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Norsemen
Shipyard, Ltd. |
Look below for dated news from
Norsemen Shipyard, Ltd.
Located about 750 kilometers north of Hong Kong, near
the beautiful and prosperous city of Xiamen, in mainland China we have built perhaps the finest
yacht manufacturing facility in the world. Situated next door to a
National Park, the surrounding land and water are beautiful and pristine. We are
the first industry selected to participate in a "Green" environment
and we have built our new factory keeping the environment in mind. We have
developed extensive crushed granite beds under beautiful landscaping that
collect all on site water, whether from rain, factory operations or washing of
boats. This water is filtered through granite beds and directed to huge 100,000
gallon cisterns where it is stored and then reused for irrigating our gardens,
landscaping and our orchards planted on the 30 acre oceanfront site.
We allow nothing to contaminate our grounds, the air or
the water. We consider that we are stewards of this great earth we are blessed
with and take our responsibility seriously.
We believe that we are the most modern yacht factory in
Asia. We have selected the site due to several clear advantages. Among them are:
- Closest point of shipment for support suppliers in
the region.
- Proximity to a rapidly growing port capable of
handling our imports and exports.
- A countryside environment, that provides for
abundant and reliable labor with natural skills to do our type of work.
- Full support of the government and surrounding area.
- A beautiful environment located directly on the
water.
For more information on Norsemen
Shipyard please go to
http://www.norsemenshipyard.com
January 2011
The news from Norsemen is that the new
385,000 lb. lift is up to full speed and we have completed all operating
tests. In fact, its first job was to launch the largest Marlow to date,
the new 97’ model. The large testing tank, which is the second and last
test before sea trials is useful for final QC tests and provides us
ability to have two yachts in testing at the same time. In fact, with
the 53 series we can have four, as the tanks are about 120’ long each.
In the first tank we subject the yachts to a torture shower and do the
engine start ups, mark the boot and bottom painting lines, etc. In the
second tank we will concentrate more on cosmetic issues such as final
buffing and waxing, touch up of varnish and similar. The new tank
provides a better environment for this as its location is blessed with
full natural light from the sea only 50 meters distant. The first tank
has large trees surrounding it and while a blessing in summer heat, the
ever growing trees have reduced light requiring significant candlepower
to visually inspect the yacht. We have constructed a large well seaward
of the new test tank so that the new Travelift can launch directly to
the sea or to a ship with modest beam such as the coastal freighters we
occasionally charter to trans ship our yachts to ports like Hong Kong,
Kaohsiung or other locations where a ship may call.
The tank is also useful for tank testing, as we have considerable
ability to tow a scale model and observe while photographing or video
graphing its performance in still, slow motion or real time.
Around the shipyard, our teak trees, now numbering nearly one thousand
are growing very rapidly and the concept of allowing competing
understory plants appears to be working to enhance the wood quality
though it is too early to make final judgment. In some ways it is of no
importance, as we do not intend to ever cut them, keeping them as carbon
offsets for our green factory.
We are enlarging several of our apartments to increase the individual
living space of team leaders as they grow with us. We continue to
provide fresh fish and other seafood products several times per week and
organic vegetables daily, prepared in our own spotless kitchen
containing giant woks as large as the hood on a normal automobile.
June 2010
For 2011 Marlow Yachts LTD will
introduce yet another model in the series; our largest to date at 97’.
Our intention is to unveil this stunning new model at Fort Lauderdale
2010. Please join us for a champagne reception there.
Hull number one will be followed immediately with hull number two that
will spend its seasons cruising the Greek Isles and the European boating
waters from Croatia to Scotland.
In the factory pipeline under construction now are the two 97s, a 78,
two 70E models, a 57E and a couple of projects that we can’t quite yet
speak of. Of course the Voyager series is being expanded downward to
provide a yacht easily handled by a couple yet large enough for a crowd.
The molds are being polished now for the next round of production to
follow. We will announce the next Voyager Series in “Voyaging” soon.
