Take a close look at the lines of Phi Phantom, and you’ll gain some insight into what the yacht she’ll serve will look like. That same close look reveals some other, more unusual features worth special attention, too.
The 118-foot (36-meter), all-aluminum Phi Phantom has been taking shape at Turkey-based Alia Yachts for the past two years. “As far as we’re aware, this is the first support ship that’s been built with shared aesthetic DNA from the mothership,” says Capt. Guy Booth, her captain and the owner’s rep. That mothership is Phi, in build at Royal Huisman, and which Booth will helm as well. “She looks like a mini Phi; a sibling,” Booth continues. “The team at Alia have had the opportunity to build something really cool, and the passion from them has been great. They really dig it!”
This sibling and her mothership each feature styling by Cor D. Rover and naval architecture by Van Oossanen Naval Architects. They each share horizontal grill detailing at the bow, a swooping sheerline, and a matte blue-grey paint job. What really sets Phi Phantom apart, however, is her metalwork. The owner expressly instructed the build team not to use fairing over the plates and welds. “The aluminum bending and precision welding was a major challenge,” asserts Gökhan Çelik, President of Alia Yachts. “He trusted us to deliver on a demanding brief, but we have certainly matched and, I hope, surpassed his expectations for this unique support vessel.”
Furthermore, Phi Phantom needed to adhere to tough engineering and construction standards, since she will cross oceans. Van Oossanen Naval Architects specified robust systems and a 21-knot top speed with 1,900-hp Caterpillars, the latter to keep pace with Phi. Cruise speed, meanwhile, is 12 knots, resulting in a 4,200-nautical-mile range. Additionally, she’ll carry an Axopar 37 Suntop powerboat, a 46-foot (14-meter) Spirit Yachts tender, and more. (Her hydraulically opening, 484-square-foot/45-square-meter lazarette will stow several toys, in fact.) Tender handling will come courtesy of a hefty, nearly 29-foot (9-meter) crane.
Although just three crew can manage most operations, the support craft has six berths. One cabin can accommodate guests instead if so needed. Regardless, the overall finish is similar to crew areas on traditional yachts, from her cabins to the galley and crew mess.
Following sea trials, Phi Phantom, with a beam of 37’6” (8.4 meters), sees delivery in June.
Alia Yachts aliayachts.com
Cor D. Rover Design cor-d-rover.com
Van Oossanen Naval Architects oossanen.nl
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