Big(eR)-TiMe RefiT A Genoa yard gives new life to a SOLAS-certified superyacht.

Annaliesse) Queen Miri Delma

The transformation of 280-foot (85.3-meter) into 300foot (91.5-meter) by Amico & Co. in Genoa, Italy, ranks as one of the largest and most extensive refits ever undertaken. Requiring an average of 200 personnel at any time and a team of nine in-house project managers, the project was completed in 16 months and delivered to her American owner in July.

Delma (ex- was launched in 2004 as one of two sisterships by the Neorian shipyard in Greece. One reason she was chosen for refit was that she was already SOLAS-certified to carry as many as 36 guests, and during the refit, her compliance was brought up to date.

Her overall length was increased by 20 feet, but because of the hydrodynamic and shape requirements of connecting the new aft block to the existing structure, the steel hull had to be cut back by nearly 50 feet from the transom—a vast undertaking that required all of the shipyard’s technical expertise. Floating and inclination tests to verify the hydrostatic values of the extended hull were carried out in dry dock.

The project also included installing new main engines, generators, exhaust systems, gearboxes, shaft lines and propellers. The power management and alarm monitoring systems were upgraded, and the rudder stocks and steering system were redesigned to match the new contractual speed.

In addition to refurbishing 80 percent of the interior and installing a new entertainment system, the yard replaced much of the teak and gave the yacht a fresh, white and blue livery. New exterior features include a 10-person hot tub on the sundeck, a spa and relaxation zones, and a drive-in tender garage that doubles as a heated seawater pool. Late additions to the wish list were two fold-down platforms on either side of the transom, to extend the beach club.

Key to the success of the project was Amico & Co’s 335-foot covered dry dock, which was completed in 2014 for more than $6 million. “We’ve been investing in our facilities and human resources with precisely this kind of large-scale engineering project in mind,” says CEO and fourth-generation boatbuilder Alberto Amico. “It is thanks to these investments, our technical experience and engineering know-how that we were able to perform such a challenging refit.” —Justin Ratcliffe