It had to happen sooner than later and now it has! French Riviera-based refit and repair company Nautech has announced its first international expansion to include a facility in Cuba, the world’s most hotly anticipated new superyacht cruising destination.
The Voisin family has, since its establishment in 1928, created a network of locations for refit and repair of yachts and superyachts along the French Mediterranean coast, including in Marseille and Villefranche-sur-Mer.
CEO Pascal Voisin tells us, “The facility in Cuba is located to the east of the Bay Havana and will offer full-service refit and repair for yachts up to 140m in length, with six dockside berths with a combined length of 1,100m and a dry dock of 151m in length and 24m in width.”
Strategically located in Cuba, which has opened up its borders to US visitors recently, the facility is just 100 n miles to Florida. It is as a result conveniently located en route to the cruising grounds of the Caribbean, whether for planned maintenance or emergency repairs.
The onsite Cuban team has 20 years’ experience in marine repair and a dedicated workforce of over 500 employees working in mechanical and technical operations including extensive refits and repairs.
Nautech’s existing network of subcontractors will be on hand to assist the local staff, ensuring that superyacht standards of work are carried out at every step.
The facility will feature many of the services to which superyacht clients are accustomed from European operations, including concierge services and agency assistance with procurement and clearing customs.
Nautech Cuba is able to provide superyachts with both emergency support as well as longer-term, large-scale works year-round, however the optimum time of year is October to May.