A CHANGE OF WATCH
I celebrated my 65th birthday this year and “chalked up” my 35th year with Pendennis Shipyard. I can honestly say that I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute since joining in 1989 and I feel extremely proud of all we’ve achieved so far, from very meagre beginnings to now being thought of as one of the world’s leading superyacht companies.
I’m now retiring from my “day job” and entrusting the daily running of business to Toby Allies and his fellow executive directors Ian Granville, Stephen Hills and Charlie Ross. I am confident that they will continue to steer the company to even greater successes, building on the solid foundation blocks and principles my great friend and business partner Henk Wiekens and I have laid down over the last 35 years.
There’s no doubt that I will miss many things such as the daily cut and thrust of shipyard life; the thrill of chasing, winning and
delivering fantastic projects; developing winning teams; finding better ways of doing things and spotting opportunities such as in Vilanova and Norfolk. But most of all, I will miss the daily camaraderie of all the people I’ve had the opportunity and great privilege to work alongside over the years.
I remain acutely aware that none of Pendennis’ achievements would have happened without the unwavering support of loyal clients, industry friends, our shareholders, our board of directors, and all of our staff and their families, for which I will remain eternally grateful.
Going forward I am committed to a supportive role, for as long as I feel able to add value as a sounding board for the executive directors, a proud shareholder and Chairman of the Board, and I look forward to seeing Pendennis go from strength to strength in the coming years!
FOX off the coast of Cornwall
Mike Carr Chairman and Founding Partner
BUSINESS NEWS
BESPOKE BUILD
FOX IS DELIVERED
The pioneering new 35m expedition-style motor yacht FOX was delivered in the spring of 2024. Proudly British, FOX hails from the drawing boards of Q London, with Pendennis in charge of her engineering and construction. Pendennis MD Toby Allies said of MY FOX ’s departure, “The project is the latest in a long line of truly
custom new build deliveries by Pendennis. The dedicated new build team have created a sleek, modern and unfussy engineering platform that will allow the yacht to explore every corner of the globe.” As a compact explorer, FOX is going to entice a new breed of adventure traveller. Read more about FOX on page 24
MULTIPLE AWARD WINS
Six of our Pendennis apprentices collected their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards at Buckingham Palace in May. In February, we won Large Employer of the Year at the Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards and in July we were ranked for the third consecutive year in the Department for Education’s ‘Top 100 Apprentice Employers’, this year at number 53.
APPRENTICE NEWS
JESTER WINS VOYAGER’S AWARD
MY Jester won the Voyager’s Award at the 2024 Boat International World Superyacht Awards, an accolade that recognises yachts that have completed a cruise to isolated destinations. The prize was awarded to both Infinite Jest and Jester; the pair having run in tandem from Europe to Antarctica shortly after they were both delivered. Jester departed our Falmouth shipyard at the end of May following
her extensive two-year refit, and by December was journeying down to South America, sweeping across the infamous Drake Passage to the icy continent of Antarctica. The two yachts have nearly completed a circumnavigation in terms of nautical miles travelled – and all in less than six months since delivery. Both Jester and Infinite Jest have since visited our Mediterranean facility, Pendennis Vilanova near Barcelona. WORLD SUPERYACHT AWARD WIN
TURQUOISE ARRIVES IN CORNWALL
The 49.5m motor yacht Turquoise has transitioned to Pendennis’ home base in Falmouth from our Mediterranean facility near Barcelona, where she has been a client since the autumn of 2019. In Vilanova, the team supported the client with self-managed refit works. Turquoise’s relocation to Falmouth means that she is best placed for our expert and specialist teams to conclude an extensive planned refit. The Pendennis team in Falmouth will manufacture and install a full new interior, install the electrical and plumbing systems, and support Turquoise’s crew with the completion of her mechanical engineering works.
TURQUOISE IN VILANOVA
TURQUOISE IN FALMOUTH
BUSINESS NEWS
PENDENNIS & BOAT INTERNATIONAL ST MORITZ ICE CRICKET
In the heart of the Swiss Alps, Pendennis, in collaboration with BOAT International, hosted an unforgettable St Moritz Ice Cricket event at the end of January. Against the breathtaking backdrop of the snow-capped Engadin Valley, guests were treated to a spectacular three-day programme including ice cricket on Lake St Moritz and an exclusive social programme.
