29 Jul 2012

Refit of White Rabbit Echo hits halfway mark

By Ellie Brade

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The refit of 61.4m White Rabbit Echo, being undertaken by Integrated Marine Group in New Zealand, has hit the half way mark. On completion, the refit will be the largest paint project IMG has undertaken.

White Rabbit Echo left her home port of Singapore, where she spends the majority of her time, specifically to conduct the refit work and arrived in Auckland in early January 2012. After undertaking two cruises around the North Island, the refit began in late March. Work on the yacht includes a full repaint, interior refit, survey and underwater works.

Because of the magnitude of the work being done, the refit is being conducted in two stages.The first half of the project was conducted in the water, completing the painting of the superstructure and topsides under an impressive tent at Silo Park Marina. Two weeks ago, precisely on schedule, White Rabbit Echo was slipped at Titan Marine Shipyard to begin the second phase of paintworks. The vessel is now completely tented so that she can undergo both her hull paint and survey and underwater works. The interior, originally by Sam Sorgiovanno Designs, is also having a detailed refit, remodelling and updating the guest areas with a significant amount of joinery, upholstery and furnishings in the main saloon and dining area. This work has continued at full pace throughout the project and the teams were not hindered by the transition onto the slipway.





The tent is due to come off the re-junvenated White Rabbit Echo later in September: at 3400m² the paint job is estimated to be one of the biggest undertaken in New Zealand.  Although a huge undertaking, the team at Integrated Marine Group took the project in their stride, having completed many similar refits not too much smaller. “We are so proud of the team we have developed over many years of refinement who rise to the challenge every time” says Mark Wightman, Managing Director. ”It is an honour to be chosen for this project and I have every confidence that the end result will prove their choice was a very wise one”. On the refit's completion, White Rabbit Echo will return to Singapore, where she will be enjoyed by the owner and his family.



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