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No47 January/February 16 £5.99 · US$15.99 · €9,90 Eurozone

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The global magazine for superyacht owners

HEART &SOUL An owner’s vision for the 60-metre Feadship ROCK.IT

OCEANS SPECIAL Yersin: A new model for ownership Arcadia’s green vision Guardians of the blue planet Zeepaard’s global tour Apocalypse jellyﬁsh Bespoke Eagle E-Types Meeting Louis Hamming

NOVA The first Fast Displacement Hull Form to feature hybrid propulsion for outstanding efficiency and fuel economy. The result is truly unique: elevated performance with reduced environmental impact. Not to mention supreme comfort in the form of near silent cruising in electric mode. All this in a breathtaking 50-metre design. Meet the new breed of Heesen superyachts. Go beyond belief at heesenyachts.com

NO MATTER WHAT MOTHER NATURE THROWS AT YOU, TRUST THE FLIR M-SERIES THERMAL NIGHT VISION CAMERA TO BE YOUR EYES IN THE DARK SO YOU CAN NAVIGATE STRESS-FREE.

Europe/Middle East/Africa T: +31 (0) 6 122 71 848 hans.groenenboom@flir.com ASIA/Pacific T: +852 2792 8955 paolo.saranga@flir.com USA T: +1 603 324 7966 lou.rota@flir.com

SUPERYACHT EDITORIAL

MAGAZINE OFFICE SuperYacht World, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU. EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES Tel: +44 (0)20 3148 4644 superyachtworld@timeinc.com

Editorial EDITOR AT LARGE Mike Edwardson EDITOR Paul Ashton FEATURES EDITOR Alexandra Groom ART DIRECTOR Neil Earp ART EDITOR Madeleine Fitzsimons BROKERAGE EDITOR John Walker CONSULTANT EDITOR Alan Harper PROPERTY EDITOR Arabella Youens DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR Stef Bottinelli

Advertising GENERAL ENQUIRIES Tel: +44 (0)20 3148 4883 COMMERCIAL MANAGER Jane Smith Jane.Smith@timeinc.com ITALIAN CONSULTANTS Ediconsult Internazionale, Genova, Italy. Nauta@ediconsult.com Tel: +39 010 583 684. Fax: +39 010 566 578 PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Paul Quieros, Paul.Quieros@timeinc.com +44 (0)20 3148 4903

Welcome

The fabulous oceans are more than just our summer playground – they’re a vital part of planet earth’s life-support system. Among other things, they drive climate and weather systems, they regulate temperature, and crucially they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. As marine biologist Sylvia Earle puts it in her compelling book The World is Blue: “Everyone, everywhere is inextricably connected to and utterly dependent upon the existence of the sea.” It’s pleasing, therefore, to see the range of initiatives being taken by owners, yards and foundations to give us some idea of what a sustainable future might look like. In this issue’s Oceans Special, which starts on page 39, we’ve been talking to François Fiat, winner of the 2015 Baccarat SuperYacht World Award, about his extraordinary MV Yersin (page 54). We’ve also been meeting the creative force behind Arcadia Yachts (page 40), chatting with owner Sietse Koopmans about his three-year sustainable global cruise (page 68), and ﬁnding out about some of the organisations focused on preserving the oceans we love (page 48).

The fabulous oceans are more than just our summer playground

And, of course, there’s also our cover star – the amazing 60-metre Feadship ROCK.IT, created for a very passionate owner, Jimmy John Liautaud. You can read the full story of this remarkable yacht on page 26.

Publishing MANAGING DIRECTOR Oswin Grady PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Simon Owen PUBLISHER Nick Hopkinson HEAD OF MARKET Stuart Duncan HEAD OF MARKETING Richard Shead MARKETING EXECUTIVE Amy Golby EXPORT Alice Nuttin PRINTED BY Polestar Stones, Banbury, Oxon OX16 3ES

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TO SUBSCRIBE Go to: www.superyachtworld.com/12F or call +44 (0)330 3330 233 quote 12F COVER PHOTO The magnificent Feadship ROCK.IT. For Alexandra Groom’s full report on this 60-metre see page 26. Photo: Feadship

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ISSN: 1756-7696 Published bimonthly by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd Distributed in the US by SPP, 75 Aberdeen Rd, Emigsville PA 17318-0437. Periodicals postage paid at Emigsville, PA. POSTMASTER: send address changes to SuperYachtWorld c/o PO Box 437, Emigsville PA 17318-0437

Baltic 115 Nikata Sunseeker 131 Yacht’s London debut Lürssen’s 139-metre Project Redwood Yachts for Sale: the best online brokerage pages

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SUPERYACHT CONTENTS

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Contents

New Yachts 10 Feadship, CRN, Benetti, Mondomarine, Riva, more.

People 22 Vitters’ Louis Hamming.

“We must RESTORE the ocean – the blue HEART of the planet”

ROCK.IT 26 A passionate owner’s 60-metre Feadship.

Arcadia Yachts 40 The story behind the yard’s eco yachting philosophy.

Ocean Guardians 48 Saving the oceans.

MV Yersin 54 François Fiat’s incredible exploration yacht.

Jellyﬁsh 64 Jellyﬁsh blooms and the state of the oceans.

Zeepaard 68 Owner Sietse Koopmans’ global adventure.

Ultimate Design 74 Objects of desire from across the globe.

Eagle E-Types 78 Bringing an icon into the 21st Century.

AFT SECTION News in Brief 84 Wider 165; Pendennis Cup; Doyle Sails; Costa Rica.

Around the Yards 86 Launches and reﬁts in focus.

Charter News 88 Global charter ﬂeet news.

The Captain 90 Meeting Captain Dance.

Brokerage News 92 Sold, signed, new to market.

On the Market 94 Six stylish yachts for sale.

Resort Report 111

Where to head this winter.

Property Focus 112 Indian Ocean and Thailand.

Parting Shot 114 Jacques Cousteau, 1973.

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SUPERYACHT LAUNCHES

HALO Startling new Feadship with Eidsgaard styling With sweeping arches supporting the sundeck overhang a particularly eye-catching feature, the striking exterior of the 57-metre Feadship Halo is the work of Eidsgaard Design. Following her August launch after what the yard describes as a record-breaking outﬁtting time of 33 months, the yacht was delivered in October and has been

cruising the Caribbean ever since. Highlights on board include a sundeck with a retracting carbon-ﬁbre awning, and an integrated Apple TV platform, which mirrors that found in the owner’s home. There’s an owner’s stateroom and a VIP suite on the bridge deck, and four staterooms on the main deck. Contact www.feadship.nl

NEW YACHTS Feadship Halo • CRN Atlante • Benetti Iron Man • Mondomarine Serenity • Sunseeker 131 Yacht • Heesen Project Nina • Riva 50M • IAG Yachts 133 • Numarine 30XP

The SWEEPING arches supporting the sundeck overhang are an EYE-CATCHING feature

SUPERYACHT LAUNCHES

ATLANTE Military styling by Nuvolari Lenard for CRN’s latest The owner of the 55-metre Atlante – who was deeply engaged with the project – wanted something with a strong masculine touch, and Nuvolari Lenard has delivered with a yacht that has echoes of a military vessel. A key feature is the open space on deck – the clean foredeck area is particularly striking. The interior by Studio Gilles &

Boissier is just as engaging as the exterior. The greys and metallic colours of the hull and superstructure are referenced inside, where Carrara and Verona marble, smoked oak, brushed ﬁr, black oak and larch are the main materials. The yacht sleeps 12 guests and 13 crew. Contact www.crn-yacht.com

The OWNER wanted something with a STRONG MASCULINE touch

SUPERYACHT LAUNCHES

She has an AGGRESSIVE exterior, with the angles and jags softened by DELICIOUS curves

IRON MAN Benetti’s latest: inspired by a superhero Benetti’s Vivace 125 Iron Man echoes her young owner’s fondness for the comic book hero, and she’s packed with features that even billionaire inventor and engineer Tony Stark would approve of. The 38.1-metre, designed by Stefano Righini, is part of Benetti’s Fast Displacement range – she’s capable of a 24-knot top speed with her D2P (displacement to planing) hull. She has an aggressive exterior, with the angles and jags softened by the delicious arch

over the upper deck. Miami-based designer Alfred Karram Jr – for whom this is a first yacht – created the clean, modern interior. Forward on the main deck, the owner’s suite benefits from huge floor-to-ceiling windows. One of the biggest surprises is on the deck above, in the area where you’ll almost always find an upper-deck lounge: it has been fashioned as a spacious gym. Iron Man sleeps ten guests. Contact www.benettiyachts.it

MONDOMARINE SERENITY

First in 42-metre SF series The 42.3-metre Serenity, which made her debut at the Monaco Yacht Show in September, is the ﬁrst unit of the Luca Vallebona-designed SF40 series launched by Mondomarine. The eclectic interior, created by Fatima Ahmed Al Maidan of SLF Design, features high-gloss rosewood, white Calacatta marble, white leather and warm neutral shades in the guest areas, with some more vivid colours in the bridge deck cinema (plus classic movie posters printed onto the blackout curtains). Serenity accommodates ten guests in ﬁve staterooms, with a split-level owner’s cabin on the main deck. Contact www.mondomarine.mc

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SUPERYACHT CONCEPTS

SUNSEEKER 131 YACHT Latest from Sunseeker is an instant hit Sunseeker International’s 40-metre 131 Yacht – debuting at the London show this month – is based on the hugely successful 40 Metre, and it’s no surprise that demand for the new incarnation has been stellar, with the first five already sold. Big windows and the use of mirrors and light surfaces in the master stateroom, main-deck salon and upper salon create a light-filled interior. The after area on the bridge deck has an additional two metres compared to the

previous 40 Metre. She accommodates ten guests in ﬁve cabins (with an option for six). Range at a ten-knot cruising speed is 1,500 miles, and she is capable of 23 knots tops. “The 131 Yacht builds on the success of our proven platform, adding more technical innovation, more advanced features and contemporary layouts that can be tailored in every way,” says Sean Robertson, sales director at Sunseeker International. Contact www.sunseeker.com

SUPERYACHT CONCEPTS

The yacht has a SPORTIER look than TRADITIONAL examples of the form

HEESEN PROJECT NINA RPH form meets European styling Further details have emerged of Heesen’s 38-metre Project Nina concept, with a raised pilothouse form and a shallow draught that will appeal to US-based owners. The all-aluminium yacht is based on Heesen’s proven semi-displacement hull form, and boasts exterior styling by Hot-Lab that gives the yacht a sportier look than

more traditional examples of the raised pilothouse form. She accommodates ten guests in ﬁve staterooms, with a main-deck master and four guest cabins on the lower deck. Aft, she has a ﬁxed swimming platform with a pantograph door leading to a watersports storage area. Production begins this year. Contact www.heesenyachts.com

SUPERYACHT CONCEPTS

RIVA 50M Coupé styling for 50-metre This 50M design from Riva’s Superyachts Division will be offered in two distinct lines on the same platform, with both drawing inspiration from Riva’s rich heritage. The yacht shown is from the sporty line, with an aggressive profile and styling cues from Riva coupé yachts. The second, more traditional design is inspired by the Caravelle, which Riva built in 1964. The yachts will be built at 50, 60, 70 and 90 metres LOA. The 50M is the work of designer Mauro Micheli and Officina Italiana Design, along with the Riva team. “Riva will once more be able to meet the refined and sophisticated taste of its very demanding owners,” says Ferretti Group’s CEO Alberto Galassi. Contact www.riva-yacht.com

IAG YACHTS 133

NUMARINE 30XP

Chinese yard prepares 40.5-metre for launch

Striking explorer yacht from Turkish yard

IAG Yachts, fresh from the public unveiling of its 42.7-metre King Baby at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show last November, is preparing one 133 for launch in the ﬁrst quarter of the year, while another 133 contract is close to being signed. Like King Baby, which was delivered in August to her American owner, the 133 features exterior and interior styling by Evan K. Marshall. Before Christmas, the yard also signed a letter of Intent to build a 155, for which the ﬁnal contract was being prepared, the yard says. Contact www.iagyachts.com

The ﬁrst hull of Numarine’s 32.5-metre steel and composite XP series is under construction at the yard in Turkey. The yacht, designed by Can Yalman, has very striking lines in this usually traditional sector, with the glass in the forward areas and the high bow particularly eye-catching. There is accommodation for eight guests, with a full-beam owner’s cabin. With twin MAN V8s or twin CATs, the yacht’s expected cruising range at 11 knots will be 3,000 nautical miles. There is also a 50XP in the range. Contact www.numarine.com

The owner of the Vitters shipyard explains how innovation has been the driver of success Michael Edwardson

Louis Hamming

SUPERYACHT PEOPLE

sea and my first ship at Van Ommeren was a 26,000-ton ’s something about building boats that is multi-purpose bulk carrier. We were tramping all over the – how can I put it? – Dutch. Perhaps it has world, with steel, grain and a very mixed bag. I stated at age stamped into in the genetic code of a 22, and finished my time age 24 with rank of mate. I gained g a land that strikes the occasional visitor as much worldly experience – every day was exciting,” he says. mostly beside the water, and when you do get away from it “The Amazon was always a favourite place – I was you’re never very far above it. For Louis Hamming, owner of overwhelmed by the colour and vibrancy. The world was a the Vitters shipyard, it seems a natural progression to end different place then. The Red Sea was a trouble-free sail, the up building yachts. “I can’t say I grew up surrounded by straight of Hormuz was a pleasant passage. I wasn’t timber and brass nails! None of my family were remotely frightened or concerned in anyway. Piracy was restricted to connected to boatbuilding in any way. Nevertheless, I am a the pages of Treasure Island!” Dutchman, surrounded by water. It is in my veins,” he says. After two years of merchant sailing, it was time for a Born in the southern university city of Maastricht, Louis change, and it wasn’t long before Louis found himself on a was soon on the water. “My first memories were having vessel that was a lot smaller, but something he was already exciting outings on board my parents’ lemsteraak – a familiar with. “During my years at nautical college, I had been traditional Frisian sailing barge. I really did enjoy this period lucky enough to sail aboard a 31.5-metre motor yacht based of my life,” he says. “But like most Dutch boys, the desire to in the South of France. I covered all jobs on the boat at that helm a boat with your friends, and even to sail alone, was time, and it was a very useful exposure to a different kind of strong. I started sailing in small boats at the age of nine.” The boating,” he says. IJsselmeer was the ideal testbed for learning to sail – “It has Opportunity came knocking again and he was offered the an average depth of 5-6 metres, and it’s not like the North job of being second in command on the same yacht. “It was Sea!” he points out. something I relished, and I certainly committed myself to The call of all things maritime was too much for Louis to the job, but during my year on the boat, there was a lot of resist, and after secondary school he found himself signing downtime – when guests tell you they will arrive at 1400, up for the seafaring college in Vlissingen for a further four then they arrive at 1800! I found this frustrating, as I prefer years. “I studied navigation, meteorology, correct ship to be fully immersed in hard work all the time. The sun was loading… a thousand-and-one useful things,” he says. It was great, but I wanted more and I wanted change,” he says. time well spent: he passed the course, and joined Van Having run away to sea, it was time for some Ommeren, a shipping company that goes back Right: Hamming – success time on land, and that meant university. “I to 1889. starts with teamwork. signed up for an MBA at a university in the US, “They were a historic company who started Top left: Ahimsa (exbut then the dollar got to an extreme high in transporting trees from the Baltic to Western Aglaia), a 66-metre from 2012 in aluminium. 1984, and I realised my scholarship would run Europe. Their first vessel was a steamship built Top right: The 37.3-metre out in a big way! I went back home, and I and delivered by Wood, Skinner & Co from carbon-composite Ghost. started with a Dutch company dealing in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. It was a great place to Above right: Marie, a limestone, cement and calcium oxide. This was learn the business. I had my chance to go to 54.6-metre from 2010.

