Francois Fiat's luxury yacht Yersin christened

22 June 2015 • Written by Risa Merl

Francois Fiat's luxury yacht Yersin was blessed by the Vicar General of Monaco during a naming ceremony that was attended by HSH Prince Albert II in Monaco.

Commissioned by the head of the Fiat brand, Yersin was built by French yard  Piriou Shipyard and delivered at the start of 2015.

HSH Prince Albert II with Mr & Mrs Fiat, Olivier Drean and Bernard d'Alessandri on board Yersin

This is the first yacht from Piriou, founded in 1965, which specialises in fishing vessels, tugs, military and commercials vessels. The steel-hull, ice-classed Yersin has been built at its facility in Concarneau, Brittany.

HSH Prince Albert II commented: "The Yersin is an exceptional vessel, a boat for cruising also designed for research purposes, and an impressive autonomy of several days or even several months. She keeps alive the tradition of Prince Albert 1st’s and Captain Cousteau’s boats and other explorers who left from Monaco. It is quite moving and extraordinary to think that thanks to Mr Fiat and his family, and his attachment to the Yacht Club de Monaco, this great adventure, where science and education take centre stage, can be revived."

Francois Fiat, the first ambassador of the La Belle Classe Superyachts, presented the new yacht during the Monaco show in 2014. The Yacht Club de Monaco created the La Belle Classe Superyachts label in 2005, and according to the Club, “Respect for etiquette at sea, safeguarding the environment, honouring our sailing heritage and promoting the very latest technologies: these values lie at the heart of the Club’s ‘La Belle Classe’ label.”

Created by Pierre Jacques Kubis Naval Design in collaboration with the in-house team, Piriou Engineering, the motor yacht has been designed for world cruising in extreme conditions (-20°C/+50°C).

Named in honour of Doctor Alexandre Yersin, the vessel Yersin was designed to uphold these values and will be used as a tool for a project called ASE – Adventure, Science, Education. With the participation of researchers and scientists and young children and students from the world over, the vessel will contribute to global conservation efforts. The 2,300-ton yacht will carry 20 passengers and 20 crew.

Yersin has been built for oceangoing navigation, transoceanic passages and ice exploration. She will earn both the Bureau Veritas ICE Class IC and its CLEANSHIP certifications. She will be able to travel 12,000 nautical miles and 50 days without having to take on supplies, requiring few stops and landfalls. This goes along with the yacht's motto: Leave an imprint without leaving a trace.

Explorer superyacht Yersin

The vessel is also destined to be used for research campaigns, and will carry several tenders, among them an 11m cabin cruiser, two 7.5m semi-rigid inflatables, a barge, as well as a seaplane.

Powered by a diesel-electric propulsion system, six generators producing power for twin 1,500kW pod engines. Despite her ample range at an economical speed, she will still reach a top speed of 15 knots and have an impressive range of 12,000 nautical miles.

An additional central pump-jet will allow cruising in shallow waters, lakes or rivers, and is independently capable of a top speed of six knots. In keeping with the trend for a lighter impact on the environment the yacht will have among other features exhaust fume filters and sewage and grey water treatment plants.

The first photos of Yersin in build came to light earlier this year in January 2015, which showed the completed hull and superstructure of the ice-classed yacht.

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