‘Largest keel pit for sailing yachts’ in Med is now operational
Image courtesy of Lusben.The newly constructed keel pit at Lusben’s Livorno shipyard is operational. This facility, designed for sailing yachts up to 70 metres in length, has commenced its first refit project with Perini Navi’s 56-metre S/Y Rosehearty.
Lusben, a division within the Azimut-Benetti Group focused on refit and repair operations, introduced this large-scale pit at its Livorno location earlier in the year.
The keel pit, designed to service yachts with lifting and canting keels, can accommodate vessels up to 70 metres. Measuring 12 metres long, 8.5 metres deep and 3.5 metres wide, it is understood to be the largest keel pit of its kind in the Mediterranean, supporting Lusben’s position within the refit sector for large sailing yachts.
With this new facility, Lusben – which completed a complex refit for Maltese Falcon in 2023 – says it can expand the target market for its services and take on new commissions, including work on sailing yachts with canting keels.
S/Y Rosehearty is a Perini Navi sailing yacht built in 2006, notable for its global expeditions, including the Northwest Passage and Antarctic waters. It was constructed for an experienced owner and features interiors by French designer Christian Liaigre.
The refit at Lusben includes essential maintenance on the yacht’s engines and keel, as well as integral components for performance and safety. Additional tasks involve hydraulic system repairs, teak deck maintenance, and paint retouching on sections of the hull.
“We’re extremely satisfied to have started work on this Perini Navi yacht, the first to make use of our new keel pit for sailing yachts,” says Ferdinando Pilli, general manager of Lusben. “This infrastructure is a major step forward for our Livorno shipyard and makes it possible for us to expand our range of services even further. After this first operation we plan to perform work here on other Perini Navi sailing yachts.”