Leblanc Shipyards Pilot House Motor Yacht - ANY OFFER CONSIDERED

Overview & Walkthrough  

Steeped in history and emerging as a beautiful yacht, the 112 foot Maryland Independence underwent her first conversion from a Canadian warship to a yacht in the late 70's. 

Originally, she was a Fairmile B design Fast Patrol Boat (ML-120) laid down in 1943 and commissioned in 1944 for the Royal Canadian Navy and placed in service as a fully armed submarine chaser and mine sweeper during WWII patrolling the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

She was in the service of the Royal Canadian Navy only for a year when WWII ended. After the following years, she was bought by a very knowledgeable owner in 1978 who gutted her interior, inverted the hull and stored her to dry for seven months in a controlled environment. Afterward, 5 tons of hand laid fiberglass cloth and resins were applied to preserve the hull. She was then righted and her owner proceeded to fit her out and built a new deckhouse utilizing as many of her original fittings as possible during the process. She then evolved for the first time as a beautiful private yacht.

In the early 80's she was purchased by the State of Maryland and manned with a crew of three. She quickly gained notoriety as the states' on-water ambassador for high profile dignitaries, Fortune 500 corporations and many companies involved in foreign trade. 

In 2002 she was sold by the State of Maryland, and in 2010 she began a two year plus restoration and upgrade to fit her out while now presenting herself as a beautiful yacht that exudes understated class and elegance. 

 Walkthrough:

The M/Y Maryland Independence is exceptionally accommodating as a private yacht. On the lower deck aft of the engine room, she has a large bright and airy master's cabin attractively accented by the ship's whale bone shaped frames with a queen bed and side tables, an ensuite head compartment with a separate shower stall, and large hanging lockers to both port and starboard. Moving forward through a short passageway there are two tastefully furnished guest cabins. One to starboard with a double bed, side table and a large hanging locker while to port the cabin mirrors the stbd. side though with twin single beds. Adjacent in the passageway is a separate private head with a walk-in shower and a complete vanity, toilet and storage locker. Opposite to port is a large storage locker under the steps leading up from the lower deck companionway while slightly aft to starboard there's another locker for below deck ship's storage. 

Forward of the large engine room on the lower deck, there is a spacious engineers room running athwartships with two over/under berths on the port side. With minimal cost and ease these two rooms may be easily converted to two full sized cabins each with overnight accommodations for two double beds with both cabins utilizing a short passageway. This passageway would lead to two existing side by side head compartments while opposite to starboard is the captains office plus a small storage room that could also be included with the expansion of the engineer's room.

Continuing forward through the passageway one would pass the steps to starboard leading up to the main deck and enter the large galley which runs full beam athwartship. Moving forward through a large door separating the galley from the crew quarters forward, the rightfully divided crew's quarters has two over under berths to port and forward there is a separate and private crew cabin for a hostess with a large single berth. Opposite to starboard is a large head compartment with a full sized shower, toilet and vanity. Immediately aft to starboard opposite the two crew berths, is the large pantry for ship's stores which can easily utilized as an extension of the galley for food prep counters, additional lockers, and appliances should they be needed. 

Up one level to the main deck  and the forward salon, wing doors port and starboard open to the wide covered weather decks. Forward of the salon steps the pilothouse is partitioned off with a large glass window and portside wing door that provides immediate access to the foredeck. The pilothouse provides a commanding full view while one can't help but take notice of the original ships equipment such as the annunciator, binnacle and compass, spotlight and, of course, the original mahogany ship's wheel all of which are complimented by elegant varnished mahogany joinery.

There is a ladder directly up from the port side of the pilothouse to the boat deck with direct access to the enclosed bridge helm. Aft of the pilothouse the spacious dining salon with it's "trolley car" roll down windows has a large mirrored bar aft with lockers and drawers making the area suitable for either open entertaining or sit-down dining for fourteen persons. Moving aft through a short passageway to stbd. is the amidship door from the weatherdecks to the main salon. This also gives way aft to the even larger main salon which features a large flat screen TV on the bulkhead above the fireplace while adjacent to port running from the fireplace aft is a beautiful mahogany wetbar for serving guests.

One can't help but note through the various conversions and restorations that every effort was given to maintain and preserve the original bronze ports and wheelhouse of the heritage of D-120 as a warship. The conversions included the addition of the trolley car roll down windows in both salons for exceptional ventilation and sunlight, along with a fireplace and its marble hearth with original photos of when she was a warship and those of visiting dignitaries which augment the yachts' heritage as she evolved as a beautiful lady. 

Moving further aft in themain salon, steps down to port allow access to the aft cabins while center aft clear glazed double doors open to the fully enclosed and heated fantail sunroom where relaxing, entertaining, and breathtaking views of sunsets can be had in comfort and style. Wing doors provide access to both sides of the protected weatherdecks and steps up to the boat deck are to port. Just aft of the sunroom and through a solid gate provides access to the poop deck and it's mooring winches. 

Forward on the boat deck, is the large enclosed bridge which provides a 360 degree view and redundant controls while underway. Also, the bridge is equipped to starboard with a large and proper chart table with drawers for full sized charts while behind the helm is large cushioned bench seating for 12-14 people and storage for 50+ PFD's.

