Damen Sea Axe hauled out at Oceania Marine Shipyards for conversion

Oceania Marina has announced the commencement of its second large conversion project in the last 12-months, with a Damen Sea Axe fast support vessel currently hauled out at the businesses North Shipyard in Port Whangarei, New Zealand. The project will see the 53m vessel, Advantage refitted as a superyacht support vessel.

Oceania Marine’s managing director commented, “We were very pleased with the outcome on the last Damen project, Umbra, and obviously this has been an influential factor in the decision to bring Advantage to our shipyard. We are well set up to cater for the wide variety of requirements that a project of this nature entails and are looking forward to the challenge of the next few months.

“We hauled Advantage stern first so that the deep forefoot of the Axe Bow was suspended clear of the haul out cradle. This enabled us to support her on the flat sections of the keel and eliminated the need for excessive ballasting. The whole operation went smoothly and we have already completed pressure washing as well as preliminary abrasive blasting of the hull.”

Advantage is now tucked away in refit paint shed C in readiness for the real work to begin. The conversion works are extensive, seeing her lengthened by fitting a new module to the transom. Hull modifications are also scheduled with her set to receive a new large deck crane, internal structural modifications and refit to her tankage, general arrangement and helicopter pad, plus the addition of a submarine garage with full exterior re-paint, and much more.

Brent Charleworth, project manager at Oceania Marine will be managing the project with Diverse Projects acting as owner’s representative. The scale of the project means that an extensive team has been assembled, including neighbouring shipyard, NZ Ship Repair, which will support the steel fabrication aspects, and SMI who will manufacture the new interior.

According to the brand, they plan to have Advantage back in service well before the Christmas period.

For more information visit Oceania Marine.