Sunseeker International, amid operational discrepancies, has shuffled some 100 employees off-board albeit temporarily, emerging as a puzzling move for the Poole-based shipyard and agitating government officials.

In a move raising serious questions, Sunseeker International has temporarily laid off about 100 of its 2,150 employees due to so-called ‘operational issues’. This decision, a month after Princess Yachts planned to lay off 250 employees, indicates potential challenges for the British boatbuilding sector. Sunseeker insists on the interim nature of this step, assuring that every laid-off employee would be paid 50% of their standard hourly rate. The company maintains that the move is strategic, aimed at guaranteeing the long-term sustainability of operations, with no reflection on employee performance or contributions. However, this decision has drawn critical attention, with Neil Duncan-Jordan, Labour MP for Poole, urging Sunseeker to provide clarity on the reasoning behind the layoffs, specifically when the order book remains strong. Duncan-Jordan criticized the company's communication, saying this isn’t any way to treat staff in the contemporary workplace. Despite criticism, Sunseeker remains firm that the temporary measure will conclude by month-end. This move followed the sale of the yard to Lionheart Capital and Orienta Capital Partners last year, insisting on a retention of Sunseeker’s headquarters and core production in Poole, UK.