Heesen Magazine Spring 2024

Spring 2024

The season of opportunity and optimism

All roads start with the guts to dream. Chasing it wherever it takes you. That dream is the fuel, required to create. Driven by passion, guided by expertise. Follow that path, to explore, to feel. So when you come to that next crossroad you can look back with satisfaction and no regrets.

That attitude defines us. And when that fire burns, we become unstoppable. We shape the hardest steel and strongest aluminium. With skill and dedication. With hard work and persistence. It’s then when you have created beauty.

This is who we are.

Power and Beauty. Confidence and Performance. That’s what our superyachts are made of.

We... are Heesen

22

Our Smart Custom philosophy

The smarter way to build

A world-beating concept – all the advantages of a custom yacht new-build with immense savings in time and money

50

Rocket dogs

Three’s allowed

One will do for some, two might be plenty – meet the three dogs who cruise on the 50-metre Heesen yacht Rocket

32

70 Refining interiors

Cruising curators

The 47-metre Heesen Atina is like a floating art gallery – the ultimate expression of her two owners’ cruising tastes

Interview: Ewa Eidsgaard

Meetings of minds

Some facetime with a key member of Harrison Eidsgaard, one of the world’s most successful yacht design studios

38

90 Swimming with leviathans

Where the wild things are

Our guide to getting up close and personal with some of the ocean’s most extraordinary and beautiful inhabitants

Lessons from the masters

Food for thought

Decoding some fabulous, foodthemed still-life paintings from the 17th-century masters of the Dutch Golden Age

A NEW MAGAZINE AND A NEW CEO

Welcome to the Spring issue of the Heesen magazine! Greeting our readers is probably the most enjoyable task in my new role, and I am thrilled to do it. Yachting is about fun and excitement, but quality yacht building is a serious business. It has to be if it is to provide perfect on-water experiences for our customers.

Our magazine aims to share stories from behind the scenes, where the industry’s most skilled craftsmen, experienced engineers and renowned designers work their magic with the very latest technology and some of the world’s most luxurious materials. They do so with just one aim: to provide you with priceless memories of your time with our yachts. We don't believe in shortcuts; we look for the most efficient and intelligent ways to get things done, and do so by putting bright minds together to build the best yachts we can.

Of course none of this would mean anything without the efficient crew members to whom we all owe so much. In this issue you can read some of their stories too: captains and chefs and key team players who work tirelessly to make your on-board life so perfectly memorable.

Our shipyard is one of the largest employers in the region, and we are proud to have deep roots in Noord-Brabant, where the majority of our dedicated workforce comes from. Nurturing our relationship with this community is essential for the success of our shipyard, and in these pages we share the story of Het Bos van Oss, a beautiful newly planted woodland that Heesen and other local businesses support.

Heesen’s commercial success is underwritten by the projects we start as speculative ventures, which keeps our business steady and allows customers to fulfil their dream of owning a superyacht with a short lead time, while still being able to customise the interior to their taste and lifestyle. In this issue we share the latest about Venus, Jade and Orion, our current holy trinity of fast-delivery yachts.

As we say in Dutch: geniet van het lezen!

Niels Vaessen, CEO Heesen Yachts

INTERVIEW: CAPTAIN ANTONIO GERINI

GLOBAL AMBITIONS

Trained in the Marina Militare and schooled all over the world, from Alaska and New England to the north coast of Greece, here is one experienced and well-travelled yacht captain

TEXT

BY LAUREN BECK

Captain Antonio Gerini has the soul of an adventurer. He’s come a long way in his 20 years in the yachting industry, from his first command, a 30-metre Azimut, to his latest charge, Heesen’s 50-metre semi-displacement yacht Book Ends as a rotational captain.

Born in Massa in Tuscany, Gerini enrolled at the Italian Naval Academy in Livorno after spending five years at the Artiglio Institute, a nautical school. After an eight-year naval career, armed with an in-demand commercial captain’s license, he found a job in yachting, stepping right onto the bridge after just a month or so of yacht training. The Navy equipped him with many skills: “You know how to drive the tender; you know how to drive different kinds of vessels, small or big, sailing or motor.”

Those skills facilitated his easy transition into yachting. Since then, his career has taken him around the world, touching every ocean and

nearly every continent. He is fond of Alaska and Micronesia in the northwest Pacific Ocean and would love to return to both. “I like the challenge,” Gerini says. “When I did Alaska the first time, I think I was one of the first yacht captains who had been there.” He was on MY Tribu at the time, and he pioneered a few seaways on the trip, visiting “every corner” of Alaska and as many parts of Canada as possible. He ultimately voyaged as far north as the insurance company would allow, and he was able to visit places few others will ever see.

Above MY Tribu, a 50-metre Mondomarine

Left The captain captured as a caricature

" When I did Alaska the first time, I think I was one of the first yacht captains who had been there"

While Gerini finds that every destination usually offers a reason to return, he also loves the New England area, with Newport, Nantucket, Cape Cod, and Martha’s Vineyard high on his favorites list. It’s the atmosphere, he says. “You can feel the history when you go some place like Newport,” Gerini laughs. “You can feel the America’s Cup there.” His bucket list also includes Africa, as he has so far missed about 90 percent of the continent on his travels, visiting just Egypt and Tunisia. “I want to do it because it’s wild,” he explains. “I want to see what’s going on there. Unfortunately, with the yachting business, I think few captains get to do that.”

In January 2023, he assumed command of the 50-metre Heesen Book Ends, which launched in 2022. He was also the captain of the original 47-metre, steel-hulled Book Ends in 2017. Gerini took the new yacht through The Bahamas and parts of the US East Coast before transporting the yacht on Dockwise for the Mediterranean season.

Last summer was a strange one in the Mediterranean, Gerini says — windy weather kept the boat tied up in Sardinia for many weeks, limiting their time to explore Greece. Gerini had spent time in Greece in 2007 with his Greek yacht owner, which allowed him to explore some of the islands. He returned a few years later and spent more time on Greece’s northern coast. This area now includes Gerini’s favorite Greek spots: the quieter ports of Volos and Thessaloniki. “The north of Greece is amazing, but it’s not as popular as Mykonos, Santorini, or other common destinations,” he says. “I like to discover something different.” If you’re going, his secret to successful Greek cruising is always to be aware of the wind, plan the charter itinerary with guest input, and arrange port reservations correctly.

So what comes next? He’s not in a hurry to leave yachting, but after 20 years of captain’s duties, he realised he’s a little tired of the generational changes. Younger crewmembers are too willing to rely on technology only. “Use your eyes, and use technology only as auxiliary help — trust in your human thinking,” Gerini says.

“I think everyone needs to have a Plan B when they reach a certain age.” His next move may involve transferring his extensive experience ashore on a new-build project with some rotational jobs thrown into the mix. He would love to follow a build from scratch, and work with a shipyard and yacht owner to create a vessel with excellent navigation capabilities, because he believes that element is often missing in today’s builds.

Regardless, he’s proved that he is always up for a challenge, so whatever path he chooses next will be an adventure.

Rapid fire with Captain Antonio Gerini

Sunrise or sunset? Sunrise

Classical or rock? Classical

Med or Caribbean? Caribbean

Tea or coffee? Tea

Night owl or early bird? Early bird

Chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla

Marina or anchored out? Anchored out Beach vacation or mountain getaway? Beach vacation

Full-time or rotation? Rotation

Sweet or savoury? Savoury

Phone or text? Phone

Books or movies? Movies

Below 500GT or above? No preference

Small or large crew? No preference

Private or commercial yacht? No preference

Left

The 50-metre aluminium Book Ends, launched by Heesen in 2022

"A bespoke creation that is unique to the client elevates the spectacular to the sublime"

DAHLGREN DUCK

SETTING STA NDARDS

Behind the scenes with one of the world’s most celebrated interior outfitters, a US-based specialist in sublime dining experiences

TEXT BY JULIA ZALTZMAN

Dahlgren Duck is to yacht interiors what Savile Row is to tailoring — a masterclass in bespoke creations shaped to a client’s every need. It is the exclusive amenities, such as a custom crystal chandelier or set of solid gold cutlery, that give a yacht its sense of self. It’s also the client’s opportunity to put their stamp on every room, surface and object to capture the essence of what life at sea means to them.

Over the past 40 years, Dahlgren Duck has built a reputation for excellence. The US interiors styling firm works with around 330 artisanal brands, each one contributing something unique to the yachting game. It also boasts an in-house design team that conceives and executes original pieces. The product choice is as boundless as the client’s imagination, which means the right artefact, brand and finish for each project is always guaranteed.

“A bespoke creation that is unique to the client elevates the spectacular to the sublime,” says Alejandro Hahn, managing director of Dahlgren Duck. “Reflecting the dining room’s styles, tones and patterns in the yacht’s cutlery, table linen and place mats breathes a sense of coherent individuality into that space. Clients like their guests to see something they can’t find anywhere else.”

Below Pitch perfect a superyacht master stateroom

Alongside custom creations, clients’ preferences are shaped around a desire for less is more, says Hahn. “Rather than showcasing bold logos from design houses, many clients are inclined to highlight the value that is attributed to an object that has been handmade by artisans specifically for them.”

One such example is Heesen’s Project Akira, a 50-metre Steel delivered in 2021. It features elegant white porcelain dinnerware highlighted with a platinum rim in keeping with the yacht’s neutral interior colour palette. “Storage is always at a premium on a yacht, so we offer versatile dining collections that the client can use in several locations,” says Hahn. He also notes that the best way to elevate a pared-back dinner service is with more elaborate glassware, napkins and decorative ‘tablescaping’.

While yachting interior trends move at a slower pace than those found on a haute couture catwalk, according to Hahn, a more environmentally-aware mindset has recently come to the fore, with organic cotton, linen and all-natural fabrics ranking high on many clients’ wish lists. Linen accounts for around 50 per cent of Dahlgren Duck’s yacht-related business. It works with suppliers such as Oliveri Home, whose products are made by Italian craftswomen, and adheres to strict criteria on the sourcing of raw materials certified according to the Global Organic Textile Standard. With the popularity in Asian cuisine riding high, dedicated dinner sets for themed sushi nights are also gaining traction.

Dahlgren Duck’s reach and expertise are truly global, and its offering extends well beyond

Below In depth quality from hand-made cutlery

" If you turn a yacht upside down, everything that falls out we supply"

the yacht’s dining table. “If you turn a yacht upside down, everything that falls out we supply,” says Hahn, listing lighting, gaming sets, and espadrille slippers as key examples, and even decorative books. From limited editions to coveted collections by Maison Assouline, curated coffee table books are big business, all chosen with the client in mind.

“We select books to specifically match the ambience of the yacht,” says Hahn. “We relate the topics to the client’s hobbies, the covers to the interior colour scheme, and the size and relevance to the yacht itself.”

Popular furniture brands include Dolce & Gabbana’s Casa Collection, Dior and Hermès, complemented by Robbe & Berking silverware. The company sources products from throughout Europe, the US and the Middle East, often complemented with a local touch. “We connect with local ceramic and fabric suppliers to promote craftmanship in specific regions,” he says. “It helps to ensure each project feels unique and is enhanced by artisanal detail.”

Since 1984 when Dahlgren Duck was founded, the lifestyles and onboard leisure pursuits of yacht owners and guests has adapted and evolved. The focus today is less on formal silver service and more on experiences and entertainment.

“Owners want to make sure that their guests are treated to nothing but the best and are wowed at every turn,” says Hahn. “Interior styling is about setting an environment that makes the very best of life on board.”

