The French shipyard Ocea does more than build yachts. Its primary business, in fact, is constructing military ships—ships that need to go out in varying seas and weather. The yard brings that tough-minded philosophy to its yachts. Fittingly, a number of its deliveries over the past decade have completed circumnavigations. So, the shipyard and designer Fulvio de Simoni injected that spirit into the Nemo 50 Ice. As much as she’s for 10 guests to travel the world, she’s for standing up to Mother Nature’s extremes in Antarctica.
Planned as an all-aluminum 164-footer (50-meter), the Nemo 50 Ice will meet classification society’s standards for navigating in ice. (The exact class is up to the buyer to decide.) Even though no one wants a direct encounter with an iceberg, the design and equipment reflect preparation. For instance, the Nemo 50 Ice will have a commercial finish. She will, of course, have teak decking if you wish, but there’s no place for a shiny yacht finish amid sharp ice.
Also for possible encounters with icebergs, or another partially submerged object, the yacht will have skegs protecting the drive shafts, propellers, and twin rudders. This is in keeping with Ocea tradition. Those gear components connect to twin 1,450-hp Caterpillar engines. To ensure you can venture from Antarctica to sandy shores, the power package should permit a 5,000-nautical-mile range at 10 knots. She’ll carry 18,492 gallons (70,000 liters) of fuel, too.
Global travels, especially in remote areas, necessitate self-reliance. Therefore, the Ocea Nemo 50 Ice will have a dedicated workshop in her engine room. Furthermore, Ocea is selecting equipment the 10-person crew can repair in emergencies. And, for the crew’s convenience, they can reach both the workshop and the engine-room control room via a hallway from their cabins.
For the owners’ and guests’ convenience, the megayacht has sheltered alfresco areas. To board tenders quickly—and safely—the Nemo 50 Ice has an open area less than three feet (one meter) above the waterline. Also for safety, Ocea will install the same davits it does aboard its military ships. They operate in sometimes extreme conditions.
Naturally, Ocea and Fulvio de Simoni will arrange the interior the way a buyer wishes. They do suggest, however, a full-beam master suite. (Max beam is 37 feet/11.3 meters.) It’s forward on the main deck with a lounge/study and space for a sauna. No matter what amenities a buyer chooses, the concept is for enhancing the open-space feel.
Leave a Reply