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Superyachts & Marine

Megayacht Design ODYSSEUS Treasures the Ancients of the Mediterranean

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With a name like Odysseus and elements of Greek and Roman architecture, Souhaib Rouissi’s megayacht design pays homage to the ancient mighty empires of the Mediterranean.
Roman inspired ODYSSEUS megayacht design by Souhaib Rouissi
Roman inspired ODYSSEUS megayacht design by Souhaib Rouissi. Credit: Souhaib Rouissi

In Ancient Greek mythology, Odysseus was a Greek hero famed for his intellect who devised the cunning plan to take the city of Troy by secretly gaining entry via a giant hollow horse and opening the gates to allow the remainder of the army to storm the city under the cover of darkness. Having come away victorious from the Siege of Troy, his 10 year journey home across the seas is documented in the epic poem “Odyssey”.

It is in the home country of the young yacht designer Souhaib Rouissi, that amongst the collection of the Bardo National Museum in Tunis, Tunisia, lies an Imperial Roman-era mosaic titled “Odysseus and the Sirens” and in many ways offers insight to the design elements of Rouissi’s superyacht concept.

Odysseus and the sirens mosaic
Odysseus and the sirens mosaic from the 2nd century AD held in Tunisia.

In the historic mosaic at Tunisia, Odysseus stands tied to the ship’s mast so he can hear the beautiful Sirens (mermaid-like creatures) without the ability to be drawn in by their call. The ship on which he stands on resembles a Roman Trireme with its naval ram styled bow.

A Roman trireme boat
A typical Roman trireme boat with naval ram bow.

This ram was a naval weapon in the Greek/Roman antiquity fitted to the prows of warships to rupture the hull of the enemy ship. The preferred method of attack was to come in from astern, with the aim not of creating a single hole, but of rupturing as big a length of the enemy vessel as possible.

It’s fitting then, that a young Tunisian yacht designer Souhaib Rouissi, would name his 114m megayacht design ODYSSEUS and give it a prominent and unique ram styled bow. Souhaib states “Roman ships were the base of my inspiration, motifs, symbols and architecturally”.

The ODYSSEUS megayacht design by Souhaib Rouissi
The ram bow is a unique feature of the ODYSSEUS megayacht design. Credit: Souhaib Rouissi

With ODYSSEUS, Roman design influence begins with the provision of space. Historically speaking Roman architecture has often drawn inspiration from Greek design but elaborates further with ornate detailing and expansive use of space. An example of this is ancient Roman housing that made extensive use of patios and air circulation for temperature lowering and it is these influences that Souhaib has chosen to carry through to areas such as the megayacht’s forward deck seating area.

Looking aft, free space also abounds where the patio style seating nearly spans the width of the deck and is only intersected by a waterfall that flows from the deck above. Just past the waterfall, steps lead up to a Roman ended pool with a gentle graded access leading down inside it.

Starboard doors open on ODYSSEUS megayacht design by Souhaib Rouissi
Open spacious areas are big elements of the ODYSSEUS megayacht design. Credit: Souhaib Rouissi
pool detail of ODYSSEUS megayacht design by Souhaib Rouissi
The pool detail of ODYSSEUS megayacht with sunbeds and seating aplenty. Credit: Souhaib Rouissi
aft detail of ODYSSEUS megayacht design by Souhaib Rouissi
aft detail of ODYSSEUS megayacht design. Credit: Souhaib Rouissi
Aft profile of ODYSSEUS megayacht design by Souhaib Rouissi
Steps and pillars create strong Romanesque features of the ODYSSEUS megayacht. Credit: Souhaib Rouissi

Of course a lot could be said about the symbolism of pillars and they were certainly a significant feature of Greek and Roman architecture. It’s little surprise then that Souhaib has also included these into the ODYSSEUS megayacht design. They work particularly well in the patio area giving those relaxing outdoors an air of ancient royalty and support the aft upper deck.

