IT’S PLAYTIME
Five Oceans is serious with a twist of fun
The 53.2-metre Five Oceans is a kitted-out explorer designed for adrenaline and adventure under the surface. Katia Damborsky checks out the second yacht in Damen Yachting’s YS53 range
TOM VAN OOSSANEN
Five Oceans is a serious boat. One look at the kit that’s on display on the aft deck is enough to know she was built for an owner who means business when it comes to exploring. She’s not carrying the full complement when I pay her a visit in Monaco, but she’s been tailored to accommodate an Icon A5 seaplane with folding wings, a three-seater 1,000-metre-certified Triton submersible with its own operational support container and two jet-black Novamarine RIBS that plough unstoppably through any sea state.
TOM VAN OOSSANEN The robust toy chest includes an Icon A5 seaplane, a Triton 3300 submersible and two Novamarine RIBS. The dive centre is well stocked with 18 air tanks, gas blending station and full-size hyperbaric chamber
TOM VAN OOSSANEN The robust toy chest includes an Icon A5 seaplane, a Triton 3300 submersible and two Novamarine RIBS. The dive centre is well stocked with 18 air tanks, gas blending station and full-size hyperbaric chamber
The baby blue hull colour is a bit of a puzzle, however. Broker Rob Dolling admits it doesn’t quite jive with her hardcore explorer character, but there’s a reason for that. “We knew the boat would be going all over the planet, and we didn’t want to get in any hassle with anyone thinking [it was] a military vessel,” explains Dolling, who is one half of Verpeka Dolling, the brokerage firm that represented the former owner in her recent sale.
The solution was a bright and breezy baby blue hull with tangy orange trim to keep the yacht looking friendly and non-threatening wherever she cruises. As you might expect from a Damen Yachting explorer model, Five Oceans has ambitious cruising in her future. She was delivered by the Dutch yard in 2024, and although she’s billed as a support vessel to a mothership, Five Oceans was built as a standalone vessel.
TOM VAN OOSSANENThe baby blue hull with orange trim projects a non-threatening vibe and makes it easy to differentiate her from military vessels as she travels the world
TOM VAN OOSSANENThe baby blue hull with orange trim projects a non-threatening vibe and makes it easy to differentiate her from military vessels as she travels the world
The former owners commissioned her for a world cruising itinerary shaped around ocean discovery and research missions. “They had a very definite vision for this boat,” explains Captain Ashley Taylor, and they poured a long list of add-ons – about €5 million (£4.3m) worth – into Five Oceans to make her fit their precise needs.
It’s obvious she was planned for fun. On the bridge is a touchscreen table which acts as the “nerve centre” of the yacht to plot a course for the day with the help of real-time weather updates, fuel usage estimations and live streaming from the onboard cameras.
On the base of the 20-tonne Heila crane is a seat where the owner can perch to control its movements, no doubt fulfilling the dreams of every nine-year-old boy who’s ever wanted to operate heavy machinery.
TOM VAN OOSSANENDesigned for hosting, the spacious interior caters to large gatherings
TOM VAN OOSSANENDesigned for hosting, the spacious interior caters to large gatherings
In the end, though, the previous owners realised they hadn’t dreamt big enough and decided they needed a boat about three times the gross tonnage of Five Oceans.
The interior design prioritises functionality over aesthetics, but there is plenty of “jewellery”
Before her sale, the agenda for Five Oceans had included an expedition to find Cleopatra’s tomb in Egypt, and various open days hosting Formula One stars, among other pre-exhibition media-driven plans. But as soon as she went on the market, the yacht was kept in showroom condition, and all those plans were transferred to a different yacht.
In the end, though, the previous owners realised they hadn’t dreamt big enough and decided they needed a boat about three times the gross tonnage of Five Oceans.
The interior design prioritises functionality over aesthetics, but there is plenty of “jewellery”
Before her sale, the agenda for Five Oceans had included an expedition to find Cleopatra’s tomb in Egypt, and various open days hosting Formula One stars, among other pre-exhibition media-driven plans. But as soon as she went on the market, the yacht was kept in showroom condition, and all those plans were transferred to a different yacht.
