Spotted

The 30.24-meter GIO4 is the first Riva Corsaro Super series. Riva has launched the first hull of a flybridge yacht in May 2019. The Riva 102 Corsaro Super is an evolution of the Riva brand and showcases the same streamlined profile as her predecessor, 100’ Corsaro. She features the work of Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta, founders of Officina Italiana Design, working in partnership with the Strategic Product Committee led by Mr. Piero Ferrari and the Ferretti Group Engineering Department. The latest addition to Riva's flybridge range has an unmistakable profile, even more elegant and decisive: masterful brushstrokes of dark color, from the large window that runs along the entire hull to the design of the hard top, create new modern, fluid and harmonious lines, giving life to a boat with a completely new image. Among her standout new features is the complete design makeover of the superstructure, based on a contemporary, sporty concept and more generous dimensions. The yacht’s distinctive silhouette reaches out like an arrowhead, giving her a sleek and assertive profile. The aft area was completely redesigned, including a full-fledged beach club that extends over more than 35 sq. m and ticks all the boxes of owners in search of ever more contact with the sea and with nature in their relaxation area. The 15 sq. m swim platform has been lowered, with lateral access to the cockpit on either side and an extra large, extra comfortable sun lounger in the center, hiding the entrance to the garage area. Two recessed doors, one on either side of the sun lounger, provide access to two large storage areas (280 liters each).The 20 sq. m functional cockpit furnished with a comfy sofa that can be combined with freestanding furniture, such as a teak dining table and “Riviera” model chairs – produced by Italian design firm Talenti – or a coffee table, perfect to transform this setting from a relaxation space to a dining area according to the owner’s needs and preferences. On the starboard side, before entering the main lounge, an outdoor staircase connects the cockpit area with the upper deck, while a large bar unit with an icemaker is located on the port side. The interior design of the main lounge and its arrangement are the result of meticulous restyling. Two layouts are available, each created to meet the different needs expressed by owners. In the standard version, the dining area with its generous table seating eight is aft, while the living space is the main feature of the central area in the boat. A second layout is also available, in which the living area, generous sofas and armchairs are near the entrance, creating a single continuous space with the outdoor relaxation area. On the left side of the main lounge is the entrance to the large, elegant owner’s suite, which is full-beam and extends forward into the bow. This cabin is the crown jewel of the yacht, with windows redesigned and extended to two meters in length, amplifying the sense of space that is a distinctive feature of the widebody configuration and offering a breathtaking view on both sides of the yacht. Forward, the full-beam bathroom is furnished with an elegant C-shaped basin that can be customized according to the owner’s tastes and is also available in black or white marble, with double basins. On the two sides of the bathroom are the toilet area and shower stall. The owner’s cabin is completed by a spacious wardrobe at the entrance, with full-height black back-painted glass doors and stainless steel handles. The guest areas are arranged into three VIP double cabins and a guest cabin with twin beds. Aft, in addition to the engine room, the spacious garage can contain two water toys and a Williams 445 L tender. The entire area is a perfect combination of comfort and practicality, with quick and easy procedures for launching and hauling up the tender and water toys. The yacht can have a maximum speed of over 26 or 28 knots, depending on the owner’s choice. The Ferretti Group, led by Chief Executive Officer Alberto Galassi, is now one of the world’s leaders in the construction and sale of luxury yachts and pleasure vessels, with a unique portfolio of brands: Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, Itama, Mochi Craft, CRN, Custom Line and Wally.Credits: Ferretti Group

The Benetti Full Custom Yacht FB283 with a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure was launched during a private ceremony, which was held on January 26th at the Livorno yard. The owner had expressed the desire for a yacht with four fundamental characteristics: speed, silence, long range and guaranteed fun for the family. The interior and exterior was made by Giorgio Cassetta, the hull lines are by Van Oossanen Naval Architects. The project was facilitated by the close and profitable relationship established between the yard, the project team, the designer and the owner, who was represented by Nicola Nicolai from Nicolai Yacht Consulting & Project Management, acting as advisor prior to the purchase and managing the entire construction process as owner’s representative and project manager.FB283’s exterior styling features extremely elegant lines, with a sleek bow and a stern sloping down towards the water’s surface, combined with a (FDHF) fast displacement hull meticulously researched by Benetti and Van Oossanen Naval Architects. FB283 has a maximum speed of 21 knots and a range that makes it possible to cruise for long distances without stopping. Cassetta and his Rome based studio created a masterpiece of harmony. Deck fittings such as the massive oval capping rails, natural teak panels and solid wood and stone furniture give the vessel a “super yacht” feel rarely found on an Italian build of this size. Being entrusted by the owner with both exterior and interior design, Cassetta added striking details to interface the two, such as the magnificent 6 x 2 meter uninterrupted windows on both main deck and upper deck. With a focus on comfort and conviviality, FB283 has been created with family life front and center, so there are plenty of storage areas offering space for all kinds of water toys and equipment for having fun in the water, including diving gear. Located forward on the upper deck, the garage is a veritable cathedral, with a side door and the space to contain a 10-meter tender, two jet skis and a second tender. A touch & go helicopter platform makes sure the owner and guests can reach the yacht whatever the location. Founded in 1873, Benetti is the oldest Italian shipyard specializing in luxury yachts. They design, build and sell composite vessels from 29 to 44m and steel and aluminum boats from 37 to over 100m. Their fleet consists of five categories: Class, Oasis, B.Yond, B.Now and Custom, to meet all the needs of the market, and they belong to the Azimut|Benetti Group, the largest privately owned luxury yachting group in the world.Credits: Benetti

