Ratanachai Shipyard Phuket - Marine Refit & Slipway Guide

Established in 1979 along Phuket's eastern coastline, Ratanachai Shipyard is a commercial marine repair and haul-out facility equipped to slip and dry-dock private yachts, commercial vessels, and naval craft. Situated on the sheltered Tha Chin estuary in Ratsada, roughly ten minutes north-east of Phuket Town, the yard originated as a maintenance base for local fishing fleets before expanding its operations to support international cruising yachts and refit projects up to 45 metres in length.

The site combines tidal slipway tracks and bespoke cradle systems designed to handle displacement vessels weighing up to 280 tonnes with beams reaching 10.5 metres. Alongside the water access, an expansive open hardstand apron can support up to 25 boats simultaneously for hull cleaning, antifouling, mechanical overhauls, and interior timber refits handled by on-site shipwrights and local specialist contractors.

Unlike recreational marinas on the island, Ratanachai is an active industrial shipyard rather than a leisure venue, meaning it does not cater to casual sightseeing. Access is geared towards vessel owners, yacht captains, surveyors, and marine engineers attending scheduled technical meetings or supervising ongoing maintenance work. A standard hull inspection or contractor briefing typically takes one to two hours, whereas engineering teams managing major dockings often base themselves around Phuket Town for several weeks. For visiting crew, owners, and contractors arranging logistics or nearby accommodation during haul-out periods, organising plans prior to arrival ensures a straightforward stay.

Yard Zones and Marine Facilities

The shipyard is organised into three core operational zones designed for technical maintenance, hull overhauls, and vessel refits.

At the water's edge, dual slipway tracks equipped with custom-engineered cradle systems haul vessels out of the sheltered Ratsada tidal channel. The winching system can handle monohulls and multihulls measuring up to 45 metres in length, with beams up to 10 metres and displacements of up to 280 tonnes, subject to tidal timing across the channel.

Ashore, a reinforced concrete hardstand accommodates up to 25 vessels simultaneously. Purpose-built steel stands, adjustable props, and modular scaffolding secure hulls for below-waterline maintenance. Yard teams and private contractors carry out high-pressure washing, antifouling paint applications, anode replacement, and composite repairs, often under temporary weather tenting to shield work from the tropical sun and rain.

Onsite engineering workshops and covered fabrication bays frame the perimeter of the hardstand. These facilities support class-certified metal fabricators, marine carpenters, electricians, and propulsion technicians. Resident trades and partner engineering firms tackle shaft and running gear alignments, engine overhauls, custom stainless steel welding, teak deck renewals, and onboard electrical installations.

Getting There and Logistics

Ratanachai Shipyard stands at 60/58 Tha-Rua-Mai Road in Ratsada, roughly four kilometres north-east of Phuket Old Town and less than two kilometres north of Rassada Pier. Arriving by road from central Phuket Town takes around ten minutes by taxi or ride-hailing app, such as Grab or Bolt, typically costing between 100 THB and 160 THB (£2.30 to £3.70). Travellers heading down from Phuket International Airport face a drive of around 45 to 50 minutes, with airport taxis and pre-booked private cars generally running from 650 THB to 850 THB (£15 to £19.50). Local public buses and songthaews operating Route 3 between Phuket Town and Rassada Pier travel along Tha-Rua-Mai Road for 15 THB to 40 THB (35p to 90p), leaving a walk of roughly 400 metres down the shipyard access lane.

The shipyard office opens Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 17:00 and closes on Sundays and public holidays. Vessel crews and external contractors may still access their dry-docked boats on closing days, though open-flame tasks and hot work are prohibited outside standard working hours. As an active commercial marine yard, all arriving visitors must check in at reception, and sturdy closed-toe shoes are required around the slipways, scaffolding, and heavy machinery. Haul-out slots, refit work, and contractor permits should be scheduled with the management team before arriving.

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