SUPERYACHT PEOPLE

“It’s a passionate quest for the statement the owner wants to make”

our sail division. We have developed many innovative about as far away from yachting as the man in the moon!” It features within our design and build process. This has was a time in his life when, he says, he got his head down certainly contributed to our solid client base and business and worked very hard from 1985 to 1989. sustainability. The most amazing thing is creating a dream It seemed like his fledgling yachting career was over, but yacht for an owner.” now he had money to invest and in 1989, he met In 2001 the yard started to produce all-carbon yachts, a businessman (and now a superyacht owner) Chris Gongriep, technically demanding form of lightweight composite yacht and set up Holland Jachtbouw. “It was potentially very that produced a better sailing experience. In 2005, the form exciting. Chris had already produced a few boats, and the reached new heights with the 37.2-metre Ghost. This sleek idea was to market well-made traditional sloop boats Luca Brenta design is the result of what Louis calls “the between about 47 foot and 75 foot,” he says. As always with perseverance of everybody involved to achieve the overall a fledging business, timing is crucial and the outbreak of the goal”. With a skylight that runs almost the length of the first Gulf War wasn’t the most helpful development. superstructure, she creates a light-filled guest environment, “I had to earn money, and it was time to get stuck into a as well as delivering an impressive sail. In 2010, Vitters new project,” says Louis. “I had known Jan Vitters for a while, purchased Green Marine of Southampton, specialists in and now there was an opportunity for us to work together. producing carbon composite hulls. We started Vitters with eight people and a shed producing “To translate an owner’s ideas into a custom sailing yacht aluminium hulls of 15, 24, and 34 metres – just the hulls, and is a team effort. This team starts with the owner, the naval a maximum two hulls in the yard at any one time.” architect and the designer. Each member of the team has a Once completed the bare hulls were moved to other yards specific task and responsibility,” says Louis. And the results for finishing, but then came a break. “In early 1992 we of that teamwork can be seen in the recent launches from discussed with a couple of owners the possibility of finishing the yard, such as the 2013 46-metre sloop Ganesha, their boats in our own yard. They said yes,” says Louis. “We designed by Ed Dubois, and the 54.6-metre Nigel Ingram concentrated on the technical systems. Interior woodwork and Hoek-designed classic-style ketch Marie from 2010. and cabinetry was bought in from quality outside suppliers, “Yacht building is a passionate quest for the statement and very soon we were set up to build exceptional sailing the owner wants to make. We are very excited with what lies yachts. The first of these was the Ron Holland-designed ahead. Our current developments will lead to 48-metre ketch Thalia, and the second was Top left: Louis says that breathtaking technological improvements for the 28-metre Aphrodite, another custom specialising in performance yachts has driven Vitters’ the future of yacht building,” he says. And with ketch designed by Hoek.” These yachts were success. the 46-metre J-Class Svea, developed with delivered in 1993 and 1994 respectively. Top right: Inouï, a 33-metre Claasen Shipyards and Hoek Design, and the “As with all good businesses, we wanted to Philippe Briand design with an Andrew Winch interior, Tripp-designed Project 85 developed with succeed and we wanted longevity,” he says. and with the carbon Oceanco, in build there is a lot more to come “We had a period more than ten years ago, composite hull and from the Vitters story. SYW where we were producing some quality superstructure produced at motor boats. We now concentrate wholly on www.vitters.com Green Marine in 2013.

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SUPERYACHT REPORT

ROCK.IT An achievement that embodies what it means to create a truly custom superyacht Alexandra Groom

Photographs | Courtesy Feadship

SUPERYACHT REPORT Right: A table and comfy chairs makes this part of the sundeck the focal point for entertaining. Left: All the exterior furniture was built in-house by Feadship. Below left: The jacuzzi is an inviting spot to relax in. Bottom: The sundeck bar faces both for and aft for ease of use.

The SPORT exterior lines are oft ned by he o d AMERI ANA meets Du ch minimalism interior

doors slide open on the main ry time I come in there it just my John Liautaud. Words spoken by a proud owner show just how 60.34-metre ROCK.IT has more than lived up to expectations after her first year on the water. “ROCK.IT is very sleek and bold without being pretentious,” says exterior and interior designer Sander Sinot of Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design. “A natural flow of lines and surfaces makes the yacht breathe speed and exude elegance.” A marriage of cool Dutch design and hot American passion has given the yacht a unique soul, and, after her first year of cruising, ROCK.IT has taken on a personality of her own. “The owner wanted to have a yacht that was fast from the outside and cosy from the inside,” says Sipke Halbertsma, sales manager at Feadship. “ROCK.IT has a classic Feadship hull from the front, but if you look at her profile you’ll see the exterior lines work to make her look fast.” This was an important factor for an inspired and excited owner who wanted to do a lot of cruising, and the whole package is tied up neatly in the name,

‘rocking it’ being a longtime motto for Liautaud in his business life. However, the aggressive, forward movement of the exterior is softened by the interior, also by Sinot: a marriage of old Americana mahogany and modern Dutch minimalism. A surprising pairing, perhaps, but one that works hard to earn its keep as both a cosy family retreat and a raring-to-go party space. Nothing is out of place, and the rooms don’t feel busy, but there is a warmth that pervades above all. It manages to be both contemporary and comfortable. Perhaps one reason the two themes blend so effortlessly is to be found in the quality of the work. It is cosy, yes, but not rustic. Glossy and veneered wood extends throughout the yacht, and is the dominant theme, with mahogany being the most prevalent. However, this is not just any mahogany. The highest quality crotched mahogany was sourced and then ‘folded’ out, so that the panels all match symmetrically, a difﬁcult and lengthy process. Lavish use of glass throughout means the interior beneﬁts from lots of natural light, stopping the wood from feeling too heavy.

SUPERYACHT REPORT

In the bridge deck salon, wood also plays a major theme. Light sycamore panelling clads the walls in a unique diagonal veneer, and a custom weaved teak ceiling is an impressive touch. Mahogany accents throughout draw the room together and link it to the rest of the spaces on board. A well-stocked bar with backlit white onyx proves the focal part of the room, from which the spaces divide out into individual lounging areas, each made distinct by their own soft cream carpet. ROCK.IT feels voluminous, and while the high ceilings certainly aid this, so does the interior design, which allows for spaces to flow from one designated area to the next, creating capsule environments. Rather than having the feeling of a bridge deck salon, the room is separated into useful and efficient spaces, which makes it feel much larger. Bars are a recurring theme on board, with each deck hosting a unique and ample-sized offering. On the main deck, the bar, complete with full-height wine chiller, is the first thing you see when you walk through the sliding doors. Resplendent in backlit onyx and glossy mahogany and based in a circular ante-chamber, it

separates the formal dining space, with a stunning table by Pollaro, and the outside entertaining space, immediately imparting the good-time vibe felt throughout the yacht. On the sundeck, the more informal outdoor bar faces both fore and aft, allowing the whole deck to be used efﬁciently for entertaining. Furthest forward is a Jacuzzi surrounded by sunpads and sofas. In the centre is a table and chairs, made in-house by Feadship, and drawing the whole area together as a relaxed lounging space that accommodates all twelve guests. Aft of the central bar is a row of deckchairs and a large tender and two waverunners. “We have some owners that want two or three tenders and lots of toys, but the owner of ROCK.IT is really about yachting and diving, so the guest tender we store up top and the rescue tender is in a big hatch forward of the bridge,” says Halbertsma. Not having the tenders stored in the beach club gives a feeling of more space elsewhere on the yacht, especially in the guest and crew accommodation. As a yard, Feadship is known for focusing its efforts on offering bespoke superyachts, where there is no

Left: The bridge deck salon is warm and inviting. Above: The bridge deck aft offers up plenty of outside relaxation space. Right: This unique piece of pop art was a gift to the owners when ROCK.IT was launched. Far right: A beautiful games table by Pollaro on the bridge deck. Below: Glass screens in the superstructure slide forward to provide shelter in case of a breeze.

SUPERYACHT REPORT

Above: There is a formal dining table by Pollaro in the main salon. Left: The staircase is clad in opulent mahogany... Far left: ... and links the guest cabins to the main and bridge decks. Right: The sliding doors on the main deck open wide to facilitate movement between the spaces. Below: An antechamber hosts a bar before the spaces opens up into the formal salon.

ordinary and exceptional is the new normal. And exceptional is no hyperbole. Liautaud took the ability to create a custom superyacht and ran with it. “During his many visits to the yard, we had terriﬁc fun with this unconventional and no-compromise client,” says CEO Henk de Vries. “His between-your-eyes honesty and tremendous respect for and appreciation of Feadship craftsmanship pushed us to new heights.” ROCK.IT is one of the quietest yachts Feadship has ever made, and also was the ﬁrst to utilise an intuitive control and manoeuvring system, commonly used on navy ships. The system allows ROCK.IT to keep her heading at anchor by hovering on the main engine and thrusters. “I was willing to accept this new system because it comes from a proven military background,” says ROCK.IT’s build captain. “The manoeuvring system represents a real step towards the future. To make it happen took real vision and considerable skill.” The interior layout is also a far cry from the conventional. The four guest cabins on the lower deck are all similar in size and aesthetic, doing away with the usual large VIP cabin. This allows all the guest cabins,

consisting of two large doubles, a smaller double and a twin, to be large and well-appointed, keeping a democratic harmony and reinforcing the feel of the yacht as a family home away from home. Unsurprisingly, however, the master cabin is pretty spectacular. Full beam and located on the main deck, the suite is accessed via an opulent marble lobby, past the dramatic mahogany-panelled staircase which links the guest areas. A private study opens out into the full-beam cabin, which is characterised by the same deep mahogany as seen throughout the rest of the yacht, and soft furnishings in creams and whites. Huge windows ensure the room is always full of light. Forward are large his’n’hers bathrooms, gleaming with marble and backlit stone. The sink in Liautaud’s bathroom is crafted from a single block of black Portoro marble, weighing almost 500 kilograms. His wife Leslie’s side boasts a large French-style free standing bath, a rarity on a superyacht, as well as a wealth of Staturio marble and an elegant vanity unit. With so much effort put into creating such a homely space, it would be easy to expect the owners to never

SUPERYACHT REPORT

His bath oom has a sink crafted from a s ng e piece of PORT RO MARBLE weighing o er 500kg

leave their suite, however this is far from the case. There is no favourite space on board: “You know what, I love them all,” says Liautaud. We spend least time on the main deck, we spend most of our time on the swim platform and the sundeck, and we live in the bridge deck.” The bridge deck is a compromise between the formal main deck and the relaxed sundeck. An al fresco dining table aft can be sheltered from a breeze by sliding glass panels, and the large doors into the salon create an easy inside/outside entertaining space. Further aft, two smaller tables surrounded by sofas move up and down to serve either as coffee tables or dining tables, and match the larger table to create a symbiosis between the areas. This deck is also home to some of the yacht’s unique and interesting art work, some of which was given to the owners as gifts and the rest which was commissioned specially for the yacht. The art work ranges from pop art sculptures to modern illustrations and more traditional landscapes, and imparts a lived-in feel to the spaces it occupies. “Sander Sinot and Leslie did all of the art on board,” says the owner. “A couple of

friends and musicians gave us a couple of pieces. I did the hardscape and Leslie did all the soft and the colour. That’s our deal.” The art makes the rooms feel personal, and adds a vitality to the otherwise ﬂawless walls. “Each Feadship is totally unique and no two Feadship owners are the same,” says De Vries. “It is our privilege to create the most amazing yachts on the oceans for the most fascinating people on the planet, and it has been a great experience to partner with the owner of ROCK.IT.” The experience is, of course, of an owner involving himself in every aspect of the creation of his yacht, which, although perhaps not always easy, is what allows it to come alive in such a palpable way. ROCK.IT was a labour of love for her owner, and she hasn’t disappointed: “When I’m on board and I just look around at everything, it’s so stimulating and it’s just so awesome. I love it!” he says. This is perhaps what gives her such a tangible soul, the passion that went into creating something that would still excite so much after so many days spent aboard. ROCK.IT is an apt name for a yacht that makes an owner’s heart soar, like a rocket into outer space. SYW

Left: The full beam master cabin benefits from huge windows to flood the area with natural light. Top right: The lit staircase reflects its geometric shapes in the glossy mahogany panels. Right: The guest cabins are all of a similar size and appearance, and there is no distinct VIP cabin, giving the yacht a family feel. Far right: The solid piece of Portoro marble in “his” bathroom weighs almost 500 kilograms. Bottom: “Her” bathroom has a French-style freestanding bath.

SUPERYACHT REPORT

THE SPECS ROCK.IT Length overall 60.34m (197ft 9in) Beam 10.8m (35ft 4in) Draught 3.3m (10ft 8in) Engines Twin MTU 12V4000M53R; 1,529hp each Berths Owner 2. Guests 8. Crew 12. Fuel capacity 120,000 litres (31,701 US gallons) Fresh water capacity 24,000 litres (6,340 US gallons)

PERFORMANCE NOTES Speed (cruising) 12 knots Range at cruising speed 5,300 miles

BUILDER Classiﬁcation Lloyd’s Register of shipping 100 A1 SSC Yacht Mono G6 LMC, UMS, Cayman Islands LY2 compliant

Feadship Website: www.feadship.nl

BAR: Faces both fore and aft for effortless outdoor entertaining.

