An offshore supply vessel is about to start undergoing a conversion into a luxury explorer megayacht at Icon Yachts. Quite remarkably, the yacht, a.k.a. Project Master for now, will retain about 95 percent of her original appearance and underpinnings when complete in two years.
Also remarkably, the owner came to Icon without already having a vessel in hand. In fact, the client requested the shipyard’s input on what would make for a good conversion candidate. Among the things on his wishlist were, of course, the capability of taking his family around the world. Further a must: big spaces to cater to luxurious relaxation and entertainment. The latter is as important for the family as it is for charter guests the owner has in mind, too.
Upon researching options, Icon Yachts recommended acquiring Ocean Ness, an offshore supply vessel. Norway-based Kleven built the 216-footer (66-meter) 20 years ago. Considering she has a beam of 49 feet (15 meters), there is more than enough elbowroom-friendly space for staterooms for 12, a crew of 19, and amenities like a sauna. Five of the guest staterooms will be on the main deck. As you would expect, the master suite will occupy healthy real estate, specifically about 1,453 square feet (135 square meters). Additionally, it will sit three decks higher than the main deck. Finally, there’s space onboard for personal subs, a toy “store,” and a certified helicopter deck.
One of the first orders of business for Project Master is extending her, to nearly 230 feet (70 meters). This will help bring gross tonnage up to 3,000, nearly double what it is now. It will also give her some of the more megayacht-oriented styling the owner wants, courtesy of Espen Øino’s studio.
Fittingly for an explorer, Project Master should achieve a best range of 6,000 nautical miles at a few knots less than her anticipated 14-knot top end. Icon Yachts will replace her existing Rolls Royce stern thrusters with hybrid thrusters. These thrusters will be able to drive her nearly silently at 7 knots. Furthermore, they can, should the owner wish, couple to electric propulsion motors. Therefore, Project Master can become a diesel-electric yacht in the future.
Conversion projects are not new for Icon Yachts. You may remember the shipyard handed over Ragnar last year. Icon considers that one of its most challenging to date.
Icon Yachts iconyachts.eu
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