Local Phuket company leads the way in boat repair

Local know-how drives BB Marine Engineering

Jirawat “Beer” Kuramakanok is the eldest sibling of a third generation Thai-Chinese family and he runs BB Marine Engineering, located in Phuket Town. The company has about 25 employees, all of whom have been with the company for awhile. They are skilled and dependable and form part of an extended BB family. BB does not outsource its work; Beer uses all his own employees, so he knows full well what they are capable of and what they can deliver on a job. Beer’s paternal grandfather immigrated, Chiw Hor Sae-Chua, to Nakhon Si Thammarat from Chaozhou, China, eighty years ago. That’s where he met Beer’s paternal grandmother, Lun Sae-Chua. The two met, married and Beer’s father (Thanawat) was born soon after. The couple ran an ice-making and delivery company there. As was Chinese tradition at the time, young men left home quite early to make their way in the world. Beer’s dad traveled around southern Thailand, working in numerous

shipyards to gain experience before ending up in Phuket in the early 80s, where he met Beer’s mom (Wandee), a Nakhon Si Thammarat native who had also moved to Phuket. Beer’s father started the business in 1984 (the company has remained in the same location all these years), focusing on boat maintenance services specifically painting, coating, engine repair, interior & electrical work, piping, sanitation, and then he gradually moved into installing GPS and depth sounders. The company also builds and repairs moorings using steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and wood materials. One example is the repair work it did for the government marina at the end of Ao Chalong pier. The company has worked on everything from yachts to cargo boats, dive boats and Thai Ministry boats. Over time, the company has also made quite a good reputation for itself with the anchors it builds. Beer, who was born in 1991 received his nickname and his sister (Orawan) hers, “Bowling”, because beer and bowling were two of his fathers’ favourite pastimes when he was younger. Bowling, by the way is not in the boating business, she’s a pharmacist.

Beer did his primary and high school learning in Phuket and then he attended Thammasat University in Rangsit) where he earned an undergraduate degree in journalism and mass communications. When he returned home before working full-time for the family business he wrote a number of stories on the environment for the local newspaper. Every summer, growing up, Beer would work in the family business and his knowledge of boat repair just grew and grew over the years. He also has had a long love affair with the sea, so working in boat repair gave him more chances to get out to sea. BB also does general construction work and maintenance including roofing, and house fencing. With its CNC (Computer Numerical Control, or the automated control of machinery tools by computer) machine it can do very precise work. BB’s CNC cutting is able to cut steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. BB’s cutting capacity for steel is 1mm-150mm; while for stainless and aluminum it is 1mm - 25mm. Other services include its lathe machine, welding, and drilling. The company also uses gas cutting and plasma cutting. Beer has mixed long-standing Thai-Chinese traditions with modern thinking to offer competitive pricing to all forms of boat repair and local manufacturing know-how. His family cares deeply about the service they deliver as it is important to them to build long and fruitful relationships with their customers. They want their customers to happy with the work they’ve done for the price they have paid. In a few years the company will have faithfully served the Phuket boating community for four decades.

For more information

Phone number: (+66) 86-9519519 (Eng/Thai) Line ID: BeerJirawat www.phuketmarinesupply.com www.facebook.com/BBMarineEngineering

Remembering Mark Horwood

Mark Horwood, a longtime stalwart and the second Commodore of the Phuket Yacht Club (1998-2002) recently passed away due to complication arising from cancer of the jaw. He was from the Sydney-area, where he studied naval architecture. He arrived in Phuket in his early twenties, stayed for four decades and along the way became an integral part of the diving and yachting worlds in Thailand. When Mark first arrived he worked for the Travel Company run by Bill Owen and Kathy de Cruz and he skippered charters for them on Wanderlust. Mark then started SE Asian divers, which would become the biggest dive company in the region. When the schooner Seraph ran aground on a reef, Mark did a deal with the insurance company and claimed it and after getting it off the reef. He refurbished it at Ratanachai Shipyard giving it a new keel, and new planking. He used it for awhile in the dive company, and then as the competition heated up he sold it to Tom Howard. Mark then went into boatbuilding and Mark Pescott and Damien Kimball played huge roles in his career. Mark Pescott was Mark’s building partner and remembers Mark’s boatbuilding career this way: “Mark and Damien Kimball decided to start building the first two catamarans of my design in late 1999 and set up Latitude 8 Yachts with actual construction starting in June of 2000. Chimera, the first cat was built in a shed on Chao Fah West Road and transported to Boat Lagoon on a flat bed truck. Latitude 8 Yachts (L8Y) moved into the shed at Friendship Beach where the next boat Ceberus was completed. Charro followed, launched for Tim Milner, and then Cyrene, and Seekronghuk for Tim again. Around 2002, Mark sold Seraph and put all that money into building the Scott Duncanson-designed designed Phuket 8s. In late 2004, we started the Fireflys, Voodoo the first for Olaf Reese, followed by Moto Inzi for Roger Kingdon, then Damiens XTaSea (now Mamba) and six more.