JACUZZI: Ideal for relaxing and surrounded by sunpads and sofas.

UPPER-DECK SALON: The family’s prefered living space on board.

BRIDGE: Features state-of-the art navigation systems and equipment.

MAIN DECK: A formal entertaining space, with three distinct areas.

MASTER CABIN: Featuring two large bathrooms and a dressing room.

GUEST CABINS: All similar in size and ﬁnish, adding to the family feel of the yacht.

Hull/superstructure steel/aluminium Naval Architect Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects Exterior Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design Interior Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design

CREW AREAS: Spacious crew cabins comply with modern regulations.

VOLUME: ROCK.IT is a voluminous yacht for her overall length.

TENDER: Stored on the sun deck to free up valuable internal space elsewhere.

BRIDGE DECK: The overhang creates a shaded spot for al fresco dining.

LINES: Purposeful lines by Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design give the yacht movement.

GLASS: Sliding glass panels shelter the aft bridge deck when there is a breeze.

NAME: A personal motto of the owner inspired the dynamic name choice.

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O C E A N S S P E C I A L

ARCADIA YACHTS

Building green machines

GUARDIANS OF THE SEA

Helping to save the world’s oceans

ON BOARD MV YERSIN A new vision for ownership

JELLYFISH RISING

Why jellyﬁsh blooms are bad

CALL OF THE WILD Zeepaard’s global tour

SUPERYACHT OCEANS SPECIAL

GREEN MACHINES Arcadia Yachts is transforming eco yachting with its no-compromise approach to design and innovation Words | Paul Ashton

ou don’t have to wander for long through a gallery of Renaissance painting to come across repeated references to Arcadia, an actual Greek province transformed into a Utopian vision of life as a natural paradise – a kind of Eden, a simple and bountiful wilderness untouched by messy, corrupted human types. It’s a wonderful metaphor for artists and poets, but at first glance an unusual name for a superyacht builder. And yet for Arcadia Yachts, based in Naples, the name is a bold and entirely fitting statement of intent. Founded in 2007 by president and owner Ugo Pellegrino, and chief engineer and designer Francesco Guida, Arcadia Yachts has taken the idea of green boating much further than any other superyacht builder. “There are two types of ecological superyacht,” says Francesco. “There are those that are really green, and those that are – as we say in Italy – ‘smoke in the eyes’!” The first 26-metre Arcadia 85 launched in 2009, a speculative build that sold early in 2010 at the Düsseldorf Boat Show. To date, ten 85s have been delivered to owners throughout the world. The 35-metre 115 debuted at the Monaco Yacht Show in 2012, with four yachts now sold. A new 100 is in build. Each of those yachts is in GRP, but last year the yard unveiled two steel and aluminium concepts, a 44-metre 145 and a 55-metre 180. Being readied for the Düsseldorf

show in January is the latest GRP offering, the quirky 16-metre Sherpa dayboat-cumsupport-vessel (a second hull is in build). This is something of a success story for a brand whose distinctive offering dares to be different. So where are the owners of Arcadia’s yachts coming from? “There is no precise typology of a client. Some are young, some are old. They might have previously owned a fast boat or a sailing boat,” says Francesco. “And they come from all over the world. The sensibility we have developed is very international. Look at our owners – we have one Italian, one Spaniard, one German, one French, one Turkish, one Lebanese, one Peruvian, one Romanian, an owner from Hong Kong, one British, one Polish. Some clients come to visit us after initially searching on Google for ‘ecological yacht’.” It was owners, indeed, who provided Francesco with the ﬁrst impetus to create the green blueprint that became Arcadia. “I love the sea, and of course yacht owners love the sea, and whoever loves the sea doesn’t want to destroy it,” he says. With 30 years of superyacht building behind him, Francesco has spent a lot of time chatting with owners and reﬂecting on how they use their yachts. “I would meet clients buying boats that went 30 knots. But when they took delivery and actually went out to sea they didn’t go above about 14 knots because it was more comfortable or they had their families on board. Real-life cruising isn’t done at maximum speed, but the trouble is that planing hulls

“The sensibility we’ve developed is very international”

O C E A N S S P E C I A L

Stately progress: the NPL hull means the Arcadia 115 cruises comfortably and efďŹ ciently.

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Facing page, top: Francesco Guidaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passion is for innovation. Right: The 115â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s upper deck lounge. (All photos on this spread are of the Arcadia 115.) Top: Aft on the upper deck. Above: Fine headroom in the main salon. Left: The upper lounge is the place to gather. Below: A spacious upper-deck lounging area. Below right: The folding terrace from the main-deck dining area. Facing page, below right: Guests on the swim platform.

at this reduced speed are not efficient, not comfortable and not eco-friendly. I then started thinking about a yacht that had comfort as the first principle, rather than speed,” he says. “Volume was another key issue. I didn’t want a yacht that copied the lines of a car as too many modern yachts do. Such a design can look curvaceous but it reduces the size of the windows and has an oppressive feel. It is not sensible. Owners want to enjoy a sense of freedom, the panorama.” One thing that did not impress Francesco was the solution for hybrid propulsion. “I studied hybrid propulsion for many years, and I realised that it came to market too early. Clients were being asked to pay a lot of money for something that wasn’t really very green and didn’t offer them more than a couple of hours’ low-speed cruising. Electric propulsion will only work when batteries are smaller and lighter. An owner doesn’t want a boat full of batteries and electronic boxes! It’s not the best solution for the client,” he says. So after listening to owners and incorporating his own ideas, Francesco had his wishlist – relatively small engines to power an efficient hull, low fuel consumption and a big cockpit. These are key elements that can be seen in the DNA of the yachts in the range today, but the first step was finding a suitable hull shape. From his days studying naval architecture, he remembered the distinctive semiplaning NPL hull, named after the National

Physical Laboratory in the London suburb of Teddington, where tests were conducted to discover the most hydrodynamically efficient hull for commercial and coastguard use in the 1960s. The NPL studied this hull in great detail, finding that it delivered good seakeeping with relatively small engines driving it. “They did all the tank tests and experimented with the ratios until they got it right. It was used in commercial sectors, but it struck me that the length:beam ratio is perfect for yachting. The form had been very well used in lot of different conditions, so there was plenty of data about it,” he says. The design needed just a few tweaks – spray rails to keep water off the topsides, modifying the accentuated knee to increase stability under way, and a modification at the stern to optimise longitudinal trim – but basically it offered what he wanted. The reinforced glassfibre shape came with the best of all worlds and it has proved a very practical solution up and down the Arcadia range. “At the particular speeds it will be cruised at, it is a highly efficient yacht, and the fuel consumption is good. It’s a very ecological mix,” he says. And it’s not just the eco benefits that appeal: great seakeeping and noise reduction throughout are other pluses. A distinctive feature of an Arcadia yacht is the extensive use of solar panelling throughout. Clinging to the architectural form of the superstructure, it makes for a

“Volume is key. Owners want a sense of freedom, the panorama”

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striking exterior, but inside too there is a dramatic play of light and shadow. And it’s no bolt-on, but rather an integral part of the design of the yacht. “We worked with the University of Naples to develop the technology, which is unique to Arcadia. The problem created by using glass with solar panelling is that a lot of very useful heat is lost. We use a double-glazing system with krypton gas in between,” he says. Managing the electricity produced by the solar power was another innovation, reducing the time a generator needs to be run. The aspect of the Arcadia range that he is most proud of is the feeling of the main salon – a huge, dramatic space. “There’s 2.7 metres headroom even on the 85 – it’s unique! The thick glass means you don’t get any noise when it’s raining. You get the panorama, and it’s a great place to be on the water.” Black-water and grey-water treatment systems are also part of Arcadia’s all-encompassing approach. Francesco is always on the look-out for interesting technologies that he can incorporate. “The car sector is changing very quickly. They are offering lighter, smaller technologies, and there are some amazing things in development. Tesla has been responsible for pushing this and encouraging competitors to match what they have.” He confesses he is working on a system for propulsion that is “the next step, revolutionary but simple, low maintenance and easy to manage”.

The new Sherpa – a tigerish-looking tug of a vessel, and as quirky a dayboat as you’re ever likely to see – is still a representative of Arcadia thinking. “I wanted to create the biggest area on deck. It’s very safe for kids. Interest has come from existing clients, owners of big superyachts, and those new to boats this size. The best selling point will be when we have one on the water and people will realise how good their connection is with the sea. Sit on the aft deck and you will think you are on the beach!” he says. The future is looking good for Arcadia, and for the values of eco boating at the core of its yachts. “We will see fewer and fewer planing hulls,” says Francesco. “There are so many available on brokerage, and they are very cheap. No one wants to spend all that money on burning fuel for an uncomfortable cruising experience.” Francesco attributes Arcadia’s success to a keep-it-simple approach. “There is not one solution to a green boat, but it’s about using the technologies together. When I was at Sanlorenzo, the old owner used to say to me ‘In the sea, what there isn’t doesn’t work!’ The idea is to keep things simple at all times,” he says. “We are very proud to be different. It may not to be everyone’s taste but we offer a very distinctive yacht, with its own character.” And an increasing number of owners are ﬁnding that Arcadia offers not only the best of all worlds, but a more responsible attitude to our own. SY W www.arcadiayachts.it

“We are distinctive. We are very proud to be different”

Top: Inside the 145 concept. Clockwise from above: Founder Ugo Pellegrino; the 145 concept; two renderings of the interior of the 100 currently in build. Below: The Sherpa support vessel, 16.8 metres and available in Med and Tropical conﬁgurations.

SOLAR PANELS: Reduces the dependence on the yacht’s generators. SOUNDPROOFING: Makes for a better guest experience at anchor and under way.

WASTE MANAGEMENT: Avoids pollution by treating waste water.

HULL FORM: Tried-and-tested NPL hull makes the most of the boat’s green attributes. BIG WINDOWS: Guests have a great connection with the outside environment. BUILD SYSTEM: Arcadia ensures that waste materials are minimised.

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SUPERYACHT OCEANS SPECIAL

WORDS | ???

GUA R DI A NS of the OCEAN Just a few of the organisations that are ﬁghting back on the planet’s behalf

O C E A N S S P E C I A L

Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco (right) has been at the forefront of ocean initiatives for more than decade. His arrival at the Monaco Yacht Show this year aboard MV Yersin was an example of his commitment to sustainable oceans. “I decided to set up a foundation whose purpose is to protect the environment and to encourage sustainable development. By deﬁnition, this is a common global challenge that requires urgent and concrete action in response to three major environmental issues: climate change, biodiversity and water,” he says. The wide remit includes combating deforestation and developing renewables, but

also a host of marine projects, including the foundation of a carbon initiative in the Arctic. Before the COP21 talks in Paris, HSH hosted a dinner entitled ‘Because the Ocean’ to lobby for ocean-speciﬁc discussions. At the foundation’s annual awards last autumn, the winners included Bill McKibben of 360.org. www.fpa2.com

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Mission Blue Founded by oceanographer Sylvia Earle (above), Mission Blue focuses on increasing the levels of protected marine sites (what the organisation calls ‘Hope Spots’ – with over 50 established across the world so far), as well as exploring the ocean environment. “I wish you would use all means at your disposal – ﬁlms, the web, expeditions, new submarines, a campaign! – to ignite public support for a network of global marine protected areas, Hope Spots large enough to save and restore the ocean – the blue heart of the planet,” she says. Recent expeditions have been to Cashes Ledge in the Gulf of Maine, Cocos Island in Costa Rica, Swan Islands off Honduras and South Africa. mission-blue.org

Blue Marine Foundation

Ocean Futures Society Jean-Michel Cousteau (above) – son of Jacques, father of Fabien – founded the organisation in 1999 to “explore our global ocean, inspiring and educating people throughout the world to act responsibly for its protection”. Film-maker Jean-Michel has been producing some important series on ocean sustainability. Keynote themes of the society are clean water, the protection of marine habitats and marine mammals, and the implementation of sustainable ﬁsheries. www.oceanfutures.org

Set up in 2010, the Blue Marine Foundation is a UK-registered charity that focuses on UK territorial waters and those of UK dependencies (such as Pitcairn, Ascension, South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands). The organisation also campaigns to create more protected waters globally – Blue Marine aims to protect 10 per cent of the world’s oceans by 2020. The Blue Marine Yacht Club (of which HSH Prince Albert II is a patron and which has Lürssen as a main sponsor), brings together owners, brokers, builders and marinas across the globe. Y.CO has launched its own scheme for superyacht crew, with 100% of all subscriptions going to Blue, as well as encouraging yacht owners and charter guests to support the organisation. To date, Y.CO has handed over €50,000 to the Blue Marine Foundation. www.bluemarinefoundation.com

The International SeaKeepers Society Founded in 1998 by a group of yachtsmen, SeaKeepers offers superyacht owners the chance to get directly involved with the preservation of the oceans by becoming a SeaKeepers member. The Discovery Yachts Programme signs up the private yachts of owners who want to actively participate in vital scientiﬁc work. Various levels of participation are available, including deployment of the SeaKeepers Drifter device, which directly

transmits ocean data to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration and the World Meteorological Organisation. Yachts can also be used as a platform for education and for a more comprehensive expedition. Some yachts, like Octopus, Tatoosh and Alfa Nero, have the full SeaKeepers 1000 equipment for real-time monitoring. The programme ran for over a decade but is no longer operational. In 2015, the organisation took part in a Florida/Bahamas shark-tagging exercise with the University of Miami, a study of the Bahamian sponge population, and numerous educational outreach cruises. www.seakeepers.org

The Ocean Cleanup Started by Boyan Slat (left), a Dutchman in his early 20s, the Ocean Cleanup crowdfunded its way into the headlines with 38,000 funders from 160 countries in 100 days and over $2 million raised. The aim is to clean up some of the eight million tons of plastic that enters the ocean every year. Last August a group of vessels trialled the main Paciﬁc clean-up operation, which is scheduled to begin in 2020. The organisation is also trialling a series of passive booms and ﬂoating barriers to collect debris. www.theoceancleanup.com

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Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation Founded in 2000 by the Saudi Prince Khaled bin Sultan, the organisation is nearing the conclusion of its biggest research effort yet – the five-year-long Global Reef Expedition that has been mapping coral reefs, producing a unique portfolio of data that will be shared freely throughout the world. Research has been looking at a number of parameters, including disease on the reef, the structure of the fish community, and the state of young coral. In November last year, the foundation’s divers removed over 7,000 coral-eating crownof-thorns starfish, which have been infesting vulnerable reefs in the Maldives. Teams of scientists and educators throughout the world can call on the Golden Fleet – the 66.8-metre Golden Shadow converted explorer yacht (top), with her Golden Eye Cessna seaplane. The organisation was recently presented with the Fabien Cousteau Blue Award for its work in preserving the oceans at a dinner held by the International Superyacht Society. The award was sponsored by Oceanco and presented by Fabien Cousteau. www.livingoceansfoundation.org