MIKE CARR ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
Pendennis’ Founding Partner Mike Carr has announced his retirement from an executive role, but continues as Chairman of the Pendennis Board. He is entrusting the daily running of business to Toby Allies and his fellow executive directors Ian Granville, Stephen Hills and Charlie Ross and said, “I am confident that they will continue to steer the company to even greater successes, building on the solid foundation blocks and principles my great friend and business partner Henk Wiekens and I have laid down over the last 35 years.“
PENDENNIS EVENTS
PENDENNIS LEADERSHIP
500TH PROJECT MILESTONE IN SIGHT
In the spring of 2023, Pendennis Vilanova celebrated completing its 300th project. Fast forward to the present day and we are close to the 500-project mark. Read more about how Pendennis Vilanova is reaping the rewards of a five-year investment plan on page 20
TECHNOLOGY
DIGITAL MANUFACTURING CENTRE OPEN
Pendennis recently opened a new Digital Manufacturing Centre on site in Falmouth, bringing together our existing CNC capability with additional CNC cutting, profiling and machining equipment to fully leverage our existing 3D scanning and design capability.
THE VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY
Antarctica is shrouded in mystery. It’s a formidable natural wonder, one of the last places in the world with mythical status, and it’s incredibly difficult to reach. For anyone with a penchant for exploration, Antarctica is likely high on their bucket list. For the Owners of the in-build 75-metre superyacht Infinite Jest, a tour of the frozen peninsula was soon to become a reality. But it needed a fully equipped support boat that could serve as a luxury guesthouse as well.
On paper, the converted 68.8-metre Ice Class hydrographic survey vessel Olivia was perfect. She was engineered to be self-sufficient and capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions. You’d be hard-pressed to find a sturdier vessel. Initially delivered in 1972, this is a boat that has lived a colourful life. Her seakeeping abilities are well proven, yet she needed to be outfitted to superyacht standards and primed to tackle the extreme conditions of Antarctica. This is where Pendennis came in.
With an epic global adventure in sight, Olivia, now renamed Jester, was shipped to Pendennis to begin a programme of work to prepare her for the voyage.
For her to fulfil her role within the fleet, a complete interior overhaul and a significant amount of engineering work were scheduled. With such a scope, it made
sense to simultaneously bring her into class, giving her commercial status, and to undertake her Lloyd’s Special Survey early to coincide with her mothership. This brought some big challenges: making a 1970s vessel compliant with 21st-century standards is a major undertaking. “The throughput of hours we put in for Jester far surpassed any other project we’ve worked on,” says Pendennis’ Project Manager James Hatcher. “This was a serious rebuild, which had to be completed within a compressed two-year timeframe.”
Undertaking a new build and rebuild simultaneously is far from conventional for an Owner’s team, and clear lines of communication, effective decision-making, and a strong team were paramount for success. Jester’s Captain, Guenole Tamaillon, reflects on his time in Falmouth working with Pendennis:
“Pendennis is a company that works with its heart. They truly care about their craft and threw every resource they have at this rebuild. We initially chose the shipyard because of its rich history of rebuild and restoration projects. The quality of craftsmanship is extraordinary, and, as we soon found out, so is their flexibility. As our crew aptly dubbed it, this refit was a “voyage of discovery“; and every challenge Pendennis faced was handled with precision and care.”
The new design for Jester is courtesy of
RWD, a studio famed for its meticulous attention to detail. The British studio has an awardwinning portfolio with many explorer giants.
“Everything about Jester is solid; she’s firm, stable, and a safe boat. Her interior spaces are surprisingly light and refreshing,” says Gemma Tuersley, Senior FF&E Designer at RWD. “We turned this ex-commercial vessel into a stylish family haven, using a muted palette with mixed natural materials, interspersed with pops of colour.”
Versatility is at the heart of Jester ’s design. She’s playful, interactive, and multifunctional. Jester is a Swiss army knife of a boat; anything you could dream up is onboard. “She is a destination within herself,” Tamaillon explains. Jester has huge amounts of storage and carrying capacity, flexible accommodation, and a long list of amenities, including a hyperbaric chamber, a huge gym, an explorer room, and multifunctional deck spaces that transform from a basketball court to a HIIT and Pilates studio to an outdoor cinema. She invites you to get involved and be part of the adventure.
“We designed Jester as a standalone vessel; everything is client-ready and she is just as suited to exploring by herself or in tandem with Infinite Jest, her sister ship,” says Tuersley. “Jester is unique. She is like a labyrinth with a mix of intimate enclaves and
large social areas. One of her highlights is an explorer room with four glass panels that slide back to reveal a television and an enormous map inlaid in Nubuck leather, where guests can plan their routes.”
This is the 13th collaboration between Pendennis and RWD, and the builder-designer duo have worked together for more than three decades. But for Tuersley, Jester particularly stands out.
“This was such a special project to work on; the crew was incredible and the team Pendennis mobilised was amazing. Great people and the workmanship was off the charts,” reflects Tuersley. “Pendennis places its people at the core of everything – and it truly shows. They really look after you and the environment at the shipyard is inspirational.”
Jester was delivered to her Owner, rebuilt with a gorgeous RWD interior and brought up to class, in May 2023. She headed straight to the Mediterranean with a stop-off at Pendennis Vilanova before joining Infinite Jest in Turkey. The two superyachts then embarked on a jaw-dropping and award-winning navigation of Antarctica. “When we all got together again in Venice for the BOAT International World Superyacht Awards, where Jester and Infinite Jest won the Voyager’s Award, it was like meeting up with old friends,” says Tuersley.
