Page 28: of Marine News Magazine (April 2015)

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COLUMN BOATBUILDING any yard with availability and adequate hauling capacity for their particular vessel. Owners in the position of settling for the backyard yard as opposed to a properly vetted one should be upfront that they want a clear scope of work, itemized esti- mate (avoiding allowances), and a commitment to minimize change orders. Arguably, yards with a history of welcoming change orders are either unscrupulous or not experts in the work they perform. Change orders are not bonus revenue and always come at a cost for both the owner and yard.

ETTING P FOR UCCESS

S U S

A lot can be said for a yard that stays clean and organized on a regular basis. This is perhaps the best indicator of qual- ity, pride, and commitment to safety. Ask your yard about their safety record, safety program, and make sure you get a safety brie? ng before entering the yard. Surprisingly, many owners fail to inquire about the shipyard’s internal com-

Courtesy of Frank von Hoorn munication and information dissemination process. A good system will document work requests from either the owner equipment is not always a money saver, as the shipyard will or project manager, resulting in both a tracking log and never quite know what they will get and OEM support speci? cation revision that eventually ? ows back to a con- will be limited on used goods. The yard is forced to charge tract modi? cation. Similarly, expectations should be set in a premium for all these unknowns. the contract regarding the level of quality and inspection as

OUBLING OWN well as a de? ned role for the owner or owner’s representative. D D

While it is helpful to have an owner’s decision maker on With any yard work, most problems will not appear until site at various times to expedite feedback and approval(s) after the vessel is launched and sea trials have commenced. at certain stages, it can also be a distraction to have the This timeframe also coincides with pressure from the owner customer hovering, which in turn slows the process. The to take delivery and put the vessel into service. The builder best balance involves customer meetings with the project will need adequate time to complete a thorough set of dock manager on a regularly scheduled basis. All good contracts trials and sea trials. It really is not the builders fault if an must include a decision-and-supply schedule that provides OEM supplied part has failed at commissioning and its re- a commitment of progression by the shipyard and expecta- placement will delay delivery by a week or two.

tions set for involvement of the customer for owner-fur- Defensive customers will seek to insure against such po- nished equipment, determine preferences, and sign-off at tential delays by inserting terms for liquidated damages into points of inspection. Keep in mind that owner furnished the contract. While liquidated damages can be motivation

April 2015

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