INTERVIEW: ROBERT VAN TOL

TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY IN YACHTING

Making the yachting world more sustainable is a shared responsibility that the sector is tackling energetically, with knowledge, experience and energy pooled in the Water Revolution Foundation. We talk to its executive director

TEXT BY HAN THOMA

What was the original idea behind the Water Revolution Foundation?

"We were founded from within the yachting industry to bring down the overall footprint of the sector. Even though yachting is a very small part of worldwide shipping, we are a very visible part. It also takes a long time to tighten legislation in the shipping industry and often only the largest yachts fall under these IMO regulatory developments. I think we should be more ambitious and perhaps even lead the way. Our niche within shipping is unique in that we directly rely on the health of the oceans.

On top of that we are dealing with wealthy clients, who are able to create innovations by themselves through just one project. If we want to secure the future of yachting for future generations, we need to use these opportunities so we can take the lead in this transition."

How did you get started?

"With a baseline measurement, to determine how big the environmental impact actually is and what the sources are. Unravelling a superyacht is quite a complex task because you have to deal with many components, materials and processes, especially if you apply the Life

Cycle Approach (LCA) like we do. And you need sector-specific calculation methods. Regulators often only look at CO2, but we include other important indicators like particulate matter (PM), ozone-depletion and acidification. We include all these parameters in our assessment tools, which we use to assess yachts on their environmental impact. As we assess more yachts, the tool becomes more accurate and valuable, eventually allowing us to predict impact as early as the design phase. So as a designer, engineer or client, you can make more sustainable choices as early in the process as possible. Recycled material, for example, has a much lower impact than if you are the first user."

" If we want to secure the future of yachting for the next generation, we need to use these opportunities so we can take the lead in this transition"

Heesen and sustainability

As an anchor partner from the very beginning, Heesen has an active role within the Water Revolution Foundation in sharing knowledge and experience to make superyachts more sustainable and to look after our beloved oceans. This knowledge is already being applied today at the yard and in the development of our yachts. With BlueNautech, Heesen is working on six fronts to reduce its footprint.

heesenyachts.com/nl/bluenautech

And you recently introduced a design protocol specifically to address those choices?

“Yes. As a designer of a new-build yacht, starting with a blank sheet of paper, your potential to reduce a yacht’s footprint over its lifetime is enormous. Each decision causes a chainreaction of effects — materials that are being harvested, processed and installed, energy that is needed for propulsion, heating or cooling, or weight that is being added. The first version of our Designer’s Protocol, initiated by Dickie Bannenberg of Bannenberg & Rowell Design, features topics for clients to consider when planning a new build. The ten primary topics of interest include operational profile, hotel load, decking solutions, and more.”

How is the industry doing?

"We know where we are, which is an important first milestone, and how much room for improvement there is. The Water Revolution Foundation supports the sector with science and data. We are seeing a new level of collaboration, with an exchange of knowledge and experience between yards that was impossible before. I am proud of that. At the same time, there is still a lot to be done. Until now, and compared to shipping, there have been few real incentives to save fuel, or to use more sustainable materials. People often look at the price tag of construction, but not that of operations, where most of the impact takes place. Not only while sailing, which is only ten per cent of the time, but at anchor or in port, the yachts’ hotel function. Even if we switch to renewable fuels, we need to scale back the energy requirement of yachts first. There is still much to be gained in reusing and storing heat and energy. Propulsion is obviously a more exciting topic, but because of the limited sailing time, it is often less than half of the annual energy consumption."

" We can really make strides if we manage to link sustainability with the perception of luxury"

What are your priorities over the next five years?

"We can really make strides if we manage to link sustainability with the perception of luxury. We have to promote them together as the new yachting lifestyle. If we can get the market excited about sustainable luxury, the customer feels recognised in choosing green alternatives. Yachting revolves around life at sea, so protecting our oceans must be a top priority. And we have all the ingredients to do so; as a flexible, creative, innovative sector with a wealthy clientele, we can do so much more than we are currently doing. I see it as our industry's social responsibility to spend the resources provided by our clients as sustainably as possible."

waterrevolutionfoundation.org

Below Fuel efficient hull design, hybrid propulsion – the Heesen motor yacht Amare II

INTERVIEW: MARCEL WANDERS

ONE-MINUTE ICO N

Meet the Dutch designer who would love to sculpt, or at least decorate, your next yacht

TEXT BY SAM FORTESCUE

“I’m waiting for someone who wants me to sculpt a hull,” says the stickthin, silver-haired Dutchman sitting in front of me, with a big grin. “I only have to do one special one, but it’ll be the Venus of boats!” He has an engaging smile, this designer of international repute, and his arms are never still. There aren’t many fields of art and design that he hasn’t touched – but yachting is one of them. His name is Marcel Wanders.

In a career spanning 35 years, Wanders has turned his hand to painting, fine porcelain work, glassware, lighting, furniture, high-end interiors, books, sculpture and tapestry – on every continent but Australia and Antarctica. He built a design office of 70 people in Amsterdam and global renown

in the process. Admirers have described him as a devil, a rockstar, a sorcerer and – my personal favourite – “the Lady Gaga of the design world”.

He really made his name in 1996 with a creation called ‘Knotted Chair’ for Droog Design. It was made of knotted rope in aramid and carbon fibre, which was then soaked in epoxy resin and hung on a chair-shaped mould to dry and stiffen into its final shape. Garnering praise and disbelief in equal measure, Wanders says the design became an icon of who he was –imperfect but striking.

Left Wanders’ Spirits of Nature figurines for Leblon Delienne, 2021

This philosophy of imperfection seems to run deep. It is at the core of another famous Wanders production that brackets the other end of his design career: One Minute Mickey. “This whole project – the one-minute sculpture – I’m going there and painting the whole thing with my hands in one minute,” he explains, his sentences falling over each other in their rush to escape his head. “I’d take the clay and in one minute – I’m the machine, don’t think about it too much – it may be ugly, but it’s unique!”

The Mickey element came later, when French figurine workshop Leblon Delienne asked Wanders to give an outsized resin sculpture of Disney’s famous rodent the one-minute treatment. “We had started to do a contemporary version of Delft blue – and took it as an inspiration to do one-minute painting –

plates, vases. Then Leblon asked us to do a Mickey, and I was like alright – let’s do it! It’s not about being beautiful – you can like it, but that’s not the point. It’s a very unique piece.”

Wanders’ idea was to use his hands as paintbrushes, smearing, spotting and flicking paint over the perfect white finish of the sculptures. He in fact uses two slightly different shades of Delft blue in a water-based emulsion, which he leaves to dry. And voila! An icon of industrialised popular culture has been subtly altered to become a unique, individual piece of art –perfect for decorating a yacht, in fact. Wanders has extended the concept to Minnie Mouse, but he's not done with the idea yet. I ask what else he would like to give the one-minute treatment and he grins wickedly. “Something eternal, like the Venus de Milo – people would kill me! It’s perhaps a bit too small, but it’s also

Above Maison Decorté, an iconic interior by Marcel Wanders for Decorté, 2017

“ I’m part of a creative family - like Rembrandt and Vermeer”

a shape, a woman...,” he tails off. The Statue of Liberty, I suggest? “She has too much clothing!”

With homes in Milan and Mallorca, it’s fair to say that Wanders no longer has his roots in Dutch soil. But his homeland is still an important part of his design landscape. His revival of the 300year-old art of Delft blue is a case in point. “It’s a culture,” he insists. “It’s not refined, not porcelain – it’s just ceramic. But I love it, because it’s us – Dutch people, really farmers who imitated high culture.” He thinks some more. “I don’t need to live in the Netherlands to be Dutch,” he concludes.

It is clear that he feels the gaze of his forebears as they watch over his shoulder. “I’m part of a creative family - like Rembrandt and Vermeer,” he says seriously. “Disney is family, too - you have to pay your respects in a way. It’s a humble bowing.”

Now, I mentioned Wanders’ large design studio in Amsterdam. But you won’t find it on the famous Nieuwe Herengracht anymore. That’s because he has decided to shut up shop after more than 20 years. “I want to do less – only five projects a year,” he explains. “I don’t want to be flying round the world anymore. In the end, I want to cut myself up in less parts and do the thing that I love to do.”

And that brings us full circle – back to the boat that he always wanted to design. “I’m only doing projects I love and boats are very cool,” he says. “I like to work with clients –people that I respect - together you can do something that’s more amazing than alone.”

Do you need more of an invitation? Get in there quickly before someone else does!

HEESEN’S

THE SMARTER WAY TO BUILD

SMART CUSTOM PHILOSOPHY

For the best of both worlds – the speed and efficiency of a series design combined with the unique owner’s vision of a custom yacht

TEXT BY JULIA ZALTZMAN

Heesen is a shipyard that offers its clients the greatest luxuries in shipbuilding – time, quality and choice. It made its name by delivering some of the most iconic Full Custom yachts on water, and it underwrites its financial stability with an enviable roster of Series yachts built on speculation. But there is another strand to the business that offers clients the best of both worlds –the speed and economies of series production combined with the uniquely bespoke qualities of a custom yacht. It’s called Smart Custom.

It is conceived with a specific type of client in mind, explains Peter van der Zanden, general manager for design and development at Heesen. “Some clients come to us with a specific idea, design and architect in mind,” he says. “They like the performance and quality of our yachts, but they have a superstructure and general arrangement that they would like to realise on a custom level, and that’s what Smart Custom is all about.”

Smart Custom pairs a proven, fully engineered hull with the freedom to customise virtually everything above the waterline. The key benefits are three-fold. Using an existing hull and engineering platform that is fully developed precludes the need for timeconsuming R&D as it’s a proven design that has been built before. This means all previous calculations, such as speed, range, noise and vibration can be carried forward to the Smart Custom project. “Theoretically, you can complete a sea trial report before the yacht is even built, as our predictions are so accurate,” says Van der Zanden.

Left A custom superstructure assembly is joined to the hull at Heesen’s shipyard

It also saves time. With an existing hull fully engineered above and below the main deck, only a custom superstructure requires designing. This can be developed while the first sections of the hull are being built, saving half a year in design and construction time.

And it saves costs. With the pre-designed hull lines and full engineering phase already in place, the solution is more efficient, economical and easier for everyone involved. What’s more, every existing Heesen hull design, including

the growing pool of custom boats, is available to clients, up to and including the 65-metre Galactica Star and the 80-metre Project Cosmos.

The ‘Smart’ element represents the existing hull, while the ‘Custom’ caters to the wishes of the client. “The only parameters are the defined weight and size of the existing footprint, which needs to be in line with the underwater hull, and the positioning of the main staircase to maintain a centre of gravity,” says Van der Zanden. “Within those parameters, clients are free to play around.

Below

The 56m Galvas (left) and 51m Irisha smart custom yachts

It’s a smart balance between proven performance, speed of delivery and customisation.”

Examples of Smart Custom yachts already delivered include Irisha, a semi-displacement 51-metre motor yacht based on Heesen’s award-winning 5000 Aluminium Series, and Galvas, based on Heesen’s engineering platform for the 55m FDHF Steel Series.

Irisha’s striking exterior, designed by Harrison Eidsgaard, features an iconic raised wheelhouse

“ It’s a smart balance between proven performance, speed of delivery and customisation"

" For those who want a fast delivery but are keen to make changes to their layout and superstructure, that’s when Smart Custom comes into its own"

made from large, curved glass sheets. Technically challenging from both a design and construction point of view, the curved glass sheets are among the largest produced in Europe. Also notable is the fact Irisha was the yacht that kick started Heesen’s Smart Custom proposal.

“The owner came to us with a 500GT, high speed 50-metre design in mind, but wanted a faster lead time,” says Van der Zanden. “We proposed a shortened delivery time if they were happy to work with an existing hull, so Harrison Eidsgaard redesigned the drawings in a couple of weeks and the client was very happy.”

