The hidden forces in yachting

Dutch builder Heesen has shared news on the delivery of its YN 18556 hull previously known as Project Neptune, the 56-metre full custom steel FDHF superyaht Galvas.

Basing upon Heesen’s engineering platform for the 55m FDHF Steel Class, Galvas sports an innovative design penned by British firm H2. The yacht’s subtle paint scheme boasts a silver nuance on the transom, wing station and mast.On the functional side, the exterior design includes tenders stored on the forward deck under hatch covers, while the lower beach club houses water toys. A 3.5-metre long fixed platform provides easy access to the water. In the meantime, warm teak, blue backlit panels and bamboo finishing of the outdoor lounge areas blend with the ocean beyond.

With her interior volume of 770 GT, Galvas offers accommodation to up to 12 guests (with the crew of 13) across six staterooms designed by British design studio Reymond Langton, at the owner’s choice. Meanwhile, his generous 85-square-metre master suite is set forward on the main deck, comprising a private gym with steam room, office, full-beam bedroom and bathroom. The interior architecture throughout the main deck and upper deck saloons is in sycamore combined with understated geometric motifs. The delicate fabrics and soft furnishings interplay with artworks by DKT in glass, gypsum, resin and bronze.Two MTU 8V 4000 M63 diesel engines coupled with the ultra-efficient FDHF steel hull allowed Galvas to exceed her top speed of 15.5 knots during sea trials. At a cruising speed of 13 knots, she will boast a range of 3,100 nautical miles. The yard is particularly proud that YN 18556 is the second yacht in Heesen’s fleet to comply with the latest emissions regulations thanks to an SCR catalytic system reducing NOx exhaust emissions, as long as ecology awareness has been recently in the focus with the major yacht builders.Galvas has already completed rigorous tests in the North Sea, and is now heading to the Mediterranean for her maiden voyage.

Along with the recent press hype over the forthcoming episode of the James Bond film series, Italian Videoworks Group has revealed the technologies they deployed on-board a 69-metre James-Bond-inspired Benetti superyacht Spectre, delivered in 2018.Even bearing her name after a James Bond film, the yacht represents a steel-hulled vessel with aluminium superstructure, pool and "touch ang go" helipad. Spectre features exterior design by Benetti, Mulder Design and Giorgio Cassetta, able to demonstrate a maximum speed of 21.2 knots.The indoor design concept has been created by the Benetti Interior Style Department, while Videoworks has built a highly technological installation that comprises audio-video, network, telephony, home automation and CCTV systems. Below is more information on the yacht’s amazing techno features.AUDIO-VIDEOThe AV system is fully centralised, installed in a small dedicated rack room, with 7 full-height racks. Their super-customised frame has been specifically designed to fit into the available space (the cabins have only TVs, speakers and iPads). A full-height rack is in the wheelhouse, whereas a small deck rack is dedicated to networking and communications.Audio-video contents are transmitted via fibre-optics. In addition to the Kaleidescape film and music server, there is a server dedicated to the crew, who can access it via iPads. With the Kaleidescape provider, Videoworks has managed the pre-loading of approximately 1800 DVDs and Blu-ray discs (music and films), complete with covers, metadata, info on actors, trailers and special content. In this way Owners are guaranteed a customised service that is certainly convenient to use.Every room in Spectre has its own HDMI socket near the TV, to display files from local sources. The skylounge hall in the upper deck has two TVs (with 75” and 49” screens) with independent audio systems, although they share the same group of sources. Everything is managed through a matrix that allows to configure the area with multiple combinations, depending on the purpose (party, show, institutional video + satellite channel, etc.). The Sea Tel 100 TV HD satellite dishes (SAT TV) can receive European and American HD channels. This kind of satellite dish works worldwide, which means there is no need for LNB replacement when changing hemisphere.HOME AUTOMATIONInternal and external LED lights are managed via Crestron keyboards and DALI protocol, with customised silk-screen printed buttons. Videoworks’s sister company, Itworks, has created a customised software for light management, which allows to restore previously saved settings and to save the new configuration as setting, uploading it when requested. A 'secret' procedure, known only to the crew, allows to return to the original settings and to easily restore the system. Owners can use an iPad to call staff from any part of the yacht; the call is received and displayed in the crew mess and in the pantry. The super-silent Lutron blinds can be controlled via Crestron touch-screen and iPad with customised silk-screen printed keyboards. NMEA navigation information (wind speed, direction, cruising speed, sea depth, etc.) can be viewed using the specific Myinfos App developed by Itworks. NETWORK AND CYBERSECURITYOnboard network security (firewall, bandwidth manager, connection manager, etc.) is guaranteed by the Kerio NG500 system, which allows to surf securely while on board and to manage bandwidth as needed, e.g. if the Owner needs to work aboard, the system allows to limit bandwidth access and use. To guarantee the greatest security possible, the system uses Cisco products from the Catalyst and Aironet professional lines.TELEPHONYThe telephone switchboard is managed through a Cisco Router and the Cisco Unified Communication Manager software. The system includes 17 cordless telephones + 17 landlines, buzzer, fax line and light signals for calls from the Engine Room.CCTV SYSTEM The closed circuit television system manages 10 cameras, two PTZ cameras (one interior and one exterior), a number of external fixed cameras and a 360° fisheye camera, two observation and management stations (one in the wheelhouse and one in the crew mess), through a dedicated Panasonic software and PC touch panel. The Network Disk Recorder allows the captain to make recordings for security, control and surveillance purposes. The CCTV system is integrated in the entertainment section through the Itworks 'Myinfos' app.__________The yacht, which is a winner of the 2019 World Superyacht Awards category ‘Displacement yachts between 500 and 1,999 tonnes,’ was built for US entrepreneur John Staluppi (net worth $500 million, Celebrity Net Worth) with a passion for speed and technology in mind and as a part of his James-Bond inspired-fleet. Nevertheless, Staluppi sold Spectre in February 2019 asking €65,000,000.Meanwhile, the James Bond theme has been driving inspiration for numerous yacht enthusiasts through years. Some yachts have even become ultimate attributives of the story, with Spirit 54 Soufriere appearing in Casino Royale, or Sunseeker Sovereign 17 filmed in Quantum of Solace.Recommended articles : Serial yacht owners: Spectre; Inside John Staluppi's Bond themed superyacht fleet.