THE AWARD-WINNING VOYAGE
By mid-November 2023, both Jester and Infinite Jest were ready for their epic adventure. They left Pendennis Vilanova in tandem for Ushuaia, Patagonia, the southernmost city in the world.
Graced with clear conditions, they ate up the nautical miles with ease. Jester might have been built to withstand even the harshest of storms, but the prevailing winds that rush through the great body of water can be unpleasant for even the hardiest vessel. For this voyage, however, there wasn’t even a whisper of a tempest.
“The trip was unforgettable,” says Jester’s Captain, Guenole Tamaillon. “We explored Antarctica and the peninsula for 10 days, filling the days with skiing, scuba diving, and wildlife watching. It was my first time in the region, and I was blown away by the number of whales we saw. They were everywhere; it felt as though we were cruising through the world’s largest aquarium.”
“We initially chose the shipyard because of its rich history of rebuild and restoration projects. The quality of craftsmanship is extraordinary, and, as we soon found out, so is their flexibility.”
GUENOLE TAMAILLON Captain, Jester
Jester hasn’t stopped. She returned from Antarctica and spent a few months cruising the Caribbean before crossing the Atlantic again to return to the Mediterranean. “Pendennis Vilanova has become our European hub,” says Tamaillon. “The way we manage Jester there is slightly different from most boats; the key engineers involved in the refit fly over to Spain, come aboard, and just get to work. It’s an efficient operation and the aftercare in general we’ve received from Pendennis has been amazing. Anytime we’ve needed something, within 24 hours someone from the team has joined us onboard wherever we are.”
In the first 12 months after her delivery, Jester has spent 150 days at sea and clocked an astounding 30,000 nautical miles. This was a vessel rebuilt to explore – and her Owners are proving they have every intention of doing precisely that. Even bigger plans are being drawn up. Jester will go north next year in pursuit of the Northern Peninsula, and in 2026, a complete world tour is on the cards.
Jester’s Antarctic voyage has put fire in her belly and her eyes firmly on new horizons. This is a boat that can go anywhere and is under the ownership of an outdoor and adventure-driven family determined to push the limits.
JESTER AT PENDENNIS VILANOVA
“Pendennis places its people at the core of everything – and it truly shows. They really look after you and the environment at the shipyard is inspirational”
GEMMA TUERSLEY
Senior FF&E Designer at
RWD
NORFOLK INTERIORS
PENDENNIS ADDS RESIDENTIAL OUTFITTING TO ITS PORTFOLIO
Famed for its unspoilt coastline and beautiful countryside, Norfolk serves as the backdrop for one of the UK’s leading specialist joiners and furniture makers: Norfolk Interiors. Acquired by the Pendennis Group in 2021, the company has a rich history in providing outstanding bespoke furnishings for luxury marine and residential projects.
“Under their previous ownership, Norfolk Interiors completed several projects for Pendennis, and we’d always been impressed by their quality of work and craftsmanship,” says Stephen Hills, Commercial Director at Pendennis. “When the opportunity arose for us to acquire the business and establish our own independent joinery division as part of the Pendennis Group, we jumped at it.”
Norfolk Interiors has a substantial portfolio of yachts, covering every type of vessel from featherlight and lightning-fast sailing yachts to large luxury displacement yachts. The services they offer are
comprehensive and scalable, from full interior outfitting to individual, one-off furniture pieces. They have supported Pendennis’ in-house team on many projects over the years, including the World Superyacht Award-winning rebuild of Marala
Stepping on board Marala is like stepping back in time. But if you peek behind the rich walnut and vivid Art Deco features, you’ll discover that Marala is deceptively anachronistic. The rebuild took a titan effort, and the division of outfitting tasks was shared between Pendennis’ joinery department and Norfolk Interiors. The latter took charge of the Owner’s stateroom and the main deck.
“Marala is a timepiece of her era; she wasn’t designed to have modern-day amenities,” explains Tim Tregear, Joinery Manager at Pendennis.
“Integrating new state-of-the-art systems while retaining maximum liveable real estate and keeping her visually appealing was the real challenge for this project. But I’m proud of the collaboration with
Norfolk Interiors and how well we, as a complete task force, executed the project.”
It was during this rebuild that the acquisition plans were drawn up. Marala wasn’t the first collaboration between Pendennis and Norfolk Interiors; it was yet another project in which the outfitters proved to be exceptional partners and masters of their craft. “After operating for over 30 years, they naturally have a wealth of high-end joinery expertise and knowledge. This, combined with our 35 years of marine expertise, is a perfect harmony,” Tregear continues. With the support of Norfolk Interiors, Pendennis can double their joinery department in Falmouth, keeping it all inhouse and under our control, without needing to rely on external suppliers.