TOM VAN OOSSANEN The saloon TV doubles as a hub for research presentations and information sharing
TOM VAN OOSSANEN The saloon TV doubles as a hub for research presentations and information sharing
“This boat had that new car smell,” Dolling says. “Once the boat is used, it takes the shine off it. If someone can have a brand-new boat, with delivery hours from the dealer and the warranty punch list already taken care of, that’s a much more attractive proposition, especially for the larger boat market.”
TOM VAN OOSSANEN
TOM VAN OOSSANEN
It must have required some serious self-restraint as I’m sure the owners would have loved to put one part of the boat in particular to the test, the dive centre. Sitting below the main deck, where you might expect to find a beach club, is a cavernous space containing 18 air tanks, a gas blending station and the pièce de résistance, a full-size hyperbaric chamber by Dutch supplier Pommec.
TAYLOR-MADE FOR ADVENTURE
What’s your best tip for exploring at sea? When heading off the beaten track, make friends with the local fishermen. They know all the cool spots that no one else goes to, as well as the dangerous unmarked reefs that might put a dampener on the trip.
Where’s the best under-the-radar place you’ve ever been to on a superyacht? These days, there are so few left in the world, but I recall one spot in French Polynesia. There wasn’t a soul around, but a humpback whale and her calf surfaced right beside the boat. They circled the boat for a few laps and then disappeared. You know we don’t like to give away the best and most secret spots! Let’s call it Bourayne Bay, Huahine.
If you had to take a charter guest to one place in the world to really blow them away, where it would be? Antarctica. I haven’t met anyone who was blasé about a trip down there. It’s just so wildly beautiful, you run out of cliches on day two. There are a surprising [number] of cultural sites to visit, but it’s the density of unique wildlife that is so awesome.
Where’s the most remote place you’ve been and what’s one specific piece of advice you’d give to anyone wanting to travel there? Technically Antarctica would probably be the most remote but [the east coast of] Greenland felt far more remote and wild. My advice is the same for both places – bring good gear. Merino wool thermals, fleece mid layers and Gore-Tex outer shell, plus really good waterproof gloves. Polarised glasses and a windproof woolly hat. It’s amazing how many people turn up with gear they bought at the airport. Don’t let the lack of good gear make you uncomfortable and ruin the experience.
What piece of kit on Five Oceans are you most looking forward to testing? It’s all about the sub for me. The Triton 3300 is a fantastic piece of kit – the majority of the subs I have operated have a depth limit of 300 metres, so the opportunity to dive to 1,000 metres is very exciting for me. I have always wanted to dive Chuuk Lagoon, Micronesia. I love wreck diving, and this is wreck paradise after the Allies partially destroyed the Japanese fleet here in 1944. In a relatively small area, there is a large concentration of well-preserved wrecks – over 50 of them. Many are at scuba depth; however, some require a sub to reach them.
What’s your best tip for exploring at sea? When heading off the beaten track, make friends with the local fishermen. They know all the cool spots that no one else goes to, as well as the dangerous unmarked reefs that might put a dampener on the trip.
Where’s the best under-the-radar place you’ve ever been to on a superyacht? These days, there are so few left in the world, but I recall one spot in French Polynesia. There wasn’t a soul around, but a humpback whale and her calf surfaced right beside the boat. They circled the boat for a few laps and then disappeared. You know we don’t like to give away the best and most secret spots! Let’s call it Bourayne Bay, Huahine.
If you had to take a charter guest to one place in the world to really blow them away, where it would be? Antarctica. I haven’t met anyone who was blasé about a trip down there. It’s just so wildly beautiful, you run out of cliches on day two. There are a surprising [number] of cultural sites to visit, but it’s the density of unique wildlife that is so awesome.
Where’s the most remote place you’ve been and what’s one specific piece of advice you’d give to anyone wanting to travel there? Technically Antarctica would probably be the most remote but [the east coast of] Greenland felt far more remote and wild. My advice is the same for both places – bring good gear. Merino wool thermals, fleece mid layers and Gore-Tex outer shell, plus really good waterproof gloves. Polarised glasses and a windproof woolly hat. It’s amazing how many people turn up with gear they bought at the airport. Don’t let the lack of good gear make you uncomfortable and ruin the experience.