Fabien Cousteau With a rich family heritage in ocean preservation (he’s the grandson of Jacques), Fabien Cousteau (right) is the inspiration behind a number of projects worldwide. His Ocean Learning Centre is dedicated to inspiring the next generation by allowing students and children to interact with marine biologists. In 2014, his Mission 31 project

successfully worked in an undersea laboratory nine miles off the Florida coast for 31 days. Watchmaker Doxa created the Mission 31 Sub Professional to commemorate the event. His Plant-a-Fish project is dedicated to restoring the world’s ﬁsh stocks. “No matter how remote we feel we are from the oceans, every act each one of us takes affects our planet’s water cycle and, in return, affects us,” he says. fabiencousteau.org

Thierry Ameller Photography

How owner François Fiat created his dream yacht – and set a new template for ownership Paul Ashton

Ye rs i n

SUPERYACHT OCEANS SPECIAL

O C E A N S S P E C I A L

Justin Ratcliffe

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the culmination of a dream,” owner François Fiat of his tre MV Yersin. And what an ed dream it was – five years from ion. This is a yacht that can be measured not only by the time and effort that went into the construction, but also the sheer audacity of the project. MV Yersin represents a completely new model of superyacht ownership. Among her superyacht sisters at the Monaco Yacht Show last September, MV Yersin cut a very unusual figure. Even fresh from the yard and in her show best, she stood out as more beefcake than beauty, with a high bow and imposing, dark hull towering over the delicate and playful yachts along the pontoon. She’s the product of the Piriou yard in Western France, whose expertise before MV Yersin had been in rugged commercial vessels. On board you’ll find creature comforts in the guest areas, but everywhere there are signs of serious intent: the heavy-duty watertight doors inside, the chunky deck gear and the commercial standard cranes. This is a yacht prepared to do battle at the extremities of the blue planet. François Fiat speaks not so much of cruises but “missions” for his new yacht. “Yersin is designed for ad-hoc missions,” he says. This is linked to his concept of ‘A, S, E’ – adventure, science, education. “A charterer has the possibility of organising an exploration tour or a scientific mission to Alaska via the Bering Strait, or to navigate from the yacht’s base in Monaco for a trip in the Mediterranean with students from a technical school or science institute,” he says. You know you’re in a special kind of superyacht when you come across a utility room that can be used as a classroom on the upper deck. The facilities for scientists are extensive, too, with laboratory spaces, as well as all the kit a team of oceanographers might need – there are wetsuits aplenty in the extensive storage areas aft. There’s nothing token about this: it’s serious stuff, for serious exploration. And there’s a very good reason for it – the yacht is dedicated to adding to our knowledge of the oceans and how they are changing. The yacht’s guest areas are certainly not an after thought – guest comfort is a key part of the offering.

Shes dedicated to adding o our KNOWLEDGE of the oceans

Above: The lounge aft on the owner’s deck opens onto a sociable deck space. Above left: François Fiat (right) with Pascal Piriou (left) and Yersin’s captain Jean Dumarais. Left: The yacht’s funnel is mainly symbolic: her diesel-electric propulsion system complies with Tier 2 emissions regs. Right: Tenders stow aft but are easy to deploy with the dedicated cranes. Far left: Tintin and crew, with an excellent view out of Yersin’s superbly well-appointed wheelhouse. (It’s from Red Rackham’s Treasure, in case you were wondering.)

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The inter o s LIGHT and PLAYFUL, a key part of the offering Above: The owner’s lounge/library boasts plenty of comfortable seating. Left: Big windows make for some fantastic views forward in the spacious owner’s suite. Right: One of the yacht’s communal dining areas. Artworks add a dash of colour to the interior. Far right: Recliners on the owner’s deck, opposite seating and a coffee table. Above right: A classroom space ensures that Yersin will be a place of learning about the oceans.

The dedicated owner’s area above the main deck boasts a forward-facing suite, with a dining area and lounge aft. Yersin’s interior – the work of Piriou and Pierre Jacques Kubis – is a light and playful space with Decoish touches here and there. Social spaces inside soon make you forget that there might be people in lab coats a deck below. Outside, there are superb entertaining areas – at the Monaco Yacht Show, the expansive aft deck was a great spot to host 80 guests for the presentation of the 2015 Baccarat SuperYacht World Award to the owner and his wife. For François Fiat, a love of the sea and all things nautical started with a childhood interest in Tintin (there’s a playful print of Tintin, Captain Haddock, Professor Calculus and the Thompson Twins displayed in the wheelhouse). He calls Tintin “a source of my inspiration”, and that’s a hint at how far back the roots of this project go: a lifetime’s mulling over has gone into creating this yacht. Even the name has a fitting resonance: Alexander Yersin was a pioneering bacteriologist whose work in Indo-China in the early 20th Century made a difference to countless lives. The project has close links with its home port of Monaco. HSH Prince Albert I was a pioneer in exploring the seas, using his L’Hirondelle for oceanographic ventures. HSH Prince Albert II is equally passionate about environmental matters, with a foundation to his name. François Fiat is the first ambassador for the Yacht Club de Monaco’s La Belle Classe of superyacht, created for yachts dedicated to environmental concerns. She’s a green and clean ship with particulate filters, bio treatment for black and grey water, and waste storage for 40 people for 50 days. Even the decks are in synthetic teak – you’d struggle to find a environmental reg or recommendation she doesn’t adhere to. Five years ago, the plans really started taking shape in his mind, with the focus at first on gathering all the information he could on existing propulsion systems and exhaust treatments, as well as investigating alternative materials to the traditional: it was a case of creating the most environmentally respectful vessel he could. At this stage, the Piriou yard got involved after a chance meeting. “François Fiat has been seduced by our design of an oceanic tuna ship and her electric

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propulsion!” says Pascal Piriou, CEO of the yard. Piriou was not totally new to yachts, having been a shareholder of JFA Yachts for a decade, but there was nothing in Piriou’s locker that was anything like Yersin so they were starting with a blank canvas. “I think what drove François Fiat to Piriou was our great experience for special projects involving vessels that require maximum reliability,” he says. “Our main challenge was to perfectly understand the owner’s demands, not only technically but also the philosophy beyond the design and its translation into every technical solution. We spent several months working with the owner, his captain Jean Dumarais and his chief engineer Yordan Hristov on the preliminary draught of the future Yersin. There were lots of changes but once the contract was complete it remained almost unchanged during the three-year build, and it came in with a price change within 3% of the original.” François Fiat’s drive for an all-weathers, all-seas yacht at first glance looks like something that should be easy to achieve for a commercial yard used to creating vessels that operate at the extremes, but Yersin would have to be operating in temperatures at both ends of the scale – commercial vessels are usually configured to operate in constant heat or constant cold. “Once we understood the customer’s requirements, implementing solutions focusing on environmental matters was complex – the joint implementation of so many was tricky. That we overcame these challenges was a result of teamwork,” says Pascal Piriou. “Meeting François Fiat was a landmark in our company’s life and for our 300 employees. He entrusted us with his dream and his confidence. This was an inspiring project on the technical and human level. We wish to build other vessels of this kind, not only because this is our business but because it is an incredible chance to make more dreams come true. We already have promising contacts,” says Pascal. But for now the focus is on Yersin, as at home negotiating ice-floes, delicate eco systems in the Tropics, long-range ocean cruises, or sitting pretty outside her spiritual home at the Yacht Club de Monaco. She’s a unique and audacious yacht that really is a new model for superyacht ownership. SYW

“We had to understand the PHILOSOPHY beyond the DESIGN”

Above: There are relaxing main-deck lounging spaces, like this one to starboard. Far left: The bar area will be a popular place to gather. Left: A dining area on the main deck to port. Above left: Guest cabins are well appointed, with plenty of space and the same AV entertainment systems throughout. Right: Myriad storage areas aboard Yersin means there is plenty of kit for exploring, including wetsuits to ďŹ t any size of guest.

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THE SPECS Yersin Length overall 76.60m (251ft 4in) Beam 13.00m (42ft 7in) Draught 4.40m (14ft 5in) Displacement 2,000 tonnes Propulsion Azimuth thrusters 2 x 1,500kW (1,650hp) Berths Guests: 18. Crew: 26. Pilots: 2. Fuel capacity 400,000 litres (105,689 US gal) Fresh water capacity 80,000 litres (21,133 US gal) Hull/superstructure Steel/aluminium Naval architecture Piriou

OWNER’S SUITE: Seating area to port makes the most of the great views.

Exterior Piriou & Pierre Jacques Kubis Interior Piriou & Pierre Jacques Kubis Classiﬁcation BV: I Hull Machinery, Unrestricted navigation AUT-UMS, Passenger ship - <= 36 passengers ICE CLASS IC, CLEANSHIP

PERFORMANCE Top speed 15 knots Cruising speed 11 knots Range @ 11 knots 15,000 nautical miles BUILDER

TENDERS & EQUIPMENT 11.0-metre tender; 7.5-metre RIB; 7.3-metre aluminium barge; scuba-diving station; Quadbikes; PWCs; canoe; seaplane

Piriou, ZI du Moros, 29185 Concarneau, France. Tel: +33 (0)2 98 97 09 Email: expedition-yachtsupportvessels@piriou.com Website: www.piriou.com

GALLEY: Yersin also boasts a food store and three cold rooms.

SUNDECK: A hot-tub and sunbathing area, with ﬁne views forward.

ELEVATOR: Yersin’s midships lift travels to all six deck levels.

SUNDECK: Sociable spots for gathering around a bar and seating areas either side.

GUEST LOUNGES: Plenty of sociable guest spaces on the main deck.

EXTERIOR DECKS: Sustainable synthetic teak used throughout. OWNER’S DECK: The 12-seater cinema will be a popular spot with guests.

AFT DECK: The 7.3-metre aluminium barge for scooting up beaches.

MAIN DECK: A versatile room with AV and presentation kit.

PARTY SPACE: With the tenders deployed, this is a big entertaining space.

EXHAUST FILTERS: Particulate emissions are reduced to as little as 0.01%.

SUNDECK: Protective awnings can withstand snow and ice loads during polar trips.

SATELLITE LINK: Connections to global science networks for immediate data transfer.

GREY AND BLACK WATER: Biological treatment and storage capacity.

GUEST FACILITIES: Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an on-board cinema, hammam and massage room.

EXTERNAL HULL LINES: Piriou was inspired by liners from the 1950s.

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RISE O F

T H E

SPI N ELESS exist in the past (including the geologically distant Most of us don’t have a good thing to say about past), and is part of a jellyfish’s life cycle, but all the jellyfish. Drifting on the current through an anchorage evidence suggests that blooms are becoming more like an armada of lost handkerchiefs, they can prevalent. This is bad news – the jellyfish can then do interrupt an afternoon’s swimming, and littering the further damage to an already weakened eco-system. foreshore in the wake of a storm they look like a series One unusual casualty of jellyfish blooms came in of discarded plastic parasols after a frantic children’s 2006: the USS Ronald Regan, 333-metres and 103,000 party. They can sting, too, sometimes fatally. As forms tons of nuclear-powered supercarrier. Sucked into the of planetary life go, these wobbly and dangerous ship’s sea-water cooling system, the jellyfish rendered creatures merit only our avoidance, and yet marine the ship out of action for days while the pipes were scientists who have been studying jellyfish have come cleaned. Sea-water cooling is used for scores of to an alarming conclusion: that jellyfish behaviour over nuclear power stations, and there have been the past few decades tells us plenty of unpalatable shutdowns in Japan, Scotland, Israel, India and Norway truths about what we’ve been doing to the oceans. because of jellyfish being sucked in. At one plant in They may strike us as a branch of life that evolution Japan, pre-Fukoshima, an average of 150 tons of forgot, but the species has staying power: fossil jellyfish a day were scooped off intake screens. records go back 500 million years on conservative Old-tech solutions suffer, too. In 1999 some 40 estimates, predating dinosaurs, trees and us. They’re million people living in and around Manila were the most senior multi-organ life form on earth. These plunged into darkness by a sudden power cut. As simple creatures know what they like, which is warmer, rumours spread of an impending military coup (things more acidic conditions, where natural predators are were none too stable then), the real culprit was diminished, and where they can drift to their heart’s uncovered as countless numbers of jellyfish sucked content (if it’s possible to describe their rudimentary into the water-cooling system of a key coal-fired power circulatory system as a ‘heart’). Those are just the station. “Here we are at the dawn of a new conditions prevailing in the world’s oceans. In practice, we are seeing more and more This photo: A beautiful millennium, in the age of cyberspace, and bluefire, whose sting we are at the mercy of jellyfish,” said an ‘blooms’ of jellyfish. This is a gathering of leads to severe pain editorial in the Philippine Star at the time. hundreds of thousands of the species, and nausea. Usually, there are meshes to prevent brought together by favourable currents. Right: Warming seas marine life getting into the system, but even help jellyfish thrive. It’s a phenomenon that has been know to

Flach/Emotions Into the Blue Sea/Getty

Why jellyﬁsh blooms are telling us some uncomfortable truths about the state of the oceans

