Time at sea for yacht owners should not be a tricky logistical puzzle but instead a time where fun, function and spontaneity should not be compromised. While a superyacht and its associated lifestyle provide the pinnacle of ambition for many clients, industry leaders Ocean Independence are very aware that even the largest are often restricted by how much they are able to carry in terms of tenders and toys. Luckily, the solution is simple: a support yacht. Purpose built, innovative and spacious, support yachts are able to fulfil any purpose and adapt to fit specific criteria. Typically, around 50-70m, with a capability of around 15-18 knots, these secondary vessels allow owners to free up more room on their main yachts by offloading bulky extras such as submarines and helicopter pads.
To fully support and enhance yachting operations, a superyacht support vessel can seamlessly enrich the entire ownership experience and resolve a number of challenges, no matter the size of an existing yacht. Even the owners of large mega yachts often find that there is not enough room to accommodate their chosen tender or carry the desired level of water sports equipment. With a support vessel, many problems are instantaneously solved without surrendering areas on board the main yacht. Recognized to generate a fully customized lifestyle in a number of ways, the support yacht trend has seen a surge in popularity more recently, with owners seeking to further enhance their personalized experience at sea.
Unequivocally, the chief advantage to superyacht support vessels is the provision of extra space and carrying power. Take, for example, complex and bulky inflatable waterparks that can be kept on board shadow boats, giving easy access for crew to set up at relatively short notice rather than source independently ashore. Additionally, an extensive array of jet skis, wakeboards, eFoils, seabobs, submersibles and the like can also be safely stowed without taking up valuable space on the main yacht. Larger tenders such as specialist wakeboarding boats can be conveniently stored on the support yacht deck for easy access with no impact to the primary yacht. Easily used as a floating heliport, a superyacht support vessel wholly validates the use of helicopters, proving undeniable value for swift yacht transits and as ‘flying tenders” for off the beaten track escapes.
Shadow boats of all sizes and specifications
A proven platform and the perfect toy carrier, 51m was built by the renowned Damen shipyard. Her axe bow concept delivers unparalleled sea-keeping characteristics, featuring both low consumption and low emissions. Cruising at 20 knots with a current four cabin crew layout, she is fully customizable and ready to purchase as a go-anywhere, carry-everything superyacht support vessel.
As well as improved storage, shadow boats create the provision for highly efficient supplementary facilities, such as the addition of gyms, saunas, research labs and medical facilities, as well as scope to include additional staff or crew quarters, seamlessly delivering more solutions without compromise. For owners of sailing yachts who enjoy racing their high-performance craft in regattas, support vessels deliver not only space for the option of more toys, but an extremely comfortable place to stay when not at the helm. Alternatively, should an owner wish to invite more than the standard twelve guests on board overnight, a custom support vessel can include extra accommodation that will facilitate these augmented numbers with ease. If planning onshore entertainment during a getaway, it is easy for a support yacht to travel ahead to set up a beach party or treasure hunt before arrival and remain after departure to clear up, saving plenty of time, effort and hassle.
The ability to access the globe and embrace challenging adventures is greatly enhanced with a superyacht support vessel, whose typical range is around 5,000 to 8,000nm. Whether seeking extreme diving opportunities in Thailand aided by a dedicated decompression chamber installed on board or to discover the wildest heli-skiing in Canada thanks to a bespoke hangar to protect the helicopter from the elements, the only limitation is imagination.
Another Sea Axe support yacht from the Damen yard, 35.8m benefits from superb operability, thanks to the dramatic reduction in wave resistance for maximum comfort. Her maximum speed of 28 knots and accommodation for up to 6 crew has shown her to be a quick turnaround vessel, ideal for island-hopping adventures with plenty of toys on board.
Two yachts for a seamless experience
An increasingly big driver for clients is choosing to create a craft entirely tailored to their needs and not accept conventional limitations of traditional superyacht operation. For the progressively forward-thinking yacht owner, an ideal scenario is to commission mothership and support vessel together. Designed as a single concept, both are fully complementary in their purpose and function, resulting in an exceedingly strong combination. With top-level onshore management and support services from the specialist team at Ocean Independence, two yachts then smoothly operate in complete harmony according to an owner’s requirements. Superyacht support vessels continue to drive forward the realms of innovation and design while embracing diversity in terms of capability and intention, bringing flexibility and fun in an extraordinary extension to the overall luxury yachting experience.