What piece of kit on Five Oceans are you most looking forward to testing? It’s all about the sub for me. The Triton 3300 is a fantastic piece of kit – the majority of the subs I have operated have a depth limit of 300 metres, so the opportunity to dive to 1,000 metres is very exciting for me. I have always wanted to dive Chuuk Lagoon, Micronesia. I love wreck diving, and this is wreck paradise after the Allies partially destroyed the Japanese fleet here in 1944. In a relatively small area, there is a large concentration of well-preserved wrecks – over 50 of them. Many are at scuba depth; however, some require a sub to reach them.
“The installation of the hyperbaric chamber was certainly challenging,” says Sarah Flavell, marketing manager at Damen Yachting, although the issue was more about safety than space.
“We needed to build a hatch on deck to specifically account for an emergency situation,” she says. To make possible the emergency evacuation of a severely ill diver, the yard created a large hatch in the aft deck so a person could be hoisted, chamber and all, right out into the open.
The technical equipment is impressive, but there’s luxury in the design too. Forward of the dive room is a heated and ventilated wardrobe stacked with hangers. Divers can hang their wetsuits after a dive and come back after lunch to find them dry and toasty.
The submarine operational container, built in-house by Damen Yachting, serves as a complete “support shack” for maintenance and recharging. It features special ventilation, fire suppression systems, workbenches and a mass of umbilical cords feed into it. This setup allows the submarine to recharge in a matter of hours and the container can be lifted and transferred to another vessel.
TOM VAN OOSSANENThe main dining area aft of the bridge is semienclosed by glass, and guests have a prime view of the toy set-up
TOM VAN OOSSANENThe main dining area aft of the bridge is semienclosed by glass, and guests have a prime view of the toy set-up
The deck’s modular configuration makes it “incredibly versatile”, says Taylor. The tenders, jet skis and the plane (“a flying jet ski”, as Dolling calls it) can be moved around to suit whatever arrangement the yacht’s owner chooses, even though each custom-made cradle is locked down to the deck’s substructure. While this comes with the benefit of increased weight capacity and impact resistance, it remains possible to unlock and remove the cradles relatively easily when they’re not in use, leaving a flat and clutter-free area for entertaining.
TOM VAN OOSSANEN
TOM VAN OOSSANEN
TOM VAN OOSSANEN
TOM VAN OOSSANEN
TOM VAN OOSSANEN
TOM VAN OOSSANEN
The audiovisual systems throughout are highgrade, although the cabins don’t have televisions. “This isn’t the boat where people are sitting in their cabin watching TV,” Dolling says
That was the second imperative from Five Oceans’ build owners. Hosting large gatherings was a fundamental part of the mission philosophy, and it’s evident in areas such as the saloon on the main deck.
The former owners commissioned her for a world cruising itinerary shaped around ocean discovery and research missions
A huge television screen – one of just two on board – was chosen to present research and share information, and a system of blinds on runners ensures the room can be blacked out for an optimal viewing experience. “In the middle of the day you won’t see one bit of light,” says Dolling. “There’s no sunlight bleed at all.”
TOM VAN OOSSANENThe hyperbaric chamber can be lifted off the vessel through a hatch in an emergency
TOM VAN OOSSANENThe hyperbaric chamber can be lifted off the vessel through a hatch in an emergency
The interior design prioritises functionality over aesthetics, but there is still plenty of “jewellery” in the marble dining table, the hand-laid carbon fibre awning poles and the vinyl veneer floors, which have a realistic wood grain texture.
“We did the maximum we could do to give it a high-end polished feel,” says Dolling. “This class configuration of vessel has no sprinkler system, so you can’t have potentially flammable wall coverings, and you’re restricted in what you can use. But, in this boat you don’t need velvet on the walls.”
The interior design prioritises functionality over aesthetics, but there is still plenty of “jewellery” in the marble dining table, the hand-laid carbon fibre awning poles and the vinyl veneer floors, which have a realistic wood grain texture.