Roman pillar detail of ODYSSEUS megayacht design by Souhaib Rouissi
Roman pillar detail of the ODYSSEUS megayacht design. Credit: Souhaib Rouissi

A meander (Greek: Μαίανδρος) is a decorative border constructed from one continuous line, shaped into a repeated motif. Meanders were common decorative elements in Greek and Roman art and so we find one in rose gold tastefully detailing the length of ODYSSEUS on each side of the yacht. Marble was also a material that the Romans were responsible for beginning to heavily incorporate into architecture and so Souhaib has made sure to feature this and other Romanesque substances throughout ODYSSEUS as well.

side profile of ODYSSEUS megayacht design by Souhaib Rouissi
The Roman style meander runs the full length of ODYSSEUS. Credit: Souhaib Rouissi

These days the history and legacy of the Mediterranean can still be found throughout the region’s landmass but with a megayacht like ODYSSEUS, reflections of empires that once were could be found on the sea as well.

Superyachts & Marine

Harrison Eisgaard Reveals New 417ft Expedition Yacht Concept

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UK design studio Harrison Eidsgaard has revealed their latest expedition yacht concept – the 417ft “Rex” designed for a client wanting “something different”.
Harrison Eisgaard Expedition Yacht 4
“Rex” expedition yacht designed by Harrison Eidsgaard. Credit: Harrison Eidsgaard

UK design studio Harrison Eidsgaard has unveiled their latest design known as “Rex” – a 417ft expedition yacht named for the Latin word for “King” and created specifically for a client looking for “something different.”

Designed with a streamlined white and grey exterior, the sporty expedition yacht concept boasts four terraces with a 46ft pool on the main deck that can be enclosed with glass to create an indoor pool in cold climates, an oversized cinema, a two-story gym, and an Airbus A160 helicopter hangar that converts into a squash court when not in use.

Harrison Eisgaard Expedition Yacht 2
Pool on the main deck can be enclosed with glass for colder climates. Credit: Harrison Eidsgaard

Accommodation for 22 guests consists of a master suite and ten guest suites each with their own terrace and direct access to the forward and aft atrium staircases while features like the submerged “Neptune” lounge offers guests an underwater view of their surroundings from below and a “Panorama” observation lounge on the top deck offering 360-degree views from above.

Harrison Eisgaard Expedition Yacht 1
One of the two helicopter hangars on the Rex expedition yacht. Credit: Harrison Eidsgaard

The Rex Expedition yacht is also designed with a full-beam garage with room for a 49-foot expedition vessel, two 30-foot tenders, and a large crane to assist with moving the toys in and out of the water.

Regarding performance, Harrison Eidsgaard has utilized a significant hull chine and sharp bow design for improved fuel efficiency and a hybrid propulsion package that could be converted to a hydrogen system in the future for zero-emissions cruising.

Harrison Eisgaard Expedition Yacht 3
Neptune lounge with underwater viewing. Credit: Harrison Eidsgaard
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Superyachts & Marine

Alia Yachts Launches 180ft Al Waab II Superyacht

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Alia Yachts has launched the 180ft Al Waab II superyacht at its shipyard in Antalya, Turkey, ahead of its final delivery in September.
Alia Yachts Al Waab II transport
Alia Yachts built Al Waab II being transported for launch. Credit: Alia Yachts

Alia Yachts has launched the 180ft Al Waab II superyacht at its shipyard in Antalya, Turkey, ahead of its final delivery in September which coincides with the Monaco Yacht Show later this year.

After two years in construction amongst the ongoing pandemic, the production schedule was surprisingly only delayed by two weeks, with Alia Yachts President Gökhan Çelik noting, “the last two years have been difficult, but we took a lot of health and safety measures, and, to offset delays experienced by our European suppliers, we worked around the problem and found ways to recreate lost time.

