| |
The
Straits Times, 30 Sep 04
World-class
facility on Sentosa for mega-yachts by 2005
By Joyce Teo
OWNERS of multi-million-dollar mega-yachts here will soon have a world-class
facility to moor their vessels. Upmarket development Sentosa Cove
will be building Singapore's first world-class, purpose-built mega-yacht
facility to complement the 2,600 posh bungalows, terrace houses and
condominiums that will be built in the enclave. With the space to
berth some 204 vessels, including at least 10 mega-yachts of up to
80m in length, it will also be Singapore's first and only sheltered
marina and will have full town-club facilities.
Sentosa Cove yesterday awarded its marina tender to SUTL group, which
owns and operates a bowling chain as well as an integrated leisure
and entertainment centre called Saigon Superbowl in Vietnam, among
other lifestyle and leisure businesses. SUTL's chairman and managing
director, Mr Arthur Tay, projects a $60 million to $100 million investment.
He said the handful of mega-yacht owners in Singapore now prefer to
moor elsewhere because there is no world-class facility here. Mega-yachts
are typically around 35m to 61m in length and cost at least $20 million.
'The mega-yachts will be able to come in and get fuel pumped directly
into the wall of the vessel and the garbage sucked out,' he said.
Now, the practice is for a barge to meet them on the open sea. Raffles
Marina has mega-yacht berths, but not the world-class facilities.
The Sentosa Cove marina's first 100 pontoon berths, including 10 for
mega-yachts, are expected to be ready by the end of next year. The
clubhouse and marina facilities should be completed by the end of
2007; and the remaining 104 berths by 2009. The marina tender is for
a period of 30 years, with an option to renew for another three.
Its location, as part of Sentosa Cove, is seen as a major draw. 'Around
the marina, 8,000 to 10,000 people will be living there. Cafes, restaurants
and five-star hotels will be within walking distance,' said the chief
executive officer of Sentosa Leisure Group, Mr Darrell Metzger. 'If
you put it elsewhere, it is probably not going to work,' he added.
Mr Jykrii Jaamaa, general manager of ship broker and distributor Simpson
Marine, said: 'Singapore needs more infrastructure to attract boaters,
not just the mega-yachts but also the smaller boats.' The marina will
be SUTL's largest project in Singapore, where it has developed landed
homes, said Mr Tay, who owns a yacht. 'It will be a members-driven
club but Sentosa is a tourist place so we may let tourists into our
restaurants,' he said, adding that they may consider reserving selected
berths for clients, for a fee.
|
|
