As many of our clients are aware, we have been planning the expansion into Y4 for some time.  In May we reached our maximum reserved capacity for the existing sections of the yard and we had to decide between closing reservations for 2008 or pushing forward with completing Y4.  Jason took the difficult decision and committed to the expansion, even without firm funding in place, and the hard work got underway in earnest.  Almost every department, from the metal shop to the electrical department, and most importantly the Yard Crew, has worked tirelessly to bring the project to fruition.

Below are some pictures chronicling the progress of the project.

The fence goes up.

The grader arrives.

Followed by the roller

Removing the old crane and discarded heavy equipments

First phase of grading complete

Drilling anchor holes

Preparing to sink the anchors

Final grading

Cutting open the fence between Cat City and Y4

The first boat rolls onto the new yard!

Parking the first arrival in Y4

The advisory from the National Hurricane Center -

THE BROAD AREA OF LOW PRESSURE IN THE SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN SEA HAS BECOME A LITTLE LESS ORGANIZED AND THE POTENTIAL FOR TROPICAL DEPRESSION FORMATION HAS LESSENED TODAY.  HOWEVER…THIS SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO BE MONITORED FOR SIGNS OF DEVELOPMENT AS IT MOVES WESTWARD AT 20 TO 25 MPH.

Regards to all
Raquel Edwards
GM OFFICE

We are monitoring a tropical wave heading west in the direction of the Windwards Islands. We expect some squally weather tonight and tomorrow as a result of this wave, which is referred to at this time as Invest 94.

From the National Hurricane Center as of 2pm this afternoon -

AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE ABOUT 200 MILES EAST OF THE WINDWARD ISLANDS
REMAINS WELL-ORGANIZED AND AN AIR FORCE RESERVE RECONNAISSANCE
AIRCRAFT IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING THIS AREA TO DETERMINE IF A
TROPICAL DEPRESSION HAS FORMED. REGARDLESS OF DEVELOPMENT…THE
SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO MOVE WESTWARD AT 20 TO 25 MPH…BRINGING
GUSTY WINDS AND LOCALLY HEAVY RAINS TO THE WINDWARD ISLANDS TODAY
AND TOMORROW. 

Although the system is expected to strengthen after it passes the islands, as a precaution the yard crew went around checking chocks and tightening straps on the boats today.

Please be guided accordingly.

Raquel Edwards
GM Office

Rydlyme™ is used by the US coast guard, Royal Australian Navy, US Navy and specifically recommended by Yanmar. It is a completely safe, bio-degradable, non-acid electrolytic descaling chemical which will not corrode or damage metal engine components, gaskets, seals or o-rings. We have the Pumpmaster 115v system with which we can de-scale and clean the entire raw water cooling system from the sea water pump to the exhaust elbow at the same time, including heat exchanger, oil cooler, inter-cooler, etc WITHOUT DISASSEMBLY. We can clean the coolant system of an older engine if overheating has become an issue. This system can also be used to de-scale marine refrigeration and air conditioning condensers.

For more information, check www.rydlymemarine.com or contact Craig at Grenada Marine.

Regards,
Craig Lovett
Mechanical Engineer - GM

Our local bankers, RBTT Grenada Ltd, has recently advised us about new procedures that have been implemented with regard to funds being transferred to our account from overseas.  Please see below the instructions we received from RBTT.

_____

Regarding the subject item hereunder is a guide which constitutes verifiable source of funds:

• • Maturing investments or policy claim - letter/contract note from previous investment company re notification of proceeds of maturing investment/claim
  • Sale of shares, unit trusts, mutual funds etc - legal sale documents e.g. contract notes
  • Property sale - signed letter from solicitor or sale contract
  • Loan - loan agreement or recent loan statement
  • Other income - appropriate supporting documentation or signed letter detailing funds from a financial institution

As [Grenada Marine] indicates on the [source of funds forms that are completed by Grenada Marine at the request of RBTT], the funds are for repairs done on various boats, however the true source is how the remitters obtained the funds that they sent.  We have since requested source of funds from the remitters’ banks, however if you are in contact with them you can advise them to have their banks reply to our requests.

Most financial institutions have policies as it relates to Anti-Money Laundering and source of funds, with some countries having stricter policies than others.  Based on the above, your clients can state the source through their bank or forward the relevant information to us.