Smart Custom yachts currently in build at Heesen include Project Oslo24, due for delivery in March 2024. This highly customised motor yacht is based on the proven 50-metre Steel series and boasts a helm station on the flybridge, a private office on the wheelhouse deck and Heesen’s acclaimed hybrid propulsion system.

It was commissioned by an accomplished yachtsman who will also captain the boat,

Below Engineering Project Oslo24

and who has introduced a wealth of practical and technical ideas from his many years of sailing experience. This includes Heesen’s hybrid system, which offers incontrovertible advantages over traditional diesel propulsion, and will ensure that Project Oslo24 is cleaner, quieter and more efficient than comparable conventional craft.

Conceived for cruising in fjords, rivers and canals, Project Oslo24 has an elegant and timeless exterior penned by Clifford Denn, with a folding mast that will allow her to

negotiate bridges with a clearance of 13.4 metres. The interior layout, designed by Italian firm Luca Dini Design & Architecture, reflects the lifestyle of the owner and his family in every detail – a bespoke, refined and relaxed décor for both guests and crew.

“Many owners want to build something wholly unique, which makes them a good fit for Full Custom,” says Van der Zanden. “For those who want a fast delivery but are keen to make changes to their layout and superstructure, that’s when Smart Custom comes into its own.”

Above Visualisation of Project Oslo24

IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME

PAR TY OASIS

Yas Island in Abu Dhabi is developing fast as a vibrant entertainment island and a fun cruising destination for Formula 1 and more

TEXT BY JILL BOBROW

Where in the world is there a place that encompasses Tivoli Gardens, Disney World, Europa Park, Universal Studios, Six Flags, Efteling, Epcot Center, Sea World Orlando, and the Monaco Grand Prix rolled into one venue? The only place where you can find all of above and much more is Yas Island in Abu Dhabi

Ordinarily, Dubai is the place in the UAE that comes to mind as the most dazzling tourist hub and business centre. Yet Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, also has a lot to offer the world traveller. In addition to heritage sites and places of cultural interest, there is the unparalleled Yas Island. Development on this man-made island was initiated in 2006 and has been evolving progressively ever since. Located just a 20minute drive from downtown Abu Dhabi and 50 minutes from Dubai, the 25 square kilometre Yas Island is home to Ferrari World, SeaWorld, the Clymb indoor adventure hub, Warner Bros World and the Etihad Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Like Dubai, Abu Dhabi is a melting pot with an international population. To accommodate travellers from afar, there are ten high-end hotels to choose from, while for the visiting yachtsman, Yas Island offers the UAE's premier superyacht marina, recognised with a ‘5 Gold Anchor - Platinum’ award from The Yacht Harbour Association. This accreditation, granted to just five other marinas worldwide, underlines its commitment to excellence in service and facilities.

The marina has 227 berths accommodating yachts ranging from 8 metres up to 175 metres. Visiting yachts can access pristine coastlines, unspoiled islands, and the vibrant cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, all while benefiting from world-class amenities and services.

Onsite entertainment includes padel courts, gym facilities, and watersports including boat charter, wake surfing, and a rowing centre. When the sun goes down, there are numerous bars, restaurants, and lounges.

Above Yas Marina

Left Yas Waterworld, its rides and slides just minutes away from Ferrari and Warner Bros World

At Yas Marina and on Yas Island, there is no excuse for boredom. The resort is home to a world class golf links, a gigantic shopping mall and no fewer than 165 places to eat out. The outdoor arena has hosted such music talent as the Rolling Stones, Beyonce, Madonna, Sting, Rihanna, and Andrea Bocelli as well as the Middle East’s first KCON (Korean culture and music event) with K-pop stars such as BTS and Girl’s Generation. For adults and children alike, if you dare, the Ferrari World amusement park has the Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest rollercoaster that travels up to 150 miles per hour. For those more inclined to a virtual adventure, there is Speed of Magic, a 4D simulator that takes riders through jungles and around a volcano. Another attraction is the virtual Yas Island experience on Roblox,

a global platform which takes users’ digital avatars on a journey through key Abu Dhabi landmarks. The digital virtual world at Yas Island is continuing to evolve using the latest technology.

A particular draw for motorsport buffs and F1 enthusiasts is Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit, designed by Hermann Tilke, which opened in 2009 to host the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. With a circuit length of 5.55 kilometers and a covered grandstand, it is built around the Yas Marina, and passes underneath the futuristic, otherworldly Yas Hotel. The track is known to be one of the most technically innovative racing venues. The acclaimed track surface is made from graywacke sandstone shipped from a quarry in Shropshire, UK. While it affords

Below A bird’s eye view of Ferrari World Opposite Yas Marina during F1 race week

Formula One drivers a high level of grip, it can be hard on tyres. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was the first to be held at dusk, finishing in darkness with fireworks and festivities.

The 2022 Grand Prix was the fastest-selling event of its kind, attracting a record-breaking crowd of 143,000 spectators, more than 70 per cent of them from overseas. The race in 2023 offered a diverse range of side entertainment from a mariachi band to a mime troupe, while several newly opened international restaurants presented cuisine from Greece, Spain, Japan, and Italy. Music came from a mix from worldclass DJs and the DXB Brass Band from Dubai. A laser show illuminating the night sky capped off the evening and left a lasting impression.

CRUISING CUR ATORS

TEXT BY RACHEL INGRAM

Heesen owners Serkan and Alev Borancili reveal how they used art to transform their superyacht Atina into a home

“ We use our boat like a second home,” says Serkan Borancili, owner of Heesen superyacht Atina. “Displaying the art that we love makes it feel like a real home; if you took the art out, it would be very dull, which is not us.”

Turkish businessman Serkan is one of a growing number of yacht owners using art to transform their boats into floating galleries. In traditional yacht design, artworks were often a final consideration chosen by designers, but as interiors become increasingly personalised, curated art is taking centre stage. This novel

approach is epitomised onboard Atina, whose art-filled interiors showcase her owners’ passions for travel and beautiful objects.

Serkan has been keen on boats since he was a child. “I started going on the sea very early in life,” he says. “When I was three years old, my parents took me out in Bodrum on Turkish-style ten-metre wooden gulets.” His interest in art comes from his mother, an artist and collector, and his wife Alev, who also has artistic roots: “My grandfather was an artist,” she says. “Our home in Istanbul is like an art gallery. We love colours and objects.”

“Artworks are like living things: they create a certain energy and when they’re not there, the space becomes hollow!”

When Serkan made his first fortune selling online marketplace GittiGidiyor in 2010, it was only natural that his first purchase was a yacht. He bought a 31-metre Azimut 103S named Gogamigoga, later upgrading to the 38-metre Heesen Alumercia, for which he commissioned an award-winning refit. In 2021, he bought his current yacht, the 47-metre Atina, and embarked on another refurbishment.

Serkan and Alev understand how art can transform a space, so in both refit projects they chose to make art part of the foundations.

“Art evokes emotion, it is a reflection of you,”

Centre Swimmer, lacquer on epoxy, by Carole A Feuerman, alongside Look Within Your Heart, metal, by David Kracov

metal, David Kracov

Alev says. “Artworks are like living things: they create a certain energy and when they’re not there, the space becomes hollow.”

So on both Alumercia and Atina, interior spaces were adapted to fit the artworks, rather than the other way round. “We changed lighting, leathers, measurements, you name it, to suit our artworks,” Serkan says. “I have a life-size sculpture of a swimmer by Carole A. Feuerman and for that, I made a huge change in Alumercia – I took

out a circular wall and replaced it with circular glass so that everybody sitting in the main saloon could see it. It was amazing.”

Onboard Atina, Serkan points to a bold blue oil painting in the dining room of Elizabeth Taylor surrounded by butterflies. “Before we put this here, it was a very dull space. It was cosy and dark, but when we put this here, everything changed. The energy, the colours… it's changed the whole space.”

Above Elizabeth Taylor with butterflies, oil and mixed media, by Shlomi Nissim

The bespoke commission by artist ‘SN’ — Shlomi Nissim — is just one of many beautiful pieces onboard the superyacht. At the main entrance, the first work to catch your eye is a colourful, 3D metal sculpture titled ‘Go with the Flow’ by American painter and sculptor David Kracov. “When you look at the detail close-up, these are sea creatures with colours,” Serkan says. “We really like this.”

In the main saloon another 3D artwork, ‘Look within your heart’, is proudly displayed. “This was a gift from me to my husband for his 50 th

birthday,” says Alev. “It’s from David Kracov again and has lots of paper hearts inside.”

Next to this lies Feuerman’s swimmer sculpture and several books about the artists whose works are showcased on the yacht. “We keep all the books of the artists in case our guests want to go more in detail about them,” Alev says. “We do this at home, too.”

Another highlight in the master cabin is a musicthemed study with a piano, and two colourful artworks: a contemporary painting titled

Below Orange notes, acrylic on metal, by Calma Shemi, with Blue Violin, plexiglass, Frank Tordjmann

Orange Notes by Argentinian painter Calman Shemi, and a life-size sculpture named Blue Violin by French sculptor Franc Tordjmann. The pieces “complete” the space, Serkan says.

Much of the couples’ international art collection has been collected during their travels, from art fairs and from trusted advisors. “For this boat, we bought lots of pieces from the Eden Gallery in London,” Serkan says. “We have also collected many things from Croatia and the Greek Islands.”

“Art is a very nice souvenir or memory from the place you visit because it comes with a story,” Alev adds. “There are real nice places, especially in the islands in the south of France and Greece, and it’s really easy to go to these places in the boat. But we don't buy art just to buy it. We buy art when we see something which amazes us or catches our heart.”

As well as being collectors, the couple encourage other yacht owners to develop their floating art collections. “My business partner bought a big 44-metre Heesen and our yacht-warming gift to them was an art piece,” Serkan says. “It was his first piece and he’s now looking to add more.”

When developing an art collection, Serkan and Alev recommend starting with small pieces and working with galleries. “There are very nice people in galleries who you can build a longterm relationship with. They also help you with customised pieces,” Alev says. “Travelling is also important because everyone has different tastes. Making journeys in the Mediterranean is good as there are lots of galleries.”

As for their own collection, Alev confesses that it will never be complete. “It's always an ongoing process – collecting is a joy. I want to collect more memories from travelling, but we aren’t in a hurry. We’re waiting for the right time to meet new pieces for our home on the sea.”

“ But we don't buy art just to buy it. We buy art when we see something which amazes us or catches our heart”

SWIMMING WITH LEVIATHANS

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

TEXT BY JULIA ZALTZMAN

Gliding alongside some of the largest creatures to grace the planet is an incomparable encounter experienced by few. Here are five of the best yachting destinations in the world to realise that dream

Humpback whales in the Society Islands, French Polynesia

The waters surrounding the wild Society Islands in the heart of the South Pacific boasts the largest marine sanctuary in the world. The archipelago includes the lofty islands of Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Taha’a, Bora Bora and Tahiti, and from August to November, humpback whales. Swimming with these gentle behemoths is a number one activity for superyachts. In August, the

adults make long migration from the frigid waters of Antarctica to the warmer nutrient-rich breeding grounds of French Polynesia in preparation to birth their calves. In those few months, the calves quickly grow to around six metres in length, weighing approximately one tonne. They play near the surface of the water, their dorsal fins visible as

they breach, tail slap, and barrel roll with each other, while their mothers sleep deep below. Only a snorkel and fins are required, and it’s recommended to keep your distance, though there’s little you can do to prevent curious babies from choosing to swim up close. They frolic in the sea, taking deep dives before resurfacing and splashing their pectoral flippers. It’s magical.

