Newport Shipyard received final approval from the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) to expand its dock space by 560 additional feet. This added dock space, which will allow Newport Shipyard to handle more large yachts simultaneously, will add on to its current 2,833 feet of dock space, which will generate an estimated $500,000 in revenue annually.
“2016 was our busiest season on record and on several occasions, we had to turn away yachts requesting service due to the marina being full or berths not being large enough,” explained Newport Shipyard General Manager Eli Dana. “Yachts are becoming increasingly larger in size and it is our desire to keep them returning to Newport both in the busy season and in the shoulder seasons when they are seeking major refit and repair work. Their business not only benefits Newport Shipyard but also the city of Newport and our surrounding communities.”
Newport Shipyard employs 75 people full time in the summer months and an additional 225 subcontractors work at Newport Shipyard offering specialty trade services to yachts year round.
Newport Shipyard is capable of hauling out large vessels using their 500 MT, 200 MT and 100 MT Marine Travelifts. Due to the current dock space and configuration in the marina, the yard’s ability to accommodate multiple vessels over 120-feet at one time is limited.
Following the approval by CRMC on March 28, two dock fingers (four berths) will be added to the north side of the Shipyard’s longest dock, known as ‘Charlie Dock’, and four existing docks will be lengthened on the south side of Charlie Dock, closest to the state fishing pier.
“We worked closely with Rhode Island Department of Environmental Protection and with the commercial fishermen who keep their fishing boats at the state pier to come up with an expansion plan that worked for everyone,” Dana said.
“We plan to start installing new pilings in early June when the new docks are delivered,” continued Dana. “We are confident that this improvement and expansion will not only benefit Newport Shipyard but also the city of Newport and our surrounding communities through increased expenditures in hotels, boutiques, grocery stores, provisioning services, fuel, and many other local services that will be needed by these yachts and their owners, guests and crew members.”
Background: Newport Shipyard, one of the most popular and recommended shipyards in the U.S., is a full-service marina and shipyard with over 3,500 linear feet of dock space that can accommodate yachts up to 300+ feet. Its amenities include a dockside café, ship store, fitness center, courtesy vehicles and crew housing. Newport Shipyard also is host to many other prestigious yachting events including the Newport Charter Yacht Show, Oliver Hazard Perry gala, Candy Store Cup superyacht regatta, Newport Yacht Rendezvous benefitting the Boys & Girls Club of Newport County, and the J Class World Championship. www.NewportShipyard.com
