top 10 yacht news stories in august 2024

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The biggest yachting news stories of November 2024

29 November 2024 • Written by Dea Jusufi

The Dutch shipyards dominated the news cycle this month. Feadship led the charge with updates on three 75-metre-plus builds, including the world's first fuel-cell powered superyacht, though Oceanco and Royal Huisman followed close behind with a new set of Simply Custom yacht designs and the rebuild of a 1930s motorsailer, respectively.

For the rest of the world, breaking stories included the reappearance of the 117.3-metre Galeb in Croatia – once owned by the president of former Yugoslavia – and rumours that LVMH (Louis Vuitton) was interested in acquiring a stake in a particular Ferretti Group brand...

BOAT rounds up everything you might have missed in November.

1. Feadship launches 76m superyacht One

The 75.8-metre Feadship superyacht One, previously known as Project 825, hit the water at the yard's facility in Kaag, the Netherlands. Imagery reveals a two-tone exterior by Studio De Voogt, with distinctive metal railings to contrast the yacht's long line of dark windows.

"The brief was for a masculine design that was also timeless and elegant. [It's] not an easy look to achieve," explained designer Thijs Orth.

2. Oceanco reveals 12 new exterior renderings for 80m Simply Custom range

Dutch shipyard Oceanco released 12 new exterior renderings for its 80-metre Simply Custom range. The Simply Custom collection was created as a means to simplify the commissioning process, offering clients a proven naval platform by Lateral Naval Architects.

The portfolio now features 27 designs, including the new exteriors from the likes of Cor D. Rover, De Basto Designs, Phi Design Lab, Pininfarina and Sinot.

3. Landmark 119m fuel-cell Feadship superyacht Project 821 completes sea trials

The 118.8-metre Feadship Project 821 completed her inaugural sea trials near the town of IJmuiden, Amsterdam. The world's first fuel-cell-powered superyacht, Project 821 hit the water this May and joined the market with Edmiston shortly after.

"The aim has been to develop a new, clean technology not just for this project," said Jan-Bart Verkuyl, Feadship director and CEO at Royal Van Lent Shipyard, "but for the world."

4. Watch: Sunken 47m Heesen superyacht Atina recovered in Sardinia, Italy

Credit: Abzalov Ramil

The wreckage of the 47-metre Heesen yacht Atina was recovered in Sardinia, Italy. On 11 August, Atina sunk approximately 300 metres from the coast of Olbia in Sardinia, Italy following a fire that broke out in the stern.

Dramatic footage taken by the Olbia Coast Guard shows the flames spread until the superyacht is entirely engulfed. She then begins to list and sink.

5. 117m presidential superyacht Galeb completes conversion into museum

The historic 117.3-metre superyacht Galeb has completed an extensive, five-year rebuild at Kraljevica Shipyard in Croatia.

Formerly owned by the president of Yugoslavia, she will now operate as a "floating museum" that displays the ship's history and has been redesigned with public facilities such as a restaurant, cafè and accommodation.

6. 101m Feadship superyacht Project 1014 enters outfitting

The 101.2-metre superyacht Project 1014 entered outfitting at Feadship's facility in Makkum, the Netherlands. She was last sighted on transport through the Dutch canals, with the yard confirming Project 1014 will now be "under wraps" until her launch in 2026.

The yacht has only been sighted a handful of times since construction began in 2023.

7. Sunseeker sold to Orienta Capital Partners and Lionheart Capital

British shipyard Sunseeker has been acquired by Lionheart Capital, a Miami-based investment company, and Italian-owned Orienta Capital Partners, as an advisory company to FARO Alternative Investments.

The yard was previously owned by Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda, which acquired the British yacht builder back in 2013 for a value of £320 million.

8. LVMH reportedly interested in acquiring stake of Ferretti Group

According to Italian media, LVMH founder, chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault is particularly interested in Ferretti Group's Riva brand, founded in 1842 by Pietro Riva.

The brand is known for its luxury open, sportfly and flybridge vessels ranging from eight to 54 metres in length.

9. 31m "high performance" sailing yacht Magic Carpet e prepares for launch

The 30.5-metre "high performance" sailing yacht Magic Carpet e is preparing for her official launch at Persico Marine's facilities in La Spezia, Italy. She was commissioned by Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, Welsh businessman and owner of the 30.5-metre Wally Magic Carpet Cubed.

"This project will prove there is practically no limit to the trailblazing concepts that can be developed for a traditional yacht," said shipyard CEO Marcello Persico. "Magic Carpet e definitely raises the bar in high-performance technology to a level never reached until now."

10. First look inside 37m classic yacht Atlantide following two-year rebuild at Huisfit

Huisfit, the refit arm of Dutch shipyard Royal Huisman, offered a first look inside the 37.3-metre Atlantide following her two-year rebuild and relaunch. The motorsailer was built by British yard Philip & Sons in 1930 and has a rich history spanning more than 90 years.

Atlantide arrived at the Vollenhove yard for a cosmetic refresh in January 2021 but was soon revealed to have a "dented and deformed structure" that required more thorough works.