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Derecktor Shipyard Dania Beach

Derecktor Confirms Deal to Develop First Purpose-Built Megayacht Yard in United States

gCaptain
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April 18, 2019

A yacht on a travel lift at the existing Derecktor Shipyard in Dania Beach, FL. Photo: Derecktor

New York-headquartered Derecktor Shipyard has signed a long-term agreement with Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County in Florida to develop and operate the nation’s first maintenance, repair and refit yards designed specifically to accommodate megayachts over 200 feet.

The new yard, named Derecktor Ft. Pierce, will provide direct access from the Atlantic through Ft. Pierce inlet, with no overhead obstructions and a maintained depth of 28 feet (8 meters). The yard itself will feature a concrete apron of over 8 acres as well as over 1000 linear feet of deep water dockage. An existing large building will be refitted to house machine, wood, pipe and electrical shops along with other service support activity.

In November 2018, the St. Lucie Board of County Commissioners unanimously selected Derecktor Shipyards to create and operate the first purpose-built megayacht repair and refit yard in the United States.

Derecktor says the new shipyard will be unique in the U.S. as it will be the first facility designed and built specifically to accommodate power and sailing yachts over 200 feet in length. Until now, yachts of this size, particularly sailing vessels which require extreme overhead clearance and considerable water depth, have had few or no domestic shipyard options.

Derecktor Ft. Pierce will feature a drydock and mobile lift for vessel hauling that is anticipated to have a 1500 ton capacity, making it the largest in the world and fully capable of handling the international mega sail fleet. Plans are for the lift to be up and running by fall of 2020.

The drydock, which will go into operation after the lift, is projected to be able to accommodate vessels up to 4000 tons, meaning all but a handful of the world’s largest yachts can be serviced.

“This is a big day in the history of our company”, said Paul Derecktor President of Derecktor Shipyards, after the Tuesday’s agreement signing. “This yard lets us bring in a whole new range of boats. It’s a new market for us and, in large part, a new market for the U.S. We see great things ahead for Derecktor, for Ft. Pierce and for the people of St. Lucie County.”

Initial plans call for infrastructure improvements to begin as soon as permits are in place. DFP will start bringing in vessels for dockside work in the very near future, with operations steadily expanding as the facility is improved.

“It’s been great to get to know the area and some of the people here while working on the agreement with the County.” said Derecktor. “We can’t wait to get the yard up and running and show the yachting world what Derecktor Ft. Pierce and the Treasure Coast have to offer.”

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