Heesen launches 55m Project Castor

Dutch yard Heesen Yachts has launched the 55-metre (180-foot) steel class superyacht Project Castor on schedule, courtesy of “drastic measures” implemented by its team during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The yard explained it had altered its production processes and introduced social distancing at its offices. It also introduced shift working at its shipyard, resulting in half the normal number of employees working together at any one time.

“We were therefore able to carry on our work following the Dutch governmental guidelines with as little disruption as possible,” Heesen noted.

Project Castor is on course to be delivered to its owners in August following sea trials in the North Sea.

Client representative Rupert Connor, of the Luxury Yacht Group, said, “We have been beyond impressed with how the Heesen team adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They have adjusted their working hours to increase social distancing yet retain optimal man hours on our project and preserve an on-time, high-quality delivery which is no small feat in these challenging times.”

The fourth hull in Heesen’s 55m Steel Class series, Project Castor showcases exterior design by Omega Architects’ Frank Laupman, which has been described as possessing “muscular overtones”.

Among the key exterior features are vertical floor-to-ceiling windows in the forward section of the main deck, as well as full-height windows in the main saloon and skylounge. Elsewhere, a striking “shark tooth” design occupies the wheelhouse overhang.

The superyacht boasts a number of alterations to the first three 55m Steel Class yachts designed by Heesen, including a full-beam skylounge, a larger master stateroom of 73 square metres and larger lower-deck suites.

Interior design comes from Bannenburg & Rowell, the eighth collaboration between the design studio and yard. Key interior materials include “signature woods and natural stones” with “a warm colour palette”. The aforementioned floor-to-ceiling windows will allow plentiful natural light to flood in.

Power comes from two MTU 8V 4000 M63 diesel main engines, allowing for a top speed of 15.5 knots and a range of 4,500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 13 knots.

For more information, visit Heesen Yachts. Sign up to our newsletter to get the best of Yachting Pages delivered direct to your inbox every month.

 

Source: Boat International

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