REFIT ATLANTIC STYLE


Thierry Lausseur talks to ONBOARD Magazine about the Bordeaux Superyacht Refit facility on the Atlantic coast and how the region is committed to enhance its offering the superyacht community


in extreme seas, and forging special relationships with crews who regularly wish to stop over in Bordeaux when making trips across the Atlantic or heading to northern Europe.


Can you summarise how the organisation helps its members to further their technical knowledge? We are always keen to participate in the seminars organised between Monaco and northern Europe by the various organisations and in addition, we organise our own educational events during the year and invite key players in the sector. From 2021 we have joined forces with a local organization specialising in aeronautical, naval and nautical training, and we intend to develop our skills and the skills of the local workforce in this very specific industry.


for superyacht refit and winter berthing. As a location, Bordeaux hosts a dedicated and skilled pool of maritime professionals ready to take on the more traditional southern European refit yards.


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From the initial stages in 2012 with 50 local marine companies, what has happened over the past eight years?


Our lobbying and our actions have given Bordeaux and its maritime region the opportunity to reopen itself to an economy geared towards the yachting sector. After bringing together the best skills in the region in terms of maintenance and refit work, we convinced the political authorities to support and trust us, which made it possible to adapt the local port infrastructure. At the same time, we promoted the facility to our potential targets, and it seems to be working: in 2017 we were able to welcome several ships for a stopover;


‘A, ‘Global’


ith a rich maritime history, Bordeaux is looking to become a powerhouse on the Atlantic coast


among other noted yachts, then in 2020 in we played host to ‘Yersin’, ‘Bougainville’, and another 66m for refit works.


What are the facilities main advantages for superyacht refit over traditional locations in the south? In the South, it is becoming more and more difficult to find a place, here in Bordeaux we have places at the quayside and on secure pontoons in the city centre; Ponton d’honneur & Ponton Ariane. In addition, we have three types of refit facilities on the dry for vessels up to100 metres. The customer is welcomed with his teams, and can call on all the services on site, management, concierge, technical and hotel/ leisure facilities.


What are the next five years going to bring? We intend to publicise and promote our services and skilled workforce, to attract operators and encourage the arrival of more superyachts in Bordeaux. We probably have a special role to play with yachts cruising


What advantages does the region offer yacht companies and contractors? Firstly, Bordeaux and its region offer a cluster of exceptional skills in terms of know-how, thanks to its long maritime history. The local companies are very dynamic and keen to develop this initiative. In addition, the lifestyle is exceptional: the vines offer top quality Grand Crus Classés and Cognacs. Outside the city, there are forest landscapes, and beautiful idyllic villages such as Saint Emilion and Margaux.Then, on the horizon we find ourselves facing the ocean or the Arcachon basin, or turn south and head to the ski slopes in the Pyrenées Atlantiques. During stopovers, the crews have the opportunity to stay in the heart of a dynamic, international and welcoming city with its hotels, bars and 1,700 restaurants.


What makes a Captain choose your yard over another yard?


The working environment is exceptional: we are a few minutes from the city centre and have three areas for refit and berthing, in great locations. For navigation, the position of Bordeaux is very practical when you want to go to the Arctic and Antarctic areas, but also to the Caribbean or to the countries of northern Europe.


166 | WINTER 2021 | ONBOARD


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