A look back at the launches and events that made the superyacht year so special.
January
Heading down the ways at the start of CRN’s 50th birthday year was the 80-metre Chopi Chopi (below), the yard’s biggest ever launch, designed by Zuccon International Project and with an interior by Laura Sessa. After sea trials the owning family took this very private yacht cruising for the rest of the year, with time for an appearance at the Monaco Yacht Show in September. You can read all about the yacht in our next issue.
Feadship launched the 44.7-metre Blue Sky for a Chinese owner in a special ceremony incorporating traditional Chinese dragons. The yacht boasts a dedicated karaoke room and a mahjong area aft of the wheelhouse.
February
Feadship’s astonishing 99-metre Project Dream broke cover (below). The Andrew Winch-designed aluminium yacht (soon to be renamed Madame Gu) became one of the distinctive sights in Mediterranean hotspots in the summer. Quadruple MTUs deliver a 24-knot top speed.
The much anticipated accident report into the loss of the superyacht Yogi was published, with no firm conclusion on what caused the event, although the yacht’s crew is commended for their prompt actions when the problem of taking on water was realised.
March
Illusion, the biggest-volume superyacht ever built in China, was spotted in build at the Raffles yard, Shangdong province (below). The interior (by Sinot Yacht Design) is said to be an intriguing mix of Asian and Western design influences. The yacht, which is set to launch in 2015, is being offered for sale by Fraser Yachts.
Steven Spielberg was to embark on a year-long global adventure aboard his 86-metre Oceanco Seven Seas, following the Cannes Film Festival. While he cleared his inbox of production duties, he was never going to be too far away from work: the yacht has a special banked area of seating in the main salon to show movies.
April
Dominating the news this month was the first appearence of the completed Azzam at the Lürssen yard, the biggest yacht in the world at 180 metres. Gas turbine power means 70,000kW – “When almost 100,000 horsepower drives a 180-metre yacht at 30-knots plus it’s going to be quite an experience. It’ll be quite a day!” Lürssen’s managing partner Peter Lürssen told SuperYachtWorld before sea trials started.
May
Amels‘ latest Limited Editions 180 Engelberg (below) launched in front of 400 guests. The interior is by Enea, the Swiss landscape architect and interior design firm, who worked closely with the owners. The project was managed by Ocean Independence. You can read more about the 55-metre yacht, which was a star of the Monaco Yacht Show in September, in the next issue of SuperYacht World.
Also catching the eye were some concept renderings of the ultimate getaway vehicle: the 115-metre Migaloo from motion code: blue. She is specced to reach a depth of 240 metres.
June
The stunning 50-metre Delta Arianna had a very unusual assignment: taking a starring role in a new Fiat ad that involved rapper Pitbull (below) and actor Charlie Sheen. The team at SG Private Wealth Advisors – the family office that oversaw the build of Arianna and is responsible for her charter career – oversaw the yacht’s participation.
The classic 42-metre Fair Lady, originally built at Camper & Nicholson in 1929, leaves Pendennis Palma after a six-month-long refit. The team from Pendennis overhauled the main engine and generators, as well as carrying out a full repaint, which required all topside joinery to be removed, refreshed and reinstalled.
You can read part two of 2013 Superyacht Year Review next week.