“In 2000, when construction started I think only Gunther Nutt was building any boats in Thailand but he was using local materials, whereas Mark had to import many materials and gear. This was what Mark was very good at, basically sorting out the difficult stuff like raising

Seraph off the Similans and Monsoon Blue when it sank off Kata Beach during a King’s Cup regatta and helping to clear the yachts off Kata Beach in 2010 after the last night of the King’s Cup. “Mark was at times difficult to work with and some customers were not always happy. About 2003, Mark with Jimmy Pearson (Jimmy’s Lighthouse) was also building a 50' houseboat for old Walter who himself was a difficult character to build for. At some stage when the boat was 80% completed the builder and customer made an affable mutual decision to part ways and the boat was taken elsewhere for completion. Mark had many other builds on and there were no hard feelings. Mark had underquoted badly on the job. In about 2014, I was in what was then the Lat 8 Asia shed, renting space to repaint a Firefly when Walter walked in looking for Mark. I gave him Mark’s phone number then Walter explained that he had had many memorable years on the boat and now as he was getting older and the engines needed replacing. "Well you know when Mark built the boat I know that Mark didn’t make any money doing it and may have lost money and I feel bad about that so now I want to give him the boat. “And he did.” Damien was Mark’s business partner and recalls his relationship with Mark this way: “My first meeting with Mark was via a friend whom happened to be in the Patong area when he saw Seraph offshore, tacking back and forth. He was near a dive shop, which happened to be Mark’s and he went inside and asked if anyone knew anything about the boat. The staff informed him that it was Seraph and was owned by Mark Horwood, the owner of the dive company. They informed Graham that he could join the vessel if he wanted, which he did. I was told about the boat the following week and we made arrangements to charter Seraph. If I remember correctly, our first trip was to the Similan Islands. This was the first of many fantastic trips on Seraph with Mark and the beginning of a wonderful friendship. I was living in Singapore/ Malaysia at this time. “For the next year or two, our friendship grew through the numerous charters. Upon my business move to Thailand in 1997, I decided to have Mark build me a sailing catamaram (Mark Pescott design). Shortly after the start of this build, we decided to open a boat building company called Latitude 8 Yachts. The rest is history with a large number of various vessels built in Phuket. I am still the proud owner of Charro, which is the 3rd Mark Pescott design built. I also have a couple of the Asian Classic power boats that are recognized throughout the region. “The last boat that Mark built for me is a small near shore survey vessel (4-meter catamaran). This is a wonder work/pleasure vessel built to last. It is parked at my office in Bangkok ready to go on its next mission. “We shared many charters, regattas and other adventures over the years. Mark was a true friend and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.” Mark didn’t like conflict; he was non-confrontational type of a guy, spoke Thai well and would do anything for his friends. Longtime friend Bill Hartman, who used to own The Bounty on Soi Bangla, met Mark the first day he arrived in Phuket and says he never heard Mark swear or say a bad word about anyone. Bill also recalls Mark having a terrible car crash which sent him through his windscreen, knocking his teeth out and causing him many internal injuries (they removed his spleen) that would later hamper his recover from cancer. Brendan Kealy’s boat Catapult was the last boat Mark built. Fittingly, that was the bat that took Mark’s ashes out to sea to be scattered. Mark is survived by his son Ben, ex-wife Kim and long-time partner Kee.

THAILAND PLATU CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1, FEB 27-28TH 2021

By Kev Scott, Ferret News

This year the One Design Platu Championship of Thailand will be fought out over 4 rounds with a crew’s best three results to count.

Seven top class crews sailed the first round in perfect sailing conditions. The sun was shining, and the sea was calm.

