Yacht news

Dutch builder Heesen has announced that hull and superstructure of their current in-build project, the 60-metre superyacht Falcon, have now been joined together at the shipyard in Oss. Following the laying of the keel in September 2018, 60m Steel FDHF Project Falcon is taking shape and remains on track for the 2021 delivery.The vessel is set to become the largest displacement yacht build by Heesen to date, and the third one of all their vessels, after the 70-metre Galactica Super Nova and 65-metre Illusion (formerly appearing in the news as Galactica Star).Exterior designer Frank Laupman of Omega Architects worked closely with the owners and their team to further refine and enhance the lines of Project Falcon. One of the key design features is the lighting since it plays a prominent role underlining and emphasising the design and architecture of the yacht. The vessel will be fitted with underwater lights illuminating Falcon at night with a splendid glow.The Owners appointed Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design to create Project Falcon’s interior decor, which has elegant lines and features intricate design details. Sinot and Omega are working closely in order for the interior and exterior to complement each other, and to ensure fluid indoor/outdoor connection.At the moment, the yard remains busy with 11 more yachts under construction and for deliveries spanning through 2023. Meanwhile, Heesen has just delivered 50-metre full-aluminium superyacht Erica.It is also worth mentioning that another significant Falcon of the yachting world, the 88-metre Maltese Falcon has been recently seen at the Monaco Marine during the MYS 2019.Photos via Heesen

With superyacht charter activity smoothly transitioning from the summer period to winter 2019/2020, charter clients are going to benefit from broader vessels’ choice compared to the previous winter, thanks to the yachts launched and delivered in 2019. Yacht Harbour recalls brand new charter gigayachts not to overlook this winter.#1. MadsummerBuilder: Lürssen (2019)LOA: 95mCharter in winter: from $1,400,000 p/wThe 95-metre superyacht Madsummer is set to make her international debut at FLIBS 2019 after a recent delivery to her owner, a repeat client with Lürssen. First known as Project Fiji it took nearly 2.5 years to build her under supervision of the owner’s captain and brokerage company Moran Yacht & Ship.With a 14-metre beam, the exterior profile of Madsummer comes from a British designer Harrison Eidsgaard maintaining sleek and elegant lines within impressive volumes. The interior design aimed at up to 20 guests across 10 suites comes from drawing boards by Laura Sessa.The vessel's main trademarks are the 12-metre swimming pool and Jacuzzi laid on the aft deck, protected with glass bulwarks. Spacious beach club and spa zone with a sea terrace on the lower deck also belong on the list of Madsummer’s special features. The bow is equipped with a helipad, while the sun deck aft features hidden crane in the bulwark, able to handle an aeroboat.The superyacht is available for charter in Caribbean/Bahamas in winter.#2. TISBuilder: Lürssen (2019)LOA: 111mCharter in winter: not confirmedJust a month after her delivery, the 111.5-metre Lürssen superyacht TIS entered charter market in July 2019 asking € 2,200,000 per week via Moran. At the moment, however, she is not officially listed anymore.TIS was commissioned for a long-time charter client of Moran Yacht & Ship. The vessel boasts exterior and interior styling by UK-based design studio Winch Design and features 2 helicopter pads, a 12-metre swimming pool on the main deck aft, a resort inspired spa at beach club level, and opulent palatial staircases. TIS comes with the tender storage able to house two 13-metre tenders, two additional 10-metre tenders, a submarine and diverse watersports toys.With her impressive interior volume within a beam of 18.4 metres, TIS will accommodate up to 16 guests across a massive private owner’s deck and eight guests staterooms, served by the crew of 38. The featured top speed of the vessel makes 18 knots. #3. Flying FoxBuilder: Lürssen (2019)LOA: 136mCharter in winter: upon requestThe impressive 130-metre Lürssen superyacht Flying Fox was delivered to her owner in March 2019, later sensationally listed for charter with Imperial. The superyacht boasts the most elegant and graceful exterior design by Espen Oeino, maintaining striking looks despite her massive volume of 9,100 GT.This superyacht’s key features include two helipads, capable of hosting the largest helicopters and a generous swimming pool located aft of the main deck. Flying Fox also boasts vast sea terraces, swim platforms for watersports. She can accommodate up to 22 guests across 11 staterooms, along with a crew of 54. Flying Fox is available for charter in Indian Ocean in winter.#4. ExcellenceBuilder: Abeking & Rasmussen (2019)LOA: 80mCharter in winter: from $ 1,100,000 p/wThe sixth largest vessel of Abeking & Rasmussen, Excellence features both exteriors and interiors developed by Winch Design. Her framework relies on the same technical platform as the 81-metre Grace, featured with a 12.6-metre beam and a maximum draught of 3.5 metres.Key exterior trademark of Excellence is her striking and angular reverse bow, offering a silhouette comparable to a spaceship. Her exterior lines draw the eye to the bridge and owner’s decks surrounded by curved floor-to-ceiling mirrored glass, blurring the distinction between the upper deck and the panoramic skylounge.With accommodation capacity for 14 guests, Excellence offers a swimming pool and platform, as well as Jacuzzi and sprawling beach club and impressive limousine tenders.Excellence is available for charter in the Caribbean during winter season.#5. Syzygy 818Builder: Feadship (2019)LOA: 77.25mCharter in winter: not confirmedThe recently launched 77-metre Feadship Syzygy 818 made her international debut at the Monaco Yacht Show 2019, after successful sea trials in the North Sea and delivery. She is managed by KK Superyachts and is offered for charter. Little information has yet been revealed on the vessel. It is known, that her naval architecture is by Feadship De Voogt, exterior design is by Jamsen and interior design is by Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design.With a beam of 11 metres, Syzygy 818 features a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. The word "syzygy" meanwhile is used in astrology to reference a rare event in which three or more celestial bodies line up, such as a new moon or lunar eclipse.