O C E A N S S P E C I A L

These wobbly creatures have something IMPORTANT to tell us

SUPERYACHT OCEANS SPECIAL

of the Ocean. One of her alarming subheads is ‘Jellyfish if jellyfish had any notion of hazard, they don’t have Replacing Penguins’. In theory, Antarctica is a cold, the power to get away from an intake’s pull. krill-rich location that is very penguin-friendly. But key Triathletes have been incapacitated at a number of factors are reducing the krill population – human events throughout the world by swimming into blooms intervention has been taking great quantities out of of jellyfish, and there’s the case of the Diasan the water for a variety of uses (krill oil is good for you, Shinso-maru, a Japanese trawler. It was fishing when, unknown to the three men on board, it tried to haul in a apparently), and there has been a thinning of the ice, which reduces the primary grazing areas of krill. The netful of blooming Nomura jellyfish, the biggest krill gap has been filled by tiny crustaceans called example of the species that can reach two metres copepods, 120 times smaller than krill and too small across. The boat’s stability was compromised and the for penguins to eat. Jellyfish love them, though, and men were thrown overboard. They were rescued their numbers in the region are rising, while penguin without harm. numbers are in decline. Another victim of the blooms is salmon farms. This problem is being repeated in many ocean Inside the pens, salmon swim in one direction, which locations – rising sea temperatures and overfishing can create enough of a draw to pull a bloom towards have caused changes to the fish biodiversity that are them. The pens are sufficiently protected to mean the being exploited by jellyfish, who rather enjoy the jellyfish remain trapped on the netting, but jellyfish warmer seas and greater acidity. mucus and stinging cells make it through, blocking the So what can be done? As we went to press in early salmon’s gills. With thousands of fish panicking and December, the world’s most powerful politicians were breathing faster, the problem is exacerbated, and the putting their heads together in Paris at the COP 21 carnage is quite staggering: in 1998 in New Zealand, talks, which may or may not lead to serious, sustained over 50,000 3kg salmon were destroyed in half an action that will benefit the oceans. In her book, hour. Fish farmers in Ireland and Chile have suffered Lisa-ann Gershwin calls the situation similar slaughters. “almost apocalyptic”. And after the But there is a little more to it than an Above: A two-metreapocalypse? There is only jellyfish. SYW increase in the price of sushi and sashimi. The story is told most engagingly by marine wide Nomura jellyfish, • Stung!: On Jellyfish Blooms and the Future drifting happily off biologist Lisa-ann Gershwin in her book Japan. The Japanese of the Ocean by Lisa-ann Gershwin is turn it into ice cream. published by the University of Chicago Press Stung!: On Jellyfish Blooms and the Future

Lucia Terui/Getty

Jellyﬁsh are enjoying the WARMER seas and RISING acidity

SUPERYACHT OCEANS SPECIAL

The call of

THE WILD Sietse Koopmans takes his explorer yacht Zeepaard on a global cruising adventure Words | Alexandra Groom

ietse Koopmans, owner of Zeelander Yachts, is explaining over lunch in the South of France why he feels so passionate about promoting the world of exploration cruising to the wider superyacht community. “I have made around 3,400 flights in my life and have owned 17 companies around the world, but I always felt that I’d been everywhere and seen nothing. My travels were between my house, the airport, and various hotels and offices. Maybe the odd shopping mall. So I said to myself, ‘One day I’m going to sell my company and sail round the world on a slow boat, and I want to see everything in slow motion’. So that’s what I did. And it was spectacular.” Koopmans spent three years circumnavigating the globe on his 37-metre JFA explorer yacht Zeepaard, taking in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, cruising across to the Pacific Islands and then moving on to Australia and South East Asia, before crossing the Arabian Sea and finishing in Egypt. He can reel off an impressive list of numbers that defined the trip: three years and three months of travel, 39 countries visited, 50,000 miles sailed and over 40,000 photos snapped, but for him the biggest impact was emotional. “I did learn things from my trip. The first year I was on the boat I had tears in my eyes every day because I was so happy. I felt like I was released from prison,” he explains of choosing to live life in the slow lane. “For those 12 months I tried to do absolutely nothing. But then after a year I started needing to be emotionally challenged, in the same way others feel the need to be physically challenged. So I

Above: Zeepaard often had whole bays to herself on her travels. Facing page, top left: Koopmans and his crew travelled to remote destinations. Top right: Marine iguanas in the Galapagos are unfazed by humans... Bottom left: ...as are the friendly seals. Bottom right: A traditional boat in the San Blas Islands.

think it’s important to find the balance between being too busy and having too much free time. That’s one of the important lessons I learnt.” Koopmans tried to minimise his impact on the environment before he set off on his world cruise. “I changed all the lights on board to LEDs, which use less energy. I even changed the colour of the hull – she was dark blue, and that’s very hot, it uses three times as much energy to cool a dark-hulled boat as opposed to a light-hulled boat. The maintenance is also a problem because it always looks dirty, so I painted her light grey.” For Koopmans, being properly prepared for a trip doesn’t just involve the mechanics of a seaworthy boat. “Of course your boat needs to be suitable to travel, but you need to also think about where you’re going and what the facilities are. You need to have proper refrigeration on board, because it can be hard to find fresh food and vegetables. Meat you can deal without and fish you can buy everywhere, but fresh vegetables are always a bit of a problem.” With the benefit of hindsight, Koopmans does have one particular part he would prepare more thoroughly for the next trip, and that is sending scouts ahead and involving more local guides. “You want to go to all the best places and not miss anything important. You go somewhere new and you feel like Columbus because you’ve never been before. But it’s not the right way to

“I’d always felt that I’d been everywhere and seen nothing”

O C E A N S S P E C I A L

SUPERYACHT OCEANS SPECIAL

It’s important to enjoy the travel possibilities afforded by yachts explore for me, because when you come back and later read that they have volcanoes or amazing caves, you realise there are things you didn’t see. So it’s best you send someone ahead to explore the area or who knows where to go and what to see at what times. It’s also important to organise proper dive guides. Diving is big in my family and I’ve rented many dive guides around the world, and they can really enhance the experience.” Whereas some might argue this type of travelling is not exploring in the traditional sense, Koopmans shrugs it off. “When you decide to visit something under those parameters it’s not necessarily an ad hoc decision, which does have a little romance to it I’ll admit, but when your time is limited it’s also very precious.” For owners like Koopmans the most important factor is to enjoy the experience of the travel possibilities afforded by their yacht. Whereas some enjoy the peace and the unknown, others prefer to be in the thick of the action. “When we had ocean crossings of more that four days, I would ﬂy instead. I like doing things, and I didn’t want to look at nothing for days at a time. And this is the way I went around the world. You send the boat from continent to continent and join it along the way. It was a very pleasurable experience.” Even after visiting 39 countries, Koopmans doesn’t have a stand-out favourite. “It’s very difﬁcult to choose, because it depends on whether you like nature, culture or architecture. Even in the Mediterranean, there are so

many islands and diverse areas, there’s so much of our own culture and history to learn of. You can spend ten years in the Med if you want to.” One of the places that Koopmans does speak very fondly of is the San Blas islands, off the coast of Panama. “They’re spectacular. They look like something you’d see in National Geographic, but the most amazing part is the culture. The Kuna Yala people have been living the same way for centuries, with nothing, and they don’t want anything. They’re happy with the way they are, which is a very unique thing to see these days. I spent a couple weeks there – they’re very open and friendly. One day I was with my personal trainer doing exercises on the sundeck, and they came ﬂoating next to the boat in a hollowed out tree, a mother, father and two children, watching me do my exercises and thinking ‘look at that idiot, what is he doing?!’ I was their entertainment! One night, our engineer was standing on the aft on the swim platform and this man came rowing towards the boat in his canoe. When he got close to the boat he grabbed a little plastic bag out of his canoe and gave it to the engineer and said ‘Can you please charge my phone!’ He had a little prepaid phone, but no electricity! He had a brother who lived on the mainland that he wanted to speak to!” The Galápagos also left a lasting impression on Zeepaard and her guests, especially when two friendly seals decided to explore the engineroom. “You have to ask permission to go to the Galápagos, and you can only anchor in one location or you have to pay very costly fees. Ofﬁcially you also need to have yellow lights on your deck instead of white, because of the possibility

Top: Koopmans did not take any risks in the Arabian Sea and prepared Zeepaard accordingly. Above left: Diving in Indonesia was a highlight for everyone. Above right: Koopmans travelled for the culture as well as the geography.

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SUPERYACHT OCEANS SPECIAL

of migrating flies from one island to another at night. The diving is insane, because you’re not allowed to fish there. The fish are intelligent and they know you can’t catch them! They’re very friendly, they come up to your mask and say hello. And the seals just swim around you while the marine iguanas sit on the black rocks to keep warm. You’ve got to be careful you don’t step on one! At one point a school of about 30 hammerhead sharks came over us, 10 foot long! But they don’t bother you.” The one place Koopmans wasn’t going to take any risks was the Arabian Sea, going back to the Med via the Suez Canal. “I spent a lot of money keeping Zeepaard safe from pirates on that trip. We made extensive modifications, including wrapping her up in chicken fence, barbed wire and electric fencing. We placed the military number ZP01 on the bow to make her look like navy ship, fitted shooting bunkers on deck and modified the engineroom into a citadel from where we could operate all controls. I also had four Navy Seals on board with all their equipment. Luckily we didn’t have any issues, and we encountered bad weather anyway which kept them away. Once a little boat approached, but then it turned around and that was it.” Of course, owners can choose not to take the yachts to certain locations if they would prefer. “The main drive I would say for a yacht is that you’re free. You can go moor wherever you like, and that’s your home. My friends and family visited me all over the world, and

“The main drive with a yacht is that you’re free to go where you like” 72

wherever they came aboard, whether it was Ibiza or Cuba, Galápagos or Australia, they’d say ‘Ah, nice to be back home.’ That’s the beauty of a yacht.” Asked if he would do it all again, Koopmans nods, although there are no immediate plans in place for an extended world journey, just pottering about closer to home. “It’s something I can’t explain. It’s like water fever. If I’m not on my boat for more than two months I start to feel really funny. Its like an addiction, I need to be around water!” As the founder and CEO of Zeelander Yachts, Koopmans has a perfect way to keep his passion burning. “Zeepaard is a fantastic yacht and very seaworthy, but I’m a perfectionist and I like to design, so I started designing a 50-metre which we are almost ready to build.” The new yacht will take its cues from Zeepaard, with an emphasis on sustainability. “I included all the learning curves I had with Zeepaard, so there will be even more toys on board. There’s a big trend towards looking after our environment, and I’ve made her as ‘green’ as possible. She will have dieselelectric propulsion and be very fuel efﬁcient. She’ll be very low maintenance and have artiﬁcial teak decks, of which you can’t tell the difference, and will have very very low energy consumption overall,” he explains. “I don’t feel I need to share my life story with the world, but I would like to share my exploration experience. When you say to people you are going around the world, most of them think of big waves and months of desolation, and so they don’t undertake the journey. It doesn’t have to be like that, and for me it was a very rewarding experience.” SY W

Top left: The cosy interior of Zeepaard became a home away from home Bottom left: The bridge deck affords ample relaxation space. Above: Even if you never go further than the Med, there is lots to explore.

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SUPERYACHT DESIGN

ULTIMATE DESIGN Eye-catching innovations, design trends and stunning solutions

JACK DANIEL’S SINATRA CENTURY www.jackdaniels.com ORPHEUS www.sennheiser.com

SILVERLINING SHOWCASE www.silverliningfurniture.com

Bespoke furniture-maker Silverlining has been showcasing some of the amazing craftsmenship it is capable of (and which can be seen on board a host of superyachts). The astonishing ‘Butterﬂy Kaleidoscope’ (below) combines colour chemistry, digital design and micro laser cutting, shading and etching, to create opaque and translucent butterfy shapes. Above is ‘Bubble Blue’, created from stratas of dyed woods and metals, which are eroded to reveal the aerated bubble and crevice-like surface.

Ol’ Blues Eyes himself – who often woke up in his Hollywood years as Ol’ Red Eyes – would sure have enjoyed Jack Daniel’s limited-edition tribute to the 100th year of his birth. A hundred barrels of the 100 proof Tennessee whiskey have been produced. In the lacquered case, Sinatra Century retails for £450.

Sennheiser’s hand-crafted, Carrara marble-encased headphones – part of its Orpheus collection – come paired with a decoupled tube amp that boasts 6,000 components. Prices are around €50,000.

KRAKEN graydesign.com

Designer Eduard Gray calls his latest Kraken catamaran concept “a lighthearted design study exploring the limits of yacht design”, though there’s some serious urge in this 75-metre beast, which delivers a planned top speed of 35 knots. The catamaran’s lines take some inspiration from the Vapour GT supercar concept, which Gray Design produced last year. Both vehicles have the same paintwork in concept form. “The wildly raked forward windscreen is in fact a skylight for a large lounge on the owner’s deck and the pilothouse is raised to give good panoramic visibility. There is a large beach club and reception area at the aft end of the yacht, and a large space for a helipad at the bow,” says Eduard Gray.

SUPERYACHT DESIGN

BEOLAB 90 www.bang-olufsen.com

Celebrating its 90th birthday, Bang & Olufsen has unveiled the BeoLab90 speakers. (The ﬁrst product from Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen, incidentally, was the B&O Eliminator, which enabled a radio to be powered by the mains, as opposed to huge batteries.) With an aluminium case each unit weighs an impressive 135kg, and boasts a Beam Direction Control function so the listener can steer the sound around a room. A pair costs around £54,000.

SCHILLER S1 www.schillerbikes.com

PHEASANTS & FLOWERS www.ulysse-nardin.com

Ulysse Nardin’s Classico collection showcases the magniﬁcent enamelling capabilities of its craftsmen. Show is the Pheasants & Flowers piece, hand created and inspired by Chinese painting. It’s in a limited edition of eight pieces and costs CHF39,800.

A new toy for the garage is Schiller Bikes’ S1 water-bike. They’re capable of six knots with some heavy pedalling, thanks to the propreitry drive-train. The catamaran-style bike is easy to assemble and stowable in its own carry case, say the makers. Prices start at $4,500, with a number of options for buyers.

SUPERYACHT CLASSIC CARS

THE

REGAL EAGLE The British ďŹ rm breathing new life into the iconic Jaguar E-Type Words | Mike Edwardson

Left: An Eagle Speedster tears it up in Miami. Above: Two Series 3 V12 Jaguar E-Types. Right: Eagle’s pristine works and showroom. Below: An Eagle Low Drag GT, followed by an Eagle Coupé.

