Pendennis Yard Development Project in Full Swing

Since Pendennis was founded twenty ‐ five years ago the shipyard has seen many changes as the facilities have continually improved, with the latest expansions set to be completed over the next 2 ‐ 3 years. This involves replacing the existing ‘White House’ and ‘Main Shed’ facilities with two 90m and one 45m seaward facing sheds. Additional trade workshops and crew office spaces are also part of the plan, with visiting yachts seeing the benefits as early as this autumn.

Managing Director, Mike Carr, explained these most recent developments “Pendennis is currently one of Falmouth’s largest employers and we pride ourselves in being an ambassador for the strong maritime heritage of the area. With the refit side of the business continuing to perform well and enquiries increasing year on year the decision was made to further expand to retain our reputation as one of the world’s best custom build and superyacht refit yards. The quality of our workforce and variety in ‐ house skills makes us highly competitive in the international superyacht industry and we wanted the facilities to complement this ability and maintain our competitive advantage. These expansion plans will not only increase our project capacity, but has the potential to continue to grow and develop our workforce over the next 3 years.”

Following the lengthy planning and approval process, multi‐million pound funding was secured through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Convergence programme and the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership’s Growing Places Fund, and work on transforming the yard began in the New Year.

Pendennis invited development partner companies, local dignitaries and key Falmouth partner organisations to celebrate as the first frame was raised on the new buildings. Under the first column two sovereigns were placed by Mrs. M. Carr and Mrs. N. Wiekens, mothers of Joint Managing Directors Mike Carr and Henk Wiekens, assisted by Jowan Notts and Myles Whitbread ‐ Jordan, both first year apprentices.

Attending were representatives of ERDF Convergence, Local Enterprise Partnership, Cornwall Development Company, Cornwall Council, Ward Williams Associates and the build project team from Midas. Also present were Mayor Geoffrey Evans, local MP Sarah Newton, Port Pendennis Marina, World Fuels, and THL who all have strong links with Pendennis.

Chris Pomfret, Chair of the LEP and Deputy Chair of the Convergence Local Management Committee, which steers the Convergence programme explained “Pendennis is a world leader in its field and epitomises what Cornwall has to offer in terms of competing on a global stage. I am delighted that both ERDF and the LEP led Growing Places Fund was able to support this project, which will not only allow Pendennis to grow and expand but will also provide highly skilled jobs to the area.”

Progress on the new buildings will be rapid, with the three new sheds due to be finished by the end of 2013. Midas Construction Divisional Director Mike O’Neill said: “As a local contractor based in Cornwall, we are delighted to be working alongside Pendennis on this contract which will have such a significant impact on the local and regional economies. It is also good to be back working in Falmouth where Midas Construction has completed some really notable, landmark projects in recent years.”

Phase One of these new construction halls will be habitable by October, in time for the winter refit season this year. The additional project offices and crew hospitality suites are scheduled for completion for Spring 2014.

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Press Release, June 28, 2013; Image: