The only specialised marine publication in Oceania that focuses on the maritime industry, from super yachts to small craft to large commercial ships, including coastal shipping, tugs, tow boats, barges, ferries, tourist, sport-fishing craft
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now well into advancing their knowledge and research experience in topics related to yacht engineering, in order to support research and development within the yachting industry. When qualified, these students will be working as designers or research engineers in the yacht and small craft industry, or in the high performance yacht racing sector. This course has attracted students from as far away as Europe, Dubai, Iran and South Africa, and bodes well for spreading the good reputation of the YRU throughout the yachting world. One of New Zealand's best known superyacht designers, and regarded as 'superyacht designer royalty' in the 'high end' of worldwide superyacht design circles, is Ron Holland. From being a highly accomplished ocean racing sailor, Ron went on to create a new generation of 100ft plus performance superyachts with his innovative designs. Ron now heads a dynamic design team of nine, and is based in the lovely coastal town of Kinsale on the southern coast of Ireland. To cover the Canadian and US markets, and the increasing interest in yachting in the Pacific Rim countries, Ron also operates out of an office in Vancouver. Being this 'close' to home, Ron has been instrumental in developing part of the curriculum for the post graduate programme the Master of Engineering Studies in Yacht Engineering at the University of Auckland, in which he has featured as a high profile guest lecturer. Ron was in Auckland lecturing at the time of the recent visit of the Volvo 70 yachts, and was very much in demand for interviews or just a chat, by the world yachting media and the many yachting personalities who were also present. Although very influential in world yacht design, Ron has retained his very likeable laid- back Kiwi personality, as was evident whether he was talking to potential wealthy clients or a crew member. Ron's lectures are based upon the business side of the yachting industry, including how to set up a yacht-design business, and how to work with a client to achieve a successful outcome. But to bring a bit of reality into the course, Ron was able to extend the classroom to include a visit to a yacht of his own design that was berthed in the Viaduct Harbour. The 50m ketch Thalia of 347 tonnes displacement, was built in Holland in 1994, and has the typical easy and sea-kindly lines of a Ron Holland design. She was looking as good as the day she was launched. Ron said the tougher economic times are having an effect on the building of superyachts. T wenty years ago there were some 200 yachts over 30m under construction, whereas today, that number has dwindled to only 20. But as those earlier yachts age they require expensive refits, and those that visit Auckland for refit work can spend anything from $1 million up to $10 million and sometimes more. It is certainly good business for the yachting industry here in Auckland and where graduates from the YRU Master's course can gain valuable experience. Building on their recent and ongoing successes, the University of Auckland and their partners are planning to build an integrated, first-of-its-kind, Centre of Excellence, combining aerodynamics and yacht facilities under one roof. The Yacht Research Centre will house the world-leading Twisted Flow Tunnel, a large boundary layer wind tunnel, a towing tank, a Computational Fluid Dynamics Centre, a Design Centre for industry, as well as meeting and break- out rooms. Synergies with research into power boats, wind, vehicle aerodynamics, sports (e.g. cycling, rowing, sailing) and energy (wave, tidal, wind) will provide multidisciplinary study yielding novel research and pragmatic solutions. It's a very exciting concept, and something that I'm sure would have 'Capt Nat' worried if he were still around! What better place to build this world class Yacht Research Centre than right down on the Auckland waterfront which is in desperate need of some worthwhile development. Professional • Pragmatic • Proven Marine Industrial Design is a team you can trust to deliver a vessel that performs. • Marine Design Consultancy – refit, conversions, class approvals • Naval Architecture – vessel design, stability and seakeeping • Mechanical design – winches, deck equipment www.marinedesign.co.nz | 09 419 8440 VIP.S84 July/August 2012 Professional Skipper 61 VIP.S85