Whale sharks in Saleh Bay, Sumbawa, Indonesia

Slow-moving, filter-feeding whale sharks are the largest fish in the sea. They pose no threat, yet can intimidate by size alone, growing up to 18m in length. In the waters surrounding Sumbawa Island, whale sharks can be found in the Saleh Bay area, located between the islands of Lombok and Labuan Bajo

in Flores. To catch sight of these gentle beasts, it’s best to anchor overnight and rise before the sun, then head by tender to their early morning feeding grounds when the Bagan fishermen lift their nets. Sometimes gathering in groups of up to 12 whale sharks at a time, a close encounter in the water is

virtually guaranteed, as they circle the boat and swimmers while feeding on pura pura fish. The Sumbanese fishermen spend all night aboard their Bagan boats. They believe sighting a whale shark brings them luck and they throw chunks of their fresh catch back into the sea as an offering and to give thanks.

Hammerhead sharks in Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Throughout Costa Rica’s rainy season from June to November, those brave enough to dive in rough waters are rewarded with the treat of a lifetime. The sea can be choppy, but it creates the perfect conditions to witness hammerhead sharks gathering in great numbers. Cocos Island is widely appreciated as the best place to dive with schools of scalloped hammerhead, which are drawn to the region

by its diverse variety of marine life. The only way to reach Cocos is by sea, and because the surrounding marine environment is so fragile, access to the island is strictly limited with fewer than 1,500 people permitted to visit each year. Unlike most sharks, scalloped hammerheads usually swim in large groups, which only amplifies the spectacular experience of being in the water with them.

Dolphins in The Bahamas

Nestled between Florida, Cuba and the Turks and Caicos in the West Atlantic Ocean, the Bahamian archipelago is made up of atolls and coral cays with myriad islands. These clear, shallow and warm waters make dolphin encounters a regular occurrence, with leaping pods often spotted near Bimini Grand Bahama, just 56 miles east of Palm Beach, Florida. For a more secluded and private experience, take a tender to the

area’s hidden coves where the region’s resident pods often head to play. Unlike most other wildlife ocean encounters, there is no specific window to travel as spotted, spinner, striped and bottlenose dolphins stay in The Bahamas yearround. For those looking to double their chances, however, a trip later in the year may also bring sightings of bull, tiger and oceanic whitetip sharks.

Manta Rays in Hanifaru Bay, Maldives

Heading to the Indian Ocean is always a cause for excitement. The opportunity to swim with graceful manta rays while there gives even more reason to visit the crystal-clear waters of the Maldives. In Hanifaru Bay from June to November these gentle gliders gather in mass, sometimes upwards of 100 at a time and growing up to 8m in length. The protected marine reserve is carefully managed with entry limited to a small number of visitors to help conserve the environ-

ment. Its azure waters are home to the world’s largest manta ray feeding station, where they graze on plankton and clean their skin on the coral reefs. Listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the manta ray is not always easy to find in the wild, but when success strikes, they loop through the water with graceful and ethereal beauty. Be sure to wear a pair of fins to stand any chance of keeping up with them.

"This versatile metal has taken the world by storm"

METAL OF THE FUTURE

A pioneer in lightweight yacht building, Heesen has been using aluminium for more than 40 years to create exceptionally fast and efficient yachts. This miraculous metal also has unique properties that can help make yacht building more sustainable

TEXT BY HAN THOMA

If you look around in your home or workplace, you will find numerous objects that contain or are made of aluminium. Cans, computers, bicycles, door frames, toys, appliances, cars. This versatile metal has taken the world by storm. But it wasn’t until 1886 with the invention of an electrochemical production process, that it was used on a large scale.

To find out why aluminium is considered the metal of the future, especially for yacht building, we reached out to Marcel Hol, yacht construction manager at Willems Jachtbouw. The company has been a supplier of aluminium superstructures for yachts since 1999 and supported Heesen with its expertise on aluminium. As a board member of the Dutch Aluminium Association, Marcel is eager to share his knowledge of this promising material.

Opposite

The 80-metre aluminium hull of Genesis emerges from the shed

Left Marcel Hol

Endless recyclability

What makes aluminium so unique? “There are many reasons. First of all, aluminium is 100% recyclable. This means that theoretically, all the aluminium ever produced could be recycled and re-used time after time without any loss of quality. Recycling requires only 5% of the energy needed for initial production, and today more than 70% of aluminium used is recycled,” Marcel explains. “The primary production process of aluminium has greatly improved in recent years with the development of new techniques. With optimal use of renewable energy, and increased recycling rates, we can accelerate the sustainability level of

aluminium even further. On top of that, it’s the most common metal on earth, so there’s no scarcity.”

Excellent strength-to-weight

Aluminium’s excellent strength-to-weight ratio creates additional sustainability advantages for many products and purposes. “Aircraft, cars, trucks, trains and vessels are becoming lighter thanks to aluminium, resulting in a lower environmental impact and reduced energy consumption.” The weight advantage also translates into more efficient shipping. A recently signed agreement commits commercial shipping in Europe to being completely

aluminium hull under construction at Heesen

emission-free by 2050. Marcel: “This ambition also means a shift towards sustainable propulsion, including battery-electric solutions. Aluminium construction could compensate for this extra weight. Furthermore, its high oxidation and corrosion resistance also makes aluminium very suitable for maritime purposes, where the material is subject to continuous weathering and salt or fresh water.”

Efficiency is key

Even in the world of high-tech superyachts there are few shipyards as experienced with building in aluminium as Heesen. Ever since the firm was founded back in 1978, aluminium

"Aluminium is the most common metal on earth, so there’s no scarcity"

has been the material of choice. Entrepreneur Frans Heesen took over an existing shipyard in Oss harbour and started producing aluminium Striker boats. Over the years, boats became yachts, and yachts became super yachts, but the pursuit of outstanding performance and exceptional efficiency remains to this day. “Heesen made an excellent choice with this in the past and, through years of experience, the shipyard gained a great deal of knowledge which has enabled them to build efficient and fast yachts, using smaller engines,” Marcel Hol acknowledges.

With the yachting industry setting course towards a more sustainable future, efficiency again is key. One of the six goals of Heesen’s comprehensive BlueNautech sustainability programme is increasing hull efficiency by creating lightweight, slippery hulls.

In-house welding programme

Heesen has continuously invested in its knowhow to design, engineer and build in aluminium, in order to stay ahead of the game in terms of technological innovation. While aluminium is a malleable, form-retaining material, welding is a delicate process that requires a lot of heat. Being able to control heat is the key to successful aluminium welding. By establishing an inhouse aluminium welding training programme, the shipyard is able to maintain its renowned ‘Crafted in Holland’ warrant for build quality, because skilled aluminium welders are hard to find.

Marcel Hol: “The lack of learning programmes for working with aluminium at schools is definitely a point of concern. I believe creating your own source of skilled aluminium workers and setting up apprenticeships together with schools, like Heesen does, is necessary to become future-proof, and to reap all the benefits of this metal of the future.”

One person can plant a tree, but together we can create a forest – and that’s what Heesen is doing in its home town of Oss

HET BOS VAN OSS

GROWING TOG ETHER

TEXT BY HAN THOMA

With almost the entire construction of Heesen’s yachts taking place in Oss, employing mostly local craftsmen and suppliers, the shipyard is firmly rooted in the local community. To support local social and sustainability goals, Heesen has committed to planting a 50-acre woodland that unites the community.

Heesen is one of eleven pioneers supporting the local initiative 'Het Bos van Oss', The Forest of Oss. The seed for this idea was planted by the Verhoeven Family of Companies, which like Heesen is based in Oss, has an international outlook, and is committed to sustainability. Widespread support for the project among local entrepreneurs led to the establishment of an independent foundation. Chairman René van Ass says, "The project aims for a greener, more sustainable, and biodiverse local living environment, but also has a strong social goal to bring people together and collaborate in a joint mission. That's how the Forest came to be. The municipality of Oss supported us and pledged to provide land for the Forest: a total of 50 acres. Local companies finance the planting of the trees, with about 1,600 trees per acre. It's a significant challenge to find so much land in a densely populated urban area, especially because the Forest needs to be close

“ The Forest has become a symbol of what a community can achieve when we join forces"

to the residents. Once the Forest is established, it will be handed over to the municipality and the residents, so it's crucial that it's easily accessible and truly becomes part of the new Oss. The municipality has already designated eight locations where the Forest will be planted in phases, with the first acres set to be realised soon."

Community collaboration

The Forest contributes to three Sustainable Development Goals: reducing CO2 emissions, combating deforestation, and collaborating on goals. Bringing together different target groups is a crucial function, as Van Ass explains: "Businesses, the municipality, residents, education, interest groups, and service clubs - almost the entire community is working on making it a success. For example, one of the schools is collaborating on creating an Education Forest; a part of the Forest where future generations of Oss residents learn the value of nature, biodiversity, and sustainable behaviour. This knowledge is also shared in the form of a beautifully illustrated book provided free to young people. By actively involving all parts of the society of Oss, the Forest becomes more than just a piece of nature. It has become a symbol of what a community can achieve when we join forces."

ROCKET DOGS

THR EE’S ALLOWED

A trifecta of furry crew members call the 50m

Heesen Rocket home

TEXT BY RISA MERL

While Heesen owners might bring their dogs along when they travel on their yacht, it’s a rare occurrence to find pups who spend more time on board than the owners themselves. But this is the case for the lucky dogs on board Rocket. The 50-metre Heesen motor yacht is home to not just one but three furry friends who live on the boat nearly full time along with the yacht’s crew.

“We have three pomeranians on board – two are white and the other is black,” says Ignatius Mare, Rocket’s chief officer. “The dogs have official names on their passports, but the crew gave them nicknames and it kind of stuck. We call the white male dog Whisky, the white female is Vodka and the black male is, of course, Whitey.”

You might as well consider the dogs honorary crew members, as they spend the majority of their time living on board Rocket with her crew. Every once in a while, they will get picked up by the owner’s PA to get groomed. The rest of the time, the dogs make themselves at home on board this stunning Heesen yacht.

When the owner comes on board, the dogs get very excited and run like crazy to greet him! Once the owner steps on board, he wants to see the dogs right away, and from that point

Left

Chief officer and stewardess Ignatius and Michaela Mare, with the Rocket dogs

“ The youngest one, Whitey, is the naughty one – constantly looking for something to chew or trying to steal socks out of the laundry!”

on, the dogs follow him everywhere around the yacht. “The owner is very aware of where the dogs are and keeps a good eye on them,” Mare adds. At night, the dogs sleep in their own little beds on the floor in the guest cabins.

Once the owner disembarks, the dogs slip into life as four-legged crew members, spending the majority of their time in the crew quarters. Their favourite place is just outside the galley –to scoop up treats from the chef, no doubt. But a monthly delivery of natural wet dog food, stored in the refrigerated provisioning, is their usual diet.

The dogs might also be found in the crew mess, sprawled out on a sofa, or sleeping beneath the covers on a stewardess’s bed. When the owner isn’t on board, the crew will fight over who gets to sleep with them.

The three dogs have distinct personalities, which certainly keeps the crew on their toes.

“The youngest one, Whitey, is the naughty one – constantly looking for something to chew or trying to steal socks out of the laundry!” says Mare. “But he’s the most playful as well with constant energy.” Whiskey, on the other hand, is quieter and prefers to cuddle and have his tummy scratched. Vodka, the female, is like a queen who wants to be carried everywhere instead of walking, and she too loves a cuddle.

Obviously, photo ops abound. The crew like to dress the dogs up, which the dogs seem to enjoy, such as in sports jerseys while watching a rugby game, or sitting them in the captain’s seat looking through binoculars.

