In keeping with the current trend of targeting serious bluewater cruisers, Rossinavi and Ken Freivokh are ready to build Argo. With engineering already well-studied, Argo is a design as at home in icy waters as she is in remote tropical ones.
Argo represents a first-time collaboration between the two firms. The concept began with Freivokh, in a slightly smaller LOA. He designed a 138-footer (42-meter), with the intended buyer being a true global traveler. Furthermore, as much as Argo is a proper expedition yacht, Freivokh knew she could serve a support-vessel role, too. Scandinavian Marine, a yacht-construction and management firm, introduced the studio to Rossinavi. In conjunction with Rossinavi, Argo grew to 158 feet (48 meters). All the while, gross tonnage remained beneath 500, simplifying crewing and regulatory requirements.
Rossinavi currently has an expedition megayacht in build, intended for trans-Pacific crossings. Simultaneously, the owners and guests get luxurious accommodations, as you’d expect. Argo follows a similar philosophy. Rossinavi plans all-aluminum construction compliant with Lloyds Ice Class 1D notation. In brief, it permits navigating in unbroken ice of about 1’3” (0.4 meter) thick. It also specifies physical reinforcements of the hull and equipment, for standing up to those conditions. The fast-displacement hull design, already tank tested, should permit a best range exceeding 5,000 nautical miles. While traditional shaft propulsion should appeal to most potential buyers, Argo can also feature pod propulsion. Pods are advantageous in terms of maneuverability and sound reduction. One caveat, though: Rossinavi says they’ll require taking space away from the aft garage.
Either way, Argo emphasizes additional sound and vibration reduction. Rossinavi and Freivokh plan operations to be as near-silent as possible. Plenty of thought has already gone into the air system, structures, even the expanses of glass and interior-design materials.
Since a proper expedition yacht totes exploration-oriented tenders, plenty of thought has gone into this, too. Two pantographic hatches aft reveal the tender garage. Rossinavi says this setup holds up particularly well in case of strong winds coinciding with launching or boarding. Toy selection is up to the eventual owner, though a personal submarine, amphibious vehicle, limo tender, and crew tender can all fit, with a maximum LOA each of about 39 feet (12 meters). PWCs can fit inside as well, of course, and a helicopter can land on the long aft deck.
For relaxation aboard, Argo can alternately feature a beach club in place of a big garage. That means the limo tender and/or other craft goes instead on the aft deck. Either way, owners have an aerie of a suite, overlooking that area and the horizon. The suite includes a private alfresco area and a study. Additional options for this same level: a staff cabin, a nanny cabin, or the captain’s stateroom.
Anyone who relishes global adventure will want to venture up to Argo’s alfresco observation deck. A spiral staircase leads up from the owners’ deck. In a nice touch, the overhead of the observation deck has louvers, for letting in sunshine. Abundant glass on Argo’s main deck brings sunshine into the open-plan layout for the saloon and dining area, plus for the four guest staterooms forward. Pullmans in the staterooms can bring total passenger capacity to 12.
Leave a Reply