Avid sportfishing enthusiasts know the names Anthony Hsieh and Bad Company quite well. Arguably, Hsieh and Team Bad Company are the most successful marlin tournament teams around. The consummate entrepreneur (founder of LoanDepot, among other businesses) is adding a support vessel to the Bad Company fleet operations in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. She’ll be the first Damen Yachting YS 53, too, a series just announced this year.
Interestingly enough, the 175-foot (53-meter) YS 53 is the second Yacht Support vessel from Damen for the Bad Company fleet. Bad Company Support, a 151-foot (46-meter) YS 45, joined just last year. She serves operations in the Atlantic Ocean. However, the YS 53 is Hsieh’s first new build with Damen Yachting. She’s set for delivery next year, too, with her own captain and crew as well as guest accommodations. Although few specifics are available, this YS 53 can house 10 crewmembers plus a captain, along with six to 16 guests and staff. As usual for Damen Yachting, naval architecture, styling, and outfitting are all handled in house.
Hsieh won’t waste any time putting this Yacht Support straight to work upon hand over. Since she’ll be the home base for the two above-mentioned oceans, she’ll serve multiple roles. Primarily, she’ll stow two sportfishing boats for trips to uncharted waters. One is a 43 Gameboat from Release Boatworks, while the other is a 32 Blackfin—which has quite the back story. She’s the first gamefishing boat that Hsieh ever bought, more than three decades ago, in fact. He recently re-acquired and refurbished her. Additionally, the YS 53 will support multiple marine-conservation projects.
Hsieh is excited about inspiring other fishing enthusiasts to follow in his footsteps. “What we are planning to do with the 5301 no one has ever done before,” he points out. “ I think this will set a whole new tier of adventure for future sportsmen to explore.”
The Damen Yachting team is just as enthusiastic about the Bad Company fleet and future possibilities. “Hsieh’s unique vision and mission he has planned for this all-new Yacht Support is very inspiring,” says Jan van Hogerwou, the yard’s commercial executive. “We are looking forward to the next 12 months and getting her ready to head out with the rest of his fleet.”
Damen Yachting damenyachting.com
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