CRN signs 14 contracts over the summer... By IBI Magazine Italian superyacht builder CRN has announced that it signed 14 new contracts during the months of June, July and August this year for vessels ranging from 30m-56m (98ft-184ft) in length. Of this total, two boats measuring 54m (177ft) and 56m (184ft) were sold under the CRN brand name, while the remaining 12 were Custom Line vessels. These included two 30.1m (102ft) semi-displacement Navetta 30s, a 42.6m (140ft) Navetta 43, a Custom Line 112', Custom Line 128' and seven Custom Line 97' models. A Letter of Intent has also been signed for the construction of a 72m (236ft) yacht designed by Italian naval architects Nuvolari & Lenard. When completed, it will be shipyard's largest new build ever. "This unquestioned triumph is also a result of the massive commitment, in terms of both financing and resources, made by the shipyard to innovation and to the ongoing development of new projects," says the company. "The Custom Line 97', a 27m (89ft) gliding line, comes in the wake of the successes of the Custom Line 94' (21 hulls built), representing the natural next step, while the Navetta 43, the largest Custom Line maxi-yacht under construction, kicks off a new line of displacement ships made of composite materials. Increasingly demanding, well informed ship owners have shown that they appreciate the effort the shipyard puts into research and innovation." As part of Italy's Ferretti Group, CRN builds fully customised superyachts in steel and aluminium under the CRN brand name, as well as maxi-yachts in composite under the Custom Line name. Ferretti, which was founded in 1968, employs around 2,500 people (excluding side-line businesses), with 19 production units in Italy, two in Spain and one in the US. Its brands include Ferretti Yachts, Pershing, Itama, Bertram, Riva, Apreamare, Mochi Craft, Custom Line and CRN. (21 September 2005)