I received a PM from Mark at Trinity Yachts. And he has since given me permission to make this a general post, so that we can all share the info - Kelly Cook
I just came across more detailed info on the situation at Trinity. If anyone is interested shoot me a PM and I will point the way. Kelly
A little more info... New Orleans, Louisiana – September 15th. 2005 - Trinity Yachts, LLC announced it signed a Letter of Intent to purchase a second shipyard to expand their capabilities for building and repairing luxury custom superyachts... The second shipyard expands Trinity's building facilities to 20 acres (871,200 sq. ft./265,541 sq. m) of covered building on over 88 Acres. According to Felix Sabates, Chairman, “This is a very proud and exciting time for us, despite the recent hurricane that slightly damaged our New Orleans yard, our plans of expansion for 2005 are still on track as originally expected.” John Dane III, President and CEO stated, “With the purchase of this second facility, our capacity has more than doubled and will enable us to meet the demands of our customers to reduce the delivery time as well as increase capacity. Our New Orleans yard will be the center of an expanded Repair & Refit focus while still remaining very much a part of the new build process and enabling us to provide an all round better service for our clients.” The spectacular modern shipyard based in Gulfport, MS., as shown in the attached photo, has over 9 acres/3.6 hectares (392,040 sq. ft./119,493 sq. m) of covered building area situated on approximately 50 acres/20.5 hectares of land. This new facility combined with the existing 10 acres/4 hectares (435,600 sq. ft./132,770 sq. m) of covered buildings on 38 acres/15.5 hectares at the New Orleans yard, provides Trinity Yachts with a very large capacity to create up to 8-10 megayachts annually for the yachting industry and the capability to build up to 400 ft. (122 m) in length. The main construction building has a height of 90 ft. (27.43m) allowing Trinity to build five (5) deck yachts. Due to the damages caused by Hurricane Katrina in the New Orleans and Gulf Coast areas, expansion plans are underway for the Gulfport facility to provide 100 housing units for displaced employees or sub-contractors. Sabates added, “We have always felt the combination of New Orleans, LA and Gulfport, MS has such an advantage over the rest of the country because of its location. There is a long tradition of ship building here and therefore a great labor pool of very talented craftsman. At its peak, this facility employed over 700 shipbuilders. Also the geographical location makes it very easy for communications, transportation (via rail, road and water) and most importantly for our clients to access with an International airport only 10 minutes away.” During 2005, Trinity yachts has begun to set several benchmarks being the first United States Superyacht builder to launch a steel displacement yacht of a size not seen in over 70 years with the M.Y. MIA ELISE. Then with the launch in June of M.Y. ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM as Trinity’s fastest semi displacement yacht under conventional power using for the first time the two (2) Caterpillar 3516B HD. rated marine engines creating a powerful 3,384 bhp each. Sabates concluded, “Now with the increased capacity to build larger and faster luxury custom superyachts, despite hurricane Katrina’s fury, it seems there is no stopping Trinity Yachts.”
