Yacht Leviathan Built With Her Crew’s Input From Day One

Custom superyachts naturally are the result of owners’ visions and the capabilities of shipyards, designers, and contractors. How many owners, though, not only actively solicit their crew’s input, but do so from day one of the process? The owner of the yacht Leviathan, which Oceanco just launched, sought their expertise based on their first-hand, in-depth knowledge of what works and what doesn’t. He did so for their benefit as much as for his future guests and himself, too.

As proof, their names—along with upwards of 2,000 other people’s names—are on an etched-glass panel in the yacht’s main stairway. The intent is to remind everyone who steps aboard what a human-centric approach can actually be.

The proof actually goes much deeper. As much as gleaming metal handrails or varnished wooden caprails are quintessential yachting features, you won’t find them aboard. Neither will you find teak decks or expanses of painted superstructure surfaces, with copious fairing beneath the paint, no less. It’s because all of these require intensive daily upkeep, amounting to hours of maintenance on the part of the crew. Instead, rail tops and decks on the yacht Leviathan are composite, and glass walls run along each deck level.

Interior areas received as much rethinking, yet are no less attractive or comfortable. So, for example, honed stone instead of highly polished stone creates part of the ambience. (Designers often use honed stone in high-traffic areas for its practical benefits, since it’s matte and smooth.) Additionally, wool carpeting is more durable and simpler to take care of compared to silk carpeting.

Ultimately, these and other decisions for the yacht Leviathan aren’t about labor. The owner and the crew collectively prefer that the crew get to concentrate on what really matters to them. Therefore, from handling operations to elevating guest experiences, and especially supporting scientific research onboard, they can devote more time and attention.

The yacht Leviathan, a.k.a. Oceanco Y722, bears naval architecture by the shipyard and Lateral Naval Architects. Mark Berryman Design is responsible for the interiors. The owner was hands-on throughout the entire design and build process, and clearly enjoys a good pick-up game, as evidenced by the basketball hoop on an upper deck. According to Deniz de Koningh, Oceanco’s project director, the yacht “represents a new philosophy of yachting—one that places greater purpose at the heart of design, ownership, and operations.” He adds, “We are excited to see the influence she may have in shaping the future of the industry.”

Leviathan is widely believed to be owned by Gabe Newell, who recently acquired Oceanco. “Leviathan” and the name of another yacht he owns, Rocinante, are from a series of sci-fi novels.

The superyacht sets off on sea trials soon. Oceanco additionally pledges to release further details about her. That includes how she’ll support scientific research. (That could be yet another indicator that Newell is the owner. He founded Inkfish, a marine-research organization that has sent a submersible to the deepest parts of the world’s oceans.)

Lateral Naval Architects lateral.engineering

Mark Berryman Design markberrymandesign.com

Oceanco oceancoyacht.com