The pivotal Project Manager
There are three professional Project Managers at Rivergate Marina & Shipyard, with unrivalled international experience and expertise gained over decades in the industry.
Here, they explain the responsibilities and requirements of the multi-faceted role and how they are a crucial part of every refit project.
The role of the Project Manager in any refit work is a complex and pivotal one, crucial to its successful outcome and composed of many functions.
Marty Johnson is one of three Project Managers at Rivergate Marina & Shipyard. Marty has been in the industry for close to 25 years and working with Rivergate for eight.
With his background in Engineering, Marty was Chief Engineer MC5/4 onboard various vessels and has undertaken numerous technical courses over the years to keep pace with technology and regulations.
“I would say the most important attribute for a Project Manager is a curious mind, to be adaptable, an eye for detail and ability to manage every aspect of a project to make sure every step is on track, to budget, schedule and to the highest standard.”
A Project Manager needs to take “a whole of Ship approach”, as Marty explains.
“The Project Manager handles the entire project from end to end, from drawing board to delivery and works with the client every step of the way. They are accountable.
“An experienced Project Manager makes the process smooth, is able to adapt as issues develop, and react depending on implications to timelines and budget. They are the single contact for all involved so they need to be well-versed in all aspects to speak to the skilled trades, engineering, electronics, paint, interiors, watertoys, tenders.”
The value of using a Project Manager cannot be understated. While the Captain/Owner/Manager may be remote, the Project Manager is on the ground and knows the industry, both locally and more broadly, the international experts acquired as contacts over the years.
“Many Superyacht crews are rotational during a major project. It’s imperative that contractors and suppliers have a central contact at the coalface who communicates with them all. In our industry where quality and safety are paramount, effective communication is crucial.”
Hadyn Griffith has worked as a Project Manager at Rivergate since 2019, overseeing several complex refit and maintenance projects including Queensland Water Police and Queensland Fisheries vessels.
“As Project Managers, we’re the central point of contact for contractors and the client,” Hadyn explains. “We schedule the contractors so best use is made of their time, to ensure meeting budget and timeline goals. Some owner’s representatives have many boats to manage, so it would be impossible for them to handle the detail required for major refit projects.
“This is where the value of a Project Manager can clearly be seen.”
There are several requirements that impact a project, Hadyn explains, including Class/Flag, engaging contractors, budgets, time frames, lead times for parts and components and the vessel’s Yacht Management system.
They need a range of skills and expertise, depth of knowledge, technical ability, ingenuity to make things work and think outside the square and the skills required to liaise and communicate with people at every level.
“Then there’s the requirement of accuracy for contracts, which must be meticulous every time. A Project Manager has to be adept at procurement, costings, have a reliable local network, and the ability to forecast and stick to timelines. We also need a diverse international set of contacts for sourcing materials in Europe, the US and Asia.”
Recently, some refit works have been impacted by disruptions to international deliveries for imported parts and the ability of technicians to travel. “During travel restrictions in 2020 and 2021, we used Zoom to carry out the installation and commission of a Zenoro generator, working with engineers in the Netherlands – which was a world-first for both Zenoro and Xeamos.”
Needless to say, there is no “Project Management Handbook” and those in the role must have a mind for the microdetail required.
It’s both an Art and a Science, Marty says of the extremely detailed scheduling and accuracy of the role.
“No job is identical, every vessel is different, every scope of works is different. There can never be a guide, since no document could possibly cover the details which change from project to project and with advances in technology, standards and protocols.
“The scope of work might be on an A4 piece of paper, but it requires volumes of knowledge for each step along the way. The nitty gritty, the contacts, the procedures are learnt on the job over many, many years.”
Rivergate has three Project managers on-site with over 70 years of experience among them. To get in contact please email info@rivergate.com.au
Haydn Griffith is a boat builder who has been in the industry since 1979 with an extensive background stemming back to working for Lloyds Ships in Brisbane. He has worked as a Project Manager at Rivergate since 2019, overseeing works on the Queensland Water Police vessels, the QPV Brett T. Handran and QPV W. Conroy, and Queensland Fisheries vessel, K. I. Ross in 2021.
K.I. Ross is a 24m, aluminium monohull custom-built in Geraldton WA in 1999. The refit project aimed to modernise the vessel to international standards. During the refit process, 15 contractors/marine trade professionals worked on the vessel. The main work was the removal of the existing engines and gear boxes. Both were sent away to be rebuilt equivalent to zero hours rebuild, then reinstalled. There was also a range of works on the aluminium, new state-of-the-art arrangement of marine electronics and electrics system, include two radars, the latest GPS plotter systems, depth sounders and tracking system, plus modern waste-treatment system for self-sufficiency at sea.
K.I. Ross Chief Engineer, Graham Shield said the Project Manager and team at Rivergate “are all very professional. Their work on the project was to a very high standard.”
Angus Paterson was Project Manager on 47.85m MY No Comment, a repeat customer at Rivergate, visiting four times in three years. No Comment is an impressive, US-built, Christensen superyacht delivered in 2006.
Captain Cy Wastell is at the helm of MY No Comment and described the refit experience at Rivergate as “smooth and seamless”.
“During our three months at Rivergate Marina & Shipyard, MY No Comment underwent various Flag and Class surveys in addition to multiple improvements and fixes. As is the case with every shipyard period, hurdles were encountered along the way but the team at Rivergate worked whatever hours necessary to ensure we met our deadlines and appointments. Communication was clear and concise, and available 24/7. Support not only stopped at the vessel itself, but also extended to our crew’s well-being and comfort, always willing to provide whatever service we ask of them. Already a great, clean facility, we look forward to seeing Rivergate’s expansion in the future.”
Marty Johnson has been a Project Manager at Rivergate since 2013. He oversaw significant refit projects on MY Qing, MY SuRi and MY Aurora, among many others.
From working closely with Marty on a major refit, the Captain of MY Qing reported that it was a 10/10 experience.
“After arriving to complete a five-year survey, we ended up carrying out an extensive refit period due to the quality workmanship that Rivergate could provide. After four and half months we left with a much better and more efficient boat. I can highly recommend Rivergate as a one stop shop to do your refit, no matter of the size of the project.”
For information and to speak with the team at Rivergate Marina & Shipyard email info@rivergate.com.au