In terms of safety on board, Rocket’s crew have set up little gates to block off areas where they don’t want the dogs to roam. The dogs also have lifejackets which can be put on if the seas get rough. The crew is conscious of safety and aims to keep the dogs inside, and as soon as they go out on deck, someone walks with them and supervises them. Luckily, the dogs are naturally a bit risk averse – they are wary of going down the aft stairs to get off the boat and so are usually carried instead.

The owner prefers to be in harbour rather than out at anchor, so it’s easy enough for the crew to carry them off the boat when the dogs need to relieve themselves. They also have a designated

spot on the foredeck, with a little green grass mat. “They let us know when they need to go, usually by scratching at the bridge door,” says Mare. “If we are underway and the boat is rocking, we can set up the mat inside, and they are comfortable with that, too.”

This arrangement of full-time liveaboard dogs is mutually beneficial, it seems. The dogs thrive with the constant attention from Rocket’s crew, and the crew love having the dogs on board. “It picks up the crew morale,” says Mare. “Sometimes, we go through hard days of work, and you see the dogs and just forget about it. They are such well mannered dogs, too. The crew are crazy about them, and they have a great life on board.”

Below The 50-metre MY Rocket

ATELIER CRYSTAL CAVIAR

CLEAR THE DECKS

What do you get the owner who has everything?

A custom superyacht in glass, of course

TEXT BY CHARLOTTE HOGARTH-JONES

With their trailblazing designs, innovative features and complex naval architecture, few things are as challenging to build as a superyacht. Except, perhaps, one made out of glass.

That’s what Czech atelier Crystal Caviar has been doing, working in collaboration with local artist Jaroslav Prosek to create flawless reproductions of boats out of crystal.

Often beautifully illuminated on a pedestal, these elegant creations look simple, but are the result of a delicate manufacturing process that requires exceptional artisanal skill. It’s the new must-have item for those wishing to immortalise their vessel, and the owner of Heesen’s 49.8m Rocket is just one of many delighted recipients.

“The first model we were asked to make was of 141m Yas, and was made out of Bohemia crystal,” explains Marek Landa, the company’s founder. “It was such a great idea, but so much can go wrong during the process of melting, grinding and polishing,” he explains. “Completing the first model felt like a miracle! Now, in comparison to larger models we’ve done, this feels like a piece of cake.”

Prosek, he explains, was an obvious choice when it came to choosing a collaborator. A skilled craftsman who had honed his techniques in industry, he had previously worked in glass as well as in wood, marble and steel.

What’s more, his sculptures were frequently inspired by the natural environment – perhaps in part due to the influence of one of his former teachers, Vlastimil Beránek. A world-famous

glass sculptor, Beránek’s works, which are sold in galleries such as Saatchi and Sotheby’s in London, frequently encapsulate the movement of waves or water. The work of Prosek’s other mentor Jan Frydrych, meanwhile, often focuses on the craft of glassmaking.

Prosek himself had already crafted several pieces for Crystal Caviar which have been placed on board two 134m yacht projects,

Focus on: Crystal Caviar

One of the most prestigious glass artisans in the world, Crystal Caviar has created custom pieces for over 120 yachts, with works including the impressive ceiling onboard 70m Heesen Galactica Super Nova, statement sculptures onboard the 100m Kaos and 84m White Rabbit, and impressive chandeliers onboard Kismet and Ulysses, as well as an 8m long crystal sculpture of coral for the 75m Oceanco Anastasia.

The atelier’s work also includes the luxury residential and hospitality sectors, and frequently breaks world records – the company built Beirut’s famous Sky Bar, which holds the Guinness Book of World Records title as the longest bar in the world, and they are currently aiming for a new accomplishment, creating a 230m long chandelier – likewise set to be the longest in the world.

A family-run studio, Crystal Caviar is based in the heart of the Czech Republic’s Northern Bohemia glass region. Marek Landa founded the company back in 1995. Having begun his own

career abroad working on superyachts as an engineer and chief engineer, he decided to combine his insight into the yachting industry with his technical skills to produce chandeliers and sculptures for boats.

Marek and his wife Michaela returned to their homeland and the incredible glass artisanship that they knew was available locally. The company’s name stems from one of their early projects – tiles that were formed of millions of crystal pearls, which seemed to resemble caviar, and which were used on a 100-square-metre fountain for the 362m cruise ship Allure of the Seas.

Today, the studio continues to produce everything from enormous statement artworks to mirrors, glass walls, spa installations and more, while collaborating with a wide array of visionary artists (such as Vlastimil Beránek), sculptors and professors. Everything they create is made by hand, while no project is too complicated – or ambitious.

“Completing the first model felt like a miracle! Now, in comparison to larger models we’ve done, this feels like a piece of cake”

and had also been involved with the design of chandeliers for the 109m Bravo Eugenia, 95m Kismet and 100m Kaos. Prosek was “a real pleasure to work with,” says Landa – and of course, he had the skills needed to oversee this immensely technical process.

First, Prosek sculpts a basic model in clay, and uses this to create a rubber mould. Next, the mould is filled with molten wax, which, once cooled, becomes the master model. Gypsum and several other additives are then poured on top. Once the gypsum solidifies, the wax is heated, and it drips out of the mould leaving a void. The void is then filled with crystal chips, and the mold is placed inside a kiln heated to 850 degrees Celsius, in order to melt the crystal and create one solid piece.

What follows is then a painstaking process to grind the sculpture into the superyacht’s exact shape, using precise drills and tools. As an example, the model of Rocket took two months to finesse, with the yacht’s miniscule windows presenting a particular challenge. In fact, parts of the yacht had to be simplified, as some of the more complicated features were simply impossible to replicate in crystal, though elements as intricate as funnels and masts have been possible on other sculptures.

Left Grinding the glass moulded yacht Rocket

The final stage is to wash the finished model in sulphuric acid for primary polishing, and then to finish polishing it by hand using diamond sandpaper, volcanic ash and finally cerium oxide, a chemical compound that’s finer than cigarette ash.

It’s a process with many potential risks. Heat and vibration from the polishing can cause the sculpture to crack moments before completion, and, unlike sculpting in other media such as bronze, there’s no way to repair any flaws once they occur.

If the mould cracks, residue can also fall into the glass and create impurities, and it’s vital that the glass is melted very slowly, at a rate of around one degree per hour. Otherwise, the tension between areas that have already solidified and other parts that are still liquid can also cause cracking. For this reason, the model of Rocket was in the kiln for a staggering two and a half months.

Creating a finished piece with minimal air bubbles is also what makes a masterpiece. It’s hard to control this, but careful handling of the temperature throughout the manufacturing process helps to create a flawless finish.

“ It’s a craft that requires immense patience and perseverance, but the end result is worth the wait”

It’s a craft that requires immense patience and perseverance, but the end result is worth the wait. As light glints through the yacht, its silhouette is beautifully illuminated, creating an effect that’s strikingly similar to gazing out at a yacht at sea, surrounded by the glittering lights of a harbour at night.

The model of Rocket will be placed on a pedestal of 6,500-year-old oak, and illuminated from inside to further add to the effect, while other models have been given pride of place on mantelpieces, in boardrooms or – the greatest honour of all – as the centerpiece of a Zoom call ‘shelfie’. Larger models cost upwards of €100,000 to produce, but for those prepared to make the investment, they can be sure that their heirloom will last down the generations.

“Glass over 7,000 years old has been found in recent excavations,” Landa points out – a good omen, perhaps, for those looking to leave a lasting memento of their most precious possession.

Open for business - a spectacular new world-class marina, close to Monaco and right on the border between France and Italy

“ The most beautiful corner of the earth"

CALA DEL FORTE

THE BLUE G AT E TO ITALY

TEXT BY MARIA CRISTINA BERNARDINI GIURLANI

Nestled between the Maritime Alps and the Ligurian Sea, the city of Ventimiglia welcomes travellers from France to Italy. This borderland, suspended between sea and mountain, has been able to preserve over time its character and its wild beauty. The roads climb among centuries-old olive groves and lemon trees overlooking the sea; the coast is indented by cliffs and small coves with crystal clear waters. High up, the ancient village of Ventimiglia Alta retains all the charm of a thousand-year history, among Romanesque churches and noble palaces that recount the splendour of the Maritime Republic of Genoa.

In the years between the 19th and 20th centuries the charm of this region conquered the heart of a community of artists and international patrons. For New Zealand writer Katherine Mansfield it was "the most beautiful corner of the earth. Down here people bathe, and the water is so transparent that you can see their arms and their legs, almost their toes. It looks like the fairy house. It’s a lovely place to live."

Cale del Forte facts and figures

• Monaco-standard services

• 178 Berths from 6.5m up to 70m+

• Black water pump-out for boats >24m

• Berthside storage facilities

• Fuel quay

• Two charging points for electric cars

• 1 AQUA superPower charging station for electric boats - AC and DC, maximum output 150 kW

• 24/7 mooring assistance, safety and security

• 31 shops, parking for 582 cars

• 15,000m2 of promenades and gardens

• Fast shuttle service to and from Port Hercule

• 45km from Nice International

• 24km from Monaco Heliport

Here in 1884 the French painter Monet made more than fifty canvases, including his vibrant ‘View of Ventimiglia’, now at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow, its vivid olive trees enriched by the intense blues of the sea and the mountains.

Here the traveller also finds one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world, the Hanbury Gardens, which have almost 6,000 species of plants from all over the world, collected by an English family in 1867. The combination of the sweetness of the climate and the vision of the founders make these gardens one of the Mediterranean’s most celebrated examples of botanical genius in harmony with the buildings and the landscape. This territory is the inspiration and setting for one of the most beautiful of Mediterranean marinas: Cala del Forte. Officially opened in July 2021, Cala del Forte is a successful experiment: a bijou marina on a human scale, with top-tier services for yachts and superyachts, priority

Right Hanbury Gardens

given to human and environmental safety, and harmonious integration with the surrounding landscape.

The project was commissioned and implemented by Monaco Ports, the Monegasque company in charge of Port Hercule and Fontvieille, the two main marinas of the Principality that are just a stone’s throw away, less than eight miles to the east, whose model of hospitality and comfort has been replicated in the new development.

The experience of its bigger sister yacht harbours has undoubtedly contributed to the initial success of the venture, but since the very beginning Cala del Forte has displayed its own

well-defined personality, and has attracted a loyal community of enthusiasts who appreciate its sympathetic setting between land and sea, its super qualified staff, and the great attention paid to the needs of customers.

"In this marina you have thought of everything," was a comment made of one of the first guests, according to Gian Battista Borea d'Olmo, Cala del Forte’s CEO and a tireless driver of the project. "We thought of everything possible to make our marina an example of integration between landscape and sea and the terrestrial and marine communities,” he says. “In this way the marina lives and flourishes, and goes far beyond the mere function of boat parking".

Below Monet’s vibrant ‘View of Ventimiglia’, 1884

The 178 berths for boats from 6.5m to 70m-plus are enclosed in a structure that looks from above like a seashell, but approaching from the sea it blends perfectly with the landscape. This particular form is the result of a careful study carried out by the architect Marco Filippo Alborno in collaboration with the University of Florence.

The 15,000 square metres of promenades and gardens, where shops, restaurants and cafes contribute to a thriving neighbourhood life with a rich season of events and concerts, were also carefully planned. Great attention has been devoted to nautical services too, with a shipyard area of 2,700 square metres and hardstanding for boats up to 30 metres in length.

