Story
Arriving at Pendennis in early summer 2021 having recently changed ownership, 69m luxury expedition yacht Jester underwent a period of pre-refit inspection and trials in Falmouth. It soon became apparent that the project was a lot larger than anticipated, with the quality of the existing interior and systems falling below client expectations. Also having been built in 1972, her new Owners and their team were keen to significantly upgrade her systems, interior and deck spaces, and put their own stamp on the yacht. Furthermore, in the early stages of the project, the decision to move to Commercial status and complete the Lloyd’s Special Survey added to the project intensity. Working in Pendennis’ favour was our previous experience of fast complex refits with a multi-trade requirement, as well as previous project experience with a number of the key partners involved. Pendennis certainly took this challenge head on and over the next 23 months worked tirelessly on this complex refit utilising the full spectrum of in-house trades.
Major project highlights included internally building a completely new crew and luxury guest interior to the design of RWD, overhauling her original engines and generators and installing a new generator exhaust system, and upgrading all domestic services and electrical wiring on board. We fitted a new ultra-fog system, a new HVAC system, and replaced the bridge and galley. Externally the fabrication team replaced 130t of steel on both the hull, main deck and the double bottom tanks, whilst the exterior outfit department installed a new multi-sports games deck, a new aft deck SOLAS crane, dive room including decompression chamber and a hydraulically operated cargo hatch for 10 bike racks and other adventure toys. Finally, the paint team completed a full re-fair of the hull, then went on to completely repaint the vessels topsides and superstructure.
Jester’s ambitious programme of work was completed in under two years and the vessel left Falmouth in May 2023. Exploring and adventure were key objectives for the Owners and Pendennis has continued to not only support Jester but the rest of the Owner’s fleet at our base in Vilanova, near Barcelona.
