UPDATE, APRIL 14, 2014: Fitzroy Yachts’ last sailing superyacht, Escapade, was reportedly christened within her build shed on Saturday. She was then transported to the port via a truck. Escapade is being finished in Auckland in preparation for delivery.
Read on for the original story about the closure.
It’s a sad day in yachting circles, as Fitzroy Yachts’ last remaining workers finished their final day. This, coming just before the builder’s final megayacht, Escapade, is set to leave her shed.
Located in New Plymouth, New Zealand, just off the Tasman Sea, Fitzroy Yachts had been in business since 1997. It focused on sailing superyachts, delivering 10 to date. This past January, however, Fitzroy Yachts issued a statement warning of layoffs. “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,” the statement read. “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.”
That substantial reduction of employees unfortunately turned out to be all craftspeople. Fitzroy Yachts employed 120 staff earlier this year. It had been negotiating with a potential client late last year, but did not get a contract. Layoffs began, and on April 3, the last employees were notified that April 11 would be the final day of employment.
Fitzroy Yachts’ first project was Spirit of Fitzroy. The 24.7-meter sailing yacht started construction in 1997. Impressive builds followed in subsequent years. Here’s the full list of its sailing superyachts:
* Spirit of Fitzroy: 81 feet (24.7 meters), launched in 2000
* Midnight (now Moonbird): 121’9” (37.15 meters), launched in 2003
* Neptune: 87’4” (26.65 meters), launched in 2004
* Helios (now Ludynosa G): 122’10” (37.48 meters), launched in 2004
* Zulu (now Ganesha): 127’6” (38.9 meters), launched in 2006
* Salperton III (now named Artemis): 148 feet (45 meters), launched in 2007
* Inmocean: 134’5” (41 meters), launched in 2008
* Salperton IV: 147’6” (45 meters), launched in 2009
* Zefira: 163 feet (49.7 meters), launched in 2010
* Ohana: 163 feet (49.7 meters), launched 2012
* Escapade, a.k.a. FY17: 123 feet (37.5 meters), launching 2014
On a related subject, Fitzroy Yachts contributed to the build of Emirates Team New Zealand’s America’s Cup contender last year.
Escapade will be launched in the next few days via a small commissioning crew. Upon delivery, her owners will race in regattas and enjoy private cruises. She has a fixed keel and a draft of 13 feet (4 meters). Dubois Naval Architects, which collaborated with Fitzroy Yachts on several yachts, is responsible for naval architecture. Inside, Design Unlimited is overseeing the general arrangement and decor. There are two guest staterooms, an aft master, and an extra guest stateroom/day room forward, along with the crew cabins and galley. Escapade also has a raised saloon and sliding windows in the cockpit. Overall beam is 27’9” (8.5 meters).
Even with the layoffs, some of the craftspeople and their families try to remain optimistic. The wife of one craftsman established the Supporting Fitzroy Yacht Workers Facebook page. There, news of opportunities is shared. She also established the We Need Work website. It allows companies to post job openings and review resumes. As our colleagues at SuperyachtNews.com put so eloquently, “When the outside world looks at a superyacht and questions the appropriateness of it, they too often do not see the jobs behind it.”
Nearly four dozen former Fitzroy employees are still seeking jobs. Some are willing to relocate. If you are in the industry and have openings, please visit the We Need Work website and Supporting Fitzroy Yacht Workers page. Of course, feel free to post openings here as well, and we’ll get it to the right people.
Leave a Reply