Less than five years ago, Thunderbolt Marine announced it would begin a massive, $5 million-plus expansion of its yacht repair and refit business — an expansion designed to put Savannah back on the map with the global yachting community.
Last week, the locally owned shipyard tucked in the curve of the Wilmington River just past Thunderbolt’s shrimp boat docks was named the 2014 Boatyard of the Year by the American Boat Builders & Repairers Association at their annual conference and awards dinner in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The national award means it’s safe to say Savannah is back on the yachting community’s map, said Ralph Heil, president and chief operating officer at the boatyard that’s been a local landmark for nearly half a century.
“It’s especially sweet in that we were selected by our peers — the more than 250 boatyards around the country,” he said. “It’s a recognition that’s based on reputation.”
According to the association, the award is given to a service or repair facility that demonstrates excellence in all facets of its company through commitment to customer service, quality management, stewardship in environmental and safety issues and positive vendor and employee relations.
The organization notes that Heil’s hands-on management style has taken Thunderbolt Marine into the forefront of the marine repair and refit industry.
“Since the yard’s return to yacht repair in 2003, he has focused on building a successful team, upgrading facilities, and developing both local and international clientele,” the association said in announcing the award.
“At Thunderbolt, we are extremely conscious that before committing to work, we need to be certain that goals expressed in the scope of our work orders are achievable both in terms of world class execution and quality and then meet or exceed the customers’ expectations,” Heil said. “The key issue in a resource organization is to ensure that quality expertise, labor, materials, tools and equipment are in place before undertaking the work.”
Heil called his shipyard “one of the last outlets for true craftsmanship in this country.”
“The work we do here requires an extremely high level of skill, whether you are a cabinet maker, joinery expert or finisher.”
Located in the historic seafaring town of Thunderbolt, the boat yard occupies 25 acres on the Intracoastal Waterway, some 12 miles from the sea buoy. The operation, which serviced 225 vessels in 2013, employs an average of 100 people directly and another 125 seasonal subcontractors.
But that’s only the tip of the iceberg in terms of economic impact to Thunderbolt and the surrounding area, Heil said.
“The typical crew on a 150-foot yacht is 10 to 12 people, with most vessels staying in our facility for an average of six weeks,” he added. “During that time, crews stay in rental properties, rent cars and go to local restaurants and stores.”
Visiting yachts also buy provisioning supplies before they leave the shipyard.
While business is good, Heil said the award — and the exposure that goes along with it — provides a tremendous opportunity to sell Savannah and the area to more vessel captains and owners.
“The natural inclination of yacht owners is to head to Florida, especially the Fort Lauderdale-Miami area, for repair and refit,” he said. “But all we have to do is capture them the first time and they see the advantages of Savannah as a destination.”
A city that’s easy to navigate with most of the amenities of a larger area can be a real draw, he said, as well as the little touches that make an impression.
“For example, our tradition of bringing in hot Krispy Kreme doughnuts and the newspaper every morning for crews at the shipyard is known far and wide.”
ABOUT TMI
Thunderbolt Marine Inc. is a private company, locally owned by the W.E. Honey family since 1965. Its 7.5-acre boat basin was originally established by Asa Candler, the founder of Coca-Cola, and was used by the U.S. Army during World War II as a staging area for offshore patrol and rescue vessels.
Lockheed Shipbuilding Company leased the yard for five years starting in 1986 to construct LCU 2000 Landing Craft for the army. Lockheed sold the landing craft contract to a Gulf Coast yard after the first two vessels were completed and conducted minor repair projects for the remainder of their lease period.
In 1992, Palmer Johnson leased the yard for yacht repair and refit projects until departing in September 2003. Since then, Thunderbolt has built its own yacht repair and refit business.