A journey to change

It’s easy to look enviously at the yachts tied to the quays in Monaco for the Grand Prix, or hugging the bay of Cannes during the film festival, and to think that glamour and presence are what define the essence of what a yacht is. But actually, a yacht is so much more than that – it is, effectively, freedom.

With that freedom comes a chance to enjoy extraordinary journeys at all levels. There’s the journey of adventure in going to a new and perhaps remote destination, for sure; but there is also the journey of endeavour and exploration, and the journey of community and culture and caring for the nations and peoples that explorer yachts in particular can bring owners, guests, families and charterers within reach of.

There’s even the journey of lifecycle, and that is never more true than when older commercial vessels are repurposed at the end of their operational lives into hardy, capable and purposeful explorer yachts. And as one 70-metre project currently underway in the Netherlands for an experienced yacht owner shows, the journey for owners is increasingly focused on how they can use their yachts for fun and for doing good alike.

The vessel in question is the former 66-metre offshore rescue and support vessel Ocean Ness, and the conversion – being completed under the Project Master – includes a helipad, wellness area with gym and spa, and all the usual luxury guest amenities you might expect with a superyacht. Indeed, renowned designer Espen Øino has been involved in the design of the new-from-old yacht.

“A conversion is transforming a workboat or a commercial vessel into an explorer yacht,” begins Micca Ferrero, owner of Icon Yachts, the yard undertaking the rebuild which specialises in conversion projects. “These explorer yachts must be self-sufficient, they must be very capable at sea, and they are very technical and very modern.” And while the concept of sustainability is a challenge for any maritime ship builder, Icon’s latest project is a prime example not only of reusing an existing vessel but also of that lifecycle approach – the steel on board, for example, is reused and recycled, and all the steel that is coming off the vessel is also being recycled.

The project is also being undertaken with the input and expertise of the team at experiential travel company Cookson Adventures, who have considerable experience not only in the requirements for explorer yachts but also in combining yacht experiences with scientific projects. “Explorer yachts are a platform for adventure, for science and for conservation,” says Nick Davies, managing director of Cookson Adventures. “We’ve been organising these world-class experiences and adventure travel for 13 years and we’ve got a back catalogue of understanding and knowledge as well as access to some of the best guides, experts and scientists all around the world. By collaborating from the concept stage and sharing our expertise, we’re then able to design complex and meaningful travel expeditions which have purpose.”

On Project Master, there will be a lab that’s purpose-built and designed for science and conservation experts to come on board. “That’s really exciting,” enthuses Davies. “The fabric of what we’re trying to do is to include engagement with conservation and science into all our trips. It really gives clients an understanding about the world, and it gives their trips meaning and purpose – that’s really special when you are able to do that.

“In Antarctica in 2019,” he continues, “we married a trip to explore the Antarctic peninsula [with scientific exploration], and the research from that client trip discovered a new species of mammal, which is very special. Not only was the scientific work done but the clients got this amazing experience because the scientists came on board and talked them through their research. It will be amazing to see this vessel when she is complete with that mindset of exploration.”

Project Master, says Davies, is going to be a fabulous platform to explore. “Not only is there a science lab and the wellness centre, but it’s got a helipad which will give clients the opportunity to explore further into the mountains of Patagonia where you could pre-position horses, or heli-skiing adventures in Greenland or Antarctica,” he explains. “Moreover, we hope to use her as a platform to explore more remote regions of the world in the future. With a state-of-the-art science lab and helipad, the opportunities to design immersive and impactful conservation-focused experiences anywhere around the world will be endless.”

“Our clients are very knowledgeable,” asserts Ferrero. “They understand that this is a way to combine their passion for the sea and also other purposes related to ocean exploration, sustainability, and science programmes.” It is this aspect that really shines through in Project Master, which represents a clear statement of intent for her owner. “She is designed with adventure and scientific expedition in mind, equipped with a full suite of solutions to support the missions while aiming at consistently reducing carbon footprint and environmental impact,” Ferrero explains. “It means that Icon Yachts and Cookson Adventures are able to deliver a long-term philanthropic project around the vessel, and to gather a unique community of like-minded travellers, experts and scientists across the globe.”

She will speak to the capabilities and the journeys not only of destination but also of destiny that such yachts increasingly offer. “These boats are a unique opportunity to discover our oceans and to bring change where we should,” Ferrero concludes. “In some destinations you have great nature and, of course, great fun in the experience, but you also have communities which need help where you want to contribute. If you can achieve that then the picture is complete. This is yachting with purpose; this is yachting with change.”