New marina/yard being considered near Newport

Global Island Yachting has submitted a plan to develop a portion of Quonset Point near Newport as a megayacht marina and yard, according to a story in the Providence Journal in January.

The operation would be located in the northern section of Quonset Point, just south of the southern pier at Davisville, according to the newspaper. Discussions are still preliminary so there are no indications of size or scope of project revealed. But the newspaper reported that a spokesman for the Quonset Development Corp. compared the project to Lauderdale Marine Center in Ft. Lauderdale, which houses more than 50 marine businesses and 110 floating slips.

According to the newspaper, QDC became interested in the idea of developing the property for megayachts last fall after board members learned there is a need for such facilities.

"You’ve got a lot of wealthy folks with yachts – 100, 200, up to 400 feet long – that require servicing," agency spokesman David Preston told the Journal. "There’s no place north of Florida where this kind of servicing can happen."

In October, the board sent out a request for information seeking developers who might be interested in such a project. Two firms responded, according to the Journal: One was an entity put together just for this project; the other was Island Global Yachting, the New York-based firm that recently purchased Rodney Bay Marina in St. Lucia and which recently renovated Yacht Haven Grande in St. Thomas. GIY did not return calls for comment on this story by deadline.

– Lucy Reed

Roscioli expansion taking shape

Construction of the expansion at Roscioli Yachting Center in Ft. Lauderdale is taking shape. With the foundation finished, the walls of the building were being constructed in early February.

The multi-million-dollar facility will sit on 4 acres adjacent to Roscioli’s current 8-acre location on the south fork of the New River and is expected to be complete by mid-summer.

When complete, the new yard will add about 100,000 square feet of fabrication, refit and painting facilities; accommodate yachts up to 155 feet in length; and add about 100,000 square feet of dry dock space. In total, more than 100 yachts can be housed, the yard said in a statement.

In addition to its existing 220-ton travel lift, the yard is adding a 165-ton travel trailer, the first of its kind in the United States.

The expansion will house new corporate offices, client project offices, a captain’s lounge, commissary, fitness room, laundry facilities, restrooms and showers, and a conference center. Retail space with a central reception area will be available to marine-related businesses.

"We’re very excited over the prospects of what this facility will mean for Ft. Lauderdale’s yachting community," said Bob Roscioli, CEO of Roscioli Yachting Center. "Let’s face facts: today’s yachts are getting larger and more complex, facilities to accommodate these vessels are becoming increasingly scarce, and the international clientele are making Ft. Lauderdale a frequent destination stop on their voyages around the world. Our new yard will fill the requirements of our expanding client base and fit nicely into the landscape of South Florida’s growing mega yacht population."

Simpson Bay Marina upgrades

Simpson Bay Marina in Sint Maarten is upgrading electrical services. At dock service ranges up to 100-amp, three-phase 480-volt, 60hz service. The marina also recently purchased a heavier crane to handle large dinghies that require liftout for routine maintenance. For more information, visit www.sbmarina.biz  

New marina in New Zealand

Orakei Marina within Auckland’s Okahu Bay adds 172 full-finger berths to the region, providing moorage for vessels to 131 feet. Bellingham Marine New Zealand, Ltd. designed and installed the floating structures including the wave attenuator. The marina includes single piece fingers, single piece T-heads, and pre-stressed hollowspun concrete piles, and uses Bellingham’s concrete pontoon system.

The marina basin is protected from the north and west by rock breakwaters and the south by a 10-foot-wide floating attenuator, according to a statement from Bellingham. The fuel jetty is protected by a 10-foot-wide "skirted" attenuator. Berths are sited to account for southwest prevailing winds and northeast storm conditions.

The marina has extra wide berths to accommodate multi-hulls, 3-phase power, full utility services including water. There are fuel and sewage pumpout services with individual pumpout hydrants at each berth on piers D and E. Restrooms, showers and laundry facilities are on site. 

Future shoreside development is planned including several cafes and restaurants. For more information, visit http://orakeimarina.co.nz/ .

Fisher Island has free wi-fi

The main marina at Fisher Island now offers free wi-fi. According to Capt. Craig Jones who frequents the island off Miami, the antenna is located atop the dockmaster’s office and should reach all of the main/outside/mansion marina berths. Not sure when the inside marina is due to get the same service.

Caribe Island Resort has free wi-fi

Caribe Island Resort on the island of Ambergris Caye in Belize has installed free wireless Internet access. The system, implemented by NLG Consulting of Belize City, will cover the entire complex of the resort, according to a statement from the resort. For more information, visit www.caribeisland.com .

Porto Cervo celebrates anniversary

The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda will mark its 40th anniversary with rallies, regattas and exclusive social events this summer.

"Our accomplishments are credited to a great deal of hard work and determination and to the professionalism and expertise of the people who have collaborated with us over these past 40 years," said YCCS Commodore Gianfranco Alberini. "The events will give us the chance to thank them and to celebrate together with the new generation of sailors whose drive and vision will take us through the next 40 years."

Festivities begin with a formal dinner May 12, 40 years to the day that His Highness the Aga Khan, along with Andrè Ardoin, Giuseppe Kerry Mentasti and Luigi Vietti, founded the club. Regattas are planned all summer; member events are planned for August.

The signature event will be the YCCS 40th Anniversary Regatta on Sept. 10, scheduled between the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup (Sept. 2-8) and the Rolex Veteran Boat Rally (Sept. 12-15). The club expects some of the largest sailing yachts in the world from the Maxis, historic America’s Cup International 12 metres and high-tech racers from the current America’s Cup challenge. The day’s sailing will be capped by a crew party on the Piazza Azzurra overlooking Porto Cervo Marina. For more information, visit Yacht Club Costa Smeralda at www.yccs.it .

Trinidad gets 2nd high-speed Cat