After spending about 10 months at Lürssen, the megayacht Ronin is back on the water with a host of refurbishments.
Built in 1993 by Lürssen, then known as Izanami, Ronin has undergone previous major refits, the last time being about eight years ago in the United States. For this refit, the 192-foot (58.5-meter) megayacht, famously designed by Sir Norman Foster, arrived at Lürssen in late September 2012. From then through this month, Ronin underwent a 10-year ABS survey, the overhaul of major systems, and the installation of new equipment in some areas. In terms of overhauls, Lürssen refurbished various pumps and valves, the three Caterpillar gensets, and her twin MTU engines. It’s key to note that Ronin is equipped with two 6,000-hp MTUs, achieving a reported top speed exceeding 30 knots. As for new equipment, Lürssen installed new shaft bearings, a new cooling system, and an entirely new audio-video system, including phones and cameras and all of the related cabling. This, in turn, required Lürssen to take apart about half of Ronin’s interior, to gain proper access.
Further work was done on Ronin’s exterior decks. The boxes you see on her foredeck, made of fiberglass and used for stowage, received some alterations. Further alterations were made to the wing consoles and supports for her tenders, which are stowed aft. The sundeck gained a new sunshade system, complete with supports employing carbon fiber. Every existing teak plank was removed, too, replaced with better sound-absorbing cork and then new teak decking. And finally, Ronin received a fresh coat of paint on her superstructure and hull.
Ronin departed Lürssen this week; as of this writing, she was seen in Norway.
If you’re a student of yacht names, the stories behind both of this megayacht’s names should be of interest. In ancient Japanese culture, a ronin is a samurai without a master. As for “izanami,” the word comes from Japanese mythology, the name of a goddess who, along with her brother and husband, created the islands of Japan as well as other deities.
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