There are some cars that get so far under your skin that, for some people, they become a strange mix of passion and career. The Jaguar E-Type is one of those cars, and Henry Pearman – MD of Eagle E-Types – is one of those people. “I fell totally in love with the E-Type as a young child, I was completely smitten!” he says. “The highlight of our family trips to the coast was passing through Littlestone in Kent and seeing a Jaguar E-Type that was always parked outside a particular house in the town. After that, I would have been quite content to go back home!” At 18 he got his hands on his first E-Type – “a failed restoration project, a total basket case” – but it wasn’t likely to put him off. After school he took a three-year full-time motor trade management course, and in 1984 set up Eagle to sell and restore E-Types. The company continues to do this, but its headline offering these days is the Eagle E-Type, a stem-to-stern reinvention of the original model that started life as a production car in 1961. “In 1990 we were asked by a new customer, John McLaren, to discuss building him an E-Type that addressed all the inherent weak issues of the original, and to improve performance to match the expectations and standards of modern times,” says Henry. John McLaren already owned a conventionally restored E-Type (not one restored by Eagle), but was bitterly disappointed with the constant niggles and issues. “He believed it must surely be possible to achieve what he wanted – a completely restored car, to a standard that everything was as good, or indeed better, than new,” says Henry. What the firm built for him become Eagle E-Type No.1, with a range of newly developed reliability and performance enhancements. “It’s a restored original E-Type, as all our cars are, including the Speedster and Low Drag GT, but built to a compromise-free standard that was far beyond what the factory were allowed to explore in the 1960s.” As Henry points out, Jaguar’s founder William Lyons had an obsession with building to a price and what was state of the art in the 1960s was several notches below what can be done today. “Eagle No.1 was effectively a zero-mile E-Type and, without any constraints, was far better built than when new. From this point on, we continued to sell existing Jaguar E-Types from our showrooms and also started creating several numbered ‘Eagle E-Types’ every year,” he says. There is not much to dislike about the original Jaguar E-Type: it’s a universally recognised and admired icon. “It broke new ground in its day and was so far ahead of its time that it responds beautifully to our sympathetic upgrades and tweaks, even today,” says Henry. “We can give a 50-year-old E-Type the performance of a modern supercar without diluting the spirit and character of the original.” The take-up has been rather astonishing. “Our waiting list has fluctuated between 12 months and a staggering five years at one point. We are now more efficient than ever and able to build an

SUPERYACHT CLASSIC CARS

Eagle E-Type Coupé or Roadster in around 12 months, our very special Speedster in about 18 months, and our equally special Low Drag GT in 24 months. We are currently half way through another very special variant, the GT Roadster, which will be completed soon,” he says. A key element of any car the firm produces is the potential for bespoking. “An important part of the process for all new customers is an in-depth conversation with us so that we can fully understand the personal wishes, expectations and intended usage of the car. What are your favourite roads and what are they like? Will you be doing track days or touring rallies? Will you indulge in long-distant touring or mainly just Sunday morning blasts?” This sort of information is fed into the project, and then there is a plethora of choices on the options list. “Any buyer of an existing car from our showroom, or a full commission, can draw from a huge catalogue of upgrades, covering everything from uprated windscreen washer pump and iPod interface, to our all-aluminium 4.7-litre fuel-injected engine, aluminium five-speed gearbox, air-conditioning and speed-sensitive electric power steering,” says Henry. “We do everything in-house and all our upgrades are effective and to the very highest standard.” Once all the information is in, he can advise “on the specification to create the perfect E-Type for each individual”. “We enjoy incorporating customers own ideas where possible,” he says. “The best example of this is our Speedster, which was a response to a request for something even more special than our steel-bodied Roadster rebuilds.” That request came from Dr Rick Velaj from Connecticut, in conversation with Paul Brace, Eagle’s technical director. Paul got out his pencil and came up with a sketch on the spot, which became the Eagle Speedster No.1. The Speedster packs in a 4.7-litre V12, a five-speed gearbox and optimised suspension, and although produced as a one-off, interest was such that soon a second creation in Black Cognac was commissioned straight away – a “technical homage” to the dozen aluminium Lightweight E-Types that Jaguar built in 1963 for racing. Needless to say, the results on the road are quite staggering. To someone used to a modern car’s cabin, the driving position is at first a touch pinched and there doesn’t seem to be enough buttons to push on the dash. But any lingering doubt goes when you fire up the engine. It’s some sound, from the pit of the car’s stomach – what you’d get if you crossed a double bass with a raw steak. Around the country lanes of East Sussex, the Speedster cornered like the pedigree racer it is. It’s a supreme driving experience. It’s not often that you can reflect on the synergies between a modern superyacht and an iconic classic car brand, but the Speedster – every inch of which has been hand-crafted to meet an owner’s requirements – is as close as it gets, with the added bonus of 0-60 in five seconds. SY W www.eaglegb.com

Right: Owners of Eagle E-Types have plenty of bespoking options. Above: SuperYacht World’s art director Neil at the helm of the Eagle Sport Roadster No.18. Left: The iconic original E-Type Clockwise from far left – George Harrison; Jaguar founder William Lyons; the Jaguar works in 1961. Below: A thoroughly modern classic engine in a Speedster.

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THE AFT SECTION

A forest of mahogany around the central staircase of the 60-metre Feadship ROCK.IT. Our full report starts on page 26.

News, views and yachts for sale

NEWS IN BRIEF

Wider on the road; Costa Rica; Doyle Sails NZ

AROUND THE YARDS Lürssen; Heesen; Sunseeker

CHARTER NEWS

The latest news from the charter ﬂeets

THE CAPTAIN Q&A with Captain Roy Dance

BROKERAGE NEWS Deals, reductions, new to market

ON THE MARKET

33-38m superyachts to buy today

111

RESORT REPORT The Royal Mansour in Marrakech

112

PROPERTY FOCUS Thailand and the Indian Ocean

114

PARTING SHOT

Jacques Cousteau’s Calypso, 1973

SUPERYACHT AFT SECTION

NEWS IN BRIEF

The latest from around the world

WIDER 165 ON THE ROAD NEW FLAGSHIP ON THE MOVE Wider’s new flagship, the all-aluminium 165, broke cover last year when the yacht’s bare hull was moved 900 metres on public Italian roads to the yard’s main finishing facility. Known as Project Cecilia, the 50-metre took two hours to move, and she now occupies the space vacated by the Wider 150, which launched in October at the yard’s Ancona facility. The 165 was created by designer Fulvio De Simoni in collaboration with Wider’s founder and CEO Tilli Antonelli and the in-house design team, with a brief to enhance the owner’s contact with the sea. On board, there is a touch-and-go helipad, a dedicated submersible bay, and a beach club with a covered

swimming pool, as well as folding terraces and four guest suites to complement the owner’s apartment. The 165 is expected to be launched in 12 months. “With the hull and superstructure all but complete the first job is to attach the upper deck structure to the hull. This could not be done in the other facility because of height restrictions,” says Tilli Antonelli. www.wider-yachts.com

PENDENNIS CUP 2016 DATES FOR SUMMER REGATTA Pendennis has announced that the dates for this year’s Pendennis Cup regatta – open to any modern or classic sailing yacht over 24 metres – will be June 27 to July 2. This biannual event in the waters off Falmouth Bay has become a fixture on the regatta circuit, with four days of racing supported by a lively

social scene. “This regatta is a lovely one to attend. The sailing is always good and the shore-side programme is very crew and owner-friendly,” says Charlie Wroe, captain of Mariette, the 42-metre schooner from 1915 that has been refitted at Pendennis. www.thependenniscup.com

Golfito Marina Village & Resort is expanding with new floating docks that will accommodate yachts up to 106 metres in length. The resort, which opens at the end of 2016, is set in a 40-acre site on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. With unobstructed bay views, the resort is being developed by Hacienda El Dorado, who have developed 11 successful projects in the region. www.golfitomarinavillage.com

Images of 2014 event from Pendennis

GOLFITO MARINA SUPERYACHT BERTHS

The sailing is good and the shore-side programme is very crew and owner-friendly

CUSTOM DOYLE SAILS STRATIS SAIL ART Doyle Sails New Zealand has unveiled a product it hopes will revolutionise the custom sail industry. Stratis Sail Art allows photos, designs and block colours to be printed directly onto the Stratis membranes before they are laminated, creating the most detailed sail art to date. Unlike more traditional painting techniques, which can add up to 15kg to a sail’s weight, the printing technique keeps the sail as light as possible. “Stratis Sail Art is the next generation in sail art,” says Chris McMaster, Doyle Sails New Zealand managing director. “It adds negligible weight to the end product, while maintaining the integrity of the sail and performance Stratis is known for.” The first yacht to adopt the technique is Comar Yachts’ 100-foot Shadow, who now has a photoquality octopus straddling her sails (above). www.doylesails.co.nz

BLANCPAIN UNDER THE ICE TEAM HEADS TO ANTARCTICA Watchmaker Blancpain and marine biologist Laurent Ballesta have launched the third of their Gombessa expeditions, this time to monitor Antarctica’s deep-sea ecosystems. Based at Adélie Land, this is the first time a team of technical divers has been able to go beneath the sea ice in this region. The team is working in association with film-maker Luc Jacquet and his Wild-Touch Expeditions: Antarctica! project. Jacquet directed the Oscar-winning March of the Penguins in 2006. www.blancpain-ocean-commitment.com • our Oceans Special starts on page 39

SPOTTED AT SEA Arriving at the Aberdeen Boat Club in Hong Kong last year was this Custom Line Navetta 28.

BERTHON’S GLOBAL AIM FPB YACHTS WORLDWIDE Berthon is to offer Steve and Linda Dashew’s FPB series of offshore explorer yachts worldwide, working with Dashew Offshore and the team at Circa Marine in New Zealand. Berthon has been working with the FPB Programme successfully in Europe for seven years. The range runs to the 30-metre FPB 97 (above). www.berthon.co.uk

SUPERYACHT AFT SECTION

AROUND THE YA RDS

Launches and reﬁts in focus

SUNSEEKER 116YACHT The hull of Sunseeker’s 116 Yacht, which builds on the success of the 115, was spotted last October being towed at the yard’s facility in Dorset before ﬁt-out. The 35.2-metre yacht has been sold to a Turkish client, with a launch pegged for spring. The yacht packs a tremendous performance, of course – a top speed of 26 knots with the biggest engine options. The standard layout is two doubles and two twins on the lower deck, and a master forward on the main deck. The ﬁrst four 116 yachts have been sold off plan. www.sunseeker.com

HAKVOORT JUST J’S Launched in late October, and built in steel and aluminium, Just J’s is the largest ever launch by Hakvoort. The yacht was being towed from Hakvoort’s Monnickendam facility to Amsterdam, where the mast was to be ﬁtted before sea trials. Exterior design is by Sinot Yacht Design, with naval architecture by Diana Yacht Design. She accommodates 12, with the main-deck guest cabins beneﬁting from huge windows, and a private owner’s deck featuring a lounge, bar and study. The yacht also has a lower-deck gym, while on the sundeck there is a three-metre by two-metre pool. www.hakvoort.com

LÜRSSEN PROJECT OMAR

Claus Shaefe/TheYachtPhoto.com

Photographed on the move in November is Lürssen’s Project Omar. Little is known about the yacht and even the length – 156 metres – is an estimate. If correct, the yacht is the fourth largest ever in terms of LOA, with the covered nameplate reading Dilbar. There appears to be at least five decks above the main deck, and she is constructed in steel and aluminium. She was first seen on the water in April on a floating dock, and is expected to be handed over this year. www.lurssen.com

HEESEN PROJECT ALIDA The hull and superstructure of Heesen’s Project Alida, a 55-metre from its Fast Displacement range, have been joined. She is available for sale and is scheduled to be delivered in spring 2017. The yacht’s exterior is by Omega Architects, while her interior is by Bannenberg & Rowell, and she’ll have a projected range of 4,500nm at 13 knots. Twelve guests will be accommodated in a main-deck master and ﬁve lower deck guest cabins (with a full-beam VIP). www.heesenyachts.com

NEWS SNIPPETS Compositeworks • Cosmo Explorer • Wider Yachts • Arcadia Yachts

● LEAVING COMPOSITEWORKS’ La Ciotat facility last year after a major transfomation was the 68.7-metre Feadship Falcon Lair (launched in 1983 as New Horizon L). The remodelling of the superstructure was carried out by Olesinski Design. www.compositeworks.com

● THE LATEST COSMO Explorer 50, designed by Cristiano Gatto, is taking shape at the Mega Technica yard in Greece, the second in this range of 49.8-metre steel-and-aluminium yachts. It was recently sold by Ocean Independence and launches later this year. www.cosmo-explorer.com

● WIDER’S 150 WAS LAUNCHED in October in Ancona. The dieselelectric-powered 45.5-metre underwent several weeks of sea trials following the launch. Dubbed Project Genesi, the yacht is for sale at €26 million. www.wider-yachts.com • Wider’s 165 moved. See page 84

● TAKING SHAPE IN ARCADIA’S yard is its first 100. The 31.1-metre three-deck yacht is being laminated in reinforced glassfibre with vinylester resin. She features Arcadia’s efficient semi-displacement hull and solar panelling. www.arcadiayachts.it • For more on Arcadia, see page 40

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SUPERYACHT AFT SECTION

CHARTER NEWS

The latest from the world of chartering

BUSY YEAR FOR REBEL CARIBBEAN TO ALASKA After a winter refit, the 2005 48-metre Trinity Rebel will be cruising the Caribbean until April before transiting the Panama canal and visiting Costa Rica, California and Alaska. “Rebel has been meticulously upgraded by the owner. A fresh, new interior combined with an upgrade of all AV and communication systems has brought her to 2016 standards. The crew are fantastic, with a special shout to the chef, Marcos Spaziani from Venezuela, whose creative style is most welcome to the galley,” says David Price, charter and yacht manager at Hill Robinson. She sleeps ten guests in four doubles and one twin (the owner’s suite is forward on the main deck) and charters from $190,000pw. Tenders include a 35-footer with triple 300hp Yamahas that has been configured for sportsfishing. There are plenty of toys, including diving gear, to keep guests happy. Contact: David Price, Hill Robinson. Tel: +33 492 90 59 59. Email: david@hillrobinson.com

VERTIGO’S THAI WINTER SOUTH PACIFIC FOR NEXT SUMMER Heading for Thailand this winter is the 67.2-metre Vertigo, which launched at Alloy Yachts in 2011 and is available through Y.CO from €295,000pw. There are plenty of toys, an on-board gym, and an open-air cinema. “She has an outstanding charter record and clients adore the yacht. Her Christian Liaigre interior is calm, easy on the eye and immensely welcoming, and her exterior dining options have a nearly endless capacity to be modiﬁed, which brings a fresh touch to every day. Ultimately, it is her crew that make every charter a success. They have a stellar record, perhaps because they are so experienced at listening to their guests and delivering exactly what is asked and more,” says Tom DeBuse, Y.CO director of charter management. Contact: Y.CO. Tel: +377 93 50 12 12. Website: y.co

NEWS AROUND THE WORLD The latest charter chat ● CURRENTLY BASED IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA the 57-metre Montigne, which launched at Aegean Yachts in 2009, charters through Ocean Independence for between €95,000pw to €120,000pw. She sleeps 12 guests, with a VIP that is almost the same size as the master. www.oceanindependence.com ● THE 34-METRE RELENTLESS IS A WARD SETZER design, built at Kingship in 2006 and reﬁtted in 2013. She’ll be chartering in French Polynesia until February, with port-of-calls that include Papeete and Bora Bora. She sleeps nine guests in four cabins, with facilities on board that include a sundeck hot-tub and an open-air cinema. She charters from $85,000. www.37southyachtcharter.com ● BURGESS IS OFFERING SEVEN YACHTS for charter in Asia this winter, following the recent changes to Thai superyacht charter regs. Among the yachts on

