Abu Dhabi

Would anyone be able to pass on their knowledge of potentential boat building work/living and conditions in Abu Dhabi.Heard there is expansion going on there:?: :?:

 

Adu dhabi

I was just recently in Abu dhabi and Dubai, there is not a whole lot of work there , Platinum yachts out of business, greenline , cut backs, Gulf craft will close for 5 months and As al shali will as well, in Italy Azimut and benetti will close from nov. to feb.

 

Abu Dhabi Mar Shipyard are recruitng apparently.Did you try there?They just purchased a controlling share in a yard in Germany for lots of dosh = they have one in France
Vikal International/Oceanfast in Fremantle WA are busy and Fitzroy yachts Taranaki NZ + a yard in Whangerei NZ that I cant remember the name of at the minute

 

will check with my industry contacts there

I had some offers in March from the Italian firm there but I am not planning to move from Kuwait, I will contact some people I have there and see what the story is ,
it is the best time to gear up for this industry since labor will be cheap, there are layoff going on all over the gulf , and a company with a budget can afford to hire many people at low wages and still clear a 40% + profilt on the employee's backs, most of the workers would be Pinoy and or Indian, since they are willing to work at lower rates,
but the fine print in the contracts is what is the key. most do not get what they are promised...big company or not since it is up to the local sponsor of the company to provide the work visa's and housing. which become inflated and come out of the check...
let me do some research with some high level yachting industry people.

 

Ok cool,I'm looking for fit out/construction position within the b/b sector.The offer at the yard I'm talking about is reasonable.400 guys working on the one boat though sounds abit cramped to say the least

 

I'm regularly in the UAE as client representative overseeing several new builds including 2 builds in Abu Dhabi yards.

Most big yards (commercial builds) in AD have large number of staff from subcontinent or surrounding regions (non UAE nationals) neither of which lights up your day in abilities. There is one yard very well equiped in AD with plenty of current and future work booked (commercial/military vessels refits) but seems to have a big mgmt problem.

The conversion projects Swift 141 and 135 are according to feedback from people involved apparently a 'work it out as you go' builds and according to others in the know not likely to see the light of day. Money and hype does'nt build yachts particularly impractical conversions that probably were'nt qualified by any sort of feasibility study or risk evaluation/due diligance before kick off.

Fleetwing mentioned just a few of the many local and internationals brands that have closed their doors in UAE. Everthing here was built on the realestate investment bubble and that has truly imploded. There are expats here who claim its biz as usually but I think they are in some kind of denial about how bad the ecconomic situ really is.

There was a chronic shortage of expat quality accomodations availible in AD pushing up the rentals to London, NY or Sydney Harbour levels. Many expats in the oil/gas exploration biz (AD and Shajah based industry) have since left the UAE so getting an apartment in AD may be a lot easier plus rents (Dubai) have dropped big time.

My advice is be very careful before committing and make sure your contract covers all details. The UAE Labour laws are specific about entitlements but it's real easy to get screwed by UAE employers. GLI is an example of a company notorius for failing to live up to agreements, dumping staff and screwing the staff of entitlements.

If your down under several yards in WA are currently looking for welders and fitout staff.

 

Thank you very much for that info watchkeeper.I'm a Kiwi boat builder currently living in recession hammered Ireland.There is no B/B here maybe not since the Titanic.
I worked previously in WA for Vikal International contracting to Oceanfast which I found great to work for.
Would they be included in the yards your thinking of.
Would you know of any other yards in the world that could be taking on B/B's also?

 

Hi ngahiri

Strategic and Austal are recruiting interior fitout people, also a quality sail yacht builder outside Sydney needs BB, company is Southwind or something like it.

Several Auckland yacht builders are recruiting BB and interior cabinet makers.

Pendanis in Cornwall and several big yacht builders in Plymouth/Portsie region are recruiting for new builds and refit projects.

Several big MY yacht builders in Seattle (Westport), Florida (Bradford) and Gulf (Trinity) are recruiting if you can work US of A.

If you can loft out / build moulds for GRP hulls I heard there are several yards with contracts for big GRP sail yachts and others extending their production range but I'll need to dig back for the details.

UAE region is basket case, everything has gone on hold, personally I think when you get past all the BS and the yada yada it will take a long time before it recovers.

If you log onto Yacht Times web site, see what yards have got new contracts then call the yard or check their web page you will get work plus useful contacts...better than recruiters.

 

Follow up

Try this; Marine/Boat Builder Outfitter for Hovercraft manufacturer based at Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire, UK

Email: sue.reynolds@blandgroup.com
Telephone: 02380 828 368

Good luck!