Feadship has launched the 69-metre Samaya, the project completed less than three years after the signing of the first agreement, itself reached after only three days of meetings.
This is the clearest possible example of how Feadship can embark on a project guided solely by the inspiration of a client and our unrivaled experience. Confident of the stellar reputation of the Feadship yards, owners can rest assured that everything will go smoothly from that point on. We also have the flexibility to continue engaging with their ideas as a design develops: Samaya, for instance, grew by some five metres over the early months. This is the only way to ensure a truly bespoke motoryacht
Feadship director Bas Nederpelt
The owner of Samaya was hugely involved throughout the project, taking part in regular monthly meetings that lasted several days. This process ultimately led to a superyacht that is meticulously based on the client’s personality and the desires of the family. Their ultimate goal is to explore the underwater world in safety and comfort while contributing towards the conservation of the oceans and the wonderful but vulnerable species contained within.
Samaya’s intriguing colour palette was a major part of this creation. The primary coating is a subtle lunar white, which reveals hints of a warm pink hue during the sunset hours and will truly come alive in the different shades of light found around the world. This scheme is offset by a teal-coloured waterline based upon the colour of a rare blue-green fish the owner once spotted on a diving excursion.
The maritime theme continues with a giant backlit manta ray symbol on fashion plates which reflects the owner’s commitment to conserving this endangered species. The overall exterior profile is also inspired by the primary purpose of Samaya, Feadship De Voogt designer Jan Schaffers explains.
The owner shared stories about diving adventures as we studied shapes together to discover what it is that makes these underwater creatures so fascinating. Our conclusions were included in the design. A good example is the gentle yet powerful muscular shape of the side bulwarks, which echo the pronounced slender muscles seen on a bull shark
The owner will soon have many more diving tales to tell, most of which will begin in the dedicated dive room in the stern. Finished to the highest degree of sophistication (including a teal-coloured floor and metallic/wood ceiling), this space houses all conceivable facilities (including a nitrox-enriched air system) and is characterized by bespoke placement of everything from seats to equipment shelves.
While occasionally diving directly off the stern, the occupants will make lots of trips to outlying reefs using Samaya’s 8.8-metre and 7.2-metre tenders. Decked out in the same colours as the mothership and custom-designed for purpose, these large tenders are housed in a dedicated garage in the main deck and launched via convenient large doors.
Lots of thought has also been given to the divers’ return to the yacht. The main deck aft features a bespoke flat-bottomed plunge pool which will be filled with hot water to speed up post-dive recovery from the coldness of the depths. In a similar vein, all luxury areas on the yacht can be heated up to 30 °C rather than the normal 25 °C mark.
Brimming with attractive details, Samaya’s interior was designed in partnership with RWD and showcases the owner’s affection for a variety of international cultures. The guest suites have been designed for and by the owner’s children, with highly distinctive colour schemes and furnishing of their own. Another bespoke area is the ethnic lounge on the bridge deck where friends and family can spend time watching their newly recorded diving movies.
Samaya’s outdoor facilities are also impressive, ensuring that this Feadship will be enjoyed just as much while en route to the many places she visits as she will upon arrival. The sun deck, with a range of dining and relaxation areas, is a case in point. Large enough to become a true party deck, it also contains intimate features such as the two comfortable ‘top of the world’ resting beds nestled against the mast arch. Featuring their own ventilation system, these snugs can be closed off with a curtain to create a tranquil spot for watching the world go by or simply taking an afternoon nap.
As the European owner often resides in Asia this will be one of the many areas which Samaya will explore on her travels. Many will take her to isolated regions where little or no infrastructure is available on shore, which is why the yacht was designed for an incredible degree of autonomy and no limitations on cruising ability. The client made a sacred promise during the keel laying ceremony to cruise wherever it is possible to experience encounters with special and rare species – and to use Samaya as a platform that enables scientists and the media to produce material which will educate people and help protect the endangered species and damaged locations in the oceans.
