Marine Project Management & Owner Representative Oversight for Refit Periods
Guy Howard - Project Manager
Project and Shipyard - Technical Oversight
MARINE PROJECT MANAGEMENT - OWNER REPRESENTATIVE
This service is applicable to independent marine project management and owner’s representation for vessel refits, shipyard periods, and complex marine maintenance projects across Airlie Beach, the Whitsundays, and Mackay. Acting on behalf of vessel owners, we provide structured oversight, technical guidance, and project coordination to ensure refit and repair works are completed to scope, on time, and within budget.
We protect the owner’s interests while facilitating clear communication between shipyards, contractors, crew, captains, designers, and regulatory bodies. These services are applicable to commercial vessels, workboats, luxury cruisers, superyachts, and class-built vessels, whether undergoing a pre-purchase inspection, planned refits, AMSA compliance upgrades, hull damage repairs, or planned maintenance periods.
Owners Representative
As an owner’s representative, Big Sea Marine Consultants & Surveyors acts as the central technical coordination point for refit or yard period.
Our role is independent of shipyards and contractors and is focused on:
- Representing the owner’s technical and commercial interests
- Ensuring scope clarity and cost control
- Reducing project risk and scope creep
- Supporting informed decision-making
- Maintaining transparency across all stakeholders.
This independent oversight is particularly valuable where owners are not locally based or where projects involve multiple contractors and regulatory requirements.
Project Planning & Scope of Works
Effective refit outcomes are achieved through clear planning and well-defined scope before a vessel enters the yard.
We assist owners with:
- Pre-refit condition assessments and planning inspections
- Development of a structured scope of works
- Identification of mandatory compliance or class items
- Differentiation between essential, recommended, and optional works
- Technical input into repair methodologies and sequencing
Where required, we review yard proposals, contractor quotations, and repair specifications to ensure works are appropriately defined, technically sound, and commercially reasonable.
Shipyard Period and Out-of-Water Project Management
During the active shipyard or refit period, Big Sea Marine Consultants & Surveyors provides hands-on project management and technical oversight, scaled to suit the complexity of the project.
Typical responsibilities include:
- Coordination between shipyard, contractors, and the owner
- Monitoring progress against agreed scope and timelines
- Verification that works align with approved specifications
- Identification and management of variations
- Technical input on emerging issues or discoveries
Our experience across a wide range of vessel types enables practical, real-world guidance rather than purely theoretical oversight.
Timeline & Budget Management
One of the most common risks during refit projects is schedule slippage and unplanned cost escalation.
We assist owners by:
- Establishing realistic project timelines
- Tracking progress against milestones
- Identifying potential delays early
- Reviewing variation requests for technical and commercial validity
- Supporting cost control and prioritisation decisions
This structured approach allows owners to maintain visibility and control throughout the entire project.
Stakeholder Communication
Marine refits often involve multiple stakeholders, including:
- Shipyard management
- Trade contractors and specialists
- Vessel crew and captain
- Designers or naval architects
- Surveyors, class societies, and regulators
We provide clear, consistent liaison between parties, ensuring information is accurately conveyed and decisions are documented.
This reduces misunderstandings, duplication of effort, and project friction, while allowing owners to remain informed without being burdened by day-to-day coordination.