Falmouth waves goodbye to multi-million pound yacht (From Falmouth Packet)

Falmouth waves goodbye to multi-million pound yacht

12:40pm Tuesday 3rd March 2009

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A multi-million pound yacht built in Falmouth and now on her maiden voyage, has given its builders Pendennis Shipyard a huge boost at a time when the economic climate is not favouring the maritime industry.

The MY Steel had been several years in the planning and represents a piece of Cornish history, being the largest prvistely owned vessel to have been built in Cornwall as well as giving work during her build to 250 workers.

As the owner, captain and crew bid farewell to Falmouth as she left on her maiden voyage, there was confidence that the yard, known for its prestigious yacht building and currently celebrating its 20th anniversary will continue to go from strength to strength despite the credit crunch.

The Steel has been several years in the planning at Pendennis. The 55m long exploration yacht was styled by Falmouth based designers L & P Architecture and Yacht Design, with naval architecture by Burness Corlett and Partners in Southampton.

Built to ice class the owner hopes to take the yacht around the world over the next few years, visiting the Arctic Circle as part of his circum-navigation.

Pendennis employes, including many of the company’s apprentices from their award winning scheme played a part in building the vessel. The Steel has also been the first large yacht to be faired and painted by finishing apprentices.

The company has since secured additional funding for two new intakes of apprentices this year through Cornwall College.

Prior to the yacht’s departure the yacht was blessed and the owner and crew hosted a party for 350 at the National Maritime Museum Falmouth to thank everyone involved and rounded off by a fireworks display.

When leaving port, the vessel was escorted by the Falmouth lifeboat and a search and rescue helicopter.

A number of past and present Pendennis employees were on board the yacht when she departed amid a number of water cannon.

On board to the next stop Gibraltar was project manager Niels Van Dinther and former apprentice Oliver Lewis who has joined the crew as a deck hand.

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