Shortly after Norfolk Interiors joined the Pendennis Group a large vessel arrived in Falmouth for conversion. With the added manpower from Norfolk Interiors, Pendennis completed the project entirely in-house, outfitting close to 1,000 square metres of
interior space in a compressed time frame. “Prior to the acquisition, we just wouldn’t have been able to complete such extensive work without bringing in an external company for sections,” says Tregear. “It was reassuring for us and the client, as we had complete control of the team’s performance, the time frame, and all the deliverables.”
Norfolk Interiors is very active in the industry and works regularly with many leading shipyards around the world – not only with Pendennis. The team excels at lightweight projects and regularly outfits high-performance sailing yachts. They also provide bespoke furnishings for large motor yachts. A recent delivery was a suite of freestanding pieces for a 100m+ Northern European new build.
When Norfolk Interiors aren’t collaborating with shipyards, they’re busy working in the residential sector. The connections and skill set this brings to Pendennis customers is an important complementary value proposition. “Our clients often have >>
joinery requests for their properties, high-end commercial spaces, or even on board their vessels that don’t coincide with a refit. Norfolk Interiors fills that space,” Hills explains.
Norfolk Interiors’ residential portfolio, with Edwardian townhouses, modern new builds, luxury spas, and everything in between, is just as diverse as its yachting one. They’ve built a robust network of suppliers and honed their artisanal skills. They have also worked in unison with many outstanding design studios, including famed studios like Katharine Pooley, Winch, RWD, and Bill Tripp, but also those lesser known in the maritime industry. And these relationships have already borne fruit for Pendennis.
“Through Norfolk Interiors we are talking with designers that wouldn’t necessarily be on Pendennis’ radar,” says Tregear. “With these close ties to many outstanding residential designers, we can offer new and innovative approaches to yacht design for our Pendennis clients.”
The Pendennis Group has been steadily investing in Norfolk Interiors, with developments made to the Norfolk site. “Since we acquired the facilities, you wouldn’t recognise it,” says Hills. “There have been some serious cosmetic upgrades, and upon entry, there is no mistaking that Norfolk Interiors is a superyacht facility.”
And this is just phase one of an investment plan. In the coming years, there are plans to develop the machinery, turning Norfolk Interiors into a state-ofthe-art manufacturing facility. People and skills are another investment focus. “We're recruiting and strengthening the organisation at all levels,” Hills continues. “There is currently a big recruitment drive at Norfolk Interiors.”
True to the Pendennis philosophy, a major recruitment focus is through local schools and colleges. Norfolk Interiors will develop its apprenticeship scheme, and its tradespeople will have great scope to grow in-house and even transfer to either Pendennis in Falmouth or Vilanova should they wish to do so.
“Having started on the apprenticeship programme myself 20 years ago, I’ve seen first-hand how investing in people through mentorships and graduate programmes is how to build for the future,” says Tregear. “We’ve already established many relations with local schools in Norfolk for apprenticeship schemes, particularly for graduate technicians and draughtsmen. Norfolk Interiors also offers a 12-month internship that can be taken between studies.”
Norfolk Interiors is Pendennis. It complements the offering at Pendennis Falmouth and Vilanova and embodies the Group’s principles. The acquisition has proven to be a sound business decision with new services for clients and broader relationships with designers and suppliers.
WHY NORFOLK INTERIORS?
Doubles joinery workforce
Pendennis Falmouth has 50 joiners in-house, which can now be doubled in a short period of time. With such a workforce, major projects can be completed entirely in-house, meaning that Pendennis has complete control over the budget, timeframe and quality.
Brings new relationships with different designers
Norfolk Interiors has been operating for 30 years; that’s 30 years of relationship building, both in the maritime and real estate industries. The level at which Norfolk Interiors works puts it in direct contact with leading interior designers from all over the world. These relationships have been brought directly into the Pendennis Group.
A new service for Pendennis’ clients
The Pendennis Group can now offer outfitting for commercial and private properties. The same quality of work from a refit or rebuild at our shipyard is now available for their properties.
Mirrors Pendennis’ values
Norfolk Interiors champions the same core values as Pendennis. And now, after being part of the Pendennis Group for more than three years, and with an investment roadmap laid out, the two arms of the business will become homogenous. Vilanova completes the trifecta.
HALEKAI’S MAIDEN VOYAGE
Halekai has covered around 30,000nm since she launched in Falmouth. We headed straight to the Pacific at the end of 2020 when the pandemic was still a very limiting factor across the world. We spent much of our time in French Polynesia while the cruising situation slowly improved, and we could eventually make our way to Hawaii, Mexico, then San Diego for warranty work, then back to French Polynesia, Fiji and New Zealand.