Launched at Alia Yacht's shipyard in Antalya, Turkey. Credit: Ali Yachts
Launched at Alia Yacht’s shipyard in Antalya, Turkey. Credit: Ali Yachts

“The fact we’ve done it in just over two years despite everything is a credit to the determination of the men and women who work here.”

Designed by Dutch design studio Vripack, Al Waab II accommodates up to 12 guests and features a modern design with a neutral color palette across the five staterooms and the master suite split across the upper and main decks.

Designed by Dutch design firm Vripack. Credit: Alia Yachts
Designed by Dutch design firm Vripack. Credit: Alia Yachts

“For many owners, the concept of enjoying a ‘home at sea’ is what drives their passion for yachting,” says Bart Bouwhuis, Co-creative Director at Vripack. “The owner of Al Waab II had the explicit desire to use his boat as a family apartment. That desire became the founding principle of the entire design. The result is the very essence of living on the water.”

Early render of the Alia Yachts built Al Waab II. Credit: Alia Yachts
Early render of the Alia Yachts built Al Waab II. Credit: Alia Yachts

“We’re very proud of Al Waab II,” says Alia President, Gökhan Çelik, adding, “Yachts are getting longer and wider, but owners still want to stay below the 500 GT mark. We’ve seen increasing interest in this kind of yacht and so to be one of the first with such an impressive project is an important milestone for Alia.”

The Al Waab II will now undergo sea trials and final outfitting ahead of delivery to her owner.

Master Stateroom Alia Yachts
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Superyachts & Marine

Heesen’s Project Altea Launches As MY ELA

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Heesen Yachts 164ft Project Altea has officially been launched as MY ELA and is on her way to the Mediterranean for the summer.

Heesen Yachts 164ft MY ELA (formerly known as Project Altea) has officially launched in the Netherlands and is currently on her way to the Mediterranean for the summer.

Purchased only three months before delivery, the lightweight, aluminum fast-displacement hull built on Heesen’s sub-500GT Nova Plus engineering platform and interiors had already been completed when she caught the eye of the new owners.

Heesen Ela Project Altea Yacht
MY ELA on her way to the Mediterranean for the summer. Credit: Heesen

Featuring large floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious light-filled living areas designed by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects and warm and inviting interior designed by Italian interior designer Cristiano Gatto, all that remained for the new owners of MY ELA was to customize the final details to make it their own.

With only three months from the purchase date until delivery, Cristiano Gatto worked alongside the team at Heesen to fully customize the interiors in time for delivery.

Heesen Project Altea YN19550 Main Saloon by Cristiano Gatto Design
Original interior concept of Project Altea/MY ELA. Credit: Heesen

“Together with the client, we revisited all the loose furniture, inside and out, selecting new materials for all the upholstery and the key items from Paola Lenti, B&B Italia, Poltrona Frau, and Promemoria,” said Cristiano. “But more importantly, we designed bespoke pieces, such as tables, sofas, and lamps, all beautifully crafted by Italian ateliers, who delivered them in record time.”

Built to accommodate twelve guests in six staterooms, MY ELA is not only luxurious inside but is an elegant fast-displacement design that allows shipyards to stay below the 500GT limit to avoid the additional certification required of larger superyachts.

Heesen Project Altea YN19550 Superyacht Skylounge by Cristano Gatto Design
Interior Skylounge concept by Cristiano Gatto. Credit: Heesen

Powered by two powerful MTU 12V 2000 diesel engines for a maximum speed of 19 knots, MY ELA is also the first Heesen to feature a peak-shaving battery system that offers a seamless storage of energy by allowing excess generator power to be stored when the yacht’s load fluctuates and used during peak periods when power demand exceeds generator output.

While primarily intended for family use, MY ELA will also be available for charter with Zarpo Yachts for select clients.

Heesen Project Altea YN19550 Superyacht Design
Render of Heesen’s 164ft fast-displacement hull Project Altea. Credit: Heesen
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