mcanderson
Well-Known Member
To expand on the knowledge base of those who boat on the Cote d’Azur I have written up my recent experience using the facilities in Nice Port.
Nice port is part of the Riviera ports group (http://www.riviera-ports.com/en) who allow you to use your own contractors as well as work on your boat yourself. As many of you will be aware, some of the ports on the Cote d’Azur operate on a closed shop basis and you are not allowed to DIY or bring in your own contractors. I wanted away around this as I am more than capable of doing my own antifouling and polishing versus paying someone c€60 an hour plus VAT and Nice Port looked the part.
You book a lift and time in the yard via Riviera Ports (who speak excellent English), but also need to coordinate with Ghiringhelli Marine (http://www.ghiringhelli-marine.com/) who are based at Nice port as they provide the lifting strops, manpower and hull wash. Costs for my 12m boats where just shy of €700 for lift, chock, wash and relaunch. Split 50/50 with Nice Port and Ghiringheli Marine. Your Nice bill gives you 8 days ashore as a block, but I only used three and getting relaunched early wasn’t an issue.
The crane is fixed and can lift up to 20T, your boat is then lowered onto a transporter moved to its allocated place and then placed on chocks and in a cradle for lateral support. It’s not quick, but it works for them. Please note that the lunch period between 12-2 is sacred so ask for an early lift out of the water to ensure you aren’t left in the transporter over lunch……
Access to the yard is easy and secure at night. They open at 6am so you can have an early start if you wish. I didn’t see anyone obviously staying on their boat and it didn’t look like it is allowed. Top tip – get a toilet access card from Nice Ports on your first visit.
You pay on the morning of lift in and must pay both the Port and the Marine company. Ghiringheli will happily run a tab for you during your stay so you can get bits an bobs as you go and it will be all on your final bill.
The lifting in and out is smooth, but you will get muck from the crane handlers shoes on you decks so be warned. They do their best to minimise this, but it is a factor of the lifting process. The use spreader beams so you won’t suffer from compression.
The yard is clean and has plenty of water and power points. Most power points are 16 amp, but a few 32 thrown in.
Recycling points are in the yard and well-marked.
Personally I liked the experience and will be heading back. The only work I had done for me was DPH drive service including bellows by Lacoche yacht Maintenance from St Jean Cap Ferrat who I always use and really rate (http://www.yacht-maintenance.com/en/homepage/) c€1400 for two drives
Photos to follow!
Nice port is part of the Riviera ports group (http://www.riviera-ports.com/en) who allow you to use your own contractors as well as work on your boat yourself. As many of you will be aware, some of the ports on the Cote d’Azur operate on a closed shop basis and you are not allowed to DIY or bring in your own contractors. I wanted away around this as I am more than capable of doing my own antifouling and polishing versus paying someone c€60 an hour plus VAT and Nice Port looked the part.
You book a lift and time in the yard via Riviera Ports (who speak excellent English), but also need to coordinate with Ghiringhelli Marine (http://www.ghiringhelli-marine.com/) who are based at Nice port as they provide the lifting strops, manpower and hull wash. Costs for my 12m boats where just shy of €700 for lift, chock, wash and relaunch. Split 50/50 with Nice Port and Ghiringheli Marine. Your Nice bill gives you 8 days ashore as a block, but I only used three and getting relaunched early wasn’t an issue.
The crane is fixed and can lift up to 20T, your boat is then lowered onto a transporter moved to its allocated place and then placed on chocks and in a cradle for lateral support. It’s not quick, but it works for them. Please note that the lunch period between 12-2 is sacred so ask for an early lift out of the water to ensure you aren’t left in the transporter over lunch……
Access to the yard is easy and secure at night. They open at 6am so you can have an early start if you wish. I didn’t see anyone obviously staying on their boat and it didn’t look like it is allowed. Top tip – get a toilet access card from Nice Ports on your first visit.
You pay on the morning of lift in and must pay both the Port and the Marine company. Ghiringheli will happily run a tab for you during your stay so you can get bits an bobs as you go and it will be all on your final bill.
The lifting in and out is smooth, but you will get muck from the crane handlers shoes on you decks so be warned. They do their best to minimise this, but it is a factor of the lifting process. The use spreader beams so you won’t suffer from compression.
The yard is clean and has plenty of water and power points. Most power points are 16 amp, but a few 32 thrown in.
Recycling points are in the yard and well-marked.
Personally I liked the experience and will be heading back. The only work I had done for me was DPH drive service including bellows by Lacoche yacht Maintenance from St Jean Cap Ferrat who I always use and really rate (http://www.yacht-maintenance.com/en/homepage/) c€1400 for two drives
Photos to follow!
