contact you well in advance—but what happens when a hurricane is en route? How quickly can you respond to a request for storage?
A: RoboVault strongly suggests that items of a high value or high delicacy be properly packed, collected, and stored on shore in a secure, climate-controlled facility prior to the start of hurricane season (June 1st). For hurricane contingent services, there is a limited amount of time and staff that are available to provide last-minute, urgent requests for service. In this case, yacht personnel (who are not trained art handlers) may be forced to pack the items themselves if they wish to transfer the items on shore. It’s also wise to consult with your respective insurer with regards to their requirements when handling such items and coverage while the items are being transferred or storage.
RoboVault may be able to provide the proper packing materials to yacht staff, but there is no guarantee that any supplies will be available to clients if they wait for the last minute. When it comes to hurricanes, it is always advisable to be well prepared well ahead of the storm as opposed to hovering in wait-and-see mode. If yacht personnel are able to properly pack and safely transport the property that they wish to store to our facility, RoboVault should be able to accommodate their last minute request for storage as long as the facility is still open for business. Factors such as wind speed, precipitation, and orders of authority may mean the facility will be closed and not able to accept property upon arrival. Prior to a storm’s arrival, RoboVault’s staff will be preparing the facility for the storm or hurricane as part of our overall business continuity plan.
Q: Walk us through the process of working with a client: Do you ask them what items they want to store and then visit the yacht to see them, or do you just make the list, arrange for the onboard visit to have your staff remove everything, and then take the items to storage?
A: Yes it’s important for our staff to know what items are desired for seasonal “Hurricane Storage” or designated for storage in the case of an impending storm. Proper packaging materials and handling are essential to mitigate the risks associate with shock, abrasion, vibration, and climate fluctuations. Photos and inventory listings are helpful, though it’s always best for our coordinators to see the property in person as well as the access. For this reason, we are happy to provide complimentary site surveys for larger consignments or even one painting, as the value may warrant the extra attention. Here’s how a typical inquiry would flow:
- i) Initial customer contact and conversation to ascertain specific needs, typically including questions such as:
- Are the items packed?
- Are they being shipped?
- Are they being stored?
- Wine?
- Art?
- Furnishings?
- China? Crystal ware? Silverware?
- Spare parts?
- Is the property insured? Any specific requirements by insurer?
- ii) Site visit and meeting with yacht staff (typically Chief Stewardess or Captain) to discuss requirements and logistics in coordination with the staff, including, for example, who will be responsible for unsecuring the art and objects that are typically bolted into position on the yachts
iii) Measuring of any items that may require custom crate construction or specialized material application
- iv) Estimate is provided for services (packing, crating, transporting, shipping, installation, etc.) and dates determined for performance
- v) Storage contract is based on volume of space required and accessibility requirements
- vi) Photographic inventory of property packed/stored or shipped can be transmitted to client.
Q: How many yachting clients do you have? Do some typically contact you year after year to store the same things? Or do you get different requests for different needs all the time?
A: RoboVault has worked with dozens of yachting clients since opening in 2009. Some for a temporary period of time (in the case of a refit or sale), some are ongoing and long-term projects (seasonal hurricane storage). It’s always a close relationship where trust and confidentiality is essential.
Q: Are there any “trends” in terms of the things yachting clients want stored? Meaning, do most want luxury items like art stored, or do they want RIBs/tenders/outboards stored?
A: Art, sculpture, furniture, delicate and valuable objects such as lamps and countertop accessories, china, crystalware, silverware, lighting fixtures—these are the items our technicians specialize in packing and crating for shipment or storage, and ultimately loss data will show that there is more risk in the handling and packing of works versus when they are resting secured in our state-of-the-art facility. Inflatables and spare parts (excluding all hazardous materials as detailed in our documents) may be placed in storage by yacht staff.
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