Technical Depth and Breadth
We are not a general handyman service. Specialists in engines, electrics, composites, joinery and systems integration diagnose root causes and complete complex work in-house rather than simply passing it on.
Mediterranean marine workshop
Welcome to DockSmith Chicken
Precision Yacht Repair and Maintenance on the Mediterranean Coast
At DockSmith Chicken, we specialize in comprehensive repair, refit and maintenance services for sailing yachts, motor yachts, catamarans and workboats across the Mediterranean. Whether your vessel needs routine servicing, an engine overhaul, hull restoration, systems diagnostics or a full seasonal refit, our team delivers technical excellence with the speed and flexibility that yacht owners, captains and managers demand.
We combine hands-on marine engineering experience with modern workshop facilities, mobile service units and a network of trusted suppliers to keep your boat safe, seaworthy and ready for the next voyage. Our approach blends practical seamanship with disciplined project management, clear phases of work and daily progress communication.
DockSmith Chicken serves private owners, charter fleets, brokerage houses and commercial operators. We work on vessels from 8 to 60 metres, in marinas, hard standings and afloat alongside, coordinating smoothly with crews, riggers, upholsterers, electronics specialists and refit teams.
About DockSmith Chicken
Marine Engineering Rooted in Real-World Experience
DockSmith Chicken was founded by former chief engineers and yard managers who spent decades on superyachts, commercial vessels and in Mediterranean shipyards. We saw contractors overpromise, refits run weeks late, invoices drift from the agreed scope, and maintenance solve a symptom rather than the cause. Our service was built to be technically rigorous, transparent about time and cost, and organized around real life on the water.
Our core team includes marine diesel specialists, electrical and automation engineers, composite technicians, joiners and project coordinators. We bring manufacturer training, experience with surveys and insurance claims, and supplier relationships for engines, generators, watermakers, bow thrusters, stabilizers and navigation equipment.
From our Mediterranean base, mobile teams cover the Côte d’Azur, Liguria and the northern Tyrrhenian coast. The workshop handles component overhauls, machining, welding, composites and painting, while field units provide afloat diagnostics and emergency call-outs. Each job is logged digitally with photographs, checklists, torque settings, fluid analysis and test results.
We also separate waste streams, select low-VOC paints and solvents where practical, and recommend upgrades such as efficient propellers, LED lighting and water-saving fittings. A well-maintained boat is safer, more valuable, cleaner and more efficient.
Why Choose DockSmith Chicken?
The Practical Advantages of a Yard That Thinks Like an Owner
We combine technical depth, clear documentation and considered planning to protect your vessel, budget and time ashore.
Transparent Planning and Pricing
Written scopes and line-item estimates come first. If additional work is found, we pause, document the issue and seek approval; invoices link to the original quote, change orders and supporting photos.
Speed Without Shortcuts
We plan parallel work, pre-order long-lead parts and stock key consumables, while preserving cure times, torque specifications and testing steps that protect repair quality.
Documentation That Matters
Each job produces a digital record with checklists, before-and-after images, torque notes, fluid analyses and commissioning data for insurance, surveys and future resale.
Owner and Captain Friendly
We work around live-aboard, charter and sale schedules, respect crew routines, keep work zones clean and safe, and explain technical decisions in clear language.
Sustainable and Responsible
Responsible materials, careful waste handling and efficient upgrade advice can reduce fuel demand, water use and emissions while supporting a cleaner marine environment.
What We Offer
Full-Spectrum Yacht Repair, Refit and Maintenance Services
From hull and engine repairs to interior refits, commissioning and urgent assistance, we manage the practical details that keep a vessel operating properly.
Hull, Deck and Composite Repairs
We repair osmosis blisters, impact damage, cracked gelcoat, delaminated decks and structural issues in GRP, carbon and aluminium. Services include moisture mapping, engineered lay-ups, non-skid renewal, teak deck work, hatch resealing and chainplate inspection.
Engine, Drive and Mechanical Systems
Major and minor engine overhauls, sail and shaft drive servicing, gearbox repairs, propeller balancing, rudder and bearing replacement, hydraulic diagnostics, fluid changes and sea trials.
Electrical, Electronics and Automation
DC and AC systems, batteries, chargers, inverters, generators, shore power, navigation, AIS, radar, autopilot, cameras, remote monitoring and modern onboard automation upgrades.
Interior Refit and Joinery
Custom cabinetry, galley and bathroom upgrades, counters, flooring, soft furnishings, veneer matching, insulation, soundproofing and climate-control improvements designed for marine durability.
Painting, Coatings and Exterior Refinish
Exterior paint, clear coat restoration, boot top refresh, anti-fouling and careful surface preparation, plus ceramic and nano coatings for gloss retention and easier maintenance.
Commissioning and Sea Trials
Pressure testing, electrical load checks, engine run-ins and systems testing under load are followed by planned sea trials assessing speed, consumption, vibration, noise and handling.
Preventive Maintenance Packages
Scheduled pre-season commissioning, mid-season checks and winter lay-up preparation tailored to vessel type, operating area and use. Service history supports warranty and resale needs.
Emergency Call-Out and Mobile Service
Mobile teams respond to breakdowns, groundings, collision damage and urgent failures with diagnostic equipment, critical parts and temporary repair materials, coordinating with marinas and insurers.
Contact DockSmith Chicken
Start Your Refit or Maintenance Project
If your vessel needs routine service, a seasonal refit or urgent repairs, contact us with a brief description of the work, vessel type and length, current location and desired timeline. We will review the requirements, propose a scope and estimate, and explain the next steps toward a safe, seaworthy and well-documented result.
We respond to inquiries within one business day and can arrange a site visit or afloat inspection at short notice.
WorkshopDockSmith Chicken
AddressQuai des Douanes, Bassin de Radoub
13002 Marseille, France
13002 Marseille, France
AvailabilityMonday–Friday 08:00–18:00; emergency response by arrangement