Naval Force 3: A group of nautical craftsmen preferred to industrialists

Atlantic Boatyard gathers Bruno Barbara, Brice Desray and Frédéric Combes. The latter, at the head of Day4All, built the catamaran

The Commercial Court of La Rochelle has ruled on the liquidation of the Naval Force 3 shipyard. It has preferred Atlantic Boatyard, a new structure created by craftsmen from La Rochelle, to the offers of Neel Trimarans and the Poncin group.

Briag Merlet Published on June 1, 2021

Atlantic Boatyard takes over Naval Force 3

After some twists and turns and the rejection in March 2021 by the Commercial Court of La Rochelle of the joint offer of Neel Trimarans and Ateliers de l'Arsenal The liquidation of the Naval Force 3 shipyard has reached its conclusion. The judges have finally designated on Thursday 27 May 2021 Atlantic Boatyard as the buyer of the company's assets. The newly formed company has three partners, each of whom is active in the nautical industry in La Rochelle: Bruno Barbara of Candela, a shipwright, Brice Desray, a composite specialist with BD Composites, and Frédéric Combes of Day4All. Their offer was preferred to those of Neel Trimarans and the Poncin group, which owns the catamaran brands Bali and Catana. Atlantic Boatyard is taking over the buildings on the nautical plateau and 7 of the 8 employees of Naval Force 3.

Bruno Barbara et Candela restaure des yachts classiques comme Lady Trix, au 1er plan — Bruno Barbara and Candela restores classic yachts like the Lady Trix, in the foreground

Pooling of nautical skills

Through Atlantic Boatyard, the 3 partners wish to pool their know-how and develop both the project management and their own activities. "Our vocation is the mutualization of our expertise. We are three somewhat distinct entities. Bruno, with Candela, has 20 years of know-how in marine carpentry and classic yachts. Brice, who came through Naval Force 3, has more expertise in composites, in design and construction. He does post-production management for production boats. With Day4All, I am the representative of Schionning Design International. Atlantic Boatyard, it's a mix of genres" explains Frederic Combes.

BD Composites travaille sur la post-production de bateaux de sÃ©rie comme ce Neel Trimarans hybride — BD Composites is working on the post-production of production boats like this hybrid Neel Trimarans

The industrial tool, well placed on the nautical plateau of La Rochelle, which attracted all the buyers, is also a strong point for the buyers. "The building is interesting, with a length of 50 meters, a width of 30 meters and a height of 14 meters under the ridge. We will be able to work for racing or refit large boats. We will be able to meet the clientele of the Bassin des Chalutiers, with a very specific need. We also have our network in all the trades with which we have been working for a long time," adds Bruno Barbara.

Continue the DNA of the site

For his part, Philippe Joneau, former partner in Naval Force 3, wishes the buyers good luck and is pleased that the employees have been taken over. "There was a desire to keep the local craft industry in the face of industry. They will continue the DNA of the yard. Good luck. There is a mountain to climb!" he concludes.