from  Refit Annual 2003

Rolly Marine Service

In business since 1966 when the company was founded by Roland 'Rolly' Rocks.
Rolly Marine Service is now one of the most respected refit and repair yard names in
Fort Lauderdale, the heart of the North American large yacht industry. Indeed, at any
one time in its yard there are likely to be twenty or more significant motor yachts, undergoing
everything from minor maintenance programmes to major refit and repair work. Moreover,
such is its reputation, it also handles a considerable amount of new-build commissioning work
with brands such as Lazzara and Azimut.

     The yard is located at its original premises on what is now known as 'Marina Mile,' which
is on the south fork of New River and a 15-minute drive from the Fort Lauderdale Inter-
national Airport at Dania. By water it is around one and one-half hours away from Port Everglades.

     Capacity within the yard is restricted to a maximum of 225 tons. That is the capacity of
its marine Travelift, which was custom built for the yard to accommodate tri-deck motor
yachts and is fitted with the essential load cells and weight scales. Furthermore, this piece of
equipment is claimed to be the tallest of its kind in the world. The draught restriction at the
yard is 3.05 metres (10 ft.) and the beam restriction is 8.8 metres (29 ft.).

     The maximum length vessel that can be accommodated under cover would be between 39.6 and 42.7 metres (130-140 ft.) depending on the
design.  However, yachts up to 48.8 metres (160 ft.) that do not require hauling out can be ministered to on the face of the dock. For example, the
largest yacht so far to have visited the yard was the 48.2-metre (158 ft.) Gray Mist, who stayed afloat during a complete paint job. And in terms
of under cover accommodation, a German-built 42.7-metre (140 ft.) is said to hold the crown.

     In terms of new-build work content, however, the largest yacht project the yard has been involved with to date was the building of Margaux.
She is a fast 35.36-metre (116 ft.) twin-screw all-aluminum motor yacht, powered by twin 16-cylinder 2.400hp Detroit 149TI diesels.  Construc-
tion commenced at the yard in 1990, with their sister company Advanced Ocean Systems, and was delivered complete with a Claudette Bonville-
designed interior in 1992.

     Completed jobs in 2002 have included the 38.7-metre (127 ft.) 1986 Feadship Excellence, the 38.1-metre (125 ft.) Christensen Sun Chaser,
the 38.4-metre (126ft.) Azimut Frostie's Sleigh, the 38.4-metre (126 ft.) Sovereign Westship My Chelle, the 34.1-metre (112 ft.) Westahip Lady
Melia, the 38.7-metre (127 ft.) Lloyd Ship Endless Summer, the 36.6-metre (120 ft.) Cantieri di Pisa Luna Sea, the 36.6-metre (120 ft.) Hakvoort

Right: working in partnership with sub-contractors allows all types of specialist undertakings to be carried out

Below: from lift out to return to water, Rolly Marine's custom-made Travelift can accommodate tri-deck motor yachts up to 225 tons

     Rolly Marine Service's direct workforce now numbers around 60, although including its
army of regular subcontractors, many of whom are virtually Rolly-dedicated contractors,
there are usually at least 155 or so people working in the yard at any one time. The yard not
only acts as an authorized service center for International/Interlux paint systems, Onan generators, Cummins Diesel and Kilo Pak gensets, but also as an approved service yard for
the likes of Azimut, Lazzara Yachts, Ferretti Yachts and the mighty Rodriguez Group.

     Joan Rocks, founder Rolly's widow since 1995, is the president and owner of the yard,
which is managed by the Marina Management of Broward, with Greg Poulos as general
manager. Rolly Marine can accommodate most kinds of work, and in conjunction with its
dedicated contractors, they strive to be the most courteous, clean and punctual yard in Florida.
This desire coupled with over 500 success stories, leads them to be proud of their reputation,
especially when it comes to their specialization in performance optimization, drivetrain
engineering and vibration control.

     Beyond English, the yard offers Dutch, German, Spanish and Portuguese speakers, while
24-hour security ensures projects are unhindered.