Detyens Sees Uptick in International Repair Work

 

DSI offers extensive crane services and craft workshops, a flexible work environment, three graving dry docks, a floating dry dock and six deep water piers. Vice President of Operations Larry Reynolds said, “Due to our exceptional facility, when circumstances force International operators to look outside their borders or their routine trading routes for emergency or scheduled repair work, we are likely able to adjust our schedules to accommodate their needs.”

 

As such, Marine Atlantic, Inc. and Bay Ferries Limited recently dry docked two ships each at DSI. Marine Atlantic, who first dry docked at DSI in 2015, dry docked the Atlantic Vision in March followed by the Highlanders in April. Atlantic Vision and Highlanders project manager for Detyens Shipyards Can “Johnny” Yazgan, “We had limited days in dry dock due to our dry docking schedule, so every minute counted and we worked around the clock to complete the work so they could depart on time.”

 

Regular routine maintenance was performed on both vessels along with parking deck coatings, propeller and hub work, ramp work, and paint, lots of paint. Ian McDonald, Director of Technical Services at Marine Atlantic confirmed Detyens commitment to success saying, “The Atlantic Vision sailed away from the drydock with only 18 days in the dock (as scheduled) and a very fine job has been done. We cannot thank Detyens enough for the professionalism of every worker in the Yard. The Crew thanks you for your generosity and as a proud Member of Marine Atlantic, the Atlantic Vision looks great. Your philosophy to treating your workers, your customers and your family is very encouraging and I hope that we have learned from your good examples.” 

 

Bay Ferries Limited whose international trading vessels have dry docked at Detyens Shipyards in past years recently dry docked the Fundy Rose in January and in April, the chartered Alakai “The Cat”, which is owned by MSC and is U.S. flagged. “We understand that there was a scheduling conflict that arose and we were lucky enough to have availability for the Fundy Rose in January,” explained Dockmaster John Lyons. The Fundy Rose and Alakai both received underwater coatings, regular routine dry dock maintenance, and ramp and door work on the Fundy Rose.

 

This is the second time the Alakia has dry docked at DSI. “The first time we dry docked the Alakai, we completely changed her exterior paint scheme and we very proud of how she looks,” said Chris Donathan project manager at DSI.

 

Gerry Stevenson, Technical Manager with Bay Ferries Limited said of Detyens, “We’ve been coming to Detyens since January 1999 with the internationally trading vessel we operate and we have never been let down, no matter how difficult the circumstances Detyens always come through. That's not something you can say about a lot of other ship repairers.” 

 

Detyens Shipyards, a family-owned and operated company has successfully transitioned from a small shipyard with wooden piers and wooden docks to one of the United States largest commercial shipyards. “We took over the Charleston Naval Shipyard when it was closed by the DOD back in 1995. It was like going from the county fair (our old shipyard) to Disney World,” said Loy Stewart, Jr., president of DSI. “We were basically handed the keys, a lease agreement and told good luck” he joked, “now in 2017 we have just come away from our most successful year in our 55 year history and we look forward to continuing our mission to be the best commercial repair shipyard in the country. Working with operators from across the globe has been enjoyable and we are thankful that they have trusted us to do their emergency and scheduled maintenance repair work. We are busy building a family atmosphere and a tradition of quality workmanship at a reasonable price. We are focused on safety and an exceptional dry docking experience for our customers. We strive to ensure their visit to our one-stop shipyard facility will be satisfying.”