The Italian Sea Group has launched the 72-meter Admiral Armani megayacht, marking the first vessel designed in collaboration with Giorgio Armani. The ceremony took place at the company's Marina di Carrara facility, attended by representatives from the Armani Group, local authorities, and project team members.This yacht represents the first of two projects fully designed by Giorgio Armani, featuring distinctive exterior styling and interior design by Armani/Casa. The collaboration with The Italian Sea Group's Centro Stile combines minimalist aesthetics with advanced naval engineering.Key design elements include geometric volumes with curved surfaces, satin aluminum and steel detailing, and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. The upper decks incorporate open-air lounges and a helicopter landing area. Interior materials feature Black Marquinia marble, golden Calacatta, and Canaletto walnut, complemented by custom lighting and fabrics."This yacht represents the confluence of Giorgio Armani's poetic elegance and The Italian Sea Group's technical excellence," said Giovanni Costantino, Founder & CEO of The Italian Sea Group.The Admiral Armani 72m will make its official debut at the Monaco Yacht Show in September 2025. The vessel measures 72 meters in length and represents a new direction in luxury yacht design through the Armani collaboration. Technical specifications and performance details were not disclosed in the announcement.The Italian Sea Group is a global operator in the luxury yachting industry, listed on Euronext Milan (“EXM”) and active in the construction and refit of motor yachts and sailing yachts up to 140 meters. The Company, led by Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Costantino, operates on the market with the brands Admiral, renown for elegant and prestigious yachts, Tecnomar, Perini Navi, and Picchiotti; the Company has a business unit, NCA Refit, that manages the maintenance and refit services for yachts and mega yachts with a length over 60 meters. Credit: Giuliano Sargentini/The Italian Sea Group
May 7, 2025
Silent Yachts has announced its 24-meter flagship solar-electric catamaran, the SY80, is approaching completion. The Italian builder recently launched two SY62 3-Deck Open models and one SY62 3-Deck Closed variant from its Fano shipyard as part of its plan to deliver 10 yachts in 2025.The SY80 will be available in three customizable configurations: 2-Deck, 3-Deck Open, and 3-Deck Closed. The model retains the sustainable features of Silent Yachts' smaller vessels while offering increased volume, accommodating up to 12 guests. Key features include an open layout, spacious staterooms, and ample storage for water toys."We can accommodate a very high number of different configurations, making the yacht of your dreams into a lived reality," said Silent Yachts CEO Fabrizio Iarrera. Owners can opt for an on-deck master suite or an open-plan salon with the master cabin below deck.Performance specifications include a top speed of 12 knots, cruising speeds of 7-8 knots, and battery capacities of 522 kWh or 696 kWh. The solar array peaks at 22.4 kWp, supporting near-zero-emission operation.The SY80 2-Deck variant will debut at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival (September 9-14), with sea trials expected in the coming weeks.Silent-Yachts is producing the world’s first fully solar-sustainable oceangoing production catamaran yachts. They are powered exclusively by solar energy and capable of cruising up to 100 miles per day. In 2009, founders Heike and Michael Köhler, who have spent 6,000 days cruising more than 75,000 miles all around the world, launched the Solarwave 46, the first fully self-sufficient blue-water catamaran after years of testing solar-powered propulsion, and they have been building boats ever since. Credits: Silent-Yachts
May 7, 2025
The 52-meter sportfisher Special One, built by Royal Huisman with design by Vripack, has received the Judges' Special Award at the 20th World Superyacht Awards in Venice. The yacht competed in the Best Motor Yacht – Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts 50m+ category.Judges described Special One as "spectacularly different," with one noting: "She is truly special! This yacht is so unusual, so different and so successfully done." The award recognizes the vessel's unique combination of sportfishing capabilities and luxury amenities.Vripack's co-creative director Bart Bouwhuis commented: "The owner's desire to build one of the coolest and challenging boats to ever hit water was unwavering from the outset." The design maintains traditional American sportfisher proportions while incorporating innovative features like a 28m² fish cockpit, DJ station, and cinema with rising projector screen.Interior highlights include walnut and oak finishes, a 237-piece parquet dining floor, and a sky lounge with custom blue glass chandelier. Technical innovations include laser-powered fiberglass exterior lighting.The World Superyacht Awards ceremony took place in May 2025, honoring exceptional vessels in the global luxury yacht market. Special One represents Royal Huisman's first sportfisher project and Vripack's largest motor yacht design to date.Royal Huisman is a Dutch shipyard established in 1884 in Ronduite, building and refitting custom luxury sailing and motor yachts at its shipyard in Vollenhove, the Netherlands.Credit: Guillaume Plisson, all provided by Vripack