Past weekend, recently unveiled Fedship in-build, the 49.5-metre Project 706, took a move from the structural build facility to Feadship outfitting yard in Aalsmeer, manoeuvring her way through the Dutch canals. The details on the project are kept in strict secrecy. The key point known about Project 706 is that the all-aluminium superyacht is conceived to become one of the fastest Feadships on the water, thanks to a series of high-performance water jets she will come equipped with. It has been also said, the vessel’s completion is scheduled to 2020. Meanwhile, another brand new Feadship, 77-metre Syzygy 818 is now undergoing sea trials at the North Sea. Still, the 77-metre is not the one to make it to the list of the Dutch yard's largest vessels of over 90 metres.

In order to join the mission of ‘driving sustainability in superyachting’, some of the biggest players of the industry have come together supporting a non-profit organization, Water Revolution Foundation. So far, the brands signed behind the idea are Abeking&Rasmussen, Alexseal, Amels | Damen, Benetti, Feadship, Heesen, Lürssen, MB92 and Rybovich.Pledging substantial multi-year commitment and financial contributions in the organisation, the brands have contributed to recognition of the urgency to reduce the industry’s ecological footprint.The International Maritime Organization has set goal on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050 from 2008’s levels in the industry, along with keeping on increasing marine protected areas.Robert van Tol, executive director of Water Revolution Foundation, commented:Sustainability is something we can no longer view as optional. But, more importantly, our industry is well positioned to take the lead with a smart and affluent clientele and our unique connection with the ocean.Van Tol highlighted that the foundation is open to all industry companies. Moreover, they consider sustainability not a competitive advantage but a responsibility and a minimum standard that needs to be improved continuously and collectively.I’d like to thank our first anchor partners for sharing this vision, making it possible to start this ambitious programme and call on other companies to join this revolution too.Water Revolution Foundation’s activities will revolve around three areas of focus: promoting new technology and empowering innovation; pro-actively creating the industry’s own sustainability agenda, going beyond legislative requirements; and reinvesting in ocean conservation.Water Revolution’s first joint industry project will be to determine a yacht’s operational profile and how to compare yachts with one another. A database for verified sustainable solutions will also be developed, facilitating designers, builders and refitters with the knowledge needed to accelerate the shift towards sustainability.This initiative is not the first one demonstrating awareness and concern with eco future of yachting among the industry players. For instance, the sixth edition of the Solar & Energy Boat Challenge has been recently held in Monaco, premiering the first zero emission committee boat. Meanwhile, one of the most environmentally-oriented vessels ever built, the 43-metre power trimaran Adastra has lately entered the market.

The 43-metre yacht Adastra, one of the world's most amazing superyachts thanks to her futuristic design, has been listed for sale. According to media sources, such as CNN Travel, the world’s first luxury power trimaran of its size is owned by Hong-Kong-based billionaire and shipping tycoon Anto Marden.This futuristic projectile was built by Australian McConaghyyard in Hong-Kong in 2012—at a reported cost exceeding $20 million, to cruise Indonesia and Southeast Asia. In the seven years since the launch, she has crossed the Atlantic several times, taking Marden and his wife around the globe. Her reported estimated price now might amount to $ 12,000,000, states Robb Report.Designed by British studio Shuttleworth Design, Adastra was created with environmental impact in mind. Her aerodynamic wings help her float on the water, thus her drag is significantly reduced through only 20% of the vessel submerged in water. In light of this, the lightweight glass and carbon boat consumes only about 14% of the fuel used by more traditional yachts with the same specs. Before fuel and water, Adastra tips the scales at just 52 tonnes.According to comments shared by Marden with Robb Report, the yacht has a range of 10,000 nautical miles, as cruising at 10 knots, she burns only 4.5 gallons per hour. Meanwhile, Adastra has a top speed of 23 knots. The owner reported to recently sail from St. Maarten to Vigo in Spain, having enough fuel left to head back to the Caribbean.Hong Kong–based interior designers Jepsen Design developed the interiors for nine guests and six crew, offering five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and an open-air bar. One of her most innovative features is an option for remote control by an iPad from up to 164 feet away. Collecting several design awards, the yacht as also awarded Most Innovative Design at the World Superyacht Awards in 2013.According to Robb Report, the reason the owners have put the vessel on sale is that she is not getting enough use, as they cruised to all the places they wanted to cruise.Generally, the innovative vessel has been attracting the attention of press and yachting enthusiasts ever since her launch, spotted here and there, for instance in Gibraltar or in Fijian waters.