In 2023, following a summer season in NZ, we first sailed to the Solomon Islands, which have been on the wish list for a long time and are now definitely a highlight of the Pacific for the Owners. From here, we continued north to Palau, where we spent a few months doing trips centred around the incredible diving. Then, into Indonesia and a surf trip in the Telos Islands before continuing to Thailand for a season. Now Halekai is back in the Med, with the Owners looking forward to some regattas and America’s Cup action!
Words by guest contributors: HALEKAI'S CAPTAIN JAMES SADDINGTON AND ZACK YOUNG-CHAPMAN
DESIGNED FOR GLOBAL ADVENTURE
We had always planned a worldwide cruising programme, and part of the brief when designing Halekai was to increase our range and capability to cruise further off the beaten track in tropical areas, while never compromising on the classic sleek look of the yacht. This was achieved with the help of Hoek Design, Ken Fulk and Pendennis working with the crew to maximise the efficiency of equipment specification, deck layout, sail handling and storage capacity.
PREPARING FOR REMOTE LOCATIONS
Palau was a very remote place to be based for a few months doing multiple trips. We had to be really well stocked with equipment and spares. The agents, dive shops and guides provided essential support to help us get the most from our time there and create unforgettable trips when supplies or conditions weren’t always ideal.
We’re looking forward to exploring Northern Europe next summer, particularly Norway, and embarking on our next lap of the globe!
DESTINATION
For Owners who cruise with adventure in mind, the Solomons tick all the boxes. Arriving in the Solomons felt like our first serious off-piste venture in the Pacific. The islands are steeped in history, from the early days of Rovianan headhunters to the scattered wrecks and remnants of WWII. Diving is a must; with abundant sea life and numerous wrecks, it’s hard not to spend hours exploring underwater with a dive regulator or snorkel.
A visit to the turtle conservation area in the Arnavon Islands to witness leatherbacks laying and hatching eggs was a dream come true for everyone on board. The world’s largest saltwater lagoon, Marovo, offered a chance to swim with manta rays and collect intricate carvings featuring meticulously crafted pieces of shell made by the area’s finest artisans. Anchorages changed dramatically from day to day, shifting from palm-scattered islands to volcanic mountainous backdrops. The beautiful islanders welcomed us with open arms and were very accommodating. Fresh fish, fruit, and vegetables were paddled out to us daily. It’s safe to say that no wave was left unsurfed, no turtle egg unhatched, and no guest left without a smile and stories to tell.
It’s still my favorite trip to date, despite its logistical challenges. But that’s why we do this, right?
The Spanish fishing port of Vilanova i la Geltrú located 45km south-west of Barcelona began a major transformation in 2006 when ground was broken for the construction of the new Grand Marina. The protected harbour with calm and clean waters is ideally located for the Mediterranean superyacht circuit. In 2009, the ribbon was cut, and the first yachts were welcomed to the 48-berth marina.
Less than 600 nautical miles from Gibraltar and within a day's cruising of Monaco, Vilanova i la Geltrú became a favourite winter berthing spot for many large yachts. Those who cruise both seasons could easily check in following an Atlantic crossing, berthing their yacht in a safe marina close to Europe’s yachting capital. However, the facilities were missing a key ingredient: a service centre.
This all changed in 2018. “When we were looking at opportunities within the Mediterranean to increase our service offering to the Pendennis fleet and be introduced to a wider client base, we came across Vilanova,” says Toby Allies, Managing Director at Pendennis. “Vilanova presented great potential to commit to a long-term plan with the local authorities and build a state-of-the-art facility.”
The Pendennis Group soon became the majority shareholder of Vilanova Grand Marina. With expansion plans drawn up, the Group also signed for the adjacent land, mapping out a multi-million-pound investment plan to bolster Vilanova with a comprehensive Technical Service Centre. “When we took ownership of Vilanova Grand Marina, there was already a strong level of infrastructure for the marina basin,” Allies continues. “Our initial focus was to build the >>
VILANOVA
Technical Service Centre; we brought in a 620-tonne travel hoist from Falmouth and got underway with phase one of construction.”
In less than 24 months, Vilanova Grand Marina had transformed into Pendennis Vilanova. The Technical Service Centre was in operation, the team had swelled to 25 tradespeople, many of whom had transferred from Falmouth, and the 58m sailing yacht Ngoni had christened the travel hoist, being the first yacht to be hauled out and placed on the hardstanding for paint and maintenance works.
Phase two of the investment plan was swiftly rolled out. By 2021, the hardstanding area had been upgraded and expanded to 30,000 square metres. A paint facility with state-of-the-art spray booths, new offices, and enlarged training space were added by 2023. “Since the acquisition, we’ve had an increase in bookings year-on-year, and many yachts that schedule for winter berthing are repeat clients. From October to May, our Technical Service Centre is completely
booked up, and we have just a few slots available in our marina for summer,” says Miquel Lliteras, General Manager at Pendennis Vilanova.
