Top 7 stories of the week

Sea Machines announces 1,000 nautical miles remotely commanded autonomous long-distance journey of discovery and demonstration.September 30, 2021, marks the start of The Machine Odyssey, an epic voyage to circumnavigate Denmark with a commercial vessel commanded by marine officers seated in the United States.Intrepid vessel, the Nellie Bly, will be controlled by Sea Machines’ SM300, an autonomy system leveraging cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence, giving the riding crew the ultimate confidence and comfort:1. route planning and navigation via ENC-based GUI and GNSS localizations;2. dynamic situational awareness with computer vision, radar, AIS, depth transducer, IMUs, audio and streaming video;3. obstacle detection and collision avoidance with dynamic path re-planning;4. true redundancy of remote communications with fail-over, long-distance cellular radiosThe SM300 enables operators to remotely command and monitor multiple autonomous vessels from a shipboard or shore-based center. The shore-based center is located 3,500 miles away in Boston, Massachusetts. The system is managed by the Sea Machines team, which developed and refined the SM300 to the advanced product it is today. From the remote command center, marine officers will plan and manage the daily journey, and will monitor and oversee the autonomous operations.

New FD80 Skyline by Horizon Yachts during construction to a first-time yacht owner.This latest FD80 will be named Parabolic and features an enclosed skylounge configuration with a full-beam master stateroom on the main deck and three guest cabins on the lower deck, with crew quarters for four and a beach club situated aft.Plentiful deck areas distinguish the FD80 from any competition, and the owner of Hull 5 customized the upper deck layout to accommodate two jet skis on the boat deck aft along with a six-person Jacuzzi with counter seating and a bar area. The foredeck is fitted with a large sunpad and U-shaped seating with dinettes for enjoying the view at anchor. A large dining table for eight occupies the main deck aft, while additional dining can be enjoyed at the convertible dining table in the main salon.Throughout the interior, light anegre wood with walnut highlights is complemented by expansive windows and a light ash flooring for a bright and airy feel. The main salon features a dayhead and seating area with an off-white leather sofa to port and a fold-down television, console and convertible dining table to starboard. The galley is situated forward to port and features privacy glass and a bar area with three stools.The master stateroom occupies the forwardmost area on the main deck, while two VIP en suites and a convertible twin comprise the lower deck accommodations. The anegre and walnut finish continues throughout these areas as well.On the topmost deck, the customized enclosed skylounge configuration houses the wheelhouse with twin helm chairs forward and an L-shaped seating area facing a pop-up television and storage just aft.The owner worked with Horizon’s in-house design team to select a bright and cheerful soft goods package in a theme inspired by the Ginko tree that adds pops of blue, green and coral red hues complemented by decorative forms representing the ocean, earth, passion and geometry, all of which are intended to represent life’s infinite cycle peppered with the unexpected.Parabolic will be on display at FLIBS October 27 – 31. Upon delivery, the owner plans to cruise the U.S. East Coast and Caribbean aboard his new yacht. Founded in 1987, Horizon Yachts has celebrated 30 years as one of the largest luxury yacht builders in the world as well as the number one builder in the Asia Pacific region. In the past three decades, Horizon has delivered over 855 luxury yachts, with more than 220 of these over 80 feet in length. Popular models ranging from 52 to 150 feet include motor yachts, superyachts, power catamarans, expedition yachts, and fast displacement motor yachts.Credits: Horizon Yachts

