The fleet arrives...

Ocean-going dry dock Super Servant 3 opens her back doors and lets history pour out

Between 10.00 and 1200 noon Tuesday the unique semi-submersible vessel transport ship Super Servant 3 arrived from Newport, Rhode Island after travelling 3,100 miles to unload more than 20 historic America's Cup yachts of varying ages that are destined to take part in the 150th Jubilee celebrations starting this weekend..

Dockwise Yacht Transport owns a fleet of 12 boat carriers and Super Servant 3 is one of three based in Florida that are dedicated to transporting yachts. Based in the Netherlands the company started transporting boats about 10 years ago using vessels which are effectively ocean-going dry docks. Super Servant 3 is 139 metres long and 32 metres wide and carries a crew of boat handlers and professional divers who manoeuvre the yachts in through the stern.

To take on its cargo of yachts, the ship is submerged deep enough to allow the boats to float in through its stern. Prior to their arrival each yacht has its hull, keel, prop, rudder, beam, shaft, draft, bowsprit and frame structure measured exactly to fit a cradle in an allocated position in the 'hold'. The yachts then manoeuvre their way into the 'harbour' and are secured by the divers. The stern doors are closed, the ship refloats itself, leaving the boat in dry dock in the heart of the ship. This process takes around eight hours from start to finish. Some of the yachts crews will then travel with their boats. They get water and electricity and are allowed to use the lounge on board and get three meals a day.



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