UPDATE, APRIL 10, 2014: Remaining Fitzroy Yachts craftspeople report that the final day of employment is April 11. According to their Facebook group (referenced below), notice was given on April 3. They also report that Escapade, the only yacht project, will leave her shed this weekend. Actual launch of Escapade should be either April 13 or 14.
FEBRUARY 28, 2014: While it was set to close its doors on February 27, Fitzroy Yachts is remaining open for three more weeks. The builder does not have another yacht contract, however. It therefore seems inevitable that the layoffs mentioned in our original article will occur. Two resources exist for the affected craftspeople to find new jobs. One is a popular Facebook group that many in the marine industry are following: Supporting Fitzroy Yachts Workers. The other is the website We Need Work, where companies with openings can post, and job seekers can respond. “There’s 120 jobs we need to find yesterday,” says Louise Godfrey, who established both resources. Her husband is among the craftspeople who will be laid off by Fitzroy Yachts.
Read on for the original story.
Fitzroy Yachts may have to lay off craftspeople after delivering the 123-foot sloop FY17, to be christened Escapade. The news comes in a statement released by the New Zealand-based shipyard:
“Fitzroy Yachts has a long history as one of the world’s leading sailing yacht builders, and has been the recipient of several significant awards. The yard is extremely proud of our fleet of superyachts, and above all of the talented staff who bring these beautiful projects to reality.
“Like a large number of our fellow yacht builders, we have felt the effects of the 2008 global financial crisis and its impact on the new-build order book. Following the imminent completion of our current build, the 37.5m Dubois performance sloop FY17, a substantial reduction of employees, albeit extremely regrettable, will not be avoidable.
“The management is currently negotiating with the owner of FY17 a goodwill contribution to support the employees in the form of an incentive linked to a successful and timely completion of his yacht.
“Completing the build of FY17 to Fitzroy’s high standards is our priority, as is working with other local employers to try and find jobs for as many of the staff as we can. We are optimistic that with the labor market in New Plymouth, and the strong sense of community within the New Plymouth business community, that many of our staff will be able to gain new employment. As their work attests, they are all highly skilled employees.”
As for Fitzroy Yachts’ Escapade, the owners are experienced charterers and first-time yacht buyers. She’s an all-aluminum megayacht that will participate in regattas and cruise privately. Performance estimates haven’t been released. However, she’ll have a racing pedigree, thanks to Dubois Naval Architects. Escapade will have a fixed keel and a draft of 13 feet (4 meters).
Inside, Design Unlimited is designing three staterooms, including the aft master. There’s a fourth guest stateroom/day room forward, along with the crew cabins and galley. Furthermore, Escapade will feature a raised saloon and sliding windows in the cockpit, which will also have a fixed bimini. Overall beam will be 27’9” (8.5 meters).
Leave a Reply