The wheels in the photo here are more than eight feet (2.4 meters) in height. Soon, 32 of them will line up as part of an immense yacht hoist in Florida. The Derecktor Ft. Pierce mobile boat hoist is coming together in anticipation of lifting some of the world’s largest megayachts, starting in the springtime.
The shipyard announced the plans for the movable lift in 2019. It has a capacity of 1,500 tons and can transfer motoryachts and sailing yachts to 250 feet (about 76 meters) in length. It’s significant for more than just numbers. Since it is a mobile hoist, it provides options to owners and crew seeking service stateside. Previously, large motoryachts needed to rely solely on dry docks in the United States. Large sailing superyachts, meanwhile, didn’t have any U.S.-based haul-out facilities capable of handling them, due to water depth and shipyard equipment.
The Derecktor Ft. Pierce mobile boat hoist originally was set to arrive last year. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays at the Italian manufacturing company, Cimolai Technology. Therefore, the components began arriving just recently.
The illustration above is how the lift will appear when fully assembled operational. Besides having 32 wheels, it stands about 85 feet (25.9 meters) high. Notably, this is about the same height as the South Causeway Bridge located near the shipyard. Additionally, the haul-out basin pairing with the lift measures 220 feet long and 50 feet wide (67 meters long and 15.24 meters wide). Depth will be sailing-yacht-friendly 21 feet (6.4 meters), too. Workers are currently digging out this section. Overall, “It opens an exciting new market to us and the industry in Florida,” notes Justin Beard, Derecktor’s marketing and sales development director.
The shipyard is already booking haul-outs to start come May.
Derecktor derecktor.com
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