Clients of Pendennis Vilanova benefit from the full weight of the Pendennis Group. Pendennis engineers and technical teams often float between Falmouth and Vilanova, knowledge is shared, and Norfolk Interiors provides outfitting services to both facilities. Yachts frequently make use of the two facilities too, leveraging the different service offerings.
Pendennis Vilanova mirrors the ethos of Pendennis Falmouth, and great emphasis has been placed on training and education. “We have created ties with several professional local schools, offering employment opportunities for those close to completing their studies,” says Lliteras.
As the approach at Pendennis Vilanova is flexible, many contractors also make great use of the Technical Service Centre, and many captains, crew, and workers have taken up residency.
TIMELINE
The marina was originally built between 2006-2009 and is set in a protected and safe harbour with calm and clean waters.
announces a majority share hold in Vilanova Grand Marina
After a search for opportunities to extend services to the Pendennis fleet within the Mediterranean, Vilanova presented great potential. And in the latter part of 2018, Pendennis announced a majority share hold in Vilanova Grand Marina, with adjacent land for further development.
Launching our superyacht Technical Service Centre
Initial works were completed in the autumn of 2019, resulting in a superyacht Technical Service Centre trading as Pendennis Vilanova.
Vilanova Grand Marina is built
Pendennis
On any given day, as many as 500 people can be found onsite. “It’s easy to fall in love with Vilanova i la Geltrú,” Lliteras continues. “There are many Michelinstar restaurants, beaches, and just plenty to do. We organise loads of local events for the crew, and for those who want to spend time in a big city, Barcelona is less than 40 minutes away.”
Being so close to Barcelona also means that, for clients who opt for the flexible approach and use their own contractors, all European-based workers can be at Pendennis Vilanova in less than 24 hours.
“At Pendennis Vilanova, you can take your boat there, do small works and store it for winter,” says Allies. “Falmouth doesn’t have the same scale of site to work with; Vilanova has a 48-berth marina and there’s additional space on the hardstanding area. The essence of the business is very different and the services we offer there are ideal for the Mediterranean.”
The Technical Service Centre has everything
Third
phase of the development
In July 2022, work began on a third phase of development of the site, which included creating a paint facility with state-of-the-art spray booths plus office and training space.
needed for small and medium refits and repairs. It’s an ideal stop-off. But there is also scope to complete more serious work, leveraging support from Falmouth.
“Pendennis Vilanova is not just about hiring a bit of hard standing; behind the facilities is a very well-known and respected superyacht business,” Allies continues. “Clients can expect the full weight of support from the Pendennis Group. There is a great deal of knowledge sharing, and we might have boats there with technical challenges that can be solved with the backing of the UK office. Everything is kept in-house, which is something not all yards in the region can offer.”
“Pendennis Vilanova has delivered what we've asked for; we’ve extended our market offerings, increased our client base, and complemented the Pendennis brand,” Allies expresses, and there are still plenty of opportunities for more growth through people and services.
Vilanova selected to host America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta Vilanova i la Geltrú was selected as Host Venue for the first Preliminary Regatta of the 37th America’s Cup. Pendennis Vilanova was chosen to serve as the technical area, hosting the teams and their AC40s. 2023 also marked five years since Pendennis invested into the marina and associated facilities.
Vilanova nears 500th project
Through a programme of strategic investment and the hard work of the 50 plus team on the ground, the business is thriving.
Pendennis
Pendennis
FOX IS OUT OF ITS DEN
Everything onboard FOX is custom-made; she’s filled with bespoke furnishings all designed by Q London and built and fitted by the Dublin-based firm Mivan.
Words by guest contributor: ALEXANDER GRIFFITHS
Ihave been fortunate enough to interview many people about many superyachts, but I have never encountered the infectious enthusiasm I have when speaking about FOX. Whenever this three-letter vessel comes up in conversation, eyes brighten immediately and smiles widen. FOX is simply fun.
FOX is the latest custom new build from Pendennis –a 35m pocket explorer that has caused quite a stir in the industry. There has been a great surge of explorer yachts built in recent years. According to Superyacht Times, more than a quarter of all explorers afloat today were delivered in the past decade – and there are roughly a further 80 in build.
We could talk at length about the changing demographics of yacht clientele and the shift away from traditional cruising grounds in search of new adventures. FOX caters to this modern buyer: she’s self-sufficient, safe, comfortable, and has go-anywhere capabilities. But she also offers something far greater than a typical explorer (especially an explorer with a sub-300 GT) – flexibility.
“FOX is incredible. Almost every time you step on board, you’ll have a bespoke experience,” says Ian Sherwood, sales broker at Burgess and representative of FOX. “The real question when it comes to FOX is, what can’t she do?”