The next phase of development for Marlow Explorer Series will once again
confound the industry as we expand it downward to fill what we see as a
serious hole in raised pilothouse offshore capable cruisers. That is the
range of around 50’ and below.
Our success with the 53 Series (0ver 30 now) has obviously caught the
attention of those who seem to follow and copy our technology and market
direction. To this point they have been just that, a copy, or knockoff
and in our view a poor substitute for the real McCoy. When we compare
the current copycat models (some must have gotten their clandestine
photos and pilched “intelligence” mixed up) we find huge differences in
internal volume, technology and quality. In the performance arena it is
laughable, as we read reports of overweight slugs built with 1950s
technology struggling to make 21-23 knots with a given power when the
similarly sized Explorer ticks off 3-7 knots faster with similar
engines. Though speed is not the only criteria, it is certainly a direct
example of efficiency and hull design. If it requires 300 additional
horsepower to achieve equal speed, based on average manufacturer’s fuel
burn figures, that is an additional sixteen gallons per hour to do the
same job. But there is more than simply outstanding fuel efficiency at
high speeds. There is also the long distance arena, where REBEL YELL has
clearly demonstrated that there is no competitor having a semi
displacement hull design in the 70’ range that can come close to her
8-12 knot fuel efficiency.
The Marlow Explorer 70 (hull number 44 about to start) has by direct
comparison of two validated boat tests demonstrated that they can not
only reach speeds of about 25 knots with 970 HP Caterpillars but that it
can also travel further, on less fuel at all speeds from five knots up
to the wide open throttle speed of the Nordhavn 75, which achieves a
wide open speed of just 12 knots, lightly loaded in calm deep water with
twin MTU 825 HP engines. The Walter Mittys of the world continue to buy
the rhetoric that a round deep and slow full displacement hull is the
way to gain maximum fuel efficiency even though that has been shown as
poppycock, over and over. Besides, who wants to see the same channel
marker for 15 minutes “cruising”?
In fact at 12 knots, the Nordhavn 75 tested by the prestigious and
respected Power and Motoryacht Magazine in June 2009 issue burned 82
gallons per hour or 157% MORE fuel than the Semi Displacement Marlow at
the same speed. Length overall, 74’5” for the Nordhavn, 74’10” for the
Marlow Explorer 70E. The same magazine (PMY) tested the Marlow 70E in
the very next issue, July 2009. Both issues are available online if you
are missing your copy. Note that the test done on the Marlow 70E was for
a fully outfitted and equipped (except dinghy) yacht including almost a
ton of solar power and related equipment, plus spares for a trip to
Antigua aboard. So how did they do when the journalists slowed them down
a bit? Well, at 9.3 knots for the NH and 9.2 for the Marlow, the NH
consumed 75% more fuel than the Marlow Explorer. Want to go slower? How
about 7.2 knots for the Nordhavn 75 and 7.0 for the Marlow 70E? Well,
it’s even worse for the full displacement Nordhavn, as it consumed 350%
more fuel at that mind numbing pace.
How about sound comfort levels on the two yachts? Well, the Nordhavn
turned in some pretty good numbers at 12 knots, just 74 DBA. But once
again, the value of advanced composite engineering coupled with high
technology sound attenuation packages was revealed. At 12 knots the
Marlow 70E turned in an astounding 64 DBA, Ten Full Decibels lower! On
the order of magnitude that is comparing loud conversation to a virtual
whisper!
Lest one have the opinion that we have singled out the Nordhavn perish
the thought. The story is similar throughout the offerings in the
industry. The fact is that the Nordhavn builders in Taiwan and China do
a nice job in fit, finish and systems engineering. The fact is also that
in the industry they probably have more cruising hours under their belt
than most. We can illustrate similar figures in comparing a Marlow 65 to
the Aleutian 65, or the Fleming 65. Or if the choice is the Aleutian 72
or Fleming 75 compared to our 72 or 78, the story is similar.
All of the above try to produce a good product and most of their owners
are happy. It is simply a matter of staying in the 1950s technology-wise
or taking advantage of space age materials and engineering principles.
