Marine Industrial and Structural Engineering Ltd. (MISEL) in Suva

Posted 18 August, 2013

Yes, it is possible to haul a catamaran in Fiji.  Pogeyan, a 47 foot Leopard catamaran, was lifted by railway at the Marine Industrial and Structural Engineering Ltd. (MISEL) in Suva, Fiji during the month of June.  The catamaran was partially sheltered in a two railway facility.  MISEL can only block catamarans under the hull and keel but cannot block under the bridge.  All work must be completed by MISEL employees or the boat owner.  There is a daily fee for use of the railway.  The haulout must be booked in advance and fees agreed upon prior to the haulout date and a deposit is required.

The work done by the employees of MISEL was timely and competitive in price and quality.  Pogeyan received new bottom paint (APCO, a local paint at a very competitive price), new cutlass bearings and both prop shafts and props were removed, evaluated and replaced.   I was happy with the results and found the bill to be correct without any additional charges that seem to creep into billing at other facilities.

I would recommend MISEL and would be happy to work with the helpful and honest team there again.  There are several pictures on the MISEL website on facebook of both our haulout and a subsequent catamaran haulout done in July.  Considering a large number of catamarans now cruising Fiji, I suspect MISEL will find it has created a significant niche in the yacht repair and services industry here.

Rixzene Ayers

S/V Pogeyan

Royal Suva Yacht Club – Recommended for Catamarans

Posted 8 August 2012

I’ve been here for over a year now, repairing my catamaran Troutbridge after an encounter with a reef. The club has been very friendly and helpful during this time.

Recently, two other cats have dried out and anti-fouled on the club slipway. The cost, at the moment, for having line handlers help you on and off plus time on the hard works out at F$200. Vuda Point Marina is apparently no longer able to lift out cats, so the RSYC is now the only place in Fiji where this can be done. In fact, this is the first place after Tahiti where cats can be dried out. There are facilities in New Caledonia, but I believe they are more expensive.

For those wishing to have a fresh coat of anti-fouling to comply with the Australian entry requirements, Royal Suva Yacht club is the logical place to make for.

Peter Bernfeld