The connection between the marina and the city of Ventimiglia Alta could hardly be simpler – just take the lift. Quickly and free of charge, ten people at a time, seven days a week and 24 hours a day, this vertical elevator along with the marina’s 582 parking spaces makes a vital contribution to sustainable local mobility in the community. It is one of several intelligent features that led to Cala del Forte’s award of the Blue Flag 2023, an international certification issued by the Foundation for Environmental Education to marinas that comply with strict protocols for sustainable land management.

"It is the result of daily teamwork,” commented Gian Battista, “carried out with a passion for the territory and a determination to support energy

The many lives of Gian Battista Borea d'Olmo

Gian Battista Borea d'Olmo seems to have lived several lives. You might have known him for years, but every time you talk to him you discover something new. He hardly speaks of himself at all; but he is always willing to talk about his great love of sailing and the sea.

He was born by the sea in 1950, to an old Sanremo family. He studied at the Naval College in Venice, and then at the Naval Academy in Livorno, and then joined the Italian Navy.

He was the youngest second-in-command of Stella Polare, the Marina Militare’s classic Sparkman & Stephens ocean racer, in which he won the Tenerife-Bermuda transatlantic race, a memorable victory, especially for the crew, who were made by Gian Battista to change the spinnaker no fewer than 72 times.

"Sailing isn’t just about competition,” he says.

“In racing it’s not the winning but the importance of doing things the right way, trying hard and learning not to repeat mistakes."

He says. He believes in applying this approach to everything he does.

He left the Navy after 11 years. "I had fallen in love,” he explains. “I wanted a family and I didn’t

transition". Cala del Forte is, in fact, one of the first marinas to have installed a quick charging station for electric vessels, which also qualify for special mooring rates. Waste disposal and black and grey water collection from superyachts are done directly at the quay.

Connections by sea to the port of Monaco are made by the marina’s exceptional 12-metre shuttle, Monaco One, a smart motor catamaran that can take passenger to Port Hercule in just 15 minutes. Designed to maximise efficiency and minimise consumption, Monaco One also features an innovative real-time monitoring and tracking system for large marine mammals, which relays data to the nearby Cetacean Sanctuary.

want to be constantly going around the world". He spent a year at the Offshore Sailing Centre of Chioggia, founded by his father, then in 1982 he took the post of harbourmaster at the new marina of Porto Rotondo in Sardinia.

Here he created a management model that went counter to the common idea that a marina was essentially a real estate investment. It was a great success and established a new paradigm. In 2006, the Principality of Monaco

entrusted him with the role of General Manager of Ports. There he remained until 2021, before moving on to take charge of strategic operations in the Principality’s tourist harbour investments.

It’s a role that suits him, he says, with many commitments, and he focuses on doing them well, as he always likes to do. But he still finds time to go sailing.

The last time we met was aboard Vistona, his wonderful 18-metre gaff cutter built in 1937 and lovingly restored by his family. He was attending a historical regatta with his children, to whom he has transferred his love of the sea and his passion for doing things well.

Vistona (left) was awarded first in class that day. Which was not really a surprise.

Left The 12-metre marina shuttle Monaco One

THE 3D PRINTING REVOLUTION

YACHTS OF THE FUTURE

From watertoys to yacht parts, this high-tech manufacturing process is making a host of previously impossible things possible

In 2019, the University of Maine in the United States stunned the world when it unveiled a boat produced with its 3D printer. It wasn’t a toy boat, either. Measuring 7.6 metres in length, it weighed 2,268kg. The boat, named 3Dirigo, took about 72 hours to produce, far less time than traditional boatbuilding methods require. The 3D printer itself is notable. It is the world’s largest, capable of making objects 30 metres long by 6 metres wide and 3 metres deep. The boat was certified as the world’s largest solid 3D printed item.

TEXT BY DIANE M. BYRNE

Although we are not yet at the point where superyachts can be 3D printed, the yachting industry and the larger recreational marine industry have already been using the technology for several years. Here’s a look at some of the leaders in the field, and what they’re doing.

Hodgdon tenders

Hodgdon Tenders, a division of Hodgdon Yachts, one of the oldest superyacht companies in the world, has been using 3D printing for a number of years, primarily for manufacturing components like hull side doors, gloveboxes, and some stainless steel pieces. Light fixtures, door latches,

and actuator mounting brackets are among the metal pieces it 3D prints. The components are for its popular limo, open, beachlander, and all-electric tenders from 6.5 metres to upwards of 12 metres. Additionally, Hodgdon Tenders employs 3D printing to help create the moulds for some other small parts.

It's no coincidence that Hodgdon Tenders is in Maine, about a two-hour drive from the University of Maine’s 3D printer. The shipyard and the university have collaborated on a few projects.

"The boat, named 3Dirigo, took about 72 hours to produce, far less time than traditional boatbuilding methods require"

Paradoxal surfboards

Surfers are some of the most eco-conscious people around, so it may come as no surprise that a surfboard company has begun manufacturing its boards from natural products through 3D printing. Paradoxal Surfboards uses algae (collected straight from beaches) and bio-sourced fibres instead of the traditional polystyrene foam. The 3D manufacturing process actually makes the surfboards stronger, too, especially in areas subject to a lot of stress and bending, because it helps create latticelike structures with empty cavities. This, the company discovered, helps preserve the surfboards from dents. Overall, 3D printing’s precision helps reduce waste as well.

Fun fact: the founder of Paradoxal Surfboards was inspired to use algae after watching several lectures about biomimicry, which is the process of emulating nature’s solutions to design and

create manmade things. Upon seeing a microscopic-level photo of a particular algae, he realised it had the same shape as a surfboard.

Silverlining furniture

Silverlining Furniture designs exquisite custom credenzas, dining tables, chairs, outdoor furniture and more, for some of the most elegant superyachts afloat. It also makes everything it designs at its own workshop in Wales. The company has been experimenting with manufacturing techniques and materials since its founding in the 1980s, and naturally 3D printing is among those techniques.

Silverlining has also recently begun experimenting with 3D printed alternatives to ceramics, using the same materials that have long been

"Considering how quickly technology advances, that future may not be as far away as we think"

used for porcelain, as well as terracotta, stoneware, and even concrete. The process is not just quicker and more cost effective, but also allows the team to create shapes that simply cannot be made using any other method.

Tanaruz boats

Around the turn of the millennium, a few Dutch nationals were so convinced that 3D printing would make boatbuilding more efficient and therefore more affordable for the general public that they created a boatmanufacturing company. Tanaruz Boats 3D-printed its first boat in 2021, and is currently striving to scale up its production. In the meantime, it uses one of Europe’s largest 3D printers for its latest design, the 6.5-metre

Ozare 6.5. The boat is ideal for cruising with up to eight people on inland waters such as lakes, rivers, and canals. Interested customers include fellow residents of The Netherlands as well as buyers as far away as Australia.

Tanaruz employs a recycled plastic and fibre-glass compound purpose-made for large-scale boat printing. Manufacturing each boat as one piece makes them more recyclable, too, which is also a priority for the company.

We’re not yet at the point where we can have abundant full-scale tenders, watertoys, and even yachts produced by 3D printers. But the time and cost savings are currently enough to make forward-thinking companies eager to implement the technology in the future. Considering how quickly technology advances, that future may not be as far away as we think.

Centre Infinity table created by Silverlining Furniture

Below

Visual of Tanaroz’s 6.5m Ozare model

INTERVIEW: EWA EIDSGAARD

MEETINGS OF MIN DS

London-based Harrison Eidsgaard is one of the world’s most successful yacht design studios. It’s all down to careful and thorough communication with the client

TEXT BY HELEN CHISLETT

As all designers know, communication is key to a happy and successful relationship with the client. But how best to achieve that? We have so many ways to communicate digitally, but Ewa Eidsgaard believes nothing beats a face-to-face meeting.

Ewa is the co-founder and director of Harrison Eidsgaard. She also heads up the interiors side of the studio. In the design of a superyacht –usually a three- to four-year process – she and her team might meet with the client as many as 50 times, but certainly at least ten. “The more conversations we have with a client, the better we understand them. A yacht is a huge financial investment, so we need to get it right. Meetings may be time-consuming, but every one of them is worthwhile.”

The starting point is of course the exterior. However, as she explains, in some ways this is the most difficult area for the client to contribute to. “Most of us drive cars and have opinions about them, but how many of us analyse every feature down to the wheel caps? It is the same with yachts. Clients tend to react viscerally and might dismiss a huge amount of work with that dreaded phrase, ‘I don’t like it’. The challenge is to drill down and find out exactly what it is they don’t like, because they might not have the tools or the technical language to express their reservations. There is a lot of function built into the exterior design, which also has to be taken into consideration. What counts is taking what the client says and analysing it, so we understand where the changes need to be.”

"A yacht is a huge financial investment, so we need to get it right"

People respond differently to the interior design aspect. “Design is omnipresent in our world. Our clients travel – they stay in beautiful hotels, go to restaurants, visit flagship stores – everywhere they go, they encounter design. Everyone has an opinion – it is more a question about how well they can express it.”

For this reason, she and her team like to meet the client as early on in the project as possible — ideally, in their home or on their existing yacht. “Seeing the client in his or her home environment shows us how they like to live,” she explains. “It also gives us a lot of insight into the materials they like and the sort of aesthetic they

gravitate towards. Taking the brief from the client face-to-face, as opposed to through the yard or the broker, helps us establish the relationship and find the chemistry between us.”

She also believes in keeping this first meeting as playful as possible. “We bring lots of mood boards and an enormous amount of fabric samples. Watching the client sort out those they love and also those they dislike is a great way of distilling the design direction. At this stage, it is all very relaxed and non-committal. We don’t want to overwhelm the client with information, because they will push back if they are made to feel uncomfortable or pressurised.”

The second meeting is key because this is when the studio presents the design direction. It includes sketches, renderings, CGI of key rooms (often with VR headsets) and an abundance of material samples. “It can be exhausting.

It’s sometimes spread over two full days, but two to three hours is the average. It is not only that we need a lot of energy to present everything well, but we need the client to be fully focused and invested in the process too. If we have done our job well, this meeting sets the design course, but there will be many other meetings to come where we make corrections and additions.”

Face-to-face is not always possible for clients who travel a lot, so she also uses Zoom, Pinterest, WhatsApp and email, depending which of those the client is most comfortable with – these additional digital resources are particularly good for checking details and getting speedy responses on certain aspects of the scheme. She never takes any decisions for granted. “Some clients like to be involved every step of the way, but others will say they don’t want to be bothered about the hinges or the kitchen taps, for example That’s fine, but we need to agree first if there are areas they want to leave entirely to us”.

Above Sky lounge and dining room aboard Irisha, and some choice furniture hardware

When the client is the shipyard, the process is unlikely to involve just as much face-toface contact. “We have a lot more freedom creatively, because the yard has come to us because they like our work stylistically and believe we can create a great ‘on spec’ yacht. What matters is that we produce something that is sellable, which means it can’t be too extreme or controversial. It also has to fit with the yard’s carefully curated public image –and of course the budget. Once the design direction is agreed within those constraints, it is a golden oppor tunity to show what we can do”.

Of course, a good outcome also depends on the communication between the design team internally. Harrison Eidsgaard is a relatively small studio, with a team of four to five people allotted for each project. “We don’t have different departments for marine architects or interior designers, because we believe in

Seeing the client in his or her home environment shows us how they like to live"

the idea of cross-collaboration”, says Eidsgaard. “We employ people for their creative minds and we want to have their input, so everyone is encouraged to have an opinion. It’s very intense at the start of a project, while we establish the direction of design, but the client ultimately benefits from the fact we all talk about it and sometimes even disagree. If we were all sat in the corner doing our own thing, we wouldn’t come up with the inspiration and ideas we do.”

