On 4 June Dutch luxury yacht builders AMELS and DAMEN celebrated the hull launch of LA DATCHA SeaXplorer following construction on the Danube river. EYOS was design partners in the project, contributing over 150 expedition criteria.
The owner of the innovative 77-metre luxury expedition yacht (252 ft) attended the event with his family at the hull building yard Damen Shipyards Galati. This summer the hull will be transported to the SeaXplorer outfitting yard in the Netherlands ahead of delivery in September 2020, just before the yacht’s debut at the Monaco Yacht Show.
LA DATCHA is based on the leading SeaXplorer expedition yacht design with extensive customisations to the owner’s requirements, including his passion for heliskiing. She stands out with a helideck and hangar for two aircraft, fully certified for helicopters up to 4,000 kg.
EYOS co-founder Rob McCallum said, “It was over five years ago that we were first approached by DAMEN to be design partners in the SeaXplorer range. We set out to create the ultimate expedition yacht, infusing capability where needed with luxury where wanted. We looked at every aspect the design- from guest observation areas to the layout of the bridge to tender embarkation- to make it the most capable and fit for purpose expedition yacht afloat. Nothing comes close to the pedigree of the SeaXplorer.”
“The Earth is so big and our life is so short, so we have to explore as much as we can,” the owner stated on board just before the launch. “And the SeaXplorer project is just perfect. I fell in love with the shape, the design. Don’t forget that this is the one yacht with two helicopters, so you can really go further into the mainland. You can see the bears. You can see the animals. You can heliski. Any kind of activities, fishing and so on. With two helicopters you have absolute freedom to explore any remote territory as deep as you want.”
McCallum added, “To be able to explore the world on a globally capable, Polar Code certified super yacht without compromise is a dream for us at EYOS. The yacht will be able to travel far off the beaten track– after so many years working on the layout and capabilities, we can’t wait to get onboard and start exploring!”
The yacht carries extra provisions and facilities for 40 days of global autonomy without port call, and a superb set of toys, tenders, snowmobiles and a submarine.
“I’ll be really excited to have this boat the first time in Kuril Islands and then Kamchatka in 2021,” the owner continued. “That’s a real excitement because I’ve explored Kamchatka quite well with the helicopter but it would be quite nice to explore it from the shore, more remote territories and see the far east of Russia and then continue on to Alaska. From there, we can go on and do so many things.”
AMELS and DAMEN Managing Director Rose Damen was also at the launch. “The owner has a lot of energy and ideas that went into the design of LA DATCHA. This yacht is the largest and most capable SeaXplorer so far, custom built to the owner’s requirements. There is no other yacht like it in the world. We’re very proud to be building her and can’t wait to see LA DATCHA exploring the world.”
LA DATCHA SeaXplorer 77 has a volume of 2,560 Gross Tonnage and accommodates 12 guests, including two master suites, together with 25 crew. The yacht’s exterior design is by Azure Yacht Design, while the interior is by the owner’s choice of designer, Vasiliy Shprits and his studio, which has also designed many of the owner’s residential properties.
“When LA DATCHA is delivered next year,” Rose continues, “I’m sure she will transform the way people think about high-end explorer yachting. There’s so much more of the world to explore and have the most amazing adventures and there’s no better yacht to do it with than LA DATCHA SeaXplorer 77.”
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