Heesen Sell Project Azuro

Heesen Yachts have announced that project Azuro (YN 16650) has been sold, in close collaboration with Burgess, who introduced the client.

Azuro's exterior lines were designed by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects to give her its iconic reverse sheer "pelican beak" bow. Continuous sheets of laminated triple glazing have been thermo-bonded to the superstructure creating a seamless wall of windows resulting in a fast sporty look.

Guests will enjoy on Azuro in four distinct deck areas that provide a perfect space for every occasion. The 70 sqm sun deck is probably the largest on a yacht of this size, and for privacy in port, there is a lounging area hidden away on the foredeck. The shaded dining area on the upper deck and the main deck terrace combines with the saloon to create 25 sqm of entertaining space.

Azuro has the largest volume of any yacht of her length. Italian designer Francesco Paszkowski created her interior design using just three materials for all interior surfaces: teak, limestone and leather.

Twelve guests will be accommodated in six cabins. The master suite is located traditionally forward on the main deck. Both the bedroom and bathroom are full beam with windows running along their entire length. The other guest cabins are found on the lower deck and include a full beam VIP, two double and two twin cabins.

She will be powered by the latest MTU engines 16V 4000 M73L, which will power her to a top speed of 23kts and a range of over 3,100nm. She will be launched in March and then make her way to the North Sea where she will go through her sea trials before being delivered to her owners at the end of May 2014.

Heesen Yachts Launch 65m Galactica Star

News just out, we finally get the first look at the stunning 65m (213ft) "Galactica Star" that was launched by Heesen Yachts on the 25th of March 2013.

The concept was presented to the superyacht community in September 2010 at the Monaco Yacht Club and the contract for the construction of the first 65m FDHF was signed just one month later, in October 2010. Construction took place at the Heesen facility in Oss where the laying of the keel was marked with an official ceremony in February 2011.

Van Oossenan naval architects have designed a sophisticated hydrodynamic hull shape that will be 30% more efficient than your traditional round bilge superyacht design. Her advanced design combines a special hybrid hull form that results in a very low wave profile over the entire speed range, while also improving manoeuvrability. This provides low running costs for Galactica Star, as well as lowering the environmental footprint due to reduced engine emissions. Your perfect green superyacht.

Frank Laupman at Omega Architects was responsible for the streamlined exterior lines, while Bannenberg and Rowell Design have created the sophisticated interior. She is scheduled to leave the Heesen facility in a few weeks, where she will head to the North Sea for some intensive sea trials before she is handed over to her new owners in June 2013.

Heesen Launch 50m "Ventura"

MY Ventura

Heesen Yachts have just announced the launched of their newest megayacht, the streamlined 50m (164ft) Ventura. She has exterior lines by Frank Laupman from Omega Architects and is the third launch in the 50m class and is sister ship to the multi award winning MY Satori.

Her layout is completely different than her sister vessels. The owners chose to have two main suites: A romantic one situated aft on the bridge deck with panoramic 280 degree views and a second "passage cabin" which will be more practical when under way, traditionally located forward on the main deck.

The owners chose a custom dark metallic grey for the hull and a light metallic grey for the superstructure. This innovative colour scheme gives Ventura a very sleek and distinctive look. A total of twelve guests are accommodated in six cabins. As well as the two master suites, on the lower deck there's a full beam VIP cabin plus one twin and two double cabins.

Main Lounge

Italian designer Francesco Paszkowski created the sophisticated and tidy interior where the use of dark wood and light furniture create a harmonious balance.

Paszkowski comments: "I'm extremely proud to work with such an important and efficient shipyard I was honoured to work with a longtime ago. I’m also very happy to hand over the Italian design and the experience of our team abroad, for the excellent relationship established with the shipyard and the ideas we could share. Though we've always been keeping in touch since 1996, when we designed the first project for Heesen, the interior design of this 50m yacht looks very much like a dream I could achieve: feeling part of the Dutch group".

Ventura will be delivered to her owners after intensive sea trials in the North Sea.

MY Ventura

Heesen Yachts Deliver Two Superyachts

The Dutch Shipyard Heesen are on a role this year and have just delivered another two Superyachts, Galactica Plus who measures 35m (115ft) and MY Secret who is 47m (154ft). This brings the total yachts delivered this year to 5, including the 55m Serenity, the 44m Lady L and the 47m Lady Petra.

Galactica Plus is a fully custom semi-displacement hull built in aluminium with an interior and exterior designed by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects. She will have a maximum speed of 27kts and a range of 1,400nm at 11kts. MY Secret has a steel hull and is a fully displacement Superyacht that will have a range of 4,000nm at 12kts. Her luxurious interior has been designed by Bannenberg & Rowell Design.

Heesen Yachts has 10 yachts on its order book that will keep them busy delivering yachts until 2015.

Double Take For Heesen Yachts

The Dutch shipyard Heesen this week has just signed a contract to build a new 42m (132ft) fast displacement and have also sold their 47m (154ft) displacement project California to delighted owners that will take the delivery next month, June 2012. This is a great week for the yard in terms of new builds and sales, and adds to an order book that consists of 12 Megayachts that will all be delivered to their owners by the end of 2015, Wow now that's an order book.

The 42m Fast Displacement

The 42m fast displacement (seen in the below image) will be the first Heesen hull with to be equipped with Hull Vane. Created by Piet Van Oossanen from Oossanen Naval Architects, Hull Vane is a foil fitted below the hull that can reduce resistance through the water by 24% at maximum speed, achieving an average reduction in drag of nearly 18% over the entire speed range.

Hull Vane also reduces the motion and acceleration of the yacht in heavy seas due to the damping effect of the foil below the hull. This results in a much more comfortable motion for guests in heavy seas.

