Pre-refit technical scoping
Onboard survey of existing cabinets, copper/fiber cabling, power lines, and racks to define a precise, realistic, and highly performant refit specification.
Service
Refit AV/IT project management.
Take control of your winter refit window. We survey your existing systems, draft independent requests for proposals (RFPs), audit integrator bids, supervise cabling installation in the yard, and verify commissioning to protect your budget and timeline.
Request refit managementRefit Stages
The deliverables.
Refits usually fail at the edges—between what the integrator assumes and what the yard actually pulls through. We bring formal network-engineering standards and ETO operational experience to ensure a seamless technical delivery.
Vendor-agnostic RFP management
Structuring the request for proposal (RFP), evaluating integrator bids, and advising the owner on cost variations, omissions, and hidden software licenses.
Fiber and network infrastructure design
Upgrading aged CAT5e/CAT6 to OM3/OM4 fiber backbones, organizing headends, calculating thermal loads, and designing modern network cabinets.
On-site shipyard oversight
Physical daily presence during high-friction yard installation windows to ensure containment pathways, cable bend radii, and termination standards are strictly met.
Cybersecurity and network policies
Configuring network firewalls (e.g. Palo Alto), isolating control networks (OT) from guest and crew broadcast domains, and setting up secure remote support.
Handover audit and test scripts
Executing detailed milestone test scripts to verify the functionality of all AV routing, audio zones, lighting controls, and satellite handovers prior to yard sign-off.
Independent and Commission-Free. We accept no developer markups, dealer agreements, or referral incentives. Our technical guidance is 100% vendor-neutral.
Telecoms & Fiber Expertise. Backed by 4 years at BT Openreach planning and delivering structured fiber rolls (FTTP). We ensure your ship's physical backbones meet absolute telecom-grade standards.
Active Sea Operational Experience. Scoped and overseen by Noel Pope, active superyacht ETO with a deep, practical understanding of how layouts interact with harsh sea conditions.
FAQ
Common questions.
- Why should we hire a consultant when the refit yard has its own project managers?
- Refit yards and integrators have their own commercial interests. They focus on hardware sales, billable engineering hours, and meeting shipyard deadlines. We act exclusively on the owner's side to verify that the work matches specifications, and that the quality of the technical execution is flawless.
- How do you handle cabling upgrades in occupied or tight compartments?
- Drawing on Noel's BT Openreach planning background and ETO sea-time, we are highly experienced in retrofitting fiber-optic cabling in dense, non-accessible superyacht compartments. We design redundant path routing that minimizes structural modifications.
- Can you work with our existing AV/IT integrator?
- Absolutely. We do not replace the integrator; we audit and manage their deliverables. We act as a professional, technically expert liaison between the crew, the captain, the owner's office, and the third-party integrator.
- How long does refit planning and oversight take?
- A typical minor refit planning phase runs 2 to 3 months before the yard period. Major core rebuilds (e.g., complete backbone recabling) can require 6 months of planning to coordinate equipment supply chains and engineer architectural drawings.
- What is the pricing model for refit management?
- Refit AV/IT project management is offered as a transparent, fixed-scope price per refit phase, typically ranging from £15,000 for standard infrastructure upgrades to £60,000+ for complete technological overhauls. We never charge markups or accept commissions.