This is a boat for people who want to go out and have fun. FOX is a proper explorer with no limits. If you’re an Owner who wants to go diving, a dive lab and hyperbaric chamber can be fitted; if you want to support ocean conservation, the installation of a research centre is no problem, with plenty of space remaining for a submersible; if you’re into sports, FOX can carry loads of equipment. But equally, if you want the >>
largest platform to host parties at events, then FOX is for you. Just imagine being somewhere like the Cannes Film Festival, with a DJ stationed in the sky lounge performing for 100 guests, eating canapés on the main deck.
“FOX is a little boat with a big dream,” says David Powys, Director at Powys Yacht Management and Owner’s representative for FOX. “She has a commercial look, styled glamorously by Q London, and the team in Falmouth has put her together unbelievably well. FOX is just a great little boat! You can do literally anything with her.”
All this versatility comes in the shape of a 103.5 square-metre main deck aft. You’ll be hard-pressed to find another yacht smaller than 60 metres with as much carry capacity. “She has the flexibility of a big boat while retaining the advantages of a small boat,” says Sherwood. “You’re going to be able to get into every port in the Mediterranean and beyond. Rivers, bays, and coves are all accessible to FOX – options you just don’t get with a larger vessel.”
FOX has another trick up her sleeve: she’s userfriendly. “A key focus for this construction was developing robust onboard systems that require little maintenance and deliver an intuitive and unfussy user experience,” explains Peter Legg, Project Manager at Pendennis. “All the behind-the-scenes systems have been selected based on Pendennis’ experience, using tried and tested technologies coupled with the highest
quality of installation.”
This usability matches her spirit, and any adventurous family could, with the right training, comfortably get involved with the operations and management of FOX. She runs with a crew of seven, but this could easily be cut back for those with an adventurous spirit. “As a broker, you always try to profile who might buy a boat,” says Sherwood. “And, I have to say, FOX is a boat that would be perfect for me, at my stage in life. I have two primary schoolaged children, and if I had the financial means to buy the boat and take the kids out for a year with a tutor on board, it would be an incredible family vessel.”
However, with this large crew for a 35-metre yacht, the charter experience would be exceptional if a discerning Owner chooses to make a commercial enterprise from her. If you were to buy FOX for charter, you could take on a sort of Lego mentality: carry just one tender, and the available space becomes flexible, picking up whatever you need locally. This comes off, that goes on, and then away you go.
Step beyond the main deck aft, and you’re met by a contemporary interior design. FOX has two lounges and five staterooms, comprising four cabins on the lower deck and a full beam on the Owner's deck. This additional cabin from the original plans frees up space to bring a guide in tow when exploring interesting, off-the-beaten-track destinations. Great consideration has been paid to
movement, able to work around the boat without disturbing guests.
“The interior is deemed simple, but it’s actually quite complicated and difficult to make. It’s deceiving. To get it all to fit together to such a high standard is pretty demanding, and the outfitters Mivan did an excellent job. They were unbelievably dedicated to it and just great to work with,” says Powys.
For Pendennis, though, this build was a fairly conventional, linear process. “We prioritised completion of hot works, and the interior first fix very early in the project,” says Legg. “This allowed for an intensive 12-month period where the complete interior fit-out could happen concurrently with the full exterior fairing and painting works – both completed by our in-house paint department. We prepared all spaces early, including the extensive interior engineering systems, cabling, paintwork, and insulation, ready for them to progress unhindered in each interior space, ready for outfitting.”
Everything onboard FOX is custommade; she’s filled with bespoke furnishings all designed by Q London and built and fitted by the Dublinbased firm Mivan. “The saloon and sky lounge benefit from extensive glazing, making them feel very light and bright,” says Legg. “The clean, sharp lines of the exterior are coupled with a contemporary colour palette, executed brilliantly by the Pendennis team.”
scheduled our exterior works and engineering systems so that we could launch the vessel around three months before the interior fit-out was completed. By relocating to the outer dock at this stage, we enabled the handover to take place immediately after the vessel’s interior had been completed by Mivan. The outer dock was a useful covered facility for us to depart from and return to for our sea trials phase, allowing Mivan to continue unaffected by weather whilst we commissioned everything onboard.”
This streamlined and efficient process made the entire build not only a success but enjoyable.
“Building FOX at Pendennis was a really pleasant experience; we all enjoyed each other’s company,” says Powys. “It was just good fun. My task was to manage expectations and ensure we kept on budget and that things were running smoothly. The communications with Peter Legg and the other management were exceptional, and the skills in-house were astounding.”
“They’re lovely people at Pendennis, exceptional artisans, and the location is fantastic. It’s a special shipyard, and we’ve had some great collaborations between Burgess and Pendennis over the last few years.”
