Intermarine Savannah News

By Barbara H. In order to efficiently fabricate large, multi-component yachts using the strongest and lightest material possible, Intermarine Savannah has developed and refined a process of applying composite materials that is designed to save time, money, and to be environmentally friendly. Intermarine's method is a vacuum infusion process (VIP) in which vacuum is used as the main force to pull resin through dry fiber reinforcements. The reinforcements are loaded into a mold. A manifold system is then added to allow air to escape and resin to enter. The mold is sealed with a plastic bag, and vacuum is applied to evacuate air and pull resin into the fiber. The specialized technique developed at Intermarine enables resin to flow through and around without requiring a disposable flow medium.

Intermarine Savannah's 21-acre shipyard can accommodate almost any need of today's technically-advanced megayachts. To its $60 million facility with the installation of a new T1 line offering direct Internet access for the world's largest yachts. This fast-paced access to the Internet is currently being utilized by one of the world's only, fully computerized sailing yachts, the Dutch-built Hyperion. The 155ft. Huisman sailing yacht is owned by Dr. Jim Clark, whose status in the computer world spearheaded the construction and design of this technology-oriented vessel. Recently arriving in Savannah for repair work, including haul out, centerboard and rig work…

Intermarine Savannah is helping students learn the art of yachtbuilding by offering its cast of experts as overseers in the creation of a 21-ft. motorboat, Intermarine Savannah has literally orchestrated its own hands-on textbook by assisting students from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) to conceive, design and construct a unique pleasure-boat using the company’s materials and techniques. Aside from donating classroom space for the vessel’s construction process, Intermarine Savannah has provided thousands of dollars in materials and time spent with a student-crew of 24 undergraduates. Gordon Lacy, Intermarine’s chief naval architect…

Increasing numbers of motor and sailing yachts from around the world arrived this past year at Intermarine Savannah to take advantage of the shipyard's repair and refit facilities. Among the procession of vessels brought to Intermarine for refit and repairs was the 315-ft. M/V Limitless, one of the largest yachts in the world, which was dry docked at the shipyard for three months last year. "For years," said Intermarine Marketing Director Patta Sloan Conboy; "our exceptional facilities and service were one of the best kept secrets in the yachting world. Among the yachts scheduled for work recently at Intermarine, the 158-ft. Feadship Mi Gaea arrived in September for an extension to the sundeck…

Palmer Johnson Savannah Inc., a member of Palmer Johnson Yachts group of companies, has signed a purchase agreement to acquire substantially all assets of BCT Real Estate and Savannah Shipyard, operating as Intermarine Savannah. Bpalmer Johnson’s acquisition of the 21-acre site in Savannah, a covered graving dock 535 ft. by 73 ft., capable of drydocking just about any yacht in the world, a high-roofed main construction building more than 600 ft. long, 700 ft. of covered docks and a 1,000-ton marine railway.

For many years the fortunes of the Great Lakes-based shipbuilders and naval architects was based solidly on the building level of the owners who were also based on the 94,000 sq. mi. of water that makes up the five Great Lakes. That is no longer as true a statement as it once was. While there are many projects in this area designed and build by Great Lakes firms for owners in the area, an impressive number of significant commercial market projects as varied as Staten Island, New York ferries and Gulf of Mexico crew/supply boats were designed and or built on the Great Lakes. The Kennedy Class of double ended auto/passenger ferries is one of the most recognizable images of New York City. Every weeknight millions of people see one during the opening of the David Letterman Show.