And that is what makes a good marketplace, as the choice remains firmly
in the hands of whom it should.
December 2009
The news from Marlow is exciting, as
always, and promises ever more exotic and highly developed platforms for
the world’s finest cruising yachts.
At the Marlow Norsemen facility the factory is, despite the general
economic climate, abuzz with activity. In less than three weeks we will
ship four, possibly five new yachts, with two of them brand new models
and the other two being the continued evolution of what has become an
iconic and well loved brand in just a few years.
In Late Spring 2010 we will deliver our largest vessel to date,
measuring near the 100’ mark and capable of speeds up to 30 knots with
long distance range at reduced (but not turtle like) speed of over 2500
miles. Another follows close behind in our busy production facility on
the China Sea.
In February 2010 we will unveil the Voyager line of Marlow Yachts and
with it the Voyager Challenge, open to all vessels of similar
size that care to participate. In a nutshell, we challenge all the
offshore cruisers to show us they can complete very long voyages at
reasonable speed in comfort and safety. We challenge any and all to show
us they can voyage at anything other than a snail’s pace across large
bodies of water. It is our strong opinion that to cruise at 5-6 knots
across long distances is best left to sailing yachts, small ones at
that. We have no interest in exposing our families and vessels to double
the period of time in ocean voyaging while removing any option of storm
avoidance due to lack of speed or ability to radically alter course for
increased comfort should a strong low pressure area appear.
We have known for many years that the idea of heavy round and slow was a
poor way to cross large bodies of water and that furthermore, it was not
necessary to punish oneself by such limited capabilities and lack of
real comfort. We have developed a line of yachts that do not require a
turtles pace accompanied by heavy rolling due to the typical underwater
shape of those vessels that resembles one half a watermelon sliced.
June 2009
The news from Marlow Norsemen Shipyard is a picture of a busy and
healthy enterprise charting steady growth in every respect. Our
buildings remain filled with yachts under construction with eleven
currently underway, one at the port to be shipped and one just offloaded
in Hamburg Germany for its new owner. In Florida, we have just delivered
several with four christenings at our Ocean Reef Rendezvous. Inside the
molds we are busy preparing them for our proprietary Full Stack
Infusion©.
 On the facility front line, we have just completed a new manufacturing
building of brick that boasts over six large bays of 150’ depth by 32’
of width each, thus bringing the total under roof to about 300,000
square feet. Above, 40 feet of overhead with both natural and energy
efficient lighting allow working around the clock, while Ten Horsepower
electric squirrel cage fans change the air each ten minutes of
operation, removing dust in the process. Overhead cranes capable of
lifting a 150’ long hull or deck span the complete overhead so that a
deck or hull can be lifted over another and placed in any of the six
bays.
The new building also provides four separate floors for small parts,
carpentry and other custom fabrications so that they can be placed
aboard at convenient heights and locations. A ten ton freight elevator
provides heavy lifting to any floor and is accessible to load inside the
building or ready to receive parts from an over the road lorry as well.
On the rooftop above the small parts fabrication area, a flower and
vegetable garden is planned to reduce the heat from the roof and provide
additional fresh food for the workers. We are considering the most
efficient type of solar or other alternative energy sources for the
future to power the various equipment in use.
Outside we have begun assembly of the new 175 Ton mobile hoist that will
allow us to directly haul or launch up to 150’ into the China Sea.
Currently we are limited to about 100 feet maximum via our unique
railway system that ferries our boats from production to the testing
tank, and then to the final make ready area and finally launching them
into the sea behind the massive granite breakwater we built stone by
stone.
On the grounds spring has finally come to Chi Hu Valley after a long and
unusually cool winter accompanied by very high winds that brought ocean
salts with them, soaking our landscaping and causing an unusually brown
winter considering the thousands of plantings, shrubs, Eucalyptus,
Camphor and other trees we planted as decoration for the beautiful vista
we enjoy.