May 7, 2025
The upcoming South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show 2025 at Ocean Village Marina in Southampton will showcase several world and UK premieres from leading marine manufacturers. The event, scheduled for May 9-11, will highlight new models across both power and sail categories with a focus on innovation and sustainable technologies.Among the notable debuts, Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding will present the Hardy 45 European, making its world premiere. The 45-foot vessel combines offshore capabilities with inland waterway navigation, powered by twin Yanmar 440hp engines reaching speeds up to 28 knots. Dave Cockwell, Founder and Sales Director, stated: "Our all-new Hardy 45 European provides an extraordinarily luxurious and secure environment for ocean crossings and long-distance cruising."Hardy 45The show will introduce four models to the UK market for the first time, including the BENTE28 sailing yacht with its distinctive IMOCA-style dodger, the high-speed Delta 33 Coupé from Sweden, the modular Axopar 29 Sun Top adventure boat, and the versatile Saxdor 340 GTWA walkaround cruiser.Hanse 360Additional show debuts will feature the award-winning Hanse 360 sailing yacht, recently named European Yacht of the Year 2025, alongside the FJORD 39 XL powerboat and the Absolute 47 Fly flybridge cruiser. The Hanse 360 offers an optional sustainable sail package using recycled materials.Absolute 47 FlyTim Mayer, Sales and Marketing Director at MDL Marinas, commented: "Each year the South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show grows in scale and significance." The event will display over 90 boats both in-water and shoreside at the Harbour Hotel Southampton location.Credits: South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show
May 6, 2025
Benetti has launched FB287, a fully customized 67-meter steel yacht from its B.Now series featuring the Oasis Deck® design. The vessel represents Benetti's steel-hulled superyacht expertise, with exterior design by RWD and interiors by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design. Engage Maritime served as owner's representative throughout the project."The launch of FB287 demonstrates the capabilities of the Benetti shipyard and the possibilities for clients to realize their ultimate expression of the yachting lifestyle," said Daniela Petrozzi, Benetti Sales Director.Key customizations include a rectangular elevator, marble guest staircase with glass balustrade, widened corridors, and multiple pool areas - an infinity pool on the Oasis Deck®, a spa pool on the observation deck, and a reflecting pool with waterfall effect on the owner's deck. The yacht features a lower-deck spa complex with sauna and steam room, a main deck saloon with grand piano, and an entire upper deck dedicated to the owner's private use.Originally conceived with light beach house interiors, FB287's owner requested a darker, richer aesthetic inspired by Gatsby-era styling. The final design incorporates woods like sycamore, ebony, and macassar, along with specialty marbles and metal detailing. Despite the dramatic style change from initial concepts, the design maintains seamless flow between interior and exterior spaces through coordinated material selections.Following launch, FB287 will undergo sea trials before scheduled delivery this summer. The project marks Benetti's successful adaptation of its B.Now platform to meet specific owner requirements while maintaining the series' signature indoor-outdoor living philosophy.Founded in 1873, Benetti is the oldest Italian shipyard specializing in luxury yachts. Benetti designs, builds and sells composite vessels from 29 to 44m and steel and aluminum boats from 37 to over 100m. The fleet consists of five categories: Class, Oasis, B.Yond, B.Now and Custom to meet all the needs of the market. Benetti belongs to the Azimut|Benetti Group, the largest privately owned luxury yachting group in the world.Credits: Giuliano Sargentini/Benetti
May 6, 2025