Normally, megayacht owners don’t want their yachts staying any longer than originally planned at a service yard. Interestingly, the owner of Qing went against the norm. What was supposed to be a few weeks of work in Australia is now a few months, extending an already-extensive exploration of Australiasia.
Qing (pronounced “ching”) reserved time at Rivergate Marina & Shipyard in March for her five-year Lloyds survey. The task list also included service work to better prepare her for ongoing ambitious cruising. Qing is in the midst of a three-year, around-the-world voyage. The 151-footer (46-meter) has already cruised around customary places like the Caribbean as well as off-the-beaten-track ones like Africa. The owner approved of Rivergate based on positive feedback the captain and engineer received from a fellow captain.
Specifically, that captain mentioned the diversity of craftspeople on site. The family-owned and -run Rivergate has independent cabinet makers, electricians, fiberglass repairers, propulsion specialists, and more. In addition, service agents can source painters, upholstery specialists, and others. Furthermore, Rivergate has a 300-ton marine lift plus access to both a 600-ton marine lift and a 2,500-ton rail slip. It regularly services megayachts and commercial ships to 295 feet (90 meters). The family says 200 megayachts have passed through the yard since it opened in 2006.
Meant for exploration, Qing has some specialized equipment onboard. This includes a retractable Schottel thruster fully forward, connected to a single 315-hp Caterpillar engine. In an emergency, the thruster can serve as primary propulsion, letting Qing see 6 knots. Cheoy Lee built her nearly seven years ago as Mazu, with this equipment. The current owner was attracted to the overall operational efficiency. His motto: “Don’t destroy what you came to enjoy.”
Still at Rivergate’s Brisbane facility, the megayacht changed course, literally, as a result. The owner, from the United States, now plans to return to the Great Barrier Reef, where he’s already been. What’s more, he then plans to cruise over to Indonesia, as well as other Asian regions. On a related note, should a crisis hit any of these regions, Qing stands ready to assist. She participates in YachtAid Global initiatives, delivering much-needed supplies to remote communities.
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