On Saturday the wind was a constant Westerly between 6 and 8 knots. Luckily the first race was a practice race only because it seemed that half the fleet consisted of “scratch” crews who needed time to get acclimatized with each other. It was not a pretty sight! But, as with all experienced crew, they soon settled into a routine and got ready to race hard.

Right from the start the YRAT team showed their speed and recorded their first win of many over the short windward leeward courses. This short format racing is popular with all the crews and certainly keeps the racing close and exciting for everybody. After 6 races the results began to give some indication of what was to follow. K Tosapon on Platu 107 was leading with 8 points followed by Kevin Whitcraft on Platu 117 on 14 points and Grant Atkinson on 17 points. And so, the crews sailed back to the Marina to enjoy a well-deserved cold drink and explain their excuses and unlucky wind shifts.

Sunday provided even better sailing conditions with the Southerly wind varying between eight and 13 knots. Although the median wind direction was constant throughout the day, crews reported big oscillating shifts up the course. Once again, the YRAT team were the boat to beat and although Kevin Whitcraft finally got the measure of them it was not enough to overhaul their overall scores. As usual for these events there are no drop scores and the final race carries double points. This ensures that results are far from settled and all boats have to do the last race which provides the fiercest racing of all.

Congratulations to all crews for providing a great competition with strong but healthy on water racing and then a most friendly get together for results and a beer afterwards.

Thanks go to Ocean Marina Yacht Club for providing the committee boat and mark laying boat and K. Thammasak to arrange things on and off the water.

Thanks to our ever-faithful flag man, Tony Hewitt.

Thanks also to FLS Logistics company who have commissioned the famous Ferret Platu 124 for the year. Their support for the yacht racing at Ocean Marina is most welcome and we have plans to encourage members of their staff to become involved with this great sport of ours. Results

Team YRAT 18 points, Kevin Whitcraft 32 points, FLS logistics 45 points, Grant Atkinson 47 points, Nathan Masopust 57 points, Lucy Howett 75 points and k. Surapon Tippawongse 82 points.

Alongside this Platu event was the OMYC monthly racing for all classes. Five crews enjoyed a long distance race each day with Morten Jacobsen’s small sports boat enjoying perfect conditions and an even better IRC rating to run away with the victor’s spoils.

For more info on the Platu Championship please contact Kev Scott at kevscott@hotmail.com.

FOUNTAINE PAJOT MOTOR YACHTS UNVEILS NEW MY4.S

Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts has announced the latest addition to its award-winning power catamaran range.

With its sleek Sportstop design, the new MY4.S represents a significant rejuvenation of its successor, the MY37, and is an exciting addition to the entry-level power cat market.

Defined by exhilarating performance and exceptional volumes that shatter benchmarks set by monohull motor yachts of this size, the new MY4.S will be available in late 2021 and is already in strong demand by Asia Pacific power enthusiasts.

This new model features sleek lines and oversized interior living areas, with the luminous saloon bathed in natural light courtesy of a sunroof and expansive opening to the alfresco cockpit. The exterior plan delivers a choice of areas to relax, including a dedicated sunbathing area in the cockpit and on the spacious foredeck, while the rear platform ensures safe and convenient sea access.

The Owner’s suite is remarkable in its size and luxurious finish, and the interior has been finished to the highest standards of contemporary design and quality.

Reaching speeds of up to 22 knots, the MY4.S combines a luxury cruising lifestyle with astonishing performance.

The new model has been launched in line with the shipyard’s rebranding of its power catamaran range. The MY40 is now named the MY5, the MY44 has become the MY6, while the Flagship Power 67 remains the same.

Further information on the new MY4.S or any of the Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts range can be obtained by contacting Multihull Solutions on +61 (0) 7 5452 5164 or tollfree (within Australia) 1800 855 338, emailing info@multihullsolutions.com.au or visiting www.multihullsolutions.com.au.

