What does opera have to do with superyachts? In the case of Cantiere Rossini, everything. The name comes from Gioacchino Rossini, the world-famous composer born in the shipyard’s home city of Pesaro, Italy. Providing refit services for superyachts, Cantiere Rossini is just shy of its fourth anniversary. Its current and future plans reveal a well-orchestrated effort to look and feel welcoming, more than a typical service yard. As Stewart Parvin, the yard’s CEO, puts it, “If you have a yard like this, you want people to be happy.”
Cantiere Rossini sits on the site of the former Cantiere Navale di Pesaro. This commercial shipyard ceased operations in 2008. While the property made for a natural acquisition, major renovations were still needed. These included leveling buildings and creating better hardstanding space. Cantiere Rossini now has about 161,459 square feet (15,000 square meters) for the latter, for instance. Seven superyachts can tie up stern-to, plus receive some in-water services. In addition, the yard has a 560-ton lift, fitted with a genset. The genset is key. A yacht’s sensitive electronics and safety systems can suffer if she’s on the hard for a few hours, a common situation.
What’s really striking about Cantiere Rossini, however, is its appearance. Palm trees and pavers line the technical marina. A living wall (above) sits opposite the slips. “When we say we want to be ‘green,’ we mean it,” Parvin emphasizes. The living wall is both pretty and practical, a divider from the hardstanding area. The hardstanding area is “green,” too. Drains rim the perimeter, collecting all washdown water. This water, in turn, gets cleaned before heading into the Adriatic Sea.
More aesthetic—and practical—improvements are coming. A pentagon-shaped building will house offices for Parvin and shipyard director Alfonso Postorino. The same building will feature warehouse space and workshops. Crew, meanwhile, will get a rooftop terrace with food and drinks, along with a gym. The biggest—literally—improvements are two paint sheds. Measuring 230x72x92 feet (70x22x28 meters), they’ll permit Cantiere Rossini to drive yachts straight inside after lifting them from the water. They’ll be taller than comparable paint sheds in the Med, according to Parvin. They’ll also be eye-catching (below), with complex shapes and light-reflecting skins. The effect will be different colors throughout the day, from different angles. LEDs will keep them colorful at night as well. “Ugliness is a choice,” Parvin says.
With nearby attractions like nature-park hiking trails and Rimini’s famous nightclubs, Cantiere Rossini should make captains and crew content. The services, as well as a newly signed agreement to use a large drydock, should please both them and owners. As for that drydock, it’s about 591 feet (180 meters), up the coast at the commercial yard Rosetti Marino in Ravenna.
Did we mention the special Cantiere Rossini gelato flavor? A gelateria a stone’s throw from the yard is making it. One more reason to be happy.
Cantiere Rossini cantiererossini.com
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