LET YOUR WALLET ROAM FREE

GO WILD WITH GIFTS

Luxury interiors brand Ninaber van Eyben offers six bespoke gifts with a globetrotting theme, for yacht owners with insatiable wanderlust

TEXT BY JULIA ZALTZMAN

L’OBJET CHOPSTICKS AND REST

From the cruising grounds of Indonesia to the karst landscape of Thailand’s limestone cliffs, yacht itineraries to Asia are gaining in popularity. Amid the clear, blue waters and contrasting white sand beaches, a culturally rich and diverse world awaits. L’Objet’s elegant set of two pairs of chopsticks crafted from ebony and gold, with six matching gold horse chopstick rests, will put you in mind of the wild horses that roam the beaches of Sumba and the exquisite fusion cuisine masterfully prepared by your onboard chef. A unique gift set that will spark the imagination for years to come.

Set of two pairs of chopsticks

€195

Six matching chopstick rests

€295

VARGA

SAFARI WHISKY DECANTER

Varga’s Safari whisky decanter brings the spirit of the wilderness to any yacht’s evening aperitif set up. Made at the famed glassworks in Budapest, it’s one of the few establishments left today that practices the skill of copper and diamond-wheel engraving. Clear crystal cutting is combined with this deep engraving technique to bring out the finest details of the featured elephant and rhino. Match it with a set of 12 bar glasses, each featuring an iconic African animal, from a giraffe and a gazelle to an elephant and lion.

Whisky decanter

€998

Whisky bar glasses

€258 each

DAUM

MER DE CORAIL BOWLS

Dive on a coral reef without leaving the comfort of your yacht with Daum’s exquisite Mer de Corail bowls. Hand-made in France from pâte de verre – a coloured, powdered glass paste that can be formed like wax in the hands of skilled craftspeople – these beautifully constructed red and blue vessels allow guests to enjoy the underwater world above the waves, day after day.

€3,800

L’OBJET SEASHELL COASTERS

Set foot on any secluded beach or hidden bay, and amid the powder soft sand lurk millions of delicate seashells – the protective outer carapace created by myriad organisms that call the sea their home. The archetypal symbol of a far-off paradise, the seashell represents travel, the ocean and the beauty of nature. Handcrafted in antiqued, 24k gold-plated brass with inlaid black enamel, these felt-backed coasters by L'Objet spotlight the enigmatic seashell, and also help to keep the polished surfaces of your Heesen free of watermarks.

€195

ROBBE & BERKING PENGUIN CARAFES

The perfect gift for anyone planning a yacht exploration to Antarctica, the Robbe & Berking penguin carafes designed by Danish silversmith Lasse Bæhring are both stylish and practical. Crafted from 925 Sterling silver, the graceful shape with gently curved lines is reminiscent of a calling penguin. Available in two sizes, when paired together they echo the resilience and bravery of the wild emperor penguins who brave the bitter winters to safeguard their young. Well suited to indoor dining and outdoor socia lising, few jugs compare.

€4,160

ROBBE & BERKING SYLT OYSTER

Wherever you cruise aboard a Heesen, the world is your oyster. There is surely no better way to mark an occasion than with a gift of Robbe & Berking’s Sylt Oyster salt set. Crafted in 925 Sterling silver radiating pure craftsmanship, and with a gold-plated interior shimmering like real mother of pearl, it introduces a note of fun refinement to the table and draws everyone's admiration. Accompanied by a Riva salt spoon, a jar of natural salt gathered from the Isle of Sylt (home to Germany’s only oyster farm) and a wooden presentation tray.

€1,505

STRUCTURAL STRESS MONITORING

THE SCIENCE OF SAFE SAILING

Heesen's largest-ever yacht, Genesis, features a unique sensor system continuously measuring the forces acting on the hull, so both crew and yard know exactly how the yacht is doing physically. Hull monitoring not only extends the lifespan of the yacht, but also makes voyages safer and more comfortable

TEXT BY HAN THOMA

At 80.07 metres, Genesis is a yacht of extremes. Not only is this the largest superyacht Heesen has ever built, it is also the world's largest and fastest all-aluminium motor yacht with conventional propulsion. According to Jos Verbruggen, manager of shipbuilding engineering at Heesen, the yacht formerly known as Project Cosmos stretched the shipyard’s capacities in every possible way. “We even built a new, much larger shed to accommodate her construction. Because we are well known for our fast aluminium yachts, we showed ambition by engineering her as a full aluminium yacht. To maximize

strength and stiffness, we created our patented ‘backbone’ structural system, adding extra thick plate in crucial places in the hull.”

Boats breaking like matchstick

The longer a ship is, the greater the forces acting on it. Bulk carriers — cargo ships often more than 270 metres long — sometimes break in half like matchsticks, says Ton Bos. He is director of HMC, a leading Dutch engineering firm in the maritime sector. "If such mega-ships are constantly overloaded, material fatigue can occur due to years of impact from waves and currents. Then suddenly it's over and they break."

Mind-boggling top speed

Tank tests were conducted to check Genesis’ hull shape, but also to measure bending moment at several locations to get an indication of the yacht’s strength. Says Jos Verbruggen: “This was especially important because of the yacht’s mind-boggling top speed of 29 knots. Because of the unique properties of the yacht, the owner's representative asked if we could somehow monitor the stresses in the hull. Because of their experience with high loaded vessels, we contracted HMC to design a custom monitoring system for Genesis.”

Digital twin

HMC developed a technology that measures exactly which forces a ship's hull is exposed to. That 'hull monitoring' system is called 'SafePlan'. Bos explains: "SafePlan combines so-called 'hydrostatics' — the position of the ship — with 'hydrodynamics', or how the ship reacts in waves. This allows us to precisely calculate the risk of material fatigue." Although originally developed for cargo ships, SafePlan offers crucial benefits to superyachts like Genesis: “For Genesis, the monitoring system consists of ten sensors located at critical points in the hull, the ears and eyes of the system. An accelerometer records the yacht's lateral acceleration. Every second, the measurements are transmitted to a central database, the so-called 'digital

“ Based on the digital twin, the captain and crew know exactly what forces the yacht is exposed to”

Below A graph showing hull stresses

twin'. Based on this virtual copy of the ship, the captain and crew know exactly what forces the yacht is subjected to."

Safer at sea

The SafePlan technology is invaluable for crew as well, as they can move the yacht into safer waters if the impacts on the hull are too great. Since the system also integrates weather forecasts, the captain can decide not to undertake certain trips. Ton Bos adds: "We can even calculate when the impact of the waves on the ship is so great that those on board may become seasick. This is valuable information that a captain can use to convince charter guests to cancel or postpone a trip.”

Predicting sailing behaviour

For Heesen, the monitoring system also provides valuable information for engineering future yachts. Thanks to the sensor data, ships can better adapt to the changing climate. The digital twin technology also helps designers develop new, sustainable composite materials. "Designs now are still mainly based on calculations and tank tests”, says Bos. “Only at sea do you really see whether the ship can handle the forces it was designed for. In the future, you will know in advance how that new yacht will hold up under all conditions, even before sea trials, whether the hull is steel, aluminium or a new high-tech material."

Below Tank testing Project Cosmos at Haslar Maritime Test Facilities

The most important waterway in the world in terms of global trade is becoming increasingly attractive to adventurous superyacht owners – but it hasn’t always been plain sailing

THE SUEZ CANAL

A LONG AND FRAUGHT HISTORY

TEXT BY JILL BOBROW

Suez Canal

The Suez Canal, linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, is the shortest route from Europe to Asia. It is not the longest canal in the world, and it is not the deepest, but it is terrifically significant in the maritime scheme of things

In March 2021, The Ever Given, one of the largest container ships ever built—nearly as long as the Empire State Building is tall—got stuck in the Suez Canal for six days. Images of the vessel rammed diagonally into the canal banks were broadcast in every news media. This colossal ship wreaked havoc on the global shipping

scene. Its obstruction incurred estimated losses of nearly 10 billion dollars a day in trade.

Today, we take it for granted that a ship or a yacht can get from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. In fact, a dozen Heesen yachts, including one of our latest launches, the 80-metre Genesis, have passed through the canal in the last five years alone.

Now, what if there was no canal and you had to journey all the way around the tip of Africa? Well, prior to the canal’s completion in 1869, that is exactly what all seafaring vessels had to do. Either that or ditch the boat and resort to a camel caravan.

Above The 400-metre long container ship Ever Given which blocked the canal in 2021

“

Now, what if there was no canal and you had to journey all the way around the tip of Africa?”

The idea to create a waterway between the two continents goes back millennia. Who had the idea first depends on who’s telling the story. The details are sketchy at best. Several historical sources mention that the Egyptian pharoah Senusret III ( 1878-1839 BCE) was the first to construct a canal in this territory. It was not exactly on the same footprint of the current Suez Canal, and maybe his canal was an irrigation channel that was navigable during a flood. The next noted attempt at a canal was called the Canal of the Pharaohs or Necho’s Canal, dug by Necho II in the late seventh century BCE. Also, the Persian king Darius (522 - 486 BCE) likely had a hand in it. Texts written in Old Persian and Babylonian commemorate his construction of a canal joining the easternmost branch of the Nile with Lake Timsah, which was connected via natural waterway to the Red Sea. However, Aristotle and Pliny the Elder say Darius never completed the work.

Despite the sketchy historical record, there clearly was some sort of ancient waterway, which was neglected down the centuries and became defunct. Hundreds of years on, Venetian merchants, keen to augment their luxury goods trade from the East, had their own ideas for a revamped canal between the Red Sea and the Nile, but were thwarted by the Ottoman conquest of Egypt in 1517.

Then the Ottomans also showed an interest in digging a canal, but eventually abandoned the project as it seemed too costly.

Over the years, the notion of digging a seafaring trade route between east and west went dormant for a while. Then in 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte marched into Egypt, conquering Alexandria and Cairo. Wishing to boost French trade interests over those of Great Britain, he took a team of engineers to scope out the

realities of building a working canal. As a token of good will, prior to his expedition, he gave Cairo back its self-governance. Napoleon’s chief civil engineer, Jacques-Marie Le Père made a topographical survey of the Isthmus of Suez and, amazingly, was able to trace remnants of an old canal from the Red Sea to the Nile. However, Le Père believed, erroneously, that sea level in the Red Sea was 8.5 metres higher than in the Mediterranean. Napoleon did not want to run the risk of flooding the Nile Delta, nor did he want the expense of building locks, so he abandoned the plan.

The engineer’s error put the construction of the eventual canal back by a half century until 1833, when the idea was resurrected again by French social reformer Saint Simonian Prosper Enfantin. The Isthmus of Suez had gained popularity among travellers, writers and painters who extolled the area’s stark and desolate beauty. Commissioned to produce a set of Biblical scenes, J.M.W. Turner, the renowned British painter of light (1775-1851), created a version of the Red Sea at Suez in 1832, although he never actually went there.

In 1847, Enfantin’s surveyors finally determined there was no difference in sea level between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea and in 1854 another Frenchman, Ferdinand de Lesseps, negotiated an agreement with the Egyptian Viceroy to form the Suez Canal Company. Emperor Napoleon III (Bonaparte’s nephew) supported it. The actual digging started in 1859 in the city of Al Farama, now known as Port Said. It was estimated that more than 60 million cubic metres of earth would have to be dug out, and a massive labour force was needed. In late 1861, tens of thousands of peasants were conscripted to dig using picks and shovels. Townships popped up along the length of the dig to support the influx of men. The work and the conditions were gruelling, however, and many thousands of labourers died.

In 1863, the Egyptian Ishmail Pasha banned the use of forced labour. But Lesseps needed to carry on, and against all odds managed to bring in steam and coal powered shovels and dredgers. The canal was inaugurated on November 17, 1869. It was 61 to 91 metres wide at the surface and barely eight metres deep. To allow ships to pass each other, passing bays were built every 8 to 10km.

