Safe Harbor Marinas acquires Savannah Yacht Center

Superyachts in shipyard.

Safe Harbor Marinas has acquired superyacht storage and service facility Savannah Yacht Center (pictured) for an undisclosed fee.

The purchase was part of a deal where owners of Savannah Yacht Center, the Colonial Group, were given part ownership of Safe Harbor’s parent company, Sun Communities

“This is an outstanding addition to our network,” said Baxter Underwood, CEO, Safe Harbor Marinas. “The world’s largest vessels have historically been forced to cross the Atlantic for certain services. This facility allows us to serve them here in the United States.”

The Savannah Yacht Center includes a 140m (459ft) graving dock, a 3,240 ton shiplift and 366m (12,00ft) of floating docks that can hold eight 80m (262ft) superyachts simultaneously.

With its network of 135 marinas in 24 US states, Tim Sargent, chief operating officer, Safe Harbor Marinas said the company is always searching for better ways to serve the superyacht builders, OEMs, owners, captains and crew. “Savannah allows us to do exactly that,” he said.

The facility is expected to remain in operation as ownership changes, with its 50 employees becoming Safe Harbor Marinas team members in the meantime.

“While it was a great experience building this business, I did not believe we were best positioned to allow it to reach its full potential,” said Christian Demere, president and CEO, Colonial Group. “I am confident that it will reach new heights as part of Safe Harbor Marinas.”