Heesen Yacht’s 55m Project Castor Launched Ahead of Sea Trials

Heesen Yachts launches 55m Project Castor “YN 19055” ready for its sea trials ahead of August 2020 delivery to the owner.

Launched this month at Heesen Yacht‘s Dutch facility in Oss ahead of its sea trials, the 55 meter (180ft) Project Castor “YN 19055” was initially built on speculation and sold to an experienced American superyacht owner last May.

Following Dutch health and safety guidelines, workers at the shipyard were able to continue with operations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by halving the number of employees working at any one time and working in two shifts to ensure delivery of the yacht would still be on schedule.

Commenting on the shipyard’s operations, Owners Representative Rupert Connor of Luxury Yacht Group noted, “We have been beyond impressed with how the Heesen team adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

At 760GT, Project Castor is the most voluminous 55m currently offered by a Northern European shipyard and the fast-displacement hull designed by Van Oossanen Naval Architects is the fourth hull in Heesen’s 55m Steel Class series.

With a sporty exterior design courtesy of Omega Architects’ Frank Laupman, Project Castor has been built to accommodate twelve guests in six staterooms and in a first for this particular class, has been configured with four spacious guest cabins on the lower deck and the owner’s VIP suite located on the bridge deck.

Bannenberg & Rowell has once again been tasked with the interior design and have layered neutral tones combined with powerful accents of color to create an environment that has wide appeal. Smoked Oak Chevron parquet flooring, Calacatta, and Pietra Grey marbles have also been are utilized throughout along with other fine materials.

Powered by two MTU 8V 4000 M63 diesel main engines, Project Castor will have a top speed of 15.5 knots and a range of 4,500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 13 knots and is set to undergo sea trials in the North Sea shortly.

Project Castor is currently on schedule for delivery to the new owner later this year in August 2020.