The 500 teak trees planted last year have survived a severe test and
after the past few days of spring rains have produced tiny new dark
green bulbs that will turn into nearly one foot square leaves that are
the trademark of Burmese Teak trees. Already many of the little saplings
have reached a height of 4-5 feet. It is hard to imagine now, but in
just a few years, these majestic trees will shade several acres of understory and tame the fierce winter winds that occasionally blow
through on their way from Siberia to the Philippine Islands.
Next door the local fishing villagers have repainted their colorful
boats and are seen coming and going daily. Some to far away locations in
search of the delicacies they bring to market, while others work local
traps over the undersea mountains that dot the China sea in front of our
facility.
 At the VIP center, located about 8 miles up the Chi Hu River, the
landscaping is already well along with vegetable produce being eaten
daily and our organic summer garden is well on its way to providing 100%
of our vegetable needs. The fruit orchard has a magnificent bloom of
Lychee, Dragoneye, citrus, pear, peaches and other delights, while the
banana patch just below my apartment window has the bees excitedly
dipping nectar for the hives. The valley is a lush green with the river
framing the rice paddy delta that extends to the base of black granite
spires rising abruptly to a height of over 300 feet just 400 yards from
the rivers bank.
Though the world outside is reacting to the excesses of the greedy on
Wall Street and Main Street, there is a calm but purposeful air about us
here.
Considering all, Life is Good.
January 2009
I am seated in the engineering area at
Marlow Norsemen Shipyard on a cold and very windy night, December 5,
2008. Another year draws to a close, to be followed by the excitement of
the annual Miami Boat Show in February near Valentine’s Day.
It is full darkness now on the China
Sea, with the Ocean wild with White Horses charging ashore, Southbound
and crashing over the top of sixty feet tall Granite headlands one mile
at sea. A surfers dream crashes one after the other onto the beach,
rolling the aboriginal fishing fleet from gunwale to gunwale. A young
moon has painted a million diamonds on the rough sea.
On shore there are four new Marlow
Explorers that must be loaded on a ship that is just undergoing its own
maiden sea trials in Xiamen, fresh from the China Shipbuilding factory
there. Our voyage will be its maiden one and it seems fitting that we
will cover its decks that from now on will carry 1200 containers to
ports all over the world. After we discharge in Port Everglades the
Motor Ship MEKONG RIVER is headed for Savannah for its first load of
containers to be ferried across to Germany.
The factory is incredibly busy now,
but then it always is and for that we are fortunate, as many in the
marine industry struggle to survive. We intend to continue to develop
new products, responsive to changing needs and times. In fact we just
put the finishing touches on what will be a very significant new entrée
into the yachting world.
We are nearly finished with a new
laminating and large-yacht-construction building, able to build up to
150 feet within its doors, while offering another 15,000 square feet of
laminating space to our fiberglass production department. This talented
work-force does its magic in Full Stack Infusion©, our own proprietary
developed system, to laminate the entire hull in one shot by opening a
valve in lieu of a horde of mop and bucket wielding crews nearly
overcome by typical styrene emissions. Our workers work without need of
a respirator or gloves in this exciting and exotic technology, while
emitting no toxic Ozone depleting chemicals into the atmosphere. Why
doesn’t every company do the same? Because it is an expensive and time
consuming learning curve and require substantial capital investment in
tools and training. They will, if they survive, when you, the
public, demand they be responsible to the earth and build better yachts.
Until then they will pollute and build your boat with mops and buckets
of gooey low tech resin and garden variety fiber reinforcing fabrics.
 In
the R&D department we are bending, breaking and testing all manner of
materials, looking for a better way tomorrow. We are by no means
perfect, but we endeavor every day to build better products in every way
we can. We value our workers and their health, refusing to erect some
shed in a business park or worse, a bamboo framed tarpaulin covered shop
like we have seen more than once. We feed them great food, delicious
organics whenever possible, many raised by us. Our VIP center now is
100% organic vegetables and we are heading for 100% organic period. We
purchase nearly all our seafood from the native aboriginal fishing
village next door, as fresh as it can get. In so doing we convert our
needs into capital for a bustling community more prosperous than any
time in their 1000 year plus history. The vegetables we cannot supply in
adequate quantity yet, we purchase from local farms in Chi Hu Valley and
they are delicious, beautiful and nutritious.