Northrop & Johnson has announced its newest strategic partnership with Space Perspective, the world’s only carbon-neutral space travel company, unlocking exclusive access to a transformative journey to space for select clients.With plans to launch in 2024, with over 1,000 tickets sold, Space Perspective has totally reimagined and reengineered human spaceflight. They offer a safe, gentle, and carbon-neutral journey to space on board Spaceship Neptune, a pressurized capsule propelled by a SpaceBalloon™️ the size of a football stadium. During their six hour journey, traveling at 12 mph, Space Explorers will enjoy cocktails, Space Gastronomy, Wi-Fi and more all without the need for rigorous training or the stress of crushing g-forces.“Our collaboration with Space Perspective will take our already stellar roster of experiences and luxury client exclusives to the literal next frontier, space!” says Daniel Ziriakus, President & COO of Northrop and Johnson. Daniel Ziriakus“Our mission is to share the transformative power of space travel with the whole world and partners like Northrop & Johnson help us reach a whole new group of Space Explorers who are keen to have the transformative experience of seeing our vulnerable earth floating in the blackness of space,” said Jane Poynter, Founder and Co-CEO of Space Perspective.Northrop & Johnson has reserved two Spaceship Neptune flights, totaling 16 seats, in phase two of Space Perspective’s 2025 flight schedule. Space Perspective is based on Florida’s Space Coast, and was co-founded by space entrepreneurs Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum. The company is operated by an elite team that has been instrumental in the development of every US human spacecraft and SpaceBalloonTM flight for the past 40 years.Since 1949, Northrop & Johnson has offered yachting experiences from yacht sales and purchase to yacht charter and charter marketing to yacht management of the world’s most impressive luxury vessels, and expert crew placement services, Northrop & Johnson offers a total-service approach.Credits: Northrop & Johnson

The hull and superstructure of Project Akira, YN 20457, have been joined together at Heesen’s facility in Oss. The shipyard presented the 57-meter series design at the Monaco Yacht Show in 2019, and construction of YN 20457 began in February 2022. Project Akira is the first in the new 57-meter all-aluminum series of fast yachts, with an enclosed volume of approximately 780 GT and a lightweight, ultra-efficient Fast Displacement Hull Form. Frank Laupman of Omega Architects penned a distinctive profile with sweeping lines and a near-vertical bow. Harrison Eidsgaard worked closely with Frank Laupman and Heesen’s in-house engineers to create an efficient and purposeful layout. The owners and their guests will benefit from plenty of outdoor space to enjoy life at sea and generous indoor areas in which to socialize and relax.Twelve guests are accommodated in six staterooms, with the 63 sqm owner’s apartment located forward on the main deck. There is a VIP suite up on the bridge deck, while the remaining guest cabins are on the lower deck. A glass and stainless-steel elevator serves all three decks. Heesen Yachts Interiors, Heesen’s fine cabinetry workshop in Winterswijk, will be responsible for handcrafting the refined bespoke furniture for Project Akira.Another milestone was marked on November 18, 2022, when Akira’s two IMO III-compliant MTU 16V 4000 M65L engines were installed. This propulsion package, in concert with the super-efficient hull design, will give the yacht a maximum speed of 22 knots.The project is scheduled for delivery in time to enjoy the 2024 summer season.Heesen Yachts is a Dutch ship building company that specializes in custom-built superyachts in aluminum and steel from 30m to 70m in size. Founded in 1978, it has launched more than 170 yachts since its inception.Credits: Heesen Yachts

Extensive sea trials are now under way for the latest member of the new Zeelander 5. She has just had her technical launch after a rigorous development and build programme by the Groot-Ammers-based yard. The new Zeelander 5 is a natural development of the successful Z44, presenting a more contemporary look. The curvaceous Zeelander silhouette is still instantly recognisable, but compared to the Z44, the shearline is more voluptuous than ever, and now follows an elongated ‘S’ shape. The yacht features bigger windows in the wheelhouse and in the hull. In fact, Zeelander has succeeded in eliminating mullions altogether around the helm, for true, unencumbered 360-degree vision. Still capable of exhilarating performance, with speeds up to 40 knots courtesy of three Volvo Penta IPS-650 drives, the Zeelander 5 nonetheless manages to be 2dBA quieter than its predecessor. Given the yard’s relentless focus on eliminating noise and vibration, that is quite an achievement. There is also the option of installing a Seakeeper 6 gyro stabilizer to ensure there is nothing to distract from the pure pleasure of ownership.“We have learned from our owners,” said Sietse Koopmans, Zeelander Yachts founder and owner.. “Dozens of small improvements and a few bigger strides forward have combined to give the Zeelander 5 improved functionality in the service of a refined, timeless character.”The first Zeelander 5 will be delivered in spring 2023. Work is also progressing well on developing the brand’s new flagship.Zeelander Yachts was founded in 2002 in the Netherlands by Sietse Koopmans. The first model was unveiled to the public in 2008. The launch model Z44 received positive reviews at the Monaco Yacht Show and drew enormous crowds, despite being at an event dominated by much larger yachts. Within three years, the Z44 had been successfully introduced to the US as well as Europe, and it was an obvious direction to add a larger model to the fleet. The first Z55 was delivered in November 2015, and the flagship Z72 was launched in March 2019.Credits: Zeelander Yachts