Regards,

Steven Neckles
Foreign Business Officer
RBTT Bank Grenada Ltd, P.O. Box 4, St. George’s
1-473-440-3521 Ext. 358 / Fax: 1-473-440-1654 / E-mail: steven.neckles@gd.rbtt.com

_______________

Clients who are transferring funds must be aware that until the source of funds information is satisfactorily completed, the funds are not released to Grenada Marine, and the settlement of your account with Grenada Marine will be delayed. Therefore we are asking clients to provide the required information at the time that the wire transfer is being processed by your bank.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS AFFECTS WIRE TRANSFERS AND LARGE CASH PAYMENTS ONLY.  Credit card payments, such as monthly storage fees, are not affected.

We wish to reiterate that this is a requirement of our bankers and as such Grenada Marine is not in a position to circumvent this procedure.

Please be advised accordingly.

Raquel Edwards
GM OFFICE

Please be guided accordingly.

GM OFFICE 

The coverage will be as follows:
Bodily injury: EC$250,000 per occurrence
Property damage: EC$1,000,000 per occurrence and in the aggregate

Coverage can be for six months or for one year, depending on the individual circumstance.

PLEASE NOTE that this is liability coverage only and does not cover hull insurance, theft or other occurrence whilst on the hard.

The premium for six months will be EC$1,210.52
The premium for twelve months will be EC$2,178.95

Prior to hauling your boat, please provide the Yard Office with the following required information:

•    Owners Name
•    Boat details:  Name, Length, Value
•    Coverage required: 6 months / one year

A cover note will be prepared and emailed to Grenada Marine for you.

If you would like additional information please inquire at the Yard Office.

Thank you.
Management - Grenada Marine

The website has been updated to make it easier for you to access information. Our services have been given their own web pages, containing biographies of key personnel and photos of past and ongoing projects.

Our Contact page now includes a web form that you can use to send us a short message; a directory of most-requested telephone numbers can be found at the Misc Contact page. All necessary forms and data sheets are available for download through our Downloads page. Our Online Reservation Form is still active, and now you also have the option of downloading a blank Reservation Form to complete at your convenience.

We look forward to your feedback, comments, suggestions and critiques about the new site format.

Regards,
Raquel
GM Office

This year has been one of many changes and developments here at Grenada Marine. By August we had achieved our maximum storage capacity and for the first time since 2004 we had to refuse reservations; the influx was a bit unexpected but very welcome as you can imagine. Throughout the year we had a few staff changes - Maria, Brendon and Alan all left to pursue other endeavors, and our best wishes are with them. We welcomed Raphael LaBarrie (finance/administration consultant), Anderson Glaude (in-house customs broker) and Ricky Thomas (IT/Project Management). During his tenure with us Ricky organised one of the major adjustments to our project management with the implementation of our online extranet (via Google), allowing all the key personnel to access and collaborate on works lists, schedules, calendars and deadlines. This made a significant difference in our ability to co-ordinate ongoing projects and our only regret is that it was not implemented earlier in the season. Ricky is leaving us at the end of December for a 6-month period to continue his education; we wish him all the best and look forward to his return in mid-2008. Throughout the service departments there have also been some personnel reshuffles as we continue to develop efficient teams and crews. This year we have seen some encouraging potential from many of the employees and we are working on developing the staff’s professional and personal growth in the new year.

Feedback from you - our clients - has always been crucial to our growth and development. This year we have been happy to hear from many of you that you are seeing improvements in our service, our productivity and our staff. We have come a long way, but we do recognise we still have a long way to go. We thank you for your patience and for entrusting your yachts in our care. We hope you will continue to let us know your thoughts, comments, suggestions and criticisms - all feedback is helpful feedback.

We wish to let you know that our new rate sheet has been completed and will be posted on the website (www.grenadamarine.com) in time for January 1st 2008. All rate changes are effective from that date. We encourage you to check the website for updates.

Please note that we have decided to close the yard/office on Monday December 31st, 2007, which would have ordinarily been a working day, in order to give the staff a “mini-holiday”. We will re-open on Wednesday January 2nd, 2008. Please note that we are considering a similar type of vacation period next year - closing the yard from Christmas Eve through to the New Year. This period is usually a very quiet one and we believe the staff would both appreciate and benefit from having the break.

With our best regards and wishes for a happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous 2008.

From all of us to all of you,
Jason Fletcher and the Grenada Marine Team