4 yachts were presented this year in the Voyager's Award nomination at World Superyacht Awards .
#1. Dorothea III is a 44.8 m / 147′0″ luxury motor yacht. She was built by Cheoy Lee in 2007. With a beam of 9.2 m and a draft of 2.8 m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 473 tons. She is powered by CAT engines and a cruising speed of 13 knots. Dorothea III's maximum range is estimated at 3300 nautical miles.
The yacht was designed by Ron Holland. The motor yacht can accommodate 10 guests in 5 cabins, comprising a master suite, 1 VIP stateroom, 1 double cabin, 1 twin cabin and 1 single cabin. She is also capable of carrying up to 10 crew onboard in 5 cabins.
Dorothea III features a displacement steel hull and grp superstructure, with teak decks. She was built to Lloyds Register classification society rules, and is MCA Compliant.
This luxury yacht is also fitted with "zero speed stabilizers" which work at anchor, increasing on-board comfort when the yacht is stationary, particularly in rough waters.
Powered by 1 Caterpillar 1,948hp diesel engines and propelled by her single screw propeller Motor yacht Dorothea III is capable of a top speed of 14 knots, and comfortably cruises at 10 knots. With her 61,000 litres fuel tanks she has a maximum range of 6,000 nautical miles at 10 knots. Her water tanks store around 14,000 litres of fresh water.
#2. Dream is a 60.05 m / 197′1″ luxury motor yacht. She was built by Abeking & Rasmussen in 2001and most recently refitted in 2013.
The motor yacht can accommodate 12 guests in 6 cabins. Her exterior design is by Donald Starkey. Her interior design is by Bannenberg & Rowell Design. Dream also features naval architecture by Abeking & Rasmussen.
With a beam of 10.7 m and a draft of 3.4 m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. Dream is MCA compliant, her hull NB is 6430. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 910 tons. She is powered by engines of 2000 hp each giving her a maximum speed of 16 knots and a cruising speed of 14 knots.
#3. Marcato is a 43 m / 141′1″ luxury motor yacht. She was built by Hike Metal in 2006. With a beam of 9.45 m and a draft of 2.31 m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 491 tons. She is powered by Caterpillar engines of 1000 hp each giving her a maximum speed of 14 knots and a cruising speed of 12.5 knots. Marcato's maximum range is estimated at 5200 nautical miles.
In 2016-2017 Marcato received a complete refit which included an interior refurbishment, paint job, redesign of some interior living spaces and upgrades to the latest audiovisual system. Marcato's indoor spaces are best described as contemporary, with new dark wood flooring, plush carpets and wood refinishing.
The main salon has a lovely lounge with comfortable seating, full bar, game table, day head, and media center. The dining area is finished in rich wood tones and features a large table for 12 guests.
Newly refinished in 2017, five opulent cabins provide accommodation for a total of 12 guests and an exterior design by Guarino & Cox. The owner's master suite is located on its private deck and includes a king-size bed, a large wardrobe and a master ensuite with two showers and two sinks. Four well-appointed guest cabins are on the lower deck, including two double guests cabins and two triple. Each cabin has ensuite facilities, a large wardrobe and an individual climate control system. Located close to the guest rooms, the gymnasium features a rowing machine, free weights and can be used as a massage room.
Luxury expedition yacht Marcato provides a large variety of water toys and tenders, such as a 32 ft SeaVee diesel inboard, a 23 ft Nautica inflatable tender, two Yamaha 3 seater wave runners and two sea kayaks.
#4. DSSV Pressure Drop was built in 1985 in Tacoma, Washington. At 68.3 m / 224 ft in length, with accommodation for up to 47 persons, and with a 12 ton A-Frame fitted astern, she is the ideal platform from which to conduct scientific and research projects using a manned submersible.
The ship has a strong research pedigree. In 2002, NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Organization, acquired the vessel and converted it to a multiple-disciplinary platform capable of a broad range of missions. The ship conducted oceanographic research and assessments, throughout the eastern Pacific, including the U.S. West Coast, Central and South America.
In 2017, the Pressure Drop was acquired by Caladan Oceanic and a comprehensive refit program began. Focussed largely on the accommodation and science areas, the refit has transformed the vessel into a much more comfortable and capable scientific research ship.
Her top speed is 13.0kn and she boasts a maximum cruising range of 9000.0nm at 11.0kn with power coming from two 850.0hp Caterpillar diesel electric engines. She can accommodate up to 52 people.
