Oceanco relaunches 93m Draak as new support vessel to 111m Leviathan

Dutch shipyard Oceanco has announced the relaunch of the 92.8-metre superyacht Draak (ex Tranquility and Equanimity)from its facilities in Zwijndrecht, following a comprehensive rebuild. 

The superyacht, which was originally delivered in 2014 by the yard, has been transformed into the new companion yacht for Leviathan, the 111-metre Oceanco superyacht delivered last year to Gabe Newell - American video game developer and the new owner of Oceanco. 

As a result, Draak has been rebuilt for a new operational role, now equipped to carry a dedicated dive tender as well as further accommodation for additional crew and guests. The rebuilt yacht will now be prepared for sea trials ahead of delivery later this year.

The rebuild included major works such as several significant exterior modifications. At the stern, the boarding platform was extended for additional safety and accommodation of retractable fenders and swim stairs, adding just over one metre to the superyacht's length. 

Another major exterior modification can be seen on the upper deck aft, which previously held a dedicated helideck and is now open to allow for further clearance on the main deck aft for a large tender deck equipped with heavy-duty C-davits. A 12.6-tonne jib crane was also integrated on the upper deck aft for easy deployment. 

The exterior works were led by Draak’s original in-house design team, though as Draak and Leviathan are required to operate seamlessly together, both project teams worked closely on design, engineering and operational decisions for consistency and cross-functionality. Oceanco, co-makers, owner representative YTMC and both yachts’ crew worked together on the mammoth rebuild. Azure Yacht Design and Naval Architecture also returned for the naval architecture alongside the shipyard. 

“Strong collaboration between all parties was needed to re-engineer the yacht’s DNA," said Dan Morgan of YTMC. "Integration of large-scale equipment optimised for operational efficiency and versatility will bring added robust capability to enhance the fleet’s program."

Inside, new lifestyle features have been designed to support Draak's new operational purpose. The former beach club and spa has been converted into a fully equipped dive centre with a decompression chamber.  Meanwhile, above, the main deck saloon is now a large crew mess with a dedicated "chef’s lab" for intimate dining experiences for both crew and guests.

New "adaptable" cabins have also been added to offer further capacity for crew when required. Interior works were carried out by German interior studio Vedder. 

“The new layout required a complete overhaul of several key systems, including ventilation and electrical infrastructure,” added Oceanco's Life Cycle Support project manager, Edwin Schneider, who was also part of the yacht's original build team. “On a refit of this scale, everything is interconnected, and every decision had to be carefully evaluated for effects. With the extent of the changes, we effectively had to open up the entire yacht.”

Draak was delivered in 2014 as the first yacht built to the PYC standard. Her original interiors are owed to Winch Design and inspired by Asia, including materials like wenge, gold leaf, bamboo and marble.

According to BOATPro, Oceanco has two yachts under construction, including the 80-metre superyacht Project Y729, which marks the first from the yard's Simply Custom platform.