Support yacht specialist Shadowcat has unveiled Catalyst, a 69-metre companion yacht concept designed to support a diverse range of operations while retaining the stability and deck area of a typical Shadowcat catamaran.
Integrated pods and a full-displacement hull form mark a significant evolution from the specialist's previous builds, delivering improved hydrodynamic efficiency, seakeeping and ride comfort while creating additional usable volume.
Central to the design is aviation. An increased 15.5-metre beam creates a hangar that can accommodate an Airbus H145 with its blades on, eliminating the need to fold the rotor system before bringing the aircraft under cover. The vessel's primary helicopter landing area is rated to a 7.0-tonne T-value and 17-metre D-value, providing certified landing capability for aircraft up to the H160 class.
A second helicopter landing area on the upper deck creates the potential to separate landing, parking, hangar and deck operations. This arrangement means the yacht can function as a genuine aviation platform.
An expansive tender deck has been designed around the equipment typically carried by a yacht program. The current configuration accommodates a 15-metre dive tender, 12-metre beach lander, 11.5-metre RIB, 8-metre rescue RIB and an additional 8-metre RIB, supported by three main tender-deck beam cranes.
Accommodation supports up to 31 passengers, divided into 21 crew members and 10 additional staff.
Catalyst boasts a maximum speed of up to 10 knots, powered by two MTU 12V4000 engines. The concept will make its debut at the Monaco Yacht Show 2026, alongside Shadowcat's new mission-optimised 67m companion yacht series.
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