Feadship launches 69-metre Samaya

Feadship has launched its 69-metre superyacht Samaya, designed specifically to enhance exploration of the underwater world.

The project, which was completed less than three years after the signing of the initial agreement, was heavily influenced by its new European owner, who was very involved throughout the project - often attending meetings that lasted several days.

As such, Samaya is based on the client’s personality and desires of the family. Their ultimate goal for Samaya is to explore the underwater world in safety and comfort, while contributing towards the conservation of the oceans and vulnerable species living within.

Feadship director, Bas Nederpelt said of the yacht, "This is the clearest possible example of how Feadship can embark on a project guided solely by the inspiration of a client and our unrivalled experience.

"Confident of the stellar reputation of the Feadship yards, owners can rest assured that everything will go smoothly from that point on. We also have the flexibility to continue engaging with their ideas as a design develops: Samaya, for instance, grew by some five metres over the early months. This is the only way to ensure a truly bespoke motoryacht."

In her design, Feadship De Voogt designer Jan Schaffers explained that the family’s diving experiences helped shape the project. He said, “The owner shared stories about diving adventures as we studied shapes together to discover what it is that makes these underwater creatures so fascinating. Our conclusions were included in the design. A good example is the gentle yet powerful muscular shape of the side bulwarks, which echo the pronounced slender muscles seen on a bull shark.”

The maritime theme continues throughout the boat reflecting the owner’s commitment to conserving endangered species. For example a giant backlit manta ray sits on the fashion plates, and the teal-coloured waterline is based upon a rare blue-green fish the owner once spotted on a diving excursion. 

Aboard, diving experiences will begin in the dedicated dive room located in the stern, finished with a teal-coloured floor and metallic/wood ceiling. The space allows for all conceivable facilities including a nitrox-enriched air system, bespoke seating and shelves for equipment.

Occupants will be able to enter the water and make trips to outlying reefs using Samaya’s 8.8m and 7.2m tenders. These are housed in a dedicated garage in the main deck and launched via large doors. 

On return to the boat, divers will be able to enter the bespoke flat-bottomed plunge pool that will be filled with hot water to speed up post-dive recovery from the coldness of the depths. Other outdoor facilities include a sun deck, with a range of dining and relaxation areas, resting beds nestled against the mast arch and a personal ventilation system.

Her interior was designed in partnership with RWD and includes a bespoke and ethnic lounge on the bridge deck. Unusually, Samaya's guest suites were designed for and by the owner’s children, with highly distinctive colour schemes and furnishings of their own. 

Samaya’s owner promised during the keel-laying ceremony to cruise wherever it is possible to experience encounters with special and rare species, and to use her as a platform that enables scientists and the media to produce material which will educate people and help protect the endangered species and damaged locations in the oceans.

For more information, visit Feadship.