In 1994 the yachting community had a wake-up call in the shape of Turkey’s very first superyacht, Turquoise. This magnificent 50m (164 ft) luxury yacht with the pedigree of naval architecture by Dubois Naval Architects and an interior by Donald Starkey is still a very stylish, timeless yacht, sailing under the name of ‘La Naturalle Dee’ some 17 years later.



This year will mark a milestone for the Proteksan Turquoise shipyard with no less than three yacht deliveries planned in the first three quarters. First to enter the water is Turquoise, a repeat order from the original owner, who said:



‘In 1993 I was introduced to a new build project taking shape in Turkey. When I first saw her in build it was obvious that this was a very stylish and well found yacht. With renowned naval architect Ed Dubois responsible for an easily driven, stable hull form and clean, uncluttered superstructure design, it had great potential. At this time Donald Starkey had made a big impact on the interior design of many high profile superyachts and added significantly to the quality package with a stunning interior. The added involvement of Don Patton, one of the world’s leading yacht surveyors, removed any lingering concerns I may have had regarding build quality in Turkey and getting the classifications I required. So history was made. Turkey had launched and delivered their very first luxury superyacht and it became my pride and joy. But this was just the start of a story whose latest chapter concluded on January 31st 2011 when the new ‘Turquoise’ was gently introduced to the water at the Pendik shipyard.



“Taking delivery of the first Turquoise also started a long friendship with the yard along with many others like Ed Dubois. It has been very satisfying to see how, from this high profile beginning, the whole enterprise has resulted in the Proteksan Turquoise shipyard success we see today with 13 fine superyachts to their credit. I am very proud to have been a small part of this story and being able to place a significant order for a new Turquoise with a team of people I trust.



“The process of trials is underway and everything went smoothly as Turquoise motored away into the bay off the shipyard, under her own power. Over the next weeks the sea trials will take place and the interior fit-out will be complete. I look forward to seeing Turquoise take her position in the top echelons of the modern charter fleet and gracing the pages of many luxury magazines worldwide. Thank you Proteksan Turquoise for allowing me to be part of this milestone”.



The catalyst that launched a new shipyard



When the first Turquoise was launched the yachting press had an exciting new story to tell. With little expectation of the build and fit-out quality the experienced yachting journalists found a truly remarkable superyacht to grace their pages. Turquoise placed Turkey firmly in the luxury superyacht builder league.



Bigger things were to come with the formation of the successful Proteksan-Turquoise Yachts which was established by two leaders of Turkish Boat building Industry; Proteksan Yachts Inc. and Turquoise Yacht Construction. The yard was established in 1997 to start building the 50 meter M/Y Mosaique. Following the success of Mosaique, 13 other mega yachts, ranging from 40 to 58 meters have been delivered to their owners. The two new facilities jointly will allow Proteksan Turquoise to reach a capacity to deliver three superyachts a year.



With 2011 seeing three new launches and a planned yacht at this years Monaco Yacht Show, it is behind the scenes at the design office that the future can be seen with several new and exciting new yacht designs which will be announced soon.



Turquoise ready to take centre stage



Over the next few weeks Turquoise will have completed her sea trials and receive the final touches to her interior fit-out, ready to face the cameras before she enters service.



Unusually low noise levels were achieved throughout with advice from Silent Line of Istanbul who developed special structural design and the use of special materials to achieve outstanding results.



Turquoise is designed “for safe, comfortable and elegant cruising offering a worldwide range in excess of 5,000 nautical miles.”