To say that the refit leading to the birth of Voyager is lengthy and complex is an understatement. The process, converting an offshore supply vessel into a luxurious expedition megayacht meant for diving excursions, is years in the making.
Dania Cut Superyacht Repair is currently home for Voyager. It has been since the spring, and is expected to remain such through 2018. The story, though, really begins in late 2014. That’s when her owner acquired her, then known as HOS Trader. HOS Trader (below) was built in 1997 in Louisiana, measuring 206’7” (63 meters). U.S.-flagged, she primarily operated in the Gulf of Mexico. The current owner learned about her through Kirilloff & Associates, based in Florida. A naval architecture, yacht design, consulting, and project management firm, Kirilloff & Associates has been involved in several significant conversions and refits. They include the well-known SuRi. The firm assisted the owner in acquiring HOS Trader, and much more. It developed the concept for the conversion with him. It further outlined her specifications, put out exterior-styling bids, and mapped out the refit schedule.
Kirilloff & Associates declined to comment for our story, citing a recent confidentiality agreement. However, it has previously provided information via social media. The restyling job went to Rafael Ochoa, whose vision is in the rendering at top. Voyager also had some work done prior to arriving at Dania Cut. Forty additional feet of length went into her amidships area, for example, at Leevac Shipyards in Louisiana. (The yard, now owned by another shipbuilder, specialized in offshore supply vessels, crew boats, and a variety of other oceangoing craft.)
Other sources involved in the refit of Voyager tell us that Leevac Shipyards began steel work in June 2015. Besides the above-mentioned lengthening, the tasks included restyling her bow. The list grew to include an additional 300 tons of steel work for the superstructure. Voyager then made the journey from Leevac to Dania Cut, via tow, in April.
Dania Cut has Voyager under protecting wrapping, so we’ll have to wait out a good deal of progress before potentially learning more. Voyager’s LOA, though, is 295’3” (90 meters). Additional welding is in the mix. New engines and gensets, miles of wiring and cabling, and more await installation. So, too, does the interior. One subcontractor is handling the guest areas, while another is outfitting crew areas. The owner and guests aboard Voyager are getting a spa, beneath the aft helipad. It includes a massage room and its own galley. In fact, a handful of galleys are going aboard Voyager, along with pantries. Perhaps one or two of the galley-pantry combination will be near the new media rooms, too.
Then, of course, the diving-related needs await. Voyager is gaining a kitted-out dive center, including a decompression chamber. Deep dives are on her future itinerary. Sure to aid in these diving adventures, too: the vessel’s original Dynamic Positioning system. Refurbishment is underway.
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