Our teak farm is alive, well and
growing beautifully to replenish the oxygen and to assure a steadily
growing supply of the world’s most noble woods. While I may not be on
this ball to see them harvested in a sustainable manner, the earth can
use the oxygen, shade and soil replenishment they provide.
Marlow Norsemen Shipyard is a
responsible member of the world business community, respected and
awarded routinely for superior practices from husbandry of the world’s
precious resources to technological breakthroughs once thought
impossible. We have been awarded the prestigious title of Best Design
and Functionality for both 70 and 86 foot yachts two years in
a row and won the first ever Environmental Award from Yachts
International.
January 2009
Michael Huang is named Chief
Operating Officer of Marlow Norsemen Shipyard.
Huang Ming Chung, better known to us
as Michael Huang, has been with me since almost the beginning of Marlow
Yachts. My good fortune began when I flew to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to
inspect and interview a yacht building company owned by Volvo Asia as a
possible candidate to build the yet to be born Marlow Explorer lineup or
possibly to buy the company ourselves.
Michael was in charge of production at
Fadara Yachts, as it was called then. To limit his duties to that would
not take into account his value to the company when I observed his
"presence" in the factory or in the offices. It was obvious to me that
whenever possible, Michael made things happen.
I met Michael upon arrival and by the
time an hour had passed I had made up my mind that he could and should
be both an integral part of our plans and my friend as well. I liked him
immediately, finding him well versed in yacht building, customer care
and a host of other areas. Well versed in International politics, the
nuances of our industry and constantly trying to improve the area and
circumstances surrounding him. Michael is a perfect gentleman, polite
and good natured, while having the soul of a tiger.
Though I did not buy the company due
to a less favorable business climate than others offered, I did enjoy
Malaysia in general and found the Klang Valley region attractive. After
a road trip through Malaysia and onward to Singapore, New Zealand,
Australia, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Myanmar and India, I had several
possibilities under way but Michael’s talents kept coming to the
forefront. Upon making my decision as to where the first Marlows would
be built, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a communication from
Michael advising me that he had visited the beach on the eastern side of
Malaysia and the Northeast trades shouted to him that he should come
with me in my new venture, that it was to be his final place of
employment.
I hired Michael and he is Marlow
Yachts' first and therefore oldest employee. My initial appraisal of his
talents was very optimistic but he has exceeded that; in fact he has
continued to amaze me with his tireless work ethic and ability, while
keeping harmony among all. Michael is well liked by everyone who meets
him and most accommodating to any and all. Our customers tell us often
of how appreciative they are for his assistance in all matters. Many of
them refer to him as David’s Chinese son and I am proud to see it that
way. Our time together is always productive, fun and stimulating,
whether he is teaching me about the flora and fauna of Asia, making me
an exotic wild plant or animal dish in the wok, or discussing world
politics.
Many people see Michael and me
traveling about the world and I suspect that we have probably been
invited into more potential business partnerships than anyone else on
earth. The ventures range from plastics manufacturing, distribution
networks, real estate ventures, yacht building and numerous other areas.
Michael has since the beginning been
Head of Asian Operations, answering directly to me and he remains so
today but his duties have just become more diverse, as he has been named
Chief Operating Officer, or Managing Director of Marlow Norsemen
Shipbuilding as well.
I cannot imagine anyone more capable
as we move Marlow Norsemen into the future. Michael is a qualified
engineer, Naval Architect and a free thinker in business as well as
problematic minutia that would stop others. Michael has been with me
every step as we have continuously showed the fleet our heels in
technology and tomorrow’s yacht building.
Michael is married, with two children,
both of whom I enjoy visits with. One day I hope they too will decide to
mess around with boats.
PLEASE
VISIT THE
NORSEMEN SHIPYARD LTD WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION AND
ARCHIVED ARTICLES.
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