By the time Christmas comes around, the commercial vessel Advantage, seen here, should be accompanying a pleasure yacht as a superyacht support vessel. She’s at New Zealand-based Oceania Marine undergoing a conversion.
Oceania Marine, established in 2009, specializes in refit and repair of megayachts and other vessels. The sizes primarily measure 82 feet (25 meters) and larger. Its facility has direct access to deep water, too, at Port Whangarei.
Advantage, measuring 173’9” (53 meters), was built by Damen, the parent company of Amels. She served as a crew-support ship and a firefighting vessel. The transformation into a support yacht is not surprising, given two factors. First, Damen has built a number of similar-style Sea Axe vessels, as it terms the design and style, that Amels has marketed to megayacht owners as shadow boats. Second, another of these Damen vessels was converted to become a go-anywhere megayacht: Umbra.
By extension, it’s not surprising that Oceania Marine is undertaking the conversion of Advantage. It was the yard responsible for the conversion of Umbra.
Full details on Advantage’s changes are not available. For now, Oceania Marine says it’s extending her transom (without disclosing the final LOA, though) and rearranging the general arrangement and tanks positioning. The transom extension is likely being driven by the addition of a tender garage for a personal sub. An entirely new interior, a new helipad, a new deck crane, and full repaint are also planned. Already, the initial exterior paint removal has begun on site.
Because of the extensive changes to be done in such a short time, Advantage is being worked on by a few companies. Oceania Marine is collaborating with NZ Ship Repair, a local yard, for steel fabrication. SMI Group, which specializes in megayacht interiors and is also on Port Whangarei, is building the interior.
To put the tight timetable into further perspective, consider this: The owner only purchased Advantage two months ago, according to Oceania Marine.
Leave a Reply