“Explorer yachts, they are platforms for adventure, for science, and conservation,” says Nick Davies, the managing director of Cookson Adventures. The luxury adventure-travel company is providing input into design and operations for the code-named Project Master yacht under construction at Icon Yachts. Together in this mini movie, the shipyard and travel specialist share how purpose-driven superyacht travel is not only possible, but also gaining ground.
The Project Master yacht is a conversion of an offshore rescue and support ship that started work in 2021. The owner wanted to undertake global family adventures, and specifically requested Icon’s opinions for the base vessel. After Icon presented a few options, the owner chose Ocean Ness (above), a 2001 delivery from Kleven. LOA: 216 feet (66 meters). She’ll have nearly 10,100 square feet (938 square meters) of luxury relaxation and entertainment space. Six staterooms will be aboard, including the master suite on a private owners’ deck three levels higher than the guest cabins. Six pilots/nature guides/specialists will have cabins, too, alongside 19 crewmembers.
Better yet, she’ll have a science lab aboard. This will allow scientists and conservationists to share their findings with land-based teams quickly, via the yacht’s satellite communications system. They can further share their findings with the superyacht’s owner and guests. Additionally, as strange as it sounds, her steel components are playing straight into sustainability. About 80 percent of the original hull plating, chains, and other apparatuses are either staying aboard or becoming spare parts for other maritime vessels. In fact, in terms of lending this new life, Micca Ferrero, the owner of Icon Yachts, says, “How could you not?”
Ultimately, conversions like the Project Master yacht excite Icon Yachts for a simple reason. “These boats are a unique opportunity to discover our oceans and bring change where we should,” Ferrero continues.
After delivery in 2025, Cookson Adventures anticipates helping the owner of Project Master to explore remote regions globally. “The opportunities to design immersive and impactful conservation-focused experiences anywhere around the world will be endless,” Davies asserts.
Cookson Adventures cooksonadventures.com
Icon Yachts iconyachts.eu
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