UPDATE, AUGUST 1, 2024: The Project UFO yacht conversion will no longer take place at Lürssen. The owner’s representatives and the shipyard team reached a mutual conclusion, according to people familiar with the project, that the scope of the desires within the desginated budget would not work. So far a new potential shipyard to take on the work remains unknown. Read on for our original article.
Her otherworldly code name hints at how the yacht which this commercial vessel eventually will become is no ordinary yacht. “The Project UFO yacht conversion “is not a yacht in the traditional sense, but neither is it an explorer or support vessel,” says Alberto Perrone, Lürssen’s director of yacht services. “The best way to describe this new type of vessel is as a “Pick-Up Truck’ on the water,” he adds.
Project UFO arrived at the shipyard’s facilities in Berne, Germany earlier this month. Originally, the conversion was planned at Icon Yachts. At 216 feet (66 meters) LOA, the vessel is an offshore rescue and support vessel. The initial extension to 230 feet (70 meters) is still in the plans, according to Lürssen. In a statement, the shipyard notes, “The core task is first to review the design and specification already created before a final quotation can be issued and the actual work can begin.” Two companies already contributed to the design and specification. Murray & Associates worked with the owner for styling (below) and general arrangement. H2 Design tailored the interior design. (We reached out to each firm for comment but did not receive responses.)
The owner still intends to use the Project UFO yacht conversion as a global family cruiser, with charter activity in different countries, too. Unlike a lot of superyacht conversions, she’ll keep a good deal of her existing superstructure, hull, and even commercial systems. Therefore, she’ll retain a decidedly commercial character, yet of course have yacht-oriented spaces for relaxation and discovery of destinations.
If the initial plans for the luxury areas remain intact, the Project UFO yacht conversion will see a beach club develop within the extra length. The foredeck, meanwhile, may serve as a helipad, one of two further in the initial plans. A variety of tenders, watertoys, and perhaps a submersible will stow aboard as well.
Additionally, the converted superyacht may still have full-height windows in the guest areas, a master suite with balconies, and four VIP suites convertible to six staterooms. A 33-foot (10-meter) pool, a 12-seat hot tub on the bridge deck, as well as a dedicated “expedition preparation room” and separate diving center are among the features she further may have.
Upon completion, the Project UFO yacht might still meet Polar code C standards for navigation in polar waters.
H2 Yacht Design h2yachtdesign.com
Lürssen lurssen.com
Murray & Associates murrayna.com
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