Earlier this month, Stuart Reid travelled to Vietnam for an important stage in the vessel build. His visit included time at the Piriou shipyard to inspect progress on both vessels, as well as a stop at the furniture manufacturing factory to review materials and the quality of construction for the passenger lounges furniture and interior outfitting.
It was also a valuable opportunity to spend time with project managers Chris and Peter, who have been based in Vietnam for the past 14 months. Seeing first-hand the strong relationships they’ve built with the workforce was a highlight, and we’re proud of the professionalism and commitment they continue to bring to the project.
Since Stuart’s last visit, the transformation has been remarkable: hull units fully integrated, staircases and engines in place, windows being installed, and electrical teams laying kilometres of cabling each week.
Here, Stuart tells us a bit more about his trip…
What was the purpose of this trip?
I was really excited to be returning to Vietnam 14 months after my last visit. We are in the middle of a very busy season at the Steamship Group so my time in Vietnam was short but I wanted to achieve three aims: to meet with our project team on the ground, to see the progress on both vessels for myself, and to visit the workshop where the interiors for the ships are being built.
Our project managers Chris Lingham and Peter Broad have spent the last 14 months in Vietnam and although we speak via video call weekly, they are part of the Steamship Group and it was an opportunity to catch up face-to-face both professionally and socially and make sure they are enjoying their time in Vietnam.
Chris, Peter and I visited the furniture manufacturing factory in Ho Chi Minh to undertake a final inspection and approval of the quality and design of the interior materials of our new vessels. The factory had prepared interior sections of each new vessel to show the construction and materials being used.
The factory has a reputation for delivering outfitting for superyachts and this can clearly be seen on the quality being delivered for our own vessels which is to a very high standard. The project team has been involved in the selection of the interiors from the inception of the project picking the type, colour and quality of all materials. This was an opportunity to see the interiors prior to them being delivered for fit out and we provided feedback on some items which have been well received by Piriou and adjusted prior to delivery to the shipyard.
What are the key differences or changes you noticed since your last visit in June 2024?
One thing which hasn’t changed since the last visit is the culture and standard of the shipyard. The yard remains spotless and highly professional with a safety-first culture. The workforce, of which there are about 250 on site, are a credit to Piriou. They are hard-working, professional and enjoying being part of this important project.
It was 14 months ago when I was last at the shipyard for the steel cutting ceremony and other members of the project team have visited the site in between these dates. On my last visit I inspected the storerooms, which held the large quantities of certified steel ready to be cut and integrated to form our two new vessels. Fourteen months later we now have all units of the ship completed and integrated into the shipyard dock. Staircases are integrated so you can walk through the vessel as if you were a member of the crew or passenger. Engines and gearboxes are in position. Windows are being installed. One of the most impressive sites was the large quantities of cabling being implemented into both ships. Piriou electrical teams are laying 5Km of cables per week which is incredible.
How was it seeing the team on the ground?
It was great to catch up with Peter and Chris. Although we have a video call weekly and regularly exchange emails and WhatsApp through the week it is always better in person. They are highly a professional team and the success of the project to date is a result of their dedication to our objective to deliver vessels for the community.
As we walked around the shipyard and inspected the vessels it is evident that Chris and Peter have excellent working relationships with the entire workforce. Their regular communication with the workforce and the levels of respect shown to them are just a couple of the many reasons why our partnership with Piriou is going so well.
Very well. Chris and Peter have separate apartments in District 7, about a 20-minute journey from the shipyard. District 7 has a large ex-pat community as well as many professional skilled workers. The shop, leisure and restaurant facilities in the area support comfortable living. I noticed when travelling with them in taxis that they have started to pick up phrases in Vietnamese for communication.
The work that Peter and Chris are undertaking is also physically demanding. Temperatures in the shipyard were around 35 degrees with high humidity. Put on a fire retardant boiler suit, gloves, safety hat and safety boots means this is energy sapping work as you climb around the ship, crawl through ballast tanks and move up and down ladders. Peter swims every night after work and Chris attends the local gym to maintain a very high standard of fitness.
What were your main takeaways from this trip?
The volume of quality work that has been undertaken in just 14 months. The shipyard is very busy and active with more than 250 skilled workers being co-ordinated by a group of experienced managers. Chris and Peter take daily photos of the build progress which are shared with me and the project team but seeing the vessels in Vietnam come to life since we started this project in 2019 is inspiring and a proud moment for the Company. I am confident that these new vessels will be transformational to the level of service we provide to the community and our visitors and I am already looking forward to their arrival in Scilly.
What’s the next major milestone?
The next major milestone will be the Menawethan’s launch from the dock, which will happen in October. The launch will not be a traditional launch. Instead on the day of the launch the dock will slowly fill with water and once afloat, Menawethan will exit the dock. This precision undocking process is to prevent disturbance to Scillonian IV which is being constructed in the same dock. Once Menawethan has exited the dock she will come alongside one of the berths in the shipyard and start her commissioning followed by sea trials at the end of the year.
As the vessels move closer to their commissioning and trial phases members of our management team and crew will start making visits to our new vessels. Our Marine Superintendent Tom Weise and Scillonian III Master Dave Redgrave will be visiting the shipyard this Autumn. The purpose of their visit will be to undertake planning for crew familiarisation training later in the year.