In 1875, The British, worried that their shipping dominance would be undermined by the

Below

The Red Sea at Suez by Joseph Mallord William Turner

An original share certificate for the Suez Canal Co

French, bought a 44% stake in the canal after the Egyptian government, running out of money, auctioned off its shares. Turmoil ensued. Britain invaded Egypt in 1882. In 1888, at the Constantinople convention, an agreement was made between France, Austria, Hungary, Spain, Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia and Turkey that ensured freedom of navigation through the Suez Canal.

With the Anglo-Egyptian treaty of 1936, Egypt became a sovereign state, but Britain took control of the Suez Canal and its occupation of Egypt persisted until 1956. Resenting the lingering British colonial influence, tensions finally boiled over in Egypt and in July 1956, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal. Over the many years since, there have been closings and reopenings of the canal due to politics, war, disagreements, as well as the need to clear it of debris and sunken ships.

During the June 1967 Six Day War between Egypt and Israel, the Suez Canal was shut down by the Egyptian government and blocked on

either side by mines and scuttled ships. At the time of the closure, 15 international vessels were moored at the canal’s midpoint at the Great Bitter Lake. They would remain stranded in the waterway for eight years, eventually earning the nickname the “Yellow Fleet” for the desert sands that caked their decks.

Today, the canal is owned by the Suez Canal Authority of Egypt. At 193 kilometres long, 205 metres wide and 24 metres deep, it is one of the world’s busiest maritime routes and used by 30 per cent of all global ship traffic. In 2015, an expansion and deepening of the canal was completed along with a new lane branching off the main channel. According to the Suez Canal Authority, in 2023 the canal earned $13.226 billion in revenues, and saw an average of 97 ships transiting every day.

As the number of private superyachts expands and their owners’ appetites to explore new territories increase, the Suez Canal will continue to play a role, not only for cargo and military ships, but also for adventurous yachts such as those in Heesen’s fleet.

Above Opening of the Suez Canal, 1869

THE GALLEY

The modern superyacht galley is a treasure house of all the latest culinary gadgets. And they’re all absolutely essential — honest FROM

TOO MUCH IS NEVER ENO UGH

TEXT BY FERNANDA ROGGERO

Three ovens, blast chillers, ice makers, deep fat fryers and vacuum machines. Even a cider dispenser on tap. Megayacht kitchens accommodate all sorts of technological gadgets. Managing these spaces is now a Tetris-like challenge for even the most skilled designers. Just as in their homes, the clients of luxury shipyards demand every kind of appliance on board, every new technology.

And often, on-board chefs are even more demanding than internationally renowned restaurant chefs. Because even if a megayacht can cruise the ocean on a perfectly even keel, cooking on a yacht is not easy. The service has to be like that of a five-star hotel, complete with 24-hour availability and extravagant requests, slaloming between intolerances, dietary regimes, religious restrictions.

And so the list of 'must-haves' gets longer. Right up to — for some on-board cooks an absolute must — the knife steriliser, a small ad hoc dishwasher that brings the temperature up to 90 degrees. Then comes the Thermomix, combining the functions of at least twelve appliances in a single device, it weighs, mixes, chops, grinds, kneads, blends, steams, heats and emulsifies. It can prepare a sauce, make ice cream, concoct a liqueur, or boil an egg.

More recently we have the Pacojet, now firmly established in restaurants, which allows mousses, sorbets, ice creams or fillings of extraordinary suavity to be created. Whether a hummus or a dessert, the 'texture' will be ultra-fine and frothy because the Pacojet, which works with a pressure of up to 1.2 bar, reduces the food to a micro puree.

Did a romantic full moon encourage an overnight stop in the bay? Next morning there must still be fresh, crisp bread on the table. Fortunately, technology comes to the rescue here too. There are small, compact machines with automatic programmes for making customised breads: gluten-free, yeast-free, homemade loaves, loaves with fruit and nuts.

“A good ice maker is an absolute must, to enjoy cocktails on a par with the best speakeasies”

For more sophisticated menus, one can use smokers such as the Smoking Gun, a kind of small hair dryer that allows food or cocktails to be infused with tea, spices or dried flowers. A Manhattan infused with cigar smoke or an applewood-flavoured Bloody Mary can give an exotic twist to the classic sunset drink.

What is never missing from a yacht's table is fish. And to serve it at its best you need a blast chiller. Stopping by the bay, after a swim or a jet-ski ride, what could be better than a good carpaccio? But to really enjoy it the fish must be sanitised beforehand by rapidly cooling it to -35 degrees: this is the only way to eradicate bacteria and parasites. The blast chiller, now also to be found in many domestic kitchens, is another of those multi-purpose appliances that can help on many fronts, a sort of genie in the bottle from which you can ask almost anything. You can make yoghurt, create perfectly transparent ice cubes of the desired size, chill a bottle of wine just brought by a guest in less

Right A Pacojet kitchen multi-tool

than 15 minutes, and ensure vibrant colour and crispness to freshly cooked food by blast chilling before it goes into the fridge. It not only chills and sanitises, but when needed it transforms into a chafing dish or oven for low-temperature cooking.

In short, the superyacht galley has a limitless array of equipment to satisfy the most demanding chef, and even the owner — who increasingly is a passionate gourmet who makes forays into the kitchen. Today’s galley is no longer just a technical space. Many owners ask for high tables with stools for breakfast, and there is no shortage of those who try their hand at cooking. Some have specified the inclusion of a dry-ager for the meat, so as to obtain a steak that is aged to the right point even on the high seas. To be accompanied by an excellent vintage red. Which will certainly be served at the right temperature because wine cellars — even large ones, with differentiated temperature conditions for whites and reds — are now commonplace on board.

Now, what else do we need? A vacuum packing machine, obviously, and a precision thermometer for frying oil are essential. And a good ice maker is an absolute must, to enjoy cocktails on a par with the best speakeasies. And, and, and…

Left

A blast chiller can sterilise fish at –35 degrees in no time

LESSONS FROM THE MASTERS

FOOD FOR THO UGHT

The early seventeenth century marked a pinnacle for the Netherlands, and became known as the Golden Age.

Dutch painters gained worldwide fame for their still lifes, many featuring food, which provide valuable insights into life and beliefs of the time

TEXT BY HAN THOMA

Subtle symbols

If you were to stroll past 'Still Life with Cheeses, Artichoke, and Cherries', you might miss some of its subtle brilliance. Painted around 1625 by Clara Peeters, one of few female painters counted among the Dutch ‘masters’, it is worthy of a second look. Peeters is lauded not only for her mastery of textures but also for the rich symbolism in her paintings. In this work, the hard biscuit serves as a metaphor for everyday life, while the cherry pit next to

the lifelike silver bowl serves as a reminder of life's finite nature. The word 'temp(erantia)' discreetly appears on the blade of a knife, emphasise the virtue of moderation.

Memento mori

In the realm of art, references to the vanity, impermanence, and meaninglessness of earthly pursuits are termed 'vanitas.' These serve as Calvinist warnings against excess and luxury. While Peeters employs a cherry pit in her work, other vanitas still lifes feature symbols like an empty glass, extinguished candle, or a skull.

Willem Claesz Heda's 'Banquet Piece with Mince

Pie' from 1635 is a prime example, with a lime partly peeled and 'decapitated,' a half-eaten mince pie, a fallen goblet, and an extinguished candle all hinting at the inevitability of mortality.

Below

'Still Life with Cheeses, Artichoke, and Cherries' painted by Dutch master Clara Peeters

Wanderlust and wealth

While Peeters focuses on local products in her still life, paintings from a decade or two later showcase products from around the world. 'Banquet Piece with Mince Pie' by Willem Claesz Heda includes Mediterranean lime, salt, peppercorns, and olives, symbolizing newfound wealth. Abraham van Beyeren's 'Still Life with Lobster and Fruit' from around 1660 is a 'pronkstilleven,' an ornate still life, replacing the Dutch beer mug with imported wine. Yet still, beneath the opulence lies a Calvinist message, subtly reminding us of the shortness of time with a pocket watch in the bottom right corner.

Everyday Life in the Golden Age

While most seventeenth-century paintings commissioned by prosperous merchants display wealth, few depict the eating habits of ordinary Dutch people. An exception is Pieter Claesz's 'Ontbijtje' ('Breakfast') from 1636. Claesz, renowned for his still lifes with simple foods, portrays a glass of beer, a knife, a herring, a bread roll, and the cracked shell of a hazelnut. Despite this seemingly modest fare, signs of wealth abound, with a richly decorated beer glass and knife. Claesz honours 'our daily bread,' bridging the gap between rich and poor and offering a unique perspective on the era's culinary habits.

See for yourself

Several of these still lifes are on display in the world’s finest art museums. Clara Peeters' 'Still Life with Cheeses, Artichoke, and Cherries' (1625) is housed in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Willem Claesz Heda's 'Banquet Piece with Mince Pie' (1635) can be found in The National Gallery of Art in Washington, and Abraham van Beyeren's 'Still Life with Lobster and Fruit' (circa 1650) beckons a visit to The Met in New York. Pieter Claesz's 'Breakfast' (1636) can be admired in The Netherlands at the Boijmans van Beuningen museum in Rotterdam. Many other renowned still lifes are on display at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

Top left Abraham van Beyeren's 'Still Life with Lobster and Fruit

Opposite lef Pieter Claesz's 'Ontbijtje'

Left 'Banquet Piece with Mince Pie' by Willem Claesz Heda

INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION

BUILDING THE FUTURE

Forget robots and AI: yachts are still built by hand.

The Heesen team of more than 1,000 highly skilled workers achieves the highest quality in the best traditions of Dutch shipbuilding. To safeguard these traditions, Heesen invests heavily in the future

TEXT BY HAN THOMA

You can still find employees who have worked in the shipyard since the very inception of the company, 40 years ago. This says a lot for Heesen’s appeal as an employer, but also emphasises the need to nurture and develop the many unique skills needed to build a yacht, and to keep this invaluable knowledge within Heesen to pass it on to new generations. To this end, the Heesen Academy was created, which offers a wide range of training courses and opportunities both for starters and experienced employees to develop their experiences and abilities.

The buddy system

One of the most important ways in which Heesen transfers knowledge to new employees is the buddy system. An apprentice or novice is paired with an experienced worker, who teaches all the intricacies of the trade. Dave Hogeweij, 26, is a sheet metal worker in Hall 6, where hull construction takes place. He joined Heesen two years ago because of his brother's positive experiences at the yard. "The working conditions are good here, you have a lot of freedom in your work and everyone is very helpful. It really is all about teamwork and creating something beautiful together. On top of that, there’s a lot to learn. I recently took the internal welding course at Heesen and got my welding certificates for aluminium welding. And the product is fantastic, of course. When you finally see your work in the water, you can be really proud of it."

"

When you finally see your work in the water, you can be really proud of it"

Starting from scratch

Dave recently became the buddy of 17-yearold Sander van de Sterren, a BBL student, gaining work experience at Heesen while training to become an all-round construction worker. Why did Sander choose Heesen? "I already knew the shipyard, which gave me confidence. And after an impressive tour, I knew for sure that I wanted to do an internship here." He likes Dave's supervision. "You really start from scratch, and working with aluminium is completely new to me. It's great to be able to fall back on someone. And it's also nicer of course to work together." Dave is also enthusiastic about the buddy system. "When I started working here, we didn’t have this system, but I think it would have helped me to learn the job more quickly." And will Sander return to Heesen after graduating? "He just might," he replies with a meaningful smile.