Damen Yachting has announced that the 55 metre Amels superyacht Gene Machine and its matching 55 metre support vessel Gene Chaser will both be attending this year's Miami Yacht Show.
Owned by DNA sequencing scientist Dr Jonathan Rothberg, the pair have been cruising in tandem since Gene Chaser joined the mothership in 2021. Both yachts flaunt matching grey and orange hulls and together offer 110 metres of superyacht amenities.
"To have both yachts from the fleet at the show, together, stern to stern, is a very unique opportunity," said commercial executive Jan van Hogerwou. "It truly showcases what the Damen Yachting portfolio is all about and more importantly, how a very specific vision of yachting, family experiences, science and work can be brought to life."
The Tim Heywood-penned Gene Machine was launched in 2013 by Amels as part of the yard's 180 Limited Editions. Her owner requested a laboratory on board and even took the yacht to the Arctic Circle in 2017. Key features include an interior by Enzo Enea with accommodation for 12 guests in six cabins and a crew of 12.
The support vessel Gene Chaser was originally launched in March 2020 as Blue Ocean, but was refitted according to Dr Rothberg’s specific customisations and re-emerged in early 2021. While Gene Machine is operated like a “Four Seasons”, Dr Rothberg decided that Gene Chaser should be run more like a “Holiday Inn Express."
Gene Chaser by nature is the workhorse of the two vessels with accommodation for eight guests and 11 crew members. The main saloon was transformed into a working research laboratory for scientific projects, which most recently included the development of a rapid at-home coronavirus texting kit.
The duo will be on display at the Miami Yacht Show from February 16 - 20.