MY4.S SPECIFICATIONS

Length Overall: 36.1 ft / 11 m Bean Overall: 16.8 ft / 5.1 m Draft: 2.6 ft / 0.80 m Air Clearance: 12.4 ft / 3.78 m Displacement (Lightship): 9.5 T (approx.) Standard Engines: YANMAR 2 x 150 HP – 2 x 111 KW Range: Up to 1000nm Fresh Water: 350L Diesel: 2 x 600L Maestro (Owner’s) version: 1 owner’s suite + 1 bathroom / 2 double cabins + 1 bathroom Quartor version: 4 double cabins + 2 bathrooms Architect: Daniel Andrieu Interior designer: Pierangelo Andreani

HanseYachts AG and subsidiary TTS jointly establish the BALTICDESIGN INSTITUTE

HanseYachts AG, one of the biggest leisure boat yards in the world with factories in Poland, Germany and France and its subsidiary Technologie Tworzyw Sztucznych Sp. z. o.o., one of the most modern leisure boat composite specialists in Europe, located near Szczecin, Poland, are establishing a new development unit in Szczecin, Poland: the BALTICDESIGN INSTITUTE. This new company will host different competences, such as engineers for naval architecture, structural engineers, yacht designers and others.

“We are very confident in having made the right choice for a very attractive place to live and to work and to strengthen our internal engineering competences by hiring a highly skilled and motivated new development team”, as Dr. Jens Gerhardt, CEO of HanseYachts AG, mentioned. Maciej Twardowski, CEO of TTS expects “a close and efficient cooperation between the new development unit and all existing business units within HanseYachts AG to create new, breath taking products”. Raoul Bajorat, head of development at HanseYachts AG, underlines “ the remarkable close integration of designers, engineers, technologists and production sites within the HanseYachts AG family all over Europe, which makes our brands that successful”.

Szczecin, West Pomerania, was chosen as the location due to the perfect situation close to the sea, with its long nautical and shipbuilding tradition, short ways to airports and a modern traffic linkage, a short way to the production sites in Goleniow (Poland) and Greifswald (Germany), very positive economic circumstances in the region and, most important, due to the availability of skilled engineers and a university with a highly regarded technical faculty. "In West Pomerania you can not only sail, but also build and, soon, design yachts. The TTS in the Goleniow Industrial Park has grown to become one of the most important employers in the region, because the investor has appreciated the outstanding possibilities offered here. Announcing the research and development centre in Szczecin, HanseYachts AG also recognised the innovative potential of West Pomerania", said Olgierd Geblewicz, Marshal of the Westpomeranian Region. "The offer, which we have been building consistently for many years, attracts more and more advanced investment projects to Szczecin. Modern office buildings, good universities, but also a rich cultural offer make more and more young people want to stay in Szczecin. We address the same offer to all our visitors. The BALTICDESIGN INSTITUTE is cordially welcome to Szczecin", added Michal Przepiera, Deputy Mayor of Szczecin.

The BALTICDESIGN INSTITUTE will start activities and recruitment in January 2021 and will build up the number of employees during three years up to 20.

WE MAKE THE WORLD SMALLER LET THE BEST SHIP YOUR YACHT IN ASIA – PACIFIC

ASIA - EUROPE

FEB: MV Happy Dragon, Hong Kong - Penang - Phuket - Male - Fethiye - Genoa - Amsterdam. APRIL: Hong Kong - Singapore - Penang - Phuket - Male - Fethiye - Genoa - Palma - Amsterdam*. MAY: Hong Kong - Singapore - Penang - Phuket - Male - Fethiye - Genoa - Amsterdam*.

EUROPE - ASIA

FEB: MV Happy Dynamic, Gdynia - Southampton - Alicante - Genoa - Lavrion* - Fethiye* - Phuket - Singapore - Hong Kong - Changshu. MARCH: MV Deltagracht or sub, Southampton - La Rochelle* - Genoa - Lavrion* - Male - Phuket - Hong Kong - Busan* - Changsu. APRIL: Southampton - La Rochelle* - Genoa - Fethiye - Male - Phuket - Hong Kong.

EUROPE - ASIA - AUSTRALIA - NZ

MARCH/APRIL: Genoa - Lavrion - Fethiye - Phuket - Penang - Laem Chabang*- Fremantle* - Newcastle - Auckland - Cairns*. MARCH/APRIL: Hong Kong - Brisbane MAY: Genoa - Lavrion - Fethiye - Phuket - Penang* - Brisbane/Newcastle - Auckland.

SEVENSTAR-YACHT-TRANSPORT ASIA

THAILAND AND MALAYSIA

CHRIS JONGERIUS

chris@sevenstar-asia.com Mob: +66 860 454 634

MARIEKE DERKS

marieke@sevenstar-asia.com Mob: + 66 862 744 239

HONG KONG

CHARLES MASSEY

charles@sevenstar-asia.com Mob: +85 255 148 029 sevenstar-yacht-transport.com