Italian builder Wider Yachts has introduced its new projects during the Monaco Yacht Show 2019. The presentation came two months after the brand’s shared acquisition by Zepter Group and two more companies: the Monegasque group Nautical Hybrid Tech and Hopafi Holding Srl.Most importantly, celebrating the beginning of a new era for Wider brand, the company has announced their current flagship, a 54-metre Project Wider 180 has already been under construction, with the first cut of the hull planned for the beginning of 2020 and a delivery foreseen in February 2022.“Clean and essential lines” of the vessel have been designed by Andrea Vallicelli and C Yacht Design, creating considerably huge volumes for a yacht of her size. For instance, the beach area covers 160 square metres, offering space for sunbathing and relaxation, fitted with a seawater swimming pool, a spa and a gym. Moreover, thanks to its Floating Launching System, the area can recover a 10-metre tender making entry and exit maneuvers considerably easier for the crew when launching.Wider 180 also represents a step towards a 100% electric technology. The vessel is equipped with one main generator and an emergency one leading to a weight reduction and thus lower fuel consumption.Marcello Maggi, Wider President, claimed:I am enthusiast of this project, either for the beautiful clean modern lines either for its green soul, which is something we strongly believe in. We opened the way of the electric propulsion applied on leisure superyachts and this is the right path to cover, without looking behind.Another project revealed by the company is a 41-metre all-aluminium Wider 135. Centro Stile, Wider's exterior styling department, has focused on the model’s close connection to the sea. Wider 135’ distinctive feature is her aft that can be completely unfolded creating a 90-square-metre multi-use platform with an infinity pool in the centre, all at the water level.What is more, Wider is also currently working on other custom projects of up to 200 feet in length and on renewed versions of Wider 32 and Wider 42, to be unveiled later. The builder is going to focus rather on quality than quantity, planning to build no more than two yachts at a time.The yard has confirmed the construction of the first Wider 180 to begin in June 2020 on speculation. Meanwhile, Philip Zepter, one of the yard’s new shareholders has also announced, Wider is to be listed in the stock exchange within three years.

If you have always dreamed of chartering genuine James-Bond-style vessel, there is a perfect value for money on charter market. The 33-metre Sunseeker Predator yacht Casino Royale that appeared in Casino Royale (2006) James Bond movie, is available for charter with Camper & Nicholsons for €65,000 (approx. $72,000) per week.The performance motor yacht from well-known Sunseeker Predator series was delivered in 2004. Casino Royale sports a navy blue hull with sweeping windows. Delivered in 2004 and refitted in 2016, Casino Royale actually featured in the 2006 James Bond movie, filmed in the Bahamas and appearing on multiple occasions.A shot from Casino Royale (2006)Casino Royale's minimal superstructure and narrow hull ensure her graceful and agile sliding on the water. With triple 16 cylinder MTU V16 2000 engines with Arneson drives, she boasts a maximum speed of 45 knots and comfortable cruising speed of 30-33 knots.The yacht’s open plan salon boasts features of larger yachts, thanks to her 2.7-metre headroom, non-typical for a yacht of her size. Immaculate and pristine, the main salon is furnished with warm woods and neutral undertones complimented with a retractable sun roof above the dining area.Aft of the main deck is a sumptuous lounging space with al fresco dining area, bar and very large sunpad. A Jacuzzi is laid forward, with a very generous space for sunbathing and lounging.On the lower deck, the yacht offers accommodation to up to eight guests across four cabins (owner’s cabin, one VIP and two twins), where each stateroom has its own en suite marble bathroom and television. Her master suite comprises a master study, a bathroom with a full-size bathtub and shower, and a walk-in wardrobe.Casino Royale's entertainment and leisure facilities comprise satellite TV system and a plethora of water toys such as a Sea Doo, stand-up paddleboards, water skis, snorkelling equipment and more.The vessel underwent extensive refit works in 2016, that cost EUR 1.5 million in total. Casino Royale is currently docked in Western Mediterranean.For other vessels spotted in movies, check our list of 10 most stunning superyachts ever featured in movies.

According to media sources, several major scientific and historical discoveries were made in a series of submersible dives by an expedition on-board 44.65-metre Feadship superyacht Harle.Organised and led by Cookson Adventures, the expedition team was formed by leading marine scientists from Europe. They conducted submersions in the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of Naples.One of the most significant discoveries from the expedition has been the existence of untouched Coralium ruburn populations. That rare species of red coral was found 200 metres below the waterline, in the natural underwater cliff face of Sant’Angelo.Mainly pillaged for jewellery since the ancient times, the discovered red coral is centuries-old, though preserving its high density. It lays in close proximity to “healthy schools of sardines, anchovies and bogues”.Another interesting discovery of the operation has been a rare species of black coral. They were found in several locations off the Sicilian coast, while normally they are evident in tropical areas. Furthermore, a worrying scientific discovery has been made, with an “unprecedented” growth in algae caused by increasing sea temperatures.Jointly with volcanologists from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, the scientists also documented evidence of new volcanic activity on the island of Stromboli, where the volcano erupted this summer.The list of historical discoveries meanwhile is also worth mentioning, comprising Roman shipwreck and its spilled amphora cargo found off the coast of Capri, in the first manned submersible dive on the wreck.