With the Monaco Yacht Show little more than a week away, builders and designers are sending a flurry of e-mails about press conferences and invitations to see new projects. One builder I had been looking forward to catching up with was Devonport, which is back in the superyacht business.
If you remember my report from last October, in which Devonport’s parent company, DRDL/Babcock, announced that the yard would cease its yacht operations, you might be wondering what’s up. Babcock did indeed state that all efforts would be switched to naval support work after Devonport finished the two superyachts under construction. But last month, reports emerged on a few Web sites that the Devonport brand had been acquired, which I confirmed directly: “Coupled with funding from a private investor, Devonport Yachts Ltd is now a privately owned company,” the statement read.
In the same statement, the newly acquired company also explained that an official relaunch press event would be held at the Monaco Yacht Show, at a location to be named, as Devonport was not an exhibitor. Unfortunately, the following statement followed last week: “Given the current status of a number of exciting new negotiations and opportunities, it will not be practical to hold a press briefing,” further adding that details will follow once permissible.
Let’s hope it’s soon. It would be good news indeed to hear not just that Devonport plans to focus on the 60-meter-plus (197-feet-plus) market, but that it has a signed contract and a wholly owned facility.
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