![[Chill Chat] Marine HVAC Hire Solution: Cooling a Billionaire’s Yacht During Dry Dock Maintenance](https://www.aircon.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Marine-HVAC-Hire-Blog.png)
Project Overview: Temporary Marine HVAC Hire for Billionaire’s Yacht During Dry Dock Maintenance
A luxury yacht belonging to a billionaire underwent scheduled dry dock ship maintenance. While docked, the vessel needed to maintain its onboard refrigeration systems — but the challenge was significant: the yacht’s sea water-cooled refrigeration unit relied on seawater, which was no longer accessible once the ship was lifted from the water.
That’s when Aircon Rentals was called in to provide a temporary marine HVAC rental solution to keep the refrigeration system running during the entire dry dock maintenance period.
Aircon Rentals provided marine HVAC hire for this luxury yacht during dry dock, pictured here on-site with our service vehicle in Sydney.
Interview with Vladimir Monjardin, New South Wales Sales Engineer at Aircon Rentals
In this Chill Chat interview, Sam speaks with Vladimir Monjardin, New South Wales Sales Engineer at Aircon Rentals, about how the team kept critical cooling systems running aboard a luxury yacht — even while the vessel was high and dry.
Why the Yacht Needed a Temporary Marine HVAC System
Sam: Vlad, thanks for chatting with us! Can you start by explaining the initial challenge?
Vladimir: Sure. The client was conducting routine dry dock maintenance on a high-value yacht. The vessel had a 10kW seawater-cooled refrigeration system that required seawater to cool the condensers. Once the boat was removed from the water, that system couldn’t operate — so they needed a temporary HVAC Solution to keep things running.
Aircon Rentals provided a temporary marine HVAC hire solution to keep this luxury yacht cool during dry dock maintenance.
Designing the Right Marine HVAC Solution
Sam: What did we end up providing?
Vladimir: We supplied a 21kW air-cooled chiller, along with:
✅ A circulation pump to deliver water up to 20 metres high into the refrigeration system
✅ A buffer tank to regulate water flow and pressure. It also ensures a uniform temperature is supplied to the condensers to mimic the seawater temperature during normal operation.
This temporary HVAC system replaced the role of seawater in the refrigeration loop using fresh water. We flushed the existing system multiple times and tested pH levels before connection to ensure it was safe for our equipment.
Aircon Rentals installed a temporary chiller hire as part of a marine HVAC hire package to support this yacht’s refrigeration system during dry dock maintenance.
How Long Did the Project Last?
The full project lasted up to 3 weeks, while the vessel underwent hull cleaning, pressure washing, and repainting. During this time, our rental chiller kept the internal systems operational — including food storage, cooling water and onboard climate-sensitive areas.
Key Project Execution Details
Sam: Did we know what to expect on-site?
Vladimir: Not really. We didn’t have any photos or schematics of the boat beforehand or idea how the yacht will be docked on site. But once our technicians arrived, they adapted quickly. They identified a watertight valve at the bottom of the hull opening, which allowed us to run pipework from under the boat into the engine room. One technician worked inside, and another connected everything from beneath the vessel.
No Subcontractors — Just Reliable Marine HVAC Hire
Aircon Rentals handled the entire operation, including:
✔ System flushing
✔ Installation and piping
✔ Pressure testing and commissioning
Even with rain and strong winds on-site, the team worked through the conditions and got the job done without delay.
Operational Challenges & Lessons Learned
Sam: Were there any major challenges?
Vladimir: One issue was coordination — another contractor was pressure-washing the same area we needed access. In the future, clear time windows for HVAC access during dry dock maintenance would help avoid overlap and improve efficiency.
Client Feedback & Ongoing Opportunities
The client was highly satisfied and impressed with our ability to deliver a fast, reliable temporary marine HVAC without needing detailed pre-planning. This success opens the door for more opportunities — both for this vessel and others undergoing dry dock ship maintenance in the future.
Why Temporary Marine HVAC Hire Is Essential During Dry Dock Maintenance
When vessels are out of the water, onboard systems that rely on seawater cooling can become inoperable. That’s where Aircon Rentals comes in — with temporary HVAC hire solutions tailored to marine environments.
Our rental systems:
✔ Maintain refrigeration and climate control during dry dock
✔ Prevent spoilage or equipment damage
✔ Ensure smooth project execution for refits and maintenance
✔ Are fully supported by experienced technicians
Need Marine HVAC Hire for Dry Dock Maintenance?
Whether you manage luxury yachts, commercial vessels or naval ships, Aircon Rentals offers marine HVAC hire tailored to dry dock conditions.
Call 1800 626 996 to learn more about our temporary cooling solutions for marine vessels.