Yacht Design News

U.S. boatbuilder ReconCraft has been awarded a contract to build for two Combatant Craft Medium vessels for Norway, the Pentagon announced.The $22,070,151 firm-fixed-price contract contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $30,950,521.Work will be performed in Clackamas, Ore., and is expected to be completed by August 2025. If all options are exercised, work will continue through January 2026.Combatant Craft Medium Mk1 (CCM)Designers: Vigor…

ZF Marine announced it has hired George Lewis as its new head of product line commercial-fast craft, North/Central America and the Caribbean, reporting to Wolfgang Schmid, ZF’s Industrial Division Head for North America.“ZF Marine welcomes George aboard and looks forward to the positive impact he will have upon the company’s sales across the Americas and Caribbean,” Schmid said. “With his deep industry knowledge and technical skill as a trained naval architect and proven sales leader…

Stuart, Florida-based Ocean5 appointed Roger Kovalski as Vice President of Engineering. He was previously Senior Project Engineer & Yacht Designer, and began his career with OCEAN5 in early 2012.Kovalski has been in the engineering and design profession for over 25 years, coming to the U.S/ from his native home in Brazil in 2001. He is fully conversant with the engineering needs of any project including the design of aluminum, steel or fiberglass boats and is proficient in all technical applications…

Dales Marine announced the appointment of David Gray as Chief Naval Architect, bringing the business a wealth of experience in ship and yacht design.Gray's areas of specialties cover the design and development of new vessels and conversions, including ships and floating structures, large yachts, and small commercial vessels such as workboats, dredgers, fast ferries, and other special service craft. In addition, Gray's has a keen interest in electric propulsion, hydrofoils, roll stability and stabilizers…

Christopher Glynn had known for some time that he wanted to build all-electric vessels for his Niagara Falls tour boat company Maid of the Mist. In January 2018 he decided in earnest that he was going to make it happen.But where to begin? Fully electric ferries had never been built in North America, so Maid of the Mist would be plying uncharted waters. Glynn, the company’s president, said he and his team started by doing their research—a lot of research—and by hiring a team of consultants to help weigh their options.Inspired by the world’s first all-electric ferry…

Damen's luxury yacht builder Amels has launched a new 77-meter expedition yacht La Datcha.La Datcha’s emergence from her building hall in the Netherlands this week marks the start of the final stages of her build process before she heads on a global charter itinerary which is set to include heli-skiing in Kamchatka, the Kuril Islands and dive adventures off Papua New Guinea. This a yacht built for adventure – custom designed to explore the world’s far-reaching destinations without compromising on luxury.

A Belfast Maritime Consortium led by Artemis Technologies has won a £33 million ($41 million) U.K. government innovation grant to develop zero emissions ferries in Northern Ireland’s capital. With further investment from consortium partners, the total project investment will reach close to £60 million ($74.6 million) over the next four years, creating an initial 125 research and development jobs, and leading to more than 1,000 in the region over the next 10 years.The 13 partner syndicate—which is a mix of established and young companies…

The concept of a world-class superyacht, able to take on the most extreme cruising itinerary, is at the root of Nordhavn’s newest collaboration with Vripack: the brilliant Nordhavn 148. Designed to Class with ice capability, the ambitions of this adventuresome, forward-thinking cruising ship are infinite thanks to the combined efforts of the world’s foremost expedition yacht brand and Europe’s premiere yacht design and engineering firm. Individually, they have each specialized in the creation of high-latitude explorer yachts.

Born at the University of Michigan in the early 1990s, Bristol Harbor Group (BHG) has grown into a diverse and widely respected naval architecture and marine engineering firm. Cory Wood, Vice President and one of the four co-founders of BHG, discusses the companies past and design drivers to power its future.The University of Michigan runs one of the most prestigious naval architecture and marine engineering programs in the country, but when Cory Wood entered U of M, he did so with the intent of becoming an aerospace engineer.

Hindsight, they say is 20/20, and in this regard renowned design house Gibbs & Cox has nine decades in the rear view mirror on which to lean. We recently caught up with Chris Deegan, President and CEO of Gibbs & Cox, celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2019, to discuss the organization’s rich history and promising future.When you took the top spot at Gibbs & Cox in 2016, what were your goals for the organization?As a company that designs everything from yachts to work boats to destroyers, I wanted to reassert G&C as the global leader in the naval architecture and marine engineering industry.

UK shipbuilder Wight Shipyard Co has been appointed to develop the fleet of Arksen series vessels including the Arksen 70, Arksen 85 and Arksen 100.Arksen is developing, building and supporting semi-autonomous, hybrid explorer vessels,  designed from the ground up to have the least impact on the environment and take adventurers to the most inaccessible corners of the world’s oceans.The team also comprising fellow south coast businesses Humphreys Yacht Design (exterior) and Design Unlimited (interior).“Ship building on the Isle of Wight goes back hundreds of years. The Isle of Wight builds the finest aluminium vessels in the world and this explorer yacht range fits perfectly alongside our high-speed ferry building operation…

The designer and builder of sportyachts and super yachts, Johnson Yachts has announced the launch of its ninth 24.1-metre Johnson 80 motor yacht in Taiwan.The  luxury yachts builder describes the new 80-footer as an entry-level superyacht, chiefly because the Taiwan yard offers this model with the same high level of interior customization that has helped make the Johnson Yachts name over the last 30 years.With a focus on building yachts with excellent interior volume, Johnson Yachts set apart this latest Johnson 80 with a striking interior design by Karen Lynn Interior Design, said a statement from the company.“The latest addition to the Johnson Yachts fleet is sure to impress yachting enthusiasts the world over,” said Andy Huang, president of Johnson Yachts.

