As if the dozens of Dutch citizens lining the banks of the locks weren’t enough, about a dozen drones buzzed overhead while Heesen’s Galactica embarked on her maiden voyage. Even though the shipyard is well versed in the canals and rivers between its base and the North Sea, Galactica’s tight fit under bridges and through the locks is still a sight to see.
The 263-foot (80.07-meter) megayacht, a.k.a. Project Cosmos, began her maiden voyage over the weekend. Good weather meant good conditions for the slow, tow-assisted trip through the Dutch countryside. It also meant dozens of onlookers at tight locks like the one in the town of Macharen, not far from the yard. Additionally, 10 drones buzzed overhead, including the one shooting for Heesen (see video below), capturing her every move.
To say Galactica’s tight fit here, one of the first locks she passed through, was tricky is no hyperbole. Her beam of 43 feet (13.4 meters) left merely six inches (15 centimeters) of clearance to port and starboard. Therefore, the good weather was crucial—Heesen says calm conditions and no wind are vital for success.
Equally eye-opening, watch as Galactica squeezes beneath a bridge in the video. It’s one of several along the multi-day journey. Heesen shared some of the details on how it ensures she, as well as all of its yachts, can pass without problems—especially when, like now, rivers are high. Firstly, the tugs position Galactica beneath the bridge, to measure her clearance distance. That clearance data comes from a measuring device that shipyard staff already installed forward on the sundeck. Conveniently, it has the same height or dimensions as the yacht’s tallest point. Later on, Heesen uses a laser to measure the height distance to the bridge, pinpointing real-time tolerances and therefore knowing just when the yacht can safely pass underneath.
Heesen repeats this process for at least two more bridges, too. In fact, late tonight, the yacht will pass beneath a bridge with just 4.7 inches (12 centimeters) of clearance.
By the way, Galactica does not yet have her top deck or mast for all of these maneuvers. Those components are complete, however. They’re traveling on a separate barge, to join her at her outfitting site.
Heesen Yachts heesenyachts.com
Ian Kemp
Building & engineering at it’s best