A Connecticut shipyard previously servicing superyachts has returned to the market, under a different name and with different owners. Hornblower Marine Yachts is the newly formed yachting division of a commercial company expanding into refit and maintenance at Steelpointe Shipyard by Hornblower.
Situated in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the site gained prominence in yachting as the former Derecktor Shipyards Connecticut facility. The 281-foot (85.6-meter) Cakewalk (now Aquila) launched from it in 2010 as the then-largest private yacht from the United States. Derecktor Shipyards Connecticut filed for bankruptcy protection in 2012, becoming Bridgeport Boatworks in 2018. Hornblower Group took over in 2021. Under both Bridgeport Boatworks and Hornblower Group, the focus has been primarily service for sightseeing boats and ferries.
Hornblower Group’s entry into yachting follows it expanding the shipyard from one to 17 acres. Simultaneously, it renamed the site Steelpointe Shipyard by Hornblower to better reflect the size and full-service capabilities across multiple disciplines. Shull Autin, Hornblower Group’s chief maritime officer, especially notes Hornblower’s how “pairing our 100-year history in the maritime industry with the unique features and benefits of such an historic port” benefit the city and the larger East Coast.
In total, Steelpointe Shipyard by Hornblower covers 45,000 square feet (about 4,181 square meters) of indoor space. Additionally, it has three TraveLifts capable of hauling yachts and megayachts to 700 tons. Catamarans are possible, too, since the largest lift accommodates a beam of 52 feet (15.85 meters). Furthermore, a service dock is 220 feet (67 meters) long. Tradespeople specializing in metal fabrication, welding, joinery, piping, electrical, painting and more are on site.
Also noteworthy, since the shipyard is Long Island Sound and has deep-water access, both sailing superyachts and motoryachts can seek service. Specifically, the water depth at the yard is 22 feet (6.7 meters). Hornblower Marine Yachts intends to target owners and captains of yachts from 50 to 200 feet (15.24 to 61 meters). No air draft restrictions exist.
“The leadership, expertise, and capabilities of the nation’s largest shipyards shouldn’t be inaccessible to yacht and recreational vessel owners,” notes Junior Volpe, Hornblower Marine’s senior vice president of vessel construction and repair. “Thanks to this expansion, Hornblower Marine will be able to offer its top-level service to this new class of partners and clientele while providing the customer service that would be expected of smaller, boutique service facilities. We look forward to bringing these services to the yachting market.”
Conveniently, Hornblower Marine Yachts and Steelpointe Shipyard by Hornblower sit across the harbor from Bridgeport Harbor Marina. It can accommodate megayachts to 250 feet (76 meters).
Hornblower Marine Yachts hornblowermarine.com
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