New Staffing Arrivals at Oceania Marine Shipyard Boosts Capabilities

Alloy/Stainless Steel Fabrication and Repair – Andrew Holton has made the move north to Whangarei to join the Oceania Marine team and oversee this important process for the company. He brings with him 25 years of experience which extends from Pendennis Shipyard in the UK to managing his own business at the Orams Marine complex in New Zealand. Andrew has an impressive list of past superyacht projects and is well known to local ABS, Lloyds etc. surveyors. The specialist support he offers to project managers will be greatly valued.

Oceania Marine Coatings – Mark Palmer and Bob Landricombe are considered to be “Two of the most talented paint applicators in the Northern Hemisphere” and they are on their way to join the paint team at the Shipyard. They will lead the 20 man paint team and arrive just in time to start the upcoming Superyacht season here in Whangarei. The first full repaint of the season, under controlled conditions in Paint Shed C, is due to start shortly, so their talents and expertise will be quickly put to good use.

Managing Director, Martin Gleeson, comments “A huge effort over a long period of time goes into developing and sustaining the capabilities within a shipyard that enables it to deliver a world class service to superyachts. The arrival of these key staff members significantly assists this process”. At the other end of the spectrum Martin further states “Of huge concern to the industry is the general lack of training that is prevalent at entry level. It seems to be a trend that is happening everywhere and in all trades. So we at Oceania Marine are going to do ‘our bit’. Where we are providing the primary source of labour we will train apprentices in those trades and I am pleased to announce that our paint manager has signed up a number of our young staff members under a Marine Industry Association training apprenticeship scheme which will see them obtain industry qualifications on completion”.