Dear Islander,
Well, the big local news is that the Palma Port Authority have finally released their guide-lines on the bidding for the 15 year ‘concession’ for the boat yard in Palma.
This 60+ page document is very detailed indeed and includes a massive list of repairs and upgrading to be done including (would you believe) decorative plants!
In fact it appears that almost everything has to be replaced or repaired which indicates a sad lack of investment over the last few years.
It’s a massive and very expensive responsibility to take on. Despite that I have it on good authority that there will be at least 6 bidders come the middle of February when the sealed envelopes have to be handed in. I’m told the decision should be made by end of March.
It specifically lists that another 100-ton plus lift is needed and that was of course before the current 130 ton lift was severely damaged by the burning of a catamaran left in the slings overnight- It will be interesting to see what happens about that!
Whispers have it that we are likely to see an even bigger lift in the near future that can lift seriously big yachts- all good news for ancillary companies.
What of course has happened is that quite a few yachts have not been able to get back in and more importantly others can’t get out; will they wait or go somewhere else to be lifted? Not good for business!
What the most frequent comment has been is that Palma is well overdue for an upgrade and it will be beneficial in the long run.
However I can’t help worrying that this will add to the costs.
What are the priorities for an owner and skipper?
A posh yard or getting the job done with skilled people, at the right price and on time.
More and more often I’m told that it’s the latter three factors that are vital and the ‘fix it at any cost’ is becoming a thing of the past in yachting.
On the Indian Ocean tsunami front you’ll find plenty of comment within this issue from people who are very much in of the thick of things.
There but by the grace of God and all that!!
Myself and Carol would like to wish you all a very healthy and wealthy new year.
Regards
John Rule