We selected for you top 5 yacht stories of the last week at Yacht Harbour.
The world’s first hydrogen boat sails into the future with Toyota
Energy Observer is the first autonomous hydrogen vessel that emits no greenhouse gases or fine particles. This electrically propelled vessel of the future is powered by a combination of renewable energies and a system that produces carbon-free hydrogen from seawater.
Launched in 2017 in Saint-Malo, France, Energy Observer is more than just a boat. It showcases technologies that will support tomorrow’s energy networks to make them efficient and applicable on a large scale. The Energy Observer team will promote this model, based on a mix of renewable energy sources and energy storage, on a worldwide tour.
This six-year journey is both a human and technological challenge. It will test on-board technology in extreme conditions and navigate the first energy-autonomous boat around the globe. The crew will be led by Victorien Erussard and Jérôme Delafosse.
Hydrogen is at the very heart of the Energy Observer project and the major reason for Toyota Motor Europe’s participation. The hydrogen-powered vessel has a considerable weight advantage (50% of the ship’s displacement) when compared to an exclusive battery storage solution. In terms of energy storage, hydrogen is also key to overcoming the issue of intermittent energy supply on land and sea.
After sailing around France in 2017, Energy Observer is now in the Mediterranean and will move on to Northern Europe in 2019. The ship aims to reach Tokyo in time for the Olympic Games in 2020.
During its expedition, the Energy Observer team will produce documentary content about concrete and reliable solutions around the world as France’s chief ambassador for the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals. Their encounters and discoveries will be broadcast through an eight-episode series on the Planète+ television network next autumn, as well as a web-series that will be shared on social media.
Death of the crew member on 46-metre La Polonia superyacht
Rebecca Boyle, 32-year old British stewardess, has been found dead on board of the $6,000,000 47-metre La Polonia. It is reported that she has been discovered dead in her cabin, while the La Polonia was moored in the Italian port of Imperia. The cause of death is yet unknown.
The media reported that Rebecca spent Tuesday night celebrating England’s World Cup win against Colombia. Colonel Pier Enrico Burri, of the Imperia Carabinieri said : “She seems to have died between 12pm and 1am and her body was found about 8am. An Italian member of crew rang to alert us. The body was on the floor. The cabin was single, she slept there alone and very small as they are on boats. Her suitcases were on the floor as though she were rearranging things. She may have hit her head on the door of the cabin or while getting her suitcase down. These cabins are very constrained. There was no blood and no traces of violence or other people. It seems as if no one else was on board when she died. There was no alcohol visible in the room. The autopsy has to be done still but it looks like an accident. The boat must stay in port while some checks are made but will probably not be seized.”
The Maltese-registered La Polonia had arrived at the Italian Riviera port of Imperia last week and was undergoing a changeover ahead of a new arrival. Rebecca, from Notting Hill, west London, had only joined the yacht last week after being hired from a Monaco-based crewing company.
La Polonia was delivered in 1999 by Swiftships as hull 477. She was listed for sale as Cherosa in 2016 by HMY Yacht Sales for $7,995,000, then she got 3 price reductions and was finally sold in July, 2017 for $5,995,000 and changed name from Cherosa to La Polonia.
90-metre superyacht Project Shark delivered by Oceanco
Oceanco’s new 90-metre motor yacht, Project Shark —with its modern revolutionary exterior styling by DeBasto Design and sophisticated interior design by Nuvolari Lenard— is unlike any other superyacht afloat today. Her groundbreaking design and technological advances bear the unmistakable DNA of an Oceanco: she reflects the latest advances in glass technology and she is the first yacht in the Netherlands to be given the official Lloyd’s Register Integrated Bridge System (IBS) notation and designation.
Project Shark features a superstructure completely finished in reflective glass. From the interior, the glass yields panoramic floor-to-ceiling views aft, port and starboard. Her design was conceived to maximize opportunities for outdoor living and to have direct contact with the marine environment. While the yacht yields a massive amount of volume, DeBasto has ensured that the profile remains long, sporty and lean without a top- heavy superstructure that characterizes so many very large superyachts.
The entire upper deck is dedicated to owners and as such has been specifically designed without walkaround passages to ensure complete privacy. Alternatively, the owners have access to the outside via private balconies, which flood the interior space with light and offer incredible views. The owners also have access to their own private forward- facing Jacuzzi.
Y717 was dubbed ‘Project Shark’, as the wing stations when viewed from above, bear a distinct resemblance to a hammerhead shark, while the mast in profile is shaped like a fin, contrasting with the flowing rhythm of the hull below.
55-metre Damen support vessel Power Play launch and sea trials
Damen Yacht Support’s latest 55.5-metre vessel Power Play has been successfully launched in June, 2018 before her sea trials at the end of the June, 2018 and delivery in summer 2018. Power Play will be the sixth delivery of the popular YS 5009 design from the Damen Yacht Support range.
Following in the footsteps of her sister ships Axis (ex Fast & Furious) and Shadow (ex New Frontiers), the new Power Play has been configured for a blend of adventure and superyacht support functions. Power Play accommodates 6 guests staying in 3 suites, making her suitable for short breaks away from the mother yacht or even a complete yachting solution. She features a Sun Deck and a Main Deck lounge with panoramic views.
On Power Play, the Damen Yacht Support design team has added new enhancements, including a new 50 square-metre Aft Adventure Centre/Dive Centre, more autonomy and facilities for operating in zero-discharge zones such as marine nature reserves.
55-metre Amels LE180 superyacht Eji fast delivered
The fast delivery in May – a week earlier than scheduled – rounded off a very successful start for Eji. The owner of the 55-metre Amels 180 (180 ft) stepped on board a week later in the Mediterranean. The famous Limited Editions yacht’s exterior has a highly sought-after Tim Heywood design, complemented by an interior design by Laura Sessa with classic high gloss finishes.
Christian Power, the Owner’s Representative during the build and Captain of Eji, confirms the smooth and enjoyable build process. “During the sea trials the vessel performed very well. We didn’t have any issues at all. We managed to get the sea trials done in 1 day.”
Eji is a great example of the advantages of the Amels Limited Editions approach to yacht building – a proven platform of the highest quality, delivered much faster. The Amels 180’s full displacement comfort and seakeeping performance has been proven in over a million miles of global voyages.
The highly popular design continues to evolve, looking even more striking with a new colour scheme devised by the Amels design team in collaboration with exterior designer Tim Heywood. The Amels 180 stands out with a stunning Sun Deck, covering 180 square metres (1,938 sq ft). At 28 metres (92 ft) in length with a 7-person jacuzzi, the top deck is the largest you’ll find on any comparable yacht.
