Jet Tern Marine (the manufacturer of Selene Yachts) is based in Taiwan, with manufacturing facilities in Dong Guan, Canton, China. The
shipyard is about 2 hours by bus from Hong King International Airport and about an hour by bus from Guang-Zhou International Airport. It
is on about the same latitude as Miami, and the climate is similar.
Jet Tern Marine is one of a group of companies in the Jet-Tern Group owned by the Chen Family. Howard Chen, founder of Jet Tern Marine
is a 1983 graduate of the Taiwan National Cheng Kung University with a Bachelor's Degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
After working as an engineer at another yacht design firm, Howard established Jet Tern Marine in 1998. The first Selene Trawler arrived
in the US in 1999.
The shipyard is located in a prosperous industrial city called "Hou-Jie" (which means "rich street" in Chinese). The city is home to
many companies that produce a wide variety of products from traditional Chinese manufacturing, such as shoes, to high-tech computer
components. The city is also famous for its furniture industry, with as many as 300 furniture companies in the area. As a result, many
of the materials that we use to create the luxurious interiors in Selene Yachts are readily available. High quality woods and veneers,
fabrics, granite, and glass are all easy to find locally. In addition, skilled labor is plentiful in the region, and the warm local
climate is ideal for fiberglass lamination.
Every Selene Yacht begins it's life as a Computer Assisted Design (CAD) application in the capable hands of a team of professionals who
adapt the basic Selene to the layout and features required by each particular owner.
Selene hulls are laminated using a female mold in one of two large buildings in our facility. Because the hulls are built from the
"outside in" one of the first steps is applying the gelcoat which will be the glossy outer finish of the hull. Gelcoat is applied using
a state-of-the-art MVP airless spray system that ensures consistent even film thickness and avoids "print through" (where the underlying
fiberglass shows through the outer layer of gelcoat). Successive layers of fiberglass cloth soaked in resin are applied to the inside of
the mold over the gelcoat. The number of layers of cloth and the type of cloth are carefully specified and controlled to produce a
consistently strong hull. Once the hull is complete, it is removed from the mold by separating the mold into two halves at the centerline
of the hull.
The interior components and machinery are then installed in the completed hull. Where painting is necessary, such as when customers
order an optional Awlgrip paint color, the completed hull is moved to a new climate and dust-controlled paint shop, one of the largest
in China. Careful control of temperature, humidity, and dust are critical to a quality paint finish.
At the end of the manufacturing process, moveable final touch up sheds cover the yachts while crews complete any final details and
prepare them for sea trial, survey, and shipment.
"Grace and Strength" is not just a slogan for Selene Yachts--it is backed up by a rigorous commitment to quality and a dedication to
continuous improvement. Every Selene Yacht is built from the highest quality materials and components available. Hulls are
constructed using Cook Gelcoat and Vinylester resin to retain their beauty and resist moisture absorption which can lead to osmostic
blistering. Cymax unidirectional bi-axial fiberglass is used for structural integrity. Above the waterline, closed-core foam is used
in the hull for light weight (which increases stability), strength, and insulation. Vacuum bagging insures a solid bond between
core and laminate materials. Gelcoat is applied using the state of the art MVP airless spray system for flawless application.
While high-quality materials and components are critical, even the best materials can be wasted if manufacturing processes are not
consistently controlled. A key part of Jet Tern Marine commitment to quality is achieving ISO 9001 certification. ABS Quality
Evaluations, Inc. awarded Jet Tern Marine with ISO 9001 certification in August 2001 (Certificate number 35916). ISO 9001 certification
means that Jet Tern Marine processes are documented and controlled to insure consistency, which is an important part of quality. We
believe that Jet Tern Marine is the first shipyard in China producing yachts to achieve ISO certification.
The larger Selenes are surveyed and awarded the Lloyd's Category A (Ocean-going) certification. A rare recognition, but well-earned by
Selene.
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