First Heesen 50-metre Steel nearing completion in Oss

Heesen Yachts has confirmed that it is nearing completion on the first hull of its 50-metre (164-foot) Steel range at its shipyard in Oss.

Initially built on speculation, Project Maia was sold in December 2017, and has now undergone her technical launch where she was christened Omaha.

A brand-new design by Chris Collins of Ocean Independence, Omaha was developed in close collaboration with Thom Conboy from Heesen U.S.A. to come in just below the 500GT threshold.

Introduced to the market in March 2016, the 50-metre series replaces the yacht builder’s highly successful 47-metre Steel model, which saw 13 hulls built and launched since 2001.

According to Heesen, Omaha is a “powerful combination of engineering expertise and ground-breaking design”.

Renowned designer Clifford Denn is responsible for her bold exterior lines, taking inspiration from classic-car design, with notable features including the “Fiskers Whiskers” grill created by her aft-fashion plates and navigation lights.

Her new owners worked closely with Reymond Langton and Heesen’s in-house engineers to realise contemporary and calm interiors that blend high-level luxury with relaxed sophistication. Light-bleached oak and stained walnut is used throughout, with a combination of clean lines and textured materials. 

A full-displacement steel hull gives her ample stability, while two MTU 8V4000 M63 engines are expected to power her to a top speed of 15 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots – a claim set to be confirmed on her extensive sea trials in the North Sea in the coming weeks.

Omaha will be delivered to her new owners at the end of June 2018, while her sistership Project Triton is currently under construction for delivery in 2020.

For more information, visit Heesen Yachts.