Moving further aft on the boat deck through Dutch doors with clear Uzip plastic panels, there is standing and seating room for more than 35 guests protected by high safety rails....the perfect spot to experience dramatic panoramic views,relaxing, entertaining, or simply taking in breathtaking sunsets.

More recently, the Maryland Independence has been offered for private charters, parties or families since she can entertain up to 55 guests at pier side and as many as 12 guests underway under current USCG regulations.

Recently hauled and surveyed by an independent surveyor in Portsmouth, VA and all below waterline fittings and running gear were found to be in excellent condition and the hull integrity remains fully intact thanks to the application of 5 tons of fiberglass and resin and her bilges treated with a preservative. Her low hours and slow turning twin diesel Volvo engines continue to deliver outstanding economy while maintaining 10-12 knots underway at a meager burn rate from 18-21gph with both generators operating.  

Please refer to additional sections of this listing for more details and specifications and don't forget to click on the tab marked Video next to the photo tab to see a compilation of her recent two years of restoration and upgrades. 

An excellent attraction for dockside parties and charters, the Maryland Independence is an elegant lady that turns heads in every port!

On the main deck her spacious and traditional wheelhouse provides an expansive view with appointments of her original gleaming chrome, rich varnished mahogany joinery, and ships wheel. The wheelhouse provides easy access to the weatherdecks through wing doors. Behind the helm is a large cushioned bench seat while just to port is the ladder going up to the bridge on the boat deck. Obviously at first notice, a bit of her rich history as a warship has been retained with her original bronze binnacle and bright chrome annunciator near the helm.  

Just aft of the wheelhouse is the beautiful and spacious forward salon providing panoramic views on both sides with her trolley car windows that crank down to provide full ventilation and sunlight yet are protected by the overhangs of the weatherdecks. There's a long mirrored serving cabinet that makes this salon the favored dining area with seating for 14 or more. A very large richly finished mahogany chest provides storage for furniture and faces aft adjacent to the steps leading down to the lower deck and galley. 

Further aft through the boarding passageway to stbd. is the expansive and attractively furnished main salon with a serving bar immediately to port while next to the marble hearth fireplace is a large flat screen TV above. Again, with touches of rich history, her appointments include the original ship's bronze ports, richly finished mahogany panels and sconce lighting with a large sofa, easy chairs, tables and lamps... the perfect spot for entertaining or evening conversation. To port and aft, steps lead down to the Masters' and guest cabins while to stbd. double doors open to the aft enclosed sundeck.

The sundeck has wicker furnishings including chairs and glass top tables and can easily seat another 10-15 people while providing breathtaking views of sunsets in comfort and style. The wing doors on either side forward also access the wide weatherdecks while covered steps go up to the aft boat deck which provides an even more dramatic panoramic view. Centerline aft is a skirt door access to the poop deck as needed to tend to mooring winches while docking. 

On the upper boat deck which is accessible from either the wheelhouse forward or the sundeck aft and below, the large enclosed flybridge provides expansive visibility for safety aboard while underway. The flybridge has dual controls, ships electronics, wheel and pilot seating, and a "proper" chart table with drawers in front of a large wraparound cushioned bench that can seat 15 persons while providing storage behind and underneath for PFD's. Wing doors from the bridge provide access to the aft boat deck while behind there is a mast in front of the funnel for electronics and flying colors. Further aft, the high safety rails and spacious deck area can easily accommodate a crowd either seated or standing. Further aft beyond the safety rails, a 45 person canister life raft is stored in readiness for any emergency. 

On the lower deck aft, the yacht has a large Master's cabin with an ensuite head compartment that is accessible through the aft watertight bulkhead door. A toilet, large vanity, and a large shower stall compliment the Masters arrangement. His and her's hanging lockers to port, and additional lockers to starboard and a full sized double bed with a chest of drawers compliment the spacious quarters.   

Forward of the aft Masters' cabin through a short companionway there are steps to port up to the aft salon with a large built in storage locker underneath while opposite there is a large guest head compartment with vanity, storage lockers, toilet and a full sized stall shower. Moving further forward to stbd. is a guest cabin with a double berth and storage below, a chest of drawers, and hanging locker while to port is another guest cabin with two twin beds and a chest of drawers and lockers. 

Moving forward, the engine room bulkhead separates the yacht's arrangement at this point and on the forward side are the oversize engineer's quarters with two built in berths. These quarters are slated for conversion to two large cabins with two separate heads adjacent in the companionway bringing the overnight sleeping capability of the yacht to 10 plus separate overnight crew quarters for 3. 

Further forward at the foot of the steps leading down from the forward salon, to the left is the captains office and two small storage rooms while opposite are two guest head compartments with toilet and vanities. The captains office may also be included in a new arrangement of two double cabins previously used by the engineers.

The large and fully equipped galley is forward of the same steps and runs full athwartship. Forward of the galley and through another watertight bulkhead are crew berths for two to port, a private single berth crew cabin (hostess) forward, and a large head compartment with shower to starboard with the pantry shelves and lockers occupying the area to the bulkhead. There's an escape ladder and overhead hatch from the crew quarters to the foredeck.

Further forward and accessible through a deck hatch, there is a relatively large and deep storage locker for multiple rodes and lines.

Features: