New-build projects: An interview with Consultant Marine Engineers

Yachting Pages recently spoke with Charlie Baker, managing director of Consultant Marine Engineers Ltd (CME), a project management and owners’ rep company. Charlie shared his thoughts on the industry and how his business has grown over the years.

In your own words how would you describe Consultant Marine Engineers Ltd (CME) business and how has it developed over the years? 

CME was founded in 2001; however we had been working as engineers on new buildsfrom the mid-1980s, and had several big projects in the mid-1990s that led us into creating CME.

My father was involved with fast patrol boats and motor torpedo boats (MTBs) during WWII and his influence led me to a life on the sea. I sailed on private yachts from the mid-1970s as an engineer.

Our business supports a new build, from conception to delivery and beyond, helping the shipyard achieve a high level of quality. We have developed from a one-man show, to full-time engineering staff with a group of associates including Laurent Giles, Clive Golding, Steve Marshal and Mike Gibbons, all offering high quality back up in every department and stage of a build.

We have also worked on behalf of shipyards as their consultants.

 What makes you different from your competitors, how are you unique?

We truly care about our vessels and the quality we can reach, we have full-time staff onsite ensuring quality is reached and the vessel is built as per the spec. We document every step of the build and fully understand the systems and operations; in addition to this a full project management system can be placed on board as well as all the operating manuals.

Owners, captains and crew will come on board at the end of the project to find all spares, consumables and tools are present and accounted for, not to mention tenders, toys and all interior items as per the designers/owner’s wishes.

What’s new with your business?  Are you working on any new developments at the moment?

We are launching our very simple ‘PM Card System’ soon, we have used it on many new builds but see a huge market for a simple system, which you can see here: http://www.cmeltd.co.uk/thepmcardsystem. It’s simple and also very attractive cost wise to a vessel under build or already launched.

What are the biggest challenges that you face in the superyacht industry at the moment?

The involvement of too many people slows down the process of buying and negotiating with shipyards.

What are your top tips in your industry?

Keep it simple.

What is the most bizarre client request you’ve received?

A rocket launcher to be built in the wheelhouse!

What are the current trends in your sector at the moment?

The sector we work in seems to be 85-115m plus. Years ago it was just 65-75m,

For more information, please visit Consultant Marine Engineers Ltd.

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