Back in April 2008, it was reported that Sunseeker acquired a 260 tonne Travel Lift at their Poole facility and plans were in the works to incorporate one at the Dorset facility in the future. Now this time has come and a new 320 tonne capacity lift has been incorporated.
A new 320 tonnes travel lift, believed to be one of the largest hoists of its type in the UK, has been installed at Sunseeker International's Osprey Quay Shipyard on Portland in Dorset. The new hoist, supplied by Wise Handling Limited, has a height of 13.5 metres, an overall width of 15 metres and weighs 108,000 kg.
The new travel hoist, which has been built to launch or retrieve boats up to 320,000 kilograms, has been acquired to operate with a brand new lifting dock. The dock, similar to that at the company's Poole Shipyards, has been specifically built to meet the demand for boats over 30 metres (100 feet).
With a successful range of larger craft already in production - including the 37 Metre, 34 Metre and 30 Metre Yachts, along with the Predator 108 - the travel lift will also have the ability to elevate and move even larger vessels such as the Sunseeker 46 Metre Yacht currently in development and the Predator 130, which is due to be launched later this year. In addition, the hoist will have full remote control facility with double speed winching - enabling greater flexibility in moving boats.
Sunseeker recently announced its intention to build superyachts over 50 metres and the 11 acre site at Osprey Quay, along with the facilities now available, will be an important part in the company's future development.
Robert Braithwaite CBE, Sunseeker's managing director commented: "The investment in this type of machinery is vital to the future success of the business. With our range of models increasing in both length and weight having the new travel hoist will enable us to move the boats efficiently and safely. "The continued development at Osprey Quay is very important to us if we are to maintain our position as one of the world's major yacht builders."
For more information:
Sunseeker,
27 − 31 WEST QUAY ROAD
POOLE
DORSET
BH15 1HX
UNITED KINGDOM
TEL: +44 (0)1202 381 111
http://www.sunseeker.com ***