Montigne

Relentless

offer are the 73-metre Lürssen Titania ($420,000pw$600,000pw); the 68-metre Nobiskrug Triple Seven (from $610,000pw); Northern Sun, the 50.9-metre conversion that was launched in 1979 at Narasaki Shipyards (from $133,000pw); and Sapphire, a 50.4-metre Trinity (from €200,000pw). www.burgessyachts.com ● THE 30-METRE WESTPORT APHRODITE has joined Northrop & Johnson’s charter ﬂeet. Launched in 2010, the yacht accommodates ten guests and seven crew, and has never chartered before. She has a top speed of 24 knots, and is available from $100,000pw (low season) to $110,000pw (high) in the Caribbean this winter. The yacht has a well-stocked toy garage with PWCs, snorkel gear, ﬁshing gear, wakeboard, kneeboard, tubes and waterskis, plus a 35ft Intrepid tender sporting new 300hp engines. www.northropandjohnson.com

It offers a bit of everything, from fun bars to isolated sandy beaches

OCEAN-READY GRAVITAS FEADSHIP FOR ALL The 52-metre Feadship Gravitas, with accommodation for 12 guests that includes a spacious main-deck owner’s apartment, is a great choice for some winter diving. The yacht, launched in 1995 but extensively refitted in 2014, has a circumnavigation under her belt, and with dive-certified crew members and a good range of tenders and toys, she’s a good choice for guests seeking some diving and fishing. There’s a 31ft centre-console tender and a 23ft Safe Boat for beach landing, as well as WaveRunners, paddleboards, waterskis, wakeboards and a trampoline. She charters from $230,000pw through Northrop & Johnson. “Gravitas is resplendent in exquisite detailing, and offers a dynamic layout with seven staterooms for 12 guests. She is a very quiet, private yacht, which can accommodate the needs of any discerning client. Gravitas is capable of navigating any ocean in the world and she offers a wonderful diving package,” says Shawn Laird, charter management director at Northrop & Johnson. Contact: www.northropandjohnson.com

MY FAVOURITE PLACE CARIBBEAN CRISTABEL NYE, charter broker, Camper & Nicholsons International Mayfair I love the fact that the Caribbean offers a bit of everything, from a fun, relaxed atmosphere ashore with its many bars and restaurants to the endless isolated bays, coves and white sandy beaches. Start your charter in Antigua. Nelson’s Dockyard situated south of the island is a fascinating place with its colonial buildings and maritime history. One of my personal favourite beaches is Carlisle Bay, where you’ll find a luxury hotel and restaurant of the same name serving delicious cuisine. Cruise west to Nevis and St Kitts. The legacy of the sugar industry is clear to see with plantation inns dotted about the islands. Nevis is quiet and serene – the perfect place to relax. The 300-year-old The Mill is a beautiful spot to have dinner, with a five-course tasting menu created by chef Stephane Caumont. St Kitts is wonderful for hiking – try the rainforest hike to the magnificent Valley of Giants. Head over to Christophe Harbour for some cocktails in the Salt Plage – a beautiful spot to watch the sun set. The last island on my list, St Barths, has a French Riviera vibe. There is even an Eden Rock and Nikki Beach for you to enjoy. There are a number of beautiful beaches, with Anse de Gouverneur being a favourite of mine.

HARMONY’S OPEN SPACES PLENTY OF CHOICES FOR GUESTS “Finding a favourite spot to relax aboard Harmony may be challenging for each of the 12 guests – there are so many!” says Daphne d’Offay of the charter management team at Ocean Independence, through whom the 50-metre 2010 Westport charters from $250,000pw. “Each expansive level has unique areas to enjoy paradise at sea with plenty of open spaces offering protection from the sun if desired and yet has the ability to transform into three private evening lounge environments. The VIP stateroom at sky-lounge level with adjoining balcony provides a secondary master for families and couples.” Contact: Daphne d’Offray, Ocean Independence. Tel: +1 954 524 9366 Email: daphne@ocyachts.com

Cruise the region aboard the 53.5-metre Feadship Hurricane Run. She charters from $295,000pw. Contact: Cristabel Nye. Tel: +44 (0)20 7009 1950. Email: cnye@camperandnicholsons.com

SUPERYACHT AFT SECTION

I love her lines – she will be a head-turner when she emerges for the world to see

The captain

Roy Dance Age 55 Place of birth Hampshire, UK Current yacht New build 100 metre plus at a Northern European yard Number of crew Presently three, but will increase to more than 35 Previous yachts Tits (now Samax), Lady Moura, Zenobia, Amaryllis, Aviva What was your first taste of the sea? Aged 16, I joined the Royal Fleet Auxiliary as a deck officer cadet. I recall my nervousness as I climbed aboard RFA Resurgent, up an endless pilot ladder, slapping back and forth against the rusty side of this ancient ammunition ship, rolling to a sea state 6 off Portland.

“Roy, I want you to type for me a very beautiful letter to Denzel Washington, inviting him to lunch!” Soon, there I was, at my desk, wearing only my underwear, receiving dictation from the charterer. Despite our best efforts, Denzel neither responded nor rocked up for lunch next day!

Which destinations do you most look forward to visiting?

What’s the worst weather you have encountered on board?

I love the west coast of Corsica, but you need the weather on your side to make it work with guests. You find yourself in a different world of untamed beauty and rustic charm. I also love Falmouth and English Harbours in Antigua and Barcelona is also a favourite run ashore.

In the days before we had good – or any – internet on board yachts, I had the misfortune to be passing between Malta and Sicily in a Force 8 on a 55-metre yacht. It was very uncomfortable indeed – and she wasn’t a great sea boat. A window in the owner’s suite was stove in by the sea, and I had the unenviable task of turning her about across the sea. It wasn’t much fun running down-sea back to Malta to get repairs. Thank God for weather-routing resources!

What are your favourite on shore hang-outs? I always enjoy a Sunday evening at Shirley Heights in Antigua; it’s the only place I live up to my surname! I have a fondness for Muscat in Oman and for Singapore. Otherwise, I love being at home with my wife in West Wittering. We frequent the Old House at home in the village, and occasionally use the Kennels on the Goodwood Estate – a lunch in the sunshine on the terrace there is idyllic.

Who is the most eccentric, strangest, funniest member of your crew? I have sailed with a purser who was a white witch. She carried crystals in her pockets and rubbed them for good luck. She always sought to allay any concerns I had by saying she’d rub her crystals for me!

What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in the industry? The biggest things have been the introduction of the MCA Codes for large yachts, and the application of STCW to yachtsmen have led to a sea of change, mostly for the better.

What do you like most about your current yacht? I love her lines – she will be a head-turner when she emerges for the world to see, but I can’t say more than that.

What is the most stressful part of your job? I find acting as agony aunt in crew relationship issues quite stressful. My wife would laugh out loud if anyone suggested that I’d be someone that people could come to for good life advice. Berthing in strong winds can also be pretty stressful – but not as stressful as being a ‘sea Dad’ for the younger crew!

Any advice for an aspiring captain?

Portrait by Mike Edwardson

Which is your favourite on board toy?

There are the captain’s toys and the guests’ toys. My favourites are my thrusters. Good ones can make you look good, and more importantly they can be your get-out-of-jail card when things aren’t going so well. For the guests, it’s the SeaBobs.

Get yourself on a yacht with an experienced, well-established captain. Make sure that he’s going to let you drive sometimes – that needs to be clear from the beginning if you’re taking a new position as chief officer. The opportunity when it comes may be quite unexpected, so be ready for it and be ready to deal with any self doubt.

What would you change about the superyachting industry?

Who would be your top five fantasy charter guests?

Short-termism and self-serving attitude from crew. I try to avoid the fun-seeking hedonists. That said, there are plenty of excellent crew out there who are serious about their career at sea and still find some time to have a bit of fun, too.

What’s the most curious request from a guest?

Keith Richards for the great stories; Tony Blair, to find out what really happened; Christine Lagarde – a powerful and highly intelligent woman, with some riveting stories from the world stage; Alan Bennett – because he has an amazing way with words; Sandra Bullock – because she’d be amusing and all round good company. What a great charter it would be!

One August night I was at anchor and I had just turned in after a long day when there was a knock at my door. It was a guest with a request:

Captain Dance’s new command is in build

SUPERYACHT AFT SECTION

BROKERAGE NEWS

The latest from the brokers’ ofﬁces

NEW TO MARKET

NATITA This 66-metre displacement yacht (ex-Dilbar) launched in 2005. Why buy? Built by Oceanco, subject to a big reﬁt in 2012 and a full-on maintenance programme throughout her life, she’s on the market for the ﬁrst time in six years. Alberto Pinto did the interior, which features a full-beam master, a big beach club with easy access, a cinema, and a Steinway grand in the sky lounge. Lying West Palm Beach. Asking price €59.5 million. Contact Worth Avenue Yachts, Fort Lauderdale. Tel: +1 954 439 5049. Email: michael@worthavenueyachts.com

NEW TO MARKET

APOGEE Launched at Codecasa in 2003, this 63-metre comes to market for the first time, with one owner. Why buy? A fine example of the yard’s work with designers Franco and Anna Della Rolle, she includes an onyx-topped bar inspired by Monaco’s Café de Paris, a 12-person hot-tub, dance floor, gym and Wurlitzer. The yacht has a good charter record. Lying South Florida. Asking price $39.95 million. Contact Merle Wood, Fort Lauderdale. Tel: +1 954 525 5111. Email: mwood@merlewood.com

NEW TO MARKET

SALADUS

SUNRISE 63

The third yacht in the Benetti Classic series, a 40-metre that launched in 2014. Why buy? The ensuite master with ofﬁce on the main deck has a sea balcony – and if that’s not enough, the entire port side moves outboard to reveal an alfresco space for dining or taking the sun. An interior by Francois Zuretti makes the most of natural light, with marbles, exotic woods and hides. Five suites cater for ten guests. Lying Livorno, Italy. Asking price €17.2 million. Contact Arcon Yachts, Monaco. Tel: +377 97 98 32 10. Email: info@arconyachts.com

A new-build 63-metre from Sunrise Yachts. Why buy? A great chance to put your stamp on a largely blank canvas. This new 63 comes from the design board of Espen Øino, and Kevin Bonnie at IYC is promoting the yard and its products. There’s an immense volume, an open-plan main deck, Bureau Veritas class, MCA compliance, 16 knots and 6,000 nautical miles from MTUs, and port and starboard fold-down sea balconies. Lying In build in Antalya. Asking price €49.6 million. Contact IYC, Monaco. Tel: +377 97 98 24 24. Email: kbonnie@iyc.com

PRICE REDUCTIONS Name

NEW TO MARKET

LA SULTANA The 65.4-metre La Sultana came out of Giorgi Dmitrov Shipyard in Bulgaria in 1962. First, she was a Black Sea passenger boat, then a Soviet spy ship, and ﬁnally an environmental research vessel. Why buy? After seven years and 1.2-million man hours, she became a private yacht for the La Sultana hotel group. She has six decks, ﬁve pools, a helipad, a Jacuzzi and an upper deck to hold 150 guests. Lying Western Med. Asking price €22.5 million. Contact Camper & Nicholsons, Antibes. +33 4 92 91 29 12. Email: cehrardt@camperandnicholsons.com

LOA Type

Price

New Price Broker

Martha Ann

70.2m MY $110.0m

$89.0m

Sycara V

68.0m MY €69.5m

€62.5m

Merle Wood/Burgess Yachts

Titan

60.3m MY €18.5m

€14.0m

Ocean Independence

IYC

Capri

58.6m MY €29.95m

€27.95m

Burgess Yachts

Cakewalk

55.0m MY €25.0m

€21.95m

Merle Wood/Burgess Yachts

Only One

46.3m MY €25.0m

€21.0m

Northrop & Johnson

Sweet Doll

46.0m MY €14.0m

€9.4m

Moran Yacht & Ship

Blue Ice

45.4m MY €16.9m

€15.9m

G-Yachts

Antares

40.0m SY

€14.5m

€12.5m

Ancasta Yachts

Vanquish

36.6m MY €5.85m

€5.35m

Super Yachts Monaco

It’s a great chance to put your stamp on a largely blank canvas

LATEST DEALS

The deals signed and the yachts sold

Sold! Event 60.0m Amels 2013 Asking price €71 million Sold by Imperial Yachts, with Burgess’s Asia ofﬁce bringing the buyer. The ﬁrst 199 Limited Editions. www.imperial-yachts.com www.burgessyachts.com

Sold! Unfurled 34.0m Royal Huisman 2000 Asking price €6.95 million Sold by Y.CO’s Ben Bartlett with CSO Yachts introducing the buyer. German Frers architecture, interior by Andrew Winch. y.co www.csoyachts.com

Sold! Red Dragon 52.0m Alloy Yachts 2008 Asking price €17.95 million Sold by Jonathan Barbe of Edmiston completed the direct sale. This Dubois yacht has an interior by Wilmotte & Associates. www.edmiston.com

Sold! Sirenuse 38.4m Feadship 2004 Asking price $2.7 million Sold by N&J’s Chris Chumley and Gregg Child (vendor); Rebecca Riley of AOTW Yachts (buyer). www.northropandjohnson.com www. anythingonthewateryachts.com

Sold! Galatea 40.0m Heesen 2014 Asking price €19.5 million Sold by Camper & Nicholson represented the vendors and Y.CO’s Jonathan Zwaans brought the buyer. www.camperandnicholsons. com y.co

Sold! BB3 37.5m Palmer Johnson 2006 Asking price $6.75 million Sold by Ryan Woods for Woods & Associates (the buyer) and N&J’s Wes Sanford (the seller). www. woodsyachtbrokerage.com www.northropandjohnson.com

Sold! Felix 52.0m Amels 2004 Asking price $22 million Sold by The yacht was listed by Fraser’s Josh Gulbranson and Stuart Larsen, and it sold in an in-house deal. From Amels’ Tigre d’Or series www.fraseryachts.com

Sold! Zoom Zoom Zoom 49.0m Trinity 2005 Asking price $12.9 million Sold by Northrop & Johnson, with Wes Sanford and Sean Doyle for the seller, and Kevin Merrigan ﬁnding the buyer. www.northropandjohnson.com

Signed! Project 263 80.0m Bilgin 2019. The deal The shipyard has signed a repeat client for this 80-metre, ABS classed and MCA compliant. It has styling from Unique Yacht Design. Contract price not disclosed. www.bilginyacht.com

Signed! Project Redwood 139.0m Lürssen 2019 The deal Robert Moran and Moran Yacht & Ship have signed this Nuvolari Lenard-design. The same team delivered the 80-metre Quattroelle. Price undisclosed. www.moranyachts.com

1,300 YACHTS!