“We did the maximum we could do to give it a high-end polished feel,” says Dolling. “This class configuration of vessel has no sprinkler system, so you can’t have potentially flammable wall coverings, and you’re restricted in what you can use. But, in this boat you don’t need velvet on the walls.”
“This isn’t the sort of vessel where there is a separation between owner, crew command and captain”
TOM VAN OOSSANEN
TOM VAN OOSSANEN
They got creative in other ways, like the artisanal fish-shaped lampshades sourced from Utah and the turquoise-tinted cupboards in the saloon. The cabinet design was inspired by Damen Yachting’s Xplorer 58 Pink Shadow, which was in the yard at the same time as Five Oceans. “That interior is just awesome,” says Dolling.
Accommodation-wise, Five Oceans has four cabins for eight guests, which is on the lower side for a vessel of this size. All cabins are on the main deck, including the captain’s cabin. “This isn’t the sort of vessel where there is a separation between owner, crew command and captain,” Dolling points out. “For this kind of operation, it has to be an integrated environment.”
They got creative in other ways, like the artisanal fish-shaped lampshades sourced from Utah and the turquoise-tinted cupboards in the saloon. The cabinet design was inspired by Damen Yachting’s Xplorer 58 Pink Shadow, which was in the yard at the same time as Five Oceans. “That interior is just awesome,” says Dolling.
“This isn’t the sort of vessel where there is a separation between owner, crew command and captain”
Accommodation-wise, Five Oceans has four cabins for eight guests, which is on the lower side for a vessel of this size. All cabins are on the main deck, including the captain’s cabin. “This isn’t the sort of vessel where there is a separation between owner, crew command and captain,” Dolling points out. “For this kind of operation, it has to be an integrated environment.”
Considering the long passages and remote environments the boat was designed for, the team also focused on crew well-being. Five Oceans can carry a full complement of 11 crew, and they tried not to force two to three crew members into single cabins.
Instead, they provided enough space to be comfortable during long periods at sea. The spacious crew mess is particularly impressive, with huge, squashy sofas, a big television screen (the second on board), and a dedicated passageway between the crew area and the aft deck that’s accessed via an electronically coded entry below the crane.
TOM VAN OOSSANEN
TOM VAN OOSSANEN
“There was very little I had to adjust,” says Taylor, who supported the build owners throughout the project. Taylor is a useful person to have at the helm – he can fly a plane, pilot a sub and drive supersized yachts, both motor and sail, although he says he prefers sailing.
“I always swore I’d never go across to the dark side, except for Damen Yachting. These boats are exceptional,” he says. “I love the way [Damen Yachting] approaches things. Their after-sales [service is] phenomenal.”
TOM VAN OOSSANENAlthough a support vessel, Five Oceans was purpose-built as a selfsufficient explorer, ready for global cruising and ocean research missions
TOM VAN OOSSANENAlthough a support vessel, Five Oceans was purpose-built as a selfsufficient explorer, ready for global cruising and ocean research missions
When she sold in May 2025, this highly specced expedition yacht was gleaming with newness and had yet to clock any significant engine hours.
“The new owner recognised that the yacht would perfectly complement his cruising programme,” says Tim Vickers, the Burgess broker on the buyer’s side, “providing additional space for tenders and toys while also acting as a dedicated sports and social hub for family and guests”. Since the sale, the boat has been through a brief but fairly comprehensive refit at STP in Palma, but she still bears the prescient Five Oceans name.
First published in the September 2025 issue of BOAT International. Get this magazine sent straight to your door, or subscribe and never miss an issue.
The panoramic lounge has an interactive touchscreen console to manage operations
All cabins are on the main deck, including the captain's
The 300m2 aft deck includes a 20-tonne crane
The private passage leads from the crew area to the aft deck
This vessel is fully IMO tier III compliant
LOA 53.25m | Gross tonnage |
LWL 53m | Engines |
Beam 9.2m | Generators |
Draught 3.05m | Speed (max/cruise) |
Range at 14 knots | Stabiliers |
Fuel capacity | Tenders |
Freshwater capacity | Owners/guests 8 |
Crew 11 | |
Classification | Construction |
Naval architecture | Builder/year |
Exterior styling | Vlisingen, The Netherlands |
Interior design | info@damen yachting.com |