The 2008 economic crisis, it seemed, had run its course and a new chapter in yachting had begun. Not two months into the new year, however, the unexpected happened. Still, the industry has shown surprising resilience considering the unprecedented uncertainty caused by the coronavirus outbreak, mandated shutdowns and the uneven recovery through summer 2020.
WESTPORT YACHTS
Washington — home to several yacht building facilities — was the first state in the U.S. to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mere hours before the state issued its first shutdown of all nonessential businesses, production megayacht builder Westport Yachts proactively paused operations at its Westport and Port Angeles shipyards in the interest of employee health and safety.
Because yacht building was deemed a nonessential business by the state of Washington, only contracted non-speculative projects were allowed to continue production. This mandate paused the anticipated spec production of Westport’s brand-new W117 and W172 models, but production was permitted to continue on contracted boats, and the yard was able to deliver two W125 yachts to their new owners. Work has resumed on a W164 and two W112 models with staggered shifts and social distancing protocols in place.
NORTHERN MARINE
This story is from the Annual American Ship Review 2021 edition of Professional Mariner.
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This story is from the Annual American Ship Review 2021 edition of Professional Mariner.
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