While the task to name only five 'Top' yachts of the year, Maritime Reporter & Engineering News' Lisa Overing gives it her best shot in the January 2019 edition.M/Y TIS: “Size Matters”The age-old question of whether or not size matters is typically directed at men. However, since a ship is called she, Maritime Reporter’s top spot for greatest yacht of 2018 is the class of 2018’s largest launch, M/Y TIS, a 111-meter, six-deck superyacht by Lürssen with exterior styling and interior design by Winch Design.In spite of her massive size…

ABS has published Guidance Notes on Yacht Design and released new Yacht Structure Assessment software, both geared toward streamlining and simplifying the yacht design and plan approval processes.The Guidance helps support innovation by simplifying the plan approval process for designs that fall outside the arrangements covered by statutory conventions. The software further streamlines the design and approval process, providing a fast and efficient check of structures and material.“ABS recognizes yacht designers are always innovating, and technology is evolving rapidly, but safety remains a paramount focus throughout the design stage.

The MY Roswell is as stunning technically inside as it is outsite, designed to have full electric running capabilities, supported by two diesel electric engines and large electric panels that cover the numerous horizontal surfaces of the superstructure of the vessel. At first glance it appears to be a military stealtch craft, and together with the full electric capabilities, reflective hull surface, patterns, and sharp angles, make the yacht have a very discrete radar footprint, if any.

Dutch fishing company Ekofish Group has contracted Damen Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam to build a new twin-rig fishing trawler, specially designed to support eco-friendly fishing. Vripack will be using SSI’s ShipConstructor software for design and engineering work on the vessel. Vripack has brought the quality of its yacht design experience to the design of its first twin-rigger fishing vessel. Using a holistic approach, Vripack closely collaborated with both Ekofish and Maaskant Shipyards to create a practical, yet innovative design.

Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards has appointed Tony Tinto to Vice President, Planning & Estimating. Tony joined Vancouver Shipyards (VSY) in 2006 as a Project Manager, before moving over to affiliate company Vancouver Drydock in 2007 in a similar capacity. In 2012, Tony returned to VSY as Director, Planning & Production Control, and was appointed to the role of interim Vice President, Planning & Estimating in November 2016. Prior to his arrival at Seaspan in 2006, Tony worked as a Design & Engineering Manager for Westbay SonShip & Yachts. As part of the Seaspan Shipyards senior leadership team, Tony is responsible for providing leadership and direction on network planning, detail planning and production control, as well as estimating for new ship construction.

Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards has announced the appointment of Tony Tinto to Vice President, Planning & Estimating. Tinto joined Vancouver Shipyards (VSY) in 2006 as a Project Manager, before moving over to affiliate company Vancouver Drydock in 2007 in a similar capacity. In 2012, Tinto  returned to VSY as Director, Planning & Production Control, and was appointed to the role of interim Vice President, Planning & Estimating in November 2016. Prior to his arrival at Seaspan in 2006, Tinto worked as a Design & Engineering Manager for Westbay SonShip & Yachts.

London-based architect Jonathan Schwinge designed the pyramid-shaped yacht called the Tetrahedron Super Yacht. Billed as aviation on the sea, the radical concept from a London-based architect flips traditional yacht design on its head with a complete rethink. The futuristic vessel, called Tetrahedron Super Yacht, ‘levitates’ thanks to a vertical strut attached to a submerged torpedo-shaped hull, but it retains all of the luxuries one would expect on a multimillion-pound ship. According to the official website of architect Jonathan Schwinge, the pyramid-shaped vessel would consist of four faces and six leading edges, all designed around a single vertical strut on a submerged torpedo hull. One of the main goals for the design is stability.

Damen’s new SeaXplorer yacht range brings true capability to expedition yachting, from extreme polar to remote tropical areas. The world’s first purpose-built, Polar Code compliant range of expedition yachts has been launched by Dutch shipbuilder Damen and its luxury superyacht division, Amels. Making its debut this week at the Monaco Yacht Show, the 65- to 100-meter SeaXplorer range includes three designs holding the capability to explore the seas’ extremes, from the poles to the tropics and everywhere in between.

On 13 March RAdm Hank Ort (Rtd), director of the NATO Centre for Maritime Research & Experimentation (CMRE) and Mr. Dino Nascetti, president of Promostudi foundation, signed a three-year framework agreement between the two entities. The protocol makes provision for joint innovation activities and research in the maritime environment with reciprocal exchange for educational and scientific purposes, both nationally and internationally. In particular, opportunities will be developed for cooperation in issues of common interest such as robotics, underwater acoustics, underwater systems, and more generally in systems engineering and ICT (information and communication technologies).

Oceanco delivered the first superyacht of 2015 today, the 291-foot (89 meter) INFINITY. Built under the code name Y710, the yacht features an exterior design by Espen Øino and an interior design by Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design and David Kleinberg Design Associates. INFINITY is a go-anywhere yacht powered by  twin 4,828hp / 3,600kW MTU engines capable of reaching speeds of 20 knots. The yacht has a master suite that includes a private exterior deck and whirlpool, and can also accommodate 10 guests in 6 guest suites, including 2 VIP cabins.

The National Marine Representatives Association (NMRA) awarded two scholarships to students pursuing careers in the field. Noah Luff of Ventura, California is one of the recipients of the association's $500 scholarship. Keith LaMarr and Chris Martorana of Macaroni Marketing made the presentation. In Fall 2014, Luff will attend California Maritime Academy and study marine transportation. Growing up in a coastal town, he's also served as an ocean lifeguard and plans to become an active member of the maritime industry once he graduates in 2018.