SuperYacht World’s Yachts for Sale, in association with yachtworld.com

SITE NOW FULLY RESPONSIVE! If you are buying a new superyacht, there is a great tool you can use to search hundreds of yachts for sale over 28 metres – and you can ﬁnd it at www.superyachtworld.com under the Yachts for Sale tab. Following a partnership agreement with Dominion Marine Media (DMM), the division of Dominion Enterprises that operates the YachtWorld site, readers of SuperYacht World can browse through 1,300 superyachts, with a host of parameters to reﬁne your search, from builder to price range and location. Many of the major brokers are represented on the site. If your yachts are not listed and you’d like them to be, please contact: Julian Gowing on +44 (0)1329 222318. Email: jgowing@yachtworld.com

SUPERYACHT AFT SECTION

ON THE MA R KET The superyacht market for SuperYacht World starts at 30 metres, and you don’t have to go far above that mark to ﬁnd some interesting yachts, capable of cruising long distances and offering very good accommodation. Technology has moved far beyond what some of these older, smaller yachts offer, but you can still deploy modern devices. The Ariane is a small ROV that can operate tethered or free-swimming, to provide cost-effective high-resolution mapping

Six 33-38-metre superyachts

below the hull, in rugged areas such as Mediterranean submarine canyons. While that is happening below the hull, the industry has just seen the next step toward ﬂat-panel antennae availability for superyachts, incorporated in upperworks and hulls, in a move to reduce the footprint while maintaining ultra-high-speed downloads. Good news for the next generation of yachts, and something to think about when reﬁtting. John Walker

STAMPEDE NORTHROP & JOHNSON/MERLE WOOD An all-GRP 35.66-metre from Delta in 1990. Crom Littlejohn and John Cohen share the joint central agency on this global cruising yacht, which they confirm presents in superb condition. She was launched as Princess Gloria on a proven working hull and her owners had her comprehensively refitted in 2008 – a new interior throughout by Penny Stamp and the addition of a sportsfishing cockpit. Marshall Islands flag state and lying South Florida, Stampede accommodates eight, and has a range of 6,000 miles at ten knots. $9.5 million will secure. Contact: Northrop & Johnson. Tel: +1 954 522 3344. www.northropandjohnson.com; Merle Wood, Fort Lauderdale. Tel: +1 954 525 5111. www.merlewood.com

IZUMI EDMISTON Izumi – a 2008 launch – was the sixth 36.5-metre PJ120 to go afloat. She benefits from minimal private use in the hands of one owner, says Jonathan Barbe from Edmiston. He has the CA for this composite-overaluminium semi-displacement 145-tonner, with its striking crystal silver exterior scheme and an interior from Nuvolari Lenard, featuring lacewood, ebony, wenge soles and marble accenting. MTU 12V motors on shafts give modest draught, 900 miles, and push 30 knots when wound up. Maintained in Lloyd’s 100 A1 class with MCA compliance, British flagged and currently lying Nice. The owners have just dropped the price to €6.5 million or offers. Contact: Edmiston, Monaco. Tel: +377 93 30 54 44. www.edmiston.com

SUN ARK CAMPER & NICHOLSONS Sun Ark saw the water in 1995, a mould-breaking collaboration between Heesen, Norship, Frank Mulder and Art-Line, utilising MTU 16V wing engines and a 12V on the centreline, all on Kamewa waterjets, to deliver 41 knots – almost unheard of at the time for a 36.8-metre. Jim Wallace in CNI’s Palm Beach office holds the CA and comments that uniquely for the builders and for this size range, the GRP vessel has an extended bridge deck with sunpad and hot-tub, with accommodation for eight. She had big refits in 2004, 2010 and 2014. Cruising at 30 knots gives 2,000 miles. St Vincent flagged and lying Florida, this unique package is $3.75 million. Contact: Camper & Nicholsons, Palm Beach. Tel: +1 561 655 2121. www.camperandnicholsons.com

This 35-knot GRP ﬂier has been immaculately maintained by her captain

PRINCESS ELENA BLUEWATER YACHTING Tom Barnes has the CA for this aluminium-over-steel 33.5-metre from Codecasa. Princess Elena launched in 1999, undergoing a full refit in 2007 and is maintained to Lloyd’s 100 A1 SSC, G6 LMC classification. The broker says that this very comfortable long-range cruising yacht benefited from overall design work by the shipyard and a stylish yet understated interior from the Della Rolle studios. Twin CATs have a modest 3,500 hours’ use. Big selling features are the high-quality construction, full-beam salon, spacious cabins and generous deck spaces. Italian owned, British flagged and lying Viareggio. The owners are asking €3.45 million tax paid. Contact: Bluewater Yachting, Antibes. Tel: +33 4 93 34 34 13. www.bluewateryachting.com

RL NOOR YACHTING PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL The 2010 37.5-metre RL Noor is a cold-moulded/ GRP-over-wood construction in the 123 Sky series from the Bilgin yard in Istanbul and YPI’s Russell Crump has the CA. He says that this yacht comes from a successful co-operation between the yard and Italian design team Hot-Lab, with a minimalist interior employing tinted oak veneers, Thassos marble and rare carpets to cosset her first Egyptian owner and eight in his party. The vessel has RINA classification, is Maltese flagged and is lying Athens, after another successful charter season in the Dodecanese and Cyclades. MTUs give 21 knots and this sleek performer can be had for € 7.8 million. Contact: YPI, Monaco. Tel: + 377 99 99 97 91. www.ypigroup.com

LADY J BURGESS YACHTS Richard Lambert at Burgess holds the CA for the 2006 Lady J, one of the best examples of a 33.4-metre Mangusta 108 currently available. He reports that this 35-knot GRP flier has been immaculately maintained by her captain with an open-ended budget. She had a refit in 2013 and carries Bureau Veritas and MCA paper. A classy interior in muted pastel shades by Stefano Righini offers a full-beam ensuite master amidships and two VIP doubles and three guest cabins. Two MTU 12V motors linked to Kamewa waterjets provide the urge. Marshall Islands flagged and lying Cyprus, owners are looking for €3.5 million, VAT paid. Contact: Burgess Yachts, London. Tel: +44 (0)20 7766 4300. www.burgessyachts.com

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# . -#*1

SUPERYACHT AFT SECTION

RESORT REPORT

Resorts to kickstart the new year in style

ROYAL MANSOUR MARRAKECH Where is it?

What makes it special?

Located right in the heart of Marrakech, the hotel is only a short walk away from many of Marrakech’s premier attractions, including the Jamaa El Fna Square and the souks.

Commissioned by Mohammed VI of Morocco, this medina-style property is a taste of authentic Moroccan fine living. Evening walks along the winding paths between the properties showcase the traditional architecture to its best effect, and it’s hard to believe this haven is only a short hop from Europe, so otherwordly does it feel.

What’s the appeal? The hotel is made up of 53 exclusive three-storey riads dotted around the property, and they range from one bedroom to four bedroom. Traditional in both style and ethos, the project employed thousands of local artisans to create the stunning interiors.

Dining Food and entertainment is an integral part of Moroccan hospitality. The Royal Mansour boasts three restaurants and

there is the option of being cooked for in your riad. La Grande Table Marocaine and La Grande Table Francaise both cater for discerning clientele in a formal environment, while La Table is ideally suited to a relaxed lunch under the trees near the hotel pool.

Our favourite room

Wellness

How to get there

The spa is located in its own separate enclave, and offers bespoke treatments tailored to the individual. Beauty treatments and a range of invigorating massages are on offer alongside a hammam and fitness facilities.

Many international airlines fly into Marrakech Menara Airport, and it is a short flight from a range of convenient European cities.

The four bedroom Riad d’Honneur is a place where you can realistically hide away from the world for a week and not feel like you’re missing out. Butlers are on hand and you won’t feel cramped in the 1,800-square-metre space.

www.royalmansour.com

Words: Alexandra Groom

BEST OF THE REST Phuket • Zurich • Bath • Maldives

● ANANTARA, PHUKET

● KAMEHA GRAND, ZURICH

Fifteen brand-new opulent sea-view residences have been unveiled, each with its own pool and butler service, and overlooking the secluded beach resort below. phuket.anantara.com

This stylish business-focused hotel has just recently launched 11 themed suites, designed by Marcel Wanders, who the New York Times calls “the Lady Gaga of design”. www.kamehagrandzuerich.com

● THE GAINSBOROUGH SPA, BATH

● PARK HYATT HADAHAA, MALDIVES

The Gainsborough holds the accolade of being the only hotel with access to Bath’s famous thermal waters, with pools dating back to Roman times. thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk

For those who fancy a bit more action on their holidays, the hotel is offering a series of water-based activities with complementary spa treatments. www.maldives.hadahaa.park.hyatt.com

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SUPERYACHT AFT SECTION

PROPERTY FOCUS

Thailand vs Indian Ocean

THAILAND

FOR VALUE HUNTERS Bangkok

Sea View Villa

KOH SAMUI

AN MY

Four Seasons

Soneva Kiri

Gulf of Thailand KOH SAMUI

Mae Rim TH AI LA N

Andaman Sea

South China Sea

You can get ‘great bang for you buck’ in the top-end property market in Thailand right now, believes Andrew Hunter of Hunters Sotheby’s International Realty. Prices have flatlined for the past few years, mostly as a result of socio-political events and because the prime market drivers – bankers and financial services professionals – have seen a large number of redundancies. “It’s a popular tourist destination, and a great second home and relocation destination for a myriad of reasons, including the fantastic climate and the lack of extreme weather dangers, which nearby areas often experience,” he says. He also cites the good travel routes to the rest of the world with Bangkok acting as a connective hub to explore South-East Asia.

KOH SAMUI

Guide price: From THB 150 million Contact: Cluttons. Tel: +44 (0)20 7408 1010. Website: www.cluttons.com This private collection of 14 hillside villas overlook one of the most pristine stretches of beaches on the island. Each one features an infinity pool with a large sun terrace, a sunken dining pavilion and state-of-the-art entertainment. Owners have full access to all the amenities on the neighbouring Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui.

SONEVA KIRI

SEA VIEW VILLA

MAE RIM

From $1.6 million Contact: Soneva. Tel: +66 2631 9625. Website: www.soneva.com Perched on clifftops and peering through a jungle canopy, the villas at Soneva Kiri range from one to six bedrooms. All include an infinity pool and sizeable outdoor entertaining areas. The larger ones include a wine cellar, library, gym and children’s playroom.

Guide price: $2.63 million Contact: Hunter Sotheby’s International Realty. Tel: +66 76 620 064. Website: www.sothebysrealty.com This house, perched on a hillside, comes with its own secluded beach and it’s just ten minutes from the airport. The house has five bedrooms, a private cinema seating 13, a gym and an infinity pool.

Guide price: $14.4 million Contact: Hunter Sotheby’s International Realty. Tel: +66 76 620 064. Website: sothebysrealty.com This 6,000 sq ft property is made up of seven private pavilions, each of which is made from reclaimed and recycled teak. There are five bedrooms, a studio and an infinity pool. Each pavilion is linked by lit pathways.

KOH KOOD

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FOUR SEASONS

KOH SAMUI

CHIANG MAI

There is interest where freehold properties are sold and residency is available

INDIAN OCEAN

OVERSEAS INTEREST Equator

KENYA Mombasa

English Point

TANZANIA

Amillarah Private Islands Soneva Fushi Eden Islands

GA DA

Tropic of Capricorn

Indian Ocean

ZA O

The islands in the Indian Ocean have been successful in attracting premium market buyers to their shores through various residence visa initiatives. The Seychelles and Mauritius began their immigrant investor programmes in 2008 and they have attracted a number of foreign nationals to buy villas in developments including Eden Island on Mahé or Amalthea at Anahita Mauritius – the latter has added investor benefits including 15% income tax, 0% inheritance tax and 0% CGT. “Eden Island has sold to purchasers from 33 difference countries,” says Elluna Constance of Savills. “There is particular interest where properties are sold on a freehold title and residency is available to purchasers.”

EDEN ISLAND SEYCHELLES

Guide price: $4.3 million Contact: Savills. Tel: +44 (0)20 7016 3740. Website: www.savills.com Six-bedroom villas on Eden Island, a residential marina just off the coast of Mahé, are available through Savills. Superaychts can be accommodated in its 250 berth marina and on-site faculties include a gym, tennis court, shopping centre and restaurants. Owners can apply for residency of the Seychelles.

ENGLISH POINT

AMILLARAH

SONEVA FUSHI

Guide price: Approx £1.92 million Contact: Knight Frank. Tel: +44 (0)20 7861 6829. Website: www.knightfrank.com English Point will bring the first serviced marina to Kenya – East Africa’s first pontoon marina. Overlooking historic Mombasa Old Town, the development comprises three-bed apartments and a hotel managed by Pinewood Village Beach Resort.

Guide price: $10 million Contact: Christie’s International Real Estate. Email: info@amillarah.com Website: www.amillarah.com The ten Amillarah Private Islands, set in a lagoon, are described as “eco friendly works of art that can be lived in, allowing consumers to create whatever kind of paradise they desire”.

Guide price: $3 million Contact: Soneva. Tel: +66 2631 9625. Website: www.soneva.com A well-established five-star resort favoured by the world’s most successful stars of stage, screen and business, safe in the knowledge that their privacy will be respected. The villas are secluded and range from one bedroom up to a sprawling nine bedroom home.

MOMBASA

MALDIVES

Parting Shot

SUPERYACHT AFT SECTION

WHEN & WHERE June 1973, Antarctica IMAGE Getty Images Pioneering ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau and his crew aboard the ex-Royal Navy minesweeper RV Calypso. This 1973 voyage took place in collaboration with the National Aeronautics & Space Administration to explore the use of satellite technology as an aid to marine research in polar regions. Cousteau, who was decorated for his wartime service, came up with a host of diving innovations in the 1940s and 1950s. His 42-metre ship was built in Seattle in 1941, serving in the Royal and US Navies and as a ferry in Malta before Cousteau took her over. He acquired the vessel in the early 1950s, renaming her and converting her for ocean exploration and research. He died in 1997. The ship sank in 1996 after being accidentally rammed. Her planned restoration has been on hold ever since, subject to a series of legal disputes.

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