Meyer Group continues to work on realizing innovative ship concepts in new market segments: At the Monaco Yacht Show, the family-owned company will show for the first time a concept for a mega yacht under the Meyer Yachts brand powered entirely by fuel cells and batteries, named ONE 50. The Meyer Group is thus further diversifying its product portfolio. "Since 1795, we have built more than 700 ships in Papenburg alone. So our references can be seen on all the world's oceans. Now we are opening the next chapter in our history and entering the market for mega yachts. We have already received very positive feedback because we can realize almost limitless ideas and ship sizes - even the seemingly craziest ones. We are currently seeing that the demand for mega yachts is increasing and there is room for another shipyard in this segment," says Bernard Meyer. Large and complex ships are part of the Meyer Group's core competence. In the shipbuilding halls, which can be up to 504 meters long, ships with a length of almost 350 meters have been built almost exclusively for years. "Mega yachts are a new market segment that we can serve at all our three shipyards. At Meyer, it is always our ambition to position ourselves at the top - in environmental protection as well as now in yacht size. That's why the ONE 50 is just the beginning of our ideas and plans," says Thomas Weigend.150-meter yacht concept with fuel cells and battery systemAs the first model from Meyer Yachts, ONE 50 immediately shows what the new brand stands for - pioneering spirit, exceptional excellence and no limits. At 150 metres long and 20 metres wide, ONE 50 has an enormous volume of 15,000 gross tons. On six decks, the yacht for a maximum of 44 guests offers a spa on two levels, a cinema with an adjoining billiard salon, an entertainment area including a stage, an art gallery and a huge infinity pool at the stern. Fuel cells and battery banks are installed in the engine room to make ONE 50 as sustainable as possible. Electrically powered by 25 000 kilowatts, ONE 50 will reach a maximum speed of 23 knots. Building megayachts may become next Meyer success story"We see a lot of potential in mega yachts for new environmentally friendly technologies, which we also use directly in the ONE 50, for example the fuel cell for emission-free ship operation. We attach very great importance to this. In addition to the many competencies and skills we already have, we will also bring additional specialists from the yacht building industry into our team and strengthen the Meyer Group," says Malte Poelmann.Bernard MeyerMega yachts have the potential to become the next Meyer success story and thus also secure employment at all locations. "We are experts in building special ships, we have proven that many times. Now we are working on making mega yachts even bigger and, above all, greener," says Bernard Meyer.

72-meter motor yacht Axioma is one of the most popular and successful charter boats on the market since her launch in 2013. She comfortably sleeps 12 guests but is often in demand among larger parties who wish to bring extra guests, be it more children, grandchildren, or friends. This left the owner with two options, to either build a larger boat or to create a support vessel that provides further accommodation.The Axioma and YPI team are delighted to announce that a new 48m (157.5ft) catamaran support vessel, My Bro is now in build, with delivery expected in 2023. Dunya Yachts are building the vessel and the project is a result of a new design and technical collaboration with industry expert Gregory C. Marshall Naval Architecture. The stylish yacht combines class-leading function in layout, engineering, performance, stability, and safety features. A unique beam ratio allows twice the capacity of any competition in the market at the same range. My Bro will be capable of reaching a speed of 18 knots. My Bro will operate alongside Axioma and carry an additional ten guests in five cabins, offering the same level of comfort and leisure as they would expect from a mega yacht. They will have use of their own dedicated main saloon, gym, spa, Jacuzzi and swim platform, and enjoy a non-stop water sports regime. Alongside an array of toys and tenders, My Bro will also carry a mini submarine. An additional stand-out feature of My Bro will be a touch-and-go helipad which has been designed for multi-purpose use, capable of transforming into an outdoor disco, open air cinema, basketball court, tennis court, yoga space or entertainment area suitable for a wide range of events.The multi-role vessel is also suitable for solo adventure-based charter operations or as a dedicated fleet support vessel to Axioma yacht.Credits: Yachting Partners International

The team at Amels and Damen Yachting is delighted to start the 2021 Monaco Yacht Show with the sale of another Amels 60 (6003) signed on the first day of the show. Scheduled for delivery to her Owner in 2023, this 60-metre superyacht, with exterior design by Espen Øino, will be the third hull to be delivered from this new generation of Amels Limited Editions, of which four in total have been sold so far. Imperial represented the Owner in the sale making the Amels 6003 the twelfth project to be built in collaboration with them since 2007. Julia Stewart, Imperial Director, states “Imperial and Amels have enjoyed a long term and successful cooperation over the past decade. We have several projects under construction and we are delighted to build this new iconic yacht together. Espen Øino will of course add great value to the project and reflects our joint commitment to delivering an outstanding yacht to the Owner. We very much look forward to commencing construction, during which Imperial will act as Construction Supervisor and Owner’s Representative.” The sale once again confirms the strong market reception to this new style Amels Limited Editions featuring exterior design by Espen Øino. In addition to her very distinctive lines, she features hybrid power and propulsion technology. The overall design focuses on the onboard user experience and feeling of space with the large Sun Deck, Swim Platform and folding Owners Suite balcony together with a generous interior volume of 830 GT, including provision for a 9-metre luxury tender to be stowed on the foredeck. For the custom interiors, Winch Design has been selected by the Owner.Rob Luijendijk, Damen Yachting’s Sales Director, worked together with Imperial during the sale. “The sale of the Amels 6003 not only further strengthens the strong market reception to this new Amels Limited Editions design but is also a testament to the longstanding relationship we have Imperial. We are delighted to be once again working with the team at Imperial on another new build and are very much looking forward to seeing the build come together and delivering her to her Owner in 2023.”