Her exterior lines have been designed by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects. Twelve guests will sleep in 6 cabins: the owners have two suites one which is positioned aft on the upper deck and includes a gym, the second is located in the traditional place forward on the main deck and includes a starboard balcony, a studio and a large walk-in closet. The guest accommodation is located on the lower deck and feature 2 double and 2 twin cabins all of which have private ensuite bathrooms.

This innovative Megayacht project is due for completion in 2014 and its going to be presented to the yachting community at the Monaco Yacht Club on September 19th.

The 47m Project California

Project California is the 9th Megayacht in Heesen's award winning 47m displacement class. Again Frank Laupman of Omega Architects is responsible for the smooth exterior lines of this award winning yacht. Bannenberg & Rowell Design have taken the interior decor back to styles that were seen in California in the 1940s and 1950s, with the main deck taking on the styling of the classic Hollywood era with the use of bleached wenge floorboards, white elm and stainless steel paneling, leather and marble. The combination of the different woods used was inspired by custom made surfboards built from recycled timber.

She will have a maximum speed of 15kts, with a range of 4,000nm at a speed of 12kts. She is scheduled for delivery to her new owners in June 2012.

Mixed Emotions As Heesen Yachts Launch MY Lady Petra

Photo: Suus Heersema

There was great celebration at the Heesen yard in Oss last Saturday the 28th of April, as they launched their newest Superyacht the 47m (154ft) christened MY Lady Petra. She is the eighth yacht in Heesen's award winning 47m series. The project was started back in 2010 after the contract was signed, and has been a very special project for the company as the owner of MY Lady Petra is former owner and founder of the shipyard Frans Heesen.

There was also sadness on the occasion of launching his new Superyacht, as Frans Heesen took the opportunity to announce his retirement from official functions in his company.

"Its time for me to enjoy life with my family and friends" says the successful Dutch businessman. "I am going to be the Brand Ambassador of this wonderful company that I found some 35 years ago. I will always be there to support the brand and promote it to the end of my days!"

The interior design was by Bannenberg and Rowell, and chosen by Mr and Mrs Hessen because they appreciate the richness and variety of materials used by the company in interior designing. The inspiration for the interior decor came from numerous sources including 20th century industrial Dutch design, optical geometric studies and shapes inspired by industrial components such as formers and frames. Omega Architects have been working with the Heesen yard for the past 20 years creating the beautiful lines that are seen on their yachts, including the lines of MY Lady Petra.

MY Lady Petra has been designed with family and grandchildren in the forefront of the designer and owners vision. Forward on the main deck where on most Superyachts you would find the owners suite, has now been turned into the media and games room. The owners suite is now on the upper deck so that Mr and Mrs Heesen can escape for quiet periods when numerous grandchildren are running riot downstairs. The other guest cabins are all located on the lower deck. Frans Heesen has created this yacht to enjoy life with his family and friends.

The First Sight of Heesen's New 65m Hull "YN 16465"

The construction of the hull and superstructure of YN 16465 started in December 2011 at Hessen's facility in Oss, and marked the start of years of planning. Frank Laupman from Omega Architects, who are responsible for the exterior design, was delighted:

"Being able to see the joining of the hull and superstructure is a great thing for me - who drew the first sketch that was just some 40cm long. Today I can finally see that the lines I sketched on paper more than two years ago, work in reality."

YN 16465 has the revolutionary Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF) that was developed by Van Oossanen and Associates. The interior of YN 16465 has been designed by Dickie Bannenberg of Bannenberg and Rowell Design and he is very impressed by the precision and teamwork that has gone into the yacht;

"Looking at the metal work you can sense the precision at the yard and see the results of immaculate teamwork. Even sitting in the water in bare metal, the yacht exudes speed and intent. We can't wait for our interior to go in."

YN 16465 is now in the outfitting stage in the enlarged and renewed dry dock in shed no.5 at the Heesen facility in Oss, the Neatherlands. She is scheduled for delivery in june of 2013. She will be able to accommodate 12 guests and have a crew of 13, with a maximum speed of 27kts and a range of 4,500nm at 14kts.

The short movie below shows the hull construction and the joining of the hull and superstructure. An amazing video.

Heesen Yachts Hand Over 55m "Serenity"

The Dutch shipyard Heesen Yachts have delivered their largest displacement vessel to date. MY Serenity 55m (180ft), launched last December in Oss the Netherlands has been under going intensive sea trials in the rough waters of the North Sea. Hans Doodkorte, Owner's technical manager said;

"We had a typical winter sea trial on the North Sea with force 6-7 winds and 3m swells. It was commented by all onboard how well the boat handled in a big sea. She easily exceeded her design speed so overall I am very happy that we will deliver a yacht that will be well suited for world traveling as she was designed for."

Serenity's elegant exterior lines and her interior design were drawn by the creative pencil of Frank Laupman from Omega Architects. Frank has expressed the typical Hessen style with the "pelican bow" which by now is a trademark of Hessen Yachts, this can be seen in the above image. Serenity's interior is contemporary with classic touches that is made up of luxurious materials such as, maple, eight different types of marble and blond veneer with creamy stones all combining to give a light and airy feel to the spacious interior. This is a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere that is shown in the name that the owner has chosen for the yacht, "Serenity".

She will be able to accommodate 12 guest in 6 cabins which include the owners full beam cabin which is forward on the main deck with full length floor to ceiling windows letting in natural light and balconies on either side. The guest accommodation is on the lower deck with a full beam VIP cabin, 2 double and 2 twin cabins. Guests can enjoy sun or shaded areas around the decks, with sun pads and a fully custom mosaic jacuzzi on the sun deck. There is also a full spa area complete with a steam bath, sauna and a massage room to enjoy.

Serenity will have a maximum speed of 15kts and a range of 6,000nm at 10kts.