Falmouth Boat Co. has completed its first international refit since Brexit – despite the absence of official guidance on how to conduct such a project overseas.
In July we replaced a teak deck on a yacht in north east Greece, having transported tools, materials and staff some 2,000 miles.
Before the UK left Europe, we'd worked on many yachts in European boatyards. While the logistics were often challenging, paperwork had not been an issue.
Having won the contract to replace the deck of a Bavaria 46 yacht, Wonderous Stories, we contacted the British embassy, the British Council, the Greek embassy and a number of corporate advisory bodies to ascertain what work visas may be needed for staff and what paperwork required for the transportation of tools and materials. Not one organisation could offer any advice, and both embassies said that they simply did not know.
The vital help came from the owner of the boatyard in Kavala, where the yacht was being stored. He advised that work permits could be secured locally - although the van of tools and materials leaving Flushing faced its own challenges.
The equipment needed a temporary importation licence. This meant that every item, no matter its size or value, had to be documented – from generators to the smallest of bolts. The van had to be driven to Thessaloniki docks where it was processed exactly the same way that the long queue of commercial lorries stacked high with shipping containers were. A Greece-based customs agent advised the boatyard on these legalities.
Due to the pandemic lockdowns and travel restrictions, Wonderous Stories had been left untended for more than two years. In the relentless heat, the yacht’s teak deck had gone beyond its serviceable life and the originally white Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) work was bleached out and yellow.
Working in collaboration, deck specialist Moody Decking scanned the existing deck to create a digital model. Next they built a solid teak deck, separated into sections for travel, which the Falmouth Boat Co. team could then assemble at the Greek boatyard.
A group of five staff from Falmouth Boat Co. removed the existing deck in extreme temperatures reaching 50 degrees C. They then pieced together, laid, shaped and fitted the new deck, shifting their work patterns to early mornings and evenings so that the composites needed would not be compromised by the heat. Finally, they renovated the surrounding GRP work.
Reflecting on the project, managing director of Falmouth Boat Co., Jonathan Fielding said: “This was the first international project we have undertaken since Brexit. Naturally, I was expecting there to be more paperwork, but I did not expect the total lack of guidance from officials on what permits and taxes were required.
“Having gone through the process, I would advise other businesses needing to transport equipment to use the Eurotunnel or the ferries as the customs clearance process is automated for these.
“Fitting a new teak deck is no mean feat in our own yard, so to do so in a yard in Greece more than 2,000 miles away is a real achievement.
“The owner of the yacht is delighted with our work, and I am very proud of the team.”