IAN SHERWOOD
Sales Broker, Burgess
Another key feature of FOX is that her decks are entirely fitted with Tesumo. Tesumo is a more sustainable alternative to teak, which was developed in Germany by the University of Göttingen, Wolz, and Lürssen. “FOX is the largest yacht to date that has a fully Tesumo deck,” explains Sherwood. “There have been other boats that have an area or a single deck fitted with Tesumo, but FOX is the first to be fitted exclusively with the material.”
Undertaking any new build project requires exceptional time management and project planning. Deadlines need to be met, and budgets need to be respected. Peter Legg explains how Pendennis did just that.
“We made strategic use of both one of our construction halls and the outer covered dock to ensure we achieved the most time-effective route to handover. To allow the extensive commissioning works (which must take place afloat) to happen alongside the completion of the interior, we
For Ian Sherwood, the experience was much the same. “I often took the road from London to Falmouth throughout her build, and I was always smiling on the journey. They’re lovely people at Pendennis, exceptional artisans, and the location is fantastic. It’s a special shipyard, and we’ve had some great collaborations between Burgess and Pendennis over the last few years, with some very large refits – notably the award-winning 85.6-metre motor yacht Aquila. It’s been really nice to have this as a new construction with them.”
FOX was delivered in May 2024. She immediately embarked on her maiden voyage with her Owner and was presented for the first time at the Cannes Yachting Festival. Following her global debut, FOX returned to Pendennis, but this time in Vilanova, to finalise her warranty work.
I must confess that I caught the “FOX bug” early on in her build and was fortunate enough to see her mid-construction. She is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting deliveries in recent years and one that truly embodies the spirit of exploration. Finding someone who can outpace FOX in terms of adventure will be a challenge. A challenge she’s eagerly awaiting.
FALMOUTH OUR FACILITIES
TO DISCUSS YOUR NEXT FALMOUTH PROJECT, PLEASE CONTACT:
+44 (0)1326 211344 or info@pendennis.com
Pendennis Shipyard Ltd, The Docks, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4NR
Pendennis Falmouth is a full-service facility capable of building fully custom yachts, as well as undertaking substantial restoration and remodelling projects or routine class and flag refit works. Occupying a 14-acre prime waterfront location in Falmouth, UK, the yard’s modern facilities include three bespoke-built construction halls (2x90m and 1x45m) alongside a 150m dry dock, with the capacity for both new build and refit contracts for 30-100m superyachts. The 800t travel hoist enables efficient launching into the 7,500m² non-tidal wet basin, which is purposebuilt to accommodate superyachts of up to 100m. >>
VILANOVA
TO DISCUSS YOUR NEXT PENDENNIS VILANOVA PROJECT, PLEASE CONTACT: +34 938 10 56 11 or vilanova@pendennis.com
Pendennis Vilanova, Moll de Ponent, SN, 08800 Vilanova I La Geltru (Barcelona)
Pendennis Vilanova is Pendennis’ main base in the Mediterranean and concentrates on providing technical service support to both existing clients and the wider fleet. Focused on small to mediumscale refits, the Pendennis Vilanova Technical Service Centre includes 30,000m2 of hard standing and both a 200t and 620t travel hoist. Projects can be carried out on the hard standing or afloat in the marina itself. Our marina is set in a protected and safe harbour with calm and clean waters and has 48 superyacht berths ranging between 25 and 130 metres for yachts with a maximum draught of 6.5 metres. >>
FALMOUTH
• 2 x 75m fully enclosed dry docks (or one 150m x 24m)
• 2 x 90m construction halls (1,800m²)
• 1 x 45m construction hall (1,200m²)
• 7,564m² of enclosed non-tidal wet basin
• 800t travel hoist
• 1400m² refit complex (housing paint, joinery, electrical and engineering workshops, and project management offices)
• Bespoke 80m mast hall
• 200m² finishing workshop
• 3000m² general stores and crew storage
• Crew facilities: training centre, gym and offices
• 420m² hospitality suite
• Private onsite helicopter pad
VILANOVA
• ISPS compliant
• 24-hour security and surveillance
• Dedicated customer service and dockmaster team
• Protected and safe harbour with calm and clean waters
• Mild climate throughout the year
• Technical trade support
• Backed up by parent company Pendennis Falmouth
• Up to 20 refit spaces on hard standing for yachts between 20-60m LOA
• 620t and 200t travel hoists onsite
• Wifi connection
• Waste and wastewater collection
• Private parking in front of berths
• Stores distribution
• Toilets and changing rooms
• Laundry services
• Free gym, yoga classes and sport sessions for crews
• Onsite bar/restaurant
• Waste management areas for special residues
• Bunkering
• Helicopter landing site
• Mail delivery on board
Global Yacht Support Pendennis can offer global support to any superyacht. For all enquiries, please contact: yachtsupport@pendennis.com
Cover: Jester in Antarctica © Ollie Coleman
Photography: Stuart Pearce/YachtShot, Andrew Wright, Jan Latussek, 3Deep Aerial, Keith Osborn, QLondon, Oli Riley.