Heesen Yachts has delivered the 50-meter hybrid superyacht Orion (YN 20750), marking the Dutch shipyard's third delivery this year. The aluminum-hulled vessel completed successful sea trials in the North Sea before handover to its owner.Orion features Heesen's Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF) with hybrid propulsion, achieving silent electric cruising at 10 knots. The propulsion system combines two MTU 12V 2000 M61 (IMO III) engines with electric motors, reducing fuel consumption to 45 liters per hour in hybrid mode. The yacht offers a transatlantic range of 3,750 nautical miles at 12 knots (98 liters/hour) and reaches a top speed of 16.3 knots.Ruud vand der Stroom, Heesen CCO"The delivery of Orion is a moment of great pride for everyone at Heesen," said Ruud van der Stroom. "This yacht perfectly encapsulates our DNA: precise Dutch engineering, innovative hybrid technology, and the ability to deliver a high-quality product through dedicated collaboration."Designed by Omega Architects' Frank Laupman, Orion features a vertical bow and extensive glazing. The 499 GT interior by Cristiano Gatto incorporates 37 material varieties including Italian marble and woven leather. Accommodation includes six staterooms for twelve guests, with a main-deck owner's suite and full-beam VIP.Peter van der Zanden, General Manager Design & Development, Engineering and HeesenPeter van der Zanden, Heesen's Head of Engineering, noted: "Our expertise in lightweight aluminum construction, combined with the efficiency of the Fast Displacement Hull Form and hybrid system make ORION exceptional. This synergy reduces environmental impact while enhancing owner experience."Broker Anton Foord of Ocean Intelligence commented: "Orion offers an exceptional experience defined by performance, elegance, and technical innovation." The yacht will be available for Mediterranean charter this summer.Orion represents Heesen's continued focus on sustainable yachting solutions, following previous hybrid deliveries in its 50-meter series. The shipyard currently has five yachts under construction at its Oss facility, with scheduled deliveries through 2026.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
June 6, 2025
The judging process for the 2025 Honours awards has concluded in Amsterdam, with three recipients selected from 238 nominations. The winners will be announced at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) opening ceremony on October 28.Organized by The Superyacht Life Foundation in partnership with Pier 66 and FLIBS, the Honours recognize individuals making significant contributions to sustainability, innovation, and social impact within the superyacht industry. An 18-candidate shortlist was evaluated by a panel including Feadship's Farouk Nefzi, designer Espen Øino, Superyacht Times founder Merijn de Waard, and Royal Huisman's Jeroen Sirag.This year's judging panel included external perspectives from Ink Creative MD Jonny Clark and Untold Stories founder Nicola Chilton, who noted the breadth of industry initiatives beyond typical yachting activities."At its core, Superyacht Life is about celebrating the human stories that define our industry," said Dilan Sarac, Executive Director of The Superyacht Life Foundation. "Our 2025 Honourees embody the very best of what this industry can represent."The selection criteria focused on professional achievements, community engagement, philanthropy, and leadership. The three honourees were chosen unanimously following deliberations at Amsterdam's Royale Industrieele Groote Club.The October ceremony will mark the fourth edition of the awards, which aim to highlight positive contributions extending beyond traditional yachting circles. Previous honourees have been recognized for environmental initiatives, workforce development programs, and technological innovations benefiting broader maritime sectors.Credits: The Superyacht Life Foundation
June 6, 2025
Wally has officially presented its latest high-performance racing yacht, the wallyrocket71, during the 2025 Loro Piana Giraglia regatta. The 21.6-meter maxi yacht was developed through collaboration between Wally's technical team, designer Botin Partners, and owner Giovanni Lombardi Stronati, with construction completed by King Marine shipyard.The wallyrocket71 represents Wally's continued commitment to competitive sailing innovation, featuring advanced design elements including twin rudders, a high-performance bulb keel, and a sophisticated 2.7-ton water ballast system capable of transferring sides in approximately six seconds. With a displacement of 12 tons, the yacht is approximately three tons lighter than comparable Maxi 72 class vessels while maintaining similar sail area and power.Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti Group, commented: "First and foremost, I want to express my thanks to the owner, Giovanni Lombardi Stronati, whose trust in this ambitious vision from day one made it all possible. With the wallyrocket71, Wally sets sail into an exciting new chapter in competitive yacht racing, launching a vessel designed to be one of the fastest in its class."Initial sea trials conducted in Valencia demonstrated the yacht's performance capabilities, achieving upwind speeds of 10.5-11 knots and matching wind speed downwind. Adolfo Carrau of Botin Partners explained the design approach: "We started from a blank sheet of paper, asking how we could beat the most competitive Maxi 72s on corrected time. When they were designed, it was to a box rule, so many parameters were already set. Now, as everyone is optimizing their boats under IRC rules, there is a lot more freedom."The racing crew, including tactician Vasco Vascotto and strategist Guillermo Parada, reported positive initial impressions of the yacht's handling and performance. Vascotto noted: "After only a few days on the water, I'm really impressed by both the construction quality and performance." Parada added: "The boat's performance is in line with our expectations: it is a complex and high-performing vessel that requires careful handling but is very exciting."The wallyrocket71 will compete in major Mediterranean events including the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, following its debut at the Loro Piana Giraglia.Wally's racing fleet continues to demonstrate strong performance in the 2025 season, with 15 yachts scheduled to compete across various events. Notable recent results include victories by Wally Cento V at the RORC Nelson's Cup in Antigua and dominant performances by Tilakkhana II at Palmavela. The wallyrocket51, Wally's smaller performance model, has also shown competitive results at the Central and Southern Tyrrhenian ORC National Championship.The remainder of the 2025 racing calendar includes prestigious events such as the Admiral's Cup in Cowes, the Rolex Fastnet Race, and the season-ending Rolex Middle Sea Race in Malta. Wally's growing fleet of performance yachts, ranging from the wallyrocket series to the larger Cento models, continues to establish the brand's position in competitive sailing circles.The wallyrocket71 project represents approximately 18 months of development from initial concept to launch, with the design team focused on creating a versatile yacht capable of strong performance across various wind conditions and course configurations. The yacht's construction at King Marine incorporated advanced composite materials and weight-saving techniques to achieve its target displacement.With the introduction of the wallyrocket71 and continued success of its racing fleet, Wally maintains its commitment to developing high-performance sailing yachts that combine cutting-edge technology with competitive results across international regatta circuits.Credits: Wally
June 6, 2025
Eastwind Yachts has been appointed as the central sales agent for the 114.2-meter expedition yacht Luna, currently available for €270 million. Built by Lloyd Werft in 2010 and refitted in 2015/16, the vessel is undergoing additional refit work before delivery to a new owner.The Newcruise-designed exterior and Donald Starkey interior accommodate 18 guests in 9 suites with a crew of 51. Luna's steel hull and aluminum superstructure provide a 9,500-nautical-mile range at 16.8 knots cruising speed, with a top speed of 22 knots. The diesel-electric propulsion system and ice-class hull enable global exploration in various conditions.Key features include twin helipads, a swimming pool, beach club, full spa with steam room and sauna, cinema, and two tender garages adjacent to a gym. The yacht's stabilization system ensures comfort at sea."Luna represents the pinnacle of expedition yachting with proven global capability," said an Eastwind Yachts representative. The vessel is currently the world's second-largest expedition yacht.Interested parties can contact Eastwind Yachts for viewings and additional specifications.Credits: Eastwind Yachts; Yacht Harbour archive
June 5, 2025
Viken Group, a global marine design firm specializing in cruise ships and superyachts, has appointed Anna Silvesjö as Chief Executive Officer. Silvesjö previously served as Partner and Group Chief Financial Officer of the company, which owns design studios TDoS (Tillberg Design of Sweden), Hot Lab, and Thalia Marine.Silvesjö outlined her strategic priorities for the group: "Viken Group will continue to expand into new market segments while deepening partnerships with clients through our on-brand design philosophy. Our design solutions align with each client's brand identity, culture, and target audience." She emphasized design excellence, commercial performance, and talent retention as key focus areas.Anna SilvesjöA central initiative under Silvesjö's leadership will be the development of Navigator, the group's integrated service platform for maritime projects. "Rooted in decades of experience across cruise ships, expedition yachts, and private yachts, Navigator simplifies the complexity of shipbuilding while ensuring rigorous cost control throughout development and construction," said Fredrik Johansson, Viken Group Co-Founder.The leadership transition occurs as the marine design industry continues to evolve, with Silvesjö representing one of few female executives in the sector. Her appointment reflects the group's emphasis on financial and operational management combined with design expertise.Viken Group's three subsidiaries maintain distinct specializations: TDoS in cruise ship design, Hot Lab in superyacht concepts, and Thalia Marine in naval architecture and engineering. The group currently operates across multiple international markets, serving both new construction and refit projects.No additional executive changes were announced alongside Silvesjö's promotion. The transition takes immediate effect, with Silvesjö assuming full operational responsibility for the group's global activities.Credits: Viken Group
June 5, 2025