Front Street owner takes over operations at Cape Charles Yacht Center

Starting this month, boatyard operations at Cape Charles Yacht Center at the mouth of the Chesapeake in Virginia, are controlled by JB Turner, president and co-owner of Front Street Shipyard in Belfast, Maine, and Nicole Jacques, owner of Rhumbline Communications, also in Belfast.

Cape Charles Yacht Center was established in 2013 by South Port Investors with the expectation of developing it into a superyacht facility. The property is located off the mouth of Chesapeake Bay where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. An 18-foot-deep channel leads into a marina with 1,000 feet of face dockage, a 75-ton boat hoist, and 30/50-amp single-phase and 100-amp three-phase power.

Turner and Jacques said they are developing a multi-year expansion plan with the support of investors that includes a 30,000-square-foot repair facility, a 600-ton mobile hoist, and additional floating docks.

“We identified Cape Charles Yacht Center as an ideal location for superyacht services because its central for vessels traveling along the East Coast between New England and Florida,” Turner said. “For years we’ve encouraged our customers at Front Street Shipyard to stop into Cape Charles when traveling south, and their feedback has been very positive about the location, quality of service, and amenities.”

The shipyard is walking distance to downtown Cape Charles with restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. Cape Charles Yacht Center customers have access to a golf course and resort nearby.

“We intend to maintain Cape Charles Yacht Center’s great reputation for service among their existing customers throughout Chesapeake Bay,” Jacques said. “Our first initiative is to grow the yard’s talented workforce and equip them with more modern equipment so we can attract additional international vessels seeking service and major refits.”

The property is in a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), eliminating many duty costs for visiting vessels.

Cape Charles Yacht Center remains in full operation as the expansion plans continue to develop and construction of the service facility begins.

The yard is hiring mechanics, riggers, and composites technicians. For more information on that, visit ccyachtcenter.com/employment or email [email protected].